Hayling Island News

First Cycle Hayling Meeting

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:37:21 +0100

The following is the text of an e-mail sent by Lesley Berry co-founder with Sue Underwood of the new group:

"Dear Friend

Cycle Hayling is a new community movement to improve and promote cycling opportunities on Hayling Island.

We want to build a community coalition to campaign for better cycling infrastructure and for improvements to the Hayling Billy Leisure Trail.

After our first successful gathering at the opening of the new stretch of cycle path on the 26th Feb (where we met with David Willetts and representatives from Sustrans and Havant Borough Council) we would now like to have an informal meeting to look at where the group can go from here.

We would like it if you would come along please follow the link below to let us know which day and time would best suit you:

http://doodle.com/y7iv5qu8uifty8da

We look forward to meeting you

Lesley Berry (a fair-weather cyclist & co-founder of Cycle Hayling along with Sue Underwood - also a Hayling resident but with hardier cycling credentials!)"

Professional Wrestling returns to Hayling Island in April

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:31:42 +0100

Professional Wrestling returns to Hayling Island in a big way in April. Some of the biggest names in Britain will battle it out in a one night tournament tag team matches and an over the top rope rumble.
Wrestling is back at the Hayling Island Community Centre with some of Britains best known names and faces heading for the coast.
Scheduled to appear;
*Andy Boy Simmonz a multi time British Champion and tag team champion has appeared on WWE programming multiple times as well as breaking World Records on Sky One. Simmonz has appeared in the ring with former WWE champion Sheamus Matt Hardy and even WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.

*Marvin Ellis the undefeated All Counties champion Ellis is out to carry on his domination of the Southern wrestling scene. Arrogant and brash Ellis takes his hard hitting style to any opponent with an incredible ring savvy. Compared by many to AJ Styles Ellis will not give up his clean record without one heck of a fight.

*James Tighe - has endured WWE boot camps in Louisville proved his worth against top British talent and bested TNA World Champion AJ Styles. Tighe has regularly travelled Europe and America in pursuit of top competition and has won championships around the globe. Truly a ring technician Tighe has the track record and ability to outwrestle any opponent before him.

*Eamon ONeil the Irish warrior has been a hit with fans throughout his career for his variety and immaculate execution. Whether battling old school style; 8 rounds of action or going full tilt in a smash-mouth modern war. Eamon will be hoping to find more success as he returns to Hayling Island to join his tag team partner James Tighe.

*Bryan Clark this 64 18st giant has torn through any and all competition since debuting. Hated by all who attend Clark has a move-set to fear and an attitude to match. Merciless and vicious Clark is the embodiment of monster showing a pace and brutality that has fans fearing for his opponents very life.
*Ian Logan the self styled Idol of British wrestling Logan has faced top names in wrestling from World of Sport competitors Superstar Mal Sanders and Steve Grey to WWE Superstars Tyson Kidd and Katie Lea Burchill. Logan has battled any opponent facing any challenge holding the British championship along the way. As he leads his team into battle can Logans own endless self-confidence turn to leadership and victory?

The show will see the return of the Southern Counties Trophy held by wrestling luminaries; Steven (William) Regal Fit Finlay and Steve Grey. The first round matches are:
Andy Boy Simmonz Vs Marvin Ellis
Joel Redman Vs PJ Jones.
Also tag team action featuring:
James Tighe and Eamon ONeil Vs Ian Logan and Bryan Clark
The show will be topped off with an over the top rope rumble.

Tickets cost 10 for adults and 7 for concessions (OAP under 16s and students with valid student card)

HICCA
Parkview Centre
Hayling Park
Station Road
Hayling Island
Hampshire
PO11 0HB

023 92467545 for ticket details or buy on the door.

Statement from Sgt Pratley - Hayling Island Safer Neighbourhood Team

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:52:01 +0100

Statement from Sgt Pratley - Hayling Island Safer Neighbourhood Team

It has been highlighted to me that there is concern regarding the reporting of criminal incidents that have been posted onto the Hayling Forum.
These reports originate from a Neighbourhood Watch ring round system. A user of the forum "Merlot" had initially approached me and asked if it was permissible for information from these reports to go out onto the Forum site. I have expressed that I am more than happy for this as it is information that the Police would make available to anyone that requested it. There are no personal details furnished on the Neighbourhood Watch Reports and the details posted onto the Forum give Island residents an up to date picture of activity that is going on. There are also programs available that give similar information as to the break down of crime figures.

I would further like to take this opportunity to thank those neighbourhood watch coordinators personally for their continued support and commitment.

Hayling.co.uk : Best Pride of Place Website

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:06:31 +0100

We are very proud to announce that Hayling.co.uk today won a prestigious Hantsweb award for Best Pride of Place Website holding off competition from 100 other Hampshire based websites nominated in this category.

The Best Pride of Place website award celebrates sites that promote service and engage with their local area and was sponsored this year by the Daily Echo newspaper. Hayling.co.uk beat off strong competition from fellow finalists Destination Basingstoke and Bittern Park Community Information for the title of Best Pride of Place Website in the 7th annual Hantsweb awards.

Hayling.co.uk had received nominations and been short-listed in various categories in previous years but this was the first year that the site had made it to the final. Mat Bennett Co-creator of hayling.co.uk said Its great to receive this recognition for the site. I think that it says a lot for the community of Hayling Island that people engage with local sites enough not just to make a site like this work but for it to do so well in comparison with much larger communities.

The Hayling.co.uk is both developed by and owned by Brit-net Internet Marketing a website design development and marketing agency based on Hayling Island.

The ceremony was held in the planetarium of the Intech Science Centre in Winchester. The awards run by Hampshire County Council and sponsored by Virgin Media Business celebrate excellence in website design accessibility and service. The awards are open to any website based in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

HAYLING.CO.UK - WEB AWARD

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:12:28 +0100

Subject to ratification we appear to have won the Hantsweb award this year in the community website category.

Photos to come later.

BB

Chichester Harbour Events

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:30:00 +0100

Learn out the wildlife and plants of Chichester Harbour whilst enjoying a cup of tea at the Lifeboat Station Hayling. Wed 10 March

More events:

Cycle Hayling Group

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:34:25 +0100

We have a new group of cyclists forming on Hayling Island following the recent Hayling Island Residents Associations (HIRA) public meeting which highlighted the opportunities (and lost opportunities!) available to cyclists in and around the Island.

The meeting included presentations by Nick Farthing Sustrans Regional Manager for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and Paul Fisher Chairman of HIRA who highlighted the need for a safe leisure bridge crossing over Langstone Harbour and the upgrade of the Island section of the Billy Trail.

The group is led by Islander Sue Underwood and she is initially spearheading the campaign to get as many cyclists as possible to attend the opening of the new Langstone bit of the Billy trail from Mill Lane to opposite the Ship on Friday 26th February attended by David Willetts MP for Havant and Simon Pratt Regional Director for Sustrans. The idea is to let those present know the importance of and how strongly we feel about the way the southern next part of the National Cycling Route should be developed.

It would be very helpful if as many Paris to Hayling riders attended as possible.

Visit the Facebook link:

http://tinyurl.com/cyclehayling

Big Screen Scarecrows Free Event for Scarecrow Fans on Saturday February 20th

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:21:14 +0100

On Saturday 20th February Haylings BEST will be offering a free event at The Station Theatre to show the Scarecrow Festival entries in all their summer glory on the big cinema screen.

This follows the very successful screening last year of the 2008 Festival slides. The show will include never before seen slides of the very first Festival in 2007 as well as the most recent one in 2009.

The Programme will be as follows

� 7.30 Introduction
� 2007 Scarecrow Festival slides how it all started
� Announcements about Scarecrow Festival 2010
� Interval chance to get refreshments and buy Scarecrow related goodies if you wish
� 2009 Scarecrow Festival slides
� Haylings BEST MTI Announcements
� 9.15 Close HIADS Bar will remain open until 10pm for refreshments

Tickets are Free on a first come first served basis and will be available shortly from The Station Theatre Box Office or The Hayling Island Bookshop.

Hayling Island 999 Day - Sunday 11th April

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:10:06 +0100

Hayling Island Safer Neighbourhoods Team have organised a 999 day for Sunday 11th April from 10am - 4pm.
The event will be held on the event field at Beachlands Seafront Hayling Island.

Sgt Pratley said "PCSO Houghton approached me and asked if we could hold this event as a way of bringing our community together in a fun and lively way. Over the last six months she has put a lot of work and effort into this and I am pleased that the team are going to be experiencing this day with her. It is a great opportunity for the community of the Island to engage with all the emergency services we have here."

PCSO Houghton said "999 Day has been organised to enable local residents on Hayling Island to come and meet their emergency services teams and see what they have to offer them. It gives people the chance to ask questions to see what equipment is used on a daily basis and to see what goes on behind the scenes. We believe that by allowing residents access like this we will build better relationships with them which can have a major impact on tackling crime in our neighbourhood."

For any further information please contact Hayling Island Safer Neighbourhoods Team at - hayling.island.snt@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

RIJ Flats Protest

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 11:39:54 +0100

A group of interested Hayling Island residents supported by HIRA with Paul Fishergathered outside the delerict Rose In June pub at 11am today complete with banners and placards to let HBC know the strength of feeling against the decison to allow flats to be built on the site.

Passing motorists stopped and joined in.

Paul Fisher feels that not enough notice is being taken of the Islands residents regarding planning decisions.

Maybe more protests will follow.

Inn On The Beach Presents: A night for Haiti

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:32:24 +0100

Two local girls Jenny Frost 23 and Leia Gifford 25 have put together a live acoustic music night to raise funds for the Haiti earthquake victims. Though thousands of miles away from our small island community we decided we would like to show our support for such a devastating event say the girls one island to another.

The night held at the Inn On the Beach newly refurbished bar and restaurant on Tuesday 9th February will be filled with acoustic musicians playing an array of toe tappingly good live music from local island talent and beyond. Whilst serving a menu of home cooked food the evening will also have a raffle of great prizes donated from local businesses.

Entry is free but all donations and raffle money will go to the DEC www.dec.org.uk Disasters Emergency Committee which distributes their funds to humanitarian charities such as Oxfam Save the Children and the British Red Cross. These are currently working and ensuring survivors get food clean water emergency shelter medical care and any other support they need.

7 pm till 11 pm on Tuesday 9th of February 2010

Contact

Leia Gifford
Email: aiel2002@yahoo.co.uk
Tel: 07766906588

or

Jennifer Ellen Frost
Tel : 07732441887

Rose in June Demo

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:15:39 +0100

Details are still sketchy but frustrations with the derelict Rose in June situation seem to be coming to a head with a demonstration planned this saturday.

With developers looming over the site of the once bustling central pub the demonstration is seen by many as a last chance to save this importance location. More about this story to follow as we get it.

The demonstration is planned for 11am Saturday. Anyone with an interest in saving the pub or with objections to the construction of more flats is encouraged to attend.

Police arrest three following burglary at beach hut

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:19:11 +0100

Police in Hayling Island have arrested three youths following a burglary at a beach hut along the Seafront Hayling Island.

The beach hut was broken into on the evening of Thursday January 14.

Sergeant Steve Pratley said: "Burglary and damage to the beach huts has been a team priority for quite some time.

"Last year we suffered the terrible arsons to the huts that had been broken into and it is therefore very pleasing to report that these arrests have come about following targeted patrols of the area.

"Two PCSOs were on patrol when they heard the sound of wood breaking. On further investigation they saw a group of youths running off who were positively identified as being responsible.

"The area was searched by the rest of my team and the suspects captured. These youths have then been arrested and interviewed."

All three youths who cannot be named for legal reasons have currently been bailed on suspicion of burglary and criminal damage to reappear at the police station on 18th February

Robin Waltons Discover Hayling

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:44:29 +0100

Miserable day not much to do why not visit the hayling Library this afternoon and see another of Robin Waltons Discover Hayling Events. Poster attached describing the display which is about the secret COPP unit which was based upon Hayling Island during the war and an unknown activity until 1959.

Police in Hayling Island arrest man following discovery of cannabis factory

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:02:28 +0100

Police in Hayling Island have arrested a 45-year-old man on suspicion of the production of cannabis following the discovery of a cannabis factory at an commercial premises in St Marys Road on Wednesday December 30.

Officers were alerted to the existence of the factory by reports of a strong smell of cannabis coming from the location.

On entering and searching the premises cannabis plants were discovered along with equipment used in their cultivation.

All of this was seized.

Sergeant Steve Pratley said: " We were alerted to a strange smell coming from a commercial premises by local residents and on attendance we could clearly smell cannabis and acted on it in a swift manner to prevent further drugs production and supply."

"This is an excellent example of the community pulling together and reporting suspicious activity to the police. As a result of this I am pleased to say another drugs factory has been closed down."

Anyone with information regarding the production or supply of drugs should contact Hampshire Constabulary on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

New Police Station Opening Hours

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:09:31 +0100

You may recall that earlier this year I sought feedback from residents with regards to the opening times of Hayling Police Station.

This was brought about as a result of numerous requests on the Your Voice Counts leaflets asking for earlier opening times.

I have always maintained that I am open to suggestions however with the increasing number of methods open to the public to report incidents we are unable to increase the opening hours.

I am now pleased to advise that following a number of surveys and analysis of feedback the opening hours are now going to change in January.

From Monday 4th January 2010 the opening hours will be -
Monday Thursday 10am - 2pm
Friday 4pm - 8pm

I would again reiterate that should you attend the station outside these times wishing to speak with an officer urgently then the phone on the outside wall should be used and an officer will be asked to return to the station.

Sergeant 2761 | Safer Neighbourhood Team | Hayling Island | Hampshire Constabulary

Updated waste and recycling advice

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:57:30 +0100

Although many of the Boroughs main roads look clearer side roads are still treacherous and pavements are still very icy making it too dangerous for refuse vehicles and waste collection teams to collect waste.

As there is uncertainty that ground conditions will improve significantly to allow collections safely Havant Borough Council is suspending all waste and recycling services for the remainder of this week.

The message for borough residents for next week is:

If weather and ground conditions permit on Monday 18 January normal scheduled rounds will commence but crews will collect rubbish bins only including bagged side waste. This will help clear the backlog in the first instance. If we cant get out then the back log of waste collections will take place on their next scheduled collection day the following week. Thereafter normal waste and recycling services will resume.

This means that any residents who are due to have their recycling collected next week should now put out their rubbish bin instead please.

Residents are requested to store their recycling until their next scheduled recycling collection as identified by the dates printed on the calendar distributed by the Council before Christmas. If you have mislaid your calendar please call customer services on 023 9244 6010 or via customer.services@havant.gov.uk who will advise you accordingly.

RNLI

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:27:34 +0100

RNLI top brass gives praise to Hayling Island lifeboat crew after sombre launch
------------------------------------

The volunteer lifeboat crew from Hayling Island RNLI lifeboat station have been officially commended after launching their lifeboat in November to search for a missing man who was possibly in the water but found dead in the mud.

The crew and lifeboat community at the Hampshire station have all been praised in an official letter written by Michael Vlasto the RNLIs Head of Operations based at the charitys headquarters in Poole Dorset.

In it Michael expresses his sympathy and his appreciation for the crews efforts and for their handling of the delicate situation with such sensitivity and tact.

The crew launched the stations D-class lifeboat Amanda James and Ben and the stations Atlantic 85 lifeboat Derrick Battle at 1.57am on 16 November after reports that a man was missing from the area. The lifeboats searched the area in Chichester Harbour and within 15 minutes sadly the mans body was found on mud some 300 metres from the shoreline off Hayling Island.

Writing to Nigel Roper Lifeboat Operations Manager at Hayling Island RNLI lifeboat station Michael Vlasto said: I am writing to express both my sympathy but also my appreciation for everyone at Hayling Island lifeboat station including you for everything that was done during the service on 16 November 2009.

What started initially as a search for a missing person sadly turned into the recovery of his body. Local knowledge was used to establish the search area which resulted in the poor man being found relatively quickly. The liaison with the Coastguard police and ambulance services was excellent and the sensitivity in which the whole situation was handled is most creditable. Please thank everyone involved on my behalf for their actions.

Hayling Island RNLI lifeboat station were tasked to 127 times in 2009 to emergencies ranging from stranded vessels breakdowns kitesurfers in need of assistance medical emergencies and children missing off the local beaches.

Nigel Roper Lifeboat Operations Manager said he was pleased that the training and dedication of his crew was reflected in their handling of this particular event despite the tragic outcome. He said: Our volunteer crew members undergo intensive training to ensure that they are ready to respond to any kind of emergency. Sadly there are times when a person cannot be rescued as we would want them to be and in cases like this we have to deal with a rather grim reality. When that happens all we can do is act as quickly as we can and with the appropriate degree of tact and sensitivity that the situation demands.

Whilst we would all have wished for a different outcome it is gratifying to receive this letter from our Operations Director and to find that our stations efforts are appreciated at the highest level.

Carol Carter Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer

Source:
BYM Marine & Maritime News

All frontline services suspended - UPDATE

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:10:42 +0100

As a result of last nights heavy snow fall ALL frontline services have been suspended until further notice. Police advice via the radio is to keep off the roads.

It seems unlikely that services will start soon so normal advice is to leave wheelie Bins out on the day they are due until they are collected although put them in a safe place.

We are now experiencing further heavy snowfall and as such there is no chance of getting any of our frontline services deployed today. Despite staff going to great lengths to get to work conditions are too hazardous.

There are enough people on duty to respond to any urgent/emergency work as or when requested.

A senior manager will arrive at the depot at 5.30am tomorrow to make a decision on wether it is safe to return to normal service.

Cllr. Andy Lenaghan.

�Starlight Express� Makes Christmas Return to Hayling!

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:49:10 +0100

Starlight Express Makes Christmas Return to Hayling!

A small piece of local railway history was made on the evening of Sunday 13th December as the Hayling Seaside Railway ran its first ever scheduled night time passenger train.

Since opening to the public in the summer of 2002 the one mile narrow gauge railway along Hayling Seafront has been a strictly daylight operation but this years partnership with the neighbouring Funland Amusement Park to launch a new and improved version of the railways popular Christmas Santa Special trains required the last train to leave Beachlands station for Eastoke Corner well after dark.

Tentative enquiries between railway owner Bob Haddock and the Officers of Her Majestys Railway Inspectorate soon revealed that they had no overwhelming objection to the railway running at night subject to some improved lighting arrangements none of which would be impossible to achieve in the tight time scale.

So it was that Seaside Railway diesel engines Jack and Edwin were both promptly fitted with powerful car-style electric headlamps run from the locomotives own generators. While three of the railways five passenger coaches were equally swiftly kitted out with battery powered neon tubes to a system devised at incredibly short notice by the railways volunteer electricians. Railway custom however could still be maintained by the provision of a traditional red oil lamp at the tail of the trains last carriage and similar red oil lanterns placed on the buffer stops at both terminus stations.

With sunset for the Solent area timed emphatically at 3.58pm the first train to officially require these provisions was the 4pm departure from Eastoke Corner hauled by Jack the Seaside Engine. Which in the event ran without fare-paying passengers as crowds flocked the Eastoke Corner Plaza to enjoy the annual Carols on the Plaza Christmas concert organised by Hayling Churches Together and the Haylings BEST Group. It was a different story entirely though at 4.40pm when the final passenger train of the day left Beachlands Station laden with happy families fresh from the experience of free funfair rides and their magical visit to see Father Christmas at the delightfully decorated Funland Grotto.

Cheers rang out from all carriages of the train as passengers were advised that a little bit of history was in the making. The last night time passenger train ever to run on Hayling Island was as long ago as the night of Saturday 2nd November 1963 when two Victorian steam tank engines once named Whitechapel and Martello solemnly departed from Hayling Islands doomed branch line terminus on the final run of the legendary Hayling Billy to Havant. There would have been little to sing about on that long ago cold November night save for the customary wake like rendition of Auld Lang Syne around the buffers at journeys end. In total contrast however the train crew on the 2009 re-enactment were treated to an impromptu round of joyful carol singing from the gleeful adults and children as their Yuletide train trundled its way gently along the coast of a starlit Hayling Bay.

The ability to run trains after dark opens up a whole new range of potential opportunities for the Hayling Seaside Railway with Halloween and Firework Night Bonfire Specials perhaps being among the most obvious. In the meantime Haylings very own Starlight Express looks set to run many more times in the run up to Christmas. Santa Specials are scheduled for every remaining Saturday and Sunday til Christmas then daily from Saturday 19th through to Christmas Eve Thursday 24th December.

Pre-booking is always advisable but subject to availability booking may still be possible on the day aboard the train at Eastoke Corner while for those not seeing Santa a full range of single return and family fares remain available. More details can be obtained by phoning the Funland Amusement Park on 02392 462820 or by popping in person to see Nikki at the Funland Wimpy.

With the last passengers of the day safely returned to their Eastoke Corner starting point it was an uneventful if nonetheless memorable return journey to Beachlands as the hard working volunteer train crew could at last relax a little after their days efforts. Was it just imagination I wonder that when the train paused briefly at a darkened Mengham Road Halt that despite the diesel loco pulling our train more than one crew member reported the distinct smell of coal smoke? Wishful thinking perhaps or maybe just an ill swept chimney along Sea Front Road? But old romantic that I undoubtedly am I for one would far rather put it down to a ghostly reminder of Whitechapel and Martello and the final nocturnal run of the legendary Hayling Billy!

Turkish Delight for Pauline Rowson�s Crime Novels

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:11:20 +0100

Two crime thriller novels by Hayling author Pauline Rowson are to be published in Turkish in the New Year.

Turkish Publisher Babiali Kultur Yayinciligi of Istanbul has acquired the rights to In Cold Daylight and In For The Kill by Pauline Rowson. The deal was done through Pauline Rowsons Turkish Literary Agent who last year sold rights to one of Rowsons non fiction titles Being Positive and Staying Positive which was published in Turkish in March this year.

In Cold Daylight and In For The Kill are to be published in Turkey in February and March 2010. They are stand alone crime novels set in the Solent area and the Isle of Wight and have already been translated into Indonesian and Polish.

Pauline Rowson who is also the author of the marine mystery series of crime novels set in Portsmouth featuring Inspector Andy Horton says Im thrilled about this. It will be really exciting to see them translated into Turkish and I hope they do well over there.

'Christmas Window Spotting' heads a busy time for Hayling's BEST M.T.I.

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 14:08:09 +0100

Christmas as always will be a particularly busy time for Haylings Best volunteers with the Playing on the Plaza team embarking on their annual collaboration with the Hayling Island Churches Together group for Carols on the Plaza. An opportunity to join with the congregations of all of the Islands churches for a musical celebration of the joy of Christmas due to take place on the Liveability Plaza at Eastoke Corner on the afternoon of Sunday 13th December from 4pm. All are welcome.

Another Island gem fast becoming integralpart of the Haylings BEST Christmas is the Hayling Island Window Spotting Competition. Now in its third successful year the idea behind it is simple yet ingenious. Shopkeepers and business folk around the magical Isle of Hayling have undertaken to to display a single item of incongruity something which you would normally be very surprised indeed to find lurking in their shop window. Your mission should you agree to accept it is to collect a FREE trail sheet from any one of the many participating outlets throughout Hayling Island as signified by a special Haylings BEST Window Spotting Sticker in order to track them all down to identify their secrets and win a highly sought after prize. Namely one of two unique Haylings BEST gift vouchers valued at 25 and 50 redeemable at ANY of the participating Island businesses.

For 2010 the Haylings BEST Market Town Initiative are already working on a full and exciting calendar of Island community events. As you may have already read in the November Hayling Islander the volunteer historians and archivists of the Discover Hayling team have been busy unearthing yet more about the important role played by the Island in the D-Day Landings of World War 2 and the subsequent liberation of Europe. Already well known are the brave exploits of the Cockleshell Heros and Haylings vital role in training exercises in the run up to the Normandy Landings. Less well known is the role played by members of the Special Forces billeted at the Hayling Island Sailing Club in a series of audacious clandestine raids to survey the beachheads without which the planned invasion might easily have been a fiasco!

More on this and no doubt many other fascinating insights into the social history of Hayling Island are due to feature in a special exhibition to be held at the Hayling Island Library from Saturday 16th January. Details of all of these events will be publicised on our website and via these pages as soon they become available.

The Haylings BEST group are continually on the lookout for new blood to add to its pool of talent both on the MTI Core Committee and working with its many subgroups which currently include the Scarecrow Festival Playing on the Plaza Discover Hayling the Christmas Window Spotting Competition and the Hayling Community Youth Centre Project. If you would like to join our growing team of hard working community volunteers please contact our new Chairperson Dale Norman on 023 92 462192 or by email via our website. http://www.haylingsbest.co.uk/

Ian Edwards
Volunteer P.R.Officer
Haylings BEST M.T.I.

Canute on Hayling?

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:31:08 +0100

PLANS to protect hundreds of homes on a low-lying peninsula from flooding are to go on show.
Residents are being given the opportunity to find out more about proposals for coastal defences at Eastoke on Hayling Island.

The proposals from Havant Borough Council include improving the splash wall at the rear of the promenade replacing timber groynes with new rock groynes and redistributing shingle along the coast.

It comes after the council commissioned a specialist consultancy HR Wallingford to produce a detailed report on how best to manage and defend Eastoke.

Councillor Jenny Wride in charge of coastal management said: I do hope as many local residents as possible will attend the exhibitions and take the opportunity to discuss with our coastal team any concerns they may have.

The exhibitions will be held at Hayling Island Sailing Club on Monday December 7 and Tuesday December 8 from 1pm to 7pm.

Plans to protect island homes from flooding

Portsmouth News

Local Author will be at Village Late Night Shopping Festival

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:21:05 +0100

A book signing is one of the many events organised by businesses across Hayling Island for their annual Late Night Shopping Festival on December 4th.

Mengham Business Group in conjunction with Hayling Lions will be holding their Christmas Late Night Shopping Evening in Mengham Village.

Mengham Road will be closed from 4pm to 9pm to allow easier access to the activities and many businesses along Elm Grove as far as Gable Head will also be open late that night.

Up to six snow machines will be operating again this year to give a seasonal feel to the evening.

Shops will be open in Elm Grove and Mengham Road until 8pm selling a wide range of Christmas gifts and some will be offering refreshments and special offers on the night. A number of attractions are planned including
� The Lions Christmas Grotto with Father Christmas
� Choirs will be in Elm Grove and Mengham Road singing carols
� Childrens Fancy Dress Competition for local schools judged by the Deputy Mayor of Havant
� A Band will again perform in Mengham Road outside Static Fusion
� Barbeque and other light refreshments
� Childrens Rides
� Various charity stalls from local groups
Local author Dee Williams will be in The Hayling Island Bookshop from 6pm signing copies of her latest novel This Time for Keeps a story of family tragedy Land Girls and lost love from this bestselling author of romantic sagas.

Last years Late Night Shopping Festival was very well attended and has helped to support the small businesses on Hayling who are vital to the local economy and provide much needed local services.

Hayling.co.uk shortlisted for Hantsweb Awards

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:30:47 +0100

Hayling.co.uk has been shortlisted in two categories( Best Pride of Place website and Best Tourism and Leisure website) for the seventh Hantsweb Awards.

The Hantsweb Awards celebrate excellence in website design accessibility and service. The awards are open to any website based in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

The finalists are expected to be announced in January 2010.

You can see all the shortlisted web-sites here

http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hantswebawards/its-hantswebawards-shorlisted09.htm

Another Great Year for the Hayling Seaside Railway!

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:03:16 +0100

2009 has been a momentous year for Bob Haddock and the volunteers of the Hayling Seaside Railway culminating as it did in glorious September sunshine with Haylings first public passenger steam trains since the November 1963 closure of the sadly lamented Hayling Billy branch line. Negotiations are already well in hand for a repeat visit or two for an extended period of Hayling Seaside Steam in 2010.

December is in many ways always been among our busiest months on the Hayling Seaside Railway and this year is likely to be no exception with an enhanced programme of Santa Specials this year for the first time operating in conjunction with our neighbours at the Funland Amusement Park.

The much expanded all inclusive package includes entry to Funlands Kidz Kingdom play area and a variety of exciting funfair rides in addition to the customary seasonal train ride to and from Eastoke Corner with a magical visit to Father Christmas Grotto and a special gift for the children plus and wine and mince pies for the adults on the return trip. While Santa himself moves from his usual railway carriage grotto to more palatial accommodation within Funland itself. Full details including dates and times of operation prices and how to book can be found at the Funland website http://www.funland.info/ Telephone 023 92 462820.

So as not to forget our regular loyal customers on Hayling and those of you who are perhaps getting a little long in the tooth for sitting opon Santas knee subject as always to the availability of seats on the day a full range of single return and family fares for the railway journey only will remain available at the usual prices.

The 2010 season begins with the annual New Years Day visit to Hayling Island of the massed Citroen 2CVs of the Pompey Puddleducks and the Guildford based Fils de Vitesse (Daughters of Speed!) adding a welcome splash of colour to the Funland car park while the regular service passenger trains to Eastoke provide the ideal way of blowing away the post Christmas cobwebs!

A full range of activities are already in the planning stage for the coming year including our annual Classic Transport Gathering organised jointly with Funland and the Local Locomotion and Hayling Legends car clubs and the return after a years absence of our popular Model Railways in the Shed event to be held in and around Beachlands station workshops and depot. Both events will feature an intensive service of passenger and goods trains hauled by the railways growing collection of veteran diesel locomotives.

We will also be continuing with our popular and successful series of Charity Days when all passenger ticket revenues for the day are donated to a selected good cause. Recipients for 2009 included the Hayling R.N.L.I. Hayling First Responders and the Hampshire Air Ambulance Service. Full details of all these events and more as they emerge including the 2010 season of Hayling Seaside Steam can be found on the Hayling Seaside Railway website http://www.haylingseasiderailway.com/ Email:
haylingrailwayevents@ntlworld.com or phone the railways genial owner Bob Haddock on 023 92 372427.

October A.G.M. for Hayling�s BEST!

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:41:01 +0100

The volunteers of the Haylings BEST Group part of the nation-wide Market Town Initiative will be holding their Annual General Meeting at the United Reformed Church Hollow Lane Hayling Island on the evening of Wednesday 28th October starting at 7.30 pm.

Haylings BEST (The acronym B.E.S.T. stands for Business - Environment - Social - Transport.) is a multifaceted local organisation comprising many volunteer run subgroups. Working for Hayling to create projects such as the Islands ever popular Scarecrow Festival which has just enjoyed its third highly successful season.

The creative spirit of Hayling was well to the fore this year with an astonishingly imaginative range of Scarecrows created and displayed for the enjoyment of Island crow spotters. Although the highlight for many of this years festival must surely have been the innovative straw poll designed to seek out public opinion as to Hayling Islands most popular figure.

Candidates for this hotly contested and cherished title included lifelike effigies of the late great Michael Jackson those cool dudes The Blues Brothers hero of the Royal Navy Admiral Lord Nelson and a likeness of our beloved Prime Minister Gordon Brown that was arguably even scarier than the man himself!

Also in the Haylings BEST stable are the Discover Hayling local history team who are working to create a living archive of Haylings social history. This year the Islands hard working historians have unearthed fascinating insights on subjects as diverse as the life and times of Victorian Lord of the Manor William Padwick and Haylings important role in the run up to the D-Day Landings.

Among other highlights for Discover Hayling this year have been two highly entertaining sell out presentations at the HIADS Hayling Theatre and an exhibition at the newly refurbished Newtown House Hotel which attracted over a thousand visitors. While the group have also published three new additions to their range of local history booklets entitled Natural Hayling Langstone - Gateway to Hayling and Hayling Lifeboats

Now in its second glorious year the Playing on the Plaza team have just completed their annual season of six free Sunday afternoon live music events at Eastoke Corners Liveability Plaza. Aimed primarily as a means of increasing footfall to the areas businesses and traders the project has also developed a particularly strong second string to its bow as a free platform for local culture and musical talent.

Local bands and acts to have featured in this seasons line up include Jack Cottle Rusty Strings Manti Music Madness Rick and the Rivearas the wonderfully named Tobo Lumpyfoot and the lovely Wendy Adams-Evans presenter of Discover Haylings Postcard From Hayling DVD leading her band Captain Stomp and the Roof Raisers.

New for this year Haylings BEST have just embarked on its first ever bricks and mortar project in the shape of their new Community Youth Centre project aimed at addressing the Islands present shortage of facilities for young people through the creation of a facility specifically targeted to meet their growing needs and create a safe social environment for the enjoyment a variety of positive and constructive activities.

Still to come for 2009 are the Islands annual Christmas Window Spotting Competition in which visitors and locals tour Haylings shops and businesses armed with trail-sheets to seek out items of incongruity in the Islands shop windows. Plans are afoot for an exciting revamp for this season including a new logo new entry details and lots of new mini competitions added just for fun!

While still on the theme of Christmas the Playing on the Plaza team will also be back suitably wrapped in holly tinsel and mistletoe for their regular collaboration with Haylings Churches Together group to present their second annual Carols on the Plaza seasonal Christmas concert. More on all of these projects and events can be found at the groups website http://www.haylingsbest.co.uk

The common link between all of these projects are their VOLUNTEER input. None of them could possibly exist without a small but dedicated and hard working team who turn out regularly to make them happen. Wednesday 28th October is YOUR chance to come along and find out exactly what Haylings BEST and the Market Town Initiative is all about and where YOU can fit into their future success and the continued prosperity of Hayling Island!

Hayling Island Press Release

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:36:40 +0100

Vehicle Crime

Over the last month we have seen an increase in vehicle crime on the Island. There have been a number of reported incidents of SatNavs being stolen from glove boxes and handbags from under seats.
Questions have been asked about the existence of a device that can unlock vehicles remotely by keying in a code. I would like to re-assure residents that this question has been fed back to Force level and at this current time Hampshire Constabulary have not got any information/intelligence to suggest that any such device exists.
You can take a few simple precautions to hopefully prevent becoming a victim of vehicle crime by ensuring your vehicle is fully locked and removing valuable items such as Satnavs (and cradles).

Halloween and Bonfire Night

The above two events are again rapidly approaching and I would like to ask everyone for assistance in helping us to ensure that they pass off safely and without incident.
A leaflet has been produced which has proven helpful in recent years in providing advice on matters of safety for the evening and how to enjoy it without upsetting local residents. The leaflet also doubles up as a poster advising people that the householder does not wish to participate in Halloween or receive callers.
The following advice is provided and hopefully if heeded everyone will enjoy the event.
Where possible an adult to accompany children as a matter of safety.
If young people are out in an unsupervised group that they only visit house holds that they know.
Not to visit residences alone.
Not to enter houses but remain on the doorstep in a group and allow the householder to bring the treats to them.
To make sure that they do not take flour and eggs with them to use as tricks as use of these items causes a lot of mess and distress to householders which may result in the police being called to attend.
If there is no answer to the door or a No trick or Treat poster or sign displayed they must leave immediately.
Leaflets are being distributed to some local shops and are also available from the Police Station. Should anyone require any further advice or information then feel free to contact any of the team on the below details. Thank you for your support in this matter.

Hayling SNT Priorities

It was agreed at the last Hayling Island Community Board on Monday 14th September that the elected priorities would remain with the addition of Anti social Behaviour in Hamfield Park.
The priorities are currently:
Anti-social Behaviour in�Hayling Mengham and Hamfield Park.�
Youth Engagement on�Hayling Island.�
Criminal Damage on the�Sea Front at�Hayling Island.�
To have your say on what the policing priorities should be for your area. What can be done to improve your community? How can we ensure a good quality of life for everyone?
Come and tell us what is important to you in your neighbourhood you can influence these priorities by speaking to members of the team completing a Your voice counts leaflet or simply E-mailing us.
These priorities will then be discussed and voted on at the next Community Board Meeting on 12th October at 7pm at The Bridge Centre Beach Road Hayling Island.

Contacting the Team

You can contact us on 0845 045 45 45 and ask for Hayling Islands Safer Neighbourhoods team. If no one is available to take your call please leave a message and an officer will call you back. Alternatively you can email us on hayling.island.snt@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

We look forward to hearing from you.

TV actress, playwright and novelist visits Hayling

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:00:07 +0100

Author and TV actress Barbara Ewing will be talking at Hayling Library on October 20th at 7.30pm.

The television role for which she is best remembered is that of Bradley Hardacres mistress Agnes Fairchild in the Granada Television comedy series Brass alongside Timothy West (1982-84.

More recent TV appearances have included episodes of Casualty Doctors and Holby City on the BBC and The Bill and Peak Practice on ITV as well as appearances in various adaptations of Ruth Rendall mysteries.

Barbara will be talking about her historical novels; The Actresses A Dangerous Vine The Trespass Rosetta The Mesmerist and most recently The Fraud.

Her books will be available to buy for signing on the night. Tickets cost 3 and are available from Hayling Island Library Telephone: 023 92461534

�Hayling Seaside Steam� - back in 2010!

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:46:43 +0100

Following the success ot the recent visit to the Hayling Seaside Railway of the Hampshire Narrow Gauge Railway Trusts 1919 Bagnall steam locomotive Wendy and Chris Manns ex Channel Tunnel Project 1991 Schoma diesel Jenny as part of the lines Steam & Goods Train Gala of the 19th and 20th September. The seaside line are already making plans for further such events in 2010.

Subject to locomotive availability plans are already in the pipeline for two Hayling Seaside Steam events for next year each of three weekends duration the first provisionally pencilled in for May/June just ahead of the main summer season and a second event towards the end of the holiday season in September/October.

The 2009 special event on the one mile long narrow gauge light railway and the following weekend when Wendy hauled ordinary service trains between Beachlands Funland and Eastoke Corner via Mengham Road Halt were Hayling Islands first scheduled public steam passenger trains since the closure of the former Hayling Billy branch line from Havant in November 1963. Although Wendy herself had made a previous visit to Hayling in the early 1990s when it worked services on the now defunct East Hayling Light Railway which ran ran entirely on private land within the confines of the Islands Mill Rythe Holiday Camp.

A notable feature of this years operation was the superb level of co-operation and camaraderie between volunteers from the Hayling Seaside Railway and their colleagues from the Hampshire Narrow Gauge Railway Trust as Seaside Railway Chairman Andrew Rose explains...........

Although a small number of HSR members have previous steam experience from other railways and model engineering groups the seaside railway has up to now been exclusively diesel worked so for many of us this was our first encounter with live steam.

However the quality of the training guidance encouragement and friendship we enjoyed from the HNGRT boys and girls was of an incredibly high standard which made the two weekends a most enjoyable learning experience for us all. Experience which will hold our Society in good stead as plans to complete our own new-build steam locomotive come closer to fruition.

We wish the Hampshire Narrow Gauge Railway Trust every success with their plans to develop their own narrow gauge railway at the Bursledon Brickworks Museum and look forward to working with them again on future projects.

With Wendy and Jenny now safely retuned to their operating base at the Amberley Chalk Pits Museum in Sussex services on the Haying Seaside Railway which operates on Saturdays Sundays and Market Day Wednesdays throughout the year as well as Hampshire school holidays are now back in the capable hands of the lines resident locomotive fleet. Which comprises 1988 steam outline diesel Jack supported by veteran industrial diesels Alistair of 1940 and the 1967 built Edwin.

Ian Edwards
Volunteer P.R. Officer
Hayling Seaside Railway.