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

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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

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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

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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

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S4M-05582: Scottish Autism Launches One Stop Shop

06/02/2013

That the Parliament congratulates Scottish Autism on its Fife One Stop Shop, which was officially opened in Dunfermline on 5 February 2013 by the Minister for Public Health, Michael Matheson; understands that this is the first of six new One Stop Shops across Scotland to launch under the Scottish Government’s Scottish Strategy for Autism; further understands that around 1 in 100 people in Scotland are affected by autism; notes that Scottish Autism offers people with autism, their families and professionals information and advice about autism and helps them to access further support services, and wishes Scottish Autism success in helping make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by autism.

Supported by: David Torrance, Kenneth Gibson, Richard Lyle, Dennis Robertson, Mike MacKenzie, Chic Brodie, Nigel Don, Kevin Stewart, Murdo Fraser, Colin Keir, Colin Beattie, Angus MacDonald, Dave Thompson, Clare Adamson, Mark MacDonald

Date Lodged: 05/02/13

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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

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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

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S4M-05567: £2.8m Heritage Lottery Funding for New Dunfermline Museum and Art Gallery

05/02/2013

That the Parliament warmly welcomes funding of £2.8 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund toward the establishment of a flagship museum and art gallery in the heritage quarter of Dunfermline; understands that the new facility will incorporate the Carnegie Library, archives and local history services; believes that the museum and art gallery will add to the historical diversity of architecture in the heart of Dunfermline, which includes the 11th century-founded abbey where Robert Bruce is famously buried, the palace established by King Malcolm Canmore when he made Dunfermline the capital of Scotland, the 16th century-founded Abbot House and the ancient Pittencrieff Park; considers that the new museum and art gallery will boost the profile and economy of Dunfermline, and is confident that they will remind locals and visitors alike of the cultural heritage of the “Auld Grey Toun”.

Supported by: Bill Kidd, Kenneth Gibson, Dennis Robertson, Richard Lyle, Chic Brodie, Mike MacKenzie, Kevin Stewart, David Torrance, Nigel Don, Colin Keir, Colin Beattie

Date Lodged: 04/02/13

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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

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S4W-12779: Forth Replacement Crossing Contact and Education Centre Visitors

01/02/2013

Bill Walker: To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of annual visitor numbers at the Contact and Education Centre at the Forth Replacement Crossing once the centre is fully open to the public.

Date Lodged: 31/01/13

Answered by Mr Keith Brown, Minister for Transport and Veterans, (13/02/13): The primary purpose of the Contact and Education is to provide an information point for those affected by the works. No estimate has been made of annual visitor numbers and the booking system ensures that the numbers within the building can be managed.

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S4W-12778: Forth Replacement Crossing Contact and Education Centre

01/02/2013

Bill Walker: To ask the Scottish Government when the Contact and Education Centre for the Forth Replacement Crossing will be fully open to the public.

Date Lodged: 31/01/13

Answered by Mr Keith Brown, Minister for Transport and Veterans, (13/02/13): The Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) Contact and Education Centre provides a permanent location for those affected by the FRC works to speak to a member of the project team face to face. This facility opened to the public on 7 January 2013. Booking requests to visit the project exhibition can be made through the project website www.forthreplacementcrossing.info.

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S4W-12777: Forth Replacement Crossing

01/02/2013

Bill Walker: To ask the Scottish Government whether the Forth Replacement Crossing remains on target for completion by 2016.

Date Lodged: 31/01/13

Answered by Mr Keith Brown, Minister for Transport and Veterans, (13/02/13): Yes, the Forth Replacement Crossing remains on target for completion in 2016.

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Woodmill High School sixth-former addresses the haggis at Scottish Parliament Burns Supper

29/01/2013

Burns Night 014Over 50 Scotland-based consuls-general joined MSPs, including Dunfermline’s Bill Walker, in the Scottish Parliament for the annual Consular Corps Burns Supper last Wednesday.

Mr Walker said: “It was a pleasure to meet representatives from as far afield as China and Rwanda. However, the highlight of the evening was the ‘Address to the Haggis’, given with great panache by Woodmill High School sixth-former, Miss Esther Garrow. Word and pitch perfect, Esther entertained the company with aplomb, including a daring knife display in which she despatched the haggis!  The international guests certainly enjoyed her contribution. Read more of this post

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S4M-05493: Congratulations to Andy Murray on Performance at Australian Open Tennis

28/01/2013

That the Parliament applauds Andy Murray on reaching the Australian Open Tennis men’s final in Melbourne Park, where he played the world’s number one seed, Novak “iron man” Djokovic; notes that this was Andy’s third Australian Open and sixth Grand Slam final; considers his performance in the final and his previous five-set victory over Roger Federer in the semi-final to be a very promising start to 2013, following on from what it considers to be his incredible year of tennis in 2012, which saw him win gold in the men’s singles at the London Olympics and win the US Open; considers Andy Murray to be an excellent role model for all Scots sporting participants; notes that Andy is currently seeded number three in the world, and wishes him many more successes in what it sees as his outstanding career.

Supported by: Hanzala Malik, Dennis Robertson, Kevin Stewart, Christine Grahame, Richard Lyle, Colin Beattie, Nigel Don, Gil Paterson, Colin Keir

Date Lodged: 28/01/13

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2012 in review

28/01/2013

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 11,000 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 18 years to get that many views.

Click here to see the complete report.

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Woodmill High School awarded hockey club grant

25/01/2013

Big Lottery FundWoodmill High School in Dunfermline has received £2,000 from the Big Lottery Fund’s 2014 Communities programme to develop a new extra-curricular hockey club. The project meets the 2014 Communities outcome of “more people take part in sport or physical activity”.

Bill Walker, MSP for Dunfermline, welcomed the funding: “This is very good news for pupils, and I congratulate PE Teacher Carly Ralfs.

“The 2014 Communities programme aims to build a legacy of well-being in the run up to Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and beyond. It’s great to see Woodmill getting involved in the spirit of the Games. Read more of this post

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A Viennese evening in Dunfermline

24/01/2013

We are fortunate in west Fife to have two major theatres with first-class facilities: the Alhambra and the Carnegie Hall. These provide a great boost to the profile and cultural fabric of Dunfermline.

Both venues host an impressive variety of performances all year round, including the prestigious Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s annual Viennese New Year concert in the Carnegie Hall. My wife and I were among a full house for the 2013 performance of this popular event. In addition to the traditional Strauss favourites, the RSNO played pieces from Bach, Lehar and others, along with the customary special helping of Scottish reels to complete the evening.  A great treat, according to everyone we chatted with.
Read more of this post

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Carnegie Trust Centenary

24/01/2013

One hundred years ago, Andrew Carnegie founded the Carnegie UK Trust, based here in Dunfermline, to improve the well-being of people throughout Britain and Ireland.

The Trust will mark its centenary with a variety of events and projects including a book and short film charting its ground-breaking work over the years, a centenary website documenting this work and publicising upcoming commemorative events, and an online searchable archive. Read more of this post

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Positive future

24/01/2013

By nature, I am a positive person. I believe my fellow Scots are perfectly capable of operating our own country successfully in the modern world. I, therefore, find it difficult to understand the perpetual negativity of the No Campaign – the Tory-Labour-Liberal Democrat alliance opposed to Scotland achieving political independence from Westminster. These people tell us we are “Better Together”, but instead of explaining why 21st century Austerity Britain is the positive outcome of 300 years of London domination, their single tactic is to trot out a continuous diet of gloom and despair. This seems to be based on the notion that Scotland is a lost cause, though perhaps it isn’t surprising as politicians who owe their careers to Westminster will campaign on that basis.

As a campaigner for the return of our country’s independence, I want to see Scotland re-join the international community of nations, free to prioritise our specific needs and make our own links, including with our immediate neighbours in England and the rest of Europe. We now have a chance to restore our identity and to present our own outlook and set of values to the world. Read more of this post

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S4M-05456: Christmas Story Raises Funds for African Children

23/01/2013

That the Parliament commends Joan Newbigging on her voluntary work with Educate the Kids, a charity founded in 1998, which, it understands, believes that education is the key to ensuring that children in Africa have their needs met and their rights upheld; understands that Ms Newbigging volunteered to work for three months at a school in Kenya and has recently published a book, The Christmas Child, which has so far raised £240 for Educate the Kids, and wishes Educate the Kids and Ms Newbigging further success.

Supported by: David Torrance, Kevin Stewart, Stuart McMillan, Colin Beattie, Richard Lyle, Dave Thompson, Mike MacKenzie, Dennis Robertson, Nigel Don

Date Lodged: 23/01/13

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St Margaret’s RC School and Nursery pass inspection

23/01/2013

St MargaretsLocal MSP Bill Walker has welcomed the results of a Scottish Government inspection of St Margaret’s RC Primary School and Nursery Class in Dunfermline, which found that children are benefiting from a “strong, nurturing ethos”.

The school and nursery class rated as good in performance, good in meeting learning needs and very good in children’s experiences. The curriculum was good and improvement through self-evaluation was very good.

Mr Walker said: “I was pleased to receive a copy of the inspection report, which made encouraging reading.
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Successful inspection for McLean School and Nursery

22/01/2013

McLeanDunfermline’s McLean Primary School and Nursery have passed a recent Scottish Government inspection, which concluded that the children are happy, motivated and are learning and achieving well in and beyond the classroom.

Both the school and nursery rated as very good in improvements to performance and in meeting learners’ needs, and rated good in children’s experiences. The curriculum was good and improvement through self-evaluation was very good. Read more of this post

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S4M-05425: EU Co-equal Successor States

22/01/2013

That the Parliament welcomes the opinion of Professor David Scheffer, the Harvard and Oxford-educated American international lawyer and academic, that both Scotland and the rest of the UK will become “co-equal successor states” to the EU in the event of Scotland regaining independence; considers the contributions of such leading authorities as Professor Scheffer, whose posts have included Special Advisor to Madeleine Albright at the United Nations, first US Ambassador-at-large for War Crimes Issues under Bill Clinton’s administration and lecturer at North Western University School of Law, to be extremely valuable in helping the Scottish electorate reach an informed decision in the run-up to the independence referendum; hopes that the professor’s contribution will both reassure and be welcomed by those who are concerned about whether or not Scotland would have to reapply to join the EU after independence, and considers the main threat to Scotland’s continuing membership of the EU to come from Westminster, where factions of MPs on both the Conservative and Labour benches are reported to be pressing their leaders for an in-out EU referendum for the UK.

Supported by: Richard Lyle, Bill Kidd, Kenneth Gibson, John Mason, David Torrance, Gil Paterson, Colin Beattie, Jim Eadie, Colin Keir, Christine Grahame, Dave Thompson, Stuart McMillan, Willie Coffey, Mike MacKenzie, John Finnie, Nigel Don, Chic Brodie

Date Lodged: 21/01/13

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Leading international lawyer argues Scotland and rUK will be “co-equal successor states” to EU

21/01/2013

EUDunfermline MSP Bill Walker has welcomed comments from a top-level international lawyer and academic that post-independence Scotland will be a “co-equal successor” to the EU along with the rest of the UK (rUK).

Professor David Scheffer – formerly Special Advisor to Madeleine Albright at the United Nations and first US Ambassador-at-large for War Crimes Issues under the Clinton administration, and currently lecturing at North Western University School of Law – asserted:

“My argument quite frankly is that we have two co-equal successor states.

“The smart move is to say, ‘look, if it happens – namely if the referendum actually, you know, achieves a “Yes” vote for independence – there will be a path developed for the continued participation of the Scottish people and thus of the new nation of Scotland or the restored nation of Scotland in the European Union”. Read more of this post

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Make 2013 your year of community volunteering

17/01/2013

BwalkerMSP - 0109Scottish MSPs have joined forces with Focus Scotland Magazine to make the promotion of community-based volunteering their New Year’s Resolution.

The MSPs pledged their support and signed banners promoting the campaign, which aims to get the Scottish public embarking on a volunteering journey in 2013. Focus Scotland hopes to build on the positive image of volunteering provided by last year’s summer of Games. They want the campaign to remind individuals of the impact they can have when volunteering at community level.

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker, one of the first to sign the campaign banner, said: “Volunteering is a great way to improve your community, since no one knows more about the needs of a community than the people who belong to it. Read more of this post

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