Summer Newsletter

Earlier this summer I hosted a drop-in broadband surgery in Leven. A number of my constituents, especially those from the Castlefleurie area, had been in touch with my office regarding poor broadband speeds.

 

My surgery was a good opportunity for a number of those residents to discuss their situation with officials from the Digital Scotland programme. I was also delighted to secure a commitment from BT Openreach that fibre broadband will be available for residents in the Castlefleurie area within the next 12 months.

While broadband connectivity is ultimately reserved to Westminster, The Scottish Government made a manifesto commitment to roll out superfast broadband across the whole country by 2021. Fast and reliable internet is fundamental for future economic success in the Levenmouth area and I will continue to work with the Scottish Government to ensure that all the communities I serve are reached by the roll-out as soon as possible.

 

AUCHMUTY HIGH SCHOOL CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF WOMEN'S VOTES
 

It was an absolute pleasure to spend time with s
enior pupils from Auchmuty High School to celebrate 100 years of women’s right to vote. I was one of a number of guests who attended the celebration, including former Presiding Officer, Tricia Marwick.

Pupils at the school organised the event as part of the EqualiTeas festival of celebration that ran across the UK to mark the important milestone in our democracy. I was really encouraged to see the next generation are so clued up about what equality means - our future is in safe hands.

The Scottish Parliament marked the centenary earlier this year by hosting a debate in the chamber opened by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP.
 

 

 

I really enjoy getting out and about in my constituency and meeting with constituents is one of the best parts of the job. It is vital that politicians make it as easy as possible for constituents to contact them - my regular tours are about reaching out to every part of the Mid Fife and Glenrothes constituency.

In July, I held surgeries in Leven, Kennoway, Upper Largo, Lundin Links, Windygates, Collydean, Markinch, Glenrothes town centre and Kinglassie. I hold regular surgeries in Glenrothes, Leven and in my office in Markinch – however, it is so important to get out to the villages and into the heart of communities as an elected member. I am already looking forward to my next tour in autumn.

 

It was an absolute pleasure to officially open the Glenrothes Men’s Shed in July. Across Scotland, Men’s Sheds have helped to bring people together, tackle loneliness and encourage skill sharing to the benefit of the surrounding area.

I am delighted the group now have a permanent home in Glenrothes and I look forward to working with its members in the future. Those involved with the Shed have already made a positive impact on the local community with the amazing transformation of the former Scout Hall.  I was extremely proud to open the new Shed and I look forward to visiting again in the near future.

 

AUCHMUTY HOLIDAY CLUB

 

It was great to meet with hardworking staff and volunteers at Leonard Cheshire’s social care service at Glamis House recently, to learn more about the vital services they provide for disabled adults across Fife. It was hugely beneficial to gain a further understanding of the programmes that Service Manager Isobel Thomson and her team offer to residents. As Leonard Cheshire celebrates its 70th anniversary, I am pleased to see the charity remains an integral part of our local community here in Glenrothes. 

 

RAINBOW NURSERY GLENROTHES
 

Over summer I met with staff and toddlers at Rainbow Nursery. I was given a fantastic welcome by the children and I was pleased to learn more about the top quality childcare and fantastic facilities at Rainbow Glenrothes.

 

The earliest years of our young people’s lives are crucial and the evidence tells us that if our early learning and childcare offer is to help give children the best start in life and contribute to closing the poverty-related attainment gap, it has to be of high quality. The Scottish Government’s plans to double the paid-for provision of childcare across Scotland by 2020 supports this ethos, and looks to create a highly skilled, diverse and dedicated workforce to deliver the ambitious pledge.

GROWING AUCHMUTY

Delighted to visit a new community project, Growing Auchmuty, which has been supported by a £175,657 grant from the Big Lottery Fund Scotland’s ‘Our Place’ programme. 

The project is being delivered by SAMH, the Scottish Association for Mental Health and aims to develop green spaces throughout Auchmuty.  

It was a real privilege to meet with the volunteers and to find out more about what plans they have for developing the community garden.  This project not only encourages younger Auchmuty residents to try their hand at gardening, it also helps to tackle loneliness and isolation which impacts on some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

 

I was honoured to open Glenrothes YMCA’s summer fête as we celebrated Scotland’s Year of Young People. The fête was a huge success with a host of fun activities for youngsters, including face painting, a bouncy castle, and a barbeque. Staff and volunteers at Glenrothes YMCA should be immensely proud of the success of the event, with youngsters from across the area joining in on the fun and taking a leading role in organisation. I know the YMCA does incredible work throughout the town and I am absolutely delighted that they are working to empower young people in Glenrothes. My thanks to Mary and all the team.

 

The Scottish Environment Link’s Species Champion Programme encourages MSPs to raise awareness and promote action to safeguard Scotland’s diverse environment. I have been an active member of the programme for some time and I've now visited all of Woodland Trust Scotland’s sites within my constituency. My most recent visit this summer was to  Keil's Den - I had a great time on the visit and it was a pleasure to meet with the Site Manager and to learn more about the important work of Woodland Trust Scotland.

I am the species champion for the Rowan tree, which is of course an important part of Scottish heritage. Today, however, as a threatened native species, we all have a duty to ensure that necessary steps are taken to conserve the Rowan tree. The Trust should be commended for their efforts in ensuring new trees are planted across Fife and the wider country.

 

MICHAEL WOODS VISIT
 

I was great to visit the new 3G pitch based at the Michael Woods centre in Glenrothes. I had the chance to learn more about how 3G pitches work in practice and to have a go at kicking the ball myself on the new surface. 

 

There are some amazing facilities on offer at the Michael Woods Centre - it’s hard to believe it was the former site of the Fife Institute which I remember from my own school days. Sport is hugely important in developing good mental health and social skills - I hope this new facility will be used by the community to nurture sporting talent for the future. 

 

 

GLENROTHES FIRE STATION

It was a pleasure to visit the local community fire station in Glenrothes recently. It was a real privilege to meet with members of the local crew to discuss their invaluable work in the town and the wider community. Our firefighters are some of the most heroic and dedicated public servants - I was delighted to meet with some of the local team who work to keep Fife safe on a daily basis.

It was also fascinating to learn more about how local teams in Glenrothes support firefighters all over the country - service integration is now sharing expertise nationally.
Our dedicated crews work tirelessly to keep our communities safe – from engaging with young children to empower them and teach important safety advice, to supporting the most elderly and vulnerable stay safe within their homes. There is no doubt that our firefighters serve at the very heart of our communities.

 

 

Parliamentary Motions
 

• Marking Glenrothes’ 70^th Birthday
• Congratulating pupils at Markinch Primary who received a Social Enterprise award
• Congratulating winners of Glenrothes Rotary Club Awards
• Congratulating George Sinclair on his new business
• Marking John-Alan Mackay’s Honour
• Celebrating the Markinch 2018 Highland Games
• Marking Star Hearts’ Magnificent Seven 50^th Anniversary
• Recognising the work of a local Glenrothes charity
• Welcoming funding for Fife Employment Access Trust
• Marking the service of a retiring local Scout leader
• Celebrating a Green Flag Award for Letham Glen
• Congratulating Falkland Trial Running Team for competing in an Ultra Relay Marathon
• Marking success for Largo Cricket Club
• Congratulating Leven Beach Care Home on winning a Regional Garden Award
• Marking the launch of the Elder Abuse Recovery Project
• Congratulating Chris Russell for winning Crombie Country Park 10k
• Congratulating Mountview Academy of Musical Arts
• Noting Glenrothes as the new home of Fife’s historical archives
• Congratulating Collydean Community Centre for winning Dementia Friendly Award
• Marking Glenrothes YMCA 60^th Anniversary
• Noting Autism Rocks (Fife)’s nomination for award
• Welcoming the goodwill of Leven resident Craig Boyd
• Congratulating Thornton’s Fish Hoose on making the shortlist of Fish and Chip Shop of the Year
• Marking Lomond Centre Gymnastics Club’s 40^th Anniversary
• Welcoming an award for local carer Donna Devlin
• Noting Allson Wholesale’s shortlisting for Business Awards 2018
• Celebrating the success of local people and businesses at the Kingdom FM Awards 2018