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February 2024 February 2024
possible, whereas we liked to take our time and just gaze. They could never the Tom Daley Diving Academy
understand why our air lasted so much longer and we had seen so much more. programme. These fundamentals of diving
lessons linked in well with the ASA’s Flip n
I spent 10 years as a Poole Harbour Commissioner. It was a very steep learning Fun awards.
curve because I knew a lot about the environment but what I knew about
managing a commercial port would fit on a postage stamp. I think my value on The pool is also used along with others in
the Board was that I could always ask the naive questions others didn’t dare ask. the area by the Chelsea and Westminster
Poole Harbour has just about every designation going, so it was an honour to be Swimming Club. Also, regular water polo
involved in the running of such a significant asset. I designed a board game for training sessions take place
the harbour (the Poole Harbour Boat Game) to get management and
conservation messages across, as I had done for various organisations throughout Mo had noticed that interest in lessons at
the country, including Rye Harbour, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the the centre had increased during the
Jurassic Coast. Olympics. Let us hope that this is an
encouraging sign for the future as current evidence seems to show that the
I was a Coastguard Rescue Officer frequency of casual swims is on the decline.
in the cliff rescue team for 32 years
– first at Kimmeridge then at “The council has invested heavily in the centre over the years and this will
Lulworth. I waited until I got my definitely continue” said Mo. I would certainly agree with him. There is a lot going
long service medal then retired to on here including the spa, reputably the oldest in London offering treatments and
make way for younger members. pampering to the frantic pace of city life. On the day of my visit it was a ladies
We searched for several days for only day so sadly I was unable to sample the delights of a little pampering myself.
the teenagers who drowned at What shall I take with me from my visit to the Porchester Centre? Firstly the
Lulworth Cove. This was overwhelming friendliness of the staff, they were such lovely people: Chizedek
particularly distressing for members kept on calling me “Mr. Bob”! It will I am sure continue to serve the needs of its
of our team who had boys of a patrons for years to come.
similar age. The team received a
commendation for this but sadly On another day, I will return. I will swim and in the spa I will take in the hot room,
the boys did not make it. the steam room, the sauna and maybe just a little gentle pummelling....
Until recently I did freelance teaching at Lulworth. Introducing school children to Bob Holman
the Geology and Geomorphology of the Jurassic Coast. I sometimes had to pinch
myself when I was at Durdle Door on a lovely day and actually being paid for it!
I am a sucker for trusteeships and have been trustee of the Dorset Wildlife Trust, the
Dorset Environmental Records Centre, the Mansel-Pleydell and Cecil Trust and the
Dorset Museum. I love the Dorset Museum (now to be called The Dorset Museum
and Art Gallery). I saw the Museum through its development phase and its re-
opening as a very different ‘beast’! I am so proud of it. I am on the committee of
Wareham Choral Society, which usually performs concert. in The Priory Church of When you respond to advertisers, do please tell them
Lady St. Mary, Wareham
I have been Churchwarden in Bere Regis for 14 years – it is definitely time I retired! you saw their advert in this magazine - it helps them

My daughter is a Professor at Bristol University and I have two grandsons there. The monitor the effectiveness of their advert and helps us
elder is at Bath university now studying maths and physics. I don’t see nearly as
much of them as I would like, especially as they are so near. My son lives in Salt generate more advertising revenue!!
Lake City in America and I hardly ever see him or my sixteen-year-old grandson.
My son is a Geologist and works for Rio Tinto. He and his family have lived in

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