Continued from Part 1 here https://blantyreproject.com/2025/04/1893-blantyre-curling-club-part-1-of-2/
Following the prize winning cup arriving at Bellsfield and photo opportunity, the men of Blantyre Curling Club then made their way to Struthers Hall further along Main Street, High Blantyre. A celebration was to be had coinciding with an annual supper of the members and friends of the local Curling Club.
The date was Wednesday 8th February 1893 and that evening the club celebrated gaining a special distinction that year by the winning of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club challenge shield, the occasion was a special one.
Mr John Craig, Bellfield, the worthy president of the club, presided, and Messrs Douglas and Adam ably discharged the duties of croupiers. The company was a large one, no fewer than seventy-one gentlemen, many from neighbouring clubs, sitting down to a sumptuous repast, purveyed by the esteemed host in his usual excellent style.
The toast list opened with the usual loyal toasts from the chair, the “Army, Navy and Reserve Forces” being replied to by Captain Moore and Major Ness. “Success to Blantyre Club” was also proposed by the chairman, and was pledged amid great enthusiasm.
On the invitation of Mr Neil Douglas, Mr J. Clark Forrest, on behalf of the club, formally handed over the “Trophy” to the custody of the president, giving a brief but excellent history of curling clubs and curling generally. Mr Craig gracefully accepted the custody of the shield.
“Kindred Clubs” was duly pledged, at the instance of Mr Neil Douglas, and ably replied to by Messrs Hamilton of Avondale and Mr Alexander Whyte, Cambuslang. An interesting feature of the evening was the presentation of the prizes won during the season, viz., the four handsome gold badges which accompany the Caledonian Shield, and go to the members of the highest up rink, who were Messrs Campbell, Blackley, Brown, and Craig. The presentations were made by Mr J. Clark Forrest, and acknowledged by the chairman, on behalf of himself and his fortunate colleagues.
The Blantyre rink prizes, as well as the points prizes, were also handed to the successful competitors, and suitably acknowledged.
The other toasts were:
- “The Commerce of Blantyre,” proposed by Mr Wm. Small, and replied to by Mr Adam
- “The Ladies,” proposed by Mr T. Scott, and neatly replied to by Mr M’Nish
- “The Donors,” proposed by Mr A. B. Maxwell, and replied to by Mr Neil Douglas
- “The Strangers,” by Mr Douglas
- “The Office-bearers,” by Mr J. Jackson, and replied to by Mr James Brown
“Host and Hostess,” “Chairman,” “Croupiers,” etc., were also duly pledged.
Throughout the evening songs were contributed by Messrs Whyte, Russell, Fyfe, Scott, Fleming, Oliphant, T. Scott, Maxwell, Douglas, Harper, Gourlay, M’Nish, Ness, etc., etc.
The evening was a most enjoyable one throughout.
The venue is pictured by myself in 2014, some 121 years later.
