ALTHOUGH Merkinch Traders failed in their bid to attract a Britain in Bloom award to brighten up Grant Street, they have raised over £700 among themselves to go toward the project. And at the May meeting of Merkinch Community Council local councillor Peter Corbett said that he had £750 in his discretionary budget to put towards the scheme. The community council agreed that they would contribute £500 as well.

It was also hoped that there would be a coat of paint for Nos 2 and 4, and a clean-up for the Welfare Hall. Councillor Corbett made the point that this first year of the project would be the most expensive because of the need to purchase tubs, baskets and brackets, and that future years would only entail the purchase of plants.

Still on environmental matters, Dell McClurg reported that the South Kessock clean-up had gone well and that the representatives from the Body Shop, which had sponsored them, were surprised that there had not been more rubbish than there was. “Our goal is to have none,” said Dell.

These two ladies from Lochcarron (left) are delighted to have found a new home for their model croft. Made by regulars at their local Centre, the ladies were at the Spring Forward for Over 50’s interests in Inverness Sports Centre, where they met Anne Mackenzie (centre) and Elsie Normington (right) from Merkinch Community Centre. It was agreed that the ideal site for the croft which is a masterpiece of detail and invention, was at the Dolphin Centre at South Kessock, where it now has pride of place. The centre has now opened for the summer, so why not come along one Sunday afternoon and see it!