Bull Cup Winners 2008-09 [L to R] David B (Skip), Eileen A (Pres.), Maryel F (Lead), Mary F (2nd), Bob B (3rd)       Rosebowl Winners 2008-09 [L to R] Bill C (2nd), Eileen A (Pres.), Moira J (Lead). Missing are Ron A and George E       Cook Shield Winners 2008-09 [L to R] Eileen A (2nd, and Pres.), Florence W (Lead). Missing are Fiona E and Ron A       Kandersteg Winners 2008-09 [L to R] Eileen A (2nd, and Pres.), Bob B (3rd), Robert F (Lead). Missing is Fiona E         Pairs Winners 2008-09 [L to R] Eileen A (Pres.), Bob B (3rd). Missing is George E         Points Winner 2008-09 [L to R] Eileen A (Pres.), Neil A.

Twenty club members turned out on the dry but chilly spring evening of Thursday 23rd April for the 2009 AGM, which was held in the bar / lounge in Greenacres ice rink.  Club President Eileen A opened the meeting by welcoming club members to the session and she thanked the members for turning up.  She asked for a 1-minute silence, in memory of the late Walter McLeod, who had been a member of the Club since the 1920's.  She then expressed her concern for club member George Elder's battle for health, a sentiment echoed by everyone present.  Under matters arising, Eileen was pleased to report on the diamond wedding anniversary of club members Kenneth and Sheila McLeod, and on the appointment of Gordon McIntyre to the post of Development officer at Greenacres.  She reported that Andrena H had left the club because of conflicting work commitments.  Finally, she proposed that the club should send flowers to George and Fiona Elder, which was met with unanimous approval. Eileen then delivered an abbreviated Club Secretary's report, standing in for regular Club Secretary Fiona E, at home looking after George.  She reported the return of to former members to the club - Jan W and Ron P, who will be sure of a good welcome when they re-appear on the ice.  Playing intentions for next season indicate 18 members interested in playing in the Bull Cup, 14 in the Cook Shield, 15 in the Kandersteg, and 10 in the Auld Clubs competition.  Some chasing-up will need to be done to retain the same number of teams in these competitions next season.  Treasurer David B reported that the club was in a good financial state.  Generous donations to the club had been made during the season by Anne Templeton and Kenneth & Sheila McLeod.  A small profit had been made on ice fees.  David indicated that costs for next year were expected to be broadly similar to this year, with the exception of engraving, that has become more expensive. There is also a possibility of increased ice fees at Greenacres next season, because of an expected increase in electricity costs. He proposed retaining the fees as per this season (i.e. £34 for members whose mother club is Bridge of Weir, and £23 for members whose mother club is other than Bridge of Weir, with retention of the non-playing member subscription at £8).  This was approved unanimously.  David then thanked the club members who turned out as substitutes for George E, and thanked Paul R for his work on the Club website. David then delivered an abbreviated Match Secretary's report, standing in for regular Match Secretary George E.  Bridge of Weir did well in the Auld Clubs competition, with George E's team finishing second in the 12-team league to eventual winner Russell Chambers from Lochwinnoch CC.  In friendly matches the club won 3, but lost 4.  In Greenacres competitions, the rumoured "Inter-Club Division B" competition never materialised.

Alex Stewart Trophy Winners 2008-09 [L to R] Neil A (2nd), Eileen A (Pres.), Mary F (Lead), Sheila D (Skip) Missing is Ron A       MacLeod Cup Winners 2008-09 [L to R] Maryel F (Lead), Eileen A (Pres.), Sandy D (Skip) Missing are Ian P and Fiona E       MacLeod Cup Runners-Up 2008-09 [L to R] Eileen A (Pres.), Paul R (Skip), Janetta W (Lead), Neil A (2nd) Missing is Ron A     Stranraer W/E Runners-Up 2008-09 [L to R] Florence R (2nd), Ken G (3rd) Eileen A (Pres.), Paul R (Skip), Sheila D (Substitute for 2nd Jane P in the Stranraer Final Weekend)     Knockout Cup Winners 2008-09 [L to R] Eileen A (Pres.), Ken G (Skip) Robert F (Lead). Missing are Bill I and Fiona E     Balyarrow Trophy - Highest Up Team [L to R] 2008-9 Maryel F (Lead), Eileen A (Pres), Paul R (Skip), Neil A (2nd), Missing is Ian P

A presentation Guinness to Paul R, the club website administrator

The club performed "middlingly" in the Men's Seniors.  Paul R's team reached the final in the Stranraer weekend. They didn't win the match, but as losing finalists, were invited to take part in the Stranraer Final Weekend in April (where your reporter can confirm that while they didn't exactly cover themselves in glory, they had a whale of a time!) The club won both matches in the Ladies' Broom, won 2 matches in the Shand Harvey, and won a District Medal match against Cathcart Castle C.C. at Braehead.  The club performed well in the Greenacres Daytime League, finishing in second place with a record of played 10, won 6, drawn 1, lost 3. The Balyarrow Trophy (played in Perth every 3 years) was won by Haddington C.C., with Paul R's team finishing has highest-up rink.  The Invitation Bonspiel at the beginning of the season was well attended, with 10 members and 14 guests, and while it was a very enjoyable day, it didn't produce any new members for the club.  Results of all club matches for Season 2008-09 are available in the News Archive.

Office bearers for next season were then elected as follows -   President -  Eileen A   Vice-President -  Ken G   Club Secretary -  Eileen A (stand-in)   Match Secretary -  John F   Ordinary Member -  Sheila D   Ordinary Member -  Bill C Newly re-elected President Eileen A then commented on the returns of playing intentions for next season, and indicated that the committee would need to work hard to retain playing numbers.  She also commented on the opinion of many players in the Auld Clubs competition that a 1-shot penalty for a "no show" by a team member was an insufficient disincentive to encourage improved attendance.  She requested that a restoration of the original 3-shot penalty should be discussed at the next meeting of the Match Secretaries involved in the Auld Clubs competition for next season. Eileen then presented prizes to the winners of this season's club competitions.  A full list of the winners is available in the News Archive Section. The attendees then adjourned to the bar for a drink, where they reminisced over the season just past and looked forward to next season.

[Click on any photo above to enlarge it - it may take up to 10 seconds to display.]     © Bridge of Weir Curling Club - 2009