The introduction of the ban on smoking in public places has killed off one of my hobbies. For 10 years I have been competing in the British Pipe Smoking Championships. In 2003 I won the event.

Now this annual event has been discontinued because it is held in a club house i.e. designated public place even though it was hired exclusively for the tournament. So sad, because it was a very convivial gathering,40 - 50 contestants plus their families, friends and those who booked in just to enjoy the social side. Pipe clubs throughout the UK have suffered a similar fate simply because their regular meetings are held in a room at a pub.

Consequently I am trying to form a pipe club with its HQ at my own home, quite legal in private premises and nothing to do with anybody else.

I shall shortly be re-introducing a regular pipe-smoking section to the website very soon. Anybody who is interested in joining, please contact me.