Club Games - Fixtures

The fixture list has been added to the Fixtures tab - for club games only.  Province and external games will be added when we are informed.

NB. Due to sheets having staggered start times the times indicated are the earliest session times - Some games will start up to 30 minutes later.  The exact times will be added when we are notified.  This list is to allow you to start making your plans.

COVID-19 Return to Curling

As required by SportScotland, the club has made the following appointment

COVID OFFICER -  GRAEME MAGUIRE. 

If you have any queries please contact Graeme. This also means that in the event of an outbreak the Covid Officer will be the first point of contact by the authorities, particularly in respect of Track & Trace.

We have added a Covid-19 tab to our website.  On this you will find ESSENTIAL information about returning to curling.  Included on the page are:-

• Club Risk Assessment.
• NHS Covid Symptom Chart (also below)
  

This must be read by ALL members prior to attending any curling session.  This will be updated as guidelines from Scot Gov, SportScotland, Scottish Curling, Murrayfield Curling are issued. (Updates will be marked)

It is particularly that score cards are fully completed with FULL names (Christian & Surname), Date, Time, Sheet number and passed to the Covid Officer immediately - either in person of electronically (photograph and email/WhatsApp).  NB. The person responsible for the card should complete the above info at the start of the session as it will also be photographed for Track & Trace purposes by Murrayfield.

Summer Cleaning and COVID

We were one of the fortunate few clubs that manged to complete our season and have our dinner before the pandemic hit our shores .  It has still had its effect on us with the cancellation of the AGM and the skips selection meeting.  As a result, the teams for next season were drawn rather than selected.  The rinks can be seen on the fixtures tab.

We are delighted to see that some faces from the past will be back playing next season.  These include Kath Dun, Simon Kesley, Andrew McDiarmid and Richard Taylor.

We are pleased that we have managed to retain 5 rinks in each competition, although we have decided to cancel our opening bonspiel and our participation in the RCCC Medal.

Of necessity, our curling will look different in the coming year.  Arrangements are still being thrashed out between the government, Scottish Curling and Murrayfield.  In the meantime, the following changes are probable:-

Start Times - session times will start at different times on different sheets, adjacent sheets will commence 30 minutes apart, ie sheets 1,3,5 & 7 will start at the same time, while 2, 4 & 6 will start 30 minutes later.

Changing rooms - Please arrive dressed to go curling (with the exception of shoes) as there may not be changing facilities.

One Way -  There will be a one way system with separate entrance/exit doors.

Payments - ALL payments will be via your membership card - No cash payments.

Cafe/Bar - We are unsure what extent these will be available.

Playing - It is probable that there will only be one sweeper per stone, with sweepers restricted to BETWEEN the hog lines. (Skips will sweep, if they can be bothered, from the hog.  No sweeping of opposition stones)

Face Coverings - It has not yet been decided if face coverings will be required on ice, but should be worn elsewhere.  Further info when it has been received.

Club Sponsorship

After many, many years of support, I am sad to report that John Watson of Watson Seeds will no longer be sponsoring our club.
Their support has been invaluable over the years and commenced at a time when our club's finances were in a poor state.  Their very generous contributions have enabled us to help subsidise, particularly, the pairs competition and also help us to get our finances into the relatively healthy situation that we are now in.  Their sponsorship will be sadly missed.
We are indebted to W. N Lindsay Ltd for the continuation of their sponsorship.

Should any member have suggestions or contacts that can help bridge the gap, please let Graeme, Shelagh or Willie know.

Historical Notes

For your amusement (or otherwise) for the summer.
Prompted by my visit to 'our old curling pond' I have been checking through some of our minute books and found some of these facts interesting. So I thought I would share them:-
After several years of discussion our 'Artificial Rink Committee' was reformed in 1909 and by 1911 a proposal for a 3 sheet rink (tar surface) was proposed at the Gas Works site at a cost of £134 (£15,900 equiv).  In the end this site proved not to be suitable but Dr Martine offered use of his field in Court Street.  The cost of the lease was to be £5/Yr (£600 equiv).
Instructions were given to proceed in 1912 by which time the cost had risen to £200 (£23,750) - full costings, gas, electricity, mason etc are in the minute books.
The artificial rink was complete with gas lighting and play instructed to finish by 10.30pm
The ice fees for non-members were 1/- (£6) for 2 hours
If the artificial lighting was required an additional charge of 3d (£1.50) per person for 2 hours.
During the war years half price was to be charged for 'men in uniform'.
The artificial pond was given up in 1923/24.
Curling ceased on the main pond in 1928.

Membership fees and Club Funds.
in 1912 the club had a 'Joining Fee' of £1/1/- (£124 equiv)
and its membership fee was 15/- (£ 90 equiv)
Club funds varied, I guess partially due to maintenance costs on the pond and the artificial pond.  The following are equivalent rates allowing for inflation.
In 1908 our club funds at the AGM were declared as £5,600
In 1914 our club funds at the AGM were declared as £11,850
In 1923 our club funds at the AGM were declared as £ 350.

Last game of the season 1895

Clubhouse and winning Wood Trophy Team 1900

Pond with swans 1929

Pond April 2020 (I just missed the heron)

CV19 - update

Well, due to our early season finish, we were one of the few clubs that managed to complete our fixtures (with the exception of hosting some Canadians) and get through our  Dinner and Prize giving before all hell broke loose.
I hope that all our members, and curlers from all over the world are keeping well and safe and that none of us experience too much tragedy over the next few weeks.
We have had to postpone our AGM and hopefully will be able to reschedule before too long.
We have all got to hope and plan that this will go away eventually and that we can look forward to a reasonable normal season next year.
With that in mind, Shelagh will be contacting you all for your playing intentions for next year, in the next few weeks or so.  PLEASE respond promptly, in order that we can negotiate the ice that we will need.
In the meantime, STAY SAFE, and have as good a summer as the virus will allow us.

Annual Dinner

Another thoroughly enjoyable dinner and prize giving at the Open Arms.  Our guest, David Hay gave a fascinating talk on playing/coaching at World Championships almost half a century apart.  The night was rounded off with some informal chat, after of course, the raffle which was carried out at break neck speed.
Next up, the AGM.
Remember that more photos can be found on our Flickr feed - see links on the right.