We celebrate first 10 years

NEWS & VIEWS is this month celebrating the 10th anniversary of the launch of the first of its regular issues.

Over the years Merkinch Enterprise has produced a total of 113 issues of News & Views, a massive 282,500 copies using over 1.5 million sheets of A4 paper-all to bring the news, pictures, reports and opinions to 2500 Merkinch homes and businesses.

Back in 1994 the need for a service such a publication was identified by members of the community and the Christmas issue that year was a pilot for what is now your community newsletter. But it was in May the following year that the first regular issue was produced, printed with the kind support of Councillor Peter Corbett and the Clach Club who provided the printer and ink while the Enterprise furnished the paper and the staff joined by a group of volunteers took the project forward over the first necessary steps.

Says ME Chief Executive Colin Downie: "In the summer of 1996 we were fortunate to be able to set up our own printing facility thanks to our three-year Lottery award. Since then it has been produced on a regular monthly basis and continues to be delivered by an ever-changing group of volunteers who have all willingly assisted over the years.

"Our thanks also go to the Newsletter Co-ordinators: Yvonne Stiver-Macleod for her patience during those first issues; Colin 'Woody' Wood; Susan Strachan (now Susan Rose); Roz Marron (now Watson) and Bette McArdle, who over the years have all worked on the News & Views and built it up to what is today a successful community newsletter, unique to Merkinch and the envy of other areas of Inverness."

The newsletter has always been free to readers, but its costs are quite impressive: over the decade the cost involved has come to around £120,000.

"Of this, says Mr Downie, "we at the Enterprise have generally been able to source about £85,000 on a regular basis from sponsors, local businesses and other organisations such as mp33, our local community council and both local Highland councillors.

"Taking income from expenditure, we are left with a shortfall over the life of the newsletter of about £35,000 giving an annual amount of £3,500 the average contribution that Merkinch Enterprise makes each year.

"This is the commitment that Merkinch Enterprise continues to make for the benefit of the community and we are looking forward to our continued success in the next 10 years, hopefully with the support of other organisations within the local area who can assist with this responsibility to the community," said Mr Downie.

Meanwhile, Mrs McArdle, who has been newsletter co-ordinator for the last five years, makes her own plea to the community.

"Tell us your news, events your organisation is planning, personal successes, information you'd like to get across to the public or what you would like to see featured-it is your newsletter, after all."

Some of the happy, energetic youngsters (above) from the Watoto Choir of Uganda strutted their stuff at concerts in Merkinch Primary and Inverness High much to the delight of their audiences. More later…

Alec learns mysteries of IT

FOLLOWING Councillor Chrissie Cumming's generous donation of a computer to Merkinch Community Council, their secretary Alec Macleod has been taking a Merkinch Enterprise course to learn the mysteries of Word and Email. He is pictured here (left) sharing a joke with ME trainer Tony at the end of his training.
For details of ME courses drop in at 14 Grant St.

First Minister to be told of Grant Street's disgusting drain

A CHOKED drain in Grant Street has been causing so much offence over the last few months that Scotland's First Minister Jack McConnell is being asked to sort the problem out.

The drain, which at times is foul-smelling, is adjacent to a takeaway restaurant and at the junction with Simpson's Lane which leads to a nursery serving dozens of local youngsters.

Local residents complained to Highland Council's environmental health department but were told, after a site visit, that it was the responsibility of Scottish Water. When nothing seemed to be improving, nearby residents spoke to SEPA, but again the answer was that Scottish Water was responsible. Two or three times a tanker has come to clear the drain but it would appear to be still blocked.

The complaint was raised at the April meeting of Merkinch Community Council by one of its members, Helen Geddes of Shoe Lane, who has to cross the offending permanent puddle or negotiate a car park to get to Grant Street.

Other community council members said they too had been bombarded by complaints from nearby traders. Despite efforts by Highland Council chief Arthur McCourt and the "emphatic" intervention of Councillor Peter Corbett, there had been no further progress.

The community council agreed to take up the matter of this "disgusting and on-going nuisance" with Holyrood since no satisfaction was to be had at a local level. Their letter is also being circulated to Highland MSPs.

Secretary Alec MacLeod concluded his letter by saying: "From the above you will appreciate that this revolting situation is becoming a running sore in our area and as a responsible Community Council and on their behalf I now, with respect, request that you bring pressure to bear on the relevant authorities to take decisive remedial action."

Other matters discussed at the council's April meeting included the following:

• A new community warden had been appointed to replace Bill MacLean but he had resigned in a matter of days. The process of interviewing and appointing another was in hand.

 

• The community council agreed to re-form their planning sub-committee in order to be able to respond more swiftly to deadlines for comment on local issues. Members were annoyed that they had not been able to see the proposals made for the housing on the former Tawse yard in Benula Road.

 

• Demolition had started on the flats in Kessock Court, it was reported by South Kessock representative Ali Locke. Also the Tool Club was now open evenings between 6.30pm and 7.30pm. The question of forming a Neighbourhood Watch in the area was still being discussed.

 

• The standard of street cleaning in Wyvis Place had degenerated, local representative Lorna MacLeod reported. Dog fouling in particular was prevalent.

 

• The environment and heritage centre in the former ferry ticket office would not be opening until sometime in May, Dell McClurg reported to members. She spoke highly of those who had taken part in the clean-up though it was disappointing that there had not been more volunteers, she said.

 

• The question of further changes in the boundaries of Highland Council wards was raised-these are due to come into force for the 2007 local elections.

 

• Community Project Officer Brian Macleod's contract is up at the end of this month and this was the last community council meeting that he would attend. Members asked that their thanks for his cooperation and efforts over the last two years be recorded.

 

• Member Pam Adam tendered her resignation for health reasons.

 

• The community council's next meeting is the AGM which is on 9th June at 7pm in Merkinch Primary School.

 

briefs…

• LUCKY winner of the £10 voucher in the Nicol's Killer Quiz in our April issue was C. MacDougall, 113 Benula Road. Congratulations! This month's quiz is on page 8 and it's all about Britain's favourite comedians-why not have a go.

 

• A BIG thank-you to all Merkinch Stores and Post Office customers who have contributed school computer vouchers for Merkinch Primary in the box on the counter.

 

• THE Sea Cadets are signalling a warm welcome to youngsters attracted to life on the ocean wave. Their base is at 44 Kessock Road and the evenings to come are Tuesdays if you are 12 years old and over or Thursdays if you are between 10 and 12.

 

• LOCAL pharmacist Andrew Green of the Forbes Pharmacy in Grant Street, has sold the business and is to become a locum for Inverness pharmacies. The new owners will be keeping on all the other staff. Andrew spent some time as a student with the late Charlie Forbes and bought the business from him when Charlie retired. We are sorry to see him go and wish him all the best in his new role.

 

New season, new things to do

WELL, it's the start of a new term and we have new activities as well as all the usual ones. Dave the dietician is in every Wednesday 10am -12 noon-if you want to find out anything about food and your family he's the man to ask. You can make an appointment to see him or just drop in.

Our regular walking group continues on Wednesdays 1.30-2.30, going as far or near as you want. Just come along - it's a grand social occasion.

Cookery starts on 4th May for six Wednesday mornings 10am-12 noon; childcare will be available. We only have a few places on this so book yours now.

Thursday mornings we are starting a new women's group. Come along 9-11 and tell us what you're interested in.

Would talking help? Sometimes we can feel very anxious or down and don't know where to turn. Come along and speak to Cath or Jean and we'll try to find someone to help you. We hope to have a counsellor starting in the Janny's Hoose shortly.

Do you have a toddler? We have two activities for you, there's a mums and babies drop in on Tuesday afternoons 2-3.
We will also be running another session of playing and learning with Kathy, get in touch to find out more details and to book your place.

Did you know the College is looking for people for their students to practice on? They have foot massage, facials, massage, hair dos, electrolysis and makeup. Their rates are very reasonable, and they sometimes have crèche places available. Why not give yourself a boost and book an appointment now on 273273, or get in touch with the Janny's Hoose for more details.

Jean Mackay,
The Janny's Hoose, 226348.

Family thanks good Samaritan

Dear Editor,
My 13-year-old son Scott was playing outside his nana's home in Carnarc Crescent on 13th March on a small child's bicycle. A family friend-former Community Police Officer Norman Macleod came to visit which he does on a regular basis to organise football games for kids in the area.
Just as Norman was leaving in his car, Scott, who had been speeding around, fell off his bike, wounding himself.

Norman carried him into the house and using his knowledge of First Aid put an ice pack on his ankle.
However, blood kept gushing out of his wound so Norman rushed Scott to Raigmore's Accident & Emergency department and waited with him for over three hours until his ankle was X-rayed. Thankfully it was only sprained though the top of his skin was taken off and I had to take Scott in to get the dressings changed every day. Norman visited regularly when he was getting better and gave Scott a present of a Rangers' shirt to cheer him up.

The point I would like to make is that some people-cruel gossips-have been saying that Norman ran over Scott, which is total rubbish and there are plenty of witnesses to prove what actually happened.
These rumours have been hurtful and very upsetting to Norman and to me and my family. They must be sad people with boring lives to make such accusations.

Yours truly,
Linda Shields,
Anderson Street,
Inverness

Out of School

African youngsters delight Merkinch pupils

AS PART of their current world tour, the 22-strong Watoto Choir visited Merkinch Primary recently for a short lunch-time concert. Local youngsters were thrilled with the colourful energy of the Ugandan youngsters all of whom are orphans due to Aids and war. The choir also visited Inverness High-a party of pupils and teachers from HIS, as previously reported, are to take a trip to Uganda in October.

Chance to make your cycle safer

SUMMER'S coming-and the bicycle thieves are looking out for the careless cyclist! Members of the public are being offered the opportunity to have their bicycles marked with a police approved product called 'Selectamark' at a bargain price.

• The bike is marked with a unique code, which cannot be removed without damaging the bike.

 

• Details of the owners are registered on the 'Selectamark' company's register and a logbook issued to owner.

 

• Possession of a logbook containing all the correct details assures the purchaser that the bike is not stolen.

 

• This product, which normally costs £10 per marking, is available at a cost of £3. This charge is being made solely to help fund the purchase of further 'Selectamark' kits, which will allow the initiative to be sustained in the long term.

 

For further information contact: PC Donald MacDonald, Community Safety Department on (01463) 720506.

Festival plans well under way

FURTHER details of the second Arts in Merkinch Festival, due to take place from Friday 27th May to Saturday 4th June, are now announced.

Besides an exhibition of photographs, paintings and crafts, they include poetry and storytelling sessions, a range of workshops and various environmental activities.

The theme of this year's festival is The River, however this is just a jumping-off point for inspiration!

The exhibition will be in the Black Bridge Gallery in the same premises as last year, thanks to the VacMan cleaning service which now operates from there. Other possible venues include the Janny's Hoose, the Clach Social Club, the Pier environmental centre and Merkinch Community Centre. It is also hoped to run participatory art sessions in the former Macintosh Motorcycles premises in Grant Street.

Actual times and venues for the various events are still to be confirmed as we go to press, but full details will be publicised on posters nearer the time.

In the meantime, we have proposals for a number of workshops which we will run if there is sufficient interest. So please fill in the coupon below and register your interest.

Eggstra-special night out attracts crowd

ONCE again, Merkinch turned out to see local talent performing on stage at Merkinch Community Centre.

The theme for the Easter entertainment, organised by Elsie Normington, was "Eggstravaganza" and there were lots of lovely Easter bonnets on parade.

The profits raised went to help less fortunate youngsters in Eastern Europe.

Sports Nooz

Winners of all the Singles and Doubles events

THERE was a very good turn out for the Inverness Doubles at the Clach Club with 43 pairs taking part.
In the semis Jim McNeil and Billy Palmer (Keppoch) beat ), Norman Matheson and Norman Ross (Drouthy Duck) and Ian "Cheetah" Cushnie and Davey Fraser (Drouthy Duck) beat Dougie Milne and Derek Maclean (Uncle Bob's).
In the final both pairs had chances to finish but it was Ian and Davey who clinched it to put their name on the trophy for the first time.

The Ladies Doubles was won by Rhonda Philip and Liz Dallas (Portland E); runners-up were Shirley Duncan (Keppoch) and Linda McGruer (Tarradale). The Junior Doubles went to Michael Maclean (Uncle Bob's) and Michael Hillan (Portland B); the runners-up were Don Maclean and Jordan Jeans (Culloden Moor Inn).

The winter league comes to a close on 5th May with the League Cup finals and the finals of the handicap competition. The summer league starts on the 12th May and teams who missed the AGM should contact the secretary Bomber Godsman ASAP.

Seventy-seven players competed for the prestigious Inverness Singles title at the Clach Club. In the last 16 Stevie Falconer (Portland A) beat fellow postman Bomber Godsman (City Taxis); Peter Macdonald (Portland A) beat Kevin Manson (Drouthy Duck); in an all-City Taxis tie Allan Mackinnon beat Andy MacIntosh; Michael Maclean (Uncle Bob's) beat Steve Mitchell (City Taxis), four times champion Gordon Morison beat Stuart Murcar (Dows); Ally McGinely (Shots) beat Paul Macdonald (Dows); Richard Biles (Culloden Moor Inn) beat Keith Lambert (Uncle Bob's) and Derek Maclean (Uncle Bob's) beat Donnie Mackenzie (Tarradale).

In the quarters Stevie Falconer beat team mate Peter Macdonald, Allan Mackinnon beat Michael MacLean, Gordon Morison beat Ally McGinely and Derek Maclean beat Richard Biles. Stevie reached the final with a win over Allan, in the other semi Derek checked out 170 but Gordon came back with a 14-darter to secure a place in the final which was to be a repeat of the 1999 final. Stevie lost on that occasion but set out to reverse the result with a 14-darter in the first leg; he did not quite match that in the second and Gordon was down to a finish well in front but he failed to hit the winning double and Stevie stepped in to take the leg and his first Inverness Singles title.

There were three other competitions that night and Bomber Godsman and Rhonda Philip finished the Mixed Doubles' final in style beating Stevie Falconer and Liz Dallas in the final. Rhonda also won the Ladies Singles making it two in a row in this competition beating Shirley Duncan in the final. Wayne Ridgers beat Douglas Locke in the final of the Junior Singles.

Dows are B League Champions their win over Legion B gave them the title, as it turned out they did not need these two points as second placed Shots surprisingly lost to Innes Bar. Shots were confirmed as runners up despite that defeat. Gun Lodge did not have a game this week but were confirmed as C League Champions Caley Club need to win their last game to take runners-up spot a draw would mean a play-off and defeat would give The Drover second place.

The A League will be decided on the last game City Taxis must take at least a point from Uncle Bobs and hope that Tarradale can upset Portland A.

On the relegation front Legion A will be coming down from the A and Legion B and Raigmore from the B.

Local sports people aim for Olympic glory

EIGHT Merkinch sportsmen and women are heading for Glasgow in early July to make a play for a place in the Special Olympic Games squad which will go to the Special Olympics in Beijing in 2008. Altogether 105 sportspeople and coaches from all over the Highlands will attend the 10-day event which will take place at venues all over the city.

Among those from Merkinch will be Scottish wheelchair sprint champion Uisdean MacRae of Nelson Street; Christopher Upton (golf), Norma Maclean and Mhairi Hill (indoor bowls) all from Madras Court; Rosie Sutherland (athletics) Telford Street; Reggie Wheelhouse (10-pin bowling) Telford Street; David Gibson (football) Glendoe Terrace; and Christie Berg (athletics) Carnarc Crescent.

The Highland contingent has been organised by Highland Disability Sport which is based at Drummond School and among the sponsors who have made it possible are Tullochs, Highland Council, Arnold Clark's and many generous personal donors.

Latest police news

INVERNESS AREA

Operation Needle

This operation is to tackle serious and organised crime. Drugs search warrants and general dishonesty warrants were executed at a number of addresses in the Inverness area during March. Various controlled drugs, including heroin and cannabis resin, were seized and a substantial amount of stolen property recovered. Between September 2004 and February 2005, drugs with a street value of over £84,000 were recovered within the Inverness Command area.

Operation Notebook

The focus of this operation is to increase public confidence in the safety of our communities. High visibility and plain-clothes proactive patrols continue to be carried out at various identified hotspots in the Inverness area, but activity was primarily focused on the Hilton area. There has been a noticeable reduction in the quantity of alcohol seized from youths throughout March. This is an encouraging trend which will hopefully continue.

Longer daylight hours has brought about a seasonal increase in reports of youths using off-road motor cycles at various sites throughout Inverness, including the West Field, South Kessock, the canal towpath, and various playing fields including Dalneigh. Three people have recently been reported to the Procurator Fiscal for motor cycle offences committed in such amenity areas.

It must be emphasised that deployment of officers engaged in this initiative is intelligence-led, therefore it is imperative that members of the community continue to provide current information with regard to concerns or issues in their area.

MERKINCH BEAT

The number of calls to incidents (NOT crimes) in the Merkinch area were...

Slight increase in the number of Child/Youth calls, probably due to the brighter nights and school holidays. Feb-13 / March-25 calls.
Slight decrease in the number of Vandalism calls: Feb-20 / March-18 incidents.
Drink Driving incidents-3 persons reported to Procurator Fiscal for offences in Merkinch.
Drugs: 19 incidents in March compared to 2 in February, a rise due to proactive work done in relation to stop/check powers and execution of search warrants.
Slight decrease in the number of reported assaults Feb- 15 / March-9.
Breaches of the peace remain almost the same with Feb-92 / March-104.
Slight increase in the reports of theft Feb-14 / March-16.

Inverness Area Command are committed to the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme and as such we would welcome enquiries from residents of any area who are interested in forming a Neighbourhood Watch. Neighbourhood Watch is an initiative which involves community participation in crime prevention. Residents and police officers co-operate in a joint venture aimed at decreasing the opportunities for crime in their areas. The key factors which determine the success of a Neighbour Watch are the enthusiasm of the participants and their willingness to make it work. For Neighbourhood Watch to be viable, it is recommended that at least 50% of the households in an area indicate a willingness to participate.
For further information, please contact local Community Beat Officer (01463 720823).

Calling all ex-High School pupils around the 40 mark

IF YOU are around, or about to hit the Big Four-Oh and you are a former pupil of Inverness High then there's a chance to catch up on all the news from your former class mates later this month.
All those who were in Fourth Year in the 1980/81 session are invited to a disco and buffet at the Chieftain Hotel on 28th May at 7.30pm. The costs is just £6.
For further details and to book please ring Jenny on Inverness 242581.

mp33

Hi there!

First, Best wishes for the Escape Group's big weekend in Lochaber later soon when they will be tackling Ben Nevis. The women have trained hard for this challenge on Wednesday mornings throughout this long cold Spring and we wish them all the best.

The Escape Group also meets on Monday mornings and recently aromatherapy sessions having been proving popular.

New face on the scene, Gus Maciver (see below) hopes to organise a video of the Ben Nevis event. He is also planning to do quite a bit of video work at mp33, so if you are into new technology, he's the one to see.

If you enjoy sitting in front of a computer and your reading has got a bit rusty since you left school, there is a brilliant new football project called "Reading the Game". See Gus.

Talking of football, the mp33 team, currently in the Inverness & District Amateur League's Division 2, recently beat Kinmylies 1-0. As we went to press they were facing Northern Iron at the Bught. Well done, lads and best wishes for your success.

Currently the new staff at mp33-Lorraine, Jamie and Gus-are busy planning, along with Roni, the Summer Programme. If you have any viable ideas for things to do or places to go, pop in and discuss them.

Meanwhile drop in and see what's happening.

See you soon...

All at mp33,
May’05

Youth Club latest

THE Junior Youth Club, which meets at Merkinch Community Centre on Monday nights, have been working on their group entry for the Merkinch Festival 27th May to 4th June. They have found a new slant on the festival's theme "The River".

At the Senior Youth Club-same venue, Wednesdays- the programme for May includes the following:

4th-Henna tattoos
11th-Pool competition, long-shots competition.
18th-Toasties, Alcohol Awareness
25th-Spanish night.

Meet mp33's new IT man

ANOTHER new face in Grant Street - youth development worker Gus Maciver, whose role at mp33 covers Information and Communication Technology. Originally from Newport-on-Tay, Gus went to school in St Andrews and then to Edinburgh University. He has spent most of his life since in Stornoway and he is married to Chrisann who comes from Leurbost; they have three girls. This is Gus's first post as a youth development worker - previously he worked in Gaelic-based education.

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