what do you know about them?
The Commonwealth War Graves signs are a familiar sight; from large CWGC war cemeteries and memorials to single headstones in remote churchyards, you’re never too far away from one of our sites.
But how much do you know about the war graves, and who maintains them? Did you know you can book informative tours, or arrange a talk for your group? With 2025 marking the 80th anniversary of both VE Day and VJ Day, it’s time to learn more about these sites in our communities.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) was founded by Sir Fabian Ware in 1917, and is responsible for commemorating all Commonwealth war dead from both World Wars individually and equally.
We care for war graves at 23,000 locations in more than 150 countries around the world, commemorating 1.7 million individuals.
Our global estate is run by a multinational and multilingual workforce numbering approximately 1,300, the vast majority of whom are gardeners and stone masons.
Since our establishment by Royal Charter we have constructed 2,500 war cemeteries and plots, erected headstones over graves and where the remains are missing, inscribed the names of the dead on permanent memorials. More than a million
burials are now commemorated at military and civil sites around the world.
Despite being set up over 100 years ago our work is still relevant today as we amend records, search for missing names, build new memorials and where historical inequalities in commemoration are found, ensuring all those who fell are equally remembered. Additionally, war dead are still being identified and when this happens the individual is buried with full military honours. Their name is then removed from the memorial to the missing where they had previously been remembered as they now have their own grave and headstone.
We also have a duty to ensure our sites remain well visited so remembrance of the war dead continues, creating information centres, volunteering opportunities and education programmes designed to engage and educate generations to come.
In Scotland alone we commemorate over 21,000 casualties. Amongst these is the youngest casualty of WWII, 14 year old Reginald Earnshaw who is here in Edinburgh. His grave is in Comely Bank cemetery (you can read his story on our website). In addition to those from the
UK we care for the graves of numerous Americans, Canadians, Norwegians, Poles and Czechs plus a further 15 other nationalities. In short, you’re never far from the grave of a Commonwealth casualty.
There are 32 cemeteries in Edinburgh that have CWGC War graves/commemorations, including local cemeteries: Currie Parish Church (containing 7), Dalmahoy (St Mary) Episcopalian Churchyard (2), Ratho Cemetery (3), Colinton parish (20), Kirkliston (7), South Queensferry (189), Winchburgh (7).
Locating cemeteries anywhere in the world can be done easily with our app: ‘Commonwealth War Graves’.
We also have the For Evermore app, an excellent resource where individual’s stories are told in more detail. It’s a wonderful tool not just for research, you can upload your own CWGC casualties’ stories. www.cwgc.org/stories/home
We are fortunate to have volunteers in a
host of roles including ‘Eyes On Hands On’ (these are the people who after training, monitor and clean some of the War Graves), researchers, tour guides and speakers.
JOIN A TOUR OR REQUEST A TALK
- You can arrange to join a free War Graves Tour to find out more about the work of the CWGC. The list of available tours is on the website at www.cwgc.org/visit-us/ events-tours-and-talks, and is updated regularly when tours are added.
You can also request a free talk about the Commission for your group. There are four talks to choose from: an introduction to our work; CWGC gardening; Architecture; Archives. So, if you know of a group who may be interested in having a talk please do get in touch.
If you’re interested in knowing more please go to our website www.cwgc.org.uk
This article was contributed by Elaine Edwards. Elaine is the Public Engagement Co-ordinator for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Scotland, East & North. If you would like to know more, drop Elaine an email at elaine.edwards@cwgc.org
ACROSS: 7. Improve (6), 8. Picked (6), 9. Assists (4), 10. Obstinate (8), 11. Happier (7), 13. Joint (5), 15. Higher than (5), 17. Searched (7), 20. Keeps you dry (8), 21. Musical instrument (4), 22. Alcove (6), 23. Star sign (6). DOWN: 1. Long for (6), 2. Enemies (4), 3 Broken (7), 4. Clean thoroughly (5), 5. Merges (8), 6. Fuel (6), 12. Went backward (8), 14. Organise (7), 16. Abundant (6), 18. Consuming (6), 19. Nearby (5) 21. Light (4).
New growers group launches crowdfunder appeal to buy land for community allotments in Colinton
A new group calling themselves "Colinton Community Growers" would like to transform the former site of Downes Nursery into a new community garden with allotments.
We are inspired by the potential for the site to become a wonderful community asset benefitting not just those involved in growing, but also future visitors to the CVE community cafe in the adjacent Spylaw Park, which could serve fresh produce from the gardens.
The group hopes to attract sufficient pledges of financial support from the local community to ensure that some or all of the Downes Nursery land remains available for agriculture purposes. At the time of going to press, we have received £14,100 in pledges from seven investors.
However, at the time of going to press, it appears that the land is "under offer" for a second time, having returned to the market when the first sale to a developer in March 2025 fell through. Colinton Community Growers hope to make contact with the latest buyer in the near future to learn whether a collaborative venture might be possible.
On the opposite side of the city is the innovative and highly successful Bridgend Farmhouse Cafe (opened in 2018) and their thriving demonstration allotments which have been
BIG Impact
To be included in The Dell Directory, please contact us. Our details are on P3.
• Painting • LVT / laminate flooring • Furniture builds • Small odd jobs • Specialising in small jobs in and around Edinburgh. • Drop us a line to see if we can help.
This is a perfect light summer pudding. The pistachio brittle stores well, so feel free to make a lot of it. Ring the changes and use plums in place of apricots.
Serves 4 | Prep 25 minutes
Cooking time 30-35 minutes, plus cooling
Ingredients:
• 6 apricots (or plums), stoned and quartered
• Juice of ½ orange
• 1 heaped tbsp honey
For the pistachio brittle
• 100g caster sugar
• 2 tbsp water
• 80g unsalted shelled pistachios, roughly chopped
For the cream
• 200ml double cream of choice
• ½ tsp ground cardamom
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 190°C, fan 170°C, Gas 5 and line two baking trays with baking parchment.
2. Start by making the brittle. Put the sugar and water in a small saucepan over a low heat.
Bring to the boil, swirling the pan until the sugar has dissolved. Continue cooking the sugar for about 10 minutes – it will change colour from light golden to deep amber. Watch it carefully so it doesn’t burn – it’s a fine line! Once it reaches deep amber, remove from the heat and add the pistachios, stirring to coat the nuts, then pour onto one of the lined baking trays while still malleable. Set aside to cool – it will need about 15-20 minutes to set fully before you can crack it into pieces.
3. Next, lay the apricot quarters on the other lined baking tray. Pour over the orange juice and honey, and mix well. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20 minutes until tender. Let them cool for 15 minutes before serving.
4. While the apricots are in the oven, whisk together the cream and cardamom to a thick dropping consistency.
5. Once the apricots are cooked, spoon a couple of dollops of cream onto a small plate, create a well in the middle using the back of a spoon, and then spoon a few apricots in followed by a drizzle of their juices. Top with the brittle and serve.
Recipe extracted from ‘Cooking Fast and Slow’ by Natalia Rudin, published by Penguin Life, price £25, with photography by Issy Croker.
I love the smell of the garden after a summer rainstorm. Wet gravel and earth, saturated plants and refreshed grass. Even the tarmac and felt roofs—baking hot just moments before—seem to sigh as the rain hits. When the rain stops and the steam start to rise, the air fills with a beautiful scent. It’s the smell of wet soil and wet flagstones, it’s mineral, flinty, leafy and damp… it’s petrichor.
Petrichor comes from the Ancient Greek words petro (stone) and *ichor* (the golden fluid said to run in the veins of the gods). It’s the aroma released when rain hits dry ground.
In wine, I look for this same sense of minerality, flint, ozone, wet stone. It’s a tasting note I love spotting on a label, and it appears in both reds and whites. My favourite white wines with this character include Austrian Riesling and Sancerre. Both are grown in cooler climates, often on stony soils that lend a savoury, rain-on-rock quality. I remember the first time I tasted Sancerre, the aroma triggered a memory of walking through a herb garden after a summer storm.
Petrichor isn’t just for whites. Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley can smell like a forest floor after rainfall with leafy, earthy and mineral notes. Look for wine from Chinon or Saumur-Champigny. Even lighter reds like Nerello Mascalese from Mount Etna can offer that same lifted, volcanic freshness.
Petrichor is the silver lining after the rain!
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
WE GOT IT!
COLINTON VILLAGE ENTERPRISE SECURES MORE FUNDING FOR THE HERITAGE HUB PROJECT
Following on from our editorial piece in last month’s edition, we are thrilled to announce that we have been granted funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, administered by the City of Edinburgh Council.
This takes us quite a bit closer to realising our vision of transforming The Shed into an inclusive community space for Colinton residents and visitors. We are also hopeful to receive additional funding from Patersons Quarries Ltd through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund (SLCF), administered by LT Funding Ltd. SLCF is a tax credit scheme, linked to Scottish Landfill Tax. This fund encourages landfill site operators to provide contributions to Approved Bodies, who can then pass the funds onto community and environmental projects. There are a couple of other grant application deadlines coming up this year that we will apply for, and we’ll be sure to keep you posted on our progress! We will soon launch our Crowdfunding page so that we can all contribute and reach those further afield who are keen to donate anything they can to help us
succeed and make this a destination to discover the heritage of Colinton and local areas.
Thanks to Community Enterprise, we have recently carried out a survey aimed at receiving local opinions and ideas on the best use of our new community space. The collated results gave us some great feedback, stressing the importance of a local meeting venue for family and friends, both in a Café setting and during pop-up events.
David Moore, our architect from MDA Studio, is progressing our application for building warrants with the City of Edinburgh Council with planning permission already in place. Once this phase is completed and engineering reports are ready, we can prepare a tender for contractors to bid for the work, which we hope to begin this autumn.
NEXT COMMUNITY EVENT 30TH/31ST AUGUST: Pit Stop Cafe - Thank you all again for your continued support at our community events. Our popular Pit Stop Café will be open in support of the inaugural Pentlands Open Studios Art Trail, a unique weekend opportunity to visit the studios of artists and makers based in the southwest of Edinburgh. Please come along to Spylaw Park for coffee, tea and some delicious home baking from our wonderful community bakers!
If you’d like to donate to the Heritage Hub project ahead of our Crowdfunding going live, please scan the QR code:
Isn’t it interesting that we wish one another a “happy new year” long after singing Auld Lang Syne – for weeks after boxing up the Christmas decorations and returning them to the loft.
Regardless of what’s going on in our world and various concerns about issues in our own country, we hope that 2025 will be a good year. It would be wonderful to see peace achieved in at least one area where war is currently raging. And, on a personal level, we also hope to see growth and progress in our own life and in the lives of those we know and love, occasions to celebrate, good health and maybe even some fun surprises in the next 12 months.
I’m focusing on the “new” in “Happy New Year”. I’ve not exactly made any new year’s resolutions. This tradition seems to be becoming less popular - social media posts regularly tell us that we don’t need to strive to improve, we are “enough” as we are, we shouldn’t load ourselves up with goals and then feel guilty when we can’t achieve them. Although I agree that it’s good to
be realistic, I love the promise that a new year holds, the “clean slate” potential!
If you live in Balerno, you too may have been delighted to see snow falling early morning on New Year’s Day. I stood at our glass patio door and watched as sleet turned to big white snowflakes that quickly covered our garden and bedecked the trees. It was a wonderful illustration of the “it’s all fresh and new” theme.
Signing up for a Pilates class was a new thing for me at the beginning of 2024. And it has been a positive change. I may not be as proficient as many in the class, I struggle to do some of the stretches because of a knee issue, and I sometimes have a hard time resisting dancing to the background music when I should be listening to the instructor. But I know the exercise is doing me good. I’m not sure what new thing(s) I will do/ encounter this year, but I will keep my eyes and ears open for them.
When my eldest daughter was in primary school, she decided to try something new. I heard about it from another mum, who had been at the school to watch her daughter do Highland dancing in an assembly. “I didn’t know your girl did it too,” she said. So I explained that she didn’t, although she was in a ballet class. “That’s strange,” said my friend. “At the assembly the children who took Highland dance lessons were invited to go to the centre of the floor and perform. I thought your daughter did rather well.”
Later I asked my child why she had done this. “Oh,” she said. “I thought the teacher said, “Will all children who would like to do Highland dancing please come forward now? So I went.”
Do something new this new year.
real LIFE 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.
SUZANNE GREEN
AUGUST SUDOKU (HARD*)
P10 - August Crossword Puzzle, P36 - Sudoku (EASY*), P47 - Solutions
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been to the Isle of May but I think my visit in June this year was my favourite for weather conditions. It was pretty windy and watching the puffins was a sheer joy. They looked like they were loving every second of it as they hovered in the wind, trying to back themselves in to
where they wanted to land.
Some puffins nailed the landing straight away. Others hovered for ages, misjudged it, or got pushed off course entirely. A few overshot their burrows and had to make an undignified U-turn. One came in sideways and almost collided with a razorbill, who wasn’t impressed.
I’d made my way to one of my favourite spots on the island, Bishops Cove and stayed put for a while, just watching the constant activity. The sound of wings as the birds whoosh past you, the calls of the kittiwakes nesting on the cliffs, and the occasional squabble. Depending how far they’ve had to go for fish, puffins can land pretty close before heading back to the burrow. What made it funnier was the sand eels they were holding in their beaks were flapping about — as if they had minds of their own and were trying to escape mid-air.
There’s always a lot going on if you stop and watch for a while. I didn’t take as many photos as usual, but it didn’t matter. Sometimes it’s just good to observe.
This column is contributed by Clare Harte, who lives in West Lothian. Clare spends much of her time travelling around Scotland looking for and photographing our wonderful wildlife.
Follow her on social media as Clare Harte Photography for more wildlife content.
The crossword puzzle can be found on page 10. See page 45 for solutions.
P10 - August Crossword Puzzle, P31 - Sudoku (HARD*), P47 - Solutions
What is Probus? Is it for you?
Are you a retired or semi-retired man? Do you have or can you make spare time on a Wednesday morning? If the answer to these questions is ‘Yes’ then maybe the Pentland Probus Club meeting throughout the year could be for you.
From September to May there is a Speaker Programme on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays starting at 10am until noon in the hall at Edinburgh Pentlands Parish Church in Juniper Green. On other Wednesdays members meet for coffee/tea at The Kinleith Mill, Juniper Green from 10am until 11.30. The morning provides a relaxed opportunity to discuss the issues of the day, travel down Memory Lane or anything else that comes to mind.
The Club year starts with the Speaker progamme on 3rd September when we will hear how the ‘World’s End’ Murders’ were solved. A fortnight later follows the story of a group of local volunteers who constructed
and fly their own WW1 Sopwith aircraft from Kirknewton Air Field. More presentations and talks on a wide range of interesting subjects will follow.
Members come mostly from an area stretching from Balerno through Currie and Juniper Green to Baberton, Colinton and Kingsknowe so there is a good chance that new members will know at least one of the current membership. If not you soon will as we are a very friendly and sociable group.
Details of speaker meetings are included in the ‘What’s On’ pages of this magazine. There is a separate Ladies’ Probus Club locally and other Probus clubs throughout Edinburgh.
The sweet smell of meadow grass fills the air and a chaffinch rain-calls as the grey cloud base rolls overhead. I exit the small car park at the western end of Harperrig Reservoir and begin to walk along the narrow tarmac road away from the water.
The coolness of the breeze drifting off the hills is immediately refreshing. This is forestry land and, as I walk, I notice how recent clearing now affords more open views up the slopes of West Cairn Hill. A few isolated bare trunks have been left here and there, punctuating the landscape like totems.
The warble-trills of wrens ring out all around. The scattered debris
of the felled pines has left a habitat ideally suited to them – the nooks and crannies of branch, root and stump perfect for foraging and nesting. One wren is alarm calling furiously and as my eyes settle on the source of the sound, I see a jay rise from a tangle of branches and flap off. Was its raid successful? Just then, a squeak emerges from the undergrowth by my feet – quite likely a vole, but one who remains concealed.
The road’s borders burst with the colour of wildflowers - from the creams of clover and meadowsweet to the pretty pinks of common spotted orchid, and from vetchling’s ochre to rosebay willowherb’s vibrant magenta. The tiny delicate lilac heads of germander speedwell are also a delight, two long stamens projecting from each little flower like antennae.
Never-still meadow pipits perch on power lines above me, alighting on the wires only to take off again and bob through the air to the next section, tracking my progress yet not letting me get too close.
After a kilometre or so I am aware of a small meandering burn to my left. Literally narrow enough to jump across in places, this is the Water of Leith in its uppermost reaches, having been formed from the confluence of the East, West and Mid Burns on the slopes above Colzium farm. Before long, I reach the entrance to the farm road
and it’s time to turn around, but not before taking some time to rest on the pillowy tufts of grass overlooking a pretty bend in the river. The sun begins to emerge between gaps in the cloud. It’s a perfect spot for contemplation and I gaze down at the dark water flowing by, thinking of the journey it will take, down to the reservoir and on, past our homes, through the centre of the city, growing all the while - eventually to emerge into the Firth at Leith.
Heading back, on reaching a blue gate part way back to the reservoir, I take a detour uphill along the forestry road for about a mile. The sun is pleasantly warm on my back as I ascend. There is barely a sound, bar the gentle background hum of insects. I watch an electric-blue damselfly hawk over a small pool by the path. The occasional cricket chirrups. A sense of deep peace descends.
There are more orchids here, great swathes of tall daisies too. With the flowers come the butterflies – common blue, northern brown argus and small copper all flutter around me as I walk, some of the twentytwo species of butterfly that can be found in the Pentlands.
This has been the simplest of walks, and easy out-and-back, but one which can nevertheless take you on a journey in more ways than one. It was here that I walked with my son during the first lockdown - at that time the furthest we could travel. It was here we heard our first cuckoo of that spring…. that spring when, in our enforced slowdown, despite the anguish and fear we witnessed nature’s beauty unfold perhaps in greater detail and clarity than any other in living memory. It will never cease to amaze me how even a simple walk like this can help us gain that kind of perspective. Colzium still does for me.
This article was contributed by William Weir. William is a scientist and amateur writer/photographer who lives locally. In his spare time he enjoys exploring the trails and wild spaces of West Lothian and the Pentland Hills.
image by William Weir
Our Community Share Box is now open.
Please visit the iconic red phone box on the corner of Bridge Road/Spylaw Street in Colinton Village to discover pre-loved books, puzzles, seeds and plants. We invite you to Share/Borrow/Exchange items of your choosing. Please do not leave bulk book donations- we simply do not have space.
Following Colinton Village Enterprise's adoption of Colinton's historic red phone box from BT, we were very grateful for its refurbishment by The Colinton Tunnel duo, Mike Scott & Eddie Banks. From painting to window pane replacement, it was lovingly restored. Thereafter, handyman Grant made and installed the custom shelving. We then set out to check and upgrade the lighting, a slightly protracted affair, requiring help from BT, Scottish Power, and finally, Divine Energy, who carried out the necessary work.
Colinton Phone box
HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES AT WATER OF LEITH VISITOR CENTRE
All 1.30pm to 3.30pm and £7 PER CHILD unless otherwise noted below. More info and booking essential via: www.waterofleith.org.uk/whats-on
• TUE 5TH AUG - River Dipping for 5-10 year olds
• THU 7TH AUG - Butterflies & Bugs for 5-10 year olds
SATURDAY 9TH AUGUST
Farmers Market Main Street, Balerno, 9.00am to 1.00pm
SUNDAY 17TH AUGUST
Contemplate Colinton
Join our Ranger Dan from the Water of Leith Conservation Trust on a guided litter pick, as we contemplate all things Colinton. Learn about the history of the area as well as our conservation team which looks after and maintains this stretch of the river. Meet on the walkway, by the SW Edinburgh Tool Library Hub at: maps.app.goo.gl/ ZHJ3e2F1EHNRR4y37
1.30pm – 3.30pm, £7, MEMBERS FREE
More info and booking essential via: www.waterofleith.org.uk/whats-on
SATURDAY 30TH AUGUST
Currie Horticultural Society Annual Show - 1.30pm - 4.00pm in Balerno Community High School. ADMISSION £3
More info can be found on:www.currieshow. weebly.com
SATURDAY 30TH & SUNDAY 31ST AUGUST
Pentlands Open Studio (POSt) Art Trail
Explore the vibrant creativity of 18 professional artists across 10 studio locations. Plan your route in advance using our Art Trail map – see map and all details at postudios.org
Painters, printmakers, textile artists, jewellery makers, and more will be ready to welcome you. The trail is about four miles from Balerno to Colinton, the scenic path along the old railway is flat and perfect for walking or cycling. You can also hop on/off Lothian buses (44, 45, 16)
with a day ticket or use contactless for even more savings with capping. Make a stop at the Pit Stop Café in Colinton, which serves as our info hub with brochures, maps, and toilets. Collect stamps from studios and enter our prize draw for artist vouchers or wine! The Art Trail weekend is a not-for-profit even run by Pentlands Arts Festivals CIC.
SATURDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER
Gin with Flynn Evening
Ravelrig RDA – join us in our brand new indoor arena, meet Flynn and his friends, find out about our wonderful charity and enjoy some great food and drink! With Pentland Hills Gin, fizz and beef or veggie chilli. Raffle and licensed bar (non alch options available). All proceeds are in aid of Ravelrig RDA. 7.00pm, £20 per ticket, must be purchased in advance from manager@ravelrig-rda-org.uk or call 07444 27419
SATURDAY 30TH & SUNDAY 31ST AUGUST
Pentlands Open Studio (POSt) Art Trail
Explore the vibrant creativity of 18 professional artists across 10 studio locations. Plan your route in advance using our Art Trail map – see map and all details at postudios.org
Painters, printmakers, textile artists, jewellery makers, and more will be ready to welcome you. The trail is about four miles from Balerno to Colinton, the scenic path along the old railway is flat and perfect for walking or cycling. You can also hop on/off Lothian buses (44, 45, 16) with a day ticket or use contactless for even more savings with capping. Make a stop at the Pit Stop Café in Colinton, which serves as our info hub with brochures, maps, and toilets. Collect stamps from studios and enter our prize draw for artist vouchers or wine! The Art Trail weekend is a not-for-profit even run by Pentlands Arts Festivals CIC.
MONDAYS 8TH & 15TH SEPTEMBER
The Colinton & Merchiston Community Choir – OPEN REHERSALS
Please join us for either or both of our open rehersals. 7Pm in the Memorial Hall at Merchiston Castle School, Colinton Road.
Our Open Rehearsals provide an opportunity for you to find out more about our choir, have fun singing with us and with no commitment or payment on your part. We are a very welcoming, non-auditioning community choir with a mixed range of ages and singing and sightreading abilities. We will be singing well known Christmas Music, in preparation for our Christmas Concert (8th December) on Monday evenings in the Memorial Hall from 8th September onwards. After the Open Rehearsals, our rehearsals will begin at 7.15 pm and end at 9.00pm but it’s not a problem if you can’t be there for 7.15 pm or have to leave early. We have great fun but also learn a lot with our enthusiastic and dynamic Director of Music, Tim Coleman, and our Accompanist, the excellent and well known Morley Whitehead.
For more information about our choir, please consult our website: colintonchoir. org or visit our Facebook page
Pentland Probus Club events
Meet in Edinburgh Pentlands Parish Church Hall, Lanark Road from 10.00am - 12noon.
NEW MEMBERS WELCOME
Further details from Club Secretary Leslie Hannaford on 0131 453 3012 orlesliehannaford@blueyonder.co.uk
WED 3RD SEPTEMBER “The World’s End Murders”, an illustrated talk by Tom Wood
WED 17TH SEPTEMBER “Building & Flying our own Aircraft”, an illustrated talk by Gerard Lohan
WANT TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT HERE? COMMUNITY AND NOTFOR-PROFIT LISTINGS ARE FREE OF CHARGE.
EMAIL EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT BY 15TH OF THE MONTH FOR FOLLOWING MONTH’S ISSUE.
SPORTS, HOBBIES, LEARNING, SUPPORT GROUPS & MORE...
COLINTON BROWNIES -
Spaces available to join now (Monday evenings). At Girl Guiding’s Colinton Brownie units we welcome all girls to explore their creative side, get out and about into the great outdoors and start to learn to look after themselves, others and our world. Girls aged 7-10 years have fun, learning and adventure. For info about joining now contact: colintonbrownieslist@gmail.com
GLENLOCKHART PROBUS
CLUB - For ex-business men and women. We meet to hear talks, mostly by outside speakers, on a wide range of subjects. The venue is Mortonhall Garden Centre, at 10.30am. on the last Thursday in the month, January to November. Occasionally there are additional outings. Contact: E. glenlockhartprobus@outlook.com
ORIAM WALKING FOOTBALL
CLUB - We run a local Walking Football Club, established in 2015, for women aged 40+ and men aged 50+. Our sessions, which are very much mixed ability, take place at Oriam Sports Centre, Heriot-Watt University, EH14 4AS, on a Mon, Wed and Fri 12:30-1:30pm. We’d love to see new teammates coming along. Sessions are priced at £4.20 but we do have monthly membership schemes available. Please contact Deric Oliver on 07803 508401 or dericandjoan@ btinternet.com
OXGANGS WRITE AWAY!
WRITERS' GROUP - Whether you are a beginner or not, wouldbe novelist, journal-writer or poet, come along and share, learn, be inspired or simply listen. We meet at Oxgangs Library every 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6.00pm - free tea/coffee and biscuits too! For more information, contact Robert Carroll Robert. Carroll@edinburgh.gov.uk or katiemoon7754@gmail.com
REDHALL WALKING GROUP -
A gentle walking group exploring areas such as the Union Canal, Colinton Dell and the Water of Leith. Improve your health and wellbeing and meet new people. Meet at Redhall Walled Garden entrance on main road at 97 Lanark Road. Mondays 10.00am - 11.30am Fun, friendly and free. Contact: emily@elgt.org.uk or 07943 530806
Facebook @GreenspaceTrust
ST CUTHBERT'S PLAYGROUP
- 10.00am - 11.30am - Every Monday during school term time. £2 per family. Toys, snacks and a fun songs! St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Westgarth Avenue, Colinton. Contact Rev Nicki McNelly for more information: stcuthbertsrector@gmail.com
FORGET ME NOTES - The Forget Me Notes Project is a charity that uses music to build community and combat isolation in a variety of settings On the first and third Monday of each month - 2.00pm - 4.00pm in St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Westgarth Avenue, Colinton. Join us when you can, for an hour of music and memories, followed by refreshments. All welcome. Please contact Rev Nicki for more information: stcuthbertsrector@gmail.com (www.forgetmenotes.org.uk)
COLINTON FRIENDLY BRIDGE CLUB - Colinton Cottage Homes’ Hall every Monday from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Please contact Ken McLeod on 0131 466 0888 for more information.
TEA AND TOTS - Stay and play for ages 0-5 with their parent/ carer - all are welcome! Toys, crafts, refreshments, song-time and more. Every Thursday during school term time, 10am-11.30am at Redeemer Church, 64 Bridge Road, Colinton, EH13 OLQ. FREE E:admin@redeemeredinburgh.org T: 0131 441 7327
ST CUTHBERT’S BADMINTON CLUB - The Club was formed about 1946 and meets in the Church Hall in Westgarth Avenue, Colinton on Monday evenings at 8.00pm between September and Easter. It is noncompetitive. For details, call Julia Roberts on 07904 813145.
PENTLAND BRIDGE CLUBCome and play duplicate bridge in a friendly atmosphere. We meet in St Margaret's Court, Juniper Green on Thursdays at 7pm. Table money £4. Less experienced players made very welcome. For further information see www.bridgewebs.com/ pentland or email mthkjb@gmail.com
COLINTON LITERARY SOCIETY - Meetings start with coffee, tea and wine at 7.30pm and are held at Dreghorn Hall, 22 Dreghorn Loan, EH13 0DE. Full programme details are at www.colinton-parish.com/ colinton-literary-society.html
COFFEE, CAKE AND COMPANY - Drop in for a free coffee between 10.30am and 12pm on Mondays at Redeemer Church Edinburgh, 64 Bridge Road EH13 0LT. We are mostly retired people, but all ages are welcome! More details at redeemeredinburgh.org/ccc
THIS WOMAN RUNS - We are a small group of local women who support and empower each other to be healthier and happier. We meet Wednesday’s at 7.30pm at the bottom of Thorburn Road, or Sunday’s at 8.00am in Spylaw Park for a quick warm up, 30-minute run at the pace of chat/your pace, and then a gentle cool down. We’d love to see you there! All free, run by friendly local volunteers www.thismumruns.co.uk/joina-local-run
WAVERLEY SPEAKERS CLUB - Meets in Morningside Parish Church, fortnightly on Tuesdays
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at 7.15pm. Our aim is to improve members’ public speaking skills in a supportive atmosphere. Each evening has three prepared speeches of eight minutes, evaluated constructively by another member. Eight impromptu short speeches follow, also evaluated. New members will be made most welcome. Contact Douglas.Lothian@ lenlothian.com
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and if you would like to book a table, please contact 07514 689258. There are glutenfree, vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free options. Under 12s are invited to enjoy a children's menu. Sit in or take away. We look forward to welcoming you.
COLINTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY - Want to know about local history? W: www.colintonhistory.org E:enquiries@colintonhistory.org
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LOCAL FLORAL ART CLUB - Sit back and enjoy relaxing evenings watching a floral demonstration with lively & interesting chat. You might even win one of the arrangements. Meet: Boroughmuir Rugby Club, Meggatland, off Colinton Road EH14 1AS. 7.15pm9.00pm on the 1st Monday of the month from September. Trial first visit only £5. Wine/ tea/coffee available. Contact: Joyce Rutherford on 0131 443 2536 or joyce.rutherford@ btinternet.com
1 Dime, 2 Yearns, 3 Falsely, 4 Syrup, 5 Happen, 6 Allowing, 12 Accurate, 14 Evident, 16 Neatly, 18 Repeal, 19 Agent, 22 Rile.
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COLINTON SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUBCome and join us on alternate Thursday evenings from September to March for an evening of fun dancing to live music. We meet in St Cuthbert's Church Hall Colinton from 7.45pm to 9.15pm. Dances are called but as this is not a teaching class some knowledge of Scottish Country Dance steps and figures is beneficial. For further details phone 07751186359 or 07483814988
THE SWING CAFÉ - Tues to Sat 10.00am-2.00pm. Please come for breakfast (10.00am12.00noon), lunch (12noon -2.00pm) or some delicious home baking (available all day). We welcome groups
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.
COLINTON GARDEN CLUB - Club members share their love of gardening, gardens and nature, and work together to preserve and add value to our quality of life here in south-west Edinburgh. Monthly members’ meetings on a Monday, in the upper Hall, Dreghorn Loan and start at 8.00pm. We are a friendly and thriving club and new members are very welcome, plus outings and events. The annual subscription is £10.00. per household. For more information see: W: colintongardens.org.uk E: membership@ colintongardens.org.uk
LUNCHCLUB - Every Wednesday 1pm – 3pm, 3 courses £4. Spaces are limited, first come first served. Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre, 71 Firhill Drive, EH13 9EU. Please visit: oxgangsneighbourhoodcentre.org.uk
PARENT AND TODDLER GROUP - Tuesdays, am session and pm session for two age groups (all under 5s). Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre, 71 Firhill Drive, EH13 9EU. T: 0131 466 0678
E:oxgangs neighbourhoodcentre @gmail.com
OXGANGS NEIGHBOUR CENTRE CAFÉ - 10.00am to 1.00pm. Bacon rolls, baked potatoes, toasties,specials, teas, coffees and cake. Sit in or takeaway.
Publisher: Lothian Publications Ltd.
Geddes House, Kirkton North, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 6GU.
Magazine Design:
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7 Cinema, 8 Yearly, 9 Heir, 10 Sculptor, 11 Capsule, 13 Untie, 15 Scent, 17 Average, 20 Arranged, 21 Purl, 23 Stolen, 24 Nearly.
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1 Dime, 2 Yearns, 3 Falsely, 4 Syrup, 5 Happen, 6 Allowing, 12 Accurate, 14 Evident, 16 Neatly, 18 Repeal, 19 Agent, 22 Rile.
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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.
Alan Stewart Design T: 07729 911858
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Magazine Design: Alan Stewart Design T: 07729 911858
