President's Report 2024

PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2023-24

It has been a privilege to be President of the club & as a relative newcomer to both the sport and the club, I am indebted to you all for support and advice with particular thanks to Rona, Heather, Janette and the other members of the Committee.

This year, we are celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Club in a private dining room in the Cannonball Restaurant at the top end of the Royal Mile. This will be the final event of the curling year.

The summer outings were well supported - the golf to Ratho Park was wet but great fun & a visit to the Clydesdale Horses enjoyed by all who went.

I am very pleased to welcome new members to the club - Susan Skene as a full member & Kathleen Laird as a sub. The late start to the season meant not only a beautiful viewing and catering area but a challenging competition programme with casualties being the Pairs & Points competitions and the match against Haymarket. 26 full members has meant 5 member teams with inevitable stand-downs which needs better management next season to ensure fairness across the season. We became aware half way through the season, that on some occasions only six ends were completed in the session so reviewed and reissued the etiquette statement aiming to maximise playing time whilst also saving players from hypothermia.

So onto this year's external competitions starting with competitions organised by Edinburgh Women's Curling (previously known as Edinburgh/Murrayfield Centre of Ladies Curling Clubs). Members of CLCC took part in the President's Pitcher, Ladies Seniors, Centre Bonspiel, Morton & Fulton competitions. The Seniors was won by Maggie Barry, Ruth Addinall, Avril Anderson & Anthea Lints, the Sellar by Maggie, Ruth, Avril & Catherine Dodds.

Curl Edinburgh organise the Monday League yet to be completed, but looking good for CLCC members & the British Heart Foundation Competition to which CLCC contributed both players & a donation.

Maggie Barrie, Ruth Addinall, Avril Anderson and Elizabeth Shaw were runners up in the Masters & earned silver medals.

We will, of course, celebrate the winners of club competitions imminently. We did however, award the trophies and prizes for the Opening & Christmas bonspiels at the Christmas lunch.

The successful Swedish tour included Rona whom, I am assured, enjoyed herself! For next season, Scotland welcomes a team from Canada postponed from 2020. 24 ladies will arrive on the 1st until the 22nd November. Edinburgh is hosting them on Wednesday 13th November with curling that afternoon.

The golf this year on the 1st May, is to Ravelston Golf Club. Walkers are very welcome to join us but unfortunately not to Maggie's farmhouse kitchen! Instead, I can highly recommend a walk to the Gallery of Modern Art (coffee shop) and from there, along the Water of Leith, through the Dean Village to Stockbridge (even more coffee shops) then to the Botanics (even better coffee shop). The summer outing is on the 26th June to Jupiter Artland. The entry fee is covered by an accumulation of free passes, so a walk around the sculpture park then lunch.

This year, the Committee loses Janette who has been Treasurer for 15 years and Carolyn who graciously stayed on for an additional year to bring knowledge and wisdom to an otherwise fairly rookie Committee. Janette leaves our finances in a healthy position & her meticulous guardianship is much appreciated. In recognition of our gratitude, I have a bouquet of flowers for Janette and a small gift for Carolyn. Rona has agreed to stay on for a final year as Secretary so we desperately need a secretary in training to shadow Rona next season with a view to flying solo in 2025-26.

So it only remains for me to wish you a very good summer. Stay healthy, stay fit, join us for the summer events & reconvene in September for more friendly competition.

Anthea Lints

20 March 2024