District News

Camera Club On Friday, Carluke Camera Club were entertained by two presentations by its own members. Starting the meeting, Gaille Gray and Cameron Scott showed a collection of their work, with particular emphasis on landscapes and close-up views. This was followed by Gavin Forrest, who showed a selection of his images which were recorded during his recent visit to Vietnam. Both presentations stimulated much discussion about photographic techniques and equally about the respective subject matters. This reminded members of the wonderful scenery found in Scotland, and of the stark contrast in lifestyle between Scotland and Vietnam. Vice president Libby Smith proudly announced the results of the recent GP cup competition, hosted by the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain. The Carluke club was placed in fourth position, out of 76 clubs from throughout the whole of the UK. In addition, club member Hunter Kennedy won the first prize in one of the individual categories of the competition. Despite this impressive success, the club is still very eager to cater for complete beginners, with regular sessions devoted to the basic principles of photography. New members and guests are always very welcome at these meetings. At the club’s next meeting on Friday, the speaker will be Des Clinton, a leading member of the Drogheda Photographic Society in Ulster. This will be an open meeting and members of other clubs and guests are warmly invited. This will also be the ‘hand-in’ session for the Club’s colour print knock-out competition and it is hoped that all members will each enter four prints. The weekly meetings are held at 7.30pm on Fridays, in St Andrews Parish Church hall in Mount Stewart Street, and visitors are always most welcome. Full details of the club’s busy schedule and contact details, are available on its website www.carluke-cc.org. Outdoor weekend The 1st Carluke St John’s Scouts Company travelled to the Sub Zero Camp at Auchingillian Outdoor Centre with over 46 members including leaders, Scouts and Explorers taking part. The recent bad weather did not deter the numerous scouts, who had come from both near and far to participate in the adventure weekend, with many youngsters having a welcome dip in the heated swimming pool. The weekend was enjoyed by all and the Carluke Scouts hope that they will have many more adventures in the months ahead to celebrate their 110th anniversary year. Trekkers The group’s first walk of this year will leave St John’s Church this Saturday, at 10am en route to Monklands and Drumpellier Country Park in Coatbridge. This will be a short and interesting trek and new members will be made most welcome. For more information regarding this event or the club, phone Rae on 0776290562 or emailraewarnock@aol. com. Soup and sweet lunch This popular event will take place in the United Reform Church hall on Saturday, with many of the regulars’ favourite items on the menu. The church hall will be open at 11.30am to 1.30pm this Saturday, and the ladies look forward to welcoming their friends and members of the community to this friendly gathering to enjoy a selection of soups and delicious sweets. Quiz night The Carluke Young Farmers Club have planned their next quiz night in the town’s Lifestyle Centre on Saturday, March 17. Entrance to this event will cost £5 per person for a team of six players per table. Tickets will include a buffet and bar which will be open during the event. All are invited to come along and pit their wits against their opponents at this thrilling evening. Charity coffee morning The next charity coffee morning at St John’s Church on Saturday, February 24, will be held to raise funds for the Kidney Research UK fund. The committee extend a warm welcome to all to come along to this fundraising event and support the vital work of this charity. The event opens in the church hall at 10.30am to 1.30pm and members of the committee look forward to seeing everyone there. St Athanasius Parish The winners of the recent monthly draw were: Geraldine Scott £125, Christine Bonner £75, and Marion O’Hara £50. The parish committee will hold their next social evening in the parish hall on Saturday, February 24. Doors open at 7pm and this event is for over 18s only. The St Patrick’s Night on March 17, will include a delicious meal of Irish stew and soda bread; tickets cost £10 and everyone is invited to come along and join the celebrations. The next popular prize bingo event will be held on April 8; tickets costs £1.50 and will include tea. As always donations of prizes for any of the above events would be greatly appreciated and these can be handed in to the church. The season of Lent begins today and Masses will be held in the church at 10am and 7.30pm. A warm welcome is extended to Michael Meecham, who will be joining the parish community for the next 12 to 18 months while he trains to become a deacon in the church. All members of the church community are requested to give him their support and encouragement during his journey. Gala day fundraiser The gala day committee would like to thank everyone who came along on a very cold night to support their recent fundraising race night held in the parish hall. The event raised £1641 after expenses which will now be added to the gala day fund to ensure this year’s gala day event on Saturday, June 9, will be one to remember. Entry forms are now ready to uplift by contacting Laura on 07879886052 or by emailing her on lauramurray18@yahoo. co.uk. The next fundraiser will be a family night with disco and karaoke and will be held in Castlehill Bowling Club on Saturday, March 10. Young Farmers Club Members of the Carluke club welcome everyone along to their next fundraising coffee morning on Saturday, in Kirkton Church hall. This year the Young Farmers have chosen to support two charities, namely, CHAS and the local Maggie’s Centre. Entrance to this event will cost £3, and there will also be an opportunity to purchase some tasty home baking as a weekend treat. Week-day service The week-day 10.30am service held in St John’s Church last Thursday was conducted by Joe Bradley, who chose some of the congregation’s favourite hymns which made this an enjoyable morning. Many members of the church then attended the kettle’s on event in the church hall afterwards for a chance to meet up with friends over a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy the delicious home baking. All are welcome to come along and join in this event where you will be made most welcome. Street Level lunch Saint John’s Church are holding a fundraising soup lunch this Sunday following the morning church service in aid of the local Street Level group. All are welcome to come along. World Day of Prayer This year’s event will be hosted in Kirkton Church on Friday, March 2, at 1.30pm, and a warm invitation is extended to all. This will be followed by a welcome cup of tea or coffee which will be served in the church hall. All are welcome to come along to this service. Overtown Parish Church The service this Sunday, at 11am, will celebrate Girl Guide’s Thinking Day, and all sections of the guide movement will be in uniform. There will be a creche for younger children and the OK Club for children aged three to P6 and B Club Seven for P7s onwards meets in the church halls at 10.50am to noon. The kids enjoy a mixture of stories, games, singing, crafts, painting and drawing. Old and new members will be made welcome. For more information, call K Crichton on 01698 360580. All visitors to the church will be made most welcome. Women’s group were due to have their open night last week, but the arrangements for the “Geez A Break” event had to be changed to tonight (Wednesday). It is hoped that as many of their friends will come along to what promises to be an hilarious night, starting at the normal time of 7.30pm. The ladies hope that the event will be something to help brighten up the recent dreary winter nights. Line dancing class continues this afternoon, starting with the beginners’ and refreshers’ class at 12.30pm. This will be followed by the main class at 12.30pm to 2.45pm in the church hall. It will be an afternoon of fun, fitness and companionship. All ages and abilities are welcome to come along. Lunch club meets in the small church hall each Monday, from 12 noon to 1.30pm. Hot and cold rolls, tea, coffee and juice is served followed by delicious desserts, all for the cost of £3. The club is open to all, so why not come along and give it a try. Sewing bee continues in the small hall on Monday nights, starting at 7pm. All types of arts and crafts are undertaken and a knowledgeable assistant is on hand if required. Apart from learning or improving their skills, the members can enjoy the “brilliant” chat. Overtown Nursery which meets in Overtown Community Centre, have vacancies for the new season. If your child will be aged three before March 3, next year, you can apply for a place from his or her third birthday. All three to five-year-olds are entitled to this service. Details of the service and application forms can be obtained directly from any council nursery, or council approved nursery or by phoning 01236 812281 or visiting www.northlanarkshire. gov.uk/nurseryplaces, or calling in to 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 next meets this Sunday, in Gowkthrapple Community Centre between 1pm and 2pm. All primary school aged children will be made most welcome. At the club the youngsters listen to Bible stories, draw, paint, make things and enjoy a snack lunch together. For further information on any of the above, contact K Crichton on the above number.

Craigneuk

Orange Halls Events this week begins with Craigneuk Branch Club Apprentice Boys of Derry 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 sessions begin at 7.30pm on Tuesday nights, and Craigneuk Imperial Ladies Flute Band practise on Thursdays at. 7.30pm. New members are welcome to join any of these sessions. Craigneuk Apprentice Boys of Derry are holding a race night this Saturday, and entertainment for the evening will be provided by the Craigneuk True Defenders Flute Band. This event will start in the hall on Saturday 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.