STRICHEN CELEBRATES £135,000 LOTTERY AWARD

MP HAILS MASSIVE FUNDING BOOST FOR COMMUNITY PROJECT

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford has hailed a £135,000 lottery award to Strichen Community Park as a massive boost for the community.

The new MP has been working with the Directors of the Community Park for some time now to assist in the lottery funding bid. The application also received the support of local MSP Stewart Stevenson.

The Strichen Community Park Company will save the gateside lodge of the estate, where author Lorna Moon was inspired to write her most famous novel Dark Star, with their grant of £135,000 transforming it into a community cafe and providing locals with a much needed community run and owned venue.

Strichen Community Park Company Director Hebbie Fowlie said:

“For a small village like ours this news is a huge thing. This is the final piece of the jigsaw as we will now have a fantastic building and park for both locals and tourists to enjoy. The lodge restoration will be a place for people to meet up, have a coffee and a snack and hear about the history of Strichen. On behalf of the Strichen Community Park Committee, our fantastic volunteers and all the residents of the village, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Big Lottery Fund for their help.”

The parents of author Lorna Moon were employed by the Strichen Estate. Born Nora Helen Wilson Low in Strichen in 1886 s died in New Mexico in 1930 from tuberculosis and her ashes were returned to Scotland to be scattered on Mormond Hill beyond Strichen. Scottish Director Alison Peebles is currently writing the script for Dark Star to the epic story to the big screen.

The group who have overwhelming local support worked with their new local MP Eilidh Whiteford to gather support for their project, welcoming news of the grant she said:

“This is good news for Strichen as the Lodge will be a great new amenity for the village. I’m delighted that the hard work of the volunteers who run the Community Park has been rewarded, and I was very glad to be able to offer them support during the application process.”

Local MSP Stewart Stevenson added:

"My congratulations go to the Strichen Community Park directors for their hard work in successfully landing this huge lottery award. I wish them the very best for the future in developing what will undoubtedly be a huge asset for the Central Buchan area."

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LOCAL SNP MP SPONSORS FIRST MOTION IN HOUSE OF COMMONS

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford this week sponsored her first 'Early Day Motion' in the House of Commons.

Dr Whiteford chose support for carers as the subject for her first Motion which also highlights Carers' Week 2010. The new MP for Banff & Buchan is one of six primary sponsors of the motion. The six MPs who jointly tabled the Motion represent constituencies across Scotland, England and Wales and also represent the four main parties.

Speaking from Westminster, Eilidh Whiteford said:

"There are nearly half a million people in Scotland who are looking after elderly, sick or disabled family members or friends at home, many of them for over 50 hours a week.

"Our health and community care services simply couldn’t cope without the unpaid care they provide. Yet people who look after others often compromise their own health – too many end up suffering from exhaustion and stress, or injure themselves through heavy lifting.

"The theme of Carers’ Week 2010 is ‘A Life of My Own’ and it’s intended to highlight the need for carers to do normal everyday things that can be difficult if they can’t get a break from caring, like going shopping, going to the dentist or hairdresser, or even enjoying an evening out. Those who provide unpaid care for frail or disabled relatives and friends make a very valuable contribution to our communities, and I’m keen to see they get the support they need to continue to care – and the support they need to have a ‘life of their own’ too."

Note: The text of the Parliamentary Motion reads as follows:

CARERS' WEEK 2010

That this House expresses its respect for the six million people of all ages in the UK who provide unpaid help, care and support to a relative or friend who, because of frailty, illness or disability, would not otherwise be able to manage; notes that despite the huge contribution carers make to society, many carers continue to remain unsupported in their caring roles without the chance of a break or respite; is concerned that many carers are hidden, unheard and unable to access relevant and practical advice, information and services; further notes that Carers Week, a partnership of national charities, takes place this year from 14 to 20 June, with the theme A life of my own; and believes that without significant reform of the care and support system carers will not be able to access support at times of crisis, will not be able to work, which has a lasting impact on the economy, and will not have the chance of a life of their own that they deserve.

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NEWLY-ELECTED MP TO HOLD FIRST BANFF SURGERY

Newly-elected SNP MP for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford will be holding her first Banff surgery on Saturday 5 June.

The SNP MP will be supporting the trustees of Banff Castle by choosing it as the venue.

In order to minimise waiting times, an appointment system will be in place. Appointments can be booked by telephoning 01779 470444.

Commenting, Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

"I've already been dealing with casework in these first few weeks on behalf of constituents but I'm looking forward to holding my first Banff surgery and working for the people of Banffshire.

"I'll be arranging more surgeries in other communities in the coming weeks and details will be advertised in the local press. Even in this age of e-mail and instant communications, I feel that it is still vitally important for people to be able to access their MP face-to-face in their own community."

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MP DROPS IN ON ST COMBS ICE CREAM SHOP TO BACK POST OFFICE RE-OPENING PLAN

Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford visited the famous Buchan's Ice Cream shop in St Combs last week to lend her support to moves to have St Combs Post Office re-opened.

Dr Whiteford previously met with former sub-postmistress Anne Pirie when she announced in February that she would be retiring in April and urged the Post Office to ensure that there was no undue delay in setting up the new service. The Post Office is currently consulting on re-establishing Post Office services in St Combs at Buchan's Ices in Mid Street.

Commenting, Dr Whiteford said:

"It's very good news for the village that a local business has stepped forward and said they are prepared to host the Post Office in their premises. There have been too many examples of late of North-east Post Offices closing and I am confident that branches such as St Combs can have a viable future with the support of the local community.

"It is therefore very important that St Combs residents respond to the consultation exercise making it clear to Post Office bosses that this is a valued service and they want to see it back operating in the village as soon as possible.

"In the meantime, I am delighted that Buchan's Ices have stepped forward to help the local community and wish Fiona Thomson and her team every success."

Constituents wishing to respond to the consultation should write to: Kenny Lamont, Post Office Ltd, National Consultation Team, PO Box 2060, Watford, WD18 8ZW.

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