Down Memory Lane

TEN YEARS AGO

*The 2004 Shoebox Appeal surpassed all expectations with a staggering 3202 boxes collected throughout Clydesdale. The total, treble the amount of the first Shoebox Appeal six years earlier astounded local co-ordinators Ian and Ethel Martin from the Kirkstyle Baptist Church in Carluke.

* Robert Owen Memorial Primary School in Lanark raised a cheque for £2,000 from its newly-formed PTA. The PTA had only been formed three months earlier but it didn’t stop chairman Ken McLeod handing over the bumper cheque to head teacher David Lynas.

* Clydesdale pub owners blasted First Minister Jack McConnell’s plans to ban smoking in public places. One pub owner said: “Jack McConnell has lost the plot! He should look at what happened to Hitler when he tried to dictate!”

* Nine out of 10 Carluke residents gave the new Streetscape works the thumbs-up in a survey conducted by South Lanarkshire Council. A spokesperson said that more than 200 questionnaires were returned with 93 per cent in favour of the plans.

* Guardsman Marc McLaughlan from Lanark was preparing to go to war in Iraq in January. The 21-year-old former Lanark Grammar pupil was a soldier with F Company The Scots Guards.

* Gents champion Bobby Gardiner and ladies champ Marianne Smith were the big winners of Douglas Victoria Bowling Club’s annual prize night.

* Despite being registered blind for more than two years, Hollandbush Golf Club member Mike Mayo was excelling at a number of blind golf tournaments up and down the country.

twenty-five years ago

* CARLUKE Gala Day was given a one-year stay of execution but gala committee members warned that 1990’s spectacular would be the last unless other people rallied round. Several members of the committee had intended to resign but following a long discussion elected to be opted in for one more year.

* Clydesdale MP Jimmy Hood slammed controversial plans to close Law Hospital. The MP accused Lanarkshire Health Board of reneging on promises it had made to local people in the past.

* The next Moderator of Lanark Presbytery was named as Rev Melville Crosthwaite, the minister of the linked parishes of Carstairs and Carstairs Junction. Rev Crosthwaite would succeed Red David Scott as Moderator in early 1990.

* Mindless vandals were making working life a misery for those working in Carluke Health Centre having smashed a number of windows. Things got so bad that patients seeing doctors were forced to put up with blasts of cold air coming in through consulting room windows.

* After 30 years of service, Lanark fireman Archie Strang was hanging up his hose and helmet and retiring. Archie (52) retired as Sub-Officer having moved to Lanark a decade earlier and had stints at East Kilbride, Hamilton and Motherwell.

* Coalburn councillor Danny Meikle was assured by British Coal that a new rubbish tip being created on the outskirts of the village would not be used as a dumping ground for toxic waste. The tip was being created by British Coal at Muirburn, which was part of the Dalquhandy opencast site.

* Carluke Amateur Operatic Society members were enjoying their run of Hello Dolly, being staged in Carluke District Hall all week. The show starred June Black in the lead role.

* Over £190 was raised for the Heartstart Appeal thanks to the generosity of customers at the Crossford Inn who filled a gallon whisky bottle with coins.

* Lesmahagow Playscheme members could look forward to a trip to the pantomime during the Christmas period thanks to a donation from the Bank of Scotland.

* Forth Wanderers veteran Danny McDougall, whose elevation to assistant manager was confirmed a few weeks earlier, proved his playing days weren’t numbered by scoring twice in a 2-1 win over Bellshill.