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ENGLISH CURLING ASSOCIATIONNovember 2009 - Issue 26

NEWSLETTERThe Season starts!

I can hear whoops of delight from across the country to here in sunny - or not so - Essex. The curling seasonhas started and the ice is laid, ch r i s tmas , b i r t hdays and holidays, are all here at once. W h a t a s e a s o n , w i t h c o m p e t i t i o n s , l e a g u e s , challenges, training and much more. With a few weeks into the season we have another packed edition of the newsletter for you. In this issue just to whet your appetite there is a fantastic and very worthwhile charity curling event being held at Fenton’s for the second year running. Additionally, a special on the Inter-club Championships held in Kelso with two excellent

personal reports, the rule changes in drug abuse, reports from the clubs and a picture of yours truly wearing a Scotland shirt (yes its true). Finally we have a great article on the recent Inv i tat ional European Seniors competition from Greenacres. This edition owes it thanks once again to the contributions by a variety of curlers, new and old, all dedicated to the the sport. Thank you all and if your article never made it to this edition, watch out for the next issue of the newsletter.

The Editor

IN THIS EDITION President’s Letter Developments in Curling

Club News Doping Update Inter-Club results ECA Competition Dates

FUN Hot News

£1(or subscription to ECA)

London take the Hinds Bowl from Glendale after 7 years

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Scotland’s Englanders

There must be many hundreds of curlers north of the border who have taken to the roaring game after taking up residence in Scotland. I have been wondering why we cannot get them more interested in the ECA. For many they probably have little knowledge about the fact there is a thriving, albeit small, curling community in England. Readers of the Scottish Curler will be better informed, as a result of John Brown’s regular articles (good to see you in the last issue again). I suspect that many will not have a thought to how they could support our cause.

I am still surprised at how many folk do not believe there is a curling rink in Kent. They always wonder at the mileage that almost all English curlers have to endure to play the sport. Some see it as sign of dedication, others see it as almost foolish, reinforcing existing views about the English!

English curlers in Scotland love the game – and so they could be more involved in spreading the news in England. But first we need to ‘capture’ them. We need an active campaign to raise our profile. Could we begin by looking at asking our Anglo/Scots to be social members – with some enticement. How about:A bonspiel run by the eca in Scotland.Encouragement to put rinks into our ‘big’ competitions

Is it too far fetched to have a Club in Scotland for English curlers? Perhaps that would fall fowl of discrimination rules!

Maybe we could use the newsletter to start sharing and exchanging ideas.

ECA EVENTS

Future competitions

ECA Playdowns 4th – 7th February 2010 at Greenacres

Mixed playdowns 13th – 14th March at Fenton’s

Closing dates for entries 30th November

We hope to achieve at least the same number of entries as we did last season.

Four Nations – 23rd – 24th January 2010 at HamiltonWe will need curlers to play in this annual challenge. Could Clubs nominate 4 men and 4 women as soon as possible and pass the information to the Competitions Convenor. The selection process does consider the strength of the rinks, however we also aim to provide new opportunities for our members. The whole weekend is a very sociable experience. This year Scotland are the ‘host’ nation. In 2011 we are responsible for arranging the event. To date the event has always been played in Scotland.

GREAT COMPETITIONS

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A"er  our  AGM,  the  new  Commi2ee  structure  is  as  follows:

President     Richard  MurrayPast  President     Harvey  CurleVice  President     Andrew  DixonTreasurer     Caroline  CummingSecretary     Candice  BellECA  Reps     James  Dixon  &  Harvey  CurleOther  Members   Mary  Aitchison       Shawn  Fairweather       Glynnice  Lauder       Andrew  Reed       Chris  Smith       Jimmy  Straughan.

Glendale  is  running  3  in  house  compe33ons:

John  Maxwell  Cup       7th  Oct  –  16th  Dec  (5  teams  played  double  round)Mrs  Greg  Thompson  Open   22nd  Dec  –  5th  March  (7  teams)Gordon  Davidson  Cup   10th  March  –  24th  March  (4  teams)

We  also  have  a  number  of  weekend  bonspiels  in  the  pipeline:

Invita3on  Bonspiel       Saturday  21st  November(Each  Glendale  member  invites  a  member  from  another  club  to  play)

Jim  Wilson  Bonspiel       Tuesday  24th  November(A"er  each  end,  each  player  moves  up  to  the  next  posiZon  i.e.  lead  moves  to  2,  2  to  3,  3  to  skip  and  skip  to  lead)

Allan  &  JeaneGe  Forrest  Bonspiel   Saturday  30th  January(This  is  a  come  &  try  compeZZon  where  each  Glendale  member  invites  someone  how  hasn’t  curled  before,  usually  a  really  fun  evening)

Points  Compe33on       Wednesday  10th  February(Usual  points  comp,  with  a  2  Zer  prize  level,  i.e.  standard  and  handicap)

Mixed  Pairs  Compe33on     Saturday  13th  March(Exactly  as  it  sounds,  although  can  prove  interesZng  if  more  men  play  than  women,  it  has  been  know  for  some  cross-­‐  dressing  to  take  place!!!)  

Candice

CLUB

NEW

S 20

09November GLENDALE CURLING CLUB

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Preston News

We have had three days of curling so far this season. The Herman Cup on 1st Oct won by Phil Barton and rink. The Gray Trophy on 22nd Oct – also won by Phil Barton with a different rink. We welcomed the Welsh Ladies on 5th November to take part in the Fraser Cup. They used it as an opportunity to prepare for their campaign in Aberdeen. Congratulations to Jim Aitken, who beat the Welsh ladies in the final.

We have another day of curling on 10th December – when we invite three other clubs to join us to compete for the Dan Kerr Trophy. The programme continues in 2010 with:

Jubilee Cup on 7th Jan

Challenge match v Dalbreattie on 21st Jan

President’s Match on 11th Feb

Kershaw Cup v Wales on 4th March

Atherton Trophy on 18th March

Preston would welcome any new members – especially if you can join us on our Thursday jaunts to Lockerbie.

I’Anson 20th/22nd November

The First English Province/Preston CC host this great weekend event at the North West Castle in Stranraer.

This year we have some new rinks and also look forward to meeting familiar friends. Steve Scanlan has made two late changes to his rink – Steve Aman and James Gibb have been signed up to play with Fi Hawker and Steve. Sandra Moorcroft is returning with her own rink. Sandra was with Jamie Malton last year – as he started his preparations for the playdowns – that must have been a good omen (Jamie have a great competition in Aberdeen). Other ECA members rinks are the usual suspects from Preston CC: Frank Kershaw, David Kerr, Phil Atherton, Phil Barton and Patrick Brown. Richard Hills has teamed up with Bruce Bowyer, Mark Copperwheat and wives. Ian Curle and Peter Bowyer are returning, as is John Brown

We look forward to reporting on the competition in future issues.

Phil Barton

CLUB

NEW

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09November

PRESTON CURLING CLUB

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CLUB

NEW

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09November

The new season has now begun and all our members are happy to be back on the ice and we are all delighted to welcome back our President, Jo Ostermeyer. In October, seven members of the Club journeyed to the Boarders Ice Rink in Kelso for the English Interclub Championship. We came second overall with a 2-1 record over Glendale CC and a 0-2-1 record against London CC. Therefore, London CC won the inaugural staging of the Hugh Brown Quaich, the first interclub trophy to involve our young Club, named after a late member of both clubs.We have several exciting events planned for the season and these are shown below. We encourage anyone interested in taking part to consider joining the Club. Naturally, we have lost many of last season's members as Fenton's Rink is now in charge of the regular leagues but, hopefully, the SECC can continue interest you by organising special events and offering some variety to your season. If you'd like to find out more about the Club and our events then we look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,

Adam.-- SECC Committee

South of England Curling ClubEmail: southofenglandcurlingclub@googlemail.com

Website: www.southofenglandcurlingclub.com

Corporate Cup

On Saturday 28th November we will be holding The Corporate Cup, a competition that gives you a chance to introduce your workmates to the wonderful world of curling by skipping your team of beginners. Places are filling up very quickly. Please, get in t o u c h w i t h J a m e s G i b b (jgibb@cerrus.com) if you would like to enter a team.

Novice event (TBC)

On Sunday 6th December we will be hosting an event aimed at beginners and members with less experience. Plans are being finalised but are likely to include some coaching and a Novice Minispiel.

Special Coaching Clinic (TBC)

In early January we will be hosting a special curling clinic with world-class coach, Mike Hay, aimed at the more experienced curlers ahead of the National Championships. Ian Baxter is finalising the details and we'll let you know more soon.

SECC Club Bonspiel

On the weekend of 30th-31st January the club will be putting on a bonspiel. This will be open to Club teams and visiting teams too. We'll be letting you know much more about this nearer the time.

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In advance of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver in early 2010 I have put together a brief article about British Curling Limited (BC), the organisation responsible for the preparat ion, select ion and performance of the British teams at events where entry is by a Great Britain team rather than individual home nations - currently World University Games, European Youth Olympics and Olympic & Paralympic Games.

Prior to 2006, British international representative curling was organised and administered by the British Curling Association (BCA) and the British Wheelchair Curling Association (BWCA). In 2004 UK Sport requested that both bodies work more closely together and, as a result, following the Turin Olympics in 2006, British Curling Limited was created to replace both the BCA and BWCA.

Membership of BC is restricted to the four Home Nation Curling Governing Bodies; the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, Scottish Wheelchair Curling A s s o c i a t i o n , E n g l i s h C u r l i n g Association and Welsh Curl ing Association.

There are currently five players in the men’s and women’s Olympic squads. None of the squad members is guaranteed a place in the Olympic team unti l the f inal l ine up is announced in December. The women’s squad is made up of: Eve Muirhead; Jackie Lockhart; Kelly Wood; Lorna Vevers and Karen Addison, while the men’s squad comprises: David Murdoch; Euan Byers; Pete Smith; Ewan MacDonald and Graeme Connal. Both these teams will represent Scotland at this

year ’s European Championships before the final teams are chosen.

The Paralympic squad consists of: Tom Killin; Angie Malone; Michael McCreadie; Aileen Neilson and Jim Sellar.

The performance targets BC has set itself are high, but achievable with the squads we currently have. By May 2010 the target is that we will have won medals at both the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Following on from that, one of the aims for 2014 is “by May 2014, to have all British Curling Teams (Men, Women, Wheelchair and University) with a world ranking better than or equa l to 5 fo r a per iod o f 3 consecutive years”.

Although the BC Board may change between now and the 2014 games, it is important to set goals for the future to develop a sustainable system for developing top athletes capable of winning medals.

While the majority of the focus appears to be on the Olympic squads, earlier this year teams were sent to both the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Poland (where the women’s team won gold and the men silver) and the World University Games in China (where the women finished 4th and the men 7th).

For the Olympics the curling starts on 16 February with the finals on 26 and 27 February. Games at the Paralympics start on 13 March with the final on 20 March.

The draw for the Olympic and Paralympic games can be found at the f o l l o w i n g w e b s i t e : www.worldcurling.org

OLYMPIC NEWS

By Sarah McVey

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Hot News

Remember!! The English Curling Forum is

now .net, yes, DOT NET. Don’t be

forgetting now.

London Win the Hinds Bowl and the newly commissioned Hugh Brown Bowl

Englands Mixed Doubles

Champions, Jayne Clark &

John Sharp(Picture Courtesy of Bob Cowen)

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UK Anti-Doping Rules are constantly changing, making it harder for every athlete to keep themselves fully informed. The latest change was discussed, and approved, at the recent Council meeting in Kelso so I decided the easiest way to inform all of you was to use the changes as my article for this newsletter!

In order to ensure that the sport of curling is fully compliant, UK Sport needs to ensure that each Home Association has compliant rules in place, in accordance with their individual NGB funding agreements and the agreement between the curling associations regarding a common approach to doping. Each of the Home Association rules, whilst being compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code, must also state that any Team GB athletes are subject to the testing jurisdiction of the RCCC, despite not being signed up as a member of the RCCC.

The simplest way for the ECA to achieve compliance was to adopt the UK Anti-Doping Rules which UK Sport publishes to which an additional provision has been added regarding Team GB jurisdiction.

The RCCC has just recently adopted the UK Anti-Doping Rules so once the ECA and the WCA are compliant using the UK Anti-Doping Rules, the sport of curling will be fully compliant and there will be a consistent application of the same anti-doping rules for all athletes. The changes that were discussed are detailed below:

The English Curling Association

Resolution for adoption of 2009 UK Anti-Doping Rules

“The Council of the English Curling Association hereby resolves that the anti-doping rules of the English Curling Association (1 August 2006) shall, as and from the 17th October 2009, stand repealed and shall be replaced by the following rule:

“The anti-doping rules of the English Curling Association are the UK Anti-Doping Rules published by the Drug-Free Sport Directorate of UK Sport (or its successor), as amended from time to time. Such rules shall take effect and be construed as rules of the English Curling Association with the addition of the following supplemental provision as new clause 1.2.6.’

1.2.6 It is acknowledged that there is an agreement in place between British Curling Ltd, the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, the English Curling Association and the Welsh Curling Association

that Team GB Athletes will be subject to the jurisdiction of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club whilst acting in their capacity as Team G B m e m b e r s , b u t t h a t t h e r e s u l t management process and investigation of possible anti-doping rule violations arising out of such Testing (including as to the conduct of any hearing and the imposition of any applicable sanctions) will be governed by and conducted in accordance with the anti-doping rules of the national governing body for the sport of Curling in the country to which the Team GB Athlete is affiliated. For the avoidance of doubt, all Team GB Athletes therefore agree to submit to the jurisdiction of Royal Caledonian Curling Club for the purposes of Testing of Team GB members only and acknowledge that the result management process following such Testing will be conducted, in the case of a Team GB Athlete who is a member of:

a. English Curling, by the English Curling Association in accordance with the English Curling Association anti-doping regulations;

b. Royal Caledonian Curling Club, by the Royal Caledonian Curling Club in accordance with the Royal Caledonian Curling Club anti-doping regulations;

c. Welsh Curling Association, by the Welsh Curling Association in accordance with the Welsh Curling Association anti-doping regulations.

The UK Anti-Doping Rules can be found at the following website, and will be on the ECA website as well once it goes live again:

h t t p : / / w w w . u k s p o r t . g o v . u k / p a g e s /rules_and_regulations/

I know this seems very wordy and, potentially complicated, but I still felt it was important to share with you! Enjoy your new season’s curling.

Alison Arthur, Doping Convenor

Anti Doping Rule Changes

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HOPES FOR CURLING IN COUNTY DURHAM

Earlier this year Debbie Hutcheon of Glendale Curling Club was watching television when 'BBC Inside Out’ (25/2/09) ran a story about businessman and entrepreneur Jan Eskildsen. The programme covered his plans to build an ice arena in County Durham. Jan's vision was to create a venue which is a real asset to the community as a whole, with facilities primarily for ice skaters, ice hockey teams and public skating.

Debbie saw here an opportunity to introduce curling to the North East of England and a chance to enable the venue to offer something different.

The next step was to track down Jan and his team, which includes his wife Christine – herself a successful ice skating coach and chair of County Durham Ice Foundation (catalyst for this exciting project .... see the 'BBC Inside Out' programme http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u85W2O4AHUo) - and Steve Chisholm project manager and ice hockey expert. Private detective work complete, initial discussions have been held with Jan and his team and feedback has been encouraging. At present all are working hard on making the exciting venue plans a reality. Meanwhile on the curling side, Debbie along with the help and support of Kirsty Balfour, Caroline Reed and Nicola Woodward, are putting together a curling identity and development plan in anticipation of the new venue. If you would like to know more about this or have any suggestions or opinions please contact Debbie at debbiehut@googlemail.com or 07766 837836. She is particularly interested to hear from any existing, or interested curlers in the area. Also anyone who would be willing and able to help out with development / coaching.

Updates will be posted here or on the English Curling Forum.NET

PS Durham has excellent transport links, so hope to see you all on the ice in County Durham soon! Debbie Hutcheon

Would you like your advert here?

Did you realise the circulation of this magazine is now over 500 keen curlers each edition and rising rapidly. If you would like to see your advert here then contact the editor - it is better value than you think.

Advertising space available from 1/4 to a full page, your design and colour’s, multiple editions available at very very competitive prices.

6 editions; 1/4 Page £5 1/2 Page £10 Full Page £25

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Murrayfield Ice Rink, Edinburgh 23 – 25 October 2009

This year the Mixed Doubles championships was held alongside the Scottish Championships on ice that was known to be very fast with good swings, the ideal ice for this format of the game. The winning team would benefit from experiencing the conditions likely to be encountered when they went forward to the World Championships to represent England in Chelyabinsk, Russia next April.

Teams entered were:-John Sharp/Jane ClarkAlastair Fyfe/Debbie HutcheonNigel Patrick/Alison HemmingsSam Fowler/Anna Fowler

The umpire in charge was James Hustler. A double round robin was to be played.

The team briefing was held. 4 minute practice sessions for each team and the draw shot challenge in operation for every game to determine who chose last stone and possibly decide a winner if tied at the end of the round robin. Pre game practice and draw shot challenge in itself was a new experience for some players, but mirrors what happens in major championships.

The Friday night session saw last years winners John and Jane take on last years runners up, Alastair and Debbie. A tight game all the way through saw John and Jane take a 3 and a 2 in the last two ends to win 8-5. The experienced of Nigel and Alison saw off the Fowler challenge.

3 sessions were held in a row on Saturday at 10, 12.30 and 3pm. The first session saw Sam and Anna find form to beat Alastair and Debbie while another tight game saw Jane make big last shots for a 3 in the 3rd end and again in the 6th end. A steal of 2 in the 7th end pretty much settled it and Nigel and Alison were run out of stones in the 8th to go down 8-4.

The second session saw Sam and Anna come unstuck against a very solid performance by John and Jane while Nigel and Alison made amends for their earlier defeat.

At the halfway stage Sharp/Clark led the way with 3 wins, Patrick/Hemmings were on 2, Sam and Anna on 1 and Fyfe/Hutcheon with no wins.

The third session of the day saw the first set of rematches. Sam and Anna had to beat Alastair and Debbie to remain in the hunt which they duly did for the second time. A crucial rematch between John and Jane against Nigel and Alison saw Nigel and Alison 5-1 down after 4 ends. A 2 in the 5th, then a

great angled raised take out by Alison in the 6th end helped steal a 3. A further steal in the 7th end saw them take a 7-5 lead into the last end. A very crowded house came down to the two girls playing the last stones. Trying delicate touch shots to squeeze more stones into the 4 foot, both missed wide and heavy!!! A definite 2 was scored to tie the match and the umpire measured for the third which went to John and Jane to sneak it 8-7. This left them on a 4-0 win record, 2 clear of the field and a win on the Sunday morning session against Alastair and Debbie would leave them as champions.

Enough curling for the moment. Saturday night saw a group of us head to Cafe Marlayne in Old Fishmarket Close just off the High Street in the centre of town. Well done Nigel (or rather Nigel’s mum and dad, who joined us for a meal and some wine) for the recommendation. Good food and good wine (but not too much as there was still some serious business to be completed).

The Sunday morning ice was super keen and a struggle to hold the stones back. A strange scoreboard for mixed doubles saw a single point scored in each end of the game between Nigel and Alison against Sam and Anna with the Fowlers just losing out 5-3 A difficult angled raised take out was needed by Sam to score a 3 to tie up the game but missed and they only scored a 1. In the other game a 4 in the 1st end looked comfortable enough for John and Jane but Alastair and Debbie clawed their way back to be only 6-5 down after the 6th end. A strong 7th end by John and Jane saw them take a 2 to lead 8-5. It was left to Jane playing stones 1 and 5 to make the final strike to run Alastair and Debbie out of stones to retain the championship and give them the opportunity to head to Russia for the World Championships next April. All the line scores are posted on www.englishcurlingforum.net under the UK competitions section.

Overall, Murrayfield did not disappoint, with consistent four to five feet swings on each hand in to the button. It is hoped all our competitors benefited from the excellent ice conditions and learned more about the precision play and tactics required for this format of the game. There was an added advantage in being able to watch the Scottish championships alongside us. A big thank you to Murrayfield for being a very welcoming venue where the ice was £4.50 per player per session and an excellent menu on offer in the bar upstairs to boot

Thanks also to our umpire for his time and effort and James Gibb’s assistance and stoic attendance in the cold of the rink to watch the action as well. It would have been warmer in the bar looking down on us!!Report by J Sharp

Report from the ECA Mixed Doubles National Championships 2009-10

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ECA Inter Club Championships, Borders Ice Rink, Kelso, 17-18 October 2009

Performance Report on London Curling Club team 2 [John Sharp, Steve Scanlan (The editor), James Gibb]

Having taken an extraordinarily l o n g t i m e t o g e t t o K e l s o (roadworks and Friday traffic) our late arrival didn’t stop a long night, and some of the morning, in the bar in serious preparation for our games on Saturday and Sunday. Being a race day on Saturday at Kelso racecourse the town was busy and 8 of us ended up staying in The Templehall Inn, Morebattle about 8 miles outside Kelso. A super little place, fantastic Autumn weather on the Saturday and a stunning vista over the area to boot as we drove in to the rink.

T h e e d i t o r t o o k o u r t e a m preparation so seriously he had arrived mid afternoon on Friday and allegedly had several beers and a bottle of wine (or 2?) before the rest of us arrived. He retired to bed early, feeling somewhat “dizzy” and failed to appear for breakfast on Saturday.

Without any Preston club presence this time round the annual ECA interclub battle was between London Curling Club, South of England Curling Club (SECC) and G l e n d a l e , o u r s u c c e s s f u l Northumbrian club, who had been the interclub champions since 2002.

2 teams from each club took to the ice. We were a player short which gave us ample opportunity to p r a c t i c e a n d s w e e p m o r e energetically. Steady play, good lead stones from James Gibb and with The editor only being allowed to strike at barrier weight, we got off to a flying start in our first

game, catching the SECC team cold in the first 4 ends, letting us dominate the game and finish 16-5 ahead with 5 ends scored.

O u r s e c o n d g a m e a g a i n s t Glendale saw us down after 3 ends in a very tight start but then pull ahead scoring each of the last 5 ends to win 11-3 with 6 ends on the board.

As our “prize”, team captain John Brown put us up against the next Glendale team on the Sunday morning. The editor clearly did not take this seriously enough as he appeared in good t ime fo r breakfast. This upset the team rhythm with The editor missing all his shots in the second end, his skip coming out in sympathy and missing both of his, undoing the good work of our lead James Gibb. We lost a 4, followed by a 2 to go 6-2 down. Steadying the ship to 7-4, we somehow managed to level with a 3 in the 6th end then stole a 2 and a 3 to win 12-7.

These wins coupled with John Brown’s points from the other London team saw The London C l u b w i n t h e i n t e r c l u b championships for the first time since 2002 to earn the right to forward a team to the RCCC Prov ince Championsh ips in November.

3 wins in succession over a weekend – unheard of in The editor’s short curling career!! The editor, also Vice President of the London Club (a talented chappie he is, apparently capable of multitasking), collected all the available silverware on behalf of the club. Like John Wayne, having fought off all the baddies and captured all the booty, he rode off South into the sunset (sort of!) on his trusty steed (BMW). The excitement and elation was too much for him.

Steve, you left all you curling gear in the changing room!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have you got any of it back yet?

Report by John Sharp

EDITOR - Thank you for the report John and for obeying the ‘what goes on tour - stays on tour rule’. It was a fantastic effort on both teams part that took London to the wins and it was with tremendous pride that I collected all the silverware. Well Done London.

ECA Inter-club Championships

The Editor tries to hide the fact the shirt has Scotland all over it

but all is revealed

Pictures courtesy of Sandra Moorcroft

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Masochist or Martyr? My personal observations on the recent Kelso weekend. Should one curl with a bad back? I still dont know the answer to that question, but the title of this piece says it all. The week before this competition I was under house arrest unable to move and the mere act of walking was extremely painful. But the call of the curling rink proved to be too strong and I succumbed and made the long harrowing journey to the outer reaches of deepest Scotland. Needless to say I had browbeaten a fellow Scot to do the driving as I was under doctors orders not to. Mind you I was under doctors orders not to curl, but that advice fell on deaf ears. Its only a short season and I wasn't going to give up a game just because I was in agony. A mere 9 grueling hours on the heaving motor-way's of Great Britain after leaving home, the four riders of the apocalypse, me John J a m e s a n d N e i l a r r i v e d i n Morebat t le in the middle of nowhere. We couldn't stay in Kelso as it was all booked out for the horse racing. Probably a good thing in the end as the square becomes a big attraction for all the disaffected youth of Kelso with nothing better to do than hang around till the early hours causing mayhem and havoc and keeping the hotel residents awake till the early hours as some of our curling buddies will testify to. Oh to be young again.

Luckily for us and definitely for our driver who had been promised gallons of beer in advance for doing all the driving the bar was still open and we helped the owners do a roaring trade in beer and baileys. I

was on the baileys, I shouldn't have been on any a lcoho l considering the amount of drugs I was taking, but this was a special occasion, my first curling game of the season and it had to be pain free and what better way.( I think we will be taking over this B and B next year, what a great little place with mine hosts being very friendly, hospitable and a very substantial full breakfast and good reasonable prices.) Of course by the end of night everyone knew about my back problem a little sympathy goes a long way, don't you think? We were not on the ice till 1.30pm which gave us all time to wander around the cobbled streets of Kelso and grab a bite to eat.The sun was shining and it was warm enough to sit outside with a lovely bowl of homemade soup and a roll.

Stepping on to the ice for the first time after a break is always hard to describe but I just love curling, winning losing whatever, its in my blood I’m sure of it. It was unfortunate that Preston were unable to field a team, but it was great to see so many had made the trip up north from down south representing London and SECC and it was good to catch up with our fellow curlers from Glendale.Im surprised I actually managed to finish any of the games, but I wasn't going to give in and I gritted my teeth and did some sweeping as well and I was told that my slide was more control led, and I managed quite a few good shots, so maybe having a bad back was a good thing to have. At the end of the games you could find me lying

on the floor, knees up, arms outstretched. It was the only place that I felt comfy and the pain subsided, it was heaven, but very hard to eat and drink in that position.To be honest I cant actually remember any of the scores, (I was on a lot of medication), our very own JB is the man with the numbers. By the time you read this you will all know them. in case you didn't know, London Club won both trophies played for and I was very happy to be part of the winning club. Two of our members have them on their mantlepiece. I hope I get a chance to put them on mine, if I had a mantlepiece. As usual the weekend was over before you knew it and it was time to leave. I dont remember any of the journey I think I slept most of the way back home. Neil had hitched a lift back to London with Elizabeth so I could stretch out in the back of Johns car. I never want cur l ing weekends to end, I always have a such good time.

And my bad back, well it is still painful, Im still on medication, I think all the exercise on the rink did help as I can walk around more freely. On my way to the osteopath now as I have a lot more curling games to play.

P.S. I wrote this article on the understanding that a certain editor of this newsletter who shall remain nameless would print a copy of the pic taken at Kelso of a true Englishman wearing a Scottish rugby shirt with Scotland on it, so he better keep to his promise. : )

By Sandra Moorcroft

A Personal View of the Inter-club

Championships

European Senior Invitation eventGreenacres 4th – 7th November

[13]

The second invitation event has just taken place. The organizers were eager to have rinks from as many countries as possible. They make no secret of their aspiration to raise the status of the event from invitation to the real thing!

So in the above spirit Phil Barton gathered a rink together. Other more experienced skips were not available. The ladies were well represented by Joan Reed, Venetia Scott, Glynnice Lauder and Judith Dixon.Judith is a Yorkshire lass living in Scotland – and now curling with Glendale (a real find). Phil’s rink were Ian Curle, Steve Scanlan and Alan Clark. In similar fashion to Judith, Alan is a Lancashire lad living in Fife, and now he has retired has a lot more time to curl – his curling experience is long.

Ladies resultsP: 5 W: 2 so 4 points placed 4th in sectionKay Gibb – Scotland W 9 - 2Alison Reekie – Scotland L 5 - 6Jacqui Crawford – Scotland L 3 - 8Margaret Robertson – Scotland W 7 - 6Isobel Waddell – Scotland L 6 - 12

It looks as if the ladies have their thoughts about Minneapolis in 2011.

Phil had a less successful time – as far as results – however the new rink acquitted it self well – possibly the birth of a new rink to challenge the reigning champs!! This was a tough section with last years’ winners (team Roxin) and the current world bronze medal winners – and world Champs of 2007 (team Prentice). There were great moments in every match – and were more competitive than the scores

suggest. A great 3 v Prentice was ‘punished’ with a 6! For a moment a 5 looked possible for team Barton in the last end until Keith Prentice found the perfect draw. Phil failed to repeat the raised takeout accomplished with his first stone, and so setting up the possibility of a high score, by a fraction. It was a great chance for Phil, Ian, Steve and Alan to test their skills against strong opposition.Played 5 – only one peel so 1 point and sixth in group – 16th overall

Results

Hugh Stewart – Scotland L 3 - 9Sandy Nelson – Scotland L 7 – 8Gary Macfarlane – Scotland P 8 - 8Keith Prentice – Scotland L 4 - 15Claes Roxin - Sweden L 3 - 9

And back to the business of it being a European event. Although there was a full compliment of teams, 18 men and 18 ladies playing in three sections there were a disappointing number of ‘foreign’ teams. In the ladies there were only 4 foreign teams and 14 Scottish senior ladies rinks. The men managed a better ratio with half the rinks flying under other flags than the Saltire. It was clearly an opportunity for 9 of the 32 men’s rinks who have entered the Scottish Seniors to start checking out the opposition.

The latter comment is not a discredit to the organizers – as usual Greenacres were excellent hosts and the ice was superb. There is funding for another invitation event next year – by which time it is hoped that a case will made to have an official European Seniors event.

[14]

2nd  WORLD  SANTA  BONSPIEL   &  CHRISTMAS  CURLING  

12th DEC£2 Adults

50p Children

THE SECOND WORLD SANTA CURLING COMPETITION

@ Fenton’s Rink

12th DECEMBER 2009 10am-4pm

Entry Fee - £2 for Adults 50p for Children (includes free glass of

mulled wine & mince pie)

Curling Fee – Donations – minimum £10 – curl as much as

you like!

This excellent event is being run for the second year, following-on f rom i t s huge wor ld -w ide success last year. With videos and pictures printed across the world, as far as Canada and New Zealand, this very unique event is a festive treat.

This year the event is even bigger, the entertainment and fun runs throughout the day from 10am till 4pm, i.e. all the daylight hours. Based at the only curling rink in England, Fentons, this event is unique in the curling world. Started last year by Earnest this day of fun is a fun raising event for the MENS AND JUNIOR GIRLS ENGLISH CURLING TEAM’S. Yes this year Ernest has agreed to give proceeds of the event to the Mens and Junior Girls Curling teams, this is a charitable offer that will provide the teams with much needed sponsorship in their effort to challenge at the top level in Europe. Curling on the day will be via donations but the

minimum will be a donation of £10! However, with proceeds going to such a god cause please dig deep.

If you would like to take part in the Santa Championships then please confirm your place with the Rink as soon as possible.

You will need to come dressed in your Finest Santa Costume. (Available at all hire centers and for purchase cheap on eBay or alternatively make your own .

There will be a prize for the best dressed Santa! Emergency costumes will be available for purchase on the day but go prepared if you can and look the part.

See last years inaugural event can be seen on this excellent video at Youtube.com courtesy of that stalwart curler Gordon Bryant at:

Santa Curling

!

KIDS ACTIVITIES:**Come & meet Santa**

Make a X-mas Card & giftLucky Festive Dip

Pin star on x-mas tree

FAYRE STALLS:

-Mulled Wine & Mince Pies-Silent Auction & Tombola

-Christmas Homemade Gifts & Cakes*

-Christmas Floral Decorations*- Traditional Local Wild Game*

- Jewellery & Silver Crafts

AND MUCH MUCH MORE.....

[15]

Maecenas aliquam maecenas Sociis mauris in integer, a dolor netus non dui aliquet, sagittis felis sodales, dolor sociis mauris, vel eu libero cras. Interdum at. Eget habitasse elementum est, ipsum purus pede class. Sodales nulla ante auctor excepturi wisi, dolor eros condimentum dis, sodales lacus nunc.

Upcoming Competitions

First English Province

Preston Curling Club

I’Anson Competition

at the North West Castle Hotel, Stranraer

Fri 20th Nov to Sun 22nd Nov 2009

A very popular event in the north of the country.

The entrance fee is £40 per rink. Ice charges are

included in the accommodation charges paid to the

hotel.

Please note that you require to book your own

accommodation at the North West Castle. (please

refer to the I’Anson event) Tel: 01776 704413

Contact Phil Barton for more information.

pb@starleyhall.co.uk

Fax: 01383 860956

Corporate CupWhen: Saturday 28th November: 10am until 4pm Where: Fenton Rink Cost: £ 25 per person

The SECC invite you to enter teams in the Corporate Cup. A competition designed to encourage your work colleagues to have a go at curling. Coaching will be provided between 10 and 11 followed by a mini-spiel – 3 four end games.Teams should comprise of 1 experienced curler and 3 non-curlers. The winning team will win the Corporate CupFor more details or to enter please contact James Gibb Tel: 07903053994 or email to jgibb@cerrus.com

2nd  WORLD  SANTA  BONSPIEL&  CHRISTMAS  CURLING  FAYRE  

(Preliminary Announcement)@ Fenton’s Rink 12th DECEMBER 2009 10am-4pmEntry Fee - £2 for Adults 50p for Children

(includes free glass of mulled wine & mince pie)

Curling Fee – Donations – minimum £10curl as much as you like!Hot Lunches Available

SECC Club Bonspiel

On the weekend of 30th-31st January the club will be putting on a bonspiel. This will be open to Club teams and visiting teams too. We'll be letting you know much more about this nearer the time.

Fenton’s Corporate Cup

On Saturday 28th November we will be holding The Corporate Cup, a competition that gives you a chance to introduce your workmates to the wonderful world of curling by skipping your team of beginners. Places are filling up very quickly. Please, get in t o u c h w i t h J a m e s G i b b (jgibb@cerrus.com) if you would like to enter a team.

[16]

Dear Mr. Minister,

I'm in the process of renewing my passport, and still cannot believe this. How is it that Radio Shack has my address and telephone number and knows that I bought a t.v. cable from them back in 1997, and yet, the Federal Government is still asking me where I was born and on what date.

For Christ sakes, do you guys do this by hand?

My birth date you have on my social insurance card, and it is on all the income tax forms I've filed for the past 30 years. It is on my health insurance card, my driver's license, on the last eight goddamn passports I've had, on all those stupid customs declaration forms I've had to fill out before being allowed off the planes over the last 30 years, and all those insufferable census forms that are done at election times.

Would somebody please take note, once and for all, that my mother's name is Maryanne, my father's name is Robert and I'd be absolutely astounded if that ever changed between now and when I die!!!!!! SHIT!

I apologize, Mr. Minister. I'm really pissed off this morning. Between you an' me, I've had enough of this bullshit! You send the application to my house, then you ask me for my fuckin' address. What is going on? You have a gang of Neanderthals assholes workin' there!

Look at my damn picture. Do I look like Bin Laden? I don't want to dig up Yasser Arafat, for shit sakes. I just want to go and park my ass on a sandy beach.And would someone please tell me, why would you give a shit whether I plan on visiting a farm in the next 15 days? If I ever got the urge to do something weird to a chicken or a goat, believe you me, I'd sure as hell not want to tell anyone!

Well, I have to go now, 'cause I have to go to the other end of the city and get another fuckin' copy of my birth certificate, to the tune of $60!!!

Would it be so complicated to have all the services in the same spot to assist in the issuance of a new passport the same day??

Nooooo, that'd be too damn easy and maybe make sense. You'd rather have us running all over the fuckin' place like chickens with our heads cut off, then find some asshole to confirm that it's really me on the goddamn picture - you know, the one where we're not allowed to smile?!

(fuckin' morons)

Hey, you know why we can't smile? We're totally pissed off!

Signed - An Irate fucking Canadian Citizen.

P.S. Remember what I said above about the picture and getting someone to confirm that it's me? Well, my family has been in this country since 1776 when one of my forefathers took up arms against the Americans. I have served in the military for something over 30 years and have had security clearances up the yingyang.

I was aide de camp to the lieutenant governor of our province for ten years and I have been doing volunteer work for the RCMP for about five years.

However, I have to get someone 'important' to verify who I am ˆ you know, someone like my doctor WHO WAS BORN AND RAISED IN COMMUNIST fucking CHINA !!!

Hamilton , Ontario Canada

FUN Genuine Letter of Complaint to the MP for Ontario curtsey of Sandy Morton.

[17]

100 Club

The English Curling Association runs a ‘100 Club’ to raise funds for the Association. Shares in the club are open to any ECA member and cost £1 per month. An individual can hold up to 15 shares at any one time. Payment is by Standing Order and you can get details from the secretary via the Contact page on the ECA website.

Each month there are three prizes - for £40, £30 and £20. In December the prize money is doubled and in the month of the AGM it is quadrupled. So there is a total of £1440 of prize money each year.

If you want more information then visit the ECA website or Susan Young (0208 540 4161)

Where To Curl

London & The South

The only dedicated curling rink in England can be found near Tunbridge Wells in Kent. Further details can be found on the the curling rink website, Fenton’s Rink.

North-East England

Curling in this area is played at the Kelso Ice Rink, just over the Scottish border. The main English based club in the area is the Glendale club. For further details please email James Dixon at James.Dixon8@btopenworld.com

North-West England & Wales

The main English club in this area is the Preston club who play up in Scotland at the Lockerbie Ice Rink on alternate Thursdays. Please contact the club secretary, Phil Barton on pb@starleyhall.co.uk .

Curling can also be played in Wales on Mondays between 1 pm and 9:30 pm at the Deeside Leisure Centre, Queensferry, just over the Welsh border to the west of Chester - check out the website of the Welsh Curling Association.

ECA MUSINGS

English Curling

President: Stephen Hinds

President elect:

Competitions Convener: Philip Barton

Secretary: John Brown

Treasurer: Sandra Moorcroft

Useful Links• www.englishcurling.org.uk

English Curling Association website

• www.englishcurlingforum.net

English Curling Forum for beginners and experts alike

• www.worldcurling.org

ECA NEWSLETTERContact:Steven Scanlan -

sscanlan@kyzyl.co.uk

The ECA is YOUR

Association