![](http://www.hibc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2022-New-Chairman-John-Cottle.jpg)
2022 John Cottle stands as chairman once again.
![](http://www.hibc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2022-Mark-Smith-New-Member.jpg)
New member Mark Smith
![](http://www.hibc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2022-Mark-Jermy-New-Member.jpg)
New member Mark Jermy
2022 John Cottle stands as chairman once again.
New member Mark Smith
New member Mark Jermy
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.
Hayling Island Businessmen’s Club By Andy Lenaghan
Following last month’s brief report, I am now able to update you further on agreed proposals to make the club more accessible to local men who wish to serve the Community in which they live and also enjoy the camaraderie of other likeminded men. The changes are not drastic that they change the ethos of the club, but they create a more relaxed and convenient meeting time. The Club will still hold two meetings per month, but with the following format:-
1st Thursday of each month. Evening meeting at which the objective is to discuss ‘Business Only’ with no food. (Liquid refreshment)
3rd Thursday of month – Alternating on a monthly basis
Month A. Social Luncheon Meeting. Daytime
Month B. Social Dinner Meeting. Evening
Several venues are at our disposal and maybe changed to suit our purpose.
Our first meeting will be held on Thursday 4th November this will also double up as a recruitment evening at which all members are encouraged to invite any prospective new members along to the Newtown Hotel at 7.30pm with a finger buffet being served. If you are interested in attending, please email secretary@hibc.org.uk or aplenaghan@gmail.com with your contact details and you will be contacted. Please remember being a businessman is not essential, just an enthusiastic man wanting to join others having fun and helping those less fortunate in our Community.
A last briefing on our Pig racing evening being held on the 13th November. Please remember apart from the bar which has a card machine, this will be a cash only event. People who have been before will realise why, but it is a fast moving evening with betting on the outcome of the pigs racing. Tickets are still available from the Community Centre at this late date, and are £10 per adult and £5 for children under 12. This price includes a light meal half way through the evening.
Wreath laid upon behalf of the Hayling Island Businessmen’s Club at the Cenotaph.
Following on from last month, I have had a number of comments as to how interesting readers of the Herald found the article about the history of the club and one prominent member. I thought I would for this month give a further insight into events of the past, rather than the personnel involved.
In March 1964 we did have a thriving Chamber of Trade in which a number of our founder members were active. It was suggested they formed a club of their own. They didn’t hang around, by April the Club was formed with Bob Green of the West Town Hotel the first Chairman. Members were very generous with early projects, with Cecil Walker providing a TV for Orchard Close. Several members were volunteer drivers and would drive the Mini Bus, although some would drive their own cars and take people on hospital appointments, a job done so well now by Hayling Volunteer Services.
In September 1964 the Club took 15 senior citizens on holiday for a week to Swanage. There were volunteer drivers, helpers and I am sure many of you will recall Dr Brenan, who went along as Doctor in charge.
In October 1964 it was agreed that the club would do its best to ensure no elderly or infirm residents went cold during the winter. We were very successful and provided heat for many homes. During December of our first year we offered a Chiropody service to our elderly at a cost of two shillings and sixpence per person (12.5p) It was estimated that 10 persons per week attended. We did purchase a screen to give privacy when removing stockings.
One of the best stories relating to the club is when a coach was laid on to take 26 elderly folk to the Pantomime in Portsmouth. Upon returning to Hayling it was found that we had 28, with two being oblivious to being on the wrong coach. Nobody had checked upon leaving Portsmouth!! Needless to say they were promptly returned with their correct coach still waiting for them.
The Club for 10 years sponsored a Berth for a young Hayling person on the “Winston Churchill” a sail training schooner at a cost of £200 per year. We were the smallest group to ever do this, but the ever increasing costs made it unaffordable. The same applied to the Swanage holiday scheme unfortunately.
I hope you realise from this, the camaraderie that exists within the club and why most of our members serve for a number of years. We certainly hope to be back soon, and if you have an interest, even if you are not a businessman in serving the community, please visit our website or Facebook page.