Green dream emerges for Tain as campaign group branches out
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A BID to save local play parks and develop new spaces around an Easter Ross town has spawned a grassroots campaign that could also bridge the generation gap.
Tain campaigners buoyed by the positive response to their fight to protect children's play areas after equipment was ripped out on health and safety grounds by cash-strapped Highland Council have set up a new group to probe a variety of community projects.
Tain Green Spaces (TGS) formed in the wake of anger over removal of equipment at Glebe Crecent – the latest in a series of setbacks blamed on health and safety concerns about ageing equipment.
Scores of people turned out to show their support for the group's efforts.
Angela Wilson, secretary of TGS said: "The feedback has been brilliant. There is definitely a great willingness in the community to come together and get involved. We do also hope to bridge the generation gap. I feel there is so much the older generation have to teach the younger and maybe even the other way round."
An idea to establish a community orchard would see older folk pass on their knowledge to a younger generation.
Fiona Mackintosh, treasurer of the new committee and chairwoman of St Duthus Special School Parent Council, said: “Hopefully we can come together and make a positive difference in the community. My daughter is in a wheelchair and it would be great to see more accessible facilities."
Tain and Easter Ross councillor Derek Louden said: "It’s one of a number of play areas that have been removed on this basis and Highland Council doesn’t have the budget to replace them. I’m pretty sure that the council won’t object to funding provided by a community group."
Some of the land in Tain which the committee hopes to take over is currently owned by Albyn Housing, which has met with the committee and discussed leasing the land for free.
Calum Macaulay, chief executive at Albyn Housing Society, said: “We believe strongly in empowering communities and we welcome the opportunity to work with local groups to explore community ownership options.
"We can explore leasing land, providing some funds to support the set-up of the group, and crucially, signposting members to others who can help, such as those involved with successful community projects in Ross-shire and Sutherland."
The group is to fundraise and seek sponsorship to conduct a community survey to determine the best uses for these spaces.
To join the Tain Green Spaces group, visit its Facebook page.
Letters page this week - Play park swoop 'smacks of deliberate policy'.
