Read Bill Grant's colum here: 

UNSEASONABLY cold, wet and windy weather is disappointing so late in May, when fetes and gala days start featuring in the calendar.

I dropped by the New Cumnock Show at Laight Farm, optimistic farmers were still busy setting up when I arrived. I remained hopeful of a good turn-out later in the day despite the weather.

Then, although outwith my constituency, given my fascination with the works of our National Bard, Robert Burns, I headed off to experience the Holy Fair at Mauchline which was truly ‘going like a fair’!

Thereafter, I headed back into the constituency to attend the Kirkmichael Gala Day. Well done to all the road race participants and organisers, another well supported event.

Continuing with the Robert Burns theme, I spent a couple of days in Dumfries with my wife Agnes.

It was interesting to see how the fortunes of that town compared to those making up my constituency of Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock.

With tickets now on sale to the public for the Cumnock Tryst, I have been pro-active and purchased mine.

From the programme it appears that this year will be another special festival, celebrating Sir James McMillan’s 60th birthday and his lifetime of creativity.

Having enjoyed the recent Boswell Book Festival, it was also great to note that ‘The Cumnock Hour’ collaboration between the two festivals features again.

Back down at Westminster, despite the state of flux occasioned by Brexit and leadership challenges/ change, I was pleased to find time to meet up with representatives from Ochiltree Primary School.

Teachers and pupils who on their trip to London were including in their itinerary an educational visit and tour of the Houses of Parliament.

The regular Science and Technology Committee and the usual round of all party parliamentary groups were added to by my allocation to the National Insurance Contributions Bill Committee.

In the main chamber, I spoke at the Acquired Brain Injury Debate.

Whilst in Westminster Hall, I spoke in the Protecting Nesting Sites for Birds Debate, and I led a debate on Arthritis and Employment, having met with the charity Versus Arthritis.