Anger over attack on peacock

An appeal in the 'Gazette' over recent weeks, resulted in all the missing names in this old picture of Castlehill Choir being published. However, there was one name repeated incorrectly. So here are are the full list of names. Back (from left) are Anne Green, Vera Mackenzie, Hazel Clark, James Clark, David Watson, Dennis Forsyth, Gerry Nicol, Charlie Stuart, Francis Storrier, James Grant, George McIntyre, Heather McDonald and Enid Budge. Middle: Margaret Hutcheson, Wendy Steele, Vima Tulloch, Vida Laurence, Jean Munro, Rev A.J. Smith, Rosie Royan, Anna Watson, Ina Johnston, Lana Penman, Una Stuart, Marie Fraser and Violet Fraser. Front: Mel Mackenzie, Eric Munro, Neil Campbell, Fay Grant, Joan Watson, Edith Tulloch, Una Penman, Margaret Grant, Rosalind Hay, Robbie Cameron, Brian Forsyth and Ian Laing. If you have any old photos bring them into the 'Gazette' for use on this page.

100 Years Ago

From the files of the "Forres Gazette" of Wednesday, July 26, 1911

Boy Scouts in camp - The Forres Boy Scouts in camp at Culfearn, Dunphail, have been favoured on the whole with good weather over the past week. On Thursday, sports were held in the presence of numbers of visitors from Forres and the surrounding district. Rev. John Morrison, Edinkillie, visited the camp on the occasion and addressed the boys. On Sunday the Scouts attended divine service in the Parish Church, Edinkillie, at which Mr Morrison, the pastor, preached an apposite and interesting sermon, bearing on the the qualities that the Boy Scout movement is intended to promote in the youth of the country. After the service Rev. Mr Morrison entertained the lads and was heartily thanked for his kind hospitality.

50 Years Ago

From the files of the "Forres Gazette" of Wednesday, July 26, 1961

Royal route through Forres - The route which Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will take on their visit to Forres on August 14 was disclosed at a meeting of the Finance committee of the Town Council on Friday evening.

The Royal visitors will arrive at 3.30pm from Kinloss at the East Lodge of Grant Park, entering the park by that gate.

At a dais and canopy erected in the park, the office-bearers of the Town Council will be presented to her Majesty, as will several other citizens. The office-bearers are: Provost R.B.S. Braid, Bailies Mrs Jean Mackintosh, G.W. Rutherford and Sam Anderson, Treasurer Pat McKenzie and Dean of Guild W.R. Mackenzie.

Portraits of the Queen and the Duke, autographed by them, will become the property of the town.

Forres is to be beflagged for the occasion.

The Royal visitors will leave the park by the same gate and travel through the High Street, leaving the town at the west end for Nairn.

25 Years Ago

From the files of the "Forres Gazette" of Wednesday, July 23, 1986

Peacock beheaded by vandals - A feeling of public anger and disgust has followed the weekend vandalism of Forres's floral peacock in the town's Grant Park.

The destruction was first noticed by Moray District Council's horticultural officer, Mr Donald McBean, as he drove past at 7.30am on Sunday morning.

"The head of the display had been completely ripped off," said Mr McBean. "It is a disgraceful attack."

The neck rod, which had been welded to the main frame, was made of quarter inch steel.

A search was mounted for the head which was eventually found lying in the woods at Cluny Hill, badly damaged.

The showpiece was put back in place for the town's gala day, then taken away last night to the council's youth training workshop at Elgin for repair.

Annoyance was expressed during Moray Firth Radio's live broadcast from the gala by Andy Ross, who brought the incident to the public's attention.