The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Monifieth ‘ignored’ by Angus Council, say residents.
ANGUSALIVE: Community council claims town has been ignored consistently since it became part of Angus in 1996
Monifieth has been described as the “forgotten burgh” of Angus.
The claim followed a meeting of the town’s community council, which met to discuss a lack of local leisure activities.
The community council invited ANGUSalive chief executive Kirsty Hunter to the meeting to discuss the issue after the ANGUSalive What’s On guide showed no activities are organised in Monifieth between April and September.
John Thornton, the community council’s secretary, said Monifieth had been “ignored” since it became part of Angus in 1996.
Mr Thornton, 65, a retired police officer, said: “There was quite a lot of anger at the meeting.
“The claim was that there was a poor uptake of previous activities for younger people in the past.
“But ANGUSalive has admitted previous activities were not advertised well, so parents made other arrangements. Those sort of excuses just won’t wash.
“It was even suggested that people should use a sports centre in Douglas or Carnoustie. “That’s just nonsense. “I think because of how close we are to Dundee, we are forgotten about.
“Then you see Montrose getting a new swimming pool or Brechin getting a new community campus but Monifieth still has no sports centre.”
Stewart Ellis, also a member of the community council, said the town was “ignored”.
Stewart, 67, said: “We were told when Montrose got a new swimming pool that Monifieth had never asked for one – which is nonsense.
“We fought tooth and nail for one – it’s like Monifieth isn’t even on the map.”
ANGUSAlive said it was committed to making culture, sport and leisure facilities as available as possible to all residents in the county.
Ms Hunter said: “We are listening and where people have suggestions about what they would like to see in their area, we will work with them to see what can be achieved.
“The possibility of making better use of local buildings and facilities was raised and we are very receptive to playing a part in developing and supporting such plans.
“ANGUSalive operates a number of established activities at Monifieth High, for children and young people, including mini-kickers, football, swimming and rookie lifeguard lessons, athletics camps and holiday clubs.
“Open swimming ended in May last year due to lack of demand, but lessons continue to be held locally.
“We are happy to engage with individuals and groups in the community.”
We fought tooth and nail for a new swimming pool – it’s like Monifieth isn’t even on the map. STEWART ELLIS