Best wishes for the New Year from HIBC, Report by John Cushion
Members enjoyed an early Christmas “present” with the arrival of the Club’s brand new Community Mini Bus. The latest model Ford Transit has a seventeen seat capacity and is a vast improvement on the outgoing fourteen seater. Although the transport facility is already regularly used by numerous organisations on the Island, enquiries for availability are always welcome by contacting bus manager Trevor Slydell via e-mail at minibus@hibc.org.uk. Organisations must provide their own driver who will be 70 years of age or under with a clean licence although a short training session will be available if required.
Our fund raising stall at the Lions Christmas Fayre on 28th November was extremely successful with over £400 being raised towards the running of the Community Bus and other worthwhile causes on the Island. The Club would like to thank everyone who supported the event with their donations of bottles, cakes and gifts for sale and the small but valiant team of members who ran the stalls. Particular thanks go to The Coop stores in Mengham and Selsmore Road, Tesco in Havant and the Langstone Hotel for their generous support. Winning raffle ticket numbers were 1st Prize Grey 28, 2nd Prize White 386. Both hampers were claimed on the day by the lucky winners.
In December, the first performance of the Station Theatre’s latest pantomime production, Panto at the OK Corrall was enjoyed by nearly 80 senior citizens paid for by the Businessmens Club. Sponsorship of HIADS by the Club is a regular event and numerous productions have been enjoyed by large audiences over many years.
It has been a successful year for recruitment with the Club welcoming George Peterson, Laurie Noble, Neil Ogley, Martin Plummer and Bruce Mowatt into the fold over the last 12 months and all look forward to playing an active role in the coming year.
Several Club members joined forces with the local Lions Club on 9th December to help pull Santa’s sleigh for the annual street collection in the St Leonards Road area. Father Christmas, and his elves reported a very successful evening with thanks going to all in the area who contributed just under £300.
The Club’s final luncheon meeting of the year on 17th December was enjoyed by 25 members. Before lunch, members were entertained to a selection of Christmassy songs by the Hayling College Glee Club led by the college’s Head of Music and HIBC member Neil Ogley. A big thank you to Neil and all the youngsters for a wonderful contribution to the festive season.
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 2015. Although difficult financial circumstances make it harder than ever for many to give up their time and hard earned cash to support us, we never ceased to be amazed at the willingness of Islanders to help us to help others in less fortunate circumstances.