MINUTES OF THE LADIES STANDING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2019 AT 1.15PM AT OCHIL HOUSE, , FK7 7XE.

Present Margaret Nicol (President), Morag Wellman (Vice-President), Kay Gibb (Treasurer, Aberdeen).

Liz Paul (Braehead), Nancy Gallacher (Dumfries), Anne Shaw (Forfar), Clare McCormick (Greenacres), Ann Gibb (Inverness), Irene Baillie (Kinross), Trisha Petrie (Kirkcaldy), Jesmé Brown (Lanarkshire), Marion Murdoch (Lockerbie), Carolyn Tough (Murrayfield), Helen Pirnie (Perth), Anna Burnside (Stirling), Lyn Brown (Stranraer), Jackie Orr (Waterfront), Ruth Addinall (Minutes).

1. Welcome Action President Margaret welcomed everyone to the meeting, hoping they were all fit and well, having had a good Christmas and New Year.

2. Apologies received from Corrie Lawrence (Junior Vice-President, Ayr), Sandra MacIver (Inverness).

3. Minutes of previous meeting on 4th December 2018 Page 3, line 5 – Curing should be The minutes were then proposed as an accurate record of the meeting by Vice-President Morag, seconded by Helen Pirnie (Perth) and signed off by President Margaret.

4. Matters Arising 1) President Margaret had sent cards to Anne Malcolm and Angie Malone as agreed. 2) Payments had been made to Ladies Centres relating to the Swedish Tour. 3) There had not yet been a reply to the invitation to Curling Canada. 5. President’s Report

This had been circulated by email prior to the meeting:

10th Dec Competitions Committee I attended this meeting in place of Gail as she has a conflict of interest as the main business of the meeting was to look at bids for competitions and select where they should be played. This was an interesting process with decisions about which competitions were awarded to which ice rinks based on a range of criteria. The competitions committee

endorsed the decision of the LSC of where the Henderson Bishop and Morton Finals should be played.

23rd Dec Scottish Mixed Doubles Championships This was held at Braehead and I attended and presented the medals to the finalists. It was a good final. The winners were Gina Aitken and Duncan Menzies with coach Scott Andrews the runners-up were Jayne Stirling and Fraser

Kingan. The winners will present at the World Mixed Doubles in Stavanger Norway 20- 27th April 2019

10th Jan Competitions Committee I attended this as Gail had other commitments. One of the main items of business was the format of the Scottish Senior Women’s Competition. When this was decided there had been 9 entries and a round robin format was agreed. However, when the

draw was sent out some competitors were to be playing three games over along day. Several teams voiced their concerns about this especially as there had been a late entry making 10 teams so there could be a two sections format. The committee reviewed their earlier decision and based on the concerns of the players decided to change to a two-section format. This required the

draw to be redone. This decision has been conveyed to all the competitors. It was also decided that the rule book will be updated to include rules about format of competitions depending upon numbers of entries.

10th Jan International Women’s Day meeting A small group from Scottish Curling, Sports Scotland and Stirling Council are organising this event which is planned for International Women’s day on the 8th March. The group drew up the list of well know women who would be invited to the try curling event on Friday 8th March. The draft timetable for event was agreed. It will be held in the Performance Centre. Some refreshments will be provided and some well-

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known curlers will act as coaches.

12-13th Jan Junior Challenge Divisions One and Two. This was held at Murrayfield and it is a busy full competition. Great to see so many young curlers participating. Division One was won by Stranraer and Division Two was won by Forfar.

20th Jan Scottish Masters Championships This was held at Greenacres. The women’s final was very close and the winners were Kay Gibb , Catherine Dodds third, Dot Moran second and Marion Malcolm lead. The runners-up were Gwen Prentice skip, Marion Craig third, Helen Drummond second and Rhona Fleming lead. The men’s final was won Peter Wilson skip, David Whyte third, Jim Stirling second and David Hume lead.

Coaching committee. 21 January Fiona Harfield reported that the revalidation of coaches is now complete and there are 554 accredited coaches in Scotland. Scottish Curling has announced a partnership with Girl Guiding, who are to introduce the concept of curling (no ice, no stones) to Guides of all ages!

26th Jan Scottish Juniors Championships This was held in Aberdeen. It is good that there were qualifiers for both the young men and women. There was a high standard of curling at these finals. The youngest team who qualified were only 11 years old and they held their own against much older teams. The semi-finals of the women’s match and the finals of the men’s match was streamed on facebook. This was as a test run for the Scottish Championships. The women’s final was won by Lisa Davie skip, Kirsty Barr third, Anna Skuse third and Emma Barr lead the runners-up were Amy Bryce skip, Layla Al-Saffar third, Molly Keen second and Jane Barr lead. The men’s final was won by Ross Whyte skip, Duncan Mc Fadzean third, James Craik second and Euan Kyle lead the runners-up were Callum Kinnear skip, Luke Carson third, Ryan Mc Cormack second and Matthew McKenzie lead. The winners will represent Scotland at the 2019 World Juniors Championships in Liverpool Canada on 16-23rd Feb 2019.

25-28th Jan Four Nations This was held at held at the Flower Bowl, Preston. This venue is like no other curling rink you have seen, you step onto grass, slide out over pebbles, then over grass and more pebbles and into the flower bed! It is slightly disconcerting to begin with and the visibility of lines and placement of stones is difficult, but you get used to it quite quickly. The lighting is much more subdued than normal rinks. 12 Scottish women played in 7 matches, 3 women’s matches against England, Wales and Ireland and 2 mixed matches against Wales and Ireland. Unfortunately, Scotland lost the Connie Miller trophy against England for the first time in 7 years by 2 shots. The Scottish women were also in the losing side for the Marshall Millennium Trophy against Ireland and the Big Bertha Trophy against Wales. The only trophy we successfully brought home was the Tom Ballantyne trophy for men against England. The men had a significant victory of 60 to 26 shots. There was a dinner on the Saturday night and it was a great evening. We want to encourage more women to apply to play in this competition, it is great fun, both curling and socially. The venue for next year’s competition has not yet been confirmed but it is likely that it will be at the Flower Bowl again with Wales hosting.

31st Jan-3rd Feb Scottish Senior Championships This was held in Perth. There were 10 Women’s teams and 12 Men’s teams competing. As always with this competition many of the games produced great curling and were good to watch. The women’s final was between Team Kesley (Susan Kesley Skip, Fran Stretton third, Vicky Gumley second and Morna Aitken lead) and Team Lockhart ( skip, third, second and Margaret Richardson lead). Team Lockhart in the early stages had the upper hand but Team Kesley fought back and went into the final end peels but not with the hammer. Team Lockhart were lying and Susan Kesley with her final stone drew and it looked close to the lying stone but difficult to call which was lying. Jackie Lockhart with her final stone then went for a tap up which was too heavy and went out. A measure was then done and Team Kesley was declared the winner a very dramatic end to the final. The men’s final was between Team Hay (David Smith Skip, Mike Hay third, Peter Smith second and Sandy Hay lead) and Team Muirhead (Skip , Third Norman Brown, David Hay second and Hugh Aitken lead). Team Hay winning. Both teams will now represent Scotland

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in the World senior Championships in Stavanger Norway 20th-27th April.

6. Treasurer’s Report Treasurer Kay gave the following report:

It has been a quiet few months with a few loose end accounts from the Swedish banquets being cleared up. We donated our usual £200 to the Braehead Ladies International, however we had to make all the moves and no letter of thanks. Meeting agreed that next year money to be used elsewhere. It would be good if we could have a push to sell some merchandise. We still have loads of hessian bags and tea towels all going at half price. I have received some old stock back so still available are notelets and brush covers. In Aberdeen we found a load of old stock which has raised £110 and also sold some current stock which brought in £55, so come on ladies give it your best shot. £40 of sales were taken after the meeting Tea towel, hessian bag £2.50 4 Coasters, brush cover, notelets £2.00

Contributions to the International Fund from several centres have been received, totalling £385 so far. Also discussed if we should continue with a gift to Scottish teams who win a medal at World or European level. Agreed that this should only be carried on for those who win a gold. We will also continue to provide the badge for Scottish Woman’s Championships Funds as of 30th January 19 £ 9,329.00 7. Correspondence President Margaret had sent congratulations cards to Honorary President Kate Caithness and Hew Chalmers (Director of British Curling), both of whom were awarded honours in the New Year Honours List. She had also sent cards to Beth Farmer and each of her team to congratulate them on winning the World-B Junior championship so that Scotland was now back in the World Junior A section. She had included David Ramsay and Alli Cunningham as well, as their coaches. Beth Farmer would be going to the World Juniors as the 5th player in Team Davie. 8. Competitions Henderson Bishop

1) President Margaret had received a letter from Robin Bishop which she read out. He and his wife would be arriving in Stranraer on the Tuesday evening of the Finals week and staying until after the presentations. 2) The details of the draw, social programme and costs were all now available and she

hoped had been circulated to all the winning skips. 3) Only three teams (Ayr, Kinross & Inverness) had requested an extra badge as they were taking an extra player as a sub, so they were given these without a ballot. 4) President Margaret had been posting the photos of the Centre winners on Facebook, and

there have been quite a few comments. Henderson Bishop 2020 President Margaret had asked all Centres to discuss moving the date of the Henderson Bishop in 2020 so that there was separation from the Scottish Seniors. However this would clash with Highland Week, which is a week-long competition in Inverness. The Finals had been awarded to Aberdeen, who would prefer to run the competition to include the weekend. It was decided to run the competition from Thursday to Sunday with the dinner on the Saturday night (27 February – 1 March), subject to ratification by the Competitions Committee. Marion Murdoch (Lockerbie) asked that it be put to the Competitions Committee that the Scottish Masters be moved back to March.

Morton Final, Tuesday 12 March 2019 After a draw, East would play North in the semi-final, and South would play West. The scores on the website were not accurate and President Margaret would speak with Eoin McCrossan to sort them out. Kay Gibb (Treasurer, Aberdeen) pointed out that the 2 year rotation of a 5 Centre section would need to be discussed at the pre-AGM meeting this year, although there was also a possibility that a Centre might be withdrawing. Anna Burnside (Stirling) said that they currently had the trophy and she would bring it along to the next meeting. Trisha Petrie (Kirkcaldy) asked if

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Centres could notify her if there was a requirement for bacon rolls on arrival, as they don’t have an on-going catering facility so need advance warning. Tea, coffee and cakes will be available.

Unders & Overs, 17 March 2019 President Margaret said that only 2 entries had been received, from Kinross and from Ayr. It was decided to extend the deadline until 19 February with a minimum of 10 teams required. Nancy Gallacher (Dumfries) thought that they had a team and Jesmé Brown (Lanarkshire) thought that Hamilton had 4 teams, but it was pointed out that entries had to be made via the official application form. It was felt that the best source for the players of under 5 years’ experience was the Virtual Club. 9. Ladies Branch Business

Ladies Branch AGM President Margaret said that the AGM would not be held at Murrayfield Ice Rink as due to the renovation work, it would not be guaranteed wind and water tight. Inverleith St Serf's Church Centre at 1a Clark Road, Edinburgh EH5 3BD had been booked where we would have use of the whole facility with reasonable parking availability. The main hall would hold 200 people, and a smaller hall would be used for the pre-AGM meeting and lunch. The caterer from Murrayfield would be doing the lunch and providing tea and coffee. Edinburgh/Murrayfield Ladies Centre would be asked to provide cakes but not sandwiches this year. The Monday evening session would be held in the Club rooms at Murrayfield Ice Rink.

International Women’s Day Friday 8 March President Margaret had attended a meeting with Judith McCleary from Scottish Curling, Stirling Council and sportscotland about the organisation of an event at The Peak where influential women from different spheres would be invited to come and curl. and possibly her team would also be there to help coach. This would be used to publicise women in curling. President Margaret hoped that we could spotlight an event a day for that week to add to this. Gogar Park Young Curlers are going to have a “Bring a Friend” session on Sunday 3 March at Murrayfield; on Monday 4 March, Murrayfield would be holding a ladies competition called the Fulton Salver; on Tuesday 5 March Perth were holding their Love Trophy competition; Inverness had Highland Week, which is a ladies competition that includes international teams; on 8 March, Hamilton were holding their Ladies Pairs competition; an LSC meeting was on Tuesday 5 March; the World Wheelchair International was 3-10 March at the Peak. President Margaret asked that everyone supply her with photographs and she could build something around it all.

US Outgoing Tour President Margaret read out a letter from the USWCA President inviting 20 women curlers to visit the United States in January 2021. Donna K Pearson would be chairing the US organisation; she had been vice-captain on the recent US tour to Scotland. President Margaret had responded to accept the invitation and outlined the timetable for applications etc as follows but she advised people to let everyone know now: Invite applications for the tour on website and via MailChimp. August 2019 Applicants to complete online Form

Closing Date for applications 13 October 2019

Selections to take place within three weeks of closing date By 3 November 2019 Selection Committee: Previous Tour Captain: Brenda McIntyre Previous Vice Captain: Caroleen Clark President: Morag Wellman Vice President: Corrie Lawrence If the President/Vice President applies for a place on the tour the Junior Vice President and/or the Treasurer (respectively) stand in.

Successful and unsuccessful letters to be sent out On 4 November 2019

Successful applicants to confirm their place By 29 November 2019

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Team announced on website On 3 December 2019

First Tour meeting Dec 2019 / Jan 2020

Scottish Curling’s involvement/support • To advertise Tour on website and MailChimp • To process online applications • To send out successful and unsuccessful letters • To provide official RCCC Tour pin badges • To provide artwork of RCCC logo for playing clothing The invitation did not specify the length of time, but it was felt that people should be advised that it would cost between £4K and £5K for around 3 weeks. Applications would be accepted from previous tourists, but they would be considered as a lower priority. President Margaret would try and organise a poster for display in ice rinks. 10. Scottish Curling Business Joint Meeting Wednesday 20 February This was being held at Hampden Park to coincide with the launch of the curling exhibition in the museum there. The meeting will start at 10:30; lunch of soup & sandwiches will be provided free of charge around 1pm; the launch will take place between 1:15 and 1:30. sportscotland representation will be there along with members of the late David Smith’s family, as a lot of the exhibits have come from his collection that was bequeathed to the Scottish Curling Trust. Opening times for the museum should be checked online as it is closed when other events are taking place. Scottish Curling are planning on holding other events at the museum whilst the exhibition is hosted there.

11. Dates of Interest Lyburn, Stranraer, Monday – Wednesday18–20 February 2019 Stirling Ladies Open, Tuesday 19 March Dumfries Lady President’s Day, Sunday 10 March 2019 Perth Ladies, Thursday14 March 2019 Henderson Bishop Finals, Stranraer, 25-28 February 2019 Morton Final, Kirkcaldy, 12 March 2019

12. AOCB Ladies – Women Name Change Marion Murdoch (Lockerbie) asked if there was any progress with this. President Margaret said that it was decided at the last meeting that this would be put on hold dependant on the recommendations made by the Organisational Structural Review Group. This group had met several times and would be reporting on their plans/thoughts at the Joint Meeting on 20 February, following which there would be a consultation period with the membership.

Date of next meeting Wednesday 20 February at Hampden Park – Joint meeting at 10:30am Tuesday 5 March at RCCC, Ochil House, Stirling, FK7 7XE at 1:15pm Tuesday 2 April at RCCC, Ochil House, Stirling, FK7 7XE at 1:15pm Tuesday 7 May pre-AGM, Edinburgh at 10:00am Tuesday 7 May Ladies Branch AGM, Edinburgh, 2pm Saturday 15 June, RCCC AGM, Dewar’s Ice Rink, Perth, 2pm

Vote of Thanks The meeting closed at 15:00pm. Vice-President Morag gave a vote of thanks to the chair, President Margaret.

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

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