Forres In Bloom volunteers presented with medals by Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society

Two key members of the team who make Forres beautiful have received national awards for their ongoing efforts.

Forres In Bloom (FIB) voluntary site and operations manager, Ian Maclennan, and committee member, Grant Speed, were presented with Certificates of Merit by the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society (RCHS) in Edinburgh, recognising their contribution to Scottish horticulture over many years.

A FIB spokesperson said: “We could not have achieved such high standards and success without Ian’s dedicated efforts.

“It is often those who are not visible to the public who make an immense difference to any group so to have someone like Grant, who gives moral support, advice and cooperation, is invaluable.”

RCHS issues prestigious awards, medals and certificates of merit in recognition of the achievements of professional horticulturalists, nurserymen, amateur gardeners, students and apprentices.

The Scottish Horticultural Medal was introduced in 1959 to mark the 150th anniversary of the society. It is limited to 50 recipients at any one time and is awarded to anyone who has made an outstanding contribution to Scottish Horticulture.

Ian was nominated having supported FIB for over two decades. The volunteer uses his experience as an assessor for Beautiful Scotland’s ‘It’s Your Neighbourhood Awards’ to ensure Forres’ displays are at their best.

Ian maintains FIB’s battery-operated mowers, street scrapers, watering bowsers and hand tools. He collects cleared leaves and weeding for composting and is responsible for the group’s bowser - watering plants and flowers in over 120 containers in three areas across the town.

The spokesperson added: “The success of the container plants - much valued by Forres residents - is down to his care and commitment.

“Ian also cuts the grass, edges and maintains flower beds in Grant park.”

In 2013, FIB took over Moray Council’s horticultural depot at Grant Park, which had become derelict and overgrown. Ian’s tasks there have included: building a poly greenhouse using recycled materials; laying a patio area with recycled material from Tesco and Lidl car parks; building storage and shelving for hardening off plants; and building three large compost bins and a fourth for leaf mould.

“He is still responsible for maintenance and repairs,” added the spokesperson. “The site is now completely upgraded, well organised and maintained thanks to his efforts. Ian still spends over 30 hours over six days there every week.”

FIB collaborator, Grant Speed, is also the Open Spaces operations manager at Moray Council, supporting voluntary groups across the region.

Before 2013, Moray Council provided plants for communities in Moray but budget constraints meant the service was discontinued.

FIB had worked with Moray Council from 2009 to support an entry in Entente Florale Europe. When FIB took over the horticultural depot in Grant Park, Grant became a committee member. The partnership is still essential to the success of FIB in Beautiful Scotland and Britain in Bloom campaigns.

“We liaise regularly and keep each other informed about future projects and plans,” explained FIB’s spokesperson.

“Grant gives us advice and suggestions for appropriate horticultural choices and locations to achieve impact and sustainability.

“He also liaises with other council departments and advises who to approach with further queries.

“When we are being assessed he accompanies the judges round the route and is able to explain the work of Moray Council and how it dovetails into the work of FIB and the wider community.”