Glenrothes Gazette and East Fife Mail Column – Published 31 May 2023
One of the highlights of my job as the MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes is attending local community events. The annual Glenrothes Rotary awards night last week was a particular highlight in my calendar, celebrating the best from the young people and the local businesses and organisations we have in the Glenrothes area.
I remember speaking at the first Awards evening after I was first elected in 2016. I was totally blown away by the talented young people, who have continued to impress me nearly every year since. Despite a short hiatus over Covid, the awards ceremony was back for its first outing post pandemic last year. I was delighted to present awards on Thursday as the the town’s MSP.
From Young Artist of the year to Citizen of the Year – the awards truly are a celebration of the spirit of the people of Glenrothes.
I also humbled to hear from Autism Rocks Fife, alongside Glenrothes Homestart. These organisations do sterling work in our local area and Glenrothes Rotary continue to support them through fundraising and the recognition brought by the annual awards evening.
Listening to Scots poetry performances and musical recitals also brought home to me the real strength of our education offer locally – so I pay tribute to the teachers and parents in our local area, for all you do to support our young people in achieving their potential.
Across to the eastern side of my constituency I was pleased to spend time in Leven last Friday learning more from Green Action trust about their plans for more active travel routes, which will help support the new railway when it arrives next year. It was great to hear that Scottish Government funding is helping to support this work and to see for myself where the new and existing paths will be. Upgrading connectivity between Leven and Methil will be key – we all want safe walking routes and these will also help to ensure that more people opt to take the train.
The £10 million Levenmouth Reconnected Programme, part-funded by the Scottish Government, is also improving connectivity across the area. The programme provides grants to local initiatives which maximise the opportunities presented by the new Leven rail link or are linked to the regeneration of the River Leven and its proposed path network.
The Silverburn Park Flax Mill and the Kennoway Pump Track have already benefitted from funding, and it is great to see the impact this is already having in the constituency.
From Glenrothes to Leven, there is much to be positive about as we head into Summer 2023.
