There are now only 3 spaces left in the dive boat for the summer Jersey advanced dive long weekend-see events section. Reserves only will then be taken . Social places for the trip are unlimited at present (Hotel rooms need to be reserved soon however) for those non diving club members, partners, friends etc., just wishing to come along for the apres dive fun. Gatwick flights are proving the most popular but other UK airports are available. This will probably be an annual event..so watch the gallery for this years photos-don’t miss out!

Just a reminder that the 3 night Jersey summer diving and social event scheduled for the July weekend is proving popular and if anyone is still interested in coming along then don’t delay getting in touch for more details (see “events” section) to get your flights booked and hotel reservation secured. Dive boat places still available at present with diving to Advanced level on a couple of Jersey’s best wrecks and most colourful marine life filled reefs. Nice evening apres dive dinner atmosphere with possible late night visit to Jersey’s superb gay revue bar on the cards …for those party animals with energy to spare!A weekend definately not to be missed this year.

I’ve finally managed to set up a (fairly simple) website to display some of my photos. Check it out at www.alanlarsen.co.uk and let me know what you think (there’s an email link in the galleries on the website, or leave a comment on here).

There’s a gallery of some of the photos from the trip to the Sudan that Brian, Charlie and I did over Xmas/New Year. The diving was great - far more big stuff than I managed to capture on camera (hammerheads, silvertips, and more…); the reefs were unspoilt - we dived a couple that have scarcely been dived; and we shared the sites with other divers on only one or two out of nearly 40 dives. I highly recommend it.

As part of the change to Standing Order subscriptions, and ongoing website improvements, all GLUG members who renew their subscription this year will be required to re-register on the GLUG website, with a new Username (different from the one you currently use).

When we get your completed Membership Form and Standing Order Mandate, we’ll send you an email containg a link to a Registration Page, and a password, which you will need in order to complete the registration. The registration page will allow you to choose your own Username, and will ask for some mandatory information (including Dive Qualification, Contact Phone number, and Next of Kin details), as well as some optional information (alternative contact number, Number of Dives, and a Picture). Once you have successfully registered, you’ll receive another email, containing your password. This can be changed from your Profile page (as can all the other information), once you log into your account.

Note that by default, the Username you choose will be displayed on any posts you make on the Public website (but again, you can change this on your Profile page).

The personal information collected will only be available to Committee members, and will never be given to Third Parties without your permission, but it will allow Committee members to contact you, should the need arise, without having to first go through the Membership Secretary.

Because we’re a non-profit organisation, and we only use your personal information for club-related activities, we are not required to Register with the Data Protection Registrar. However, we do take the security of the website, and the protection of your details seriously.

Any members who have already paid for their 2008 membership (whether or not by Standing Order) should receive an email within the next week or so, giving the Registration Link and password.

It was agreed at the club meeting last night, that all old accounts on the website will be deleted at the end of March this year - so if you haven’t renewed your membership by then, you will lose access to the Members area of the website.

Happy New Year!

Neil.

Dear All

Just a reminder to members attending our meeting on Tuesday 8th, that we have a new venue:

Halfway To Heaven, Duncannon Street, Charing Cross/Trafalgar Square

As you enter the bar, head down the stairs to your left. I shall aim to be there from 7pm to ensure all is in order and will kick the meeting off for 7:30pm - 9:00pm.

I don’t have anything specific to add to the agenda so will be open to suggestions and keen to have a social evening to celebrate the New Year.

See you all then

Chris

To all GLUG divers.

Bookings for Diving For Life 2008 are now open. Go to : www.divingforlife.org and download the registration forms.

Flights with BA to Bankok are currently about £809 ret economy + £69 Bankok- Phuket with Thai International

Flights with Thai to Phuket are £878 ret.

Flights with Eva Air to Bankok are £789 + the internals.

For our Eco warrior members who may wish to go, by my reckoning if you start walking now, you’ll be just about in time.

Happy New Year!

London Frontrunners are performing a “Gay and Ghostly” pantomime, in aid of Stonewall, at the Drill Hall on Sunday 13th January at 4pm (bar opens at 3pm). Tickets are £8, and are available by calling The Drill Hall on 020 7307 5060.

It’s Christmas Eve, and Charles Dickens isn’t the only one turning in his grave. As snow falls on Soho, a séance unleashes a quartet of gay and lesbian ghosts who create havoc for the inhabitants of Scrooge’s hotel.

Washerwoman Helena Handcart is all in a spin. Her son, “Tiny” Tim the kitchen boy, wants to know who his father is. Meanwhile, Scrooge’s celebrity niece, Kelly, has gone into hiding (or is it rehab?). Bob Cratchit just wants someone to help roast his nuts.

And Scrooge is planning to evict them all. On Christmas Eve. Without even the dignity of an incompetent interview with Davina McCall.Can the ghosts make him change his ways?

Booking is now open for UK Dives for 2008. Please see Events Page for details. I will be at the meeting on 8th January, incidentally, if you want to book any dives.