Chamber and committees

That the Parliament recognises that February 2023 is Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month; understands that cholangiocarcinoma is a rare form of cancer, found in the bile duct, which primarily affects people over 65; further understands that the American Cancer Society estimates the survival rate for cholangiocarcinoma to be just 9%, rising to 25% if caught early; encourages further public awareness of the potential symptoms of cholangiocarcinoma, including chills, dark urine, loss of appetite and jaundice, and believes that more needs to be done to raise the profile of rare cancers like cholangiocarcinoma in order to encourage further funding and research and improve outcomes for patients.

That the Parliament congratulates Roxanne De Sousa Tabourel, Hannah Kerrigan and Mhairi O’Donnell on their planned attempt to climb the highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales in 24 hours, including the driving in-between, in memory of Roxanne’s late mother, Paula Tabourel, who suddenly died in November 2021, aged 53; notes that the three, who have all remained friends since when they attended St John’s RC Academy in Perth, will be attempting to climb Snowdon, before making their way up Scafell Pike in England, and finishing up with Ben Nevis on 12 May 2023, on what would have been Paula’s 55th birthday; further notes that donations for the climbs can be made to gofundme.com/f/peak-for-paula, and wishes the three friends all the best in their quest.

That the Parliament congratulates trombonist Robbie Dowall, of Woodmill High School in Dunfermline, Fife, on being presented with the Glen More Trophy at the Fife Festival of Music recently; understands that the festival has returned in 2023 after being postponed for three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic; notes that performances included musicians from primary and secondary schools, with solo instrumental and vocal solos from people of all ages; welcomes that the community aspect of the event took place over four evenings with 11 adult choirs, 10 large ensembles and seven smaller ones all performing; acknowledges the success and high standards in the Young Musician final, and welcomes that Robbie will now compete in the final in Glasgow in May 2023, and extends its very best wishes to continued success to Robbie for the next stage of the competition and the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) Elmwood Golf on its victory at the 2022 VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards; notes that the Elmwood golf course and golf education centre aims to create a site that is rich in biodiversity; understands that Elmwood Golf won the Nature Rich Scotland Award, which is awarded to businesses and enterprises that are proactive in protecting or enhancing nature and connecting people with wildlife; further understands that its success in the awards was partly due to its use of land to benefit the natural environment; recognises SRUC Elmwood Golf’s innovation in low-impact and low-cost greenkeeping methods, and wishes the staff and students at SRUC Elmwood Golf continued success.

That the Parliament congratulates Selkirk Fiddle Group, Riddell Fiddles, on its 20th anniversary; recognises the important role the group has played in promoting traditional Scottish music through workshops and classes; notes the efforts of all guitar tutors in the group for composing tunes to accommodate for the wide-ranging talents and abilities of players within the group; further notes the success of the group in performing across Scotland, and internationally, in places such as the USA, Canada and Bavaria; commends all of the members of Riddell Fiddles for continuing to practice traditional music throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and wishes the group luck in future performances at home and abroad.

That the Parliament congratulates Station Yard in Dunbar for being highly commended in the pub category by the Scottish Countryside Alliance Awards 2023; notes that the pub and micro-brewery champions Scottish produce and is a key player in East Lothian’s food and drink scene; acknowledges its role as a hub of the Dunbar community, hosting quiz nights and folk nights; notes that the awards pay tribute to Scotland’s finest rural businesses, and highlights the importance that Scottish produce plays in communities and the economy.

That the Parliament congratulates Amelia Milton, aged 13, of Blairgowrie, Perthshire, on being shortlisted for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Celebrating Small Business Awards recently; understands that Amelia founded the soap bar company, Smelleez, at the age of eight, in 2018, and makes and supplies scented vegetable-based soap bars, and even dog shampoo bars, online and to dozens of Perthshire retail outlets; notes that there are 12 award categories and five contenders going for the young entrepreneur title at the regional FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards; believes that 12 Scottish winners will be announced on 8 March 2023, at a special ceremony at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow, and the winners from all regions will then go on to the UK final later in 2023; believes that the annual FSB Celebrating Small Business Awards are the UK’s most important awards for the UK’s small businesses and self-employed workers; recognises Amelia’s hard work, and extends its very best wishes for good luck in the competition and for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates Perth sprinter, Lois Garland, on winning the 200m gold medal at the Scottish Student Athletics Indoor Championships recently; understands that Lois was representing UHI Perth at the competition at the Emirates Arena, in Glasgow, when she achieved her medal as well as a new championship record and personal best; recognises Lois’s hard work and determination in achieving this accolade; notes that Lois was formerly a pupil of St John’s Academy and plans to compete in the British University Indoor Championships on 24 to 26 February 2023, where she will be racing over 60m and 200m, and extends its very best wishes to Lois for continued success in the championships, the outdoor season in May 2023, and for the future.

That the Parliament celebrates the opening of The Bridge Centre Café in Torry, Aberdeen, which is managed by the King's Community Foundation; understands that The Bridge Centre reopened in August 2022, after laying vacant for over 12 years; notes that The Bridge Centre has accommodated many local clubs and events, and also provides a warm space for locals during the winter months; recognises that the managers of the building, the King’s Community Foundation, in connection with Aberdeen City Council, have renovated the Centre to provide a space for local charities and residents to access services, resources, and develop skills that will enrich their lives and bring the community together; understands that the Bridge Centre offers a legal clinic, which provides advice to the community, and warmly commends the King's Community Foundation for what it sees as the inspiring work that it is doing to bring hope to local residents in Torry and the surrounding areas of Aberdeen.

That the Parliament stands with Joan Salter, an 83-year-old child Holocaust survivor, who, it understands, confronted the Home Secretary for using dangerous rhetoric towards immigrants and refugees coming to the UK; emphasises Ms Salter’s reported warning that words of division can create such hatred that ordinary people can then turn on their neighbours; believes that anyone fleeing from war and violence, or wishing to come to this country for a better life, should be treated with respect and dignity; further believes that such rhetoric has no place in politics or in Scotland; condemns the Home Secretary for reportedly refusing to apologise for her remarks; calls on the Home Secretary and the UK Government to heed the lessons of the past and listen to survivors of atrocities such as the Holocaust, Rwanda and other genocides, and thanks the refugees and immigrants, who have made Scotland their home, for what it sees as their invaluable contribution to the country.