Report to the People
28th November 2005

Making the Difference  

The recent row about whether St. Andrew’s Day should be a public holiday has, if nothing else, reminded us when it is.  (Wednesday, now that you ask.)

Personally, I don’t see the point in a public holiday at the end of November.  The weather’s miserable and the impending festive season leaves your pockets bereft of funds, so what would you do with it?  Housework? 

And who would get this holiday?  If you work in, say, a shop, hospital, restaurant, pub or club, are you off on public holidays?  Didn’t think so.  No, it would only be yet another holiday for politicians and civil servants.

Anyway, why should we have to set aside a day to celebrate what’s good about Scotland?  I say we should recognise and celebrate Scots’ achievements as a matter of course - as was done at Bute House last week, when Education Minister, Peter Peacock, honoured the dedicated staff in Inverclyde schools.

Greenock High’s Anne Hewitt and St Kenneth's Primary’s Kathleen McGuire, both of whom have made an outstanding contribution to the pupils, schools and communities they serve, represented Inverclyde at the reception, which was held at the First Minister’s official Edinburgh residence to acknowledge the work done by the thousands who work in education.

At a time when the fashionable view is that everyone is only out for themselves, celebrations like this remind us that there are many who don’t just want to make money, they want to make a difference too.

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