ADAM LITHGOW
Adam William Pollock Lithgow was born in Glasgow on the 15th July 1915. As a young man he lived in the village of Kirknewton, West Lothian, and worked as a shepherd on farms in the Borders.
Naturally then, Adam was hardened and used to being outdoors in all kinds of weather. In March 1940, at the age of 24, he volunteered for naval service, enlisting for 12 years.
After initial training at Portsmouth and aboard the training carrier HMS Argus as a Stoker, Adam was assigned to HMS Forester (H74), an F-Class destroyer, the first of several destroyers he would serve on. It was aboard HMS Forester that Adam first experienced Arctic Convoy duties. Before he embarked on the most perilous of journeys, he married Ada (Barth) in February 1942, in Surrey.
For four years, more than 1,400 merchant ships under the
flags of 11 states completed their journeys to Murmansk and Arkhangelsk as part of 78 allied convoys, escorted by 441 warships. The convoys delivered vital supplies to the Soviet Union. They assembled in the waters of Loch Ewe and Scapa Flow. The summer route took the convoy high up into the Arctic Circle via Iceland, so as far as possible from Occupied Norway. In winter, the convoys were forced to sail on a more southerly route due to the extent of pack ice, much closer to the Norwegian coastline and German U Boat/ Luftwaffe bases.
The risks were enormous, not only from the threats posed by enemy shipping, mines
and aircraft but also due to mountainous seas and bitter cold. 85 merchantmen and 16 Royal Navy escort vessels were lost along with around 3,000 lives. It was for good reason that Sir Winston Churchill labelled the convoys “the worst journey in the world”.
In late March 1942, Convoy PQ14 assembled at Loch Ewe and sailed for Murmansk via Iceland. HMS Forester, with Adam aboard as ship stoker, was assigned close cover duties, along with HMS Foresight and HMS Edinburgh. One week in, they detached from the convoy to intercept and deter enemy destroyers. Only 7 of the 25 Merchantmen
made it to Murmansk. Most Merchantmen were damaged by pack ice and were forced to return to Iceland. SS Empire Howard was sunk by a German U Boat.
The return convoy (QP11) of 13 merchant ships and eighteen warships, including HMS Forester, sailed for Iceland in late April 1942. They were attacked first by Junker aircraft then by U boats. HMS Edinburgh was significantly damaged by two direct hits and ordered to leave the convoy and return to Murmansk, escorted by HMS Forester and HMS Foresight. But they were intercepted by German destroyers. In the exchanges that followed, all three ships took direct hits. HMS Forester suffered serious damage fore and aft as well as in the boiler room. Twelve men were killed, ncluding the captain, and another nine men were wounded. HMS Edinburgh managed to sink one of the German destroyers before she was struck again midship. HMS Edinburgh finally succumbed to a torpedo from HMS Foresight, once survivors had been rescued. HMS Forester limped back to Murmansk for temporary repair, subsequently arriving at Scapa Flow on 18th May,1942, whereupon she took passage to the Tyne shipyards for repair. It must have been an enormous shock to young Adam’s system to leave the rolling hills of the Scottish Borders and find himself north
of the Arctic Circle aboard a British warship. From the tranquillity of sheep farming to the horrors of war in the most hostile of conditions.
In World War II, a ship’s stoker was a member of the engineering crew responsible for maintaining the ship’s boilers, primarily by managing the coal supply and fire in the furnaces. This was a physically
It was for good reason that Sir Winston Churchill labelled the convoys “the worst journey in the world”.
demanding and dangerous job, often performed in hot, cramped, and dirty conditions.
The stokehold was a dangerous environment with intense heat, the risk of burns, and potential for explosions from boiler malfunctions. The confined spaces and the presence of coal dust also presented health hazards. Ironically, the “Shepherd of the Borders” would have been more equipped than most ratings to bear the freezing conditions in the Arctic Ocean, yet he would have spent most of his time below decks.
In December 1942, Adam joined the I-Class destroyer, HMS Impulsive (D11). He safely completed a further four Arctic Convoys in 1943 (JW53, RA53, JW54A and RA54B). JW53 is notorious for sailing through probably the worst weather of any convoy. Ferocious gales and mountainous seas took their toll on the convoy. Six merchantmen were damaged and were forced to return to Iceland. Even the light cruiser, HMS Sheffield was forced to return to port as some of her armour plating was ripped off by the wind and seas.
In January 1944, Adam transferred to brand new U-Class destroyer HMS Ursa (R22). Two months later, he found himself once again in the Arctic Ocean as HMS Ursa acted as escort to convoys JW58 and RA58. On 6th June 1944,
HMS Ursa was to be found on duty off Gold Beach, protecting allied forces invading Normandy.
Adam spent the next 12 months or so in the Indian Ocean and South Seas engaging Japanese forces. He subsequently went on to serve aboard HMS Comus, HMS Mull of Galloway, and HMS Jupiter.
During his service Adam progressed through the ranks to Petty Officer Stoker Mechanic (POSM). He ended his naval career with HMS Rattlesnake and was discharged in December 1953 after 12.5 years dedicated service.
Sadly, Adam died less than two years after his discharge from the Royal Navy, aged 40. After he left the service he had planned to take his family to New Zealand to continue his sheep farming but medical tests revealed that he had contracted bladder cancer.. Studies have shown that seafarers, including those
who worked as stokers, had a higher incidence of bladder cancer compared to the general population. This is likely due to exposure to various hazardous substances present in the maritime environment.
Adam is buried in Kirknewton. His widow Ada and young son Colin (aged 9) suffered much financial hardship after Adam’s premature death. They remained in Kirknewton until Colin married. Ada passed away in 2014 at the ripe old age of 101.
The “Shepherd of The Borders” served his country well. Adam completed eight Arctic Convoys in his 12.5 years of service, as well as supporting the D-Day Landings and fighting Japanese forces in the Indian Ocean. At 5 foot 4 and a half inches, Adam William Pollock Lithgow was
not a big man physically, but in character, and in industry, he was huge. He, and many other brave men like him, should never be forgotten.
The Arctic Convoy Museum has been working with remote volunteers to uncover stories in their archive. This piece about Adam Lithgow was written by one of the Arctic Convoy Museum Volunteers and submitted by Dr Karen Buchanan, Curator.
The Museum and Exhibition Centre near Loch Ewe is a lasting legacy to those who braved Arctic waters under constant threat of attack from enemy aircraft and u-boats. arcticconvoymuseum.org
Arctic Convoy Museum, Aultbea, IV22 2HZ
Pear and GingerBircher Muesli
Get your day off to a flying start with this flavoursome breakfast bursting with fruit, nuts, oats and seeds.
Serves 4 | Prep time 30mins, plus at least 4hrs’ refrigeration | Cooking time 2hrs 15 minutes
Ingredients:
• 2 ripe pears, diced
• 30g caster sugar
• 100g rolled oats
• 350ml almond milk (or milk of choice)
• 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds
• 1 tbsp Opies Stem Ginger syrup
• 1 Opies Stem Ginger
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• A pinch of ground cinnamon
To serve:
• 30g pecan halves
• Coconut flakes
Method:
1. Poach the pears by placing them in a pan with the sugar. Cover with water and cook on a low heat until the sugar has dissolved and the pears are tender. Drain and place in a bowl or jar in the fridge.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, milk, pumpkin seeds and syrup, and grate over the ginger. Stir well to mix the ingredients thoroughly.
3. Add the chia seeds and a pinch of ground cinnamon to the mixture. Mix everything together until well combined. Cover the bowl and refrigerate it overnight, or for at least 4 hours, to allow the flavours to meld and the oats to soften.
4. Before serving, give the muesli a good stir and check the consistency. If it’s too thick, you can add a splash of milk to reach your desired thickness.
5. Serve the muesli in bowls topped with poached pears, pecans and a scattering of coconut flakes.
For more recipe inspiration using the Opies range of products, visit www.bennettopie.com
There are moments in wine tasting that feel almost magical. When I nose a wine, it often unlocks a hidden door to memory. I’m reminded of Marcel Proust and his famous madeleine — that small, unassuming cake which, dipped in tea, transported him instantly back to his childhood. For me, it’s not a madeleine, but the opening of a bottle of wine and the aroma in the glass.
Our sense of smell is extraordinary. It can summon a long-forgotten moment in an instant. The perfumed scent of Viognier can take me to a summer garden, where the air hums with bees and the fragrance of honeysuckle drifts on the breeze. A glass of Chianti, with its black cherry and trace of wood smoke, recalls autumn walks through leafstrewn woodland, the smell of blackberry fruit and the comforting scent of burnt logs.
These moments are deeply personal, yet wonderfully universal. When I’m presenting a wine tasting, I often explore the memory or image a wine evokes. My first question is ‘what season does it remind you of?’ This helps tasters identify a sensory theme that can lead to shared descriptors which help connect with the aroma of wine. We all know what burnt rubber, old leather, or wild herbs smell like, the art lies in finding the image that resonates. Each scent becomes a thread woven into the tapestry of flavour. Wine tasting, in essence, is an act of remembrance. It is a celebration of joy found in a shared, sensory moment.
If you or someone you know, has an interesting experience, an unusual job, does extraordinary charity work, has a crazy hobby..... get in touch via editor@konect.scot and we may be able to share it.
(You need to live and/or work in the Colinton, Craiglockhart, or Kingsknowe area to be featured in The Dell Directory)
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 THE DELL DIRECTORY
SUDOKU (HARD)
Crossword and Sudoku (EASY) can be found on p40. See p45 for solutions.
THE LAZY GARDENER’S DIARY: Great Tits
When a pair of great tits decided that our RSPB bird box, jauntily strapped to the washing line pole, was good enough to bring up a family, I couldn’t have been happier. The fun of being able to play on the words, “you must come and see my great tits”, just added to the delights of seeing them flash by, just a few metres from the kitchen window. On one particularly beautiful summer’s morning I noticed the nest traffic was busier than usual. I decided to take my yoga mat outside to create a sunny sit spot on the grass just in front of their house. What bliss, doing absolutely nothing at all for a couple of hours, except watch the parents feeding their chicks.
When Keep Scotland Beautiful assessed Campbell Park in June, they recommended trying to attract more pollinators by installing bird and bat boxes and bug hotels. The Council’s bird expert identified 37 suitable trees. Lower, well covered trees and shrubs are popular with nesting robins and wrens, whereas tits and starlings prefer around 2m from the ground. A good general rule of thumb is to site bird boxes facing east or north to shelter from prevailing winds and sunshine.
Why not learn how to build a bird box for your own garden by helping the friends of Campbell Park build theirs on Saturday 29th November? Tickets are FREE but must be booked in advance. Email: events.fcpark@gmail.com
This column is contributed by Shona Harrower. Shona lives in Colinton and is passionate about permaculture. She is Chair of the Friends of Campbell Park
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
Grieving the loss of a parent can be a lonely time. Heriot’s foundation enables bereaved children to receive a nurturing education with specialist support at Scotland’s leading independent school.
If you know of a child who has lost a parent and would benefit from a supported foundation place or to donate to the life changing work of the Heriot’s foundation, please contact the Admissions team for information at admissions@george-heriots.com
George Heriot’s School is governed by George Heriot’s Trust. Scottish Charity Number SC011463.
NOVEMBER CROSSWORD
OCTOBER CROSSWORD
^^^ Solution in the DECEMBER edition
NOVEMBER edition
7. Brave (6), 8. Keep back (6), 9. On top of (4), 10. Loudest (8), 11. Small rivers (7), 13. Looks at (5), 15. Perfect (5), 17. Laughed (7), 20. Confuse (8), 21. Consumes (4), 22. Light wind (6), 23. Inn (6).
DOWN: 1. Type of cloth (6), 2. Not wealthy (4), 3. Financial resources (7), 4. Own up to (5), 5. Hitting (8), 6. Puzzle (6), 12. Inspected (8), 14. Shake (7), 16. Gloomy (6), 18. Goes into (6), Trimmed (5), 21. Jealousy (4).
ACROSS: 7. Type of fruit (6), 8. Opulence (6), 9. Touch (4), 10. Start (8), 11. Modified (7), 13. Impede (5), 15. Remove from home (5), 17. Water closets (7), 20. Calculation (8), 21. Horrid (4), 23. Male relatives (6), 24. Snub (6). DOWN: 1. Manufactured (4), 2. Horse’s fastest pace (6), 3. Observed (7), 4. Chubby (5), 5. Specialist (6), 6. Piece of jewellery (8), 12. Splitting (8), 14. Advisory group (7), 16. Cold (6), 18. Caring (6), 19. Slightly drunk (5), 22. Lie in wait (4).
NOVEMBER SUDOKU
OCTOBER SUDOKU
OCTOBER SUDOKU (EASY)
WEDNESDAY 5TH NOVEMBER
Fireworks Night - In King George V Park, Currie, organised by Currie Balerno District Round Table. Currie Community Centre Café will be open to serve hot drinks. The Centre has an excellent view of the fireworks for watching from indoors. Please check CBDRT facebook page nearer the time for event details.
THU 6TH NOV TO WED 3RD DEC
Pentlands Book Festival - Full programme at pentlandsbookfestival.org
SATURDAY 8TH NOVEMBER
Farmers Market - Main Street, Balerno, 9.00am to 1.00pm.
MONDAYS 10TH AND 24TH NOVEMBER
Mindful Walk in nature - New “Loving the Elements” guided walk. Meet at the Hub@531, 531 Lanark Road, Juniper Green for a short, easy guided walk led by our regular Monday mindful guide, Raymond Collins. 11.00am – 11.45am.
WEDNESDAY 19TH NOVEMBER
Festive Crafts - At the Hub@531. Join us for a fun sociable, adult only evening, making Christmas crafts. Nibbles and refreshments will be provided along with all your craft materials. The Hub@531, 531 Lanark Road, Juniper Green. 7.30pm – 9.30pm.
SATURDAY 29TH NOVEMBER
Charity Crafters Pop up sale - Come and have a look at a variety of gifts, soft toys and novelty items that may fit some of your Christmas shopping needs. Proceeds of our sales go to good causes. 10.30am - 2.00pm in Currie Library.
SATURDAY 29TH NOVEMBER
Christmas Fayre at St Cuthbert’s Colinton - Gifts, cards, handicrafts and more. Browse the stalls and buy for Christmas. Enjoy a cup of tea and a mince pie. ADMISSION FREE. St Cuthbert’s Scottish Episcopal Church. Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH14 OBB.
SUNDAY 30TH NOVEMBER
Winter Fayre: Currie Community Centre - 280 Lanark Road West: 10.00am-4.00pm. Fun for all the family: 30+ stalls from local crafters, artists, and businesses; performances from Forth Valley Chorus, Ahalya Dance Academy, Razzamataz and Balerno Dance Academy; children’s activities, café serving hot drinks; meet Santa Claus and much more...
SATURDAY 29TH NOVEMBER
Dean Park PTA Autumn Fayre - Cafe, toy sale, crafts, tuck shop, tombola, games and much more! Balerno High School, 12.30pm - 3.00pm
MONDAY 8TH DECEMBER
Colinton & Merchiston Community Choir Christmas Concert - We have a delightful programme of Christmas Music including Vaughan Williams “Fantasia on Christmas Carols”, Cornelius “Three Kings from Persian Lands Afar”, Telemann “Der Jüngste Tag wird bald sein Ziel” and a lovely selection of carols. Memorial Hall at Merchiston Castle School, doors open 7.00pm for 7.30pm. Tickets £10 or £5 for under 18s available from choir members or at the main door of the Memorial Hall. Cash only. For more information about our choir, please see colintonchoir.org or our Facebook page. We are grateful to Merchiston Castle School for the use of the Memorial Hall.
Meet in Edinburgh Pentlands Parish Church Hall, Lanark Road from 10.00am - 12noon. New members welcome. Further details from Club Secretary Leslie Hannaford on 0131 453 3012 or lesliehannaford@blueyonder.co.uk
• WED 5TH NOV - “Poppy Scotland” an illustrated talk by Karen Campbell.
• WED 19TH NOV - “Eye Care” an illustrated talk by Jonathan Jennett.
• WED 3RD DEC - “Railway Modelling” an exhibition and illustrated talk by David Laing.
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 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 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 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 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
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 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 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
OXGANGS NEIGHBOUR CENTRE CAFÉ - 10.00am to 1.00pm. Bacon rolls, baked potatoes, toasties,specials, teas, coffees and cake. Sit in or takeaway.
SOLUTION TO OCTOBER CROSSWORD
ACROSS: 7. Heroic, 8. Detain, 9. Over, 10. Noisiest, 11. Streams, 13. Views, 15. Ideal, 17. Giggled, 20. Bewilder, 21. Eats, 22. Breeze, 23. Tavern.
DOWN: 1. Velvet, 2. Poor, 3. Economy, 4. Admit, 5. Striking, 6. Jigsaw, 12. Examined, 14. Vibrate, 16. Dreary, 18. Enters, 19. Edged, 21. Envy.
SOLUTION TO SUDOKU PUZZLES ON P22/40
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. (EASY) (HARD)
