Fochabers sets a very high benchmark
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Efforts to renovate one of the most picturesque places in Moray have taken another step forward.
The Commemorative Garden for Famous Fochaberians, situated beside the village's cricket club, was opened in May 2002 by Gordon Baxter.
Now its picnic tables and benches are looking as good as new again thanks to the Fochabers Men's Shed group.
It's the latest upgrade in a series of community-led projects to upgrade the garden.
Kay Jackson from the The Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation said: "The garden is in a lovely, tranquil spot that overlooks the River Spey.
"On a personal level, it's one of my favourite places in Moray.
"The benches and picnic tables were just in need of some TLC, which is precisely what they've been given by the Men's Shed group.
"They look great again now. It's a very kind gesture.
"Over the last two years the horticulture students from Moray College have also been a terrific support.
"They helped produced the final drawings for the redevelopment work.
"In addition, they organised several 'hit squad' visits to the site which also attracted a number of villagers to come along and help out.
"Over lockdown, it was impossible to continue these visits, but a small community group got together instead to do some weeding and general tidying, which helped greatly.
"This group of individuals have also raised just over £600 towards the redevelopment work, which is going to be used to upgrade the decking area."
Additionally, the Gordon and Ena Baxter Fundation is working with the Fochabers Heritage Centre and Friends of Bellie Churchyard to upgrade the garden over the winter into next spring.
Both of these groups have pledged £1000 apiece to improve the footpaths as well as various wooden structures around the site
