Dunfermline High School officially opens

22/03/2013

DHS 004Dunfermline High School has officially opened, with pupils performing in a music-filled launch ceremony.

The opening began with pipers welcoming guests at the main entrance. Clarsach Duo, consisting of Amy Sinclair and Megan Jarvie, played harp music to greet guests outside the Assembly Hall.

Soloists, a wind band and a choir performed in between various speeches, including introductions by Head Boy and Head Girl, Alexander Johnstone and Amber Russell, and an address by the Provost of Fife, Jim Leishman. Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with

New College, New Name, New Principal

20/03/2013

CollegeFriday 15 March 2013 was an historic day for Fife when the Partnership Board, overseeing the merger of Carnegie and Adam Smith Colleges, gave their formal approval of the merger proposal and their commitment to form a new college in Fife.

Following a consultation process involving students, staff, stakeholders and employers the Board agreed to recommend that, from the planned Vesting Day on 1 August  2013, the new organisation should be known as Fife College, which was the name supported by the majority of respondents.

The new college Principal will be Hugh Logan who is currently Principal of Motherwell College. Mr Logan was previously Principal of North Highland College, and has held a variety of posts in colleges as well as working in industry and secondary education. Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with , , ,

£90K funding for Saline pathway project

19/03/2013

Big Lottery FundSaline Environmental Group is to receive £90,000 funding from a total of almost £5m granted across Scotland through the Big Lottery Fund’s Community Spaces Scotland scheme.

The grant will be used to construct a pathway between the west Fife village of Saline and Kinneddar Park, along with a bridge and fitness equipment en route. The aim is to encourage local people to have a greater interest in their environment.

The project represents the first phase of a larger initiative to link four individual communities by providing easily accessible pathways that can be used for access and recreational purposes such as walking, cycling, horse riding and mobility vehicles. Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with , ,

Queen Anne High School’s ‘glowing’ inspection reports

19/03/2013

Queen Anne HighLocal MSP Bill Walker has congratulated Dunfermline’s Queen Anne High School on an Education Scotland inspection that found the school to be performing exceptionally well. HM Inspectors found outstanding examples of the Curriculum for Excellence in practice and rated the school as “excellent” or “very good” for every evaluated aspect of its work.

Inspectors also produced a report on the associated learning community, which they consider to be a high-performing service. Rating “very good” in all aspects, its key strengths include well-targeted provision for young people, adults and community groups, well-trained and highly motivated staff, highly developed partnerships and positive collaborative working. Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with

Debt counselling charity aims to help Dunfermline constituents become debt free

18/03/2013

CAPChristians Against Poverty (CAP) recently met with Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker to explain how the award-winning charity’s free service can help Dunfermline constituents escape the misery of debt. The confidential service is available for everyone regardless of age, gender, faith or background.

CAP supports thousands of clients each year by negotiating fair repayments with utility companies, mortgage lenders, councils and loan companies, based on what clients can afford. It has a growing network of over 200 centres throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Julie Mann, Centre Manager of the Dunfermline Debt Centre, and Helene Kelly, Debt Coach and Links Coordinator for Fife, told Mr Walker about CAP’s combination of financial education, budgeting advice and insolvency services. Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with ,

Marie Curie Cancer Care visits Scottish Parliament

13/03/2013

Bill Walker MSP with Marie Curie nurse Fiona Minto

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker joined Marie Curie Cancer Care at the Scottish Parliament this week to learn more about the work carried about by the charity to provide free end of life care to people with terminal illnesses.

Sporting one of the charity’s daffodil pins in support of the annual Great Daffodil Appeal, Bill Walker spoke to Marie Curie nurses and staff about the free end of life care available to local communities across Scotland.

During the event, sponsored by Mary Scanlon MSP, Mr Walker was also informed about the importance of donations in helping Marie Curie nurses provide more free care to people with terminal illnesses in their own homes or one of the charity’s hospices. Every 5 minutes someone in the UK dies without the care they need at the end of their life. Each donation received by Marie Curie helps look after more people at the end of their life in their place of choice. Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with ,

West Fife Villages youth volunteers visit Scottish Parliament

13/03/2013

08Mar2013 003Young volunteers from West Fife Villages have enjoyed a visit to the Scottish Parliament – including a tour, photos with Commonwealth Games mascot Clyde and last minute tickets to watch First Minister’s Questions – following an invitation from local MSP Bill Walker.

The group, from Oakley, High Valleyfield and Blairhall, included pupils of Queen Anne and St Columba’s RC High Schools, volunteers on the Blairhall MUGA project, and recipients of the Democracy and Citizenship Award and Fife Council Youth Work Oscars.

The visit came about after Dunfermline MSP Mr Walker invited Anne Farrell and Claire Dunlop to Parliament after they won, respectively, West Fife Citizen of the Year and West Fife Young Citizen of the Year. He extended the invitation to the youth volunteers at the request of Community Education Worker Corrine McGinley. Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with , , , , ,

Duloch Juniors Big Lottery award

12/03/2013

Big Lottery Fund

Dunfermline-based Duloch Juniors Football Club has received £1,345 to encourage children to participate in training sessions and league matches. The Big Lottery Fund award will purchase goals, cones and football strips.

MSP for Dunfermline, Bill Walker, said: “Congratulations to Chairman David MacNamara and Duloch Juniors.

“It’s great to see young people taking part in sport, and I wish the club success with their league match ambitions.” Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with ,

MSP Bill Walker welcomes Vine relaunch in Dunfermline

08/03/2013

Bill Walker and Tim ThomsonLocal MSP Bill Walker recently visited the newly renamed Vine Conference Centre in Dunfermline to officially launch its rebranding.

For the past 6 years, the building has operated as the Vine Venue but the management felt this did not fully promote what it has to offer. The Centre boasts an auditorium capable of seating 550 people and has rooms available for smaller meetings and interviews.

The Centre has onsite parking for 90 cars and is located just five minutes walk from the Queen Margaret Train Station and a few minutes drive from Halbeath Road. Keen to support the local economy, the management use a Dunfermline-based company to provide corporate hospitality. Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with ,

Switching off the lights for WWF’s Earth Hour

05/03/2013

WWF Earth HourBill Walker, MSP for Dunfermline, is lending his support to WWF’s Earth Hour on 23 March by switching off the lights and celebrating the power of the planet.

As lights are being switched off across the world, WWF is encouraging people to think about the kind of energy we use and where it comes from.  By celebrating the power of our planet through renewable resources such as hydro, wave and solar, many MSPs are pledging their support for clean, renewable energy as part of our efforts to tackle climate change.

Mr Walker is urging constituents, local businesses and organisations to join them, and thousands of others across Scotland, by “switching off” at 8.30pm on Saturday 23 March to show support for action against the impacts of climate change on people and wildlife. Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with , , ,

Dunfermline MSP talks to Talking Newspaper

04/03/2013

Bill Walker and Jim JarvieDunfermline Sound, the talking newspaper for visually impaired people in West Fife, recently interviewed Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker on a range of constituency and Scottish Parliamentary issues.

Magazine Editor Jim Jarvie posed questions ranging from how laws are made in the Parliament to why there are apparently so many empty seats in the Chamber. Scottish independence was, of course, a talking point.

Listeners asked Mr Walker about local issues such as pedestrian access to the Forth Road Bridge. Currently, pedestrians can only gain access via the eastern side steps, which impacts on the visually impaired, wheelchair users, cyclists and people pushing prams. Mr Walker said that he has been in touch with Chris Waite, the Forth Road Bridge Communications Manager, regarding potential improvements to the steps. Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with , ,

New bespoke Dunfermline-based tour guide business

22/02/2013

Carnegie TouringDunfermline MSP Bill Walker has welcomed the launch of a new bespoke tour guide service for visitors to Dunfermline, Fife and further afield in Scotland.

Carnegie Touring, founded by former Fife councillor Gerry McMullan, provides holiday itineraries tailored to the needs and interests of tourists. In addition, short excursions include “From the Palace of Culross to Dunfermline, the Ancient Capital of Scotland”, “In the footsteps of Andrew Carnegie” and “The Ancient Capital of Scotland, its Kings and Queens”.

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker said: “I’m very pleased at the launch of not only a new business based in Dunfermline, but one that aims to promote Dunfermline and beyond and which should increase footfall to our scenic part of the country. Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with , ,

Cairneyhill businesswoman hosts fashion show for CHAS

22/02/2013

CHASA big-hearted Cairneyhill businesswoman is hosting a charity fashion show in Crossford with proceeds going to children’s hospice charity CHAS.

Laura Campbell, owner of La Vida Boutique, has raised around £60,000 for charitable causes over the last three years, including £22,500 in 2012 for Help the Heroes. She now hopes to raise thousands for the Kinross-based branch of CHAS, the Scottish charity that provides hospice services for children and young people with life-shortening conditions. Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with ,

Senior diplomat says EU and UN would embrace independent Scotland

21/02/2013

Mark Malloch BrownDunfermline MSP Bill Walker has welcomed a former UN Deputy Secretary-General’s comments that the EU would be “anxious to embrace” an independent Scotland and that some reports on Scotland’s future UN membership have tried to “make a mountain out of a molehill for political reasons”.

Mark Malloch-Brown, who was also a Foreign Minister in Gordon Brown’s Labour government, told BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland program:

“I don’t think they (the EU) would have any particular reason to want to make things tricky for Scotland. I think the fact that Scotland would likely remain very pro-European would mean they’d be anxious to embrace Scotland and bring it in.

“So if they were going to make the issue embarrassing for anybody it’s more likely they’d make it embarrassing for London with whom they have bigger problems.” Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with ,

Police station site could be possible location for new city centre hotel

13/02/2013

Dunfermline stationDunfermline MSP Bill Walker has drawn attention to the need for further hotel capacity in Dunfermline city centre, suggesting the current police station as a possible location.

He said: “Strenuous efforts are being made to promote Dunfermline as a tourism destination. We are about to undergo a £1m city centre regeneration, plus a multi-million pound flagship museum and art gallery is planned for the heritage quarter. The new Forth Replacement Crossing, on target to open in 2016, will make Dunfermline effectively the gateway to Fife, encouraging visitors to enjoy our many attractions such as Abbot House, the Carnegie Hall, the Alhambra, Pittencrieff Park and so on. Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with

InVite to host innovative Business Networking Showcase in Dunfermline

12/02/2013

InViteDunfermline-based InVite Business Networking is holding its first ever InVite Business Networking Showcase on 22nd March. The event takes place in the Vine Conference Centre in Dunfermline’s Garvock Hill and aims to promote local small and medium-sized businesses to the community and to other businesses.

The programme includes topical seminars delivered by local business, aimed at sharing ideas to encourage local business growth. Attendees are invited to approach the thirty stands where stand holders will be discussing their businesses, sharing ideas and seeking to forge bonds.

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker said: “I wish InVite great success with this event, which they hope will become annual. Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with ,

Public Health Minister launches Fife Autism One Stop Shop in Dunfermline

11/02/2013

Bill Walker MSP-1Public Health Minister Michael Matheson has officially opened an autism One Stop Shop in Dunfermline’s Viewfield Terrace. The facility will act as an autism support and information hub for individuals, their families and professionals and will signpost people towards further support services.

The Fife One Stop Shop is the first of six of its kind to launch across Scotland, funded through the Scottish Government’s Scottish Strategy for Autism in association with Scottish Autism, the National Autistic Society and Autism Initiatives.

Mr Matheson said: “Autism impacts on the whole life experience of people with autism and their families, who may need to be supported by a wide range of services such as education, employment, housing or social care. Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with ,

Pope Benedict XVI

11/02/2013

I was saddened to hear of the failing health of Pope Benedict XVI and his decision to resign as Pope. I hope he has a peaceful retirement.

I wish the Conclave well in their election of a new Supreme Pontiff to lead the Catholic Church.

Filed under News Tagged with

Charity calls for deaf children’s mental health services

08/02/2013

National Death Children's SocietyThe National Deaf Children’s Society has joined forces with the Scottish Council on Deafness to launch the ‘Helping Hand’ campaign, backed by Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker. The campaign, which launched on Tuesday, asks the Scottish Government to provide mental health services for deaf children and young people in Scotland.

“Being deaf is not just about ears and education. Emotional support is just as important,” said Anne Lennon, Director of the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) in Scotland.

“Quite often a deaf child can feel very isolated and alone, and without the right support they can often develop mental health problems. We want to see more chances for deaf children to have access to positive role models, a dedicated specialist Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) for deaf children and young people who do need extra help, and improved deaf awareness in all schools across Scotland. With the right support deaf children and young people can achieve whatever they want to achieve.” Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with , ,

Bill Walker MSP calls for Dunfermline applications to Spirit of the Community Awards

08/02/2013

ClydesdaleCommunity groups across Scotland can now apply to a £175,000 awards scheme aimed at making a real difference to local areas. To celebrate their 175th anniversary, Clydesdale Bank has launched the Spirit of the Community Awards, which will make substantial donations to voluntary groups who go the extra mile in the three categories of education, employability and environment.

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker said: “I would encourage Dunfermline third sector groups to apply for funding. The awards are for groups who can demonstrate their support for the community, including but not limited to promoting access to financial education, protecting and improving the environment, and equipping people for the workplace.”

The top three winners in each category will receive £10,000 funding. In addition, five highly commended initiatives in each category will each receive £5,000 to support their community activity. A further £10,000 will go to one of the top three winners, meaning one organisation will receive £20,000. Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with , , ,

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker supports Scottish Tourism Week

07/02/2013

MSP's-Sign-Up-Scottish-Tourism-Week-38[1]Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker has signed up to support Scottish Tourism Week, the annual event aimed at promoting tourism in Scotland and raising awareness of its importance to our economy. This year, it takes place from 4th to 13th March.

Mr Walker said: “I’m proud to represent a city with so much to offer as Dunfermline, a city that’s really going places. Any Scot or visitor to Scotland would be doing themselves a disservice if they missed the opportunity to see for themselves the capital of medieval Scotland.

“A walk through our town centre reveals an abundance of buildings of architectural and historical significance, and of course our magnificent Abbey is famously the burial place of King Robert the Bruce. Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with

New Forth Crossing Bang on Target

07/02/2013

FRC“Excellent progress” is being made on the Forth Replacement Crossing, according to Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker on a recent visit to the newly built Contact and Education Centre adjacent to the Forth Road Bridge.

Mr Walker said: “All the signs are that the Forth Replacement Crossing construction is fully on target for completion in 2016. Some parts of the work are already complete ahead of schedule, such at the new roundabout now opened on the M9 motorway and, here in Fife, the ITM traffic flow system and improved bus lane heading south on the M90.

“From the Fife coast, you can easily see the construction work progressing on the mid-Forth Beamer Rock, on which the central tower of the new bridge will sit.  Even the Contact and Education Centre, which will later be converted into a Visitor Centre, was finished ahead of schedule. Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with ,

MSP Bill Walker urges Fifers to call Home Heat Helpline

05/02/2013

Bill Walker MSP at the Scottish Parliament launch of the Home Heat Helpline, with Christine McGourty, Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Energy UK

New research reveals that around 19,600, or 12%, of households in Fife are entitled to help with their energy costs, a figure comparable with Scotland taken as a whole. The news has prompted Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker to encourage Fifers to call a free helpline offering information about available assistance.

The Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99) is an impartial and confidential service connecting people and families on low incomes, and those in poor health, with support worth an average of £160. The help available includes discounts, rebate schemes, and grants for insulation and new boilers.

Speaking at the helpline’s recent Scottish Parliament launch, Mr Walker said: Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with , , ,

West Fife minister addresses Scottish Parliament at Time for Reflection

05/02/2013

Rev Jayne Scott & Rev Dr Martin Scott 1West Fife Minister, the Rev Dr Martin Scott, recently addressed members of the Scottish Parliament at their weekly Time for Reflection. Dr Scott is Secretary of the Ministries Council of the Church of Scotland and lives in Culross, where wife, Jayne, is Minister at Culross Abbey.

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker, who proposed Rev Scott to the Presiding Officer as a speaker, said:

“I was pleased to welcome Martin and Jayne to the Parliament. Martin’s words were thought-provoking and appropriate both for Parliament and for the wider social context. Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with , ,

New flagship Dunfermline museum receives £2.8m cash boost

04/02/2013

Dunfermilne MuseumDunfermline MSP Bill Walker has welcomed the Heritage Lottery Fund’s announcement today of a £2.8m grant towards the establishment of a museum and art gallery in the historical heart of the Auld Grey Toun.

The new flagship museum will link two existing listed buildings in Dunfermline’s heritage quarter – the Carnegie Library and a former bank – to create a combined museum, art gallery, library, archives and local history service. This latest funding follows £6.8m already allocated by Fife Council and Carnegie Dunfermline Trust.

Mr Walker said: “This will be a 21st century building complementing and diversifying the layered history of the heritage quarter, showcasing stunning views of the Abbey and Abbot House. It will be for the enjoyment of locals and visitors alike, and will increase the footfall in Dunfermline’s heritage quarter, including the Glen, Abbey, Abbot House and the palace, as well as further along the road to Andrew Carnegie’s Cottage. Vitally, it will also bring more people to the shops and cafes. Read more of this post

Filed under News Tagged with ,

← Older posts

Newer posts →