Following the success of the Inaugural Lanark Lanimer Trail Races held during last year's Lanimer Week at Lanark Racecourse and the Lanark Loch Area, South Lanarkshire Leisure and Cultural Services and the Lanark Lanimer Committee are once again organising a Trail Race for two prestigious trophies on the eve of Lanark Lanimer Day, Wednesday 6 June at the Lanark Racecourse which hosted the first ever Scottish Cross Country Championships in March 1986.

A Good Course for Runners

This is an excellent Trail Race course of less than three miles for Male, Female, and Junior Runners which starts on the Racecourse and proceeds around the paths in the wooded area of Lanark Racecourse, proceeding on to the path at Lanark Loch taking the runners back on to the Racecourse and a mile run round the course which used to attract many of the top racing horses from throughout the UK to the prestigious Lanark Silver Bell in addition to hosting many Cross Country Meetings, Athletic Events and Fun Runs.

Runners Competing for Historic Trophies

The two trophies are the extremely valueable the Glasgow and Edinburgh Lanimer Cups. Both Cups were first competed for over 120 years ago, The Edinburgh Lanimer Cup although inscribed as the Edinburgh Lanark Cup was presented by the natives of Lanark residents in Edinburgh on the 6 June 1889 to be competed annually at the Lanark Lanimer Sports which were held at Lanark Racecourse on the 6 June the exact date of this years Trail Race exactly 122 years ago.

The Glasgow Lanimer Cup was presented the following year by the natives of Lanark and Vicinity resident in Glasgow on 12 June 1890 for a half mile foot race for annual competition on Lanimer Day.

Both Trophies were competed for annually at the Racecourse until the closure of stands and restaurants in 1994. Last year the Historic trophies returned for the Trail Race as part of the Lanark Lanimer Lowland Games at the Racecourse which will once again be held this year for children in the Lanark area however this year on the Tuesday afternoon of the Diamond Jubilee.

The Trail Race project will once again however be held on the eve of Lanimer Day, 6 June as highlighted above and the project is open to all Athletes, Fun Runners and joggers Male and Female of all standards in addition to the Junior event for Under 16 years of age runners. All are welcome to participate in this Trail Race/ Fun Run and for the better runners and joggers the opportunity to compete for the prestigious historic Cups and other excellent prizes and the Fun Runners for a special participation medal and the opportunity to come along and enjoy a run through the scenic route in and around the Lanark Racecourse.

Click here for entry form.

The recent Charity Dance Show, It's A Doll's World held over three evenings in Greyfriars Church, Lanark which featured 169 girls and one boy was a fantastic success with excellent entertainment for the 800 spectators in attendance. Celia was delighted with the performances from the youngsters who displayed their dancing talents to the audience in this sell out project. In addition to the successful show the great news is that £6000 was raised from this recent project and it has recently been announced who the recipients were.

Action Medical Research received an excellent donation of £1200 and The Breast Care Endowment Fund were presented with £800. Five local organisations also received kind donations of £800 each. Lanark Friends of Guiding, Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme at Lanark Grammar School, Friends of Lockhart Hospital, Cargill House Club and Clydesdale Befrienders. Congratulations to Celia and all those who helped her prior, during and after the show and to all those who contributed one way or other to the income generation project which has been donated to the above mentioned projects.

The Lanark Lanimer Committee has received a kind donation of a female mascot to keep the popular Lanimer Larry company on Lanimer Day. The new female mascot which will be suitably dressed for the occasion when she makes her Lanimer debut on the 7 June and a name competition is being held to give the new mascot an appropriate name prior to her Lanimer Day debut. There will be an excellent prize to the individual who nominates the selected name and Lanimer Committee Chairman Millar Stoddart looks forward to Primary School pupils suggesting an appropriate name for the new mascot. Entry information should include the suggested name of the mascot and Name, home address of the person suggesting the name. Entries to be forwarded to.
 

Mr Leslie Reid,
Secretary,
Lanark Lanimer Committee,
25, Bloomgate,
Lanark.
ML11 9ET
Competition closing date is Monday, 21 May 2012. 

With their league programme completed Lanark United's only remaining interest was the D&D Programmes, Central League Cup. Following excellent results in previous rounds with victories over Rossvale and Dunipace. Lanark United travelled to Glasgow Perthshire for a quarter final match hoping to keep their season alive. Lanark had a disappointing first half and were on the defensive throughout the first 45 minutes and Perthshire took  a well deserved two goal lead and could have possibly added to their tally. Lanark did receive a boost towards the end of the first half reducing the deficit.

In the second half Lanark created a good number of opportunities andwere unlucky not to equalise on a few occasions.Unfortunately however Lanark ran out of ideas and Perthshire had a chance to increase their lead when they were awarded a penalty however Hyslop made a good save. Despite this boost Lanark were unable to threaten the Perthshire goal and the referee whistled to end the game and Lanark United's disappointingseason. Lanark now await results from throughout the West of Scotland within the next week to see if they can avoid relegation.

Team Hyslop, Renwick, Mushet, Walker, Gow, Marriott, Rankin Docherty, McFadden, Seenan, McDougal (Ronald)

Lanark United requiring points in their final league game of the season to give themselves a chance of avoiding relegation, played at home on Wednesday evening in front of perhaps their best crowd of the year against Shotts Bon Accord a team who are having a great season. Lanark as they did on Saturday against got off to a great start and won a penalty after only four minutes when Marriott was brought down in the box. Marriott himself took the kick which was saved by Murdoch however Marriott netted the rebound. Lanark went on to double their lead when McFadden tapped in following a Gower corner.

Shotts with their recent busy schedule were having difficulty in finding their excellent form and when Tullis raced on to a back pass and chipped the goalkeeper the Lanark supporters were finding the result hard to believe, three up against Shotts in the opening 35 minutes. The visitors quickly replied to this goal with a goal from Sideserf to reduce the deficit. Just prior to the interval Lanark lost concentration and allowed former Lanark United player Stefan McCluskey to reduce the home team's lead with an excellent right footed drive from outside the box following a mazy run. Immediately following the goal the referee blew for half time and despite going off trailing by a single goal Shotts went off for the break the happier team. Shotts started the second half as Lanark did the first and were awarded a penalty and McCluskey levelled the scores with his well taken spot kick. Lanark were now under pressure and ten minutes later Shotts completed their comeback with a goal from Scott in 59 minutes. Lanark tried hard for an equaliser however could not find a way through a Shotts defence which was now well organised and the visitors looked  more dangerous and could have increased their lead.

To complete Lanark United's disappointment Gow was sent off following a second booking. Mark Reid was once again in attendance and on this occasion he would like to select a formar Lanark United player as his Man of the Match, Stefan McCluskey. The future of Lanark United's involvement in this prestigious league now rests on the outcome of other clubs' remainimg matches.

The Lanark team was Barnes, Renwick, Mushett, Walker, Gow, Rankin, Ronald, (Docherty) Cuthill, McFadden, Tullis, Marriott.

With four teams to be relegated the current league positions in the relegation area are as detailed below.

                                                       Played                 Points
LANARK UNITED                                26                        33
Ardrossan Winton Rovers                    24                        31
Hurlford                                                25                        31
Shotts Bon Accord                               15                        30
Girvan                                                  24                        30
East Kilbride                                         23                        30
Dalry Thistle                                         25                         7

Shotts can be discounted in this relegation end of the league, in fact this good Shotts squad could still be the league champions .. Hurlford play their final game at home against Shotts. Ardrossan have two games remaining also against Shotts and the current second team in the league Kilsyth Rangers. Girvan also have to play Shotts away from home and Renfrew at home. East Kilbride have three games remaining against Shotts, Glenafton and Renfrew. 

The current situation at the top of the league is as detailed below

                                                            Played                    Points
Glenafton                                                   23                         48
Kilsyth Rangers                                         23                         42
Renfrew                                                     23                         41

Final preparations are under way for a full day of entertainment for The Queen's Diamond Jubilee in Lanark on Tuesday 5 June 2012. The Lanimer Committee has put together a wide and varied impressive programme of activities catering for everyone from tots to grannies.

THE SINGING KETTLE

The morning starts with a performance from the well known children's performance from the Singing Kettle in Greyfriars Church commencing at 10.30am. Tickets are £8 and much in demand however earlier this week there was still a number of tickets available from Fringes Hair Salon, in Lanark High Street. Come Inside the Singing Kettle and enjoy the show.

60 GLORIOUS YEARS OF LANIMERS ON DISPLAY

If you are happy just to be relaxing on this Diamond Jubilee Day take a wander down the High Street and drop into the Tolbooth, where 60 Glorious Years of Lanimers will be on display. This will be a pictorial exhibition featuring Lanimer entries from 1952 to 2011 and includes images of Lanimer Queens, Courts and, of course Lord Cornets over the Elizabethan period. Viewing will be from 11.00am to 4.00pm and the Display will also be open at the same time on Monday and Wednesday of Lanimer Week.

FLORAL ART DISPLAY and SELECTION of LANIMER HATS

Her Majesty the Queen has over sixty years worn hats of many colours shapes and sizes. So too have the Lanimer Crowning Ladies and in Celebration of the Diamond Jubilee and thirty years since the formation of the Crowning Ladies Circle, a selection of Lanimer hats set in floral displays, provided by Lanark Floral Art Club, will be on display in St Nicholas Church on Tuesday 5 June from 1.30pm until 4.00pm. At the Display there will be an opportunity to test your memory skills by entering a competition to name The Lady who wore the hat and the year it was worn.

SENIOR CITIZEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE LUNCH

At St Mary's Church Club Rooms and St Nicholas Church Hall there will be the Diamond Jubilee Lunch for Seniors commencing at 12.30. Tickets for the Lunch which will be free will be available on a first come, first served basis. The distribution of Jubilee Lunch tickets will be held within the Tolbooth, Lanark on Friday 18 May commencing at 10.00am. There will be no pre booking and there will be a maximum of 4 tickets per applicant. Names and Addresses for those receiving tickets will be required, so expect a queue. A maximum number of four tickets will be available to each individual. Following the Lunch there will be an afternoon of Celebration and Entertainment at St Mary,s Church Piazza where there will be time for a seat and chat in addition to the Musical Entertainment. This will be open to all interested Senior Citizens.

CHILDRENS' AFTERNOON AT RACECOURSE.

In the afternoon at Lanark Racecourse  commencing at 2.00pm there will be Childrens Sports and an Afternoon of Activities. There will be Races, Fun and Games for the Children. Football Skills, Street Football 5-a-Side games, Penalty Kick Competitions and Dancing Displays.

S1-S4 TEENAGERS DIAMOND JUBILEE S1--S4  DISCO

The Disco will be held in Images, Wellgate, Lanark and will be for the S1 to S4 age group and the cost of entry will be £3.

OVER 18s GIG WITH LOCAL BAND

An event catering for OVER 18s age group will be a Gig featuring the group Peacock
Waters and this will be held in the Clydesdale Inn with an entry fee of £5.00
payable at the Door.

LANIMER EQUESTRIAN RIDE OUT

The traditional Lanimer Ride Out will also be held on the Diamond Jubilee Day, being transferred from the traditional Wednesday Evening to the Tuesday and will commence at 4.30pm commencing at Lanark Cross. Further details will given later this month. For Riders, Horses and ponies participating in the Ride there will be the Traditional Lanimer Horse Racing at the Racecourse towards the end of the ride for those riders and horses which have supported the Ride Out.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Further details of any of the above projects can be obtained by phoning Tel 01555 662809 or 01555 664235.

Lanark United travelled to Ayrshire on Saturday in search of another three points in their fight against relegation from the Stagecoach West of Scotland Super League First Division. Saturday's league match took them to Dalry Thistle semi finalists in last years Scottish Cup. Lanark played well in the first half and had most of the possession in the first half testing the Dalry defence, however the home team could have gone in at half time with a lead following a good chance, however the home attacker headed over the bar in front of an open goal following a good cross.just minutes from half time.

Following the goal less first half, Lanark started the second half well and frequently tested the Dalry defence. Marriott opened the scoring for Lanark puting away his own rebound after a good pass from McFadden split the Dalry defence. This goal gave Lanark a half time lead and some hope for another three points. Lanark started the second half reasonably well although they were not taking their chances and there was a fear Dalry could score against the run off play.
Lanark eventually scored a second  goal through Walker heading home a rebound following a Tullis shot being cleared off the line. The game had no more goals and Lanark were delighted to win the game. Mark Reid's Man of the Match was Marriot.

The Lanark team on Saturday was, Barnes ,Renwick, Walker, Mushet, Gow, Marriot, Rankin, Cuthill, McFadden, Tullis (McDougall) Seenan (Fletcher)

On Wednesday evening Lanark are at home against league leaders Kilsyth Rangers, Both teams looking for important points and it should be a great match and a good response from the Lanark supporters will be extremely welcome. Kick Off is 19.00 hours.

In addition the fundraising tearoom provides an ideal opportunity to come along and see St Nicholas’s recently re-furbished Church Hall. Over the past few weeks the transformation internally in the main hall has been astounding. With a new ceiling, sound system, screen projector, floor renovation, stained glass window renovation, renovation of the stage and woodwork, re-decoration and new heating system being undertaken. The main hall now feels lighter, bigger and a much more welcoming environment. The new main hall is now a facility that we can all be extremely proud of, and which will be ideal for hosting community events, shows and concerts. Come along and see for yourselves !

On Saturday 5th St Nicholas and St Marys Churches are having a joint fundraising Tearoom to raise some additional funds towards the Jubilee Celebration lunch and afternoon entertainment that they are organising for the over 60s in the local Lanark Community. There will be lots of good home baking and very reasonably priced refreshments. All contributions welcome and it should be a great occasion to come along with friends to support this important forthcoming Community event.

The Lanark Lanimer Committee is actively involved in coordinating a day of events as part of the Queen's  Diamond Jubilee Day of Celebration on Tuesday 5 June. The Day will start with the popular Childrens entertainers The Singing Kettle who are doing a special Lanark performance outwith their current Scottish Tour. The venue will be Greyfriars Church and will commence at 10.30am. It should be noted that this Singing Kettle Show will be an all ticket project and they are currently being sold at Fringes Hair Salon in the High Street of Lanark. Over twelve events have been organised and full details of the programme will be annouced soon.

Earlier this week lanark.co.uk reported on the news that Lanark Rugby Club on Saturday 21 April won the West of Scotland Division 4 League Championship. This article gives additional information of the title winning match against Mid Argyll which was transferred to Oban as the home team's ground in Lochgilphead was not available due to agricultural reasons. Lanark got off to a fantastic start with two tries in the first fifteen minutes coming from Euan Scott and Steve McKeown.

This great start settled the Lanark team and before half time the champions elect added to the score with two penalties from Ian Hughes which helped Lanark to a 18 - 3 lead at half time. Graeme McNicol who has kindly provided details for the match reports over the last few months informed us that in the first half Lanark did well in the set pieces with their scrummaging dominant although over eagerness had prevented the Lanark team from hitting top form. Shortly after half time the Championship title chances looked good, McKeown scored his second try, an excellent solo effort from Marcus Fraser really clinched the title as an opposition front row player received an injury and could not continue. The Lochgilphead team had no substitutes and as a result they could only continue if scrums became un-contested.

With the pressure off the set scrums the Mid Argyll powerful back row started to dominate play and scored three converted tries to bring them back into the game. McKeown however with a third try of the game greatly helped the situation and gave Lanark a 37 to 24 points advantage. With only 8 minutes remaining Lanark's Iain Hughes incurred an injury to his arm which required a hospital visit for treatment. A liitle anxiety went through the Lanark team for the remainder of the game, however there was no more scoring and at the full time whistle the Lanark team enjoyed their League Championship Celebrations which were well earned and fully deserved. Hughes who has had an excellent season got out of hospital in time for celebrations and the Bus journey home. On the 5 May at Lanark Racecourse the Lanark team will play their final game of the season and perhaps this will be a good opportunity for the official presentation of the Championship Trophy.

lanark.co.uk would like to congratulate the club and its players for this successful season and it has been good to follow the teams progress to the title during the last 4 or 5 months.

For the second consecutive year Lanark Rugby Club has won a RBS, Scottish West Regional League Championship the Division Four title. On Saturday 21 April in Lochgilphead, Lanark defeated Mid Argyll by 37 points to 24. During the 2012/12 season which commenced in September Lanark have only lost one game, the first match of the season away to Moffat by 23 points to 8.

In Saturdays match the Mid Argyll team who have not had a good season played one of their best games of the season . A full report of the match to follow in the meantime Lanark.co.uk congratulate Lanark Rugby on this success.

Lanark United who have won four of their last five games in their fight against relegation travelled on Saturday to New Cumnock, Ayrshire to play Glenafton for the second time in one month.The previous match was in the West of Scotland Cup, with Lanark losing on penalty kicks. Earlier in the season the teams shared the league points at Moor Park and on this occasion the contest was also for league points which in this match were more important to Lanark needing valueable points to avoid relegation.

Lanark started quite brightly and a Tullis header just went wide of the target. Unfortunately however Lanark went one down after ten minutes, a cross from the right wing reached the 6 yard box and McKenzie from the home side pipped Lanark defender Renwick to the ball and headed home the opening goal. Midway through the first half Glenafton went further ahead from a free kick from 25 yards. Before half time Lanark had a goal disallowed wrongly for offside and overall it was a disappointing first half for Lanark. At the start of the second half extremely heavy rain made ground conditions very soft and created a trecherous slippy playing surface. Lanark however became the better team and with twenty minutes to go a Marriot header from from a Renwick cross reduced the deficit. Lanark went on to dominate the remainder of the game and creating good chances and during this spell they hit the woodwork on three occasions and having a good penalty claim turned down in the last minute of the game. So despite a good second half Lanark left with no points. Mark Reid's Man of the Match was Rankin.

Team, Barnes, Renwick, Mushet, Walker, Gow, Rankin, Ronald, Cuthill, McFadden, ( Seenan) Marriott, Tullis.

Lanark United's fight against relegation continues on Wednesday evening with a match away to Renfrew which will commence at 18.45. Another away match awaits Lanark on Saturday at Dalry where the home team will be looking for a rare victory.

On Saturday 21 April several of the other relegation threatened teams also suffered defeats, bottom team Dalry Thistle lost 3-1 away to Thorniewood. Rutherglen Glencairn were also playing away from home and they lost to Renfrew. Girvan lost away from home against Cumbernauld who were the only team in the relegation area to record a victory.

The 2012 competitive golf season is now under way at Lanark Golf Club and lanark.co.uk is delighted to report that we will be giving details of the success of Lanark golfers during the season through our golf coverage. In addition we hope to give details of the various team results and progress during the various league competitions featuring Ladies, Gents, Juniors and Seniors.

The first Gents Medal of the new season was on Thursday 05 April when 85 golfers participated and the net scoring of the winner was low, Sam Carson playing of a handicap of (7) recorded a 64 to win by one stroke from Eddie Poyner (12) who had an excellent score of 65. Two players returned net scores of 69, Eric Ralston (13) and Eddie Motley.(6) The C.S.S for the competition was 71.

The first Saturday Monthly Medal attracted 189 players over the three Gents categories with many well known names on the leaderboard. Jim Boyd playing of a handicap of three won the First Class section with a net score of 67 to pip another three handicap player Neil Turner by one stroke. Two players recorded a net score of 69, G Riddell (7) and S Clazey (4)

A 67 was also the best net score in the 2nd Class section scored by Algie Frame (9) who won by a stroke with Fraser Lyttle (12), David Moffat (10) and Fraser Collins (10) recording a score of 68.

In the 3rd Class category Robert Gibson (19) scored a net 70 to win by a shot from P Russell (21) and D Campbell(17) Hole in One. The first hole in one of the competitive season was recorded in this Saturday Medal by Graeme Riddell at the 10th Hole. The C.S.S. in this medal was 72.

On the 22 March lanark.co.uk did an article on Lanark based Glenmuir the Internationally known golf clothing company which proved to be an interesting insight into one of Europes' leading golf clothing companies.

Glenmuir are delighted to team up with lanark.co.uk over the 2012 golf season offering a lanark.co.uk reader the opportunity to win a Glenmuir sweater and shirt each month The international high quality garments will be contested for through a Golf quiz and three questions will be given each month.

The first three questions for the April prize are given below and answers along with name, address and telephone should be forwarded to the following e.mail address, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) no later than Monday 30 April. The winner will be announced on lanark.co.uk on Tuesday 1st May.

Question One
   
Glenmuir was involved as the official shirt and knitwear supplier to the Ryder Cup Team in 1987. Who was the Captain of the European Team?

Question Two

In 2010 Glenmuir announced a historic agreement to become the official European Distributor for which World Class Weatherwear Golf Company?

Question Three

Can you give the name of a Lanarkian who played in the Ryder Cup and who was also a Ryder Cup Captain?

I look forward to our readers participating in this competition.