LANARK LANIMER DAY
An ancient celebration held within the Royal Burgh of Lanark on the Thursday between the Sixth and Twelfth days of June annually since the year 1140.
 

Double Celebration

One of the entries in this year's Lanimer Procession is "Double Celebration".

This entry is to recognise Special Anniversaries for two local organisations namely, Lanark Bowling Club and Coalburn Silver Band.

LANARK BOWLING CLUB (1852)

On 5th May 1852 six rinks of the newly formed Lanark Bowling Club turned out for the opening of the new season. At that time they played bowls on the old Public Green at Castlehill on the site of Lanark Castle, where bowls had been played for nearly a hundred years. As the playing conditions at Castlehill were not very good the Club members wanted a green of their own. As Lanark is built on the side of a hill there were not many flat areas of ground available. However in 1856 a piece of ground was leased at the corner of Jerviswood Road and Waterloo Road and converted into a Bowling Green.

Over the next 40 years the Club developed and became well know in bowling circles throughout Scotland. The playing surface was still not perfect. For one thing the green was not square! Another new green was needed. In 1898 a new green was opened on land between Waterloo Road and Cleghorn Road. It has remained there to this day.

The Club has always taken its part in the organisation of bowling not only in Lanarkshire but also in Scotland as a whole. At least one member served as President of the Lanarkshire Bowling Association. The Club has hosted visiting touring teams on several occasions e.g. Canada (1904), Australia (1950) and Canada (1963). Club members play in matches and tournaments in many parts of Scotland many have won honour not only for themselves but also for the Club. The Club is also well known in Lanark for its "Burns Supper" which is one of the top occasions in Lanark's social calendar.

If the original 17 members who founded Lanark Bowling Club 150 years ago were to appear today they would find many changes in the town and in the way of life of its people. On the Bowling Green they would recognise a few changes, e.g. the green is in better condition and the bowls are no longer made of wood. They would also notice that "Bowls" is no longer just a game for "gentlemen". Ladies are now present on the green where they give a very good account of themselves. The Club hopes to continue to meet the needs of its members in this new century.

COALBURN SILVER BAND (1902)

Coalburn Silver Band was formed in 1902 as a public subscription band and is the only surviving brass band in the South Lanarkshire area. The band is always in great demand and play at numerous events throughout the year, including Marymass, Edinburgh's Christmas and New Year celebrations, many local gala days and church services. The band of course takes greatest pride in historically its most longstanding and prestigious event of the year, the Lanark Lanimers Celebrations.

The band was successful last year in being awarded £20,000 towards the cost of new brass instruments from the National Lottery. As a result 17 new instruments were purchased and the band now boasts a thriving junior band. The senior band is always busy and as we celebrate our centenary, a number of commemorative events have been organised and include a reunion dance, a centenary concert and an open day. The band is also planning a return trip to our twin town, Yvetot in France.

The band is very fortunate to have the services of two conductors, Mr Erik Kerr, who has been our resident conductor for the past 23 years, is responsible for the day to day running of the junior and senior bands. Mr David Grey, whose long relationship with the band was rekindled last year, takes responsibility for the band in Mr Kerr's absence and preparation and participation for contest work.

The band would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their support over the last century and hope that with their continued assistance the band will flourish in years to come. The band is, as always, actively seeking new recruits and a warm welcome is extended to all. If you would like to find out more about the band please contact us on the web at www.coalburnsilverband.org.uk

This article was compiled by David Hutchison, member of the Lanimer Committee.