In his latest Post column, Provost Douglas McAllister shares his thoughts on a busy November and the festivities on their way next month...
 

As Provost of West Dunbartonshire, it is my great privilege to attend many civic and community events across West Dunbartonshire as November proved to be a hectic time.

The month started with many of us enjoying a quite stunning performance of The Wizz by the highly talented Clydebank Musical Society Junior section. We are so fortunate to have such an incredible group in West Dunbartonshire providing our young people with the opportunity to perform the arts to such a high standard and I congratulate them on a hugely successful show.

On Remembrance Sunday, 1000s of our local residents attended the many services across Dumbarton, The Vale and Clydebank.

It was tremendous to see so many, young and old, turn out and join together to honour and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and I wish to thank everyone involved.

We also celebrated our local community champions at our annual Provost Civic Awards.

My congratulations to all our nominees and winners across the various categories.

Our overall winner and citizens of the year are Dumbarton-based Mentor Scotland, a support group offering peer-to-peer support and help to those struggling with mental health and tackling the stigma associated with it.

Founded by local resident Jamie Maclean back in 2022, they now support people all over West Dunbartonshire providing life-changing and sometimes life-saving help.

They are incredibly well deserving of their award and recognition.

It was also my great pleasure to attend the 130th celebrations of the Clydebank Salvation Army, which helps the most vulnerable and marginalised members of our community across West Dunbartonshire.

December and Christmas are fast approaching and I am now looking forward to attending as many of our community Christmas events as possible.

We are blessed with so many wonderful local churches and organisations across West Dunbartonshire and they will be busy arranging events which will help support some of our vital local charities this Christmas.

Please try to support them and attend your local festive occasions.

I also extend an invitation to everyone across West Dunbartonshire to our annual Christmas Carol Concert organised by Churches Together and supported by the wonderful Salvation Army Band playing everyone’s favourite carols, with traditional Christmas hospitality at the conclusion.

This is a free event at Clydebank Town Hall at 3pm on Sunday, December 10. Please come along and join me.