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.

    

Wild things! are incredibly grateful for the support of the Berry Burn Community Fund. Their contribution to our new 4WD vehicle enables us to work in remote, rural areas with reliability and safety. This is essential to our continuing work in taking children, young people and vulnerable adults on exciting and educational outdoors activities as well as supporting us to deliver conservation work in Moray.

  

 

 

Funding from Berry Burn Community Fund has enabled us to purchase a new lawnmower for the pitch and surrounding park area. Maintaining the standard of the pitch is important for our Club playing at highland League level.

Funds from Berry Burn Community Fund to purchase additional roof and wall transparent panels for use with the Forres Highland Games Dancing Platform/Stage Marquee has greatly enhanced its flexibility and safety. Transparent panels greatly enhance both the viewing spectacle for the public and the protection and illumination of the participants. The flexibility to use either transparent or white canvas roofing to shade the participants is a great asset. The option to use side and/or back transparent panels to provide protection from driving wind and rain during performances helps the dancers and contributes to their H & S by keeping the stage dry. It also increases its potential for use by other community groups or activities in the local area during the foreseeable future.