Is Larkhall all that 'staunch'? Local historians say maybe not
With its caged-in green traffic lights and the world's only black Subway sandwich shop, Larkhall has long-held a reputation for being deeply anti-Catholic and pro-Unionist — local historians, however, want to set the record straight.
Members of Larkhall Heritage Group spoke to The National about the town's history, its community spirit, and why they believe Larkhall's sectarian reputation may be unfair.
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The history of Larkhall
Helen Moir, head chairperson of the group and local historian, gave a brief overview of the town's history: 'Larkhall as we know it now really didn't come into being until the 18th century, around 1740, but when they were digging up the foundations to build the Asda they found evidence of habitation that went back 8000 years.
'What really made this town grow was the fact that Larkhall sits in the main Glasgow to Carlisle coach road.'
Moir explained that Larkhall was initially a domestic weaving town, where families would work with looms in one room of a cottage and live in the other, but the discovery of a coal seam — like many towns in South Lanarkshire — was what really put it on the map, leading to an influx of new residents and the creation of both a cooperative and the Larkhall Victualling Society.
Larkhall's victualling society, pictured above, was set up to provide essential goods and services at affordable prices for community members (Image: Larkhall Heritage Group) It was described by Moir as a place that has always been forward thinking, being an early adopter of a cooperative movement and having tram and train links by the early 20th century, but acknowledged the sectarian reputation it holds.
'It's always been a forward thinking wee village, and I know we get a reputation for sectarianism but that's not totally true — this group has studied Larkhall inside and out.
'There was a huge mix of Catholic and Protestant Irish people who came to the west of Scotland and settled in Larkhall, and local records show absolutely no evidence of sectarian violence.'
Whilst still a predominantly 'Rangers' area, and being home to a historic Orange Lodge, Moir said that interest in Orange Walks had died down in recent years and stressed there is a thriving Catholic congregation in the area — as well as setting the record straight on the infamous red-white-and-blue railings.
'They were painted that colour for Queen Elizabeth's father's coronation and they just remained that colour — it wasn't a deliberate act," she explained, referencing how the fence was green prior to the coronation.
She added: 'I think this all needs to be kind of put to bed now.'
Shifting the focus
Instead of Larkhall being known for its sectarian roots, Moir wants people to focus on the wealth of history the area has, the revival of train services following the Beeching cuts, its tight-knit and pro-active community, and the fact it still has a thriving high street amongst other things.
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'We should talk about the fact there's been habitation here for thousands of years, talk about how Larkhall had advanced with trains, trams and all of its shops; it has always been a village that's moved on', she said.
'The aim of this group is to archive as much local history as possible and to present it and save it for generations to come, rather than talk about Rangers and Celtic and Orange Parades and all of that stuff.
'Since the trains were brought back, the town has expanded like many others. It brought investments, new houses and with that more folk. Anything that brings more diversity, more community spirit — that can only be a good thing, no matter the faith background.'
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