Amble Mini Regatta with Robson Green

07 September 2014

Amble Coastal Rowing Club had invited us to attend a ‘mini regatta’ along with other clubs to provide a spectacle that was to be filmed for the new Robson Green series Tales from Northumberland. Robson had been filmed helping Amble build their skiff ‘Coquet Spirit’ and now we were to take part in a race that was to be included as part of his investigation on the building and rowing of St Ayles Skiffs in the region. Gosforth brought ‘Grace’. North Berwick took along one of their boats ‘Skiff John-B’ on what turned out to be a good day for filming.

After lunch on the beach ‘Grace’ was loaded onto her trailer and the 3 remaining skiffs went out for some leisurely rowing, ‘Crofton’ crewed by Kirsty, Hugh, Martin, Rob and a fellow ACRC member decided that as it was high tide we would explore up the river to Warkworth. With calm water and a crew that needed very little input from the cox (Martin) we headed up the Coquet and took in the sights along the way, followed by an inquisitive seal. After heading North we rounded the bend by the old bridge and headed South to Warkworth Castle sighting a prospective landing site for future rowing expeditions.

The return journey took considerably less time with tide/wind assistance and we got a wave from the North Berwick crew heading home from the road. The remaining 2 skiffs were loaded on their trailers and we reflected on what had been a wonderful experience for all of us (photo selfies with Robson Green aside!) and vowed to repeat the river trip with other clubs when time and tide allowed. Thank you Amble CRC for the invitation, we will return!

Martin Haigh