37 Club Celebrate 50 Years

President Margaret Carr, Kirsty McWilliam, Graeme Cassie and Jim Ramsay represented Penicuik Curling Club at the Bonspiel organised to celebrate 50 Years of The 37 Club.  Curling Clubs from Inverness and Dalgety Bay were joined by local teams to play an eight end game.  

Penicuik were drawn against Dafs, Gogar, Currie & Balerno and 37 Club 2 to play 2 ends against each other.

After Tea and Scones, we took to the Ice against 37 Club where things looked promising when we won both ends.  Gogar were next in our sights but they took a 3 in the first end while we ended with a 2 in the second.  Half way through and we were 2 ends up and even on points.  C&B ladies took a 4 against us in the first end.  We tried hard for what would have been a small win in the second end but they stole a 1.  Into the final challenge, this time against Dafs.  More low scores here with Dafs taking an end and Penicuik doing the same scoring only 1 each.

Before leaving the ice, all competitors were photographed when they created a 50 formation.

At the presentation we learned that we were only 18 behind the winners (Currie & Balerno) who scored +17.  The ladies team from C & B were presented with a specially labeled bottle of Malt each, while all guests received a runner up gift of the same miniature 37 Club Malt.   

It was the turn of 37 Club to receive a gift to mark their half century.  Margaret thanked our hosts for the invitation and congratulated them on reaching 50 and presented them with a memorial clock.

A Busy First Week For Club Members

Our 2025/26 has got off to a flying start with a busy opening weekend where Penicuik players entered the annual Swing & Sweep Challenge. Thanks to Dave Carr for his report.

ECC’s Annual Swing and Sweep competition took place on Sunday 5th October. 9 holes of golf (Texas Scramble) at Carrick Knowe golf course were followed by 2no  3 end games at Murrayfield.
Penicuik were represented by Liz Anderson, Jan Stuart, Ian Robertson and Dave Carr. We scored a respectable half round of 38. All 4 contributed well and had 2 counting drives by the 8th. The highlight being a birdie 3 at the last (congratulations to Ian, who played all 3 shots).
In the curling we managed to win 3 of our 6 ends (including one against Colin Campbell’s hot shot team).
The competition was completed with a draw shot challenge. The least said about this the better.
After the curling, we went upstairs for a good meal and chat, followed by the presentation of the trophy.
The winners were the young team from Mid Calder. (Our 1 end v Colin C, prevented them from winning).
This was an excellent afternoon and we hope that Penicuik will enter a team again, next season.

Then came our Opening Bonspiel, which for some reason was played with fewer members than usual, however speaking to those who participated it was a good practice for the season ahead.

Louise Clapperton has supplied this report.

The season got off to a great start on 4^th October when 16 curlers took to the ice for our Opening Bonspiel. 

A lot of fun was had and lots of friendly rivalry on ice and waking up those curling muscles ready for the season ahead. 

It was all to play for until end 5 when Reg Dunbar’s team streaked ahead and took the winners prize.  

The receiver of the Little Mermaid Booby prize went to the team led by Ian Robertson

The event is supported by Sir Robert Clerk and Lady Faye, who couldn’t be with us to present the prizes.  In their absence the presentation was done by our Vice President Jean Noble.

Winning team: Reg Dunbar, Alex Moir, Alister McDonald, Joanna Wallace

Midweek saw the first games in The Hurley played with a win for team Scott over team Anderson and team Ramsay having success over 8 Ends against team Robertson.  At the after game get together upstairs, Medals, Wine and Glasses were presented to Heather Harpur and Jim Hume for their efforts in securing The Kettle for team Scott last season.

To round off Penicuik’s first week, Kirsty McWilliam organised a Try Doubles fixture.  14 members came along for coaching in the game.  The rules did confuse a few members to begin with but with Kirsty’s guidance everyone soon got into the spirit.  If suitable ice can be found, a second trial event may be held in the second half of the season. If there had been a trophy, Ian Robertson and Jean Noble would have carried it away but they made do with Chocolates.