HEALTHY HIGHLAND WEEK is to be held 20 th – 26 th June this year and the Well-being Alliance is seeking to involve as many local groups as possible willing to take part and organise something to mark the event.

The vision of health for the Highlands is much more than that of not being ill.

Says Cath King, of the Wellbeing Alliance, “Our Joint Health Improvement Plan states that we want a vibrant, active community where everyone has the opportunity to realise their potential.

“We want to make the Highlands as remarkable for the health of its population as for the beauty of its environment.”

As part of the implementation of the Plan, Healthy Highland Week has been organised to involve the general public in promoting health. This is the second Healthy Highland Week, following the first, very successful event in 2004.

Local groups of all ages including schools, youth clubs, health centres, staff groups, child care organisations, churches and lunch clubs are encouraged to organise healthy activities during the week which can include physical activity such as sporting activity, walking or dancing, healthy lifestyle issues such as a focus on healthy eating, smoking cessation or sensible alcohol intake.

Participation in cultural activities such as arts, crafts, music and historical events are also encouraged as part of the week, so that the focus becomes more than just physical health but is inclusive of our population’s mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

The above are only offered as suggestions. Groups are encouraged to think very broadly about their focus for the week, and some may wish to have their activities sponsored to raise money for the charity of their choice.

It is anticipated that schools will be involved in activities during the week, as the event ties in with the Education, Culture and Sport Services “Your Choice to Healthy Living” initiative.

Discounts will be available for those who sign up to the High Life Card scheme during the week.

A website is being developed to provide information on activities and area contacts will be identified. Information on these will be available as soon as possible.

In the meantime, should you have any queries regarding Healthy Highland Week, please contact Cath King at cath.king@highland.gov.uk or telephone 01463 702126 .

A big thankyou from the A-S kids

THE After-School Club have many people to thank for helping make their Christmas a happy one. Said Alison Berg who runs the club, “Rapson’s kindly supplied us with a bus for our trip to the pantomime at Eden Court and the kids had a great time. G’s night club in Castle Street also donated toys and selection boxes of sweets—they were lovely presents. And the prison inmates at Porterfield also sent over a big box of sweets as they do every year.

“We’d like to thank them all and everyone else who helped and supported us throughout the year.”

Golden oldies become silver surfers

THE first computer class for retired people to be held at Merkinch Enterprise was launched last month. Seven enthusiastic senior citizens took part— two of them men — in the all-day session, which was taken by ME tutor Martin McLaughlan. This will be followed up by another day this month. Most of those taking part were total beginners and many already had computers. One lady felt she was out of touch with IT since retiring and another was currently undergoing a distance learning course. The class was run in conjunction with Highland Council’s Community, Leisure & Learning.

briefs…

• THERE will be another of the popular Songs of Praise sessions in Merkinch Community Centre on Sunday 13th February between 6pm and 7pm. All welcome.
• THE idea of holding a Saturday morning (or Saturday afternoon) club for youngsters at the Community Centre has been suggested. Anyone who might be interested in such an idea should contact Alison Berg at the Centre on 239563.
• THE February programme for the Friendship Club, which meets at the Centre on Wednesdays, was still being drawn up as we went to press, but with Cheryl organising it there is sure to be lots of interest and fun.
• A COURSE for those with an interest in becoming a professional Childminder starts at the Community Centre on February 18th.
• WINNER of the December Quiz prize sponsored by Nicol’s Killer Prices was Mrs A Wright of Cameron Square, who won a £10 voucher to spend in the popular Grant Street shop.

Helping you to be happy in 2005

HAVE you made a New Year resolution?

Promised yourself to change something in your life?

What activities would you like to take part in?

We can help you improve your health and the health of your family.

The Janny’s Hoose is here to help local parents and the wider community feel better.

Drop by and find out more. 

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

Writers group decide on river theme

THE writers’ group, Merkinch Literary Lovers, has decided to focus on the topic of “The River” which is emerging as a theme for a range of artistic endeavours in the area.

The first meeting of the year was on 10th January at the Janny’s Hoose when activities were led by Highland writer Lilian Ross. The group meets on the first Monday of the month, the next meeting being on 7th February at 7.30pm. The cost is £1 per night.

Anyone interested, whether an experienced writer or a total beginner, is welcome to come along.

Corbett Centre thanks local folk for their time and their cash

ALL at the Corbett Centre were delighted to receive from Mr MacDonald at the Mace shop in Thornbush Road the magnificent sum of £72.

This money was made up of small change from local shoppers who had deposited it in a bottle.

Said a spokesman for the centre, “We want to thank everyone locally very much for their thoughtfulness and for making our attenders’ Christmas even better.”

The two weeks before the Centre’s Christmas break is given over to a seasonal programme and many local musicians and school children come along to entertain.

The attenders and staff would like to thank everyone very much for giving up their time and coming to visit the Centre.

The annual dance was held at the Craigmonie Hotel, music being provided by Billy Hargreaves’ band “Lock, Stock and Barrel”. Everyone had a great night.

Let’s pull together to spruce up Merkinch environment

A MEETING is to be held in Merkinch Community Centre on Wednesday 2nd February at 4pm to further the environmental proposals outlined at the Community Conference last November.

Local organisations have been circulated, but all Merkinch residents are welcome to attend. The focus will be on three areas in particular: Carnarc Point, the Corbett Centre and the Community Centre. Among the items to be considered are:

• Identifying funding and work squads
• Planning the programme and designing the lay-out of various projects
• Cleaning up and tidying the various spaces
• Building shelter and fences and erecting benches
• Planting trees and shrubs
• Drystane dyking at Carnarc Point (see community council report on page 3)
• Erecting play equipment at the community centre
• Progressing Colourful Corners project and looking into idea of sculptures/murals where appropriate. Advisors on these projects include David Andrews of GreenINverness and Jenny Sleeman from the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers.

Community Project Officer Brian MacLeod said, “The initial work may be viewed as a first phase to get the ball rolling, with a positive knock-on effect leading groups to improve other spaces in the Merkinch.”

Mr MacLeod also addressed the recent AGM of the South Kessock Residents Association regarding the environment.

Besides the aforementioned items he also praised the sterling work achieved by the South Kessock Environmental Project and mentioned the plan to develop the former ferry ticket office, for which avenues of funding have been identified.

He also touched on the development of allotments, recycling plans being progressed locally under Merkinch Development Ventures, and in the longer term the possible re-establishment of a passenger ferry link. He felt that the feasibility of local control and management of land from Carnarc Point to Westfield would be worth investigating.

Bowlers fear sharp hike in membership fees

BOWLERS at Waterloo and the other two Inverness municipal bowling greens at Planefield and Fraser Park are concerned at the prospect of a big rent rise.

Last month it emerged that Inverness Area greens were the most highly subsidised in the Highlands. Recently the city’s Common Good Fund had to cough up £20,000 to cover the cost of a range of urgent repairs and maintenance work.

Waterloo is in need of edging, jet-blasting and the club was also required to pay for their share in fees for a consultant drawing up a report on all playing surfaces.

Should the city’s greens be required to cough up a more realistic contribution, it is feared that the resulting rise in membership fees could prove too expensive for members, many of whom are pensioners.

Sporting Nooz…

Points close at the top of A leagueWeek ending January 16th