Next season will be best yet
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A HIGH-Street based club has been awarded nearly £500 to entertain older people.
Film Forres will use £480 from the Auchernack Trust Fund on behalf of the Forres OAP group to provide cinema screenings aimed specifically at an audience of pensioners.
Film Forres Treasurer Rob Coffey is delighted to be able to help.
He said: "There are significant copyright licensing costs in putting any film on for public viewing and this funding covers those costs, along with the town hall room hire and the purchase of the film. The first event will be held on Wednesday, September 18 at 1.30pm to coincide with a weekly OAP group meeting.
"They already have pre-arranged transport to get members in from some of the outlying areas. Hopefully, this can assist in reducing loneliness and isolation within our older community."
The Auchernack Trust Fund is mainly made up of the bequest of former Forres postie, William Cameron, who made provision in 1979 for the residue of his estate to be used for the benefit of residents of the then care home. A Miss Beattie and Miss McConnachie also left monies in their wills for the same purpose, the three together forming the Auchernack Comforts Fund Trust which had approximately £650,000 capital. Groups and organisations who would like financial support for a project or activity that will benefit the elderly community in the Forres area can apply.
The local Moray Councillors assess applications and allocate the funding twice-a-year.
Cllr lorna Creswell said: "Film Forres application fitted in with the criteria to benefit older people in the area. Wonderful progress has been made at Film Forres since new volunteers joined to support it!"
For the first older persons' show, Film Forres will show classic Ealing comedy 'The Ladykillers' starring Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers.
Further events are planned for October 9 and November 20. Should this prove to be a successful, the councillors will consider further funding beyond the initial period.
Film Forres traditional Friday night family screenings are on the first and third Fridays of every month outside of the summer holidays. The next one will be on August 24, doors open at 6pm.
Adult screenings will be held on the third Saturday of every month - the next will be on August 24.
Film Forres is also applying to Creative Scotland for funding to provide an initial 20 students with a grounding in film making, including the production of short features based on local themes and organisations.
Mr Coffey added: "They would be screened ahead of Film Forres events."
