Christmas Craft Night fundraiser success

15/01/2013

Vine ChurchLocal MSP Bill Walker has congratulated Dunfermline’s Vine Church on a successful Christmas Craft Night, which raised £381.63 for the charity Safe Space.

The event, which took place on 12th December, saw over 60 visitors learn new ways of making Christmas decorations and gifts. Visitors watched a demonstration before attempting their own hands at projects. The crafts were made from recycled or household materials and included book sculpture, wire work, and tree decorations made from fabrics, homemade clay and straw.

Mr Walker said: “Well done to the Vine Church on their fund-raising. I’m sure everyone had a great time learning new crafts.” Read more of this post

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Applications open for Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games

14/01/2013

Bill Walker MSP meets Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Mascot, Clyde

Prospective volunteers for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games have from today until 28th February to apply. No previous Games experience is necessary. Organisers are looking for helpful, friendly people who will be aged 16 or over by 28th February. Volunteers must be eligible to work in the UK and be available for at least eight days during the Games, which take place between 23rd July and 3rd August 2014. Volunteers must be available for up to six days ahead of the Games for interviews in Glasgow, training and uniform collection.

Glasgow 2014 also requires volunteers with a range of specialist skills including medical staff, drivers and people with specific sports expertise.

Applications can be made online at www.glasgow2014.com/volunteer and help is available in person at the Volunteer Centre in Glasgow or by phone via the Glasgow 2014 Contact Centre. Staff at every library in Scotland are also geared up to assist with the application process.

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S4M-05349: Arctic Youth Jazz Orchestra Returns for Fife Jazz Festival

14/01/2013

That the Parliament is delighted to welcome the Arctic Youth Jazz Orchestra on its second visit from Sweden to perform at the Fife Jazz Festival in February 2013, where it will once more collaborate with the award-winning Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra (FYJO) and also with the saxophonist and FYJO graduate, Helena Kay; extends its warmest welcome to the other international musicians taking part in the festival, including Sweden’s Norrbotten Big Band, the New York pianist and singer, Champian Fulton, blues musician and son of the late Muddy Waters, Mud Morganfield and Finland’s Erja Lyytinen, and wishes all the international and home-grown musicians and attendees a very enjoyable festival.

Supported by: Angus MacDonald, Richard Lyle, Mike MacKenzie, Sandra White, David Torrance, Colin Beattie, Nigel Don, Gil Paterson, Colin Keir, Stuart MacMillan

Date Lodged: 11/01/13

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Winter Roads Information from Transport Scotland

11/01/2013

Transport ScotlandTransport Scotland has released information detailing how winter service is delivered on the trunk road and motorway network. The “Winter Preparedness Roads Information Sheet” also outlines the intelligence gathering and decision-making processes, contains information on the innovative technology Transport Scotland uses, and provides links to online resources that can help people plan their journeys.

trbo-transport-scotland-winter-preparedness-roads-information-sheet-stand-alone-version-10-january-2013-version.doc

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Duloch School Visit

08/01/2013

On an MSP visit to Duloch Primary School, along with regional colleagues Willie Rennie and Claire Baker, I was impressed by the enthusiasm and awareness of the primary 4 and 5 pupils.

Set with the task of founding new political parties, the children came up with names, objectives, manifestos and even rosettes. They asked wide-ranging questions during a lively Q&A session, with environmental issues a recurrent theme.

I have visited a good number of schools over the last year, where the pupils have ranged in age and in the level of support they needed, and have invariably found the pupils to have a lively interest in politics. It is great to see them so engaged, particularly in times of general voter apathy. In a few short years, it will be their time to play a productive role in making our society a better one.

The above was originally written for Bill’s Dunfermline Press column. This version may vary slightly.

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Fracking in Fife?

08/01/2013

Many constituents have contacted me with concerns about fracking, the hydraulic fracturing of underground shale rock to release gas. This procedure, though known for decades, has come to prominence following massive exploitation in America, which has seen gas released for use at greatly reduced prices.

Masses of gas, reasonably accessible at current economic costs, lie underground throughout the UK. When used to generate electricity, shale gas produces less CO2 emissions than coal. But potential downsides of fracking include the risk of interfering with the underground water-table on which we depend. Also, explosive charges used underground in Lancashire caused two minor tremors. Another concern is that funding could be diverted from long-term development of sustainable and renewable natural energy sources such as wind and marine.

I believe there is a case for further practical evaluation of shale gas extraction but am opposed to public funding of fracking in the form of tax allowances or price subsidies levied on customers, as happens currently with windfarms. Also, since Scotland has a wealth of alternatives for long-term energy generation, fracking must be found to be at least as safe as other energy sources.

The above was originally written for Bill’s Dunfermline Press column. This version may vary slightly.

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Chief Constable Stephen House

08/01/2013

I recently met up with the new Chief Constable of Scotland, Stephen House, at Tulliallan Castle, where the restructured single national police force has its interim headquarters.

As a supporter of making Tulliallan the permanent HQ, I was happy to note that the Chief Constable does not seem opposed to the possibility, though the police service will have to weigh up the pros and cons of all alternatives. Tulliallan is a convenient central location with an established Police College and with many facilities already in place, but the cost of installing a modern command and control centre will likely be key to the final decision.

Something Mr House made crystal clear is his long-standing support for the national police force. At this significant juncture in Scottish policing, his ‘can-do’ manner and impressive experience – 37 years’ service by the time his current four-year contract ends – give the reassuring feeling that he is the right man to deliver greater efficiency and effectiveness. Read more of this post

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S4M-05311: 2013 Centenary of the Carnegie UK Trust

08/01/2013

That the Parliament commends the Carnegie UK Trust on 100 years of working to improve the lives and wellbeing of people throughout the UK and Ireland as it celebrates its centenary throughout 2013; understands that, since its founding by Andrew Carnegie, the Dunfermline-born businessman and philanthropist, the trust has awarded extensive grants, created and supported new organisations and commissioned many reports on major social issues; wishes the trust success with the range of events and projects that will mark its centenary, including a book and film charting the trust’s work, the launching of a centenary website and online searchable archive and the supporting of musical initiatives, and looks forward to welcoming the Carnegie UK Trust to the Parliament in October 2013 for the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.

Supported by: Graeme Dey, John Mason, Brian Adam, Bill Kidd, Kevin Stewart, John Finnie, Kenneth Gibson, Chic Brodie, David Torrance, Dave Thompson, Mike MacKenzie, Colin Beattie, Nigel Don, Colin Keir, Maureen Watt, Sandra White, Richard Lyle, Gil Paterson, Christine Graham, Fiona McLeod, Stuart McMillan, Claire Adamson

Date Lodged: 08/01/13

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Dunfermline charity receives £5,000 award

18/12/2012

Lloyds TSB FoundationDunfermline-based charity Safe Space has received a £5,000 award from the Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland.

Safe Space provides support services and counselling for survivors of sexual abuse. It welcomes clients regardless of where they live, provided they can make the journey to Fife.

Local MSP Bill Walker said: “This is very good news for Safe Space, who provide an important service in Dunfermline and to the wider community. It is always welcome to see local charities receiving support, especially in these financially difficult times. Read more of this post

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Dunfermline business networking groups make a festive toast to the year ahead

17/12/2012

Invchristmasparty4As 2012 draws to a close, Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker has spoken of an encouraging strengthening of Dunfermline’s business community.

Mr Walker said: “We’ve seen the launch of several businesses in Dunfermline over the last year or so, including in the hospitality and retail sectors, and we’ve also seen encouraging efforts to strengthen links between smaller businesses to help them thrive.

“In October, I met Tim Thomson of the Vine Venue and InVite Business Networking, who holds regular meetings to encourage networking among local small businesses. I think Tim is doing a great job, so I was delighted to hear today of InVite’s successful joint Christmas night with Dunfermline Talks Business.” Read more of this post

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MSPs Visit Duloch Primary School

11/12/2012

MSP visit to Duloch Primary SchoolThree Fife MSPs were recently put through their paces by some of Dunfermline’s most exacting constituents – pupils of Duloch Primary School.

One of the trio, Dunfermline Constituency MSP Bill Walker, said: “Last Friday I was pleased to make an MSP joint visit Duloch Primary School in Dunfermline.

“Along with regional colleagues, Willie Rennie MSP and Clare Baker MSP, we were hosted by Headteacher Mrs Deborah Davidson and her Deputy, Mrs Jackie Carwell.  But the stars of the show were the pupils of Primaries 4 and 5. Read more of this post

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MSP becomes meningitis champion

10/12/2012

Basic CMYKDunfermline Member of Scottish Parliament, Bill Walker, has joined the fight against meningitis by becoming a Meningitis Champion for national charity the Meningitis Trust.

This important role, which is part of the charity’s Meningitis Changes Futures campaign, will see meningitis kept high on the political agenda, whilst supporting victims and their families and helping to educate others on the dangers of the disease.

The campaign, aimed at highlighting the true impact of meningitis and creating positive change for victims and their loved ones, was launched last year after research by the charity found that more than a third of bacterial meningitis victims are left with after-effects, a number that was previously thought to be much lower. Read more of this post

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S4M-05151: £10,000 Awards for All Grant for Link Church

10/12/2012

That the Parliament congratulates the Link Christian Fellowship Church in Dunfermline on receiving a £10,000 Awards for All grant from the Big Lottery Fund; understands that this will be used to improve community access to the church hall through the installation of disabled facilities for the benefit of the congregation and for local community groups who use the hall; commends the church on the good work that it performs in the community, such as providing flip flops, foil space blankets and bottle protectors for young people on nights out, and wishes it well with its ambition to continue developing the hall as a busy community hub for diverse groups, where people can find support and learn skills.

Supported by: Richard Lyle, Colin Beattie, Mike MacKenzie, Kevin Stewart, Bill Kidd, Nigel Don

Date Lodged: 07/12/12

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Scottish Labour no-show on crucial Public Service Pensions vote

07/12/2012

Independent MSP for Dunfermline, Bill Walker, has criticised Scottish Labour MPs for failing to turn up for a crucial House of Common’s vote on Public Sector Pensions. The no-show follows months of noisy opposition from Labour ranks over the Conservative-Liberal Democrat’s planned pension raid, which will now pass into law.

Thirty-five Scottish Labour MPs failed to take a stand at the crucial moment, including Dunfermline’s Thomas Docherty and Shadow Secretary Margaret Curran.

Mr Walker said: “Labour have been quick to criticise the Coalition’s plans and to blame the Scottish Government for being caught between a rock and a hard place in being forced to implement them, but by failing to even show up for the vote they have proven that their protests are just hypocritical huffing and puffing. Read more of this post

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Dunfermline’s Link Church granted £10,000 Lottery award

06/12/2012

Big Lottery FundThe Link Christian Fellowship in Dunfermline’s Priory Lane has received a £10,000 Awards for All grant from the Big Lottery Fund. The church will use the award to improve community access to their hall with the installation of disabled facilities.

Local MSP Bill Walker said: “Congratulations to Mrs Maureen Altman of the Link Christian Fellowship Church. This award will ensure their hall is accessible for the congregation and for local community groups who use the premises.

“The Link Church does a lot of good work out in the community and abroad, for example with their street pastors and the Zimbabwe sponsorship scheme. They also have a stated ambition of developing their hall as a busy community hub for diverse groups, where people can find support and learn skills. It is essential that the hall is easily accessible for everyone, which is why this award is such welcome news. Read more of this post

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Remembrance Ceremonies

06/12/2012

On Remembrance Saturday and Sunday, I was honoured to lay the Scottish Parliament’s wreaths at the Royal Naval Memorial and First and Second World War Memorials.

The Remembrance Parades held across Scotland were especially poignant in light of the UK’s on-going operations in Afghanistan. Regardless of whether we agree with the conflicts our service personnel take part in, we should never forget those who have lost their lives and those who risk them every day. While I do not glorify war, I believe in paying respect to the fallen, including the generations who, during the World Wars, had little choice but to face unthinkable horrors in distant fields.

I was particularly impressed by the respectful conduct of all the senior pupils who laid wreaths on behalf of the local high schools. I was also heartened by the exceptionally high turn-out at both Douglas Bank Cemetery in Pattiesmuir on Saturday and the World War Memorials in Dunfermline on Sunday.

The above was originally written for Bill’s Dunfermline Press column. This version may vary slightly.

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Parliamentary Conduct

06/12/2012

The behaviour of MSPs in Parliament has deteriorated to such an extent that not only has First Minister’s Questions on Thursdays become half-an-hour of ritualised invective from political leaders, but this atmosphere has seeped into Chamber debates, such as the recent one on college education, and even committees.

Politicians name-call across the Chamber and while asking or taking questions. The latest tactic is to persistently question human errors for which an MSP has clearly apologised. Disrespect has extended to bad-mouthing the Presiding Officer in the chair, previously unheard of. Read more of this post

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Public Service Pensions Bill

06/12/2012

Many of my constituents have contacted me about the Public Service Pensions Bill being considered at Westminster. This will require the Scottish Parliament to bring public sector pension schemes into line with those in England and Wales, even where this does not reflect Scottish circumstances. To quote a letter: this is “unwarranted interference by the Treasury in Scottish provisions”.

Public sector workers who have responsibly paid over the years into a pension have had their confidence undermined. They want the Scottish Parliament to have regulatory powers so a remote Westminster Treasury cannot “narrowly prescribe the scope of those negotiations or change the rules at will.” Read more of this post

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Mo-mentous campaign to fight prostate cancer

05/12/2012

Prostate CancerBill Walker MSP has signed a parliamentary motion backing the success of the Movember campaign and applauded the thousands of ‘Mo Bros’ across Scotland who grew moustaches to help change the face of men’s health.

In backing the motion, Mr Walker showed his support to the Holyrood group who gave their top lips a month long razor rest and instead grew and groomed moustaches to raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues.

Movember – which aims to ‘change the face of men’s health, one moustache at a time’ – has chosen Prostate Cancer UK as its principal partner and beneficiary for funds raised in the UK. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in Scotland. It is almost as common – and deadly – for men as breast cancer is for women. Read more of this post

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£170,000 funds raised for Carnock children’s park

04/12/2012

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker has praised the efforts of Carnock villagers who raised £170,000 for a children’s park.

The existing facility located between Carneil Road and Main Street will be upgraded to include a toddlers’ and junior area, dynamic zone, exercise area and winter sledging slope.

Mr Walker, whose constituency includes Carnock, said: “I’m delighted to see the efforts of the community fund-raising group now paying off. They’ve managed to raise an extremely impressive sum. Read more of this post

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MSP delivers Christmas encouragement to Royal Mail posties at Dunfermline Delivery Office

03/12/2012

Royal Mail

Bill Walker MSP has visited Royal Mail’s Dunfermline delivery office to pass on Christmas wishes and encouragement to the postmen and postwomen at their busiest time of year.

Mr Walker was shown round the office by local Delivery Office Manager Colin Darling and was introduced to the staff who are working hard to sort and deliver all the cards and parcels in the Dunfermline area in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Walker said: “It was great to meet the hard-working Royal Mail postmen and postwomen at Dunfermline delivery office and to see first hand just how much effort they put into delivering for people at this time of year.

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S4M-05007: Appointment of Dr Mark Carney as Governor of the Bank of England

27/11/2012

That the Parliament congratulates Dr Mark Carney, currently Governor of the Bank of Canada, on his appointment as Governor of the Bank of England; considers that Dr Carney is an international finance expert of wide experience and high reputation; is of the view that, under his guidance, the Canadian banking sector and economy in general did not participate in the excesses of the unwise credit boom, which included unsustainable investment in the sub-prime mortgage market and led the USA, UK and some other jurisdictions into the present, prolonged recession; considers that the economies of Canada and some other countries are now in a substantially better condition than the aforementioned jurisdictions, and wishes Dr Carney well in his new duties, including restoring the regulation of the banking sector, whose decisions in recent years, it considers, have greatly damaged the economy and lives of ordinary people in Scotland.

Supported by: David Torrance, Mike MacKenzie, Tavish Scott, Colin Beattie, Richard Lyle, Stuart McMillan

Date Lodged: 27/11/2012

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Message from HMS Scotia: Scotia Reservists Stand Together in Remembrance

27/11/2012

Over Remembrance Weekend, personnel from HMS Scotia represented the Royal Navy, throughout the East of Scotland.

As in previous years, Scotia’s personnel were honoured and proud to commemorate former servicemen and women who gave their lives for their country.  The opportunity for reflection also allowed time to think of those serving on current operations throughout the world, many of whom are from HMS Scotia and the wider Royal Naval Reserve.

The whole ship’s company stood together on Saturday 10th November 2012 at Douglas Bank Cemetery, Pattiesmuir, to remember Naval personnel killed during periods of conflict and whilst on general duty.  The service was led by HMS Scotia’s Chaplain, Reverend Doctor Marjory MacLean. Read more of this post

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Bank of Scotland Foundation 2013 Grant Applications Open

21/11/2012

A Dunfermline charity for families has received a grant of £4,800 from the Bank of Scotland Foundation’s Small Grants Programme, prompting MSP Bill Walker to encourage other groups to be aware of funding opportunities.

Home-Start Dunfermline supports families who may be experiencing isolation, illness, bereavement, disability or simply find parenting a struggle. It provides home-visits, local outings, a positive parenting programme, and a weekly Family Group where parents can chat or relax while children enjoy quality playtime.

Dunfermline MSP Mr Walker said: “I’m delighted to hear of this funding. Home-Start offers a valuable service to the local community. Read more of this post

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S4M-04911: Philanthropic Achievements of Andrew Carnegie

21/11/2012

That the Parliament acknowledges the 177th anniversary of the birth of Andrew Carnegie, the Dunfermline-born industrialist and philanthropist, on 25th November; applauds his establishment of thousands of public institutions such as libraries, museums, schools and universities throughout the world; recognises his generosity in giving away the equivalent of $4.8 billion during his lifetime and $30,000,000 on his death, and acknowledges his creation of twenty foundations, many of which still exist and continue to serve the public, including the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland, Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, Carnegie United Kingdom Trust, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, Carnegie Corporation of New York and Carnegie Institution of Washington.

Supported by: David Torrance, Richard Lyle, Brian Adam, Colin Beattie, Stuart McMillan, Kevin Stewart, Colin Keir, Dave Thompson

Date Lodged: 20/11/2012

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