The Mid Bonspiel, played for the Marie Vinestock Trophy, is skipped by some of the ladies in our Club. The skips for this year were Saho Arakawa, Karen Black, Louise Clapperton, Jean Cassie, Jenny Wray and Jean Noble.

We were pleased that our sponsor for the event Jim Cowper was able to attend and enjoyed watching the games unfold. Barbara kept him company. 

After 7 competitive ends, we had clear winners and losers. As we had booked to eat at the Hampton Hotel, all gathered upstairs for the prize giving. 

The Boobie Trophy went to Skip Jean Noble and her team of Ian Mathieson, Alister McDonald and Graeme Cassie with a score of -8.

The clear winning team by 9 shots, on +10, was skipped by Louise Clapperton with Alex Moir, Jarrad Manesh and Margaret Carr

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They started strongly amassing 14 shots to 0 after 5 ends – beating each of the other teams. Highlight of their games was wonderful shot played by Louise to raise a wide lying stone for an angled take out which drew applause from all who witnessed it!

Thanks to Geoff for the Report and Photographs

10 of our members played in the first Points of the season on 30th November. If there were medals on offer the Bronze would go to Craig Brown while Silver would be worn by President David. The Gold Medal winner, scoring 9 points above Silver was Iain Matheson who despite missing a score in the Wick & Curl in (as many did) totaled 35 Points.

Congratulations to Iain and all those that took part.

Please consider coming along to our next Points on 16th February, 2025.

On Wednesday 13th November 2024 Team Scott (I Scott, G Cassie, L Clapperton and 
N McLean) met with Team Carr ( M Carr, 
I Matheson, M Hobbs and H Clarke) for the Final of the Hurley Competition. 
It should be noted that L Clapperton with considerable dedication had interrupted her holiday to play. 
The 1st end proved to be very challenging with only one stone in the house after 9 stones had been played due to very slow ice and a huge draw. Team Carr managed to get another stone in the house to take 2. 
In the following 2 ends Team Scott played well to pull back to 2 all. 
The 4th end proved to be crucial with Team Scott lying 4 stones just behind the T line but unguarded when slightly fortuitously Team Carr managed to get a rub off a wide stone and roll in to take shot. Despite valiant efforts Iain S was unable to remove it. 
Team Carr then got their weight well making it difficult for Team Scott to respond and took the final 4 ends with a winning score of 10-2. 
Afterwards both teams retired upstairs for refreshments and pleasant conversation 

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.