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Forres In Bloom do the town proud again


By Staff Reporter

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Forres in Bloom secretary Sandra Maclennan (left) and chairwoman Diane McGregor (right) and some of the other volunteers with their Beautiful Scotland awards.
Forres in Bloom secretary Sandra Maclennan (left) and chairwoman Diane McGregor (right) and some of the other volunteers with their Beautiful Scotland awards.

THE AREA'S most celebrated volunteer group scooped awards at a national competition for the second year running.

Forres In Bloom (FIB) won a Gold medal, the Medium Town category and also received the Jim Murdie Trophy for Sustainability at the 53rd Beautiful Scotland Awards, organised by environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful and hosted by Dumfries and Galloway Council.

FIB representatives Diane and Jack McGregor, Sandra and Ian Maclennan attended the ceremony at The Crichton in Dumfries.

Sandra said: "It was an exciting evening, waiting to hear the results. We were overwhelmed to receive not only a Gold Medal but category winner!

"When the discretionary award for Sustainability was announced, we were so proud of the many hundreds of people in Forres who have helped us with moral, financial and hands-on support for 30 years. An incredible achievement by incredible people."

Since 1990, and with the motto ‘We Love Where We Live’, FIB has been working to create better and more sustainable environments across the Royal Burgh.

Sandra explained: "Our aim is to provide attractive surroundings for residents and to boost the local economy by attracting people to visit the gardens and local businesses. Many at the award ceremony said they have visited Forres and many more said they will make a point of doing so in future."

She added: "We have overcome challenges in the past and we will continue to do so. It has been very hard this year because we have had to address tasks which the Moray Council no longer performs. There are further savings to come and, at this point, we do not know what they are. We will re focus when we have a clearer picture."

Moray's MP Douglas Ross congratulated FIB on rounding up their 30th year in style.

He said: "Yet again, FIB has demonstrated what working together in the community can achieve. They have faced particular challenges over the years as the council withdrew their support and this year stopped cutting grass around the town, but as always, they’ve pulled out all the stops with volunteers taking up the challenge. They are a credit to Moray.

"At a time when we are aware of how important an sustainability issue this is, it’s great to see Forres leading the way."

He added: "We are very lucky to have such a dedicated and hard-working team of volunteers in Forres. The town always looks fantastic, with hanging flower baskets and displays adding colour to our High Street and Grant Park is a magnet for visitors who come to see the tremendous floral displays. I would like to offer Diane McGregor, Sandra Maclennan and everyone at Forres in Bloom and all their volunteers, including the WeeFiBees, my sincere congratulations for bringing back the silverware to Moray, adding to the considerable number of awards they have received in previous years."

Chairman of Keep Scotland Beautiful, Lindsay Montgomery, presented the medal certificates.

He said: "All across the country outstanding volunteers, local authority staff and businesses help to protect and maintain the outdoor spaces that are precious to us, and bring a wide range of benefits to local communities. Beautiful Scotland celebrates their achievements and provides the recognition that they deserve.

"I would like to congratulate Forres in Bloom. It is thanks to their efforts that local places continue to be maintained to a high standard for everyone to enjoy."

Forres In Bloom accepting their medal certificate.
Forres In Bloom accepting their medal certificate.


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