Step forward on Welfare Hall

Pictured from left are the five members of the new Merkinch Welfare Hall Trust: front row - Ken Macleod, Clair Pieraccini, Anne McCreadie and Ross MacGillivray. Back row: Cllr Peter Corbett, plus Colin Downie of Merkinch Enterprise.

AFTER many years of lying derelict, the much-loved Welfare Hall is set to come back to life. On 15th November in the offices of Merkinch Enterprise, a group of individuals met and agreed to sign up as trustees for the "Merkinch Welfare Hall Trust".

This new group have taken over from the previous trust held for some time by the Inverness Judo Club since the Hall last closed its doors way back in the late 1980s. This has been an ambition of Merkinch Enterprise since about 1995 when they first looked into the unused premises on Grant Street known then as the Merkinch & District Welfare Hall.

"It has certainly taken time," says Colin Downie of Merkinch Enterprise, "and now that we have achieved this initial and successful step, we can look forward to an exciting development project for the Merkinch community.

"This will not happen overnight, as there is much to do, starting with a full survey on the general condition of the building. Then we have to look at what can and should be done with it, where will the finance come from, how much will be required and how long will it take. "These are just some of the many questions that must be answered."

Public consultation is very important and will play a pivotal role in the development of this long overdue project. "We already know that the community supports this," said Mr Downie, "particularly through recent conferences and community meetings where the community members always ask 'When can we bring the Grant Street hall back into community use?'." Councillor Peter Corbett said: "It's been a long hard slog but I'm delighted it's back in community ownership.
"For the past four years I've been working on a local board of trustees to determine the future of the Welfare Hall and we can now look at all avenues open to us.
"This will be difficult, however, as the hall is derelict inside and major funding is required," said Cllr Corbett.
"This is not going to be an easy nor indeed a straightforward task," Mr Downie agrees. "It is one however that Merkinch Enterprise will be working towards with the board of trustees and of course the support of you, the community".

Understaffed, but flourishing

THANKS to their income being up by almost £2500 and expenditure being down by over £10,000, Merkinch Community Centre Association is in a healthy financial state this year with almost £15,000 surplus for the year, according to its annual report. The AGM was held last month.
The report comments that since the local authority took responsibility for employing and managing the staff this year, the staffing situation at the Centre has been reduced dramatically.

This past year is the first time that they have not had a full-time manager - the last co-ordinator, Cheryl Williams who had a 12-hour part-time post- left in August. However, the directors hope that in the not too distant future there will be more staff at the Centre to assist their future development programme. This programme aims to increase the level of use of the Centre and expand activities for adults and older people.

They also aim to carry out a refurbishment programme in the café and foyer area and develop the gym hall working towards the Highland Year of Culture in 2007.
2007 also sees the Community Centre's 30th anniversary, and plans are being set in motion to celebrate this.

The Centre's bus had been suffering technical problems, but tribute was paid to the volunteer drivers, Pam, Graham and Stewart. Thanks was also paid to the committed staff and volunteers, to the local councillors and to all those who helped in any way.

At the beginning of the year a "No Smoking" policy had been introduced and this had been well received.

Stage plan for gym hall takes step forward

Toddlers and mums celebrate Hallowe'en

YOUNGSTERS who go to the Merkinch Community Centre's Mothers and Toddlers sessions got into the party spirit and -along with their mums - celebrated Hallowe'en with a fancy dress party. Spiderman was to be seen along with witches and fairies, Red Indians and pussy cats. Face painting was as popular as ever and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

New Recycling Point for South Kessock

This Christmas let's get it sorted, says the Council

THE Highland Council has recently delivered a new set of recycling banks to the car park in front of the flats and opposite the Black Bridge Bargains on Thornbush Road.
This new facility will make it easier for householders in the area to recycle their household waste.

The new Recycling Point accepts the following material for recycling: newspapers, magazines, junk mail, catalogues, telephone directories, greetings cards, paper wrapping paper food tins, drink cans, glass bottles and jars.

Note: plastic and foil wrapping paper cannot be recycled.

Christmas is a time when we buy more, eat more and drink more than usual, creating approximately 30% more waste, the majority of which normally ends up in landfill. Overflowing dustbins and extra bags of rubbish are a common sight in the streets after Christmas.
Not only is this unsightly but when your waste is sent to landfill, it creates large amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas.
Up to 60% of the waste that is thrown away could be recycled or composted.

So this Christmas please remember to recycle your Christmas cards, paper wrapping paper (foil and plastic based wrapping paper cannot be recycled), food tins, drink cans, glass bottles and jars at your new Recycling Point on Thornbush Road.
Don't forget you can also take all your old Christmas trees and cardboard packaging to the Recycling Centre on Henderson Drive for recycling.

Over the Christmas period the Recycling Centre will be open from 9.30am - 8pm daily apart from 25th, 26th December and 1st and 2nd January when it will be closed.

For more information about waste minimisation and recycling please call 01349 868439, email recycle@highland.gov.uk or visit www.highland.gov.uk.

Planning a future for Merkinch

THE recently-formed Merkinch Partnership, which aims to represent all groups and initiatives working in Merkinch, is holding a public meeting on 1st December starting at 5pm in the Community Centre.

The main focus of the meeting is to discuss the first draft of the Merkinch Local Community Plan.
There will be a series of short presentations by local community groups including the Family Resource Centre, the Jannie's Hoose, Arts in Merkinch, the Gym Hall project, mp33, Inverness High School's REAL project, South Kessock Environmental Company and Merkinch Development Ventures. There will then be group discussions on the themes of environment, wealth creation, arts/culture and health/well-being.

Said Cllr Peter Corbett, "We look to all groups who have been to the last two to come along to discuss what progress has been made and how we can continue to improve our area and the quality of life for the people who live here."

Active Adults held a very successful two-day Christmas sale last month to raise funds for the group.

Last posting dates for Christmas

IF YOU want to be sure of your Christmas cards and presents arriving before the big day, the Post Office recommends the following last posting dates:

Friday 2nd December - International surface mail to Western Europe. All other international surface mail should already have gone in October and November.
Friday 9th - International airmail to South & Central America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, the Far East except Japan, Asia, New Zealand and Australia.
Monday 12th - International airmail to Japan, USA, Canada and Eastern Europe.
Wednesday 14th - International airmail to Western Europe. UK standard rate parcels.
Saturday 17th - UK Second class cards and packages.
Tuesday 20th - UK First class cards and packages.
Thursday 22nd - UK Special Delivery.

The Post Office advises that you:

1. Use the correct postcode.
2. Add a return address on the back of your envelope/ parcel..
3. Make sure you pay the correct postage for international items.

It's party time in Birnie Terrace

Birnie Terrace Residents recently held a highly successful barbecue with not just great food but a bouncy castle as well. Pictured right is Birnie Terrace resident Sandra Grant with her guest Jean Maclennan of Cameron Square.

Talks with HC officials

LOCAL councillor Peter Corbett has been meeting with Highland Council housing officials with regard to the condition of a block of flats in Anderson Street. A neighbouring block had a major refurbishment a few years ago, but the other block has fallen even further into disrepair.

Cllrs Corbett and Chrissie Cumming have also been in talks regarding flood prevention measures in the Merkinch area.

Help with state benefits

PEOPLE who are unsure of their benefit entitlement can now get help locally. The Highland Council's Benefit Promotion team are to be at the Community House in Craigton Avenue all day every Tuesday.
These are drop-ion sessions, and if anyone cannot manage on a Tuesday or is not able to come into the office, an alternative can be found.

Spring flowers set to brighten South Kessock

FOLK in South Kessock have a special reason for looking forward to the Spring when they will see the results of their recent bulb-planting weekend.
Dozens turned up to plant thousands of daffodils and crocuses on the banks of South Kessock shore at the bottom of Kessock Road and at Carnarc Point.

South Kessock Environmental Company wish to thank the Community Service for all their help at Carnarc Point, Vic Rawlins for storing the bulbs, and the two Annes for keeping the tea coming.

A special mention goes to Alan Dewar and Paul Morrison for all their hard work in cutting out the words "Welcome to South Kessock" in turf, planting the bulbs and then covering them over again.

And A BIG THANKYOU to the following bulb-planters (in alphabetical order):
Alex, Ali L, Amy, Angela, Ann J, Anne McC, Anne S, Cecilia, Chloe, Clair P, Declan, Daniel, Daniel Mc, Euan, Holly, Jason, James, Jennifer, Jessica, Joshua, Kallie, Katherine, Kenny, Kieran, Lee, Leon, Lisa, Liz M, Lorraine, Margaret, Martha, Matthew, Myra, Rebekah, Robert, Sara, Shannon, Susan, Tiffany, Violet, and Councillor Peter C!

Leon, Matthew and Jason take a well-earned refreshment break.

The project was funded by Green Space Scotland, City Partnership and the Community Economic Development Programme. It is coordinated by SKEC with the support of Merkinch Enterprise.

briefs…

• DATE for your diary: the After-School Club are holding a Christmas Bazaar on Tuesday 6th December from 3-6pm in the Community Centre. Highlights will include Santa's Grotto.

 

• The Studi'03 artists from the Corbett Centre are exhibiting recent work at the Beauly Gallery (on the Cannich road just before you enter the village) from Friday 2nd December.

 

• Marriage Counselling Highland are now offering a drop-in counselling service at the Janny's Hoose every Tuesday between 10am and 1pm.

 

• It's a silver occasion for Susan Mackenzie, Kessock Avenue, a hairdresser at Williams, Grant Street for the last 25 years. Congratulations!

 

• Congratulations also to Mrs M Smyth, Wyvis Place, who won the November prize in Nicol's Killer Prices Quiz.

 

• Uisdean MacRae of Nelson Street was one of the Highland Fliers' Wheelchair Dance Team to return from the Scottish Championships in Glasgow last month with a spectacular haul of medals including six trophies, 10 gold medals, eight silver and one bronze.

 

• The Singing for Pleasure Group are to be singing carols at the Eastgate Centre on Saturday and Sunday the 17th and 18th of December. On the 6th they will be carol-singing in Merkinch and on the 14th at the Methodist Church.

 

• Members of the Merkinch Pipe Band clubbed together to get a handsome 75th birthday cake for Pipe Major Tommy Cameron with an iced picture of himself on the top.

 

• Beware of a new scam on the go. A Merkinch pensioner was surprised to receive a card asking when a transport firm could deliver her FM Portable Radio, as she could not remember ordering it. She was tempted to ring up the 0900 number and deny all knowledge of it, until her son spotted the small print that said calls would be charged at £1.50 per min - and should not last more than 3mins 48secs! We reckon that's well over a fiver in someone else's pocket!

Latest darts results and news

DARTS results in the Inverness & District League for Thursday 24 November are as follows:

A League - City Taxis 7 Fluke 5, Portland A 8 Dows 4, Tarradale 1 Portland B 11.
B League - Keppoch 4 Portland E 8, Deenos 6 Finlays 6.
C League - Clach Club 4 Smithton 8, Portland X 3 Raigmore 9, Legion B 4 Brockies Lodge 8.
Richie Devlin (Portland A) and Robert Mackenzie (City Taxis) both scored two maximums also recording 180s were Ken Stott (Raigmore), Drew McNeil (Portland B), Don Maclean (Portland A), Bomber Godsman (City Taxis), Andy Mackintosh (City Taxis), Jim McNeil (Keppoch) and Tosh MacIntosh (Fluke).
Top check-outs were Derek Maclean (City Taxis) 124, John Fraser (Caley Club) 120, Richie Devlin 118 and Taff Daniel (Portland E) 102.
The Uncle Bob's versus Oscar's game was cancelled due to bad road conditions in Ross-shire.

17 November
A League - Uncle Bobs 4 City Taxis 8, Oscars 5 Portland A 7, Dows 8 Tarradale 4, Portland B 9 Fluke 3.
B League -Deeno's 6 Caley Club 6, Finlays 6 Keppoch 6, Culloden Moor Inn 10 Legion A 2.0 C League - Legion B 6 Clach Club 6, Drover 5 Portland X 7, Raigmore 5 Smithton 7. 180s were scored by Garry Henderson ( Culloden Moor Inn), Gordy Redmond (Culloden Moor Inn), Ian Cushnie (Oscars), Barry Maclean (Portland A) Don Maclean (Portland A), Keith Lambert (Uncle Bobs) and Robert Mackenzie (City Taxis). The top check outs were Scott Mackinnon (Fluke) 144, Jimmy Mackenzie (Fluke) 122, John Fraser (Caley Club) 120, Derek Maclean (City Taxis) 101and Calum Potter (Smithton) 101. Don Maclean (Portland A) hit a 13 dart leg and 14 darters were recorded by Davie Fraser (Oscars) and Barry Smith (Smithton).

Supreme Cup Results, 10 November:
1st Round City Taxis 8 Keppoch 4, Brockies Lodge 3 Uncle Bobs 9, Raigmore 4 Finlays 8, Portland A 10 Portland E 2, Deenos 2 Oscars 10, Dows 2 Smithton 10.
2nd Round Legion A 1 Fluke 11, Caley Club 7 Portland X 5, Culloden Moor Inn 5 Portland B 7, The Drover 3 Legion B 7, Clach Club 5 Tarradale 7.

3 November
A League - City Taxis 9 Portland B 3, Fluke 7 Dow's 5, Tarradale 2 Oscar's 10, Portland A 10 Uncle Bob's 2.
B League - Caley Club 7 Culloden Moor Inn 5, Legion A 6 Portland E 6, Keppoch 2 Deeno's 10,
C League - Clach Club 6 Raigmore 6, Smithton 7 The Drover 5, Portland X 3 Brockies Lodge 9.
Ally Matheson (Oscar's) scored 2 x 180s and one each came from his team-mates Norman Ross and Kenny Simpson also Brian Fraser (Tarradale), Stevie Falconer (Portland A), Robert Mackenzie and Stevie Mitchell City Taxis and Tommy Macdonald and Scott Grant of Fluke.
The top check-outs were Andy Brough (Deenos) 130, Alec Fraser (Portland E) 114, Derek Maclean (City Taxis) 113, Gordy Matheson (Oscars) 110, Scott Mackinnon (Fluke) 102, Jim Dewar (Dows) 101and Nigel McEwan (City Taxis) 101. Gordon Morison and Stevie falconer Portland A both hit 14 dart legs and Robert Mackenzie had two 14 dart legs and team Nigel McEwan also went out in 15.

League Singles, 27th October There was a big reduction in the entries for the League Singles which were held at the Clach Club.
Finlay's, Smithton, Deeno's, Fluke, Tarradale and Oscar's had no players taking part. At the other end of the scale Legion B, City Taxis, Uncle Bob's, Portland E and B, Keppoch and Culloden Moor Inn all had five or more entries.
Robert Mackenzie (City Taxis) won his seventh A League title 22 years after his first and nine years after his sixth. Robert's record will be safe for some time as only three other players have won more than once and all of them are on two wins.
In this year's final he beat Robbie Mutch (Uncle Bobs) the losing semi-finalists were Kevin Maclean (Portland B) and Barry Maclean (Portland A). Robert played one former and four current Uncle Bob's players on his way to victory.
Jim Macneil (Keppoch) beat Alec Fraser (Portland E) in the final of the B league the semi-finalists were Billy Palmer (Keppoch) and Stuart Pearce (Legion A). Fraser Gallagher (Brockies Lodge) took the C with a win over Davey Morrison (Raigmore) losing semi-finalists were Iain Fraser (Brockies Lodge) and Douglas Locke (Legion B).
Robert Mackenzie hit three maximums and also hitting 180 were Keith Lambert (Uncle Bob's), "Bomber Godsman (City Taxis), Jim McNair (Uncle Bob's), Kevin Maclean (Portland B), Brian Stewart (Caley Club), Nigel McEwan (City Taxis), Evan Macdonald (City Taxis) and Robbie Mutch (Uncle Bob's).

Results 20 October 2005 A League - Portland A 7 City Taxis 5, Oscar's 9 Fluke 3, Uncle Bob's 10 Tarradale 2, Dow's 2 Portland B 10.
B League - Keppoch 3 Caley Club 9, Finlay's 6 Legion A 6, Portland E 9 Culloden Moor Inn 3.
C League - Legion B 3 Portland X 9, Drover 5 Raigmore 7, Brockies Lodge 6 Smithton 6.
180s were scored by Gordon Morison (Portland A), Evan Macdonald and Derek Maclean (City Taxis), Davey Fraser (Oscar's), Robbie Mutch (Uncle Bob's), Gordy Redmond (Culloden Moor Inn) and Grant Henderson (Portland X).
Top check-outs were Barrie Maclean (Portland A) 128, Tam Cornwall (Fluke) 114, Ian Cushnie (Oscar's ) 111 "Tosh" Macintosh (Fluke) 110, Dougie Milne (Uncle Bob's) 120 and 110, Brian Fraser (Tarradale) 113, Rod Philip (Culloden Moor Inn) 119, Andy McMahon (Portland E) 107, James Craig (Legion A) 103.

Supreme Cup & Consolation Shield

THE draw for the Supreme Cup games due to be played on Thursday 1st December are as follows:

Supreme Cup 2nd Round
Uncle Bobs v City Taxis
Portland A v Oscar's
Finlay's v Dows
Legion B have a bye into the 3rd round.

Supreme Cup 3rd Round Caley Club v Portland B
Fluke v Tarradale

Consolation Shield 1st Round Clach Club v Deeno's
Keppoch v Legion A
Portland E v Culloden Moor Inn
Smithton have a bye into the 2nd round.

Consolation Shield 2nd Round The Drover v Raigmore.
Portland X v Brockies Lodge.

Extra buses to South Kessock

THERE is now an extra bus service to Scorguie via South Kessock. The 14A runs Monday to Saturday from Church St 21.43 to Kinmylies Turning Circle via South Kessock. It does not return to town.

The 66 on Sundays runs from Church St at 12 noon to Moray Firth Radio via South Kessock and returns by the same route at South Kessock Turning Circle 12.26pm then every hour until 9pm. At 10pm it goes via South Kessock to Moray Firth but does not return. It is believed these new services relate to the new Bingo Hall, but they will also be handy for Christmas shopping.

Thanks to all who gave a lovely summer display

ONCE again Merkinch saw a fine display of flower baskets this summer and Jim Smith, secretary of Merkinch Traders would like to thank the following for their contribution to what many have said was our best display yet.

They were: Black Bridge Laundry
Merkinch Enterprise
Evergreen Chinese Takeaway
D MacDonald, Newsagent
Ann the Hairdresser
Harry Gow's Bakery
Forbes the Chemist's
Royal Tandoori Indian Takeaway
Action for Jobs
Charlie's Chippy
Mp33
Nicol's Killer Prices
Merkinch Post Office and Stores
Clach Shoe Repairs
Ladbroke's, Bookmakers
Merkinch Community Council
Merkinch Community Centre and, last but not least,
Councillor Peter Corbett who contributed nearly half the cost from his discretionary budget.

This project is being part-financed by the European Union under the Inverness and Nairn CED programme.