Gavin Whitefield

Colonel Ted Shields MBE DL was honoured to represent the Lord-Lieutenant on a visit to Lanarkshire’s Army Cadets at Barry Buddon near Dundee on 6 August 2026.

Over 300 Cadets from Airdrie,  Newmains, Strathaven, Motherwell, Hamilton, Lanark, Larkhall, Coalburn, Bellshill, East Kilbride and Cambuslang were enjoying all that the week-long camp and training area has to offer.

The culmination of the Cadets’ training year, there is always much to be done – shooting on the ranges, field craft, nights out under canvas, adventure training and leadership tasks at Monikie Country Park, sports, drill, film nights, bingo, map reading, first aid . . . it is all go. They have been learning new skills for life but, above all, having fun and making new friends.

It is inspiring to see today’s young Scots making the most of these opportunities; perhaps it is the fate of every generation to be maligned in their youth but these Cadets, as their predecessors before them, are every bit as enthusiastic, diligent and dedicated as any of the older generation ever were.

We pay special tribute to the Cadet Force Adult Volunteers for none of it would be possible without them.

A special service at the Civic Centre in Motherwell has brought the community together to remember the courage and sacrifice of those who served in the Far East during the Second World War.

The ceremony on Friday 14 August, held to mark Far East Prisoners of War Memorial Day, was attended by veterans, their families, members of the armed forces community, civic and community representatives, and members of the public.

The Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, Lady Susan Haughey CBE , was among those attending, with wreaths laid in memory of those who served, suffered and lost their lives.

The service included readings, an Act of Remembrance, the Last Post and Reveille, a minute’s silence and the Kohima Epitaph. Music was provided by Mason Richards, a piper from Dalziel High School, while Elaine Smith played the bugle.

Wreaths were laid by representatives including Lady Haughey, North Lanarkshire Provost Kenneth Duffy, Interim Provost of South Lanarkshire Bert Thomson, MPs and MSPs, the armed forces, emergency services, the Lanarkshire Yeomanry, and families and friends.

The Far East campaign was one of the most difficult chapters of the Second World War. Many servicemen were captured and endured years of hunger, disease, exhaustion and brutal treatment as prisoners of war. Many never returned home.

Provost Kenneth Duffy said: “It means a great deal to see so many people come together to remember those who served in the Far East and those who suffered as prisoners of war.

“Many of these men were not much older than the young people we see in our communities today. They left their homes and families behind, not knowing what lay ahead, and what they experienced was beyond anything most of us can imagine. Today’s ceremony serves as a reminder of the importance of passing these stories on to future generations, ensuring the sacrifices made 81 years ago continue to be remembered.”

The Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire Lady Haughey CBE is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Deputy Lieutenant –

ANGELA BLACK

Angela has  been employed by South Lanarkshire Council since 1997,  successfully managing staff for the last 25 years.  An  Employability Co-ordinator within Community and Enterprise Resources, she manages  a range of employability programmes funded by the Scottish Government, including “No One Left Behind” funding specific to the Tackling Child Poverty strand.

These programmes are  aimed at working in the community and supporting families furthest removed from the labour market. The programme’s goal is to support parents in securing permanent employment.

Working  in close partnership with colleagues within the organisation she  also works closely with Skills Development Scotland, Department for Work and Pensions, NHS, ISS, The State Hospital Carstairs, Scottish Child-Minding Association, Local Colleges, and SMEs within South Lanarkshire.

Angela  represents  Community & Enterprise Resources as the champion for Trauma Informed Practice and represents South Lanarkshire Council 0n  Partnership Action for Continuous Employment.

Angela holds  a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Leadership and Management (Public Services ).

On 15 July 2026, Deputy Lieutenant George Barnsley represented the Lord Lieutenant at a Citizenship Ceremony held at the North Lanarkshire Council Civic Centre in Motherwell.

The ceremony was attended by the Provost of North Lanarkshire, Councillor Kenneth Duffy, and was organised and officiated by Claire Neil.

Nine new citizens, together with their families and loved ones, took part in the ceremony. They came from Bulgaria, Iran, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, and Zambia, reflecting the rich diversity of those who have chosen to make Lanarkshire their home.

It was a privilege to welcome our newest citizens and to celebrate this significant milestone in their lives. We extend our warmest congratulations and wish them every success, happiness, and prosperity as they begin this new chapter as citizens of the United Kingdom and members of the Lanarkshire community.

Many   congratulations to Mr and Mrs Bradshaw   from  Cambuslang   who  celebrated their  Diamond Wedding Anniversary  on 25th June 2026

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Many   congratulations to Robert and Grace Wright  from  Blantyre   who recently  celebrated their  Diamond Wedding Anniversary  .

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The Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire Lady Haughey CBE is delighted to announce the appointment of a new Deputy Lieutenant –

ADRIAN McKENNA

A respected Scottish business leader, employer and community advocate with a distinguished career spanning entrepreneurship, public service, professional sport and local community engagement. As Managing Director of POS Group for the past 24 years, Adrian McKenna has successfully built and led a thriving business founded as Professional Office Supplies, earning a strong reputation for leadership, integrity and service. His career has also included service with Strathclyde Police, professional football with Hibernian and Airdrieonians, and extensive experience in sales and client relationship management.

Alongside his professional achievements, Adrian is a committed supporter of fair work, community wellbeing and charitable causes. As a Real Living Wage Employer and Ambassador, recipient of the North Lanarkshire Gold Status Charter Award, fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support and The Beatson, and local football coach with Aston Villa BC in Uddingston, he has demonstrated a sustained commitment to service, community leadership and civic responsibility. He offers the credibility, discretion and ambassadorial qualities well suited to the role of Deputy Lieutenant for  Lanarkshire.

Following a tradition dating back to 1911, HM The King hosted his annual Garden Party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on Tuesday 30 June. Accompanying the King were HM The Queen, HRH The Princess Royal and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. Among the guests were those from all walks of life who selflessly serve our communities in Lanarkshire, often without public recognition.  Not one of them seeks the limelight but without their dedication, resilience and quiet heroism, our communities would all be the poorer without their front-line contributions.

A select few of the Lanarkshire contingent were presented to Members of the Royal Family. They included NHS staff and a football coach from Motherwell, SSAFA caseworkers from Lanark and East Kilbride as well as a business woman from Biggar.

Entertained by the Royal Scottish Pipers’ Society and the Bands of the Royal Regiment of Scotland and HM Royal Marines Scotland, guests enjoyed afternoon tea and the chance to chat with other guests from across Scotland as well as to members of The King’s Body Guard for Scotland otherwise known as The Royal Company of Archers. Thankfully, the rain held off, helping to make the day all the more memorable for the right reasons.

Attached are some photos of attendees from Lanarkshire .

Many  congratulations to Kenneth and  Margaret Clark from  Motherwell   who celebrated their  Diamond Wedding Anniversary  on 1st July  2026.

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