DATELINE: 29th September 2001

IMAGE SPLASH-IN
Stoney Cove, Leicestershire's popular inland dive site, will be abuzz with diving photographers on 24 November - and if you're an underwater 'image maker' we hope you'll be part of the throng.
For that is the day of the Image 2001 Photo Splash-in, which will conclude the Image 2001 International Festival of Underwater Photography and Film, organised by the Diver Group.
The festival, which has attracted thousands of posted entries from around the world, takes place at the NEC in Birmingham over 13/14 October, running alongside the DIVE 2001 exhibition. An international array of stills and films will be displayed and judged.
But, come November, it'll be time for the 'live' British part of the event, in which diving photographers are invited - with accompanying models if that takes your fancy - to make the most of Stoney Cove's photo opportunities.
There's a whole load of wrecks, including the tugboat Stanegarth and Jules Verne sub replica Nautilus; and fish including pike, perch and crayfish.
You'll be handed a 36-explosure roll of colour transparency film at 9am, and given six hours to do your stuff. Unlike many splash-in competitions, this one's dead simple. There are no categories - it's up to you to decide what the judges will like!
Back ashore, your film will be developed and judged during the following week, and the three judged to be the best awarded gold, silver and bronze medals.
In addition, there's a separate prize for the best shot taken by anyone using a Bonica Handy Snapper camera. The winner will receive a new Bonica Neon Strobe, worth £180.
Bonica Happy Snappers retail at £89.99 but, in the run-up to the Image 2002 Photo Splash-in, the cameras are on offer at £65 by Bonica dealers including Stoney's retailer, Hydrotech (01455 274106).
Winning Splash-in images will be displayed at Stoney Cove and published in Diver magazine.
It costs just £5 to enter the event - so don't miss out!
Contact Margaret Baldwin at Stoney Cove on 01455 273089.

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