Thurso fundraiser is all swings and roundabouts
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Thurso's gnome-loving activist is once again trying to help his community but he's not saying it with flowers this time and wants to get local kids some decent play equipment.
Alexander Glasgow seeded an idea that is being grown with help from the Bains of Dunnet Road and others including parents and local events organisers.
"Our children and young people have had a hard time during the pandemic [and] they now are returning to play," said Mr Glasgow.
"There are some excellent play areas in Thurso from community funding but, unfortunately, often Highland Council does not have the resources to maintain equipment – leaving it to suffer from the wear and tear of children at play."
He acknowledges that Caithness councillors have a "combined strategy" in the pipeline and access to Covid recovery funding but he says they do not constitute a working group that can focus on organisation and the true costs involved.
"I understand a new rides officer has been appointed but they'll need time to settle in. Although, the sums of money being quoted might seem impressive to the layman, they represent a drop in the ocean to what is required."
Mr Glasgow says he now has a functioning committee with Thurso in Colour, an organisation which aims for "a holistic approach" by combining greenspaces with recreation and promotion of active travel.
"The play areas we most would like to enhance are Beach Road which is a focal point for the whole town, and Murkle Terrace in Thurso East where many of us live." He went on to point out how dilapidated some of the equipment is around the town which includes one play piece that has a "disintegrating wooden frame with a raised footboard meaning little legs can be trapped underneath".
"I attempted to flag this to Thurso Community Council and have made repeated calls to Highland Council. The amounts community councils generally have access to would barely purchase a gnome-sized roundabout. A full-sized human roundabout would be in the region of £10k."
Mr Glasgow adds that if you want town improvements, sometimes "you need to roll up your sleeves and do it".
"There is no fairy godmother out there to wave her wand. There are those who'd show us how to use the magic of immense sums of money from community-benefit schemes. Constituted groups can access these. Highland Council is unlikely to.
"We are starting with cosmetic changes such as a lick of paint or reset fences. This will be done in full consultation with the relevant agencies. In the medium to long term, we definitely hope to enhance the entire sites."
Mr Glasgow has a fundraising site where he says all donations will "be ringfenced and spends fully explained".
"This GoFundMe will purchase suitable materials and employ reputable contractors. We are establishing a constituted group, and will consult with relevant agencies and stakeholders at all points."
And he talks about new ideas for play areas that could be set up such as pancake swings, zip wires, witches' hats, multi-use games areas, adventure or imagination play and sensory centres.
If you wish to help this community project the GoFundMe page can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/renew-playareas-in-thurso
Mr Glasgow can also be emailed at alexanderglasgow.foi@gmail.com and he has a Facebook group under his name where messages can be sent at www.facebook.com/caithness.manifesto
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