I am pleased to inform all members that we have been awarded a National Heritage Lottery Fund grant to undertake this project which will research the many aspects of life on Hayling Island during the years 1919-1946.
It was a period of great change for the folk living on the Island during those years, from the relief of the ending of WW1, and the return of many loved ones to the fear of yet another war, and the very dark days of 1941. The Change from a mainly rural farming community to the desire to make Hayling a Holiday centre, the demise of the moneyed families from the large houses on the south of the Island whose homes were used as schools or demolished and the land sold for building. In fact many of us live on land which was once part of a large estate.
The first inaugural meeting was held on Friday 22nd September and I thank all those who attended.
- Janet Coates-Jones will be undertaking the task of writing the montages of those Hayling men and women who lost their lives during WW2.
- Sue Humphrey has offered to co-ordinate the stories and information gathered as well as researching The Airfield and the life of Admiral Fisher.
- Brenda Cotton is undertaking research into the family businesses and the story of commerce on the Island.
- Gerry Holden is undertaking work on the history of the many schools which came to the Island during the years 1919-46 and has also offered to undertake the coordination of an exhibition in 2019.
- David Cornelius has offered to write up the Neville Shute story and Jill Burnham will research the Russian Princess who came to live on Hayling.
- Derek Dunn will deal with any copyright issues.
- Daphne Civelli along with other members of the Digital Photo group will take on the task of enhancing old photographs for our publication.
- Terry Swain and the Art Group will prepare pictures from old drawings etc.
- Local History group 1 are undertaking research into the history of the Hayling Mosquito and its control.
- Mike Ascheil, Gillian Heather, Derek Oakley, and Maggi Bridgman of the writing group, have offered help in writing up those who have family stories to tell.
- Joan Thomas has offered to research the history of the Lord Mayor Treloar’s Convalescent Hospital at Eastsoke and the ‘Trigg ‘family story.
- Adrian Bartlett is gathering information about the fairground and its
history. - Belinda Cook - who is the archivist of HISC - will provide us with the club's history.
Several members have offered to provide stories of their families and we will be arranging for one of our team of writers to make contact with you.
We need volunteers to undertake research into the development of the Services on the Island, the introduction of electricity, mains sewerage, the making up of the roads, and the demise of the local gas works. When did the use of railway carriages start to be holiday homes?
Of course there are many other areas of interest which I have not mentioned and would welcome help and information from any member of the U3A. This is your project and its success depends upon your participation. Please let me know if you would like to become involved in any way.
There is a small co-ordinating group of Paul Chapman, Derek Dunn, Sue Humphrey, Gerry Holden, Janet Coates-Jones and myself who will meet at regular intervals.
Mike Burnham