Extended opening at The Cross

VULNERABLE people struggling with mental health difficulties and other social problems can now find help in the centre of Forfar.

Voluntary Action Angus deputy chief executive Hayley Mearns hailed the refurbished Angus Third Sector Centre at its official opening.

The Cross building, expected to be home to about 20 voluntary organisations, will remain open during evenings and weekends.

Hayley said: “For people going through mental health issues, these are the times they need the support available.

“I don’t think there is the right support out there at the moment. What we have built here is a safe space for people to come. We might be able to catch people before it gets to crisis stage.

“It’s an absolutely fantastic feeling to be here now. It’s been a long road.”

A wide range of voluntary, charity or third sector groups are based at the Angus Third Sector Centre at The Cross.

Home help service Care About Angus, employability group DEAP join mental health charity Penumbra among t he tenants.

Managers hope t he availability of different services in one location will improve access for those in need.

The former three-storey council building i n the centre of the market town was previously used as councillors’ offices.

AN Angus runner has raised almost £3,500 for a children’s cancer charity after taking on the New York Marathon earlier this month.

Lisa Wilson celebrated her 40th birthday by tackling the 26.2-mile course through the five boroughs of the Big Apple on November 3.

The challenge had an added poignancy as it came just seven months after a friend’s young daughter Sophia died from a rare form of cancer.

Lisa said: “I initially did not get a place to take part in the marathon but then I was offered a spot through the charity Children with Cancer UK.

AN irate thug who swung a knife around outside a Whitfield pub before threatening to murder a man who attacked him was sent to jail by a sheriff.

Lee McPherson was heard to shout “someone’s going to get stabbed” while clutching a blade outside The Tavern, Lothian Crescent, in August.

The drunken 27-year-old had been assaulted earlier in the evening and returned to the area after arming himself with a kitchen knife.

Dundee Sheriff Court heard McPherson had been in the pub before being asked to leave over a disagreement. A short time later, he was spotted pacing at a bus stop while in possession of the knife.

Depute fiscal Vicki Bell said: “The accused could be heard shouting ‘someone’s going to get stabbed’ and could be seen waving the knife about.

“A member of the public was able to retrieve the knife and police were contacted.”

CCTV footage showed McPherson waving the knife before