The Dell Directory September 2024

September 2024

LOCAL HISTORY: COMMUNITY:

RECIPE:

PLUS: wine tasting, HEALTH, Real Life, CLUBS & CLASSES, and MUCH more inside!

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W

ith schools back into routine, I thought I’d run a local history piece about children – and how different life was for children when coal- mining was in its heyday in central Scotland. While there were no coal mines right here in the villages, there were many in the surrounding area particularly in the countryside to the west.

It’s a thought-provoking series of extracts from a parliamentary report on children’s working conditions here in the 1800s.

I learnt a lot also from the columns that came in this month from all our local contributors!

I learnt about the charity ShelterBox through the Currie Balerno Rotary update - I had not heard of them before but looked them up, what a wonderful cause. And I was intrigued

by Joanne’s wine column about paying attention to aromas in the environment around you and can only wish my senses were that fine-tuned! All our usual columns are included of course, I hope you find the magazine useful this month.

Thank you for supporting local businesses and organisations.

Local history: Back to school if you were lucky!........................................................ 8 Wine: A Gavi di Gavi day.............................12 Health: Bursitis................................................16 realLife..............................................................20 Recipe: Apple Tarte Tatin............................28 Puzzles.............................................................30 Clubs & Classes: What is Probus?...............31 Local Environment: Time flies.....................32 What’s On........................................................42 Community: Rotary ShelterBox...................43 Clubs & Classes.............................................45

COVER IMAGE: The Colinton Tunnel - Scotland's Largest Historical Mural

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

The Dell Directory is delivered monthly to 5,500 homes in the Colinton, Craiglockhart and Kingsknowe areas. It is also available online: konect.scot/subscribe THE DELL | 3

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LOCAL HISTORY

Schools have been back a couple of weeks; the back-to-school moaning from the kids has subsided as they settle back to routine.

But when coal-mining was in its heyday in central Scotland, school would have been a dream come true for the children engaged in dangerous physical labour down the pits. Many had no chance of getting an education; others might be lucky enough to have access to a night-school after a 12 – 14 hour shift below ground, if their health held out.

The fate of children in mines led to public pressure on parliament to conduct an enquiry into conditions, the results of which was published in 1842. It makes for an arresting read. We hear the voices of real children from Edinburgh and West Lothian, after nearly 200 years. Mines varied - some didn’t let women and children down the mines and others did.

The resulting 1842 Mines Act ended selfregulation and the employment of women and children underground, and for boys under 10. It was a long and slow evolution.

Here are some extracts from the East of Scotland report, where we hear the voices of children interviewed at local mines:

at twelve in the day. I carry the large bits of coal from the wailface to the pit bottom and the small pieces called chows in a creel; the weight is usually a hundred weight; … The roof is very low; I have to bend my back and legs, and the water comes frequently up to the calves of my legs.”

Mary Sneddon, age 15 years, putter*, Bo’ness, Linlithgowshire “I have only wrought at Bo’ness Pit three months. Should not have ganged but brother Robert was killed on the 21st January last. A piece of the roof fell upon his head, and he died instantly: he was brought home, coffined and buried in Bo’ness kirk-yard. No one came to inquire about how he was killed; they never do in this place.”

Janet Cumming, age 11 years, coal-bearer, Sheriff-hall, Edinburgh “Father gangs at two in the morning; I gang with the women at five, and come up at five at night; work all night on Fridays and come away

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William Woods, age 14 years, coal-hewer, Sheriffhall, Edinburgh “I have been three years below; I hew the coal and draw it to the pit bottom. Was obliged to go as father could work no longer; he is upwards of 60. I gang at three in the morning and return about six; it is no very good work, and the sore labour makes me feel very ill and fatigued; it injures my breath. We have no regular

meal-times; food is not safe in the pit.

The lads and lassies take oat-pieces and bread below; we drink the water sometimes; get other food at home, sometimes broth, potatoes, and herrings. Often been hurt and laid idle for a few days but never get the licks as many laddies do when men are hard upon them. I live a mile away; I cannot say how many brothers and sisters are at home, think three besides myself.”

John Baxter, age 15 years, coal-hewer*: Collinshield Colliery, Bathgate “I work from two in the morning till six at night; done so for five years... I lost my mother soon after my birth, and my father was murdered seven or eight years ago; he was thrown into the canal and the murderer was never sought after, as there was no talk about the death and therefore no inquiry. I was reading and was going to the writing but the night-school was dropped.”

William Adam, age 12 years old, coal-hewer, Sheriff-hall, Edinburgh “Father took me below to assist him; did not like the work when first below; can’t say I like it muckle now, as am o’ersore wrought. I gang

at three and do not see daylight at all in winter, only on Saturday and as I never come up till five or six. I go to Mr. Robertson’s night-school and am reading and writing, can do a little at both; as also I go to the Sabbath-school.”

Mary Macqueen, age 12 years old, coalbearer, Loanhead “I have been wrought three years at coal carrying, and go below generally at three in the morning and return at five or six and sometimes three in the afternoon. I take a piece of bread or bannock, which does till I return home, when I get my broth or flesh. I carry my father’s coal; my usual quantity is four to five tubs daily; each tub holds 4.25 cwt.; it takes me five journeys to fill one tub: the distance to my father’s room is 80 fathoms and I have one ladder to descend before I get to the road which leads to the bottom. Mother is a bearer and can fill a tub in two journeys. I once got hurt by the roof falling and confined for some days. I wash and change when home: the pit is just by the houses. I have not been to school for two years.

Father is in bad health. Brother who is 14 past, works at the coal wall.” *Coal-putters loaded the coal into the skips below ground, either by bare hands or with a shovel. Coal hewers were stronger, swinging a pick at the coal face.

This article was written by Helen-Jane Gisbourne, and is a series of extracts and images from the “Children’s Employment Commission 1842, on the Employment of Children and Young Persons in the Collieries and iron works of the East of Scotland, and the State, Condition, and Treatment of such Children and Young Persons. The full text is available online at The Coalmining History Resource Centre, www.cmhrc.co.uk With thanks to Picks Publishing and Ian Winstanley THE DELL | 9

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WINE TASTING

Of the five senses, for me, the most important when wine ‘tasting’ is smell! I nose a glass of wine, looking for an aromatic thread to pull. I pull on the thread and start to think about the smells and where I have experienced it before.

The scent causes me to recall memories that signpost what the aroma might be. I can then share that so the people I’m tasting with can relate to it.

Occasionally, when I don’t have a glass of wine in my hand, it works the other way around!

Sometimes the aromas in my environment me remind me of a particular wine!

This month I experienced a Gavi di Gavi day.

I took our dog Holly for a walk. The day was warm and the sun had heated up the earth. It

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was a perfect day and the air smelled clean and fresh. We walked beside a wheat fields and wild honeysuckle was growing nearby. The combined aromas of honeysuckle blossom, dried grass, baked earth, fresh green plants, and an offshore breeze triggered memories of a glass of wine! The smells on my walk held all the amazing aroma’s I’d write about in a tasting note to describe Gavi di Gavi.

Gavi di Gavi is an Italian white wine made using the Cortese grape. It is grown in the gentle hills of Piedmont in Northwest Italy. The wine is unoaked and when I smell it, it reminds me of a summer’s day. Serve it slightly chilled (not too cold!) and try smelling it. Does it remind you of a summer’s day?

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

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HEALTH

Would you know if you had

“BURSTIS”?

Working in a Physiotherapy Clinic can sometimes be like waiting for a bus – you don’t see a particular condition for months then three come along on the same day.

This happened last week with bursitis. Three people had painful swellings, two at the elbow and one at the knee. All were interested to hear about bursa, how they get injured and what to do to help them get better.

A bursa is a fluid filled cushion or sac located between our bones and our muscles, tendons or ligaments. It has the important job of protecting our soft tissues from rubbing on our bones as we move which would cause damage. We have about 160 bursae within an adult body and they will vary in size and shape depending on our own size and shape. Not all bursae are present at birth and they can develop where they are needed to reduce friction as we get older, depending on the stresses and strains of our job or sport. We classify bursae as superficial if they are located between bones and tendons or skin and deep if they are between bone and muscle.

Inflammation of a bursa is called Bursitis.

This inflammation can be the response to minor repetitive impact to the area. An example of this could be what used to be called “Housemaid’s Knee” where the bursa over the knee cap becomes swollen and sore in response to repetitive kneeling to wash floors. These days we see this Prepatellar Bursitis more often in gardeners after prolonged weeding while kneeling or in carpet fitters who kneel a lot at work. Knee pads can be useful to prevent this condition.

Inflammation can also be caused by a 16 | THE DELL

sudden impact such as bumping the tip of your elbow on a door as you go past. This is known as Olecranon bursitis.

Bursitis is common in adults especially after the age of 40 and particularly affects the bursae at the shoulder, elbow, knee, hip and heel. Symptoms include discomfort, pain, swelling that may be warm, and difficulty moving the joint. Initial treatment is aimed at reducing the swelling with rest, ice, elevation and compression. Compression with a tubular bandage or a splint can help, as can over the counter anti-inflammatory medicines if they are safe for you to take. Physiotherapy can help to give you advice on initial management followed by the correct exercises to strengthen the muscles in the area and regain movement as the bursitis settles.

Do be wary of other reasons for a swollen bursa. If you have a very hot, red swollen joint that is difficult to move, have a fever, or feel generally unwell, do contact your doctor. It is possible to have an infected bursa perhaps after an insect bite or an injury such as a thorn piercing the skin while gardening.

Bursae do an important job for us to protect and cushion our soft tissues at points of stress – they are worth looking after!

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

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toes! Horrified, and still clutching the door, I watched the eggs fall one by one from their holder in the door, spilling their contents as they hit the concrete floor.

Have you ever been so shocked that you are temporarily paralysed? That was me. My thoughts raced: Do I clean up the egg mess first? Do I try to reattach this door first? Is there even a way I can reattach the door? Or do I need to phone a repairman? If the latter, how soon will they arrive? And how long will the fridge food be good without a door to keep the cold air in? I’m not sure how long I remained in “freeze” mode. But eventually I set down the door and phoned my husband at work.

SUZANN E GREEN

F

or many years our family’s big fridge freezer lived in the garage, because it wouldn’t fit in the kitchen. A door leading from our extension into the garage made this arrangement manageable, though not ideal.

We kept only the basics in the small kitchen fridge. So every day I made numerous trips to and from the garage. I imagined all this extra effort would mean I could exercise less between meals - I was burning calories just trying to prepare a meal!

He promised to fix it, but gave me a temporary solution. Maybe I could push the door back into place, and then wrap rope around the appliance a few times. If I could tie it tightly enough, the door just might stay in place until he arrived home.

I was doubtful, but I tried - and succeeded!

When I was sure the door wouldn’t fall off again and hit me on the head, I started cleaning up the eggs.

Life lesson. Sometimes when the unexpected happens and you are so shocked and confused that you do nothing, you must resolve to do something. To make a start … or nothing will change. The first action I eventually took was setting down that burdensome door. The next was phoning for help.

Eventually that appliance packed it in, and we found a way to fit an American style fridge freezer into our house. But before the old fridge eventually died, it had a few ailments.

The most dramatic of these occurred one day when I went into the garage for eggs.

Of course, sometimes you can’t make a start until something broken is healed or fixed.

Currently our car’s steering wheel lock is jammed on. Though we can insert the key, it won’t turn. Not until the problem is fixed. Then we can start the car again.

I guess I should have noticed that the fridge’s door hinges had gradually become rusty.

But this isn’t the sort of thing I notice when I’m focused on food! When I swung open the door, the hinges snapped. I had to make a quick lunge to keep the door from landing on my poor unsuspecting

real LIFE is contributed by Suzanne Green.

Suzanne, a freelance writer/editor. She is married to Andy and they have two adult daughters.

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FOOD & DRINK

Apple Tarte Tatin

Hit the sweet spot! Tarte tatin has an air of sophistication that brings with it a reputation for being difficult or time-consuming to make. In reality, it’s uncomplicated and undemanding - especially if you use readyrolled pastry.

Ingredients:

• 75g ready-rolled puff pastry • 35g caster sugar • 30g butter • ¼ tsp vanilla extract • A small pinch of salt • 140g baking apples (around 1 small apple), peeled, cored and cut into 1cm slices

To serve: • Whipped cream, ice cream or creme fraiche

Serves 4 Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C, 160°C fan, gas mark 4.

2. Unroll your pastry sheet and cut it into a circle the size of a heavy frying pan.

3. Add the sugar to your pan and heat over a medium heat. Don’t stir it but let it melt, then gently swill it around the pan as it turns to liquid. It will start to caramelise and turn a golden colour, this will take 4-5 minutes.

4. Once the sugar is golden, turn off the heat and add in the butter. Add in the vanilla and a small pinch of salt, and stir again to combine everything.

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5. Once combined, place the apples on top of the caramel, arranging them in any way you like but trying to keep them in a single layer as much as possible. Lay the circle of pastry on top of the apples and tuck it around the edges of the pan slightly. Place in the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until the pastry is crisp and golden.

6. Once baked, take your serving plate and place it face down on top of the skillet.

Carefully but confidently flip the plate and skillet over, turning out the tarte so the apples face upwards. Serve with whipped cream, ice cream or creme fraiche

Recipe is extracted from One Pot, One Portion recipes for people who eat, cook or live alone, but are tired of washing up, by Eleanor Wilkinson, published Ebury Press. photography by Dan Jones.

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(HARD*)

CROSSWORD

^^^ Crossword solution in the October edition

ACROSS: 1. Alcove (6), 4. Pieces of wood (6), 9. Family name (7), 10. Not outer (5), 11. Pry (5), 12. Compel (7), 13. Most definitely (11), 18. Group (7), 20. Male relative (5), 22. Mistake (5), 23. Observed (7), 24. Thawed (6), 25. Light wind (6).

DOWN: 1. Fight back (6), 2. Freight (5), 3. Liquid soap (7), 5. Robber (5), 6. Middle (7), 7. Inspect (6), 8. Recalling (11), 14. Impartial (7), 15.

Latitude zero degrees (7), 16. Squeal (6), 17. Aggravate (6), 19. Abrupt (5), 21. Form of transport (5).

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^^^ Hard sudoku solution on page 42

(EASY) ^^^ Easy sudoku solution on page 42

SUDOKUS

* We have added an extra sudoku puzzle this month due to popular demand! Let us know what you think

What is Probus?

Is it for you?

Probus Clubs provide an opportunity for retired professional and business people to meet and enjoy the company of similar minded people who live locally.

Originating in the mid 1960’s the clubs provide a continuation of social activity for men entering retirement and who suddenly find themselves cut off from the daily activity of working life. The clubs have expanded and there are now clubs for men and women throughout the country and worldwide.

The Pentland Probus Club, founded in 1982, provides an opportunity for retired or semi-retired men to meet socially on a regular basis at a local venue. Our members come from an area stretching from Balerno in the west to Colinton and Kingsknowe in the east. There is also a ladies Probus Club who meet in this area.

Our meetings are held on a Wednesday morning throughout the year when members gather for coffee from 10.00am.

Twice monthly speaker events are arranged from September to May on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month at the Juniper Green Parish Church Hall finishing at 12.00 noon. Clearly with many having family and other responsibilities, members choose to attend when convenient.

On other Wednesdays coffee mornings take place at the Kinleith Mill, Juniper Green, ending at 11.30am. With members having wide ranging backgrounds there is a lively atmosphere with much discussion on the topics of the day.

The programme usually includes a morning outing to places of interest twice a year. We also arrange a summer lunch when wives and partners are welcome.

Our speaker programme starts again on Wednesday 4th September when Bruce Keith will give us his illustrated talk “Scotland Beneath the Surface”.

Further talks include “Bletchley Park”, “National Museum of Flight”, and “Mines & Explosives.”

A few words from Gordon Young, former local government officer and part time bandleader, Balerno: “My short time in Probus has been a revelation. Just chatting to different members from various backgrounds and professions has been very therapeutic. Probus would be ideal for anyone on their own given that a wee chat in my experience is always beneficial.”

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT MORE WHY NOT TRY ONE OF OUR MEETINGS OR COFFEE MORNINGS WHERE YOU WILL BE MADE VERY WELCOME? Full details of membership can be had by contacting the Secretary: Leslie Hannaford 0131 453 3012 or email: lesliehannaford@blueyonder.co.uk

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I can’t believe we’re in mid-August already (as I write this anyway!) One of my favourite seasons of the year is already coming to a close. No, not Summer but seabird season.

It doesn’t feel like it was that long ago we were eagerly anticipating the return of the hardy birds and now they’re leaving for the winter.

I visited St Abb’s Head (AKA New Asgard for the Marvel fans) with friends to check out the seabird colonies found along the cliffs. They’ve got an increasing population of nesting Gannets, which is very exciting.

Despite the impact Avian flu has had, the Bass Rock is now at capacity and the birds are spreading further afield to find new territories. Final breeding numbers for our biggest seabirds aren’t yet known but it does look like 2024 has been promising.

One of the reasons Avian Flu was able to spread like it did is because of how tightly packed these nesting colonies can be.

This picture shows that quite well, with the species mixed in together all squabbling for the best nesting spots, which are usually found nearer the top of cliffs.

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It’s all a cycle though. As we say goodbye to our seabirds, we welcome another species and soon the same shoreline will be covered in Atlantic grey seals returning for pupping season. In 2023, there were 1818 seal pups born on the reserve. I wonder what 2024 will bring?

Ths 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

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by Elspeth MacGregor A new children’s book about a brave schoolboy who saves a container ship from crashing on to rocks is making waves in North Berwick - even notching up its first celebrity fan.

Colinton author Elspeth MacGregor started writing the book six years ago. She was inspired by her great-nephew Charlie, who is now 11.

And now the heroic character, a six-year-old called Charlie, is hoping to help the resort of North Berwick, where the story is set, in real life.

Profits from the tale, A Foghorn Called Charlie, will be donated to help the town repair the severe damage caused by stormy conditions last October.

“Charlie used to come roaring into the house yelling his head off,” said Elspeth.

“I thought his extremely loud voice could perhaps be put to good use.”

One of the first to read A Foghorn Called Charlie was former MP Michael Portillo.

He may be a more familiar face on trains rather than ships, but the brightly dressed presenter of the BBC’s Great British Railway Journeys, found it “very charming”.

Mr Portillo, who has frequently visited North Berwick, and has also featured the town in his travelogue spin-off Great Coastal 40 | THE DELL

Railway Journeys, described the book as “amusing and original: a witty author teamed up with a brilliant illustrator. A great success and, as a delightful bonus, it is set in North Berwick”.

Elspeth added that Charlie thinks it “cool” that he is the main character in her story, in which the official foghorn breaks down and Charlie, who has an extraordinarily loud voice, is rushed to the Bass Rock by speedboat to warn ships about the danger during an East Coast haar, or thick sea fog.

“He has taken the book to school and it was read out in the classroom,’ she explained.

A Foghorn Called Charlie is illustrated by Katharine Wake, also from Edinburgh, who was suggested by the book’s publisher Sandra Shedden.

As well as entertaining young readers - who can colour in and make a ‘hero’ badge of their own - it is hoped the book, on sale now, will help the North Berwick Harbour Trust, a charity run by local volunteers.

‘They are in desperate need of cash after the storm damage to the harbour - a huge hole was knocked in the wall,’ said Elspeth.

A Foghorn Called Charlie is available for £8 at the Post Office in Colinton, and in North Berwick through Chandlers, Rock and Bird, and the Scottish Seabird Centre

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.

Got a story?

WE LOVE TO CELEBRATE ALL THINGS LOCAL!

(You need to live and/or work in the Colinton, Craiglockhart, or Kingsknowe area to be featured in The Dell Directory)

THE DELL DIRECTORY

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SOLUTION TO AUGUST CROSSWORD

SOLUTION TO AUGUST CROSSWORD

SATURDAY 31ST AUGUST Art in the Park (or Saturday 7th September if the weather is inclement) Arts and craft stalls, pop-up bar and food, music and dance, games and activities, fun dog show. Spylaw Park, 12noon- 5.00pm

ACROSS: 7 Static, 8 Battle, 9 Grim, 10 Envelope, 11 Economy, 13 Untie, 15 Cobra, 17 Cottage, 20 Upstream, 21 Sure, 23 Unkind, 24 Needed.

DOWN: 1 Star, 2 Stamen, 3 Screams, 4 Above, 5 Stolen, 6 Flipping, 12 Chopping, 14 Command, 16 Retain, 18 Tested, 19 Mends, 22 Rues.

SOLUTION TO SUDOKUS ON PAGE 30

SATURDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER Children’s Book Launch Former Scottish Book Trust New Writers Awardee, Hazel Knox, launches her debut chapter book, The Night Pixie. For ages 7 ACROSS: 7 Static, 8 Battle, 9 Grim, and up. At this family friendly event at Colinton Library, Hazel 10 Envelope, 11 Economy, 13 Untie, 15 Cobra,her 17 Cottage, 20 ups Upstream, will be reading from the book, sharing author and21 Sure, 23 Unkind, 24 Needed. downs, and pitting night against day in a pixie quiz. (Copies available to purchase on the day).

Please tickets by DOWN: 1 Star,book 2 Stamen, 3 Screams, Above, 5 Stolen, 6 Flipping, 12 Chopping, calling Colinton Library on 01314529 5603.

14 Command, 16 Retain, 18 Tested, 19 Mends, 22 Rues.

SATURDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER Farmers Market - Main Street, Balerno, 9.00am to 1.00pm SOLUTION TO SUDOKUS

ON PAGE 40 MONDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER Colinton Garden Club Hosted by Colinton Garden Club, a talk by Peter Hart of Kirklands Gardens, Fife. Upper Hall, Dreghorn Loan at 8.00pm.

New members are always welcome. www.colintongardens.org.uk SATURDAY 5TH OCTOBER Plant Sale

By Colinton Garden Club. Upper Hall, Dreghorn Loan at 8.00pm. www.colintongardens.org.uk

PENTLAND PROBUS CLUB EVENTS (EASY)

All meets are in Juniper Green Parish Church Hall, Lanark Road 10.00am - 12noon. New members welcome.

(EASY) Further details from our Club Secretary Leslie Hannaford 0131 453 3012 or lesliehannaford@blueyonder.co.uk • WED 4TH SEPT - “Scotland Beneath the Surface “, an illustrated talk by Bruce Keith.

• WED 18TH SEPT - “Mines and Explosives”, an illustrated talk by Eddie Banks.

• WED 2ND OCT - “Mini talks” Three Club members will each give a mini talk.

WANT TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT HERE? COMMUNITY AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT LISTINGS ARE FREE OF CHARGE.

(HARD)

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EMAIL EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT BY 15TH OF THE MONTH FOR FOLLOWING MONTH’S ISSUE. (HARD)

We in Currie Balerno Rotary are proud of the support we give to our local community, but we also make a substantial contribution to national and international charities and aid programmes.

One such contribution is to ShelterBox,and our support to ShelterBox over the past year has earned particular recognition.

We have contributed Members’ personal donations as well as donations from the public locally over many years. We have mounted displays at local events and on one occasion even erected a ShelterBox tent at the Gyle Shopping Centre – not without difficulty.

ShelterBox provides boxes containing living essentials for displaced people in disaster areas. The boxes contain tents, tarpaulins, blankets, water filters, solar lights, tools and cooking equipment and each box costs £600. Currie Balerno Rotary has funded many boxes over the years and in the past year has donated over £4000 towards the provision of ShelterBoxes to help people displaced by earthquakes in Turkey, Morocco and Libya and towards long-term support in Gaza.

ShelterBox was originally set up by a Rotarian and whilst it is now an independent registered charity, Rotary remains a project partner giving regular support; and Currie Balerno Rotary has been given Silver Partnership status in recognition of our support in the past Rotary year.

We, in turn, recognise the contribution made by donations from the public locally and we are grateful.

Currie Balerno Rotary serves the communities of Ratho, Kirknewton, Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green, Baberton, Colinton and Wester Hailes.

This article was contributed by Currie Balerno Rotary. To find out more, go to www.cbrotary.org or follow us on facebook.com/cbrotary1020 or contact Mike Rowe at PR@cbrotary.org THE DELL | 43

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

ORIAM WALKING FOOTBALL CLUB - We run a local Walking Football Club, established in 2015, for women aged 40+ and men aged 50+.

Our sessions, which are very much mixed ability, take place at Oriam Sports Centre, Heriot-Watt University, EH14 4AS, on a Mon, Wed and Fri 12:30-1:30pm. We’d love to see new teammates coming along. Sessions are priced at £4.20 but we do have monthly membership schemes available.

Please contact Deric Oliver on 07803 508401 or dericandjoan@btinternet.com OXGANGS WRITE AWAY! WRITERS' GROUP - Whether you are a beginner or not, would-be novelist, journal-writer or poet, come along and share, learn, be inspired or simply listen. We meet at Oxgangs Library every 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6.00pm - free tea/coffee and biscuits too! For more information, contact Robert Carroll Robert.Carroll@edinburgh.gov.uk or katiemoon7754@gmail.com REDHALL WALKING GROUP - A gentle walking group exploring areas such as the Union Canal, Colinton Dell and the Water of Leith. Improve your health and wellbeing and meet new people. Meet at Redhall Walled Garden entrance on main road at 97 Lanark Road. Mondays 10.00am - 11.30am Fun, friendly and free. Contact: emily@elgt.org.uk or 07943 530806. Facebook @GreenspaceTrust ST CUTHBERT'S PLAYGROUP - 10.00am - 11.30am - Every Monday during school term time. £2 per family. Toys, snacks and a fun songs!

St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Westgarth Avenue, Colinton. Contact Rev Nicki McNelly for more information: stcuthbertsrector@gmail.com FORGET ME NOTES - The Forget Me Notes Project is a charity that uses music to build community and combat isolation in a variety of settings On the first and third Monday of each month - 2.00pm - 4.00pm in St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Westgarth Avenue, Colinton. Join us when you can, for an hour of music and memories, followed by refreshments. All welcome. Please contact Rev Nicki for more information: stcuthbertsrector@ gmail.com (www.forgetmenotes.org.uk) COLINTON FRIENDLY BRIDGE CLUB - Colinton Cottage Homes’ Hall every Monday from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Please contact Ken McLeod on 0131 466 0888 for more information.

TEA AND TOTS - Stay and play for ages 0-5 with their parent/carer - all are welcome! Toys, crafts, refreshments, song-time and more. Every Thursday during school term time, 10am-11.30am at Redeemer Church, 64 Bridge Road, Colinton, EH13 OLQ. FREE. E: admin@redeemeredinburgh.org 44 | THE DELL

T: 0131 441 7327 ST CUTHBERT’S BADMINTON CLUB was created about 1946. It meets in the Church Hall in Westgarth Avenue, Colinton. It is non-competitive and meets on Monday evenings at 8.00pm between September and Easter. For details, call Archie Clark on 0131 449 4703.

PENTLAND BRIDGE CLUB - Come and play duplicate bridge in a friendly atmosphere. We meet in St Margaret's Court, Juniper Green on Thursdays at 7pm. Table money £4. Less experienced players made very welcome. For further information see www.bridgewebs.com/pentland or email mthjkb@gmail.com.

COLINTON LITERARY SOCIETY - Meetings start with coffee, tea and wine at 7.30pm and are held at Dreghorn Hall, 22 Dreghorn Loan, EH13 0DE. Full programme details are at www.colinton-parish. com/colinton-literary-society.html COFFEE, CAKE AND COMPANY - Drop in for a free coffee between 10.30am and 12pm on Mondays at Redeemer Church Edinburgh, 64 Bridge Road EH13 0LT. We are mostly retired people, but all ages are welcome! More details at redeemeredinburgh.org/ccc THIS WOMAN RUNS - We are a small group of local women who support and empower each other to be healthier and happier. We meet Wednesday’s at 7.30pm at the bottom of Thorburn Road, or Sunday’s at 8.00am in Spylaw Park for a quick warm up, 30-minute run at the pace of chat/your pace, and then a gentle cool down. We’d love to see you there!

All free, run by friendly local volunteers www.thismumruns.co.uk/join-a-local-run WAVERLEY SPEAKERS CLUB - Meets in Morningside Parish Church, fortnightly on Tuesdays at 7.15pm. Our aim is to improve members’ public speaking skills in a supportive atmosphere. Each evening has three prepared speeches of eight minutes, evaluated constructively by another member. Eight impromptu short speeches follow, also evaluated. New members will be made most welcome. Contact i.wright237@btinternet.com or Douglas.Lothian@lenlothian.com LOCAL FLORAL ART CLUB - Sit back and enjoy relaxing evenings watching a floral demonstration with lively & interesting chat. You might even win one of the arrangements. Meet: Boroughmuir Rugby Club, Meggatland, off Colinton Road EH14 1AS. 7.15pm - 9.00pm on the 1st Monday of the month from September. Trial first visit only £5. Wine/tea/coffee available. Contact: Joyce Rutherford on 0131 443 2536 or joyce.rutherford@btinternet.com

COLINTON SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB - We meet fortnightly from September to end of March/beginning of April in St. Cuthbert’s Episcopal Church Hall, Westgarth Avenue from 7.45 - 9.15. We have an excellent teacher and live music so come and join us, with or without a partner, you’ll be made very welcome. Tel: 07751186359 or 07483814988.

THE SWING CAFÉ - Tues to Sat 10.00am2.00pm. Please come for breakfast (10.00am12.00noon), lunch (12noon -2.00pm) or some delicious home baking (available all day). We welcome groups and if you would like to book a table, please contact 07514 689258. There are gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and dairyfree options. Under 12s are invited to enjoy a children's menu. Sit in or take away. We look forward to welcoming you.

COLINTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY Want to know about local history?

W: www.colintonhistory.org E: enquiries@colintonhistory.org COLINTON GARDEN CLUB - Club members share their love of gardening, gardens and nature, and work together to preserve and add value to our quality of life here in south-west Edinburgh. Monthly members’ meetings on a Monday, in the upper Hall, Dreghorn Loan and start at 8.00pm. We are a friendly and thriving club and new members are very welcome, plus outings and events. The annual subscription is £8.00.per household.

For more information see: W: www.colintongardens.org.uk E: membership@colintongardens.org.uk LUNCHCLUB - Every Wednesday 1pm – 3pm, 3 courses £4. Spaces are limited, first come first served. Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre, 71 Firhill Drive, EH13 9EU. Please visit: oxgangsneighbourhoodcentre.org.uk PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP - Tuesdays, am session and pm session for two age groups (all under 5s). Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre, 71 Firhill Drive, EH13 9EU. T: 0131 466 0678 E: oxgangsneighbourhoodcentre@gmail.com OXGANGS NEIGHBOUR CENTRE CAFÉ - 10.00am to 1.00pm. Bacon rolls, baked potatoes, toasties,specials, teas, coffees and cake. Sit in or takeaway.

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