Issued: 3 October 2012
Finalists Announced For Angus Ambassador Awards 2012
After considerable deliberation by the judges, the finalists of this year’s Angus Ambassador Awards have been selected.
“The entries were of an incredibly high standard,” revealed Provost Helen Oswald, chair of the judging panel. “From highly-talented youngsters to groups of volunteers working together to organise events in their communities to companies building on their success in difficult economic times, there was no shortage of examples of just how much the people, businesses and organisations of Angus are helping to increase the gloss on our county’s shining reputation.
“As a result, selecting the finalists was challenging but we all agreed that those who were eventually selected definitely deserved to be considered for a highly-prestigious Angus Ambassador Award.”
Following further judging, the winner of each category, and the winner of the Angus Ambassador of the Year Award 2012, will be announced at the Angus Ambassador Award Ceremony at Carnoustie Golf Hotel on Friday, 23 November. “Choosing the Angus Ambassador Award winners from such an impressive shortlist will be a formidable task,” continued the Provost.
The Entrepreneurial Angus Award, sponsored by Enterprise North East Trust, recognises businesses which have demonstrated innovation, ambition and enterprise. The 2012 finalists are:
- Angus Centre for Enterprise, which provides a ‘one-stop shop’ for those looking to set up a business, create a social enterprise, expand or improve an existing business;
- Journeycall, the Brechin-based contact centre company providing customer services to major clients across the UK;
- Piperdam Golf & Leisure Resort, a highly-popular holiday and leisure resort which is currently focusing on increasing its green credentials and further expansion.
The finalists in the Pride of Angus Award, which celebrates the people, businesses or organisations inspiring achievement, confidence and pride in local communities, are:
- Carnoustie Gala Committee, whose annual Gala Day brings the people of the town together as well as raising large sums for local charities and attracting visitors from as far afield as Ireland, France and Australia;
- Fergus Storrier of Showcase the Street, a dance-based youth charity that attracts 2,000 young people to its Angus-wide range of activities every week and now also covers four other local authorities;
- Michael Rennie of Mike’s Bikes, a voluntary project to help disengaged youths by teaching them motorcycle mechanics.
The Creative Angus Award highlights those who foster a greater understanding of the distinct history, heritage and contemporary culture of Angus. This year’s finalists are:
- DD8 Music, a Kirriemuir community group whose activities include the highly successful ‘Bon Fest’ and ‘Live in the Den’ festivals;
- Montrose Golf Links 450, which celebrated this year’s 450th anniversary of golf on Montrose Links with a programme of events promoting golf and Montrose, while also ensuring the continued popularity of the game with a series of junior golf initiatives;
- Montrose Music Festival, where, in 2012, 80 acts performed over 120 gigs, including Eddi Reader’s sell-out headline concert.
The GoAhead Angus Award rewards those who are increasing international awareness of the county’s strengths, skills and opportunities. The 2012 finalist is Kirriemuir-based J&D Wilkie Ltd, manufacturer of textile products for the global automotive, construction, defence and medical industries which, earlier this year, received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.
The Welcome Angus Award is sponsored by Piperdam Golf & Leisure Resort and celebrates excellence in tourism. The 2012 finalists are:
- Brucefield B&B, the boutique 5-star B&B in Arbroath which was recently awarded the Tripadvisor accolade of offering the best sleep quality of any UK property;
- Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre goes from strength to strength and now includes a 1940s’ room; an Education Centre and a ‘pilot-training’ project for children;
- Strathmore Highland Games attract a significant amount of visitors and competitors to the area every year, as well as promoting the history, beauty, culture and sporting traditions of Angus.
The Aspiring Youth Award, sponsored by Angus College, showcases the young people who are shaping the future of Angus and inspiring their peers. The finalists in this year’s youth category are:
- Glenn Ross, a 21-year-old piper from Forfar who plays with Northern Ireland’s multi-award-winning Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band;
- Luthais McCash, who at 17, was the youngest person to deliver a research paper at Young Researchers in Mathematics 2012 and is now a Research Associate at Dundee University;
- Paige Morrison, winner of a scholarship to the Dance School of Scotland at the age of 11 and now studying Musical Theatre in London.
The Angus Ambassador Awards are part of Angus Ahead’s Angus Ambassador Programme, which encourages individuals, organisations and companies to formally declare themselves as Angus Ambassadors and positively promote Angus both within and outwith the county.
Angus Ahead is the area marketing campaign set up to raise the profile of the county locally, nationally and internationally. For further information, contact Hilary Tasker on 01307 473168.