Flying the banners for Lanark

Flying Lanark's history..Banners commissioned by Lanark Rotary

The ‘makeover’ comes in the form of eight eye-catching banners which are to become a permanent feature of the High Street, going up after the Lanimer bunting is down.

Each illustrates a different aspect of the area and is at the heart of Lanark Rotary’s main 2015 project, to improve the High Street.

The banners - which cost several thousand pounds - present images of Cartland Bridge, King David 1, William Wallace, Lanark Loch, New Lanark, the Falls of Clyde and the Lanimer celebrations.

They were designed by local artist Fhiona Galloway with the brief to “illustrate our rich heritage” and the Rotary Club is delighted with the results.

Said club spokesman Kevan Carty: “The banners will showcase the many historical and other attractions in and around Lanark.

“We raise funds through many projects in the town and it is the generous support of the townspeople and its businesses which make this possible. It is only right that some of these funds go to make the town more attractive to all and contribute to increased business for our local traders.”

He paid tribute to the major contribution made to the banners project by Borders Biscuits which matched the Rotary’s funding.

South Lanarkshire Council had fully co-operated with the project and would help with erecting them on the street lighting columns.

And Rotary president Neil MacDonald added: “This will brighten up the town centre at a time when the High Street usually looks a bit stark after the Lanimer decorations come down. I hope this will complement the floral decorations provided by Lanark in Bloom on the central reservation and that the town centre traders, if they are not already involved, will ‘get the bug’ and provide further colour with hanging baskets and floral displays outside their premises.

“We already have a great town centre and this could make it magnificent.

“This project represents an investment of several thousand pounds and many hours of work and we are all grateful to Rotarian Graeme McLeish and his Community and Vocation Committee.”