Down Memory Lane

10 YEARS AGO

*nine staff at a Carluke petrol station were issued with their redundancy notices. The three full-time and six part-time staff were being forced to leave their jobs at Esso, Castlehill, on June 14, after the fuel giant decided to close the Carluke garage.

* it appeared that there could be a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel in the long battle to bring back direct rail services from Lanark to Edinburgh. South Lanarkshire Council stated that it had been involved in talks with possible new rail franchise holders in Scotland over possible restoration of the service after a 40-year break.

* wishaw General Hospital would be one of the first hospitals in Scotland to be linked into an ambitious new telemedicine network. The £500,000 Scottish Executive funded scheme would bring together neo-natal and paediatric centres from across Scotland, providing a safe, fast and effective way of getting expert bedside advice and diagnosis for children in hospitals all over the country.

* a run of five consecutive birdies on the back nine helped William Steele to a dazzling round of 63 at Carnwath Golf Club, equalling Stevie Callan’s existing course record. Carluke man William (27), an embroidery machine worker at Glenmuir in Lanark, had won the Wilson’s Coaches Trophy on May 8 thanks to the history-making round.

* lanark United committee members were “raging” that a new government law could effectively mean a 25 per cent wage cut for their playing staff. Club secretary Tam Anderson said it was “unbelievable” that – as from July – the Inland Revenue would deduct tax accordingly after getting direct access to players’ wages, expenses and signing on details. United would be lodging a protest.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

*AN attempt to inject new life into the ailing Clyde Valley fruit growing industry looked set to be scuppered before it had even started. The reason given was that Clydesdale’s planning officials said they did not have the time or staff to follow it up.

* A LOCAL SNP councillor called for a major study into the future of Clydesdale’s most infamous “wasted space” - Lanark Racecourse. Clyde Valley member Robert French wanted to see the district council make more of a concerted effort to attract private cash to rejuvenate the Racecourse.

* A NOXIOUS smell which covered Carluke and Braidwood for a considerable period of time was likely to be around for quite a while. The smell was coming from a burning bing in Wilsontown, near Forth and, despite complaints, district council environmental health department officials said they could do little about it.

* A SPECIAL birthday party was held in Carluke District Hall to mark the 75th anniversary of the Brownies. Three special cakes were baked for the occasion and the girls enjoyed an afternoon of fun and games.

* OVER £1,700 was raised at a cafe run by the Carluke Christian Aid Committee in St John’s Church Hall. During the week the cafe was operated by the congregations of the various churches in the town while artwork from Kirkton Primary pupils was on display.

* GROWING concern over the amount of money being pumped into historic New Lanark had prompted councillors to call for a meeting with the village’s conservation manager Jim Arnold. They wanted to know exactly what the latest £30,000 grant was to be spent on.

* Colleagues gathered together to give a warm send-off to Andrew Ruthven who was retiring after 34 years of working in Carluke Post Office. Mr Ruthven was presented with a television by Post Office area delivery manager Mike Gallagher.

* BIGGAR COUNCILLOR Tom McAlpine disputed claims that the town’s High Street was not busy enough to warrant a pedestrian crossing. The claim was made in a document outlining future road proposals for the town.

* Lesmahagow Juniors were crowned Division One champions as rivals Vale of Clyde could only manage a 1-1 draw against Johnstone Burgh. However, ’Gow missed out on a West of Scotland Cup Final place having lost 3-1 to Auchinleck Talbot.