Gone was the earlier rain with the weather improving as the night went on. Entertainment was provided non- stop throughout the evening, from 7.30pm until we closed at 11.15pm.

Tony Read was a superb host and compère with tribute performers to ABBA, Kylie and Dolly plus Jet Set with Celena on the saxophone. Those who came to dance didn’t stop during the evening, such was the pull of the dance floor.

The general comments were very pleasing with our guests not only having an evening of great music, but they also enjoyed a barbecue which was virtually eat all you can. We had a well stocked bar with reasonably priced drinks all evening until closing time.

We were all pleased with the funds raised from the evening; hopefully we will be able to publish the final figure next month.

Ant Middleton of the TV programme SAS Who Dares Wins fame was a guest who turned up unexpectedly and seemed to be a great hit. Many guests wanted to pose for a photograph with him and he duly obliged.

Ant was asked his thoughts of the evening and said: ‘It was great to be amongst the people of Portsmouth and Hayling Island where most of my family still reside and I was born and bred. The food and entertainment was great but what topped it off was the people. They really know how to look after each other and bring a community together. What a great idea and event.’

Our thanks must go to Stan and Mary Pike and their family for the support we get every year from them with the use of the farm. Without this the event could just not go ahead and fundraising would be much harder. I do not have the space to thank all those who helped as there are so many, but thank you to you all.

There are many worthwhile charities on Hayling Island, and we at the businessmen’s club must be one of the longest independent ones serving the community in which we live.

This year we are celebrating our 60th anniversary and, besides running the community mini bus for many of those years, we have donated thousands of pounds to various good causes.

Many of you will remember Bob Green of the West Town Hotel who was our first chairman. I do wonder what he would think of the organisation he helped form, still running today.