1967

10th January 1967. - Nairnshire Telegraph

MATCH AT AVIEMORE ICE RINK

Despite the wintry conditions prevalent on and off over the last two months there has not been much in the way of keen frost to please the curlers, indeed up to the end of the year there has been only two nights' curling at Nairn, one at Cawdor and none at Ardclach. But many north curlers have been taking full advantage of the new rink at Aviemore which is proving a great success.

The Aviemore rink was opened on Dec.14 and a number of curlers from Nairn took part in the matches held after the official opening. Mrs D. A. Macarthur, Ardclach was in the rink skipped by the president of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club (Mr W. H. Robertson Aitken) and Mr D. A. Macarthur played with the rink skipped by the R.C.C.C secretary (Mr Robin Welsh). Mrs E. C Brown, Nairn played in the rink skipped by the noted Scots woman curler Mrs J Love, Perth and Mr E. C. Brown, skipped a North rink.

Since the Aviemore rink was opened a competition for boy curlers—the first of its kind in Scotland - was organised there by Mr A. Russell, a former R.C.C.C. vice-president, and boys from all over the North took part. Several boys from Nairn area participated and the following rink finished fourth- David Brown, Nairn; Sandy Stevenson, Nairn; Alan Maclennan, Inverness and George Macarthur, Ardclach (skip)

30th January 1967 - Management Committee

Final arrangements for the Court. The first Johnny Walker International Curling Week would be run at Aviemore. The whisky firm were financing the even with Highland Group curlers assisting, but carrying no financial obligation.

A Moray Province Bonspiel was to be run at Aviemore on 26th March 1967, and the Bookless Trophy at Aviemore on 25th February 1967.

14th February 1967. - Nairnshire Telegraph

Club Dinner And Court

(Contributed)

The 59th dinner and court of the Nairn Curling Club was held in the Royal Hotel, Nairn, on Feb. 3. The Chairman and President, Alexander (Sandy) Hay, welcomed over 80 curlers some of whom were from Elgin, Fochabers, Ardclach, Inverness (Highland), Dalcross, Forres and Cawdor. Grace was said by the Club Chaplain, Rev. J. W. Cumming. "'Jack Frost" was toasted with admirable versatility by Dr Bryce Stewart with a unique Oriental-cum-Burns poem.

Our Chairman toasted the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, and the expressed the fervent hope that the Mother Club would continue to exert co-ordination with the Scottish Clubs and carry on the good work which is so heartily appreciated by all Brother Curlers. Replying to our Chairman's toast, Allan Cameron, ex - President of the R.C.C.C, thanked 'Sandy' for his considerate speech and assured him of the Mother Club's continued support An interesting point, worthy of note, was the forming of an International Federation of Curling, of which Alan Cameron is the first President, his theme of “unity of rules” being a commendable requisite.

Donald Fraser, in expertise tone, revived all, when the 'kiss of life' was engendered in toasting "Neighbouring Clubs" and the reply, by David Macarthur, not only an orator but an entertainer, was pithy and to the point. Edwin Grieve, in initiating the toast to "Young Curlers" amused the gathering with alternative methods some farmers have, of disposing of eggs; in welcoming the young curlers, he vouchsafed a friendly and brotherly atmosphere: Tom Hastie replied with humour giving an account of scarcity of fish when resident in the East, but hoped that all curlers with the availability of 'Scotch,' the fair-sex and salad had nothing to complain about—one interjector countered that salad was over-rated!

Eleven new members were initiated — from Nairn — Tom Hastie, Gregor Mackintosh, George Oram, Peter Harrold, Jas. Cameron and Doctor John Grant; from Ardclach —Pat Smart, J. Tulloch, Stanley Brown, J. B. Mackintosh, jnr; from Dalcross—William Sinclair. /

/ The Club's appreciation and thanks are due to Percy (Foggy Dew) Knight, from Elgin, in his 87th year and appearing for the 39th time at this annual dinner and court; to Jas. MacMorran, David Macarthur, Pipe Major W. Mackenzie and Jas. Macleod for their musical talent; again to David Macarthur in selling the stoup; to Jas. Asher and company (Harry Lamb, Robert Mirtle, Jas. Macleod, Ronald D. Gordon, Gordon Maclean and Harold Forrester), for presenting the Initiates with such professional élan.

The success of the evening) was due in no small measure to My Lord (Sandy Hay) for his conduct of the proceedings, and to My Lord's Officers—Messrs T. Walls, E. F. Brown and Dr J. Macfadyen.

The Club were happy to have their midst Dr H. H. Gebbie, Don Watson and his brother Martin, who travelled to Nairn especially for the occasion. Walter Walker, - 'Mine Host,' again produced, as he so often does, fare worthy of the function. Rev. J. W. Cumming wound up the annual event with a fitting gesture of thanks to Sandy Hay, for conducting the proceedings with a friendly smile and calmness which made the evening another success.

17th February 1967 - Management Committee

An outing arranged to Aviemore on 16th March 1967 was arranged, the opposition to come from Ardclach, Dalcross and Dalziel clubs . Juniors (up to 15 years old) were to be encouraged to use the Nairn Ponds. The club's requirements for ice at Aviemore were to be fully investigated before the next AGM. The terms of the new lease were reviewed and the secretary authorised to sign it.

10th March 1967 - Management Committee

Best Wishes extended to the Nairn rink of E Brown, J Asher, R T Mirtle and Jas, McLeod who were to compete in International Week at Aviemore from the 13th to the 18th March 1967. It was proposed to book ice for Aviemore next season at Aviemore – 7 sheets in October 1967 and 7 sheets in March 1968, plus one sheet per week except from mid December to mid January. Dates would be circulated to members who would advise the committee of their requirements. Members would be responsible for the payment of the ice allocated to them.

15th March 1967 Inverness Ice Rink Press & Journal Report

24th April 1967 - Annual General Meeting

The Club funds showed a balance of £183:5/5 in the general account and £30:5/6 in the reserve account. Five days outdoor curling over the past season was reported. Much ground maintenance had been done at the ponds and the lease secured for the next 15 years, with an opportunity to break at Martinmas 1973.

Sand Hay was re-elected president and Jim Webster vice president with Sandy Gunn as secretary/treasurer. The committee members elected were T walls, Dr J MacFadyen, E F Brown, A B Reade, W F Kerr, D Fraser, J Asher and R A Fraser.

It was agreed that the management committee could have the power to elect any sub-committees. It was agreed to play the Park Cup indoors if not played on outdoor ice by 31st January annually. It was agreed to enter The Grand Match, the RCCC Rinks Championship and the District Medal.

25th August 1967 - General Meeting

The Dinner & Court was fixed for 2nd February 1968 when Lord Bruce, president of the RCCC would be invited to attend. It was agreed to run a Club league comprising 6 rinks with two subs in each rink to be played at Aviemore

A meeting was to be arranged with lady members to discuss future participation in club competitions and outings.

25th Sept 1967 - Management Committee

Two lady members had attended a meeting with the ladies section. They were not interested in club competitions but would play in any Club matches if asked. Nairn was to enter two teams in the no.5 Group League – the skips to be EF Brown and Dr J MacFadyen. A draw was made for the club league, with the first games to be played on 4th October 1967 at Aviemore.

17th Nov 1967 Management Committee

The president paid tribute on the recent death of WF Kerr, a long-standing committee member.

The Highland Group were hoping to solve the problem of transporting junior curlers to Aviemore. Ice fees for juniors at Aviemore had been reduced to 2/6 per session.

7th November 1967 - Nairnshire Telegraph

NAIRN RINK IS BEST IN 'NATIONAL’ MATCH

A rink from the Nairn club skipped by Tom Walls,was one of seven Scottish rinks taking part when Scotland beat England by 79 points to 70 in Edinburgh on Wednesday, to retain the Tom Ballantyne trophy. This international match is run under the auspices of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club.

The Nairn rink was composed of T. Walls (skip), E. F. Brown, G. M. McLean and H. F. Mackenzie—(all members of Nairn Rotary Club, incidentally) and they achieved the outstanding distinction of winning the gold medals awarded to the highest up Scottish rink—the first time that a North rink has gained this honour.

Messrs Walls and Mackenzie are both North representatives on the R.C.C.C. Council.

Other rink results in the international match (Scots skips first) were: W. H. Robertson Aikman (Hamilton) 15, R. D. Thornton (Preston) 9; T. P. Stewart (Dunkeld) 13, R. M. Ferguson (Bradford) 9; A. C. Cockburn (Girvan) 2, J. Louden (Preston) 20; Lord Bruce (Broomhill) 10, P. J.Robson (London Watsonian) 13; W. Potts (Roxburghe) 11. J. L. Kerr (Preston) 9; A. Johnston (Aberdeen) 12, A. Blair (London Northern) 6.

NEW NORTH CHAMPIONS

The Nairn four of G. M. Maclean, R. T. Mirtle, J. R. Asher and E. F. Brown (skip) are this year's North of Scotland curling champions and winners of the Allander Trophy. They scored an 11-6 win over the holders, Ardclach (D. Macarthur) at Aviemore. In the semi-finals, Nairn beat Newtonmore (A. J. Russell) 10-6 and Ardclach beat Allangrange (H. Maclennan) 5-4.

In the first round Nairn beat Dalcross 7-3 and Ardclach beat Cairngorm ladies 19-3. On the second round Ardclach beat Kingussie 10-7 and Nairn beat Broughty Ferry 11-3. In the third round Nairn beat Aviemore 11-5; Ardclach beat Dufftown 16-3. Other Nairnshire rinks taking part were: Cawdor (W. Allan), Ardclach (W. Stewart), Cawdor (W. Craigie), Dalcross (I. Stewart).

18th December 1967 - Management Committee

The team of T Walls(skip), EF Brown, Gordon McLean and Hamish MacKenzie had played in the Scotland v. England match and had won the gold medal for being highest up rink on the winning side.

The rink of EF Brown(skip), J Asher, RT Mirtle and G McLean congratulated on winning the Allander Trophy at Aviemore. Lord Bruce confirmed he would attend the Dinner on 2nd February 1968.

Work was reported to have started on the building of Inverness Ice Rink and it was suggested that Nairn book 2 sheets once a week.

19th December 1967. - Nairnshire Telegraph

AREA RINKS COMPETE

An exciting bonspiel between the Borders Ice Rink and Aviemore Ice Rink (No. 5 Group) was played at Aviemore on December 11th ending in a 19 shot victory for the Borders, with the games more closely contested than the score might suggest. Details with No. 5 Group rinks given first:

First Session — Dalcross(i). (D. Macarthur) 6, Foulden 5; Dalcross (ii) (T. Pendreigh) 7, Lauderdale 10; Highland (W. Stewart) 7, Greenlaw 9; Cawdor (J. Craigie) 1, Ayton 14; Nairn (E. Brown) 4, Roxburghe 10; Allangrange (H. MacLennan) 8. St. Boswells 4; Aviemore (D. Keith) 13, Lammermuir 10. Totals No 5 Group - 52. Borders - 62.

Second Session — Dalcross (i) 8, Greenlaw 6; Cawdor 4, Foulden 11; Allangrange 2, Roxburghe 9; Aviemore 8, Ayton 8; Dalcross (ii) 9, St. Boswells 9; Nairn 11, Lammermuir 4; Highland 4, Lauderdale 8; Totals No. 5 Group - 46, Borders- 55.

A return match may be played next season. Aviemore look forward to the Borders returning next season for a similar match in the Highlands, this time on a mixed rink basis.

"FRIENDLY" AT AVIEMORE

In a friendly match against Aberdeen at Aviemore ice rink, Nairn (i) (Dr B. Stewart, R. D. Gordon, G. MacLean and E. Brown (skip) beat Aberdeen (i) (A. Aitken) 14 shots to 7 and beat Aberdeen (ii) (D. MacGregor) 20 shots to 4

Nairn (ii) (A. Gunn, H. Lamb, Dr J. MacFadyen and T. Walls (skip)) lost to Aberdeen (i) by 14 shots to 5 and lost to Aberdeen (ii) by 8 shots to 4.

Nairnshire Telegraph, 26th Dec., 1967

CURLING

THE PARK CUP DRAW

Nine rinks are taking part in Nairn Club's Park Cup competition, the draw for which is as follows—

1st Round

J. Asher, (skip), Harry Lamb, A. Gunn, A. D. Stevenson versus A. Hay, (skip), R. M. Pottie, A. J. Downie, Walter J. Macdonald.

2nd Round

J.- Asher or A. Hay versus E. F.Brown, (skip), Gordon M. Maclean, R. H. R. Christie, J. W. Cumming.

T. Walls, (skip), R. D.Gordon, D.Fraser, S. A. Morrison versus J. Macfadyen (skip), F. D. Stevenson, A Scott, Norman Beaton,

A. B. Read, (skip), David Brown, T. Hastie, David Stewart versus R. A. Fraser,(skip), P. M. Pottie, Duncan Ross, M. I. Mactaggart.

J. Webster,(skip), J. Donnachie, R. Byers, K. M. Cameron versus Robert Mirtle,(skip), Dr. W. Bryce Stewart. Dr. John Grant, A. N. Other.

26th December 1967 Nairnshire Telegraph

TWO WITH 12 POINTS

Dalcross I and Nairn I finished level in points at the top of Moray and Nairn Curling League after the 7th and final round was played at Aviemore on Wednesday.

Results were—Dalcross (i) (J. Cattell) 8, Dalcross (ii) (C. Pendreigh) 7, Ardclach (ii) (C. Mackenzie) 8, Ardclach (i) (A. Mowat) 4; Nairn (i) (E. Brown) 10, Nairn (ii) (J. McFadyen) 6. The two Cawdor rinks did not play. /

P W D L F A Ps

Dalcross I. 7 6 0 1 78 38 12

Nairn I. ... 7 6 0 1 81 47 12

Nairn II. 7 3 0 4 62 62 6

Dalcross II. 7 3 0 4 59 61 6

Ardclach I. 7 3 0 4 50 55 6

Cawdor I. . 6 3 0 3 46 61 6

Ardclach II. 7 2 0 5 50 57 4

Cawdor II. . 6 1 0 5 37 60 2

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