Forres In Bloom’s junior division the Wee FIBees have been given a financial boost

GREEN-fingered local children have invested £1000 in gardening tools to make the town look beautiful.

Forres In Bloom’s (FIB) junior division, the Wee FIBees, were awarded the funding via Moray Council’s developer contributions made available to local groups to bid for through the Scottish Government’s participatory budgeting scheme.

FIB secretary Sandra Maclennan confirmed the size-appropriate forks, rakes and spades are being put to good use.

She said: “We are very grateful to our local councillors for providing the tools which are being put to good use ahead of Forres’ with entry to Britain in Bloom.

“Wee FIBees have planted potatoes, vegetables, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, peppers ,chillies, wild flower tubs and much more. The group will meet the competition judges on July 31 to tell them all about their experiences.

“Forres Academy used the tools to clear the beds at the Royal British Legion gardens and the Air Training Cadets are using them to clean pavements on High Street.

“We will also use them with other groups to clear detritus from Grant Park.”

The Wee FIBbees club was started in 2008 when FIB was offered use of a greenhouse and garden belonging to Moray Council to be its base.

Since then, countless young gardeners have picked up skills and contributed to the town’s beauty. Projects have included: maintaining flower beds and containers; growing vegetables; designing and making panels for the fence in their garden; incorporating their artwork in interpretation boards throughout Forres; and developing a stumpery using fallen tree roots.

A typical session features practical work outside and in the group’s greenhouses, gardening crafts - and they always finish with a snack!

The Wee FIBees are currently working on fruit and veg creations for the Grant Park 100 festival, planting a bee sculpture, tending their plants, eating their produce and preparing to show the Beautiful Scotland judges around on July 31.

There are 14 members at any one time with three spaces currently available for primary aged children.

Sandra said: “They have good fun while meeting with young people from other schools. Attendees enjoy eating their produce and taking it home to share with family.

“There’s nothing better than getting your hands in the soil and not getting a row! It’s also a chance to grow and see nature first hand, for example, helping a tiny seed to produce a huge sunflower.”

The Wee FIBbees meet every Tuesday from 6pm to 7.30pm in their garden beside Grant Park. Over the summer holidays the group will meet from 10am to noon.

For more information visit https://www.forresinbloom.org.uk/ or drop-in in person.