Messages of goodwill

Though we sometimes don’t seem to appreciate it until a visitor from outside points it out to us.

That’s becoming a more regular thing with visitor numbers on the rise and next year it is estimated that as many as 90,000 tourists will pass through Greenock’s Ocean Terminal.

All of these show that more and more people outside of Inverclyde and many more residents are recognising what a lovely area we live in.

As Provost it is my privilege to see all of Inverclyde and meet many people.

It is heartwarming, not just at Christmas, to meet so many people doing good work for their friends, neighbours and for strangers.

This year the entire country was touched by the news that despite the damage to the building, ordinary Scots ran back into the Clutha bar to help save friends and strangers.

In Inverclyde one of our own, Constable Kirsty Nelis, lost her life. We are a close knit community and we all feel the loss of a clearly gifted and brave officer.

The enormous response from individuals across Inverclyde to appeals for donations to the Inverclyde foodbank has been gratifying to see. I was particularly impressed that so many of the hundreds of people and council staff gave so much when we collected at the Christmas light switch-ons.

I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all Tele readers my very best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

PROVOST ROBERT MORAN Inverclyde Council
THE tradition of putting cribs in Churches was begun by Saint Francis of Assisi.

However, instead of placing statues in a mini stable Francis actually built a full size one in which local peasants and animals then lived. You can imagine the smell and noise throughout the Church!

Francis intended that worshippers, shocked by the utter poverty which Christ had freely embraced, would be inspired to a more sincere imitation of Christ.

Cribs are now an integral part of our Christmas celebrations. We have cribs in our homes, schools, Churches and town squares. It is good for us to remember that the first ever crib was not for decoration but rather to encourage reflection and conversion.

At the centre of every crib, no matter how big or small, are the three figures of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

At the heart of each crib is a family, the Holy Family. What does the first Christmas teach us about the family?

Jesus needed a human family. It was here that he was loved, nourished, learned, grew and experienced the Father.

Each Christmas families gather and bonds are strengthened.

Our human efforts join with God’s grace. Should not Christmas be an opportunity for reflecting, in the light of faith, on the quality of our family life?

REV BRIAN MCGHEE Director of Marriage and Family Life for the Diocese of Paisley
IT’S looking a lot like Christmas across Inverclyde as our homes light up with festive cheer and beautifully decorated trees.

However, as we prepare to celebrate another Christmas, please spare a thought for those many households struggling more than ever.

There is a cost of living crisis sweeping the UK. Our economy has not grown at the speed we need. Our businesses have struggled to survive, as we all continue to feel the effects of the policies introduced by out of touch governments in both Holyrood and Westminster.

This Christmas, perhaps more than ever before, should be a time of personal reflect and thanks for what we and our families have.

The festive period will be extremely difficult for many in Inverclyde and we must think about those facing hardship or loneliness.

Many will make a choice between eating and heating their homes this winter as energy prices continue to rise.

However, I know the tremendous community spirit which exists in Inverclyde will once again reach out to those less fortunate.

We must also thank the army of emergency services and council workers who will be working throughout Christmas to keep our communities safe and our roads clear.

Your commitment and dedication is appreciated all year round but is especially valued at Christmas.

From my family to yours, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

IAIN MCKENZIE MP
IT takes quite a lot to stop the trains, close the shops and cancel the papers- yet that is what happens at Christmas!

For many of us this is just tradition or a convenient opportunity for a break.

It should however make us stop to ask the question; why does the birth of a baby two thousand years ago have such significance?

Indeed the influence of that child goes much further because we measure our years from his birth.

Christians believe that the significance of Jesus is that he came to be the Saviour of the world!

When the angels told the shepherds of his birth they said that a Saviour had been born and we believe that he came to save us not from our enemies or from the reality of life but from our sin and so reconcile us, through faith, to a Holy God.

For 2000 years now people have discovered that faith in Jesus is able to do that.

The shepherds were working when they heard the good news! Whether we are working or enjoying a break may we discover the true meaning of Christmas this year.

Merry Christmas.

KENNETH GRAY Moderator of the Church of Scotland Greenock and Paisley Presbytery
AT this time of year, we have an opportunity to reflect upon the last year whilst also looking forward to spending time with family and friends.

We look back and remember some of the events of the past year including most recently the tragedy which took place at the Clutha Bar in Glasgow. I am sure our thoughts and prayers will go out to the surviving family members at what will be a difficult time. There was also the passing of Nelson Mandela. His passing however provided an opportunity for the world to reflect upon how far South Africa has come since the end of Apartheid as well as celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela.

Closer to hand, we had the publication of the White Paper on Scottish Independence with the referendum taking place on 18th September 2014.

The country being asked - “Should Scotland be an independent country?” At the heart of this document is a transformational increase in childcare provision that would help more people into work – particularly women – and provide up to 35,000 jobs in the process. The referendum provides us all with the opportunity to make Scotland truly a better place.

The festive period is known as a time for giving and sharing and I would like to commend the efforts of everyone who will be providing comfort and support to the most vulnerable in our society this winter.

There are so many unsung heroes in our society and with the huge increase in the number of Foodbanks in the UK dealing with an ever increasing number of households including those with children, we must wonder why this can happen in a prosperous Scotland.

Finally, I would like to wish the readers of the Greenock Telegraph a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

STUART MCMILLAN MSP
I WISH you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

As I write this message, Christmas celebrations have been well and truly underway for some weeks, bringing us together at concerts, lunches, dinners and of course the pantomime.

The Christmas rush has reached its peak and we now look forward to our deserved holiday, spending time with the family, exchanging presents and spoiling the children.

However, Christmas as I describe it, won’t quite be like this for everyone.

For those living on their own, subject to welfare cuts and trapped on low pay, this will be a time of uncertainty.

While those in such a predicament will no doubt enjoy seeing the family, sharing old stories and reflecting on the good times, they may also find themselves distracted about their financial problems, thinking about the next fuel bill they have to pay off or the rent that has slipped into arrears.

As we are enjoying the Christmas time it’s important that we spare a thought for those less fortunate than ourselves who are going through difficult times, and think about how we can help them get more out of life in the future.

DUNCAN MCNEIL MSP
2013 saw the most significant change ever to the structure of policing in Scotland with the amalgamation of the eight legacy police forces into a national force.

Whilst this resulted in changes to internal police structures, I believe the public in Inverclyde noticed little difference to how policing was delivered in this area.

We have made steady progress during the year and been successful in reducing violence disorder and anti social behaviour across the communities of Inverclyde. We have done this with the support of the local community and partner agencies and I would like to record my thanks for the assistance we have received.

I would also like to take the opportunity to personally thank my own officers and support staff for their hard work and dedication to providing the best possible policing service to the people of Inverclyde. They are the people who deliver policing on a daily basis and their efforts are very much appreciated.

Over the festive period the public will see an increased police presence on the streets. My officers will be on high visibility patrols providing public reassurance. Particular emphasis will be afforded to town centre areas and known hotspots. Increased visits will be conducted to licensed premises, especially those hosting festive events.

We will continue to target your priorities to ensure Inverclyde is a safer place to live and work and be assured this will remain our primary focus into 2014.

I would like to thank you all for your support and on behalf of all my officers and members of police staff working in Inverclyde, can I wish you all a safe and happy festive season.

CHIEF INSPECTOR BOB KENNEDY, Area Commander for Inverclyde
2013 has flown in so quickly.

As we head towards the end of the year it’s a good chance to catch a breath and look back before we begin 2014.

Improving educational outcomes continues to be the top priority for the council and 2013 has been another year of progress.

Our teachers and pupils once again delivered excellent exam results and the number of young people going onto positive destinations demonstrates that Inverclyde punches way above its weight.

The enormous investment we have made in school buildings is now reaping dividends.

This year alone we had the newly opened St Columba’s High School in Gourock and the Port Glasgow Community Campus – home to St Stephen’s and Port Glasgow High School and Craigmarloch School.

These are truly fabulous facilities.

At St Columba’s it is hard to see where the former building ends and the new one begins.

The new community campus now sets the blueprint for all other shared campus school buildings. It is truly unique, there is nothing quite like it and if you get the opportunity to attend an open day event we will be holding in 2014 I would urge you to do so.

I hope the past year has been a good one for you and that 2014 holds good things for you and your loved ones.

I would like to wish each and every one of you a happy and joyful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

COUNCILLOR STEPHEN MCCABE Leader of Inverclyde Council