Thanks for the years and the professionalism Bob.  I will be very sorry to see you go.

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'.

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.  

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

THANK YOU

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.

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.

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.