Fiona Hyslop

Monday, 16th January
Hyslop Brings Wallace Letter Back to Scotland

Local MSP Fiona Hyslop has unveiled a 700 year old letter believed to have once been in the possession of William Wallace, in her capacity for Cabinet Secretary for Culture.

The letter has been held in England since being discovered in the Tower of London in the 1830s. It is now on long-term loan to the National Records of Scotland after an agreement was reached with The National Archives in Kew.

Fiona said:

“I am delighted to have played a part in bringing the Wallace letter back to Scotland.

“It is one of the few surviving artefacts with a direct link to William Wallace and a fascinating fragment of our nation’s history. To have it here in Scotland, where it can be viewed by the Scottish public, is very significant indeed.

“This summer, the Wallace letter and the Lübeck letter will be displayed side by side in a once in a lifetime opportunity to view together the only two surviving documents directly connected to William Wallace.

“I would urge my constituents across West Lothian to visit the Scottish Parliament to see this important piece of history for themselves.”

View an image of the Wallace letter at:

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/williamwallace.asp

-ends-

Info:
The Wallace letter is from the French king to his officials at the Vatican mentioning Wallace, but we still don’t know what his business was with the Pope.
The famous Lübeck letter was sent in the name of William Wallace and Andrew De Moray shortly after the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297 and informed European trading partners that Scottish ports were once again open for business.

Fiona Hyslop welcomes referendum announcement

SNP MSP for Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop today welcomed the announcement by the Scottish Government that the independence referendum will be held in the Autumn of 2014 and urged people across the West Lothian to join the debate.

Fiona Hyslop, who attended the Cabinet Meeting that led to the announcement of the referendum date said,

“The people of West Lothian will have the exciting opportunity to vote in a referendum on Scotland’s future in 2014.

“It is important that the decisions about Scotland are taken by the people of Scotland and I hope everyone will take part.

“It is also right that 16 and 17 year olds should be allowed to vote in the referendum. I have long believed that people who are entitled by law to work full time, get married and pay taxes should have a say in how their country is run and in the future of that country.

“It is absolutely vital therefore that our 16 and 17 year olds have a say in the biggest single decision Scotland will have taken in 300 years. Our young people are our future, they have a right to express their view at the ballot box.

“Above all, this is a matter for Scotland. The people gave the SNP a mandate to run this referendum and the people of Scotland have the right to make their opinions count.”

Resolution to Find Roots:
Local MSP discovered links to West Lothian in Family History Papers

Many people make a resolution in the New Year to search through their family history. Anyone wishing to explore the fascinating world of Scottish family history over the New Year can access digitised sources – birth, marriage and death records, wills, census records and coats of arms – going back almost 500 years from the Scotland’s People Website:
(http://www.scotlandspeoplehub.gov.uk/) or visit Register House in Edinburgh or the local History Library in Linlithgow.

Local MSP for Linlithgow Constituency Fiona Hyslop has discovered from searching that her Great Great Great Grandparents resided in Armadale and Broxburn, and her Great Great Grandmother was from Bathgate. Her Great Great Grandmother Mary Neish from Jeffrey’s Land in Bathgate was born in 1862, Great Great Great Grandfather Andrew Neil was a joiner born in Broxburn in 1820 and Great Great Great Grandfather John Neish was a miner born in Armadale in 1843.

Commenting on the results, Fiona said,

“Having grown up in Ayrshire, but lived in Linlithgow now for 14 years, I am delighted to have discovered that my roots come from West Lothian.

“The variety of information displayed on the website and in the buildings themselves is remarkable and well worth visiting this January.

“As always at New Year we are looking ahead to where we are going but perhaps this year we can also look back to where we and our familesi have been in the past.”

To find out more about your family history, you can visit West Lothian’s Local History Library at the Heritage and Information Centre, County Buildings, High St, Linlithgow, EH49 7EZ, or to find out more information contact: 01506 282491 or email sybil.cavanagh@westlothian.gov.uk

Christmas and New Year Message from Fiona Hyslop MSP

December 2011

“As your new MSP for Linlithgow, I am delighted to wish my constituents a Merry Christmas and all the very best for the year ahead.

“Christmas provides us all with an opportunity for family and friends to spend valuable time together and I hope that my constituents get the chance to relax and celebrate over the festive period. It is also a time of year when we remember those who are no longer with us. We also remember our troops serving abroad and their loved ones.

“2011 has also been a difficult year for many of my constituents. I have been working hard to help those facing the prospect of redundancy or benefit cuts. The Scottish Government is confronting these challenges by supporting households and public services and by ensuring there are no compulsory redundancies in areas that the Scottish Government has responsibility for.

“The economic climate presents many difficulties and many families have challenges ahead, but I can assure my constituents that I will use all my efforts to support opportunities for jobs and economic growth in West Lothian.

“We know things are tough with pay freezes in the Public Sector but by maintaining the Council Tax freeze, abolishing prescription charges and maintaining free university education the Scottish Government is doing what it can to help hard pressed family budgets.

“The VION Halls in Broxburn announcement that they are safeguarding 1000 jobs and creating 250 new jobs, 100 of these for apprenticeships for young people, has been very much welcomed.

“The past few weeks have seen some very good news for West Lothian with the reinstated X14 bus running Whitburn residents to Glasgow after a successful petition from local people – a vital transport link for those who have or have had families residing in the West.

“As we move into another period of wintry weather I think it important to also pay tribute to members of the emergency services, postal workers, businesses and local members of the public in the community who are doing everything they can to serve our communities in particularly difficult conditions.

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas and I pass on my very best wishes for a prosperous 2012.”

Fiona Hyslop MSP

HYSLOP WELCOMES BUSINESS LINKS WITH DECHMONT SCHOOL

Fiona Hyslop has today (Monday, 19th Dec) visited Dechmont Infant School to highlight the work the school has done in connection with Energy Assets based at the Almondvale Business Park.

The pupils were asked to design a picture about what energy meant to them, the first second and third place pictures are hanging in the school’s offices. The P2 pupil that won first prize was invited to the official opening of the company and was awarded with his certificate and prize by Fergus Ewing, MSP for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism.

Commenting on the Day, Fiona Hyslop said,

“This has been a fantastic project for the pupils at Dechmont Infant School and it’s great to see first-hand the results that came from the competition.

“I am also pleased that Energy Assets wish to continue their work with the pupils and the school’s eco committee as they examine ways to reduce their carbon footprint in school as tacking climate change in schools is something pupils in West Lothian are no stranger to.”

Hyslop Presented with Linlithgow Care Home Recipe Book

Fiona Hyslop MSP for Linlithgow visited the St Ninians Linlithgow Care Home today (Monday, 19th December) to be presented with a recipe book that she contributed to.

The recipe book was to raise money for the Care Home’s Resident Comfort Fund and was presented by the staff and residents of the St Ninian’s care home.

Commenting Fiona said,

“The residents and staff here at St Ninians in Linlithgow have worked hard to put this book together and I was more than happy to contribute to it.

“I would like to thank Alison Conn and her colleagues and of course the residents who invited me back to St Ninians to receive my very own copy. “

HYSLOP WELCOMES REINSTATED X14 BUS TO WHITBURN

SNP MSP, Fiona Hyslop’s campaign to reinstate the X14 First Bus Service from Whitburn to Glasgow has been successful and will return to its original route on Monday, December 5th 2011.

Fiona Hyslop met with First Bus Group’s Regional Manager, Mr Paul Thomas, wrote letters to his office and sent him a copy of her petition against the withdrawal of service X14; a petition which contained over a hundred local signatures. First Bus and Fiona Hyslop attended the bus route’s re-launch on Friday. (Nov 25th)

Ms Hyslop has commented;

“I am delighted with the announcement to reinstate the X14 bus service. This service was a vital link to Glasgow for many of the city’s ex-residents who now live in Whitburn and I am sure they will be extremely pleased with this decision.

“I explained to First Bus that many people moved to Whitburn from Glasgow and so still have family there and it is a key link for employment.”

“There are many people across Whitburn and beyond who have used this service when travelling to Glasgow and I hope that this will continue once the bus service has been reinstated so as not to fall victim to being cancelled at any point in the future.”

HYSLOP COMMENTS ON ARMADLE FIRE
Friday, 28th October

Last night at 7.13pm a fire broke out in an Armadale House, two young boys, aged 13 and 11 called the Fire Brigade and then went inside the house to rescue a four year old boy.
All three boys are in hospital being treated for smoke inhalation, one for burns on his leg.

Fiona Hyslop MSP for Linlithgow Constituency made these comments when speaking to Forth 1 radio this morning:

“This is a remarkable story, that these two boys put themselves in jeopardy to rescue a four year old boy, their actions showed extreme bravery and they reacted to save a life.

“I think the parents and families of these boys must be extremely proud. It was very risky, I hope they are recovering well and I am pleased they have recognition for their bravery.”

-ends-

HYSLOP’S RAISES £65 FOR MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT

SNP MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop has raised £65 in just over an hour for MacMillan’s Cancer Support in its Centenary year.

Ms Hyslop’s coffee morning which begun at 11am on Friday, 14th October in her local Whitburn Office, attracted members of the Whitburn and wider West Lothian Community who helped fundraise for MacMillan Cancer Support.

Fiona commented:

“I am delighted at the number of West Lothian people who attended the coffee morning to give their donations and support to Macmillan Cancer Care.

“I am aware that I have many constituents who have had personal experiences with Cancer and been involved with the charity in the past.

“In just over an hour we managed to raise £65 by offering people tea, coffee and biscuits. Some constituents even brought their own home baking to sell and gave all their proceeds to Macmillan Cancer Care.

“I am very pleased that this morning was such a success and I am pleased to support this charity and take part in their events in the years to come.”

HYSLOP CONGRATULATES BLACKBURN’S TREE CLUB ON LOTTERY WIN

Local MSP Fiona Hyslop has congratulated Blackburn’s Tree Club Project who was successful in applying for a £390,500 grant for investing in Communities and Supporting 21st Century Life.

The Tree Club’s ‘The Tree Club’ project will increase the capacity of their after school and holiday club for children and young people aged between five and 18 with severe learning disabilities.

Fiona Hyslop said;

“This is great news for The Tree Club in Blackburn, not only allowing an increase in intake but this will also allow them to expand their holiday scheme into Easter and Autumn.

“More children and young people with severe learning difficulties will now be able to access the Tree Club’s after school and holiday club, furthering their potential and getting the support they really need.

I would like to congratulate Angela Bruty and her team on the work she has done to secure this grant for such an important and worthwhile project.”