Beautiful Scotland 2015

Introduction

Carnoustie was established as a burgh in 1895 and it is thought the name is Celtic in origin. It originally formed part of the lands of the church of Barry before being granted to Balmerino Abbey in 1229. The barony was then gifted to Sir Philip de Valoniis, Lord High Chamberlain and passed from there to the Maule family through marriage where it remained for over 700 years before being spilt into separate lots. Carnoustie Estate was purchased from the Panmure family in 1792. The new owner offered feuing as enticement to settlers with the first feu being granted to Thomas Louson who is referred to as ‘the father of Carnoustie’. The village grew from this point and the introduction of the railway in 1838 brought new industries. It also subsequently prospered as a holiday resort and for many years has enjoyed an international reputation for creating one of the most challenging links golf courses in the world. Colourful Carnoustie is committed to building on and enhancing the history and character of Carnoustie for all those who live in and visit the Town. Thus the portfolio for the Beautiful Scotland competition has been designed to guide the reader through the key areas of work that have been undertaken and developed. It will document and show the way links have been established and support received from the local community, businesses and other partners. It will focus on three main categories:

- Horticultural Achievement: pages 3 - 5 - Environmental Responsibility: pages 6 - 7 - Community Participation pages: 8 - 9 - Newspaper Cuttings page: 10

Compiled by Colourful Carnoustie June 2015

(Front cover: KSB Rural Seaside Award 2015)

* All photographs in this document are contemporaneous with the articles published

2 Horticultural Achievement The Colourful Carnoustie story continues with the impending visit of our Beautiful Scotland judges scheduled for the end of July 2014. The weather in spring and early summer has been very favourable with our hanging baskets and street planters providing a blaze of colour to Carnoustie’s Town Centre. Street planters in Station Road and at the Railway Station are designed to give visitors and locals alike, a warm welcome to the Town. Our new planter fea- tures at the Coop superstore, the Fairway Garage and the Spar store, hopefully lift the spirits of residents as they go about their daily business. The Commonwealth Games, Beautiful Scotland judges and the Scottish summer comes and goes. In September, Ed and Kirsty travel the short distance to Dundee for the Beautiful Scotland awards ceremony. We are delighted to learn Carnoustie has picked-up a Silver–Gilt medal in the Coastal Town category. A fantastic reward for Colourful Carnoustie, Angus Council and all the residents and businesses within the community who contributed to our work throughout the year. Autumn approaches and we decide to leave our hanging baskets in place until after the Dunhill Golf Championships in October when Ed and Jon or- ganise a squad to remove all baskets and planter troughs to Kirsty’s to await preparation for winter storage. It’s been a good display this year and feedback from residents is very positive. At the end of October, Kirsty, Tam and Ian set to work removing all the Begonia corms and storing under-cover for the Winter. Kirsty reckons the corms are in good condition and can be re-cycled for next year’s display. Alec and Ed remove the planting and compost from the street planters in Station Road and the High Street whilst Sue and her small band of helpers tackle the planters at the railway station. Kirsty and Tam do the same with the feature planters. Once again, Angus Council supply us with their special peat-free compost mix and all the street planters are planted-up with perennial wallflower (erysimum), hebe, box, heuchera, ipheon, along with some annuals (geranium, lobelia and fuschia). The railway station and feature planters are

planted with daffodil, tulip and primroses which will provide some interest and variety in the spring and early summer. Angus Council now only maintain areas of permanent planting at the Leisure Centre, the Rest Gardens, McConnell Garden and local car park entrances, along with the planting at the feature banners erected for the Open Championship in 2007. We are mindful of the fact that a balance should be struck between this permanent planting and our perennial / seasonal floral displays. At Carnoustie Golf Links, the largest public open-space in Carnoustie, the mild autumn and early winter means that course Superintendent Sandy Reid and assistant Craig Boath are able to progress some major re- construction works at the 13th hole on the Championship course. Gorse and heather management programmes continue over the winter period with a substantial area of gorse 3 cut-back at the 15th hole. Christmas is soon upon us and once again we decide that the Town’s Christ- mas Tree should be located at the War Memorial. In January, the Colourful Carnoustie group and Murray Duguid of Angus Council liaise closely over plans for the forth-coming growing season. Angus Council’s budget cuts continue to bite, with parks, public open- spaces, verges etc. now being dealt with on a ‘care and maintenance’ basis. The War Memorial however has escaped the cuts for the time-being and following discussions with the Royal British Legion it is agreed that the spring / summer planting should incorporate a ’70’ logo, planted-out on either side of the raised beds at the War Memorial to commemorate the end of WW2, 70 years ago. Fol- lowing a request from Carnoustie Golf Links, we programme a ’make-over’ of the drab and featureless front garden area at the Links Offices on Links Parade. Alec draws-up a scheme and works are scheduled for late spring/early summer. In early February, the begonia corms are given the ’once-over’ after their winter storage and all looks good for re-planting. Hanging baskets are checked over and new baskets pur- chased to replace those ravaged by last year’s autumn gales. In early spring, our annual appeal for sponsorship is published in the local press and on the Community Council website. Kirsty and Sue visit the local shops and businesses and all soon renew their sponsorship from last year along with various additional pledges. Kirsty picks up cheques from the Haven and the Gala Committee and sponsorship money also starts to pour in from ordinary residents anxious to see the Town brightened-up for the summer. An order is placed with Ashbrook Nursery for the large lamppost hanging baskets and Kirsty and Tam pot-up the re-cycled corms in her conservatory to ‘come on’. Local resident Sarah Paton once again volunteers the use of her large green- house for planting-up the hanging baskets and in the middle of May, Kirsty thinks the temperature is sufficiently high to enable us to start planting-out the baskets. The begonias are transported to Sarah’s and she and Kirsty spend many a long hour in the green- house filling and planting over sixty baskets. Meantime, Ed and Alec are busy re-staining the timber street planters and giving lamppost bases a lick of Hammerite paint. Into June, and Angus Council ground staff tidy-up planted areas at the public car parks and the feature golf banners. Basic maintenance is carried out at Carlogie Park, Pitskelly Park and Carnoustie House Grounds and the Links. The War Memorial is stripped and summer planting carried out. By mid June, the baskets are moved from under- cover to ‘harden up’. Kirsty and Tam plant up the feature street planters with begonias and two small re-furbished planters are placed at McConnell Gardens in an effort to inject some col- our over the summer. Sue and her team plant-up the station barrels with marigold and lobelia. We plan to erect our hanging baskets on the second- last Sunday in June but unfortunately a few of our usual volunteers are unavailable that day so we will have to make-do with a depleted squad. Jon collects and distrib- utes the baskets along the High Street at an un-earthly hour in the morning before heading off for the day. Our small team meet the delivery from Ashbrook Nursery and before long, all the lamppost baskets are off-loaded. Two hours and several aching muscles later, over 130 baskets are hung in place. We have found over the years that the key to a successful floral display is regular watering and careful maintenance and once again, Jon agrees to take-on this vital role. 4 Meanwhile, consternation ensues at the War Memorial as many of the new plants seem to have disappeared or lie scattered next to the flower beds. The areas are re-planted but the same thing happens again. We initially blame youngsters ‘up to no-good’ until the culprits are finally caught. Seagulls nesting nearby see the new plants as a ready food source! Good for them but a nuisance for us so Angus Council employ a novel bird-scaring addition to the flower-beds. Time will tell how success- ful this proves! Following a successful British Amateur Golf Champion- ship, Craig and his team at Carnoustie Links now turn their attention to trying to get as much fescue / bent grass seed into the greens and surrounds with as little disruption as possible. They are given a pedestrian Hydroject seaweed injection, followed by solid tining and overseeding. Gorse root and broom removal continues throughout the Course and additional Marram grass is planted around the Golf Centre. Alec is now hard at work on the revamp of the Golf Links Office garden area, creating feature planter areas and borders. We decide that the area at the entrance to the Library, re- furbished last year by pupils from Woodlands Primary School, could do with some additional colour. Kirsty creates a ’seaside’ theme with ’Thrift’ and some strategically placed silvered driftwood. The Berryfield Allot- ments are now a hive of activity as the 52 plot-holders spend many a long hour tending to their organic produce. The gardens of local resi- dential properties start to spring into life as the unseen efforts of many people in the community over the winter and spring are finally reward- ed. Many follow our lead with beautiful hanging baskets and planters of their own.

5 Environmental Responsibility A couple of weeks after the Beautiful Scotland judges visit in July 2014, Jon Brierley, Colourful Car- noustie’s gardening expert, drops his young daughter off at Carlogie Primary School nursery. He comes across an overgrown play-area at the north corner of the school site that appears disused. Further investi- gations reveal that the area has indeed fallen into disrepair and no longer fit-for-purpose. Jon resolves to bring the area ’back to life’ for the benefit of pupils and staff at Carlogie. Having gone through all the ‘appropriate channels’ he enlists the help of Colourful Carnoustie, fellow local tradesmen and suppliers and is able to start the project to coincide with the school’s autumn holiday. An intensive period of activity sees the area transformed from an overgrown wilderness to a tranquil play and reflection area suitable for all pupils including those with additional support needs (ASN). A great new resource for Angus Council

and Carlogie Primary School and a fantastic achievement for Colourful Carnoustie and local businesses DJ Laing, Carlogie Turf, Turf and Stuff, William Clark Quarry, Carnoustie Garden Sheds, JS Groundworks and Jeff Thoms Slaters. And of course Jons Garden Services and Jon himself without whose expertise and powers of persuasion, none of this work would have been possible. Meanwhile, Ed’s application to the Woodlands Trust for a pack of 105 trees as part of their ’Community and Schools Tree Scheme’ is successful and in early November, pupils from P6 at Carlogie and Wood- lands Primary schools help us plant out the saplings at Ballister Park in the East of Carnoustie. The haw- thorn, hazel, blackthorn, silver birch and rowan species will provide a wildlife habitat for butterflies, drag- onflies, moths, spiders, and birds, encouraging fungi and ferns which will all help to enrich this environ- ment over the years to come.

6 Carnoustie Golf Links has been in existence since the 16th Century and has seen several Open Golf Championships played over the famous Links. This public open space and area of natural heritage is carefully managed by Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee whose vast green space continues to play host to several important environmental initia- tives. Operation Pollinator, initiated in 2012 was de- signed to help reverse the plight of the bumblebee by creating dedicated areas of vital food sources and es- sential nesting habitat for pollinating insects. The large areas set aside on all courses not only encourage bees to the rich pollen and nectar but also provide an added interest for visitors and players over the Links. In June, Craig invited pupils from Burnside, Woodlands and Carlogie Primary schools to help sow wildflower seeds as part of the Operation Pollinator project. The area will now be designated for ecological improvement and specifically to encourage the return of endangered bee species. Angus Bird Club (ABC) regularly visit the Links to carry out species identification and recording. On June 11th, Peter Ellis of ABC set up nets at the far ponds on the Buddon Links and managed to capture and ring 50 birds of 19 different spe- cies. These include blackbird, blackcap, blue tit, bull finch, chaffinch, chiffchaff, coal tit, goldcrest, great spotted woodpecker, great tit, lesser red- poll, reed bunting, robin, sedge warbler, song thrush, tree creeper, whitethroat, willow warbler and wren. This is the highest number of different species Peter has ever recorded in one day. Carnoustie Golf Links is currently producing an Environmental Information Booklet that will keep visitors and locals up -to-date with all the latest environmental initiatives currently underway over the courses. In 2011, Carnoustie Canine Capers, launched the Green Dog Walkers initiative in the Town. Since then the group has continued to raise awareness of dog pollution prevention and promote responsible dog ownership locally. CCC has used the vacant Kinloch Centre site on a number of occasions recently for dog-related activity such as obedience classes, dog fun shows and demonstrations. The group has just been successful with an application to Angus Council under the ’Stalled Spaces’ initiative for funding to provide toilet and other facilities to enable use of the site to a greater potential. Colourful Carnoustie is a key partner of CCC and we have already met with their group to discuss possible planting initiatives. Gale-force winds in October last year totally decimated the Commonwealth bunting we had purchased earlier in the year. An application to Angus Council for funding to buy new bunting is successful and to- wards the end of May, we again press Lex and his cherry-picker into service. Volunteer David has a ’head for heights’ and before long the new bunting adorns the main street from Station Road to Links Avenue. We have been aware for some time of the need to advertise our work through appropriate signage with a view to fostering a feeling of ’Pride of Place’ within the community. Kirsty buys a batch of self-adhesive name- plates and a local business offers to print them up free of charge. Looking good so far….

7 Community Participation It’s the end of June 2014and we organise our summer beach- clean just prior to the influx of visitors and competitors for the Commonwealth Games. Colourful Carnoustie organise beach- cleans throughout the year when volunteers of all ages from youth etc. organisations to the ‘not-so-young’ come along to help collect and bag-up unwanted rubbish whether it be flotsam and jetsam from the sea or litter just left lying by visitors to the beach. Our next clean is the Marine Conservation Society ’Big Weekend Beach Clean’ in September followed by a break until April this year when over 50 volunteers turn-out, including a squad of very young Beaver Scouts. Hopefully we can encourage the community to take pride in their seafront now and into the future. A new attraction to the seafront to complement the adjacent Sandy Sensation playpark, is the recently opened Skatepark. The brainchild of three young boarders who formed a committee and started fund- raising some years ago finally came to fruition when they saw their dream become a reality last month. The boys regularly helped out on our beach cleans and we were happy to contribute with a donation to- wards their funding total. Colourful Carnoustie was invited to the official opening and we also took the opportunity to set-up a stall to raise awareness of our work, particularly with young people in the Town. In the short time the Skatepark has been open it’s proved a great attraction for locals of all ages. Sgt Andy Carroll of Police Scotland feels it’s the best thing to have happened in Carnoustie for young people in some time. Long may it continue! Not far away from the Skatepark into the Town, a group of young ladies has started an innovative new project ’Food is Free’. #Foodisfree Carnoustie evolved from the Common Weal Angus (CWA) group. The movement began in Texas in 2012 and is now globally recognised. The premise is that people grow vegetables and give them away for free. A table is placed on the street and people can help themselves. The aim is to encourage people to eat fresh food, grow their own produce and improve mental well- being through gardening. A vacant plot of land was found and in May the group started to set out bedding plots and erect a poly-tunnel. Beetroot, peppers, beans, blackcurrants, sweetcorn, tomatoes, onions, carrots and herbs have all been planted. The group is dependant on donations and the goodwill of local people. They are already forging links with other com- munity groups including the Berryfields Allotment So- ciety and Monifieth’s Mens Shed. Colourful Car- noustie plan to work with the group in the coming year on various projects such as using some of our planter troughs for growing vegetables and a possible ‘seed-bombing cycle’ along the bike path from Carnoustie to Easthaven. We hope to donate seeds etc. over the coming year and help the group locate further vacant plots for future cultivation. 8 Finance Following the success of last year’s fund-raising dance when approximately £600 went into the coffers, this year we are holding another Floral Dance on Saturday 27th June in the Royal British Legion. Ticket sales are already up on last year and we expect to make at least as much for our funds. In the wake of major continued budget cut-backs implemented by Angus Council over the past number of years, Colourful Carnoustie has increasingly relied on local businesses and ordinary residents for spon- sorship and other financial input through various fund-raising initiatives. The response continues to ex- ceed our expectations year on year although we are very wary not to become complacent. Changing the name of our Group last year to ‘Colourful Carnoustie’ was an attempt to get away from what may be regarded as the ‘stuffy’ image of the Community Council. It has worked and we now have more volunteers although the nucleus remains constant. This year we have gone one step further in es- tablishing the Group as an autonomous body. In April, Colourful Carnoustie held it’s inaugural AGM when office-bearers were elected and a constitution formulated and agreed. Insurances are in hand and a for- mal break with the Community Council will be made as soon as a new bank account and financial ar- rangements are in place. The new group will have access to more funding opportunities than are currently available through the community council which is effectively an arm of Local Government. Although our Group is currently working within the capacity of it’s volunteers, the opportunity for expansion and tackling larger projects in the future is now more realistic. This notwithstanding, we have every reason to believe that community sponsorship will continue into the future and that our sustainable approach will prevail despite the current challenges of austerity.

Future Plans Colourful Carnoustie will continue to work closely with Angus Council and other interested bodies to identify areas for improvement within the Town. We plan to maintain the Town’s floral displays at least at the current level which sits well with our budget predictions. We will endeavour to engage with the local community and actively encourage increased participation in events such as beach cleans and other projects that are identified as necessary in the future.

This year, in addition to acknowledgement in the local press, all our retail sponsors received a special adhesive window sticker for them to display in recognition of their support.

9 Media Information went missing over the summer, but what you are seeing here is the start of a long overdue replanting scheme for these Fingers crossed for Colourful planters. ”He continued: “The plants, especially the central cordylines, had got very large, and the soil exhausted, and so Carnoustie they have now been removed. Over the next few weeks the 06:00Friday 25 July 2014 remaining plants will be given a new lease of life, soil will be Everything looks to be set in time for the arrival of the Keep Scot- replaced and bulbs planted.“The plan is that by next July, land Beautiful judges in Carnoustie next week. when Colourful Carnoustie is again judged in the Beautiful On Wednesday morning the Colourful Carnoustie group from Car- Scotland campaign - this year we received a silver gilt award - noustie Community Council will meet with the competition judges the planters will be overflowing with colour, so as to match and take them on a two-and-a-half hour tour of the town. Starting at the magnificent hanging baskets and fountains of begonias the War Memorial, community council chair Jim Simpson will give a which have enhanced the High Street. 15 minute presentation on their efforts before volunteers Ed Oswald, Sue McMahon and Kirsty McDonald take Sandy Scott, Aberdeen City To continue their work Colourful Carnoustie is looking to re- Council Parks Department; and John McLellan, a retired seed and cruit civic-minded individuals. Alec said: “But it’s more than plant trader from Edinburgh, on their tour.From the War Memorial just stunning floral displays; evidence of schemes and activity they will proceed along the High Street to the For Carnoustie Shop involving different sections of the community is a vital part of which has helped sponsor Colourful Carnoustie.Following this is a the award, so now the small group of Colourful Carnoustie chat with representatives of Carnoustie Canine Capers and a stop volunteers is looking for other individuals and groups in the outside the library to admire the handiwork of children from Wood- lands Primary, who with the help of the librarians, have been working community to work alongside so as to prepare the town for on the garden. Next stop is the Co-op to meet with staff who have next year’s judging. “There are plans of a wild flower meadow, been fund-raising in store to support the town’s entry and then down tree-planting, individual streets working together to brighten Station Road to the railway station to meet the Colourful Carnoustie up their aspect.” volunteers.A visit to Simpson’s Golf Shop on Links Parade is next where they will see some marvellous novelty golf-themed planters Carnoustie in full bloom for and then onto the golf course. A comfort break at the Aboukir Hotel follows and then on to the allotments and the Woodlands Caravan judges Park.The final stop is always a private garden and this year it is that of Alan Duncan on Balmachie Road.Ed Oswald said: “I think the War Beautiful Scotland judges, Sandy Scott (left) and John Memorial is looking the best it’s ever been. They usually have the MacLennan, were in Carnoustie on Wednesday morning begonias at the front and the snap dragons behind but this year they to assess the town's floral displays have put those to the front and it’s spectacular. And with the new 14:27Thursday 31 July 2014 seats bought with money left to the British Legion and the troughs behind it is all looking very well there. “The whole town, with the Keen-eyed judges made their way around Carnoustie on Wednes- bunting all along the seafront for the Commonwealth Games is look- day in the company of the Colourful Carnoustie group from the ing great. It’s a great time to be in Carnoustie, so fingers crossed for community council. this year.” Judges Sandy Scott, of Aberdeen City Council parks depart- The mystery of the disappearing ment, and John McLellan, a retired seed and plant trader from planters! Edinburgh, were treated to a tour of Carnoustie at its best. 13:00Friday 10 October 2014 Beautiful blooms of begonias were on view as volunteers pre-

The green-fingered members of Colourful Carnoustie have sented the town to the judges as they walked to various sites in been hard at work recently kicking off a replanting scheme in the summer sunshine. Following a tour through the town with the town centre. stops offs at sponsors ‘For Carnoustie’ and fund-raisers from Along the High Street and in other parts of the town the beau- the Co-op, the judging came to a conclusion at the private gar- tiful planters have been quietly emptying and are now starting den of Alan Duncan on Balmachie Road. The Beautiful Scotland to fill up again. The group are responsible for Carnoustie’s an- competition is a long-established environmental improvement nual entry into Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Beautiful Scotland competition which this year saw them achieve a silver gilt initiative which supports community groups across Scotland as medal in the Coastal Town category.Alec Edwards from Col- they seek to improve and enhance their local environment. ourful Carnoustie explained: “Residents may have noticed that the planters outside Franco’s café, the library and in Station Road seem to be missing some plants. “Is this vandalism or the start of something bigger? Well, one or two smaller plants 10