What to do About Dotty.....??

[Richard Greenwood]

Dotty is probably on the limits for travelling for me for doing in a day. I've never dived it, and I would prefer to see proper facilities before I do.

Chepstow is too far away for me for a day's diving. The only way it would be viable would be to spend a weekend down there.

On a seperate point, there was a rumour going around a couple of years ago that someone had applied for Lottery funding for a site on the M62 corridor. Having heard nothing since, I assume this never got off the ground, unless anyone knows different??  

[Mr T.]

Just taken from the Divernet News Page - dated 01st Jan 2003.

"DOROTHEA ENDS 2002 WITH A BEND

A diver was taken to Murrayfield hyperbaric chamber after surfacing with symptoms of a bend after a dive at Dorothea.

The man was diving with a buddy at the quarry on Monday 30 Dec, and the alarm was raised by his buddy.

The latest incident ends a sorry year for Dorothea, five divers lost their lives at the controversial site. Despite calls from diving training agencies and the quarry's owner asking divers to stay away, the site remains popular.

Divers have asked for local facilities to be built to help improve safety.

1 January 2003"

[parahandy]

We are fortunate in the NW to have some variety of training sites, with Capernwray or the lakes relatively local so I guess we are spoilt.

I've visited Stoney on several occasions and personally feel whilst its a good site I feel it's somewhat over rated and certainly not worth the congestion and clamour for the car park. Dived Dorethea a few times and whilst it's one of those must dive places again I always feel somewhat cheated with Anglesey and the Lleyn close.

From my location Vobsters aprox 200mile driving that distance I would much prefer to get in the Sea. It would have to be something "very special"  for me to warrent such a drive. It's seems a more practical proposition for the YD Southern contingent.

Don't wish to appear dismissive of anyones efforts and enthusiasm here, just my "personal" thoughts on the matter.

[daz]

Without being down on the place,  I am not sure Vobster will compete very well with the new quarry at Chepstow.  OK so Tidenham is a bit dearer and there is a bridge toll to pay (If coming from Bristol) but if you car share the toll is not much and it is only 20 minutes away.  Also too be blunt if I was going to worry about a few quid here and there I have taken up the wrong sport ;)

Daz