Charity disc a big hit

ARBROATH’S songbook is cruising to success after a worldwide response to a new collection of songs about the town.

The response to a disc put together by local band Slipway has already brought a boost f or a string of local causes after they received the first slice of charity proceeds from the sell-out of the album’s first run of 300 copies.

The band — comprising of songwriter and guitarist Ian Lamb, vocalist Alan Mowatt and accordionist and keyboard player Tony Simpson — have been delighted by the reaction to the charity disc which has found its way to ex-pat Lichties across the globe.

Hope Garden at Hospitalfield, the Arbroath branch of the Salvation Army, mental health charity Reach Across and the Town Mission have shared the four-figure proceeds from the early sales.

The collection of songs covers well-known Arbroath f eatures and events in the history of the town, including the historic abbey, smokies and the Bell Rock lighthouse.