Carnoustie Community Council got together this week with local newsagents and Tayside Police to hand over a batch of reflective vests for the use of local paper boys and girls.

 The unofficial ‘ceremony’ held at McConnell gardens in the High Street was attended by Ed Oswald, Kirsty MacDonald and Sue McMahon from the Community Council, local newsagents Iain MacDougal and Tahir Zainnab, community policeman Constable Mark Callison and vest sponsors Shaggy Dog Designs.

Ed Oswald explained, “The community council did something similar about 10 years ago, and the matter was again debated quite recently.

“Several members felt that the paper boys and girls could not be properly seen during the early evening and early morning when it is dark at this time of year.

“We were fortunate to get sponsorship from Shaggy Dog Design so decided to go ahead and order the vests. We at the community council are delighted at being able to help keep the youngsters safe.”

Constable Callison commented: “This commendable initiative will undoubtedly contribute to the safety of those involved in the delivery of newspapers within this area.

“The importance of being visible whilst on or near roads cannot be stressed highly enough. All cyclists should be aware of the legal requirements to have lights to the front and rear whilst cycling on public roads during the hours of darkness. A rear reflector is also required by law.”

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.”

If anyone is interested in volunteering for some snow shovelling – please get in touch. You can phone:

Bill Bowles on 07932749463 or Ed Oswald on 01241 859876

or you can mail Ed at eandhoswald@tiscali.co.uk

or the community council at carnoustie@carnoustiecommunitycouncil.org

The organisers of next year’s Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations came along to Carnoustie Community Council this week to update members on arrangements for the event. Robina Addison of the Gordon School of Dancing and Norman Fiddes of Pipemarch Limited, outlined proposals for the day of events which will be held at Glamis Castle on May 20^th next year. Many Carnoustie folk will have taken part in the Silver Jubilee celebrations 10 years ago, but this event promises to be even bigger and better!  Each of the seven Angus burghs is to be allocated a large marquee in the tented village within Glamis grounds, which will accommodate a range of groups, organisations or individuals representative of each town. Robina is in the process of contacting all organisations, schools, clubs and interest groups in Carnoustie, inviting their participation in the event. Local community council organiser, Sue McMahon is urging all who are interested to get behind the event saying, “This is an ideal opportunity for Carnoustie residents to showcase their skills, talent, enterprise and enthusiasm to the whole of Angus and beyond”. She went on, “The community council will call a meeting of all interested parties in the near future so that we can pick your brains and plan how we set-up the Carnoustie marquee. In addition to the tented village there will be a grand parade of young people led by massed pipe bands from all over the country and a series of events throughout the day. Admission on the day will be free and every youngster taking part will be given a commemorative medal. Anyone interested in taking part can contact Sue on 01241852549

This year’s Christmas Lights switch-on will take place at Carnoustie War Memorial on Friday November 25th at 6pm.

Everyone welcome!

Community Councillors Ed Oswald and Sue McMahon headed to the Albert Hall in Stirling last week for the ‘Keep Scotland Beautiful’ awards ceremony to pick up our Bronze Award in the ‘medium towns’ category. A fantastic achievement – given the number of  ‘medium towns’ there must be in Scotland. Ed explained,“our sub-committee recieved a great deal of support from volunteers, businesses, schools and many members of the community who take a pride in the place they live” He went on to say that “with the help of the community we can build on what we have already achieved. We have plans for the new year with which hopefully more people in the Town can be involved”

Ed, Sue and Kirsty with the award

Needless to say – a brilliant result for the Town – well done to all those involved!   

Carnoustie Gala Committee were mystified this week when they were told by Angus Council officials that they couldn’t display posters advertising the up-coming Torch-light Parade and Bonfire Spectacular on Community Noticeboards located in the Town because – wait for it … the posters included a price, i.e. the cost to buy a torch in order to take part in the parade.

It therefore begs the question – what about all the other community events advertised which attract a small charge, normally to cover costs – e.g. coffee mornings etc etc.

Over-the-top bureaucracy we suspect!

A recent Network Rail report, ‘Initial Industry for Scotland’ has identified Golf Street Halt and Barry Links as among the least used stations in Scotland, with 190 people using Golf St. Halt and just 90 using Barry Links in the year 2009/10. It appears however that fears of imminent closure of the stations have been discounted by Network Rail. They point out that the report is is a general overview of the how the railway in Scotland is being utilised and how that may develop in the future. Any decision about the future use of stations is a matter for the government who tender franchises to rail companies who will agree the level of service provision.

The community council are not surprised at the low numbers of passengers recorded as using the stations - given the number of trains that actually stop there! Apart from the Open Golf Championship, which happens once every 8 or 9 years, there is one train per day heading for Dundee which stops just after 6am and one train heading to Aberdeen which stops just after 7pm. – Not a shock therefore to discover hardly anyone gets on or off at these stations! 

In light of all the new-build housing in Carnoustie, coupled with the government’s drive to get us out of cars and onto public transport, perhaps its time for rail companies to re-assess the potential demand for more trains to stop at Golf Street Halt and Barry. 

We can’t remember any surveys being undertaken the recent past - can you? 

A miserable Sunday morning saw a good turnout of locals, including many young people,  for the last beach clean of 2011. The clean was sponsored by our local Co-operative branch who donated additional equipment and provided refreshments at the Rugby Club afterwards.

Carnoustie Community Council’s entry to this year’s ‘Keep Scotland Beautiful’ has just landed a bronze award for the community’s effort in trying to make Carnoustie as nice a place as possible to live.

In August this year the Community Council submitted a portfolio to Keep Scotland Beautiful along with an entry in the ‘Medium Town’ category.’ The judging panel arrived on the worst possible August day – pouring with rain! They were however impressed by the standard of entry and the enthusiasm of the Community Council contingent comprising Ed Oswald, Sue McMahon and Kirsty MacDonald. Everyone’s hard work however, including the attention of Angus Council, has paid off with this award!

Next year – THE ONLY WAY IS UP!!

Check out our submission at the link below

KEEP SCOTLAND BEAUTIFUL CARNOUSTIE 2011

THE KINLOCH Centre Action Group has handed over responsibility for the annual Carnoustie Christmas Fair to the Carnoustie Business Association.

Alison Paget, vice-chair of the Action Group (left), presented a symbolic Christmas cracker to Kathleen Crowe, CBA secretary.

She commented: “We will do our very best to maintain the high standard the CCAG has set. “We have booked the Comrie Hall, the Philip Hall, and the Cadet Hall for Saturday, November 26, and hope to create a ‘Carnoustie Christmas weekend’ for residents and visitors alike.”

Everyone interested in having a stall at the fair can contact Kathleen at Links to Scotland, Peter Burke at the Fobel Shop, or Kim Duncan at Burrells.