An Angus community group has called on residents to get behind their “village green” this weekend.
The Carnoustie Centre Action Group (CCAG) has fought since 2005 for a dedicated heritage and cultural centre on the site of the former Kinloch Primary School.
Volunteers at the empty Links Avenue site have given the town a green space, dubbed “Kinloch corner”.
But CCAG campaigner Peter Murphy says local people must convince their council of a strong desire for a centre on the grounds.
Former councillor Mr Murphy said a “grand Tartan Day car boot” should kick-start a programme of events in the middle of town.
“(Engineering firm) DJ Laing have helpfully flattened the area, and Angus Council has put grass down so it’s much nicer to look at,” he said.
“It will be the first car boot in Carnoustie but it will be much more than a normal car boot. We have Carnoustie Pipe Band playing to kick things off and there will be lots of crafts and stalls as well.
“I recently became an honorary member of the Grumpies, the gardening group that meets at the Aboukir Hotel, and they are very community-minded people so they’ve agreed to help as stewards on the day.”
A £9.6 million care centre on the former school site’s western edge was opened in December last year. Planting along the newly-formed boundary was carried out by Dundee & Angus College lecturer Dave Hall and a team of trainees.
“The council has been very good in helping us and we now have to help ourselves,” Mr Murphy added.
“The rest is up to us to build a site for all different generations, from the youngest to the oldest.”
Mr Murphy, 82, who taught at Logie and Whitfield high schools in Dundee, will run the Edinburgh Marathon this year as part of fundraising for the centre.
He said his physiotherapist was shocked to see him complain of a tender knee during recent training.
“Tracy, who works at David Lloyd Leisure (in Monifieth) said I’m the oldest athlete she’s had on her list of clients to date,” he said.
“It turned out that I’d done something to my knee, but I visited a niggle shop and now have a support on. It looks like I’ll be doing it more at a run than a walk, after all.”
Mr Murphy did the marathon in 1983 as rector of Whitfield, in a respectable three hours 35 minutes. He hopes to finish this year’s event within five hours.
Saturday’s car boot sale takes place between 10am and 2pm, with the gates opening at 9am. Plots are still available, costing £5 for cars and £10 for vans. Call 01241 852106 for more information and to book spaces.