Hi there!
Yes, at last we are back in action at No33 Grant Street - thanks to everyone for being so patient while we sorted ourselves out after the flood!
To celebrate our re-opening we are holding an Open Day drop-in session for younger ones on Tuesday 3rd December between 3pm and 5pm with competitions, nibbles etc.
And on Wednesday 11th December anyone who has been involved in classes or outings for the over-17s can enjoy a free lunch between 12 noon and 2pm.
Over the festive break we will be closed from 20th December to 6th January - the same as the school holidays. Wishing everyone a happy festive break and all the best in 2003.
See you soon.
All at mp33, Dec 2002
While mp33 was closed, the Girl’s and other Groups met at Craigton Avenue Community House or at the Community Centre. Here some of the girls are pictured doing a Kate Moss, studying fashion and make-up - and then taking photographs of the glorious final results!
DON’T forget - if you want to go festive shopping up to the Retail Park, but don’t have your own transport, mp33 is organising two trips - on Tuesdays, December 3rd and 17th. Leaving the Community Centre at 9.30am we will be back at the Centre for 12 noon, giving you a couple of hours to mosey round. Ring 717639 to book your seat on the bus.
INVITATIONS are going out (expect them soon) to all mums of over-5s who have been involved with mp33 projects over the year to come along to a Fun Day at Merkinch Community Centre, from 10am to 3pm. “It’s our Christmas present to you,” says Roni Scott. There will be three different activities - craft, something physical and board games. Snacks are free but bring a packed lunch.
MERKINCH youth clubs will be closed over the holidays - the Monday night Juniors from 23rd December, re-opening 6th January; Wednesday night Seniors from 18th to the 8th. Meantime in the run-up to Christmas, the Seniors are making festive decorations and making jewellery, while the Juniors are making Christmas cards and clay heads.
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SESSIONS of Tai-Chi, a gentle exercise routine suitable for all ages and levels of fitness, led by Russell Deacon, return to the Community Centre on Friday mornings between 9.30 and 11am, from early January.
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GIRLS’ Groups are back at mp33 on Tuesdays. And still proving popular are the trampolining sessions at the Sports Centre. The last before the holidays is on 3rd December, but it is expected that this will continue after the holidays. People who are interested in joining in can ring Caroline or Roni at mp33 on 717639.
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SKATEBOARDING is the current craze and twice last month youngsters from mp33 went up to Cromarty to enjoy their facilities there.
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EVERYONE gets depressed at some time or another - especially young people - but there is always help at hand. So if you want to be prepared to beat the blues, pop in to mp33 and get some information, or perhaps use a computer to access Samaritans new website. They started that up this month because they reckoned that not everyone wants to use the telephone to try and express their feelings and problems - and there’s no risk of being overheard or recognised.
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IN THE pipeline for the New Year is a soup-n-sanny lunchtime session on Wednesdays for young mums. And for young men it is hoped to run another First Gear programme with various sessions on basic driving and under the bonnet. It is possible to do a similar course for motorbikes - so if you have any interest in either of these, please contact mp33 for details.
Over the October holidays Merkinch youngsters at the Playscheme made decorations out of cane and paper for the Bonfire at Bught Park. One of the participants describes what it was like to be in the parade.
ON THE 5th of November we went to Eden Court to be in the Bonfire Parade. My mum took us all over and we met Claire in the car park. We helped get all the lanterns and things we had made ready for the people coming.
I was at the front of the parade because I had glow sticks for my poi. We watched the people trying to light the candles in the lanterns - some didn’t want to light. Lots of people were asked to carry the shapes - Michelle, Robert, Cora-Leigh, Christopher and Michael carried the big King.
When it was time to go the drummers went first. We followed them along the riverside. There were lots of people going to the bonfire. They walked along beside the parade. We had to be careful because there were cars coming along the road too. The people carrying the shapes had to watch that they did’t get stuck in the trees.
When we got to the Bught Park we saw the bonfire with the phoenix on the top. The bonfire was huge and the phoenix looked brilliant We carried on along the river and there were lots of people around the bonfire. We were allowed to go inside the barrier and the parade went round the bonfire so everyone could see us.
Then we were told to hurry and get out because they were lighting the fire and there was a big whoosh as the fire was lit.
We watched the fire get bigger and bigger until the phoenix burned and it was sad because all our work got burned. The flames kept getting bigger and there was a huge flame shaped like a phoenix and it looked like it was escaping. It didn’t take long for the phoenix to burn.
We watched the fireworks as we were walking home. They were very noisy and my mum jumped. I am looking forward to next year’s Bonfire Night.
RB
The rainclouds fill the
Sky
With
Raindrops.
The birds get wet
Umbrellas go inside out in the rain
Some people like the rain
Because it gives
Water to your
Plants.
And some people don’t
Like rain because
It floods the earth.