No 1: October 2011

Welcome to your new e-Magazine

OUR Curler is the Royal by the Royal Club’s Y Club’s fresh new newsletter Chief Executive Officer for our members and supporters. Bruce Crawford (pictured right) It promises to be packed with lots of interesting articles, photos and information for curler friends across Scotland and beyond. We want this to be both “official” and Meg to “informal” so you’ll get a chance to share and learn about what is going on at clubs and ice rinks around Scotland. We’ll carry the bring you news and ideas on how to improve your game, with tips from some experts and a few old hands, plus torch for personal stories and articles on historical aspects of the game. The idea of this publication came from ? our Communications Committee and from feedback received from members in a survey undertaken to influence our new strategy. We wanted to give you news and articles on a regular basis and in a format that could be printed and enjoyed in your armchair, not just at your desk. In part we aim to fill the void left by the demise of the Scottish Curler Greece. It will take an 8,000-mile, 70-day magazine, but without the costs tour of the UK, including visits to all the associated with printing and postage, regions. It will be carried for 12 hours a that proved to be unsustainable. It is day, coming to a halt at about 6.30pm your magazine, so please send your and reaching Tower Hamlets on Friday stories and photos to us at Cairnie 20 July next year, a week before the opening ceremony. House, or preferably by email to: Meg said: “It was all a bit of a joke to [email protected]. A local sporting hero is a step closer to begin with, but I am honoured to be Now that curling has resumed at the carrying the Olympic flame on its way nominated. It would be fantastic to carry ice rinks, we hope that you have a to London after making it through to the flame - as long as I am allowed to successful season wherever you play and the next stage of the nomination walk.” that you enjoy the great game. YOUR process. Royal Club Coach of the Year, Meg will find out in December if she Curler will keep you informed and bring Meg Allen (pictured) was nominated for has been successful in being chosen as you some stories from around Scotland the honour last month. one of the 8,000 torchbearers needed for every month of the season. But, for the Games chiefs outlined the relay route the Olympic Torch Relay. If chosen, we latest news, visit our up-to-date website at: exactly a year before the torch arrives would encourage the curling community www.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org. at Land's End from its base in Olympia, to line the streets and cheer her on! 2 October 2011 ROYAL CALEDONIAN CURLING CLUB Royal Club Notes Website was a personal matter between two Another recent change has been the launch individuals; however, we have learned of our new website that became live in many lessons and the relevant policies and procedures have been improved as a It is with great pleasure that I September. We hope that you have had a chance to use it and found it easier to result. welcome you as a reader of the navigate around and find information in Winter Olympic News: fewer clicks than before. Check it out at: first edition of YOUR Curler. Progress is being made in Sochi for the 2014 www.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org Through the past year, your Winter Games. You can see a recent Communications Committee has been Vernon panoramic webcam photo at: tireless in its efforts to bring this project In July 2011, we noted the outcome of the http://sc-os.ru/en/press/interactive_tour/ to fruition. We hope that this will go a court case between Munro v Brown, in In July 2011, the International Olympic long way to filling the gap left when the favour of Gail Munro and are pleased that Committee (IOC) elected Pyeong Chang Scottish Curler ceased publication. While this matter has been resolved after three (Republic of Korea) as the host city of the years. The Royal Club is aware that this you will be kept abreast of the many XXIII Olympic Winter Games in 2018. activities of the Royal Club, it is - as the title indicates - your magazine. So we hope that all members will play their part in supplying information, articles Scots mixed team in and photographs of the happenings in their ice rinks and local clubs. Please encourage your fellow curlers to fresh Euro action open the magazine and to get those who do not yet have an e-mail address registered on the Royal Club database to register in order that they can share your experience. Sadly, just as we were going to press, the news came through of the passing of Alan Johnston, Royal Club Honorary Member and President in 1974/75 - undoubtedly one of the “greats” of Scottish curling. Like a vast number of Scottish curlers I greatly enjoyed any meeting with Alan at the many events and championships that he faithfully supported for so many years. I was only on the ice with him twice, but have great memories of both occasions. He and his team were great Bill Marshall presents the Scottish Mixed Trophy to and his opponents and wonderful off-ice hosts team following their success at the Scottish Mixed Championships in March. when we visited the previous Aberdeen The team will now represent Scotland at the EMCC2011 in Denmark. rink at Dyce in blizzard conditions in its first season. The Scottish team of David Edwards, always an honour. It's amazing to have I also had the pleasure of being the sole , Scott Macleod and Louise the chance to try and defend the title we outsider in his gold medal winning team Edwards will travel to Tarnby in won last year in and hopefully in the International Match at Streatham Denmark to compete in the European we can return home with a medal in 1982, the Mixed Championships which will run again”. other from Saturday 1�� October through until The Scottish foursome will compete in Aberdonians Saturday 8�� October. the red group and will be faced with being Roy David, Kerry and Louise will travel to tough opposition from Austria, Wales, Gray and Tarnby as the defending European the Netherlands, Sweden, Russia, Spain, Charlie Mixed Champions with the intention of Norway and Romania in the round robin Wighton. Our retaining the title they won at Greenacres stages. The group stages of the thoughts go Curling Rink last year with a win over championships come to a close on Friday out to Alan’s Switzerland in the final. afternoon followed by quarterfinals in family at this Speaking before they set off on their the evening of the 7th and the semi-final sad time. trip to Denmark, Skip David Edwards and final will take place on Saturday 8�� said: “We're really looking forward to October. We wish David, Kerry, Scott Pat the European Mixed Championships in and Louise the best of luck in the Edington Tarnby and to have the opportunity to championship. (President) pull on a Scotland jersey again, which is n Photo courtesy of Skip Cottage Curling WWW.ROYALCALEDONIANCURLINGCLUB.ORG October 2011 3 National Academy plans revived Work has resumed on plans to make the dream of a National Curling Academy a reality. Curling is too important to Scotland, both in an historical and in a competitive sense for the sport not to have a cultural base. Working towards fulfilling this in the run-up to the , where we hope to add to our outstanding tally of medals, seems appropriate. The centre will provide facilities for the elite squads, curling camps and master classes - and Royal Club members attending sessions and courses to suit various levels and qualifications, as well as local curlers. In March 2010, progress on this prestigious plan to build in Kinross was halted by a lands rights issue. This was resolved in April 2011, and there are The attractive Market Park site in Kinross, where efforts now no constraints on the site other than are once again under way to earmark the funds for a receiving planning permission. The National Curling Academy for Scotland Trustees resumed their efforts and are currently dealing with the many facets of representations to senior Ministers and launched to raise additional funds. such a huge project. Councillors to seek additional public funds Members confirmed their commitment On September 7, sixty-four members of to support a sport that achieves outstanding to a national curling facility in Kinross, the Trust attended an open meeting and results on the international stage, unrivalled and the consensus was that the Trustees were updated on the present situation. by any other. should pursue the original concept to Finance is now the main issue, with Members commended a debenture provide a centre of excellence contributors identified in the original initiative as a means of boosting member encompassing the ice, the offices and museum on the Market Park site - in budget now reduced. input, reducing the funding gap and other words, for the first time, to provide Sportscotland have seen a substantial helping to minimise commercial a genuine home for curling. reduction in funds available for capital borrowing. Details of this scheme will be For more information on the project funding and are unable to support all the announced shortly, and it is hoped that curlers throughout Scotland and the and how to get involved, visit projects they wish to. However, they http://www.kinrosscurlingtrust.org/ have conditionally committed £1.5 wider international curling community million to the NCA. The Royal Club will take this opportunity to support the Article from Kinross Curling Trust Trust is also no longer able to contribute project. A 50/50 club is also to be Photo courtesy of Blair Melville as much as it had hoped towards the provision of a museum located in the building. In addition, other funding sources - charitable trusts, for example - have cut back on their activities, or ceased to exist. A report from Bob Anderson covered potential changes to the building in response to altered requirements from the Performance Programme, and to reflect the need to reduce costs. Some non- essential aspects of the original plans will have to be removed to make savings. And it may make more economic sense for the Royal Club offices and museum to be located in another building close by. Robin Niven described the updated business plan, which continues to demonstrate the viability of the project. Funding remains the major outstanding challenge. The Trustees, along with the Royal Club, are making joint 4 October 2011 ROYAL CALEDONIAN CURLING CLUB Claire: YOUR Ladies’ President Full name: Claire Margaret McLaren couple of ends off her! DoB: 24 07 1968 Tell us something about yourself: Profession: Retailer of quality home I bake a mean Victoria sponge and essentials and property rental chocolate brownies! Curling Club: Lynedoch Ladies What are you most looking forward to When and why did you start curling?: in your Presidential year? At the age of 17. It seemed like a good A Grand Match!!! idea as I spent a lot of time in Perth and What do you see as your main Atholl ice rinks spectating. challenges? Biggest accomplishment in curling to Furthering the work of the Lady date: Becoming President of the Ladies’ Presidents who have held the position Branch and whilst playing against Eve before, for the future of curling and the Muirhead in a local league, taking a Royal Club.

Lockerbie slam winners Gregor Cannon skipped his team to victory at the Lockerbie Under-17 Slam on Sunday September 25 with a win over in the final. Sue Stevenson presents the Stevenson Trophy with Gordon Dinwoodie, representing the event sponsor, Sport and Trophy Centre, Lockerbie to the winning team, L-R: Mark Munro (lead), Gregor Cannon (skip), Bobby Lammie (3rd) and Connor Ballantyne (2nd). WWW.ROYALCALEDONIANCURLINGCLUB.ORG October 2011 5 And Pat is the man for the job Full name: Patrick Edington music, and I am an avid theatre-goer, DoB: 28 April 1945 having a particular liking for musicals. Profession: Retired Teacher Although never a serious player, I have had a long involvement in cricket, Curling Club: Boswall (Mother Club), looking after a first-year school team Watsonian, Gogar Park for over 30 years. I also acted as a scorer When and why did you start curling?: for my club for many years and still I first curled in 1968. At that time my take on the occasional duty with main leisure pursuit was sailing, as a Scottish teams. As an administrator, I member of the Royal Forth Yacht Club was for several seasons Secretary of the and Edinburgh University Yacht Club. East of Scotland Cricket Association. Boswall had been founded in 1963 as an offshoot of the Royal Forth, giving a What are you most looking forward to sociable sporting involvement outwith in your Presidential year? the sailing season. For many years now I I look forward to meeting many more have been a curler who once sailed. members of the Royal Club as I travel Biggest accomplishment in curling?: to as many events as possible and to The introduction of many young people joining member clubs as they celebrate to our wonderful game during my notable anniversaries - or simply the thirty-plus year teaching career. enjoyment of another season together. Tell us something about yourself: What are your main challenges? I get a great deal of enjoyment from There is, in many quarters, a perceived foreign travel, periodically well away divide between the “elite” competitive from the regular tourist destinations. A curlers and the “grass roots” curlers year ago I fulfilled a very long-standing who are the bedrock of our sport. I ambition when I visited the Galapagos would wish to see this perception Islands on a small boat cruise. I enjoy altered and have all curlers pull listening to a pretty wide variety of together to the benefit of all.

CURLING SEASON 2011-2012 20 SEPTEMBER 2011 - 27 MARCH 2012

SESSION TIMES MONDAY - SUNDAY 10am; 12.30pm; 3pm; 5.30pm; 7.30pm; 9.30pm

Home of the Friday 25 November - Sunday 27 November 2011 Seniors 23 - 24 November

Ladies Sellar - Open Tuesday 17 Jan - Thursday 19 Jan 2012

Murrayfield Gathering 23 - 25 March 2012 Manager: Iain Baxter Riversdale Crescent Administrator: Debbie Kerr Edinburgh EH12 5XN Tel: 0131 337 4242 Fax: 0131 346 4654 Email: [email protected] Website: www.murrayfieldcurling.co.uk 6 October 2011 ROYAL CALEDONIAN CURLING CLUB Curling star picks up top award The Scottish Disability Sport athletes and players throughout AGM and Annual Awards the year. Ceremony was held on The most coveted is the Wednesday September 21 at the Gordon Brown Memorial Windelstrae Hotel in Kinross. Trophy, which is awarded to the The AGM provides SDS Athlete’s Athlete of the Year. members with the opportunity to This award is particularly reflect on the number of sporting special as it is voted for by successes achieved throughout the fellow athletes and players and year and a prominent feature at awarded to the individual who this years event was the silver has excelled at the highest level medal winning performance of the in that person’s sport. Scotland team at the World This year’s winner was Aileen Wheelchair Curling Neilson, who successfully Championships in the Czech skipped the Scotland Team to a Republic. brilliant silver medal at the Attendees were treated to a World Wheelchair Curling keynote presentation from Iain Championships in the Czech Gowans, Classification Manager Republic earlier this year. Aileen for London 2012, where the former was also awarded the Scottish Paralympic swimmer Sportsmanship Award by her reflected on his personal fellow wheelchair curlers during experiences within disability sport. and players irrespective of their ability the World Championships. Closing remarks were by Shona or disability. Aileen is pictured receiving her Robison MSP, Minister for As ever, the most keenly anticipated award alongside Shona Robison MSP Commonwealth Games and Sport, who aspect of the evening was the annual and Iain Gowans. spoke of the importance of ensuring awards ceremony, when SDS recognises opportunities are provided for athletes the brilliant sporting achievements of its n Photo: Alastair Stephen Photography WWW.ROYALCALEDONIANCURLINGCLUB.ORG October 2011 7 The Hammer Who wrote the rules The reverse side of the medal

and The original 1823 medal used by Peebles Curling Club for their Points Competition. The inscription reads: In Commemoration of the Victory gained by Tweeddale over Mid Lothian when? at the great Bonspiel of MDCCCXXIII

Now here’s something of interest country for many decades before 1838. Tweeddale team. The medal (pictured) is for those sterling fellows who have One such was the great bonspiel still in existence today and is played for been exploring and painstakingly contested between Tweeddale and annually by the Club members in their cataloguing the numerous caches of Midlothian. Points competition. In 1823, a large gathering assembled In John Kerr’s history of curling, it is Royal Club artefacts and historical at the Whim and on Penicuik Loch. recorded that Dr Renton of Penicuik memorabilia that have been The minutes of Peebles Curling Club “had the burden of carrying out the unearthed around the country. recorded that “probably the largest arrangements for the bonspiel and he found Question: who wrote the Rules of meeting of its kind had taken place – great difficulty owing to the differences he the game, and when? attended by many gentlemen and others of found between the clubs over the rules of the Well, we all know that the Grand the two counties and the city of Edinburgh, game from number and size of stones, the Caledonian Curling Club was formed in anxiously awaiting the fate of the game.” length of the game, and even the number in 1838 after a meeting was called in the Fifteen rinks from each county and a rink.” Waterloo Hotel, Edinburgh. And it the city of Edinburgh took part. In 1824, Dr Renton wrote to the received the Royal accolade in 1843 Incredibly, each game was won when Secretaries of the various clubs urging after Queen Victoria and her Consort you reached 31 shots, regardless of the them to form a National Curling had witnessed a demonstration of the number of ends it took, and there were Association. Thereafter we see the sport on the polished ballroom floor of 14 players in each rink! formation of the GCCC in 1838. Scone Palace. History records that the Tweeddale So, the Question is: With the Historically, however, the curlers won the Bonspiel that year by 61 transformation of its rules from 19th establishment of the ‘rules’ seems a little shots. century ‘anything goes’ to the singular more hazy – until some interesting To mark this momentous accepted format, established under the information came our way via Roger achievement, a dinner was held in Grand Caledonian Curling Club… Scott, curling stalwart of Peeblesshire Peebles in 1824, and a commemorative does the Royal Club have to thank Province. medal that had been struck was those curlers on Penicuik Loch in 1823 Local curling matches had of course presented to the Peebles Curling Club for raising the necessity for a standard been taking place throughout the as a member of the victorious set of rules for all?! 8 October 2011 ROYAL CALEDONIAN CURLING CLUB News from south of the Border The big news from here in England is were joined for the first time by a boys’ basis. However, to take those players a the nomination of one of our junior team. step further, a group of juniors will now curlers, Angharad Ward, for the GB Anna and the rest of her team were be coached on a weekly basis on a Winter Youth Olympic Games team in introduced to the game at Fenton’s Rink Sunday by Greg Dunn, a native of Innsbruck, Austria, in January. in Kent, where they have been Ottawa who, after a spell in Holland, The selection of the team will not be encouraged by a succession of coaches now lives and works in the South East of confirmed by the BOA until late and always by the owner Ernest Fenton. England. November. But if, as expected, the team Angharad is a recent addition to the So we are starting to look at our gets approved then Angharad will junior scene in Kent and was actually succession planning for taking our junior become the first English curler to taught curling in Canada where she game forward. Interestingly, it is the represent GB. grew up. It was not until her mother girls we are having the most success The development of junior curling in settled back in Kent with her a couple of with down there at the moment. A pre- England has a chequered history. The years ago that they realised they had season meeting to gauge interest first phase extended from about 1989 to fortuitously chosen to live just a few attracted seven girls but only two boys, 1999, when a number of juniors from miles from the only curling rink in and so we need to see how we can around the country were gathered England! increase and balance those numbers out together, initially by Stephen Hinds, to As I said, Fenton’s rink has actively to ensure that we are going forward on challenge for a place at the World encouraged junior curlers, and currently both fronts. Championships. Three times in the runs a junior academy on a monthly Article by John Brown 1990s we had a team at the Worlds - 1993, 1998 and 1999 - with a best performance in 1993, when they finished 8th with a record of 3-6. Share your love of the game! Interestingly, the core of the Could you give a little back to successful teams at that time came from YOUR sport? Knowledge is a key the north of the country, in particular ingredient for club development, the North-East and the Glendale Club, growth and player development. with Andrew Reed being the most The Royal Club welcomes successful post-Junior curler of that members to volunteer in a wide crowd. variety of roles, such as below... It was not until 2009 that another English team appeared on the Coach helper international stage, when Anna Fowler Are you able to give a couple skipped a team to the European Junior of hours a week to help Challenge in Copenhagen, winning others discover our sport? their first game convincingly by beating Slovakia 9-1 - but then not winning Child Protection Officer another game for two years, at the 2011 Could you be “the one who knows” about child protection Championships in Prague, where they in your local curling community? Be a friendly face, help dispel myths, clarify and reassure other members.

Course Tutor Are you a coach who could donate some time to train new coaches? Armed with the latest Royal Club updates and how to coach skills, share your coaching experiences with others. Interested? Full training packages are provided to all our members.

For more details please visit the Welfare and Coaching pages of the Royal Club website. Or contact Lynne MacKenzie, National Coaching Officer, by e-mail - [email protected] WWW.ROYALCALEDONIANCURLINGCLUB.ORG October 2011 9 All gone on a sunny holiday? This August, I attended the summer curling camp at – not Helen King, who’s been busy at home! Culzean Castle. It was a brilliant week where everyone made loads of new friends - and Ice rinks, freezing temperatures, the chaos the new team line-ups improved their curling too! thermal underwear and a emerge in time for the Scottish Every morning we would get the minibus to the permanent numbness of the Championship entries. The team lists ice rink. I felt sorry for our bus driver, who had to suffer our dodgy singing. The curling was a great extremities firmly places Curling are scrutinised and anticipation for next season begins to build. Yet it’s start to the day and the new season. We were placed in the category of winter sports. into six teams and worked on our technique and The summer months are only July. Still plenty of time for a tactics. The coaches gave us some supposed to provide adequate great new tips and skills, which we thawing time for curlers to recover could all continue to practise. During from a hard season, or to release the week, we had two talks - one from Hannah Fleming and Billy Morton about their pale skin from its thermal their Junior Curling successes, another layers for some much-needed from Brad Askew about the Talent vitamin D. However, when it Programme in which several of us are comes to Curling, there really is no involved. such thing as a summer holiday. During the rest of the day, we took part in team activities such as canoeing, Just as you are getting round to biking and caving. These were great fun cleaning out your kit bag that and ended up with us all taking home a seems to have accumulated huge load of wet and muddy clothes. In numerous odd socks, you are the evening, the team building games already being barraged with entry continued with volleyball, tug-of-war forms for the next season. Ignore and races, with each team gaining points towards an end of week prize! them at your own risk, but it is However, the best night of the week always best to stay in your club was entertainment night. I can’t say too secretary’s favour. The decisions much in case I spoil it for the others are endless… bonspiels, leagues and holiday, you would think. who go next year. But I have to mention both George pairs; go for them all or pick and The reality is that the next two McConnell and George Sinclair for their fantastic choose a few? That’s the easy part months are spent filling out endless singing and costumes - you should ask them about entry forms, arranging team bonding it! done. nights out and scouring the internet On the final day, we all said our goodbyes, but will Back to the kit. Gone are the days for the most outlandish team tops you be keeping in touch over Facebook and look forward when a pair of shoes lasted you a can find. Being a curler is a year- to meeting up at curling competitions. It was a fantastic week. I’m sure everyone who took part will decade and what you wear is merely round commitment. join me in saying a BIG Thank You to all the coaches a second thought. Many a curler has So summer is merely an admin faced the dreaded decision: to buy or and staff who organised and took part in our week. I break in the curling calendar, not a would recommend it to anyone if you like curling, not to buy new shoes. Your current holiday. fun and friendship. ones are tatty, worn and maybe even n Article by Helen King n Article by Laura Barr a wee bit slow, but the fact they have moulded to your feet is rather comforting. On the other hand there are the promises of a shiny new pair. Streamlined, fast and there’s no need for layers of tape to hold them together. But what if they ruin the delivery that you have spent so many years perfecting? A somewhat momentous choice to be making during the off season, is it not? For those embracing the competitive side of the sport,summer holds bigger questions - like who to play with? It’s a tense time for everyone. Skips are frantically phoning round to see who they can tempt into their team, while those looking to be taken on are mounting personal PR campaigns to try to The Lees Painting Campaign has already raised over £13,000. Please make a donation or organise a fund-raising event. You can contact Bruce Crawford secure a spot in their desired team. ([email protected]) for advice/support . Loyalties are questioned, Visit http://royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org/curling-history/curling-art/ for more information. friendships tested, but somewhere in 10 October 2011 ROYAL CALEDONIAN CURLING CLUB News from around the Rinks massive overhaul and now has a modern friendly feel to it. With a new CCTV camera system also installed, all spectators will be able to watch the curling, no matter which lounge you are in, which will be a curlers and is one of many activities tremendous boost when our large being organised by the Rotary Club, the competitions are on. Chilean Rotarians oldest in Scotland, to mark their Curling starts for real on October 10, visit Curling Rink centenary. with the ice for the season almost fully A group of Rotarians from Chile got a Rhona said: “The bonspiel will be a booked. And, with many other new warm welcome at Braehead’s curling great event for curlers of all levels. I initiatives built into the programme ice rink in early September. would strongly encourage people to get for the curling centre, things are The five visitors to Scotland from involved and support the Hospice.” looking really bright for the new South America were taking part in a Speaking on behalf of the Rotary club, season ahead. night of curling hosted by Braehead as Brian Evans added: “Being the Glasgow The Forfar Indoor Sports people look part of the group’s exchange visit to Club, we wanted a Glasgow charity to be forward to welcoming everyone to Scotland. the main beneficiary of our fund-raising. Forfar where a warm curlers’ welcome The Chileans had been guests of The Hospice was the clear choice of our awaits you. Renfrew Rotary Club for several days members for all the wonderful work that and none of the visitors had tried curling it does.” before. After a coaching session at the Tickets are now on sale at £100 for a Braehead curling rink, the Rotarians team of four. Please call 0141 429 5599 or from Chile played a game along with e-mail [email protected] local members. for further information. Tour leader Enrique Runin said: “There’s no curling in Chile that I know of and this has been the first time I have Edinburgh Curling seen the game being played. Obviously I’ve never played curling before and celebrates centenary there is more to the game than meets the The newly-refurbished Murrayfield eye. It’s a lot more difficult than it looks, curling rink opened on Tuesday Sept- but we all enjoyed the experience.” ember 20, to great delight from the curlers Bruce Harley , Braehead 's leisure about how light and bright the rink is. manager said: “Our guests from Chile We have a new full-time ice had a great time on the ice and although technician, Canadian Aaron they had never played curling before, Rotary Gold Pictured from left to right: Forsythe. will also be they really enjoyed themselves. It was a Jennifer Easson (The Prince and Princess helping out. The other ice technicians great way to spread the curling message of Wales Hospice), Brian Evans (Rotary), are as last season: Douglas Baxter, Jean to a wider audience. It is our hope that Rhona Martin, Donald MacDougall Graham, Harry Fairley and Dan our guests return home with stories of (President of Rotary Club of Glasgow) Cameron, with Iain and Colin Baxter fun and friendship and maybe Chile will and Ian Wylie (Rotary) fitting in as and when required. Debbie be the next country on the curling map.” Kerr will deal with administrative duties. Aileen Logan, bar manageress, also has a couple of new starts, whom Hospice helped by you will no doubt meet when you visit. Olympian Rhona Ann & Bill Fleetham will once again be Scottish curler Rhona Martin joined Forfar dealing with catering. members of the Rotary Club of Glasgow This year sees the Edinburgh at Braehead Curling Rink to launch their Modern feel to new Curling Club’s centenary, with a centenary Bonspeil, which will be held weekend-long bonspiel and gala on 12 February 2012, in aid of The Prince rink facilities dinner taking place. and Princess of Wales Hospice. It has been an extremely busy closed Our first weekend of action saw the Early this year, the Hospice announced season with major improvements carried Copland Trophy (juniors) and the plans to build a new facility in Glasgow, out at Forfar Indoor Sports. A new café Jackson Trophy (champion of due for completion in 2016. In addition bar style lounge has been built in the champions from last season) taking to enhancing existing services for adults, three sheet ice rink with adjoining doors part. Richard Wood, Cara Findlay, it will also encompass a specialist to the main curling rink lending itself to Megan Stretton and David Thorburn palliative care service for young people a modern and comfortable viewing won the Copland, with Currie & aged between 15-25. facility. No more huddled around in the Balerno, skipped by Kerry Barr, The 32-team event will be open to all cold. The ice pad itself has been given a winning the Jackson Trophy. WWW.ROYALCALEDONIANCURLINGCLUB.ORG October 2011 11 Alan Johnston RIP

internationally to enjoy curling. As a young boy, Alan was sent around the local farms by the local Laird to instruct the farmers to attend the local curling pond. In the event of any no- shows or late arrivals, Alan was pulled into the game and this is where his long Quickfire Round term connection and love for the game began. Playing his first game of curling with CLIVE THOMSON at the age of 10, Alan did not play at an (Area Standing Committee indoor rink until 1949 (aged 38 years), when Donalds Ice Rink opened, and he representative for Argyll and played in one session each week, always Dunbartonshire) on a Friday. When the ice rink was sold he was instrumental again in generating The Royal Club was saddened to hear interest in indoor curling and the success of the death of Alan Johnston on Satur- of Aberdeen Curling Rink. He was day 24 September 2011. One of only known locally as ‘Mr Curling Aberdeen’. three honorary members of the Royal Alan was greatly active in developing Caledonian Curling Club (the others the participation of ladies in the curling being HRH The Duke of Edinburgh clubs in and around the Aberdeen area, and Roy Sinclair), Alan celebrated his and with an ever-increasing waiting list 100th birthday on 22 March this year. for Aberdeen Ladies Curling Club, he Throughout his lifetime, Alan had started both the Granite City Ladies and dedicated a huge amount of time to the Grampian Ladies Curling Clubs to assist growth and development of curling, in increasing the number of ladies both here in Scotland and internationally. actively participating. He was heavily involved in securing Travelling worldwide on curling tours, as Uniroyal Goodrich as the first a spectator - latterly as the President of the sponsorship deal for the World Junior Royal Caledonian Curling Club in 1974- Curling Championships, alongside 1975 and a member of the Council of the Name: CLIVE THOMSON Charles Clark of Canada. International Curling Federation (now the A miller and grain buyer by trade, Alan ) - Alan made Curling Club: Glasgow Accies and was very successful in his career, himself well known amongst overseas Whitecraigs Lawn Tennis and Sports working alongside his brother and a curlers, in addition often couriering the Club Curling Section small team, eventually working up to incoming international teams on their visits Profession: Formerly a Stockbroker about 100 employees. He readily to Scotland. Alan captained the Scottish now a Professional Conference and acknowledged that his work was good to tour team to Canada in 1975. Events Organiser him, allowing him the time to travel Devoting a great deal of his life to curling, Alan served as President, Past Began curling at the age of: 16 President, Founder Member, Life Biggest misconception about Member of many clubs, including his curlers? Like bowlers, they are all old mother club Donald’s, North-East and drink whisky! Province, Aberdeen Petroleum, Take out or draw? Take out. Aberdeen Rotary, Aberdeen University, Granite City Ladies, and Marischal. Favourite post game drink? ‘Clyde Additionally, Alan was an avid Steamer’ – a cocktail of Whisky, collector of curling pins and other Glayva, Green Ginger and Lemonade. memorabilia, which now remains as a Curling heroes? Hammy McMillan and The Holiday Inn Express Perth fantastic collection that has been built up Rhona Martin offers 81 guestrooms complete with over many, many years. satellite TV, tea & coffee facilities, Alan was presented with his honorary Tell us something (not curling FREE Express Breakfast Buffet, membership by Her Majesty The Queen related) about yourself? A family man, FREE WiFi and FREE on-site Car Parking. still playing tennis and golf, and at the opening of the new Curl Aberdeen involved in the administration of tennis facility in 2005 (pictured). Prices from only £49 per room, per night in the UK Subject to availability Curling had been the life of Alan Johnston, and he will be sadly missed in What is your biggest achievement in For more information about the and around the curling community. Yet curling? Serving on the ASC (Area Hotel please visit: his positive and influential changes will Standing Committee) and being able to www.hiexpressperth.co.uk be present in the game of curling for put something back into a sport I have Or call 01738 636666 many years to come. enjoyed playing for many years. 12 October 2011 ROYAL CALEDONIAN CURLING CLUB Titles for Perth, Greenacres The 2011 Greenacres Junior Masters last playing last stones, where they met month attracted teams from Inverness Hannah Fleming from Lockerbie. From to Dumfries, writes Christine Stewart. the Galleon, Jennifer Martin met It was a busy weekend for Greenacres Murrayfield’s Jennifer Dodds in the and the teams. The round-robin took up other semi. DATES FOR YOUR DIARY four sessions on Friday, six on Saturday The final was to be a west of Scotland 4 October and two on Sun- clash, with day, followed by Jennifer Martin RCCC Board Meeting semi-finals and up against final. There were Maggie Wilson. 5 October some weary The game was Club & Member Development curlers by the close through- Committee Meeting end of the event. out, Team In the men’s Martin leading event, two by one shot 7-9 October Murrayfield going into the Scottish Senior Mixed teams made it to last end. Team North West Castle Hotel, the semi-finals, Wilson used Stranraer Jay McWilliam Photos courtesy of Hugh Stewart their last stone met advantage in the from Perth and final end to score 14-16 October Bruce Mouat three shots to Women’s Tour took on Duncan take the game on Forfar Indoor Sports, Forfar Menzies from a final scoreline Forfar. of 6-4. 26 October Smith and The Greenacres Mouat pro- girls - (l-r) Area Standing Committee gressed to the Maggie Wilson Meeting final of the (Skip), Lauren Greenacres Baxter, Dionne 27-30 October Masters, where a Clark and Claire European Play-offs very tight game Dagen - won the was played, with Kyle Smith coming out handsome trophy. Dewars Centre, Perth the winner with a 6-5 scoreline. Greenacres boys winners: (l-r)Kyle Maggie Wilson skipped the Greenacres Smith, Thomas Muirhead, 28-30 October team to the semi-finals, Lauren Baxter and Kerr Drummond. Welsh Bonspiel Greenacres Curling Rink

Aberdeen Ladies Day: 10/10 1 November I have only been a member of a curling club makes me nervous. Development Manager Ladies Standing Committee for a year and, realising the benefits of playing Judith was great and gave me a shot with the every week, I was dead keen to improve and crutch which was a positive surprise, helping Meeting make more of a contribution to the team. So me to remove my ‘white knuckle syndrome’. when I saw the flyer for the Ladies Coaching Our group was last to be filmed with Adult 1-5 November Day I knew I must sign up. and Disability Development Manager Sheila European Senior Invitational I have to say, however, that though I was and - guess what - I was over my stone! This Greenacres Curling Rink very nervous at the start, I soon realised that proves that the coaches had done a great job everyone in my group was in a similar position in the short time they’d spent with me on the to me. After an introduction from our coaches ice. The afternoon session was on strategy Judith MacFarlane, Sheila Swan, Laura Mutch and tactics, and I surprised myself by getting The next edition of is due out early and Senior, we headed out onto some things right, but don’t ever ask me to be November (content submissions due 25 October). the ice to get started. My group kicked off with the skip. My brain doesn’t plan that far ahead In the meantime, keep up to date with curling news Tom, who helped us with our handles and our unfortunately. and information at delivery release. Tom was excellent: his It really was a very enjoyable day, very www.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org And, for other commentary on curling, visit verdict on me was “over your stone” and right instructive and a great confidence boost www.skipcottagecurling.blogspot.com away I realised my back foot hadn’t been in which left me wishing for more. At the the right place - ever! We then had a session introduction, Sheila and Judith had hoped that is published by the Royal Caledonian dedicated solely to sweeping, which was led we would learn one new thing. I certainly Curling Club on a monthly basis during the winter by Area Development Officer Laura. This learned a lot, as did the rest of the ladies. season. General enquiries to Cairnie House, Ingliston, session fairly warmed us up. I think I have My thanks to everyone for a lovely day. Ten Newbridge, Midlothian, EH28 8NB. T: 0131-333 3003. E: [email protected] been sweeping okay as I certainly always put out of ten, in my opinion. n YOUR Curler enquiries to: my back into it and don’t just tickle the ice. We Article by Mo Robertson, Aberdeen Ladies E: [email protected] then worked on our slides, which always Curling Club