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.

EDINBURGH CURLING CLUB COMPETITION RULES
Updated for Season 2025-26
For all competitions RCCC rules apply unless specifically modified below.
Except for Pairs and Half Century League the following local amendments to RCCC rules apply:

• All games will be played to a bell, with a maximum of eight ends to be played.
• Unlimited substitutes are allowed and games should only be rearranged as a last resort. (Note: MCL cancellation fees may apply).
• All games will start immediately after the session start bell, or as soon as each team has at least three players ready to play. If the start is delayed by more than 15 minutes the non-offending team will be credited with 1 end.
• A penalty of one shot for every ten minutes from the start bell, up to a maximum of three shots, will be awarded to the non-offending team should the other team have fewer than four players at the start bell.
• If a team still has less than three players 30 minutes after the start bell, the game will be awarded to the non-offending team. The non-offending team will be given 5 ends and 6 shots and the offending team will be given 0 ends and -6 shots.
• Skips are responsible for ensuring that scorecards are completed correctly (including any penalties), signed, and placed in the Edinburgh Curling Club box within the ice hall.
• Results and standings will be published on the Curl Edinburgh website. Any discrepancies should be raised with the office at the earliest opportunity.

SWAN TROPHY
All players and substitutes must be members of Edinburgh Curling Club.
All players and substitutes must also be members of the club they represent.
Each club must provide two teams of four to play in each round.
The competition will be played as a double-rink knock-out, with the number of rounds determined by the number of clubs that enter.
Each club will receive one hammer in each match. A coin toss is used to determine stone colour for each club.
The winner of a match is determined by the total shots scored over the two games.
In the event of a tie, both clubs will nominate one player to play a draw to the button, with the closest to the button determining the winner. Players may only play their draw shot on the sheet of ice on which they played.
For the final, an extra end will be played by both teams. If the match is still tied, then the draw shot as detailed above will be used to determine the winner.
Prizes will be awarded to the winners and losers of the final.
The winners will be presented with the Swan Trophy.

HALF CENTURY
All players and substitutes must be members of Edinburgh Curling Club.
All players and substitutes must be at least 50 years old.
All games must be played on or before the date of the scheduled last game in the league.
No penalty for late start, late arrival of players, or playing with three players.
A game cannot start until both teams have at least three players.
The competition will be run as a single round robin league.
Two points awarded for a win, one point for a draw.
Shots up, then shots scored, then ends won will be used as tie-breakers.
Prizes will be awarded to teams finishing first, second and third in the league.
The winners will be presented with the Haymarket Directors Trophy.

Below is a copy of an email received by the Club

Margaret Carr is now President of Penicuik Curling Club. Jean Noble was appointed Vice President.

Karen Black is now our new Treasurer.

Two other members have been voted on to the Committee. They are Jean Cassie and Ian Robertson.

Jim Ramsay continues his term as Secretary. Dave Anderson, Stuart Blackwood, Graeme Cassie and Louise Clapperton remain as serving members while David Gillespie moves to the position of Past President

The first full Committee meeting will take place mid June.

On a warm Spring evening, Winners, Losers and Guests met at Glencorse Golf Club on 10th May 25, to celebrate our past seasons Curling. Our President David Gillespie gave welcome to all and presented the well earned Trophies and Medals to all.

The first of many awards was bestowed upon Christine Brown who was awarded Honorary Membership of our Club. Christine then went on to present ‘The Brown Salver’ to Paul Clapperton in recognition for his enthusiasm and dedication to PCC.

The Silverware presentations were completed with the awarding of ‘The Kettle’ to Team Scott for another season. Iain shared his joy by sharing his ‘Rusty Nail’ with the gathered guests.

Heather Harpur and Jim Hume were not in attendance but receive their medals soon!

After a Raffle which raised £250 for The British Heart Foundation the chat continued as winners were congratulated and players remembered the past season. Winners of The Thirds Trophy Skip Alan McDonald with Norrie McLean and Paul Clapperton. Ian Robertson was also part of the winning rink.

A Happy Kirsty being presented her prize for achieving High Road in The Pairs Competition. Her partner was Iain Matheson who will receive his Medal at a later date.

Our outgoing President David receiving his presentation for winning Pairs Low Road from our incoming President Margaret. Jan Stuart was David’s partner but was unable to attend our dinner. Jan will receive her prize at a later date.

Saturday 15th March, 25 was indeed a busy ice day for some of our members. On Sheet 5 Penicuik were hosts to Beechnut Curling Club from Irvine in a District Medal while next door on Sheet 6 was the Ramsay/Baptie Club Challenge game.

Penicuik represented by Margaret Carr, Liz Anderson, Pam Ramsay and David Carr met with “Beechnuts” (from Hamilton Curling Rink) for the District Medal Match on Saturday 15th March 2025.

The Teams met for lunch before playing and it was evident that “Beechnuts” had done their research having looked at the Penicuik Curling Club Website. They were very impressed by the number of matches the club played and the long history of the club. They were keen to hear more about both the history of the club and our outdoor ice. They were also interested in the “Challenge Match” about to be played on the adjacent sheet and perhaps introducing this to their own club’s schedule.

Play started at 12.45pm with everyone now focussing on the Match. After losing a shot on the first end Penicuik came back strongly to lead 3-1 helped by 2 lovely draws from Pam. Unfortunately by end 3 the score was all square. Another shot on end 4 meant Penicuik were once again in the lead.

The following 2 ends did not go Penicuik’s way, however, with the “Beechnuts” taking another 2 shots to win the match 5-3.

If only Margaret had got that guard on or had delivered the last stone more quickly to get another end in!

Afterwards everyone retired upstairs to enjoy refreshments and a pleasant chat.

Next door on sheet 6 Kyle Baptie, Kirsty McWilliam, Reg Dunbar and Paul Clapperton had laid down a challenge to take The Club Challenge Crook from the 2 time holders. A close game all the way through Jim Ramsay, Alan McDonald, Stuart Blackwood and Alex Moir were able to retain the trophy and are now ready for the next challenge.