A COMMUNITY ROLE FOR FORFAR PRIMARY?
THE erection of "For Sale" signs outside the former Forfar Academy and Chapelpark Primary School building prompted some discussion at last month's meeting of Forfar Community Council.
It sparked off debate about the future of that school and the former Wellbrae Primary School which was also placed on the open market by Angus Council.
Whilst community council chairman Isobel Ross read a letter of support from an Arbroath resident backing the local community's calls for the establishment of a community centre at the Wellbrae site, fellow community councillor Freda Napier urged Angus councillors John Rymer and Colin Brown who were in attendance to lobby their fellow councillors in an attempt to save the Wellbrae building for community use.
Commenting on the issue, Mrs Ross told the meeting she felt the Wellbrae site was wrong for housing adding it would be a "shame if such a beautiful building came out of public hands."
She continued: "I would be very disappointed if it goes. I think there is very great need for a community centre in Forfar; we have a leisure centre which is over-flowing and over-worked, we have various groups that don't have facilities. To be honest the building should be used for the people of Forfar."
Criticised
Mrs Ross again criticised the fact the disposal of the Wellbrae Primary School site was handled under "delegated powers".
"These buildings do not belong to the council, they belong to the people of Forfar. Councils come and go, and will come and go in the future, but these buildings should remain in the hands of the local people, to be used by the local people."
In a statement issued by Forfar Community Council last Friday they revealed that, as a result of an article in the Dispatch in July regarding the need for a community centre, several interested parties have contacted them.
An informal meeting has been held and the need for a community centre catering for various activities and age groups in the town has been identified.
The statement read: "The very name 'community centre' means that this would be a facility available in the community, for the community and run by the community.
"Forfar Community Council invite clubs, groups, businesses and members of the public to contact us, to help to take this initiative forward for the benefit of the town.
"If you would like to be involved in any way please contact Isobel Ross, chair/secretary Forfar Community Council, 35 Wellbraehead, Forfar DD8 3AX or email isobelross58@yahoo.co.uk or contact any community councillor.
"Remember this is your town and such a facility will be for you and your family to enjoy in the future."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Forfar
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 3 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South west
