On Wednesday 23 May 2007 at the first
meeting of South Lanarkshire Council since the May elections
Depute Provost Russell Clearie was appointed Provost of South
Lanarkshire
Provost Russell Clearie is no stranger to the role having served
as Depute Provost in the last administration. A former steel
worker, Russell and his wife Pam, who is also a councillor, have
been involved in a wide range of community organisations and
charities over the years. Provost Clearie was one of the three
councillors elected on 3 May to represent Cambuslang West.
He
said: "I'm absolutely delighted - and very much looking
forward to the next four years. I hope to be a great ambassador
for South Lanarkshire and to spend a lot of time out and about
working with senior citizens, young people and the voluntary
sector in particular."
Provost Russell Clearie & his wife Councillor Pam Clearie May
2007
They have been married for 36 yrs and have two children and one
grandson.
~ ~ ~
Provost Clearie added: "One of my priorities as a Provost
will be to bridge the gap between young people and senior
citizens. I think there has been a culture shift over the years
and the gap between the young and old has grown. I know from
intergenerational work I've been involved in through my role as
South Lanarkshire's Spokesperson for Older People that you can
do something about that - and when you give young and old
opportunities to work together on a project, they gain so much
from each other."
Russell
served four years
as Depute Provost and carried out a wide range of
duties within the community, from visiting residents celebrating
their 100th birthdays and 60th wedding anniversaries to hosting
the community service awards and playing a key role in
ceremonies such as Remembrance Day.
Russell was elected to South Lanarkshire in 1995 and
represented the Cathkin/Springhall area up to 2007 when he then
was invited to contest the Cambuslang West ward, which he
successfully did. He also chairs the South Lanarkshire
Older People's Assembly as the council's Spokesperson for Older
People.
Having worked in the steel industry for 42 years, he
has played an active role in the Iron and Steel Trades
Confederation and was its Chair for the Scottish Steel industry.
He undertakes charity work for young and old and received an MBE
for his services to the community from Her Majesty The Queen in
1998.
He was awarded the Polish Golden Cross of Merit,
the highest Polish civilian award, in 2010.
.
I was delighted that Russell attended my Opening
Dayon8 Apr.2006 made all the more special as he was there in his
official capacity as Depute Provost of South Lanarkshire
Council proudly wearing that lovely chain of office!
Nearly one year on, Feb.2007 President Will.McArthur,
at the end of his term,
gets hearty congratulations from the then Depute Provost
Provost Clearie, his wife Councillor Pam Clearie, Lady
President Ann and President Peter Phillips
at the club's Opening Day on 10th April 2010
.
On
Monday 17 May 2010 Provost Russell Clearie was presented
with the Polish Golden Cross of Merit by the Polish
Consul in Glasgow City Chambers.
The Consul General of the Republic of Poland, Mr Tomasz
Trafas, presented the award at a ceremony with
representatives of the Polish community in Scotland.
This great honour was bestowed on behalf of the President of
Poland for the Provost's service to the Polish community in
Scotland for many years.
Provost Russell Clearie said: “It was a great honour for me
to receive the Polish Golden Cross of Merit, the highest
Polish civilian award.
“I was extremely proud to be informed that the President of
Poland felt that my service to the Polish community for over
10 years deserved such recognition.
“It was a very special moment for me, my family and all the
residents of South Lanarkshire when I was presented with the
medal by the Consul General of the Republic of Poland along
with the other awards recipients, all of whom have done so
much for the Polish community in Scotland.”
A news feature was filmed about the event:-
Background info about the
award
source from the Wikipedia
Website:-
The Cross of
Merit (Polish:
Krzyż
Zasługi)
is a Polish
civil
state award established on June 23, 1923, to
recognize services to the state. The Order has
three grades:-
1. Gold Cross of Merit
2. Silver Cross of Merit
3. Bronze Cross of Merit
At the time of its
establishment in 1923, the Cross of Merit was the highest
civilian award in Poland. It was awarded to citizens who
went beyond the call of duty in their work for the country
and society as a whole. Awarded for
Exemplary public service or humanitarian work that goes
above and beyond the call of duty
~~~~~~~~~~~
In 2010 Provost Clearie gave the club a donation towards a
new carpet for the
clubhouse
~~~~~~~~~
Russell received his 50 year Certificate on 6th November 2017 at Masonic Lodge Buchannan 1499
from the PGM Lanarkshire Middle Ward Bro. Bill Perry. Congratulations
~~~~~~~~~
Senior
Citizens Christmas Party A big
thank-you to South Lanarkshire
Councilfor
their generous donation towards our Senior Citizens Christmas Party
each
year.
see 2006
photos