The Dell Directory July 2026

July 2026

WINE TASTING: LOCAL HISTORY: LOCAL ENVIRONMENT:

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

W

elcome to the July issue of The Dell Directory! This issue touches on a huge range of topics and activities, all rooted in the local area, which we can get involved with thanks to the energy, care and expertise of local people. From the annual Pentlands art trail, the opportunity to enter your crafts or produce into the Currie Show, a local history article contributed by the Colinton Local History Society, and much more besides!

We’re just heading into the school summer holidays, and there is plenty going on locally over the summer for all the family, see the What’s On section.

Full of information and services supporting our health, happiness, home, entertainment and more, all in the local area, I hope you enjoy The Dell Directory this month!

P26 Local History: Davidson House.................. 8 Puzzles................................................... 12 /17 Health: Strike Oil..........................................12 Wine Tasting: Pimm’s..................................22 Recipe: Turkey & Courgette Burgers.......24 Lazy Gardner’s Diary: A forest garden....30 Local Environment: Help for hedgehogs....................................................32 What’s On: Pentlands Open Studios Art Trail.................................................................32 What’s On: July Events...............................35

COVER IMAGE: Urgent action for local hedgehogs - See page 32.

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

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

GERRY AITKEN Painter & Decorator Juniper Green

Get in touch for a FREE Estimate: T: 07798 565 321 • E: junigig@aol.com

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5108235_SEVEN HILLS DENTAL.indd 1

08/06/2026 18:38

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LOCAL HISTORY

Now that Davidson House (The Salvation Army’s Care Home) has not only closed but has been totally demolished already, we thought that you would like to hear its intriguing story, which goes way back to the late 1800’s.

In 1899 a Miss Davidson from Banchory was on Clydeside to wave off the Scots Greys as they set sail to Africa. In response to comments from their Commanding Officer Lt. Col. James Maberly, she vowed that “Wherever a Barracks is built for the Scottish Cavalry Regiment I will endeavour to build a Soldiers’ Home nearby“.

True to her word in 1909 she built a Soldiers Home opposite Maryhill Barracks in Glasgow, which was quickly followed by one at Barry Buddon near Carnoustie.

With the announcement that the War Department were to build Redford Cavalry Barracks at Colinton Miss Davidson set the wheels in motion to raise money for her soldiers’ home. By 1912 she had secured land surrounding Oriel Cottage from Colonel Trotter, and her detailed plans

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were all in place. She was now able to start raising funds to enable her to commence the Home.

But then war broke out!

The Barracks were not completely finished at this stage, with no heating and no recreational facilities. A call went out to her from the army - “For God’s sake can you help urgently”. She very quickly had a temporary wooden home planned, extending from Oriel Cottage towards Paties Road, which opened by Christmas 1914. The object of the home was to give troops the opportunity to socialise and relax outwith a military environment. It only had accommodation for three members of staff and consisted of a dining room, games room, reading room, kitchen and bedroom. These facilities gave the troops a great “out of Barracks” opportunity to meet, chat, read and play games in a more relaxed atmosphere. Every Sunday at 3:30pm there was a Bible class followed by tea and cakes, for which the troops paid 6d! At 7pm there was a short service, both of which were always very well attended. In fact on some days their records show that over 1000 troops visited in a day.

After the Armistice in 1918 new quotes were sought to build the permanent home and to keep the costs as low

as possible.

Miss Davidson did much of the planning herself. She settled on the same contractor that had built her other two homes at a revised price of £43,000.

Work started on 6th August 1919 and the home was opened on 26th May 1920 by the Duke of Atholl, The Lord High Commissioner.

As a result of the Great War, immediately many old soldiers became residents and to everyone’s delight His Majesty King George V and Queen Mary, together with Princess Mary, visited the home on July 9th 1920. Following this visit His Majesty granted the home permission to

use the prefix “Royal” making it The Royal Soldiers’ Home.

Although the home had many residents, the emphasis was on helping to rehabilitate and due to far fewer troops being in the barracks the daily attendance dropped to only 50 a day by 1935. All of this put considerable pressure on the home’s finances, but thankfully the Salvation Army came to the rescue by taking over the home in 1937. The home, having been greatly extended. was now able to house around forty old soldiers.

The final chapter in the home that we all knew was that in 1950 Edinburgh Welfare Committee approved the registration under The National Assistance Act of Davidson House for old folks, which then became a Care Home housing forty residents.

I live in hope that as a mark of respect the owners of the new home will call it Davidson House!

This article was contributed by Derek Douglas, Archivist of the Colinton Local History Society.

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60mm Vertical STRIKE OIL [LEFT]

KU *HARD SUDO ON PAGE 17

JULY CROSSWORD

^^^ Solution in the AUGUST edition of Konect

ACROSS: 1. One of the seasons (6), 4. Heaviness (6), 9. Massive (7), 10. Beside (5), 11. Surrounded by (5), 12. Tenth month (7), 13. Powerful optical instruments (11), 18. Anguish (7), 20. Complete (5), 22. Lively dance (5), 23. Disorder (7), 24. Female sibling (6), 25. Lively (6).

DOWN: 1. A horse for example (6), 2. Rhythm (5), 3. Person in charge (7), 5. Precise (5), 6. Farewell (4-3), 7. Big cats (6), 8. Protest (11), 14. Rude remarks (7), 15. External (7), 6. Modifies (6), 17. Tired (6), 19. Astound (5), 21. Brass instruments (5).

(*EASY)

^^^ Sudoku solution on page 37 XX

JULY SUDOKU

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The health takeaways of six different cooking and salad oils.

VEGETABLE: Considered healthier to cook with oil than butter, which is high in saturated fat. Vegetable oil, often made of rapeseed, has a high smoke point, making it suitable for cooking at high temperatures. The smoke point is when the fatty acids break down, releasing free radicals linked to cell damage.

RAPESEED: This oil contains high levels of heart-healthy unsaturated fats and is lower in saturated fats than any other oil. It may help reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease and is a good source of vitamin E. As with other oils, cold-pressed tends to be best for health.

SUNFLOWER: Look for a sunflower oil that’s high in monounsaturates, meaning it has more oleic acid, potentially beneficial in lowering cholesterol and heart disease risk.

It’s also rich in vitamin E and is versatile in the kitchen.

AVOCADO: Also high in oleic acid and vitamin E, avocado oil is good for dressing salads and cooking at high temperatures.

COCONUT: Coconut oil is high in saturated fats, so can contribute to high cholesterol.

While research has suggested it could treat Alzheimer's, more evidence is needed.

OLIVE OLIVE: lauded as a superfood, olive oil is rich in polyphenols, which may protect against cancer and heart disease. Its high levels of monounsaturated fats may help lower LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Research has indicated it might cut the risk of type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Go for extravirgin, though its low smoke point makes it best suited to salad dressings.ADD SOLUTION DETAILS

Advertising Feature

Care at home vs care home: How to choose the right support for your loved one Spotting when an older loved one needs more support is rarely straightforward. Subtle changes - physical, emotional, or behavioural - can signal that they may no longer be coping as well as they once did.

When families notice that their loved ones forget to turn off appliances, often feeling disorientated and prone to falls, or feeling frustrated, anxious and slowly withdrawing themselves from their own family and friends – many consider, is it time to consider care at home, or would a care home offer the right level of support?

As a starting point, families would start by comparing the two options and here’s how care at Care UK homes would differ to having care at home: Care at home Time spent with each person can often be very limited, which means that your loved one may not receive such person centred care.

• When carers are instructed to cook meals, their nutritional knowledge and culinary skills may be limited.

• Although a carer may be able to support your loved one to get around their home, there are many hours left which are spent alone and if there is the risk of falling, they may need a live-in carer or another solution.

Care home At Care UK there is no limit to the time we spend with residents, and we deliver care that’s personalised to your loved one’s needs, preferences and interests.

• At Care UK our chef-led kitchen teams provide delicious home-cooked meals throughout the day. Everything is tailored to your loved one’s needs and tastes, and the team provides tasty meals for residents who need a fortified, modified or specialist diet. Meal times at the home are all about enjoying food and spending time with friends in beautiful surroundings.

We’re happy to prepare meals at any time.

Snacks and drinks are always available too.

• We provide round-the-clock care and support whenever your loved one needs us - giving you and your loved one the ultimate peace of mind.

• Whilst care at home offers familiarity, flexibility and a sense of independence for your loved ones, we find that most families would eventually opt for long term, quality care at care homes as they prioritise long term stability and optimal mental and physical well being for their loved ones.

At Cairdean House care home, we offer care that’s truly personalised – from the moment your loved one moves in, they can hang their favourite pictures in their rooms and even chat to our Head Chef on how they want their favourite homemade dish to be cooked. Our recently refurbished home has a hair and beauty salon, café and cinema room, along with lovely gardens and outdoor terrace areas. Residents living in Care UK homes are offered a range of day trips and organised activities in their surrounding areas. These outings are a great chance for residents to get out and about and enjoy activities, exercise and a change of scenery.

Our experienced and dedicated activities team organises daily activities that are suited to all residents with different abilities and needs.

Residents can also enjoy outings to Stirling Castle, The National Wallace Monument, National Museum of Scotland, Mortonhall Garden Centre and many other locations across Edinburgh.

To know more about Cairdean House care home or to book a show round, call 0131 516 1591 or visit careuk.com/cairdean-house Cairdean House care home 185 Redford Road, Colinton, Edinburgh EH13 9PN

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JULY SUDOKU

(*HARD)

Crossword and Sudoku (EASY) can be found on p12. See p37 for solutions.

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In the way mulled wine is synonymous with winter and cold weather, so too is summer, garden parties and Pimm’s No. 1 Cup. A cool, refreshing, long drink, Pimm’s is a delicious alternative to wine and feels more sophisticated than punch. I first tasted Pimm’s at a summer wedding reception; it is very easy to drink and very easy to forget it is a gin-based spirit!

Proudly displaying the Royal Warrant on its crisp white label, Pimm’s is the quintessential Great British summer drink. It has been served at Wimbledon since 1971 and evokes images of lazy hazy summer days. Developed by James Pimm in London in the mid-19th century, today Pimm’s has a Scottish connection; the gin-based spirit is distilled in Fife! It is made using a closely guarded secret recipe that apparently only 6 people know. It started out as a health remedy to aid digestion (of oysters!) but is now one of the UK’s most popular summer drinks brands. On the nose it is easy to detect fragrant orange, warm spices like clove and herbal botanicals.

The classic way to prepare Pimm’s No. 1. is in a tall glass or pitcher.

Serve three parts lemonade to one part Pimm’s and pour over sliced summer fruits, cucumber and ice.

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 22 | THE DELL

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RECIPE & FOOD NOTES

Turkey and Courgette Burgers With BBQ season in full swing, these burgers are simple to make and a great alternative to a beef burger for something a little different. Alternatively, you could make the mixture into meatballs instead of burgers and serve with pasta and a tomato sauce!

Serves 2 Ingredients:

• ½ large courgette (grated) • 250g 2% fat turkey mince • 2 spring onions (diced)

• 1 tbsp. fresh herbs of choice (we used parsley and chives, but coriander or mint also work well) • 1 garlic clove (crushed) • 20g plain flour

Method:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/Gas Mark 6.

2. After grating the courgette, try and squeeze out as much liquid as possible

using your hands then add the courgette to a mixing bowl.

3. Add the rest of the ingredients to the bowl and mix together well.

4. Using your hands, mould the mixture into burgers. You can either make two large patties or four small ones using these quantities.

5. Put the burgers onto a baking tray and place in the oven for around 20-25 minutes until cooked through. They can also be cooked on the BBQ. 6. Serve in wholemeal rolls or pitta breads with salad and homemade potato wedges!

Recipe supplied by Nutrition Scotland www.nutritionscotland.org 24 | THE DELL

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Green Note Jazz Club Attracts International Talent

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We can visit your office / home or please drop into our office at Bridge Road to speak t o u s ….

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Green Note Jazz Club in Juniper Green continues to bring high-quality live jazz to the local community, attracting enthusiastic audiences and outstanding musicians from Scotland, across the UK and beyond.

On 16th July, Green Note presents renowned New York saxophonist Frank Perowsky alongside celebrated Scottish trumpeter Colin Steele, bringing together international and local talent for what promises to be a memorable evening.

The international theme continues on 6TH AUGUST, when Brazilian bassist Mario Caribe leads a quintet celebrating the music of bossa nova legend Antônio Carlos Jobim. Looking further ahead, the club has also announced a special appearance by New York saxophone star Greg Abate in October.

Club founder John Elliott said, “We’re delighted that musicians of this calibre are willing to travel to Juniper Green. Our aim is to combine internationally recognised artists with the warmth and accessibility of a local community venue.”

The club welcomes both dedicated jazz listeners and newcomers. Discount promotional codes are regularly offered to subscribers on the club’s email list.

Further information, tickets and email-list sign-up details are available at greennote.club and @junipergreennote on social media.

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Why Grow A Forest Garden?

Last month I encouraged readers to “Grow Your Own Food Forest” to try to help alleviate future food shortages. However, that’s just one of many reasons why small urban forest gardens can be so beneficial.

Before exploring some of the other benefits, bear in mind that a forest garden doesn’t need to look like the forests growing all along the Water of Leith. It just needs to take inspiration from them and what we observe in nature is an integrated system comprising of different layers:

1. Canopy nut trees (pine, beech, oak, sweet chestnut).

2. Sub canopy fruit trees (apple, plum, pear) 3. Shrub understory (currants, gooseberry, raspberry) 4. Herbaceous perennials that die back in autumn and regrow from their roots or crowns each spring e.g. alliums, rhubarb, daylilies, lemon balm, comfrey, asparagus, skirret, some brassicas, all hostas) 5. Ground cover to stabilise the soil and stop unwanted weed seeds emerging (wild strawberries, nasturtium, purslane, selfheal, red clover, aromatics) 6. Roots (oxalis, artichokes) 7. Climbers to use the trees and shrubs for structure (vines, legumes) 8. FUN GUYS: underground mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with the roots of most plants and saprotrophic fungi are the unsung ecological heroes decomposing dead organic matter into plant food.

These layers make forests cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter which is why they are so much more resilient

to drought and flood than most urban gardens. The forest floor woodchip and composted leaf mulch acts like a sponge catching and releasing moisture as required.

Most of us won’t have enough space for ALL of the typical forest layers, especially not the high nut trees, and it’s possible to create a self-supporting system with as few as 3 layers provide that one of them is a fruit tree.

All of your food grown at home will be far more nutritious than anything bought in a supermarket simply by virtue of having been picked and eaten fresh before the nutrients have had time to degrade (which happens a lot quicker than you might think).

Growing your own should also benefit your wallet provide that you include some expensive crops such as perennial salad leaves and berries.

Pest problems also tend to be fewer in forest gardens because perennial plants are much more resilient to slug damage than young annual seedlings and their deeper roots mean they need less watering too. The reduced soil disturbance from not digging in annuals each year is also better for the soil structure and life, which is why forest gardens are so much more biodiverse than most other habitats.

However the main benefit to the lazy gardener is that forest gardens can become very low maintenance and selfsustaining once they are established. Of course, establishing a forest garden is hard work, but once it settles in after a year or two, it just keeps giving back year after year with minimal input from humans.

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) 30 | THE DELL

• Full garden design and build service • Planting design • Plant sourcing • Planting service

CURRIE HORTICULTURAL SHOW – SOMETHING TO SHOW OFF? 29th August: Currie Horticultural Show, at Balerno High School. Open to the public to admire the entries made by members of the community from 1.30pm - 4.00pm.

Entry to the show on 29th is £3 - cash preferred.

If you live or work in Currie, Balerno, Juniper Green, Baberton Mains, Colinton, Kirknewton or Ratho, please consider entering. If you like to grow flowers, fruit or vegetables, then there will be a category for you. If you are less green fingered and like to spend your time baking or making then have a look at the Baking and Crafts section in the schedule.

There is a category for everyone!

You can access the website currieshow. weebly.com to see what should be up for competition, and printed schedules are in various outlets in the area free of charge.

Please get in touch for a free design consultation 07940 517 215 | judy@goodgardendesign.co.uk

www.goodgardendesign.co.uk

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LOCAL ENVIRONMENT

Hedgehogs in the UK are classified as vulnerable to extinction. We have lost one third of the population in the past 10 years, due primarily to habitat destruction and road traffic.

They thrive in gardens and suburban habitats, and with just a few changes you can make a big difference to their chances of survival:

Avoid using pesticides and slug pellets.

Hedgehogs feed on slugs, snails, worms, caterpillars and insects. Using pesticides not only reduces the food available to hedgehogs, but can also seriously effect a hedgehog’s health and ability to breed. Use organic methods instead. Keep a corner of your garden wild, with log piles to provide natural food and shelter.

If you have a fence around your property, you can make your garden more accessible by making a hedgehog hole. Add 13cm x 13cm square gaps at the bottom of boundary fences and walls to allow hedgehogs easy access.

Encourage hedgehogs into your garden, but never move one in from another area, as it may have a nest of dependent hoglets that you would be condemning to death.

Whilst supplementary feeding isn’t always advised, it can make a big difference to a hedgehog during a particularly cold or dry spell. A shallow dish of water and a wet meatbased dog or cat food is the best thing to supply. Please don’t put out bread and milk – bread is very low in energy and hard to digest and hedgehogs are lactose intolerant.

Make or buy a hedgehog home to offer a hibernation site that is safer from predators in

the winter. It may also be used as a nesting box for a mother and her hoglets in the warmer months.

Check areas thoroughly for hedgehogs and other wildlife before strimming or mowing.

If using robotic lawnmowers check areas carefully before use and never set them to run at night.

Dispose of litter responsibly. Every year hedgehogs are injured by litter and starve to death after getting trapped in discarded rubbish.

Take care on the roads at night. Thousands of hedgehogs die on our roads every year.

Most active at night, they are often attracted to the heat of the road and may need to cross several on their nighttime foray for food. Whilst curling into a ball is an effective technique against predators, it doesn’t work against cars.

If you have found a hedgehog that is injured or obviously unwell, please check the SSPCA website for immediate steps to take and call their helpline on 03000 999 999, open from 8am to 8pm every day.

The information in this article is taken from the Scottish Wildlife Trust scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk , British Hedgehog Conservation Society britishhedgehogs.org.uk, and SSPCA scottishspca.org

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PENTLANDS OPEN STUDIOS ART TRAIL

Twenty-five professional artists and makers will throw open their studios and exhibition venues across Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green and Colinton on 15th - 16th August for the annual Pentlands Open Studios Art Trail.

Visitors are invited to meet the artists, watch work in progress and buy directly from the makers.

The trail spans painting, ceramics, jewellery, printmaking, textiles and sculpture, with new pieces on show throughout the weekend.

We show here a simplified trail map highlighting all 12 venues. Entry is free and studios will be open from 10.00am to 4.00pm on both days.

The Pentlands Open Studios website carries artist profiles, venue details and an interactive map, with suggested routes by foot, bike, car or free e-bike rickshaw. A full-colour trail booklet will

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be available online from July, with printed copies also on offer. Those who sign up to the mailing list can receive occasional updates on artist stories and trail news.

Organisers are appealing for volunteers to help direct visitors along the route over the weekend.

Anyone able to spare a couple of hours on either day should email volunteers@postudios.org Find out more at postudios.org or follow @Penlandsopenstudios on Facebook and Instagram.

MAP KEY

Water of Leith

Numbered Studio/ Exhibition Venue

Walkway and National Cycle Route 75

Art Trail Information Hub

Landmark Building

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

• THU 2ND JULY - Survival Skills for 5-10 year olds 1.30 – 3.30pm • TUE 7TH JULY - Island Adventurers 8-12 year olds 1.30 – 3.30pm • THU 9TH JULY - Fairy Folk for 3-6 year olds, 10-11.30am. £5 • TUE 14TH JULY - Polinators Everywhere for 5 -10 year olds 1.30 – 3.30pm • THUR 16TH JULY - River Dipping for 5-10 year olds 1.30 – 3.30pm • TUE 21ND JULY - Extreme River Dipping for 8-12 year olds 1.30 – 3.30pm • THU 23RD JULY - Splash! for 3-6 year olds.

10am – 11.30am £5 • TUE 28TH JULY - Summer Discovery for 5-10 year olds 1.30 – 3.30pm • THU 30ST JULY - Trash to Treasure for 5-10 year olds 1.30 – 3.30pm • 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 4TH JULY Screening – People’s Emergency Briefing Join us for a free community screening of this 50 minute climate emergency documentary film, featuring Chris Packham and other well known faces, focused on the immediate issues that face the UK in terms of climate and nature loss, and the action that people should be demanding from those in government. Our screening will be supported by Mike Harrower from Greenpeace who will lead a post film discussion about the

issues raised. All welcome but please book online at hub531.appointedd.com . The Hub@531, Juniper Green, EH14 5DE. SATURDAY 4TH JULY Wilding! - Natasha and Peter Stewart will be offering lots of creative ideas, for all ages, to improve habitats for wildlife in your own garden or community area. Drop in at The Hub@531, Juniper Green, EH14 5DE to find out more about simple things you can do to help your own environment be more welcoming for nature such as making your garden hedgehog friendly and putting up bird boxes. There will be some of Peter’s handmade bird boxes for sale.

SATURDAY 11TH JULY Farmers Market - Main Street, Balerno, 9.00am to 1.00pm.

SATURDAY 18TH JULY Flower Walk in Campbell Park - Join our monthly Saturday flower walks with our Biodiversity Officer Jonathan. As part of our plant-monitoring work he will be walking around the park and welcomes anyone two would like to join him. It’s a great way to help support our annual plant survey, learn to recognise edible plants, grasses, wildflowers, shrubs and trees, 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 to12noon.

Meet at the pavillion, Campbell Park, Woodhall Road, EH13 0PJ. SUNDAY 2ND AUGUST Open Day at Almondell Model Engineering Centre - Model Railway, train rides, drive-a-loco, tea, coffee and snacks. Free parking, toilets and picnic area. 10.30am – 4.00pm. Almondell Model Engineering Centre, Drumshoreland Road, Broxburn, EH52 5PF.

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. THE DELL | 35

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 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 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 JUNE 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 P12/17*

(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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