It is with regret that I have to report the death of Major Lance Abbott aged 90. His funeral took place on the 10th December at West Wittering, West Sussex. We all knew Lance through his Smooth Salukis. He joined the club in the early 60s and from 1966-70 he was Coursing Secretary.

In 1975-77 he was Chairman of the Saluki Club and then Vice President from 1983-88. When he retired from the committee he was voted an Honorary Vice President for life in 1989.
The Club owes a great debt of gratitude to Lance for his dedication and loyal service to the club over the many years he held office.

Lance was a qualified engineer so naturally during the war he served with the Royal Engineers in the bomb disposal section - where he was mentioned in dispatches. At one point he was on a roof in Belgium when a german fighter plane swooped out of the sky and peppered the area with bullets - luckily they missed him!

After the war Lance joined his father in a printing business. Lance, with his wife Barbara bought their first Saluki from the Hendersons (who we’ve well known for their Smooth Kumasis,) and then bought another three bitches a year later. They bred one litter from Kumasi Qamriya by Jhazala Calaphas which produced seven puppies - five dogs and two bitches and kept three of the litter - the most famous being the beautiful smooth Hasana Sharqi a grey and white palti coloured bitch. She won only one CC but it was at Crufts in 1970 under Eileen Skelton Fortune; she also gained three RCCs. Her brother Hasana Rafiqi (smooth grizzle) was an excellent coursing hound.

Sadly Barbara died in 1980. They had one son Tim, who acquired the printing business some years ago from his father and they have offered their services on many occasions to the club for which we are most grateful. Lance married Olwen in 1985 and they shared their life with a longhaired dachshund. We offer our condolences to Olwen and to Tim and Tessa and to all their family at this sad time.

Chris Ormsby