2010-09-08T21:09:49Z Merkinch Copyright 2010, Merkinch SPHPBLOG


Nine young people learned how to create very realist cuts, scrapes and bruises on each other before Tinuviel amputated some fingers!



]]> http://www.merkinch.info/blog/index.php?entry=entry100727-141354 2010-07-27T00:00:00Z 2010-07-27T00:00:00Z


With banners that we made on the day the schools finished to attract people into the building swinging in the wind, the first exhibition and festival in our permanent home, The Bike Shed was packed full of quality art works and craft items for sale.




Some of the adults evening workshops included Mosaics with ceramic tutor Kira Brown and Wet Felting with local textile artist Ruth Black. We almost had to call off the Printmaking Taster but luckily Inverness College Tutor Alison was able to step in at the last moment! It was nice to spend time being creative with other adults and not having to worry about watching the kids!

One of the busiest workshops was our all day drop-in Recycled Glass Making with artist Allison Weightman. She brought a load of bottles and we borrowed some from the Nip Inn! Once the tops were cut off, designs were made and Allison took them away to be sandblasted. The final results are fantastic and can be safely used!




Watch this space for more activities coming in September. Or Follow The Bike Shed on facebook and at www.thebikeshed.info


]]> http://www.merkinch.info/blog/index.php?entry=entry100727-135424 2010-07-27T00:00:00Z 2010-07-27T00:00:00Z
]]> http://www.merkinch.info/blog/index.php?entry=entry100616-231813 2010-06-16T00:00:00Z 2010-06-16T00:00:00Z
Children should wear old clothes and bring juice and a snack with them for the break time. The next one is Saturday 29th May and then the final session before the school holidays will be Saturday 26th June.

For more information contact Annie Marrs on 01463 240085.

]]> http://www.merkinch.info/blog/index.php?entry=entry100524-100126 2010-05-24T00:00:00Z 2010-05-24T00:00:00Z
The main focus of this event will be health and having fun as well as fundraising. It will round off the school’s Health Week which runs from Monday 17th May and includes fitness sessions, health and safety, healthy eating, dance and Tae Kwon Do.

• There will be basketball, football and cricket challenges, as well as karate and dance sessions. The karate and dance sessions will be half-hour slots, the other sports will be ongoing so people can move around from one to another. The basketball will be inside, with everything else outside – weather permitting!
• There will a fitness challenge for the under 5s in the Nursery garden.
• The Police Dog demonstration has been booked. This will be followed by the raffle which closes the event.
• Face painting has been booked and Annie Marrs, Merkinch Arts Worker, will do a craft session.
• There will be a range of snacks available, including healthy options such as melon slices, small apples and bananas.
]]> http://www.merkinch.info/blog/index.php?entry=entry100513-152912 2010-05-13T00:00:00Z 2010-05-13T00:00:00Z
Bowel cancer is the third biggest cause of cancer deaths, after lung cancer and breast cancer. People who get treated early have a good chance of being cured.

People aged 50-74 years will be asked to do a home test every two years. The kits will be sent out over two years. Some people will already have got theirs. Some people will get them soon. Some people will not get theirs until next year. Test kits are posted to peoples’ homes. If you get one, please do the test – it could be a lifesaver.

More information about the Scottish Bowel Screening Programme can be found at www.bowelscreening.scot.nhs.uk/ or by phoning the Scottish Bowel Screening Helpline on freephone 0800 0121 833.
]]> http://www.merkinch.info/blog/index.php?entry=entry100513-152428 2010-05-13T00:00:00Z 2010-05-13T00:00:00Z This is your chance to be on it!

Moray Firth Media Trust is looking for people to make short features on a range of subjects. The Trust is offering a free four-day training course on 1st, 2nd, 15th and 16th June. Places are limited so apply now!

This is your chance to get your voice heard in your community!
Contact Ken Kelman or James Macdonald at
Radioskills on 01463 224433
info@radioskills.org.uk or www.radioskills.org.uk]]> http://www.merkinch.info/blog/index.php?entry=entry100513-151453 2010-05-13T00:00:00Z 2010-05-13T00:00:00Z
Local boy Douglas Locke sponsored by Merkinch Partnership helped the Highland Wildcats American Football team to their first victory on Sunday 25th April as they sent shock waves through the UK American Football league defeating the much fancied Edinburgh Wolves by 20 -14.

Merkinch Youth League team reversed their fortunes in their second game of season running out easy winners over Nairn Stags by 5 goals to 2 on Tuesday 27th April.
Unfortunately the Soccer Sevens Primary school team were not so lucky on Thursday 29th April when they fell at home to a highly skilled Cauldeen team 5-4.

Monday 26th April: Free Runners take to the air at the Inverness Royal Academy. The free running group Freevolution received some special air time thanks to Merkinch Partnership organising some trampoline training to help the group work on their aerial techniques. The group based at Inverness High School have been supported by Merkinch Partnership from their start back in January.

And finally rounding off events with some sunshine and exciting downhill racing and jumps was Mountain biking on Saturday 3rd May at Red Rock on the Black Isle.


Youth Team chase down every ball ]]> http://www.merkinch.info/blog/index.php?entry=entry100513-150459 2010-05-13T00:00:00Z 2010-05-13T00:00:00Z
]]> http://www.merkinch.info/blog/index.php?entry=entry100422-130721 2010-04-22T00:00:00Z 2010-04-22T00:00:00Z
Kyran, Christopher, Sian and Alex had to be at Eden Court bright and early to get through security - no phones, cameras or bags were allowed into the screening.



Luckily, or unluckily I wasn't allowed in with them, so waited outside to take some pictures. Matt Smith, who plays The Doctor and Karen Gillan, who plays his assistant Amy arrived in their tour bus and stopped to sign posters and autograph photos.



Excitingly Steven Moffat, the writer and director of the new series was also there and took part in a question and answer session with all the children and young people after the screening.

Karen is from Inverness, and went to Charleston Academy before going on to drama school at just 16. It just shows that if you are good enough and work hard you can make a living from acting.

We aren't allowed to say what happened in the episode, and none of the young people would spill to me, so I'll have to wait with everyone else for Saturday night!

]]> http://www.merkinch.info/blog/index.php?entry=entry100330-122739 2010-03-30T00:00:00Z 2010-03-30T00:00:00Z The Three Little Pigs and Other Tales

Saturday 17th April, 2pm at The Bike Shed.

Join Kidgloves puppet company and have fun with the advenuters of the Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and The Three Bears and The Billy Goats Gruff. Come along and help chase Wilfred the Wolf away!

This is a great show for younger children aged 3 - 6yrs and their families.

You can get tickets in advance from Merkinch Enterprise 01463 240085, or just pay on the door. The Bike Shed is on Grant Street, next door to the Inverness Model Shop. You can park in the nearby car park.

If you would like any further information, call Annie Marrs on 01463 240085.]]> http://www.merkinch.info/blog/index.php?entry=entry100324-140102 2010-03-24T00:00:00Z 2010-03-24T00:00:00Z
The regular risk assessments were carried out by Highland Council Ranger Katy Martin and Greenspace director Garry Wells.

The visitscotland brown signage has now been erected at 4 locations, it's very exciting to see the Reserve advertised and promoted in this way.

Access improvements have been carried out by British Waterways at the canal end of the Reserve - the path has been widened and resurfaced and a handrail has been installed.

Work is ongoing on an Interpretation Plan for the interior of the old ferry ticket office which is being relaunched as a base for the Reserve. The draft Plan will be available shortly.

Planning is about to get underway for the Reserve Celebration Day on 14th August. Last year's event was a great success and was well attended by the local community. Anyone wishing to get involved in the Celebration Day should contact Merkinch Project Officer Anne Sutherland on 01463 718989.
]]> http://www.merkinch.info/blog/index.php?entry=entry100310-150727 2010-03-10T00:00:00Z 2010-03-10T00:00:00Z The scheme is intended to educate the participants about local wildlife and wider environmental issues using an informal and enjoyable approach. Each session will have tasks, games and challenges relating to a specific nature and environment theme.

The ‘Young Rangers’ project will be focused on contributing to improvements in the Nature Reserve. The scheme is designed to give young people a sense of ownership of the reserve and to go on to develop into environmentally responsible citizens.

Each challenge completed can contribute towards gaining a Youth Achievement Award. These awards give merit based on roles within a specific project i.e. bronze for participation and gold for helping to support and lead a project.

The pilot project will start in April 2010 and is open to young people aged 10 to 12 years. Sessions will take place fortnightly.

For more information on the project contact Anne Sutherland on 01463 718989. ]]> http://www.merkinch.info/blog/index.php?entry=entry100303-161921 2010-03-03T00:00:00Z 2010-03-03T00:00:00Z
The group meets every Monday and Thursday from 4-5pm in The Bike Shed on Grant Street, £1 per session for 16 years and older. Thanks go to Arts in Merkinch for the use of their venue without which the classes would not have taken place.

]]> http://www.merkinch.info/blog/index.php?entry=entry100303-160846 2010-03-03T00:00:00Z 2010-03-03T00:00:00Z