Down Memory Lane

10 YEARS AGO

* LANARK was ranked as one of the most expensive places to live in Scotland, with Carluke being one of the cheapest. According to mortgage lender, HBOS, Lanark finished in 15th place in the most expensive table with an average house price of over £103,000.

* SOUTH LANARKSHIRE Council had announced a new hardline stance to tackle the misuse of fireworks, banning youths under the age of 18 having them in their possession. The news was welcomed by local community safety groups and the police.

* Members of Lanark Community Council were looking at plans which were lodged for a new retail park at Lanark Auction Market. The plans divided opinions among the members with some stating that it could kill Lanark Town Centre.

* NHS LANARKSHIRE held a series of briefings with local MSPs on the future of emergency care services. The meetings followed an initial consultation and information event for patients, carers, voluntary groups and local politicians.

* PUPILS at Carluke Primary School held a Blue Peter Bring and Buy Sale which raised a total of £121.

* LANARK driver Colin McRae was challenging at the top of the leaderboard at the prestigious Dakar Rally. McRae, driving a Nissan, finished sixth on stage five but incurred a penalty which took him down two places.

* CARLUKE Rovers were currently nine points ahead at the top of Division Two but manager Whitey Moffat warned his players against complacency.

* Lanark Golf Club captain Tom Smith hit the traditional first shot of 2004.

TWENTY FIVE YEARS AGO

* TWO budding Lanark DJs took to the airwaves for 24 hours in a fundraising challenge for Radio Law. Andrew Gray and Iain MacFarlane completed the challenge and raised £400 for Law Hospital with a string of people popping in throughout the day to keep them company and calling in with messages of support.

* TWO Clydesdale men were honoured in the New Year Honours List. Crossford man William Muir received the MBE for services to the Blood Transfusion Service while William Frame, who was born and brought up in Carluke, received the BEM for services to the Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities Officers Training Corps.

* DESPITE a change in the licensing laws it seemed most people in Clydesdale brought the New Year in with family and friends. The law had been changed to allow pubs to open on New Year’s Day and January 2 but very few of them took the opportunity.

* OVER 250 people attended the annual Hogmanay ceilidh held by Carluke Highlanders’ Association in Carluke District Hall. The ceilidh marked the last day as caretaker of the hall for George Ruthven and his wife Ellen.

* A NEW scheme for more parking for the disabled was to be launched in Lanark. The Scottish Development Agency had agreed to make a contribution of £30,000 to the project.

* A grant of £3000 was to be given to the Lowthers Railway Society. At a planning committee meeting, members of Clydesdale District Council agreed to make the grant to help the society purchase an air-braked coach.

* CARLUKE and District Young Farmers’ annual variety concert, The Black Phantom Jives Again, was to be held in Carluke Recreation Centre from January 17 to January 19. Meanwhile the Biggar branch of the Young Farmers members were preparing to host Colour Clash in the Toftcombs Hotel on January 13.

* A MEMBER of Scotland’s karate squad was spearheading plans to establish a new martial arts club in Carluke. Black belt Drew Ruthven was teaming up with another black belt, James Gibson, to form the club and both believed there was sufficent interest from those living in the town.

* BIGGAR Rugby Club lost 27-12 to Cambuslang with the Hartreemill side being outscored by five tries to two. In contrast to the first XV, the club’s 2nd side claimed back-to-back victories over East Kilbride and Falkirk respectively.