Finishing Touches added to Rubbish Sculpture

PHOTO: Rob Gibson MSP joins pupils and artist Gina Bates in applying varnish to the new sculpture.

Pupils and volunteers have been busy at Alness Academy adding the finishing touches to their unique new artwork: a seating area in the courtyard made out of waste items embedded in cement. Alness Academy is the first secondary in the Highlands to be awarded its Green Flag under the Eco-schools scheme, an international initiative to raise whole-school awareness of environmental issues. The artwork was funded by Ross-shire Waste Action Network (RoWAN), and local MSP and RoWAN supporter Rob Gibson turned up with a paintbrush to help pupils apply varnish to weather-proof the structure.

RoWAN Project Manager Caroline Eccles said “Help from volunteers is very important to RoWAN’s work and we’re delighted to have Rob along today. Alness Academy is leading the way on green action for secondary schools in the Highlands and we congratulate them on their Green Flag. Today’s pupils are the householders of tomorrow and encouraging them to minimise their waste can only be good for the future.”

Rob added "I am delighted to support RoWAN whose volunteers like so many others contribute so much to community life. This project combines voluntary work with a clear environmental message that inspires young people. "

According to Rector Kenneth MacIver, “With this new seating area the courtyard is being used much more than before, which is great, and around 120 pupils were involved in constructing it. We have a very strong Eco-committee and we have great plans for the future to carry on placing the environment at the heart of the school’s activities.”

The sculpture aims to get people thinking about waste and is made of items such as old computers, plastic bottles and washing machine parts embedded in cement.
RoWAN is a small Dingwall-based charity aimed at helping householders reduce their waste. If you’re interested in volunteering – particularly if you know about composting – please contact the office on 01349 867063, or contact project.manager@rowanweb.org.uk.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Caroline Eccles, RoWAN Project Manager, project.manager@rowanweb.org.uk
Kenneth MacIver, Rector, Alness Academy, kenneth.maciver@highland.gov.uk
Rob Gibson MSP, rob.gibson.msp@scotland.gov.uk

Gibson welcomes report findings

News release
Immediate release

12/06/08

Highland and Islands SNP MSP has lodged a motion welcoming an international report which says that small-scale farming and ecological methods are the answer to the current food crisis as opposed to GM crops.

The report from the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) which is the agricultural equivalent of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, states that while GM crops shouldn't be ruled out in the future they are not the answer to world hunger at the moment.

He also praised the UK Government's full endorsement of the report which came in the form of a written Commons statement from UK secretary for international development Douglas Alexander

Mr Gibson said.....

"This report shows the way out of world hunger at the moment is by local production on small farms of environmentally friendly produce as opposed to the relatively untried and unapproved GM. GM could be used in the future but as the report states it is not the answer for the moment and that they do not prevent world hunger."

He continued....

"For countries like Scotland it is imperative that we follow down the road of food security and that means local production, and consumption as much as possible. This has to be top quality and not GM crops which are neither needed nor wanted by consumers. "

"I shall be pursuing the issue with Scottish Environment Ministers to make sure that they include the reports findings in the general thrust of our agriculture and food policy , although I believe that the report's findings are very much in keeping with the policies of the Scottish Government. I also welcome the UK Government's endorsement of the report and would encourage their Ministers to do like wise."

ENDS

Note to editor:

Copy of Rob's motion

Short Title: GM Crops Do Not Prevent World Hunger S3M-02125 Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): That the Parliament congratulates the International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD), the agricultural equivalent of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change, for concluding that data on a range of genetically modified crops indicate highly variable yields, greater in some places and less in others; notes the reluctance of the IAASTD to rule out GM crops in future, but that it rightly concludes that if the multi-million pound investment by corporations in transgenic research and development had been applied to improving conventional methods of local food production and distribution then the current world food crisis would have been more successfully addressed; applauds the overwhelming conclusion of IAASTD that small-scale farming and ecological methods provide the way forward to avert the current world food crisis, and therefore welcomes the UK Government’s approval of the IAASTD reports without reservation as confirmed in a written Commons statement by Douglas Alexander MP and encourages the Scottish and UK governments to mainstream the thrust of the IAASTD report in agricultural policy development.

Gibson calls for closer Nordic relations

News release
Immediate release

10/06/08

Rob Gibson SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands has received unanimous backing of the party's National Council (Saturday 7th June) for exploring formal links between Scotland and the Nordic Council.

The resolution promoted by Cromarty Firth Branch, of which Mr Gibson is convener, received strong backing from SNP MEP Alyn Smith who told the delegates how Scotland's economic interests coincide with Norway, Faroes, Iceland and Greenland. He said that our fishing, energy and transport needs were best served by cooperation to win the best markets in Europe and beyond.

Rob Gibson stressed the urgent need for detailed plans for an electricity grid that could feed into a vast European market.

He said…..

"Iceland and Norway along with Scotland can build the super grid necessary to export the surpluses of our clean power into the hungry European markets."

"Also there is a need to maintain shipping routes to the continent. This could be rescued by Norwegian firms who could replace the threatened Superfast service from Rosyth to Zeebrugge. Norwegian shipping interests could link Iceland, Norway and Scotland to the Flemish port again. Our mutual trade at present is represented by the sole direct service to our northern neighbours in the form of the 'Norrona' run by the Smyril Line from Scrabster to Norway and Iceland."

"Scotland and the Nordic countries have a long colourful history which has had benefits for the area we now call the Arc of Prosperity. It is time to start a new chapter in that history and start working closer together for our mutual benefit."

ENDS

Gibson Calls for Gaelic writers in School Scheme

News release
Immediate release

10/06/08


Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson has lodged a motion in Parliament congratulating a Highland-wide Gaelic scheme which took writers into schools to complete a book comprised of the students' own original stories.

He also uses it to call for the creation of a Gaelic Writers in Schools Scheme for the whole of Scotland.


Mr. Gibson's call comes after the publication of a book called Leabhar nan Gàidheal Òga (The Book of the young Gaels) which contains 63 pieces of work co-produced between 6 writers (Angus Peter Campbell, Catriona Lexy Campbell, Rody Gorman, Iain F. MacLeod, Morag Stewart and Lisa Storey) and Gaelic medium pupils from 21 schools (from P3-6) across the Highlands. The book also contains 57 pieces of art work which were done by students of both Gaelic and English medium from the schools.

Mr Gibson paid tribute to the effort which went into the book's production...

"The team received over 400 entries for the book which shows the imagination and interest that Gaels of that age have. However the real benefit for all is to have the writers going into schools and talking with the students in their own language. All cultures rely on a oral and literary heritage of story telling. However for the Gaels it has always been of the up-most importance. Indeed this culture has helped sustain the language through the very dark moments of it's history. I firmly believe that it will be stories that will help it in the future. A language which looses its imagination is one which is bound to fail."

"Contact for students of all ages in Gaelic Medium throughout the nation (in the form of the Gaelic Writers in Schools Scheme) would fire their imagination and allow them direct contact with their living literary heritage. This is a scheme which has worked wonders for our music and for writers in English. I see exciting benefits for young Gaels if a similar approach is adopted as regards Gaelic writers."

ENDS

NOTE: Copy of Motion

S3M-02098 Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish National Party): New Book by Young Gaels Very Welcome — That the Parliament welcomes the publication of Leabhar nan Gàidheal Òga which contains a wide range of new stories, poems and colourful illustrations chosen from children studying Gaelic in 21 schools across the Highland Council area; congratulates the young contributors from P3 to S6 whose imagination and wit expressed in their own language sends a positive signal from young Gaels today; thanks the part-time project co-ordinator, Johan A Byrne, and the team for their inspired choices of material which included 63 pieces chosen for publication accompanied by 57 pieces of original artwork; also thanks the funders, which included the Gaelic Books Council, Highland Council and Bord na Gaidhlig, GASD and LEADER+, and especially the six established Gaelic writers, Angus Peter Campbell, Catriona Lexy Campbell, Rody Gorman, Iain F MacLeod, Morag Stewart and Lisa Storey who encouraged such positive responses, and calls for a Gaelic Writers in Schools Scheme to be established to reach schools with Gaelic education across Scotland.

Gibson calls for closer Nordic relations

News release
Immediate release

10/06/08

Rob Gibson SNP MSP for Highlands and Islands has received unanimous backing of the Party's National Council (Saturday 7th June) for exploring formal links between Scotland and the Nordic Council.

The resolution promoted by Cromarty Firth Branch, of which Mr Gibson is convener, received strong backing from SNP MEP Alyn Smith who told the delegates how Scotland's economic interests coincide with Norway, Faroes, Iceland and Greenland. He said that our fishing, energy and transport needs were best served by cooperation to win the best markets in Europe and beyond.

Rob Gibson stressed the urgent need for detailed plans for an electricity grid that could feed into a vast European market.

He said…..

"Iceland and Norway along with Scotland can build the super grid necessary to export the surpluses of our clean power into the hungry European markets."

"Also, there is a need to maintain shipping routes to the continent. This could be rescued by Norwegian firms who could replace the threatened Superfast service from Rosyth to Zeebrugge. Norwegian shipping interests could link Iceland, Norway and Scotland to the Flemish port again. Our mutual trade at present is represented by the sole direct service to our northern neighbours in the form of the 'Norrona' run by the Smyril Line from Scrabster to Norway and Iceland."

"Scotland and the Nordic countries have a long colourful history which has had benefits for the area we now call the Arc of Prosperity. It is time to start a new chapter in that history and start working closer together for our mutual benefit."

ENDS

Gibson urges strong take up for climate change fund

News release
Immediate release

03/06/08

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson is encouraging local groups to apply for a share of the Scottish Government's £18.8 million climate change fund.

Launched by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochead and Patrick Harvie MSP, Convener of the Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee, the fund will allow for community-led action to reduce carbon emissions.

The fund will be open to groups such as schools, voluntary organisations and charitable groups.

Mr Gibson said...

"This is a welcome announcement from the Scottish Government and shows that they have a strong commitment to tackling climate change."

"Local groups can play a vital role in reducing carbon emissions and as well as improving the quality of life for those in the community. This fund is an excellent chance for groups to address climate change locally as well as providing schemes that get people involved in improving their locality ."

"Many environmental schemes exist in the Highland and Islands so I would urge early applications as I expect a strong take up."

Ends

Note to Editor:
For More information click on link below:
http://www.itsourfuture.co.uk/climate_challenge_fund/index.html

Gibson urges strong take up for climate change fund

News release
Immediate release

03/06/08

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson is encouraging local groups to apply for a share of the Scottish Governments £18.8 million climate change fund.

Launched by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochead and Patrick Harvie MSP Convener of the Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee the fund will allow for community led action to reduce carbon emissions .

The fund will be open to groups such as, schools, voluntary and charitable groups.

Mr Gibson said...

"This is a welcome announcement from the Scottish Government and shows that they have a strong commitment to tackling climate change."

"Local groups can play a vital role in reducing carbon emissions and as well as improving the quality of life for those in the community. This fund is an excellent chance for groups to address climate change locally as well as providing schemes that get people involved in improving their locality ."

" Many environmental schemes exist in the Highland and Islands so I would urge early applications as I expect a strong take up.

Ends

Note to Editor:
For More information click on link below:
http://www.itsourfuture.co.uk/climate_challenge_fund/index.html