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June 2020
Inverness Ice Centre - Questions & Answers
Inverness Ice Centre - Questions & Answers
On Monday 22nd June, in a historic first, the management of the Inverness Ice Centre ran a live on-line 'question and answer' session using 'Zoom' technology.
Joining the meeting using the details provided took 3 - 4 minutes, and was easy to do. Out of the hundreds of Ice Centre users, 39 only attended. Ice hockey did not appear to be represented, skaters numbered three or four, and of the rest being curlers, seven were from Nairn Curling Club.
The meeting was ably chaired by Michael Green, and Gordon Barron, the CEO, acted as moderator. The questions were relevant but in these uncertain times no definitive answers could be given to many of them. However it was obvious that a power of work is being done by the board and staff to have the facilities up and running when regulations allow, and to improve the Ice Centre's communication with its users.
Whatever happens in these coronavirus times, it is the stated policy of the management to ensure users enjoy a safe environment with confidence.
Michael Green chairs Inverness Ice Centre Q & A session
via "Zoom"
March 2020
End of Season - Postponed.
End of Season - Postponed.
The Coronavirus has delivered a spectacular take-out to the climax of the curling season, with the cancellation of the Sandy Gunn League and the Millennium Trophy, not to mention the World Mens Curling Championships and some other notable competitions.
Nairn Curling Club committee have taken the correct decision not to totally abandon the Club's sporting climax, but to postpone it to a later date. The International Olympic Committee have taken a similar stance with the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Following a committee meeting, Club president Al Cruickshank has issued the following statement to members:
"Given how close we came to finishing the season and with the SGL title race and Millenium Trophy places still up for grabs, the decision is to try and complete the outstanding games in the SGL, as well as play the Millenium Trophy, at the start of next season. This is obviously dependent on the current coronavirus crisis being over and the Ice Centre being open. If we can't get these games played then the current positions will stand. The other outstanding competitions such as the Match Cup will sadly not be played for this season.
It has also been decided to postpone the AGM until our September meeting. The new teams for the SGL 2020/2021 season will be picked on the current standings as the final standings won't be known at that point.
We would also like to hold an event near the start of the season that could incorporate the prize giving for this seasons winners. Ideas are being considered and we'll let you know when a decision has been made on format and venue.
In the meantime I hope you all look after yourselves and enjoy the spring and summer as best you can in the circumstances. "
Al Cruickshank (President)
March 2020
Great Scott - He's won The Points!
Great Scott - He's won The Points!
Nairn Curling Club’s Points Competition was played for the Whitelaw Kettle at Inverness Ice Centre on March 6th. This is the Club’s oldest trophy, having been presented in 1909 by its founding president, William Whitelaw.
Four shots were played at each of eight disciplines. Alex's winning score was 41 points. Joint Runners-up were Ali Asher and Alan Morton, each with 35 points.
Twenty club members competed.
Photo: Stewart Morrison
Pictured are the 2020 prizewinners - L to R -
Alex Scott (Whitelaw Kettle), Neil Pottie (Best Draw to The Bottle), President Al Cruickshank and Stephen Laurie (Handicap Winner).February 2020
Inverness Ice Centre Seniors League
Inverness Ice Centre Seniors League
There was an exciting finish to the Inverness Ice Centre Gordon & McPhail sponsored Seniors League.
Before the last round of games any one of five teams could have been victors.
Pictured is the Nairn rink of Gregor Munro (lead), Nichol Bathgate (3rd), Harold Forrester (skip) and Frank Milne (2nd), who came out top, thereby retaining the title they won last year.
Other squad members who played during the season were Alan Stanfield, Bob Ferenth and Malcolm Jones.
January 2020
George Pirie
George Pirie
The Curling Community will be saddened to hear of the passing of George Pirie on Sunday January 19th 2020.
George's career as a distillery manager took him from Oban to Royal Brackla to Montrose before he retired to Nairn with his wife Hilda around 1996.
In 1981 he had the distinction of winning the David Brown Jubilee Shield on the same day he joined the Club.
A successful skip in the Sandy Gunn League, he won the trophy in the 1998-99, 2000-01 and 2006-07 seasons.
He also skipped rinks that won the Millennium Trophy in 2001-02 and 2006-07.
He was an efficient and diligent Club Secretary/Treasurer from 2000 to 2003.
Among George's many interests was photography, from which the Club has benefitted by having its activities recorded and presented on these web-pages.
Always a gentleman and a sportsman, George will be sadly missed. The Club's sympathies are extended to Hilda and family.
January 2020
Nairn Win District Medal
Nairn Win District Medal
On January 4th a Nairn team entertained a team from Cawder House Curling Club ( home rink was Braehead -RIP) at Inverness Ice centre, in a tie to decide the fate of the Scottish Curling Inter-club Medal in which they were drawn together.
The Interclub Medal, previously known as the District Medal for around 150 years, has a long history of rivalry between clubs being settled on the ice. With the expansion of the railways and the age of the motor car, a 'district' pretty well encompasses the whole of Scotland in modern times, but that is no excuse for the powers that be to arbtitarily dump the traditional name.
No matter - Nairn CC [ Mike McInnes (skip), Colin McGregor, President Al Cruickshank and Faye McInnes] emerged victorious and are pictured with their opponents below:
December 2019
Past Presidents' Lunch
Past Presidents' Lunch
This NCC biennial event was arranged and hosted by President Alistair Cruickshank in the Nairn Golf Club on December 28th 2019.
The accompanying photo was taken in the car park whilst Nairn Fire Brigade, who had been automatically summoned by a kitchen alarm, checked that the steaks were not being overdone.
December 2019
2019-20 Park Cup Final
2019-20 Park Cup Final
The Park Cup, donated to the Club in 1923 by the then Secretary Robert Park, is the Club's premier knock-out trophy.
This year's competition reached its climax when the rinks of Ali Tunstall and Robbie Asher met in the final. A close fought and exciting game ensued, with the Asher rink emerging winners by 6 shots to 4.
Congratulations to Robbie, the latest in a line of Park Cup winning Ashers. His grandfather James was a winner in 1975-76, his father Alister in 1995-96, his uncle George in 2005-06 and his brother Ryan in 2007-08.
BACK ROW: Nichol Bathgate, Ali Tunstall, Alan Scott, Michael Green
FRONT ROW (Winners) : Eric Behrendt, Robbie Cope, Robbie Asher, Ian Stuart
November 2019
Dalcross Needle
Dalcross Needle
The Annual Match with our good neighbours Dalcrss Curling Club, took place at Inverness Ice Centre on November 29th.
The event celebrated the traditions of The Game, with ends of curling where playing position and opposition rotated between refreshment breaks before the evening concluded with a meal at The Redcliffe Hotel.
As the match drew to a close, Nairn's Murray Urquhart, whilst lying shot, played a 'tactical hog' to ensure the score stood at peels : 19 - 19. In the deciding shoot-out Tom Pendreigh for Dalcross put his stone right on the button. Mike McInnes for Nairn followed with a good attempt which the sweepers managed to burn as his stone reached the button.
Congratulations to Dalcross on their win - see you next year! Photos Courtesy of Neil Anderson
September 2019
Inverness Ice Centre - Update
Inverness Ice Centre - Update
Club Member Michael Green, who is Board Chairman of the Inverness Ice Centre, gave an update on progress made there at the Autumn General Meeting.
In summary, the cash situation is healthy, with increase in revenue, but also with an increase in the cost of repairs. Since the appointment of Gordon Barron as CEO good progress has been made in studying the functions of the Ice Centre and planning improvements to benefit the users. A study of how other similar ice rinks in Scotland operate is being carried out.
Among many benefits to come is a new website with a much improved curling diary and ice booking system. The website will also have 'next day' updates for results and league tables for competitions played at the Ice Centre.
Finally, whilst part of the current revue, no changes in ice times or charges are planned meantime.
September 2019
Proposed Inverness Ice Centre Inter-Club League
Proposed Inverness Ice Centre Inter-Club League
Details of a proposed new Inter Club League (with discounted ice charges and prize money!) is described in a letter to Match Secretary Ali Asher can be read here.
Anyone interested in being selected to represent the Club in this competition should either contact Match Sec Ali Asher or their Park Cup/SGL Skip.
September 2019
Vice President Ian Fraser Stands Down
Vice President Ian Fraser Stands Down
At the recent Autumn General Meeting of the Club, Vice-president Ian Fraer intimated that he was standing down due to on-going health issues following a recent hip operation.
Ian has promised he will be back, but until then the Club wish him a speedy recovery.
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