New Perth curling event introduced with special nod to legend of the sport Chuck Hay

A new event which gives a special nod to Perthshire curling legend Chuck Hay will sweep into Dewars Centre action at the beginning of next year.

The Chuck Hay Farmers’ Curling Bonspiel will welcome 32 teams to the Fair City for three days of fierce but friendly competition between January 24-26.

Hay, Scotland’s first world champion, was a hero of the ice and was inducted into the World Curling Hall of Fame. He sadly passed away in August 2017 aged 87.

His legacy very much lives on and excitement is already building for the inaugural bonspiel.

Chuck Hay’s son, Dave, said: “My father was a really keen curler and a great competitor.

“He enjoyed the social parts of the game and really enjoyed the two hours of competition on the ice. If you can marry the two together, it makes for a pretty good combination.

“We are keen to get as many people curling as possible.

“We have had a very positive response so far and about half the places were taken in the first week. It is something my father would definitely have been very supportive of - curling and sport in general.

“But also for the agricultural community because you see a lot now about the mental stress as well as the economic position that farming is in from time to time.

“These events - which help bring people together during the winter - can’t do any harm.”

Keeping Dewars Centre bustling with life is particularly important at present. Earlier this year the facility was threatened with closure.

“The ice rink is needing all the support and events it can get,” added Dave, a world and European champion.

“We decided to format a farmers’ event, starting with 32 teams and with a view, depending on interest and success, that we may then have more teams.”

In another boost, Dewars