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It has come to my attention that a newly organised company called Nairn River Enterprise has been created.
I went to their website to see what they're about, and likely to have any impact on The Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust. My immediate reaction on seeing their website photo showing the Swans and ducks at Merryton bridge did not impress.
I would like to make it crystal clear that this new private limited company, has no connection with The River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust. The Trust is strictly non political, is a non profit unincorporated association, run by unpaid volunteers, Membership is open to everyone. The Trust are the guardians of the River birds, their welfare, habitat and environment.
The new Nairn River Enterprise company has some local politicians and activists as directors, and they seem to have ambitious plans for the Town. The local weekly newspaper The Nairnshire Telegraph has this weeks front page story on the financial squabbles of this embryonic company.
This new company looks like a political attempt to rival NICE, ( Nairn Improvement Community Enterprise ).
Our new Nairn River Community Council has voted wisely on the financial Squabble.
The only Squabbles the Trust want to see on the river, is strictly between the birds ! My opinion....Too much Politics not enough enterprise !
The River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust is a non political organisation, but we do have interest in the local environment.The current local hot issue is the question of the Nairn South development plans and it's impact on Nairn. It is pretty obvious that we the local population of Nairn, are opposed to the current plans without proper infrastructure being put in place to cope with such a development. Maybe it suits certain politicians and planners to have Nairn as a dormitory to Inverness, where Nairn is considered a place to live and everyone commutes to Inverness to shop and work ! This is totally unacceptable to the people of Nairn where the quality of life, work and leisure, should be under local control as much as possible. We already see far too much dereliction, shops closing , and congested roads, and many locals have already taken action to try and reverse this decline through signing up to NICE, (Nairn Improvement Community Enterprise). Nairn has a lot to offer by way of natural beauty and the local Environment, and this must be protected for the benefit of all. The River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trustees therefore supports the planned demonstration / march planned for Sunday September the 15th, by West Community councillor Rosemary Young and other local community councils. This direct action is three days before a vital planning meeting to be debated in Inverness, where these plans were previously given the go ahead without proper local approval !
The future of Nairn and it's environment is important to all of us, and I would commend Cllr Youngs plans for the demonstration / march. This is due to start at 2pm at the Nairn Bus station to the Cawdor road site. If you are concerned about the future of Nairn, now is your chance to perhaps influence events !
Last night I went to the NICE ( Nairn Improvement Community Enterprise ) presentation to the River Community Council in Nairn. Alastair Noble and his colleagues gave a laudable vision of a possible way forward for the Town's future. One aspect that caught my eye was the possible creation of a new Wetlands centre which Naturally I find appealing. I think Nairn would be an excellent venue for such a place, for we already have the river and sea close by, with many species that visit over the course of the year. Having a Wetlands centre would perhaps attract all kinds of birds and tourists, who would enjoy visiting such a place ! Maybe NICE will get enough support to start putting their vision forward, this maybe the best chance in a generation to get Nairn on the path to renewal. It was pointed out that many born and bred in Nairn are against change, this is understandable and to be expected, especially of the older generation. However like getting old, change is inevitable and has to be accepted in the end, though it may take you out of your comfort zone!
A wetlands centre might attract some of the birds shown.
