Newtonmore Camanachd Club Newsletter
January 2011

1] Flood No plague or pestilence yet, but we did have a burst pipe in the roof space of the Eilan which has left a gaping hole in the ceiling, but fortunately other damage was limited. Many thanks to everyone who responded to the crisis and helped clear out the pavilion. Due to a delay in getting estimates for the insurance we might not have all the repairs done before the season starts. It also appears that a stoat has been using the roof space as its home over the last few months.

2] Open day This is on Saturday 26th February form noon onwards and I’ll send a reminder out nearer the time. Once again we hope to have a children’s match prior to the challenge match against Beauly which will start at 2pm. There will be a small memorabilia display and we also intend offering the usual refreshments and snacks so would be very grateful for donations of food on the day. Season tickets still at the bargain price of £30 [£15 concessions] for existing members will be for sale. These will be £36 [£21 concessions] for non members which are still a substantial saving over the season with entry now at £5.

3] Other dates The 2nds have two away ‘friendlies’: against Caberfeidh on 5th February and Lochbroom on 19th February. The 1sts have a fixture away to Lochaber on 19th February which is the Joe Toal commemorative match and we think there will be an under 14 tournament there the same day.

There will be a home game against Kilmallie on 19th March which is the date of the Newtonmore 10 mile race. We will be providing refreshments after that match as well. In the evening the band at the village hall will be Hell for Leather who were fantastic at the equivalent event in 2009.

The Williamson 6s has been arranged for Wednesday 15th June from 6pm.

4] Fixtures Everyone on the e-mail distribution list will have received a copy of the first draft of the fixture list. Unfortunately most of the cup draws have still to be made which will delay getting our own fixture list produced as we want it to be as accurate as possible.

5] Annual General Meeting A good turnout heard reports on a successful season on and off the pitch. Thanks were given to Bob Kilsby for his work as Treasurer over the past three years and we are delighted that Clare Menzies has agreed to take over this role. The players had asked that one of them took up the vacancy on the committee and Norman Campbell was elected.

It was reported that he club has been successful in attracting significant money for a two year shinty heritage research project for Badenoch and Strathspey and further details will be given in the next newsletter after the press releases from the funders are agreed. One output will be a 60/70 page booklet on the place of shinty in the social history of the area. Some concerns were expressed that this would adversely affect the long held ambition to produce a history of the club, but the committee is of the view that this research will allow a more authoritative club history to be produced in the future

Alarm bells were rung again at the continuing decline in lottery income which is producing a recurring income gap that needs to be filled by other means. If it continues on the current tend it will mean that the lottery will have to be wound up in a few years time. After the last AGM quite a number of you agreed to start playing the lottery by standing order and it would be great if more people would agree to do this. A form can be downloaded from the website.

Life membership was increased to £50 and the annual membership for 2011 is £6. Season tickets for members are £30 [£15 concession] and £36 [£21 concession] for non members. Adult admission at the gate is £5.

6] Website We are still keen to hear ideas about changes we could make to www.newtonmoreshinty.com to make it [even] more interesting. Although fairly modest by website standards we did get over 75000 visits last year which is not bad going.

7] Sponsorship opportunities Match ball sponsorship at £20 and raffle sponsorship at £15 [or donation in kind] are available for the majority of matches. Easter eggs for the school children are £150 and the Williamson 6’s are £200 and a new PA system £375. Advertising boards remain at the 2006 price of £350 for 3 years [or £150, £105 & £105]. Please contact a member of the committee if you are interested.

8] Shinty sale It seems ages ago, but the shinty sale at the beginning of December raised the tremendous sum of £1862. Many thanks to everyone who donated to this and supported us on the day.

9] Committee members A reminder as to who is on the committee for 2011
David Cheyne [Chieftain]
Norman Macarthur [President]
Cammy Macdonald [Vice chieftain]
Clare Menzies [Treasurer]
Mark Hay [Child Protection Officer]
Ian Gibson [Secretary]
Rob Ritchie
Graeme Irvine
Eddy Harrigan
James Brannan
Tony Mullender
Norman Campbell

Ian Gibson   Tel 01540 673048    Mob 07817 378729    iangibson12@btinternet.com    31st January 2011

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