Volunteers have assumed control of toilets in Edzell to coincide with one of the village’s biggest events of the year.
The community asset transfer of the Edzell Muir toilet facilities was agreed between Edzell Village Improvement Society and Angus Council.
EVIS took over the management of the toilets ahead of the town’s gala week which gets under way on Saturday and includes a procession up Edzell High Street.
In early 2017 Angus Council voiced their interest in forming a partnership with a local community group to save on maintenance and cleaning costs.
Alison Farrell from EVIS said: “If no group came forward to accept the partnership the toilets would have closed.
“In April 2017 EVIS held a public meeting where discussion about potential closure of the toilet facilities was a main topic on the agenda.
“It was agreed by all present at the meeting that the closure of the toilets would be a great loss to the community as well as the numerous visitors to the village.
“Not taking over the management of the public toilet was not an option.
“Following various correspondence with Angus Council, details of the takeover have been finalised and the date was agreed to coincide with one of our biggest events of the year — Gala Week.
“EVIS has a small team of volunteers who feel strongly about this facility remaining open for the village and its visitors.
“They will be working on a rota system to maintain the toilet facilities to a suitable standard and to open and close them daily.
“To ensure the longevity of this facility the team requires the addition of new members.
“If you feel this could be you, please contact EVIS at edzell.village@hotmail.com.”
Edzell Gala Week gets under way on Saturday and begins with the crowning of Gala Queen and her attendants at the Inglis Memorial Hall.
A procession up the High Street will follow before the Gala Day begins at 12.30pm with a varied programme of events including pig racing at 2pm and 4pm.
Other attractions include two displays from the Jez Avery Stunt Show, Beattie School of Dance, Forfar and District Pipe Band and a family pet show.
Events across next week feature a family picnic, a treasure hunt, family bike run, bingo night, quiz night, ceilidh, race night, beat the clock fun run and the Edzell Flower Show.
More details of all the events can be found on the EVIS Facebook page.
