Elgin has a “fighting chance” of securing city status, the chairman of the town’s community council believes.
Alastair Kennedy is a keen supporter of the Moray Council bid to secure the town’s standing as a city as part of the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations.
The move gained unanimous support from councillors earlier this week.
Elgin faces competition from Dumfries and Dunfermline which announced their intention to enter the competition last month.
Community Council members have now agreed to set up a sub-group to collect as much information as possible to assist the council’s entry.
It must be submitted to the Cabinet Office by 4pm on Wednesday December 8.
Call for information on the town’s history, culture and famous folk
The bid will have to describe Elgin’s uniqueness, including its history, heritage culture, traditions and connections with royalty.
It should also feature any residents or community thought to have made a significant contribution to the area.
In addition, information on population, sport centres, shopping areas and transport links will form part of the bid.
Up to 50 photographs of landmarks in what could become the city centre can be submitted.
Mr Kennedy said: “I would like to think Elgin has a real fighting chance, and I really hope our efforts will not be in vain.”
He called on anyone with information on the town’s history, culture and famous folk to come forward.
Details can be emailed to a.kennedy@talktalk.net
Good idea for Elgin city status bid
Community council member Jim Wiseman said: “Everybody has good ideas and something to say about it. We’ve got the bones of it and we now need to get this up and running.”
Elgin South councillor Graham Leadbitter advised a lead officer for the city bid would be appointed by the local authority soon, and evidence recently collected for the £100 million Moray Growth could be used as part of the entry.
Elgin’s six councillors have agreed £2,000 from the common good fund can be used to finance the project, which is also supported by Elgin Business Improvement District.
Stirling and Perth were successful when city bids were sought for the monarch’s golden jubilee in 2002 and diamond anniversary in 2012.
Inverness became a city in a similar contest in 2000.