Reasons for the people of Brechin to be positive
PEOPLE in Brechin have reason to be positive about the future of the city, according to the re-elected convener of the Brechin and Area Partnership, who highlighted the good work going on locally in his report at last week's annual general meeting.
Jim Milne, who also serves as a director at the Attic youth centre, said that there has been more good than bad going on in the town over the past 12 months, citing the Townscape Heritage Initiative, the rejuvenation of the old Matrix Engineering under the new guise of Kelman Engineering and the Brechin Business Parks as antidotes to the blows of losing institutions like Woolworths and the loss of jobs at Matrix International.
There was also time for Mr Milne to single out the Brechin Advertiser for the work done for both the partnership and businesses locally as he thanked those who had been an active part of the group.
"I think that in the last year more positive things than negative have happened in Brechin," Jim told the meeting.
"One of these positive things is the Townscape Heritage Initiative. The tradesmen left the building after its refurbishment only last week and it looks in pretty good shape.
"Hopefully when the staff get in and work at it, and with the new additions that are also going in, it will be far greater asset to Brechin.
"Other things that the THI is doing is getting rid of some of the eyesores in the town, which is seriously needed.
"One of the lasting legacies that the THI may leave though is the number of young apprentices who were out of work that it has picked up.
"Hopefully by the time work is finished they will be trained up and will get back to work with additional skills added to them by the THI project.
"The loss of Woolies was obviously a blow to the town, as was Matrix International down-sizing, although that seems to have stabilised now.
"Matrix Engineering going from administration to becoming Kelman Engineering is one of the biggest success stories though. It is now bucking the trend and is as, if not more, busy than it has ever been.
"There is also finally movement at the business park with both companies at the front employing staff and metalwork going on at the back.
"I don't think that it is all a one way thing, despite what some people may say. I think that jobs are coming in and with a bit of luck Brechin Business Park will start to fill up.
"The Pageant was once again a success this year, and the Angus Show, although it was held just outside Brechin, was also very successful and one thing that the Angus Show does is give the food and pub trade in Brechin a boost.
"According to the chairperson, numbers were up this year and they were very happy, especially as it was a very well behaved event.
"Brechin High School and Brechin Learning Centre have also been a great boost. People I have spoken to who have been made redundant and have been up to the college have been very complimentary of the staff.
"For the Partnership next year, we will again be looking at the roundabouts where we will look to get value for money, as well as taking on the idea of using the high school's art class to design models made entirely out of recyclable materials.
"Litter is also an ongoing issue. We were offered the chance to get money quicker if we cut back our funding, but the view is that we can wait to be put through the due process so that we hopefully get all the money to be able to put the bins out and do some good.
"The Watson Watt Society came along and did a good talk for us at a previous meeting, and hopefully, in the not to distant future, we will have a fitting tribute to the most fitting of Brechiners.
"I can't go by without mentioning the Attic. The Queen's Award we received was greatly appreciated and reward for eight years of hard work.
"I would like to thank Matt Henderson of Angus Council for his secretarial work, Alistair Wilson for keeping me right, Helen Wallace for organising the rooms, Douglas Taylor for his work as treasurer, councillors Bob Myles and Mairi Evans for their regular attendance and everybody who has been involved in something else - the help is very much appreciated.
"As well as that, I would like to thank Kieran and Steve at the Brechin Advertiser as they do us proud with the amount of coverage they give us, and I think most local organisations do very well and get good press from them."
The partnership's office bearers will remain unchanged for next year, with Matt Henderson being re-elected secretary and Douglas Taylor keeping his job as treasurer, with no opposition coming forward for any of the positions.
There was also no luck in obtaining a vice-convener for the group, but Mr Milne said that they would be "delighted" to take anyone on board who was willing to volunteer at a later date.
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 Brechin
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
