More sweeping nonsense

One of many changes in the game in the last 60 years, is that nobody smokes while playing any more. I loved the ash trays provided in the bench seats between sheets in some older Canadian rinks. It seemed ungrateful not to have a seat and light up. These facilities were never replicated in Scotland, but my home rink did try and keep up.

Like most teenage curling addicts, I spent the maximum amount of time at the rink. One of the chums I hung out with was Ernie Dunbar, who must have been about 80 when I met him. Ernie had been one of the best players in the country in the late 40’s, but a WWI injury meant he could no longer play. He lived close to the rink, watching curling and making mischief were the limits of his social life, so he was really easy to bond with for my teenage self. On the first day’s play of the Queen Elizabeth Coronation Bonspiel, the premier competition in Glasgow, the rink was looking good in its new paint job. Ernie and I were waiting to watch the Alex Torrance rink, runners up to Lyall Dagg in the ’64 broom, play their first-round game against a team of elderly Glasgow Ladies. An extraordinary mismatch, but seeding wasn’t a thing then. We were in the ice hall, standing behind the barrier where drinks and score cards could be placed. At the ice-side of the barrier, each sheet had a new wooden trough, about 1 meter long and 20cm high and wide, filled with 5cm sand. Perfectly placed to throw your cigarette butt should you need to. We had not seen this new piece of ice rink furniture before.

“What is this for?” asked one of the hapless ladies of Ernie

“You put your feet in it to help with grip while you are sweeping” Ernie responded with a completely straight face.

The ladies complied. I don’t recommend it. Alex was not very impressed. Indeed, Ernie was barred for the rest of the season. I hope my eyes twinkle like Ernie’s when I reach that age. Not long to wait.