On the 4^th September 2021, the black cloud of Covid finally lifted sufficiently to allow the club to meet again after eighteen long months. It seemed appropriate that our first chance to come together, to renew friendship, and to recall old friends no longer with us, was to be on the lawn of Penicuik House, a short distance from out spiritual home, the Low Pond.

Sir Robert, who has personally manicured the lawn for this event for many years, is now retired but Penicuik Estate kindly answered the call and arranged for the grass to be cut. Unfortunately, Andrew Lambie, Ken Hunter, and George Johnstone were unable to answer the call this year to join the traditional morning working party, but fortunately an infusion of young blood in the person of Craig Brown to the rump of the remainder, (Jim Ramsay, Dave Carr and Ronnie Hope), meant that the lawns were properly prepared, the tent erected and the scoreboard set up ready for the afternoon’s frolics.

The tranquil surroundings were soon disrupted as thirty members, partners and friends entered the fray, and for three joyful hours the difficulties of the past year were almost forgotten. Covid rules, in terms of cleaning equipment and the provision of refreshments, limited what was on offer, but Jan Stuart’s imaginative bag of goodies more than made up for the snacks of previous years. Play ebbed and flowed, and by a co-incidence our new member Neil Lackie and his wife Eileen both ended upon the podium with prizes. Sadly, for Neil he joined Janette Lambie in the ‘must do better’ category, whilst Eileen scooped the winners prize with president Iain.

Our thanks once again to Penicuik Estate for their co-operation and assistance, without which this wonderful annual addition to the club’s calendar would not be possible.

Photos available in the Gallery