District News

Camera Club Friday’s meeting was the club’s 40th anniversary dinner, which took the form of a splendid four-course Burns supper, attended by most of the club’s present members as well as several past members. After the meal everyone was treated to a preview of the public 40th anniversary print exhibition which was due to open the following day, as well as a splendid presentation by Libby Smith of colour slides and digital images taken by and including the work of members over the past four decades. It was wonderful for all present, not only to reminisce, but also to be inspired by the sight of so many fine images from the past, particularly as many had been produced using equipment far less sophisticated than their modern digital cameras. This Friday, February 9, will see a presentation from Gavin Forrest, Gaille Gray and Cameron Scott entitled “A Night of Two Halves”, to which all members, guests and visitors are warmly welcomed to come along to. The meeting will be held at 7.30pm in St Andrew’s Parish Church hall. Full details of all of the club’s schedule, as well as all contact details, are available on its website at www.carluke-cc. org. Soup and Sweet lunch Following the recent bad weather, the ladies of this monthly event are hoping that their February event will go ahead as planned. The next soup and sweet lunch will take place on Saturday, February 17, in the United Reform Church hall. Doors at the event will open at 11.30am until 1.30pm on the day and a warm welcome will be given to all the regulars and their friends to come along and enjoy the delicious soups and scrumptious selection of sweets to tantalise the taste buds. Week-day service Again, the weather kept many of the church’s regulars from attending the 10.30am service in St John’s Church last week. However, the brave souls who ventured out on the day were welcomed to a special address given by their own church minister the Reverend Elijah Obinna, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all those who attended the service. The kettle’s on event was also a popular place with members of the congregation stopping for their morning chat over tea, coffee and cake which was served in the church hall afterwards. Carluke Bowling Club The club will be hosting an exciting evening of entertainment this Saturday, February 10, and invite all its members to come along and enjoy the fantastic voice of well known singer Sharon Nimmo, who will performing at the club. Doors on the night will be open from 8pm until 11.30pm, and all will be made welcome. 110th anniversary celebration On Friday of last week the 1st Carluke (St John’s) Scouts held a celebration dinner dance in the masonic hall to celebrate the 110th year of the Scouts troupe in the town. Over 100 boys and their families attended the event which included a number of local dignitaries, namely, the ex-Provost Eillen Logan Charles Bow (district commissioner), Ian Forrest (assistant district commissioner) and St John’s Church minister the Rev Elijah Obinna to name but a few. A lovely meal was served and enjoyed by all those who attended the event. After dinner Ian Forrest gave an excellent resume on the history of the 1st Carluke Scout Company and the three leaders Brian Hamilton, Gordon Nelson and Allan Ruthven were presented with medals of merit. The evening was completed with dancing to an excellent local ceilidh band, who had everyone tapping their feet along to the amazing tunes. Community council The Carluke community council have planned their next meeting on Thursday of this week, which will begin at 7.30pm in the St Athanasius Parish Hall. All members of the local community will be welcomed to come along to this meeting. Charity donations This year a total of £800 in donations was awarded from members of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Lanarkshire’s upper ward community to a number of local worthy charities. The charitable causes to benefit from these annual awards included Biggar@Clydesdale, Audio News, Lanarkshire Cancer Care in Wishaw, Stanmore House in Lanark, and the Miscarriage Support Group based at University Hospital Wishaw. Thanks were given to all who contributed in any way to this year’s donations. Gala day Tickets are selling well for the upcoming gala race night, which is always a favourite fundraiser with members of the gala committee. All members of the local community are invited to come along to the event which is being held in St Athanasius parish hall this Saturday. Tickets cost £3 or £10 for a family of four, and are available by contacting Laura on lauramurray18@yahoo.co.uk. Entry forms for this year’s gala day procession are now also available for collection. Trekkers The St John’s Church’s trekkers are reminded that there has been a change to the upcoming planned walk. The next event will now leave St John’s Church at 10am on Saturday, February 17, walking to Monklands and Drumpellier Country Park in Coatbridge, a walk of six miles. New trekkers will be made welcome to join this fun group of ramblers, and more information is available by contacting Rae on 07762905625 or by e-mailing him on raewarnock@aol.com. Coffee morning There has been a lack of Saturday morning coffee mornings recently in the town, which is always a favourite meeting place for friends and members of the community to meet at the weekend. The next fundraising event will take place in aid of Kidney Research UK at St John’s Church hall on Saturday, February 24, and doors will be open from 10am to 1.30pm. A warm welcome will be given to all to come along and support this worthwhile cause. Highlanders The Carluke Highlanders are preparing for their next popular ceilidh event which will be taking place this Friday in the local masonic hall. The music for the evening will be provided by the talented Ian McCallum’s Scottish Dance Band; tickets for this event are limited and are available by contacting Marion on 01555 752804. Saint Athanasius Parish Members of the parish committee are planning their next social evening which will take place in the parish hall for 18s and overs on Friday, February 24, and doors on the night will be open at 7.30pm. Also on the parish calendar will be one of their much anticipated events of the year, the St Patrick’s night celebration which is scheduled to take place on March 17; tickets are now on sale for this event at a cost of £10 each. Not forgetting, the popular parish prize bingo evening on Sunday, April 8. Prizes and donations for any of the above mentioned events would be greatly appreciated and these can be handed in to the church. Overtown Parish Church service in the church this Sunday will be at 11am. The OK Club and B Club Seven will meet in the church hall at 10.50am to noon. Kids enjoy a mixture of stories, games, singing, crafts, painting and drawing. Old and new members will be made very welcome. There will be a creche for younger children. For more information about the clubs, contact K Crichton on 01698 360580. All visitors to the church will be made most welcome. Women’s group welcomed a visitor from Christie’s Bakery in Airdrie at their meeting last Wednesday, who brought along some goodies to tempt the ladies and a great night was had by all. Tonight’s meeting will be an open night to which everyone is cordially invited. The subject of the evening will be “Geez A Break”, which suggests lots of fun and laughter to cheer everyone up following the recent dismal weather. All are welcome to come along and join in. Line dancing class continues this afternoon in the church hall, with beginners’ and refreshers’ class at 12.30pm to 1.15pm, followed by the main class at 1.15pm to 2.45pm. All ages and abilities will be made most welcome. Lunch club meets in the small church hall on Monday afternoons, from 12 noon to 1.30pm. Hot and cold filled rolls are served with tea, coffee or juice available, as well as a host of desserts, all for a reasonable cost of £3. The club is open to all. Come along, enjoy a nice lunch and a good ‘blether’. Sewing bee is held in the small church hall each Monday evening, starting at 7pm. All types of arts and crafts are undertaken and specialist assistance is on hand should it be required. Everyone is welcome. Overtown Nursery which meets in Overtown Community Centre, have vacancies for the new season. Any children who will be aged three before March 1 next year, can apply for a place as from their third birthday. All three to five-year-olds are entitled to this service. Details and application forms can be obtained direct from any council nursery, or council approved independent nursery. For more information, phone 01236 812281, or visit www. northlanarkshire.gov.uk/nurseryplaces, or call in at the community centre, Monday to Friday between 9am and noon.

Overtown Gowkthrapple

Community cafe is open for business as usual on Thursdays, between 11.30am and 1.30pm, in Gowkthrapple Community Centre. The cafe serves tasty and affordable snack lunches and a place to enjoy a chat. There is also a take away menu available. Club Sun Fun Day will next meet on Sunday, February 18, in Gowkthrapple Community Centre between 1pm and 2 pm. All primary school aged children will be made most welcome. At the club the kids listen to Bible stories, draw, paint, make things and enjoy a snack lunch together. For further information on the club, contact K Crichton on the above number.

Craigneuk

Orange Halls Events this week begin with Craigneuk Golden Star RBP 121 meeting tonight (Wednesday) at 7pm. Bingo is held on Monday nights, for eyes down at 7.30pm, all welcome. Craigneuk True Defenders Flute Band practise starts at 7.30pm on Tuesdays, and on Thursdays Craigneuk Imperial Ladies Flute Band hold a practise session at 7.30pm, new members are welcome at both these groups. Saturday, February 17, sees Craigneuk Apprentice Boys of Derry race night with Craigneuk True Defenders Flute Band starting at 7.30pm. Parochial Hall AA meeting at 7pm to 9.30pm and jive class on Mondays 7.30pm to 9.30pm, Tuesdays Irish dancing 6.30pm to 8pm and Jiggercize 8.15pm to 8.45pm, bingo on Wednesdays 7.30pm to 9pm, Thursday Club 1pm to 2.30pm and bowling 7pm to 9.30pm. SGF: Mondays - abs attack 6pm, Tuesdays - super circuits 7pm, Wednesdays - kettle bells 6pm and combat class 7.30pm, Thursdays - pump class 7pm and Fridays - super circuits 6pm.