MDV launches first business

Provost William Smith cuts the ribbon to officially open Merkinch Development Ventures' new offices at 4 Grant Street watched by a crowd of representatives from the many bodies concerned.

MERKINCH Development Ventures opened the doors on their new headquarters at 4 Grant Street on 20th January. Provost William Smith conducted the official cutting of the tape and, offering some useful advice, wished MDV well.

Former Community Development Officer Brian Macleod along with his wife Irene were among the many who thronged the premises.He was instrumental in initiating the concept of MDV and he outlined how it had come about:

"Much has been achieved over the last 18 months.
"This social enterprise was founded through the efforts of local people who wished to create job opportunities in the area.
"They worked closely with the directors, staff and trainees at Merkinch Enterprise and the VIP Corbett Centre development staff, and through time they have developed their shared vision into action."

MDV's first venture is Ness Soaps which has been putting its toe in the commercial water for some months - last summer they successfully toured various Shows with their range of soaps which are at present manufactured at the Corbett Centre.

Among those present were local MP Danny Alexander, former MP David Stewart, various local MSPs, Councillors and Highland Council officials. All the guests were presented with samples of Ness Soaps products before making their way to the Community Centre for a buffet. Guests were also invited to visit the Corbett Centre to see where the soaps are being made. The directors of MDV are all volunteers, but they are appointing a salaried manager and it is hoped that he/she will be in post within the next few weeks.

Pictured left is the crowd at the opening: spot MP Danny Alexander, Chris Claridge and Graham Strachan of Highland Council and one of MDV's directors Lezlye Sutherland. And below - David Stewart with another MDV director Roz Innes in the background. Other MDV directors are Eosaph MacKenzie,Ian Roberts and Donna MacDonald.

After much trial and error, product testing and market research, Ness Soaps - MDV's first trading subsidiary - have come up with a range of seven fragrances they believe will be a great success.

These glycerine-based soaps are all sold in 100gm bars costing £3 each. The range comprises:
Petal (mandarin and rosemary); Lagoon ( eucalyptus, lavender, tea tree);
Sensual Secrets (ylang, patchouli);
Kindness (geranium, ylang, orange);
Citrus Fresh (lemongrass, lime, lemon zest);
Ocean Blue (eucalyptus with sprinkles of Irish Moss); and Lavender.

Outlets are being negotiated and it is expected that the soaps will be on sale later this year.

Unwelcome visitors lingering on

HAVE you had more first foots this year than you would like? Are you itching to get going? Unfortunately our little friends are. The nits seem to be rife yet again.

Despite superhuman effort on your part they just won't be beaten. But we can beat them together. All it needs is a little time and effort. If everyone checks their children's hair every week and takes action when they find anything we'll soon have them beat.

Jean Mackay
Janny's Hoose Healthy Living Centre
Merkinch Primary School
Telford Road, Inverness
IV3 8HY
01463 226348

Christmas is a time for giving. So it was with much pleasure that Margaret Mackenzie, on behalf of the Singing for Pleasure group, handed over a cheque for £250 to Maria McGill, chief executive of the Highland Hospice. The singers raised the cash singing in the Victorian Market last month.

Panto winners thrill to marquee experience

WINNERS of the Eden Court pantomime had a whale of a time at the Northern Meeting Park last month.

Abbie McAdie from Carnarc Crescent and Angus Murdoch, Brown Street each won a family ticket for four to see "Sinbad" in Eden Court's temporary panto venue while the theatre is being refurbished.

Said Abbie, "Thank you for my family tickets for the panto, Sinbad. My family and I had a great time. The tent was nice and warm."

Angus was not able to attend the panto himself, but he gave his ticket to Nicola, one of the carers at Leonard Cheshire House where he goes every week.
Nicola and a friend each took their daughters and all four also thoroughly enjoyed themselves. "It was brilliant," she said.

The winners and all at News & Views are indebted to Eden Court for their generosity in providing the prizes for the competition as they do every year. The winners were drawn out of a hat at Merkinch Enterprise by a member of the public using the internet facilities.

briefs…

• MERKINCH Enterprise is very grateful to local Highland Councillors Chrissie Cumming and Peter Corbett for their support of News & Views. They each contributed £750 from their Discretionary Budgets for the financial year 2005/06. News & Views depends on the support of sponsors and local bodies and organisations and the councillors' continuing support is much appreciated.

 

• And a BIG thanks goes from Inverness Women's Aid for all the support they have received over the festive period from Merkinch people, especially local shop-keepers, who helped make their Christmas such an enjoyable one.

 

• Congratulations to Janet Stewart, the cleaner at Merkinch Community Centre, who was one of the eight Highland Council staff from all over the Highlands to receive "Loo of the Year" awards. She received her award certificate at a ceremony at the Council Headquarters in December.

 

• LUCKY winner of the December Nicol's Killer Quiz is Mrs Catriona Mackay, 15 Anderson Court.

 

• MERKINCH Community Centre has appointed Elsie Normington as a Development Worker one day a week. She is being employed by the Centre management team to encourage more use of the Centre. Her first project is to set up a weekly singing session for primary-aged children (see back page).

 

• A DISABILITY Fair was due to be held at Merkinch Community Centre on Friday 27th January, after we went to press. The event was organised by Highland Community Care Forum.

 

• THERE are now regular sessions at the Community Centre of Capoiera, the Afro/Brazilian craze which combines martial art, dance, song and music. These are on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 8.30pm and cost £5 per evening. For more details call Fraser on 0779 6688 663.

 

• THERE was high drama in Glendoe Terrace last month when residents had to be evacuated from a block of flats because of a gas leak. The problem was sorted without any injury to residents.

Gas leaks, mini-motor bikes, dumped fireplaces and the mysterious tanker blowback

• A substantial amount of stolen property had been recovered last month from two houses in Inverness, one of them in Merkinch, police reported to the meeting. That very day 2100 tablets and a substantial amount of money had been found in Merkinch. There had also been a reckless discharge of an air rifle in the area. The level of drink driving remained a matter of concern, and finally, free cycle marking was to be undertaken soon.

 

• Santa's generosity with mini-motor bikes was proving to be an increasing nuisance in the area. While motorbikes appeared to have left the West Field, some drivers were using a circuit of Rosehaugh Road and Carnarc Crescent as a race circuit, often in the early hours of the morning. Such small bikes were easily concealed when the police arrived , and they are appealing to those who suffer from this nuisance to keep an eye open for where the bikes are being concealed. In reply to a question, the police confirmed that such machines required third party insurance.

 

• Councillor Peter Corbett reported that Sammy Lee's application for a development on his shop site on the corner of Grant Street and Nelson Street was due to be discussed at the February meeting of the Inverness Area planning committee meeting. A previous application by Mr Lee was refused on the grounds of over-development. He had hoped to fit eight flats and two shops with only three parking spaces on a site which is regarded by many as being a "bad corner". Councillor Corbett also said he would look into the matter of a blowback from a tanker a few days previously which had apparently been kept quiet by the Harbour Trust.

 

• South Kessock Residents Association held a very successful Christmas party, Ali Locke reported. SKRA has its AGM on Tuesday 7th February at 6pm in the Community house in Craigton Avenue.

 

• A family in the Upper Kessock Street area can no longer sleep in their bedrooms because of youths - at least a dozen of them - playing football against their gable end, the Community Council heard. There was a similar problem in the drying greens and tenants are urging that good-sized "No Ball Games" signs be erected.

 

• The police reiterated the need to report every incident - even if there is not an immediate response, it goes on record, which is important to their policing policies.

 

• A discarded fireplace had been dumped behind the Dolphin Centre, bricks and all, and there was concern that this was enough to start off an illicit dump.

 

• The Community Council's next meeting is on 9th February at the Community Centre.

Meet the new parent champion

THE initiative from the Scottish Executive to help parents move towards finding sustainable employment is proving a success in Merkinch.

Since November parent champion Jane Wilson, local representative of Working With Families, has been working in conjunction with NCH from her office at 1 Tannery Court.

She says, "We mainly work for families where there is unemployment and also barriers to finding work such as lack of childcare provision, health issues or social pressures."

Jane aims to work one-to-one with individuals, befriending, mentoring and supporting those who want to get "closer to the labour market".

Jane's support package could include identifying help with childcare, travel costs, training costs and perhaps - most beneficial - a guiding hand and friendship along the way.

Jane lives in Grantown-on- Spey and has a career background in childcare. She has been a foster carer, a support worker with the Social Work department and a mentor with NCH. Jane (pictured right) is very much enjoying working in Merkinch where she has received a very warm welcome.

So if you want to improve your family's quality of life, if you need to boost your confidence, feel you need courses to polish up your job or life skills, need help with childcare, want to gain qualifications to get a job or improve your prospects for a better one, then Jane can do something to help.

You can drop in any time Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Her office number is 710469 and her work mobile is 07843 312 642.

'Advocacy': what's that then?

YOU will all have heard that word "advocacy" and some will wonder what it is all about. Is it something legal? Is it advising people?
No it isn't. It is much simpler than that and many of us advocate every day for our children, elderly parents, neighbours etc.

• Advocacy is having your voice heard.
• It is being listened to, especially in issues which directly affect your life.
• It is having your views taken into account.
• It is being treated as an equal.
• It is being empowered and being given some control over your life.
• It is also having your rights safeguarded especially if you are unable to do this for yourself.

Advocacy Highland is a Highland wide organisation which provides advocacy for people who need it. We work primarily with:

• People who have mental health problems including dementia.
• People who have learning disabilities.
• Frail older people.

We help to get people's voices heard and aim to give them some control over their lives. To have their input listened to on issues which affect them e.g health or social work meetings where decisions are made about their care.

Each area of the Highlands has its' own co-ordinator. The co-ordinator for Inverness area is Linda Renton.

"Apart from providing advocacy for people part of my job is to recruit and train volunteers to advocate for people," says Linda. "I am also available to talk to any interested groups about advocacy.

"We are currently seeking volunteers. Our volunteers come from all walks of life and are all ages. They are however all good listeners and care about people. We will provide training to anyone who is interested who has the necessary qualities."

If you are interested in being a volunteer or just want to find out more about Advocacy Highland please ring the office on 01463 233460 or e-mail info@ advocacy-highland.org.uk.

To just find out more about what they do, visit their website at www.advocacy-highland.org.uk

Festive season is a busy time for police

THE festive season is a busy time for all, including the local police. In a report before the last meeting of Merkinch Community Council, the number of calls from the Merkinch area to the Northern Constabulary in December totalled 425 compared to 384 in November.

Nine of the calls related to youths and children, fewer than in November when there were 25. There was also a slight decrease in vandalism calls-18 in December compared to 22 in November. But there was a rise in calls relating to drug use, with 13 in December compared to 10 the previous month.

With regard to theft, there were 13 reported cases in December compared to 10 in November. During the month of December, speed checks were carried out on Carse Road, Telford Road, Anderson Street and Thornbush Road. A number of drivers were warned about their speed.

In January a 20mph limit was imposed on Carse Road and Telford Road at the beginning and end of the school day.

A number of cyclists have been warned about riding their bikes with no lights.

Delight for young and old as Merkinch celebrates seasonal festivities

Some of the mums and bairns who visited Santa's Grotto at their Christmas Party at Merkinch Community Centre. One of the letters at the Grotto asked for a laptop computer; we don't know if the hopeful youngster was lucky, but there was a range of gifts for the children, including toy keyboards and lots of games.

It was fun for everyone, young and old, this Christmas. There were musicians, a seasonal spread, Santa bearing gifts at the Lunch Club party, and Santa was back to visit the children as well. Also pictured is the lovely hand-knitted nativity scene that decorated the Community Centre foyer.

The delightful American duo, singer Lori Sunshine and harpist Liz Rogers, led a Christmas carol session at the Friendship Club festive lunch after Santa had distributed presents to everyone.

The Singing for Pleasure group in action over the carol season.

New life in Friendship Club
ALAN Michael of Contact the Elderly has become involved with the Friendship Lunch Club since the New Year and is now drawing up an interesting and varied programme for its Wednesday meetings. On 25th January members went to St Stephens Hall to join others in celebrating Robert Burns' birthday.
Contact the Elderly has a number of groups in Inverness, including one in Dalneigh.
Anyone wishing to join the Friendship Club should contact Merkinch Community Centre on 239563.

Residents group expands
THE recently-formed Abbey-Cameron Tenants & Residents Association (ACTRA) held a successful EGM on 17th November when it was unanimously decided to expand its area of representation.
This now includes Cameron Road, Cameron Square, Carse Road, Abban Street, Friars Shott, Abbey Court, Dunabban Road, Gilbert Street, Telford Road, Skinner Court and Lochalsh Road (from Grant Street to its junction with Telford Street). The next meeting will be held on 15th February in Merkinch School at 7.30pm.

A-league's top three forge ahead

Results 12 January...
A League: City Taxis 11 Tarradale 1, Portland A 7 Fluke 5, Uncle Bob's 4 Portland B 8, Oscars 9 Dows 3.
B League: Keppoch 5 Legion A 7, Deenos 7 Culloden Moor Inn 5, Mojos 1 Portland E 11.
C League: Clach Club 8 Portland X 4, Legion B 8 Raigmore 4.

180s were scored by Michael Maclean (City Taxis), Bomber Godsman (City Taxis), Sanders Patience (Tarradale), Jim McNeil (Keppoch), Donald Mackay( Legion A) Jim McNair, Robbie Mutch and Don Maclean all of Uncle Bob's.

Top check-outs were Willie Turner (Clach Club) 126, Kevin Milligan (Uncle Bobs) 121, Donald Mackay (Legion A) 110, Alec Fraser (Portland E) 110 and Peter Somerville (Clach Club) 109. Shane Wharton (Portland B) had a 13 dart leg and there were three 14 dart legs recorded two from Gil Graham (Portland A) and one from Michael Maclean (City Taxis) and Allan Mackinnon (Oscars) had a 15 darter.

The top three in the A League have forged clear of the rest with Portland A in the lead City Taxis two points behind and Portland B a further two points away in third.
As it is the half-way stage in the league schedule the B and C League teams have all played the same number of games the two leaders were both idle the previous week and whilst Smithton retained their lead in the C Caley Club were overtaken by Portland E at the top of the B. In the C League Legion B had their first league win of the season beating Raigmore with the latter staying three points behind Smithton in joint second.

Results Thursday 5 January ...
Supreme Cup - Portland A 11 Dows 1, City Taxis 12 Legion B 0, Portland B 8 Tarradale 4.
Consolation Shield - Culloden Moor Inn 7 Smithton 0, Deeno's 7 Legion A 4, Raigmore 3 Brockies Lodge 9.
Portland B are through to the final of the Supreme Cup and now await the winners of the Portland A City Taxis semi-final. Brockies Lodge are in the same position in the Consolation and they will meet either Deeno's or Culloden Moor in that final.

Darts results 15 December ...
A League: Oscars 4 City Taxis 8, Dows 0 Uncle Bobs 12, Portland B 2 Portland A 10, Fluke 7 Tarradale 5.
B League: Caley Club 10 Finlays 2, Portland E 9 Deeno's 3, Culloden Moor Inn 6 Keppoch 6.
C League: Brockies Lodge 5 Clach Club 7, The Drover 7 Legion B 5, Smithton 7 Portland X 5.

It is always worth checking that you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to

IT'S a well known fact that very many people are not claiming all of the benefits and services to which they are entitled. There are many reasons for this.

Firstly, there are a lot of different benefits for different things and it is difficult to know which of these to claim.

For example, there are:

• benefits to help with paying rent or Council Tax;

 

• benefits and tax credits for families with children;

 

• tax credits for working people; benefits for people out of work because of sickness or unemployment;

 

• allowances for people who have difficulties with walking or who need care or watching over; and

 

• allowances for carers.

There are also pension credits and special help and services for people over the age of 60. The list seems endless.

Secondly, the rules for some benefits are very difficult to understand, the forms can be long and difficult to complete, the calculations are complex and for many people it may be difficult to be sure that they are receiving the correct amount of payment or know why they have been refused a benefit or service to which they thought they were entitled.

Finally, many people have claimed and have been refused benefit in the past and don't realise that a change in their circumstances such as being a little older, having a little less money coming in, a little less savings in the bank or experiencing a new problem with their health could all mean that they are now entitled.

In order to ensure that as many people as possible are encouraged and assisted to receive all of the benefits and services to which they are entitled, the Highland Council Benefits Promotion Team will be at Merkinch Community House on Craigton Avenue every Tuesday from 9.30 am - 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm - 4.00 pm.

A Benefits Promotion Officer can check to see whether you should be getting a benefit that you haven't yet claimed or check your current awards to make sure that you are receiving your maximum entitlement.

They will also be able to help you with filling in the necessary forms and answer your questions or offer advice and assistance concerning your claims.

If for any reason you are unable to get to Merkinch Community House on a Tuesday don't worry, you can contact either Will Graham on 702392 or Karen Shepherd on 702391 to arrange a more convenient time.

You can also pop in to the Community House on any weekday at the times stated above to arrange an appointment.

If, because of your age or health or other reason, you have difficulty getting out and about a Benefits Promotion Officer can visit you at your own home if this is more suitable for you.

So, get yourself along to Merkinch Community House on a Tuesday or make an appointment and get a full benefits check. You may be better off for finding out.

Out of School

Project helping kids to a more active lifestyle

THE mid-term break at both Merkinch Primary and Inverness High Schools starts on Thursday 9th February - but not for teachers, who have in-service training that day. Classes resume on Tuesday 14th February.

Congratulations to IHS former pupils who graduated recently from Inverness College UHI: Benjamin Lee, BSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering;
Emma Mackintosh and Katie Wilson, HNC in Childcare and Education;
Carolina Plenderleith, HNC in Hospitality Operations;
Lisa Roxby, BA in Business Management. Best wishes in your future careers.

A NEW Depute Rector has been appointed at IHS. Mrs Lesley Taylor took up her post at the end of January.

WE were warned of a cold winter but so far it has been relatively mild. However, there is a bit to go yet and if the snow does return the Adverse Weather line for IHS is 0870 054 6999 and the High School's PIN number is 041090.

Merkinch Primary's P7 pupils are due to undertake a second batch of fitness tests this month. This is all part of the Active Schools initiative that aims to keep our kids in shape. They were first tested in October last year and it is hoped this month's results will show improving fitness levels.
The youngsters will again be tested when they get to S3 to show the long-term effects of the Active Schools programme.

Giving youth a voice

ARE you between 12 and 18 years old and want to have your say in things, but feel no-one pays attention to you?

Community warden Liz Murray is calling on all young people who would be interested in forming a Youth Forum or Council. You have a better chance of having your views being taken into account if you are part of a group.

A meeting will be held at mp33 on Tuesday 14th February from 5.30pm to 6.30pm to discuss the idea. So come and join in -everyone welcome. O yes, and there will be pizza too!

A NEW club for primary-aged kids is starting up at Merkinch Community Centre this month. The club is called "Sing 'n' Shout" and it starts on Tuesday 7th February at 6.30pm to 7.15pm. It costs £1 per session.
Run by Elsie Normington, it will be based on the same principle as the highly successful Singing for Pleasure adult group, so it is about taking part and having lots of fun. It is open to youngsters who wants to have a go at singing, but don't have to be good at singing.

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