THE Moderator of the Church of Scotland has praised Clydebank’s hospice after a visit with staff and patients.

The Right Rev Dr Russell Barr and his wife Margaret are on a week-long tour of the Presbytery of Dumbarton and spent more than two hours at St Margaret of Scotland Hospice in Whitecrook.

He said: “For many years St Margaret’s Hospice has been providing care and support to people and their families living with a diagnosis of cancer.

“We could not have been made more welcome by Edward McGuigan, vice chair of the hospice trust.

“And from our many conversations with staff, patients and their families, it was evident the Christian ethos of care, love and prayer was at the heart of everything St Margaret’s provides.”

The hospice has attracted unwavering support in recent months as it works with politicians of all stripes to avoid possible introduction of means testing for patients in long-term care beds.

Earlier, the moderator visited Kilbowie St Andrew’s Church and minister Rev Margaret Yule, taking a moment to visit the chapel dedicated to the Clydebank Blitz.

He also spent time at Linnvale Primary meeting Syrian refugee children and learning how well they are integrating with their new young friends.

The moderator met with Jack Tasker at Kilbowie St Andrew’s to learn about his research on the Blitz as well as artist Tom McKendrick who created a triptych panel unveiled last year to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the attack.

Included in the visits throughout the area will be an Easter service with Clydemuir Primary on Thursday morning and a civic reception at Clydebank Town Hall that evening.

A Presbyterty-wide Songs of Praise evening at Helensburgh Parish Church at 7pm on Sunday, April 2, will formally conclude the visit.