Dear All,
It's just over a month since we finished the Walk. The blisters have healed (even Kevin's) but the memories are still strong.
The cash has all been gathered in and I wanted to let everyone know that our offical total has reached the staggering figure of £2524.55.
It doesn't seem so long ago that were were optimitically hoping to reach £1000.00, and the amount we've actially raised has taken us all completely by surprise. There may be a little more to trickle in, but as an official total this will do me nicely.
Many people have told us we did a wonderful thing, but all we did was go for a nice walk in the country; it was YOU who did the wonderful thing by donating. The money will go some way towards altering the lives of some very special people who deserve all the support and honour we can bestow upon them.
So on their and our own behalfs we'd all like to issue a final THANK YOU to all who donated, all who wished us well, and all who kept us going even when our feet were aching and our kit was heavy. We'll always look back on this adventure with immense pride, and always remember that there are many many very good people out there.
Thank you all, and goodbye.
All the Best,
Stu, Kev, John, Dawn, Ed & Catriona,
Hadrian’s Help for Heroes.
Monday, 6 September 2010
Friday, 6 August 2010
Reflections on a job well done.
Well it's been a couple of days since we finished now and the dust has settled, giving us all time to reflect on what we've achieved.
Obviously the main point was to raise as much cash as we could for a very worthy cause, and in this we succeeded beyond our expectations. Most of the money came in through the just giving website as we anticipated, but we still made over £400.00 in bucket collections over the five days of the Walk. It was therefore well worth the effort of carrying the collection tins as we marched. We also handed out cards with the just giving address on to people in places where we couldn't collect, so there could be some more to come in from that source before the end. In addition, both Kev and I have some outstanding sponsorships to collect, so there's definately more to come. Currently we have a total in the region of £1650.00, and it could well top £1700.00 in the end.
So, cash aside, how do we think it went?
Firstly it has to be said that the whole project was a team effort. Although the idea was hatched by Kev and I during a pub-break on a hill walk a couple of years ago, the others were all on board very soon after, offering their support and services. Dawn, Ed and Catriona were instrumental in getting the displays set up at each site, and Ed and Catriona did most of the donkey work of carting the stuff around. John was a brilliant stand in legionary, taking on the combat routines after Kev broke his hand, and also pitching in with about half of the walking, after poor old Kev's feet went the same was as his hand! Dawn, Ed and Catriona all did their own stints at walking so that there was always at least two of us walking at any time.
So everyone played their part, everyone did their bit, and as a team we kept each other going and got the job done.
Would we do it again? I think the answer has to be yes we would. Everybody enjoyed themselves and had a good laugh, and we all got a massive kick out of achieving something positive. I certainly intend to walk along the wall again sometime, but as a tourist so that I can take in more of the scenery and spend more time just looking at the archaeology.
Would we do anything different? Again the answer is yes. Personally I would not recommend doing 85 miles in only five days. Although 17 miles a day does not sound too taxing, the terrain is variable and very rugged in some places, and we were rarely able to march at the pace we had anticipated. I also would not have planned to do so many shows, as they each took a lot of time and meant that we were frequently running late or walking against the clock. The result was some long days and late finishes, and if we were to start again now, I'd plan to do fewer, longer stops at sites, and do the hole thing in maybe six or seven days. But then again, where's the challenge in that?!
Finally, was it worth doing? Hell yes. I'd have walked the wall just for fun. I'd even have walked the wall in kit just for fun. So to do it for Help for Heroes was a bonus, and the support and good comments we got from everyone we met was the icing on the cake.
If anyone is actually reading this blog, and is thinking about walking the wall themselves - for any purpose - I hope these ramblings help to convince you to go for it. You won't regret it. Do your homework well, check your distances and timings, and most of all, make sure you have a damned good pair of boots! There’s so much to see and do in the Wall Country, that you’ll have a great time whatever the weather.
That’s about it from us. I doubt if there’ll be many more posts to follow, but in a couple of weeks when we’ve got something like an official total I shall post that. The just giving site will be active for a while yet, so if you haven’t donated yet you still can.
On behalf of the six of us I would like to say thanks for reading, I hope you’ve enjoyed sharing the story of our walk as much as we enjoyed doing it. Once again we’d like to thank you for your time, your best wishes and your encouragement. It meant a lot to us to know that others care for the cause of our wounded boys and girls as much as we do.
All the Best,
Stu, Kev, John, Dawn, Ed & Catriona,
Hadrian’s Help for Heroes.
Donate: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Obviously the main point was to raise as much cash as we could for a very worthy cause, and in this we succeeded beyond our expectations. Most of the money came in through the just giving website as we anticipated, but we still made over £400.00 in bucket collections over the five days of the Walk. It was therefore well worth the effort of carrying the collection tins as we marched. We also handed out cards with the just giving address on to people in places where we couldn't collect, so there could be some more to come in from that source before the end. In addition, both Kev and I have some outstanding sponsorships to collect, so there's definately more to come. Currently we have a total in the region of £1650.00, and it could well top £1700.00 in the end.
So, cash aside, how do we think it went?
Firstly it has to be said that the whole project was a team effort. Although the idea was hatched by Kev and I during a pub-break on a hill walk a couple of years ago, the others were all on board very soon after, offering their support and services. Dawn, Ed and Catriona were instrumental in getting the displays set up at each site, and Ed and Catriona did most of the donkey work of carting the stuff around. John was a brilliant stand in legionary, taking on the combat routines after Kev broke his hand, and also pitching in with about half of the walking, after poor old Kev's feet went the same was as his hand! Dawn, Ed and Catriona all did their own stints at walking so that there was always at least two of us walking at any time.
So everyone played their part, everyone did their bit, and as a team we kept each other going and got the job done.
Would we do it again? I think the answer has to be yes we would. Everybody enjoyed themselves and had a good laugh, and we all got a massive kick out of achieving something positive. I certainly intend to walk along the wall again sometime, but as a tourist so that I can take in more of the scenery and spend more time just looking at the archaeology.
Would we do anything different? Again the answer is yes. Personally I would not recommend doing 85 miles in only five days. Although 17 miles a day does not sound too taxing, the terrain is variable and very rugged in some places, and we were rarely able to march at the pace we had anticipated. I also would not have planned to do so many shows, as they each took a lot of time and meant that we were frequently running late or walking against the clock. The result was some long days and late finishes, and if we were to start again now, I'd plan to do fewer, longer stops at sites, and do the hole thing in maybe six or seven days. But then again, where's the challenge in that?!
Finally, was it worth doing? Hell yes. I'd have walked the wall just for fun. I'd even have walked the wall in kit just for fun. So to do it for Help for Heroes was a bonus, and the support and good comments we got from everyone we met was the icing on the cake.
If anyone is actually reading this blog, and is thinking about walking the wall themselves - for any purpose - I hope these ramblings help to convince you to go for it. You won't regret it. Do your homework well, check your distances and timings, and most of all, make sure you have a damned good pair of boots! There’s so much to see and do in the Wall Country, that you’ll have a great time whatever the weather.
That’s about it from us. I doubt if there’ll be many more posts to follow, but in a couple of weeks when we’ve got something like an official total I shall post that. The just giving site will be active for a while yet, so if you haven’t donated yet you still can.
On behalf of the six of us I would like to say thanks for reading, I hope you’ve enjoyed sharing the story of our walk as much as we enjoyed doing it. Once again we’d like to thank you for your time, your best wishes and your encouragement. It meant a lot to us to know that others care for the cause of our wounded boys and girls as much as we do.
All the Best,
Stu, Kev, John, Dawn, Ed & Catriona,
Hadrian’s Help for Heroes.
Donate: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
Update.
Dear All,
Pictures from the last 2 days have just been posted, and after a day of rest it's time to see what we achieved.
After a preliminary count we've raised approximately £1650.00, which is fantastic. Once we've done a proper count I shall post the official total.
Thanks once again to all who sponsored us, who came to meet us and who sent theit best wishes. My feet are still killing me and I got away with it lightly, and without your support I doubt if any oif us would have seen it through to the end.
We're taking stock now, and I a day or so I shall post again with our reflections on what has been a hard challenge, but ultimately a great experience that we are all glad to have taken part in.
All the Best,
Stu, Kev, John, Dawn, Ed & Catriona
Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
Donate: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Pictures from the last 2 days have just been posted, and after a day of rest it's time to see what we achieved.
After a preliminary count we've raised approximately £1650.00, which is fantastic. Once we've done a proper count I shall post the official total.
Thanks once again to all who sponsored us, who came to meet us and who sent theit best wishes. My feet are still killing me and I got away with it lightly, and without your support I doubt if any oif us would have seen it through to the end.
We're taking stock now, and I a day or so I shall post again with our reflections on what has been a hard challenge, but ultimately a great experience that we are all glad to have taken part in.
All the Best,
Stu, Kev, John, Dawn, Ed & Catriona
Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
Donate: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
ROMA VICTORAE!!!!
DAY 5 - CARLISLE - BOWNESS ON SOLWAY.
We did it!
We started the day in Carlisle at Tullie House Museum, with the best show and the biggest crowd of the Walk. Tullie House had built an entire day's events around us being there, and that ensured there was plenty of interest. Oh yes, and my sword survived it's last test without exploding again, though I was nearly beaten to a pulp by the enthusiastic new recruits (children to you and me).
At 12.00 exactly Ed and I were back at the Sands Centre and began our treck to Burgh by Sands, 7 odd miles, and half way to Bowness. We arrived in double quick time at about 2.15 pm, and though my feet were feeling abused, we were both ok.
After a quick lunch and a pint in the Greyhound at Burgh, all six of us, joined by my Dad, two of my nieces (Heather and Erica) and my nephew (Ewan) set out on the last stage. It was mercifully uneventful, because I was feeling the strain more and more with every step. Considering Kev's feet were actually bleeding last night when he took his socks off, it was a miracle that he managed a step at all, let alone 8 miles.
As it was we all made it to Bowness about 6.00pm, and were greeted by my Mam, and Dawn's Mam and Dad. Dawn's Dad had thoughtfully brought a bottle of bubbly, which was triumphantly devoured in short order. Then we filed in to the packed King's Head Inn, for a well earned beer and congratulations - meeting several other groups who had just finished or were about to begin the hike.
John and Kev then set out home to Leeds, whilst the rest of us went back to my parents house for a splendid tea involving many pies, a shower and a rest.
I can't believe it's over - and that only 5 days ago were about to set out full of hope and enthusiasm. Now, we're all knackered but agree we wouldn't have changed anything, it's been a great experience, and we've raised well over £1000.00 now, I'll post a preliminary total tomorrow.
Photos of the last 2 days will follow tomorrow (I promise)!
The final Blister Count update:
Kev - Hardly any unblistered skin left on either foot - but he finished it with us all!
Stuart - Minor blistering to both feet - really can't complain.
Dawn - Just the one.
John - Ok.
Ed - Two but ok.
Catriona - Ok.
We must give our thanks to the following:
Ros Normandale and the staff at Tullie House, who treat us like royalty this morning.
EVERYONE WE'VE MET ALL WEEK - your good wishes and generosity made us keep going when even I though I'd been wildly optomistic, the sore knees, calves, feet and shoulders were worth it.
All the Best,
Stu, Kev, John, Dawn, Ed & Catriona
Hadrian's Help for Heroes (aka the Roamin' Romans at Tullie House)
Donate: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Monday, 2 August 2010
Day 4 - Carvoran - Carlisle
Dear All,
Sorry once again for the delay in posting, but we had a late finish last night and we were too zonked to think of anything to say.
We began the day at the Roman Army Museum at Carvoran, and the lovely girls there looked after us really well for the hour we were there. There wasn't a large crowd so early on, but we did a show for a dozen or so people, including a group of Dutch bikers - who I rather believe thought they could have probably had us wussy Romans in a fight.
Then on to Birdoswald. The nearly 4 mile walk was really nice and picturesque, apart from the pull out of the river valley just below Birdoswald, which fealt like climbing a ladder. Ed joined Kev and I for this bit, and we were all glad to get to the end where were accosted by the local press.
Once again English Heritage made sure our brief stop at Birdoswald went smoothly, and John and I put on a good routine - although we managed to break another sword when the wooden handgrip of my spatha sheared. Fortunately we had wood glue, so with any luck it will survive tomorrow's last show!
Leaving Birdoswald we had a long hike ahead of 16 miles to get us into Carlisle. Dawn joined Kev and I for the first 6, after which Kev and I went on alone, intending to rendezvous with the others at Crosby on Eden, 4 miles out. Unfortunately with 4 miles to go, Kev's feet gave up and his blisters went bang. He needed to be rescued by car and I was left to do the 4 miles to Crosby alone. I got there about 7.30, and we had our teas in the Stag Inn - very good indeed.
After tea and a pint of Cumberland Ale, Ed, Dawn and I did the last 4 mile slog into Carlisle, arriving at the Sands Centre at last at about 9.40 pm. God was I glad to stop!
Then we drove to my parents to stay for the night, and we all collapsed in a heap and ate cake / drank coffee and went to bed.
We'll put photos of the day up later, and meanwhile - the blister count update:
Kev - both feet entirely blistered.
Me - three small blisters on toes.
Ed - No problems.
John - One little one.
Thanks to: EVERYONE WE MET YESTERDAY - you were all so kind and generous we didn't care that we're all starting to hurt.
Finally, we broke the £1000.00 mark on the website yesterday, and we've made a lot in the buckets - keep it doming folks!
Carlisle to Bowness on Solway today - 15 miles. COME ON!
All the Best,
Stu, Kev, John, Dawn, Ed & Catriona
Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
Donate: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Sunday, 1 August 2010
Day 3 - Tower Tye - Carvoran.
Dear All,
Day 3 is over and WE ARE PAST HALF WAY!
The weather has again been good today and John and I set out from Tower Tye after a very fine breakfast at the Twice Brewed.
The first leg was a straight 7.5 miles to Housesteads, which we reached at about 12.30. After a very good little show we pushed on to Steel Rigg. All six of us went on this 3.1 mile leg, and we were joined by Dawn's parents and my own. It was really nice but very rugged terrain, and we were a bit slow in getting to Steel Rigg where we jumped into the cars and shot off down to Vindolanda.
Unfortunately we arrived about an hour later than intended, and so only stayed for an hour. For anyone who was expecting us but had to leave before we got there, we apologise and plead sore feet as an excuse. Still, those who stayed were rewarded by a good scrap between John and I, and we thank you very much for hanging around to wait for us. After we left Vindolanda John and I went back to Steel Rigg to begin today's last leg - Steel Rigg to Carvoran, six miles.
If we thought the 3 miles between Housesteads and Steel Rigg had been rugged, this last leg was a beast. What made it worse was that we were against the clock, as we only had three hours to complete it before the Twice Brewed stopped serving dinner at 8.00pm. We left Steel Rigg at 5.20, and damn me we got to Carvoran at 7.45!
It was a hard last leg due to the pace, but we got back for dinner - to the victor the spoils!
After 3 days we're all feeling it, sore feet all round now, but the best bit was that Kev was up to doing some of the walking today, and should be ok to do some of tomorrow's legs.
Tomorrow we're starting at Carvoran and ending in Carlisle, with shows at Carvoran and Birdoswald.
Very nearly reached our £1000.00 target online - which makes the sore feet worth it after all!
Blister count update:
Kev - many but slowly improving.
Stuart - None but feet hurt tonight!
John - None yet.
Ed - Three but very mild.
List of people / places to thank today:
The Twice Brewed Inn for being brilliant and giving us excellent food - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Vindolanda Trust for letting us display there today.
The English Heritage staff at Housesteads for throwing themselves behind us and being very supportive.
The many people we met today who gave us donations as we walked by - thanks to you all.
All the Best,
Stu, Kev, John, Dawn, Ed & Catriona,
Hadrian's help for Heroes.
Donate: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Day 2 – Harlow Hill – Tower Tye.
Sorry for the delay in posting, we suffered some connectivity issues at the Twice Brewed last night.
Today was a shorter day than yesterday – about 14 miles – but still a toughie. It began with a 6 mile hike from Harlow Hill to Portgate, and en-route we met a very nice gentleman who was once in the Coldstream Guards and was more than willing to force some money into our reluctant hands, and bought us a coffee at a roadside tea stop! At Portgate we were collected by Ed and taken to Corbridge for the first show of the day. It was a good fight, but the pommel of my sword sheared off under the stress and cut my hand. Not badly and the kids loved it – blood everywhere!
After the show we had a quick lunch and Kev set too sorting his feet out. They are blistered to hell and back and he had to sit out the afternoon session to let them heal a bit. His place on the march was taken by Powney the wonder legionary, and we were joined by Ed for a pleasant 6 miler to Chesters Fort. On the way we met some great folks, and picked up some more donations. Chesters was another good one, and this time we kept all our gear intact!
After leaving Chesters John and I, joined this time by Dawn, did the last 2 miles to Tower Tye where we ended the day, weary but triumphant.
Thanks to some fab donations we now have £970.00 on the Just Giving page, and we need to say thanks to a few people:
Everyone at English Heritage who helped us out at Corbridge and Chesters.
Betty and Henry from Haslingden for their generous offline donation.
Everyone else we met today who gave so generously.
Tomorrow promises to be a busy one – Housesteads and Vindolanda – two of the main sites of the whole Wall country – hope we’re up to it!
All the Best,
Stu, Kev, John, Dawn, Ed and Catriona:
Hadrian’s Help for Heroes.
Donate: www.justgiving.com/hadianshelpforheroes
Friday, 30 July 2010
Day 1: Wallsend-on-Tyne - Harlow Hill.
Dear All,
Please find attached a few images from the first day of the walk.
So, the die is cast and we have begun! The first day began full of hope and enthusiam. We got to Segedunum Fort just after 9.00, and got ourselves set up ready for site opening at 10.00, and awaited the crowds. The crowds were a bit slow in coming, but by 11.30 there were plenty of people around to watch us do our show. The fight went well, and all John Powney's training paid off and he performed like an old pro.
I also did a quick phone interiew with BBC Radio Newcastle, so the word of our exploits has spread even further.
At 1.00pm Kev and I set out on the 18 mile walk to Harlow Hill. The first 10 miles were knocked off in quick order, but the relentless pavemnt pounding soon took it's toll and we began to slow. We eventually rendezvoused with Dawn, Catriona, Ed and John at Heddon on the Wall, and trudged he last 4 miles very slowly together.
Today was not easy, and Kev and I were so glad to get to the end. But that's the hardest section out of the way, and the rest - more rural for the most part, should be a lot easier on the feet.
So as promised, here is the first days toll of blisters:
Stu: None (but feet feeling sore all the same)
Kev: Several (just off to self-harm in the loo)
Before we go any further, we need to thank a number of people:
The regulars at the Three Horseshoes in Sambrook for raising £72.12
The customers at Neil Gerrards Hair Studio in Bacup.
My Auntie Margaret and Uncle Jim in Wallsend for putting us up for the past two nights.
Everybody who has donated on the Just Giving site so far - we have over £800.00 in the kitty already.
So on to tomorow. Halow Hill to Chollerford, with stops at Corbridge and Chesters Fort. Bring it on!
All the Best.
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley,
Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Please find attached a few images from the first day of the walk.
So, the die is cast and we have begun! The first day began full of hope and enthusiam. We got to Segedunum Fort just after 9.00, and got ourselves set up ready for site opening at 10.00, and awaited the crowds. The crowds were a bit slow in coming, but by 11.30 there were plenty of people around to watch us do our show. The fight went well, and all John Powney's training paid off and he performed like an old pro.
I also did a quick phone interiew with BBC Radio Newcastle, so the word of our exploits has spread even further.
At 1.00pm Kev and I set out on the 18 mile walk to Harlow Hill. The first 10 miles were knocked off in quick order, but the relentless pavemnt pounding soon took it's toll and we began to slow. We eventually rendezvoused with Dawn, Catriona, Ed and John at Heddon on the Wall, and trudged he last 4 miles very slowly together.
Today was not easy, and Kev and I were so glad to get to the end. But that's the hardest section out of the way, and the rest - more rural for the most part, should be a lot easier on the feet.
So as promised, here is the first days toll of blisters:
Stu: None (but feet feeling sore all the same)
Kev: Several (just off to self-harm in the loo)
Before we go any further, we need to thank a number of people:
The regulars at the Three Horseshoes in Sambrook for raising £72.12
The customers at Neil Gerrards Hair Studio in Bacup.
My Auntie Margaret and Uncle Jim in Wallsend for putting us up for the past two nights.
Everybody who has donated on the Just Giving site so far - we have over £800.00 in the kitty already.
So on to tomorow. Halow Hill to Chollerford, with stops at Corbridge and Chesters Fort. Bring it on!
All the Best.
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley,
Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Thursday, 29 July 2010
D minus One and counting...
Dear All,
Well here we are in Wallsend, having driven up from Leeds earlier today.
We did a short interview this afternoon with BBC Radio Cumbria, so hopefully the word has spread a bit further.
Not much to say really, so will sign off. Should have a bit more to say tomorrow!
So, wish us luck, your best wishes will spur us on - but in five days time will it be "We came, we saw, we conquered," or will it be "We who are about to die salute you!"
it could depend on the weather!
All the Best.
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Well here we are in Wallsend, having driven up from Leeds earlier today.
We did a short interview this afternoon with BBC Radio Cumbria, so hopefully the word has spread a bit further.
Not much to say really, so will sign off. Should have a bit more to say tomorrow!
So, wish us luck, your best wishes will spur us on - but in five days time will it be "We came, we saw, we conquered," or will it be "We who are about to die salute you!"
it could depend on the weather!
All the Best.
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Monday, 26 July 2010
Getting closer!
Dear All,
We broke the £700.00 barrier over the weekend and are feeling pretty good about that - but we still want to make at least £1000.00., so more donations are definately required!
Only a couple of days to go before we start now and I must admit I'm getting just a bit too keyed up - I just want to get it over with now! We've spent god knows how long planning this and I just want to get on with it!!!
Kev assures me that his hand is getting better, but John Powney and I have been training hard so even if Kev is still too broken to fight, new recruit "Legionary Pounius" will keep me on my toes.
So wish us luck, and pray for better weather - I don't want to spend the whole march in low cloud and walking through a north-English monsoon!
All the Best.
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
We broke the £700.00 barrier over the weekend and are feeling pretty good about that - but we still want to make at least £1000.00., so more donations are definately required!
Only a couple of days to go before we start now and I must admit I'm getting just a bit too keyed up - I just want to get it over with now! We've spent god knows how long planning this and I just want to get on with it!!!
Kev assures me that his hand is getting better, but John Powney and I have been training hard so even if Kev is still too broken to fight, new recruit "Legionary Pounius" will keep me on my toes.
So wish us luck, and pray for better weather - I don't want to spend the whole march in low cloud and walking through a north-English monsoon!
All the Best.
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Oh Globbits!!!
Well,
With his legendary sense of good timing, Kevin managed to break his left hand today!
This is not brilliant, bit it could be worse. Al least it's his left hand, and he assures me it'll be fine for the walk itself, which begins 2 weeks tomorrow.
The main problem of course is that it's effectively kiboshed any further training for the combat demos, so we may need to have a bit of a rethink about that. Just to be on the safe side I think our faithful understudy John Powney will have to do a bit of intensive training with sword and board, just in case Kev's hand does not recover enough.
Oh well, these things happen!
All the Best.
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
With his legendary sense of good timing, Kevin managed to break his left hand today!
This is not brilliant, bit it could be worse. Al least it's his left hand, and he assures me it'll be fine for the walk itself, which begins 2 weeks tomorrow.
The main problem of course is that it's effectively kiboshed any further training for the combat demos, so we may need to have a bit of a rethink about that. Just to be on the safe side I think our faithful understudy John Powney will have to do a bit of intensive training with sword and board, just in case Kev's hand does not recover enough.
Oh well, these things happen!
All the Best.
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Update.
Dear All,
Just a quick update on how things are going.
After taking advice from a few people we have decided that the first day of the walk, through Wallsend and Newcastle, will not be done in kit. Therefore, once we're finished at Segedunum at about 12.00, we'll be getting back into our civvies and heading for the city limits as fast as we can.
Unfortunately due to Newcastle City Council's policy on charity collecting we cannot collect money on the street as we walk through town, so our lack of costume won't actually make much difference. If you're looking out for us, and you spot a small group of determined looking walkers in Help for Heroes T-shirts, that'll be us!
We've managed to get some more training done for the sword and shield fighting as well. I had intended to post some piccies of us in training but cleverly forgot my camera. Never mind, still a couple of weeks to go!
Donations have been flooding in to the Just Giving website as our publicity has cranked up a gear or two, let's hope the momentum continues up to the walk itself.
I'll try and post again a couple of time before we set off up to Wallsend on 29th.
Until then - All the Best.
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Just a quick update on how things are going.
After taking advice from a few people we have decided that the first day of the walk, through Wallsend and Newcastle, will not be done in kit. Therefore, once we're finished at Segedunum at about 12.00, we'll be getting back into our civvies and heading for the city limits as fast as we can.
Unfortunately due to Newcastle City Council's policy on charity collecting we cannot collect money on the street as we walk through town, so our lack of costume won't actually make much difference. If you're looking out for us, and you spot a small group of determined looking walkers in Help for Heroes T-shirts, that'll be us!
We've managed to get some more training done for the sword and shield fighting as well. I had intended to post some piccies of us in training but cleverly forgot my camera. Never mind, still a couple of weeks to go!
Donations have been flooding in to the Just Giving website as our publicity has cranked up a gear or two, let's hope the momentum continues up to the walk itself.
I'll try and post again a couple of time before we set off up to Wallsend on 29th.
Until then - All the Best.
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Friday, 18 June 2010
Revised event times.
Dear All,
Following the site visits made in the last few weeks to the places we'll be stopping at along the walk, we have come up with a slightly revised list of event times:
Friday 30th July. Segedunum (Wallsend), 10.00 AM – 12.00 PM
Saturday 31st July. Corstopitum (Corbridge), 11.30 AM – 1.30 PM
Saturday 31st July. Cilurnum (Chesters), 4.00 PM – 6.00 PM
Sunday 1st August. Vircovicium (Housesteads), 12.30 PM – 1.30 PM
Sunday 1st August. Vindolanda (Chesterholm), 2.30 PM – 4.30 PM
Monday 2nd August. Roman Army Mus (Carvoran), 10.00 AM – 11.00 AM
Monday 2nd August. Banna (Birdoswald), 12.00 PM - 1.00 PM
Tuesday 3rd August. Tullie House Museum (Carlisle), 10.00 AM – 12.00 PM
Please bear in mind that these times are approximations only, and will depend upon how fast we're walking at any given point. If we arrive early to a site, we'll stay until the advertised departure time, and if we arrive late, we'll stay late.
The plan is to have a show and tell table and a combat display at each site, subject to the weather - if it's bad we'll have to cancel the fight and hide indoors. The only exception to this will be the Roman Army Museum at Carvoran, where we'll only be doing the show and tell, whatever the weather.
Hope to see loads of you at one (or more) of the sites, thanks for reading.
All the Best,
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Following the site visits made in the last few weeks to the places we'll be stopping at along the walk, we have come up with a slightly revised list of event times:
Friday 30th July. Segedunum (Wallsend), 10.00 AM – 12.00 PM
Saturday 31st July. Corstopitum (Corbridge), 11.30 AM – 1.30 PM
Saturday 31st July. Cilurnum (Chesters), 4.00 PM – 6.00 PM
Sunday 1st August. Vircovicium (Housesteads), 12.30 PM – 1.30 PM
Sunday 1st August. Vindolanda (Chesterholm), 2.30 PM – 4.30 PM
Monday 2nd August. Roman Army Mus (Carvoran), 10.00 AM – 11.00 AM
Monday 2nd August. Banna (Birdoswald), 12.00 PM - 1.00 PM
Tuesday 3rd August. Tullie House Museum (Carlisle), 10.00 AM – 12.00 PM
Please bear in mind that these times are approximations only, and will depend upon how fast we're walking at any given point. If we arrive early to a site, we'll stay until the advertised departure time, and if we arrive late, we'll stay late.
The plan is to have a show and tell table and a combat display at each site, subject to the weather - if it's bad we'll have to cancel the fight and hide indoors. The only exception to this will be the Roman Army Museum at Carvoran, where we'll only be doing the show and tell, whatever the weather.
Hope to see loads of you at one (or more) of the sites, thanks for reading.
All the Best,
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Update.
Dear All,
It's been quite a while since the last post - for which we apologise - but we've not been idle, so I thought I'd bring you all up to date with what's been going on.
On 30th May we went up to Hadrian's Wall and visited the four sites we'll be displaying at. We met the site managers and sorted out where we could put our arena etc. The staff at each site were all very friendly and it was good to get stuff sorted.
We also visited the other - non English heritage - sites along the Wall on 11th June. Once again the visits went well and we're now positively salivating at the prospect of getting stuck in.
I've also been on a practice walk to test my Roman marching boots. Fifteen miles or so of rugged terrain around Cross Fell and the North Pennines were a suitable challenge - the terrain was much tougher than anything we'll face on the Wall itself. The boots were brilliant, and I've ticked them off the list of things that could go wrong...
As well as all this Kev and I have started working on our combat techniques, getting ideas for the sword and shield demo we'll be doing at each site. We have been aided in this by ourn noble understudy John Powney, who will be bravely stepping into the breach and taking over costumed walking and demonstration duties should either Kev or I break before or during the Walk.
So as you can see, we've been busy! We'll also be contacting the Press in the next week or so to try and get further coverage of the event and convert that intio cold hard cash for the cause.
Further updates will be forthcoming, but for now - bring on 30th July!
All the Best,
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
It's been quite a while since the last post - for which we apologise - but we've not been idle, so I thought I'd bring you all up to date with what's been going on.
On 30th May we went up to Hadrian's Wall and visited the four sites we'll be displaying at. We met the site managers and sorted out where we could put our arena etc. The staff at each site were all very friendly and it was good to get stuff sorted.
We also visited the other - non English heritage - sites along the Wall on 11th June. Once again the visits went well and we're now positively salivating at the prospect of getting stuck in.
I've also been on a practice walk to test my Roman marching boots. Fifteen miles or so of rugged terrain around Cross Fell and the North Pennines were a suitable challenge - the terrain was much tougher than anything we'll face on the Wall itself. The boots were brilliant, and I've ticked them off the list of things that could go wrong...
As well as all this Kev and I have started working on our combat techniques, getting ideas for the sword and shield demo we'll be doing at each site. We have been aided in this by ourn noble understudy John Powney, who will be bravely stepping into the breach and taking over costumed walking and demonstration duties should either Kev or I break before or during the Walk.
So as you can see, we've been busy! We'll also be contacting the Press in the next week or so to try and get further coverage of the event and convert that intio cold hard cash for the cause.
Further updates will be forthcoming, but for now - bring on 30th July!
All the Best,
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Fundraising Update.
Hi All,
Just a quick update to let you know that so far, with donations from the events we've attended and from the just giving site, we have raised a total of £331.05.
That's pretty good seeing as we haven't even started the walk yet!
Hopefully there'll be plenty more to come - keep giving.
All the Best,
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Just a quick update to let you know that so far, with donations from the events we've attended and from the just giving site, we have raised a total of £331.05.
That's pretty good seeing as we haven't even started the walk yet!
Hopefully there'll be plenty more to come - keep giving.
All the Best,
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Royal Armouries Roman Weekend (part 2).
Ave Citizens!
The Royal Armouries Roman Weekend was a success, with a further £163.00. raised over the Saturday and Sunday. To all those of you who put their hands in their pockets, we thank you very much. Here is a picture taken on the Saturday of Kevin and I with our stall.
As well as the money we raised, there was also a great deal of interest in the forthcoming march, and we handed out lots of cards with our blog and just giving details. Several people even said they would make a point of coming up to Nothumberland to see us - presumably to make sure we actually do it!
Unfortunately Quintus (Kevin) had a note from his mum on the Sunday, so the task of keeping the known-world safe for autocracy fell to yours truly. But it was well worth flying solo, as I had a few very nice chats with some parents of serving soldiers currently out in Afghanistan. Their kind words and appreciation of what we're doing is all the encouragement we need - come July those 85 miles will fly by.
It's not long now until we actually get going, and both Kev and I cannot wait. Until then, we'll keep you posted here as to how we're getting along - don't go away!
All the Best,
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Thursday, 22 April 2010
Royal Armouries Roman Weekend, 1st-3rd May.
Ave!
The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds are having a Roman themed weekend over the first bank holiday in May. Hadrian's Help for Heroes will be there on the Saturday and Sunday to lend a hand, with our stall of replica bits and bobs.
So, come along and have a chat, have a look at what we've brought with us and maybe even try on so reproduction Roman armour, and ask us any questions you have about life in Roman Britain, 1650 years ago.
Most importantly, we'll have our collection bucket with us, so feel free to give us all your change!
Hope to see you there.
All the Best,
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds are having a Roman themed weekend over the first bank holiday in May. Hadrian's Help for Heroes will be there on the Saturday and Sunday to lend a hand, with our stall of replica bits and bobs.
So, come along and have a chat, have a look at what we've brought with us and maybe even try on so reproduction Roman armour, and ask us any questions you have about life in Roman Britain, 1650 years ago.
Most importantly, we'll have our collection bucket with us, so feel free to give us all your change!
Hope to see you there.
All the Best,
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
The Big launch (part 2)!
Hello again,
The St George's Day parade at Morley on Sunday was a great success. The weather was fine, the crowds were huge, and interest in our stall was high. Here's an image of the stall with me (Stuart) looking all butch and Roman.
We had many people around the gazebo chatting to us and looking at the arms / armour we'd brought, and my wife Dawn and I were run off our feet for a good 4 hours or so. Unfortunately Kevin was poncing around as St George himself all day, so was unable to help out.
Most importantly we made exactly £150.00 on the day of donations into the bucket. A brilliant start to the collection - people of Morley and surrounding area, we thank you very, very much.
What was particularly nice was the number of kids who came up and threw their pocket money in, generous gestures that all add up in the end. We also handed out quite a few business cards with the blog and Justgiving page addresses on, and many people promised to follow our progress on line - so to you we say a special "Hello!"
All the attention we got made the hard work we've put in so far seem worthwhile, and we're raring to go now - just a couple of months to wait.
As ever, thanks for eading and we'll keep you informed.
All the Best,
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Monday, 12 April 2010
The Big launch (part 1)!
Hello All,
This Sunday (18th April) we will be launching Hadrian's Help for Heroes at Morley St. George's Day festival, the Rugby Club, Morley, Leeds.
We will have a stall on which we will be displaying some of the replica kit we will be taking with us on the walk, and also some blurb about what we're doing / why we're doing it etc.
Hopefully it will be a good day and we will get to meet many people and begin to spread the word, and start to get the all important donations coming in.
If you're in the area pop in and see us!
All the Best,
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
This Sunday (18th April) we will be launching Hadrian's Help for Heroes at Morley St. George's Day festival, the Rugby Club, Morley, Leeds.
We will have a stall on which we will be displaying some of the replica kit we will be taking with us on the walk, and also some blurb about what we're doing / why we're doing it etc.
Hopefully it will be a good day and we will get to meet many people and begin to spread the word, and start to get the all important donations coming in.
If you're in the area pop in and see us!
All the Best,
Stuart Ivinson and Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
DONATE: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Events.
Hello again,
As part of our fundraising walk along Hadrian's Wall for Help for Heroes, we will be stopping off at a number of sites to give presentations and demonstrations of late Roman arms and armour.
Below is a list detailing the places that we will be stopping at each day, with the approximate times for each site:
Friday 30th July. Segedunum (Wallsend, 10.00 AM – 12.00 PM
Saturday 31st July. Corstopitum (Corbridge), 11.30 AM – 1.30 PM
Saturday 31st July. Cilurnum (Chesters), 4.00 PM – 6.00 PM
Sunday 1st August. Vircovicium (Housesteads), 12.30 PM – 1.30 PM
Sunday 1st August. Vindolanda (Chesterholm), 2.30 PM – 4.30 PM
Monday 2nd August. Roman Army Mus (Carvoran), 10.00 AM – 11.00 AM
Monday 2nd August. Banna (Birdoswald), 12.00 PM - 1.00 PM
Tuesday 3rd August. Tullie House Museum (Carlisle), 10.00 AM – 11.00 AM
Times are dependent upon the location of the site within a given day's walk, and it should be noted that all timings are approximate.
If there are any major changes to this schedule they will be detailed in further posts.
At this point we would like to acknowledge all the organisations who have kindly given us permission to stop at their sites:
Carlisle City Council, English Heritage, Tyne & Wear Museums, The Vindolanda Trust.
Their enthusiasm for our project and their help has been a big boost for us, and should make the whole march a great deal better.
All the Best,
Stuart Ivinson & Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
As part of our fundraising walk along Hadrian's Wall for Help for Heroes, we will be stopping off at a number of sites to give presentations and demonstrations of late Roman arms and armour.
Below is a list detailing the places that we will be stopping at each day, with the approximate times for each site:
Friday 30th July. Segedunum (Wallsend, 10.00 AM – 12.00 PM
Saturday 31st July. Corstopitum (Corbridge), 11.30 AM – 1.30 PM
Saturday 31st July. Cilurnum (Chesters), 4.00 PM – 6.00 PM
Sunday 1st August. Vircovicium (Housesteads), 12.30 PM – 1.30 PM
Sunday 1st August. Vindolanda (Chesterholm), 2.30 PM – 4.30 PM
Monday 2nd August. Roman Army Mus (Carvoran), 10.00 AM – 11.00 AM
Monday 2nd August. Banna (Birdoswald), 12.00 PM - 1.00 PM
Tuesday 3rd August. Tullie House Museum (Carlisle), 10.00 AM – 11.00 AM
Times are dependent upon the location of the site within a given day's walk, and it should be noted that all timings are approximate.
If there are any major changes to this schedule they will be detailed in further posts.
At this point we would like to acknowledge all the organisations who have kindly given us permission to stop at their sites:
Carlisle City Council, English Heritage, Tyne & Wear Museums, The Vindolanda Trust.
Their enthusiasm for our project and their help has been a big boost for us, and should make the whole march a great deal better.
All the Best,
Stuart Ivinson & Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Welcome to Hadrian's Help for Heroes!
This is the blog site of Hadrian's Help for Heroes. On 30th July 2010 Kevin Morley, a former serviceman with the Light Infantry, and myself - Stuart Ivinson, mild-mannered Librarian at the Royal Armouries in Leeds - will be starting out on a march along the northern frontier of the mighty Roman Empire - Hadrian's Wall. From Wallsend-on-Tyne to Bowness-on-Solway, the distance is 85 miles and we aim to cover it in five blister-enducing days, ending on 3rd August. That means a march every day of between 14 and 20 miles, taking in some of the most stunning terrain in the north of England.
To make things interesting we'll be doing the march in authentic replica clothing, and carrying the equipment of mid 4th-century Roman soldiers. Along the way we will be stopping at a number of sites along this ancient and beautiful historical landmark, giving performances of Roman military skill with long sword (spatha) and shield, and give you the chance to look at / handle some of our replica gear, and ask us any questions you may have about life in the Roman Army.
We're doing this to raise funds for Help for Heroes, a wonderful charity that supports our injured servicemen and women. It hardly needs mentioning that they do incredibly hard and dangerous jobs for little thanks, and their efforts mean that - for the most part - we never need to face the experiences that they do. This is our way to say thanks for their efforts on our behalf. To see how H4H use the donations they recieve, take a look at the H4H webpage: www.helpforheroes.org.uk
If you would like to donate, you can do so at our Just Giving site: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes Alternatively, if you are in the region, pop in and see us - we'll be happy to take your cash!
We would like to say a big thanks to all who support us. Using this blog we'll keep you updated on our progress as we get closer to the start, and on the march itself. An account of each day of the march will be provided, including a full count of the blisters at the end of every day!
Stuart Ivinson & Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
To make things interesting we'll be doing the march in authentic replica clothing, and carrying the equipment of mid 4th-century Roman soldiers. Along the way we will be stopping at a number of sites along this ancient and beautiful historical landmark, giving performances of Roman military skill with long sword (spatha) and shield, and give you the chance to look at / handle some of our replica gear, and ask us any questions you may have about life in the Roman Army.
We're doing this to raise funds for Help for Heroes, a wonderful charity that supports our injured servicemen and women. It hardly needs mentioning that they do incredibly hard and dangerous jobs for little thanks, and their efforts mean that - for the most part - we never need to face the experiences that they do. This is our way to say thanks for their efforts on our behalf. To see how H4H use the donations they recieve, take a look at the H4H webpage: www.helpforheroes.org.uk
If you would like to donate, you can do so at our Just Giving site: www.justgiving.com/hadrianshelpforheroes Alternatively, if you are in the region, pop in and see us - we'll be happy to take your cash!
We would like to say a big thanks to all who support us. Using this blog we'll keep you updated on our progress as we get closer to the start, and on the march itself. An account of each day of the march will be provided, including a full count of the blisters at the end of every day!
Stuart Ivinson & Kevin Morley, Hadrian's Help for Heroes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)