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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S4M-03965: First Female Minister Appointed to Historic Abbey

05/09/2012

That the Parliament welcomes the appointment of Reverend MaryAnn Rennie as the first female minister of the historic Dunfermline Abbey, burial place of King Robert the Bruce and a wealth of Scottish kings and queens; understands that Revered Rennie has 14 years of experience as a parish minister and that she currently serves in St Anne’s Parish Church in Corstorphine, Edinburgh; considers that Reverend Rennie will bring a wealth of experience to her new charge, and wishes her success in her appointment.

Supported by: Richard Lyle, Graeme Dey, Dave Thompson, Colin Beattie, Jamie Hepburn, Kevin Stewart

Date Lodged: 31/08/2012

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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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S4M-03942: Congratulations to Scottish National Waterski Centre on Enhancements

31/08/2012

That the Parliament congratulates the Scottish National Waterski Centre on its recent upgrade; notes that this follows the Colton Trust and Fife Council spending approximately £150,000 regenerating Townhill Country Park; understands that the centre, which is based at Town Loch in Townhill, Dunfermline, is Scotland’s national waterskiing training site and is regarded as one of the best facilities in Europe; considers that it also plays an important part in the Fife economy, and wishes every success to the newly installed Loch Café and to proprietor Marie Hendry, who has put so much time and energy into getting the café up and running.

Supported by: Kevin Stewart, Kenneth Gibson, Colin Beattie, Richard Lyle, Stuart McMillan

Date Lodged: 29/08/2012

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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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£4,000 Fife Cancer Charity Funding

29/08/2012

Lloyds TSB Foundation for Scotland has awarded £4,000 to a Dunfermline charity that offers free massage, aromatherapy and reflexology to Fife cancer patients.

Circle of Comfort, set up in 2007, provides complementary therapies in patients’ homes or in hospital. Anyone with a cancer diagnosis can contact the charity or have someone do so on their behalf. The charity also encourages referrals from healthcare professionals. Read more of this post

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Beginners’ Gaelic Course in Dell Farquharson Centre

28/08/2012

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker has welcomed the launch of a 10-week conversational course in beginners’ Gaelic, which commences on 29th August in the Dell Farquharson Centre, in Dunfermline’s Netherton Broad Street.  Clì Gàidhlig, the organisation for adult learners of Gaelic, will run the course. Read more of this post

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S4M-03915: Church of Latter-day Saints 25th Anniversary

28/08/2012

That the Parliament sends its warmest wishes to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ward bishop Charles Marr on the 25th anniversary of the church’s Dunfermline meeting house, which is scheduled to be marked 8 September 2012; congratulates the church on what it considers to be its good work with families and the community, and wishes it success over the next 25 years.

Supported by: Richard Lyle, Colin Beattie

Date Lodged: 27/08/2012

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S4M-03910: The Passing of Neil Armstrong

27/08/2012

That the Parliament records with great sorrow the death of astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the moon; recalls his historic words uttered at the time of the moon landing, “that’s one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind”; respects what it considers to be the great humility and modesty of this brave pilot and self-confessed “nerdy engineer”, and remembers fondly his many visits to Scotland, his ancestral home, from his 1972 visit to accept the freedom of the Burgh of Langholm, to his final visit in 2010, a golfing trip to the Kingdom of Fife.

Supported by: Richard Lyle, Dave Thompson, Kenneth Gibson, Kevin Stewart, Fiona McLeod, Maureen Watt

Date Lodged: 27/08/2012

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Bruce Festival

23/08/2012

The Bruce Festival has become an eagerly anticipated event on Fife’s cultural calendar. As well as being an enjoyable weekend of festivities, it delivers a significant boost to the local economy here in Dunfermline.

This year’s Festival promises to be the most spectacular so far. On the 25th and 26th of August, an expected 20,000 visitors will flock to our city centre and Glen to enjoy such entertainment as a re-created medieval village and a Bruce family treasure hunt. The Glen Pavilion, newly renovated with a generous £1 million investment from the Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, will host a grand dinner and ceilidh on the 24th August. Read more of this post

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Olympics

23/08/2012

The Olympic Games have proved marathon viewing for sports fans, though other viewers might perhaps have wished themselves on a distant beach with no volleyball players or champion divers for miles!

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the athletes push themselves to extraordinary feats for Olympic glory, and I am glad the organisation of London 2012 went well despite its initial problems. Read more of this post

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Legacy

23/08/2012

The issue now is how to convert the great successes of the Olympics into enhanced participation in sports by young Scots – with the emphasis not simply on winning or on competition but on leading healthier, more active lives.

The Scottish Government has comprehensively monitored the health of the nation since 1995, with the introduction of the Scottish Health Survey. Of particular concern is the finding that less than half of girls aged over 12 are taking the recommended 60 minutes of daily exercise. Read more of this post

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Odeon Brings Boost to Dunfermline

21/08/2012

The Odeon cinema in Dunfermline is continuing to thrive – with an average of 10,000 film-fans visiting each week. Assistant Manager, Kenneth Syme, gave Dunfermline MSP, Bill Walker, a behind the scenes tour when the Cinema Exhibitors’ Association recently invited Mr Walker to discuss the benefits the cinema brings to the local community.

Mr Walker said: “The Odeon is of course a very impressive cinema, with ten screens and the capacity to seat in the region of 2,400 visitors at any time. As the largest cinema in Fife, it draws visitors from all around. Read more of this post

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Carnegie Hall Hosting Packed Autumn Season

20/08/2012

Dunfermline’s Carnegie Hall is set to host an autumn season packed with music, comedy, plays and family entertainment. Visitors to the city centre theatre will enjoy such acts as Indian Takeaway with Hardeep Singh Kohli, Tango! Tango!, The Singing Kettle and Planet Earth’s award-winning cameraman, Doug Allan.

Bill Walker, MSP for Dunfermline, said: “It’s great to see so much quality entertainment coming to the Carnegie Hall, from the famous to lesser-known discoveries. Read more of this post

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S4M-03837: 22nd Fiddlers’ Rally

16/08/2012

That the Parliament wishes the Dunfermline Strathspey and Reel Society a successful 22nd Fiddlers’ Rally in September 2012; understands that the society will present over 70 musicians from all over Scotland and will feature twice-British accordion champion, Alan Roy, and wishes conductor Ron Smith and the musicians good fortune on the night.

Supported by: Richard Lyle, David Torrance, Dave Thompson, Kenneth Gibson, Mike MacKenzie

Date Lodged: 14/08/2012

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Fife Businesses Invited to Networking Initiative

15/08/2012

A new networking group, aimed at encouraging small and medium-sized Fife businesses to share opportunities and market-place experiences, has launched in Fife.

Local MSP Bill Walker hailed InVite Business Networking as a positive initiative and a step forward in boosting the local economy. Read more of this post

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£5 Million Broadband Initiative

14/08/2012

Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker has welcomed a £5 million national fund to help rural communities gain access to high-speed broadband.

Rural groups can apply to Community Broadband Scotland (CBS) for funding, as well as receive practical support and advice via a telephone helpline and website launching in October. A specialist team will also provide hands on assistance to those in need. Read more of this post

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Dream Funding of Up to £100,000 for Local Organisations and Charities

10/08/2012

Local MSP Bill Walker has welcomed news that community and charitable organisations in Dunfermline could benefit from funding of up to £100,000, thanks to the Dream Fund.

Now in its third year, the project is funded entirely by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. Monies are re-invested back into the community from which they originated. Read more of this post

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