Forres House Community Centre founder Robert ‘Bob’ Cherry of Tytler Street, Forres has passed away

A well respected member of the community has passed away following a lifetime of positive impact to people’s lives.

Former teacher and youth worker, gardener, and founder of Forres House Community Centre, Robert ‘Bob’ Cherry of Tytler Street, leaves behind beloved wife Aline, children Susan and Chris, grandchildren Jack, Lyra and Zara and great grandchild Charlie.

Bob was born in Ulswick, Lancashire in 1932 to parents William and Mary. The family moved around the country with his father’s job as a seasonal agricultural and poultry worker.

It was in Houghall, County Durham that Bob spent most of his childhood with younger brother Peter - the majority of their time was happy and content in the great outdoors.

Bob was a clever lad but did not enjoy secondary school and its then-military style of education and authority. However, he attended most of the classes with teachers that engaged him fully and he enjoyed learning.

Germany declared the start of World War II on Bob’s seventh birthday. He did not really celebrate his birthday after that and remained anti-war throughout his life.

Bob was a member of the Scouts as a boy and a Scout leader in his adulthood. In his youth he was chosen to attend the first ever Scout Jamboree in France after the war. Later, as a Scout leader, he took pride in helping others enjoy nature and learn life skills.

After leaving school Bob went on to further education at Newcastle University but, realising he wanted to make a difference to younger generations, he changed track and completed teacher training at the University of York.

After returning to Durham to work as a teacher, Bob set up youth clubs. He took up further studies in youth work and, as his career progressed, it took him all over the country to places including Cambridge, Bluntisham and Derbyshire. He loved taking young people on adventures and had fond memories of trips to Wembley and a cottage he secured in Bala, Wales.

Bob’s final move was to Forres. After setting up the youth and community centre on High Street he was asked to take on a new role as the director of Recreation, Leisure and Tourism with Moray Council. He loved planning and creating outdoor spaces and parks, encouraging employees to have input because he trusted their judgement and work ethic. Bob’s legacy lives on in Moray’s parks and gardens - he introduced Britain In Bloom to Forres and formed Forres In Bloom.

However, Bob’s main priority was family. He met the love of his life Aline Corrier through the Scouts and Guides in County Durham. After courting, Bob and Aline married and were later delighted to be parents. The couple had many shared interests and passions including travelling and enjoyed many breaks in Europe and America.

Bob was also a loving, supportive and encouraging dad to Susan and Chris. Later in life, he was again delighted with the introductions of Susan and Chris’ respective partners. And nothing pleased Bob more than seeing his grandchildren and grandson. He was happy as long as his loved ones were happy.

As a young man, Bob loved skating, cycling, climbing and walking in the countryside. In later years, fishing and walking were still great passions, as well as gardening. The local sea, rivers and hills were his idea of heaven. He was also a keen photographer and enjoyed theatre, film and jazz.

Independent Celebrant, Laura Gordon, summed up Bob’s life at his service at Andrew Smith funeral directors: “Bob was a wonderful and inspirational gentleman. He had an unwavering sense of justice and always wanted to do what was right. He was inclusive of everyone, made people feel comfortable and reassured them that he would be there to fight their corner. Bob was a kind, thoughtful, hardworking, generous, conscientious, loyal and loving man. He will be remembered for the great things he achieved, but most importantly, he will be remembered as a devoted husband, dad and grandad.”