More balloons

A busy but good day. Lots done and meetings held then off, late, to Newton Mearns for an evening celebration to mark volunteering in East Renfrewshire.

It was my first time driving the route since the major roadworks have been completed and I must say it flowed very well. Leaving the office at the West of Edinburgh just after 5, an hour and a quarter later - observing the speed limits - I was there.

A great evening with the balloons in the colours of East Renfrewshire Council who were kindly supporting the event. Lots of recognition of new panel members, those reaching 6, 7, 11, 20, 21 years of volunteer service.

We recently calculated that all the volunteers in the system last year contributed over 360,000 hours towards helping take decidions on Scotland's most vulnerable children, through training, preparation and sitting on hearings. A massive community contribution to helping children and young people develop their lives.

The blip is of Ken McKinlay - the volunteer Area Convener who manages the system locally with the support of other volunteers and one or two Council staff, passing on his words of wisdom!

So, good to catch up and chat as well as celebrate their contribution. The road back too was easy so home by 11.