A Gurn from Nurn

The week ahead

2012-01-29T22:17:00.003Z

Will be dominated by the Sandown Charrette, kicking off at 7 p.m. tomorrow in the Courthouse. Read this Gurn article for more details.

Wednesday night and the combined Community Council meeting hosted by Nairn Suburban CC. Lord Lieutenant of Nairnshire, Ewan Brodie will be giving details to the councillors of a Jubilee celebration to be held in Viewfield in the summer.

Firhall Bridge accessible options

2012-01-29T22:09:00.002Z

Murd Dunbar continues his campaign for improved access to the Firhall Bridge. In a recent communication with the Highland Council Murd has been told:

"There are alternative accessible options to using the Firhall footbridge."

A slightly perplexed Murd has written to the Highland Council to ask them what the accessible options to using the Firhall Bridge actually are. This observer would agree with Murd when he suggests there are none.

Boat wanted (doesn't need to be seaworthy)

2012-01-29T10:21:00.002Z

The Keeping Nairnshire Colourful group are looking for a boat not seaworthy, to use as a planting feature It will sit beside the dairy near to the A96 roundabout , size of boat max length would be 20 feet. If any gurnites can help the KNC we would be delighted to forward details.

Red Sky this morning

2012-01-28T10:53:00.001Z

As seen in Cawdor
.

Nairn Climate Challenge Panel follow-up

2012-01-28T09:51:00.005Z

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

2012-01-28T09:41:00.003Z

Nairn versus Buckie is off - severe frost on the park. Nothing doing at the Showfield today either as Nairn St Ninian v RAF Lossiemouth is frozen out as well.

Common Good snapshot

2012-01-27T20:04:00.006Z

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."

Full article here

"Like Tommy Cooper trying to hide a pea under three tumblers"

2012-01-27T12:07:00.007Z

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

Tribute to Ian Fraser

2012-01-27T10:22:00.007Z

A moving tribute to Ian Fraser from his brother-in-law Duncan Brown.

.

Inverness Courier review

2012-01-27T09:06:00.005Z

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?

2012-01-27T08:58:00.004Z

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.

Nairn Allotment Society seeking help from supporters for next week

2012-01-26T17:44:00.005Z

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!

2012-01-26T09:36:00.005Z

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 Scotland, has agreed to chair the opening sessions on Monday 30 January. I would like to encourage as many Nairn people as possible to attend the process at some point and have their say on this important future development.”
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 17^th 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 7pm on Monday 30th January at the Courthouse, Nairn which will be chaired by Jim McKinnon, Chief Planner at The Scottish Government. The Convener of the Council, Councillor Sandy Park, will be in attendance alongside the Chairman of the Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee, Councillor Ian Ross. Also in attendance will be Nairn Councillors Provost Laurie Fraser, Graham Marsden and Liz MacDonald as well as Council and Scottish Government officials.”

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.

A96 Inshes-Nairn upgrade to dual carriageway - Consultation

2012-01-25T16:26:00.003Z

"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

2012-01-25T16:00:00.007Z

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!

2012-01-25T08:46:00.007Z

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?

Also give them a tweet here.

If any Gurnties have any ideas on how to put pressure on the Co-op please share your thoughts.

Anyone up for a "tweet-up"?

2012-01-24T09:09:00.004Z

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.

Oor Graham gets to grips with Graffiti

2012-01-23T15:47:00.003Z

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

2012-01-23T08:48:00.001Z

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 Cawdor Road traffic calming proposals. One individual present thought the existing dangerous situation would be made even worse by the present proposal. Liz told how she thought this issue was going to be fixed when the hospital was built but was still ongoing. She said; “There’s been huge problems and I have to say there have been a lot of excuses being made about who is responsible for what and who’s going to pay for what part, but it’s a kind of eternal triangle but it’s high on the agenda.”

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 Firhall Bridge was discussed and it remains very much on the group’s wish list and the panel are supportive of Murd Dunbar’s efforts and want to see the situation improved, but it seems the lack of cash will mean that nothing will happen to the Firhall Bridge in the near future. One member of the panel said that if they insisted that the bridge was fixed then there would be no money left for anything else. Maintenance of paths was an issue for the panel too and again the riverside was mentioned here.

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 West Beach near the existing ramp and an improved path between the Bailey Bridge and the East Pier. Seumas told the meeting how Graham Marsden was providing help there. Attempts to obtain funding have now moved away from the more complicated Leader system to a lottery application.

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.

More tlc needed for listed signal boxes?

2012-01-21T23:26:00.002Z

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?

Balade écossaise

2012-01-21T20:30:00.001Z

An interesting image on Flickr by a french visitor to Nairn.

Capercaillie Concerns

2012-01-21T09:58:00.007Z

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

2012-01-21T09:28:00.003Z

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?

Demolition - Liz doesn't want the old Community Centre site sold

2012-01-20T18:13:00.005Z

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?

Local Press Review – Standing again

2012-01-19T14:32:00.005Z

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 Glenurquhart Road administration? It is not only in Nairn that people are upset with the Highland Council, even in Inverness there are the stirrings of revolt over the use of the Common Good fund. Could the SNP pick up on conceptions across the Highlands that the periphery is disadvantage compared to the Inverness? It remains to be seen what the SNP will put in their Highland manifesto for the elections in May but a commitment to more localism could bring them many more votes. If they shy away from that in Nairn however, could it be that other candidates might emerge yet with a more robust “Nairnshire First” agenda. There seems to be a willingness out there to consider such an approach if the results of one of the Gurn’s current (unscientific) polls are taken into account.

click the image to enlarge

Chaos on the A96 for commuters

2012-01-19T08:21:00.003Z

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"

Plans to demolish old Community Centre approved

2012-01-18T22:54:00.005Z

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?

More sightings of the Capercaillie - UPDATED

2012-01-16T12:09:00.007Z

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.

Kayaker rescued

2012-01-15T23:39:00.004Z

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

2012-01-15T23:23:00.010Z

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.

Shop for hire Harbour Street

2012-01-15T22:13:00.001Z

The former Harbour Street Post Office building is available for rent again.

Nairn County v Cove

2012-01-14T12:37:00.006Z

Match postponed due to frozen pitch.

Sandy up for some "Access Only"

2012-01-13T22:16:00.009Z

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.

Bridge Street/Harbour Street corner spruce up

2012-01-13T22:11:00.002Z

The corner building after being prepared by the painters.

Crumbling roads, in the Fishertown, across Nairn and the Highlands

2012-01-13T21:59:00.002Z

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 Highlands. This seems a bit at odds with information in the Courier today – that article is gathering quite a stream of comments from angry Council Tax payers but maybe Graham’s information hasn’t reached the Inverness mainstream media yet.

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 Highland into the condition they should be would cost 150 million pounds, around 73 million pounds should be spent every year too but only 50 million pounds is being spent. Graham admitted that this “just didn’t happen yesterday.”

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 Highlands. Has anybody got any ideas how this problem could be solved?

Gaelic in modern Scotland - Free OU course

2012-01-13T16:52:00.007Z

This observer spends some time on Fòram na Gàidhlig 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 Gàidhlig.

Compost and greenhouse questions

2012-01-13T15:13:00.002Z

Can you help? More on Nairnallotments.org.

Not much cash left for potholes

2012-01-13T08:11:00.004Z

"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.

River CC online

2012-01-12T22:06:00.009Z

Nairn River Community Council have published minutes from Tuesday night's meeting on their web address at nairnrivercc.org. Quite a lot of interesting information on there for Gurnites to browse.

Nairn Allotment Society start 2012 training

2012-01-12T20:22:00.001Z

More details here. NAS training activities are open to all supporters too.

No Graffiti Policy at Glenurquhart Road?

2012-01-12T16:54:00.001Z

Graffiti was mentioned again at the River CC meeting, it was also mentioned at theRiver meeting before that. Oor Graham admitted that he hadn’t seen it yet and neither had Liz it seems but some of it has been there for several months. The local authority seems to lack equipment. One of the regular Gurnites witnessed three men sent to try and remove graffiti off the Jubilee bridge – they had a pail of water and a scrubbing brush. Is it beyond the wit of our elected councillors and highly paid officials to clean up the graffiti on public property?

What is the Highland Council’s policy on graffiti? This observer tried searching their website to find out the policy and couldn’t find anything. A website graffitihotline.uk gave some idea of a local authority’s responsibility when it comes to graffiti removal:

“Each Council is responsible for removing graffiti from their Council owned properties, parks and the highway, which includes lamp post, traffic lights, rubbish bins and benches. But the policy varies from Council to Council for clearing private properties, commercial properties, utility boxes and other street furniture that is not owned by them. To find out what you Council's policy is select your Council here.”

This observer had a look at the drop down menu for Highland Council – nothing there. Just to say that Highland are not on the list doesn’t mean to say they don’t have a policy however. If any of our regular readers from the Glenurquart Rd ISP are browsing this article perhaps you could inform the Gurn if you have such a policy. Anyway, Aberdeen were top of the list and this is their policy:

“Aberdeen Council aims to remove obscene and racist graffiti within 24 working hours of it being reported and all other reported graffiti as resources allow.

The service is free for graffiti on publicly owned land, street furniture and buildings. There is a charge for graffiti removal from private and commercial premises. To contact Aberdeen Council please telephone 08456 080910 or for more information please see their graffiti pages by clicking here.

Graffiti can be reported online to the Building Cleaning Services of Aberdeen Council or by telephone to Environmental Services”

Along at Moray (not on the graffitihotline site too) they say:

“The council will arrange for the removal of the graffiti in a timescale determined by the content with the highest priority likely to be given to graffiti which is racist or offensive in some other way. Please use our online form to report incidents of graffiti and illegal dumping.”

Please can we have some action on graffiti. It’s the sort of thing we pay our council tax for.

Coastal cash?

2012-01-12T09:41:00.011Z

The Coastal Cash hand-out announcement is nothing new and caused a bit of a spat back in July: "SNP anger at plan for Crown Estate handout " The SNP want to see all the Crown Estate cash raised in Scotland going to Holyrood.

Fast forward to 2012 however and Danny gets a mention in the Groat web site. There's going to be £3.9 million available in the fund, "The Costal Communities Fund". This fund is UK wide and will be worth 50 per cent of the gross revenues from the Crown Estate’s marine activities, there's more information here on this government web page published in July more information on this web page here. That's a treasury press release page dated 11 July of last year.

According to that web page it looks like the Highlands were in for £1.85 million being 50% of what the Crown Estate revenues. The Groat quotes a figure of £3.9 million however. It looks like the paper is quoting the total figure for Scotland?

Again according to the Groat: "Community and social enterprise groups, charities and social businesses seeking funds for an array of potential projects, which could include renewables and skills development, could be eligible."

Nairn being a coastal community and in the Highlands perhaps we should start getting our thinking caps on as to how we could get a chunk of that cash? Three community councils working together perhaps to do something with the old Police Station/tourist office? Perhaps NICEafarians might have some thoughts that might attract cash? It's worth being on standby perhaps? Maybe some alert souls out there are already ready with a bid? Groat article here.

For more information on the controversy of Crown Estate cash and how it is spent, Gurnites might like to read what Andy Wightman has to say.

Cool response for Rosemary's suggestive letter

2012-01-11T21:14:00.003Z

West Community Council chair Rosemary Young had written to River and Suburban CC calling for a working group or subcommittee to discuss planning matters. Her three page letter which outlines how West CC view certain recent difficulties over planning matters can be seen here.

This initiative received a very cool response from the River members however and this observer detects that perhaps the “cross-border” interventions from West which recently took a different view from River over the Bus Station and Braeval applications. Jimmy Ferguson and Brian Stewart were in the Community Centre last night (Tuesday) to support Rosemary’s letter and reply to any points raised by River members but they had a hard time of it.

River member Andrew Purkis said: “I’m not particularly in favour of this. I do think there is merit in it but we do have organised bodies of community councillors already. Where there are areas where there are developments which affect the town generally, I think those are important for the community councils to get together to discuss those issues.I don’t think it needs to set up another level of bureaucracy. I would trust our chairman, and I’m sure each community council would trust their chairman, if there was an issue which really affected the town as a whole, for those chairman to meet and see if there is any common ground and then come back to discuss and then come back to the committees.”

Jimmy Ferguson said in reply to that and other comments: The issue wasn’t so much about someone wanting to put an extension up in their back garden and that sort of stuff, that’s very local. There are some big issues around the town, like Sandown, like Nairn South, where it’s going to have a massive impact on the whole community. Individuals within each of the community councils have quite strong backgrounds or professional backgrounds and the idea behind this was just to have a get together with a few of those people to discuss what are the bigger issues around the town and try and form a consensus on what the Nairn community really feel about some of those issues.

Leslie Bolton supported Andrew’s point of view: “Why do we need another level, Mr Chairman, I agree with Andrew, we meet monthly, eleven times a year, we have four joint meetings, that’s fifteen meetings in the year and if there was some major issue that Highland Council said they were going to deal with the town centre as a whole, we could always call a special meeting to discuss that. On Nairn South we made our representations, Nairn West made different representations, on Braeval as Stephanie said, we had a view, it was criticised at the West meeting, it was criticised at the Suburban meeting. Now that’s not the way to go. We are entitled to have our opinion on anything that comes within our area. And if we say what we say then that’s it.”

Sheilea Mayer then spoke about the Lodgehill Clinic planning application and how the three Community Councils working in unison succeeding in getting an appropriate result for the residents in that area. At this point this observer spoke of how a sort of procedure has developed in the town where residents of one particular area that are faced with an inappropriate development know that they have to get support from other areas of the town and not only their own local community council. This observer believes that these campaigns when they come are best left to individuals concerned to start things off and go to the Community Councils.

Tommy Hogg perhaps summed up the current thinking of River CC when he said: “The common message just doesn’t work sometimes, what suits one community council area will not sort the other and that has been proved in the past and it’s still the same way.”

Stephanie Whittaker added to this: “I think the town will come together when it is under threat and I think it is quite obvious that everyone will work together, the other thing is there is disagreement. If you ask, I have been spending ages, wondering around town saying to people, “What do you think about the bus station?” “What do you think of the plans.” Wonderful, really great, dreadful, hate it. There is a dichotomy of opinion and there always will be. It may be that it is a difference of opinion between community councils but it may be that the people in the town are thinking different things it’s up to us to listen to what they are saying[…] People are wonderful and they will come together and I don’t think we need to push them too much outside the system that we have already."

Although there was a fairly negative reception towards Rosemary's proposal from River members they did agree to discuss it further and thought it would also be a matter for the joint community council meeting on the 31st of January.

Elected by secret ballot...

2012-01-11T17:16:00.003Z

...at the River CC last night by the eight members of the Council. The new co-opted members are John Dolan, Simon Noble and Freddie Holmes. Then there were eleven...

Bill Young gathers support for Common Good proposals from River CC

2012-01-11T00:15:00.005Z

West Councillor Bill Young spoke to the River CC at the meeting in the Community Centre las night (Tuesday). He reiterated the argument he presented to his West colleagues last week, which is to get the Common Good fund under local control. See here and here for further details. He said:

“This is not an attack on the Councillors, they have a very difficult job to do, but trying to square off the books for an area the size of Belgium and trying to deal with the Common Good Fund, the two are not necessarily compatible. I can see no reason why we couldn’t get it back under the local control of Nairn.”

Later as this subject was being debated Liz said: “ I was relaxed about how the Common Good was being managed but now you’ve got a Council that is no longer run by the members it is a political council and the point that I’m trying to make here is that there’s everybody chasing budgets and it’s not going to be people aligned to areas so much. It’s going to be people aligned to political groups. I’m a political councillor but I’m just concerned that will there be the protection of the areas within the political structures[…]We’ve always been comfortable that all councillors looked after their own areas but now it is a different ball game.”

Graham Marsden said he thought Bill was right and there was an opportunity to look again and see if there are other options.

The River Councillors seemed very supportive of Billy Young’s presentation and Tommy Hogg said he wanted the matter raised at the joint Community Council meeting that will be hosted on the 31^st in the Academy by Suburban CC.
This observer wonders if Oor Graham will now also call for no sale of any Sandown land until the Common Good is back in Nairn control? Or will it simply be platitudes all the way to the ballot box?

Links School building worries return

2012-01-10T23:36:00.004Z

Liz revealed to the River CC meeting earlier tonight (Tuesday) that the Health Service had indicated to Highland Council that they will be terminating their lease of the Links Clinic from the 31st of March. The struggle will now be on to find new tenants for the building and fears were expressed that the building may be sold off by the Council and knocked down to allow development. Tommy Hogg said:
"That place is close to the heart of the Community and it is a big issue."

Liz said she had several representations from clients of the services at the Links Clinic. The services provided will now be moved up to the Hospital. Oor Graham indicated that he had previously had talks with COVASS and they had shown an interest in the building and it was now his intention to go and have a chat with them. It was pointed out by Liz that COVASS's funding from Highland Council was now in jeopardy however. This was an issue we reported on in the Gurn recently.

Once again the future of a Fishertown landmark and a valuable piece of heritage is facing an uncertain future. Anyone out there need a suite of offices and meeting rooms? Please contact Highland Council if you do.

Common Good Fund - The way we go about getting it back under Nairn control?

2012-01-10T12:00:00.003Z

Here's more from Billy Young's comments at the West CC meeting last week. Previous article here.

"Within the three Community Councils you have got an elected body which represents the population of Nairn who are the beneficiaries of the Common Good Fund. I would have thought it shouldn't be beyond our wit to get some representitives, a small sub-committee, to bury whatever differences we may have on anything else, on how we want to spend the money or whether we want wetlands, or whatever, to get some strategy between us, which we can stand up to the Council: well thank you very much for your management, it's rubbish, we want it back and we've got somebody which is capable of receiving it which is the elected representitives from the Community Councils."

Sounds a very good strategy to this observer. The Gurn understands that since last week's meeting the West contacted River Community Council with a view to asking if Bill could speak to the River meeting this evening in the Community Centre at 7.30 p.m.

Community Councils to take over NICE?

2012-01-10T11:56:00.003Z

We reported just before Christmas how NICE is aiming for Development Trust Status to pro-actively take forward town centre issues. Interestingly at the West CC meeting last week Jimmy Ferguson, during discussion on regaining democratic control of the Common Good Fund, asserted that NICE was moving in a direction where they might seek to take ownership of community assets. He went further and indicated that, “the three Community Councils need to take ownership of NICE.”

It does seem a very sensible move to this observer, maybe this is the drift of current thinking within NICE?

Capercaillie First Footer

2012-01-09T18:17:00.007Z

Thanks to John Urquhart for this picture of a Capercaillie, he thought Gurnites might appreciate a look at this rare creature, here it is first footing in Merryton on New Year's Day. It seems this bird has taken up residence on the eastern side of the River Nairn with sightings reported in Broadhill and the industrial estate too.

Update: Billy sent the next picture in - nothing like a grouse when first footing.

Highland Council apply to demolish the old Community Centre

2012-01-09T13:05:00.003Z

Since they are in effect applying to themselves this observer would anticipate an outcome favourable to the Council. Thanks to our regular reader who alerted us to this. Our correspondent adds:

"I think it is generally accepted that the building itself is unsound and can't easily or economically be refurbished and brought back into use. But it is nevertheless a historic building. The later extension added to it has no merit, but those who know about the early history of churches in Nairn think the original building is an important piece of heritage, It was after all the first purpose built Free Kirk?

Even if it isn't usable, the building is not about to fall down. It does seem to me slightly surprising that the Council has decided to go ahead and demolish it without any kind of public announcement or local discussion.

The other point is - does it make sense to knock it down without having any plans for what is to go in its place? Are we going to have another fenced-off piece of unused land? Or will the space be tarred over and made into more (temporary?) car-parking space?"

Good points from our correspondent. Shouldn't the community have been informed before the information went on the Council website? Good to keep the punters in the loop? Any thoughts Gurnites?

Still here

2012-01-08T18:14:00.004Z

Eviction efforts will probably go into overdrive now.

Nairn for holidays any time of the year

2012-01-08T18:12:00.006Z

It was a bit of a gloomy day but an intersting end to the evening which looked pretty good from the Links. Pictures here on the Gurn Flickr pages.

Gurnshire at the Polls

2012-01-08T14:20:00.006Z

Three opinion polls running in the side bar at the moment:

1) Do you support making Altonburn Road and other parts of the West End "Access only"? Article and 40 plus comments here.

2) Do you support NICE (www.nicenairn.org.uk)?

3) At the Highland Council elections in May, would you consider voting for "Freedom for Nairnshire - End Inverness Rule " candidate(s)?

Allegation of unfair funding from Highland Council for Nairn based womens support group

2012-01-08T09:42:00.008Z

Another case of Nairn getting the short straw from the local authority? The Courier states:

"SUPPORT group which helps women and children who have been victims of violence and domestic abuse in the Nairn area claims its clients are being discriminated against because of where they live."

The Community Violence and Abuse Service based in Nairn gets £8,600 per year funding from the Council but the courier says:

"However, service manager Kim Haywood claims Inverness Women’s Aid receives £229,576 per year from the local authority, Caithness Women’s Aid £158,660, Ross-shire Women’s Aid £243,673 and Lochaber Women’s Aid £102,692."

Formartine 1 Nairn 1

2012-01-07T21:24:00.010Z

Pictures from club photographer Donald Matheson

Individual pictures here. Match report here.

St Ninian 2 Newmachar 2

2012-01-07T15:58:00.005Z

More pictures here on the Gurn flickr pages. Full screen slideshow here.

Lonesome horse blues

2012-01-06T18:47:00.002Z

Only the old ragged horse isn't so lonely anymore, he was joined at the roundabout by the brothers just before Christmas. Any requests? "Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the Altonburn Road"?

It's been a busy day on the Gurn. Top of the pops seems to be the "Access only" issue with other 30 comments now.

Pothole alert A96

2012-01-06T18:37:00.002Z

Watch out for this rapidly expanding pothole on the A96 on the way into town, just about mid-way between Grant's Garage and the Merryton traffic lights. The Gurn has reported the pothole to BEAR.

Sainsbury's roundabout gurn

2012-01-06T18:27:00.002Z

Dave W, who has contacted us previously on issues connected with this roundabout, is not at all impressed with the way the surface of the inner part of the roundabout has been left after recent works. Dave reckons it amounts to two potholes for drivers at two points behind drains. In the picture you can see the end of a lorry as it passes over one of the points concerned. It certainly is a bit of a dip (picture will enlarge). Take care on the roundabouts gurnites, perhaps the work isn't completed yet and Bear Scotland might be coming back to put in a few red bitties?

Harbour street mini-carbuncle?

2012-01-06T18:19:00.003Z

One of the regular Gurnites complained to us recently about the state of the former Arcade near the top of Harbour Street. It has actually improved recently. Several of the large windows at the side had been smashed but now they have been boarded up - still presenting a bit of a derelict look however - any chance of a coat of paint à la Regal? Maybe some Nairn bairns could create some colourful designs for the boards as a wee project?

Flickr message for a Community Councillor?

2012-01-06T18:06:00.003Z

Cllr Andrew Purkis, a new member of the River CC's team this time round after the nominations was quoted extensively recently in the Nairnshire Telegraph as regards to a list of improvements he wishes to see in the Fishertown. He said:

"I just feel a bit of community spirit and a little bit of tender care would give an extra boost to the area. We need people to spend money in this area to create jobs. And therefore, we need all the assets in the area to be in as good a condition as we can get them."

Could it be that not everyone agrees with Andrew's vision of how the Fishertown might be improved however? An interesting comment appears below this picture posted on Flickr.

Merryton little green men behaving badly

2012-01-06T15:37:00.004Z

The pedestrian sequence at the Lochloy Road traffic lights is jumping into the equation unaided once again. Expect longer queues than usual at the lights until it is fixed. Thanks to Colin for the update.

Danny needs some spin - Now?

2012-01-06T10:24:00.007Z

"This really isn't a bypass. Why isn't Danny lobbying for Nairn?" Asks Green Dad on twitter. Green Dad has mentioned before his belief that the proposed Inverness by-pass really is a relief road and not the full monty. Danny has waded in however, telling the Scottish Government what they should do. Yeah Danny, how about a big shout for Nairn too then? The West CC wouldn't need to campaign for Access Only signs if we had a by-pass (see post below).

Altonburn Road "Access only"

2012-01-05T21:16:00.011Z

This could be the new look on Altonburn Road and at other entry points to the rat-run that many drivers use to avoid the traffic lights on the A96. The subject of drivers avoiding the jams and driving at inappropriate speeds has surfaced at West CC meetings before but last night a practical solution was suggested

The proposal by Bill Young at the West CC received unanimous backing from his councillor colleagues. The idea is to place mandatory "access only" signs at the junction of Altonburn Road and Pig Street. Other signs would be placed on the Seafield Street brae and just past the Seabank Gardens/Young Street junctions on Manse Rd, Seabank Rd and Albert Street.

The West are to ask the Highland Council to look into putting up these signs that would prohibit any vehichles that were simply using this area as a detour. The Westies are also going to write formally to River and Suburban CCs seeking their support. Jimmy Ferguson wondered if such signs would be enforceable but Bill said anything with a red circle would be mandatory. Seonaid Armstrong was also concerned about wildlife she said:

"On the Altonburn Road I've seen a couple of red squirrels crossing from the Newton which also ties in with all of this because they cross between the Newton Hotel and the pines on the Golf Course."

A member of the public then said that she had seen a dead red squirrel outside marine appartments. Seonaid then continued:

"If Joe Telfer can get signs up for his ducks and swans and all the rest of it, I think a red squirrel is also protected."

Dick Youngson, also present on the behalf of Suburban CC, told the meeting of how a meeting with an official of Highland Council in an attempt to get a "pedestrians on road" sign on Sandown Farm Lane had gone. "They are quite amenable but nothing has happened," he said.

UPDATE: New poll in sidebar - Do you support the proposals?

Common Good issues straight back on the agenda for 2012

2012-01-05T00:09:00.005Z

West Community Council met last night (Wednesday) for their first meeting of the year. One of the items on the agenda was their submission to the forthcoming “Charette” planned by Highland Council to lay out a masterplan for Sandown. You can’t talk about Sandown without talking about Common Good issues. Gurnites it looks like Common Good matters will be biting the local Highland Councillors who are part of the Glenurquhart Rd ruling group all the way to the ballot box in May. From tonight’s observations it looks like the issue that is the festering sore of the Common Good Fund in Nairn is still alive and as potent and dangerous as it ever was!

New West Councillor Bill Young was forthright in his condemnation of the way the Common Good Fund is being run by Highland Council he said:

“I think there’s a huge conflict of interest between the Highland Council’s duties as Highland Councillors and their trusteeship of the Common Good Fund and the two are getting hopelessly intermixed and hopelessly conflicted.”

Bill wants to see no development at Sandown until the Fund is back under local control when asked by Rosemary what he would like to see happen at Sandown he said: “I would suggest absolutely nothing until we get the Common Good Fund back under local control.”

Bill's views on the Common Good were warmly welcomed by his fellow councillors and members of the public present. This observer suspects that the majority of Gurnites would support Bill’s stance too. He believes the Sandown Lands should not be sold and that there is no reason to sell them. Gurnites will know that Highland Council of course need to get some cash in to pay off the Community Centre debt. But it was Highland Council that run up these debts not the people of Nairn – why should we (through our Common Good Fund) be responsible for the debts left behind when Highland Council’s “preffered bidder” development for Sandown blew up in their faces and not a penny came in to pay off the Community Centre? Were we as a community ever asked if we wanted to sell the land (all of it) for development?

West are to seek the thoughts and support of River and Suburban Councils on getting the Common Good Fund back into community control. Dick Youngson was also at the meeting on the behalf of Suburban Community Council and River CC member Mike Henderson was also there in a personal capacity.

Maybe 2012 will be the year the Common Good Trusteeship comes back to Nairn for good?

UPDATE: links to 4 previous Gurn articles concerning the Common Good Fund and the debts incurred have now been posted in the comments below.

Delnies School - lessons for the future?

2012-01-04T09:57:00.006Z

Local objectors to the Highland Wide Local Development Plan (HWLDP) told the recent public inquiry that:

“The Academy is at capacity and the building constrains academic achievement.”

This begs the question where children that would live in Sandown, Delnies and South Nairn would be educated when/if these future developments go ahead. The reporter to the inquiry had a response to this, he wrote:

” In Policies 17 and 18, I note that developer contributions to education provision may be required. This adequately addresses the concern regarding space for pupils.”

You can find this and other matters relating to the development as far as it concerns Nairn from page 609 onwards on this document.

How any cash gathered from developers would be spent remains to be seen. Would a new school be built on Delnies? A document that went before the Highland Council’s planning committee back in July of last year did speak of a new primary at Delnies:
” The Concept Masterplan incorporates an illustrative residential layout. This showsthe bulk of the housing on the southern half of the site with a smaller residential zone along the northern margins. In between, land is safeguarded for a large central green and play area including playing fields and a site for a new primary school. Links are shown through to the Sandown site and indicative landscaping on the east and west boundaries. The site also incorporates the tourism/heritage centre at Easter Delnies. The design indicates that the houses will generally be 2 storeys rising to 3 to 4 storeys at appropriate locations.”

The document also talks Potential financial contributions to primary and secondary school shortfalls in a section 75 agreement. You can read this document here.

So we may one day see a new school out at Delnies. It is worth remembering that there was a school out until the mid 80's though and a very good one too it seems. It was closed in 1985 after a long campaign to save it. The school was recorded on the BBC Doomsday pages at the time thus a snapshot of that time can be viewed here. Any former pupils of the school might be interested in a facebook page created by Jacob Christensen

Iain Bain, a former pupil at Delnies told the Gurn, “Its closure had been mooted for decades before. It was a live issue in the 1950s, early 60s when I attended. In the early 60s it narrowly escaped closure. Attendance hovered around the 50 mark and it was a two-room, two teacher affair. The former Moray and Nairn authority was very keen to close its small schools, arguing that bigger ones could offer more. Delnies was just slightly bigger than the single teacher schools which got the chop.”

Iain recalls: “I don't believe Delnies was disadvantaged particularly but Millbank got better music and art teaching and we got no physical education until the late Mrs Kerr began a peripatetic round. We never got any swimming. When we moved to Nairn in 1960 I was given the choice of having my final year at Delnies or transferring to Millbank. I chose Delnies although it meant a hike, bike or bus ride. In Tradespark parents were offered the choice of Millbank or Delnies. This persisted right through the expansion of Tradespark (Red Cross and Croft field) building until the 1990s in the form of a choice between Rosebank and Millbank and it ended when there was a decline in the Rosebank roll.”

Now as we move towards potential development of both Sandown and Delnies perhaps the closure of the Delnies school can look, with the benefit of hindsight, rather short-sighted? Perhaps it would have been unsustainable to have parents driving there to pick up children on the edge of the busy A96 but then perhaps a roundabout an parking could have been created. A roundabout would certainly have made turning off to Ardersier a lot safer.

Delnies school itself was donated by Cawdor Estate and reverted to the estate when it was no longer used for educational purposes. If another school is needed at Delnies then developers will be persuaded to cough up some cash in the same way Sainsbury’s had their arm twisted behind their back to contribute to the High Street and traffic lights. Are we moving too quickly into an age where the only way we will get any new infrastructure is if a developer pays for it in exchange for permission to build a few hundred houses or a supermarket?

Danny-Unsubscribe

2012-01-03T19:36:00.003Z

This observer never used to mind the yearly e-mail from Danny Alexander but thought it might be time for another New Year resolution.

Nairnshire Telegraph withdrawal symptons

2012-01-03T11:40:00.005Z

We hear from one of our Regular readers that several agitated addicts turned up as usual at the Co-op last night but as was revealed in last week's edition, nothing will be available until late afternoon today.

Highland Council pothole payouts

2012-01-03T11:26:00.004Z

According to the BBC, who are quoting research done by the Scottish Conservatives, Highland Council paid out £ 80,675 in payments in compensation for pothole damage between 2006/07 and 2010/11. More details on the BBC site.

NICE - Ambitions for the town centre - will you support them?

2012-01-02T00:09:00.002Z

Over the past 14 months or so there has been a lot of news about NICE (Nairn Improvement Community Enterprise). Recently that organisation took a new direction when it decided to change its status to enable it to become a Development Trust and set about developing the town centre.

To do this successfully they will need the backing of the community - will you support them in 2012? Poll in the Gurn sidebar.

Here's a series of Gurn articles going back to when NICE was formed and here's the NICE website. They also have a Facebook page.

A swing to Moray

2012-01-01T23:58:00.005Z

We asked if Gurnites would want Nairn to be part of a new Westminster Constituency with Moray or to go with Inverness and Skye. Click the picture to see the result so far. Looks like Gurnshire wants to go with Moray.

If any readers wish to submit a comment to the Boundaries commission then you have until the 4th of January to make your views known.

Nairn 2 Forres 1 Pictures

2012-01-01T13:39:00.003Z

Pictures from club photographer Donald Matheson. Individual pictures here.

Calder and Nairnshire family trees

2012-01-01T11:51:00.008Z

The Gurn has received the following information from Sherry Williamson of Canton, Michigan. The links she has provided to Calder and Nairnshire family trees look as though they are full of interesting information. This observer has never come across the site "tribal pages" before and it appears to be a massive geneological database. You can look at quite a lot of information but on clicking on some tabs you will be asked to contact "the administrator" and register. Still what is publicy available may be of interest to some Gurnites.

An example of the information on some of the pages linked from Sherry

"I am not from Nairn, my 4th grand was - James Calder b. 1785 Nairn. James emigrated to Ontario, Canada in 1832. My James married Janet McIntosh in 1807 Nairn, all their children were born there through Alexandrina Gordon Mackintosh Calder in 1828 Nairn.

I am stuck with Janet McIntosh's ancestry (McIntosh is not an easy name as there were so many). As a result, have downloaded numerous images from scotlandspeople, visited burial grounds in the area, etc.

As this extra info was going to waste on my hard drive and I had some time on my hands, in July of this year decided to start a regional tree that more or less includes an area within an 11 mile radius of Nairn.

If you think any of your followers would be intersted in contributing their histories, they are more than welcome. It would be nice to have folks who live in the area contributing.

Kind regards and Happy New Year!!

Sherry Williamson

Canton, Michigan

wiccanpt2ATnetzero.net

Family Tree: www.caldersofnairn.tribalpages.com

Regional Tree: www.nairnshirearea.tribalpages.com "

Happy New Year Gurnshire!

2012-01-01T01:31:00.000Z

Bliadhna Mhath Ur! All the best for 2012!

Jonny Gould said...

2011-12-31T08:32:00.006Z

County fan and radio broadcaster Jonny Gould

The gap narrows again - Nairn 2 Forres 1

2011-12-30T22:18:00.005Z

The temperature was dropping fast and you could see the breath vapours rising from the long line of fans waiting to get into Station Park tonight. Another massive turn out for the other end of the two seasonal local derbies and perhaps a crowd of 500-600 again?
Fresh from their mauling at Mosset Park last week County showed that they could contain the Forres big boys and even make their way up to the other end of the park with flashes of their normal flair that was sadly absent last week. It was to be redemption day for the Wee County as Steve MacKay broke away and scored just before the half-time whistle. Steven Ellis knocked in the County's second at 70 minutes. Forres came back into it towards the end with former Nairn County star and local loon Willie Barron scoring in a moment like something out of a Roy of the Rovers Christmas fairy-tale special.

A good game, a good atmosphere, a good league this year, long may it continue with these two local sides dominating the HFL. It looked pretty desperate last week and even now Forres are five points out front with 2 games in hand but football is a funny game and a County side that were humiliated last week suddenly again look like a team that belong in second place.

Read local sports journalist Kenny MacLeod's report here.

Buzzing for "Festive Derbies Part 2: The Revenge"

2011-12-30T14:39:00.004Z

Says one of the loons on twitter. Still raining now at 20 to 3. If it's still wet tonight then there won't be much room left in the Cowshed once the Forres hordes descend in search of three more points.

Here's hoping a different County team turn up. Que sera, sera...see youz there.

Opening of the River Nairn 2011 - video flashback

2011-12-30T09:30:00.002Z

Thanks to Murray MacRae for this video capturing the events back in March on the Jubilee bridge as Laurie swings the bling once again and throws a dram away into the burn.

More videos available now on Gurntube.

Nairn's tattie riot

2011-12-30T09:18:00.006Z

Today there are some varieties of potato that are more blight resistant than others but once again this summer many of Nairn’s amateur potato growers were hit by the sickening sight of potato blight on their crops in the gardens and allotments of the town. It is annoying, frustrating etc, but it doesn’t mean starvation or forced emigration as a result of having nothing to eat in the winter like it did in the past. In 1845 the Highland potato crop failed and the results were disastrous. For many in communities along the Moray Firth the fact that potatoes that had survived the onslaught of blight and other foodstuffs were being exported out of the Highlands was too much to accept and sometimes unrest broke out. Against this background Nairn’s wee tattie riot in February of 1846 was reported in the Nairnshire Mirror of Feb 7^th 1846:

“It appears that disturbances of a serious nature have occurred within the last few days at Inverness. Occasioned by the loading of potatoes at that port for the London market, to protest which large numbers of inhabitants made on masse, and the civil authorities being put to defence by the rioters. It was found necessary to order a party of military from Fort George. The news of these proceedings in the northern capital seems to have excited disturbances of a smaller scale in this burgh. On Thursday evening a crowd, chiefly young lads and boys, collected and attacked several of the farmers who had been attending the corn market, while leaving town. One gentleman was pulled off his horse by the mob, and was deprived of his hat in the fray and another was assaulted in Leopold Street, when proceeding towards Inverness in his gig. Several stones were thrown at him, by one which a friend who accompanied him was cut on the head. They were obliged to return to town for protection. We believe the mob got up a sort of effigy, with which they paraded the streets for some time and showed a disposition to insult the authorities when they interfered, but in a few hours they dispersed and the town regained its usual quiet appearance. We understand the matter is undergoing judicial investigation by the authorities with a view to discovering the ringleaders in the affair. In the spring of 1796 – exactly 50 years ago similar tumults, similarly remembered as the corn riots took place simultaneously at Inverness and Nairn. The Nairnshire Volunteers, then embodied were called out here to suppress the riots and several persons from this place were tried at the circuit court and suffered three months imprisonment each, for the part they had played in the riot.”

It is interesting to see the “Big Society” reaction of the authorities as reported in the following issue of the Mirror on Feb 23^rd (see the text here on a Gurn flickr page). If similar misfortunes were to befall us in the present day would seventy or so “respectable citizens” obey their summons and enrol to potentially protect society against the breakdown of the established order. This observer has heard it said that we only live three meals away from complete social collapse and it would only need the food lorries to stop coming up the A96 to bring that about. One thinks too of some of the economic worse-case scenarios being bandied about by some of the pundits on television and radio programmes. How would we get on if the hole in the wall machines stopped giving us cash? Would we be able to react responsibly as a civil society or would there be a need for “respectable citizens” to step forward and, perhaps, even take over the responsibility of the authorities. One might imagine that all Highland Council might be able to do for us would be to send an official to give us a power point presentation in the Courthouse. Would organisations like the Rotary, the Community Councils and other clubs and societies in the town come into their own should serious misfortunes befall us in the future?

There was also an amusing sequel to the riot that made it into the paper on the 21^st March that year - text again here on a Gurn flickr page.

Monday bins will be collected on Saturday

2011-12-28T17:25:00.003Z

Thanks to Green Dad for tweeting the following info:

"Refuse collection and Kerbside Recycling
All bin collections will remain the same except Monday, January the 2nd which will be collected on Saturday, 31st December."

Remember - Get rid of your waste before you get wasted!

More on the Highland Council Christmas Waste Info page.

Community Councils, first up in 2012...

2011-12-28T09:05:00.003Z

Will be the West CC. They have a meeting in the Community Centre on Wednesday the 4th at 7.30 p.m. The Westies will be talking about the Sandown Lands, Traffic Lights, Bus Routes and the Town Centre.
Obviously the West are not confining their discussions to their own patch and their advert also invites residents of any part of Nairn to attend. This observer would anticipate NICEafarian input on the subject of the Town Centre. It should be an interesting meeting.

River CC spreads the net

2011-12-28T08:50:00.003Z

The Gurn understands from sources close to River Community Council that four citizens have applied to become "co-opted" councillors on the watchdog organisation. The applications are from residents in the Broadhill, Boathpark, the Lochloy and the Mill Road areas. Our sources tell us that River CC are keen to be seen by some as not simply a "Fishertown" operation and are out to obtain representation for the areas in their patch that have up to now not had members on the Council. One Fishertown rep on the Council last time, John Dolan, did not stand for election this time round although Andrew Purkis (also a Fishertown resident) was elected so four members are presently from the Fishertown - that's 50% of the total. With four more members however the Fishertown representation will be down to 33% of the total.

Boozing and disturbance on the Khyber

2011-12-27T16:24:00.010Z

The Gurn understands that boozers on the Khyber brae disturbed residents of Broadhill with shouting and breaking of bottles last night. It seems two police cars were dispatched and dealt with the disturbance. Local residents swept up a large quantity of glass in the morning.

It had been claimed at a River Community Council meeting recently that alcohol was being consumed on the Khyber after being purchased from a convenient nearby off-licence.

Oor Sandy and Graham hit the campaign trail?

2011-12-27T16:12:00.008Z

Letters in the Nairnshire this week from the Convener and Cllr Marsden. Sandy has come out fighting, stating in reply to recent material in the paper that Nairn has had a good deal out of Highland Council over the last 16 years. Oor Graham has a suggestion on how citizens can cope with icy pavements.

Could both these gentlemen be starting their re-election campaigns already? Lots more in the Nairnshire this week including a "happiness" feature plus postcode delivery rip-offs. Also an in-depth analysis of the shattering defeat suffered by the Wee County at Mosset Park. Where was Santa? And the Highland Plan, reaction and analysis. The Nairnshire Telegraph, Christmas wouldn't be complete without it!

River Nairn Part 6

2011-12-27T14:08:00.003Z

Here's another Video from fwcampbell52L2L's Youtube pages. We've previously posted the excellent videos made of Gordon's sawmil. You can find other videos of the River Nairn on his account here.

Turkey Trot 2011

2011-12-26T12:39:00.008Z

This year's Turkey Trot was the usual mega-fun event and had the good fortune to evade the squally showers that were present earlier in the morning.

More pictures here on the Gurn Flickr pages.

Full Screen slideshow here.

UPDATE: More pictures on Flickr from HeatherD24

Nairnbairn breaks a self-imposed silence

2011-12-24T15:08:00.004Z

Nairnbairn has sent the Gurn a Christmas message:

Dear Gurn

Now that the 2011 Carbuncle Award has been announced and the year draws to an end, it is time for Nairnbairn to break a self-imposed silence. This message is also being copied to Urban Realm, and to the Editor of the Nairnshire Telegraph.

So.... Linwood was presented with the 2011 ‘Plook’ award. Can Nairn celebrate a lucky escape?

It is very tempting to look at the pictures of the grey and crumbling wasteland at the centre of Linwood (or for that matter the concrete and tarmac that encircles Fort William) and take consolation from the thought that Nairn is much nicer than those places. So it is. But schadenfreude (delight in the misfortunes of others) is not a noble sentiment.

Did that stupid, sad, and foolish Nairnbairn get it all wrong? Well, perhaps not entirely.

The nomination was provocative and over-the-top. It was meant to be. As several commentators have (reluctantly) acknowledged, local residents have lived for so long with the consequences of bad planning and poor design that many had almost ceased to notice. At least the Carbuncle story stirred some reaction. Even indignation is better than apathy.

The public response also revealed a lot about local attitudes. Nairnbairn had deliberately chosen to use a pseudonym, in the hope that readers might concentrate on the views and the arguments put forward, and not on the personality, hair colour, bank balance, home address or family ancestry of the person writing. Having lit the blue touch-paper, Nairnbairn decided to remain silent, in the hope that the debate would focus on the issues, and not turn into a “shoot the messenger” campaign.

Sadly, with a few honourable exceptions, that hope was not fulfilled. It was predictable, but depressing, to observe how quickly local figures lined up, not to comment on the planning or architecture of the town, but to condemn Nairnbairn’s motives, to call for Nairnbairn to own up, to explain and defend the nomination, to “have the courage of his/her convictions” – indeed to be run out of town or worse. Was Nairnbairn a crank, a fool, a malign public enemy, a prejudiced resident or (worst of all!) an upstart outsider? Some felt no inhibitions about launching forth anyway. Nairnbairn was “a snob”, said a local editorial. Councillors rushed to condemn: Nairnbairn was “a sad individual”, “unhelpful and thoughtless”,and “unfair”. Online critics – perhaps not realising the hypocrisy of their own anonymity – joined in: Nairnbairn was a devious developer, a self-appointed arbiter of taste, a coward, a loser. Bring back the stocks! Let’s have some witch-burning! Welcome to medieval Nairn!

Such reactions to the Nairnbairn nomination turned out in fact to be the clearest evidence, and strongest justification, for its author’s choice to remain anonymous. Even after the award was announced, the chorus continued. The town’s elected councillors, so quick to condemn and criticise, and so keen to claim credit for the efforts they say they have made, should perhaps remember the cautionary warning: Qui s’excuse, s’accuse.

Others both locally and in online comment, were more perceptive, agreeing that there was a basis for Nairnbairn’s nomination. Some endorsed it. Many recognised that it reflected a deep affection for Nairn, a disappointment at some of the past planning decisions and failures, and a desire to see successful and attractive regeneration and development. In his review of Nairn for ‘Urban Realm’, Mark Chalmers the architect and journalist offered a balanced and accurate description of the character and qualities of the town, and rightly concluded that a Carbuncle award would be unjustified.

The nomination did however make people look around the town, and think about its appearance. If this episode has underlined that the residents of Nairn need to appreciate and to look after what they have, then it will not have been in vain. If the energy that was put into condemning Nairnbairn, and the pride that led people to defend the town, can be devoted to improving it, then some good may yet result. The nomination was indeed, as one resident put it, “a rallying call”. As the thoughtful editorial in the 20 December ‘Nairnshire Telegraph’ points out, there are some disturbing parallels between Linwood and Nairn. For Nairn to develop successfully, people need to think about what they want the town to become, and to engage with an open mind in discussion of future plans. The worst reaction of all to the Carbuncle Award decision would be an outburst of “I told you so” gloating, cries of “Nairnbairn got it wrong”, and a reversion to complacency and apathy.

Nairnbairn will continue to express opinion and comment where and when circumstances warrant it; and will hope that future contributions – like this one – will be accepted in the spirit in which they are offered: free, well-intentioned and honest debate about what is best for the town.

At this festive season and on the threshold of a new year, goodwill to all men (and women). To those who were offended by Nairnbairn’s Carbuncle nomination, sympathy – but no apology. To those who acknowledged its purpose and understood its point, thanks.

nairnbairn

And thank you Nairnbairn but not for the nomination. Merry Christmas to you too. And that was this observer thinking the Gurn was going to be low-key for a day or two :-)

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year when it comes

2011-12-24T08:15:00.003Z

Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath Ùr nuair a thig i.

Best wishes to all Gurnites over this holiday period. Enjoy yourselves and thanks for reading the Gurn over the past year. The Gurn will be going into low-key mode for a day or two now but if you have any thoughts on the past year or the one coming up please head for the keyboard if you get a quiet moment and share them with Gurnshire. Thanks everyone for your support and contributions over the course of the year:-)

Forres 4 Nairn 0

2011-12-23T22:39:00.006Z

Christmas came early for the Can-Cans as they trashed the County 4-0. The Nairn element of the massive crowd were all but gone already as the final whistle blew to end a miserable outing for the faithful along the A96 to the league leaders fortress. The second part of the Christmas double header is yet to come but with Forres now 8 points clear of us at the top of the league it suddenly becomes a lot harder. Match report here.

Part 2 of the proceedings is on the 30th at Station Park.

Here's some pictures from club photographer Donald Matheson

NICE moves towards development trust status and seeks 1000 members

2011-12-23T10:06:00.008Z

The NICEafarians met on Monday night. They had an EGM which enabled them to pass a couple of resolutions that should help them move forward as a "Community Body" should the OSCR (the Office of the Scottish Charities Register) give their approval. A minute of their meeting states:

"Michael Barnett said that the immediate next steps included finalising the proposed new Articles of the Company, their informal submission to OSCR for approval, a membership drive (the target of 1000 had been suggested during the meeting), initial work on a business plan and funding requirements, and engagement with parties such as Highland Council, Local Councillors, and Community Councils. Once progress had been made on these and other matters, it would be necessary to call a further Extraordinary General Meeting at which the proposed new Articles would have to be voted on, which would involve a Special Resolution requiring a 75% vote in favour."

Obviously as the minute quoted above states, NICE has a lot of work to do but it will be interesting to see what happens as we draw near the Highland Council elections in May. If NICE has a successful membership drive and the town's three community councils reaffirm their support then it will be interesting to see if all sitting councillors and any candidates endorse the NICE business plan should it be ready by then. More information on the NICE website.

Graffiti

2011-12-23T07:43:00.004Z

A message to the world appears on the disused toilets at the riverside. Graffiti was one of the subjects mentioned at the River Community Council meeting last week and the local watchdogs and members of the public present were wanting Highland Council to act and to act quickly.

Serious Christmas reading material for students of local planning matters...

2011-12-22T14:02:00.011Z

The APT blog points out that the "The Highland Council has received the Report of Examination for the Highland wide Local Development Plan from the Scottish Government’s Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals."

It's 610 pages long, this observer has had a wee browse and thinks that Nairn objectors to many aspects of the plan will not be very pleased at all with the report. Time and the economy over the next few decades will have the final say but it looks as though major expansion of Nairn will go ahead if willing developers can be found. We were consulted, now others have taken our views into account and have decided. There will be some changes however, all recommendations in the report are binding on the Council it seems.

One crucial argument, that there should be a bypass before there is any more development, seems to have failed to make an impact. Here's three points lifted from page 607 of the report:

"15. It thus appears to be generally accepted that there should be a Nairn by-pass. I note that paragraph 14.3 of the proposed plan says that the Council will continue to lobby for the by-pass. I find that this is as much as may reasonably be expected in the plan in relation to securing the bypass.

16. Regarding lack of road capacity, present levels of congestion, noise and pollution may well be, at the least, unpleasant for residents and visitors, but evidence does not demonstrate that they are of such magnitude as to justify a prohibition on new development.

17. Regarding safety, evidence does not show that accident rates in Nairn are especially high in relation to rates in other towns of similar character."

Plenty more where that came from, anyone with the time for a deeper look into matters from this report might want to try the following pages (they give the council's summary, the objections and the Reporters' recommendations): The Document is here

Lochloy p85, Sandown p88, Delnies p94, Nairn South p107 - A section on Nairn in general commences at p610. Printers and Christmas wrapping paper ready?

Anyone wishing to have a wee gurn might want to comment over at the APT blog perhaps?

Could the Wee County's Friday night appointment go ahead?

2011-12-22T08:48:00.003Z

Nairn have back to back games with Forres over the Christmas holiday period. These games are crucial. Forres are top of the Highland League and Nairn are second but five points behind them. With six points to be had between the two games there is everything to play for. Worries persist about the state of Mosset Park however:

"The main concern will be any rainfall and the snow melting because there are areas of the park that I believe are very soft but, hopefully, the guys can get on the park when the snow clears and begin to prepare it for Friday," said Can-Cans manager Charlie Rowley to the Forres Gazette. More here.

The kick-off is at 20.00 tomorrow night at Mosset Park.

Rivers Findhorn, Nairn, Lossie news

2011-12-21T17:49:00.004Z

Information on the threats to our local rivers and reports on this season's catches in the Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Fisheries Trust newsletter.
The threats from Invasive species, plants and diseases are many but there's news of a fightback on the Giant Hogweed, Himalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed front. The crayfish seem to be thriving in the Geddes burn unfortunately:
"Members of the angling association trapped 400 crayfish in the Geddes Burn this season, compared to 173 last season."

All the information on efforts to maintain the health of the local rivers here.

Happy Solstice

2011-12-21T10:24:00.004Z

At mid-day today we wil once again be on our way back :-)

Thanks for the regular gurnite who provides us with the tip of typing "let it snow" into Google - very interesting! And here's a free Christmas Giveaway from the Gurn - the Gurnshire Times Christmas week edition is now out.

Moray Council vote 14-10 for a "Moray and Nairn" constituency

2011-12-21T10:00:00.005Z

"Moray Council will ask commissioners planning new parliamentary boundaries to name a planned extended constituency as Moray and Nairn."

More on the STV website. How do Gurnites feel about the proposal? Poll in the side-bar.

Civic Pride missing in Nairn?

2011-12-21T07:24:00.006Z

This week the Nairnshire Telegraph turns once again to analysis of Nairnbairn's Carbuncular activities and the prize of infamy that Nairn had, it seems, no real chance of winning. There's a two page spread with comment from many of the usual suspects and some unusual ones (pages4&5). Again a hard-hitting editorial with a few more broadsides in the direction of the Bairn.

"Nairn is not perfect but to erect its defects into a case for Nairn being the most dismal town in Scotland was potentially highly destructive."

Plenty more where that came from and if you have 45p you too can have a browse. Continuing though, Iain Bain states something that makes this observer wonder if perhaps he has gone slightly off-beam towards the end of the editorial.

"One thing is certain. Nairn badly needs to develop its sense of civic pride. This has been missing for generations and it is not helped by our remote local authority." The editorial must be read in full context however, Iain goes on to make comment on the town centre and those involved in "squabbling".

If Iain is suggesting that Civic Pride is missing at the top tier (i.e. those that go through to Glenurquhart Road on our behalf to make decisions along with the other 76 Highland councillors) then this observer would contend that it isn't amongst the ordinary punters. Thousands of people in Nairn take a great pride in their community and the fact that they live in a place that is so attractive and contains a sense of community, something that has eroded considerable elsewhere. Yes we are ruled by an Inverness organisation that often refers to us as "Ward 19" and it could even be suggested that it maybe suits the centralist philosophy of Highland Council to let the identities of the periphery fade away but Nairnshire still exists and so does the title "Royal Burgh of Nairn" if we chose to use it - other communities in Scotland are not shy in continuing to do so.

Our civic pride has manifested itself time and time again over the years at meetings (the most recent being the massive protest events held by NICE) and there are many in the community willing to put their hands to the wheel in attempts to defend and improve the town and environs. The civic pride is there, is it simply the case that the community needs better leadership?

Valuable community land at Tradespark

2011-12-20T20:16:00.005Z

The Nairnshire Mirror article above of November 18th 1848 has a familiar ring to it. Unlike Sandown, which went out under a single lease, it looks like Tradespark had been subdivided up into smallholdings by the Nairn Friendly Society of Trades under a 95 year lease in 1766. Maybe that's what we should do with Sandown today, some small holdings perhaps, and some for the Trades, that is to say local tradesman and companies who could all build a few houses each instead of one large scheme?

Sorry for the poor quality of the image, it is in fact a digital image taken with a camera of how the microfilm shows up on a PC screen.

Moray wants Nairn?

2011-12-19T21:55:00.009Z

Thanks to the regular gurnite who sent us a link to a very interesting nugget or two of information. "Will Nairn voters have their ballot papers counted in Elgin?" Asks our correspondent.
There's a Moray Council meeting tomorrow (Tues 20th Dec) and on the agenda are the proposed options for boundary changes to Westminster Constituencies. Here's what a report recommends to the full council:

"It is welcomed that the whole Moray local authority area is wholly contained within one constituency. However it is suggested that the resurrection of a Moray and Nairn constituency may be more beneficial in the interests of the electorate who may share commonality in local issues faced along the coast and A96 corridor. In addition the suggestion of a Moray and Nairn constituency would pose less risk to the elections administration process by lessening the geographical and logistical impact."

More here. What next, will we be wooed to go in with Moray Council at local government too? A promise perhaps of more freedom with the housekeeping money - including the Common Good? What a thought, would we be better off dumping Inverness for Elgin? In the sidebar the Gurn is running a poll on the Westminster options. Last night it was running approx 5 to 1 in favour of Moray but during the daytime hours a lot of votes came in the other way, now it is climbing back towards evens.

Do any Supermarkets trading in Scotland offer this type of information?

2011-12-19T18:04:00.004Z

This observer was in Ireland in September saw the above sign displayed in a branch of the SuperValu chain. Have any Gurnites ever seen similar information in a supermarket in Scotland giving information on the amount of goods either produced or sourced (or both) in Scotland that were being sold in that supermarket? Given the extensive use of IT in the supply chain surely it wouldn't be too difficult for supermarkets to get that information off their databases?

Oor Graham's Venison campaign (see post below) and comments about the source of supermarket food got me round to thinking about that image. Perhaps there is a marketing trick or two for some of our High Street folk. Maybe, for instance, our butchers in Nairn could proudly display that all the meat they have is sourced in Scotland?