Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates the Brig and Barrel, in Dunbar, on its recent win of Best Pub/Inn of the Year at the Scottish Hospitality Awards; notes that the Brig and Barrel previously won Best Pub/Inn of the Year for the South East in 2023 and was nominated for Best Pub/Inn of the Year in 2024; recognises that the Scottish Hospitality Awards highlight excellence in the Scottish hospitality industry, and wishes the Brig and Barrel team continued success in the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Garelochhead Seniors Club secretary Evelyn Smith on being named Regional Hero for Helensburgh and Lomond at the Volunteer of the Year Awards 2025; understands that this is in recognition of her 42 years of weekly volunteering work; believes that by leading activities for older people in Garelochhead, Evelyn is reducing isolation and loneliness among this group, and understands that her work as club secretary has made her a cornerstone of the local community in Garelochhead.

That the Parliament congratulates Dumbarton golfer, Lorna McClymont, on her success in the Hulencourt Women’s Open 2025, in Belgium; notes her positive achievement of 42nd spot in her maiden season of the Ladies European Tour, which is the top tier of European golf; believes that, through her sporting success, Lorna is an inspirational figure to girls and boys in West Dunbartonshire and beyond, and wishes Lorna well in her future golf career.

That the Parliament congratulates Grey Matters Active Ageing group on being named Volunteer Organisation of the Year in Helensburgh at the Volunteer of the Year Awards 2025; understands that this is in recognition of its volunteering work in the Helensburgh and Lomond community through the promotion of active ageing, intergenerational connections and community engagement, and recognises the vital service that Grey Matters Active Ageing provides in supporting older people across the area by improving their quality of life, helping to reduce loneliness and fostering a sense of community.

That the Parliament warmly congratulates Fr Chris Furmage on his ordination to the Catholic priesthood on 3 July 2025, the Feast of St Thomas the Apostle, at St Augustine’s Church in Coatbridge; notes that the ordination was conferred by the Bishop of Motherwell, the Most Reverend Joseph Toal; further notes that Fr Chris celebrated his first mass the following day, on 4 July, in the same church where he was ordained; believes that this joyful occasion is the fruit of many years of prayer, academic study and spiritual formation undertaken by Fr Chris in preparation for a life of service to the church and the local community; commends what it sees as his commitment to answering the call to priesthood in a time when vocations are particularly precious; believes that Catholic priests make a significant contribution to community cohesion, social outreach and spiritual care across Scotland, and offers Fr Chris every blessing as he begins his priestly ministry in the Diocese of Motherwell.

That the Parliament congratulates NHS Borders specialist care baby unit (SCBU) team on being awarded Team of the Year by the Scottish Neonatal Nurses Group; understands that this national award celebrates excellence within neonatal services and is open to all neonatal units across Scotland; notes that, to be considered for the award, teams must be nominated by someone who recognises their outstanding contribution, and that the winner is then selected by an independent panel; understands that the NHS Borders SCBU team stood out for its dedication to delivering outstanding and compassionate neonatal care; believes that the team’s commitment is reflected not only in this award win, but also in the positive parent feedback that it received and in the team’s 100% achievement rate in 13 out of the 15 standards assessed during their UNICEF stage 3 accreditation, and pays credit to the SCBU team on receiving this well-deserved national recognition of its dedication, compassion and professionalism.

That the Parliament congratulates Helensburgh Lifeboat Station on its 60 years of service to the Helensburgh community; notes that the management team and volunteer crew have carried out life-saving work since 1965; acknowledges that, throughout its operation, Helensburgh Lifeboat Station has worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of locals and visitors at sea; wishes it well for the future, and hopes that it will continue to safeguard the waters of Helensburgh.

That the Parliament celebrates the nominations for The Helix park and the Kelpies 10 event for the 2025 VisitScotland Scottish Thistle Awards, which are due to take place in September; recognises that The Helix has been shortlisted in the Best Visitor Attraction category, while Kelpies 10 has been nominated in the Outstanding Cultural Event or Festival category; believes that theses nominations highlight The Helix Park and Kelpies’ significant contribution to local tourism and culture; understands that The Helix park opened in 2013, connects 17 local communities via its extensive path network, and recently played host to outdoor concerts, while the Kelpies 10 event celebrated a decade since the world-renowned sculptures were unveiled and attracted 14,000 visitors on each day of the event, culminating in a spectacular concert featuring the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Falkirk Schools Pipe Bands and Callum Beattie, among others; recognises what it sees as the importance of both the Kelpies and The Helix park to the health and wellbeing of the communities that they serve, while increasing economic prosperity as one of Scotland’s most visited tourist attractions; commends Falkirk Council, Scottish Canals and everyone who has worked to secure these nominations for the VisitScotland Scottish Thistle Awards, and wishes everyone involved the very best of luck for the awards ceremony in September.

That the Parliament congratulates Amy Louise Hill, of ALH Beauty in Coltness, on being named Nail Salon Technician of the Year at the inaugural Scottish Salon Awards 2025, held by Oceanic Awards at the Doubletree by Hilton in Glasgow on 29 June 2025; recognises that the awards acknowledge the hard work, dedication, creativity and exceptional customer service of individuals and businesses within the beauty and salon industry; applauds Amy Louise Hill for her outstanding talent and commitment to excellence, which has inspired loyalty from her clients and earned her this prestigious recognition, and wishes her continued success in her career and business. 

That the Parliament celebrates what it believes to be a landmark moment in Scotland’s heritage regeneration journey, with the formal transferral of a 200-year-old church in the Strathkelvin and Bearsden constituency to the local community; understands that Campsie High Kirk, at the heart of Lennoxtown, is to be transformed into a community arts hub for the benefit of local people; notes that the move is the culmination of a flagship case for the new ownerless property transfer scheme (OPTS), which was launched in 2024 by the King’s and Lord Treasurer’s Remembrancer (KLTR); believes that the church, one of Scotland’s best known kirks, was officially handed over by KLTR, John Logue, to East Dunbartonshire Provost, Gillian Renwick, at a public ceremony on 9 July 2025; praises community organisation Friends of Campsie High Kirk for its tenacity in putting forward the case to rescue the church, which had lain empty without an owner for years after a fire in 1984, which led to the community organisation acquiring the building from the KLTR for the sum of £1 in May 2025; recognises the role of the OPTS in providing opportunities for properties that have fallen to the Crown, as ownerless, to be brought back into purposeful use for the benefit of local communities, therefore empowering local people, and sends its very best wishes for the future of the former kirk to boost the Lennoxtown area, both culturally and economically.