Graeme is delighted to have lodged motions in Parliament this week congratulating The Gin Bothy on its success at the Scottish EDGE Awards; Charleston Village Hall, East Haven Together and Monikie Primary School Parent Teacher Partnership on securing grants; and Allan and Sheena Thomson from Carnoustie on their retirement after 24 years of fostering.Motion S5M-09680That the Parliament congratulates Allan and Sheena Thomson from Carnoustie on their retirement after 24 years of fostering; notes that the couple have selflessly dedicated their lives to offering a home for looked-after young people; acknowledges that the couple’s incredible contribution was recently recognised at the Angus Council Fostering and Adoption team’s annual Christmas lunch at Carnoustie Golf Hotel, with more than 50 foster carers in attendance; wishes the couple a happy and peaceful retirement, and commends all foster carers who offer vital support and stability for looked-after young people across Scotland.
Motion S5M-09707That the Parliament congratulates two groups in the Angus South constituency on receiving Awards for All funding; notes that Charleston Village Hall plans to use a grant of £6,808 to buy new furniture and IT equipment that will be used by a range of local groups; understands that Monikie Primary School Parent Teacher Partnership, which received £9,000, will improve the outdoor play facilities at the school for pupils and children from the local area; commends both groups on their efforts, and looks forward to seeing the benefits of the funding reaching these communities.
Motion S5M-09734 That the Parliament congratulates the community group, East Haven Together, in the Angus South constituency, on its award of £3,420 from the Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks’ (SSEN) Resilient Communities Fund; understands that the fund was established to support community groups with ensuring vulnerable or isolated people are supported in significant emergency events; notes that East Haven Together will use the funding to strengthen the local community’s readiness for extreme weather events by taking a whole community approach to resilience, and acknowledges that the Angus group is one of seven organisations sharing more than £32,000 to help with preparation and resilience this winter.
Motion S5M-09749 That the Parliament congratulates the Gin Bothy, which is in Kirriemuir, on being one of 13 businesses to win a share of £1.1 million of funding at the Scottish EDGE awards; understands that the 11th round saw 22 finalists competing out of an initial 242 entries; notes that this is the UK’s largest funding competition, with 40% being given as a grant and 60% as a loan, and that Scottish EDGE also provides mentoring, training and access to professional support; understands that the Gin Bothy was awarded £70,000 and that the 263 winners from the previous ten rounds have, thus far, generated an additional £79.78 million in turnover, secured £87.87 million in additional investment and created 1,204 jobs; notes that this caps off a fantastic year for the Gin Bothy, in which it has been recognised at the Great Taste Awards and the Scottish Gin Awards, its new Bothy Larder was opened and its proprietor, Kim Cameron, also launched the Cider Bothy, and wishes Kim and her team continued success.