IHS launches ambitious project

   
Pictured are some of the pupils involved in the horticultural project, while the other picture shows, from left to right, Mr Cunningham, Julie Cavanagh from the Scottish Executive, consultant Les Morgan and Lorna Campbell.

A PROJECT to develop opportunities for pupils attending Inverness High School and make it one of the leading schools in the Highlands was officially launched on 20th September.

Early this year the High School successfully bid to become one of the Scottish Executive's Schools of Ambition. A core element of this three-year programme is the establishment of REAL (Real Education Active Lives) as a long-term Community Interest Company (CIC) to develop and manage social enterprises that serve the interests of not only the pupils but also the school catchment area.

"It's all about creating opportunities," said IHS head Ritchie Cunningham. Awareness, focus, creativity, integrity, perseverance and pulling together as a team were among the qualities that the project aimed to develop. Last year 25 pupils had gone to Uganda to help build a house for Aids orphans; then pupils had attended a leadership course on Skye; an activities day had been held.

REAL CIC chairman Lorna Campbell said "It's about realising the potential of the school community and help improve performance and attainment." It was explained that the project was separate from the school but dovetailed into the school. Besides personal development and providing new opportunities it aimed to give pupils a broader range of skills so that they were more able to make their way in the world.

Among the aspects of the CIC is the horticultural project. An acre was dug in the school grounds and pupils have attended farmers' markets to sell their potatoes, salad vegetables and beetroot. Next year they hope to grow soft fruit.

New face in the picture

MEET Annie Marrs, the new Community Arts Worker for Merkinch following in the footsteps of Catherine MacNeil.

Annie is an Invernessian and went to school at Millburn Academy before going on to study Fine Arts at Dundee University. Since then she has been mainly working with the Dundee-based LIP Theatre company as stage manager.

There she has built sets, made props, and set up lighting. The hard-working company have put on productions as varied as Hamlet and Frankenstein and have appeared at three Edinburgh Festivals. This year they are developing history walks and, following their production of Sawney Bean, the famous Scottish cannibal, have been picked by the Scottish Executive to produce a video on healthy eating! Annie began at the beginning of September and is still making contact with all the various groups in the area who have an interest in the arts.

Bette McArdle, chairman of Arts in Merkinch, the umbrella body that aims to support and promote the arts in the area, said, "We are delighted to welcome Annie to Merkinch. She is full of enthusiasm and has a can-do philosophy and bags of talent.

"We hope that besides nurturing the various fine art and crafts skills already flourishing here she can bring her experience in drama and theatre and all its associated skills to develop what is something of a gap in our arts facilities."

Scanners can't overhear police digital frequency

PEOPLE who were previously deterred from reporting crimes and disturbances to the police need no longer be afraid that they will be overheard and identified by those listening into police frequencies. Digital communications now mean scanners are ineffective, said new Community Beat Officer Russell MacMorran.

CBO MacMorran, pictured right, was appointed to the Merkinch beat earlier this summer but because of operational requirements has not been much seen in the area until last month. He has been in the police in Inverness for the last three years, based at Raigmore.

Another concern of local people is that when they ring what was once the Community Beat number they get no reply. "It is best to ring the Area Coordination Desk on 228473," he said. He urges people to report incidents: "The bottom line is that we can't know if you don't tell us."

Anti-social behaviour is very much to the fore in today's policing. "No-one should have to live in an environment where there is drinking and drug abuse." Another concern is the number of children and adults who ride around in the dark on pushbikes without lights.

CBO MacMorran is known as a footballer; he was with Inverness Caley Thistle reserves and made his debut with the ICT team against Ross County in the Inverness Cup.
These days his spare time is spent with his wife and two children.

New warden on the beat

THE new Community Warden for Merkinch is David Massey, pictured left. He started at the beginning of September and shares his office at Craigton Avenue with David Taylor (Dalneigh) another of the city's three wardens. Originally from Stockport, near Manchester, David came to Inverness when his branch of the Civil Service was undergoing re-structuring. His partner is a nanny. "We came for a weekend and just loved the place," he said.

There is no handbook for Community Wardens, but as with previous incumbents to the post, David has been patrolling the area forging links with local people and addressing environmental and social issues.

A keen football fan, David also likes to take the weight off his feet in the evening and spend time on his computer. He is also a music fan and likes everything from the Beatles to Led Zeppelin.

Briefs...

• OUT-of School Care is returning to Merkinch Community Centre after the October holidays. Run by Fliperz, the facility will initially be by referral from school, social work and other care authorities only. The facility will be for primary-aged children only and will run from 2.30pm to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. Fliperz will be taking on three extra staff to provide the additional service.

 

• MERKINCH Youth Matters are looking for models of all shapes and sizes and ages for a fashion show which they are planning within the next couple of months. Anyone willing can contact Liz Murray at the Community House, Craigton Avenue 718848.

 

• THERE is to be an Auto-jumble and Car-boot Sale at the Westfield, opposite the former Ferry ticket office, on Saturday 7th October, starting at 10.30am. "Come buy and sell all those car, tractor, motorbike parts-or even the family car, if you want," says Ali Locke of South Kessock Residents Association who are running the event. Cost of a place for the Car-boot Sale is £3 per seller. There will also be a burger van, mini funfair, tea and coffee etc.

 

• THE Pyramid Rock Club for primary-aged kids will take place on Monday 9th to Friday 13th, 10.30am - 12.00 each day. Come and meet Captain Ketchup and the Cool Cats-entry is free but places are limited so you must book on Monday/ Tuesday 2nd /3rd October daytime at Merkinch Community Centre, phone 239563.

 

• The Annual General Meeting of Merkinch Enterprise is being held on Tuesday 17th October at 7pm in their Training premises at No.12 Grant Street.

 

• SCHOOLS break up for the October holidays at 3pm on Friday 6th and re-open on Monday 23rd at 9am.

 

• A CLEAN-UP of the Corbett Centre Gardens is planned for the 15th October.

 

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

Independent bookies for the off within the month

NESS BET, a new bookmakers office in Grant Street, is set to open around the end of September, according to its independent owner, Danny MacRae.

Work has been continuing on the premises, situated between the Nip Inn and the Evergreen Chinese takeaway, for the last few weeks.

Mr MacRae (32), a born and bred Invernessian, has a background of leisure management in various Inverness hotels and has also worked for Scotscoup, the bookmakers' chain.

He is well-known in local soccer circles as he coaches for Clachnacuddin's first team and has also sponsored their away strips.

October at the Janny's Hoose

THE Janny's Hoose will be closed the first week of the October holidays except for the Antenatal clinic on Monday 9th, 2-3pm.

Also on the 2nd at the same time there's a Weigh-In. This is a new group just started so if your weight concerns you come along for a confidential weigh-in and some help and encouragement.

The baby clinic is on Thursday 12th October from 2-3.30pm. So pop in to get your baby weighed and checked over. We will be open for activities the second week of the break as follows:

• Monday 16 Trip out 11.30am - 3.30pm. Antenatal clinic 2-3pm. Weigh in 2-3pm.
• Tuesday 17 Cookery: we will be making chicken soup and bread 10am - 12 noon.
• Wednesday 18 Trip out 11.30am - 3.30pm.
• Thursday 19 Art: we will be making witches/wizards hats in preparation for Hallowe'en. Baby clinic 2 - 3.30pm.
• Friday 20 closed.

All our activities are for families - we have no activities for unaccompanied children. Because we have limited space all activities should be booked in advance through the Janny's Hoose. There is a £2 charge per family on all the activities.

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

Flower funders thanked

THIS year's splendid floral display around Grant Street and elsewhere in Merkinch was funded by a number of individuals and bodies, and the secretary of Merkinch Traders Jim Smith wishes to thank all the people who contributed to this year's display and pay tribute to the following:

• Nisa, Farmers' Dairy
• Ladbroke's Bookmakers
• Rowlands Pharmacy
• Gow's Bakers
• Ann's, Hairdressers
• Macdonald's Newsagent
• Chinese Takeaway
• Merkinch Enterprise
• MDV Ness Soaps
• Black Bridge Laundry
• Tandoori Takeaway
• Action for Jobs
• Charlie's Chip Shop
• Mp33
• Nicol's Bargains
• Merkinch Post Office
• Clach Shoe Repairs

The above raised a total of £760 which was matched by Councillor Peter Corbett from his Discretionary Fund.
Thanks also to Merkinch Community Council for their support and Merkinch Community Centre for their display.

Corbett Centre event boosts Indian charity

PICTURED: Alastair Stewart, a member of the Corbett Centre Attenders Committee, presents the cheque for £1300 to Mrs Aileen Shipton of the Snehalaya charity.

INSTEAD of raising funds for the Corbett Centre, the Attenders Committee, with support from staff, decided to hold a Sale of Work and Open Day to raise money for the charity Snehalaya.

Snehalaya means House of Love and is an outreach programme for street children in the Assam region of India. The children live in extreme poverty on the streets with absolutely nothing.

The event took place at the Corbett Centre on Friday 11th August saw a great variety of stalls, including bric-a-brac, cake and candy, bottle stall, a raffle, face painting, Ness Soaps, and a pirate treasure hunt which proved very popular with prizes from a deep sea treasure chest!

Teas were served and the weather was nice enough for a barbecue outside in the recently refurbished garden. The picnic tables were put to good use!

A pianist, clown and reptile enthusiast who brought along his snakes, snails and spiders added to the fun of the day. Altogether £1300 was raised which was handed over to Dr and Mrs Shipton from Nairn who fundraise for the charity. It has given everyone at the centre new awareness of how difficult life can be for others.

Everyone was pleased that so much money was raised for such a good cause. One pound is worth twenty in India!

Sandbags, weeds, daylight nuisance and policing

THE authorities' recent efforts to protect houses in Gilbert Street and Huntly Place would have been to no avail if the waters had risen as expected, for youngsters threw the sandbags in the river and poured the sand all over the road. "What pleasure do they get?" asked one member of the Merkinch Community Council at their September meeting. Others thought perhaps the children did not understand why the sandbags had been placed there (at a cost of £30,000 it was thought). It was agreed to write to Highland Council suggesting that the wall be built up by a foot to cope with the danger of flooding.

• Another strong protest is to be made about the continuing problems under the Friars' Bridge. The local residents' association, ACTRA, hope to get a camera located there to help with the situation. One community councillor reported that a 10-year-old girl going to school at 8.30am in the morning had been grabbed by her jacket and attacked at the underpass. Another said that both St Michael's and St Mary's had been subject to attempted break-ins the previous Sunday.
• The weed situation throughout Inverness is a disgrace members agreed. Parts of South Kessock were like a jungle and the whole city was looking grubby. Apparently the men who spray the weeds had been paid off without the councillors being advised or consulted. Children in the Upper Kessock Street area cannot play in their playpark because of the presence of dogs and the prevalence of dog faeces. Members agreed that both the weeds and the dog nuisance should be reported to the new community warden.
• Plans for eight new houses in Kessock Court South had been given planning go-ahead, members were told.
• The next meeting of the community council will be fixed when the Area Commander, David O'Connor, can come and discuss their concerns about current policing policies in the area.

Sunshine galore for Gala Day

IT MAY have been September, but the weather was very kind for the Gala Day held at Merkinch Community Centre.

LEFT: Connie was there with her tap-dancing girls, and there were more dancers-from the Fraser School of Highland Dancing. They all performed in the Centre's Café during the course of the afternoon.

RIGHT: Making their mind up at one of the many busy stalls.

LEFT: Since there was no Gala Queen this year, the Active Adults came up with their own 'Royal' Parade with Rhoda taking the part of the 'Queen Mum' in a wheelchair.

RIGHT: As always, the Merkinch Pipers led the way for the many who took part in the Gala Parade from the Grant Street Park. Behind them can be seen the Merkinch-based Sea Cadets who were very smartly turned out.

LEFT: Face painting remains ever popular with the youngsters and here Ruth exercises her skills on a willing subject.

RIGHT: The Poi girls stepped out in style to put on their show.

News & Views volunteers

We are looking for volunteers in the following areas to help us deliver your community newsletter. On average this takes around half an hour, once a month. And we don't expect you to go out in the rain!

• Madras, Nelson, and Brown Streets
• Anderson Street
• Maclennan Crescent
• Lochalsh Road

If you can help, ring 240085 or drop in at Merkinch Enterprise, 14 Grant Street.

New South Kessock panel installed

AN interpretive panel describing the varied wildlife that can be seen from the pier at South Kessock was installed last month.

Funded by the South Kessock Environment Company and designed by local children, the panel depicts birds, fish and seals.

SKEC's centre in the former ferry ticket office has been a hive of activity this lovely sunny summer with visitors and locals alike enjoying the most glorious view in Inverness!

PICTURED ABOVE are some of the youngsters who helped design the new interpretive panel. All the information and illustrations were sourced by some of the many young people who regularly visit the Dolphin & Heritage Centre.

Sporting Nooz

Merkinch Under-12s come to end of their first season

THE Merkinch Under-12s first season has now finished and they have ended up second from the foot of the First Division of the Street League. In the final few weeks they played Clach under-13s at the Milton pitches and took them to a 2-all draw. They also played the Thistle Colts at Smithton, but on that occasion lost 6-4. They were also set to take part in the 6-a-sides at Milton at the end of September, after we went to press.

Darts starts up this month

MATCHES in the Inverness & District Darts League start on Thursday 12th October-registration is on Monday 2nd October. The AGM was held in the Clach Club on Monday 25th September after we went to press. As in previous years, your News & Views will give you full coverage of the league's activities over the winter.

Thinking of pets

Pets love us unconditionally. They're also great for our health - mentally and physically. Caring for pets can boost self-esteem, prevent loneliness, and even lower heart rate and blood pressure in some people.

Growing up with a pet can be a wonderful experience for children. But keep in mind that although the experience gives kids a sense of responsibility, only adults can be truly responsible for a pet. Selecting the right pet is a serious decision that your family members should make together.

A common mistake is bringing home a pet on an impulse without fully understanding the level of commitment involved. Parents often flock to the pet stores and shelters to find a dog or cat for a surprise Christmas or birthday present for their kids.

Experts suggest that you buy and wrap some pet supplies (pet bowls, pet bed, leash, carrier, etc.), then pick out the pet as a family. That way, you and your child will have a chance to really think about whether you're ready for a pet.

Before adopting or purchasing any pet, talk to all family members, discuss expectations and responsibilities, and take a realistic look at your family's lifestyle. It's also a good idea to ask yourselves these key questions before making the leap into pet ownership:

How much care will the pet require?
What role does each family member plan to play in the pet's care? In other words, who will feed the pet? Who will groom and bathe it? Who will clean its living space? Who will walk it, if applicable? What kind of medical care will the pet need?
How big will the pet grow to be?
Do you have enough space in your home for the pet to live and exercise? If you're thinking about getting a dog, do you have a garden, preferably a fenced one? Cats, birds, rabbits, and other small animals can generally adapt to any space, but dogs need lots of room to run and jump.
Do you have another pet? How do you think it will get along with a new pet?
What will you do with the pet if you work long hours and the kids stay after school for soccer practice? What if you and your family travel a lot - what will you do with your pet then?
Does anyone in your family have a history of allergies or asthma? If so, talk to your child's doctor about the possibility of pet allergy tests, in order to determine ahead of time whether your child will be allergic to certain animals.

If you have concerns over your pets health, take it to the vet.

Sports Vouchers

FLIPERZ are saving TESCO'S SPORTS VOUCHERS to add to the equipment at Fliperz. Please help by collecting and handing in yours to Fliperz or to Merkinch Enterprise at 14 Grant Street. Every little helps!