Gleniffer Thistle has invested heavily in a new pitch at Abbotsinch playing fields, but months of training ahead of the new season were undermined when vandals tore up the site earlier this month.

Now, airport bosses - who originally gifted the site to Gleniffer Thistle – have agreed to donate £2,000 from their local charity fund to help restore the pitch to its former glory. The team will also receive £500 to help towards the cost of new football shirts.

BAA Glasgow is also reviewing security on the site in a bid to prevent a repeat occurrence.

Derek Provan, customer services director at Glasgow Airport, said: “The vandals who destroyed these playing fields should be ashamed of themselves. This is a valuable community facility and the committee and parents at Gleniffer Thistle have invested a lot of time and money to develop these facilities. This selfish act has really set the club back, and will cost the club money they could better spend elsewhere.

“Therefore, as a gesture of support, we have agreed to make a one-off donation of £2,000 from our charity fund to help repair the pitch and improve security. We will also donate a further £500 to sponsor the cost of providing a new strip for the club. We hope this small gesture will ease some of the club’s money worries.”

Paisley and Renfrewshire North MSP Wendy Alexander said: “Gleniffer were understandably outraged and dismayed to witness the damage done to all their hard work by recent invaders. I am delighted that BAA’s very generous support will hugely lift their spirits as they now tackle the repair job. Hopefully the boys will have new strips and a pitch to be proud of for next season.”

Billy Hassan from Gleniffer Thistle said: “We are very grateful for this very kind gesture from Glasgow Airport. We have been associated with the airport for over 20 years and when we had to move due to the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, we thought that this long standing partnership would be coming to an end, but the airport bosses came up trumps and we are deeply thankful for all the help that they have given to us. We hope that our partnership will continue for many years to come.”

The donation has been made possible thanks to the generosity of passengers at Glasgow Airport returning home with unwanted currency. Every year, Glasgow Airport distributes the funds to good causes around Renfrewshire and the west of Scotland.

The BAA Communities Trust, a charity run by BAA, also provides financial support for local charities and community projects. In the past year, the Trust has donated £100,000 to projects across the west of Scotland.

To apply for funding, email flightpath@baa.com or download an application form at www.glasgowairport.com

Wendy said

“My constituents are understandably unhappy that the future of any play park at Allanton now seems under threat.  It has been present in the community for 50 years and understandably the local community do not wish to lose it altogether.

“The Council has not provided the clear guarantees about its future local families are looking for. I have written to the Council on the matter.
Parents want straight answers.
Has Renfrewshire Council taken the decision to permanently remove this play park from this location despite previous planning considerations?
If the play park is not being reinstated at its present location why and what is being done to reinstate a play park in the community?
What facilities will a new playpark have and will the local community be consulted?

I am hoping the Council will think again. Children need safe outdoor playparks if they are to be active, healthy and safe as we all wish. It would be a shame, after 50 years, for Ralston to lose its only public play park forever.”

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Hugh Henry, whose constituency includes the University, today tabled a motion supported by Wendy Alexander MSP and Trish Godman MSP:

S3M-03233 Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Scottish Labour): University of the West of Scotland Nursery Provision –

That the Parliament notes with concern the proposal by the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) to close its on-site nursery at Paisley; notes that out of 10 other Scottish universities surveyed only two do not currently provide on-site nursery places; regrets that up to 30 jobs are threatened across the Paisley and Hamilton campuses; also notes that student parents fear being unable to complete their courses; calls on UWS to appreciate that substitute financial assistance may not necessarily be an answer, given that many external nurseries have constraints that do not align with the university’s course timetables, and, in consequence, urges the UWS to review the closure proposal, re-examine the existing costs and fee structure and explore other means of generating income before any decision is taken.

Click on the links below to view a copy of the letters sent:

• Letter to Derek MacKay expressing opposition to UWS Nursery closure

• Letter to Fiona Hyslop expressing concerns over UWS Nursery closure

• Letter from Hugh Henry MSP to The Principal of UWS over Nursery closure

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Cards are recycled, throughout January, in bins at WHSmith, Tesco, TK Maxx and Marks & Spencer.

All of the cards collected during the campaign led by the Woodland Trust Scotland are taken to paper mills where they are recycled into brand new paper products, with money raised helping the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity plant thousands of trees.

Wendy Alexander MSP said:

“I have handed over 300 cards – my contribution to the 70 million recycled last year which helped plant 17,000 trees in some of its 1,000 UK woods. I urge Buddies who haven’t yet disposed of their Christmas cards to do the same. We all need to be greener in 2009 and this is a great way to do your bit.”

Since the scheme was founded 12 years ago more than 600 million cards have been recycled which has enabled the charity to plant 140,000 trees.

For more information log onto www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/cards

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Wendy Alexander MSP in November broke fears of this closure to local media after approaches from staff and parents at the Paisley Campus .

She had received details of a presentation given to staff at the local University’s popular nursery. She took the case against closure up with the University Principal at that time.

Now it seems a closure decision may be taken by the University on the 20th of January.

Wendy Alexander MSP said:

“I am opposed to this closure – and committed to the fight of parents & staff to keep it open. It would be wrong for Paisley to lose a nursery at this time. The Paisley nursery needs new premises but that is no reason to close it completely.

Currently 44 children are enrolled. This action is a false economy. The international mix of children and the emotional comfort for children of knowing a parent in near has made the University nursery attractive to many students, some of them single parents.
I am urging University bosses to rule out the closure – and opt for a better service instead.

I have been in touch with Unison. I believe 30 jobs are threatened across the Paisley and Hamilton campuses. Coming on top of the downgrading of 6 Renfrewshire nursery schools forced through by the SNP/Lib Dem Renfrewshire Council last month – it is a bad time for our youngest citizens.

Of 10 Scottish Universities surveyed only 2 do not provide on-site nursery provision. I do want the University of the West of Scotland to become the third. We should be helping not hindering parents to study.  It is very hard to study and bring up young children at the same time. We need to be doing everything we can to make it easier not tougher.

Wendy Alexander told the health secretary we know now that at the RAH

• One in Four beds are not far enough apart

• The cleaning budget per bed in real terms has been cut by £3855 over the last year

• Only one in five staff have had infection control training in the last year, despite the recent severe outbreak at the Vale of Leven

• Eighty eight cases of C-Diff were recorded at the hospital in six months from December 07 to May 08 this year

Wendy Alexander said:

‘It is about time the health Secretary committed to hospital-to-hospital reporting of infection rates. By  7 August the report on the outbreak at the Vale of Leven was received by Ministers. In September the Health Secretary promised, in response to a question from me in the Parliament chamber that she would look at the issue.  So why almost 3 months later are we still waiting for action on the vital matter of requiring hospitals to publicly report the number of CDiff cases?’

Ends

Notes for editors:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7719918.stm

Attached correspondence between Wendy Alexander & Cabinet Secretary Nicola Sturgeon September 08

Scottish Parliament Official Report 11th September 2008
10:14
Nicola Sturgeon: …  Hugh Henry made legitimate points on the nature of assessment and inspection in our hospitals, as did Wendy Alexander when she intervened on him. As I said in my opening remarks, the issue is under my active consideration.

WA MSP said:

”I am delighted to give my support to Show Racism the Red Card – I welcome the tough action by St Mirren management to condemn last weeks rogue elements and I commend  pupils at Arkleston for showing the way forward.  I hope other Renfrewshire Schools also compete and win next years “Red Card” awards.

Government statistics indicate that there are on average 14 recorded racist incidents a day. The Commission for Racial Equality estimates the true number to be five times this figure.  We must all work together to ensure that the mindless minority who engage in racist practices realize their behaviour is not acceptable in football or in wider society.”

Arkleston won a Show Racism the “Red Card” grant of up to £1,000. They organized an all school project under the title: Cultural Focus on China.  The aim of this work was to raise pupil and parent awareness of Chinese cultures and diversities.

Eleanor Bennet, Principal Teacher, Arkleston Primary Said:

“This has been a very successful block of work.  The children’s awareness of another culture has indeed been raised. Through also targeting the parents we have included them in realising the need for greater understanding in society.”

Wendy Alexander is urging pregnant women in Renfrewshire to protect themselves and their babies by breastfeeding within an hour of giving birth.

The Paisley North MSP’s appeal comes ahead of World Breastfeeding Week (1 – 7 August).

This year’s event aims to raise awareness of the health benefits to mother and baby from early breastfeeding.

Breastmilk gives newborns all the nutrients they need for the first 6 months of life and helps protect them from a range of health problems, including obesity, asthma and eczema.

It also reduces the risk of young mums contracting ovarian and breast cancers and suffering fractures in later life.
Ms Alexander said: “Breastfeeding has enormous health benefits for mother and baby.“Many new mums also feel it gives them an extra special bond with their baby.“For more information on breastfeeding and its benefits, please log on to www.breastfeeding.nhs.uk.”

The bravery of Private Samuel Evans, Sergeant James McKechnie, Private Hugh McIver, Captain Arthur Henderson and Sergeant John Hannah means Paisley has more Victoria Cross winners than any other town in the world

A rustic stone memorial has now been placed in Hawkhead Cemetery to commemorate the heroes from the Crimean, First and Second World Wars.

They were honoured following a short ceremony at Paisley Abbey to coincide with the 150^th anniversary of the first VC winners receiving their medals from Queen Victoria.

The memorial is a fitting tribute to the courage of men who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their country

I’m sure many local people take the opportunity to pay their respects to these local heroes for years to come.

Re-energising Renfrew

I was delighted to be present at the signing of a new £550 million contract between Renfrew-based Doosan Babcock and British Energy.The deal will bring many high quality jobs to the town as the Porterfield Road plant will now supply the energy giant with engineering and mechanical support across the UK for years to come.

The agreement will also provide a more secure future for hundreds of Doosan Babcock employees on British Energy sites across Britain.

Local youngsters could also benefit as the new deal increases the potential for a joint apprenticeship and graduate training scheme between the companies.

From contracts to cookery - youngsters at Newmains Primary in Renfrew have scooped a top culinary award.I had the pleasure of presenting P7 pupils Stuart Macauley, Jack Allan, Jamie MacLeod and Rebecca Elliot with an Active Kids Get Cooking 2007 accolade from the British Nutrition Foundation.

I was very impressed by the creativity and imagination that had went into their mouth-watering recipes.

Well done to the winners for continuing their school’s excellent record in this competition.

Go Green to Crack Down on Animal Cruelty

Renfrewshire residents can help the fight against animal cruelty by going green.

The Scottish SPCA hopes local people will support them by recycling.

The charity gets vital cash from the recycling of mobile phones, PDAs and printer cartridges.

Recycling these items helps protect the environment as well as improving the lives of vulnerable animals.

Locals who are interested in supporting the campaign can do so by mailing their old mobiles and printer cartridges in special freepost envelopes.

These can be obtained by calling 08451 30 20 10 or by visiting www.recyclingappeal.com/sspca. ]]> http://www.wendyalexander.co.uk/2007/07/02/281/feed/ http://www.wendyalexander.co.uk/2007/06/15/wendy-goes-green-to-help-the-environment/ http://www.wendyalexander.co.uk/2007/06/15/wendy-goes-green-to-help-the-environment/#comments Fri, 15 Jun 2007 09:30:19 +0000 admin http://wendy.intraspin.com/?p=258

Renfrewshire residents are being urged to go green in the fight against animal cruelty. Wendy Alexander MSP wants local people to support the Scottish SPCA by recycling.

The charity gets vital cash from the recycling of mobile phones, PDAs and printer cartridges. The money raised will help the Scottish SPCA to continue its campaign against animal cruelty while protecting the environment. In 2006, Scottish SPCA animal welfare centres offered refuge, cared for and found new homes for more than 12,000 injured, abused, neglected and orphaned pets, farm animals and wildlife. Public and business donations are necessary for the charity’s survival as it is not government funded. Locals who are interested in supporting the campaign can do so by mailing their old mobiles and printer cartridges in special freepost envelopes. These can be obtained by calling 08451 30 20 10 or by visiting www.recyclingappeal.com/sspca. Speaking about the recycling appeal, Ms Alexander said: “The Scottish SPCA does a fantastic job of campaigning against animal cruelty.

“I’m calling on people in Renfrewshire to support the charity by recycling their old mobile phones, printer cartridges and pdas. This will help the Scottish SPCA to continue its good work while benefiting the environment.”