News
Sharm El Sheikh: travel update from Monarch Airlines
Monarch Airlines released a statement yesterday regarding flights to Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh:
(Luton, UK – 16 February 2016) – Monarch has continued to liaise closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Department for Transport (DfT) and the UK Government over the travel advice to Sharm El Sheikh. Whilst we are aware of the recent assessment of security procedures at Sharm El Sheikh Airport and welcome this progress, we appreciate there is further work to be done to reopen this airport to the travelling British public. Currently, the advice from both the FCO and the DfT remains unchanged from November and advises customers against all but essential air travel to Sharm El Sheikh Airport. However, Monarch is mindful of the ongoing government level discussions to restart UK flights to Sharm El Sheikh, which could allow the Easter period to operate as planned.
As there is no change in advice at this point, Monarch has extended the cancellation of flights to and from the UK and Sharm El Sheikh Airport up to and including Thursday, 24th March 2016. In the event that the advice does not change by next week (26th February 2016), Monarch will make further cancellations including the Easter period. It remains Monarch’s objective to operate flights to Sharm El Sheikh once approval is granted.
Customers who are affected by these cancellations are entitled to change a booking to a later date or rebook to another destination on the Monarch network. Customers can also request a credit note towards future travel or a refund.
For customers looking for an alternative destination, Monarch has additional flights to mainland Spain, Faro, Gibraltar, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Tenerife. Other alternatives for a winter sun escape include the Red Sea resorts of Hurghada and Eilat and Cyprus, Agadir and Madeira. Details of these together with other suggestions for a winter holiday getaways can be found on our website.
Flight only customers can contact the Monarch Customer Contact Centre on 0333 003 0700 or email preflight.internetqueries@monarch.co.uk. Customers who have booked a package holiday should contact Monarch on 0333 777 4744.
The safety and security of our passengers will always remain our number one priority and whilst this ongoing situation is beyond our control, Monarch would like to apologise to all affected customers for the inconvenience that it has caused.
Source: www.blog.monarch.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.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- 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
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