Bellfield Shops

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It was a pleasure to visit the Bellfield Shop last Thursday.

I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Kenny at The Lounge Cafe for his outstanding dedication to supporting our community and for his unwavering commitment to assisting those with additional support needs.

Additionally, I had the opportunity to stop by A Scents of Scotland in anticipation of Mother’s Day where I purchased some goods to gift to my mum. Some of my staff also visited G. Donaldson’s Traditional Family Butcher to get some top-quality local produce for the weekend’s dinners!

It's fantastic to see small businesses thriving - these experiences reaffirm the importance of supporting our local businesses, which not only bolster our economy but also enrich the fabric of our community.

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Titch Coffee House

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I had the pleasure of visiting the newly opened Titch Coffee House last Friday.

While some of my staff were fortunate enough to attend the opening night on Thursday, my travel commitments prevented me from joining them. However, I made sure to stop by on Friday to pick up some coffee and pastries for the office.

It's truly commendable that all the produce is sourced locally, supporting Scottish businesses. The first few days of business have been a resounding success for the team, and it's heartening to see an empty space transformed into a top-of-the-range coffee house.

This adds to the thriving businesses already operating on Titchfield Street. Credit to Melv and Becky for their dedication to improving the area.

They are located at 57 Titchfield Street in Kilmarnock and you can also find them on Instagram @titchcoffeehouse. I encourage everyone to stop by and experience their offerings firsthand.

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Budo Martial Arts Academy

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In an unexpected turn of events on a Thursday night, I had the privilege of being awarded Honorary Membership at the Budo Martial Arts Academy in Kilmarnock.

The academy, under the guidance of Professor Bert Rogers, extended a special invitation for me to join a session in their 'Dojo' at St Joseph's. What transpired was an enlightening introduction to the world of Martial Arts and Self-Defence.

Under the expert guidance of Professor Rogers, the experience was not just a physical endeavour but a holistic exploration of discipline, focus, and resilience. The camaraderie within the Dojo was palpable, and the dedication of the academy members was truly inspiring. I encourage everyone to consider taking up this enriching pastime.

Martial Arts is not just about self-defence; it's a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. The Budo Martial Arts Academy in Kilmarnock provides a welcoming environment for individuals of all ages and skill levels.

My unexpected Thursday night venture into the world of Martial Arts was a unique and memorable experience, and I extend my gratitude to Professor Bert Rogers and the entire Budo Martial Arts Academy community for this honorary opportunity.

To those curious about embarking on a journey of physical and mental well-being, I wholeheartedly recommend reaching out to the academy and embracing the transformative power of Martial Arts.

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Press Release: WASPI 10 Minute Rule Bill

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LAST WEEK (Wednesday 7th February 2024) Alan Brown MP’s 10 minute Rule Bill on behalf of the WASPI campaign passed its First Reading.

The MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun took a prominent stance on the issue of state pension age changes affecting women born between 6th April 1950 and 5th April 1960.

Mr Brown’s 10 Minute Rule Bill passed with no objections and its Second Reading is set to go to the floor on Friday 19th April 2024.

Alan Brown MP’s Bill urges the UK Government to publish compensation scheme proposals for the women affected by the state pension age changes.

More than 6,500 women in Kilmarnock and Loudoun have been affected by these changes and Mr Brown has worked alongside the WASPI Campaign since he was elected in 2015.

The MP reached out to women in Kilmarnock and Loudoun who have been affected by this and raised some of their cases during the reading of the Bill.

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

 “I was pleased to see my 10 Minute Rule Bill pass its First Reading with no objections.

“This is an issue that affects more than 6,500 in Kilmarnock and Loudoun as well as nearly four million across the entire UK.

“My office has been dealing with so many WASPI women and the level of engagement from them ahead of the Bill was remarkable.

“So many got in touch to give their personal account of what they have been through and I raised some of them within my speech – it was impossible to go through them all given the number of emails we had.

“Their stories are heartbreaking and I did my best to raise their voices in Parliament and demand justice is served.

“All three UK-wide parties have been complicit in one scandal or another. Be it the Miners’ Strike miscarriage of justice; Hillsborough; infected blood inquiry; postmaster (Horizon) scandal and WASPI. It should not take a TV drama to force the UK Government to act and deliver justice.

“It has been bitterly disappointing to see the lack of action from the Labour benches, who are supposed to be the main opposition in Parliament – their silence has been deafening.

“I look forward to the Second Reading of the Bill, set to take place in April, and will continue to update constituents on the progress of this.”