The 2nd “Try Doubles” Session took place on Sunday 1st February with 8
Penicuik Curlers keen to try this new discipline.
Kirsty McWilliam met with everyone upstairs to explain the rules and tactics
and answer any questions (there were several) before play started.
After the teams were drawn, each Doubles pairing played 4 ends followed by
“winners” and “losers” playing each other in the next 4 ends.
Fortunately Kirsty was on hand to keep everyone right and gradually our
understanding improved. With take-outs only allowed after the 4th stone,
draws and tap-ups had to be perfected. Players also enjoyed the format with
one player playing 1st and last stone and the other playing the middle 3
stones.
The session passed very quickly with all involved very enthusiastic about
their involvement.
The winners were Dave Carr and Nigel Henderson on +3 with the other
teams close behind.
Many thanks to Kirsty for guiding us through a second session of Doubles
and for her patience!
Those involved were enthusiastic about Penicuik considering the inclusion of
Doubles in the Club Fixtures next season.
Margaret Carr
37 Club Challenge of 25/26
ANNUAL MATCH V 37 CLUB
Over the past few years, the annual match against The 37 Club has had some dramatic finishes and this was no exception.
In the match 2 teams from Penicuik took on 2 teams from the 37 Club on Friday 30th January.
Penicuik was represented by Team A Dave Anderson, Dave Carr, Liz Anderson and Margaret Carr and Team B Iain Scott, Kirsty McWilliam, Alex Moir and Jean Noble.
The trophy is decided by games won, then ends then shots.
Team A started steadily and built up a 6-1 lead (4 ends to 1) after 5 ends. Team B also started by winning ends but big losses of 6 and 3 left them 10 – 5 down (but equal on ends) after 6 ends. It was looking like 1 game each but Penicuik winning on ends.
But Team A’s form slipped on the last couple of ends and 37 Club snatched a peel (but Penicuik were 5 – 3 up on ends).
If Team B could also get a peel then Penicuik would win on ends.
On the last end, Team B played well and were lying 3, with last stone to be played. A 2 would peel the game and win the trophy.
All eyes were on Stuart Williamson as he played the last shot. Stuart played a well controlled knock back on Penicuik’s 2nd stone to concede a single and win the game 10 – 9 (but 5 ends to Team B) and the trophy. Well done to the 37 Club.
We all then went upstairs for the normal pleasantries.
The trophy was not available on the day and will be presented at a later date.
An unfortunate blip to an excellent afternoon’s curling.
Province Bonspiel 2026
The Midlothian Province Bonspiel took place on Monday 26th January, with Penicuik fielding 2 rinks instead of the usual 3, due to Stray Dogs not being able to get a team for the last game.
Dave Anderson’s rink of Ian Robertson, Martin Hobbs and Liz Anderson had an early match against a Mid Calder rink skipped by Ian Keron. Penicuik got off to a good start winning by 1 stone in three of the first four ends, but were unable to able to maintain the advantage and eventually lost 3-8.
In the afternoon, David Gillespie’s rink of Alex Moir, Jim Hume and Geoff Dawe took to the ice against a DAFS rink skipped by Graham Thomson. Penicuik led 3-2 after three ends, but DAFS came back and eventually took the match, 4-7.
The overall winners of the Province Bonspiel were SIAE Curling Club on equal score of +6 with Gogar Park Young Curlers, however SIAE winning by 11 ends to Gogar Park’s 10.
Full results can be seen on the Midlothian Curling Website, where you can also see that Penicuik are currently leading the Division 2 League Table with one match still to play. Fingers crossed for the last game.
Report by Jean Noble
District Medal Match
Penicuik Curling Club were drawn against Abdie Curling Club (a Team from Fife) for the Match on Saturday 24th January 2026. Two Teams were involved, the President’s Team (Iain Scott, Dave Carr, Margaret Carr, Karen Black) and the Vice President’s Team (Ian Robertson, Liz Anderson, Jean Noble, Jarrad Manesh)
Both Teams arrived early for a relaxed get together before stepping onto the Ice.
Once on the Ice, however, focus was required against two very strong all male Teams who adapted to the Ice very quickly and immediately put Penicuik under pressure.
The President’s Team lost a 4 at the first end and despite a 2 at the second end continued to be under pressure as Abdie took control with accurate draws and take-outs. By the 5th end Penicuik were trailing 9-2 and finding it difficult to respond. However, on the 6th end after good play from Penicuik and an excellent run back from Skip Iain, we managed to score a 4. This was followed in the final end by another strong end from Penicuik and a take-out from Skip Iain to gain a further 3. Final score 9 all!
The Vice President’s Team were also put under pressure from the first end and by end 4 were losing 5-0. They rallied in the 5th end getting well protected stones in the House and with great take-outs gained a 4. More tight play in ends 6 and 7 increased Abdie’s lead again to 7-4 but left time for a final 8th end with all to play for. All looked hopeful with Penicuik having stones in the house but despite tap ups Penicuik took only a 1. Final score 7-5. An overall win of 16-14 for Abdie Curling Club.
Both Teams retired upstairs afterwards for refreshments and pleasant conversation. The Abdie Team were full of praise for Curl Edinburgh and the condition of the Ice. Their President in his thanks to Penicuik mentioned that his Club had the edge on Penicuik as they were much younger having been founded in 1831 compared to Penicuik being founded in 1815.
A very enjoyable afternoon of Curling for both Teams, with the Abdie Team seeming reluctant to head home.
Report by Margaret Carr
DAFS Social Game
Penicuik hosted DAFS in our annual social game on Sunday 18th January 2026
The Penicuik Rink of Mick Kampff, Lorna Lettice, Dave Carr and Dave Anderson played against The DAFS rink of Ros Carnegie, Emma Garland, Stuart Carnegie and Jon Pickup.
End one went with hammer with DAFS gaining 2 shots, Penicuik being unable to negotiate the conglomeration of stones around the front of the house. End two saw Penicuik getting one shot following an excellent angled raise from Dave Carr which was well buried in the centre of the house.
Penicuik stole a single to square the game in the 3rd and went ahead by 2 in the 4th end. DAFS squared the game in the 5th end and forged ahead by stealing 1 shot in the 6th. The 7th end was won by Penicuik with 2 shots and because the game was played a reasonable pace, we played an 8th end which went the way of DAFS with some very steady play which gained them 4 shots, winning the game by 9 shots to 6.
This was a very enjoyable encounter, played in the best of spirits. We adjourned to the bar for refreshments and a natter with our friends from DAFS.
Report by Dave Anderson
Oxenfoord 150th Anniversary Bonspiel
On Saturday 3rd January 2026, Oxenfoord President Jimmy Muir welcomed 56 players to Murrayfield, thanking them all for helping his Club celebrate this significant milestone in their history.
3 Penicuik players were invited to take part in Oxenfoord’s special day, so Alex Moir, Ian Robertson (subbing for Iain Scott) and Dave Anderson joined 53 players from various Clubs who have had associations with Oxenfoord over several years.
The visitors including old stagers Alister Lindsay and Andrew Hepburn whom many of us will know, and players from New Stones playing in their first year, were drawn with Oxenfoord players into 14 rinks to play 4 two end games during the afternoon.
At the conclusion of the afternoon, which was played in very good humour, we congregated in the clubroom for welcome refreshments and a very enjoyable meal.
The result of the competition was:
In 3rd place, on 11 shots scored was the rink skipped by Craig Brown (representing Oxenfoord) with our own Alex Moir, who’s making a habit of winning Bonspiel prizes, in his rink.
In 2nd place on 12 shots scored, was the rink of President Jimmy Muir.
In 1st place with 15 shots scored was the rink skipped by Robin Aitken from East Linton CC.
Thanks were conveyed to the ice staff and caterers who contributed to this successful day. Many thanks to Oxenfoord Curling Club for the invitation to Penicuik to participate in this special occasion.
Report by Dave Anderson
Mid Bonspiel 25
Our bonspiel was very well attended, with an impressive array of festive attire on display and a heroic quantity of sweeties consumed. The games ran almost without a hitch (we shall draw a discreet veil over the incident known only as “hammergate”).
Congratulations to our trophy winners: Jean Noble (Skip), Liz Anderson and Dave Carr. Commiserations—but also admiration—for Christine Hope (Skip), Geoff Dawe, Roger Scott and Dave Anderson, who proudly carried off the booby prize.
Play was followed by a most welcome feast of soup, sandwiches and mince pies, all generously washed down with tea and coffee, bringing a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon to a close—and almost the end of this half of the season.
Merry Christmas to everyone, and we look forward to welcoming you all back in the New Year.
The Social Committee 🎄🥌
Rink A Louise Clapperton, Jarrad Manesh, Ian Matheson, Kyle Baptie
Rink B Jean Noble, Liz Anderson, Dave Carr
Rink C Christine Hope, Geoff Dawe, Roger Scott, DaveAnderson
Rink D Karen Black, Alex Moir, Debbie Belcher, Alan McDonald
Rink E Lesley Broadwood, Graeme Cassie. Monica Matheson, Iain Scott
Rink F Jean Cassie, Saho Arakawa, Paul Clapperton, Jim Ramsay
Rink G Joanna Wallace, Margaret Carr, Mick Kampff, Ian Robertson
Rink H Pam Ramsay, Jenny Wray, Jim Hume, David Gillespie
POINTS Competition 2025/26
Played on 30th November, 2025
Ten members entered this year’s competition where eight disciplines were played. As you will see from the table below Jean, Iain M, Jim R and Craig scored maximum points in The Striking. Scores of a full 4 points were also recorded by Graeme in The Chap & Lie and Jim H and Jim R in Chipping the Winner. It was Jim R’s score in The Chap & Lie that sealed the win. Alex and Craig had been in contention throughout and took 2nd and 3rd respectively. Stick play (Cues) were in play by three members and proved successful for Jim Hume who achieved the highest score for a Lead or 2nd. Well done to Saho for entering and playing better than her final score suggested! This season we are only holding one Points competition because of low entry numbers. If more members come forward next season, we may be able to run a second competition again.
Thanks (and well played) to Jean Noble for sponsoring the event and for buying all players a well deserved refreshment after the game.
STRANRAER WEEKEND NOV 2025
Report by Jean Cassie
🌟 Stranraer Weekend – 21st to 23rd November 🌟
Ten intrepid Penicuik Curling Club members packed their bags (and possibly their sense of adventure) and headed for Stranraer for the Dalrymple Cup Qualifier weekend. The nine players—Jim & Pam Ramsay, Graeme & Jean Cassie, David Gillespie, Kirsty McWilliam, Karen Black, Jarrad Manesh, and Paul Clapperton—were kept in line and loudly cheered on by the ever-enthusiastic Barbara Gillespie.
🥌 The Teams
Penicuik 1:
David, Kirsty, Pam, Paul and Jarrad, rotating players across their three games with military precision (well… curling precision).
Penicuik 2:
Jim, Karen, Graeme and Jean, also taking on three games and proving a tough unit to crack.
🌍 Who We Faced
Over the weekend we took on a wonderfully mixed bag of opponents—including teams from Norway, Lithuania, andSorn (Ayrshire) . The competition was fierce, the games were tight, and every match brought its own wee bit of drama.
Penicuik 2 came heartbreakingly close to a semi-final place, missing out by just one end. So close you could practically hear the collective sigh echoing across the ice! We have succeeded in earning a runner up place in the March competition.
🏨 Hospitality at Its Finest
The North West Castle Hotel spoiled us rotten. We enjoyed great food, comfy surroundings, and some of the best ice you could wish for. On Saturday night, they even hosted a short curling competition—complete with live music—and the festivities rolled on into the small hours. (Some may have curled better on Saturday night than Saturday morning…) https://youtu.be/cVuIqXjBg6s?si=p4Q4C-Gb6eMTfH5g is a link to a Video produced by Graeme Cassie.
Spectators just couldn’t believe the skills they were witnessing!
🎉 Final Thoughts
All in all, it was a fantastic weekend packed with laughter, competition, and great company. If you’ve never tried one of these events, get yourself signed up the next time!—seriously, you’re missing out.
A huge thank-you to Kirsty for organising the entry and keeping everyone on track throughout the weekend. We couldn’t have asked for a better team shepherd!
SWAN TROPHY 2025/26
Report by Dave Anderson
Craig Brown with Jim Hume, Tom Griffin and Alex Moir and Dave Anderson with AlisterMcDonald, Ian Robertson and Liz Anderson took to the ice on Thursday 20th November to facetwo Midcalder rinks in the first round of the annual Swan Trophy. This trophy took its name from John Swan & Sons, livestock auctioneers who sponsored the event for many years.
It is a double rink competition with aggregate scores determining the outcome of the games
Penicuik rinks each lost 1 shot in the first end, Craig’s rink then lost a 4 in the second but got 1back in the 3rd. Meanwhile, Dave’s rink lost singles in ends 2 and 3 but came back to win singles in ends 4,5 and 6. Craig’s next three ends went with the hammer with Penicuik gaining 1 shot and Midcalder gaining 2, so after 6 ends the aggregate score was Penicuik 5 -10 Midcalder.
Then the wheels came off for Dave’s rink losing a 6 in end 7 and 3 in the final end making their score, Penicuik 3 – 13 Midcalder. Craig won a single in their final end making their score Penicuik 3 – 7 Midclader
The overall score was Penicuik 6 – 20 Midcalder. The games were played in good spirits and we wish Midcalder good luck in the next round.
Penicuik Curling Club 