Setting sail from Arran



In the Scottish Parliament the first item each week is Time for Reflection, a four minute talk usually given by a member of the clergy. Kenneth Gibson MSP encouraged me to put my name forward and I was duly invited by the Presiding Officer, Alex Ferguson, to give Time for Reflection on 25th February.

The debate that was to follow - on the needs of Carers- was evidently not considered to be important because there were few MSPs in the Chamber, although there was a good crowd in the Public Gallery.

Perhaps because there were so few MSPs in front of me and I knew I had the support of some parishioners and other friends, I was less nervous and more confident than I had expected to be.
      

The Presiding Officer thanked me very graciously and I was able to join my friends in the Presiding Officer's Gallery.

The debate that followed was interesting and polite - there was even an exchange of compliments! It was generally acknowledged that more needed to be done to help Carers and give them the status they deserve.

photo:The Arran Voice