Carnegie Leisure Centre Wins Saltire Engineering Award

02/11/2012

Local MSP Bill Walker has welcomed news that Dunfermline’s refurbished Carnegie Leisure Centre has won a coveted 2012 Saltire Award for Civil Engineering.

Mr Walker, who is also a chartered engineer, said: “The Saltire Society makes annual commendations in recognition of engineering excellence in Scotland, and I’m really pleased they have acknowledged Carnegie Leisure Centre this year.

“The Leisure Centre is an important building historically, presented to the Dunfermline community in 1905 by Andrew Carnegie. During the refurbishment, the engineers, architects and builders managed to preserve the original Edwardian features, while turning the Leisure Centre into a modern, state-of-the-art facility fit for the needs of today’s visitors. The refurbishment has proved a resounding success, with our local newspaper, the Dunfermline Press, recently reporting that an average of a thousand visitors flock to the centre every evening. Read more of this post

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Vine Venue Party Conference

30/10/2012

The Vine Venue in Dunfermline is continuing to prove an attractive venue for conferences and meetings. Last Saturday, it hosted the Scottish Liberal Democrats’ Autumn Conference.

Independent MSP for Dunfermline, Bill Walker, said:

“The Vine Venue is a great local option for conferences. I’m pleased to see a political party, along with other organisations large and small, using the facilities readily available here in Dunfermline. Read more of this post

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Dunfermline Residents Could Make Big Energy Savings

22/10/2012

MSP Bill Walker is encouraging Dunfermline constituents to find out more about energy savings, as Citizens Advice Scotland launches Big Energy Saving Week.

The campaign, which runs from 22nd to 27th October, aims to help people be more confident and knowledgeable about finding the best energy deals.

Mr Walker said: “I was dismayed to learn from recent research by Citizens Advice that the parents of around six million children across the UK are anxious they won’t be able to pay the next energy bill. Similarly, figures from Age UK reveal that 30 per cent of people aged 65 and over avoid heating certain rooms for fear of the cost. Read more of this post

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Stagecoach’s Fife Transport Boost

19/10/2012

Stagecoach will shortly boost the Fife-Glasgow express network with nine new luxury coaches. This follows spending over the past year on five new coaches for the Fife-Edinburgh route, bringing the total spend to £4.4 million.

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker said the investment, which coincides with the launch of the new Fife-Glasgow timetable on 12 November, should improve the standard of journeys for Dunfermline travellers.

He said: “I am very glad to see investment in these important commuter routes. The new coaches have an increased capacity of 65 seats, which can only be a good thing for Fife workers and shoppers who depend on these networks. Read more of this post

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Independence Referendum Agreement Signed

17/10/2012

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker has welcomed the signing of the “Edinburgh Agreement” between First Minister Alex Salmond and Prime Minister David Cameron. This agreement confirms the Scottish Parliament’s power to hold a referendum on whether Scotland should become an independent country.

Mr Walker said: “I am delighted an agreement has now been reached. This marks an important step in Scotland’s journey by paving the way for the substantial debate on the benefits of independence to begin. Read more of this post

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MSP Seeks Limekilns Premises for Post Office Services

09/10/2012

Bill Walker has reassured Limekilns residents that he will inform the Post Office if suitable premises for a restored local service become available. The Dunfermline MSP has also asked local businesses to let him know if they can offer an alternative location for the Post Office formerly based in Main Street.

Mr Walker said: “Limekilns villagers have been without a local service since October 2011, following the resignation of the subpostmaster and withdrawal of the premises for Post Office use. This vacancy is still being advertised on the Post Office website, which is www.postoffice.co.uk. Read more of this post

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Commonwealth Games Mascot Clyde Drops into Parliament

08/10/2012

“Thistle-man” Clyde, official mascot of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, dropped into the Scottish Parliament recently to give MSPs a progress update.

After meeting Clyde, Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker said: “Clyde will be highly visible in the journey towards the Games and will play a major part in motivating young people to get involved in Scotland’s largest ever sporting event. Well done to twelve-year-old Beth Gilmour of Cumbernauld who won the UK-wide competition to design Glasgow 2014’s official mascot. I understand Beth is a keen swimmer, so I’m certain she will enjoy the Games. Read more of this post

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£25,000 Oakley Regeneration Programme

02/10/2012

£25,000 community initiative has launched in Oakley, funded by the Coalfield Regeneration Trust and the Scottish Government.

The Community Futures programme will see local people and groups set out a five-year action plan. Local priorities will be established through surveys, interviews, a community event and a public meeting.

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker said: “This is a very welcome initiative. I’m glad to see the Scottish Government supporting suitable projects in Oakley. Read more of this post

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Blair House Trust Community Funding

28/09/2012

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker has welcomed almost £19,000 funding to the Blair House Trust from Scottish Coal, which the Trust will award to local groups for projects of long-term community benefit. Eligible projects must be in the Saline/Steelend and Oakley/Comrie areas or along the coal haulage route to Longannet Power Station.

Mr Walker, a former and founder member of the Trust while serving as a Fife Councillor, said: Read more of this post

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Dunfermline Carnegie Hockey Club Funding

28/09/2012

Dunfermline Carnegie Hockey Club has received a £1,900 award from the Big Lottery Fund to purchase equipment and encourage young people to get involved in hockey. These objectives meet the 2014 Communities outcomes of “more people take part in sport or physical activity” and “more people volunteer in sport or physical activity”.

Bill Walker, MSP for Dunfermline, welcomed the award: Read more of this post

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Fife Council School Estate Review

27/09/2012

A Dunfermline primary school with dwindling pupil numbers could relocate to the local high school, an MSP has suggested, to prevent disrupting the “social fabric of the community” if the school were to close.

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker’s suggestion comes as Fife Council conducts a review of the School Estate. While no closures have been announced, performance tables show that only 31 pupils attend Wellwood Primary School. This means the school runs at 33% occupancy, making it the most expensive per pupil in its cluster. Read more of this post

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Post Office Committed to Culross Services

26/09/2012

The Post Office has affirmed its commitment to restoring services in Culross. Responding to an enquiry by Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker, the National Consultation Team advised that a search is underway for suitable new premises.

Mr Walker said: “Culross residents have been without a branch for some weeks following the resignation of the postmaster and withdrawal of the premises. Read more of this post

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Energy Saving Support for Dunfermline Homeowners

20/09/2012

MSP Bill Walker has urged Dunfermline homeowners to find out if the Energy Saving Trust can help them make their homes greener and more energy efficient. Read more of this post

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Minister Opens Kincardine Housing Development

14/09/2012

 On Thursday, Scottish Government Housing Minister, Margaret Burgess, officially opened Kingdom Housing Association’s £9 million housing development in Kincardine.

The 65 new affordable houses replace two of the three tower blocks demolished in 2010.  This is the first phase of a larger regeneration plan which will conclude with the demolition of the last remaining tower block, probably next year. Read more of this post

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Headwell House New Dunfermline Care Home

12/09/2012

Abbotsford Care (Glenrothes) Ltd is due to open a new care home in Dunfermline’s Headwell Avenue.

Headwell House, expected to open on 1st December, will be Abbotsford Care’s eighth home in Fife since their establishment in the care sector in 1987. Read more of this post

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Statement on Proposed Council Parking Charges

10/09/2012

I learned with utter dismay of the new parking charges proposed by Labour-led Fife Council for railway stations and elsewhere throughout Fife.  These include Dunfermline Town, Dunfermline Queen Margaret, Ferrytoll Park and Ride and the planned Halbeath Park and Choose facility.

This is all completely contrary to the well-established public policy of encouraging drivers to shift to train, bus and car-share whenever possible. It will increase the already high costs of travel, at a time when people’s budgets are squeezed.  It is completely mad to push more cars back on the roads and may even undermine employment by out-pricing travel costs. Read more of this post

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Steelend Saline Group’s Lottery Award to Drum Up Interest in Music Workshops

10/09/2012

Steelend Saline Drumming Group is set to launch the first of a series of drumming and music workshops, assisted by an Awards for All grant of £3,868 from Creative Scotland. The launch, at a forthcoming community festival, aims at raising interest in future workshops.

Local Dunfermline MSP, Bill Walker, said: “Congratulations to drumming tutor Mr Ian Holmes-Lewis and everyone taking part in the workshops. I hope the launch will generate lots of interest from the community. Read more of this post

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Riding for the Disabled Association’s £10,000 Big Lottery Award

07/09/2012

A riding group that provides tuition for children and adults with learning difficulties and physical disabilities has received £10,000 to improve their riding arena at Shiresmill, near Dunfermline.

The award from the Big Lottery Fund will enable Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporating Driving Dunfermline Group to buy Propel artificial riding surface . Read more of this post

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Statement on the Future of Dunfermline Fire Station

06/09/2012

I attended last Tuesday’s meeting of Fife Council’s Environment, Finance & Corporate Services Scrutiny Committee.

I was concerned about the previous decision taken by Fife Council’s Executive Committee to suspend the sale of the former Dunfermline Fife Station building on Carnegie Drive for a year so that “exclusive discussions could be undertaken with Dunfermline Creative on their proposals to convert” the building to an arts centre. Read more of this post

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Post Office Returns to Kingseat

05/09/2012

The MSP for Dunfermline has welcomed confirmation that Kingseat Post Office, previously located in Main Street, will reopen on the 19th September in the Wee Shop at 13 Henderson Street.

Bill Walker MSP said: “The people of Kingseat will be relieved to have a Post Office again, after the previous sub-post mistress’s retirement led to the loss of this vital service. This very welcome development means Kingseat residents won’t have to travel to Dunfermline to access a Post Office. Read more of this post

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Saline Show Gets Visitor From Down Under!

03/09/2012

The “Saline Show”, more fully known as the Saline & District Horticultural & Handcraft Society Show, took place this weekend in Saline Community Centre.

Society President, Mr Gareth Turner, along with Show Manager, Mr John Crane, and their many Society colleagues and helpers organised a show worthy of the long heritage of the event, which first took place in 1905. Read more of this post

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Fifers Eligible to Apply For Free Home Insulation

31/08/2012

Fife Council’s offer of free home insulation is nearing its target for applications, prompting Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker to urge Fifers to take up the offer before funding ends.

Mr Walker said: “Homeowners, landlords and private tenants can apply for free cavity wall and loft insulation to reduce energy bills and have more environmentally friendly properties. The only condition is that the property requires insulation. Read more of this post

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Reverend MaryAnn Rennie Appointed as Abbey Minister

31/08/2012

MSP for Dunfermline Bill Walker has welcomed the appointment of Reverend MaryAnn Rennie as the first female minister of the historic Dunfermline Abbey.

A parish minister of 14 years’ standing, Reverend Rennie currently serves in St Anne’s Parish Church in Corstorphine, Edinburgh. Read more of this post

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Good Luck to Craig Rodgie in His First Paralympics

30/08/2012

Dunfermline swimmer Craig Rodgie is competing in his first Paralympic Games.

22-year old Craig, who trains with the performance swim team at the University of Edinburgh, previously won gold in the 2009 European Championships in Reykjavik, Iceland. Read more of this post

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Townhill Waterski Centre Café Opening

29/08/2012

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker has attended the opening of the new café at the Scottish National Waterski Centre in Townhill, Dunfermline. The café is part of an approximately £150,000 upgrade to Townhill Country Park, funded by Fife Council and the Colton Trust.

Mr Walker said: “The Scottish National Waterski Centre is an important Dunfermline attraction, so I’m very pleased to see the improvements. In addition to being Scotland’s national training site, it is regarded as one of the best ski facilities in Europe. Read more of this post

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