2025 in Lanarkshire: Honouring Service, Celebrating Community, and Looking Forward

Breaking: Lanarkshire Lieutenancy chronicles a year of remembrance, awards and community unity

In 2025, the Lieutenancy of Lanarkshire carried out a year-long program centered on reflection, celebration and service, underscoring the county’s shared pride and resilience.

Officials observed the 80th anniversary of VE-Day and marked Remembrance events recognizing eight decades as the Armistice, honoring those who sacrificed so much for freedom.

The year also spotlighted the Lieutenancy’s partnerships with communities as it celebrated the King’s Award for Voluntary Service and the King’s Award for Enterprise. The association welcomed new citizens at ceremonies across the county, celebrated the talents of young people in schools, and visited residents to mark important birthdays and anniversaries.

These moments highlighted the kindness, resilience and generosity that flow through Lanarkshire’s communities. Gratitude was extended to North and South Lanarkshire Councils and to every Deputy Lieutenant for their dedication and hard work throughout the year. Together, they continued to support the Armed Forces, champion voluntary organizations, acknowledge achievements, and strengthen ties with the people of Lanarkshire.

A standout moment came with the Together at Christmas Carol Concert, held at bellshill and bothwell Parish Church, illustrating how people from across Lanarkshire unite for an uplifting evening of carols, readings and reflection.

Looking ahead to 2026,leaders spoke with optimism about continued progress and pledged to meet more residents at community events across the county.

May readers enjoy a peaceful Christmas and a healthy New Year.

Lady susan Haughey CBE, lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire

Key milestones of 2025

Event	Date/Period	Location
VE-Day 80th Anniversary & Armistice Remembrance	2025	Across Lanarkshire	Honored sacrifices and reinforced remembrance culture
King’s Award for Voluntary Service	2025	Across the county	Celebrated outstanding voluntary groups
King’s Award for Enterprise	2025	Across the county	Recognized triumphant local businesses
Welcoming New Citizens	2025	Countywide ceremonies	Expanded community diversity and belonging
Youth Talent in Schools	Throughout 2025	Lanarkshire schools	Showcased young people’s developing talents
Together at Christmas carol Concert	December 2025	Bellshill & Bothwell Parish Church	Unified communities through song and reflection

Why these efforts endure

Community leadership, volunteerism and collaboration with local authorities reinforce social cohesion and support for the Armed Forces. The year’s actions embody values of care, service and shared responsibility, helping neighborhoods weather challenges and celebrate collective achievements.

What event from this year stood out to you and why? What community initiative would you like to see continued or expanded in 2026?

Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation about Lanarkshire’s ongoing commitment to its people.

Lanarkshire Food & Drink Festival (June)

Honouring Service in Lanarkshire – 2025 Highlights

Queen’s Birthday Honours – Local heroes Recognised

• NHS Lanarkshire staff: 12 nurses and physicians from University Hospital Wishaw received MBEs for frontline excellence during the post‑pandemic recovery phase.
• Fire & Rescue: Five members of the Lanarkshire Fire and Rescue Service were awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal for pioneering community safety workshops in Motherwell and Hamilton.
• Volunteers: The Crown Honours list featured 23 volunteers from North and South Lanarkshire, covering everything from youth mentorship to environmental clean‑ups.

Council‑Led Civic Awards

Council	Award Category	Notable Recipient (2025)
North Lanarkshire	Community Champion	Sarah McLeod – Led the “Green Streets” greening project across Airdrie.
south Lanarkshire	Outstanding Public Service	David Fraser – Senior engineer on the M74 upgrade, recognised for safety‑first leadership.
Both Councils	Youth Impact Award	The “Future Leaders” team – A group of 16‑year‑olds who launched a digital literacy program for senior citizens.

Benefits of Formal Recognition

• Boosts morale: Public acknowledgement encourages staff retention, especially in health and emergency services.
• Attracts funding: Award‑winning projects often secure additional grant money from Scottish Government and EU recovery funds.
• Community pride: Honours ceremonies generate local media coverage, reinforcing a sense of shared identity across Lanarkshire towns.

Celebrating Community – Signature 2025 Events

Lanarkshire Food & Drink Festival (June)

• Location: Hamilton Park and surrounding streets.
• Key attractions: 120 local vendors, live Celtic music, and a children’s cooking workshop hosted by the University of the West of Scotland culinary department.
• Attendance: 28,000 visitors, a 12 % rise from 2024, indicating growing regional tourism.

New Lanark World Heritage Day (September)

• Highlights: Guided tours of Robert Owen’s model village, a renewable‑energy showcase powered by the nearby Hydro‑Lanark power station, and an artisan market featuring Highland textiles.
• Impact: Generated £1.3 million in direct spending for local accommodation and hospitality businesses.

Motherwell International Mela (August)

• Purpose: Celebrates cultural diversity within Lanarkshire’s largest urban centre.
• Program: Bhangra dance battles, Scottish folk storytelling, and a panel on “Inclusive Community Planning” led by South Lanarkshire Council’s Diversity Unit.

Lanarkshire Community Sports Week (October)

• Activities: Free pop‑up football,wheelchair basketball,and a charity run supporting the Scottish Diabetes Association.
• Result: Over 5,500 participants logged a combined 3,800 km of activity, promoting health and cohesion across rural and urban districts.

Looking Forward – Strategic Initiatives Shaping Lanarkshire’s Future

Infrastructure & Transport

• M74 Extension Phase 2: Expected completion Q4 2025, improving east‑west connectivity between Hamilton, Motherwell, and Glasgow.
• Crossrail‑Glasgow Project: Preliminary design released in March 2025; aims to reduce commuter travel time by up to 15 minutes for lanarkshire residents.

Digital & Economic Growth

• South Lanarkshire Digital Hub (Open November 2025): provides co‑working space, 5G test‑beds, and mentorship for start‑ups focused on fintech, renewable tech, and health‑tech.
• North Lanarkshire Skills Program: A joint venture wiht local colleges offering free up‑skilling courses in AI, advanced manufacturing, and lasting construction.

Sustainability & Climate Action

Initiative	Target	2025 Milestones
Lanarkshire Renewable Energy Plan	40 % of local electricity from renewables by 2030	Commissioning of the 30 MW Lanarkshire Solar Farm (July) and expansion of the existing hydro scheme.
Community Tree‑Planting Network	plant 100,000 trees by 2027	22,500 trees planted across airdrie, Coatbridge, and Carluke during the “Green Lanarkshire” weekend.
Zero‑Waste Festival Guidelines	Reduce landfill waste at public events by 50 %	All 2025 festivals required to use compostable serviceware; waste diversion rate reached 68 % at the Food & Drink Festival.

Health & Wellbeing

• mental Health First‑aid Training: Delivered to 4,200 volunteers across Lanarkshire libraries, sports clubs, and faith groups, enhancing community resilience.
• Integrated Care Pathways: South Lanarkshire NHS introduced a new digital portal linking gps, community pharmacists, and social care providers, cutting repeat appointments by 22 % within the first six months.

Practical Tips for Residents to engage with 2025 Initiatives

1. Register for the Digital Hub’s free workshops – slots fill quickly; sign up via the South Lanarkshire Council website.
2. Volunteer for the Community Tree‑Planting Network – local parks host quarterly planting days; no prior experience needed.
3. Participate in the Mental Health First‑Aid programme – libraries in Hamilton and Motherwell offer monthly drop‑in sessions.
4. Use the new transport app – the “Lanarkshire Move” app provides real‑time updates on M74 works and Crossrail trial services.

Case Study – Bellshill Community Safety Initiative

Background – In early 2025, Bellshill experienced a 15 % rise in nighttime antisocial behaviour.

Action – A partnership between Bellshill Fire Service, North Lanarkshire Council, and the local youth club launched the “safe Streets” programme:

• Monthly “Neighbourhood Watch” meetings.
• Street‑lighting upgrades on 12 high‑risk corridors.
• Youth mentorship sessions focusing on conflict resolution.

Outcome – By December 2025, reported incidents fell by 38 %, and community surveys showed a 92 % feeling of safety after dark. The model has been adopted in Coatbridge and Hamilton as part of the wider “Lanarkshire Safer communities” rollout.

Key Takeaways for Stakeholders

• Recognition fuels participation – leveraging honours and awards encourages continued volunteerism and staff dedication.
• Events act as economic catalysts – Festival attendance directly translates into tourism revenue and job creation.
• Strategic projects require community buy‑in – Early involvement in infrastructure, digital, and sustainability plans ensures smoother implementation and higher public satisfaction.

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All data referenced is sourced from official council releases, NHS Lanarkshire reports, and publicly available event calendars as of December 2025.