Rowing in March

16 Mar 2010 posted by Dave Holby

Current Location – South Atlantic

28612 km rowed… 11463 km remaining

Well it’s been a long drop from Alaska but at last we’ve hit the most southerly point of the virtual route – all north from here on in! It will take a bit of time to cross the Atlantic but once we land in Liberia on the west coast of Africa, we’re just 7,000km and 5 months row from Blighty – it will feel like I’ve never left Basingstoke… though I suppose I technically never have … stop laughing!!! x

This rowing post is dedicated to the brilliance of a young man called Stuart Dimond  – if you were lovely enough to catch up on the last blog, Stu organised a gig at The Red Lion Hotel to raise money for Breakthrough earlier in the month featuring some of the brightest up and coming musicians this fine town has to offer. The ability to collect money throughout this challenge has been utterly dependent on the kindness of wonderful people donating money and time and raising the profile of the charity – the Craig Killicks, Jacqui Sanwells and Simon Rayners of this world. I’m very proud to add Stu to this list- he’s symbolic of all that is brilliant and talented in the young chaps and chapesses in this town and while we’ve got young men like him coming up through the ranks I believe Basingstoke is in a very good place. An excellent town chock full of excellent people x

The guys raised a fantastic £256 from their first charity gig for Breakthrough in January (the single biggest donation of the row so far) – I was so hopeful that they could match it with their second. Stu confidently suggested that they could double it the week before – a sell out night the following Friday and a whopping £568 raised tells me that if I ask him for the moon on a stick for my birthday he’ll be able to do it. It means that the two gigs have raised an incredible £824 – they guys are hoping to organise another at some point during the year, Basingstock here we come!

I arrived at The Red Lion Hotel at 7.20pm (ten minutes before the start of the gig), plenty of time I thought to grab a quick drink. I met up with Fay (Stuart’s mum) at the bar, amazed at how many people were in the cafe area waiting to get in.

‘Nope, these are the people who can’t get in – the room’s at capacity already!’ she smiled.

I couldn’t believe it – mind you I suppose it shouldn’t really have surprised me. There were 8 bands playing during the night, each one disgustingly talented and with a very, very big following. Thankfully we were able to sneak in at the back just as Goodnight Siren were warming up and the whole evening was just brilliant. The strangest and loveliest feeling for me was to be able to give someone a hug standing up without hanging on to a rowing chain – I don’t think many of the guys had seen me standing up before, Toby said he always thought I’d be taller than I actually was… I cried a little inside.

I tried head banging at one point but felt quite lightheaded after a few seconds and nearly took out the stage left speaker – I retired to the back of the room to chat with a few of the guys before coming on stage with Stu’s band Eyes Wide Closed as they performed ‘Cancer’, a real heartbreaker that they wrote especially for the gig (I think it’s just become the anthem for the row). I spent most of the song with my arm round Stu which was great for me but rather awkward for him as he ended up playing the guitar one-handed. I felt like a rock star being up with the chaps on stage – even though I have no musical talent and also had second thoughts about throwing a telly through the window due to health and safety regulations. Realising I am completely not rock n’ roll I left it to the pros – and how fantastic they all were. A hugh thank you to Goodnight Siren, The 4:20, David Gunner, Eyes Wide Closed, Kobra, Bless The Hour, The Forgotten Martyr and Blood Of The Spectre – for all their brilliance and for a great night. I should also say how terrific The Red Lion Hotel were for allowing the evening to happen and for all their time and patience – apparently they’ve got a delicious menu in their restaurant…

So without further ado – it’s piccie time!!

 

A busy night at The Red Lion!

The lovely Caroline, lead singer of Goodnight Siren.

Our hero in action!

Damn he has great hair!

Liam of Eyes Wide Closed clearly being cheeky.

A proper stand up cuddle with Fay and Harry.

Thank you to Cameron for taking all the brilliant shots.

I’ll pop the link up to the Gazette article on the night in the next blog – have a wonderful Easter x