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Sunday, February 26, 2012

One Hundred Years Celebrated in Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Curling Club has been celebrating its centenary this season with a series of bonspiels, and a special dinner last night was held in the Corn Exchange, with 360 guests in attendance.

Above are the winners of the Centenary Bonspiel. L-R: Colin Mouat, Karina Aitken, Bruce Mouat (skip) and Richard Wood.

My friend Robin Copland is the Edinburgh Curling Club's President this year, and was on hand to welcome guests as they arrived at the Corn Exchange.

Michael Morrison piped in the winners and organising committee.

If you curl at the Murrayfield Rink, you will recognise some of the 'important people' at this table. The predecessor to Murrayfield, at Haymarket, opened its doors on February 3, 1912.

Harry Waugh took us through some of the sport's history. Here he is brandishing a loofie! The opening of the seven-sheet indoor facility at Haymarket provided the chance to curl regularly, without depending on the vagaries of the weather. It was ironic that the opening co-incided with a cold spell. Indeed, a Grand Match had been held the day before the rink opened!

The main speaker was John O'Neill who gave the toast to Edinburgh Curling Club.

It was a grand night, and the opportunity to meet again some old friends. Here are just a few photos to illustrate that.

Ronnie Malcolm, on the left, was the Murrayfield rink's manager for many years, here with Trevor Dodds who, amongst other roles, is vice-president of the Edinburgh Curling Club.

Fred Prain

Andrew and Sheila Hepburn

There were World Champions past and present in attendance. Here's Norman Brown (World Junior Champion and four times European Champion) with his wife Lyn.

Robin Aitken, World Senior Champ.

Barbara Watt is the current Scottish Senior Champion, here with Gordon Addison, who gave the reply to the toast to Edinburgh Curling Club.

Here are those who made last night happen. L-R: Ian Seath, Robin Copland, Anne-Marie Ross, Trevor Dodds and Gordon Addison.

Being a blogger is such a hard job! Here I am with Fran Stretton, Susan Kesley, Jenny Barr and Katie Wood who, amongst their other successes, were the Petrofac Aberdeen City Open winners 2011 (here).

Photos © Skip Cottage