Danger pool cleared at last

THANKS to pressure from local Councillor Peter Corbett, Community Warden Liz Murray and dozens of local parents a dangerous pool of water at Kessock Court North has at last been dealt with by contractors.

The site, where Kessock Court flats were demolished last year, at first held a mountain of rubble with a fence round it. It didn't stop some children from using it as a playground and firing stones, but after the rubble-and the fence- was removed, families in the vicinity really started to worry.

For in the autumn the hollow started to fill up with water. This has not been a particularly wet winter and some were convinced that there must be a mains leak somewhere feeding into the ever-growing pool.

When it iced over for a few days during a cold snap, youngsters inexperienced in the dangers of ice were out on the surface trying to crack it with heavy sticks-a death trap to any young child who might fall through and slip under the ice.

It was understood that the site, which Albyn Housing Society plan to use for new housing, was to have been made safe last November, but as the weeks and months went on nothing was done. Because Kessock Court North only has two of the three pensioners cottages still inhabited, the cul de sac was no longer on the walkabout regularly patrolled by the various interested bodies, such as housing officials.

Kessock Court South, another cul de sac where a similar block of flats was demolished last year, has no housing in it at present but although it had some water lying it was on nothing like the same scale as its North counterpart.

Over time the pool at Kessock Court North began to attract rubbish and it developed a small floating jetty made from pallets and the ever-present supermarket trolleys as well as discarded toys in bright plastic.

It began to look like a children's playground and every now and then quite young children were spotted wading in the water up to their thighs - one was said to be up to her chest on one occasion.

With the approach of longer evenings and warmer weather parents became even more concerned. However, last month contractors working for Albyn cleared the gathering rubbish - including a car bonnet - and dug a drainage pit. After the water cleared, they filled the hollow with rocks and earth.

Councillor Corbett was on site to see the work being done and managed to convince the contractors to do Kessock Court South as well.

"I'm glad to see that action has been taken on a potentially dangerous site and that it has been made safe," he told News & Views. "I am meeting housing officials from Albyn and Highland Council soon to discuss proposals for the development of the two sites."

Enterprise Training Centre is awarded Learndirect support

MERKINCH Enterprise have been successful in their application to learndirect scotland for funding support made available from the Scottish Executive for centres throughout Scotland.

This funding is specifically aimed at supporting training centres particularly those within social inclusion areas and in need of financial support. "The support has come at a time when during the last year we suffered a small loss," said Chief Executive Colin Downie. "It also comes at the right time to assist with the update of the ageing technology equipment within the centre."

The award comes to a total of £35,000 and provides support of £15,500 for equipment during the first two years with the remaining £19,500 contributing towards salary costs over three years.

"This greatly assists Merkinch Enterprise - your community business - in providing the necessary financial security during this three-year period and we are exceedingly thankful to learndirect scotland for this valuable assistance," said Mr Downie.

A boost toward spring

THE days are getting longer and warmer too. Time for a wee boost to get you through the rest of the winter.

Did you know the College is looking for people for their students to practice on? They have massage, facials, hair-dos, electrolysis and makeup. Their rates are very reasonable, and they sometimes have crèche places available.

Why not give yourself a boost and book an appointment now on 273273.

Dave the dietician is in every Wednesday 9.30am - 11.30am, if you want to find out anything about food and your family he's the man to ask. You can make an appointment to see him or just drop in. This term he's also looking at how to make lunch boxes healthier.

If you want to get fitter, why not come along on a Friday morning to catch the swim bus and go swimming or to the gym, price from 50p.

You could also volunteer to help with children's sporting activities. Peta, the active schools co-ordinator is looking for help with various activities she is arranging over the next few months.

Contact the Janny's Hoose for more details of all these activities at:

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

A step in the right direction

THANKS to a contribution of £200 from Councillor Chrissie Cumming's discretionary budget, the pensioners houses in Birnie Terrace have all had their doorsteps improved and painted. This was organised by the enthusiastic Birnie Terrace Residents Association (BTRA) who have been entered for the Moray Firth George Wimpey Awards for the best association groups.

BTRA work hard to raise the profile of their area. Says Sandra Grant of the residents' association: "The residents all take a great interest in all matters and help look after our community. We all look out for each other and also do lots for the elderly in the area. We are enormously proud of where we live and love living here."

Pictured: Sandra Grant (right) with another terrace resident, Mrs Fraser, and her refurbished doorstep.

Daffodils and football pitches, rats and rubbish, accessible buses and lovely views

YOUNGER people are wanted by Merkinch Community Council to represent their area and its interests. The council, which has more than half its members over the age of 50, is two short at present and members agreed, at their February meeting on the 9th, that they would like to see the places filled by younger adults with a sense of civic responsibility.

• Following the resignation of former secretary Alex Macleod, the role is being shared by treasurer Brian Cain while the minutes will be taken by Anne Sutherland, the Merkinch Project Officer.

 

• Members agreed that the community display board in Grant Street was in need of repair and that the Community Council minutes should be displayed there and in the Merkinch Community Centre.

 

• Community Beat Officer Ali Macrae reported that the Youth Club had visited the Police Station and he invited the Community Council to follow suit. It was agreed that the council's next meeting would be held at the police station in combination with the visit.

 

• CBO Macrae also reported that Inverness Area Commander was to be leaving in April; his place would be taken by David O'Connor from Dingwall. Members raised the matter of a number of instances of drugs gear being found in the area, one involving still full needles. The CBO's report is in the police column elsewhere in this issue.

 

• Councillor Peter Corbett reported that the Merkinch Partnership had been meeting regularly and things were moving forward. A public meeting would be held soon. He had attended various meetings and was also going to Elgin with staff from mp33 to see how the Moray town ran its Youth Café.
  There were now two football pitches in the West Field and mp33's bike project had officially opened in the former motorbike workshop in Grant Street. He was contributing towards the cost of this project from his discretionary budget.

 

• Community Project Officer Anne Sutherland reported that she had been working on the Community Plan and it would soon be ready to circulate round the wider community. A constitution had been approved and the Community Regeneration Funding awarded to Merkinch was discussed. Merkinch Development Ventures were appointing a manager but were still seeking volunteers to help with soap-making. The directors of South Kessock Environmental Company had approved their Business Plan and funding applications were being made for the project. Benches and picnic tables were on order for South Kessock. Arts in Merkinch were organising their annual festival and funding had been secured for the part-time arts officer's post until March 2007.

 

• Community Warden Liz Murray reported a meeting was due to take place with local youths regarding The Youth Voice. Work had started in the Corbett Centre garden. Daily patrols led to three abandoned cars being reported in January, various amounts of fly-tipping and dog-fouling.

 

• Treasurer Brian Cain reported that a litter bin had been purchased for under £300 on the internet.

 

• Dell McClurg of the South Kessock Environment Company told members that the first of the thousands of bulbs planted in the South Kessock area were beginning to come through and they were looking forward to a fine display. It was planned to have an interpretive board and signage put up and there was to be a meeting with the architect on 15 February.

 

• James Sutherland reported that the former Tawse site on Carse Road was once again becoming a dump and asked that council officials be asked to pursue the matter.

 

• Members heard that there had been a blitz on shrubs and other undergrowth under the Friars Bridge. This had upset the rats in the area which had thrived in this relatively mild winter.

 

• Inverness activist Brian MacGregor spoke to the Community Council on the matter of proposed housing at Bogbain. He believes that the character of the listed farmhouse building, which was being developed as an agricultural heritage centre, and the glorious view would be destroyed by the housing proposed by Tullochs. Mr MacGregor said it would impact on tourism and members agreed to support him by writing to the planning authority on the basis of it being a ribbon development against the local plan. "You come over that hill and it's Home," said one member.

 

• Following a letter from the Community Council to Stagecoach regarding the lack of disabled facilities on their early morning buses, the bus company had written back to say that they had acquired nine new low-floor buses and are expecting more, which should ease the situation.

 

• Members heard the Community Centre needed 20 new gym mats at a cost of £2000 and agreed to contribute £250 toward the cost.

 

• The next meeting will be in the Inverness police station on 9 March at 7pm.

briefs.

• THE Third Merkinch Arts Festival is set to go ahead again this year, but in the school holidays in July rather than in the spring. Various groups are working towards a full programme of events which will include an exhibition of art work, and a film night with recent aspects of Merkinch life as well as classic footage from years gone by. It is also hoped to have a Scots-Polish night to celebrate both cultures and children's drama workshops, among other events.

 

• WORLD Book Day is on 2 March and Merkinch Primary is holding a sale of second-hand books to encourage children's reading. All books will cost 50p or less. Contributions, in good condition, are welcome.

 

• ON Friday 17 March there will be the first of what is hoped will be a regular event at Merkinch Community Centre. Alastair McDonald, Governor of the Inverness Prison, will be the guest speaker at a Cheese and Wine evening, starting at 7.30pm. Come and hear his talk and also have your chance to feed back what you think about the justice system.

 

• THE annual community clean-up at Carnarc Point is on Friday 17 March,starting at 1pm. Come along and give us an hour of your time!

 

• THE police were carrying out free anti-theft cycle marking at Merkinch Community Centre and the Community House in Craigton Avenue on Saturday 25 February. In January, 17 bikes were reported stolen in Inverness, two of them in Merkinch.

 

• THE Merkinch Art Group has started up again on Thursday evenings. New members, whether they are beginners or more practised painters, are always welcome. The group, organised by Bette McArdle, meets at the Community Centre from 7pm-9pm.

 

• POLICE are urging parents to take care where they keep their alcohol in the house to ensure that youngsters cannot get access to it. It is feared that some children help themselves when no-one is looking.

 

• LUCKY winner of the February Nicol's Killer Quiz is Isobel J Ross, Nelson Street. Congratulations.

Give it up for good!

WEDNESDAY 8 March is No Smoking Day, so if you have been waiting until some important date to give up for good this is a good one. It is the one big thing that you can do for your own health now, for an enjoyable future and for your finances. Here we look into the excuses people give for not stopping...

It has been argued that smoking does have some benefits. The most common beliefs are that smoking is good for stress relief, weight control and increased concentration.

Smoking helps relieve stress?

One of the most common reasons people give for continuing to smoke, or for going back to smoking after stopping is to relieve stress. The reality is that smokers tend to report higher levels of stress than non-smokers.

After stopping smoking the level of stress in former smokers drops significantly. When you stop smoking it may feel like you are more stressed as a result of not smoking. For the first few weeks you are likely to experience mood swings and be irritable. The nicotine in cigarettes is highly addictive and these are symptoms of withdrawal. You can help manage these by using a Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). These symptoms normally last up to four weeks.

Smoking helps you stay thin?

On average, smokers do weigh less than non-smokers. When you stop smoking the typical weight gain is around 2-3 kg. The nicotine from smoking acts as an appetite suppressant and smoking also increases the rate at which your body burns calories. Smokers will often replace cigarettes with snacking when stopping smoking. People often believe that smoking will help them to control their weight and be healthier. However the risks of continuing to smoke far outweigh those from minor weight gain.

Does smoking help protect against Alzheimers?

This belief has been largely dismissed by experts, and the evidence is now suggesting that smoking increases your risk of dementia.

Can using Nicotine Patches hurt my baby if I am pregnant?

There is currently not enough evidence to suggest that using patches can be of significant harm to your baby. However, before you use any NRT you should consult your GP, and see that you do not use the patches overnight. You might be better off using one of the shorter term nicotine replacement products such as gum or lozenges. True NRT does not contain the 4000 chemicals that you can pass on to your baby from smoking.

Is it better for me to switch to light, mild or low-tar cigarettes?

For years smokers have seen these products as a 'healthier' alternative to smoking 'full strength' cigarettes. Research shows, that smokers of 'light' or 'mild' brands are likely to inhale as much tar, nicotine and cancer-causing poisons as smokers of regular cigarettes.

Is cutting down a good idea?

Many people believe that cutting down is a good way to reduce the health risk from smoking. There is evidence to show that when people smoke fewer cigarettes they tend to smoke them harder to compensate for smoking fewer. The only way to really reduce the risks from smoking is to stop completely.
Just one won't hurt.
It is very easy to get tempted into having just one cigarette once you have stopped. DON'T DO IT. Half of all smokers WILL DIE from a smoking-related illness.

When you need someone who'll listen...

ONE of the many services that the Janny's Hoose offers is counselling. At one time we only had friends and family to share our problems, anxieties or grief with.
But sometimes men as well as women need more non-judgemental privacy, empathy and more professional help to find the strength to cope with the vicissitudes in life.

The counsellor working with the Janny's Hoose is Cathy Feggans (pictured right) who also holds workshops in relaxation and hypnotherapy to help people come to terms with some destructive life experience - often long buried -which can surface years later in stressful situations.

Hypnotherapy has nothing to do with the kind of hypnosis seen on stage or television. Rather it is a dream-like, meditative state that helps people gain an insight into themselves and their difficulties by way of self discovery, using images and symbols which have meaning for the individual.

In this way they can access things that might not surface if they are thinking analytically and explore their priorities and options.

"Often people come because someone has suggested they should. But it does not work unless they really want to be here.

"Sometimes they are confused because they see a pattern being repeated in their life and don't know why, or how to change that pattern. They might be unhappy with their circumstances or slightly depressed for no obvious reason."

Each person is treated in total confidence and as a unique person - there are not even any names on the notes she keeps.

Cathy worked with the Samaritans and then trained and was accredited with Couple Counselling (Relate) having worked for six years as a marriage guidance (Relate) counsellor. Meantime she gained a degree in Psychology with the Open University-no mean feat for a woman with a home, family and full-time job.

And, yes, she has someone she can confide in when things get rough or problematic.

Beware those internet scams and don't give details

HIGHLAND Trading Standards was among those taking part in Scam Awareness Month throughout February. This campaign is an international initiative to arm consumers with skills and knowledge to recognise, report and combat mass-marketed scams.

Highlights of the scam awareness campaign include a step-by-step guide for consumers on protecting themselves from scams and an international internet sweep to identify 'traps online'.

It is estimated that UK consumers lose £1 billion per year to scams of varying disguises. Recent research suggests that an estimated 28 million UK consumers are targeted every year by scams which exploit low-cost, mass-marketing techniques - that is, email, text message, post, telephone and internet - to con people out of their money. These include deceptive prize draws and lotteries, misleading premium-rate prize promotions, fake 'psychic' mailings, advance fee frauds and bogus work-at-home schemes, among others.

Nigel MacKenzie, head of Trading Standards welcomes the initiative. He adds, "Consumers are all too often the victims of scams of varying kinds. Young and inexperienced consumers can be targeted through their mobile phone. Other scams target the elderly or vulnerable consumer who may be at home during the day. Consumers continually complain about receiving numerous phone calls during the day from prize draw promoters, offering cash prizes, holidays and luxury gifts as an incentive to respond. Once personal details are given, names become part of a pool shared by all sorts of companies and the consumer becomes quickly bombarded by phone calls.

Consumers can contact Consumer Advice Line on 0845 600 4222 or talk to an advisor at Consumer Direct (Scotland) on 08454 04 05 06.

Police warn youngsters of the dangers of drugs gear

THERE were 392 incidents in Merkinch reported to the police in January, Community Beat Officer told Merkinch Community Council.

Seven warrants had been issued and drugs, equipment and cash had been found. Seven people had been reported to the Procurator Fiscal. They ask that any suspected drug activity is reported to the police.

CBOs Macrae and Pat Underwood have been talking to schoolchildren about discarded needles and syringes. This follows the discovery of syringes not entirely empty near Merkinch Primary. The police had been on the Carse Road enforcing the part-time 20mph limit. Though three people had received fixed penalties for doing over 20mph during the time it applied, no-one was found to be driving at over 30mph.

There had been 11 incidents of theft, including a disability scooter, a doctor's bag with a prescription pad in it from a car, and a pensioner's shopping from a bus.

Seventeen children and youths were reported as causing annoyance, but no crime had been committed.

Meet Mission's new man

WHAT brings an architect from the "buckle of the Bible belt" in the USA's Deep South to Merkinch?

John Wagner, the assistant minister to Rev Ronald Mackay at the Free North, first came to Scotland for two weeks from Mississippi in 1998 and decided to come back for good some day.

After three years' study in Edinburgh he gained a Bachelor of Theology in May and was inducted at the Free North last September. Though he does preach at the parent church, his main responsibilities lie at Madras Street Hall where he is very active in overseeing volunteers involved in the various services and meetings based there.

These include a Sunday Service at 5pm, Bible discussions with Vina Campbell, Sunday School, three meetings a week for recovering alcoholics and drug addicts (some run by AA), Saturday Youth Club, Summer Camp and Holiday Clubs.

The Hall, which started life 150 years ago as a school for vagrant children, also hosts the Food Bank which thrives thanks to the generosity of local people (see page 10). "God put a sense of the eternal in human beings, and my job is to point their way to Jesus and the Bible," says John.

Farewell to Gavin

DID you attend the Madras Street Sunday School in the last 30 years?

If you did, a warm welcome awaits you at the Madras Street Hall on Saturday 11 March when former Sunday School members and ex-teachers will be gathering to have a supper evening and to make a presentation to Gavin Sutherland (right).

Gavin retired in December after many years as superintendent of the Sunday School and it is hoped that as many former members as possible will be able to come.

The evening's celebrations start at 7.30pm. "come and join us," say the organisers.

Youngsters sing and cheer at new sessions

TWO new activities have been added to the range of sessions and classes for youngsters at the Community Centre. Besides Highland and Tap Dancing, Capoeira and various youth, after-school and breakfast clubs, there is now a cheer-leading session on Mondays and singing for primary children on Tuesdays.

The wannabe cheer-leaders started last month, after a slight hiccup, and they are being taken by the dynamic Kerry Love from Hilton. Around 40 turned up to learn of stunts, dance, cheers and chants, and after just one session showed that they were enthusiastic learners.

Following the great success of the adult Singing for Pleasure group, Elsie Normington has started a Sing and Shout session for youngsters and it has proved equally popular with over 40 turning up each week.

A great way to let off steam is to sing your heart out, and leader Elsie Normington finds the youngsters are just as keen as their "Singing for Pleasure" elders to "Sing and Shout".

A family night not to be missed

EASTER is coming round again - and with it the Easter Eggstravaghanza. The youngsters pictured above will be taking part - singing and cheerleading-and the Singing for pleasure group will be there.

Says Elsie Normington, who runs the event on 30 March, "Tots and toddlers will be performing and this year there is to be a Fashion Show and so much more. It'll be a great night for all the family."

The show starts at 7pm in the Community Centre.

South Kessock residents' election

SOUTH Kessock Residents Association held their AGM on 7 February and office-bearers were elected as follows: Chair, Ali Locke; vice-chair, Dennis Platt; secretary, Yvonne Stewart; treasurer Carrol McPhee. Committee members - Amanda Locke, Margaret Ross, Raymond Macdonald, Anne Jasinski, Dell McClurg, Linda Macrae, Caroline Chapman.

Ali Locke installed a dog bin and bag dispenser on behalf of the South Kessock Environmental Company at Carnac Point. Unfortunately less than 12 hours later it had been vandalised with the bag dispenser being forcibly removed and no doubt landing in the water. Dog owner are NOT making use of the bin; Dog Wardens have been informed and offenders run the risk of being fined.

sports nooz

Consolation, Smith latest results

Results from 16 February...
A League: Portland B 6 City Taxis 6, Dow's 8 Fluke 4, Oscar's 9 Tarradale 3, Uncle Bob's 4 Portland A 8. B League: Culloden Moor Inn 6 Caley Club 6, Portland E 6 Legion A 6, Deeno's 8 Keppoch 4. C League: Raigmore 6 Clach Club 6, The Drover 6 Smithton 6, Brockie's Lodge 12 Portland X 0.

180s Sammy Borthwick (Deeno's) x 2, Robbie Mutch (Uncle Bob's) x 2, "Young" Don Maclean (Uncle Bob's), Stevie Falconer (Portland A), Evan Macdonald (City Taxis), Donnie Mackenzie (Tarradale), Derek Maclean (City Taxis), Keith Robertson (Portland B), Barrie Mackay (Culloden Moor Inn), and "Tosh" MacIntosh (Fluke).

City Taxis were held to a draw by an under- strength Portland B side and now slip 3pts behind Portland A at the top of the A league. The leaders had to win all three doubles at Uncle Bob's to take both points. Oscar's go clear in third place. There is no change at the top of the B League after all the leaders drew their games. Brockie's edge a point clear of Smithton at the top of the C after the latter were held to a draw by the Drover's.

The first round of the Fours was due to take place at various venues on Thursday 23rd after News & Views went to press.

The one semi-final and final of the Consolation Shield takes place at the Portland Club on Wednesday 1 March, Culloden Moor play Deeno's and Brockie's Lodge play the winners in the final.

Results from 9 February...
John Price Threes results for finals held at the Clach Club: Preliminary round: Portland A2 bt Caley Club, Oscar's 3 bt Portland A 2, Portland A3 bt Brockie's Lodge. Quarter Finals: Uncle Bob's 3 bt Oscar's1, Culloden Moor Inn bt Uncle Bob's 1, City Taxis bt Portland A1, Portland A3 bt Oscar's 3. Semi Finals: Culloden Moor Inn bt Uncle Bob's 3, Portland A3 bt City Taxis Final: Portland A 3 (Stevie Falconer, Barry Maclean, Eddie Edwards) bt Culloden Moor Inn (Gordy Redmond, Sandy Morrison, Garry Henderson).

Results from latter rounds of Smith Shield at Portland Club ...
Quarter Finals: Legion A1 bt Portland E1, Dow's 2 bt Portland E2, Uncle Bob's 1 bt Legion B2, Deeno's bt City Taxis. Semi-finals: Legion A1 bt Dow's 2, Uncle Bob's1 bt Deeno's. Final: Uncle Bob's 1(Jim McNair, Kevin Chisholm, Don Maclean) bt Legion A1 (Alan Goddard, Stuart Pearce, Donald Mackay).

Results 2 February...
A League: City Taxis 6 Portland A 6, Tarradale 6 Uncle Bob's 6, Fluke 4 Oscar's 8, Portland B 4 Dow's 8. B League: Caley Club 7 Keppoch 5, Legion A 7, Mojo's 5, Culloden Moor Inn 5 Portland E 7. C League: Smithton 5 Brockie's Lodge 7, Raigmore 7 The Drover 5.

Out of School

Around Merkinch Primary classes

• Miss Birrell's P1s have been busy doing gymnastics this term. We have learned to leap-frog, do forward rolls, and different jumps. We love being gymnasts.

 

• Miss Leslie's P1s have been taking part in an 8-week fitness programme run by Local Motion. So far we have learned some excellent skills-tae kwon do, aerobics and even some circus tricks!

 

• P2T and P2/3S will be having a visit from the Countryside Ranger on Wednesday 1 March. We will be in the school garden looking for mini-beasts.

 

• Miss Garraway's P3 have been studying "Materials we need" in Science and carrying out a project on Scotland. Recently the class received Youth Music which everyone really enjoyed! We will be getting more of this in April.

 

• P5 and P6 pupils are all involved in a four-week workshop learning about Scottish cultural music, thanks to Feis Rois. Each child has been given a tin whistle to keep and practise some well-known tunes.

 

• P6/7 raised money to buy a goat through Oxfam for a family in need in a developing country.

 

• P7 pupils were very lucky to be offered self-massage training at the Janny's Hoose this term. Jean invited them over in small groups to the Janny's Hoose where they had a very relaxing time! It is hoped this training will help the children cope better with stress and anxiety.

 

• P7D have been studying Japan this term. We have been finding out about the country and culture of the people who live there. We wrote some haiku poems: they are made up of 3 lines, the first and third have five syllables and the second seven. Here is a selection...

The lovely red leaf
It is time to go back in
To warmth and comfort.
Allan

Today it is cold
My toes are frozen over
I will buy new socks!
Emma

Frosty lavender
The children running around
Hearing of the birds.
Kelsey

Birds are cheering loud
Glittering frost on the ground
Our benches are cold.
Leigh

My lips have turned blue
I think I have got frostbite
And my head is cold.
Mark

We pick up a leaf
And we smell it so badly
That it smells lovely
Nicola

Frosty ground crumbles
Spiky tall trees white with frost
Big blue sky so fresh
Rebecca

The brown leaves are cool
The mint has a lovely smell
It was very cold.
Robert

The frosty green grass
The smell of the lively plants
The breeze of the cold winds.
Sarah

Helping those in need through a crisis

THE Highland Food Bank, which was officially opened by Provost William Smith in October, is run by Blythswood Care from the Madras Street Hall six hours a week.

It is proving successful and very helpful to people in crisis or temporary difficulties. Those who come are all referred by professional bodies such as Inverness New Start, the Social Work's criminal justice team, the Salvation Army resettlement team and Albyn Housing.

They receive enough nutritious food for three days, all of it donated by the public. Over 100 people were assisted in the first three months it opened and outwith the Food Bank's opening hours a further 50 people received emergency food boxes from other agencies.

The food bank is managed by Lorna Dempster and it relies on local people to contribute. "the level of support given to the project by local people has been gratifying," she said. "Many have donated food at a supermarket collection day."

There were six such days up to the end of 2005, four of them at Tomnahurich Street Tesco's and two at Telford Street Co-op. Shoppers are offered a "shopping list" of required items when they arrive, they choose what they want to donate, buy it along with their own shopping and then leave it with volunteers as they leave.

Altogether an amazing quantity of food - over 1.8 tonnes - was donated. The Food Bank could not function without the help of volunteers and nine help regularly. Supermarket days need 12 volunteers.

Besides supermarket days, others from many local Christian churches - Church of Scotland, Baptist, Roman Catholic and Episcopal churches and the Christian Outreach Centre, Inverness Christian Fellowship, Kingsview Christian Centre -have donated food to the bank. The Trinity Church of Scotland has an on-going food collection for the bank. This has more than doubled the amount of food donated until the end of 2005 from all over the Inverness area to over four tonnes.

The Food Bank is grateful to the Free North Church for the use of the Madras Street Hall and their assistant minister Rev John Wagner who Lorna describes as "unfailingly supportive".