Honour of a knighthood

This picture was taken of the nativity play held at St John's Church in 1971, which was produced by Miss Veronica Bruce, from Glenernie in Dunphail. On the back row are (from left): Valerie Watt, Ronnie Alexander and Keith Kemp. Second row are all unknown apart from second right, who was Arabella Mitcalfe. Front row are Karen Dustan, Joy Alexander, Deirdre Grime and unknown. Can you provide any information on the missing faces? Contact the 'Gazette' or e-mail newsdesk@forres-gazette.co.uk

100 YEARS AGO

From the files of 'The Forres Gazette' of Wednesday, December 20, 1911.

Knighthood for Dunphail man - Among the Durbar honours conferred by the King is a Knighthood for Benjamin Robertson, Dunphail, the Secretary of the Commerce and Industry Department of the Government of India. Sir Benjamin Robertson is a native of Edinkillie, where he was born in 1864. He entered the University of Aberdeen in 1880 and was at King's College from that year till 1833, being a bursar of the London Morayshire Club. In that year he competed for a position in the Indian Civil Service and was successful. He spent two years at Oxford University and went out to India in 1885. It is announced that Sir Benjamin has been offered and has accepted the post of Chief Commissioner of the Central Provinces. The new Knight is expected to get leave of absence this month and will pay a home visit, taking up his new duties in India on the 1st of June next.

Football - On Saturday Forres Thistle travelled to Duffus and met Vale of Vale in a Morayshire Junior League match. The game was of a one-sided nature, Forres easily winning by eight goals to nil. The goal-savers were: Griffin (5), Mackenzie (2) and Campbell (1). Next Saturday Forres Mechanics meet Elgin City in a Highland League engagement at Mosset Park here.

50 YEARS AGO

From the files of 'The Forres Gazette' of Wednesday, December 20, 1961.

Council garages - Since the Town Council's decision to build 20 garages was published in our issue of last week, there have been numerous applications to the Town Clerk's office, verbally and otherwise, by eager car-owners. Letters are coming in which cannot be considered. We are asked to state that when the garages are ready for let, this fact will be advertised and an equal opportunity will be given thereby to all council tenants. No application will be entertained till then.

Advanced piano playing - Passes in examinations for piano-forte playing (grade seven - advanced) held in Elgin have been gained by Edith Fraser, Dunphail (with merit) and Rachel Stuart, Forres. They were pupils of Mr D.G.H. Meade.

25 YEARS AGO

From the files of 'The Forres Gazette' of Wednesday, December 17, 1986.

Carisbrooke give cheers - The holders of a North of Scotland pub of the year award since 1983 have been pipped for this year's title.

But are the regulars of the Carisbrooke Hotel downhearted? Not a bit of it!

That's because mine hosts Jimmy and Margaret Dingwall have learned that while the top award this time round has gone west to the Phoenix Bar at Inverness, the Carisbrooke was only a hairsbreadth behind.

But there are no sour grapes at the Carisbrooke! When the news came through last week they had a toast for the winners before having another for themselves - the best runner-up in the North.

Fish plea - A Nairn woman has applied to Moray District Council for permission to open a tropical fish outlet in Forres.

Mrs Beatrice Graves, 15 Clans Crescent, Nairn, plans to open her shop at 162 High Street, which was previously used by Sew-in-Seconds as a fabric shop.