Drymen Curling Club

We started with our Opening Bonspiel which was won by Helen Watson, Mary McDonald, Alan Brunger and Sheila Steel. We have just started playing our League games which comprises three teams playing against each other in regular matches, usually a Tuesday evening until December 2025. If anyone wishes to learn more about Curling drop us a line at drymencurlingclub@gmail.com or look at the info about “Try Curling” https://trycurling.com/sessions/active-stirling-try-curling-28/

The weather was cold enough at the start of January 2025 for us to plan an outdoor Bonspiel. It was touch and go if the ice would be think enough after about 10 days of cold weather, but thanks to a couple of -6 overnight temperatures we went ahead on Saturday 11th Jan 2025. The experience was new to lots of us and it took a while to figure out the best techniques for outdoor curling. We invited Gargunnock Curling club to come and join the fun which boosted numbers and allowed us to have 6 sheets of ice marked up for playing. Thanks go to everyone who helped make it a success from marking out the ice sheets, delivering the stones, cooking the BBQ, providing hot soup (and drams) and building the bonfire. We had finished the main competition before the ice melted so timing was perfect. More photos in the Photo Gallery.

The Province Medal was held at the Peak on Thursday 24th October. This is where Clubs within the Forth and Endrick Province compete for this annual prize. Each club puts up two teams who each play two 4-end games over two sessions. The first Drymen team comprising Derek Young (skip), Janet Simpson, Chris Bilsland and Stevie Martin took two ends off Strathendrick in the first game and 3 ends off Bucklyvie in the second game, giving 5 ends for the next team to build upon. Drymen’s second team of John Steel (skip), Andy Kinninmonth, Anne Ewing and Mary MacDonald took all 4 ends off Gargunnock and 3 ends off Balfron. This resulted in Drymen gaining an impressive 12 ends in total and winning the competition by 3 ends over Balfron.

The Banter was flowing for our Opening Bonspiel on 10th September. Andy v John had a close competition with 4 ends each. On the adjacent sheet Helen v Janet also had a close game, with Janet’s team just managing to steal most ends by 1 stone resulting in a total of 6 Ends. The winning team comprised Janet Simpson, Lorna Young and Chris Bilsland. Our next club competitions are for the League Cup.

It might be the height of summer but we have completed booking our ice for the coming season. Members will be able to download the diary dates from the website.

Anyone thinking of taking up Curling is advised to contact book a “come and try” session via Active Stirling https://www.activestirling.org.uk/classes-programmes/learn-to-curl

They will support you to get some lessons and we would be delighted to see new faces once you are feeling a bit more confident. We have a schedule of casual games from January to April on either a Tuesday evening or a Wednesday during the day. Just give us a shout !!

Come and see us at the DRYMEN SHOW on Saturday 25th May in the “Sunshine and Showers” marquee.
Stirling Curling Group have arranged for an indoor simulation kit to be set up and members from Drymen Curling Club plus other local clubs will be there for a chat. Come and have a go !!

At our recent AGM we presented trophies to our competition winners for the season. As usual, the business proceedings were short and we all tucked in to a good feed at the Drymen Inn. Congrats to all the winning teams, a summary is follows:

Player of the Year: Andy Kinninmonth
Opening Bonspiel: Andy Kinninmonth, Elsbeth Goodfellow, Mary MacDonald, Lorna Young.
League Cup – Chris Bilsland (Skip), Andy Kinninmonth, Elsbeth Goodfellow, Archie Glen
Clachan Cup – Janet Simpson (Skip), Andy Kinninmonth, Helen Watson, Lorna Young
Closing Bonspiel: Helen Watson, Andy Kinninmonth, Stevie Martin, Sheila Steel.
Christmas Challenge: Helen Watson, Sheila Steel, Elsbeth Goodfellow, Jim Bilsland
Doubles: Mary MacDonald & John Steel

A date for your diary is March 19th between 7- 8.30 pm in the Drymen Village Hall. We’re holding a “drop in” evening with a fun bit of kit that lets you see what curling is all about (off-ice this time).

Families welcome since all ages can play. We’ve got loads of information lined up, with members on hand to answer your questions about how the game of Curling actually works.

If you’d like to book ahead for a time slot then drop an email to drymencurlingclub@gmail.com

Sunday saw our annual trip across the water to Greenacres Curling Club for the Jimmy Bilsland Trophy competition. After a convivial lunch we got on the ice, which took a bit of getting used to after our usual home ice at Stirling. Jim’s team was up against Derek’s team and after a one sided first few ends, Jim got into the game and he nearly clinched it with a 6 on the last end ….but not to be. Derek’s team were on form and won an impressive 15-8. Chris’s team were up against John’s team on the other sheet and after a brave fightback in the second half of the game, Chris lost a 4 in the 7th end, giving John a victory on 11-4.

After a break for tea and cakes, the final was Derek v John. A ding-dong game until Derek scored a 4 in the 5th end and despite a hopeful comeback by John’s team, Derek held on to win the final 9-6. Below Jim Bilsland (centre) is presenting the trophy to the winning team (L-R) Les Goodfellow (3rd), Stevie Martin (Lead), Derek Young (skip) and Mary MacDonald (2nd).

We’re half way through the New Year session already – time flies. Competitions within the Club continue with the Jimmy Bilsland Trophy being played this weekend with 4 teams entered. The Clachan Cup is part way through and the Cup Standings are shown above within Competitions and Results. Our Closing Bonspiel is scheduled for March 26th.