Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates pupils from Spittal Primary, Burgh Primary and Cairns Primary, and volunteers from the local community, on the creation of a handcrafted commemorative banner to mark the 900th anniversary of Rutherglen being granted Royal Burgh status by King David I of Scotland; understands that the banner was inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry and is made up of felted and embroidered panels illustrating the people, places and stories of Rutherglen from its earliest days to the present, including portraits of many well-kent faces such as William Wallace, Mary, Queen of Scots, the local physician, Dr James Gorman, the suffragist, Nellie Hunter, and the actor, Robbie Coltrane; notes that the incredibly detailed, large-scale work fills the Exhibition Hall of Rutherglen Town Hall, where it is currently on display; believes that it is a fitting testament to the rich heritage of the town, and commends all the pupils and volunteers involved in its creation.

That the Parliament congratulates Blantyre, in Malawi, on the occasion of its 150th anniversary, to be celebrated in October 2026; understands that the city was founded on 23 October 1876 by Scottish missionaries, and was named after Blantyre in Scotland, the birthplace of the explorer David Livingstone; recognises that Scotland and Malawi share a deep historical friendship dating back to Livingstone's explorations in the region; highlights the publication of the book by Jonathan Waters, Blantyre: Urban Evolution – A Photographic History, which chronicles the city's people, places and transformation since 1876, and pays tribute to the many individuals, businesses, third sector organisations, including the Scotland Malawi Partnership and Rutherglen-based Classrooms for Malawi, schools and universities and governments that have maintained the links between the two countries over the past century and a half.

That the Parliament welcomes the announcement of the inaugural Rutherglen Book Festival, which is  due to take place in autumn 2026 and will showcase a packed programme of free events for book lovers of all ages; understands that events at the festival will be free to attend thanks to funding from the principal Rutherglen 900 sponsor, Specsavers, and will be organised in collaboration with South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Libraries and Rutherglen 900 as part of the wider celebrations to mark the 900th anniversary of the town becoming a Royal Burgh; notes that the festival is due to open with the 900 Years of People and Place event, hosted by the Rutherglen Heritage Society, and will include contributions from the renowned comic artist Frank Quitely, crime writers Denise Mina and Callum McSorely, poet Michael Mullen and children’s author Clare Leonard; believes that the festival will provide a fantastic opportunity for people to come together and celebrate the stories, memories and creative talent linked to the town, and wishes the festival organisers all the very best for its success.

That the Parliament congratulates the Newton Arms, in Newton, Cambuslang, on being named Community Venue of the Year at the 2026 OnTrade Magazine Awards, which were held in Glasgow on 10 August 2026; notes that the Newton Arms is a much-loved local pub that regularly hosts family and community events, including fun days, tribute nights, quizzes and live music showcases; further notes that the pub has a history of offering a warm welcome and hospitality to local groups, including the Newton Road Runners club, which has gone from strength to strength since its first meeting in the Newton Arms, and regularly hosts fundraising events there; commends the incredible efforts of the pub’s resident band, The Beatsons, for raising over £26,000 for Beatson Cancer Care through a series of live shows; commends the Newton Arms' commitment to the wider community and charitable causes, and wishes all of the Newton Arms’ team all the very best for the future.

That the Parliament celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Whitlawburn Community Resource Centre; understands that the Resource Centre, affectionately then known as the ‘Bonus Ball’, opened in the 1990s after local people worked together to create a much-needed facility in their own community; recognises that the venue was one of the first in Scotland to receive support from the National Lottery, having obtained funding of over £800,000 to convert the disused Loch Primary on Belmont Road into a space for the people of Whitlawburn; further recognises that, 30 years on, Whitlawburn Community Resource Centre is a facility that is still well utilised by local organisations and local people; pays tribute to past and present committee members, volunteers, third sector organisations and local residents who have supported the Centre over the decades, and wishes the Whitlawburn Community Resource Centre all the best in the years ahead.

That the Parliament congratulates R:evolve Recycle, based in Cambuslang and Rutherglen, on its involvement in making wonderful upcycled and heavily decorated and embellished disco capes for performers in the opening ceremony of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow; notes that many individuals, artists and organisations came together to produce the capes for dancers in the Barrowlands-themed finale; understands that, R:evolve Recycle, whose work is centred around saving textiles from going to landfill and working towards a circular economy, managed to keep the project top-secret despite its busy summer schedule of craft cafés, children’s activities, upcycling, and sewing workshops, as well as its clothes swap and pre-loved shops; notes that the organisation is currently undertaking another secret mission to open a new location, and wishes R:evolve Recycle, all the very best for its continued success.

That the Parliament congratulates the Lanarkshire-based Lisini Pub Company, whose venues include The Parkville in Blantyre, on being recognised in the Best Places to Work list, which is compiled by The Sunday Times; understands that the company was one of five Scottish organisations featured in the Best Big Places to Work category; notes that the achievement comes as CEO, Siobhan Edwards, marks 20 years with the business, following in the footsteps of her parents, Harry and Kathleen Hood, who founded the business in 1969; understands that the company has invested in more than 10,000 hours of training for its over 300 employees, introduced a new employee assistance programme and rolled out mental health first aid training; notes that it has also been awarded the Wellness Charter by Hospitality Health in recognition of its commitment to actively supporting employee wellbeing; commends the actions that it has taken to establish a supportive workplace where staff feel valued, respected and able to thrive, and wishes everyone in the Lisini team all the best for their continued success.

That the Parliament congratulates Aimee Gordon, a primary seven pupil at St Bride’s Primary School in Cambuslang, on becoming Quarriers’ highest-ever individual Kiltwalk fundraiser; notes that she raised an incredible £1,766 for the charity after completing the Glasgow Kiltwalk in April 2026; understands that Aimee chose the charity after seeing the difference that its specialist epilepsy services made to her family when they cared for her father, Mark; understands that Aimee’s efforts will help Quarriers continue what it sees as its vital work in supporting patients and their families to understand epilepsy, review treatments and offer expert advice on managing the condition; commends Aimee for her fantastic effort, and wishes her all the very best for the future.

That the Parliament congratulates 1st Class Credit Union’s podcast Money Made Human, which is recorded in Rutherglen, on being highly commended in the Lifestyle, Health and Wellbeing category at the inaugural Scottish Podcast Awards; understands that the Money Made Human podcast, hosted by Gayle Lloyd, features individuals and organisations who are working across a wide variety of sectors to strengthen their communities and, at its heart, celebrates the work of credit unions and their vital role in making connections and building opportunities to enrich people's lives, and wishes Gayle, the wider podcast team and all those at 1st Class Credit Union all the best for their continued endeavours.

That the Parliament congratulates Rev John Sanderson, a community minister based at Rutherglen United Reform Church, on being presented with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award by the Rotary Club of Rutherglen; understands that the fellowship is one of the highest honours bestowed by Rotary International and was established in 1957 to recognise individuals who embody its motto, "Service Above Self"; notes that it is awarded to Rotarians and others who make a significant contribution to their communities; commends the strong partnership between Rutherglen URC and the Rotary Club of Rutherglen, and their shared work for the benefit of the people of Rutherglen and the wider community, and wishes John, and the incoming Rotary Club of Rutherglen president, Jan Dobson, all the best for their future endeavours.