Due to popular demand, this year’s Summer BBQ sees the return of TAKE THAT, except this year we have an extra treat, Robbie Williams tribute artist will be joining the line up.
Last year’s BBQ was a complete sell out, I’m sure this years will be just the same. Get your tickets early.
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 14th the January attended by 21 members who heard an overview of the year and elected a new Committee and Chairman.
In his review of 12 months in office, outgoing Chairman, Pat Keane reported an extremely successful year for the Club culminating in the recent purchase of the new Community Bus. Fund raising met with some fine efforts including the Annual Barbeque, Pig Race Night and Christmas “Bash”. Although a great deal had been achieved, Pat reminded members that there is still much more to be done and asked everyone to work hard towards keeping the great Club going and able to support the community with the minibus and donations to worthy applicants. Pat was pleased with the Club’s increased membership over the year and impressed to see the lunches so well attended. However, pressure must be maintained for new blood to ensure the future of the Club.
During the year the Club was able to continue its excellent relationship with the Lions Community Shop which provides generous support towards the cost of running the Mini Bus. In return the Club helps in the staffing of the shop for which Pat thanked the member’s wives concerned. Pat also expressed his thanks for the excellent support he had received from the Officers and Members of the Club which had helped to make his second 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 2013 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 Society and continued to support students at Hayling College with the Wally Egan Award and Geoff Foot Sportsperson of the Year Shield. The Christmas party at Sinah Warren was again a great success and was enjoyed by well over 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, the election of officers was held and Dave Stanway was elected as Chairman for the coming year. Born in Stoke-on-Trent in 1962, Dave moved to Hayling Island in 2000 to follow his profession in Information Technology for a company in Havant where he now holds the role of IT Associate Manager. With four sons and a daughter now all grown up, Dave and his wife Diane began fostering in 2003 and currently care for a 9 year old lad. After moving to Hayling, Dave involved himself in several community projects and joined the Businessmens Club in 2008 where he initially took on the role of Fund Raising Officer. Dave was awarded the Club’s Doug Broughton ‘Achiever of the Year’ trophy two years running and last year took the role of Vice-Chairman leading to the Chairman’s position for the coming 12 months. When Dave manages to find any spare time, he enjoys Kayaking and boating in any form, one of the benefits of living on the coast.
Before closing the meeting, members elected Dave Stanway as their Highest Achiever of the Year for 2013 and he was presented with the Doug Broughton Cup for his outstanding services to the Club. The “fun” award of the Wooden Spoon for the Club’s Biggest Stirrer for 2013 was awarded to Dave Turvey for the second year running.
Club members now look forward to the challenges which 2014 will bring. Several fund raising events are already planned including the ever popular Annual Barbeque on 12th July. In addition a Jubilee Party is planned for 12th April to celebrate the Club’s 50th Anniversary. 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 at recruitment@hibc.org.uk.
Best wishes for the New Year from HIBC Report by John Cushion
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 2013. The continuing difficult times we live in make it harder than ever 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.
The new Community Bus has arrived. The Club chairman Pat Keane, escort Justin and driver Kay from Age Concern watch on as Dennis & Enid board the new club bus.
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. We also hope to repeat the Christmas “Bash” depending on the success of this year’s event.
At the meeting on 11th December, thanks were recoded to Club Assistant Secretary John Greenland and his wife Brenda and their helpers on the day for all their hard work in arranging the recent stall at the Community Centre Christmas Bazaar.. A total amount of nearly £200 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 Richard Chapman, Brian Smith, Pat Riley and Colin Spicer into the fold. All four 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.
At the conclusion of the Club meeting on 27th November, Chairman Pat Keane “awarded” the Alan Rae trophy for “Mug of the Meeting” to publicity officer John Cushion. It is believed that this was to record Pat’s disappointment that despite nearly 12 months as Chairman a well known local newspaper was not even aware that he held this esteemed office. Pat’s disappointment was further exacerbated when a fairly new Club member also expressed surprise at the fact.