A BIG YEAR AHEAD… THE HERITAGE HUB PROJECT
We are delighted to confirm the sale of Angela’s generously bequeathed property in Colinton, which marks a significant turning point for securing funds to develop the Old Coach House in Spylaw Park, known locally as The Shed.
Colinton Village Enterprise eagerly awaits final confirmation of further funding via the City of Edinburgh Council that would help us move even closer to realising our vision of transforming The Shed into an inclusive community space for Colinton residents and visitors.
As you may already know, in September 2024 we obtained planning permission for the redevelopment of the building. With continued support from David Moore, MDA Studio (Edinburgh) Ltd, we recently submitted architectural building warrant drawings to the council and anticipate a timely assessment by the Planning and Building Standards Team. There will be some survey work carried out in the coming weeks to ensure no materials pose a risk during construction, and to assist with planning external works and service to the building itself.
Thanks to Community Enterprise who enabled us to conduct a survey on the Community Heritage Hub Project. A huge thank you to all those who were able to complete the survey. We are now reviewing the responses to help us develop ideas for the venue to include a café, information centre and event space. Thanks
also to those who attended and volunteered at the recent Repair Café, an event run at The Shed by Edinburgh Tool Library and SW20. It’s safe to say a great day was had by all, and some fantastic repair work carried out with Paul and his team. We are looking forward to more fundraising events during 2025, and welcome your support. If you’d like to donate to the project, or volunteer at one of our events, please reach out to us at colintonvillage@gmail.com
This is also a great opportunity to introduce you to the new Board of Trustees! Lorraine O’Shea remains our Chair, with Pam Wardell as Vice Chair and Julie Johnson as our Treasurer. Kim Anderson has recently joined as Secretary, alongside Trustees Jennie Loudon, Elise Anderson and Amanda Easton.
Watch this space for the launch of our iconic Phone Box on Bridge Road, soon to become The Colinton Village Exchange of information, books and plants.
Please visit us at www.cventerprise.org and follow us on our socials for the latest updates. If you’d like to donate, please scan the QR code.
Murrayside
Summer
Saturday 19th July, 2pm - 4pm
Cairdean House care home, Colinton
Understanding
Thursday 24th July, 2pm - 3.30pm
Lauder Lodge care home, Portobello
Scruffs & Crufts
Saturday 2nd August, 2pm - 4pm
To
In an elegant summer twist to the traditional Sunday lunch, this beef joint is marinated in rosé wine and herbs, and served with roasted garlic and red onions.
Serves 6
Prep 5 minutes, plus marinating Cooking time 1 hour 20 minutes
Ingredients:
• 1 x 1.3kg lean topside, silverside or sirloin joint
• Salt and black pepper
• 3 large sprigs of fresh rosemary, cut into smaller sprigs
• 300ml medium rosé wine
• 4 fresh bay leaves, torn
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 whole unpeeled garlic bulbs, cut in half horizontally
• 2 large red onions, peeled and cut into wedges
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 180-190°C, fan 160-170°C, gas mark 4-5.
An elegant summer twist
2. Place the joint on a chopping board. Make several slashes over the surface with a sharp knife, taking care not to cut any butcher’s strings or meat bands. Season on both sides and push the rosemary sprigs into the slits.
3. Place the beef in a strong, large plastic freezer bag and add the wine, bay leaves, oil and garlic. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 6 hours/ overnight, turning occasionally.
4. Remove the garlic and bay leaves from the marinade (reserve the marinade) and transfer to a large non-stick roasting tin with the onions. Place the beef on top of the onions, pour over the marinade and open roast for the preferred, calculated cooking time, basting occasionally with any rich meat juices. (For rare, 20 minutes per 450g plus 20 minutes; for medium, 25 minutes per 450g plus 25 minutes; for well done, 30 minutes per 450g plus 30 minutes). Cover with foil if browning too quickly.
5. Transfer the beef to a large warm plate, cover with foil and leave to rest for 20 minutes before slicing. Serve with the pan juices, red onions and garlic, and a new potato salad.
For more recipe inspiration, visit: www.simplybeefandlamb.co.uk
Edinburgh’s skyline is iconic and instantly recognisable. A recent addition is the Ribbon Building which whips above the W Hotel and St James Quarter. Within the Ribbon sits the W Lounge where I recently had the pleasure of meeting Wine Director and Sommelier, Sumith Alahakoon who expertly guides his guests through the extensive wine list.
My friends and I had a table in W Lounge, located within the Ribbon. The 360 degree views across Edinburgh are breathtaking! It’s usually my job to select the wine, but this evening, I could relax!
To my delight Sumith selected a beautiful red from the South of France, Cigalus Rouge 2021 by Gérard Bertrand. The wine is a blend of Syrah, Carignan, Grenache and Mourvèdre. Each grape variety has its own superpower: Syrah is silky with peppery spice, Carignan gives dried fruit and baking spices, Grenache brings a bright top note and freshness and Mourvèdre delivers inky brambles, earthiness and sophistication. Bertrand carefully blends this combination and wraps it in an oak barrel, aging it for 12 to 14 months. The resulting wine is magical! Deep ruby in colour, the nose is full of dark red and black fruits, there’s spice, black cherry and vanilla with a hint of chocolate on the finish. The tannins weave together to give the wine structure and a velvet finish. For dessert, to pair with my Sticky Date Cake arrived a perfectly chilled and frosted bottle of ”umelicious” Kamoizumi Umeshu Saijo, Japanese plum liqueur. It was the perfect pairing!
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
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
SUMMER EVENTS AT HOUSE OF THE BINNS
JULY 12TH - 1940s DAY AT THE HOUSE OF THE BINNS
Join us at the House of the Binns for our 1940s Day on July 12th! 10:30am – 3pm. Why not dress in your vintage best and learn about the Binns during the war and engage with historic reenactment groups as they bring to life the country during this tumultuous time.
• Living history (Edinburgh LDV & History from the Home Front) • Costumed guided tours • The Codebreakers Trail (Children’s Trail) • Best Dressed Competition
2ND AUGUST - COVENANTERS DAY AT THE HOUSE OF THE BINNS
The House of the Binns Team are thrilled to have The Sealed Knot (the oldest & biggest re-enactment society in the UK) bring the Covenanting Times to life on the front lawn of the House of the Binns. 10.30am - 3.00pm
- The Sealed Knot is the oldest re-enactment society in the UK, a registered educational charity, and the single biggest re-enactment society in Europe. They bring the 17th century to life, giving you a glimpse into the past. Experience what a war torn country looked like and how people lived through this turbulent time. Meet the soldiers and the camp followers to find out what life was like.
• Children’s Trail - Search for the notorious 17th centrury General Tam who is on the run from the covenanters and planning a secret attack. Follow the clues and find out just where he might be hiding
• Covenanter competitions
• Guided Tours - Learn how “Bloody Tam” came to be such a fearsome & notorious enemy of the covenanters
HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES AT WATER OF LEITH VISITOR CENTRE - All 1.30pm - 3.30pm and £7 per child unless otherwise noted below. More info and booking essential via: www.waterofleith.org.uk/whats-on
• THU 3RD JULY - Splash! for 3-6 year olds, 1.30pm – 3.00pm, £5
• TUE 8TH JULY - Stockbridge Summer Exploration for 5-10 year olds
• THU 10TH JULY - Bushcraft for 5-10 year olds
• TUE 15TH JULY - Ultimate Survival for 8-12 year olds
• THU 17TH JULY - Art in Coalie Park for 5-10 year olds
• TUE 22ND JULY - Butterflies & Bugs for 5-10 year olds
• THU 24TH JULY - Extreme River Dipping for 8-12 year olds
• TUE 29TH JULY - Fairy Folk for 4-8 year olds
• THU 31ST JULY - Bugs! for 3-6 year olds
• TUE 5TH AUG - River Dipping for 5-10 year olds
• THU 7TH AUG - Butterflies & Bugs for 5-10 year olds
SATURDAY 5TH JULY
Craiglockhart Health & Well-being Event
At Craiglockhart Church Hall, organised by Craiglockhart Community Council. 10.00am1.30pm. Stalls, refreshments, taster sessions. See page 35 for details.
SATURDAY 12TH JULY
Mesmerising Mechanisms Exhibition
Ian Graham, proprietor of Colinton Clocks is once again hosting a free, hands-on exhibition at the Water of Leith Visitor Centre featuring a collection of wooden machines he has designed and built himself. The exhibition features mechanical clocks but also interesting and amusing machines such as drawing machines, ball runners and automata. These fascinating machines use gears, levers and other mechanisms to create movement. This hands on exhibition allows you to get involved, setting the machines in motion and watching the results. 10.00am - 4.00pm, FREE ENTRY.
SATURDAY 12TH JULY
Farmers Market Main Street, Balerno, 9.00am to 1.00pm.
CALLING ALL PHOTOGRAPHERS!
“Unearthed Edinburgh” photography competition, by Edinburgh Libraries
Run by Edinburgh Libraries, the theme celebrates both the city’s wonderful green spaces and gardening as forces for creativity, resilience and connection. We welcome photos which celebrate any green space in the city, from the Meadows to your window box! The competition is free to enter and open to all. All entries must be submitted via Edinburgh Collected (edinburghcollected.org) where they will become part of a community archive of Edinburgh memories.
Tell us in the accompanying description what makes the picture special to you and remember to add the tag “unearthed”. Entries will be judged on both their photographic merit and on the accompanying text. There are fantastic prizes to be won!
• 1ST PRIZE – £100 book token
• 2ND PRIZE – £50 book token
• 3RD PRIZE – £25 book token
The competition runs until 31 July 2025.
Make sure to read the Unearthed Edinburgh competition guidelines and terms and conditions - zurl.co/BvAtt - or if you have any queries, contact informationdigital@ edinburgh.gov.uk
SUNDAY 13TH JULY
The Dells in Summer – Guided Walk by Water of Leith Conservation Trust Join Kat for a hands on exploration of Summertime in the Dells. We’ll discover which plants and flowers are thriving and see if we can learn to identify some of them. If we’re lucky, we might even notice signs of what the wildlife is doing at this time of year. This walk is aimed at adults, if you have an older child who would like to attend with you, please contact us to discuss this before booking. 1.30pm - 3.30pm £7, members free. More info and booking essential via: www.waterofleith.org.uk/whats-on/
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.
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
SOLUTION TO JUNE CROSSWORD
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
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
ACROSS: 7. August, 8. Prince, 9. Stun, 10. Relation, 11. Present, 13. Oddly, 15. Start, 17. Playful, 20. Bungalow, 21. Hike, 22. Stalls, 23. Rodent.
DOWN: 1. Mutter, 2. Ruin, 3. Staring, 4. Apple, 5. Birthday, 6. School, 12. Struggle, 14. Glowers, 16. Taunts, 18. Unkind, 19. Close, 21. Hide.
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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:
ACROSS: 7. August, 8. Prince, 9. Stun, 10. Relation, 11. Present, 13. Oddly, 15. Start, 17. Playful, 20. Bungalow, 21. Hike, 22. Stalls, 23. Rodent.
DOWN: 1. Mutter, 2. Ruin, 3. Staring, 4. Apple, 5. Birthday, 6. School, 12. Struggle, 14. Glowers, 16. Taunts, 18. Unkind, 19. Close, 21. Hide.
SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE XX
SOLUTION TO SUDOKU PAGE 28
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
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.
Magazine Design: Alan Stewart Design T: 07729 911858
