We need to reinvent EK as Rolls-Royce depart
I was saddened this week to learn that Rolls-Royce are preparing to remove their remaining workforce and test beds from East Kilbride.
Like many of you, I have family members who worked in Rolls-Royce over the years.
I have good memories of growing up attending Christmas parties at RollsRoyce and had my 18th birthday party in their social club.
Rolls-Royce has been a pivotal employer and presence in our town. Their going leaves a significant gap.
We must work twice as hard to redefine East Kilbride as a place to bring employment to, of new industry, technology and a skilled workforce.
I am working collectively with the EK Task Force to do this alongside promoting my ‘Here for Business’ campaign to international employers. My Day of international trade in September supports existing businesses to make trade connections and highlights East Kilbride as the place for investment in Scotland.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve enjoyed spending time in the local constituency.
I have been meeting with local church groups to support their work and to highlight the Department for International Development (DFID) small charities fund available to strengthen their aims.
Many of our charities and church groups already support international aid projects. Grants of up to £50,000 are available to enhance their capacity and efforts to tackle poverty.
With DFID in the constituency we must ensure that our local projects access this funding.
I was pleased to take some of our charity bags to House of Hope last week to support their work in Greenhills.
It is inspirational to speak to Alphonse Francis about the charity’s work tackling poverty and inequality through education, training and community development.
I visited Allers Allotments in Calderwood at the weekend and was astounded by the variety of flowers and vegetables on show and for sale.
Having an allotment is good for the soul and I met and spoke with many constituents who told me that it is their little haven from the world.
I was particularly pleased to meet with Ann Condron who inherited her allotment from her late father.
She has worked tirelessly to make it a feature of family life in his memory and I wish her years of continued contentment.
I was delighted to attend the Strathaven Beer Festival at the weekend.
It was extremely busy and attracted people from across Scotland and beyond.
I was able to try one of the chilli dogs on offer and left with my engraved pint glass. Thanks go to Strathaven Round Table for hosting this event annually and showcasing our local food and drinks industry.
I wish to finish by paying tribute this month to our Special Olympics athletes who did us proud once again in Sheffield, Yorkshire.
It is testament to East Kilbride Youth Disability Sports Club that Ross McCann, Derek Tomkinson, Hazel Irvine, Diane Gillan, Ross McQuilkin and Ray Malcolmson all took part in the Special Olympics.
I am looking forward to meeting with them again upon their return and to congratulating them personally on behalf of everyone across our constituency.