This is an article published in the Summer 2018 newsletter ….
Work is going apace on meeting with Hayling residents whose family have had a long association with the Island - families who used to come down to sunny Hayling for their annual summer holidays, camping, caravanning or staying in holiday railway carriages in the Eaststoke area. In those day Hayling was famous for its golden sand and rural atmosphere.
The outbreak of WW2 marked a major change for the residents of Hayling, and the addition of thousands of military personnel brought an atmosphere of excitement and expectation, of course it was also tinged with sadness and heartache.
We still seek further information on all aspects of life at that time and it is not too late for you to join in our research. We can now confirm the date of our Exhibition in 2019 at the Royal British Legion which will be from Saturday 2nd. November till Sunday 19th November 2019. We will be again seeking help in stewarding the event. We hope to also launch our U3A book on that Saturday
A special service to dedicate an additional plaque for Servicemen who lost their lives in WW2 who are not at present remembered is also being planned. We are working with the Community Centre and the Lions Club to place a commemorative plaque at the Community Centre to recall the Civilian Hayling Causalities. We do seek help in finding the names as it appears that names are not collated in one place.
I am indebted to all the members of the U3A who have given so freely of their time to ensure a very positive start to this project recalling these years of great change to everyday life on this Island.
We are very pleased to be able to help St. Peter’s Church with their special Poppy Event which is being held from October 7th. 2018 for six weeks. We will be displaying much of the material which was prepared for our WW1 exhibition. St.Peter’s would welcome volunteers who are willing to act as Stewards, and we shall be seeking volunteers between 10-1pm, and 1-4pm on a table so that we can sell copies of our book and possibly have information for our new project.
Mike. Burnham