Angus Achievers Awards 2000

Winners of the Angus Achievers Awards 2000 announced

The winners of the Angus Achievers Awards 2000 were announced at a glittering award ceremony and dinner in the Carnoustie Golf Course Hotel. Broadcaster Jackie Bird presided over the award ceremony where all the finalists were recognised and their outstanding achievements applauded. An invited audience of sponsors, finalists and their guests attended the ceremony. The category sponsors presented the five overall winners with a commemorative quaich and £500 prizemoney.

• Community Award (sponsored by Angus Housing Association)

And the winner is... Tealing Millennium Group

The group created a permanent photographic exhibition 'Tealing Through the Ages' for the village hall along with a booklet '2000 years of Tealing'. People across Scotland heard about the project via extensive local and national media coverage.

The judges believed the Tealing Millennium Group succeeded in bringing together people from all walks of life - re-energising community spirit, promoting the area and providing a springboard for a brighter future for the village.

Highly Commended are...

The AGORA project

The Angus Glens On-line Resource Action Project is bringing the benefits of Internet technology to people living in the Angus Glens, by expanding education, business and social opportunities in the glens' remote communities.

Linda Caston

Currently the chair of Auchterhouse Community Council, Linda has undertaken a number of successful projects including a sell-out calendar, planting daffodils and a village history exhibition. All showcase Auchterhouse as a community proud of its roots.

• Small Business Award (sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland)

And the winner is... Carpenter Oak and Woodland

This specialist timber contractor opened its yard at Loch of Lintrathen, near Kirriemuir in June 1999 and now employs 12 people in the design and construction of new and innovative timber structures in addition to specialising in the conservation and restoration of historic timber buildings.
In the judges opinion the company is a good example of a small, sustainable business, thriving in a rural location. Offering direct employment, it also provides apprenticeships and attracts national and international attention for the area because of its specialist and high profile work. The company has literally put down roots in the area as its building programme includes planting 10 seedlings for every oak tree used to create a frame.

Highly commended are...

Sunrises Systems Scotland

This is an e-commerce company based at Inverkeilor. The company achieved national recognition for its web site development Bring-a-bottle.com, a wine distribution site, which has outperformed all competitors, including giants such as virginwines.com.

Strathmore Woollen Company

This is a long established Forfar based business employing a dozen local people. The company is recognised for the quality of its product -authentic Scottish tartans - supplying over 400 designs in kilting and skirting fabrics. Annual turnover has been rising steadily towards the £1million mark.

• Sport (sponsored by RGIT Montrose)

And the winner is... Simon Needham

Simon was runner up in the Achievers Sports category last year and since then he has competed in the historic millennium Olympic Games in Sydney. He has taken part in international competitions for many years and went to the 2000 Games ranked 40th in the world, but confounded this ranking by finishing inside the top 20.

His success continues to bring many archers to Angus from all over the UK, and the judges believed Simon was a positive role model for others in sport, as well as being an Angus sporting achiever of the highest calibre.

Highly commended are...

Darren Burnett

Darren has achieved success at county, national and international level as both an outdoor and indoor bowler. He took the Scottish Outdoor Singles title in 1999 and was runner up in the televised indoor singles championships in both 1998 and 1999, when he was also named Angus Sports Personality of the year.

Alan McGregor

Hailing from Glamis, Alan has achieved success at national and international levels, most recently representing Great Britain at the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney. Alan has represented Scotland five times and competed twice in the World Games for Great Britain. He has amassed 12 Gold, 10 Silver and seven Bronze medals, during the past 14 years.

• Tourism and Heritage (sponsored by the Carnoustie Golf Course Hotel and Resort Ltd)

And the winner is... Montrose Highland Games Association

This year the association invited the Clan Graham Society to hold their Millennium Gathering at the Games. The invitation extended to the USA branch of the clan resulted in 100 American voices mingling with those of another 300 Clan Graham members from all over the world, at the gathering in August.

The games committee also demonstrated its belief that the event is for the whole community by introducing a series of events for Special Needs athletes which were so successful they're to be included every year.

The judges congratulated the association for not only promoting the culture and heritage of Angus and Scotland, but also for creating a tremendous buzz in the town and giving the local economy a boost.

Highly commended are...

Arbroath Abbey Pageant Society

Responsible for the spectacular re-enactment of the Declaration in 1999, after a gap of 18yrs, to mark the 400th Anniversary of Arbroath receiving its Charter as a Royal and Ancient Burgh. Such was the success in 1999 the organisers organised further performances this year -each one a sell out. The pageant has also focused attention on the burgh's premier attraction, the magnificent Abbey.

Bob and Liza Mather

Mr and Mrs Mather are the wardens at Angus Council's Lochside Caravan Park and visitor numbers show just what a major contribution they are making in attracting visitors to the area. Not only have visitor numbers increased dramatically during the traditional summer period the park's opening season has been extended, bringing a remarkable 1500 people to the town between October and January.

• Youth (sponsored by Angus College)

And the winner is... Christopher Knowles

Christopher, of Brechin, is a member of Angus Youth Congress, which he was instrumental in establishing. He believes young people should be given every opportunity and encouragement to become active citizens in their communities and has championed the Youth Congress as a means of achieving that.

He is now the chair of the congress and has recently been voted an Executive Committee member of the Scottish Youth Parliament, making presentations to politicians and other decision makers at the highest levels.

The judges commended him on being such a successful Ambassador for the young people of Angus and believe he will go from strength to strength making sure the youth voice of Angus is heard on the national and international stage.

Highly commended are...

Kyle Boath

Since primary school Kyle Boath has been determined to realise his ambition to become a ballet dancer. He successfully got a place in the Dance School of Scotland at the age of eleven and studies for 6 years with them. Now 18, Kyle has finally achieved one of his ambitions and is studying at the Royal Ballet School in London. He has now set his sights on performing with the Kirov Ballet.

Tony Cargill

Tony is the current Commonwealth, British, United Kingdom, Ontario, Manitoba, East of Scotland, West of Scotland, Central Scotland and Queensland Champion of highland dancing. In all he has won over 100 titles and his prolific wins this year have been recognised by the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing who awarded him the Champion of Champions for the third time in a row.