Historical Notes

For your amusement (or otherwise) for the summer.
Prompted by my visit to 'our old curling pond' I have been checking through some of our minute books and found some of these facts interesting. So I thought I would share them:-
After several years of discussion our 'Artificial Rink Committee' was reformed in 1909 and by 1911 a proposal for a 3 sheet rink (tar surface) was proposed at the Gas Works site at a cost of £134 (£15,900 equiv).  In the end this site proved not to be suitable but Dr Martine offered use of his field in Court Street.  The cost of the lease was to be £5/Yr (£600 equiv).
Instructions were given to proceed in 1912 by which time the cost had risen to £200 (£23,750) - full costings, gas, electricity, mason etc are in the minute books.
The artificial rink was complete with gas lighting and play instructed to finish by 10.30pm
The ice fees for non-members were 1/- (£6) for 2 hours
If the artificial lighting was required an additional charge of 3d (£1.50) per person for 2 hours.
During the war years half price was to be charged for 'men in uniform'.
The artificial pond was given up in 1923/24.
Curling ceased on the main pond in 1928.

Membership fees and Club Funds.
in 1912 the club had a 'Joining Fee' of £1/1/- (£124 equiv)
and its membership fee was 15/- (£ 90 equiv)
Club funds varied, I guess partially due to maintenance costs on the pond and the artificial pond.  The following are equivalent rates allowing for inflation.
In 1908 our club funds at the AGM were declared as £5,600
In 1914 our club funds at the AGM were declared as £11,850
In 1923 our club funds at the AGM were declared as £ 350.

Last game of the season 1895

Clubhouse and winning Wood Trophy Team 1900

Pond with swans 1929

Pond April 2020 (I just missed the heron)

CV19 - update

Well, due to our early season finish, we were one of the few clubs that managed to complete our fixtures (with the exception of hosting some Canadians) and get through our  Dinner and Prize giving before all hell broke loose.
I hope that all our members, and curlers from all over the world are keeping well and safe and that none of us experience too much tragedy over the next few weeks.
We have had to postpone our AGM and hopefully will be able to reschedule before too long.
We have all got to hope and plan that this will go away eventually and that we can look forward to a reasonable normal season next year.
With that in mind, Shelagh will be contacting you all for your playing intentions for next year, in the next few weeks or so.  PLEASE respond promptly, in order that we can negotiate the ice that we will need.
In the meantime, STAY SAFE, and have as good a summer as the virus will allow us.