nairn curling club
NEWS ARCHIVE 2022-23
20th June 2023
"Nairn on Ice" Exhibition
After eight weeks the feature exhibition at the Nairn Museum has closed. The event has been well received, and the Directors of the Museum are happy. Attached is a letter addressed to Club Members thanking them for their support.
28th April 2023
Annual General Meeting - Summary
The Club's AGM attracted a modest attendance, with about an equal number of apologies given. Dean Clark gave his final president's report on a reasonably successful year, highlighting the Nairn Museum's "Nairn on Ice" exhibition and Ali Asher's sole nomination for vice-president of the RCCC.
Danny Grey gave a competent summary of the Club's satisfactory financial position, and Alex Scott reported on Club competitions, and the participation of members in province, national and International events.
Paul Macdonald was installed as president, with Angus (Gus) Forbes as the new vice president . Danny Grey and Alex Scott were re-elected Secy/Treasurer and Match Secy. respectively, and Ally Tunstall as Auditor. There is one vacancy on the committee which will hopefully be filled at the Autumn general meeting.
Mike McInnes reported on Curling Development and Michael Green gave a comprehensive report on the Inverness Ice Centre, which, along with many recreational facilities, is facing huge increases in operating costs. The good news is that Inverness are working hard to use their facilities to mitigate the impact. Even so, next winter's curling season is going to be shortened by a month to save energy costs.
Events to look forward to at the start of next season are a Nairn CC Tout to the Halloween Bonspiel in Nashville (details from Ali Asher), and the Inverness Skins to be held again, on the first week-end in November. Because of the shortened season it will be very important that members reply promptly to Alex Scott regarding their intentions for 2023-24.
21st April 2023
Prizegiving Evening
A very enjoyable social evening was held in the Nairn Golf Club, organised and hosted by Vice-president Paul MacDonald.
Victors received their hard won trophies, except for the winners of the Club's two most historical trophies, the Whitelaw Kettle and the Park Cup, both of which are featuring in the"Nairn on Ice" display at the Nairn Museum.
Paul McIvor was DJ, and also took photos for the carousel.
Congratulations to all prize-winners, and to all who helped organise the evening.
30th March 2023
Millennium Destiny Decided
The last competition of the Season has been wrapped up. Gus Forbes, with Alan Morton, the same vice-skip as he had last season, retained his hold on the Millennium Trophy, but with the different front end of Jana Millar and her dad Gordon.
In the semi-finals, John Bochel surprisingly suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Scott Fraser, and Gus came back from 1 - 2 down to Andy Orlinski to take a 4 and a 3 for a win.
In the final the Forbes rink produced a steady performance, losing only singles at the 1st and the 4th ends to win 8 - 2.
The picture shows Mike McInnes congratulating the winning rink (l to r) Gus Forbes, Jana Millar, Alan Morton and Gordon Millar.
Photo: Stephen Laurie
20th March 2023
Great News from Cairnie House!
Ali Asher has been nominated for Vice-president, to be confirmed at the next AGM of the RCCC.
Past President of Nairn, Past President of Moray Province, Tour Organiser Extraordinaire, Number 4 in a five generation dynasty in Nairn Curling Club, and all-round Ambassador for the Game, the nomination is well deserved. Mega-congrats Ali !
In reply Ali states: Happy to confirm that I've accepted an invite from the current Vice of the RCCC, Jimmy Raeburn, to be his Vice, and if all goes to plan I'll be President from June 2024 for a year. I hope to serve Nairn CC and all Scottish Curlers well over this time.
15th February 2023 - Sandy Gunn League Final Night
This has been the closest finish to the SGL ever! Six teams went into the final round of games, each with 7 points. Gus Forbes was in pole position - ahead on ends and playing bottom of the table, Stephen Laurie.
Gus managed a win, but won only three ends. Scott Fraser set about Murray Urquhart and managed a 14-2 victory, picking up 6 ends in the process and ensuring his team of a triumphant return to the celebrations in the Westerlea Hotel.
Congratulations to Scott, Alan, Ian and Neil, and well done on a great competition to all who took part.
The final table, with teams qualifying for The Millennium Trophy can be seen here .
Alan Scott, Neil Mapes, Scott Fraser, NCC President Dean Clark, Ian Stuart
Photo: Stepen Laurie
28th January 2023 - Annual Dinner & Court
This event, held every year since 1957 took place in the Newton Hotel, former residence of Sir R.K.Finlay KC, one-time Patron and Benefactor of the Club. The company of 90 Curlers and Naebodies, included attendees from Norway and a few Olympic, World and National champions. It is heartening to see elite curlers at the pinnacle of the sport, who appreciate the traditions of the ancient curling societies, where social values and enjoyment are part of the game.
The evening went well, thanks to much commendable hard work by President Dean Clark and his committee, and some well prepared toasts. Neil Sands of Sorn CC gave the principal toast to "Jack Frost", in a professional and polished style. There was no "Blue Blazer" available to reply to the toast to the RCCC due to commitments to incoming and outgoing international tours, but RCCC President Mike Ferguson sent a pre-recorded message. "Neighbouring Clubs" was ably proposed by Danny Gray, and David Robertson of Cawdor replied. The naebodies became curlers, and the evenings proceedings were wound up by Paul MacDonald's toast to "The Chairman" in which he thanked all involved for their efforts and participation.
TOP TABLE GUESTS AND SPEAKERS
Piper Alistair MacKenzie Danny Gray David Robertson Dean Clark Mike Ferguson Neil Sands Paul MacDonald Mike Mcinnes Neil MacArthur
26th January 2023 - Wengen Winners!
The Wengen Curling Club was founded in 1911 by a group of mainly British Tourists, and since then has run a series of competitions held on 'outdoor' ice each January. This year has proved to have been not only enjoyable but successful for the Nairn curlers fortunate enough to be among the 70 competitors.
Enthusiastic Nairn Match Secretary Alex Scott won the Wengen Challenge Cup, with the help of three ladies. Interestingly, in previous years Nairn curlers were also on the winning team - 2006 Margaret Pottie, 2011 Peter Duncan, and in 2013, the late Bob Pottie.
This year Peter was on the winning team for the Wyllie Challenge shield, along with Margaret Pottie of Nairn Ladies CC. Peter also distinguished himself as one of the duo making up the wining team in The Pairs competition and as member of the winning team for the Glasgow Wengen Trophy.
Congratulations to all, not only for the successes but for keeping the Nairn CC flag flying !
18th January 2023. - The Match Cup
There was an entry of 10 members for this season's singles competition. The format was 2 leagues of 5 playing 4x 2 end games, 4 x stones each with the winners of each league playing a 3 end final. Neil Pottie won his league, but Peter Duncan tied with Dean Clark, and only managed to go through when ends and shots were counted.
A tight three end final was played which resulted in a peeled game. In a tense shoot-out, Peter managed to out-draw Neil for a well deserved win.
The picture shows Peter receiving the trophy from President Dean Clark in the company of some of the competitiors.
29th December 2022 - Past Presidents' Lunch
Twelve past presidents of the Club met for this Biennial event at the Nairn Golf Club. Posing for the obligatory photo with the current President Dean Clark are: Harold Forrester (1978-80), Alistair Adam (1990-92), Alan Stanfield (1992-94), Bill Young (1994-96), Colin MacGregor (1998-00), Gregor Munro (2000-02), Michael Green (2004-06), Alister Asher (2006-08), David Torrance (2008-10), Stewart Baird (2010-12), Hamish Clark (2012-14), and Alex Scott (2016-18). Absent were:- Alistair Mackintosh (1980-82), David Kerr (1982-84), Malcolm Jones (1996-98), Alex Webster (2002-04), Hamish Bunker (2014-16), and Ali Cruickshank (2018-21).
The Golf Club's Catering was exellent, as was the craic, which was only to be expected in such convivial curling company!
21st December 2022 - "The Points"
When the points were added up at the end of this season's competition the result was found to be a tie between six times previous winner Dean Clark, and Gordon Millar, aiming to get his name on the Club's oldest trophy for the first time. After a play-off Gordon emerged as this season's holder of "The Whitelaw Kettle".
Congratulations to Gordon who topped the evening's podium with "Draw to the Bottle" Winner John Bochel, and "Handicap Prize" Winner, Stephen Laurie.
John Bochel, Gordon Millar, Stephen Laurie
President Dean Clark presents the "Kettle" to Gordon Millar
John Bochel receives the "Draw to the Bottle" decanter
8th December 2022 - Park Cup Final
In the final of this season's Park Cup, Murray Urquhart (skip) with Robbie Cope, Alan Bulcraig (sub), and Ian Watson, lined up against a strong rink skipped by Stephen Laurie. The Laurie rink got off to a good start, scoring a 2 and a 1 at the first two ends. The Urquhart rink came back with a 1, then lost a 1, before taking another 1 to stand 2-4 down after 5 ends. The next two ends were crucial in a tense final, but finished with an exchange of singles, and the Park Cup went to Stephen Laurie's side board.
After the game. Stephen commented "Congratulations to Murray's team for making the final a brilliant contest tonight. Was a great game to be part of".
Alex Bochel. Stephen Laurie, Gordon Millar, & Peter Duncan
7th November 2022 - Eric Brown Bonspiel
The "Bonspiel" is the foundation of the game of curling. In this format is found the competition, rivalry, good humour, joie de vivre and all round good sportsmanship celebrated wherever the game is played. Since 2009 NCC have held a bonspiel in memory of one of the Club's most skilful and enthusiastic members of his time.
In days long past Jack Frost would dictate where and when a bonspiel would take place. Modern ice-centres make time and place predictable, but the task of arranging has got no easier, with NCC Match Secretary Alex Scott working hard to get 14 rinks out on the day. This season's entry was joined by Ali Asher's team-mates from the Scotland Swiss Tour of 2009-10. In arranging a brilliant day, Alex was assisted by vice-president Paul MacDonald, who recorded an album of the day, which can be seen here .
Winners on the day were last year's 'neeps', the Hospitals CC rink of Andy Wood (S), P Masheter, D MacDonald and C McCarvill.
Photo: Stewart Morrison
The Consolation Prize was won by ex-president RCCC Jim Cullen's rink, with some Nairn assistance.
Standing in the corner are this year's 'neeps', - Ali Asher and his tourists rink!
Photo: Stewart Morrison
7th November 2022 - David Brown Jubilee Shield
This is the competition where less experienced Club members get a chance to shine, as a rule states that no Club member who is, or has been a province or club skip, or past winner of the Shield, may skip a rink. In its 55th competitive year only six rinks entered, and some of those were short on numbers. Triumphant on the night was Neil Watson who, with the assistance of Neil Pottie and Jamie Cattell, finished +8 shots up.
Picture: Vice-president Paul MacDonald presents Neil Watson with the David Brown Shield with Jamie Cattell (L) and Neil Pottie (R).
Photo: Hamish Bunker.
25th October 2022 - Keith Petrie Retiral
An association lasting over 50 years was marked today when Inverness Ice rink users met to pay tribute to Keith Petrie on his retiral as Manager and General Factotum of the rink.
In making the presentation, CEO Gordon Barron described how Keith, since 1968, had loyally kept the rink running over the years, making ice, fixing the ice-plant, ordering bar-stocks, assisting with special events, all as part of his management role. Nobody knew more about the workings of Inverness Ice Centre than Keith, and this knowledge had been invaluable to the present management. He then presented Keith with a cheque for a sum collected from subscribers named on an accompanying card, together with a Lifetime Achievement Award Certificate and Free Lifetime Membership of Friends of Inverness Ice Centre.
Keith's acceptance speech appeared to cover two sides of A4 paper, but contained a list of the many people who had also made presentations to him on his retiral, including clubs and organisations, individual curlers, skaters, ice-hockey players and the taekwondo club (no, they don't play on ice but rent part of the premises!). Keith expressed his thanks and appreciation to everybody, ''too numerous to mention".
CEO Gordon Barron(L) makes presentations to Keith Petrie(R), and Keith replies.
12 September 2022 - Autumn General Meeting
President Dean Clark opened the meeting by paying tribute to the recent passing of Marilyn Asher. She had been a member of the Club in the days before the formation of Nairn Ladies Curling Club. She was the wife of the late honorary Club member, James Asher, mother of Club members George and Alister, and grandmother to Club members Ryan and Robbie.
Items of general interest were: The date of the 2023 Dinner & Court, fixed for January 28th (so as not to detract from the attendances at the "Bookless" in Inverness and the rugby international at Twickenham). The Annual subscription is increasing to £30, mainly due to the increase in the RCCC sub. The Club's Eric Brown Bonspeil will be held on Saturday 19th November (names to Alex if not already in!).
There is an alteration to the SGL Rules prompted by difficulties in getting the requisite number of players during the pandemic. The committee were keen to see games begun with 4 players, but understand that exceptional circumstances can arise, so they have agreed that each rink in the competition will be allowed one " exceptional circumstances" during the season, and may start a game with only three players. As there are to be only eight teams in the SGL, and there is a good list of reserves, it is hoped skips will not need to use this allowance.
Skips met after the meeting closed to select rinks for the SGL and the Park Cup, and the selections can be seen on the appropriate "Competitions" web-pages.