Former Moray Council Convenor George McIntyre and Forres House Community Centre staff Lorna Creswell BEM, Marjorie Brown, David Millar and Heather Shaw reflect on half a century of fun in the High Street building

A MUCH-loved building at the heart of town will be 50-years-old next month.

And staff and volunteers who helped to make special memories at Forres House Community Centre are inviting everyone in to celebrate from Monday, December 4 to Saturday, December 9.

Former community worker, Lorna Creswell BEM, hopes planned activities will jog memories of happy times at the Centre over the past five decades. She also hopes to promote the building’s current usage and ask how users would like to see it being used in the future.

In addition to an information display on the history of the building opened on December 21 1973, there will be a photo exhibition, challenges, quizzes, reminiscing socials, a memorial tree planting and opportunities to try sports, games or classes.

Former Convener of Moray Council, George McIntyre DL, was county youth and community officer for the joint county council of Moray and Nairn in 1973 and played a major role in the Centre’s development as the first purpose built community centre in the area.

He said: “It was an exciting time, with locals bringing plenty of suggestions which helped to decide future plans. First and foremost, they wished to see facilities for all age groups to meet, socialise and learn new skills.

“High on the list were opportunities for young people and for a wide range of sporting groups.

“The need for a lunch club for older people was identified which culminated in the inclusion of a kitchen and coffee bar. Suggestions to include a public library and marriage room were taken on board, helping to create a real sense of community.”

He added: “When it opened, Forres House was seen as a model for other regions and some 50 years later continues to play an important role in the life of the local community.”

Lorna Cresswell, who still lives next door to the Centre, moved to Forres from Aberdeen in 1980 as a newly qualified community education worker.

She said: “Some of my best memories are of the personal support I received at the Centre.

“Initially, the work was challenging. My ‘Youth and Community’ qualification did not include management of staff, but coffee bar, kitchen, caretaketing, youth work, playgroup and two-to-three provision needed to be managed, as well as the volunteers who ran clubs, classes and groups.”

“With the support of volunteers, the programme grew,” said Ms Creswell, “catering for a broader range of participants in the community.

“’Hi-Jinx’ and junior clubs run by volunteers were grounding for youth workers of the future.

“A qualified nursery nurse volunteered to run a creche which helped to develop and support play schemes and a women’s support group.

“And importantly, businesses donated generously to the various projects so we were able to run so many things on a minute budget!”

Marjorie Brown started at the centre as a cleaner in 1982, going on to work there for many years as receptionist.

She said: “I have so many happy memories of the centre. I loved meeting the visitors and working with the wonderful staff – we were a family and still meet up.

“It was always buzzing with people of all ages – from babies to the elderly – and every minute was different.”

Marjorie remembers the centre’s creche, two-to-three club, playgroup, before and after-school clubs, as well as the pensioner lunches.

Also numerous classes during the day and evenings, and especially the Hi-Jinx play scheme during the holidays.

She added: “The registrar’s office was next door to ours and I had the privilege of being a witness at several weddings.

“At Christmas all of the staff dressed up and put on a play which was great fun.

“Unfortunately, due to council regulations, I had to retire at 65.

“I hope everyone still gets together and enjoys this great friendly building and people.”

David Millar started at the centre as senior communication education worker in 1990.

He claims that Forres House staff and volunteers were responsible for a number of firsts in Moray: the first crèche for facility users; the first two-to-three club; the first out-of-school club; the first club for unemployed people under 25; the first detached youth work; the first over 50s club; the first credit union; and the first Soccer 7s.

He said: “Forres House had wonderful paid workers and volunteers. The youth area upstairs was open every night, including Sundays.

“When Moray Council closed the Auchernack contact point, its staff were moved to Forres House.

“They need to be moved back out to free up space so that much-needed youth work and activities can return.”

Heather Shaw also looks fondly on her time at the centre from 1981 to 1986 as a volunteer and employee. Initially responding to an appeal in The Gazette, she helped out the popular Hi-Jinx holiday play scheme as an activities leader and bus driver.

She said: “Up to 100 kids attended Hi-Jinx daily, with five activities to choose from every session.

“As well as sports, crafts, indoor and outdoor games, there were bus trips to Kincraig, Duthie Park in Aberdeen, Landmark and Cullen outdoor centre.

Heather also worked in the centre coffee bar during the day.

She said: “It was a very busy café, catering for anytime customers and the lunch club pensioners, serving ‘meals on wheels’.

“We used to enjoy putting on sketches and singing for the pensioners as they had their Christmas lunch.”

Heather remembers the centre as a hub of activity for all age groups, including Saturday afternoons when around 40 youngsters would enjoy football run by a volunteer in the games hall.

She said: “The centre was a place where young, old and everyone participated. Junior and youth clubs offered a safe place for youngsters to meet their pals.

“It was such a happy place to work and volunteer in, too. When we heard that there was a need for something, then something would be done to address that need – like support groups for example.”

She finished: “Under an economic climate like the current one, action would have been taken to support people had the old community centre ethos existed.

“Now it’s simply a Moray Council building, with offices for housing and social work and the officialdom that accompanies them.”

If you can contribute memories, photographs, ideas or volunteer any time to help with the 50th year celebrations, please email fh50th@gmail.com

Current classes and groups running at Forres House include Active Schools; Forres Girls Football Club; Badminton Moray; Roots Gymnastics Academy; Sansum Blackbelt Academy; Highland Youth Theatre; Moray Dance; Dance North, Little Yogi Bears; Little Fish; Flexercise; Flexercise-Swinging Seniors; Forres Archers; Sewing Group; Writing Group; Dementia Cafe; Baby Bistro; Body Balance; Boxercise; Kettlebells; Metafit; Fit Step; and Indoor Cycling.

Community Centre staff are raising funds to reopen the central courtyard area, closed due to access issues.

Forres Coffee House provides locally roasted coffee, homemade bagels, burgers and bakes in the space formerly occupied by the cafe.