10. SOCIAL
‘BUMPER’ – The term ‘bumper’ crops up in many of the early minutes of the Club, specifically when there was a call for refreshments. The Oxford English Dictionary provides an enlightening quotation under the second meaning it gives, which is “anything unusually large or abundant”. The quote is from 1759 and came from The Gentleman’s Magazine:
However a “Bumper” in the 17th Century was a large glass of beer or wine that was filled to the brim i.e. with the liquid literally bumping against the rim of the glass. Such abundance was obviously considered a good thing, as “bumper crops” of just about anything have been ever since.
The term appears many times in the Pollok Curling Club Minutes, - mainly when the Chairman or another worthy member wishes to celebrate a motion or an event and they call for:
“a bumper of ale to be brought, and such was the cry that a most enjoyable evening ensued…”
23rd May 1889: “At a meeting to transact general business of the Club Thereafter a suggestion was given by the President ‘…that we should have an excursion somewhere by steam boat.’ It was unanimously agreed to, and the outing was proposed for 11th June, all those present consenting to go, and a meeting to be convened for 7th June to make the final arrangements. When at a meeting duly convened for said date and there not being a quorum present, the excursion collapsed.”
30th Septr 1889: Meeting held at the shop of Mr George Smith, King Street, “In regard to a remark made by the Secretary to the effect that Mr John Robertson, Painter, Crossmyloof, had bought the late Mr James Whitehead’s curling stones from his widowed daughter-in-law and said Meeting learning further from Mr Duncan that the Club house had been entered and both box and stones removed there from, the Meeting unanimously came to the conclusion that such a proceeding exceeded the Powers of a Stranger and the Secretary was instructed to write to Mr Robertson to the effect that he return said Box and Stones to where they were taken from on or before Saturday the 5th day of October, otherwise immediate proceedings would be taken for their recovery.”
On Friday 8th March 1901, …”thirty five members and friends sat down in the Lesser Kirk Lane Hall to a Beef & Greens Supper. A good supper was partaken of and a most enjoyable evening spent in songs, sentiment and toasts. On squaring the supper account, it showed a deficit balance of one penny which was wiped out by a well-known member of Committee.”
Friday March 28th 1902: “ The annual Supper was held in the Lesser Kirk Lane Hall. Immediately afterwards, the Patron of the Club, Sir John Stirling Maxwell, Bart. Joined the company and presented Medals to the winners and in a few racey remarks, proposed their health. “
“The Company spent a few most enjoyable hours in toast, song and sentiment, perhaps the most highly appreciated were the songs of Mr J Glencairn Thompson who rendered in a wonderful manner, for one of his years, a few of his grandsires songs.”
16th March 1904: “After a satisfactory repast had been partaken off, the usual Loyal Patriotic toasts duly pledged, and soon there was a general escape of smoke…. “
11th Octr 1905: “….The Secretary was instructed to ask Mr Smith to see that horses were not allowed to destroy the ice as had been done last season.”
17th Feby 1910: “ It was resolved to make the Annual gathering take the form of Smoking Concert in the Lesser Burgh Hall….
“ Mr Murray presented the Curling Stones & Handles won by the Club in 1908, to Sir John Stirling Maxwell. Sir John in thanking the Club for their gift, said he would regard himself as the trustee of the stones, and they will always be at the disposal of the Club should they at any time wish to use them.” An account of the evening’s proceedings, including mention of the stones, appeared in the local press.
5th Novr 1920: Committee meeting to discuss the business of the visit of Canadian curlers. The Secretary read the Circular from Col. Robertson Aikman, Convenor of Committee, re subscriptions towards entertainment of our Canadian friends. On the motion of Mr Murray, seconded by Mr McCallum it was agreed that Pollok Club subscribe £5 to the R.C.C.C. fund.”
“Glasgow Province, Proposed match with the Canadians. The Secretary was instructed to enter one rink, Skip Sir John Stirling Maxwell.”
The Centenary – “A Meeting of the Members of Committee of Pollok Curling Club was held on the 7th June 1978 at 406 Albert Drive. Present H.W.V.Noble, President, I M Ritchie, I K McDermid, J A Crerar Agenda: Preliminary arrangements for the Centenary Dinner to be held in 1979. The Secretary was instructed to write to Pollok Golf Club and request the use of their Clubhouse on Friday 9th March 1979 for a party of 75 to 100. It was agreed the following Toasts with the appropriate replies would be proposed. 1. The R.C.C.C.; 2. Glasgow Province; 3. The Club; 4. The Guests. The President undertook to contact Mr Chuck Hay to be the Guest of Honour and reply to the Toast to the R.C.C.C. Mr Hay being the Immediate Past President. The other Toasts would be filled from Club Members and the Presidents of the Clubs to be invited as guests and the Secretary was instructed to contact these Clubs end in view. Dress – Dinner Jackets. Badges and Ties to be investigated. Mr J B Maxwell McDonald, Patron, should be invited as a Guest.”
‘BUMPER’ – The term ‘bumper’ crops up in many of the early minutes of the Club, specifically when there was a call for refreshments. The Oxford English Dictionary provides an enlightening quotation under the second meaning it gives, which is “anything unusually large or abundant”. The quote is from 1759 and came from The Gentleman’s Magazine:
However a “Bumper” in the 17th Century was a large glass of beer or wine that was filled to the brim i.e. with the liquid literally bumping against the rim of the glass. Such abundance was obviously considered a good thing, as “bumper crops” of just about anything have been ever since.
The term appears many times in the Pollok Curling Club Minutes, - mainly when the Chairman or another worthy member wishes to celebrate a motion or an event and they call for:
“a bumper of ale to be brought, and such was the cry that a most enjoyable evening ensued…”
23rd May 1889: “At a meeting to transact general business of the Club Thereafter a suggestion was given by the President ‘…that we should have an excursion somewhere by steam boat.’ It was unanimously agreed to, and the outing was proposed for 11th June, all those present consenting to go, and a meeting to be convened for 7th June to make the final arrangements. When at a meeting duly convened for said date and there not being a quorum present, the excursion collapsed.”
30th Septr 1889: Meeting held at the shop of Mr George Smith, King Street, “In regard to a remark made by the Secretary to the effect that Mr John Robertson, Painter, Crossmyloof, had bought the late Mr James Whitehead’s curling stones from his widowed daughter-in-law and said Meeting learning further from Mr Duncan that the Club house had been entered and both box and stones removed there from, the Meeting unanimously came to the conclusion that such a proceeding exceeded the Powers of a Stranger and the Secretary was instructed to write to Mr Robertson to the effect that he return said Box and Stones to where they were taken from on or before Saturday the 5th day of October, otherwise immediate proceedings would be taken for their recovery.”
On Friday 8th March 1901, …”thirty five members and friends sat down in the Lesser Kirk Lane Hall to a Beef & Greens Supper. A good supper was partaken of and a most enjoyable evening spent in songs, sentiment and toasts. On squaring the supper account, it showed a deficit balance of one penny which was wiped out by a well-known member of Committee.”
Friday March 28th 1902: “ The annual Supper was held in the Lesser Kirk Lane Hall. Immediately afterwards, the Patron of the Club, Sir John Stirling Maxwell, Bart. Joined the company and presented Medals to the winners and in a few racey remarks, proposed their health. “
“The Company spent a few most enjoyable hours in toast, song and sentiment, perhaps the most highly appreciated were the songs of Mr J Glencairn Thompson who rendered in a wonderful manner, for one of his years, a few of his grandsires songs.”
16th March 1904: “After a satisfactory repast had been partaken off, the usual Loyal Patriotic toasts duly pledged, and soon there was a general escape of smoke…. “
11th Octr 1905: “….The Secretary was instructed to ask Mr Smith to see that horses were not allowed to destroy the ice as had been done last season.”
17th Feby 1910: “ It was resolved to make the Annual gathering take the form of Smoking Concert in the Lesser Burgh Hall….
“ Mr Murray presented the Curling Stones & Handles won by the Club in 1908, to Sir John Stirling Maxwell. Sir John in thanking the Club for their gift, said he would regard himself as the trustee of the stones, and they will always be at the disposal of the Club should they at any time wish to use them.” An account of the evening’s proceedings, including mention of the stones, appeared in the local press.
5th Novr 1920: Committee meeting to discuss the business of the visit of Canadian curlers. The Secretary read the Circular from Col. Robertson Aikman, Convenor of Committee, re subscriptions towards entertainment of our Canadian friends. On the motion of Mr Murray, seconded by Mr McCallum it was agreed that Pollok Club subscribe £5 to the R.C.C.C. fund.”
“Glasgow Province, Proposed match with the Canadians. The Secretary was instructed to enter one rink, Skip Sir John Stirling Maxwell.”
The Centenary – “A Meeting of the Members of Committee of Pollok Curling Club was held on the 7th June 1978 at 406 Albert Drive. Present H.W.V.Noble, President, I M Ritchie, I K McDermid, J A Crerar Agenda: Preliminary arrangements for the Centenary Dinner to be held in 1979. The Secretary was instructed to write to Pollok Golf Club and request the use of their Clubhouse on Friday 9th March 1979 for a party of 75 to 100. It was agreed the following Toasts with the appropriate replies would be proposed. 1. The R.C.C.C.; 2. Glasgow Province; 3. The Club; 4. The Guests. The President undertook to contact Mr Chuck Hay to be the Guest of Honour and reply to the Toast to the R.C.C.C. Mr Hay being the Immediate Past President. The other Toasts would be filled from Club Members and the Presidents of the Clubs to be invited as guests and the Secretary was instructed to contact these Clubs end in view. Dress – Dinner Jackets. Badges and Ties to be investigated. Mr J B Maxwell McDonald, Patron, should be invited as a Guest.”
POLLOK CURLING CLUB CENTENARY DINNER
Friday 16th February 1979
TOP TABLE
Standing, l to r:
Friday 16th February 1979
TOP TABLE
Standing, l to r:
J A Crerar I McGregor D McGregor A G Pollok N T Johnston Dr M Kilpatrick W B Brown W Skeoch
Secretary Pollok CC V.P.Cathcart Castle CC Pres. Crossmyloof CC V.P. Pollok CC Pollok CC Pres. Bridge of Weir CC Captain Pollok GC Past Pres. Pollok CC
Secretary Pollok CC V.P.Cathcart Castle CC Pres. Crossmyloof CC V.P. Pollok CC Pollok CC Pres. Bridge of Weir CC Captain Pollok GC Past Pres. Pollok CC
Sitting, l to r.
K Marshall Chuck Hay H W V Noble Ron Baird Graeme Young
President Glasgow Province Immediate Past President, R.C.C.C. President Pollok CC President Keir CC President Giffnock CC
K Marshall Chuck Hay H W V Noble Ron Baird Graeme Young
President Glasgow Province Immediate Past President, R.C.C.C. President Pollok CC President Keir CC President Giffnock CC
The Centenary Medal presented to the Club by the Royal Caledonian Curling Club in 1981, marking a century of membership (and fees!)
4th April 1981: Metal badges. “… It was suggested that the Club should have a metal badge, the same as the cloth one. We could follow common practice in presenting them to opponents. Some members thought that the cost would be too great, given the small numbers that would be required, and would tie up a lot of our cash in stock. Bob Gardner said he had a contact in Hong Kong where they were made very cheaply.”
16th April 1982: AGM – “Club Games – A challenge was thrown out by the ladies of the Rolling Stones Club which was eagerly taken up by Messrs Deakin, Skeoch, Finlayson and A H Thomson. I am glad to say that they managed to scrape home and did not disgrace either themselves or the Club.”
22nd April 1983: AGM – “… noted that that Glasgow is to be the venue for the 1985 Silver Broom , and this should be of great interest to curlers in the city, and indeed throughout Scotland.”
18th April 1986: AGM – “..it was proposed that on one day each week throughout the summer members might meet for lunch in the Summit. No formality, just go along if you can. …felt to be a good idea and Wednesday was fixed as the day.”
22nd April 1988: AGM – “Province Bonspiel, held at Forest Hills – the morning rink did very well in beating Clydesdale Bank, but in the evening no. 2 rink fell, literally, to GJCC having over-indulged in strong drink in the course of the afternoon while watching a rugby international against England.”
21st April 1989: AGM – “..the most successful event we held was the pre-Xmas Dinner for members and wives…. In the end 48 members and their wives were present and it is intended to make it an annual event. All credit is due to President Bert for the idea and putting it into practice.”
19th April 1991: AGM - “.. The Rink that went to Holland to take part in the Windmill Bonspiel in Utrecht did us much credit both on and off the ice but again ‘anno domini’ caught up with us with the addition of strong drink. The Rink was composed of Gordon Deakin, Sandy Finlayson, Bill Skeoch and Graham Wintersgill and finished Runners-Up to the Belgian National Team.”
The Club were well represented in the organisation of the World Junior Championship. Ian Addison was convenor of the committee which organised the daily running of the ice pad, a formidable task and right well did he do it. The only hitch was when the Swiss girls had to sing their national anthem because their tape had not arrived.”
“John Boyle Archie Hutchison and Arrol Crerar, with the assistance of their wives of course, hosted the Danish girls team and half of the United States boys.”
23rd April 1993: AGM – “The Xmas Dinner was again extremely successful… however there was a considerable excess of wine last year and a more controlled approach is suggested for this year.”
“..the modest deficit incurred on the function can be attributed to the new Secretary’s learning curve or a hiccup due to wine in his mathematical accuracy…”
“. Trophy insurance has doubled to £100
4th April 2003: AGM – “AOCB – After considerable discussion on whether the Club should move the Christmas Dinner to Pollok Golf Club or stay at the Western Club, an unprecedented vote was taken and on the Chairman’s casting vote it was decided to remain at the Western Club.”
23rd April 2004:AGM – “ President’s Report - … a highlight of the year was the construction of the new Trophy Cabinet which all the members would have seen on their way into the meeting. Also it was satisfying to see this cabinet so well filled as all but one of the possible trophies were on display.”
“Treasurer’s Report – On his appointment some years ago he had been given the task of getting rid of the somewhat excessive bank balance we had at that time. He felt that the Club would agree that he had been successful in achieving this objective.”
“AOCB – Christmas Dinner – points from a letter received from Grant MacGregor were read, in which a proposal that the venue for future Christmas Dinners should be at Pollok Golf Club. After a short discussion, the proposal was accepted.”
“125th Anniversary Celebration - …agreed that it be celebrated by holding an Invitational Bonspiel at Braehead where one team from each of the Clubs with which we have inter-club matches be invited to take part. This Bonspiel would be followed by a meal at Pollok Golf Club and our guests would not be required to pay either ice or meal charges. This event will be financed by a levy to all members.”
7th April 2006: AGM - “Secretary’s Report – Christmas Dinner was a great success. Unfortunately not for two of our members. One got pissed at lunchtime and failed to trap, and the other on arriving at the door of the Golf Club promptly threw up and had to go home.”
5th April 2012: AGM – “President’s Report – The Christmas Dinner/Ladies Night …. Was thoroughly enjoyed by all - usual delicious meal followed by toasts to new babies and birthdays…”
4th April 2013: AGM – “President’s Report - ..The Ladies Night Dinner attracted an excellent attendance and I understand was enjoyed by all …..from the Secretary that we had a slight overspend on the drinks side which may have contributed to it being such a great night…”
16th April 1982: AGM – “Club Games – A challenge was thrown out by the ladies of the Rolling Stones Club which was eagerly taken up by Messrs Deakin, Skeoch, Finlayson and A H Thomson. I am glad to say that they managed to scrape home and did not disgrace either themselves or the Club.”
22nd April 1983: AGM – “… noted that that Glasgow is to be the venue for the 1985 Silver Broom , and this should be of great interest to curlers in the city, and indeed throughout Scotland.”
18th April 1986: AGM – “..it was proposed that on one day each week throughout the summer members might meet for lunch in the Summit. No formality, just go along if you can. …felt to be a good idea and Wednesday was fixed as the day.”
22nd April 1988: AGM – “Province Bonspiel, held at Forest Hills – the morning rink did very well in beating Clydesdale Bank, but in the evening no. 2 rink fell, literally, to GJCC having over-indulged in strong drink in the course of the afternoon while watching a rugby international against England.”
21st April 1989: AGM – “..the most successful event we held was the pre-Xmas Dinner for members and wives…. In the end 48 members and their wives were present and it is intended to make it an annual event. All credit is due to President Bert for the idea and putting it into practice.”
19th April 1991: AGM - “.. The Rink that went to Holland to take part in the Windmill Bonspiel in Utrecht did us much credit both on and off the ice but again ‘anno domini’ caught up with us with the addition of strong drink. The Rink was composed of Gordon Deakin, Sandy Finlayson, Bill Skeoch and Graham Wintersgill and finished Runners-Up to the Belgian National Team.”
The Club were well represented in the organisation of the World Junior Championship. Ian Addison was convenor of the committee which organised the daily running of the ice pad, a formidable task and right well did he do it. The only hitch was when the Swiss girls had to sing their national anthem because their tape had not arrived.”
“John Boyle Archie Hutchison and Arrol Crerar, with the assistance of their wives of course, hosted the Danish girls team and half of the United States boys.”
23rd April 1993: AGM – “The Xmas Dinner was again extremely successful… however there was a considerable excess of wine last year and a more controlled approach is suggested for this year.”
“..the modest deficit incurred on the function can be attributed to the new Secretary’s learning curve or a hiccup due to wine in his mathematical accuracy…”
“. Trophy insurance has doubled to £100
4th April 2003: AGM – “AOCB – After considerable discussion on whether the Club should move the Christmas Dinner to Pollok Golf Club or stay at the Western Club, an unprecedented vote was taken and on the Chairman’s casting vote it was decided to remain at the Western Club.”
23rd April 2004:AGM – “ President’s Report - … a highlight of the year was the construction of the new Trophy Cabinet which all the members would have seen on their way into the meeting. Also it was satisfying to see this cabinet so well filled as all but one of the possible trophies were on display.”
“Treasurer’s Report – On his appointment some years ago he had been given the task of getting rid of the somewhat excessive bank balance we had at that time. He felt that the Club would agree that he had been successful in achieving this objective.”
“AOCB – Christmas Dinner – points from a letter received from Grant MacGregor were read, in which a proposal that the venue for future Christmas Dinners should be at Pollok Golf Club. After a short discussion, the proposal was accepted.”
“125th Anniversary Celebration - …agreed that it be celebrated by holding an Invitational Bonspiel at Braehead where one team from each of the Clubs with which we have inter-club matches be invited to take part. This Bonspiel would be followed by a meal at Pollok Golf Club and our guests would not be required to pay either ice or meal charges. This event will be financed by a levy to all members.”
7th April 2006: AGM - “Secretary’s Report – Christmas Dinner was a great success. Unfortunately not for two of our members. One got pissed at lunchtime and failed to trap, and the other on arriving at the door of the Golf Club promptly threw up and had to go home.”
5th April 2012: AGM – “President’s Report – The Christmas Dinner/Ladies Night …. Was thoroughly enjoyed by all - usual delicious meal followed by toasts to new babies and birthdays…”
4th April 2013: AGM – “President’s Report - ..The Ladies Night Dinner attracted an excellent attendance and I understand was enjoyed by all …..from the Secretary that we had a slight overspend on the drinks side which may have contributed to it being such a great night…”