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DIRE STRAITS MOMENTS - LIVE AID

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 10:21:16 GMT

Excerpts from the book...

“This is a fact, not a boast, but it was now being said, though never by us, that we had become the biggest band in the world, and it was for this reason that we were faced with a very awkward moral dilemma. Bob Geldoff was manically organising Live Aid, the now famous benefit concert, to raise money for the victims of a dreadful famine in Ethiopia… .

Bob was very keen - ‘I absolutely fucking insist’ - that the Straits headline the concert, arguing that if he got us on board all the others would follow.

It was an honour to be asked to top the bill when there were so many other huge names on the British music scene at the time. The problem was that we were contracted to play the Arena the same night and all the 12,500 tickets had been sold months before.”

‘My Life in Dire Straits’ by John Illsley

THE EAST END ARMS REFURBISHMENT

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 11:21:40 GMT

It's been a Gorgeous Summer!

We've had a bumper summer this year and really made the most of the pub since our refurbishment works. Bought in 1990 by me to preserve it for the local community, we have managed to retain its loyal local following while also drawing in visitors from outside the area, attracted by the authentically good food and relaxed atmosphere.

We have a great menu, so if you havent been recently, please do pop in. Occasionally I am playing with the band, so if you get a chance to pop by, you may stumble across a jaming session! Just in case you didnt know, you can also book a room and stay the night in one of our cosy bedrooms, and we have serve locally brewed ales. The restaurant is open for food every day apart from Monday & Tuesdays.

Recommended by Secret Earth: Proof that John Isley makes as good a restaurateur as he did as the bassist in Dire Straits, the East End Arms has flourished as a revamped New Forest hostelry, serving up good, hearty pub grub. The menu is all about simple things done well; a classic burger, sausages from the local butcher served up with fluffy mash, home-cured salmon gravadlax. In a world of one-size-fits-all gastropubs, the East End Arms is refreshingly old school.

If you would like to request a table for the restaurant, please either phone us on 01590 626 223 or send us an email info@eastendarms.co.uk . Please note that your booking is not guaranteed until you are contacted by a member of staff either by phone or email. We are based in the beautiful New Forest, and not far from Lymington.

Maybe see you there!

East End Arms Menu

Something To Share

Charcuterie Platter with a Selection of Local Cured Meats, Olives, Hummus & Bread Stick Dorset Bresaola, Wild Venison Chorizo, Pink Purbeck Cider Salami, White Pepper & Pork Salami, Dorset Chorizo Picante & Hartgrave Coppa 9.25 pp
New Forest Blyton Brie, Roasted Grapes, Candied Pecans & French Baguette 14.50

Starter

Langoustines Alla Busara & Sourdough Bread 11.50
Beef Carpaccio, Walnuts Micro Herbs & Roquefort Cheese 10.95
Charred Mackerel & Tomato Ceviche 8.50
New Forest Roasted Tomato Soup, Basil Oil & Charred Sourdough 7.25

Mains

Fillet of Brill, Lobster Broth, Mussels & King Scallops 27.95
Seared Rare Tuna, Pea & Carrot Puree & Sake Ponzu Dressing 24.95
Fish & Chips, Hand Cut Chips, Minted Mushy Peas & Tartar Sauce 16.45
Lamb Loin, Parmesan Risotto & Roasted Shallots 20.95
New Forest Chicken Burger, Goats Cheese, Prosciutto Ham & Roasted Peppers. Choose Between Homemade Chips or Courgette Fries 17.50
Puy Lentils, Avocado, Pomegranate & Walnut Salad VE 14.25
Charred Squid Toast Chermoula, Salad & Lemon Vinaigrette 17.95

Sides

Seasonal Vegetables | Tomato & Mozzarella Salad 5.50
Onion Rings | Skinny Fries | Homemade Chips | House Salad 3.75
New Forest Goats Cheese, Olives, Roast Pepper, Chilli & Garlic Salad 6.50

2022 UK TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 13:02:42 GMT

April - May 2022 UK Tour - 15 Venues across the UK

I cannot wait to be playing live again and to journey through the music and memories with my band, Dire Straits former Manager Paul Cummins and all of you who can join us in Bognor Regis, Wimborne, Dorking, Tewkesbury, Winchester, Spalding, Diss, London, Wavendon, Bury St Edmunds, Southend, Teddington and Herne Bay.

It has been the most amazing tour. To have seen so many of you, across the UK has been absolutely brilliant!

Below are a few of our comments from those of you who came to see us:

Leeds @cityvarieties April 26, 2022
"I went to Leeds last night to a place where I never was before but had seen on TV last year where a lot of legends have preformed and I have to say what a show I saw!!! Another absolute legend playing on stage with what can only be described as superstar’s at his side!!I have a smile on my face all day ��"

"What a fantastic night. What a brilliant band too. Such talent. Loved the one to one and the stories. I had previously read the book which was great. Dire Straits are like to many people the sound track to my life. Saw them in Shepton Mallet on their Brothers in Arms tour and in Florence on their On Every Street tour. Thank you John!!"

"Brilliant evening".

And this commment from Tom, who came to see Dire Straits back in 1979. Feeling the love Tom, thank you.

"Dire Straits at The Shaboo in February of 1979 was one of the most iconic shows ever performed at that or any other club. I’m 62 years old. I’ve seen too many live performances to count. A week rarely goes by where I don’t think of that Dire Straits live at The Shaboo performance. Occasionally I run into friends I had back in those days and the first thing we talk about is that show. Several people who were at the show said to me (completely unprompted)....the band itself knew this show was not an ordinary gig. One song in and the band members looked at each other and knew. This was special. Not to get too corny but......you could palpably feel the love in the room. Profound audience appreciation for the band and profound appreciation from the band towards the audience. I’ve never witnessed anything like it. The second I saw it my heart stopped for a second. It was a night I’ve been thinking and talking about my whole life is something I’ll treasure as long as I live."

MY LIFE IN DIRE STRAITS

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 14:38:14 GMT

Dire Straits filled giant stadiums around the world and sold hundreds of millions of records.

Their classic songs – 'Sultans of Swing', 'Romeo & Juliet', 'Money for Nothing', 'Brothers in Arms' – formed the soundtrack of a generation and live on today: still racking up sales, still being played on the radio on every continent.

John's story is also a tribute to his great friend Mark Knopfler, the band's lead singer, songwriter adn gifted guitarist. They were the only band members to stay the fifteen-year distance.

“I had forgotten the joys of a quiet, domestic life, the simple satisfactions of working on the house or going out the shops, the cinema or the pub with Pauline. There was no social media, of course, and as the band spurned publicity rather than stoking it, never hiring a PR company, all of us apart from Mark could go about our daily lives without fear of being pestered for an autograph or putting up with a long inquisition from a stranger at the bar about the chord structure of ‘Romeo & Juliet.”

Told with searching honesty, soulful reflection and wry humour, this is the first and only account of that incredible story.

‘My Life in Dire Straits’ by John Illsley

Buy the Book

24 CARROT - CHARITY FUNDRAISING

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 15:38:16 GMT

@hareshampshire

'24 Carrot', the hare sculpture I painted as part of the @hareshampshire art trail in Winchester is soon to find its permanent home. If you'd like to own it and help raise money to support the amazing work of @themurrayparishtrust , visit the link below and register for this fantastic auction either online or in person, to be held on Tuesday 13th September 2022. Fundraising will go towards the new PICU side rooms @sotonchildhosp .

Please bid and/or donate what you can.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/hares-of-hampshire-grand-auction-tickets-382855369717

24 Carrot has been sponsored by @experiencehampshire ��❤️

experiencehampshire

We’ve loved sponsoring this beautiful hare which has taken pride of place in Winchester outside @openhousedeli , @southdownssocial and @bespokebiking .
We will be sad to see it leave, but know that someone will give it an amazing permanent home very soon!