The Dell Directory, April 2020

April 2020

THE DELL DIRECTORY

HEALTH:

LYNNE’S COLUMN: SCIENCE COLUMN:

IDEAS AND SOLUTIONS FOR

LOCALtraffic issues

P17 TO OUR APRIL EDITION

O

ur world has changed.

Let’s look out for each other, adhere strictly to guidance on health and social behaviour and pull through this together.

Reading through the columns, most of which were written by contributors before “social distancing” was part of our everyday vocabulary, is a reminder of a normality that already seems distant. Every topic is touched in some way by Covid-19, but there will be a new normal eventually.

For example, the Local Lab column is about traffic problems; but since we have discovered a whole lot of home-working is do-able when required, will we even need to go back to the same level of traffic as before? That will be ours to choose.

Whereas the health column Your Bike and You suddenly seems even more relevant as the gyms are closed and more people dusting off their bikes!

Most of the local businesses whose adverts brighten the pages of this magazine on a regular basis can’t carry on as usual and livelihoods are in danger. Please support local businesses when you can. Check what they are offering - many are adapting and finding different ways to offer their services. Or just hanging on tight until they can trade again. Please lend your support in whatever way you can. Reciprocally, many businesses are reaching out to help with special services and offers to the most vulnerable in our communities.

THIS ISSUE Local Lab: Ideas & Solutions for Local Traffic Issues.................................................. 9 Lynne’s Column...........................................15

Health: Your bike and You.........................17 Puzzles..........................................................29 Community: Pesticide Free Balerno.........30 Clubs & Classes..........................................32 Useful information........................................33 Notes from a Small Village.........................34 Charity: Held in Our Hearts.......................35 Clubs & Classes..........................................39

Thanks for reading the Dell Directory, stay safe through the storm.

The Dell Directory is distributed to 5,500 homes in the Colinton, Craiglockhart and Kingsknowe areas. There are 11 copies a year with a joint issue in Dec/Jan.

HELEN-JANE SHEARER

CHARLENE GAFFNEY

E: editor@konect.scot

M: 07772 941899 E: charlene@konect.scot

Editor

@KonectMagazines

Account Manager

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10 YEAR

GUARANTEE

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LOCAL LAB

Creating ideas and solutions for local traffic issues Professor Guy Walker specialises in human factors engineering research. He recognises that solutions to transportation problems require a multi-disciplinary approach, one which puts people, the ‘civil’, very much back into civil engineering. Over the last few months Guy has been supervising a group of 5th year undergraduate civil engineering students working with residents and community groups to help solve traffic congestion in Currie, Balerno and Juniper Green.

Tell us a bit about the problem… Along the A70, we have inherited a road system that evolved from lanes serving local villages and farms a century ago and, as the city’s draft ‘City Plan 2030’ foresees even more local development, the future threatens even more commuters, cars and congestion.

How were the students involved? The students hosted meetings in local libraries, cafes and schools to discover what local traffic issues need the most urgent attention.

They were told about some specific issues, from improving public transport connectivity to dealing with rat-running and on street parking. After time they found a much more complicated picture; just getting to the shops is becoming more and more difficult for many.

And the community? In February, the students presented the results of their work at a public meeting in Currie at which over 100 people attended, including MSPs and Councillors. The traffic problems were grouped into six main concerns, and the audience of local people was asked to prioritise areas and suggest mitigation measures.

The event sparked extensive discussion on an emotive issue, with positive feedback on how the students are working closely with the @KonectMagazines

Professor Guy Walker

community to come up with solutions. Among the solutions was an ‘Education Corridor’, which suggests identifying and designating streets that can accommodate cycle priority lanes creating smarter routes to school and the university. This idea was particularly well received by the community, and the local schools, with the redevelopment of Currie Community high school an excellent opportunity to look at how young people get themselves to school in a sustainable, healthy and safe way.

What will happen next? With the help of leading traffic data services company Tracsis, and using microsimulation software provided

by Systra, Currie, Balerno and Juniper Green now have a ‘digital twin’ to rival those normally created for large cities. Once the community feedback from the meeting has been analysed, the Heriot-Watt students hope to use the simulation model to test out various scenarios that could become a template for solutions to congestion problems in other locations. Follow up meetings are already planned between the university and the campus’s three local community councils.

If you would like any further information, please contact Professor Guy Walker G.H.Walker@hw.ac.uk

The Local Lab column is contributed by Heriot-Watt University to engage the public in a range of their research projects.

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Please contact us if you would like your business included in our Gardening/Exteriors pages.

Our contact details are on page 3.

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BILL REID & SON

DOMESTIC HEATING & PLUMBING 0131 449 5538 07710 458739 2 Turner Avenue Balerno

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GERRY AITKEN

Painter & Decorator Juniper Green

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

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

@KonectMagazines

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Retreat Yourself When I started writing this month’s column I was contentedly holed up at a writer’s retreat in Portobello. I’ve always wanted to say I’ve been on a retreat and this was actually the second time I’d attended one of these.

The traditional image that springs to my mind of a ‘retreat’ is a zen-like temple in which to practice yoga at sunset but this was not quite so grand. Rather, it was a community, creative events space full of people of all ages from all walks of life with one common pastime – writing.

We introduced ourselves with familiar tales of having ideas floating around in our heads that somehow never seem to find their way into print since work, family and general life commitments always seem to take precedence.

Then we began, coached gently by the lovely facilitator, to write freely and quietly in timed bursts, stopping often to refuel with regular tea breaks, snacks and a lovely buffet lunch.

Despite the lack of features from what I would generally picture as a retreat this was indeed an indulgence - a full day to take myself off, away from daily chores and rituals, and allow my mind to wander in any direction it chose.

I found myself thinking how much we can all benefit from allowing ourselves a retreat.

It doesn’t have to be somewhere grand; it doesn’t even have to be an organised event like this one but it does have to allow us the permission and the discipline to switch off from our daily lives and indulge in doing whatever we enjoy. My Mum used to @KonectMagazines

occasionally say “Stop the world – I want to get off!” and in these busy, technology-heavy times I think we all feel the need to do that sometimes.

It’s not always easy to be able to allow ourselves this sort of me-time but with a bit of forward planning it’s not impossible to ring mark a day in your diary to indulge in something just for yourself. Ideally for me that would involve maybe going for a swim or a massage, reading (or writing!) a book in Spylaw Park or taking a walk along the Water of Leith or the canal bank in hope of catching a glimpse of the resident otters.

With the current climate constantly changing in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, getting out and about may become more difficult but we can still find some time to enjoy some me-time from the comfort of our own home. Set aside some time each day to read a good book or magazine, soak in a luxurious bath or pick up a long-lost hobby like knitting, crocheting, doing puzzles or jigsaws – the things you often long to do but never seem to find the time. We all deserve to retreat ourselves from time to time.

Lynne lives in Colinton with her husband and two children. She dreams of being a freelance writer when she grows up but mostly just avoids growing up!

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For Recovery And Beyond Knowledgeable Experienced Friendly Physiotherapy Relief from Back and Neck pain, Muscle Aches and Sports Related Injuries Make an appointment with us

0131 337 5135 Online booking now available

www.physiogrange.co.uk No GP referral required Free Parking

Gillis Centre 100 Strathearn Road Edinburgh EH9 1BB

Many local Health and Beauty salons are adapting to survive social distancing.

Check their online sites for updates on what they are doing, and support them if you can by getting gift vouchers, facial kits and or beauty treatments.

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HEALTH

Your Bike and You “I want to ride my bicycle; I want to ride my bike” sang Freddie Mercury of the rock group Queen back in 1978. He’s not alone as each year we in Britain cycle about 5 billion kilometres. To prevent injury, it is important to ensure that your bike is the best fit for you so what should you look for?

Frame size - When you straddle the bicycle frame with your feet flat on the ground you should be able to comfortably clear the crossbar or “top tube” of a gent’s bike. Ladies who want a bike with the traditional “stepthrough” frame can get a good indication of suitable frame size by trying a gent’s bike first.

Once you have an appropriate frame size, think about the 3 points of contact the human body has with the bike – hands, feet and backside. Our body weight is spread over these relatively small points so correct positioning will improve comfort when cycling.

Saddle Height - Your saddle should be high enough that your knee is almost, but not completely, straight at the bottom of each pedal stroke. Riding with a “soft” knee like this ensures that the knee is not repeatedly overextended with each revolution of the pedals as this would stress the ilio-tibial band, stress the hamstring tendons and increase loading on the patellofemoral joint all resulting in knee pain. Riding with a saddle which is too low will inhibit leg power making you an inefficient cyclist and will also stress the quadriceps tendon again giving knee pain. Your saddle is too low if you can get both feet flat on the ground while sitting on the saddle.

Saddle size - Saddles come is 3 standard widths and it is well worth ensuring that you have the best fit for your anatomy as determined by the width of your ischial tuberosities or “sit bones”. @KonectMagazines

Handlebars - Handlebar height depends on personal preference but remember that lower bars require more body flexibility and promote a more aerodynamic riding style whereas higher bars reduce spinal flexion and therefore reduce neck, back and wrist strain. Handlebars should be the same width as your shoulders. If wider, then arms and chest create a large area for wind resistance to slow down speed of travel but if arms are too close together it becomes harder to breathe properly.

Pedals - Toe clips keep the ball of the foot over the pedal axle for an efficient cycling technique. The position of the toe clips is important. If rotated towards the bike there will be extra rotation of the shin bone resulting in knee pain, particularly around the knee cap.

If the toe clips are rotated away from the bike frame this causes external rotation of the shin giving pain on the inside of the knee.

Get on Your Bike! - An ill-fitting bike can be the cause of knee, back, neck, shoulder, and wrist pain. Time spent ensuring the anatomy of your bike is a best fit for your own anatomy will help you stay on your bike to get fit, have fun and avoid unnecessary pain. We all want that!

The health column is contributed by McNaughton Physiogrange, Edinburgh www.physiogrange.co.uk THE DELL | 17

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CLEANING & MAINTENANCE • Rhone Cleaning & Repairs (cast iron or plastic) • Roof Repairs (tiles or slates) • Moss Removal • Pressure Washing

Call Kerr Middleton on: 0131 334 2080 | 07768 632 867 FREE Estimates & advice given Over 35 years experience

Currievale

Keith Wales

24 hour call outs Family business, over 20 yrs experience Reliable and no job too small

Reliable 4 weekly service

Drainage Services

WINDOW CLEANING

0131 449 4379 • 07895 916800

All blockages cleared: Drains, toilets, sinks, baths & showers Call Alexander:

07849 393364 • 0131 449 3071 Currievale Drive, Currie

www.kwaleswindowcleaning.co.uk

Blaikie Tree Services Services: • Tree Felling and removal Forestry and arboriculture • Tree Pruning • Tree Reductions • All aspects of tree maintenance • Hedge cutting Family Run business with highly trained and professional Tree Surgeons

Please Call or email us for free advise and quotations Email: blaikietreeservices@gmail.com

Tel: 07554014524 @KonectMagazines

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IAN HODGSON & CO PAINTERS & DECORATORS Established 1980

We offer a complete decorating service.

All our tradesmen have City & Guilds and are fully insured.

For a quotation without obligation from your local decorator Phone 0131 441 6524 Where Quality Counts!

8 Fernielaw Avenue Edinburgh EH13 0EE Tel: 0131 441 6524 Mobile: 07876377738 Email: hodgson.ian@btinternet.com Website: www.ianhodgsonpaintersanddecorators.co.uk

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SMC JOINERY 07884 203 957 OXGANGS FARM LOAN, EDINBURGH, EH13 9QD

• Supply and Fit Kitchens • Maintenance / Letting Work • All joinery work undertaken • Kitchens • Windows • Doors • Skirting • Facings • Ceilings • Roofs • Decking • Fencing • Double Glazing • FREE ESTIMATE • ALL TRADES SUPPLIED • FULLY INSURED

Get in touch: 0131 466 3494 E: smcjoinery@hotmail.co.uk

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Double Glazing Doctor Four Seasons Scotland Limited

The Lothians finest...

• If we can’t fix it - it can’t be fixed.

• Does your conservatory leak?

• Do you have broken locks, hinges handles?

• Are your sealed units misted or broken?

• Is your original supplier no longer in business or just won’t honour your existing guarantee?

Don’t panic. Call the Good Doctor now and get a clean bill of health!

Keep your existing windows & upgrade to our energy saving glass.

Your Local Home Improvement Company.

four seasons

The Conservatory Complex and Innovation Studio: Riccarton Garden Centre, Riccarton Mains Rd, Currie Mon - Fri 10am - 4pm, Sat - Sun 11am - 4pm.

0131 449 7000 (24/7)

Scotland Limited

Orangeries+Extensions+Roofline+Kitchens+Repairs

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+ W i n d o w s + D o o r s + G a r a g e D o o r s + C o n s e r v a t o r i e s + S u n r o o m s +

+ W i n d o w s + D o o r s + G a r a g e D o o r s + C o n s e r v a t o r i e s + S u n r o o m s +

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R E PA I R S , S A L E S , S PA R E S & S E R V I C I N G Full supply, delivery and installations of new integrated and free standing appliances Washing Machines • Cookers • Tumble Dryers Dishwashers • Vaccum Cleaners We repair & service all of the major brands: • Bosch • Hoover • Hotpoint • Beko • Neff • Siemens • Lamona • And many more Email: appliancesofedinburgh@hotmail.com Web: www.appliancesofedinburgh.co.uk

400 Lanark Road West, Currie

WEIR GAS SERVICES Former Scottish Gas engineer

Tel:

07981 366 988

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

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PUZZLES

CROSSWORD

Solution in the May edition of The Dell Directory

Our contact details are on page 3.

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DOWN: 1. Mailed (6), 2. Destroyed by fire (5), 3. Copy (7), 5. Precise (5), 6. Accept as true (7), 7. Climbing up (6), 8. Frantically (11), 14. Interconnected system (7), 15. Clearly (7), 16. Chicken meat (6), 17. Racket game (6), 19. Consumed (5), 21. Perfect (5).

SUDOKU Solution in the May edition of The Dell Directory

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

ACROSS: 1. Not private (6), 4. One belonging to a club (6), 9. Endure (7), 10. Book of maps (5), 11. Surplus (5), 12. Design (7), 13. Discontinued (11), 18. Withdraw (7), 20. Living (5), 22. Concerning (5), 23. Outside light (7), 24. Removing (6), 25. Two wheeled vehicles (6).

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PESTICIDE-FREE BALERNO The use of glyphosate for weed-killing in Balerno has been suspended for 2020, and the local campaign group behind the ban are setting up an Environmental Weeding Group for the village to deal with weeds in an environmentally friendly way.

Glyphosate is under worldwide investigation for its links to human and animal health problems, including cancer. We feel real urgency now more than ever as this chemical can cause respiratory problems and is unnecessary when there are safer ways of weeding.

The Council’s Transport and Environment committee heard our passionate plea last month to put health first and to make people, pets and the environment an absolute priority where we live, work and play. At this stage they are not offering an alternative, so the new Environmental Weeding Group will operate as a group and remove weeds around Balerno safely.

Now, with every one of us propelled into the most apprehensive unknown territory of our lifetimes regarding health, we must take every positive action we can to support our communities. Supporting our individual immune system and maximising our respiratory health is something we can do right away by supporting initiatives such as Pesticide Free Balerno.

Although there are necessary limitations on the activities we normally, do we can make a positive difference. We 30 | THE DELL

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can use this time to connect with each other remotely and still work together on an individual basis to help larger causes. We can stay connected, contribute positively in our neighbourhood and weed outside our house on our pavements and even do our whole street!

If you live outside the Pesticide-Free Zone and want to protect your family’s and pet’s health and use your time wisely, you can ask the council not to apply this chemical where you live and let them know that you or your neighbours would prefer to remove your own weeds.

• Volunteer to weed outside your house and let us know of your achievements.

Send in your before and after photos for our page • Ask your private gardener or contractor what chemical they use and research it yourself or contact us to find out risks to your health and ask them to use safe alternatives or hand weed • Engage with us and tell us about your own health issues which may be connected to exposure • Follow us on Instagram and find out how to garden and weed without resorting to harmful chemicals • Send in your hints and tips and any ideas you have • Take time to hand weed outside neighbours’ houses if they need help.

(At a safe social distance and with suitable precautionary safety measures) • Share the initiative with anyone you chat to on phone/social media we can hopefully inspire other communities to do the same • Spread the word about our good news story!

Most of us now realise that weeds are the first source of food for our pollinators which are in desperate decline and feel we have a duty to protect .

We are also considerate to those who need our help with weed removal and we are happy to be contacted and assist @KonectMagazines

and operate around the present social distancing requirements Let’s help the health and environment of our community within the constraints necessary, inspire other communities to follow and who knows Edinburgh may well do its own weeding this year after all!!

Contact pesticidefreebalerno@gmail.com or 07979717485 for further information and to be part of the remote Individual Weeding Group!

You will be made most welcome remotely online or by phone and your help will be gratefully appreciated.

Follow us on Instagram @pesticidefree.balerno This article was contributed by Pesticide Free Balerno THE DELL | 31

CLUBS & CLASSES

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

NEW OX PEN WRITING GROUP We welcome writers of all kinds to share the creative energy, ideas and support - we meet at 6:30pm 2nd & 4th Wednesdays at Oxgangs Library. For more information contact: oxgangs.library@edinburgh.gov. uk tel:0131 529 5549

EDINBURGH MAVERICKS KORFBALL CLUBS Try korfball with Edinburgh Mavericks! Korfball is a mixed-gender sport with similarities to basketball and netball. Edinburgh Mavericks have 2 teams competing in the Scottish Korfball League, and train twice a week at Oriam.

We welcome beginners and new players to all our sessions, men and women of all ages - so if you’re looking for a new sports club or way to keep fit, give korfball a try! Your first 3 sessions are free. Oriam, Heriot Watt University Campus, Currie, EH14 4AS. Wednesdays 7pm-8.30pm and Thursdays 8pm – 10.30pm. Contact edmavericks@gmail.com or facebook. com/edinburghmavericks BODY & CORE PILATES CLASSES Beginners/Intermediate Pilates classes at Simon Says Dance (Longstone) Fri 9.15am & 10.30am. Spaces are limited.

Please contact Mairianne on 07912 963 851 for more details or email: pilates@bodyandcore.co.uk See www.bodyandcore.co.uk and facebook.com/bodyandcorepilates

CRAIGLOCKHART BADMINTON CLUB Craiglockhart Parish Church - We meet for social badminton on Wednesdays 8pm to 10pm from September to May. Contact Averil Sutherland on 07720 049705.

MORNINGSIDE & NEWINGTON FLORAL ART CLUB Come along & enjoy relaxing evenings watching a floral demonstration with lively & interesting chat. You might even win one of the arrangements. We meet in Boroughmuir Rugby Club, Meggatland, off Colinton Road EH14 1AS from 7.30pm to 9.30pm approx on the 1st Monday of each month. Wine/tea/coffee available.

New Members Only – come as a visitor for £7 on the 2nd September or 7th October which will be deducted from your annual subscription making it only another £28 if you decide to join us. We look forward to meeting you. For information please contact Joyce Rutherford 0131 443 2536 or joyce.rutherford@btinternet.com LITTLE STEPS Baby and Toddler Group, Weds 10am – 11.30am (term times). Play, Bible stories, crafts, singing, snacks for kids, coffee and homebaking.

St John’s Colinton Mains Church, 223 Oxgangs Road North. See facebook: St John’s Colinton Mains EDINBURGH LINUS GROUP We are a small group who meet every second Tuesday afternoon in the Pentland Community centre and make quilts and incubator covers for the Sick Kid’s Hospital. New members are always welcome. More information from alisonjdunlop@yahoo.co.uk

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COLINTON & MERCHISTON CHOIR Amateur choral society, performing two concerts per year. We meet in the Music Department at Merchiston Castle School, Mondays 7.30pm to 9pm. All ages welcome, no audition required.

Annual membership subscription of £35.00, which includes the hire of music.

For more information, please visit www. colintonchoir.org HATHA YOGA Colinton Parish Church - Redford Room, Dell Road on Wednesdays 7pm - 8.30pm. For more details please email june4yoga@ btinternet.com or call 07730 130435

FRIENDLY BRIDGE Colinton Cottage Homes - 15 Thorburn Road, Colinton.

Every Tues 2-4pm. Contact Ken McLeod, Tel: 0131 466 0888.

COLINTON BADMINTON CLUB St. Cuthberts Church Hall, Westgarth Ave - Monday 8pm-10pm from Sept to March. Contact: Archie Clark on 0131 449 4703 STABLE ROOM PLAYGROUPS Colinton Parish Church, Dell Road - Happy and stimulating playgroups from 2-5 years old. Mon, Weds & Fri 9.15am to 12.00pm. (term time). E: stableroomcolinton@gmail.com M: 07740 334967.

STABLE ROOM & TODDLER GROUPS Colinton Parish Church, Dell Road Thurs 9.30am - 11.30am (term time). M: 07740 334967. E: stableroomcolinton@ gmail.com Please phone before coming as we operate a waiting list.

COLINTON GARDEN CLUB Dreghorn Loan Hall - Meets 4th Monday of every month at 8.00pm. September to April.

E: membership@colintongardens.org.uk W: www.colintongardens.org.uk BIDE & BLETHER LUNCH CLUB Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre, 71 Firrhill Drive, Edinburgh EH13 9EU Every Wednesday from 1.30pm to 3pm, starting from 7th June. Call us today to book your place on 0131 466 0678.

CRAIGLOCKHART CHURCH GUILD Craiglockhart Church, Craiglockhart Drive North, EH14 1HS. We meet in Centenary Hall at 7.30 pm on 1st & 3rd Tuesdays from October to March to encourage men and women in their faith while hearing interesting talks, having fun and finishing with a chat over tea and coffee. Everyone most welcome.

COLINTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY Dreghorn Loan Hall - Want to know about local history! We meet every other Monday evening in the Hall with Speakers starting at 8pm prompt.

Visit www.colintonhistory.org.uk or contact enquiries@colintonhistory.org.uk EDINBURGH GUILD OF WEAVERS, SPINNERS AND DYERS Craiglockhart Church, Craiglockhart Drive North Meet at monthly usually the third Saturday of the month. Our aims are to further the crafts of weaving, spinning and dyeing, to learn from each other as well as from

experienced craft tutors, and to create opportunities to display and pass on our skills. See www.ewsd.org.uk

WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUP Meet every Wednesday for walks in the Lothians, Fife, the Borders and further afield. Transport from Currie Library car park, walks of various grades and distances (usually 6 to 8 miles). Just turn up and go. Contact: M. Timmins T: 0131 449 4525 or A Blythe T:0131 629 3644 (Balerno and District Ramblers) for details and a programme.

SISTERS WITH SPIRIT Swing Café at Colinton Parish Church A new women’s group that meet on the first Thursday every month at 7.30pm. For more details on the themes for our meetings, and to book tickets, please visit facebook.com/ sisterswithspirit or call 0131 441 2232.

GO GET FITNESS Insanity Live classes - Max Interval Training for all fitness levels.

Mon 8pm Spylaw Park, Colinton. Tues 8.15pm Pentland Community Centre.

Thurs 1pm, Fri 9.40am North Merchiston Club (parents welcome to bring children to watch!) £5 per class or block of 10 classes for £40 For bookings and further details: emma@go-get.co.uk Visit: www.go-get.co.uk or facebook.com/gogetinsanitylive 7th EDINBURGH BOYS BRIGADE Co. We welcome boys of all school ages, from Primary 1 to S6 - For a real variety of fun, games, activities, outings & competitions. Most Friday evenings during school term at Dreghorn Loan Hall, Dreghorn Loan. Alastair Merrill (Company Captain); ajsmerrill@gmail.com; 0131 477 3982; 07766 246880. Martin Shand (P1 – P6); martinshand74@gmail.com; 0131 441 9149; 07860 368285.

COLINTON LITERARY SOCIETY Dreghorn Loan Hall - Meets every Wednesday at 8pm from 9th October.

Keep up to date with latest news about the Lit, on Church website www.colintonparish.com

CRAIGLOCKHART LADIES GROUP This group has been meeting for 40 years and continues to do so in Craiglockhart Parish Church starting at 8pm on Monday’s from September to March. Our first meeting this session is on September 9th. Do come and join us for our Welcome Night and find out our full programme.

Membership fee £25. Contact- Peta Graham 0131 443 2150.

TO INCLUDE YOUR CLUB OR CLASS, PLEASE EMAIL DETAILS TO EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT CHARITY AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS ARE FREE. THERE IS A SMALL CHARGE FOR OTHER LISTINGS. SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION. WWW.KONECT.SCOT

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USEFUL INFORMATION

POST OFFICES & LIBRARIES Colinton Post Office (within Olive Deli) - 0131 441 1003 - www.postoffice.co.uk Opening Times: Mon - Fri 9am - 5.30pm, Sat 9am - 5pm, Sun CLOSED Colinton Mains Post Office - 0131 441 2657 - www.postoffice.co.uk Opening Times: Mon - Fri 9am - 5.30pm, Sat 9am - 12.30pm Colinton Library - 14 Thorburn Road, Edinburgh, EH13 0BQ - Tel: 0131 529 5603 Email: colinton.library@ edinburgh.gov.uk - Opening Times: Mon & Weds 1pm to 8pm, Tues & Fri 10am to 5pm, Sat 10am to 2pm - Facilities: Free wifi, disabled access, car park, exhibition space, induction loop, Library Link (Fridays at 1pm) Oxgangs Library - 343 Oxgangs Road North, Edinburgh EH13 9LY - Tel: 0131 529 5549 Email: oxgangs.library@edinburgh.gov.uk - Opening Times: Mon-Weds 10am to 8pm, Thurs – Sat 10am to 5pm. Sun – Closed. - Facilities: Free Wifi, self service, disabled access, car park, community room for hire, display/exhibition space for public use, toilets incl disabled, baby changing facilities & induction loop

COMMUNITY REPRESENTATION

Local Councillors (Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart Ward): Gavin Corbett - Scottish Greens - 0131 529 3174 - gavin.corbett@edinburgh.gov.uk Andrew Johnston - Con - 0131 529 4355 - andrew.johnston@edinburgh.gov.uk David Key - SNP - 0131 529 3260 - david.key@edinburgh.gov.uk Local Councillors (Colinton/Fairmilehead Ward): Scott Arthur - Labour - 0131 529 4014 - scott.arthur@edinburgh.gov.uk Phil Doggart - Con - 0131 529 4255 - phil.doggart@edinburgh.gov.uk Jason Rust - Con - 0131 529 4953 - jason.rust@edinburgh.gov.uk Colinton Amenity Association: www.colinton-amenity.org.uk Craiglockhart Community Council: www.craiglockhart.btck.co.uk Colinton Community Council: www.colintoncc.org.uk Firrhill Community Council: www.firrhillcommunitycouncil.btck.co.uk Longstone Community Council: www.longstonecc.org.uk Pentland Community Centre: 0131 445 287

MEDICAL

CORONAVI RUS GENE RAL HELPLI 0800 028 28 16.

NE and are lookinIf you don’t have symptom: g for genera l information. s HELPLINE FO 0800 1244 R ELDERLY PEOPLE : coronavirus 222. Call Age Scotland advice, help, for or voice of supp simply a friendly ort.

If you have sy mptom Coronavirus s, use the 111 www.111.nhs service at instructions. .uk/covid-19 for Please to GP, pharma do not go cy or hospital.

Colinton Pharmacy - 0131 441 2352 - Opening Times: Mon-Fri: 9-1pm & 2-5.45pm, Sat: 9am to 1pm Colinton Mains Pharmacy - 0131 441 3388 - Opening Times: Mon- Fri: 9am – 6pm, Sat: 9am- 1pm - Closed daily between 1pm and 2pm Colinton Surgery - 0131 441 4555 - www.colintonsurgery.co.uk - Opening Times: Mon- Fri: 8am- 6pm Firrhill Medical Centre - 0131 441 3119. Mon- Fri 8am- 6pm Royal Infirmary - 0131 536 1000 - www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk Sick Kids Hospital - 0131 536 0000 - www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk NHS 24 - 111 - www.nhs24.scot NHS Inform - www.nhsinform.scot - For everyday questions about health

SCHOOLS

Bonaly Primary School - 0131 441 7211 - www.bonaly.edin.sch.uk Braidburn School - 0131 312 2320 - www.braidburnedinburgh.com Colinton Primary School - 0131 441 1946 - www.colintonprimaryschool.wordpress.com Firrhill High School - 0131 441 4501 - www.firrhillhighschool.org.uk Merchiston Castle School - 0131 312 2200 - www.merchiston.co.uk Oxgangs Primary School - 0131 441 3649 - www.oxgangs.edin.sch.uk St Marks RC Primary School - Tel 0131 441 2948 - www.st-marks.edin.sch.uk

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THE DELL | 33

I’ve lived in Balerno since 1991. It’s home. But Illinois, the American state where I grew up, is also home. I think of myself as a transplant – uprooted from the rich, dark farmland in the Midwest, and replanted in harder, rockier UK soil. Though I feel quite at home here, growing up in a place with different customs means that I don’t always see things in the same way as my neighbour.

PUPPY DOG FRIENDLINESS

“Have a nice day.” I hear someone at the next table spouting this with a mock American accent. “It’s so nauseating.

Especially because you know they’ve been trained to parrot it and don’t really mean it!”

But that’s the thing. They really do mean it. At least, most of the time they do. Sure, retail staff are encouraged to wish their customers well.

But they’ve also been raised in a ‘glass half-full’ culture, where puppy dog friendliness comes pretty naturally. So, in addition to making good business sense, it just feels right. Customers feel welcomed and valued and staff have a more rewarding day when they actually make human contact, rather than just taking a faceless person’s money – while assuring them that it’s ‘no problem’.

I remember a shopping trip to a K-Mart on my husband’s first visit to my country. As we walked towards the entrance, a curly-haired lady in jeans and a big jumper was gathering trollies in the car park. “Hello,” she called. “How are you?”

“Just fine,” I returned. “And how are you today?”

When we were safely inside, my husband turned and asked me, “Who was that? Your cousin?”

Laughing, I explained that showing an interest was normal here.

Of course, there are Brits who are chatty and friendly, and love nothing better than to get to know the person behind the till. And there are reserved Americans who would quickly exit a 34 | THE DELL

shop when faced with a salesperson who tried to engage them in conversation. But, in general, Americans are brought up to show an interest in others and be positive.

Ask someone in Scotland how he is and he’ll probably say ‘not bad’, ‘could be worse’ or ‘surviving’. An American will usually smile and answer, ‘fine’. But then, if she knows you well, she might continue with: “Well, actually, I’ve had a really rough day, the kids are off school with a sick bug and the dishwasher’s broken down.”

“Aha,” you may think. “That just proves that she has been programmed to say ‘fine’ when she doesn’t mean it at all!” And I see your point. However, speaking from my own experience, the ‘fine’ comes out first because I want to be pleasant. Then, because I was also taught to be honest, I soon feel compelled to give at least a few details of why I am not completely ‘fine’. I want to be real with people … but not ruin their day.

At the completion of the K-Mart trip the man at the till asked my husband, “So what’s new with you?” My other half looked at me with eyes that shouted help! I took over, equipped with years of experience of chewin’ the fat.

To be continued next issue …

Notes from a small village is contributed by Suzanne Green. Suzanne is a freelance writer/editor and writes regularly for The Dell Directory. She is married to Andy and they have two adult daughters. @KonectMagazines