Konect Balerno August 2022

AUGUST 2022

LOCAL WALK:

LOCAL HISTORY:

COMMUNITY:

PENTLAND HILLS,

WELCOME & SAFE FOR ALL

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W

e’re lucky to have the Pentland Hills on our doorstep, and especially over the past two years they’ve been a regular quiet getaway refuge for many of us. The Park Ranger Service has been feeling the pressure though of numbers of visitors who don’t always respect the area, and a new initiative has been launched to try and combat issues, as well as promote water safety around the reservoirs. See the article on p15.

The local walk feature is a lovely summer stroll through Saughton Park. And, sweltering in the heatwave as I write this, our history feature has a drinks theme – it looks at how Irn-Bru, originally made in Falkirk, was distributed in the early days.

Not strictly local to our villages, but I had come across it for some other work and thought the incredible contribution of the company horses was interesting.

After schools go back later in August, there are still plenty of things going on locally to get in involved in, check the What’s On section for details.

THIS ISSUE Local Walk: Summer in Saughton Park..........8 Ask your pharmacist: Back to School.......... 12 Puzzles..........................................................12 / 43 Community: Pentland Hills PARC.................. 15 Health: Stronger My Way................................. 16 Interiors: How to measure for curtains......... 20 Local Environment: Avian Flu......................... 28 Wine: Biodynamic Wine................................... 34 I  food: Popcorn............................................. 36 Money Matters: Diversification....................... 41 What’s On............................................................. 42 History: The Irn-Bru Fleet................................. 44

I hope you enjoy the magazine this month.

As ever, feel free to let me know!

COVER IMAGE: August: Back to school!

All enquiries, E: editor@konect.scot M: 07854 492638 @KonectMagazines

Konect is delivered monthly to homes in Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green, Baberton and Ratho. It is also available online: konect.scot/subscribe BALERNO | 3

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One of summer’s pleasures is the extended light, meaning we can head out after work for some exercise, fresh air - or preferably both. Saughton Park is a place that meets those needs in abundance and has done so for Edinburgh residents over multiple generations.

This oasis of West Edinburgh is cradled by the Water of Leith as it loops southward to skirt Gorgie Road on its route through the city to Leith.

This well-watered and fertile area of land gifted Saughton its name, owing to the willow trees that grew here – Sauch meaning willow in old Scots. Originally the grounds of Saughtonhall House, the park has been open free to the public since 1905 and came to prominence just a few years later when it was the chosen site for the 1908 Scottish National Exhibition, which

welcomed 3.5 million visitors from across the globe to marvel at the Winter Gardens, Palace of Industries and other attractions.

We hop out of the car and begin our circuit of the park’s perimeter, passing the athletics track on our left, where young athletes are mid warm-up. Sprinters’ fast feet pound the track, while a phalanx of middle-distance runners exit the gate and drift past us in loping strides, chatting all the while. To our right, football is in full flow. Hoarse coaches put youth teams through their paces while, behind the chainlink, 5-a-side battles are pitched.

On the grass by some benches, a family have brought full barbeque gear and are cooking up a feast. The mouth-watering aromas of Asian food diffuse around us and we are momentarily the Bisto kids, heads turning… just managing to maintain our course. Next is the skate park where boarders bravely pit wits against gravity and unyielding concrete in graffiti-covered wickedly dipping curves. A respectful hush hangs in the air, punctuated now and then by the slap of an overturned board or murmured approval at a trick pulled off.

There are outdoor exercise machines and a basketball court here too, facilities to cater for every interest. However, the true jewel of this park is without doubt Saughton Park Gardens.

The centrepiece is the impressive rose garden, a legacy of that great Exhibition. Divided in pleasing geometry by low ornamental hedging, it feels like the prize possession of some stately home, the like of which might be kept locked away or command a princely entrance fee, but not so – it’s ours to enjoy, gratis. Lining the paths, pom-pom heads of allium sway on long stalks and beds burst with catmint like purple and green fireworks in suspended 8 | BALERNO

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animation, each irresistible to bumblebees – we see four species in the space of just a few paces.

Beyond the rose garden clematis climbs on frames, the flowers scented of marshmallow with a hint of custard cream. Fruit trees line the perimeter wall where a serious-looking young student reclines on the grass reading a book. Then we enter the Physic Garden, which contains a series of raised beds with herbs and plants traditionally used for their therapeutic properties – each carefully tended and labelled: Juniper ‘for colds fevers and coughs’, St John’s Wort ‘for depression and anxiety’ and Autumn Crocus ‘for rheumatoid arthritis and gout’, amongst many others.

Indeed, the healing power of plants is a theme that runs like a thread through the history of this place. It was in these grounds that, in the 19th century, physician and botanist Dr William Henry Lowe, one of the earliest exponents of occupational therapy, pioneered the use of gardening as therapy for treating mental health problems.

Finally, we exit the gardens by the south gate and return towards the car park along the riverbank. Locals pause on their way past to lean against the fence and watch the mallards and goosander dabble and dive. A grey heron stands still as a statue at the base of the weir, its motionless form juxtaposed with the cascading waters. Suddenly it springs to life, extending angular legs and snaking neck to pluck a small fish from the flow, before returning to its static repose. Above the weir, still waters reflect overhanging willow boughs.

The perfect calm of the scene diffuses through us. I reflect too, not only on the beautiful surroundings, but also on the wonderful crosssection of city society here tonight, all enjoying this green space, with not a cross word uttered. It’s easy to forget, isn’t it? In a world so plagued by war and division how lucky we are to have this space, this peace.

We are back at the car and I glance at my watch. I think I might just go round again….

This article was contributed by William Weir. William is a scientist and amateur writer/photographer who lives locally.

In his spare time he enjoys exploring the trails and wild spaces of West Lothian and the Pentland Hills. @KonectMagazines

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Back to school or university

– what are the challenges?

Before we know it, the holidays are over and we are back to school or possibly sending older children to college or University.

Returning to school can often bring outbreaks of threadworms and headlice as children mix freely in classrooms. For headlice regular checking is the best prevention, only treating heads on which lice are detected. Combs and treatments are available in the pharmacy via the Pharmacy First service.

Threadworm infections start from poor hand hygiene so encouraging handwashing before eating and after being outside are important.

With these infections the whole household needs to be treated, easy to use solutions and tablets are available on Pharmacy First.

For young adults heading out into the world it could be useful to make up a First Aid box with some simple remedies and first aid items. Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Rehydration sachets and Diarrhoea Relief can all be useful cupboard items. Simple dressings and bandages along with Steristrips can make dealing with minor cuts etc. easy. Also, basic cold and flu remedies and vitamins might also help to see them through winter away from home! The pharmacy team can help you to pull all of this basic healthcare kit together.

PUZZLE

AUGUST CROSSWORD Solution in the September edition of Konect

ASK YOUR PHARMACIST

ACROSS: 1. Deprive of food (6), 4. Scribble (6), 9. Complicated (7), 10. Meal of raw vegetables (5), 11. Additional (5), 12. Exactly alike (7), 13. Meeting (11), 18. Down-payment (7), 20. End of day (5), 22. Type of oil (5), 23. Result (7), 24. Process (6), 25. Holds firmly (6).

DOWN: 1. Private (6), 2. Allow to enter (5), 3. Krakatoa (7), 5. Beginning (5), 6. Sea mammal (7), 7. Not youngest (6), 8. Test (11), 14. Young dogs (7), 15. Hideous beast (7), 16. Fools (6), 17. Speaks (6), 19. Kind of turnip (5), 21. Increases in size (5).

Don’t forget, even in Scotland, the sun is still strong in August, sunscreen – don’t leave home without it!

As always if we can help with any of your queries please don’t hesitate to pop in or call us and use NHS Inform for all your healthcare advice needs.

The Ask Your Pharmacist column is contributed by Juliette Paton, Superintendent Pharmacist, Colinton Village Pharmacy. www.colintonpharmacy.co.uk 12 | BALERNO

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The launch of the Pentland Hills | PARC For those who appreciate a short excursion away from the flurry of modern life, the Pentland Hills Regional Park has long been a local prospect for beautiful views, camping opportunities, a gentle walk or a challenging hike. With lockdown preventing travel in recent years, the longing for a quiet getaway has only increased and the hills offer a cheap option for just this type of outing.

This summer, the park has seen a surge in visitors and though this influx is not unwelcome, the visitor pressure brings with it several challenges including issues around water safety, rural crime, and antisocial behaviour. The Park Rangers Service has felt the pressure as more wild campers flood the area; most being well-informed regarding park regulations and laws regarding wildlife, camping, and wildfires. Others, not so much.

The Pentland Hills Partnership Against Rural Crime (PARC) has now been launched to tackle these matters. This is a local group consisting of multiple organisations including the Park Rangers Service, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland, Scottish Water, SEPA, and more who work together to make the Pentland Hills area welcome and safe for all. The creation of the Pentland Hills PARC brings the total number of PARCs in Scotland up to 15, all of which work towards a shared national strategy to reduce crime in Scotland’s rural areas.

Recently, the Scottish PARC have set out a seven priorities for addressing rural crime in Scotland: theft of farm machinery, quadbikes, plants & vehicles; livestock offences; fuel and timber theft; equestrian crime; hare coursing; heritage crime; and fly-tipping. These priorities are not always

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relevant to every region in Scotland and this is recognised in the strategy; local PARCs operate with this in mind. This means that the Pentland Hills PARC will tackle any priorities relevant to the geographical area, as well as specific local issues.

On Saturday 23rd July 2022, Pentland Hills PARC had their ‘Launch and Water Safety Event’ which took place at Harlaw Reservoir and included attendance by MSP Gordon MacDonald; public engagement from Police Scotland, Fire Service, and the Scottish Ambulance Service; and a water safety demonstration by Marionville Fire Station.

This marks the first of many that the group will host in future with the continued aim to reduce rural crime and antisocial behaviour, and increase water safety.

If you have any issues you think the Pentland Hills PARC should be aware of, get in touch with the local police in Southwest Edinburgh, Midlothian, West Lothian, or speak to a local ranger.

This article was contributed by T1 Community Policing, Police Scotland/ Poileas Alba, Oxgangs Police Station, Edinburgh, EH13 9NB, T: 0131 441 4266

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HEALTH

Stronger My Way

There are many reasons why we may choose to try to get stronger.

Aiming to complete a charity walk like the Might Hike for Macmillan Cancer Support requires training to complete the 26 miles in comfort.

You may realize that playing football with the Grandchildren is getting harder than you want it to be. Exercises to strengthen muscles can be a great way of controlling the pain of Arthritis.

However, often the thought of having to go to a gym for exercises with weights puts people off. The good news is that gym work is not necessary for strength training.

lifting weights in a gym. If you are putting in extra effort, it counts as strengthening.

Examples include climbing stairs, dancing, cycling, hill walking, standing up from sitting and carrying shopping. Put simply, strengthening is any activity that makes your muscles work harder than they normally do.

You know you will have done enough if you need to take a short rest before continuing.

Over time, this strengthening activity will make your muscles stronger.

There is no doubt that being stronger lets us do more, feel better and stay active therefore improving quality of life and maintaining independence as we get older. The evidence is very clear that most of us will benefit from exercises to help our muscle become stronger, particularly if living with a long-term health condition. The exception to this is Long Covid.

People with Long Covid have reported that returning to physical activity and strengthening can increase their symptoms. Please discuss exercise with health care professionals if you have Long Covid, as attempting exercises too soon or progressing too quickly can be dangerous and lead to a significant setback in recovery.

You may feel your muscles as stiff or sore for a few days after starting new exercises and this is normal as your body gets used to the new activity. This is why it is important to start off slowly and build up gradually, making sure you get enough sleep and rest time to allow your muscles to recover in between sessions.

There are lots of things that you can do to get stronger that does not involve

In our Physio clinic, we talk a lot about “Exercise Snacks” – the concept of using a spare few-minutes here and there as you go through the day to fit in some strengthening exercise. This may include a few squats in the kitchen as you wait for the kettle to boil or sit to stand exercises as the adverts are on while watching TV. In terms of changes to your body from strengthening work, the feel-good factor and boost to brain power are often noticeable straight away but we warn our patients that changes to muscle will take 6 – 8 weeks.

If you would like further information on how getting stronger may help you and for specific information on exercises to help particular bone, joint or muscle pain, please see the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy website www.csp.org.uk and their “Stronger My Way” information. Whatever your activity goals, strengthening will help.

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

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** Always use a metal tape measure. Cloth ones can stretch and give you inaccurate measurements

INTERIORS

How to measure for curtains James Erskine Interiors provide this handy guide on how to measure when ordering new curtains.

If your track has an overlap in the centre, measure the full width of the track (a) and the width of the overlap (b). Add the two together and that is the width you should enter.

MEASURING THE CORRECT CURTAIN DROP Curtains can be hung either to the floor, to the sill or to below the sill. We suggest that curtains finish either 1.5cm above the floor, 15-20cm below the sill (or 2 - 3cm above the radiator) or 1.5 cm above the sill.

PENCIL & PINCH PLEAT POLE HEADING • When using a curtain pole, measure from the underside of the decorative ring to where you want the curtain to finish at the bottom.

PENCIL & PINCH PLEAT TRACK HEADING • When using a curtain track, measure from the top of the track to where the curtain is to finish at the bottom.

EYELET HEADING • Our eyelet heading curtains will fit poles up to 30mm in diameter. Simply measure from the top of the pole to where you want the curtain to finish at the bottom. We will make the curtain with 3cm of fabric above the top underside of the eyelet where it sits on the pole.

WAVE CURTAINS Measuring for your Wave curtains is very much like measuring for a blind, as the track will be included with the curtains. Just follow our simple instructions below to be confident that your new curtains will fit perfectly.

• Exact Fitting (Recommended). This is the measurement you need to take if you want your Wave curtains to fit outside the window recess, overlapping on all sides. Measure the size of the recess, then add a little extra on all sides to ensure adequate coverage.

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• Measure the exact size of the area you would like the Wave curtains to overlap.

To minimize light leakage we recommend that you overlap the window recess by at least 150mm at the top and 150mm each side.

• The overlap at the bottom is a matter of personal choice but please take into account obstacles such as radiators.

BAY WINDOWS • Exact fitting is also the fitting method we recommend if you have a bay window. Treat the whole bay as one big window and follow the same process as above.

RECESS FITTING • This is the measurement you need to take if you want your Wave curtains to fit inside the window recess. Measure the full width and height of the recess (the size of the hole if you like) and we will make the appropriate deductions to ensure a perfect fit.

• Measure in 3 places for both the width and the drop, use the smallest measurements.

• Don't make any deductions, we will deduct 10mm from the width, and 15mm from the drop, to ensure a perfect fit.

This article was contributed by James Erskine Interiors, Church Hill Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4BD. www.james-erskine.co.uk @KonectMagazines

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LOCAL ENVIRONMENT

There’s so much in the news at the moment, you may be unaware that Avian Flu is working its way through our wonderful seabird colonies again.

This beautiful bird is a gannet, and was taken on the Bass Rock. This volcanic rock is home to the largest colony of Northern gannets in the world and in peak breeding season is bright white, caused by a mix of birds and bird poo!

Unfortunately, along with great skua they appear to be bearing the brunt the impact this highly infectious disease is having.

Whilst I was in Orkney earlier this year, the beaches were littered with dead birds who had all likely succumbed to the flu.

To prevent this disease spreading through colonies, places such as the Isle of May, the Farne Islands (Northumberland) and Noss (Shetland) have closed to visitors. It’s also been found in birds of prey and gulls as they scavenge for food, so it’s not just limited to seabirds.

As we get out and explore the coastlines this summer, you may well come across 28 | BALERNO

either an unwell or dead bird and it’s important you do a couple of things. Do not go near or touch these birds and please keep any dogs well away. The Scottish Government website provides recommendations of who you should report your sightings to depending on numbers/ species.

I do try to keep this article light but this is a really serious and sad situation, which not everyone is aware of.

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

Follow them on Facebook: @ScottishSistersPhotography @KonectMagazines

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BALERNO | 33

WINE TASTING

“I’m detecting aromas of blackberry, vanilla…. and cow horn!” Ok, you may not actually detect ‘cow horn’ aromas in your glass of wine but cow horn is an essential part the Biodynamic wine making process!

So, what is Biodynamic wine and what do cow horns have to do with it?

A mixture of scientific fact and spiritual theory, Biodynamic farming focuses on sustainability and environmental renewal. Developed in the 1920’s as an antidote to the industrial revolution and industrial farming practices, Rudolf Steiner developed the theory in Austria in the last years of his life.

Biodynamic philosophy takes a holistic and spiritual approach to the vineyard.

Scientific evidence shows some aspects of biodynamic farming improves the soil and positively impacts the resultant crops.

The spiritual side is harder to quantify!

Practitioners of biodynamics stuff a cow horn with manure compost and burry the horn in the ground through the winter months. The horn is dug up in the spring and the resultant manure, now rich with nutrients, is added to water. The mixture is stirred clockwise and then anticlockwise for exactly one hour then sprayed on the vineyard. Sowing and harvest follows the lunar rather than conventional calendar.

There are skeptics and believers but what is clear: Biodynamics is a fascinating subject worthy of deeper study.

Next time you are in the wine shop look for Biodynamic wine. What do you think? Does the wine taste better than non-biodynamic wines?

Can you taste cow horn…?

The monthly wine tasting column is contributed by Joanne Frette. Joanne lives in Juniper Green with her husband and three children. For wine recommendations, reviews and details of future tasting events, please go to swirlsipsocialise.com 34 | BALERNO

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I  FOOD

How much of your day has to do with food? Thinking about it, buying it, preparing it, fretting about the fats or carbs in it, savouring it, dealing with leftovers, daydreaming about more food … I realised a long time ago that I was fairly consumed with what I consumed! Some people eat to survive. For others, like me, thoughts of breakfast get us out of bed in the morning!

I love popcorn

Popcorn is amazing, isn’t it? Not only does it taste good, not only is it good for you, but it’s also so entertaining!

From the moment you drop the kernels into a little hot oil in a frying pan the excitement builds. One or two pops and then eventually all of the yellow kernels are turning into hot, white flying objects!

What a show! (Just don’t forget the lid as an old boyfriend of mine once did.)

Ensuring that as many kernels pop as possible without letting any burn is truly a culinary skill. Because of this, some people prefer to buy it already popped. But it’s so much better when you make it yourself.

And, yes, I know about the microwave bags.

Popcorn from the frying pan is better than those too.

I’m not a fan of sweet popcorn. Saying that, as a child I used to love popcorn balls, made by mixing popped corn with light corn syrup.

You then shape them into balls the size of grapefruits, and let them set/harden. The resulting snack is much easier to carry with you than a hand full of popcorn! My mother used to add red and green food dyes to these at Christmas time. Another fun thing to do with popcorn at Christmas is to string it to use as garlands on the tree. This requires a needle, a long thread and a big bowl of popcorn (not buttered!) You have to be careful not to break the pieces as you push 36 | BALERNO

the needle through them. I usually made a number of strands and then tied them together to make one long garland.

I have another popcorn memory. Not my finest hour, but my brother and I were young … and bored. We were in the back seat of our car. My mother and grandmother were in the front seat, arguing about which of them would pay for lunch out. The car was stationary.

All my brother and I had to amuse ourselves with was a bag of popcorn. One of us wondered if we could slip pieces of it into my mom’s beehive hairdo without her noticing.

There were so many large swirls and curls in her hair and it was about the same colour as our popcorn.

It was surprisingly easy. Mom and Grandma were so engrossed in their debate that they had no idea. I’m not sure how much popcorn my mother was “wearing” when she finally caught on. I think lunch out was cancelled.

Popcorn. It’s tasty, good for you and very entertaining.

I FOOD is contributed by Suzanne Green.

Suzanne, a freelance writer/editor, lives in Balerno and writes regularly for Konect.

She is married to Andy and they have two adult daughters. @KonectMagazines

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MONEY MATTERS

DIVERSIFICATION IS KING Diversification provides some of the best protection an investor can have against the risks that you can’t see coming e.g. coronavirus or worst still a dictator invading another country.

The problem is building a diverse portfolio is not as straightforward as you might think. In uncertain times (and unfortunately, we are always in uncertain times) having a resilient portfolio is crucial and diversification is essential in achieving this.

It is important to hold assets that have a negative correlation i.e. assets whose prices will respond to events in a different way. For example, if the Bank of England were to raise interest rates would be bad news for bond holders but would be good news for shares as they would normally rise.

A well-diversified portfolio would be invested

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in equity, bonds, commercial property and commodities. Also, it should have a geographical spread as most investors suffer from a “home bias” i.e. over-exposed to their domestic market.

Particularly in the equity part of the portfolio there should be large, medium, and small companies. In addition, all the different sectors e.g. banks, pharmaceuticals, retail etc. should be invested in.

This means diversification is becoming more difficult, but this does not mean we should abandon but actively monitor it regularly and adjust as appropriate.

Obviously, an Independent Financial Adviser would be able to assist you in building the appropriate diverse portfolio to match your “attitude to risk” and more importantly “your capacity for loss.”

The Money Matters column is contributed by Personal Money Management. This month’s article is by Dr Peter M Marshall.

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Colinton Village Enterprise is delighted to be in the throes once again of organising Art in the Park, our well-established village fair event and the largest of its kind in south-west Edinburgh.

It seems like a lifetime ago since Art in the Park last took place, but it was in fact 2018. It is a biennial affair and obviously 2020 was a writeoff. But we’re not dwelling on the past. Onward and upwards!

We are now a SCIO (Scottish Incorporated Charity) and the owners of the outbuilding (affectionately known as ‘The Shed’) in Spylaw Park. We also adopted the iconic red phone kiosk on Bridge Road, but more on that at a later date. Colinton Village Enterprise is currently run by seven Trustees, working on producing a fun event for all in September. Of course, it will not happen without additional help from volunteers.

We would love it if you can help this year with some of the preparation and running of essential services, which make the whole event go with a swing. Please email colintonvillage@gmail.com if you want to be a part of Art in the Park!

As always, the day will include art and craft stalls, community stalls, pre-loved books, artisan food, ice-cream and coffee vans. There will be games and activities for children (and adults) plus an array of hot food offerings.

We must not forget to mention our performance area at CVE’s Shed including young pipers, dance troupes and a rock band or two.

We are delighted to announce that Bark in the Park will also make a

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welcome return. The Dogs Trust West Calder kindly ran this for CVE in previous years, but they have a timetable clash this year. Fortunately, local residents have stepped up to the challenge and the dog show will go ahead. With the increase in dog ownership over the past two years, it is sure to be a very busy affair!

New this year is a pop-up bar from nearby hostelry The Spylaw. While we were lucky to team up with owners James and Ioana for smaller events we hosted in the Park last year, it will be the first time that alcohol (and alcoholfree) refreshments are offered at our flagship village fair event.

We hope you can join us on Saturday September 3rd from 12 noon until 5pm in Spylaw Park.

Let the weather gods be good to us! If not, the event will be held on the following Saturday, September 10th.

Please visit cventerprise.org to contact us, become a Member, or donate to our charity.

Book a stall to showcase your art/crafts/ artisan food - please email colitonvillage@ gmail.com to apply.

This article was contributed by Colinton Village Enterprises, Scottish Charity (SC049496) @KonectMagazines

PUZZLE

AUGUST SUDOKU

SATURDAY 13TH AUGUST Farmers Market Main Street, Balerno 9.00am - 1.00pm.

The crossword puzzle can be found on page 26. See page 32 for solutions.

SATURDAY 27TH AUGUST Currie Horti Annual Show - Balerno High School. Doors open at 1.30pm till 4.00pm, prize giving at 2pm by Mrs Kirsten Johnston, Head Teacher at Nether Currie School. Refreshments are provided, and everyone welcome to come and admire the lovely plants, flowers, fruit, vegetables, baking, preserves, and handcrafts entered for competition. There will also be a display of Quilts from the ‘In the Ditch Quilters’ of Balerno. Schedules are available from, among other places, ‘The Gift Shop’ in Currie (formerly the Currie PO) and online at www.currieshow.org, as well as contact details. Ratho residents are encouraged to enter items for the show as the catchment area has been extended.

SUNDAY 28TH AUGUST Fun Dog Show - Family fun day out, BBQ food, hot and cold drinks. Ravelrig Riding for the Disabled outdoor arena, 21 Ravelrig Gait, Balerno. Help raise fund to support RDA’s work. 1.30pm – 4.00pm, registration on the day.

SUNDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER Car Boot Sale - Ravelrig Riding for the Disabled, 21 Ravelrig Gait, Balerno.

Help raise fund to support RDA’s work.

11am -2pm, refreshments available.

Visitors : Adults 50p, under 16s FREE. Sellers Car: £12 Van/SUV’s: £18 Bookable in advance. Table Toppers / Stall Holders: £4 To book your pitch please call/email Ravelrig RDA on: T: 0131 449 7994 E: fundraising@ ravelrig-rda.org.uk SUNDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER The Route less Travelled - A guided walk discovering the history and wildlife of the river from Slateford to Gorgie. Join Kat on this guided walk to discover the lesser known and visited parts of the river. Suitable for adults.

2pm - 4pm Book via Water of Leith Visitor centre, online at www.waterofleith.org.uk/whats-on. Free to members, £7 non members

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BALERNO | 43

January 1937 – a huge Clydesdale horse lies stricken on the frosty ground of the Cow Wynd in Falkirk, having slipped on the ice.

His massive bulk makes it impossible for anyone to lift him, although many locals have gathered - so many in fact that the police are involved to keep the traffic flowing. Someone has bought a mattress to try and make the horse more comfortable throughout the rescue operation, and people are offering him buns. But alas by the end of the day, in front of the large crowd and the devastated driver, the local vet has to shoot him to put him out of his misery.

The horse was the well-known and loved Clydesdale named “Carnera,” owned by Robert Barr’s soft drinks company. For the previous seven years he had been one of the “fleet” of heavy horses used to distribute the famous soft drinks, including Barr’s “iron brew,” to the surrounding area. At 19 hands 1.5 inches high (6ft 6inches at the shoulder) and weighing a ton, Carnera was said to be the largest working horse in the world at the time - although that claim is likely to be part of the marketing that the Barr’s developed around the horse.

Spotting him at a farm in Perth in 1930, Robert Barr realised he would be a valuable addition to the fleet. He named him after a famous boxing champion of the time, and Carnera was given a board to wear above his harness, saying: “Carnera, reputed to be the biggest

working horse in the world.” As a promotional asset for Barr’s Carnera was a great success, well known and loved by the public. In common with other fine working horses, he was exhibited at agricultural shows and often won prizes.

Barr’s marketing was always about strength and performance; and fittingly, the role of heavy horses was central from the beginning. The convoys of horses were a well-known sight, leaving the drinks factories fully laden early in the morning. Falkirk Council was concerned about the effect the volume of traffic had on other road users and on the underground sewers. In Glasgow, it was not unusual to see a convoy of 50 “lorries,” as the carts were known, drawn by 130 horses and carrying 5000 boxes leaving Barr’s Parkhead Works.

It took extra trace horses to pull the lorries up Glen Brae for Slamannan, Shieldhill and beyond to get their soft drinks. Wooden crates filled with glass bottles full of liquid was a heavy business, and the heavy horses pulled flat-bed lorries, upon which crates of bottles were stacked. Fully laden they took about 60 – 70 dozen bottles, a total weight of about three tons, which they could pull at 3 miles per hour when fully loaded (or slightly faster if the driver walked beside the lorry.) The larger works employed a joiner in-house to maintain the lorries.

While there were many soft drinks businesses in Scotland, the market for each limited by the area the horses could delivery to, so they weren’t initially in competition with each other in their geographic areas. Stirling, Kilsyth, Airdrie, Alloa and Linlithgow were the limits of where Barr’s of Falkirk could deliver to.

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IMAGE: Copyright A.G. BARR / Britivic plc

LOCAL HISTORY

All the companies were totally dependent on their horses; the West Lothian Aerated Water Works of Bo’ness was bankrupted by an epidemic amongst their horses in December 1905.

The concept of “aerated water,” as soft drinks were originally known, took off rapidly at the end of the 19th century. The market was ready for it; the product had been gradually improved by various companies since the concept of adding carbon dioxide to water was first alighted upon in the late 1700s, and by the time the Robert Barr, a cork-cutter in Falkirk, entered the aerated water market around 1875, the likes of Schweppes and others had been in business for a long time.

From its conception as a health tonic, aerated water broadened its appeal into a general drink and was considered a healthy option, and it was safe compared with what could often be contaminated tap or well water supply at the time. Sugars and syrups added gave exciting taste and a dose of energy. In Falkirk, in common with many other places, the foundry workers, miners and brick workers loved it, and coupled with the temperance movement, it was rapidly successful.

Robert Barr’s sons opened a manufacturing facility at Parkhead in 1887 under their own initials. The recipe for “iron brew” was launched in April 1901 by jointly by Robert Barr Falkirk and AG Barr & Co Glasgow. Adam Brown, a famous highland athlete from Shotts, featured on the label design. It was not protected by patent and several companies in Scotland began producing iron brew. Barr’s were marketing savvy and they had a reputation for quality, and Barr’s own iron brew gained prominence. It was renamed Irn-Bru in 1946.

A typical day for a Barr’s driver in the early 20th century consisted of setting out around 6am, walking beside the horse for around four hours.

They would arrive in, say, Kilsyth around 10am, where they had four hours delivering within the town. The return journey was slightly quicker, but was finished off by stabling the horse, checked the harness and lorry and lodging paperwork; all in all a 12 hour working day.

The horses were well looked after. AG Barr of Glasgow was reported in the Falkirk Herald in 1905 to have “comfortable, orderly stalls @KonectMagazines

"One of Carnera’s enormous hooves was kept by the Barrs as a reminder of his story, displayed in a glass cabinet at Parkhead until company headquarters moved from there to Cumbernauld in 1996. " for the 200 horses [which] should make these animals grateful. Thousands of human beings might envy them their lot.” Despite the introduction of motor transport (unsurprisingly AG Barr was an early adopter, and in 1904 the company had bought a motor wagon which carried 14 tons and could go at a rate of 8 miles per hour - much quicker than the heavy horses) it was slow in replacing the horses, as evidenced by their use even up until Carnera in 1937.

Carnera wasn’t the first horse that Barr’s lost in an accident. Ten years previously in June 1927 the Falkirk Steeple was stuck by lightening. In a freak accident, one of Barr’s delivery horses just below it, delivering to a grocer’s on the high street, and was killed by the falling masonry of the steeple tower. The driver ducked out of the way of the debris and escaped with only cuts and bruises, and a young family in the house opposite also had a miraculous escape although their home was destroyed.

While cooling down with your Irn-Bru this month, it’s interesting to think about the time distribution was limited to the radius a heavy horse could pull, and the incredible contributions these animals made.

This article was written by Helen-Jane Gisbourne, using information from Geoffrey Bailey’s “A History of Falkirk in 10.5 Objects”, Falkirk Local History Society, Falkirk Herald archives, and Barr & Co’s published histories.

Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect magazines.

BALERNO | 45

SOLUTIONS

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

RATHO COMMUNITY CENTRE • Gentle Exercise Group, every Thursday from 10am-12 noon • Gentle Exercise Group, every Thursday from 10am-12 noon • 50+ Group alternate Wednesdays from 2pm-4pm • Book Group alternate Wednesdays from 2pm-4pm • Knit and Natter Group Thursdays from 2pm-4pm Tel: Ratho Community Centre 0131 333 1055.

JUNIPER GREEN BOARDGAMERS - Family and kids friendly board-game group open to all.

Come join us to play all sorts of board-games. Children are free with any adult (£3/adut) Meetings every 2nd Friday 6pm to 9pm see boardjg. co.uk for details of contact eric@ boardjg.co.uk PENTLAND CALEDONIA PIPES AND DRUMS - Pentland Caledonia Pipes and Drums are looking for new members, players or learners.

We teach pipes and drums free. We meet in Balerno Community Centre every Friday 7pm - 9.30pm. You can find us on Facebook. For information call Deeanne on 07885 612583.

JUNIPER GREEN TENNIS CLUB This small friendly LTA affiliated club in the heart of Juniper Green is open to all to join. There’s an extensive junior coaching programme, as well as adult coaching and social sessions. For membership check out our website: clubspark.lta. org.uk/JuniperGreenTennisClub/ and follow us on Facebook www. facebook.com/junipergreentennis.

We look forward to welcoming you!

EH FITNESS - Range of exercise and strength classes for all fitness levels. Pre & Post Natal and strength & conditioning specialists, fat loss coaches and Qualified Nutritionists.

Face to face and online Personal Training, online group programmes that can be done from home. We aim for progress not perfection and educate every step of the way for sustainable, long lasting results.

16 classes per week, see www.ehfitness.co.uk or download our free app EH Fitness Edinburgh.

PILATES, YOGA, STRENGTH & FITNESS CLASSES - at Prime Sports Physio & Pilates Studio & Gym - Our expert physios, Pilates & yoga instructors and personal trainers offer a programme of 22 classes per week to promote wellbeing, health, strength and fitness. We’re delighted to now offer a monthly class membership as well as individual class bookings.

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SOLUTION TO JULY CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Please visit: www.primesportsphysio. co.uk to book classes. Email: hello@ primesportsphysio.co.uk for more info.

PiYo - Yoga + Pilates + Non-stop Movement = Stretch + Strengthen + Sweat! All in ONE workout!! All abilities welcome. Live! Classes Tuesday 9am Balerno Scout Hall.

Virtual! Classes (Zoom) - Monday & Wednesday 19:30.

For further details see Facebook. com/HeidiMacdonaldFitness PARACISE - Low-intensity, gentle exercise class (45 min) with NO floor work. Suits those who find regular fitness classes too demanding, or those returning to exercise. Wednesday @ 10:45 in Balerno Scout Hall. For further details see Facebook.com/ HeidiMacdonaldFitness or email heidi.instructor@gmail.com BALERNO ART CLUB - This club suits children who thrive by being creative and individual. Online learning will focus on technique, pencil work and colour. Outdoor classes will be a visual appreciation of colour, depth and nature through pencil and other mixed media like watercolours. We encourage individuality and celebrating being your own true artist. First class is a FREE trial.

E: balernoartclub@gmail.com T: 07591990020 Instagram: @everychildisanartist_ BALERNO DANCE FITNESS - This class suits children who like to be active, whilst having fun. Online learning will focus on musicality and learning dance routines to your the children’s favourite music within the comfort of your own home.

Outdoor Dance Fitness can enjoy the benefits of having more space outdoors in nature, whilst learning Dance Fitness routines together as a group. First class is a FREE trial.

E: balernoartclub@gmail.com T: 07591990020 Instagram: @everychildisanartist_ To include your Club or Class, please email details, up to 75 words, to editor@konect.scot Not-for-profit groups are FREE. There is a small charge for businesses. See konect.scot for information.

ACROSS: 1. Deaf, 3. Formerly, 9. Croquet, 10. Annoy, 11. Manufactured, 14. Era, 16. Cease, 17. She, 18. Nevertheless, 21. Coast, 22. Putting, 23. Everyday, 24. Asks.

DOWN: 1. December, 2. Adorn, 4. Out, 5. Measurements, 6. Runners, 7. Yo-yo, 8. Sufficiently, 12. Chart, 13. Messages, 15. Average, 19. Exits, 20. Acre, 22. Pea.

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE 43

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