Post Office at heart of communities

GIVEN that many of us have sent – or are about to send – our Christmas cards, it was highly relevant that in Parliament we have held a debate about the threat of closures faced by rural post offices.

If any more closures were to take place it would be a further body blow to local communities across Scotland. Given that almost a fifth of Scots living in the countryside are more than three miles from a post office – nearly four times as many as the Royal Mail's national target – it would be a national shame if this figure were to rise.

During the debate I highlighted that, in common with other parts of Scotland, the number of key facilities (shops, post offices, primary schools, petrol stations and doctors' surgeries) in rural areas has fallen by 35% since 1981. So we must do all that we can to ensure that our communities' post offices are safeguarded.

Rural post offices are a vital backbone of our local communities, and they are often the last shop that is open in many small villages throughout Scotland.

The proposed removal in 18 months' time of the rural subsidy that is paid to our post offices by the United Kingdom Department of Trade and Industry might be one of the most significant issues that currently affects rural Scotland. That is why it was important that MSPs through the debate made their views known so that we could bring pressure to bear on Westminster.

We all know that in Banff and Buchan we have vibrant local communities.

In fact, we have 32 community council areas in the constituency, and as I pointed out in my last column, our communities won the Calor Scottish community of the year award twice in the past five years. There is a huge sense of community spirit in the area, and I believe that post offices can further foster these strong ties.

During my annual summer surgery tour, I dropped in on the local post office at Whitehills to talk to Annette Addison, who is the postmistress there. In a community of 1,000, she gathered 900 signatures in an attempt to save the Post Office card account, which graphically indicates the value that the community of Whitehills places on the post office and the services that it delivers.

Drink-drivers beware

AT THIS time of year we all like to celebrate the festive period, and many people will no doubt partake in a drink or two.

However, when anyone drinks, they also have a responsibility to ensure that their actions do not have shattering consequences.

Let us not forget road deaths in the Grampian area have already tragically surpassed the 50 mark. We should remember that each statistic equals a lost life, which has turned upside down the lives of 50 families and placed them in turmoil.

Drink impairs people's reaction times and their judgment on the road.

I am pleased to hear that Grampian Police will be actively watching for the tell-tell signs of drunk drivers. The fact that the police will be out in force during the festive period should both put fear into those people that would risk drink driving; and reassure the rest of society that these people will get caught.

In fact, there have been 770 allegations of drink-driving reported in Grampian between January and November already.

When driving, if you add alcohol into the mix, you are not only gambling with your own life but with the lives of others. The message which the police are sending out is one which I firmly endorse, and that message is a simple one – don't drink and drive.

When going out to enjoy the festivities, please think ahead and have a plan for how to get home. There are various options available to people, such as using public transport, a taxi, or be in the company of a non-drinking driver.

Please remember to be safe and sensible when enjoying the festivities.

Battling Villagers Rewarded For Efforts

THIS week I had the pleasure of congratulating community activists in New Deer as they won the Calor Scottish Community of the Year Award, when I attended the ceremony which was held in Edinburgh.

I am absolutely delighted for the village and for the people who helped bring this honour to Buchan.

I believe one of the main reasons it was won has been the positive and battling spirit displayed by the village when it was faced with losing its only bank.

It is quite unprecedented for a community faced with this situation to take the campaign to other financial institutions and manage to attract a new bank to set up in the village.

There are many other facets of village life which make New Deer such a great place, but this campaign was absolutely key and I am thrilled for the campaigners that their hard work has been recognised in this way.

I hope that other villages and communities from Banff and Buchan will be following in New Deer's footsteps by challenging for next year's award.

These awards highlight the benefits of village life and shows that there is such as thing as society.

I am never surprised when the Banff and Buchan character is recognised, because having encountered and sampled the hospitality and friendship of the people of the area I know that others too would appreciate it. This is another selling point that some people might say is unique to the North-east.

And, I must say, I am proud and honoured to be representing the people of Banff and Buchan.

Smoking change in the air

AN EXPERT group on smoking prevention has published its recommendations, and, as a result, the Health Minister agreed to change the law by raising the legal age for buying cigarettes.

This step may be introduced by the first anniversary of the smoking ban, which so far has proved a success, as the vast majority of Scotland's citizens have observed the ban.

The response from those people who have worked in places where smoking was rife have stated that they feel the health benefits, so I welcome the fact that there will be legislation to raise the age of buying cigarettes from 16 to 18.

We must remind ourselves of the stark facts associated with smoking. About 12 times more people in the UK have died from smoking than were killed during World War II.

And the population of Scotland – 5 million people – died from smoking-related diseases across the world in 2000.

In Scotland, tobacco use kills 13,000 people in every year, and this makes it one of Scotland's greatest public health challenges.

When it comes to the youth of Scotland, the more barriers we can put up to stop them entering a lifelong habit of smoking must be acted upon.

Five per cent of boys and 7% of girls are regular smokers at the age of 13. This rose to 14% and 24% by the age of 15.

This highlights the need for a change of thought and, if the new law is passed, I hope that it is just as successful as the smoking ban.

It's time that Scotland kicked its sick-man of Europe tag into touch.