Above: Some of the partners and employees of Classic Canes enjoying a snowy walk through the Classic Canes woodlands after the close of business for Christmas 2010.

We realise that potential account-holders looking at our website, perhaps in parts of the world far from Somerset, England, may like independent reassurance that Classic Canes is indeed a professional and caring, family-run walking stick business. Here are a selection of comments that account holders and others have been kind enough to make:

"To Charlotte and all at Classic Canes: Thank you for the wonderful products and service that you give us. It is a real pleasure doing business with you. We wish you all the best over the Festive Season and a great 2012." - Colin & Gillian Wesley, Wesley's Tobacconist, South Africa, December 2011.

"Parcel received in good order last Friday. Many thanks for your excellent service as usual. Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year. Kind regards, Thierry" - Thierry Wertheimer, Marygold, France. December 2011.

"The walking sticks have arrived. Thank you for your tremendous service. Have a relaxing Christmas break." - Hazel, Advertime, UK. December 2011.

"Thanks for your excellent service throughout the year. Merry Christmas and all the best for 2012!" - Graham and staff, The Emporium, Maldon, UK. December 2011

"My mother would never use a walking stick until I gave her a beautiful Classic Canes floral one from our shop (a 4099G). Now she goes everywhere with it and wouldn't be seen without it!" - Gail Wood, Arrow Farm Shop, UK. October 2011

"Is that you on the cover? It is quite beautiful!!! Thanks for the catalogue. Our clients are very impressed by the fact that this is a very British company and therefore synonymous with style, elegance and reliability. The cover and all the catalogue underlines that fact."
- Lucia Davies, Davies of London, Sicily. September 2011.

"We got the catalogue - it is really great. Not only new products - the range is so wide - but also all other images showing your place and surroundings which must be beautiful. Your English is very nice. I know it is your mother language but in these days not many people can use their mother language. Czech is a nice language but sometimes I think some of our famous writers must turn over in their graves. I'll place the order soon."
- Hana Hegerova, Tena Inc, Prague, Czech Republic. September 2011.

"I have received the new catalogue this morning. Wow! I can appreciate what a lot of hard work you have had to do to produce it. I hope you had some fun along the way as well as the long days and sleepless nights."
- Simon Goodall www.allgoodideas.co.uk England. September 2011.

"Thank you for the beautiful new catalogue. I enjoy selling the sticks more than anything else."
- Mike Ruddock, All Mobility, Christchurch, England. September 2011.

"We made a list from the old catalogue but now when we got the elegant new one we had to start all over again!!! It looks great - and you look great - because it is you on the front page isn't it? You have a wonderful business!"
- Sabina Swahn, Vobis, Uppsala, Sweden. September 2011.

"I cannot tell you how impressed I am with the latest Classic Canes catalogue which very clearly shows the sign of your care and inspiration and direction. Many congratulations indeed and not least to your hard-working models, all of whom I know and recognise!"
- Norman Drummond, Drummond International, Edinburgh, Scotland. September 2011.

"What a treat! I have just spent a lovely half hour going though the new catalogue. Congratulations on yet another attractive and informative edition - the photos are superb and the sales tips very useful. Many thanks."
- Jan Wilson, Bags of Style, Southport, England. September 2011.

"Thank you for sending us your new catalogue. You have done a good job. Especially the very good looking people in your catalogue along with the sticks."
- this one is from a supplier, but we couldn't resist quoting him! September 2011.

"I have just read your new brochure. It is excellent - well done. I found it quite inspirational and thought the sales tips an excellent and useful idea. I like the fact that most of the models are family members too. It reinforces the intimacy of the company."
- Shaun Lewis, Dunscar Garden Centre, Preston, Lancashire, England. August 2011.

"Having just completed my Three Peaks Challenge, I feel I should drop you a line and say thank you very much for your generous support with the pair of trekking poles you let me have. Although they have taken a severe battering from three mountains in 24 hours (including a couple of impressive falls!) I can honestly say I could not have completed the event without them - for the last couple of miles of the Snowdon path, I really enjoyed the support in order to drag myself back to base! It was a fantastic experience and I have also managed to raise more than £750 for charity too."
- John Hunter, editor, Tackle & Guns magazine. July 2011.
www.tandgmagazine.com

(Following NAIDEX trade fair): "It was a lovely experience on your stand. I felt a bit like a child in a sweet shop!!"
- Terry Connop, Moorland Mobility, Staffordshire, England. April 2011.

"To work with Classic Canes is a real delight. They know that quality and service never goes out of fashion. The canes are so beautiful, it's hard to see them walk away from the shop. I want to keep them all; they give my shop a sense of exclusivity and class."
- Carina Eneroth, bespoke shoemaker, Stockholm, Sweden. February 2011

"I cannot think of a negative comment to make about this family run company. Put them to the test and join us, their family of supporters who enjoy our relationship with them and their products. "Lovely people + good products + excellent service = successful business" sums it all up for us."
- Colin Wesley, Wesley's Tobacconist, South Africa. February 2011

"Just to prove how easy it is to order online, this order has been entered by Katie aged 11 with her Daddy's consent. If you wish to use this in your next newsletter, please do! Many thanks, Martin and Katie."
- Martin Maley, Mobility Homecare, England. January 2011

"It's great the sticks are in such demand and that I 'found' your product."
- Peter Larsson, Hunden & Herden, Sweden

"You can 'tell the whole world' how fantastic your service is - even to the other side of the globe here in N.Z...5 days from submitting order to receiving same!"
- Harvey Dalton, Goldfield Studios Ltd, New Zealand

"Thank you so much; it's been a real pleasure working with you and Classic Canes! Thank you for all your help and support you have so kindly given me over the past few years; what a truly wonderful company to deal with! I will come and visit your stand at Spring Fair!!"
- Kiki Kettunen, Camp Hopson, England.