9.CURLERS' COURTS
Curlers Courts have been an integral part of the Curling world, certainly since the start of the 20th century. Pollok Curling Club has embraced the tradition and spirit of these social events and the following records are noted, many of them following the Annual Supper of the Club.
Curlers Courts have been an integral part of the Curling world, certainly since the start of the 20th century. Pollok Curling Club has embraced the tradition and spirit of these social events and the following records are noted, many of them following the Annual Supper of the Club.
- A Curlers' Court was held on 21st March 1906. "…all strangers and novices were asked to retire to the side room and a Curlers' Court was duly constituted….. Amidst scenes of roaring and hilarity and on dry ice, all the novices present were admitted, well directed, footed fair, swept, wicked and kiggle caggled to the tee where they were initiated into the signs and mysteries of curling."
- A Curlers Court and Dinner was held in the Scottish Ice Rink, Crossmyloof, on Friday 20th November 1931 at 6.45pm. All present spent a very enjoyable evening. The Dinner, which consisted of five courses, went down very well with everyone.
- Mr Peter Robertson (Duntocher), acting as “My Lord”, had a very strenuous evening along with his fellow officers. He put through his hands 30 New Curlers. Every man going through to his satisfaction. At the close of the Meeting, the ‘Stoup’ was put up for auction, bidding for this valuable object was very brisk, and Baillie McLellan had to go a long way before the coveted object passed into his possession. In Mr Robertson’s own words, “He got a gift at the price”, so all present envied the gentleman who had the last bid.
- A Dinner & Curlers Court was arranged to be held at the Ice Rink, Crossmyloof, on 23rd February 1933. A fairly good turnout of Members and friends attended. It was unfortunate that our Honorary President, Sir John Stirling Maxwell, Bart, was unable to take the Chair, but his place was ably filled by Vice-President Col. B. H. Shaw Stuart. After the Dinner, a Court was held, Mr Shaw Murray of Baldernock acting as “My Lord”. There were 12 new Curlers ‘made’ – all enjoying themselves to the full.
- 17th Sepr 1951: AGM “..noted that a Curlers Court had been held which was a success both socially and financially…”
- 6th September 1957: Committee Meeting – “…it was also agreed that a Curlers’ Court should be arranged during the season.”
- 17th April 1979: AGM – “The President, Gilmour Pollok, felt that it had bee too long since a Court had been held and it was time the members had been given an opportunity to become ‘made’ curlers. He suggested that it could be done in conjunction with another Club and a team of experts could be invited to conduct the ceremony.” Favourably received by the members and left to the Committee to look into the matter.
- 24th April 1981: AGM – “…it would be recalled that after the AGM last year a Curlers’ Court was held in the Pavilion of the Glasgow Academical Club at New Anniesland. 14 members went through the Court and were initiated into the Brotherhood of the Broom.
- Immediately following the AGM held in April 1984, a very successful Curlers' Court was held at Glasgow Acccies pavilion at New Anniesland. In all nine curlers were admitted to the brotherhood of the broom, four of whom from Pollok, namely Bert Addison, Hugh Clark, Sandy Finlayson and Alan Thomson. Three others were from Cathcart Castle Curling Club and two from Giffnock CC. The Court was made up of George Youngson, My Lord, and Leslie Ingram-Brown as My Lord's Officer. It was noted at the conclusion that the Pollok Club now had 32 "Made Curlers" in the Club, which is a record which we should be proud of.
- 21st April 1989: AGM – “.. a very successful Curlers’ Court had been held last October in conjunction with Poloc Cricket Club Curling Club and Cathcart Castle Curling Club in the Poloc Cricket Club clubhouse. 14 Curlers from this Club attended and 5 ‘Naebodies’ who were later accepted into the brotherhood of the Broom.”
- On the 28th February 1997 the following members (or should it be said Naebodies) presented themselves to a Curlers Court. Graeme Sutherland, Gordon Wishart, Gib Steele and George Cook. The curlers Court was to introduce “unmade” curlers to the delights of delivering properly from the Hack In addition, the attendance of brother curlers at the event to assist in the induction is very important. The following Brother Curlers from Pollok Curling Club agreed to support the Club at the Court:- Alan Thomson, Sandy Finlayson, Gordon Deakin,Bert Addison, Ian Addison, Iain Reekie, Sandy Campbell, John Boyle, Arrol Crerar.
- A further Curlers’ Court was held on 29th October 2004 at Whitecraigs Rugby Club and the Clubs involved were Giffnock, Pollok, Glasgow XX and Old Glenalmond.