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Chamber and committees

Matt Drennan Becomes Honorary Citizen of Soroya, Norway

  • Submitted by: Paul O'Kane, West Scotland, Scottish Labour.
  • Date lodged: Thursday, 19 October 2023
  • Motion reference: S6M-10889

That the Parliament understands that Matt Drennan, Secretary of the Neilston War Memorial Association, has been awarded citizenship of Soroya, Norway; further understands that this honour was bestowed on Mr Drennan by the Mayor of Hasvik, Eva Danielson Husby, in recognition of his role in maintaining a strong historical link between Neilston and the Hasvik municipality; understands that, in 1945, Neilston and other areas of East Renfrewshire welcomed over 500 civilian refugees fleeing Nazi persecution from the island of Soroya; considers that, through his role as Secretary of the Neilson War Memorial Association, Mr Drennan has ensured that this important historical event has been remembered; believes that Mr Drennan has encouraged engagement between East Renfrewshire Council and the administration of Hasvik and led on the installation of a memorial garden in Neilston’s Kingston Park, and celebrates Mr Drennan’s dedication to preserving stories of the history of the Second World War, and that the unique role played by Neilston in that history has been recognised and rewarded.


Supported by: Karen Adam, Clare Adamson, Jeremy Balfour, Colin Beattie, Neil Bibby, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Stephanie Callaghan, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Kenneth Gibson, Bill Kidd, Ruth Maguire, Roz McCall, Edward Mountain, Kevin Stewart, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Sue Webber, Martin Whitfield