Forres Heritage Trust

Record numbers enjoy peek into past

RECORD numbers of people have taken time out to visit a historic photographic display held in the town.

A showcase of days gone by was held in the Tolbooth which is looked after by the Forres Heritage Trust and curators of the exhibition Ross Dalziel and Ray Mills have been delighted to see an upsurge in people keen to get a glimpse into the past.

For the first time, new state-of-the-art equipment played film from over the years and another attraction was the addition of a Forres Academy photo album from 1928.

Ross who has volunteered with the Trust for nine years said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the number of people who have visited the Tolbooth over the four-day exhibition. This has definitely been the busiest exhibition we have had and it is reassuring to know that there is still an appetite for it.”

Ray who has also volunteered since 2010 added: “Being able to play the films from years gone by was definitely a fabulous addition and something that we plan to do at future exhibitions. The film was “Memories of Forres 1937-1938” filmed by the late David R Forrester (A.R.P.S.) who owned Harrold’s the Chemist on the High Street. The pictures from Forres Academy also sparked interest.”

George Alexander, chairman of the Forres Heritage Trust said: “We owe Ross and Ray a huge thank you for the work they put in to maintaining our extensive picture archive. This exhibition was the first time many of the visitors got to see the recently renovated courtroom which is stunning and is also the location for the new technology which allowed us to play the old films on a huge drop-down screen. A fitting addition to the exhibition.”

The next event at the Tolbooth will be when it opens for Moray Doors Open Day on September 21.

This will be the first time that people can get a glimpse of the old police office and cells which have also been under renovation by a team of volunteers.

Nelson’s Tower which is also looked after by the Trust will also be open before it shuts at the end of September until next season.