Rebuilding could be best option for Welfare Hall

THE first draft report from the consultants contracted by Merk-inch Enterprise on behalf of the Merkinch Welfare Hall Trust has indicated that the best option could be to replace the building and not retain and refurbish the existing premises - which are slowly crumbling.

Indeed on a recent visit just last week with representatives from the Local Enterprise Company it was agreed that the best option would be to replace the building.

The interior on the ground floor had as much water as the roads outside (yes it was raining that day) and the whole feel inside is one of damp.

In a survey report prepared last year it was noted that some of the rafters have rotted away as a result of wet rot and much of the wood panelling has a moisture content of 70% and is in very poor condition with extensive signs of wet rot. There is no damp course in the structure and much of the rear hall walls are showing signs of water damage.

All things considered, although the hall as it was has fond memories for many within the community, we have the opportunity to replace the building and bring it back into community use.

The new building could be styled in the same format as the existing building or it could be a complete new design. The clock would be retained.

The Trust say, "Let's consider the opportunity to create something that could still be around in another 100 years and hopefully still in use, unlike the existing building that has been steadily getting worse since it was last used during the mid '80s."

So what to do with the new premises? The preferred option of the Trust, based on the consultants' appraisal, is to focus on the younger people in the community.

A range of new facilities and activities could be provided for different age groups, with the building also accommodating groups working with young people - thus continuing to meet the original trust requirements. Times have changed though and there are other organisations within the community also working towards these ends, so we must ensure that we are all working together.

The rebuilt or refurbished hall could also be used for Arts related activities or contain some element of commercial activity, thus providing much needed income for the future to support worthwhile social activities that might not generate much income.

The Hall's future role could be a combination of many activities, providing for a mixed community use that could incorporate current groups working together under the one roof - complementing rather than duplicating provision in the Community Centre. This will not be an easy task. Raising finance alone will be an immense hurdle, with an indicative cost expected to be in the range of £300,000 to perhaps £1,500,000. Actual costs will be dependent on the final plans being drawn up, and the availability of support funding. In any event, there is an immense task ahead for the Trust.

"Whatever way we go, we have the opportunity to leave a legacy for the future of our community. So take this opportunity and give your support to the Welfare Trust who are giving their time to take this project forward for the benefit of the community," say the Trust.

The Trust can be contacted through Merkinch Enterprise, 14 Grant St, Inverness, IV3 8BL or trust@merkinch.info.

Merkinch calendars have been selling like hot cakes and it was with great pleasure that Lesley from the Post Office handed over the first £100 to Jean from the Janny's House. The idea of the calendars depicting well-kent Merkinch scenes was Lesley's and she pledged £1 from each sale to the Janny's Hoose. More have been printed, so hurry along and get yours today!

Enterprise maintains standard

EVERY three years Merkinch Enterprise commits itself to the Investor in People programme, showing the commitment the organisation has not only to its staff and volunteers who operate throughout the organisation but also to the community.

This is evident through the whole process of running an organisation in a successful format for the members of the community that themselves form the basis of the organisation.

"It seems like no time at all since the last assessment visit back in 2003," said Colin Downie, Chief Executive of the Enterprise. "Indeed this is the fourth time that I have gone through this process on behalf of the organisation and although you could say it should be easier each time, the process is still time-consuming.

"The appropriate systems not only have to be in place within the organisation but they have to be maintained at a level to meet the required standards of the award."

An important element is the commitment to staff development and here all staff have access to appropriate training to meet the needs of the position they hold.

As the organisation has its own Technology Training Centre, staff can also access computer training for their own benefit either to upgrade their skills or simply to improve their abilities.

"Once again I am pleased to report that the organisation has achieved the highest results from this latest assessment and achieved once again the standard showing that the Enterprise is Investing in People whilst working for the community."

At the recent AGM, Colin Downie, Chief Executive of Merkinch Enterprise, was able to report to the members present that ME had had another very successful year, one in which the organisation had generated a profit during the period compared to the loss during the previous reporting period.

"The organisation is going from strength to strength, working as it does as a community business with commercial aims and objectives that have long established the business in its own right," said Colin.

"This is, as always, thanks to the dedicated staff and volunteers who make the organisation what it is today, a successful community business, working for you, the community.

New Start opens in the Carse industrial estate

LAST month saw the official opening by Provost William Smith of New Start's new custom-built premises in the Carse. New Start helps those who have found homes but who are on a limited budget. The charity is always on the look-out for good quality furniture and equipment.

Pictured is manager James Dunbar with some of the staff at the new premises.
Picture courtesy of Phil Downie

briefs.

• DATE for your diary -there's to be a Community Christmas Concert at Merkinch Community Centre on Friday 15th December at 6.30pm. All ages and stages will be performing, from wee tots, kids and teens to adults and older people. Come and join in for a great family night out!

 

• SANTA'S coming to the Merkinch Community Centre on Wednesday 13th December from 10am to 1pm. All the youngsters will receive a present and photo of themselves with Santa - cost £3. There will also be various Christmas stalls and face painting.

 

• THERE is to be a pre-Christmas sale of good quality bric-a-brac and gifts at the Community Centre on Tuesday, December 12th and Wednesday, 13th. Run by the Active Adults group it will be open on the Tuesday from 6-9pm and the Wednesday from 9am to 2pm.

 

• A Christmas Bazaar was held at Trinity Church both morning and afternoon on Saturday 25th November with stalls for books, crafts, groceries and produce, cakes and candies and seasonal items.

 

• THE Singing for Pleasure group added to the city's seasonal festivities when they sang at the official turning-on of the Christmas Lights on Thursday 23rd November. Recently they held a party at the White Cottage in North Kessock where they had a meal and a sing-song.

 

• As their contribution to the refurbishment of the Community Centre, the Active Adults group have learned how to do simple re-upholstery and have transformed the chairs in the Centre's Committee Room in an attractive russet-coloured fabric. Recently the group went to Baxters in Fochabers and they will be having their Christmas outing with guests at the Waterside on 14th December.

 

• LOCAL authority house tenants have voted "No" to the handover of publicly-owned housing to the Highland Housing Association, it was announced as we went to press.

 

• FORMER Merkinch Community Council secretary and tenants' representative Alec Macleod is due to be sentenced this month after admitting charges of breach of the peace involving making repeated inappropriate sexual remarks to two youngsters under the age of 16. He has been placed on the sex offenders' register.

 

• SHARLENE Maclean, now 17, who brutally assaulted a 14-year-old in Merkinch with a dog chain in June and the following month committed another attack with her brother on a woman in a house in Kilmuir Road was sent to a Young Offenders' Institution for 10 months.

 

• A £10 MILLION district house-heating scheme which was aimed at benefiting 350 council houses in Merkinch has been dropped. The wood-chip fired generating plant would have taken some five years to set up but the need to upgrade the houses' heating was urgent. Highland Council are looking at options involving solar panels and wind turbines.

 

• PUMPGATE Court residents are being warned to keep a close eye on their bank accounts after one woman reported to the police seeing two men rifling through bins. She was suspicious that they were looking for paperwork that could be used in identity fraud.

 

• MUCH of Merkinch, with the exception of Telford Road and Lochalsh Road appear to be at risk of flooding, according to the map published by SEPA last month. The map can be accessed on www.sepa.org.uk/floodmap.

Janny's Hoose has a year to go

THE Janny's Hoose is not finished yet!
Despite all the recent publicity about the end of the Janny's Hoose, we've still got funding for just over a year.
We mean to make the most of the time to continue with the good work here and also to try and convince the powers that be that they need us.

We believe that we have made a big difference to the lives of many people who have used us over the years. Many of them have come a long way, indeed we have too.

We have expanded what we have to offer, and hopefully got a lot better at doing it too. We have helped people feel more confident, so that they feel better about themselves. We have given training to our volunteers and others so that they can help themselves, their families and other people to feel better.
We have given people opportunities to do things they wouldn't have done otherwise.
We have helped many people over the last four years.
Now we need your help!

Tell people about us and the work we do. Talk to anyone who will listen, your doctor, councillor, MSP, MP. Tell them you don't want us to close. Come in and see us, give us your support. If we continue to be successful it will be difficult for anyone to close us down. Take part in our fundraising activities.

There's a prize bingo night being held on 9 December in the Clach Club.

We look forward to your support over the coming year, and hopefully well into the future so we can be here for you when you need us.

The Janny's Hoose Healthy
Living Centre
(01463 226348)

Youth Matters runs Merkinch's own X-Factor show

MERKINCH Youth Matters presented its very own version of the popular TV show, the X-Factor. The Grand Final was due to be held at Merkinch Community Centre on 30th November, after we went to press.
The youngsters have been preparing for weeks to put on a great show. "We've been really busy getting ready," said Liz Murray who is helping the young people put on their fund-raiser. The evening also involved a Prize Draw Raffle and there were light refreshments.

Bus services, new buildings and old, and a councillor decides to stand down in May

THE bus service serving South Kessock is currently inadequate, Merkinch Community Council heard at their November meeting. The buses used on the route are not accessible for wheelchairs or pushchairs and the service is infrequent and irregular. Local Highland Councillor Peter Corbett has had complaints about the inadequacy of the service recently and contacted the manager of Stagecoach. The manager confirmed that the service on the South Kessock route has been reduced due to reduced usage by the public. Cllr Corbett informed him that there was a high percentage of older people and people with disabilities in the Merkinch area and that it was imperative that there was a good regular bus service. The secretary will write to the manager, Scott Pearson, to take this issue forward. MCC vice-chairman Ali Locke of South Kessock Residents Association wondered if there were extra transport subsidies available for areas of deprivation such as South Kessock. Cllr Corbett said he would look into this.

• South Kessock Environmental Company (SKEC) has approved the final design for the new Visitor Centre and will be applying for funding for a Centre Manager's post.
  Anne and Dell had a very good final day at the old exhibition, with a good attendance and lots of children.

 

• The community council agreed to donate £100 to Merkinch Street League - the under 15-year-olds will be taking part in an Easter football tournament in Ayr.

 

• It was agreed that when Northern Constabulary attends the Community Council meetings, they will be the first item on the agenda and will not stay for the rest of the meeting. Community Beat Officer Russell McMorran will normally attend these meetings but sent his apologies on this occasion.

 

• Councillor Chrissie Cumming confirmed that she will not be standing for re-election at the Highland Council elections next May.

 

• Cllr Corbett said the new Family Resource Centre will be opening in the next couple of weeks and the new Nursery in the school grounds will be ready next month. Cllr Corbett is also busy with the Merkinch Partnership, attending meetings and making decisions on funding applications.

 

• Cairn Housing has submitted the planning application for the new flats in Anderson Street. The Harbour Board has made an "observation" (not an objection) - they wished to note that the harbour is a 24-hour facility and there is likely to be some level of noise. The flats may need triple glazing.

 

• The Welfare Hall Board of Trustees has commissioned a feasibility study for the building. The draft report suggested various options - the most likely option is to return the building to the community for mixed use, with the emphasis on youth activities(the original purpose of the building).

 

• South Kessock Residents Association (SKRA) will be holding a Santa's Grotto on Saturday 16th December at 12 noon in the Community House, Craigton Avenue.

 

• ACTRA will be holding their next residents' meeting in February.

 

• The next Community Council meeting will be held on Thursday 18th January at 7.30pm in Merkinch Community Centre.

Ness Soaps open in city centre

NESS Soaps, one of Merkinch Development Ventures' projects, has taken their range of soaps and other goodies to town for the gift season, opening a shop at Church Street next door to Prontaprint. It will remain open until Saturday 23rd December.

For life, not just for Christmas

PARENTS are urged not to give in to their children's desire to have a pet for their Christmas. Often it can lead to ill-considered purchases. And with all the excitement on Xmas Day, it is not a good start to your child's pet-owning life. So wait before you buy.

Sporting Nooz

Results 16th November 2006

A League: Oscars 4 Portland B 8, Fluke 4 City Taxis 8, Portland E 3 Uncle Bob's 9, Portland A 8 Tarradale 4
B League: Smithton 4 Legion A 8, Caley Club 6 Keppoch 6, Culloden Moor Inn 7 Deeno's 5.
C League: Portland X 8 The Drover 4, Finlay's 8 Thistle 4, Legion B 8 Raigmore 4, Mojo's 7 Monty's 5

There is no change at the top of the A League after last week's results but joint leaders Portland A and Uncle Bobs will meet in the Supreme Cup.
The top of the B League match was last week and Culloden Moor Inn just got the better of Deeno's. It was all square after the singles but the former took the first three doubles to keep their 100% record.
Raigmore drop to fourth in the C League after losing to Legion B; the latter stay in joint second with Mojo's both a point behind leaders Finlay's.
Alan MacKinnon of City Taxis scored two 180s bringing his total so far this season to nine. Also hitting maximums this week were Michael Maclean (Uncle Bob's), Trevor Bell (Uncle Bob's), Jim Dewar (City Taxis) and Darren Shaw (Smithton). Willie Cruickshank (Uncle Bob's) scored a 171. Stevie Mitchell (City Taxis) checked out on 161 which is the highest finish of the season so far.
The only other ton-plus get- outs were both from Robbie Mutch (Uncle Bob;s) 111 and 110. He also hit a 15-dart leg as did Barry Maclean (Portland A). The three best legs were all recorded by Portland A players 14 darters by Richie Devlin and Jim Hunter and 13 by Peter Macdonald.

Results 9th November 2006

Supreme Cup: Uncle Bob's 7 Brockie's Lodge 0, Caley Club 4 Portland A 8, Oscar's 7 Legion A 1, Smithton 7 Legion B 3, Keppoch 1 City Taxis 11, Tarradale 9 Mojo's 3, Portland B 5 Culloden Moor Inn 7, Portland E 6 Deeno's 7, Montys 0 Fluke 7, Thistle 7 Drover 5, Portland X 2 Finlay's 7.

It is very unusual for any A League teams to get knocked out on the first night of the Supreme Cup but this season two have fallen. The holders Portland B lost to Culloden Moor Inn.
Portland E also went out beaten in dramatic fashion by Deeno's. Portland went into a 5-1 lead but Deeno's fought back to level at 6-6. The roll up had an added twist as Deeno's had to play the 1001 with only seven players as one of their number had already left to go on night shift, they overcame this handicap and progressed to the next round.
180s were scored by Steve Falconer (Portland A), Shonnie Macleod (Portland B), Jim McNair (Uncle Bob's), Eddie Edwards (Portland A), Ally McGinely (City Taxis) and Alex Fraser (Portland E)

The Northern Area Singles and Doubles were scheduled to take place on the 25th November. The men's events are at the Clach Club and the Ladies at the Portland Club.

Results 2nd November 2006

Uncle Bob's and Portland A maintained their 100% records in the A League but achieved this in very different fashions with Bob's taking all 12 legs against Fluke but Portland A had to go to the last double to ensure both points against their own B team.
City Taxis also had to go to the last game to pick up their first win of the season against Oscar's. Tarradale beat promoted team Portland E to join City Taxis and Portland B in third place. Deeno's, Culloden Moor Inn and Keppoch are the unbeaten teams in the B League although the latter have played a game less.
Finlay's sit at the top of the C League a point clear of Legion B, Mojo;s and Raigmore.

Results for 26th October

There was an increase in entries for the League Singles at the Clach Club despite the stormy weather which stopped most of the Ross-shire players travelling. This entry could be even better as 25% of the league's teams (City Taxis, Raigmore, Culloden Moor Inn, Legion B, Uncle Bob's and Finlay's) provided 50 % of the total participants, with newcomers Finlay's having the best entry of 10 players.
Steve Falconer (Portland A) won his second A League singles title in his fourth appearance in the final he beat Michael Maclean (Uncle Bob's) who had reached the final for the first time. Steve started the final in blistering form taking the first leg out in eleven darts which included a maximum. He then took the next two legs to clinch the title.
The losing semi-finalists were Robbie Mutch (Uncle Bob's) and Alex Fraser (Portland E). The B League title went to "Young" Don Maclean of Culloden Moor Inn who scored 177 in the final where he beat Steve Munro (Deeno's) 2-0.
The losing semi-finalists were Gordy Redmond (Culloden Moor Inn) and Stuart Pearce (Legion A).
Legion B team mates Wayne Ridgers and Willie Erskine met in the C League final and in a very close game Willie checked out 137 in the third and deciding leg to clinch the title.
The losing semi finalists were Peter Gall (Finlay's) and Ian Craven (Raigmore). It was good to see so many young players in the latter stages of all three competitions.

Soccer boys heading for Ayr event

SIXTEEN youngsters from the Merkinch Street League team are fund-raising to go to a football tournament next April.
Already the youngsters have raised £2500 of the £3500 needed for the trip - £1000 came from the Community Regeneration Fund.

The event is a three-day tournament at Butlin's at Haven, Ayr. Six adults will be accompanying the boys on their trip including Councillor Peter Corbett and coach Jamie Shields. The boys are organising a prize bingo night at the Clach Club on 14th December and a Race Night is planned for February. "Some of the boys have never been on a holiday in their lives," said one of the organisers, Liz Murray, "so it will be a big thrill for them."

Xmas bargains. or just a rip-off?

CHRISTMAS is just a few weeks away and all of us are tempted to cut back on cost and get a bargain where we can in order to make the Christmas budget stretch a bit further.
Some money-saving offers are good value if the goods on offer are well made and of a good quality. However, all too often at this time of the year the market gets flooded with cheap imports which might not even last until Boxing Day. "A penny wise could mean a pound foolish." so go beyond the glitter and the hype before you buy that Christmas bargain. Top ten tips when buying Christmas gifts:

• Examine the goods you are about to buy beforehand. Look out for cheap goods that flood the market at this time of year-not all of them will end up being a bargain!

 

• Compare prices from shop to shop, especially for luxury items such as Play stations; Computers, DVD players, digital cameras.

 

• Read any terms attached to a promotion before you go ahead. Free warranties might sound good but ask for a printed copy and read the 'exclusions' terms first to know what is covered.

 

• Be careful when taking out interest free credit or deferred credit deals. BUY NOW and PAY LATER deals could cost you more than you bargained for in the New Year!

 

• Keep your receipts and credit card slips etc in case the goods turn out to be faulty and you need to return them to the shop once the pine needles have been cleared up.

Remember you are entitled to a refund or replacement if the goods you have bought become faulty. However unless the shop offers an 'exchange and refund policy' you may not get your money back if you simply change your mind. Ask the shop about their policy before handing over your payment.

Be careful if buying goods from a market or stall holder. Make sure you get a receipt and full details of the person you buy the goods from. If goods become faulty it might be difficult to trace the seller so always bear this in mind before you buy.

Remember you have extra protection if you pay by credit card for goods and services that cost more than £100 but less than £30,000 because the credit card issuer is liable if anything goes wrong later on. Handy to know if you are considering larger items such as DVDs, TVs or even a festive break abroad.

Take care when buying toys and novelty gift items. Are they well made? Could they pose a safety hazard to a child? Will they be durable and safe? Only buy toys from reputable shops and make sure that they all have 'CE' mark attached to them on the item or on the packaging before you buy. If in any doubt leave it on the shelf.

Be sure, before you buy. Impulse buying can be costly. Make a list before you go shopping and try and stick to. That black dress you saw in the shop may look nice, but does it fit and do you really like it. The shop may not have an exchange policy so make sure you want the purchase before you go ahead.

Christmas comes but once a year but don't end up paying for it for the next 12 months. Work within an affordable budget and don't be dazzled by all the glitter as it may turn out to be fools gold!

For information and advice on your rights please call Consumer Direct on 084554 04 05 06. Highland Trading Standards can be contacted at 38 Harbour Road, Inverness IV1 1UF.