Welcome to LOWDOWN, the club’s new-look newsletter, which we hope you will enjoy.

As the new editor, I should introduce myself to those members who don’t already know me. I am a professional artist who, together with my wife, Frankie, has owned Basset Hounds for thirty years. We live in East Sussex.

Our first dog, Boycott, was a very handsome lemon/white Verwood. From that moment onwards we became besotted with this wonderful breed. After his death, aged almost 14 years, he was followed by Sigmund, a red/white and Otto, a tri. Both were great characters. We currently have two young boys, Pablo and Nico.

When we first joined the branch I remember just how much I looked forward to the newsletter which was edited in those days by Veronica Ross. It is a privilege to follow her and, of course Rosemary, who has done such a good job with the publication of late. I hope that LOWDOWN will successfully continue the branch’s tradition of producing an entertaining, useful and much anticipated newsletter.

In addition to the format change of the newsletter, you will also notice the appearance of some new features. The reports of our branch walks, written by walks organizer, Jean Miller, have been expanded and are now accompanied by more photographs.

LOWDOWN will contain more images than previous newsletters - there is a gallery showing new ‘hound members’ - and our staff photographer will attend as many walks and other events as possible. There is also a competition to enter with a chance to win a super prize!

If I have a philosophy for my time as editor, it is that I want LOWDOWN to be an accessible forum for all members. I hope you will find it interesting, whether you breed Bassets, show them or, like me, simply decide to share a home with these wonderful creatures.

So, please make use of this newsletter and send me your contributions - articles, photos, drawings etc. We all have anecdotes, observations and helpful tips which we could share with the Basset Hound community. I also want to publicize news of your show results. We are ‘all-ears’ for your news! Alternatively, there may be some members who are new to the breed and need advice on some aspect of Basset Hound ownership. Why not write in to us? We will print your query and invite replies from our more experienced members.

As you may know, this year we are celebrating forty years of the branch’s existence - the reformed Basset Hound Club was fifty years old in 2004. In this issue, Michael Errey, a founding member and treasurer for its entire existence, writes his memories of how the branch came into being. Also, we take a look at ‘Yearbook - Number One’, published in 1971. This will fascinate those of you who are interested our history.

As part of this year’s celebration, in addition to our regular Fun Day in July - this time at a new venue - there is a Barn Dance planned for October. This promises to be great fun - more so, given that so few of us will have the chance to embarrass ourselves in this particular way before! A superb, buffet supper will be available and, most of all, this event will be free for all members and their children. See the Events Diary for the full details.

The committee hope that as many of you as possible will attend the walks and other events planned for this special year and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible.

Tony Roberts