Hi there!

The good news is that Caroline Allan, who joined mp33 as a seasonal worker to help with our Summer Activies programme is staying on. She will be mainly working with the younger children, while Roni is involved with older young people.
The Summer Activities programme was highly successful with over 50 young people taking part in a wide range of sports and outings. These included fishing, wind-surfing, biking and art sessions. Indeed the fishing outings to Loch Tarvie became so popular that we want to get a fishing group going. Already we have bait rods, reels, floats and hooks.
We are looking for experienced anglers who can help set up the group with the benefit of their experience. This assistance would be on a paid basis. Meanwhile there are lots of other things to do if fishing isn’t your bag...
See you soon.

All at mp33, September '02

Fishing proved to be one of the most popular activities this summer - see above - and one young man’s enthusiasm and skill really paid off. For over both July and August Gary Cornish won the Tarvie championship. Pictured left is the scene at Loch Tarvie with Gary in his white hat seen standing in the middle distance.

A SELF defence club for those aged 17 and over started on 30th August. It will run on Friday afternoons for five weeks between 1pm and 3pm. The discipline being studied is Hwal Mu Haplido. There is a free creche and the cost of each session is £2, payable when you attend. It is best to wear loose clothing. If you want to keep fit and boost your confidence, come along.

WE are now working on getting some new groups going over the coming weeks. For instance, it is hoped to start up a trampolining club for juniors - this will probably be organised through Merkinch Junior Youth Club. And a Girls’ Group for girls aged 13 to 17 is starting this month - so pop in and give your name if that interests you so that we can keep you informed of when we start.

IF you have ever wanted to do some simple DIY or gardening but are daunted by the sight of power tools then a club is about to start up that will interest you. Designed to interest those who are 17 years and over, this club - with the assistance of Merkinch Tool Club and B&Q - will look at how to make proper use of tools and how to look after them so that they serve you well.
If you are interested, pop in to 33 Grant Street and give your name and we’ll keep you informed about dates and venues.

Calling all young writers - Aspiring writers please note: the Dolphin Club which has been floundering a bit in the last year or so, is now meeting at the after-school club in Merkinch Community Centre.

Doubt over Brook - Brook, which holds sessions on sexual health and advice at mp33 on Monday afternoons, may not be able to continue its service in Merkinch after the end of this month . However, if they do have to close, it is still possible to get free condoms at mp33.

Well done! - Congratulations to all those who were successful in their exams this summer and will be starting College soon. If anyone needs a hand with bursary forms, just pop in and we’ll help.

Use it or lose it - The surf-boarding ramp on the site of the old BMX track at the Bught is now open. The four-foot half-pipe is only a temporary wooden structure forever, so it is up to enthusiasts to make use of it.
“The more that use it, the better the chances of getting a permanent facility,” Roni says.
“If there are enough young people who are keen to use it, we can form a group and organise a bus to go there on a regular basis.”

Bright ideas - As always there is an open invitation to all young people to suggest activities that we might be able to provide, if there is enough interest.