There we are - skipcottagecurling's first ever public service announcement!
I found this photo in my archives (although I can't put a credit on it at the moment sorry). It's Glasgow Ladies (I think) having a picnic during the 1979 Grand Match on the Lake of Menteith. I am sure you will recognise Kirsty Letton on the right - she hasn't changed a bit in the intervening years.It's a big week for Kirsty, who is of course joint organiser of the Glynhill Ladies International at Braehead, first games Friday morning. I am assured that the risk assessment has been done, and that the health and safety bods are satisfied with arrangements in place at Braehead. Traffic management issues have been addressed for the thousands expected to attend to see the best women curlers in the world on Braehead ice over the weekend. But will the ice be thick enough? I hope so.
And Lucy's fan club have organised her welcome, and the press have been informed. I can't wait.
Many thanks to everyone who has been in touch with stories about their curling adventures at the weekend! Here are just a few pics.
I have a soft spot for Partick CC's pond and club house in Victoria Park (see here). Good to hear it was in action at the weekend. Here members clear one of the sheets.
"Right, here are the rules!"
Thanks to Mark Dingwall for sending me these pics!
There was a big bonspiel on the Kirk Loch at Lochmaben on Sunday. More than twenty teams took part.
By all accounts it was a great day! David Hamilton was the organiser. Thanks to Anne Smith for the pics above.
Isn't this just beautiful? David Steel sends these of curling on Kinneucher (Kilconquar) Loch near Elie in Fife and the home of Hercules CC. The pics are of Cambo players who with kind permission of Hercules held a bounce game on Sunday. Cambo played and defeated Strathkinness in a friendly on Saturday whilst Hercules and Balcaskie clubs played for the Loch Cup.
David's five year old son Finlay has an experience to remember!
The intrepid Cambo curlers.
We're down stranraer way now. Thanks to John Munro for thes story below, and photos are from Gail."Castle Kennedy CC prepared three full ice sheets and a half size one for the kids. We played a round robin competition on the first two sheets with eight teams taking part. Each team played seven games of two ends. Lots of people chopped and changed within these teams to get a game."
"An additional sheet was for anyone who fancied a throw. The kids sheet, complete with a set of junior stones, was very popular and was used all day."
"The condition of the ice was incredible, mirror like, and very keen. We even had some sliding out of the hacks, lots of effective sweeping and some stones that actually drew! Not bad for outdoor curling."
"There were great picnics, stoves to heat the soup and copious amounts of refreshing drinks! For the record, Hugh Parker's team won the round robin. It was fantastic to see people like Hugh Parker snr and Bob Grierson also present who can remember playing on the same pond in the 1960s. A day not to be missed."Thanks for that John. It looks brilliant. Gail Munro has lots more photos on a Facebook album. Indeed Facebook is awash with great photos. The few I've been able to post do not do the day justice!
