Maryell, the Piper and Meta Intu Braehead owes a huge debt of gratitude to the many coaches and volunteers that helped us achieve record figures for the Try Curling initiative following the Winter Olympics.
But one special person received a very special Braehead send off on 25th March. Ever since the curling rink first opened in 1999 Meta Ecclestone has been at the forefront of coaching and has been an almost permanent fixture on the ice not only playing for three clubs, indeed her last season has been one of her most successful, but generously giving of her time voluntarily to teach newcomers the sport.
But one special person received a very special Braehead send off on 25th March. Ever since the curling rink first opened in 1999 Meta Ecclestone has been at the forefront of coaching and has been an almost permanent fixture on the ice not only playing for three clubs, indeed her last season has been one of her most successful, but generously giving of her time voluntarily to teach newcomers the sport.
Meta may have been retired but she always exuded boundless energy for curling and the people involved, whether they were members of Glasgow ladies or someone stepping on to the ice for the first time. Always willing to accept new coaching practices, her infectious enthusiasm introduced many newcomers to the sport and as Braehead's CDO, David Horne, explained during Meta's farewell bonspiel her last few weeks at Braehead before moving to Canada became almost a full time job!
Arranged by Meta's many close friends the theme of the day was to be Scotland v Canada with all competitors donning either the Maple Leaf red or blue and Tartan for Scotland. After being piped on to the ice and following curling a delicious meal was served with the theme of the menu playing homage to Meta's new Winnipeg home and some more traditional Scottish fayre with Canadian salmon pie and Haggis and Venison Stovies followed by Maple syrup sticky pudding. Speeches and presentations followed the meal and everyone agreed it was a fitting send off .
Arranged by Meta's many close friends the theme of the day was to be Scotland v Canada with all competitors donning either the Maple Leaf red or blue and Tartan for Scotland. After being piped on to the ice and following curling a delicious meal was served with the theme of the menu playing homage to Meta's new Winnipeg home and some more traditional Scottish fayre with Canadian salmon pie and Haggis and Venison Stovies followed by Maple syrup sticky pudding. Speeches and presentations followed the meal and everyone agreed it was a fitting send off .
A final word from Bruce Harley, Braehead Leisure Manager
" Meta has given up countless hours coaching at Braehead and we will all miss her dearly. On the final weekend of the season we invited all the new curlers that had signed up for lessons back for a bonspiel to give them some more ice time. Where others would have been resting on their laurels, or in Metas case thinking about doing some packing, there she was in the thick of it as usual teaching them the art and etiquette of the game.
Everyone at Braehead, staff and curlers, wish Meta all the very best of luck in the future and for her new life in Canada, she is simply irreplaceable"
" Meta has given up countless hours coaching at Braehead and we will all miss her dearly. On the final weekend of the season we invited all the new curlers that had signed up for lessons back for a bonspiel to give them some more ice time. Where others would have been resting on their laurels, or in Metas case thinking about doing some packing, there she was in the thick of it as usual teaching them the art and etiquette of the game.
Everyone at Braehead, staff and curlers, wish Meta all the very best of luck in the future and for her new life in Canada, she is simply irreplaceable"
