OCTOBER 2026
FEATURE:
LOCAL HISTORY: RECIPE & FOOD NOTES:
PLUS: interiors, puzzles, CLUBS & CLASSES, what’s on, and more LOCAL FEATURES! The NEW monthly community magazine for Queensferry, Kirkliston, and Winchburgh
P24
w
ith the clocks going back on 25th October, the nights are drawing in. Time for warming and hearty recipes, such as this month’s chilli con carne with the addition of the season’s favourite veg! (See page 27) Inevitably pumpkins also feature in some of the children’s activities on in the area! There’s plenty on as we head into the last quarter of the year. Check the What’s On section; I love this time of year of local autumn fairs where you can always find quirky and different things. If you are running a festive fundraising fair in November or December let me know about it so I can include it in the November issue! The local history article this month is the first of a two-part series, from a National Museums of Scotland curator who shares his recollections of his time at Port Edgar, South Queensferry – a very interesting read, and there is more to come next issue. All our usual columns are here. Thanks for reading Konect and supporting the local area in every way!
All enquiries, E: editor@konect.scot M: 07854 492638
Local History: Spying on the Royal Navy... 8 What’s On: Queensferry Heritage Trust....18 Interiors: Step onto comfort.........................20 Puzzles.....................................................21 / 22 Feature: Ways to avoid rogue traders.......23 Garden Project: Bird Feeding.....................24 Life Coaching: “It’s not where you start”...26 Wine: Wine for the Master Vintner..............26 Recipe: Pumpkin Chilli Con Carne.............27 Film Review: All of a sudden.......................28 What’s On: October Events.........................29
COVER IMAGE: “Spying on the Royal Navy” - See our Local History feature on pages 8-9.
Konect is delivered to 7500 households in Queensferry, Kirkliston and Winchburgh. Copies are also left at libraries, community centres and other locations throughout the area. It is also available online: konect.scot/subscribe QUEENSFERRY | 3
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LOCAL HISTORY
PORT EDGAR - A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE PART 1: “SPYING ON THE ROYAL NAVY”
In this two-part series, Colin Hendry shares a personal account of the time he spent at Port Edgar between 1978 and 1992. His own observations, and the reminiscences of people who had been here when it was the Royal Navy base HMS Lochinvar, left him realising just how important it is that these people must not be forgotten. I joined the National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland (now National Museums of Scotland) in 1973, attached to the Country Life section. As a government museum we had various stores for the collection, on former military bases scattered inconveniently at locations across Scotland. So when the former Royal Navy premises at West Camp, Port Edgar, became available in 1978 to house the entire collection, we eagerly secured it. The Royal Navy, which had latterly berthed its Ton Class minesweepers of the Fishery Protection Squadron at Port Edgar, moved to Rosyth in 1975, and the former HMS Lochinvar (the Navy name for the base at Port Edgar) became vacant.
The West Camp was formerly the accommodation, hospital and administration centre for the base. The primary two-storey accommodation buildings bordered the seafront west of the breakwater, with a steel fence topped by barbed wire stretching for several hundred yards. Within the perimeter, two rows of coiled barbed wire extended for the entire length. A street separated the two-storey buildings from the row of singlestorey administration offices and stores on the south side. These included a Guard Room, Victualling Store, Boiler Room, Activities Rooms, and the Married Quarters Office. The Married Quarters themselves were the three blocks of houses (Numbers 10-19) on the south side of Shore Road entering South Queensferry. About 100 yards further west was the Officers’ Wardroom building which faced upriver, and between them lay a large underground air raid shelter.
Our tenure began in 1978 when I first visited to make plans for housing the collection. Large items such as carts, tractors, ploughs and so on, were naturally to be stored on the ground floors, whilst smaller items - horses’ harness, joiners shops, trades and agricultural hand tools - went on racks on the upper floors.
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The site retained many mementos from its previous tenants. A large sign at the gate announced “Ministry of Defence Property - Entry Restricted.” The Guard Room was the most intriguing with its prison-type internal gate leading to the rear and several individual cells, each with wooden benches for sailors to sleep off their alcohol indulgences. On the key-board were still all the building keys in numerical order. A notice on the door of a flat-roofed and nicely carpeted extension to the block at the east end announced “Fleet Chief Petty Officers Lounge” (this extension has recently been demolished). A rating’s cap was found in an attic. The air raid shelter remained open and wound its way underground in darkness from entrance to exit, the bulkhead lights still in place, and large yellow signs on a few scattered buildings with “SHELTER” and an arrow pointing to the nearest one. Outside the Married Quarters Office, two glass-fronted noticeboards still contained information documents, and a large bronze alarm bell was mounted on the wall.
It was indeed an incredible place to be, made more so by the location of my designated office. This was upstairs in the hospital area at the west end of the two-storey sections, which had housed the operating theatre, and two adjoining rooms with swing-doors - mine being the anaesthetist’s room - and had a fantastic large plate glass window giving a stunning panoramic view out over the Forth. I came to consider this to be surely the best office-with-a-view in Britain - stretching east well beyond the Bridges, Inchcolm and Inchkeith, west beyond Crombie to Grangemouth, and of course directly over to Her Majesty’s Naval Base Rosyth. I’d always had an interest in the military so the naval activity in the Forth captured my attention immediately, and I began noting down the comings and goings of the vessels. Binoculars, marine-band receiver and a logbook were kept at the ready as Royal Navy, Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service and Royal Fleet Auxiliary traffic was regular every day. And occasionally a barge would be towed out from Rosyth by tugs flying red flags and moored in a danger zone off Hopetoun. After a significant time of preparation the tugs would move away and a huge underwater explosion would erupt in
dramatic fashion, followed a couple of seconds later by the deep “BOOM!” and my glass window rattled with the shock wave. These were experimental tests on the effect of underwater explosions on hulls, tests after which the seagulls always loved the edible collateral damage!
My log of ship movements with photographic records is documented in my book, “Spying on the Royal Navy and NATO - Military Activity in the Firth of Forth during the 1980s”, available at the Port Edgar Chandlery. The main event, as far as I was concerned, was witnessing the movements before, during and after the Falklands War of 1982.
Since arriving at Port Edgar, we had occasionally been visited by veterans, many for nostalgic reasons, and they shared with us their experiences at HMS Lochinvar. The idea dawned on me just how appropriate - in fact necessary - a display here would be about the base’s history. And so was born “The Scottish Naval Collection”, an exhibition housed in the former Fleet Chief Petty Officers’ Lounge, which concentrated on the naval history of Port Edgar, but also encompassed other aspects of general naval life. In the second part of Colin’s reminiscences, coming in the November issue of Konect, he shares his observations on the Forth during the Falklands War, and the story of the Scottish Naval Collection museum. This article is an abridged version of “Port Edgar - A Personal Perspective” by Colin Hendry. Colin worked at Port Edgar as a museum curator from 1978 to 1992 and was instrumental in setting up “Scottish Naval Collection” exhibition here. QUEENSFERRY | 9
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Queensferry Heritage Trust (QHT) is a local membership group with one aim: to protect Queensferry’s heritage and promote its potential.
At the heart of QHT activities is its programme of autumn/winter/spring talks which are open to all (£5 per person per talk) but free to QHT members. Membership runs from 1st October and is just £10 per person for 12 months; benefits include the talks, ‘Voice’ newsletter and occasional heritage visits. Talks are Wednesdays at 7.30 pm at the Masonic Lodge on Stoneycroft Road (next to Hawthorn Bank Community Garden), with parking at Scotmid. • 7TH OCTOBER: Edinburgh Museums Reimagined: Collections & Connections - Karl Chapman, Head of Museums & Galleries Edinburgh • 28TH OCTOBER: Greyfriars Kirkyard & George Heriot’s role in the design of the Vennel’s 18th Century gravestones - Mark Hatton, Chairman, Friends of Greyfriars Kirkyard • 18TH NOVEMBER: Reflections on Writer-in-Residence Forth Bridge - Esa Aldegehri, local author and educator • 9TH DECEMBER: North Queensferry Heritage Trust - James Lawson, former Chairman NQHT • 13TH JANUARY: Barnardo’s and the Forth Bridge - Staff member, Barnardo’s Scotland • 3RD FEBRUARY: The Forth Bridge: Restoring an icon - John Andrew, Transport Scotland & Forth Bridges Forum • 24TH FEBRUARY: What makes industrial heritage so special? - Dr Miles Oglethorpe, former Head of Industrial Heritage, Historic Environment Scotland • 10TH MARCH: Are the Queensferry Trail Gardeners Wet or Dry Eaters? - Dougal Philip & Lesley Watson, New Hopetoun Gardens. • 24TH MARCH: Masons’ Marks & Dalmeny Church – what do they tell us? - Iain Ross Wallace, Director, Scottish Stonemason’s Marks Project. • 14TH APRIL: The Algerine Memorial, Port Edgar – ‘a way through the water’ - QHT AGM and Pete Collinson, Local Naval Historian. Visit our website: queensferryheritage.org.uk We are on Facebook! Contact us: mail@queensferryheritage.org.uk
QUEENSFERRY HERITAGE TRUST LOOKS FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU! 18 | QUEENSFERRY
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Step into Comfort Soft, warm carpet has firmly reclaimed its place in modern interiors. Insulating and soundabsorbing, modern carpets have also benefited from technical advances in durability, stain resistance and even sustainability. CONSIDER HOW THE ROOM WILL BE USED The best carpet will always be the one that suits the way you use each room. Do you want to make a statement in a reception area or create a relaxed retreat? Match carpet performance to likely wear and tear. The deeper the pile and the more luxurious the finish, the greater care the carpet needs. CHOOSE COLOURS AND PATTERNS WISELY If you are redecorating, it’s a good idea to choose the carpet first. Pale colours can enhance a feeling of space but may show stains, while
dark colours create drama but can highlight dust. Neutrals co-ordinate easily and evoke calm and tranquillity. Patterns are great for disguising marks, but can be “busy”. A good compromise could be a flecked design, or a herringbone or narrow stripe. Study samples in-situ in different lights. TEXTURE IS IMPORTANT, TOO A carpet’s texture has an impact on how long it lasts. Loop carpets are hard-wearing – though beware of pet claws. Twist piles are also durable and can be used anywhere, while softer Saxony is popular for bedrooms.
DON’T IGNORE UNDERLAY If you are replacing a carpet, never keep the old underlay and always buy the best quality possible. It will make the carpet feel more luxurious while reducing wear and tear, heat loss and sound. THINK LONG TERM A carpet can last up to 15 years. While statement carpets tend to date quickly, neutral colours with an interesting texture will stand the test of time. The Interiors column was contributed by Katherine Sorrell
1) Moth-resistant, easy to clean and sustainable, this soft carpet is made from 100% highquality polyester and can be recycled into other products at the end of its life. Suitable for all rooms. Echo Co-RE carpet in Mossdale, from £102.25 per square metre, Alternative Flooring. alternativeflooring.com Available from Carpet and Flooring Store Edinburgh, Davidson’s Mains and from The Flooring Studio at Bridge of Allan. 2) Extra-heavy duty yet luxuriously soft, this carpet is 100% wool and available in multiple widths. Truffle Haven from the new Lumora luxury plains collection, £125 per square metre, Brintons. brintons.co.uk. Available at Ferguson Carpets and Flooring, Dalmeny Estate, South Queensferry. 3) In a hard-wearing twist style and 100% polypropylene, this carpet is suitable for the bedroom, lounge, hall and stairs. Camilla carpet in Pale Sky, £59.99 per square metre, Tapi. tapi.co.uk. Available at Tapi Hermiston Gait and Tapi Livingston (Image: @TheWeeHouseRenovation, Glasgow, on Instagram). 20 | QUEENSFERRY
OCTOBER SUDOKU (HARD*)
The crossword puzzle can be found on page 22. See page 38 for solutions.
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58mm Vertical [LEFT]
PETS
OCTOBER CROSSWORD
^^^ Solution in the NOVEMBER edition
ACROSS: 7. Moscow’s country (6), 8. Clears throat (6), 9. Continent (4), 10. Extra (8), 11. Picture houses (7), 13. Head organ (5), 15. Wooden barrier (5), 17. Go backwards (7), 20. Fell (8), 21. Limit, boundary (4), 23. Event, incident (6), 24. Idea (6). DOWN: 1. Pet name for cat (4), 2. Property, manor (6), 3.Yellow fruits (7), 4. Corrosive liquids (5), 5. Six-string (6), 6. Explanations, hypotheses (8), 12. Recognise (8), 14. Title (7), 16. Fighting (6), 18. Occurrences (6), 19. Warn (5), 22. Enlarge, develop (4).
While you may not be aware of discomfort in your pet, if their pain is more severe it’s likely there will be symptoms: • Changes in breathing. Any difficulty breathing, panting when they aren’t hot, or irregular breathing • Unusual noises. Any sounds you haven’t heard them making before • Sensitivity. Avoiding or flinching from normal touch, or hiding. • Irregular movement. Limping, struggling to stand or move in their usual way • Moving more than usual. Appearing agitated, pacing. • Not themselves. Being aggressive, irritable or fearful. • Eating less, losing weight or vomiting. You know your pet and their personality, and any behaviour that’s out of character needs to be investigated. With pain which has developed over time (e.g. an age-related diseases) they might only show behaviour changes intermittently. Other than a genuine ‘off-day’ you should consult your vet before it develops into an emergency call.
Sudokusudoku solutionsolution on pageonXX ^^^ *EASY page 28
OCTOBER SUDOKU (EASY*)
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ADD SOLUTION DETAILS
AVOID Stay safe and protect your home. Chairman of Taylor Roofs, Jamie Taylor, has seen a lot of damage and distress caused by rogue traders. Here he shares the five main things to look out for to avoid being taken in by a rogue traders. You can also watch Jamie and the team explain things on their YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@TaylorRoofs TIP 1: Don’t accept a verbal quote at the door Rogue traders are notorious for cold calling and saying they were ‘just working in the area’. TIP 2: Do your research to make sure the company is legitimate Is it a limited company registered at Companies House? How long has it been trading?
TIP 3: Check their online presence and accreditations. Check out their website and social media, and look for reviews and membership of schemes like Trusted Trader and accreditation with professional trade associations like NFRC.
TIP 4: Make sure there’s a physical address for a place of business. Make sure there’s a business address you can go and visit to sort things out if things go wrong.
TIP 5: Make sure you get everything in writing. Don’t rely on verbal promises or vague start or completion dates. Insist on it being clearly stated in black and white. This article was contributed by Jamie Taylor, Chairman of Taylor Roofs | taylorroofs.co.uk
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So many of us enjoy watching our feathered visitors feeding and preening in our gardens. Nowadays we spend a lot of money buying food for them, but remember when we were growing up they only got left over bread, fat and sometimes peanuts! So the advice from the RSPB and BTO this spring to change our bird feeding habits came as quite a shock. We have been encouraged to rethink how we feed birds in order to reduce the risk of spreading diseases that can kill them. The first thing we did at home was to stop putting food on the flat surface of our bird table as they can harbour diseases, hanging feeders appear less of a threat. But what to do with our lovely bird table? We turned it into a support for a small planter, seen here with Granny’s Locks and a bedding Viola. It does need diligent watering as the shallow planter holds very little water and no rain ever gets in there.
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Other best practices include regular disinfecting feeders with disinfectant suitable for birds. Water is important for drinking and preening, it should be changed very regularly and kept fresh, again cleaning with disinfectant is recommended. Only put out small amounts of food, after all, in nature birds are used to food sources coming and going with the seasons. It is recommended that you stop providing seeds and peanuts from March to October when the risk of disease is greatest, but do provide fat/suet and mealworms. After October you can reintroduce seeds and peanuts to your offering.
By making these changes we all can reduce the spread of diseases for birds and still enjoy welcoming our feathered visitors into our gardens. The Gardening Project is contributed by Dougal Philip, New Hopetoun Gardens. Inspiring, informing and entertaining, for more than 40 years.
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LIFE COACHING
"It,s not where you START START"" ‘It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish’ goes the old song but sometimes it can feel like a tall order to make the kind of progress we want. That fabulous home, great new job or the relationship we dream of can be elusive and it can feel like our goal is just around the next bend. Change is hard, whether it’s those major life goals or the seemingly more accessible desire to eat better, walk more or get to bed before midnight. The most troubling aspect of all this is that, when we set ourselves a goal and then don’t achieve it, our harsh inner critic tells us we are lazy, don’t work hard enough and don’t deserve the positive changes we really desire. But, despite what that inner voice tells us, not achieving what we think we want with all our hearts isn’t due to laziness or lack of motivation. It’s mainly down to those limiting beliefs and that sense that we are just not good enough to reach those goals and make that difference to our lives, persistence and setting out short and long term goals can make all the difference. Change is always going to be hard at the beginning but persisting with those small steps and setting a goal for the next few weeks instead of using ‘never’ and ‘forever’ language. A thirty day consistency challenge, whether that’s no sugar, no complaining or taking a daily short walk is a great place to start. The Life Coaching column is contributed by Francine Orr, NLP coach, hypnotherapist & reiki practitioner. Francine is available for appointments at Forth Physio, Queensferry, and at Linlithgow Chiropractic. She is also available online. See orrganise.co.uk 26 | QUEENSFERRY
One of my favourite events in my calendar is the Court and Charter dinner hosted by the Royal Company of Merchants in Merchants Hall, Hanover Street. The dinner is an elegant, formal occasion with stellar menu and wine list- selected by me! Our guests include the Master Vintner of Vintners Guild in London. The dinner is very grand and while I love the pomp and circumstance, my favourite part is selecting the menu and wine. I visited the tasting kitchen of our caterer, Culinarians and selected a truly fabulous menu. Our intermediate course this year is duck parfait with buttermilk. It’s a really interesting and challenging course to find a wine for! There is a delicate balance of rich duck and sweet buttermilk, gentle textures and savoury structure. The intermediate follows salmon with white wine and comes before a rich duck main. There were lots of wine pairing options to choose from. A rosé would be quite nice but the dish has an autumnal flavour rather than a summer character. I moved away from rosé and decided to do something a little different instead. I wanted something that would surprise our guests. I decided to serve a red Italian wine called Nebbiolo, but instead of serving at its usual temperature, we will serve it slightly chilled. Serving the wine chilled helps brings out the acidity and cherry fruit (one of the fruits often paired with duck) without overwhelming the palate with spice and tannin. As the wine warms, it will pair perfectly with the main course. I hope the Master Vintner enjoys my selection! 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
RECIPE & FOOD NOTES
This fright-night feast isn’t just for Halloween – it’s the perfect winter warmer the whole family will love.
Ingredients:
• 1 small pumpkin or butternut squash • 2 tbsp vegetable oil, plus extra to drizzle • Salt and black pepper • 1 tsp yeast extract • 500g beef mince • 1 tbsp tomato purée • 1 small onion, peeled and diced • 1 green pepper, deseeded and diced • 1 x 400g tin kidney beans, drained and rinsed • 1 x 500g carton tomato passata • 1 tsp chilli powder (heat of your choice) • ½ tbsp dark brown soft sugar • 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes • 700g baby potatoes • 1x 300ml tub crème fraîche • 30g watercress, finely chopped
Serves 4 Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C, fan 160°C, gas mark 4.
2. Peel and halve the pumpkin (or butternut squash) and scoop out the seeds. Dice half of the pumpkin into 1cm cubes and reserve. Chop the remaining pumpkin into large chunks, place in an oven tray, drizzle with oil and season. Roast in the preheated oven for approximately 25 minutes or until cooked through. 3. Meanwhile, place a large pan on a medium-
high heat. Add the oil and heat until beginning to smoke. Add the minced beef and fry until browned. Drain the beef onto some kitchen paper. 4. Turn the heat down to medium. Add the beef back to the pan, then add in the onion, diced pumpkin and green pepper, cooking until the onions are translucent. Stir in the tomato purée and cook for a further minute before adding the kidney beans, passata, chilli powder, sugar, yeast extract and chopped tomatoes. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 1 hour. 5. Place the potatoes in an oven tray, drizzle with vegetable oil and season. Roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until cooked through and crisp on the outside. 6. Once the roasted pumpkin is cooked, remove from the oven and place into a blender. Add a ladleful of liquid from the chilli and blend until smooth. Add to the simmering pan and stir through. 7. Mix together the crème fraîche and watercress, and season to taste. 8. Divide the potatoes between four bowls. Add a ladleful of chilli and serve with a generous dollop of crème fraîche.
For more recipe inspiration, visit www.watercress.co.uk; for more information on the health benefits of watercress, visit www.thewatercresscompany.com QUEENSFERRY | 27
SOLUTION TO SEPTEMBER CROSSWORD
The latest film by Ryusuke Hamaguchi, All of a Sudden, is one that, while admittedly a bit long with a runtime of 3 hours and 16 minutes, kept me glued to the screen.
ACROSS: 7. Digest, 8. Eroded, 9. Clog, 10. Yachting, 11. Robbing, 13. Fiend, 15. Minus, 16. Request, 18. Eighteen, 19. Iced, 21. Famous, 22. Ornate. DOWN: 1. Dill, 2. Neighbourhood, 3. Staying, 4. Mercy, 5. Contributions, 6. Remnants, 12. Original, 14. Reunion, 17. Cease, 20. Eats.
SOLUTION TO SUDOKU PUZZLES ON P20*/21
(EASY)
It follows two characters, both named variations of Marie: one is a French woman struggling to run a nursing home, and the other is a Japanese stage director who has been told she has cancer and only months to live. We watch the two form an unlikely bond as they confront their respective hardships, whether it’s fighting for more humane treatment in a care facility or facing the realisation that their health could deteriorate at any moment. Filmed with remarkable tenderness and beauty, leading actors Virginie Efira and Tao Okamoto truly shine, delivering some of the finest performances of the year. Many scenes are dialogue driven and deeply philosophical, touching on themes of care, capitalism, and mortality. Without their incredibly strong performances, none of the film’s emotional weight would land—especially a moment near the end that nearly had me in tears with its authentic, understated beauty. Shot in a 1.50:1 aspect ratio, the film’s framing is consistently striking, and its use of darkness is surprisingly effective.
The result is a final product that is nothing short of extraordinary, a masterwork from one of Japan’s finest contemporary directors. All of a Sudden deserves to be seen on the biggest screen you can find. Coming Soon to UK cinemas
(HARD*)
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The Film Review is contributed by Robert Ewing. Robert is passionate about film as an art form, and shining a light on films that may not be on people’s radar. Robert lives in Kirknewton. He attended the Toronto International film Festival in September for the North American premier of All of a Sudden.
THU 8TH & THU 22ND OCTOBER Kirkliston Lunch Club - A warm welcome and delicious lunch at Kirkliston Community Centre, 12noon -1.00pm for older people living in Kirkliston. Organised by Queensferry Care, which supports older people and their carers living in South Queensferry, Ratho, Ratho Station, Dalmeny, Newbridge and Kirkliston. Please contact Gillian or Liz on 0131 331 5570 for more information. SATURDAY 10TH OCTOBER Craft Fair - Over 20 stalls selling unique handcrafted gifts and products. Some stallholders local with others coming from further afield and coming to the area for the first time with some new and unusual crafts. A coffee bar will be open all day offering filled rolls, home baking and refreshments. Entry to the Fair is FREE, so why not start your Christmas shopping early or enjoy a morning or afternoon out with friends!! Winchburgh Parish Church, EH52 6TT. 10.30am - 2.30pm. MON 12TH TO FRI 23RD OCTOBER Kids’ Holiday Workshops at a Daily Dose of Dopamine - Workshops are suitable for different ages, with most starting from age 6. Please check the individual listing before booking, as the machine-sewing workshops are for older children. The programme includes Halloween tutus or wreaths, woodland lanterns, sew-your-own bags, wool-wrapped pumpkins, Christmas decorations and stockings, decorated pumpkins and much more. Small, friendly groups, all materials included, workshops priced at no more than £15. Book any 3 October holiday workshops and save £5. Full programme and booking at dopamineboness.com. A Daily Dose of Dopamine, 43 North Street, Bo’ness EH51 0AQ. SATURDAY 17TH OCTOBER Clarinet Celebration - Emma Johnson, internationally acclaimed clarinettist, will play a wide range of well-known pieces for the
instrument, accompanied by pianist Gregory Drott. Hosted by Linlithgow Arts Guild. St Michael’s Parish Church, 7.30pm. Tickets: £18/£8. Included with a Season Ticket. linlithgowartsguild.org.uk SUNDAY 18TH OCTOBER Kirkliston Village Market - A village market serving locals with quality produce and products from independent businesses in and around Kirkliston. Third Sunday of every month, corner of Manse Road/Liston Place, 11.00am – 3.00pm. See kirklistonvillagemarket.com FRI 23RD & SAT 24TH OCTOBER Halloween Fright Nights – Stranger Bings - Inspired by the iconic West Lothian Bings, Stranger Bings transforms Almond Valley Heritage Centre’s 23 acre site into a mysterious world where mad science has gone spectacularly wrong. Expect eerie encounters, immersive storytelling, live characters, spine-tingling special effects and plenty of boos that will have the whole family laughing, jumping and screaming with delight. Tickets £13/£11 – booking and information at: almondvalley.co.uk SAT 24TH & SUN 25TH OCTOBER Pumpkin Trail at House of the Binns - Find the petrifying pumpkin signs hidden around the grounds of the House of the Binns to unscramble the spooky word and win a tasty treat! 10.00am and 12.30pm each day, tickets £6 + booking fee per child (under 18), accompanying adult free. Book via House of the Binns Eventbrite page. House Of The Binns, Linlithgow, EH49 7NA (a NTS property). WEDNESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER Food Festival - Food stalls selling products to take home, food trucks and vans serving fresh food to enjoy there and then. Variety of food to browse and try including honey, sauces and condiments. Behind Argos, Bathgate, EH48 1HH. FREE ENTRY.
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SPORTS, HOBBIES, LEARNING, SUPPORT GROUPS & MORE... FERRY STROLLERS - We meet every Tuesday at Scotmid, The Loan. Each walk starts at 09.45. The walks last around an hour then we adjourn for coffee. As the name suggests, it is a stroll over level ground for all ages. Just come along any Tuesday. You will be made welcome. For more information please contact Graham Clarkson gc20bc@gmail.com QUEENSFERRY SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB Dancing for adults every Thursday from September 10th until April in St Andrew Hall, The Loan, South Queensferry at 7.30 - 9.30 pm. This is a fun way to exercise, meet new friends and learn a new skill. For more information contact: queensferryscdc@gmail.com QUEENSFERRY HISTORY GROUP - Queensferry History Group meets Mondays10am -12noon and Thursdays 7pm-9pm, in the basement of the council offices, down 15 steep steps. We are a small research group and do not have speakers. We respond to requests for information on anything to do with Queensferry. Follow us on Facebook or email queensferryhg@gmail.com FERRY AMATEUR SWIM TEAM - Junior swim club for swimmers aged 8 – 18, who have completed swimming lessons. New members welcome. Sunday afternoons and Monday evenings at Queensferry High School. Affiliated with Scottish Swimming and Aquamark level 1 accredited. For further information please contact ferryamateurswimteam@gmail.com RCCG SOLID ROCK PARISH KIRKLISTON - The Redeemed Christian Church of God. Join us every Sunday for a time of worship. Service starts 11am. Kirkliston Community Centre, 16-18 Queensferry Road, Kirkliston, EH29 9AQ. Join our prayer meeting every Tuesday Zoom link: bit.ly/ srprayer 30 | QUEENSFERRY
CHRIST CHURCH QUEENSFERRY - Looking for hope, truth, and community? Christ Church Queensferry is a Bible-believing church made up of ordinary people from Queensferry. Whether you’re a committed Christian or just exploring faith, you’re welcome to join us on Sundays at 10:30am in Rosebery Hall, South Queensferry, for worship, teaching, and friendship. You’ll find a warm welcome and a message that matters. For more information visit christchurchqueensferry.org or find us on Facebook. QUEENSFERRY TENNIS CLUB - Queensferry Tennis Club is a welcoming and vibrant communitybased tennis club offering a friendly environment for tennis players of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to seasoned pros. QTC provides a space for social play, competitive matches, and coaching opportunities with Neil Harden from Deuce Academy. The club’s inclusive atmosphere fosters a strong sense of community, where members can come together to enjoy the sport while building lasting friendships. Please email queensferrytennis@gmail. com for more information KIRKLISTON COMMUNITY CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS - The benefits of being outdoors are well known and you don’t have to go far locally to enjoy it. Come and join in some activities with KCCV and help to maintain the village planters, a small orchard, wildflower area, public gardens and spaces as well as our monthly litter picks. We’re a small friendly group aiming to enhance Kirkliston. For more information contact www. kccv.org.uk or message 07925 383569. WINCHBURGH STORYTELLERS - A chance to make friends and practice telling stories / hearing new tales, in a safe supportive space. Everyone’s welcome to come and listen and/ or participate. A story can be myth, legend, life story, fairy or folk tale- 10 minutes maximum. It’s all about oral storytelling, not reading aloud. We meet on the last Tuesday of the month at Winchburgh Community Centre, 7.30pm to 9.00pm. For more information go
to marytatterhoodtales.wordpress. com/winchburgh-storytellers RUNTRIBE QUEENSFERRY - A free, friendly and sociable run club based in South Queensferry who meet every Tuesday 6.25pm at the Seal Monument. The aim of our club is not about time or distance, our aim is to run, socialise and have a good time whilst doing it. We also go for an optional drink at the pub after our weekly session. To find out more, message Emily on 07395 817833 or follow on instagram @RunTribe_queensferry. YOGA & CHAIR MOBILITY - Yoga: Fridays 09.30- 10.30. Kirkliston Community Centre. For mixed ability students. Classes include asana, movement, pranayama and relaxation. Chair-Based Mobility. Tuesdays 1.00-2.00pm (with optional extra 30 mins for refreshments) Winchburgh Community Centre. A class for anyone who would prefer to sit. Includes some standing practice, breath work and mindful movement. Ideal for anyone with movement restrictions. One-to-One sessions can be arranged in person or via zoom. For more info E: yogawithjo21@hotmail.com or, facebook.com/yogajostilwell LITTLE ARTISTS ART CLUB FRIDAYS - A relaxing class, to unwind & get creative before the weekend ahead. Fridays 12.451.45 South Queenferry P1-7. Each week we will focus on a different animal or nature piece, learning facts & working in two different age groups, pencil work in colour/ monochrome. For information please contact 07591990020 or see Instagram everychildisanartist_ DANCE FITNESS - Wednesdays South Queensferry. P1-2, 3.003.40pm, P3-7, 3.40-4.30pm. Each week, we will learn a new routine together as a group, to some great music. Children will have the opportunity to suggest their favourite songs. Dance Fitness is for boys and girls of all ages. This class can either compliment your present dance school classes or be a brand new class for you. HAPPY BODY STUDIO - PILATES & FITNESS Pilates for all: Monday 18.00 & Thursday 9.30am. Kirkliston
Community Centre. Mum & Baby Postnatal Pilates: Thursday 11.00am, Conifox Adventure Park. Personal Training & 1:1 sessions available. Pilates is a form of movement that emphasises the activation & strengthening of the core muscles. Pilates can help us improve movement, ease general aches & pains & strengthen our core & stabilising muscles. Everyone can benefit from Pilates. Very suitable for beginners. To learn more visit: www.happybodystudio.com WINCHBURGH WARRIORS NETBALL CLUB - We are a recreational netball club for anyone over 18. We will support you whether it’s your first time, or it’s been a long time - we got you! Sessions are every Monday 19:1520:15 at the Winchburgh Sport and Wellbeing Hub (Xcite). First session is free, then £6 thereafter. If you have any questions, drop us an email info.winchburghwarriors@ gmail.com ABERCORN CURLING CLUB Play weekly on Tuesday evenings at Kinross Ice Rink from September - March with league games and competitions to take part in. All ages and abilities welcome, from beginners to those who’ve curled before. No equipment needed for beginners. Transport can be provided. Fancy a go? Taster sessions can be arranged. It’s active, social and fun. For more information contact abercorncc@ gmail.com YOGA - Whilst moving our bodies in a way that feels good is important, it’s not the only thing that can improve wellbeing. In this Yoga class there will also be breathwork, discussion, meditation and more. It’s not some obscure practice that only the limber and enlightened can do, this is for everyone who has an urge to connect with themselves and their community. 9am Saturdays, Thomas Chalmers Centre, bookwhen.com/ramyoga.Pay as you feel - £1-£10 per class CLEANFERRY - CleanFerry is a group of local volunteers dedicated to reducing the amount of litter in and around South Queensferry and Dalmeny. Evidence shows that cleaner environments have
a positive impact on people’s wellbeing and more widely benefit the community. Whether you want to do meet new people, do something with friends, gain credit for your Duke of Edinburgh or simply feel good about helping the community CleanFerry is keen to welcome new volunteers. If interested email cleanferry2@ gmail.com SOUTH QUEENSFERRY BABY AND TODDLER GROUP Thursdays 9.30am-11.30am at the Church Hall on The Loan, SQ. Mums, Dad’s, Grandparents, Carers all welcome. A small fee of £2.00 is payable to cover the rent of the hall and tea/coffee/cakes/ biscuits for the adults. Just turn up, or for more information join the Facebook group, search“South Queensferry Baby and Toddler Group” WINCHBURGH ART CLUB We meet on Thursday mornings between 9.30 – 11.30 in Winchburgh Community Hall. Any level, any medium are all welcome. If interested, please contact 07980 321989 or email maureenandjohn1@hotmail.co.uk FRIENDSHIP CLUB - A friendly group that meets at the residents lounge at 40 Shore Road, Queensferry to enjoy various entertainments eg. quizzes, games, occasional guest presenters and tea/coffee/delicious cake. First Wed of each month, 2.00-3.30pm. £2 per meeting. For more information contact Lorna Russell on 0131 331 5570 or email lorna.russell@qccc.org.uk WINCHBURGH SPEAKERS CLUB - Would you like to develop your speaking skills, overcome nerves, gain confidence, build strong leadership skills, and improve your communication in a relaxed and friendly environment? Come along or send us a message to find out how Winchburgh Speakers Club can help. We meet fortnightly in Winchburgh Bowling Club ( (from mid-August to May). Contact: president@ winchburghspeakersclub.org.uk GREENFERRY - A volunteer garden team that maintains local areas through weeding and planting, as well as special projects. The group also enjoys
tours, social outings and events together. Contact Neil mckinlayassociates@hotmail.co.uk or Fiona – fionachandler@live.co.uk KIRKY CRAFTERS - Meet new friends and explore your creative side. Meet Thomas Chalmers Centre, The Square, Kirkliston. Fortnightly on a Monday except July and August. For more information please contact Ann on 0131 333 1834 or email ann_ denholm@btinternet.com SUPPER CLUB - Run by Queensferry Care, for people with a diagnosis of dementia, or other cognitive impairment, and their carer. This could be a family member, friend or neighbour. This is a unique service in that we support both the carer and the cared for person. It provides an opportunity to meet with others to enjoy an evening meal at The Haven (Queensferry) or a local restaurant. For information contact mail@qccc.org.uk KIRKLISTON LUNCH CLUB - Meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at the Kirkliston Community Centre, 16-18 Queensferry Rd, Kirkliston EH29 9AQ. It is for any older person who’d like to meet and eat with others. The cost is no more than £5. Run by Queensferry Care, for more information please contact mail@qccc.org.uk KIRKLISTON KNITTING GROUP - From beginners to experienced knitters. Meet at Kirkliston Library on Mondays 1.30pm. 16 Station Road, Kirkliston, EH29 9BE.
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