Forth, Lanarkshire
Encyclopedia
Forth is a small village
in South Lanarkshire
, Scotland
with a population of around 3,500 people. It is situated near Lanark, and stands 1000 feet above sea level.
The main street garage which still stands today was first opened in the same spot back in 1926 by Sanny Griffin. The first Police Station in Forth was opened in 1886 but is now home to the local Health Clinic.
Forth Parish Church was built in 1875 and the stone used was quarried directly from Hailstonegreen.
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.
Like a lot of places, 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.
Blacklaw Wind Farm, once the largest on-land windfarm in Britain, is situated in the nearby hamlet of Climpy.
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.
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 (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.
The Co-op mini supermarket; a First for Convenience for general groceries; Bobby's Newsagents; 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.
Forth also has a doctors' surgery and a chemist.
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.
caretaker manager Jamie McKenzie
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The teams first games where 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.
, known as Rock music's first lead keyboard player and member of pioneering 60s/70s band Clouds
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Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
in South Lanarkshire
South Lanarkshire
South Lanarkshire is one of 32 unitary council areas of Scotland, covering the southern part of the former county of Lanarkshire. It borders the south-east of the city of Glasgow and contains many of Glasgow's suburbs, commuter towns and smaller villages....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
with a population of around 3,500 people. It is situated near Lanark, and stands 1000 feet above sea level.
History of Forth
The town of Forth, which is known locally - and beyond - as "The Forth", is thought to mean "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.The main street garage which still stands today was first opened in the same spot back in 1926 by Sanny Griffin. The first Police Station in Forth was opened in 1886 but is now home to the local Health Clinic.
Forth Parish Church was built in 1875 and the stone used was quarried directly from Hailstonegreen.
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.
Like a lot of places, 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.
Blacklaw Wind Farm, once the largest on-land windfarm in Britain, is situated in the nearby hamlet of Climpy.
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.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 (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 Co-op mini supermarket; a First for Convenience for general groceries; Bobby's Newsagents; 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, a Chinese restaurant, and Swaad which is an Indian takeaway. 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 comapnay 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 CityElgin City F.C.
Elgin City Football Club are a semi-professional football team based in Elgin, Moray. They currently compete in the Scottish Third Division....
caretaker manager Jamie McKenzie
Jamie McKenzie (footballer born 1980)
Jamie McKenzie is a Scottish professional footballer. He played for Partick Thistle, Cowdenbeath, Albion Rovers, Stenhousemuir, Elgin City and Montrose in the Scottish Football League. McKenzie also served as caretaker manager of Elgin City during the 2005–06 season...
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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 teams first games where 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 Irvine'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, and footballer Willie Waddell. Also Billy RitchieBilly Ritchie (musician)
William Edward Ritchie is a British keyboard player and composer. Formerly a member of The Satellites, The Premiers, 1-2-3, and Clouds. He is generally acknowledged as being the first keyboard player in rock music to stand and take a leading role, thereby providing a model for others such as Keith...
, known as Rock music's first lead keyboard player and member of pioneering 60s/70s band Clouds
Clouds (60s rock band)
Clouds were a 1960s Scottish rock band that disbanded in October 1971. The band consisted of Ian Ellis , Harry Hughes and Billy Ritchie .- Early days: The Premiers :...
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