News from England

Regular readers of Curling Today will recall that we trailed with some enthusiasm back in November the fact that the Fenton's rink in Kent was to stage the Ramada Jarvis Cashspiel. That would have been this coming weekend. We were disappointed to learn that the event has been cancelled. Not enough support apparently. That's a pity.

Happier news is that the rink hosted the English Championships successfully last weekend. Andrew Reed and Kirsty Balfour defended their titles. Details are here. These teams will represent England at the Le Gruyere European Championships in Sweden in December.

A professional photographer Gerry Walden was at the English Championships and you can see his efforts on his website www.gwpics.com by entering the word 'Fentons' in the password box.

Kirsty Balfour and Andrew Reed practising at the Euro Championships in Fussen, December 2007. Photos by Bob.

Cashspiel at Fenton's Rink

I am somewhat embarassed to say that I have not yet had the opportunity to visit Fenton's Rink near Tunbridge Wells, the only dedicated curling ice pad in England. The three-sheet facility is three years old. I hear lots of good things about it.

It is always interesting too to read something of the questions, problems and concerns of our southern neighbours on the English Curling Forum, many of whom are quite new to the sport. From there I note that one of the moderators, Gordon Bryan (aka The Great Gordino), has been experimenting with the best way to video curling. His first efforts are on YouTube and show well what the rink is like. See here and here.

Here is your chance to curl at the rink. Fenton’s Rink will host the Ramada Jarvis Cashspiel in February. The tournament is open to teams of any four curlers from the UK and abroad. You will be welcomed at the Ramada Jarvis, Tunbridge Wells. The competition is to be held on Saturday and Sunday, February 9-10, 2008. A cash prize of up to £1000 is on offer to the winning team, with cash prizes to second and third place, and, depending on the number of entries, to lower placed teams as well. The more teams that enter, the more prizes!

Details of the competition and prizes will be posted on the rink website www.fentonsrink.com.

Good to see increased support for curling from Ramada Jarvis Hotels, who already sponsor the Perth Masters.