In 1971, three years after its formation, the branch issued ‘Yearbook Number One’. This was a ten page, A4 publication, edited by Tom Riley and I am indebted to Jean Humphrey for sending me a copy. Though very basically produced, being without any features or articles, it tells us a lot about the branch in those days.

Firstly, it lists the eleven members of the committee, four men and seven women. This is followed by an introduction written by Tom Riley, who was by then no longer Hon. Secretary (Heather Freeman now filled this post). He explains how the publication came about:

It is apparent ‘Yearbook Nunber One’ had a difficult birth, with a lack of submitted material being a major concern. After the editor’s introduction there is a statement of accounts for the year ending 1971 prepared by Hon. Treasurer Michael Errey.

It is interesting to see that in those days members paid for attending walks - I guess this was a kind of ‘cap fee’ which was paid by hunt followers. The subscription total comes from 103 members - each one listed at the end of the yearbook, together with their addresses and telephone numbers. There were 36 members from Sussex, 35 from Surrey, 20 from Kent, 7 from London and 5 from ‘outside area’.

The subscription at this time was 40p for single members and 50p for joint membership. Junior members under the age of 16 years paid 10p. (Note how the change to decimalisation had taken place between the statement of accounts and the production of this issue) .

Among the junior members there is a ‘Master C. Baden-Powell’ (scouting for Bassets, no doubt) and a ‘Miss R. Izard’. Did these two young members ever meet? Rosemary, we need to know!

The editor has inserted a question mark after several ‘Mr & Mrs’ on the members’ list. He explains the reason for this:

The branch’s constitution is set out. Here are the objectives:

There follows a list of branch events for 1971. These include:

• Nine walks - three followed by a ‘social’.

• Three other ‘socials’ - one with a talk on ‘The American Basset’ by the renowned U.S. breeder and author, Mrs Peggy Walton.

• Four matches against other breed clubs.

• A meet with the club pack at Bishopstone.

• The branch AGM with a talk by Mr N. Burke on ‘Communicable Diseases’ (presumably canine).

• And finally, a barbecue.

They were certainly very social in those days.

The various walks were given map reference co-ordinates and Tom includes the following suggestion:

Good idea!

Three pages of the yearbook are devoted to show activities.
Several members were very successful at Championship Shows around the country:
Manchester - Res. CC. - Mrs M. Seiffert with Foyewyn Flirtie of Maycombe.
Chester - Res. CC.- Mrs D. Langmead with Gracemore Folly.
Three Counties - Res. CC. - Mrs M. Seiffert with Maycombe Merryman.
Cardiff - Res. CC.- Mrs A. Charman with Charford Cornflower.
Hove - Res.CC. Mrs M. Seiffert with Maycombe Merryman.
It seems that Mildred enjoyed a very successful year campaigning Merryman. However, the winner of the Branch’s Hardacre Trophy, which was awarded at certain Open Shows in the region, was Mrs H. Freeman’s Boarfield Bonnie.

Although there were no articles in the yearbook, the editor did include ‘Puzzle Corner’. This was a competition which promised a 50p prize to the winners of two puzzles - I include both of them should you have a very quiet life and require a little excitement.

The winner was announced three years later - a Master Stephen Hawking.

So, there we have it - an early precursor to LOWDOWN. To us, this yearbook may seem quaint and dated, but we must remember it was done before computers and desktop publishing and must have taken considerable effort. I am sure that the members of the branch at this time would have greatly enjoyed reading it - they certainly seemed to enjoy being part of such a vibrant club. Forty years on we should applaud the efforts of these people who like ourselves today, loved and cared for this wonderful breed.

hound history ☞