Down Memory Lane

50 YEARS AGO

* More than 200 tons of straw and baled hay were destroyed in a farm fire at Hill of Kilcadzow, Carluke. Firemen, drawing water from a disused pond a mile away, fought the outbreak for seven hours.

* Carluke and Law Labour Parties were having a joint meeting to select candidates for the county and district elections the following May.

* Thieves stole 20,000 cigarettes from the shop of Mr D Frame at 43 High Street, Carluke, after forcing a back door.

* Forth miner Francis Cochrane, who lost his right leg in a pit accident, was awarded 6200 damages by a Court of Session jury.

* Two labourers pleaded guilty at Lanark Sheriff Court to stealing seven hens from a Lockfast nest box in Kirk Brae Field, Douglas. The birds were later recovered, all dead. The men were fined 8 and 6.

* Municipal house tenants in Lanark were to be allowed to paint the outside doors of their houses provided the existing colour scheme was not changed.

* Alex Morrison received the gents club championship trophy at Lanark Bowling Club's prizegiving night.

100 YEARS AGO

* Provost Macleay presided over the last public meeting of his three-year term of office, at the final ordinary monthly meeting of the Town Council in the Council Chambers.

* New Lanark Mills chief mechanic James Matthews was presented with a marble timepiece and case of pipes, along with a gold brooch for Mrs Matthews, from fellow employees on the occasion of his leaving for a similar appointment in Greenock.

* William Telfer was appointed general manager of the Wilson's and Clyde Coal Co, based in Law.

* In the situations vacant a Baker's vanman was wanted for Cleland and Carfin District. Applicants were asked to contact Thomas Bow, Baker, Holytown.

* Law Volunteers beat Newton Villa 3-0 in the Lanarkshire League first division at Lawmuir Park, Law.

* Finest quality Dunlop cheese was available to buy from James Weir, Hamilton Street, Carluke.

* A cake and candy fair was to be held in Lanark Parish Church Hall the following Friday and Saturday, in aid of Bloomgate Church Hall.