|
The Burgonet pack of pure-bred
Bassets – not to be confused with the
English Basset, a longer-legged hound
favoured by many other packs - attracted
numerous supporters and
followers.
By the mid-sixties, the pack was
hunting every week during the season in an area
between Uckfield and Seaford with meets even to
Stanmer Park, Brighton. The Burgonet had a
dedicated staff to help with the management of
the pack – our own esteemed Treasurer,
Michael Errey being one of the
whippers-in. Other Basset Hound owners would
attend the meets and would sometimes be invited
to augment the pack.
In the seasons when hunting did
not take place, followers would descend upon
Nought in their vehicles and take the hounds
for exercise on Ashdown Forest.
In late 1967, this group of
enthusiasts conceived the notion of forming the
South East Branch of the Basset Hound Club and
applied to both the B.H.C. and the Kennel Club
to sanction this idea. After some
consideration, in late 1968, the branch came
into being, helped upon its way with a handsome
cheque from the parent club for £25. 0s.
0d.
Norman Burgis became the first
Chairman and Michael the Hon.
Treasurer.
After forty years, the branch still holds many
of its walks on Ashdown Forest following the
footsteps of those founding
fathers.
Further history about the early years of the
branch will be found in the
Summer 2008 issue of LOWDOWN.
|