Following the precedence set by ‘YEARBOOK NUMBER ONE’, each issue of LOWDOWN will have a competition. The prize is a wonderful gold-plated, enamelled BASSET HOUND pin brooch / badge - a real collector’s item.

To win, just think of a collective noun for a group of Bassets. There is a pride of lions, a parliament of owls (and rooks) and a murder of crows. For hounds generally, we have a pack, a cry and a mute. In the next issue of LOWDOWN I hope to be reviewing a book about hunting called ‘A Bother of Bassets’, I have also seen on one web-site a waddle of Bassets - though this particular collective noun does seem a little unkind. Use your creative ‘little grey cells’ and send your collective noun in this form: ‘A ................. of Bassets’, together with your name and contact details to LOWDOWN by September 30^th 2008.

The prize will be awarded to the most original and apt suggestion.

The winter issue of LOWDOWN will include the winning suggestion together with those of the best runners-up. Please have a go!

PLEASE NOTE: THE DECISION OF THE EDITOR'S WIFE IS FINAL.