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PRESS RELEASE

ENGLISH SCHOOLS CURLING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011

The 2011 English Schools Curling Championships, the sixth year of the event, were held at Fenton's Rink, Tunbridge Wells last week.

24 teams entered for the competition from 17 schools. It proved once again to be a hard fought contest with six teams battling it out each day throughout the week, which culminated in Tonbridge Grammar School, Weald of Kent, Judd and Mascalls qualifying for Friday's finals.

Judd won their semi-final game (7-5) against Mascalls and Tonbridge Grammar School won their game (8-4) against Weald of Kent, which meant that Judd and Tonbridge Grammar School played against each other for the title, and Weald of Kent and Mascalls played for 3rd & 4thplace.
In the final game it was evenly matched after the second end the score was 1-1; then Judd, captained by the current English Junior Boys skip, Ben Fowler, upped their game and stretched ahead finally beating Tonbridge Grammar School 7-3.

It was also a tight game between Weald of Kent and Mascalls but eventually Weald of Kent came through to win 7-5, after having to play an extra end.

Final places:-

Judd – 1st
Ben Fowler, Ollie Kendall, Harry Kendall, Miles Partridge, Alexis Parrinder-Nichols.

Tonbridge Grammar School – 2nd
Hannah Jackson, Nicole Payne, Sophie Lawson, Sarah Decoine.

Weald of Kent – 3rd
George Sparks, Bonnie Marsden, Luisa Madgwick, Lucy Sparks.

Mascalls – 4th
Nick Blackman, Dan Garcia, Tony Cookney, Maisy Edwards, Lauren Gill.

Schools entered:

• Angley
• Bennett Memorial
• Bethany
• Cranbrook
• Hayesbrook
• Heathfield
• Hillview
• Judd
• Mascalls
• Maidstone Grammar
• Sevenoaks
• Skinners
• St Gregory's
• Tonbridge Grammar
• Walthamstow Hall
• Weald of Kent
• Wilmington Grammar

JUNIOR CURLER RETURN FROM PRAGUE

England's men's and women's junior curling teams - all based here at the rink - returned last week from their European challenge inn Prague.

The girls came away with a creditable three wins to their names, and held their opposition to close games in all of the other matches.

They are getting nearer to a medal position and they are all looking forward to renewing their quest next year.

This was the first time for the boys - and they did very well throughout the tough competiton.  Their solitarty win was against neighbours, Wales, but they showed great fighting spirit against all the teams, many of whom had been curling for several years together.  Again, they are looking forward to making another attempt next year.

Both teams benefited from the support of several sponsors, in particular Kent Reliance Building Society, and everyone involved is most grateful for this generosity which is helping to get English curling on the map.

NEWS FROM THE CURLING RINK – JANUARY 2011

Another busy, busy season!   Despite all the doom and gloom around, the rink has been busier than ever this year.  The pace slackened when the snow came and we lost several days while driving conditions became impossible in December – we just hope the worst of the winter is behind us!
Half way through the season – so what lies ahead?

First up, we have another popular “Come and Try” day on Sunday 9th January, from 10am to 4pm.  Come along – bring your friends!  You can have an hour’s curling with an instructor to show you the ropes for only £5!  We find that this is the perfect way to introduce beginners to curling and, after this “taster” session many people can’t wait to book in for a game with their family and friends.  It really is an outing with a difference!

Remember – we close for the season in mid-April – and the rink gets inundated with bookings towards the end of the season – so don’t leave it too late!! Please call us as soon as possible on 01892 826004 or e-mail curlinginkent@hotmail.com to secure the date and time you want. The popular times go fast!

Remember – we provide coaches to get you started on the ice – so you have a great time right from the off!

Another “Come and Try” session is booked for Sunday February 6th.

 A Monday evening session is being held this season for novice curlers.  It starts at 6pm and is open to anyone who wants to take up curling as a winter activity.  There is practice ice and coaching to get you started and we will arrange games during the evening depending on numbers.  Come along any time between 6pm and 9pm and see for yourself! 

EXPERT CURLING

As the only curling rink in the country, Fenton’s Rink attracts experienced curlers from a wide area.  Every Tuesday there is keen competition in the curling leagues run by the rink.  The results are posted on this website.

All regular curlers are members of Fenton’s Rink.   The 2010/11 Rink subscription remains as before at £10. This provides a significant discount on ice fees and is worthwhile if you come to the rink several times in a season.   You can discuss regular curling with our Games Secretaries, Lizzie Howard and Gary Tapp at curling2009@googlemail.com.

SCHOOLS CURLING

The regular Schools 5-week course will run in the Spring term leading to the Schools Championships in March 2011. Junior training will again be held each Tuesday at 6pm for players aged 18 and under. A Junior Curling Academy for younger players (aged around 10 to 15) will be run monthly on Sunday afternoons.  Tracey Brown has joined the rink staff to co-ordinate the Schools programme.  Call her on 01892 826004 for further details or e-mail us at curlinginkent@hotmail.com.

PRESS RELEASE

ENGLISH JUNIOR CURLERS HEAD FOR PRAGUE

Two teams – one men’s and one women’s – have headed out from Tunbridge Wells to the European Junior Curling Championships being held this month in Prague.

This is the third attempt by the ladies team under the captaincy of Anna Fowler (pictured right).  She is joined this year by Hettie Garnier, Lauren Pearce, Angharad Ward and Naomi Robinson and will be up against stiff competition from Germany, Italy, France and several other countries.

In the men’s competition, thirteen countries are taking part – and England are participating for the first time.  Ben Fowler (pictured right), brother of the women’s skip, heads a team comprising Harry Mallows, Ben Alexander, Ollie Kendall and Matt Spicer – all from the Tunbridge area.

All these young curlers (team picture below) started playing at the rink and it is greatly encouraging to see the sport developing so rapidly in Kent.  We wish them well in their efforts... Go England!!!

January 2011

The two Junior Curling Teams, left to right:
Ben Fowler, Harry Mallow, Matt Spicer, Ben Alexander, Ollie Kendal
Naomi Robinson, Lauren Pearce, Angharad Ward, Hettie Garnier and Anna Fowler.
All are from the Tunbridge Wells area and train here at Fentons Rink.

PRESS RELEASE

Former World Champion wins Kent Curling Event

Former world champion and Team GB performance director, Mike Hay and a mixed Scottish rink took the Glenfarclas Still as winners of the Anniversary Bonspiel held at Fenton’s Rink in Kent on 6th and 7th November.  Other team members were Kenny Kinnear, Jill MacDonald and Karen Strang.  After his win, Mike complimented the rink on its fast, consistent ice throughout the weekend. Beaten in the final game was Jamie Malton’s 2009 English Champions rink as they prepare to regain their crown later this season.

Ten teams took part in the competition, including two from Spain, both in training for their upcoming Championships.  One group was from the Bilbao region and the other from Valencia.  Spanish curlers now make regular visits to the Kent rink as it is easy to reach – and the opportunities to curl on decent ice in Spain are few and far between.  

Commenting on the weekend, rink owner Ernest Fenton said “It was a pleasure to see such a high standard of play throughout the competition, with many tight games.  I was particularly pleased to see our local Junior men’s and women’s teams holding their own in such a competitive environment.”

Further information contact
Fenton’s Rink 01892 822175

PRESS RELEASE

FUN ON ICE AT CURLING RINK’S OPEN DAY 
Large turnout at Tunbridge Wells Ice Rink 

"Amazingly good fun!" Sarah Pinkerton, Wrotham Heath 
"Great experience—I would definitely do it again" Jo Lewington, West Kingsdown (both pictured on the right)

(pictured left) John Heath from Wadhurst throws his first stone 

Over 80 people turned out to try curling at Fenton’s Rink, England’s only curling facil-ity on Sunday, when the Rink held a "Come and Try" session to mark the start of their seventh season. 

Many were family groups, with both adults and children taking to the ice under the su-pervision of the Rink staff who provided instruction and encouragement to those tak-ing to the ice for the first time. 

Curling is a Winter Olympic sport and one in which Team GB does consistently well, thanks to Scottish curling enthusiasts. There are fewer English players, but with the establishment of the Tunbridge Wells rink, England is now fielding junior teams in European competition for the first time. 

Although curling is a very serious precision sport at its top level, beginners can have fun on the ice right from the start – and so it proved on Sunday. John Heath from Wadhurst said ―It’s much harder than it looks—but excellent fun! We will be back for more.

The Rink welcome beginners and novices every Monday evening and there will an-other "Come and Try" event on November 28th. 

For further information contact Ernest Fenton on 01892 826004 or curlinginkent@hotmail.com 

NEWS FROM THE CURLING RINK – AUTUMN 2010

Curling starts on October 4th and we are all set for our seventh season.

BOOK EARLY!  If you are thinking of a curling event for your friends, family, colleagues or customers – please contact the rink as soon as possible on 01892 826004 or e-mail curlinginkent@hotmail.com to secure the date and time you want. The popular times go fast and several Christmas parties have already booked their ice times.

Remember – we provide coaches to get you started on the ice – so you have a great time right from the off!

BEGINNERS - “Come and Try” your hand at curling! There’s an “Open Day” on Sunday October 10th. You can just come along and have a look – or you can have a one hour session on the ice with an instructor for only £5! It starts at 10am and finishes at 4pm.
A second “Come and Try” session is booked for Sunday November 28th.

REGULAR CURLERS start their season of leagues on Tuesday 5th October.  The fixture list has already been completed and games and results will be posted regularly on the “League Fixtures and Results” page.

A new Monday evening session is being introduced this season for novice curlers.  It starts from 6pm onwards on October 3rd and is open to anyone who wants to take up curling as a winter activity.  There will be practice ice and coaching to get you started and we will arrange games during the evening depending on numbers.  Come along any time between 6pm and 9pm and see for yourself! 

All regular curlers are members of Fenton’s Rink.   The 2009/10 Rink subscription remains as before at £10. This provides a significant discount on ice fees and is worthwhile if you come to the rink several times in a season. Download a Rink entry form for the 2010/11 season.  You can discuss regular curling with our Games Secretaries, Lizzie Howard and Gary Tapp at curling2009@googlemail.com.

JUNIORS/SCHOOLS CURLING The regular Schools 5-week course will run in the Spring term leading to the Schools Championships in March 2011. Junior training will again be held each Tuesday at 6pm for players aged 18 and under. A Junior Curling Academy for younger players (aged around 10 to 15) will be run monthly on Sunday afternoons.  Contact the rink on 01892 826004 for further details or e-mail us at curlinginkent@hotmail.com.