May 2019 Volume 25 Issue 4
The Merkinch community newsletter, entirely written, produced and printed in the Merkinch, and delivered by volunteers. SHAME ON YOU!
Merkinch Football Academy Head Coach Peter Corbett, along with local residents, slammed the vandal or vandals who cut through goal nets on the Westfield football pitch which is used by local youngsters.
Peter said, “ I was approached by some boys to get some nets for them, which I did, thanks to Mike Macleod at the Bught Park. The boys and I put them up and they were on it right away. With the weather and light improving it was great to see the youngsters out every night and weekends instead of indoors on their Playstations. This is just senseless vandalism which has been reported to the Police. If you know of ANYONE responsible please share that information."
The nets have now been repaired.
Alex Platt of the South Kessock Resident Association also commented on the SKRA Facebook page: "A big shout out goes out to the idiot or idiots who decided to come along and destroy the football nets in the Westfield. What would you rather have the kids playing football or causing havoc on the streets when they got nothing to do!?" Above: The damaged Westfield goal nets cut by vandals. Pictured above: Classes for kids are proving to be very popular at Have fun creating multi-coloured Inverness City Amateur Boxing Club. Coach Laurie is pictured above with his keen squad of young boxers. Sessions for both boys and girls are foamy elephant toothpaste! available at the club, based in the Merkinch Welfare Hall, throughout the See page 11…. week. Contact Laurie to enquire on 07919 670851 or visit their Facebook page for further details.
Inside Merkinch Local Merkinch How Grant LNR Arts & Football Street got its this News... Events... Academy... name… month: page 4 page 7 page 8 page 10 2 News & Views
Useful Contacts & Helplines Inverness City Amateur Boxing Club AGE UK - 0800 055 6112 Merkinch Welfare Hall ADDICTIONS COUNSELLING - Alcohol, Opening Times & Prices drugs, gambling etc - 108 Church Street - 220995 Boys and Girls aged Senior Male and Female: Open to All: BINS, broken glass, drugs, needles, 5 years to 9 years: Monday to Friday Saturday and Sunday Monday, Wednesday & Friday 6.00pm till 7.30pm 10.00am till 12.00pm bulky furniture and other items for 5.00pm till 6.00pm- £3.00 £4.00 Adults £4.00, Kids £3.00 special uplift (Environmental Health) - 01349 886603 Boys and Girls aged Ladies: CHILDLINE - 0800 1111. Free 10 years to 14 years: Monday, Wednesday & Friday confidential advice 24 hours a day. Monday to Friday 6.00pm till 7.00pm 5.30pm till 6.30pm- £3.00 £4.00 CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU - Appointments, 237664 COMMUNITY CENTRE - 239563 Let Us Help You Put It Out for Good! CRIMESTOPPERS - 0800 555111 DENTAL HELPLINE - 0845 644 2271 Quitting smoking can be tough, especially DOG WARDEN - 01349 886603 in the first 72 hours. But the good news is DRUGLINE SCOTLAND - 0800 776600 that you’re TWICE as likely to quit for good Free advice on drugs 24 hours. if you get the right support. A Smoking FLIPERZ Day Care Nursery / Out of Cessation Clinic, run by NHS Highland, will School Club - 234232 be held at Merkinch Enterprise from Thursday 7th March and every Thursday FOR THE RIGHT REASONS - 237969 th after (except 14 March). Meet with one of GAS/ELECTRIC Freephone - our trained advisors who’ll help you find 0800 111 999 your way to quit. NEW START - 715615 or 223524 To book an appointment, please phone: NHS 24 (out of hours medical advice/ GP Service) - 111 MERKINCH NEWS & VIEWS - 240085 07771 583988 MERKINCH PARTNERSHIP - 718989 or MERKINCH PRIMARY SCHOOL - 232962 07795 120577 MERKINCH WORK CLUB - 718989
MIKEY'S LINE - text 07779 303 303 (7pm We want to make quitting smoking as Friday - 7am Monday) convenient as possible for you. Start your POLICE - confidential line 101. Genuine smoke free journey with Scotland’s quit emergencies still 999. smoking service today. RELATIONSHIP COUNSELLING - 712888 SAMARITANS - 67a Tomnahurich St - 713456 (local rate) or 116 123 (FREE) S E R E N I T Y SMOKELINE - 0800 84 84 84 SOCIAL CARE, Emergency - 08456 Serenity is a drop-in 014813 (out of hours) centre for females with borderline TRADING STANDARDS - 0845 600 4222 personality disorder or 228700 (BPD) and runs every UNIVERSAL CREDIT HELPLINE (FREE) - Monday 10.30am to 0800 328 9344 1.30pm at Merkinch Community Centre. VICTIM SUPPORT - 258834 WOMEN’S AID, Inverness - Confidential The drop-in is facilitated by people with experience of BPD and support - 220719 was set up to take people out of isolation and to YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLORS - help them start socialising. Janet Campbell 226598; At Serenity, we share experiences which is all Richard Laird, 07557 566552; confidential, have guest speakers and we do arts Bet McAllister 710558 and crafts activities.
Contact details Got a contact you think we Email: [email protected] should include? Contact News & Twitter: #serenity Views on 240085 Facebook: Serenity Contact: 07523 488163 May 2019 3 Merkinch Activity Group Update
The Merkinch Activity Group are have been out and about exploring the Highlands over the last few months. Pictured below are some members of our group enjoying the views around the River Findhorn. While on the right, the group follow a forest trail on a recent walk near Fort Augustus.
We visit many areas of interest and of natural scenic beauty across the Highlands. So, if you'd like to join us and you live in Merkinch or South Kessock, we go out on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Telephone Caroline on 01463 718989 or pop into the Merkinch Partnership office at 30 Grant Street to find out more.
Boxers Prepare for City Tournament Inverness City ABC is preparing for their show at the Ironworks on Saturday 25th of May. Three hundred spectators turned up last time and enjoyed a great evening. Anyone requiring tickets just call into the gym or ask any of the boxers. Tickets are priced at £20.00 each.
Inverness City kids boxing classes are busy and Laurie's phone is ringing from mothers enquiring about bringing their kids. The routine is as follows, start off with 10min of skipping, followed by punch bags, pads and then finishing with circuit training. If you are interested, please contact Laurie before turning up. Spinning Again - but there is Support
A support group has been launched in the North of Scotland for sufferers of Meniere’s Disease and other vestibular, or balance system, related disorders.
Joyce Muir explained how the support group started: “I had just been diagnosed with Meniere's Disease and was really struggling with the symptoms. I hadn’t heard about Meniere's before, and didn’t know anyone who suffered from it. I then did some research online and found the Meniere's Society website and contacted them for more information. On their Facebook page I asked if any of their members stayed in the North of Scotland and one person contacted me. From that one contact the North of Scotland Meniere's Support Group was born and we now have a membership of 14 sufferers.”
But what is Meniere's Disease?
"It’s a condition which affects the inner ear, and can come with a variety of symptoms such as loss of hearing, tinnitus, pressure in the ear, vertigo and loss of balance. This can make everyday activities like going out with friends, making appointments, or other activities that involve planning ahead very difficult because you don’t know when you are going to have your next attack” explained Joyce.
As you don’t know when you’re going to have an attack which may leave you unable to walk, being very sick, and possibly staggering all over the place, people with the condition can find it hard to go out. For instance, you also don't quite know how people around will react outside when you have an attack of vertigo? Will they help?
“As there’s such a wide range of symptoms that can vary from person to person it can sometimes be bamboozling for sufferers, so the Support Group can be really beneficial. It allows people to discuss their symptoms with other sufferers, and get lots of tips on things to try which might help. But, most of all it helps reduce the isolation that’s felt from having quite a rare condition which no-one in their network will have heard about” Joyce explains.
“Up until now the Support Group has met every few weeks for a catch-up and have already had extremely helpful talks from Raigmore Hospital ENT Consultant, Professor Malcolm Laing and Lead Physiotherapist for the Balance Service, Judith Anderson. Now we have a more permanent meeting place at Inshes Church we hope to continue having talks from a mix of medical professionals and other speakers.”
For more information please contact: NORTH OF SCOTLAND MENIERE'S SUPPORT GROUP Phone: Joyce on 07739 457713 or Elizabeth on 07756 011483 Email: [email protected] or have a look at our Facebook page 4 News & Views Merkinch Local Nature Reserve News
With spring truly here, it’s the perfect time of year for a walk around the reserve. The birds are singing beautifully and are also looking at their best as they’ve been looking for territories and mates, dolphins are returning more regularly and the trees are looking fresh and vibrant. A group of us enjoyed Roamin’ in the Gloamin’ with the Countryside Ranger spotting pipistrelle bats as well as hearing more about what happens after dark in the reserve.
Carnarc Point is also looking great now with new paths Are you aged 8, 9, or 10? Do you live in Merkinch or South and picnic tables it’s a good place to spot dolphins and otters as they fish in the river Kessock? Are you passionate about nature and eager to find out as well as the sea. The new path surface is suitable for wheelchairs, buggies and more? This summer and autumn learn to be a Junior Ranger prams so everyone should be able to enjoy this lovely spot. both after school and during the holidays. A team of experts will work with you in the reserve to teach you about the creatures This summer we’re putting on a display at Inverness Museum and Gallery and have that live there, safety around bushcrafts and outdoor spaces, several events taking place there too. We’re hoping to help link the city and the the night sky, how to plant and what to plant…. and the best reserve via the river and the canal. If you’re interested in any of the following, please ways to have fun in our local surroundings. contact me to reserve a place (details below). Priority will be given to people living in Merkinch and South Kessock. More events will be added so do check News and Views If you are interested, ask your grown-ups to contact Caroline; each month. details below.
Friday June 14th at 2pm. Stephen Wiseman tells his magical stories about wild and wonderful things. For all ages.
Thursday July 11th 10am – 12noon. A children’s workshop for 8 – 11 year olds. Youngsters will make the print of an animal that they can take home and also one that will be part of a picture that we’ll display in the museum! (Snack and juice supplied)
Thursday July 18th 2pm – 3.30pm. Chris Daphne (Ness and Beauly Fisheries Trust) will share his incredible knowledge about the biodiversity of the River Ness. Come along and find out more about what lives in our local river.
Thursday July 25th 2pm – 3.30pm. A children’s workshop for 5 – 8 year olds. Youngsters will make the print of an animal that they can take home and also one that will be part of a picture that we’ll display in the museum! (Snack and juice supplied)
Saturday August 31st 2pm – 3.30pm ‘Fins, Fur and Feathers – Coastal Wildlife of Scotland’. We’re very lucky to have local dolphin expert Charlie Phillips talking for us about the birds and animals that he sees and photographs so beautifully.
At the reserve the ‘Monthly Walkers’ will be going out on Saturday May 4th at 11am and then on Sunday June 2nd at 11am. Meeting at the turning circle, we’ll have a walk around the reserve, share information about wildlife, help one another to spot it, stretch our legs and have a good chatter as we go. Do join us!
Caroline Snow, Project Manager, Friends of Merkinch Local Nature Reserve, 30 Grant Street, Inverness IV3 8BN Tel: 01463 241614 Email: [email protected] Follow us on Facebook – Friends of Merkinch Local Nature Reserve
INVERNESS TRINITY CHURCH of SCOTLAND Alastair Stewart
“We aim to be a welcoming fellowship, proclaiming in & Son worship the gospel of Jesus Christ, ready to serve with compassion the needs of the community.” Looking for Memorials Ltd Your Parish Church something to do Rev Fraser Turner (Interim Moderator) AND Granite Memorials at Sunday Services 11.00am KEEN prices. make some new friends? (Kidzone & Crèche during the Morning Service) Induction Loop System Additional inscriptions in Girls’ Brigade meets Mondays 6.30pm We are looking Boys’ Brigade meets Fridays 6.00pm any cemetery. for volunteers. All Welcome For a colour brochure ring If you are The Church Halls are available for children’s parties. interested, Anyone interested can contact us via pop in and see the Church Facebook page, by email: [email protected] us! or by phoning the Church Office 01463 710178 and leaving a message on 01463 221490 Coronation Park
(www.trinityinverness.org.uk) 12-14 Carsegate Road North, Inverness IV3 8AD Inverness Trinity Church of Scotland Inverness, IV3 8DU is a registered Scottish Charity (SC015432) Tel: 01463 239563 May 2019 5 Merkinch Partnership News Merkinch Partnership Programmes and Activities at The Old Welfare Hall, 30 Grant Street
Tel: 01463 718989 Mobile: 07872 014520 E-mail: [email protected]
Mondays:
Work Club/ Advice Centre 9.30am to 4.30pm – appointments and drop-in (all Merkinch Work Club aspects of looking for work, digital skills, claims to benefits, information and guidance tailored to the individual, completing forms, basic bank accounts, online Are you unemployed and looking to banking, affordable credit, referral to other support services) get back into work? Merkinch Activity Group 1.30pm to 3.30pm – arts & crafts, creative writing Do you need help with getting online to look for work, doing a CV or applying for jobs? Tuesdays:
You can get help with all your job search activities at Merkinch Work Club/Advice Centre 9.30am to 4.30pm – appointments and drop-in Work Club. We are based at the Old Welfare Hall at 30 Grant Wednesdays: Street and provide a range of free advice and support at our weekly Work Club sessions, such as: Work Club/Advice Centre 9.30am to 4.30pm – appointments and drop-in Youth Employability Skills appointments and drop-in 9.30am to 4.30pm Producing and updating a CV Writing cover letters Walk on the Wild Side Outdoor Skills Group 9.30am to 4.00pm – canoeing, Free access to a computer and mobile phone kayaking, mountain biking, archery, climbing wall and bushcraft Free access to the internet Merkinch Activity Group 9.30am to 4.30pm – weekly trips and outings by mini-bus, Completing job applications free lunch provided Online job search, registering on job websites Basic computer skills Reach Out Group – arts & crafts, bowling, walks, visits to local landmarks, coffee Navigating the internet and using e-mail and cake Interview skills
Thursdays: Short training courses Referral to other training and information services Work Club/Advice Centre 9.30am to 4.30pm – appointments and drop-in If you need help with any of the above come along to Youth Employability Skills appointments and drop-in 9.30am to 4.30pm Merkinch Work Club at 30 Grant Street. Reach Out Group 10.00am to 2.00pm – employability and digital skills Monday to Friday - 9.30am to 4.30pm
Fridays: No need to make an appointment, just drop in. For more information contact Anne on:
Work Club/Advice Centre 9.30am to 4.30pm – appointments and drop-in Youth Employability Skills appointments and drop-in 9.30am to 4.30pm 01463 718989 or 07872 014520
Home-Start : Support and Friendship for Families
Home-Start is a local charity that has worked to support families and their children for more than 30 years. In 2017/18 we worked with over 100 families and 344 children across the Highlands, and in recent years demand for our free and helpful family services has increased dramatically.
One of our Merkinch projects is called ‘Big Hopes, Big Future’ which aims to give every child the best possible start in life. We know that around 600,000 five year olds in Scotland start school for the first time each September, but that almost half of these children will not be ready for education. Disabled children, those living in rural areas and children experiencing any form of social or economic disadvantage are particularly at risk of a poor start in life.
Through Big Hopes, Big Future, Home-Start’s skilled staff and volunteers help families to support their young children to develop, and we support families to better understand, manage and prepare their children to cope with the routines of life.
Home-Start has trained volunteers in all communities in the Inverness area and we work with health visitors, social workers, and early years workers to support families in lots of different ways, including our groups and individual home visits.
The Big Hopes Big Future helps all families in our community. We spend time with families and can provide Mums and dads with emotional and practical support to help deal with isolation, and sometimes even with books and special toys that are sometimes needed to support a child’s specific learning needs. We can also help families learn how to cope with behavioural problems, poor health or disability, and can even help to develop communication skills where English is perhaps not the family's first language.
Home-Start’s services are specifically designed to challenge barriers that stop people doing things and we create opportunities to help families access and make the best use of our community resources.
You can find out how Home-Start can help you and your family by calling 01463 667330 or by emailing: [email protected].
We are very friendly and would love to hear from you. 6 News & Views
Merkinch Merkinch Community Partnership Centre News News Hats on for Easter Celebrations Rainbow Singers had a great Easter Celebration and enjoyed singing a variety of songs, also dancing to Spring music. Most members came with elaborate hats all decorated in an Easter theme.
Everyone was very pleased to receive an Easter Egg at the end of the session!
Spring has Sprung by Diane Coles This month it’s all happening in the garden. The jasmine is a mass of bright scarlet shoots that glow when the sun catches them and plants that I had forgotten about are re-emerging. The hostas have gone from invisibility to unfurling presences and a fern that had thought was dead – just a sodden mass of collapsed, blackened fronds, has uncurled a mass of green spirals. I have learned the hard way that I should have made some sort of note about where things are. I wanted to grow a fennel plant because I love the look of their feathery leaves and flowery umbels. I made the mistake of planting it right next to the spot which only a few days later saw the emergence of a totally monstrous lovage plant that I'd forgotten all about, which is thrusting up in a positively triffid like way right next to the poor delicate little fennel which will be pushed to assert itself.
The birds are also active. The gulls up on all the roofs around are even noisier than usual, sometimes taking off en masse, shouting noisily. The sparrows are in combative mood. Two cocks had a fight over a piece of bread that degenerated to an all infight, both of them rolling on the floor, pecking and kicking. The blackbirds are busy with one male taking beakfuls of food away, while another female is at an earlier stage in proceedings. She appears regularly on the fence, looking like a bad Marx brothers impersonator with a moustache of straw that she is hard put to keep hold of. The high spot of the month was catching the arrival of the swallows one afternoon. A flock of them flying low up the Ness, zig zagging after insects as they came.
Can you spare 2-3 hours a week to help improve the lives of ROOMS FOR HIRE families in your area? at Merkinch Community Centre If so, Home-Start would love to hear from you. Small and largeTickets meeting rooms £4 are available as well as East Highland Home-Start supports mums, dads and families that may feel vulnerable in some a 200 seat theatre. way, or face challenges because of things like isolation or lack of a For more information please contact us on: wider family network. we provide emotional and practical support to parents in their own homes and our trained volunteers are at the 01463 239563 heart of everything we do.
Our volunteers are normally parents or grand-parents themselves and have a good common sense understanding of the challenges involved in raising a family.
All our volunteers receive training and we meet all costs and expenses involved in helping the families we support.
If you can spare the time to help make life better for others, or would like to learn more please contact our office on either: 01463 667330 or 01349 854018 Merkinch Community Centre, Coronation Park, Inverness or email us at: [email protected] May 2019 7
The Coffee House Crafting crowd Do you enjoy crafting? Then come along and join our friendly group exchanging ideas and skills in a creative, relaxed atmosphere.
We meet weekly on Monday mornings at:
The Bike Shed 10.30am till 12.30pm
Why not take along your own project? per session THE ART ROOM
th We are a group of friendly Sunday 5 May - 2pm to 5pm women (gents are welcome also) who meet every Tuesday at the Bike Shed to knit, crochet and sew any type of needle work.
We are a sociable group and new members are New opening hours are:
Come along to The Bike Shed and enjoy a relaxing always welcome! Every Tuesday
afternoon creating your own masterpiece using any If you like to learn we 1.30pm - 3.30pm media! We pick a theme but you are free to choose can help. at the Bike Shed whatever you wish. Drop in and have a chat entry fee over a cup of coffee or tea. This is not a tutor lead class, per session it is for pure enjoyment.
Trinity Church Huntly Place Tuesday 7th May 2019 Open Day 2.30pm - 6.30pm
This FREE exhibition will run at the Bike Summer Fete Shed up to the 31st of May. Pop into Saturday 1st June the coffee shop for a coffee and enjoy a variety of art work on display. 2.00pm - 4.00pm
The Coffee Shop is open Wednesday to in the Church Hall Saturday 10.30 -3.00pm Teas & Cakes: Adults £3.00 & Children £1.00
Check out the SMHAF web page for great Tea / Coffee, Home Baking, Hairdresser (no appointment necessary) SMHAF events happening all over the Cake, Jams and Candy Stalls, Bric-a-Brac Stalls, Books Highlands this May. Car Wash (weather permitting) 8 News & Views Merkinch Football Academy Report
With the Easter Holidays and winter competitions complete, April has been a quiet month but it all starts again in May for all Football Academy teams.
PRIMARY 1-3 Football festivals for this age group have been arranged for Saturdays 11 May / 8 June / 22 June from 10.00am - 11.00am at Millburn Academy. If you want to take your child along contact our Facebook page for details.
PRIMARY 4-5 Played in the Cairn Cup at end of April with results in next issue. Also fixtures for their Summer League have been arranged with more details in next issue
PRIMARY 6-7 Above: P1-3 team players showing off their new strips Played in Cairn Cup at end of April with results in next issue. presented by Richie Foran of RF SPORTS. Richie did a Also fixtures for their Summer Cup have been arranged with more details in next issue. competition on Moray Firth Radio and one of our parents, Darcy MacGillivray, entered and WON!! PRIMARY Girls Training has resumed with details and dates of Festivals on Merkinch Football Academy Face book page.
STREET LEAGUE Under-17’s and Under -15’s Their respective Leagues have started after the holidays with results in next issue.
CORBETT CUP Coffee Mornings Our own Annual Football Tournament will be held at Clachnacuddin Football th Trust Housing on Lower Kessock Street Ground on Sunday 5 May every second Thursday from the 2nd of May
10.00am - 11.30am Details of ALL TEAMS can be found on the MERKINCH ALL WELCOME! FOOTBALL ACADEMY Facebook page. 01463 712127 May 2019 9
INVERNESS TRINITY Courgette, Sausage & CHURCH of SCOTLAND Rigatoni Bakes We can collect scrap metal free of charge. White goods such as washing machines are acceptable but not fridges or freezers.
Anyone interested in using this service can contact us via the Church Facebook page, by email:
or by phoning the Church Office and leaving a message on:
01463 221490
(www.trinityinverness.org.uk) Inverness Trinity Church of Scotland is a registered Scottish Charity (SC015432)
Prep: 5 mins St Michael Time to cook: 25 mins Serves: 2 & All Angels Ingredients: Scottish Episcopal Church, Abban Street
Sunday Services 1 tbsp olive oil
during May 9.45am 4 good-quality pork sausages
Tuesdays 2 courgettes, sliced and chopped into batons Mass 10.00am 3 garlic cloves, finely sliced Teas & Coffees in the Church Hall pinch of chilli flakes 10.30am - 11.30am 400g can chopped tomato Canon Mackintosh Day 200g rigatoni & Gift Day Saturday 4th May at 12.30pm ½ x 150g ball mozzarella, patted dry and torn into Festal Mass followed by Lunch in the Hall chunks Guest Preacher: The Very Rev. Dr Graham Forbes CBE
There is a Knitting Together Group which meets Method: on the last Tuesday of the month in the church hall. Anyone is welcome to come along Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Squeeze the sausage on Tuesday 28th May at 2.30pm meat out of the skins, breaking it into little chunks, ALL WELCOME and pop in the pan. Fry for 8 mins until golden brown and cooked through. Priest: Revd Canon Dr John Cuthbert Web: www.stmichaelschurchinverness.org Tip in the courgettes, garlic and a pinch of chilli flakes. For information on Christenings, Weddings and Fry for a few mins until just tender. other ceremonies or events
Tel: 01463 233797 Pour over the chopped tomatoes, season and bubble down for 5 mins or so, adding a splash of water if it’s looking too thick. Fairfield Medical Practice Meanwhile, cook the pasta following pack Attendance Notice instructions. Drain and stir through the sauce and 98 patients failed to attend appointments in the spoon everything into 2 small flameproof dishes. month of March.
Heat the grill to high. Dot the cheese on top of the Abban Street Dental Clinic sausage dishes, then place under the grill until the Attendance Notice cheese is golden and bubbling (about 5-10 mins), and serve. 43 patients failed to attend appointments in March and time wasted was 23 hours. 10 News & Views Merkinch Remembered - How did Grant Street get its name?
Researched by Anne C. MacKintosh Originally called New Bridge Street, it was subsequently renamed Grant Street after Major Alpin Grant, who managed the Inverness Hemp Factory at the Citadel and who resided at Citadel House (pictured right), close to Cromwell’s Clock Tower. The factory established in 1762, employed around 1000 people in 1790. It produced rope; sacking, for trade with the West Indies and which was sold in Guyana as ‘Inverness bagging’ (see David Alston’s Slaves & Highlanders) and sailcloth. Industrial hemp was grown locally at first, especially at Bunchrew and the Aird, but it was later found to be more advantageous to import and it was shipped in from St Petersburg.
In 1785 Alpin Grant entered the Town Council and was elected a bailie in 1802, holding office until 1804. Apart from his house at the Citadel, he was also tenant of Borlumbeg of Urquhart, overlooking Loch Ness and it was here on the 16th September 1811 that Major Alpin Grant of the 1st Regiment Inverness-shire Local Militia, died at age 74.
The old firm of Mackintosh, Grant & Co. eventually wound up and a sale by public roup was held at the Citadel on 7th July 1857. With 6 years of lease remaining, the Town Council offered a sum of money for immediate possession of the buildings - this was accepted.
Citadel House c.1900 - George Cummings Gray/SHPA Alpin Grant was the fourth son of Patrick Grant VIII of Glenmoriston and he married firstly Isabella, daughter of the Reverend John Grant, minister of Urquhart. She died on 5th November 1773, without issue. In 1776 he married Agnes, daughter of Bailie Alexander Shaw of Inverness who managed the linen and woollen factory founded at Invermoriston in 1756. The marriage between Alpin and Agnes produced 11 children. Their second daughter Isabella married Alexander Grant of Duldreggan (Dundreggan), the Factor of Glenmoriston in 1805 and it is through their daughter Agnes Shaw Grant that the connection with Peter Anderson (Anderson Street) arises. Agnes (1808-1853) married Peter Anderson, solicitor (1804-1868) in 1835, at Aultsigh Cottage on the banks of Loch Ness. They had four children Jeannette Margaret born 1836; Isabel Harriet Grant born 1840 who wrote “An Inverness Lawyer and his Sons” and “Inverness Before Railways”; Agnes Jane born 1851 (died in infancy) and Peter John born 1852. The family are buried in the Chapel Yard, Inverness. The parents of Peter Anderson (b.1804) were Peter Anderson, solicitor (1768-1823) born at Lentush in the parish of Rayne, Aberdeenshire and Jessie Thomson. It was this Peter Anderson (b.1768) who set up the Thornbush Hemp Manufactory on the west side of the river near the Thornbush Pier (quay completed in 1817) and which Anderson Street is named after. The Hemp Factory at the Thornbush was converted into a Brewery in 1828.
The photograph above dated c.1900 shows Citadel House, which became the harbour master’s office. To the rear of the tree can be seen Citadel Hospital, originally an old drill hall converted in 1877. Cromwell’s Clock Tower (repaired in 1858) is on the extreme left and not now thought to be part of the original structure of Cromwell's Fort. Pupils Lend a Helping Hand
Pictured left are P4 pupils from Merkinch Primary School who collected items for Blythswood Highland Foodbank. Afterwards, they visited the foodbank on Glebe Street where they assisted the volunteers by sorting out all the items. The children worked very hard but were happy to help out!
Every day people in the Highlands are struggling to put food on the table. Reasons range from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. Highland Foodbank provides a minimum of three days emergency food and support to local people in crisis.
Merkinch Primary Celebrates World Book Day It was World Book Day on the 7th March. Classes at Merkinch Primary enjoyed welcoming visitors to their classrooms to hear them read.
The Fire Brigade, Police and Jade from Robertson were among some of the visitors to read to different classes. Primary 2 enjoyed a visit from Mr and Mrs Gow from Harry Gow’s. They also enjoyed the yummy cakes which they were kindly given! Mrs Nicoll, who works at the school, read a super story she had written about full stops to Primary 4. Primary 5 enjoyed a visit from Clelland from Abriachan Forest Trust where they did outdoor activities around the book 'Wolf Brother'. Pupils also attended a storytelling session with local storyteller Andrew Mackintosh.
It was great to have so many people come and read to pupils. If you or anyone you know would be interested in reading to pupils please contact Left: Mr and Mrs Gow visiting P2. Right: Jade from Robertsons visiting P2. Jade was the school. reading 'Iggy Peck Architect' and 'Rosie Revere Engineer'. May 2019 11
Learning about Music, Song and Dance Foamy Elephant
Toothpaste
Recipe
This is an fascinating and fun experiment for you to try with an adult. Be careful though, it isn't actually toothpaste and it should not be eaten either!
What you will need:
A large plastic soft drinks bottle A backing tray to catch the foam 2 tablespoons of warm water We had so much fun and laughter during 1 teaspoon of yeast our last music lesson! We learned about musical instruments and Half a cup of 6% Hydrogen Peroxide we just loved singing and dancing! Food colouring Washing up liquid Police Visit to Fliperz Delights Children What to do: Last month, we were learning about police officers. We got to try on uniforms, look at the police officers' equipment and see the police car Please ask an adult to help you. First, mix the warm water and yeast in a inside and outside. The children were really well-behaved and this separate container and leave for a was a great way to enrich the children's learning. few minutes. It is important to use at least 6% Hydrogen Peroxide or you can use 8% if you wish. Mix the Hydrogen Peroxide, 4-6 drops of food colouring and a squirt of washing up liquid in the plastic bottle. Give it a swirl. Now comes the fun part! Place the bottle on your tray to catch the toothpaste. Then pour the yeast mixture into the soda pop bottle...and be amazed!
How it works:
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) naturally breaks down into water and oxygen when exposed to sunlight or just when you leave the lid on its container open. It is stored in opaque containers to help slow down this
process. Fliperz Availability Catalase (an enzyme in all living We currently have childcare spaces available for children aged 2-5 in the Nursery. If you are things, including yeast) speeds up this interested in bringing your little one along to join our Fliperz Fun then please pop in or call Stacey reaction. Dish soap catches the for more information. oxygen and makes bigger bubbles and the food colouring makes it look cool. We have private and funded places available. Tel 01463 234232 or email [email protected] The foam and bottle will feel warm to Prices are as follows: touch because the reaction is Full Day £25.00 (8.30 a.m. - 5.30 p.m.) exothermic meaning that it releases energy as heat when the mixture Half Day £15.00 (am or pm) and Full Week £115.00 reacts. 12 News & Views
Can't stop thinking about food?
We have found freedom from food addiction through the Twelve Steps recovery programme
AEA meets on a Thursday at 6.30pm to 7.30pm at Bruce Gardens
For more information call:
LGOWIT, hosted by the Highland Third Sector Interface, HTSI, SRC SCO43521. This project is 07873 621372 supported by the Transforming Self Management in Scotland Fund provided by the Scottish Government, administered by the 23 Bruce Gardens, Inverness IV3 5EN Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland. email: [email protected] or visit www.aeauk.org
Your local Police Officers invite you to come and meet us and have coffee with a cop.
This is a chance to speak to your local Police Officers about absolutely everything that matters to YOU in your local community. Enjoy a free coffee while you have a blether!
Our sessions are held on Wednesdays, 11am - 12noon, at The Bike Shed 23 Grant Street, Inverness IV3 8BN
Compiled and produced by Merkinch Enterprise, 14 Grant Street Inverness IV3 8BL - Tel: 01463 240085 Accepted as a charity by the Inland Revenue and a company limited by guarantee. Registered in Scotland No. SC138569. Registered as a Charity in Scotland No. SC020326. VAT registration No. 735348522.