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Everyone Needs a Helping Hand is a befriending project set up by a group of local women, offering support to vulnerable people in the community. The group meets on Monday mornings from 9.30am to 12.30pm in the Trinity Church Hall and the programme of activities on offer include arts and crafts, keep fit and pampering sessions.
The group is holding a fundraising sale on Saturday 24th October from 1 - 4 pm in the Trinity Church Hall, tables can be booked for £5 and the group would be grateful for any donations of prizes for the raffle or tombola.
For more information on this event or to find out how to get involved with the project, contact Chairperson Gwen Coyne on 07828 527600.
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The South Kessock Ticket Office programme of improvements is now complete, with the last phase (painting the exterior and laying down flooring)carried out in September. The Users Group, which was set up to manage the building, is meeting on 12th October to look at the next step in the process - kitting out the Ticket Office to make it a multi functional space for local community groups and projects.
At their last meeting, the Users Group agreed that the main focus of the building would be as a Visitor Centre for the Local Nature Reserve, which is on its doorstep.
The space will also be used for workshops, educational activities and community meetings.
Volunteers will be needed to man the building when it is open to the public. For more information or to find out how to get involved in this project please contact Anne Sutheralnd on 01463 718989.
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An evaluation report from Northern Constabulary at the end of the pilot project in August showed that Operation Respect Merkinch has had a positive impact on crime figures in the area. High visibility foot patrols were carried out by the Merkinch beat officers for the area between 7.00pm – 11.00pm on Friday and Saturday nights. In addition, plain clothes patrols were carried out by other officers.
The volume of incidents reported during the patrol period in comparison with the previous year were:
2008 - 155 incidents reported
2009 - 130 incidents reported
This highlights that Operation Respect has positively contributed to the decline of incidents reported between 15/05/09 – 15/08/09, compared to the same period in 2008.
At the July meeting of the steering group the Street Pastors co-ordinator reported that:
“We continue to receive a warm and friendly reception in Merkinch and we have had some cases of people asking us for help with specific hurts and relational difficulties which we have been able to respond to positively. Feedback from the community is positive, and people seem to know who we are and are happy to come out of their houses to approach us to discuss things”.
There was some very good press coverage at the end of the pilot project and the initiative is continuing in the area, with the Street Pastors extending their presence in Merkinch and the Beat Officers continuing the foot patrols.
The steering group is also looking at the potential for a Youth Bus, although this is likely to be an Inverness wide project.
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The sports programme continues to be a great success, offering activities and opportunities to young people from the Inverness High School catchment area. At the Partnership meeting on 28th September David Paulin, the Partnership Sports Co-ordinator, gave an update on the programme:
Football - Merkinch Partnership took over the running of the Street League teams. The Street League had a very successful season playing off in a very close game for the 2nd division title.
The youth league team failed to enter this year until Merkinch Partnership stepped in. Although not achieving many victories on the field the team kept together and morale remained high.
The Leisure League adult 6-a side team qualified for finals day but were unable to attend.
Summer Programme 2009 - events run by Merkinch Partnership included American Flag Football, basketball, boxing, football, jogging, mountain biking and Street Football.
Programmes running for Autumn 2009 include football,completion of the Youth and Street Leagues,Primary School football(soccer sevens)and the Leisure league 6 a-side league continuing and improving.
Other activities offered by the sports programme include Dodgeball, American Flag Football (with pathways to Blitz for national competition),Merkinch Jogging Club, Merkinch Mounntain Bike Club and Primary School cross country training.
A rowing machine has been purchased for Merkinch primary school to encourage those who might not previously have taken part in sport, Merkinch Karate Club has been supported with equipment and the development of new age groups and disciplines.
Merkinch Street League take a corner kick
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A steering group has been formed to look at the proposal for a Community Radio project in Merkinch. Merkinch Community Centre has been carrying out research into the idea, which would involve members of the local community being trained in radio programming skills. Steering group members are particularly keen to get local young people involved. A one-off radio production workshop was held in the Grant Street Bike Shed in June and 3 podcasts have been recorded and uploaded (see the Podcast link on the right)- interviews with Merkinch Partnership Officer Anne Sutherland, Arts Worker Annie Marrs and Dawn Beaton, Chair of Glendoe Terrace Residents Association.
Moray Firth Media Trust (who is represented on the steering group)is currently delivering a 4 day podcast course for young people, we hope that after completing the course participants will get involved in the website podcasting.
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Merkinch Theatre Group will begin their weekly class again starting on the 3rd September.
The group will be preparing for the Christmas panto, which this year will be Jack and The Beanstalk. Taking place on Saturday 12th December at 2pm and 7.30pm at the Merkinch Community Centre, Jack and The Beanstalk promises to be the most ambitious community panto yet.
New members are welcome to both sessions. Juniors P1 - P7, from 6pm to 7pm and seniors S1 - adults at 7.15pm - 9pm. Merkinch Theatre Group is free to attend but numbers are limited at the Junior group.
We will also be looking for people who can help with props, costume, sound and lighting. If you would like to discuss anything before coming along please give Annie a call on 01463 240085 or e-mail annie@merkinch.com
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