Refurbished garden now open to general public

Pictured at the South Kessock clean-up are, from left: Ali Locke of South Kessock Environmental Company, Community Project Officer Anne Sutherland and Councillor Peter Corbett with his nephew.

THE wide-ranging South Kessock and Merkinch Environmental Project takes a step forward this month with the refurbishment of the Corbett Centre garden.

The official opening takes place on 8th April and it is hoped that nearby flat dwellers, the After-School Club and local Mothers & Toddlers groups as well as Merkinch Primary School and the general public will appreciate and enjoy the gardens.

The garden redevelopment, which is funded by the Community Economic Development Fund through INBSE along with Greenspace Scotland and Inverness City Vision, was coordinated by the directors of South Kessock Environmental Company. A great deal of work has gone into clearing, pruning, and planting and new picnic tables and seating provided.

As it is now a community asset it is expected that the community will now take responsibility for maintaining the garden which had fallen into a somewhat derelict state in recent years.

Much of the work of identifying the refurbishment's requirements was organised by Community Warden Liz Murray who told News & Views: "I'm glad to see the gardens are being brought up to standard and that the community can get use of this valuable resource."

It is all part of a larger project which has already seen bulb-planting earlier this spring. These are now coming away successfully, despite the unusually cold March.

Last month saw a major clear-up at Carnarc Point. Besides the annual rubbish collection by numerous volunteers, whin and gorse bushes were cut back opening up new vistas across the peninsula.
Benches and picnic tables are being erected and work is in the process of being carried out on signage and interpretive panels, designed by the community.

Looking forward to the summer, it is planned to paint the board walk and improve the paths in the West Field.

Ness Soaps' new manager takes up his post this month

THE new manager of Ness Soaps is Robbie Thomson, pictured above. He begins his new post on 10th April. However, Robbie is not new to the emerging social firm. As a support worker at the Corbett Centre for over six years he has been involved with the soap-making project since it first came out of brain-storming sessions at a Merkinch development conference in November 2004.

Robbie will be based at No.4 Grant Street, between Black Bridge Laundrette and Merkinch Enterprise. He is the first salaried member of the team, the directors and others participating in the company so far all being volunteers.

Originally from Buckie, Robbie spent some years in the Army before working with Scottish Brewers in Inverness for 12 years. He then spent a decade in financial services before coming to Merkinch.

A married man, Robbie and his wife live at Foxhole, near Kiltarlity, where he pursues his interest in organic gardening.

No.4 is now open for the sale of Ness Soaps, so if you are looking for a special gift, or run a B&B, drop in and have a look at their wide and fragrant range.

Fun stuff to do during the Easter Holidays

HAVING a good time over the Easter break needn't cost a lot of money. There's lots of things to do for free, you could:

• Visit the library.
• Make a jigsaw.
• Play a game - I'm sure there's some hiding under the bed!
• Write a poem.
• Recycle your rubbish.
• Dress up in funny clothes and give your friends and family a laugh.
• Tidy the garden.
• Plant some seeds.
• Visit the museum.
• Make mum a cup of tea.
• Write to a relation, nice to get a letter instead of a bill.
• Draw a picture send it to your granny or grandpa.
• Go for a walk, take a picnic
• Make some cakes.
• Join in with the Janny's Hoose activities!
• Remember if you have a HighLife card a swim costs 50p per person.

Most of all enjoy the holiday.

For more information pop into Janny's Hoose

The Janny's Hoose will be open Monday - Thursday, from 11am-1pm and 2pm-3.30pm each week of the holiday apart from Easter Monday.

Jean Mackay

Porterfield chief launches new events at Community Centre

Mr MacDonald mingled with those attending the Talkback cheese and wine evening at the Community Centre.

THE work done at Inverness's Porterfield Prison to fit prisoners rejoining society was outlined by Prison Governor Alastair MacDonald when he visited Merkinch Community Centre last month.

The occasion was the first in what is hoped will be a series of informal cheese and wine events entitled Talkback which are being held to broaden the range of activities at the Centre.

Mr MacDonald opened his perceptive and sometimes amusing speech by running over the history of Inverness jails. At one time prisoners were kept in small cells built into the old bridge. Also there was at one time a cell beneath the Steeple. A man could spend seven years in jail for non-payment of debt and for quite minor crimes one could be deported or executed.

The last convict ship for Australia only left in 1856, and he recalled that at one time prisoners were transported from as far away as the Dornoch court to Leith by horse and cart for transportation - hardly a comfortable journey.

Last year Scotland had a record number of people languishing in its jails. The country has proportionately quite a high prison population compared to the rest of Europe and the world with 129 prisoners for every 100,000 of the population. To put this in perspective, however: the USA (land of the free) and Russia have 702 and 602 per 100,000 respectively while at the other end of the spectrum, the law-abiding Scandinavians have 65 in Denmark and 75 in Sweden. Just across the water Eire has 79 per 100,000.

Mr MacDonald described how the number of prisoners had increased in the last 30 years. In Scotland in 1975, for instance, there were 320 serving "life" (then about nine and a half years before being released on licence), whereas now there are 586 serving more like thirteen and a half years.

Mr MacDonald pointed out that consumption of alcohol directly relates to the prison population; many perpetrators of crime suffered from addiction, to alcohol or drugs.

Porterfield, however, had a wide range of prisoners including international drug dealers.

Mr MacDonald was aware of the problems of simply locking people up. He quoted the French philosopher Rousseau who believed that "Frequent punishment is always a sign of weakness or laziness on the part of government".

Often, he admitted, the prison system was dealing with people who should not be in jail at all. About 70% of prisoners had various illnesses and 25% had treatable mental illnesses, yet the vast proportion of prisoners were not registered with a doctor. And police doctors were becoming as difficult to find as NHS dentists. Hepatitis C was one of the biggest silent threats to health in our community, he said.

Nowadays the prison service takes a more holistic view in assessing prisoners' needs and identifying the provision of interventions-such as challenging their lifestyles and social skills. He said: "Our vision of success is when a prisoner goes out:

• Physically and mentally well and substance free;
• Able to access appropriate accommodation;
• Able to read, write and count-about one third of the admissions at Porterfield can't-and better equipped to be employable-we are reaping what neglect is sown in earlier years;
• Able to maintain appropriate relationships with family, peers and the community;
• Able to live independently and how to access community supports on release;
• Able to stop re-offending and ceasing to be a risk to the public.

Mr MacDonald paid tribute to local Councillor Chrissie Cummings for the sterling work carried out by the team of prison visitors led by her. It would be a sad day when representatives of the community did not have access to prisoners.

After his speech Mr MacDonald answered a number of questions from those the attending the event.

briefs.

• AT THE last meeting of South Kessock Residents Association the housing officer informed members that he is dealing with an increase of tenants requesting mutual transfers in to South Kessock from areas that were once seen as "better areas". This is a far cry from the days not so long ago that people would advertise for an exchange in Inverness anywhere "except the ferry".
  He also appealed for residents to phone the police when they see young children and teenagers in the fenced-off area behind the community house in Craigton Avenue. The area was fenced off to try to stop the vandalism, smashing of bottles and drinking, mostly underage. Despite the fence being 6ft high the problem persists.

 

• LUCKY winner of the Nicol's Killer Quiz competition is Dennis Platt, Carnarc Crescent. Congratulations. See this month's quiz on page 8 and last month's correct answers on page 10.

 

• OVER the Easter holidays youngsters can find activities at Merkinch Community Centre on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, from 2pm to 4pm, on 5th/6th April and also on 12th/13th. Ring 239563 for details.

 

• THE Trinity Church held a Spring Fayre and Coffee Morning on 4th March. The church newsletter reports that the final figure raised at their Christmas Bazaar was £3355. 55 and £1829.10 for the Smartie project. It was remarked that disappointingly Nestle had changed the shape of Smartie packets which meant they now held fewer 20p pieces!

 

• LOCAL woman Gail MacDonald is looking for sponsors for when she climbs Ben Nevis in June with a group of women from the Merkinch area. She has been training for the climb for some time and she hopes to raise money for a martial arts group - Kuk-Sool-Won - that she and her son have been members of for the last year. Gail can be contacted at 20 Glendoe Terrace.

 

• SCHOOLS close for the Easter break on 31st March and return on 19th April.

Riverside no-go area gets a very welcome clean-up

A PLANNING application was set to be lodged for an Aldi superstore on the vacant Ness Motors site on Telford Street, members of the Abbey-Cameron Tenants and Residents Association heard at their February meeting.

The helpful co-operation between Councillors Chrissie Cumming and Peter Corbett and their constructive liaison with TEC Services has led to a remarkable clean-up along the river bank from Celt Street to Gilbert Street. Also members noted that the filthy underpass at the Friars Bridge is receiving regular attention and no longer being used as a refuse pit.

The diligence of the Beat Constables has not gone unnoticed and their regular patrols have all but stamped out the practice of late-night and early-morning drinking. Thanks to them, the area is no longer the 'no-go' patch it once was.

Again, thanks are due to the local councillors and the Traffic Department for their helpful start in introducing traffic-calming measures.

As usual, Community Beat Officer Pat Underwood was in upbeat mode and assured members that the ACTRA area was largely crime-free. Sadly, this was her last meeting as she is being transferred to Lochbroom and she was warmly thanked for all her help.

Fulsome thanks were accorded to Mrs Cumming for securing a Conservation Preservation Order for part of the ACTRA area.

Members also expressed their appreciation at Mrs Cumming's attendance after her recent health scare. Her commitment to the group is much appreciated.

Among the other matters discussed was the National Tenants Conference in Edinburgh bveing held by the Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland on 20th March to consider the feed-back on the consultation by Docherty Consultants on National Engagement re Tenant Participation. The ACTRA chairman has been invited and the group agreed that he attend with all expenses being refunded by CIH.

The next meeting of the group will be on Thursday, 20th April at 7.30pm in the Merkinch School. All tenants and owner/occupiers in the area's 10 streets are cordially invited, particularly those occupying Albyn and Cairn Housing.

New MCC member

COMMUNITY Project Officer Anne Sutherland was elected as a new member of Merkinch Community Council at their latest meeting. It was agreed that in future any potential new members would attend one or two members of the public before any decision was taken.

Thanks to customers

THANKS to the generosity of customers at the Spar shop in Thornbush Road, a cheque for £76 has been presented to the Highland Hospice.
Customers are now dropping in their spare change in aid of the Women's Refuge in Anderson Street.

Community council bids farewell to Pat

Chairman of Merkinch Community Council Ali MacLean presents Community Beat Officer Pat Underwood with a bouquet to mark her departure from the Merkinch streets. She is heading west where she will be based at Ullapool. However, as a Merkincher, she promises she will be returning to home territory on her days off.

MERKINCH Community Council met for its March meeting in Inverness Command police HQ in Burnett Road. This was a suitable environment to wish Community Beat Officer Pat Underwood best wishes in her new post in Ullapool.

She was presented with a bouquet and later, members made a tour of the police station then shared a cup of tea.

Pat told members that she was sad to be going and she had enjoyed working in Merkinch. Chairman Ali MacLean told her that she would be missed. "We always seem to get good community bobbies and then we lose them," he said.
The police reported that last month all had been quiet on the Merkinch front, "until the weekend of the snow".

Councillor Chrissie Cumming thanked everyone who had sent their good wishes on her recent illness. She particularly thanked her colleague Councillor Peter Corbett who had been very supportive.

Cllr Corbett reported that the proposals for the Sammy Lee shop site on Grant Street had once again been turned down by the planning authorities because of lack of parking and over-development at the back.

He had donated £200 from his discretionary budget for the recently-formed Street League football team.

Anne McCreadie reported that there was to be an Eggstravaganza concert in the Community Centre on 30th March and that volunteer stewards were required.

Members agreed that the secretary should write by recorded delivery to former secretary Alex Macleod requesting the return of its computer within seven days or legal action would follow.

The next Community Council meeting is on 13th April in the Community Centre.

 
Campaign against proposed end to pension card system

HIGHLAND Senior Citizens Network are campaigning against the Government's proposal to scrap the pension card, not long introduced to replace the pension book.

HSCN feels the public have been badly tricked over the matter and that there are many, many pensioners who do not have access to a "hole in the wall" - or at least, not a free one.

"For them to say the card was only ever meant to be a temporary thing is shameful," say HSCN.

They urge everyone to write to their MP, Danny Alexander, at his office in Montague Road to take up the matter.

Merkinch art group goes on field trip

AFTER a late start, Merkinch Arts Group has had a very successful term with a dozen regularly turning up for Thursday evening sessions at the Community Centre. The class is funded by Highland Council.

This year the group, along with friends and other Merkinch folk with an interest in the visual arts, made a couple of field trips to galleries they might not otherwise have had a chance to see.

On the first of these, the group visited Kilmorack Gallery (pictured) and the recently opened Beauly Gallery, both of which are on the Cannich road. And on the second trip, another group visited Tore Art Gallery before taking in the biennial Highland Open exhibition in the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery and the Art Society display in Leakey's Bookshop. Both trips were much enjoyed and opened up new ideas for members causing a great deal of discussion.

At time of going to press it is not yet known when classes will recommence, but members hope the summer will be a good one so that they can go out landscape painting around the Merkinch area.

Holiday Club open at Easter

THE Madras Street Hall is once again holding a holiday club on two mornings over the Easter holidays. Children who attend classes between the ages of Primary I and S2 are welcome to come along on Thursday and/or Friday 13th and 14th of April from 10.30am to 12.30pm. The theme will be Easter and what it is all about. There will be stories, games, crafts, music, drama, food and fun, the organisers promise. And it's all free! There will also be a Sunday Family Service at 5pm on the 16th.

Last summer a series of highly successful holiday club sessions were held at the hall.

Silver night for Sunday School's Gavin

AROUND 100 people squeezed into the Madras Street Hall on 11th March to mark the retirement of Gavin Sutherland after 25 years of faithful service as leader of the Sunday School.

Many friends and family, teachers and pupils - past and present - gathered for the occasion. Sandra Ross, a Sunday School teacher and youth leader, led the evening, which began with a trip down memory lane.

Next everyone sat down to a splendid meal - Gordon Ramsay, eat your heart out. Gavin cut a specially baked cake and during coffee a lot of catching up went on with old and new friends.

Pictured above: Gavin with Sandra Ross (left) and some of the former Sunday School teachers and friends who came along to celebrate Gavin's 25 years' service to the Madras Street Sunday School.

Presentations were given to Gavin and his wife Anne, who has also been involved in the many activities at Madras Street. There was a huge card made by Sunday School members and a shooting stick, plus a bunch of flowers for Anne.

Gavin thanked everyone and spoke of how special his time at Madras Street had been.

The evening ended with the current Sunday School members leading the singing of some old and much-loved choruses.

All present agreed it was a most enjoyable, happy evening and it was clear how much Gavin has meant to the people of Madras Street, old and young, over the years.

Sporting Nooz...

Standing far left is Chris Stewart and far right is Robbie Williamson with the other lads who are looking forward to their first season in the Street League

EARLIER this year Robbie Williamson, Christopher Stewart and James Shields determined to put a team into the Street League. But they knew they had a few obstacles to get over.
However, with their passion for football and their determination they have done it, thanks to support from a number of local people and organisations.
Thanks to Moray Firth Radio they now have new strips; Councillor Peter Corbett paid for training equipment out of his discretionary budget.
They are also grateful to Richard Glass who paid for all the boys' entry into the sponsored three-mile Fun Run, which enabled them to afford the entry fee into the Street League.
Community Warden Liz Murray has been more than helpful and drove them down to Speyside for a trial game.
The season gets into full swing next month, but the lads will get their first real game on 17th April.
Boys of Street League age - between 12 and 15, are welcome to come along to training sessions which are held most Sundays on the field beside Merkinch Primary.

Supreme Cup final is an all Portland affair

PORTLAND A have progressed to the final of the Supreme Cup after beating great rivals City Taxis 7-0 in the semi-final. They now meet Portland B in the final. Jim Hunter of Portland A and Nigel McEwan of City Taxis both scored 180s and Richie Devlin (Portland A) checked out 101.
Other results from the week ending 17th March included:
The finals of the Inverness Fours was held at the Portland Club and the first semi was an all Portland A affair and the A1 team (Gordon Morison, Peter Macdonald, Jim Hunter, Gil Graham and Richie Devlin) beat A2 (Steve Falconer, Eddie Edwards, Barry Maclean, Don Maclean and Denny Grant). City Taxis 1 (Bomber Godsman, Derek Maclean, Stevie Mitchell, and Nigel McEwan) beat Uncle Bob's (Robbie Mutch, Don Maclean, Dougie Milne and Jim McNair) in the second semi. In the final Portland A were again victors over City Taxis. 180s were scored by Gil Graham, Jim Hunter, Steve Falconer and Eddie Edwards all of Portland A, Ewan Callander (Portland B) and Bomber Godsman (City Taxis). Bomber also hit a 15 dart leg as did team mate Derek Maclean. Stevie Mitchell (City Taxis) checked out 151 and Jim McNair (Uncle Bob's) 101.
Legion A (Allan Goddard, Donald Mackay, Stuart Pearce and Michael Hillan) retained the Clach Shield beating Dow's ( Stuart Murcar, Paul Clark, Jim Dewar and Keith Gray) in the final the losing semifinalists were Culloden Moor Inn (Barrie Mackay, Sandy Morrison, Gary Henderson, Richard Biles and Stevie Ross) and Brockies Lodge (Fraser Gallagher, Ian Fraser, Willie Murray and Allan Bruce). 180s were scored by Donald Mackay (Legion A), Fraser Gallagher(Brockies Lodge) and Paul Lewis (Portland E) The top check outs were 101 by Paul Macdonald (Dow's) and 100 by Ian Fraser (Brockies Lodge).

Results from 9th March: A League - Fluke 5 City Taxis 7, Portland B 3 Tarradale 9, Dow's 5 Portland A 7, Oscars 5 Uncle Bob's 7.
B League - Legion A 6 Caley Club 6, Portland E 5 Keppoch 7, Mojo's 5 Deeno's 7.
C League - Smithton 7 Clach Club 5, Raigmore 9 Portland X 3, Brockies Lodge 6 Legion B 6.

Invited to a party? Check out your rights as well as your make-up before you go

HOME plan parties are on the increase and the diversity of goods being offered has had a complete make-over.

Gone are the days when you may have been offered varying sizes of plastic tubs by your host. Now the range of goods on offer covers more desirable luxury items such as cosmetics, pampering products, jewellery and clothing.

However, do you have the same consumer rights at these parties as you would if you bought them either in the high street or by mail order catalogue or on the internet?

Difficulties can arise if the host is a personal friend or a close relative. You may not want to ask them what you can do if you are not happy with the goods you have received or if you have just changed your mind. How many of us have overspent at such events because of peer pressure only to buy goods we did not really want or need in the first place?

The goods on offer are usually sold by sample. Therefore any goods you receive should correspond to the sample you were shown. Goods may also be specifically described in brochures/catalogues provided for the evening and as per verbal descriptions made by the party plan host. These descriptions must be truthful and accurate and consumers must not be misled as to the quality or standard of goods on offer.

A hallmark is marked on precious metals - platinum, gold, silver - by an Assay Office, before it is allowed to be sold or offered for sale to consumers. Without a hallmark the item cannot be sold with the description "silver" as there is no guarantee that the item has met the required standard laid down by the Hallmarking Act 1973. A consumer who purchases this item may not be able to insure it against loss or theft if a hallmark is not present.

Goods being sold at home plan parties must also be of satisfactory quality. Party plan companies usually offer a 30-day returns policy but it is important that consumers check that there is a specific returns policy before they buy. Any returns policy does not replace consumers' rights however.

The Sale and Supply of Goods to Consumer Regulations 2002 introduced new alternative rights for consumers. Therefore, if a consumer buys goods and a fault develops with the goods within six months, the consumer does not have to prove that the fault was present when they purchase the item. It would be up to the retailer to prove that the fault was not present when it was sold.

However, it should be noted that after six months, a consumer will have to prove that the goods were faulty and that the faults have not occurred due to wear and tear.

Can you cancel an order if you change your mind? As a consumer you have certain rights regarding cancellation. Under the Consumer Protection (Cancellation of Contracts Concluded away from Business Premises) Regulations 1987 contracts made during a party plan entitle the consumer to a seven-day cooling off period, but only if the contract exceeds £35.

Retailers who are members of the Direct Selling Association (DSA) (www.dsa.org.uk) extend this cancellation period to 14 days in which to notify the company if you wish to cancel as part of their Code of Practice.

Regardless if the retailer is a member of the DSA or not they should provide, as part of any order form, the consumer with a written notification of their right to cancel. If this is not provided and the regulations do apply then the contract is not enforceable against the consumer.

It is always a good idea therefore to read any receipt or order form that you receive at a party plan to ensure that your cancellation rights are contained in this document and that you understand what you have to do to exercise these rights.

If you decide to cancel your order it is best to put this in writing (keeping a copy for your own records) and to send this recorded delivery as proof that you have posted your letter to the retailer.

Consumers can contact Consumer Direct (Scotland) by logging on to www.consumerdirect.gov.uk or telephone on 08454 04 05 06 Consumers can also ring Highland Trading Standards on 0845 600 4222 or email on consumer.advice@highland.gov.uk

Offices are at:
Trading Standards Unit,
38 Harbour Road,
Inverness.