SNP CANDIDATE APPLAUDS FRASERBURGH HERITAGE FAIR

Commenting on the highly-successful Fraserburgh Heritage Fair which took place at the weekend, SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford said:

"I was delighted to be able to drop in to Fraserburgh Heritage Centre on Saturday and take in the Heritage Fair.

"It really was a fantastic occasion with so much for all age groups. The Heritage volunteers really made it come alive and they deserve congratulations for organising such a successful event."

Read more...

WATSON WELCOMES MINISTERIAL VISIT TO ROSEHEARTY

Local SNP councillor Bob Watson has welcomed the confirmation that the Minister for Culture Michael Russell MSP is to visit Peathill Kirk, Rosehearty, next week as a guest of the Pitsligo Castle Trust.

Mr Russell will perform the official unveiling of the new display panels detailing the aims of the Trust to consolidate Pitsligo Castle and to create the Peathill Jacobite and Heraldic Centre at a ceremony on Friday 23 October.

Councillor Watson has been a strong supporter of the work of the Trust and since becoming a member of the Pitsligo Castle/Peathill Kirk working group has secured support from Director of Education for Aberdeenshire Bruce Robertson for the project. As a result, Aberdeenshire Council Education Department is now a partner in the initiative, and local schools, e.g., Fraserburgh Academy, Turriff Academy, Rosehearty Primary etc., are coming on board as part of their local history 'curriculum for excellence' agenda. An Education Department working sub-group has also been formed to report back to Pitsligo Castle/Peathill Kirk working group in December, with their views on how they see the project develop and integrate with the education curriculum.

Commenting, Councillor Bob Watson said:

"In line with the Scottish Government's desire that bodies such as the National Trust and Historic Scotland should, as far as possible, indulge in 'joined up working', the National Trust for Scotland has also 'come on board' as an advisory non finance contributory partner.

"Seeing the potential of the Pitsligo Castle/Peathill Kirk project for the economic development of the Rosehearty area, I encouraged Pitsligo Castle/Peathill Kirk Trust to apply for funding from the Banff & Buchan Area Committee to go towards marketing the project. With my recommendation and support in committee, the project received £4750. That money has been used to pay for the production of display banners which will be used at events throughout Aberdeenshire and beyond to promote the project, an information leaflet, and the construction of a web site: www.pitsligo-castle.org.uk

"I am therefore absolutely delighted that the Minister for Culture Michael Russell will be visiting the Trust to see for himself this exciting project."

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford added:

"I was pleased to be able to visit Peathill Kirk at their recent Doors Open Day and see the excellent progress they are making for myself.

"The 'Friends' have done an exceptional amount of work in recent years to move this project forward and I know that Bob has been working hard as their local councillor to support them in their aims. I'm very pleased that Michael Russell is taking time out from his schedule to give his endorsement to the project and it is a great reflection on the 'Friends' and their efforts to date."

Read more...

WHITEFORD & TOPPING DELIVER CONGRATS FROM FIRST MINISTER TO BROCH CENTENARIAN

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford and Fraserburgh councillor Brian Topping dropped in on retired teacher Vi Johnston yesterday to deliver some special 100th birthday wishes.

Miss Johnston received a bouquet of flowers from Councillor Topping on behalf of Aberdeenshire Council. A letter with a message of congratulations from First Minister and local MP Alex Salmond MP was delivered by Eilidh Whiteford.

Speaking to the Fraserburgh Herald afterwards, Eilidh Whiteford said:

"I was delighted to meet Miss Johnston, and pass on the good wishes of the First Minister. Vi had a steady stream of visitors and well-wishers dropping by, and certainly seemed to be enjoying her day. We had a lively chat about her life as a teacher, and life in the Broch over the years. I'm sure her party went with a swing."

Councillor Brian Topping added:

“Delivering these good wishes on such occasions is one of the more pleasant civic duties I have to carry out on behalf of the council from time to time and I was delighted to be able to present Vi with her bouquet on behalf of the council.”

Read more...

WHITEFORD OFFICIALLY ADOPTED AS BANFF & BUCHAN CANDIDATE

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford was officially adopted by the local Constituency Association on Saturday night as their candidate for the next UK General Election.

Eilidh has been campaigning across the constituency since being selected in 2007 but the political tradition of holding an 'adoption meeting' as the election approaches was continued on Saturday at an event in New Deer Public Hall attended by over 120 people.

Local MP Alex Salmond and Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead spoke in support of Eilidh, who was unanimously adopted. Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson and Euro-MP Ian Hudghton officiated at the event.

Speaking in New Deer on Saturday night, Eilidh Whiteford said:

"I'm very honoured to be the SNP candidate for Banff & Buchan.

"The SNP's priority right now is protecting jobs and working for recovery. At the next General Election the choice will be between London parties intent on slashing public spending, or the SNP, defending our interests and moving Scotland forward.

"My top priority will be to stand up for our local industries and way of life."

Banff & Buchan MP Alex Salmond said:

"In Eilidh Whiteford people can be sure that we have a strong local voice to stand up for our vital interests.

"I am delighted that Eilidh will be leading the campaign in Banff & Buchan for the SNP at the next UK election, whenever Gordon Brown decides to call it.

"I know that Eilidh will work hard to earn the trust of voters in this constituency and build on the proud record of service provided to constituents by their SNP representatives at all levels – councillors, MEPs, MPs and MSPs."

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead MSP added:

"The SNP Government has achieved much for Scotland's farming and fishing industries – but we could do so much more with our own independent representation at the top table in Europe.

"We must never forget that it was the Conservatives who devastated much of the Scottish fishing industry with their dismissal of the industry as "expendable" and taking us into the Common Fisheries Policy.

"Eilidh Whiteford will be a strong voice at Westminster, defending our industries and interests from an uncaring London Government."

Read more...