Supercounty takes its final curtain call on 21st birthday

Doors close on civic pride campaign

It is the end of an era for Supercounty, as Lanarkshire’s civic pride campaign has been wound up following its 21st anniversary.

It was led for its entire 21 years by chairman Ian Livingstone, who became involved through his role with Lanarkshire Development Agency (LDA) at the time of Ravenscraig’s closure and subsequently Supercounty’s foundation.

Cambuslang and Rutherglen became a part of the Supercounty area in 1996 with the creation of South Lanarkshire, and over the years, many people and groups have benefitted from the organisation, who were always there to support groups with cheques.

Ian said: “The closure of the steelworks in 1992 was catastrophic for the county and the LDA was charged with regenerating business, jobs and the local economy – but a vital part of this task involved the morale of the people in the area.

“Supercounty was founded to remind them that they had much to be proud of, even in those dark times.”

Its popular annual school events included a primary school choir festival, the secondary Supershow – which featured early performances from X Factor runner-up Nicholas McDonald and Amore soprano Monica McGhee – plus a sports festival, triathlon and attendance awards.

Community work included environmental

schemes, fun days and the Lanarkshire Cup for under-17 footballers plus awards ceremonies for county businesses and community champions and a leading role in the successful international children’s games in 2011.

The campaign’s final event was Celebrating Lanarkshire 2013, honouring the county’s achievements to tie in with the 200th anniversary of the birth of explorer David Livingstone.

Ian Livingstone said: “It was a perfect way to sum up what Supercounty was all about.

“We were filled with pride and reminded of people’s continuing contributions.

“I have been honoured to work with an inspiring collection of people at Supercounty but most important was the contribution of the people who make Lanarkshire what it is.”

History coming to life St Mark’s pupils with the chairman of Supercounty Ian Livingstone and head teacher Brenda McNott in March last year, as they join ‘Henry Morton Stanley’, played by Paul Kozinski and ‘David Livingstone’ played by Janis Marshall...

On the ball Pupils from Cathkin High School won the Supercounty Lanarkshire schools S1/S2 rugby championships for the third time in five years in May 2006

Well done The Manor Way Neighbourhood Watch Area in Burnside was presented with the Lanarkshire Caring Community Award for 2009 by Supercounty

Show stoppers Supercounty Supershow stars of 2009 included local high school pupils Declan Gorman, Ciaran Pryce, Calum Stewart, Ross McGregor and Marcus McLuskey who are picturted here with South Lanarkshire Provost Russell Crearie and Tom Curley

Bowled over Young bowlers from Cambuslang and Rutherglen Sports Council were in top form in September 2004 as they emerged as the overall challenge shield winners at the Supercounty South Lanarkshire Junior Inter-Area Bowls Challenge, held at Templeton...

Bag it and bin it Burnside actress Blythe Duff launches a Supercounty event backing the police’s litter crackdown in the 1990s

You’re history Rutherglen Heritage Society members Jim Bolton, Gill Owen, Lilian MacDonald and David Jackson accept a cheque from Supercounty

Picture perfect Sophie Quigg from Cathkin Primary and Ian Colburn from St Charles’, proudly display their framed paintings to officials, including Supercounty’s John Scott, after taking part in the art-based County Galleries project organised jointly...

Held in time James Aiton pupils (front from left) Tione Samazie, Kayden Miller, Cyrus Liu, Ellie Hamilton and (back from left) Maha Haq, Ben Richford and Mia Duncan, with head of Supercounty John Scott (left), Councillor Russell Clearie and Principal...