LOCAL MP WELCOMES FURTHER £2 MILLION POUND INVESTMENT AT MACRAE FRASERBURGH

Banff & Buchan MP Alex Salmond today visited Fraserburgh's largest employer, Macrae, to mark completion of the first phase of a £2 million investment programme to upgrade its fish processing factory. Also visiting the Macrae plant was SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford.

Macrae Fraserburgh, part of The Seafood Company, has a core staff of 550 and employs up to 800 staff during peak season, contributing more than £9 million to the local economy.

The company has now finished the £1 million refurbishment to its smoked fish facilities with a new kiln built on site and the addition of new loading bays. A further £1 million of upgrades to the site will be made over the next two years.

Speaking in Fraserburgh, Alex Salmond said:

"Macrae Fraserburgh has a vital role within the local economy. The company's continued growth, investment and employment in Fraserburgh brings significant benefits to the North-east economy. It is the area's largest employer and contributes more than £9 million to the Scottish economy.

"The £2 million upgrade of the factory will provide better facilities for the 800 staff working at the seafood factory and enable even greater outturn of produce.

"The Fraserburgh factory produces 3.4 million packs of fish, largely salmon, every month. I am particularly impressed to hear that 2.6 million salmon are processed each year, 99 per cent of which comes from Scotland. If these were laid end to end it would span 1,250 miles, proving the global reach of the Fraserburgh company!

"Macrae is a key player in Scotland's food industry and a great contributor to our economy. I wish the company and its staff the very best in its improved site."

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford added:

"Macraes are a valued local employer as well as a highly-regarded company. The local Fraserburgh economy benefits enormously from the company's presence here, as does the Scottish fishing industry, from which the company buys £43 million-worth of fish annually.

"I was delighted to be able to visit the company today and to hear at first hand details of this Fraserburgh success story."

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CRUDEN BAY MAN’S FLOWER SHOW SUCCESS

Cruden Bay man Derek Stephen walked off with the trophy for most points in the cut flowers section at Cruden Bay Flower Show.

Mr Stephen was exhibiting at the village show which was held last Saturday and took the top award in the section with his selection of cut flowers. During the show, Mr Stephen met up with SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford, who was one of the judges of the Best Kept Garden competition.

Commenting after the show, Eilidh Whiteford said:

"There was a fantastic display of flowers, plants and vegetables at the show. It was quite clear to observers that a tremendous amount of hard work goes in over the year to achieve that sort of quality.

“I was pleased to meet with Mr Stephen, whose enthusiasm was well-rewarded with the many prizes he won on Saturday.”

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RORA HALL BENEFITS FROM LOCAL MP’s VIEWS ON ECONOMY

SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford was in Rora last week presenting the hall committee with a cheque on behalf of local MP Alex Salmond.

The hall was the recipient of a £75 donation received by Mr Salmond for taking part in a survey on the economy carried out by a respected research organisation.

Banff & Buchan MP Alex Salmond explained:

“From time to time in my capacity as local Member of Parliament, I receive requests to take part in opinion surveys from research organisations, which normally offer a small fee for taking part. I donate these fees to worthy causes and organisations within the constituency and I was pleased to pass on this latest one to Rora Hall.

“I am aware that the hall committee have recently refurbished their hall and built an extension so I hope that this small amount will come in useful.”

Commenting, Eilidh Whiteford said:

“Village halls fulfill an extremely useful social function and it is vital that they are well-used and get the support that they deserve from their community.

“I have been at functions and events at Rora Hall several times now and it is a lovely facility. The hall committee are very proud of their new hall and have a busy programme of events throughout the year.

“I am pleased to be able to help them in some small way.”

Forthcoming events being held by Rora Hall Committee include a Quiz Night on Saturday 22 August and a concert during September.

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LOCAL COUNCILLOR & CANDIDATE JUDGE VILLAGE'S GREEN-FINGERED EFFORTS

Cruden Bay's green-fingered gardening enthusiasts had their efforts judged on Wednesday night by Peterhead South & Cruden councillor Stephen Smith and SNP Westminster candidate for Banff & Buchan Eilidh Whiteford.

A large entry of 26 gardens across the village were competing for the titles of 'Best Kept Garden', Best Senior Citizen's Garden' and 'Most Productive Garden' in the annual competition organised by Cruden Bay Horticultural Society.

Councillor Stephen Smith commented:

"It was a great honour to be asked by Cruden Bay Horticultural Association to judge the garden competition this year, but it was very difficult choosing the winners.

"All of the gardens we visited had much to commend them and it was clear that a lot of very hard work goes into these gardens from their proud owners."

Commenting after the judging, Eilidh Whiteford said:

"The gardens we visited were just beautiful and everyone who was entered into the competition should feel proud of their efforts.

"It was especially pleasing visiting people who didn't know their garden had been entered and had been nominated by local people because of the fantastic display. To be nominated by the community in that way is quite a reward for your efforts."

The winners will be announced and presented with their prizes at Cruden Bay Flower Show on Saturday 9 August in Port Erroll Public Hall, Cruden Bay.

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