Category: News in Lothian

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…

FIONA HYSLOP ELECTED MSP FOR LINLITHGOW Tuesday, 10 May 2011 Fiona Hyslop has been elected as MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency with 17,027 votes - the 3rd biggest vote in Scotland and a 4000 majority. She declared; “I am delighted and honoured to be elected for the Linlithgow Constituency where I live and bring up my family. “It was a great result for the SNP nationally and as my result came in with the dawn on the Bathgate hills – a new political dawn emerged. People responded to our positive vision for Scotland and our record of delivery for West Lothian. “West Lothian has long been closely fought between SNP and Labour and just over a year since Billy Wolfe died I dedicated the win to him. My election team…

HYSLOP PRAISES LOCAL SHALE PEOPLE PROJECT AT LAUNCH EVENT Fiona Hyslop, SNP Candidate for Linlithgow has praised the work of Broxburn born visual communicator, Shirley Anne Murdoch and local artists and musicians from Broxburn, Uphall and Livingston when she attended the launch of the Shale People Project at the Strathbrock Centre on Saturday. Commenting after the launch Fiona said, “The aim of this project was to reconnect the current local communities with those of the original ‘Shale People’ community and in seeing the wonderful turnout for Saturday’s launch it is clear that the efforts made have paid off. The mural at Uphall and the life-size caricatures are very striking. "Shale oil is an important part of our industrial heritage, so it is right that the community are remembered and acknowledged…

HYSLOP CONFIRMS SNP COMMITMENT TO ARTS NATIONAL BOOK WEEK ESTABLISHED; EXPO FUND EXTENDED Fiona Hyslop has today (Monday) committed a re-elected SNP Government to developing and supporting the talent of Scotland’s artists as she visited 'The Artists’ Town' of Kirkcudbright. Ms Hyslop confirmed that a re-elected SNP Government would expand the highly successful Expo Fund and Made in Scotland scheme for the next Parliament. The Expo fund and Made in Scotland showcase the best of Scottish performing talent. Fiona Hyslop joined SNP Candidate for Galloway and West Dumfries, Aileen McLeod to meet with artists and gallery owners in Kirkcudbright famed for its local artists. The Galloway and West Dumfries constituency also includes Wigtown, home of the internationally renowned book festival. Ms Hyslop confirmed that a re-elected SNP Government would establish…