Valley International Park
By Nikki Lambie
Advertising Feature
Tucked away in the heart of the Clyde Valley you will find the beautiful Valley International Park. It’s a Mecca for families and couples, both old and young alike. The Park offers an array of activities, eating venues and sightseeing options all in picturesque surroundings. You can even enjoy a ride on their miniature narrow gauge railway train – a must for all young budding rail enthusiasts! The park also boasts a children’s soft play activity centre ‘Cheeky Monkeys’ which is a delightful alternative when the weathers not so good. We recently opted to try ‘Salud’ their Tapas Wine bar for a recent family get
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together and were very impressed with the array and quality of the options available. Their patatas bravas (fried potato with tomato and spices) and albondigas (Spanish meatballs) were the real star of the occasion. With a good selection of wines, we truly felt like we were immersed in the Spanish way of life by the end of the evening. We vowed to be back when the weather improved as there is nothing quite likes eating tapas outside! My visiting relatives also spotted the advertising for the Country Lodge, one of the newer additions to the park and asked for a sneak peek at the rooms. We have
a large family wedding coming up and the location would be perfect for some of the family to stay as they planned on staying a bit longer to make the most of their jaunt to Scotland. The rooms were tastefully decorated and offered excellent amenities with good en-suite bathrooms and a very reasonable nightly rate. When we mentioned the wedding they also showed us their wedding suite that can be hired. Team that, with the truly wonderful backdrop of the Clyde Valley we could see just how popular this little beauty spot will be with any bride to be.
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Welcome to the
Carluke and Lanark VISION Welcome to issue number nine.
locally Lanark and the Scottish Music festival. Totally locally kicked of on the 20th of April you can read about the success of the first event on page 6
This month also we take a quick look at two new mobile phones - the Samsung S IV and the HTC one. Both devices full to the brim with features, functions and applications. It makes it hard to choose between them. To make the choice easy just remember what functions you use most, what’s The Scottish Music festival was held at New Lanark over two days important to you. the 27th and 28th of April. The Sun shone, the music was great See you next month and there are plans for next year to follow up. page 9.
The month of May sees us in the middle of the exam season. It is a stressful time for many. We are pleased to have an article by Ross Hyslop of Synaptein giving some advice and council on how to reduce the affects of exam stress, hopefully to allow better exam performance. page 13 There has been a lot happening locally within the last month. We have covered two events, Totally
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Totally Locally Lanark Aims for Local Business Boost On Saturday, 20th April, Lanark town centre was a scene full of promising hustle and bustle as Totally Locally Lanark was launched.
By Connor MacCann
the Lanark Grammar Samba Band gave a carnival feel to the proceedings. It was all topped off with Scottish vocalist, Horse, performing a fantastic set to the cheery crowd. A number of talented buskers, street performers and activities, such as throwing wet sponges at local councillors, offered fun entertainment throughout the day.
Jim McCreadie, along with seven business owners and members of the community: Scott Forrest of Sabre Systems, William Wilson of William Wilson Photography, Wilson Rea of Nisa Local, Andy Rennie of Aurora Gift Gallery, Alistair Brooks of Alexander Brooks & Son Ltd, Karin Finegan of ktfinegan.com and Steve Laing of Country Computers, have united in a committed effort to get people and independent shop owners to buy, and do business, locally. However the group stress it is not just a one off event; it’s a long-term initiative that is set to change the state of Lanark’s high street for the better. Totally Locally is an award-winning enterprise and shop local movement. Created and established by Chris Sands and Nigel Goddard in Calderdale, Yorkshire in 2009, it is a marketing campaign to promote great local shops and businesses and help to sustain them in the economic downturn. Lanark is the second town in Scotland to embrace Totally Locally as a pathway towards a more vibrant and lively economic future. Totally Locally Lanark’s message found on the website and posters all around the town reads: “If every adult in Lanark spent just £5 per week in their local independent shops, instead of online or at the big supermarkets, it would be worth an extra £2.0 million per year going into the local economy. Which means more jobs, better facilities and a nicer place for us all to live.” Jim McCreadie, co-owner of Clyde Valley Pet Retreat, walks into Tea Time café at midday and is greeted warmly by the staff and customers as he asks how everybody is getting on. Proudly sporting a luminous yellow t-shirt with the slogan, “Ask me about Totally Locally Lanark.” Taking a quick break, he manages to get a seat for half an hour to talk to the Vision “So, far it has been a great start. The entertainment that kicked off the day was brilliant. It was also great to see people out so early to support the cause.” At 10am, a mixture of people, young and old from Lanark and beyond congregated at the bottom of the High Street to enjoy the formal opening ceremony. The Lanark and District Pipe Band played passionately, the Recharged Energy Dance Group went through their exciting routines and
After the opening ceremony, it was the crowds turn to set off and scour the streets for local independent stores using a “Treasure map.” The Treasure Map was a list jam packed with special deals on offer from each shop taking part in Totally Locally Lanark’s Fiver Fest. Jim says, “The idea of Fiver Fest is to entice people through the doors of the local shops to see what’s on offer, to show how good the shops are and the friendliness of the people who run the shops.” The Fiver Fest included special offers from lunchtime feasts and deals on quality meats from local butchers to ties, socks and caps and jewellery to name a but few. There are plans for a further Fiver Fest later this year, details can be found on the web site. There was also a busy market held for independent businesses that are not found on the high street. Karin Finegan, Life Coach of ktfinegan. com says, “ The market is an opportunity to showcase their business and what they have to offer. We’re planning to have a market like this at least once a month.” The campaign message was well received by the shop owners. Douglas Macmillan of Jacks the Iron Mongers said, “I think it’s a great idea. Today, we’ve had a lot of business.” Alistair Brooks of Brooks Menswear and a member of the steering group says, “I’m delighted with the effort put in and my thanks go out to everybody who came out and supported the cause. We’re reminding people what Lanark has to offer. We’ve got a good town here.” Andy Rennie who co-owns Aurora Gift Gallery
with his wife, Linda, says, “Today’s been a really good start to the project.” Even though Totally Locally Lanark has only started, Andy has been a strong believer in keeping business local as the material he uses to hand craft the ornaments and jewellery he has on sale are all from local services. Andy confirms, “Everything from the tree surgeon who fells the wood the haulage company, the wood curers and finally to me, who crafts it into something to sell, is all local.” This strong bond between local services from business to business is one of many examples shop owners in Lanark are undertaking. It is what Totally Locally Lanark is all about. Back in the café, before he returns to his day’s duty, Jim goes on to say, “It’s not just a one off day. We want to change mindsets and attitudes. This whole thing is about getting local people to support each other and bring back a real community spirit to Lanark.” Jim concludes with talk of future Totally Locally Lanark events to come, “We want to keep this going. The group want to organise markets, fun runs and music events. The main point I want to make is; if you’ve got a thriving high street, it makes the whole area livelier and a nicer place to live. Special thanks go out to the seven members of the group who brought Totally Locally Lanark to life. Totally Locally Lanark would also like thank those who donated the finances to get the campaign up and running. A massive thanks also goes to John Cunningham and Borders Biscuits Community Support Charity who paid for the printing of the posters, leaflets, banners and t-shirts.
www.totally-locally-lanark.co.uk
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HTC one V’s Samsung Galaxy S4 You Decide The HTC One is HTC’s 2013 Android flagship, a hugely important device aiming to change the dynamics for HTC. To do that, the HTC One improves in four major areas camera quality with a new BSI camera with optical image stabilization and UltraPixel technology, a premium metal unibody design, a new simplified HTC Sense Android experience and enhanced stereo sound. The HTC One also features a 4.7-inch 1080p full HD display and is powered by the Snapdragon 600, a quadcore chip, up to 40% more powerful than the Snapdragon S4 Pro.
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Samsung prides itself in the differentiation the AMOLED screen technology brings to its high-ends, and it has indeed achieved the unthinkable with the Galaxy S 4 this time around - a five-inch panel with the amazing for OLED screen 441ppi pixel density. Not only that, but it debuts the first octo-core Exynos 5 Octa processor in the international version, as well as a temperature and depth sensor for the first time. With features like Floating Touch and hand gestures you can control the phone without even touching the display, while the S Health and S Translator integration add to the unique aura around the S 4 as a truly human companion.
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Jim Duncan & Band Picture courtesy of Imogen Stark
First Scottish Music Show Lays Strong Foundations to Build Upon
By Connor MacCann
On the 27th and 28th of April, the Scottish Music Show held its first ever event. The event brought musical talent from all over Britain along with a selection of high quality instrument traders. Jim Duncan, chairman of Music Events Clydesdale and patent holder of CapoKeyring, says “It’s the first Scottish Music Show ever. It can only get even bigger and better form here.” The strikingly beautiful renovated 18th century cotton mill town of New Lanark was Jim’s choice destination where he packed the visitor centre’s two exhibition halls with all things music. From 10am to 10pm, music could be heard reverberating through the walls of the centre as band after band took to the stage, with a backline of top of the range Marshall amps and monitors, to play their half hour sets. Jim says, Marshall have endorsed the whole event. They realise the support events like this need to get off the ground. Mark Sawyer, the UK Sales Manager for Marshall, says, “Marshall strongly believes in promoting grass roots music. Events, like the one Jim has launched, is the backbone of the music industry and we do what we can to help out.” In Mill Number 3, next t to the gift shop, Bailey Guitars set up a “build your own guitar” workshop and an open mic stand for anyone to play. Mark Bailey, of Bailey Guitars commented on the event, “We had a great weekend, our workshop was full. It’s such a beautiful location and you get loads of fantastic players.” On the Saturday, young bands, experienced singer/songwriters and professional acts performed terrifically. The picks of the day were young St Andrews rock band, Ticho, Soulful and funky blues band, The Truetones and winners of Biggar’s Battle of the Bands, Rolled up 20s who played two storming sets on both days of the event. Saturday night was headlined by The Lanark born world class singer, Horse. 17 year old Jack Hinks, filled the support slot before Horse took to the stage. The beautiful, heartfelt guitar playing and singing from Jack, taught by Jim Duncan, didn’t leave a dry eye in the house. Horse, with her band of individually fantastic musicians, then performed an inspiring set of her greatest hits along with songs from her new album.
Sunday saw more great local acts during the day. The bands and musicians standing out on the second day were energetic punk band, Imani, the Biggar Big Band playing smooth jazzy pieces, Chris Woods, who’s grooving original percussive style blew the crowd away and All The Finnegans, who played a set full of rock, country and bluesy influences. The day, and the event, ended with Jim Duncan launching his third album, Roadtrip. With a 12-piece band featuring a horn section, backing singers and rhythm section playing driving rock and grooving funk playing songs from his three albums to finish off, what was a great event bursting with talent, to the end. Throughout the whole event every band was professionally filmed recorded and mixed. Jim
says, “It’s about helping out the young, local musicians and giving them the chance to be able to promote themselves over the internet. The internet has become the main source where people look for new music. We’ve set up a stage where they can come perform while having invaluable professional web videos made and also professional photos for their portfolios.” Paul Melon of Trahenna, was filming every band. With help from a crew, they filmed every angle of the bands stage presence and edited the two days’ worth of footage. Paul says, “This is a good opportunity for bands and musicians who wouldn’t normally have the chance to pay for professional filming and recording.” Jamie Graham -with father, Bone Grahamfrom Washoose Recording Studios, were
recording every bands’ set. Mixing the sound throughout the whole weekend, with help from younger aspiring sound engineers, was Dode Cockburn of Biggar Sound. He was more than happy to help Jim and the young bands out. He says, “It’s been a good event for the bands. As long as they’re sounding good and the young guys are able to deliver a good sound to the band, I’m happy.” The event was a success in the respect that it showcased young, aspiring musicians alongside world class musical talent and also gave high quality instrument makers and music retailers from Scotland a chance to showcase their goods. Jim said, “We wanted to create an event to get local retailers as well as musicians more recognition” Through meeting various retailers and tradesmen at different guitar shows up and down Britain, Jim invited instrument makers and retailers that included Earn Guitars Arcadia Music, AC Guitars and Bailey Guitars. Earn Guitars from Falkirk, giving them the chance to showcase their beautifully hand carved electric guitars. Duncan Watson and Colin Boyne, from Earn Guitar, met Jim at a Newcastle Guitar Show and when asked to come along to the Scottish Music Show, they were more than happy to agree. Colin says, “The drive from Falkirk to Lanark is only 45 minutes and we’ve had to travel as far as Newcastle and Manchester to showcase our business. So, coming here was simple The Scottish Music Show came to a close at half past 10 on the Sunday night. It was an advert for the great events that Lanark has to offer to everyone in the surrounding community. After the weekend, Jim recounts the events of the first Scottish Music Show and looks to the future; “Everything went really well; the music was great and a good number of bands and retailers gained good contacts and recognition. Next year we’ll be looking to bring more musicians and more retailers and bigger acts. We’ll aim to make the Scottish Music Show bigger and better next year.”
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PUZZLES RACE EVENT – 2 JUNE 2013 CARLUKE ON THE RUN The date for this year’s event is Sunday June 2nd 2013.Runners of all abilities are therefore invited to take part in either the 5 MILE ROAD RACE or the FUN MILE. The ROAD RACE will start and finish at the John Cumming Stadium which will be the new home of the race event. Clydesdale Colts Youth Cycling Club
01555 895 616
CLU BS
4 Vere Rd Blackwood Kirkmuirhill Lanark ML11 9RS www.clydesdalecolts.com
Coal Miners Welfare Bowling Club
01555 820676
42 Coalburn Rd, Coalburn, Lanark ML11 0LH
Carluke Rovers F.C.
01555 772116
John Cumming Stadium
135 Carnwath Rd, Carluke ML8 4EA www.clubwebsite.co.uk/carlukeroversfc/128510/Home
Allanton Miners Welfare Social Club
01501 821811
Allanton Rd, Shotts ML7 5AX
This is a Scottish Athletics permit event run under UK Athletics rules. Funds raised will be re-invested in Trust projects within the town. The ROAD RACE, following the same quiet route as last year is a distance that will suit both accomplished runners and joggers alike – you can even walk it if you wish. The stadium track provides a flat and safe environment, making it easier for clubs and schools to enter teams will less supervision required. The Fun Mile could be a stepping stone to joining one of the jogging groups in the town. Both events will enable you to keep up that level of fitness, have some fun and perhaps raise money for your favourite charity or local group. You can now pay your entry fee using PayPal, major credit cards accepted. A PayPal account is not required just see the application form for details. Put June 2nd in your diary. For an entry form go to the Trust’s web site at www.carluketrust.org.uk or see us on Facebook.
Universal Connections
01555 666091
13 St Vincent Place Lanark ML11 7LA
Lanark Guide Association
01555 663756
Jerviswood Rd, Lanark ML11 7PB
Release Friday 10th May
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“Mud” is an adventure about two boys, Ellis and his friend Neckbone, who find a man named Mud hiding out on an island in the Mississippi. Mud describes fantastic scenarios—he killed a man in Texas and vengeful bounty hunters are coming to get him. He says he is planning to meet and escape with the love of his life, Juniper, who is waiting for him in town. Sceptical but intrigued, Ellis and Neckbone agree to help him. It isn’t long until Mud’s visions come true and their small town is besieged by a beautiful girl with a line of bounty hunters in tow.
By Ross Hyslop
Dealing With Exam Stress Do you have the personality who has an appetite for the challenge an exam brings, or does the very word ‘Exam’ send you into a panic and make you freeze? Lots of intellectual people simply shut down in exam situations and information that is known before the exam is suddenly lost and irretrievable. We face our first tests at a young age. Most of us have been in a situation in our early development primary school spelling tests or reading in front of the class. Some children excel on showing how brilliant they are. They, therefore, consequently grow older with a positive association to tests and exams. Others feel shame and are perhaps ridiculed and end up with a negative association to tests. From associations formed in early development and early tests, we create an attachment that either supports us in exam conditions or makes us freeze. Generally speaking, anxiety and studying are not a great combination. When we are extremely stressed it is not possible to pick up any new information. The brain goes into an override mode and so the memory formation is not efficient. I would like to suggest a strategy for passing exams which includes being aware of the goal, seeing yourself as successful, identifying an optimal learning state, planning study and revising in a smarter way. In the following paragraphs I will briefly describe each step. Get in touch with the Goal, and how passing the exam will feel. For most of us exams cause us distress. This way of thinking is limiting. It’s better to think at this stage from a different perspective, and this is to think what will happen once you pass the exam. What will the Qualification give you, and how will it feel to get the results you desire? Embody that feeling and imagine for 10 minutes every day. Create positive images and feelings of yourself passing. Most of us experience exam anxiety because we are mentally picturing the struggle experienced with the exam and in some cases people imagine themselves failing. By reversing this process you will create strong representations of passing and set up in your neuro circuitry a different state. Before you sit to revise, get into your head what you are capable of doing- a relaxation and visualisation process is helpful for this. Sit comfortably and take some breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth - do this for a few minutes. Now create a Screen in your imagination and watch this movie in which you are the main character. The scene you are creating shows you feeling wonderful, having passed the exam. Notice all the qualities present in passing this exam.
Step into the scene, and sense in your body how walking into the body of the successful part of you feels. Link that feeling in your body to SUCCESS. See yourself getting the wage increase, getting into University or getting the results you desire to get you to the next level in your development. See how it looks, hear how it sounds and feel how it feels. Create an optimal learning state As I said earlier, anxiety causes mental blocks and is therefore not conducive for recalling information. The optimal state for recall and learning seems to include the qualities of relaxation, openness, and alertness. Here is a process to help you access an optimal state for revising and sitting the exam itself. It is best if you sit in a comfortable chair, with both feet on the floor and with your hands resting gently in your lap. 1. Focus attention on a candle or a spot in front of you. 2. Regulate your breathing. Breathe in through your nose, hold and exhale slowly through your mouth, the out-breath is twice as long as your in-breath. 3. Access peripheral vision. As you focus on the candle or spot on the wall, expand your visual awareness so that you are simultaneously aware of the area one metre either side of the spot while still being aware of the spot. Do this by expanding your visual attention without moving your eyes. Now expand your visual awareness further so you are simultaneously aware of two metres either side of the spot while still being aware of the spot. Then expand your awareness so you are visually aware of everything ahead of you. 4. Focus your attention on the space nine inches from the crown on your head, while remaining in peripheral vision. Learning researchers have discovered that holding your attention behind you on a fixed space helps to hold attention and increase memory recall. Use this state for revision, learning and taking the exam Plan your study Review all the material that will be in the exam. Dissect the material into themes and create a timetable. When you are revising a subject or topic within the subject, stay on topic giving it your full attention. Be a smart reviser You know how you learn and remember best, use what has worked for you. Below are some smart revision tips:
between 30 minutes to 45 minutes slots this is an optimal study time. Any longer and your mind wanders Use another part of your mind in the break, do something totally different, go for a walk or prepare a snack. Use music. Research has shown music helps people access an accelerated learning state. Burn an essential oil, having the fragrance
in the room whilst in a learning state is great. This also has the added bonus that a small drop of the scent on a handkerchief, taken into the exam and smelt helps access the state of learning.
I suggest poster size pieces of paper and take non-linear revision notes. Mind maps, the bigger the better, use lots of colours within your diagrams. Decorate your bedroom with your Mind Maps and stick them on your bedroom walls, as you prepare for bed, review one poster. Close your eyes and picture it in your mind. When you wake up, picture it before you look at it. The next night repeat the process with another poster AND the one you did previously. So you can re-create your bedroom posters in your mind before the exam. Some people find linkage and association useful, including in the visualisation the other items in your bedroom and associating the items. Engage all the senses. Dance & sing do whatever you have to absorb the information at a deep level. www.synaptein.com
Take lots of breaks and put your study lists into time frames
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