2012-02-06T06:21:55Z Merkinch Copyright 2012, Merkinch SPHPBLOG This year the Merkinch Theatre Group has been working hard on their community pantomime, A Christmas Carol. It will be performed by all three groups, the juniors, seniors and adults on Saturday 17th December at the Merkinch Community Centre. There will be two shows 2pm and 7pm. Tickets are now on sale! See you there!


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Here it is again folks! The Summer Festival Workshops! Come along to decorate delicious cup cakes with many icing types and colours on the 7th with Annie or how about creating your own wonderful bag on the 5th with Val Taylor!

A range of workshops for children and adults and are availble for great prices. To join in just phone (01463 240 085) or drop in by the Arts in Merkinch office (4 Grant Street) to book, as just like last year workshops are high in demand with limited spaces.

And do not forget about our summer festival exhibition showing and selling local artists works for very reasonable prices!]]> http://www.merkinch.info/blog/index.php?entry=entry110616-113820 2011-06-16T00:00:00Z 2011-06-16T00:00:00Z

Join in with other local artists in this years summer exhibition by entering pieces of art to the exhibit. To join in just print out a form or get one from the Arts in Merkinch office, at 4 Grant street, and fill out to contribute to the annual community exhibit.]]> http://www.merkinch.info/blog/index.php?entry=entry110616-112822 2011-06-16T00:00:00Z 2011-06-16T00:00:00Z


Ceramic artist Allison Weightman helped individuals hand sculpt pots - we even had a duck and and elephant!



Potter Lorraine Cran spent the day helping people throw their own pots on a potters wheel. There were a few slightly wobbly pots but everyone had a great time.... who knows there could be future collectables.

We were absolutley amazed and thrilled by the amount of people who turned up to help us celebrate but by 2pm we had completely run out of clay.

**Note for Birthday number 2 - double up on supplies






A great day was had by all judging by the mess left to clean up afterwards but we didnt mind so much as we looked at the results of our "Chaotic" day.]]> http://www.merkinch.info/blog/index.php?entry=entry110207-141444 2011-02-07T00:00:00Z 2011-02-07T00:00:00Z

The children at Merkinch Primary enjoying the new fitness trail around the school playground. Merkinch Parent Council successfully raised funds to for it to be installed. It was officially opened by Cllr. Peter Corbett on 20th September 2010. There was a fabulous turnout form parents, children and teachers.]]> http://www.merkinch.info/blog/index.php?entry=entry101108-154948 2010-11-08T00:00:00Z 2010-11-08T00:00:00Z


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


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]]> 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
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