To kick off our 70th Anniversary (Platinum) Celebrations, for which there will be a year of events taking place1, Brian Deluce, our current President and one of our longest-serving members (joined 1968), has written a overview (from minutes, newsletters and logbooks) of the clubs history starting in 1955 until the end of the 1980s.
We have published this today to mark the first meeting and therefore formation of the Kingston and District BSAC No. 17 (now known as Kingston and Elmbridge Sub Aqua Club) on the 15 February 1955 – 70 years ago today.
We hope you enjoy the memories!
Kingston Branch was formed on the 15 February 1955 as Kingston and District Branch and was the 17th branch of the British Sub-Aqua Club. The meeting took place at the Y.M.C.A. in Kingston. It is difficult to say who actually organised the meeting but as it was opened by Pauline Ady then I think it is fair to assume that she was instrumental in organising the meeting. The minutes of the meeting do not say how many people were present, but it was addressed by Oscar Gugan who was Chairman of the BSAC at the time. Mr S. Spires was elected Chairman. Now whether this had anything to do with the fact that he owned Spires Sports in Kingston is a point for debate. He was proposed by Pauline Ady, seconded by Mr Jarvis, and elected unanimously. Our first Secretary was Mr J. Murray who was proposed by Mr Charlton and Seconded by Pauline Ady and our first Treasurer was Mr J Charlton who was proposed by Pauline Ady and Seconded by Mr T Charlton. The remainder of the committee was made up of Pauline Ady, Mr Jarvis and Mr Bailey. It was decided to open an account with Midland bank in Kingston and to approach the local council about a baths evening at the local swimming pool.
The date for the next meeting was set at the 15 March 1955 with an interim committee meeting to be held at Pauline Ady’s house the following week. A collection was taken to reimburse Pauline Ady for the 10/6 per week, for the room hire for 2 weeks. In the words of the minutes ‘This was given willingly by the members’. There followed a general discussion on matters of general interest and the meeting closed with great optimism for the new branch. I wonder if they had any idea how the branch would evolve and change over the years to the club we know and love today.
The first proper meeting of the club was held on the 15 March 1955, and we had 32 members and guests present. At this meeting it was decided to book the Kingston pool for 2 months meeting every other week, starting on the first Sunday in April. A film was shown on The Great Barrier Reef, and an explanation was given on the function of the Aqualung. The next few meetings mostly involved discussions about the opening Gala that the club was to put on . This was to be on the 5th May at Kingston Swimming Pool. There was also a discussion about buying a second-hand duplicator from Putney Hospital.
The Gala appears to have been a big success with the Mayor of Kingston being in attendance, Certificates were presented by Oscar Gugen, who was still Chairman of BSAC and Mr Spires provided a starting pistol for starting the races. The event showed a profit of £19-2-2p.
At the meeting of the 17 May 55 it was announced that the branch now had 44 members and there was enough money in the bank to purchase some compressed air diving equipment. There was not much choice on what to buy but a decision was put off until the next meeting. There also followed a discussion reading the need for a logbook.
It certainly sounds like we had some forward-thinking members in those days.
To continue reading about the early history of the club please carry on below or click link to download and read offline.
1 Watch out on our socials for events that will be taking place – Facebook or Instagram if you would like to know more about club diving or learning to dive please contact us.