Down Memory Lane

These images show how Carstairs Junction was hit by the Big Freeze of 1963, sights so remarkable they were locally published as postcards. What looks like the Arctic Sea is, in fact, the small loch between the Junction and Carstairs Village and the ice took its toll of the huge steam train water reservoir at the Junction station.

50 YEARS AGO

* A successful Burns Supper was held in the Holyoak Tearooms of the Carluke Violet Chapter OES. Solicitor Ian Docherty, from Lanark, gave the Immortal Memory.

* Convenor Edward Daly laid the foundation stone of Lanark County Council’s new £1.3 million 17 storey office block in Hamilton.

* Four vehicles were involved in a crash after a spillage on the road just outside Law Hospital. All of the people were taken to the hospital with many being allowed home after less than 24 hours.

* A Moffat railwayman died when he collapsed on the Glasgow to London railway line two and a half miles south of Carstairs. He was only 47 years old.

* A large re-organisation scheme was being planned at the New Lanark Mills. New machinery was set to be installed and completed by the end of the year.

* Infant classes at Law Primary School entertained their parents and friends at a concert in the school hall.

* Lanark United outside left Willie Hunter was signed by Rangers. He played for the third team two weeks earlier.

100 YEARS AGO

* Mr R Raeside of Kirkfieldbank was appointed organist and choirmaster of Greyfriars UF Church. Mr Raeside replaced Mr Frank Inglis.

* After refusing to sign a declaration of bankruptcy, a German labourer, residing in Lanark, was sent to prison at Lanark Sheriff Court where he would remain until he was prepared to sign a document.

* A public lecture on New Zealand was given by well known speaker Mrs Napier at the YMCA Institute.

* Two men were found guilty at Lanark Sheriff Court of breaking into a house in Carluke and stealing a number of items including jewellery. Sheriff Scott Moncrieff found the pair guilty and sentenced them to 60 days hard labour.

* The annual Carluke Burns Club supper was held in the Black Bull Hall. Mr Aikman gave the Immortal memory while chairman Mr T Craig gave the toast to the King.

* The Carluke Choral and Orchestral Union decided to hold a concert in March.

* Carluke Milton Rovers faced Ashgill Rovers in a league match. Rovers won the match 2-0 thanks to goals from McMillan and Russell.