Latest news with #ForfarAcademy
The Courier
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
14 Angus school bus routes hit by closure of Dundee firm Fishers Tours
Angus Council is 'urgently looking' for alternative school bus providers after the collapse of Dundee firm Fishers Tours. The local authority says 14 of its school bus routes will be affected after the company announced it would cease operating by Friday. Fishers Tours currently runs buses to Monikie, Murroes and Birkhill primary schools, as well as Carnoustie, Monifieth, and Webster's high schools, and Forfar Academy. Drivers and mechanics at the Dundee-based firm were informed of the closure plans on Monday morning. A spokesperson for Angus Council said there would be no impact on school buses this week. However, the local authority is looking for alternative provision to begin on Tuesday, May 27. The full list of school bus services affected is as follows: The Angus Council spokesperson said: 'We are aware of difficulties being experienced by one of our school transport bus providers, which relates to routes to the following schools – (primary schools) Monikie, Murroes, Birkhill; (high schools) Carnoustie, Monifieth and Webster's; and Forfar Academy. 'Firm assurances have been given to us that there will be no impact this week (Tuesday May 20 to Friday May 23) and we are now urgently looking at alternative provision from Tuesday May 27 (Monday May 26 is an in-service day). 'We will be contacting those entitled to free home-to-school transport directly via the Group call system today and will update them again on Wednesday May 28. 'This will affect all users of these school transport services, including those who access the services by either paying a fare, or via the under-22 free travel scheme. 'Unfortunately, we are unable to contact these people directly. 'Our priority is to ensure the continuous provision of home-to-school transport, and we will provide further updates as soon as they are available. 'Please monitor our dedicated school transport webpage, which will detail the latest information.' Meanwhile, Dundee City Council said it has been made 'aware of the situation' and is 'currently looking at the details'.
The Courier
09-05-2025
- General
- The Courier
IN PICTURES: Angus falls silent for VE Day 80th anniversary commemorations
Today's generation led Forfar's tribute to its heroes of the past as the town stood silent on the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Pupils from seven local schools were at the heart of the largest Angus commemoration of Germany's surrender in May 1945. In the early evening calm at The Cross in Forfar town centre, they solemnly laid 116 poppies – one for each name on the town's Second World War honour roll. The Forfar branch of Legion Scotland organised the event. A piper led the pupils from Whitehills, Tealing, Strathmartine, Letham, Langlands and Strathmore primaries and Forfar Academy down East High Street to Town and County Hall. Air and Army Cadets formed an honour guard around the youngsters. Then, one by one, the names of the 115 men and one woman who lost their lives were read out as the children stepped forward to lay a poppy in remembrance. Legion Padre the Rev. Maggie Hunt led the short service as veterans' families and a large crowd took in the poignant event. Dignitaries included Forfar Legion president Charlie Brown and Angus Council Veterans Champion, retired Black Watch Major Ronnie Proctor. Meanwhile, Carnoustie cenotaph was the setting for a ceremony staged by the town Legion. The Rev. Annette Gordon led the act of remembrance with a reading and prayers for the fallen. Wreaths were laid by the Lord Lieutenant of Angus Pat Sawers and Carnoustie Legion branch chairman, Group Captain (rtrd) Davie Paton. Piper Willie Whyte and bugler Kirstina Fairweather played at the ceremony. And in Arbroath, the VE Day commemoration took place at the Western Cemetery. It was organised by former Royal Marine George Kennedy, with Colonel Ian Ballantyne conducting the short service.
