Choose fontsize:   H *  L *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Did you miss your activation email?
 
Menu
  Global Menu
     Home
     Forum
     Links
     Log In
     Contact SCF
  
  Rink Info
     Curling Availability
     Come & Try Sessions
Members
Total Members: 692
Latest: Helmut
Stats
Total Posts: 11548
Total Topics: 633
Online Today: 22
Online Ever: 176
(February 06, 2010, 02:51:31 PM)
Users Online
Users: 0
Guests: 20
Total: 20
Permissions

Pages: [1] 2
  Send this topicPrint  
Author Topic: Scottish Curler future  (Read 6042 times)
hoglinewamphray
In Da House
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 710


WWW
« on: February 25, 2009, 05:42:55 PM »


The March 2009 Scottish Curler is now being printed. It contains the following statement:

"The publishers of the Scottish Curler, Clyde and Forth Press, are looking at the options for the future of the magazine and they are discussing these with the Royal Caledonian Curling Club.

After seven years as Editor, Bob Cowan will retire at the end of this season.

There will be further news for readers in the April Scottish Curler with information regarding current and future subscriptions."
Logged
Sandy Morton
In Da House
*****
Offline Offline

Curling Club: Millport Cuddling Club
Posts: 1068



« Reply #1 on: February 25, 2009, 05:46:36 PM »

Thanks for the years and the professionalism Bob.  I will be very sorry to see you go.
Logged
curlboy
Second
**
Offline Offline

Posts: 66


« Reply #2 on: February 25, 2009, 07:04:05 PM »

I think the whole of Scottish curling will miss the work and effort that Bob has put in over the past few years.

It is one of these jobs that ends every so often that one man/woman carried out but will need several people to replace him/her. Such is the workload that Bob does to keep us informed.

Thanks for your efforts Bob
Logged
jmlb
Vice
***
Offline Offline

Posts: 207


« Reply #3 on: February 25, 2009, 07:05:42 PM »

This is a very sad piece of news as for 55 years the Scottish Curler has been the main source of information for all levels of Scottish curling. Granted that in recent years the instantaneous nature of the Internet has made it less relevant, but the Curler covers a much broader range of information than any Internet site.

In that respect what is more worrying is the statement on Curling Today blog that "This blog, which exists to support and promote the printed magazine, will be run down over the next few weeks. "

Many of the readers (if not all) of this Forum have come to rely on the Blog to be the first bearer of any news about Scottish curling and I wonder if the RCCC will be taking over the production of that as well as the magazine. If not is there a volunteer who knows how to do blogs who wants to take it over and keep it going - please!!!!

Maybe I am biased as I have been writing for the Curler for over 20 years but, no matter what you think of it, it has undertaken a great service for Scottish Curling. I hope that the RCCC will conrinue to produce it in some form - and it may be that it becomes totally online, but let's all wish Bob all the every best in his 'retirement'.

Logged

John M L Brown
Secretary
English Curling Association
gorth
Lead
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 30


« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2009, 08:14:53 PM »

Bob you'll be sadly missed as will The Curling Today Blog and Scottish Curler as they are always the 1st port of call to find out what's going on in curling.

The void should be filled but where will we get someone with the dedication that you have shown over your tenure?  (Not in the corridors of the RCCC I will bet anyway........ odds for this please!)

Enjoy your "retirement" and remeber there are a "shower" who know you as friend that will always pleased to see you in sunny Speyside should your travels bring you past our way. 

PS. Curling should recognise your achievements in a positive way and I would like to start the campaign to name the new Kinross facilty "The Bob Cowan Stadium"!
Logged
hoglinewamphray
In Da House
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 710


WWW
« Reply #5 on: February 25, 2009, 08:32:45 PM »

Many of the readers (if not all) of this Forum have come to rely on the Blog to be the first bearer of any news about Scottish curling and I wonder if the RCCC will be taking over the production of that as well as the magazine. If not is there a volunteer who knows how to do blogs who wants to take it over and keep it going - please!!!!

Thanks John for your comment. It is not a difficult thing to do the blog, and there are many out there who could do one, if they have the time and commitment. The reasons that I do not intend to carry the blog on independently of the magazine are two fold. 1. It would be in direct competition to the online/e-magazine efforts that I believe are envisaged in the discussions between C&L Press and the RCCC (although I have not been part of these discussions), and I think it would be unethical of me to do so. 2. The cost. The blog costs me nothing, aside from my time, as I am already travelling to and staying at events, and go to photocall and press conferences and the like, maintain an office and camera equipment and so on, as part of my 'job' as editor of the printed magazine. And I get some expenses for this. Take away the magazine expenses, and I would not have any money coming in, and the blog would be costing me just the same. Unfortunately, I am not independently wealthy, and have but a small pension from my working days at GU, so cannot continue. I estimate that if anyone was to take on the blog - in the current form - they would need to raise say £1000 each month to cover costs. That may be an underestimate. Travel miles alone last year were more than 20,000. To do it properly of course, there needs to be more than one person, and able to travel to the international events where Scottish/GB teams are competing. (Although then of course you run the risk of being called an ****hole, by the occasional ignorant player, and have to deal with morally corrupt organisations like the ECF who are prepared to condone such behaviour.. but what the heck. It's all part of life's rich tapestry!)

The blog is great fun to do, and I will stop Curling Today reluctantly. I'm not sure just when yet, I suspect sooner, rather than later. No point in prolonging the agony!

I personally think that this Forum could become the key hub for curling news and comment.  
Logged
hoglinewamphray
In Da House
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 710


WWW
« Reply #6 on: February 25, 2009, 08:44:29 PM »

Curling should recognise your achievements in a positive way and I would like to start the campaign to name the new Kinross facilty "The Bob Cowan Stadium"!

Goodness, I'm not dead, ... although I might well be by the time Kinross is actually a reality. Only joking, I'm looking forward to seeing how the museum aspect of that facility works out.

I may be retiring as Scottish Curler editor, but I am not dropping out of curling completely (unless I go abroad again). If I had to have my name attached to anything if would have to be something to do with junior curling. If mixed doubles gets into the Olympics (big 'if', I know) then we need more mixed doubles event here. Juniors can play mds, as well if not better than the oldies - remember the National Pairs.

I would also like to see juniors having something to play in every weekend. As the U-17 events get more competitive, then we need other fun competitions up and down the country, say every other weekend. Individual entry, mix and match teams, fun! More things like the SALSC events (dear to Gorth I know), and the Braehead festive cup.
Logged
Bungle
Second
**
Offline Offline

Posts: 52


« Reply #7 on: February 25, 2009, 08:58:26 PM »


For years of unwavering dedication to curling and for reinventing what has become a first class publication and an unmissable blog.

THANK YOU
Logged
voila
Vice
***
Offline Offline

Posts: 230


« Reply #8 on: February 25, 2009, 09:36:52 PM »

The March 2009 Scottish Curler is now being printed. It contains the following statement:

"The publishers of the Scottish Curler, Clyde and Forth Press, are looking at the options for the future of the magazine and they are discussing these with the Royal Caledonian Curling Club.

After seven years as Editor, Bob Cowan will retire at the end of this season.

There will be further news for readers in the April Scottish Curler with information regarding current and future subscriptions."

This is a modern day disaster for Scottish Curling. Bob is irreplaceable. I'll say no more.
Logged
JohnMinnaar
Global Moderator
In Da House
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 1639



WWW
« Reply #9 on: February 26, 2009, 07:37:42 AM »

Oh dear, the end is nigh. I can't say I'm surprised, what Bob has been doing for us and for curling has been far beyond the ordinary and he will be remembered for that. Whatever the RCCC and Press dream up to replace the Curler and Blog will never be as good, and if it is to be done with volunteers it will struggle. Amother nail in the coffin, I fear.

Thank you, Bob, and as you say we must do our best to keep this forum going. Free speech must endure.
Logged
fermerfaefife
Skip
****
Offline Offline

Posts: 260


« Reply #10 on: February 26, 2009, 05:31:24 PM »

gutted - no other word for it !

Where will we get our up todate info from? I fear this is a very big loss for the sport as somebody said - Bob is both irrepresible and irreplaceable. if only more folk shared his enthusiasm for the sport.

If we give Bob 12/10 for his communication and information and the RCCC maybe 5/10 (being nice) where and how can we make up that gap?

Can a retainer be offered by Rccc to HGW to pick up the role in their organisation? or is he really hanging up the pen?
Logged
david
Vice
***
Offline Offline

Curling Club: AWW
Posts: 159



« Reply #11 on: February 27, 2009, 01:55:58 PM »

This is awful news.  While Bob has done an outstanding job, my biggest concern is that the "replacement" will be RCCC driven.

Bob has acted as the public voice of curling that is NOT connected with the RCCC. While I am sure we all agree that the RCCC does a wonderfull job, with Bob at the helm of  the Scottish Curler we had a source of information and comment that was not filtered through official channels. This has to be the healthy option.



Logged

Signatures are displayed at the bottom of each post or personal message.
JohnMinnaar
Global Moderator
In Da House
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 1639



WWW
« Reply #12 on: February 27, 2009, 02:17:27 PM »

It is clear from many examples in the past that Bob has been yet another thorn in the side of the RCCC, not because they don't like him, but because he asks questions and/or disagrees, for the best possible reasons. The RCCC will no doubt be delighted to have an e-mag of which THEY are in charge, releasing only THEIR opinion. Ask yourself why Vernon has become such a problem, when it started simply because Gail (as I understand it) didn't roll over and die but stuck to her rights and, of course, the facts.

Referring to JJK's post, why is Bob not involved in the e-mag, ask yourself why the SCIG is not involved in the NCA at present. Will we be asked back on board when the Design process starts? Will Bob be asked on board for the e-mag? Do any of us involved still care, considering how we have been treated over the months and years? I can go on, but my head hurts with all this selection stuff....
Logged
Dunoonrock
Vice
***
Offline Offline

Posts: 234


« Reply #13 on: February 27, 2009, 03:49:12 PM »

Having known all three Editors of the Scottish Curler as friends it is a shock to hear the news. As Bob has often said we need an independent voice or blog more than just this forum. As in a Mag or a blog you have a named person(s). However it is a sign of the financial times when cost get trimmed and the Mag is one of these for F & C.
Hope the RCCC can do at least something.

Regarding Bob, I know the milage that has to undertaken to cover all these Scottish curling events. It is a lot much more expensive if there are any overnites stays as well. It all adds up.
So to Bob many thanks for all your work and your hard work  and especially your passion for the sport, and which only a good independant voice can give.
Whilst  I could possibly live without the Magazine, I would miss the Blog which has become part of my daily ritual, going onto the Internet. -- Check e mails, check news check Curling today.   Howelse can we get onto the other internet curling sites not only here but oveseas for news and results and watching webcasts of events. It has been a source of great news and information.

Thanks Bob for everything.
Logged
The Great Gordino
Vice
***
Offline Offline

Posts: 164



WWW
« Reply #14 on: March 05, 2009, 10:51:13 AM »

I'll add my words of thanks and appreciation for what Bob's done.

Particularly with the blog, whenever there is a championship on, I know I could hit the blog and find results, news and pictures - very impressive, and I think we all took it for granted.

it allowed someone from the south of England like me to get to know the faces more of the players, and follow along with various teams progress.

Let's hope the RCCC replacement is something we can take for granted in the same way...?

No reason why anyone can't start their own blog - if it's good, people will get to hear about it, but I think it's the photos which made Bob's blog, and it will be much missed.

Gordon
Logged
Pages: [1] 2
  Send this topicPrint  
 
Jump to:  

Powered by SMF 1.1.12 | SMF © 2006-2009, Simple Machines LLC
TinyPortal v0.9.8 © Bloc
BlueSkies design by Bloc | XHTML | CSS
racehost web solutions | Lo-Fi version