Category: News in Lothian

HYSLOP WELCOMES ARTIST ROOMS TOUR AT BURGH HALLS Local MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the news that the Linlithgow Burgh Halls is one of 17 Scottish venues to host the 2012 Artist Rooms tour of modern and contemporary art. The Burgh Halls will display American photographer Robert Mapplethorne’s work until October 2012. Ms Hyslop has commented; “This is a real achievement for the newly refurbished Burgh Halls and really reflects the quality of their provision. “I would encourage the people of Linlithgow and across West Lothian to stop in and admire this wonderful art work in the stunning surroundings of our historic halls.” -ends- Extra Info: Artist Rooms is jointly owned and managed by the National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. It is made up of more than…

HYSLOP WELCOMES OPENING OF LOCAL ALLOTMENTS Fiona Hyslop MSP for Linlithgow attended the opening Celebrations of Oakwell Community Growing Plots on Saturday. Linlithgow and District Allotment Society (LADAS) found out in January 2011 that they have secured planning permission for Community Growing Plots on the private land between Linlithgow and Philpstoun. Commenting after the event, Ms Hyslop said; “I was pleased to attend the opening organised by Linlithgow and District Allotment Society and to see first-hand the fantastic achievement since May from 67 plot holders. Congratulations to Kirsty Leonard and her team for their determination and persistence. “There is a real sense of community here in this open and inviting piece of land and the cabin built within the plots certainly allows for friendly gardening conversation among members. “The produce…

HYSLOP WELCOMES OPENING OF LINLITHGOW BURGH HALLS On Monday Night (29th August, 2011) Fiona Hyslop MSP for Linlithgow has attended the official opening of the Linlithgow Burgh Halls. The Burgh Halls which were open for use as of April this year were officially opened on Monday 29th by West Lothian Provost Tom Kerr. Following the event, Ms Hyslop said; “Our Burgh Halls are a historic and well recognised piece of architecture in Linlithgow and one that has National significance and is visited by tourists across Scotland and beyond. “The Hall’s refurbishment has vastly improved the look and accessibility of the building and I would encourage all those in Linlithgow to see for themselves and visit this wonderful piece of Linlithgow’s history. “After a long wait and previous years of neglect…

HYSLOP CONGRATULATES BATHGATE ON £1,000 LOTTERY GRANT Local MSP, Fiona Hyslop has written to Gail Whyte from Bathgate Regal Film Society to congratulate her on receiving £1,000 from the Awards For All Big Lottery Fund. “I am delighted for Gail Whyte and her team at the Bathgate Regal Film Society. The Awards For All Programme exists to help groups do things they otherwise may not be able to do and this grant will go a long way for the Film Society in helping their film rentals and afternoon activities for children. “This Film Society will make a wonderful contribution to Bathgate’s Film and Arts scene and provide entertainment for people across West Lothian. “I have written to Gail Whyte personally to congratulate her on receiving this grant and I am…

HYSLOP PRAISES POOL AND EMERGENCY STAFF AFTER LOCAL FIRE Tuesday, 16th July Local MSP for Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop has praised the quick thinking staff at Whitburn’s Xcite Leisure Centre today after an apparent electrical fault caused a fire in the public building. Ms Hsylop has also congratulated the local emergency services for tackling the blaze on Saturday afternoon. Ms Hyslop said; “After the fire caused at Whitburn Miners Welfare I am sad to see a fire tear away at another building in Whitburn. “The staff of Xcite Leisure Centre should be commended for evacuating all members of the public to safety. Their actions ensured that nobody was injured when vacating the building. “The Fire and Rescue Service should also be thanked for their bravery and for bringing the fire…

FIONA HYSLOP MSP PRAISES BATHGATE FAIRTRADE TOWN STATUS SNP MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop has congratulated the members of the Bathgate Fairtrade Steering Group, who have just secured Fairtrade status for the West Lothian Town. In order to achieve Fairtrade Town status, the town must make a commitment to supporting Fairtrade and using products with the FAIRTRADE Mark. Each town must achieve five goals these are sometimes known as the ‘Five C’s’ (Council, Commerce, Community, Common Consensus and Captains). To complete all these goals shows dedication. Commenting, Ms Hyslop said: “I am delighted to hear that Bathgate has been awarded Fairtrade Town status. It is such an achievement for the town. “The Fairtrade initiative helps to alleviate poverty and give opportunities to producers and workers who are economically disadvantaged due…

HYSLOP SUPORTS WEST LOTHIAN CARERS Local MSP, Fiona Hyslop has visited St Andrews Court Care Home Development in Uphall highlight her support for Carers Week. (13th -19th June) Carers Week takes place each year and celebrates the enormous contribution made by Scotland’s 657,000 unpaid carers and 100,000 young carers as they provide personal, emotional and practical support to family members who can’t manage without their help because of disability, frailty, sickness or substance misuse or mental health issues. The contribution carers and young carers make to society is estimated to save the public purse £7.68 billion a year. Commenting Ms Hyslop said; "I was delighted to meet with Helen McLeod and her colleagues from St Andrew’s Court Care Home to discuss issues important to them and meet some of the…

HYSLOP NOMINATES LOCAL VOLUNTEER FOR PARLIAMENT HERO [caption id="attachment_471" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Fiona Hyslop MSP and Graeme Black"][/caption] SNP MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop has nominated local volunteer, Graeme Black to be her guest at the Scottish Parliament’s Local Hero and Riding of the Parliament Ceremony on July First to mark the official opening of Holyrood’s fourth session. Nominated by MSPs in recognition of their important personal contribution to the lives of people in Scotland, a total of 98 heroes have been nominated to-date and will take part in a ‘Riding’ along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile on Friday 1 July. Fiona said; “The opening of Session Four of the Scottish Parliament is a chance for us to celebrate the efforts of genuine local heroes from across the country. “Graeme Black has been…

HYSLOP WRITES TO FIRST BUS OVER X14 WITHDRAWL Local MSP Fiona Hyslop has written to the Managing Director of First Bus Group against the decision to withdraw the X14 bus service from Whitburn to Glasgow claiming it discriminates against older or vulnerable people. Fiona commented, “I have been contacted by several constituents from Whitburn and beyond angry that this bus service has been cancelled. Many of the older residents in Whitburn came from Glasgow and came to what was then new housing for the jobs in West Lothian. They still have many family and friends in Glasgow that they travel by bus to see. “Despite the new train station in Armadale allowing passengers to commute to Glasgow by train, there are those who are in possession of free bus passes…

LOCAL MSP SEEKS ASSURANCES FOR LINLITHGOW CARE HOME RESIDENTS Fiona Hyslop MSP for Linlithgow has written urgently to West Lothian Council’s Chief Executive urging the Council to provide reassurances to residents and their families at Southern Cross Care Homes in the Linlithgow Constituency following recent concerns about the Southern Care Business. She also raised the issue when she and other MSPs met with NHS Lothian on Friday June 3rd. There are three care homes in West Lothian which are owned by Southern Cross; Linlithgow Nursing Home, Middleton Hall Care Home and Redmill Care Home in East Whitburn. NHS Lothian and Wet Lothian Council are due to meet today (Monday 6th June) to discuss practical contingency plans which ensure a continued quality of care. Commenting, Ms Hyslop said; “I have been…