Model Nimrod set to return to Forres War Veteran's Cottages memorial garden

A MEMORIAL to the relationship between the RAF and Forres has been refurbished.

Last February, representatives from RAF Lossiemouth co-ordinated by Sergeant Andy Holborn collected the wood and steel model Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft from the flower bed display at War Veteran’s Cottages, Orchard Road, to clean, strip, repair and repaint it.

Sgt Holborn explained that, although the original re-mounting date was estimated as a few months, the model was in far poorer condition than at first thought.

He said: "Things have been moving slowly with more damage on the aircraft than expected once we removed the original paint. However, the restoration has been completed. This has been a long time coming but we have had much to do to bring the P8 into service."

Sgt Holborn is an engineer working on the new P-8A Maritime Patrol Aircraft now stationed in Lossie.

The model and garden area at the War Veterans’ Cottages is a memorial to Nimrod personnel who have lost their lives while serving. The surrounding flower bed was built and planted by Applegrove Primary School pupils and Moray Council's parks department.

Sgt Holborn's restoration team are now waiting for confirmation that the gardens have been cleaned and the beds weeded.

He confirmed that, once these tasks are done, he will organise a new memorial plaque then transport and installation of the model Nimrod.