Patricia Leslie , husband and friends have held a coffee morning for many years in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support raising substantial funds each time . Continue reading →
News
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST VINCENT’S PRIMARY SCHOOL
100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION – MARGARET CAMPBELL
Many congratulations to Margaret Campbell who has been celebrating her Centenary at home in East Kilbride.
And on hand to hear all about her life over the last 100 years was South Lanarkshire’s Depute Provost Bert Thomson and Deputy Lieutenant for Lanarkshire Linda McDowall DL.
Margaret Ann Dickson Aitken Craig was born in Glasgow on 18 September 1924. She was the first child of Samuel and Harriet Craig. Her younger sister Mary became her lifelong friend.
When Margaret’s mum sadly passed away in 1929, she was looked after by her dad, and also lived with her Aunt Maggie in London Road, Bridgeton.
Margaret was very clever at school. She attended Barrowfield Primary School and was a runner-up dux in her final year at Bernard Street School in 1938.
In those days university was not an option, so she found employment with some of Glasgow’s well-known employers. Initially, she was engaged as a ‘picker’ at Templetons, picking white threads from carpets. During WWII she was employed by Singers, making parts for the war effort.
Margaret’s life changed when she met “a nice guy with dark wavy hair” called Jim Campbell.
However, the path of true love was temporarily stalled when Jim was called up for the army and sailed to the Far East in 1944.
When Jim returned their romance continued and they married in 1948 in Shettleston Parish Church.
In the mid-fifties, the couple moved to a house in Kirktonholme Road, East Kilbride and had three children – Ian, Dorothy and Gordon.
Margaret and Jim were very much part of the new town’s story with Jim working at Rolls Royce for more than 30 years.
Margaret loved her garden and delighted in her kitchen, feeding family and friends.
Margaret was a member of the West Kirk and actively involved in the Co-operative Women’s Guild for many years. She also took part in various Ladies Clubs and the Flower Club.
Jim passed away 16 years ago.
Margaret is now a senior member of the Happy Corner Stroke Club run by the WRVS.
Today, the wee girl from the east end has eight grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.
If you would like the Provost to attend a Diamond Wedding or 100th birthday please get in touch with the Provost’s Office.
FORMER LORD LIEUTENANT OF LANARKSHIRE MUSHTAQ AHMAD OBE
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Mushtaq Ahmad OBE, former Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, who died peacefully on Sunday 15 September 2024. Mushtaq was appointed as Lord Lieutenant in 2010, a role he held with distinction and dedication until he retired in 2017. Continue reading →
COATBRIDGE “FRIEND’S TOGETHER CLUB ” RECOGNISED
The ‘Friends Together Club’, based in St Patrick’s Parish in Coatbridge, were recently recognised at an awards investiture in Edinburgh. Continue reading →
100TH BIRTHDAY
To make Betty Neil’s 100th birthday even more special not one but four pipers helped her get the celebrations underway.
Betty was so surprised when members of the East Kilbride Pipe Band showed up to entertain her and all the caring staff and fellow residents at Whitehills Care Home this week.
Betty was also joined by South Lanarkshire Provost Margaret Cooper who gave her flowers and a certificate on behalf of the council.
And Deputy Lieutenant for Lanarkshire Alison Plummer DL presented Betty with a certificate from The King and The Queen Consort to mark her reaching 100.

Betty was born on 17 July 1924 and grew up with her parents William and Agnes in Vulcan Street, Glasgow. She also had a twin sister Ella, two other sisters and four brothers.
She went to Hyde Park school then left and went to work as a machinist at local firm D&H where she met her husband Tommy.
The couple couldn’t have children but Tommy always said he married Betty because he wanted to be with her, not to have a family.
And when asked what was Betty’s secret to reaching 100 she said “having a good husband who was full of fun”.
Tommy was in the Navy and worked as a marine engineer. When he was transferred to Bedford in England with his job, Betty soon followed and they stayed there for more than 30 years.
When Tommy suddenly passed away Betty stayed there for a while but moved back up to East Kilbride to stay with her brother and sister-in-law in the Village.
Betty enjoyed going to church and was involved in the church Guilds.
In 2021 Betty moved to Whitehills Care Home, a place she says she really enjoys staying in.

Betty enjoys her visits from her niece Liz and husband John and her friends come to visit her as well.
If you would like the Provost to attend a Diamond Wedding or 100th birthday please get in touch with the Provost’s Office

AWARDING THE” FREEDOM OF NORTH LANARKSHIRE” TO THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF SCOTLAND (SCOTS)
On Saturday 13th July 2024 a special ceremony was held at Strathclyde Park at which the “Freedom of North Lanarkshire ” was granted to The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS) by North Lanarkshire Council . Continue reading →
THE KING’S GARDEN PARTY AT THE PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE 2ND JULY 2024
Every year the Lanarkshire Lieutenancy nominates a number of people to attend His Majesty the King’s Garden Party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse , Edinburgh . Continue reading →
LORD LIEUTENANTS GOLF COMPETITION AT BALMORAL
Many Congratulations to Deputy Lieutenant Shuming Kong DL on winning the Scottish Lieutenancy Golf Competition which was held at Balmoral on Monday 10th June 2024. Continue reading →
DIAMOND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
A sweet gesture had a long-lasting after-effect: a long and happy marriage.
William and Alva Haig met at their church, Crosshill Victoria, in Glasgow’s South Side, when he offered her a sweetie. Shortly after, Alva was in the Pantheon Club’s production of Brigadoon and invited William to the after-show party… and the rest was history. Continue reading →