Dynasties

The Club has, from it’s inception, had a succession of Dynasties. Paul Harding-Edgar was the first, starting in 1937 – his wife Bethia and sister Rachel continuing the family line, with his successor today being son John. The most recent addition is the Richmonds, from Norma through to grandchildren Rory and Murray, with future targets the Paterson Browns, Macaris, Linds, Taits and the Cowpers. In this history, a ‘Dynasty’ is defined as either a minimum of three successive generations, or a minimum of three family relations, e.g. Parent, Child plus a Cousin. A recurring feature of the ladies in the dynasties are the name changes between single and married status.

The Harding-Edgars

Read a short biography of the Harding-Edgars here.

  • Paul Harding-Edgar: Club Champion 1947/48/49
  • Bethia Harding-Edgar (wife of Paul): Club Champion 1939 (as Miss Keith-Murray), then Club Champion in 1948 as Mrs Harding-Edgar
  • Rachel Harding-Edgar:(sister of Paul): Club Champion in 1953/54/55
  • John Harding-Edgar: Son of Paul and Bethia, nephew of Rachel: Club junior finalist in the 1960’s (versus Chris Wilson), Club team player 1970’s and 1980’s
  • 1936 January 30 – Paul Harding-Edgar’s written entry (from his address at 84 Great King Street) for the inaugural Scottish Squash championships
  • 1947-48 Paul Harding-Edgar (left) in an as yet unspecified team
  • 1951 England V Scotland at Hove – Mrs Bethia Harding-Edgar (2nd from the right) representing ESC
  • 1954 February, Scotland V Wales, Bethia (centre facing right, and Rachel Harding-Edgar (3rd from the left) representing the Harding Edgar dynasty
  • 1985 men’s team – C&;R Agencies the sponsors, John Harding-Edgar back right
  • Bethia and Paul Harding-Edgar, pictured just before or just after WW2

The McLure/Boyd family

Christine McClure (displayed on the Honours Board as Mrs A Logan McClure) won the Ladies Championship on three occasions before and after WW2. Her daughter Christine, won five times between 1962 and 967, before marrying Ian Boyd, then winning it a further three times between 1973 and 1976. Husband Ian is a redoubtable member of the Geriatrics.

  • Mrs Christine McClure (nee Jones): Club Champion 1937/38 and 1949/50
  • Miss Sylvia C F McClure: Daughter of Christine: Club Champion 1962-1965, 1967
  • Mrs S C F Boyd: (married name of Sylvia): Club Champion 1973/75/76
  • Ian Boyd (Husband of Sylvia): Member of the ‘Geriatrics’ for many years

The Richmonds

The Richmond family have been gracing the Club courts since the 1960’s. Norma was introduced to the club in 1967 by her husband Alastair, and her grandchildren are currently leading Scottish Junior players.

  • Norma – competitive Squash and tennis since 1967.   Board member 1991-1992
    • Won Tennis mixed doubles in 2019 with son Adrian (ok, so they defaulted due to injury)
  • Alastair (husband to Norma) – introduced her to the Club in 1967.   Sadly died in 1972 aged 28
    • Alastair MacIntosh remembers him as fairly uncompromising, tough and determined opponent.  A photo is shown taken whilst he and Norma lived in Teheran, and he hosted the English team of Nigel Faulkes and Mike Hill.
  • Adrian (born 1971).  
    • joined the club in 1980 for squash and tennis, and first squash tournament (Lothian junior under 12) at the Club in 1981
    • In 1985, Dougie Yuille (Firhill teacher and ESC voluntary coach) took us to Germany (Lubeck), Finland (Helsinki, Lahti) and Sweden (Stockholm and Malmo – where Rory has since played).      We trained with Swedish and Finnish juniors: travelled with Graeme Kemp and others
    • At Stewarts, we came third in UK under 19 schools cup, other ESC players were Stuart Licudi, Graeme Kemp, Steven Hermiston (all ESC) and Andrew Shanks (Waverley)
    • Won doubles racketball 1992 with Graeme Kemp and 1993 with Dave Hickman
    • Won the Club veterans championship in 2016, 2018 and 2019
    • Won Tennis mixed doubles in 2019 with Mum Norma
  • Rachel – Adrian’s wife – Member since 2015 (current Board member), competitive Padel player, and club interior designer. If you would like to see what she did with the Club lounge to celebrate her 50th birthday bash – click here
  • Rory – Son no 1 – Scotland Under 15 Champion in 2019.    Represented Scotland 18 Times at Under 13 and Under 15 level in Home Internationals and In European Team Championships
  • Murray – Son no 2 – Club U13 champion.  East of Scotland U13 player (and 2019 European Club Championship court cleaner of the year)
  • Angus – Son no 3 – Played in the ESC #Bounceback tournament in Nov and Dec 2020. He reckons he’ll be better than the other two…

In the slideshow below, we are fortunate to have obtained a photo of Alastair Richmond, also one of Norma as she joined the Board. Click on any of the photos to enable a full screen slideshow.

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The Paterson Browns

Ken Paterson Brown recently (Dec 2024) provided a background to the Paterson Brown Dynasty.

The members of his dynasty have all taken different things from the Club. Ken said “My uncle – Brian (GBH Wishart) – was Chairman in 1978 (seen here as one of eleven extant Chairs in the 2011 75th Anniversary photo), played tennis and doubles squash as a member of the ESC Geriatrics.   My father Keith (who died in 2014) was a keen and decent tennis player.   I have enjoyed Racketball and latterly Padel and son Chris enjoys squash and more importantly we all enjoyed lunches, the bar and the social side of the Club. I have in recent years arranged the Bruntsfield versus ESC annual golf outing, and my son Chris and I have taken part in the match for many years, witness the article in this website. The Paterson Brown grandchildren will no doubt carry on the tradition and join the Club”.

The Club historian well remembers the sight of three Paterson Brown generations – Keith, Ken and Chris enjoying lunch in the Club.

Click on any of the images in the gallery below to enable a full screen slideshow.

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The Linds

This dynasty stretches back to the 1960’s, when Robin Lind was a frequent player, through the present day with Robin’s son Graham, his wife Susie and his three competitive children.

The Lind dynasty includes Robin, his children Graham and Kirsty, and Graham and his wife Susie’s children Lewis, Murray and Struan.

Robin was a member from the 1960’s to the 1980’s.  He was a distinguished rugby player for Dunfermline and also the North & Midlands district team.   He sadly died on 26th May 2021 aged 76.   Prominent Edinburgh sports journalist Bill Lothian said “Sad to learn of the passing of Robin Lind, top sportsman.   Played the odd game of rugby with him at Edinburgh Borderers and saw his immense talent.   Fond memories of our squash battles in the East League”

Son Graham joined ESC at the age of 10 in 1990, and won ESC age-group squash titles including the U14, U16 and U19 title in 1993, 1995 and 1997, and also represented Lothian.   He is also listed as being on the bar staff in 1999.    Of late, he is well known as the MC of the annual ESC Burns Supper    His future wife Susie was a Scottish junior squash internationalist in 1987.   Susie joined ESC in 2017 and was an ESC director from January 2021 to 2023.   She is also shown with the east O35 masters winner’s trophy.

Daughter Kirsty was ESC U12, U16 and U19 champion in 1993, 1997 and 1999, and represented Lothian.   She was 1999 Runner-Up in the Lothian U19 championship

Graham and Susie’s children Lewis, Murray & Struan all competed in the 2024 Scottish Junior Open Squash Championships, and have represented East Squash.   Lewis and Struan won the club’s 2024 boys U13 and U11 championships respectively, with Murray the runner up in the U13.

Kirstie’s children Cameron, Anna and Ramsay all competed in the 2024 club championships with Anna (who also represents East Squash) winning the U11 competition.

Click on any of the photos in the gallery below to enable a full-screen slideshow.