Divers Folk About for DDRC

[Adrian Kelland]

Just passing this on, any chance of it being made sticky until after the event?

The famous Plymouth-based charity, the Diving Diseases Research Centre (DDRC), is inviting divers along to a fundraising folk night on Thursday 26 April. The legendary musician and entertainer, Shep Woolley, will be performing in Plymouth to raise money for the charity and to remember his old friend and fellow folkie, Cyril Tawney, who received treatment at DDRC, shortly before his death in April 2005.

Originally set up at Fort Bovisand in 1980, the hyperbaric medical centre recently provided emergency treatment to its 1000th diver. Keith Scriven from Exeter ended up in the chamber after he suddenly became ill following a routine 30m dive on the wreck of the Belgian steamship Persier which sank in Bigbury Bay in 1945. Keith was one of 73 divers treated at DDRC last year. The medical unit also provides treatment to non-divers, like Cyril, suffering from conditions such as carbon monoxide poisoning, gas gangrene and radiation tissue damage.

Organisers are hoping that the current revival in folk music will encourage people to come along and show their respects for Cyril who was one of the country’s most famous and well-loved folk singers. Shep will be supported on stage by Hanging Johnny, a motley crew of sea shanty singers.

The DDRC fundraiser will be take place at 7.30pm, on Thursday 26th April at the Royal Fleet Club in Devonport, Plymouth. For more information or to order tickets for the event, which are £8, contact DDRC on 01752 209999 or email info@ddrc.org