Christmas No 3: December 201 1 Greetings Bryces on the icy road to a big family success 57h 44s - the record to beat The official Guinness Book of Records entry for the longest curling match ever stands at 57hours 00minutes 44seconds Dumfries Curling Development Officer and Dumfries Young Curlers Club are planning to set a new record in the new year, when a group of 10 players will set out to smash the target early in March. The record attempt will also be used to raise funds for the Dumfries Young Curlers Club. The group has already started planning the event and received official guidelines from the Guinness Book publishers. They are also taking guidance from Stewart Robertson, a member of a team that made a previous attempt in the early 1970s. Stewart has a vast knowledge of the game and was more than happy to Who says that the young ones follow their older family members share his experience. into curling – the Bryce Family have certainly turned things Planning consists of how to provide proper evidence of the upside down. attempt, nutrition, hydration, team rotation, what the funds will be Cameron (16) has been selected for the Royal Club’s talent used for (this will be announced in the new year), fitness training, programme after being introduced to the sport six years ago during media coverage, advertising and a development package for a primary school competition. spectators. It is all being planned in fine detail, right down to when His sister Amy (13) followed the same path by attending the toilet breaks are allowed and sleeping patterns. Curling’s Cool sessions and is now impressing four years later. Her The Young Curlers’ Club will be inviting teams and players to next goal is also to be selected for the talent programme. come down and play Their parents, Andrew and Louise, were then ‘challenged’ by alongside the record their offspring to attend the local TryCurling session at the Borders Ice Rink where Louise, who is obviously a natural, qualified to attempt and support the attend a session with the GB Women’s Olympic Team at Stirling in 10 players who have set March 2010. themselves the goal of Andrew and Louise have since joined the Roxburghe Club, not only smashing the whilst Cameron and Amy curl with Coldstream, Borders Young record but extending Curlers and the Monday Club. it well beyond 60 hours. The youngest of the clan, Angus (9), felt left out so has now The group will The Holiday Inn Express Perth ended up throwing curling stones on a Monday night and Saturday provide further offers 81 guestrooms complete with with his brother and sister! information in the new satellite TV, tea & coffee facilities, It doesn’t end there, though. After pressure from their grand- year for anyone wishing FREE Express Breakfast Buffet, FREE WiFi and FREE on-site Car children, Jock and Jennifer (older than the rest) recently attended to come along and the TryCurling session. Jennifer has since returned on two or three Parking. occasions, anxious to avoid daughter-in-law Louise and grandson support the record- Prices from only £49 per room, per Cameron,who have recently qualified as assistant coaches. breaking attempt. night Subject to availability It is therefore no surprise that the Bryces are never off the road, n Contact Graham Sloan For more information about the following Cameron and Amy to various competitions throughout Curling Development Officer: Hotel please visit: Scotland. 01387 260 000 or 07921 057 138 www.hiexpressperth.co.uk The only question that remains is: who should we select for the Graham@ Or call 01738 636666 Christmas Family Bonspiel? royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org ‘40 years, still rocking…’ This was the greeting sent by Pat Orr to biblical references to the Roarin’ Game. She Druids Curling Club on the occasion of the found in John 8 that the lead should ‘cast the first Club’s 40th birthday. To celebrate, the Club stone’ and the second was instructed in Isaiah ‘to held a lunch in Glasgow’s Millennium Hotel, be a guard unto them’. She found advice to attended by 69 past and present Druids. ‘sweep with the besom of destruction’. After BEARSDEN TON other cleverly-delivered references to Rocks Through the playing season 2011/2012 These included at least a dozen original being hurled and removed, while the Skip Bearsden Curling Club is celebrating 100 members from the southside of Glasgow in Matthew 20 was chided with ‘why stand years of curling. who, as young mothers with children off to ye there all the day idle?’ On 11 September 1907 a notice was school, were looking for some activity when circulated inviting the residents of Bearsden golf was out of season. They found this at Among the skips past and present, several and the neighbourhood to attend a meeting in Crossmyloof in 1971. Feet often wet, bumpy have brought credit to the club over the the Lesser Public Hall to consider forming a ice, and even an umbrella to fend off the years. Pat Orr and Judy MacKenzie won safe area for skating and curling. Between 80 drips were mentioned in the reminiscences. Silver Medals in Senior World Champion- and 90 gentlemen attended the meeting, as a Many of the Ladies, who included Ann ships in 2008. In 2009 a Druids team led by result of which the Bearsden Skating and Caldwell and Gracie Reid in whose kitchen Heather Mowat reached the Henderson Curling Association was formed. Such was the the idea had been hatched, had not met for Bishop finals in Kelso. And recently Caroleen enthusiasm and drive that within a month a many years and the conversation grew in Clark was vice-captain of the very successful piece of land had been identified and its lease intensity as they met each other. Also in the Scottish team that toured USA in 2010. negotiated from the landowner, Rev. J.E company was the first recorded President, The day was rounded off with thanks to all Colquhoun. And, by December of the same Jean Hargreaves. Jean Cameron was given who had made the reunion so enjoyable. To year two ponds were in use. much of the credit for the choice of the club echo Jeannette’s words as she proposed a This land is part of what is now Colquhoun name, and was involved in choosing the toast to the club, “The Druids are in good Park, and the water part of the skating pond still club’s pink sweaters. Apparently the earliest heart”, and Jean Howie, Druids President, remains as what is known locally as the boating ones were machine knitted by members, had emphasised the club’s gratitude to those who pond. The curling pond itself has disappeared a black trim and a pocket for one’s hanky. had both founded and kept it going. under the adjoining football/rugby pitches. Later the club moved to The Summit, then In October 1911, with the approval of the to The Waterfront. Now, the great majority of Association, 20 gentlemen met together and decided to form Bearsden Curling Club under Druids live in the Helensburgh and Dumbar- the rules of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, ton area and play each Wednesday at Green- while still remaining members of the acres. Also present was Maggie MacAulay Association. This relationship continued until and many current Druids were surprised to 1952, when there was a formal separation of discover that the name on theTrophy they The next edition of YOUR Curler is due out mid the two organisations. play for each week was a real person! January (content submissions by 5 January). Despite the more severe winters of that time, After being greeted by past-president In the meantime, keep up to date with curling news outdoor ice was not always available for play Maureen Mason, The Curler’s Grace was and information at and the club used the facilities of the Scottish read by Caroleen Clark. Having enjoyed a www.royalcaledoniancurlingclub.org Ice Rink at Crossmyloof with increasing beautiful meal and relaxed with a glass of And, for other commentary on curling, visit regularity until its closure in1986 - at which time wine, the gathering sat back to enjoy www.skipcottagecurling.blogspot.com the Summit Centre at Finnieston opened for Jeannette Scobie’s excellent anecdotes from YOUR Curler is published by the Royal Caledonian curling. This in turn closed and the club now her own curling experiences both on and off Curling Club on a monthly basis during the winter curls at the Braehead Ice Rink. the ice; the weeks of being rather black and season. General enquiries to Cairnie House, Ingliston, In 1932, of a total membership of 81, only 15 blue, and the enjoyment we all had on our Newbridge, Midlothian, EH28 8NB. T: 0131-333 3003. were ladies. However, since the 1950s, the lady trips to Perth, Pitlochry and Stranraer. E: [email protected] membership has increased until now there are Having been a minister’s wife for nearly 50 YOUR Curler enquiries to: more or less equal numbers of ladies and men. years, Jeannette felt it appropriate to find some E: [email protected] Events through the centenary year have included a Bonspiel with invited guest clubs, held in October, and a Civic Reception in November. A formal dinner in March 2012 is planned at the end of the season. Our centenary celebrations should be seen as a tribute to our founding members and to all those who have supported the club throughout the years, establishing it as a competitive and social sporting organisation.