HIBC April Report 2018 By Bruce Mowatt Publicity officer

Arrangements for the HIBC Annual Barbeque are underway, and the club is anticipating a large demand for tickets. The ticket cost has been maintained at £17 a person (no concessions). The cost includes all you can eat from the BBQ prepared food. The entertainment has been confirmed as the Diamond Band, who will theme popular tunes from the musical ‘Grease’. The band are very versatile and will keep your feet tapping, to dance the night away. The BBQ once again will be held at Northney Farm courtesy of Stan and Mary Pike. Ticket outlet sites will be featured in future HIBC reports published in the Islander.

Again, the BBQ raffle tickets will be available to purchase prior to the day of the BBQ and will give you the opportunity to win worthwhile prizes.

To support the running of the Mini-bus the club holds street collections during the year at various locations on the Island, which allows passing shoppers to ask questions directly to club members regarding the club, or featured future events, and if possible kindly donate to the club funds.

I can reveal more information regarding the club fund raising event to be held at the HIADS theatre on the 2^nd June. The evening will consist 2 great musical sets, the first half we will be entertained by the Portsmouth based Corpus Christie Amateur dramatics society (CCADS) with their amazing interpretations of well-known show songs. These amazing performers always bring the songs to life and take the audience on a musical journey. After the interval a 25 strong Southsea Skiffle Orchestra, will be on stage with their great musical talent, and amazing range of instruments, so that you can enjoy, and sing along to the songs we all know. Just in case you have forgotten the words song sheets are provided.  This I believe is an evening not to be missed and recommend that you note the date in your diary.

Do not forget that if you are looking to book your Company or family 2018 Christmas Party, then look no further than the HIBC Christmas party being held at Sinah Warren Hotel on the 21^st December 2018. (Tickets priced at £39) The evening starts with a Sparkling festive cocktail on arrival, a 4-course festive Dinner is served in the Restaurant, then into the theatre, for live music from the ‘Sailaways’ with an Abba tribute show, followed by a Disco and DJ until midnight. You also can stay the night at Sinah Warren for £65 per room. A deposit of £10 per head will secure your table. For more information contact tickets@hibc.org.uk

It is worth remembering, that in 1963 a group of Businessmen from a wide range of professions living on the island recognised that there was a need to help residents of less fortunate circumstances than themselves. So, they got together to form the HIBC. The primary aim was to raise funds that could be used to assist those needing help on the Island. For 55 years the club has kept is original intentions to assist needy residents of the island. A club card from 1967 shows that membership, has not changed drastically during the 55 years.

The name of the Club can be a little misleading as it is not necessary to be a Businessman to join! New potential members are gentlemen who have time, and interest to be part of a club with the ethos of helping the less fortunate.  In addition, aiding this worthwhile cause through the planning and arranging of events, there are several social gatherings throughout the year. Wives and partners are included in social evenings and help with the fund raising. The combination of these activities enables members and partners to build close relationships and find friends for life.

If you feel that you wish to join the club, or come along as a guest to our luncheon to meet us, before applying for membership, please contact the recruitment officer: – recruitment@hibc.org.ukor speak to a member at any of our social events

HIBC Report by Bruce Mowatt Publicity Feb 2018

Over 50 people, including members, together with their wives, partners, and guests attended the customary Chairman’s welcome party held at the Langstone Hotel. The newly elected Chairman Peter Blake was pleased to welcome the party goers to the event. The Hotel as always served an excellent Buffett, and after the formalities we were entertained to a presentation from the Chairman’s son, Dave Blake who for the last 20 years has held many senior management positions in the Global Sports industry. His work has enabled him to be involved in and attend many top sporting events around the world. He shared a few of his experiences with us, which was enjoyed by all. The time remaining allowed the party goers to socialise with each other. The evening was a great success and we were soon reluctantly making our ways home.

Recruiting new members to the club is an important requirement, and the club members are pleased to welcome 2 new recruits so far this year to the club. New recruits are requested to purchase the club tie which is proudly worn at our luncheon meetings and formal social functions during the year. New members are always made to feel welcome, and enjoy an active social life, while contributing to our fund-raising activities during the year.

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.

This year the Annual BBQ is on Saturday 14th July at Northney farm and will feature songs from the musical ‘Grease’ the versatile band will ensure we all dance the night away to help burn the calories from the ‘help yourself’ feast available during the evening. This is always a very popular event and suggest that you make a note in your diary to ensure you do not miss the opportunity to purchase tickets.

The HIADS theatre will be featuring a ‘Skiffle and Song’ evening on Saturday 2nd June to raise funds for the club from ticket sales, I am sure the popular Skiffle group and singer will be an event to look forward too.

Another date to put in your diary is Friday 21st December, it will be a HIBC ‘Gala Christmas Party’ with a 3 course Christmas meal, then an evening to include live music from the ‘Sailaways,’ plus an Abba tribute show, and Disco with DJ. This will be held at the Sinah Warren Hotel, the club will be selling tickets, and our funds will benefit from ticket sales. If you are looking for the ideal venue for the 2018 office Christmas party with tickets priced at £39 each, also rooms (if you would like to stay the night) at £65 per couple, then I suggest you contact the club to make provisional bookings at tickets@hibc.org.uk

There is currently availability of the 17 seat HIBC community bus at weekends. Any local organisation wishing to use the facility either on a one off, or regular basis is welcome to contact the bus manager Trevor Slydell at minibus@hibc.org.uk Please remember that although the use of the bus is free you must provide your own driver who to comply with our insurance requirements, should be no older than70 years of age and hold a clean licence. The bus also has a Defibrillator available on board.

The club as in previous years had provided 80 complimentary tickets for allocation through the senior citizens clubs to see the next production at the HIADS theatre ‘The Madness of George 111’ held on 19th March until the 24th March.

If you feel that you wish to join the club, or come along as a guest to our luncheon to meet us, before applying for membership, please contact the recruitment officer: – recruitment@hibc.org.uk or speak to a member at any of our social events

A NEW CHAIRMAN for 2018 Report by Bruce Mowatt Publicity

At the Annual General Meeting of Hayling Island Businessmen’s Club on Tuesday 9th January 2018. Peter Blake was elected as Chairman for the ensuing year. Peter keen on all types of sport, played Rugby in his younger years. After working 20 years as a Publican in the Sussex and Somerset areas, he and his wife decided to retire to Hayling in 2009. They were married in 1961 and have been happily married for 56 years. They enjoy eating out in country pubs in the Hampshire / West Sussex locality. Peter joined the club in 2012, and for the last 3 years has been the Club services officer, which he has thoroughly enjoyed. During 2017 Peter also held the position as the Vice Chairman which has prepared him for his next challenge as Chairman.

In his review of the last 12 months the then Chairman Trevor Slydell reported another successful year for the Club. Fund raising had met with some fine efforts: – Annual Barbeque, Pig Race Night, Street collections, and several other events. The Club raised its profile and earned much praise for arranging the senior citizens party at Sinah Warren for the twelfth consecutive year, and again paid for 80 tickets to allow senior citizens to attend shows presented by the Hayling Island Dramatic productions, held at the Station theatre. There was more in the way of donations and the generosity of the public during street collections this year which allow the club to carry out its many support functions. In addition to the Achiever of the Year and Sports Person of the year at the Hayling College. The Club ensured that other worthwhile organizations were helped, and all this in addition to running the Community Bus.

Membership of the club although viable would benefit with new members during 2018.

In concluding, Trevor thanked every member of the Club for the support he had received and for making his year in office so enjoyable.

The new Chairman peter stated that he is looking forward to his responsibility during 2018, to build on the success of the club during 2017 and ensure the club maintains its profile during 2018. He also understands that this will be with the support of his team of elected councilors, without which the club could not function.

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 2017 with many monetary awards being made to numerous local organizations, including Hayling Island Dramatic Society, and Hayling College. The Christmas party at Sinah Warren was again a great success and was enjoyed by over 300 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.

Before closing the AGM, members elected the (new chairman) Peter Blake as their Highest Achiever of the Year for 2017 and he was presented with the Doug Broughton Cup for his outstanding services to the Club.

The “fun” award of the Wooden Spoon, was awarded to Pat Keane for the thirteenth time!

Club members now look forward to the challenges which 2018 will bring. Several fund-raising events are already planned to include the ever-popular Annual Barbeque on 14th July.

New events are also planned for this year such as the fund-raising event being held at the HIADS theatre on the 2nd June with entertainment provided by a popular band, also a Sinah Warren Cabaret evening at Christmas time with a headline act to be announced.

Tickets for the above events will be advertised when available during the year. I am sure that all our events planned this year would ensure all who attend a very enjoyable evening.

A great deal of hard work is envisaged for the coming year, 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 e-mail or recruitment officer at recruitment@hibc.org.uk or speak to a member at any of our forthcoming events.