Forres in Bloom
In the autumn of 1989 Moray Council invited interested gardeners to a meeting to discuss the horticultural situation in Forres. Twenty people attended and 10 were persuaded to go on to a Committee — Forres in Bloom. The first Chairman was David Carter — Secretary Sheila Thomson, Treasurer John Keenleyside. In 1990 Forres was invited to enter the Europe in Bloom Competition and this was the beginning of a very exciting time for the town. Under the excellent leadership of David Carter and the tremendous enthusiasm of Donald Mc Bean, Senior Horticultural Advisor, months of planning, fund raising and planting went in to the Entente Florale entry. The Committee raised £20,000 to pay for new floral facilities in the town. Money came from the Highlands and Islands Development Board, Forres Common Good Fund, Grampian Initiative, sponsorship by local firms and private individuals, as well as organised events, such as garden openings.
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As the summer approached ninety seven window boxes were installed along the High Street and seventy hanging baskets and more than one hundred planters were positioned around the town. Fourteen giant planters designed by the Grampian Training Workshop in Elgin were installed on lamp standards.
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Five Tom Thumb nasturtiums seeds were given to every primary school pupil to plant in pails so that an avenue of plants could be set up on judging day. Nasturtium fever broke out and all ages began to take part. Businesses were also very supportive. Moray Tractors in Nairn Road filled their huge digger bucket with plants and these were admired from the bye-pass. The Bogton Works of Duncan and Proctor cut holes in one of the garages old cars and filled these with pails of nasturtiums with stunning effect.
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The central theme in the Grant Park was ‘The Owl and the Pussy Cat’ created by Donnie Mc Bean and his enterprising team. This sculpture was the most ambitious project tackled by the parks and recreation department. Frames were made by the youth training workshop in Elgin.
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Moray Council planted out thirteen flags in the Rose Garden each representing a country in the Entente Florale competition. On judging day the Girl Guides wore the costume of the different countries and stood behind the appropriate flag to welcome the judges
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August 14th dawned and even before the judges arrived the town was ‘en fete’ with flowers, music and dancing. The six judges from Europe were most impressed and appreciative and greatly enjoyed their visit to the town. In the end Holland won the competition but only by two points ahead of Forres. It was a wonderful time in the life of Forres, and the beginning of Forres in Bloom.
