Firstly, I would just like to wish you all in West Dunbartonshire a very Happy New Year!  I really hope 2024 is a kind year for us all. 

If you are anything like me the run-up to the festive period is a busy time that can feel stressful, but when those bells chime at midnight, I do like the feeling of a fresh new year for fresh beginnings.

I had the privilege for the second year in a row of volunteering at the Dalmuir Barclay Church Community Pantry & café’s Christmas lunch, we fed over 70 people a Christmas dinner which was then followed by an amazing concert from the Bearsden Fiddlers. 

I also had the hardest job of being asked to judge & pick the winner of the Christmas jumper design competition at Our Lady of Loretto Primary School, it was extremely difficult as each and every one of the children’s designs was fantastic, but I was very pleased to have picked Rory’s winning design.

It’s safe to say we are in the thick of Winter, with temperatures already reaching freezing.  The Winter in West Dunbartonshire programme has been launched to help support residents to use a large network of welcoming warm spaces which will tackle loneliness & isolation while also helping people to keep warm.

In my role as Educational Services Convener, I was delighted to officially open the Whole Family Wellbeing Hubs which are based in Clydebank, Dumbarton & Alexandria. 

These hubs are to improve family well-being, reduce inequalities between the most & least disadvantaged communities and reduce the number of families needing crisis intervention.

I also officially opened the Reading Hut at Gavinburn Primary at Old Kilpatrick.  The Hut was designed by the young people, fundraised & built by the Parent Council, and will be enjoyed by all. 

I was struck on my visit at just some of the ideas & designs that the children had thought of, it really is remarkable. 

I can’t wait to go back on my next visit to read to some of the classes in the Reading Hut.

This week has already been quite busy for me within my ward in Clydebank Central.  I had my first surgery in 2024 which was, as always, busy with constituents. 

It was also great to see that the space at Singer train station was re-opening again by local woman Kerry Durnan. 

I popped down to visit and wish Kerry good luck on her new venture.  This is another small, local business for people to support and get behind. 

If you can pop by and see for yourselves just how great this venture is and having it back in the heart of Clydebank.  I can recommend the cappuccino and Danish pastry.