100 YEARS AGO

From the files of 'The Forres Gazette' of Wednesday, January 24, 1912.

Decisive victory for Forres - The return billiard match (150 up) between teams representing the Forres St Lawrence Recreations Club and the Nairn Working Men's Club took place at Nairn on Wednesday last. Forres had forward a strong team and without exception all showed splendid form. The visitors were hospitably entertained, when the usual courtesies were exchanged. The result of the match was as follows: Majority for Forres, 332.

Dallas church vacancy - The pulpit of Dallas United Free Church was occupied on Sunday by the Rev R. Webster, Aberdeen, the first of four candidates for the vacancy.

Tariff reform - Mr G. W. Burn read an interesting paper on "Tariff Reform" to the members of the Forres Workers League on Wednesday evening.

50 YEARS AGO

From the files of 'The Forres Gazette' of Wednesday, January 24, 1962.

It floats over rough roads - A tough car - with a remarkable performance on the roughest of roads - is the Renault 4, which was demonstrated in Forres on Thursday by representatives of the makers for Mr James Duncan, High Street, the distributor for Moray and Banff.

Among those who tested this vehicle - which can 'float' over boulder-strew paths - was an experienced local competitor in international car rallies and he was amazed at the suspension. The Renault 4 is, in fact, at its best on the roughest of roadways. The test run at Forres was on the riverside track at Waterford-Seafield, which is, in part, composed of boulders.

Another feature of special note in this car is the sealed radiator. There is an expansion chamber with a connecting tube, and by this means expansion of the 50-50 water and glycol cooling mixture in the radiator is controlled.

Well attended - Four local gardens were seen in magnificent colour slides on Thursday at the second meeting of a series sponsored by Forres and District Horticultural Society. The meetings are being held throughout the winter to maintain interest in the Society. Gardens seen were Cluny, Knockomie, Kincarth and Dallas Lodge. Also shown were slides of a wide variety of clematis. The projection was by Mr D. R. Forrester. There was a large attendance at the meeting, at which Mr Chas Stuart, Edgehill, president, presided in the Queen's Hotel.

25 YEARS AGO

From the files of 'The Forres Gazette' of Wednesday, January 24, 1987.

Spotlight on civic pride - Civic pride is being reflected by Forres Community Council's latest acquisition - their Coat of Arms - and soon the document granting their armorial bearings will go on display.

When they first received the intricate document on vellum the council were worried that displaying it in direct light might damage the Lord Lyon King of Arms' delicate work.

But his office has reassured the council that so long as reasonable care is exercised by not placing the document in direct sunlight, no damage should be done.

But to ensure the historic charter remains in pristine condition for future generations to examine, the council plan to have the document copied photographically and the copy put on public display.

Forres Community Council, who were successful in having the former Forres Town Council crest "modified" for their use, are one of only a handful of Scottish community groups to sport their own coat of arms.

Crime downturn - Crime figure in the Forres area are on the downturn - and it's thanks in large part to public co-operation with the police.

Forres sub-divisional senior officer Inspector John Barclay has told the burgh's community council public participation in reporting crime properly has helped bring figures down and speeded investigations.

And he has urged the public to continue the trend and contact the police immediately they see or suspect a crime is being committed.

"The public can be one of the best supports a policeman can have," he said. "Their vigilance is valuable to us and we appreciate their involvement."