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

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.

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!

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.

Incase you did not see the results of the games posted on the Penicuik Curling Club website, we can reveal that the winning rink competed and completed all games with recorded wins.

The Hurley, which is sponsored by Dave and Margaret Carr is the first main competition of the season. It is a unique competition on the Penicuik calendar as it comprises of mini leagues where the winners of each league play the runners up in the opposite league in a knock-out to determine who plays in the final.

The final to find the winner was on November 7th between team Scott and team Ramsay. The ice favoured team Ramsay who had a 10-1 win and will be presented their medals at prize giving at the end of the season.

Team Scott included Iain Scott, Stuart Blackwood, Alister McDonald and Monica Matheson. Team Ramsay was listed as Jim Ramsay, Jim Hume, Ton Griffin and Louise Clapperton with thanks to Saho Arakawa for subbing in the final.

A full list of all results is published on the Hurley Page.

2nd November, 25 we held a Try Curling with Penicuik Day at Murrayfield. Thanks to Saho for introducing Miriam and Colin, Dave C for bringing Colin and Mary and Graeme transporting Ally. We also enjoyed the company of Ian, Kirsty and Sarah. After intense training from David G and myself all 8 newcomers had a couple of ends which resulted in a 2-2 Peel. Everyone enjoyed the experience and will hopefully take a positive path in Curling. The event was oversubscribed and not all applicants could be accommodated, so if you know of anyone who might be a Penicuik member of the future, please let me know in order for another Try session to be arranged. Jim.

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.