.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Nairn Climate Challenge Panel follow-up
In October 2010 the Gurn reported on the Climate Change Panel that SNH held in the town to gauge the community's reaction to the perceived changes that are coming our way. Here's how the Gurn saw the meetings held by the Panel.
Drier summers and wetter winters was the mantra back then and if this observer remembers correctly it then proceeded to rain for most of the summer of 2011. Now the BBC reports on a follow up to that consultation that was held in Nairn.
"Communities could be encouraged to make their own assessments of the direct benefits they get from nature.
A toolkit has been developed as a guide to understanding the landscape and what are called ecosystem services and how they are affected by climate change.
"Services" include natural processes that provide food and fuel, purify air, enrich soils and prevent floods.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and Highland Council plan to run pilots in the Highlands using the toolkit.
The move follows two years of research work which involved communities in Nairn and Dumfries and Galloway and examined their attitudes to climate change." Full article.
This observer is in no doubt that there are changes underway in the climate and ecosystems that support us but wonders how any toolkit project would be received in Nairn - out of the reactions received on the Gurn in the past when climate change has been debated, there have been several responses from people that do not believe it is happening. Maybe there will be a drier summer this year?
No soccer at Station Park or Showfield
Friday, January 27, 2012
Common Good snapshot
The Gurn has been sent a link to "Sounding Off" by Bill McAlister on the Inverness Courier site. His article this week is entitled "Inverness Common Good Fund is the envy of the Highlands".
Bill details the results of several generations of good management of the Inverness fund and gives details of other Common Good Funds in the Highlands. This is what he has to say about Nairn's:
"Nairn has one but it is around 3 million in debt and the lucrative sale of 86 acres of Common Good land at Sandown, on the A96 on the Inverness side, appears to have fallen through. The land's value, which was 14 million four years ago, has nosedived."
"Like Tommy Cooper trying to hide a pea under three tumblers"
Hello Gurn,
What's the current state of play at the Rosebank Church? Noticed all the slates being shipped off a few weeks back by a salvage company, not a good sign, although if the owners are in the market for a new roof for their building they might look a 100 yards down the road, seems a perfectly good building of historic importance is about to bite the dust to make way for car parking, still the longer that building stands the more of affront it is to the new building across the road whose unpaid bill is forcing yet more cockeyed planning decisions. From the outside it all looks like Tommy Cooper trying to hide a pea under three tumblers.
Best Wishes,
Shaun MacDonald
Shaun MacDonald
Inverness Courier review
The Co-op's seeming reluctance to demolish the old petrol station makes it into the Courier today with pics and quotes from Oor Sandy, Tommy Hogg and John Finnie MSP. Tommy looks very much the man of the people in this article with his fashionable baseball cap in evidence.
A nice pic of Danny on the front page too and the headline: "£500 to meet deputy PM". This is a reference to events coming up in March at the Lib-Dems spring conference in March. What a bargain! More details in the Courier.
There's going to be a labour candidate too in Nairn at the May elections, "...former Highland Council official Ashley Broadbent will bid for a spot in Nairn." That's six declaring that they will stand for the elections in May. 6 into 4 doesn't go, there will be two disappointed candidates. The ongoing poll in the Gurn side bar indicates that there is a willingness to see a wild card or two on the coupon as well. Over 50% of Gurnshire voters who have participated in the poll indicate that they would consider voting for a "Freedom for Nairnshire End Inverness Rule" candidate.
Almost as bad as a carbuncle nomination?
One of our regular readers points us in the direction of a Chavtowns.co.uk. Yesterday there was outrage splashed on the front page of the Highland News about the claims about Inverness on that site. It just shows how one anonymous individual can blow up things out of all proportion.
This observer notes that the article in question was posted in October of last year and it has taken this long for "outrage" to emerge. Normally the web works faster than that.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Nairn Allotment Society seeking help from supporters for next week
Nairn Allotment Society are asking all members, those on their waiting list and all supporters to help them by attending the Sandown Charrette in the Courthouse next week or, if they are unable to attend, by filling in a letter of support. More details of how to help on the Nairn Allotment Society webpages.
The plotters have European funding for 38 more allotments and facilities for community groups but have to convince the Charrette that their project should go ahead on the Sandown Common Good Land. For details of the Charrette and the NAS plans see this Gurn article.
Important: The Sandown Charrette finally arrives – your chance to have a say on Sandown!
The “enquiry by design” had been expected to take place before the end of 2011 but nothing ever happened but finally the community have their chance to have a say on what they want to see happen on the Sandown lands. Oor Sandy is quoted in a Highland Council press release published on Monday:
“Convener Sandy Park said: “I am delighted that Jim Mackinnon, the Chief Planner for
So we have a sort of planning “top gun” to help us sort out a brief for Sandown. Hopefully the community will indeed turn out in large numbers for this important event. Plenty of us have had a gurn or two in the past over the Council’s previous way of going about things at Sandown now that we have the chance to make a few proposals ourselves it will be interesting to see how many folk do attend.
The Charrette could do with a bit more publicity however, there was a brief mention in the Nairnshire on the 17th but the Council’s press release on Monday must have come in too late for the Leopold Street Thunderer. There was no advert in the Nairnshire either so it has been a little difficult for the citizenry to be aware of this event that has been mooted for some considerable time now. It kicks off on Monday night in the Courthouse and according to the Press Release:
“The charrette will commence with a launch evening at
There then follows three days of various topics which you can slip in and out of as you wish. The Gurn has obtained a copy of the Charrette programme and you can see the schedule of events here. Something for everybody there, if you have any views why not get along to one of the sessions.
One group who will be making significant representations will be the Nairn Allotment Society. The group has had approval for 38 allotments next to the existing site at Sandown and has a waiting list that will fill the new plots immediately. The NAS have accessed European LEADER funding too. Community groups participating in the second phase of the Sandown plots also have applications in for funding. The group is slightly anxious that the previous postponements and any possible further delays in the outcome of the charrette may impact on the funding packages as, although they enjoy the active and willing support of the local councillors, they now have to go through the charrette process too. Part of the strength of our community and what makes Nairn such a nice place to live are the many active groups and societies that do so much for the town and surrounding area. Some experts believe that this kind of voluntary and social activity has a spin off in creating confidence in a community and thus economic growth.
The Allotment Society have made great progress over recent years, just look at the transformation of the derelict Mill Road site into a thriving social and horticultural hub. They aim (and this observer confesses here to being a member) to repeat that process again at Sandown with the active participation of other community groups which will enable many others to enjoy a horticultural experience with training provided. It would be a tragedy if further delays would jeopardise a project that offers so many potential benefits to the community.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
A96 Inshes-Nairn upgrade to dual carriageway - Consultation
"A96 Inshes to Nairn Project Summary: This project upgrades the A96 to dual carriageway for 24km from the A9 at Inshes in Inverness to the east of Nairn on the A96."
See the plans: Monday, 6 February 2012 (2pm to 7pm) - The Court House, High Street, Nairn, IV12 4AU More information here.
Demolishing the old petrol station - Co-op responds to Facebook comments
A swift response to posts coming from Gurnshire on the Co-op Facebook page:
"we are in ongoing talks with The Highland Council about this and hope to reach an agreement as soon as we can"
You can see the posts here and add your own thoughts too if you are logged in to Facebook. A future without both the Old Community Centre and the Petrol Station - maybe it isn't all that far off?
Time for more community pressure on the Co-op!
Avail yourselves of the Nairnshire Telegraph Gurnites and digest the front page if you already haven't. The Scottish Government has very kindly given 300K to Oor Sandy for knocking down the old community centre and there just so happens to be enough dosh to deal with the old petrol station too. The only thing is that the Co-op seem to be reluctant.
This observer caught a bus to Inverness yesterday and was trying to imagine the vistas without the petrol station and the old centre. The former social work office/police station would stand out and so would the old rent office building. People driving through Nairn would see the car parking area better. The backs of the High Street buildings and the library ( the architecture of that building there questionable perhaps) but given time perhaps that could be broken up a little by planting of trees. We can have a rammy about what we want to go on these sites later but in the meantime let's get behind Sandy & Co in getting the Co-op on board. The facebook campaign page and Rosemary's "Kick-ass" tactics certainly worked a treat when it came to getting a clean-up for the Regal.
This morning John Finnie one of our SNP MSPs in the Highlands has tweeted that he is writing to the Co-op on this issue. Obviously the Council are working on them too but there is nothing better than pressure from the punters. Why not pop along to leave them a message on Facebook?
If any Gurnties have any ideas on how to put pressure on the Co-op please share your thoughts.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Anyone up for a "tweet-up"?
Iain Fraser is the new manager of the Golf View Hotel. He obviously sees the social media as a useful tool in his role. His first day was yesterday and he seems to be enjoying his new job very much. You can follow his posts here.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Oor Graham gets to grips with Graffiti
Looks like Cllr Graham Marsden went away from the recent River CC meeting that heard complaints about Graffiti and swung into action. Today the more prominent and offensive graffiti on the Riverside toilets was being painted over. There are still wee bitties elsewhere along the riverside walks but this is a great start.
Access Panel
This observer went along to the open meeting of the Nairn Access Panel held in the Community Centre last week. I’ve heard the work of the panel mentioned by Highland Councillors at various debates at Community Council meetings and thought it would be worthwhile to find out more about the Panel’s activities in Nairn. There is information on the responsibilities of Access Panels on the Scottish Disability Equality Forum they state that the panels: “who work for better access for disabled people in their local community. Access Panels consists of local groups of volunteers, including disabled people, carers and people with a genuine interest in access.” You can read more here.
Many Gurnites will know Liz Bow the chair of the panel who was awarded an MBE in the 2010 honours list for her community work. It was Liz who opened the meeting. She explained some of the regular work of the board. They meet every three months with the Highland Council and also have regular meetings with the traffic warden and the police inspector. At the meetings with the Council will be reps from the technical services, planning and the local ranger. The panel also has a yearly access awareness day with primary school children which offers a hands on experience for the youngsters on what it is like to be not so mobile as others yet still be able to lead a very full life. Liz then handed over the meeting to the floor and said she wanted to hear the views of members of the public present.
One gentleman immediately raised the issue of how he travelled to the hospital in his electric buggy via the riverside path and Queenspark but how this was becoming increasingly difficult and dangerous given the deterioration of the footpath next to the skateboard park. He mentioned how his vehicle had almost flipped over. This observer knows exactly the spot the gentleman was talking about, for most of us the potholes in that disintegrating path are an inconvenience, we have to tread carefully or even ride a bicycle up on the grass perhaps but if you are relying on this route as a safe means of going unaided to the hospital in your buggy then you have a major problem to deal with.
This item led on to discussion of the drop-down kerbs opposite the hospital at Queen’s Park and how they were still sometimes over 2 inches from the road surface. Other problems with drop down kerbs where how they could sometimes be even placed next to drains or how people will park next to them blissfully unaware that someone might need to use them on a regular basis. Liz mentioned how the panel had been raising the issue of kerbs with the Council for some time but how in the past issues had been fixed almost immediately but now because of funding constraints things were being prioritised.
There was debate about the long-running issue of the
There then was a discussion on paths in the area and the riverside was quoted as an example of how it was difficult or impossible to complete the walks (as more able people are able to do) with out turning back. The situation with the
There were complaints about the state of the pavement close to the bus station and the meeting was told that it seemed to be a debate about between contractors and the Council about who was responsible for the situation. It was expressed that someone might break a leg soon.
There is an ongoing attempt to improve access to the beaches on both sides of the harbour with hopes of a 6m square platform being placed on the
Shortly the Access Panel will be presenting a business in the High Street with an award to the premises that has done the most to demonstrate a positive attitude to helping those with disability enter their establishment. The shortlist is being discussed and the award will be announced soon.
The meeting was an enlightening experience for this observer and I was impressed with the level of commitment the volunteers of the panel give to their work. Well done the members of the Access Panel! Another example of the hard work that goes on behind the scenes all over Nairn that helps make our town such a decent place to live.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
More tlc needed for listed signal boxes?
Back in November the Gurn published this picture of the unseasonally warm weather beating down on the former Nairn East signal box. That post attracted a comment today which Gurnites may find interesting:
"Paul Francis said...
Regarding the photograph of the redundant Nairn East signal box I would like to express my sadness st the lack of maintenance. I worked at the station in the 1970's with the other signalmen - Campbell Mckenzie and Gordon Milne. We took a pride in looking after the station and the surrounds including tending the flowerbeds.
Researching on the internet it appears that both signal boxes are Category B Listed Buildings. Apparently, owners of listed buildings may be compelled to repair and maintain such buildings and local authorities are responsible for ensuring that this is done.
Is this something that can be taken up with the Council?
Paul Francis"
It does indeed seem that the two signal boxes are listed buildings. Time for the rail authority responsible to administer some tlc? Perhaps one of our local councillors is reading the Gurn tonight and might have an opinion? Any gurnites out there that take an interst in railways and railway affairs?
Capercaillie Concerns
Picture from the Nairn Birder
Seumas, the Nairn Birder, writes to the Gurn:
"'I notice on The Gurn that some are suggesting that the Caper might be a Black Grouse. It is quite easy to mix the two, but this is definitely a Caper. Size and colour of wings - and particularly the large bill are the main give aways.
We need to handle this situation very sensitively: this is a lost and vulnerable bird and one of precious few remaining of this iconic species in The Highlands.
Please don't approach it."
More pictures of the Capercaillie on Seumas's blog.
If anyone has sighted the bird recently please contact the Gurn and we will forward the information to Seumas who is monitoring the situation.
UPDATE: Seen crossing the A96, a local motorist stopped her vehicle on one side of the road and a bus driver on the other to allow the bird to safely traverse the A96. Seems like this creature would be better off in a pine forest somewhere. Please take care if driving in the areas this bird has been seen.
All sightings please phone the Birder if possible: 0791 8147116
No match for Nairn County today
The game at Grant Street Park has been called off due to a waterlogged pitch. Yesterday Clach manager Iain Polworth had been quoted in the Courier criticising the fact that not only were to play in Inverness today but Caley, Inverness City and also the Highland Rugby Club had home fixtures.
Obviously such competition for spectators means that somebody will lose out. Maybe there is a way to avoid to much of this type of situation in the future but it would surely be difficult to co-ordinate fixtures across three different leagues. But due to the weather one clash has been avoided and perhaps Clach will now get their home game against the Wee County on a mid-week date?
Friday, January 20, 2012
Demolition - Liz doesn't want the old Community Centre site sold
More details of what is going on with the old Community Centre have come out today with a picture and small article in the Press and Journal. We reported yesterday that the Highland Council had passed permission for demolition. Today the P&J reports that they are looking for a contractor as cash has become available after delays with other projects. The Gurn beleives this cash is from a special Scottish Government town centre fund as Oor Sandy was speaking about the like last year.
Now what will happen to the site? Liz is quoted in the paper: " I would like to see it left as additional parking for the town centre. I don't think it should be sold."
That might be the best thing because getting a parking place in the town centre can be very difficult at certain times of the week. What do Gurnites think? Keep the site on the books or sell it for development?
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Local Press Review – Standing again
Interesting to see that Laurie, Liz, Graham and Sandy are all standing for election again in May. The Nairnshire has quotes from the three Nairn members of the ruling administration so if you haven’t read the local paper yet you can read the “self-assessment” quotes from the LibDem and two Indy councillors. The Leopold Street Thunderer has also has been speaking to new contestant Colin Macaulay who will be standing on the SNP ticket with Liz. The voting system gives you the choice of list preferences so obviously the Nationalists feel that they have a fair chance of getting two members elected in Nairn. It is worth remembering too that last time round Liz got almost twice as many first preferences as Sandy the second placed candidate in the first round (Liz 1576, Sandy 855, Laurie 669, Graham 535). This observer will predict that Liz will increase her total of first preferences, even with one other SNP candidate in the mix. Many voters will still have her “sacking” as Provost by the other three existing councillors strong in their memory when they go to the polls. Here’s a couple of Gurn articles here and here that detail those heady days back in the spring of 2010 when a wave of indignation swept through Nairn over what many considered as a very unfair move by Graham, Laurie and Sandy. The Facebook group that campaigned to reinstate Liz attracted over 500 members and is still there.
In an indication of where perhaps local debate will go during the elections it is perhaps worth picking two key parts out of what Colin had to tell the Nairnshire: “I am well aware of the concerns and opportunities across our Royal Burgh,” and “ “…we will fight Nairnshire’s corner as a part of a strong SNP voice on the new Council.” Royal Burgh and Nairnshire – key words in a potential debate about the County’s identity in the face of the centralising machine that is the
click the image to enlarge
Chaos on the A96 for commuters
The Highland News has an article about the considerable delays on the A96 as drivers arrive/leave Inverness. "Lights bring traffic jam chaos on the A96"
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Plans to demolish old Community Centre approved
As seen on the Highland Council webpages.
Update: one of our regular readers sends us this picture of the litter and weeds at the back of the old community centre. If the demolition is not going ahead immediately perhaps Oor Graham or someone can arrange to have this area tidied up?
Monday, January 16, 2012
More sightings of the Capercaillie - UPDATED
More sightings have been reported of the Capercaillie in the Merryton/Lochloy/Grants Garage area in the last few days, see previous posting here.
The Gurn wonders if it may be a Black Grouse but after some research it seems very hard to be able to tell the difference. If anyone can confirm, let us know?
Thanks to Billy Milne for the top image and to James Herbertson and his mum for the bottom one.
UPDATE: Video of the bird, thanks to Veronica.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Kayaker rescued
A kayaker who got into difficulties just off the Old Bar yesterday afternoon after his craft capsized was rescued by a member of the Nairn Sailing Club. Charlie Robertson, 85, took the cold and wet man and his kayak back to the Harbour. Two RNLI lifeboats also attended the incident. Well done to all who took part and thankfully there was a positive outcome.
UPDATE: More information and details available here. Well done Charlie, life in the old sea dog yet!
Nairn St Ninian 1 - Fochabers 0
St Ninian came away with a 1 – 0 win. All in all, plenty of action in both goal mouths but, apart from the one goal, neither team were able to take advantage from their efforts by hitting the back of the net during the rest of the match. Three useful points for Saints. More pictures to follow.
UPDATE: Pictures now available here.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Sandy up for some "Access Only"
Oor Sandy is quoted in this week's Nairnshire in regard to the Westie's bid for "Access Only" areas. "Last week, Highland Council Convenor Sandy Park said he could support a Road Traffic Order along Altonburn Road but not in Albert Street, Seabank Road and Manse Road."
The ideas can get fed into the Sandown "Charette" it seems according to Sandy. Partial support for the West CC there then. More in this week's Nairnshire Telegraph. All roads lead to Sandown? If you do go and pick up this week's edition of the local paper once again this weekend, then also worth browsing is Iain Bain's editorial entitled "Roads" - an analysis of how difficulties are impacting locally as the road network falls slowly to pieces.
Crumbling roads, in the Fishertown, across Nairn and the Highlands
Gurnites will have seen the recent material in the Nairnshire Telegraph about Cllr Andrew Purkis’s call for action on the state of the roads in the Fishertown. There was a wee follow up to that at Tuesday night’s meeting when Liz announced she was having a meeting with Andrew to look at some of the problems he has highlighted in the Fishertown.
Oor Graham mentioned that an additional million pounds was to be allocated to road repairs across the
Andrew remarked that that million pounds wasn’t going to go very far. Graham said a bit later on in the debate that to get all the roads in
Stephanie Whittaker, herself a Fishertown resident, agreed with Andrew over the state of the Fishertown but argued that the rest of Nairn wasn’t too good either.
Obviously a problem that has been building and maybe one that will probably get worse in the short term no matter who forms the next council administration, they will inherit a crumbling road network in the
Gaelic in modern Scotland - Free OU course
This observer spends some time on Fòram na Gà idhlig and noticed this post today:
"If you want to learn something about the Gaelic language, its history and and its speakers. the Open University has a free 15-hour course that you can do, called "Gaelic in Modern Scotland" "
It looks pretty good and addresses a lot of issues that you sometimes see mentioned in newspaper letter columuns, there are seven modules full of all the information you need to know about GÃ idhlig.
Not much cash left for potholes
"Only potholes deemed a danger will be repaired," states an article in the Courier this mornning. A very alarming and illuminating article.
"The Council only has around £135,000 in its budget to pay for temporary patch repairs across the region as well as other road works including markings, signs and repairs to gullies and verges, up to ist April, while a pot of £250,000 is all that remains to do major resurfacing and restructuring works." More details in today's Inverness Courier.
Oor Graham had a few roads cash statistics when it came to debate about the state of the Fishertown roads on Tuesday night. The Gurn will get round to analysis of that later today. In fact it will be a bit of a roads day here on the Gurn. Oor Sandy seems partially supportive of the West End "Access Only" movement. More on his comments in the Nairnshire later and Iain Bain had an editorial about Nairnshire roads and bridges too. More later Gurnites when time permits.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
