News
Message in a bottle from UK boy found by dive club in Belgium
Harrison Keeley attends Park Avenue Nursery in Deal, and as part of one of their activities, eight children wrote letters and drawings and put them inside a bottle to send off Deal beach on Friday 19th June.
Harrison drew a picture of an octopus and the nursery put the address and date and asked whoever found it to let them know how far it had gone.
On Tuesday 23rd June, it was found by the Recreational Diving Society in De Haan, a seaside resort between Ostend and Zeebrugge.
The group were taking part in their annual rescue training.
Member Rik Demeyer said: “The sea was very rough and one of our members lost a fin. While looking for it, she found a sealed little plastic bottle with a message.
“As scuba divers, we always recover plastic objects from the sea. This message said it came from the Park Avenue Nursery and After School Club in Deal.
“It was a letter from Harrison, aged four, and contained a drawing of an octopus. It had travelled 70 miles across the sea.”
Evelyne Becu, who found the bottle, sent a letter back to the nursery to let them know it had been discovered.
In her letter, Mrs Becu said: “We were all so very charmed by your beautiful drawing of an octopus.
“We were surprised to discover that you send us a drawing of an octopus as we often encounter them on our scuba diving trips. They are really very beautiful and amazing animals.
“So, dear Harrison, I would like to thank you for your beautiful letter.
And in return I send you a copy of the local paper and a drawing of an octopus made by my daughter Jeanne (aged 7).”
Stephanie McGahan, proprietor at Park Avenue Nursery said she hadn’t expected a response.
She said: “They’d been learning about pirates all week. On a Friday afternoon the children go out and do something and they thought they would write a letter and put it in a bottle. They all did one.
“We didn’t actually think they would be found.”
Source: www.kentonline.co.uk
Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.
After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.
With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.
Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!
Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.com.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
-
- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
-
- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
-
- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
-
- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
-
- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
-
Blogs3 months agoGozo: An Underwater Treasure Trove in the Heart of the Mediterranean
-
News3 weeks agoIconic SS United States to become the World’s Largest Artificial Reef
-
Blogs2 months agoNovoScuba’s Game-Changing Approach for Dive Store Owners: WE PAY YOU!
-
News1 month agoBook Review – 52 Assignments: Underwater Photography
-
Marine Life & Conservation3 months agoBook Review: Sharkpedia
-
Gear News1 month agoDYNAMICNORD – New German diving brand enters the British market
-
News1 month agoExploring Cenote El Pit: A Diver’s Dream
-
Gear News1 month agoTry BARE drysuits (and maybe even win one!) this Friday with Sea & Sea at North West Dive Fest