New community councillors

THERE is no need to hold a postal ballot for Merkinch Community Council as there not more applicants than places available. The full list of the new community council members are as follows in alphabetical order:

1. Sandra Bowie, 72 Glendoe Terrace
2. Brian Cain, 36 Carnarc Crescent
3. Margaret Cole, 130 Rosehaugh Road
4. James Fraser, 11 Kessock Road
5. Helen Geddes, 3 Shoe Lane
6. Alistair Locke, 40 Craigton Avenue
7. Eosaph Mackenzie, 2 Tannery Court
8. Alexander Maclean, 26 Telford Road
9. Elizabeth McClurg, 80 Craigton Avenue
10. Anne McCreadie, 13 Thornbush Road
11. Colin Murchie, 32d Kessock Road
12. Lezlye Sutherland, 10 Telford Road
13. Anne Sutherland, 24 Skinner Court
14. Garry Wells, 71 Kessock Road
15. Frances Welsh, 26 Upper Kessock Street

The first meeting of the new community council will take place on Thursday the 6th of December at 7.30pm in Merkinch Community Centre. Interested members of the public are welcome to attend.

Pupils from Merkinch Primary School have enjoyed two full days of trying out various sports and exercise activities, one at the school and the other at Inverness Leisure sports complex. The event was financed by the Merkinch Partnership.

Prom Praise proves a hit at Centre

"PROM Praise" was another big hit at the Community Centre's McCreadie Suite last month with local people and many others from around the city filling the theatre. Animato, Merlewood Ensemble, Julie Keen, Musick Fyne, Salvation Army Timbrel players and Inverness Christian Fellowship all performed a wide variety of music and delighted the audience with such diversity.

Elsie Normington gave a short presentation on Prospects - a Christian Charity for Learning Disability and the Singing for Pleasure group sang one of their own special song. A collection was taken for the group which raised £202.

Church of Scotland minister, Rev Alastair Murray, from the Trinity Church, was Master of Ceremonies, keeping the audience going with his Irish humour.

Earlier in the month Drama Na h-Alba held a city-wide drama festival using 10 venues and the theatre facilities received high praise from organisers and attendees of 10 shows which were hosted in the theatre. One theatre company phoned to congratulate the centre on the standard and friendliness of the facility and then sent a letter as well!

Farewell to popular head

MRS Sheena Morrison, who has been head teacher at Merkinch Primary School since January 1991, retired last month. At a special School Assembly Mrs Morrison was presented with a birthday cake and marvellously entertained by junior pupils - the next day it was the seniors' turn. Earlier in the week her staff made their farewells.

"Merkinch has been a great place to work," Mrs Morrison told News & Views. She paid tribute to her pupils, deputy Mrs Fay Broadley, and the rest of her staff, "The kids are great and the staff have been - are - wonderful."

Mrs Morrison will be much missed in the community. "She was firm, fair and always warm and positive," said a former pupil. Her responsibilities will be taken over by Mrs Broadley who will be acting head until such times as a new head teacher is appointed.

Asked what she aimed to do in her retirement, Mrs Morrison said that for a while she didn't want to tie herself down. But she is going to visit the Himalayas next summer and travel widely - otherwise she has no fixed plans. She has always had a particular enthusiasm for art and crafts and also hopes to study textiles and glass.

Pictured above is Mrs Morrison with some of her younger pupils.

Westfield wins reserve status

AN area of Merkinch is to become the only place in the Highlands to be designated as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR).

Members of Highland Council's Planning and Development Committee last month approved the designation of the area as an LNR under Section 21 of the National Parks & Access to the Countryside Act 1949.

Councillor Drew Hendry, chairman of the Planning and Development Committee signed an agreement which will designate the Westfield, Muirtown Ponds and associated foreshore area of Merkinch.

The official designation of an LNR has been made possible due to Merkinch Greenspace (formerly South Kessock Environmental Company), working together with greeninverness, Highland Council and British Waterways.

The vision for the only LNR in the Highlands is "to create the best LNR in Scotland: a place where people and biodiversity co-exist to each other's mutual benefit".

The total area of the site is 54.7 hectares and the steering group and the expertise it contains has been vital in developing the application for designation of the site.

The steering group has also secured funds to draft a detailed site management plan and to pay for a launch event.

Funding support for the project has come from Scottish Natural Heritage and Highlands and Islands Enterprise's Community Economic Development fund; this money will be used for a consultant to develop a detailed management plan, an interpretation plan and a website for the reserve and to install four boundary markers at the entrances.

PICTURED is the newly-extended car park in Grant Street, which was completed last month. Funding came from a variety of sources including the Merkinch Partnership and local councillor Peter Corbett's discretionary budget. Next to get the treatment will be the precinct and bus stop across the road.

briefs…

• A POTTERY class has started on Thursdays at 7.30pm in the Community Centre under the aegis of Arts in Merkinch. There is only room for 10 people and most were taken when we went to press, but ask for Annie or Lorna at Merkinch Enterprise (01463 240085) and if there isn't a place they will pit you on the waiting list.

 

• SAINT Andrews Night, 30th November, will be celebrated at the Community Centre with The Clach Band, a Cabaret Dance - tickets £5.

 

• BILLY Nelson is a weel-kent face in Merkinch and much enjoyed as an MC at concerts. One of the founders of the legendary and much-missed Merkinch Burns' Suppers, Billy has made a CD. Among those taking part are the Singing for Pleasure Group who sing "Westering Home to the Ferry". Details of where to get the CD at the Community Centre 239563.

 

• ACTRA held their AGM meeting recently and office-bearers for this year are, Ivor Bisset as Chairman, Ruth Black as Secretary and Pat Grummet as Treasurer. Mr Bisset told News & Views, "There is still much outstanding work to be achieved." Three familiar topics took up much of the meeting: better flood defences, security under the Friars' Bridge and the Ness motors site in Telford Street. "We hope to achieve conclusions to these issues in the not-too-distant future and obviously new issues," he said.

 

• MERKINCH Primary, along with other Highland schools, will close for Christmas on Thursday 20th December and re-open on Monday 7th January 2008.

 

• MPS P1 pupils have been focusing on the School Grounds this term as part of their Eco Project and how to improve them. Other classes are studying Eco aspects of transport and healthy eating and hygiene.

 

• LUCKY Nicol's Killer Quiz winner this month is Dennis Platt, Carnarc Crescent.

Give your child a real gift

WHAT'S the most precious gift you can give your children this Christmas? Would it be the latest computer game? A TV? A bike?

Wrong on all counts - the best Christmas gift you can give your children is your time. Take time this Christmas to talk to your children, play games with them or even take them a walk. Children don't need lots of expensive toys, what they do need is to feel wanted and valued by the people most important to them - their parent/s.
Think back to your own childhood - what are your most precious memories? Mine don't include what presents I got but happy times I spent with my family. This Christmas take time to be happy with your family.

We will not be having a Christmas party this year. Instead Santa will be visiting the Hoose sometime in December.
If you wish your child to see him then come into the Hoose and get your ticket. Places are limited so only those with a ticket will get to see Santa.

The Janny's Hoose will be shut for the school holidays over Christmas and will reopen on Monday 7th January. Season's greetings from all the staff and volunteers.

Jean Mackay The Janny's Hoose 01463 226348

RECENTLY-appointed Community Beat Officer Iain Buchanan is pictured passing the Janny's Hoose "Colourful Corner" which was erected, somewhat belatedly, at the Brown Street railings on Grant Street last month. The second of the series, this mural represents Merkinch past and present, as seen by Janny's Hoose regulars. The first in the series by the Studi'03 artists from the Corbett Centre went up in the Community Centre last winter.

Janny's Hoose sets up petition to find funding

VOLUNTEERS and regulars at the Janny's Hoose have started a petition to find the cash to sustain the healthy living centre.

The centre's funding runs out early next year and it faces closure by March if more cannot be found.
The Janny's Hoose offers support and advice sessions on a wide range of topics such as budget cookery, parenting, crafts, exercise and cheap fruit and veg.

Last month local MP Danny Alexander - (pictured here right with manager Jean Mackay, second left, and some regulars) visited the Centre to learn more about their predicament. Local councillors all speak of the fine work that has been done at the Janny's Hoose and the Inverness Courier is campaigning to keep the centre open.

Santa, dance and Panto at the Community Centre

MERKINCH Theatre Group are all set to produce their first community pantomime, "Cinderella", at Merkinch Community Centre theatre on Friday 14th December. The show starts at 7.30pm. Guest star, playing the part of the Dame - Madame Souffle - is Councillor Peter Corbett!

There will be only one performance so best to get your tickets as soon as you can from Merkinch Enterprise (01463 240085) cost £4 adult, £2 child - or family ticket 2 adults and 2 children £10. Only children under 4 get in free.

The panto rounds up "Merkinch Christmas Voices" at the Community Centre which runs from the 2nd to the 14th.. This is a series of events for all ages as follows:

Sun 2nd - 3pm "Big Christmas Sing" with Singing for Pleasure group singing all your favourite Christmas songs.
Mon 3rd - 1pm Adults with special needs - Sing-along and short film.
Tue 4th - 2pm 50+ event for all groups across the city - Sing-along and short film.
Wed 5th - 1.30pm Joint Lunch Club event - Sing-along and short film.
Thu 6th - Two events for Merkinch Primary School - Puppetry / Sing-along / Film. Dance workshops for children (4pm).
Fri 7th - Two Events for all Pre-School children and Tots - Puppetry / Sing-along / Film. Dance workshops for children (4pm).
Fri 7th - 7.30pm, Youth Concert.
Sat 8th - 7.30pm, Dance workshop and show.
Mon 10th - 2pm Silver Cinema - Christmas film and Sing-along.
Tues 11th - Active Adult Sale in evening.
Wed 12th - 10am-12.30pm - Meet Santa in his grotto - Face Painting, Active Adults Sale.
Fri 14th - 7.30pm Merkinch Christmas Panto.

The British Trust Conservation Volunteers have been working hard in the Community Garden at the Corbett Centre in recent weeks and here they are seen laying fabric to deter weeds, before laying a layer of wood chips.

No credit? What's on your file?

LENDERS can use various sources of information to decide whether or not to lend you money. If you apply for a storecard, personal loan or catalogue account, for instance and you are refused, there may be negative information on your credit file. Before giving you credit a lender must be confident that you are able to repay the money they lend.

The information about your credit history is kept on file by a 'Credit Reference Agency'. These agencies are licensed by the Office of Fair Trading and their activities are monitored to ensure they are fit to hold and keep a licence.

The three main consumer credit reference agencies in the UK are 'Callcredit', 'Equifax' and 'Experian'.

The files that the credit reference agencies hold are about adults who have a credit history in the UK. This information is called your 'credit reference file' or 'credit report'. Credit reference agencies get their information from lenders, from information in the public domain such as the electoral roll.

What happens when you apply for credit?

When you apply for credit, some lenders use credit scoring to help them decide if you are able to repay. Credit scoring is based on the details you give on your credit application form. Each lender will have its own credit scoring system and will decide how many points to give to each piece of information. Each lender will also decide how many points you need to reach its own 'pass mark'.

What happens if you are refused credit?

If a lender refuses to offer you credit after you have made an application for credit then you can ask the lender to explain the main reasons why they have come to this decision. The lender may be relying on information on your credit file which is negative so it is important to ascertain the reason for refusal if at all possible.

Lenders also have a responsibility not to offer credit to people who may not be able to afford it. So even if you currently repay all you existing credit accounts on time, a lender may not want to overburden you with more.

Sporting Nooz

Latest darts news

LATEST results from the Inverness City Taxis Darts League available when we went to press are as follows:

November 8th, Supreme Cup: Culloden Moor Inn 7 The Drover 0, Thistle 5 Oscar's 7, Tarradale 9 East End Arrows 3, Smithton A 0 Portland A 7, City Taxis 10 Portland X 2, Portland B 7 Finlay's 1, Legion B 8 Raigmore 4, Portland Spikey's 5 Smithton B 7, Mojo's 7 Caley Club 5, Deeno's 7 Portland E 5
There was only one upset in the first games in the Supreme Cup - newcomers Smithton B who lead the C League beat B League team Portland Spikey's.

The closest ties were all B League affairs Mojo's and Caley Club had shared the points in the league last week but this week in the cup the former just edged through. Deeno's had to take the last double to progress at the expense of fellow league challengers Portland E. Portland B recorded their first win of the season to oust Raigmore the two had earlier met on league duty with the result that time going the other way. The cup-ties produced only two 180s from Kevin Gibson (Smithton B) and Gordy Redmond (Culloden Moor Inn).

It is back to league business tonight and the two big matches of the week are both at the Portland Club where Portland A meet City Taxis in the top of the A League clash and C League challengers Portland X entertain league leaders Smithton B.

Results from 1st November:
A League:- Uncle Bob's 9 Culloden Moor Inn 3, Portland B 4 Portland A 8, City Taxis 10 Tarradale 2.
B League: Legion A 8 Finlay's 4, Deeno's 9 Smithton A 3, Portland E 7 Portland Spikey's 5, Mojo's 6 Caley Club 6.
C League: Smithton B 8 Raigmore 4, East End Arrows 9 Legion B 3, Brockie's Lodge 6 The Drover 6, Thistle 3 Portland X 9.

The top of the A League has a familiar look with Portland A at the top with City Taxis and Uncle Bob's 2pts behind although the former has a game in hand. Deeno's and Legion A share top spot in the B with Portland E a point behind. The league's two new teams, Smithton B and East End Arrows, have made a great start and fill the top two spots in the C League with Portland X sharing second place with the Arrows and Smithton are one point clear at the top.

180s were scored by Billy Dickson (Tarradale), Shane Wharton (Portland B), Keith Stephen (Portland A), Peter Macdonald (Portland A), Barrie Mackay (Culloden Moor Inn), Gary Chisholm (Finlay's) and Mark Paton (Finlay's).

The top finishes were Shane Wharton 139, Dan Raeburn (Mojo's) 137, G.Carter (Tarradale) 130, Andy Davidson (Mojo's) 120, Peter Macdonald 115. Barrie Mackay hit a 13 dart leg, Peter Macdonald a 14 and Keith Lambert (Uncle Bob's) went out on 15 darts.

Results 25th October:
The current Scottish Singles Champion Barry Maclean of Portland A won his way through to the final of the Inverness A League Singles where he met his team-mate Keith Stephen. Barry took the first leg of the final with Keith taking the second. In the third Keith just missed double tops to take out 160; Barry did not give him another throw taking out 75 in two darts with treble 13 double 18. Barry led in the fourth and was on a double when Keith again just missed a big finish hitting a 25 when the bull would have given him a 129 check out, and once more Barry stepped up to finish and take the leg and with it the title.

This was the third win for Barry in this event and for Keith it was the second time he finished as runner-up.
The losing semi finalists were Kevin Clark (City Taxis) and Gordy Redmond (Culloden Moor Inn).

Steve Brough of Portland Spikey's won the B League Singles title despite having a tough first round draw when he had to beat Tommy Macdonald (Legion A); Tommy had won the Donnie Clark Singles at the beginning of October and would have been one of the favourite for this title. Stevie progressed to the semis where he beat last year's runner up Steve Munro (Deeno's). In the other semi Hugh Graham (Finlay's) beat James Macmillan (Portland E). Stevie won the final 2-0.

Barry was not the only Scottish champion to do well on league Singles night - Joyce Elder (Portland X) the holder of the Scottish Ladies Masters title won The C League singles; she beat Alan Fraser from new team East End Arrows 2-1 in the final.

The losing semi finalists were Darren Procter (Portland X) and Jason MacAskill (Smithton B).

Results Thursday 18th October:
A League: Tarradale 4 Portland B 8, Portland A 9 Uncle Bobs 3, Culloden Moor Inn 7 Oscars 5.
B League: Mojo's 4 Legion A 8, Caley Club 6 Portland E 6, Portland Spikey's 5 Deeno's 7, Smithton A 2 Finlay's 10.
C League:- Thistle 3 Smithton B 9, Portland X 8 Brockie's Lodge 4, The Drover 3 East End Arrows 9, Legion B 4 Raigmore 8.

Bananas galore

MERKINCH Community Centre Friendship Club members and volunteers last month visited the Janny's Hoose and enjoyed their bananas from the first community food outlet in Merkinch.
Food 1st has set up a Veg Out barrow in the Janny's Hoose on a Wednesday afternoon from 2-3pm. Everyone is welcome to come along and buy assorted fruit and seasonal vegetables locally and at very reasonable prices. The aim of Food 1st is to promote healthy eating to low income and vulnerable communities; this has been made possible by funding from Lifescan Scotland, Scottish Community Foundation and Lloyds TSB.
The Friendship Club meets for lunch on Wednesdays at the Community Centre.

Fun at Fair for All

NESS Soaps had a busy time at their stall when the Corbett Centre held their successful Fair for All last month.
Others taking part included L'Arche and IberiaAlba, better known as Brian and his Spanish olive oil! There was also an exhibition of work by the Centre's Studi'03 artists.

Prom Praise wins approval

Musick Fyne, pictured above, was just one of the groups taking part in the recent Prom Praise event at the Community Centre.

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