Forres wows bloom judges

Forres was at its best for the Britain in Bloom judges

Forres in Bloom members face an anxious wait until the end of next month to find out if they have been successful in the Britain in Bloom competition.

Judges visited Forres earlier this month to inspect the floral offering, and fingers were remianing crossed that the town's floral displays had made a good impression.

Luckily the weather stayed dry and rain didn’t arrive until judges Roger Burnett and Nigel Bishop were safely settled in Applegrove Primary School enjoying a lovely lunch of sandwiches and home bakes.

Pride of place went to a birthday cake, provided by MacLean’s Bakery to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the Forres In Bloom group.

Roger, who is chair of the Royal Horticultural Society judging panel, is parks and countryside manager for Scarborough Council and Nigel, recently retired as head of parks for Warwick District Council. The pair were judging in Jersey on Monday, before flying to Inverness for their Forres appointment.

Both were full of praise for what they found in Forres.

“It’s great to come north of the border,” said Roger. “We always get such a warm welcome. It’s fantastic to see everything in Forres looking so good.”

He was lavish in his praise of the youngsters he met during his tour of the town.

“The commitment shown by the Wee Fibees and the Applegrove Primary School youngsters was wonderful.”

Mr Burnett, who has visited Forres before, said he believed the town was looking better than ever.

“I think I have seen a big improvement on the town,” he said. “It is a vibrant town with a great community at its heart. It is good to see the townsfolk rallying round and supporting each other.

“Forres is certainly a lovely place and it makes me feel humbled coming to a community like this to judge it. Who are we to judge such a community. Everything is so fantastic.

“It is always amazing what you manage to come up with, together, from the young to the old, from the council to the community, all pulling together.

“You are already winners. You are doing exactly what the competition looks for, outstanding environmental responsibility, community participation and horticultural achievement.”

Nigel, who is in his first year as a national judge, was making his first visit to Forres. He said he had been advised of what he was likely to find.

“I knew Forres was going to look good but to see it today was absolutely fantastic. It covers every aspect of what the competition is looking for.”

Forres in Bloom chair, Sandra McLennan, who welcomed the judges, volunteers, helpers and representatives of FIB’s partner groups to the ceremony in Applegrove School, paid particular thanks to John Keenlyside, a member of Forres in Bloom since its inception 21 years ago and invited Moray Lord Lieutenant Lt. Col Grenville Johnston and Moray Council convener George McIntyre to join Mr Keenleyside in cutting the  anniversary cake, which was decorated with Forres in Bloom’s new logo..

She said a special favourite on the tour had been the 21st birthday display in the Falconer Museum, devised by visitor development officer, Valerie Wardlaw, which showed memorabilia from 21 years of effort, the floral beaver, the wall hangings made by Applegrove Primary School and the display of work, with associated floral theme, by Needle Art North.

“The number of High Street shops and businesses which had made special window displays was also noticed and appreciated,” said Sandra.

“We all had a delightful and happy day. We await, with hope, the results at the Awards Ceremony in St Andrew’s on September 25. Whatever the outcome, Forres has a heart and it has continued to beat despite the uncertainty it faces.”