Forres In Bloom to host Beautiful Scotland competition judges on Tuesday, August 24

REPRESENTATIVES from Forres In Bloom (FIB) and Moray Council will show competition judges the best of Forres tomorrow.

And the community is asked to help the town's chances of winning accolades in the Beautiful Scotland competitions by keeping the judging route spick and span.

FIB secretary Sandra Maclennan confirmed she will be joined by fellow host Grant Speed of the local authority's Open Space department to guide the judging party from Grant Park through Clovenside, St Leonard's Road, Nelson Road, Sanquhar, Orchard Road, High Street and Tolbooth Street.

Sandra said: "Volunteers have worked incredibly hard to present Forres at its best. We hope the judges will appreciate our efforts!"

The visiting panel of judges will meet: Bob Davidson who has led local volunteers to reach high standards in horticultural achievement; David Hardie of Tilhill Forestry to hear about plans to improve Cluny Hill; Brain McDonald of Sanquhar Working Group; Mick Drury of Friends of Fields and Forests to see their work at Kennel Wood, Sanquhar; FIB volunteer Barry Ashby to discuss ongoing upkeep of the War Memorial, Findhorn, Lossie and Nairn Rivers Trust director Bob Laughton to talk about maintenance of the Mosset Burn; and Forres Heritage Trust chairman George Alexander who will show off the refurbished Tolbooth.

Thanks to FIB the town has won numerous awards from Beautiful Scotland and Britain In Bloom since it was founded in 1990. As well as Britain In Bloom and Beautiful Scotland accolades, these include the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest accolade a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

Most recently, last November, the group was recognised for their work through the coronavirus pandemic. Keep Scotland Beautiful issued a certificate of recognition for helping to brighten up the town while pulling the community together, despite being unable to take part in last year’s cancelled Beautiful Scotland and Britain In Bloom competitions. Keep Scotland Beautiful CEO, Barry Fisher, said FIB merited recognition for motivating and inspiring fellow volunteers and the community during such a difficult 2020.