LOWDOWN Summer 2016 page 5
From the Club Chair ✍ Brian Malin
There are, thank goodness, a majority of members who make it a priority to re-join year after year. They are the essential hardcore who reliably support our Club; and in so doing recognise how much pleasure they give their hounds. However, circumstances change and each year, as with all clubs, there are a few who for a variety of reasons - some rather sad - we lose.
Luckily, there are always owners discovering us via Derek's website and Tony's Lowdown, as well as by word of mouth (each of us is an ambassador) and, as a result, it is most unusual for a walk to go by without welcoming a couple of new, or prospective new, recruits keen to join in.
Thus numbers, which are usually slightly worrying early on, become steady towards the year's end. Which is pretty good as ours is no longer a fashionable breed. So the owners that we attract are pretty genuine down to earth hardy walkers and country-lovers, happy to meet others of like mind, who share the companionship of the most endearing of breeds.
People who would never wish to own a dog can never resist stroking them, except perhaps when the hounds invite themselves to a stranger's picnic - and even then most are amused as long as they can salvage something.
Talking about hardy members, take this January's walk. A chill in the air, with snow under foot, twenty-seven hounds turned out, their staff displaying true grit, cheerful and not a moan to be heard. Truly a tribute to what our members are made of.
Naturally our hardy hounds relished it, all rejoicing they were not born hairless!
We cannot achieve what we do without careful planning and I wish to highlight not just the superlatives of the website and Lowdown (neither of which will we ever take for granted), but the diverse talents of each and every one on our Committee, especially mentioning the often unnoticed burden which is borne by our Frankie. They are multi-taskers, and make my contribution easier.
One of our longest-standing loyal members is Roger Howarth, who despite a bit of a struggle, comes to see us on a number of walks, always cheerful, and it is a tonic for us to have a chat. Needless to say, Speckles loves having his attention, and Roger must be pleased that Eoin, Sarah, and especially Rose, are giving her a lovely family life. That was such a brave decision for Roger to make.
Congratulations to another ‘golden oldie’ - she will kill me for that - Walks Organiser Jean, a lifetime enthusiast, who now sports a brand new knee, and will soon be challenging all comers to a twenty-five yard sprint. I for one will not rise to the challenge, since she is very determined and bound to win!
Thanks to all you Members for supporting your Club. It is appreciated.
Enough - enjoy your summer - Christmas is coming!
And there's a threat, even if we love it when it comes! 
There are, thank goodness, a majority of members who make it a priority to re-join year after year. They are the essential hardcore who reliably support our Club; and in so doing recognise how much pleasure they give their hounds. However, circumstances change and each year, as with all clubs, there are a few who for a variety of reasons - some rather sad - we lose.
Luckily, there are always owners discovering us via Derek's website and Tony's Lowdown, as well as by word of mouth (each of us is an ambassador) and, as a result, it is most unusual for a walk to go by without welcoming a couple of new, or prospective new, recruits keen to join in.
Thus numbers, which are usually slightly worrying early on, become steady towards the year's end. Which is pretty good as ours is no longer a fashionable breed. So the owners that we attract are pretty genuine down to earth hardy walkers and country-lovers, happy to meet others of like mind, who share the companionship of the most endearing of breeds.
People who would never wish to own a dog can never resist stroking them, except perhaps when the hounds invite themselves to a stranger's picnic - and even then most are amused as long as they can salvage something.
Talking about hardy members, take this January's walk. A chill in the air, with snow under foot, twenty-seven hounds turned out, their staff displaying true grit, cheerful and not a moan to be heard. Truly a tribute to what our members are made of.
Naturally our hardy hounds relished it, all rejoicing they were not born hairless!
We cannot achieve what we do without careful planning and I wish to highlight not just the superlatives of the website and Lowdown (neither of which will we ever take for granted), but the diverse talents of each and every one on our Committee, especially mentioning the often unnoticed burden which is borne by our Frankie. They are multi-taskers, and make my contribution easier.
One of our longest-standing loyal members is Roger Howarth, who despite a bit of a struggle, comes to see us on a number of walks, always cheerful, and it is a tonic for us to have a chat. Needless to say, Speckles loves having his attention, and Roger must be pleased that Eoin, Sarah, and especially Rose, are giving her a lovely family life. That was such a brave decision for Roger to make.
Congratulations to another ‘golden oldie’ - she will kill me for that - Walks Organiser Jean, a lifetime enthusiast, who now sports a brand new knee, and will soon be challenging all comers to a twenty-five yard sprint. I for one will not rise to the challenge, since she is very determined and bound to win!
Thanks to all you Members for supporting your Club. It is appreciated.
Enough - enjoy your summer - Christmas is coming!
And there's a threat, even if we love it when it comes!
