This was an amazing opportunity to compete at the highest level and to see the best in the world perform. Being part of Team GB at Worlds has encouraged Caitlin to keep training and improving her Poomsae. Following a strong performance in individuals, unfortunately she did not progress, such was the level of athlete she was competing against, mostly older and more experienced. This however has given her determination to keep improving and has set the bar for where she needs to aim. In Teams, giving a great performance, they missed out on progressing to semi-final by just once place.

   

 

Funding from Berry Burn enabled the purchase of two wheelchair-accessible picnic benches for the car park at Spynie Kirk. This allows anyone, from the local community or passing through, to sit and enjoy the views of the Laich of Moray – so gaining the health & wellbeing benefits of quiet reflection and of being outdoors. It’s great to offer that to people.

  

Thanks to the generosity of the Berry Burn Community Fund we have been able to install a second disabled changing room which has made a big difference to the disabled users of the hydrotherapy room. This now means that they have a much easier and quicker access to the pool as they no longer have to wait for a changing room to become available. The temperature of the water in the pool (heated to 34.5C) is of particular benefit to those who are disabled.

    

The Friends of the Falconer Museum’s 2018 Cluny Hill Dig was a highly successful community archaeological excavation on Cluny Hill Forres between 8^th and 23rd September 2018. A team of 10 professional archaeologists supported 21 volunteers, providing experience and training in survey and recording methods. The project uncovered the remains of an Iron Age metal working site and possible trackway that may well have formed part of a larger settlement dating from the first millennium BC. While information will continue to emerge from post-excavational analysis, the hard work of the staff and volunteers has already begun to write a new chapter in the history of Forres.

  

 

The support we received from BBCF for the Riding for the Disabled project was a huge boost to our group. The grant covered the costs of providing ponies and an RDA Qualified Instructor for 28 riding sessions, with 8 ponies in each session, between September 2017 and June 2018; seventeen different children took part. The schools and families of the children reported multiple benefits, for example increased confidence, improved balance and co-ordination and enhanced muscle tone as well as better focus in everyday tasks and learning.

 

 

Nairn synchronized swimming club held a training weekend for all of its swimmers at Tulliallen, Fife, in August 2018. We had enrolled an ex GB coach and swimmer with Commonwealth experience to head the weekend. I t was a full on and busy timetable over the two days which involved land training, gym work and pool time. Every minute was utilised. The swimmers benefitted enormously, covering the importance of nutrition, sports psychology, strength and stamina training to improve their solos, duets and team routines.

A huge THANK YOU to Berry Burn Community Fund for supporting our project.

As a local football team Forres Thistle managed to install new showers and wet wall panels in 3 different rooms. In addition we have 2 new boilers to heat the showers which are used to provide basic hygiene to around 30-40 people per week through training twice a week and a home game every fortnight.

We have had individuals work tirelessly through the summer while we had no games so we could have limited disruption, and this has allowed us to be able to be ready to welcome our opponents to great new facilities.

The generosity of the BBCF enabled Forres Harriers to Host the British Masters Cross Country championships, the best in the event’s history.

Competitors travelled from all over the UK and the people of Forres welcomed them in the traditional way. As a club the success of the event surpassed all expectation.

 

In August 2018 Grantown-on-Spey welcomed French visitors marking the 20^th anniversary of the Twinning exchange between the towns of Grantown-on-Spey and Notre Dame de Monts in western France. In the past 20 years there have been many and varied exchanges between the two communities allowing the host families and visitors to experience new cultures, develop new friendships and broaden horizons. The Twinning Association is entirely voluntary, depending on its own contributions and funds raised during the year. It is very grateful to BBCF for providing funding for the coach transport required during the recent 20^th Anniversary visit, which proved very successful.

       

Edinkillie Hall is now safe, secure and warm for the winter and we don’t have to worry about our front doors falling off as they did last winter! The new doors look extremely smart and this is another step towards keeping a community hall in regular use.