Forres Theme Day 2026 planning resumes after successful appeal for volunteers
A popular annual event can stay in gear after a new committee was formed to keep its wheels turning.
Classic car exhibition, Forres Theme Day (FTD), is now expected to return next year following answers to an an appeal made by its organisers for more people to get involved.
The 2025 event had been due to take place on May 4 but had to be cancelled due to a lack of support, however, enough new volunteers attended an AGM on May to ensure the show will go on.
New FTD chairman, Ian Jones said: “I am pleased to say, that at the moment, it looks like the event will survive.
“There was a lot of enthusiasm in the room and whilst we will still be looking for more people to get involved in the planning, behind the scenes and help on the day itself, we are in a position that we can start making tentative plans for a 2026 event.”
Ian explained that cancelling this year’s event was a difficult decision.
He said: “It was a regrettable but unavoidable situation. We don’t want to be in that position again so we still need people to come forward and get involved.
“One required position is event secretary, who handles the entry forms, stallholder applications, welcome packs for entrants and liaises with the judges on the day. It would suit someone who has great organisational skills and is familiar with Word and Excel.”
Forres Theme Day has been running for over 50 years.
Outgoing chairman, Robbie Paterson, who joined the committee in 1997, is pleased it will continue.
He said: “I am delighted that a new committee has been formed and that they are working towards staging Forres Theme Day 2026.
“It has been quite a worry. The committee used to have around 20 people and that went down to about four our five. If it wasn’t for goodwill, it wouldn’t be continuing.”
Robbie, who had been FTD chairman since 2004, is stepping down due to family commitments.
He finished: “It’s a friendly event and it doesn’t matter what people’s backgrounds are, everyone is there with a common interest in cars.
“I have met a lot of interesting people along the way. Thank you to all of the other committee members over the years - I wish the new members all the best.”
