A local heritage group has launched its event programme for the year ahead with two of the highlights being sell-out successes.
Nelson’s Tower will be open for the first time at night as part of a busy event programme for the Forres Heritage Trust, which also includes talks, exhibitions, open days and tours.
The trust’s first event of the year, a talk on The Rise and Fall of Forres Railways which was given by trustee Michael Ellison, was a huge success with people being turned away at the door.
Trustee, Peter Haworth, who co-ordinates the volunteers and works with the Trust team to pull together the winter talks said:
“We have had a tremendous start to the year, with Michael’s talk and the evening opening of the Tower being extremely popular.
“Year on year, our events programme is getting busier, but the important thing is people seem to be enjoying what we are doing.
“The demand also emphasises the need to book our events.
“We have had several occasions where we have had to turn people away.”
Talking about Nelson’s Tower which this year will be open every day from 2-4pm from Saturday March 29 until the end of September, Peter said:
“The idea of an evening event was inspired by suggestions from visitors, who were keen to see, not only a night view of the surrounding area, but also the night sky.
“As a result, some of the team have trialled it, and it really is a very different, but extraordinary experience.
“We are very pleased that people are keen.
“If our visitors enjoy it, it might be that we add some more evening dates to the calendar.”
As well as looking after Nelson’s Tower on behalf of Moray Council, the Forres Heritage Trust owns the Tolbooth in the High Street where its other events are staged.
“There is at least one event every month now,” said Peter.
“We have some fascinating talks still to come starting with an interesting evening where guest speaker Fiona Lockhart will take us further afield from Forres and regale us about life as a Border Reiver in 16th Century Northumbria.
“Following that, Robbie Roberts, a survival instructor and rescue coordinator will talk about survival.
“Finally, we are thrilled to be welcoming back Molly Carmichael who will be delivering her talk on Sir Alexander Grant.
“She came last year to tie in with the Grant Park 100 event and as that was so popular, she has kindly agreed to do it again.”
Tours of the Tolbooth which used to house the jail and courts will also be available.
The Heritage Trust initially opened the Tolbooth to tourists in 2022, as Trust chairman George Alexander explained:
“There is a real thirst for people to visit the Tolbooth and understand what it was and see what it is like now.
“Visitors are able to see the old police office and cells, the courtroom and enjoy a trip up to the parapet and around the recently refurbished clock tower.
“We have a hardcore group of volunteers who have worked tirelessly to preserve and renovate the building and it really is worth seeing.”
For information on all the Forres Heritage events and other activities please visit: www.forresheritage.co.uk
