Chris Heaton-Armstrong raises over £600 for Ally …...Many parents of young chil-dren are already...

Gala‘09

LentranKirktonClunesReeligInchberryKirkhillInchmoreEnglishton Muir DrumchardineAltnacardichNewtonhillKnockbainBunchrewCabrich



LentranKirktonClunesReeligInchberryKirkhillInchmoreEnglishton Muir DrumchardineAltnacardichNewtonhillKnockbainBunchrewCabrichSummer 2009 Read it first online at www.kirkhillandbunchrew.org.uk

Crannog is published four times a year by Kirkhill & Bunchrew Community Council. The next meeting is on 23 June 2009. All meetings of the com-munity council are usually held in the Old North Inn on a Tuesday evening at 7.30 and are open to members of the public. If you have any concerns you would like raised please come along or alternatively speak to one of the councillors.

Crannog Summer 2009 1

In this issueNancy’s 90th - raises over £600 for church p2Kirkhill in Bollywood movie?! - p3

Crannog

WEEKEND BABYSITTING

call Mhairi MacLennan on

01463831770 or 07775679296

Full programme inside p6-7

Kirkhill & Bunchrew Community TrustSafe route surveyThe Paths and Transport Group of the Community Trust is continuing to look for ways to create safe routes for walk-ers, cyclists and horse-riders, and we are actively involved in securing funding for construc-tion of one section of path and a detailed survey of other sec-tions of the main A862 to see where off-road paths could be created.

The eventual aim is to create an off-road option all the way from Beauly to Clachnaharry, but the scale of the task means we will have to look at it one section at a time. We really need more people to get involved in this work, so if you’re interested contact Aileen Armstrong on 831558 or at [email protected]

The Youth Group of the Com-munity Trust is busy fundrais-ing to replace and augment the equipment in the Commu-nity Park.

Many parents of young chil-dren are already involved in this work, but more are always welcome. Caroline Crawford is the Trust contact for this on 831503 or [email protected]

As you can see, the Trust is involved in many activities which benefit the local com-munity, and more and more people are joining us to show their support. Membership is open to all who live in the Cran-nog area, and it’s free! George Hogg is the contact on 831674 or by email at [email protected].

Community CouncillorsIan Weir, Groam Farm, Kirkhill 831750Chris Heaton-Armstrong, Kirkhill 831779 Ally MacNeill, Tigh Cala, 4 Newtonhill 831339 Fred Geddes, Newtonhill 831324 Cameron Kemp, West Altnaceardaich, Lentran 831552 Karen Young, Glen Rowan, Bunchrew 234128 Iain Urquhart, 58 Newton Park, Kirkhill 831278 Ian Cowan, Tigh-na-Beithe, Kirkhill 831344Caroline Crawford, Gardener’s Cottage, Achnagairn, Kirkhill 831503Arthur Lacey, 26 Newton Park, Kirkhill 831785

SecretaryJim Ogilvie, 22 Newton Park, Kirkhill 831316

Nancy’s 90th raises over £600 for church

2 Crannog Summer 2009

H & H BrownBunchrew

Tree Felling & ToppingRemoval or Make Safe Damaged Trees

Fruit Tree CareTree Management & Advice

Free QuotationsPublic Liability Insurance

GARDEN TREE SURGERY

Phone: Hugh on 01463 713245 07845 468540

Many happy returns as family and friends join local lady for May birthday party

Canine StylesHave your dog groomed

in your own home

By having us groom your dog at home, your dog will be entirely relaxed with his surroundings

and you’ll feel at ease knowing that you can

watch over him as he gets groomed to our high standard

Please contact Christine

on tel 01463 220 196 for more information

or an appointment

On the 20 May 2009 family and friends came together to celebrate the 90th birthday of born and bred local resident Nancy Paterson. The party was held in The Old North Inn who supplied a wonderful High Tea, music from Woddy and Lillian and an amusing address from Rev Willis Jones made the party go with a swing. A great night was had by all. Nancy, who has been a member of the Church for 85 years, decided that there were to be no gifts but donations to Wardlaw Church if desired. This resulted in a fantastic £600.88 being raised.

Kirkhill School thanks from headteacher Cris FordAs we near the end of yet another busy school year, the time seems to be passing faster each year or is that just me, I would like to take this opportu-nity to thank all the staff at Kirkhill school. They all work really hard and give 100% of themselves and their time for benefit of the pupils and support of myself and our school.

I would also like to thank all the parents for the part they play in supporting the school through fundrais-ing, helping with school activities and in too many other ways to mention without you all and the part you play our school would not be the active, happy place that it is and finally to the many community members who help us out in little and large ways during each school year.

Thank you. Hope you all have happy, healthy summer.

Kind regards Cris Ford


Achnagairn Bollywood style!?by Sheila Endersby

Registered Childminder

I will have vacancies for part-time childcare starting this August 2009. If you are returning to work or maybe even just feel that you want a couple of hours off each week, give me a call and I will try to fit in around your plans. I have a large playroom, garden and lots of toys and crafts and I like to take the children on walks and outings when ever possible. I will be operating on a “first come” basis, so please get in touch as early as possible to reserve a place.

Mrs Debbie Hamilton 01463 831585

Please phone for a free estimate

01463 83105407752433912

Gavin J. LeeGarden Maintenance Service

Lentran

. Grass Cutting

. Weeding

. General Garden Maintenance

. Garden Tidy Up

. Small Gardens Our Speciality

When Sue Bellarby, Location Manager for Purple Lake, the latest Bollywood supernatural thriller, contacted Achna-gairn House in March and asked to use it as a filming venue we, at first, thought it was someone playing a joke.

However, not so and one cool and breezy day in April, the film team, sup-port staff, actors and local extras all turned up, causing a lot of excite-ment and bringing some Bolly glamour to the Arts and Crafts House.

Achnagairn House was suddenly converted into a music school, with the ballroom being filled with music stands for pupils, and reception rooms filled with exotic-looking stars, waiting for their turn in the limelight.

Filming it seems, is not the fast-paced and buzzy

activity that most of us have in mind – having vis-ited the set it seemed to me that there are consid-erable periods of extreme boredom, involving lots of eating and sleeping!

However, once the call to film goes up, there is a sense of tension and intense con-centration which is fasci-nating to see.

It was very strange, watching what happens, when and how, and avoiding peeking round a

corner to see during film-ing was, at times, very difficult to resist – I’ll be scrutinising the film very closely when it comes out to see if I can spot a familiar face!

I was advised that the best time to visit was during lunch time when the mobile lunch bar

opened for business – this was really good advice!

The spicy smells emanat-ing from the wagon were mouth-watering indeed and business was brisk,

the cool Highland air making a hot tandoori all the more welcome, as people more used to sunnier climes, warmed up – just a little!

It was all good fun and all over too quickly – watch out for the release of the film at the Eden Court Theatre in Inverness on

3 Sep-t e m b e r – I’m told A c h n a -g a i r n can be seen very c l e a r l y , along with the other s tunning Highland v e n u e s

and sets which were used. An excellent oppor-tunity to showcase our many local attractions – this time on a large scale which will hopefully continue to bring more interest our way!

Kirkhill kids play for first shinty shieldPrimary age shinty teams from the Kirkhill area competed recently for the Ken MacColl Shield – the local inter-club first shinty trophy.

The winning Kirkhill team were Cameron MacMillan, Bailey MacKay (captain), Danny Kelly and Kevin Johnstone.

Runners up were Lewis Hilditch, Mark Kelly, Ronan MacMillan and Liam Black.

Player of the tourna-ment, Ronan MacMil-lan, was also awarded the Robbie Weir Memo-rial Quaich.


Elizabeth Shiach, Gardener, RHS Cert. in Horticulture

Working to help you enjoy your garden Blooming Marvellous• Regular garden care• Planting and pruning• Spring and autumn tidy up• Flowerbed and border makeovers

“a thorough job to a high standard” • “reliable, friendly and very knowledgeable” • “excellent at giving ideas”Inverness, Beauly & Kirkhill areas

Call 01463 831591 or 07733 421039

Kirkhill Community Park Phase II

Any bright ideas for fundraising welcomeby Lindsey StoutWay back in 2004, a group of concerned par-ents got together with the aim of renovating the village playpark.

Most of the equipment was reaching the end of its permitted life and was in some cases unsafe. The park was little used by older children.

After four years of hard work we raised over £58,000, unfortunately not enough to do every-thing we had envisioned with the park.

One thing to understand about grant-aided fund-ing is that the money is not “in the bank” until we choose to spend it - it has to be spent within a certain time limit and set aside for a specific age group or item of equip-ment, so we had to priori-tise equipment suitable for all age ranges and shelve (for the moment) replacing the toddler equipment, particularly the slide, which had a few years of life left in it.

The baby swings were replaced with toddler swings as, on advice, it was felt that parents could use the big pod swing for babies and all age ranges could use the toddler swings. In hind-sight, it’s far too popular

with the older ones for babies to get near it and the sun tends to get in babies’ eyes.

Last year (June 2008) we had a follow-up public meeting (after a year’s rest!) to see what feed-back came from the community about the new equipment at the park and several issues were raised about the park and its future devel-opment. The main points were:-

•Concerns about the safety of some of the equipment when used by very young children. It was stressed that paren-tal/carer supervision is important in this mixed-age-range park.

•The idea of fencing off the toddler area to improve safety was dis-cussed and verbal quotes were received:£3000 - £5100 for metal fencing, and £600 for wooden fencing.

•Some people were dis-appointed at the lack of “baby swings”, and we received a verbal quote from the Council of £7,000 for a double set of cradle seats includ-ing safety surfacing. Cradle swings are not intended for very young babies who cannot sit

up unaided (health-and-safety wise cradle swings are marketed now for 2-5 year olds) and parents should make sure that their child is comfortable in the swing and cannot slip out. However this caters to a younger age group than the toddler swings currently in place, which are more for chil-dren learning to swing on their own.

•The contractors came back out to bring the safety surfacing up to standard and voluntary work was done to the paths and the bench by Tulloch Construction to improve them.

•The willow structures needed some work and this continues to be done by volunteers.

Recently we had a meet-ing with Iain Reid of the Highland Council. Unfor-tunately due to matters of Health and Safety the two swing sets can’t be sited at right angles to each other as Iain had hoped so the slide has to come out.

It was nearing the end of its permitted life anyway and, together with the new swing set and the increased fence and safety surfacing, the ball-park figure has now risen from £8,000 through

£10,000 to £18700. We are at the moment seeking grants, although we are waiting for firm quotes to come in to sup-port application.

Canvassing with ques-tionnaires and the enthusiasm shown for fundraising in the com-munity shows that local people are fully backing the project and so far we have raised:

£100 from a Body Shop evening£130 from a Jumble Sale £20 in private dona-tions£364 from Ladies Night

Thanks to ALL who have helped fundraise to date. There are a few more small-scale fundraisers and donations from local groups expected this term.

Because we are in other groups as well we cannot take a stall at Gala, so please continue to support any fundrais-ing events for the park which will be advertised through the school and noticeboard. Also, any bright ideas or independ-ent fundraising is wel-come (contact Lindsey Stout, 831642 for Kirkhill Community Park Group, Kirkhill & Bunchrew Com-munity Trust).

Police appeal to motorcyclists & quadbikers to stop using unapproved tracksNorthern Constabulary is reminding motorcyclists and quad bikers of the legalities and dangers of riding illegally off road. The use of off road bikes and quads is an increas-ing issue that is leading to numerous calls to the Police and councillors.

Northern Constabulary and partner agencies will be taking positive action on the misuse and anti social use of such vehi-cles.

Sergeant Gus Stewart commented: “I would like to remind riders, if your motorcycle is being used on a road or public place it requires to be covered by a policy of insurance. If you don’t, you run the risk of being reported, your motorcy-cle being seized, and in the worst case, it there-after being destroyed. Riders should enjoy the use of their vehicles in a safe, responsible way.”

Northern Constabulary is asking if any mem-bers of the public have information about the use off road motorbikes to contact Burnett Road Police Station on 01463 715555 or email [email protected]


KENNELS & DOG WALKING Out to work all day - would you

like your dog walked?Off for the weekend or your annual holiday-

your dog will enjoy a holiday with us!!

Tel. 07851 744590 or 741303 (Shona)

KILTARLITY - BEAULY - KIRKHILL - MUIR OF ORD - DRUMNADROCHIT

Doggie DaycareROWANHILL

NATURAL CRAFTS

WORKSHOP(in the former candle workshop, between Lentran and Ardfearn)

Open Easter to ChristmasUsually 12 – 5 Tuesday – Saturday

(please check before making a special trip)

Open any time by appointmentplease contact Sue Blaney

mob 0774 844 6609 tel 01463 831334

Email on www.rowanhillnaturalcrafts.com

MAKE A SPECIALFATHER’S DAY CARD

AT THE GALAPROCEEDS TO CLIC-SARGENT

FOR CHILDREN LIVING WITH CANCER[REG CHARITY NO SCO39857]

THE ROOM SALON CHIC^ GENTS BARBERS LADIES SALON

LOCATED UPSTAIRS IN BROCKIES LODGE HOTEL KILTARLITY

FREE EASY PARKING

OPENING TIMES

• MONDAY 11am - 6pm • TUESDAY 10am - 6pm • WEDNESDAY 9am - 5pm • THURSDAY 11am - 8pm • FRIDAY 11am - 7pm • SATURDAY 9am - 1.30pm

OFFERING GENTLEMENS BARBERING/STYLING AND CHILDRENS’ TRIMS BY FULLY QUALIFIED STYLIST - LISACall 01463 741257

NOW WELCOMING KAYLEE KEN-LEIGH FOR LADIES STYLING. Call 01463 741257 for appointments.

Cool Club@ Kirkhill

After School ClubRegistration now available

Open every day during term time from 3.15 - 5.45

Let us look after your children in a safe, secure & happy environment

Approved by the Care Commission & Registered with the Kiddi voucher scheme

Call Carolyn or Debbie on 07979 943273


Official opening at 1.30pm by Councillor Margaret Davidson

Followed by crowning of Gala Queen: Meig SutherlandPrincesses: Natasha Boa & Imogen HayPrize Draw will take place at 4.00pm

Charleston and Nairn Pipe Band in attendance & Red Cross Rescue Boat & Hovercraft

Commentator: Iain Marr

Displays: Rally car, Highland dancing etc

Special attraction: Paint Ball, Primary Schools’ Football Competition (Final), Track Events, and

Plant stallLucky DipTombolaTeddy's BirthdayToysAunt SallyToddlers' Bouncy CastleSlideBouncy CastleTug o’ WarBungie RunCoconut ShyTemporary TatoosPancakesSpeed FootballBook StallCard Making…etc

Refreshments: Afternoon Teas by WRI Ladies; ice cream; crisps, soft drinks etc, Beer Tent & Barbecue.

Donations would be appreciated for the book stall, tombola, plant stall and teasEnquiries to Wilma Williamson (Hon Secy) 831737

Gala‘09 Saturday 20th JuneGates open 12.30pm

Kirkhill & Bunchrew


Sunday 14 JuneGolf tournamentArchie Chisholm TrophyMuir of Ord Golf CourseContact: Colin MacMillan 831656

Monday 15 JunePrize Bingo Night7.30pm Community CentreUsual prizes on offerRefreshments and prize raffleOrganised by Kirkhill Bowling Club

Wednesday 17 JunePet Parade & Homemade Pet6.00pm Community CentreOrganised by KDAA

Wednesday 17 JuneBarbecue From 6.00pmOrganised by KDAA

Wednesday 17 JuneFun RunCommunity CentreRegistration from 6.30pm, starts 7.00pmP1-P3 & P4-P7 Charleston pupils and adults Medals and prizes for all competitors

Entry fee £1For entry form and further information contact: Aileen Armstrong 831558

6-a-side football tournament & barbecueFriday 19 June - meet at Kirkhill Playing Fields at 6.45pm

The annual 6-a-side football tournament for primary school age children will take place on the Friday evening before Gala day. All children are asked to meet outside the Community Centre at 6.45pm when they will be put into teams.

There will be three age categories: P1–3, P4/5 and P6/7

Each team in each age category will play against each other with three points awarded to the winning team and one point for a draw. Games will last 15 minutes (timings may be adjusted depending on the number of teams competing).

All primary school age children are welcome to attend and do not have to attend Saturday morning football train-ing in order to participate.

A medal will be awarded to each member of the winning team on Gala day itself. Players should remember to bring shin guards.

Gala Week Events


J RUSSELL GARDENING SERVICES EST. 1969 Whinbrae, Lentran, IV3 8RJALL TYPES OF GARDEN WORK EXPERTLY UNDERTAKEN

vHEDGE and TREE SURGERY

vFENCING, SLABBING, WOODCHIPPING

vLAWNS UPLIFTED & GRAVELLED

vGRASS CUTTING

vPATIO and PATH LAYING

vGARDEN TIDY-UPSRUBBISH REMOVED ON COMPLETION

NO JOB TOO SMALL - CALL NOW FOR A FREE ESTIMATE

PLEASE PHONE 01463 831070OR MOBILE 077 808 62035

I read with interest your article about dog foulers at the community centre football pitch. Before moving to Kirkhill I lived in a village in West Yorkshire, there a similar article appeared in the local press, the only difference being that the church-yard rather than the football pitch was the preferred choice for the excrement.

As I lived adjacent to the churchyard, I know that actual culprits were mostly cats. This morning I had to remove approximately ten deposits from my lawn before cutting the grass. I am quite confident that my lawn is not being used by dog walkers, again the cul-prits are cats.

I own neither a cat nor a dog so I have no axe to grind but in my experience most dog owners are quite responsible and do clean up after their dogs as they are rightly expected to do. For reasons that are a mys-tery to me, cat owners are permitted to allow their ani-mals to defecate without constraint.

I strongly suspect that part if not most of the prob-lems for which you blame dog owners are in fact the responsibility of the owners of cats. In the interests of fair play I suggest that at least some of the blame directed at dog owners in your article should be redi-rected at the owners of cats.

Martin Snook, Firth ViewKirkhill

Crannog Comment..your right to replyNot dogs, but cats

Flying kites for Highland fosteringFostering in the High-lands recently premiered a new DVD encouraging more carers to come for-ward.

The new promotional film includes interviews with carers, social work staff and young people in care and also features 60 primary children from Strathpeffer and Nairn enjoying playing with brightly coloured kites on Nairn beach. It will be used to help people understand more about fostering and to provide information to prospec-tive carers as well as social work, education and health staff.

Currently in the High-lands there 100 foster carers aged between 21 and 65 who look after 130 children and young people.

One of these carers is Janet Bray who has been fostering for four and a

half years after seeing an advert in her local paper. She said: “We decided to start fostering after my daughters spotted an advert in the paper for a family for a young girl needing a home. Of course it’s not as easy as picking up the phone and taking a child into your home, but when the training is over and you finally get to provide a temporary home for a child in need the satis-faction you feel is worth the wait. Life as a foster carer is not plain sailing but as a family we have had so much fun looking after the children in our care it makes the upsets seem insignificant in rela-tion to the pleasure we get in being able to help a child in need.”

Irene Bloomfield, Foster-ing and Adoption Man-ager said: “In Highland we need many new foster carers. We provide the training and support

needed and there are lots of different ways to get involved. It’s even possible to foster on a part time basis and short break carers are needed for weekends and holi-days.

“We are looking for fami-lies who will take chil-dren and young people in an emergency, sup-port young people to continue their education locally and permanent foster families for sib-ling groups of three and young people with a dis-ability.”

The eye catching red kites are now appearing on leaflets, TV adverts, supermarket till receipts and posters as part of the Highland campaign. Anyone wishing to find more about fostering can telephone or email for an information pack - 01463 703431 [email protected]


Want to save £s off your energy bill? For expert advice, call Archie on

01463 831224www.saveyouenergy.co.uk

Saving you Energy Saving you Money Saving you TimeReducing your Environmental Impact

...and money too

Kirkhill Indoor Bowling Club 2008/09

End of a successful winter seasonThe indoor bowling club completed a very successful winter. They reached the final of the Inverness League Cup, unfortunately losing against Dalneigh by 3 games to 1. In the League we finished in a very good third place with 64 points, one of our best finishes for some years.

The winter season finished with the Annual Dinner and Prize Giving on Friday 17 April in the Old North Inn. A very enjoyable meal was provided by the hotel and this was followed by the presentation of prizes.

STRATHNAIRN CUP (2 Bowl Singles) Winner – Neil Maclean Runner up – Norma Scrimgeour MACGILLIVRAY TROPHY (Triples) Winners – Billy Horne, Willie Maclean, David Scrimgeour Runners up - Anne Lyle, Elma Rorison, Malcolm Macrae FERNLEA TROPHY (Club Champion) Winner – Neil Maclean Runner up – Billy Horne

J & J TROPHY (Gents Singles) Winner – Neil Maclean Runner up – Kenny MacColl

MALDUN TROPHY (Ladies Singles) Winner – Norma Scrimgeour Runner up – Anne Lyle

DRUMCHARDINE TROPHY (Pairs) Winners – Anne Lyle & Madda Georgeson Runners up – Kenny MacColl & Tom Rhind Spoon Winner - Malcolm Macrae

The season will start again in October 2009 in the community hall on Monday nights – we are always looking for new members to keep our membership up so watch out for notices about the start of the new season in the autumn.


Why not do something sunny for money?June is Highland Hospice’s Sunflower Month

ABRIACHAN NURSERIESwww.lochnessgarden.com

Tel. 01463 86123225 Years of Local Quality &

Great Value

Dark leaved Dahlias3 types: Moonfire, Fascination & Bishop of Landaff - £2.50 each

Ladybird Poppies - £1 each

Excellent Range of Basket & Tub plants including Surfinias

Fresh Vegetable & Herb Plants

The Fantastic Chocolate scented Cosmos - £3.00 each

Huge range of Quality Hardy Garden Perennials

Open EveryDay 9am - 7pm9miles SW on A82 (just over the hill from

Kirkhill & Kiltarlity)

The Trust recently conducted a housing survey in your Community Council area. Unfortunately, the return rate was very low which means that the statistics have little value. This also suggests that there is not a strong requirement for affordable housing in your area.

However, you or someone in your family may have a need for affordable housing (rented housing, low cost home ownership options or self build plots with grant assist-ance). If you would like some advice in con-fidence about your housing options, please contact Morven Taylor on 01463 233 549 or [email protected].

I look forward to hearing from you,Morven

June is Sunflower Month so why not “Do Some-thing Sunny for Money”?!

Highland Hospice are asking for your help in raising £78,800 through-out June and July as part of their Sunflower Appeal. By doing some-thing sunny for money you can contribute to that target and help raise awareness about the work that Highland Hospice does. That work is providing pallia-tive care throughout the Highlands – an area that extends over 10,000 square miles.

Highland Hospice is the only hospice serving adults with incurable life limiting disease in the Highlands of Scotland and is acknowledged as the centre of specialist palliative care exper-tise in the region. A full multidisciplinary team is

employed to provide true holistic care and com-prises medical and nurs-ing staff, occupational, physio and complemen-tary therapists, a chap-

lain and family support workers. The Hospice cur-rently provides a ten bed In Patient Unit in Inver-ness and a Day Hospice on the same site. Medi-

cal staff, working closely with NHS colleagues, pro-vide a consultancy serv-ice within Raigmore and community hospitals as well as visiting patients at

home through-out the High-lands.

Use your imagi-nation and host your very own Sunny fund-raiser, to help the organisa-tion provide the range of serv-ices throughout the Highland area. Why not use the tried and true Tea at 3, Wine at 9 (pm!) tem-plates – ask

your friends and family around for an afternoon tea or a wine and cheese night, and have them bring a small donation for the Hospice?

Sunflower badges will be all over so wear one with pride to show your sup-port for all the work High-land Hospice does.

The Hospice also pro-vides bereavement coun-selling for relatives, a 24 hour telephone helpline and education and train-ing for other healthcare professionals to enhance their ability to provide palliative care in their own communities.

While the majority of the referred patients have cancer, the Hospice serv-ices are open to those with other incurable life limiting diseases includ-ing, for example, lung, kidney or heart disease and neurological condi-tions. Please visit www.high-landhospice.org for more sunny fundraising ideas or phone 01463 227906 for more information.

Greenfingers 2006This gardening group was set up three years ago with a view to brightening up our vil-lage and surrounding area. So far we have created some plots and tubs as well as tidying and maintaining the Millennium Garden.

Unfortunately our num-bers have diminished and the little group left is made up of mainly senior citizens. What we require is help and enthusiasm from some younger members of our beautiful parish.

If you can spare a little time per week/per fort-night to help with main-tenance, watering, etc our area would become ‘blooming’ beautiful.

Contact : Margaret Birk-beck on 831518, Joan Mackay on 831578 or Margaret Shiels on 831343.


FIRST CHOICE DECORATIONSPAINTINGDECORATINGWALLPAPERINGTILINGPLASTERING

ContactJIM GOODMAN

tel01463 831301

mob07922 038868

3-8 MILLIFEACHKIRKHILL, INVERNESS IV5 7PH

AD INFO

Ad Name: 2846697Status: On Proof Proofed By: James Mackay

Publication Codes: IC

The garden guruTidy professional work. Very affordable

Free garden design & advice One off tidy ups to long term contract Lawn care and feeds Spring mulches

OAP Discount No job too big or smallFor your Free estimate call Gwyn on: 01463 783319 or 07766 896960

Goods supplied as part of a tenancy agreement, or in let accommodation, are required by law to be safe. When choosing rented, furnished accommoda-tion tenants may wish to check with the letting agency or the landlord that the goods comply with certain safety checks and requirements. Tenants should spe-cifically ask to see docu-mentation on checks that have been carried out relating to the follow-ing goods:

Gas appliances Gas Safe Register replaced the Council for Registered Gas Installers gas registration scheme (or CORGI) on 1 April 2009.

Every Gas Safe registered engineer has a photo ID card with a unique licence number, and details of the work they are qualified to do.

In rented accommoda-tion, all gas appliances must be checked at least every twelve months and records kept of the test dates, defects, and remedial action taken. Landlords must make this information available to tenants and prospec-tive tenants and keep records for two years.

Tenants and prospec-tive tenants can ensure that checks have been carried out by asking for documentation that that each piece of equip-ment has been recently inspected and tested by a Gas Safe Register fitter. Prospective ten-ants can also ask land-lords or letting agents to demonstrate that all gas appliances are working properly, whilst viewing the let property, before signing a tenancy agree-ment.

Tenants and prospective tenants can contact the Health and Safety Execu-tive Info-Line on 0845 345 0055, if they have difficulties in obtain-ing this information or require further advice.

Electrical appliancesElectrical goods that are provided with rented accommodation must be safe, whether they are new or used. The law requires all new and second-hand appli-ances supplied to be fitted with an appropri-ately fused and approved plug. Prospective tenants when viewing a property should look out for dam-aged or worn wiring and check plug appliances to make sure they are not cracked or broken. Ten-ants should contact their landlord or letting agency

if they have concerns about the maintenance of electrical mains or appliances in their rented accommodation. Upholstered furnitureRegulations were intro-duced to reduce the number of people killed and injured by toxic fumes given off when some upholstery mate-rials burn. Furniture covered by these Regula-tions (unless it was made before 1950) for example, can include household upholstered items, such as three-piece suites and armchairs; beds, head-boards and mattresses; sofa-beds, futons and other convertibles; nursery and children’s furniture (including push-chairs and prams); loose and stretch covers for furniture; scatter cush-

ions, seat pads and pil-lows; furniture in new caravans; garden furni-ture which can be used indoors.

In order to ensure items of upholstered furniture are safe, they must have: covers which resist igni-tion from a match flame test; upholstery which resists ignition from a smouldering cigarette test; filling materials which pass an appropri-ate ignitability test; per-manent labelling to show compliance.

Tenants and Prospec-tive tenants of furnished accommodation, if con-cerned about the con-dition of the furniture supplied, should ask for written confirmation if a piece of furniture is not labelled.

Other productsAny other goods not men-tioned above, that are ‘hired out’ with accom-modation, should by law, be reasonably safe. For example, lawn mowers, strimmers, etc should have guards in place, and ironing boards, clothes dryers, etc should not have sharp edges that could cause injury in normal use. Chairs and stepladders should be strong enough, as should glass in furniture. Instruc-tions or warning labels should be available so that appliances can be used safely.

Tenants or prospec-tive tenants can visit or write to Highland Trading Standards Section, 38 Harbour Road, Inverness or telephone 0845 600 4222.

Safety of goods in rented accommodation - checks and requirements

Advice and information for tenants

Thanks for reading CrannogThe next issue - Autumn 2009 will be out in early September - deadline for contributions 28 August. If you have any news, views or adverts (only £10 for a quarter page or £35 for four issues!) please get in touch. Crannog Editor Alison Hay, 1 Groam Court, Kirkhill IV5 7NWtel 831042 email [email protected]


Robert KinghornTree Surgery

Fully qualified and insured Arboricultural contractor

All aspects of tree care undertaken.

Small garden trees to full site clearances

Felling large and small treesTree dismantling

All aspects of tree pruningHazard trees

Deadwood removalSite clearance

Urban / woodland forestryHedge trimming

Tree and hedge planting

[email protected] 22374307717194567

National Poopscoop WeekIt is National Poops-coop Week from 22 to 26 June.

Following the last Cran-nog article, local dog owners have risen to the challenge and kept many areas cleaner. Let’s keep community areas free of dog foul-ing.

Kirkhill KrewChange of managementWe have had a busy few weeks with our Fashion Show on 29 April - spon-sored by New Look, East-gate Centre, Inverness.

We had eleven lovely models, lots of enthu-siastic helpers, and an enjoyable evening for all concerned, raising over £220 in the proc-ess (this included the raffle - a smoothie maker was donated by Tesco, and lots of other lovely prizes from supporters). A huge thank you to eve-rybody who gave up their time to help, and who donated raffle prizes. The money raised went towards our end-of-year party on 6 May where we

Kirkhill TotsRelaxed and friendlyKirkhill Tots Group currently meet every Wednesday and Friday in Kirkhill Community Centre from 10 am to 12 noon. We take a break for the school holidays. Mums, Dads, and other carers are welcome with their little ones. We cater for the ages of new-born to three, with older siblings coming along when Nursery finishes at half-past eleven. Some come from as far afield as Beauly and Muir of Ord, so feel free to com-bine our group with other ones on different days. The atmosphere is very friendly and relaxed - three helpers set out the toys and snacks while everyone else chats while they watch their children play. Friday sessions are more informal, with everybody mucking in and providing their own snacks. We have a vari-ety of toys and activities available which include

a slide, soft play, mini trampoline, ride-on toys, dressing up, role-play, craft activities, baby toys and much more. We are supported by Care and Learning Alliance, whose play-leader visits with new ideas for the group to try.

Our fees are set at £1.50 (£2.50 for a family) on a Wednesday and £1.00 (£1.50 per family) on a Friday. We also have an annual registration fee, £6, which helps cover improvements, rent and the fun days at the end of every term e.g. Easter eggs!

If you are new to the area, please come and meet us! Pop in for a chat, have a cuppa and see for yourself what fun things there are to do!

To find out more, contact Alison Pacey 831258

had an inflatable assault course, bucking bronco and sumo suits (supplied by Kids Bounce for Fun), and the P7’s came along too - a lively evening! After three years, Kirkhill and area’s youth group is undergoing a change of management! We are hoping that it will con-tinue after the summer holidays, but possibly with a different name and format. If you would like to be involved in helping to run the new venture or have any ideas or sug-gestions, please get in touch. Caroline Crawford 831503 www.kirkhillkrew.co.uk

As our community continues to expand, we are always on the lookout for more volunteers to deliver Crannog. If you can help please contact Ken MacColl 831617

ORIGINAL PET PORTRAITS

By Shona MacDonaldB A (HONS) in Drawing and Painting

For that special gift.Pet portraits done in pastel.

ContactTel 01463 831024 mobile: 07947433077email [email protected](Also Specialises in birds of Prey)

Chris Heaton-Armstrong raises over £600 for Ally …...Many parents of young chil-dren are already...

Documents

Transcript of Chris Heaton-Armstrong raises over £600 for Ally …...Many parents of young chil-dren are already...