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Forres to celebrate Queen's Jubilee on June 2 with music, food, drink, a Toun Mercat and more ...


By Garry McCartney

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Forres Community Council chairwoman Kathleen Robertson and Forres Community Activities Association volunteer Rachel Philp. Picture: Daniel Forsyth
Forres Community Council chairwoman Kathleen Robertson and Forres Community Activities Association volunteer Rachel Philp. Picture: Daniel Forsyth

FORRES is hosting a four day event to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Community groups from across the town are working together to create a programme of events kicking off on Thursday, June 2.

The celebrations will include live music, a picnic in the park, music from Forres and District Pipe Band, a performance of the official Queen’s Jubilee song and the return of the Toun Mercat.

Forres Community Council (FCC), Forres In Bloom and the Forres Community Activities Association (FCAA) are taking a lead on the organisation of the event.

FCC chairwoman Kathleen Robertson said: “We are very excited to be working as a community to stage a very special event spanning four days to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

"Once again, Forres is proving what a great community spirit it has, and we are well on our way to creating a fabulous occasion that the whole town will be able to enjoy.”

The event will kick off on the evening of Thursday, June 2 with the Tolbooth being lit up to stand as a beacon becoming part of a network of more than 1500 being lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, and UK overseas territories.

At 9.35pm, musicians from Forres and District Pipe Band will play ‘Diu Regnare’ - especially written for the Platinum Jubilee.

Imogen Symon will play cornet piece ‘Majesty’ at 9.40pm to officially announce the Tolbooth lighting up at 9.45pm. ‘A Life Lived With Grace’ will then be played by Forres Youth Choir, a song being performed at beacon lighting ceremonies up and down the country.

On the Friday, the Toun Mercat will take place organised by the FCAA and on the Sunday, everyone is invited to a Picnic in the Park event at Grant Park for a fancy-dress competition, tree planting, fun runs, live music and more.

FCAA volunteer Rachel Philp said: "The Toun Mercat last took place in 2018. It usually takes place every three years as part of Scottish Week but 2021 was cancelled due to Covid 19.

"We are now taking applications from people who want to take stalls and get involved and all they need to do is get in touch."

Businesses are being encouraged to get involved in the celebrations by dressing their properties or windows with a royal theme.

Claire Doughty, a director with Forres Area Business Association (FABA) said: “The whole community is working together to bring something really special to Forres and the key organisers of the events have asked us to rally the businesses and get them involved.

"From Thursday June 2 through to June 5 there will several events taking place, predominantly in the town centre, so we hope that we can get the town looking festive.”

Kathleen added: “There really is something for everyone to enjoy, from special church services and bell ringing to the picnic in the park with lots of family activities.

"We want people to come along and enjoy themselves and if anyone has other ideas of how they can get involved in any part of what we are creating, we urge them to get in touch. This is an event by the community for the community.”

Information about the town’s Jubilee celebrations and how to get involved in the Toun Mercat can be found at www.forresarea.org or www.forresareabiz.co.uk



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