Merkinch to be exempt from ban on sale of council houses

MERKINCH, along with Hilton, is to be exempt from the Scottish Executive's proposal to ban the sale of local authority housing to new tenants, the local Community Council heard at their March meeting, held for the first time at the Corbett Centre.

• Still on housing, Councillor Peter Corbett said that houses in Rosehaugh Road and Kessock Road were in line for new front doors; some houses in Kessock Road were to get porches; the even numbers on Thornbush Road were to get new doors and windows and there was also to be improvements in Madras Street, Coronation Park and Dan Corbett Gardens.

 

• Dell McClurg, Ali Locke, Clair Pieraccini and Councillor Corbett are to head up the new independent South Kessock Environmental Company which aims to develop the project at the former ferry office. Originally set up under the aegis of the Community Council, members agreed that they could take it no further and wished the new company well.

 

• Around seven or eight applications for the vacant post of Community Warden, members heard, though it was not yet known when there would be interviews.

 

• Despite the removal of old cars and some "rough repairs" a coming Planning and Development meeting would be considering planning enforcement at the former Tawse yard. The site has outline permission for housing.

 

• April 1st has been designated No Speeding Day by the police.

 

• Operations to focus on speeding, failure to use seat belts and drink driving are ongoing as is Operation Notebook which is clamping down on underage drinking, vandalism and breach of the peace. Merkinch was by no means the worst, Community Beat Officer Pat Underwood said.

 

• The names and addresses of young people found alarming residents by congregating are being taken and in some cases letters have gone to parents, she said. Vandalism and child/youth reports were all down recently.

 

• The highly successful Tool Club based at Craigton Avenue was recently visited by community councillors from Fort William to see how the facility is run. Margaret Ross acted as host and Ali Locke of South Kessock Residents Association thanked her for her efforts. He reported that a clean-up of the West Field, Carnarc Point and other places was to take place on 17th March.

 

• The Council cherry-picker was due in South Kessock soon to clear rones - Councillor Chrissie Cumming warned that when the cherry-picker visited her area paving slabs and pavements were damaged.

 

• Councillor Cumming said that there was to be security lighting at the pensioners' houses on Birnie Terrace.

 

• She was also allocating some of her discretionary budget to paying for a clean-up behind the garages there. A Neighbourhood Watch scheme could possibly be set up on the terrace she said.

 

• Members were bemused by an invitation from the Community Council Forum to host a soiree as Merkinch had withdrawn from the Forum and are no longer represented on it.

 

• The Merkinch Community Council's next meeting will be in the Community Centre at 7.30pm on 14th April. This year's AGM is to be on 9th June in Merkinch Primary School at 7pm.

 

(see pic right) BELLY dancing is fun as well as healthy - and well-being and fun were the twin themes at the Janny's Hoose AGM in the Clach Club last month. Further coverage in Janny's Hoose report.

Helping hand at Enterprise

LATEST addition to the Merkinch Enterprise team is Leigh-Anne Smith who started as a general assistant under the New Deal scheme on 14th March.

Originally from Oxford, Leigh-Anne (18) came north to live in Alness a year ago-her boyfriend comes from Easter Ross.
She studied IT at school and this is her first job. She would like to be a computer programmer and hopes to go to Inverness College to extend her skills.

Her hobbies include the internet, listening to music - she enjoys a wide range of different kinds of music. And she likes walking.

IHS seeks help with garden project

YOUNGSTERS in their third year at Inverness High are looking for volunteers and sponsors to help them to improve the image of the school by building a raised flower bed and painting the wall behind it at the entrance to the school grounds. The High School is the only secondary school in Scotland to have been given a grant by the Grounds for Learning scheme. Volunteers will work alongside the pupils - all of whom are from the 3rd year Intermediate I Biology class - doing gardening, building and painting. It is planned that the flower bed will have the school logo planted with a range of colours. There is also to be a trellis and perhaps some hanging baskets. Anyone willing to lend a hand should contact Miss Gray on Inverness 233586.

Working together is key to Merkinch development

THE need for all the various agencies and organisations in Merkinch to work together emerged as a major necessity if the positive beginnings of recent years were to be built on. That was the universal view of all those who attended the follow-up to the November conference, which was held last month in Merkinch Community Centre.

Over 30 were present and there were a number of displays including Merkinch Enterprise, mp33, the Janny's Hoose, the recently-established Ness Soaps and so forth.

Among those who spoke were Brian Macleod, Community Project Officer who initiated the original conference, Inverness area manager Chris Claridge and representatives of the Community Learning & Leisure department, the Highland Well-being Alliance, Inverness & Nairn Enterprise as well as various local organisations and members of the public.

It was agreed that there was a need for an over-arching forum of some sort to be formed, one that could coordinate the various interests and help with fund-seeking. Various options were mooted but it was agreed by all that the needs of the community were the top priority.

Cobbler runs sale in aid of local charities

LOCHALSH Road shoe repairer Jim Smith recently ran a sale in aid of the Oncology Unit and Moray Firth Radio Charity.

Jim, whose wife Sylvia suffered from cancer for many years before her death in 2004, has been a long-term fund-raiser for the charity. He collected books, knick-knacks and a range of sale goods from friends and customers for the sale, which he held in his workshop.

Altogether £100 was raised and Jim would like to thank all those who helped in any way.

Learning to deal with chronic pain

A FREE six-week course to help people with a chronic condition such as arthritis is being run at Inverness Sports Centre starting Monday 2nd May.

Run by Arthritis Care the course is designed to help people to deal with their condition more positively and effectively. It enables them to deal with their symptoms and stress through techniques such as exercise, relaxation, problem-solving and shared experience with others. The course is open to men and women with a chronic condition, aged 18 to 90.

Those taking part have to be prepared to attend a two-and-a-half hour session once a week for six weeks. At the end of this time it is guaranteed that you will understand more about how to manage your symptoms.

This course is special in that the leaders have chronic disease themselves and understand the difficulties you face.
It will not cure your condition, but it does assist people deal with their condition more positively. If people have a better understanding of their condition, they experience fewer symptoms and have a more fulfilling life.

The Chronic Disease course does not replace your medical treatment-rather it complements it. Drugs alone are not enough to enable people to cope with their symptoms.

A book accompanies the course, Living a healthy life with chronic conditions by Kate Lorig, is available on loan for the duration of the course, or it can be purchased from Arthritis Scotland.
Booking is essential-contact Alex on 0845 600 3756 or write to Arthritis Care in Scotland, Unit 25a Anniesland Business Park, 242 Netherton Road, Glasgow G13 1EU.

Building and clean-up mark step forward in environment programme

CARNARC Point now has a handsome new stone-built entrance, thanks to British Trust for Conservation Volunteers and the sweat of a number of local volunteers.

Despite some very wet weather, the three-day project led by Jenny Sleeman, local Youth & Community Officer with BTCV and drystane dyker George Gunn from Caithness, completed the wall which is adjacent to the bus shelter.

The last day of the project-on 17th March-coincided with the annual spring clean-up which covered the West Field, Carnarc Point and around the Community Centre and Corbett Centre.

briefs.

• THERE is no Easter Playscheme as such at the Community Centre over Easter, but the After-School Club will continue throughout the holidays for members only, except for Easter Monday. That is it will run Tuesday to Thursday the first week and Monday to Thursday the second.

 

• THE Friendship Club, which meets for lunch in the Community Centre every Wednesday, was entertained by Mrs Fraser's Highland dancers on 30th March; the following week is set aside for that old favourite, Bingo; on 13th April there is to be a story-teller and musician and trips are being planned for later in the month and into the summer. Remember, those who can't get to the Friendship Club under their own steam can be picked up and taken home again at the end. Ring the Community Centre for details on 239563.

 

• IF YOU like a bargain-or indeed have anything to clear out that might be of use to another-don't foget the New Start charity shop in Laurel Avenue, Dalneigh. It is open on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4pm.

 

• THE Highland Health Council was wound up on 31st March. Patients who need help with a complaint should contact the Citizens Advice Bureau or their MSP.

 

Janny's Hoose marks a very successful year

MEETINGS are pretty boring, so by way of an AGM the Janny's Hoose held a health fair at the Clach Club instead.
Besides the belly dancing and head massaging there were stalls promoting healthy eating and a range of health issues.

Currently on the Janny's Hoose committee are: Alison Berg, Peter Corbett, Christine Griffiths, Sheena Morrison, Joan Tracey and an NHS representative. Two new additions to the committee areMyra Campbell and Sara Kane.

You can contact Jean Mackay at the Janny's Hoose Healthy Living Centre or ring Inverness 226348 for details of Janny's Hoose activities.

New face on Learning scene

JUST arrived in the Merkinch area is new Community Learning Officer Jamie McJimpsey. After Easter he will be based at Inverness High School, but in the meantime he has been getting to know Merkinch folk.

A Dingwall man, Jamie worked in the oil industry for many years before taking an Open University degree. He has also worked with the disabled and volunteered with ABE among others.

Jamie has two youngsters, aged six and three. A veteran of T in the Park-he has gone for the last six years-Jamie has broad taste in music and is also very keen on football. He will be spending part of his time at mp33 - for more new faces there see mp33 later.

Red Nose Day

CELEBRATING Red Nose Day is Thornbush Road Mace manager Lily (centre) with two of her staff, who were very reluctant to be identified! Altogether they raised £140, which made it all worthwhile in spite of the agony of wearing the too-tight noses!

Sports Nooz

A blast from the past - there may be a few oldsters still around who remember a face from this collection of fine fellows - The Merkinch Primary School shinty team which won the Boys Shinty League in the 1924/25 season. If you have any old photographs-and they needn't be this old-why not contact the local history group. Any enquiries to Brian Macleod, Community Project Officer on 240085.

Pentland A takes Supreme Cup from the Bs

WEEK ending 14th March:
Portland A won the Supreme Cup beating Shots 7-2 in a game which was much closer than the score suggests with the B league team giving a good account of themselves.
180s were scored by Nicky Morgan of Shots and Gordon Morison of Portland.

There are no changes at the top of the A or B league with the top four in each all winning. Gun Lodge edge closer to the C League title with a win over Clach Club but there is a dispute in the result in the match between Caley Club and the Drover.

Top performance of the week came from Uncle Bob's with six of their players getting 180s or ton plus finishes.
Robbie Mutch scored 180 and checked out on 153 also hitting maximums were Michael Maclean, Dougie Milne and Trevor Bell, Kevin Chisholm finished on 123 and Derek Maclean on 100.
180s were also scored by Ian Cushnie (Drouthy Duck), Barrie Mackay (Culloden), Keith Robertson (Portland B), Jim Hunter (Portland A) and Fraser Gallagher (Fluke).
Other good finishes came from John Chisholm (Caley Inn) 119, Paul Clark (Dows) 116 and Drew Ogg (Portland B) 103.

Plans going ahead for May festival

LEAFLETS outlining the theme of this year's visual arts exhibition are now available from Merkinch Enterprise, mp33 and the Community Centre.

The exhibition, which will be at the Black Bridge Gallery in Grant Street, is part of the Arts in Merkinch festival which takes place at the end of May, and will have The River as its main theme.

The leaflets, which contain an entry form, describe the various categories of work the exhibition hopes to include-photography, painting and drawing, and crafts.

Among those expected to take part are Merkinch Primary School and the Corbett Centre. As the focus is on photography this year, members of Inverness Camera Club have been invited to take part.

The festival will also feature story-telling and poetry-reading events and a ceilidh-details of these have yet to be confirmed. More details in next month's News & Views.

Storytelling circle to be formed

A NEW storytelling circle, the Claik an' Clype, is being set up in Inverness and the inaugural meeting is being held on 6th April in Hootananny's Bothy Bar from 8 to 9.30pm.

Storytellers and unaccompanied ballad singers are invited to come along and take part. But there is no obligation to perform and if you just want to come and listen you are very welcome.

The club is the brainchild of storyteller/poet Lilian Ross who is currently a regular around Merkinch Primary where she has been working with the children on their storytelling skills.

Also involved is another weel-kent Merkinch face, the writer and storyteller Greg Dawson Allen, who is an assistant at Fliperz nursery.

It is aimed to hold a Claik and Clype event on the first Wednesday of every month-more details from Greg on 233729.

• Claik = to carry tales; Clype = idle gossip, a tall tale.

 

mp33

Hi there!

As promised, there are some new faces at mp33. Lorraine Cran (see over the page) is already in post, and Jamie McJimpsey, who will be based at Inverness High, will be around and about in Merkinch (see main body of the newsletter.

Finally Angus McIver will be coming soon to take over Bruce's role as the IT man. More about him next month. With the new set-up Roni will only be in Grant Street half-time, that is two-and-a-half days a week.

The Escape Group is delighted at gaining funding from "Pathways to Health" to let them equip themselves for their Ben Nevis trip in May. The Ben is no place to climb in sandals and cardies, even on a good summer day, and the group are fortunate in getting good advice and help from Dennis MacPherson in the Victorian Market in getting kitted out.

The group-and kids-are to get their first taste of camping when they have a one-night stop at a site north of Ullapool over the Easter holidays.

Many thanks to Maggie for giving a masterclass on cross-stitch to Capers. Note: Capers are closed over Easter.

Meanwhile we are looking for your suggestions for the summer programme which we are in the process of drawing up. If you have any particular ideas for trips or places to visit, drop in and let us know and we'll see if we can do it.

It is hoped that the Senior Youth Club programme after Easter will include a video night, a talk about smoking, henna tattoos, a Spanish night and various other goodies-so keep your eyes open for dates and details..

Meanwhile drop in and see what's happening. We are open over Easter, except for the Bank Holidays, so drop in and use the computers and so on.

See you soon...

All at mp33,
April'05

Congratulations to North youth club soccer champs

• The Senior youth club is on holiday and recommences on 13th April; the Juniors don't meet again until the 18th.

 

Welcome Lorraine

A WARM Merkinch welcome to Lorraine Cran, the new full-time Youth Development Worker based at mp33.

Although Lorraine was born in Singapore, her dad Jock was born and raised in Craigton Avenue. He used to build wooden buses. But he was in the RAF for many years and the family travelled all over the world.

Lorraine was a teacher in Hastings for some years before coming north. Until she finds a place of her own, she and her 18-month-old son Ben are living with her Uncle Jimmy in Essich.

One of her reasons for moving north was because she wanted her son to grow up in the Highlands.

An enthusiastic motorcyclist, Lorraine is currently running a Suzuki Bandit 400.

She is also interested in another kind of wheel-the potter's wheel. She has her own pottery equipment, but until she has her own place and can move it north she is looking for someone who would let her have a shot.

You must suffer to be beautiful, they say, but must you dye?

EVERY day thousands of people colour their hair, but an increasing number are discovering that chemicals found in their hair dye can cause allergies, headaches, swellings and even cancers.

What are the dangers?
On contact with the scalp, up to 60% of what is placed on the skin is absorbed into our bloodstream. Some of the chemicals found in hair dyes can trigger anything from allergies, swelling, itching, coughing, headaches, pustules, sneezing, breathlessness and rashes to rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. Bladder cancer rates in women who dye their hair are said to be twice that of women who stay natural.

Who does it affect?
Anyone who uses a hair dye is at potential risk. If you use a permanent hair dye every four to six weeks, in a dark colour or on grey roots you could also be in the highest risk category. This is because permanent colours, especially darker ones, contain the most concentrated amount of chemicals, used to make colour long-lasting.

Which dyes are most dangerous?
Anything that lightens the hair contains peroxide, which strips the hair of its natural pigments but can also corrode the skin and be a lung irritant. Despite the many different brands, the ingredients are similar in all dyes.

What if I still want to dye my hair?
Leave the dye on for the shortest time possible and rinse very thoroughly. Highlights and lowlights are safest as the hair is wrapped in foil and has less contact with the scalp. Choose lighter colours: ebony contains 3000 times more dye than auburn. Change to semi-permanent or wash-out dye as they have a weaker concentration of chemicals.

What are the alternatives?
Plant-based hair dyes, such as Watercolour by Daniel Field which is ammonia and peroxide free. These are available from chemist shops.