#TeamHamish pride as first phase of work is set to start on Nairn’s new children’s splashpad

The family behind the #TeamHamish fundraising effort to bring a new children’s splash pad to Nairn has welcomed news that phase one of the work is to start on 15 June.

Nairn couple Sam and Susan Hey lost their son Hamish to a rare and aggressive soft tissue cancer on 20 February 2017.

The support Hamish’s family received from the Nairn community in the aftermath of his death was incredible and the family wanted to do something to thank everyone.

They also wanted to create a lasting legacy to their son, so they set up the charity, #TeamHamish, to raise funds for a new splashpad at Nairn beach.

The splash pad is a jointly funded project between #TeamHamish, NICE, Nairn Common Good and Highland Council and is the result of extensive engagement with the community in Nairn.

Today’s announcement is a bittersweet moment for all involved in the project following the tragic death of Hamish’s mum Susan in May, who co-founded the #TeamHamish charity. Susan sadly lost her own battle with cancer last month.

The new start date is in line with Scottish Government guidance on construction sites reopening and the contractor, Ustigate, will be following all appropriate health and safety guidance including physical distancing measures for the operation of the works.

Cllr Tom Heggie, Chair of the Nairn and Nairnshire committee said: “Whilst the Council, Team Hamish and NICE are pleased that work is about to begin, we all acknowledge that it is with great sadness that Susan Hey, who had looked forward to this so much and done so much to bring it about, is unable to be with us to see this happen.

“The first three weeks or so will see a small number of operatives (approx. three) setting up the site and demolishing the existing paddling pool. They will be installing protective barriers around the site to ensure a safe distance between the workers and the general public.”

Works are expected to take around four months to complete.

Susan’s husband and co-founder of #TeamHamish, Sam said: “We are absolutely delighted that after over three years of fundraising, the first phase of our #TeamHamish proposals are finally coming to fruition.

“This represents positive progress for Nairn, its Community and beyond and is a bright sparkle of rainbow light shining through the difficulties of recent months, as well as the creation of a lasting legacy for both Hamish and Susan.”

ends

After years of effort by #TeamHamish and others, Highland Council has announced that the new Splash Pad work will begin at the end of March and will be completed by the end of July. A great new asset for Nairn and a fitting memorial for Hamish Hey.

Council Press Release

The splash pad will be located on the site of the existing paddling pool on the Nairn Links however it will provide a facility that is more accessible and can be open and enjoyed by children and adults for a longer period throughout the year.

The splash pad is a jointly funded project between #TeamHamish / NICE, Nairn Common Good and Highland Council and is the result of extensive engagement with the community in Nairn.   One recommendation of the Nairn Links Development Plan, this project is seen as phase 1 of the overall plan for the Nairn links area.

Cllr Tom Heggie, Chair of the Nairn and Nairnshire committee said: “I am delighted that work on this new facility is beginning.  This will be the first one of its kind in Highland and will be a fantastic development for the community.”

Sam Hey of Team Hamish said: “Susan and I are really excited about the prospect of this work finally starting.  We have planned for this over a long period of time and want to thank everyone who contributed to the Team Hamish fund who have made this happen.”  

Contractor Ustigate will begin on site at the end of March with the works expected to be completed and in use by the end of July.  Ustigate are an experienced provider of water play facilities and have installed more than 100 across the country.

Information boards providing visuals and further details of the works will be available for viewing in Nairn Community Centre from the week beginning 23 March 2020.  Updates on progress on the work will also be posted here.

The works will be project-managed by the Council’s Property Service.

For details of the AGM presentations please click this link for the Powerpoint presentation (8Mb). Includes All Abilities Path and #TeamHamish Phase 1a.

NICE CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2019

I am very happy to report that I am now seeing a positive way forward. We must work with the new C/E at Highland Council and we are really pleased to have Donna here tonight.

I want you all to leave this meeting seeing a clear strategy to deliver what I believe we all want.

What do we want? Nairn and Nairnshire to be recognised as a centre of innovation and development. NICE has been working hard to build the necessary relationships to allow us all to work together. We have always argued that Nairnshire is a great place to stay and to holiday in.

But it needs investment and support. We want to see more and better local jobs. We want to see a green sustainable future.

So, what have we been working on?

Firstly, we were asked to help deliver the BID (Business Improvement District). This is now up and running. You will all be able to enjoy their first event-TASTE OF NAIRN this weekend. Can I urge as many of you as possible to attend the various events? 

Michael Boylan and his fellow directors will deliver. More footfall, more jobs and above all more good publicity for Nairnshire. Already we are seeing very positive support from our excellent business sector and much more joined up thinking.

Again, they are building on our strong local culture. The Book and Art Festival (3000), Jazz Nairn (1000), Cinema Nairn (1500) and Music Nairn (1000) all contribute to the local and tourist enjoyment. (annual figures)

Add to this -a fantastic Community Centre , the sports club , our 2 great golf courses and the integrated community hospital teams then we really do have some very good foundations to build on.

Team Hamish will also deliver their exciting vision for Nairn. They have won National awards and recognition for their plans. But above all you have responded in the most positive way. Most importantly with your support and help whenever needed. Also, your amazing financial support and generosity. We now have clear way forward and with matched funding will deliver some great improvements for next year. Making sure 2020 will be a great time to be in Nairn.

We have delivered the re surfacing of the all ability path allowing access to the east beach. This is the ideal model of how joined up working delivers what we all want.

Looking forward we want to be involved in exciting developments in the 

Town centre including Viewfield and the museum

Harbour

Sandown

There is a lot of interest in The Common Good at present with the Community Empowerment Act.

I would like you all to think about the River Nairn, the Maggot, the Dunbar Golf Cub, Park dean Caravan site, the harbour, the links and Sandown. They are all in our Common Good. They are worth their weight in gold as the essential components of our environment and green sustainable future. They form the basis for our major tourist attractions. That is before we even start to put any financial ticket on them. We owe it to all the previous generations to get this right now and build on this amazing legacy.

Tonight, you will see how far down the road we have come. Yet the future looks better every day.

We have now found the one voice we were asked to deliver. Can you all continue to support and help in any way you can. Nairnshire will be an even better place to live and holiday in.

Dr Alastair L Noble 

Chairman NICE

NAIRN IMPROVEMENT COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE (“COMPANY”)

REGISTERED NUMBER SC388110

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the sixth ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the above company will be held at 7.00 pm on Thursday 11 April 2019 at the Nairn Community & Arts Centre for the purpose of the following business:

Welcome & Introduction.
Apologies for Absence.
Chairman’s Report.
Report on establishment of Business Improvement District.
Report on East Beach Path Restoration.
Report on #TeamHamish and Plans for the Links.
Presentation of Possible Future Projects
Consideration of Accounts for years ended 30 November 2017 and 30 November 2018
Election of Directors
To reappoint Alastair Noble who has retired by rotation as provided by the Articles of the Company
To reappoint Michael Barnett who has retired by rotation as provided by the Articles of the Company
To reappoint Iain Fairweather who has retired by rotation as provided by the Articles of the Company
Invitation to Community Members to Contribute Additional Resource
Any Other Business

Members are encouraged to appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf if they are unable to attend in person.  The appointment of a proxy may be done by replying using the form below and should be received by the Company Secretary by 7.00 pm on 9th April 2019.

A copy of the company’s accounts for the years ended 30 November 2017 and 30 November 2018 are available on the company’s website – www.nicenairn.org.uk

DATED this 19th day of March 2019.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD

Michael Barnett
Secretary
Company No:  SC388110
Registered Office: Drumdelnies, by Nairn, IV12 5NT
mbarnett@macline.co.uk

ON Friday 14th a wide range of community groups and organisations met with Donna Manson, the new CEO of Highland Council. The objective was to outline many of the issues that have been of concern to many in Nairn. The new CEO has expressed a desire to hear from communities and expressed a genuine desire to work with them in ways that may not have happened previously. It was a very positive meeting. You can see a copy of the presentation here.

A plan to revitalise the Highland town of Nairn has been voted by the public as winner of the national ‘FutureTown’ Design Competition.

The plan was submitted by #TeamHamish, a community organisation affiliated with Nairn Improvement Community Enterprise (NICE) and which seeks to celebrate the legacy of Hamish Hey, who passed away in February 2017.

Hamish’s parents stated on the application that “the creation of special community spaces, places and facilities for all ages and abilities to enjoy…would be an appropriate ‘Thank You’ to the community of Nairn for their continued support throughout Hamish’s illness”. The aim of the design is also to increase the attractiveness of the town, situated on the north coast east of Inverness, as a tourist destination.

The holistic design for the town includes a focus on both the Links area and the town centre carpark, including the renovation of the Viewfield House and grounds as an alternative attraction during inclement weather. More Here

Job Advertisement

Nairn Improvement Community Enterprise has been awarded funding by the Scottish Government, The Highland Council, and Highlands & Islands Enterprise to develop a Business Improvement District (“BID”) in Nairnshire.  An individual experienced in developing and providing direct support and/or services to business owners is sought to fill the post of Project Co-ordinator. Continue reading →

The Annual General Meeting 30th March at 7.30pm in The Little Theatre, King St

The Annual accounts and report can be found here

New Directors: We invite applications to join the Board of Directors, particularly from those with Business and/or Tourism experience. Email: enquiries@nicenairn.org.uk