THERE is still no date for the closure of the Community House in Craigton Avenue, Merkinch Community Council was told at their recent meeting. The centre is to close to allow a major refurbishment.

STILL in the Suddenly Nothing Happened department… Although Councillor Peter Corbett said he had spoken with Chris Claridge of Highland Council’s Inverness Area regarding the Welfare Hall survey, there had appeared to be no progress. The matter is to be raised yet again at the next meeting of the Community Council, which will be on Wednesday 21st March in Merkinch Primary School at 7.15pm.

THE Keep Scotland Beautiful campaign, which is running throughout April, is this year using the slogan Just Bin It. Merkinch Community Council wants to participate and decided to discuss with local schools if they could get involved in a children’s poster competition.

DONNIE Kerr reported to the latest meeting of Merkinch Community Council that improvements to paths and fencing in Upper Kessock Street were progressing. He said there were still a few problems with children at the Dunabban Road flats, smashing bottles and so on. He felt better street-lighting was the answer.

MERKINCH Traders are still not happy with the coverage given by the Grant Street cameras, though the police say they are the best in town. One problem is that it is too easy to see where they are pointing.

A PLEA has gone out to all Merkinch residents to make use of the Council’s bulky or extra refuse service. By calling 230634 you can have unwanted furniture, white electrical goods – not baths or kitchen sinks – bulky waste or extra black bags picked up. Or if you want you can deliver any excess rubbish yourself to the centre at Henderson Drive. It is open 9.30am to 8pm daily throughout the year except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, so there is no excuse for fly-tipping!

A DAFFODIL Tea and Sale of Work is being held in the Old High Church Hall on Saturday 10^th March from 10am to 2pm. Stalls will include home baking, toys & books, clothes, bric-a-brac, linen etc and there will be tea and coffee. Admission is 20p and all proceeds are to go to the Salvation Army’s Huntly House.

CALLING all mums of three-year-olds! Maggie Boag of Merkinch Nursery School (opposite Merkinch Community Centre) says. “Would you like your wee one to come to our nursery school in August? Come and see me, visit our beautiful school and safe gardens, or phone me on 238740. Your child should be four years old before March 2002.”

COMING events at the Friendship Club in March are Easy Exercise with Caroline Kerio on Wednesday the 7^th, the ever-popular Bingo on the 14^th, a Home Security talk by PC Malcolm Raeburn on the 21^st and a bus run on the 28^th.

OVER 100 people turned out on 15^th February to see the Dolphin Roadshow’s puppet display at the Community Centre. Using “black light” puppets the group delighted everyone with their performance and afterwards youngsters were particularly interested to see how the puppets were worked. The evening was organised by the Moray Firth Wildlife Centre.

MERKINCH Community Council are to contribute £500 towards the cost of producing News & Views community newsletter, they agreed recently. Merkinch Enterprise who largely fund it said the total annual cost was around £8000 a year.

BETWEEN 35 and 40 now regularly attend the Breakfast Club in Merkinch Community Centre. The club now starts at 7.30am and runs till 8.45am. New activities have been added to the programme, such as swing ball, drawing and craft work.

COMING events at the Friendship Club in March are Easy Exercise with Caroline Kerio on Wednesday the 7^th, the ever-popular Bingo on the 14^th, a Home Security talk by PC Malcolm Raeburn on the 21^st and a bus run on the 28^th.

OVER 100 people turned out on 15^th February to see the Dolphin Roadshow’s puppet display at the Community Centre. Using “black light” puppets the group delighted everyone with their performance and afterwards youngsters were particularly interested to see how the puppets were worked. The evening was organised by the Moray Firth Wildlife Centre.

MERKINCH Community Council are to contribute £500 towards the cost of producing News & Views community newsletter, they agreed recently. Merkinch Enterprise who largely fund it said the total annual cost was around £8000 a year.

BETWEEN 35 and 40 now regularly attend the Breakfast Club in Merkinch Community Centre. The club now starts at 7.30am and runs till 8.45am. New activities have been added to the programme, such as swing ball, drawing and craft work.