Campaign Plans Web Site

The campaign committee to secure World Heritage Site Status for Arbroath Abbey from the United Nations has met Malcolm Mactavish from the University of Abertay Dundee to discuss designing a website to encourage people to sign up and support the campaign.

Mr Mactavish told members that teams of students will each design a website and the best one will be used to promote the campaign.

The site design was discussed at length and it was agreed that attracting people of all ages to not only sign up to the campaign, but also encouraging them to continue visiting the site for progress reports were the most important factors. The site, which it is hoped will be launched at a special ceremony at Easter, will contain information regarding the Abbey's history, the Declaration of Arbroath and the requirements of the United Nations to secure the much sought after World Heritage Status.

Following the successful bid for Lottery money, committee member Harry Ritchie has been liaising with marketing company Avian to produce a portable stand that can be taken to events and schools to encourage people to sign the petition, and photographs for the stand will be taken this week with a view to having the stand and leaflets completed within two months.

The Committee also discussed lapel badges that can be sold at local outlets in order to keep raising money for the campaign which it is estimated will be required to run for around 15 years due to the waiting list for United Nations consideration.

Arbroath Councillors Jim Millar and David Fairweather reported to the meeting that they had held talks with Angus Council to explore ways of securing extra funding in a bid to have a promotional DVD made which could be distributed to interested organisations.

Commenting after the meeting, chairman Jim Millar said: "We are making slow but steady progress with the campaign and we want to be able to portray a very professional image when we start attending local events and schools. With the new stand, leaflets and website, we really do feel we will make an excellent impact which will not only encourage people to support us, but also inform people about Arbroath and its rich history."