Category: News in Lothian

Local MSP Visits Bathgate Flood Victims Fiona Hyslop MSP for Linlithgow Constituency has today (Friday 25th May) visited the site where a 27 inch water main burst in Bathgate on Tuesday morning. The burst main which flooded nine properties on Leyland Road and a further six on Meikle Inch Lane has now been drained and residents were evacuated safely by emergency services. Fiona Hyslop, who visited the site and met residents from the streets with Scottish Water representatives, said; “The damage done to these homes is devastating. “Councillor Willie Boyle has been a great help visiting each resident on the day of the burst offering them support and advice. “Lothian and Borders Emergency Services have done a great job clearing the water and responded quickly and effectively to the alert…

Hyslop Celebrates West Lothian 41st Highland Games 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. The glorious sunshine brought the crowds out in droves and helps build the momentum for the British Pipe Band Championships when they come in 2013. “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. “I was particularly pleased to see our Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive, Dave MacDougal, a keen supporter of the Highland Games, taking up his post as…

Fiona Hyslop Visits Broxburn Bottlers During Whisky Centenary Year Fiona Hyslop MSP for Linlithgow Constituency has visited Broxburn Bottlers today during the centenary year of the Scotch Whisky Association. The SWA will mark this occasion with a number of events, including a reception held in the Scottish Parliament earlier this year, which Fiona Hyslop attended. An Exhibition will run at Holyrood later in the year. “It was great to see round Broxburn Bottlers – a company employing around 200 locals and I am pleased that a company based in West Lothian is contributing to the increased sale of Scotch Whisky internationally. "Last year, Scotch Whisky exports rocketed by almost a quarter in value to £4.23 billion. “I was very impressed with what I saw at the company and how they…

Hyslop Highlights Importance of Recycling in Broxburn Local MSP Fiona Hyslop has visited Shanks Waste Management Recycling Centre in Broxburn today to see round the facilities and highlight the work they do in the local community. After the visit, Fiona said; “I was pleased to meet with staff from Shanks Waste Management Recycling Centre today. (Monday 14th May) “West Lothian in general has a reputation of being a very ‘green’ region. In fact, most of our local schools have green flag status, ensuring that children from an early age are aware of its benefits. “As a nation we have a strong commitment to minimising waste and it is great to see an employer in West Lothian driving forward the zero waste agenda.”

Hyslop Visits Bathgate Cyrenians to Mark 10th Anniversary Local MSP Fiona Hyslop has visited the Cyrenians in Bathgate to mark 10 years of delivering services to West Lothian communities. Fiona heard about the Bathgate facilities before heading to see the work in their unique farm and local residential community. Fiona said; “I am delighted to visit the Cyrenians SmartMove facilities in Bathgate to mark their 10th anniversary here in West Lothian. “Cyrenians in West Lothian work extremely hard to support those in housing need. The support, development and advice they offer are a huge help in tackling homelessness across the region. “It has been great to meet the staff and volunteers who have successfully delivered such an important charity locally, who devote an enormous amount of time helping the lives…

Fiona Hyslop MSP Supports Local Linlithgow Olympics Linlithgow MSP, Fiona Hyslop attended the Lin’Lympics (Linlithgow Olympic Games) to support the 11 schools(1) throughout the Linlithgow cluster who represented a country in their own mini Olympic and Paralympic Games on May 9th. Commenting on the day, Fiona said; “It has been a tremendous day, 1700 pupils cheered as the Olympic flame was lit at Linlithgow Rose Football Ground and a choir sang to the crowd from the director’s box. “All schools have done extremely well in developing the theme and values of the Olympics and Paralympics, ensuring that the day was enjoyable and accessible to all. “It has been great to see the pupils come together for this event and really showcase the true meaning of community spirit.” -ends- Notes for…

Hyslop Marks Boghall and Bathgate Pipe Band 40th Anniversary Local MSP, Fiona Hyslop marked the Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band’s 40th Anniversary on Friday (4th May) at a dinner in Whitburn’s Hilcroft Hotel by delivering the keynote speech. Fiona said; “I am delighted to deliver the keynote speech to mark the 40th anniversary of such a significant piece of West Lothian’s culture. “I am aware that many of the current members that are here today, were part of the pipe band some 25 years ago. This shows a band, who are not just in touch with, but dedicated to their roots and to each other. “West Lothian has a strong sense of culture and Scottish Identity particularly within traditional music and it is fantastic to watch groups like the…

Hyslop Supports Blackburn Schools’ Right to be Safe Local MSP Fiona Hyslop has this morning attended a community conference at Our Lady of Lourdes Primary in Blackburn to support their “Right to be Safe” project. Primary 6 and 7 Pupils from Blackburn, Murrayfield, Our Lady of Lourdes and Pinewood Schools in Blackburn have been working alongside West Lothian Youth Action Project Peer Educators to identify the community life issues and presented their findings through dance, song and drama. Speaking at the event, Fiona Hyslop said, “This conference has been a hugely creative and informative community event and I am delighted to be here supporting the issues that the pupils feel are important to them. “Community life involves everyone living here, regardless of age and it is right that the pupils…

Hyslop Marks West Lothian International Workers Memorial Day Fiona Hyslop MSP for Linlithgow constituency attended and delivered a speech at West Lothian’s International Workers Memorial Day in Bathgate on Saturday (28th April). Hyslop hit out at cuts from the Westminster Government to Health and Safety Executive saying that more and more often, they are simply reacting to concerns rather than proactively policing safety issues. Commenting on the day, Fiona said; “I was honoured to deliver a keynote speech at 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. “West Lothian was an early pioneer of commemorating this day and would like to thank West Lothian Trade Council for developing the day to…

COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT WILL HELP 16,680 OF WEST LOTHIAN’S MOST VULNERABLE Local MSP for Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the announcement that the Scottish Government and COSLA will protect the 16,680 West Lothian residents who claim council tax benefit from having their allowances cut. In April 2013 the UK Government will abolish the existing Council Tax Benefit and cut the successor budget by 10 per cent. The Scottish Government and COSLA have agreed to cover the cost of the cuts which would have had a serious impact on 16,680 vulnerable West Lothian residents. Fiona commented; “In West Lothian we have one of the fastest growing populations in Scotland, with 16,680 - around a 10th of our residents - having to claim council tax benefit. “This decisive action will continue…