VisitNairn Tourism Association funds handed over to Keeping Nairnshire Colourful after website management passed to Nairn BID
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A NAIRN tourism group who worked to put the town on the map has handed over its remaining funds to a local charity after ceasing their activities.
VisitNairn Tourism Association, which was originally launched by Iain Fairweather in 2004 to promote tourism in town, has closed after its founder retired to move closer to his family in England and the website has passed under the management of Nairn BID, under the new identity of Nairn Scotland, last year.
The remaining balance in the association's account will however not be lost as it was handed over to local charity, Keeping Nairnshire Colourful (KNC).
Mr Fairweather said: "Our constitution said that if we were to close down we would hand in any remaining funds to a local charity, and KNC do such a tremendous job in keeping around maintaining flower beds around the town, it makes for such a better environment for the visitors, so that's one of the reasons we decided to pass the funds to them."
VisitNairn chair, Morag Holding, handed over the cheque of £216.26 to Annie Stewart of KNC last week (Tuesday March 22).
Ms Holding, who is part of the board at Nairn BID, said: "The reason we decided to pass the remaining funds to KNC is because we see that the work they do is so important for Nairn. With the restrictions that the councils have on their budget now, they obviously have less funds for caring for the plant beds around the town. KNC leads a band of volunteers who care for the plants on behalf of the town and its residents, and for the residents having colourful plant areas is uplifting for people's spirits, particularly in the last period with things being quite difficult.
"It's also vital for tourism, which is where visit n comes in really, because keeping Nairn and Nairnshire looking as attractive as possible is a vital part of attracting people to the town and offering a great experience. It's very important to attract people and support local businesses.
"It's an end of an era for VisitNairn but having said that, now that it's been taken over by Nairn BID I know it will be looked after and expanded. It will make use of new technologies and new ways to interact with the audience and its going to continue being a crucial part of the tourism industry in Nairn.
"It doesn't feel much like the end of something, but rather the begnning of something new, which is quite exciting."
Ms Stewart said she was delighted to have this additional support for the work she and her team in KNC do in maintaining flower beds around Nairn.
READ MORE: Nairn bids farewell to man who did much to put town on map
