Keeping Nairnshire Colourful (KNC) brings blooming wildflower patch around Dr John Grigor's statue near Viewfield House
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A VOLUNTARY organisation which has been planting Nairn's floral displays has been busy again this year enhancing an area one of the town's most iconic figures.
The statue of Dr John Grigor dominates Viewfield House near the town centre to commemorate the contribution of the former ship's surgeon to the development of Nairn in the 19th century as a spa resort.
Originally located at the junction of Leopold Street and High Street the Grigor statue was relocated to Viewfield, which houses the Nairn Musuem, as town centre centre flows increased with cars becoming a common mode of transport.
Keeping Nairnshire Colourful (KNC) has been responsible for planting out many open spaces and flower beds over the years.
The small voluntary group decided it was time to replace most of the seasonal bedding with perennials so members and volunteers helped with new planting in the KNC town beds over the spring.
Chairwoman Annie Stewart said: "In the year of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee KNC also decided to create a new meadow-style bed in Viewfield.
"We had had been looking for a suitable site to try a meadow bed for a while and KNC’s member, Tracey Botting, put forward the idea of using the grass patch around Dr Grigor’s statue in front of the Museum."
Annie took the plan forward with the Museum and The Highland Council.
"They all agreed it would make a lovely addition to the Museum’s approach.
"In the spring we contacted Sleigh Landscapes for help with removing the grass turf and a group of KNC volunteers dug over and prepared the bed for sowing a mix of annual seeds. Over the following month some perennial plants spring bulbs were added.
"Nairn St Ninian Bowling Club, whose green is next to Viewfield House, noticed the work on the new bed and their members offered their help. They gave KNC edging slabs and gravel, and access to their outside tap.
"Growth was slow to begin with as Nairn suffered a cold spring, but in the last month with some heat the new bed has become a riot of colour, admired by all those who walk past."
Annie added: " KNC members and volunteers are continuing to keep it tidy and water it regularly and hope to re- seed it for another display next year."
Anyone interested in getting involved with KNC can get more information from their website: www.spanglefish.com/keepingnairnshirecolourful
