HAYLING ISLAND BUSINESSMEN’S CLUB – April Report
By John Cushion
Members attending the Club’s luncheon meeting on the 15th March were delighted to receive confirmation of an ongoing arrangement with the Hayling Lions Community Shop which will substantially increase Club funds. Proceeds from the shop amounting to £3500 will be donated to Businessmen’s Club towards the running and upkeep of the Hayling Island Community Minibus and enable other worthwhile causes on the Island to be supported. The intention of an increased donation was reported in last month’s “Islander” but negotiations have now been completed and the agreement was affirmed outside the Community Shop on the 20th March when Lions President Alan Herbage presented HIBC Chairman Ed Spencer with the cheque. In return for this generous gesture, several wives and partners of the Businessmen’s Club have offered help in running the shop which will give a much needed boost to staffing levels. Other future Lions events will also be supported by HIBC members as and when they arise.
Use of the Community Bus continues to be in high demand particularly on week days but there is normally some availability at week ends and local organizations are welcome to contact Trevor Slydell via e-mail at minibus@hibc.org.uk for more details. Please remember that use of the bus is offered completely free of any charges and even includes fuel.
Arrangements for the Annual Barbeque are now well under way and the Club is anticipating a large demand for tickets, the cost of which has been maintained at £16 a head. Although not held in 2011, the HIBC Barbeque has been a firm favourite on the Island for many years and will once again take place at Northney Farm courtesy of Stan and Mary Pike. The date for your diary is Saturday 14th July and tickets will shortly be available from Club members, The Lions Community Shop and Hayling Community Centre. Other outlets will be advised nearer the time.
During the month, the Club was pleased to agree an award of £250 to Langstone Sailability. Based at Langstone Sailing Club, this voluntary organization offers boating and sailing opportunities for nearly 50 disabled people from the Langstone and Hayling Island areas who last year enjoyed over 700 hours of activity on the water. A representative from “Sailability” will be invited to a future Luncheon meeting as guest speaker to give members an insight of the running of their organization. Also during the month the Club arranged and paid for nearly 100 senior citizens from local organizations to attend the latest HIADS production Laburnam Grove at the Station Theatre. This is an ongoing arrangement and availability details for future productions can be obtained from Community Services Chairman John Finch at communityservices@hibc.org.uk
At a previous meeting, the Club welcomed Diane Lloyd and Petra Lyn from the Directory Group who were introduced to members and given an overview of the Club’s aims and ambitions. In response, Diane recounted to members a brief history of her life on Hayling where she had previously lived for many years and also gave an interesting account of the formation and running of her very successful business.
Although membership of the Businessmen’s Club is currently at a reasonably high level, new members will always be made welcome. In addition to assisting with numerous fund raising activities to run the Community Bus and help with other worthwhile local causes members enjoy several social events throughout the year as well as twice monthly luncheon meetings at Seacourt.
SNIPPET FROM THE PAST – 48 YEARS AGO
Hayling Island Businessmen’s Club Report – September 1964
First Old Folks Holiday Took Place – 15 elderly folk for a weeks holiday in Swanage. Volunteer drivers and stewards were appointed and Alec Brennen as doctor in charge.
Eight TV sets now installed for needy people and arrangements made for licences and maintenance.
The welfare committee chairman reported the Club’s first outright gift, £20 from Mrs Hill of Grotto House, Sea Front for the holiday scheme pocket money. Mrs Hill also offered to provide a coach and tickets for up to 30 people to visit the pantomime in Portsmouth. A generous gesture greatly appreciated.