Carnoustie

The R&A initiative provides funding to local community groups and organisations to support projects and programmes that will have a positive and lasting impact on the town of Carnoustie.

A local panel, chaired by Carnoustie Councillor David Cheape and comprising fellow councillors Brian Boyd and Mark McDonald, Carnoustie Community Council chairman Arliss Rhind, David Mackland of Our Carnoustie and Cameron Dunn, House Captain at Carnoustie High School recommended the projects to The R&A.

The successful recipients of the legacy funding are Colourful Carnoustie, The Fairy Steps Trail, Cycling without Age and Friends of Barry Mill.

"We want to leave a lasting legacy for the local environment and communities in which The Open is staged and we look forward to seeing the results of the funding we have provided to the successful applicants" added Johnnie Cole-Hamilton.

Angus Council Leader, Cllr David Fairweather said, “The standard of the projects that entrants put forward for funding was extremely high and I’m sure that all of them would have been of benefit to Carnoustie. I am delighted with the choices made by the local panel and The R&A.

“This most generous investment in these local community projects will, I am certain, be of tremendous benefit and emphasises the tremendous value of hosting The Open on the marvellous Carnoustie links."

Colourful Carnoustie’s funding will go towards the upgrade and refurbishment of the Carnoustie Rest Garden in Links Parade and to improve the attractiveness and welcome of the railways station and cycle path and grounds at Links House, as well as the construction of a Scottish rock garden in Carlogie Road. They will also work with local secondary school pupils on a mindfulness project and create a quiet area/sensory garden at Woodlands Primary School.

The Fairy Steps Trail project aims to reinstate the path to The Fairy Steps, the steps themselves and the bridge over Craigmill Burn. Ultimately, the project by Food is Free will seek to reinstate the path from the bridge through the former Right of Way through fields to Muirdrum and is seen as a natural extension and last link in the circular walk around Carnoustie.

Cycling Without Age, will be led locally by Carnoustie Befrienders and Carnoustie Memories, is a national programme supported by Scottish Government and helps to transform the lives of older people, re-engaging them with the outdoors through trips in trishaws piloted by local volunteers. The legacy funding will be used to purchase three trishaws and equipment. One of the trishaws will be adapted for wheelchair use for people of all ages.

Friends of Barry Mill will use their funds to improve the biodiversity of the Barry Burn and surrounding area, including the grounds of Barry Mill. Wild flowers, native shrubs and trees will be planted along the banks of the burn at Barry Mill and invasive non-native species will be cleared and the path network improved. The aim is to attract more visitors and encourage nature to thrive. Funds will also be used to create a bird hide and a rustic children’s play area in the woodland glade by the mill.

The R&A initiative was announced following last July’s successful staging of The Open, which attracted a record 172,000 spectators and generated a £120 million benefit to Scotland.

Angus alone benefited from a £21 million injection of new money thanks to visitors coming to the region for the Championship.