LOWDOWN Winter 2011 page 7
NEWS
HOUND
All the news that’s fit to bark!
1: MIDLAND BRANCH FUN DAY & BHC CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW 2011
Bickenhill, the small West Midland village, is the venue for the Midland Branch’s Fun Day and the BHC’s Championship Show, both held over one weekend.
Four Comics
Over the last few year’s, several South East Branch members have used this weekend of Basset activities as a good reason to meet together there with our tents, caravans and camper vans.
This was the last camping trip for us using our faithful old tent; Derek and Miranda were in their new Eriba caravan; Brian and Jill had their trusty Bongo campervan; and Sally (with mother, Kate) arrived towing an impressive new buy - a trailer tent.
In previous years, we have experienced weather both fair and foul. Unfortunately, this year, the weather was undoubtedly foul. Very foul!
Some of the photographs accompanying this report show us outside enjoying the sun. I do not remember it being like this.
I do remember it being very, very wet.
This was unfortunate for those who had travelled just for the Midland Branch Fun Day, as the rain curtailed proceedings after only a few events. We retired to the relative dryness of our tent, but it was a fairly bleak and uncomfortable afternoon for many hounds and their owners.
That evening, we in the SE ‘enclave’ gathered together in our tent which became a refectory for dinner. This meal was cooked, not in the easiest circumstances, but in a downpour.
This was certainly not the greatest barbeque, but the company was very enjoyable, and conversation was certainly helped along by some excellent wine supplied by our Chairman, among others.
The weather on Sunday -the day of the championship show - was even worse.
A large marquee in the centre of the field is always installed for such poor conditions; and entering it was like walking through a waterfall. The rain was relentless. Hounds and their handlers appeared at the ringside thoroughly soaked; and spectators stood around looking bedraggled and forlorn.
I sensed the weather had a palpable effect on the gathering -and this was not too surprising. The rain continued relentlessly throughout the afternoon until the show was concluded and the competitors left for home. Many people had to the unpleasant task of dismantling and packing away their tents and caravan awnings in these poor conditions.
For all that, the Bickenhill weekend is an excellent opportunity to meet up with some of the South East Branch members who live at far flung outposts of civilisation - it’s a bit like how missionaries to foreign parts must feel.
Bickenhill, the small West Midland village, is the venue for the Midland Branch’s Fun Day and the BHC’s Championship Show, both held over one weekend.
Four Comics
Over the last few year’s, several South East Branch members have used this weekend of Basset activities as a good reason to meet together there with our tents, caravans and camper vans.
This was the last camping trip for us using our faithful old tent; Derek and Miranda were in their new Eriba caravan; Brian and Jill had their trusty Bongo campervan; and Sally (with mother, Kate) arrived towing an impressive new buy - a trailer tent.
In previous years, we have experienced weather both fair and foul. Unfortunately, this year, the weather was undoubtedly foul. Very foul!
Some of the photographs accompanying this report show us outside enjoying the sun. I do not remember it being like this.
I do remember it being very, very wet.
This was unfortunate for those who had travelled just for the Midland Branch Fun Day, as the rain curtailed proceedings after only a few events. We retired to the relative dryness of our tent, but it was a fairly bleak and uncomfortable afternoon for many hounds and their owners.
That evening, we in the SE ‘enclave’ gathered together in our tent which became a refectory for dinner. This meal was cooked, not in the easiest circumstances, but in a downpour.
This was certainly not the greatest barbeque, but the company was very enjoyable, and conversation was certainly helped along by some excellent wine supplied by our Chairman, among others.
The weather on Sunday -the day of the championship show - was even worse.
A large marquee in the centre of the field is always installed for such poor conditions; and entering it was like walking through a waterfall. The rain was relentless. Hounds and their handlers appeared at the ringside thoroughly soaked; and spectators stood around looking bedraggled and forlorn.
I sensed the weather had a palpable effect on the gathering -and this was not too surprising. The rain continued relentlessly throughout the afternoon until the show was concluded and the competitors left for home. Many people had to the unpleasant task of dismantling and packing away their tents and caravan awnings in these poor conditions.
For all that, the Bickenhill weekend is an excellent opportunity to meet up with some of the South East Branch members who live at far flung outposts of civilisation - it’s a bit like how missionaries to foreign parts must feel.
