POLWARTH PARISH CHURCH

That this House congratulates Polwarth Parish Church of Scotland in Edinburgh on opening a beautiful peace garden in its grounds on the banks of the Union canal dedicated to brave nurses and others who evacuated wounded military personnel on barges along canals in Belgium and France during the First World War; recognises the efforts of Professor Yvonne McEwen, director of Scotland’s War 1914-1919, and volunteers who turned a dream into reality; acknowledges that Polwarth Parish Church, known as the Kirk on the Canal, has entered into a partnership with the People Know How charity to raise money to purchase a barge, which will be moored at a pontoon outside the church and used for spiritual and educational pursuits; wishes the church and charity well with the All Aboard fundraising initiative, which will contribute to the ongoing regeneration of the canal as an cultural asset for Edinburgh, bring people from all walks of life together and enable People Know How to enhance the support that they offer to children and young people; and praises the work of Reverend Jack Holt and his dedicated team.