That this House expresses its profound sadness at the sudden passing of Father Martin Chambers, a beloved priest of the Diocese of Galloway and Bishop-Elect of the Diocese of Dunkeld, who tragically passed away on 10 April 2024; notes with deep sorrow the loss felt by the people of Galloway Diocese and the wider community of Kilmarnock and Loudoun; recognises Father Chambers' unwavering dedication and tireless service to the community during his 14 years at St Matthew's and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, as well as his invaluable contributions to other parishes including St Sophia's, where he played a pivotal role in keeping them vibrant; commends Father Chambers for his profound impact on the community, both locally and internationally, particularly through his work in fostering a link between St Joseph's Academy and Ecuador, allowing for cultural exchange and enrichment for pupils from both nations; acknowledges his imminent ordination as Bishop of Dunkeld, a testament to his exemplary character and faithful service; extends heartfelt condolences to Father Chambers' family, friends, and colleagues, as well as the people of Galloway Diocese and the Diocese of Dunkeld, during this time of profound loss; pays tribute to Father Martin Chambers for his selfless dedication, unwavering faith and profound impact on the lives of those he touched; affirms that his legacy of compassion and service will endure in the hearts and minds of all who knew him; and hopes that he will rest in peace.

That this House expresses its profound sadness at the sudden passing of Father Martin Chambers, a beloved priest of the Diocese of Galloway and Bishop-Elect of the Diocese of Dunkeld, who tragically passed away on 10 April 2024; notes with deep sorrow the loss felt by the people of Galloway...

That this House celebrates the life and achievements of Sarah Hall, the Business Director of Hillhouse, a local charity and social enterprise based in Kilmarnock, who has sadly passed away; acknowledges Sarah's dedication and commitment to Hillhouse, which spans over 50 years, during which she served as a House Mother and later as Business Director, playing a pivotal role in the organisation's growth and success; recognises Sarah's passion for supporting individuals and families experiencing financial hardship and her tireless efforts to provide practical support by supplying good quality second-hand children’s clothing, footwear, and equipment, free of charge, to those in need in Ayrshire; commends Sarah's success in securing funding and initiating new projects and fundraisers, which have made a significant positive impact on the local community; pays tribute to Sarah's character and qualities that endeared her to all who knew her and made her an invaluable member of the Hillhouse team; expresses heartfelt condolences to Sarah's family, friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives she touched, and acknowledges the profound loss felt by the community following her passing; praises the commitment of Mairi, Eileen, Liz, and the rest of the Hillhouse team to continue Sarah's legacy of helping families in need; and further recognises Sarah's enduring impact on Hillhouse and the wider community and pledges to honour her memory by supporting and promoting the vital work of Hillhouse in alleviating hardship and making a positive difference in the lives of individuals and families in Ayrshire.

That this House celebrates the life and achievements of Sarah Hall, the Business Director of Hillhouse, a local charity and social enterprise based in Kilmarnock, who has sadly passed away; acknowledges Sarah's dedication and commitment to Hillhouse, which spans over 50 years, during which she served as a House Mother...

That this House congratulates The Corner in Darvel on their outstanding achievement in winning the My Place Awards 2024 in the Community-led Project category; recognises the hard work and dedication of the local volunteers from Darvel Area Regeneration Team who have transformed the once abandoned site of the Darvel Industrial Cooperative Society into a vibrant and essential community space; applauds the success of The Corner in becoming a central hub for the community within its first six months, organising 12 formal events including a Halloween Special and a festive Christmas Fayre, drawing together over 200 local vendors and the participation of more than 4,000 visitors; the Darvelo cycling weekend as well as providing a venue for the valued meetings of young people's groups such as Brownies and Scouts, and serving as a focal point for walkers and cyclists alike; further celebrates the ongoing triumphs of DART who, were honoured recipients of the King's Award for Voluntary Service from the Lord-Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran, an accolade equivalent to an MBE that recognises the team's tireless voluntary service and contribution to community life; and commends the exemplary model of community revitalisation demonstrated by The Corner and the Darvel Area Regeneration Team as an inspiration for similar projects across the United Kingdom, reflecting on the importance of volunteer-led grassroots movements in strengthening community bonds, fostering local economies, and building a more connected and resilient society.

That this House congratulates The Corner in Darvel on their outstanding achievement in winning the My Place Awards 2024 in the Community-led Project category; recognises the hard work and dedication of the local volunteers from Darvel Area Regeneration Team who have transformed the once abandoned site of the Darvel Industrial...

That this House congratulates The Book Nook, a local independent bookstore located in Stewarton, on its outstanding achievement of winning the Bookshop of the Year at the esteemed Scottish Independent Retail Awards 2024; expresses best wishes for forthcoming success at the UK-wide awards set to take place in London on 13th May; commends The Book Nook and its proprietor, Ms. Sarah Frame, for their exceptional role in epitomising the spirit of Kilmarnock and Loudoun and in representing the best of Scotland's rich literary culture on a national stage while propelling The Book Nook from strength to strength; further applauds the impact Ms Frame's work has made in the community, not least as recognised by the prestigious MP HERoes Award granted in November 2023; further pays tribute to The Book Nook's vital contribution to fostering a love of reading and literature among the young through engaging initiatives such as kids' book clubs, and applauds their ability to attract top authors for book signings and appearances, whilst keeping entry free of charge and therefore open to all; notes that this encouraging and benevolent model serves as an exemplary benchmark for local independent bookstores; and wholeheartedly encourages constituents and the nation alike to support local bookshops, which are the linchpins of our communities, ensuring that they continue to thrive as has been exemplarily demonstrated by The Book Nook of Stewarton.

That this House congratulates The Book Nook, a local independent bookstore located in Stewarton, on its outstanding achievement of winning the Bookshop of the Year at the esteemed Scottish Independent Retail Awards 2024; expresses best wishes for forthcoming success at the UK-wide awards set to take place in London on...

That this House acknowledges with appreciation the remarkable contribution of Max Flemmich, in establishing Darvel's one-of-a-kind Telephone Museum, which has been a hidden gem in the community; recognises that the Telephone Museum, located in a former bakery, has been a unique institution in Scotland, showcasing the evolution of telecommunications over a century, from 1900 to 2000; appreciates that the museum provides a hands-on experience, allowing visitors to interact with operational manual switchboards, automatic mechanical Strowger equipment, semi-digital systems, and a wide array of vintage telephones, including early wooden and metal magneto phones; praises Max Flemmich for his dedication to preserving the rich history of telecommunications and making it accessible to the community, leaving a lasting legacy for Darvel; acknowledges that the museum's closure marks the end of an era, and it is important to commemorate its significant contribution to preserving our cultural heritage; and invites all hon. Members to join in recognising the closure of Darvel's Telephone Museum and to express gratitude for Max Flemmich's tireless efforts in establishing and maintaining this wonderful museum.

That this House acknowledges with appreciation the remarkable contribution of Max Flemmich, in establishing Darvel's one-of-a-kind Telephone Museum, which has been a hidden gem in the community; recognises that the Telephone Museum, located in a former bakery, has been a unique institution in Scotland, showcasing the evolution of telecommunications over...

That this House congratulates Stewarton Tennis Club on reaching its centenary year, marking 100 years of service to the local community; recognises the significant role Stewarton Tennis Club has played in creating a love for tennis in the Kilmarnock and Loudoun area since its establishment in 1923; commends the club's commitment to promoting the sport through its active participation in the Ayrshire Leagues, offering a diverse coaching program for juniors, and hosting numerous successful social events throughout the year; acknowledges the great weekend that was enjoyed by all on 7 and 8 October as they celebrated this remarkable milestone, including the Yellow Ball (adults) Club Championship Finals, a mixed doubles tournament, and a family fun day, which saw the whole community come together to commemorate the club's rich history and contributions; appreciates the vital role Stewarton Tennis Club plays within the constituency of Kilmarnock and Loudoun, providing recreational opportunities and fostering community spirit; invites all hon. Members to join in congratulating Stewarton Tennis Club on its centenary year and to extend best wishes for continued success in the years to come; and requests that the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport consider providing appropriate recognition and support to Stewarton Tennis Club for its contributions to community sports over the past century.

That this House congratulates Stewarton Tennis Club on reaching its centenary year, marking 100 years of service to the local community; recognises the significant role Stewarton Tennis Club has played in creating a love for tennis in the Kilmarnock and Loudoun area since its establishment in 1923; commends the club's...

That this House commends Verve, a dynamic and community-centred organisation located in Darvel, for their unwavering commitment to well-being and connecting communities; recognises the valuable role that Verve plays in revitalising the local community, utilising the old bookmakers premises as a hub for numerous groups and classes that serve both recovery-focused and general interest purposes; applauds Verve's dedication to improving the well-being of individuals and fostering a sense of unity within the community, which aligns perfectly with the values cherished by Kilmanrock and Loudoun constituents; further recognises and commends Jane Slider who is a driving force behind this inspirational community initiative; further applauds Jane and the entire Verve team for their outstanding efforts and the multitude of community activities they manage throughout the village; and acknowledges that Verve's work exemplifies the spirit of community engagement and resilience, making a significant and positive impact on the lives of those they serve, and the all round positive community-based approach undertaken by Jane Slider.

That this House commends Verve, a dynamic and community-centred organisation located in Darvel, for their unwavering commitment to well-being and connecting communities; recognises the valuable role that Verve plays in revitalising the local community, utilising the old bookmakers premises as a hub for numerous groups and classes that serve both...

This House congratulates Thistle Du Florist, an exceptional family business in Darvel, for their outstanding accomplishment as the prestigious Wedding Florist of the Year 2023/2024 in the Prestige Awards; acknowledges their commitment to delivering customer service; celebrates their dedication to excellence, creativity, and positive impact on the local community; commends Thistle Du for their support for and involvement in many wider community events and initiatives; and wishes Heather Martin and Thistle Du every success going forward as an embedded community business.

This House congratulates Thistle Du Florist, an exceptional family business in Darvel, for their outstanding accomplishment as the prestigious Wedding Florist of the Year 2023/2024 in the Prestige Awards; acknowledges their commitment to delivering customer service; celebrates their dedication to excellence, creativity, and positive impact on the local community; commends...

That this House recognises the outstanding contribution of Elsie Cook to the development of women's football in the UK; notes that she founded the Scottish Women’s Football Association in 1972 and organised the first international women’s football game for Scotland's national team against England, in conjunction with Pat Gregory, then honorary secretary of the English Women’s Football Association; further notes that the game was played at the Ravenscraig stadium, Greenock, partly because of a longstanding ban by the Scottish Football Association (SFA) on the use of professional-level pitches and that the SFA did not recognise the women’s game formally until 1974, this first international was deemed unofficial; notes that Elsie was banned by the SFA from any involvement with the senior women’s team; notes that this match provided a goal scoring debut for Rose Reilly, who went on to win a world cup for her adopted nation team, the Italian national team, gli Azzure (the Blues); welcomes that her tireless campaigning helped to reverse the ban on women playing football in Scotland and applauds her for breaking down barriers and fighting for women football players to have the same rights and respect as men; commends Elsie for her recent receipt of a civic recognition certificate from East Ayrshire Council; believes that she deserves continued recognition nationally for her pioneering work in the women's game; and thanks Elsie for her continued support of her beloved club, Kilmarnock FC, where she remains a dedicated fan to this day.

That this House recognises the outstanding contribution of Elsie Cook to the development of women's football in the UK; notes that she founded the Scottish Women’s Football Association in 1972 and organised the first international women’s football game for Scotland's national team against England, in conjunction with Pat Gregory, then...

That this House congratulates McLaren’s Nurseries on celebrating its 50th anniversary; notes McLaren’s Nurseries received a three-star rating from Visit Scotland in recognition of their very good standard of facilities and services, and was also rated the Scottish Small Business of the Year in 2020 by Enterprise Scotland; highlights that the 50th anniversary was marked with an Open Day on 23 March 2023, the first Open Day Event since the pandemic; and wishes the staff at McLaren’s Nurseries all the very best for the future.

That this House congratulates McLaren’s Nurseries on celebrating its 50th anniversary; notes McLaren’s Nurseries received a three-star rating from Visit Scotland in recognition of their very good standard of facilities and services, and was also rated the Scottish Small Business of the Year in 2020 by Enterprise Scotland; highlights that...

That this House congratulates A Scents of Scotland, a small independent gift shop located in Bellfield, Kilmarnock, on winning Scotland's Gift Shop of the Year title for the second year running in the Prestige Awards; recognises the hard work and dedication of owner Stuart Nairn, who started his business from his home 10 years ago before opening a shop in the heart of his local community in 2014; notes that when he first opened the shop, he was told it would never last, yet through his determination, perseverance and passion A Scents of Scotland has gone from strength to strength; recognises the impressive range of handcrafted Celtic jewellery, luxury candles, fine soaps and unique pieces of the stunning Scottish Highlands offered by A Scents of Scotland; acknowledges the company's commitment to Scottish culture as an important aspect of its business model; appreciates the reach of A Scents of Scotland beyond its local community, as it ships products across the UK and internationally, with orders from Europe, the United States, Singapore, South Korea and Australia; and commends the family-run operation of A Scents of Scotland, with Stuart's sister Donna playing an integral role in its success.

That this House congratulates A Scents of Scotland, a small independent gift shop located in Bellfield, Kilmarnock, on winning Scotland's Gift Shop of the Year title for the second year running in the Prestige Awards; recognises the hard work and dedication of owner Stuart Nairn, who started his business from...

This House congratulates Darvel FC on their fantastic football performance and Scottish Cup victory over Aberdeen FC on Monday 23rd of January; notes that this is regarded as the biggest Scottish Cup shock ever; recognises that Aberdeen were sitting in 5th place in the Scottish Premiership whilst Darvel play in the West of Scotland League, the 6th tier of Scottish football; notes that Darvel FC is a fantastic community club based in a village with a population of 4,000 whilst Aberdeen FC is based in a city of approximately 200,000 population; recognises that the players and staff of Darvel FC are part time compared to the full-time professionals of Aberdeen FC; commends Darvel FC on the ground improvements implemented before the match to increase the capacity of Recreation Park; notes that other infrastructure improvements include upgrading the facilities and changing rooms, a new grass pitch, floodlights, fencing and safety improvements demonstrating long-term planning from the committee; further notes the significant financial backing from President John Gall, the sponsorship of QTS as well as the dedication, commitment and managerial skills of Michael Kennedy; praises Darvel FC for dedicating the match to past President Peter Orr, a lifetime stalwart of the club and a club legend who sadly passed away in December 2022; wishes Darvel FC all the best in the next round of the Scottish Cup at home to Falkirk; and notes that ambitious clubs like Darvel FC should have greater opportunity for promotion and says "mon the Vale".

This House congratulates Darvel FC on their fantastic football performance and Scottish Cup victory over Aberdeen FC on Monday 23rd of January; notes that this is regarded as the biggest Scottish Cup shock ever; recognises that Aberdeen were sitting in 5th place in the Scottish Premiership whilst Darvel play in...

This House calls on the UK Government to pay compensation to sufferers of Foetal Anticonvulsant Syndrome, caused by womb exposure to sodium valproate; notes this is a key recommendation in the thorough and excellent report by Baroness Cumberlege, First Do No Harm, which summarises the outcomes of the independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review; notes that paragraph 1.38 states valproate has caused physical and neurodevelopmental harm and that the state and manufacturers have an ethical responsibility to provide ex gratia payments to those who have experienced avoidable damage from the interventions reviewed; further notes that the report, published in July 2020, stated that patients have waited far too long for redress and that the Government did not address this aspect in their response in July 2021, and that a full year later, in July 2022, still have not set up an ex gratia payment scheme for victims already known to have waited too long for compensation; recognises that the victims of Foetal Anticonvulsant Syndrome are getting older and may need greater levels of support and that the Government must show compassion, empathy and an immediate willingness for some form of justice by way of redress; and calls for a redress agency to be established to provide adequate redress for the victims of sodium valproate, and to implement the other two redress recommendations highlighted from the review on hormone pregnancy tests and pelvic mesh.

This House calls on the UK Government to pay compensation to sufferers of Foetal Anticonvulsant Syndrome, caused by womb exposure to sodium valproate; notes this is a key recommendation in the thorough and excellent report by Baroness Cumberlege, First Do No Harm, which summarises the outcomes of the independent Medicines...

That this House expresses both its condolences and celebration of the life of Warren Graham, known as the Killie Piper, who died tragically at the age of 17; pays tribute to his fantastic talent as a bagpiper and enthusiasm for his local community; notes that he was a keen supporter of Kilmarnock Football Club and played bagpipes for the club; further notes the minute's applause for him by supporters of Kilmarnock FC during the game against Inverness Caley Thistle and the piping tribute for him from fellow Kilmarnock Pipe Band member Connor McBlane; notes that Warren played regularly at civic events for East Ayrshire Council and that Warren was a keen supporter of Scottish independence; recognises that Warren will be sadly missed by all and sends deepest condolences to all his family and friends; and further recognises that suicide rates in Scotland are still tragically high and urges people having difficult thoughts to discuss their feelings and to reach out for assistance.

That this House expresses both its condolences and celebration of the life of Warren Graham, known as the Killie Piper, who died tragically at the age of 17; pays tribute to his fantastic talent as a bagpiper and enthusiasm for his local community; notes that he was a keen supporter...

That this House urges the Government to review its nuclear policy; notes that Dungeness Power Station stopped generating in June 2021, seven years early due to safety concerns; that Hunterston B will stop generating in 2021, Hinkley B in 2022, Hartlepool and Heysham Power Stations in 2024, that Torness and Heysham 2 will close before their 2030 target; further notes that Hinkley Point C being constructed has suffered cost and programme overruns with the predicted commissioning date of unit one revised to June 2026 with an additional programme risk of a further 15 months, meaning unit one might not generate until 2027 and unit two in 2028, years after the majority of the existing fleet is offline, proving that the need for nuclear baseload generation is an outdated concept; notes that the Hinkley £92.50per MWh strike rate over a 35 year contract period compares badly to the offshore wind strike rate of £40MWh for a 15 year contract; further notes that under the existing grid charging regime, EDF will be paid money to connect to the grid, while Scottish renewable energy projects pay the highest grid connection charges in Europe; draws attention to the report by Good Energy and Energy Catapult Systems that shows net zero can be reached without new nuclear projects; notes that the reliance on China General Nuclear is a mistake; and calls on the Government to scrap its intention to build new nuclear power stations and avoid adding to the nuclear waste legacy estimated to cost £132 billion.

That this House urges the Government to review its nuclear policy; notes that Dungeness Power Station stopped generating in June 2021, seven years early due to safety concerns; that Hunterston B will stop generating in 2021, Hinkley B in 2022, Hartlepool and Heysham Power Stations in 2024, that Torness and...

That this House is disappointed that the Poppyscotland Welfare Centre in Kilmarnock is to close and pays tribute to the vital work undertaken by the staff since the premises opened to the public in 2018; appreciates that covid-19 has had an impact on the centre’s ability to operate; further notes the pressure on finances and that the LIBOR funding awarded was only for a three year period, and that the UK Government need to provide more sustainable long term funding for such initiatives; further that this will create another empty unit in Kilmarnock town centre; welcomes that all staff are being retained to continue their valuable support services for veterans; notes that Poppyscotland have highlighted that since 2016 the charity has seen a 20 per cent increase in people needing support with housing, financial issues, mental health and well-being and mobility meaning that easy access to support services is more important than ever; thanks and recognises the vital work that Poppyscotland and the Royal British legion does to support veterans while acknowledging that in an ideal world veterans would not require to rely on such support, and in the meantime hopes that Poppyscotland and the Royal British Legion continue to flourish and once again conveys thanks to the staff who were based at the Kilmarnock Welfare centre and wishes them all the best in their endeavours going forward providing lifeline support services to veterans.

That this House is disappointed that the Poppyscotland Welfare Centre in Kilmarnock is to close and pays tribute to the vital work undertaken by the staff since the premises opened to the public in 2018; appreciates that covid-19 has had an impact on the centre’s ability to operate; further notes...

That this House congratulates Scott Martin, who has self-published a book written during covid titled Before I forget; notes that the book is now on its third print run and that Scott has now raised over £7000 for Alzheimer's Scotland; further that sales have came as far afield as Australia and the United States; that Scott chose this charity as a tribute to his mum, Anne Martin who suffers dementia; that the title of the book is a nod to the effects of dementia and has allowed Scott to commit his marathon running efforts to print before he can forget; recognises the volunteering work that Scott has done for his local running club, Kilmarnock Harriers for over 15 years; notes that as a consequence The Harriers paid a surprise tribute to Scott in recognition of his efforts over the years and particularly his fundraising efforts with the book; congratulates Scott on his many achievements at running, including 10km; half marathons, marathons and cross country running; thanks Alzheimer's Scotland and the many volunteers for the work they do to assist people and families affected by dementia; and calls on the Government to make good on their pledges to prioritise funding research into this devastating disease.

That this House congratulates Scott Martin, who has self-published a book written during covid titled Before I forget; notes that the book is now on its third print run and that Scott has now raised over £7000 for Alzheimer's Scotland; further that sales have came as far afield as Australia...

That this House expresses disappointment with the relegation of Kilmarnock FC from the Premiership, ending 28 years of consecutive top-flight football; notes that only Celtic, Motherwell and Aberdeen have remained longer in the top-flight; further notes that the latter two were spared relegation due to Falkirk not having a compliant ground; notes that when the club stayed up in the first season back on the last day of season 1993-94, managed by the late Tommy Burns, no-one would have forecast how long the club would stay in top-flight football; further notes that the highlights included the Scottish Cup win in 1997, a league cup win in 2012; several trips into Europe and a lasting friendship developed between the fans of Kilmarnock FC and Kaiserslautern FC; notes that the tenure of Steve Clarke took the club from bottom of the league to finishing third, giving Killie their highest league finish since 1966, during the 150th anniversary of the club; further notes that since he left the club to manage the Scotland team, Sir Stevie Clarke has taken Scotland to their first tournament finals since 1998 and wishes Scotland well in the Euro 2020s; commends chairman Billy Bowie for maintaining the player budget for season 2021-22, and hopes that Kilmarnock FC get promoted at the first attempt, noting that being in the Premiership brings a financial boost to many businesses within the town; and hopes that the supporters are allowed to return to the ground in high numbers following the covid-19 outbreak to support the team.

That this House expresses disappointment with the relegation of Kilmarnock FC from the Premiership, ending 28 years of consecutive top-flight football; notes that only Celtic, Motherwell and Aberdeen have remained longer in the top-flight; further notes that the latter two were spared relegation due to Falkirk not having a compliant...

That this House welcomes the opening of Crossroads Hub, trading as Ayrshire Food Hub; congratulates the committee and volunteers on delivering a legacy project to replace the former Crossroads Primary School; welcomes that many ex-pupils and teachers have already visited or expressed their joy at the opening; notes that the new venue provides community facilities as well as employment and a social enterprise through the café, shop and food production; further notes that the new kitchen allows cooking lessons and ongoing food-related education which builds on the work undertaken from their Darvel outreach facilities; notes that the shop and delicatessen is stocked from local suppliers, covering fresh vegetables, fresh meats, cheeses and products such as local jams and relishes, as well as homegrown and homemade produce; and wishes Ayrshire Food Hub every success for the future.

That this House welcomes the opening of Crossroads Hub, trading as Ayrshire Food Hub; congratulates the committee and volunteers on delivering a legacy project to replace the former Crossroads Primary School; welcomes that many ex-pupils and teachers have already visited or expressed their joy at the opening; notes that the...

That this House congratulates Shannon Brown, creator of Shannon’s Box, a Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum (Staf) project, delivered in association with East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership; notes the initiative has been named as a finalist for the Pioneering Project Award at the SCVO Scottish Charity Awards; commends Shannon for using her personal experience of care to create a box of items to support children entering the care system; notes that the box contains various comfort items, such as a soft toy, colouring pens and a nightlight, as well as a letter from Shannon; and wishes the Shannon’s Box project the best of luck for the finals, and hopes that it will continue to support care-experienced young people in East Ayrshire and beyond for many years to come and notes that the best initiatives often come from those with lived experience.

That this House congratulates Shannon Brown, creator of Shannon’s Box, a Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum (Staf) project, delivered in association with East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership; notes the initiative has been named as a finalist for the Pioneering Project Award at the SCVO Scottish Charity Awards; commends...