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 14^th 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 9^th 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

A NEW CHAIRMAN for 2016 HAYING ISLAND BUSINESSMEN’S CLUB Report by Bruce Mowatt Publicity

At the Annual General Meeting of Hayling Island Businessmen’s Club on Wednesday 6^th January, Brian Smith was elected as Chairman for the ensuing year. Brian was born in Portsmouth in 1950 and moved to Hayling after marrying Penny Cleeve in 1980. He is currently office manager at a local solicitor. Brian joined the club in 2013 and became Recruitment officer in 2015 a position he thoroughly enjoyed.  Although a relative new comer to the Club, Brian has a fine team of committee members to assist him and is greatly looking forward to his exciting year in office.

In his review of the last 12 months John Cushion reported another successful year for the Club. Fund raising had met with some fine efforts including the Donkey Derby stall, Annual Barbeque, Pig Race Night, Christmas street collections, Christmas Fayre and several other events. The Club raised its profile by overseeing the Hayling for St George event in August, earned much praise for arranging the senior citizens party at Sinah Warren for the tenth consecutive year and visits to Hayling Island Dramatic productions, The Club was represented at the election of Leah Turner as the new Mayor of Havant, Prince Charles’s visit to the Island and also at the launching of the new Life Boat. All prestigious occasions for Hayling.

There was more in the way of donations during the year. In addition to the Achiever of the Year and Sports Person of the year at the Hayling College the Club was also able to sponsor a full kit for a Hayling United junior team. Many other worthwhile organizations were helped during the year and all this in addition to running the Community Bus.

Membership had been well maintained and although a few members have been lost during the year mainly due to pressure of work and other commitments we have welcomed five new recruits with others in the pipeline.

The Club’s year was crowned with the acquisition of the new 17 seater Community Bus which will enable many more local senior citizen and other groups to enjoy an important transport lifeline.

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

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 2015 with a number of monetary awards being made to numerous local organizations.  In addition, the Club made its normal donations to the Hayling Island Dramatic Society and continued to support students at Hayling College with the Wally Egan Award and Sportsperson of the Year Shield. 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 meeting, members elected John Cushion as their Highest Achiever of the Year for 2015 and he was presented with the Doug Broughton Cup for his outstanding services to the Club. The “fun” award of the Wooden Spoon for the Club’s Biggest Stirrer for 2015 was awarded to Pat Keane for the eleventh time!

Club members now look forward to the challenges which 2016 will bring. Several fund raising events are already planned including the ever popular Annual Barbeque on 9^th July.

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 contact recruitment officer John Cushion on 02392340660, or visit the Club web site www.hibc.org.uk or speak to a member at any of our forthcoming events.

Best wishes for the New Year from HIBC, Report by John Cushion

Members enjoyed an early Christmas “present” with the arrival of the Club’s brand new Community Mini Bus. The latest model Ford Transit has a seventeen seat capacity and is a vast improvement on the outgoing fourteen seater. Although the transport facility is already regularly used by numerous organisations on the Island, enquiries for availability are always welcome by contacting bus manager Trevor Slydell via e-mail at minibus@hibc.org.uk. Organisations must provide their own driver who will be 70 years of age or under with a clean licence although a short training session will be available if required.

Our fund raising stall at the Lions Christmas Fayre on 28^th November was extremely successful with over £400 being raised towards the running of the Community Bus and other worthwhile causes on the Island. The Club would like to thank everyone who supported the event with their donations of bottles, cakes and gifts for sale and the small but valiant team of members who ran the stalls. Particular thanks go to The Coop stores in Mengham and Selsmore Road, Tesco in Havant and the Langstone Hotel for their generous support. Winning raffle ticket numbers were 1^st Prize Grey 28, 2^nd Prize White 386. Both hampers were claimed on the day by the lucky winners.

In December, the first performance of the Station Theatre’s latest pantomime production, Panto at the OK Corrall was enjoyed by nearly 80 senior citizens paid for by the Businessmens Club. Sponsorship of HIADS by the Club is a regular event and numerous productions have been enjoyed by large audiences over many years.

It has been a successful year for recruitment with the Club welcoming George Peterson, Laurie Noble, Neil Ogley, Martin Plummer and Bruce Mowatt into the fold over the last 12 months and all look forward to playing an active role in the coming year.

Several Club members joined forces with the local Lions Club on 9^th December to help pull Santa’s sleigh for the annual street collection in the St Leonards Road area. Father Christmas, and his elves reported a very successful evening with thanks going to all in the area who contributed just under £300.

The Club’s final luncheon meeting of the year on 17^th December was enjoyed by 25 members. Before lunch, members were entertained to a selection of Christmassy songs by the Hayling College Glee Club led by the college’s Head of Music and HIBC member Neil Ogley. A big thank you to Neil and all the youngsters for a wonderful contribution to the festive season.

The Club Committee and Members would like to wish all Islanders a very Happy New Year with particular thanks to all who supported the Club during 2015. Although difficult financial circumstances make it harder than ever for many to give up their time and hard earned cash to support us, we never ceased to be amazed at the willingness of Islanders to help us to help others in less fortunate circumstances.

Businessmens Club celebrates Ladies Night Club Report John Cushion

Over one hundred attended the Club’s annual Ladies Night held  at The Langstone Hotel on Friday the 23^rd October .In addition to their ladies, partners and guests, members were also pleased to welcome the Mayor of Havant, Leah Turner and her consort Andy Cousins, to the most prestigious occasion of the Club’s year. Guests included several members of the Hayling Lions Club including President Jenny Thorn. After enjoying a wonderful meal, the toast to the Ladies was proposed by Club Treasurer, John Greenland followed by a response from Chairman’s wife Deanne Cushion who thanked members and particularly Peter Blake for arranging a splendid evening. Everyone then had the opportunity of dancing the night away to the music of the Turner Taylor Duo.

The Club will again be supporting the Lions Christmas Fayre scheduled for 28^th November at the Community Centre. In addition to the customary gift stall there will be a Christmas hamper raffle and bottle tombola. Assuming the normal generous support from members and friends the Club hopes increase on the amount raised at last year’s event of over £400.

At the luncheon meeting on 22^nd October, members were pleased to agree a donation of £450 for the purchase of a team strip for one Hayling United’s Youth sides. The strip will carry the Club’s name and should be ready within the next few weeks. Although limited funds are available the Club is progressing with its aim to support youth on the Island in addition to its customary role of running the Community Bus and other worthwhile causes mainly directed at senior citizens and other disadvantaged groups.

Members were also delighted to agree a donation of £200 to pay for items of food for Christmas hampers for home alone seniors at their Christmas Day lunch. The lunch was successfully held last Christmas and over 30 Islanders will enjoy the same festivities again this year.

Earlier in October, the first performance of the Station Theatre’s latest production, Salt of the Earth was enjoyed by nearly 80 senior citizens paid for by the Businessmens Club. Sponsorship of HIADS by the Club is a regular event and numerous productions have been enjoyed by large audiences over many years.

Most tickets have now been distributed for the senior citizens pre-Christmas Party to be held again courtesy of Sinah Warren Hotel on Wednesday 18^st November. The Club arranges the party every year in conjunction with Sinah Warren and up to 300 senior citizens attend.

Plans are already being made for next year’s Annual Barbeque with the date set for Saturday July 12^th 2016 at Northney Farm.

Last chance for tickets for the fifth running of the HIBC Pig Race Night. The Piggies are trotting their way to Hayling and will be on their starting blocks in the Community Centre on Saturday 14^th November with a capacity race crowd anticipated. The event is planned as a family night out with children welcome at the reduced price of £5. Adult tickets are priced at £8 which also includes the race card. Both ticket prices include supper. Pig Sponsorships are still available by contacting Club Secretary secretary@hibc.org.uk, tickets are available from the following outlets. Please remember that all net proceeds go towards the running of the Community Bus and other worthwhile local causes.

Hayling Community Centre in West Town on 02392 467 562

Morris Dibben in Mengham on 02392 465 942

Geoff Foot Estate Agents in Mengham on 02392 461 666

Cards4Occasions in Mengham 02392 461 103

HAYLING ISLAND BUSINESSMEN’S CLUB Report John Cushion

Arrangements for the Pig Race night to be held at the Community Hall on Saturday 14^th November are now well under way. When the event was held for the first time three years ago more than 150 Islanders enjoyed an exciting evening of squeaking pigs outdoing one another to become race champion. It is expected that there will be a huge demand for tickets which are priced at £8 per adult and £5 for children under 12 years of age which includes a race card and supper. With capacity at the Community Centre limited to 200, tickets may be in short supply so please buy early. The Club is still looking for local businesses or individuals to Sponsor a Pig, all proceeds going to local good causes. Please contact Club Secretary via e-mail at secretary@hibc.org.uk

Pig Race Night Tickets will be available shortly from:

The Lions Community Shop in Mengham

Cards for Occasions in Mengham 02392461103

Hayling Community Centre in West Town on 02392 467 562

Morris Dibben in Mengham on 02392 465942

Geoff Foot Estate Agents in Mengham on 02392 461666

Several Club members were actively involved in arranging the very successful Hayling for St George event on August Bank Holiday Sunday. A full report was carried in last month’s Hayling Islander but many thanks again to everyone for making it a great day for the Club to be associated with.

The Club will be again supplying tickets for the next HIADS production, Salt of the Earth, in October. There are currently tickets still available for this and future HIADS productions and details can be obtained from Community Services Chairman John Finch via e-mail at communityservices@hibc.org.uk. Please note that tickets are only available to senior citizen and similar organisations and not on an individual basis.

At the luncheon meeting on 10^th September, members welcomed Laurie Noble as a new member of the Club. Laurie has been a member of Hayling Island Amateur Dramatic Society since 1989 although he did perform, as a visiting actor, back in 1975. He is currently a member of HIADS Executive Committee, a Director of HIADS Ltd and a Trustee of the Station Theatre. Laurie has been involved in many historic Hayling and charity events, has played William Padwick at the Manor House and the opening of the Eaststoke stocks, wrote and performed sketches for Hayling Billy 50 and Murder Mysteries for various charities, including local Mayors charities. Laurie was a professional Mechanical and Nuclear Engineer and held a number of senior management roles during his working life. Laurie is keen to bring his management and fund raising expertise to the Club.

The senior citizens pre-Christmas Party is due to be held again courtesy of Sinah Warren Hotel on Wednesday 18^st November. The Club arranges the party every year in conjunction with Sinah Warren and up to 300 senior citizens attend. Invitations will shortly be distributed to local organisations.

There is currently an availability of the Community Bus particularly on Saturdays. 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 via e-mail 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.

HAYLING ISLAND BUSINESSMEN’S CLUB Report John Cushion

At the last meeting before the August recess, members were pleased to welcome as a guest speaker the chief executive of the Station Theatre, Laurie Noble. Very knowledgeable on the subject, Laurie gave a very interesting and informative overview of the founding of HIADS from the days leading up to purchase of the old and tired goods shed, through the fundraising campaign and finally up to the fitting out of the theatre to what it is today. Laurie and his team are proud of the fact that the theatre neither requires nor requests external funding and is entirely self-sufficient. The Businessmen’s Club supports the theatre throughout the year and in August arranged and paid for 80 senior citizens from local organizations to attend the latest HIADS hilarious production Dick Barton Special Agent.

There are currently tickets available for the next and future HIADS productions and details can be obtained from our Community Services Chairman who you can contact by e-mail at communityservices@hibc.org.uk. Please note that tickets are only available to senior citizen and similar organisations and not on an individual basis.

With the dust finally settling on the Annual Barbeque, Club treasurer John Greenland was delighted to report an overall increase to Club funds of over £5000, a truly remarkable effort. Due to lack of space in last month’s edition it was not possible to acknowledge and thank everyone who gave so generously of their time and donations. Please rest assured that your support is greatly appreciated and that every last penny raised goes back into the Community Bus project and other worthwhile causes on the Island.

The date for the Pig Race night to be held at the Community Hall has been set for Saturday 14^th November. This has proved to be a very popular evening and an even bigger and better event is planned for this year. Tickets at £8 including race card and supper, children under 12 at £5 will shortly be available from Club members and usual outlets. The Club is looking for local businesses or individuals to Sponsor a Pig, all proceeds going to local good causes. Please contact our club secretary by e mail at secretary@hibc.org.uk

Earlier in July former Club Chairman Dave Stanway successfully completed the round the Island kayak event. Members generously donated to the cause and Dave raised a total of over £400 for charity.

Members were pleased to agree a donation to the theatre company, Les Enfants Terrible part of The Springs outreach programme.  The company gave a performance of Dr Longitude’s Marvellous Imaginary Menagerie on Hayling Park on 7^th August for the benefit of children on the Island.

Several organisations are urgently seeking volunteer drivers for the Community Bus. For insurance purposes drivers normally have to be under 71 but it may be possible to have older drivers approved in certain circumstances. If you have a clean driving licence and can spare a few hours a week please contact Club Community Bus manager Trevor Slydell at minibus@hibc.org.uk for more details. There is no need to take a driving test but instruction for safe use of the vehicle can be given if required.

Report from Hayling Island Businessmen’s Club – John Cushion

With most tickets sold well in advance of the event the annual HIBC Barbeque on the 11^th July was a great success. The weather was magnificent, the food excellent and by the look on the faces of nearly 500 party goers everyone had wonderful evening. Club members, friends and relatives toiled untiringly for most of the previous week and from very early morning on the day of the event to turn Northney Farm into the Island’s top party venue.

Work finished just in time for the arrival of the first guests, and soon the beef was being carved, the burgers and sausages sizzling and the beer and wine flowing. The raffle was very well supported and most prizes were claimed. Ticket numbers for unclaimed prizes are shown on our web site www.hibc.org.uk. The various side stalls were kept busy all evening and dancing to The Spice Girlz and DJ Malcolm Drew carried on far into the night. And the reward for all the hard work and support? Proceeds of over 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, raffle prizes, supply of equipment and an enormous amount of help before and on the night:

• Stan, Mary and Tim Pike and Family of Northney Farm
• Friends and relatives of Club Members (too numerous to mention individually)
• The Lions Community Shop
• Cards for Occasions
• Hayling Community Centre
• Morris Dibben
• Geoff Foot Estate Agents
• Sinah Warren Hotel
• Langstone Hotel
• R Morris Jeweller
• Co-Op Selsmore
• Sainsbury’s Mengham
• Tanlines
• Heidi’s
• Yellow Strawberry Hair
• Northney Tea Rooms
• Gibbs and Dandy Builders
• Lift & Shift Limited
• Hayling Barbers
• Bentley Walker
• Tibbles Florists
• Hayling Hardware
• Hayling Scouts
• Boutique Newsagent
• Jewson Builders

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

Spice Girlz hit Hayling!! Report from HIBC – John Cushion

For one night Northney Farm will become one of the south coast’s leading night spots when the SPICE GIRLZ hit Hayling on Saturday 11^th July. One of the UK’s premiere tribute bands will keep you dancing all night at the Club’s ANNUAL BARBEQUE supported by a lively disco, stalls and games. With the kind permission of farm owners Stan and Mary Pike the main barn will be available in the event of inclement weather and the fun will start at 7.30pm. The ticket price of £17 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

Cards 4 Occasions in Mengham 02392 461103

Hayling Community Centre in West Town on 02392 467 562

Morris Dibben in Mengham on 02392 465941

Geoff Foot Estate Agents in Mengham on 02392 461666

During May the Club arranged and paid for nearly 100 senior citizens from local organizations to attend the latest HIADS hilarious production The Best Days of Your Life at the Station Theatre. There are currently tickets available for the next and future HIADS productions and details can be obtained from Community Services Chairman via e-mail at communityservices@hibc.org.uk

Please note that tickets are only available to senior citizen and similar organisations and not on an individual basis.

The Club’s stall at the Lion’s Donkey Derby event on the 30^th May was a great success. With fine weather swelling the number of visitors business was brisk and the cake stall sold out very quickly. Cakes and contents for the Prize Hamper were kindly donated by Club members, wives, partners, friends and the Coop in Mengham whose support is greatly appreciated. The winning ticket for the Hamper was number 6 and the prize was claimed by Islander Mrs Stevens who was delighted with her win. She said it was her intention to share the prize with her friendly neighbours. We all hope they are enjoying the feast!

Donations for the bottle stall came in thick and fast which helped swell the funds considerably. All in all over £450 was raised on the day a truly remarkable effort. A big Thank You to all concerned including members of the Lions Club for their kind hospitality on the day.

Although the Community Bus is in use virtually every week day there is now an availability on Saturdays. 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 via e-mail 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.

125 CLUB

Lucky winning numbers in the latest draws:

March             101 – £50         07 – £50

April                69 –   £50         05 – £50

May                38 –  £200        35 – £50      58 – £50   

Membership of the 125 Club costs £20 per ticket for the whole year and there are a few tickets still available for the current year which can be obtained from Trevor Slydell at 125club@hibc.org.uk

Hayling Island Businessmen’s Club supports youngsters World War 1 visit to Belgium.

At the luncheon meeting on the 14^th May Club members were pleased to welcome back Neil Ogley, Head of Music at Hayling College, to receive a donation of £500 to help fund over 50 youngsters from Hayling College to visit the Menin Gate and  World War 1 museum during their forthcoming visit to Belgium. As reported last month, the group of students (11-16 years of age) will be visiting Ypres as part of the 100^th commemoration of the Great War. During the two day trip commencing 2^nd July, the Group will visit the Menin Gate where the College’s Glee Club singers will perform the song “Poppies” written by Neil during the sounding of The Last Post ceremony. Neil received the cheque from Club treasurer John Greenland.

Club members were also pleased to agree a donation towards the running of the Hayling for St George event at Eastoke Plaza on 30^th August.

With the summer now well on its way 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, Northney on Saturday 11^th July starting at 8.00pm. Tickets are already flying out the window for this hugely popular event and record numbers are expected again this year. Club members will again be spending many hours both before and on the day spit roasting a whole side of succulent beef in addition to which there will be the normal barbeque fare as well as vegetarian options. Entertainment will be provided by one of the UKs premier Spice Girls tribute band, SPICE GIRLZ supported by a lively disco, stalls and games. There will also be beer and soft drinks for sale as well as a wine bar. The price of tickets has been held at £17 for another year which includes as much food as you could possibly eat and represents 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 AVAILABLE from all Club members and the following outlets:

Cards for Occasions               02392 461103

Community Centre                 02392 467562

Foots Estate Agency               02392 461666

Morris Dibben                                    02392 465941

Stoke Fruit Farm

Northney Tea Rooms

Lions Community Shop

Chairman John Cushion and Vice Chairman Marcus Foot were pleased to represent the Club at the Mayor Making ceremony at the Civic Centre on the 13^th May. The new Mayor of Havant, Leah Turner lives on Hayling and has been the leading light on many projects on the Island for many years. Later in the day several Club members together with their wives and partners helped Leah and her consort Andy Cousins celebrate their appointments at the Mayor’s Banquet.