Transcript of Proceedings of the

175TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of THE ROYAL CALEDONIAN CLUB

Held at Dewar’s Centre, Glover Street, Perth PH2 0TH on Saturday 15th June 2013

Present on the Podium: President William Duncan (Bank of , Perth & District) Chairman of the Board Willie Nicoll (Bank of Scotland, Fife) Chief Executive Officer Bruce Crawford (Abbotsford Curling Soc)

AGENDA OF BUSINESS 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 on 9th June 2012 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) Election of President l) Election of Vice-President m) Election of Directors n) Appointment of a 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 Banners b. Special Presentation c. Sir Richard Waldie Griffith Trophy d. 100 Year Medal (Club) e. 50 Year Medals f. Young Curler of the Year g. Grassroots Coach of the Year h. Ice Diamond Award i. Team of the Year r) Any other competent business a. Public Liability Insurance s) Address by incoming President RECORDED ATTENDANCE Past Presidents: Kenneth D Scott (Blairgowrie), Patrick Edington (Boswall), Andrew Stevenson (Cawdor House), Andrew Hepburn (Corstorphine), John Smith (Cummertrees), Matt Brown (Cumnock & District), Gifford Rickard (Denny Incl. Denny LP), Bill Marshall (Dumbarton), Robbie Scott (Dunkeld), Jim Murdoch (Galleon), William Muirhead (Glenfarg), Roy Sinclair (Highland), Alistair McCabe (Kennoway), Chuck Hay MBE (Kilgraston & Moncreiff), Derek P Anderson (Kinross), Charles Binnie (Panmure), Tommy Hinnigan (St Boswells)

Board: Cathy Maclean (Aberlady), Willie Nicoll (Bank of Scotland, Fife), William Duncan (Bank of Scotland, Perth & District), Graham McWiggan (Beechnuts), (Oxenfoord), Kay Gibb (Northern Lights), (Reform)

Areas Standing Committee: Albert Middler (AWW), Peter Fraser (Belmaduthy), John Smith (Cummertrees), Alan Durno (Fochabers), Anne Donald (Fothringham), Clive Thomson ( Academicals), Alan Sloan (Glasgow XX), John Good (Haddington), Ian Parkinson (Heart of the Highlands), Bob Smith (Inverkeithing), Frank White (Kilgraston & Moncreiff), Gordon Gilchrist (Lesmahagow), Brian McArtney (Letham Grange), Joseph Barry (Livingston), Colin Moreland (Methven), Harry Dodds (St Boswells), Alan Muirhead (Stratheden), Neil Calvert (West Linton)

Staff: Brad Askew (Assistant Performance Development Coach), Bruce Crawford (CEO), Lynne MacKenzie ( Coaching Officer), Judith McFarlane (Development Manager – Club & Juniors), Stuart McLean (Marketing Officer), Sheila Swan (Development Manager – Adult & Disability), Suzy Wakefield (Office Manager)

Individuals Members (in alphabetical order by club): Andrew Messenger (Abdie), Keith Rose (Abdie), Paul Cromey (Abdie), Robert Lister (Abdie), Barbara Baird (Abdie Ladies), Duncan Cameron (Abercairney), Norman Bruce (Aberdeen), Andrew Gordon (Aberdour), Elizabeth Smith (Aberdour), Helen Gordon (Aberdour), Jim Brydie (Aberdour), Jill Mackay (Airleywight Ladies), (Applegarth & Sibbaldie), D. George Macarthur (Ardclach), Archibald Shedden (Ardrossan Castle), Margaret Shedden (Ardrossan Castle), Lauren Gray (), Elaine Crichton (Balruddery), Irene Doogan (Balruddery), Douglas Sands (Bank of Scotland Edinburgh), Elinor Ritchie (Bank of Scotland Fife), Margo Nicoll (Bank of Scotland Fife), Wendy Smith (Bank of Scotland Fife), James Milton (Bank of Scotland Highland), George Delgaty (Bank of Scotland Perth & District), J.C. Burns (Bank of Scotland Perth & District), Stuart D Smith (Bank of Scotland Perth & District), Margaret Robertson (Bathgate), Brenda Macintyre (Belmaduthy), Christine Cheape (Blair Atholl), Elizabeth Scott (Blairgowrie), James Mcintyre (Boswall), Robert McKenzie (Braehead Virtual) Aileen Neilson (Braehead Wheelchair), Michael McCreadie (Braehead Wheelchair), Brian Hibbert (Breadalbane Glendochart), Chrissie Fenton (Breadalbane Killin), Colin Mcrae (Breadalbane Killin), Colin (Broomhall), P Ritchie Stewart (Buchan), John Steel (Cambo), Mark Turnbull (Cambo), Sandra Turnbull (Cambo), Ann Turnbull (Cambo Ladies), Grace Brown (Cambo Ladies), Christine Stewart (Carmunnock & Rutherglen), Hugh Stewart (Carmunnock & Rutherglen), Robin Shand (Carmunnock & Rutherglen), Hammy McMillan Jnr (Castle Kennedy), Robert Walker (Coldstream & Hirsel), John Dignan (Corstorphine), L Calder Benzies (Corstorphine), Douglas Walls (Crawford Priory), Fiona Hardie (Crocketford), Lennox Lindsay (Crossmyloof), Ranald Findlay (Crossmyloof), Yvonne Chalmers (Crossmyloof), Russell Wyllie (Cumnock & District), Sheila M Watson (Cumnock & District), Andrew Barr (Currie & Balerno), Katie Wood (Currie & Balerno), Ann McLanaghan (Dalgety Bay), Karen Gibb (Dalgety Bay), Michael Hudspeth (Dalgety Bay), Kate Caithness (Dalhousie Ladies), Susan Skene (Dalhousie Ladies), Alex Duncan (Denny Incl. Denny LP), Raye Rickard (Denny Incl Denny LP), Jeanette C.W. Kerr (Dollar Ladies), Elspeth Burton (Doune), Norman Cathcart (Drystanes), Robin Turner (Drystanes), Albert Rae (Dunfermline), Jim Stevenson (Dunfermline), Lynne Stevenson (Dunfermline Ladies), Trisha Petrie (Dunfermline Ladies), (Dunkeld), Kathleen Scott (Dunkeld), (Dunkeld), Elizabeth Cullen (Earlston), Jim Cullen (Earlston), William Byers (Earlston), Agnes Strang (East Kilbride & Haremyres), David Affleck (East Linton), Jennifer Bain (Edinburgh Ladies), Michael Ferguson (Edzell), Margaret Steel (Falkirk Ladies 1960), David Jones (Fife Flare), David S. Cameron (Findo Gask), David Kilgour (Fochabers), Mike Watt (Fochabers), Susan Durno (Fochabers), John Cameron (Fordoun), Betty Montgomery (Forest Hills Trossachs), Ian Mackin (Forest Hills Trossachs), Graham Lindsay (Forret), Jackson Robb (Forteviot), Morag Wellman (Fossoway Ladies), Cameron Martin (Foulden), Sheena Murdoch (Galleon), Jim Boswell (Galston Haymouth), Liz Boswell (Galston Haymouth), Euan Lawrence (Gangrels), Judy Mackenzie (Glasgow Ladies), Kirsty Letton (Glasgow Ladies), Margaret Gibb (Glasgow Ladies), Margaret McWiggan (Glasgow Ladies), David Miller (Glenfarg), Annette Bennie (Glenfarg Ladies), Maria Tait (Glenfarg Ladies), Sean Murray (Gogar Park), (Gogar Park YC), Helen Mathieson (Greenlaw), Robert Mathieson (Greenlaw), Isobel Waddell (Hamilton & Thornyhill), Jim Waddell (Hamilton & Thornyhill), (Hamilton & Thornyhill), W. Ronnie Dunachie (Helensburgh), Irene Stevenson (Hercules Ladies), Ian Dyer (Holywood), (Hutton), Phil Barton (Inverkeithing), Robert Tait (Inverkeithing), Nanette McCabe (Kennoway), David Ramsay (Kinfauns), Anne Porter (Kinross Ladies), Joyce White (Kinross Ladies), Alistair Lindsay (Lammermuir), William Creevy (Largo), Wilma Wilson (Largo), James Stewart (Lesmahagow), Robin Campbell (Lesmahagow), Johan Steele (Lesmahagow Ladies), Claire Milne (Letham Grange), Jane McArtney (Letham Grange), George McNeill (Linlithgow), Maggie Barry (Livingston), (Lochmaben Castle), Susan Fleming (Lochmaben Castle), James Scougall (Lundie & Auchterhouse), William Arnot (Lundin & Montrave), Cath McIntosh (Lynedoch Ladies), Liz Fraser (Lynedoch Ladies), Shelagh Fulton (Lynedoch Ladies), Allan Wallace (Markinch), B. Ward (Markinch), Valerie Lindsay (Maxwell Ladies), Alan Russell (Mid Calder), Alex R Forrest (Millport), Stewart Combe (Muthill), Alan Stanfield (Nairn), Bill Holland (New Abbey), David Henderson (New Abbey), Frances Henderson (New Abbey), Alan Wilson (Oatridge), Ian Keron (Oatridge), George Kerr (Old Fellows), Jane Drysdale (Orwell Ladies), George Gibb (Partick), Roger Scott (Peebles), Christine Brown (Penicuik), David Carr (Penicuik), Walter Brown (Penicuik), William Scott (Penninghame), Alison Drummond (Pitlochry Ladies), Vicki Adams (Portpatrick), Mary Anne McWIlliam (Portpatrick), Harry Mitchell (Raith & Abbotshall), Jan Howard (Reform), Rhona Martin (Reform), Robert Cowan (Reform), Margaret Cathcart (Rolling Stones), James Porter (Rothes), John Paul (Rothes), Ronnie Wilson (Rothes), Elizabeth Cameron (Schiehallion Ladies), Thomas J Edmunds (Scottish Universities), Stewart Sutherland (Skelmorlie), (St Martins), (St Martins), Lynda Blackwood (Stra`ven Ladies) Margaret Archer (Stra`ven Ladies) Ian Archer (Strathaven Golf), Muriel Holroyd (Strathendrick), Marion Fraser (Strathkinness), James Dixon (Swinton), David B Smith (Symington), Andrew Kerr (Troon Portland), Janette Kennedy (Tullymet), Roy Neilson (University of Dundee), Tom Kirk (University of Dundee), Malcolm Patrick (Watsonian), Doreen Calvert (West Linton).

In attendance: Cate Brewster (British Curling) a) Welcome Remarks WILLIAM DUNCAN (PRESIDENT): Sister and brother curlers, Kate Caithness OBE, honoured guests, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 175th 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 which will lead you to the outside doors. Toilets are of course at the foyer just where you came in and firstly can I ask that mobile phones are switched off or on silent mode.

b) In Memoriam WILLIAM DUNCAN (PRESIDENT): Can I ask everyone 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.)

Isobel Ferguson (Abdie Ladies), Tom Bron (Aberdeen), Jean Smith (Aberdeen), Philip Dawson (Aberdeen, Past President), Betty Milne (Aberdeen Ladies), David Millar (AWW), Derek Ferrier (Bearsden), Christine Stewart (Belmont Ladies), David Martin (Boreland), George Hendry (Broomhall), JA Rutherford (Cadder), Jeanie Finlayson (Cairngorm Ladies), John Laird (Cambo), William Roy (Corstorphine), Sheena Pettigrew (Corstorphine Ladies), Douglas Murray (Craigielands), Jean Howat (Cumnock & District), Joan Wright (Dalgety Bay), Iain Taylor (Dundee), Donald Whyte (Dunfermline, Past President), Morag Collee (Edinburgh Ladies), Richard Hotchkiss (Falkirk), David Ferguson (Falkirk), Sid Cooper (Falkirk), Jean Taylor (Fifteen Club), John Bryden (Fingask), Andrew Millar (Fingask), Alistair Davidson (Foulden), Ronald McGowan (Foulden), Margaret Gow (Glasgow Ladies), Laura Heaton (Glasgow Ladies), Georgina Sneddon (Glenrothes), Derek Wilson (Glenrothes), David Donaldson (Gogar Park), Iain Conacher (Heart of the Highlands), Jessie Paul (Hercules Ladies), WT Campbell MacLachan (Highland), Marge Sieczkarek MBE (Highland Wheelchair), John Neilson (Holywood), Derek Pearson (Inverkeithing), Jimmy Martin (Kelvinside), Jack Smart (Kelvinside), Simon Jones (Kingsmills), Kenneth Dickson (Kinross Wheelchair), Eddie Foulis (Lanark), John Ramsay (Leven), Stewart Maxwell (Limekiln Loch), Doris Adens (Livingston), Robert Grierson (Loch Connell, Past President), Mary Allison (Lothian Ladies), John Anderson (Nairn), George Bagot (Old Grammarians), Bob Duguid (Orwell), Tinky Wellwood (Orwell Ladies), Alex Dallas (Partick), John Johnson (Partick), John WP Johnston (Partick), Samuel Callander (Parton), Tom Neilson (Pitlessie), Ian Waugh (Pitlessie), Ruby Christie (Raith & Abbotshall Ladies), May Stark (Raith & Abbotshall Ladies), Harry Begg (Raith & Abbotshall), Morag Clark (Sorn), Clem Hosking (Stranraer Ice Rink), Sandy Matthew (Stratheden), William Findlay (Stoneykirk), George Sloan (Thornton), Marjory Sloan (Thornton), Peter McLaren (Tullymet), Ken Dunbar (Watsonian), RT Cannon (Wigtown) c) Received Apologies Club Members (in alphabetical order by Club)

Past Presidents: Arthur Beattie (Banchory), Rt Hon Earl of Elgin (Broomhall), Malcolm Richardson (Erskine), Inglis McAulay (Falkirk), Alex Torrance (Hamilton & Thornyhill), William Sanderson (Oxenfoord)

Areas Standing Committee: Robin Aitken (Athelstaneford), Walter Walsh (Ayr & Alloway), Iain Baxter (Corstorphine), Robert Corbett (Giffnock), Peter Lupton (Kirkmabreck), Alister Asher (Nairn), Jim Jamieson (Reform)

Clubs: Auchenames, Bught Ladies, Greenock Ladies, Highland Wheelchair, Strathendrick

Individuals: William Rodger (Aberdeen), Graham Stanley (Aberdeen), Emma Stanley (Aberdeen Juniors), Kendall Stanley (Aberdeen Ladies), Edith Hazard (Airleywight Ladies), Bill Linton (Bank of Scotland Fife), Gillian Haggart (Bellshill), Peter Cleland (Bellshill), Stanley Howard (Boswall), Leslie Ingram-Brown (Carmunnock & Rutherglen), (Carrington), Gail Munro (Castle Kennedy), Ewan MacDonald (Citadel), Euan Byers (Corrie), Simon Elder (Craigie Hill), Matt Murdoch (Dryfesdale), Marion Murdoch (Dryfesdale), (Dryfesdale), Robert Stevenson (Dunfermline), Alastair Noble (Dunfermline), Ena Stevenson (Dunfermline Ladies), David Hay (Dunning), Patricia McClure (Edinburgh B.M.A. Ladies), (Fotheringham), (Galston Haymouth), Karen Barthelemy (Galston Haymouth), Debbie Knox (Glenfarg Ladies), Sandra Lapsley (Greenock Ladies), Graeme Maguire (Haddington), Andrew Jack (Highland), Jim Brown (Highland), Liz Jamieson (Kilmacolm), Wilson Heatlie (Lanark), Vicki Wright (Leswalt), Nancy Smith (Lochmaben Castle), Sandy Morton (Millport), Harold Forrester (Nairn), David Haggart (Pitkerro), Fiona Watson (Rolling Stones), Sarah Reid (Stewarton Heather), Abigail Brown (Stoneykirk), Hew Chalmers (Stoneykirk) d) Letter from the Royal Patron WILLIAM DUNCAN (PRESIDENT): Can I ask you to stand again whilst I read the letter from our patron, Her Majesty the Queen. "From Buckingham Palace to Bill Duncan, 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-fifth Annual General Meeting which is being held today at the Dewar’s Centre, Perth. As your patron I was interested to learn of the international success of the Scottish teams and thank you for writing as you did. In return, I send my warm, best wishes to all concerned for a memorable and successful event. Elizabeth R.” e) President’s Report WILLIAM DUNCAN (PRESIDENT): We now come to the President's report, which I hope is not too lengthy, but there has certainly been a lot. That was the year that was. Firstly it has been a great honour to act as your President over the last 12 months. My term has passed in a flash. It has been all go starting immediately after the 2012 AGM at Murrayfield Curling with a board meeting before I even left the premises. Over the summer months there was the usual planning of sub-committees, setting dates for joint meetings with the board, Ladies’ Standing Committee, and Areas Standing Committee meetings. A meeting was also held with the Chief Executive Officer and Ladies’ Branch President, Jenny Bain, to agree which competitions we would each attend. Jenny, I must thank you for all your support throughout the year and for the kind invitation to attend the Ladies’ Branch AGM and lunch. At this point I would like to wish Fiona Hardie every success in her year as President of the Ladies’ Branch. I am also delighted to congratulate Kate Caithness, president of the World Curling Federation, on her recent award of the Order of the British Empire.

Internationally it has been a tremendous year starting with Ewan MacDonald and his rink of Eve Muirhead, Euan Byers and Karen Barthelemy returning from Turkey as European Mixed Champions. After retaining the Scottish title in Aberdeen recently they will have the opportunity to try and retain it at Murrayfield Curling in Edinburgh from 14th September of this year.

Avril and I were delighted to attend the European Curling Championships in Karlstad from 8th to 15th December 2012 and while the men skipped by didn't make the play-offs, Eve Muirhead and her rink of Anna Sloan, Vicki Adams and Claire Hamilton with alternate Sarah Reid reached the final only to lose out in an extra end to the talented Russian quartet, and I was delighted to have the opportunity to present their silver medals.

The next major event was attended by the Ladies' President Jenny and was the World Junior Championships at Sochi, trial event for next year's , where both teams did us proud with the boys skipped by Kyle Smith and his rink of Thomas Muirhead, Kyle Waddell and Cameron Smith with alternate Hammy McMillan playing magnificently all week and beating the Russian boys to return with the gold medals. Hannah Fleming and her rink of Lauren Gray, Jennifer Dodds and Abigail Brown with alternate were attempting to retain the girls' title and ended the week leading the round robin but in the final the Russian girls edged them out from gold medal position. However, a silver medal was a great showing. Clearly Scottish curling is in good health.

Next was the World Women’s Championship in Riga, Latvia, and after twice losing to Sweden in the round robin and page play-off games Eve Muirhead and her rink edged the Canadians in the semi-final and continued their outstanding performance defeating the Swedes in the gold medal game. This was the same rink which won the silver medal at the Europeans but with a change of alternate with Lauren Gray joining the team for this competition. Well done girls, on a magnificent week.

On 28 March Avril and I set off for Victoria, British Columbia, to support the Scottish men's team as they challenged for the World Men’s Curling Championship. Tom Brewster's rink which had won silver medals at the previous two World Championships had been joined earlier in the season by previous world champion David Murdoch who skipped the rink throughout the week whilst the remaining four players operated on a rotational system throughout. After a tough week of top-class curling the Scots came out on top of the round robin standings. Well done, guys, but after defeat in the 1/2 play-off after by the eventual gold medallists Nicholas Edin and his Swedish rink followed by a semi-final defeat by the Canadians David and the rink of Tom Brewster, Scott Andrews, Michael Goodfellow with alternate Greg Drummond pulled off a superb performance against the Danes to bring us home the bronze medals.

I was delighted to get the opportunity to present the rink with their medals. However, after a slight communication glitch which saw Avril and I standing 20 rows back in the auditorium when it was announced I would make the presentation of the medals, 20 seconds later after high-hurdling 20 rows of seats, vaulting the rink side barrier and slipping past World Curling Federation President Kate to present the final four medals. Kate had stepped into the breach and presented the first two medals to Soren and Greg whilst I was crashing through spectators. I'm sure nobody noticed.

I was pleased to be invited to Bute House, Edinburgh, for a recent reception hosted by the First Minister Alex Salmond honouring our world championship medallists and coaches. This reflects the standing of our sport and its international success.

Still on the international front I am pleased to see so many of the Strathcona Cup Tour to Canada 2013 tourists in attendance here today. If you stand for a few seconds I would like to say that we successfully regained the trophy after a 25-day tour of Canada and they might even give you a bit of applause. Would those who were on the tour like to stand for a second. (Applause)

The tour covered all provinces from Victoria and Vancouver Island to the tour's first visit to St John's, Newfoundland although a massive dumping of snow nearly conspired to cancel that. However, after letting the Canadians know how desperate we were to visit Newfoundland we did get there 24 hours late and managed to cram a 64 hour itinerary into 36 hours including curling at 10.15 that evening against Olympic gold medallist Jamie Korab and getting to bed around 2.30 before an early start the next morning. After a tour of the surrounding area there was more curling, this time against Olympic champions’ Brad Gushue - who actually lost to Graham Lindsay. In the evening we had a banquet hosted by the City Council which included the ceremony of Kissing the Cod, which I wouldn't recommend. I was delighted that I could spend a week with all three tours, the East, Central and West, clocking up some 13,500 miles. I thoroughly enjoyed my week driving through the prairies with the West tour, including a stopover at Strathcona County, Edmonton, where Randy Ferby managed just to get the better of Harry Dodds. We were royally entertained of course everywhere we went and in Lloydminster we were entertained by a South Sea Islands dance group with about 6 ft. of snow outside. They were taking a chance in their grass skirts, but we now know what coconut shells are used for!

The final week was spent travelling with the central tour to western and southern Ontario through some pretty heavy snowfalls but we could always look forward to a regular stopover at Tim Horton’s for a coffee and a doughnut. The central tour was an entertainment in itself and mostly falls into the category of "what goes on tour stays on tour". However they did have three home- hosting evenings which were great fun and let the tourists begin to understand the culture of the area. If you want to know more of what happened on the Strathcona Cup tour certain matters may be revealed in both the report to be published in the Royal Club annual and in a tour book which is in preparation. I would also remind the membership that the tartan that was commissioned for the 2013 Strathcona Cup tour has now been registered as the official tartan of the Royal Club and scarves and ties can be ordered on the website or through the Marketing Officer at Cairnie House where I am sure orders for kilts, trews, skirts etc. can also be discussed.

However back to the Scottish scene and I can confirm that I represented the membership throughout the year at as many events and competitions as possible, presenting trophies and prizes at many local and national competitions ranging from the Kinross Junior Classic, the , to the Scottish Championships. I was also delighted to be invited to attend many dinners and curlers courts at places as far apart as Oxenfoord, Orwell, Fochabers, Kinross, Inverness and Fossaway, plus attending the Largs Thistle 200th Anniversary dinner at Seamill Hydro which was an excellent evening. Throughout the year the Areas Standing Committee met regularly and joined with the Ladies Standing Committee and the board for two further meetings. There were seven board meetings, 6 of which I managed to attend, along with numerous other meetings that I attended either as a board director or in my role as president. Throughout the year there were also many regular meetings of all the sub-committees and I tried to get along to as many as possible, although with 46 days in Canada in the early part of this year something did have to give. The infrastructure review is still on going and our CEO Bruce may provide some update within his report.

The Four Nations competition was held in Ayr with Scotland as hosts whilst I was in Canada and proved to be an enjoyable weekend with our ladies winning the trophy contested against the English. The other trophies were shared amongst England, Ireland and Wales. I must at this point thank both Alan and Jenny for their involvement in the weekend organisation. The 2014 competition will be organised by Ireland and is due to take place at Lanarkshire Ice Rink, Hamilton. Details and application forms will be published on the website when confirmation of the date comes to hand. Another highlight was the invitation to join the youngsters at both of the summer camps held at the Galleon and Dolphin Centre in Ayrshire. I managed to get along to the on-ice sessions and was delighted to see the enjoyment and commitment shown by these young people.

It was also enjoyable to join the Trustees at their meetings of The Royal Caledonian Curling Club Charitable Trust which is still trying to find a permanent home for its collection of curling memorabilia. During the year a number of curling-related items have been purchased and in fact one is in the Showcase over there that has brought along today.

It was great news during the year when a bequest was received from the estate of William Roy, a proportion of which along with a donation from the Trust will allow the Trust to authorise the repair of the Lees painting of curlers on Linlithgow Loch. Many of you will remember William Roy through his connection with Haymarket Ice Rink.

A further highlight of the year was being invited to join the delegates attending the inaugural World Curling Federation Congress at Turnberry Hotel, in Ayrshire. The event discussed many of the governance issues faced by the sport's governing body, incorporated the AGM and included visits to Kays of Scotland curling stone factory and an enjoyable civic reception and dinner jointly hosted by the local South Ayrshire Council and The Royal Caledonian Curling Club. I can also advise that CEO Bruce and Edith Hazard were seen as the coaches to the Scottish Country Dances at the final ceilidh.

Throughout the curling season the Areas Standing Committee has had three curling matches: against the Ladies Standing Committee for the Priestfield Cup; the Royal Company of Archers, and Area 10 for the Tamnavulin Trophy, and I am pleased to report that all three matches were won.

Whilst the year has been one of many highs there were a couple of such moments when I attended the funerals of two past presidents, both of whom I had met over the years: firstly Bob Grierson who passed away in early February and who will be a huge miss to curling particularly in the south-west, and more recently Donald Whyte who captained the successful 2003 Centenary Strathcona Cup Tour of which I am proud to say I was a member. They were two fine men who will both be missed within the Scottish curling community. Of course we also lost John Bryden who was a member of the first Scottish rink to win the World Curling Championship.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our sponsors who contribute to our fine sport and particularly Co-operative Funeralcare for their support for the Scottish Championships. The players' dinner on the Friday evening of the championships was once again well attended as was the coaches' gathering on the Saturday evening when the Royal Club was presented with the UK coaching certificate for Level 2 technical coach qualification.

There are six members of the Areas Standing Committee who are due to step down at this time. Firstly I would like to thank Past President Pat Edington for his sound advice and his great support to me throughout the year, and to ASC members Iain Baxter, Alan Sloan, Robin Aitken, Anne Donald and Colin Moreland for their wholehearted support and commitment to the membership during their term on the committee.

In closing I would like to thank Bruce Crawford and all the staff at Cairnie House, Colin Hamilton and Elaine and the development officer team, for their help and support throughout the year; to Willie Nicoll and my fellow board members, thank you for welcoming me firstly as an observer and then as a board member. I now understand the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to keep the business operating on a sound basis whilst trying to move this sport forward in the right direction.

Finally to my wife Avril for her support especially when I arrived home at all hours of the night from dinners and meetings and particularly during my trips to Karlstad and to Victoria. Thank you. (Applause)

WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Thank you very much, Bill. Good afternoon everybody. Before I proceed I will explain how the voting will take place. As you know you can vote online or by post or give a proxy or vote in the hall. We have 144 people who have exercised their right to vote online or postal or proxy. We have 239 people in the hall today of whom 131 have opted to vote today and you will have coloured slips which we will use when a vote is required. f) Approval of the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting on 9th June 2012 WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): I need to point out that in the voting paper it said the minutes of 9th June 2013 which should have been 9th June 2012. Can I have a proposer and seconder for those minutes, please?

The minutes were proposed by Patrick Edington (Boswall) and seconded by Jenny Bain (Edinburgh Ladies).

WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Thank you. Can we proceed to a vote and the vote that you require is the yellow slip. Can I have those in favour of approving the minutes? Those against? (Carried) g) Annual Report of The Royal Caledonian Curling Club WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): The annual report was on the Royal Club website and available for download and Bruce will highlight some items from the annual report and take any questions.

BRUCE CRAWFORD (CEO): Thank you, Willie and Bill. I'm sure everyone will agree that Bill Duncan has painted a really positive picture for the last year, a true reflection of the success that we witnessed. The annual report was first placed on the website a month ago. It looks like this if you haven't printed a copy yourself or haven't looked at it online. It contains a great deal of detail about the work of the organisation through our committees, volunteers and staff. It tells an impressive story of activity and growth across the areas of our operation. Rather than telling the same stories which appeared in there, I would like to share a few items that captured the spirit of that report.

It is my responsibility to report to you on the financial health of the Royal Club and I am pleased that despite the minor reduction in our income we have increased efficiencies and made savings to be in a profitable position at the end of the year. Those of you who studied the accounts in detail will see that there is a corporation tax charge of some £20,000. This reflects the undulating financial landscape in which we operate and I can assure you that we are planning to recoup this tax in the coming year so that it will not be a long-term concern. We also have ambitious plans for new activities in the coming year and there will be additional outlay and expenditure associated with the Olympics, Paralympics and our legacy ambitions around Sochi. This year we have a net gain of 10 clubs to 627. Edinburgh celebrated its 100th year and as Bill mentioned Largs Thistle celebrated its 200th Anniversary. 14 individuals have reached 50 years of membership of the Royal Club. Through our 9 development officers and our partners at the ice-rinks we have continued to see growth in the sport. We introduced 815 people to the sport at 109 Try-Curling sessions across 17 ice rinks. This number included 16 new wheelchair curlers. In the last year 5060 children were introduced through the curling school programme through 199 schools. 421 Skill Awards were achieved with the highest number reaching gold level. The number of junior members remains at around 1120 which bodes well for the future of the sport. We have provided training for 250 members at our seminars and adult camp and they have received great feedback.

I would like to thank all of our development team and staff and volunteers for this important work that reaches across so many members.

This year we had 1052 coaches on our coaching database, 955 of whom are active and 155 undertook training courses this season. The quality of our coaching awards was accredited with the UKCC endorsement for Level 2 Technical Coaching Qualification. Our coaching team, staff and volunteers deserve praise for that achievement.

The Royal Caledonian Curling Club competitions continue to be well supported across all age groups with the international success that Bill Duncan has already told us about. Our partnership with British Curling and sportscotland on the performance programme has continued to develop our top players as we head into the Olympic and Paralympic seasons, and we look forward to supporting our teams that travel to Sochi. We appreciate the work put in by the Performance and Competitions staff, officials and the numerous people that help competitions run smoothly.

We continue to enjoy close working relationships with the World Curling Federation and hosted their first Congress last year, and this year Scotland is being represented by Kate Caithness as the World Curling Federation president, but also two new appointments on the Commissions; Hew Chalmers on the Rules and Competitions Commission and Michael McCreadie on the Athletes Commission joining Willie Nicoll who sits on the WCF Governance Commission.

Some work on a review of our structures has been initiated and will be progressed over the coming year including an online survey that opens this month. We have gathered and analysed the data on our membership that has informed our work and improved the profile. You will have noticed more consistent messages, better quality of outputs and you will see some new branding in the coming months with Try Curling, Curling’s Cool and our Skill Awards, all building on the Scottish Curling branding that was introduced for the Scottish Championships competitions this last season. All of this marketing work has helped us to attract new sponsorship for the sport and our marketing team has set new standards and been very effective.

We are really pleased that Kinross Curling Trust will be taking over the ice-rink at the Green Hotel in Kinross in the near future and have secured the funds to commence the redevelopment of the rink, but they have got a lot more work to do and more funds to be raised. I have been asked to mention that donations can be made at www.kinrosscurlingtrust.org.

Finally we are fortunate to have a great team of staff working for the sport and I would like to thank all of them for their commitment and dedication over the last year. I would like to thank the board of directors who have supported me and the staff to develop the sport and I would also like to thank the Areas Standing Committee and the Ladies' Standing Committee for their support and contributions along with the many volunteers and committees who were behind the scenes to help keep the sport moving forward. Thank you. Does anyone have any questions on the report or what I have just said? (There were no questions.) h) Submission of the Annual Accounts appropriately certified WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Thank you, Bruce. We now move on to the submission of annual accounts. Bruce has already made some comments on the accounts but are there any further questions before we move to approval of the accounts?

KATHLEEN SCOTT (DUNKELD): First of all can I say that we are really honoured here in Scotland that Kate Caithness is the President of the World Curling Federation. She is first and foremost a member of the Scottish Curlers Curling Club and that I think we are proud of. We're also delighted that the World Curling Federation held its first congress here in Scotland and it is known that The Royal Caledonian Curling Club is the mother club of curling throughout the world.

However, I am a little concerned that we have no actual indication of where the sponsorship and hosting actually is reflected or inserted within the accounts and it would be nice to know that we as the Royal Club have in fact made and hosted this very special event.

BRUCE CRAWFORD (CEO): Thank you, Kathleen. It is an interesting question. We have a lot of work that we do in our international relations work with the World Curling Federation and other international bodies. It is all grouped under one subject heading which is called 'governance' and so all of the investment we make in that area is reported under 'governance' within the accounts. I think from memory the total under the governance figure is around £25,000 but somebody might correct me on that. I'm sorry. £51,000 in 2012/13 and it was £20,000 the previous year.

WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): So, it is in the accounts. It is just that we're not required to give that sort of detail in the accounts that we produce. Are there any other questions?

We are now using the green slips. Can we have a show of hands for approval of the accounts please? Those against? (Carried) i) Appointment of the Independent Financial Examiner WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): The current independent financial examiner is Thomson Cooper, Accountants in Dunfermline. Can I have a show of hands to confirm their appointment for another 12 months? (Carried) j) Fixing of annual subscriptions WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): There is no proposal to increase the subscriptions. The subscriptions as shown on the slide are £19. Can I have approval for leaving the subscriptions as they are using the blue slip, please? Does anyone want to put them up? (Carried) k) Election of President WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): We have one nominee for president and that is Alan Durno of Fochabers and on that basis there will be no ballot and I would ask you to confirm Alan's appointment as President of the Royal Club in the usual way. (Applause)

WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Can I ask Bill to present Alan with the President's badge and flash and can you reciprocate, Alan, and present Bill with his Past President's badge. l) Election of Vice-President WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Once again we have a sole nominee and could I ask David Henderson of New Abbey to stand, please? On that basis I have great pleasure in confirming, subject to your approval, David as the Vice-President for 2013/14.

ALAN DURNO (NEW PRESIDENT): I would just like to say congratulations, David.

DAVID HENDERSON (VICE PRESIDENT): Although I have just been introduced to you for the benefit of myself probably I am David Henderson, a member of the New Abbey Curling Club and also Dalbeattie Curling Club. Our new President Alan of course is from the north of Scotland and I am absolutely from the other end. I live just a little bit south of Newcastle, but manage to live in Scotland. So, you can look at your atlases to check that out. I am absolutely delighted to accept the role of Vice-President of The Royal Caledonian Curling Club and indeed it is a great honour to do so. I have an awful lot to learn but I am determined to support our new President in any way that I can and work with him and the board of directors to advance the game of curling in Scotland and beyond. As I look around the hall I see many well-kent faces and many more that are not so well known to me. I look forward to meeting many of you during the coming curling season and discussing with you any curling matters that may be of particular interest or indeed concern to you. I am not a great curler, a sort of 18 handicap sort of curler but I do have a real love of the game and I will do my best to represent the thousands of club curlers throughout Scotland. Thank you. (Applause) m) Election of Directors WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): We have two vacancies on the board and both Trevor Dodds and Kay Gibb have completed their three-year stint and with a little bit of arm-twisting they have agreed to put their names forward for another three years. We have no other nominees and subject to your confirmation I confirm that Trevor and Kay become directors for the next three years. (Applause) n) Appointment of a Chaplain WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Bill Holland has agreed once again to take on the role of Chaplain and once again I would like Bill to stand please and can the room acknowledge Bill. (Applause) o) Authorisation of the publication of the Annual WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): As part of the standing orders we have to authorise publication of the Annual at the AGM. We're using a pink slip this time. Can I have confirmation that we can go ahead and publish the annual? Any against? (Carried) p) Fixing of the place and date of the next Annual General Meeting WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): The next AGM will be Saturday 14th June 2014, venue still to be confirmed. It will be north of Perth, will it? But it will be confirmed nearer the time. q) Presentation of Trophies WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Can I ask Bill Duncan and Kate Caithness to come forward, please.

a) World Curling Federation Commemorative Banners WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): We will start with the WCF banner for the World Junior Curling Champions; Kyle Smith, Thomas Muirhead, Kyle Waddell, Cameron Smith, Hamilton McMillan and David Ramsay. (Applause)

WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Now the WCF banner for the World Women's Curling Champions; Eve Muirhead, Anna Sloan, Vicki Adams, Claire Hamilton, Lauren Gray and David Hay. (Applause)

KATE CAITHNESS (PRESIDENT OF WCF): First of all can I say thank you very much to The Royal Caledonian Curling Club. We held the inaugural congress last year and really your support was invaluable. Scotland is still the mother club of curling and really I don't know if everyone appreciates this that we are now known as the fastest-growing winter sport. So, for me as their president to hold our first congress here in Scotland was very special. So, thank you. Two things. First of all the boys. This wonderful Junior team that we have, I have to say something about them. They will kill me for saying it but I am going to say it. We now have a tradition in sport at the closing banquet where I ask the winning skip to come forward and say a few words and this was a big surprise to Kyle and so we were at the banquet and I said, "would you come over?" "Well, gosh!". So, anyway he came and did a fantastic job. All his notes were written on his hand as he started and as he went further he kept looking but I have to say that he did a fantastic job and you didn't miss anyone. The next morning in the lift coming down in the hotel I met Kyle on the way out and I said, "let me see your hand", and it was still there. So, I don't know about your hygiene! Eve, can I just say that I was very honoured, as was your Ladies president, to be in Riga, at this little country of Latvia which had the biggest curling championships ever. We had two trucks, 80 TV crews, it went to 16 different countries and it was just phenomenal. What I want to say is the standard of curling at that event in the finals was fantastic. It was really first class and so really on behalf of everyone here a great job, Team Muirhead, and good luck in the future to you. (Applause) b) Special Presentation WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Thank you, Kate, for these words. Now the technical bit. There is supposed to be a video. (At this stage a commemorative video of the 2013 World Women’s Curling Championship was shown to the audience)

WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): Thank you to the WCF for producing a video. We now have a special presentation and I would like Bill and Avril to come up and make that presentation, please. (At this stage a presentation was made to Team Muirhead in recognition of winning the 2013 World Women’s Curling Championships) c) Eight Ender Awards WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): We now move on to the Eight Ender awards. There are 13 teams who successfully applied for the award this year. The awards have already been made and the winners are shown on the slide. We have to thank our sponsors who are once again solicitors Miller Beckett and Jackson, J B Souter, Son and Main and Hamilton and Lenzie. (Applause) (A list of teams can be found in the 2013-2014 Annual under the heading “Annual Reports”.) d) Sir Richard Waldie Griffith WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): The Sir Richard Waldie Griffiths Trophy this year is to be presented to West Lothian Province and I understand that Margaret Robertson, Province President is here to collect the trophy. (Applause) e) 100 Year Club Medal WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): There is one club to collect a 100 year medal, Edinburgh Curling Club, and Trevor Dodds, club president, who tells me that he has curled for almost half the hundred years is here to collect the medal. (Applause) f) 50 Year Medals WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): There are a total of seventeen 50-year medals to be awarded this season. The following are not present: Raymond Denholm (Musselburgh); Robert Ferguson (Penninghame); Mairi McColl (Breadalbane Killin); John Phillips (St Fillans, Gartmore and Strathendrick); William Raeside (Balcaskie); Robert Smellie (Shotts, Bathgate and Carrington); Alexander Strachan (Catterthun). (Applause)

Can we now proceed to that presentation of the 50 year medals: Anne Turnbull (Cambo Ladies); Chrissie Fenton (Breadalbane Killin); Charles Binnie (Panmure); David Birse (Catterthun); J Walter Brown (Penicuik); John Miller (Catterthun, Panmure); Archibald Shedden (Ardrossan Castle); John Steel (Cambo); Colin Stirling (Alloa, Prince of Wales and Broomhall), and Ian Terris (Broomhall). (Applause) g) Scottish Curling Awards WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): It was decided that the Scottish Curling Awards would be included in the AGM this year. Members voted for their favourites from 25th April to 13th May. The winners were announced on the Royal Club website on 27th May 2013.

Young Curler of the Year The nominees were: Hannah Fleming, Lauren Gray and Kyle Smith. The winner is Hannah Fleming. (Applause)

Hannah claimed her second Scottish junior title this year and went on to win silver at the World Junior Curling Championships in Sochi, Russia. Hannah also reached the final of the Co-operative Funeral Care Scottish Women's championship. (Applause)

Grassroots Coach of the Year The nominees were: Andrew Barr, Bill Creevy and Simon Elder. The winner is Andrew Barr. (Applause)

Andrew, a Royal Club Level 1 coach, has put a massive amount of effort into making the Gogar Park Young Curlers coaching sessions run smoothly, organising events and friendly matches, trips away and he still manages to coach out on the ice too! Andrew dedicates Sunday mornings to the club and co-ordinates the coaches with juniors according to their skill award level. He has contributed his knowledge of the sport fantastically and has helped young curlers to achieve skills awards at nearly all levels. Andrew is a great support to the Junior Club members and deserves to be recognised for his commitment and effort. (Applause)

Ice Diamond Award The nominees were: Norman Cathcart, Cameron Clarke and Kirsty Letton. The winner is Norman Cathcart. (Applause)

Norman, a founding member of the Braehead Development Group and a staunch supporter of wheelchair curling has devoted much time to the development of curling at Braehead and elsewhere. Norman was involved in establishing Braehead Virtual Club, served as an area rep on the Royal Club's Area Standing Committee from 2006 until 2009 and was the area rep on SWCA from 2008 till 2010. Norman is a quiet, unassuming and modest person who "just gets on with it" and makes things happen. Over the years he has organised many events and has been a regular helper both on and off the ice. (Applause)

Team of the Year The nominees were: Team Brewster, world bronze medallists; Team Muirhead, world champions and Team Smith, world junior champions. The winners are Team Muirhead: Eve Muirhead, Anna Sloan, Vicki Adams, Claire Hamilton, Lauren Gray team coach David Hay and head coach Rhona Martin. (Applause)

Team Muirhead won the World Women’s Curling Championships 2013 in Riga, Latvia. Having lost just one game in 11 to Sweden in the round-robin the teams met again in the final but this time the Scots triumphed with last stone in the last end to win 6-5 and become only the second Scottish female team to be crowned world champions. (Applause)

Could I ask Jenny Bain to come forward, please?

At this stage Outgoing President Bill Duncan presented a bouquet to Jenny Bain, immediate Past President of Ladies Branch. (Applause)

At this stage Outgoing President, Bill Duncan, presented a bouquet to Avril Duncan for assisting him during the year. (Applause) r) Any Other Competent Business WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): We have one item of competent business and I will ask Bruce to speak to this.

BRUCE CRAWFORD (CEO): We received a letter of inquiry from West Lothian asking for this matter to be raised at the AGM at a time that we were looking at the matter internally already. You can see on the slide we currently provide public liability to some of our clubs. Some facilities are requiring that all clubs that use their facilities and particularly at peak times have this insurance. We have negotiated with our insurance brokers and got a reduction from the £30 per club that was what we currently pay if we take out insurance for every club with only half the clubs paying for it currently. So, looking through the budgets for the next year and in view of the fact that the premiums went up from 1st November last year we will have an additional £1 from every member for this current financial year we're going into. So, the proposal that I would like to put to you is that we take this insurance out for every member at a maximum cost of under £12,000. The winners will be the clubs that currently pay £30 per club and every individual member. So I think it is a positive step. There is not a need to have a vote on this matter but if anybody has any questions I would be happy to take them.

JOHN GOOD (HADDINGTON): At what date will that come into force?

BRUCE CRAWFORD (CEO): The current policy is renewed on 1st November. We have requested the insurer to ask the underwriter to bring the date forward so that all curling in the future in the current season will be covered for all members of all clubs from the start of the season.

JOHN GOOD (HADDINGTON): Thank you.

BRUCE CRAWFORD (CEO): We will confirm that on our website within one of the electronic communications when that is agreed. Any further questions?

ROBBIE SCOTT (DUNKELD): My name is Robbie Scott, Past President. I would like to bring to the attention of the members here today who may not have had the time to study the championship programme for 2013/14 that the Scottish Championships are held during the dates of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The Scottish Championships are going to be 10th to 16th February and the Olympics the 7th to the 23rd of February. It has not yet been announced who will represent Great Britain at the Winter Olympics but whoever is selected they are prevented from playing in the Scottish Championships. If the selected teams are Tom Brewster and Eve Muirhead then they will be unable to defend their Scottish Championship titles. Equally importantly both teams will be unable to be able to defend their bronze and gold medals achieved at the World Championships. This is a disastrous situation for those teams and for Scottish curling.

There is another situation I wish to be clarified. Apparently there are no play-down schedules for the teams to represent Scotland at the European Championships in Norway at the end of November. Presumably Tom Brewster and Eve Muirhead will be the teams representing Scotland at the European Championships. They will go there and play their hearts out to finish within the top seven places to ensure that Scotland qualifies for the World Championships next season, the women in Canada and the men in China. The Royal Club will say thanks but no thanks, you will not have the chance to play at the Worlds because you will not be allowed to play in the Scottish Championships. This complete fiasco could be resolved by changing the date of the Scottish Championships to a date after the Olympics. Leave the team to concentrate on the Olympics but after the Olympics they could play in the Scottish Championships, as was done in 2002 and proved to be very successful for Scotland. This should have been implemented for the next season. Thank you, everyone, for listening. (Applause)

BRUCE CRAWFORD (CEO): I would like to thank you, Robbie, for raising that issue. It is one that has been raised earlier at the Areas Standing Committee and the Ladies’ Branch Annual General Meeting in May, and I was asked by the board to review the situation. A decision had been made by the board in 2011 that sets out that the teams playing in the Olympics would not play in the Scottish Championships and that the teams competing in the European Championships at the end of 2013 would be the teams identified as going forward to the Olympics as a suitable training environment for them to play against some of the best teams in the world. The review that we undertook last month was reported back to the Performance Committee and on balance the committee voted in favour of retaining the decision that had been made on the basis of the performance reasons that had been set out in 2011. I understand the frustration that you have expressed and those of the teams but the advice from the professional coaches that made the programme was accepted by the Performance Committee and so the board have accepted that decision and we will continue with the policy that was agreed in 2011.

WILLIE NICOLL (CHAIRMAN): I would like now to invite our new President, Alan Durno, to address the meeting and offer a vote of thanks. s) Address by incoming President ALAN DURNO (NEW PRESIDENT): Past President Bill, Ladies’ President Fiona, honoured guests, sister and brother curlers, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to thank you all for giving me the honour of being your President in this, the 175th anniversary year of The Royal Caledonian Curling Club. To Past President Bill Duncan I would like to say thank you for devoting a year of your life to the Royal Club. You have certainly been busy. Apart from the usual work expected of the President Bill captained a successful team of 60 male curlers who went to Canada for three weeks in January and won the Strathcona Cup back for Scotland. Thank you, Bill, for doing such a good job of promoting Scottish curling.

Congratulations to David Henderson, our new Vice-President. David has devoted a lot of his time to curling over the years and thoroughly deserved this opportunity. Thank you, David.

I look forward to working with the Ladies’ Branch President Fiona Hardie. As most of you will know Fiona is a McMillan and so she has curling in her blood and will bring a wealth of knowledge to the table. I hope you have a great year, Fiona.

Congratulations to Mary Anne McWilliam and Marion Fraser on their appointments as vice president and junior vice president for the Ladies Branch. Fiona, I will be glad of your support for the coming year, ladies.

Six of our members finish this term on the ASC. They are Anne Donald, Alan Sloan, Iain Baxter, Colin Moreland, Robin Aitken and Peter Lupton. I would like to thank you all for your contributions to the various committees. We have a number of new members coming onto the ASC next season. They are Robert Corbett, John Good, Neil Calvert, Frank White, Brian McArtney and Peter Lupton back again. Thank you all for taking the time to serve and I hope that you enjoy your time in office.

Now, I would like to say congratulations to Kate Caithness on her richly deserved OBE.

To Bruce Crawford and his team at Cairnie House, thank you for all the work that you have done on our behalf and also the on-going work to promote our sport for a brighter future. Our board under the leadership of Willie Nicoll devote a lot of time to us over the year and should be thanked for their work on our behalf. Thanks also to Colin Hamilton for all his work doing competitions.

Congratulations to Murrayfield Curling who will be hosting the European Mixed Curling Championships from the 14th to 21st September 2013. Also Dumfries will host the World Seniors and World Mixed Doubles from the 22nd to 29th April 2014.

I can confirm that the Royal Club is to back a bid by Edinburgh to host the 2016 World Men's Championships. Thanks to both Edinburgh and Glasgow for putting forward very good plans to host the event. A sub-committee was formed and after careful consideration it was decided that Edinburgh would be the preferred choice to make the bid for Scotland. If successful the event will take place in the main ice arena at Murrayfield and that will be April 2016.

As you know, next year is a special year with the Winter Olympics in Sochi. This is just touching on what Robbie has been speaking about, and that will be from 7th to 23th February. Although it is a great honour to be selected to play for Great Britain the Performance Director Dave Crosbee and his team have made a recommendation to the board that all the curlers who are representing Great Britain will not be allowed to participate in the Scottish Championships and therefore not have the opportunity of playing for Scotland at the World Championships. The main reason for that is that they will be totally focused on winning at the Olympics.

Now, I have been one of the main campaigners against this decision but when you look back at what Dave Crosbee and his team have done for Scottish curling over the past few years and the amazing haul of medals we have, it would be foolish not to listen to his advice.

The Royal Club is still looking at the best way to communicate with all its members and is considering restructuring the area representatives based at our ice rinks rather than a particular area. The Royal Club is still actively looking for new premises and Bruce Crawford is keeping a close watch for anything that may be suitable. The Charles Lees Fund had an injection of money from the estate of the late William Roy and the restoration will now proceed.

As this is our 175th anniversary we're encouraging ice rinks to run a competition at any time during the 2013/14 season in celebration. All participating members will receive a commemorative pin. Ice Rinks need to apply for these pins before 30th September 2013 so that the Royal Club can place an order for them.

Your Curler magazine - please keep sending information and pictures to Cairnie House.

There are a few thank-yous to do now. Firstly I would like to thank the ice rinks in Scotland for maintaining and supplying ice especially those who help fund the development officers and support our competitions. A special thank you to our sponsors over the season especially sportscotland, Tullis Russell, and the Co-operative Funeralcare. It is really important for the future of our sport that we have your support.

To Dewar’s Centre and all your volunteers, thank you for hosting us today and serving such a lovely lunch.

Thank you to Willie Nicoll for chairing the meeting. Thank you to Perth and Kinross Council for hosting the reception which we're just about to participate in.

Next year's AGM will be on Saturday 14th June 2014 at a venue which is still to be confirmed.

Last but not least, congratulations to all our winning curlers, whether club, national or international level. Our medal-winning teams at international competitions should be very proud of themselves. They have been excellent ambassadors for Scotland.

Finally I wish you all good curling next season, and a safe journey home. I declare this meeting closed. (Applause)