Konect Balerno August 2023

AUGUST 2023

SPOTLIGHT:

COMMUNITY:

LOCAL ENVIRONMENT:

The silent hunter

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P8

W

ith summer in full swing, maybe you’ve been lucky enough to pick fresh strawberries, from your own planter or from a pick your own farm - always a lovely summer holiday activity with the kids. This month I met a local woman who took pick your own to a whole new level, living only off foraged wild food for an entire year. She has written a book about the experience, see the feature on pages 8-9, which also highlights the charity Beechbrae.

Located part way between Edinburgh and Glasgow, it’s a place where you can learn about foraging and other ways of connecting with nature for improving mental health.

With the business Spotlight on Float – a new spa experience based in Ratho – and a piece about Walking Football at Oriam Sports Centre, and the usual health columns from Sophie Louise and McNaughton Physiogrange, there is a big focus on all aspects of health this month.

All our other usual columns are here. I hope you enjoy the magazine and that you find it both useful and interesting.

Thank you for supporting local businesses and organisations.

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

Community: Wild food, foraging & connection......................................................... 8 Spotlight: Float your way to well-being..... 11 Clubs & Classes: Walking Football............13 Health: Could it be Osgood-Schlatter Disease?..........................................................16 Money Matters: Tax codes..........................21 I  Food: Cooking, science & wearing your glasses ..................................................28 Wine: For an autumn wedding....................30 Puzzles.............................................................34 Local Environment: The Silent Hunter.......36 Charity: Unbound the Greyhound..............37 What’s On........................................................42

COVER IMAGE: Festival season in Edinburgh

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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Is it possible to live entirely off foraged food?

This is the question that Mo Wilde, West Lothian forager, research herbalist and author, recently asked herself. Then set about doing exactly that, for a full 12 months.

Incredibly, Mo found all her food for a year all within the central belt of Scotland. She ate only wild food and did not spend a single penny on food for 12 months.

In her recently published, award-winning book “The Wilderness Cure,” Mo recounts the experience, as well as sharing her wealth of knowledge of plants, the seasons and how to live in true harmony with nature for mental and physical well-being. She traces the history of foraging, and much more. For us it’s particularly special and relevant as it’s set right here in central Scotland.

Whilst Mo has an advantage over most of us in terms of her expert knowledge of plants that allowed her to manage entirely on wild food, an element of foraging is certainly available to all of us. As she says, “Whether we just pick a handful of hairy bittercress to add to a city park salad, or a bonanza banquet of autumnal wild mushrooms, it is one of the last wild acts

“After a lunch of venison and mushroom soup with chickweed salad, I’m picking snowy waxcaps on the windswept fields that cover the Pentland Hills.”

Mo Wilde, The Wilderness Cure

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of defiance against the concrete world.” It’s a way to reconnect with nature and enjoy Earth’s bounty. Besides the physical health boost of nutrient-rich wild food, the activity itself of getting outdoors and collecting food has immeasurable mental health benefits. And it’s as much about the community and sharing of knowledge with each other as about the food itself. Connection with nature, a curiosity about the environment and a desire to be nurtured and fed seasonally by our immediate environment are values and knowledge that have been lost to a large degree, in particular over the course of the last century. There is a whole community of people locally dedicated to rediscovering and sharing this knowledge, from the Pentlands to the Bathgate Hills and beyond.

One such organisation is Beechbrae, located in Blackridge. just of the M8 between Edinburgh and Glasgow. With a 35 acre woodland, footpaths winding through the wood, wild ponds, a garden, an orchard and outdoor kitchen, Beechbrae exists to help connect people with nature as a way of addressing a variety of challenges. Beechbrae’s core values are: Curiosity - being open to exploring, learning and fostering curiosity about the natural world, each other and ourselves as a means of strengthening our collective agency.

Connection - recognising relationship and connection – within ourselves, with everyone who comes to or is part of Beechbrae, and with the land. @KonectMagazines

HERBAL MEDICINE, NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS, HEALTH FOOD AND ZERO WASTE REFILLS

“The Wilderness Cure” is available for purchase at Napiers Bathgate, as well as online bookstores. Call in to Napiers, on George Street, Bathgate, for local produce, organic fruit and veg, wholefoods, natural skincare and a range of green living products. Get over-the-counter advice, come to talks and events or just stop for a blether. More than a shop, it is a community health hub based on herbal remedies, natural skincare, wholefoods and green living. There is ample free parking nearby.

Napiers Bathgate, 62 Geroge Street, Bathgate, EH48 1PD. Open: Tue to Sat 9.30am – 5.00pm.

Website: bathgateherbals.co.uk Tel: 01506 353786

Established in Edinburgh in 1860, Napiers is Scotland’s oldest herbal medicine outlet. Mo Wilde ran Napiers from 2007 to 2021 and still consults from the Bathgate store. There is also a store in Edinburgh.

Napiers Edinburgh, 18 Bristo Place, Edinburgh EH1 1EZ.

NAPIERS FESTIVAL FORAGING: SUNDAYS IN AUGUST

Join The Napiers Edinburgh Festival Foraging Tour and embrace the edible landscape, plus get a free Napiers gift worth £24 with each ticket purchase!

This 3 hour foraging tour explores the Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve, Duncan Napiers’s favourite place to collect herbs. Led by expert Napiers forager Amy Rankine, this tour is an informative must-do for those visiting and wanting to learn more about foraging. Throughout the tour you will learn how to spot edible fungi and plants, and be shown the medicinal herb garden. PLEASE NOTE: This path may be unsuitable for wheelchairs or mobility scooters because of uneven ground. £30, Limited spaces – book now via napiers.net/products/festival-foraging-tour

See also monicawilde.com for more on “wild food, wild medicine, wild living and the old ways of doing and being.”

Nurture - nurturing those who engage with Beechbrae and the land itself. We engage in a trauma-informed way to seek health, wellbeing and wholeness.

Beechbrae is open to the public, and along with a programme of events they offer woodland well-being sessions that focus on improving mental and physical health and raising awareness of important environmental issues and sustainability. They also regularly run a 12 week outdoor programme called Branching Out, developed by Scottish Forestry to support mental health. Branching Out at Beechbrae involves activities such as fire cooking, self inquiry, balm making, foraging, mindful walks, plant and tree @KonectMagazines

identification, folklore and much more.

If you are interested in Woodland Wellbeing sessions, participating in a Branching Out course, hiring the woodland centre for an event, or any other information, please contact Beechbrae: E: hello@beechbrae.com.

W: beechbrae.com A: Beechbrae Wood Heights Rd, Blackridge EH48 3SW. This article was written by Helen-Jane Gisbourne after attending Mo Wilde’s Wilderness Cure event at Napiers Bathgate and speaking with Beechbrae staff.

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FLOAT is a premium new health spa in Ratho offering a unique well-being experience. It allows you enter a deeply restorative, meditative state by weightlessly floating in a pod of Epsom salt water, with all external stimulation - including sound and light – completely removed.

People use float therapy attention to detail here at every stage of your experience, for different reasons: it’s from the calming décor that excellent for managing stress, welcomes you, to the carefullyanxiety and PTSD; it’s used selected organic toiletries by sportspeople to prepare provided. mentally and physically for performance; and some Each pod is in its own private people find their minds room, where you shower before become incredibly creative your float. FLOAT’s pods drain under the conditions of sensory completely between each deprivation. customer; you can see it filling freshly for your session while The high concentration of salt means that floating is effortless, you shower. The pod designs here have a low threshold and allowing every muscle in a fully-opening lid, making them your body to completely relax easier to access for people with and trigger the release of mobility issues. endorphins. In addition, the health benefits of soaking in When you’re ready, step into the Epsom salts include pain relief, pod and, for the full experience, improved muscle and nerve close the lid completely. For function and skin condition. the first five minutes there is relaxing music and soft mood Leaving the stresses of the lighting, then it fades to silence external environment behind and darkness. (You can control starts as soon as you step the intensity of the experience through the door of FLOAT by opting to leave the mood at their luxury centre at lighting on, or leaving the lid Roddinglaw. partially open). Initially I thought I booked a session to try it. The a full hour of doing absolutely largest float therapy centre in nothing would drag. But it takes Scotland, there is exquisite time for your body and mind to fully let go, and when they do, you very pleasantly lose track of time. There is nothing but the occasional sound of the water gently lapping.

The weightlessness, and the total absence of all usual sensory inputs for your mind to process, is deeply calming and restorative; you need make no effort to shut them out, as they are simply not there. The health @KonectMagazines

benefits for both mind and body are becoming more and more understood and many people float regularly as an essential part of their health routine.

All too soon, the mood lights and music fade in to signal the end of the float. Shower again to rinse off the salt beautiful toiletries are provided - and there is a pamper room equipped with Shark hair dryers for you to prepare to emerge into the outside world.

As a finishing touch, a hot drink awaits you in the post-float room before you leave feeling thoroughly recharged.

For more information, to book a session or purchase gift vouchers, visit www.floatscotland.co.uk or @floatedinburgh in Facebook and Instagram.

FLOAT, The Grainstore, Roddinglaw Business Park, EH12 9DB. Tel 0131 237 3089 This article was contributed

by Helen-Jane after experiencing a luxury float therapy session at FLOAT. Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect magazines.

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Walking Football is exactly what it sounds like – a standard game of football where players walk instead of run.

It's designed to help people get fit or maintain an active lifestyle no matter what their age and fitness, as well as support people getting back into football if they have given it up due to age or injury. As you get older, there’s no reason why you can’t get the same pleasure you used to get from football, at your own pace.

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Joining in a physical activity with a group of people your age can be a breath of fresh air, make you laugh and give you a good time. Besides the physical health benefits, walking football is a great way to get out more, meet new people and feel better.

You’ll wonder how you survived without it!

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h t l a e h t u g

Why is

so important?

Over recent years there’s been an increasing focus on gut health in the media, but the genuine benefits of achieving and maintaining good gut flora are often misunderstood or overlooked.

When we think of our gut, our first thoughts quite naturally lean towards our digestion.

But there are in fact a number of other significant benefits that are equally, if not more important for our health and wellbeing. One of the first questions I’ll often ask clients who seek my assistance for nutritional guidance, food intolerances or weight loss is “are you taking a probiotic supplement?”

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Whilst it might not seem like the most obvious factor, the health of your gut plays a major role in determining not only the state of your digestion, (including common issues such as bloating, gas and discomfort), but also your body’s ability to burn or store fat, which foods you tend to favour the most, and surprisingly for many, your moods and emotions.

I help my clients to understand how and why this impacts their health, and how to find a probiotic that’s perfectly suited to their individual needs, helping them to enjoy less bloating, fewer cravings, and improved moods and mental focus. If you’d like to learn more, or to find out about how I can create a personalised approach towards your individual nutrition and health, simply get in touch and I’ll be happy to help.

This article was contributed by Sophie Louise, The Therapy Room, Woodhall Road, Colinton.

See www.sophielouisehealth.com

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HEALTH

Schools are still out for the summer holidays. The days are long, light and warm. The opportunities for our young people to get out and play seem endless. This is the best time of year.

Sometimes, though, knee pain can really upset our plans for sport and activities thereby ruining the holiday. There is a condition called Osgood-Schlatter Disease that particularly affects young people. In fact, it is one of the commonest causes of knee pain in adolescent children. So, what exactly is it?

Osgood-Schlatter Disease is a condition that causes swelling and pain just below the kneecap (patella) where the tendon from the big thigh muscle called the Quadriceps joins into the shin bone (tibia). Symptoms develop gradually with activity and are eased with rest.

As we grow, we go through phases where our tendons can be stronger than the bone that they are attached to. The tibia bone during a growth spurt may not be quite strong enough to withstand the forces through it so that the spot there the patella tendon attaches can become red, swollen and sore. In some case, the tendon can pull small flakes of bone away from the tibia causing a hard lump to develop. Healing bone forms callus which can cause a hard bony bump to develop and this bump will become painless but will remain for life.

Osgood-Schlatter Disease develops during the growth phase so it will affect girls between the ages of 8 and 12 and boys between the ages of 12 and 15. This condition is more common in boys than girls and it is very unusual to develop this condition after the age of 16. It is more likely in young people who play sports like 16 | BALERNO

football, rugby and hockey that involve kicking, running and jumping but can occur in young people who are not sporty. Most will only have one knee affected but 30% of people with Osgood-Schlatter Disease will have both knees affected.

Treatment for this condition is rest from the sports that aggravate the knee. The pain will usually clear in a few months without treatment but sometimes the pain will persist until the teenager has finished growing which may mean pain lasting for 2 years. The local use of ice can help with pain control as can simple analgesics such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. Your local Pharmacist can advise on what is best for you.

Physiotherapy can help by identifying the problem and advise on appropriate muscle stretching and strengthening exercises.

Physio can also help by identifying and reducing any muscle imbalances between the Quadriceps, Hamstring and Calf muscles. We find that stretches for the Hamstrings and Calf muscles at the back of the thigh can really make a difference.

A phased return to sports is sensible as playing through pain will prolong the condition. Being active is so important for our mental and physical health so don’t let knee pain from Osgood-Schlatter Disease put you off - the correct advice can get you playing sports again..

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

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MONEY MATTERS

TAX CODES – HOW IMPORTANT ARE THEY? The short answer is “very important”, because if it is wrong you may overpay income tax and have to claim a refund, and that could take a long time and much frustration. Alternatively you may underpay and face a tax bill and maybe interest on top.

MISUNDERSTANDING

Your PAYE Tax Code does not determine how much tax you ultimately have to pay.

It simply estimates how much you will have to pay on account. What you ultimately will pay is determined when you submit your self- assessment (SA) form.

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HOW IS YOUR TAX CODE ARRIVED AT?

The HMRC arrive at your tax code based on the latest information they hold on you, probably last year’s tax return. Obviously if your financial circumstances have changed e.g. you have sold shares or your employment hours have reduced, you will be paying more tax than you should. In view of this you should check your tax code carefully and inform HMRC immediately if it is wrong and submit evidence as to why it is wrong. When checking you code remember the first £1,000 of savings is taxfree if you are a basic taxpayer and £500 is you are a higher taxpayer. Also, the first £1,000 of dividends is tax-free.

The Money Matters column is contributed

by Personal Money Management. This month’s article is by Dr Peter M Marshall.

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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!

Cooking, science, and wearing your glasses

“Cooking for Greeks” – what a strange headline for a newspaper feature article!

Yet that’s what I saw. Admittedly, I’d only caught a glimpse, as I was busy and didn’t have time just then to sit and read the article. But, really! Why was there an article about cooking for Greeks?! We have Greek Cypriot friends and I didn’t have to read an article or a book before making a meal for them. They are usually positive about whatever I cook. Was this article implying that one must offer this particular people group halloumi, moussaka and a Greek salad in order to please them? What utter rubbish! I couldn’t wait to finish whatever job I was currently doing, so that I could get back to the article and see what it was spouting.

When I did get back to the newspaper – this time wearing my glasses – I discovered the headline actually said, “Cooking for Geeks”.

This is quite a different thing. However, I had no idea what it meant! And then I got called away to help someone with something, so I didn’t find out just then.

It was several days later that I remembered this headline, and by then the newspaper was in the recycling. So I consulted Google and found out there is actually a book called Cooking for Geeks, so presumably the article I’d almost read was featuring it.

Here are some teasers about this book: • Learn about the important reactions in cooking [sounds like a science textbook] … such as Maillard reactions [What?!

Ducks can’t cook!], and caramelization [chocolate and caramel I hope], and how 28 | BALERNO

they impact the foods we cook.

• Play with your food using hydrocolloids [hydrocolloids are used to make a special kind of wound dressing – yuck! I will stick with salad dressing], and sous vide cooking [a time-consuming method of cooking which involves putting your food in a glass jar or plastic pouch and submerging it in a water bath. Why?].

• Initialize your kitchen and calibrate your tools [No!] Intrigued? Well, this book won’t be on my Christmas list – or one about cooking for Greeks, for that matter.

I really do need to remember to wear my glasses when reading. Although it makes life more hilarious when I don’t.

Today I was trying to read the back of a bag of tortilla chips and, because the bag was wrinkled and because I was without my glasses again, I read “Suitable for Dalmatians”. How kind of the snack producers to spare a thought for these beautiful dogs! And how disappointing, upon closer inspection, to realise it actually said: “Suitable for Vegetarians”.

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

@KonectMagazines

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WINE TASTING

I’m selecting wines for an Autumn wedding! A lovely American couple are marrying in Scotland in October. Their menu features local, seasonal produce and I am selecting wine to pair - one of my favourite things to do!

“East Neuk Fife lobster, monkfish and langoustine served with a dill sage butter sauce, roasted potatoes and fennel”

The showstopping main course needs partnered with something equally special!

Lobster and monkfish are firm meats, the butter sauce is rich and the fennel and dill are delicate, essential herbs. I will select a white wine for this dish, one with acidity to keep the palate fresh but not dominate the flavour or texture of the meat. This rules out New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc as it can dominate the palate and overwhelm the delicate flavour of the herbs. The wine must be interesting, delicious and well-structured.

I am drawn to a Pinot Gris from Alsace. This wine is slightly off dry, with notes of dried apricot and have acidity and body.

“Autumn berries with tonak bean bavoir and a chocolate and praline tart with mascarpone cream.”

My favourite course though is dessert!

Here I have opted for Scottish elderberry elixir, ‘Aelder’, by Buck and Birch, based in Trannent. Aelder is a special, handcrafted liqueur made is small batches using wild elderberries foraged from Scotland’s hedgerow. The liqueur is flavoured with spices and local botanicals. Whisky is added to the blend resulting in a rich, smooth and very special drink with a beautifully warming finish.

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 30 | BALERNO

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58mm Vertical [LEFT]

AUGUST CROSSWORD

^^^ Solution in the September edition of Konect ACROSS: 1. Make a choice (6), 4. Railings (6), 9. Enlarged (7), 10. Headgear (5), 11. Home planet (5), 12. Citrus fruits (7), 13. Rural area (11), 18. Leaving (7), 20. Answer (5), 22. Devoured (5), 23. Closest (7), 24. Withstand (6), 25. Narrow river (6).

DOWN: 1. Remove doubt (6), 2. Singing group (5), 3. Sea mammal (7), ,5. Surplus (5), 6. Altered (7), 7. Scarce (6), 8. Supporting (11), 4. Not included (7), 15. Butler or maid (7), 16. Remove (6), 17. Scheme (6), 19. Not outer (5), 21. Portion (5).

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BALERNO | 35

LOCAL ENVIRONMENT

I try not to species chase but when a friend found active barn owls, I couldn’t resist a trip across the border to Lanark to watch these beautiful birds.

Despite being the world’s most distributed species of owl, they can be quite hard to see in Scot-land because it’s a bit chilly up here and they’re not fans of the cold. Whilst researching them for this article, I discovered Scotland has the most northerly breeding barn owls in the Northern Hemisphere!

They’re nocturnal birds so daytime sightings are rarer than the warmer climates down South. If you’re wondering how to tell nocturnal owls from diurnal ones (those active during the day) The tell tale sign is the the black eyes of the barn owl & tawnies.

You’ll see orange/yellow pupils of the little, short, and long eared owls, who can all be seen hunting during the day time.

Barn owls are incredible hunters and their heart shaped face helps collect sound as they quarter above the fields listening for voles and mice. Their feathers are designed 36 | BALERNO

to dampen sound, which gives them the ability to fly silently however they’re very absorbent and generally don’t like to fly in the rain, another reason which why they’re not easy to see up here. Incredibly, they can also hear a mouse’s heartbeat in a 30ft sq. room, yet my husband can’t hear me ask him to do the dishes in the same house.

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

Rescue greyhound Kaas’ was almost killed at 2 years old We want to introduce you to the gorgeous Kaas.

Kaas’ life was saved by a vet and independent rehoming charity 5 years ago, when her trainer took her to the vet to be put down at 2 years old, despite her jaw injury being completely treatable.

Her trainer claimed her kennel mate attacked her, however a specialist vet concluded that Kaas’ injury couldn’t have been caused by a dog, but rather by a direct blow to her jaw.

With just 10 minutes before closing, the vet phoned an independent rescue charity who agreed to take Kaas into their care for treatment and rehoming. They saved her life.

By just 2 years old, Kaas had already raced at tracks across the UK. Then, Kaas’ trainer was disqualified for doping as Kaas and her kennel mate were both discovered with drugs in their system. While a committee concluded that Kaas’ drugging was not deliberate, it was deemed the drugging of her kennel mate had to be.

During the case, her trainer said that Kaas wouldn’t race again and that she had been rehomed. If it was up to him, Kaas wouldn’t have raced again, however not because she had been rehomed, but because she would be dead.

Had the vet not called the independent rehoming charity, Kaas would not be here today.

Since her rescue from racing, Kaas’ life is very different with her loving family. Kaas is a happy, healthy girl that rocks her signature ‘squinty mouth’!

Kaas’ loves to nap, in fact, her mum says she’s the laziest greyhound you’ll ever meet.

When Kaas is not napping, she’s hanging out with one of her best friends, frontman of Biffy Clyro, Simon Neil!

Kaas is one of the ‘lucky’ ones. Many dogs haven’t been and won’t be so lucky. Between 2018-2022, 2,718 greyhounds died and there was a total of 22,284 injuries across the UK. That doesn’t even include the unregulated tracks that have no obligation to record figures, such as the last remaining track in Scotland- the unlicensed Thornton Stadium in Fife.

Please help Kaas’ friends and sign the Unbound the Greyhound coalition’s open letter to the Scottish Government calling for an end to greyhound racing in Scotland. An end is within a paw’s reach!

Search: bit.ly/unboundthegreyhound or scan the QR code to add your name in support of the Unbound the Greyhound campaign.

This article was contributed by the animal charity www.onekind.org @KonectMagazines

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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

Est. 2005

All Joinery & Glazing Free estimates 0131 449 3714 e: rabmcneill62@gmail.com

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

Free estimates.

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

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SUNDAYS 6TH AUGUST 17TH SEPTEMBER Open Days at Almondell Model Engineering Centre All welcome. Free admission and parking. Extended train route, train rides £5 first ride, £2 subsequent rides. Driver Experience £8. Picnic Areas. Refreshments and toilets.

Open 10:30am to 4:00pm. Edinburgh Society of Model Engineers, The Almondell Model Engineering Centre Drumshoreland Muir, Drumshoreland Road, Broxburn, EH52 5PF

SATURDAY 12TH AUGUST Try Padel at Hatton Sports Club Charity padethon in aid of Alzheimer Scotland – see poster opposite for details >>> SATURDAY 12TH AUGUST Farmers Market - Main Street, Balerno, 9:00am to 1:00pm SUNDAY 13TH AUGUST Pentland iNaturalist walk - With Pentland Hills Rangers. Learn about the wildlife and plants of the Regional Park and how you can become a Pentland iNaturalist, whilst taking in the view from the summits. Includes ridge walk. You must book by emailing us before joining this walk. pentlandhills@edinburgh. gov.uk Meet at Threipmuir car park (located at the end of Mansfield Road. Follow signs for “Pentland Hills Regional Park – Threipmuir”) Cost: FREE. 9:30am to 2:30pm UNION CANAL CRUISES Linlithgow Union Canal Centre is open on weekend afternoons until 24th September and weekday afternoons to 11th August Tearoom and museum at the canal basin open 1:30 to 4:30pm, regular short boat trips.

Weekends only: Avon Aqueduct cruise, 2.5 hours, starting 2:00pm.

• 13th August: Afternoon Tea cruise, 2.5 hours • 27th August: Boat trips to the Falkirk Wheel For booking and information lease visit: bookings.lucs.org.uk

WATER OF LEITH CONSERVATION TRUST CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY EVENTS 24 Lanark Road, EH14 1TQ. All bookings and information via www.waterofleith.org.uk • RIVER DIPPING for 4-8 years - Tues 1st Aug - £7/child • BUGS! For the under 6s - Thur 3rd Aug - £5/child • EXTREME RIVER DIPPER for 8-12 years - Tue 8th Aug - £7/child • NATURE RAFTS for 4-8 years - Thur 10th Aug - £7/child SUNDAY 20TH AUGUST Creative Flow - With Water of Leith Conservation Trust. Join Michael our Ranger for a guided walk with a difference as you explore the Dean Valley through creative drawing.

Michael, is also a graduate of Edinburgh Collage of Art where is specialized in Environmental Art, join in this guided walk and explore your creative side. Meet outside the Gallery of Modern Art, Belford Road - £7.00, members Free) 1:30 to 3.30pm. Book via www.waterofleith.org.uk SUNDAY 27TH AUGUST Three Peaks Guided Walk - With Pentland Hills Rangers. A walk on the ridge with stunning summit vistas if weather permits.

Learn about history, wildlife and land use.

Bring sturdy footwear, waterproofs and lunch. This is a strenuous 8 miles (13km), 400m ascent. You must book on this walk by emailing us in advance: pentlandhills@ edinburgh.gov.uk Meet at Threipmuir car park, located at the end of Mansfield Road.

Follow signs for “Pentland Hills Regional Park – Threipmuir” Cost: FREE. 9:00am to 2:30pm

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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PADETHON AT HATTON SPORTS CLUB IN AID OF ALZHEIMER SCOTLAND ALL WELCOME TO COME JOIN THE FUN AND RALLY FOR A GREAT CAUSE

SATURDAY 12TH AUGUST 2023 SIGN UP ON YOUR OWN OR WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDS USING THE QR CODE BELOW ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PADETHON OR PADEL IN GENERAL CAN BE SENT TO CRAIG@GETINPADEL.COM

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BALERNO | 43

Got a story?

WE LOVE TO CELEBRATE ALL THINGS LOCAL! If you or someone you know, has an interesting experience, an unusual job, does extraordinary charity work, has a crazy hobby..... get in touch via

editor@konect.scot and we may be able to share it.

(You need to live and/or work in the Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green, Baberton, or Ratho area to be featured in Konect)

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

SLIMMING WORLD - Come and join our group this week to find out more about how Food Optimising can work for you, no matter your lifestyle! My groups run • Wednesdays 7.00pm, Currie Community Centre, 280 Lanark Road West.

Currie, EH14 5RU • Saturdays 8.30am and 10am, Currie Scout Hall, Forthview Road, Currie, EH14 5QR Contact Donna 07981 564989 for more information BALERNO RAMBLERS WEEKEND GROUP - A busy walking group with a programme of interesting walks in a variety of locations. Some walks may be more challenging than the mid-week programme.

W: www.ramblers.org.uk/ balerno; or, www.facebook/BalernoRamblers E: enquiries@ balernoramblers.org.uk BALERNO RAMBLERS MIDWEEK GROUP - Meet for walks in Lothians, Fife, Borders and further afield.

For walk details contact M.Timmins on 07917878955.

Follow Balerno Ramblers on Facebook.

BARREFusion - A Barre class with a twist! Elements of Ballet & Yoga. Includes signature Fuse moves, Cardio bursts & Strength work. Drop-in (contactless payments taken) or prebook at www.bookwhen. @KonectMagazines

com/heidimacdonaldfitness.

Fridays 9:15am Juniper Green Scout Hall (nr Sainsburys). For further details: M: 07982205111 E: heidi.instructor@gmail. com KNIT ‘N’ KNATTER - Ratho Library, Ratho Commuity Centre, Thursdays 2pm to 4pm. Tea & coffee provided.

Bring along your wooly creations. Ratho Library 0131 333 5297.

NEW PILATES CLASS WITH INNAFITNESS Mondays 9.30 - 10.15 at Gibson Craig Hall, Currie Kirk.

Pilates is for EVERYONE whatever level of fitness, age or ability to help you build strength, flexibility and overall well-being.

• Progressive approach.

Teaching good movement skills.

• Small class sizes and friendly atmosphere.

• Beginners, Intermediate and Over 50’s suitable sessions.

Visit InnaFitness.com or Call: 07825 164927 to reserve your space in our class.

JUNIPER GREEN NURSERY PLAYGROUP Juniper Green Community Centre. We are a small friendly playgroup with very experienced staff. We take children who are from 2 to 3 years old for morning sessions (9.15-11.15) cost £13 which includes a snack.

No parent duties required.

For more information please look at our webpage: www.junipergreenplaygroup. vpweb.co.uk and contact us by emailing junipergreenplaygroup@ hotmail.co.uk or phone 07308 033386.

PENTLAND SINGERS COMMUNITY CHOIR Rehearsals every Tuesday at 7.30pm in Balerno Parish Church. Singing a wide range of choral music, with local concerts twice a year, no previous experience required and new members always warmly welcomed. Actively seeking new members.

Further information: www. pentlandsingers.org.uk or email: pentland_singers@ yahoo.co.uk PENTLAND JUNIOR SINGERS - Rehearsals every Tuesday 6-7pm, Balerno Parish Church. For young people aged 8 to 14.

Come and sing a wide array of choral music in a fun and supportive environment.

More information: www. pentlandjuniors.org or email: pentlandjuniors@ gmail.com CURRIE 65TH BOYS BRIGADE - Anchor Boys (P2-3) and Junior Section (P4-6) Thurs 6.00-7.30pm Company Section (P7-S6) Sun 6.30- 8.30pm Gibson Craig Hall, Currie.

Contact 65edinburghbb@ gmail.com or 07730 414371.

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RATHO COMMUNITY CENTRE • Gentle Exercise Group, every Thurs from 10am-12 SOLUTION TO JULY noon CROSSWORD • Gentle Exercise Group, every Thurs from 10am-12 noon • 50+ Group alternate Wed from 2pm-4pm • Book Group alternate Wed from 2pm-4pm • Knit and Natter Group Thurs from 2pm-4pm Tel: Ratho Community Centre 0131 333 1055.

JUNIPER GREEN BOARDGAMERS - Family and kids friendly board-game group ACROSS:to 1. all.

Robots, 4. Tennis, 9. Grandma, open Come join us to 10. Twice, 11. Audio, 12. Thawing, 13. Unnecessary, 18.of Cobwebs, 20. Later, play all sorts board-games.

22. Ruler, 23. Imitate, 24. Desire, 25. Agreed.

Children are free with any DOWN: 1. Ragtag, 2. Bland, 3. Tadpole, 5. Extra, 6. Noisier,(£3/adut) 7. Sledge, 8. Partnership, 14 Nibbles, adult Meetings 15. Solving, 16. Scared, 17. Friend, 19. Error, 21. Tease.2nd Friday 6pm to 9pm every see boardjg.co.uk for details SOLUTION TO SUDOKU of contact eric@boardjg.

ON PAGE XX co.uk

primesportsphysio.co.uk for more info.

PiYo - A fusion of Yoga & Pilates & Non-stop movement. A total body workout. Muscle sculpting, Core firming, Strength, Flexibility. Working towards a stronger you. Drop-in (contactless payments taken) or pre-book at bookwhen. com/heidimacdonaldfitness Tuesdays 9am Balerno Scout Hall - bring a mat & water. For further details call Heidi on 07982 205111 PARACISE - Gentle to moderate exercise to music you’ll love. Working on balance, mobility, flexibility & posture. All STANDING. Drop-in (contactless payments taken) or prebook at bookwhen.com/ heidimacdonaldfitness Wednesdays 10:45am Balerno Scout Hall - bring water. For further details call Heidi on 07982 205111.

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 Insta: @everychildisanartist_

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.

PILATES, YOGA, STRENGTH & FITNESS Disclaimer: The publisher cannot accept responsibility for-loss damage caused CLASSES at or Prime Sports by error in the printing of an advertisement.

Physio & Pilates Studio & We do not endorse any advertisers in Gym - Our expert physios, this publication. All material is accepted Pilates & yoga for publication on theinstructors understanding it is To include your Club and personal trainers offer a copyright free. No part of this publication may be reproduced prior consent programme of without 22 classes per of or Class, please email the publisher. details, up to 75 words, week to promote wellbeing, Publisher:strength Lothian Publications Ltd. health, and fitness. to editor@konect.scot Geddes House, Kirktonto North, We’re delighted nowLivingston, offer West Lothian EH54 6GU. Not-for-profit groups are a monthly class membership Magazine Design: FREE. There is a small as well as individual class Alan Stewart Design charge for businesses. bookings.

Please visit: www.

M: 07729 911858 See konect.scot for primesportsphysio.co.uk E: hello@alanstewartdesign.com to W: www.alanstewartdesign.com book classes. Email: hello@ information.

46 | BALERNO

SOLUTION TO JULY CROSSWORD

ACROSS: 1. Robots, 4. Tennis, 9. Grandma, 10. Twice, 11. Audio, 12. Thawing, 13. Unnecessary, 18. Cobwebs, 20. Later, 22. Ruler, 23. Imitate, 24. Desire, 25. Agreed.

DOWN: 1. Ragtag, 2. Bland, 3. Tadpole, 5. Extra, 6. Noisier, 7. Sledge, 8. Partnership, 14 Nibbles, 15. Solving, 16. Scared, 17. Friend, 19. Error, 21. Tease.

SOLUTION SOLUTION TO TO SUDOKU SUDOKU ON ON PAGE PAGE XX 34

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: Alan Stewart Design M: 07729 911858 E: hello@alanstewartdesign.com W: www.alanstewartdesign.com

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