Many congratulations to John and Sheila Prior from Lanark who recently celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary .
17
Nov
2025
News
15
Nov
2025
BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL PRESENTATION
Published: Thursday 13 November 2025
Two local people who have dedicated themselves to fostering sport have been awarded the British Empire Medal.
Karen Kelly, Head Coach of Lanark Amateur Swimming Club, and Colin Dalgarno, President of Strathaven Rugby Club, received the honour for Voluntary Service and for Services to the Community in Strathaven respectively.
Their medals were presented to them by Lady Susan Haughey, Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, at a ceremony in South Lanarkshire Council’s headquarters hosted by South Lanarkshire Provost Margaret Cooper and featuring North Lanarkshire Depute Provost Bob Burgess and South Lanarkshire Council Depute Chief Executive Jackie Taylor, as well as members of Karen’s and Colin’s families and friends.
Karen was introduced to the swimming club in Lanark at the age of 10 by her mum, Mary – herself a stalwart of the club over many years – and started coaching when she was just 16. She celebrated her 50th anniversary in 2023, making her the longest-serving member in its history.
She runs six training sessions every week for the club’s 80 members who range in age from nine to young adults – including two “early bird” sessions before school – as well as taking on hours of further tasks such as administration and competition entries.
In her time, she has coached dozens of Scottish and district champions and two Deaflympic athletes, and has earned coaching accolades from bodies including the Scottish Amateur Swimming Association and Clydesdale Sports Council.
Colin has been involved at Strathaven RFC since he was a child, too – in his case, he joined at eight years old. He went on to play for Strathaven, in Cyprus and at Reading RFC, but suffered an injury to his spine in 2012 that ended his playing career.
He was determined to stay involved in rugby and give back to the sport, and has dedicated himself to volunteering work in various roles within the Strathaven RFC ever since.
His work has proved crucial to the success and growth that the club has experienced during that time, including the award of a £670,000 grant to the club by the council-run Renewable Energy Fund to make possible the construction of an indoor training facility, the growth of membership to the highest numbers in the club’s history.
He also created an online hub to allow other clubs can find details on every project Strathaven has carried out, including an explanation of how they were achieved, to assist clubs that are themselves looking at improving their facilities.
Provost Cooper said: “I know well how much of a positive influence Karen and Colin have had on their communities. They have dedicated their time and energy for many years to helping their sporting clubs, and in doing so have brought benefits to the lives of countless swimmers and rugby players of all ages.
“Volunteering, especially at the level that Karen and Colin have demonstrated, is something that has to come from within, working tirelessly to enhance the lives of many with no thought of personal reward, and so I am delighted that they have been recognised with the British Empire Medals and offer them my congratulations and gratitude.”
Note – Release courtesy of South Lanarkshire Council .
14
Nov
2025
OUTSTANDING LANARKSHIRE VOLUNTEER GROUPS RECOGNISED WITH KING’S AWARD
Two dedicated volunteer groups in Lanarkshire have been honoured with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS), the highest recognition a local voluntary organisation can receive in the UK, equivalent to an MBE.
CHOICES, based in Carluke, is a charity shop run by around 40 volunteers who provide a vital service to the local community. As well as supporting the town’s youth centre and other good causes, the shop acts as a friendly drop-in space where volunteers lend a listening ear and offer guidance. The group also helps young people gain work experience and employability skills.
Grow Uddingston is a community-led group focused on improving the environment and appearance of Uddingston. Volunteers have transformed key areas such as Uddingston Cross, the Railway Station, and the village gateway, while leading local projects in tree planting, litter picking, and graffiti removal. Their work brings people together and has earned recognition for horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility, and community participation.
Both organisations will receive their award and certificate from Lady Susan Haughey CBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, in the coming months, with two volunteers from each group invited to attend the Royal Garden Party at Holyroodhouse in July 2026.
Lady Haughey said: “I am absolutely delighted to see the amazing work of both Choices and Grow Uddingston recognised with The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. These groups make a tremendous difference to their communities, and this award is richly deserved.”
Nominations for the 2026 King’s Award for Voluntary Service are now open until 1 December 2025. Anyone who knows of a local organisation doing exceptional voluntary work is encouraged to nominate them at https://kavs.dcms.gov.uk.
Notes to editors
- Lord-Lieutenants represent the monarch in each of the UK’s ceremonial counties.
- This year there are 231 recipients of The King’s Award Voluntary Service from across the UK and Channel Islands.( 25 from Scotland ) .
- More information on the recipients and the Award can be found at https://kavs.dcms.gov.uk/
- Full details on how to nominate are available at https://kavs.dcms.gov.uk/
- Nominations for the 2026 awards will close on the 1st December 2025
11
Nov
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.
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 .
10
Nov
2025
DIAMOND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Many congratulations to Thomson and Elizabeth Forrest from Coltness who recently celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary .
06
Nov
2025
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 .
04
Nov
2025
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 . ”
02
Nov
2025
DIAMOND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Many congratulations to Thomas and Linda Cunningham from Coltness who recently celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary .
02
Nov
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.
27
Oct
2025
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 !