The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-16016, in the name of David Torrance, on the European Showmen’s Union congress 2025. The debate will be concluded without any question being put. I ask those members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to-speak buttons.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament welcomes the European Showmen’s Union (ESU) to Edinburgh for its 43rd national congress from 21 to 23 January 2025; understands the event will bring together delegates from 17 countries to celebrate the ties between The Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain and its European counterparts to discuss current topics, such as safeguarding the industry and the preservation and promotion of European fairgrounds, and to promote friendly cooperation and international understanding; notes that the international industry meeting, which takes place every two years, is being held in Britain for the first time; further notes that the ESU was founded to promote cooperation between the member countries and to create a common voice for the fairground industry and the future of the fairgrounds as a cultural asset; understands that it is one of the oldest European professional organisations, with over 70,000 members; believes that hosting the Congress in Edinburgh will provide an excellent opportunity to showcase Scotland’s rich heritage and the history of Scotland’s showpeople communities, highlighting their contributions to European and international cultural exchanges, and commends the ESU for what it sees as its continued commitment to supporting the livelihoods of showmen and showwomen and ensuring that their voices are represented in policy discussions at all levels.
17:12
I thank my colleagues for supporting the motion to allow the debate to take place, and I thank everyone who is contributing to the debate this evening.
Before I begin, I welcome to the Scottish Parliament our distinguished guests: the newly elected president of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain, Keith Carroll; the European Showmen’s Union president, Albert Ritter; the junior vice-president of the Showmen’s Guild and vice-president of the European Showmen’s Union, Alex James Colquhoun; the general secretary of the ESU, Steve Severeyns; and the general secretary of the Showmen’s Guild, Joe Mercer. I offer a very warm welcome to you all, and to all the national representatives of the European countries who are attending tonight. I am delighted to welcome you to Scotland as you gather here for the European Showmen’s Union congress 2025.
The congress is an important event for those in the fairground and amusement park industry, offering a space for learning, discussing issues and strengthening connections across Europe. It brings together some of the most talented, hard-working and creative people and gives a voice to showmen at a European level.
Scotland is a country that understands the power of entertainment and community. From the ancient gatherings around fires to our music and our cultural celebration, the Scots have always cherished the shared experiences that bring people together. Showpeople are the custodians of that rich cultural tradition, innovators who have adapted to changing times and contributors to Scotland’s vibrant social fabric. The travelling fairs and shows that they represent are woven into the fabric of Scottish and European culture. Their work carries forward centuries-old traditions while adapting to the modern era and the changing tastes of audiences.
In Scotland, as in the rest of Europe, the shows have brought joy to villages, towns and cities, which have embraced them as part of a collective heritage. As a proud Langtonian, I have a strong affinity with the shows and the showpeople. The links market in my home town of Kirkcaldy is not only Europe’s longest street fair but the oldest in Scotland, with a history that dates back over 700 years. Originally a farmers and traders market, the links market has evolved over the centuries from amusements such as bare-knuckle fighting and rollercoasters built on platforms of old beer and lemonade crates, with showmen running cables directly into local residents’ homes and paying £1 a week for the privilege, to the wide range of fairground rides, food stalls and games that we see today. One thing has remained constant throughout this time: the market’s attraction and appeal to both locals and tourists.
When I was a boy, there was no more exciting time for me than when the trucks rolled into town, pulled on to the esplanade and started to get ready for the opening. The atmosphere and the sounds and smells instilled in me an immediate excitement and filled me with anticipation for the fun that lay ahead. Every year, for that one week in April, the esplanade became the most magical place on earth. The school bell could not ring soon enough for us. Every single day, my friends and I would race home and then race straight back out the door to soak it all in and experience the thrills once again. A fair bit of skipping school may also have taken place, but obviously I did not do that. For me, the links market perfectly showcases the enduring popularity of fairs and the unique skills and dedication of our showpeople. As I got older and had a family of my own, I saw the exact same magic and excitement reflected in my family’s eyes.
In the Kirkcaldy constituency, we also have the Burntisland shows, which arrive in May and stay until mid-August every year. Dating back to the 1500s, the shows are another much-anticipated and much-loved fixture in Fife’s calendar. They are held on Burntisland links, just yards away from the town’s award-winning beach, making them the perfect destination for a family fun day out.
The history of the European Showmen’s Union is a story of dedication, unity and pride. For centuries, travelling showmen have captivated audiences, young and old alike, with feats of daring, mechanical marvels and the joy of performance. From the medieval fairs that dotted Europe’s countryside to the grand exhibitions of the 19th and 20th centuries, showmen have long been innovators and pioneers. In the late 19th century, as industrialisation transformed Europe, travelling showmen began to organise themselves to protect their way of life and ensure the endurance of their art. It was at that time that the European Showmen’s Union was born out of a shared commitment to preserving the traditions of travelling entertainment while adapting to the demands of a rapidly changing world. It became a voice for showmen across borders, offering support, representation and advocacy.
The union’s history is filled with inspiring examples of resilience. Through wars, economic hardships and technological revolutions, showmen have remained steadfast in their mission to bring joy to people of all ages and backgrounds. When times have been tough, the community has stood together, demonstrating remarkable solidarity. The most recent example of that was during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the fairground industries faced unprecedented challenges and showmen from across Europe had to find innovative ways to sustain their businesses and communities in the toughest of times and circumstances. In 2020 alone, at least 522 established fairs and around 150 other events in Scotland were cancelled. That unprecedented halt not only affected the livelihoods of showmen but disrupted cultural traditions and community cohesion.
In 2011, the Scottish Showmen’s Guild cross-party group was established in Parliament to address the challenges faced by showpeople. Since then, it has worked hard to provide a forum for opinion and information sharing about the guild, and it has facilitated discussions on many issues with Government officials, ministers and other agencies. I currently convene the group, and I am very proud to do so.
In Scotland, our fairgrounds and travelling shows have created countless opportunities for employment and have become an integral part of our tourism sector. Their presence enriches not only our cultural life but our economic vitality. Unfortunately, however, a great number of challenges still exist for travelling showpeople. On a personal level, that can include limited access to appropriate places in which to live, limited access to services and facilities, poorer health outcomes, poorer educational achievement, and even abuse and discrimination.
At an industry level, issues include low-emission zone exemptions and regulatory and licensing challenges. The work of the cross-party group highlights the often inconsistent approach and practices of local authorities. As a consequence, work is now under way between the Showmen’s Guild, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Scottish Government to showcase best practice, aiming to achieve a fairer and more consistent approach to funfair licensing. I mention that not only because it is a valuable piece of work that I believe will make a considerable difference to the lives of showpeople, but because the approach in Fife has been hailed as best practice. The regulatory team in Fife Council, which is headed by the fabulous Gillian Love, has long been recognised by the Showmen’s Guild as a team of people who just get it and are always a pleasure to work alongside. I was delighted for Gillian and her team when that hard work was recognised with an award from the guild at its annual luncheon.
At present, we have 32 local authorities charging various amounts for licences. A freedom of information request that was submitted by the cross-party group in 2023 found that the cost of licences ranged from £21 to quite literally thousands of pounds. The length of time to process applications also varies, which often leaves showpeople very anxious and in a frustrating position. That simply cannot continue, and I, along with my fellow CPG members, will continue to do everything in our power to bring about positive change.
I say to members that the next time they hear the music of a carousel or see the twinkling lights of a fairground, they should take a moment to think about the history behind it—the creativity, determination and hard work that have gone on for centuries, and which continue to go on, to create that magic. The story of showpeople is one of creativity, perseverance and passion—it is a story that deserves our admiration and respect.
Before I finish, I express my deepest gratitude to all the showpeople for the work that they do. Their dedication, creativity and passion enrich our lives in ways that words cannot fully capture. They remind us of the joy that can be found in simple pleasures, the wonder that comes from shared experiences and the importance of preserving tradition while embracing change.
To the European Showmen’s Union, I say thank you for choosing Scotland as the host for your 2025 congress. We are honoured to have the opportunity to celebrate your achievements, learn from your experiences and work together to ensure a bright future for your industry. I hope that, during your time here, you will feel the warmth of Scottish hospitality, enjoy our rich culture and history and leave with lasting memories of your visit. [Applause.]
I say to our guests in the public gallery that you are all most welcome in the Parliament, but our rules do not permit participation in our proceedings from the gallery, be it by way of applause or any other form of participation. I thank you in advance for your co-operation.
We move to the open debate.
17:21
I thank my friend David Torrance, as convener of the Scottish Showmen’s Guild cross-party group, for bringing this important debate to the chamber. I associate myself with his comments regarding his sentiments towards, and recognition of, the Showmen’s Guild.
I am a very proud member of the Scottish Showmen’s Guild CPG. I say hello to my friends in the gallery and to the representatives from across Europe from the European Showmen’s Union. I offer my sincere apologies and, indeed, regret that I cannot join you this evening due to unforeseen circumstances. Having attended a reception for the 130th anniversary of the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain and Northern Ireland under the leadership of my colleague Richard Lyle, I know what a great celebration and party I am missing, but I will be with you all in spirit.
On that evening in 2020, I was honoured to receive honorary membership of the Scottish Showmen’s Guild—Deputy Presiding Officer, I declare that interest for the record. It has been my pleasure to work with the Showmen’s Guild and with Alex James Colquhoun on heritage funding and his ambitions to support the mental health of the guild’s members, particularly following the effects and impact of Covid, which David Torrance outlined.
Members on all sides of the chamber are, no doubt, familiar with my interest in culture and tradition and my love of our Scots language and music. I am able to embrace that love through my role as convener of the Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee. We know that Brexit has impacted on Scotland’s long-standing links with Europe, and that is why it is so important that we embrace every opportunity to reach out in friendship, trade and exchange to our counterparts across Europe. We know that tradition and heritage can be fragile and need our active protection.
The European Showmen’s Union is a European organisation that advocates for the fairground industry and its workers. It is a member of the European federation for the education of children of boatmen, showmen, circus families and professional travellers. It supports many calls to reduce bureaucracy and support fairground businesses. It advocates in the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of Europe. It looks for financial support for small and medium-sized fairground businesses, and it promotes co-operation between member countries and creates a common voice for the fairground industry. It promotes friendly co-operation and international understanding, and it safeguards the industry in promoting all European fairgrounds. We know how seriously the European Union takes culture and intangible cultural heritage.
What celebration of a town’s heritage—holidays, dance, music and language—is not supported by the showmen and showwomen of Europe? They are key to our traditional local fairs and celebrations, and they bring colour and joy to children and adults alike. Their heritage is our heritage—the heritage of Europe—and we must continue to value, support and celebrate their contributions.
To our guests in the public gallery, I say that I am so sorry that I cannot be with you today, but in two years we might join you for your next congress. For now, welcome, enjoy our hospitality and Edinburgh, and haste ye back.
17:25
I congratulate my good friend David Torrance on securing tonight’s debate. I, too, welcome all the showpeople representatives who are in the public gallery. It is fantastic to see the weight and glitter of their sparkling chains. I love the showpeople for all sorts of reasons, not least because they run family businesses—second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth-generation family businesses in many instances. They have contributed so much to public life and the entertainment of so many over a great many years.
Who does not remember, as a child, experiencing the thrill and excitement of the fair or the carnival that they went to, wherever it was? In Glasgow, it was the Kelvin hall carnival when I was young. Whether it was the big dipper, the ghost train, the waltzer or any other rides, scooping up rubber ducks or shooting at unpopular people, it was a thrill. I remember one particular occasion on the dodgems, when my mother was wearing a wig. We crashed into her and her wig went flying off her head and landed somewhere on the concourse. Nobody was very helpful in retrieving it. In fact, every time I got near it, somebody flung it further away. It was a very sad-looking wig by the end of the occasion.
We are all full of memories, are we not? Even as adults, when we pass by a funfair or carnival, nostalgia enthuses us. As David Torrance said, it is not just the sights; it is the sounds, the smells and everything that went with the occasion that we very much enjoyed.
I am very much enthused by the member’s energetic anecdotes about his experiences of attending carnivals in Glasgow. Does he agree that, in this year, which marks the 850th anniversary of Glasgow’s burgh charter, and given the heritage of the Glasgow fair, which dates back to 1190, when Bishop Jocelin first got permission from the King to host the fair, we should be putting the showmen’s traditions of Glasgow, which date back to the 12th century, at the heart of the Glasgow 850 celebrations?
I absolutely agree with that. I thought that I was old, but I did not realise that Mr Sweeney had been around in 1190—it is encouraging to know that he was there.
It is a great pleasure to see Richard Lyle, our former parliamentary colleague, sitting in the public gallery. Richard, who had a voice like a fairground attendant and was known to bark “Yes” or “No” from his party’s benches, was fundamental to ensuring that the work of the Showmen’s Guild was properly represented.
Let me sound a slightly discordant note. I think that the Parliament betrayed Scottish showpeople. Richard Lyle had a member’s bill that unfortunately fell because of Covid. That bill sought to correct the huge injustice in Scotland whereby local authorities charge variable rates, as David Torrance said, from £21 up to thousands of pounds for these family businesses to operate in our communities. Those charges are not applied in England and do not exist there—they are a purely Scottish phenomenon. In this, the week when Donald Trump has returned to the White House and signed so many executive orders, I say to the cabinet secretary that he should sign an executive order to correct that injustice. If he cannot do that, he should explain why, given that Richard Lyle’s bill fell because of a lack of time as a result of Covid, the Scottish Government has not picked up the matter to correct that injustice.
I want that injustice to be corrected and, using the vernacular of the time, I want to make showmen great again. Let us make the showmen great again and let us back them—not just by welcoming them to Scotland today, but by doing something that will help generations to come to enjoy fabulous funfairs and support a community that does so much for Scotland, such as paying taxes that send our kids to schools and all those things. Given the tradition of Scottish family businesses going back generations, let us get behind those people and correct that injustice once and for all.
17:29
I congratulate David Torrance on securing this members’ business debate, and I recognise his long-standing interest in the subject as the convener of the Scottish Showmen’s Guild cross-party group. I join members in welcoming the delegates from the European Showmen’s Union who are attending the debate and the reception today.
The European Showmen’s Union was formed in 1954 and recently celebrated its 70th anniversary, but fairgrounds and showpeople have been part of European history for far longer. In December, Belgian and French fairground culture was designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as intangible cultural heritage, in recognition of the enduring tradition of funfairs and the important role that they play in our culture and economy. I welcome the European Showmen’s Union choosing to hold its congress in the United Kingdom for the first time—specifically in Edinburgh, a city that has enjoyed fairgrounds for generations. Members may share memories of going to fairgrounds in the Meadows or Leith Links and enjoying rides and games with friends or family. More recently, they may have seen the star flyer at Edinburgh’s winter wonderland, which has become a fixture of the skyline at Christmas and scares thousands of tourists.
Scotland’s love of fairgrounds and the work of showpeople will be showcased in an upcoming BBC Scotland programme, “Showpeople: Licensed to Thrill”, which will document the unique lifestyle of showpeople and the challenges that they face to entertain the public. Many of those challenges will, I am sure, be discussed during the upcoming congress; they include repairing rides, safety and the impact of bad weather.
The culture of showpeople has endured for generations, and some families are able to trace their heritage in the industry back over hundreds of years. In recent years, showpeople across Europe have shown great resilience, whether during Covid, when restrictions either closed or greatly limited fairgrounds, or more recently, in the face of rising costs and inflation. Council licensing in Scotland also remains a challenge, as charges are inconsistent and vary hugely, which means that fairs are not as viable in certain areas. I understand that David Torrance has raised that issue previously. Nevertheless, regardless of those challenges, showpeople have continued to entertain us and to bring joy to children and families.
I again welcome the European Showmen’s Union congress to Edinburgh. The debate underlines the history of showpeople and fairgrounds and the cultural value that we place on them. I understand that the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain is seeking UNESCO recognition as representing intangible cultural heritage. I hope that it is successful in its campaign, and I wish everyone who is attending the congress a productive and pleasant time.
17:34
I am grateful for the opportunity to speak, and I thank David Torrance for securing the debate. First, I give a huge welcome to the showpeople from across Europe who have gathered in Edinburgh this week for their 43rd national congress. I am looking forward to meeting more folk individually at the reception this evening.
In previous debates on the topic, many of us have recounted—as David Torrance has done, once again, tonight—how going to the shows near our homes was an annual highlight. In my case, it was the shows at Overtoun park in Rutherglen, which sadly ended when land was taken from the park and built on. That highlights one of the problems that I know showpeople are facing in Scotland—namely, finding alternative sites both for living and for the fairs when traditional locations are lost.
I represent Glasgow Shettleston, which I understand is one of the constituencies in Scotland with the most showpeople living there.
As David Torrance mentioned, he chairs the Scottish Showmen’s Guild cross-party group, which was previously headed by Richard Lyle, the former MSP and some people’s friend—[Laughter.]—and mine. Like a lot of cross-party groups, our group does not have huge attendance by MSPs. However, I believe that the group is very important, and I attend as many meetings as I can.
For anyone who may be less familiar with cross-party groups, I note that they are forums on particular subjects in which MSPs and interested individuals and organisations from outside Parliament can meet and talk through relevant issues. At our Showmen’s Guild CPG, for example, we often discuss issues such as licences for fairs and how the cost, the amount of paperwork and the level of inflexibility can vary substantially from one local authority area to another.
We have to accept that there can also be prejudice and discrimination against showpeople. In Scotland, we believe that we are a reasonably welcoming society, both for existing minority groups and for incomers. However, we need to accept that we have not got it all right and that there is still prejudice and discrimination, which we should not accept but must challenge.
If a planning application goes in with a surname that is clearly that of a showman, we can expect a reaction in the local community. Sometimes, it is just people being thoughtless and not taking into account that different groups of people live their lives in different ways. For example, during Covid, it was decided that grants would be given to the landlord of each site, with it apparently having been forgotten that multiple families could live on the site. More recently, my office has dealt with issues that have been raised by showpeople who are finding it difficult to access the warm homes Scotland scheme.
However, there are positives along the way, too. When we attend the annual Showmen’s Guild lunch each year, one table is always filled with pupils from Thorntree primary school. The school is in Greenfield, in Ivan McKee’s constituency, which is the neighbouring constituency to mine, and pupils from the showpeople community in his constituency and mine attend that school. Over the years, the school has made a real effort to build a strong relationship with the community, and I know that that is appreciated by both sides. At this point, I will mention Maureen McKenna, who was previously the director of education in Glasgow and had a particularly strong commitment to the education of children of showpeople. In this day and age, with so much advanced technology being available, it should be perfectly possible for a child to spend part of the year in one school and other parts of the year in other schools.
In conclusion, I very much welcome the congress to Scotland. As visitors from the rest of Europe might know, there is a certain rivalry between Glasgow and Edinburgh. I accept that Edinburgh is possibly the prettier city if you just want to have your photo taken. However, Glasgow is definitely the friendlier city and is the home of many showpeople, so I hope that at least some of those who are attending the congress will be able to come and visit us, just about 70km along the road.
17:38
I am glad that I do not have to choose between Glasgow and Edinburgh in that debate. I am thankful that I represent Central Scotland, which means that I am bang in the middle and get to go to both cities with ease.
I congratulate David Torrance on securing cross-party support for the debate, and I give a huge welcome to our showpeople in the public gallery, who are here not only to listen to our debate but to attend the event that will take place thereafter.
It has been said in many contributions this evening that the funfair culture is important in Scotland and across the United Kingdom, and members have shared stories of their childhood memories of visiting funfairs. For me, the memories are of the Bellshill street fair, which took place every year on the last weekend in May. It was amazing. I have a brief memory, from when I was seven or eight years old, of the dodgems, the waltzers, the helter-skelter and the Ferris wheel. All those things were contained in one big street in Bellshill, and it was amazing to be there and take part in all the different attractions.
John Mason made an important point just moments ago. Like many funfairs, including the one in his constituency, the annual Bellshill street fair was cancelled back in 2018. That was a result of various issues, one of which was that the funfair itself did not have sufficient means to carry on, and the committee was falling apart. There were also issues in relation to licensing laws. There was talk at one point of a rethink about bringing back the Bellshill street fair—about how to modernise it and about all the issues that meant that it might not take place. However, to my knowledge, there has been no real discussion since. That is a real shame, because I know many people from the Bellshill area who think fondly of their time visiting the Bellshill street fair.
We seem to be seeing an unnecessary decline in street fairs and travelling fairs—there is a risk of their disappearing entirely, which is why I was pleased to find out that the European Showmen’s Union congress was coming to Edinburgh. It is an opportunity for showmen and showwomen to discuss matters relating to the industry and the importance of preserving its culture. Their resilience and perseverance are important and are integral to the continuation of funfairs and attractions in Scotland.
One of the options to save the many events, funfairs and attractions that we see throughout the year has already been explored this evening, with Jackson Carlaw and others mentioning the bill that was introduced in Parliament by former MSP Richard Lyle—who, I believe, is in the gallery this evening. He rightly stated that travelling entertainers are given very little in the way of licensing leeway. They face overly burdensome and inconsistent application processes that differ from council to council. To put it simply, there is a complete imbalance between councils and those businesses.
Licensing systems appear to work against showpeople at every turn. They are overly complex, tedious and unreliable. Because showpeople spend a lot of time moving around the country, it is difficult for them to pin down local elected members to raise issues with councils to get them rectified. Had Mr Lyle’s bill been successful, councils would have had to grant a licence within 21 days if an operator met certain application requirements. If the council did not respond within those 21 days, the licence would be granted automatically. Crucially, the application fee across the board would have been a grand total of £50. That would have been a fairer way of allowing fairs and attractions to take place across the country.
I appreciate that time is running out in the current parliamentary session—as is my time to speak this evening. However, the question needs to be asked whether, come the next parliamentary session, an MSP will pick up such a bill to try to make the system fairer. I think that it would get cross-party support, as it did the last time around.
There is more to do to support our showpeople in Scotland, but I am delighted to have been able to speak in this debate. I genuinely hope that the problems that we have raised can be rectified and that we can get a response from the cabinet secretary.
17:43
I congratulate the member on securing the debate and I welcome members of the congress. I had better mention Richard Lyle or I will never live it down.
I want to make a brief contribution. Fairgrounds and shows are an important part of our agricultural shows, with their shiny new tractors, the powder-puffed sheep, the geese that have been marching against each other, the food stalls, the charity stalls and even the political stalls. Above all that, there is the noise and music and the familiar tunes of the fairgrounds—the happy homes of shows at the Border union in Kelso, at Peebles and at Penicuik, in the park. There is the timeless scream of the children who cannot make up their minds whether they are frightened or having a good time on some of the very scary rides and the dodgems. I wish them all well because of the atmosphere that they bring to agricultural shows, which nobody else has mentioned. I do not pitch Edinburgh against Glasgow; that is a waste of time—it is the Borders first.
Getting back to the issue, I have two confessions to make about the fairgrounds. First, I just cannae eat candy floss. It does not matter how it comes, I just cannae eat it, try as I will. Secondly, fairgrounds have given me, as a granny, the opportunity to indulge in things that I find very scary—although sometimes I am commanded to do so by my grandchildren. They do not find them scary, but they put the fear of God into this politician, and not many people can do that.
I thank the showpeople again for the great atmosphere that they bring to agricultural shows. I apologise for not being able to come to the reception later. Strangely enough, I am chairing something to do with salmon farming, which shows the diversity in the Parliament. I cannot see how I can put the two things together.
I say to the showpeople, “Keep it up”, because without fairgrounds our agricultural shows would be very dull places indeed.
17:45
I thank David Torrance for providing the opportunity to welcome the European Showmen’s Union to Scotland for this year’s congress and to thank it personally for choosing to meet in my Edinburgh Central constituency—it is very welcome.
As we have heard, we all have fond memories of going to the fair, or the shows, with our families and friends when we were young—or, indeed, not so young. That is a testament to how travelling shows and fairs have consistently, throughout the years, brought people together to have fun and share enjoyable experiences.
We acknowledge the strong and valuable tradition of family and community—we have heard about the importance of family during the debate—that showpeople foster and the great contribution that they make to local economies and the wellbeing of people in the areas to which they travel. That has been echoed by members across the chamber. For the benefit of our visitors today, I say that it is not often that we agree across all the parties in the Parliament, and it is good that our visitors have been able to hear that today.
To start off, I have a confession to make to David Torrance. My first memory of attending a show was one in Burntisland, in his constituency, and it remains with me to this day. I was able to experience that joy again over the Christmas break with my five-year-old and three-year-old daughters—I am a late father. They loved going to the funfair rides in central Edinburgh. I have to confess that it became quite expensive by the end of the visit, but that speaks to the impact that funfairs have on us all. I thank the showmen and their colleagues for all the events that we have attended over the years.
I commend David Torrance for his work on the cross-party group. As John Mason mentioned, the cross-party groups are very important. David Torrance has established, through his good offices, a working relationship among the guild, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Scottish Government on a variety of issues. Points have been raised about local government charging, which I will come to in a second. No doubt, progress can be made there, and I would be very supportive of that.
We also heard from Clare Adamson, another member of the cross-party group as well as the convener of the parliamentary committee that covers culture and external affairs, which are in my area of governmental responsibility. Quite rightly, she stressed the connections with and traditions of European showmen. It is nice to see friends from across Europe coming to Scotland, a country that is, of course, also European.
When Jackson Carlaw spoke of his amusing memories, I was struck by the notion of him arriving here with a big red baseball cap saying “Make Showmen Great Again”. I look forward to seeing that. I am also interested in his notion that I should adopt the practices of the new President of the United States of America by simply signing executive orders. That is not the way that we do things here, but, having said that, there are ways to fix problems. We are often told by colleagues across the Parliament that we must respect local democracy, but maybe there is more that we can do in conjunction with local authority colleagues to ensure consistency across local authorities in Scotland.
Paul Sweeney could not miss the opportunity to underline Glasgow’s pedigree, reminding our friends from Europe that we might be a small country but, boy, do we have a rivalry between our two biggest cities. It was worth putting on the record Glasgow’s pedigree in this important year for the city.
Foysol Choudhury, John Mason, Meghan Gallacher and Christine Grahame all underlined the main point that we are in agreement across the parties about the importance of what we have been discussing today. Richard Lyle did not take part in the debate, as he is no longer an MSP, but it is great to see him and to put on the record the Scottish Government’s appreciation for all the work that he did as an MSP and that he continues to do today.
I will take this opportunity to briefly reflect on, celebrate and welcome the notion of different cultures, which ran through the debate. The Scottish Government is committed to improving circumstances for people who travel as part of their occupation, lifestyle and culture. Scotland should be welcoming and inclusive to all people who live, work and visit here, and we are determined to play our part in building a better and fairer world.
Looking further afield from Scotland, I will reflect on the work of the European Showmen’s Union. As members have been made aware, it has been built on solid traditions since it was founded, in 1954, and the fact that it is holding its 43rd national congress demonstrates the legacy and resilience of the showpeople community. The union is one of the oldest European professional organisations, and I recognise the rich cultural heritage that showpeople have brought to societies across Europe. That heritage is rooted in centuries of tradition, with showpeople having contributed significantly to the historical landscape of entertainment during that time.
That is why I am pleased to welcome the European Showmen’s Union to Edinburgh this year for its first international meeting in this country. That provides the opportunity not only to showcase some of our rich heritage but to spotlight the contribution that Scotland’s showpeople community has made locally and internationally. We must continue to support showpeople communities as they build on the cultural traditions of bringing entertainment and other services to rural, coastal and urban communities across Scotland.
Foysol Choudhury underlined the point about intangible cultural heritage, and the Scottish Showmen’s Guild understandably has a strong interest in that issue, which I welcome. There is incredible potential from the inclusivity that intangible cultural heritage provides. By valuing one another’s traditions, cultures, stories and songs, we all have much to gain. We can also benefit from the international nature of intangible cultural heritage and the prospects that it highlights for Scotland on the world stage, so it is important that Scotland joins global networks to promote and safeguard local cultural practices. That is why the Government remains committed to supporting our communities in ensuring that intangible cultural heritage is accessible to everyone across Scotland.
Following the United Kingdom Government’s ratification, finally, of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, work is being undertaken to plan for a new Scottish inventory, which will sit alongside the new lists for Northern Ireland, Wales and England to form a wider UK database of intangible cultural heritage. I look forward to continuing work with the UK Government and other devolved nations to ensure that the importance of intangible cultural heritage is recognised, cherished and allowed to flourish.
Again, I thank David Torrance for securing the debate and other members for their support in ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for showmanship. I thank the Scottish Showmen’s Guild for its dedicated approach and commitment to supporting its members in ensuring that travelling shows continue to provide entertainment across Scotland and that they are run safely for workers and visitors alike. I also thank the members of the European Showmen’s Union who are in the public gallery. I hope that they will continue to make significant contributions to their and our societies for generations to come, and I wish them all a successful congress and an enjoyable time in Edinburgh. Haste ye back.
Meeting closed at 17:53.Air ais
Decision Time