Sunday, December 29, 2019

Grass cutting rumours - but could we just stop cutting a lot of it anyway?

Here at the Gurn we've heard from some of our regular readers that they've heard that moves may be afoot to re-jig the way that grass cutting services are delivered in the town and even that a proposal could soon see the light of day. Just the Christmas silly season or is there something going down?

Community orchard planting in Forres
Obviously it is good to keep the visitor areas of the town in good shape all year round but are there other areas where a lot less could be done and perhaps a few trees (including fruit trees could be planted)? 

This observer is inclined to think of how a couple of areas no longer being cut by Moray Council in Forres have now been planted with fruit trees by local folk. We could go for that kind of look or even devolve down to streets or sets of streets with something more structured like the Viewfield Community Orchard if local residents were willing to see such changes.

One of our regular correspondents who has been having a blether with us about the grass cutting situation in Nairn and what may or may not become of it tells us that it might be worth looking at councils that have turned over large grassed areas and planted wild flowers too. 

Perhaps folk in the various districts in Nairn might be interested in submitting their thoughts to the authorities if there is anything in these rumours and a major change in the grass cutting regime does indeed come to the surface and fully into the public domain?

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Well done the Turkey Trotters!

Nairn Roadrunners held another successful Boxing Day event - well done all you Turkey Trotters.

Sgriob Circe-frangaich 2019 - Turkey Trot 2019

Larger images here. 

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ùr nuair a thig i - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year when it comes!

Merry Christmas Gurnshire. 

Here's our recommended free gift to take you forward into 2020 - There's never been a better time to learn Gaelic, here's the Duolingo Scottish Gaelic online course - perfect for this time and space in the new Millennium. 

Have a good one Gurnshire!

Monday, December 23, 2019

Police investigating iron gate stolen from Sutors Avenue

Officers in Nairn are investigating the theft of an iron gate, which was stolen from Sutors Avenue, Nairn overnight on Friday 20th December 2019.

Anyone with any information regarding this theft is asked to call Police Scotland on 101 quoting ref: NM/2363/19.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Nairn Healthcare News Winter 2019

Here's the latest News letter from Nairn Health Care. Click to enlarge

 Please not the links on the images don't work so here they are: 

Reordering Prescriptions  
www.nairnhealthcaregroup.co.uk or by email at
 high-uhb.gp55041-reception@nhs.ne

Cooking the Turkey 
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Healthychristmas/Pages/cooking-turkey.aspx

 


Monday, December 16, 2019

Lochloy junction without traffic lights

The scene just after 0900 am this morning, with traffic moving reasonably well but no good at all if you are a pedestrian and wishing to cross the A96. Something else to add to the long list of problems that have occurred with this infamous set of lights. 

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Castle Lane Democracy Rocks - friends not on the net? Now they can read NRCC candidates' statements old style

Just when you thought it was safe to come out from behind the sofa with the General Election done and dusted. Now it won't be long before Nairn River Community Council election (take 2) postal ballot papers will be hitting your doormats. 

For anyone fancying a punt on the new coupon here's some information on quite a few of the candidates that we put up for the previous cancelled election. 

Likewise any candidate that hasn't sent info to the Gurn is still free to do so and we will add to the collection. 

So if you live in the River CC area and you know anyone that has a ballot paper but no Internet then here's were they can find out more about Nairn's forthcoming Christmas and Hogmany festival of local democracy. 


‘The Nairn Climate Strikers’ wins national film award

Nairn Academy pupil Rowen Henderson has won the ‘Best Film Challenge’ award in the 2019 Scottish Youth Film Festival.

His short film ‘The Nairn Climate Strikers’ was chosen as this year’s best overall film.

The film features Nairn climate strikers Eric Ness and Dayne Inglis, who have led the school climate strike protests in Nairn, calling for urgent action to prevent further climate change.

Dayne Inglis said:

‘As young people in Nairn, we will have to face climate breakdown during our life-times. We can change what we are doing, but our government must take the lead.’

As part of the partnership with Youth Cinema Network, this film will be screened around the world at other Youth Film Festivals.

Eric and Dayne are both members of the Extinction Rebellion Nairn protest group.

Friday, December 13, 2019

Cawdor Street Post Office no more - flitting to McColls in January

Here's a letter from the Post Office that those folk who took part in the consultation received. Not going down well on social media this but looks like we simply have to suck it and see. The times they are ' changing.


Drew Hendry returned as MP for Invnerness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey

In a night that saw an SNP surge across Scotland Drew Hendry was returned with an increased majority.
That's the election over, here at the Gurn back to the normal "Bah Humbug!" for a while but eventually we will crack and Mrs Gurn get the lights out of the cupboard.

Monday, December 09, 2019

Police update - death of woman - River Nairn

"With reference to our previous release appealing for information to help identify the woman who was recovered from the River Nairn, near the harbour on Sunday 8 December 2019, please note:

The woman has now been identified as a 64 year-old woman from Nairn and her relatives have been informed of the death.

A post mortem will take place in due course to establish the exact cause of death, however at this time the death is being treated as unexplained although there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.

Members of the public are thanked for their response to our appeal."

A photographic bridge between Namibia and Scotland - Monday 9th Dec 2019 7 pm Nairn Community and Arts Centre


Sunday, December 08, 2019

Appeal for information to identify body found in Nairn

Police in Nairn are appealing for information to help identify the body of a woman discovered in the River Nairn.

The woman was seen in the water opposite the Caravan Park on Shambles Road, around 8.55am on Sunday, 8 December, 2019. Her body was recovered near the Harbour a short time later.

She is described as being in her late fifties, early sixties of a slim build with short grey hair and was wearing a dark-coloured Slazenger top.

Detective Inspector Peter MacKenzie of Inverness CID said: “We are currently conducting a number of enquiries to identify the woman, establish the circumstances leading up to her death and trace her family.

“As part of this we are appealing to the public for help and would urge anyone that recognises the description to get in touch with us as soon as possible.

“The death is currently being treated as unexplained and a post mortem will be carried out to establish the cause of death.” Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting incident number 1250 of Sunday, 8 December, 2019.

Friday, December 06, 2019

A new Splash Pad will replace the existing paddling pool on the Links area of the Town

 Highland Council press release:
 
An exciting opportunity has been agreed to go forward for Nairn. A new Splash Pad will replace the existing paddling pool on the Links area of the Town.

A jointly funded project between Team Hamish (NICE), Nairn Common Good Fund and The Highland Council - the idea of a Splash Pad received strong community support from extensive engagement with local people over the last 18 months.

The Splash Pad will be available for a longer period over the season (April-October), will attract and be accessible for a wider group of people and provide a modern, high quality, outdoor interactive play facility for the town. It will be the first of its kind in Highland.

Work is hoped to begin early in the new year with the facility being in place around Spring 2020.

Executive Chief Officer Malcolm MacLeod said: “Highland Council is delighted to move forward with this project. There has been significant consultation over recent years to think about how the community want to progress and develop the Links area for Nairn. This is the first phase of the Links Development. It will reinvigorate the area and hopefully attract more people and visitors to the Links. It is very pleasing that we are able to work together to deliver this for the people of Nairn.”

Sam Hey from Team Hamish said: “Susan and I are thrilled that this project is being delivered. We have received so much support from the Nairn community over the last few years and people have been incredibly generous in contributing money towards developing something positive on the Links. We are really pleased that people can see where their money is going and what a fantastic facility this will be for the whole community.”

Monday, December 02, 2019

Nairn River Community Council election declared null and void - mistake in the ballot paper - ballot to be re-run!

The Gurn has seen a copy of an e-mail from Highland Council to the 20 candidates in the River CC election. It reads:

"Dear Community Council candidate,

I am writing to inform you that the ballot paper for the Nairn River Community Council election contains an error.

The error is in the order of listing candidates. Normally the listing would be in alphabetical order, however, due to the formatting process this has not happened. 

Senior Officers within the Council have considered the issue and have judged that the issue is significant enough to mean that it is prudent to re-issue a corrected ballot paper and to conduct a fresh poll. 

I realise that this will be a disappointment to you and cause you no little inconvenience however it is clear that our duty is to run an election process that is transparent and consistent with electoral norms.

It is our intention to send out fresh ballot papers of a different colour on the 13th of December to be returned by 9th of January and the count taking place on 14th January. The re-issued ballot will contain a letter to electors explaining the situation.

I hope you will accept our sincere apologies for this error and that you agree it is necessary for us to take this action."

The e-mail is signed by the Highland Council's "Community and Democratic Engagement Manager".

Sunday, December 01, 2019

Nairn Allotments Orchard Group presentation at Scottish Parliament Apple Day

 


Nairn Allotments Orchard Group were invited to give a presentation at the Scottish Parliament about all the apple goings on in Nairnshire.

 It was the Scottish Fruit Trees annual Apple Day at Parliament. A NAOG representative was presented with one of the yearly awards by Stewart Stevenson MSP for all the work that is going on in and about Nairn. 

 (pictures Dennis Mollinson)



John Hancox of Scottish Fruit Trees gave a speech calling for more apple trees to be included in Scottish Government tree planting initiatives. He said:

"Thanks firstly to our Co-sponsoring MSPs – Claudia Beamsish, Alison Johnstone, Jeremy Balfour, Beatrice Wishart and Stewart Stevenson

While thinking about what key message to get across at this – our 11th Holyrood Apple  - I heard the SNP manifesto pledge to plant 30 million trees in Scotland

Then I looked at the other party manifestos – Greens, Lib Dem, Labour Conservative, and Brexit. And all the parties have made a significant commitment to tree planting

It is very important that our Holyrood Apple day has cross party support with our MSP sponsors representing Labour, SNP, Greens, Lib Dem and Conservative parties. This reflects a real understanding of the long terms importance of tree planting.

Everyomne agrees that tree planting is a good idea

What I hope you get from today is that planting fruit  trees and orchards  is a GREAT idea

If we are to plant say 30 million trees in Scotland – could 10% of them be fruit trees

Fruit trees so what trees do, plus they have extra benefits

Speakers today will talk of the value of orchards and fruit trees for health, education, well being and for the environment. Fruit trees on arable land would store carbon and improve soil health – while also giving a useful food crop.  Avoiding bringing in fruit from across the world – and reducing food miles – increases food security and carbon footprint.

Orchards also create far more employment than conventional forestry planting

Many of the fruit trees and orchards planted so far across Scotland are small scale but the impacts are big

Imagine the impact of a much bigger scale planting of Orchards across Scotland – as well as encouraging people to plant fruit trees in Gardens, parks, workplaces and allotments across Scotland. Planting 3 million fruit trees would be transformative

So a message for today. Yes lets plant trees and well done to all our politicianas for seeing the value in this .   But lets make lots of them be fruit trees !"