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.
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Merkinch Greenspace directors have been looking into the idea of creating allotments in the Merkinch area. To gauge local interest in the idea an open meeting will take place on Wednesday 16th December at 7.00pm in Merkinch Community Centre. Alan Muir from the Alness and District Allotments Society will be at the meeting to offer guidance and advice and a Policy Officer from Highland Council will also attend.
A new Director has been co-opted on to the group – local woman Yvonne Stewart, who is also Chair of South Kessock Residents Association.
Merkinch Greenspace will hold their AGM on Wednesday 13th January at 6.00pm in Merkinch Community Centre.
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Improvements continue to be carried out in the Nature Reserve with the creation of a “Welcome Point” at the turning circle – shrubs have been removed and trees tidied up which opens out the entrance to the Reserve, making it more welcoming for visitors.
Other developments include:
• A contract has been awarded to a local contractor who will be working in the Reserve one day a month doing general repair and maintenance.
• Work has started on the LNR website, which should go live within the next few weeks.
• Highland Council is working on designs for the proposed brown tourist signage for the Reserve – this will make a big difference to the promotion of the site.
• 2 additional motorbike barriers have been ordered which will be located on the seawall path at the Boardwalk.
• The Management Group is drawing up plans for a Warden/Development Officer post for the Reserve.
• Funding applications have been completed for a Youth Ranger Scheme for the Reserve.
Another 4 benches have been installed in the Reserve, poetry by local resident Alex MacLeod has been etched on the benches.
The Reserve has been shortlisted for the Highland Council Quality Awards Partnership Working category, which is great news! 2 members of the Management Group attended a judging panel on 11th November to do a presentation and the winner will be announced at a dinner in the Town House on 17th November.
The Management Group is looking at the idea of installing totem poles at the entrance to the Reserve, as part of the Scotland Totem Pole Project.
Anne Sutherland, Merkinch Partnership Officer, recently received a very nice e-mail from a lady living in Bedford who had visited the Reserve and found it “a little gem of an area” and really enjoyed seeing all the birdlife there.
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Merkinch Greenspace have planned another fun-filled event for all the family. With stalls, environmental displays, music, nature walks, photographic exhibition, sports tasters and give-a-ways this is a day not to be missed.
This year BBC Breathing Spaces and Springwatch have got involved and you can come along to the event and 'do one thing for nature' getting involved in your local green space.
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The British Trust of Conservation Volunteers is continuing work on the disabled access ramp at the Boardwalk in Merkinch Local Nature Reserve.
Railings will also be installed along the Boardwalk in accordance with the risk assessments carried out last year.
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The LNR Management Group held a meeting on 26th February in Merkinch Community Centre. The agenda included the feasibility study for the proposed Earthship, which will take place on 20th March, the purchase of 3 People Counters to assess the number of visitors to the site, the recently completed Biodiversity Plan and the work being carried out by BTCV.
BTCV Project Manager Jenny Sleeman reported to the meeting that the path work is on target for completion at the end of March, the damage done by the work carried out in the Westfield needs to be remedied before the grass-cutting begins and work has started on the ramp at the boardwalk. Jenny also told members of the group that the Green Gym was going well and that attendance at the Wednesday sessions was good.
The Biodiversity Plan has been completed and circulated, agreed actions for 2009/10 include setting up recording systems and carrying out experimental mowing in the Reserve.
The next meeting of the Management Group will take place on 19th March, when members will look at the draft Interpretive Plan.
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Merkinch Greenspace directors held a Board meeting on 9th January in Merkinch Community Centre.
The following projects were discussed:
Community Garden – directors agreed that the garden, located at the Corbett Centre, needs to be developed into more of a community facility. It was felt that local residents are not fully aware that the space is a community garden and it was agreed that a programme of events should be drawn up to encourage local people in to the site. Ideas include workshops during the Easter holidays,a community barbecue, Growing Programme, Easter egg hunt and a summer event.
Carnarc Point – directors agreed that some general care and maintenance work is needed in this area (litter pick, strimming the paths, etc).
Riverside clearance - Merkinch Greenspace will continue to fund the maintenance work along the riverside from Gilbert Street to "Friars Shot", this project has received very positive feedback from the local community.
Director and Local Ward Member Peter Corbett has resigned as a director of Merkinch Greenspace, in order to avoid possible conflict of interest issues between the group and Highland Council.
Below are the "before and after" photos taken by Greenspace Chairperson Ali Locke.
If you would like to get involved in any Greenspace activities or would like more information about the above projects, please contact Anne Sutherland on 01463 718989.
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