News - Forres Area Community Trust

Last Updated: August 21, 2019 by forresarea

Community group celebrates first anniversary running Moray town hall by submitting bid to own it

Picture by JASON HEDGES:
L-R – Vicky Flood (Community Development Worker), Kirsty Williams (older Persons Project Co-ordinator), Janice Cooper (Forres On-line Co-ordinator), Kirsty-Ann Wilson (Graduate Marketer), Rory Dutton (Tenant Co-Worker) and front – Debbie Herron (Development Manager)

A community group has submitted a bid to take over a cherished Moray landmark and bring it back to life.

Today is the first anniversary of Forres Area Community Trust (Fact) signing a lease to prevent the local town hall closing.

Now the charity is aiming to take over the ownership of the Victorian building, which has been a gathering point for generations, as well.

Today new art gallery will be opened in the hall during a party to celebrate the landmark, which dates back to the 1850s.

Annual Hogmanay bashes have been revived at the hall for the first time since the 1960s and the town centre venue is also now fully booked for Saturday coffee mornings until the end of next year.

Debbie Herron, Fact’s development manager, wants to preserve the building’s strong links with the community.

She said: “During the last year we’ve had a few people come in who have met their husbands and wives here – it used to be very popular with a lot of evening dances.

“The social history of the building is really important. We knew it was important to the community but I didn’t realise how much until this year.”

Forres Town Hall faced closure with similar venues last year due to budget cuts from Moray Council. Fact has applied to the authority for ownership of the hall to be transferred to them.

Meetings have been set up between Fact, other groups who have taken on their own community facilities and council staff so they can learn from what each other is doing.

The group has drawn up plans for a £1.9million refurbishment of the Forres hall to build on the success of film screenings in the venue with tiered seating and more gallery and office space.

Mrs Herron added: “The biggest challenge for us at the moment is the condition of the building.

“It’s nearly 200 years old now. The roof leaks in places, it’s safe but it’s just another thing that needs repaired.

“Ultimately we want to completely refurbish the entire hall over the next five years. It doesn’t make best use of space at the moment so there’s a lot of untapped potential.”

The celebration at Forres Town Hall today will run from 4pm to 6pm with regular users of the venue present to provide information about what they do.

Last Updated: August 21, 2019 by forresarea

Forres Skate Park campaigners need community input to carry on

A funky roller disco for all ages is being held in Forres House Community Centre to raise awareness of the Forres Skate Park Initiative. Getting their skates on are, left to right, Sophie Fullard, Franky Haymer, Kirsty-Ann Wilson and Fi Rodger. Picture: Marc Hindley

by David Walker, Press and Journal

Campaigners, who plan to build a Skate Park in a Moray town, have launched an online survey to garner local support and input.

The Forres Skate Park Initiative want to hear from anybody interested in their project to become involved in the campaign which is just starting to gather pace.

However, before they can really get going, they are in desperate need of more members to achieve their goal of installing an all-inclusive skating facility in the community.

FSPI has yet to formally constitute a campaign group, apply for charitable status or gain funding for a feasibility study to support applications for funding.

That is why they have launched an online survey to gauge the public’s view on the Olympic training facility which would encourage the use of skateboards, roller blades, scooters and bikes.

Once they have gained enough support, they intend to commission a study that would look at materials, landscaping options and opening times.

Community development worker Vicky Flood is hopeful that the survey helps the group better understand what the people want.

She said: “There has already been consultation over this project, however it is still important for funding and covers Moray Council’s obligations regarding Community Asset Transfers.

“As the Bogton Road site next to Mosset Park was the second choice for a skate park in the Forres Planning for Real consultation, we have sent letters to residents closest to it.”

The group recently held a popular bright roller disco in Forres to raise funds and awareness of the initiative.

As of last week, nine people had expressed an interest in joining the group and becoming more involved in the campaign.

The group has gained the support of FACT (Forres Area Community Trust) and meets in the Town Hall, but it now wants to stand on its own two feet.

Committee member Fiona Rodgers added: “If we can get people together who can see the potential for an all-year-round skating facility, hopefully we can get the right people on board to make it happen.”

The survey can be found here.

Anyone interested should email vicky@forresarea.org.

Last Updated: August 21, 2019 by forresarea

Planning The (next) Big Lunch Forres

Volunteers get together at St Leonard’s Church to plan the next Big Lunch

by Forres Gazette

REPRESENTATIVES from a national charity stopped in Forres to discuss an event to be organised in the area for the third year running.

The Eden Project communities team were at the town hall to discuss The Big Lunch which took place over the last two summers at Transition Town Forres and Grant Park. The Eden Project want as many people as possible to get into the picnic spirit, grab a blanket, neighbours, friends, sandwiches and have a Big Lunch on June 1 and 2.

Richard Lochhead MSP attended the workshop and expressed support for the event.

He said: “It was great to hear how the initiative helps to bring people in communities together. There are many social benefits to people being more connected and it’s clear that The Big Lunch is making a difference to communities right across the country. The Scottish Government recently published its strategy for tackling loneliness and social isolation, and projects like The Big Lunch can play a vital part in that agenda.”

He added: “Forres has a fantastic community spirit, and I pay tribute to those who have organised big lunch events in the past – I hope that they’ll continue.”

Big Lunchers provided first-hand accounts of the power of the Big Lunch in bringing people together, offering suggestions arising from their experience throughout the workshop.

Kirsty Williams of Forres Area Community Trust, the creative force behind last June’s Big Lunch in Grant Park, helped organise the workshop.

She said: “It was an informative day and my colleague Vicky and I have already arranged a planning meeting for March 19, inviting different groups along so we can all work together to make The Big Lunch a success this year.”

Discussions led to possible future Big Lunches in the town hall, the Findhorn Foundation and Hopeman, to add to those planned for streets and gardens around Moray.

One participant, native to Forres but working in Gairloch promised to take the Big Lunch to the west coast after attending the workshop.

Over 40,000 people in Scotland took part in The Big Lunch last year.

Free starter packs, tips and ideas can be found at www.thebiglunch.com or by calling 0845 850 8181.

Last Updated: August 21, 2019 by forresarea

Hogmanay celebrations to return to beloved Moray venue for first time in half a century

Forres Town Hall has stood on the High Street since the mid 19th Century.

by David Mackay, Press and Journal

Hogmanay celebrations will return to a treasured Moray town centre venue for the first time in half a century.

Findhorn Bay Arts is hosting the shindig at Forres Town Hall with a wealth of traditional music acts taking part.

The venue used to be the home of Hogmanay for the local community but has not hosted such a party since the 1960s.

Now revellers are being invited to dress up with “dazzle and sparkle” from the era of the last celebration held at the town hall in order to bring in 2019.

Kresanna Aigner, director of Findhorn Bay Arts, explained that the recent takeover of the venue by the Forres Area Community Trust from the council had inspired the decision to revive the events.

She said: “The hall is in the hands of the community now which has made it possible to open it again for Hogmanay.

“We had such a successful festival this year that it just felt like the right time to resurrect the parties at the town hall.

“We’ve got people from six to 86-years-old coming. It’s a real mix but we want to help bring people together.”

Tickets for the event are nearly sold out with proceeds being put towards supporting creative activities in the local area.

Crowds are also expected to gather at the foot of Dufftown’s clock tower to bring in the bells, while sharing drams and shortbread.

In Aberdeen, meanwhile, ABBA tribute band Thank You For The Music will be one of the top attractions.

They will be joined on stage on Schoolhill by local musicians Rachael Bisset and Scott Mellis and the Celtic rock band Gleadhraich, with the fun beginning at 9pm.

Marie Boulton, the city council’s culture spokeswoman, said: “There is always a great atmosphere in the city centre on Hogmanay.

“Our free street party is an excellent way to bring in the bells.”

Last Updated: August 21, 2019 by forresarea

Toun Mercat just one of Scottish Week highlights

by Forres Gazette

SCOTTISH Week returns on Saturday and with it comes a buzzing street market in the town centre.

The triennial event co-ordinated by Forres Community Activities Association (FCAA) continues the Gala Week tradition, including the highlight for many, the crowd-drawing Toun Mercat on Friday, June 8.

Rachel Philp, from Philp’s Fine Food, is organising the market stalls this year.

She said: “With just three weeks to go, there has been a phenomenal interest from both stall holders and performers wanting to secure a place at the popular open-air market held along the entire length of Forres High Street between 6pm and 9pm.

“We have almost 80 stalls confirmed already and applications are still coming in!”

Attendees will find a pedestrianised high street, closed off to traffic for the evening, full of stalls, demonstrations, fairground rides and live performances.

Cafes, bars and shops will also be open, and a new farmers’ market area will offer fresh, local and organic products direct from the producers.

The theme for window dressing and fancy dress (open to everyone) is ‘Come As You Were’ in keeping with Scotland Year of the Young Person 2018.

The entire event will also be compered by Wave Radio.

Forres Area Community Trust development officer Debbie Heron is organising the entertainment.

She said: “We know from experience that people look forward to the Toun Mercat but it’s up to businesses make it special.

“I’m delighted we’ve had so many applicants but there is room for plenty more, especially street performers.

“Anyone interested can contact me at the FACT office, 1 Leask Road, Forres or by telephoning 01309 674388.”

Stalls are £15 and High Street retailers are given priority outside their shops.

Booking forms for stall holders can be downloaded at http://forresarea.org/tounmercat or picked up from the FACT office on Leask Road between 9am and 1pm.

They are also available from Rachel at Fresh Horizons Café on the Forres Enterprise Park between 9am and 3pm, Monday to Friday.

Scottish Week 2018 runs from June 2-10.

A Rock concert at the terraced hills in Grant Park on Saturday, June 2 at 8pm kicks off Scottish Week with a bang showcasing some of the best live music Forres has to offer; there will be performances from Forres Pipe Band including a march through the town centre to the park on Saturday, June 2 at 7pm; street racing for children and adults around the town centre on Monday, June 4 at 6pm has been organised by Forres Harriers; the Burgess Ceremony at Forres Academy is on Tuesday, June 5 at 7pm when six worthy folk will be officially recognised by the townspeople and installed as burgesses of the Royal Burgh to the live sound of Moray Concert Brass; a vintage tea dance with John ‘The Prof’ Matheson and friends is on at Forres Town Hall on Wednesday, June 6 at 2pm; historical tours are on offer including an evening walk around local landmarks and a lecture on witches at the Tolbooth on Thursday, June 7 at 7.30pm; a pet show located between Forres Area Soccer 7’s clubhouse and Forres st Lawrence Cricket Club pavilion will show off youngster’s handling and looking after of their animals on Saturday, June 9 at 11am; and the Riding of the Marches is on Sunday, June 10 at 2pm, a modern twist of the ancient tradition of riding the town’s boundaries on horseback – this year it will be by bicycle!