Volunteers needed for snow-clearing initiative
Carnoustie Community Council has teamed-up with Angus Volunteer Centre to launch a new initiative aimed at helping local residents deal with severe weather episodes as we move into 2012. The initiative, launched last week at Parkview Health Centre in the Barry Road, aims to tackle some of the problems experienced last year following horrendous snow storms. The main thrust of the project, fully endorsed by Angus Council, involves recruiting a band of volunteers who are willing, for example, to clear falls of snow from a section of footpath close to their home. It is hoped that the initiative will help all members of the community deal with severe weather but in particular vulnerable or isolated groups who find it hard to cope with snowy conditions.
Community Councillor Bill Bowles explains, “If we have a snowfall like we had last year, it is far easier to clear the snow soon after rather than leave it to the council who have to concentrate on their priority routes.
“By the time they got round to the minor streets the snow was compacted and frozen and took an age to thaw.
“What we want to do is ask for volunteers who would be able to clear an area of their own street. Even if it is one side of the pavement then it would make life easier for our townsfolk.
“We will provide snow shovels and other equipment for the Carnoustie heroes to use in the snow clearing.”
Carol Torrance of Angus Volunteer Centre said, “It is brilliant to do this work in partnership with the Carnoustie Community Council and although we as a Volunteer Centre will be carrying out work in other areas, it is their leadership and mobilisation of local residents that has made this possible.
“We are delighted to support them in this work and this is an excellent model of where community, third sector and statutory services work together for the benefit of all. It is also good to see the involvement of the local medical practice and the Carnoustie Community Helpline in this project.”
