Down Memory Lane

TEN YEARS AGO

*PLANS were IN the pipeline to upgrade Carluke’s Crawforddyke Park according to local councillor Willie Ross. However, Councillor Ross pointed out that the council was struggling to combat the effects of constant vandalism which was taking place there.

* VETS had to amputate a cat’s leg after the family pet was shot with an airgun. Twelve-year-old Tinker was shot as owner Maureen Rennie, from Crossford, was alerted by a neighbour that her pet was in distress.

* Martin Feeney and Gayle Whitefield were chosen as Carluke High School captains for the following year. The school vice-captains were Alan Morton, Richard Workman, Lorna Gray and Lyndsay McGregor.

* BIGGAR HIGH School pupils’ dream of a new enclosed garden moved one step closer with a grant from Eco Schools Scotland. Pupils Jordan Collins, Donna Lamb, Rosie McLean and Emma Horsfield were on hand to pick up the cheque.

* Clydesdale hair stylist Danielle Carr beat off a string of talented young hairdressers to qualify for the UK final of the Wella Trend Vision Awards. Danielle worked for Mosko Hairdressers, which had shops in Carluke and Lanark.

* Staff at New Lanark World Heritage Site were gearing for the annual Victorian Fair. The annual event raised money for the New Lanark Village Group.

* Coalburn IOR Pipe Band members were delighted to win their section at the Cowal Games in Dunoon.

* Carluke Golf Club professional Craig Ronald was ecstatic having won the prestigious Gleneagles Scottish PGA Championship. Craig sunk a monster 25 foot putt to win the title.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

*EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Claire Armstrong and her friends looked like they were having a great time at the “tattie bashing” during the annual Braidwood House fete. The fete raised approximately £2,000.

* The overcrowding at Carluke High School was actually worse than what was reported by Strathclyde Regional Council before the start of the new term. The high school’s capacity was 1,282 pupils - the exact figure for the number of pupils who returned from the summer holidays.

* The annual Wallace Day commemoration rally was held in Lanark. Despite heavy rain during the march, it was well attended by people from near and far including two vice-convenors on the SNP National Executive.

* Councillors on Clydesdale District Council were asked to note arrangements made by the Scottish Secretary on next year’s Community Charge and Revenue Support Grant. The changes did not please Biggar Councillor Tom McAlpine who said: “There is going to be a range of things added onto the Poll Tax because it is a bad tax.”

* Despite the heavy rain Gazette photographer Ian McCulloch was on hand to capture all the fun of Leadhills Gala Day. The 1989 Gala Queen was Pauline Aitchison.

* PETTINAIN couple John and Annie Gibson celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Mr Gibson worked for Lanark County Council for 40 years finishing up as transport superintendent while Mrs Gibson was a cook at the local primary school.

* Bob Russell was named as Clydesdale District Council’s new Director of Housing. Mr Russell was taking over the role from Tom Orr who was departing for a chief executive’s role with another district.

* Primary schools in Carluke were given a present of training footballs thanks to one parent. Ian Martin became involved with the Kirkton Primary football team and he approached the County Garage to provide the balls for each of the six primary schools in the town.

* Clydesdale District Council was given top marks by local people for the way it ran local services. In the poll 72 per cent of residents surveyed said they were happy with the way the council ran the district.

* Both Carluke Rovers and Lanark United were knocked out of the Tartan Special League Cup. United were on the wrong end of a 5-4 loss to Coltness while Carluke were beaten 1-0 by Wishaw.