Ladies Branch President’s News Update

Just over two weeks now until the Ladies Branch AGM. This will be my last news report.

I was in Perth for the Scottish Championships in the third week of February. As Perth is only forty five minutes from home I did not stay in Perth for the week. It was an interesting week of curling with Team Muirhead a clear winner but the Mens a closer Championship. However Team Brewster played a fiery game to win their Championship.

For the first time the final day was ticketed and there was a lunch available. Thanks to the RCCC, myself and a friend enjoyed a free seat and lunch on the day. I sat next to the Lady Provost of Perth in the morning. The RCCC office staff were all present and the day ran very smoothly.

On the Thursday we had a Joint meeting with the Board and the ASC.

On the Friday evening I attended the fund raising quiz night held by my own Strathkinness club. No prizes for us though!

The next week was the Scottish Senior Championships at Hamilton. I went through on the Thursday and then back on the Sunday with three friends who were going on to Lockerbie with me for the Henderson Bishop Finals. The Seniors is always enjoyable for me as I know a fair proportion of the Women taking part. Team Lockhart curled very well and were worthy winners. President Billy Howat reached the final but was beaten by Team Gordon Muirhead.

As soon as the prize giving was over we were on the road to Lockerbie – to the Dryfesdale Hotel in time for dinner. So started a very enjoyable four days. It is such a great competition – very competitive but hugely social as well. Lockerbie Ice Rink and Ladies Centre combined to host an excellent competition. The Dinner on the Wednesday evening was very good and the Entertainment hilarious. I was sitting next to our new Chaplain Alan Donaldson and he certainly took it all in good form.

We had a brief executive meeting during the week – mainly to discuss Banking arrangements for the Incoming Tour.

President Billy was at the Dinner and at the Prize-giving the next day. It was good to have him there . He was off to Copenhagen a few days after this to attend the World Juniors. On the Saturday I went up to Forfar to present the Rinks Championship trophy.

Tuesday the 8th March was the 50th anniversary of the Morton Finals. Fife Ice Arena and Kirlcaldy centre Ladies arranged a special day. Teams were piped on the Ice and there was a Birthday Cake and an anniversary plate for the winners Ayr.

At the weekend I attended the Scottish schools final at Braehead. My grandson Sean was playing for the Kinross High School team who made the final day but did not win. Meanwhile my son Murdo won our club trophy given in the memory of his Grandfather – also Murdo Fraser!

I was delighted to welcome our Gold Medal winning Junior Men when they arrived back home. So sorry for the Girls who had done some good curling but missed out on the wins. On the Wednesday we had the Kirkcaldy Ladies Centre AGM then early on the Thursday morning I left Edinburgh with two friends, Margaret Lambie and Dorothy Greenhorn en-route to Swift Current for the Women’s World Championships.

It was a long journey from Edinburgh – Schipol – Minneapolis – Regina by plane then two and a quarter hours by taxi to Swift Current. This was a first time experience for us as we had not been to a Canadian Championship before. It seemed as if the whole of Swift Current and many others from the neighbouring Provinces were there. WCF had arranged my ‘accreditation’ so I was well set for the ten days.

We were up at the iplex every day especially to support Scotland . We were very disappointed for them when games just didn’t go their way and they did not qualify for the knockouts. I spoke to lots of people in the sponsors lounge mostly local farming people . Some of the WCF members were there too( including Kate Caithness) and had a few meals with them. Interested to meet Wok, a Korean boy who is working for the WCF in the Perth office. Also had an interview with Eagle Southwest Radio. They emailed me the recording which has caused some amusement to friends and family who have been invited to listen to it!

The Patch was very busy and only fast food available, so we found some good places to eat out, Acropol – a Greek restaurant , Original Joes which was just off the Trans Canada Highway and was very good and a Cafe opposite the iplex called Allicaterers! Just in case any of you find yourself in Swift Current in the future?

Robbie and Cathleen Scott were staying in the same hotel as me. They hosted a wee drinks party on two nights after we came back from the evening game. On one of those nights Vicki Adam’s Aunt and Uncle joined us.

Our time off from the curling was spent at a brewery, a bull sale and meeting the Mayor in his Downtown Council Chambers.

Home on the 29th March. I had really bad jet lag for a couple of days but managed to recover in time for an Incoming Tour meeting in Perth (VP Jan has worked hard towards completing the tour Itinerary) on the next Monday, then my last full LSC Meeting at the Murrayfield on the Tuesday.

Our final Competition of the Season was the new format ‘Unders and Overs’ at Kinross Curling on Sunday 10th April.

Thanks to Fiona Hardie and her committee for the arrangements. It was a very successful day and seem to be enjoyed by all who took part. Carolyn Liddle at the Shop at the Green donated and presented prizes to runners-up and winners. Ann Gibb who, along with Brenda McIntyre, gifted the trophy for the original competition presented it to the winners Team Drysdale skipped by Maggie Scott.

Thanks to all the Office staff, the Umpires and the many volunteers at all our centres for making it possible to run all these and other home competitions – keeping us all CURLING.

I am not sure if anyone reads this news report (I am aware that not everybody is on Facebook) but last word is to welcome you to the Ladies Branch of the RCCC AGM in the Dean Park hotel Kirkcaldy. 2pm on Tuesday 10th May.

It has been a memorable year.

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