ESOC John Colls Award & Prizegiving SocialSaturday 15 November, 2025
Following the ESOC club championships orienteering event earlier in the day at Beecraigs West, the annual prizegiving was held at the West Port Hotel in Linlithgow. We had the super function room all to ourselves along with a tasty buffet that was devoured with gusto by the hungry members looking to replace the energy expended in the morning.
The prizegiving for the club champs earlier took place following the buffet. Photos and prizewinners can be seen in the report for the ESOC Club Championships 2025. As is now a tradition at the prizegiving, the John Colls Award is also presented by the Club President. This annual award was set up in 2016 in memory of our former member who made a huge contribution to ESOC as well as both Scottish and British Orienteering.
Club members are all requested to provide a nomination for this award, which recognises the efforts of volunteers who make an exceptional contribution to the club over the course of the year. New Club President Helena thanked all members who had taken the time to reflect on this and noted that the recipient of this year’s award had received multiple nominations. She read out the following text noting the achievements of this years winner.
"They have orienteered since their teenage years, competed for ESOC, in many relay teams, Compass Sport Cup and Trophy competitions as well as representing Scotland. They have had many successes at British, JK and Scottish 6 Day Championships. More recently they have worked tirelessly behind the scenes on many cub activities and administrative tasks, helping to keep us focused on providing fantastic events and social activities. They have an infectious enthusiasm and sense of fun, been involved in our 60th anniversary Ceilidh, Turf Bonanza as well as providing us with some amusing “Video Diaries” and WhatsApp Posts. They were heavily involved in ESOC becoming a charitable organisation, achieving Silver Club Mark accreditation, single handedly putting on WOC Extra and with the help of David Robertson, improved our club profile and communications on social media.
It was a unanimous committee decision to present this year’s John Coll’s award to Walter Clark.
Members then joined in an abridged version of Walter’s rally cry from the 60th birthday celebration - Give me an E, give me an S, give me an O, give me a C, ESOC.
Thank you Walter for the past 7 years at the helm as Club President."
The outgoing Club Captain, Helena, was also presented, by the new Club Captain Sarah, with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, in club colours of course, by way of thanks for her successful time in that role.
Many thanks to all those who came and those involved with the organisation of the prizegiving.
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