Konect Balerno April 18

APRIL 2018

PLUS: Patterns For Living, Home Improvement, Puzzles and much more inside!

Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green, Baberton & Ratho

WIN! Tickets to Gardening Scotland : See P14 M ESSA G E F RO M T HE E D I T O R

L

ooking through this issue of Konect I think it sums up a lot of what I love about producing this magazine: there is always something new to learn about the wonderful range of things people do locally. This month I interviewed a footgolfer (I’d never heard of it, either); Suzanne spoke to the new chair of the Balerno Theatre Company; a resident sent in an article on an Enlightenment author; and Gardening Scotland are running a ticket competition for Konect readers - we’re lucky to have the national gardening and outdoor living show just up the road at Ingliston, see page 14 for ticket competition details. Tis the season when the garden springs into life and for ideas and inspiration for all gardens, large and tiny, or if you need a hand with yours, there are plenty of local companies who can help out.

Once again, thanks for reading Konect and supporting local businesses.

FEATURES

Local History Home Improvement Footgolf Thought for the Month Money Matters Village People Recipe & Food Notes

08 21 29 38 42 48 52

COMPETITIONS & PUZZLES

Gardening Scotland Competition 14 Crossword & Sudoku 56 COMMUNITY

What’s On Clubs & Classes INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

57 59 62

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES JENNY THOMSON 07824 469266 jenny@konectdirectory.co.uk CHARLENE GAFFNEY 07772 941899 charlene@konectdirectory.co.uk ADVERT BOOKING DEADLINE: 15th of the month prior to print.

Helen-Jane, Editor hj@konectdirectory.co.uk

Cover Image: Easter Sunday 1st April

@KonectMagazines

ARTWORK/COPY DEADLINE: 18th of the month prior to print.

The Konect Directory is delivered to homes in Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green, Baberton and Ratho.

Copies are also left at the library, community centres, convenience stores and various other locations within the area.

BALERNO | 3

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BALERNO | 5

Est. 1976

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BALERNO | 7

LOCAL HISTORY

Henry Mackenzie’s Cottage

Henry Mac kenzie’s co ttage as it is today

“Towards the close of the last century the little thatch cottage in front of the New Public School was the residence of Henry Mackenzie, ‘The Man of Feeling.’ ” This extract from The Parish of Colinton

by David Shankie (1902) refers to the little cottage which stands on your right before you proceed downhill towards the shops in the village (now the premises of IT Centric and Worx24). It was Henry Mackenzie’s summer retreat when he happily hiked in the Pentland Hills with his dog and gun.

The soubriquet attached to him - The Man of Feeling - is in fact the title of his bestselling sentimental novel, a new genre in the literature of his day. It made his name as one of the luminaries or literati during the 18th century Scottish Enlightenment – a period described as The Age of Reason or A hotbed of genius.

living here when he wrote his sentimental novel, The Man of Feeling in 1771’. He is best known for this tear-jerking novel, set in London, which started a fashion for the sentimental novel. At first no publisher would touch it, but when he sent it to a publisher anonymously it was instantly successful.

The sobriquet ‘The Man of Feeling’ adhered to him ever after the publication of the novel, although Mackenzie was not at all a sentimental man of pathos and tragedy as he portrayed in his principal character.

He was an astute lawyer. In London from 1765 he advanced his law studies in English Exchequer Practice having already graduated in law at Edinburgh University.

Henry Mackenzie was born on the day His style of writing, however, was popular Prince Charles Edward Stuart landed partly because of its implied criticism of in Scotland, 21st September 1745. His the rigid Calvinism of the Scottish Kirk in birthplace was Libberton’s Wynd in the showing that man was not born a sinner Lawnmarket, where Johnnie Downie’s after all but morally good and benevolent. It Tavern was situated (demolished in the complemented the new philosophy of many early 1820s to make way for George Enlightenment thinkers as well as of the IV Bridge). According to Harrison in Moderate Party in the Church of Scotland. his Memorable Edinburgh Houses, the His next two novels, Julia de Roubigne and Mackenzie family moved as their family The Prince of Tunis, were also highly popular grew to a tenement at the junction of the Cowgate and Candlemaker Row. His father, and his works in verse Duncan and Kenneth were written during his student days. Later Dr Joshua Mackenzie, and his second wife he edited two publications – The Mirror with their large family lived in ‘the greatest in 1778 and The Lounger in 1785. harmony ... Mackenzie was probably 8 | BALERNO

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In one of his many articles in The Lounger, on 9th December 1786 Mackenzie extolled the works of Robert Burns, pronouncing him an “Ayrshire ploughman ... a genius of no ordinary rank.”

Burns arrived in Edinburgh a few days before Mackenzie’s article appeared. Burns, in turn, so admired Mackenzie’s work, he described The Man of Feeling as “the book I prize next to the Bible.”

He married in 1776, and he and his wife Penuel lived at first with his father and stepmother at his boyhood home near Candlemaker Row. They had a long and happy marriage with eleven children, moving to their newly-built residence No.6 Heriot Row in the Northern New Town of Edinburgh.

Mackenzie was a devotee of the concert hall, so much so he became a director of St Celilia’s Hall in 1787. As a theatre-goer and critic he was fair-minded and keen to encourage the talent of young actors. He held and attended many tea parties in the Old Town with members of the literati including David Hume, Adam Smith and Dr Gregory. He attended the weekly meetings of the literary and social Friday Club, founded

by Lord Cockburn in 1803 at the instigation of Walter Scott, which were held at Barry’s Tavern in Princes Street (where the New Balmoral Hotel now stands), In 1808 he supervised the publication of his literary works in eight volumes, published by Archibald Constable & Co., (the publisher of the works of Sir Walter Scott and the 6th edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica).

Mackenzie was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE).

The powerful political Tory Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville, rewarded his ardent supporter Mackenzie by appointing him Comptroller of Taxes for Scotland in 1804 for his support of William Pitt when, at the request of Dundas, Mackenzie wrote his Review of the Principal Proceedings of @KonectMagazines

the Parliament of 1784 and many political pamphlets against the liberal principles which supported the French Revolution. As Comptroller of Taxes he worked in the city, but during vacations he enjoyed the country life at his cottage in Colinton, taking long walks in the Pentland Hills with his gun and his dogs. As a member of the Highland Society he published its Transactions.

In his octogenarian years and suffering from deafness Henry Mackenzie was as sociable as ever and could ‘still enjoy a morning on the bowling green with that enthusiastic player Henry Cockburn’ of Bonaly Tower.

Mackenzie spent his last years at 6 Heriot Row where died at the then great age of eighty-six on 14th January 1831, a year before the death of his great friend Sir Walter Scott. He was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard, the resting place of several other Enlightenment luminaries.

This local history article was contributed by David Dick, who lives in Craiglockhart.

BALERNO | 9

Free Spiritual Readings, Dream Interpretation, Peace Treatment

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Hosted by St Mungo’s Church

Monday 7th May 11am - 2pm

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BALERNO | 11

Est. 2005

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

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

@KonectDirectory

#11419-Edinburgh-92x128-Spring-TUF10-13feb18-R2-PRINT.pdf

1

15/02/2018

12:19

A pair of tickets!

If you fancy winning a pair of tickets to the show, then take part in our competition!

We’ve got 10 pairs of tickets to be won. Just unscramble the letters below to reveal the names of three favourite flowers:

The experts at Scotland’s national festival of gardening, Gardening Scotland 2018, have come up with some handy advice to get your garden in shape again after the hard harsh winter.

Brush Up - Autumn leaves, broken twigs and all sorts of rubbish can blow in during winter. Start by sweeping all of this up and adding anything that’s plant-based to the compost heap.

Cut Back - If you left flower stalks and leaves standing in the autumn, then these will now have turned to mush. Cut off stalks before the new season growth gets underway - you don’t want to give fresh leaves a haircut.

First Cut - Before you rush in with that mower to tackle grass that’s growing fast, stop and raise the blades to their highest setting. Aim for a light trim, not a buzz cut.

Intruder Alert - You know its spring when the weeds start popping up. Don’t let them get away For more advice on how to spruce up your garden, visit Gardening Scotland 2018

LAADHI TONICARAN SORE HOW TO ENTER: Email your answers, along with your name & phone number, to win@konectdirectory.co.uk from you. Hoe off annual weeds and dig out anything with deep roots. Once they set seed, your weed problem will get much worse, but take early action and you can stop that from happening.

Get Sowing - Seeds that need warm conditions HOW TO ENTER: Email your answers, along with your name can be germinated in small pots on the windowsill, & phone number, to win@konectdirectory.co.uk CLOSING DATE: 15 April will be chosen at random anything that’sSunday hardy will2018. be Winner fine outdoors.

Just after the closing date and informed via the email used toitenter. make sure that you’ve raked theaddress soil until is crumbly - small seedlings can’t push their way through heavy earth - and if you first cover the area where you’ll be sowing with some black polythene for a couple of weeks, to take the chill off, you’ll give veg and annual flowers a much better start. th

Keep off the daffs - Bulbs are surging through the soil, so take care when you are hoeing and sowing that you don’t stand on them. If your garden is a bit short on colour, then pots of hyacinths and tulips from the garden centre are a quick way to make it more cheerful. Plant them into the soil once flowering’s over and they’ll come back every year.

For more advice on how to spruce up your garden, as well as gorgeous plants, garden tools and accessories, Show Garden inspiration, hand-made crafts, gourmet foods and a great day out for all the family, then visit Gardening Scotland 2018.

This year’s show takes place from Friday, 1 June until Sunday, 3 June at the Royal Highland Centre Edinburgh and it is the biggest plant sale in the country. Early bird tickets are available online at www.gardeningscotland.com, so book early to save money.

14 | BALERNO

@KonectDirectory

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 15th April 2018. Winner will be chosen at random after the closing date and informed via the email address used to enter.

GARDENING

@KonectMagazines

BALERNO | 15

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BALERNO | 19

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

Engineered wood (sometimes called multilayer or laminated) is made from layers of solid timber or a veneer of solid timber on top of MDF, plywood, chipboard or softwood, with a balancing veneer beneath. A top layer of at least 5mm allows for limited sanding if necessary.

Laminates generally comprise a resin-impregnated decorative paper surface layer (with photographs of real wood) bonded to a thin MDF or chipboard core. Cheap versions are not awfully durable, but more expensive versions are tough and have long guarantees.

They are beautiful, natural, healthy, and get better with age – wooden floors are ideal almost everywhere.

Sand back old boards – often the simplest and cheapest option, although not every floor is worth sanding. If there are too many nails, or the floor has woodworm, is uneven, or is of poor quality, replacing it may be better. Before sanding, mend or replace any damaged boards, preferably with matching second hand boards (new boards should be stained later to match), and hammer down protruding nail heads.

Using reclaimed boards - the aged patina of reclaimed boards is beautiful, but they are not much cheaper than new boards. Common problems include woodworm, ingrained dirt and stains, damage, variations in thickness or colour, and the presence of old nails. Ask where the wood came from and how it has been stored – timber that has stood outside may be useless or would need to dry out considerably before reuse. Pine is cheaper than oak, and narrower boards are cheaper than wider ones.

A new timber floor - can be fitted anywhere in the house, on solid or suspended floors, though they’re not advised for bathrooms or other wet areas (as wood expands and contracts with humidity). You can fit a timber floor with underfloor heating, though timber does not give quite as high a heat output as concrete. When retro-fitting, it may be possible to lay new boards over old ones – but only if they are even, and usually covered with 18-20mm of ply as a base. Remember that your floor level will be raised and ensure you avoid any pipes and wires that run beneath the existing floor when fitting.

Types of Timber

Solid wood is entirely natural and can be sanded again and again. It’s available as boards, strips, blocks and parquet. @KonectMagazines

Timber floors are given ‘grades’ describing their appearance. They vary but are often called ‘select’, ‘natural’ and ‘rustic’ or ‘country’. ‘Rustic’ grades are the cheapest and ‘select’ the most expensive.

Lulworth Blue floor paint, £67 per 2.5l, Farrow & Ball

Finishes for floorboards

PAINT: a great cover-up, available in a range of colours.

STAINS: may be oil or water-based. May still need a finish for protection.

WAX: gives a lovely sheen and smell, but requires regular re-waxing.

OIL: gives a natural finish and protect the woods, but again needs re-applying regularly.

UV-CURED OIL & WAX: almost like lacquer, but with the look of oil or wax.

LACQUER & VARNISH: available in hardwearing matt, satin and gloss finishes, but don’t give such a natural finish.

BALERNO | 21

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BALERNO | 27

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n ni Decla “I’d never heard of footgolf until you called me about this article,” I say to Declan Reid when we meet to discuss his upcoming UK footgolf tour.

“Neither had I until 18 months ago!” he responds.

And here he is now, representing Scotland in footgolf tournaments and raising sponsorship to get himself to the next level.

Spell checker is underlining the word footgolf in red in my word processor as I write this article, so it’s not made its way into the Word dictionary yet. What is it?

Footgolf is exactly what it sounds like – kicking a football into a course of holes.

A fairly new sport, it’s seen an explosion in popularity in the past two years and is being considered by the Olympic Committee for inclusion as an Olympic sport. So where can you play footgolf locally?

“There is a footgolf club at Bridgend Golf Club, near Linlithgow,” says Declan.

“Bridgend is a brilliantly maintained course.

We’re in a league with footgolf clubs in Cumbernauld, Roodlea in Ayr and Caprington in Kilmarnock. So long as you can kick a ball, you can have a go at footgolf.” It doesn’t require the athleticism of football; you go at your own pace in small teams around the course, making it a very accessible sport.

The Bridgend Footgolf Club has members of all ages, both men and women. @KonectDirectory

Footgolf is played with a standard size 5 football on an existing golf course, kind of superimposed over the golf course but with the 21” footgolf holes just off to the side of the golf greens.

Golfers and footgolfers co-habitate quite happily; the usual rules of courtesy on the course apply.

Most footgolfers have a background in playing football, and there is a smattering of national and international ex-professional footballers in the sport. With its focus on precision, I ask Declan if training in footgolf would be a good idea for all footballers? “It’s quite a different skill really,” he explains. “Yes, precision is important in football, but when you’re passing the ball it has to arrive at your team member with momentum. In footgolf, you’re aiming at a fixed spot and you want the ball to stop at that point.”

Declan first came across footgolf at Conifox Garden Centre in Kirkliston where they have a wee course for kids. His football mad kids loved it.

Declan looked it up, found the club at Bridgend, booked a course there and is now hooked on it. With a dedicated footgolf course at Gatwick, courses such as Celtic Manor hosting footgolf events, and former England and Liverpool striker Stan Collymore giving footgolf attention on his show in February, the sport’s profile is definitely on the rise. I pass a message of solidarity to Declan’s wife, “Hang in there, I’m sure the prize money will increase proportionately...”

Helen-Jane Shearer interviewed Declan Reid for this article. Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect magazines.

OFFER!

Try Footgolf! Bridgend Golf Club are offering a free bacon roll when you book a round of footgolf any weekend in April.

Mention Konect when you book, and bring this voucher to claim your bacon roll on the day.

The Bridgend course is an 18-hole footgolf course alongside the 9 hole golf course. £13 for a round, plus £2 ball hire, but you can bring your own size 5 ball. No football studs. Open every day til 8pm, public bar serving food. Bridgend is West Lothian’s only footgolf course and is affiliated with UK Footgolf. www.bridgendgolfclub.com

ADDRESS: Willowdean, Linlithgow, Bridgend, West Lothian, EH49 6NW TEL: 01506 834140 or 07977 142021

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY Declan is seeking sponsorship to help him cover his costs.

“This year I will be playing in the Scottish Tartan Tour, UK National tour singles and pairs events. I would also like to continuing representing Scotland in the Tri-Nations event, having a 100% win record from my international debut against England.” He has a range of business sponsorship options including organising company footgolf days out.

If you are interested in helping, please contact Declan via the Bridgend Footgolf Facebook page (West Lothian Footgolf) or call Bridgend Golf Club on 01506 834140 and leave a message for him.

fo r

all

!

For more information about the sport, see “West Lothian Footgolf” on Facebook and www.ukfootgolf.com.

s Footgolf: A @KonectMagazines

rt po

BALERNO | 29

CREDIT: Background photograph provided by UK Footgolf

First things first, what do you wear for footgolf? I see a smattering of Argyle pattern socks and tops in many of the photos I’ve looked at. “Wear pretty much what you’d wear for football, but no studs on your boots. The studs are too harsh on the golf greens.”

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SPOTLIGHT

The Currie-based salon is a semi-finalist in the 2018 L’Oréal Colour Trophy Award

Local salon Hair Tech in Currie has made it into the semi-finals of the L’Oréal Colour Trophy Award 2018, meaning that they will be at the Scottish Regional Semi-Finals this month at the SEC Glasgow.

During the first round, hundreds of photographic images from across the country were judged by the most influential names in hairdressing, including British Hairdresser of the Year, Sally Brooks, Charlotte Mensah, Jamie Stevens, leading session stylist & press favourite Adam Reed, as well as hairdressing icons Errol Douglas MBE and Charles Worthington MBE. Hair Tech fought off stiff competition and were successfully chosen to go through to the next round.

36 | BALERNO

They will be put through their paces as they now look to create a truly inspirational, contemporary colour, complemented by trend-driven styling and finish. The team of judges will be looking for work that is exceptionally executed and technically precise.

“We are very excited to be competing in the live semi-finals alongside some of the best hairdressers in the country. A special thanks to all the team including Marshall Hall Photography for helping us produce a great image for our original entry” says Hazel.

This article was contributed by Hair Tech, 17 Bryce Road, Currie. Tel 0131 449 2991

@KonectDirectory

@KonectMagazines

BALERNO | 37

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

Are you one of the ‘heads down’ generation?

Is your phone with you 24/7? No doubt we all benefit from being in a more connected world, but we can have too much where technology is concerned.

Think about these three risks…

• Missing out on connecting with others.

The biggest predictor of happiness and fulfilment is the quality and depth of relationships we have. One mum realised that she had stopped looking into her children’s eyes because of her phone, and decided that she needed a phone detox.

• Missing out on appreciation of natural things. If we are so wrapped up in our phone, we can fail to notice wonder in the world. A 15 minute walk in the woods causes a measurable decrease in stress, and an increased sense of gratitude.

• Missing out on the enjoyment of flow… flow is when your whole being is involved in a task and you are using your skills to the utmost. Alerts and texts yank you out of flow and it can take 25mins to get back in.

To do…

1. Spring clean email alerts and subscriptions.

2. Batch check messages.

3. Protect time with people from digital interruptions. At meals, stack the phones away from the table.

4. Put your phone away when you are outside and be curious about the world around you 5. Have a digital detox, for an evening or longer.

And in so doing experience more connection, gratitude and fulfilment in life!

Thought for the Month is contributed by Pat Banfill, Pastoral Assistant St Mungo’s Church, Balerno & Livingston - www.stmungos.org

38 | BALERNO

CLEARVUE OPTICIANS VISION HEALTH CARE

60 Bryce Road, Currie, EH14 5LD Tel: 0131 449 6889 | Fax: 0131 449 3011 Email: enquiries@clearvueopticians.co.uk Opening Times: Monday - Friday: 9.00am - 5.00pm

@KonectDirectory

To make an appontment please call

0131 451 5133 or text

07860 222343 OPENING HOURS: Monday - Saturday (Open late Tues & Thur - NOW OPEN Wed)

TONY HARPER’S HAIR STUDIO

Nail services now available Tues & Thurs nights Call: 07749 503946 Reflexology & Indian head massage available Fridays

Call: 07926 986944

46a Bavelaw Road, Balerno Check out our daily, weekly & monthly deal and posts at tony-harpers-hairstudio

Using the best, purest, vegan certified and Gluten free products.

Our Make-Up uses Optilight Technology for a flawless glow and stays on all day.

Occasion Make-Up

£30.00

£25.00 Make-Up Lesson Make-Up Workshop £20.00pp (for up to 4 people)

**10% Discount when you quote KONECT OFFER when booking**

@KonectMagazines

BALERNO | 39

40 | BALERNO

@KonectDirectory

For a FREE no obligation quote please contact:

0131 478 7339

www.kitchenspainted.com

33 East Main Street, Broxburn, EH52BEFORE 5AB

AFTER

Installation of additional sockets & lights Full re-wires, earthing upgraded Electric showers fitted 07836 291366

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

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BALERNO | 41

MONEY MATTERS

THREE NEW ISA BENEFITS One: 30% Income Tax relief!

Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you. If you invest up to ÂŁ20,000 or transfer an existing ISAs into a VCT ISA, then you will receive a 30% tax credit to offset your Income Tax in the year you buy your ISA. Two: No IHT to pay!

Yes, if you invest or transfer into an AIM ISA, then after 2 years this asset will not be in your estate for Inheritance Tax (IHT) on death. You do have to be holding the ISA at the time of death.

Three: Target of 3.5% Return per year!

If you have a Cash ISA with an interest rate below inflation i.e. 1% - 1.5% then you could transfer to an IHT ISA that aims to return 3.5% per year AND is not included

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in your estate at death, so no IHT. A word of warning. This rate is NOT guaranteed but has been achieved since inception. On the other hand, your Cash ISA offers no investment risk at all but will be included in your estate when determining IHT. These ISAs all require a degree of investment risk to be taken and as such a professional independent adviser with appropriate experience should be consulted.

The Money Matters column is contributed by Personal Money Matters. This month’s column

by David Henderson BA, DipFA.

@KonectDirectory

@KonectMagazines

BALERNO | 43

BUSTER THE DOG

Alistair Taylor

• • • •

BVMS MRCVS www.pentlandvetclinic.com 100% Small animal practice Modern surgical, medical, x-ray laboratory and dental facilities Boarding cattery available 24 hour Emergency Service

0131 451 5111

5 Riccarton Mains Rd, Currie, EH14 5PX

To be included, please contact us.

See page 3 for contact details.

46 | BALERNO

@KonectDirectory

Claylands Cottage Cattery DOG DAYCARE & HOME BOARDING

Tel: 07807 856 940

• Quality Dog Walking/Daycare • Home boarding in our country farmhouse • Experienced & knowledgeable dog handler • Professional service • Disclosure Scotland and insured • Trustworthy & reliable • Exercised on 7 acres of secure private land

HAPPY SCAMPERS

1 Humbie Holdings Kirknewton, EH27 8DS

www.happyscampers.co.uk

@KonectMagazines

...for contented cats

Established in May 2006, we provide first-class holiday accommodation for up to 35 feline guests.

Single and double cabins, as well as large cabins for families, each comprises an upper sleeping area (heated in winter) with an exercise run below.

A collection and drop-off service is available Fully licensed and insured

Proprietors: Pam and Bill Clark Phone: 0131 333 1636 Email: mail@claylandscottagecattery.co.uk Off Claylands Road, Newbridge, EH28 8LZ Conveniently situated near the airport.

www.claylandscottagecattery.co.uk

BALERNO | 47

VILLAGE PEOPLE

George Mackie : Meet the Wizard

Balerno resident George Mackie is the new chair of the Balerno Theatre Company. A GP, George enjoys collecting art when he’s not at work or on stage. He is married to Toll, and they are the parents of three teenage boys.

Seeing his son David perform in the Balerno Theatre Company’s 2012 production of Oliver inspired George Mackie to get involved himself.

George, who had done amateur dramatics in high school, successfully auditioned the following year for A Christmas Carol. After that, he was “Mr S. Norman” in the comedy Disconnected.

Sheryn Ali, who directed the panto Jack in the Beanstalk, thought George would make a good dame. And, accordingly, he was given the role of Dame Delilah Trump, his first major role. He was The Wizard in the 2016 production of The Wizard of Oz. “I consider myself to have been the star of that performance, even though I wasn’t on stage much,” says George. “After all, the title is The Wizard of Oz, not The Adventures of Dorothy Gale in Kansas!” George will also be remembered for his role as The Widow Twanky in Aladdin last year.

Having served for two years as Treasurer for the company, George understands how much money is involved in putting on excellent performance after excellent performance. Hiring the Churchill Theatre for one week costs £5,000, and sound and lighting costs can come to more than £10,000. Staging, props and costumes also require funds. So, as new chair of the Balerno Theatre Company Committee, George places a strong emphasis on fundraising.

A car scavenger hunt is set for 15 April.

Participants will be required to drive for several hours, collecting items, taking photographs and doing silly things. The entry fee is £25 per car. Other fundraising activities this year will 48 | BALERNO

include a Quiz Night (June), Blingo (September) and supermarket bag packing.

The company will also be performing at the Balerno Music Festival.

Locals may know that George has a red and white VW camper van. In 2013 he took six weeks off work, and he and his sons set off on a road trip round England. At home he enjoys collecting art – his taste could be described as “eclectic”. He has several cacti, describing them as “the only plants I don’t kill”.

George has done “a bit of running”, and did the Inverness Half Marathon in March. In the year he turned 40 he successfully did the Heb Challenge, completing five half marathons in the Outer Hebrides (Skye, Benbecula, Barra, Harris, Stornoway). “I got the t-shirt,” he says, “but considering all the travel costs that year, it was very expensive!” George also did the 2017 Balerno Rigg Race – dressed as Aladdin.

At the moment George’s energies are being poured into the theatre company. Auditions for Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood will be held around the end of May, and rehearsals will start in June. The show will run from 5-8 December.

Go to: www.balernotheatrecompany.co.uk for more information.

The Village People column is contributed by Suzanne Green. Suzanne, a freelance writer/ editor, lives in Balerno and writes regularly for Konect. She is married to Andy and they have two adult daughters. @KonectDirectory

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

A & A Electrical Solutions Ltd Balerno All electrical work Private or commercial No job too big or small All work guaranteed Free estimates Professional and reliable service

Alan: 07969 929327

or email alskie@hotmail.com

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BALERNO | 49

MOTORING

The wheels are spinning, but the BMW isn’t going anywhere.

Every revolution of the alloys sinks the new X3 deeper into the huge blood-orange dunes of the Saharan desert.

We’ve been tackling one of the toughest off-road routes I’ve ever experienced – from deep, rolling dunes to sharp, rocky trails – and the fact that only now, close to our final destination, one of my colleagues has managed to half bury a BMW is a testament to the X3’s abilities.

We set off on our epic drive towards the Atlas Mountains, the roads from Marrakesh quickly opening up into out-of-this-world landscapes. Soon we’re crossing the Tizi n Tichka mountain pass, one mighty hairpin after another. Our X30d – with a new 260bhp, 620Nm engine – is the pick of the range, and on these roads it’s swift and enjoyable.

At midday we arrive in Ouarzazate, and the famous Atlas Film Studios, where we drive our BMWs through the gates of the Game of Thrones city set.

BMW being beached in a position that takes seven men and shovels to retrieve it from.

The next morning, we’re told today will be tougher than yesterday. Five hours of harsh off-roading will be followed by a dash back across the mountains to the airport. We’re quickly back in the groove, drifting the offroader around sandy corners and clattering over sharp rocks. As the desert eases, we experience the barren, flat, dry river beds of the Ouef Draa, Iriki Lane and Erg Chigaga, all stages of the famous Dakar Rally.

By dusk we’ve covered nearly 300 miles and have taken in the stunning Anti Atlas Mountains. We pass through M’Hamid, the last conurbation before the desert, in a dusty convoy of 15 brand new BMWs.

On the edge of the desert, a rear tyre loses pressure but BMW chaperones soon change the wheel and we continue. We’re enjoying the X3’s comfy new interior and smart multimedia system when another tyre bursts.

It takes an hour for the BMW support car to arrive, and it looks like we’ll miss the flight from Marrakesh. And so begins a rush to the airport, but from screeching hairpin bends to blink-and-you’ll-miss-them overtakes, the BMW takes it all in its stride and we arrive with minutes to spare.

Our camp is an hour of off-roading away and our X3 drifts and slips its way like a rally car across the challenging terrain, with just the lights of the cars in front illuminating the darkness.

Perspiring, exhausted but elated on the plane, we smile – we made it. The BMW X3 may have two new tyres, but it’s been returned unscathed and we’re taking off just 25 minutes after arriving at the airport.

It’s the blackness that catches out a colleague when approaching the camp, resulting in the

This article was contributed by James Baggot.

50 | BALERNO

@KonectDirectory

To be included, please contact us.

See page 3 for contact details.

Max's Garage Doors Ltd

Ratho Auto Services

Garage Doors Electric Motors UPVC Side Doors

John Plimmer

Tel. 07821 984 978

info@maxsgaragedoors.co.uk 10 Years Experience

For all Installations repairs and services

Servicing, Diagnostics, Tyres, Pre-Purchase Checks, Sales Auto Technician

0131 333 5353 07784 537356

Free Collection & Delivery Service MOTs arranged 73 Station Road, Ratho Station, EH28 8OP

Servicing on all makes and models of vehicles from just £99

Call 0131 449 2139

for service you can trust • MOT VOSA green traffic light test station • Budget, midrange or premium tyres fitted • Brakes, exhausts and repairs

Balerno Garage 8 Deanpark Brae, Balerno EH14 7DZ @KonectMagazines

BALERNO | 51

FOOD & DRINK

DELICIOUS: Scatter the white chocolate curls over the top

Lemon Mascarpone Creams

These quick and easy desserts make a delicious sweet treat for any occasion.

Ingredients:

Method:

• Juice of 2 large lemons

1. Mix the lemon juice and sugar in a bowl and stir until the sugar has dissolved.

• 50g caster sugar • 250g tub mascarpone cheese • 200ml double cream • 10 sponge fingers • 2 tbsp white chocolate curls, to decorate (see TIP)

Serves 4 Ready in 15 minutes Tip: To make white chocolate curls, run a swivel-bladed vegetable peeler along the side of a bar of good quality white chocolate.

52 | BALERNO

2. Place the mascarpone in a large mixing bowl and beat with a wooden spoon until soft and smooth.

Gradually beat in half the lemon sugar mixture, beating well after each addition.

3. In a separate bowl, whip the cream until softly peaking. Gently fold the cream into the lemon mascarpone mixture. If it is a little too firm, fold in 2-3 tbsp of milk or single cream. (Add the zest of 1 lemon to the cream mixture for an extra citrus kick.)

4. Dip four of the sponge fingers in some of the remaining lemon and sugar mixture then arrange in the base of four glass serving dishes, breaking to fit if necessary. Spoon half the mascarpone cream mixture on top.

5. Repeat the layers once more using the rest of the sponge fingers, lemon sugar mixture and lemon mascarpone cream. Scatter the white chocolate curls over the top. Serve immediately or chill in the fridge for 2-3 hours before serving. @KonectDirectory

OPENING HOURS

Tues - Sat 12pm - 2.30pm Tues - Sat 5pm - 8.30pm Closed Mondays

Teas & coffees daily

Live Music Andy Chung 20th April Craig Herbertson 27th April

Sunday Roast 12pm - 5pm

Every Friday Flat Iron Friday - Steak Night

Every Thursday Chinese night to

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3

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@KonectDirectory

Juniper Green Nursery Playgroup

Spring Family Fundraiser Juniper Green Village Hall on Sunday 29th April 2018 12pm - 2pm

fts

Cra

la Tombo

Home Baking

Win

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Bumblebee Sports ainting

Face P

Tea & C

offee

Price: Children £2 each & Adult £1 @KonectMagazines

BALERNO | 55

PUZZLES

CROSSWORD

Solution in the May edition of Konect ACROSS: 7 Buff up (6), 8 Equality (6), 9 Throw (4), 10 Used by trains (8), 11 Tangled (7), 13 Dizzy (5), 15 Frighten (5), 17 Laughed (7), 20 Fuel (8), 21 Applaud (4), 22 Light wind (6), 23 Hug (6) DOWN: 1 Pillar (6), 2 Cash register (4), 3 Agitated (7), 4 Ruin (5), 5 Fighting (8), 6 Remained (6), 12 Revenue (8), 14 Without sound (7), 16 Seats (6), 18 Authorise (6), 19 Repaired (5), 21 Surrender (4)

SUDOKU

Classes Mon & Thurs 10am & 7pm Currie & Juniper Green

Iyengar yoga is suitable for everyone, whatever age or fitness level, helps us maintain flexibility, health and wellbeing, and cope with the stresses of modern day life.

For more information contact Maureen on 07557 506244 or email: maureen.clarke.44@hotmail.co.uk.

Solution on Page 61 56 | BALERNO

Iyengar Yoga

in Juniper Green & Currie

To be included, please contact us.

See page 3 for contact details.

@KonectDirectory

WHAT’S ON

SATURDAY 21ST APRIL

Braw Fairtrade Event Balerno’s rescheduled Braw Fairtrade event, temporarily snowed off in March. Balerno Parish Church Halls, 10 am - 12 noon. Fairly traded craft and food stalls, tastings, children’s activities, smoothie bike, refreshments, homebaking and more. All most welcome!

Facebook: balernofairtradevillagegroup E-mail: balernofairtrade@gmail.com

BALERNO VILLAGE SCREEN Friday 27th April, 7.30pm Death of Stalin (Cert. 15) Saturday 28th April, 2.30pm Wonder (Cert. PG) Saturday 28th April, 7.30pm Get Out (Cert. 15)

SATURDAY 14TH APRIL

VENUE: St. Joseph’s Church Hall, Balerno

SUNDAY 29TH APRIL

TICKETS: www.balernovillagescreen.com and at The Mill Cafe. Programme and timings subject to change.

Balerno Farmers Market “TeaParty/Daffodils,”MainStreet,Balerno9am-1pm.

Spring Family Fundraiser for Juniper Green Playgroup 12-2 pm at Juniper Green Village Hall Bumblebee Sports, face painting, crafts, tombola, home baking and tea and coffee.

TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT HERE, PLEASE EMAIL EDITOR@KONECTDIRECTORY.CO.UK OR CALL 07854 492638

SATURDAY 21ST APRIL

Wonderful Woodlands!

Join National Heritage Officers to explore the woods and get creative with a variety of fun woodland activities. We’ll find out about the wildlife that lives in our local woods and get crafty with woodland materials. Meet at Bonaly Country Park. Time: 13:30-15:30 Bring sturdy footwear and waterproofs. Cost: £3 per child (Ages 3+) For more information and booking please contact the Pentland Hills Regional Park on 0131 529 2401 Email: pentlandhills@edinburgh.gov.uk Website: www.pentlandhills.org THURSDAY 3RD MAY

Breeding Bird Surveys Help the National Heritage Officers survey Bonaly moorland to see how well our feathered friends are doing in this habitat. Meet: Bonaly Country Park upper car park. Time: 06:30-08:30. (Surveys will only go ahead in suitable weather conditions).

Bring sturdy footwear, waterproofs and binoculars if you have them. Free, but booking essential.

For more information and booking please contact the Pentland Hills Regional Park on 0131 529 2401 Email: pentlandhills@edinburgh.gov.uk Website: www.pentlandhills.org @KonectMagazines

ARE YOU ORGANISING AN EVENT OR INVOLVED IN A CHARITY FUNDRAISER THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE COMMUNITY? Charity and not-for-profit events are FREE to list here, helping to reach thousands of homes in Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green, Baberton and Ratho.

Simply email details to EDITOR@KONECTDIRECTORY.CO.UK by the 18th of the month (i.e. by 18th February for March edition, and so on).

We sometimes have space to print your event poster too if you have one, feel free to email it and we will always include community information free of charge on a space-permitting basis.

BALERNO | 57

TECHNOLOGY

DON’T BE AN KEEP YOUR STUFF SAFE ON PCs AND PHONES It seems like every day there’s a new warning about hackers and dodgy software. So how do we keep our important information safe and secure?

There are three things to consider: 1. Loss, where you lose digital photos, home movies or documents 2. Malicious software, which is when a program sneaks onto your computer and causes trouble; 3. Hacking, which is when somebody you don’t know gets into your computer to access your personal information and/or demand money.

The single best way to prevent loss of valuable documents or family photos is to have extra copies. You don’t need to spend too much money to copy your entire photo or video library, or anything else you want to keep a backup of. You can store backups on services such as Google Drive, Flickr and Apple’s iCloud, but for proper peace of mind we’d recommend backing up to an external hard disk: it’s much faster and doesn’t require a subscription as some online services do. You can get a really good external hard disk for less than £40, and you don’t need to pay much for faster, even higher capacity ones: at the time of writing Seagate’s Expansion drive, which offers 1TB of storage and has a super-fast USB 3.0 connection for modern PCs and Macs, is just £45. If you’re backing up really massive libraries, a whopping 4TB of storage is still

58 | BALERNO

under £100 — although most of us won’t need anything close to that. Take a copy and store it in a different place to your computer.

External hard disks aren’t the only options. You can burn your own DVDs or use USB flash drives such as SanDisk’s Ultra Flair 32GB (£12.95). However, we’re not convinced they’re great options for long-term backups. Drives such as the Patuoxun Portable USB DVD CD RW Writer may be cheap — £17 from Amazon — but DVD and CD discs don’t last forever.

And if you’ve used many USB sticks you’ll know of their incredible ability to go missing and never be found again. There’s not much point in having a backup if you can’t find it when you need it.

The cures for malicious software and hacking are the same: security software. There are plenty of free options such as the excellent AVG Free (www.avg.com), but it’s worth considering spending a little money on a paid-for security suite such as BitDefender Total Security (around £49/£69 for an unlimited-device Family Pack).

BitDefender doesn’t just cover your PC: it protects Macs, Android and iPhone/iPads too, and it includes tools to stop bad things getting onto your devices as well as anti-hacking protection for your personal data. It comes highly recommended by the internet’s most trusted review sites.

@KonectDirectory

CLUBS & CLASSES

BALERNO Hailes Swimming Club Galas, coaching and development lessons for 7-15 year olds at Balerno, Currie, and Forrester pools. For further details contact hailesswimclub@gmail.com

Alternative Fridays 10am at Balerno Parish Church Hall Contact 0131 477 7733. www.bf4f.org.uk Slimming World ❤ ❤ ❤ Lose weight eating the most delicious food - yes you can! Classes at Balerno Bowling club, Thursdays 7.30pm. Contact Denise on 07934 823024.

Pentland Art Club Meet at Balerno High School Art Room - Every Thursday 7.30-9.30pm Demonstrations, speakers, work evenings; All mediums; New members welcome. Please contact E Thomson on 0131 333 4662.

Pentland Flower Club

Come be part of our vibrant church community which meets every Sunday, 10.30am @ Balerno High School www.stmungos.org

Drama Studio, Balerno High School First Friday of the month at 7pm (excluding January, February, July and August); Visitors and new members are always welcome.

Contact Lis Daly on 0131 442 2146.

Pilates Classes

Children’s swim scheme

St Mungo’s Balerno

Beginners/Intermediate Pilates classes held at Hatton Sports Club Mon 11am, Mid Calder Institute Hall Wed 9.30am, East Calder Community Centre Thurs 9.30am and 6.30pm, Hatton Sports Club Fri 9.30pm. Contact Mairianne 07912 963 851 for more details or email: pilates@bodyandcore.co.uk. See www.bodyandcore.co.uk and facebook.com/bodyandcorepilates PiYo Live! NEW! Pilates + Yoga + Non-stop movement. Stretch, Strengthen & Sweat all in one workout!

Tues 9am in Balerno Scout Hall and Thurs 8pm in Balerno Community Centre. Contact Heidi on 07982 205111 or heidi. instructor@gmail.com Wildfire Explorer Scouts Meet in Balerno High School. Fridays 7.15 - 9.15pm. 14 – 18yrs.

Contact: Gordon Simpson 0131 477 3116.

Email leaders@wildfire-explorers.org.uk Balerno Monday Club Non-denominational club for over 55s. Our meetings are held in St Joseph’s Centre at Balerno Parish Church at 2pm on the first and third Mondays of the month from September to May. Different speakers, activities and outings each session, please contact the Club for syllabus details.

51st Pentland Scouts (Balerno) Beavers, Cubs, Scouts Various evenings, Balerno Scout Hall. Contact John Henderson on 07941 637262

Balerno High School Tues, Wed and Fri pm; Sat and Sun am. Contact Balerno Community Education Office 0131 477 7733 for more info.

Compass Playgroup Dean Park Primary Pre-School Centre. 2-5 years, wide variety of activities. Mon to Thurs (school term time only) 9:00am - 11.45am.

Lunch Club and Transfer Service to Dean Park Nursery. Call 0131 449 4530 (during opening hours) for more information or email info@ compassplaygroup.com Balerno Baby and Toddler Group Balerno Parish Church Hall 3 Johnsburn Road, Balerno, EH14 7DN. For children 0-5 years and their carers. Term-time Thursdays 9.30 - 11.30am.

Balerno Parish Church Guild Balerno Parish Church New Hall First and third Wednesdays (commencing October) at 7.30pm Varied syllabus with many interesting speakers; Tea/coffee is served at the end of the meeting. New members and visitors warmly welcomed Balerno Folk Club Held on the last Tuesday of each month in Balerno Bowling Club Doors open 8pm; Evening begins 8.20pm; Guest artist on stage at 8.30pm; Members and guests welcome. For further info contact Morag Dunbar on 0131 449 5014 or John Stirling on 0131 449 3456.

Balerno SWI

Malleny Park - Minis (P1-7) Sundays 10.30am - 12pm. Contact 0131 449 2432 www.currierugby.org

Balerno Community Centre 7.30pm First Tuesday of every month (except July & August). We usually have a speaker but we also have “in house” evenings; There is usually some business to be discussed and we enjoy a “cuppa” whilst chatting; New members or visitors welcome, just come along

Pentland Caledonia Pipes and Drums

Minis @St Mungo’s

Currie Rugby Football Club

Balerno Community Centre - Every Friday 7pm-9.30pm. New members welcome. Free tuition on pipes or drums Phone 0131 4495133.

Balerno Village Nursery Balerno Community Centre Available 8am - 6pm, 5 days a week. Preschool play from age 2 years. Breakfast / Afterschool Club up to 8 years. Full or part time childcare . Call 0131 451 5756 Pilates Classes Balerno Parish Church - Mondays 7.30 - 8.30pm - Intermediate/Advanced 8.30 - 9.30pm - Beginners/Post Beginners Contact Judi on 07716 830905 or judithrintoulpilates@hotmail.com Balerno Footsteps 4 Fitness Mondays 10am at Balerno High School Riverside Café Alternative Thursdays 10am at Balerno High School Riverside Café -

@KonectMagazines

Group for babies and toddlers with their carers on term time.

Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10 - 11.30am in St Mungo’s church building, Ladycroft, Balerno; All welcome. For more information see www.stmungos.org In the Ditch Quilters Balerno Community Centre. Monthly workshops covering different quilting topics, third Wednesday of the month from 7:15pm. Annual membership £24.00. Contact Maureen Murray on 0131 336 0053 for further details.

Girlguiding Rainbows, Brownies & Guides on Monday evenings. Full information and meeting times see www.balguides.info or facebook.com/GGBalerno Jane Goulding School of Dance Balerno Community Centre Tue – Fri. Classes also in Currie and Juniper Green. Children aged 2.5-adult. Contact: Jane Goulding 07854 373173

BALERNO | 59

PALM Cafe

St Joseph’s Centre, Balerno, last Tuesday of the month 2.30pm - 4pm. A social group café for people with dementia and their carers serving the communities of Balerno, Juniper Green and Currie. It provides a space for people with dementia and their carers to meet others for support and social contact, using activities such as music, movement, reminiscence and craft to enhance the wellbeing of the person with dementia & informal support and information for carers. If you would be interested in attending this group and would like more information please contact Kay Latimer (449-6186) or email: kaylatimer@btopenworld.com Balerno Parish Church Come and join us for regular all age worship on Sunday mornings at 10am followed by refreshments in St Joseph’s.

Check www.balernochurch.org.uk for all other events and worship information.

The Mill Café A community café run mainly by volunteers in the St Joseph’s Centre at the heart of Balerno. Open Tuesday-Friday 9.30am2.00pm serving teas, coffees, homebaking and snack lunches.

(Times may vary during school holidays)

CURRIE Hailes Swimming Club Galas, coaching and development lessons for 7-15 year olds at Balerno, Currie, and Forrester pools. For further details contact hailesswimclub@gmail.com Currie Youth Club Various activities and facilities: Nursery, Football, After-school care, ballet, dog training youth club, craft, Taekwondo, parties, Saturday morning cafe, rooms for hire. See facebook page Currie Community Centre.

Arts & Crafts Group Art Room 1, Currie Community High School Thursdays 7.15 - 9pm - from 18th September to 27th November (except 16th October). We are a small, friendly group (of all ages) and new members will be made very welcome. £35 for the 10-week term or £5 per session, if paid on the night. Fee covers all materials, equipment and refreshments. For more information please email: phoenixarts@hotmail.com or tel: 07934 495488.

Bridge Club

Meetings in Gibson Craig Hall on Mondays at 1:30pm, September to June. For more information contact the Secretary on 0131 449 5314.

Coffee and Craft

Currie community Centre Mon 7-9pm.

Bring your own craft and share your knowledge and experience with other crafters and perhaps learn something new. All welcome. £1 per person per night.

Air Cadets 2463 (Currie & Balerno) Squadron

Forthview Crescent Mon and Thu 7-9.30pm. 0131 449 7449 for more info.

Currie Playgroup

Currie Baptist Church Hall Preschool play from age 2 years - Mon-Fri, 8.45 - 11.45am (term time) £6.50 per child per morning - Wraparound and Lunch Club for children attending Currie Nursery. Wrap around £5.00; Lunch club £2.00. See www.currieplaygroup.co.uk 42nd Pentland Scout Group (Currie)

Forth View Crescent, Currie Cubs Monday 6.15 – 7.45pm. Call Fee 07771 370748.

Scouts Monday 7.45 – 9.15pm. Call Ross 07729714445.

Beavers Friday 6.30 – 7.30pm. Call Sharon 07810 201680. www.42ndpentland.scoutsites.org.uk

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The Octagon Club For Adults with Special Needs and Learning Difficulties Meets in Gibson Craig Hall, Lanark Road West, Currie, 7 - 9pm on Wednesday Evenings from mid September until June for table tennis, snooker, badminton, table games, “tuck shop” etc.

Contact Terry Maloney 0751 466 4292 Currie & District Local History Society

Meetings Mondays at 7.30 in the Gibson-Craig Hall in Currie Visitors welcome; For further information contact Douglas Lowe on 0131 449 4349 or douglaslowe51@btinternet.com Boys Brigade - 65th Edinburgh (Currie) Company

Gibson Craig Hall, Lanark Road West Currie Anchors (Boys P2 & P3) - Thursday 6 - 7pm Juniors (Boys P4, P5 & P6) - Thursday 7 - 8.30pm Company/Seniors (Boys P7 - S6) - Sundays 6.30 – 8.30pm For more info email 65edinburghbb@gmail.com or see website 65edinburgh.boys-brigade.org.uk Currie Baby and Toddler Group

Gibson Craig Hall Friday 9.30 - 11.30am (term time only). Adults £2.00; Kids go free. Parents/Grandparents/Carers/Childminders are all very welcome; Snack provided for the kids and tea and coffee for the adults. Loads of space to play Balerno and District Ramblers

Midweek Group meets on a Wednesday at Currie Library Car Park, Lanark Rd West 9.15am for 9.30am start. Contact M Timmins 0131 449 4525 or A Blyth 0131 629 3644. Saturday and Sunday Group meets at Pentland View Carpark, Currie, at 8.45am for 9am start. Contact E Scroggie on 0131 441 1666.

Book Group

Currie Library - First Wednesday of each month at 7.00pm.

Beginners Yoga Classes No experience needed (18+) - £6 per class Tuesday 8pm at Gibson Craig Hall, Lanark Road, Currie Wednesday 7.45pm at Forth View Crescent Scout Hall, Currie Monday 6pm at Juniper Green Village Hall Monday 8.30pm at Balerno Scout Hall Any questions please contact Monica, email: karmayoga@btinternet.com Tel: 07986 600432 Corner Cafe Book Club At the Corner Cafe, 120 Lanark Road West, Currie Meet 27th of every month at 7.45. Informal friendly group, all welcome, we read a mixture of classics and popular books. £3 per session.

Macular Society, Pentland Group Group for visually impaired people, 2nd Friday of every month in Currie Library at 2pm. Audio Book Group meets 1st Monday of every month in Currie Library at 2.15 pm. I-Pad tuition group for visually impaired people all other Mondays in Currie Library at 2.15pm.

Messy Church Last Friday of the month from 2-4pm in the Gibson Craig Halls (except June, July, August and December ). All ages are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult. For further information, contact Easter on 449 4719 or Louise on 466 3472.

JUNIPER GREEN Juniper Green Nursery Playgroup

Juniper Green Community Centre (Village Hall) 1 Juniper Park Road EH14 5DX. Contact 07948 554889 or see website atwww.junipergreenplaygroup.vpweb.co.uk 31st Pentland Scouts (Juniper Green)

45 Lanark Road West, Currie Beavers - Wed 6.30pm Cubs - Mon 7.00pm Cubs - Tues 6.30pm Scouts - Fri 7.00pm Contact - Mary Dick on 0131 449 7043.

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Juniper Green SWI Juniper Green Community Centre (Village Hall) 1 Juniper Park Road EH14 5DX. Contact 0131 539 9886.

Pentland Bridge Club The club meets on Thursday evenings (7pm to c. 10.30 pm) throughout the year to play duplicate bridge at St Margaret’s Hall, Juniper Green (EH14 5DG). It welcomes approaches from existing bridge players of all standards (note: it does not undertake teaching). Prospective new members are welcome to come along for a trial evening (free) to see if it suits them. Please contact Jean Newport (449 2028) or Ken Brown (449 5314) if interested.

SOLUTIONS

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE 56

Jane Goulding School of Dance Juniper Green Village Hall – Friday. Classes also in Balerno & Currie.

Children aged 2.5-adult. Contact: Jane Goulding 07854 373173

RATHO Ratho WRI Meet in Ratho Community Centre on second Wednesday of each month (except July & August) from 7pm to 9pm. New members and visitors welcome. Contact 0131 333 4862 for information.

Ratho Scouts, Cubs & Beavers Ratho Community Centre Beavers: Tuesdays 6.30pm - 7.30pm (age 6-8) Cubs: Fridays 7pm - 8.30pm (age 8-10.5) Scouts: 7pm - 8.45pm. (age 10.5 -14)

SOLUTION TO MARCH CROSSWORD

Ratho Ravers Ratho Community Centre Mon 10am-12pm. Exercising body and mind for the over fifties. £3 per class. For more information call the Community Centre on 0131 333 1055.

Parent & Toddlers Group Community Centre Tues and Thurs 10am-12noon. Under 3s.

Members 50p, non members £1. For more information call the Community Centre on 0131 333 1055.

Art Club Ratho Community Centre Tues 7-9pm. Adult Multimedia Club.

Members 50p, non members £1. For more information call the Community Centre on 0131 333 1055.

50 Plus Group Varied programme of activities/outings New members welcome – meet fortnightly at Ratho Community Centre. Members 50p, non-members £1. For more information call the Community Centre on 0131 333 1055 Scouts All meet at the Community Centre, meeting times are as follows: Beavers: Tuesdays 6.30pm - 7.30pm (age 6-8), Cubs: Fridays 7pm - 8.30pm (age 8-10.5), Scouts: 7pm - 8.45pm. (age 10.5-14)

OTHER AREAS Potter Around Arts and Crafts Studio at Overton Farm, Kirknewton, EH27 8DD. Pottery Painting, Potter’s Wheel, Decopatch, Jewellery Making, Oil Painting, Knitting and Crochet, Workshops and Kids Clubs, Parties. Open 7 days: Mon, Tues, Fri & Sat 10am – 5pm; Wed 10am – 9pm (if closed after 5pm please call 07815075387 for information); Thurs 10.15am–5pm; Sun 11am-4pm. For more information call 01506 238961, email chat@potteraround.co.uk, see www.potteraround.co.uk & facebook.com/potteraround.

TO INCLUDEYOUR CLUB OR CLASS, EMAIL DETAILSTO EDITOR@KONECTDIRECTORY.CO.UK. CHARITY AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS ARE FREE,THERE IS A SMALL CHARGE FOR OTHER LISTINGS. SEE OURWEBSITE FOR DETAILS - WWW.KONECTDIRECTORY.CO.UK

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ACROSS: 7. Switch, 8. Aboard, 9. Used, 10. External, 11.

Annoyed, 13. Pyres, 15. Litre, 17. Beneath, 20.

Watching, 21. Tale, 23. School, 24. Needed DOWN: 1. Ewes, 2. Studio, 3. Thieves, 4. Faith, 5. Hourly, 6. Broadest, 12. Nuisance, 14. Merging, 16.

Reckon, 18. Esteem, 19. Silly, 22. Leek Disclaimer: The publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage caused by error in the printing of an advertisement. We do not endorse any advertisers in this publication. All material is accepted for publication on the understanding it is copyright free.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher.

Publisher: Lothian Publications Ltd. Geddes House, Kirkton North, Livingston, West lothian EH54 6GU.

BALERNO | 61

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

AERIALS ELECTRICIAN A Robertson Electrical Contractor 41 Kinnear Aerials 24 A&A Electrical 49 APPLIANCE REPAIR D. Sykes Electrical 40 Appliances of Edinburgh 7 MT Electrical 49 Spark Electrical Solutions 43 ATTRACTIONS/DAYS OUT Gardening Scotland 14 ESTATE AGENT Aberdein Considine 32 BATHROOMS Blair Cadell 26 Ken Dunton 5 FENCING/GATES Splash Bathrooms 18 S & D Fences 12 BEAUTY FINANCIAL SERVICES Beauty Box 30 Personal Money Management 42 Juniper Beauty Room 39 Torphin Associates 64 Beauty Therapy by Rhona 5 FITNESS - PERSONAL TRAINING BLACKSMITH KM Fitness 34 D & I Blacksmiths 18 FITNESS CLASSES BLINDS Maureen Clark Iyengar Yoga 56 Blind Design 25 FLORIST James Erskine Interiors 22 Vicky’s Flowers 30 BUILDER FUNERAL DIRECTOR Almond Building Company 18 Porteous Funeral Directors 37 Baberton Solutions 6 GARAGE DOORS Dean Jones Building Services 40 Max’s Garage Doors Ltd 51 CAR SALES GARDEN & LANDSCAPING Juniper Green Garage 51 Baberton Solutions 6 CAR SERVICE & REPAIR Beatson’s 17 CS Gardening 12 Balerno Garage 51 D Greaves 16 Ratho Auto Services 51 Evergreen Balerno 15 CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Green Thumb 13 Aquatec 24 Greenspace Landscapes 12 C and W Cleaning Services 22 Luxury Lawns 17 Fiona’s House Cleaning 25 Riccarton Garden Centre 13 James Burnett Carpet Cleaning 22 West Lothian Garden Maintenance 12 GARDEN BUILDINGS CARPETS & FLOORING Champfleurie Estate Ltd 11 Land of Carpets 23 Woodford Timber Scotland 7 Pentland Carpets 20 GOLF CLUB CHARITY Baberton Golf Club 4 British Heart Foundation 4 GYM/HEALTH CLUB CHIMNEY SWEEP Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club 31 Fireplaces, Stoves & flues 22 HAIRDRESSER CHIROPODY/PODIATRY Hair Tech 36 Pentland Footcare 38 Tony Harper 39 CHURCH HEALTH St Mungo’s Church 10 Slimming World - Balerno 30 CLEANING SERVICES HEATING SERVICES Weir Gas Services 49 Cleaning and Maintenance 25 Cleaning Doctor 23 HOMES FOR SALE Fiona’s House Cleaning 25 CALA Homes 2 Hands for Hire Cleaning Services 25 IRONING SERVICES James Burnett Carpet Cleaning 22 Ironing Aid 25 White Cleaning Company 22 JOINER COMPUTER SERVICES Create Enhanced Spaces 20 Simply Fix It 63 GK Wilson Joiner 20 R McNeill Joiner & Glazer 5 CONSERVATORIES RS Joinery 20 CR Smith 33 KITCHENS CURTAINS Create Enhanced Spaces 20 James Erskine Interiors 22 Ian Merriman Ltd 41 Ken Dunton 5 DENTIST Artis Dental and Implant Studio 34 LOCKSMITH No 9 Dental 30 1st Call Locksmith 41 DOORS MOBILITY UPVC Doors 27 Ableworld 35 DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIR MOTORHOME (HIRE/SALE) Double Glazing Repairs 24 Motorhome Escapes 46

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MSP/MP Gordon Macdonald MSP 56 OPTICIAN Clear Vue Optician 38 PAINTER/DECORATOR Alistair McLellan 49 Brushstrokes 18 David J Lane 49 Gerry Aitken 28 Mark Reece 28 PAVING Alpine Paving 15 Edinburgh Paving Company 16 PET SERVICES Claylands Cattery 47 Happy Scampers 47 Liz Hunter (Cat sitting and Dog walking 5 PLASTERING Alexander Aitken Plastering 18 Lothian Plaster 6 PLUMBING SERVICES Bill Reid & Son 6 Currievale Plumbing 28 Jim Gladstone 28 Shandon Plumbing 41 Weir Gas Services 49 PUBLIC HOUSE The Grey Horse 53 RESTAURANT Al Borgo 53 Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club 31 The Grey Horse 53 ROOFING Dell Roofing 18 Edinburgh Roofing Services 44-45 Fairmile Roofing 26 Thomson Roofing Services 19 John Brazil 6 Taylor Roofs 43 SOFT FURNISHINGS Blind Design 25 SOLICITOR Aberdein Considine 32 Blair Cadell 26 STOVES/WOODBURNERS Fireplaces, Stoves & flues 22 TAKEAWAY Pentland Fry 53 TAXI & PRIVATE HIRE Capital Cars 5 TREE SURGERY Delisle Tree Surgeons 16 Maxwell Tree Care 15 UPHOLSTERER James Erskine Interiors 25 VET ICR Vets 47 Pentland Veterinary Clinic 46 WINDOW CLEANING Tag Cleaning 6 WINDOWS CR Smith 33 Double Glazing Repairs 24 R McNeill Joiner & Glazer 5

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BALERNO | 63

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