South Kessock environmental project celebrates first decade

IT WAS just 10 years on 14th August that the first person to look round the South Kessock Environmental Project, known variously as “the ticket office” and “the dolphin centre”, signed the visitors’ book.

To mark the occasion there is going to be a celebration at the centre on the afternoon of Sunday 3rd October.

Since it first opened, hundreds if not thousands of tourists and locals have come through the door of the former Kessock Ferry ticket office on a Sunday afternoon to look at the display and buy orange juice, crisps, or some other refreshment.

The exhibition of cultural and natural history items (especially dolphins and birds) — even a little model croft donated by a senior citizens’ centre in Lochcarron — has delighted and intrigued everyone who has visited the centre.

Initially used as a base when the Beechgrove Garden came to the area in 1993, and also by the Youth Club Scotland’s Grisly Challenge, the centre was the brainwave of Dell McClurg, Craigton Avenue, and Anne McCreadie, Thornbush Road.

They have manned the centre every Sunday in the summer as well as on special visits and also looked after its maintenance after the storms of winter.

Last month the dolphin mural on the south wall, originally painted by Merkinch Girls’ Group in 1994, was refreshed.

And in the pipeline are various ideas for developing the centre when the present building, which is not in the best of health, finally expires.

The former ferry ticket office at South Kessock—home of an environmental and cultural display for the last 10 years.

Merkinch Enterprise marks a dozen years of success

MERKINCH Enterprise achieved all the targets it set itself over the past year, Chief Executive Colin Downie told the AGM, held at 12 Grant Street on Tuesday 21st September.

This is the charity’s 12th year of existence and Mr Downie said he had been 10 years with the organisation and had thoroughly enjoyed the experience. “It’s often been fun,” he said.

He thanked all the staff, particularly over the recent period when there had often been no administrator/receptionist. He also paid tribute to the various volunteers who helped the Enterprise to its success. The Tech Centre, News & Views community newsletter and Fliperz Nursery had all had a satisfactory year.

In the absence of Community Project Officer Brian Macleod, he reported on the progress that had been made, with the successful Spring Festival, the setting up of a local history group, a writers’ group, various classes starting soon, and a conference to be held in November. Various projects were in the pipeline including a collaboration with the Corbett Centre to make scented soaps and body oils for sale.
A positive focus is on the development of the Kessock Pier area and it was hoped that the first phase would commence in the not-too-distant future.

Through the November conference it is hoped to strengthen the local development agenda as “social inclusion” moves into “community regeneration”.

Board members are required to stand down every three years, and this turn it was the turn of Ross MacGillivray—however, he was immediately reselected for another term. The Board of Directors, therefore, remains as: Helen Geddes, chairperson; Clair Pieraccini, vice-chairperson; Ross MacGillivray, treasurer; and Madeline Grant.

The fiancial report showed that there had been a slight surplus this year as befitting a charity.
Under any other competent business there was some discussion as to the possibility of upgrading the newsletter printer, though this was thought to be too expensive at this time.
Mr Downie thanked all those who turned up and said the next AGM would again be in September next year.

Autumn jaunt to Oban

ACTIVE adults are looking forward to their annual n trip this month. Oban is their destination this year and over the week they aim to explore the area and thoroughly enjoy themselves.

Other dates include: 5th October—Rollerbowl; 19th—indoor games; and on the 26th it is hoped to visit the National Trust property at Brodie Castle.

Songs celebrate harvest

SUNDAY 10th October sees another of the popular Songs of Praise sessions for all the family. “Sunday @ 6” will take place in Merkinch Community Centre from 6-7pm and it will take the form of a Harvest Thanksgiving. Those intending to come are asked to bring a small item of food which will be given away to homeless people.

Last posting dates for Xmas posting to far-flung places

SUMMER, such as it was, is not long over and here we are having to think about Christmas. Lesley at Merkinch post office has just asked us to publish the dates for Christmas postings. So, if you have friends and relatives all around the world, they start this month as follows:

International surface mail

Monday 4th October—All non-European destinations except Canada, the Far East, the Middle East, Hong Kong, South Africa and the USA.
Thursday 14th October — The Middle East and Far East — except Hong Kong and Singapore.
Thursday 28th October—Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa and the USA.
Wednesday 17th November—Eastern Europe.
Wednesday 24th November—Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Malta and Iceland.
Wednesday 1st December—Western Europe.

Recommended posting dates for international airmail and within the UK are all in December and we will publish these in our December issue.

The Friendship Club welcomes new members

MORE than just a lunch club for pensioners… that’s the Friendship Club which meets every Wednesday at 12.30pm in Merkinch Community Centre, says Cheryl, the new co-ordinator.
The club has a range of activities in its programme, including trips out as well as visits from various individuals, organisations and groups giving talks and providing other information and entertainment. Music of all kinds is very popular and is often on the programme.

Activities last month included a Victorian tea at the Anchor and Chain, North Kessock. Then the children from Merkinch Nursery came over to sing for members; they will return again nearer Christmas with a programme of seasonal sings.

On 6th October there is a day trip to Revack Estate planned—Strathspey is particularly glorious at this time of year—stopping for lunch in Grantown on the way.
The new minister at the Trinity Church, Rev Alistair Murray, is coming along to introduce himself and give a talk on the 13th.

And by popular demand, A Bunch of Thyme have been asked to return to play on the 27th. There are also bingo and quiz sessions.

There are many things happening around Christmas time — a trip to the pantomime at Eden Court is an annual must — and there are festive meals and entertainment of all kinds.
New members can always be sure of a very warm welcome. People are free to come every Wednesday or as and when they wish to eat in company and share the crack. Trips are subsidised to keep prices low and easily affordable by pensioners. If you have difficulty getting around, it is possible to get transport.

Anyone interested can get further information from Merkinch Community Centre telephone 239563. Or they can just come along any Wednesday at 12.30pm. However, it is advisable to check that the club is having lunch at the Centre that day in case they are off on a jaunt that day!

In addition, on Friday mornings the Centre minibus offers free transport to go shopping, offering members a lift from their homes to the supermarket and then back again with all their shopping —a great boon.

Chill out at the Janny’s Hoose

THIS term we have a new student with us. Kirstin is here until Christmas and will be working partly in the Hoose and partly in Merkinch Enterprise with Brian.

“Let’s Cook Women” - a new cookery group for women will start after the October break. This will be a 6 week course and will be cookery with a difference. Not only will we be cooking but there will also be the chance to look at recipes from all over the world on the internet. If you’re interested please get in touch with Kirstin at the Hoose.

Baby massage will start again on 30 September. This will be run in the community room in the school on Thursdays 1.30 – 3pm. If you fancy learning baby massage just come along any Thursday with your baby, bring a changing mat, a towel, a spare nappy and an empty bottle such as a clean shampoo bottle. Babies should be at least 6 weeks old, but not old enough for crawling. No need to book.

Chill out with art! We are running a taster session on Thursday 7 October 9.15 – 11.30. Art can be a wonderful way of relieving the stress and strain of everyday life. This is not a serious art class. You don’t need to be able to draw or paint. It is a chance to have fun and chat about life at the same time. No need to book for this session.

Food and health sessions are continuing on Wednesdays from 10 –12, talking about (and tasting) any aspect of food that you want to know about. Contact the Hoose for further details.

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

Kessock Court’s last burst of glory

FILM images of Merkinch mums and their children will feature in a special outdoor event to be held at the Kessock Court North flats on Saturday 13th November – weather permitting!

For the past couple of months the women from the Escape Group have been working with artist Gavin Lockhart, from Northern Sutherland, to produce their own mini films of life in their own homes and in the Merkinch neighbourhood.

These films and images will be projected on to the outside of the flats which are boarded up and soon to be demolished. The idea to use this as the backdrop came from Escape group member Violet Reid and the rest have taken up the idea.

Another member, Maggie Healy, has undertaken to make a cross stitch picture of the flats to be filmed and projected on to the flats.

The various short films will be accompanied by a soundtrack of all the No 1 singles since the flats were built in 1968.

When asked how they get on with Gavin, the response comes that “he just blends in with all the women” and they “have a good laugh”. The mums indicate that they have gained confidence in the use of the digital video cameras, and have enjoyed looking at the children in a different way. For his part Gavin is delighted at all the suggestions made by the mums and by their enthusiasm.

Lisa Innes, for instance, has made a film of herself carrying baby and buggy up several flights of stairs to her flat. This follows the theme of the film made by Gavin and the Escape group at the end of last year in the Merkinch Community Centre.

This transformed the intricate movements required to negotiate the twin doors with a buggy into a dance piece.

Jennifer Lornie has come up with the idea for the film event, “Changing Faces”. This reflects the strange but intimate images created by the children faces being projected on to their mothers’ faces.

It also reflects the changing face of Merkinch, as represented in a way by the demolition of these single occupancy flats, which were associated with a good deal of rowdyism. “The police were always there” says Violet, which sets the group off on an idea to incorporate a police car into the film.

Meanwhile Gavin has also been working with the artists at the Corbett Centre, filming their artwork in progress. He has now completed a 10-minute film which has a professionally composed piece of music.
This will be presented to the participants, the staff, friends, families and others at the end of October.

In a third strand to this three-month residency, Gavin has also been working with Bruce Crichton, IT worker at the mp33 youth project on Grant Street, to involve the young people in developing a new website, using state-of-the-art technology (Dream-weaver MX web and Realviz Stitcher).

This provides a virtual 3D representation of the centre and allows for all sorts of imaginative links to useful information for the young people.

This project is one of seven in the Highlands funded through the Scottish Arts Council’s scheme to promote inclusion through public art and also by the Social Inclusion Partnerships.

The project is managed by the Highland Council Arts Officers in the recently combined Community Learning and Leisure Service.

briefs…

• STAGESTRUCK wannabes are all set for their moment of fame next month when Stars in Your Eyes comes to Merkinch Community Centre. Application forms are now available at the Centre or at mp33 for those wishing to take part. The cost is £2 per entry. There are to be three sections — Children, Teenagers and Adults — and the event is open to entries from solo acts, duets or groups.
• THE After-School Club which was closed last month will re-open after the October school break.
• SCHOOLS break up for the October holidays on Friday the 8th. Classes resume on Monday 25th. School secretary Nessie is retiring at the October break, though no doubt she will be around to help whoever comes to step into her shoes. Her replacement has not yet been appointed, but will be soon.
• DUE top the closure of the Highland Council service point in Church Street for building work, the Pension Service advice surgery due to be held there on 20th October has been cancelled. They hope to be back in operation on 17th November, but will keep people updated if there are any more changes. Meantime, if you want to speak to someone regarding OAP matters, ring 663573 or 663608.

Former Maclennan Crescent tenants get option to return

THE issues raised by the report featured in last month’s News & Views concerning anti-social behaviour in Anderson Street are to be looked into by local Councillor Peter Corbett.

Anderson Street is one of the very few areas in Merkinch that is without a residents’ association, and people are demanding that something be done.

Councillor Corbett said, “I am treating these concerns very seriously and will assist any way I can through Highland Council and the northern Constabulary.”

Rumours that “asylum-seekers” were to be housed in Maclennan Crescent have been rubbished by Councillor Corbett. He told News & Views that the council-owned houses, the first of which are due to open this month, would be allocated first to former Maclennan Crescent tenants, then allocation would follow the normal pattern. He added that Albyn Housing Association which is developing the other half of the Crescent, have their own allocation policy.

Councillor Corbett reported that the possibility of revitalising the Merkinch construction Group was being looked into.

Youth Club says goodbye

CAROLINE Allan and Bruce Crichton from mp33 have both left the Youth Club and on their last night they were presented with signed t-shirts by Mark Ridgers (centre) on behalf of YC members. Although he won’t be around on Wednesday nights, Bruce will still be at mp33, and though Caroline has left her post altogether, she will still be involved in the skate-boarding sessions.

Working to secure a safer environment in Merkinch

AT A recent meeting in the Merkinch between the Young Mums’ group and Bill MacLean the new Community Warden for the area, several areas of concern were raised by those attending.

One part in particular, close to the Rail Bridge in Anderson Street, was identified as being used on a regular basis by young adults to congregate and some evidence indicating substance and alcohol misuse was found near dwelling houses there.

Bill commented: “ I am particularly concerned by the anti-social behaviour of a small minority of people who use this area to the detriment of residents here.

“Apart from the obvious nuisance, there are inherent dangers from irresponsibly discarded needles injuring children or others. We will work with the community and our partners in the police and other agencies to find solutions to this type of activity and invite everyone to join us in our efforts.

“Education as well as enforcement is paramount in these matters and we would urge those who use substances wherever they may be, to act responsibly and to dispose of their needles safely after use.
“There is a free needle exchange programme in the City and I will be pleased to advise anyone who wishes to contact me in confidence how to access this service.”

Chief Inspector Charlie Maciejewski of Northern Constabulary added: “ The issues raised are similar to those raised by other communities within Inverness, particularly in respect of the congregation of unruly groups. These areas are the subject of targeted patrols, based on information we receive.

“Parents have a responsibility to be aware of where their children are, and what they are doing. The Community Beat Officers in Inverness will continue to work with our partner agencies to address the concerns of the community.”

Nikki Fraser of BLAST Drug Project at Inverness said: “We would welcome the opportunity to work within the Merkinch area and have had input on several occasions over the past few years.

“BLAST have a good understanding of how substance use related issues can have a knock-on effect within the community, and would hope to work in conjunction with locals and residents using a harm reduction stance to improve communication and work towards a safer, more well informed community by promoting factual and realistic information to meet their needs.”

Blast has been running for eight years in the Highlands and offers a range of free and confidential services for young people, families and communities affected by substance misuse and related issues.
Blast provides a drop-in facility; one to one advice and support; training and awareness raising and sign-posting to other services. In the last year 3000 people have benefited from Blast services!

Blast, which also now has an outreach vehicle enabling them to take services out to local communities, is based at 94 Church Street, Inverness. They can be contacted by ringing (01463) 715454 or via e-mail:
blastdrugproject@btconnect.com

Local history group take stock

THE Merkinch Local History Group which was formed earlier this year, is holding its first AGM in Merkinch Community Centre on 21st October. Guest speaker is Highland Archivist Bob Steward who will give a short presentation. Also on the agenda is the adoption of a constitution, the election of office bearers and a summery report of progress so far.

One of the highlights this summer was the Story-Walk which started at the Black Bridge and made its way to the Clach Club. Led by Greg Dawson Allen (pictured left) members shared their knowledge and memories of the area.
Greg is a published poet, writer and a playwright, many of whose works have been staged in Edinburgh and elsewhere. This meant that he had the skills to put over his own research and was able to bring the scene to life.

Another such Story-Walk is no doubt in the planning, as Merkinch has a very rich history going back to the days of the Crusades and Medieval times.

Specific themes which the group hopes to cover over the coming winter are trading, fairs and markets, and also the river.

Spotlight on the Lilywhites

John Douglas

Where & when born… Inverness, March 1971.
School… Culloden Academy
Occupation… Civil Engineer
Family… wife Julie and daughters Sophie and Charlotte
Previous clubs… Caley
How long with Clach… 14 years!
Position usually played… Defence
Best moment in football career… Winning the Qualifying Cup in 1998 and the Highland League in 2003/4
Worst moment in football career… Losing to Huntly at the last moment in the Q-Cup semi-final in 1999
Hobbies/other sports… Ski-ing
Favourite food… Mexican
Favourite music… U2
Favourite holiday spot… Antigua
Who is your football hero… Dalgliesh and Larsson
What is your ambition… To stay happy and healthy
Where do you see yourself in five years' time… Retired from active playing

Astaire or Flatley – your kids can tap their way to health and stardom

FEW kids nowadays will know much about Fred Astaire Gene Kelly or Ginger Rodgers, but many will have heard of Michael Flatley and Riverdance.

All of them could call tap dancing their discipline – and the opportunity for youngsters to learn this delightful form of dance is available at Merkinch Community Centre on Tuesday evenings.

Connie Howden, pictured right, teaches beginners, aged five and up, from 5.30pm to 6.15pm and intermediates from 6.15pm to 7pm.

She herself has been dancing since she was six, and Karine, has been a pupil of Connie’s for the last eight years and is one of her older, more advanced pupils – they meet on Thursdays.
Connie’s pupils give a concert every Christmas.

Though Connie does not teach adults, there is always a place for youngsters who would like to develop this skill. Most sizes of shoes are available to borrow and the cost of a lesson is just £1. Interested? Drop in on Tuesday.

mp33

Hi there!

Want to brush up on your spelling and/or computing skills? ABE are going to be here for a drop-in session on Tuesdays, so if you’re getting a bit rusty in the communications department, here’s a chance to do something about it with Christine Mackenzie.

Thursdays in November will see the trips to the Aquadome for parents and toddlers (under-5s) resume. Transport leaves the Community Centre at 11am and returns at 12.30pm. You can only take one young child per adult, so there is a creche available if needed. The idea is to let youngsters gain confidence in the water safely.

Around 14 young people have visited the Highland Football Academy during August and September for coaching sessions. It is hoped that more sessions can be arranged later in the year. There is also the possibility of a 7-a-side tournament later this month, though nothing is confirmed yet. For more info contact Bruce.

There may also be a fishing trip for the Core Fishing Group in mid-October, but again this is not confirmed yet. Unfortunately the Group is full at present.

Over the October break we will be around but opening times may be changed, so check. See you...

All at mp33,
October‘04

MONDAY mornings at Merkinch Community Centre recently have been a hive of activity with the sounds of sand-papering and the smells of varnish and paint. It is the Escape Group’s furniture restoration session—they have been turning pieces of second-hand furniture and with some inventiveness and plenty of elbow grease they have made them like new.

The group are grateful to New Start for helping them with the furniture, and to Ian at the Centre for somehow finding space to store it between one week and the next.

The group meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am to 12 and has a range of workshops as well as a creche. After October there will be arts and crafts and possibly even line dancing.

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