Press Release
Up to £10,000 to get idea off the ground
People living in Inverness, and surrounding areas, aged 50 and over are being asked to come forward with bright ideas to help improve the lives of older people in the area.
Age Unltd, which is aimed at tackling the issue of social isolation in the elderly and improving public services across Scotland, is being launched today 14 December 2009 by NESTA (The National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts).
The initiative will give successful applicants support and funding of up to £10,000 to develop their idea into a live community project.
“Not all older people enjoy their later years. They may feel lonely, unfulfilled, excluded or bored” says Jackie Mckenzie, NESTA’s head of innovations programme Scotland. “We want to hear from anyone that thinks they can help the elderly become less socially isolated and as a result to lead healthier and happier lives. In return we’ll give them support and funding to turn their idea into reality.
“It may be that someone has experience as a carer or volunteer with older people and has the skills and experience they’d be willing to share. Or perhaps they are approaching retirement, have recently retired or have been made redundant and are looking for a new challenge. These skills can be put to good use and Age Unltd can help people realise their potential in this area.”
NESTA is looking for team players who have ideas, experience and determination, plus the time to get involved, to come forward now.
A workshop will be held in March next year, where NESTA will select and build teams that will then pitch their idea to a judging panel, in order to make it through for further support and development.
Participants can then go onto bid for funding in June to get their concept up and running in the community.
To enter, a short application form must be submitted by 14th February 2010. The form can be found at: http://www.nesta.org.uk/ageunlimitedinscotland
Alternatively applicants can call 01382 229 521 or email ageunlimitedinscotland@nesta.org.uk and a form will be mailed out.
Programme opens: 14 December 2009
Closing date: 14th February 2010
Full day workshops: 3 events March 2010
Incubation process: March-June 2010
Funding pitch: June 2010
===================================
For further information, please contact Stephanie Robertson, Weber Shandwick on 07809 665 773 or by email at srobertson@webershandwick.com.
Notes:
* The population in Scotland is predicted to age considerably between 2006 and 2031, with the number of people over 60 expected to rise by 54% over this period.1 The sheer volume of the country’s ageing society is placing increasing demands on areas such as health and care services. And as a generation their expectations are different: they want new, better and more personalised types of services.
* As a response to this challenge, NESTA (The National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts) is committed to working with older social entrepreneurs in Scotland aimed at making aging a more fulfilling healthy and socially inclusive experience. The two year pilot programme will stimulate latent entrepreneurial activity in the over fifties.
* NESTA recently undertook research which leads it to believe the UK is unprepared for ageing. Just under a third of all pensioners live on or close to the poverty line and twelve million people - half the UK workforce - are putting nothing aside for old age. Demographic patterns mean these trends are getting worse and the UK is failing to find new solutions, focusing instead on existing services and initiatives.
1 International Longevity Centre-UK report 17 August 2009
About NESTA
NESTA is the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, a unique and independent body with a mission to make the UK more innovative.
With the largest portfolio of early-stage businesses in the country, it is a leading authority on how to grow new ideas. It also stimulates imaginative solutions to pressing social issues and shapes policy to help the UK meet its national innovation challenges.
www.nesta.org.uk
The report, entitled “Demanding Growth in Scotland” is available online at www.nesta.org.uk/demanding-growth-in-scotland.
Christmas shopping in Dingwall
Council warns be careful cyber shopping and beware of counterfeit goods
Press Release from the Highland Council, Monday, 14 December 2009:
The Highland Council’s Trading Standards are advising consumers to buy from reputable websites and be wary of websites selling cheap designer goods, DVDs, CDs etc as they may turn out to by counterfeit.
The warning comes in the run up to Christmas after one such Highland cyber shopper was tricked into buying fake DVD’s from an internet site.
Caithness resident, John Green while browsing on the internet clicked on internet site ‘clickdvdhouse’ and found, what he thought, would be the perfect Christmas present for his wife.
Mr Green browsed the site and discovered that ‘classic compiled episodes of ‘Little House on the Prairie’ were being offered for sale. Many readers may recall this TV series from their childhood as it became something of an American institution during the 1970’s and was inspired by the novels of Laura Ingalls Wilders of the same name. The programme was originally aired on the NBC network and run for approximately 200 episodes.
Mr Green explains: “My wife was a big fan when she was younger and I thought this would be the ideal Christmas gift. I ordered a complete set of DVD’s from the website which came to around $86.00. This included $24.00 for postage and packaging. All in all this would have cost me around £69.00 which I paid by card.
Mr Green eagerly waited for the DVD’s to arrive and after 14 days a package dropped through his letter box. Excitement soon turned to disappointment however, when he opened the package from ‘clickdvdhouse’, to discover that the DVD’s he ordered were of poor quality and production and had been sent to him from China!
Mr Green adds: “The DVD’s did not even come in a proper DVD case but video cassette cases. The production of the labelling and overall appearance was terrible”. Mr Green contacted Consumer Direct about his disappointing purchase and was directed to Highland Council Trading Standards for advice about getting his money back.
Bob Jones, Principal Trading Standards Officer from Highland Council advises: “Mr Green explained to us how he came to buy DVD’s from a site called, ‘clickdvdhouse’ which claims to be based in the United States. The site terms and conditions state that if any consumer is not satisfied with their purchase then they can receive a full 100% refund. However, there is no information about where the business is based so consumers cannot return their goods to get a refund.”
Bob Jones adds: “Online shoppers should take their time to familiarise themselves with the website they are browsing before going ahead with a purchase. A few simple checks that can be carried out quickly include trying to identify the seller and where they are based. By carrying out a quick “WHOIS” at search: www.networksolutions.com/whois consumers can find out in seconds the name and address of the person behind registering the website.”
Highland Council Trading Standards are urging all consumers to be careful this Christmas when shopping online and suggest a few further web-shopping tips:
* Search the internet for user reviews of the website.
* Double click the padlock symbol to reveal the company who registered the site.
* Phone the UK landline number to check if it is genuine.
* Check any UK postal address given to see if it exists.
* Be aware that not all web addresses ending in ‘co.uk’ are from businesses based in the UK.
Bob Jones further warns: “Some rogue websites have even gone to the extent of ‘cloning’ the genuinely branded goods websites, where they take an exact copy of the genuine website layout. This practice can catch shoppers out as they are convinced they are shopping on the official website of a reputable firm. The message is with sites such as these that if prices are very low – they are probably too good to be true! Although these checks are not entirely fool-proof, any information that does not add up should alert the consumer to possible scams and fake websites. If goods are being offered at knock down prices, consumers should think twice before parting with their money.”
Consumers wishing more information or advice about buying on the internet should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit their website on www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
Anyone with queries about goods they have bought over the internet or who wish to report a possible crime relating to counterfeit goods should contact The Highland Council Trading Standards on 01463 228700 or trading.standards@highland.gov.uk or visit their offices at: Highland Trading Standards, 38 Harbour Road, Inverness, IV1 1UF.
For further Highland Trading Standards news please go to www.highland.gov.uk/tradingstandardsnews
- ends-
Lynda Duncan
Public Relations Assistant
Chief Executive's Service
The Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road Inverness IV3 5NX
Tel: 01463 702022 Fax: 01463 702025
Email: lynda.duncan@highland.gov.uk
www: highland.gov.uk
The Highland Council’s Trading Standards are advising consumers to buy from reputable websites and be wary of websites selling cheap designer goods, DVDs, CDs etc as they may turn out to by counterfeit.
The warning comes in the run up to Christmas after one such Highland cyber shopper was tricked into buying fake DVD’s from an internet site.
Caithness resident, John Green while browsing on the internet clicked on internet site ‘clickdvdhouse’ and found, what he thought, would be the perfect Christmas present for his wife.
Mr Green browsed the site and discovered that ‘classic compiled episodes of ‘Little House on the Prairie’ were being offered for sale. Many readers may recall this TV series from their childhood as it became something of an American institution during the 1970’s and was inspired by the novels of Laura Ingalls Wilders of the same name. The programme was originally aired on the NBC network and run for approximately 200 episodes.
Mr Green explains: “My wife was a big fan when she was younger and I thought this would be the ideal Christmas gift. I ordered a complete set of DVD’s from the website which came to around $86.00. This included $24.00 for postage and packaging. All in all this would have cost me around £69.00 which I paid by card.
Mr Green eagerly waited for the DVD’s to arrive and after 14 days a package dropped through his letter box. Excitement soon turned to disappointment however, when he opened the package from ‘clickdvdhouse’, to discover that the DVD’s he ordered were of poor quality and production and had been sent to him from China!
Mr Green adds: “The DVD’s did not even come in a proper DVD case but video cassette cases. The production of the labelling and overall appearance was terrible”. Mr Green contacted Consumer Direct about his disappointing purchase and was directed to Highland Council Trading Standards for advice about getting his money back.
Bob Jones, Principal Trading Standards Officer from Highland Council advises: “Mr Green explained to us how he came to buy DVD’s from a site called, ‘clickdvdhouse’ which claims to be based in the United States. The site terms and conditions state that if any consumer is not satisfied with their purchase then they can receive a full 100% refund. However, there is no information about where the business is based so consumers cannot return their goods to get a refund.”
Bob Jones adds: “Online shoppers should take their time to familiarise themselves with the website they are browsing before going ahead with a purchase. A few simple checks that can be carried out quickly include trying to identify the seller and where they are based. By carrying out a quick “WHOIS” at search: www.networksolutions.com/whois consumers can find out in seconds the name and address of the person behind registering the website.”
Highland Council Trading Standards are urging all consumers to be careful this Christmas when shopping online and suggest a few further web-shopping tips:
* Search the internet for user reviews of the website.
* Double click the padlock symbol to reveal the company who registered the site.
* Phone the UK landline number to check if it is genuine.
* Check any UK postal address given to see if it exists.
* Be aware that not all web addresses ending in ‘co.uk’ are from businesses based in the UK.
Bob Jones further warns: “Some rogue websites have even gone to the extent of ‘cloning’ the genuinely branded goods websites, where they take an exact copy of the genuine website layout. This practice can catch shoppers out as they are convinced they are shopping on the official website of a reputable firm. The message is with sites such as these that if prices are very low – they are probably too good to be true! Although these checks are not entirely fool-proof, any information that does not add up should alert the consumer to possible scams and fake websites. If goods are being offered at knock down prices, consumers should think twice before parting with their money.”
Consumers wishing more information or advice about buying on the internet should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit their website on www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
Anyone with queries about goods they have bought over the internet or who wish to report a possible crime relating to counterfeit goods should contact The Highland Council Trading Standards on 01463 228700 or trading.standards@highland.gov.uk or visit their offices at: Highland Trading Standards, 38 Harbour Road, Inverness, IV1 1UF.
For further Highland Trading Standards news please go to www.highland.gov.uk/tradingstandardsnews
- ends-
Lynda Duncan
Public Relations Assistant
Chief Executive's Service
The Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road Inverness IV3 5NX
Tel: 01463 702022 Fax: 01463 702025
Email: lynda.duncan@highland.gov.uk
www: highland.gov.uk
Refuse collection and kerbside collections over the festive period
Press Release from the Highland Council, Friday 11 December 2009:
In the Highland Council area over the festive period, there will be changes to the collection schedule for kerbside refuse and blue recycling boxes/bins.
There will be no refuse collections on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day and all waste and recycling centres will be closed on Christmas Day and 1/2 January.
There will be no garden waste or bulky uplift collections between Friday 25 December and Monday 4 January, 2010.
Refuse collections due on Friday 25 December will move to Saturday 26 December. Collections on Friday 1 January, 2010, will move to Monday 4 January with all following collections being moved back one day until Saturday 9 January.
The public is asked to use the nearest recycling point to recycle all glass bottles, paper and cans.
Normal Collection Day:
Friday 25 December
Friday 1 January
Monday 4 January
Tuesday 5 January
Wednesday 6 January
Thursday 7 January
Friday 8 January
New Collection Day:
Saturday 26 December
Monday 4 January
Tuesday 5 January
Wednesday 6 January
Thursday 7 January
Friday 8 January
Saturday 9 January
The public is reminded to put their bin or box out before 7 am and that no black bags or boxes lying outside the bin will be collected.
-ends-
Lynda Duncan
Public Relations Assistant
Chief Executive's Service
The Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road Inverness IV3 5NX
Tel: 01463 702022 Fax: 01463 702025
Email: lynda.duncan@highland.gov.uk
www: highland.gov.uk
In the Highland Council area over the festive period, there will be changes to the collection schedule for kerbside refuse and blue recycling boxes/bins.
There will be no refuse collections on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day and all waste and recycling centres will be closed on Christmas Day and 1/2 January.
There will be no garden waste or bulky uplift collections between Friday 25 December and Monday 4 January, 2010.
Refuse collections due on Friday 25 December will move to Saturday 26 December. Collections on Friday 1 January, 2010, will move to Monday 4 January with all following collections being moved back one day until Saturday 9 January.
The public is asked to use the nearest recycling point to recycle all glass bottles, paper and cans.
Normal Collection Day:
Friday 25 December
Friday 1 January
Monday 4 January
Tuesday 5 January
Wednesday 6 January
Thursday 7 January
Friday 8 January
New Collection Day:
Saturday 26 December
Monday 4 January
Tuesday 5 January
Wednesday 6 January
Thursday 7 January
Friday 8 January
Saturday 9 January
The public is reminded to put their bin or box out before 7 am and that no black bags or boxes lying outside the bin will be collected.
-ends-
Lynda Duncan
Public Relations Assistant
Chief Executive's Service
The Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road Inverness IV3 5NX
Tel: 01463 702022 Fax: 01463 702025
Email: lynda.duncan@highland.gov.uk
www: highland.gov.uk
Corriemoillie windfarm proposal - UPDATE
I've now received notification that E.ON have submitted their planning proposal to the Highland Council.
The reference number is 09/00693/FULRC
Description: Erection of 19 wind turhines, anemometer mast and wind farm control building, formation of temporary construction compound, access tracks and borrow pits.
It can be viewed at:
http://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/advancedSearchResults.do?action=firstPage
Note that the expiry date is show as 8 January 2010
Case officer is David Mudie
Phone: 01463 702255
Email: david.mudie@highland.gov.uk
Jackie
The reference number is 09/00693/FULRC
Description: Erection of 19 wind turhines, anemometer mast and wind farm control building, formation of temporary construction compound, access tracks and borrow pits.
It can be viewed at:
http://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam/advancedSearchResults.do?action=firstPage
Note that the expiry date is show as 8 January 2010
Case officer is David Mudie
Phone: 01463 702255
Email: david.mudie@highland.gov.uk
Jackie
Looking for a fair to attend?
GARVE CHRISTMAS FAIR:
Saturday 5 December.
Organiser, Helen Grainge says there's still a couple of tables for crafts, and gifts, available at this event.
If you'd like to book please contact Helen direct on 01997 455238
or by email mailto:grainge.inchbae@btinternet.com
Saturday 5 December.
Organiser, Helen Grainge says there's still a couple of tables for crafts, and gifts, available at this event.
If you'd like to book please contact Helen direct on 01997 455238
or by email mailto:grainge.inchbae@btinternet.com
Festive Greetings
Ian & Margo, Strathvaich, wish friends and neighbours in the area a lovely Christmas and a happy, and healthy, New Year.
Liz at the Whistle Stop Cafe, Kinlochewe, would like to wish everyone in the community Happy Christmas! Our winter opening times, with food served all day, are Wednesday to Saturday 9am-7pm, Sundays 9am-4pm (Closed Monday and Tuesday).
Phone enquiries 01445 760423. Look forward to seeing you!
Jackie and Jim, Achnasheen, wish everyone in the community a great festive season! Especially to our neighbours who we don’t see as often as we’d like. Peace and goodwill and brightest blessings to you all!
A very Happy Christmas to all of my clients and friends. Thank you very much for your support this year. Hope you all have a fantastic 2010 from Laura at Mobile Beauty by Laura!
Dianne, Ken, Craig, Sam and family at the Ledgowan Lodge Hotel, Achnasheen, wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
To all our local posties, postmasters/postmistresses, a big thank you for all your hard work, it’s much appreciated. Happy Christmas to you all from everyone in the community!
Happy Christmas and a BIG thank you to everyone who contributes to this newsletter, and to the volunteers who ensure it is delivered to everyone in the community (whatever the weather!) From the News & Views production team (Harry, Helen, Jim and Jackie).
From the Manse
A Traditional Christmas?
What traditions are followed in your home at Christmas time? Is the meal always at the same time? Do you have to run between two halves of the family (like the 'Vicar of Dibley' episode where Geraldine's kindly parishioners all give her a full Christmas meal in each home!)
As a child in our family my eldest sister maintained a rota of who got to open the living room door to see if Santa had come. And a carol service on Christmas eve was always part of our routine.
Yet an older generation will tell you of times when Christmas was not really marked in Scotland. It was work as usual for many even if only for half the day.
The great celebration was the New Year. The Church reformers rejected a lot of the old festivals because people seemed to be missing the point. It’s a tempting position to take today. But amidst all the fuss still there at the heart is what it is all about. Our traditions help us to remember. If we have brought a tradition from another land, it ties us to something precious that has been passed down the generations to us.
And what is it all about? The 19th century Gaelic poetess Mary Macdonald of Mull wrote the carol “Leanabh an aigh, an leahabh bh'aig Mairi” which we know in English as “Child in a manger, infant of Mary”. The English translation is not exact, for the Gaelic means Child of wonder.
For me, the wonder of Christmas is the story of how God came down into the life of the world, in Jesus Christ to be our saviour at Bethlehem, so long ago. Amidst all that adds to the fun and wonder of this time, the traditional carols remind us of the age old story of scripture.
Church News
The Kirk at Lochluichart was full to bursting on Sunday 11th October for the baptisms of Harvey and Fraser Wright of Corriemoillie Lodge. We were pretty sure there had not been twins baptised in living memory. In the congregation there were three other sets of twins and all the godparents had twins themselves.
What a great day!
Our Malawi twinning project
In May the Presbytery of Ross welcomed four friends from Ekwendeni In Malawi for a three week stay among the parishes of the presbytery. A highlight for Fraser and Anna in the manse was that they had Enos Msoywa to stay for some of that time. He is the administrator of Ekwendeni Hospital and a devoted Christian following out his faith in a spirit of joy and enthusiasm that was inspiring.
He is a keen gardener having three harvests a year to help feed and support his family of six. His wife is a teacher at the school within the complex. While with the Stewarts, Enos visited both kirks, and felt very much at home at Lochluichart in particular as the area reminded him of his home area of Malawi where there are hills and lush green vegetation.
Enos Msowya was an inspiring visitor and as a response to help his hospital in Malawi a number in the parish are undertaking 'THE FIVE POUND CHALLENGE' Using a small sum of money to raise some more.
The things folk have done are varied. It just shows you how all of us have talents and abilities, and these talents can make the world a better place for someone.
We hope to announce how much has been raised in the next issue of News and Views and on the Website at a later date.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Sunday 20th December:
Carols and Reading in Contin Kirk, 10.45am.
- No service in Lochluichart Kirk
On Christmas Eve there are three services
come and enjoy the Christmas hymns:
4.30pm Lochluichart
7.00pm Strathconon
11.30pm Contin
Sunday 27th December:
Communion Service in Contin Kirk, 10.45am.
- No service in Lochluichart Kirk
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Rev Fraser Stewart
01997 423296
What traditions are followed in your home at Christmas time? Is the meal always at the same time? Do you have to run between two halves of the family (like the 'Vicar of Dibley' episode where Geraldine's kindly parishioners all give her a full Christmas meal in each home!)
As a child in our family my eldest sister maintained a rota of who got to open the living room door to see if Santa had come. And a carol service on Christmas eve was always part of our routine.
Yet an older generation will tell you of times when Christmas was not really marked in Scotland. It was work as usual for many even if only for half the day.
The great celebration was the New Year. The Church reformers rejected a lot of the old festivals because people seemed to be missing the point. It’s a tempting position to take today. But amidst all the fuss still there at the heart is what it is all about. Our traditions help us to remember. If we have brought a tradition from another land, it ties us to something precious that has been passed down the generations to us.
And what is it all about? The 19th century Gaelic poetess Mary Macdonald of Mull wrote the carol “Leanabh an aigh, an leahabh bh'aig Mairi” which we know in English as “Child in a manger, infant of Mary”. The English translation is not exact, for the Gaelic means Child of wonder.
For me, the wonder of Christmas is the story of how God came down into the life of the world, in Jesus Christ to be our saviour at Bethlehem, so long ago. Amidst all that adds to the fun and wonder of this time, the traditional carols remind us of the age old story of scripture.
Church News
The Kirk at Lochluichart was full to bursting on Sunday 11th October for the baptisms of Harvey and Fraser Wright of Corriemoillie Lodge. We were pretty sure there had not been twins baptised in living memory. In the congregation there were three other sets of twins and all the godparents had twins themselves.
What a great day!
Our Malawi twinning project
In May the Presbytery of Ross welcomed four friends from Ekwendeni In Malawi for a three week stay among the parishes of the presbytery. A highlight for Fraser and Anna in the manse was that they had Enos Msoywa to stay for some of that time. He is the administrator of Ekwendeni Hospital and a devoted Christian following out his faith in a spirit of joy and enthusiasm that was inspiring.
He is a keen gardener having three harvests a year to help feed and support his family of six. His wife is a teacher at the school within the complex. While with the Stewarts, Enos visited both kirks, and felt very much at home at Lochluichart in particular as the area reminded him of his home area of Malawi where there are hills and lush green vegetation.
Enos Msowya was an inspiring visitor and as a response to help his hospital in Malawi a number in the parish are undertaking 'THE FIVE POUND CHALLENGE' Using a small sum of money to raise some more.
The things folk have done are varied. It just shows you how all of us have talents and abilities, and these talents can make the world a better place for someone.
We hope to announce how much has been raised in the next issue of News and Views and on the Website at a later date.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Sunday 20th December:
Carols and Reading in Contin Kirk, 10.45am.
- No service in Lochluichart Kirk
On Christmas Eve there are three services
come and enjoy the Christmas hymns:
4.30pm Lochluichart
7.00pm Strathconon
11.30pm Contin
Sunday 27th December:
Communion Service in Contin Kirk, 10.45am.
- No service in Lochluichart Kirk
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Rev Fraser Stewart
01997 423296
Announcements
Macmillan Cancer Support:
Enjoying a cuppa at Margo's
The event held at Margo's in September raised the enormous amount of £886 . A huge total, and far exceeds previous years. Thank you over and over to everyone who supported the charity.
Margo & Helen
Roderick Menzies:
Roderick (Rod) Menzies, son of Janette and the late Iain Menzies (Garve), passed away peacefully in Toronto, Canada on Tuesday 13th October 2009.
Thanks from Janette and Uisdean for all the kind thoughts, and cards, received during this sad time.
Apology number One:
Jackie
Apology number Two:
As pointed out by Lady Eliza - the church mentioned in my article two issues ago was NOT Lochluichart church, but Achanalt Church - which was dedicated to Mary Bignold. My apologies for this oversight, I should have paid more attention - after all the ‘clue’ was in the legend accompanying the photograph…
Jackie
Enjoying a cuppa at Margo's
We served over 40 folk on the day, sold lots of raffle tickets, all prizes won locally. The jams, chutney and cards went very quickly. Plus, donations from folk who couldn't attend arrived for some weeks after, and on the day we were helped by so many folk. Thank you all very much!
Margo & Helen
Roderick Menzies:
Roderick (Rod) Menzies, son of Janette and the late Iain Menzies (Garve), passed away peacefully in Toronto, Canada on Tuesday 13th October 2009.
Thanks from Janette and Uisdean for all the kind thoughts, and cards, received during this sad time.
Apology number One:
Sincere apologies to Clan Chief Eddie Smith. In the last newsletter I made an error, and put the wrong name against his photograph, taken at Strathconnon games. I hang my head in shame…
Jackie
Apology number Two:
As pointed out by Lady Eliza - the church mentioned in my article two issues ago was NOT Lochluichart church, but Achanalt Church - which was dedicated to Mary Bignold. My apologies for this oversight, I should have paid more attention - after all the ‘clue’ was in the legend accompanying the photograph…
Jackie
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