July 2009 diary column
30 July 2009
College Closure.
The decision by the Board of Dumfries & Galloway College to close its Newton Stewart facility caught everyone by surprise, not least the staff and the students themselves. We have got so used to being consulted on virtually everything in this day and age that a decision of this nature ‘sticks in the craw’, as the saying goes. Yet I cannot help but feel that this is the type of decision that we really should be consulted about, as its impact is widespread. Having spoken at length to the Principal, I can entirely understand the financial reasons for the decision. But it is the social impact within an area of recognised deprivation and need that is being ignored, and that disappoints me greatly. It still seems extraordinary to me that the Board did not enlist the help of MSPs to argue the case to both the Scottish Government and the Funding Council. We might not have been successful, but at least we could have tried. Not to have even tried to maintain this facility is surely a failure. Yes, the existing students will be able to complete their courses elsewhere, but the reputation of the College, for which I have always had considerable admiration ‘til now, is wounded – and the pity is that the wound was self inflicted.
Open Doors 1.
Undoubtedly the biggest event during the last month for me was the Parliament’s 10th anniversary on 1st July, when the Queen joined us at Holyrood to help 143 ten year olds celebrate their birthdays in style. And despite her obviously sore throat, she had encouraging words for every single one of them as I escorted her round the 14 tables at which they were kept busy while the more formal part of the day was enacted in the Chamber. After she had left, the party really began as Parliament literally threw open its doors to the families and siblings of those 143 children. I couldn’t help but marvel that this must be unique to the Scottish Parliament – a genuine people’s take-over, and there was something very special about it.
Open Doors 2.
Less than a week later, I welcomed the Princess Royal to Holyrood in her capacity as Patron of the Scottish Church’s scheme gathering. This scheme was established in 1994 in recognition of the very special place church buildings have in our architectural heritage as well as their attraction to many tourists – especially the increasing number of them who are tracing their own Scottish roots. My father’s little parish church in Ayrshire (whose doors are always open) joined the scheme in year one, when a 19 page booklet was produced detailing the member churches. Now, only 15 years later, the scheme is huge, with 3 books replacing that leaflet, and an excellent new website. It was encouraging to see several Galloway churches represented at this biennial gathering – this is an excellent scheme which deserves success.
Farmers’ Markets.
It has been encouraging to see the growth in the number of farmers’ markets across the constituency over the last few years, although I believe there is room for more. I had the pleasure of visiting the Auchencairn market this month and was certainly impressed. To me, the whole essence of these markets was summed up by one customer I overheard who, after paying for the goods they had purchased said, “Many thanks – see you again next month.” It’s about traceability – about knowing where and how the food is produced – about having trust in the supplier – and it’s about quality. I think they are terrific, and I hope they are not just a passing phase.
Home Again.
I had the considerable honour of officially opening the annual Kirkcudbright Art Exhibition at the start of the month. Entitled ‘Home Again’, the excellent works on display are by artists closely associated with the town and, as always, the exhibition is a ‘must visit’ attraction. I also opened a photographic exhibition called ‘As ithers see us’ which is also in Kirkcudbright’s town hall and is running concurrently with ‘Home Again’. Modesty forbids me from identifying the subject of a certain ‘triptych’ – you’ll have to go along to find out. Don’t worry though; both exhibitions are free of charge. That has to be good value!
Summer Tour.
No sooner had Parliament gone into recess for the summer than I headed off on my ‘summer work programme’ round Scotland. I instigated this programme last year in order to get a snapshot of how people from all walks of life view their Parliament, and what we can do better as a Parliament to encourage people to engage with it. Last year I was up North, so this year I concentrated on the South, and it was equally valuable. I met some wonderful people – carers, befrienders, lifeboatmen, ex-servicemen and women and the staff at Combat Stress, helpers and clients of Riding for the Disabled and a whole host of others who do so much to make life better for those less fortunate than themselves. They never fail to leave their mark.
I also met with a number of ‘movers and shakers’ from two Local Authority areas and have ended up with a fascinating insight of how the Scottish Parliament is viewed from across the wide spectrum of our society, as well as a number of ideas and suggestions as to how we might do things differently. I cannot pretend that anyone will notice any great changes overnight, but I can guarantee that the exercise will colour Parliamentary thinking and influence our decisions when we look at our engagement process.
The Garden.
The number of people who have asked me how Mrs F’s veg patch is doing this year is almost scary! Despite our earlier plans to expand the plot, its size remains comparable to a postage stamp, but it has yielded well. Potatoes, carrots, broad beans, salad leaves, parsley and radishes have all been consumed with self-satisfied delight, with parsnips, onions and various other unidentified (by me) delights to come. The fact that the patch yields only about 3 meals-worth of each veg is irrelevant – Mrs F’s commitment remains undimmed, and if the drought-induced water shortage earlier in the month meant I had to forego my coffees so that the plants could be watered, so be it! As long as she’s happy. Mind you, they do taste good.
Show-time.
Yes, it’s agricultural show time again, and I am looking forward enormously to the Stranraer, Wigtown, Stewartry and Dumfries shows as always. As results at the Highland Show proved once again, when it comes to the production of first class livestock, our region has few equals, and I always enjoy this seasonal opportunity to look at the stock and talk to the stockmen and women who produce them. These shows also provide a wonderful opportunity for ‘town’ to meet ‘country’ – a link which was in danger of extinction until organisations like R.H.E.T. (the Royal Highland Educational Trust) took some practical steps to get schoolchildren back onto farms again. It is my favourite time of year – let’s hope the weather allows us to enjoy these shows to the fullest.
Holidays?
Rather frighteningly, the Scottish Parliamentary recess will be half way through when this is read. Mind you – having had all 4 grandchildren staying for a week, with their parents, I need to get back to work for a rest! So, recess or no recess, my surgeries continue as always. Just phone 0800 028 7260 for details or to make any other suitable arrangements.