Down Memory Lane

TEN YEARS AGO

* carluke mum Lisa Greer (35), was gearing up for cycling across the African country of Malawi in just nine days for charity. Lisa, of Mosside Avenue, was committed to raising £2100 for Aberdeen-based charity The Mission East Trust from a cycle scheduled for that June.

* clydesdale villagers were furious with Scottish Water for spending £500,000 on a new chlorinated water supply for Elsrickle and Dolphinton without telling them about it. Elsrickle residents were miffed that the “inferior” option was replacing the existing natural spring water supply off the Pentland Hills, which they were more than happy with.

* airborne initiative staff spoke of their shocked and puzzled reaction to the Scottish Executive’s decision to scrap the project they passionately loved. Twenty-six employees, who had been based at Braidwood House, were frantically looking for new jobs after realising that the young offenders project was not going to be saved.

* OVERTON Farm owner Willie Young was preparing to stage Clydesdale’s first point-to-point horse race meeting for four years. A thrilling eight-race steeplechase card was scheduled for the Crossford venue on Saturday, March 27, four years since Lanark Racecourse had hosted the area’s last point-to-point meeting.

* lanark rally ace Alister McRae would be heading off to the land of sombreros and tacos for his next assault on the FIA World Championship of Production Cars. Subaru Impreza driver McRae, a member of the Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) Rally Team, would contest the Corona Rally, Mexico, from March 12 to 14. This was a new event in the rally season’s calendar.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

* glasgow band Deacon Blue was giving away its only gold disc – and the lucky recipient would be a pupil at Carluke High School. The school’s principal teacher of guidance, Lorna Chapman, had approached the band’s lead singer Ricky Ross and asked if they would donate something which could be raffled to raise money for Comic Relief. And the whole school was delighted when Ricky handed over the gold disc.

* sports commentator Archie MacPherson visited Carluke’s Caledonian Bar to break open a charity bottle for owner Walter McGowan. A total of £108.77 was collected and this was matched by local businessman Sam McFadyen, which meant that the Mill Road sheltered housing complex would benefit by £217.54.

* a £10,000 interest-free loan had boosted Biggar Rugby Club’s hopes of completing a major new clubhouse development before the start of the following season. The cash aid from Clydesdale District Council would assist construction of the clubhouse at the town’s Hartree pitches, in a project costing a total of £82,000.

* a new “custom designed” Masonic Hall was to be built in the Upper Ward village of Kirkmuirhill. Permission for the hall, which would include a lodge room, lounge and bar, kitchen and stores, was granted to Lodge Nethan St. John 1289.

* strathclyde Regional Council Education (Services) sub-committee agreed to increase the charge for school meals from 64p to 67p. The increase would take effect from Monday, April 10. Councillor James Burns said: “The increase takes account of the likely effect of inflation.”

* lesmahagow juniors reached the OVD Scottish Junior Cup quarter-finals with a dramatic 3-2 victory at Dalry Thistle in what was a topsy turvy clash. ’Gow trailed twice in the match before an 89th minute headed goal by lanky midfielder Duncan Sinclair secured their place in the last eight of the tournament for the first time in 12 years. ’Gow’s other goals at a muddy Merksworth Park were scored by Sinclair and Jim Lennon.

* law and District AAC notched a national title when the club’s junior boys team raced to victory in the Scottish Cross-Country Championships at Hawick. Led home by Mark McKeever in fifth spot, the young Law team upstaged their more fancied rivals to lift the trophy and gold medal with a fine team performance.