Carluke News
Week-day service The first weekday service of the new year held in St John’s Church on Thursday of last week was led by minister Reverend Dr Elijah Obinna, who wished all his parishioners a prosperous new year. His address was focused on the changes around the world and the many countries in conflict and he hoped as the year progresses, that the situation would change for the many families in need in those countries affected. His sermon was followed by prayers offered up by the congregation for the future year. The kettle’s on event was a popular place on a cold miserable morning with all members getting up-to-date on the latest chat and enjoying the many cakes, biscuits and sweets which had been donated to go along with their morning cuppa. A warm welcome is given to all to come along each Thursday morning at 10.30am for this service, followed by a cup of tea or coffee and a chat with friends afterwards in the church hall. Christmas line dance party Line dancers from many of the town’s line dancing clubs came together for a Christmas hoe down in the Masonic Hall on Friday, December 30. They enjoyed a lovely hot buffet which was served by John McFarlane caterers, with the music for the evening provided by local woman Audrey to bring an end to another successful year. Thanks are given to all those who came along on the night to celebrate this popular event with everyone now looking forward to starting this year’s weekly sessions. Charity donation The Cancer Care Travel charity received a recent boost from Carluke woman Mrs Pat Barrie and her daughter Elaine. The fundraising duo are most famous for their designs of cards for all occasions which are sold and ordered by many local residents throughout the year to raise funds for the Christian Aid charity. Later in the year their cards were sold in Tesco’s Carluke store, and last year the pair raised over £900 which included £390 raised from sales of their cards in the supermarket. The total amount was donated to the volunteers of Cancer Care Travel, who regularly take local residents to and from hospital and Pat would like to thank everyone for their continued support which allows her to donate to this worthwhile cause. Soup and sweet luncheon The monthly soup and sweet luncheons will be starting soon in the United Reform Church, with the first one taking place on Saturday, January 21, from 11.30am to 1.30pm. A warm welcome is given to all to come along and meet up with friends. Make a date in your calendar for the next few lunches which will be held on Saturdays, February 18 and March 18. Day centre The Carluke Day Centre has reopened this week after its festive break and begins with a prize bingo session on Monday and the popular games afternoon on Thursday. There is a tea dancing session on Friday of this week and all events take place in the town’s Lifestyle Centre. Members are looking forward to their first major event of the new year which will be a Burns luncheon which will be held in Masonic Hall on Tuesday, January 24, with a trip to Blackpool planned on February 3-7. For information on any of the above events, contact Mary on 01555 772214. Highlanders ceilidh After a great hogmanay night, the Carluke Highlanders Association are preparing