2016 – February Report

HAYING ISLAND BUSINESSMEN’S CLUB Report by Bruce Mowatt Publicity Feb 2016

A big thank you goes again to Ian Smith and Caroline MacDowell who raised £215 with a collection from Islanders viewing their magnificent light display in South Road during the Christmas period. This is the fifth 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.

The club received a letter of thanks from the Hayling Island Community Centre Association for our £500 donation to support the buy a brick scheme, initiated by the Community Centre, to raise funds for their proposed extension, and help create exciting new facilities for future generations.

Over 80 current and former Club members together with their wives, partners and guests, attended the customary Chairman’s Welcome Party held at the Langstone Hotel. The newly elected Chairman, Brian Smith was pleased to welcome the mayor of Havant, Leah Turner and her consort Andy Cousins together with several members of Hayling Lions with whom the Club works closely on a number of events on the Island. Brian took the opportunity of thanking member’s wives and partners and their guests for their continued and much valued support to the Club. Following the formalities members and guests enjoyed a buffet supper followed by entertainment from local musical artist Wendy Adams.

The Club’s next event is the ever popular Skittles Evening to be held at The British Legion on Monday 14th March. Open to non-members, tickets competitively priced at £10 which includes supper are available from social secretary or any Club member. There are prizes for the best’’skittlers’’.

There is currently an availability of our 17 seat Community Bus at the weekends. Any organisation wishing to make use of the facility either on a one off, or regular basis, is welcome to contact bus manager Trevor Slydell at minibus@hibc.org.uk. Please remember that although use of the bus is free, you must provide your own driver who will be 70 and under with a clean licence.

Membership of the Club remains strong, but are always on the lookout for new members.The club meets every 2 weeks with luncheon, promoting a relaxed atmosphere when members have the opportunity to participate and discuss the latest events as reported by the club council officers.

Potential members and guests invited to the luncheon can experience first-hand how the club operates, before committing to membership.

Saturday 9th July is the date for the ever popular Barbeque night being held again at Northney farm with entertainment featuring one of the Uk’s Premier ABBA tribute acts.

Anyone interested in joining the club or gaining further information is welcome to contact the recruitment officer at recruitment@hibc.org.uk or speak to a member at any of our forthcoming events