Over 200 stars in Angus' business, arts and tourism sectors joined the county's artists, community representatives and aspiring youth talent at the Carnoustie Golf Course Hotel on November 27 to applaud those who are acting as outstanding ambassadors for the county. 

 

Bert Smith, Managing Director of Merpro was presented with the Angus Ambassador of the Year Award. 

This prestigious accolade, sponsored by Piperdam Golf & Leisure Resort, was awarded in recognition of his outstanding leadership at the helm of the Montrose-headquartered company. 

 

Guests at the award ceremony heard how, in only 30 years, Bert Smith has transformed Merpro from a five-man operation into one of the largest employers in the area and a company whose groundbreaking innovations lead the way in the world's oil and gas sector. It was also revealed that, as well as transforming Merpro into a global organisation with an annual turnover of over £25 million, Bert has helped other companies and further boosted the Angus economy through his membership of business support organisations such as Angus Economic Development Partnership.

 

 

Watch the film of the Ambassador of the Year Award

 

 

"The Angus Ambassador Awards give us the pleasure of recognising and rewarding every one of our exceptional winners," commented the Provost of Angus, Ruth Leslie Melville. "However, every finalist in these awards is a winner, demonstrating that success comes through commitment, initiative, drive and ability.

 

"Angus is a county which recognises, nurtures and encourages these assets."

 

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The 2009 winners of the six individual categories were announced as:

 

Business Ambassador - Entrepreneurial Angus Award

 Sponsored by Enterprise North East Trust (ENET) 

 

Winner: Forster Roofing Services Ltd, Brechin - nationally-acclaimed for excellence in roofing and also for creating and providing a training scheme for local youngsters.

 

Highly Commended :

• Montrose Rope and Sail Company - This 210-year-old company has embraced modern technology to diversify and expand their product and customer base nationally and internationally.

 

 Watch the film of all the Business finalists

 

 

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Community Ambassador - Pride of Angus Award 

Sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline

 

Winner: Brechin Youth Project - a drug and alcohol-free meeting place for the young people of the town.

 

Highly Commended :

• Carnoustie Allotments Association - The community transformed an unusable piece of waste ground into Berryfield, a 52 plot allotment growing organic vegetables and produce.
  
• Lilybank Biodiversity Team, Forfar - Working with students from Angus College, adults with learning difficulties have created a wildlife-friendly garden involving children from a local nursery.based in Arbroath but providing support all over Angus, this team of volunteers provides people in need with household essentials to help them settle into their new home.

 

Watch the film of all the Community finalists

 

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Cultural Ambassador - Creative Angus Award

Sponsored by Tayroots.com

 

 

Winner: JJ Laing Mania Dance Studio, Arbroath - Teaching contemporary dance and cheerleading to over 300 young dancers every week.

 

Highly Commended :

• Kinblethmont Gallery, by Arbroath - Aim to display and sell the very best of locally-produced contemporary art, attracting art lovers and art buyers to the county.the committee set up by the residents of Auchmithie to celebrate and promote the heritage of the village, while also enhancing village life today
  
• Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre - The first military air station in Britain run entirely by volunteers, celebrates the 97-year history of aviation and the Royal Flying Corps.

 

Watch the film of all the Cultural finalists

 

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International Ambassador - GoAhead Angus Award

Sponsored by Angus Council
  

Winner: James Bell, Carnoustie - encouraging the young people of Angus to help disadvantaged people across the globe.

 

Highly Commended :

• Angus College - Through the development of international partnerships  across 20 countries, the College has increased student awareness of international issues and cultural differences.
  
• Montrose Seafarers Centre - Offering a warm Angus welcome this drop in centre opened in February 2008, and has been visited by almost 2,000 sailors from over 30 countries.

 

Watch the film of all the International Ambassador finalists

 

 

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Tourism Ambassador - Welcome Angus Award

Sponsored by Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee

 

Winner: Arbroath Events - the team behind the highly-successful Seafront Spectacular.

 

 Highly Commended :

• Harbour Nights Guest House, Arbroath - Featured in some of the world's top travel guides, this unique B &B helped make Angus No 6 in the Lonely Planet's Top 15 places to stay for summer.
  
• Caroline Millar, The Hideaway Experience - As part of a farm diversification business, Caroline transformed a disused bothy at Balkello Farm into a luxury, four-star hideaway romantic retreat linking with local businesses to offer a range of added value services to guests.

 

Watch the film of all the Tourism finalists

 

 

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Youth Ambassador - Aspiring Youth Award

Sponsored by Angus College

 

Winner: Steven Barthorpe, Arbroath - one of the UK's top painters and decorators.

 

Highly Commended :

• Hannah Stewart, Montrose - A previous Scottish Indoor & Outdoor Junior Girls Archery Champion for the past four years and brought home a bronze medal from the 2009 Youth Olympics in Sydney.
  
• Claire Smith, Monifieth - A young entrepreneur and board member of Young Enterprise Tayside, Claire, set up her own gift hamper business and promotes the use of local suppliers across her range of business contacts. 

 

Watch the film of all the Youth finalists

 

 

The Angus Ambassador Awards are presented annually by the Angus Ahead Campaign, set up to promote the country's strengths and opportunities at home and abroad.