Annual coffee morning raises £1000 for Riding for the Disabled in memory of Forres horseman Les Clyne

A local charity held an annual memorial fundraiser for a much-loved Forres figure.

Forres, Nairn and District Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) organised the coffee morning at St Leonard’s Church in memory of Les Clyne - where he was a lay preacher - who passed away aged 91 in 2019.

RDA chairwoman Sonia Howell confirmed more than £1000 was raised towards weekly term-time therapeutic riding sessions for children with disabilities from local schools.

She said: “Yet again, we have raised a hugely significant amount from our annual memorial fundraiser in memory of this legend. In the current times of financial constraint, we feel humbled by the support we receive at each of our fundraising events, but never more so than at this particular one. Les was a man of many parts - horseman, actor, soldier, comedian. He was also a very generous man; we were the very fortunate recipients of his funeral collection.”

Les Clyne set up the Forres Pony Trekking and Riding Centre where many local children learned to ride. He also helped pioneer long distance trekking in the Highlands, and was a member of the Northern Working Horse and the Horse and Carriage Society. One of his civic duties was annual role of Herald on Horseback, announcing the newly appointed Gala Queen each year. He was also a stalwart of the Varis players and Forres Drama Group, performed at many local Burns Society events and won the Bothy Ballads competition held in Elgin.

Les was part of the team that set up Forres, Nairn and District RDA in 1983. He also volunteered at Moray RDA group when it was at Drumbain.

Forres Nairn and District RDA is the only one which does not charge riders or the schools, despite each session costing just under £700 per week. It covers its expenditure through active fundraising. Visit https://forresnairnrda.org.uk/ for more information.