2020 – December – Sad News

We as a club are all devastated at the news one of our longer serving members Roy Winsor passed away yesterday on the 16th December. Roy was a great guy to have around in the club, always a hard worker at our annual BBQ at Northney Farm, plus a great supporter of the ethos of the club. This BBQ was always followed by a celebration party at his house where all helpers and family were invited. Many of you will know Roy had a home with access to the creek, so the event was always arranged when the tides were high to allow him to treat every person who wanted to go to a boat trip round the sailing club. Canoes and windsurfers were always to hand for those who wanted a go. Roy loved his garden games and always had something different for us to play.
Roy joined the Businessmen’s club in 1989 which shows how much he enjoyed being a member. He was Chairman in 1994. Roy loved life even after he lost his sight in the later years, and led by example. He loved the sea and was a skilled sailor, he also had a love of flying. I do believe he was also a very skilled carpenter probably in the marine industry! We will miss him dearly at our meetings and events and send our condolences to his wife Christine and his extended family. Please look out for the funeral details which are not available at this time.
 
The picture is one of Roy when going on a recent flight.

In happier news, you may recall last month I mentioned about the minibus
being brought out of lockdown to be used by Mill Rythe Infant School. It was great to see the bus being put to use by a local school on a regular basis, as it is predominantly used by our more senior citizens.

It was even lovelier to receive a letter, with photographs, from the school showing how much the children enjoy and learn from their regular trips to
the beach on Hayling. These lessons are known as Beach School. The letter said: ‘I work with Beach School at Mill Rythe Infant School and am so very thankful for the minibus you offer us.
‘The minibus enables us to take children on a regular basis to experience all
that our local beach has to offer. ‘By going to the beach, the children are developing their resilience in a number of ways and are learning about our fabulous environment. ‘We go out in all weathers and very often need our coats and hats – especially at this time of year.

We engage in various activities and the minibusride is one of great excitement in itself. Thank you for supporting us.’ When the minibus use gives so much pleasure it makes the hard work of fundraising throughout the year so worthwhile.

Unfortunately we were not able to hold our street collection this year in
Mengham, which was the first time since 1964! It seems a long time and a
great number of collections, a staggering 55 in total. It reflects on the generosity of Hayling residents that after all these years it still provides a worthwhile fundraising event in our calendar. Despite the lack of events and income this year, some of the team still have to carry out essential jobs.
Our chairman, Bruce Mowatt, has become IT efficient in arranging our
monthly Zoom meeting and proficient in chairing them. Treasurer John Greenland still has to pull the accounts together and arrange for them to be audited. Trevor Slydell is looking after the minibus bookings plus essential maintenance, and our secretary Steve James is dealing with all  correspondence and other admin duties.

We do hope we can move forward next year and recoup some funding with
our regular events, and maybe a new one or two extras thrown in as well.
Chairman Bruce, on behalf of all club members, wishes you all a very happy new year full of hope and optimism for a healthy future.

2020 – December Report

It seems a long time ago we had a non- virtual meeting, but Zoom has provided many of us a way of staying in touch with our friends and colleagues. We have held regular meetings by this means this year, but fear it will probably be at least another 2 to 4 months before we can all meet in person again. So much is depending on the success of the many vaccines being worked upon. I thought before the year end I would update our many followers as to what we have been able to do despite of all this going on around us.
We have always laid a wreath on Remembrance Sunday at the cenotaph and were pleased to have one laid upon our behalf this year due again to lockdown.
We were delighted to be able to support the Hayling Community Centre In sponsoring one of the overheads that would have been incurred had the Virtual Concert been able to go ahead. Unfortunately the current lockdown put paid to this, but the offer of sponsorship is still there for when it does go ahead.
Two events we do hope will be able to go ahead next year are the Annual BBQ and the Pig Racing evening. We need to wait awhile yet before we can confirm as we have to ensure the venues are available and we are free of any restrictions. So much is hinging on our scientists etc. We do hope to give plenty of notice as the pigs do need to get into training!!
We are delighted that the Bus, which is our main charity is out and about again, mainly being used by Mengham Infant School to take children out and about on various projects. If your Charity or good cause is in need of transport, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
On the subject of Mini Buses, we are delighted that Hayling Voluntary Services, now known as JT’S Community Services have their Mini Bus on the road which we helped sponsor and carries our logo on the vehicle. We were delighted to help such a worthwhile cause.
Whilst It’s not a great time for any of us we are pleased our members have generally managed to avoid Coronavirus. But, on a worrying note we have five members either awaiting hospital treatment or in hospital being treated. It’s a worry the problems being caused in society by delayed operations, reluctance to go to hospital or just not visiting or talking to your GP.
Thank you every one for your support this year and we do hope to be back in operation next year, but in the meantime from the Chairman and members of Hayling Island Businessmen’s Club a very Happy Christmas and New Year. Please contact our secretary for any info: Stephen James Tel : 07957 872307 E-Mail : secretary@hibc.org.uk