DVD Memories of Forres 1937-1938
Approximately 25 miles east of Inverness and sitting between the floodplain of the River Findhorn and the wooded slopes of Cluny and Sanquhar Hills, the town of Forres is well known for its award-winning floral sculptures and is steeped in local history and traditions.
This is a truly beautiful and fascinating record of events, faces and places in and around the town of Forres during 1937-1938. In this rare archive we are invited to participate and share in many of the towns annual events during this period including “Forres Gala Week” and “Forres Garden Fete”. Arriving by steam train into Forres station we recall and relive the long list of events and activities of Gala week. We start things off with the procession through the town to Grant Park by the massed pipe bands, the Scouts and Guides Tattoo and the elaborately decorated floats and costumes. We follow and join the week-long celebration enjoying each days events that encompass the crowning of “The Gala Queen”, Sheep Dog Trials, Cricket, Tennis, cycling and athletics, Highland Dancing, Military displays, boxing and even a “Keep Fit” demonstration is on offer – all for the princely admission price of 3D. Another key event in the Forres calendar is the “Garden Fete” held on the 15th June at Sanqhar House where we recall these nostalgic Summer days of fun, stalls, pipe bands, rides, amusements and competitions including the “Bonny Baby Contest”, “Mother’s Neatest Ankles”. This is a rare intimate and nostalgic account of the people and life in Forres during this early part of the previous century. Whether you still have direct ties to Forres or whether you now live elsewhere you are guaranteed to find something to rekindle nostalgic and golden memories of this proud town and its people.
Filmed by the late David R. Forrester (A.R.P.S.) the producer would like to thank the following persons. Mr Harold Forrester and Mr Graeme Wilson of the Moray Heritage Centre.
Running Time 30mins