- More uni courses cut in England
- Tax-dodging landlords 'targeted'
- Housing market recovery 'not there'
- Murder jury retraces woman's steps
- 'Serious failings' at health board
- 'Little prospect' for oil fund plan
- Disability cuts 'are devastating'
- Heart care 'more likely for rich'
- Lockerbie probe request to Libya
- Cottage death OAP 'was murdered'
- Pine marten control called for
- Direct flights 'key for economy'
- Navy diver joins Concordia probe
- Independence plan 'may block bank'
- Moore suggests earlier referendum
- Anorexia no fad, says MSP father
- Bronze sculpture stolen from museum
- Nursery man accused of sex offences
- Man held over street stabbing death
- Security guard robbed of £10,000
Local Headlines
Raising awareness at Forfar Academy
Pupils at Forfar Academy were given the opportunity to learn another language without speaking when Deafblind Scotland’s “Touching Lives” project came to visit the school.
Help is at hand for those with arthritis
Are you living with arthritis? The Angus Arthritis Forum invites you to comepop in the Parkview Community Care Centre in Carnoustie on Wednesday, February 29 between 6.30pm and 8.30pm.
Disgusted by dogs’ ‘dirt’
THE on-going problem of dogs’ dirt in Forfar is not going away, with more and more residents contacting the “Dispatch” to speak of their “utter disgust” at the mess that is now being left throughout the town (writes Janet Thomson).
Angus roll of honour
Angus Council sports development team is calling on the local Angus community to turn out in force and celebrate the sporting stars of Angus as they step into the spotlight for their annual sports awards ceremony.
Young people sought for media initiative
Based in Forfar, Young Scot (Angus) and Angus Youth Action are looking to bring together a dynamic team of 14-25 year olds who would be interested in developing skills and experience in journalism, media and the creative world.
The Vet Says
CONTINUING our series of articles on pet topics written by the vets and nurses at the Thrums Veterinary Group.
Whitehills pupils are quiz champs
THE annual Forfar Rotary Club primary schools’ quiz was last week staged for the 12th year in succession, with Graeme Waggot of Radio Tay acting as quizmaster.
Opinion divided on pool and leisure site
CONFIRMATION that Angus Council is committed to providing Forfar with a new swimming pool and leisure centre was given last Thursday afternoon when Angus Alliance finance spokesman Mark Salmond delivered his budget.
Provost visits senior circle
Angus Provost Ruth Leslie-Melville visited St Margaret’s Senior Circle and gave an informative talk about her work.
Benefits for small businesses
Angus South MSP Graeme Dey has welcomed statistics published in a parliamentary answer which show that 65% of small businesses in Angus are benefitting from the rates relief scheme introduced by the SNP Government.
Valuable work of Leprosy Mission
THE work of the Leprosy Mission was the subject of the latest talk at Forfar Probus Club.
Positive follow up report for Academy
MELVYN Lynch, head teacher at Forfar Academy, has notified parents of a recent HMI school inspection follow through report produced by Angus Council’s education department.
7.2% Angus rents hike confirmed
COUNCIL house rents in Angus are set to rise by 7.2% in April, it was confirmed at a special meeting of Angus neighbourhood services committee last week.
Improving health of young families
MEMBERS of Angus Community Health Partnership (CHP) Committee heard about the success of the community-based Health Happy Collaborative Project when they met last Monday.
Nominations are being sought for education awards
People in Angus are being urged to enter their local schools, nurseries or individuals into the Scottish Education Awards 2012 so that their exceptional achievements can be recognised.
No £500 jackpot winner
THERE was no winner of the Loons Lottery £500 jackpot prize when the latest draw was made on Monday evening.
Junior piping competition back in Kirrie
The annual Strathmore Open Junior Piping Competition in Kirriemuir is to take place this year on Saturday, February 25.
Residents re-assured on UNICEF collectors
RESIDENTS in both the east and west ends of Forfar contacted the “Dispatch” last week to express concern about the legitimacy of those who arrived in local streets canvassing for financial support for UNICEF UK.
Drugs warning from Tayside Police
Tayside Police is concerned about the number of recent deaths that may be related to use of illicit drugs.
Law firm’s accidents abroad advice
Following the sinking of the Costa Concordia, an Tayside lawyer has issued helpful guidance to people who are involved in accidents abroad.
Your thoughts on rent rise
Following the news that council house rents could soon be on the up we asked you what you think of the local authority decision to raise rents by 7.2%
MP continues his campaign
Angus MP Mike Weir has met with representatives of Consumer Focus to pursue his campaign on the dangers of self disconnection by consumers on prepayment energy meters.
It’s the Dispatch’s 128th birthday!
EXACTLY 128 years ago, on February 15, 1884, the very first editions of the Forfar Dispatch were published.
Fred scoops £1000 Loons Lottery award
THE Loons Lottery jackpot prize of £2,000 was shared by two lucky participants on Monday of last week.
AHA tries to keep costs as low as it can
THE Angus Housing Association has set its budget for 2012/13 at just over £6.1 million and agreed to limit its rent increase for next year to 5.4%.
Housebreakings: Advice is to remain vigilant
Police in Forfar are asking the assistance of the public in relation to a number of commercial housebreakings recently.
Glimmer of hope for Ross & Bonnyman
THERE is a glimmer of hope that some good will come out of the closure of Ross & Bonnyman just over a week ago.
KFC restaurant may soon come to town
KFC could soon be joining Forfar’s other fast food outlets as its planning application is recommended for conditional approval.
4000-mile scooter challenge
A FORFAR ex-pat is preparing to undertake a 4,000-mile scooter expedition to provide aid to a Gambian hospital.
Redundancy support for Forfar workers
PEOPLE recently made redundant from Forfar-based company, Ross and Bonnyman are being invited to an event to help them back in to employment.
Fire safety visit
Fire fighters are urging people across Tayside to make fire safety a priority this winter and they visited Forfar last week to drive home the message.
Rod McFarlane Award forms out
NOMINATIONS are again being sought by Angus Access Panel for the annual Rod McFarlane Award.
Gardeners gearing up for the season
With the lengthening nights and spring just around the corner the Fairlie Good Gardeners are gearing up for the coming season.
New venture
Students at Angus College are looking forward to an exciting new facility as work began recently on the construction of a College shop.
Updating tourist info
MEMBERS of Kirriemuir Community Council have been informed of plans to update the tourist information points in the Bellie’s Brae and Reform Street car parks.
2012 Marafun plans
FORFAR Rotary Club members have started planning for the latest Marafun on Sunday, May 27, with some major initiatives.
TV licence evaders caught in Forfar
More than 180 people were caught watching TV without a valid licence in Forfar in 2011, TV Licensing has revealed.
Police Beat
Police Officers in Forfar are again appealing for witnesses or anybody who has any information regarding the following crimes to come forward and contact Tayside Police on the non emergency contact number of 0300 111 2222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Scheme will support Angus’ young children
AGENCIES across Angus are working together on a project to support some of the county’s youngest children.
Your chance to volunteer
CHEST Heart and Stroke Scotland is appealing for volunteers to help with its services in Angus. CHSS’s Community Services provide communication support services to 1,200 people throughout Scotland.
Tax frozen for a sixth year
FOLLOWING the completion of the budget the local authority has announced that council tax has been frozen for a sixth year.
Competition for young people
ANGUS Access tPanel is inviting comment on its annual competition for young people aged between nine and 13 years.
Heritage talk with a focus on the life of Scott
As one of the events planned to celebrate the reaching of the South Pole by Robert Falcon Scott and his party, the first members’ meeting of 2012 of Kirriemuir Heritage Trust was very well attended with around 50 members and guests enjoying a beautifully illustrated talk by Brian Kelly, education and community outreach officer for Dundee Heritage Trust.
Shindig set to be a sell-out
THE full house signs are up for an extra-special fundraising event to be held in Forfar in June, which will raise funds for eight charities with strong connections to the local area.
New partnership launched
A NEW partnership called the ‘Whole System Approach’ has been launched in Angus as an effective way of working with high risk young people involved in offending.
History of the priory
Angus residents will be familiar with the ruined Priory situated just outside the town of Forfar, .
Kirriemuir store plan given the green light
A THREE-YEAR campaign by a local developer paid off last week when plans to create a new supermarket on a site on the edge of Kirriemuir were granted approval in principle.
800 children will ‘sign and sing’
MORE THAN 800 children from schools in Angus will take part in a world record breaking attempt this month for the most people signing and singing a song simultaneously.
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Weather for Forfar
Thursday 23 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 26 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 28 mph
Wind direction: West
