Forth, South Lanarkshire

Forth
Forth
Forth shown within South Lanarkshire
Population

2,220 (2001 census)

est. 3500 (2009)
OS grid reference NS9435352017
Council area
Lieutenancy area
Country Scotland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Postcode district ML
Dialling code 01555
Police Scottish
Fire Scottish
Ambulance Scottish
EU Parliament Scotland
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament

Forth is a village in South Lanarkshire, Scotland with a population of around 3,500 people. It is situated near Lanark, and stands 1,000 feet (320 metres) above sea level.

History of Forth

The town of Forth, is thought to take its name from the meaning "the open air". The town itself is first mentioned in a great seal charter of 1599. The first jobs available in the town of Forth were thought to be handloom weavers who, after an increase in the towns capacity to 170, were replaced by different trades such as ironstone, limestone and coalminers. The latter trades contribute to why it is known as a mining village.

Amongst the historic buildings in the village, Forth Parish Church was built in 1875 and the stone used was quarried directly from nearby Hailstonegreen. The first Police Station in Forth was opened in 1886 and is now home to the local Health Clinic.

The main street garage which still stands today was first opened in the same spot back in 1926 by Sanny Griffin.

Forth Railway Station at Wilsontown was built in 1867. This proved a great success and helped the town move forward. This, however became obsolete in coming years and was eventually closed in the 1950s.

The War had a devastating effect on the town of Forth: forty-nine men from Forth lost their lives. This number is even more significant when you take into consideration that the combined population of Forth was just 1000.

Some traditions from the past are still going today. In 1932, the first "Queen of Heather" was crowned, and this tradition became part of a Gala day for the town of Forth and has continued until this present day.[1]

Blacklaw Wind Farm, once the largest on-land windfarm in Britain, is situated in the nearby hamlet of Climpy.

Facilities

Education

Forth has a small nursery and primary school and this feeds to Carluke High School. There is a small library attached to the school which is home to a several clubs such as to a book club for the younger children on Tuesdays. Additionally, there is a youth club held for primary children on a Friday night and for older children on a Monday night.

Sports

One of the main facilities in Forth is the Sports Centre.[2]

The Centre runs a number of different classes for all ages. There are fitness classes for adults - including gym circuit and body combat classes. There is also a creche for the children of those who wish to use the facilities. Older children can attend classes such as trampolining and gymnastics. There is a gym which is open to everybody aged 14 and over. The halls are available to let out for special occasions such as parties and conferences.

There are a number of football pitches in Forth. There are lighted pitches, they are the best in lanarkshire (opened in 2009) which are free for young children and can be leased by adults. There are also a number of parks where anybody can play for free. Additionally, the local football team the Forth Wanderers own a pitch where they play home matches and have their training sessions.

At the other end of the town, there is also a bowling club named Forth & Wilsontown Bowling Club.

Shopping

There are a number of shops in Forth. These include: The Coop mini supermarket; a MCCOLLS general Store; U Save Newsagent and grocery shop; McCafferty's Butcher Shop; The Post Office; a motor bike shop, Sam Dornan's Car Sales; A & C Ross Garage and Shop; and a Breast Cancer Care charity shop.

Food

There are a number of places to eat out in Forth as well as a number to get a takeaway including Roccos chip shop, and Wongs Cuisine. Additionally, The Talisker Inn and The Inns on the Main Street both offer bar meals.

Others

A charity venture in the town called "Little Haven" is a clinic that offers treatments to those affected by cancer and other illnesses.

Forth also has a doctors' surgery and a chemist.

Boys' Brigade and Girls' Association

The village also has a Boys' Brigade company, 1st Forth. The company has an anchor section for primary 1-3, a junior section for primary 4-6 and a company section for primary 7 and upwards. Since the BB headquarters passed that companies can now accept girls and so the company now has a Girls' Association that meets at the same time as the boys. The company and junior sections meet on a Thursday night and the anchor section meets on a Friday night.

The company always turns out for the annual Remembrance day parade in November and Escort the banner at the Gala Day. The company also provides the guard of honour to the Gala Court when possible.

Forth Wanderers Football Club

Forth Wanderers Football Club is the junior team for the town. Founded in 1904, Wanderers play their home games at Kingshill Park on Main Street. Their manager since June 2011 is former Elgin City caretaker manager Jamie McKenzie.

History

Although the team was founded in 1904, it they did not play officially until 1907. At this time their team consisted of big, heavy men called “Brushers”. Their claim to success in this early stage of their clubs history was and 8th round Scottish Cup tie against Orbiston Celtic. A narrow defeat prevented them from reaching the semi-final.

The team's first games were played at Pleasure Park before the Wanderers moved to Hie Dyke in 1929. It was 5 years later until they moved to what is their current home, Kingshill Park in 1934. The first game at Kingshill was against Carluke Rovers.

Recent History

League Record from 1990:

1990-91: 4th Central Division 2, 24pts from 20 games (2pts per win)
1991-92: 2nd Central Division 2, 36pts from 26 games (2pts per win)
1992-93: 4th Central Division 1, 26pts from 24 games (2pts per win)
1993-94: 10th Central Division 1, 23pts from 26 games (2pts per win)
1994-95: 10th Central Division 1, 30pts from 26 games
1995-96: 11th Central Division 1, 28pts from 26 games
1996-97: 7th Central Division 1, 35pts from 26 games
1997-98: 8th Central Division 1, 34pts from 26 games
1998-99: 14th Central Division 1, 16pts from 26 games
1999-00: 11th Central Division 2, 20pts from 24 games
2000-01: 12th Central Division 2, 13pts from 24 games
2001-02: 8th Central Division 2, 28pts from 22 games
2002-03: 6th Central Division 2, 34pts from 24 games
2003-04: 6th Central Division 2, 33pts from 24 games
2004-05: 10th Central Division 2, 24pts from 24 games
2005-06: 9th Central Division 2, 15pts from 20 games
2006-07: 7th Central Division 2, 28pts from 22 games
2007-08: 5th Central Division 2, 29pts from 18 games
2008-09: 8th Central Division 2, 23pts from 20 games
2009-10: 9th Central Division 2, 17pts from 20 games
2010-11: 11th Central Division 2, 20pts from 22 games

Transport

There is an hourly bus service run by Stuart's to Lanark, and the Blue Bus Company run a bus to Livingston several times a day.

Noted Residents

Famous or noted residents who have lived in, or were born, in Forth include George Gracie who was included in the Guinness Book of Records as the Scotland's tallest man,[3] and footballer Willie Waddell.[4] Also Billy Ritchie, known as Rock music's first lead keyboard player and member of pioneering 60s/70s band Clouds.And current leader of the SNLA

Also Neil Thomson

See also

References

  1. ↑ Forth District Site History
  2. ↑ Forth Sports and Community Centre from the South Lanarkshire Leisure site.
  3. ↑ http://www.forth.themutual.net/main.html Forth District website.
  4. ↑ Rangers History Hall of Fame
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