Latest news with #Boyack
Edinburgh Reporter
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
Celebrating the 130th anniversary at Dalry Swim Centre
Dalry Swim Centre has welcomed bathers since 1895 to its 25 yard pool and Edinburgh Leisure celebrated its 130th birthday with a party on Monday. The seven bay Italianate façade fronts the Victorian pool where generations of swimmers have learned to float and eventually swim. When the pool faced closure in 2010 more than 3,500 people signed a petition to ensure it was retained by the Boyack MSP and former councillor Donald Wilson backed the campaign to save the pool for local people. It was renovated in 2019 with new toilets and changing facilities, including disabled and family changing facilities, new tiling, flooring and a cosmetic upgrade throughout the building. Jackie Sangster of Historic Environment Scotland delivered a talk about the legacy of Edinburgh's pools many of which were built to promote cleanliness and hygiene among the working classes – not just to teach people how to swim. Staff wore Victorian costume and had invited swimmers past and present to drop by the pool. Grove Swimming Club have trained at Dalry since 1901 and Jack Walker the head coach told us why it is so special to have their base there. Artwork from Dalry Primary School is on display in the foyer. Wendy Avinou Manager of Dalry Swim Centre Wendy Avinou, Manager at Dalry Swim Centre said: 'Dalry has been at the heart of the community for decade. 'We're so lucky to have this gem of a building still in use today. Generations have learnt to swim here – grandparents, parents, and now their children. It's a living legacy.' John Duke, a regular swimmer at Dalry remembers: 'I've been swimming at Dalry since the early '90s and used to come after work at Oven Fresh, and even after moving house twice, I kept coming back. I brought my grandkids here three times a week, and I've been part of the over-60s sessions every Monday and Wednesday. 'Dalry's always had a personal feel. The staff know me, they know my medical needs – I have diabetes, and they've always looked out for me. After my first shoulder operation, I used the pool for rehab – though I could only last five minutes in the sauna before the metal in my arm started heating up. 'Some of my favourite memories are the Christmas parties for the over-60s. They'd bring out a giant inflatable dog that took up half the pool, and we'd have a laugh before heading upstairs for sandwiches and a wee drink. Billy Reid, the supervisor, even dressed up as Santa! It's not just the pool – it's the staff and other customers that make Dalry special.' Christine Baker, who is still involved with Grove Swimming Club said: ''I was seven years old in 1961 when my family moved from Fountainbridge to Caledonian Crescent. 'The flats there didn't have showers or bathrooms – just a toilet – so I was taken to Dalry for a bath. At that time, the upper gallery had individual baths, some even with showers. 'Looking back, it seemed like a very strange place. The turnstile at the entrance, the sheer size of the building, and the noise – it was all quite overwhelming. 'Later, my dad took me into the pool (my mum couldn't swim). At first, the water felt freezing. I sat on the steps at the shallow end for a while until Dad eventually persuaded me to come in. I thought I was doing quite well with my water wings – until I was told to take my feet off the bottom. 'Dalry was always a busy pool before the Royal Commonwealth Pool opened. During summer holidays, queues often stretched past the stair where we lived. Sessions were usually 40 minutes long. There were no coloured wristbands back then – just lifeguards blowing whistles and shouting at everyone to get out. Some people would try to hide in the changing cubicles so they could sneak into the next session. 'Admission cost sixpence (2½ pence) before 6pm, rising to one shilling (5 pence) afterward. You could hire towels and buy small bars of carbolic soap or sachets of shampoo. Some standout memories: 'Going up to the deep end for the first time, with the teacher holding out a pole in case you got scared. 'Learning to dive off the side and the springboard—basically just a plank of wood covered in hessian. The high diving platforms, especially the top one, which was level with the gallery. 'When I was younger, I didn't like going to the deep end when the boilers were rumbling – it made a loud, unsettling sound (though I'm not sure what the technical term was back then). 'I have many happy memories of Dalry. I joined Grove Swimming Club around 1967, and I'm still involved with the club today. We celebrate our 125th anniversary next year.' Staff from Edinburgh Leisure donned Victorian costumes Picture Chris Watt Picture Chris Watt Like this: Like Related
STV News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- STV News
MSPs call for views on new legislation for Scotland's public services
A Holyrood committee is seeking views on proposed new laws which could have a 'significant impact' on Scotland's public sector. Labour MSP Sarah Boyack has put forward a member's Bill, which if passed, would create a new duty on public bodies to promote sustainable development and wellbeing in their work. As part of this, the Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill also proposes the creation of a Future Generations Commissioner to support and oversee these efforts. In addition, the Bill also sets out definitions of sustainable development and wellbeing, and aims to embed these principles into public decision-making in Scotland. Boyack, who is stepping down from Holyrood at next year's election, has already said she hopes the legislation will encourage more joined-up thinking across public services. With MSPs on Holyrood's Social Justice and Social Security Committee due to start taking evidence on the proposals after the Parliament's summer recess, the committee urged anyone with views on the Bill to get in touch. Committee convener Collette Stevenson said: 'This Bill could have a significant impact on how decisions are made across Scotland's public sector. 'We're keen to hear what the public sector and local authorities make of the proposals, and we'd also like to hear from professionals, academics, children and young people, as well as anyone else with an interest in wellbeing and sustainable development. 'By sharing your views with us, you'll help us explore how the proposals could work in practice and what the changes could mean for Scotland's future generations.' People have until Sunday August 24 to submit their views on the Scottish Parliament's website. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- STV News
Long-serving MSP Sarah Boyack prepares to stand down
Long-serving MSP Sarah Boyack has announced she will step down from Holyrood at the election next May. Ms Boyack said it has been 'the honour of my life' to serve as an MSP, but will not stand again in 2026. She was elected in the first Scottish Parliament election in 1999 and was MSP for Edinburgh Central until 2011. Ms Boyack was MSP for the Lothian region from 2011 to 2016 and then left parliament after failing to be re-elected, but returned in 2019. The MSP, who was transport minister in Donald Dewar's first cabinet, announced her intentions in the Edinburgh Evening News on Monday. She said: 'It has been the honour of my life to serve as an MSP in the Scottish Parliament. 'I am proud of what I have achieved, both in my time in government and in my local campaigns for issues that matter to my constituents. 'It is great to see progress being made on issues such as a new Eye Pavilion for Edinburgh, funding for the King's Theatre and the Filmhouse, but not least on my Member's Bill to ensure a more sustainable future for all of Scotland. 'I will also continue to support causes close to my heart from Edinburgh's housing crisis to the battle to ensure we remain one of the cultural capitals of the world. 'Although I am not standing again, I will work tirelessly in the election to achieve a Scottish Labour victory in 2026. 'I have loved my time representing this amazing community and I hope to see Anas Sarwar as First Minister champion these causes and more to achieve a more prosperous, sustainable and just Scotland.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish Labour MSP Sarah Boyack to stand down next year
Ms Boyack then left the parliament in 2016 after failing to get re-elected. However, she returned in 2019 to take former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale's seat covering the Lothian region after she quit Holyrood. Ms Boyack is currently her party's spokesperson on net zero. READ MORE: John Swinney: Public sector status quo 'not sufficient' Unite says 1600 Scots jobs at risk if government doesn't act The MSP has said it has been the 'honour of my life' to serve as an MSP. Announcing her resignation, Ms Boyack said: 'It has been the honour of my life to serve as an MSP in the Scottish Parliament. 'I am proud of what I have achieved, both in my time in government and in my local campaigns for issues that matter to my constituents. 'I will also continue to support causes close to my heart from Edinburgh's housing crisis to the battle to ensure we remain one of the cultural capitals of the world.' There are now more than 30 MSPs currently sitting in Holyrood who have so far announced they will not stand in next year's election in May. Those not standing for the Scottish Parliament next year include former First Ministers Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon.
The National
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Labour MSP Sarah Boyack to stand down at Holyrood 2026
The MSP for Lothian was first elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999 and was a member of Donald Dewar's first cabinet. Boyack left parliament in 2016 after failing to get re-elected, but returned in 2019 as she took former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale's seat after she quit Holyrood. READ MORE: Gillian Martin clashes with BBC Scotland host over Scottish independence 'It has been the honour of my life to serve as an MSP in the Scottish Parliament,' Boyack told Holyrood. She added: 'I am proud of what I have achieved, both in my time in government and in my local campaigns for issues that matter to my constituents. 'I will also continue to support causes close to my heart, from Edinburgh's housing crisis to the battle to ensure we remain one of the cultural capitals of the world.' More than 30 MSPs have so far signalled their intention not to contest next year's election. Boyack joins her fellow Labour colleagues Alex Rowley and former leader Richard Leonard, who have announced they are not seeking reelection next year.
