St John's, in Victoria Road, has been awarded grants of £14,700 and £30,096 respectively, towards the costs of completing a programme of external refurbishment at St John's. These amounts total nearly 50 per cent of the costs of the project, and with this help, the Vestry, the management committee for the church, has been able to authorise the commencement of the renovation and reharling of the north and west sides of the church.

Work starts this week, and will continue through the summer to the middle of October. The contractors are Laing Traditional Masonry Ltd, and the supervising architects LDN of Forres.

The east and south facades were renovated in 2002, so the new works will complete the renovation to the exterior of this beautiful Italianate styled, Grade A Listed Church building, which dates from 1840.

Derek Bedford, the buildings convener for St John's Vestry said: "The interior of the church has been completely upgraded over the last three years, with rewiring, new heating, and lighting systems, as well as a complete redecoration, which has captured the beauty of the inside of this cruciform building, as well as highlighting the murals.

"The restoration of the String course to its original glory, incorporating quotations from St John's Gospel, picked out in gold leaf, has been a cause for further celebration.

Canon Cliff Piper is all smiles after finding out about the church's cash windfall.

"All of these interior treasures will be protected, and saved for posterity, by the removal of the unsuitable cement render, and its replacement with a traditional lime harl. Other repairs will be made to the windows, and the stonework repointed.

"The Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland grants are wonderful news for the church, and the town of Forres.

"The church, opposite Grant Park, is one of the focal points of the town, and as custodians for future generations, we have a duty to ensure it is preserved for everyone's benefit, for not only the congregation, but the community as a whole. St John's is open every day, and many community wide events are held there."

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