Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Time for the Council to pay a bit more attention to the War Memorial area?

The weeds at the War Memorial have been sprayed and as is happening in the rest of the town centre area they are now turning brown as the weedkiller takes effect. Perhaps the Highland Council waits until they are big and noticeable enough before acting or maybe they have a set time each year for spraying. Dead or dying weeds can be just as unsightly as green living ones and yes times are hard now but here is one place where a little more effort should be made and the weeds perhaps sprayed earlier or removed by hand?
The civic dignitaries turn up once a year to take their place, pay their respects and have their picture taken for the local paper. Beforehand steps are taken to make sure everything is up to scratch but surely this place, above all others, should be kept immaculate at all times of the year? There really is no excuse here, it should be done.
It is also ridiculous that Legion campaigners are struggling to get the authorities to provide a proper metal frame to keep the wreaths in place. A piece of wire just isn't good enough to keep everything in situ in extreme weather. There's over a million pounds being spent in the High Street just now, perhaps some, just some could still be diverted here to keep this place in the condition it deserves. Can our councillors manage this?

10 comments:

Changed days said...

I know this won't be popular but why can't the British Legion take this area over? Seize responsibility from the 'authorities', put them to shame.

Wreaths used to be removed, it's a fairly new introduction leaving them in place all year round. They start to look tatty after a while, why not go back to removing them after a certain period?

Graisg said...

Correct Changed days, I think you post will not be popular.

Iain said...

Tend to agree with Changed Days. Over the past 40-50 years governments and local councils have hindered local community initiatives with so much red tape that society now assumes it can do nothing for itself.

If there is one good thing to come out of the credit crunch it will be the stark reality that we have to do more for ourselves. I'm sure the British Legion would be delighted to organise a clean-up. Local shops could then start to keep pavements clean outside their shops - clear seagull mess, etc. Let's move away from expecting "the authorities" to do everything. Either it won't get done or they'll be chasing us for more Council Tax.

Anonymous said...

I think in fairness to the committee at the Legion they are doing a remarkable job keeping the club in Cawdor Street going and they already do considerable work at the time of Armistice Day parade.They don't have the money to take on the responsibility to look after this site. Anon

Auld Sojer said...

As stated by the comments that money is tight at The Legion & dramatic cuts are on the horizon including reducing some of the local council staff it pains me to think that The War Memorial would be neglected due to lack of funds, could the Army not get involved as they are based along the road at Fort George, plus the local Army Cadets, also St Ninian
Football Team who have links with the Legion could some of the players as a token of gratitude not offer their services to help with the upkeep of the memorial, as it seems this is the way things are going with funding being drastically reduced, or maybe not as i have just read in your excellent blog that a local
dairy farmer is to get a million pounds to buy some extra cows.

Major Problem

Ealan Donan said...

I think that it is so terrible that you go to any town or city and you look at there war memorials and they are so well maintained you come to Nairn and it is in a terrible state the council should be ashamed not keeping it in a respectable level for the people who sacrifised there lives for the people of this country may your heads hang in shame

Anonymous said...

I agree entirely with the point made by Iain. Councils have alienated the public from self help and one of the biggest bugbears is health and safety . The point I am making is there is a difference between carrying out a clean up and 'taking over this area' as suggested by Changed days. Anon.

Anonymous said...

shopkeepers are getting a handout to buy paint and other materials shows where our councillors priorities are

Anonymous said...

Volunteers doing the work? Why can't volunteers do the streetscape then?

Anonymous said...

Lets see how long it takes for the council to rectify this problem and solve it i cant wait