2007-08
December Past Presidents Lunch
The management committee of the curling club arranged a lunch for past presidents on a date as close as possible to that historic november day one hundred years ago when a public meeting was called with a view to forming a curling club in Nairn. It was unfortunate that there were four unavoidable absences, but those who attended enjoyed an excellent meal with old friends. As time passes, not all those who have curled can continue to do so. Others find different interests. So there was much pleasure in renewing friendships and swopping tales from the past. " It wasn't like that in my day" was a phrase heard more than once !
The last re-union of past presidents was 14 years ago in 1993. Those who attended appreciated the arrangements made to hold the 2007 centenary re-union.
15 Dec 2007 Points Cakewalk
The Annual 'Points Competition' for the Whitelaw Kettle drew an entry of some fifteen members. Not a great turn-out, but bearing in mind the lateness of the hour, the day of the week and the time of the year - about the best number that could be hoped for.
The evening proved to be somewhat of a pie-man's benefit, with the well-known baking/curling family taking the top three places in the main competition. Winner was Alister Asher with son Ryan second, and older brother George third.
Alister also won the " Draw to the Bottle" with the first stone thrown in the competition.
Breaking the mafia grip on the evening was Jim Clark who managed to win the Points Handicap Trophy.
24 January 2008 Eric F Brown
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Eric Brown. He was one of Nairn Curling Club’s outstanding members.
Eric joined the club in 1955 shortly before his father, David Brown, became president, and he embraced curling with the energy and enthusiasm that was the hallmark of everything he did. He was club president himself from 1962 to 1964, and was on the club’s management committee for many years.
His curling skills were acquired out-door, but when ice-rinks were built in Aviemore and Inverness in the 1960’s, he quickly established a reputation as a formidable exponent of the indoor game. In the 1970’s his rink of James Asher at third, the late Robert Mirtle at second, and a succession of young "curling apprentices" at lead, were regularly winning many of the North’s premier competitions. Notably in 1974 he skipped a Nairn rink to win the Royal Caledonian Curling Club’s National Rinks Championship. He also won the Scottish Rotary Curling Championships in 1973, 1977 and 1978.
Off the ice, he gave freely of his business talents to the game. He helped set up and run the original Johnny Walker International Week of Curling which was held annually at Aviemore for many years. In 1980 he formed a company with John G Macgregor to take over the running of the then struggling Inverness Ice-rink. He encouraged youth, presenting the trophies for the annual Inverness Juniors Tournament, first staged in 1981. He also presented the "Little Brown Jugs" to be competed for by young Ardclach curlers.
Eric announced his retirement from curling in 1984. The club recognised his contribution with an Honorary Membership. The then club president, David Kerr said in tribute:
"Nairn and Highland curlers owe him a great deal of thanks for the skill, endeavour and support over years at the top of Scottish curling. Those who played with him learned a great deal - he was a great club man and a sticker to the rules. On and off the ice he was an example to all others."
The Nairn Curling Club send condolences to Sheena, Carol, David and family.
4 Mar 2008 Green Dream Team win SGL
Michael Green and his team held their nerve to claim the Sandy Gunn Shield for the 2007 -2008 season. Ryan Asher and Ross Cope fought their game in the hope that the winner would take the title if Michael slipped up, but the Green Machine managed to overcome some spirited resistance from Colin MacDonald and his wooden-spooners to emerge 8 - 2 winners and take the trophy.
Michael Green now plays 4th place Ryan Asher, while Ross Cope and David Torrance square up to each other in the semi-finals of the Millennium Trophy on March 24th at 7.30pm. Then straight back on the ice for the Final at 9.35.
Will The Green Dream Team Machine Sweep Clean ?
19 March 2008 Park Cup
Ryan Asher, in his first year as skip, has become the youngest winner of the Park Cup at the age of 17.
His rink of Robbie cope, Donnie MacLeod and David Wickenden triumphed in a very close final against another new skip - Stewart Baird.
Stewart was ahead 3 - 1, but dropped a four at the fifth end following some excellent play by Ryan's rink. Once ahead, the young skip held his nerve to lead his team home to a 6 - 4 victory.
19 March 2008 Province Points – Ryan on a Roll
The Province Points were held on Tuesday 18 th March, and the winner was .......Ryan Asher!
Ryan has obviously hit an end of season purple patch, winning his second trophy in seven days. He came out ahead in a strong field at Elgin Ice Rink to win the Heather Little Trophy with a score of 39. Second place was ex RCCC development Officer Gordie Kennedy with 38. Nairn's other representative, President Alister Asher scored 32 ( but being Ryan's dad, gets to admire the trophy every day for the next year!).
20 March 2008 President for Swiss Tour
Nairn President, Ali Asher, is among those who have been nominated by the RCCC to go on the official tour to Switzerland next season.
A reliable source indicates that Ali has been nominated vice-captain. Without doubt Ali's experience of 'herding cats' on the Nairn Club's outing to British Columbia will stand him in good stead. His selection is an honour well deserved for all the work and effort he has put into curling in recent years.
28 March 2008 Young and Old
Congratulations are due to Dean Clark who helped Nairn Young Farmers win the Scottish Young Farmers Curling Champiuonships. Other local young curlers in the winning team were Ally Fraser (Ardclach), Robert Craigie and Matthew MacKay (Cawdor) with Andrew Craigie (Cawdor) as alternate. Well done lads!
At the other end of the age spectrum, the Nairn Auldtimers rink in the Inverness Seniors League managed to win nine out of their ten games to take the title and the Robert Sinclair Salver. Those who remembered to turn up regularly were Harold Forrester, George Pirie, Nichol Bathgate and Gregor Munro, with guest appearances from Alan Stanfield, Bob Pottie and David Kerr.
12 April 2008 AGM 2008
A well attended AGM on Friday April 18th 2008 saw several significant changes.
Alister Asher came to the end of his two year stint as president, but unfortunately vice-president Hamish Bunker has had to step down due to work commitments. David Torrance has been fast-tracked into the presidential hot seat, with Stewart Baird as his deputy.
After five years of service, John Anderson stood down as secretary/treasurer and his duties will now be carried out by Alistair Cruickshank. Ken Morris is taking over the position he previously job-shared with Erich Behrendt as match secretary.
The gaps in committee have been filled by Alex Scott and Donnie MacLeod. Nairn has a reputation as a well run club, so every good wish goes to the new management committee to keep it that way !
The party which followed the AGM was as entertaining as in previous years.
Following an excellent dinner, David Torrance hosted the prize giving and 'awards' ceremonies brought to a climax with The Webster Cap nominations.
There were four nominations:
- Michael Green (for thinking every year is now a centenary year);
- Erich Behrendt (for resigning as match secretary with no real excuse);
- Malcolm Jones ( for calling off from curling to go to ballroom dancing lessons); but the clear winner was
- Gregor Munro, who skipped a rink in Division 1 Moray Province (West) and whose achievement over ten games of zero points and -73 shots difference would have been improved if they hadn't turned up at all ( zero points and only -60 shots difference) !
In an emotional acceptance speech which moved his audience (nearer the door actually), Gregor paid suitable tribute to his rink, without whose help he could not possibly have reached this point in his curling career.
