Parliamentary News Release
040/2004
10 August 2004
PARLIAMENT UNVEILS CHANCE TO BE PART OF HISTORY
Members of the public are being invited to apply for the chance to be part of the celebrations surrounding the opening of the new Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood in October.
A public ballot will decide who gets the chance to join the 600 invited guests at one of the formal ceremonies on Saturday 9 October.
In 1999, no members of the public were able to witness the ceremonies from inside the Parliament. This time, a total of 48 places are available, 32 in the historic Parliament Hall in Edinburgh’s Old Town and 16 in the gallery at the new Debating Chamber.
Applications should be made by letter only and are limited to a maximum of two places per application.
Background on the Opening Day:
The day will consist of three main phases:
- A Ceremonial event in Parliament Hall, the seat of the first Scottish Parliament.
- A “riding” down the Royal Mile to Holyrood which will include schoolchildren, community groups and representatives of civic society from every constituency in Scotland as well as MSPs.
- The formal Opening Ceremony of the Holyrood Parliament building by Her Majesty The Queen.
The Presiding Officer will host a reception in the Parliament for all who have participated in the day, in the attendance of Her Majesty The Queen and his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.
Approximately 1,000 people will take part in the day:
- 100 ‘members of the public’ (such as winners of our postcard competition, people selected by public ballot etc)
- 130 representatives from ‘public’ bodies – like teachers and pupils from schools and Universities, Religious Leaders, 32 Local Authority reps etc
- 330 representatives of civic Scotland – such as local charities etc – and MSPs’ local heroes.
- MSPs and their chosen guest (260)
- 100 Parliamentary figures – from home and abroad, including Speakers of European Parliaments etc.
- 100 specially invited guests. This will include the architects, news paper Editors etc.
Details for applying:
Because the successful applicants will be in the presence of Her Majesty, additional security checks are required. Therefore, applicants are asked to provide the following:
Full name plus maiden names or any previous names used.
Full date of birth e.g. 22.04.66
Full address plus postcode
Previous addresses for the past five years
Daytime contact telephone number
Applications should be by post only (no phone calls or emails) and are limited to 2 places per application.
All applications must be received by 12 noon on 6th September.
Only successful applicants will be notified. They will hear from the Parliament during the week beginning 6 September.
Transport within Scotland can be arranged.
The address to send applications to is:
Opening Ceremony Ballot
Participation Services
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
All applications must be received by 12 noon on 6 September.
The contact for members of the media is:
Sally Coyne Tel: 0131 348 6610
RNID Type Talkcalls welcome
email: sally.coyne@scottish.parliament.uk
For public information enquiries, contact: 0131 34 85000
For general enquiries, contact: 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
Text phone: 0131 348 3415 RNID Typetalk calls welcome on 018001
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk
Visit our website at: www.scottish.parliament.uk