GLANFORD CURLING CLUB

In the early summer of 1894, a new two-sheet curling rink was built in the centre of Mount Hope on the property of John Dickenson. Natural ice, coal oil lanterns and outdoor plumbing were the order of the day with internal heating accomplished by sweeping and a nip from a flask. The first year’s membership of 60 men paid .25¢ for this privilege. The first president was William Calder, “imported” from Carluke to get the new club organized. In 1899, George Neale, a local wagon maker and curler, took on the club secretary job and kept the position for 40 years until his death in 1940. He was awarded an honourary life membership in the Ontario Curling Association in 1936 for his interest in and service to curling.

The new club soon hit the provincial curling headlines by winning the Governor-General’s trophy in 1912, a double-team event, winning 32-31 over Orillia. Glanford teams have competed in this event ever since but never duplicated the success of Charles Dalton, Fred Goodman, Dick Macdonald, Charles Sparham, John Macdonald, Herb Dickenson, George Neale and Oscar Armstrong.

A major event took place in 1955 when artificial ice was installed, leading the way for ladies’ curling a year later. By this time the fees were $30 per year for the improved ice and electric lights, but toilet facilities were still outdated. In 1959, the present curling surface and building went up, expanding the club to three sheets of ice.

Many smaller changes have taken place over the years, with one of the better improvements being a hook-up to municipal sewer and water lines in 1990. In 1994, the club celebrated its centennial on the same spot that the Calders, Jeromes and Dickensons started 100 years ago.

In 2007, the club congratulated Team Keys (Cathy Keys, Sharyn Wilson, Vicky Polkinghorne, Jackie French) for winning the Ontario Provincial Masters. The club now proudly displays the first ever provincial banner won by the Glanford Curling Club.

Glanford is now into its second century of curling and shows all signs of celebrating a bi-centennial in 2094.

Directions

In Hamilton, go south on Upper James Street (Highway #6) to Rymal Road (Highway #53). Continue straight on Hwy #6 for 4.4 kilometres to Homestead Drive turn-off on right. Follow Homestead Drive for 0.6 kilometres to GlanfordCC on left. In Brantford, go east on Highway 403 and exit onto Highway 6 southbound toward Caledonia/Port Dover. After about 7.5 kms turn left toward Airport Road/Regional Rd 37. Take the first right onto Ariport Road. Turn left at Homestead Drive.

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Please direct all inquiries concerning the Glanford Curling Club and its activities to:

Jackie French
3091 Homestead Drive
P.O. Box 153
Mount Hope, ON.
L0R 1W0

Phone: 905 679 9809
E-mail: Glanford Curling Club