Honorary seems to me to signify that someone is past it. I would hope that Bob has ideas to keep his communication going....maybe on a global or european scale?  or why not a look at the governing body from the inside and stand for the board?   

Thinking out the box slightly - could the RCCC apply for funding (either from sportscotland or maybe from other charitable / lottery organisations) to keep Bob in the sport and the Curling Today blog going as an autonomous source of info for the sport. ie not the RCCC mouthpiece but an independent source of info that benefits the sport.

I know it is not the Scottish Curler mag - but the reality is that the blog gives up to date real time info and the fact of the matter is that it can be done on a lower budget. (i presume). At least it would keep Bob doing his good work and keep us all informed. (probably far better than any RCCC paid comms officer or monthly newsletter)

I suppose there would be nothing stopping a group of curlers (or anybody) getting together and forming a new organisation say "Scottish Curling Information Association" and applying for funding to run a website & blog - with bob as HHY.
I am sure that there could be a structure setup whereby somebody in each rink or area could supply bob with snippets of info and reports.
I am pretty sure that if it were to come from a grass roots group, you would stand a pretty good chance of funding it.

What do you think on these ideas? (esp Bob - maybe he really DOES want to retire?)

Hi everyone

I'm somewhat embarrassed by this thread, but encouraged by all the support. Thank you all. But I'm not dead, just retiring as Editor of the Scottish Curler magazine.

As for the future... my first priority is to get the last two issues of the season published. When that is done, then I will be in a position to discuss what I'm going to do, not before.

Actually, I am an honorary member of two clubs, Reform (which I helped found when Greenacres opened) and Alternative (which arose out of our coaching classes at Greenacres in the 80s). Both these honours have given me much pleasure and satisfaction over the years and I am thrilled to be associated with these two clubs.

As far as funding for the blog is concerned I do not know how much of the WCF DAP funding the RCCC use each year - there is $12000 available from the WCF for the development of curling. BUT - we tried to get some funds for our forum through this route and were told that because it was not an official ECA forum the WCF would not give funds as it could be hijacked by anybody (and the proof is out there on plenty of forums).

However if the RCCC applied for some funding for an official BLOG site with a recognised editor / moderator then I do not see why that application could not be made (if there is still money in the pot).

Maybe it should be raised at the RCCC AGM - and by the way how many members know that the WCF has $12,000 available each year for each member nation to spend on the development of curling??

Sandy, you're embarrassing me again. No need, your cheque's in the post.

Bob

I sent the following email to everyone on my maillist but it has been suggested that I repeat it here.  I am also led to believe that discussion of an award to Bob will take place at tomorrows Board meeting so a quick response to the CEO would probably be most appropriate.  All of the replies which I have had have been very, very positive.

"I believe that Bob Cowan has done more for Scottish Curling than anyone else I have ever known.  He has been passionate, articulate and his photos in the Curler and on his Blog have been wonderful.  It appears that he is now coming to the the end of his commercial career as the Editor of the Curler.  In his younger days he was also a very good and competitive Curler
I feel that a fitting accolade to the end of his career as Editor of the Curler would be his elevation to Honorary Life Membership of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club.
 
If you are of a like mind then either email me sandy@millport.net or Colin Grahamslaw, CEO of the RCCC at Colin@royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org or Bob Tait, Chairman of the Board at (hope somebody posts since I can't find it) and Matt Murdoch (faither of the wee boy who did so brilliantly well in Canada) murdochlanghill@aol.com"
 

From an email circulated by Colin Grahamslaw this afternoon.


NO EMBARGO

Curling to Honour Ex-Editor of the Scottish Curler

The Royal Caledonian Curling Club today announced that Bob Cowan is to receive its Lifetime Achievement Award.  Bob will be presented with his award at the Scottish Curling Gala Awards Dinner at the Glynhill Hotel, Renfrew on the 16th May 2009.

The Royal Club received many representations from members following Bob’s announcement that he was stepping down as Editor of the Scottish Curler asking that Bob’s contribution to the sport be recognized in some way. This Award recognizes Bob’s contribution not only as Editor of the Scottish Curler but also as journalist, photographer, blogger, coach and supporter of junior curling over many years.

On hearing of his Award Bob commented, “I am thrilled to have been considered as deserving of the Royal Club's Lifetime Achievement Award. My involvement with the sport began as a schoolboy in the 1960s, and through curling I have had the chance to play and coach, to write about the sport, to travel, and to meet fellow curlers from different countries. In recent years in particular, it has been a privilege to promote this wonderful game of ours. Even though my time as Scottish Curler Editor is over, I am pleased that the magazine will have a new life come October. I look forward to continuing to be a voice for our sport in whatever way I can."

Bob becomes the second recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award following Sheriff David Smith who collected his Award in 2005.


Colin Grahamslaw

Chief Executive Officer


Congratulations Bob, very well deserved.