Transcript of Proceedings of the

176TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of THE ROYAL CALEDONIAN CLUB

Held at Dewar’s Centre, Glover Street, Perth PH2 0TH on Saturday 14th June 2014

Present on the Podium: President Alan Durno (Fochabers) Chairman of the Board Willie Nicoll (Bank of , Fife) Chief Executive Officer Bruce Crawford (Abbotsford Curling Society)

AGENDA OF BUSINESS

AGENDA a) Welcome Remarks b) In Memoriam c) Apologies d) Letter from the Royal Patron e) President’s Report f) Approval of the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 15 June 2013 g) Annual Report of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club h) Submission of the Annual Accounts appropriately certified i) Appointment of the Independent Financial Examiner j) Fixing of entrance fees and annual subscriptions and any levies k) Appointment of President l) Appointment of Vice-President m) Election of Directors n) Appointment of Chaplain o) Authorisation of the publication of the Annual p) Fixing of the place and date of the next Annual General Meeting q) Presentation of Trophies a. Commemorative Banner b. Sir Richard Waldie Griffith Trophy c. 150 Year Medals (Club) d. 100 Year Medals (Club) e. 50 Year Medals (Member) r) Presentation of Scottish Curling Awards a. Young Curler of the Year b. Grassroots Coach of the Year c. Team of the Year d. Ice Diamond Award s) Any other competent business a. Discussion and confirmation of the date of the next Indoor Grand Match t) Address by incoming President

RECORDED ATTENDANCE In alphabetical order by club:

Past Presidents: Arthur Beattie (Banchory), Bill Duncan (Bank of Scotland [Perth & District]), Ken Scott (Blairgowrie), Patrick Edington (Boswall), Andrew Stevenson (Cawder House), Andrew Hepburn (Corstorphine), Matt Brown (Cumnock & District), Gifford Rickard (Denny Incl. Denny LP), Bill Marshall (Dumbarton), Robbie Scott (Dunkeld), Malcolm Richardson (Erskine), Jim Murdoch (Galleon), Alistair McCabe (Kennoway), Thomas Hinnigan (St Boswells), Roy Sinclair (St Martins)

Board: Bruce Crawford (CEO/Abbotsford), Cathy Maclean (Aberlady), Willie Nicoll (Bank of Scotland - Fife), Graham McWiggan (Beechnuts), Alan Durno (Fochabers), Robert Kelly (Reform)

Areas Standing Committee: Albert Middler (AWW), Walter Walsh (Ayr & Alloway), Peter Fraser (Belmaduthy), John M Smith (Cummertrees), James Cullen (Earlston), Graham Lindsay (Forret), Robert H Corbett (Giffnock), Clive Thomson ( Academicals), John R Good (Haddington), Ian Parkinson (Heart of the Highlands), Bob Smith (Inverkeithing), Frank White (Kilgraston & Moncreiffe), Gordon Gilchrist (Lesmahagow), Brian McArtney (Letham Grange), Joseph Barry (Livingston), David Henderson (New Abbey), Alan Muirhead (Stratheden), Andrew Kerr (Troon Portland)

Staff: Rachael Lee (Administrator), Lynne MacKenzie ( Coaching Officer/Avondale Heather), Judith McCleary (Development Manager - Clubs & Juniors/Keir), (Development Manager - Adults, Competitions and Disabilities/Glenfarg Ladies), Suzy Wakefield (Office Manager)

Individuals Members: Andrew Messenger (Abdie), Kenneth Irons (Aberdeen & District Rotary), Ian Flett (Aberdeen & District Rotary), Jim Brydie (Aberdour), Elizabeth Smith (Aberdour), Andrew Gordon (Aberdour), Helen Gordon (Aberdour), John Niven (Aberlady), Jill Mackay (Airleywight Ladies), John Shedden (Athelstaneford), Robin Aitken (Athelstaneford), Daisy Neilson (Avondale Heather), William Neilson (Avondale Heather), Katrina Geddes (Ayr), Margaret White (Ayr), Robert White (Ayr), Margaret Robertson (Ayton Castle), Wendy Smith (Bank of Scotland [Fife]), Margo Nicoll (Bank of Scotland - Fife), J Campbell Burns (Bank of Scotland - Perth & District), George Delgaty (Bank of Scotland - Perth & District), Brenda Macintyre (Belmaduthy), Elizabeth Scott (Blairgowrie), Pandy Courtney (Blythswood), Rhona Pate (Blythswood), Richard Courtney (Blythswood), Ian McGregor (Bonnybridge), Robin Park (Boreland), Roy Simon (Boreland), Stanley Howard (Boswall), Angie Malone (Braehead Wheelchair), Aileen Neilson (Braehead Wheelchair), P Ritchie Stewart (Buchan), Grace Brown (Cambo Ladies), Ann Turnbull (Cambo Ladies), Christine Stewart (Carmunnock & Rutherglen), Hugh Stewart (Carmunnock & Rutherglen), Lindsay Scotland (Carrington), Pam Mackay (Carrington), Neil McLain (Coldstream & Hirsel), John Dignan (Corstorphine), Iain Baxter (Corstorphine), Helen Hally (Craigielands), Kenneth Murray (Crocketford), David Hardie (Crocketford), Fiona Hardie (Crocketford), Robert Ireland (Crosshill), Lennox C Lindsay (Crossmyloof), Yvonne Chalmers (Crossmyloof), Billy Howat (Cumnock), Sheila Watson (Cumnock & District), Robin A Niven (Delvine), Sue Howat (Disnae), Rosemary Robertson (Druids), Helen Watson (Drymen), Robin Turner (Drystanes), David Jones (Dundee Ice Arena), Albert Rae (Dunfermline), Jim Stevenson (Dunfermline), Trish Petrie (Dunfermline Ladies), Kathleen Scott (Dunkeld), Elizabeth Cullen (Earlston), William Byers (Earlston), John Burns (Earlston/Irish Curling Association), John Strang (East Kilbride & Haremyres), Margaret Richardson (East Kilbride & Haremyres), A Drummie (East Kilbride & Haremyres), Sheena Drummie (East Kilbride & Haremyres), Alison Allison (East Kilbride & Haremyres), Agnes Strang (East Kilbride & Haremyres), David Affleck (East Linton), Joyce Richardson (Erskine). Douglas Peters (Falkirk), Susan Durno (Fochabers), Mike Watt (Fochabers) Neil Dunro (Fochabers), Jennifer S Hood (Ford Ladies), Christine McLeish (Ford Ladies), Sandra Jack (Ford Ladies), Janet Dun (Ford), Betty Montgomery (Forest Hills Trossachs), Ian Mackin (Forest Hills Trossachs), George Paterson (Forfar), RJ Robb (Forteviot), Morag Wellman (Fossoway Ladies), (Fothringham), Sheena Murdoch (Galleon), Alison Cunningham (Galston Haymouth), Euan Lawrence (Gangrels), Judy Mackenzie (Glasgow Ladies), Margaret McWiggan (Glasgow Ladies), Kirsty Letton (Glasgow Ladies), Forsyth Galloway (Glasserton), Fiona Rutherford (Glenfarg Ladies), Maria Tait (Glenfarg Ladies), Sean Murphy (Gogar Park), John McCall (Gourock) Alastair MacNish (Gourock), Catherine M Beattie (Granite City Ladies), Patricia E Macmaster (Greenock), Aline Murray (Greenock Ladies), Anne Macphail (Greenock Ladies), (Hamilton & Thornyhill), Isobel L Hannen (Hamilton & Thornyhill), W Ronnie Dunachie (Helensburgh), Irene Stevenson (Hercules Ladies), Robert Tait (Inverkeithing), Phil Barton (Inverkeithing), Nanette McCabe (Kennoway), Jim Walker (Kennoway), David Ramsay (Kinfauns), Joyce White (Kinross Ladies), Wilma Wilson (Largo), Bill Creevy (Largo), Thomas Brewster (Laurencekirk), Sandy Anderson (Laurencekirk), (Laurencekirk), Jane McArtney (Letham Grange), George McNeill (Linlithgow), Maggie Barry (Livingston), Carol Fleming (Lothian Ladies), Claire McLaren (Lynedoch Ladies), Ronnie Wilson (Markinch), Allan Vallance (Markinch), Valerie Lindsay (Maxwell Ladies), Stewart Combe (Muthill), Alan Stanfield (Nairn), Harold Forrester (Nairn), Robert Carruthers (New Abbey), Margaret Carruthers (New Abbey), Rev Bill Holland (New Abbey / Chaplain), Helen M Holland (New Abbey), Frances Henderson (New Abbey), Ian Keron (Oatridge), Jane Drysdale (Orwell Ladies), John Miller (Panmure), Roger Scott (Peebles), J Walter Brown (Penicuik), Fiona Cumming (Pentland Ladies), Mary Anne McWilliam (Portpatrick), James Mason (Raith & Abbotshall), Harry Mitchell (Raith & Abbotshall), Bob Cowan (Reform), Jan Howard (Reform), Rhona Howie (Reform), Judith Thomson (Rolling Stones), John Paul (Rothes), (St Martins), (St Martins), Mark Brass (St Martins), Marion Fraser (Strathkinness), Tom Andrews (Symington), David B Smith (Symington), Aileen McCorkell (Troon Portland), Julia Craig (Troon Portland), James Letton (Troon Portland), Tom Kirk (University of Dundee), Lauchlan MacLean (Watsonian), Malcolm Patrick (Watsonian), Christine Cannon (Wigtown)

In attendance: Cate Brewster (British Curling), Lorna Callan (sportscotland), Alastair McWilliam, Tony Zummack (British Curling - Head Coach, Wheelchair Curling) a) Welcome Remarks ALAN DURNO (PRESIDENT): Sister and brother curlers, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the 176th Annual General Meeting of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club. As a matter of housekeeping, I have to tell you that there are exits marked on the side of the marquee and that’s where you run when I shout “Fire!” I would like you to ensure now that your mobile phones are switched off - I don’t want any buzzing during my presentation. Thank you. b) In Memoriam ALAN DURNO (PRESIDENT): I would like everyone now to stand to observe a minute's silence while the names of our departed members are displayed on screen. (There was a minute’s silence.)

In alphabetical order by club: Delphine Robertson (Beechnuts), James Brown (Benmore & Kilmun), James Craig (Blairgowrie), Harry Holmes (Boswall), Sheila MacDonnell (Bught Ladies), Pat Frame (Callander & Trossachs), Jock Steel (Cambo), Muriel Strother (Coldstream & Hirsel), Doris Adnes (Corstorphine Ladies), Alistair J Lyburn (Coupar Angus & Kettins), Betty Whitefield (Crawford Priory), Dan Young (Crossmyloof), James Guthrie (Dollar and Devon Vale), James Steven (Dornoch), Matt Murdoch (Dryfesdale, Past President 2008/09), Robert Elliot (Drystanes), Joy Bowie (Dunfermline Ladies), Irene Taylor (East Kilbride & Haremyres), Margaret Craig (East Kilbride & Haremyres), Minnie Craig (East Kilbride & Haremyres), George Romanes (Edinburgh Medical), Marion Inglis (Edzell), Rod Mackay (Fairburn), Anna Smith (Falkirk Ladies, Honorary LB President), May Patricia Smith (Falkirk Ladies), John Peock Snr (Findo Gask), Joan Fraser (Forfar Ladies), Derek Wilson (Glenrothes), Kenneth Gumley (Gogar Park, Past President 1988/89), Mairi Young (Gourock Ladies), Ada Jagger (Greenock Ladies), David Forster (Hercules), Gordon Murray (Huntly), Alvaro Gagliardi (Inverkeithing), Joey Divito (Inverkeithing), Peter Ritchie (Inverkeithing), May Wellington (Kennoway), Dr Derek Anderson (Kinross, Past President 1990/91), Margot Gibson (Kinross Ladies), James Murray (Largo), Claus Mewes (Letham Grange), John Vannet (Letham Grange), Bill Gilmour (Loch Connel), John Wilson (Logan), James Scougall (Lundie & Auchterhouse), Nelson White (Markinch), Eric Bruce (Monifieth), James Fraser (Monifieth), Elizabeth Purdie (New Abbey), Lileas McKenzie (Northern Lights), Andrew Adamson (Raith & Abbotshall), Betty Kilgour (Raith & Abbotshall Ladies), Betty McLay (Raith & Abbotshall Ladies), Pat Keith (Raith & Abbotshall Ladies), Effie Johnston (St Andrews), Margaret Hunter (St Leonards), William H Fergusson (Stoneykirk), Dorothy White (Stratheden), Jimmy Walker (Strathkinness), Tom Duncan (The Stones), John Mitchell (Thornton), John Miller (Tulliallan) c) Received Apologies In alphabetical order by club:

Past Presidents: Earl of Elgin (Broomhall), Leslie Ingram-Brown (Carmunnock & Rutherglen), Chuck Hay MBE (Kilgraston & Moncreiffe), William Sanderson (Oxenfoord), Charlie Binnie Snr (Panmure)

Areas Standing Committee: Boyd Houston (Dale and Devon Dale), Ormond Smith (Inverness), Peter Lupton (Kirkmabreck), Ali Asher (Nairn), Jim Jamieson (Reform), Harry Dodds (St Boswells), Neil Calvert (West Linton)

Clubs: Cambo Ladies, Kirkoswald

Individuals: Edith Hazard (Airleywight Ladies), (Applegarth & Sibbaldbie), John Caldwell (Arbroath), (), Bill Linton (Bank of Scotland - Fife), Thomas Edmunds (Barbarians), Derrick Sloan (Blairdrummond), Stanley Howard (Boswall), Yvonne Birnie (Cairngorm Ladies), Robin Shand (Carmunnock & Rutherglen), Ewan MacDonald (Citadel), W Logan Forrest (Coldstream & Hirsel), Euan Byers (Corrie), Colin Grahamslaw (Corstorphine), David Cockburn (Cupar), Tom Pendreigh (Dalcross), Susan Skene (Dalhousie Ladies), Kate Caithness OBE (Dalhousie Ladies), (Dryfesdale), Ian Boreland (Dunfermline), (Dunkeld), (Dunkeld), Janet Lindsay (East Kilbride & Haremyres), Sheila Miller (Edinburgh Ladies), James Warden (Fothringham), John Syme (Fothringham), (Galston Haymouth), Karen Barthelemy (Galston Haymouth), Peter Malcolm (Hercules), Anne Malcolm (Hercules Ladies), (Hutton), John Ross (Leswalt), (Letham Grange), Sheila Clark (Lothian Ladies), Shelagh Fulton (Lynedoch Ladies), Gregor Ewan (Moray Wheelchair), Jim Gault (Moray Wheelchair), (Portpatrick), Vicki Adams (Portpatrick), Joe Kincaid (Sauchie & Bannockburn), Michael Goodfellow ( Young Curlers), Hew Chalmers (Stoneykirk), Alistair McFadzean (Troon Portland) d) Letter from the Royal Patron ALAN DURNO (PRESIDENT): Now I come to the letter from the Royal Patron: "From Buckingham Palace to Alan Durno, President of The Royal Caledonian Curling Club. Please convey my warm thanks to the members of The Royal Caledonian Curling Club for their message of loyal greetings sent on the occasion of their one hundred and seventy-sixth Annual General Meeting which is being held today at the Dewar’s Centre, Perth. As your patron I was interested to learn of the continuing international success of the Scottish teams and much value your continued support. In return, I congratulate the winning teams and send my best wishes to you all for a memorable and enjoyable gathering. Elizabeth R.” e) President’s Report ALAN DURNO (PRESIDENT): Now we come to the President's report, feel free to get out your flasks and sandwiches because this could take a minute. We now come to the President’s report which I hope will be of interest to you as it has been a very hectic year in Scottish Curling with not only our usual International competitions but also the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Sochi, and also two of our teams playing in the Continental Cup in Las Vegas.

It has been a great honour for me to act as your President over the last 12 months. What a fantastic year to be President with so much happening both at home and abroad. During the year, I have been on ten trips – eight overseas and two in Scotland to the European Mixed and World Mixed Doubles and Seniors.

My year started with a Board meeting immediately after the AGM finished. During the summer, Ladies’ Branch President Fiona Hardie and myself had a meeting with our Chief Executive Bruce Crawford to set dates for Areas Standing Committee meetings, Ladies’ Standing Committee meetings and dates for joint meetings of the two. At this meeting our CEO advised us that we would each be funded to represent the Royal Club at certain competitions. Ladies’ Branch President for the World Junior Championships and the World Women’s Championship. Myself for the European Championships and the World Men’s Championship.

At the end of August, I attended the World Curling Federation Congress in Copenhagen, where many of the now 53 strong Curling Nations of the world attended. Congress discussed many issues affecting curling and incorporated the AGM.

Internationally, it has been a tremendous year for our teams, starting with the European Mixed Championship at Murrayfield Curling where Ewan MacDonald and his rink of Kay Adams, Euan Byers and Karen Barthelemy won Silver medals.

In November, Fiona Hardie and myself along with spouses David and Susan flew out to Stavanger to support our Scottish teams in the European Championships. Both teams played very well with our Men’s team of David Murdoch, , Greg Drummond, Scott Andrews and Michael Goodfellow winning Bronze medals. The ladies went one better with Eve Muirhead, Anna Sloan, Vicki Adams, Claire Hamilton and Lauren Gray winning Silver medals.

In December, we had two experienced teams representing us in the World Universiade Winter Games. Unfortunately, and her team of Lauren Gray, , and Abigail Brown just missed out on a medal, coming fourth. In the men’s event, Kyle Smith, Thomas Muirhead, Kyle Waddell, Cameron Smith and Derek Sloan had a great championship winning silver medals.

In January, both Eve Muirhead and David Murdoch and their teams played for Team Rest of the World versus Team North America in the Continental Cup in Las Vegas. Unfortunately for us, the North American team came out on top on this occasion. The competition was a welcome break for our teams prior to heading for the Winter Olympics in Sochi.

On the 6th February I was on my way to what was the highlight of the year for me – watching two Scottish teams representing Great Britain and winning medals in the Winter Olympics in Sochi. Our women’s team of Eve Muirhead, Anna Sloan, Vicki Adams, Claire Hamilton and Lauren Gray went to the Olympics with high hopes as they were the current World Champions. After the round robin games were completed, they had qualified to play Canada in the semi-finals. In the second end of the game and with Team GB already 2-0 down, Eve suffered a bad pick-up with her last stone and were now 3-0 down. Although the girls continued to play well, they couldn’t get back on level terms and eventually lost 6-4. They were devastated as it was Gold medals they were here to win. The next day was the Bronze medal game so there was no time for reflecting back. Against Switzerland it was tight all the way to the wire with Eve having to draw to the four foot to win the game which she did giving us a well-deserved Bronze. For the team to lift themselves after losing that semi-final shows the true character and calibre of the players.

In the Men’s competition, David Murdoch, Greg Drummond, Scott Andrews, Michael Goodfellow and Tom Brewster had a real rollercoaster of a time. After six games, they were on four wins and two losses with Canada, Norway and China to play. All they had to do was beat either Canada or Norway to be guaranteed a semi-final place. Unfortunately, a sweeping error with David’s last stone versus Canada saw us narrowly miss a double take out and lose the game. In the game versus Norway, we didn’t have the hammer in the last end and had an easy shot to win the game, which he did. Now Great Britain were into the last round robin game facing China which they had to win to be assured a place in the semi-finals. The boys lost the game but fortunately Norway also lost to Denmark which meant we were into a tie breaker against Norway. In the tie breaker, Great Britain were one down after nine ends with the hammer. Going down the tenth and with one stone to come, Norway were lying two shots. David had to make the decision whether to draw for one and force an extra end or go for a difficult double take out to lie two and win. He elected to go for the double and after a tremendous shot Team GB were in the semi- finals.

In the semi-final versus Sweden, it was another close game and after nine ends Great Britain were again 1 down with the hammer. David played a great draw with his first stone round a Swedish stone at the top of the house. elected to run back his front stone but missed the GB stone which gave David a simple draw to win the game. In the final versus Canada, GB started slowly and never got close enough to the Canadians to put pressure on them but what a fantastic achievement for our team winning silver medals. On 25th February, I was at Edinburgh Airport along with families, friends and television crews to welcome our victorious medal winning teams home from Sochi.

From 7th to 16th March, Bruce Crawford went out to Sochi to support our GB team of Aileen Neilson, Gregor Ewan, Robert McPherson, Jim Gault and Angie Malone in the Winter Paralympics. After the completion of the round robin, Team GB had made it to the semi-finals where they would play Russia. A bad end half way through the game cost us dear and Russia went on to win. Now there was a Bronze medal to play for. Aileen and her team played very well against China and won 7-3 deservedly claiming the Bronze medal – a proud moment for the whole of Great Britain.

From 26th February to 5th March, the World Junior Championships were held in Flims, Switzerland, which Ladies’ Branch President Fiona Hardie, her Vice President Mary Anne McWilliam and I attended. Our Junior Women’s team of , , Rowena Kerr, and Mhairi Baird failed to reach the semi-finals. They were very unlucky in a lot of the games, losing by only one shot. In the Junior Men’s, our representatives were the reigning World Champions – Kyle Smith and his team of Thomas Muirhead, Kyle Waddell, Cameron Smith and Duncan Menzies. After the round robin, the boys played Norway in the Page 1 v 2 game which they won 8-5 and went into the final. In the final they came up against a Swiss team who were playing very well and took the game 6-5, giving us Silver medals. Kyle and his team have won Bronze, Gold and Silver in the last three years of the World Juniors – a great achievement.

From the 15th to 23rd March, the Women’s World Championship was held in Saint John, New Brunswick. Fiona and David Hardie and myself went out to support our team of , , , Barbara McPake and Hannah Fleming. Although the team didn’t win many games they were unfortunate on a few occasions where one bad end would prove costly and the game would be lost. The girls were dignified in defeat and excellent ambassadors for Scotland.

From 29th March to 6th April, the Men’s World Championship was held in Beijing, China, where my wife Susan and I flew out to support Ewan MacDonald, Duncan Fernie, , Euan Byers and . The team were looking forward to getting off to a good start in the competition but on the first two days the ice makers had problems keeping a pebble on the ice. Conditions improved but our team struggled to hit top form and failed to reach the semi-finals. At the conclusion of the competition Ewan MacDonald was awarded the Colin Campbell Memorial Award for Sportsmanship – voted for by all the competitors. This is now the second time Ewan has won the award.

The World Mixed Doubles and World Seniors Competitions were held in from 24th to 30th April. Congratulations must to main sponsor Hardie Engineering and the host committee who did an incredible amount of work organising a first class event – a tremendous week was had by all the competitors and visitors alike.

On Saturday 26th April, I also attended the Homecoming celebrations for the Winter Olympic teams at Lockerbie where the players received a wonderful welcome from the locals and received gifts from Dumfries and Galloway Council.

In the Mixed Doubles, and Gina Aitken represented Scotland. Thirty four teams played in four sections with Scotland in a tough section with Sweden, Canada and Finland our main opposition. After the round-robin we were on six wins and two losses which was third in the section and got us into the last sixteen. In a very close game we lost out to Hungary – last year’s champions 7-5. Bruce and Gina should be proud of the way they played.

In the Senior Men’s competition, Keith Prentice, Lockhart Steele, Robert Anderson, Tommy Fleming and Robert Clark finished third in their section and played favourites Canada in the quarter final. In a very close game the Canadian had to play his last stone to win the game 6-5, putting Scotland out.

In the Senior Women’s Competition, Christine Cannon, Margaret Richardson, , Janet Lindsay and Margaret Robertson and coach Jackie Lockhart represented Scotland. Scotland finished second in their section after the round robin on five wins, with one loss to Canada. In the quarter finals Scotland beat Slovakia 8-4 and then in the semi-final won 5-4 against the USA. In the final versus Canada, Scotland were three down after six ends with the hammer. Christine drew the button with her final stone in the seventh to score two and in the eighth end after some great play by the whole team, Scotland stole a two to win the game and so became World Champions. Well done Christine, Margaret, Isobel, Janet, Margaret and Jackie – our new World Senior Women’s Champions.

I would like to say a huge thank you to Kate Caithness and everybody at the World Curling Federation for making Fiona and myself so welcome and doing so much to help us on our many overseas trips. I also thank all our hosts abroad for the very generous hospitality we received.

In December I attended the Roar of the Rings in Canada, the Olympic Qualifiers in Winnipeg. When I arrived it was -30 degrees Celsius and my luggage didn’t arrive for three days – so it was cold. It has to be some of the best curling I have ever witnessed.

Not all the events during the year have been happy ones as we have lost many close friends who have passed away including Honorary President of Ladies’ Branch, Mrs Anna Smith and Past Presidents of the Royal Club – Kenneth Gumley, Dr Derek Anderson and Matt Murdoch.

In January, the Four Nations hosted by Ireland was played at Hamilton with David Henderson and Fiona Hardie organising for Scotland as I was in Las Vegas for the Continental Cup. Scotland won versus England the Tom Ballantyne Trophy for men and the Connie Miller Trophy for women. We also won the Marshall Millennium Trophy versus Ireland but lost the Big Bertha Stone to Wales. John Munro brought his Disco along so a great night was had by all.

During the year we had our usual three matches as an Area Standing Committee. Against the Ladies’ Standing Committee for the Priestfield Cup which we won; against the Royal Company of Archers which we won and against Area 10 for the Tamnavulin Trophy where we came second.

In the first week of July, Summer Camp was held at Stirling where 42 youngsters between the ages of 13 and 17 took part. I went along one day and it was lovely to see everyone having such a great time.

On 22nd September at the conclusion of the European Mixed Championship, there was a Legacy Conference at Murrayfield which was very well attended with most ice rinks represented.

Throughout the year I have attended many meetings including Board, ASC and sub-committees.

I also attended Scottish Finals of the Province Championship – won by Angus skipped by Andy McGlynn – Scottish Mixed Doubles Finals, Scottish Juniors Finals and the Scottish Mixed Finals.

It was good to see so many of you at our stand at the Royal Highland Show where you could enjoy a cup of tea or a glass of wine if preferred and wonderful home bakes made by our members.

In November, I attended two functions for clubs who have reached important milestones – Dunfermline who are 275 years old and Millport who celebrated their 175th Anniversary.

I also enjoyed curling courts involving Edzell and Catterthun; Nairn and Kelso and a variety of functions at home and abroad on my many trips.

In December, I was invited by Penicuik Curling Club to the High Pond in Penicuik Estate courtesy of owner and member Sir Robert Clerk, where I was presented with a print of Jemima Wedderburn’s First Grand Match (1847) on the High Pond on Penicuik Estate on behalf of the Royal Club.

All season, curling clubs and ice rinks have been holding bonspiels celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the Royal Club – all very enjoyable I hear.

We have had a few new clubs joining the Royal Club this year, partly I’m sure to do with the huge success of the Try Curling Programme which has had over 5000 participants.

The ‘Your Curler’ magazine is now doing very well and is a great way of keeping up with what is happening in the curling world.

During the season resigned from his post in the Royal Club. Colin gave an enormous amount of time and energy to his job which he was very passionate about. Colin still feels he has plenty to offer and is available should any advice be required.

Margaret Mackay is shortly to retire after sixteen and a half years with the Royal Club. I hope you enjoy a very well earned retirement, Margaret!

Unfortunately, we did not have enough frost for a Grand Match to take place but we are now in a position to be able to have one should the conditions be right.

Also disappointing, we were unable to table a bid for the 2016 World Men’s Championships in Murrayfield Ice Arena as the WCF brought forward the closing date for bids from December to July and we were unable to get the necessary funding in place on time.

On a happier note, I can confirm that the Charles Lees’ painting has been fully restored and will be displayed long term in the ‘Playing for Scotland’ exhibition at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh. Thanks to the William Roy memorial fund and to all members who gave so generously.

Congratulations to all our members who have won Royal Club competitions over the past year.

To our many sponsors I thank you for your continued support particularly Co-operative Funeral Care for their support.

A big thank you to Ladies’ Branch President Fiona Hardie and her husband David for their support and for being great company on our trips abroad.

Thank you to David Henderson and our ASC members for stepping in at many dinners and presentations in my absence while abroad.

Good luck to David Henderson and Mary Anne McWilliam in their year as Presidents. I hope you have as much fun as Fiona and I have had.

To our Board members Willie Nicoll and Graham McWiggan, who are retiring, thank you for all the time you have devoted to the Royal Club. Now, Willie is not going to be sitting with his feet up as he is going to be the new chairman of British Curling.

There are five of our ASC members who finish their term in office at this time. Past President Bill Duncan, Harry Dodds, Peter Fraser, Jim Jamieson and Alan Muirhead. They should be congratulated for the time, support and commitment they have given to members during their years in office.

Thanks also to CEO Bruce Crawford and all the staff at Cairnie House. To Perth Ice Rink, Dewar’s Centre, for looking after us so well today. To all the teams and their families who have made me so welcome on my trips abroad and, to you, the members of the Royal Club for your support throughout the year.

Finally, thank you to my long-suffering wife Susan for her support and ability to raise a smile even when I arrived home in the early hours of the morning from some foreign part!

Thank you. (Applause)

WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Thanks, Alan. What a year you’ve had! Presumably it all passed very quickly. Before I start I’ll explain the voting. We have had 332 members voted either online or by post. There are 189 members present in the hall today of which 109 have chosen to vote in the hall today. This gives us 441 out of a membership of thirteen and a half thousand. Since we started the voting by individuals, it has steadily dropped from a high of 759 and I don’t know how we can get everyone interested in voting. f) Approval of the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting on 15th June 2013 WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Moving on, we move on to the approval of last year’s minutes. There is one amendment to be made to the minutes. Lauchlan MacLean from Watsonian submitted his apologies but his name was not recorded in the minutes and we would like to rectify that. Can I have a proposer and a seconder for the minutes please?

The minutes were proposed by William Duncan (Bank of Scotland (Perth & District)) and seconded by David Henderson (New Abbey).

WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Thank you. The voting is by use of the yellow slip, so can I have the yellow slip raised to approve the minutes? Any against? (Carried) g) Annual Report of The Royal Caledonian Curling Club WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): We now move on to the annual report which was available online and Bruce is going to present the highlights from the report.

BRUCE CRAWFORD (CEO): Thank you, Alan and Willie. The year that started with the celebration of our 175th anniversary certainly lived up to our hopes and expectations. Alan’s report has covered most of the interesting and successful happenings of the year. I would like to reflect on some of the operational aspects of the year as I report to you.

To start I would like to share with you some statistics, which are here on the screen for you to see, that tell a story in the form of a snapshot of the Royal Club now, compared to ten years ago. This page has been added to the supporting documents on the website for the AGM as a PDF file and can be downloaded if you like.

We have 62 more clubs, but 915 fewer members although the number of juniors is up 63% to 1206. Membership fees have only gone up by £4 over the ten years and turnover of the organisation has almost doubled and reserves increased by 21%. Expenditure on development has increased by 28%, we have twice as many staff working for the Royal Club, yet the relative cost of the administration against turnover has been reduced from 31% to 25%. We continue to move with the times and web traffic has more than doubled. We are now managing three sites with the main Royal Club site, Scottish Curling Trust and Trycurling.com. Unfortunately, the number of facilities has reduced from thirty to twenty two, but we are actively involved in working with facilities across the country in order to keep them and remain successful.

Many of you will have seen the Annual Report that we published on our website a month ago, it contains a great deal of detail on the work of the organisation through our committees, volunteers and staff. It reflects an exciting year of activity and growth across all areas of our operations. If you haven’t downloaded a copy I recommend that you do. I would like to share with you a few items that capture the spirit of the report.

It is my responsibility to reflect on the finances, on behalf of my fellow directors. I am pleased that the year-end position is within £3,000 of the budgeted deficit, this was a planned loss and is in reality a variation of less than a third of one percent of our turnover. After making a surplus last year, the Board made a commitment to recoup the Corporation Tax charge of £20,000 that we were left with. We have managed to achieve three quarters of this and are able to recoup the balance in the next financial year.

As I mentioned in the Finance Report in the Annual Report, there were a number of special projects that the Board agreed should be undertaken during the year to create the deficit required and these were: to provide liability insurance for every member; we also scanned 175 years of RCCC Annuals which have now been put onto one of these DVDs and in doing so we also rebound the annuals; we created the eHive online collection management scheme for our museum pieces; we restored the Lees painting, which you can see here and we have also commissioned the work on the significant painting by David Allan (he was the artist who did a lot of the artwork which went with Robert Burn’s work); we worked on the website development and branding, particularly with Trycurling.com; We also developed initiatives to maximise legacy impact from the Games in Sochi and provide pensions for our employees. These are all projects which will have a lasting impact for the organisation as we move forward.

We ended the year with 630 clubs. Seven new clubs were admitted and five resigned their membership.

Through our development work with our partners at the ice rinks, we continue to see growth in the sport. This season, as Alan mentioned, we introduced 5,042 people to the sport through TryCurling sessions across the country and many of them have started beginner courses and we hope they will continue in the autumn when the rinks re-open. This year 4,500 Primary School children were introduced through the Curling’s Cool programme. The number of Junior Members, as I’ve mentioned, has increased to 1,206 which bodes well for the future of the sport. We now have 1,085 coaches on our database, of whom 162 undertook training courses this season.

We organised seven seminars which attracted 216 curlers and members have already contacted us to plan similar events for next season. Our team were better organised for this Olympic and Paralympic season but the level of interest from the media exceeded our expectations and we have been delighted with the results and have already noted improvements we plan to incorporate in 2018. I would like to thank all of our marketing and development team in particularly and the volunteers who have been involved in this important work.

The Royal Club’s competitions continue to be well supported, a short slide show will be shown a little later that highlights the winners of all Royal Club competitions as well as the ones where we were represented. We appreciate the work put in by staff, officials, ice rinks, volunteers and the numerous people who help competitions run smoothly.

The year ahead will continue to keep us on our toes as we have plenty to be working on. One of our priorities will be creating the next strategic plan for 2015-2019 and we will be seeking input from members in the next few months, please contribute as this will be the document that sets out the future direction for staff, directors and others.

We are fortunate to have a great team of staff working for the sport, you may have met some of them today. I would like to thank them all for their commitment and dedication over the last year and help to make it such a success. I would like to thank our Board of Directors who have challenged and supported the staff to develop the sport over the year. I would also like to thank our Areas Standing Committee and Ladies’ Branch representatives for their support and contributions, along with the many volunteers on committees working behind the scenes, who help to keep the sport moving forward. Thank you. h) Submission of the Annual Accounts appropriately certified WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): The annual accounts were posted online. Does anyone have any questions on the accounts or has Bruce managed to cover most of the points in his report? If there are no questions then we can proceed to the vote. It’s the green slip. Can I have those in favour of approval of the accounts please? Any against? Thank you very much accounts approved. i) Appointment of the Independent Financial Examiner WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Thomson Cooper, Accountants in Dunfermline are our current Independent Financial Examiner and we are recommending that they be reappointed. A simple show of hands to confirm that appointment. Those in favour? Against? Thank you. (Carried) j) Fixing of annual subscriptions WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): The board are recommending that there is no increase in the subscriptions this year and next year. We are using the blue slips to vote for this. All those in favour of no increase. Any against? (Carried) k) Election of President WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Now we come to the easy part. The election of the President 2014/15. David Henderson of New Abbey is the current Vice President and his nomination is uncontested. Therefore, there will be no ballot. I would be pleased if you could confirm David’s appointment as President for 2014/15. (Applause)

WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): David, can you come up and get the President’s Medal.

DAVID HENDERSON (NEW PRESIDENT): I’m not sure if I’m meant to say anything much at this stage because I think you’ve to hear me a little later on but it is indeed a great honour to accept the post of your President for the coming year. Thank you very much. l) Election of Vice-President WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): We have one nominee Billy Howat of Cumnock and District. There will be no ballot and I should be pleased if you would confirm Billy’s appointment as Vice President for 2014/15. (Applause)

Billy, if you want to come up and get your medal?

DAVID HENDERSON (NEW PRESIDENT): Billy, very many congratulations. Let me pin this to you without hurting you. (Applause)

BILLY HOWAT (VICE PRESIDENT): I need the specs to read. A lot of people think I need them to curl as well. I’m delighted and honoured to accept the role of Vice President of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club. Although I do recognise a few faces, I’m sure there are many of you who do not know me so I’ll take this opportunity to tell you a little about myself. I’m a member of Cumnock and Ayr Curling Clubs. I’ve been curling since I was seventeen. At 25 I won the Scottish Championship. It means a great deal to me to have won the Scottish Championship but when I see the great array of medals from the Olympics and the curlers here today maybe it wasn’t as good as what I think it was but I assure you I was a real happy boy when I won that.

Since then I’ve been involved in club curling and a few competitions along the way. In 2012, I was President of Ayr Curling Club and the same year I was lucky enough to be selected for the Canadian Tour, where we successfully won the Strathcona Cup. Since then I’ve taken an active role in promoting curling at all levels which I hope to continue and enhance in my year as Vice President. I would like to congratulate David on your role as our new President. I’m well aware I’ve a lot to learn and I’m willing to support and learn from you in any way I can. I look forward to meeting new curlers and discussing opinions or concerns during the coming season. I’m sure you will all agree with me there couldn’t be a better time to try to get this competitive and social sport a higher profile and I look forward to working with you all in the near future to make it a reality. Thank you very much. (Applause) m) Election of Directors WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): We have two vacancies this year for directors on the board. First of all, I would like to thank Graham McWiggan for the work he has done during his time on the board, particularly with regard to the search for new premises for the Royal Club offices and for the museum. Bruce and Graham have looked at numerous properties, none of which we have found to be suitable as yet. Graham has agreed that he will continue to support Bruce in their efforts to find a permanent home for the Royal Club and the museum. Thanks very much Graham (Applause).

The other vacancy is caused by myself. Having done my two terms I can’t stand again – bet you’re all glad about that!

So we had four nominees and the voting is as follows: Iain Baxter (Corstorphine) 124; Alan Durno (Fochabers) 148; David Hardie (Crocketford) 274; Alastair MacNish (Gourock) 254. I’m pleased to confirm that David Hardie and Alastair MacNish have been elected to the board of the Royal Club. (Applause) n) Appointment of a Chaplain WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Reverend Bill Holland has indicated that he is happy to continue. On that basis, I would like to confirm Bill’s continuing appointment (Applause). o) Authorisation of the publication of the Annual WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): The AGM has to authorise the publication of the Annual and we are using the pink slip for this one. Can I have a show of hands for those in favour for the publication of the Annual? Those against? (Carried) p) Fixing of the place and date of the next Annual General Meeting WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): The next AGM will be on Saturday 13th June 2015, venue to be confirmed. q) Presentation of Trophies WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Can I ask Alan Durno and Fiona Hardie to come to the front, please, to present the WCF Commemorative banner.

a) World Curling Federation Commemorative Banners WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): As Alan has already said, at the World Senior Women’s Curling Championship Christine Cannon, Margaret Richardson, Isobel Hannen, Janet Lindsay, Margaret Robertson and Coach Jackie Lockhart won the Gold medal. Would the ladies like to come forward to collect their banner? (Applause)

WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Can I ask Susan Durno to come and join Alan to present the rest of the trophies because we can’t leave him on his own to do it.

b) Eight Ender Awards WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): We start with the Eight Ender awards which have already been presented to the people who were successful. There were twelve this year and the names are up on the slide. The Eight Ender awards continue to be sponsored by solicitors Miller Beckett and Jackson, J B Souter, Son and Main in Glasgow, Hamilton and Lenzie. (Applause) (A list of teams can be found in the 2014-2015 Annual under the heading “Annual Reports”.)

c) Sir Richard Waldie Griffith WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): The Sir Richard Waldie Griffiths Trophy for the Inter- Province Challenge was won this year by the Border Province and is to be collected by Mr Neil McLain, President of the Province and Bill Byers, the immediate Past President. (Applause)

d) 150 Year Club Medal WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Clubs collecting a 150 year medal: Belmaduthy, to be collected by Club President Brenda Macintyre (Applause). Blythswood Curling Club to be collected by Club President Pandy Courtney (Applause). Cardross Curling Club to be collected by Club President Rosemary Robertson (Applause).

e) 100 Year Club Medal WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): There is one club for a 100 year medal, Glasserton Curling Club, to be collected by Club President Forsyth Galloway. (Applause)

f) 50 Year Medals WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): A total of twelve 50-year medals were awarded this season. The following recipients are not present: David Arnot (Evenie Water), John Caldwell (Arbroath), David B. Cockburn (Cupar), W. Logan Forrest (Coldstream & Hirsel), John Ross (Leswalt), John Syme (Fothringham) and James Warden (Fothringham) (Applause).

Can we now proceed to the presentation of the 50 year medals: Janet Dun (Ford Ladies), Aline Murray (Greenock Ladies), Alexander Anderson (Laurencekirk), Peter Fraser (Belmaduthy) and John Strang (East Kilbride & Haremyres) (Applause).

g) Scottish Curling Awards WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): The Scottish Curling Awards were integrated into the AGM last year and members voted for their favourite from the 2nd May to 16th May.

Young Curler of the Year The first category is Young Curler of the Year. The nominees were: Gina Aitken, Bruce Mouat and Kyle Smith. The winner is Kyle Smith. (Applause)

Grassroots Coach of the Year The nominees were: Bill Creevy, Kirsty Letton and Michael Nicolson. The winner is Kirsty Letton. (Applause)

Ice Diamond Award The nominees were: Ayr Development Group, Pam Mackay and Dumfries Local Organising Committee (World Senior and Mixed Doubles). The winner is Pam Mackay. (Applause)

Pam recently retired from the volunteer role of RCCC Lead Child Protection Officer after approximately thirty years of service. (Applause)

Team of the Year This was always going to be difficult. The nominees were: Olympic Silver and European Bronze Medallists – Team GB and Team Scotland (David Murdoch, Greg Drummond, Scott Andrews, Michael Goodfellow, Tom Brewster and Soren Gran (coach)); Olympic Bronze and European Silver medallists – Team GB and Team Scotland (Eve Muirhead, Anna Sloan, Vicki Adams, Claire Hamilton, Lauren Gray and (coach)); Paralympic Bronze medallists – Team GB (Aileen Neilson, Gregor Ewan, Robert McPherson, Jim Gault, Angie Malone and Tony Zummack (Coach)) and World Senior Women’s Champions – Team Scotland (Christine Cannon, Margaret Richardson, Isobel Hannen, Janet Lindsay, Margaret Robertson and Jackie Lockhart (coach)).

The winners are Olympic Silver and European Bronze Medallists – Team GB and Team Scotland – David Murdoch, Greg Drummond, Scott Andrews, Michael Goodfellow, Tom Brewster and Soren Gran. (Applause)

Alan, I think you’ll find there’s a bouquet somewhere to present to Susan.

At this stage Outgoing President, Alan Durno, presented a bouquet to Susan Durno for assisting him during the year. (Applause)

Could I ask Fiona Hardie to come forward, please?

At this stage Outgoing President Alan Durno presented a bouquet to Fiona Hardie, immediate Past President of Ladies Branch. (Applause)

h) WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): And now for something different, a small video lasting three minutes showing you what we’ve achieved in the last twelve months.

At this point a video containing photos of all the RCCC and International competitions over the course of the season was played.

WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): I would like to thank the marketing team of Stuart and Jonathan for that great presentation. It just shows you how many competitions we have and how many different people actually win. Well done boys. (Applause) r) Any Other Competent Business WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): We have one item submitted by Bob Smith (Area 7 Rep and member of Inverkeithing Club) and first of all I would like to ask Bruce to speak to the item.

BRUCE CRAWFORD (CEO): There will be an opportunity for Bob to speak in just a moment but I just thought that I would add a bit of context for people who are unfamiliar with the item. The Indoor Grand Match began in 2000. There was an initiative from the Big Lottery fund and we applied for it and were successful in achieving funding from there which led to the impetus to create the first event in 2000. It was all building on the fact that it had been an increasing amount of time since we had an outdoor event. The second event was in 2005 and the third was in 2010. It was organised in 2010 by Ian McGregor and a team of volunteers, who did an excellent job.

At the end of the event, a review took place by that committee and they made some recommendations. They didn’t make decisions they just made observations and recommendations which were regarding the frequency of the competition whether it should be 5 years but they felt that there had been a number of complaints from volunteers and some ice rinks who felt it was a large amount of work and perhaps five years was too frequent. So they looked at two other options. The month, whether it was in early season, mid-season or late season, and the format, North versus South, as is the case in the Outdoor Grand Match or for a different format, perhaps East versus West which would involve shorter travel for the competing teams. There was a discrepancy in some of the catering and the hospitality that was provided so those were the things that they were looking at others to make a decision on. So the recommendation, from the feedback, was really that it was moved to a ten year interval or even that a second proposal was adopted which is that the event would take place on every occasion where the 4th of January fell on a Saturday. Looking at the scheduling of that it looked like it would be 2014, 2020, 2025, 2031 and 2042. Which would make irregular intervals – just with the years and changes with the calendar would make the intervals 4, 6, 5 and 11 before going back to six years so the recommendation seemed more sensible to go for a regular ten year interval so that is what the board agreed would be worked on for the next indoor grand match.

It was noted in a Board Minute last year someone had asked a question so we just recorded it in a Board minute last year and I think it was result of that, that it was picked up by some members who thought “Is that right? Should we not be doing it sooner?” So I think we’ve got a roving microphone over there for Bob to say a few words.

BOB SMITH (INVERKEITHING): Thank you. Thank you Bruce. That’s answered some of my concerns by giving some details. The main problem that Area 7 and other areas had that the Board perhaps misunderstood the worth of the fellowship that can be gained from an Indoor Grand Match.

All of a sudden, as you say it was discussed at the Board Meeting in August last year in very brief notes that you await to see what the decision was that had previously been made. It turns out they tell me now it was some sort of feedback from a review carried out at the previous Grand Match. The end result of that was a very brief note in October last year that you added in the Board Meeting that it was to be extended from five years to ten. Area 7 is the most upset. The first objects in the Memorandum and Articles of the Royal Club is “to unite curlers into one Fellowship of the Rink” and it is our opinion that nothing unites curlers than the courage and skills that are learnt in that Grand Match. It doesn’t become common every five years, it is always something special. It is unlikely that there will be an Outdoor Grand Match in the near future and therefore we think that they should continue the regularity of an Indoor Grand Match every five years.

We were upset about the lack of publication about the decision but you’ve explained that slightly at the moment. We were, at the LSC and ASC joint meeting, not formally told until November. It was never highlighted to us and obviously not to members. Other Areas are supporting our view. I would like to hear a couple of views here today. I doubt very much that we can make a proposal because we’ve not proposed properly but we’d like clarification and detail of the decision and we hope for full discretion here everybody how has an opinion, anyone who agrees or disagrees please let us know. What we hope for if we can’t make a proposal is that the Board would be willing to change its proposal so as soon as possible we can get the Board and members of the LSC and ASC together as a matter of great urgency because obviously allocation of ice has to be taken into account and we would like to see an Indoor Grand Match as soon as possible.

JOHN GOOD (HADDINGTON): Chair, ladies and gentlemen and those who enjoy curling as much as Bob and I do and I hope everyone here does. I speak as member 62062. I speak not from a membership that is somewhere out there but I speak as one of a body of 13,000 whose respect and backing the Royal Club has earned and must go on earning day by day, week by week, month by month and year by year.

Giving members a five yearly interval for opportunity to play at an indoor grand match should be part of that programme. It is no accident that the Olympics and other competitions are staged at four year intervals. That allows the nation to prepare but it also means that the sports have the chance to capitalise, if that’s the word, on the enthusiasm that these events create. I think that’s the right way to go.

It has been suggested in 2010, maybe it wasn’t justified. Eh? 90% of our clubs took part. 2000 members took part. Brilliant. If there were problems in 2010 – we don’t doubt that. Let’s get your Area representatives and area committees going and make sure there is standardisation - but we’ve got to deliver on that! I can tell you that there are some of us here who are ready and willing to do that. We have been told that there were problems at Cairnie House caused by records being incomplete due to club secretary’s trying to stop recording what was happening. That would not be any better after a gap of ten years. The problems will always exist so five years would probably be a lesser problem for the rinks. I don’t know what it’s like for a club secretary or club president for their club not to be able to enter because their records are incomplete. There’s an incentive. There’s a spark there.

If the Royal Club decided to do an allocation of costs. It spent £2500 on hiring extra staff specifically for the indoor grand match. That outlay would be covered if only 25 members continued their membership over five years. It’s a fact. Therefore, it’s a no brainer. The Royal Club would break even. For the rest of us, the players pay let there be – at least in my mind – no doubt about that.

I would to like to gauge what support there is today to get the grounds for asking the Area Standing Committee, the LSC, the board to weigh up the pros, cons and practicalities about staging an indoor grand match in the 15/16 season. The Royal Club is its membership and one of the ways it can continue to earn respect and backing, the only way it can do that is offering an indoor grand match every five years. Chair, I thank you for the opportunity.

WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Can I just clarify one thing, the two speakers indicated that the decision was made by the Board. The decision was made by the committee which comprised members of the ASC and LSC and their recommendation was given to the board. That’s how it worked. Competitions are normally organised by the ASC. The ASC were aware that the Grand Match was not going to take place. I think that’s where if anything is going to happen it needs to have the full backing of the ASC who then recommend when and how we hold the Grand Match. Now I’m quite willing to take some more views from the floor. Anybody else want to speak?

IAN MCGREGOR (BONNYBRIDGE): I was on the Indoor Grand Committee in 2010 under the great Perth man Bill Balfour. The two of us were the main committee in terms of organising it. In the office the person involved was Margaret Mackay so first of all I really wanted to pay tribute to her. Is Margaret here tonight? Is she here? You’ve just mentioned Margaret’s retirement - from my point of view – my experience of Margaret was absolutely brilliant. She was very, very helpful, pleasant, very professional in what she did and she was a real credit to the Royal Club and I’m sure everybody else would feel the same if we could recognise her please. (Applause).

Just in terms of what you said about the last review. We as an Indoor Grand committee did not envisage that we were in a position to recommend what happened in the future. Our understanding at the review meeting was that we were handing over to the next committee a portfolio to make it easier every five year cycle. That’s the way we approached that meeting and as you’ve said there were a few alternative suggestions but at no time did that committee suggest or recommend that the Indoor Grand Match change from every five to every ten years or any other combination. We on the whole were very happy, perhaps satisfied, although self-critical of the way it went. So we thought, we were very sure, we were commenting on a tradition, a tradition that was going to last. It was the 3rd item in the calendar, the next one would be the fourth. This was something that could last for a hundred years and now all of a sudden it’s now been chopped and changed.

The whole point of tours for instance have a five year cycle because five years is still within the grasp of most people and with respect the people sitting at the top table will probably not be here in ten years’ time. So the idea was that continuity was possible in five years. So it appeared to be the natural progression and the proof of the pudding was in the eating. It was successful; all three events have been very successful. Once it’s not successful with good input then that is the case. I would suggest that the Area Committee and the Board look again at the possibility for October 2015.

ALBERT RAE (DUNFERMLINE): I totally agree with the last speaker. Five years is not really too long for these gathered events. I was lucky enough to play the last two grand matches, Indoor Grand Matches, and I’m really sorry that I didn’t play in the first one. If we pad it out for another ten years then I’m quite sure that there are quite a few people here that are not going to see that or be able to play. I think five years is enough time.

I was interested as well that you are showing slides where you sort of mentioned that the Royal Club is doing everything it can to help the ice rinks. Especially when hearing that the ice rinks seem to be diminishing. I can’t believe that any ice rink would not want to have an indoor grand match – that is going to fill their ice for one or maybe even two days. I can’t believe either that the local economies are not going to welcome curlers from all over the place. The last two grand matches I actually stayed overnight at Kelso. It helped the local economy there. It certainly helped the bar anyway. So there I would be delighted to see the people involved what they think but personally a five year grand match is just right.

IAN KERON (OATRIDGE): I played in all three grand matches. I have two questions for you. One is why are so many people hearing about this today? Why was this not published on the website when you made a decision? And the other one is some time ago we agreed that it would be one member, one vote for the Royal Club so my other question is why did you not put the proposal out there and ask us to vote on it? We get to vote on the accounts, we get to vote on all sorts of stuff today or online and here’s something that a lot of us really care about and we didn’t get to vote on it. So those are my two questions for you and I hope I get an answer.

Actually I think a lot of people here sense that something’s been decided by a small group of people which is actually really important. All these curling clubs and all these ice rinks they all need something special to make some money and I’ll tell you what – when you play in this you do spend some money and all these ice rinks are grateful for that day and what we also do is we meet other people and they are lifelong friends. So my two questions – why are we finding out about it today and why did we not get to vote?

WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): In answer to your question – the detail was on the website on the minute of the meeting – it is there for everyone to see. If we had a vote on every decision that had to be made in the Royal Club we would start this meeting on the first of January and we’d still be here in December. You appoint a board, you appoint an ASC and an LSC to manage and run the organisation on your behalf. You have to give them some credit for what they do. You can’t have every decision going back to the membership. And you say that there are thirteen and a half thousand curlers who are interested but only 441 bothered to vote today. Bob, you want to say something?

BOB SMITH (INVERKEITHING): Basically I’m just going to disagree with you disagreeing with me. When it was first decided and first announced and what Ian’s just said pretty much covers that anyway. We’ve not known, it wasn’t shown in detail and it is a great shame that we’re discussing it here. One point you’ve just made only four hundred odd people have bothered voting here but there were 2,000 people on each of the Indoor Grand Matches which shows it is well supported, better supported than this.

WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): I’m not going to argue about times Bob it was in the minutes of the competition committee in October 2010 but I’m not going to go any further on that. What I’m going to suggest is that President David as one of his first tasks asks the ASC to revisit this and come up with a recommendation. (Applause)

Now there was one thing that we omitted to do which was to present Alan with his Past President’s medal. Now in the past I’ve had to jump down, grab a Past President’s medal from somebody there and pin it on and then give it back but we’ve actually got yours Alan. So if you come up here we’ll give you your medal. (Applause)

DAVID HENDERSON (NEW PRESIDENT): I would certainly hope that we don’t see Alan going away improperly dressed!

WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): This is my fifth and last AGM, no cheering, no? The five years that I’ve chaired the Board have been interesting, not everything has gone smoothly. I’ve enjoyed my five years as chairman of the board. I’d like to think that under my leadership that the board have made a contribution to curling in Scotland and I’ll miss it but somebody else will take over and will continue on. Thank you very much. (Applause)

BRUCE CRAWFORD (CEO): I think that applause says a great deal about the time and commitment that Willie’s given over the last five years and I’d just like to mark that with a small gift, a small token from us to Willie. I’m sure we can all, again, put your hands together and thank him for his hard work - and sometimes it’s been pretty hard - over 5 years. (Applause)

WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Now it just leaves me to ask David to come up to give us his vision for the next year and close the meeting. s) Address by incoming President DAVID HENDERSON (NEW PRESIDENT): Good afternoon once again. Past President Alan, Ladies’ Branch President Mary Anne, honoured guests, brother and sister curlers, ladies and gentlemen, and indeed anyone else who doesn’t fall into any of those categories. Firstly, may I thank you all for bestowing upon me the honour of being the President of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club for the forthcoming year. With this honour comes great responsibility. I will work to the best of my ability to further the aims of your club and to represent you in the name of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club.

The discussion that we’ve just had demonstrates that it is your club. You, the members, decide what we do and indeed as suggested I will address the decision that had been made previously about the Indoor Grand Match – I will address that with the Board, the ASC and the LSC and probably the other way around – the LSC, the ASC and then the Board.

On your behalf I would like to thank Past President Alan and Past Ladies’ Branch President Fiona for all the work that they did throughout their year in office. Both have worked tirelessly for the good of the club and you its members. They’ve travelled extensively to support our curlers in many international events and I know that this support has been highly valued. It has been my pleasure to work with Alan and Fiona and I thank them for the support that they’ve extended to me.

I’m delighted to have as my vice President Billy Howat, farmer and curler extraordinaire. Billy is a well-kent face throughout curling circles and I’ll be calling upon his knowledge and experience to support me during the coming year. He has of course the additional valuable qualification of having youth on his side, and indeed, by his side.

Congratulations to Mary Anne on her election as President of Ladies’ Branch to Vice-President Marion Fraser and to Junior Vice Jan Howard. I look forward to working with you all over the next twelve months.

To Willie Nicoll, must go a huge measure of thanks for his work as a director over the last six years and as Chairman of the Board of Directors over the last five years. The time and commitment that he has given to the Royal Club over very many years is immense and we are most grateful to him for his leadership. Our thanks, too, go to Graham McWiggan as he stands down from the board today.

I believe it’s very healthy to have an election for the board and I would like to thank Iain Baxter, Alan Durno, David Hardie and Alastair MacNish for putting their names forward for this election and offer my congratulations to David and to Alastair. I look forward to working with all members of the board during the coming year. One of the first tasks of the new Board will be to appoint a chairman and this decision will be communicated to you as soon as possible.

The Areas Standing Committee benefits from the experience and knowledge of its members coming from the lengths and breadths of the country and to all of them our thanks for the time that they give to the committee’s work. We’ve already gone through the names of those who are leaving this year. Walter Walsh, Harry Dodds, Alan Muirhead, Ian Parkinson and Peter Fraser – they retire by rotation and I thank them all. We welcome to the committee Jim Cullen, Boyd Houston, Graham Lindsay and Ormond Smith and again I do look forward to working with them.

At this time last year, I stood and told you that I had a lot to learn and indeed I have learned a lot. But it’s probably appropriate that I leave it up to others to judge whether I’m any the wiser. You will have read the annual report from cover to cover I’m quite sure and inwardly digested it so I don’t wish to add anything to it. I would however, like to add my congratulations to all those who have won competitions or represented their country during last season whether at home or abroad and to offer bon chance to all those who compete in these competitions in the coming season.

The Royal Club receives highly valued support at local, national and international level from many sponsors and advertisers. We thank them for that support throughout the years and hope that these partnerships may continue in the years to come. In particular, we are delighted to welcome OVD Rum as the title sponsor of the Scottish Seniors Championship.

I hope you will forgive me if for a few moments as I reflect on some of the things that I have observed in my time as your Vice President. As you know I came into the role with so much to learn and what I’ve seen has truly amazed me. We have a great club, a Royal Club, which I believe we should be proud. The club is bound together by a huge number of volunteers and staff. The volunteers are a wonderful band of enthusiasts. The time, effort and commitment that they all give to further our beloved game of curling is immeasurable. The coaches, the umpires, the timekeepers, the committee members, the board of directors and many, many others all contribute by using and sharing their experience and expertise to further the aims and objectives of the Royal Club. It would be foolish to underestimate the contribution that they make. I will not and I thank them all.

Along with the volunteers, I mentioned the staff led by Chief Executive Bruce Crawford. I have found all of the staff at Cairnie House and those based firth of Cairnie House to be committed, helpful and keen to do their part in developing our sport for those of us here now and those that will follow us. To them I would just like to say a heartfelt thank you and I look forward to supporting their work in the coming year and indeed asking them for their support as I do my work for you. Many of the challenges facing us are not new but include increasing the number of regular curlers and reducing the age profile of our membership. I wasn’t thinking of euthanasia. Increasing or at least maintaining the number of curling facilities in Scotland, maintaining a successful presence at the highest level of International competition whilst retaining the long standing traditions of curling in Scotland. The first of these three main challenges is being addressed in a number of ways including one of the most high profile initiatives of the past year – the Try Curling programme. This programme along with the ongoing Curling’s Cool programme, so generously supported by the AM Ross Family foundation, form the basis of the Royal Club’s efforts to attract new participants to our sport as you all know these programmes involve hundreds and hundreds of hours contributed by both volunteers and staff and thousands and thousands of potential curlers have participated in these programmes and the challenge remains to compact as many as possible into regular club members who will share the enjoyment of our sport which we’ve enjoyed over the years. At this time I’m reminded of something that Winston Churchill said. He said “There is no greater investment than putting milk into babies” and I think our investment in the youth and young curlers is as appropriate. My many congratulations to all those who have been involved in all these and other development initiatives.

I hope that I’ve painted the positive picture that I see but I readily acknowledge that in every organisation it is impossible to get everything right all of the time. We live in a world which is changing quickly and we need to be able to respond to ever changing circumstances. How we respond is the most important thing but I believe that with your guidance, advice and support we will move forward with the focus of doing what is best for you the members of the Royal Club, curling in Scotland and beyond.

In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Live Active Dewar’s Centre for looking after us so well this afternoon. As has been mentioned the next Annual General Meeting of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club will be held on Saturday, the 13th of June 2015 at a location which is convenient for as many of our members as possible. As an aside I’ll not be too popular since that’s my granddaughter’s birthday. I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can over the coming season where I trust you will enjoy your curling as much as ever. I now declare the meeting closed – but please don’t rush away just yet. In celebration of the success of our Scottish Curlers at the Winter Olympics and Paralympics, there follows a drinks reception. This reception is most generously being hosted by Perth and Kinross Council so just before we all join in celebrating these great achievements I would like to introduce you to Depute Provost Bob Band. Bob has been a councillor for Perth City South since 2007, was born and brought up in this fair city and after a spell away in the army he has always lived in and around the city centre. Bob attended Perth High School and at some time played for every school sports team but I haven’t yet determined whether or not the school had a curling teams. Bob is currently convenor for the lifelong learning committee, vice convenor of the licensing board and vice convenor of the development management committee and was formerly the convenor of Tayside Fire and Rescue Board. Bob has taken a real interest in our sport and attended the Scottish Finals here at the Live Active Dewars Centre in February and on your behalf I welcome him here this afternoon. Deputy Provost Bob, perhaps you would like to say a few words. (Applause)

BOB BAND (DEPUTY PROVOST, PERTH AND KINROSS COUNCIL): Thank you very much for having me here and thank you very much for holding your Annual General meeting here in Perth. We always very much appreciate it. The last time I stood in this room in this particular circumstance I had as many people in front of me but they were all WAGGs, before you all think about wives and girlfriends, they were actually the World Association of Girl Guides.

For this to be the national governing body for curling in Scotland it must be the most successful governing body for curling anywhere in the world. I’m absolutely delighted to, as David said, to have been in attendance at the Scottish Curling Championships and to know the depth of talent that we had there at the time and still we were short of our team, basically, who were in Sochi at the time but we still had a fantastic afternoon of sport which was really enjoyable and although, I’ve never been curling myself, it’s something I’d be encouraged to do. I might get enough practice in the next ten years to get to play in the next Grand Match. I listened to some of the discussions and arguments and I looked at the board and I thought that’s rather bizarre and I turned to Bill, sitting next to me, and he said “It’s contentious but I keep out of these contentious matters.”

So I’m actually delighted to ask you to partake in a glass of wine or a glass of orange juice there. I hope you’ve enjoyed your day in Perth and you come back on a regular basis to see us both here in the Dewar’s Centre and elsewhere in Perth. Thank you very much. (Applause)