MEP Hudghton visits equestrian publishers in Letham
SNP Candidate for Angus South, Graeme Dey, and Angus-based MEP Ian Hudghton today [Tuesday] visited Hillaine Publishing in Letham, home to the successful national equine titles Scottish & Northern Equestrian and The Native Pony.
Mr Dey and Mr Hudghton met with Director Susan Cox and the staff to have a tour of their HQ and to discuss the challenges facing newspapers and magazine titles in the current economic climate. Issues also raised were how best to support small businesses, and how to increase wider knowledge of equine sports and how to raise awareness of road safety for vehicles on country roads where frequented by horses and their riders.
Mr Dey commented afterwards –
’Although not having as full a knowledge of equine sports as I would like, my background of thirty years in journalism means I know full well the challenges which face newspapers and magazines, and when it comes to locally-based publishers such as Hillaine we must ensure they are fully supported.
’Angus is a rural area with a vibrant business community of which publishing firms like Hillaine play a significant role. The success of Scottish & Northern Equestrian and its sister magazines is testament to the hard work which gets put in by Susan and the dedicated team of staff. In financial times when so many newspapers and magazines are struggling to get by, Hillaine’s success is all the more impressive.
’In Angus we have a great deal to offer as a venue for equine sports and leisure activities, and we should utilise our natural advantages as best we can. In rural areas such as ours the need for getting our children active in early life should mean that we use our countryside to its fullest extent, and with our reputation as a great location for equine sports, that should also be part of the picture.
’I am sure Hillaine will go from strength to strength on the basis of the quality of their magazines and the dedicated readership. It is great to see another successful Angus business ensuring we also have an excellent reputation in publishing. I will certainly be pursuing the issues which were raised to ensure our substantial equine industry in Angus is represented as best it can be.’
Ian Hudghton MEP added –
’As a horse-owner myself I am keenly aware of the challenges facing the equine industry, and how in Scotland we benefit from having such wonderful natural advantages in our countryside, which is reflected in Angus.
’Susan and her staff run an impressive operation and are clearly in tune with people involved in the equine industry. They obviously know the industry inside-out and it is excellent to have such expertees based here in my home county.
’Many of the challenges facing people who ride and work with horses have local aspects, but there are also elements which on a national level need to be looked at. The safety of horses and riders on roads is an issue close to my heart and there needs to be some kind of awareness-raising to stop drivers behaving irresponsibly when on country roads in use by horses.
’Creating the right environment for businesses to succeed is vital and only SNP parliamentarians are committed to making this happen. With another SNP Government in place committed to our rural communities it means enterprising local firms will be better supported, and this means prominent magazines such as Scottish & Northern Equestrian will continue to be one of Angus’ success stories.’
