Down Memory Lane

COUNTY CRONIES: This image of Lanark in its heyday of civic pride and power shows the County Council in 1901 when it still met in the building now forming part of the Sheriff Court in Hope Street. The Royal Burgh was, in those days, still very much the ‘county town’ and it is amazing to think now that the whole of Lanarkshire was once administered – without the aid of computers or even a telephone – from this modest building. The County Council survived as the area’s senior local government body - above the old Town and District Councils - until the reforms of the mid-1970s did away with it. What disappeared long before it were many of the ornate iron railings pictured here, reputedly taken away in the early part of World War Two to be melted down for armaments. A captured Russian Crimean War cannon, once on display nearby, also went into the melting pot to help provide arms for the nation to face a different foe.

50 YEARS AGO

n Three Carluke youths appeared on housebreaking and theft charges at Lanark Juvenile Court. The charges involved recent incidents concerning telephone kiosks, cigarette and chocolate vending machines and general stores in Sandy Road and Cairneymount Road. The case was continued for a fortnight to await probation reports.

n The water shortage in Lanark was acute, with the town’s two reservoirs having only 20 days supply left – one of the lowest figures ever.

n Repairs to New Lanark Primary Schoolhouse were to be carried out at an estimated cost of £272 to eradicate woodworm.

n Due to an improvement in the disease position, infected area restrictions on the movement and marketing of pigs in Lanark had been withdrawn from midnight on Sunday. The restrictions had been imposed in Lanarkshire since December 8.

n Lanark Rugby Club’s game against Hyndland at Scotstoun the following day looked like being cancelled. If so, it would be Lanark’s eighth consecutive blank Saturday.

100 YEARS AGO

n Before Bailie Lamb at Lanark Burgh Court, a 15-year-old boy was charged with being drunk and disorderly and using obscene and threatening language in the High Street the previous Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty but was convicted on evidence before being dismissed with an admonition.

n Roberton-born sailor James Noble received a bronze medal from His Majesty King George V, in recognition of the bravery he’d shown during a recent disaster which had occurred on the P and O Liner, Delhi.

n Alex Orr from Southlandridge, Holytown, was the Senior Open winner at the annual Carluke Ploughing Match which 23 ploughers had contested in a field on the Eastlaw Farm of Mr Semple.

n Plans were lodged to build a new drill hall for Law, in a field on the opposite side of the road from Wilsons’ Rows. It would be a handsome two storey building with an orderly room and sergeants’ room, 60ft by 30ft wide Drill Hall and 90ft long miniature rifle range.