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D.A.G.S. [Dementia/Alzheimers group support] The next meeting of this voluntary group  for service users and /or carers is on Friday 20th April 1-3pm in the Bridge community cafe Lanark. Please feel free to drop in or should you require further information please phone 01555665675 or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

CBG Mentoring and Befriending support vulnerable people in the Clydesdale area. We are in Lanark High Street on Saturday 14th and Saturday 21st April with a Barrow(stall) selling local Clydesdale produce! Our aim is to eventually open a community shop which will keep the project sustainable,  provide employment for vulnerable people in the area as well as highlighting the wares of local producers. To do this we need the community to support the products that we offer so please, try our local produce and tell us what you think! 10am - 2pm @the Provost's Lamp!

At the final meeting of the South Lanarkshire Council, Clydesdale Area
Committee before the forthcoming Council Elections many organisations
within Lanark were recently awarded financial grants.
The successful Lanark organisations are detailed below.

£450         Stanmore Adventure Holiday Group, Lanark ( Activity Weekend)
£450         The Little Haven, Supper Group, Lanark. ( Publicity, Outing & Entrance Fees)
£450         Lanark & District Archaeological Society.

£400         Lanark, Clydesdale Crime Prevention  ( for materials)
£400         Lanark in Bloom,                              ( for materials)
£400         Friends of Volunteering, Lanark.         ( materials)
£400         Lanark Air Training Corps Squadron    ( equipment)
£400         Fellowship Group of St Nicholas Parish Church           ( transport & materials)
£400         Lanark Community Development Development Trust. ( equipment & materials)

£350         Lanark Breast Care Group    ( transport costs & materials)
£350         Girl Guiding, Lanark.            ( Outing)

£300         Lanark Bowling Club              ( equipment )
£300         Music in Lanark                     ( equipment)
£300         Society of St Vincent de Paul.  ( materials)
                St Mary's Church, Lanark        ( materials)

£250         St Mary's Church Social Club   ( outing & entrance fees )
£250         Lanark & District U3A             ( outing & entrance fees )

£200         Lanark Art Club.                     ( entrance fees & printing costs )

Funding opportunities are available for holidays at Kielder.

Courtesy of Scottish Disability Sport I have pleasure in bringing information of this opportunity to our Lanark website. Anyone requiring additional information please telephone 01434 250232. Millar Stoddart

Several weeks ago through Lanark.co.uk I was delighted to report that well known Lanark Dance teacher Celia Orr had been invited to Australia for the Australian Commonwealth Dance Championships. Celia is now back home busy in her School od Dancing in Lanark however detailed below is her report of the Australian experience

Miss Celia Orr was invited by the Victorian Scottish Dancing Members Association Inc, to Melbourne Australia for the Australian Commonwealth Championship on 18th February 2012, with a workshop, and lectures to dancers and teachers on Sunday 19th February.

"It was a wonderful trip with approximately 90 dancers taking part from as far away as New Zealand, Tasmania and Queensland as well as more local areas (within 1,000 miles). The standard of dancing was very good over all age groups with several dancers having already made the long trip over to Scotland with lots more hoping to do so this year and in the future.

It was lovely to meet up with Cheryl Roach from Sydney, one of the other judges with me.  We both danced in the final of the Adult World Championship in 1972 at Cowal..

The kindness and hospitality shown to us was wonderful.  The organiser was a marvellous lady called Mrs Nancy Kennedy, a pioneer formerly from Dunbarton over 50 years ago, and a founder member of the Australian Official Board of Highland Dancing.  She organised a special 8 course chinese banquet on the Friday night and I was guest of honour at the after Championship dinner held on the Saturday night with 26 invited officials. My husband Eddie & I had a wonderful evening and enjoyed their kind hospitality.

Although it was a short trip Eddie and I managed 2 days sight seeing around Melbourne, meeting up with family and spending time with Eddie’s brother Bill & his wife in their beautiful coastal home in McRae on the Mornington Peninsula.

I have now recovered from the jet lag and preparing for Show 2012, followed by Highland & Islands Music & Dance festival in Oban, the Lanimer Championship and Marches night display at the Cross".

Millar Stoddart until recently Community Recreation Manager of South Lanarkshire Leisure and Cultural Services would like to bring this Special Swimathon Project to the Lanark.co.uk. Lanark Lifestyles are currently bidding to be top in Scotland for this project and Millar appreciates this opportunity to promote the Swimathon in Lanark and looks forward to the Lanark residents supporting this excellent Lifestyles project. Anyone requiring additional information should contact Lindsey Leeper the Swim Officer at Lanark Lifestyles, Tel 01555 666800.

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The Annual Lanarkshire Business Awards Ceremony was held recently at Shawlands Park Hotel, Larkhall and Lanark companies received a big percentage of the ten awards.

This small town of Lanark received 40% of the Awards and LANARK.CO.UK would like to congratulate the following category winners.
 

Enterprise Third Sector Award (sponsored by Healthy Working Lives)

Winners   Clydesdale Community Initiatives

Photograph ( left to right)

(Des Clarke, Ron Waddell (chairman) Gordon King,(CCI Participant) and Hugh Sweeney, Corporate Lead for Healthy Lives in Lanarkshire)

An organisation set up in 2002 to help young disadvantaged people. It is a registered charity working with approximately 30 participants. The Managing Director Niall Shannon said CCI are not only providing quality projects but providing training and personal development projects. The company is well known in Lanark for many special projects in addition they take on private and public jobs.

Lanarkshire Leisure and Tourism Award (Sponsored by Lanarkshire Area Tourism Partnership)

Winners   New Lanark Mill Hotel

Photograph (left to right)

(Des Clarke, John Stirrat, General Manager with Mark Calpin, Chair of Lanarkshire Area Tourism Partnership.)

A 38 bedroom hotel set in stunning surroundings within the UNESCOWorld Heritage Site and facilities include  a restaurant, health and fitnessclub and banqueting and conference facilities. The Hotel which is owned by the New Lanark Trust is one of the top listed hotels in Lanarkshire. The Hotel is managed by Mr John Stirrat.

Lanarkshire Food and Drink Award (Sponsored by Shawlands Park Hotel)

Winners   Border Biscuits

Photograph (left to right)

(Des Clarke, Dee Scott, COO; Nicola Hainey, Technical Director, Caryl Hamilton. Financial Director and Robert Kyle, owner of the Shawlands Hotel)

This Lanark Company continues to build on their 25 years experience and with staff employed from the local area they produce award winning biscuits. The company strive to ensure the best quality recipes and unrivalled depth of flavour across its range. The speciality however is certainly their dark chocolate ginger biscuit, their best selling product which is giving record sales and is the countrys favourite chocolate biscuit.

Excellence in People Development. (Sponsored by Lanarkshire Colleges Consortium)

Winners   GP Plantscape

Photograph ( left to right)

(Des Clarke, Alison Gilchrist, Director and Martin McGuire, Principal, Cumbernauld College)

The growth of this business has been exceptional since it was first set up 15 years ago with, with ,a newly implemented training programme, The GP Way improving customer service to a new high level. Although the Head Office is in Kirkfieldbank the company also has depots in Newcastle, Manchester, Aberdeen and Fife. The Compere for the evening was Des Clarke the Radio and Television personality.

Mrs Anne Brooks of the well known Lanark business of Brooks Ladies and Gents Fashions in the High Street of Lanark has been invited by the Lanimer Committee to be the 2012 Sashing Lady when she will sash the new Lord Cornet Stuart Wilson at Lanark Cross during Lanimer week on the evening of Monday 4 June.

The Sashing Lady from the prominent Lanark, High Street Shops has for many decades helped so many Lanark Organisations, Churches and Charities in the raising of funds over many decades and continues to do so by organising popular and successful Fashion Shows.

Anne has been involved in a personal way over the years with many organisations within the Town such as the local Business and Professional Womens Club and the Lanark Speakers Club with spells in various Office Bearer positions.

The 2012 Sashing Lady who is a great supporter of Cancer Care and Cancer Research has cooperated greatly with the displaying of Lanimer Court Dresses in her shop window for a lengthy period.

Following the announcement of the appointment at Wednesday evening's meeting of the Lanimer Committee, Chairman Millar Stoddart, Vice Chairman, last years Sashing Lady Rosalind McConnell ,2012 Crowning Lady Joy Reilly Lord Cornet Elect Stuart Wilson, Vice Chairman Loraine Swan and Former Sylvia Russell were in the group which visited Mrs Brooks to officially invite her to be this years Sashing Lady.

Lanimer Entrants' Meeting takes place on Tuesday,6th March at 7.30pm at the Woodpecker,lanark. We will welcome regular and new entrants for this year's Lanimer Procession

Lodge Old St John 21 Lanark , Lanark's Masonic Lodge , which currently meets in Ravenstruther hall , are aiming this coming year to re invigorate its charity works within Lanark Town and its surroundings.

Right Worshipful Master Andy Wilson is inviting any group working on charitable causes within the Lanark Area to send an outline of their activities to the lodge so that consideration for future support can be considered by the lodge's general committee.

Andy said : "At this stage we would like to know which causes are in need of support within the Town . This will allow us to plan out our charitable work for the forthcoming year and beyond, and allow us to set ourselves support and  financial targets as appropriate.

Direct bids for funding are not being invited at this time and it is not envisaged that we would operate our charity works on that basis given that we are a small self funded organisation.

We are however keen to hear from groups within the town who are in need of support for good causes."

Please contact me directly at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). '

For further information about the Lodge and links to information about the charitable work of Freemasonry in Scotland visit our lodge Web Site at www.oldstjohn21lanark.co.uk

Foundry One's Andrew Wallace the producer of recent Lanimer DVDs has confirmed following recent enquiresthat the following Lanimer DVDs are available for purchase.


2011   Copies of the 2011 are available from WH Smith,
          High Street, Lanark.
          This is a 3-disc DVD set containing coverage of
          Lanimer Day, The Lanimer Queens Reception,
          The Lanimer evening spectacular at Lanark Cross
          including Beating Retreat with the Band of the Royal
          Regiment of Scotland.
          Lanark on Marches Night is also included.
          Cost £15

2010   A 3 disc DVD set containing Lanimer Day coverage,
          Lanimer Queen's Reception and bonus footage from
          Marches Night and Procession Preparation.
          Cost £12.50

2009   A 3 disc DVD set containing Lanimer Day coverage,
          Lanimer Queen's Reception and footage from Marches
          Night and Procession Preparation.
          Cost £12.50

2008   A 2 disc DVD set containing Lanimer Day coverage and
          Lanimer Queen's Reception.
          Cost £12.50.

Orders for the above DVDs can be obtained online at www.lanimerdvd.com. For Further information contact Andy Wallace at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Telephone (01555) 678092

The New Lanark Mill Hotel was the venue on Friday 3 February for the 94th Annual Dinner of The Guildry of Lanark. Following a warm welcome by The Dean, James Moynagh, the Rev Susan Durham of the Lanark EU Congregational Church said Grace

Members and guests including Lord Lieutenant Mushtaq Ahmad OBE and Provost Russell Clearie, MBE enjoyed a four course meal which was followed by the Toast-- '' THE QUEEN'' Following the interval there was a programme of interesting speakers.

The Toast to The Guildry of Lanark was given by Charles McKean, Professor Scottish Architectural History, Dundee University. The Professor is Chairman of the Board of Edinburgh World Heritage Trust and for six years architecture critic of The Times newspaper.

Following Charles McKean's excellent Toast, local South Lanarkshire Councillor, George Sutherland gave a comprehensive Toast to The Town and Trade of The Royal Burgh of Lanark.

Talented Lanark musician and man of humour Douglas Semple entertained the gathering to contribute greatly to the evening.

Lord Cornet Dr Raul Mascarenhas completed the evening with the Vote of Thanks.

Well known Lanark Highland Dancing Teacher Celia Orr has recently been in demand  for a variety of International Dancing projects. In the Autumn Celia a former World Highland Dancing champion was invited to Judge the European Championships in Belgium. At the end of 2011 Celia was invited to be the guest international teacher for the BATD North American scholarships weekend held in Chicago with 180 dancers taking part from the United States and Canada.

Lectures in Australia

In February Celias' International projects continue with a trip to Melbourne, for the Australian Commonwealth Championships where she will play a prominent role in the judging. The trip will also include Celia giving lectures to teachers and judges.

40th Anniversary of Teaching

Later this year Celia who has been a resident of Lanark for 30 years will be celebrating 40 years of teaching dancing to thousands of youngsters.

Celia's Dance Studio is located at 33, Hope Street Lanark and anyone requiring additional information about Highland Dancing tuition and competitions can contact Celia at Tel 01555 663504.

Photograph by Davis Fanshawe

On Sunday evening of 29 January  over 100 people were at St Nicholas Church Hall for the Churches's annual Burns Supper. Ex Lord Cornet John Dickman piped in the haggis which was safely carried to its prominent position by Hugh Meikle to Walker Graham
who once again did an excellent and flawless Address to the Haggis.

Prior to a traditional supper of Haggis and Neeps, Scotch Broth and Steak Pie or a vegetarian option the Rev Alison Meikle said Grace.

Former Strathclyde traffic policeman Bob Dalziel, a past President of the Robert Burns World Federation delivered an outstanding Immortal Memory. This was followed with songs of Robert Burns sung delightfully by Margaret Kealey accompanied by pianist Roy Henderson.

Toast to The Lassies

Greyfriars Church member John Dickman gave a Toast to the Lassies with Dr Jill Murie giving an appropriate reply. St Nicholas Church Minister Rev Alison Meikle gave the Vote of Thanks in verse which was well received by the audience which enjoyed an excellent evening of Burns, Music and Humour. The evening was completed with the traditional singing of Auld Lang Syne. The Chairman for the Evening was once again Millar Stoddart.

Six Dancers from Lanark's Celia Orr School of Dancing were invited to the recent British Association of Teachers of Highland Dancing Scholarships. The dancers were Becki Gordon, Joanne Hall, Lauren Stewart and Sophie Graham in the Junior section. In the Senior section were Alex Rea and Robyn Struthers. Achieving top three positions were Becki Gordon, 3rd overall in the Junior section. Joanne Hall was runner up in Junior section written paper.

Right to left: Joanne, Lauren, Alex, Sophie, Becki

Lanark Highland dancer Kelly Louise  MacKinnon was invited by the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing to represent the National Governing Body in a visit to China to promote this popular Scottish activity. Kelly the Lanark Lanimers Lanarkshire Closed Championship winner in addition to the prestigious Lanimer Open Championship danced on China's Great Wall in addition to Taieniman Square and the famous Birds Nest Stadium. Kelly who was one of several Champion dancers selected for the visit, said the project was an unbelievable experience.

D.a.g.s ( dementia/alzheimers group support) is a newly formed group in Lanark which has been set up to give support to people suffering from Dementia and Alzheimers and their carers. The group meets the third Monday of every month in the Bridge Cafe, Lanark (opposite the railway station) commencing at 1.00pm. This will be an extremely good support group and anyone wishing additional information should phone Lanark (01555) 665675 or e-mail
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Special Meeting, Sunday 05 February 2012.

One of the prestigious golf events at Lanark during 2011 was the Gents Club Championship which was played over two rounds. In difficult conditions Scott Adams recorded scores of 70 and 72 for an aggregate score 142. This score was five strokes better than the Runner Up Alan Prentice who returned scores of 73 ad 74 for a total of 147. Two players shared third place on an aggregate score 148 Steven Nelson (76 & 72) the same aggregate score as Ken Cameron (75 and 73).

During the season there was a wide variety of competetions and the Roll of Honour was as detailed below.

If you care for a relative, friend or neighbour then why not come along to this new group.  This is an informal meeting where carers can get together with their local Carers Support Worker who can offer free help, support and information to Carers.

Starting on Monday the 27th February, this Group will take place on the last Monday of every month at the Nisbet Centre, 108 Raploch Street, Larkhall, ML9 1AJ from 2pm till 3.30pm.

For more information please contact Dian McFadden on 01698 428090 or 07881617852.