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Every Picture Tells a StoryYou are in: Humber > BBC Radio Humberside > Steve Redgrave's Late Show > Every Picture Tells a Story > Dianne Davies Dianne DaviesLiving near the banks of the Humber Estuary at Paull, Dianne Davies has an aquatic interest that means she's had wild seals in the back of her car. Dianne is involved with guiding, the Paull Parish Council, web design and narrowboats.  Training simulation: Whale rescue Dianne Davies was a teacher for 33 years and taught in Hull schools particularly to the east of the city, but for the last 18 years of her teaching career worked with children with special needs. These days, Dianne is a trained medic with the British Marine Life Rescue. An organisation which came about after an outbreak around the Wash in the late 1980s of a type of distemper which affects seals. The mammals were dying in their thousands and a group of divers got together to see what they could do to help relieve the suffering of the animals.  A seal on sand near the sea 180 The organisation went national and is spread around the coastal areas of Britain. There are currently around 15 medics for the coastal area running from Hornsea down to Skegness, of which Dianne is a member. In her interview, Dianne describes how she became involved. Her daughter was studying for a marine biology degree and training to be a diver and a rescue medic herself. Dianne acted as a 'driver' when her daughter was called out to deal with a situation and it wasn't long before Dianne became trained up too. The pictures on this page show medics being trained in our area and some of the animals she's helped.  A rescued seal goes for a drive This seal pup was in need of medical treatment and at the time this photo was taken the seal was 'loose' in the back of her car. Dianne has had to move seals further down the coast to seal sanctuaries many times in this way.  A seal found on Hull's Victoria Dock Diane says: ""We named this one Victoria as she'd decided to park up in the middle of a footpath in Victoria Dock (a housing estate in Hull). Fit, fat and feisty, we couldn't leave her there so we had fun capturing a healthy seal who didn't want to be moved. We released her at Spurn."  A seal at Paull shipyard "This one took up residence at Paull shipyard, on the slipway right under the large tug being built there. She was also perfectly okay apart from a minor scratch on her nose. The turquoise is antiseptic spray and it’s all over her face because that’s how many attempts it took to hit the graze. But she couldn't stay there so I had to take her to Spurn for release in a safe place. Here she is looking round for one last time before heading for the sea."  Training: Dolphin rescue simulation These days the organisation helps whales and porpoises in addition to looking after seals and the main picture is of a training exercise were a small 'whale' is being dealt with. The day this training took place, Dianne describes the weather as being "atrocious" but typical of the type of conditions that medics encounter on a typical rescue. A former parish councillor in Paull for a number of years, she's very much still involved with local affairs. After a short break after being a councillor she's now moved into administration and has taken on the role of Parish Clerk in Paull, which she finds very rewarding. The guiding movement is something close to her heart too and she has worked tirelessly with local groups in the area. It was this connection with guiding that led her into the world of narrowboats.In order to take guides on boats it's necessary to obtain a 'driving licence' to enable someone to oversee their health and safety. As a consequence, Dianne is now the part owner of a narrowboat and enjoys the experience very much. She's also designed the website for the co-owners of the boat and web design is a skill she's also put to good use to help other organisations including the 3rd Keyingham Brownies. last updated: 01/04/2008 at 18:25 You are in: Humber > BBC Radio Humberside > Steve Redgrave's Late Show > Every Picture Tells a Story > Dianne Davies What to do if you find a seal pupWatch it from a safe distance. It may not need help. It is quite normal for seals to come onto the beach. Do not touch it. Seals can bite. Prevent other people and dogs from approaching it. Never 'help' a seal pup back into the sea. If it is small, thin, is coughing or sneezing or looks ill, try to stop it from going back into the water and call the number below for help: BDLMR hotline: 01825 765546 |
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