Issuu

MAY 2021

THE NEW NORMAL:

WINE TASTING:

PLUS: MONEY MATTERS, HEALTH & BEAUTY, puzzles, and more local features inside!

P30

ith restrictions easing, it’s just wonderful to see local businesses opening again who have been unable to trade for so long. Let’s all support them as much as possible, sticking to the safety rules that will be with us for a while. The cover features an intriguing monument which is not in the local area, but in view of travel allowed again I thought it was interesting to pick something a little further afield. It’s perhaps not enough of a walk to drive especially for, but definitely worth looking up if you’re heading Stirling direction. The Rotary Club of Currie Balerno’s Community Chest is open again for grant applications for local community projects, see page 29. All our usual columns are here from our local contributors covering health & well-being, finance, food, the environment and more. Thanks for reading, for letting me know what you think, and especially thanks for supporting local businesses and organisations.

u can know yo Did you to receive each e subscribissue of Konect e here new Subscrib online? bscribe scot/su konect.

THIS ISSUE Walk: If you like Piña Coladas...........................8 Health: Trigger finger - What can be done?.............................................................18 Wine Tasting: Pairing with scallops.............. 20 Money Matters: Are you passive

or active?.............................................................. 26 Charity: Community Chest.............................. 29 Local Environment: Cruising the ponds...... 30 Puzzles.................................................................. 32 Turning Over a New Leaf: Go Wild!.............. 38 The New Normal: Work from home?

Never!.................................................................... 42

Konect is delivered monthly to homes in Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green, Baberton and Ratho. It is also available online: konect.scot/subscribe

HELEN-JANE

Editor & Manager COVER IMAGE: The Dunmore ‘pineapple’. See our Walk feature on P8. @KonectMagazines

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“IF YOU LIKE PIÑA COLADAS, AND GETTING CAUGHT IN THE RAIN” Well, it’s not quite piña colada, but it is a pineapple and you may well get caught in the rain. Since we can now venture a little further afield, this month we feature a walk near what is described as “the most bizarre building in Scotland.” Within Dunmore Park, near Airth, are gardens maintained by the National Trust for Scotland, the remains of what was Dunmore House (not accessible) ... and an extraordinary stone pineapple. It’s about 40 minutes’ drive from here and clearly signed the “Dunmore Pineapple” from the A905. A track of about a mile takes you to a small car park. Walk through the gates into the walled garden and you are presented with a sloping garden dominated by the huge stone pineapple. The pineapple was built by the 4th Earl of Dunmore, John Murray, most likely on his return from Virginia where he was routed as the last royal governor in 1776 as the American War of Independence kicked off. It stands some 14m high in his walled garden. The walls had a cavity through which hot air was circulated to allow the cultivation of exotic fruit and other plants, protected against the vagaries of the Scottish climate. Lord Dunmore’s son wrote how “hothouse fruit ... was sent every fortnight from Dunmore Park, where my father had no house, but an excellent garden.” Pineapples were seen as a great symbol of wealth in the 18th century, and the folly is perhaps a rather vulgar symbol of the Earl’s wealth, a statement maybe that despite the defeat in America he was back, wealth intact and larger than life. Nonetheless, the detail, design and workmanship is outstanding, with the leaves designed in such a way that they are largely immune from frost damage. The 8 | BALERNO

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architect is unknown and the mystery of the pineapple is enhanced by the complete lack of any references to it in diaries or records from the time. This spot must have been quite special to Lord Dunsmore for him to have conceived of this extraordinary monument here, tucked away on his quiet Scottish estate, a far cry from the subtropical heat and rebellious turbulence of Virginia that he had recently left. Stone bothies either side of the pineapple pavillion, which were built for gardeners, are now holiday cottages available for hire via the Landmark Trust. The mature gardens slope down through

two avenues of trees to a pond which marks the southern boundary. At the top of the garden on the right there is a gate leading to a delightful walk through mature woodlands. There is another walk through a second walled garden, which is being restored, through an avenue of Redwood trees planted by the 4th Earl to celebrate the marriage of his son in 1804. The walk takes you to the ruins of Elphinstone Tower. Verdict: You can bring a picnic and have a pleasant afternoon in a garden that radiates tranquillity, with the pineapple definitely adding a curiosity factor. The walled garden, the pond and the short woodland walks are a delight. One criticism is that the walks are not well sign-posted so it’s easy to accidentally go off piste. Dogs are welcome if kept on a lead. Airth Castle is nearby for those who want lunch, service is subject to coronavirus restrictions so check ahead for latest updates for any nearby cafés or restaurants when planning your trip. This article was contributed by Helen-Jane after visiting the Dunmore “pineapple.” HelenJane is the editor of Konect magazines.

THE EARLS OF DUNMORE

Dunmore’s beautiful The garden’s instigator was the 4th Earl of Dunmore who was walled gardens the last colonial Governor of Virginia. Described as “vain and vexatious” by Patrick Henry, the American founding father, he helped ferment what was already a fraught situation between the native Virginians and their British Colonial rulers. In 1776 he had to flee the colony. However even without anything to govern he still managed to draw his salary until 1783. Previous Earls had been imprisoned in the Tower of London for supporting the Jacobite cause. The 8th Earl was a distinguished soldier who went on to win the VC during the Boer War. The present Earl is a marine contractor and lives in Tasmania. @KonectMagazines

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HEALTH

What can be done to help a TRIGGER FINGER or THUMB? A Trigger Finger is a painful condition that can really affect what we are able to do. I remember an anatomy Professor explaining years ago that, as far as function is concerned, the thumb is half the hand and that the thumb and index finger are 90%.

Anyone with a Trigger Finger or thumb will agree – activities can be really difficult when you cannot reliably bend or straighten a finger. So, what causes this condition, also known as Stenosing Tenosynovitis, and how can we treat it?

We have long tendons that attach the muscles in our forearms to the bones in our fingers so that we can bend or straighten every joint in our hand. These tendons are long cords that run through a protective sheath. If the tendon becomes irritated or damaged it can form a nodule which catches on the sheath, instead of gliding smoothly with movement. The catching or clicking sensation you get with a Trigger Finger is caused by a nodule in the flexor tendon getting caught in the sheath. This can make it difficult to bend and straighten your finger and they may even get stuck in a bent position. The nodule in the tendon may suddenly break free, releasing the finger, like the release of a trigger, so that the finger will straighten. You may be able to feel a sore lump in the palm of your hand at the base of the affected finger which is the nodule in the tendon. This condition is most common between the ages of 40 - 60 and affects more women than men. People with some

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health conditions like Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis and low Thyroid levels can be more prone to developing a Trigger Finger. You may also be more prone to developing this if your job involves repetitive finger and thumb movements such as musicians, farmers and industrial workers. It can be seen in children, often between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, affecting their ability to straighten their thumb. In the case of children, it is rarely painful and often will get better on its own.

A Trigger Finger in adults may get better on its own with rest and medication such as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Physiotherapy advice on the appropriate stretches and strengthening exercises will help the tendon settle and manipulation / massage will help any hand stiffness recover also. Splinting the affected finger at night time can help reduce pain and rest the tendon. If these measures do not help then a steroid injection can be beneficial with a success rate of 75%. If one injection does not quite clear the condition, another can be given. Sometimes though, surgery is needed to remove the nodule and allow the affected finger or thumb to move properly again. A Trigger Finger can be a real nuisance – we need our fingers for so many activities in daily life. It is well worth seeking help – there is much that can be done. The health column is contributed by McNaughton Physiogrange, Edinburgh www.physiogrange.co.uk @KonectMagazines

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BALERNO | 19

WINE TASTING

PAIRING WITH

Scallops

We are fortunate to have access to the freshest and finest Scottish seafood. Scallops are versatile, fun to prepare and exciting to pair wine with. However, it is not always clear which wine to serve with which dish! I have not prepared Ceviche scallops myself, but enjoyed them in a restaurant. Ceviche scallops are raw and lightly cured in citrus juice. Delicate and sweet in flavour they require an equally delicate wine to compliment them. Try Albarino Alba Vega from Spain. Albarino is unoaked, fresh and pairs well with almost all seafood. Seared scallops, cooked with hot, sweet butter served with lightly chilled chardonnay are a beautiful combination. Select chardonnay with a touch of buttery oak to enhance the natural sweetness of the scallop. The rich, round texture of chardonnay works in harmony with the meaty,

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yet tender, texture of the scallop. I recommend The King’s Legacy Chardonnay from Majestic. The wine has a rich and creamy character. Scallops are also delicious when partnered or cooked with pancetta or black pudding. The robust salts, seasoning and fats point us to a red wine. Avoid heavy red with bold tannins; light and delicate is best. Pinot noir or Beaujolais would be perfect, served lightly chilled. Look for Beaujolais, Fleurie La Madone, from Molly’s in Juniper Green. For a real treat, Champagne is the way to go! The bubbles, acidity and rich character are guaranteed to please the palate! Look for a Pol Roger NV Champagne, France. Cheers, Joanne The monthly wine tasting column is contributed by Joanne Frette. Joanne lives in Juniper Green with her 3 children. She is a Sommelier Wine & Spirit Specialist who runs Swirl Sip Socialise, an online wine tasting business which connects friends and family across the UK.

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MONEY MATTERS

ARE YOU PASSIVE OR ACTIVE? Among the many choices to make when it comes to picking investments is what type of fund you want to invest in. The choice between “passive” and “active” funds is strongly debated and there are pros and cons for each. PASSIVE FUNDS are computer controlled. The best-known type are trackers which aim to copy a market index e.g. the FTSE 100. They are cheap to run because the investment process is automated and there is no expert needing paid. Another passive option is the exchange trading funds (ETFs) which are listed on the stock exchange in the same way as shares. You buy shares in the fund and they aim to replicate the performance of the chosen index. Other ETFs target health companies, a big trend in investment now because of the Coronavirus vaccinations and research.

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ACTIVE FUNDS are run by fund managers and their research teams, analysing companies and deciding when to buy them and, probably more importantly, when to sell. However, many studies highlight that there are many managers who are producing sub-par returns. Underperformance is part and parcel of investing because nobody can get things right all the time in all market conditions. While it’s important to keep an eye on the cost, paying more for a fund with excellent returns could turn out a better investment than a cheap fund that offers lower returns. Personal Money Management thinks there is a place for both types of funds. We suggest a split between active and passives ranging between a 40/60, 50/50, 60/40 depending on your risk profile. As always financial advice should be taken before investing in either active or passive funds or both. The Money Matters column is contributed by Personal Money Management. This month’s article is by Dr Peter M Marshall.

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We are opening the again The Chest provides grants of up to £500 to local organisations in the areas listed below for projects seen as of benefit to the local community.

The Chest is administered jointly by the Rotary Club and the Balerno Village Trust (BVT). It currently has an annual budget of £6000 funded by the Rotary Club, BVT and CALA Homes. Applications can be made up to the end of May and November each year for consideration in June and December. Since its introduction the Community Chest has made grants in Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green, Colinton, Kirknewton, Ratho and Wester Hailes and clubs and organisations in those areas are now invited to submit applications with a closing date of end May. Information about the Community Chest and how to apply can be found on the websites of the Rotary Club and the Balerno Village Trust at www.cbrotary.org and www.balernovt.org.uk

Closing date for applications 31st May 2021

This article is contributed by the Rotary Club of Currie Balerno, see www.cbrotary.org @KonectMagazines

BALERNO | 29

LOCAL ENVIRONMENT

Cruising the ponds Sadly, last year the ponds in Wester Inch, Bathgate, lost their resident male swan. He was a great parent and mate to the female, and whilst she did a wonderful job raising their cygnets by herself, it appears she’s moved on this year. Thankfully, we’ve got a new pair of swans and it’ll be lovely to watch them raise their young. The female is roughly 17 years old according to the ring on her leg (these are important for tracking and monitoring population of all bird species) and she’s currently sitting tight on the nest keeping the eggs warm. The male swan is living his best life as he cruises the ponds, doing a bit of grooming, and defending his territory.

doing what any parent does and defending his youngsters from anything deemed a threat.

There’s some greylag geese visiting, and anyone who’s seen him when they’re around will agree that he does not like them one bit. Assuming his defensive posture he powers across the pond, creating quite the wake as he lowers his head back before raising his wings and chasing them off. Swans have a fearsome reputation but they’re really just

This column is contributed by Clare Harte and Kate Stevenson, who grew up in Edinburgh and now live in West Lothian. Together they run Scottish Sisters Photography and travel around the country to watch and photograph amazing wildlife and scenic landscapes. Follow them on Facebook @ScottishSistersPhotography

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This was taken as the sun rose during April, in the perfect conditions for steam fog to rise off the ponds allowing for some backlit photography. With migrant birds arriving all the time, it’s a wonderful time to go out a walk, especially at this time of year as the dawn chorus is in full swing.

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PUZZLES

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TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF

Go Wild!

The UK has lost 97% of its wildlife meadows since the 1930s, according to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. This means a catastrophic decline in sources of nectar for bees and other insects essential for biodiversity and pollinating our fruits and flowers. We can all make a difference by providing these vital food sources in our gardens and outdoor spaces.

ATTRACTING WILDLIFE - Aim to make your garden as attractive to local wildlife as possible. Choose native species of trees and shrubs, as they will attract native birds and insects. Plant fruit trees and bushes or grow your own vegetables and herbs. Their flowers and berries provide food for birds and insects. Before concreting your lawn to eliminate mowing, consider letting the grass grow wild, or cultivating a low-maintenance lawn such as clover or camomile. Instead of building walls or erecting fences, think about planting a hedge to provide habitat for birds and insects. Hedges that flower in Spring and produce berries in Autumn for birds to snack on are particularly beneficial. If possible, leave gaps under hedges and gates for small mammals, especially hedgehogs, to crawl under, providing corridors for wildlife to travel between gardens where they can access food and water.

Consider the needs of birds, which are not so different to our own - food, water and somewhere to raise their young. Introduce feeders, a bird bath and nest boxes. Since introducing all three last year we have a wide variety of regular visitors, including a pair of blue tits nesting in our nest box for the second year running! Ponds attract insects, and in turn birds and 38 | BALERNO

possibly small mammals. Bug hotels provide somewhere for insects to spend the winter and a log pile might attract hedgehogs looking for somewhere to hibernate.

MAINTAINING YOUR GARDEN - For some, gardening is a chore, and the idea of constant mowing, weeding and pruning fills them with horror. If this is you, you are possibly nature’s best friend! Our efforts to maintain a neat garden can damage essential habitat for wildlife. Mowing lawns prevents the growth of wildflowers which could feed bees and other insects. Using weedkillers and other harmful chemicals can be harmful to insects. Try leaving your lawn, or at least part of it, to grow long – it will provide food for insects and give you time to do other things! Finally, introducing a water butt will catch rainwater with which to feed your plants. A compost heap/bin in your garden will turn your uncooked food waste into a free source of compost. In Autumn, rake your leaves and store them to make leaf mulch, another great source of minerals for your garden. Inviting more wildlife into our gardens increases our opportunities to appreciate nature from the comfort of our own homes. Hopefully, this will remind us why it is so important to look after our planet.

This month, please participate in No Mow May and leave your lawn, or part of it, to grow wild. Observe what flowers grow in your lawn and complete Plantlife’s survey, Every Flower Counts ( www.plantlife.org.uk/ everyflowercounts ), between 22-31st May. “Turning Over a New Leaf” is a new column contributed by Jo Johnson, a Balerno resident who aims to share her research and shopping choices each month for manageable steps to a greener life. (Artwork by Nikki Forrest of Memorybox Paintings) For more ideas, follow me on Instagram @anewleaf.balerno

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THE NEW NORMAL

Work from home? Never! Way before coronavirus reared its ugly head, I worked remotely. As a magazine editor, I wrote and edited from the comfort and chaos of my own home for 22 years. Working part-time meant I was available to my kids when they arrived home from school. I liked the efficiency of combining my various roles — pushing the washing machine button and then going to my desk. Or popping something in the oven and then finishing off an article so I could meet a deadline. And I usually did meet deadlines. Being based at home did not negatively affect my work. In fact, it possibly made me more productive.

But over the years friends frequently asked, “Don’t you find it distracting?” Some asked quite silly things such as, “Aren’t you tempted to clean the fridge?” I was forever explaining that I would be much more distracted trying to write in a busy office. And no, I was not at all tempted to clean my fridge. Sometimes people expressed the view that it was preferable for all of the work team to be in the office. That way you could “share ideas when you bump into each other in the corridor”. But, having worked both in offices and from home, I’ve learned that the issue is communication, not geography. You can sit right next to a colleague and still not communicate well if neither of you makes the necessary effort. You can sit at a desk in your bedroom, and use Zoom to interact often and well with co-workers. Maybe it takes more intention, but it works. I already knew that when the first lockdown was declared. So I’ve been watching with interest as more and more employers have discovered — because they’ve had to — that their staff can do their jobs remotely. Those who were 42 | BALERNO

against the idea 10 years ago may now see the benefits. And those who never imagined working outside the office have tasted a healthier work-life balance. My husband and I have learned that we can get along 24/7! Though he’d prefer to be back in the office, he’s adjusted quite well, thanks to his ROUTINE. He gets up early and cycles 20 km, the equivalent of cycling to and from the office. He starts work at the same time as he did pre-Covid, and continues to stop for lunch at 12.30 every day. And, if I’d comply, he would probably eat a tuna baguette five days a week. When lockdowns come to an end many big companies will still not be able to invite their staff back because they don’t have the necessary floor space for social distancing. Others, who have plenty of space, will never again be closed to the idea of remote working. Although I still write from home, I look forward to resuming my part-time job at the library when it re-opens. If everyone else is working from home, I might need somewhere else to go! The New Normal is contributed by Suzanne Green. Suzanne, a freelance writer/editor, lives in Balerno and writes regularly for Konect. She is married to Andy and they have two adult daughters. @KonectMagazines