The Humberston Happening Committee (HHC) was formed almost ten years ago with the express purpose of promoting events and activities to foster unity and community spirit within the village. The Summer Happenings alone went a long way to achieving this aspiration. Held at the Wendover Hall and Paddock, and later at the Humberston C of E School, they brought together the schools, churches, voluntary organisations and businesses in a way never seen before or since. The vast numbers who embraced the event as participant or visitor were evidence of it’s undoubted success.
Even though fund-raising was never the primary aim, registered charities benefited significantly by operating stalls at the Summer Happenings for their own funds. Also the HHC was able to make small, but regular, donations to a variety of local groups and organisations.
Unfortunately, and for reasons best known to themselves, the Humberston Parish Council effectively ended the Summer Happenings by imposing unrealistic and prohibitive restrictinons on the use of Wendover Hall and Paddock
Whilst this was a major blow to the HHC and a serious loss to the village, the Committee remained united, undaunted and moved on. Innovation has always been a feature of the group, and so it was with the introduction of the Humberston Christmas Happening in 2002. The HHC now organises a very successful annual Santa Sleigh ride through the village; made possible by the kind co-operation of the Caistor Lions Organisation.
Who could have guessed way back in 1995 how it would grow and evolve. There has been lots of hard work along the way, but there has also been tremendous pleasure and plenty of laughs. Who can forget the costumed character at one Summer Happening who, just like Hi-De-Hi’s Partridge, really didn’t like children much at all ? Or the ungainly efforts of Thorpe Park’s brilliant Bradley Bear trying to pick out single raffle tickets with his big furry paws
The HHC has derived great satisfaction from seeing goals achieved, and also endured so much frustration about what might have been possible if unnecessary obstacles had not been placed in the path of progress. However, through the good times and the bad, the HHC has at all times remained intact, in touch and imbued with enthusiam about continuing to work for the good of the Humberston community.
Chairing the current HHC is Enid Gray who, along with Vice-Chairman and Acting Treasurer Trevor Grayson and Committee members Jane Gray, John and Dorothy Winn and Terry Watson has been with the group from day one. These have since been joined by Secretary Pauline Miller MBE, Lawrence Catlyn, Margaret Peart and Sue Robinson. Others would be warmly welcomed either as Committee members of just active helpers, as an influx of new blood is absolutely essential if the ability to put on big’ events such as the Summer Happenings are ever to be revived. Anyone interested should contact any member of the Committee