Residents Back

Penny and Duke returned a couple of days ago after a 3 day absence. It appears they were keeping another incomer away from the River.

Both are in fine fettle and awaiting the spring - like the rest of us ! 
Frosty day today and water ice cold, forecast same for the next week. 
According to the Gurn, Merryton bridge will be closed for up to 2 weeks from next Monday for bridge refurbishment, people will have to use the other bridges.

Sharing The Same Bed

Once again the Fishertown fly tippers show their civic pride in our River by dumping a mattress, rather than phone the council to have it removed.

 I read with interest on the local Gurn that the River Community Council are planning to take over the grass cutting and other civic maintenance tasks like tree planting, pruning etc. With the Gurn, Liz, Colin and Tommy Hogg, who are all sharing the same political bed, this should surely be fairly easy to achieve ?  The River community council should represent the WHOLE COMMUNITY in their patch, Party Politics should stay out of it . However many people in Nairn don't see this at all. I also notice there was no mention of picking up litter from the riverside which I and others have been doing for years. The River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust have been given the cold shoulder by the powers that be - of course Swans and ducks don't vote. The current 60 + plus members of the trust most of whom are members of the local community, have put their money where their mouth is and wish to protect and enhance the river wildlife and their environment - they do vote. I recently offered Liz and the region the chance for the Trust to plant some Rowan, Hawthorn and shrubs at two locations on the tidal reaches of the river at no cost to the region. This was refused, WHY ?  Quite simply because the local politicians can see some political kudos in doing it themselves. The reason the Trust wanted to do it, was for the benefit of the birds winter food supply, and the enjoyment that the community would get from it. Had we been given permission it would have already been done. I appreciate that some individuals have a personal dislike of me, but this should not interfere with the greater good of the Town, community, wildlife,  and environment. For a small Town like Nairn, there is much too much politics, talk and back stabbing, and not enough support and action for those people and organisations that have the well being of the Town at heart ! Time to start sharing the bed equally !

A Gurn to River Community Council

Quite a few members of The River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust are disgruntled by the habitat desolation between the Merryton and Roadbridge, and rightly so. The removal of many bushes and young trees, also the lower branches of all the remaining trees has added to that look of desolation. Before all this took place, the broken and damaged trees to be removed were marked with paint, and "A light touch would be applied " was the phrase used. I pleaded with RCC Chair Tommy Hogg to leave the bushes and dogwood alone, but he said it was up to Highland Region people who were calling the shots. The Gurn now tells us to go to River community council meetings to air our grievances, and perhaps come up with some suggestions on improving the Riverside! I had a look at the few Alders that have since been planted, but it does not make up for the loss of Rowan, saplings, and bushes that have been removed. Speaking out on behalf of the Trust and wildlife, I have sent the following email letter to the River Community Council in the hope that they will at least make up for the 2012 clearances, and plant a dozen or so Hawthorn and Rowan trees for the benefit of the wildlife.

Dear Stephanie and River Councillors,

The River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust notice that only a few Alder saplings have been planted as tree replacements between the merryton bridge and roadbridge. In view of the fact that more young trees were removed than have been replaced, particularly the young Rowan trees, these should be replaced as a food source for the wild birds.

The removal of all the lower branches of the existing trees and destruction of bushes was uncalled for, and has been detrimental to the wildlife.

The original fallen and broken trees that were marked for removal was acceptable, but most of the removed wild bushes and young saplings should have been left alone, these were cover for the wildlife and a deterrent to dogs.

The Trust would like the replanting of some berry producing trees such as Hawthorn and Rowan to replace, enhance and aid the wildlife there.

Yours Sincerely

Joe Telfer, on behalf of the River Nairn Swans and Waterfowl Trust.