Friends of the Falconer Museum have organised activities on Tolbooth Street to celebrate the building’s birthday
THE OPENING of a public building in the centre of a Moray town 152 years ago will be celebrated on August 1.
Forres's Friends of the Falconer Museum (FoFM) have organised a morning book launch followed by a historic costume competition, teapot hunt, children’s activities and live music in the afternoon.
The event, which is taking place tomorrow (Aug 1) is in honour of the Tolbooth Street premises first opened thanks to bequests by the family of eminent natural scientist and Forresian, Hugh Falconer, in 1872.
FoFM chairwoman Christiane Friauf confirmed a revised and extended edition of 'Science and Imagination: True Stories from the Falconer Museum' - first published in November, 2022 - will be launched in Forres Town Hall at 11am.
She said: “This will be part of a morning event 'Tea with Hugh Falconer' in the town hall.
“The book now includes a biographical sketch of Hugh Falconer, authored by Professor Timothy Murray of La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. This is a major step towards informing a wider audience about Hugh's contribution to science.
“The wider he is acknowledged, the more focus will be on maintaining the Falconer Museum as an important part of Moray’s heritage and culture.”
The new version of the book also includes the first family tree of Falconer's closest family, including his niece Grace Milne of Kinloss, later Lady Prestwich who became a geologist. The family tree was compiled following hours of research by former Forres Academy teacher, Peggie Gordon. Having volunteered for the National Trust for Scotland, Peggie changed her job in 1990 to work fulltime for the NTS. “Obsessed” with genealogy and looking at the Falconer family history, she eventually volunteered at the Falconer Museum.
Science and Imagination will be available through bookshops and online. The Friends will offer copies at a reduced price at the book launch.
Tea with Hugh Falconer will celebrate the anniversary and heritage with refreshments.
“We will share the story of Hugh’s involvement in introducing delicate tea plants from China to India,” said Christiane. “They would become a cash crop for the East India Company.
“Meet the author (albeit digitally), hear about Falconer’s achievements and celebrate the launch of the new book edition. We look forward to seeing you!”
Cutting of a large birthday cake donated by Maclean's Highland Bakery, the historic costume competition, tea pot hunt, children’s activities and live music will take place from 3-5pm on August 1 at Museum Square on Tolbooth Street. All of the events are free.
“We’re inviting everyone to dress as a character from the era of Hugh Falconer - 1808 to 1865 - or as fancy as they wish,” said Christiane. “The award show for the costume competition will be at 5pm so please register earlier than then.
“Passers-by will be encouraged to look into shop windows on High Street to find five tea pots with the Falconer Friends logo. We encourage them to write down where they were found and bring the notes to claim a prize.
“Participants are invited to place a candle on our birthday cake and add a wish for the future of the museum.
“We are inviting children to do the Falconer quiz to win a badge, or to colour in a museum-related sheet. Falconer Fun Facts will be at hand.
“Finally, members of local band, Soul Food Cafe, will play in the afternoon.”
