Cadets listed building in Forres undergoing £220,000 refurbishment
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
SERVICE cadets in Forres are looking forward to the reopening of their joint cadet centre in a few months.
Improvement works costing more than £220,000 are under way on the listed High Street building used by 446 (Forres) Squadron of the Air Training Corps (ATC) and Forres Detachment of 1st Battalion The Highlanders Army Cadet Force (ACF).
The project is being funded by the ATC and managed by Highland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (HRFCA).
HRFCA estates officer North Bev Parkinson confirmed contractor Cardinal Project Management is carrying out an internal and external refurbishment of the building that sits within a conservation area on Victoria Road.
The works include replacement of the range roof, and refurbishment and replacement of the traditional range roof turrets. Internal and external repairs and decoration will maintain the original character and features using materials in keeping with the traditional methods used to construct the building. Lighting and heating will also be upgraded, floor coverings replaced and improvements made to toilets and stores.
Mr Parkinson added: “We are delighted to be helping future-proof this joint cadet centre. The ATC and ACF cadets and instructors are looking forward to enjoying many more decades of use from this magnificent building.”
The ATC is open to anyone aged between 13 and 20. It is organised into more than 900 squadrons across the UK. Among adventurous training opportunities on offer, it is also the largest operator of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
The ACF is a youth organisation dating back to 1860. It has membership of more than 67,000 cadets (aged 12-18) and over 11,000 adult volunteers cross 1700 locations. It helps cadets develop by providing a range of opportunities, including adventurous training, first aid, music and sports.
The 446 Squadron meets on Monday and Thursday 7pm-9.30pm. Forres ACF Detachment meets every Tuesday night from 7pm-9.15pm. For more information visit www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/ and armycadets.com
