Gavin Whitefield

REMEMBRANCE SERVICES  NOVEMBER 2025

REMEMBRANCE SERVICES NOVEMBER 2025

Representatives of the Lieutenancy laid wreaths at Remembrance Services right across Lanarkshire to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice made by  British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts

Where we could not be present at a Remembrance Service , due to the number of locations involved , a number of wreaths were once again laid outside the formal service settings .

“They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary then, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.”

Brian Miller DL laid a wreath at the Bellshill War Memorial .

Terry Currie DL laid a wreath at the War Memorial in Belhaven Park , Wishaw .

Sandy Wilkie MBE DL laid a wreath at the High Blantyre War Memorial .

Coulter. Colonel Ted Shields MBE DL laid the wreath on behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant at Coulter’s War Memorial during the village’s Act of Remembrance. Wreaths were also laid by the Chair of the Coulter Community Trust and by a representative of the Southern Uplands Moorland Group. Afterwards, the Trust provided refreshments at Coulter Library, founded and funded by the villagers themselves, and which has been at the heart of village life since 1838.

To mark Armistice Day Lord Lieutenant Lady Haughey CBE and Provost Kenneth Duffy laid wreaths at the War Memorial outside the North Lanarkshire Council Civic Centre on  11th November 2025.

Vice Lord-Lieutenant Gavin Whitefield CBE DL laid a wreath at the Haywood War Memorial .

At the War Memorial in Coalburn the Lord Lieutenant’s wreath was laid by Jock Storrie who served in the Army .

Neena Mahal MBE DL laid a wreath at the Coatbridge War Memorial .

Staff and pupils of Calderglen High School and people from local communities at East Kilbride gathered on 11th November to honour those who lost their lives at war . Shuming Kong DL laid a wreath on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant .

Colonel Stuart Roberts DL laid a wreath at the Biggar War Memorial .

The War Memorial at Leadhills where Bill Tennant DL laid a wreath.

This image shows Depute Provost Bert Thomson, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire Dr Morrison Young, Rev Ross Blackman and Rev Joanne Hood at the Armistice Day 2025 service

The  Armistice Day Service in Hamilton remembered those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Wreaths were laid in commemoration and a two-minute silence observed, following the Last Post. The service was moved from its normal location at the Victoria Cross Memorial in the town centre, to Low Parks Museum, because of the heavy rain.

Depute Provost Bert Thomson and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire Dr Morrison Young DL joined Rev Ross Blackman of Hamilton Old Parish Church, Rev Joanne Hood from St John’s Parish Church and military veterans.

Pupils from Hamilton College, council officials and members of the public also attended the service.

Depute Provost Thomson said: “It was fitting that we moved the service to Low Parks Museum, given it hosts a wonderful collection dedicated to The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).

“I would like to thank everyone who attended, in particular of course, the veterans who once again ensured the service was a poignant and reflective one for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.”

Janet Low DL laid a wreath at the Cambuslang Remembrance Garden .

Vice Lord Lieutenant Gavin Whitefield CBE DL laid a wreath at the Lanarkshire Yeomanry Memorial in Carluke .

A wreath was laid at the War Memorial in Harthill on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant .

A wreath was laid at the War Memorial in Salsburgh on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant .

 

Posted by Gavin Whitefield in News
VISIT TO LANARKSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY

VISIT TO LANARKSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY

The Lord Lieutenant  of Lanarkshire  Lady Haughey CBE and Vice Lord Lieutenant Gavin Whitefield visited the Lanarkshire Family History Society at its base in Motherwell on 28th October 2025 .

Formed in 1991 the Society has grown over the years providing an extensive and invaluable historic resource including :

Local Interest Books

Monumental Inscriptions and Cemetery Records

Military Interests

School Books ( Registers , History or Prize Winners)

Death/Burial Records – Pre 1855

More details are available from the Society’s Website at –

lanarkshirefhs.org.uk

The visit was not only an opportunity to learn more about the tremendous  work of the Society but also to thank Chairperson Anne Marie McKenna along with her exceptionally committed members for all of their hard work in developing the Society over the years .

Posted by Gavin Whitefield in News
MILLAR STODDART MBE DL

MILLAR STODDART MBE DL

The Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire Lady Haughey  CBE DL was deeply saddened to learn of the death of former Deputy Lieutenant Millar Stoddart. In response to this very sad news the Lord Lieutenant said ” Millar  was a Deputy Lieutenant from August 2015 until he retired in August 2022. Millar was a pleasure to know as a person; he always had words of encouragement and support and was very proud of his role as a Deputy Lieutenant. I was fortunate to have Millar as a Deputy  and was delighted when his contribution to sport and his community was recognised with the  extremely well deserved award of an MBE .

Millar made an absolutely  massive difference to many lives, communities and organisations during a lifetime of committed public service  in Lanark ,  Lanarkshire and beyond . He will be very sadly missed and my thoughts and sympathies are with his wife Moira and all his family and friends at this sad time . ”

 

Posted by Gavin Whitefield in Birthday Greetings, News
DIAMOND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

DIAMOND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Many congratulations to Thomas and Linda Cunningham from Coltness   who recently celebrated their  Diamond Wedding Anniversary  .

Continue reading →

Posted by Gavin Whitefield in Diamond Wedding, News
REMEMBRANCE 2025

REMEMBRANCE 2025

Representatives of the Lanarkshire Lieutenancy will once again lay wreaths at  nearly 70 War Memorials in the county over Remembrance Weekend . Lord Lieutenant , Lady Susan Haughey CBE said ”  It is 80 years since the Second World War ended. It had cost the lives of millions; destroyed homes, families and cities; and had caused universal suffering. 2,309 Lanarkshire men and women lost their lives in the War. Their names are inscribed on memorials in towns and villages across the county. We will pay our respects on Remembrance Sunday.

Only a few now are left to tell us of the immense relief they felt when the intense strain of total war was finally over. And how they rejoiced at street parties and how they danced and sang with unbridled joy.

The people of Lanarkshire – our parents, grandparents and great grandparents – had more than played their part. They served in every branch and service of our Armed Forces as well as in Civil Defence and on the Home Front: in our factories, farms, furnaces, mines, mills and shipyards. Rationing, civil defence precautions against air raids, gas masks for all including babies, internment for ‘enemy aliens.’ Everyone was affected by the War and everyone played their part.

May our inspiration be renewed by the words of King George VI in his broadcast on Christmas Day 1945:

‘Let us have no fear of the future but think of it as opportunity and adventure. The same dauntless resolve, which you have shown so abundantly in the years of danger, that the power of darkness shall not prevail, must now be turned to a happier purpose, to making the light shine more brightly everywhere.’

We remember those who did not come home. We remember those who fought and who died and who suffered in body and in mind, so many of them until their last dying day. We acknowledge our incalculable debt to them.

Let us make the light shine more brightly everywhere.”

There will be five main council Remembrance Services held on Sunday 9th November:

  • Airdrie  War Memorial – Service commences at 10.45am
  • The Cenotaph, Duchess of Hamilton Park, Motherwell – Services commences at 3pm.
  • The War Memorial,  Graham Avenue ,East Kilbride at 10.40am.
  • The Cenotaph , Bothwell Road,  Hamilton  at 3pm .
  • The Glenview  War Memorial, Larkhall at 10.30am.

 

 

Posted by Gavin Whitefield in News, Remembrance Services
150TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIGH BLANTYRE PRIMARY SCHOOL

150TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIGH BLANTYRE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Deputy Lieutenant Sandy Wilkie MBE DL recently represented the    Lord Lieutenant Lady Susan Haughey CBE at the 150th Anniversary of High Blantyre Primary School to the day the first building opened .

Sandy is photographed along with left to right Councillor Mo Razaq, Depute Provost Bert Thompson and William Dixon an octogenarian former pupil who attended the school in a previous building , 3 times back on the same location !

Posted by Gavin Whitefield in News
ORDER OF ST JOHN MICHAELMAS

ORDER OF ST JOHN MICHAELMAS

Deputy Lieutenant Alison Plummer DL attended the Order of St John Michaelmas in Edinburgh on 29th September , representing the Lanarkshire Lieutenancy .

At the end of the Mass Fr Kevin McGoldrick , Frances Kerr and Barry Cassidy from The Friends Together Club in Coatbridge  were honoured as medallists of the Order .

 

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MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING

MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING

Deputy Lieutenant Alison Plummer DL was  delighted to represent the Lieutenancy at the annual Macmillan Coffee Morning held at Claremont Parish Church on Friday 26th September 2025 . It was once again a very successful and enjoyable morning raising over £2,800 .

Many congratulations and well done to everyone involved and best wishes for continued success in raising funds for this  very important charity in the years ahead .

Posted by Gavin Whitefield in News