Large turnout for Hayling Island Sailing Club's 95th Anniversary
by Sarah Johnson 17 Jun 2016 18:17 BST
7-8 May 2016
Guests watch the 1950s-60s film during Hayling Island SC's 95th anniversary celebrations © Alice Austin Grant
Over 160 past and present Hayling Island Sailing Club members gathered together to celebrate the club's 95th Anniversary recently. A film show from the 1950s and 60s was the centrepiece of the anniversary tea party, some of which featured teenage children who were now part of the 'senior' guests who had returned for the celebrations!
Many of the 60 year olds who revisited were thrilled to reconnect with friends from their youth at the club. Amongst the prominent groups who made the effort to attend the anniversary were a large number of Cadet sailors from the 1950/60s including one who flew in from San Francisco for the occasion. A number of members who joined Hayling Island Sailing Club soon after the war also attended as well as representatives from families who were members from the 1920s and 30s.
There was lively discussion about the different boats, clothes and how sailing and the Clubhouse has changed.
The Commodore, Greg Lamb welcomed everyone and paid tribute to all those volunteer members since 1921 who had supported the Club and he said was aware that most of the guests had played a big part in both the Racing and the Social side of HISC membership. The Archive Exhibition covering the 95 years was well received and donations of further film and memorabilia was offered to the Archivists, Belinda Cook and Léonie Austin.
The daughter of two COPPists, Sue Barker, was amongst the partygoers. Her parents, Robin and Evelyn Harbud, met when the Clubhouse was the headquarters of the secret reconnaissance group Combined Operations Pilotage Parties from 1943-45.
International 14s, Canoes, Flying Fifteens, Hornets, Solos, Cadets and Enterprises, with the later addition of Fireballs and 505s and latterly Elites were also represented not forgetting all those members who enjoy cruising.
Background music was provided on the guitar by Wil Judge, nephew of Ali Carpenter. The dining room was full from the many partygoers who joined in for the normal HISC Saturday evening supper.