2006-07
3 November 2006 Centenary Trip To Canada
Proposed Itinerary – Centenary Trip to Canada
February 2007
Sat 3rd
Court held to honour the brave souls prepared to risk jobs, livers and marriages to represent their club in a foreign land.
Tues 6th
Advance Party (2 curlers) departs to warn locals of impending carnage.
Weds 7th
18 curlers Dep. Inverness 7am, Gatwick 12.15pm. Arr. Vancouver 14.20 [10hr flight]. Limos to Chilliwack. 5 nights at Rainbow Country Inn www.rainbowcountryinn.com £24 pppn
Thurs 8th to Sun 11th
Chilliwack Bonspiel*
Mon 12th
Curl at Chilliwack v local opposition [tbc].
Depart by limo for Whistler for 2 nights
www.coastwhistlerhotel.com£49 pppn
Tues 13th
Activities in Whistler
Let me know what you want & I can try to book.
Weds 14th
Limo to Vancouver. Curl in afternoon v local opposition [tbc]
Stay at Downtown Sandman Hotel for 3 nights
£24 pppn
Thurs 15th
Curl v local opposition [tbc]
Fri 16th
Curl v local opposition [tbc]
Farewell Dinner
Sat 17th / Sun 18th
Shopping or curling in morning [tbc].
14 people return Vcr 16.25 / Lgw 09.40 Zoom
Lgw 13.40 / Inv 15.30 BA
Weds 21st / Thurs 22nd
Clean-up party return. Vcr 16.25 / Lgw 09.40 Zoom
Lgw 13.40 / Inv 15.30 BA
"The Chilliwack Curling Club is holding its annual Men's Bonspiel on Feb. 8-11/07. We usually have between 40-48 teams playing for over $7000.00 in prizes. The $200 entry includes three games guaranteed, dinner and dance Saturday night, Hosted Pizza party Friday night, a free jug of beer as well as drink specials all weekend long. Chilliwack is a city of approximately 80,000 people located 100 kilometres from Vancouver in the scenic Fraser Valley. We have all the amenities of a big city yet are surrounded by a farming community surrounded by spectacular mountain views. We would love to have you visit our club and city and I am sure that you will find our hospitality second to none."
1 December 2006 Nairn Win Fochabers Bonspiel
The Fochabers Bonspiel was won last saturday by a rink skipped by Dean Clark (Nairn), assisted by Grant Fraser (Ardclach), Ross Cope (Nairn) and Ryan Asher (Nairn). Dean is proving to be a bonspiel specialist, having cleaned up at the Forres Bonspiel earlier in November.
As holder of the Dennis Ice Bowl at an Area 10 Bonspiel last season, Dean was unsuccessful in defending the trophy this year.
Nevertheless, congratulations and best wishes to this talented young rink !
15 December 2006 The Court Cartoon
A picture of the Nairn Curling Club Dinner & Court by the caricature artist "Jimbo" directed by Alex Webster is now complete. Unless donated to the National Gallery of Scotland beforehand, the original ( approx 24" x 18" ) is to be auctioned at the Centenary Dinner & Court on saturday 3rd February 2007 ("MADe Art Dealers only eligible to bid)
A Limited Edition of prints (with a suitable caption) will be available early in 2007. Each of these will sell for £15 unframed, or £35 framed.
To order, or for further information, contact Alex Webster.
13 January 2007 David Brown Shield
The David Brown Jubilee Shield - when club members who do not normally skip are promoted to skip for the evening - was played for the 44th time at Inverness Ice Centre on January 12th. and won by the rink of Alan Anderson (skip), Alister Asher, Hamish Clark and Ken Morris.
The event ran true to form with Match Sec. Eric Berhendt and assistant Ken Morris having to weather a storm of late call-offs. In the end, 25 players turned up for the required 24 places.
A split bonspiel format was used, but a slow start and a slow changeover meant that only 6 ends were played in the 2 hour session. There could be a benefit in members re-reading Alan Stanfields "Rock Rules: What a Waste of Time". ( see the news item on Area 10 Moray Province Site, or click here ).
Not to take away from the fact that Alan Anderson's win was popular and well deserved. A convivial evening with an excellent bar supper was enjoyed in the "Claymore" afterwards.
A rumour that Alan suffered a hernia on lifting the shield out of the car on his return home is in fact - just a rumour !
13 January 2007 New Jacket
The Jacket - as worn by those going on the centennial tour to Canada are now available to all members.
Complete with club badge and individual names, these smart items can be ordered from Colin MacGregor
Contact him on 01667 459200, 07768464848, or at cmacgregor@nairnpropertycentre.com
with neck, waist and chest measurements.
Whilst not guaranteed to directly increase curling skill, the smart look will stun the opposition and make you feel good !
Deadline for ordering is January 31st 2007
4 February 2007 Centenary Dinner and Court
Saturday February 3rd 2007 saw a record attendance of 148 for this annual event in the Club's centenary year.
After a welcome to members of clubs from Ardclach to Wengen, the evening began with the showing of some old film documenting the club's early days. The traditional curler's fare, ably served by the Newton Hotel, was followed by Malcolm Jones proposing a toast to Jack Frost in his best inimitable style. President Alister Asher's toast to the RCCC was bravely replied to by RCCC Chairman Michael Ferguson.
The six initiates, including two world champions, were presented to My Lord at the ensuing Court. They were tested and not found wanting.
A humourous appreciation of neighbouring clubs by George Asher was suitably replied to by Tom Pendreigh of Dalcross.
During the evening, bottle no.1 of the limited edition centenary malt was purchased by Ian Hutcheson, the original 'court cartoon' by George Fraser, and a record 'stoup' by Alan Durno (Fochabers).
The fact that a large percentage of the company were still enjoying the 'after-court party' at 3 am testified to a very successful evening.
The Chilliwack Diaries
February 2007
DAY 1.
Local Time 4.45pm. Chilliwack Wed 7th February.
All 20 club members have arrived safely at Chilliwack. Tomorrow there is a warm up game against some local 'masters' opposition. President Ali has called a meeting in the bar for urgent tactical discussions.
DAY 2.
Chilliwack Thurs 8th February
Following last night's tactical discussions, there was a visit to the ice rink, to study form. While the mystery of the scoring system (Totals along the centre of the board instead of ends) confused more than a few, the squad quickly aclimatised to the buying of beer by the pitcher (How many glasses with that sir? - Naw, none - its fine as it is thanks !).
The warm up games were played against the local masters. In view of the level of hospitality being received, the Pottie & Munro rinks felt they had no alternative but to politely offer their opposition victories. The Asher, McGaan and Forrester rinks showed no such consideration in winning their games ! (Taking any chance they could, more like)
The serious competition starts tomorrow, Friday, evening. Our hosts have arranged golf, fishing and other activities for the daytime.
DAY 3.
Friday 9th February
Eighteen of the tour are recovering from last night's visit to the Bavarian Steakhouse where the size of the steaks were truly impressive. The most popular remedy is golf, followed by fishing on the Fraser River - for the local delicacy "Fraser Chicken".
The other two dedicated members were taken to Langley to watch a round of games in the BC Men's Provincial Curling Championships - the star game being between Rick Folks and Bert Gertzwinger. - an enthralling game which Folks won.
The reception and the hospitality from the Chilliwack Curling Club and locals has been above and beyond our expectations. This will be a tour to remember.
The Men's Bonspiel starts for all Nairn teams at 6pm tonight (2 am Nairn Time) .
DAY 4
Chilliwack Saturday February 10th 2.15pm local time
A further visit to the BC Provincial championships at Langley was attended by some yesterday afternoon. All were impressed by the standard. Kevin Reid won the golf outing to a scenic course by the Fraser River - where most of the birdies were bald eagles.
Yesterday evening, four our of five Nairn teams failed to win their 1st round games - only the Pottie team proceeding to the 'A' Section. The Asher and Forrester teams met strong local opposition. The Asher team narrowly avoided being "grannied" by the Ice-Rink Manager's local hot-shots,. Likewise the Forrester team against a team of local OAPs - OAPS who were winners of The BC Provincial Masters (over 60's) last year!
The second round of games started on Saturday at 8am The McGaan and Asher rinks managed to win to stay in section B, but the Forrester rink failed to win and go to section C.
The Saturday weather is bright and sunny, with the surrounding snow-covered hills providing an alpine-like backdrop to Chilliwack.
The "Chilliwack Progress" has a full page article on the club's visit. The president and past-president - who have made an excellent jobof the arrangements so far, were interviewed. It is not clear in the article that their sense of humour has been fully understood by the press, so a media studies seminar will probably be arranged - urgently!
The last session of games start at 9.30pm tonight, while there is a "banquet" for all competitors starting at 6pm.
DAY 5
Chilliwack Sunday 11th February 10.45pm local time
Saturday afternoon and evening saw the all Nairn teams eliminated from the final stages of the competition, despite the Asher, McGaan, Munro and Pottie teams winning one game each. The consolation was it was 'party night' with a buffet 'banquet' and dance band. The Canadians are party animals so the event went with a scottish swing and a very good night was had by all.
Sunday morning dawned bright and clear with a golfing outing to the Royalwood course. Those attending the curling club to watch the quarter, semi, and finals (all played back to back) were greeted by numerous ex-pat scots (not necessarily curlers) who turned up just to chat to us. The hospitality and friendliness has been overwhelming. The final games proved a great lesson in curling, and TV's in the spectator area also showed the BC Men's Championship Final between MacAulay and Joanisse taking place 40 miles away.
By 5pm the ice-rink bar had run out of all beer except bottled.
There was a further state of alarm when it was discovered that the trip to Whistler co-incides with the Gay Pride Winter Sports week. It may be an interesting couple of nights for men in kilts ! This news earned the Whistler trip organiser, Michael Green the 'Webster Jacket' (an orange jacket to be worn by a tour member who incurs a single act or acts of incompetence on or off the ice).
Tomorrow (monday) sees our last day in Chilliwack with five new skips with new rinks ready to curl against Chilliwack Seniors. These OAP's are great curlers, many of them using curling sticks to great effect. The bonspiel prize list featured one rink whose combined ages totalled 286 - so no easy games are expected!
DAY 5
Chilliwack Monday 12th February
The Nairn teams were re-shaped to meet the challenge of the Chilliwack 'Masters', and play got under way at 10 am. At the 4th end of Nichol Bathgate's game against "lawless Don Lanky", Bathgates 2nd dived head first into the house to completely wreck what could have been a punishing end and subsequently had to reyire to the local dentist. John Wigham of Chilliwack was given temporary honorary membership of Nairn and proved to be a 'super-sub'. At the bell honours were even with wins for teams Bathgate and Cruickshank, a peel for team Cope and teams Green and Bunker maintaining a diplomatic balance.
Our host then entertained us to an informal lunch, after which several varied 'presentations' were made. Importantly there were tangible tokens of thanks to the volounteer drivers, and to Bruce Renwick the curling club manager. The Nairn club presented the Chilliwack club with a quaich (scottish drinking vessel) to mark the occassion.
The Webster Jacket was presented to Harold Forrester for his new-look smile, but in the ensuing party he managed to persuade John Wigham that it was part of his substitute's duties to look after it until it could be awarded to someone else!
As the Nairn Tour boarded the bus to leave Chilliwack, there was no doubt a bond had been solidly formed between the clubs. We will certainly see more of each other in the future.
Attempted Heist at Chilliwack
Despite a warning recieved by Dick Allan, vp of Chilliwack CC, the Nairn tour members pictured here easily managed to persuade club manager Bruce Renwick to unlock the trophy cabinet and remove this most impressive curling prize.
Fortunately for Chilliwack, the charter bus to Whistler was late in arriving, and the smooth talking four were rumbled before they could make their getaway.
Vancouver Games
Whistler 13th February
The skylining and snow-mobiling were outstanding. The Heli - trip passengers are still alive, but the skiers are shattered. All are still doing their best to drink Canada Dry.
Vancouver 14th February
Nairn managed to lose 3 games to one against North Shore Winter Club. Donnie MacLeod was the only Nairn winner, beating Bill Burnett fae Buckie - who sends regards to Alan Stanfield (Nairn) and Alan Durno (Fochabers). Great fun had by all.
Vancouver 15th February
Against Richmond Curling Club, the result was 2 games to Nairn and 3 to the hosts. Mike Green was Hors de Combat with back trouble, but his sub. Bruce Beveridge managed to win, as did our illustrious leader, Ali Asher. The Richmond Ice was superb - fast and swingy.
Vancouver 16th February
The web-monkey has recieved the following e-mail:
"I had the pleasure of watching the Nairn Club curl in Richmond yesterday. After the game I had a beer with Skip David McGaan and his team and had a great time with their stories from the present and the past. Being from Scotland I could relate to their wonderful sense of humor. It was a great afternoon. Tom Inglis "
The journey out to Gibsons by limo and ferry was beautiful. We were met by a squad of locals who gave us a quick tour of the harbour and surrounding area where the series 'Beachcombers' was filmed. We were greeeted off the ferry by a piper. Lord Rufus was in tears - he thought it was just for him!
Before the game we were piped round the ice rink - a stunning building with huge wooden beams built by volunteers some 30 years ago.
Gibsons did us proud. They even let us win !
The ice was perfect. Alister Asher reports it as being as fast as he has played on - 3.2 seconds split time for a guard, a weight he's still looking for. Teams Cope, Bathgate and Munro managed to win, with team Pirie snatching a peel from the jaws of victory.
The acting Mayor appeared to thank us, and substitute Bruce Beveridge was rewarded with a bottle of malt before we departed for the ferry home. The downside to the trip was the discovery that the ferry did not have a bar, so we had to share the two remaining miniatures between 18 while Bruce grappled to hold on to his bottle.
A great 'last supper' was held at the Macaroni Grill in Vancouver, where a bemused chinese party was treated to a rendition of 'Happy Birthday' by men in kilts. Michael Green reports the chinaman as saying " I not Tu Yu - I his bruvva".
Tomorrow Saturday the 17th, the Tour heads for home - scheduled to arrive Dalcross at 15.30 on Sunday 18th.
The Tour has been a resounding success, and must be the highlight of Nairn Curling Club's first 100 years.
16 March 2007 Bonspiel at Perth
Centenary Bonspiel
At the instigation of the Nairn Curling Club, clubs celebrating 100 years of existence in 2007 were invited to a bonspiel at the Dewars Ice Rink, Perth on Saturday March 10th.
The other centengenarians were Aberlemno, and Loch Ard - both clubs having been instituted in 1907.
Nairn's two rinks were selected from Ken Morris, Mike McInnes, plus four battle hardened veterans from the BC Centennial Tour - Alister Asher, Hamish Bunker, Bill Young and Hamish Clark - propped up by the youth of Ryan Asher and Dean Clark.
On Perth's keen and excellent ice, Loch Ard were victorious - +4 shots up.
On the Sunday morning, Nairn played a friendly game against Dunning - who provided stiff opposition. ( ie Nairn lost !).
An enjoyable weekend was had and all the opposition are looking forward to a return match at Inverness.
18 March 2007 Park Cup Final
Hamish Clark and his rink of Bill Geddes, Garry Kerr and Andy Machen-Young carried off the Park Cup after a closely fought final against the rink of George Pirie, Malcolm Jones, Ryan Asher and Alan Main.
Hamish won the toss, and scoring went with the hammer - George's rink just managing to inch a head 6 - 5 going into the last end. George's last stone drew a little too far into the house giving Hamish the opportunity to score a two with hist last stone to win 7 - 6.
The Park Cup will replace the Sandy Gunn Shield which is about to vacate Hamish's sideboard. George Pirie will have the consolation of winning the Sandy Gunn League if he can win his last game. There appears to be a five way scramble on Thursday 22nd March to see which two teams will join George's and Ross Cope's teams in the play-off for the Millenium Trophy.
23 March 2007 District Medal Won
The team of Donnie MacLeod(lead), Erich Behrendt (2nd), Colin Macgregor(3rd), and John Anderson (skip), represented Nairn in the RCCC District Medal Match against Highland at the Inverness Ice Centre on Wednesday March 21st.
Well done the lads, - as the quartet defeated a rink from Highland Curling Club 8 shots to 4.
23 March 2007 Superleague Success
Congratulations are due to the mainly Nairn rink of Ryan Asher, Grant Fraser (Ardclach),Ross Cope, Dean Clark (Skip), with sub Hamish Clark, on their recent successful Superleague Division Two campaign.
An enriching experience in more ways than one for this young rink, as they came away as winners from the league topper's play-offs with a healthy wedge of the sponsor's cash !
23 March 2007 SGL Final Night
The final round of Sandy Gunn League games produced the exciting finish this competition is famous for - although not quite in the same measure as last year.
With George Pirie having a far superior shot difference, Ross Cope had to win, and George to lose for Ross to take the title. George found himself toiling against Erich Behrendt, so surely Ross could easily cope (!) with Ali Cruickshank from the table's lower regions.
It was not to be - the Cruickshank rink finding some very late season form to notch up only their second win of the season.
George and Ross finished equal on points, but George took the Sandy Gunn Shield with a superior shots difference.
Hamish Clark won his "decider" with Hamish Bunker for a Millenium Trophy place, and Nichol Bathgate could only draw with David Torrance, leaving himself a point behind George Asher and outside the top four.
The "President's Prize" (donated by the Match Secretary!) for the highest up rink on the evening was won by Hamish Clark - +9 shots.
The Millenium Trophy will be played on Wednesday March 28th - starting at 6pm.
29 March 2007 Millennium Trophy and Double Win
The Millennium Trophy, played for on a k.o. basis between the top four teams in the Sandy Gunn League, was contested on Wednesday 28th March.
In the semi-final games, George Pirie showed no mercy in a 12 - 4 drubbing of George Asher. The other match was a tense affair - Ross Cope eliminating Hamish Clark when the latter was heavy with a last stone guard.
While the losers retired to the bar for beer and a pizza, the winners stayed on the ice for a fight to the death. After four ends - three of them blanked - the score was 2 - 0 to Pirie. At the 5th end a series of misses by the Pirie rink saw the Cope rink score a 2. At the 6th, a heavy last stone by Pirie saw the score, and perhaps the game, swing 4 - 2 in favour of Cope. At the final end, a slightly off line strike by Ross Cope ratlled about the house before ending up shot, leaving Pirie to execute a precise raise and tap out to lie two and tie the game.
With the scores level at 4 all, and the ends level at 2 each and no applicable rule in the club rulebook, both skips agreed to a sudden death 'draw to the bottle' shoot out. George played first to lie in the four foot, but Ross could only watch as his stone drifted agonisingly through the back.
Congratulations to George Pirie (skip), Dean Clark (3), Ian Matheson (2) and Michael Jack (lead) on achieving a well earned "double win". Commiserations to Ross Cope (skip), Robbie Cope (3), Alan Anderson (2) and Finlay Bell (lead) in coming second for the second time in seven days.
23 April 2007 After the Ball
When, in 1907 Sir Robert Finlay KC, Solicitor General, aided the fledgling Nairn Curling Club by leasing them the corner of a field at Lodgehill for their clubhouse and 'ponds', he could not have foreseen that the club would celebrate their centenary in his Nairn home - Newton House then, now the Newton Hotel.
The Centenary Ball on April 21st rounded off a season long marathon of special events. Members and their partners were joined by RCCC President Alistair McCabe, his wife Nanette along with local Provost Sandy Park and representatives and friends from all parts of the North's curling fraternity.
With the help of North of Scotland Marquees, the hotel foyer was extended to allow a display of trophies, photographs and memoribilia. Ian McConnachie and his hotel team served an excellent menu while the Nairn and District Pipe Band entertained diners. George MacArthur of Ardclach, Nairn's good neighbours and rivals for 100 years, ably proposed a witty but fitting toast for the occassion. Harold Forrester was dumbstruck on recieving an honorary membership.
Aided by sponsorship from MacAllan and Bank of Scotland Corporate, the evening's enjoyment continued with dancing to the Rerr Terr Ceilidh Band. In the club's early days reports of social functions usually acknowledged "purveying by Mr Asher". Current president Alistair Asher - great grandson of the aforementioned (and founder member) Mr Asher - maintained tradition by providing a round of pies before the evening drew to a happy close. Well done Colin, Gregor, Robbie and the organising commitee !
Photograhic coverage was by Fox Photographic.
26 May 2007 AGM and Prizegiving
The club's AGM was held on Friday 25th May - about 4 weeks later than normal to avoid clashing with the centenary ball. The attendance was reasonable, but not as good as previous years.
Secretary/Treasurer John Anderson presented a satisfactory financial report. This was followed by reports from the Match Secretary, the Social Convenor and the President. As well as the usual round of activities, the centenary events were reviewed. A centenary bonspiel to which invitations and challenges will be issued to other clubs, has been provisionally arranged for December 1st. 2007. The club's history book is also expected to appear around that time.
The only change in the management committee is that George Pirie stands down after many years good service, his place being taken by Ken Morris.
Under AOCB, Past-president Mike Green and President Ali Asher were presented with framed prints of Vancouver BC by way of a "thank you for arranging it " from those who went on the successful trip.
Members were then joined by wives and guests for an excellent dinner served by Donnie MacLeod and his efficient staff. A light hearted prizegiving followed, with the annual awarding of The Webster Cap providing a fitting climax. This trophy now sits on an appropriate wooden plaque, craftily constructed by Stewart Baird. Nominations were not so readily forthcoming as in previous years, but the winner for the second year running was Malcolm Jones - reward for coming bottom of the Moray Province (West) Leagues with only 3 points. In his acceptance speech Malcolm was more concerned about how he was to explain to his family his retention of the trophy rather than explain to everyone how he had gained as many as three points!
