Our 24/25 Season moves on with our first KETTLE GAMES and wins for Margaret Carr and Kyle Baptie on Tuesday 12th November. It’s a long way through to March when our main competition completes.

The final of The Hurley between Margaret Carr’s Rink and Iain Scott’s team takes place on Wednesday 13th at 6pm.

…….Wednesday 13th November……and Margaret Carr is in the news!

Team Scott gave way to Team Carr in tonight’s Hurley Final.

Margaret who was assisted by Iain Matheson at Third and sub Martin Hobbs at Second and Lead Hannah Clarke secured 5 Ends and 10 Points. Iain Scott, Graeme Cassie, Louise Clapperton and sub Norrie McLean were mentioned on the scorecard with 2 Ends and 2 Points.

Congratulations to Margaret & Co.

37 CLUB TROPHY Challenge 24/25

On Sunday 20^th of November 16 Curlers gathered to compete in this annual event.

Eight of our friends from 37 Club were led by Paul Davis and Stuart Williamson.  Paul would lead the challenge against Penicuik’s Team Anderson while Stuart Williamson faced Team Ramsay.

TEAM ANDERSON was 3^rd Ian Robertson, 2^nd Dave Carr, Lead President David Gillespie.

TEAM RAMSAY was 3^rd Craig Brown, 2^nd Stuart Blackwood, Lead Kirsty McWilliam.

After the disappointment of winning on Points but losing on Ends in last years clash, Penicuik were focused on securing the trophy.

The first ends did not go well for Penicuik’s Blue stones when a loss of 2 for Ramsay and a loss of 1 for Anderson.  Ends 2 & 3 gave hope to the Penicuik sides when the Ramsay Rink gained 3 Points plus the important 2 Ends.  The Anderson side also gained 2Ends but ended with 5 Points.  After 3 Ends 37 =3Pts – 2 Ends v Pen =8 Pts-4 Ends.

As expected the ’37 Boys’ came back in end 4 with both teams taking the End.

Pressure was starting to build especially when our opposition gained 3 Ends against our 1 End.  With the 6^thEnd finished, the scoreline looked good for Davis and Williamson as they had 7 Ends against our 5 Ends.  They were also up by 2 Points.

All 16 players were scrutinising play on both sheets throughout the game but going into what would be the final End concentration was amplified.

Thankfully, Team Anderson finished their challenge with a win of 3 Points. The scorecard now read 37 Club 7 Ends while Penicuik only had 6.   This left the final scoreline in the hands of Team Ramsay.  After giving up a 2 in the 6^th End they had what should be the benefit of last stone.  Both opponents swapped places with winning stones but when it got to the Skip Stones Williamson drew to Craig’s scoring stone in the back of the house. The front of the house was open, however there had been a huge draw throughout the game which put extra pressure on the final shots.  Penicuik was able to draw on top of that stone but the 37 Skip replied with an accurate draw to sit just to the side of the Button but with 75% of the stone behind the Tee Line.  It was all down to the final stone to secure a Peel in Ends.  Deep breath and the stone was delivered and expertly tended by Kirsty McWillaim and Stuart Blackwood all the way down to sit on the side of the 37 Stone to bite the Button.

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Phew! The Williamson/Ramsay score sat at 5 Points each but Team Ramsay with 4 Ends against 3. Davis/Anderson ended in a win of 4 Ends to 3 for Davis however the Anderson Team managed to gain a win on Points with a 8-6 win.

It was obvious that both sides were unsure about the final score as the scorecards were reviewed several times.  

The Trophy was presented to Penicuik by Mike Williamson.

FINAL SCORE                  

37 CLUB              7 ENDS    11 POINTS PENICUIK 7 ENDS 13 POINTS            

The new season’s curling started for us on the 6th October with our Opening Bonspiel – 32 players including 3 new members, 8 teams on the ice, a bit of reminding ourselves how to play, and a lot of fun. 

We were joined for our post-bonspiel meal by some more playing and social members, and by our Patron, Sir Robert Clerk and Lady Faye Clerk. The new caterers had a number of teething troubles, which we hope will resolve quickly. 

Sir Robert kindly presented the trophies; Craig Brown and his team Reg Dunbar, Paul Clapperton and Debbie Belcher received the lovely Little Mermaid booby prize; while President David and his team Alex Moir, Neil Lackie and David Ballantyne carried off the winner’s trophy.

A good start to the new curling year. 

by Modest President David

Annual Golf Texas Scramble

On Saturday 17^th August 11 golfing curlers plus 1 guest took part in this popular event.

Due to a congested programme at Glencorse Golf Course we had to change the venue and thanks to Stuart Blackwood, Broomieknowe Golf Course was able to accommodate us.

Four teams of three players teed off at 3:00pm comprising:

Team 1 – Jim Hume, Iain Scott and Liz Anderson

Team 2 – Stuart Blackwood, Reg Dunbar and Jean Noble

Team 3 – Dave Anderson, Jan Stuart and Craig Burrell (guest of Martin) 

Team 4 – Ian Roberston, Jim Ramsay and Martin Hobbs

Following 18 holes of mixed golf we adjourned to the bar for well-earned refreshments to verify the scorecards and distribute prizes as follows:

Nearest the pin at the 15^th – Reg Dunbar

Longest Drive (gents) – Jim Ramsay

Longest Drive (ladies) – Jean Noble with the shortest ‘long drive’ ever recorded. The other two ladies couldn’t find the fairway.

Team 4 of Ian, Jim R and Martin took the ‘booby prize’ with a score of 81

The winners were team 3 of Dave, Jan and Craig with a score of 74

The other scores were team 1 with 77 and team 2 with 79. Interestingly all teams scored 40 on the outward nine holes so it was the proverbial ‘game of two halves’ 

President David with Barbara and Norman Stuart joined us for a very pleasant meal and good chat to complete a very enjoyable afternoon.

Report provided by Dave Anderson

A drizzle in the air on Sunday 14th of July didn’t stop over 30 of our members attending our annual Croquet event. A change of venue from Penicuik Estate to Penicuik Cricket Club grounds worked well for us. Indoor facilities were available for refreshments and food out of the damp conditions.

There were many nowhere near near misses that can be seen on a video provided by Graeme Cassie. Catch up on this link https://youtu.be/46PwLVACL38

Four games for each team of two resulted in a playoff between Carr/Blackwood and Blackwood/McKay. Adele along with Dave stole the honours from Husband Stuart and playing partner Linda.

Coming soon the next planned summer event is Golf at Broomieknowe

Glencorse Golf Club was the venue for the annual ceremony where Club Members and guests joined President David Gillespie with Sir Robert Clerk and Lady Faye to honour winners of season 23/24. Welcome drinks were sponsored by David and Barbara Gillespie before the assembled heard Grace from Jim Cowper before enjoying Dinner.

Suddenly it is 9.30, we had spent over two and a half hours socialising and it was time for honours to be recognised on our winners from the season gone. Sir Robert started by presenting Medals and Trophies to Bonspiel winners. Then came the first visit of the evening to accept recognition for Graeme Cassie. Graeme was presented with The Brown Salver by Craig Brown for his advancement in the game and his dedication to the Club and Curling.

Graeme then went on to be presented with The Gillespie Salver for being the highest scoring Lead or Second in a Points Competition. Graeme did win our Intermediate Points and was a team member in the winning Knock Out rink, so yet more prizes for him!

Trophies, Medals and Glasses continued to be presented to Kirsty McWilliam for Singles High Road and Dave Carr for Low Road.

Pairs saw the third of five appearances from Alex Moir when he joined Craig Brown for the Low Road award. Alex had already had recognition for being in the Opening Bonspiel with Craig and The Club Challenge, he was to accept even more silver when he was awarded prizes for being in the winning rinks of Knock Out and Thirds.

Oh, High Road winners were Margaret Carr and Reg Dunbar.

Applause continued for Team Gillespie Knock-Out winners, Team Anderson for Hurley success and to Team Baptie for securing The Hope Quaich for winning the Thirds League.

Only one piece of silverware left to be presented by Sir Robert. It was of course The Kettle which was won by Team Scott. Scott (junior) led Martin Hobbs at Third, Scott (senior) at Second and Jean Cassie at Lead.

Roger Scott, Iain Scott, Sir Robert Clerk, Jean Cassie and Martin Hobbs

The formal part of the evening was completed with a well presented Thank-you speach by Vice President Margaret Carr. The night continued as members and guests mingled, chatted and congratulated each other with some even toasting Iain, Martin, Roger and Jean when Iain offered celebratory nips from his well earned Kettle.

The last few weeks have been a real fight for the top slot in The Thirds between the McWilliam and Baptie Rinks. We all thought that it would come down to the final game. Unfortunately for Team McWilliam, Alan McDonald and his team took a win in the penultimate game.

It was also a fight at the other end of the league to stay off the bottom. The final game was between Hobbs and Dunbar and it proved to be a ‘Phew!’ for Reg Dunbar.

So! that’s it for season 23/24 and we should all congratulate Kyle Baptie, Alex Moir, Karen Black and Jan Stuart for winning 7 games out of 8 to win The Thirds League.

Full details on The Thirds League page.

The clear winners of this years Kettle Trophy are Team Scott who ended 6 points clear of the closest rivals Anderson and Ramsay who could only count 14 Points.

Father and son or should it be son and father combination worked well along with Third Martin Hobbs and Lead Jean Cassie.

The full Kettle table can be viewed on The Kettle Page.

King George IV

In the Midlothian Province King George IV competition this year, Penicuik CC was represented by President David Gillespie (skip), Iain Scott, David Carr and Craig Brown. 

Our first game was on Friday 1st December, we were drawn against 37Club, and came back in the final end from 4-7 down to win 8-7 and move into the quarter-final, played on Friday 19th January. Our opposition this time was Sweepers CC, and we won again 7-2. 

In the semi-final on Friday 16th February we lost 6-4 against SIAE, who went on to win the final against Merchiston (a game we were able to watch from adjacent sheets while playing Kettle matches).

Scottish Curling District Medal

The competition dating back to 1839-40 offers “ a friendly and social opportunity for clubs to play a one-off match against opposition they might not otherwise meet” – this year on Saturday 23rd March we played against a team from Irvine Curling Club. 

Following tradition this two rink match was skipped by our President and Vice President. President David Gillespie’s team (Dave Carr, Graeme Cassie and Stuart Blackwood) started well, were 4-1up after four ends, lost the 5th and 6th ends, and won 5-4 with the final stone in the 7th. Meanwhile Vice President Margaret Carr’s team (David Anderson, Jim Ramsay and Jenny Wray) having lost the first end won the next six, ending up 17-1. 

We enjoyed the good company of our visitors before and after the game. 

Sunday 17th March 2024

Eight Pairs set out to secure The Clock Trophy.

Penicuik should be proud of the standard of play that can be produced in our Club! From the first Stones delivered at 2.30 until the final Stones delivered after 9pm there was a very high standard of play and determination from all Pairs competing. Earning this years title was not an easy one and congratulations go to The Winners!

Four of our members walk away with their names logged in our history book. After their defeat against Kirsty McWilliam and Jean Noble in the first round, Craig Brown and Alex Moir fought off competition from Keith Morris and Graeme Cassie as well as Dave Carr and Pamela Ramsay in their Semi Final game to be announced as Pairs Low Road winners for 2023/24

The High Road ended after a partial Handshake after the 4th End because The Bell had rung BUT the Ice Man gave permission for another end (which he would later regret). The two Pairs agreed between themselves to accept his offer and play on but things didn’t end in the 5th End either as players had to Draw the House. This would be the second time that Margaret Carr, and partner Reg Dunbar were forced into a Button Draw. In their first win of the day against Liz Anderson and Alan McDonald in a tense 3-3 game Margaret and Reg secured their High Road journey.

Had the players fully shook hands at the 4th end, the title would have been in the hands of Carr and Dunbar but giving the remaining spectators a nail biting time McWilliam and Noble drew level. There was to be no more extra time from the Ice Man and it had to be a Button Draw. Kirsty’s Stone ended just short of The House while Margaret’s held on at the back which gave a ‘Shattered’ Margaret Carr and Reg Dunbar the 2023/24 title of High Road Pairs Champions! Many congratulations to all who took part but especially to High and Low Road winners.