With the club in recess for August it is time to reflect on meetings and other events that arose earlier in the summer some of which were overshadowed by the organisation of the barbeque.

The Wally Egan award was made by club Chairman Ed Spencer to year 10 student Natalie King at Hayling college at the end of year assembly on July 20th. This annual monetary award and suitably engraved rose bowl is made in memory of Wally who served HIBC both as chairman and secretary for many years until his death in 2007. The college selected Natalie for the award because of the leadership and management qualities displayed by her, for being a good team worker and for putting into practice the experience she gained from business studies lessons during an enterprise day at the school. Many congratulations to Natalie.

At a meeting early in July, Langstone hotel managing director Clint Marsh gave a interesting and informative speech on his career in the hotel trade. Starting in the kitchens at a early age, Clint covered most aspects of the business over the years working with a number of hotel chains and gaining considerable experience along the way. He was appointed MD at the Langstone in 2009 and now lives happily on the island with his wife and two young children.

It was reported that the club’s mini bus will be off the road for two weeks during august for general maintenance and repair. There will also be additional sign writing to acknowledge to generous donations from the island organisations to assist the running of the mini bus.

During the month, the committee agreed to donate an amount of £100 and raffle prizes to buddies, a support group for the disabled which operates out of Sunnyside hall. The group is trying to raise funds for a portable television and it is hoped that the clubs donation will assist them in achieving the aims.

The date for next years Annual barbeque has been set for Saturday July 13 and the first meeting of the barbeque committee is due to take place in September arranging the event involves a great deal of hard work.

The date for the pig race night to be held at the community hall has been set for Saturday, November 17th. held for the first time last year, this turned out to be a very popular evening and an even better and bigger event is planned for this year. the club is looking for local businesses and individuals to sponsor a pig, all proceeds go to local good causes.

LATE NEWS
An extremely generous donation had been received from Geoff Foot Estate Agents. In an ongoing arrangement with the club, “Foots” make a donation for every letting the complete during the year. The cheque was presented to club trustee Phill Gooch by ‘Foots’ manager Jan Haines on July 27 (pictured). The donation is very welcome at a time when the mini bus is undergoing an extensive maintenance programme in readiness for the winter.

It all turned out right on the night!

The rain held off (well almost), the food was excellent, the entertainment was lively and by the look on most faces, nearly 400 party goers at the Annual Barbeque had a wonderful evening. Determined not to be beaten by the weather, Club members, friends and relatives toiled untiringly from very early morning to turn the barn at Northney Farm into the Island’s top party venue for an event which is normally held outside. Work finished just in time for the arrival of the first guests, the rain stopped and soon the beef was being carved, the burgers and sausages sizzling and the beer and wine flowing. The various side stalls were kept busy all evening and dancing to Bogus Quo and DJ Malcolm Drew carried on far into the night. And the reward for all the hard work and support? Proceeds of several thousand pounds towards the running of the HIBC Community Bus and other worthwhile causes on the Island in the coming year. A truly remarkable effort!

The Club committee would like to thank the following for their support, ticket sales, supply of equipment and an enormous amount of help before and on the night:

Stan and Mary Pike of Northney Farm

Friends and relatives of Club Members (too numerous to mention individually)

The Lions Community Shop

Haydens Garage

Hayling Community Centre

Belmont Hairdressers

Morris Dibben

Geoff Foot Estate Agents

Stoke Fruit Farm

Northney Farm

Hayling Hardware

Above all, our sincere thanks to the residents of Hayling and the surrounding area for their attendance and support.

Treasure Hunt Winner : Bryn Williams

Barbeque Raffle Prize Winning Tickets

Yellow Ticket             98        Sue Fricker

Green Ticket               352      John Finch

Yellow Ticket             124      Sharon Blythe

Yellow Ticket             216      Lorna Culmaine

Yellow Ticket             52        Les H

Pink Ticket                  333      Name not given

Blue Ticket                  436      Not Claimed

If you are the holder of Blue ticket 436 serial number AM9P 3G47 then contact the Hon. Secretary Malcolm Newnes at secretary@hibc.org.uk for your prize.

In view of the extremely unkind weather so far this summer many local events have had to be cancelled or postponed. The North Hayling Summer Fete was one such event, previously arranged for 15^th July this has now been re-scheduled for Sunday 16^th September. In view of the change of date, the Businessmen’s Club has agreed to cancel their Family Fun Day previously arranged for the 8^th September to give support to the Fete.  However, the Club’s Pig Race Night will be held whatever the weather on 17^th November. Further details will be advertised later in the autumn.

Come rain or shine the Barbeque will be fine!!

With the continued unpredictable weather, contingency plans are well in place for this year’s ANNUAL BARBEQUE and the event will go ahead come rain or shine at Northney Farm, St Peter’s Road, North Hayling on Saturday 14^th July starting at 8.00pm. With the kind permission of farm owners Stan and Mary Pike the main barn will be available in the event of inclement weather with entertainment being provided by Status Quo tribute band, Bogus Quo supported by a lively disco, stalls and games. The ticket price of £16 per person includes all the food you can eat and there will also be competitively priced beer and soft drinks for sale as well as a wine bar. Tickets are selling out fast for this memorable night out and please remember that all PROCEEDS FROM THIS EVENT WILL GO TOWARDS THE RUNNING COSTS OF THE HAYLING ISLAND COMMUNITY BUS AND OTHER LOCAL BENEFICIARIES.

TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE from all Club members and the following outlets BUT HURRY!

The Lions Community Shop in Mengham

Haydens Garage in West Town on 02392 462660

Hayling Community Centre in West Town on 02392 467 562

Belmont Hairdressers in West Town  on 02392 468721

Morris Dibben in Mengham on 02392 465942

Geoff Foot Estate Agents in Mengham on 02392 461666

 At the Club meeting on 24^th May, the Club was pleased to welcome Peter Chinn and Mike Bartholomew from Sailability who gave an interesting overview of the work being carried out by their organisation to give disabled people the opportunity of taking to the water  Sailability operates from Langstone Sailing Club and last year provided over 700 hours of sailing and boating experience on a completely voluntary basis. HIBC are pleased to have been able to help this very worth cause with a recent donation.

Report from Hayling Island Businessmen’s Club

John Cushion

HAYLING ISLAND BUSINESSMEN’S CLUB – May Report

Hayling Island Businessmen’s Club invite you to “Get Stuffed” ………..in the nicest possible way of course

Although no one has told the weather, it will soon be Barbeque time again and Club members are busy preparing for the Club’s main fund raising event of the year, the ANNUAL BARBEQUE At Northney Farm, St Peter’s Road, North Hayling on Saturday 14^th July starting at 8.00pm. Although not held last summer, the HIBC Barbeque has been a firm favourite on the Island for many years and demand for tickets is expected to be high. In addition to excellent food, entertainment will be provided by Status Quo tribute band, Bogus Quo supported by a lively disco, stalls and games. There will also be a beer and soft drinks for sale as well as a wine bar. The price of tickets has been held at £16 for yet another year representing excellent value for a memorable night out.

PROCEEDS FROM THIS EVENT WILL GO TOWARDS THE RUNNING COSTS OF THE HAYLING ISLAND COMMUNITY BUS AND OTHER LOCAL BENEFICIARIES.

TICKETS NOW AVAILABLEfrom all Club members and the following outlets:

The Lions Community Shop in Mengham

Haydens Garage in West Town on 02392 462660

Hayling Community Centre in West Town on 02392 467 562

Belmont Hairdressers in West Town  on 02392 468721

Morris Dibben in Mengham on 02392 465942

Geoff Foot Estate Agents in Mengham on 02392 461666

NEW MEMBERS – Recruitment Officer Andy Lenaghan reports that his ongoing friendly campaign to increase the membership is going well with three prospective new members attending forthcoming meetings. The Club will always welcome enquiries for membership, please contact Andy at recruitment@hibc.org.uk

AWARDS – At the Club meeting on 9^th May members were pleased to agree monetary awards to the following:

3 Platoon, Hayling Army Cadets, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Army Cadet Force towards the purchase of  tables.

Jacob Knight a donation to help with the second and final year of sponsorship at London Irish AASE

125 CLUB

March draw winning numbers : 39 – £50 113 – £50

April draw winning numbers : 22 – £50 94 – £50

SNIPPET FROM THE PAST – 47 YEARS AGO

Hayling Island Businessmen’s Club Report – January 1965

Club member, Les Hedger reported a family in need (he was already supplying vegetables of his own for free). The father had recently had his leg amputated and although determined to return to work soon to support his family this seemed medically doubtful. The Club agreed to take over the hire charges of the family’s television set and authorised Les Hedger to buy whatever was needed. This included a birthday party dress for the family’s young daughter. Les reported that the “gratitude of the father was unbelievable”

HAYLING ISLAND BUSINESSMEN’S CLUB – April Report

By John Cushion

Members attending the Club’s luncheon meeting on the 15^th March were delighted to receive confirmation of an ongoing arrangement with the Hayling Lions Community Shop which will substantially increase Club funds. Proceeds from the shop amounting to £3500 will be donated to Businessmen’s Club towards the running and upkeep of the Hayling Island Community Minibus and enable other worthwhile causes on the Island to be supported. The intention of an increased donation was reported in last month’s “Islander” but negotiations have now been completed and the agreement was affirmed outside the Community Shop on the 20^th March when Lions President Alan Herbage presented HIBC Chairman Ed Spencer with the cheque. In return for this generous gesture, several wives and partners of the Businessmen’s Club have offered help in running the shop which will give a much needed boost to staffing levels. Other future Lions events will also be supported by HIBC members as and when they arise.

Use of the Community Bus continues to be in high demand particularly on week days but there is normally some availability at week ends and local organizations are welcome to contact Trevor Slydell via e-mail at minibus@hibc.org.uk for more details. Please remember that use of the bus is offered completely free of any charges and even includes fuel.

Arrangements for the Annual Barbeque are now well under way and the Club is anticipating a large demand for tickets, the cost of which has been maintained at £16 a head. Although not held in 2011, the HIBC Barbeque has been a firm favourite on the Island for many years and will once again take place at Northney Farm courtesy of Stan and Mary Pike. The date for your diary is Saturday 14^th July and tickets will shortly be available from Club members, The Lions Community Shop and Hayling Community Centre. Other outlets will be advised nearer the time.

During the month, the Club was pleased to agree an award of £250 to Langstone Sailability. Based at Langstone Sailing Club, this voluntary organization offers boating and sailing opportunities for nearly 50 disabled people from the Langstone and Hayling Island areas who last year enjoyed over 700 hours of activity on the water. A representative from “Sailability” will be invited to a future Luncheon meeting as guest speaker to give members an insight of the running of their organization. Also during the month the Club arranged and paid for nearly 100 senior citizens from local organizations to attend the latest HIADS production Laburnam Grove at the Station Theatre. This is an ongoing arrangement and availability details for future productions can be obtained from Community Services Chairman John Finch at communityservices@hibc.org.uk 

At a previous meeting, the Club welcomed Diane Lloyd and Petra Lyn from the Directory Group who were introduced to members and given an overview of the Club’s aims and ambitions. In response, Diane recounted to members a brief history of her life on Hayling where she had previously lived for many years and also gave an interesting account of the formation and running of her very successful business.

Although membership of the Businessmen’s Club is currently at a reasonably high level, new members will always be made welcome. In addition to assisting with numerous fund raising activities to run the Community Bus and help with other worthwhile local causes members enjoy several social events throughout the year as well as twice monthly luncheon meetings at Seacourt.

SNIPPET FROM THE PAST – 48 YEARS AGO

Hayling Island Businessmen’s Club Report  – September 1964

First Old Folks Holiday Took Place –  15 elderly folk for a weeks holiday in Swanage. Volunteer drivers and stewards were appointed and Alec Brennen as doctor in charge.

Eight TV sets now installed for needy people and arrangements made for licences and maintenance.

The welfare committee chairman reported the Club’s first outright gift, £20 from Mrs Hill of Grotto House, Sea Front for the holiday scheme pocket money. Mrs Hill also offered to provide a coach and tickets for up to 30 people to visit the pantomime in Portsmouth. A generous gesture greatly appreciated.

HAYLING ISLAND BUSINESSMEN’S CLUB – February Report

The Club has enjoyed an excellent start to the new year with news of much needed funds at a time when the Community Mini Bus is in urgent need of refurbishment.

During the meeting held at Seacourt on Thursday 19^th January, it was reported that a donation had been received from Ian Smith and Caroline MacDowell who had raised funds with a collection from Islanders viewing their magnificent light display in South Road over the Christmas period. Ian and Caroline, who are hoping to make this an annual event, chose to donate the money to HIBC in the knowledge that the funds would be used for the benefit of local residents.

The good news continued when newly elected Chairman, Ed Spencer announced the magnificent donation of £1000 from Sinah Warren Leisure Hotel  being the proceeds from the resident’s Christmas Day collection. Sinah’s managing director Martin Plummer duly was accordingly welcomed to the Luncheon Meeting on Thursday 16^th February to meet the members and present the cheque.

At a Previous Meeting, members elected Dave Stanway as their Highest Achiever of the Year for 2011 and was presented with the Doug Broughton Cup by Chairman Ed Spencer for his outstanding services to the Club. Dave, an IT support technician, was born in Stoke on Trent but has lived on the Island for the past twelve years and joined the Club in 2008.

Very popular with members, Dave involves himself in most Club activities throughout the year as well as administering the Club web site and assisting with other publicity matters. A well deserved award for the second year running.

During the month, the Club was pleased to award an amount of £150 to Louise Brindle of Hayling College who, as a Girl Guide, will be representing the UK at an international jamboree in the USA.

The Club also agreed support for Buddies Social Club for adults with learning difficulties. Use of the Community Bus will be offered and subject to availability, tickets to HIADS productions and the Christmas Party at Sinah Warren

125 CLUB

January draw winning numbers : 6 – £50 29 – £50

February draw winning numbers : 88 – £50 101 – £50 2 – £200

FUTURE EVENTS

Dates were agreed and set for the following Club events:

Chairman’s Cocktail Party at Langstone Hotel – Wednesday 14^th March

Annual Barbeque at Northney Farm – Saturday 14^th July

Family Fun Day at Northney Farm – Saturday 8^th September

Ladies Night at Hayling Golf Club – Saturday 29^th September

Other fund raising events are being planned and details will be published in future reports

SNIPPET FROM THE PAST – 48 YEARS AGO

Hayling Island Businessmen’s Club Report April 23^rd 1964

The first Luncheon Meeting of the Club was held at the West Town Hotel with an attendance of 21. Many members came forward with ideas, Cecil Walker offered to provide a television set for mentally handicapped children at Orchid Close. Phil Clarke offered free tickets on his Merry go Round for these same children  on one or two days a week. Seven members offered themselves as drivers for the old folks bus, others agreed to use their own cars for hospital visiting. It was agreed that 10 elderly people in need of a holiday should be sponsored on a one week trip to Swanage. Among those attending the meeting were founder members Bob Green, Alec Brenan, Eddie Gay, John Harries, Phil Venton as well as the aforementioned Cecil Walker and Phil Clarke