Konect Balerno February 2019

FEBRUARY 2019

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PLUS: MONEY MATTERS, HEALTH & BEAUTY, CLUBS & CLASSES, and MUCH more inside!

The monthly community magazine for Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green, Baberton & Ratho

THIS ISSUE

TO OUR FEBRUARY EDITION

W

elcome to the first Konect of 2019.

We’re looking forward to another year of celebrating all things local!

To start the year off, David Dick has contributed a very interesting local history article on one of the families who owned the Craiglockhart estate.

Their story is intimately involved with Edinburgh’s medical establishments, not to mention with one of Edinburgh’s most grizzly medical episodes; proving to me that there is something new to learn every month and it keeps me excited and motivated to work on the magazine every month!

It’s well known that by February most new year’s resolutions have been ditched, especially the ones to do with health and fitness. We have a few special features on health and wellbeing by local contributors to help you get back on track, as well as some information about Harmeny Athletics club. And just as extra inspiration, an interview with Currie resident and ex-Balerno HS student Mike Stratford, who is one of very few people on the planet to belong to the Marathon Hall of Fame. Purely co-incidental that we’re featuring him this month as fitness new years resolutions start to fade!

The Grey Horse in Balerno is celebrating the opening of their new function room with a chance for a Konect reader to win a £40 meal voucher, see the competition on page 48. And all our usual columns are here. I hope you enjoy the magazine this month; as ever I’m always happy to get feedback in my inbox.

P15 The Munros of Craiglockhart....................... 8 Sport: Marathon Man..................................13 Health: Why bother exercise?...................12 The Seasonal Touch...................................15 Health & Wellbeing......................................16 Local People: Lynsey Inglis.......................25 Technology...................................................36 Harmeny Athletics.......................................39 Money Matters: end of tax year................14 What’s On......................................................42 Recipe............................................................46 WIN! Grey Horse competition...................48 Puzzles..........................................................50 Clubs & Classes..........................................51

COVER IMAGE: Winter well-being feature starting on p16

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Copies are also left at the library, community centres, convenience stores and various other locations within the area.

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BALERNO | 3

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LOCAL HISTORY

CRAIGLOCKHART ESTATE - THE LAST PRIVATE OWNERS It’s a relatively well-known fact that the body of notorious 18th century bodysnatcher William Burke was dissected at Edinburgh Medical College, in an ironic post-mortem punishment.

It’s less well-known that the surgeon who carried out the dissection was a Dr Alexander Munro, the last private owner of the Craiglockhart Estate. He was reputed to have penned a letter in blood taken from Burke’s brain.

If this makes him sound a grimly fascinating character, the reality apparently was quite different. As a lecturer of anatomy at Edinburgh University, his lectures were so boring that they often degenerated into riots.

Charles Darwin as a youth spent two years at Edinburgh University and described Monro’s lectures ‘as dull as he was himself.’

His disgust was partially due to Monro’s appearance as ‘dishevelled, scruffy and even dirty ... arriving at lectures still bloody from the dissecting room’.

The last of three generations of the famous Monro family of pioneering physicians, Monro Tertius, as he was known, died at Craiglockhart in 1859 and the estate passed into public ownership soon afterwards.

Their story starts with Alexander Monro, primus (1697-1767) who lived in Covenant Close in the High Street of Edinburgh. He was one of the most famous anatomists in the English-speaking world whose brilliant teaching, research and publications attracted students world-wide. His father, John Monro (1670-1740), a military surgeon, had co-founded the Edinburgh Medical School. Alexander studied in the Universities of Edinburgh, London, Paris and Leiden, achieved membership of the Royal College of Physicians and the Incorporation of Surgeons, and was elected Professor of 8 | BALERNO

Anatomy on 29th January 1720 aged only twenty-three. The following year, along with other physicians and surgeons of the newly-founded Medical Society, he raised funds for the establishment of a hospital for the treatment and care of the poor. They rented premises at the head of Robertson’s Close and opened a small establishment.

Monro petitioned the Lord Provost for a new hospital, which was soon opened nearby in what would become Infirmary Street – The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Its Royal Charter was granted by George II in 1736 and patients were admitted from 1741.

At the age of sixty-seven and very ill, Monro primus announced his retirement. His legacy of his published works major included four voluminous books of anatomy running to several editions and fifty-three academic papers. He died in July 1767 and was buried in Greyfriars Churchyard.

His son Alexander Monro secundus (1733-1817) was the one who purchased the Craiglockhart estate in 1773, partly to indulge his passion for horticulture. He planted thousands of native trees across the estate. A medical man like his father and grandfather, Munro secundus proved himself a gifted and influential teacher of anatomy.

Benjamin Rush (1745-1813), the famous American physician and politician, recalling his student days wrote “... in anatomy he is superior perhaps to most men in Europe.

He is a gentleman of great politeness and humanity and much admired by everyone who knows him.” Monro secundus became even more distinguished than his famous

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father not only as a teacher but in his DID YOU KNOW? new discoveries of the anatomy of the brain, the structure and functions of the nervous The name Craig of Loccart system and the brain, the eye and the ear. (later Lockhart) dates to 1278.

Craiglockhart Castle, the remains He was given the honour of laying the foundation stone of the new anatomical lecture of which are in the Craiglockhart theatre on 31st March 1790. The Edinburgh campus of Edinburgh Napier School of Medicine was now the finest in the University, was built by the Loccarts English-speaking world. He attracted students in the fifteenth century. Thomas worldwide doubling the size of his classes with Kincaid had the estate granted 228 students in 1808. to him by James IV in 1505, the After a long and distinguished career he Foulis family in 1609, John Gilmour died of apoplexy on 2nd October 1817 and of Craigmillar in 1661, and the was buried in Greyfriars Churchyard next to Lockharts again in early eighteenth his father. century.

So it was into an arena of high expectations Alexander that Alexander Monro tertius (1773-1859) Monro Prim us stepped. He also went into medicine, studying at Edinburgh University, but failed to match the high standards of his predecessors.

He was appointed joint professor with his father, just as his own father before him had succeeded in this forty-four years before. His promotion in 1800 aged twenty-six and without experience in medical practice appeared premature and undeserved. As Professor of Anatomy he used his father’s and his grandfather’s lecture notes from the start of his teaching career in 1802. He became the sole teacher of anatomy from 1808, but unfortunately because of his poor teaching the reputation of the great Edinburgh Medical School began to deteriorate.

Monro tertius’s competition came from the talented but unfortunate Dr Robert Knox (1791-1862) whose reputation was marred through his dealings with the infamous body snatchers, Burke and Hare. Thus when Alexander Monro William Burke was hanged for murder on SMD, FRS 28th January 1829, Munro was the surgeon secundus MD, FR who carried out the dissection.

He retired from his professorship in 1846 aged seventy-three and died on 10th March 1859 at his estate in Craiglockhart. He was buried in Dean Cemetery, bringing an end to the 126-year reign of the Monros over the great Medical School of Edinburgh and the almost 100 year ownership of the Craiglockhart estate.

Professor Alexan der Monro tertius This article was contributed by David Dick. @KonectMagazines

BALERNO | 9

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MARATHON MAN March 1981: fit from football, I was well into my training for the first-ever London marathon. 20,000 applied and I was 1 of the lucky 6,747 accepted. Then disaster struck; both Achilles’ tendons groaned under the workload. I went to see my teammate, a lightning-quick right winger, who happened to be club doctor for Everton FC, having succeeded his Dad. “Whoa, come and feel this crep! (crepitus),” he bellowed across the Bellefield treatment room to Mac, the Club physio. Mac was well impressed.

“Take these. You will be ok”, Ian said, handing me a prescription. Well, as he wouldn’t tell me what the tablets were and I hated taking medicaments (times have changed!) I missed the marathon my greatest sporting regret. I only ever ran a half marathon -1 hour 38 minutes, Cheltenham 1983, alongside (till he retired after one mile and three cans of beer) the immortal National Hunt jockey, Terry Biddlecombe.

Terry later faced his alcoholism, in 1995 married legendary National Hunt trainer, Henrietta Knight, (qv), and they enjoyed a mutually supportive and successful evening of life together till Terry’s death in January 2014.

Contrast my puny effort with those of the mighty Major Marathon Man, Currie resident Mike Stratford, aged 41.

Ex-Balerno High School pupil Mike started dedicated running after his GP decreed “No more football or hockey”, as Mike had a serious sight problem that could have been exacerbated by contact sport.

Not a man to do things by halves, Mike has since logged a staggering (running!) total of 16 marathons and 40+ half marathons. His average time for 26 miles 385 yards is about 3 hours compared with an average time for amateur allcomers of 4 hours 30 minutes worldwide.

He ran his PB of 2 hours 55 minutes in Tokyo, February 2018, despite having been kept awake @KonectMagazines

most of the previous night by a snoring roommate, who somehow survived!

Inspired by his idol Eliud Kipchoge, (world record holder), Mike boasts an enviable CV entry - the rare completion of the sextuplet Abbott World Marathon Majors, the foremost in the world: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and NYC. As a result, along with just a couple of thousand others, Mike has been inducted into the Marathon Hall of Fame and proudly displays his medal and certificate acclaiming this awesome achievement.

“My wife Ele and sons Callum, aged 9 and Theo, aged 8, have been my rock. Without their constant and selfless support, I’d have got nowhere,” Mike tells me. “We also have plenty of fun together, like the time Callum ran the finishing straight with me at Strathearn; torrential rain so he was running in wellies, which prevented me beating 3 hours by just 11 seconds. Worth it though!”

The next target is the Berlin marathon 2019 with brother Allan, aged 39, who has also completed three London marathons and an Ironman! Two tough hombres!

Mike tries to tell me his days of serious, competitive running are done. Yep and one day they might build a wall between Mexico and the USA or Everton might win the Premier League! Lol! The sports column is contributed by David Levin. David is a Liverpudlian living in West Lothian, and describes himself as a writer, sportsman, patriarch and dreamer.

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THE SEASONAL TOUCH

It’s - time to spread the love!

Despite being the shortest month of the year, February can often be a real slog.

The joyful, festive feelings around Christmas and New Year have dwindled and spring can still seem so far away. As we spend most of our time indoors at this time of year, we’re relying on our home more than ever to lift our spirits and bring us some much needed cheer while we navigate the bleak depths of mid-winter.

Why not inject a little charm around the house this month in honour of St Valentine? How about adding a few touches here and there in celebration of all things LOVE? I mean, love makes the world go round, right? It doesn’t have to be a celebration of romantic love either. It could just be love for your home, your family and a general love of life!

The easiest way to add a nod to St Valentine to your home decor this February is to add one or two accessories with a heart or ‘love’ design. It’s a popular theme and relatively easy to find suitable options in most homeware departments. It could be a heart or ‘love’ motif cushion or throw to bring an accent of amour to your sitting area. As it’s often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home, it’s a great spot to celebrate by adding a couple of seasonal mugs, a tea towel perhaps or even a cute little jug in keeping with your ‘love’ theme. @KonectMagazines

Look out for pretty little heart shaped dishes you could display this month too, possibly containing some suitably themed sweet treats - love hearts anyone?

Then you’ll definitely be feeling the love from your family!

I’m sure you’ll want your guests to ‘feel the love’ as soon as they walk through your front door.

How about adding a little decor tree, with some hanging hearts, to your hall table.

Come spring, you could switch out the hearts for Easter eggs, halloween decorations come October - get the picture?

Why not get crafty? If craft is your thing then check out somewhere like Hobbycraft or The Range for supplies and create something truly unique. Let your imagination run free!

February needn’t be a drudge. How will you add a touch of the season to your home this month?

Lynn McMurray - Enthusiast of all things ‘home’ and owner at The Seasonal Touch. www.theseasonaltouch.co.uk BALERNO | 15

FEBRUARY HEALTH & WELL-BEING

Start addressing your energy drains now for a better 2019 Many people want to make positive change, but positivity and plans quickly disintegrate as the old energy drains kick in and you’re unable to make progress.

Here are just some of the energy drains that may be holding you back.

1. Stuff

If you don’t feel completely at peace in your personal space, it’s time to make a change.

Less really is more. If you get rid of stuff, you get more space.

It’s time to have a house overhaul and get rid of anything that no longer serves your new purpose. Keep only the things that have real daily meaning to you.

Struggling to get motivated? Start a clearing circle – a group of people that all want to achieve the same goal, and make arrangements to help each other clear the clutter. Throw in a bottle of wine and some snacks and you’ve turned into a fun opportunity to catch up and discuss what you’re going to do with all this space you’re creating!

2. Financial

Most financial advice focuses on your ‘variable’ costs i.e. get rid of your daily coffee and it will change your life. But real change happens when you address your fixed costs – the monthly ones that keep you stuck in the same cycle. Every pound saved is a pound earned; every pound is earned through the exchange of your ‘life energy.’

Mortgage/rent, car loans, other loans, gas/ electricity, phones, TV etc. The higher your fixed costs, the more life energy you need to exchange to pay for them. Examine what you really need to live the life you want.

Most of our lives is habit, you may need to try living without something to really know if you need it.

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3. Relationships

There’s a high chance you have relationships that leave you feeling mentally and physically drained. Relationships are difficult to change – you either need to adjust the interactions you have with people, or walk away. It might be that you’ve fallen into unhealthy habits with someone, and they may find it a relief to change too.

The saying ‘be the change you want to see’ is relevant here – if you can see you’re both in unhealthy patterns, be the person willing to speak with love and make changes. If the other person isn’t ready to change, you may need to make a decision on whether that relationship is something you want to continue with.

4. Health

Sickness, anxiety, depression – we can feel trapped if we don’t feel able to make changes. Address your health issues. Ask yourself: am I making myself sick? Is my lifestyle supporting good health? Do I want to get better?

Not all health complaints may be curable, but you can choose how you live with it. If it’s part of your life, you need to adjust to accommodate it.

It may take real commitment, and time to discover what works for you.

The life coaching column is contributed

by Erica Douglas. Erica is a Cognitive Coach & Therapist. See her “LifeHeal” facebook page at www.facebook.com/ LifeHealCoaching @KonectMagazines

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FEBRUARY HEALTH & WELL-BEING

Why Bother to Exercise?

Exercise, my Granny told me, is good for me. However, I learnt from an early age that I wouldn’t always like what my Granny told me was good for me, broccoli being the perfect example. Granny was right, though, as research shows that exercise has many benefits for both our health and happiness.

ARTHRITIS - This is a painful condition that we Physiotherapists see a lot of, particularly of the hip or knee joint. Exercise is a great way of managing this condition as building up the muscles around the affected joints with resistance training has been shown to reduce pain and improve function.

CANCER - Cancer is major health problem and a concern for many people but exercise can help prevent cancer. A Canadian research team reviewed the available literature on cancer prevention and summarized the findings of more than 100 research projects.

They concluded that routine physical activity is associated with reductions in the incidence of specific cancers, in particular bowel cancer and breast cancer OUR IMMUNE SYSTEM - Exercise can help prevent us from catching a cold or the ‘flu as exercise elevates the level of immunoglobulins, which are proteins that help bolster our immune system and ward off infection. This effect will last for about 24 hours after each exercise session.

OUR MOOD - Exercise triggers our brain to release chemicals such as Serotonin and Dopamine which can make us feel better by lifting our mood and making us feel more relaxed. Even just a brisk 30 minute walk can reduce stress. Exercise also can help us fall asleep more quickly and help us have a deeper and more restful sleep.

There is evidence that, in some cases, exercise is just as good as antidepressant medication in treating depression.

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HOW MUCH DO WE NEED TO DO? Current guidelines suggest that adults should aim to be active daily and that over a week this activity should add up to 150 minutes of moderate activity in bouts of 10 minutes or more. Moderate activity will cause you to get warmer, breathe harder, your heart will beat faster but you should still be able to carry on a conversation.

It is also important that we strengthen muscles and not just concentrate on exercising our cardiovascular system so guidelines suggest that we undertake physical activities to strengthen muscles twice a week which would include exercise with weights. This may include carrying grocery bags, housework and gardening.

There is no doubt that exercise will make us healthier, happier and help us live longer and, more importantly, to live longer with less disability and illness. To have the best chance of living a long and healthy life, all we need to do is find activities that we enjoy doing and keep doing them.

Walk, swim, cycle, run; do Pilates, Yoga, or gym classes; go dancing, climbing or take the dog for a walk. Do whatever activity you enjoy. You will be happier and healthier both now, and in the future. Something well worth aiming for!

The health column is contributed by McNaughton Physiogrange, Edinburgh www.physiogrange.co.uk

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PHOTO CREDIT: Suzann

e Green

LOCAL PEOPLE

Lynsey Inglis:

“I’ve found the perfect place to work” Balerno resident Lynsey Inglis is Manager Lynsey at The Mill of the Mill at St Joseph’s, a café “run by the community, for the community, at the heart of the community”. She and her partner, Ewan, have one child, Lewis – and Maurice the cat completes the family.

Lynsey Inglis spent her early childhood in Thurso, before her family moved to St Andrews. “I did catering when I left school,” she says. “And I worked at the Sea Life Centre in St Andrews.

Working in the café and shop were both good learning experiences – and once I even got to wear the Sammy the Seal outfit!”

At age 21 she was off to France to take up a position as an au pair. “I had a three-year-old and a nine-month-old to look after,” she says, “and that’s a lot of responsibility when you’re that young.”

When she returned to the UK, Lynsey moved to Edinburgh and worked in hotels, gaining further experience in catering. She also learned the housekeeping side and became an Assistant Manager.

She met Ewan, and they’ve been together 16 years. When their son was three, they moved to Balerno, drawn by the big open spaces and community feel. “I took time out to be home with Lewis,” says Lynsey. “But when he was seven I began looking for a job.

“I was volunteering at Dean Park Primary School when another parent helper told me about opportunities at the Mill Café. So two years ago I applied for and got the job of Manager – and I’ve never looked back!”

Established in 2012 by Balerno Parish Church, the Mill at St Joseph’s offers a warm welcome.

It is staffed by volunteers, who also prepare the toasties, soups, filled baked potatoes and cakes on the menu. There’s a family atmosphere and customers range from mums with newborns to the @KonectMagazines

elderly. After costs are covered, any surplus funds go to charity – last year £500 was donated to each of three different charities.

Lynsey aims to ensure that what’s on offer is delicious and good value. In 2016 the café was awarded the Eat Safe certificate for its high standards in hygiene. Food allergies and dietary requirements are catered for, and there is support for Fair Trade.

Currently the Mill is looking for more volunteers.

“No experience is necessary,” says Lynsey. “We welcome people with spare time, people who need to gain confidence to go back to work, those who want to learn new things, and newcomers to the community. Building friendships is a big attraction of this role.”

Lynsey loves forming relationships with regulars and meeting new people. “It’s wonderful to watch the babies grow and develop,” she says. “The Mill is so much more than a café.

“I’ve found the perfect place to work, and I’m happy every day. We’re reaching out to our community … in a way that enriches people’s lives.”

For more information about the café or volunteering, contact Lynsey at: themillatstjosephs@gmail.com The Local People column 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.

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TECHNOLOGY

If human beings were any good at keeping New Year’s resolutions, the gyms would be full to bursting and the streets full of joggers all year round, not just for the first few weeks.

Tech can’t transform you from couch potato to body beautiful, but it can keep you focused on the goal. The good news is that you might already have most of what you need in your smartphone.

Many modern smartphones contain the sensors to track all kinds of exercise apart from (obviously) swimming. If your device has GPS it can track your running or cycling, but even if it doesn’t it can usually track your steps and distance. In some cases they can also track your elevation and tell you how many flights of stairs you’ve climbed.

Both Apple and Google have their own fitness tracking apps in the form of Activity and Google Fit respectively, but some of the best fitness tracking apps are by third parties. Nike Training Club is a great workout app, while Runkeeper and Strava are brilliant.

It’s not just about exercising, of course.

Healthy eating can make a big difference to your energy levels and your body shape.

MyFitnessPal enables you to track what your food intake to get an insight into your personal nutrition. The app is free, although some of its more advanced features require a monthly subscription. That’s something to check with health and fitness apps generally: apps that appear to be free are

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often very limited in what they can do, and some subscription plans are frighteningly expensive.

If you do decide to get some hardware, even that needn’t cost a fortune. Yes, the latest Apple Watch is pretty expensive at £399-plus, but you can get a perfectly good runner’s watch like the TomTom Runner 3 or Garmin Forerunner 35 for about £99; if all you want to track is your heart rate, you can get a heart rate monitoring watch from Decathlon for £15.99. Even GPS watches are much more affordable: the Kalenji Onmove 220 GPS Watch is currently £69.99.

Don’t forget the second-hand market, either. At the time of writing you could get an Apple Watch Series 3 GPS Nike+ watch, a great smartwatch, for £229.99 on eBay. That’s a pretty good discount on the usual RRP of £359.

If you do have a smartwatch, there are some excellent fitness apps for those too.

The Apple Watch is particularly blessed with endless activity trackers. We like Carrot Fit, which is available for iPhone as well as Apple Watch. Unusually where other apps offer positive reinforcement, Carrot is bad-tempered, judgmental and deliberately offensive. If you have a dark sense of humour though it’s a lot of fun.

@KonectMagazines

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BALERNO | 37

Painting & Decoration Services

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David J Lane m ng ni

01506 336446 07787 597382

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@KonectMagazines

Our athletes at the Musselburgh 10k

Harmeny Athletic Club is an established running club based in Balerno.

Currently there are 157 adult members and 160 juniors, ranging from the youngest member who is 7 years old to the oldest member who still loves competing at the age of 76!

The club strive to ensure all athletes enjoy their participation in the sport and have opportunities to improve.

The Juniors train Monday to Thursday, under the guidance of a number of qualified coaches and have recently joined the Scottish Athletics Indoor League. There are a range of other races for juniors to participate in, whether these being national, local or open events.

The adults combine faster speed work at Bruntsfield Links and Saughton athletics track on a weekly basis, plus provide more social runs on Wednesday evenings and Friday mornings, along with a run in the Pentlands on a Sunday morning. The club aim to provide a platform for all abilities.

Over the course of 2018, adults competed in 190 races from one mile to 100 mile races, not only the length and breadth of the UK, but also as far afield as Nepal, Morocco, USA, Canada and throughout Europe. Club athletes have made the podium at some of these events, either @KonectMagazines

overall or in their age category, however, many simply enjoy participating and reaching their own individual goals, which the club celebrate in equal measure. The club also organise two races throughout the calendar year, the 7 Reservoirs Half Marathon in December and as part of gala week celebrations, the 6 Mile Rigg Race in May. The annual awards night takes place in February and a foreign trip is planned for the autumn.

The club also organise Jog Scotland programmes, welcoming those new to running with a specifically designed programme to run 5km after 12 weeks of training.

The club will provide a warm welcome to runners from all backgrounds and of all abilities, and anyone interested in membership will find out more information at www.harmenyac.org This article was contributed by Darren Cavaroli, Vice Chairman of the Club.

BALERNO | 39

Alexander Aitken Plastering 51 Dolphin Rd, Currie Call Sandy

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Plaster work, rough casting, ceramic tiling & general maintenance

Currievale

Plumbing & Drainage Services Emergency call outs Professional & reliable local plumber Family business, over 15 yrs experience No job too small All work guaranteed Call Alexander:

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Please contact us if you would like your business included in our Home Improvements pages.

Contact details are on page 3.

40 | BALERNO

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MONEY MATTERS

END OF YEAR TAX PLANNING From a tax point of view March is the most important month as it offers many tax opportunities which if not taken will be lost.

Independent Tax Planning: Where one spouse pays a lower rate of tax it can be tax beneficial to transfer investments to the lower tax paying spouse to save income tax. Even better, if one spouse is a non-tax payer and the other is a basic taxpayer then the non-tax payer can transfer 10% of their personal allowance to their spouse.

Tax Efficient Investments: With the current relatively high rates of income tax and capital gains tax, it is important for people to invest in the most tax efficient way. Everyone 16 years old and over can take out an Individual Savings Account (ISA). This is one of the best methods of investing and saving with

@KonectMagazines

freedom from income tax and capital gains tax, but to still have access to your money.

For this tax year the annual ISA allowance is £20,000. In addition, you can now transfer from an investment ISA to a cash ISA and vice versa. If you do not use your ISA allowance it cannot be carried forward to a future tax year. Unfortunately, interest rates are at an all-time low and hence a cash ISA may not be appropriate at this time.

Pensions: If you pay tax at 40%, any pension contribution will attract tax relief at 40% i.e. if you put in £60 the government will add another £40 giving you a 67% return. Even for a basic tax payer the government will add £10 for every £40 you contribute, a return of 25%. Nowhere else can you get a guaranteed return rate at this level.

The Money Matters column is contributed by Personal Money Matters. This month’s column

by Dr Peter Marshall.

BALERNO | 41

WHAT’S ON

DON’T GET

LEFT BEHIND THIS YEAR...

WEDNESDAY 6TH FEBRUARY

Rotary Young Musician Competition 2019 The Area Final will be held at Heriot Watt University (Lecture Theatre 4) at 7pm on Wednesday 6 February. Everyone is welcome to enjoy a great evening and help to create a special sense of occasion for the young musicians. £5 gets you admission and refreshments.

EVERY TUESDAY RBS Mobile Bank

The RBS mobile van stops at:

• Balerno Scotmid 11:50-12:20 • Currie Library 13:35-14:05 • Juniper Green Iceland 14:20-14:50

Contact us to be included in Konect magazines.

Reach up to 53,500 households in West Lothian & West Edinburgh

konect

Our contact details are on page 3

This service is for RBS customers to make cash deposits, withdrawals, bill payments and administer their accounts. It is not a full substitute for a branch but is still useful. For the best chance of it continuing please use it as often as possible. Recent improvements include better access for disabled customers and a new approach for those in wheelchairs. If you are yet to use the service, try it out next time it is in your village.

WANT TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT HERE? COMMUNITY AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT LISTINGS ARE FREE OF CHARGE. EMAIL EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT BY 15TH OF THE MONTH FOR FOLLOWING MONTH’S ISSUE.

42 | BALERNO

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BALERNO | 43

BUSTER THE DOG

February

Christmas is now very much a thing of the past, and whilst February may usually be a quieter month on the events calendar, there’s still plenty to see and do right across West Lothian.

Linlithgow Arts Guilds programme of music events will be continuing throughout the month, with Adam Walker coming to Linlithgow Academy on Saturday 9th. Tickets are just £12 for an adult so don’t miss out.

The highly anticipated Mary Queen of Scot’s has also recently been released. Mary was born in Linlithgow Palace in 1542; why not re-visit the story of how she came to power with the new film? The film, featuring Margot Robbie, has already received three awards nominations so is sure to be a hit.

Sticking to the Mary Queen of Scots theme, a recent addition to the Linlithgow High Street, eeek! Escape Rooms, opened last month.

Their first room, the Blunt Axe, has already proven popular. To succeed, you need to travel back in time to change the past to prevent the demise of society caused by Mary’s death. The escape room is not just perfect way to escape the cold weather, but also a fun way to change the course of history.

In Livingston, at Howden Park Centre, Craig Hill’s popular show “C’mon the Lads” will be taking place on the weekend of the 8 to 9th. Hot on the heels of his latest sell-out tour, our very favourite kilted comedian shoots back and scores with a night full of fun. Tickets are available through the Howden Park Centre website.

Our new website has recently launched, making it even easier to find and submit your own events. You can visit this through www.visitwestlothian.co.uk – and why not sign up for our newsletter to be kept up-to-date with all the latest goings on across the area?

Follow us on social media to stay up to date with the latest attraction information: www.facebook.com/VisitWestLothian www.twitter.com/SeeWestLothian www.instagram.com/VisitWestLothian 44 | BALERNO

DOG DAYCARE & HOME BOARDING

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HAPPY SCAMPERS

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0131 451 5111

• 100% Small animal practice • Modern surgical, medical, x-ray laboratory and dental facilities • 24 Hour Emergency Service 5 Riccarton Mains Rd, Currie, EH14 5PX

0131 477 1167 Fully stocked & fully trained professional Locksmiths 24 hours a day www.1stcall-locksmiths.com

Ratho Auto Services Servicing, Diagnostics, Tyres, Pre-Purchase Checks, Sales John Plimmer

Auto Technician

0131 333 5353 07784 537356

Free Collection & Delivery Service MOTs arranged 73 Station Road, Ratho Station, EH28 8OP

Max's Garage Doors Ltd Garage Doors Electric Motors UPVC Side Doors

For all Installations repairs and services

Tel. 07821 984 978

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Servicing on all makes and models of vehicles from just £99

Call 0131 449 2139

for service you can trust • MOT VOSA green traffic light test station • Budget, midrange or premium tyres fitted • Brakes, exhausts and repairs

Balerno Garage 8 Deanpark Brae, Balerno EH14 7DZ @KonectMagazines

BALERNO | 45

FOOD & DRINK

The perfect sweet treat

These delicious individual hot lemon puddings are the perfect sweet treat after a hearty winter supper or Sunday lunch.

Ingredients:

• 100g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing • 175g golden caster sugar • Zest and juice of 2 large lemons (you will need about 120ml lemon juice) • 4 medium eggs, separated • 75g plain flour • 130ml milk • 2 tbsp flaked almonds • Icing sugar, for dusting

Tip:

These puddings will form a lovely layer of thick lemon custard under the sponge topping so take care not to overcook them. They will still have a slight wobble in the centre.

46 | BALERNO

Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas mark 4.

Grease six 175ml ovenproof ramekin dishes with butter.

2. Beat the butter and sugar together in a large bowl until pale and creamy. Beat in the lemon zest then beat in the egg yolks, one at a time. Sift over half the plain flour and fold in, then fold in the lemon juice and milk. Sift over the rest of the flour and fold in. Gradually fold the egg whites into the mixture.

3. Divide the mixture evenly between the prepared ramekin dishes and sprinkle over the flaked almonds. Place the dishes in a large roasting tin and pour in enough hot water to come halfway up the sides of the dishes. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden on top. Serve immediately, dusted with icing sugar.

Serves 6 | Ready in 40 mins @KonectMagazines

@KonectMagazines

BALERNO | 47

WIN! A

To celebrate the completion of the function room, the Grey Horse are offering Konect readers the chance to win a £40 meal voucher. To enter the draw, simply answer the following question: How many guests in total can the Grey Horse function room cater for?

Email your answer, along with your name and postcode, to win@konect.scot A unique new facility for the Balerno area is all-singing, all-dancing at The Grey Horse in Balerno.

At the heart of the village since it was built around 1850, the pub now has a new extension with everything you would expect from a fully equipped modern function room.

It is a fantastic party and modern event facility in the atmospheric setting of the historic inn.

After much hard work and stress to bring their vision for it into reality, owners Paul and Jane are delighted to be taking bookings for the new function room. It was well and truly warmed up for the Grey Horse Hogmanay Party, kicking off 2019 in the way they mean to go on! With capacity for 70 guests seated, and overflow space in a semi-separate lounge area, they can cater for up to 100 guests in total.

“We wanted it to be a flexible space that can be used for everything, from our live music nights, informal parties and buffets, through to weddings and business conferences,” says Jane. The room has a high cathedral ceiling from which stunning feature lights hang (a wonderful find by Jane), giving the space an open and elegant feel and making it suitable for weddings and formal occasions. It has its own bar within the room, built-in sound system for concerts and entertainment, as well as big screen and projector making it ideal for business meetings 48 | BALERNO

Closing date for entries 20th February 2019. Winner will be chosen at random after the closing date and informed via the email address used to enter.

and conferences too. All events can be fully catered.

Catering starts at £9.95 per person for a finger buffet; three course seated meals are also available.

“We can recommend a local DJ who we work with, or you bring your own band,” says Paul.

The Grey Horse hosts monthly live music nights with Andy Chung, and offers food including bar meals, coffees and cakes, evening dinners and Sunday Roasts. With the function room now up and running, they are working on revamping the beer garden and hope to open it in time for summer.

At the heart of the village, the Grey Horse offers something for everyone. Come on down!

@KonectMagazines

PHOTO CREDIT: Nigel Duncan Media

meal voucher up to the value of £40!

@KonectMagazines

BALERNO | 49

PUZZLES

SUDOKU

Sudoku Solution on Page 53.

CROSSWORD

Solution in the March edition of Konect BRIDGE COLUMN

CHANGE PARTNERS On a recent bridge holiday, I encountered someone I’ll call Nigel McNumpty.

Initially I felt some sympathy for Nigel. If single, like me, you generally take pot luck on partners. Nigel, alas, got paired with a lady who made her displeasure very clear very quickly.

She wanted the organisers to pair her with someone up to her exalted standards. Second evening, after a reshuffle, I was lumbered with McNumpty.

I had some half-baked theory that, in bridge, you should exhibit the sang froid of an upper-class English hero combined with the inscrutable expression of a Chinese poker player. This noble intention was quickly tested to breaking point when McNumpty landed me in a 5D contract and proudly laid out his hand showing one miserable small diamond.

After a while I was half-expecting McNumpty to 50 | BALERNO

ACROSS: 1. Chewing (6), 4. Acquiesced (6), 9. Garbage (7), 10. Religious images (5), 11. Points on a saw (5), 12. Rising (7), 13. Impersonations (11), 18. Evolve, mature (7), 20. First-rate (5), 22. Arm joint (5), 23. To carry out, to perform (7), 24. Robin red-_____ (6), 25. Modifies for purpose (6) DOWN: 1. Explodes, pops (6), 2. Item of furniture (5), 3. Not that or this (7) ,5. Sorrow, sadness (5), 6. Wearing away (7), 7. Blueprint (6), 8. Deep thinker (11), 14. Mobile, transportable (7), 15. Alternatively (7), 16. Word describing an action (6), 17. Crawls, inches (6), 19. Grassy gardens (5), 21. Rotund (5)

follow one card with another of the same rank and shout: “Snap!”

I could see the director striding purposefully towards our table, at one point, and thought maybe he was suspending proceedings the way a referee might stop a boxing match to prevent irreversible brain damage. “Too late,” I felt like saying, “That ship has sailed. You might as well switch the machine off.”

At our post-mortem next morning McNumpty offered to provide the cards. To be fair, the packet he’d bought in a nearby gift shop did look superficially like regular cards. But a nagging fear began to plague me.

Was I about the renew my acquaintance with Mrs Bun the Baker’s Wife? No. Worse. He ripped open the box and out slid a bar of soap.

The Bridge Column is contributed by John Samson John is a member of the Pentland and Balerno Bridge Clubs @KonectMagazines

CLUBS & CLASSES

SPORTS, HOBBIES, LEARNING, SUPPORT GROUPS & MORE...

BALERNO YOUNG@HEART For older people in Balerno, Currie and Juniper Green.

We meet at 10am on a Tuesday at the Ogston Hall, St Joseph’s centre, Main St, Balerno for some gentle exercises then tea and coffee break.

We then have various activities.

Cost £2 per week for the tea and coffee break and £15 a year for membership, paid in 2 instalments.

For more information please contact Mary Laing on 0131 449 3523 or email me on yackadoo@hotmail. co.uk for more information.

BALERNO PARISH CHURCH Come and be part of the heart of the community which meets every Sunday at 10 am in the Main street www.balernochurch.org.uk

HAILES SWIMMING CLUB Galas, coaching and development lessons for 7-15 year olds at Balerno, Currie, and Forrester pools. For further details contact membership@ hailesswimclub.co.uk

ST MUNGO’S BALERNO Come be part of our vibrant church community which meets every Sunday, 10.30am @ Balerno High School www.stmungos.org PIYO LIVE! Pilates + Yoga + Nonstop movement. Stretch, Strengthen & Sweat all in one workout! Tues 9am in Balerno Scout Hall and Thurs 8pm in Balerno Community Centre.

Contact Heidi on 07982 205111 or heidi.instructor@gmail.com WILDFIRE EXPLORER SCOUTS Meet in Balerno High School.

Fridays 7.15 - 9.15pm. 14 – 18yrs.

Contact: Gordon Simpson 0131 477 3116. Email leaders@wildfireexplorers.org.uk BALERNO MONDAY CLUB Non-denominational club for over 55s. Our meetings are held in St Joseph’s Centre at Balerno Parish Church at 2pm on the first and third Mondays of the month from September to May. Different speakers, activities and outings each session, please contact the Club for syllabus details.

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51ST PENTLAND SCOUTS (BALERNO) Beavers, Cubs, Scouts Various evenings, Balerno Scout Hall. Contact John Henderson on 07941 637262 CURRIE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB Malleny Park - Minis (P1-7) Sundays 10.30am - 12pm. Contact 0131 449 2432 www.currierugby.org PENTLAND CALEDONIA PIPES AND DRUMS Balerno Community Centre - Every Friday 7pm-9.30pm.

New members welcome. Free tuition on pipes or drums Phone 0131 4495133.

BALERNO VILLAGE NURSERY Balerno Community Centre Available 8am - 6pm, 5 days a week. Preschool play from age 2 years. Breakfast / Afterschool Club up to 8 years. Full or part time childcare . Call 0131 451 5756 BALERNO FOOTSTEPS 4 FITNESS Mondays 10am at Balerno High School Riverside Café. Alternative Thursdays 10am at Balerno High School Riverside Café - Alternative Fridays 10am at Balerno Parish Church Hall - Contact 0131 449 2101.

SLIMMING WORLD ❤ ❤ ❤ Lose weight eating the most delicious food - yes you can! Classes at Balerno Bowling club, Thursdays 5.30pm. Contact Denise on 07934 823024.

PENTLAND ART CLUB Meet at Balerno High School Art Room - Every Thursday 7.30-9.30pm Demonstrations, speakers, work evenings; All mediums; New members welcome. Please contact E Thomson on 0131 333 4662.

PENTLAND FLOWER CLUB Drama Studio, Balerno High School.

First Friday of the month at 7pm (excluding January, February, July and August); Visitors and new members are always welcome.

Contact Lis Daly on 0131 442 2146.

CHILDREN’S SWIM SCHEME Balerno High School. Tues, Wed and Fri pm; Sat and Sun am. Contact Balerno Community Education Office 0131 477 7733 for more info.

COMPASS PLAYGROUP Dean Park Primary Pre-School Centre.

2-5 years, wide variety of activities.

Mon to Fri (school term time only)

8:55-11.40am. Early Drop Off, Lunch Club and Transfer Service to Dean Park Nursery. Afternoon sessions available for Pre-school children.

Call 0131 449 4530 (during opening hours) for more information, or email info@compassplaygroup.com BALERNO BABY AND TODDLER GROUP Balerno Parish Church Hall. 3 Johnsburn Road, Balerno, EH14 7DN. For children 0-5 years and their carers. Term-time Thursdays 9.30 - 11.30am.

BALERNO PARISH CHURCH GUILD Balerno Parish Church New Hall. First and third Wednesdays (commencing October) at 7.30pm.

Varied syllabus with many interesting speakers; Tea/coffee is served at the end of the meeting. New members and visitors warmly welcomed BALERNO FOLK CLUB Held on the last Tuesday of each month in Balerno Bowling Club . Doors open 8pm; Evening begins 8.20pm; Guest artist on stage at 8.30pm; Members and guests welcome. For further info contact Morag Dunbar on 0131 449 5014 or John Stirling on 0131 449 3456.

BALERNO SWI Balerno Community Centre 7.30pm. First Tuesday of every month (except July & August).

We usually have a speaker but we also have “in house” evenings; There is usually some business to be discussed and we enjoy a “cuppa” whilst chatting; New members or visitors welcome, just come along MINIS @ST MUNGO’S Group for babies and toddlers with their carers on term time. Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10 - 11.30am in St Mungo’s church building, Ladycroft, Balerno; All welcome. For more information see www.stmungos.org IN THE DITCH QUILTERS Balerno Community Centre. Monthly workshops covering different quilting topics, third Wednesday of the month from 7:15pm. Annual membership £24.00. Contact Maureen Murray on 0131 336 0053 for further details.

GIRLGUIDING Rainbows on Monday evenings. Full information and meeting times can be obtained from Edinburgh Head Quarters on 0131 225 4154.

BALERNO | 51

BALERNO ...cont.

PALM CAFÉ St Jospeh’s Centre, last Tues of the month 2.30pm4pm. A social group cafe for people with dementia and their carers, for informal support and information.

Serving the communities of Balerno, Juniper Green and Currie. For more information contact Kay Latimer 0131 449 6186 or email kaylatimer@btopenworld.com BALERNO PARISH CHURCH Come and join us for regular all age worship on Sunday mornings at 10am followed by refreshments in St Joseph’s. Check www. balernochurch.org.uk for all other events and worship information.

THE MILL CAFÉ A community café run mainly by volunteers in the St Joseph’s Centre at the heart of Balerno. Open Tuesday-Friday 9.30am-2.00pm serving teas, coffees, homebaking and snack lunches. (Times may vary during school holidays)

CURRIE NEW DEPEVAK EXPLORER SCOUT UNIT 45 Lanark Road West, Currie, Wednesday 7.15 – 9.15pm NEW IRISH DANCING Currie High School, Fridays 5.30pm.

Come and try a free class at our beginners group. For boys and girls from age 3. Contact Audrey 07952 159227 Fallon Academy of Irish Dance for more info.

SLIMMING WORLD Lose weight without feeling hungry.

Come and join us every Wednesday at 7:30pm in Currie Community Centre. Contact Kim 07921 380711 or kimkenny2011@gmail.com HAILES SWIMMING CLUB Galas, coaching and development lessons for 7-15 year olds at Balerno, Currie, and Forrester pools. For further details contact membership@ hailesswimclub.co.uk CURRIE COMMUNITY CENTRE Various activities and facilities: Nursery, Football, After-school care, ballet, dog training youth club, craft, Taekwondo, parties, Saturday morning cafe, rooms for hire. See facebook page. Currie Community Centre.

52 | BALERNO

ARTS & CRAFTS GROUP Art Room 1, Currie Community High School - Thursdays 7.15 - 9pm - from 18th September to 27th November (except 16th October).

We are a small, friendly group (of all ages) and new members will be made very welcome. £35 for the 10-week term or £5 per session, if paid on the night. Fee covers all materials, equipment and refreshments. For more information please email: phoenixarts@hotmail. com or tel: 07934 495488.

BRIDGE CLUB The club is played at the Gibson Craig back Hall on a Monday, 1.30pm. For more information contact the Chairman on 0131 449 3527.

COFFEE AND CRAFT Currie community Centre Mon 7-9pm.

Bring your own craft and share your knowledge and experience with other crafters and perhaps learn something new. All welcome. £1 per person per night.

AIR CADETS 2463 (CURRIE & BALERNO) SQUADRON Forthview Crescent. Mon and Thu 7-9.30pm.

0131 449 7449 for more info.

CURRIE PLAYGROUPCurrie Baptist Church Hall. Preschool play from age 2 years - Mon-Fri, 8.45 11.45am (term time) £6.50 per child per morning - Wraparound and Lunch Club for children attending Currie Nursery. Wrap around £5.00; Lunch club £2.00. See www.currieplaygroup.co.uk 42ND PENTLAND SCOUT GROUP (CURRIE) Forth View Crescent, Currie.

Cubs Monday 6.15 – 7.45pm.

Call Fee 07771 370748.

Scouts Monday 7.45 – 9.15pm.

Call Ross 07729714445.

Beavers Friday 6.30 – 7.30pm.

Call Sharon 07810 201680. www.42ndpentland.scoutsites.org.uk THE OCTAGON CLUB For Adults with Special Needs and Learning Difficulties Meets in Gibson Craig Hall, Lanark Road West, Currie, 7 9pm on Wednesday Evenings from mid September until June for table tennis, snooker, badminton, table games, “tuck shop” etc. Contact Terry Maloney 0751 466 4292 CURRIE & DISTRICT LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY Meetings Mondays at 7.30 in the Gibson-Craig Hall in Currie - Visitors welcome; For further information contact Douglas Lowe on 0131 449 4349 or douglaslowe51@btinternet.com

BOYS BRIGADE - 65TH EDINBURGH (CURRIE) COMPANY Gibson Craig Hall, Lanark Road West Currie Anchors (Boys P2 & P3) - Thursday 6 - 7pm Juniors (Boys P4, P5 & P6) Thursday 7 - 8.30pm Company/Seniors (Boys P7 - S6) Sundays 6.30 – 8.30pm For more info email 65edinburghbb@ gmail.com or see website 65edinburgh.boys-brigade.org.uk CURRIE BABY AND TODDLER GROUP Gibson Craig Hall - Friday 9.30 - 11.30am (term time only).

Adults £2.00; Kids go free. Parents/ Grandparents/Carers/Childminders are all very welcome; Snack provided for the kids and tea and coffee for the adults. Loads of space to play BALERNO AND DISTRICT RAMBLERS Midweek Group meets on a Wednesday at Currie Library Car Park, Lanark Rd West - 9.15am for 9.30am start. Contact M Timmins 0131 449 4525 or A Blyth 0131 629 3644.

Saturday and Sunday Group meets at Pentland View Carpark, Currie, at 8.45am for 9am start. Contact E Scroggie on 0131 441 1666.

BOOK GROUP Currie Library - First Wednesday of each month at 7.00pm.

BEGINNERS YOGA CLASSES No experience needed (18+) - £6 per class Tuesday 8pm at Gibson Craig Hall, Lanark Road, Currie Wednesday 7.45pm at Forth View Crescent Scout Hall, Currie Monday 6pm at St Margaret’s Hall, Juniper Green Monday 8.30pm at Balerno Scout Hall Any questions please contact Monica, email: karmayoga@btinternet.com Tel: 07986 600432 CORNER CAFE BOOK CLUB At the Corner Cafe, 120 Lanark Road West, Currie. Meet 27th of every month at 7.45. Informal friendly group, all welcome, we read a mixture of classics and popular books. £3 per session.

MACULAR SOCIETY, PENTLAND GROUP Group for visually impaired people, 2nd Friday of every month in Currie Library at 2pm. Audio Book Group meets 1st Monday of every month in Currie Library at 2.15 pm. I-Pad tuition group for visually impaired people all other Mondays in Currie Library at 2.15pm.

@KonectMagazines

MESSY CHURCH Second and last Fridays of the month from 2-4.30pm in the Gibson Craig Halls. We will meet from the second Friday in September until the second Friday in December then from the second Friday in January until the second Friday in June. All ages are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult who stays with them. For further information, contact Louise on 466 3472 or Easter on 449 4719

JUNIPER GREEN JUNIPER GREEN NURSERY PLAYGROUP Juniper Green Community Centre (Village Hall) 1 Juniper Park Road EH14 5DX. Contact 07948 554889 or see website atwww. junipergreenplaygroup.vpweb.co.uk

JUNIPER GREEN BOARDGAMERS We meet 2nd and 4th Friday of the month, 6pm-9pm in Juniper Green Parish Church Hall C - We currently ask for £1.00 per person to cover the cost of the hall (£2.00 non-members - First visit FREE!). Everyone welcome, suitable for kids over 10y/o. Children must be with an adult, and the adult must stay and play too. For more information and dates for this month, please contact Eric (eric@ericonline. co.uk) or find us on Facebook using “Juniper Green Board-Gamers”.

31ST PENTLAND SCOUTS (JUNIPER GREEN) 45 Lanark Road West, Currie Beavers - Wed 6.30pm. Cubs - Mon 7.00pm. Cubs - Tues 6.30pm.

Scouts - Fri 7.00pm Contact - Hamish Leal on 0131 449 3288.

JUNIPER GREEN SWI Juniper Green Community Centre (Village Hall) 1 Juniper Park Road EH14 5DX. Contact 0131 539 9886.

PENTLAND BRIDGE CLUB The club meets at 7pm on Thursday evenings throughout the year to play duplicate bridge at St Margaret’s Court, Juniper Green. Prospective new members are welcome to come along to see if it suits them.

If interested, please contact Ken Brown 0131 449 5314 email mthkjb@gmail.com.

@KonectMagazines

RATHO RATHO SWI Meet in Ratho Community Centre on second Wednesday of each month (except July & August) from 7pm to 9pm. New members and visitors welcome. Contact 0131 333 4862 for information.

SOLUTIONS

SOLUTION TO DECEMBER CROSSWORD

RATHO SCOUTS, CUBS & BEAVERS Ratho Community Centre.

Beavers: Tuesdays 6.30pm - 7.30pm (age 6-8). Cubs: Fridays 7pm 8.30pm (age 8-10.5). Scouts: 7pm - 8.45pm. (age 10.5 -14) RATHO RAVERS Ratho Community Centre. Thurs 10am12pm. Exercising body and mind for the over fifties. £3 per class. For more information call the Community Centre on 0131 333 1055.

PARENT & TODDLERS GROUP Community Centre Tues and Thurs 10am-12noon. Under 3s. Members 50p, non members £1. For more information call the Community Centre on 0131 333 1055.

ART CLUB Ratho Community Centre Tues 7-9pm. Adult Multimedia Club. Members 50p, non members £1. For more information call the Community Centre on 0131 333 1055.

ACROSS: 1. Relate, 4. String, 9. Develop, 10. Issue, 11. Curve, 12. Offices, 13. Distinguish, 18.

Uniform, 20. Tooth, 22. Dried, 23.

Nailing, 24. Rulers, 25. Agency DOWN: 1. Reduce, 2. Lover, 3. Tallest, 5. Thief, 6. Insects, 7. Grease, 8. Appointment, 14. Initial, 15. Untying, 16. Murder, 17. Shaggy, 19. Older, 21. Onion

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE 50

50 PLUS GROUP Varied programme of activities/outings.

New members welcome – meet fortnightly at Ratho Community Centre. Members 50p, nonmembers £1. For more information call the Community Centre on 0131 333 1055

SCOUTS All meet at the Community Centre, meeting times are as follows: Beavers: Tuesdays 6.30pm - 7.30pm (age 6-8), Cubs: Fridays 7pm - 8.30pm (age 8-10.5), Scouts: 7pm - 8.45pm. (age 10.5-14) TO INCLUDE YOUR CLUB OR CLASS, PLEASE EMAIL DETAILS TO EDITOR@ KONECT.SCOT CHARITY AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS ARE FREE. THERE IS A SMALL CHARGE FOR OTHER LISTINGS. SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION AT WWW.KONECT.SCOT

Disclaimer: The publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage caused by error in the printing of an advertisement. We do not endorse any advertisers in this publication. All material is accepted for publication on the understanding it is copyright free. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher.

Publisher: Lothian Publications Ltd. Geddes House, Kirkton North, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 6GU. Magazine Design: Universal Appeal Ltd. M: 07729 911858 W: www.universal-appeal.com E: info@universal-appeal.com

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

AERIALS & SATELLITE FENCING, RAILINGS, GATES S & D Fences 35 Kinnear Aerials 38 FINANCIAL ADVICE APPLIANCE REPAIRS Personal Money Management 41 Appliances of Edinburgh 6 FIREPLACES/WOODBURNERS BATHROOMS & KITCHENS Fireplaces, Stoves and Flues 10 Ian Merriman 27 FLORIST Splash Bathrooms 27 Juniper Flowers 4 Paragon Bathroom Solutions 2 Vicky’s Flowers 21 BEAUTICIAN FUNERAL DIRECTOR Beauty Box 21 Mark Porteous Funeral Beauty Therapy by Rhona 24 Directors 56 Juniper Beauty Room 17 GARAGE DOORS BLACKSMITH Max’s Garage Doors 45 D & I Blacksmiths 34 GARDEN DESIGN/ BOILER SERVICES MAINTENANCE The Gas Engineer 38 CS Gardening 35 D Greaves Landscape BUILDER Gardeners 35 Almond Building Company 31 Evergreen Balerno 32 CAR SERVICING, MOT & REPAIR Balerno Garage 45 GARDEN FURNITURE AND MBA Specialists 7 BUILDINGS Ratho Auto Services 45 Champfleurie Estate 11 CARPET & UPHOLSTERY GLAZING REPAIRS CLEANING CR Smith 29 Aquatec 10 DGR Double Glazing Repairs 27 Cleaning Doctor 14 GOLFING CW Services 10 Baberton Golf Club 4 CHIROPODY/PODIATRY/ GYM/HEALTH CLUB FOOTCARE Dalmahoy Hotel & Pentland Footcare 24 Country Club 19 COMPUTER/PHONE REPAIRS HAIR SALON Simply Fix It 37 Hair Tech 20 Worx24 55 Tony Harper’s Hair Studio 21 CURTAINS & BLINDS HOLIDAY LETS Blind Design 10 Midkinleith Holiday Cottage 4 Harvey Bruce 14 HOMES FOR SALE DENTIST CALA Homes 12 Artis Dental and Implant Studio 22 IRONING/LAUNDRY SERVICES No 9 Practice 20 Iron Aid 10 DOG WALKER JOINERY Happy Scampers 44 Create Enhanced Spaces 31 GK Wilson Joiner 34 DOORS/WINDOWS Jack Watson Joinery 40 UPVC Doors 7 R McNeill Joiner & Glazier 6 DRIVEWAYS AND PAVING LOCKSMITH Alpine Paving 32 1st Call Locksmiths 45 ELECTRICIAN CVC Locksmiths and Security 38 A Robertson Electrical MEMBER OF SCOTTISH Contractor 26 A&A Electrical Solutions 6 PARLIAMENT Gordon Macdonald MSP 4 D Sykes Electrical 26 MT Electrical 31 MOBILITY SERVICES Spark Electrical Solutions 30 Ableworld 23 ESTATE AGENT MORTGAGE SERVICES Blair Cadell Solicitors 5 Malleny Mortgage Solutions 5 EXTERIOR CLEANING OPTICIAN Cleaning & Maintenance 34 Clearvue Opticians 17

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PAINTING & DECORATING Alistair McLellan 33 Brush Strokes 6 Gerry Aitken 6 Ken Dunton 38 Lane Decor 38 Mark Reece Painter & Decorator 30 PERSONAL TRAINER KM Fitness 24 PLASTERING Alexander Aitken Plastering 40 PLUMBING & HEATING SERVICES Alex Hunter Plumbers 26 Bill Reid & Son 30 Currievale Plumbing & Drainage 40 Jim Gladstone 34 McLellan Plumbing 26 Owen Gibb Plumbing & Heating 40 Shandon Plumbing 40 Weir Plumbing Heating and Gas Services 34 PUBLIC HOUSE The Grey Horse Inn 49 RESTAURANT Al Borgo Ristorante 49 Carlyles Bar & Kitchen 47 Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh West 47 ROOFING Dell Roofing 30 Edinburgh Roofing Services 28 Fairmile Roofing 31 John Brazil 34 Thomson Roofing Services 33 TAKEAWAY Pentland Fry 49 TAXI & PRIVATE HIRE Capital Cars 43 TREE CARE SERVICES Delisle Tree Solutions 33 Maxwell Tree Care 32 VET & ANIMAL WELLBEING Pentland Veterinary Clinic 45 WEIGHT LOSS Slimming World 21 WINDOW & GUTTER CLEANING Tag Cleaning Services 35

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