Pig Racing is Hotter to trotter

The Hayling Island Businessmens Club inaugural pig racing meeting got off to a (ahem: pigs might) flying start on the 10^th September. Curiosity as to what it was all about overcame nearly 150 people who attended the event at the community centre helping to raise in excess of £1,000 towards the buisinessmens club minibus appeal.

“It’s an unusual, but extremely enjoyable way of the whole family to help us raise money for our community minibus appeal. We are delighted with the attendance, but more with the enthusiasm of the crowds as they cheered on their chosen piggy” Said club chairman Malcolm Newness.

“We are looking forward to holding similar events in the future, so please watch this space” he added.

The pigs themselves are fluffy mechanical pigs that raced along a track with each of the races lasting a few minutes. During the race the crowd’s enthusiasm grew and huge cheers for the winning pig could be heard as it careered over the winning line.

At the end of the evening the pigs were auctioned to boost the charities coffers. Successful bidders Delphine Foot (9) and her cousin Jamie Allen (8) chimed “Number 2 pig won for us and we are really chuffed to have won him in the end, we’re gonna call him Happy Rasher!”

All the club members would like to thank everyone who attended and all the staff of the community centre for making it such a successful event, with special thanks to all the race sponsors.

AGM Report 2011

This years AGM was once again held at Seacourt. Alan Goodwin welcomed the new chairman Malcolm Newnes. Joker Pat Keane was awarded the wooden spoon award and Dave Stanway was awarded the Douglas Broughton cup for his work in organising the 2010 BBQ at Northney Farm and the 2010 Christmas Cabaret night at Mill Rythe. It has been a tough year for fund raising, as with all charities, the recession is biting and funds are a little tight this year. As a result we have not been able to donate as much to island causes as we would have like, although finances for the Minibus are in order.

Sinah Warren Party Report

HIBC and Sinah Warren once again welcomed the elderly to our annual Christmas Party. The audience were treated to an extravaganza of entertainment put on by Sinah’s excellent entertainers. The Lord Mayoress also came along to say hello.

£200 has been donated to Opensight toward the Christmas Lunch for the Blind on Hayling Island.

£250 has also been given toward Hayling United Football Club.

The Annual Senior Citizen’s Christmas Party will be held at Sinah Warren on Thursday 3rd December.

The Club are grateful to the management at Sinah Warren for their co-operation in allowing us to use the venue and also for generously supplying the entertainment and refreshments. The Annual Street collection in Mengham will be on the 23rd of December, so please give generously to help us keep the Mini Bus on the road for local charities to use. Sadly our long running Cabaret night will not be held this year at the normal venue or in the normal format due to the lack of a free night at Sinah Warren, which even in this time of recession is fully booked. Good news for them but sadly difficult for us.

Other fund raising events are being looked at so watch this space plus the Hayling Islander and Trader.

The AGM was held on the 16th January 2007 at Seacourt Tennis Club.

Meyrick Marston our current Chairman opened the meeting and thanked members for the support given to him during his time in the Chair. All officers presented their reports which were accepted. The election of officers then took place and Aksel Arnecke was elected as Chairman for the year.

Alan Goodwin was elected Vice Chairman. Meyrick Marston was expecting a slight relief this year after being in the Chair, but due to circumstances was elected to take up the mantle of Fund Raising Chairman again. Phil Gooch was elected Treasurer with all other officers being as at present.

Steve Barrett won the Doug Broughton cup for exceptional service to the club last year and Roy Pine won the wooden spoon as the biggest stirrer. At the close the Chairman thanked all those who voted for him and was looking forward to his year in the Chair.

Aksel who has been a member for two years is our first foreign Chairman. Aksel comes from Norway and is a Management Consultant.

A Christmas party was held at Sinah Warren Hotel for 220 Senior Citizens.

Entertainment was provided by the resident entertainers who provided a spectactular Christmas Show. They were supported by the Hayling College Choir who sang whilst the guests were served tea and cakes by Club members.

The Chairman of the club Meyrick Marston, was delighted with the success of the afternoon and thanked everyone who took part, especially the management and entertainment team from Sinah Warren for their generosity in supporting the event. At the end of the show all the guest were given a Christmas present.

At the clubs last meeting the members agreed to give the Hayling Island Blind Club £200 towards it’s annual Christmas Dinner. This is a worthwhile cause and supported by the club every year.

Almost 500 people enjoyed a great evening at the Annual BBQ held at Northney Farm.

It was a warm night with plenty to eat and good entertainment and music for the guests. A profit in excess of £5500 was made which will go toward the next mini bus purchase and other deserving local good causes. The Chairman would like to thank everyone who made the evening such a success and to say sorry to those unable to get tickets, which is down to new licensing laws as this restricts us to 499 people attending.

Ensure you get tickets for next year by booking early.

New minibus for HIBC

Hayling Island Businessmen’s Club has now taken delivery of its new mini bus. It had its first run today taking local senior citizens to St Mary’s Church. The bus is provided free of charge for local charities and non-profit organisations to use in transporting those in need, or the less mobile around. Examples of users are Age Concern, Churches, Schools, Sports Clubs etc. Anyone can apply to use the Bus subject to being able to provide a MIDAS qualified driver, who the club can even put through the test for you at a reasonable cost. Any one interested in using please apply at Raven Estates in Mengham. 

The Club has been going for 40 years now providing this transport facility for which all money is raised through our annual Cabaret Night at Sinah and BBQ at Northney Farm, so please support our fund raising and try and attend our BBQ on July 8th this year at the Farm. Tickets are only £14.00 including all food. 

Hayling Island Businessmen’s Club Supreme Tribute Show

Sunday April 9th at Sinah Warren Hotel, Hayling Island. “The supreme tribute show that is rocking the world”

500 people packed Sinah Warren and enjoyed a wonderful tribute show and a three course carvery meal. This years event sold out early with many people being disappointed. A healthy profit was made by the club towards the new Mini-bus which is being delivered in May.