The big news story in this issue of LOWDOWN is the launch of the branch’s website. It is fitting that this should happen in the branch’s 40^th anniversary year.

Its inception came out of a conversation that I had with Derek Harris after the midsummer walk. He inquired if I was going to set up a branch website. My response was a casual, ‘I’m not, but you can’, or words to that effect. I thought no more of this remark until two days later when I had an email from Derek referring me to the above web address. There it was, fully formed!

Derek’s webmaster page describes the process of designing the site. I am sure that the site will be an invaluable asset to the club and its members.  Also of course, casual Basset Hound surfers will discover the site and, hopefully, join our lively branch. It contains a history of the breed and the branch, forthcoming events, show results and lots of photographs.

Derek was invited to demonstrate the website at the July committee meeting. Everyone was suitably impressed. As all these sites need regular refreshing to remain relevant and as webmaster it was proposed that he become a co-opted member of committee to enable him to keep in the loop regarding branch matters. At the next AGM we will formally vote on his position.