January/February 2013 Volume 19 Issue 1 News and Views The Merkinch community newsletter, entirely written and produced in the Merkinch Pupils run Xmas Fayre FROM Nursery classes up to P7, youngsters at Merkinch Primary played their part in making the school’s Christmas Fayre a roaring success. In the beautifully decorated school hall, parents and friends snapped up inventive baubles and cards, glamorous gifts and even fairy dust. Not only did the children make most of the goods on offer, they also learned retail skills, engaging passers-by and bargaining. Bet meets the Mouses LEFT... Dwarfed by her new-found friends is local Highland Councillor Bet McAllister. The event was South Kessock Residents’ Christmas Grotto where the theme was Disneyland. For more coverage of this and other festive events see Page 6. Inside Help for Studio and Karate Chloe Give young Shed classes is Sports us a this unemployed listed choice hand month: – page 5 – page 7 – page 9 please 2 News & Views Helpline Plea goes out to potters to pick up work THE Clay Studio was mobbed at the various drop-ins held on its opening AGE Concern – 0800 731 4931. weekend back in November and a wide ALCOHOL, Inverness Council on – range of pieces were made by folk of all 34 Tomnahurich St, tel 220995. ages, from tiny hand-painted tiles to hand- CHILDLINE – 0800 1111. Free built and thrown pots and plates. confidential advice 24 hours a day. Initial teething problems with the kiln meant delays in delivery dates, but now CITIZENS Advice Bureau – Allison, the lead potter, would be grateful Appointments, 01463 237664 if anyone who is waiting to collect their COMMUNITY CENTRE – 239563. work would come now as storage space is COMMUNITY HOUSE, Craigton limited. To arrange collection, please ring Allison Avenue – 718848. or Catherine on 01463 719712. Your local COUNCILLORS – Full programmes for both The Clay Janet Campbell 226598; Studio and The Bike Shed are on Page 7. A Donnie Kerr 225217; range of classes is just beginning — is there Richard Laird, 07557 566552 one for you? Bet McAllister 710558. CRIMEBUSTERS – 0800 555111. DENTIST, Emergency – 0845 644 2271. DOG Warden – 703134. DRUGLINE Scotland – tel 0800 776600. Free advice on drugs 24hrs. HOUSING Problems – 703800. MERKINCH Enterprise – 240085. mp33 – 717639. NEW START – 715615 or 728770. NEWS & VIEWS – 240085, 221027. MERKINCH Partnership Officer – 718989. PRIMARY School, Merkinch – 232962. This month’s printing and REFUSE, extra and bulky collection – 230634. collating processes are ROAD to RECOVERY – Ian Polworth, funded courtesy of Merkinch Madras Street Mission, 715809. Partnership. SAMARITANS – 67a Tomnahurich St, tel 713456 or 08457 909090 (local rate). SMOKELINE – 0800 84 84 84. St Michael & All INVERNESS TRINITY SOCIAL WORK Dept , Emergency – CHURCH of SCOTLAND 0845 769 7284. Angels “We aim to be a welcoming fellowship, TRADING Standards – 0845 600 proclaiming in worship the gospel of Jesus Christ, 4222. Episcopal Church ready to serve with compassion the needs of the VICTIM Support – tel 258834. 28 Abban Street, Inverness community.” WEBSITE, Merkinch Community — Your Parish Church www.merkinch.info Sunday Mass Rev Alistair Murray BD. Inverness WOMEN’S Aid – 11am Confidential support for abused women, Sunday Services 11am. tel 220719. Sunday School during (Sunday School & Crèche during the morning service) WORKING For Families – Drew on Service 6.30pm First Sunday in 01463 728759. A warm welcome is Month Girls’ Brigade meets Mondays 6.30pm Got a contact you extended to everyone. Boys’ Brigade meets Fridays 6pm think we should in- Induction loop system. Induction Loop System clude? Contact News Contact number All Welcome 01463 870986. (www.trinityinverness.org.uk) & Views on 240085 St Michael’s is a registered charity (SCO 10352) Inverness Trinity Church of Scotland is a registered Scottish Charity (SC015432) January/February 2013 3 Merkinch’s good name, festive thefts, ASB issues, and at last new locks for the flats MERKINCH is NOT the worst out. He stressed that it was offences should ring 01463 area in Inverness, according to the necessary, particularly at this 715555 or the CBO number Let the Community police. And if more calls come in time of year extra vigilance was 01463 228485. Council know what from Merkinch than other parts of required and it was sensible to There had been a theft of your issues are the city, that’s because people keep doors locked even when copper from the Carse industrial here are more prepared to take a you are in the house to prevent estate and a generator had been IF you want to raise an issue, stand against crime and anti-social opportunist thefts. stolen from Gael Force Marine. cast light on a problem behaviour. Member Rev Burkitt, who Tracey Urry of Highland affecting your area or want The issue arose at the last runs the anti-addiction charity For Council housing department to contact the Community meeting of 2012 of Merkinch the Right Reasons, again pressed addressed the meeting. In the Council, the secretary is Community Council following yet for a specialist doctor to help the week prior to the meeting a Bryan McIlwraith and the another article in the weekly press 150 drug addicts in the area. complete new door entry system email address is showing Merkinch in a negative The CBO also reported that had been installed in the [email protected] light. the flats in Upper Kessock Street Coronation Street flats. The new .uk A number of housebreakings were again a focus for antisocial system features electromagnetic He says, “Merkinch had been reported in the run-up behaviour and that the police locking. Resident Nick Owen Community Council to Christmas. Community Beat were actively targeting the reports that the new system welcomes hearing from Officer Ian Blackburn pointed source of the problems. Any functions perfectly. Members residents about any issues in out that in a number of cases member of the public with heard that the police were able the area that concern them. doors or windows had been left information on thefts or other to comment on allocations. Just get in touch.” Chris’s raffle raises funds for school FOUR young ladies from Merkinch Primary took time off from their Christmas holidays to draw a raffle at the Go Outdoors store on Glendoe Terrace. The prize was a beautiful engraved mirror showing a Scottish wildcat made by Chris Scatchard, Telford Road who works at the store. Chris donated the raffle proceeds to the school for playground equipment... And Go Outdoors threw in a couple of sledges as well! Pictured are, from left: Katy, Chloe, Chris, MPD acting head teacher Jillian Kean, Angel and Caitlin. Search FACEBOOK for Nicols Corner Shop, become a friend and be 1st to hear of our HALF PRICE offers Nicol’s Corner Shop, 57 Grant Street, Inverness IV3 8BP. Tel: 01463 231596. Ladies and Gents Quartz Watches good selection from only £4.99 each. Watch Batteries (Renatta) only £1 ea. Batteries fitted for an extra 99p. Leather covered Watch Straps only £2.99 ea. Straps fitted FREE. Nicol’s are not jewellers so certain conditions will apply to the above offers – Please ask. NO Fancy Premises – NO Fancy Prices - AMAZING value for money! Have you cancelled your New Year Resolution Yet? – Did you decide to Lose weight – Get fitter – Find a new job – Become your own boss – Make some extra money – Meet new people – Spread some good news – Set yourself up financially with a residual income – Become healthier – Make yourself and other people happier – Create a secure future for your family – Change peoples lives for the better. Learn about the Power of 3 and product referral marketing at www.afix4health.com or call Tel; Trevor Nicol on 01463 231596 Stemtech Health Sciences Independent distributor id 5566540. 4 News & Views Briefs… South Kessock stalwart retires NEWS & Views volunteer Robbie Dyce is retiring after many years’ service delivering in the A TOTAL of 125 patients failed South Kessock area. He was one of the earliest to volunteer and for a long time has been a to turn up for appointments familiar sight round the eight streets. Latterly he had cut back on his round, but was still Fairfield Medical Practice in delivering his home street of Carnarc Crescent. Happy retirement, Robbie! November without advising If anyone would like to take over Robbie’s round, please contact Merkinch Enterprise on reception. And there was a further 01463 240085. Another temporary vacancy has arisen for the Glendoe Terrace/Ord View route, 95 no-shows in December. Those due to illness. who are not able to attend These two are in addition to the longer-term vacancies we advertise regularly. Volunteers are appointments should have a asked to give up around half an hour a month, it helps keep you fit... and you don’t have to go thought for others waiting to see the out in the rain! doctor and call 713939 so that someone else can be given their slot. CONGRATULATIONS to the Golden Times shine on at the Centre December winner of Nicol’s Killer Price Quiz Diane Duffy, Craigton Avenue. THE Golden Times can dig up your past She wins a £10 voucher for Nicol’s programme at Merkinch with a course on tracing shop. Your chance to have a go is on Community Centre ancestry and building a Page 8. continues to prove popular. family tree. An Mondays see Knitting alternative on these ALTHOUGH Merkinch for charity and Tai Chi. mornings is a craft Community Centre is a busy place, Every second Monday session — everything those involved in running it want to there is a Social Gathering from card-making and get the views of local people of all ages which includes singing and scrap-booking to to find out what you would like them dancing.