Veterans Day

Each November at Armistice we remember those who died while serving their country. But it is also right that proper recognition and support is given to our veterans and that we appreciate the sacrifices they have made.
Following the success of Veterans Awareness Week in July 2005, which culminated in the celebrations of the 60th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the Government decided to hold an annual Veterans Day on 27th June.

The inaugural Veterans Day this year was marked in Ayrshire with a church service and wreath laying ceremony organised by the Ayrshire Branch of the Royal British Legion at Irvine Old Parish Church. I hope that as the years go on a variety of events will be held around that date. As well as an opportunity for our community to appreciate the service which has been given and continues to be given by members of the Armed Forces and countless others, public awareness will be raised about the age range of our veteran community. Veterans can be of any age. Both young and old have served in the Armed Forces and new veterans are being created every day. The diversity of the veterans’ community and their contribution and relevance to life in the UK today will be highlighted as well as the support and advice available to veterans from official and voluntary sources including ex Service organisations.

Here in Ayrshire we know only too well through the work of Hollybush House how important it is to provide follow up support for those who suffer from the long term effects of military action. We are hearing reports every day of soldiers returning from Iraq who require psychiatric treatment. I have already held a debate in the House of Commons calling on the Government to do more for our veterans and I will continue to do so. However I hope   the focus of Veterans Day will provide a way of making this higher on the political as well as public agenda. 

The Royal British Legion do an excellent job and is a very grass roots organisation. I was delighted to take part with Cathy Jamieson MSP, Councillor Alan Murray and the Provost of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Winnie Sloan in the Trooping of the Colour ceremony held at Maybole Gala to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the Maybole Branch of the Royal British Legion. What an honour it is to realise that it was the first ever branch to be set up in the UK and what a credit to Maybole as a community. The Trooping of the Colour was the only ceremony of its kind to be held outside London in the whole of the UK.

 

Hillcrest Residential Home, Girvan

Talking about service to the community, Friends of Hillcrest have contacted me to raise their concern at the lack of any plans to upgrade the facility to meet Care Commission Standards ready for the inspection due in 2007. I am worried that the Tory South Ayrshire Council may be set to pull out of residential care provision entirely and look to the private sector for provision.
I also know a paper about options for provision in Ayr was not allowed to be discussed at the Social Justice Committee on 22 June and a further options paper is to be presented to the Policy and Resources Committee on Thursday 6 July. Cllr John McDowall got no support from the Tories for his motion to ‘retain in house provision of residential care’ and has been unable to gain assurances as to the funding of the necessary upgrade for Hillcrest. It is the only facility of its type between Stranraer and Ayr and has been consistently supported by the town through the many fundraising activities of the Friends of Hillcrest. I will be fully supporting Councillor McDowall in his efforts to secure it’s future

End of the 11 plus!

Did you know that selection for secondary school by means of the 11 plus still takes place just over 50 miles away. Last week I sat on the Standing Committee dealing with the Draft Education (Northern Ireland) Order. This Order does away with an archaic academic selection process at 11 years of age which is still the way it is done in Northern Ireland. All the evidence shows that this helps to perpetuate social disadvantage with children from poor backgrounds failing to fulfil their full potential. It is also unsuited to meeting the changing needs of a growing Northern Ireland economy. The current choice of types of schools will still be available after the 11 plus is done away with but entry will be based on an informed parental choice rather than a false test of academic ability. There has been considerable and very vocal opposition to these changes from lobby groups within Northern Ireland. Isn’t it ironic that if the elected politicians could agree to restart the Northern Ireland Assembly we wouldn’t be legislating for this in Westminster and they could be making these decisions for themselves. I might not then agree with what they decided but at least it would be their democratic choice.