Upcoming Events

  • Sun 18-2-24 @ 14.03 - Knockout Semi & Final
  • Fri 8-3-24 @ 12.15 - Province Bonspiel
  • Sat 8-3-24 @ 15.00 Waldie Griffith v Angus at Murrayfield
  • Sat 23-3-24 @ 11.30 Waldie Griffith v Angus at Forfar
  • Website last updated 29-1-24

Wednesday 18 November 2020

Message from the President

 

EAST LOTHIAN PROVINCE COMPETITIONS

 

As you will be aware due to the current COVID-19 restrictions Murrayfield Ice Rink is currently closed and will be until at least early January 2021.  As a result the competitions scheduled for November and December will not go ahead as planned.  Dates in January will be dependent on the restrictions being lifted and a go ahead being given by the Ice Rink, at which time the competitions may be rescheduled depending on the availability of ice.

In these difficult times it is frustrating and unfortunate that we are unable to plan with any degree of certainty for next year and clubs will have to await updates from Murrayfield and the Province once decisions have been made.

 

Kind regards and best wishes,

 

Walter Scott

President

Monday 2 November 2020

Closure until January 2021

As you are no doubt aware, Murrayfield has announced that it will be closed for Curling until January 2021 - see their notice, below.

Further news will appear on this website regarding Province Competitions and the curling rink, when the information comes to hand.


Murrayfield Curling Limited 
Edinburgh Curling Club

It is with considerable regret that we, Murrayfield Curling Ltd, after consultation with Edinburgh Curling Club, have made the decision to suspend curling at Murrayfield until the end of December.

This decision became inevitable after full consideration of the details emanating from the Scottish Government’s announcement on Thursday 29th October.

For some weeks, we have been awaiting the outcome of lobbying of the Scottish Government by Scottish Curling with the assistance of SIRA (Scottish Ice Rink Association) to classify us as an indoor individual exercise activity, given the extensive efforts that we, along with all curling rinks in Scotland, have introduced to create as safe an environment as that required for individual adult exercise in gyms. To date we have not been successful and as result of the requirements of the Government’s Tier 3 conditions we as a sport are limited to group exercise for under 18s only. It is unfortunate for those members below the age of 18 that they are denied access, because self evidently the economics of running an ice rink for that age group only, are not sustainable.

Despite the hope that Edinburgh City, at the date of the next review on 9th November, may be reclassified as a Tier 2 local authority, which would remove the above over 18s restriction, there is no guarantee of that being the outcome. In any event, when taken along with the fact that travel from other local authority areas that we draw our membership from, with a higher Tier status, would not be allowed, it becomes enormously uncertain how many of our members would actually be able to curl. Waiting to see if matters would improve whilst continuing to incur costly levels of expenditure to maintain the ice is not a viable option and so we felt we had no option but to take the above decision.

Over the coming weeks, we will be evaluating the evolving situation with the possibility to start curling in January 2021 and we will advise you of our plans nearer that date. Those plans will be influenced by the willingness of Clubs to attempt to reschedule games already lost (and to be lost between now and December) and our ability to find ice times to match demand. We will be in touch with club secretaries over the coming days to discuss how they wish to proceed.

Saturday 31 October 2020

Competition Draws

 The draws have now taken place for the Knockout and the Pairs.

These, along with amended session times can be found on the Fixtures tab (above)

Friday 30 October 2020

Curling Postponed - again

Following recent government announcements, Murrayfield Curling will remain closed until at least 9th November.

Further announcements when information is available.

Saturday 3 October 2020

Covid 19

Please note that we have added a new Covid 19 tab (above) to our website.

This contains a risk assessment, and symptom chart.  Each club/player should make themselves familiar with the details on this page prior to competing in any province event or representing the province.

There are also two short 'Return to Curling' videos (on right under links).  One produced by Scottish Curling and the other specific to the Curl Edinburgh facilities.

Tuesday 15 September 2020

Ice Times for Province Competitions

The Province has now received confirmation of their ice allocation for the next season from Murrayfield as follows:
Province KO First Round: Sunday 22nd November at 15.00hrs.
Province Pairs: Saturday 5th December Play off at 12.45hrs
                                                                      Finals at 15.00hrs
Province KO First Round: 12th December at 12.45hrs
Province KO Semi Finals: 10th January 2021 at 14.30hrs
                                Finals:                                   at 16.45hrs
Province Bonspiel: 15th January 2021 First Play off 3 sheets at 11.45hrs
                                                                    First Play off 2 sheets at 12.15hrs
                                                                    Second Play off 3 sheets at 14.30hrs
                                                                    Second Play off 2 sheets at 15.00hrs.
                                                                    Presentation of prizes for all competitions.
The draw for each of the competitions will take place at the Province Zoom meeting on 30th September at 7.00pm.
We have submitted an application to take part in the Waldie Griffith Province competition but await notification of the draw from RCCC.
We will make a decision on the Border's Challenge at the next meeting.
The Edinburgh Area Bonspiel is usually the first Friday in December (4th) but we wait confirmation of this event.

Monday 7 September 2020

Season Preparation 2020-2021

 Firstly, The delayed AGM will now take place on 30th September 2020 @ 7pm.  It will be held via Zoom.

Could all attendees please ensure that John Trotter has an up to date email address that joining instructions can be sent.


COVID

This will turn out to be an interesting season. Please note that all clubs are required to have a Covid officer appointed.  Their main job is to be the primary point of contact in the event of an outbreak. More information, including a short e-course can be found on the Sport Scotland Website.

Each club should also prepare a Risk Assessment.  If any club is having difficulties or doesnt know where to start, contact Graeme Maguire (07990 545 792) for help.

Murrayfield have produced an excellent Return to Curling Document which can be found on their website, or HERE.  This covers all the protocols for using their facilities, including individuals/clubs and their responsibilities for keeping everyone safe.

Wednesday 15 April 2020

CV-19 and the AGM

As should be obvious the AGM has been 'postponed'.
Please see the letter below for information from our President:-

Dear members,
We are swimming in uncharted waters at the present moment but I do hope you are all well and keeping safe.
Our AGM was originally scheduled for Wednesday 20
th May in Haddington but as time goes by it is looking more and more unlikely with the restrictions placed on us by COVID-19 now and in the foreseeable future.
I have consulted with the Province elected officials and we are agreed that we need to postpone the AGM until such time as the situation clears and we are able to hold meetings again. We could of course hold a virtual meeting over the internet but as nothing is desparately urgent and I know many of you have been unable to hold your own meetings we will hold out until nearer the start of the season if we can. With this in mind I propose that until such time as we are able to hold the AGM all elected officials will continue in their present position.
Whilst we do not know the timing of requests for ice from Murrayfield we need to be ready to book our ice allocation; with this in mind could you please indicate to our Secretary John
your entry as a club to the following competitions.
Province Knockout: maximum 1 team per club.
Province Pairs: maximum 1 team per club.
Province Bonspiel: maximum of 2 teams per club.
Competitions such as the Edinburgh Area Bonspiel, Border's Challenge and the Waldie Griffith will be arranged separately unless you as a club indicate otherwise.
As winners of the Province Knockout in season 2019-2020 I will be asking Haddington Curling Club if they would be willing to represent East Lothian Province at the Scottish Curling Province Championships at Greenacres on 6th-8th November 2020.
Can you please indicate
by the end of April your club's intention to enter the Province internal competitions listed above along with the number of rinks.
In the meantime I wish you and your families well in the hope that we can get back to some normality sooner rather than later.
With best wishes.

Ian Donald
President 2019-2020

Saturday 1 February 2020

Waldie Griffiths - Current Teams and arrangements

The last match we have is the Waldie Griffith Trophy to be held on Saturday 15th February at 10am at Murrayfield against Dumbartonshire Province.
Rinks are:
Rink 1: Morgan Nicoll (Skip), Michael Wood, John Good, John Niven.
Rink 2: Frank Ross (Skip), Shelagh Main, Ian Donald, Roy Black.
Rink 3: James Logan (Skip), Willie Kerr, Graeme Maguire, Andy Aberdein.
Rink 4: Balfour Stewart (Skip), Sandy Stewart, Douglas Scott, John Scott.
Reserve: Frances Donald.
The cost is £23 each which includes the ice and a Soup/sandwich lunch after.
Skips please collect the appropriate money and hand to me.
As our Secretary is in the Southern Hemisphere just now any communication should be with me please.
I wish you all good curling.
Regards Ian

AGM Notification

Due to an error, the notification has been updated and can be found by clicking here

Thursday 30 January 2020

The Chanty Comes Home

Our 4 teams clashed with the Borders Province for the battle over the Beverley Bowl aka The Chanty.  Borders Province, on home territory were looking to make it a hat trick of wins.  Our teams made a good start but the Borders made a stern fight back, taking a 4 in the final end of the final game.  Ultimately, they came up just short with the final tally of 23 - 22 in favour of East Lothian.
Ian Donald collected the trophy after a fine carvery meal.

Sunday 19 January 2020

Bonspiel 2019/2020

Congratulations to Haddington who performed admirably to finish First AND Third in the Bonspiel.
Haddington 1 took a sizeable lead from the first round and added another good win in the second round to produce a score of +17.  Meanwhile the defending champions Johnny Shedden's Athelstaneford 1 had a middle ranked win in round one and then punished their opposition by taking the second game by the largest margin of the day, to end up 2 shots behind on +15.
These two teams were the far ahead of the pack, which was headed by Haddington 2 on a score of  +3.
Congratulations again to Haddington 1's team of Dave Munro, Willie Kerr, Elinor Logan and Colin Baird
Full results are on the Fixtures, Draws & Results tab above.

Wednesday 15 January 2020

Province Knockout Winners/Losers

Semi Finals:
Haddington v Aberlady.
Following a mix-up Haddington arrived one man short, after frantic phone calls the fourth player was rustled up but was a full hour late resulting in a 3 shot penalty.  Despite this their very experienced line up was no match for the youngsters fielded by Aberlady, who still performed well.  Haddington ran out the winners with a final score of 12 - 8
Markle v Yester
This proved to be a tight game throughout, with a score in the final end swinging it in the way of Yester.  The final score was 7 - 3

Final
Haddington v Yester
This proved to be a high quality and enthralling game to watch with Dave Munro's Haddington team pitted against Sandy Stewart's Yester rink.  On very swingy ice the lead changed several times as a result of magnificent take outs and draws (even through ports).  Haddington went into the final end 1 shot up but without the hammer but managed to hold the Yester squad to a single to peel the game
5 - 5.  Sandy Stewart went to draw the shot and came up biting the four foot but Dave Munro quelled their silent jubilation by placing his stone directly on the pot lid.  Therefore it is Haddington that will go forward to represent the Province in the National Province Championship Finals in Greenacres in Oct/Nov 2020.


Congratulations to Haddington's team of Dave Munro, James Logan, Sandy Nicoll and Hamish Logan.

The prizes will be presented after our Province Bonspiel on Friday 17th January 2020

Monday 13 January 2020

Province Bonspiel - Agenda

EAST LOTHIAN PROVINCE ANNUAL BONSPIEL 2019-2020

Kindly Sponsored by: Scotgrain Agricultural Ltd.

FRIDAY 17TH JANUARY 2020
Commencing at 12.05pm
1. DRAW:
Sheet 1: Athelstaneford 2 versus East Linton
Sheet 2: Yester 1 versus Dirleton
Sheet 3: Aberlady versus Athelstaneford 1
Sheet 4: Haddington 2 versus Yester 2
Sheet 5: Haddington 1 versus Doocot/Markle

Note: Rink Sheets will be allocated by the ice staff.
2. Programme:
(a) Pre order drinks – complete sheet at end of rink.
(b) Start curling at 12.05pm prompt
(c)
Play seven ends only - Drink at the bar from pre-order; Soup, sandwiches, tea/coffee.
(d) Approx 15.00pm - Start of second round; play to the bell
(e) Approx 17.30pm - Presentation of all trophies for Province Knock Out, The Province Pairs High Road and Low Road and The Province Bonspiel.
3. Any club having entered a rink for the draw and whose rink does not turn up, will be required to pay the ice charges of £204.
4. Skips are responsible for collecting £140 per team (£35 per player or equivalent) and for paying this to the Province Treasurer or his representative on the day. The charge covers two playing sessions, a drink from the bar, soup, sandwiches, tea or coffee and a tip to the caterers.

RULES
Can be found on the 'Rules' tab - above

Monday 6 January 2020

Team Draws - Chanty Challenge & Waldie Griffiths.

Please note that the team draws may be subject to change


Province Knockout News

The semi finals, taking place on the 12th January 2020 will be contested between:-
Haddington v Aberlady and
Markle v Yester.
The final will take place in the following session.

Province Pairs Competition

Big congratulations to Athelstaneford for beating Yester 8 - 3 to take the High Road, for the fifth time.
Slightly smaller congratulations to East Linton, who beat Dirleton 4 - 0 to lift the Low Road trophy, for the first time.