Chance to shine a light on Angus’s local heroes

Nominations are now open for this year’s Scotland Loves Local Awards, which recognise those whose dedication and innovation is making life better and shaping a stronger future

Communities are continuing to face continual and unprecedented challenges and the awards will see heroics on the high street rewarded, along with responses to the climate crisis.

Artistic flair, work to create new town centre homes, encourage enterprise, make streets more attractive, and digital innovation will also be recognised.

Organised by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP), the awards celebrate all that’s great about local towns and neighbourhoods and tireless work taking place to secure a stronger future in them.

Among last year’s recipients was the Montrose Playhouse Project, which took the Creative Town accolade for the vision and success of the £3.5m transformation of the town’s former swimming pool into a vibrant arts venue.

Kimberley Guthrie, STP’s Interim Chief Officer, said: “In many ways, the challenges facing our communities have never been greater as we face up to the climate emergency, cost of living and the legacy of coronavirus.

"But many people and organisations across Angus are stepping up to those challenges."

Ms Guthrie continued: “In so many ways, this has brought out the best in our people and places. It’s unleashed a desire to make a difference, to create a new future - one which has localism at its heart, with better places in which to live and work.

“The Scotland Loves Local Awards are a chance to shine a spotlight on all of this and so much more.

"To do that, we need you to tell us about the inspiring people and projects whose dedication and innovation is making a real difference in your community.”

The award categories are: High Street Hero (an individual or organisation making an exceptional difference in their community); Place Leader Award; Climate and Netzero; Creative Town; Streets and Spaces; Digital Town; Town Centre Living; Enterprising Community.

Spearheaded by STP and supported by the Scottish Government, Scotland Loves Local is the movement which encourages people to create a better future for their communities by choosing local.

This is the third year in which the awards have been held.

Nominations can be made online at www.lovelocal.scot/awards, where full category criteria can also be found.

There, you can briefly share the details of your nominee and why you would like to see them recognised with an award.

The closing date for nominations is 5pm on Monday, September 4.

Winners will be announced at a celebration being held in November.