Fleet of Foot

This week has went past in a flash. Last Friday was filled from start to finish with visits to constituents, even our lunch break was a visit to the new Women's Aid office in Cadzow St. Saturday took me to the Stonehouse Gala which was a great success even though it was rather cold. My friends Emma and George Sutherland who were fund raising for guide dogs. They had their current ward with them. He is a very handsome 18 month old lab called Umber. My son was trying to steal him away.

Sunday was a day of correspondence and review of the avalanche of current cases.

I joined a campaign to have a pharmacy in an area of Larkhall in need of such a facility.

Monday and Tuesday were again filled with visits to constituents ranging from housing, health and anti-social behaviour.

One smashing visit I had was to a 9 year old who wanted to interview me for a solo talk he was doing for school. The questions were searching and well thought out. I took some election and parliament information and answered all the questions as best I could but I knew I was doing well when it was noticed by this youngster that I was wearing a red and white stripy top. The proclamation was your even a Hamilton Accies fan!!! Now I know the secret I'll be wearing an Accies top more often.

Wednesday was back to Parliament where I met with the clerks for the Europe and External relations committee. The first meeting will be next week where hopefully I will be confirmed as convenor. I am looking forward to this committee and I have already met with UN representatives and an MEP in preparation for setting up a work program. Exciting times indeed.

Last week I also made it to the opening of Townhill primary school. Here is a pic of Cllr Horne, Barbara Sefton head and me at the official opening. Check out the motion I lodged on the Holyrood website.

PARLIAMENTARY CONGRATULATIONS FOR TOWNHILL PRIMARY ON OFFICIAL OPENING

Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse MSP Christina McKelvie has tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament congratulating the staff and pupils of Townhill Primary School in Hamilton on a highly successful official opening of their new school building.

Christina attended the opening celebration along with many members of the school community. The official plaque was unveiled by local SNP councillor, Cllr Graeme Horne, whose own children attended the school.

Christina said:

"It was a pleasure to be able to attend the official opening of the new Townhill Primary School. The pupils - from the youngest to the oldest - were a credit to their school and to Hamilton.

"Their songs and performances displayed a wealth of talent and I found the positive messages of affirmation decorating the walls of the building most encouraging and inspiring.

"I'm very pleased that the new building was constructed without using the enormously wasteful PFI funding mechanism. This new school will not only provide a superb learning environment for generations of pupils, it will do so in a way that gives real value to the public purse.

"Townhill Primary has a long and proud history not just as an excellent school, but also as a crucial part of the local community. This wonderful new building will help them to build and improve on that tradition for many years to come."

The full text of Christina's motions reads:

Official Opening of Townhill Primary School, Hamilton

That the Parliament congratulates the pupils and staff of Townhill Primary School, Hamilton on a highly successful official opening of their new school building on 30 May 2011; considers that pupils of all ages were a credit to their school, providing a superb welcome for their guests, with songs, a guided tour and walls decorated with inspirational affirmations about how much the new school is appreciated by all who learn and work in it; notes that over 20,000 local children have been Townhill pupils throughout its history; further notes that the new school was built without the use of the Private Finance Initiative, and will thus provide value to the public purse, and wishes the new Townhill Primary a long and successful future.

I skipped out of parliament at 5.45pm made it to a meeting in Larkhall for 7.30pm. Fleet of foot even with my sore twisted ankle seems to be the order of the day!!

Right I'm running home now.
Take care. Christina