Spring has sprung. The lighter nights are finally upon us, and I hope everyone has been taking advantage of the glorious Scottish weather we’ve been having recently. Of course, this time of year marks the Easter holidays, which is a great chance to visit local places with the family as the schools take a break.
Last weekend marked the official opening of the new facilitates at Riverside Park in Glenrothes, with the ‘Picnic in the Park’ event, and a fantastic turnout of people gathering in celebration with plenty of activities also happening on the day. Don’t worry if you missed it, the space is now open for all, and offers the perfect opportunity for families looking for low-cost, outdoor activities for the kids this Easter. This renewed park also benefited from £300,000 Scottish Government Place Based Investment Programme.
From the Easter Egg hunt at Leslie’s Community Pantry on the 17th of April, to sports activities at the Michael Woods centre in Glenrothes, throughout the holidays there are lots of different activities to keep the kids occupied this break.
If you plan to travel, it’s worth noting Scotrail will be continuing their ‘Kids for a Quid’ initiative, where up to four children can travel with an accompanying adult for just £1. Also, make sure you look out for the Easter Egg stickers on Stagecoach bus services, as you could win free bus travel and Easter treats!
I appreciate that the holidays can also be a financially challenging for many, so please make use of the Café Inc services offering a free lunch club for young people and families across Fife from 7th-18th April. There is no need to register in advance, but children younger than 10 must be accompanied by an adult; just drop in, grab a bag of food and go. There are many venues within Levenmouth and Glenrothes who provide Café Inc from Monday to Friday, and I’d encourage you to check with your local centre for timings.
As Education Secretary in the Scottish Government, I understand the importance that access to free, high-quality, and nutritious food plays in improving learning for youngsters and reducing the impact of poverty on thousands of families across the country. That’s why we have committed additional funding in the Scottish Budget to extend free school meals to primary 6 and 7 children from low-income families in schools.
Most importantly, Easter is a significant point in the Christian calendar, and is symbolic of joy, hope and new beginnings. I would like to wish all of my constituents a very Happy Easter, however you choose to celebrate.
