Signal Space: A Community Collaboration Project to design Arbroath Signal Tower Museum’s Garden & Courtyard

ANGUSalive is looking for volunteers to be involved in a unique opportunity to collaboratively design the Signal Tower Museum’s garden and courtyard to offer a new community destination space and amplify the existing offering of a wonderful building.

The Signal Tower Museum, located near the town’s picturesque harbour, was built in 1813 to allow communication or signalling with the isolated keepers stationed on the Bell Rock lighthouse, in the early days of operation the copper ball mechanisms on the top of both Signal Tower and lighthouse were used, in conjunction with flags, as main methods of communication, hence the name Signal Tower. The Signal Tower provided support and communication for the light keepers and it is now a fascinating museum telling the story about the construction of the Bell Rock Lighthouse and the town’s maritime past.

Now it is time for the garden and courtyard to offer a new community destination space thanks to an award of £4,000 from the Heritage Lottery Funded ‘Steps to Sustainability’ project which aims to make heritage organisations more sustainable.

Working with enthusiastic co-designers Gary Kennedy of kennedytwaddle & Linsey McIntosh, who co-designed and delivered the V&A Dundee Community Garden, and local charity Reach Across, who provide help and support for those experiencing mental health difficulties. ANGUSalive is looking for volunteers to be involved in this unique opportunity to collaboratively design this exciting multi-use outdoor space. Gary Kennedy said: “We are enthused by this project, and are very much looking forward to building a co-design team with the interested communities of Arbroath. We expect the experience to be engaging, creative and enjoyable, while achieving an outcome that we can collectively be proud of.” Linsey McIntosh added: “There’s so much potential with this beautiful coastal site, and together we can shape the next chapter of the story at the Signal Tower.”:

There will be a welcome session to find out more, followed by two initial workshops on the following dates:

• Welcome Launch - Thursday 20 January 2022 2pm Webster Memorial Theatre, Arbroath
• Workshop One - Thursday 3 February 2022 2pm Webster Memorial Theatre, Arbroath
• Workshop Two- Thursday 23 February 2022 2pm Signal Tower Museum, Arbroath

Rachel Jackson, Museums Galleries & Archives Operations Lead explains more about the project.  She said: “We are really excited to be working as part of this Heritage Lottery Funded project and involving the local community and the V&A Dundee Community Garden designers to transform this underused outdoor space. The project will not only help wonderfully transform the space into an exciting destination, it is also a fantastic opportunity for keen gardeners and designers to volunteer and be a part of a small friendly team, whilst learning new design skills and helping create something that locals and visitors can enjoy for years to come.”

You can also call 01241 464554 or email arbroathmuseum@angusalive.scot for more information.

All sessions will follow Scottish Government guidance adhering to 1 metre social distancing and the wearing of face coverings.