Christmas is probably the highlight of the year and a good time for quietly remembering times past - largely through rose-tinted spectacles - but also remembering the faux pas of Christmases Past, the classic of letting the hounds up to meet a perfectly groomed non dog owner sporting a clinging black soft velvet dress, which after a rapturous welcome from them resembled a carpet in need of a good hooverlng! Elegance destroyed but luckily accepted In the spirit in which it was made. PHEW!

It's also a bit of a dampener when, on going to fetch your supper, you are met by hounds with extra smiley faces before spying sparkling clean but very empty plates. Somehow we can't be angry - our fault completely, just happy the china wasn't smashed! Pity, we were looking forward to that half Stilton. Never mind, get out some old towels in case they can't digest it - though we know they usually can.

As a Club we can reflect on a pretty good year with membership holding up well, which is gratifying to our hard working Committee, especially as there don't seem to be that many Bassets about.

Incidentally, should you see one please ask the owners to look up Derek's marvellous website and assure them their hounds will be overjoyed if they join in the many fun times we offer.

Our target of thirty hounds on a walk has become the average for this year with fifty-three (and four Honorary Bassets) attending a hugely enjoyable Fun Day; so, well done everyone.

This is repeated every year, but we could scarcely flourish were it not for Tony's awe-inspiring Lowdown and the magnet of Derek's (better than professional) website. Nor can we do without Jayne's care in day to day financial management and Frankie's charming, persuasive manner and secretarial talent.

The whole Committee give me confidence and support, so thanks guys!

I guess we all often think of the hounds we have been lucky enough to serve. Gone, but never forgotten - and that is just how it should be.

Finally, please help us by paying your subscriptions fairly promptly thus enabling the Club to provide the usual fun for hounds and owners alike.

A HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A BASSETFUL NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!

chairman@bassethoundowners.org.uk