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5th February 2010
Team Stark keep a firm dold on the Directors Trophy with an easy win over the Yester rink Skipped by Johnny Shedden click here for full results report.

5th February 2010
The new display stand housing a record of all the past winners of Border Ice Rink Club competition winners was unveiled by Tommy Neilands at Border Ice Rink tonight.   Tommy was asked to perform the honours as his name was on the very first year of winners for winning the Cunningham Trophy for the 40 and under age group (he was unable to defend the title as the following year he was to old).
This new display will be a record for all to view and will be located in the club lounge.

1st February 2010
Congratulations to the border team of James Stark (S), Andrew Reed, Stuart Craig & Alastair Hodge who are the first full Borders team to win the Yara Farmers Curling Tournament at the Dewars Centre, Perth, last week.   With a hard fight and some close games to get to the final, he had a good result in the final with a win of 6 - 1.  See full results HERE

19th January 2010
The start date for the 8 to 80+ Project will be 30th March 2010. click here for details.

17th January 2010
The first full week of the Virtual Club got going with 12 new mew members yesterday.   The club also had a short meeting and organised themselves with a small committee.
The Virtual Club is a progression from the beginners classes and a feeder to the main curling clubs.

8th January 2010

Statement from the Royal Caledonian Curling Club concerning the Grand Match

It is with great disappointment that The Royal Caledonian Curling Club has made the

decision not to hold the proposed Grand Match on the Lake of Mentieth.

Following extensive discussions with a wide variety of interested parties including

Central Scotland Police, The Fire and Rescue Service, the Scottish Ambulance

Service, and Stirling Council it has not proved possible to address all health and

safety concerns and receive the full backing of the Emergency Services within the

timescales involved.

Without achieving this it would be impossible to gain the necessary insurance to hold

the event. Every possible effort has been made to facilitate this unique event but it

has been acknowledged that public safety must remain the primary concern.

All parties involved will continue to investigate options available to organise such an

event at some point in the future, and insure that this iconic spectacle is made

possible for the curlers and the public’s safe enjoyment.

The Royal Club would like to thank all interested parties for their endeavours to stage

this match.



6th January 2010
Due to the hard packed ice followed by a fresh fall of over 12" of snow traveling to the rink was a problem and most games and competitions had to be canceled.   The management decided to comply with the request of the local authorities and close the rink to prevent unnecessary traveling.
It is intended to open on Saturday 9th as normal.   Thanks are extended to Ian Fleming from Sucklawridge for his skilfull clearing of snow from the car park.


5th January 2010.

The BIR Ladies Pairs have been postponed due to bad weather and the new date penciled in is 16th & 17th Feb.   Check here and on the board at the rink for confirmation.

5th January 2010 - 15.00 pm
By Colin Grahamslaw
The Grand Match Committee met today (5th January) to discuss the potential for a Grand Match.
The sites at Piper Dam and Loch Leven are not currently playable as both have a covering of frozen snow.
The Committee is hopefully that the Lake of Menteith can be used and a number of meetings will be held with various local partners and authorities over the next couple of days to try and make it happen. The ice level is currently between five and six inches (a minimum of seven inches are required for a Grand Match). There was a light dusting of snow in the area last night, weather conditions permitting, it is hoped that a Grand Match may be called early next week (week beginning the 11th January).
A further update will be issued on Friday 8th.

5th January 2010 AM
By RCCC
Many people have been enquiring about the possibility of a Grand Match taking place.  All of us at the Royal Club are excited at the prospect of a Grand Match taking place for the first time since 1979.
The Royal Club has two approved sites based primarily on safety and accessibility.  These sites are at Piper Dam near Dundee and on Loch Leven near Kinross.  Both of these sites are being monitored closely but are covered in frozen snow, making play impossible at the moment.  We need a slight thaw followed by another cold snap before these locations will become playable.
The site of the Grand Match in 1979, Lake of Mentieth was removed from the list of approved locations a number of years ago for various reasons.  There is a meeting later today to discuss how these issues might be overcome.
The ice needs to be seven inches thick before play can commence and five inches before the Royal Club will mark out the rinks.  All the locations currently have more than four inches of ice.

17th December 2009.
The AGM of the BCDG was held in the Ice Rink last night.
 President Bert Duncan welcomed a good turn out on a cold wet night.  After the formal browse and adoption of the minutes the Chairman gave a report on the year gone by, which noted some details of the projects now completed with an overall success, leading on to the new "Virtual Club" in the new year.   Thanks were extended the Stark family for hosting the BBQ and to members of the group in winning the "Ice Diamonds Award", securing the grant for the 8 - 80+ Projectand the work carried out at the local shows.   Individual thanks were made to David Stark, Bobbie Forrest Jim Buchanan, Peter Bowyer, Helen Mathieson & Rob and his wife Sophia.
The Finance statement was distributed and some explanations made by Treasurer David Sturrock.
Bobbie forest gave report on coaching and Jim Buchanan kept everyone informed the development side.
The election of BCDG office bearers resulted in the following:
President: Jim Cullen
Vice President: Bert Duncan
Treasurer: Luigi Massari
Secretary: Helen Mathieson
Committee:  Roberta Forrest
                     Oliver Stark
                     Harry Dodds
                     Hillary Bowyer

11th December 2009.
The RCCC Championship was won by Jihn Stevenson, Mrs V Scott, Mrs H Bowyer and Mrs H Mathieson.

25th November 2009
This years winners of the Local Henderson Bishop were the same as last year.
June Swan, Glynnice Lauder, Gillian Smith & Myra Thomson.
The team will go on to the finals at Lockerbie on 22nd - 25th February.

25th November 2009.
Well done to the BCDG on their fine effort in securing the funding for their 8 th 80+ project.   The cheque is displayed in the front hall of the Ice Rink for all you proud voters to admire!!!

19th November 2009.
The Club Championship was won by two of the rinks Directors Graeme Cowe(S) and Mrs June Swan.

20th November 2009.
The annual past presidents was won by A Pate, A Duncan, R Wardhaugh and G Beaumont.

14th November 2009
James Stark had a late run of 5s to win the Matthew Templeton for the 3rd year on the trot.
In the semi-finals against Graeme Cowe the game was tight until James got a 5 and from then on there was only going to be one winner.   The final against David Kerr was the same close fight for the first few ends then a five for James put him 4 up the fight back never really came and James went on to score another two 5s before the game ended at 16 - 3.   Go to Mattew Templeton page for full results. 
The Bibby was won by Robert Forsyth, beating Colin Martin in a close final.   At  the presentation Robert had prepared a speech for the first time he played in this competition and this was the first chance he had to use it.   In this speech he thanked Alex Mulholland and Bill Mitchell for the Ice, Ewan Thomson for the bar, Maim Drummond for the catering.
The prizes were presented by Mrs Brydon, Granddaughter of Matthew Templeton.

11th November 2009
New "Virtual Club" launched at Border Ice Rink.
This club will transfer the interested curlers from the "Come and Try" days and other BCDG Projects to full membership of a club.
Curlers will join the "Virtual Club" for free and pay a reduced ice cost for the period they are in this club, but membership is restricted to short term only and should transfer to a local club for the next season.  CLICK HERE for more details.

30th October 2009
The Ladies Section of the BIR are to hold an EGM on the 23rd Nov' to make alteration to the constitution click here for details.

26th October 2009
The Annual Ladies Challenge was held at the Border Ice Rink, Kelso from 20th - 22nd October. 12 teams took part.

There was some very good curling, close and exciting games.

4 teams qualified for the High Road and 4 teams for the Low Road

In all, 5 Local Rinks and 3 visiting rinks.

In the High Road Final it was Venetia Scott, Borders against Anne Howie,Lanarkshire. This was a very close game but eventually the Border Ladies had the edge and came out victorious to take the trophy.

In the Low Road Final, Ena Smith's rink from Lanarkshire proved too strong for the local rink, skipped by Liz Martin and Ena Smith took the trophy.

I would like to thank all the Ladies who took part in this competition, also the Committee for their help.
Glynnice Lauder
Full Results

11th October 2009
Report from Glynnice Lauder on the Ladies Opening Bonspiel
The Ladies Opening Bonspiel was held on Thurs 8th October. This was also our 50thanniversary play off and the winning team will go forward to represent the BIR at the Finals in Perth on 10th March 2010.The winning team was:-Marion Pate (Sk), Gillian Smith, Jill Dudgeon & Suzanne Dixon.Good luck to them from the ladies section at BIRThank you to all the ladies who took part in the bonspiel

8th October 2009
News from BCDG - From Helen Mathieson.

The first session of the Groups Come & Curl trio of lessons for the 30 - 55 year age group went very well.  The coaches & participants enjoyed a great morning on the ice last Saturday.  There were 27 new curlers on the ice as well as 3 curlers from the last "set" of lessons who are keen to improve their skills.  Many of our last "set" have joined local Clubs & the feeling is that the "new curlers" may follow in their footsteps?!  It is hoped that all return for the next two Saturdays to finish their mini curling course.  Some may take the R.C.C.C White Skills Award as did the previous newcomers.  The overall atmosphere was one of great fun & friendship.
Following on the same day There was a Retirement Party from a physiotherapy department in Bradford.   The 17 total beginners took to the ice like ducks to ice (water) and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.  They were assisted by Jim Buchanan, Bert Duncan & myself Helen, to instruct the rudiments of curling - which was greatly enjoyed by all.



6th October 2009
Margaret is not keeping so well at the moment and is in the BGH, so for information on the Ladies Challenge please contact another member of the
Ladies Committee.  We wish Margaret well and she promises to be at the Ladies Challenge to keep everyone in order.

17th September 2009
At the 45th AGM of the Border Ice Rink Club Sheena Sangster, Colin Stirling and Stuart Craig were elected to the committee of management.  To see full list of committee
click here.  It was also passed at the AGM to increase the membership subscription from £22.00 to £25.00 for the year 2009 - 2010. See new charges.

11th September 2009
The Scottish Community Foundation, are going to fund the Monday night Junior/Schools curling  from their
"Community Grants Programme".   The £1624.00 grant will cover the ice cost and enable the "Monday Club" to continue with this worthwhile programme throughout the winter of 2009 - 2010.
Any school pupil may attend this Monday club, for how to get further information
click here
29th August 2009
BCDG have proceeded to the next phase of the
Peoples Millions competition in their endeavours to raise the £40,000 required to fund the 8 - 80+ project.   Check back here to see how the group is progressing.

29th August 2009
There will be no sets of coaching courses at the start of the curling season this year.   However, there will be
coaching for all levels on Saturday mornings from 9.30 am.

4th August 2009

The Border Curling Development Group attended both the Border Union (Kelso) and Duns shows, promoting curling and the Border Ice Rink.   The hard working few managed to distribute large quantities of fliers and added a few names to the list for the free taster sessions from the two well-attended shows.   There is also a Curling Quiz sheet for sale at £1 and the group also sold over 500 of these at these shows, but if you did not get your copy, have no fear there will be plenty of opportunity during the early part of the season.

16th July 2009

The new dates have been fixed for the next two sets of three sessions at the start of the 2009 - 1010 curling session at Border Ice Rink for the 30 - 55 age group.   For full details and contact information please CLICK HERE

14th July 2009

The Border Curling Development Group held a very successful barbecue on Sunday 12 July.  All Border clubs were represented, curlers came from far & wide, to celebrate with us, our "R.C.C.C. Ice Diamond Award" that they had all helped us attain by voting for us in May time.  The weather was not too unkind, we only had a couple of (heavy) showers but it did not dampen the spirits of our curling friends!  A well-supported raffle was held as well as an auction to round off a very happy day of friendship & fun in true curling tradition.  It was almost incidental that over £630 was raised for our funds!

 

The Group will be attending Border Union Show at Kelso & Duns Agricultural Show to promote their latest project, which is free tuition in curling for 30 – 55 year olds.  This ambitious programme has been funded by Big Lottery & Sports Scotland through a grant, which totalled over £8,000.  Each participant will be eligible for a course of three sepperate two-hour sessions of ice and off ice coaching which should enable them to be safe, happy and competent in playing a game with a Club.  The first of these courses run at the end of the season has achieved 12 new curlers for Border Ice Rink, which is a success rate of over 65% becoming members presently!

 

A Celebrity Quiz is being circulated amongst all curlers for this season to raise funding for the benefit of our future endeavours.  Copies available through the Group at Border Ice Rink.  Thanks go to Bob Cowan, Keith Prentice, Rhona Martin, Gail Munro, David Murdoch and David Smith who all kindly contributed questions to make this Quiz a real brain stormer!!

 

The Group are very grateful for all the support both locally & further afield that enables them to continue promoting curling as the best ever sport.

27th May 2009

On Sunday 12th July 2009 there will be a BBQ at Roxburgh Barns, Kelso (courtesy of Oliver and Beth Stark) to raise funds for the development of Borders Curling.   All Curlers, Curlers friends and Curlers families are welcome to this BBQ with games and fun draws etc...

You might even get a game of curling????

Rain or shine the event will go on.

Tickets at £5.00 are available  from the BCDG Committee, including:

Bert Duncan                 01573 225 532                        David Sturrock              01890 870 620
Helen Mathieson           01890 840 204                     Bobbie Forrest              01890 883 052
Jim Buchanan              01537 225 845                         Oliver Stark                  01573 450 257
James Dixon                01361 882 771

17th May 2009

"We know how Cinderella felt!!!

 

On Saturday evening the Border Curling Development Group attended the Royal Caledonian Curling Club Annual Gala Awards Dinner at the Glynhill Hotel, Renfrew.  We didn’t have to wait till later to try on the glass slipper but we left instead with the beautiful and prestigious Ice Diamond Award!!. 

To win this award the Group was nominated by a fellow curler, & then voted for over the ensuing weeks, by curlers throughout Scotland.  The Royal Caledonian Curling Club present this award to the person or team, who has done the most over the previous year to promote the sport of curling. 

The Group thanks our curling friends everywhere for voting for us.  We are amazed & delighted to have been recognised in this way.  We shared the stage with Olympian and European Gold medal winners, and renowned sportsmen and journalists.  What a great privilege to be in such company.  Indeed it was a night to remember.  We promise to carry on working to promote our friendly sport.  We will be inspired to even greater projects by winning this Ice Diamond accolade."

Helen Mathieson.

14th May 2009

Andrew Wemyss Joins BIR Board of Directors

Andrew Wemyss has been co-opted to the Board of Directors of the Border Ice Rink Ltd

at the Board meeting on 12th May.   Andrew brings to the board a wealth of business knowledge which we are sure will be fully utilised in the difficult times that lie ahead.

For full list of directors - Click Here.

3rd May 2009

Bronze Medal For Border Curlers Keith Prentice & Tommy Fleming

Keith skipped his rink of Lockhart Steele, Tommy Fleming, Robin Aitken and Archie Craig to Bronze Medal position in the Men's Seniors in New Zealand last week.   This is a poorer colour from the Gold of two years ago but Keith said the result of two poorer quality shots was all that changed the route to the medals.

While the men came home with Bronze, Tommy and Archie had to console their wives Rhona and Marion who come in 4th in the ladies competition.   To be so close but not get on to the rostrum must be the worst feeling for any sports person.

11th March 2009
Mens Masters - Greenacres.
The Border team of Ian Dykes (S), Bill Mitchell Bert Duncan and Tommy Hinnigan fought a hard battle to get second in the group and a place in the Semi-final.
A 5 - 3 win over Jim Bryson earned a place the final of the 2009 Masters against the Stilrling team of Gifford Rickard, Billy Beattie, Walter Graham and John Gillespie.
The final started well for Ian Dykes with a 1 at the first end, Gifford blanked the second and took a 3 at the third and went on to end the game at 7 - 2 in favour of  the Stirling team.
16th Feb 2009
Border representation in World Seniors
By Mike Haggerty

It took all the way to an extra end to decide the women’s title, and the men’s event was a battle all the way too, but eventually Lanarkshire’s Marion Craig and Keith Prenticefrom the Borders emerged as Scottish Senior Champions at the Lanarkshire Ice Rink in Hamilton on Sunday evening.

The men’s final saw a great fight-back by Kinross’s David Clydesdale, who scored a four in the sixth end and then stole a single in the seventh to level the game at 6-6 going into the final end, but eventually Prentice and his team of Lockhart Steele, Tommy Fleming and Robin Aitken held on to score two in the eighth for an 8-6 win, and Prentice’s second senior title.

On home ice, Marion Craig and her team of Rhona Fleming, Catherine Raeburn and Anne Malcolm eventually overcame Jacqui Crawford’s team from Greenacres by 10-8, scoring two shots in a tense extra end.  This was all after giving up a score of four in the second end.
 
To reach the final, Prentice had beaten Forfar’s Don Stark by 9-4 while
Clydesdale had a closer win, beating Gary MacFarlane from Braehead by 7-6.  In the women’s event, Craig had a 10-2 semi-final win over Aberdeen’s Kay Gibb, while Crawford had beaten Stirling’s Janette Wilson.
 
The weekend’s winners have now won the right to represent Scotland at April’s World Seniors Championships, in Dunedin, New Zealand.
 

10th Feb 2009

By Helen Mathieson

YOU HAVE SEEN DANCING ON ICE
NOW LEARN TO CURL for FREE ON ICE!!!!! I am sure all regular readers of the Tweeddale Press will have read recently of the visit to the Border Ice Rink, Kelso of 20 Canadian men curlers.  These guys represented every state in Canada and were chosen from over 340 applicants to get the chance to come to Scotland to compete for the very famous Strathcona Cup.  Now you are wondering what this may have to do with you?  This is your chance to learn to curl for FREE and maybe some day go to Canada and play under Scottish colours to win this lovely Cup.  The ladies do not need to feel left out either as Scottish Ladies Tours go out to Canada too! So following this, the Border Curling Development Group, are thrilled to have received £8,406.00 from Awards for All.  This money is to be solely used in a Project to encourage the 30 – 55 year age group to keep healthy & fit by learning to CURL.  There will also be funding for “improvers” within this scheme.  The “improvers” sessions will encompass all curlers, who would like to better their skills under the expert tuition available at the Ice Rink.  There is no limit on the standard of curling that anyone can achieve – it is down to firstly giving it a try, then practise. Curling is a sport that all ages and abilities can play.   The Ice Rink have junior Monday night sessions to which all children are welcome under the age of 18.  The Ice Rink has many local Clubs that cover from Berwick to Innerleithen and Yester to Wooler.  The abilities of the players at Kelso range from children, pensioners, wheelchair users, club players to World Champions!  It is a very social sport. The social aspect integrates new curlers very quickly into the sport!  Curling is known as the friendly sport – come and see for yourself?  The national finals of one of the Ladies major competitions, the Henderson Bishop, will be played at Kelso from 23rd to 26th February – come along and watch.  It will inspire you to try the sport of curling, for yourself. The Project will start on 28th February at 9.30am when ALL will be welcome to come and try curling, however only new curlers who fit the age category can be funded from this Award.  The session will be for two hours, which will cover a safety talk, warm up, on ice lesson, off ice warm down, and feedback/ question time.  The follow up to this session are the 7 and 14 March in the same format, which should enable the participants to be enough ice aware, to join a curling game with confidence.  If these new curlers want to join a local Club to further their curling career, the information is readily available and they would be able to do this for the 2009 –2010 season with the Club of their choice. The Project will carry on with the same 3day plan in October (3rd, 10th, 17th) and November (14th, 21st, 28th) and also have an evening and afternoon slot in the next year too.  All the equipment you are required to bring is layers of clothing to keep you warm and a clean pair of trainers to change into, for the on ice lessons.  If you are interested in this Project or want to know dates, please contact the Ice Rink 01573 224 774 (Jim or Norma) or 01890 840 204 (Helen).  Please register as soon as possible, for this completely FREE opportunity to learn to curl.  The Ice Rink is a great facility, for curling in the Borders and places on this Project will have to be limited due to safety of numbers “on ice”.  Please come along and try curling at Border Ice Rink, Kelso.   VISIT OUR WEB PAGE
10th Feb 2009
Marie Curie Bonspiel Draw.
Click Here for full details.
6th Feb 2009
Directors Trophy won by Team Stark
It was not an easy passage for James Stark and his team of Stuart Craig, Chris Telford and Alistair Hodge.   He was well down against Tommy Hinnigan and came back to progress and get to the final.
Being 3 - 0 down after 3rd end  to Harry Dodds in the final put James under preassure, but in true form the come-back kid pulled it off again. 
Click Here for full report.
4th Feb 2009
Draw made for Weekend Trophy
The draw has been made for the Weekend Trophy CLICK HERE for full details and results
23rd January 2009
BCDG start programme
The BCDG start their 30 - 55 age group programme with a set of three Saturday morning session to try curling and keep fit.
All sessions are at 9.30am and are on 28th Feb, 7th and 14th March.
There will be further dates announced later.
There is a page on this site dedicated to the project, to get to it just CLICK HERE
16th December 2008
Border Curling Development Group secure £8400 grant
The BCDG have secured a grant from "Awards for All" for the development of Curling in the 30 to 55 age group.
The grant will provide a platform to develop the sport and enncourage new members within the target age group in the Borders Area.
7th December 2008
Coldstream win National Bouble Rink Finals
After winning the Double Rink Competition at Border Ice Rink earlier in the season, the Coldstreamers traveled west to Stranraer to compete in the National Finals.
The streamers fought hard through the qualifiers and had a second meeting with Corstorphine in the final, having met and lost to them earlier in the competition.
Click Here to see the RCCC score boards of the event, but note the result is bases on ends won and not shots scored, which is perhaps to the good!!!
30th November 2009
Border Team wins Edinburgh International (Seniors)
A Border team skipped by Michael Sutherland wins the senior section of the Edinburgh International Invitation Competition.
With a clean sweep in the qualifiers Michael met the holder Sandy Nelson in the semi-final.   A two at the last end gave the Border team a 4-3 win to put them into the final with Alan Durno.
The final was all square after three ends at 1-1, but a two at the 4th edged Michael ahead and he never looked back and ended the game at 7-4 up to become the 2008 winner.
Team: Michael Sutherland, Jim Wood, Frank Forrest, Alan Collett.
Click Here for full scores.
28th November 2008
Swan qualifies for Henderson Bishop
The Henderson Bishopfinals will be hosted by the Border Ice Rink on the 23rd - 26th February 2009, and the competition to perform in front of your home supporters was intense during the local playdowns at Kelso this week.
The victors were June Swan (S), Glynnice Lauder, Gillian Smith and Myra Thomson, beating Lillian Fleming (s), Ann Girvan, May Mitchell and Edith Wight in the final.
Visit the Henderson Bishop web pages to see the draw and further information CLICK HERE

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