Carluke and Lanark Vision by Phyllis Forrest

By Connor McCann

Community Spirit Delivers Charitable Windfall

Carluke’s strong community spirit warmed up a cold and nippy Sunday afternoon at a charity football tournament, organised by Gareth Greenshields, held at the John Cummings Stadium on the 17th of February. A cheer comes from the large number of spectators in the stands as the man of the moment, Gareth Greenshields, lifts the cup for Motherwell Select. Gareth, from Carluke, set out three weeks before the event date (17/02 /2013) with the goal to raise money for Lanarkshire Care Cancer Trust [LCCT]. After acknowledging the help and support the local trust gave his Mother, who had been suffering from cancer for eight months, Gareth decided to return the massive favour. “LCCT have been so helpful. They have supported me in organising this event, giving me letters to send to local businesses and big businesses around the area to help support and sponsor the event.”

complex, checking on how everyone is, talking to friends, family and locals and making sure the players of each team are showing up. He says, “Organising the event has been stressful but it has been worthwhile.” He talks in fast, but thoughtful, outbursts as he makes sure his event is running smoothly, “Today, a few former players are playing along with a few amateur players. Some of the guys have donated strips and all sorts. People have donated pies, sausage rolls and cakes. Local businesses have donated raffle prizes. Local restaurants have donated food vouchers. A lot of friends and family are helping out today. The response I have got from the local community has been amazing!”

LCCT also helped Gareth set up a web page where people could make digital donations via debit card. As soon as the website was created and the invite was on Facebook, donations started to flood in. Gareth had made over £300 by the end of the first week. It was then to Gareth’s surprise that a sum of more than £1,000 had been donated online into the second week of the website’s creation. With great appreciation, Gareth commented on the website page saying, “Having reached over £1,000, more than double my initial target, it just proves that communities do exist and help each other. This is turning into a great event. Donations have been received from as far as Croatia and even Japan.” It was then to Gareth’s amazement on the morning of the event, £2,400 had been raised before a ball was even kicked. “£2,400 in the space of three weeks is incredible. I’ve been overwhelmed with the support especially during the month of January and early February. The efforts from everybody involved in donating and helping out have been fantastic.”

When Gareth set out to raise money for LCCT, there was, admittedly from him, a big reliance on help from friends, family and the local community. Their support and help in the build-up, and throughout the whole day, was evident. Fiona Mackenzie, a friend of the Greenshields and a work colleague of Gareth’s, offered her support through making and selling home-baked cakes on the day. Presenting the scrumptious baked goods on display, she says, “Gareth got in touch through Facebook and posted me the event asking to offer stuff for the raffle and come along. I was more than happy to help out so I set up this wee cake stall.” Tracy Cranston, a friend of Gareth’s through going to school together and who used to live on the same street as the Gareth and his family was only too happy to help, “I’ve came to help out and support Gareth for a very good cause.” Tracy offered her support by selling hot food and drinks to the big crowds who showed up to cheer on the players. Ronny Muirhead, who knows Gareth from the Law Parish Church, helped out by being the announcer before the games and during the trophy ceremony. He also donated the loin sausage meat for the food stall. He says, “I’ve been more than happy, also quite

Before the round robin tournament between Motherwell, Rangers and Celtic, Gareth is bright eyed and raring to go. He darts about the

privileged, to offer my support to such a good cause. LCCT are the people who give up their own cars to help the people who really need it. They don’t attract a lot of attention as they are not at the cutting edge of the health sector, but the work they do is phenomenal. It’s good that somebody’s got up and recognised the job they do. An awful lot of people have helped. There isn’t a business in the town that haven’t given their support.” Local businesses in Carluke were more than happy to get behind the event and donated whatever they could. To name but a few; Local butcher, John Cairns donated pies and sausage rolls, Barr donated pallets of Irn Bru to be sold, Aldi donated bottled water, local restaurants, tanning salons, DIY stores and general stores donated raffle prizes ranging from free sun bed appointments to gardening tools. The players themselves were also privileged to be part of a fantastic day of fundraising. Joe McKelvie, playing for Motherwell, said, “It’s great what Gareth’s done. He’s worked so hard to get the game going. With all that he has done for the charity as well, he’s gone the extra mile.” Andy Whiteford, playing for Rangers, said, “It’s a great occasion and it’s good to be part of anything to do with fundraising to help people who have to live with cancer.” After the day’s events on the pitch with Motherwell winning the tournament with a draw against the Celtic Select and a win against the Rangers Select, the fundraising continued at The Station Inn, Carluke. With the pub offering up the function suite, free soup and rolls and sausage, the last of the raffle tickets were sold by Kat Brown, “I’ve been selling tickets all day. I’m exhausted!” She comes to the end of the raffle book and gives a smile, “You can see the community spirit still exists in Carluke. It’s great to see and it’s great to be a part of it.” After the raffle had been announced, Gareth took the opportunity to relax and enjoy the rest of the day. His hard work and endeavours to make the fundraising event a runaway success were wholly praised from everyone involved. None more so than his Mother, Jeanann who is beaming with pride, “It’s been an absolutely brilliant day. We didn’t expect to get a lot, maybe around £300. We couldn’t believe it when all the money and donations came through. I’m over the moon for Gareth.” Jeanann has now been given the all clear but is receiving further check-ups from the NHS. A proud and somewhat relieved Gareth finishes the day off with a special thanks to everyone involved, “I’d like to say a special thanks to all who turned out to watch the games; from the people who helped me, the charity themselves, friends, family… Everybody! I’d also like to say a special thanks to the small and family run businesses who have donated to turn this small fundraiser into something great.” The fundraising from the online donations, cake and food stalls, anonymous donations and raffle ticket sales came to a fantastic total of £6000. Donations to

www.justgiving.com/gareth-greenshields

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Welcome to the

Carluke and Lanark VISION Welcome

to our eighth issue of the Carluke and Lanark VISION. This month we are delighted to have a contribution from our local MSP Claudia Beamish, highlighting the dangers of “pay day loans”.

some great ideas and information for that special day.

This past month the residents of Carluke came out to support a local charity, Lanarkshire Care Cancer Trust see page 2. Remember it’s National pet month see page 14 for info and things to April sees the launch of the Totally Locally do with the kids this Easter. Lanark campaign. Make sure you attend th Look out for more reader the event on the 20 April, and support your local High Street. See the back page offers inside You will find in the middle spread the Wedding Feature which will give you

Next issue will be 29th April

Check out this month’s adverts for vouchers and competitions.

Clydesdale Community Initiatives are running a campaign to get 100 likes on their facebook page. Anyone that likes, and then shares their page will go into a prize draw to win a free 2 hour garden tidy worth £120.00 Win a meal for two Tillie Inn-dian, lucky winner of last month’s competition is Mrs Linda Shakir of Wishaw

With thanks to our new delivery partners EMERGENCY NHS24 Gas Electricity Water & Sewage Roads & Lighting Local Police Office

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www.directleaflets.com SCHOOLS Carluke High School Lanark Grammar Calrluke Primary School New Lanark Primary St Mary’s Primary Robert Owen Primary Ridge Park School Kirkfieldbank Primary

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Social Work Victim Support Pest Control Cat Action Trust Clydesdale Citizens Advice Bureau

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MP's Aileen Campbell 01555 750249 Jimmy Hood 01555 637177

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By Claudia Beamish MSP

Pay Day Loans: Don’t Get Caught Out, Know the Facts Over the last few years, you may have noticed the rise of so called Payday Lenders. It seems you can barely turn on the TV or go online without coming across adverts offering quick, convenient cash.

The charter calls on lenders to provide clear information on how their loans work, to ensure proper credit checks and to freeze interest payments when customers are struggling to pay.

However, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is – these loans come with outrageous levels of interest and, because there are often no credit checks, people can soon find themselves struggling with repayments.

I’m backing calls for the Scottish Government to use some of the money it spends on social advertising to highlight the dangers of high interest lending and to sit down with interested parties to discuss ways to promote affordable alternatives like credit unions.

People are taking out these loans to pay for the basics such as food, rent and energy bills but it’s easy to see how this can spiral out of control. I have been working closely with Clydesdale Citizens Advice Bureau and Blantyre and South Lanarkshire Credit Union to highlight problems with payday loans and to encourage those who are struggling to manage their finances to seek advice quickly. Citizens Advice Scotland has put together a Good Practice Charter to encourage payday lenders to act more responsibly.

With times being so tough it can be tempting to use these loans as a quick-fix. However if you are in a situation where you Claudia Hamilton Beamish is a need advice on spiralling debt please get Scottish Labour Party Member of the in touch with one of the following groups Scottish Parliament, representing the who will be able to help you with useful South of Scotland advice. Nation Debt Helpline 0808 808 4000 Clydesdale Citizens Advice Bureau 01555 664301 South Lanarkshire Money Matters 0303 123 1008

Constituency Office: 12 St Vincent Place Lanark ML11 7LA

Telephone: 01555 664 065

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Advertising Feature

Beware of Bogus Calls relating to Computer Security Over the past couple of years more and more people have been targeted by telephone from companies claiming to be part of Microsoft and advising unsuspecting home users that their computer has been compromised and has numerous security threats.

Don’t be fooled by these so called technicians claiming they must clean up a computer virus on your PC otherwise your Microsoft warranty will be invalidated. It’s a simple and effective con. A person cold calls and states your PC is infected by computer viruses. They infer that they are working alongside Microsoft and that unless you take action, the warranty on your Microsoft software will be revoked. The charge for this ‘clean-up’ is around £200; a huge sum and most computers targeted by these callers have no virus problems. Having taken a card payment they, with your permission, take remote control of your computer and a box appears which says that your computer is now virus free. Of course, it’s a con and once the £200 is taken, a small file is downloaded onto your computer via the remote control which displays a virus clear-up box on your screen. All very simple and all very effective. But the callers have no connection with Microsoft whatsoever, who are at pains to point out that they would never cold call a

customer an ask for control of their system; nor do they employ, or ask other firms to do so. What worries a number of computer security experts is that the remote control part of the con might really be trying to achieve, as all manners of computer viruses could be downloaded and secretly installed in that period of time. So, be warned, if someone rings up and says that your computer has viruses, don’t be tempted to ask ‘…how do you know that…’, just put the phone down? If they call again, ask them for their contact details, as you are sure the police would like to know of their plans. Steps you can take to avoid being caught out: •Be suspicious of unsolicited calls related to a security problem, even if they claim to represent a respected company. •Never provide personal information, such as credit card or bank details. •Do not go to a website, type anything into a computer, install software or follow any other

instruction from someone who calls out of the blue. •Take the caller’s information down and pass it to the authorities. •Use up-to-date versions of Windows and application software. •Make sure security updates are installed regularly. •Use a strong password and change it regularly. •Make sure the firewall is turned on and that antivirus software is installed and up to date. Sabre Systems advises anyone who thinks they may already have been a victim of a phone scam to do the following: •Change their computer’s password, change the password on their main email account and change the password for any financial accounts, especially bank and credit cards. •Scan their computer for Malware and spyware. •Contact their bank and credit card companies. Sabre are also happy for you to either call into the shop or ring for advice if for some reason you think your security has been compromised.

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VISION WEDDING FEATURE ALL YOU NEED FOR YOUR SPECIAL DAY

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VISION WEDDING FEATURE ALL YOU NEED FOR YOUR SPECIAL DAY

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Advertising Feature

Music Tuition Studio Opens in Carluke

The old Gepettos nursery site has been brought back to life in Hamilton St, Carluke so many ways. It is my firm belief that everyone should have the opportunity to learn an instrument. Not only does it give the individual a new skill, but it helps overall well being as it is a channel to release stress, can improve self esteem and promote confidence. Lessons can also be tailored to help with school music exams. We recently held a student concert for family and friends allowing family and friends to see just what the students were doing in their class and what they had achieved over a given period of time. It was a huge success and all of the Singer – songwriter Ramon Ruiz students involved felt a great sense of has opened a music tuition studio pride and achievement in what they bringing something new to the were able to do. Our students range community. in age from 5 – 65 years young across the various instruments. As a Registered Guitar Tutor, Ramon What makes us a bit different from teaches various instruments including the rest is that our lessons are very classical, acoustic, electric and of relaxed and individually tailored to course Spanish guitar. each student. Ramon told us “this is my dream come true. I am passionate about all types The opportunity to have their lesson of music and I get so much out of in a ‘ live ‘ setting with the full PA passing on my knowledge to others to help others out. I have performed in live original bands for over 25 years and played in many different venues including my home town in Tenerife and Central Park in NYC but now I want to focus on my tutoring and recording my 4th album, Blue Beam Light. Music has always been the constant in my life and has helped me in

and mic set up really helps to build confidence and develop other techniques. We also hold workshops covering areas such as live performance, song writing, finger picking, rock guitar & Flamenco to name but a few. The studio also has an outside area which will be perfect for taking the lesson outdoors in better weather and holding the odd informal acoustic session. With hard work, passion, determination and the support of my fiancé and 3 daughters, I will make this studio a success and get the financial support I need to lower the cost of lessons even more. Most of my evening slots have now been filled but I still have availability for during the day so feel free to pop into the studio and have a chat “

All Levels of tuition catered for £10 per 1/2 Hr £15 per Hr

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S ZZ LE 01555 895 616

4 Vere Rd Blackwood Kirkmuirhill Lanark ML11 9RS www.clydesdalecolts.com

Coal Miners Welfare Bowling Club

CL UB

01555 820676

42 Coalburn Rd, Coalburn, Lanark ML11 0LH

Carluke Rovers F.C.

01555 772116

John Cumming Stadium

01501 821811

Allanton Rd, Shotts ML7 5AX

Universal Connections

01555 666091

13 St Vincent Place Lanark ML11 7LA

Lanark Guide Association

01555 663756

Jerviswood Rd, Lanark ML11 7PB

135 Carnwath Rd, Carluke ML8 4EA www.clubwebsite.co.uk/carlukeroversfc/128510/Home

Allanton Miners Welfare Social Club

What’s on in Lanark The Crown Inn Open mic session on the 3rd Thur of the month Horse & Jockey Live music most weekends Open mic session on on the last Thur of the month Coming to New Lanark Conservation site in April – The Scottish Music Show What’s on in Carluke Ramons Studio *Coming Soon *- Rock workshops every Saturday The Kirkton Inn Live music at the weekends The Wee Thackett Live music most weekends, check venue for details. Valley International Park Are having a charity indoor car boot sale in aid of HELP FOR HEROES on Easter weekend 30th/31st March and 1st April starting at 9am till 4pm each day. Tables are £10.00 a day and all proceeds go to the charity. Call 01555 860888 for booking and more info. www.helpforheroes.org.uk

en t

Clydesdale Colts Youth Cycling Club

OBLIVION release date 10th April

e i v

Jack Harper (Cruise) is one of the last few drone repairmen stationed on Earth. Part of a massive operation to extract vital resources after decades of war with a terrifying threat known as the Scavs, Jack’s mission is nearly complete.

o M

Living in and patrolling the breathtaking skies from thousands of feet above, his soaring existence is brought crashing down when he rescues a beautiful stranger from a downed spacecraft. Her arrival triggers a chain of events that forces him to question everything he knows and puts the fate of humanity in his hands. www.oblivionmovie.co.uk

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You and Your Pets This Easter

By Connor McCann

The UK wide pet charity, “National Pet Month”, will commence its annual event this year from the 1st of April to the 6th of May. www.nationalpetmonth.org.uk Donations, volunteering and helpful hints in taking care of your pets can be found on their website. The charity, with its goal to improve the welfare of pets, will be running events under this year’s theme; “Your pets and you: companions for life.” A theme that owner of Clyde Valley Parrot and Pet Centre, Ann McAllister, whole-heartedly agrees with. Ann, alongside husband Mark McAllister, exhibit and sell an array of exotic birds, tropical fish and scaly reptiles to wilful, but sometimes naïve first time buyers. However, Ann, with support from her specialised staff, always verifies the animal their customers are buying is the right choice. She advises, “Never impulse buy a pet. It’s really important that you do your research beforehand, so you know what you’re getting yourself into. Make sure you can afford to keep the animal and make sure the animal you take home is suitable for your family.” Ann’s advice is sensible, but vitally important. Buying a Macaw parrot is initially a satisfying investment, with the beautifully coloured birds costing up to £1600. However add on the vet bills and the necessary equipment to keep the parrot content, and it could be just a bit too costly. As well as selling pets, Ann also runs a successful café next to the pet centre. Now serving customers for just over a year, it is a very welcome addition in Ann and Mark’s attempts to transform their business. Their redevelopment project has seen a calculated decision by Ann and Mark to move the furniture around and free up a huge sheltered space within the Centre for events to take place. Their events space will be used as soon as the 24th of March where a Bike Jumble sale will take place. The Easter weekend also brings a three day charity indoor car boot sale, all for charity, Help for Heroes. Ann says, “We want to bring something else into the scenario; giving people something more to do when they visit our centre. I want this to be somewhere where we can hold weekly car-boot sales, art exhibitions, crafts fairs and fundraising events. We want to make it a destination.” With the Easter holidays on the way, The Clyde Valley Parrot and Pet Centre is somewhere to take the kids and spend the day with what’s on offer in and around the centre.

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Award winning

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Totally Locally will kick off with a fortnight of Fiver Fest deals across independent shops and businesses in the town. There will be substantially reduced prices on products and services to show townspeople and visitors the best deals come from local independent businesses. On the 20thApril there will be entertainment, a treasure hunt and a covered market with great deals from local businesses. Follow us on Facebook