Time for play at Glendoe

GLENDOE Terrace children have got their play park at last - just three and a half years after the Highland Council agreed it was needed!

Councillor Chrissie Cumming paid for the play park equipment out of her discretionary budget some years ago, but the gaily-coloured slides and ladders somehow got lost. Children of 11- such as Rebecca McGivern and Mary Fraser, pictured front right - who desperately needed a place to play are now mature 15-year-old teenagers and perhaps a little past the play park stage.

But there are always other youngsters coming up and they are undoubtedly delighted to have somewhere of their own to play. They brought along some sweets to celebrate the official opening.

Residents seek urgent shed repairs

A less heartening tale from Glendoe Terrace concerns sheds at the back of two of the blocks of flats. Residents have been seeking repairs to these since 1999.

This April the sheds were actually condemned and residents were advised to remove bicycles, paint tins etc from them prior to demolition. At one point some sheds were then being utilised by the homeless. Then some young lads were sent to block them off, which was done in an unsatisfactory manner, say the residents.

Councillor Cumming told News & Views, "Work on the sheds is part of a rolling programme and they will be done when the money is available."

But residents who have to trip over bicycles and other sizeable items in their hallways and throw away leftover paint because of the fire hazard, feel that is not good enough and urge the Highland Council to do something now about this loss of amenity caused by the lack of their sheds.

Sheds back to back with the ones pictured have acquired doors - but no handles or adequate locks. Again the work was not done by experienced builders or joiners, say the residents, and repairs to brickwork and burnt beams have been deemed dangerously inadequate.

Community warden reports...

COMMUNITY warden Liz Murray reported to Merkinch Community Council last month that the Scottish Water authority had agreed tp paint their building opposite the flats on Kessock Road.

The Harbour Board had also said they were intending to paint the small lighthouse at Carnarc Point.

Along with Councillor Peter Corbett the warden were still trying to encourage some businesses in the area to clean up their premises.

Social Services are to make a start on tidying up the garden area at the Corbett Centre soon.

Mrs Murray asked the Community Council to consider some ideas on improving Coronation Road-then she said she would look into ways of funding these.

In her general patrols of the area she has reported fly tipping and maintenance problems, has visited vulnerable tenants and been a contact for anti-social behaviour problems.

Mrs Murray had asked that the underpass at Friars Bridge be cleaned and was assured that it would be done when required.

She was organising focus group meetings in the area. The Community Warden can be reached on 718848.

What the housing stock transfer proposals means to tenants

DAVID Goldie, Community Ownership Project Manager with Highland Council, discussed Community Ownership and Stock Transfer issues at the September meeting of Merkinch Community Council, held in the Primary School.

Mr Goldie explained that the transfer of council housing stock to housing associations would mean more affordable housing. It was foreseen that an extra £50m would be made available over five years through such transfers. This would mean 1000 new homes in the Highlands.
A housing debt of £167m would be written off when local authority housing was transferred, increasing the opportunity for more investment in housing.

The new landlord would be a NEW housing association whose membership would be open to ALL tenants. One third of the association's Board would be tenants and there would be decentralised management. There was to be a ballot of tenants in October 2006 to make the final decision on the transfer, but before then there would be a new landlord business plan, information on the structure of associations and their management and clear policies and commitments.

Independent tenant advisers would be able to help tenants who had problems or queries regarding the process.

What did the transfer of housing stock mean for tenants?

• Rents would have guaranteed levels;

 

• Tenants would have the same legal rights in the matter of tenancy conditions;

 

• Existing tenants would have the same right to buy;

 

• Tenants would still be eligible for housing benefit;

 

• There would be clear priorities and timescales for day-to-day repairs;

 

• Investment in improvements would meet standards;

 

• There would be a legal onus on the landlord and one third of the Board would be tenants;

 

• There would be clear policies on management and legal obligations regarding allocations.

Other Community Council topics

• COMMUNITY Councillor Margaret Rae resigned due to her continued ill health. Members thanked her for her service and wished her well.

 

• The Planning sub-committee had studied the controversial plans for development at the junction of Grant and Nelson Streets. They passed their observations to Highland Council's planning committee.

 

• A residents' group solely for Maclennan Crescent is to be set up, Councillor Peter Corbett reported. He also spoke of the participation of community councils in the licensing process, similar to the current planning system. The land at Kessock Courts, North and South, was to be "sold off at nil value" to a housing association for them to develop. He was looking into the future of the block of flats in Anderson Street next to the Women's Aid building, and also into the problem of speeding in Lochalsh Road.

 

• Councillor Chrissie Cumming said she was continuing to try to develop the Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

 

• The next meeting of the Community Council is on 13th October in the Community Centre at 7.30pm.

Barbecue at Birnie

BIRNIE Terrace residents held their second annual barbecue on 24th September. It was a very successful event with 20 adults and 40 children enjoying excellent food and lots of fun. There was a bouncy castle for the children.

Residents' meeting

THE recently-formed Abbey-Cameron Residents Association is to hold their next meeting in Merkinch Primary School on Thursday 13th October. All residents are welcome.

briefs.

• AN UP-DATED Merkinch Website has been revised and up-dated. So pay it a visit-and if you want to take part contact Merkinch Enterprise.

 

• BORDERS Bookshop has a couple of days of special interest to students. They are giving a 20% discount on books to bona fide students (take identification) and this offer cannot be combined with any other promotion.

 

• THE Highland Carers Project is looking for volunteer advocates to offer advice, support and advocacy to carers. It only takes a few hours a week and training is given as well as travelling expenses. Ring Inverness 718817 or email iross@hccf.org.uk for further details.

 

• YOUNGSTERS with a yen to dance have ample opportunity at Merkinch Community Centre. On Tuesdays there are Tap classes at 5pm for beginners (5 years and up) and 6.15pm for the more advanced. Ask at the centre for details. Meanwhile the Fraser School of Highland Dance takes beginners from four years on Thursdays at 4.45pm. Ring Mrs Fraser on 729477 for details.

 

• MEMBERS of the Merkinch Community Centre Wednesday Lunch Club have lost one of their longest-attending members. Mrs Isabella Sturrock died last month and there was a celebration of her life at the crematorium on 15th September. Isabella spent all her 91 years in Merkinch and was a well-known figure in the area along with her little dog - she will be much missed. Her family donated a lovely bouquet to the community centre.

 

• IF YOU feel your self-esteem could do with some polishing up a free six-hour course may be just the ticket for you. Trammelled with young children? Out of work and struggling to keep cheerful? This series of four one-and-a-half sessions on positive thinking and self-esteem could be of much help. The sessions are at Merkinch Community Centre on Wednesday evenings starting on 9th November at 7pm until 8.30pm. All are welcome. For further details ring Inverness 248404.

 

• LUCKY winner of the September Nicol's Killer Quiz is Mrs Catriona Mackay, 15 Anderson Court, who wins a £10 token for goods at Nicol's.

Beating the winter blues

SUMMER'S nearly at an end and its now time to fortify ourselves for the coming winter. So what can we do to make sure that we get through the winter with as few colds as possible?

We need to boost our bodies so we can fight off all infections. Eating a good well-balanced diet is essential. Vitamin C will help us, there's lots of vitamin C in fresh (and frozen) fruit and veg. Oranges are well known for their high vitamin C levels, but did you know there is more vitamin C in the same weight of peppers or Brussels sprouts. Vitamin C is destroyed by cooking, so vegetables should be lightly cooked in little water, steamed or stir-fried.

Home-made soups are a good way to boost your vegetable intake, the Janny's Hoose has lots of recipes for quick and easy soups.

Stress can weaken your ability to fight off illness. People who are stressed often do not eat properly and sometimes drink too much tea, coffee or alcohol.

The Janny's Hoose has lots of tips for relieving stress and activities to help including relaxation and exercise. Come and ask us what is on offer.

Many people feel down during the winter, this can be due to reduced levels of light. We have a light box which can help, just 20 minutes a day is needed. The company's good as well which will give an added boost.

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

Auto-jumble and car-boot event

SOUTH Kessock Residents Association is holding an auto-jumble and car-boot sale on Sunday 9th October from 11am - 4pm in the West Field, South Kessock. Cars cost £6, vans/traders £8. Buy and sell all those car, lorry, motorcycle, 4x4, and tractor parts, tools etc. Ricky's ice cream van will be there, also the Bouncy Castle.

• South Kessock Residents Association is looking for new enthusiastic members who are not afraid to get their hands dirty and muck in. SKRA need people soon to help repaint the playparks, prune back shrubbery from paths in the West Field and help run various forthcoming events including a Christmas party for the kids, the auto-jumble/car-boot sale this month, coffee mornings and general fund-raising.

  They have monthly meetings on the first Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm in the Community House in Craigton Avenue. All are most welcome to come along and join us. "We are willing to improve and promote our area. are you? " said a spokesman

Cloudy weather fails to dampen Gala spirits

It was a dull day, and there was even a bit of a drizzle during the Parade, but Merkinchers are not that easily put off and Gala Day went with its usual swing.

The Parade saw a wide range of local groups and all ages take part and the stands at the Community Centre, both indoor and outdoor, were well visited. The children's costumes were once again beautiful.

Among those taking part were the Police, Army, Fire Brigade, and there was face-painting, Highland dancing, singing from the children and the Singing for Pleasure group plus all the usual stalls and entertainments.

On the Merkinch beat

AUGUST saw an overall reduced number of calls to the Police from the Merkinch area, it was reported to the Community Council at their September meeting.

There were 38 calls regarding children and young people, and 38 to do with vandalism and damage - an increase of 10 over the July figure.

One individual was charged in relation to nine instances of vandalism in the India/Madras Street area. But there was a significant reduction in calls relating to motorbikes in the area.

The number of calls relating to road traffic issues on the Merkinch beat in August was 22 (14 of them to do with motorbikes), compared to a total of 43 in July.

Twelve fixed penalties were issued - 11 for not wearing a seatbelt and one for using a mobile phone while driving.

On the much-publicised issue of fire-raising, the police are following a positive line of inquiry. And with regard to a fire in Upper Kessock Street, one female had been charged in relation to the incident.

There were seven calls relating to drugs in the Merkinch area during August, the majority of them being from members of the public reporting drug-related activity.

Out of School

School in mobile link to parents

INVERNESS High is introducing a new method of contacting parents called "Group-call". From now on this facility will be used to contact parents via their mobile phones, either by text messaging or by automated voice calls. The Groupcall system will be used in such as the following circumstances:

• School closures;

 

• Emergency notification, such as flood etc;

 

• Advise/acknowledge that your child is absent from school;

 

• Test and Exam date reminders;

 

• Changes to meetings and after-school events;

 

• Unauthorised absence reminder notices;

 

• Parents' evenings;

 

• Expected time of arrival when returning from school trip;

 

• Upcoming special school events, invitations to meetings etc;

 

• When report cards have been sent home;

 

• General info about what is going on at school.

• It hardly seems like any time since the children started the new school session, but already they have holidays! The schools close on Friday 7th for the October break and re-open on Monday 24th.

 

• Two staff members at Merkinch left at the end of last term: Mrs Macdonald started a degree course and Mrs Hewitson went to teach at Croy Primary.

 

• Inverness High welcomed three new teachers arrive after the summer break: Miss S Barclay joined the PE department; Miss I Tait the Technology department; and Mr M Cowie the Geography department.

 

• School meal charges at Inverness High have risen from £1.45 to £1.65.

 

• IHS were set to hold a sponsored walk on 30th September, after we went to press. The youngsters are to walk to Dochgarroch and back, about eight miles.

 

• There is to be a Parents' Evening for S1 pupils on Tuesday 3rd November. The following week Primary 7 youngsters will have a Highlights event at HIS on Tuesday 8th November and an open Evening the following night.

Drive to keep primary pupils fit

All P7 pupils will be undertaking a battery of fitness tests this month, with a re-test in February. This comes under the "Active Schools" scheme which aims to encourage children to be fitter, with at least 80% of pupils getting at least one hour's exercise each day.

Two groups are thought to be particularly lacking activity: P1 to P3, and girls in senior primary classes.

At Merkinch Primary there is:

• Cross-Country training for P6/7 3-4pm on Mondays;

 

• P5-7 Shinty training on Tuesdays 3-4pm;

 

• Contemporary and Creative Dance on Wednesdays 3-4pm.

At St Joseph's there is:

• Football at the Northern Meeting Park for P3-P7 on Mondays 3.15-4.30pm;

 

• P1-P7 Girls' Club 3-4pm on Wednesdays; and

 

• At IHS there is Cheerleading; Street Dance classes; a Healthy Living Club involving Aerobics, Body Combat and Body Jam; Football and Cross Country running.

PE teacher at IHS, Susan Barclay has been appointed Active Schools Sports Coordinator for the IHS and cluster primaries.

consumer advice...

Are you sure the price is right?

A COMMON question posed to Highland Trading Standards is: "I saw the same goods in another shop and they are cheaper than what I paid for them. Am I not entitled to get a refund of the difference?"

Under the law, however, a retailer is entitled to decide the price he wants to charge. It is up to the consumer to shop around and get the best price. Once a consumer agrees to pay the price and hands over the money then the goods pass to the consumer. A contract is made and is legally binding on both parties.

The contract does not require being in writing but evidence of the price paid, such as an invoice/receipt, is a vital part of the contract and should be kept safe. The price on display is simply what the law calls an "invitation to treat".

In the same way that a consumer does not have to buy goods from anyone, a retailer is under no obligation to sell a consumer anything. A consumer cannot insist that a retailer sells them anything at a marked price, whether or not they have made a mistake. The law does not allow prices to be fixed and, contrary to common belief, goods are not subject to price controls.

Other confusion occurs over terms such as RRP (Recommended Retail Price) and MRRP (Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price). These prices when quoted are suggested prices or price guidelines. Retailers can undercut these prices if they wish to, but it is up to consumer to again check other prices to ensure they are getting a bargain.

It is illegal for shops to sell things at more than their advertised price. Trading Standards advise businesses to check pricing systems to prevent pricing errors being made and to ensure if a genuine mistake is made that this can be quickly rectified.

Highland Trading Standards' role is to ensure that retailers clearly show the price of goods on offer and that consumers are not misled by price indications or sale offers.

Special rules

• In some cases, special pricing rules must be observed.

 

• Restaurants, pubs, and cafes which serve food have to display a price-list and tell you whether there is a service charge, and pubs have to list the price of various drinks.

 

• Petrol stations must show the price per litre of petrol at the pump.

 

• All retailers must price their goods to include VAT. This rule does not apply to business sales or the price of services, although if services are sold to consumers and the price is quoted exclusive of VAT, it must be made clear that VAT will be added.

 

• It is also against the law for a shop to pretend that goods have been reduced from a higher price to a lower one if this is not true.

 

• If a consumer orders goods, such as a carpet or car, and later the retailer says the price has gone up, then this is termed a 'breach of contract'.

 

• A consumer does not have to pay the increased price and can walk away from the contract.

 

• Consumers should ensure, before entering into a contract that the price quoted for these goods are in writing. This could take the form of a copy of an invoice or order form or even a handwritten receipt from the retailer on headed paper.

 

• Make sure that any receipt has the date, price of the goods, the deposit paid (if any) and the name and address of the business with a contact telephone number. That way you can keep in touch with the business if the goods do not arrive on time.

If you think a shop is deliberately trying to mislead you, or are unhappy at the way a shop advertises its prices, you should contact Highland Trading Standards Service, 38 Harbour Road, Inverness or telephone 0845 600 4222.

Washing line thief warning

A MERKINCH woman contacted the News & Views to warn others of the dangers of leaving their washing on the line unguarded.
The woman, who does not want to be named but is understood to live in the Maclennan Crescent area, lost both baby and adult items of clothing. "I believe it was probably just kids, but I wanted to warn others that there were washing-line thieves about."
Anyone spotting suspicious activities around washing lines should ring the police.