Nairn’s ‘community’ forum

Our man from Hull, Brian Turner (Mynairn blog) confesses that his current Internet based businesses are failing; he says, “income is down 40%, costs are up 30%”. To counter these dire results Brian states, “I’ve had to ensure I focus on commercial projects rather than personal interest ones”.

All seems to make perfect business sense, put down the toys and distractions and concentrate on keeping a roof over your head. Will this mean that he will have less time for his numerous personal blogs? Will we lose out on those really useful nuggets of observation such as Tescos being out of plastic bags!?

But alongside his statement of intent to ditch non money making efforts, he announces the launch of the ‘Nairn portal’. Described by Brian as a ‘community’ portal for Nairn is this a huge benevolent gesture or a just another way for him to earn net-based income? If his intent to concentrate on commercial projects is true, then it has to be the latter.

He tells us he bought the domain ‘www.nairnshire.co.uk’ for what he calls a ‘premium price’. No doubt he will enjoy some hits to this site from folk searching for an on line presence by The Nairnshire Telegraph?

Bizarrely Brian has incorporated another site into this new portal, that of the ailing ‘Cinema of Dreams’. Is this so the new portal appears to have several members already within a day of it's public launch?

The site also lifts content from several Nairn blogs including the renowned Gurn (Who also publishes a view – see here), but then without publishing other folk’s work the new site would look even emptier!

If Nairn needs a community web presence should it not be owned, run, and supported by the whole community?

If you sign up for the Nairnshire portal today you will see your birthday in the calendar (I’m always forgetting when mine is) and you’ll be helping Brian make a few pennies! Meanwhile I will keep reading the Gurn and buying The Nairnshire Telegraph to obtain my community news, how about you?

Source – Eyeleft

Nairn essential Christmas gift ideas

This is an inexpensive item but is bound to be of use if you find yourself in a tight corner or getting your collar felt over the holiday period. This handy gift will slip into any pocket and be ready for emergency use letting you slip away from any long arm you find yourself attached to. Could save the recipient a night in a poorly rated B&B or a trip in a bumpy van (Click here to purchase)

Source - Eyeleft

Nairn Turkey Trot

Nairn Road Runners are hoping that this years event may attract more entries as folk are swapping to goose and even duck for their Christmas dinners. A spokesperson said 'last year we saw quite low numbers as folk had tucked into their turkey the day before the race, but we're hopeful that this Boxing Day we might see a few more birds around ready to compete in the race'

Source - events

Nairn's alternative cinema shows...

The town didn't want a portal, but his ego did

Nairn sofa in the wild

It is good to be writing for a blog that cares about the state of local sofas. I know there is a lot of debate about whether we should feed them in the wild or not. Personally I think it is an individual choice and as previously stated it is all about feeding them and not the other pieces of furniture that try and butt in and steal the food intended for them. It is a very difficult and controversial matter. Others are concerned that the stray sofas might join up in a pack and start roaming the streets together. This is the nightmare scenario  but this hasn't happened yet but there have been some ugly scenes in the river in recent years that came close to ruining the town's tourist industry. Thank goodness the Nairn area committee had the foresight to put a D notice on those stories.
There is something beautiful however about the sight of a sofa once it has returned to the wild and made a home for itself. That true patina along with the ragged look has a beauty that many captive 'house' sofas can never achieve. I would humbly ask for this picture of one of Nairn's wonderful wild sofas be considered for the Spin calender of 2010.
(note the Spin is not willing to reveal the location of this sofa nest because too many sofa spotters could disturb it and this graceful creature would then be lost to the town forever)


Source - Wambler

Nairn to get new ‘dark’ supermarket?

The Telegraph (See here) reports on the phenomenon of ‘dark’ supermarkets. Such is the increasing popularity of on line shopping; Tescos are opening a third ‘dark’ store. Inside these appear like ordinary supermarkets but with no customers, just staff picking orders.

As the new Nairn supermarket joins the Nairn myths such as the bypass will it too be a dark store when and if it is built? Could real shopping in person become a thing of the past, what will folk do weekends and evenings? What a frightening prospect!

Source – Eyeleft

Nairn Spin game

We realise that this can sometimes be a dull time at work, there is a feel of wind down with the impending holidays just a couple of weeks away. You’ve finished your on line shopping, got a couple of ideas for next years holiday, emailed all your pals, and it’s not even ten o’clock yet, most of the day still to go.

Here at the Spin we have found an on line game that may keep you amused till hometime and beyond (See here). Remember to turn your sound down and don’t make too many noises whilst you are playing it so not to be found out!

Source - Eyeleft

Nairn’s Blootered gets minty

Kettle, black, and pot come to mind with the revelation that Tory leader David Cameron has had the temerity to claim chocolate bars on expenses whilst roasting his fellow MPs for claiming the likes of duck islands and all-important moat cleaning (essential in my opinion). That excellent red top The Mirror covers the story (See here), which unearths yet another disgraceful Tory scandal, this time it’s at the top.

The worst of it is this man’s sheer greed. Already a millionaire it must have cost him money in terms of the time it took to fill out and process his sweet tooth claim. Just what we need, a potential Prime Minister who runs on green bubbles paid for by you and me, huh, who does he think he’s kidding?

Source - Blootered

Nairn, Haste ye back

The year of 'Homecoming Scotland' is over. Scots from all over Scotland have made the marketing event a great success by digging in their pockets to attend 'Homecoming' celebrations and buying all that tat which we produce for tourists, but somehow we find attractive for ourselves. Expect more tartan gifts than usual in the Christmas wrapping paper this year folks!
Canny Scots are now putting forward the idea of a 'Haste ye back' year. As we all enjoyed Homecoming so much how about another similar year whereby we attend events and buy even more touristy mementos, the banks could do with our money.
Having experienced 'have a nice day' via Homecoming, how about 'missing you already' in the form of 'Haste ye back' sounds just right?

Source - Events

Nairn River sofa Christmas worry

Another lovely day, the forecast rain stayed away (wrong again). I was chatting with Sandy one of the river sofas and he was saying that he had heard that there was a big new sofa store being built in Inverness. His worry was that this might mean folk would be buying new sofas and the old ones could end up in the river like him. I can see his point, it's not just puppies folk buy at Christmas but sofas as well, and not many people bother to find a new home for their old one, so out on the street it goes. At this time of year I would ask you to dispose thoughtfully of your old sofa and give it a good home unlike Sandy who now lives in the river

Source - Simplysumpuoussofas

Nairn Christmas book idea

A dose of reality for the kids this year with the book 'Father Christmas needs a wee'. Will Santa find a proper toilet or resort to a doorway on the High Street as many will over the festive period? A knee knocking good read for all the family

Source - Eyeleft

Nairn Spin is one month old

We managed some 115 posts in a month which is about the same as some folk manage on twitter! Keep tuning in for more spin on events in Nairn :-)

Source - Nairn Spin Team

Nairn lights at red

Yeah, lol, rock on

Just to let you know that someone had pressed the button on the crossing at the bottom of the Bray/A96 this morning, so the lights had gone to red as I drove past. Not sure if the holds up will have cleared by now but just to give you a heads up on the situation

2 cents

Source - Wannaberockgod

Nairn plea to Father Wintersong

Dear Father Wintersong,

I know you are very busy at this time of the year but I know you always take a minute or two when you've checked the elves on the night shift to have a look at the Spin. I'm not sure if you took over Santa's factory when they got rid of him so my mum said this was the best place to write to you.
So please could you get a nice present for my Dad this year. He works very hard but every month he has trouble paying all the bills. I know it is also too late this year but could you also be his friend and make him consultant for one of your shows, then he would have lots of money for a very good Xmas for all of us.

thank you and love to the reindeer (if you kept them)
Sammy
aged 8 and three-quarters



Source - Wambler