*****

The Abbey- a five star
visitor attraction

2004 - 2005

'The Declaration' - an excerpt from Laura McGhee's 'Arbroath Suite'

2004 (Jan) New gates are installed between the outer & inner harbours, the first stage of the creation of an inner harbour marina. 2004 The Smokie is awarded 'Protected Geographical Indication'. To be called an Arbroath Smokie, the fish must be prepared within 8km of Arbroath. 2004 (Feb) Exterior & interior restoration work begins on the C.A.F.E. 2004 (Feb) Lawrence R. Burness, genealogist & author of 'The Streets of Arbroath', dies. 2004 (Mar 3) Arbroath is reinstated as one of 23 permitted fish landing ports. 2004 (Mar) Arbroath Instrumental Band take 4th place in 1st section at Scottish Championships in Motherwell. 2004 (Apr) The Marina is born as pontoons are placed in Arbroath's inner harbour. 2004 'Rural Schools in Angus' by Dorothy Morrison & Isobel Reynolds is published. 2004 'Scottie's Coffee Shop' at 92 High Street closes. 2004 (Jun 18) The Herald for the first time has news on page 1, reserved previously for ads. 2004 Sandy Yule retires, ending a family newsagents business that has served Arbroath for 69 years. However, Reehan Ul-haq takes over the shop at 86 High Street. 2004 Auchmithie's first annual Heritage & Arts Festival is held. 2004 The pipe organ within St Margaret's Church, built by Jos. Binns, receives major restoration. 2004 Fairport Service Sta. in Grant Rd. closes. Safeway's filling Sta. was strong competition. 2004 Wm Morrison take over the Safeway site at Hume St. 2004 (Jul 1) The Queen opens Angus College's new Community & Learning Centre. 2004 (Jul 1) The Inver Park Hotel on Millgate Loan becomes the Blue Angel Inn. 2004 (July 3) The first 'Seafront Spectacular' is held at Victoria Park. 2004 (Jul 30) Arbroath born Patrick Anderson, with a proud family tradition within the 'Black Watch', appeals to defence chiefs to reconsider the proposed demise of that regiment. 2004 (Aug) The Smokie Blues Bonanza is organised by Alfie Dickenson. 9 venues, 15 bands. 2004 (Sep) On the 150th anniversary of his birth, a plaque is mounted in memory of David Dunbar Buick, born in Green Street in 1854. It is unveiled by Robert Coletta, Buick's General Sales & Service Manager. Also present is Eric Buick (no immediate relation), whose efforts assisted in making the event happen. 2004 Bill Brown, Arbroath born goalkeeper capped for Scotland 28 times, dies in Canada. 2004 (Dec) The Furniture Recycling Project Angus opens in Wardmill. 2005 ('early') The Blue Angel Inn (Inver Park) closes for refurbishment. 2005 Pleasureland is refurbished & new rides are added. 2005 (Feb) Greg Mandia (of the Vandona / Bell Rock Retaurant) dies aged 82. 2005 (Feb) Mrs Gladys Fleming closes 'Vogue Fashion' at 17 Keptie Street. 2005 (Mar) The old sailcloth store beside Mackays's Boatyard is restored to a fuctional building by the Arbroath Townscape Heritage Initiative. The store was built in 1822. 2005 (Apr 1) Monifieth violinist & composer Laura McGhee performs, beside the Statue of Liberty, 'The Declaration' from her 'Arbroath Suite', celebrating the imminent 'Tartan Day'. On her return, the Abbey walls echo to the suite in it's entirety. 2005 (Apr 6) Arbroath Fisheries launch the 'Smokie Tartan', designed & woven by Strathmore Woolen Co Ltd of Forfar. 2005 (Apr) A new 'D' class inshore Lifeboat is placed in service. 2005 (Apr 16) Marie Knight opens a bridal gown business at 274 High Street. 2005 (Apr) Irene's Lingerie relocate from 255 High St. to 221 High St. (This new address had been D. Taylor's & then D & J Whitton's in the 1930s.) 2005 After the premises being unused as a restaurant for some time, 59-61 Ladybridge Street opens as 'Taste'. 2005 'Seven' Cafe Restaurant opens at 124 High Street. 2005 Political correctness sounds the death knell of the name 'The Angus Black & White Minstrels', popular for so long in the Webster Theatre. They will now be known as the 'Angus Minstrels'. 2005 The Fairport Service Station site on Grant Road, closed last year, is now cleared. 2005 'Pie Bob', of 3 Grant Road, opens his new shop at 182 High Street. 2005 Tuttie's Neuk's lounge on Ladyloan is converted into a restaurant. 2005 The 'Arbroath Property Shop' opens at 92 High Street. 2005 The Lordburn Bar at 33 Lordburn, becomes Burn's Bar. 2005 'The Wishing Well' greeting card shop at 221 High Street closes. 2005 Ashbrook Nursery at Cabrach House (previously selling commercially) opens to the public. 2005 (Jul) The Commercial Inn is bought by Alex & Christine Smith. 2005 'Delaney's Bottling Company' at 3 Millgate becomes The Millgate Bar. 2005 (Aug) The Salvation Army's Charis Cafe is opened in Marketgate by Brigadier Janet Fraser. 2005 (Aug) The Declaration manuscript is displayed at the Scottish Parliament in an exhibition to mark the 700th anniversary of William Wallace's execution. 2005 (Aug) The Public Library hosts the 'Arbroath High Connection' art exhibition (until Sept 3), highlighting the artwork of former pupils & staff. Organised by former Head of Art Jim Gordon & opened by Rector Dr. Alan Fraser, the event features paintings, photography, architecture, ceramics, jewellery, textiles & leatherwork. Those contributing to the event include: Rachel Bibby, Russell Black, Bob Cargill, Alison Connelly, Gemma Corner, Rikki Craig, Marion Cronshaw, Joan Cuthill, Jim Dunbar, Colin Gibson, Jim Gordon, George Grassie, Morris Grassie, George Groves, Irene Halliday, Charles Hampton, Owen Henderson, Richard Hunter, Susannah Hunter, Nadine Lawton, Bill Littlejohn, Melanie McGregor, Sarah MacLean, Talbert McLean, Julee Muir, Gemma Nelson (daughter of Frances Nelson), Ann Patrick (daughter of J. McIntosh Patrick), Barry Patterson, Steven Patrick Sim, Moira Hamilton Speirs, Frances Strachan & Gemma Teviotdale. A special tribute is included to the late Bill Reid, for his long serving contribution to the High School's Art Department. 2005 Wright's Cafe Bar at 129 High Street closes. 2005 Jumping Joeys opens. (Ask my grandaughter about this date's importance). 2005 'Living Images', the trading name of Lothian, Borders & Angus Co-op Society's home furnishings shop at 246-254 High Street, closes. 2005 The long established 'Blairdene' Guest House & Restaurant at 216 High Street closes. 2005 (Aug) Pavel Andoga from the Czech Republic gives an impromptu piano recital in Terry Wood's Abbey Music shop. It results in an audition with Ronnie Coburn and a slot on the ' Breath of Scotland ' show on August 14th. 2005 (Aug 20,21) The 2nd Smokie Blues Festival. 15 venues, 32 acts including Spike Drivers & Steve Arvey from Chicago. 2005 (Aug 22-27) The Arbroath Abbey Pageant Society's presentation of a floodlit re-enactment of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath together with 'Shadows From The Past', a play specially written for the occasion, is filmed & subsequently released on DVD & video. 2005 The 'Star Bar' in West Port, closed in 2003, re-opens. 2005 (autumn) Haddows off licence at 242 High Street closes. 2005 A 600 year old (estim.) skeleton is discovered under the floor of 12 Shore during alterations. 2005 (Sep) 'The Plough' at 3 Fisheracre becomes 'The Arbroath Arms'. Three months later it is again 'The Plough'. 2005 (Sep 27) The new A92 Arbroath to Dundee dual carriageway opens well ahead of schedule. 2005 Victoria Garage in Union Street East is demolished. A block of flats will rise on the site. 2005 Springfield Health Centre opens. 2005 (Oct) John McGlashan becomes manager of Arbroath FC. 2005 The 'Skate Inn', 2 West Newgate, closes. 2005 Helm Training, developing vocational & lifeskills, is established in Dishlandtown Street. 2005 (Nov 1) C.M. Supplies relocate to no.10 Brothock Bridge (prev. Stuart Knight's Insurnce). 2005 (Nov) The Rennies sell Seaforth Hotel to Stephen Smith's Seaforth Investments Ltd, for take over from Feb 14th. 2005 (Nov) The 'Subway' cafe opens at Unit 2, Abbeygate Shopping Centre. 2005 (Nov) A. Irons & Son, footwear (Bob Scott now sole owner) closes at 27 Hamilton Green. The shop opened here in 1922. 2005 (Nov) Brokehead HQ open for business at 284 High St. (premises previously Clepto & Son). 2005 (Nov 15) Kwikbuilding Construction Ltd of Elliot Ind. Est. cease trading with the loss of 14 jobs. 2005 (Nov 17) Construction of the Saltire Leisure Centre extension begins. 2005 (Nov) A call is made for urgent action to be taken to preserve the Water Tower at KeptiePond, the interior of which is now in a serious state of neglect. 2005 (Dec) As part of it's Visitor Attraction Grading Scheme, Visit Scotland awards the Abbey a 5 star rating. 2005 (Dec) Ross Bull's excellent film 'History of the Smokie', which also traces Arbroath's story, is released on DVD by Xpotential. See 'Sources'. 2005 (Dec 7) In the House of Commons, Arbroath M.P. Mike Weir debates: ".....fishing was once a strong industry in my constituency. I grew up in Arbroath & I remember a teeming port & fish market. It is all gone now. At the last count only 6 or so boats operated out of Arbroath". Ministers in Brussels agree a 15% cut in cod & a 13% cut in haddock fishing quotas. 2005 (Dec 8) 'Lidl' open for business at Gravesend, a site unused since Safeway moved to Hume St. 2005 (Dec 15) Strathtay Omnibuses, up to now owned by Yorkshire Traction, are taken over by Stagecoach. 2005 (Dec) Chic Grant opens 'Outdoor Action (Scotland)' at 281 High Street. 2005 (Dec) 'Home-Start Angus' move to Millgate Loan. More than 75 Arbroath folk are now giving real assistance to young families with pre-school children. 2005 (Dec) 'Beach Hut Tanning & Beauty' takes over 12 Applegate from the 'Tanning Centre & Beauty Room'. 2005 'Angus Country Sports' open in 273 High Street (previously a baker's shop).

1st Seafront Spectacular

Black Watch pride

2004 Buick Velite Concept

The
Smokie
Tartan

Ashbrook Nursery

Go on - do it - let smokies change your life......

David Dunbar Buick - born 1854

October :
Arbroath lets Dundee in

The Water Tower, just as impressive from afar, by 2005 is in need of some love and affection

Image copyright
Ken Cargill

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