Category: News

External Affairs Ministers go Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Fiona Hyslop MSP for Linlithgow joins the fight against breast cancer by wearing pink Constituency MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop has joined the fight against breast cancer by taking part in Breast Cancer Campaign’s flagship fundraiser, wear it pink day. The theme of wear it pink this year is to ‘look good, do good’ in support of breast cancer research. On Friday 24 October people across the country will come together to find fun and stylish ways to wear pink in the office, at home or at school. Donations raised by this year’s fashion inspired event will go to Breast Cancer Campaign to fund lifesaving breast cancer research. Fiona, who is pictured with her Deputy Minister for International Development, Humza Yousaf,…

Hyslop Welcomes Continued Investment for West Lothian Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has welcomed the Scottish Government’s budget which passed through Parliament last week which she has said will create a fairer and more prosperous society. Speaking in the Chamber last Thursday, the Finance Secretary John Swinney said the budget would build on the Scottish Government’s track record since 2007 and take steps to meet the aspirations for Scotland set out in the recent referendum campaign. Fiona commented; “Last week the Scottish Government announced its ongoing investment for the people of West Lothian. Not only will West Lothian Residents save around £1200 due to the continued council tax freeze, West Lothian residents trying to get on the housing market will find this easier as of April next year as stamp…

Hyslop Congratulates Parliament Barista Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has congratulated her constituent Kirsty Rafferty – the Scottish Parliament’s Coffee Barista – on her recent Gold medal at the Sodexo Scotland Culinaire 2014 competition for Best Speciality Coffee for her "Holyrood Whip". Fiona said, “I am so pleased for Kirsty, I know how hard she has worked to achieve this. Her ‘Holyrood Whip’, which contains lavender from the Parliamentary Gardens, has proved very popular. I wish Kirsty all the best for the Final Competition at Royal Ascot on October 22nd.” ENDS Kirsty Rafferty is from Broxburn West Lothian Kirsty will compete in the Sodexo Salon Culinaire 2014 Final competition at Royal Ascot on 22 October. She is one of 10 finalists from an original pool of 30 competitors. She has…

Hyslop Supports Coffee Morning Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has backed Macmillan Cancer Support’s coffee morning and urged people across West Lothian to do the same by visiting a local coffee morning over the next week. Fiona said; “I am always happy to support this fantastic cause and Macmillan’s coffee mornings are a great fun way to help raise much needed funds to support cancer care. “There will be a number of coffee mornings going on locally over the next week and I would urge everyone to go along to their nearest event and join in for such a worthy cause.” To find a MacMillan coffee morning near you or to host one of your own visit: http://coffee.macmillan.org.uk/tips-ideas-and-recipes/Find/Findacoffeemorningnearyou.aspx#.VCU2kqKyC_s

Hyslop Celebrates “The Lithgae Piper” at Ryder Cup Concert Constituency MSP for Linlithgow, Fiona Hyslop has commended “The Lithgae Piper” Ross Miller’s performance as he played bagpipes at the SSE Hydro on Wednesday evening (24th September) at the Ryder Cup Gala Dinner Concert in Glasgow. He played as part of the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland in a bill with Eddie Reader and Roddy Hart and the Lonesome Fire. Fiona said, “I have seen Ross Miller play the pipes as part of the Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band and in the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland many times. I was extremely proud to see him walk on to play solo at the start of the finale with Scottish Opera, joined by the full National Youth Pipe Band…

Hyslop Commemorates First World War Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop attended two commemoration services at Glasgow Cathedral and at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh to mark 100 years since the beginning of First World War. Fiona commented; “At Monday evening’s (4th August) Vigil Service at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh I was honoured to read an extract from Lewis Grassic Gibbon’s Sunset Song about the war, and earlier to attend a very moving service at Glasgow Cathedral. “From now until the end of 2018, scheduled events across Scotland will allow us to continue learning about the lessons of the First World War of 1914 – 1918. By reflecting on the devastating events that took place across every community in Scotland, we can ensure that the brave soldiers who fought in one…

Hyslop Congratulates West Lothian at Best Ever Commonwealth Games Local Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has congratulated all the athletes and volunteers from West Lothian who have participating and helped out at the what was said to be the best ever Commonwealth Games. Fiona commented, “We were very lucky to have so many talented sportsmen and women from West Lothian representing Scotland at the Commonwealth Games. I am equally pleased by the number of volunteers from West Lothian who were actively supporting the event and was delighted to meet a number of them personally. “We have many of sporting greats from West Lothian and I have very much enjoyed watching our future sporting heroes compete and show off their talents to the world.”

Fiona Hyslop MSP with Gail Allen, Marie Curie Day Services Manager Hyslop Attends Launch of West Lothian Palliative Care Services Local Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop met with staff and volunteers at the launch of West Lothian’s new palliative care partnership between Marie Curie Cancer Care, NHS Lothian and MacMillan Cancer Support. She was also given a tour of the centre by Gail Allan, Marie Curie Day Services Manager. The Centre received over £500,000 from MacMillan Cancer Care to provide privacy and dignity for patients and their families as well as improving clinical efficiency and creating a welcoming environment. Commenting after the visit, Fiona said; “I was delighted to visit the new Palliative Care Service Centre at St John’s in Livingston and see first-hand the extensive refurbishment work that has taken…

Hyslop Highlights £340,000 Games Legacy Funding for West Lothian On the run up to the Commonwealth Games at the end of this month, Constituency MSP Fiona Hyslop has highlighted the local benefits of the Games Legacy. In round three of the Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund, West Lothian Council was awarded £340,000 for projects in Bathgate, Whitburn, (Linlithgow) and Broxburn. Fiona commented, “After a momentous 248-day global journey through the Commonwealth – the baton is back travelling across Scotland – signaling the final countdown to the greatest games ever. “The Legacy 2014 Active Places has awarded a number of our local active spaces with funding including the existing Kirkton Park Tennis Court in Bathgate and Broxburn United Football Club. The money will also help develop a new Skate Park at…

Artist Lari Don Speaking at Imagine Scotland Café in Bathgate Talented Children’s Writer Lari Don will be leading an informal café discussion on the Independence Referendum this Saturday. (June 14th) Leading Women for Independence Campaigner and Blogger Kate Higgins will also be there to facilitate the event. The Imagine Scotland Events are the brain child of International Playwright David Greig and Famous Singer/Songwriter Karine Polwart and offer a space to allow people to talk about what matters most to them and what they’d like to change about the Scotland they live in. It also gives people the chance to air their concerns and doubts about change. The café offers the opportunity to imagine better kinds of Scotland in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Speaking about past Imagine Scotland events, Karine Polwart…