Thurso activist gets active with 1000 daffodils
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A community activist is planning on making a difference to his home town of Thurso through the winter and into spring with blooms and grit.
Alexander Glasgow helped plant 1000 daffodil bulbs, donated by Thurso Rotary Club, on ground below Queen's Terrace and adjacent to the A836.
"I am grateful to the Rotarians for funding after I approached them. Approximately a dozen helped plant 1000 bulbs on Saturday, November 7," said Mr Glasgow.
He expects the spring of 2021 to bring a fine show of the bright yellow flowers along a sloped area of ground that once had "mass patches", he claims, but was ruined by premature grass cutting by Highland Council.
"Daffodils should be left at least six weeks after blooming to allow the bulbs to build-up nutrients for next year," he said.
"Yet for several years they were cut far too soon, including one year when still blooming. They barely bloomed since 2017. They have been destroyed."
Mr Glasgow tried to raise the matter with the local authority but said he got nowhere. "I'll be keeping a very close eye [on it] next year. The patch we made is easy to cordon off."
The self-styled community activist is also keen to get volunteer gritting promoted throughout the winter, to keep pavements free from ice and snow, as there is funding available.
"From memory, Highland Council gritting routes in Caithness are covered by 10 front-line gritters and four pavement tractors with spare capacity from elsewhere – but there are always some spots they may not be able to cover."
He said that the council will be looking for "super-spreaders of grit with ultra-local knowledge" to make use of the familiar yellow bins and shovels available to spread grit on local pavements as part of its winter resilience programme.
"I have contacted the ward councillors, and they confirm the programme is running during 'coronatide'. The council should be promoting this shortly as it does every year. Funding exists for equipment and clothing."
He said that he has contacted Thurso Community Council with regard to issues around personal liability insurance and other salient points but has not yet received a response.
Last winter, Mr Glasgow claims to have had several vital bins installed around Thurso for the benefit of locals and says he is able to act as "a point of contact" and maintain cordial relationships with the relevant staff and agencies.
"I am also eager to hear other suggestions and anyone interested can contact me via the [Facebook] page now known as Thurso Community Noticeboard. If I cannot help directly, I can signpost them to someone who can."
Further information on the council's winter resilience programme can be found at www.highland.gov.uk/info/20005/roads_and_pavements/99/roads_information/7
A government initiative to support individuals, groups and local businesses with community work can be found at www.ready.scot/get-involved
Thurso activist frustrated over 'eyesore parcel of ground'
