The Dell Directory August 2026

August 2026

WHAT'S ON:

WINE TASTING:

LOCAL WALK:

WHAT'S ON:

PLUS: health, puzzles, CLUBS & CLASSES, what’s on, and more LOCAL FEATURES inside!

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s we were putting the August Dell Directory together we were enjoying July’s warm sunny days. We may have had four seasons by the time this magazine is distributed, but fingers crossed for a dry weekend 15th - 16th August for the Pentlands Open Studios Art Trail and the Creating in the Park event! See pages 12 and 34 for details of both.

A stroll along the Union Canal is always great way to clear the head, and with it wending its twisty way from Edinburgh through West Lothian with many access points, it’s possible to find a stretch of it to fit a short walk in to your day as you commute or go about daily life. For the walk feature this month William Weir beautifully describes an evening walk between Ratho and Hermiston.

It’s back to school soon, and the recipe idea in this issue is for some easy, healthy homemade packed lunch snacks. As usual there is plenty going on locally covering all interests from music, food, nature, arts and crafts so do check the What’s On, Clubs & Classes and other community pages.

As ever, feel free to get in touch to let me know what you think of the content, and I hope you enjoy The Dell Directory this month.

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

Local Walk: An evening walk along the Union Canal....................................................................8-9 August Puzzles...........................................10 / 35 What’s On: Creating in the Park..................... 12 Recipe: Tropical Oat Bars............................... 24 Wine Tasting: Spritz with a Twist................... 26 Lazy Gardener’s Diary: Sowing Salad Sapplings............................................................. 31 realLife: The Wedding...................................... 32 What’s On: August Events............................... 34 What’s On: Pentlands Open Studios............ 34 Clubs & Classes................................................. 36

COVER IMAGE: An evening walk along the Union Canal Hermiston to Ratho (See p8).

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

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CREDIT: ALL IMAGES BY WILLIAM WEIR

Daytime’s heat has begun to subside, but it’s still a balmy evening as we step off Hermiston House Road onto the canal path at West Hermiston Bridge. The sounds of songbirds fill the air – from the strident virtuosity of the song thrush, each clipped phrase as surprising as the last, to the blackcap’s twisting, turning repartee and the blackbird’s liquid melody – these cheerful voices encourage us on our way.

We head west along the old canal towpath, now popular with walkers, joggers and cyclists alike. It’s easy to see why – amidst these tranquil surroundings a little more of the day’s cares seems to fall from the shoulders with each stride we take. The narrow strip between path and canal is a riot of wildflowers. Diffuse creamy clouds of meadowsweet, pinkishwhite umbels of valerian, magenta clover and thistle, and pungent hogweed too with its attendant, red-bodied flies, all jostle for

position, giving way nearer the water’s edge to reeds and fuzzy-topped bullrushes.

On the far side of the canal, silvery willows stoop as if wishing to kiss its still surface whilst, near-side, cherry trees are beginning to bear fruit. We look through their swaying limbs to rolling fields beyond. To the south are potatoes, planted in rich rusty earth gathered into lines of steep hills and furrows. The crop has burgeoned rapidly in the fertile soil – just a few short months ago, we watched proud pheasants strut the bare furrows. To the north is a golden expanse of wheat. As we walk, we spot a few hares lolloping around the edges.

I catch occasional disturbances of the water out the corner of my eye. Each time I turn and look only to see ripples expand in rings from the spot where a fish has plucked an insect from the surface before disappearing below. It’s worth remaining alert – I have seen otters here on occasion. The invertebrates experience an onslaught from above as well as below; swallows hawk the canal line, wheeling and swooping to feast on an airborne bounty.

It’s easy walking, on a perfect level - the canal having been engineered to track exactly the contour of 73 metres above sea level. Our paces lengthen, arms swinging like metronomes. After half an hour or so, the canal widens and we catch glimpses of Ratho Park Golf Course through gaps

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relay of night and day, to footsteps, bird song melodies and even the bat’s ultrasonic echoes. To tune into them is to open a channel to the great comforting power of nature and her GET THE ROUTE ON perpetuity. Perhaps OS MAPS! that’s one reason why many have come before us in decades past, to use and enjoy this peaceful space – here’s to many more doing so for a long time to come. in the mature woods opposite. Then it’s not too long before we see an assortment of barges lining the opposite bank, signalling our arrival at the pretty Ratho moorings.

As twilight sets in, there’s something Turner-esque about the tree-lined winding hole this evening, overlooked by the old Bridge. The Bridge Inn stands adjacent, a perfect halfway stop for sustenance before returning home.

An easy, level walk, taking 1.5 - 2hrs for the return trip.

As we set off eastward on the return leg, the sun is a deep red orb hugging the horizon.

This signals a change of shift in the natural world as swallows retreat to roost and are replaced by their nighttime counterparts – bats. The frequency of ultrasonic clicks on my bat detector tells me these are soprano pipistrelles. We watch mesmerised as sharp black silhouettes execute deft fluttering turns, clicks merging to a zipping buzz each time they home in on an insect.

I fall to thinking as our walk concludes, so many of nature’s rhythms have been evident here tonight. From the slow annual cycles of growth in field and hedgerow, to the daily 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.

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58mm Vertical [LEFT]

AUGUST CROSSWORD

^^^ Solution in the SEPTEMBER edition

ACROSS: 7 Corporations (13), 8. Emotions (8), 9. Poverty-stricken (4), 10. Modified (7), 12. Confess (5), 14. Incident (5), 16. Place of education (7), 19. Slice open (4), 20. Sidewalk (8), 22. Chances (13).

DOWN: 1. Complimentary (4), 2. Thump (6), 3. Innovator (7), 4. Artificial (5), 5. Torn (6), 6. Irritating (8), 11. Evolves (8), 13. Nunnery (7), 15. Country (6), 17. Boundaries (6), 18. Notices (5), 21. Require (4).

XX ^^^ Sudoku solution on page 37

AUGUST SUDOKU (*EASY)

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WHY NOT ART in the Park?

This year as, you may have heard or seen, the building of Colinton Village Hub is progressing rapidly towards completion in Spylaw Park.

For Colinton Village Enterprise this is very exciting, but means that Art in the Park has to be postponed until next year.

Undaunted by the cries of disappointment all round, we have joined up with the Colinton Tunnel’s latest community painting project, which involves local groups working with muralist Chris Rutterford and the mural team, to create fresh illustrated boards for the Colinton Tunnel.

The organisers, Eddie Banks and Mike Scott, suggested a coinciding of the date for the Pentlands Open Studios Art Trail (POSt) would be ideal for celebrating all the creative arts, which will be provided for in the lovely new Colinton Village Hub from next year.

So, on the POSt week-end of Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th August from 9am till 5pm each day we invite you to join in the pleasures of “Creating in the Park!”

In addition to creating new mural works with the Tunnel folk, CVE will provide music and dancing, painting and performance with a guest appearance from the inimitable Elaine C Smith, hotfoot from the Fringe!

As ever our Pit Stop Café will serve teas, coffee and juice (10am to 4pm), with an array of irresistible home-baking, including prize-winning gateaux specially created for the novel Crazy Cakes Competition.

You can bring friends and family to see for yourselves how the building is rising so quickly towards completion. You’re sure 12 | THE DELL

to be inspired to take up the final funding challenge, before Colinton Village Hub is open for business next year – not forgetting the return of Art in the Park!

You can support the Hub project directly by visiting: www.cventerprise.org

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FOOD & DRINK

Naturally sweetened

It’s back to school this month and the perennial search for easy, healthy packed lunch snacks.

This is a perfect naturally sweetened flapjack-style bar ideal for packed lunches, graband-go breakfasts or as a healthy pick-me-up snack. The combination of slow-releasing oats, seeds and protein powder with the fresh and dried mango keeps the body energised throughout the day. Ideal as a pre- or post-workout snack. The bars will keep in the fridge for up to a week or can be frozen for up to three months. A healthy alternative to shopbought snack bars for children and adults!

Ingredients:

• 250g dried mango slices, without sugar, chopped • 3 limes • 200g frozen or fresh mango chunks • 150ml (1⁄4 pint) light olive oil • 175g gluten-free rolled oats • 175g self-raising gluten-free flour • 30g / 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, optional • 1⁄2 tsp baking powder • 30g mixed seeds (e.g. sunflower, sesame, pumpkin) • 100g desiccated coconut

Nutrition:

* Per serving: 254kcal, Fat 15.2g (of which saturates 5g), Carbohydrate 23.7g (of which sugars 7.6g), Protein 3.6g.

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Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan /gas mark 4.

2. Place the dried mango pieces in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave for 15 minutes to soften, then drain.

3. Zest then juice the limes.

4. Place half of the dried mango in a food processor with the fresh mango, lime juice, lime zest and oil, and process to form a thick puree.

5. Place the oats, flour, protein powder, baking powder, seeds and coconut in a large bowl. Stir in the remaining dried mango. Pour in the puree and mix thoroughly.

6. Spoon the mixture into a greased and lined baking tin that is approximately 25cm by 30cm. Bake in an oven for 30 minutes until golden brown. Leave to cool in the tin then cut into slices.

Makes 16 bars • Preparation time: 15 minutes • Soaking time: 15 minutes • Cooking time: 30 minutes

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“I don’t like sherry” is something I hear quite often when I’m presenting a wine tasting.

Sherry conjures up ghosts of Christmas’s past. Memories of Granny enjoying a cheeky sherry poured from a dusty bottle stored in the back of the cupboard. While other retro drinks have enjoyed a revival, sherry can’t seem to shift this dated reputation.

I think it’s time to relook at sherry and start appreciating one of the most fascinating and versatile wines in the world. I would like to introduce you to a fun, refreshing twist that gives it the fresh start it deserves.

Meet the Manzanilla Spritz.

Made in the beautiful coastal town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda in southern Spain, Manzanilla is a wonderfully dry style of sherry. Thanks to the cool Atlantic air and a magical layer of yeast called flor, it develops delicate flavours of green apple, toasted almonds, chamomile and a gentle salty tang that reminds me of standing beside the sea.

Served over ice with sparkling soda or premium tonic and finished with a slice of grapefruit or orange, it becomes something entirely different. Crisp, elegant and effortlessly refreshing, it’s the perfect summer aperitif and a brilliant introduction for anyone convinced they don’t like sherry.

The beauty of a Manzanilla Spritz is that it doesn’t hide the wine’s character—it simply lets it shine in a more approachable way. Before long, curiosity takes over and people begin asking about Fino, Amontillado and Oloroso. That’s when the real adventure begins.

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 26 | THE DELL

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This summer I’ve been growing four varieties of salad leaves from Seeds of Scotland, because it’s one of the most high-value crops you can grow.

Think about it: a bag of a few leaves costs around £1 in a supermarket. From 4 £2:50 packets of seeds I need to grow about 10 bags worth to get my money back.

I’ve sown 4 x 60 module trays = 240 plants; call it 250 because some of them were multi-sown. I’ve got so many seedlings I’m giving them away.

Each plant has the potential for perhaps 10 bags of salad leaves before they bolt, if you keeping picking leaves from the bottom as the plant grows. So by my calculation that’s got a potential market value of £2500! The seeds will last a few years so you don’t need to plant and eat them all at once! Sow in succession throughout the summer until around September – leave 2 to 3 weeks before sowing each batch so that you have a continuous crop.

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This column is contributed by Shona Harrower. Shona lives in Colinton and is passionate about low maintenance food production. She is Chair of the Friends of Campbell Park (FCP) THE DELL | 31

SUZANN E GREEN

I

’m amazed that people in the sn’t it interesting that we one community continue to wish ask, “So another “happy new year” long did youaget any shoes for your after singingwedding?”

Auld Lang Syne for daughter’s Yes, I–did! weeks after boxing up the Christmas Surprisingly, shoes I needed were ourloft. decorationsthe and returning them toin the front porch. I’m not sure if they are mine or Regardless going on– we in our belong to oneofofwhat’s my daughters areworld all the and various concerns about issues in our same shoe size. But they fit, looked passable own my country, thatoutfit, 2025and will didn’t be a with Motherwe of hope the Bride good year. wouldeasily be wonderful to see hurt my feet.ItI could walk in them ... peace least oneAnd areait where even doachieved a slow runinifat necessary. was war is currently raging. And, on a personal necessary. level, we also hope to see growth and The wedding dayown waslife welland planned. progress in our in the The livesbride came up we withknow her plan.

Dad, thetoKing of those and Then love,her occasions of Spreadsheets, further planning celebrate, good provided health and maybe even and timing detail. Andinthe of them arrived some fun surprises thetwo next 12 months. at Balerno Parish Church just slightly late in the I’m focusing on the “new” “Happy New hired classic car.

I wasn’t soinfortunate.

Year”. I’ve not exactly made any new year’s The wedding was scheduled for 11.30, so we resolutions. This tradition seems to be started early. I warmed up some pastries and becoming less popular - social media posts made coffee for the bridal party, to keep them regularly tell us that we don’t need to strive going as they prepared for the event. Then to improve, we are “enough” as we are, we I quickly got myself ready, choosing not to shouldn’t load ourselves up with goals and opt in to the hair and makeup treatments that thenbeen feel guilty we lounge can’t achieve them. had goingwhen on in our since seven Although I agree that it’s good a.m. I also spent time steaming to

32

BALERNO | FEBRUARY,| 2025 THE DELL DIRECTORY AUGUST, 2026

be realistic, Idresses love thetopromise a new bridesmaids’ remove that the wrinkles year holds, the “clean slate” potential! ... too much time. I wasn’t very good at it, so eventually a bridesmaid take over.

If you live IinletBalerno, you too may have been delighted to see snow falling early All of a sudden, it was time for me to morning help on New Year’s Day. stood atdress. our glass my daughter into her Iwedding The patio door and watched as sleet turned to makeup artist and the photographer helped big –white that quickly covered too it wassnowflakes a real sisterhood!

By this point, the our garden and It was bridesmaids werebedecked headed tothe thetrees. church, but a wonderful illustration offrom the “it’s all stayed fresh and my best friend, Debbie, Illinois by new” theme. my side, doing whatever she could to help.

My husband waited dutifully outside Signing up for a Pilates class was awith newthe classic car driver. thing for me at the beginning of 2024. And it been a positive may not beleft as Ihas guess Debbie and I change. probably Ishould have proficient as many thebride class, to for the church beforeinthe did.I struggle But it didn’t do somethat of the because of a knee happen way.stretches Instead we found ourselves issue,inand I sometimes have aaround hard time alone a quiet house. Looking I noticed packed We were music staying resistingseveral dancing to thebags. background overnight at thebe reception venue – were these when I should listening to the instructor. the cases and were they Butbridesmaids’ I know the exercise is doing me meant good. to go mysure car?what I handed my car keys I’minnot new Deb thing(s) I will do/and she quickly this loaded thebut cases. thenmy it was encounter year, I willBy keep eyes nearly 11:30!

“We’d better go,” I said. “Where and ears open for them. are the car keys?”

When my eldest daughter was in primary “I think I she left them in thetokitchen.” school, decided try something new. I heard about it from But they weren’t in theanother kitchenmum, … or inwho the had been atIthe school to watch her daughter lounge. must have started hyperventilating do Highland in an “I then, becausedancing I remember myassembly. friend saying, didn’tjust know your girl did it too,” said.

“Suz, breathe!”

Recalling that she we had a So I explained she although she spare car key, I that ran, in thedidn’t, fairly comfortable was in to a ballet class.

“That’s said shoes, get it. At last we werestrange,” on our way! my friend. “At the assembly the children who Parking near Balerno Parish Church was took Highland lessons were friends invited impossible.

As Idance drove past, I noticed to go to the centre of the floor and perform.

I from my Pilates class and The Mill Cafe thought your daughter did rather well.” standing outside to watch the wedding

proceedings. saw me Later I askedThey my child whyfrantically she had done searching a place park, andthe one of them this. “Oh,”for she said. to “I thought teacher pointed towards Larchfield.

I drove said, “Will all children whoSo would likedown to do there, clock ticking away.

Near theforward bottom I Highland dancing please come found a space just big enough for my small car, now? So I went.” and we headed for the church on foot.

Do something new this new year.

I ran as fast as my fairly comfortable shoes (and my knees) would allow me to. My friend, not used to the roads in this country, tried real LIFE is contributed by Suzanne Green. to get to the church by walking through the Suzanne, a freelance writer/editor, lives in centre of the mini roundabout! I’m not sure Balerno and writes regularly for Konect. if the Pilates ladies heard me yell, “Debbie, She isgoing married to yourself Andy and they have two you’re to get killed!

Come adult daughters. up here to the crosswalk!”

THE WEDDING AT BALERNO PARISH CHURCH

We made it; I think we were about 15 minutes late. The doors to the church were closed and I wondered if they’d gone ahead without us. Then one door opened a crack and the minister peered out – was there a twinkle in his eye as he asked us, “Would you like to come in?” I picked up my corsage by the door, determined to put it on as inconspicuously as possible during the ceremony. And together the Mother of the Groom and I proceeded down the aisle and took our seats!

It was a beautiful ceremony, and I was overwhelmed by all of the smiling faces and the almost tangible love and support emanating from friends and family. The bride and groom were clearly very happy and the atmosphere was joyful.

You wouldn’t believe me if I told you the car key failed to plip the car open when it was time to drive to the reception in Biggar. But that’s exactly what happened. My husband and I were both ferrying guests, but my car was the one with the problem.

Before I could start hyperventilating again, Debbie’s husband managed to locate a physical key inside the modern day “key” that one carries around and sets in a car so that the push-button start will work. (Honestly!)

He got the car open, and I pushed the start button! Well, we were late again, but I did

arrive in time to get one haggis bon-bon canape and it was superb.

I think that was the end of the chaos. The meal was delicious, the flowers were gorgeous and the wedding cake was a work of art. My husband and I both gave speeches (I adlibbed mine). The couple sang a duet, “I Got You, Babe” and their first dance was a beautiful choreographed waltz. My daughter performed a powerful cover of Etta James’ song, “At Last”, as well as “Pink” from the Barbie movie (with back-up from her pink-clad bridesmaids).

Paul McCartney didn’t show up. I’d emailed him an invitation when I learned the wedding day was his birthday. But the email address I’d found via Google must not have been a good one. So that was disappointing, but at least I didn’t have to worry about him upstaging the bride.

Soon my daughter will move country to USA, just as I moved from the States to UK 40 years ago. And adjusting to that will be a far bigger challenge for me than staying on schedule or finding comfortable wedding shoes. realLIFE is contributed by Suzanne Green.

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

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THE DELL DIRECTORY | AUGUST, 2026

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES AT WATER OF LEITH VISITOR CENTRE - £7 per child unless otherwise noted below. More info and booking essential via: www.waterofleith.org.uk/whats-on •

15TH-16TH AUGUST

PENTLANDS OPEN STUDIOS 2026 ART TRAIL

The annual Pentlands Open Studios Art Trail takes in the villages of Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green and Colinton following the upper valley of the Water of Leith, It’s a beautiful walk at around 4 miles long but can be navigated by bike, bus or car as well as on foot.

We are hosting 25 wonderful, talented artists and makers this year across 12 different venues, including artist studios and community exhibition spaces. As well as enjoying the experience of meeting and talking to our artists and relaxing in our pop-up cafes, you can participate in our Prize Draw by collecting a unique stamp from each studio you visit. Our 1st Prize (10 or more studios visited) is a £250 voucher to spend with one of our artists of your choice.

PENTLANDS OPEN STUDIOS’ 2026 CROWDFUNDER - Double Your Donation: We need your help to keep going. If you believe in what we are doing and can help us to hit our Crowdfunder target of £500, Creative Scotland will double it to £1,000! So please back the Pentlands Open Studios’ Crowdfunder, support the Art Trail’s 2026 artists and enjoy artist rewards for donors.

Every £1 becomes £2! Follow the link: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/postudios2026

To find us and everything you need to know to plan your visit in advance of the big weekend, go to our website postudios.org and keep an eye out for our posts @pentlandsopenstudios on Facebook and Instagram.

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•

TUE 4TH AUG - River Dipping for 5-10 year olds, 1.30 - 3:30pm THU 6TH AUG - Art in the Woods for 5-10 year olds, 1.30 - 3:30pm

SATURDAY 8TH AUGUST Farmers Market - Main Street, Balerno, 9.00am to 1.00pm SAT 15TH & SUN 16TH AUGUST Creating in the Park! - See page 12 SATURDAY 15TH AUGUST Flower Walk in Campbell Park - Join our monthly Saturday flower walks with our Biodiversity Officer and enjoy a gentle, informative walk in the park. Bring a phone with a plant ID app and a x10 hand lens if you have them; a small selection on plant id books will also be available. 10.30am 12noon. Meet at the pavillion, Campbell Park, Woodhall Road, EH13 0PJ. SUNDAY 23RD AUGUST Dog Show at Ravelrig RDA - Fun for all the family with lots of fun dog classes, refreshments and a special demonstration of dog behaviour techniques by Pack Leader Canine Rehabilitation. Please come along, at Ravelrig RDA, 21 Ravelrig Gait, Balerno, EH14 7NH. 11.00am - 3.00pm.

SATURDAY 29TH AUGUST Currie Horticultural Show - The annual celebration of everything homemade! Baking, growing, knitting, photography, painting and more! Balerno High School, 1.30pm – 4.00pm, entry £3. Exhibition categories include flowers, fruit, vegetables, baking, preserves, needlework, painting, jewellery and photography. See currieshow.weebly.com for entry form and details.

WANT TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT HERE? COMMUNITY AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT LISTINGS ARE FREE OF CHARGE. EMAIL EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT BY 15TH OF THE MONTH FOR FOLLOWING MONTH’S ISSUE.

AUGUST SUDOKU (HARD*)

The crossword puzzle can be found on page 10. See page 37 for solutions.

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

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 and Fri 12.30-1.30pm, and Wed at 12.00-1.00pm and 8.30-9.30pm We’d love to see new teammates coming along. Sessions are priced at £4.62 but we do have monthly membership schemes available. Please contact Alan Davies on 07568 723303. Email: alan_davis@live.co.uk 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.

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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 Jan Osinski on 07484 657913 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 CLUB Come and play duplicate bridge in a friendly atmosphere. We meet in St Margaret's Court, Juniper Green on Thursdays at 6.45pm. 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 edinburghpentlands.church/ church-life/church-andcommunity-groups/colintonliterary-society/ 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 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 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. We meet at The Braidhills Hotel from 7pm to 8.45pm on the 1st Monday of the month from September. In October and only for October we are at Marchmont St Giles Church .Trial first visit in Sept or Oct only £5! Wine/tea/ coffee available in the hotel.

Contact: Joyce Rutherford 0131 443 2536 or joyce. rutherford@btinternet.com COLINTON SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB Come 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 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 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

SOLUTION TO JULY CROSSWORD

ACROSS: 7. Banana, 8. Shrewd, 9. Meet, 10. Flapping, 11. Journal, 13. Truly, 15. Often, 17. Closest, 20. Scholars, 21. Urge, 23. Laughs, 24. Eighty.

DOWN: 1. Rare, 2. Banter, 3. Halfway, 4. Usual, 5. Proper, 6. Dwindles, 12. Official, 14. Clasped, 16. Enough, 18. Smudge, 19. False, 22. Gate.

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU PUZZLES ON P10 / 35

(EASY)

TO INCLUDE YOUR CLUB OR CLASS, PLEASE EMAIL DETAILS, UP TO 75 WORDS, TO EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS ARE FREE. THERE IS A SMALL CHARGE FOR BUSINESSES. SEE KONECT.SCOT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

(HARD*)

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