Supporting East Yorkshire causes

As reported in our last blog post, Geoff and Sophie Earl are embarking on an epic cycle ride to raise money for World Vision.  Resplendent in Aquarius of Howden shirts, they have started their journey and sent this picture and feedback;

“Cyclists sporting aquarius shirts at lands end this morning. First leg all to plan just too many hills!”

Good luck for the rest of the ride and we look forward to making you a cuppa at the showroom on 5th August!

An epic cycling challenge involving an East Yorkshire father and daughter has been given a boost by a Howden bathroom business.

On 31st July, Geoff and Sophie Earl from Asselby near Howden will embark on the famous Lands End to John O’Groats cycle ride, with no support vehicle and riding the 1080 miles with just what they can carry on their bikes.

Geoff Earl, Sophie Earl and Laurie Kersey prepare for their epic cycle ride

Generously supported by Aquarius of Howden and other local businesses, the father, daughter and two friends, Laurie Kearsey (24) and Mark Mihkelson (50) aim to complete the grueling ride, taking the longer East Coast route to accommodate a pit stop in Asselby on 5th August, in only 14 days.

Geoff, who will celebrate his 50th birthday later this year and who describes himself as ‘a keen cyclist since Easter!’ explained how the challenge came about; “Over a year ago Sophie and I started talking about doing something memorable during her 2010 summer vacation from Sheffield University and we decided to do the cycle ride to raise money for World Vision as it’s a charity that we’ve supported for many years. The challenge has been made possible thanks to businesses like Aquarius, who have provided our cycling shirts and made a generous donation and we’re all very grateful.”

Sophie continued; “We’ve been cycling 100 miles a week in training since Easter and we’re quietly confident that we can rise to the challenge of averaging around 80 miles a day. The route and accommodation have been meticulously planned and we’re all really looking forward to raising lots of money for worthwhile charities.”

World Vision is an organisation that provides help and support for children and families in the poorest parts of the world to help overcome poverty and injustice. They help people to help themselves and achieve some of the things that we take for granted. Geoff and Sophie have already beaten their £3000 fundraising target, but would welcome more donations to benefit World Vision. If you would like to support them, please visit www.justgiving.com/fromlandsendtojohnogroats.

Howden Cricket Club looking forward to welcoming Saturday cricket back to the Ashes playing field next season after a 12 year absence.
The club disbanded in the mid 1990s and the pavilion at the Treeton Road site fell into disrepair but a determined group of footballers and cricketers have worked tirelessly to restore the historic pavilion to its former glory in the shadow of the Minster.

Aquarius of Howden have helped to refurbish the historic building

Although the club reformed in 2004 and now plays in the Snaith and District evening league, there has been no Saturday cricket at the Ashes since 1998
A team including Aquarius of Howden employees Andy Smith, James Smith and Ian Mitchell have spent the last two months installing hot water and three new state of the art showers kindly supplied by Aquarius and will refurbish the toilets once the pavilion roof is made watertight over the next few weeks. The final stage of the refurbishment will be to fit the Howdens supplied kitchen and the make-over will be complete.
Former pace bowler and keen footballer Andy is delighted that the pavilion will be used again; “It’s such an important part of Howden’s history and we’re proud to have been a part of its restoration. We’re very grateful to Aquarius and Howdens as the project wouldn’t have been viable without their generosity.”
The earliest recorded match of Cricket in East Yorkshire apparently took place at Wallingfen near Gilberdyke on 13 August 1778, when Howden beat Beverley by 64 ‘notches’.
The team at Aquarius has been delighting customers with its bespoke bathroom designs and installations for over 24 years.