The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Angus star couple are citizens of the year
Thousands of Red Lichties have had their say in a global poll to shine a light on the locals who have brightened up their pandemic.
Among an array of Arbroath stars, a popular singer who bounced back from a live lockdown performance heart attack has been chosen with his wife as the Angus town’s citizens of the year in a 2020 no one will forget.
Alan and Val Mowatt topped the voting on the Red Lichties Worldwide Facebook page, which drew 3,600 votes from locals and expats in every corner of the world.
The well-known couple drew an international online audience of their own for their Live Fae Our Living Room Facebook music sessions every Friday night during lockdown.
In early July, the couple’s weekly gig hit a blip when Alan took a funny turn at the mic.
He soldiered on and within minutes was back belting out the Rat Pack hits for which he is best known.
However, after the live stream ended, Alan was rushed to hospital where it emerged he had suffered a heart attack during the Facebook show.
He underwent a triple heart bypass but the Mowatts thrilled fans with an online return for the festive period.
Alan and Val were among a roll of honour which Red Lichties Worldwide (RLWW) compiled after suggestions from around the world about who locally deserved recognition for their community spirit during the pandemic.
The idea has led to their names being added to a new trophy donated by Scott Wann of the town’s Millgate Bar and the return of a citizen of the year award.
Modest Alan said he and Val were overwhelmed, adding: “In all honesty we do feel embarrassed as the last year has shown just what a wonderful community we have in oor wee toon.
“But we are also really chuffed that 700 people voted for us from all over the world – over the moon actually.
“It was lovely of Scott Wann to sponsor the award and to generously donate the trophy.
“For us, everyone is a winner for what they have done for the community in the last year.”
Their fellow nominees included Arbroath hairdresser and singer Danny Laverty, who has raised thousands of pounds for medical equipment, and OAP May Smith, whose doorstep dressing-up antics during lockdown made the 89-year-old great-gran an internet sensation.
Church of Scotland moderator and Arbroath minister, the Rev Dr Martin Fair, was also a nominee as well as volunteers involved in local food projects and other charities.
A project by teenager Eilidh Bowen to remember all of Arbroath’s First World War fallen in painted stones placed throughout the community was also on the list.
Kirstin Cruickshank of the RLWW admin team said the Facebook group had been blown away by the worldwide response to the poll.
“The admin team chatted and we thought it would be nice to do something to highlight some of the good things going on in the town and brighten things up.”
The Facebook group’s following has rocketed during coronavirus crisis with a current membership of more than 10,600, including thousands of exiled Lichties across the UK, Australia, Canada and the USA.
The group also has followers in locations including Peru, Liberia, Cameroon and Hong Kong.