Issued: 19 November 2002
Angus' Star Ambassadors
The finalists of the 2002 Angus Ambassador Awards have been announced. The awards, now in their fourth year, are presented by the Angus Ahead campaign to promote the talents, skills and enterprise of the county.
The twenty shortlisted nominees come from across Angus, with entrants this year vying for success not only in five specific categories but also for the newly introduced title of Ambassador of the Year.
The 2002 awards have brought a huge diversity of outstanding Angus talent into the spotlight. Taking to the stage this year are individuals and organisations including a FIFA vice-president, a bus driver, an award wining museum and a globe trotting boogie-woogie piano player.
Performance was certainly to the fore in this year's arts category. Murray Strachan, Group Managing Director of category sponsor RGIT MONTROSE said: "This year's arts finalists are used to being centre stage but I am delighted that we have the opportunity to recognise not only their own talents but also the wonderful job they are doing as Arts Ambassadors for the county.
"In Angus we have a wealth of artistic talent which deserves recognition. The Creative Angus Award accommodates and promotes a broad spectrum of artistic activity and we at RGIT Montrose Group are delighted to sponsor it."
The stars of 2002 will be celebrated at the Gala Award Ceremony on the eve of St Andrews Night (29 November) when guest presenter Selina Scott will announce the winners of the six awards.
The Provost of Angus Mrs Frances Duncan offered her congratulations to each of the finalists. "As always it has been an extremely difficult task to pick our finalists. We now have to wait until the Award Ceremony next Friday to discover who the six winners are but I would commend each and every one of our finalists and all of the original nominees on their achievements and for their commitment to Angus."
ANGUS AMBASSADOR AWARDS 2002: THE FINALISTS
CATEGORY FINALISTS
Ambassador of the Year
Sponsor: The Royal Bank of Scotland
John M Henderson & Co Ltd, Arbroath
Piperdam Golf & Leisure Resort, Fowlis
David Will of Brechin, FIFA Vice-president
Arts Ambassador
Sponsor: RGIT MONTROSE
Carnoustie Theatre Club (Youth)
Gordon School of Dancing, Montrose
Kyle Esplin of Forfar, Scotland's No1 boogie woogie piano player
Business Ambassador
Sponsor: Blackadders Solicitors
Glamis Castle
John M Henderson & Co Ltd of Arbroath
Piperdam Golf & Leisure Resort, Fowlis
Community Ambassador
Sponsor: Angus Housing Association
Fowlis Easter Village Hall Committee
Kirriemuir Splash
Norma Murray
Wellbank Amenities Association
Tourism Ambassador
Sponsor: Carnoustie Golf Course Hotel & Resort
Castleton House Hotel, by Glamis
Kirriemuir Gateway to the Glens Museum
Alex Paterson, coach driver
Piperdam Golf & Leisure Resort, Fowlis
Youth Ambassador
Sponsor: Angus College
Tony Cargill (19) of Arbroath, world champion highland dancer
Duncan Clark (20), of Monifieth - curling champion
Nicola Reid (14), 2001 Special Olympics gold medallist
NOTE:
The finalists of the Angus Ambassadors Award 2002 are detailed above. Further information on each of the finalists is available from Merlyn Dunn, the Angus Ahead Co-ordinator 01307 473784. Profiles of the finalists are available on the awards web site at www.angus.gov.uk/angusahead.
The six winners will be announced at the Angus Ambassadors Award Ceremony on 29 November, and will receive a specially commissioned award and a £500 cash prize (In the Aspiring Youth category the winner will receive an Ambassadors Award + £300 and the two runners-up will receive £100).
ANGUS AHEAD is the area promotional campaign for Angus. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the character, strengths and opportunities of Angus locally, nationally and internationally. Angus Council is currently spearheading the campaign in conjunction with Scottish Enterprise Tayside and the Angus and Dundee Tourist Board.