RAF veteran Bob James named as Forres Rotary Citizen of the Year

A hard-working volunteer from Findhorn is using his ‘Citizen of the Year’ status to encourage more people to enjoy the benefits of helping out.

Bob James was nominated for the accolade by Forres Rotary following more than 40 years of service to the community - as a member of the Round Table, James Milne Institute, Forres Heritage Trust, Forres Community Activities Association (FCAA) and Rotary.

The pensioner and former RAF serviceman said: “I just see myself as a volunteer like so many others, many of whom do far more than I do, so I feel humble about the award.

“I’m a bit mobility-challenged at the moment so I’ve reduced the heavy lifting and spend more time at the keyboard producing submissions for funding etc these days!”

Forres Rotary president Jackie Stephen nominated Bob for the title “for everything he does in Moray’s community and for the club”.

“He’s an unsung hero!” she said. “He’s always willing to help any groups in the town. He just gets on with it, whether it’s helping set up digital presentations for Rotary or helping with logistics for events. He is also known as ‘Disco Bob’ for his spinning discs prowess!

“Bob is a really nice bloke and always willing to help quietly in the background, never looking for praise despite being invaluable in the work he does. Forres would be a much poorer place without him.”

Bob was posted to RAF Kinloss in the late 1970’s during the Cold War when there were 35 Nimrod aircraft on the base. His duties included patrolling the waters for illegal fishing … As well as Soviet submarines.

He said: “I remember driving up and across the Dava Moor on a summer's evening in 1978 on my way to join the squadron when I saw the painted stone by the roadside which said 'Jesus Saves'.

“Some wag had added 'with the Woolwich' - I laughed out loud then and still chuckle every time I see it nowadays!”

Bob’s first local house was in Pilmuir in the 1980’s; a small bungalow that he and his wife Carol did up, as they have done in all of their properties since.

He said: “It was a very busy working period so going to various events in the town was a good way to de-stress.

“I appreciated how much satisfaction was gained by the organisers and especially enjoyed seeing the pleasure on folks' faces as they soaked up the fun. The volunteers' enthusiasm was highly contagious - I wanted to join in and so considered volunteering myself.”

Bob was asked to join Forres Round Table which he was initially reluctant to do.

“I thought that it was for solicitors, bank managers and doctors,” he said, “not the likes of me! However, even those men like to have fun and fellowship, which we have in spades in Forres, so I joined.

“The town gala, bonfire night and Santa's sleigh tour were huge commitments but, back then, Forres Scottish Week back was the biggest event.

“I was the Round Table representative on the FCAA and offered to organise the float procession as the opening event of the week. It was stressful but successful!”

Bob went on to be at the heart of many ongoing projects, from the Forres Youth Concert to upgrading projects at the Tolbooth and Nelson’s Tower.

As well as the title of town burgess he achieved in 2025, his enduring legacy will be lighting the monuments to attract visitors to the town.

He finished: “Forres Rotary is a special group and members see it as an extended family. I’ve made good friends and hope to make new ones or even get old ones to re-join!”