Community Newsletter - Back Issues
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May 2006
News From the Groups
INVERGORDON & DISTRICT ENVIRONMENT GROUP
Members: Ann Crawford, Sandra Gill, George McIntosh, Val MacKay, Malcolm McKean,Isa Rees, Sharon Scott, Maxine Smith (Chair), Kathleen Smith, Lindsay Tennent.
Funding: Please note that any funding raised or utilised by this Environment Group could not have been used elsewhere for other types of projects or works. Environmental funding carries specific criteria which means there are only so many things it can be used for, so please do not assume you could have found a better use for any funding accrued for environment projects, as the funders would not have allowed it.
Projects ongoing since 2005:
Gateway Feature – Academy Road Corner
The Invergordon Distilleryis kindly donating butts to form a pyramid shape feature in front of which will be signage saying “Welcome to Invergordon” with the town’s crest in colour. The job will be carried out by LandPower Services and Danny Coutts Joinery Services, as well as volunteers. Money has been raised by the Environment Group to pay for this project.
Expected completion: June 2006
Aim: To provide a welcome to visitors and exhibit a sense of pride in the town and what it can be in time.
Land adjacent to ATS
The land is owned by William Munro’s in Alness. Agreement was reached to landscape and cultivate the area with wildflowers, creating an inner pebbled surface with benches, planters and a giant chess set for community events such as gala days in the future. Funding was raised but due to landowner withdrawing permission due to possible re-development of the land, the project has been shelved and the funds raised will go to an alternative environmental project.
Aim: To tidy up this piece of land for locals and cruise ship visitors as it is an eyesore.
Expected development of site: Not known, possibly late 2006/mid 2007 – site is designated housing land.
Core Footpaths
The Highland Council are looking at core footpaths in all highland areas. The Environment Group will be working with other groups and HC in the development of footpaths throughout Invergordon.
Expected completion: Not known, possibly late 2007
Aim: To provide properly maintained walks and cycle paths for locals and possible heritage trails for all.
Station Embankment
Funding is being sought to tidy up the embankment area at Invergordon Station on the Cromlet Drive side. There used to be sections planted up with flowers and shrubs. It is hoped to use the designated flowerbeds to do this again. Groups involved will be the Brownies, Isobel Rhind Centre, Museum, Off the Wall, Business Association, Environment Group, Old Invergordon Residents Group and Invergordon West Residents Group and any other group wanting to take responsibility for a flowerbed.
Expected completion: Summer 2006 or Summer 2007, dependent on funding
Aim: To provide a sense of ownership and pride in Invergordon’s station and to engage a community spirit in developing a sustainable environmental project especially for the Brownies and the Isobel Rhind Centre members, who will get a great sense of achievement from the resulting displays. Competitions between the different flowerbeds and other stations on the Far North Line may result. Also looks more inviting for rail passengers to embark at Invergordon in the future.
Planters, Hanging Baskets and Flowers High Street
This project is in conjunction with the Invergordon Business Association. Funding has been found for the Isobel Rhind Centre to grow and cultivate flowers for display on the High Street this summer. The contributors to this are the Invergordon Business Association, Cllr. John Connell’s Discretionary Council Budget, Invergordon Community Council, Albyn Housing and Inverness & East Highland Enterprise Company. There will be 82 planters on buildings, 18 hanging baskets in the centre from second week June through to early October. This project can only be carried out with the voluntary assistance of Invergordon Fire Brigade, Invergordon Pallet Company and other helpers from the groups on the day who provide food and nourishment to the volunteers, such as the Crazy Horse café. The firemen work for many hours on a Sunday putting up the planters in June and taking them down again in October and have done this for many years.
Expected completion: Sunday, 11th June, 2006
Aim: To brighten up the dull High Street and provide a sense of pride for locals and to show off the talents of the Isobel Rhind Centre to visitors. Provides a huge sense of achievement to the members of the Rhind Centre and if the displays are well maintained and suitable to enter into competitions this may be considered.
Water Bowser on Trailer
Funding has been sought and achieved to purchase a water bowser for the town. Whilst under the auspices of the Environment Group this is a community asset and can be borrowed by other community groups if required. It is a high pressure unit driven by a diesel engine so the water can be delivered at a faster pace. In previous years a lorry has been used to transport a 500 gallon bowser but the lorry became costly to maintain and MOT, as well as tax and insure and it proved difficult to constantly raise money to pay for this so it was sold for a small amount. The funding for the bowser has been raised by Community Economic Development Fund via Inverness & East Highland Enterprise Company and also by funds from the Environment Group. The lance part of the hose system for reaching up to the planters on the High Street buildings was provided free of charge by MacGregors’ Supplies, Invergordon. Costs for the insurance of the bowser will raised through the Environment Group and will be ongoing.
Expected completion: Bowser was taken delivery of on May 23, 2006.
Aim: To use to water all town planters and flowerbeds where necessary. Bowser should last for some considerable years and be available to use by the community for various projects in the future.
Rosa Rugosa Hedging Isobel Rhind Centre
Funding was provided to the Isobel Rhind Centre to assist towards a fence around the garden area of the building, in order to provide privacy and make the area more secure and safe for the members who use the Centre.
Expected completion: Funding handed over in May 2005, contractors almost finished hedging.
Aim: To assist a worthy cause and help to integrate the Isobel Rhind Centre users more into the community and volunteer organisations.
Volunteers
Please note each year volunteers are needed to water the flowers. There will be 2-3 evenings this year and around 24 people taking part from the various groups…this shows unity and a sense of togetherness. In previous years the Invergordon Business Association and Invergordon Off the Wall have taken turns in watering the flowers for 3 months of the year every single week, as volunteers.
If you, as a member of the public, wish to help with any of the above projects or join the Environment Group or help with watering please contact the Chairman, Maxine on 01349 852852 or email maxinesmith@hotmail.co.uk. All help would be appreciated however little you think you can contribute, even 2 hours of your time per month is all we would ask.
INVERGORDON BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
Members: 24 businesses, 4 honorary members
Chairman: Maxine Smith
Vice Chairman: Martin Rattray
Treasurer: Robin Nairn
High Street
Much of the Association’s work has been taken up in trying to rectify the mess the Highland Council have made of the retail section of the High Street. The chairman researched under Freedom of Information and compiled a 37 page report which took months and presented it to the Area Convenor to ask for assistance in sorting out the situation of parking, disabled bays and taxi drop offs. At this moment in time no help is forthcoming. This situation has put the Association at odds with the Council and local Councillor. The lack of parking in the area is causing motorists to shop elsewhere and not bother with Invergordon for anything that they can get in Alness. This is not fitting with the issues of the town which is struggling to hold onto the few shops it has. The report on the High Street puts forward suggestions for interim rectifying of the situation, suggesting that the chevron parking situation with a Road Traffic Order would be more favourable to what is there now. Many people would prefer the traditional wide High Street but as the Council has no funds for this, the only option that would cost very little is to revert back to chevron with safety features put in place. As yet the Council are refusing to do this. There are the issues of rental prices on the High Street premises but some of the property owners are addressing this and if the parking situation could be improved in order to improve footfall to the town, it may encourage new shops to open up. There will soon be an Indian Takeaway, Balti Cottage where Victoriana used to be, due to open summer 2006.
Membership of Corporate Organisations
The chairman of the Association has been invited to join two other organisations which deal with economic development and business, which she has accepted on behalf of the IBA. The point of this will be to bring to Invergordon knowledge and networking from other areas such as Inverness and try and claw back some of the trade that goes elsewhere, as well as put Invergordon more firmly on the Highland map. It is hoped that now there are so many other community groups working in the town the IBA can concentrate on business and expansion of industry in Invergordon, rather than on its community remit, which it saw as going hand in hand with business. In previous years it has been unable to do thing about business alone as it was the main group alongwith the Invergordon Community Council to take forward community projects. Other community groups have often been offshoots of the IBA and are now groups in their own right, such as the Invergordon & District Initiative, Tourism sub groups, the Environment Group and Off the Wall Group. All of these groups are now operating under their own constitutions and with their own members, although some members also retain membership of the IBA.
The IBA wishes to recreate its core aims and focus mainly on enlarging Invergordon’s economic heart and attracting new companies, more work and planning for the future. The basis for this is now being put in place, but the issues with the High Street take up a great deal of the chairman’s time so it is hoped this issue will be resolved as soon as earthly possible in order for the Association to move on and deal with the growth potential it sees for Invergordon.
The IBA is also about to expand its boundaries to include neighbouring areas to take into account the changes in local government planned for next year. This will also increase the Association’s potential and improve the likelihood of attracting further business to the area.
Any business owner wishing to join should contact Maxine, the chairman on 01349 852852 or email maxinesmith@hotmail.co.uk. The fee for joining is £35 and this is required only to cover administration costs of running the Association. The members are all volunteers and receive no remuneration, even though their roles can be very time consuming.
INVERGORDON TOURISM GROUP
Members: 12 members of the public, 3 consultant ex officio members
Chairman: Malcolm Harrison
This is a newly set up community group of volunteers looking at ways to attract visitors from Scotland and further afield to Invergordon to contribute to the economic growth of the area and make things better for the locals in terms of improved facilities and a sense of pride and cultural heritage. It is looking at possible heritage trails along with the Museum and Off the Wall, welcoming teams down at the pier, events for the summer, such as gala days and entertainment, tourist information and generally making the town more accessible and welcoming for everyone including the locals.
To assist with this group, even if it’s a few hours a month please contact Malcolm at the Crazy Horse Café, High Street, or email Malcolm on boodlesbiz@tiscali.co.uk.
SAIL SIGN/BANNERS
Members: Invergordon Off the Wall, Invergordon Initiative, Invergordon Business Association, Invergordon & District Environment Group, Members of the public
The Off the Wall Murals Group were approached 2 years ago by an Invergordon man who had moved to the continent who wished to donate free gratis material to provide signage for the town. A sub group of the IOTW group was set up to discuss this. Due to time delays and the need for expert advice progress has been slow. Designs are now prepared of aerial shots of Invergordon displayed on giant sail shape signs, around 20ft tall and 15 feet wide which will be mounted on a mast and placed in two strategic positions off the A9. There may possibly be a third mounted either at Saltburn or the Shore Road – this has yet to be agreed.
Expected completion: It is hoped to complete this project in 2006, but this is dependent upon completing the funding applications and landowners giving permission for the locations. If further delays occur this project will carry through into 2007.
Aim: To remind people what Invergordon looks like and how good it is and to attract visitors to view the natural history of the Firth, the museum, the shops, the heritage trails to re-create a sense of pride in what Invergordon is all about.
INVERGORDON GAZETTE
Members: Invergordon Initiative, Invergordon Players, Invergordon West Residents Group, Invergordon Community Council, Invergordon Albyn Residents Group, Invergordon Business Association, Invergordon Museum
A sub group of the Invergordon & District Initiative was set up recently to look at re-creating the old Invergordon Community News in a new format, similar to the Alness & District Times, that can be self-sustaining and very affordable. The previous Community News was put together for many years by Malcolm McKean and Donald Grant, working with Joss Street Hall. The paper was funded solely by the advertisements but only covered the printing costs, not the supply, as they were circulated by volunteers, such as Ann Crawford and other Community Councillors, who gave up their time quarterly for this task. The Editors, Malcolm and Donald received no remuneration for their years of hard work on the editions. Eventually due to pressures of work they had to stop doing it, at which time it folded completely.
Even now pressures of work prove difficult for volunteers as everyone is also doing a full-time or part-time job elsewhere, so it was decided to apply for funding to engage a Community Resource Worker to set up the first edition of the Invergordon Gazette. This is a very temporary position, which will last only a number of weeks, after which the volunteers will hopefully have in place a system in which to carry forward the Gazette on a regular basis.
Volunteers are still sought for this project and can be any age or ability and activities can range from preparing adverts, writing short stories or articles, interviewing people, drawing cartoons, or anything that you feel would benefit the local community paper. Please contact the newly appointed project worker on email marion.rhind@virgin.netif you wish to help or if you have any articles or wish to advertise.
INVERGORDON OFF THE WALL
Please see website for this group on www.invergordonoffthewall.co.ukor contact helen.kermode@hotmail.com.
INVERGORDON & DISTRICT INITIATIVE
Members: Invergordon Museum & Heritage Centre, Old Invergordon Residents Group, Invergordon Albyn Residents Group, Invergordon West Residents Group, Invergordon Community Council, Invergordon Business Association, Invergordon Environment Group, Saltburn Community Association, Saltburn Community Council, Invergordon Off the Wall, Invergordon First Brownies, Invergordon Players.
Chairman: Martin Rattray
Vice Chairman: Maxine Smith
Secretary: Una McIntosh
Treasurer: Jaki Gardner
The above group was recently constituted and provides a facility for agreeing funding available from CED (Community Economic Development) and STN (Small Town Network), both European sources of funding, which have to be agreed within certain community criteria. It is a requirement that the agreement is channelled through volunteer community organisations. This Initiative Group also provides a forum for communication throughout all the groups involved, giving each member the opportunity to feedback to its own group what the other groups are doing in the town, so that there is not too much overlap, there is an agreed strategy, cohesion and most of all togetherness and a sense of common aims. Any community group which is constituted can apply for membership which is free. All groups in the area are encouraged to do so in order to know what everyone else is up to and to join a pleasant and agreeable forum for free discussion and planning. Although this group is very new in its new format it is already striding ahead with ideas and has engaged consultants to carry out various surveys in the town to get complete feedback from the townspeople to see what other people’s priorities are for the town and has plans to engage with the public every step of the way.
The group also has in place a Project Officer under CED and STN who is available to look at assisting or advising any group or person in the area with funding for projects that they have in mind. For details of joining this group or for funding assistance please contact by email marion.mackay@smalltownnetworks.com.
INVERGORDON'S WEB SITE
This website was set up several years ago and funded by the Invergordon Business Association. It is run by volunteers, in fact one volunteer, Malcolm McKean, a member of the IBA and former Community Council Chairman, who updates the site on a regular basis and has put in many hours of work updating and creating the Image Library which is used by thousands of people all over Scotland, the UK and the world, as well as locals who look back on the old days in Invergordon. There is a well used Guest Book as well as information on many aspects of Invergordon. If you are reading this, you have obviously accessed the site, but if you wish to copy it to others the URL is www.invergordon.info.
Footnote
Please note there are many other community groups…I have only written about the ones I know in detail as a form of update on community activity within the area. Please feel free to email the web site at info@invergordon.info if you wish to have any community articles published or wish to write about your particular group.
Maxine Smith
Spring 2006
Inverclyde Tourist Group visit Invergordon
On Saturday 26th February,a team of 9 volunteers from the Inverclyde Tourist Group visited Invergordon to give us the benefit of their experience in welcoming cruise liners to the Portof Greenock (see Picture Gallery below). Approximately 50 local people turned up to learn how they had built up their operation and their considerable reputation.
The meeting at the Arts Centre took the form of a Question and Answer session:
Who pays for the buses that the group use for the tours?
All paid for by donations from passengers. The group had a start-up fund of £1,000 left over from a previous tourist group. They hire coaches for a half or full day and get a reasonable deal from coach companies. So far they have always covered their costs on each tour and occasionally make extra.
The only paid person is the coach driver. The tour guide and support person are volunteers.
They have a stall at the disembarkation point. Only thing they sell there are phonecards. Offer to post cards for people; also provide internet access at 50p per 15 mins. This is possible because Clydeport give them a phoneline.
Are local schools and colleges involved?
ITG has links with local college but cruise liners tend to dock when the schools and colleges are on holiday. They have had some help with translation from college and IBM call centre.
Have carried out some training “Tourist in your own town” – this involved taking up to a dozen local groups round on the tour. Funded by Awards for All. This has raised awareness of what ITG is doing and also increased confidence of group and town.
They have been pushing for more signage in the town. Locals know were things are, tourists don’t.
It’s important for everyone to be helpful to tourists, not just people with badges.
Invergordon map doesn’t show the church which is open for visitors and they provide tea and shortbread. How do people get information?
For ships coming from other British ports, Cruise Highland send brochures to other ports and ask them to put them on the ships. However, they can’t control this so three things happen – they get left in their boxes, they get put on the reception desks or best of all, they get put into each cabin.
For ships that have come from abroad, Cruise Highland put leaflets aboard when the boat docks but this is as people are disembarking.
The Cruise group is working with The Highland Council on signage for Invergordon.
ITG have built up a network with other ports. They find out the ship’s itinerary and make contact with other ports to swap brochures.
There are hurdles to getting on to the dock. ITG have a very good relationship with Clydeport which enables them to do what they do. This started with the previous manager and has continued. Security measures mean that everyone has to have a security badge, photo and name and signed by the port manager.
John Connell, Councillor suggested that the community council and the tourism group work together on signage and approach TEC Services about them, and he will support this at the Highland Council.
How do people get information into the port call leaflets?
Captain Dunderdale said that their leaflets are printed by the Highland News Group and these include advertising. He suggested that the person should contact him to get the name of the appropriate person at the News Group.
A question about how to get involved in volunteer groups in Invergordon?
This person had put her name forward to be part of a volunteer group but nobody had followed it up.
A comment was made about the lack of decent toilets in Invergordon
ITG had started from very small beginnings – 6 people in total and only 3 or 4 of them were active. They weren’t taken seriously at first but very different now. It was quite daunting but it was worth persevering.
What funding and budgets do you have?
ITG couldn’t tell what budget they have – they aim to break even or make a little money by the end of the year. They have had funding from Scottish Enterprise Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Council for buying uniforms. They only purchase things when they can find the money to pay for it. Most of their income comes from passengers’ donations.
SCARF put in some funding and they received funding for the conference they held last year. They are a constituted voluntary group. They looked at charitable status but decided it wasn’t suitable for them.
They got £10,000 from SCARF. It was a great tool for developing skills in the group. They all learned a great deal from doing the SCARF report.
What training have they done?
Welcome Host, training for tour guides, presentation training, product knowledge (from VisitScotland). They did an audit of what skills they had in the group and did a lot of in-house training. The local voluntary forum did training on working with the press.
It’s important to remember the crew as they will spend money if they can access the things they want.
Also, it’s about having fun. That’s why they do it.
Picture Gallery
(There arepictures to be found on the Inclyde Tourist Group web site which can be viewed by clicking this link>>.)
Christmas 2005
New Home for Lou's Loo?
The loo - a fixed single unit with automatic flushing - used to be positioned in the High Street outside Campbell‘s Bargain Centre, but was considered by many locals an eyesore and indiscreet for users.
It was purchased by Highland Council with Scottish Executive money which was shared between the Ross & Cromarty councillors for spending in their own areas. Lou Wilkerson, Invergordon councillor at the time, chose the toilet. But Lou’s Loo, as it became known, was removed about two years ago when High Street improvements were started. It was uplifted by Port Services, and has been kept in their yard on the old Smalter site ever since.
Now Highland Council, wants to see it used again. Some locals believe that, while Lou’s Loo is far from ideal, it should stay in Invergordon and be found a suitable site.
“It was clean and user-friendly for all abilities and there are many places better than the High Street where it could go, including the port, the railway station or the back of Natal gardens“.
The Highland Council recently turned up at the Port Services’ yard intending to move it to its own depot. However, access is difficult and it will have to be lifted out by crane. With rumours spreading that it may go to Gairloch, Port Services have presented the Highland Council with an invoice for the craneage and storage. Port Services propose that any money paid by the council will go directly towards the Invergordon Museum.
This story is going to run and run……
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Moray Firth Development Strategy
Proposals that Invergordon's industrial port activities should be moved to Nigg raised many questions at a public meeting held recently in the town. The proposals have been drawn up by a working group of Highland Councillors in consultation with numerous agency representatives. Seven principal sites with particular potential - four of them in Ross and Cromarty have been identified.
The event was a public consultation exercise for the draft strategy concerning development of the Inner Moray Firth ports and sites over the next 45 years. It was chaired by Val Maclver.
The seven sites are Ardersier, Inverness Airport, Inverness harbour, Evanton's Deephaven, Delny, the port at Invergordon and Nigg.
John Greaves, Highland Council's head of development and building control, gave a presentation on the strategy. The Delny site is already the subject of plans for a wood pulp mill while Nigg is currently the focus of negotiations to be operated by the Cromarty Firth Port Authority as a multi-use facility. However, the need for a rail link to the site is a matter to be addressed.
At Invergordon, port activities have often been in conflict with their close residential neighbours. The tank farm at Seabank is unattractive and acts to dislocate the town.
The strategy then goes on to suggest that opportunities exist to move some of the heavier operations from Invergordon to Nigg and maybe build up the facilities for cleaner cargoes in Invergordon - liners - and a return by the sailing fraternity to where they were displaced from 30 years ago.
However, the job of removing the tank farm would be expensive as the ground was contaminated, but the project may be tailor-made to attract funding from an urban regeneration fund. It would then have the potential for many different uses including housing and a variety of community facilities.
The strategy of moving Inspection, Repair and Maintenance (IRM) work on Rigs to Nigg has raised the most questions as Nigg simply does not have the same capacity as that of Invergordon. This is seen to be a huge expanding market for such work, and Invergordon has the potential of grabbing an even greater share of this work. Rather than moving all the work to the smaller facility to Nigg, it is considered that a wiser move would be to combine the two facilities as they would then complement each other. Nigg has a large dry dock with the capacity for a single rig while Invergordon has the large wet dock, the Queen’s Dock.
The Invergordon Business Association is currently requesting further information on the background statistics which were used to form the strategy. Knowledge of the potential size of this huge IRM market may affect the long term strategy and allow the Port Authority to chase more of this lucrative work. It is also not known what effect these large contracts, in the order of £15 million to £50 million each, has on the local economy.
August 2005
20mph Limit for Academy Road
A new 20mph speed limit has be applied to the section of Academy Road outside the school. Operational when the pupils are arriving and leaving the school, the limit is signified by flashing signs on the approaches to the Academy.
Similar signs are planned for both South Lodge School, in Castle Avenue, and for Park School, in both Albany Road and Castle Road.
Signs have been in operation for some while now at Newmore where excess speed had long been a problem.
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New CCTV System for Town
A new CCTV system has just become operational in the town. Cameras are located in the High Street while a camera at the station also covers Park School. These are linked by various means to the recently renovated Police Station in the High Street, where the images can be monitored.
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Port Authority Bids for Nigg Fabrication Yard
Rumours have been confirmed this week with the announcement that the Cromarty Firth Port Authority, based in Invergordon, has made a bid for the Fabrication Yard at Nigg. The Port Authority plans multiple uses for the yard including oil rig work and wind turbine contracts.
KBR has just put the yard on the market, an indication that a single major user has not been found for what appears to be potentially a multi-user facility. The Port Authority’s plans would include setting up a new ownership structure for the yard to enable a different number of projects to be undertaken there. They also consider that there would be sufficient demand in the Cromarty Firth to support their existing facilities at Invergordon and those available at Nigg.
The steady increase in crude oil prices has resulted in the oil companies expanding their exploration and drilling projects. The Cromarty Firth has seen fewer rigs remaining and the Glomar Arctic II which is in the Queen’s Dock at present is undergoing modifications which are part of a multi-million pound contract.
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Scottish Water Lodges Appeal for Works at Rosskeen
It has been announced by Scottish Water that it has lodged an appeal to build a new water treatment works at Rosskeen. The appeal has been lodged with the Scottish Executive and with Highland Council. It was the latter that decided against the planning application for the project on the existing treatment site just west of Invergordon.
It would appear that further measures have been promised to minimise the environmental impact. The site preferred by Invergordon residents is at Alness Point but Scottish Water stand by their original proposals which identified Rosskeen the most suitable.
Mohammed al Fayed, local landowner based at Balnagown, has put his support behind the local community and has vowed to fight on. This may prove to be an interesting battle.
July 2005
Environmental Report on Forscot Plans Available
The Environmental Consultation Report, prepared by Environ U.K.,has now been made available by Forscot, the company set up to develop a wood-processing plant at Invergordon.
Environ U.K. is an independant environmental consultancy was engaged by Forscot to carry out the Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed project.
The report is 73 pages and copies can be obtained from the News page of the Forscot web site: http://www.forscot.com/news.htm .
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The Highlanders Pipe Band in Invergordon
A wonderful display was given by the Highlanders Pipe Band in Invergordon on Wednesday evening, 20th July. Led by Pipe Major Calum Mckenzie, the Band entertained locals and passengers from a visiting cruise liner. Calum Mackenzie is the son of local couple Ruby and Alexander Mackenzie of Queen Street.
The Band was invited to play in the town by the Community Council which is to be congratulated on bringing this event to the town. Pictures are on the Image Library which can be found by selecting the link in the panel on the left of the screen.
June 2005
Big Gala Day Planned for Queen Mary 2 Visit
The community of Invergordon is extending a warm welcome to all the visitors, the passengers and crew of the Queen Mary 2 and to all those who come to see this new cruise liner on Sunday 19th June. To help everybody enjoy their visit to Invergordon, a Gala Day has been organised with a full programme of musical entertainment and market stalls.
Musical Entertainment in the Natal Garden
10.00am Easter Ross Pipes & Drums - recently formed under the instruction of Pipe Major Niall Matheson, this band is made up of young pipers and drummers from the local area.
10.20am Shortbread - THis is a youth ceilidh band featuring talented children from Invergordon Academy playing a number of instruments. The group is lead by music teacher Laura McCulloch, herself a very good musician.
10.50am Breadbach - Riding high on the back of their coveted Danny Award at this year's Celtic Connections Festival this very exciting new band is going places. Made up of talented graduates from Scottish Music degree courses they have been storming around Scotland with their wild and energetic pipe and fiddle sound.
11.30am Highland Dancers - This bright and enthusiastic group of young dancers are based in the local area and taught by Kerry Adam.
12.00noon Duncan MacGillvary Band - Duncan is an extremely talented professional multi-instrumentalist who formerly toured the world playing with the famous Battlefield Band. Joining him is fiddle maestro Gordon Gunn and guitarist Marc Clement for some very tasty tunes.
1.00pm Shortbread
1.30pm Easter Ross Pipes & Drums
2.00pm Breadbach
2.50pm Highland Dancers
3.15pm Duncan MacGillvary
Invergordon Museum
During the day, in addition to some of the acts appearing at the Natal Garden, entertainment provided in the local museum will include a tribute act to the wartime Andrew Sisters.
Invergordon Social Club
Entertainment is also being provided in the Social Club.
A large section of the High Street is being closed to traffic and there will be a Craft Fair, Craft Demonstrations, Art Exhibition, Children's Entertainment and lots more.
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'Off the Wall' Group Completes the Second Mural
The second mural has now been completed in the High Street of Invergordon by the 'Off the Wall' group. It was painted by Ken White who created the first mural on the Albyn Housing building.
This mural was started on Friday 20th May 2005 and has been painted on the gable end of the building owned and occupied by Wilsons Solicitors.
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| Ken White measuring out on 31st May |
May 2005
Ukrainian Folk Music and Dance Group in Town
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Environmental Consultancy Appointed by Forscot
Forscot, the Scottish company which plans to develop a £1 billion integrated forest industry project at Invergordon, has appointed a major international environmental and health services consultancy to carry out a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the proposed operation.
This will be conducted by Environ UK Ltd, which is among the UK’s leading environmental consultants. The company has long-standing experience of the pulp and paper industry, including carrying out similar studies for mills in the UK, Europe and worldwide.
Ed Gillespie, chairman of Forscot said: ‘The project will have a major focus on environmental issues and the planning application will include an environmental statement. By starting the EIA process now, Environ will help us design and run an operation which will use the latest technology to ensure that we at least comply with EU, national and local environmental and planning legislation.'
‘Throughout the design and planning stage we will be working closely with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Highland Council and others, who will all be required to give their approval before the development can go ahead.’
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Community Wardens Update - May 2005
(This is an extract of an information sheet produced by The Highland Council, Ross & Cromarty Housing Department)
Introduction
It is now eleven months since the Community Wardens have been working in your neighbourhood. Initial feedback from the first of our six-monthly public reviews (held in December 2004), comments from local residents groups, the Police, Partner agencies and individual householders have been very positive and show that the Community Wardens have been a benefit in all areas.
The results of last years survey helped identify what issues worried you most and how we could best deploy the Wardens to address these issues.
Information about the Community Warden initiative and what the Wardens do was listed in the Community Warden Compact - an agreement between the Highland Council and the community about how the Community Warden initiative will operate in the neighbourhood.
The Community Wardens:
• Are a link between the community and relevant agencies.
• Act as a witness to incidents of anti-social behaviour.
• Assist agencies to monitor Anti-Social Behaviour Orders.
• Identify problems and find solutions to local concerns.
• Attend Community Council meetings by invitation.
• Attend local residents' group meetings where relevant.
• Make themselves known to local young people by liaising with Schools, youth clubs and any other children's organisations.
• Use the Police and other emergency services as appropriate.
• Liaise with local Police on appropriate issues.
• Liaise regularly with the Highland Council Housing Service and Albyn Housing Society Ltd.
• Patrol the area on foot at least once during a normal working day, varying the route used.
• Work with residents to build confidence and trust of those likely to feel excluded from approaching them, e.g. elderly, housebound, disabled or residents with communication difficulties.
• Work actively to make them known in their area of operation.
• Report: abandoned vehicles; graffiti; dumped rubbish; fly-tipping on public land; noisy and stray dogs, vandalism; and inappropriate behaviour by groups or individuals.
• Refer: noisy neighbours; empty properties; and any breach of tenancy e.g. poor condition of garden.
Contacting your Warden
You can leave a message for the Community Wardens at AIness or Invergordon Service Point, Monday to Friday, during normal office hours. However please remember that the Wardens may not be working these hours so may not get your message immediately.
If you telephone, the call will be taken by the Ross and Cromarty Service Centre (01349 868222) and a message will be passed on.
Please remember that your Warden cannot deal with everything. For example if you have a general Housing query it will be more appropriate to speak to your local Housing Management Officer or Maintenance Officer.
Measurable results
In an average month the Wardens deal with:
• 25 incidents of graffiti.
• 22 general estate management issues such as untidy gardens and reporting repairs or unsafe property,
• 12 abandoned and untaxed vehicles,
• 12 children and youth problems,
• 10 incidents of fly tipping and vandalism.
And lots of one-off issues as they appear.
And some examples of the stuff you can't measure....
Beth , the Warden for South Lodge in Invergordon, has been involved with resolving children and youth problems in the area. She liaises with the local school and police on a number of issues including reducing bullying and vandalism. She has referred problems identified by parents to the appropriate service/agency. She also had the opportunity to speak to some young Motorbike enthusiasts to give advice on safe and legal use of their bikes and this advice was received in an understanding manner.
Duncan , the Warden for Kirkside and Milnafua in AIness, got involved with a community clean up project in Milnafua. This was a tremendous success as children wanted to get involved. This demonstrates that local youths can become engaged in local activities to the benefit of everyone. He also assisted the Milnafua Residents Association in the organisation of the Milnafua bonfire which was a "roaring" success.
James , the Warden for Coulpark, Firhill and Westford, has worked with pupils of Coulhill Primary School in planning their playground clean up as well as speaking to them about the affects of litter and graffiti. He also got involved with the Badgers Hill clean up run by the Firhill Residents Association. James has started an initiative to reduce the problem of stray dogs along with the Council Dog Warden, who can now issue fixed penalty notices for dog fouling etc.
A partnership perspective
Inspector James Neill from Northern Constabulary said, "the Community Wardens have proved to be a success..... they help provide a public reassurance and are fairly visible in their respective areas. They can be used to keep a wary eye on individuals/problems and report back to us. This has proved useful".
Date for your Diary
The second round of the six-monthly reviews is being held on:
• Monday 13th June at 7.30pm in the Invergordon Social Club
• Thursday 16th June at 7.30pm in the Averon Centre, AIness.
Anybody living or working in a Community Warden area is invited to attend and give their views on the service. We will also be reviewing the Community Warden Compacts at these meetings.
Remember...
The Community Warden cannot change your neighbourhood by working in isolation. They need you to be committed to making positive changes as well.
If you would like a copy of this information leaflet please contact James Sanderson on 01349 882366
April 2005
Subsea Viking at the Service Base
The four main engines can generate 10,000 kw of power. The accommodation consists of high quality berths for 65 people and includes conference and office facilities.
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Kerbside Recyling comes to Invergordon
At long last The Highland Council has grasped the nettle and is introducing a scheme for segregating household waste. This will allow each household to recycle at home from May 2005. For too long household waste has been taken by road to the landfill site at Peterhead following the closing of the Longman landfill site.
All households will receive a blue box for paper and food and drinks cans which will be collected fortnightly.
They will also receive a brown wheeled bin for garden waste which will also be collected fortnightly. Householders are being asked if they don't want a brown bin to let the Council know but it is hoped that all take one of these bins. It should be remembered that this bin can be used for vegetable waste, not just garden waste. More information about this scheme will be provided with the containers.
The existing dark green wheeled bin remains, to be used for residual household waste.
The scheme is also being support by Waste Aware Scotland and more information can be found at www.wascot.org.uk and at the Council's own web site: www.highland.gov.uk.
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Small Town Networks Delegates visit Invergordon
On Tuesday 19th April a party of 26 delegates attending the Small Towns Network (STN) Conference in Dornoch took part in a tour of three towns, all of whom are active members of the Small Towns Network. Representatives from Finland, Iceland and Sweden attended together with local representatives from each town.
They then moved on to SER Supplies where they bought some souvenirs. They then proceeded to the Museum where they examined the present exhibits and heard a short presentation by Rona Thomson on the background to this great new attraction and plans for the future.
The Small Towns Network Project is a European-funded Project under the Northern Periphery Programme. It is managed by The Highland Council with partners in Iceland, Sweden and Finland.
March 2005
Plans for Rosskeen Sewage Plant Rejected
The planning application, put forward by Scottish Water, to build a new sewage works at Rosskeen was unanimously rejected by the local planning committee on Monday 21st February. The proposal, which would have filled the site, close to old Rosskeen Church burial ground and several houses, met vigorous resistance from Invergordon residents and some 320 objections had been recorded by the planning department. There had also been a petition raised which carried 293 signatures.
Three sites had been considered by Scottish Water. They are at Alness Point, a green-field site just behind Invergordon Boat Club, and the preferred site at Rosskeen. Scottish Water already have a small processing plant at Alness Point while the Rosskeen site has a small treatment plant.
The main concern for Invergordon residents was the potential of smell from the new plant which would drift over the town carried by the prevailing wind from the south-west. Scottish Water officials were questioned on the results of the site appraisal which had come out in favour of the Rosskeen site. It would appear that the reasons are not at all clear and that the purported cost justifications could not be supported.
There were also concerns about the capacity of the new plant, plans for which had been scaled down in order to fit into the proposed site.
Scottish Water were now reflecting on the outcome and would consider its options.
February 2005
Forscot Meets the Public
At a public meeting held at Invergordon Academy on Monday 14th February, Forscot described their plans to develop a huge £1 billion Wood Processing plant. The meeting, chaired by Lord Thurso MP, was attended by over 200 people. Ed Gillespie, chairman of Forscot and Tharald Frette, managing director, explained that the project is still at the early stages but it is proposed to have the planning completed this year so that construction would commence in 2006. The sawmill and energy plant would be completed in 2007, with the pulp mill following in the following year; the paper mill would be completed in 2009.
see the larger picture)
Much of the raw material, including china clay for paper pigment, would be brought in by sea to the Saltburn Pier which is owned by the Cromarty Firth Port Authority. A conveyor would be used to move this material from ships to the plant and it proposed to take this below the road at Satburn and the nearby railway line.
A workforce of up to 3000 would be required at the construction phase, while the plant, once completed, is anticipated to offer work for up to 500 skilled and semi-skilled employees. Waste raw material will be used to create electricity and excess power may become available to the local community.
Following the fairly short and factual presentation, a whole raft of questions were posed which led to a very healthy discussion of the project. Concerns were raised regarding the effect of a large construction work-force, raising memories of the ill-fated smelter of the 1980s. There was also concern at the effect on other areas of Scotland relating to the transport of the Sitka Spruce from forests so that it can be shipped to Invergordon. It was alleged that past experience has shown such movements can have a huge effect of the road infrastructure, including damage to bridges and culverts. It was suggested that movement by rail should be promoted and Forscot confirmed that they would be reinstating the rail access to the site so that the use of rail transport could be maximised. However, the existence of single track operation would limit the capacity of such movements. Other concerns were raised by potential neighbours on the north-eastern boundary of the proposed site relating to noise and smell.
It was a good move by Forscot to engage in discussions at such an early stage of the project. As plans move forward they agreed to have further meetings when more tangible announcements could be made.
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New Hospital Handed Over
Construction work on the new Hospital has now been completed, so on Monday 24th January this sparkling new facility was handed over by the builders, Robertson's, to NHS Highland. The Hospital will now be prepared for the arrival of the first patients in the middle of February.
The new building replaces the old Invergordon County Hospital which was put up originally as a hospital for Royal Navy personnel, based in the port in the early part of the last century. The new hospital will be known as the County Community Hospital, Invergordon.
The benefits to the population of Easter Ross will be considerable and are seen as part of NHS Highland's commitment to ensure that high quality health services will be delivered as locally as possible. This will minimise the need for people to travel to major centres for treatment. Invergordon Health Centre, currently in Albany Road, will move to the new Hospital and will open towards the end of March 2005.
The new development will provide:
• 32 GP and nurse-led beds for the care of the elderly rehabilitation;
• a rehabilitation day unit, incorporating a 20-place day hospital and therapy accommodation to support both day and in-patients;
• 12 beds for elderly mentally ill patients;
• a primary care centre with a shared out-patient department, where consultant-led clinics, community clinics and GP consulting will be provided;
• a primary care emergency centre combining GP out-of-hours services and a minor injuries unit.
Patient services can now be povided from facilities which are all under the one roof and that are more suited to modern clinical practice.
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New Jack-Up Rig in Invergordon
see the larger picture)
These rigs represent a new generation of harsh environment jack-up rigs because of their size, efficiency of operation and automation. Great emphasis has also been made on further improvements to the working environment and the safety of the people, up to 120, that the rig can accommodate.
see the larger picture)
The advanced drilling equipment will also make the rigs fully capable of drilling deep and difficult wells. It is expected that the drilling efficiency will be 20 to 25% higher than that of similar rigs.
For more information, visit the Maersk web site by clicking on this >link.
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News Update
Invergordon Naval Museum & Heritage Centre, which enjoyed a very successful first season, has been awarded Community Chest grants of £2000 towards the preparation of their Business Plan and £1500 towards cataloguing of the museum collection.
A Community Chest grant of £300 has been awarded to Saltburn & Westwood Community Council towards their Christmas Street Lighting Project.
Preparations have begun for the visits of the cruise liners Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 in June and August 2005. A steering group has been set up with various sub-groups looking at issues such as fundraising, transport, crowd control, entertainment etc. It is anticipated that, including cruise line passengers, crew and people who come to view the liners, visitors to the town could be in the region of 20,000.
Preparations are also ongoing for a community group’s skills programme. The course content is likely to include committee skills training, project planning, financial and statistical record keeping and evaluation.
Projects currently being developed by some of our local community groups include: bringing the cinema back to the town, development of a playpark and community garden, development of a community woodland walk and recycling project, skateboard park, promotional banners at entrances to town, environment improvements to a derelict area in centre of town and a CCTV and community safety plan.
For further information please contact Marion MacKay, STN Project Officer on (01349) 853666 or by e-mailing marion.mackay@smalltownnetworks.com
The Small Town Networks (STN) Project is part-funded by Europe.
