Well done, Merkinch PO!

The team at Merkinch Post Office receive their award from Fiona Braithwaite (centre), Sales Account Manager for East Scotland. Pictured from left are: Ruth Riddell, sub-postmistress Lesley O'Rourke, Alison MacLean and Doreen Baird.

THANKS to the wonderful support of all its customers, Merkinch Post Office has come out tops in Scotland in a nation-wide competition to find the best post office in the country. Customer support played a big part in the Lochalsh Road PO's success, according to sub-postmistress Lesley O'Rourke. But Lesley's enthusiasm since she took over in July last year has no doubt played its part as well.

No doubt the judges were amazed to hear (as reported in News & Views at the time) how she personally ferried customers back and forth to Dalneigh PO when the Merkinch computer went down on Hogmanay. "Merkinch is so friendly," she said. "Customers all get individual attention and we know many people by their first name."

The PO has two full-time staff, including Lesley, and two part-time. Besides the plaque, there was a £750 Argos voucher for the winners.
Lesley's husband Keith runs the associated Merkinch Stores and both have had a facelift in recent weeks.

Police calls down on August

COMMUNITY Beat Officer Pat Underwood reported to the October meeting of Merkinch Community Council that there was a reduction in calls to the Merkinch area in September, from 540 in August to 459.

There were 29 calls relating to children and youths, compared to 38 in August. This was fewer than calls to Dalneigh and Culloden which had 40 and 38 logged respectively for the same period.

There was a slight increase, from 37 to 41 in vandalism/damage calls. A youth had been reported to the Children's Reporter in relation to damage to cars in Madras Street area.

There were eight calls relating to drugs in the Merkinch area last month, the majority from members of the public reporting drug-related activity.

There were 23 calls relating to Road Traffic issues in Merkinch, nine of them relating to motorbikes. Six fixed penalties were issued to drivers not wearing seatbelts, two vehicle defect forms issues and one person charged with having an expired Road Tax disc.

Minutes, speeding, paint and a resignation

EIGHT words in the draft minutes of their September meeting, as written by Merkinch Community Council secretary Alex MacLeod, failed to meet with the approval of members at their October meeting in Merkinch Community Centre.

Vice-chairman Ali Locke described them as "highly subjective and insulting" and asked for them to be removed. He was backed by the other community council members. There was also a reference to another discussion regarding the Corbett Centre which had received no mention in the minutes at all, although the matter had gone to a vote.

Mr MacLeod then offered to resign and there was some confusion for a while as to who was taking the minutes, until he withdrew his resignation.

• Guest speakers Lucy Fraser and Helen Mackie from Albyn Housing came to give a brief talk about their letting policy for Maclennan Crescent. Phase I, on the corner with Jamaica Street was due to be finished on the 20th of October. They said that after consultation it was agreed that 70% would go to people employed in Inverness and a proportion to people who were in unsuitable accommodation.

 

• Community Beat Officer Pat Underwood said that in the run-up to the festive period, the police would be looking out for those drinking and driving. The level of drinking and driving throughout Inverness was of real concern to the police.
  Regarding speeding in Lochalsh and Carse Roads, she said that it was felt the perception of speeding was higher than the actual frequency.
  The police had been out testing for speeding several times and one person had been stopped, though admittedly, drivers could see their presence as they were not allowed to hide and perhaps drivers had slowed down.

 

• Councillor Peter Corbett reported that residents in Maclennan Crescent were hoping to set up a Residents and Tenants' association, and the first meeting was expected to take place on 17th November in the Community Centre.
  Regarding the concern over heavy vehicles at the house-kit premises opposite the school in Telford Road, he said the firm had now moved to Invergordon. He reported that there was £20,000 in the Highland Council budget for traffic-calming measures in Carse Road and Telford Road.

 

• The Community Council is paying £250 towards the cost of the area's floral displays this summer, and Councillor Corbett is contributing £645 from his discretionary budget.

 

• Councillor Chrissie Cumming, who is Inverness Area chair of social work, reported that Lentran House was to close as it could not meet the new criteria for residential homes. She said it was a "horrendous" situation for the families as well as the residents, many of whom were in their 90s.

 

• Community Warden Liz Murray reported that the lighthouse at Carnarc Point had been painted-she had the left-over paint. She was still waiting for some paint jobs to be done, such as the water authority building on Kessock Road. She commented that the notice board at Grant Street car park was in need of some attention.
  There is money available to have work done on the Corbett Centre garden, provided it becomes a community garden. She had approached some groups who were keen to have a bit of it; the school was also keen to use it as a resource.
  The Warden also wanted the community council's permission to seek lottery funding for two "happy faces" traffic signs, costing £2500 each, to be moved around the area. She had taken part in the High School's sponsored walk and is attending First Year Personal & Social Education classes, which was a great way to get to know kids in the area, she said.

 

• South Kessock Environmental Project was to have a bulb-planting weekend at Carnarc Point on 29th October from noon to 3pm and on the 30th from 1030am to 3pm. All helpers welcome. SKRA's auto-jumble/car-boot sale had not been particularly successful, but they would try again in the spring.

 

• The resignation of community council member Helen Geddes was accepted.

 

• The subject of the minutes was again raised with Mr MacLeod complaining that there was "mischief-making" going on. Minutes were not supposed to be in the public arena until they had been passed, yet he had had some very unpleasant mail from people who had clearly seen them. Somebody has been putting them out," he said.
  Members asked to see the correspondence he referred to but he said that he had showed it to chairman Ali MacLean and destroyed it because it was so unpleasant.
  Vice-chair Mr Locke pointed out that it was not good enough to show something to the chair - this was a democratic body and all correspondence to the secretary must be tabled.

 

• The Community Council's next meeting is to be at 7.30pm on Thursday 8th December in the Corbett Centre.

briefs...

• THE Active Adults group are holding one of their two-day sales at the Community Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday the 15th and 16th of November. The Tuesday evening session runs from 6pm to 9pm and the following morning the event will take place between 9.30am to 2pm. There will be a raffle as well as the usual stalls, and this seems an ideal opportunity to pick up some Christmas gifts.

 

• The Merkinch Singing for Pleasure group continue to go from strength to strength. Last month they sang for residents of the Isobel Fraser Residential Home and they have also visited Ach an Eas. Early this month they plan to visit North Kessock for tea at the White Cottage followed by a firework display.

 

• ARTISTS from the Corbett Centre's Studi'03 will have their work on show in Edinburgh this month. Their five-foot sculpture made from driftwood, stones, wire, glass and silk will be part of an exhiubition entitled "Journeys" which will display the work of people with learning disabilities.

 

• Clach's Under-19 football team again face a top team in their Third Round draw in the SFA Cup. On Sunday 13th November they face Hearts. They earned their place by defeating Cove Rangers in a 5-4 home thriller. Last year at the same stage the young Lilywhites were narrowly beaten by Celtic, 1-0. Good luck this year, lads!

 

• Teenager Rebecca McGivern was saving up to go to Uganda with the Inverness High School trip last month. So she worked part-time at Spar in Thornbush Road. Her boss, proprietor Innes MacDonald promised her that if she saved at least £100, he would match it. In the event, Rebecca managed to save all her wages and Mr MacDonald was as good as his word. A family friend told News & Views that the IHS youngsters had found the material circumstances of people's lives in Uganda quite an eye-opener.

What's new in the Janny's Hoose?

WE'LL be starting some new activities after the October break.

Marriage Guidance will be here every week to do counselling with people who are having problems in their relationship with their nearest and dearest.

A new craft group is starting on a Tuesday from 11.30am-12.30pm doing cross-stitch, knitting, crochet and any other needlecrafts.

On a Thursday morning we'll be looking for help to hand-make our own Janny's Hoose Christmas cards - we'll need about 300 so the sooner we start the better. If we finish in plenty of time we'll do some Christmas decorations too. You don't need to be arty to help, we have a few ideas and would be glad of any more.

A new cookery group will be starting soon, if you're interested let us know. A crèche is provided and we cook quick-and-easy family meals and give out food to take home.

All our usual activities will be continuing too. Come along to our coffee morning every school day 9am-9.30am and find out more.

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

Calling all Fairfield patients...

THE Fairfield Surgery PPG ( Patient Participation Group ) was formed in November 2002 in response to Government guidelines regarding public involvement in the National Health Service. Within the Group patients meet with members of the Practice Team on a regular basis, approximately every two months.

We are currently hoping to attract new members from the Fairfield Practice. Patients are encouraged to give their views on existing medical services / procedures and to help plan future developments. Topics that have already been discussed are:

• PPG Newsletter - we aim to have three newsletters per year. Our newsletter is the Fairfield Flyer which is sent out to patients who wish to be on the Practice's mailing list and they are available in the Practice.

 

• Rogue's Gallery - all staff posed for the camera some more willingly than others! The photographs are to be framed and put on the wall so all patients will be able to see who is who in the surgery. Watch this space!

 

• Evening Surgery Appointments - last appointment 5pm. Current topics up for discussion include: Accessing an NHS Dentist; Podiatry Services; and Recruitment of new PPG members.

The PPG group apologise for the lack of contact during the last few months, this was due to staff shortages and illness within the Fairfield Surgery. Please don't let this little blip deter you from joining our Group and bringing along your views and ideas.

If you wish to join the Patient Participation Group or find out more information about it please contact the Practice Manager on 01463 713939.

Busy holiday for After-School Club kids

YOUNGSTERS from the Merkinch After-School Club had a whale of a time over the October holidays when they visited the Marine Aquarium at Macduff, just one of a series of outings. The youngsters also went exploring at Dores and another day visited Nairn beach. Twice they went to the cinema and they also had a Hallowe'en party.

The After-School Club meets in Merkinch Community Centre and members enjoy a range of activities.

Be seen, be safe

WITH the dark nights approaching fast it is time to remind you about the dangers of cycling in the dark. Drivers give many reasons for having accidents with cyclists-they say "I just didn't see the cyclist" or "I didn't see the cyclist's lights." It just isn't enough for you to be able to see where you are going-you have to be seen as well.

BE SEEN ON YOUR BIKE

The Highway Code says that cyclists should wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing which helps other road-users to see you in daylight and poor light, reflective clothing and/or accessories such as belt, arm or ankle bands.

AT NIGHT YOUR CYCLE MUST HAVE FRONT AND REAR LIGHTS LIT

It MUST also be fitted with a red rear reflector and amber pedal reflectors (unless it was made before 1988). White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen. MAKE SURE YOUR LIGHTS ARE CLEAN AND WORKING.
The Law says that at night all cyclists must use a white front light, a rear light and a red rear reflector.

IF YOU USE YOUR BIKE AT NIGHT, WITHOUT LIGHTS, YOU ARE BREAKING THE LAW.

Singers take a step back in time

Pictured above is Singing for Pleasure member Rhoda Maclennan (right) with the very helpful guide at the Crannog Centre at Loch Tay. The visitors were shown how our ancestors lived and carried out domestic tasks such as fire-lighting and weaving clothes.

IT HARDLY seems like any time since the Active Adults and Singing for Pleasure groups were sunning themselves in Jersey. Yet last month they were off gallivanting once more, this time in Perthshire for the weekend.

The 17-strong party were based in Pitlochry and despite a damp start everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly. On the way down they stopped at Kingussie for a snack and to look round the shops.

Their first evening the ladies were booked in for an Alan Ayckbourn comedy "Things we do for love". There was a mixed reaction to the play from those in the group, some finding it a bit strong, but most enjoyed the performances and found it very funny at times.

After a singing session, the party set off for the Crannog Centre at Kenmore. Here the sun was shining and the guide who showed the ladies round was very interesting. The remains of crannogs - houses built on stilts - are found in many Scottish lochs, including the Beauly Firth, and at Kenmore marine archaeologists have reconstructed one to display how life was lived 2000 years ago.

After lunch and shopping in Aberfeldy, it was back to the hotel for more singing. Then after dinner there was a band and dancing at the hotel. There was further excitement when the fire alarm went off at 1.30am! False alarm luckily.

The following morning the ladies went to the Baptist Church before heading back up the road home.

Merkinch Enterprise clocks up another successful year

MERKINCH Enterprise once again had a satisfactory year, Chief Executive Colin Downie reported to the AGM last month. Councillor Peter Corbett said he felt that the charity had moved up a gear with their support of the establishment of two new companies, South Kessock Environmental Company and Merkinch Development Ventures.

New body offers more help for families

FORWARD with Families is a new and exciting initiative designed to complement the existing statutory and charitable organisations which offer services to families in Inverness.

"We provide personal and friendly, non-judgmental support and advice which will encourage and empower families to grow and develop," said a spokeswoman.
"This will include guidance to help them find appropriate solutions to social and family issues but also to identify and enjoy opportunities for education, employment or self-development." Forward with Families services will be available to families aged from birth to 16 years. "We will obtain referrals from specialist agencies and from schools and clubs - but we will particularly encourage direct approaches from individual parents.

"We will endeavour to provide tailor-made, focused support to these clients within their own homes or in small groups and help them to decide the best way forward.
The service involves the skills of volunteers. "Becoming a volunteer gives you the opportunity to help people. You may not appreciate the various skills you employ in everyday life but these special abilities will be invaluable to this new service as we develop our role in Inverness.
"We envisage our volunteers working with clients in their own environment advising and helping them to improve their parenting and management skills especially in areas such as housekeeping, budgeting, shopping, healthy eating, child development and education etc."
Before becoming a volunteer and in order to ensure that all team members have the necessary skills, interested people will be invited to participate in a friendly and informal initial training programme.
"This will enable you to build on their strengths and identify the skills, knowledge and experience that will be useful in your role as a Forward with Families volunteer.
"In order to ensure that Forward with Families maintains the highest standard of service to our clients, there will be an on-going programme of training and this will include communication with the co-ordinator on a regular basis.

Volunteers, though not paid, do have their expenses reimbursed, including mileage at 40p per mile.
Working with families will often be demanding, sometimes funny and amusing, but will always be rewarding. An important benefit of joining a volunteer group is the interaction with other volunteers and the opportunity to met like-minded people and develop new friendships.
Forward with Families anticipate that their volunteers will be willing to devote two hours a week to their work that will enable the organisers to build a network capable of meeting the many and varied challenges that families will present.

"We sincerely hope you will be able to join our team and enjoy the challenges and the rewards we can offer," said the spokeswoman.

Art group starts up again for autumn term

THE Merkinch art group started up again last month with a basic membership twice that of last year's. This term the group is meeting on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 9pm. Members work in any medium from pencil and pastel to watercolours and oils.

Last month the group was invited to take part in the Very Important Portraits project at Inverness Museum & Art Gallery. After being shown round the exhibition of historic portraits at the Museum, members spent the day making their own VIP portraits of friends and family with the help of tutors Dean Melville and Brian McBeath. Other art groups from Hilton and Strathdearn also took part and all the work was exhibited the following week in the former café area.

Earlier this year Art Group members exhibited some of their first winter's work at the Merkinch Festival's Black Bridge Gallery-for many it was the first time they had ever shown paintings in public.

Anyone interested in improving their artistic skills and just enjoying themselves making pictures, from absolute beginners to those who are a bit rusty, should ring organiser Bette McArdle on 221027.

Pic Sam McGuire, Corbett Gardens and his friend Tom Macdonald are two of the regulars at the Merkinch Art Group.

Sporting Nooz

Calling all those with an interest in indoor bowling

ANYONE with an interest in indoor bowling is urged to come along to a meeting in Merkinch Community Centre on Friday 11th November.

Merkinch Indoor Bowling Club was once a thriving and successful club which met two nights a week -Tuesdays and Fridays. But last winter the club closed for various reasons.

However, a number of people are keen to see it start up again and already Beauly and Smithton have agreed to play friendlies if Merkinch re-forms.

So both old and new members are invited to come along on the 11th at 7.30pm.

Ord Arms is out for season

ORD Arms were unable to raise a team for the first week of the Winter League and have now withdrawn from the league.

Oscars were also unable to fulfil their first fixture but will be able to raise a team for the rest of the season.

Last year's top two in the A League, Portland A and City Taxis, both started with wins but last year's third-placed team, Uncle Bob's, went down to Fluke.

Legion A celebrated their return to the B League with a win over last year's runners-up Deeno's.

Newly-promoted Caley Club secured a good point from Portland E who had just won the Summer B League title.

Raigmore are the surprise leaders in the C League after a good win over Brockie's Lodge with the other two games ending in draws.

Results for 13th October:

A League: City Taxis 9 Dow's 3, Fluke 8 Uncle Bob's 4, Tarradale 1 Portland A 11.
B League: Caley Club 6 Portland E 6, Culloden Moor Inn 8 Finlay's 4, Legion A 8 Deeno's 4.
C League: Clach Club 6 The Drover 6, Raigmore 8 Brockie's Lodge 4, Smithton 6 Legion B 6.

180s were scored by Derek Maclean and Steve Mitchell of City Taxis, Steve Donald (Dow's), Evan Tyronney (Legion A) and Don Maclean (Uncle Bob's).
The top check-outs were Barrie Mackay (Culloden Moor Inn) 110 Garry Henderson (Culloden Moor Inn) 109 and Scott Mac-kinnon (Fluke) 100 and Robert Mackenzie had a 14-dart leg.

Fireworks - be safe not sorry

RECENT changes in the legislation governing fireworks have stepped up the campaign to ensure that safety is paramount regarding manufacture and storage of explosives.
There have been a significant number of changes to the way in which the storage of fireworks, including the need to ensure that a business has been assessed and has put in place the necessary precautions.
All licensed businesses throughout the Highlands have been informed of the changes by Highland Council Trading Standards and further visits to premises to ensure compliance are scheduled for this autumn.
Highland Council Trading Standards want to highlight to consumers also the importance of staying safe when storing and handling fireworks.

Keep Kids Safe

Always supervise children around fireworks. Never give sparklers to a child under five years of age. When handling sparklers remember to light one at a time and both older children and adults should always wear gloves. Three sparklers burning together generate the same heat as a blow-torch.

Where to Buy

Buy fireworks from a reputable shop and make sure they conform to British Standards. This means that they have to have BS 7114 written on the box.
Don't buy fireworks from car boot sales or markets. Fireworks which are sold cheaply could be dangerous.

If you are in doubt about the safety of fireworks that you have purchased please contact Highland Council Trading Standards.

Over 130 million fireworks were sold in Britain in 1995.

What to buy

There are different categories of fireworks. Members of the public can buy and set off most of the fireworks that come under Categories 1 to 3.
These are fireworks that you can use indoors, in your garden or at a display. Always read the packet carefully and make sure that the fireworks you buy are suitable for the place where you are going to set them off.

More than 60 under-5s went to hospital in 1997 following a firework accident.

Setting them off

Only one person should be in charge of fireworks. If that's you, then make sure you take all the necessary precautions. Read the instructions in daylight and don't drink any alcohol until they've all been discharged. Keep fireworks in a closed box.

On the night, you will need...

• a torch
• a bucket of water
• eye protection and gloves
• a bucket of soft earth to put fireworks in
• Suitable supports and launchers if you're setting off Catherine wheels or rockets. Half of all firework accidents happen to children under the age of 16.

Some final reminders:

• Light the firework at arms length using a taper
• Stand well back and ensure everyone else does too
• Never go back to a firework that has been lit. Even if it has not gone off, it could still explode.
• Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them-throwing a firework in a street or public place is a criminal offence, with the maximum fine of £5000.
• Keep pets indoors.

Last year over 900 people required hospital treatment from accidents involving fireworks.

For further advice contact Highland Council Trading Standards at 38 Harbour Road or telephone me 01463/228700 and ask to speak to someone about firework safety.

Caring for rabbits and small furry animals

Diet: Many pet rabbits are confined in small hutches with little exercise. Boredom leads to over-eating, and fat rabbits can have problems such as difficulty in grooming and an increase in tumours.
An adult rabbit's diet needs a high level of fibre and a certain amount of protein and fat as well as correct calcium and phosphate balance. These requirements match hay or grass entirely.

Make sure your rabbit has enough greenstuffs and root vegetables to alleviate boredom-wild rabbits forage for at least 60% of the time-to encourage chewing, prevent digestive problems and to make sure that their ever-growing teeth stay at the correct length. This will also lead to fewer hairballs as rabbits groom themselves too often when they are bored.

Restoring a rabbit to its correct weight is not easy and prevention is much better than cure. In most cases less food, more exercise and more mental stimulation are enough, but in severe cases a low-calorie, high-fibre diet is best. The change in diet must be gradual as rabbits are very sensitive to any dietary changes and fast weight loss can cause liver problems.

Exercise: Lack of exercise is an important factor in rabbit obesity. They also need enough sunlight to make vitamin D so they can absorb enough calcium from their diet. Rabbits, ideally, need to be able to hop around, play, rummage and graze. A fun run for the rabbit or using an escape-proof portable ark could also help.

Gerbils, guinea pigs

Each has dietary needs specific to their species-guinea pigs, for instance need to have vitamin C included in their diet. Obesity due to bad diet and lack of exercise is an increasing problem. Not too many peanut treats and a secure mobile run are the best thing. Diet changes must be gradual.

Merkinch Community Centre

The Annual General Meeting of Merkinch Community Centre is being held in the Community Centre on Thursday 10th November at 7.30pm.

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