Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates Clydebank dance group, Dance OFF Academy, for winning 57 trophies between 15 dancers at the Dunoon and Argyll Slow Dance Championships at the start of November 2022; understands that awards included the under-12s Dunoon and Argyll Slow Champion title and the top award for the slow section; believes that the teachers and founder of the dance academy are extremely proud of their students’ hard work and dedication, and applauds the group for its great success.

That the Parliament congratulates Liam Gallagher of Senjokai Karate Academy on winning Coach of the Year at South Ayrshire Active Schools' Sports Awards 2022; notes that the awards were held at Troon Town Hall on 1 December 2022; further notes that the Karate Academy School is based in Stewarton with classes also held in Ayr, Prestwick and Maybole; understands that two of the academy’s members, Zack Ewart and Liam Milligan were also finalists in the Talented Athlete category; notes that members of the Senjokai Karate Ayr School performed a short demonstration on the night; recognises Sensei Liam Gallagher as the academy’s chief instructor and senior coach, who first opened the Ayrshire Academy in 2011, and wishes Liam and all at the academy the very best with their future endeavours and continued success. 

That the Parliament recognises the quiz night fundraiser held for the Captain David Seath Memorial Fund, which managed to raise £1,600; understands that the fund was established after Captain Seath, of Crossgates, sadly passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest while running the 2016 London Marathon in support of Help for Heroes; recognises that, since being established, it has raised £350,000 through fundraising events in West Fife, across the UK and overseas, as well as generous donations; understands that the money raised is used to support veterans and their families across Scotland through Help for Heroes, including sport, activity, fellowship, recovery, mental health and wellbeing services; notes that the event was regularly held but was placed on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, and was sorely missed by all, and wishes Captain Seath's family and supporters all the very best for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Alan Lyon and Carol Forbes on their success at the 2022 IKMF World Kettlebell Sport Championships in Belgium; understands that 150 athletes from 20 countries took part in the 2022 competition; further understands that Alan Lyon achieved the highest overall points total in the Open Mens 75kg category, and that Carol Forbes achieved a second place finish in the 60kg category; recognises the work that Alan Lyon and Carol Forbes do in promoting the sport and keeping the community active through the delivery of the Garioch Kettlebells class in Logie Durno, and wishes the pair the best for the future. 

That the Parliament recognises Ainsley Hamill of Cardross for being selected to perform at the 30th Celtic Connections, Europe’s largest winter music festival, which will be held in Glasgow from 19 January to 5 February 2023; notes that the singer has many recognitions to her name including BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Finalist and Gaelic Singer of the Year Finalist; further notes that Ainsley has represented Scotland at the Eurovision Choir Contest; understands that Ainsley will be joined by musicians from around the world, which will help to acknowledge and celebrate the resilience of the Scottish music and entertainment industry after a difficult period in its history, and wishes her the very best of success in her ongoing music career.

That the Parliament welcomes the opening of a new weekly Dementia Friendly Cafe in Newton Mearns; recognises that the cafe has been set up by Mearnskirk Helping Hands and Alzheimer Scotland to support people who have been diagnosed with dementia and will be open at 2pm each Monday; acknowledges that people living with dementia can either attend the cafe on their own or with family and friends, and believes that Mearnskirk Helping Hands is a fantastic local organisation and that the charity has a strong commitment to providing a range of high-quality services and activities to help improve the health and wellbeing of local people in Eastwood, including reducing social isolation and ensuring there is community support available for those most in need.

That the Parliament congratulates Lynne Collison on growing what it considers to be the northernmost tea ever grown outside in the UK; understands that Lynne produced seven kilos of pure Orkney tea in 2022, grown from outdoor and indoor plantations, which was processed into 65 bags of Norse Noir tea at the Scottish Tea Factory in Crieff, Perthshire; notes that Lynne purchased a polycrub and 100 tea plants with support from a food and drink innovation grant from Highlands and Islands Enterprise; applauds Lynne’s perseverance in nurturing the plants in such a harsh environment and her plans now to build upon this success with an Orkney Tea and Islands Visitor Centre in Shapinsay; believes the Norse Noir tea is a fine addition to Orkney's outstanding range of high-quality food and drink produce; raises a cup to Lynne's "tea-rrific" achievements and wishes her all the best for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Lanarkshire Deaf Club (SCIO) on receiving a £180,000 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund; understands that the group will use the funding to continue to deliver and develop services and support to deaf people; acknowledges that the club’s work is targeted at ensuring individuals, groups and families have access to information and activities they need to live active lives; notes that the support will be delivered through a wide-ranging programme of day and evening activities offered over six days each week; further notes that the club is a volunteer-led organisation that provides advice and support for deaf people in Lanarkshire; recognises what it sees as the role that the National Lottery plays in supporting good causes across the country, and wishes the Lanarkshire Deaf Club all the best for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Ardgowan Distillery on picking up three gold awards at the 4th annual Scottish Whisky Awards; understands that Ardgowan saw off competition from nearly 200 whiskies that were blind tasted, and whiskies from 61 Scottish distilleries and independent bottlers, to win Best Blended Malt for their Clydebuilt Sailmaker, Best Single Malt under 12 years old for their Discovery No. 4, and Best Single Cask under 12 years old for their Inverdarach Potstill Aon; believes that these awards reflect the dedication, passion and commitment to excellence that all the staff have for whisky and the distillery project that is underway and making progress, and wishes the company all the best as it continues to work to deliver a landmark new distillery and visitor centre in Inverkip.

That the Parliament celebrates Forth Valley Sensory Centre for its work in organising the planting of 30 new trees next to the Falkirk Wheel with pupils from Windsor Park School; recognises that the project was part of the Queen’s Green Canopy Project, originally set up to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee; notes that a commemorative plaque was unveiled, which has been translated into braille, and can be scanned to reveal a video of deaf Windsor Park pupils explaining their hopes for the future of the planet using British Sign Language; notes that the video is also audio-described to make it accessible to all, and congratulates Forth Valley Sensory Centre for its work in supporting people of all ages with sight or hearing impairments across central Scotland.