Chamber and committees

That the Parliament congratulates Tinderbox and Glasgow-based coffee roaster Matthew Algie on the launch of a new summer lemonade range to raise funds for Beatson Cancer Charity; understands that the drinks will be sold across Tinderbox cafés in Byres Road, Charing Cross, Braehead, Princes Square, Glasgow Fort and Merchant City, with 50p from every sale donated directly to the charity; recognises the continued partnership between these local businesses and Beatson Cancer Charity, following the success of previous fundraising efforts; notes that all drinks are made using ingredients sourced from local suppliers, and acknowledges the vital work carried out by Beatson Cancer Charity in providing specialist care, wellbeing services and practical support to people affected by cancer across the west of Scotland.

That the Parliament congratulates Annan Academy, in Dumfries and Galloway, on achieving the Gold LGBT Charter for Education; recognises the commitment, hard work and dedication of the pupils and staff in achieving this prestigious award from LGBT Youth Scotland, which is the highest level of accreditation, and which, it understands, encompasses a deep commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion focusing on human rights, particularly for transgender and non-binary individuals; understands that the programme aids organisations to create inclusive environments for both staff and service users, sending out positive messages that Annan Academy is a champion in LGBTQ+ inclusion, which it supports and understands, and welcomes the training and the review of policies, practices and resources that aim to ensure that Annan Academy goes beyond meeting legislative needs and is as inclusive as it can be for pupils, staff, parents and the wider community.

That the Parliament welcomes the news that three country music performances in a Clackmannanshire pub have helped raise over £700 for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS); understands that a local country duo, known as Wee Country, put on sessions at The Cairn in Alva, with the proceeds being donated to CHAS after their performance at the beginning of July 2025; understands that, thanks to the generosity of The Cairn’s owner and its regular customers, £719 was raised across the three concerts, and commends everyone involved for their highly magnanimous endeavours.

That the Parliament recognises that Alcohol Awareness Week ran from 7 to 13 July 2025, with the theme being alcohol and work; acknowledges that, from headaches, hangovers and sleepless nights to lower productivity and symptoms like anxiety and depression worsening over time, alcohol affects people in many ways; understands that, with longer hours, more stress, the blurring of lines between work and home, and workplace cultures that place alcohol rather than people at the centre of things, there are many ways inn which work and alcohol are linked; notes that alcohol can often be present at work-related events such as socials, networking and conferences; considers that work-related stresses can also lead to people using alcohol to cope, which can worsen symptoms; understands that Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems’ recent report, Spin the Bottle: How the UK alcohol industry twists the facts on harm and responsibility, also revealed that most jobs in the sector are lower paid and that, while claiming to be a decent employer, the alcohol industry reportedly pushed back against new employment rights for workers, as well as threatening to cut jobs in response, and believes that Alcohol Awareness Week offers an opportunity to have conversations about how to make workplaces healthier, and less focused on alcohol, which can lead to better physical and mental wellbeing, greater confidence and productivity, and improved employee motivation and safety.

That the Parliament notes that 16 July 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the first nuclear explosion, code-named the Trinity test; is aware that the plutonium implosion device was detonated in New Mexico, USA, and that it led Robert Oppenheimer to quote the Hindu holy text and say, "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds", and understands that three weeks later the atomic bombs were dropped on both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, resulting in the deaths of between 150,000 and 246,000 people.

That the Parliament congratulates Kirkcudbright Academy on achieving the Bronze LGBT Charter for Education; recognises the commitment, hard work and dedication of the pupils and staff in achieving this prestigious award from LGBT Youth Scotland, which, it understands, encompasses a deep commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion focusing on human rights, particularly for transgender and non-binary individuals; understands that the programme aids organisations to create inclusive environments for both staff and service users, sending out positive messages that Kirkcudbright Academy is a champion in LGBTQ+ inclusion, which it supports and understands, and applauds the training and the review of policies, practices and resources that aim to ensure that Kirkcudbright Academy goes beyond meeting legislative needs and is as inclusive as it can be for pupils, staff, parents and the wider community.

That the Parliament congratulates Angus Small Repairs Service as it completes more than 1,000 small repair jobs in its first year of operation; understands that Angus Small Repairs Service offers specialised home repairs and assistance programmes for people over 60, or residents living in the Angus area with a health condition; notes that the not-for-profit organisation has received funding to employ skilled, trusted tradespeople to carry out services, including joinery, plumbing and electrical jobs, fitting grab rails, banisters and key safes, as well as offering a gutter cleaning service; further notes that, as part of its Get Set for Winter programme, the service replaced light bulbs and batteries, changed curtains, bled radiators and set up winter heating timers free of charge; recognises that, in the summer months, Angus Small Repairs Service carries out a summer garden service to support residents by cutting and strimming grass, trimming hedges and cutting back bushes on a pay-what-you-can basis; applauds the efforts of everyone involved in the Angus Small Repairs Service in providing what it sees as a much-needed lifeline for many throughout the local community, and wishes Angus Small Repairs Service continued success going forward.

That the Parliament congratulates Johnshaven Community Café as it marked its third successful year serving the local community of Johnshaven, with a morning of celebrations taking place on 1 July 2025; acknowledges the valuable contribution that Johnshaven Community Café makes to the local community, offering a warm, welcoming place for people to meet, while also providing a lifeline to local residents who may otherwise feel isolated; notes that the Johnshaven Community Café is held in Johnshaven Village Hall every Tuesday morning and is open to everyone, offering free refreshments and a book exchange; commends the efforts of all the volunteers who bring the Community Café to life every week, and wishes everyone at Johnshaven Community Café every success for the year ahead.

That the Parliament congratulates Hawick High School on achieving the Bronze LGBT Charter for Education; recognises the commitment, hard work and dedication of the pupils and staff in achieving this prestigious award from LGBT Youth Scotland, which, it understands, encompasses a deep commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion focusing on human rights, particularly for transgender and non-binary individuals; understands that the programme aids organisations to create inclusive environments for both staff and service users, sending out positive messages that Hawick High School is a champion in LGBTQ+ inclusion, which it supports and understands, and applauds the training and the review of policies, practices and resources that aim to ensure that Hawick High School goes beyond meeting legislative needs and is as inclusive as it can be for pupils, staff, parents and the wider community.

That the Parliament congratulates the University of Glasgow and Science Ceilidh on creating a new Scottish country dance inspired by the discovery of gravitational waves, marking the 10th anniversary of this ground-breaking scientific achievement; understands that the dance will premiere on 17 July 2025 at a ceilidh during the GR–Amaldi international science conference in Glasgow; recognises that organisers expect many of the conference’s over 800 global researchers and educators to join the first large-scale performance; notes that the dance was developed through workshops between Glasgow physicists and Science Ceilidh, depicting the life cycle of black holes from orbiting pairs to their collision, which produces the signal detected on Earth; further notes that participants will release a celebratory "whoop" at the climax, representing the astrophysical "ringdown" stage that sends ripples through spacetime, enabling detection; acknowledges what it sees as this creative fusion of science and the arts, and believes that the ceilidh promises to be a fun, joyful celebration, combining science, music, and dance in a uniquely Scottish way.