Dunlop Gala 2022

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As the end of the gala season drew near, I had another great day out at Dunlop Gala. The sun shone and the wind didn’t get too strong making for a very pleasant afternoon.

I am really impatient when it comes to being in a queue, but when it is local events like these, it is great to see queues at the stalls! It has been very enjoyable being at all the various galas and fairs over the past couple of months. In all cases, a return since 2019, and very noticeable that crowds are bigger than average as people making the most of getting out and enjoying these community events.

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Take a Bow 10 Year Anniversary

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Take a Bow Development Trust celebrated 10 years by putting on the musical Joseph and His Technicolour Dreamcoat at the Grand Hall. It was a great event, showcasing the talent and enthusiasm of so many kids. It was impressive to see some who have been with Take a Bow for the ten-year journey and hear how many have gone on to courses associated with the arts following their experiences with Take A Bow. Most heartening of all though was seeing the unbridled joy of the youngest performers, who were having a ball while performing!

Having taken over the former New Farm Community Centre in 2019 just pre covid, then I am sure the organisation will go from strength to strength. The board of trustees need to be commended too for the work they are putting in to support the running of the centre and the company.

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Press Release: Kilmarnock Cross Pop-Up Surgery

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This week (Friday 24th June 2022) Alan Brown MP is hosting a special pop-up surgery at The Cross in Kilmarnock.

The representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun will be in the town centre on Friday from 12pm – 1pm. Constituents will be able to approach the MP if they are out and about in the town and speak to him about potential casework or even just for a friendly chat.

This will be the third time in the last three years Mr Brown will be hosting this surgery in the heart of Kilmarnock – having been there in June 2019 and August 2020.

Commenting, the representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said:

“I am looking forward to being at The Cross on Friday for the pop-up surgery. With a lot of restrictions now being eased, I am delighted to get back out in the constituency, be visible and having face to face interactions. I have still been having regular virtual surgeries – all through the pandemic – but it is far better to be able to engage with constituents in person.

“I have had a couple of pop-up surgeries so far this year, most recently a supermarket surgery at Asda at the end of April, as we try and move forward post covid restrictions. The past few weeks have been great with all the gala days in and around the constituency and being able to speak with constituents face to face.

“The surgery at Kilmarnock Cross is turning into an annual tradition with me being there the last two summers! It’s a great location right in the middle of the town with plenty of people and therefore lots of visibility.

“It is important to show constituents I am available and approachable if they wish to discuss anything. Additionally, my office is now open for constituents to pop in on an appointment basis. In the coming weeks, I hope to have face-to-face office-based surgeries but the option for virtual appointments will still be made available for those who wish. It is important to make my constituents feel comfortable but also for the flexibility factor as it is not always feasible for people to take time out of their day to attend an appointment when there is the option to do this over the phone or Microsoft Teams/ Zoom.

“If you can’t manage along to The Cross but need assistance with any matter dealt with at Westminster, such as; social security, employment or immigration issues, please contact my office and I will do all I can to help.”

Roon the Toon 2022

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From column:

With my broken foot not yet healed, I was unable to run the Roon The Toon 10km race. I was fortunate the committee had me helping out give out t-shirts after the finishing line. It was really enjoyable seeing just how happy people were when they had finished.

There is always a great atmosphere at the event and an astonishing 1800 people entered the race. A great effort from all involved at Kilmarnock Harriers, and there is no doubt they are helping promote the town with this. I was also able to hear, first-hand, just how complimentary runners from out with the area were about the race which was excellent to hear.

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Gala Season

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From column:

Weather-wise, I have now established that strong winds are far worse than the rain when there are tents, marquees and gazebos to put up for gala days. On a very windy Saturday, I managed to visit Galston, Fenwick and Darvel galas. Both Galston and Fenwick moved their stalls indoors so well done to the organisers for such flexibility to save the day.

Darvel, on the other hand, managed to keep theirs fully outdoors. A hardy lot indeed! It was impressive to see their big marquees survive the winds. Well done to the organisers, and a highlight was squeezing into the beer tent to shelter from torrential rain, while the band, The Aboriginals, were singing “why does it always rain on me”.

Great to see so many people stick with it.

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Press Release: Violence Against Women

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ALAN BROWN MP FOR KILMARNOCK AND LOUDOUN SHOWS SUPPORT TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS FOR ALL WOMEN

On Wednesday 8 June the representative for Kilmarnock and Loudoun joined 56 MPs and peers at a Parliamentary Photocall to call on the Government to make the Istanbul Convention on violence against women law without exceptions. The Convention is a gold standard legal framework to tackle violence against women and girls, and a lifeline to survivors. 

On 17 May 2022, the Government announced they plan to ratify the Convention. This comes ten years after the UK signed the Convention on 8 June 2012 and many years of campaigning. However, the Government plans to ‘opt-out' of key parts of the Convention that provide life-saving support and protection, particularly for migrant women. This reinforces the power of the perpetrators and increases the risk faced by migrant survivors.

More than 57 MPs and peers urged the Government to ratify the Istanbul Convention and opt-in to providing support for migrant women. The event was run by IC Change and supporting organisations, including the Women’s Institute, Southall Black Sisters, End Violence Against Women Coalition the Latin American Service for Women’s Rights (LAWRS), Safety4Sisters, Solace Women’s Aid and Rape Crisis. 

Violence against women and girls is devastatingly high across the UK. Over the last decade, over 1220 women were killed by men - and this is only the tip of the iceberg. The number of police-recorded domestic abuse-related crimes in England and Wales rose by 6% in the year ending March 2021, to 845,734. ONS crime figures for the 12 months ending in September 2021 show that sexual offences recorded by the police were the highest on record, at 170,973 offences. 

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

“I am happy to convey my support for the calls to ratify the Istanbul Convention - violence against women must stop. Boris Johnson and the UK Government have to take urgent action and safeguard those who need protection.

“I want to help end violence towards women and girls in the UK. The statistics and stories show that we still have a long way to go and we need action to change this. 

“The Government’s plans to ratify the Convention are a step towards a safer world for all women and girls, but today I join IC Change and leading organisations from across the women’s sector in calling on Government to protect all women, including migrant women, when they ratify.”

Press Release: Energy Bills

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KILMARNOCK AND LOUDOUN PAYING £1,635 PER YEAR ON ENERGY BILLS, MAKING IT 118th MOST EXPENSIVE IN GREAT BRITAIN

Households in East Ayrshire are paying on average £1635 per year, making it the 118th most expensive place in the UK for energy bills.

Out of 408 local authorities in the UK, East Ayrshire came out as 118th most expensive.

According to data from comparethemarket.com, households in Kilmarnock and Loudoun are already paying 21.9% more than the price cap that is set to be introduced in October this year.

The data also shows that people across Scotland are paying more on their bills than in England and Wales.

Commenting, Alan Brown MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun said:

"People across Scotland, including in my constituency are paying the price for sky-high energy bills, despite Scotland having an abundance of resources in oil and gas and renewables.

"Under Westminster control, the vast revenue from Scotland's oil and gas industry has been squandered by UK governments for decades and now it is consumers in Kilmarnock and Loudoun who are getting hammered with higher average energy bills, with bills here being the 118th most expensive in the UK.

"This is also a result of the outrageous and expensive transmission charges that are charged in Scotland for companies to access the national grid here.

"The measures announced by the Chancellor last month – welcome though they were - will barely scratch the surface of the rocketing energy bills crippling households now and in the winter months to come. I raised this in the House at the time.

"High fuel bills in East Ayrshire and across Scotland lie squarely at the door of the Westminster government and show why Scotland needs the full range of powers that will come with independence."