Learn about the Royal Burgh’s proud heritage

Rutherglen residents will be able to step back in time with a number of events over the coming weeks.

Those with an interest in the Royal Burgh’s proud heritage will be able to open a door to the past with upcoming events and talks.

Local author Dorothy Connor will be signing copies of her book about Rutherglen, Home Town Tales, at Rutherglen Town Hall on Saturday, April 25, between 11.30am and 4.30pm.

The book contains stories of Rutherglen in the war years and beyond and there is a chapter and a poem about the Town Hall.

Rutherglen Library will then look to the past, with World War II in Rutherglen, which will officially open on Friday, May 8, at 2pm, for the VE Day anniversary.

Also Dorothy Connor is doing two talks in May and June on the subject.

On Thursday, May 21, from 6-7pm she will talk about The Bombs, The Blitz and The Bookies. She will tell her family stories interwoven with local Rutherglen tales during WW2. Some of these WW2 stories feature in Dorothy’s popular book Home Town Tales, available in Rutherglen Library. Signed copies will be available at the talk.

Tickets are £2 from Rutherglen Library, with tea and coffee provided.

On Thursday, June 18, from 6-7pm, Dorothy will talk about Dear Cathie - A Rutherglen Soldier’s Letters Home from the ‘Forgotten Army’ of World War II in Burma.

Read by his daughter Dorothy, these letters were sent from the frontline in Burma by soldier Jack Connor to his sister Cathie who was back home in Rutherglen.

Jack was part of the 17th Indian Division of the 14th Army who fought the Japanese for four years in the jungles of Burma. Author Dorothy Ellen Connor has written about her father’s story in the book Home Town Tales.

Tickets are £2, from Rutherglen Library, where tea and coffee will be provided.

In addition, Miss Mary Munro (93) has kindly agreed to let the library display some of her photos of when she was a bagpiper as part of the ATS all female band who were sent all around the world to boost morale.