Clyde Riding Club members to celebrate 50th anniversary

BEING down on the farm used to be a regular occurrence for Clyde Riding Club, which reaches its landmark 50th anniversary this year.

So says club treasurer Helen Wilson (52), of Dillarburn Road, Dillarburn, Lesmahagow, who is organising a reunion dinner for old and new members in the Shawlands Hotel on October 24.

Helen, a member since September 1967, said: "Clyde Riding Club was founded by a group of parents to bring together riders in the Clyde Valley, to encourage riding as a sport and recreation.

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"The club's first AGM took place in the Popinjay Hotel in 1960.

"I remember starting at the club seven years later with my brother Jim Hamilton and two other family members. We used to go round all the farms in the Clyde Valley to compete between April and September.

"Venues ranged from Hardington Mains Farm at Lamington to Rutherend Farm at Chapelton, where between 60 and 70 horses could gallop about.

"We used to transport our equipment by tractor and trailer before going to different farmers, begging them to give us a field.

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"As the membership grew and it became more difficult to persuade farmers to give up a field for the day, the club settled in a regular venue at Poneil Farm, near Douglas.

"However, it now meets at Lower Carbarns, Netherton, Wishaw by kind permission of the Jordan Family. This is a lovely setting on the banks of the River Clyde."

To get in touch will Helen, email her at [email protected]

For more information on this article, see this week's Carluke and Lanark Gazette, which is in the shops now.

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