Water pooling in Jamaica Street
Broken glass in the Anderson Street play park
Young people loitering in Grant Street
Speeding traffic at the courtyard entrances in Anderson Street - Chairperson Cath Mackay and Treasurer James Fraser will organise a petition amongst local residents asking for the installation of sleeping policemen to address the problem.
It was agreed that Fire Reduction Officer David McDermott would attend the next meeting, which will be held on 16th April at 7.00pm in the Community Centre.
For more information on Capelinch Residents Association contact Cath MacKay on 01463 241054.
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At the Merkinch Partnership meeting on 11 March David Paulin,Partnership sports co-ordinator,updated members on the Merkinch Sports Plan:
Members of the Merkinch Sports Facility group met with Brian Woodrow from Genesis Consultancy to discuss the terms and outcomes for the feasibility study looking at the proposal for an indoor Sports Facility at Carse Park.
After meetings with Peter Corbett and John Beaton the idea of forming a Merkinch Football Academy run by Clach youth coaches has had to be reconsidered after Clach Youth felt they did not have the coaching resources to take this on.
After a meeting in MP33 it was decided there was sufficient interest to form a Merkinch Street League team with around 14 players signing up. Two new coaches have been selected.
The Leisure League continues with the Merkinch team who have a regular turnout of around 10 players
The Merkinch Mountain Bike Club trip to Craig Phadrig on 15th February attracted 10 participants, however the most recent outing on 7th March only attracted 4 participants.
The Level 1 Award in Sports Leadership continues to run every Monday from 4pm to 6pm with 7 participants.
The Scottish Rocks Basketball team visited the area on 10th and 11th March, holding sessions at the Community Centre and mp33.
A Volunteer development and induction pack has been produced to help comply with legal requirements and to improve volunteer development. Two new volunteers have now completed their induction including a child protection course.
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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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Women in Spirit is a social group for women of all ages and from all areas to encourage and empower one another in friendship and fellowship.
Meetings will be held monthly and the programme for the next 6 months includes a craft night, bowling, barbecue and a night hike and picnic.
All women are invited to attend all events, friends from the parish, community and your own circles are encouraged.
Meetings will take place on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm.
For more information contact Trinity Church Parish Assistant Heidi Jones on 01463 731837 or 07949628877.
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The Corbett centre garden was handed over to the community in 2005 to be used as a communal amenity area, managed by local group Merkinch Greenspace.
Various improvements have been carried out in the past 4 years – clearing vegetation, landscaping, planting, litter picks and the installation of benches and picnic tables.
Funding for the work was sourced by Merkinch Greenspace and the Merkinch Project Officer.
Various local groups have accessed the garden over the past 4 years, both to carry out improvements and for recreational activities – local women's walking group the Escape Group, mums and tots, Merkinch Youth Matters and local drug and alcohol support charity For the Right Reasons.
Other organizations have also been involved in the garden – BTCV, Community Service, the Corbett Centre and Inverness High School.
Merkinch Greenspace is currently looking at the issue of long term maintenance of the garden. Merkinch Partnership Officer Anne Sutherland has had a series of meetings with Corbett Centre management and other organisations and Inverness High School's Rural Skills Group has agreed to take over a section of the garden to develop and maintain. Their plans include re-planting and installing composters, the group will hold its first session on 17th April.
Other plans for the garden include arts workshops, willow structures and wildflower planting. If you are interested in doing some work in the garden or for more information on this project please contact Anne Sutherland on 01463 718989.
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The normal monthly Partnership meeting was held on 11th March in Merkinch Community Centre. In her report to members Partnership Officer Anne Sutherland highlighted various local plans and developments:
“The Merkinch Healthy Network held an information sharing and networking meeting on 19th February to look at funding issues.
I am working with WEA on an Inverness wide proposal to deliver employability courses funded by Fairer Scotland.
The lease for the South Kessock ticket office has been agreed, funding is in the process of being drawn down and a Users Group will be selected at the next Community Council meeting. The Users Group will be responsible for drawing up a management plan for the building and is likely to include myself and Annie.
The Central Ward Manager Jimmy Flint is based in the Partnership office 1 day per week, normally Thursdays; the sessions are useful for sharing information and fact finding.
The CAB Outreach sessions are currently being delivered in the Craigton Avenue Housing office, Inverness High School S3 and S4, Women’s Aid and the Bught Stop.
The Partnership has funded a 2 hour minute taking course for the Capelinch Residents Association Secretary and an Environmental Volunteers course is starting on 18th March.
The Escape Group held a meeting on 4th March. All the members of the group have agreed to undergo Walk Leader training, in order that the walking programme will be organised by the group and not paid Walk Leaders. This will mean less funding is required and is a big step forward for the members of the group.”
The next Partnership meeting will take place Tuesday 21st April in Merkinch Community Centre.
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