Forres Scottish Week success – despite the weather

FORRES enjoyed another Scottish Week packed with entertainment for all ages – despite the wind and rain.

Forres Community Activities Association (FCAA) organised a varied programme of events running from Saturday, June 1 to Sunday June 9 that included live music, informative talks, fun runs and competition.

FCAA chairman George Alexander is grateful to everyone who helped out.

He said: “Judging by the feedback we have had from the public, the week was a great success. The weather could have been warmer but at least it was fairly dry for the outdoor events.

“Some events involved more organisation than others and the members who played their part deserve special credit.

”The Forres Rocks concert on the opening night was a tremendous free, family event which attracted a considerable crowd to Grant Park on a dry and pleasant evening. Everyone went home very happy.
”The Burgess ceremony on the evening of day four was a great opportunity to show the community’s appreciation for all the work done by the nine new burgesses. The audience at St Leonard’s Church appreciated the organ recital by Angus Hull, who demonstrated the versatility of the electric organ.
”The High Street races last Wednesday evening were an amazing spectacle, especially with over 100 competitors in the national 5K championship. Forres Harriers once again demonstrated their organisational expertise.
”The Forres Rotary Colour Run went down a treat too, with various age groups taking part. So much fun was had by all, as well as some really colourful memories recorded on mobile phones.”

‘Now we are (eighty) six’ – a cine film donated to Forres Heritage Trust of the last pre-war Forres Gala Week – was screened in the Tolbooth Courtroom after the Colour Run on Thursday evening.

“It attracted a very enthusiastic audience,” added George. “There was amusement at the difference between what was acceptable in 1938 compared to what is acceptable today!
”Then the Toun Mercat on Friday attracted another huge crowd on what was a rather cold night and all the stall holders were delighted with the outcome.”

The organising FCAA committee is made up of a group of 13 volunteers. The committee starts meeting around a year in advance of Scottish Week and members come up with suggestions and ideas for the programme. Approaches are made to organisations in the town who offer possible events- gradually the range of suggestions form a programme by April when advertising and promotion gets underway.

Scottish Week’s income is derived from some of its activities but FCAA aims to make as many events as possible accessible to all families, so, in some cases, there is no entry charge. FCAA also aim to make donations to venues allowing free access.

George said: “The committee depends on so many others to make it possible to stage Scottish Week as well as the annual Youth Entertains Concert.

“The 2024 Scottish Week benefitted from the input of the St Laurence Church, Forres Rotary, Forres Harriers as well as the proactive members of the FCAA. The week of events is a tremendous community effort and a number of local businesses were very generous with their donations of foodstuffs and equipment.”

The FCAA is appealing for more local people to get involved to keep the triennial event going.

“I encourage younger members of the community to get involved,” said George. “Some of the present members are rather advanced in years.
”Humans are intrinsically social beings and one of the most common comments I heard at the various events was ‘I saw folks that I have not seen for ages’. This is most gratifying and I would encourage everyone to get out to social events and meet people more often!

“The FCAA will continue to organise Scottish Week so long as it has enthusiastic members willing to take on the responsibility and the public continues to support the events.“

For more information on Forres Community Activities Association visit the Facebook page or call George on 07875034220.

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