TRURO – A tradition more than 100 years old is about to continue in Truro.
A group of 21 Scottish curlers are set to descend upon the Hubtown Wednesday as part of their cross-Canada tour to compete for the Strathcona Cup, a competition between Scotland and Canada for curling supremacy.
“It doesn’t happen very often, so it’s a big deal,” Truro Curling Club president Peter Neily said. “ We’re very honoured to have them stop here.”
The event will see five teams of Scots take on five from the Truro Curling club sporting some of the best Colchester has to offer in Jim and Craig Burgess, Gary Westoll, Ray Shillington and Ray Murphy among others.
“There’s going to be some really good curling,” the club’s publicity co-ordinator Chris Donnachie said.
The event is considered the oldest international curling challenge and has been running since 1903 when Scotland first sent a team to Canada. Each side has alternated visiting the other every seven years since.
Although the event is a social one, there is a competitive nature to it. Both sides are competing for points for their respective countries, and the country with the most points at the end of the competition takes the cup.
Canada won the title in 2009 in Scotland while the Scots won last time in Canada in 2003. The Truro Curling Club was a stop for the tour then as well.
Scotland is off to a hot start on the Eastern leg of the tour, which kicked off Jan. 10, and holds a 190-129 edge over Canada.
The visitors will be welcomed with open arms Wednesday with a special opening ceremony at 3 p.m., which includes first rocks being thrown by the club’s oldest member, 90-year-old Doug Langille, and current provincial junior champion Mary Myketyn-Driscoll.
The two sides then take to the ice for eight-end matches followed by a reception, dinner and entertainment at the club.
“Everyone’s very excited and we’re looking forward to it,” Donnachie said.
The public is welcome to attend the draws and there is no admission.
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