Road erosion causes concern

IMPROVEMENTS to drainage and repairs to the sea defences at South Kessock should be a priority according to Merkinch Community Council. The matter was raised at their April meeting.

The road between numbers 62 and 71 Kessock Road can hardly cope with more than a light shower, according to members from the area. Water under the road was also believed to be causing erosion. Members agreed to bring their concerns to the attention of Highland Council and also to ask if the holes in the sea wall which they had reported earlier had now been inspected and repaired.

There were also complaints that the litter bin at the Kessock Road turning place was insufficiently large and/or was not emptied often enough as it frequently was overflowing.

Among other topics discussed at the meeting were:

• Two new beat officers had been appointed to cover Merkinch, replacing the present one. They are Duncan MacLauchlan and part-timer Lesley Campbell. The community council had brought to Northern Constabulary's attention the recent lack of police presence not only on the local streets but also at their meetings.

 

• Members agreed to donate £100 to the Parent & Toddler group. The Merkinch Under-15 soccer team thanked the community council for their donation towards their recent trip to the Ayr Football Festival.

 

• There was soon to be a promotion publicising the benefits of council tenants having house contents insurance, Councillor Peter Corbett reported. As part of their commitment to "financial inclusion" Highland Council had introduced a low-cost insurance scheme some time ago but there had been a very low take-up in the area. In conjunction with HC's insurance partners Jardine Lloyd Thomson, the promotion would involve a prize of a Family Ticket to Vue Cinema and a meal at Pizza Hut.

 

• Cllr Corbett also reported that the German supermarket chain Aldi had been unsuccessful in their bid for permission to build a store on Telford Street on the site of the former Renault garage on the grounds of size, site and traffic. It was likely they would appeal. The derelict block of flats in Anderson Street had been demolished. He also outlined all the various meetings he had attended in the last month.

 

• Merkinch Project Officer Anne Sutherland reported on the most recent meeting of the Merkinch Partnership (see page 6). With the departure of Graham Strachan to Loch Ness-side in HC's most recent staff shake-up, a new ward manager was to be appointed. A meeting had been held that day with regard to the West Field being designated as a Nature Reserve. The boundary would go down to the low water mark and include the football pitch.

 

• Community Warden Liz Murray reported on the successful Street League trip to Ayr last month. She also told members that three fines for dog-fouling had been given out in the Glendoe Terrace area.

 

• There were reports of litter clean-ups by Dell McClurg and Ivor Bisset. Dell also reported that South Kessock Environmental Company were still awaiting a report back about the foundations for the new Waterfront Centre. Ivor said there had been another serious assault at Friar's Bridge underpass, but the installation of CCTV cameras had been deferred due to a delay in the delivery of necessary equipment.

 

• Anne McCreadie reported that the new raked seating had been installed at the theatre facility in the Community Centre.

 

• The community council's next meeting will be on Thursday 17th May and their AGM will be on 14th June at 7pm, both in the Community Centre.

Ness Soaps hit the open market last month with two display stands at the Nessie Centre in Drumnadrochit. Nessie-shaped soap is one of the Merkinch-based firm's most popular lines. Pictured here is Fiona of the Nessie shop with one of the displays.

Make sure you have your say-vote on 3 May

THIS month sees the election of our representatives to both the Scottish Parliament and Highland Council. And not only is there a new voting system in place, but in the local authority election Merkinch has been included in a much larger Central ward which includes other areas such as Dalneigh and even parts of the Crown.

While this may seem all rather daunting, the Electoral Commission distributed a very clear and comprehensive leaflet on the matter.
Basically, the two-colour ballot paper is for the Scottish Parliament. On either side you put a cross for the party and the individual candidate you wish to vote for.
The white paper is for electing Highland Council councillors. Here you can vote for as many, or as few, as you want but you must number your votes in order of preference.

Some people are of the opinion that to vote for more than one "waters down" your vote. On the other hand you may realise that your favourite is unlikely to be the majority's first choice but if he/she gathers enough second or third votes they might just get in!

There are nine candidates altogether in the new Central ward, some representing parties, some independent; some familiar, some totally unknown.

There has been such a flurry of election information descending on our doormats in recent weeks that it hardly seems necessary to go over it again.

But whatever you do on Thursday 3rd May-go out and vote.

If you don't you can't complain about matters to do with health, education, housing, law and order, emergency services, laws to do with farming and fishing, forestry and tourism-all these are in the control of Edinburgh. Then again Highland Council is responsible for developing and delivering local services-education, transport and roads, police and fire services, sport, the arts, social work and community care, the environment, planning and economic development.

Retiring Councillor Chrissie Cummings (third from left) is pictured with some members of Merkinch Community Council who presented her with a card and flowers to mark the occasion. Pictured her, from left, are MCC treasurer Brian Cain, vice-chairman Ali Locke, secretary Anne Sutherland, Ivor Bisset and Anne McCreadie. Cllr Cummings had represented her ward, which included large parts of Merkinch, since 1990 and was re-elected four time unopposed.

Centre set to become Indian territory

THE Indians, one of Ireland's top showbands for over four decades, are all set to invade Merkinch Community Centre on 16th May.
Both musically and visually The Indians are a very exciting band playing a wide variety of music which includes Country, Irish, rock 'n' roll and even a little bit of Scottish. Dressed in their colourful Indian costumes and made up with "war paint" and feathers along with the use of lighting effects they put on quite a spectacular show which can be enjoyed by young and old alike.

It is hoped that this, the first appearance of a major act in Merkinch Community Centre's new stage facility, will be well supported. If it is then there will be some more top names appearing on the stage in the future. Tickets, £10 and £8 concession, are on sale from the Community Centre - don't be disappointed, get yours soon.

briefs.

• CHARLIE'S chip shop in Grant Street has added another award to its list of credits. The Sea Fish Industry Authority has presented the popular chippie with the Fryers' Quality Award 2007.

 

• WITH the recent death of Tom Skinner, formerly of Telford Road, the last link between the much-loved and respected Skinner family and Merkinch has been broken. Tom was a leading light in the trades union movement and a keen cyclist. His wife Mabel, who pre-deceased Tom by some years, was a local councillor and the driving force behind the building of the community centre.

 

• MEMBERS of the Sea Cadets unit based in North Kessock Road were treated to a sneak preview of a very special DVD last month. The Cadets enjoyed the first ever screening of "Highland Memories", the official film of the 2006 Inverness Highland Games, as part of a talk given by the Highland Council's Events Officer Gerry Reynolds.

 

• THE programme at the Silver Screen at Merkinch Community Centre on Monday 14th May at 2pm comprises comedies starring Charlie Chaplin. Tickets are £2.50 at the door.

 

• IF YOU are fed up with unwanted sales calls over the phone you can contact the Telephone Preference Service at DMA House, 70 Margaret Street, London W1W 8SS or ring 0845 070 0707. If junk mail is what annoys you, you can contact the Mail Preference Service at the same address. Unaddressed mail delivered by the Royal Mail can be stopped by contacting Door-to-Door Customer Services Opt-Outs, Royal Mail, Kingsmead House, Oxpens Road, Oxford OX1 1RX.

 

• LUCKY winner of the April Nicol's Killer Quiz is Mrs I.J. Ross, 15 Nelson Street. This month sees a change with the Nicol's prize voucher going to the first correct Crossword out of the hat. So all you crossword fans, come and have a go.

Open day at the Janny's Hoose

WANT to know what happens in the Janny's Hoose? We are having an open afternoon on Friday 18th May 1.30 - 3pm.

We'll be showcasing our activities, having some nice eats, lots of good ideas to improve your health and well being, freebies and also a free raffle for those attending on the day.
Hopefully we'll have good weather so we can sit outside on the patio. If you fancy a head massage come along on the day as we'll have someone there to help you relax.

Did you know that May is national smile month? During the month we'll be highlighting the importance of looking after your teeth, not only by brushing, but also by eating and drinking the right things.
We'll be giving away toothbrushes and other products to help with healthy teeth at our open day on the 18th. We also have quizzes and other fun activities planned.

Come along and see what we're up to.

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

200 apply for local artists' post

MERKINCH will be the first area in Inverness to play host to a new artist-in-residence, funded by the Scottish Arts Council. This is part of a year-long project involving three artists and Riverside Churches as well as wider community groups.

The advertised artists posts have attracted an extraordinary amount of interest from places as diverse as Vienna, Novia Scotia, Greece and Orkney. Over 200 professional artists, performers, musicians, painters, sculptors, photographers, film directors and poets have expressed interest in this unique project which will have a strong community focus.

The theme of the project is the Arts and Spirituality, exploring what this means in 21st century Inverness and this seems to have been one of the key reasons for the vast number of enquiries generated by the advertising campaign. "The immense number of enquiries and the level of artists' enthusiasm for the project has taken our breath away," said Susan Christie, the Project Manager. "We are delighted that the project is seen by artists as fantastic opportunity."

Annie Marrs, Merkinch's own Arts Development Worker added, "Our next challenge will be to narrow down the large number of applicants and select a shortlist for interview.

"As part of the interview process, we will invite the shortlisted artists to visit Merkinch, meet residents and begin to get a sense of how they might creatively engage with different parts of the community."

It is expected the appointments will be made within the month.

Merkinch tackles litter problem on two fronts

RIGHT. Chrissie Cumming is pictured helping the ACTRA team clean up at Birnie Terrace earlier this year.

APRIL saw clean-ups at South Kessock and in the ACTRA (Abbey Cameron Tenants and Residents Association) area.

Dell McClurg reported to the April meeting of Merkinch Community Council that though there was a disappointing turn-out, those who did come-including two pregnant women and numerous children-all worked hard. At least there were no three-piece suites and fridges as there used to be, it was mainly ordinary litter.

Ivor Bisset from the ACTRA said 15 volunteers turned out and they had filled nine bags with litter. This is the second clean-up ACTRA has held this year.

Following last month's clean-up they held a barbecue. Members of both St Michael's and All Angels in Abban Street and of the Trinity Church also joined in.

Among those pictured at the barbecue are Chrissie Cumming (third left) who received yet another bunch of flowers, from ACTRA this time, to thank her for all the work she had put in for their area over the years.

Also pictured is Ruth Black (back right), wife of Canon Len Black - the barbecue was held in the Rectory garden.

Active Adults on the go

THE Active Adults group has certainly been living up to its name over the last few weeks. They held a fund-raising tombola at the Easter Egg-Stravaganza and last month went to the White Cottage in North Kessock for high tea. New member Rose McKechnie described her experiences in Tanzania. She was there for six months last year, working with street children. Sheila Mackay of the Local History Forum also visited them last month.

Among the activities planned for May is a return trip to Revack Estate on Speyside on the 8th. The group meet in Merkinch Community Centre on Tuesday afternoons.

Special Highland Games date for your diary

THIS year's Inverness Highland Games will take place in a specially constructed arena which will fill the whole of Bught Park over the weekend of July 21-22 and will feature the World Highland Games Heavy Championships.

This is the first time that the World Championships have been staged in Scotland since 1995 and there is huge interest in fact that the Games are coming to Inverness as part of the Highland 2007 celebrations. If you haven't been to the Inverness Highland Games for a while and are looking for somewhere special to have an enjoyable day out, make a note to find out what it's all about on Saturday and Sunday July 21-22. Tickets cost £6 for Adults and £2 for Children, Seniors and Kilt Wearers!

We will be holding a competition next month with tickets to the Games as prizes - watch this space for more information and how to enter the competition!

Two new faces on Merkinch Partnership

MERKINCH Partnership held a meeting on 29th March when new members Lisa Baxter and Ivor Bisset were elected. Pictured, from left : Lisa, Partnership Officer Anne Sutherland and Ivor).

Lisa and Ivor are both active in the local community: she is secretary and play leader of the local Parents and Toddlers group and secretary and founding member of the recently-formed tenants' group HQT (Harbour, Quayside, Tannery) Residents' Association. She is starting a Childcare and Early Education HNC at Inverness College in August and is currently doing IT training in Merkinch Enterprise. Lisa also has a son, aged two and a half.

Ivor is a member of Merkinch Community Council, Merkinch Community Centre management committee, Abbey Cameron Tenants and Residents Association and is standing in the local council elections as an independent candidate, representing the Merkinch area. Ivor has a wide experience in working with voluntary organisations and in the Social Care sector.

They will both offer valuable contributions to the Partnership. It is important to point out that members of the Partnership do not represent any specific organisation or group but are there to represent the whole community.

At the March meeting Anne Sutherland, Merkinch Partnership Officer, presented a report and update to the members. The Partnership approved awards of Regeneration Funding to the following projects:

Merkinch Traditions - a series of traditional music classes that will run over six weeks between 21st April and 26th May in Merkinch Community Centre. The classes will offer adults and children the chance to play various instruments and will promote traditional music in the Merkinch area. Contact the Community Centre on 239563 for more information or to book a place.

Refurbishment of No. 1 Quayside Court - This Highland Council property is rented by national charity NCH but, due to staff cutbacks, is currently not being used. The funding will help turn the flat into a community space, creating a user-friendly, comfortable, multi-purpose environment which can be used by Project staff, local agencies and community groups in a variety of different ways. For more information contact Sheila (NCH Family Project worker) on 712572.

The next Partnership meeting was due be held on Friday 27th April after we went to press and it was decided it should take the form of a "strategy day", where members will look long term plans for the coming year.

Each month this column will highlight one of the local projects being supported by Merkinch Partnership and the impact of the Regeneration Funding awarded.

Local charity and Social Firm Merkinch Development Ventures has been awarded £35,000 by the Partnership, which has allowed the group to recruit two new staff members.

Lucy Morrison, the Project Manager, took up her post on 23rd April and Shona Riach, the Project Worker, on 30th April. Funding has also been allocated to recruit a part-time marketing person. This is a hugely important development for this organisation, which will lead to increased production and sales for Ness Soaps, the subsidiary trading company of MDV.

Ness Soaps has received orders from the Loch Ness Exhibition Centre and a local Inverness guest house and has a display stand in Bogbain Adventure and Heritage Farm.

One of the priorities of the new Project Manager will be to recruit more volunteers from the local community to help with the soap production. Anyone wishing to volunteer should initially contact Partnership Officer Anne Sutherland on 718989 or 07872 014520.

The Partnership Officer, formerly located in Merkinch Enterprise, has now moved to 4 Grant Street, sharing an office with the MDV Project Manager. Contact details are as above but Anne says, "Feel free to come in for a chat about any of the projects in the area or for more information on the Partnership and Regeneration Funding."

Merkinch talent on display

Merkinch Community Centre had their first event in the new theatre facility at the end of March. A total of 76 local performers took the stage and showed their talent watched by a full house at the "Easter Eggs-Stravaganza".

Young children from 5 years old to senior citizens such as 83-year-old Cathy Crenz performed on the new stage. Everyone who attended was delighted at the high quality of the sound and lighting reproduction, also the new comfortable seating.

The management of the Centre plan a large launch event for their "June Jamboree" on 26th June to celebrate this fantastic venue in Merkinch.

The staging and lighting altogether cost of £122,000, and was made possible thanks to a number of funders.

Merkinch lads make their mark at Ayr football fest

SEVENTEEN youngsters, all under 15 years old, took part in the Easter and Spring Festival of football in Ayr and there were six adult helpers. The Merkinch team did really well and came in fifth place; they also picked up a trophy for a friendly game.

On the last night the boys were all very pleased to be presented with individual trophies by former Scotland and Celtic player Alan McInally.

The youngsters had a great time please see quotes below. There were three days of football playing against teams from Ireland, the Western Isles, Stirling and Liverpool. This not only enabled them to meet new people and stay actively fit but also broadened their horizons and developed their team working skills.

For many it was their first trip away from home, which developed their confidence. A lot of the older boys took it upon themselves to look out for the younger boys by making sure they were included in the activities at night such as bowling and swimming.

Said community warden Liz Murray, "The boys behaved exceptionally well and they demonstrated skill and confidence."
Two of the adult helpers were put through their level one and two coaching certificate, which they are now using with a new group of children who have joined the Under 15 years street league team. Most of the boys on the trip are now off to the Merkinch Youth League.

And what did the boys themselves say.?

"There was a great team spirit and I play football a lot better mow." Steven Bain

"We had a lot of fun playing football and the place we stayed was great." Sean Ross

Latest Available Darts Results

Results 12 April
THE Inverness Doubles champions are Derek Maclean (Uncle Bob's) and Steve Mitchell (City Taxis); they beat Malcolm Johnstone (Legion A) and Stevie Munro (Deeno's) in this year's final at the Clach Club. This is their second title of the season having won the A League Doubles earlier.

Derek scored a maximum in the final and the winning pair took the first leg in 14 darts. Malcolm and Stevie took the second to force a deciding leg which went the way of Derek and Steve.
The losing semi finalists were Kevin Clark and Alan MacKinnon (City Taxis) and Steve Donald and Paul MacDonald (Culloden Moor Inn) and going out at the quarter final stages were Drew Ogg and John Jack (Portland B) James MacMillan and Andrew Mowatt (Portland E), Peter Macdonald and Barry Maclean (Portland A) and Jim MacNeil and Billy Palmer (Keppoch).

Results 5th April
A League Cup: City Taxis 7 Portland B 4, Oscar's 7 Tarradale 2, Portland A 7 Portland E 0.
B League Cup: Deeno's 7 Smithton 0, Legion A 1 Culloden Moor Inn 7, Keppoch 7 Caley Club 5
C League Cup: Mojo's 5 Finlay's 7, Portland x 4 Legion B 8, Raigmore 0 Thistle 7
There were no major shocks in the first rounds of the League Cups but there was some pretty good throwing. Peter Macdonald of Portland A hit 12 and 15-dart legs, scored a maximum and checked out on 161; Shane Wharton of Portland B hit two maximums and had two 14-dart legs; Robert Mackenzie of City Taxis hit a 15-dart leg and checked out on 160 and 129.

Results 29 March
Robert Mackenzie of City Taxis won his fourth Inverness singles title at the Clach Club, 10 years since his last win and 24 after his first. He now joins Barrie Mackay as the only players to have won this title in three different decades. He beat Malcolm Johnstone of Legion A 2-0 in this year's final.
The 74 entries for this year's competition was an increase in last season's 60.
The Junior Singles was a repeat of last year with John Jack (Portland B) beating Allan Morrison (Raigmore) in the final.
The Ladies Singles title was retained by Fiona Stott (Raigmore) who beat Mandy Anderson (Portland X) in the final.
Portland A beat city Taxis in the semi-final of the Supreme Cup. They won the singles 5-3 and clinched victory in the third double.
Finlay's were confirmed as C League Champions after beating The Drover, Mojo's will be runners up. Portland B also clinched second place in the A League. The positions yet to be decided are second in the B League where the two contenders Deeno's and Kepppoch meet in the last game of the season with the latter needing to win to force a play-off and it is a similar situation at the bottom with Brockies Lodge having to beat Caley Club to force a bottom place play-off.
On 28th April the Dewar's Doubles event was held at the Legion - results not available at time of going to press.

The AGM for the Summer league was held at the Clach Club on 16th April. The Summer League gets under way on Thursday 11th May and all teams had to be registered by the 26th April.

Buying on credit - your rights

CONSUMERS sometimes feel bewildered by the volume of offers of credit deals they receive either through the post, on the internet or television or on the high street.

Finance companies offering personal loans at various interest rates, shop storecards offered at various rates with discounts for new account holders; fixed sum agreements; variable interest rates, typical APRs - what does it all mean to the consumer and how can you find the best deal, without having it cost you the earth in repayments.

There are times when we all need to purchase items on credit. If your washing machine breaks down or your cooker is old and needs replacing a lot of consumers may not have enough savings to cover the purchase of these items. So buying on credit becomes a necessity.

However looking out for the best deal on the price of a cooker or washing machine is effectively what you should be doing when checking out how much it may cost you to buy on credit. Which option should you look at when faced with this dilemma? Here are a few tips and advice on how to avoid credit pitfalls.

Storecards

Shops offering credit to purchase goods may have their own storecards. Stores will offer incentives for you to take out these storecards, such as,
"New Card holders - 10% introductory discount offer if you spend £100 in-store today."

Interest rates on these storecards can be extremely high and therefore costly. If you do not clear the outstanding amount on the account every month and only pay the minimum amount then the debt accrued can take literally months to clear. Always shop around for the best deal and the best offer you can get. Check out the extras the store are offering and see if it is really worthwhile borrowing from them or using your own credit card or debit card as payment.

Remember a store may offer 0% APR for a limited period which may be the best way to buy a large item and enables you to pay it off without incurring interest. However, make sure you understand when the 0% APR period finishes and ensure that the full balance is paid within this time. If you find you do have a balance to pay at the end of the 0% APR interest will be added to this amount, usually at a very high rate.

In-Store credit agreements

It is very rare to find Hire Purchase agreements in regard to domestic goods nowadays and more often a consumer will be offered an in-store credit agreement to pay for large items of furniture or white electrical goods.

These in-store agreements work very much in the same way as storecard. The amount you borrow will be the cost of the goods you wish to purchase and the agreement will have a variable APR which means interest charges could go up considerably, with no prior warning from the finance company.

The APR rates can be very high and you may be offered as a further incentive to take out this type of agreement, a deferred payment period, or payment holiday.

It is quite common to see in-shop advertisements on the high street offering for instance:

"Nothing to pay for 3 months"

However, during this 3 month period although no payments need to be made, the interest is still be added on to the outstanding balance.

Making the 'minimum payment' every month means the balance will take longer to pay off as interest on the account is calculated daily then added on. This type of borrowing can be extremely expensive and take months if not sometimes years to pay off. The result of which may be that you have paid sometimes twice or three times the purchase price of the goods by the end of the agreement. Unless you are able to pay off the total amount before the first months interest payment is added on this type of agreement is to be avoided.