Our domestic programme got off to a start with the Opening Bonspiel on Sunday 23 September.  Twenty four members turned out for a friendly get together and afternoon of sport.  The six teams each played one end against the other teams and finished off with an extra end before retiring for a well earned refreshment.

Members went on to enjoy a meal together in the ECC Club Rooms.  President Christine thanked everyone for participating in this initial event, and also thanked the Social Sub-committee and the various parties at the Ice Rink for their part in a fine afternoon.  Ian Neil, the sponsor, then presented the prizes for the bonspiel;  The ‘Foundation’ team were up first, Reg Dunbar, Mike Mauchline, Ian Neil, and Aileen Beaton.  Next up were the winners on +10 shots, Iain Scott, Margaret Carr, Elaine Lambie, and Jim Hume.

Finally Alister McDonald had samples of the latest range of Club Clothing for members to inspect.  If you are interested in obtaining garments then please get in touch with Alister (he has already Emailed you all with details and an order form) as soon as possible.  The initial order will probably be placed in about two weeks time.

Members and guests arrived early at Penicuik House on Saturday afternoon (14 July) to enjoy a Pimms and nibbles before skills were tested at croquet.  The games were played out in good  humour on a splendidly warm and sunny afternoon.  After five rounds, with the obligatory interludes for picnics and further refreshments, two teams were tied at first place, Iain Scott & Janette Lambie and John Jacobs & Fiona Dunbar.  The play off was won by Iain & Janette, so well done to them.  President Christine thanked everyone for coming along and making it a great event, and Kirsten awarded the prizes.

Thanks must go to the organisers, Carol Fleming and Kirsten Mauchline from the Social Sub-committee.

Photographs can be viewed on the Social page.

The Gathering organised by Penicuik Curling Club members was held over the weekend 23-25 March.  It turned out to be particularly successful.  Yet again Penicuik turned out an ‘A’ team to run the event.  Barbara Gillespie and Janette Lambie manned the Registration Desk on the Friday and supported the rest of the team throughout the weekend.  Christine Hope and Pam Ramsay carried out a multi-faceted fund raising campaign with their customary skill and success.  Pam aided by Chris managed the changeover of names on the scoreboards.  Pam always seemed to know when teams required substitutes and did her best to sort things out.  Jean Noble and Linda Hunter took charge of the important scoring task.  Jim Ramsay made sure that we delivered transport where and when we had to, and was an excellent MC at the Dinner/Ceilidh and at the prize giving.

This year we had 15 overseas teams, from Canada, Italy, Sweden, and Switzerland, in the competition.  Penicuik played Niederdorf Old Boys, SUI Wuest, and DAFS in the Preliminary Group Stage.  After winning two games they ended up in Final Group C.  The Roaring Stones (aka Penicuik 2) played Balfron Wolves, Lausanne Easy Curlers, and Moosehorn IF in their Preliminary Group, and again after winning two of these games ended up in Final Group C.  The two Penicuik teams both lost to Slajding Bois who went on the win Group C.  The final game of the weekend involved a head-to-head meeting of the two Penicuik teams.  The result was a narrow win for The Roaring Stones, reversing the outcome of the same tie in last years’ event.  So no prize, but bragging rights for The Roaring Stones this time.

The Penicuik team over the weekend was skipped by Dave Anderson, with Andrew Lambie at Third, and other players drawn from John Glidden, Reg Dunbar, Liz Anderson, Ken Hunter, Craig Brown, and David Gillespie.  The Roaring Stones team comprised Murray Hope, Jim Ramsay, Robert Beaton, Ronnie Hope, and John Jacobs.  Jim Cowper played with Corriefisters, and Kirsty McWilliams helped out a Canadian team on the Sunday.

As well as raising funds to support the Gathering, Christine and Pam raised over £500 per the Curl Edinburgh 2018 appeal by raffling a jacket that Eve Muirhead had donated to Pam.  What a magnificent achievement.

A selection of photographs can be viewed on a sub-page of the Gallery.

The Club season terminated with a bonspiel on Wednesday 28 March.  Six teams were drawn to play in  single games where the players rotated rink position throughout their tie.  Perhaps surprisingly, the spread of results (shots up) was relatively narrow with the eventual winners on +2, and the ‘Foundation Team’ on -1.  The winners were  Jim Ramsay, Liz Anderson, Elaine Lambie, and Vic Ramage; the ‘Foundation Team’ consisted of Margaret Carr, Ronnie Hope, and Barbara Gillespie.

After a refreshment and a supper in the ECC dining room, the trophy and prizes were presented by the sponsor, Jean Lennie.

The outcome of the Kettle League was decided yesterday evening by the game between Team Lambie and Team Ramsay.  Team Lambie enjoyed a decisive win, making them the champions for 2017-18.

Congratulations to Andrew and his team of Ronnie Hope, David Gillespie, and Elaine Lambie.

Penicuik met our friends from 37 Club for a double rink match on Monday 19 March.  The Penicuik Teams were Jim Ramsay, Dave Anderson, Robert Beaton, and John Glidden; and Andrew Lambie, Keith Morris, Ken Hunter, and Ronnie Hope.  Team A (Ramsay) got off to a slow start but recovered to end their game 3-5 down.  Team B started with a three in the first end but ran out 3-10 down.

Congratulations to 37 Club on a second consecutive win in the challenge.