Category: News in Lothian

Hyslop Marks British Pipe Band Championships in Bathgate Local constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop marked the British Pipe Band Championships on Saturday (May 25th) by attending their reception and awards ceremony at Meadow Park in Bathgate. Fiona said; “I am delighted to support this event, particularly when we have so much local talent watching and participating in today’s championships. “West Lothian has a strong sense of culture and a strong Scottish identity particularly within traditional music and it is fantastic to have such a prestigious event on our doorsteps.”

Hyslop Supports Home Grown Goods in Armadale Local MSP, Fiona Hyslop visited Armadale’s Community Growing Garden to support the good work done by their volunteers over the recent months, promote local produce and gardening projects in the community and to see the progress of the planting season. Fiona said; “Despite the bad weather we have had this spring, the group who runs the growing garden in Armadale are continuing to work hard to keep the garden beautiful for those who visit. “A huge number of volunteers dedicate a lot of time and effort to this garden and I am always happy to hear their news and support their work which actively promotes growing your own vegetables and eating a healthy diet.”

Hyslop Celebrates West Lothian 42nd Highland Games May 15th 2013 Local MSP, Fiona Hyslop attended the West Lothian Chieftains Parade and Highland Games as a Games Association guest at the weekend. Commenting on the day Ms Hyslop said; “The Highland Games in Meadow Park this year, as always, has been a triumphant success. Despite the weather, the crowds came out in droves and helped build the momentum for the British Pipe Band Championships next weekend in Bathgate. “The event is run solely by local volunteers and they deserve massive congratulations for the important work they do and the enjoyable day they have delivered for their community.”

Fiona Welcomes Statement on Scottish Canals in Chamber Linlithgow MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the statement made by the Transport and Veterans Minister, Keith Brown on Wednesday (24th April) setting out the Scottish Government’s Canal Strategy. Scottish canals will undergo a major rejuvenation as part of a ten-year blueprint for major waterways which will result in greater recreation and tourism for local towns. Fiona said, “With the union canal running through Linlithgow and Broxburn, canals are an important feature in my constituency. “This is good news for Linlithgow and Broxburn. For years local volunteers provided vision and worked to develop the canal basins. It is great to see with the formation of Scottish Canals that we now have a new national plan for canals in Scotland.” The Scottish Government’s new…

Hyslop Marks West Lothian International Workers Memorial Day Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop attended West Lothian’s International Workers Memorial Day in Bathgate on Sunday (28th April). Commenting on the day, Fiona said; “I was pleased to attend such an important event, to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day - a tribute in remembering workers who have died, been injured or made seriously ill through work. It was particularly poignant because of the awful devastation and death of workers this week in Bangladesh. “West Lothian was an early pioneer of commemorating this day and would like to thank West Lothian Trades Council for developing the day. “Each year, across the world, more than 2 million men and women die as a result of work related accidents and diseases. Annually, asbestos claims 100,000…

Hyslop Welcomes Consultation Tackling Metal Theft Linlithgow Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news of a consultation seeking view on introducing a tougher licensing regime and banning cash payments for metal. Following an initial consultation last year, this further consultation specifically focuses on what conditions dealers should be subject to under a new licensing regime with all dealers licensed, and the question of cash payments for metal. Fiona said; “Just last month, metal thieves stole £6,000 worth of copper from Croftmalloch Primary in Whitburn, closing the school and causing considerable financial constraints. “The kitchen at Croftmalloch Primary also provides food to other schools in the area, so this mindless criminal activity has not just impacted one school, but several throughout the community. “I am pleased that local police officers…

Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop Donates to Mary’s Meals Backpack Project Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has taken part in the Parliament wide Mary’s Meals Backpack Project by donating a backpack filled with basic school equipment to help with their education and everyday life. Fiona said; “I was delighted to donate a backpack to this project launched by Mary’s Meals which will go towards helping some of the world’s poorest children. “This has been a hugely successful cross-party campaign and I am pleased to see that so many MSPs and staff taking part. “We have a strong sense of charity in West Lothian and so I would encourage anyone not already aware of the project to find out more and perhaps even organise your own collection of backpacks to help chronically…

Hyslop Attends Opening of Whitburn Foodbank Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop attended the opening of the new Foodbank in Whitburn on Friday. (22nd March). Fiona said; “I was delighted to meet with the staff and volunteers of the Whitburn Foodbank and welcome them to their newest branch here in West Lothian. “The foodbank workers dedicate much of their time and energy to building better communities and helping those who need it most. The opening of a Foodbank in Whitburn will strengthen our society and engage local residents and most importantly, prevent those who are worse off from going hungry.”

Anger as Labour Refuse to Support West Lothian Elderly Local Constituency MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop has said she is angry and disappointed that Labour MSPs refused to support an Order for free bus travel for pensioners and disabled persons at Wednesday’s (March 20th) Scottish Parliament’s Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee. Fiona said; “I am extremely disappointed that the Labour MSPs in the Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee last week did not support the growing number of older people in West Lothian. “The Scottish Government has always been committed to ensuring elderly and vulnerable people are looked after in our communities and while I can’t understand why Labour MSPs refused to support free bus travel for pensioners and disabled people, I am pleased that the rest of the committee members…

Hyslop Supports Young Peoples’ Entitlement to Share Views Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop is supporting the Bill to give every 16 and 17 year old in West Lothian the right to have their say in the Scottish Referendum next year. Fiona commented; “Next Year’s referendum is one of the most important decisions to face the Scottish people in recent times and I am delighted that a bill has been introduced to allow 16 and 17 year olds the chance to have their say. “In Scotland you can join the army, have a full time job, get married and have children at just 16 years old, our young people absolutely deserve the right to say how the future of their country should be run. “Whatever views you may have on the…