That this House congratulates the Ukrainian Community Group South Ayrshire (UCG), a charity, on the opening of the Ukrainian Community Group Centre, in Ayr, which was officially opened by Mr Yevhen Mankovskyi, vice-consul at the Ukrainian Consulate in Edinburgh, on Friday 15 March 2024; notes the Centre will provide the more than 350 Ukrainian refugees resident in South Ayrshire fleeing from conflict with a safe place, where they can take part in numerous individual and collective activities including supporting families displaced by the devastating conflict in Ukraine, promoting language skills, social inclusion, new friendships, and facilitating mental health and wellbeing; further notes the outstanding contribution of the Management Committee and volunteers who have made this possible; recognises the benefits of such a Centre in providing support to maintain and reconnect with Ukrainian cultural ties and identities whilst integrating with the local community; further recognises and thanks local businesses, volunteer fundraisers, the National Lottery Community Fund, South Ayrshire HSCP and The Scottish Government Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund locally allocated through VASA, for substantial funding for this project; notes the Ukraine Community Centre in Ayr stands as a symbol of hope, resilience, and unity, offering a sanctuary for Ukrainian refugees in South Ayrshire to come together, share their stories, and support each other through the challenges of displacement and the ongoing crisis in their homeland; and, finally, reconfirms that the people of South Ayrshire, Scotland and the United Kingdom stand in unity and solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

That this House congratulates the Ukrainian Community Group South Ayrshire (UCG), a charity, on the opening of the Ukrainian Community Group Centre, in Ayr, which was officially opened by Mr Yevhen Mankovskyi, vice-consul at the Ukrainian Consulate in Edinburgh, on Friday 15 March 2024; notes the Centre will provide the...

That this House recalls that on 17 April 1984, WPC Yvonne Fletcher, aged 25, was shot in the back and murdered by shots fired from inside the Libyan People’s Bureau while policing a political demonstration; notes that no one has ever been charged in connection with her death, despite there being an individual identified as Saleh Mabrouk suspected of involvement in her murder; further notes that in 2017 the Government refused to allow the release of certain evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, on the grounds of national security which would potentially have allowed Saleh Mabrouk to be prosecuted in a criminal court; notes that former police officer John Murray, who was with Yvonne when she was murdered, has campaigned relentlessly for justice for Yvonne for 39 years; and on 16 November 2021, won an outstanding victory at the Royal Courts of Justice; notes the judgment determined that Saleh Mabrouk, together with others, was jointly responsible for Yvonne’s death; further notes that the Government has not in any way assisted Mr Murray in his campaign for justice for Yvonne; and calls for an inquiry into why a report commissioned by the then Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, in 1984 (the Sir Antony Duff Report) has never been made public, and asks that it now be released; and asks that the evidence withheld from the CPS in 2017 be reviewed to ascertain if it can now be safely released with a view to the consideration of a criminal prosecution of Saleh Mabrouk.

That this House recalls that on 17 April 1984, WPC Yvonne Fletcher, aged 25, was shot in the back and murdered by shots fired from inside the Libyan People’s Bureau while policing a political demonstration; notes that no one has ever been charged in connection with her death, despite there...

That this House notes and celebrates the 265th anniversary of the birth of Robert (Rabbie) Burns, Scotland’s national bard, in Alloway on the 25 January 1759, regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic literacy movement, and after his death became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism, a cultural icon in Scotland and among the Scottish diaspora, a poet and lyricist who penned the words of Auld Lang Syne, which is sung across the globe on New Year’s Eve, and wrote other poems and songs including Tam O’Shanter, Ae Fond Kiss, To a Mouse, Scots Wa Hae, A Red, Red Rose and A Man’s a Man for A’ That, and whose work has been translated into more than 40 languages and his memory honoured by more than over 50 official statues including in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Russia and Estonia, has had his image portrayed on postage stamps, banknotes and coins in a number of countries and whose life, works and immortal memory are celebrated at Burn’s Suppers across the world by millions of people on 25 January every year.

That this House notes and celebrates the 265th anniversary of the birth of Robert (Rabbie) Burns, Scotland’s national bard, in Alloway on the 25 January 1759, regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic literacy movement, and after his death became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both...

That this House recognises and congratulates the town and people of Girvan, South Ayrshire on winning the prestigious Dog Friendly UK awards and recognition as the Most Dog Friendly Town in the United Kingdom, achieving the most public votes of the 122 entrants in the town or city category; notes especially the contribution of the Go Girvan Project, Trustees and local volunteers for their leadership, co-ordination of the project, and their involvement and partnership working with local businesses; further notes that the initiative included introducing a Go Girvan dog-friendly sticker scheme, highlighting over 30 local businesses in the scheme including cafes, shops, pubs, visitor attractions and accommodation providers, and promoting Girvan as a dog-friendly visitor destination by further highlighting the dog-friendly beach which extends to almost two miles, local dog-friendly walks and other dog-friendly activities; and notes the benefits to the local economy by attracting visitors to shop and spend time in the area and increasingly recognising the attractiveness of Girvan as a positive, thriving and welcoming tourist destination.

That this House recognises and congratulates the town and people of Girvan, South Ayrshire on winning the prestigious Dog Friendly UK awards and recognition as the Most Dog Friendly Town in the United Kingdom, achieving the most public votes of the 122 entrants in the town or city category; notes...

That this House recognises, celebrates and congratulates Ayr Hospital Radio, one of Scotland’s oldest hospital radio stations on their 70th anniversary; notes that Ayr Hospital Radio was initially established in 1953 to provide patients in Ayr Hospital with live commentary of Ayr United Football Club match days; further notes that it has developed over the years as a charity and is now based at the University Hospital Ayr, with a team of currently about twenty five volunteers; observes that it is a live, seven days a week radio service, broadcasting an eclectic range of music and entertainment for patients in local hospitals and available on the world wide web for the local community; highlights that it provides the opportunity for patients requests and for relatives and friends to request dedication for patients, contributing to their recovery and wellbeing; further highlights that it provides training, skills and experience for volunteers in broadcasting; notes especially the contribution on Mr Mike Manley, one of the original founders and longest serving volunteer, the volunteer Management Committee; and gives thanks to all the volunteers over the last 70 years for their contribution to the community.

That this House recognises, celebrates and congratulates Ayr Hospital Radio, one of Scotland’s oldest hospital radio stations on their 70th anniversary; notes that Ayr Hospital Radio was initially established in 1953 to provide patients in Ayr Hospital with live commentary of Ayr United Football Club match days; further notes that...

That this House congratulates the Little Art School on its 10 year anniversary, celebrated on 24 October 2023; notes that it is an art school that puts nurturing and confidence building at the heart of its classes, first running dementia art classes backed by the charity Dementia Arts Trust, and developing self-esteem in children, through the charity the Little Arts Stars; also notes that the Little Art School, with its children’s art studios, online course and trading organisation, has developed over the past decade by its partnership pulling together very different skill sets and working to develop an organisation that uses art as a positive force in the community; believes that it is blazing a trail advocating the benefits of flexible working opportunities for women who often decide to take a career break after beginning their family, and as a company recognises that employees might need to work from home occasionally; and further notes that the Little Art School pupils demonstrate a kindness to each other which is actively fostered.

That this House congratulates the Little Art School on its 10 year anniversary, celebrated on 24 October 2023; notes that it is an art school that puts nurturing and confidence building at the heart of its classes, first running dementia art classes backed by the charity Dementia Arts Trust, and...

That this House notes and recognises the outstanding achievement of the Cumnock Tryst, their Founder and Artistic Director, Sir James MacMillan CBE, the Directors and many volunteers of this local Charity who have worked tirelessly with the community to produce a spectacular musical event, A Musical Celebration of the Coalfields, at the Barony Hall, Cumnock and other local music events over three days, celebrating and inspired by their environment, coal mining heritage, people and local community; also notes the involvement, dedication and commitment of the significant number of local individuals, groups and organisations throughout the former coal mining communities of Cumnock and Doon Valley; further notes the contribution of the team of volunteer composers, songwriters and workshop leaders; and thanks the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra for their support and accompaniment of the musical performances and thank all who contributed to this unique event.

That this House notes and recognises the outstanding achievement of the Cumnock Tryst, their Founder and Artistic Director, Sir James MacMillan CBE, the Directors and many volunteers of this local Charity who have worked tirelessly with the community to produce a spectacular musical event, A Musical Celebration of the Coalfields,...