Konect Balerno November 2020

NOVEMBER 2020

TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF: FEATURE:

FEATURE:

Dementia Friendly Pentlands: CAN YOU SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE?

PLUS: MONEY MATTERS, PUZZLES, health & beauty, ‘THE NEW NORMAL’ and more inside!

THIS ISSUE

F

ireworks, Autumn craft fayres, concerts, remembrance gatherings and a host of the other usual things going on at this time of year are cancelled. But crisp autumn walks are still very much to be enjoyed, as is making your home a cosy haven as we settle in and get ready for a weird winter – Lynn at The Seasonal Touch encourages us to think about how we could create our “fantasy winter hibernation station” (see page 42).

And Christmas shopping isn’t cancelled, it’s just different. It’s all about thinking small this year, and we’ve put together a few ideas on pages 8-9, most crucially to support small local businesses.

Two new columns kick off this month - Balerno resident Jo Johnson will be sharing her research and shopping choices each month for manageable steps to a greener life; and our regular contributor Suzanne has switched from her Notes on a Small Village column to bring us instead her monthly thoughts on “The New Normal” in her typically engaging way. I hope you enjoy them this month.

Many events have an online or virtual version, and one such is the annual Explorathon, which is a celebration of scientific research with events for all the family – see the Local Lab contribution on page 44 for details, where local researchers from Heriot-Watt University will be taking part. If you’re a science-loving family and haven’t heard of this before, maybe this is the year to dip into it from home.

As ever, drop me a line and let me know what you think about any aspect of the magazine. u can know yo Did you be to receive subscri issue of The w each ne ectory online?

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COVER IMAGE: Settle in and get ready for a weird winter. @KonectMagazines

P42 Feature: Think small this Christmas.....................8 Health: Ask Your Pharmacist..............................17 Feature: Dementia Friendly Pentlands............19 Health: Coronavirus Recovery...........................20 The New Normal: Masks......................................26 Money Matters: Avoiding Scams......................28 Turning Over a New Leaf.....................................33 Puzzles.......................................................................35 Local Environment: Colourful Kingfisher........40 Puzzles.......................................................................41 The Seasonal Touch: Time to think like a Norwegian.................................................................42 Local Lab: Explorathon goes online................44

Konect is delivered to homes in Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green, Baberton and Ratho.

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

HELEN-JANE SHEARER Editor

E: editor@konect.scot

CHARLENE GAFFNEY Account Manager

M: 07772 941899 E: charlene@konect.scot BALERNO | 3

Kitchens supplied and fitted Doors and Windows - wood/UPVC Built-in wardrobes • Misted d/g units replaced Custom made gates: cedar, hardwood & softwood supplied & fitted All Joinery & Glazing Free estimates 0131 449 3714 e: rabmcneill62@gmail.com

Alexander Aitken Plastering 51 Dolphin Rd, Currie Call Sandy

07966 695595

Plaster work, rough casting, ceramic tiling & general maintenance 4 | BALERNO

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WEIR GAS SERVICES Former Scottish Gas engineer

Tel:

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Central heating - service, repairs Gas fires, cookers, hobs installation, service & repairs General Plumbing services Garden taps, washing machines, dishwashers Landlord safety inspections email : lesweir@blueyonder.co.uk

GERRY AITKEN

Painter & Decorator Juniper Green

Get in touch for a FREE Estimate: T: 07798 565 321 • E: junigig@aol.com

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...a

. . . s a m t s i r h t his C

! c i g a m e h t e r u t p a c l l i t s d n

We’re being forced to think small in lots of ways at the moment.

At the time of writing this we can’t gather in our homes with other households, pubs are closed, and we can’t gather in groups of more than 6 people from 2 households in other indoor settings. Regulations may have changed by Christmas, but one thing for sure is that it will be a very different social season for the vast majority of us. No big works parties; no live entertainment, no big family gatherings or relatives flying in from overseas. Not to mention that fact that it is hard to plan with the constantly changing regulations, and the severe financial constraints many people need to navigate too.

things can be made-to-order and personalised.

You’re not only helping a local person running a business, but also getting something unique and beautiful.

So, it’s time for small to shine. If you’re someone who dreads the obligatory big gatherings, you may have already found your silver lining in all of this. But for many, it’s normally the most social time of year.

Our regular expert interior columnist, The Seasonal Touch, is supplying these cushions, which can be customised for your own village or for gifting. Lynn says, “None of us Customised cushions by will be travelling The Seasonal Touch much further than our home town/village for a while. Time to put it on the map!” www.theseasonaltouch.co.uk

First and foremost, “small” has to be about supporting small local businesses when doing our gift shopping. It can take a little more time and effort to hunt down small businesses supplying things you want. But can you use the time you would have spent partying and prepping big get-togethers to hunt out local businesses? Browse with an open mind and let your gift list be inspired by the creativity that you’ll find from local arts and crafts business owners. You’ll find things you may not have thought of yourself. Jewellery made from various materials; paintings or photography of local scenery and landmarks, papercrafts, handmade home décor items, hand-poured candles….the list is endless, and in many cases

“Letterbox gifts” are physically small items that can be sent by post and will fit through the recipient’s letterbox. You’re likely to be posting more gifts this year to people you would otherwise have been able to see in person. There are security concerns with

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Dinner on the big day is likely to be for a smaller gathering - maybe just your own household. So is 2020 the year you decide to get all supplies and ingredients for the big day from local suppliers instead of the supermarkets? Local butchers, bakers and farmshops can provide everything you need and more, and it comes with a personalised service and great quality, often locally-sourced ingredients.

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parcels which may end up being left on a doorstep during the busy December parcel delivery season – especially if you order from a third party and get things sent direct to the recipient, you have no control over the delivery. So, take the time to find “letterbox gifts.” The great thing is that many small local

Pens hand-turned from whisky staves from Thistle Woodcraft businesses will be supplying suitable items.

Small but very special and hand-turned in Balerno by the former postmaster of Ratho Post Office, Thistle Woodcraft’s range of ballpoint, rollerball and fountain pens are fashioned from different woods. These “whisky pens” are made from the stave of an oak whisky cask and are shipped in an attractive presentation box (whisky not included). See the range at www. thistlewoodcraft.com Self-care and health has never been more important. For many people, reducing anxiety and managing stress have been a major theme of 2020, so gifts to help with self-care will be well-received all round. Look for local businesses offering gift vouchers for massage, aromatherpy and reiki, for example. Things such as online yoga classes (many local classes offer an online version) and even a voucher for counselling or coaching courses are options. Many people benefit from journalling – how about a beautiful journal, to reflect on the year, and goals for 2021?

Iridescent Therapies, based within TLC in Balerno, offers full body massage, Indian Head Massage and other services to promote relaxation. Visit “Iridescent @KonectMagazines

Gift a wonderful relaxation session to someone who needs relief from the stress and anxiety of 2020.

Therapies” on Facebook to purchase a gift voucher for a wonderful restorative session to someone who needs relief from the stress and anxiety of this year.

The personal touch has been lacking this year, so sending personalised gifts is a lovely way to let someone know you’ve thought specially of them, since you can’t physically meet. An added benefit of shopping locally with small businesses is that you can get almost anything personalised, or commission something completely unique.

Finally, memberships and sponsorships are a way of giving a special gift or experience, and at the same time support charities and organisations which are struggling due to Covid.

A plethora of virtual Christmas market Facebook groups have sprung up, although it’s not always easy to tell which ones are local and which are UK wide, so if you want to be sure you’re supporting local crafters and traders, take the time to identify the local groups.

So embrace thinking small for Christmas this year; and you never know, as with many aspects of lockdown and the pandemic, you may discover good things that become your new normal.

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Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) - Periocular This is the most common malignant skin tumour in Caucasians and around the eye in general.

However, it very rarely metastasizes, with an incidence of this happening of less than 0.1%.

It arises from the basal layer of the epidermis (the top layer of the skin). It is very slow growing and is most common on the lower eyelid.

What are the symptoms? It doesn’t cause any pain but it can bleed sometimes. It is characterised as a lesion around the eye area that isn’t resolving.

What are the risks? UV light exposure is a risk factor for developing a BCC. This commonly stems from an early age. For example, in Australia, there are around 850 cases per 100,00 people. Age is a risk factor, as well

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as being more common in females. People who work outside, those with a fair complexion, those with a previous history and the immunocompromised can be predisposed to BCC’s.

What does it look like? There are varying appearances. It commonly has a nodular pearlescent appearance with visible blood vessels. This can ulcerate with rolled sides, giving a crater appearance. Very rarely, it looks like a flat plaque. If on the eyelid margin, this can cause lashes to fall out.

How is it treated? If a BCC is suspected, biopsy can rule out or confirm diagnosis. Then radiotherapy or surgery are normally very successful treatments.

This article was contributed by Jonathan Jennett of Clearvue Opticians, 60 Bryce Road, Currie, EH14 5LD.

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Reference: College of Optometrists CMG’s

EYE HEALTH

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YOUR LOCAL

KILTMAKER Please contact us if you would like your business included in our Health and Wellbeing pages.

Contact details are on page 3.

Bespoke hand-stitched kilts and kilted skirts, made to last for generations

07434 655049

jm@pentlandcroft.co.uk

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Pentland Croft MADE FOR WILDERNESS

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DEDICATE LIGHTS ON THE ROTARY “TREE OF LIFE” to loved ones, to celebrate special occasions or to give thanks for help and support provided at this challenging time. £5 donation for each dedicated light.

Funds raised will go primarily to local but also national & international charities. Dedications will be recorded in the Celebration Book, displayed in the Mill Café and on the Rotary Club’s website at www.cbrotary.org

More information is available on the Rotary Club of Currie Balerno website www.cbrotary.org

ASK YOUR PHARMACIST Concerns about your family’s health?

Think Pharmacy First.

It’s hard to remember a time when protecting the health of our families has been more on our minds.

With busy lives and more of us working from home, accessing quick and Nathan convenient health advice Soper and treatments in your local community is vital.

The good news is that Lindsay & Gilmour pharmacies offer the NHS Scotland Pharmacy First service at all of their branches, allowing patients to access advice and appropriate treatment for minor illnesses without the need for a GP appointment.

How does Pharmacy First Work?

The service has been set up so that community pharmacies in Scotland can provide clinical advice, referrals and treatment on the spot for a range of common health complaints, from back pain to skin conditions or urinary tract infections.

Once a member of the pharmacy team has noted your details and symptoms, they will be in a position to provide you with the help you need.

Quick and Discreet Your local Lindsay & Gilmour pharmacies have been specially adapted to provide you with access to a consultation room so that you can speak to a Pharmacist in private about your symptoms.

Your nearest branches and Pharmacists: Currie, 2 Pentland View Court, Nathan Soper - 0131 449 2707 Juniper Green, 536 Lanark Road, George Gilbert - 0131 453 3130 Have you got a health question for the team at Lindsay & Gilmour? Email us ask@lindsayandgilmour.co.uk

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Looking after a relative with dementia is very challenging!

A study by the Alzheimer’s Society highlights Gordon, a 76-year-old, man with prostate cancer caring for his wife Sue with dementia.

During lockdown Gordon lost the paid carer who visited an hour a day, and Sue no longer can attend day care four days a week.

Gordon says, “The carers used to really help with my stress, giving me some time off to look after my own health.

“But when lockdown hit, I stopped getting that care and the day centre closed. It was all on me, and I didn’t want Sue sitting in bed all day. So, I took it all on - the morning getting up, cooking all the meals, all the washing, the housework. Sue’s not able to do anything for herself now, so it was exhausting and I began to feel very depressed.”

Gordon’s situation isn’t unusual. The study found during lockdown family carers had to provide considerably extra support. 95% said extra caring hours negatively impacted their physical or mental health, 69% feeling constantly exhausted, 64% feeling anxious, 49% feeling depressed, and 50% developing problems sleeping. 14% had no time to see a GP about a health problem, more than 10% said they had an injury from caring.

Dementia Friendly Pentlands (DFP) is a voluntary organisation covering Juniper Green, Currie and Balerno supporting families living with dementia. Kay Latimer and the Team found many families are at their wits end looking after relatives with dementia.

Before lockdown we supported Drop-in Centres and Memory Cafés, learning a lot @KonectMagazines

about the challenges families experience.

Lockdown severely limited opportunities for DFP to support family carers. Dropin Centres and Memory Cafés can no longer run and many carers are understandably cautious about leaving their house. Those shielding know this isolation can be challenging, but for people supporting a relative living with dementia, it is even more critical. Families separated by distance also worry their relative may come to some harm.

Families developing dementia symptoms since lockdown face particularly difficult questions like, ‘Why is my relative getting confused?’, ‘Is it an illness, or just old age?’, ‘Where can I get help? DFP can help with information about dementia, how it will affect their lives, and how they will get help.

DFP are running a project led by Trevor Adams, Trustee. The project asks families to share their experience of supporting relatives with dementia and what sort of help they need. This information will help DFP redesign and redevelop our services to fit with Covid restrictions.

If you would like to join this project contact Kay: chair@dementiafriendlypentlands.org.uk or phone 07878 979883 Visit www.dementiafriendlypentlands.org.uk This article is contributed by Dementia Friendly Pentlands (DFP), a voluntary organisation covering Juniper Green, Currie and Balerno supporting families living with dementia. See www.dementiafriendlypentlands.org.uk BALERNO | 19

HEALTH

Physiotherapy Tips

for Coronavirus Recovery

Our world has become an uncertain place thanks to the Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which causes a new illness called Covid-19. Symptoms of this illness are the well-known new continuous cough, fever and loss of taste/smell but can include fatigue, headache, diarrhoea, skin rashes, shortness of breath and assorted other problems.

For most people with Covid-19, symptoms can be very mild lasting for 7 – 14 days. However, a study from the USA discovered that only 65% of patients had returned to their previous levels of health 21 days after a positive test.

For many of these patients, symptoms get better slowly over time but a significant number of people have still not recovered after 12 weeks and have what is now being called “Long Covid”. Even having mild symptoms initially can result in Long Covid problems which include cough, breathlessness and fatigue. These Physiotherapy tips can help.

For fatigue, where simple activities such as getting dressed or climbing stairs can be exhausting, remember the 3 P’s – Pace, Plan and Prioritise.

Pacing will help ensure that you have enough energy to complete the activity and recover to be able to do more. The aim is to avoid the “Boom” of all energy used in one go followed by a “Bust” of not being able to do anything for the next few hours. For example, if you have to climb stairs, walk up 5 and rest of 30 seconds then repeat until you are at the top.

If you force yourself to climb all 15 at once you may become exhausted.

Plan activities – what needs done now and what can be spread over the course of the day or week? For instance, can you spread out 20 | BALERNO

weekly activities such as shopping, gardening and cleaning to different days with rest days in between?

Prioritise – What has to be done, what do you want to do and what can someone else help with? For example, does the ironing really need done?

Being short of breath can be scary and breathing exercises, particularly if done in a good position, can help. If you are short of breath, try sitting leaning forward with your elbows on your knees or on a table. Stand leaning forwards holding on to the back of a chair or lean backwards onto a wall. In these supported positions, aim to relax and control your breathing by breathing in gently through your nose and out through your nose if you can. If not, breath out through pursed lips, as if blowing out a candle but do not force your lungs to empty. Gradually try to make your breathing slower and relax.

We are learning more and more about this virus as the days pass. If you need help and advice do ask your GP, Physio or Occupational Therapist. We will get through this if we help each other!

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

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THE NEW NORMAL

The coronavirus pandemic has changed our lives in so many ways. Covid-19 has affected the way we work, play, socialise, dress, shop, eat and drink. We’ve made so many adjustments – and we continue to make them - as we try to get used to “the new normal” …

Maybe masks aren’t so bad after all

September 2019. I was enjoying my daughter’s masquerade ball, having bought a mask that covered just my eyes. All of the guests were wearing masks too. It was a bit of fun. Little did we know that masks would become mandatory in 2020!

It took me a little while to submit to wearing a mask. I just didn’t think it was a good look for me. But then I saw friends wearing them, and I heard people explaining that it was a good practice. Apparently, it was the thoughtful thing to do – protecting others in case you were carrying the virus. So I resolved to give it another try.

“You can use my DIY mask,” said my husband, presenting me with a white box-shaped face covering he’d brought in from the garage. “It even has a builtin breathing vent.” I put it on, but then made the mistake of looking in the mirror.

The person staring back at me looked familiar. Who was it? Darth Vader. I looked 26 | BALERNO

like Darth Vader! I quickly pulled the contraption from my face, muttering, “I’d rather die. ” Before long I realised that I’d overreacted.

I should try a different face covering and resolve to forget my vanity. This was not about me, after all. This was for the good of my community. I had plenty of beautiful scarves. Maybe I could work out how to attractively use them to cover my mouth and nose. It might be fun to start accessorising every outfit in this new way.

The first time I tried this I was headed out in my long teal-coloured wool coat. I ran upstairs and grabbed one of my favourite scarves, which is black with big splashes of teal and purple. When I bought the scarf I was in a hurry, so I didn’t realise that these bursts of colour were not flowers, as I had assumed. They were skulls. Yes, skulls. It was the trend then. You’d go into a clothing store and see t-shirts, skirts, trainers and more imprinted with skull artwork.

Not exactly my style, but I loved the scarf so much that I didn’t return it. I just hoped when I wore it people would think they were flowers as I had done. And if they didn’t? Well, after all, a skull is just part @KonectMagazines

of our skeleton, the frame for a human body. What’s so spooky about that?

Maybe it was time to embrace the skull as being wonderful, not creepy, and let go any unhelpful ideas about skeletons or skulls!

Standing in front of the mirror, I wrapped and tied the scarf so that my mouth and nose were covered. I pulled one end and then the other, trying to improve the look.

When I couldn’t think of anything else to do, I went to my daughters for approval.

“You can’t wear that, Mum!” they cried.

“It’s a pandemic and your scarf is covered in skulls!” I reckoned they had something there. So much for my second attempt to cover my face.

But now the mask is almost second nature, and I carry one in my bag, in case I need to go into a shop. I have forgotten a couple of times – not understanding until I get back in the car why people were staring at me. A few weeks ago I saw a man in a shop who had forgotten his mask and was slightly embarrassed. He tried to make up for it by pulling up his jacket collar, attempting to cover his mouth and nose. He didn’t quite manage. So he kept pulling it up. By the time he had paid and was headed out, he looked a bit like the headless horseman.

Some people cannot wear masks for physical or mental health reasons. Others do not wear masks because they believe the requirement is an infringement on their liberty. And some do their best to comply, but don’t quite manage: wearing one into the shops, and then taking it off whenever they need to speak with someone. Or letting it hang down, looped onto one ear.

Or ensuring it covers their mouth, while forgetting about their nose.

Recently I have been thinking about how masks might enhance rather than detract from one’s appearance. I read something on social media that made me think: “Mask-wearers, if you’ve got beautiful eyes, now is your moment!” @KonectMagazines

And then yesterday something remarkable happened. I stood waiting to pay for my groceries, dutifully wearing my “tropical islands” cloth mask. It’s quite beautiful, featuring a colourful parrot or two.

“I’ll need to see some I.D.,” said the young man at the till.

“Why?” I asked.

“Because I’m not sure of your age,” he said. “And I need to make sure you’re old enough to buy the wine.” I was dumbfounded. I literally don’t remember the last time I was carded – it was way too long ago!

When I saw he was serious, I started digging in my purse for some proof that I was old enough to buy alcohol. My mind had gone blank due to shock. What sort of card should I show him?

Finally I realised that my driver’s license would do. “Here you go,” I said, smiling broadly. “See my date of birth, right there?

I am old enough to buy this wine.” Looking embarrassed, the poor lad shook his head and said he couldn’t believe I was that old.

“You’ve made my day!” I said. And then, getting giddy, asked, “Can I take your photo, and include it with a little story about this on my Facebook page?”

“No, thank you,” he said. Realising I should stop embarrassing the poor guy, I thanked him again and departed, wondering if I really was that youthful looking? What had impressed him? Was it what I was wearing that day? My chirpy banter at the till, perhaps?

Or was it the mask?

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.

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MONEY MATTERS

HOW TO AVOID SCAMS Have you been called out of the blue? A legitimate company would never do this.

Simply hang up.

A ploy used by scammers is to pose as your bank and say that you may have been a victim of fraud and hence to stop any more money going out of your account they ask you to change your account and send payments to another account the details of which they give you. Call your bank on their number and ideally use a different phone. The reason is a phone line can stay open after you have hung up and fraudsters can stay on the line, play a false dialling tone to persuade you that you are calling the real company.

You may receive an email purporting to be from a company that you deal with. In this email you may be directed to an online form.

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Do not fill this in, close the page immediately and delete the email.

One of the latest scams is a phone call purporting to be from the HMRC informing you that you have over paid tax and are due a rebate. To get this money to you please supply your bank details. HMRC will never send notify by emails or phone about tax refunds so do not open any attachments or disclose any personal or payment information.

Another bogus phone call which appears to come from HMRC informs you, you actually owe HMRC money and they are now filing a lawsuit against you unless you immediately make a payment and supply your bank details. Hang up immediately.

Finally, if you have been a victim of a scam and suffered financial loss you should report it to the Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

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

by Dr Peter M Marshall.

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P R O P E R T Y

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TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF

Small changes can make a big difference At bedtime, one evening before lockdown, my eight-year-old daughter expressed great anxiety at the state of the planet. She was upset at the size of the problem.

I hold Santa partly responsible – he put Greta Thunberg’s book, ‘No one is too small to make a difference’, in her stocking last Christmas. Greta was all over the news at the time, as were Extinction Rebellion, and their message was clearly having an effect.

When she was settled, I considered how to handle the situation. I couldn’t pretend everything would be alright and tell her not to worry. But I also didn’t want her to feel powerless – I needed her to see that there was something she could do.

When we sat down and talked about it, we realised we were already doing quite a lot to help and decided that, with some small changes to our lives, there was plenty more we could do.

Life is busy and in our family jobs like shopping and housework are done as quickly and effortlessly as possible, without giving much thought to the impact they might be having on the planet.

Lockdown changed that. Life slowed down.

We consumed much less. A tank of diesel lasted months. We were shopping locally.

We spent more time exploring the local area on foot or by bike. Grass verges were left to grow, attracting butterflies and bees. There were reports in the media of wildlife visiting empty high streets and air pollution improving due to less traffic. So, while lockdown was a tough time for most humans, nature thrived.

This convinced me that our planet is not doomed. Small changes over a sustained period can and do make a difference, especially if enough people join in. So, now @KonectMagazines

that life has been forcibly slowed down, I have decided to turn over a new leaf. I have begun thinking about small changes that we can make to our daily lives that could make a big difference to our local area and to our planet. As you are reading this, I hope that you too might be willing to make similar changes.

Each month, Turning Over a New Leaf will consider a different aspect of daily life and identify small changes that we can make to be kinder to our planet. I am no expert – neither a scientist nor a journalist - I’m a local woman trying to make a difference. With your help, I believe it is possible to have a positive impact on our local area and our planet.

So, if you do one thing to help our planet this month, plant some Scottish Spring bulbs in your garden or window boxes, especially crocuses and grape hyacinths. Local Spring flowers provide food after the long winter for pollinators such as bees that are so crucial to biodiversity and our local wildlife.

“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) BALERNO | 33

BRUSHSTROKES

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Est. 2005

For all your gardening needs: including tree & hedge cutting, grass mowing, slabbing, fencing, general maintenance and much, much more.

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Contact Colin Spence 21 Broomhall Gardens, EH12 7QA T: 0131 334 8602 M: 07720 843446 E: csgardening92@yahoo.co.uk

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BALERNO | 39

LOCAL ENVIRONMENT

Colourful Kingfisher Normally when you’re looking for kingfishers, the most common sight you’ll see is a flash of blue zipping low along the river, accompanied by its high pitched “chi-keeee” call. Occasionally though, one will turn up somewhere completely unexpected and be the star attraction.

Last Autumn, an event such as this took place at the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Gardens where this male kingfisher spent hours hunting in their various ponds. An easy way to identify a male from a female is the colour on the underside of the beak.

The female has a red lower mandible, adding to their already bright plumage.

They don’t have a large population in Scotland, though this is increasing therefore it’s understandable why they attract attention when they spend time somewhere like the Botanics. The other reason they can be found around ponds in winter is because they prefer slow moving or still sources of water and given the rainfall in Scotland, our rivers are just too full and fast!

Feeding on a diet of fish and aquatic insects, they’ll sit on a perch watching for 40 | BALERNO

the ideal opportunity before diving with their beak open and eyes closed by the third eyelid (a nictitating membrane) and returning back to their perch. They must eat at least their own bodyweight in food a day just to survive.

The Botanics is a great place to wander on a crisp winter’s day and you never know, you might just get to see a kingfisher for yourself.

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. www.scottishsistersphotography.com

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PUZZLES

CROSSWORD

Claylands Cottage Cattery ...for contented cats

Established in May 2006, we provide first-class holiday accommodation for up to 35 feline guests.

Single and double cabins, as well as large cabins for families, each comprises an upper sleeping area (heated in winter) with an exercise run below.

Solution in the December edition of Konect ACROSS: 1. Ten years (6), 4. Pictures (6), 9. Level high land (7), 10. Tag (5), 11. Poem (5), 12. Selections (7), 13. Demolition (11), 18 Pharmacist (7), 20. Perfect (5), 22. Spoils (5), 23. Against (7), 24. Scale (6), 25. Grown ups (6).

DOWN: 1. Leave (6), 2. Absurd (5), 3. Lowest (7), 5. Greeting (5), 6. Used for smoking (7), 7. Spatter (6), 8. Commas, colons. (11), 14. Dusk (7), 15. Stumbled (7), 16. Afraid (6), 17. Play equipment (6), 19. Edition (5), 21. Artists frame (5)

Solution in the December edition of Konect

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Proprietors: Pam and Bill Clark Phone: 0131 333 1636 Email: mail@claylandscottagecattery.co.uk Off Claylands Road, Newbridge, EH28 8LZ Conveniently situated near the airport.

www.claylandscottagecattery.co.uk

BALERNO | 41

TIME TO THINK LIKE A

NORWEGIAN

What does your fantasy winter hibernation station look like? If you could transform your home into a dream hideaway this year, what would it look like? How would it feel?

There’s a pretty good chance that whatever winter haven you’re dreaming of, it could be described by your average Norwegian as ‘koselig’. It doesn’t have a proper English translation, although ‘cosy’ might be close, and here’s the thing. Almost anything - a home, a meal, a person - can be described as koselig. Pronounced koosh-lee, it’s a feeling, it’s a vibe. As Norwegians are considered to be among the happiest people on the planet I reckon they might be on to something. It’s used to describe something or someone warm and gentle (think ‘coothie’ in scots), something or somewhere safe, snug, relaxing and easy, are you getting the idea?

I think we all feel as if we need to learn to lean in to winter a bit more, this year maybe more than ever. Let’s accept it, embrace it and learn to find the joy in it. But how exactly do you tick the ‘koselig’ box in your home?

From what I can gather it involves some fundamentals. Warm colours, cosy blankets, fire on and candles lit as your starter for ten. Extra points if you’ve got something homemade bubbling on the stove and some good music playing. How about some faux fur rugs and twinkle lights? You’re all in now! It’s not all about the decor though. A night in front of the fire with hot chocolate and a board game? Totally koselig. Sharing a mellow glass of wine and some great conversation with your people? You’re really getting the hang of this now.

42 | BALERNO

Interestingly, Norwegians embrace the koselig lifestyle all year long, it just takes a slightly different form in spring and summer.

In winter, they manage to create one big ‘fuzzy blanket’ that they just immerse their whole life in. Are you ready for some koselig in yours?

The Seasonal Touch column is contributed

by Lynn McMurray, Balerno resident and enthusiast of all things ‘home,’ serving the local community and beyond with her home & gift business The Seasonal Touch. www.theseasonaltouch.co.uk @KonectMagazines

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BALERNO | 43

LOCAL LAB

Explorathon Goes On-line!

23RD - 28TH NOVEMBER 2020 This November, join researchers from across Scotland for an exciting online program of shows, talks, family activities, comedy, and discovery.

Scientists from Heriot-Watt Explorathon is a celebration of research that takes place in Scotland, and in over 300 cities in Europe, each year. From 23rd-28th of November we have a jampacked program of live and recorded events, as well as a whole host of content on our website waiting for you to explore.

Researchers from HeriotWatt University take part in Explorathon every year and it is a great way for you 44 | BALERNO

to discover and interact with the ground-breaking research happening right on your doorstep.

• Tune into our Facebook Live ‘Chat Science’ session on Monday 23rd • Dip into our Twitter on Friday 27th for an all-day Science Festival • Take part in The Cabaret of Dangerous Ideas on Saturday 28th – the hit Edinburgh Fringe show making a

special appearance in Explorathon

Plus much more!

Visit www.explorathon.co.uk to browse the program and downloadable activities, and visit us on social media @ERNScot .

The Local Lab column is contributed

by Heriot-Watt University to engage the public in a range of their research projects. @KonectMagazines

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400 Lanark Road West, Currie

BALERNO | 45

The Community Chest is full of money and is now open again – despite the challenges of COVID. 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 was first set up by the Rotary Club of Currie Balerno but is now administered jointly by the Rotary Club and the Balerno Village Trust (BVT). It currently has an annual budget of £6,000 funded equally by the Rotary Club, BVT and CALA Homes and 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 over 60 grants to organisations in Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green, Colinton, Kirknewton, Ratho and Wester Hailes and institutions and organisations in those areas are now invited to make applications with a closing date of end November.

Information about the Community Chest and how to apply can be found on the websites of Closing the Rotary Club and the date for Balerno Village Trust at applications www.cbrotary.org and 30th Nov www.balernovt.org.uk

2020

Would you like to advertise your business to over 50,000 homes throughout West Lothian and Edinburgh (West)?

Our contact details are on page 3.

This article is contributed by the Rotary Club of Currie Balerno, see www.cbrotary.org 46 | BALERNO

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