Newtonmore Camanachd Club

February 2010

1] Annual dance The committee asked me to consult with members and supporters about future arrangements for the dance which was held for two years in the hall and then two years in hotels first the Balavil and then the Highlander. All the events were very enjoyable, but different people criticised different aspects of each!!!
A] Would you prefer to have the dance in a local hotel [Balavil or Highlander] or the hall? [If it is in the hall it would be our intention to outsource the catering, bar, set up and clean up to a local hotel]
B] Would you be content that the dance takes place the week before the sale which is always the first Saturday in December? [The hall is already booked by the drama group for the week after the sale]. If the dance is to be in the hall it is a lot of work to get it cleared up and then reset even if it is outsourced.

[The ticket price for the dance is unlikely to be affected by which option is chosen. It will be no more than £25]

Please send you views to iangibson12@btinternet.com by 20th March. If you don’t send in your views you cannot complain [legitimately] about the decision the committee makes!

2] Family Race night Sat 20th Feb This was a very enjoyable evening. It was nice to see so many people being able to participate in rather than just watch an event and also that we saw some families there that would not normally be at shinty events. Many thanks to everyone who sponsored the races, helped with the catering or organising the races. One objective was to raise some funds for the club and we expect to raise over £1200 when all the money is in and bills paid so it is certainly an event to be repeated

3] Open Day Sat 27th Feb The best laid schemes of mice and men…Who would have predicted the weather? That’s the first time we have had to postpone the Open day which means that we are way behind on season ticket sales and match ball sponsorship. Separate e-mails have been sent out to give the opportunity of people getting things sorted out before the season starts and I’m glad to report that several people have been in touch already.

4] 10 mile race Sat 20th March We still need a few volunteers both to help marshal for about an hour from 11am to noon [the club will get a donation of the share of any profits if we have 6 or more volunteers].It would also be great if you could make some sandwiches for the participants.

The dance in the evening starting at 2130 will feature the Gary Innes band with the bar run by the shinty club and the village hall committee.

5] Shinty lotto Many thanks to several people who have returned standing order forms. These are on the website and a reminder that one entry a week is £4.33/month

6] Strictly Come Dancing  Rumour has it that some of the contestants in this event on 26th June have already started secret training. The competition will be incorporated into a ticket only dance. Further details available from Eddy on 07933 210725

7] Primary school shinty Wednesday pm coaching The first few weeks of this got off to a good start so many thanks to the coaches. We will soon know if the standard has improved as Sunday 28th Feb sees the 1st shinty local qualifying matches at Dalfaber Sports Centre from 2pm – 5pm.

8] New banners A number of visitors have remarked over the last couple of seasons that they had come to the shinty because they saw the ‘’Shinty this Saturday’’ banner at the Eilan. We have purchased three further banners which we intend to display at Ralia and the entrances to the village from Kingussie and Laggan.

9] Advertising board sponsorship Many thanks to the Glen Hotel, John Ross Funeral services and the A9 Partnership [Highland] Ltd for renewing their advertising board sponsorship.

We are also pleased to welcome a number of new sponsors who have agreed to sponsor a board: Newtonmore Craft Centre, Raymond Sutherland, Toncam Cleaning, Spey Valley Hire, RTC, Robert Orr; Howdens & George Campbell contractors.

If you know of any other businesses who may be interested why don’t you ask them on our behalf?!

10] Refreshments at the Eilan For the first time in four years we have felt it necessary to increase some of the prices of the snacks and refreshments. Teas and coffees will remain at the bargain price of 50p for a further year.

11] New community website The Business Association has received funding from the National Park Authority and the Councils Area Discretionary Fund to create a new community website. It has not been officially launched yet, but you can find it at www.newtonmore.com There are inevitably one or two corrections needed to some of the text so if you notice anything please let me know and I will forward it to the appropriate person.

Ian Gibson   Tel 01540 673048   Mob 07817 378729     iangibson12@btinternet.com   26th Feb 2010

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