Judith Tonner

Bothwell Art Club will hold its annual exhibition at Bothwell Parish Church Centre on September 12 and 13. Members will display original artwork, with many pieces available for purchase. The free event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, and is open to all visitors.

Around 10,000 people attended the fourth annual Lanarkshire Pride festival in Hamilton, featuring stalls, entertainment and a march through the town centre. Organizers described the event as a major celebration of community, visibility and belonging, while emphasizing that Pride remains important amid continuing inequality and intolerance. The event concluded with speeches from Pride Connect members and a headline performance by RuPaul’s Drag Race star Cheryl The Queen; Lanarkshire Pride CIC also announced the resumption of its weekly groups for young people and adults.

Stonehouse Folk Club will hold its autumn and winter concerts and acoustic sessions at Stonehouse Bowling Club while major electrical work is carried out at its usual home, St Ninian’s Church. The new programme begins on September 11 and includes performances by Clova, Andrew Gordon, Euan Johnson, John Graham and Jim Jack, alongside a weekend of free sessions in Leadhills. Founded in 1997, the club hopes to return to the church after renovation work expected to continue until October.

Additional Scottish Government funding will support tree planting and woodland protection through the Clyde Climate Forest, including at least 1,000 new urban trees in each selected community. Burnbank, Blantyre and Rutherglen have been identified as target neighbourhoods because of low tree canopy and vulnerability to flash flooding and urban overheating. Funding will also support a rural climate-engagement and planting project at Douglas Water and Rigside. South Lanarkshire has already planted 6,276 trees in target areas, while the wider initiative has planted nearly five million trees across the Glasgow city region.

Hamilton’s new town centre board has begun work on a £20 million UK Government-funded Pride in Place initiative and will run a major public consultation in August and September to shape a 10-year revitalisation plan. Board members from local government, businesses and community groups will gather views from residents, workers and visitors through events and online channels. The consultation aims to inform a transformation plan focused on creating thriving neighbourhoods and empowering local involvement. An initial plan will be presented to South Lanarkshire Council in November before submission to the UK housing and communities department.

Nearly 1,700 residents contributed to a community survey by the Larkhall Plan Partnership, identifying priorities such as tackling vandalism, improving public transport, enhancing community spaces, and addressing waste and environmental issues. The findings show high satisfaction with Larkhall as a place to live but highlight concerns over public services and sports facilities. The resulting five-year action plan outlines steps for improvements across community safety, health and wellbeing, local infrastructure, and environmental maintenance, with the data intended to support funding bids and guide future decision-making.

Hamilton Park Racecourse begins two days of centenary celebrations marking 100 years since the venue opened in 1926. Events include a community raceday featuring free or discounted tickets for local residents and groups, along with family entertainment and historical exhibitions. The celebrations continue with the Glasgow Stakes racenight, featuring top-level flat racing and a live performance by Tide Lines. Sponsors and local organisations support the programme, highlighting both the racecourse’s heritage and its ongoing role in the community.

Guide Dogs is holding an information event in Hamilton to encourage residents to foster trainee guide dogs for several months while they attend weekday training at the charity’s local centre. The free session at Hamilton Town House Library will include details on fostering responsibilities, support provided by the charity and other volunteering opportunities. Attendees can book ahead or drop in to learn more about contributing to guide dog training for people with sight loss.

A Hamilton mother who survived a severe postpartum haemorrhage after receiving six units of donated blood is urging the public to become blood donors. The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service reports a drop in donations during summer and major events and stresses the need for new and returning donors, particularly those with O and A blood groups. Officials and Scotland’s public health minister highlight the lifesaving importance of donation as community blood sessions are scheduled across Lanarkshire and Glasgow.

Hamilton’s Vue cinema has launched a summer passport promotion offering children the chance to collect stamps and enter a competition to win a £25 gift card. The cinema is also introducing discounted children’s tickets through the Great British Summer Savings scheme. Summer film offerings include Toy Story 5, Minions & Monsters, a new live-action Moana and Spider-Man: Brand New Day, while additional programmes such as Mighty Mornings and Big Shorts aim to cater to younger audiences.

St John Ogilvie High in Hamilton received an excellent rating for leadership and very good grades in key educational areas following an Education Scotland inspection. The report commended the school’s leadership under head teacher Lorna Lawson, the collaborative work of staff, strong wellbeing initiatives, effective equity programmes, and pupils’ positive contribution to school culture. South Lanarkshire Council welcomed the findings as among the best in Scotland, highlighting the school’s ethos and commitment to pupil success.

Seventeen-year-old Lanark swimmer Evi Mackie has been selected as the youngest member of Scotland’s 25‑strong swimming team for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. She will also represent Great Britain at the European Junior Championships in Germany. Coaches, community members and local MP Imogen Walker praised her dedication, hard work and achievement, highlighting the strong support from Lanark Amateur Swimming Club. Mackie joins the national team alongside established athletes including Duncan Scott and views the opportunity as a major honour and milestone in her career.

Nearly 1000 newly planted saplings at Hareleeshill in Larkhall were destroyed, believed to be caused by off‑road vehicles. South Lanarkshire Council officials condemned the vandalism, and police launched an investigation while urging the public to provide information or footage. The damaged woodland had been funded through the Nature Restoration Fund as part of broader environmental initiatives, and replanting is planned for the next season with help from The Conservation Volunteers. The incident follows similar vehicle‑related vandalism in the region and ongoing community concerns about anti‑social driving.

Community volunteers from Lanarkshire were honoured as local heroes during the ceremonial opening of the seventh session of the Scottish Parliament, attended by the King and Queen. Terry Paterson was recognised for her extensive work with Larkhall Plan Partnership and the Larkhall community growers, while Susan Lindner-Kelly and Janine Boyle were also selected to represent their constituencies for longstanding service to local groups and care work. MSPs Alex Kerr, Clare Haughey and Steven Bonnar highlighted the impact these individuals have had on their communities and celebrated their contributions during the Holyrood ceremony.

Plans for a new community health hub in Hamilton were announced as part of a wider shift toward expanding community-based healthcare across Scotland. Health secretary Angela Constance confirmed eight new hubs nationwide while declaring existing plans for the new Monklands hospital unaffordable, prompting a full redesign process. The hubs aim to deliver coordinated services closer to home and reduce pressure on acute hospitals. NHS Lanarkshire welcomed investment in community services while acknowledging concerns about the reset of the Monklands project. Local MSP Alex Kerr advocated for additional walk-in GP facilities, and the redesign of the hospital is expected to produce new options by mid‑2027, with construction targeted for 2028.

Clyde Cycle Park in Cambuslang will host a free community fun day on July 4 to mark one year until the 2027 Tour de France begins in Scotland. Activities include lessons, trials, bike servicing, a cyclo-cross race, and the venue’s first timed “park cycle.” Organisers aim to celebrate the Tour’s upcoming Grand Depart from Edinburgh and encourage participation across all ages. The expanded one‑kilometre track, completed in 2025, has supported a wide range of users and community groups.