LOWDOWN Winter 2010 page 6
NEWS HOUND ☆ scenting out a good story.
NEWS HOUND 1: THE BICKENHILL WEEKEND
MIDLAND BRANCH FUN DAY & BHC CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW 2010
This annual June weekend in the Midlands is eagerly anticipated by many of us in the South East Branch, combining as it does the Midland Branch Fun Day held on the Saturday, followed by Basset Hound Club Championship Show on the Sunday
Several Branch members travelled up to Bickenhill - a small village under the flightpath to Birmingham International Airport - and set up temporary home in our tents, caravans and camper vans around a large marquee which had been erected on a large recreation ground next to the church.
We were joined by dozens of other Basset Hound owners from across the country, who added to this temporary encampment.
This year - in stark contrast to 2009 - we were lucky to experience some wonderful weather which continued right through to Sunday evening, when the rains came with some force - but this was after the end of judging and when most people had already left.
Around one hundred and sixty Basset Hounds turned up for the Fun Day which began at Saturday lunchtime. Various fun classes were held: Best Veteran Hound, Best Rescue Hound, Best Apple Bottom etc. It was all very enjoyable to watch from the ringside, and was conducted in the best possible spirit by all the participants.
There was also a class for ‘Honorary Bassets’ - any dogs other than Basset Hounds.
The winners of each class were brought together at the end for the judge to chose the hound that she would most like to take home - equivalent to Best in Match.
Those members from the South East Branch were absolutely delighted to watch as our own Sally King’s Rolf - the long-coated Basset Hound who is well known to many of us on walks and through Sally’s excellent articles about him in Lowdown - took the title, Best Hound. Well done, Sally and Rolf!
The reflected glory of this wonderful win gave the South East group something to celebrate.
Later that evening, numerous barbeques were lit around the campsite and groups formed to sit around with their hounds, eating and drinking, in the warm evening sun.
The hounds especially seemed to enjoy the aromas of the cooking meats.
Ten of us dined together in the South East enclave, and a very pleasant time we all had. After eating, we sat drinking and chatting as the shadows lenthened and eventually dusk came. We retired to our respective shetlers. It was a lovely evening, and one to remember.
The ‘serious’ business of the BHC Championship Show began at 9.30 on Sunday morning.
The Dog classes, as always, were judged first. Mrs Jan Price attracted an entry of fifty; and Portugese Basset Hound breeder and judge, Mr Jose Homem De Mello, had eighty-four bitches to appraise. Mrs Carol Daykin was the referee, but on this occasion, her services were not required as both judges argreed that the Best in Show was Nigel Luxmoore-Ball’s bitch, Clavidar Tide Has Turned For Tanneron.
CASSIUS
NICO
BARNABY
CHEVY
After the show some very tired hounds were exercised, watered and fed, and tents began to be dismantled and caravans prepared for their journeys home.
Even though Jean Miller’s Cassius could not repeat last year’s triumph, all the hounds from the South East Branch acquitted themselves marvellously. Their handlers looked very smart too.
This is a super weekend for anyone who wishes to see what dog showing is about. Why not consider making it there next year? You will see some very familiar faces from the South East Branch and you will be warmly welcomed.
Anyone requiring details of this event in 2011 should contact Frankie, our secretary, or any other officer or committee member.
This annual June weekend in the Midlands is eagerly anticipated by many of us in the South East Branch, combining as it does the Midland Branch Fun Day held on the Saturday, followed by Basset Hound Club Championship Show on the Sunday
Several Branch members travelled up to Bickenhill - a small village under the flightpath to Birmingham International Airport - and set up temporary home in our tents, caravans and camper vans around a large marquee which had been erected on a large recreation ground next to the church.
We were joined by dozens of other Basset Hound owners from across the country, who added to this temporary encampment.
This year - in stark contrast to 2009 - we were lucky to experience some wonderful weather which continued right through to Sunday evening, when the rains came with some force - but this was after the end of judging and when most people had already left.
Around one hundred and sixty Basset Hounds turned up for the Fun Day which began at Saturday lunchtime. Various fun classes were held: Best Veteran Hound, Best Rescue Hound, Best Apple Bottom etc. It was all very enjoyable to watch from the ringside, and was conducted in the best possible spirit by all the participants.
There was also a class for ‘Honorary Bassets’ - any dogs other than Basset Hounds.
The winners of each class were brought together at the end for the judge to chose the hound that she would most like to take home - equivalent to Best in Match.
Those members from the South East Branch were absolutely delighted to watch as our own Sally King’s Rolf - the long-coated Basset Hound who is well known to many of us on walks and through Sally’s excellent articles about him in Lowdown - took the title, Best Hound. Well done, Sally and Rolf!
The reflected glory of this wonderful win gave the South East group something to celebrate.
Later that evening, numerous barbeques were lit around the campsite and groups formed to sit around with their hounds, eating and drinking, in the warm evening sun.
The hounds especially seemed to enjoy the aromas of the cooking meats.
Ten of us dined together in the South East enclave, and a very pleasant time we all had. After eating, we sat drinking and chatting as the shadows lenthened and eventually dusk came. We retired to our respective shetlers. It was a lovely evening, and one to remember.
The ‘serious’ business of the BHC Championship Show began at 9.30 on Sunday morning.
The Dog classes, as always, were judged first. Mrs Jan Price attracted an entry of fifty; and Portugese Basset Hound breeder and judge, Mr Jose Homem De Mello, had eighty-four bitches to appraise. Mrs Carol Daykin was the referee, but on this occasion, her services were not required as both judges argreed that the Best in Show was Nigel Luxmoore-Ball’s bitch, Clavidar Tide Has Turned For Tanneron.
CASSIUS
NICO
BARNABY
CHEVY
After the show some very tired hounds were exercised, watered and fed, and tents began to be dismantled and caravans prepared for their journeys home.
Even though Jean Miller’s Cassius could not repeat last year’s triumph, all the hounds from the South East Branch acquitted themselves marvellously. Their handlers looked very smart too.
This is a super weekend for anyone who wishes to see what dog showing is about. Why not consider making it there next year? You will see some very familiar faces from the South East Branch and you will be warmly welcomed.
Anyone requiring details of this event in 2011 should contact Frankie, our secretary, or any other officer or committee member.
This annual June weekend in the Midlands is eagerly anticipated by many of us in the South East Branch, combining as it does the Midland Branch Fun Day held on the Saturday, followed by Basset Hound Club Championship Show on the Sunday
Several Branch members travelled up to Bickenhill - a small village under the flightpath to Birmingham International Airport - and set up temporary home in our tents, caravans and camper vans around a large marquee which had been erected on a large recreation ground next to the church.
We were joined by dozens of other Basset Hound owners from across the country, who added to this temporary encampment.
This year - in stark contrast to 2009 - we were lucky to experience some wonderful weather which continued right through to Sunday evening, when the rains came with some force - but this was after the end of judging and when most people had already left.
Around one hundred and sixty Basset Hounds turned up for the Fun Day which began at Saturday lunchtime. Various fun classes were held: Best Veteran Hound, Best Rescue Hound, Best Apple Bottom etc. It was all very enjoyable to watch from the ringside, and was conducted in the best possible spirit by all the participants.
There was also a class for ‘Honorary Bassets’ - any dogs other than Basset Hounds.
The winners of each class were brought together at the end for the judge to chose the hound that she would most like to take home - equivalent to Best in Match.
Those members from the South East Branch were absolutely delighted to watch as our own Sally King’s Rolf - the long-coated Basset Hound who is well known to many of us on walks and through Sally’s excellent articles about him in Lowdown - took the title, Best Hound. Well done, Sally and Rolf!
The reflected glory of this wonderful win gave the South East group something to celebrate.
Later that evening, numerous barbeques were lit around the campsite and groups formed to sit around with their hounds, eating and drinking, in the warm evening sun.
The hounds especially seemed to enjoy the aromas of the cooking meats.
Ten of us dined together in the South East enclave, and a very pleasant time we all had. After eating, we sat drinking and chatting as the shadows lenthened and eventually dusk came. We retired to our respective shetlers. It was a lovely evening, and one to remember.
The ‘serious’ business of the BHC Championship Show began at 9.30 on Sunday morning.
The Dog classes, as always, were judged first. Mrs Jan Price attracted an entry of fifty; and Portugese Basset Hound breeder and judge, Mr Jose Homem De Mello, had eighty-four bitches to appraise. Mrs Carol Daykin was the referee, but on this occasion, her services were not required as both judges argreed that the Best in Show was Nigel Luxmoore-Ball’s bitch, Clavidar Tide Has Turned For Tanneron.
CASSIUS
BARNABY
CHEVY
NICO
After the show some very tired hounds were exercised, watered and fed, and tents began to be dismantled and caravans prepared for their journeys home.
Even though Jean Miller’s Cassius could not repeat last year’s triumph, all the hounds from the South East Branch acquitted themselves marvellously. Their handlers looked very smart too.
This is a super weekend for anyone who wishes to see what dog showing is about. Why not consider making it there next year? You will see some very familiar faces from the South East Branch and you will be warmly welcomed.
Anyone requiring details of this event in 2011 should contact Frankie, our secretary, or any other officer or committee member.