Hugh Henry MSP for Renfrewshire South: Mary Barbour

18 Sept 2015

Mary Barbour

I am delighted that progress is being made to fund a lasting tribute to Mary Barbour in Kilbarchan where she was born in 1875 before moving to Elderslie and then on to Govan in her adult years. Johnstone and The Villages Local Area Committee has proposed that an award of £6000 from the Renfrewshire Citizens Fund be made to support different forms of tribute and commemoration in Kilbarchan including a cairn to be built in New Street close to the spot where she was born. Mary was a crusader of her time and it’s right that we remember her. Local Labour councillor Derek Bibby has been at the forefront of this campaign to recognise Mary Barbour and if you have any memorabilia such as press cuttings, artefacts and recollections of Mary’s family, he would love you to get in touch by emailing cllr.derek.bibby@renfrewshire.gov.uk

About Hugh

Hugh Henry is a Scottish Labour politician first elected a Member of the Scottish Parliament in1999 when he represented Paisley South. He was appointed Deputy Minister for Health and Community in 2001and moved to Deputy Minister for Social Justice in 2002. He became Deputy Minister for Justice after the Scottish Parliamentary Elections in 2003 and Minister for Education in 2006. Hugh collected the Scottish Politician of the Year award in 2010 and won the newly created Renfrewshire South seat in 2011. He was raised in Erskine, Renfrewshire and educated at St Mirin's Academy, Paisley, at the University of Glasgow and Jordanhill College in Glasgow. He has worked as an accountant, a teacher and as a welfare rights officer. He was a local councillor from 1984 until 1999, including four years as leader of Renfrewshire Council. He is married with two daughters and a son.