Local MP Comments on St Fergus Post Office Changes

Speaking after the announcement of proposed changes to Post Office opening hours in St Fergus, Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford has said that it is imperative that the village retain access to its current range of Post Office counter services.

The village’s Post Office will move from its current location to the village hall, a short distance away. The days of opening have also been changed to Tuesday and Friday, 9.00am-12.00pm.

Commenting, Eilidh Whiteford said:

“I’m pleased that Post Office management have secured the use of the village hall from which to continue the village’s Post Office service.

“A number of communities locally lost their Post Office completely under the previous London Government. St Fergus had its service downgraded but it is, nevertheless, an important and valued local service and I am keen to see that continue.

“I have written to the local community council in this regard but I’m also happy to hear from any St Fergus residents who may have concerns or suggestions about the new arrangements.”

A local public consultation on the changes runs until November 5.

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MP Takes to the Sea with Broch Lifeboat

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford has paid tribute to the dedication of volunteers at the Fraserburgh Lifeboat Station, after taking part in a lifeboat exercise off the town’s coast in the lifeboat ‘Willie and Mary Gall’.

Cllr Hamish Partridge and Eilidh Whiteford MP, with Lifeboat volunteers Barry Pitchford, Rachel Masson and Stephen Brown

Dr Whiteford and Troup councillor Hamish Partridge joined Coxswain Victor Sutherland and the volunteer crew at the station to discuss the challenges involved in running a lifeboat service. They then participated in the crew’s weekly exercise, which saw the crew rehearse a fire drill and man overboard recovery. Dr Whiteford and Cllr Partridge were given the opportunity to pilot the lifeboat at sea, and during the return to port.

Speaking after the event, Eilidh said that even in mild conditions, it was clear that lifeboat volunteers were risking their lives to save others. She said:

“It has been a great privilege to be able to take part in this exercise, and to see the work that goes into responding to a maritime emergency.

“It was really thrilling to be part of the crew’s training evening – experiencing what the Fraserburgh crew face firsthand gives a whole new insight into the risks that these men and women take on a regular basis in order to save the lives of others.”

Troup SNP councillor Hamish Partridge added:

“Victor and the whole team at the Broch lifeboat are very highly respected by the local community who appreciate just what an important job they do.

“It’s been great to see that up close for myself and certainly gives me an insight into the dangers faced when carrying out a rescue.”

Lifeboats have been launching from Fraserburgh Harbour since 1806, and crews from the station have been honoured with 16 awards for gallantry. The station has also seen witnessed tragedy over the years, with thirteen volunteers losing their lives in the act of saving others.

The RNLI is prides itself on being funded by donations from the public and donations are gratefully received and can be made at rnli.org/donateorbecomeamember

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Westminster Hiding Poverty Figures

MORE INTERESTED IN ERADICATING STATS THAN POVERTY
The SNP have accused the UK Government of trying to hide the devastating impact of their welfare policies by limiting the amount of data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The ONS have now released a consultation on which statistics should be shelved following severe budget cuts made by the Tory-Lib Dem coalition.

Commenting, SNP Westminster welfare spokesperson Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP said:

"The Tory-led government at Westminster is more interested in eradicating the poverty statistics than eradicating poverty.

“The Westminster Government is trying to cover up the fact their policies are raising the cost of living and increasing poverty – the UK is one of the most unequal societies in the developed world.

“It doesn’t have to be this way, and it won’t be this way in an independent Scotland. Scottish MPs and the Holyrood government have already made their opposition to these Tory welfare cuts clear, and a majority of people in Scotland believe that the Scottish Government - not Westminster - would be best at deciding welfare policy for Scotland."

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MP Praises Fyvie Skills Centre

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford has spoken warmly of her visit to the Scottish Traditional Skills Training Centre at Fyvie yesterday [Tuesday].

Youngsters from local schools demonstrated some of the skills they have been learning, including gardening, and the construction of a dry stone wall. Among those participating were pupils from Banff, Inverurie, Meldrum and Westhill Academies, as well as the Gordon Schools, Huntly.

The STSTC was established in 2006 in response to skills shortages in the historic buildings conservation sector. The centre provides education and training programmes related to the internal and external maintenance of historic buildings, engineering and landscaping. The centre has attracted funding from the Scottish Government in the past, including a Sustainable Action Grant of £30,000 in 2006-07, £20,000 in 2007-08 and £20,000 in 2008-09 to deliver training in conservation skills. The centre also works closely with a number of corporate partners across a range of sectors.

Speaking at Fyvie, Eilidh said:

“It was a real pleasure to meet staff and students at the training centre. The fact that the North-east now hosts this facility is testimony to the drive and dedication of staff at the centre.

“Scotland is a nation famed for its historic buildings, and training a new generation of skilled craftsmen who can care for them is a worthwhile endeavour. Our built heritage is critical to the continued success of the Scottish tourism industry, and it is great to see this particular skills shortage being tackled head-on.”

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