Forres Area Community Trust and Forres Heritage Trust to invest £20,000 in a programme of activities for residents and visitors
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TWO local organisations have secured £20,000 to bring heritage projects to Forres.
Between April and September, Forres Area Community Trust (FACT) and Forres Heritage Trust (FHT) will collaborate on a programme of activities including guided walks and tours, talks, traditional entertainment events, and tailor-made activities packages for day and longer stay visitors - amongst other plans.
The funding was secured via the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and will also allow employment of a part-time administrator and a heritage consultant.
Development manager for FACT, Michelle Gillibrand, said: “We’re thrilled with our successful funding application, spurred on by the idea to set up a ‘Heritage Quarter’ in the area. This concept is gathering some interest now following recent consultations organised as part of the Forres Conservation and Heritage Scheme.
“The Forres area is rich in history, including many iconic, historic buildings, landmarks and assets. FACT and FHT would like to explore how these could be better promoted to visitors.
“And with local people, especially young people, being central to the plans, it’s exciting to show how community-led initiatives can be embedded and sustained for the future.”
In addition to the events, talks and guided walks, the two organisations also hope to: provide a digital-based resource for history and cultural projects including ancestry; and create a heritage information hub at Forres Town Hall.
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The hub would require a part-time job being created and putting in place a support and training package for current and new volunteers to undertake activities and programmes.
Michelle added: “The ‘Town Hall Tales’ project and other activities organised to date have shown that local people enjoy sharing their knowledge and stories of the area.
“We would like to build on this enthusiasm to help deliver some of the programmes and activities. This will also involve initially employing a heritage consultant to help develop the programmes with the volunteers and provide training.”
FHT chairman George Alexander is delighted to be working with FACT on the joint project.
He said: “There is a thirst both locally and from visitors for events, talks and experiences which deliver information on the town’s history and heritage.
“We are looking forward to enhancing what we already offer, and adding to it.
“Visitor numbers to Nelson’s Tower are always healthy and our Tolbooth tours have really started to take off. The employment of a consultant to help guide our ideas and an administrator to support events can only help us thrive.”
The project is already well into the planning stage, with a meeting taking place last month with local groups keen to support and get involved. This included representation from the Highland Youth Theatre, Leanchoil Trust, Findhorn Bay Arts, St John’s Church, Film Forres, Forres Area Business Association, Forres Area Tourism Network, HA HA (Helen Avenell Heritage Associates) and others involved in local events such as the Forres Highland Games and Grant Park 100.
Helen Avenell, LDN Architects and Moray Arts Development Engagement have been appointed to carry out planning, engagement and strategy.
Helen said: “‘This project will bring together such a diverse range of people from the amazing heritage and cultural activity that happens across Forres.
“Working with our community means that we can give space to young people to get involved and shape the project to ensure they feel part of our very special local heritage.”
