Members attending the Club’s luncheon meeting on the 11^th April were delighted to receive confirmation of the ongoing arrangement with the Hayling Lions Community Shop which will substantially increase Club funds. Proceeds from the shop amounting to £3500 will again be donated to Businessmen’s Club towards the running and upkeep of the Hayling Island Community Minibus. The cheque was presented to Club Vice Chairman Dave Stanway by Lions President Gill Sutherland at the recent Hayling for St George event on Eastoke Plaza where the newly refurbished Mini Bus was on display .In return for this generous gesture, several wives and partners of the Businessmen’s Club will continue to help in running the shop which will give a much needed boost to staffing levels.

Also during the month the Club arranged and paid for nearly 100 senior citizens from local organizations to attend the latest HIADS production Dracula at the Station Theatre which is due to take place from Saturday 18^th May This is an ongoing arrangement and availability details for future productions can be obtained from Community Services Chairman John Finch

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. 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 and their son Tim, with entertainment provided by the fabulous Take That  tribute band…….TAKE ALL THAT  The date for your diary is Saturday 13^th July from 8.00pm to midnight and tickets will shortly be available from Club members, Haydens Garage, The Lions Community Shop and Hayling Community Centre. Other outlets will be advised nearer the time.

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. Anyone considering membership please contact Club Secretary Andy Lenaghan  or visit the Club website www. hibc.org.uk for more details.

A reminder to all members that the next Club social will be a skittles night to be held at the British Legion Club on Wednesday 15^th May. The cost is £10 per person which includes a choice of supper. Members guests are welcome to join in the fun

Nearly 200 members, friends and guests enjoyed a tremendous evening of entertainment on Sunday 24^th March, dining and dancing at Mill Rythe Holiday Village. Following a very enjoyable 3 course dinner, the audience was entertained by the legendary Chris Dean’s Syd Lawrence Orchestra whose Big Band swing music kept dancers on their feet until late into the night. The raffle was very well supported and thanks go to the following for their generous support with prizes:

Chatter Box                                                  Morris Dibben (Estate Agents)

Angels & Fifth Avenue                              Chives

Heidi’s                                                           US Salon

Northney Farm                                           Alan Rae Butchers

Meadow Farm                                             Tibbles Florist

Cleancare Dry Cleaners                           Hugh Hickman                                 

Mengham Newsagents (News Boutique)      Hayling Fruiterers

Despite being a little under subscribed this year, the Committee hope that The Wine, Dine and Dance Cabaret Evening will return as being a regular event in the Club’s fund raising calendar. Thanks must go to Club member Andy Lenaghan and the management and staff of Mill Rythe for very well arranged evening.

Earlier in the month, newly elected Club Chairman, Pat Keane welcomed nearly 50 current and former Club members and their wives and partners to the customary Chairman’s Cocktail Party held at the Langstone Hotel. In his welcoming speech, Pat reiterated the need for the Club to continue moving forward despite the current economic difficulties. The cost of running the Community Bus increases almost on a monthly basis and the aim of buying a replacement in the not too distant future makes it essential that fund raising is kept at its highest level. Pat took the opportunity of thanking member’s wives and partners for their continued and much valued support to the Club.

At the luncheon meeting on Thursday 14^th March, Club members welcomed the president of Hayling Lions President, Jill Sutherland, whose first task was to take a group photograph. Under the supervision of professional photographer Frank Pearce, Jill quickly rose to the challenge although trying to get 25 men to sit still for more than two minutes was an incredible feat. However the results have yet to be viewed! Following lunch, Jill held a question and answer session during which members were given an overview of the Lion’s current activities on Hayling and their aims and ambitions for the future. On behalf of the Club, Chairman Pat Keane thanked Jill for her attendance and for the continued support of the Community Shop in running the Mini Bus.

Please remember that the Club is supporting this year’s Hayling for St George event to be held on Eastoke Plaza on Sunday 21^st April when the newly refurbished and re-liveried Community Bus will be on display with representatives from the Businessmen’s Club on hand to explain the Club’s aims and activities.

The Club’s next important fund raising event is the ever popular Annual Barbeque to be held at Northney Farm on Saturday 13^th July 2013. Full details including ticket outlets will be appearing in forthcoming editions of the Islander.

WINE, DINE AND DANCE WITH HAYLING ISLAND BUSINESSMEN’S CLUB AND THE SYD LAWRENCE ORCHESTRA

Report by John Cushion

Several members of the committee were very pleased to meet with Chris Dean earlier in the month in preparation for the Club’s forthcoming Wine, Dine and Dance evening with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra. Chris, who heads up the orchestra, gave the members a very interesting overview of the band’s activities which takes it all over the UK and Continent. One of Chris’s fondest memories is recently having a photograph taken of the band in Germany under the wings of a Lancaster Bomber!

Recently voted “Best Big Band in the Land” for the 11th consecutive year, Chris Dean’s SYD LAWRENCE ORCHESTRA continues to thrill audiences in Concert Halls, Theatres, and Music Festivals all over Great Britain. Renowned for its exciting blend of high octane Big Band Swing and Classic Dance Music, the Orchestra’s repertoire ranges from the wartime million sellers of the legendary Glenn Miller through the era of the great Count Basie Orchestra to the hit songs of Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Count Basie himself described the Syd Lawrence Orchestra as “So good it should be BANNED!”

Tickets for this great night which is to be held at Mill Rythe Holiday Village on Sunday 24^th March are still available from Club members or the following outlets buy hurry they are selling out fast.

Hayling Island Community Centre  023  92  467562

Haydens Garage 023 92 462660

Morris Dibben   023 92 465941

Cards for Occasions  023 92 461103

Lions Community Shop

The Club is pleased to announce its support this year’s Hayling for St George event to be held on Eastoke Plaza on Sunday 21^st April. The organisers are hoping for much better weather this year and have numerous attractions lined up starting from midday and ending at 6.30pm. Fuller details of the event will be advertised elsewhere but please keep a date in your diary. The newly refurbished and re-liveried Community Bus will be on display with representatives from the Businessmen’s Club on hand to explain the club’s aims and activities.

Newly elected Mini Bus Chairman Trevor Slydell reports that the Community Bus is still underused particularly in the evenings and week ends. Any local organisation interested in using this very valuable facility should contact Trevor at minibus@hibc.org.uk.

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE.

During the meeting held at Seacourt on Thursday 17^th January, it was reported that tickets are selling fast for the forthcoming Syd Lawrence Wine, Dine and Dance evening to be held at Mill Rythe Holiday Village on Sunday 24^th March. The event which has been very competitively priced at £30 a head including  a 3 course meal should prove to be a tremendous success for the Club and a major boost to its fund raising efforts. Tickets are still available from Club Members and the following outlets.

Hayling Island Community Centre  023  92  467562

Haydens Garage 023 92 462660

Morris Dibben   023 92 465941

Cards for Occasions  023 92 461103

Lions Community Shop

Incoming Mini Bus Chairman, Trevor Slydell reported that the new sign writing had been delayed because of recent damage to the bus, but this should be completed very shortly. Although daytime use continues to be in high demand, the bus is very often not used during the evening. The Club would therefore be interested to hear from any local charitable organization who would like to make use of this very valuable facility either on a “one off” or regular evening basis. Please contact Trevor at minibus@hibc.org.uk or any Club member.

The Club’s thanks go for a donation that has been received from Ian Smith and Caroline MacDowell who  raised funds with a collection from Islanders viewing their magnificent light display in South Road over the Christmas period. This is the second year that Ian and Caroline have chosen to donate the money to HIBC in the knowledge that the funds would be used for the benefit of local residents.

125 Club

January Draw:

£50    102

£50    40

A NEW CHAIRMAN for HAYING ISLAND BUSINESSMEN’S CLUB

Report by John Cushion

The Annual General Meeting of Hayling Island Businessmen’s Club was held at Seacourt on Tuesday 8th January attended by 22 members where members heard an overview of the year and elected a new Chairman, local garage owner, Pat Keane.

In his review of 12 months in office, outgoing Chairman, Ed Spencer reported an extremely successful year for the Club particularly in fund raising with some fine efforts at the annual Barbeque and Pig Race Night along with unexpected donations from Sinah Warren and Geoff Foots. The Club has also been able to forge a positive relationship with the Lions including generous support from them for the cost running the Mini Bus. In return the Club had provided help in the staffing of the Community Shop for which he thanked the member’s wives concerned. Among his numerous other engagements as Chairman, Ed enjoyed attending Hayling College in July where he presented the Wally Egan Award and was also able to give the students a brief resume of Wally’s career and an understanding of the aims of the Businessmen’s Club. In summing up, Ed expressed his thanks for the excellent support he had received from the Officers and Members of the Club which had .helped to make his year in office most enjoyable

Although the main aim of the Club is to purchase, maintain and run the Hayling Island Community Bus, many other worthwhile causes were supported during 2012 with a number of monetary awards being made to numerous local organizations.  In addition, the Club made its normal donations to the Hayling Island Dramatic and also announced a new annual Sportsperson of the Year award for Hayling College. The Christmas party at Sinah Warren was again a great success and was enjoyed by nearly 250 local senior citizens. Club members were in attendance to meet and greet the guests and generally ensure the success of the afternoon. However, many thanks must go to the management, staff and entertainment team at Sinah Warren for their wonderful generosity without which the event would be difficult to stage.

Following the committee reports, Ed Spencer handed over his chain of office to the incoming Chairman Pat Keane.  Born in 1950, in Denmead where he attended school, Pat started his career as an apprentice mechanic at the Southdown Bus Depot. Having married his wife Diana in 1974, his association with Hayling Island started in 1977 when he started his own business, Hayden Garage in West Town. Pat joined the Businessmen’s Club in 1982 and held several offices before becoming Chairman for the first time in 1988. His interest in the Club has continued to flourish since those early days and he is now looking forward to another year at the helm.

In his opening address to members, Pat stressed the importance of continuing to raise the Club profile during the year to ensure that it continues to hold its rightful place in the Island community. Pat reminded members of the Club’s origins and ideals dating back to its foundation in 1964 when a group of businessmen from a wide range of professions living on the Island recognized that there was a need to help residents in less fortunate circumstances than themselves. The simple but humble beginnings set the Club aside from organizations having national or international connections and was thus able to direct all its energies to solely serving Island residents. From that inaugural meeting nearly 50 years ago a standard was set and a determined drive instigated to raise funds for the charitable needs of others which proudly continues to this day.

Before closing the meeting, members elected Malcolm Newnes as their Highest Achiever of the Year for 2012 and he was presented with the Doug Broughton Cup by Chairman Pat Keane for his outstanding services to the Club. Malcolm has held various offices in the Club over the years including secretary in 2012 and Chairman in 2011.

Club members now look forward to the challenges which 2013 will bring. Several new events are planned including the Syd Lawrence Wine, Dine and Dance evening on Sunday 24^th March at Mill Rythe Holiday Village together with the continuation of the old favorites including the Annual Barbeque. A great deal of hard work is envisaged but with the help and generosity of the Island community and businesses a very successful year is in prospect.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Club or with an interest in joining is welcome to contact recruitment officer Aksel Arneke at recruitment@hibc.org.uk

Best Wishes for the New Year from Hayling Island Businessmen’s Club

The Club Committee and Members would like to wish all Islanders a very Happy New Year with particular thanks to all who supported the Club during 2012. The austere times we live in make it increasingly difficult for people to give up their time and hard earned cash to support us but we are never ceased to be amazed at the willingness of Islanders to help us to help others in less fortunate circumstances.

Our fund raising events for the coming year will include the old favourites of the Annual Barbeque in the summer and the Pig Race Night later in the year. This year we are pleased to announce the revival of our Cabaret Night which will be held on Sunday 24^th March at Mill Rythe Holiday Village. This will be a memorable evening of wining, dining and dancing to Chris Dean’s Syd Lawrence Orchestra. Tickets are already on sale from Club members and the following outlets:

Hayling Island Community Centre 023 92 467562

Haydens Garage, West Town  023 92 462660

Morris Dibben, Mengham  023 92 465941

Cards for Occasions, Mengham 023 92 461103

At the meeting on 13^th December, thanks were recoded to Club Assistant Secretary John Greenland and his wife Brenda for all their hard work in arranging the recent stall at the Community Centre Christmas Fayre. A total amount of nearly £400 was raised towards the running of the Community Bus and other worthwhile causes on the Island.

It has been a successful year for recruitment with the Club recently welcoming Peter Blake, David Pawley and Phil Riley into the fold. All three took on the task of helping with the annual street collection in Mengham before Christmas which successfully raised several hundred pounds towards Club funds. Many thanks to all those who contributed. Rest assured that every last penny is spent benefiting worthwhile causes on the Island.

125 Club Winners

December        £50      Number 77

December        £50      Number 92

Report by John Cushion