THIS REPORT RELATES COUNCIL TO ITEM 9 ON THE AGENDA

PROVOST'S PANEL CORPORATE OPERATIONS

17 FEBRUARY 2015 NOT EXEMPT

BRIDGE OF ALLAN CURLING CLUB HISTORIC MEDALS

1 SUMMARY

1.1 Curling Club is one of the oldest and longest existing clubs in the world and celebrates its 225th anniversary in 2015.

1.2 Up until February 1979, the Club had a collection of historic commemorative medals deposited at the Clydesdale Bank for safe keeping. The medals were uplifted at that time and not returned to the Bank and there were no records of the medals thereafter.

1.3 In November 2014, the medals were sold at auction at Robertson’s of Kinbuck to a dealer for more than £1,000. The purchaser later agreed to sell the medals on to private individuals with an interest in the local Curling Club for a slightly increased sum.

1.4 Bridge of Allan Curling Club wish to raise sufficient funds to regain ownership of these historic medals. The sum of £1,383.45 is required to cover the sum paid to the auction purchaser.

2 OFFICER RECOMMENDATION(S)

The Provost’s Panel agrees:

2.1 to consider the request from Bridge of Allan Curling Club and agrees, in principle, to releasing up to a maximum of £1,383.45 from the Bridge of Allan Common Good Fund to meet the costs of restoring ownership of historic medals to Bridge of Allan Curling Club.

3 CONSIDERATIONS

3.1 In November 2014, 25 historic, commemorative medals were sold at auction at Robertson’s of Kinbuck to a dealer for more than £1,000. Up until 1979 these medals had been in the ownership of Bridge of Allan Curling Club.

3.2 The purchaser later agreed to sell the medals on to private individuals with an interest in the local Curling Club for a slightly increased sum of £1,383.45. Bridge of Allan Curling Club wish to raise sufficient funds to regain ownership of these medals. 3.3 Bridge of Allan Curling Club is one of the oldest and longest existing clubs in the world and celebrates its 225th anniversary in 2015. The historic medals date from the 1850s.

3.4 Examination of the Curling Club’s records and other receipts shows that the medals, a trophy and minute book were deposited at the Clydesdale Bank in Bridge of Allan in September 1968 for safe keeping, and were uplifted in February 1979. The Club thinks that the medals were in the safe keeping of a former member, but that they had been mistakenly thought to be part of that person’s estate on the event of their death.

3.5 The Club would like to regain ownership of its own medals as part of Bridge of Allan’s history and heritage. The medals would be stored in a proper place of safe keeping and displayed to the public regularly.

3.6 Bridge of Allan Curling Club will be undertaking a number of fund-raising initiatives to raise money for professional cleaning of the medals, a secure display case to be crafted, and suitable safe keeping of the medals.

3.7 As 2015 is a significant year for Bridge of Allan Curling Club as it is the Club’s 225th anniversary and these medals would be part of local celebrations.

3.8 In addition, the Scottish National Curling Centre is to be built in Stirling and athletes from both the men's and women's curling teams, including David Murdoch and Eve Muirhead, already train at existing facilities in Stirling. The medals can be used to help promote the sport in the local area.

3.9 The CEO of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club is hopeful that a curling museum may be located in the central belt in the future and the medals could be displayed at such a museum for all to see. 4 POLICY/RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS AND CONSULTATIONS

Policy Implications

Equality Impact Assessment No Strategic Environmental Assessment No Single Outcome Agreement No Diversity (age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation) No Sustainability (community, economic, environmental) No Effect on Council’s green house gas emissions No Effect Strategic/Service Plan No Existing Policy or Strategy No Risk No Resource Implications Financial Yes People No Land and Property or IT Systems No Consultations Internal or External Consultations No

Equality Impact Assessment

4.1 The contents of this report have been considered under the Council’s Equalities Impact Assessment process and were assessed as not relevant for the purposes of Equality Impact Assessment.

Strategic Environmental Assessment

4.2 The contents of this report have been considered under the Environment Assessment () Act 2005 and a Strategic Environment Assessment is not required.

Single Outcome Agreement

4.3 The contents of this report are not relevant to the objectives of Single Outcome Agreement. However approval of the request will subsequently lead to activities that will promote opportunities to physical activity and sport for all.

Other Policy Implications

4.4 None.

Resource Implications

4.5 A contribution of £1,383.45, in principle, is requested from the Bridge of Allan Common Good Fund. The net asset position of the fund has been reported earlier on this agenda.

Consultations

4.6 Bridge of Allan Community Council

4.7 Dr Welsh Trust, Bridge of Allan

4.8 Pam McNicol, Archivist, Stirling Council

4.9 Royal Caledonian Curling Club

5 BACKGROUND PAPERS

5.1 None

6 APPENDICES

6.1 Appendix 1: Application from Bridge of Allan Curling Club and press cutting.

6.2 Appendix 2: Letter of support from the Archivist, Stirling Council.

6.3 Appendix 2: Letter of support from the Dr Welsh Trust, Bridge of Allan.

6.4 Appendix 3: Letter of support from Bridge of Allan Community Council.

Author(s) Name Designation Telephone Number/E-mail

Jean Houston Committee Officer (01786) 233100 [email protected]

Approved by Name Designation Signature

Gerard O’Sullivan Director of Corporate Operations

Date 4 February 2015 Service Reference