MINUTES OF THE LADIES STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON: TUESDAY 3 MARCH 2020 AT: 1.15PM AT: OCHIL HOUSE, FK7 7XE

Present Morag Wellman (President), Corrie Lawrence (Vice-President, Ayr), Lillian Carnegie (Junior Vice-President)

Madeleine Sharp (Braehead), Janine Wilson (Forfar), Clare McCormick (Greenacres), Sandra MacIver (Inverness), Liz Glennie (Kinross), Dorothy Browse (Kirkcaldy), Jesmé Brown (Lanarkshire), Marion Murdoch (Lockerbie), Carolyn Tough (Murrayfield), Helen Pirnie (Perth), Michele Brodie (Stirling), Mary-Anne McWilliam (Stranraer), Karen Jack (Waterfront), Ruth Addinall (Minutes)

1 Action Welcome President Morag welcomed everyone to the March meeting, mentioning Dorothy Browse and Liz Glennie in particular.

2 Apologies received from Kate Caithness (Honorary President), Kay Gibb (Treasurer, Aberdeen), Judith Dixon (Border), Nancy Gallacher (Dumfries), Irene Baillie (Kinross), Jennifer Kubrycht (Kirkcaldy).

3 Minutes of previous meeting on 4th February 2020 These were approved by Helen Pirnie (Perth) seconded by Marion Murdoch (Lockerbie), and signed off by President Morag.

4 Matters Arising None.

5 President’s Report This was read out at the meeting: February has been a very busy month, which started with the Fred Olson Scottish Masters Championships at Greenacres from 5-9 February. As always it was a friendly if fiercely competitive weekend. Although I was in an unsuccessful rink, it was great to watch some good in the company of friends. The final was played between team McCorkell (Ayr) and team Gibb. Kay’s team of Kay, Catherine Dodds, Liz Horton and Marion Malcolm were the clear winners of the final. Congratulations to them for their second successive win. The following week was the Scottish Championships and I managed to get there on several occasions. Corrie and I attended the finals on Saturday 15th and watched 2 great games - in the morning team Muirhead played team Wilson, with team Muirhead winning. In the afternoon, team Mouat played team Muirhead with team Mouat winning for the second year running. I was fortunate to present the gold medals to the women’s team of , Lauren Grey, and and look forward to watching them compete at the Women’s World Championship in Prince George, Canada. I also presented the silver medals to team Muirhead. The next morning, Corrie and I set off on the long journey to Krasnoyarsk to attend the World Junior Curling Championships. It was a long journey with changes in Paris and Moscow and then an overnight flight over Russia. After checking into our hotel, we went to the arena which was only a couple of minutes away. Every time we entered by the VIP entrance, our passes were scanned, our bags x- rayed, and we went through airport style security. We were then accompanied by a volunteer to the entrance, passed to another who pressed the lift button, met at the top, passed to another who took us to our very own VIP lounge where we were plied with food and coffee. We had our own interpreter as well and an attaché who looked after everything we needed. We had wonderful seats to view the ice pad. The routine happened every time we went to the arena. We attended every game the boys played and were sad that the girls hadn’t qualified to be there. On the Friday, we had a bit of an adventure - we

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were invited to go on a tour with some of the WCF people. We thought it would be a bus tour of the sights, but no, it was a climb through a wood, past a frozen waterfall to see a very large rock called the Chinese wall, It was steep, showy and rather slippy but it was good to get out in the fresh air. Friday was the semi-final which unfortunately was the first game the boys had lost since we arrived, but they were still in the bronze medal game. There were only 3 Scottish supporters there, so we tried to make our presence felt so they boys knew we were there. The finals were played on Saturday morning, with Scotland playing Germany for the Bronze medal. It was a very close game with Scottish James Craik playing a takeout through a narrow port to secure the win. The Gold medal was won by Canada and the Silver by Switzerland. We attended the closing banquet that evening and were treated to some wonderful Russian food. Next morning we flew to Moscow, where Corrie and I spent a couple of nights on our own account and had a fantastic walking tour of Moscow. Home late on Tuesday 25th and spent the next couple of days catching up with paperwork and washing before setting of on Friday morning for Curl Aberdeen and the finals of the Henderson Bishop. I was delighted that Robin and Helen Bishop had travelled again to be with us at the finals. After 4 great days of curling the trophy was won by Murrayfield 2 skipped by Susan Kesley with Fran Stretton, Jenny Barr and Morna Aitken. The runners up were Perth skipped by Claire Milne, with Mairi Milne, Lynn Cameron- Thomson and Catriona Davidson. The Cherrystone was won by Murrayfield 1 skipped by Kerry Clark with Katie Wood, Margaret Nicol, Betty Gibb and Maggie Barry. The social side was great fun with a race night and the dinner with entertainment both hosted by Curl Aberdeen. It was also good to see so many spectators there to support their teams, as this always adds to the competition.

6 Treasurer’s Report Kay Gibb had emailed in her report as follows: As of 28th February 2020, we have £7,056.85 in the bank. I am still waiting for Corrie to clear her cheque for the purchase of the flags (£54.15) and have just received the annual bill of £223.20 for the silver brooches which we present annually to the Scottish Ladies champions. We have received £50 as donations from Aberdeen (International Fund). As agreed, we have received £80 from Aberdeen Ladies Centre for £80 pink tea towels. I also banked £40 for merchandise following our February meeting. I was approached by Jackie McQueen from the outgoing USA tour about tea towels and they are taking 120 of our white ones which now clears out of white tea towels – yippee. They are also keen for us to resurrect the curling stone card. I will try and speak to Gail about this in the next few days.

7 Report on Ladies Branch Competitions

Henderson Bishop Finals 2020 Since last Thursday twenty ladies’ teams representing ice rinks from all around Scotland have had a busy time both on and off the ice. The social events included a reception at Curl Aberdeen on Thursday and a race night and raffle on the Friday where £650 was raised and will go to The Anne Malcolm Foundation. The traditional Saturday evening dinner included the draw for the semi-finals from The Henderson Bishop Trophy. On Sunday morning The Cherrystone semi-final matches saw Aberdeen 1 skipped by Irene Duncan and Dumfries skipped by Ann Johnston having a close tussle until the 5th end when Dumfries scored a two against the head which gave them the breathing space to secure their spot in the final. The second semi-final was very much a game of two halves. Kinross rink skipped by Pat Macfarlane took the first four ends while Murrayfield 1 skipped by Kerry Clark put in a strong second half performance to take all four ends and edge into the final by one shot. The four section winners from the round robin contested the Henderson Bishop Trophy finals. The first match saw Perth whose team were all Henderson Bishop debutants playing the Stranraer rink skipped by Kate Adams. A well-constructed four in the second end from Claire Milne the Perth skip had Kate and

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her team chasing the game and after Perth took further three in the 6th end handshakes were offered. The second semi created much anticipation from the large crowd behind the glass and the match up of last weekend’s newly crowned Scottish Seniors Ladies skip and runner up Susan Kesley was a tense and close affair. The turning point came in the 6th end when a steal of two for the Murrayfield 2 rink gave them the momentum to win the game. So, to the finals. Last year’s winners Murrayfield 2 versus Perth in The Henderson Bishop and Murrayfield 1 versus Dumfries in The Cherrystone. Both Murrayfield teams appeared to be on mission and some great shot making from Susan’s team of Fran Stretton, Jenny Barr and Morna Aitken and Kerry’s teams of Katie Wood, Betty Gibb, Margaret Nicol and alternate Maggie Barry had their respective opposition under pressure from start. The Murrayfield teams kept the good play up and ran out comfortable winners with handshakes offered by Claire’s team of Mairi Milne, Lynn Cameron-Thomson, Catriona Davidson and alternate Rachel Simm after six ends and Ann’s team of Caroline Donaldson, Marion Mather, Susan Morrison and alternate Fiona Hardie after seven ends. We were delighted that Robin Bishop the grandson of the late Andrew Henderson Bishop whose trophy was first presented in 1929 was with us to support the event and present the trophy.

8 Correspondence/Emails President Morag had received a communication reminding Ladies Branch that they hadn’t made a contribution for the Glynhill Trophy. However, it had been agreed at the meeting in February 2019 as there had been no request or acknowledgement of the contribution that year, then we would not give any subsequent sponsorship. There had been no request this year, so we had not been given the opportunity to refuse.

9 Ladies Branch Business Minute Secretary/Treasurer sought.

JVP Lillian was hoping to be have found a new treasurer but a Minute Secretary was still required for

next season. President Morag asked Michele Brodie (Stirling) if she thought that there was anyone in the Stirling area who would take it on, and she said that she would try but doubted it as they had trouble

filling posts in their own Centre. There is an honarium attached to the post. President Morag also

asked whether the meeting felt that we should appoint a new Junior Vice President or wait until after the AGM vote. It was decided to go ahead with the appointment.

Morton Finals 10 March 2020 at Forfar

West (Lanarkshire) would play North (Stirling), South (Ayr) would play East (Kinross). The first games

would be played at 10:30 and the Finals around 1:30, 2pm. About 24 people would be travelling from both Ayr & Kinross, and 16 from both Lanarkshire & Stirling.

Bids

Bids were required for the Morton Finals in 2021 and the Henderson Bishop in 2022. These were done

through the online bidding system by the ice rinks, however the Henderson Bishop needed to be done in collaboration with the local Ladies Centre. The Morton Finals needed 6 sheets to be available for the

first games. Team entries for the Henderson Bishop 2020/21 need to be in by June, and individual team

members need to be notified as soon as possible after that.

Structure Update A draft of the proposal had been circulated but a few tweaks were still required e.g. in 13.6 of the

Members National Committee document, the wording implied that an ice rink with over 1000 members

would get 6 votes, but it was felt that this was not what was meant. Vice-President Corrie said that she would be really disappointed if there was not a significant number of the membership that voted on the

Structure Review proposals at the AGM, regardless of which way they voted but Janine Wilson (Forfar)

explained that there was a Communication Plan; this was intended to explain everything to the whole membership and explain why it was important for them to vote. Dorothy Browse (Kirkcaldy) asked if this

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would happen within the next week or so, so that it could be discussed at local club AGMs. The draft report had been circulated to the ASC as well, and it was recommended that this version was circulated now rather than waiting for the updated version. Sandra MacIver (Inverness) asked about the practicalities of remote access to the new meetings but Janine Wilson (Forfar) explained that the

Structure Review had a strategic purpose to decide the way forward; the operational aspects would be worked out if the proposals were to go ahead. It is not yet known where the proposed Members National Committee would meet but it ought to have the technology to cope with online conferencing facilities. Sandra MacIver (Inverness) was very concerned that northern curlers would withdraw from the

RCCC as they didn’t approve of the new recommendations and felt that nothing was done for them. Mary-Anne McWilliam (Stranraer) reported that they were also not in favour of the new recommendations in Stranraer and they would be voting against the proposals.

Canadian Tour Corrie Lawrence gave her report:

Many thanks to all for being so willing to go the extra mile to ensure a successful tour.

th 1. Flight Times. Now confirmed. Tourists arrive at airport at 2.35pm on Friday 6 November th 2020. Tourists depart Glasgow airport at 9.05am on Friday 27 November 2020. 2. Banquets. To be coordinated as follows:

th Helen Drummond and Alison Taylor - Opening banquet at Hamilton Ice Rink on Saturday 7 November 2020.

JVP Lillian and Marion Craig – Closing Banquet at Hamilton Racecourse on Thursday 26th

November 2020. Save the Date Poster – appeared in brochure for Scottish Championships in Perth. (Distribute)

Can LSC reps please advertise dates as widely as possible at your local centres before season

closes? Prices still to be confirmed but aim is to keep to approximately £25 for Opening and £35 for Closing.

3. Guidelines for LSC reps. Still a few spare if anyone not here last meeting.

4. Tour Booklet. Thanks to all who have returned amended Blurbs for inclusion in Tour booklet. Made much easier if changes indicated by email to Corrie as they can then be cut and pasted. Most now

received. Thank you.

5. Itinerary. Information had been requested by Canada regarding activities and no of games to be played. This has been sent. (18 games over 21 days) Canada has subsequently noted that St

Andrews has not been included on the itinerary and requesting that it is included as 19 out of 24 tourists are golfers. Discussion about possibly visiting here from Forfar. Itinerary circulated – Reps request for Centres to firm up on timings. Once complete, Tour committee will proof read, it will then

come back to LSC before being given to the Office for printing. 6. Budget.

a. Initial Payment of 10,000 Canadian dollars (£5693.53) received by Tour Treasurer Margaret

Richardson into our Tour bank account. Further payment will be received shortly after March 31st. Deposits have been paid to Racecourse caterers Sodexo (£250) and Holiday Inn Express,

Hamilton (£525)

b. Funds requested from LSC Fund after last meeting (£2,000) have been received to cover Opening and Closing Banquets for Tourists.

c. Flag poles x 2 (telescopic) have been purchased from Amazon and will be on the bus and travel

with the tour. (£54.15) d. Tour Flags 1 large Scotland flag and 1 large Canada flag (3’ x 2’) will also be purchased (approx

£10 each) e. Smaller table top flags will also be purchased - (12 Scotland and 12 Canada). Approx price will

be £10 and these will also be on the bus for use at each rink.

f. These purchases will remain the property of the Ladies Branch.

7. Next Steps

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Finalise typing blurbs and send out for checking.

Finalise typing itinerary (although changes can take place).

Send Itinerary to Earnside Coaches for checking driver hours. Think about food options.

USA Tour

Janine Wilson (Forfar) said that everything was going swimmingly with another meeting scheduled for

around 29 March. There was a lot of activity associated with clothing! Mary-Anne McWilliam asked if they would like one of the previous Tour to come and talk to them, but Brenda McIntyre had already

done this. Shirley Jeans was looking to source material for blue blazers, but they have someone

organised to make them, and Strathmore Mills were going to do RCCC Tartan skirts. Mary-Anne McWilliam recommended Lands End as a good source of clothing.

• Ladies Branch AGM

• This will be in Kinross Parish Church at 2pm on 5th May. The pre-AGM meeting will be in the ice rink and

lunch will be a walk away at the Kirklands Hotel. • A hotel had not been delegated. The Green Hotel was available or the Kirklands Hotel or a Travelodge.

The Monday night party will be at Milnathort Golf Club.

• President Morag asked who was staying on next year and who was not, and who was replacing them so that invitations could go out. Ruth Addinall asked that the introductions that would be made for new

representatives at the pre-AGM meeting should be emailed to her. Both Vice-President Corrie and JVP

Lillian would need a seconder at the AGM. • • Henderson Bishop

• At the last meeting President Morag raised the issue as to whether the hosting Centre should automatically get a 2nd place in the Finals, or whether it should be purely based on the number of entries Reps at each Centre, giving the highest up the extra places. Everyone had been asked to discuss this at their Centres. This was deferred to the next meeting. • RCCC Board • Vice-President Corrie mentioned that Janine Wilson (Forfar) was standing for election to the RCCC Board. Other candidates can be found at https://www.scottishcurling.org/nominations-received-for-the- positions-of-vice-president-and-two-directors-2020/ President Morag also mentioned that for the first time a woman was standing as Vice-President, namely Susan Kesley.

10 Scottish Curling Business Grand Match 2020 – the Indoor Grand Match will be held on Saturday 24 October 2020.

Posters were circulated and arrangements needed to be made before the end of the curling season. Clubs had been notified that entries could be made online. Sandra MacIver (Inverness) enquired

whether the drams were covered by the entry fee, and President Morag said that she would find out. Pres There was discussion about evening entertainment for anyone staying over.

11 Dates of Interest - Kinross Ladies Pairs, Kinross, Friday 6 March 2020 - Morton Final, Forfar, Tuesday 10 March 2020 - World Womens’ Championship, Prince George, Canada, 14-22 March 2020 - World Senior Womens’ Championship, Kelowna, Canada, 18-25 April 2020 - Scottish Wheelchair Championships, The Peak, Stirling, 17 -19 March 2020 (Michele Brodie (Stirling) explained about the competition and asked for volunteers) - LGT World Mens Championship, Emirates Arena, Glasgow on 28 March – 5 April 2020 - Indoor Grand Match, Saturday 24 October 2020 - Four Nations, Ayr Saturday 29-30 January 2021

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12 Dates of next meetings Tuesday 7th April - cancelled Thursday 9th April, 1:15pm at Dunblane New Golf Course

Joint Meetings: Thursday 9th April 10:30 at Dunblane New Golf Course

Tuesday 5th May 10am, pre-AGM Kinross Ice Rink Curling, lunch at Kirklands Hotel Tuesday 5th May 2pm, AGM, Kinross Parish Church.

Saturday 27th June, RCCC AGM, Forfar

13 AOCB Ladies Grand Masters Vice-President Corrie mentioned that Kirsty Letton with Judy MacKenzie (and 2 others) won the Ladies Grand Masters Bonspiel at Greenacres on 20 February 2020

Visit to Russia President Morag gave personal thanks to Vice-President Corrie for travelling with her to the World Juniors in Krasnoyarsk at her own expense.

Donations Claire McCormick (Greenacres) had forgotten to bring a cheque with her, so asked where she should send it. President Morag said that it should be made out to RCCC Ladies Branch and posted to Nicola Glencross at this address.

Vote of Thanks The meeting closed at 15:02pm. Janine Wilson (Forfar) gave a vote of thanks to the Chair.

Signature: ………………………………………………………….……………….. Date: …………………….………

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