PDE Column, 19th January 2009 – Homecoming Scotland, School Day, Tots Targeted Again, Allanton Playpark

Homecoming Scotland

It will not have escaped your notice that this month is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Rabbie Burns.  And it is a chance for Scotland to show the world what it has to offer. Homecoming Scotland 2009 is a year long programme of events across Scotland highlighting Scotland’s great contributions to the world.

Throughout the year and across the country there will be package calendar of events.  For the full details log onto: www.homecomingscotland2009.com

The focus will be on everything Scottish – golf, whisky, Rabbie Burns, great minds and innovations and Scotland’s rich culture.  Look out in July for “The Gathering 2009” the largest ever clan gathering and Highland Games in Holyrood Park next to the Parliament in Edinburgh.

Homecoming was first a Labour idea – but we are delighted the SNP have recognised a good idea when they see it!

Homecoming cannot blunt the full force of the recession – but it can help out vital tourism, retail and hospitality sectors weather the storm.

School Day

Closer to home, the worries about education in Renfrewshire continue.  Parents teachers and pupils across the country are concerned about the Councils plans to reorganise the school day in all secondaries to do away with Registration classes at the start of the school day completely.

This seems another ill-conceived, unwanted penny pinching change for the  sake of saving a couple of teacher posts in the average secondary many parents feel they will lose the security of knowing that  their child has arrived at school and have been checked in by their regular Registration teacher.  So if you are a parent make sure you know about the planned changes by asking you local school and make sure education bosses know your views!

Tots targeted again

Students and staff at the University of the West of Scotland (Formally Paisley University) are protesting against plans to be discussed this week to close the University nursery.  The PDE broke this story in November when staff approached me with their fears for the future.

This would appear a short sighted move by the University. Nursing and midwifery student parents particularly fear the hit. It is a double blow to Renfrewshire tots coming hard on the heels of the Councils decision to downgrade the last remaining nursery schools in Renfrewshire later this year.

Allanton Playpark

And finally, Paisley youngsters of all areas need places to play.  So I have taken up the case of the future of the play park which has been in place for over 50 years at the foot of Bathgo Avenue and Allanton Avenue in Ralston. Later this month Renfrewshire Council is due to sign the lease to handover the land, which included the playpark at Allanton fields, to St Mirren for exclusive use for many years. The initial report from Council planners stated the play park should be retained or replaced however this has not happened. Recently at the preparation stages for the land handover the playpark was demolished. Whilst constituents who have contacted me have no axe to grind with St Mirren, before completion of land handover and lease signing happens the playpark’s future should be guaranteed.  In one week the children of Ralston may no longer have the only outdoor facility within their community to use – one which had been in use for over 50 years. This is not right – the Council must think again.