by Bill Kidd MSP

Now that the Scottish Parliament has entered recess it’s great to get back to working in the constituency office and hopefully to get around some of the events and causes that I would have to miss during the period the parliament is sitting.

I managed a visit to the extremely well-organised and enjoyable Knightswood Gala Day event in Knightswood Park, organised by a joint local committee, and I’m sure with lots of help from a host of volunteers.

I’m hoping to visit the Ledmore Project, the supported accommodation service run by Scotland’s largest mental health charity, SAMH, to look at how they are getting on, and to have a chat about how last year’s ground breaking “Going to Be” campaign is progressing.

I’m also due to visit the new Macmillan project at the Beatson next week, for the opening of their new refurbished support hub. Living in the west of Scotland, we all know how invaluable Macmillan’s support is, both for those who have a cancer diagnosis and for their families, and I’m privileged to be asked to attend.

Although I could not make it to the Active Seniors’ Day in the Park in Victoria Park, my office was represented, and I’m told the whole day was a tremendous success. Congratulations to “Big Robert Smith” and thanks to everyone who gave their time to make it such a tremendous success.

In the on-going battle between some of my most vulnerable constituents, the council and Phoenix Futures in respect of a new drug and alcohol rehabilitation unit being foisted on our community, it’s looking like, as no laws have been broken, Bield Housing have succeeded in selling off Munro Court without taking any heed of the wishes or concerns of vulnerable elderly residents and the wider community.

Personally, I find this unacceptable, and with colleagues from across the political divide have sought to challenge this.

We are, however, near the end of what can currently be done and have to look at what options are left open to us. One of my political colleagues is looking into the human rights aspect of this situation.

Just before recess, I was privileged to meet Dr Rebecca Johnson, who was one of the named winners of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of their organisation the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). It really was an honour to meet such a dedicated person to world peace.

ICAN works to promote adherence to, and full implementation of, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Currently they have 468 partner organisations.

If you think a visit might be worthwhile, get in touch with my office, and my staff will see if we can fit it in.