I am calling on the Scottish Government to follow through on its fitness manifesto and help to finance a new swimming pool for Forfar.

I visited Forfar’s current swimming pool with local independent Councillor, Colin Brown and met with the staff at the pool. I was very impressed with Forfar’s swimming pool and have heard excellent reports of the service given by staff. The existing pool offers the best facilities it can, given the age and size of the current building.

However, it is clear that the pool cannot meet the needs of all Forfar residents going forward, including the youngest in the community. As a father of a four year old, I myself know how important it is to allow toddlers to get confident around water by making learning to swim fun. Forfar families could really do with a pool tailored specifically for their kids’ needs.

A new facility would allow young and old, fitness fanatics and leisure swimmers alike, to go swimming together. Pools can be an excellent meeting place for the whole community.

Angus Council is aware of the need for a new pool in the town. However, with the council’s allocation from central government set to be slashed, the Scottish SNP Government needs to follow through on its fitness manifesto and invest in health at the heart of Angus and Forfar.

I recently visited the Royal Montrose Golf Club and met with vice-captain, Brian Ritchie to discuss plans for the club’s bicentenary celebrations.

Brian discussed the club’s prestigious history as the 9th oldest golf club, including its royal patronage in 1845, along the club’s central role in defining the modern game and popularising the sport in America.

It is clear that the club have worked very hard, and planned a first class programme, which is being backed by local businesses and the council. I am sure the year will prove to be a huge success not only for the club but also for the town. The celebrations will, I hope attract more tourists to Montrose and Angus as well as the excellent links course and be a boost for all of Montrose’s excellent golf clubs.

I was also given a tour of the clubhouse and the changes that have been made to make the club more friendly towards visitors. By coincidence, the club’s impressive new signage was being put up during my visit.

I hope that residents of Montrose, Angus and beyond will support the club’s celebrations, as the club has made great efforts to welcome visitors. Along with the Mercantile and Caledonian, Montrose’s golf clubs provide excellent local facilities for the town.