Thirty-two members gathered at Murrayfield Curling Rink on Sunday afternoon, eagerly anticipating the start of our new season.  Fortunately a number had already been on the ice ahead of the event, the remainder had to quickly get to grips with their slides.  We were delighted to have two of our new members, Aileen Beaton and Annette Lang, join us for the event.  It was especially gratifying that the company kept up to schedule and seven ends were played, so that each team met all of the other seven teams.  The format was such that no one knew how the other teams were getting on.  At the close of play Team Hunter emerged as the winners on +9, closely followed by Team Carr on +7.  So well done to Jim Cowper, Barbara Gillespie, and Vic Ramage who played with your Reporter.

Afterwards the company celebrated with a meal and a few drinks, before President Dave Carr took to the floor to express the Club’s gratitude to the organising parties, make a few announcements, and relate the results of the bonspiel.  Dave also took time to congratulate Vic Ramage on being made Penicuik’s Citizen of the Year for his considerable work in fund raising and charitable work.

Well done to Iain Scott for his work as the principal organiser, and we are grateful to Ian Neil for his sponsorship of the event.

CROQUET OUTING

The outing was held at Penicuik House Estate on Saturday 9th July, 2016.  As last year, numerous weather forecasts were checked and phone calls made before it was decided to go ahead with the croquet in the afternoon.  Fortunately, the weather turned out to be quite good, with only one stop for rain, and a slight breeze kept most of the midges away.

The croquet was played in the usual good spirits (aided by some Pimms and beers) with lots of laughter. Despite having played for several years, our standard of play has not improved!!  The competition was close with Elaine Lambie & Jim Cowper, Pam Ramsay & Andrew Lambie, and Margaret Carr & George Johnstone all tying for second place, just behind the winners Janette Lambie & Dave Carr.

Many thanks to Barbara and her committee for organising the day and to Ronnie Hope and his crew for setting up the lawns and tents.

Dave Carr

Photographs on Social Pages

An enthusiastic band of curlers headed to the Sheep Heid at Duddingston on Friday 6 May, all keen to show their prowess at another game.  After all, as players of a club that prided itself on its scientific approach, how could we fail but to do well.   Alas it was not to be; some blamed the rink, some just found it difficult to effectively control their shots, and no one managed to be particularly consistent.  A mid evening break for food came and went, and then back to the fray.  Despite sagely words of wisdom and advice, the standard of play did not appear to improve significantly.  The event was marshalled by President Dave Carr, who also acted as scorer for the evening.  With a late call off because of illness, twenty-one members participated in the event.  In the absence of a partner for Ian Neil, he was allocated a different lady member to team up with for each round.  Ian himself played quite well, but incredibly most of his partners managed to play better for him than they did for the partner that they were drawn with.  You can see where this is going – Ian Neil and Co. ran out as the overall winners on the night.  A single shot play-off amongst this bevy of ladies resulted in the prize going to Anne Watson.  The ‘Foundation Team’ of Linda Hunter and Reg Dunbar were awarded the ‘lemon’ prizes.

This was a fun night out, enjoyed by all who attended.  Once again we are indebted to the Social Sub-committee for their organisation.

The Annual Dinner and Prize Giving was held at Glencorse Golf Club on the evening of Saturday 9 April.  Members gathered for an aperitif prior to the meal and to offer a welcome to guests, including the Club Patron Sir Robert Clerk and his wife Lady Faye.  A fine meal, accompanied by a glass or two of wine, left members in high spirits.  Jan and her Sub-committee colleagues were quick to take advantage with an offering of raffle tickets.  On to the prize giving,  where Sir Robert presented the various prizes at the direction of President Dave Carr.  Then to the crucial point of the evening, who had won the raffle prizes.  The evening ended with a harmonious mingling of members and guests, being offered celebratory tastes from a variety of trophies.

Thanks to the Social Sub-committee for their work in organising the dinner.  Photographs are available on the Gallery page.

The Edinburgh International Curler’s Gathering took place at Murrayfield over the weekend 18-20 March.  Whilst this event is not an official part of the club season, it is run by members of our club.  Fourteen overseas teams arrived from Canada, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Switzerland to join fourteen home teams.  The top group prize went to Limmattal 1 from Switzerland, and Canadian teams took the prizes for Group D and Group G.  In their games, The Penicuik team featured Dave Carr, Jim Ramsay, Andrew Lambie, Jean Lennie, Margaret Carr, John Glidden, Roger Scott, Ian Neil, Alicia Neil, and Elaine Lambie.   In the final stages they met ‘The Roaring Stones’, a team made up from other Penicuik members, and as you might expect this turned to be a very close  encounter.  

Jim Cowper volunteered to lead in one game for King Midas from Norway; Reg Dunbar played 5 games at lead for The Eh Team (Canada) with Ken Hunter substituting for him in the final game.

Your Reporter would like to thank all of the members who so willingly gave up time to help out with transport, carry out reception duties, assist in monitoring the scoring, and sell raffle tickets to raise funds for next year’s event.  The success of the Gathering is down to you.

The 2015-16 season wound up with the Closing Bonspiel on Wednesday evening (23 March).  Eight teams played 6 of the other teams in single end games.  A three-member team skipped by Iain Scott ran out clear winners on +17 shots; well done Iain, Jim Cowper, and Christine Hope.  Afterwards members joined together for the prize-giving and to share a meal together.