Down Memory Lane

10 years ago, Thursday, January 13, 2005CLYDESDALE people were thanked for their generosity after raising thousands of pounds for the tsunami victims in South East Asia. Clubs, pubs and offices had collection tins out since the disaster on Boxing Day 2004 and shoppers at Lanark Tesco had raised more than £4,500.* An Abington family got an unexpected First Foot on New Year’s Day when baby Lewis made a sudden appearance into the world. Dad Cameron Leitch acted as midwife to partner Alice before the ambulance arrived at their remote cottage.* A lanark girl was celebrating having landed a part in the latest Harry Potter film. Laura Morrison (19) was to be one of the dancers at the Hogwarts Ball in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.* An angry Crawford resident gave his views on plans to build Europe’s largest windfarm on hills near his home. John Kelly (78) was co-ordinator of the Abington, Crawford and Elvanfoot Environmental Watch.*Leadhills community worker Sam Dow spoke of his delight after receiving an MBE in the New Year’s Honours List. Sam said: “I’m just a working man who has put something back into the community.”* There was mass hysteria for the ladies of Wisteria Lane, Carluke, as the street had the same name as the street in American TV series Desperate Housewives.* Biggar Rugby began 2005 with a 13-0 win over Heriot’s.

Happy family...Cameron, Alice, baby Lewis and big brother Cameron

25 years ago, Friday, January 12, 1990

* fears that a host of council projects may have had to be shelved because of a decline in house sales looked to have been allayed. The Government told local authorities that they wouldn’t have to rely solely on capital receipts to fund their spending programme.

* Members of Carluke Young Farmers were pictured during rehearsals for their upcoming production Beyond The Barricade which was due to be held in Carluke Recreation Centre. Pieces from Cats, Les Miserables and Toy Box formed the main scenes of the variety show.

* Law Primary School Board agreed to support the re-zoning of the school so that it reverted to being a feeder school for Carluke High. The board also returned to its full compliment of members with Councillor Tom Craig and Rev Izett becoming co-opted members.

* Over 50 youngsters from Lanark YMCA attended a New Year sports day at the national training centre in Largs. The group had nine hours exclusive use of Scotland’s gymnastics training hall, the most modern of its kind in Britain.

* Cutting her cake to celebrate her retirement after nearly 20 years’ service at Stanmore House School in Lanark was Ruth McIntosh. Ruth was a nurse and assistant officer in charge of the centre and was presented with crystal glasses, a watch and various other gifts.

* William and Marion Smith of Carluke celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary. Family and friends marked the special occasion with a party in the community centre.

* Kristina MacVicar, of Blackwood, was celebrating having won a radio in a national competition run by BBC kids show Going Live. Youngsters were asked to design a traditional Christmas card with entries topping 10,000.

* The Scottish Mining Museum was ringing the changes in the 1990’s. Gillian Beattie-Smith, of Biggar, was appointed the new visitor service manager for the museum at the Lady Victoria Colliery at Newtongrange.

* The annual Paigie Walk took place in Douglas on January 2 with 20 men taking part.

* In the Scottish Junior Cup pint-sized striker Tommy Henderson was walking tall after securing Lesmahagow’s passport into the fourth round. Gow beat Dalry Thistle 1-0.