Hayling Island Businessmen’s Club Report.

At last, after COVID one of the first public social events took place on Hayling Island. It was a very successful pig racing night held at the Community Centre with a very healthy attendance on Saturday 13th November. We rely on these events to keep the mini bus running, which in turn enables us to loan it out to local groups. What a night it was giving great value to those who attended. Not only were they served a great two course meal prepared and served by members of the club and their wives which everyone enjoyed, they also had one of the most exciting events in the events history. One race which was a dead heat had to be re-run between the two pigs involved, and an excited crowd cheered on the eventual winner. On the last race, all people who backed the winning pig were given a free raffle ticket which was for a free weekend at Sinah Warren. This produced a very well backed race which enabled the club to return a very healthy profit of about £1600. This was very pleasing considering it was touch and go at one time if the event would even go ahead. Too many to name here, but the club would like to thank all the local businesses that donated raffle prizes.

During November the club started its new arrangement of having a mix of day time and evening meetings to enable more to attend. This on the first evening meeting held at the New Town House Hotel proved very successful with two new Local Businessmen being recruited as members plus a healthy attendance of current members.

We are still recruiting, so please if you are interested contact us by email at secretary@hibc.org.uk If you feel you can help but not become a member please also contact us.

Last but not least, also on a positive note we have booked Northney Farm, following kind permission from Mary and Stan Pike to hold the BBQ again next year after a two year absence. We have decided to have the Queen Tribute band we had booked for 2020 before Covid struck and it is on the 9th July 2022, so keep this date free. Remember to get your tickets when it is announced as many were disappointed and couldn’t attend the last BBQ held.

The Club would like to wish all of you all, including the Hayling Herald team who have been very good to us since they started, a very Happy Christmas. Please also be generous if you meet us in Mengham on our Annual street collection on the 22nd December.