Minutes of the 52nd Annual General Meeting of the Ladies’ Branch held on Tuesday, 8th May 2012 at Perth Racecourse, Perth at 2.15pm

Present Office Bearers Claire McLaren (President), Jenny Bain (Vice President), Fiona Hardie (Junior Vice President), Sadie Anderson (Honorary Treasurer), Kate Caithness (Honorary Vice-President & Past President 1997)

Centre Representatives Brenda Urquhart (Aberdeen), Liz Boswell (Ayr), Marion Pate (Border), Margaret Gibb (Braehead), Anne Templeton (Dumfries), Lillian Carnegie (Forfar), Sheena Murdoch (Galleon), Mary Robertson (Greenacres), Margaret Pottie (Inverness), Morag Wellman (Kinross), Marion Fraser (Kirkcaldy), Lynda Blackwood (Lanarkshire), Susan Fleming (Lockerbie), Joan Wight (Murrayfield), Margaret Hynd (Perth), Isabel Gillespie (Stirling), Kate Adams (Stranraer), Helen Murray-Lyon (Waterfront)

New Centre Representatives Mary Anne McWilliam (Incoming Junior Vice President), Gail Munro (Incoming Treasurer), Marion Malcolm (Aberdeen), Wendy Henderson (Border), Maureen Wood (Dumfries), Kate Adamson (Inverness), Jackie Craig (Lanarkshire), Jean Gorrie (Murrayfield), Shelagh Fulton (Perth) and Maureen Parker (Stranraer)

Past Presidents Norah Hay (1988), Kirsty Letton 1990), Marjorie Kidd (1992), Sheila Watson (1993), Alison McDermid (1996), Ena Stevenson (1999), Kathleen Scott (2001), Marion Murdoch (2002), Jeanette Johnston 2003), Anne Malcolm (2005), Marion Craig (2006), Patricia Thomson (2007), Sheila Miller (2008), Kay Gibb (2009), Brenda Macintyre (2010)

Guests Councillor Bob Ellis, Patrick Edington (Royal Club President), Dorothy Knox, Willie Nicoll (Chair of the Board), Margo Nicoll), , and Vicki Adams (European Champions), and Abigail Brown (World Junior Champions), Jean Hammond, Maggie Barry, Valerie Mahon and Judith Carr (World Senior Silver medallists), Aileen Neilson

Representatives from affiliated Clubs Listed alphabetically by Club 69 Anne MacDougall Fossoway Ladies Alice Johnson Abdie Ladies Anne Nicol Fossoway Ladies Betty Paterson Abdie Ladies Barbara Baird Ladies Elaine Semple Abdie Ladies Isla Kinnear Glasgow Ladies Judy MacKenzie Abdie Ladies Jill McEwan Glasgow Ladies Liz Paul Abdie Ladies Lesley Robinson Glasgow Ladies Margaret Cameron Aberdeen Ladies Liz Ross Glasgow Ladies Morven Findlay Aberdour Ann Mitchell Glasgow Ladies Valerie Browning Airleywight Ladies Maureen Gordon Glenfarg Ladies Avondale Heather Lynne MacKenzie Granite City Ladies Catherine Beattie Ayr Jean Morton Granite City Ladies Hazel Keenan Ayton Castle Gwen Prentice Greenacres Christine Miller Ayton Castle Rhona Fleming Greenacres Ladies Liz Knox Ayton Castle Roberta-Ann Forrest Greenock Ladies Annette Blair Bank of Scotland (Fife) Elinor Ritchie Heart of The Highlands Jenny Stark

1 Bank of Scotland (Fife) Sandra Smith Hercules Ladies Pat Hughes Bathgate Teresa Hill Kilmacolm Liz Jamieson Belmont Ladies Anne Airey Kinross Ladies Elaine Spain Beresford Ladies Helen Lyburn Kirriemuir & District Ladies Barbara Sherriff Blair Atholl Christine Cheape Kirriemuir & District Ladies Marnie Ewart Bridge of Weir Maryel FitzRandolph Letham Grange British Curling Cate Brewster Letham Grange Mairi Milne Cambo Ladies Ann Turnbull Lothian Ladies Jeni Fleming Cambo Ladies Grace Brown Lynedoch Ladies Allie Lyburn Carrbridge Katie Adamson Lynedoch Ladies Cath McIntosh Carrington Aileen Pirret Lynedoch Ladies Christine Wilson Carrington Jean Hamilton Lynedoch Ladies Jean Yeoman Castle Kennedy Helen Young Lynedoch Ladies Joy Niven Castle Kennedy Janet McMillan Lynedoch Ladies Noreen Fordyce Coldstream Glynnice Lauder Mid Calder Christine Hamilton Colinton Ladies Jane Sinclair Mid Calder Christine Smellie Corstorphine Ladies Anne Marie Ross Nairn Ladies Heather Billett Corstorphine Ladies Isobel Edwards Orwell Ladies Edna Nelson Crieff & Ochtertyre Alison Strang Orwell Ladies Maggie Saunderson Dalhousie Ladies Margaret Will Orwell Ladies Maggie Saunderson Dalhousie Ladies Susan Skene Pentland Ladies Ruth Miller Denny Raye Rickard Pentland Ladies Susan Tooley Druids Caroleen Clark Perth Ladies Ann Davidson Dun Hazel Wood Perth Ladies Anne Sidey Dundonald Jennifer Mutter Perth Ladies Dorothy Garvie Dunfermline Ladies Lynne Stevenson Perth Ladies Kathy Cameron Dunfermline Ladies Mary Barr Perth Ladies Morag Ballantine Dunfermline Ladies Sheila Harley Perth Ladies Rita Drysdale East Kilbride & Haremyers Margaret Brown Raith & Abbotshall Ladies Anne Buchan Academicals Helen Thomson Raith & Abbotshall Ladies Beverley Brown Edinburgh Ladies Audrey Laird Reform Edinburgh Ladies Catherine Edington Schiehallion Ladies Heather McLaren Edinburgh Ladies Catherine Russell Schiehallion Ladies Janet Cameron Edinburgh Ladies Helen Ritchie Schiehallion Ladies Margaret A Robb Edinburgh Ladies Moira Kinnear Schiehallion Ladies Margaret A Robb Eildon Helen Mathieson Schiehallion Ladies Margaret Donaldson Errol Janet Lynch Schiehallion Ladies Vilma Kirk Eskdale Christine Ross Sorn Annie Kennedy Falkirk Ladies Marlyn MacAulay St Boswells Nina Clancy Ford Ladies Anne Hogg Strathendrick Fiona Glass Ford Ladies Annise Waddell Symington May Steel Ford Ladies Helen Harvey Uplawmoor Jo Pegg Ford Ladies Janet Dun Waterbeck Anne Vevers Ford Ladies Jean Waddell West Stirlingshire Ladies Annette MacDonald Ford Ladies Sandra Jack West Stirlingshire Ladies Janette Wilson Forth Valley Ladies Margaret Mauchline

1. Welcome President Claire welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked Councillor Bob Ellis to open the Annual General Meeting of the Ladies’ Branch.

2 Councillor Bob Ellis: Honorary President Anne Smith, Honorary Vice-President Kate Caithness, President Claire McLaren, Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to Perth Racecourse, where many exciting horse races have taken place and also the many other events, which have graced this lovely area just outside the City of Perth.

I feel very privileged indeed to being the first representative after last week’s local elections to welcome you all here today. I must pay tribute though to the hard work of past Provost, John Hulbert and the many others who worked hard and as a result of that hard work, were successful in getting City Status. We relish the many opportunities that now lie ahead of us.

I note that The Royal Caledonian Curling Club was founded way back in 1838 and the Club has gone from strength to strength each and every year. This year is the Ladies Section’s 52nd AGM and I would like to congratulate you all on this and of course many thanks for choosing Perth, which has a very strong affiliation within the curling fraternity throughout the world.

But how does a club like yours and the many other clubs and organisations succeed? It is down to dedication, enthusiasm and sheer hard work by volunteers and there have obviously been many of those throughout the years of your existence. Looking at your remit, this to me says it all – encouragement, friendship and communication at all levels. Long may your remit continue.

Looking back a few years, I was one of thousands who watched Rhona Martin and her team win gold in . More recently, in fact in March of this year, Eve Muirhead was declared the winner of my Sports Council’s Sports Person of the Year. Also, can I mention Aileen Neilson, the accomplished wheelchair curler, who this year won a sportsmanship, which was presented by Shona Robison, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport.

There are many, many more very well known curlers amongst you here today as I learned from your President, Claire McLaren last night and I think that we would be here long into the evening if I mentioned them all.

We have a long tradition here in Perth in the curling world and I am sure that many if not all of you have slid, if that is the correct term, down the rink at Dewars Centre. I myself have managed one game many years ago and I think it safe to say that I wouldn’t get picked by any team, whether it be a grassroots team or that of a higher level.

Just watching it on the telly from my over-stuffed armchair, you don’t have to be an expert to realise just how much skill there is to make sure that your stone stops exactly where you want it to stop.

I think that you do see that curling is a very friendly sport just as it states in your remit. It has always been lodged in my head that it is the taking part that counts and not the winning but isn’t it great folks when at the end of a National or International tournament when “Flower of Scotland” gets sang by the many supporters at rink-side and you see the many Saltires getting waved.

Although I am looking forward to the Olympic Torch (and I am the lead Councillor responsible for it here in Perth and Kinross) passing through our area and of course the Olympics themselves, I am really looking forward to 2014 and the Commonwealth Games and hopefully being one of the many volunteers. And also we have the prestigious Ryder Cup coming to Gleneagles here in Perthshire also in 2014.

We are a proud nation and very much a sporting nation as well, so I will finish by saying many congratulations on all of your past successes and on behalf of the Council and the City of Perth, I wish you all the very best in the weeks, months and years to come.

Now, I know you are all looking forward to your AGM and I also am looking forward very much to hearing the various reports especially after reading the reports of last years AGM and of course who gets what positions, although I suspect that the wheeling and dealing has already taken place if it is anything like the clubs and organisations that I sit on. President Claire McLaren, may I now hand the proceedings back into your hands (applause).

President Claire: Thank you Bill. The Council will generously provide teas and coffees for afternoon tea after the AGM.

3 President Pat, Past President’s, Honoured Guests, Sister Curlers, I am delighted to welcome you all to the 52nd Annual General Meeting of the Ladies’ Branch of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, here at Perth Racecourse.

In your booklet, you will find a list of apologies, obituaries, new and resigned clubs, an International Relations Report and the Ladies’ Branch accounts.

I would like to begin with some introductions. At the top table we have Jenny Bain, Vice-President, Fiona Hardie, Junior Vice-President, Sadie Anderson our Honorary Treasurer and Suzy Wakefield from The Royal Club office, Cairnie House our minute-taker for today.

I am delighted to welcome many of our Past Presidents and Honorary Vice-President Kate Caithness, ladies can you please stand so we can acknowledge your presence here today.

Our guests today include the Royal Club’s President Pat Edington and his partner Dorothy, Board Chairman Willie Nicoll, his wife Margo and Royal Club CEO Bruce Crawford.

I would like to ask all of our ladies who became Scottish Champions, World Champions, European Champions and medallists to please stand so we can acknowledge you.

2. In Memoriam President Claire: All names notified to the Royal Club by 4th May have been listed in the booklet. I would ask that you stand for a minute’s silence so we can remember all our friends who have passed away over the last year.

By Club Name ABERDEEN LADIES Lorraine Hay ABERDEEN LADIES Annabel Hogg BRIDGE OF WEIR Eileen Arthur CALLANDER & TROSSACHS Elizabeth Youngson EDINBURGH LADIES Helen Noble EDINBURGH LADIES Helena Stevenson FIFTEEN CLUB Judith Spenceley FORFAR LADIES Helen Dandie FORFAR LADIES Elsie Robertson GLENROTHES Roma Thomson GOUROCK LADIES Moira Mccrone HADDO HOUSE Myrtle Buchan HIGHLAND LADIES Sheila Green INVERNESS ICE RINK LADIES Frances Souter INVERNESS TEACHERS Moira Hutcheon LEVEN Jean Stuart LEVEN Margaret Stuart LOTHIAN LADIES Jean Hunter NITHSDALE Rosemary Maxwell RAITH & ABBOTSHALL LADIES Jean Kemp RAITH & ABBOTSHALL LADIES Jean Shedden ROSS-SHIRE LADIES Jean Bridgeford

(Assembled Guests and Delegates stood for one minute’s silence)

President Claire: Thank you. If anyone wishes to address the meeting, please raise your hand, using the microphone state your name and club before making your remarks. There are two roving microphones in the room.

3. Apologies President Claire: The following apologies have been received.

Past President’s Betty Grierson (Loch Connel) Lucy Fleming (Hercules Ladies) Irene Hird (Dollar Ladies) Marjory McLachlan (Falkirk Ladies) Isobel Forrest (Hamilton Ladies) Mary Tyre (Dundonald)

4 Johan Steele (Lesmahagow Ladies) Sandra South (Cairngorm)

Invited Guests (Corrie) (Dunkeld) Barbara Watt (Edinburgh Ladies) Jennifer Martin (Stewarton Heather) (Applegarth & Sibbaldbie) Kay Adams (Portpatrick) (Glenfarg Ladies) (Balfron)

Clubs 69 Forteviot Ardgowan Haddo House Auchenames Irvine Barbarians Lanark Ladies Bothwell Ladies Lochwinnoch Brookfield Lockerbie Virtual Club Canadian Methven Cathcart Castle Perth Royal Infirmary Craigielands Rolling Stones Currie and Balerno Stra’ven Dumbreck Ladies Troon Portland Duntocher Visually Impaired Curlers Kinross Forret

Individuals Alison Douglas (Kilmacolm) Louise Edwards (Aberdeen Petroleum) Beryl Smith (Lesmahagow Ladies) Margaret Palmer (Aberdeen) Brenda Elrick (Laurencekirk) Margaret Scott (Rattray) Edith Loudon (Airleywight Ladies) Merle Tough (Lesmahagow Ladies) Eleanor Anderson (Lesmahagow Ladies) Morag Bisset (Bothwell Ladies) Gill Ebdy (Forteviot) Nancy Smith (Lochmaben Castle) Gwendoline Highet (Canadian) Pat Lyden (Maxwell Ladies) Helen Cameron (Druids) Phemie Phillips (Laurencekirk) Jean Carruthers (Mid Calder) Rosie Andrews (Braehead Virtual) Kate Henderson (Haddo House) Sheena Boyd (Glasgow Ladies) Kath Murray (Corstorphine Ladies) Trudie Milne (Laurencekirk) Kim Brewster (Laurencekirk) Wendy Hollingworth (Troon Portland) Laura Mutch (Aberdeen Juniors) Yvonne Birnie (Cairngorm Ladies)

4. Minutes of the 51st Annual General Meeting President Claire: The minutes of the 51st Annual General Meeting have been published in the Annual. Before I ask for a proposer I would like to draw your attention to a name listed under In Memoriam, Norma Anderson, this is an error. Also, any speeches withheld will be added. Could I have a proposer?

Proposer: Brenda Macintyre (Belmaduthy): President Claire, I would like to propose the adoption of the minutes.

President Claire: Could I have a seconder please?

Seconder: Margaret Pottie (Nairn Ladies): President Claire, I would like to second the adoption of the minutes.

President Claire: Thank you. (Approved by the meeting)

5. Business arising from the minutes President Claire: Does anyone have any business arising from the minutes that will not be covered further in the agenda? No, let’s move on.

6. New Clubs and Resignations President Claire: New Club and Resignations of the Royal Club are listed in the booklet.

5 New Clubs 2010-2011 Balerno High School Monifieth High School Castle Douglas High School Morrison’s High School Dumfries Academy On The Button Dumfries High School Perth Academy Dundee Ice Arena St Johns Academy Edinburgh New Stone Virtual St Josephs College Hamilton Grammar School Stewarton Academy Inverness Royal Academy Stirling High School KCS After School Club Stranraer Academy Lossiemouth High School The Stray Dogs Maxwelltown High School Tywnholm Mechiston Castle School

Resigned Clubs 2010-2011 Blantyre Greenacres Wheelchair Currie Community High School Pitlochry High School Dalbeattie & District Ladies Prestwick Academy Darvel Royal High School Dundee Juniors

7. Presidents Report President Claire: Now for my report. My first official duty after succeeding Brenda was to attend the Gala Dinner Awards, along with Vice-President Jenny, to present the Young Curler of the Year Award to Anna Sloan of Lockerbie - the second year of Ladies’ Branch sponsorship of this award.

The format of The Highland Show altered this year with The Royal Club staff opting to run the stand outside the office. Ladies’ Branch helped to provide tasty baking served with teas and coffees. I spent a day visiting the show and assisting on the stand welcoming members and visitors.

At the beginning of July, along with Vice-President Jenny and Junior Vice-President Fiona, we carried out the draw for The Henderson Bishop within the office at Cairnie House. This competition continues to attract a large entry of teams.

Later in the month I made a day trip to visit the Junior Camp in Ayrshire. The junior camp is a great way for juniors to develop their game in a fun and sociable environment. Judith McFarlane and development officers of The Royal Club who run the two weeks of the camp put in a lot of hard work and enthusiasm, very much part of the camps success. I believe this year’s camp availability to have sold out.

The curling season started along with our regular LSC meetings, generally held on the first Tuesday of each month. A change of meeting venue occurred in January from The Murrayfield Hotel to The Ellersly House Hotel due to a change in ownership of The Murrayfield. The Ladies have welcomed the new meeting venue.

Our annual LSC bonspiel was held following the October meeting at Murrayfield Curling. The last weekend in September I travelled to Stranraer for the Unders and Overs, in the rain, which only ceased as we departed on the Sunday - this being a new date and venue for the competition. There will be a report later on this competition.

In October I was delighted to join President Pat, Past President Robbie Scott and his wife Kathleen, a Past Ladies’ Branch President to play in the centenary bonspiel of The Wengen Curling Club at Dewar’s Rinks, Perth. We had a very enjoyable day concluding with a dinner. Thank you Pat, for your invitation and many thanks to The Wengen Curling Club for their generosity extended on the day.

The first weekend of the Women’s Tour was held in Forfar with Hannah Fleming’s team of Lauren Gray, Alice Spence and Abi Brown winning. The second weekend followed in November at Aberdeen with Jennifer Dodd’s team of Rebecca Kesley, Mhairi Baird and winning. The overall winner of the Tour was Team Fleming. Unfortunately this season any sponsorship for this event was unsuccessful despite great efforts mainly by Judith McFarlane.

6 The European playoffs were held in Perth with Eve Muirhead, Anna Sloan, Vicki Adams and Claire Hamilton winning choosing Kay Adams as their 5th man to represent Scotland in Moscow in early December. Margaret Hynd and I travelled to attend the championships. Team Muirhead progressed through the round robin stages gaining more steam with each game to reach the final where they defeated Sweden to win gold, a momentous moment as Scottish women have waited 36 years to bring this colour of medal home. I was honoured to be able to present the team with their medals at the closing ceremony.

The first of two Joint Meetings between the Board, ASC and LSC was held in Kirkcaldy followed by the annual bonspiel between ASC and LSC with ASC winning The Priestfield Quaich.....just. The second joint meeting was held in Perth during the Scottish Championships. The format of the meeting was small group discussion of given topics, this brought about positive thoughts for the future of The Royal Club.

In January I was organising the individual ladies who had applied to play in The Four Nations through The Royal Club website for both the mixed and women’s games. The host nation was Wales who run a sociable and fun competition at Greenacres. Scottish Ladies regained The Connie Millar Trophy, well done.

I attended The Juniors in Aberdeen where the spectators were treated to games with spectacular shot making by the junior talent of our game. The Seniors followed in Hamilton attracting a large crowd of spectators. A fuller report on these competitions will follow. The week of The Scottish Finals in Perth was busy with following curling and meetings. I was invited to attend the official opening of The Co-operative Funeralcare funeral home in Perth along with a group of Royal Club representatives including President Pat, CEO Bruce Crawford, Board Chairman Willie Nicoll and Vice President Bill Duncan. We were given a behind the scenes tour of the premises followed by a service conducted by a minister - a most interesting event. I also attended the inaugural player’s dinner towards the end of the week which was a huge success, well done to Colin Hamilton for setting it up. A full report on the Championships will also follow later on in the meeting.

Following the Scottish Championships I was off up the A9 to Inverness for the Henderson Bishop Finals, a week I had been looking forward to. The Highland hospitality was grand. Again a fuller report of the week will follow.

My next two attendances at Royal Club competitions were to Forfar to present a delighted Airleywight with the Rink Championship shield, to and Kirkcaldy for a busy Morton final. Thank you to Marion Fraser for organising the day and to umpire Harry Mitchell.

I was soon departing for Canada to follow the progress of Team Muirhead at the Women’s Worlds in Lethbridge Canada. The girls were not as successful as anticipated but finished on a high with a superb defeat of Canada, a joy to see. Eve Muirhead was awarded The Francis Brodie Award for sportsmanship. I was honoured to make the presentation to her. I was delighted when a couple of the Canadian ladies who had been on the 2010 incoming tour travelled to Lethbridge to meet me, it was great to see them and catch up. The small group of Scottish supporters visited a Hudderite Colony, a very interesting visit, thank you to Kathleen for organising.

Ladies’ Branch have received an invitation to 16 Ladies for a 10 day tour of Sweden in November 2013, applications will open later this summer, details will be on The Royal Clubs’ website.

This season Ladies Branch merchandise has continued to sell well producing a rise in sales. Thank you to all who assisted our merchandising officer Margaret Cairns to achieve this.

Marion Craig and Yvonne Aitken were in the winning rink of the Scottish Mixed Seniors at Stranraer held at the beginning of the season.

Judith McFarlane along with Lee McCleary won the Scottish Mixed Doubles and went on to represent Scotland at the World Mixed Doubles in Turkey. Congratulations to all and apologies if I have omitted anyone’s achievements.

Eve Muirhead and Karen Strang won the Scottish Mixed at Curl Aberdeen and will go on to represent Scotland at the European Mixed Curling Championships, with Ewan MacDonald and Euan Byers in Turkey later this year in October.

7 International Wheelchair Medallist Aileen Neilson was awarded The John Brown Memorial Trophy, at The Scottish Disability Sport AGM. The award is voted by fellow athletes and players and awarded to the individual who has exceeded at the highest level in their sport.

Throughout the year I have attended other committee meetings of The Royal Club including Outdoor Grand Match, a Board meeting, competition, performance and marketing meetings contributing to the overall business of The Royal Club, as well as chairing Ladies’ Branch meetings. Our Honorary Vice President Kate Caithness has attended where her busy schedule has allowed, we appreciate her support and guidance.

I would like to thank the Ladies’ of Perth Ladies Branch who have assisted with the organising of today and providing the tasty baking that will follow the meeting. Thank you also to Perth and Kinross Council for the civic reception of teas and coffees which will accompany the ladies baking.

The support of The Royal Club staff, especially Suzy Wakefield has been greatly appreciated. They provide many facts and information at a click of a mouse. Thanks also to CEO Bruce Crawford and Willie Nicoll for their support. Thanks to all Past Lady Presidents for their offer of support if required, it was comforting to know they were there quietly, on occasions I sent a call down the line. It has been an honour to work with a gentleman such as President Pat in his year of office, thank you Pat. Also, a big thank you to my club, Lynedoch Ladies for supporting me in my years on Ladies’ Branch, it has been an honour to represent the club. A final thank you to my home support, they are as of tomorrow looking forward to a fuller fridge, ironed clothes and a tidy house!

8. Treasurers Report President Claire: A copy of the Ladies’ Branch Accounts can be found in the booklet. I would now like to ask Honorary Treasurer Sadie Anderson to deliver her report on the accounts.

Honorary Treasurer Sadie: President Claire, sister and brother curlers and friends, I have much pleasure in presenting the Treasurer’s Report for the year ending 31st March 2012. There is a copy of the accounts in your handout and a list of donations to our International Fund. Donations to our International Fund are £715.00. Our thanks are due to all centres who very kindly donate to this fund.

The VAT on sales is irrecoverable by Ladies Branch but it is included in our income for accounting purposes. Profit on sales was a commendable £1,269.43. Sincere thanks to Margaret Cairns our Merchandising Officer.

Bank interest is £66.97 making our total income £2,051.40. On the expenditure side this year has been much less expensive than 2011. The £500 which we paid towards our Presidents expenses for the Europeans is now being refunded. The £430.00 for gifts was for successful international winners. Total expenditure for the year 2012 is £2,120.00 leaving a slight deficit of £68.60.

Our assets consist of current a/c £3.239.33, deposit a/c £7,066.97, stock £1,474.91. With the -£8.66 VAT our total assets are £11,772.55.

The Rhona Martin Fund which is included in our assets has a balance of £506.50 which will enable us to fund the Unders and Overs for one more year.

To explain note 3, we deposited £7,000.00 in the Post Office Instant Savers Savings Account. To enable us to get interest on this account we have had to take it our in an individual name as our Treasurer’s Account was unable to claim interest. Although I was unable to get Post Office Savings to send our Statement in time for accounting review I have been able to find out our Instant Savers Account now stands at £7,124.05. I am promised a written statement within a fortnight.

Before Claire asks for questions on the accounts I would like to say thank you to Claire, Jenny, Fiona and all the ladies on Ladies Standing Committee for a most enjoyable year. Thanks also for the help myself and LSC have received from all at Cairnie House, especially Suzy and Alastair whose help and advice have been invaluable. This is my last year as Treasurer and after four years as a rep and seven years as Treasurer, Ladies Branch has been a huge and enjoyable part of my life. Curling has been so important to me for such a long time; it was a privilege to be able to do something for the sport I love so much. I would like to extend my best wishes to all future Presidents, Executives and Reps of the Ladies Standing Committee.

8 Whilst I have been in office there have been several attempts to disband Ladies’ Branch and although the threat may have receded at present we must all be mindful of the need to ensure the continuity of our Ladies’ Branch.

President Claire: Thank you, Sadie. Are there any questions relating to the accounts? No? Then could I ask for a proposer?

Honorary Treasurer Sadie: I would like to propose the adoption of the Annual Accounts.

President Claire: Can I please have a seconder?

Seconder: Liz Boswell (Galston Haymouth): President Claire, Ladies and guests, I would like to second the adoption of the Annual Accounts.

President Claire: Sadie has been a very diligent and dutiful treasurer to Ladies’ Branch looking after our monies. Above her treasurers duties Sadie has quietly guided the president and her executive in her years of office, providing invaluable advice through her experience gained over many years dedicated to our sport. I would like to ask Sadie to come forward to accept a gift to mark her retiaral from Ladies’ Branch (applause).

9. CEO’s Report President Claire: I would now like to ask Bruce Crawford, our Chief Executive Officer to come forward and give us his report.

Bruce Crawford (CEO): Thank you for this opportunity for me to share our work over the last year, which was a busy and successful year.

The Royal Caledonian Curling Club is the Governing Body for Curling in Scotland, we have the responsibility for: · Representing our member’s interests. Young and old, male and female. · Managing the resources bestowed upon us: membership fees, grants, donations, activity income · Helping people develop to realise their potential. It is good to see so many here who’ve done that · Setting and maintaining policies and standards. That’s the governance part.

All this is done by the 20 staff, 8 directors and 94 committee members (including Ladies Branch) all volunteers

This year we have a net gain of 14 clubs, 23 new and 9 resigned. Monifieth reached 100 and Blairdrummond and Cadder reached 150 years. Nine individual members reached 50 years of membership of Royal Club including one lady, Elspeth Young.

Our 11 Development Officers have continued their great work across 13 facilities and introduced 5,994 children through the Curling’s Cool programme and awarded 577 Skills Awards up from 244. We now have 1126 junior members (up from 1010) who are being catered for through a number of initiatives.

The good work has been continued up into adult curlers with an adult camp and seminars covering delivery analysis, strategy and tactics, led by world class players/coaches, available to any club/group. Over 700 people were involved in the TryCurling programme across 18 rinks - slight fall from last year at 1,000.

Disability curling remains healthy seeing a 5% increase in members with uptake in the coaching award and participation in the Skills awards. The iCurl Bonspiel proved to be a great success integrating able bodied and disabled curlers in a great event.

A busy coach education programme this year sees us with 676 active and qualified coaches across the country, of whom 267 undertook training courses this season. We held another Coaches Gathering in Perth in February to share ideas and mix with other coaches to share ideas. Our Child Protection work continues and I would like to thank those who have helped in this important part of our governance.

Domestic competitions continue to be strong, particularly in the younger age groups. Katie Murray’s team will be going to Fussen this summer after winning the Under 17 Slam. Team Muirhead added to their

9 medal collection winning the European Championships in Moscow back in December and won the Cooperative Funeralcare Scottish Championships and came 6th at the World Championships. Hannah Fleming’s team won the Scottish Juniors then went on to become world junior champions. Perhaps one of the greatest achievements of the year was Barbara Watt and her team securing silver at the world Seniors in April, an outstanding result and a team to watch for the future! It was great to see the revival of a successful Unders and Overs this year, congratulations to Claire and all those involved.

Once again efforts to organise a Grand Match were frustrated by a lack of cold weather, but we continue to prepare for the weather to permit this to happen.

In communications, the Royal Club has updated our website and introduced YOUR curler electronic newsletter with positive feedback. We continue to use online voting after success at the last AGM.

I’d like to thank all of you who have contributed to furthering the aims of the Royal Club in so many ways, I’d personally like to thank those with whom I have worked over the last year.

Our work is getting harder by the day as a result of funding cuts and greater competition for grants and sponsorship. Your collective effort is appreciated at all levels of the sport and I am committed to working with you to keep more people curling with the support of the Royal Club as your governing body.

Bruce Crawford (CEO): Are there any questions? (There were no questions)

President Claire: Thank you Bruce for your report.

10. Report on Ladies’ Competitions President Claire: That now takes us to item 10 on the Agenda, the Report on Ladies’ Competitions: a. Scottish Ladies Championships: Nine women’s teams entered this year. Eve Muirhead, Anna Sloan, Vicki Adams and Clare Hamilton reached the final where they played Gail Munro and her Stranraer team of Lyndsay Cunningham, Katie Wright and Jodie Milroy. Gail and her team had a strong week but were overcome by team Muirhead during the final at Perth. It was encouraging to see the junior teams holding their own against the more experienced teams. The week drew a strong crowd of spectators with standing room only available during the final, television coverage also reaching a large audience. Ice conditions all week were of a high standard.

b. Scottish Junior Ladies’ Championships: Thirteen girl’s teams entered, with eight making it through the qualifiers to the final week, which was played at curl Aberdeen on excellent ice conditions with many good shots being delivered throughout the week. The standard of the junior game was strong. The semi final game between Naomi Whyte and Murrayfield’s, Jennifer Dodds team was very close with Jennifer just missing out on the necessary win. Hannah Fleming, Lauren Gray, Alice Spence and Abi Brown won the junior title after defeating Hazel Smith’s team of Naomi Whyte, Louise Mansion and Eilidh Templeton.

c. Scottish Senior Ladies’ Championships: A strong entry of twenty ladies’ teams created an exciting week of curling at Hamilton with good ice conditions producing close games. The final was played between Enid Brown’s, Kinross team of Irene Baillie, Morag Wellman and Helen Gordon and Barbara Watt’s Murrayfield team of Jean Hammond, Maggie Barry and Val Mahon. A questionnaire was circulated to the teams for feedback and as a result of the information given next season if more there are more than fourteen entries the ladies will also move to a qualifier.

d. National Masters: The Masters was played at Greenacres with an entry of fifteen teams, split into three sections of five. Good ice conditions during the competition contributing to the competitive curling displayed. The final was played between last season’s winner Annette MacDonald, Raye Rickard, Mary Paterson and Fiona Glass from Stirling and Lois Brown’s Braehead team of Jean McMaster, Sandra Walker and Sandie Byers with Lois Brown securing victory.

e. Henderson Bishop: The Henderson Bishop final was hosted by Northern County Ladies who had worked hard over the previous year fundraising for the final. The players were treated to a civic reception in The Town House, Inverness, fashion show, dinner and spectacular entertainment all week from the hosts. The umpires Alan Stanfield and ...... carried out their duties in a pleasant manner. The final between Stranraer’s team of Beryl Niven, Gail Munro, Fiona Hardie, Beth Aitken and Lanarkshire 2 represented by Margaret Richardson, Marion Craig,

10 Alison Fraser and Margaret Brown was close with Stranraer winning the title. The Cherrystone game played between Braehead’s team of Liz Paul, Linda Stevenson, Sheila Black, Nanette Davidson and Greenacres represented by Elaine Semple, Alison MacLennan, Helen Burton and Pat Ross was won by Braehead.

f. Morton Trophy Border, Greenacres, Forfar and Lanarkshire represented North, South, East and West on the day of the final in Kirkcaldy with Greenacres and Forfar being defeated in the semi final game. The final was won by Lanarkshire by winning two out of the three games. The sections for next season have been altered as Dumfries will now be participating, which is a positive change to be making to the sections. Discussions have taken place with Kirkcaldy over aspects of the day following a communication received after this season’s final. LSC have also voted to alter the length of games to 8 ends on the final day. The spirit of The Morton is still strong and an encompassing competition for female members of The Royal Club.

g. Unders & Overs At the end of last season it was decided by LSC to change both the date and venue of this competition, the first weekend of October at Stranraer was picked. Work followed to create entries and awareness of the competition. Thank you especially to Judith McFarlane who promoted the details at the Junior camp, successfully picking up entries and also to Kate Adams, Stranraer representative who canvassed locally. The result from their and other efforts was twelve entries which resulted in a great weekend of socialising and curling. There were many enthusiastic junior girls playing who I am sure we will hear the names of more and more. The local team of Gail Munro, Dorothy Bulloch, Rachel Mills and Willa Wilson were the winners defeating Marion MacDonald, Mhairi Strang, Heather MacDonald and Mary Strang. All the players had a great weekend at The North West Castle where the competition will be held again next season which I am confident will grow in entries.

President Claire: Now to item 11.

11. Report on the Women’s International Championships President Claire: I would now like to ask Eve Muirhead to come forward and give a report on the European Curling Championships and World Women’s Curling Championship. a. European Curling Championships Eve Muirhead: President Claire, Ladies and Gentlemen. After a long days travelling we finally arrived in Moscow Russia for the European championships. We were very lucky to have Misha, an institute psychologist with us for the trip who was brought up in Moscow, and without his help with the language barrier and choosing food in restaurants we would have been totally stuck! There were a few hiccups with the organising committee but once we got accreditations, a space for Kenny our video analysis guy sorted we were ready to begin! The team were in good spirits, the ice was good and so we began our quest for medals. We kicked off with Norway. Not our best game but we hung in there and managed to steal a victory. It’s always good to start with a win in major championships. Next few games we struggled but we knew as a team we were stronger and capable of more so we sat down sorted everything out and we came back with much needed wins. We secured our place in the playoff stages and we were to face home nation Russian in the 3/4 page game. We were strong and determined and proved too strong a unit to be taken down by the Russians - probably one of our best performances so far. In the 1/2 page game unbeaten Sweden were playing Denmark and that turned out to be a one sided affair and Sweden were once again going to be in the final playing for gold. This meant we were going to be facing Denmark in the semi final. After we had suffered an early loss to the Danish in the round robin game, we had a point to prove and we were fearless in our quest. We knew we had to pull out our best game in order to overturn the Danish and we did just that. We’d made it to the European final! After I got beaten by Sweden last year in the final revenge sounded like a good plan. We knew the final was going to be a tough game with Sweden being unbeaten but we came out firing and gave them no chances! 6 nil up at half time we couldn’t off asked for anything better. The Swedish national coach Peja Lindholm turned round and said to me after the 5th end break “I’ve just told them they have you by the balls!!” because he knew it was over. They shook after 8 and we ‘Team Scotland’ were European champions - the best feeling in the world.

11 It was great to have made the top of the podium for this newly formed ladies team after a very successful junior career together. Thanks to the coaches and support staff for their efforts throughout the week and 5th man Kay for all her hard work. A great start to the medal count for what turned out to be a successful year for ladies curling. Thank you (applause). b. World Women’s Curling Championship Eve Muirhead: President Claire, Ladies and Gentlemen. The chance of playing the World ladies in Alberta, Canada was fantastic. It’s never easy to win the Scottish title but we remained focussed and achieved our first goal. We arrived into Calgary and spent a couple days there training at the Glencoe club which is a great facility and yes...a little bit of shopping too! Onto Lethbridge we went. The venue was fantastic. 5000 seat stadium but ill be honest the crowds were a little disappointing throughout the week. With the strongest world field I’ve ever seen we knew it was going to be tough week and that’s what it proved to be. We put ourselves in the position that we had to win our last 5 games to qualify...it was always going to be a tough ask. After beating Olympic bronze medallists China and then Czech Republic we were on track. Next up was Sweden. This was probably our best game of the championships, we played quiet a defensive game, controlled it from the start with hammer but unfortunately skipper here couldn’t see it out. Final day of round robin play saw us beat Italy and then it was the big match up, Scotland v Canada. This game meant a lot to them as it either put them in the 1/2 page or in a playoff and for us crucial ranking for Olympic points. The crowds were there biggest for this game and we certainly put a show. Game was over after 8 and we finished on a high. Gold went to Switzerland with Mirjam Ott playing a fantastic last stone, silver Sweden and bronze Canada. During the closing ceremony I was awarded the Frances Brodie award for sportsmanship which was much to my team and dads surprise! Home time it was....and this proved to be a nightmare. Cancelled flights, delayed flights, missed connections, half of us stranded in Calgary and so on! Let’s just say Team Muirhead have real bad luck when it comes to smooth delay free flights! We always travel with an array of support staff & coaches and the team would like to thank all the people who have worked with us throughout the last year. Thanks to the Scottish institute of sport and all our sponsors. Also to the many supports who have travelled country to country flying our flags. And a special thanks to our 5th Kelly who is greatly missed in Scottish curling. Can I lastly just say thanks to my team for the commitment they have shown over the last year on and off the ice. We’ve had without a doubt a fantastic season from qualifying in several ECT/WCT events, winning a WCT event in Canada, European champions, Continental cup champions, Scottish champions and of course 6th in the world. Yes the worlds wasn’t the outcome we wanted but all these events are stepping stones and learning points for us to improve and come back even stronger next year. Thank you (applause).

President Claire: Thank you Eve and congratulations on winning the European Curling Championships. I would not like to ask Hannah Fleming to come up and give us her report on the World Junior Curling Championships. c. World Junior Curling Championships Hannah Fleming: President Claire, honoured guests and ladies. Our journey to become junior world champions began by winning the Scottish junior title in January this year. It had been my goal since I began competing in the junior circuit to achieve this accolade and to earn the right to wear the famous blue blazer. Therefore when we received our medals and lifted the trophy after the final, it was a great feeling and I was so proud of my team for all the hard work they had put in throughout the season. However, we didn’t have much time to relax and celebrate as it was a quick turnaround to begin preparations for the world junior championships in Östersund, Sweden. We arrived in the picturesque town on the 29th of February and fortunately had the evening to ourselves after a long day of travelling. The following day we were able to get our bearings and got a tour around the ice rink at which we would be battling for the world junior title. We also had the chance to visit the local university as poor Alice had to sit one of her exams there on the Monday morning after the closing banquet and before we were due to leave for home. I can tell you, I did not envy her one little bit! We were then able to practice on the Friday and get a feel for the ice and our surroundings. We hoped to get an early night before commence our world championships; however this was not the case as there was a party taking place on the ground floor which insisted on playing music as loud as possible late into the night. At 2am we finally managed to get to sleep after numerous

12 phone calls to reception. At one point, I was sure Lauren was going to storm into the party and pull-the-plug out herself! Never the less, on Saturday morning we were determined to get off to a good start and did so with our first win against Norway. However this was followed by a slightly poor performance on our behalf, against Canada. It was our first experience of being on the live web stream and at times we felt we couldn’t quite be ourselves and relax into our usual play, but it was a great learning curve and as the week progressed, we grew in confidence and soon it was not an issue for us. At the end of the group section we were sitting on 7 wins and 2 losses, putting us top of the table and through to the 1 v 2 playoff against the Czech Republic. Although we were one win clear of the next placed team, it was not easy getting there, as most of our games were extremely close, having 3 games going to extra ends. This was enormously nerve wracking for us, though we seemed to cope well under the pressure as we came out on top in every case. Our parents on the other hand found watching excruciatingly hard and it did cross our minds that the possibilities of heart attacks and nervous breakdowns were increasingly likely! We were to meet the Czech Republic for the third time in the final and even though we had beaten them on the two other occasions, this did not make us complacent in the slightest, as we had watched them defeat Sweden in the semi final and they were on top form. The final was similar to the other games in that it was very tight, but we did feel like we had the slight upper hand on them throughout the game. None the less it went to an extra end and came down to the very last stone. I must admit, the minutes leading up to our final stone were unbelievably nervy, but it is moments like those that give me a buzz and which makes our sport so exciting. All in all we had a fantastic experience in Östersund in which we met many new friends from all over the world. We all have so many great memories of our trip but now is tinged with some sadness as we learned only a few days ago that the USA third, Elizabeth Busche, recently passed away from a rare form of cancer. This news came as a great shock to us and our thoughts go out to her family, friends and team mates. I would now like to take this time to thank the people who contributed to our achievements this season and without whom we would not have been able to get to where we are now. First of all to our coaches, Cate Brewster and Debbie Knox, who played a key part in our success at the Junior World Championships and throughout the season. They made sure everything ran as smoothly as possible and were fantastic coaches to whom we are extremely grateful. Also, thanks to our parents who have encouraged and supported us continuously over the years. To British Curling, the Royal Caledonian Curling Club and all support staff for their funding, expertise and knowledge that we have greatly benefited from. A huge thank you to everyone who sent messages of good luck and congratulations, before, during and after the World Junior Championships. It was greatly appreciated and gave us an immense boost. Finally, thank you to the Ladies Branch for your support and honouring us by inviting us here today (applause).

President Claire: Thank you Hannah and congratulations on winning the World Junior Curling Championships. I would not like to ask Jean Hammond to come up and give us her report on the World Senior Curling Championships. d. World Senior Women’s Curling Championship Jean Hammond: President Claire, honoured guests and ladies. When we surprised everyone, including ourselves, in winning the Scottish Senior Championships we really had very little idea what we had let ourselves in for .We knew we had to go to Copenhagen and play in the World Senior Championships. WOW!!! That only happens in dreams. However it turned out to be reality. We had lots of things to do and not a lot of time to do them. We had to ask someone to be our fifth player, try on clothes, find other clothes to suit 5 people for an opening reception and a closing banquet, gifts for gift bags for our opposition, book hotel accommodation and plane flights, make sure we all had passports, ask our husbands if they were coming etc. Some of those things were easy like asking Judith Carr to be our fifth player. What a perfect choice she was –so supportive in every way and great fun. Finding clothes to suit 5 very different people was not so easy but we did it and felt we looked smart at both functions. On the curling side the season was really coming to an end but we had a couple of practice games, one at Murrayfield against and one against the English Senior Men’s team at Hamilton. We were then ready to go and said to everyone we hoped to be competitive and may be win one or two game. We would always try our best.

13 We travelled on Friday 13th, found the hotel eventually and it turned out to be about a 15 minute walk from the ice rink. Tarnby Ice Rink has 5 sheets of ice in one hall and 2 in an immediately adjacent hall. On Saturday when we had our practice on each sheet of ice we found it was a nice weight with a good swing - much like at home at Murrayfield.

The first game against Russia was an experience, one which we unfortunately lost but it was close and we were happy with the way we had played. After that we played Denmark, Finland, USA and Ireland, winning them all in very tight games and playing well. The last round robin game was against Canada and we lost. USA had lost to Canada and ourselves and so we had to play them again in a tiebreaker to find the second qualifier, Canada being unbeaten and first. We fortunately continued to play well and beat them again. Into the SEMI FINAL way above expectation. We had to play the winner of the other section – Sweden – skipped by Ingrid Meldahl – previous winners of the Worlds. However we had nothing to lose and played well again - a single at the first, two steals of one at the next two ends and then they got a 3. Unfortunate. I have to say Ingrid played a very good angled raised take out to get it but it was still annoying .However we answered it by getting a 4. Very satisfying. We were 3 up going into the last end and despite a couple of wobbles I had a take out with my last stone which I fortunately made. Into the FINAL and a guaranteed medal – what a feeling. Totally amazing. We were still living the dream we had been in all week and it hadn’t turned into a nightmare. In the final we didn’t play badly but Canada upped their game and played superbly well. We had stones in play but wherever we put them they took them out whether full on, raised, angled, little bits – it didn’t matter. They were deserved winners but we had a SILVER MEDAL – unbelievable. How proud we all were when we stood beneath the World Championship banner and received our medals. An experience none of us will ever forget. I have seen the Scottish flag raised at medal ceremonies before but it is a totally different feeling when it is being raised for you.

We did manage to see a little bit of Copenhagen and enjoyed a canal boat trip and a trip to Tivoli Gardens. It is a lovely city.

Finally I would like to thank everyone who was there supporting us - our own husbands, the men’s team and their wives and a few others who came out. I must thank Judith again for her help and support, for pointing us in the right direction and encouraging us all the way.

Last but obviously not least, a huge thank you to Jean, Maggy and Val for being wonderful team mates both on and off the ice. We are all very proud of our silver medals and hope everyone in Scotland is as well. Thank you (applause).

President Claire: Thank you Jean for sharing your experience, and congratulations on winning Silver at the World Senior Curling Championships.

12. Presentation a. Morton Trophy President Claire: It gives me great pleasure in presenting the Morton Trophy to Lanarkshire, this year’s winner. Could I ask Lynda Blackwood, the representative for Lanarkshire to come forward.

(The Morton Trophy was presented, followed by applause).

b. European Champions President Claire: Could I now ask Team Muirhead to come forward to receive their gifts in recognition of their gold medal win at the championships in Moscow.

(Eve Muirhead, Anna Sloan and Vicki Adams were presented with their gifts, followed by applause) (Claire Hamilton, Kay Adams and Gordon Muirhead were not in attendance)

c. World Junior Champions President Claire: I would like to ask Hannah Fleming and her team to come forward to receive their gifts to acknowledge their achievements in Sweden.

14

(Hannah Fleming and Abigail Brown were presented with their gifts, followed by applause) (Lauren Gray, Alice Spence, Jennifer Martin and Debbie Knox were not in attendance)

d. Scottish Champions President Claire: I would like to ask Eve Muirhead and her team to come forward to receive their Scottish Championship brooches to acknowledge the winning of the championships.

(Eve Muirhead, Anna Sloan and Vicki Adams were presented with their brooches, followed by applause) (Claire Hamilton was not in attendance)

13. Election of Office Bearers President Claire: We now move on to the election of Office Bearers. a. Election of President (Season 2012-2013) – Jenny Bain President Claire: It gives me great pleasure to propose Jenny Bain to be elected as President of Ladies’ Branch for the season 2012-2013. Jenny has been a supportive Vice President to me in my year of office assisting with business when required. I wish you all the best for your year ahead, Jenny. May I have a seconder please?

Seconder: Jean Gorrie (Pentland Ladies): President Claire, Past Presidents, Sister and brother curlers and guests, I am honoured to second the nomination of Jenny Bain as President of the Ladies Branch of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club for the session 2012-2013.

Outgoing President Claire: Thank you Jean, it gives me great pleasure to present Jenny with the President’s Rose Bowl and badge of office.

President Jenny – Introductory Speech: Claire, Past Presidents, sisters, brother curlers and invited guests. Well all the standing committee have survived my two year apprenticeship as junior and vice president and it’s now the real deal!

I have enjoyed working with all the amazing ladies who make up our standing committee, and look forward to the year ahead which I am sure will pass very quickly and prove to be busy, exciting and possibly challenging, but having the support of Fiona and a strong ladies committee I am sure we will conquer everything that is put in front of us. I would like to extend a warm welcome to all our new centre representatives and committee.

Thank you for giving me the honour of being your President to which I will endeavour to do my best to carry on the good work of Ladies’ Branch of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, to which I have pleasure in accepting this appointment.

I am looking forward to working and supporting Bill Duncan in his year as President of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club.

On everyone’s behalf I would like to thank Claire for her presidential year. She has been very busy starting her new business “The Fussy Cow” as well as doing all the hard work associated with being our President, which she has managed very well and also survived! We have shared some laughs and fun along her journey. I know she will not be sitting wondering now that her year has ended what to do with her time? ‘The Fussy Cow’ will now get all the attention – that is the shop not Claire.

Claire it has been an honour working with you and it gives me great pleasure in presenting you with your past presidents badge along with a gift from the Ladies’ Branch.

b. Election of Vice President (Season 2012-2013) – Fiona Hardie President Jenny: It gives me great pleasure to propose Fiona Hardie as Vice President of Ladies’ Branch of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club. Fiona has been a very efficient, knowledgeable and enthusiastic member of the Ladies Standing Committee. Fiona’s family involvement in the sport has given us a valued insight and depth to which we have all benefited and appreciated. I am delighted and look forward to working with her during this busy year ahead. May I have a seconder please?

15 Seconder: Anne Templeton (Nithsdale Ladies): President Jenny, Honorary Vice President Kate, Past Presidents, Sister Curlers and guests. It gives me great pleasure to second the nomination of Fiona Hardie as Vice President of Ladies’ Branch. Fiona’s unwavering enthusiasm and dedication to curling is evident to all who know her - whether she is winning the Henderson Bishop Trophy, time recording in the middle of the night, or hosting a junior international competition. Her all encompassing fair play attitude to every aspect of curling never falters. I have every confidence that Fiona’s abilities and enthusiasm will compliment the post of Vice President. The ladies of Dumfries Centre pledge their full support of this Wigtonshire lass and wish her every success in her term of office.

President Jenny: Thank you Anne. And are there any other nominations? No, then I would now like to present Fiona with her badge of office.

Vice President Fiona: President Jenny, Honorary Vice President Kate, Past Presidents, lady curlers and guests. I have much pleasure in accepting the nomination of Vice President of the Ladies Standing Committee. My thanks to both Jenny and Anne for their kind words. It has been a privilege to serve as Junior Vice President over the last year and to work with Claire, Jenny, Sadie and the ladies of the committee. Congratulations, Jenny, I look forward to supporting you in your year as President and I will do my best to continue the valued work of Ladies’ Branch on behalf of all lady curlers.

President Jenny: Thank you Fiona. c. Election of Junior Vice President (Season 2012-2013) – Mary Anne McWilliam President Jenny: And now onto the election of Junior Vice President. I would like to nominate Mary Anne McWilliam as Junior Vice President of Ladies’ Branch of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club. Mary Anne has been President of Portpatrick Curling in the clubs 150th year and on many other committee’s as well as being my fellow tourist to America in January 2011. She is a valued member, with her lively and out going personality and I am delighted to welcome her to our team. Can I have a seconder please?

Seconder: Maureen Parker (Castle Kennedy): Sister and brother curlers. It gives me great pleasure to second the nomination of Mary Anne McWilliam as Junior Vice President of Ladies’ Branch of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club for the session 2012-2013. Mary Anne is an excellent choice for Junior Vice President with her experiences on committees and with her background, from an early age, in curling – her grandparents were curlers and her son Jay is currently part the Royal Club’s Performance Programme. We in Stranraer are delighted to support Mary Anne, as the last President from Stranraer was away back in 1981 when my mother, Betty Grierson was President. Mary Anne I know you will be a great asset to the committee and I wish you all the very best.

President Jenny: Thank you Maureen. Are there any other nominations? No, then it gives me pleasure to invite Mary Ann to come forward and accept her badge of office and after say a few words.

Junior Vice President Mary Anne: President Jenny, Past Presidents, sister and brother curlers and guests. Thank you Maureen for your support. Being nominated for this post is a huge honour for me, my club Portpatrick, Rhins O’ Gallowa Province and Stranraer Ice Rink, I am very happy to accept. I look forward to working with and learning from Jenny, Fiona and the Ladies on the committee. I will do my best to continue the work of the Ladies’ branch on behalf of all Lady Curlers. Thank you.

President Jenny: Thank you Mary Anne. d. Election of Treasurer (Season 2012-2013) – Gail Munro President Jenny: And now to onto the election of Treasurer. I have great pleasure in proposing Gail Munro as Treasurer of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club Ladies Branch. Gail has served on the Ladies Standing Committee and being a curler at both national and international level, will make her a valued member of our committee. Gail will look after our financial matters and will always be on hand to answer any questions we may have on ladies branch matters. Her experience and knowledge will be second to none. May I have a seconder please?

16 Seconder: Sadie Anderson: I have great pleasure in seconding Jenny’s proposal of Gail Munro as Treasurer of Ladies Branch. There is no one who knows more about the aspects of LB than Gail and with her lively personality, I know from past experiences the meetings will be very interesting.

Treasurer Gail: President, sister curlers it gives me great please to accept this post. I will endeavour to carry out this job efficiently, thank you for the confidence you have in me. Thank you to Sadie for all of your hard work over the years, although you are not entirely off the hook as I intend to pick your brains in the foreseeable future.

President Jenny: Thank you Gail.

14. AOCB President Jenny: I would now like to ask if anyone has any other competent business they would like to raise at this time. (No business was discussed)

President Jenny: Here are some dates for your diaries. · The Royal Caledonian Curling Club AGM will be held at Murrayfield Curling on Saturday, 9th June 2012 at 2pm. Ladies there have been around 70 clubs represented here today. Please encourage them all to attend and use their vote. · The Henderson Bishop Final will take place at Stranraer Ice Rink from 25th – 28th February 2013. This was well attended this year in Inverness and I hope the support will continue as it is one of the largest competitions held here in Scotland, which is open to all lady curlers of all standards. · The Scottish Curling Awards is on Saturday, 26th May 2012 at the Glynhill Hotel and Leisure Club. Tickets are available from the Royal Caledonian Curling Club office, but I understand that Bruce has some on him, don’t all rush. · The Morton Trophy Final will be held on the 12th March 2013 at Kirkcaldy Ice Rink. · The Unders and Overs competition will take place on the 6th and 7th October 2012 at Stranraer, which last year was a great success. · The next Ladies’ Branch AGM will be held on Tuesday, 7th May 2013 in the Edinburgh area, the venue is still to be confirmed. · Outgoing Ladies Tour to Sweden requiring 16 ladies on the 1st-10th November 2013 – application forms will be available in mid August on the Royal Caledonian Curling website.

President Jenny: I would now like to close this meeting and hope you all have a great summer and thank you all for attending today, and may I wish you a safe journey home. Now please can I call upon Shelagh Fulton from Perth Lades Centre to give the Vote of Thanks?

15. Vote of Thanks Shelagh Fulton (Lynedoch Ladies): President Jenny, Past Presidents, Sister and Brother Curlers and honoured guests. It is my pleasant duty this afternoon to give the Vote of Thanks.

Firstly to Claire, congratulations on a job well done and, after a very busy year, you can look forward to a well deserved break from curling over the summer. We thank you for your commitment and for chairing the first part of the meeting.

Congratulations to Jenny on your appointment today as our new President and for chairing the second part of the meeting. We wish you and your Office Bearers good luck in the year ahead.

Thanks must go to the Perth Ladies Branch Committee and the sub-committee who have worked very hard to organise the day and, together with all the ladies clubs, have contributed the baking for the afternoon tea which I am sure you are all ready to enjoy.

We also thank Perth and Kinross Council for their contribution toward hosting this event and the staff here at Scone Racecourse.

Finally, we have to thank all of you who have made the effort to come to Perth today from all over the country and we wish you a safe journey home. We do hope you have enjoyed your day and the opportunity both to meet up with old friends and to make new ones.

(The meeting finished at 15.45)

17 Annex A

Royal Caledonian Curling Club - Ladies Branch

Income & Expenditure Account for the year ended 31st March 2012

Income Note 2012 2011

Contributions to International Fund 715.00 725.00 Donations received - 589.95 Tour Income - 6,093.60 Profit on sales 1 1,269.43 937.46 Bank Interest 3 66.97 2.43

2,051.40 8,348.44

Expenditure 2012 2011

Tour Expenses - 6,864.75 Unders & Support for - Overs 320.00 1,152.00 Grand Match - 250.00 Mini Tour - 200.00 Gala Dinner 220.00 220.00 Ladies Championship Pins - 210.95 EWCC 2011 500.00 - Womens Tour 200.00 - Honoraria - Treasurer 250.00 250.00 Merchandise Officer 5 200.00 50.00 Engraving Trophies - 19.50 Gifts 430.00 86.00

2,120.00 9,303.20

Deficit for Year - 68.60 - 954.76

18 Annex A cont.

Royal Caledonian Curling Club - Ladies Branch

Statement of funds as at 31st March 2012

Assets 2012 2011

Cash at Bank Current a/c 3,239.33 1,755.51 Deposit 3 7,066.97 7,000.00

Stock 2 1,474.91 2,612.84 VAT due (to)/from Royal Club 4 - 8.66 472.80

11,772.55 11,841.15

Funds

Reserves b/f 11,014.65 11,969.41 Surplus for Year - 68.60 - 954.76 Transfer from Rhona Martin Fund 320.00 - - - 11,266.05 11,014.65

Rhona Martin Fund 506.50 826.50

11,772.55 11,841.15

Rhona Martin Fund Balance b/f 826.50 826.50 Overs & Unders Less Lunch 200.00 - Overs & Unders Prizes 120.00 - 506.50 826.50

I certify that the foregoing accounts are a true and accurate record of the Ladies Branch accounts.

Date Sadie Anderson, Treasurer, Ladies Branch

I certify that the foregoing accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting records and other information provided by the Treasurer and the Stock Co-ordinator.

Date Alastair Hibbert, Finance Manager, Royal Caledonian Curling Club

19 Annex A cont.

Royal Caledonian Curling Club - Ladies Branch

Notes on the Accounts for the year to 31st March 2012

Note 1 - Sales 2012 2011 Sales for the year 2407.36 5839.19

Less Cost of Sales: Opening Stock 2612.84 1222.01 Purchases 0.00 6292.56 2612.84 Less Closing Stock 1474.91 1137.93 2612.84 Net Profit on Sales 1269.43 937.46

Note 2 - Stock

2012 2011 Tea Towels 51.00 187.00 Aprons 93.72 280.45 Napkins 178.62 250.73 Coasters 721.41 958.44 Cards 133.30 309.6 Bags 77.90 270.18 Mugs 218.96 356.44

1474.91 2612.84

Note 3 - Bank Deposit

The bank deposit held with the Post Office for £7,066.97 is in the name of Mrs S Anderson, Teasurer. Also, the balance shown is at the 21st March 2011. No up to date statement was available at the time of the account review.

Note 4 - VAT on Sales

On the whole, VAT is not recoverable by the Royal Club. This figure represents the amount due to or from the Royal Club for irrecoverable VAT.

Note 5 - Honorarium The merchandise officer's honorarium of £200 includes £50 from the previous year not accounted for in the 2010/11 accounts.

20