The decision by a Tartan Day working group to snub local amateur talent in Angus has been described as ”disgraceful”, ”insulting” and ”deeply hurtful”.
Brian Boyd and Bob Spink hit out at the decision to pay the Red Hot Chilli Pipers more than £3,000 to perform for black tie guests after throwing out the suggestion of booking Blazin’ Brass from Carnoustie.
The Courier exclusively revealed on Monday that Angus taxpayers’ money is being spent to pay the kilted ensemble for a 30-minute spot at the 2012 Connections Dinner at the Carnoustie Golf Hotel.
Montrose councillor Mark Salmond stepped down from the working group in protest because he could not support the spending of council tax payers’ money in this way.
He claimed that he was told that, given the VIP guests who will be attending, it would be ”inappropriate to have amateurs and we would really need professionals”.
Arbroath councillor Bob Spink said: ”I am disturbed and annoyed that once more I learn of a council issue from the local press, and of yet another ‘working group’ that excludes the majority of elected members’ views.
”These groups in principle are fine for narrowing the focus but should be formed with the approval of the council with costs and budgets made quite clear and brought back to council for approval before any decisions are taken.
”I am in agreement with Councillor Salmond’s views on this questionable prudent use of public funds and applaud the action he has taken to divorce himself from the situation. I would have done the same.
”There is no doubt the Red Hot Chilli Pipers are a class act and would have had no objection to the choice of booking them to perform at such an event as long as the event is open to all and with ticket sales to cover the cost.
”Company sponsorship is another avenue which should have been explored, or has it been, for even as an elected member of Angus Council I have no idea.
”To suggest that ‘it would be inappropriate to have amateurs’ perform at such an event is insulting and must be deeply hurtful to the masses of talented amateurs we are so fortunate to have in Angus of all ages.”
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”It is well within the ability of our local producers I am sure to score a piece for Blazin’ Brass interspersed with local pipers to theme the night.
”We have Highland dancers of worldwide class no further away than Montrose who have travelled abroad spreading the name of Angus far and wide, as well as nationally known brass band talent and so many other amateurs we can be proud to call our own and amateurs in name only.”
The black tie dinner is part of the council’s programme of events and celebrations and will feature guests such as US Consul General Dana Linnet.
Mr Boyd said the decision to snub the Carnoustie group had left him extremely annoyed.
”Why are they good enough to win national awards, being great ambassadors for our town, some playing at the Albert Hall, yet not good enough to be asked to play at an event in their own home town?
”Angus Council loves to promote itself as Carnoustie Country. The reason why? It makes a fortune from it, yet here we are again snubbing our local talent and townsfolk.
”It’s disgraceful. Why were none of the Carnoustie councillors asked to be on this sub-group?
”Having two Brechin councillors and two Montrose councillors is surely not fair representation for our town.
”This event will have to be looked at and scrutinised for next year and, after the elections in May, I hope the Alliance Group or the SNP ensure fairness for all throughout the area.”
The Blazin’ Brass ensemble are a group of young players from Carnoustie and Monifieth who play at various community events. All of them are members of the Carnoustie and District Youth Brass Band who are the current British Youth Champions.