STRATHAVEN

ROUND 50

The Round Strathaven 50 (RS50) and 15 (RS15) Charity cycle will be held on August 18.

The RS50 is a challenging, fun cycle run ideal for both leisure and club cyclists following a route of 50 miles around the Strathaven area through the surrounding villages of Sandford, Glassford, Chapleton and Auldhouse.

The growing number of cyclists who take part see the 50 mile route as presenting them with a very worthwhile challenge.

The event has also achieved “fame” for the fantastic home baking available at the various village halls for those who want to make a quick “pit-stop”.

There is also the alternative and equally popular RS15, a 15 mile route for those who prefer a lesser but equally worthwhile challenge and is ideal for families with younger children.

The RS50 was held for the first time in 2002.

It has attracted an increasing number of participants each year, and to date has raised over £100,000 for the benefit of both the Strathaven Scouts and Guides and various charities including Health Help International, and Kasin.

As the event is organised by volunteers and costs are minimised this ensures that almost all the entry fee goes to charity.

Participants may choose donate more via an increased entry fee or to raise additional funds for the Charities through sponsorship (sponsor forms can be downloaded from the event website).

Registration wil take place at Strathaven Academy on Bowling Green Road.

Please note Bowling Green Road is very narrow and best avoided by cars.

Please allow plenty of time (minimum one hour) to park and register.

Registration opens from 8.30am. Enter the hall through main entrance. There is plenty space at the Academy for bikes.

Registration desks will be clearly identified by surname in alphabetical order for those entered via Entry Central.

There will be a separate desk for RS15 entry on the day.

Cyclists will be requested to congregate after registration on the grass areas at the Lethame Road side of Kirklandpark School (same location as previous years).

Marshalls and signage will indicate route from Strathaven Academy.

Please do not congregate on the road prior to start as this is an open road. Marshalls will call cyclists from holding area a few minutes before the start.

Both the 50 and the 15 mile routes will start from Lethame Road at the Kirklandpark School entrance as previous years.

A stretch of Lethame Road will be closed for a short period to allow for the mass starts at 10am for 50 mile route and 1pm for 15 mile route.

Rear entrance to Strathaven Academy in Crawford Street (ML10 6AE) located about 150m beyond right turn to previous years’ finish.

Please take care when turning right into Crawford Street.

On completion of your cycle please return your number to the registration desks at Strathaven Academy so that we know you have returned.

The closing date for entries is August 11.

CAMERA CLUB

The Strathaven Camera Club Print Exhibition is now showing in the corridor of the Avondale Community Wing.

Now that there is a suitable and safe hanging system installed we have our winning prints being exhibited for the community to see.

We hope they willl be there for the next two or three weeks.

Also remember that it is the camera clubs 70th anniversary this year and the club is holding a photography competition. It has three sections primary school, secondary school and adult and is open to anyone who lives, works, attends a school in the ML10 postcode area and current camera club members.

Download the entry form and rules from the clubs website.

CHURCH OPEN DAY

The open day of the former East Parish Church will be held on Sunday, July 21 from 1pm until 4pm.

CS Homes have decided to hold a collection for the Macmillan nurses and put our event to good use.

We kindly ask that if you attend our event that you donate whatever you can as a good will gesture.

All visitors will be asked to remove their shoes to protect the new floor coverings from stains and scratches.

We will provide shoe protectors to anyone who can’t remove their shoes easily.

Please no Stiletto heels as we don’t want the brand new floors damaged.

We also ask that no young children come to the event, we are relying on all participants to act appropriately and considerately.

We are looking forward to seeing everyone’s reactions to all our hard work.

BEER FESTIVAL

The annual Strathaven Beer Festival will take place on Saturday, August 3, 2019 from 12 noon to 8pm at the Scout and Guide Hall.

CREATIVE STRATHAVEN

This month’s Creative Social and Cake and Make are on as normal so make sure you come and join us if you’re free. Despite a reduced schedule over the summer, the Creative Social will run on Wednesday, July 17, from 7pm-9pm at the The Waterside.

The Cake and Make is on Saturday, July 20, from 2pm TO 4pm at Strathaven Library.

FOLK FESTIVAL

The opening event at Strathaven Folk Festival will be held on Friday, July 26 in the Festival Folk Club in The Drumclog Inn.

The special guests are the terrific SKIRLIE, with opening support from master of mirth and old friend of Strathaven Folk Festival , Mr. Davy Lees. £5 admission (paid on entry).

AGRICULTURAL SHOW

The 2019 show will be held on September 7.

COMEDY CLUB

If you were at our festival closing show you would’ve seen Ray Bradshaw perform a fantastic short set. He is back in Strathaven performing his full fringe show alongside Susie McCabe on the July 25.

Delighted to see a fair few tickets have already sold for the show.

This event is also a fundraiser for the town mill so we are pushing for a sell out to help the volunteers continue to make the town mill one of the best wee theatres in the country.

Tickets are just £10, available from www.seetickets.com/go/ strathavencomedy

BALLOON FESTIVAL RAFFLE

Strathaven Balloon Festival 20th Anniversary Event - Friday, August 23 to Sunday, August 25.

The festival now attracts pilots and visitors from all over Europe with over 25,000 spectators attending over the weekend.

What will you win? Dinner, bed and breakfast, for two people, at the New Lanark Hotel on the evening of Friday, August 23 and a flight for up to two people in a hot air balloon at the 2019 20th anniversary festival on the evening of Saturday, August 22.

More info at www. strathavenballoonfestival.co.uk and www.newlanarkhotel.co.uk.