Graeme this week lodged motions in Parliament congratulating various people and organisations across Angus South constituency for some quite fantastic achievements, as well as commemorating the 60th anniversary of one of the most tragic days for the RNLI in Arbroath.
Motion S5M-08490: Angus South Lottery Funding
That the Parliament congratulates Letham Grange Curling Club and the Royal Burgh of Arbroath and District Community Council on being awarded a total of £11,750 from the Big Lottery Fund; understands that the club has received £4,000, which will be used to deliver New Age Kurling taster sessions and support the start-up of extracurricular curling activities in local schools; further understands that the community council has received £7,750, which it will use to fund the installation of Christmas lights in the town during the 2017 festive season, and encourages groups across Scotland to apply for lottery funding, which can help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need.
Motion S5M-08507: RNLI Fundraising Fish Supper Evening
That the Parliament congratulates the Arbroath Lifeboat Guild on the success of its first ever RNLI Fish Supper Evening, which raised a staggering £1,186 in one evening; understands that the event, which is set to become an annual occurrence, is part of a wider fundraising initiative, and welcomes such funds being raised for the lifesaving work carried out by volunteers across the country.
Motion S5M-08512: 60th Anniversary of the Robert Lindsay Lifeboat Disaster
That the Parliament commemorates the 60th anniversary of one of the most tragic days for the RNLI in Arbroath; notes that six crewmen died when the Robert Lindsay lifeboat was struck by a huge wave close to the harbour on 27 October 1953; remembers David Bruce, Harry Swankie, William Swankie, Thomas Adams, David Cargill and Charles Cargill, who lost their lives while searching for a vessel in distress, and acknowledges the bravery and commitment of all those RNLI volunteers around Scotland who place themselves in harms way while seeking to rescue others.
Motion S5M-08513: Cancer Research UK Arbroath Relay for Life
That the Parliament congratulates the Cancer Research UK Arbroath Relay for Life group on bringing its final 2017 fundraising total to a fantastic £70,751; commends the amazing work of the Arbroath group, which has now raised around £900,000 for the charity over the last 11 years; understands that the group seeks to reach its £1 million fundraising goal during next year’s activities, and wishes the group support in its ambition to fulfil this remarkable achievement.
Motion S5M-08514: Cancer Research UK Relay for Life Kirriemuir
That the Parliament congratulates Cancer Research UK Relay for Life Kirriemuir on bringing its final 2017 fundraising total to a fantastic £88,918; notes the spectacular manner in which this fundraising was achieved, by smashing the world record for the number of Peter Pans in a field, and recognises that enterprising communities such as Kirriemuir are part of a wider Relay for Life movement, which began in 1985 and has raised over £4.9 billion in 29 countries across the globe.
Motion S5M-08515: Golf Tourism in Angus South
That the Parliament celebrates the importance of golf tourism across Scotland and, in particular, in the Angus South constituency, where history is around every corner and where golf has been played for more than 450 years; believes that golf is rarely as beautiful as that on the courses that inhabit the glorious Angus countryside and the rugged beauty of Scotland’s east coast; notes that eleven courses in Angus made the newly compiled list of the top 100 courses in Scotland, and that Carnoustie Golf Links remains the area’s jewel in its crown; looks forward to the return of The Open to Carnoustie in 2018, where it will be held under the leadership of Pat Sawers, the first female Chairman of The Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee; looks forward to Scotland continuing to be the venue for such large-scale sporting events in the future, and hopes that this can help to encourage people to live healthy, active lifestyles.
Motion S5M-08573: The Outstanding Contribution of Community Groups in Keeping Scotland Beautiful
That the Parliament congratulates the Angus South-based groups, Arbirlot Community Trust, Colourful Carnoustie, Fairlie Good Gardeners and Keptie Friends, which have recently been awarded with certificates of achievement by the Keep Scotland campaign, It’s Your Neighbourhood; notes that this non-competitive initiative has an emphasis on community participation and is a sister programme to Beautiful Scotland, which also supports community groups seeking to improve and develop their area’s environment; understands that at least 142 certificates have been awarded to such groups throughout the country to highlight their efforts and encourage progression; commends the amazing enhancement, maintenance and restoration work that has been carried out by the four Angus South groups, and applauds Keep Scotland Beautiful on running various programmes that recognise the incredible volunteers and groups across Scotland, which work tirelessly to ensure that their communities remain beautiful.
Motion S5M-08621: Carnoustie Golf Links Wins at the Scottish Outdoor Leisure Awards
That the Parliament congratulates the winners of the Scottish Outdoor Leisure Awards and, in particular, the Angus South-based Carnoustie Golf Links, which won the Scotland’s Best Golf Experience category; notes that this is the second year that the awards have been presented and that the organisers seek to showcase and reward outstanding contributions to Scotland’s outdoor and leisure industry; believes that the event emphasised what a fantastic place Tayside is for visitors, with Blair Castle Caravan Park winning the Best Caravan Camp Site prize, Loch Tay Highland Lodges securing the Best Self Catering Accommodation award, the Enchanted Forest being presented with the Best Outdoor Festival prize, and Blair Castle winning the Best Visitor Attraction award; congratulates all of the winners, and welcomes the contribution of those who work in Scotland’s tourism industry to make the country an outstanding place to visit.
Motion S5M-08656: Kirrie the Fit?
That the Parliament commends the fundraising efforts of Allan Thomson and Bob Wallace, who are from Kirriemuir, on raising at least £12,000 so far for the Ninewells Cancer Campaign through their show, Kirrie the Fit?, which brings Buchan humour to community and older people’s groups throughout Angus; notes that proceeds from Allan’s book, The Moss o’ Rora, and a joint collection of Doric comedy sketches and poems have also been donated, and recognises the invaluable work of the campaign in supporting world leading cancer research in the north-east and providing specialised medical and surgical equipment.
