Relief at pupils back at school
We are still a long way to go before life goes back to anything close to‘normal’, but the return of local schools earlier this month was a very welcome step along that road.
Despite concerns – shared with me by many local parents, and which I took up on their behalf with the Scottish Government –that this would only be on a part-time basis, it has been possible for our local schools to now fully reopen.
Mitigations have been put in place, such as staggered arrivals and departures, enhanced cleaning and the availability of hand sanitisers, to help ensure the safety of pupils and staff.
I know that the vast majority of parents will be relieved that their children are again able to enjoy face to face learning in a classroom, and I want to put on record my own thanks to all local teaching and school support staff for their efforts in making this happen.
Although most local events are still not able to take place, it was an honour to attend a commemoration at the war memorial in Ayr to mark the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, and to be able to meet up with the local veterans who were in attendance.
The commemoration was of course restricted due to the current rules on public assembly, and reading the account of the celebrations carried in the Ayrshire Post of August 17, 1945 only underlined the fact.
Then, the Post recorded that the “High Street and Sandgate particularly were thronged, cheers being raised every now and again as bands of children marched in some sort of order in the centre of the street.” 75 years on, the commemoration in Wellington Square was a much more modest affair, but observed with no less gratitude for the sacrifices of all those who have served in uniform.
Although I am not able to hold face to face meetings at present, I can be contacted on 01292 286251 or at: john.scott.msp@parliament.scot