FOLLOWING Plockton’s National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music’s move towards the establishment of a new arms length charitable trust to raise funds, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Dave Thompson has submitted a motion to the Scottish Parliament calling for congratulations for the centre’s new vision.
The centre, whose future was threatened a year ago when The Highland Council decided to withdraw funding, now intends to create the arms length charitable trust to help fund its future and has also established a formal relationship with West Highland College UHI to allow it to increase training opportunities for adult students.
Mr Thompson, who was involved in discussions with Education Secretary Michael Russell about an emergency package to keep the school open following the withdrawal of local authority funds, was delighted to hear of the new arrangement.
“It is astonishing to think about the predicament this internationally-renowned music centre faced just a year ago,” said Mr Thompson.
“Fortunately we were able to rally support from the Scottish Government and, following Mike Russell’s intervention, the centre is taking positive steps to ensure a secure future, as is fitting for such an acclaimed centre for the country’s distinct heritage and culture.
“Recent developments have helped to further secure its survival and I felt it fitting that this should be welcomed, promoted and marked in the Scottish Parliament.
“I have done this in the hope that this additional step will help the centre’s management in their efforts to raise the finance needed to further expand their offering for the next generation to carry Scotland’s culture out into the world.
Note:
Mr Thompson’s motion to the Scottish Parliament:
Date of Lodging: 19 January 2012
Short Title: Congratulations to Plockton's National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music:
That the Parliament congratulates the Plockton-based National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music on its proposed establishment of an arms length charitable trust and its formal link-up with West Highland College UHI in Fort William, which, it understands, enables it to expand the educational opportunities that it offers to adults; welcomes the centre's initial ambition to raise funds of £30,000 rising to £50,000 in the medium term, and considers that, as well as consolidating its future, this new status creates the prospect for the centre to have an opportunity for greater development, more scholarships and international development.
< Prev | Next > |
---|
This website was established while I was a Member of the Scottish Parliament.
Promoted and published by Ian Anderson on behalf of Dave Thompson, both at Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch SNP, Thorfin House,
Bridgend Business Park, Dingwall IV15 9SL. Website designed and hosted by Craig Mackay Design