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IT'S NAUGHTY ……….BUT NICE!

Hi! Here's the final round up of this year's winners not previously mentioned.

Congratulations to first time winners Ronnie Forfar and Hugh Gibson (4 Bowl Pairs), to Ian Hepburn and Paddy Welsh (2 Bowl Pairs) and to Hugh Watt (Handicap competition). Two teams successfully defended their titles. In winning the Triples, Robert Douglas, Allan Nicholls and Fergie McBeath became the first recipients of the new trophy kindly donated by The Balerno Burns Club 'Let it blaw'. Grant Wilson, Ross Young, Bill Stark and Maxie Baigrie once again won the Rink Competition. But the exciting news that my regular reader has long awaited is that Charlie Husband and President Tom McDonald won the Computer Drawn Pairs Trophy!

We're all looking forward to picking up our prizes at our Annual Prizegiving where we await a splendid meal prepared by our Ladies Section. This reciprocates the arrangement whereby the Men's Section prepared a sumptuous feast for the Ladies' Prizegiving. Thanks go to the gentlemen concerned who impressed with their service 'with a smile'. (I'm still having difficulty persuading them they should wear fake bottoms while serving….that would at least protect them from all the 'pinching' that goes on….[we wish!]).

And so our attention turns to our winter social activities. We're looking forward to our month end cabaret where a full house is expected to enjoy singing and dancing to the songs of ABBA performed by tribute band 'Mamma Mia'. Then we'll await with eager anticipation our Disco Ceilidh on Hogmanay! In addition to our regular social activities - carpet bowls, social dancing, bingo, folk nights, quiz nights - Committee member David Lawson has organised a Pool Competition on Tuesday nights. We wish him every success with that. October also saw the return of our Wednesday afternoon bingo sessions and it was great to see our 'Golden Girls' back again especially our good friend Ena who we have missed for a few years through illness.

The Club's value as a community venue has again been highlighted through the C&B News holding its Community Awards Scheme here and the Club adds its congratulates to this year's winner Maureen Woodburn.

Congratulations also to our Balerno Folk Club as one of four nominees for Best Folk Club in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2012. I'm not sure who their compere is but he reportedly does a great job!

Finally, the Club was saddened to learn of the death of former member Helen McFarlane. Helen was an enthusiastic bowler, a great Club supporter and a wonderful person. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this difficult time.

TTFN!

Charlie Husband OBE
Past President
(and compere of Balerno Folk Club!)