Janny's Hoose wins award as Highlands' best community group

THE Janny's Hoose, Merkinch's Health and Well-being Centre, has won a Highland-wide award as the Best Community Group in the north.

At the Moray Firth Radio Awards celebrity lunch in the Drumossie Hotel last month they were presented with their trophy, much to their delight.

For the centre, situated in the former Janitor's House at Merkinch Primary School, only opened two and a half years ago, since when it has gone from strength to strength.

Dozens of people have found company and solace, advice and hope in that time. In the last year 139 adults have crossed their doorstep-121 women and 18 men.

They have also been involved in services for 280 children-much of that is supervised tooth-brushing - and childcare was provided for 30 pre-school children. And all this with a part-time staff whose hours range from 30 per week to 22, plus the tooth-brushing supervisors and an army of volunteers!

The Janny's Hoose also has support from a wide range of professionals from health and diet experts to counsellors and fitness advisors.

Blue Arrow Scotland, the employment agency who sponsored the award, were delighted for the Janny's Hoose. The Academy Street agency's Zoe Wishart said it was a fantastic event and a fantastic win. "The competition in their category was very stiff," she said.

Public urged to fight for our post office services

PEOPLE are being urged to sign a petition, currently in local sub-post offices, to protest at the Government's intention to withdraw the POCA cards - Post Office Cash Accounts and encourage people to cash in their pensions and benefits at banks.

POCAs were introduced around a year ago which meant that pension books and benefit books were done away with. It is estimated that the withdrawal could be the final straw for many postmasters. It is estimated that as many as 10,000 post offices throughout the country could be closed as a result.

Now the Federation of Sub-Postmasters is battling back and is urging the public to join the fight by signing their official petition.

If any Merkinchers feel they may have already signed such a petition, they would be right. The postmistress, Lesley O'Rourke, was ahead of the federation and had already many hundreds of signatures in a petition. However, this is an official petition and everyone is being urged to sign up.

"Around four and a half million customers in Britain have POCAs," Lesley told News & Views. "What if they all have to turn up at a busy bank every week to cash their pensions or their benefits?" Another blow is that the provision of TV licences is being withdrawn from the list of post office services at the end of June. "No-one will be left with stamps they cannot use," she said, "but it is just another service gone. It is understood that supplying and replacing passports will no longer be done at post offices either.

While the Post Office moves away from its traditional role of acting as an agency of the government, it is tending more and more towards banking and financial services with provision of such things as equity bonds -not necessarily the services wanted in Highland POs, whether in rural areas or busy but deprived urban communities.

The Liberal Democrats have also taken up the fight over POCAs. Local MP Danny Alexander said, "The Government has shown complete indifference towards our rural Post Office network.
"First it refused to extend financial support beyond 2008 and now the loss of the Post Office Card Account will be the final straw for many subpostmasters."

Help to give up smoking at award-winning centre

WE'VE only been open two and a half years and already we've hit the high spots. We've just won the MFR community group of the year award. Our thanks to all who have worked to make the Janny's Hoose the success it is, and to all who voted for us. Let's hope we can go onwards and upwards from here.

After a long break we've managed to get someone to run a drop in for people wanting to give up smoking. Jo will be in the Hoose Monday afternoons 2-3pm from 8 May to give help and support.

On Thursday mornings from 9am we'll be having info mornings. So far we have booked energy efficiency to come along on 18 May to discuss saving money on electricity. They'll be bringing along some light bulbs to give away, and a kettle to win. Why not pop in for a coffee on a Thursday and see who's in and what tips you can pick up?

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

Fun and info at Janny's Hoose AGM

THE Janny's Hoose AGM is usually a brief affair and this year's, held as usual at the Clach Club, was no exception.

But it is always followed by an entertaining morning, with a range of health stands, lots of good fun activities for the youngsters and a selection of healthy and yummy snacks and drinks.

In an independent evaluation of the work done at the Healthy Living centre over the last year, consultant Donald Macleod said, "People using the service speak repeatedly about the JH as a place where you meet others, blether, be listened to, feel accepted and make friends. Added to this are the benefits people see themselves as deriving: information, services, learning opportunities and physical activities.
"People are also helping each other by telling of their own experiences."

Childcare remains problematic, says Mr Macleod, but there is the prospect of some relief with the opening of the new Family Resource Centre later in the year.

At every social occasion involving kids these days, face-painting is a must-but sometimes the mums get a look-in as well! And clock the healthy kebabs on the tray in front of them-a fun way to get in those Five-A-Day.

Call Maggie the Nit Lady or the Knit Lady, she doesn't mind which. Whiling away her spare minutes at one of the health stands, Maggie gets on with her knitting. Exercising the old needles and pins has become something of a craze these days and the Janny's Hoose is often a buzz of the kind of woolly creativity that hasn't been seen since possibly the 1950s.

briefs.

• A MEETING regarding the transfer of local authority housing stock is being held on Wednesday 31st May at 7pm in the Community Centre. Among those present for the question-and-answer session will be Leslie Baird from tenant participation organisation TPAS and a representative from the Highland Housing Association. It is important that all local authority tenants attend.

 

• ACTIVE Adults celebrated the season in style with a special Easter Tea. Anne McCreadie won the prize for the Best Egg and members also held a successful raffle. Members have also enjoyed a meal at the Waterside recently, and they are planning an outing to Dingwall, another to the ceramics centre in Elgin and a visit to Rollerbowl. Any active retired people can get more details about members' activities by phoning Rose at Merkinch Community Centre on 239563.

 

• LUCKY winner of last month's Nicol's Killer Quiz Prize is Mrs Wright, 35 Cameron Square. Congratulations! Why not try this month's quiz.

 

• A NEW Keep Fit class has started up in the Community Centre on Thursday nights at 8.30pm, cost £2.50 per session. And the Monday Cheerleading sessions for youngsters have restarted after stalling a couple of times - due to difficulties with tutors and certainly not for want of enthusiasm.

 

• THE Merkinch Community Plan has now been completed, Community Project Officer Anne Sutherland said in her April report. Bound copies had been circulated to Merkinch Partnership members and funding bodies. A summary of the Community Plan will be published in the June edition of the News & Views. The new manager at Ness Soaps had begun on 10th April. The report also referred to the successful funding of the Waterfront and gym hall projects. Arts in Merkinch had also secured funds for their part-time arts officer until March 2008.

 

Slide show at the lunch club

ALAN Michael (pictured helping with the raffle) has become a familiar face at the Friendship Club which meets for lunch every Wednesday at Merkinch Community Centre. After their meal, members usually enjoy a game of bingo or a talk.

News & Views dropped in last month as they were settling down to enjoy a slide show given by retired policeman Sandy Macintosh, pictured above sorting out the technology. Among the guests were Etta Shand who many remembered as a schoolgirl at Merkinch Public School, and a lady from America. New members are always welcome and transport can be arranged for those who need it.

Familiar faces go, funding is found, roads improved, and don't mention the computer

MERKINCH Community Council aims to extend its June AGM meeting to "make an evening of it", by inviting local groups to speak about what they are doing and so draw a picture of what is happening throughout the Merkinch area.
Members felt that there was so much happening in Merkinch just now that it would be interesting for people to bring themselves up to date.

There will be no meeting in May, members decided at their April meeting. The AGM is to take place in the Community Centre on 8th June at 7pm. The public are welcome to come along.

• Liz Murray, who has been the very successful Community Warden for the last year has been seconded as a Housing Officer, replacing Lewis Hannah. She thanked Councillor Peter Corbett, in particular, for his support and also the community council and others in the community and said that although her role was changing, she would still be in the Merkinch area. She reported that the Youth Matters group had been established and their spokesman Robbie Williamson would come to the AGM to talk about it. She had proposed Robbie and Christopher Stewart for the MFR Awards and they had reached a shortlist of three. Liz Murray also reported on the successful opening of the Community Garden. Cllr Corbett said she had done "a terrific job" and this was echoed by Chairman Ali MacLean.

 

• Another familiar face to disappear from the local scene is that of Community Beat Officer Ali Macrae who is heading west to a post in Ness, Lewis. He admitted that it was a selfish choice, but he had been five years in Inverness and would very likely have been moved to an island posting soon, so he had jumped before he was pushed. He added that his son starts school this August. CBO Macrae said that he would likely be leaving sometime in June. He reported that a new Area Commander, David O' Connor, had come from Ross, Cromarty & Skye to take over AC Gourlay's post. AC O' Connor is very pro-active, and after only one week had showed himself to be very "hot" on anti-social behaviour. Because of the holidays there was no police report particularly referring to the Merkinch, but it was once again stressed that the deployment of officers was intelligence-led, so it was important that members of the community continue to provide current information with regard to concerns/issues in the area. A car had been stolen in Merkinch and two suspects were to appear in court. Cllr Corbett paid tribute to the work CBO Macrae had done in the area and members concurred.

 

• The councillor reported that road improvements in Telford Road were now complete. These include a right of way for traffic coming from Abban Street and various pavement extensions virtually amounting to a chicane in the area of Merkinch Primary School.

 

• The corner of Grant Street and Nelson Street is still presenting problems with regard to large lorries and Cllr Corbett reported that firms in South Kessock are being circulated regarding these difficulties. It was hoped that in future the corner would be widened. He also reported that funding was being sought for an extension to the very busy Grant Street car park and also means were being sought to prevent the abuse of the car park by commuters working in the city centre.

 

• The Community Regeneration Fund had approved £300,000 for the SKEC Waterfront project at the old ferry terminal-altogether around £600,000 had been approved for the area, including the theatre project at the Community Centre.

 

• Regarding the Welfare Hall, Cllr Corbett reported that things were moving on. He said that a feasibility study is being commissioned, but it could be that the building would have to be de-listed because of its condition. He said community council members were welcome to come and see the hall, but he thought they would be taken aback at how derelict it had become after years of neglect.

 

• Ali Locke of South Kessock Residents Association said that it was hoped to have a meeting regarding housing transfer stock later this month.

 

• The grass cutters were having problems because some of the bulbs planted earlier this spring were not in clumps they could work round, Dell McClurg reported. So some had been redistributed SKEC had met with the architects regarding the Waterfront project.

 

• Anne Sutherland, Community Project Officer has been appointed the community council's secretary. Regarding the community council's computer which had not been timeously returned by the previous secretary, CBO MacRae said that the computer was meanwhile in the hands of the police. Members agreed that they wanted to "distance themselves" from the matter and leave it to the police.

 

• Some members were unhappy about a Highland News poster, recently displayed, which referred to "Ferry Yobs". One commented that similar posters had been seen in other parts of the city with a similar theme. A complaint had been sent to the newspaper.

 

• The Community Project Officer's report was not available as her holiday stand-in forgot to bring it!

Easter Eggstravaganza

Dancers from Elizabeth Fraser's school of dance, all dressed up and ready to perform.(left) Youngsters from the recently formed Sing'n'Shout group stand in line waiting to go on stage.(right)

THE Easter Eggstravaganza again proved a great night out for the children of Merkinch and their parents, who came along to admire the younger generation's talent. It has been the success of these community concerts that has provided the drive for the development of the gym hall at Merkinch Community Centre; funding has now been secured and the plans for a stage, proper lighting and raked seating are set to go ahead later this year.

Community garden opened

IT WAS a cold bright day when Councillor Peter Corbett officially opened the new community garden. Left, youngsters give him a hand and, right, the newly repainted totem pole gets a try-out.

Youth Club help brighten environment

SOME members of Merkinch Senior Youth Club have been working on a mural, one of the Colourful Corners project. A number of local groups, including the Art Group, the Janny's Hoose, and the Corbett Centre are decorating large panels to be fixed in dull or unsightly places around the area.

It is planned the panels will be finished and in place for the Merkinch Arts Festival which is taking place in July this year. Plans are well in hand: as before there will be a gallery in Grant Street with paintings, photographs and crafts on show, but this year it will be located across the road from the previous years, in the Bike Project premises, as Ness Soaps are now at Number 4.

There are also a number of interesting workshops and social events planned, suitable for both children and adults. More details next month.

Sporting Nooz

A Darts Doubles first for Portland A's Steve and Eddie

STEVE Falconer and Eddie Edwards of Portland A won the Inverness Doubles at the Clach Club - it was the pair's first win in this event although Steve had previously won three League Doubles titles.
The runners-up were Derek Maclean and Dougie Milne who reached the last four for the third year in succession and this year they went one better than the previous two years.
The losing semi-finalists were Gordon Morison and Peter Macdonald, and Nigel McEwan and Kevin Clark. Bomber Godsman and Rhonda Philip won the Mixed Doubles for the fourth year in succession. They beat Nigel and Sylvia McEwan in this year's final. 180s were scored by Alan Mackinnon, Evan Macdonald, Kenny Simpson, Dougie Milne, Gordon Morison, Steve Falconer and Bomber Godsman. The top check outs were 148 by Kevin Clark and 131 and 112 by Derek Maclean.
The Super League singles were due to take place at the Portland Club on Saturday 22nd April after we went to press.
Results for week ending 7th April:
Portland A won't be able to complete the treble this year although they have already won the league and are in the final of the Supreme Cup.
They were put out of the A League cup in the first round by Uncle Bob's.
180s were scored by Willie Erskine (Legion B), Scott Mackinnon (Fluke), Richie Devlin (Portland A), Steve Falconer (Portland A), Gil Graham (Portland A), Peter Macdonald (Portland A), Robbie Mutch (Uncle Bob's), Kevin Chisholm (Uncle Bob's), Don Maclean (Uncle Bob's), Nigel McEwan (City Taxis), Derek Maclean (City Taxis) and Ally McGinely (City Taxis). Andy Mackintosh (City Taxis) hit 177.
The top check outs were by Brian Fraser (Tarradale) 151, Don Maclean (Uncle Bob's) 126 and Dougie Milne (Uncle Bob's) 103. Jim McNair of Uncle Bob's hit a 14 dart leg.
The AGM for the Summer League was held at the Clach Club on Monday 10th April.
Results 30th March:
The entries for this year's singles which were held at the Clach Club on Thursday 30th March was down from 77 to 60. The results from the last 16 were: Allan MacKinnon (Oscar's) beat the holder Steve Falconer (Portland A), Jim McNair (Uncle Bob's) bt Ewan Callander (Portland B), Cliff Robertson (Portland B) bt Steve Grant (Uncle Bob's), Dougie Milne (Uncle Bob's) bt Gary Henderson (Culloden Moor Inn), Don Maclean (Uncle Bob's) bt Kevin Clark (City Taxis), Keith Lambert (Uncle Bob's) bt Steve Munro (Deeno's), Stuart Pearce (Legion A) bt Charlie Ross (Raigmore) and Michael Hillan (Portland E) bt Norman Matheson (Oscar's).
In the quarters Allan beat Jim, Cliff bt Dougie, Don bt Keith and Stuart beat Michael.
Allan and Don then progressed to the final which Allan kicked of with an 11-dart leg including a 180. Don produced a 180 in the second leg and led for a time but Allan came back to clinch the leg and give him his first Inverness Singles title.
Before the final Allan hit another 180 and had a141 check out and hit 13 and 15 dart legs. Cliff Robertson hit three 180s and Steve Falconer two and one each were recorded by Steve Mitchell (City Taxis) Evan Macdonald (City Taxis) an Keith Lambert (Uncle Bob's). Stuart Pearce had a 101 check out and Cliff Robertson 100.
The Junior Singles was won by John Jack (Portland B) beating Allan Morrison (Raigmore) in the Final. The Ladies' Singles went to Fiona Stott (Raigmore) and the runner-up was team mate Kayleigh Ross.

Results 23rd March: A League: City Taxis 3 Oscar's 9, Portland A 9 Portland B 3, Tarradale 6 Fluke 6, Uncle Bob's 12 Dows 0.
B League: Keppoch 6 Culloden Moor Inn 6, Deeno's 6 Portland E 6, Caley Club 6 Mojos 6.
C League: Portland X 4 Smithton 8.
Portland A clinched the A League and as they were beating Portland B their nearest rivals City Taxis were going down to Oscar's. At the bottom of the table Tarradale and Dows are level. There is no change in the B League as all this week's games finished as draws Portland E are a point ahead of Legion A and two in front of Caley Club. Mojos and Keppoch share bottom spot. 180s were scored by Evan Macdonald Ally McGinely and Nigel McEwan all City Taxis, Steve Falconer, Jim Hunter x 2, Gordon Morison and Denny Grant all of Portland A, Ewan Callender, Willie Cruickshank and Drew McNeil of Portland B, Joe Spence and Sanders Patience Tarradale and Sammy Morton Culloden Moor Inn.
The top check outs were Gordy Matheson (Oscar's) 149, Ally McGinely (City Taxis) 134, Hector Fraser (Oscar's) 129, Derek Maclean (City Taxis) 123, Ewan Callander (Portland B) 120 and 114 and Sammy Borthwick (Deeno's) 100.

Donna will be missed

INVERNESS darts players were saddened by the news of the tragic death of Donna Robertson on 11th April. As a mark of respect there was a minute's silence observed before the start of last week's competitions at the Clach Club.

Donna was one of the North's outstanding players, winning a host of titles during the mid -80s and up to the late '90s when she moved to Edinburgh. She started winning titles from a young age taking both the Youth Highland and National titles.

She played for Caley Club Ladies before joining the all-conquering ladies' team which played from the 147 Club, Palace Bingo and finally Portland Club. She also played in the Men's league and was a regular in the top team Portland A.

She won an impressive list of titles at local and national level which include the following: Inverness Darts - Singles 3 times, Doubles 4 times and Mixed Doubles 3 times; North of Scotland and Northern Area competitions - 7 Singles and 6 doubles; Scottish Masters, Scottish Doubles and Mixed Doubles once and the Mixed Triples twice.

She was the only female to win an all-in event in Inverness darts history when she won the Inverness Doubles with Gordon Morison in 1996.

Donna had a massive talent, was a good ambassador for the sport and left a great impression on all who saw her play. She was well liked and respected and will be sadly missed by everyone.

Out of School

Discount available on school uniforms

THE May Day holiday is on Monday 1st May, and the summer term ends on Friday 30th June. INVERNESS High School reintroduced the dress code in January last year and Rector Ritchie Cunningham reports that he and the staff have been very encouraged by the feedback from parents which showed almost unanimous support for the code. "The pupils have a wide selection of dress code options so that there is plenty of scope to find something that each individual pupil likes. Pupils are expected to wear smart black trousers or a black skirt with the other selected garments bearing the school logo," he said.

All the chosen garments are available for parents to purchase at the National Schoolwear shop in Academy Street. Pupils and parents can see a wide selection of outer garments, hooded sweatshirts, fleeces, full-zip sweatshirts and tops such as tee-shirts, polo shirts and rugby tops.

The shop is offering a 10% discount for all orders received between 22nd May and 8th July. It is recommended that pupils are taken along to the shop to try garments on before purchase.

FOLLOWING a successful pilot run four years ago, IHS runs a pupil counselling service for those children who may want to discuss emotional, social or behavioural issues confidentially.

Jan Thompson is the school counsellor; she is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. The service, which available in three other schools in the city, is properly supervised and regularly reviewed. Any parent wishing to discuss the service further should contact their child's guidance teacher.

The importance of vaccination

UNLESS properly vaccinated your dog is at risk of contracting one of several, possibly fatal, diseases. Parvovirus and leprospirosis are the most current threats, depending on where you live. The latter also affects human beings. It is also necessary to protect against hepatitis and distemper, often fatal diseases.

There are also vaccines available to protect against kennel cough and other infectious diseases. And if you plan to take your dog abroad under the PETS travel scheme, vaccination against rabies is essential.

With regard to puppies, they are usually immune to such diseases through their mother's early milk (if she is immune). But this only lasts a few weeks and protection can fall away rapidly.

Canine distemper or hard pad, most commonly affects puppies under the age of one year and treatment is usually unsuccessful-far better to protect your family pet by vaccination. Your vet can advise you.