The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
It’s ‘now or never’ for local history society
Group urges tradesmen to help bring property up to scratch
Monifieth Local History Society is on the verge of signing a “now or never” lease to secure its future.
The group was ready to pull the plug on a flit to the former Angus Council/ police office at 81 High Street after declaring the building unfit for purpose.
However, members have now decided to press ahead with the move and are asking local tradesmen to help them bring the property up to scratch.
The group, which raised thousands of pounds towards its £6,000 target for the project, is also appealing for volunteers to help with cleaning and unpacking some of the items which have been in storage until now.
It is hoped a lease agreement can be signed by the end of this month.
Angus Council insisted the building is only in need of “minor cosmetic repairs” which will be carried out after the transfer is finalised.
The Monifieth collection includes thousands of photographs and artefacts relating to local life, built up over more than a decade and a half.
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It has been a struggle but we are almost there. It is a now or never situation. MARGARET COPLAND
President Margaret Copland said there were no other suitable premises locally so the group had decided to make a go of the property.
“After years of searching for accommodation in the town centre, this is the last opportunity and we cannot let it be missed,” she said.
“It has been a struggle but we are almost there. It is a now or never situation.”
She said finally having a base for the town’s treasures would be a dream come true, but stressed there was still a vast amount of work to be done and she has issued a rallying call to the community.
She said: “Monifieth Local History Society has worked extremely hard, and at a financial cost, to acquire appropriate accommodation to display the community’s heritage property, and honour their wishes that they remain in Monifieth where they belong.
“We now ask the Monifieth community for their help and support to resume and improve on the free services we provided for 15 years.
“Whatever their age, skills or interests, we can find them something to do. Then they can say ‘we helped set up the House of Memories Community Heritage Centre’.
“We need tradesmen, cleaners and people to assist with unpacking all the community items that have been in storage. We also need committed volunteers to help with running the day to day business of the centre.”