Located on the grounds of the Headingley Agricultural Society grounds at 5367 Portage Avenue was Headingley ’s Curling Club.It had two sheets of ice that were flooded with water from the railway water tower,from the well (although this did not make good ice because of the alkali)or with water hauled in barrels from the river.In the 1920s the curling club paid the Agriculture Society $100.00 for 8 rinks per year.The stable was to be used by the players only. Curling continued into the 1950s but the building was old and snow would sift through the roof onto the ice.It was finally closed,but many good memories remain.After the war,with the introduction of clubs with artificial ice and better transportation, curlers switched to other clubs, where they still curl today. Numerous Headingley teams competed in Manitoba bonspiels over the years.In 1942,the Jack Duffy rink,with Jim McIntosh, Jack Bell and Gordon Taylor, won the Tribune Trophy in the Manitoba Junior curling bonspiel.In 1946,the Duffy rink consisted of four brothers,Harold, Tom,Jack and Russell,while Victor joined the William Taylor and sons,Dave and Frank.
Truman Seekings rink was defeated in the final game of the Manitoba High School Bonspiel.In 1950,the school curling was unable to finish its entire schedule as the ice was too far gone.In 1950 Bill Francis won the most games -7 out of 8. Shirley Taylor ’s rink along with Harold Hamill ’s finished close behind,winning 6 out of 8.
Over the years,the Starbuck Bonspiel often had Headingley teams entered. Headingley women were also active in curling,entering many bonspiels.In 1935,Madeline Taylor,Marie Britton,Ethel Murphy (Bremner)and Vera Bloomer entered the Manitoba Annual Bonspiel.
Headingley had two trophies.J.J.Grey presented the Chateau Dixie Trophy in 1924 to the Headingley and West Winnipeg Curling Club.This was presented four times:1927-28 season,1931-32,and 1939-40.It was presented the first year to Bill McIntosh Jr.,M.McIntosh,A.McDonald,and A.J.
Fanset.In some of the years it was won by a Winnipeg team, much to the disappointment of the Headingley crews.J.Block, W.McIntosh,G.McIntosh and W.McIntosh Jr.won the 1927-28 season.The 1931-32 year was won by C.Houston,H.Shirtliff, J.Keough,and A.G.Bell.T.Copp,W.Bremner,J.Keith,and H. Bremner won the 1932-33 trophy.There wasn ’t another spiel until 1940,at which time Jack Braun,Lionel Francis,Tom Duffy,and Spencer Britton won it.
Another trophy was the Francis Limited Cup and sweater, which were presented to the Headingley and West Winnipeg Curling Club.In the 1921-22 season,it was presented to A.M. Bannatyne,S.J.Hutton,Robert Bell (lead)and Harry Bremner.
