West End Life Magazine Oct/Nov 2015 Issue 30

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October November 2015 Issue 30

The Mackintosh Festival p30-31 An Elephant for Glasgow

p43

Halloween’s no joke p24-25 Delivered to over

18,000 Homes

Jordanhill Hillhead Broomhill Hyndland Kelvinside Bearsden Milngavie ■

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Tel: 0800 185 186 www.dmdesign.com

UP TO 50% SALE IS NOW ON

DM Design are making dreams affordable with some fantastic finance offers on all fully fitted Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms

INTEREST FREE CREDIT

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exhibitions talks tours music kids’ activities

8 24 After a Death 15 Step into Health this Winter 18 Autumn Fashion 23 Halloween’s No Joke 24-25 What’s On 26-27 Poppy’s Appeal 29 34 Mackintosh Festival 30-31 The Beaujolais Run 32

30

Landlord’s Plan Ahead

The Woodland Experience A Tree is for Life

34-35 39

Country Living Ticket Giveaway An Elephant for Glasgow

23

41 43

43

Mackintosh_Festival_A5_Advert_ARTWORK.indd 1

Contributors this issue: Simon Gemmell, Mike Ramsay, Charles Briggs, Hazel Burt, Marilyn Thompson, Ellen Arnison, Janet Gibb

October/November Issue 30, 2015 Publisher: Life Magazines and Publications Ltd Editor

Charles Briggs

Features Editor: Rob Reid rob@westendlife.biz Advertising Sales Manager: Nicky Murphy nicky@westendlife.biz Advertising Sales: Lisa Sanderson lisa@westendlife.biz

Cover Image: The Mackintosh Society

Contact Info: Editorial: 07788-923054 Advertising: 0141-413-4660 Email: editor@westendlife.biz Web: www.westendlife.biz Graphic Design: Simon Jones, Skep Design: 07817 312062 Advert Design: Simon Jones, Skep Design: 07817 312062

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors, or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. Life Magazines and Publications Ltd does not officially endorse any advertising material included in this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher.

West End Life Magazine

www.westendlife.biz | 3

Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow…

Family run business celebrates more than 30 years in the home improvements industry. company start to design, build and install fitted kitchens and with this Tel: 0800 185 186 www.dmdesign.com came the need for new premises to accommodate the office and sales staff who were now in place.

UP TO 50% SALE IS NOW ON

DM Design are making dreams affordable with some fantastic finance offers on all fully fitted Kitchens,The Bedrooms andwas Bathrooms business thriving

for 36 months

and five

years laterPAY it was decided the time BUY NOW LATER

INTEREST FREE CREDIT

was right for DM Design to move on

for 6 ‘4.9% APR!’ building tomonths the project of designing,

Founded in 1984 by managing director Donald Macleod and his wife Ann, DM Design has grown over the years from a true family start up with the first base for business working out of the family garage, to their state-ofthe-art manufacturing facility in Cumbernauld, where kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms are now custom built to order.

and kitting out its own custom built factory and showroom. In 1993 the company made a smooth transition into its current premises.

In 1984, Mr Macleod – who was DM Design has continued to grow, acting as a one man band and with showrooms in Edinburgh, embodying true entrepreneurial • Up to Fitted Bedrooms with FREE bedroom storage worth £500 Aberdeen, Kirkcaldy, Paisley and spirit – 50% sold,offpurchased materials, • Up to 50% off Fitted a FREE Dishwasher manufactured and Kitchens installedwith fitted Uddingston. With such a success • Up to 50% off Fittedworking Bathroomsseven with a FREEinPower-shower bedrooms, often Scotland, the company opened All offers are forAfter a limited timemonths, only days a week. three it up the marketplace in England becameToapparent workshop Book you that FREE a Design Appointment: 0800 185 186 and t.has never looked back. e: sales@dmdesign.com was required in order to meet thewww.dmdesign.com growing demand for orders and if the business was to expand and develop. The firm opened its first workshop in Westfield Industrial Estate, where DM remains today, albeit in different premises. From this base, the business grew over the years which led to employing more staff, mainly in manufacturing, leaving Mr Macleod to focus on selling, installing and driving the business forward. In 1985, after only 12 months of business, DM Design launched its products at The Ideal Home Exhibition in the Kelvin Hall, 4 | West End – year October/November 2015 Glasgow.

ThatLife same saw the

DM Design’s latest endeavour is its purpose-built granite cutting facility, where the company is able to custom cut and manufacture granite and quartz for each customer. By having this facility it will be able to significantly reduce costs for customers without jeopardising the quality of the product.

@westendlife

Children’s Classic Concerts present Owen and Olly’s Christmas Stocking Saturday 5th December at 1pm & 3pm - Glasgow Royal Concert Hall What will Owen and Olly find in their Christmas stocking? They’re hoping for story books, winter sports gear and toys that come to life. But have they made Santa’s nice list, or are they skating on thin ice? If their Christmas wishes come true their stocking will be bursting with musical goodies, traditional treats and family fun.

With the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, The Manor School of Ballet and Area Choirs from the National Youth Choir of Scotland.

West End Life Magazine

Join 12,000 people a year at Scotland’s best loved family concerts. Our hour-long concerts are the perfect way to discover the thrill of live classical music. www.childrensclassicconcerts.co.uk

www.westendlife.biz | 5

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@westendlife

Get rid of stress and boost your energy the natural way – with Aromatherapy You don’t have to work hard at chilling out with Ashtins Aromatics

If you are serious about relaxation – aromatherapy may be just what you need.

Ashtins Aromatics’ new shop in Byres Road offers a fantastic range of home fragrances, luxury candles, aromatherapy bath salts, bath bombs, artisan soaps, decadent bath melts and diffusing oils that will waft you away on cloud nine.

Owner David Travers said: “Aromatherapy should be a very personal experience and we provide expert guidance on the blend of scents, compounds and products that suits each individual.”

The shop’s range of quality

products includes leading names such as Stoneglow, Acquiesse, Trapp, Neom, & many more of the country’s top multi award winning home fragrance specialists.

To celebrate the opening of the Byres Road outlet West End Life are offering one lucky reader the chance to win a fantastic Gift Box worth £60.

David said: “We have something to suit everyone – whether you want to soak away your cares with a soothing and luxurious bath or are seeking a stimulating scented candle for a dinner party.

“Aromatherapy is a wonderful way to eliminate stress and improve wellbeing.”

So, why not indulge yourself with the help of Ashtins Aromatics.

You know it makes scents!

Just a small selection of our Products

Box Contents 1 x Olive Oil moisturising soap bar 1 x Coconut & Olive Oil body scrub 1 x Aromatherapy Muscle ache relief bubble bath 1 x aromatherapy energizing body wash 2 x Arran Aromatic scented votives 2 x Stoneglow scented votives luxury soap bundle (x 3 soaps) To enter simply visit www.westendlife.biz and follow the competition link.

Soap Slices • Bath Creamers • Bath Mallows • Aromatherapy Bath Salts Bath Bombs • Candles • Himalayan Salt Lamps Gift Boxes (from as little as £10.99) • Bridal Party Gift Boxes

Byres Road (just a few yards down from Kember & Jones) t: 0141 230 4651 (Open 7 days) West End Life Magazine Loch Lomond Shores t: 01389 720888 www.ashtins.co.uk

www.westendlife.biz | 7

Landlords - Plan Ahead for Changes in 2017

By Hazel Burt

Tax changes announced in the last budget are likely to have a significant impact on returns from buy-to-let properties.

Interest on residential buy-to-lets

optimum course of action based on your individual circumstances before making changes.

Furnishings

You can currently deduct the interest on borrowings used to purchase, renovate or provide working capital for your buy-to-let property when you are working out your profit for the year. Relief is given at rates ranging from 20% to 45% of the interest paid depending on your income position. The tax changes will see taxrelief for higher rate taxpayers reduce by a quarter each year until 2020 when tax relief will be limited to 20%. The new rules effectively restrict this relief to the basic rate of tax but it is important to note that basic rate taxpayers can be impacted too.

The rules for furnished properties are also changing from April 2016. At present, you can either claim a 10% wear and tear allowance (10% of the rental income less costs paid on behalf of the tenant such as council tax) or the actual cost of replacing the furnishings. Going forward, money will actually have to be spent before a claim can be made.

This can be illustrated in the following example: a landlord has properties generating a profit before mortgage interest of £120,000. He pays mortgage interest of £85,000. Under the current rules, assuming he has no other taxable income, his tax liability would be approximately £4,880. Using the new rules he will have a tax liability of £24,403.

It is not all doom and gloom – if you rent a room in your own home to a lodger the rent-a-room scheme provides that where the gross rents are less than £4,250, the income is ignored for income tax purposes. The scheme cannot be used for rooms let as offices or otherwise for business purposes.

The new rules do not apply to companies or to commercial property landlords.

There are a number of alternatives that can be considered, including: forming a limited company, transferring ownership to a spouse who has unused personal allowance or pays tax at basic rate, remortgaging or reducing borrowings by selling a property or increasing rents.

There are many factors to consider and it is important to take professional advice to establish the

This rule change follows on from the restriction in relief for white goods in partly furnished flats in 2013.

Light at the end of the tunnel?

The limit was set in 1992 in an attempt to get homeowners to take in lodgers. The good news is that the limit is increasing to £7,500 from April 2016. If the property is jointly owned, each owner can claim their share of the relief. For example, where a husband and wife own the property jointly the limit is reduced to £3,750 each.

Hazel Burt is a tax partner at French Duncan Chartered Accountants.

FD Debt Solutions is the debt expert department of French Duncan Chartered Accountants. Our trusted advisors have been providing debt solutions across Scotland since 1989. Providing a quality service you can trust, we tailor every debt solution to the individual to ensure you can maintain and then exit the specific solution, debt and stress free.

133 Finnieston Street Glasgow G3 8HB Telephone: 0141 221 2984

8 | West End Life – October/November 2015

@westendlife

Your love is our passion

At House for an Art Lover we are passionate about weddings.

This Charles Rennie Mackintosh inspired house, set in the grounds of Bellahouston Park, is the perfect setting for your special day.

Late availability for Winter 2015/16

SPECIAL 20% DISCOUNT QUOTE - West End Life Winter Special (new bookings only)

For further information on weddings please visit our website

www.houseforanartlover.co.uk Or contact our wedding coordinator on 0141 353 4773 or weddings@houseforanartlover.co.uk West End Life Magazine

www.westendlife.biz | 9

At Kelvinside Academy

Small Class Sizes make for

Big Smiles

Open Morning Thursday 29th October 9.30 - 11.30am

Junior & Senior School Tours: 33 Kirklee Road, G12 0SW Nursery Tours: By appointment, Balgray Campus 10 | West End Life – October/November 2015 kelvinsideacademy.org.uk

@westendlife

Kelvinside Academy is an independent school based in the West End of Glasgow for children 3 – 18 years. Our Nursery provides the high quality education and care for children from 3 to 5 years. It is is a purpose built, state of the art building situated at our Balgray campus. It provides the children with opportunities for indoor and outdoor learning, surrounded by green open spaces. Allan Gilliland, the new Rector at Kelvinside

West End Life Magazine

Academy, knows what makes his school special. “Our size is our strength” he says “uniquely among Glasgow’s Independent Schools”.

Kelvinside Academy is big enough to give each pupil the opportunity to properly embrace teamwork through its high quality choirs, orchestras, drama productions, and successful sports teams, and yet small enough for every pupil to be truly recognised as an individual within its strong

community. “We are very much in the vanguard of e-learning and contemporary pedagogy with IT fully integrated into learning at all stages….and the positive ‘habits of mind’ traits that we consciously develop in our young people together with our excellent exam results mean that when our pupils leave us, whatever their individual strengths are, they are ready to look the world of the 21st century in the eye”.

www.westendlife.biz | 11

Ears Feeling Blocked?

12 | West End Life – October/November 2015

@westendlife

West End Life Magazine

www.westendlife.biz | 13

Fabulous Tanzanian Safari Experience combined with beautiful Zanzibar

June and July (dry season) are the best months to travel to Tanzania which enables you to see the wildebeest migration. During these months there is little or hardly any rainfall, so it is easier to spot animals as they concentrate around waterholes and rivers.

Zanzibar is also great in June/July as these months are considered the dry months (together with Aug, Sep & Oct). Clear skies and sunny days with lovely temperatures. Fly to Nairobi on Kenyan Airlines new Dreamliner service and then onto the short flight to Kilimanjaro.

include accommodation as listed.

Your visit includes the Tarangire National Park with the greatest concentration of elephants in

Africa - the Ngorongoro the world’s largest unbroken volcanic caldera whose steep sides form a natural enclosure for a wide variety of wildlife. Over 25000 animals including the ‘big five’ inhabit the interior of the crater. And finally the world famous Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s largest national park with its massive concentration of migratory animals who move around this vast area according to the availability of food.

Accommodation on the Safari includes:

Tanganyika Safari The tour lasts 5 nights and is on a full board basis and you have the opportunity of some of the best game viewing in these popular safari destinations, many located in breath-taking locations. Most sectors are 2 to 3 hours’ drive and

Maramboi Tented Camp - 40 spacious tents built on ample wooden decks, all have en suite facilities and private veranda with 24 hours electric lighting.

Ngorongoro Farm House Ngorongoro Farm House offers 52 room cottages, all with ample space inside, built on the style of an old colonial farm and rustically

decorated with local materials.

Serengeti Kati Kati Tented Camp - A mobile tented camp located in Central Serengeti, strategically located to cover the vast Serengeti Plains. The camp offers comfortable accommodation and a unique opportunity to enjoy a real safari camp experience. On the sixth day you fly from Arusha direct to Zanzibar.

The fabulous 5 star Diamonds La Gemma Dell ‘Est in Zanzibar You then enjoy 7 nights at the marvellous Diamonds La Gemma Dell ‘Est in a Deluxe Room on an all Inclusive basis situated on the best side of the island with a beautiful beach away from tidal problems. Visit the fascinating historic ancient capital of Stone Town while there.

Designer Travel work closely with Somak Holidays and thank them for their help with this article.

Tailor-made

L318X

Holidays & Cruises

Direct Line: 01475 540350 | Email: simon@designertravel.co.uk @westendlife 14 | West End Life – October/November 2015 www.designertravel.co.uk/simongemmell

After a death

By Mike Ramsay

Making arrangements after the death of a relative or friend can be difficult. A solicitor can offer practical advice and support in the process of dealing with an Estate.

If the deceased did not make a Will then the Executor (the person who administers the Estate) has to be appointed by the court. This is done by way of Petition and a solicitor can prepare the Petition and have it lodged at the relevant court. If the deceased died with a properly drafted and executed Will then there is no need to do this.

The Executor must find out what the Estate is worth by adding all the assets and deducting all the liabilities. This might involve writing to banks, building societies, the Department for Work & Pensions, utility companies and anyone else whom the deceased was involved with financially. An inventory of the Estate has to be drawn up and

it might be that the question of inheritance tax will arise.

After preparing the inventory the Executor requires to obtain Confirmation (in England this is called Probate) from the relevant sheriff court. Confirmation is the legal document which gives the Executor the authority to engather the Estate by writing to the various banks etc and distribute the Estate according to the Will of the deceased or to the law of intestacy where there is no Will.

An Executor does not have to employ a solicitor but if there is a large Estate or one where there is a house or other property, many bank accounts or shareholdings, or arguments with beneficiaries then things can get very complicated.

Beneficiaries will often put pressure on an Executor

to wind up the Estate quickly and sometimes relationships between family members can get difficult and disputes may arise. An Executor might find him or herself very much at the centre of attention and can in fact be held personally liable for any errors that might be made. By employing a solicitor with experience in winding up Estates, the Executor can be relieved of some of the inevitable pressure.

If the deceased owned a house at date of death then Confirmation requires to be obtained in respect of the house before title can be transferred to a beneficiary or before the house can be sold.

Ideally Confirmation should be obtained before the property is put on the market for sale to prevent complications arising during the conveyancing process.

We have experience in dealing with the winding up of Estates, marketing properties and selling them. We can advise you at all stages of the process from how to appoint an Executor to obtaining Confirmation, putting the house on the market and ultimately transferring title to the purchaser.

We would be happy to discuss matters with you over the telephone or if you have any questions we can be contacted by email.

package for your home and help with getting all the documents together that will be needed by any buyer so the sale can proceed as smoothly as possible. As solicitors we can not only market your home through the GSPC but also complete all the necessary legal work. We can take care of every aspect of the sale from the For Sale board to the final exchange of As members of the GSPC we can keys. All you have to do is tell us give advice on the best West End Lifeadvertising Magazine when to start.

Ramsay & Co are experienced in the preparation of Wills, winding up estates and the marketing and selling of houses. We offer a variety of legal services at our Maryhill Road office at the top of Queen Margaret Drive and are happy to arrange home visits for clients who might be infirm or housebound and we can attend hospitals or nursing homes to take instructions.

974 Maryhill Road, just at the junction with Queen Margaret Drive or visit our website www.ramsayandcoglasgow.co.uk www.westendlife.biz | 15

This winter, if cold and flu aren’t for you…

Call

salann salt spa

With flu season approaching we all want to stay healthy and enjoy the best of the winter.

At Salann our salt rooms are the ideal place to relax and build your flu defences. Our drug free treatment uses the natural properties of salt to help combat the symptoms of cold and flu so you can relax and look forward to a healthy winter.

If you want to build your defences against cold and flu call us to see how we can help

West End Life offer Call today to book three sessions for the price of two 16 | West End Life – October/November 2015

0141 212 8700

www.salann.co.uk @westendlife

- on the skin of 20-50 year old

Age: 30 years

An anti-ageing treatment that really works!

Age: 40 years

Age: 40 years

can prove outstanding anti-ageing results by doing a re-scan.

Age: 50 years Age: 50 years

Danish cosmeceuticals products to provide stunning results in only five days.

“You will see and feel a change in your skin.”

Bright colours represent intact collagen structure, and darker colours represent intact indicate Bright a weakcolours collagen structure.

collagen structure, and darker colours indicate a weak collagen structure.

Would you like outstanding antiageing results in your skin? If you See below what Crème Métamorphique See below what Crème Métamorphique do, try the Beauté Pacifique range cancan dodo forforyour skin: your skin: of products – evidenced based Before: ... and after 90 days use Before: ... and after 90 days use of Crème Métamorphique skin care. Beauté Pacifique is a of Crème Métamorphique Danish cosmeceutical – a blend of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Ultra sound Evidence shows It improves the surface appearance of skin the way cosmetics do – but it also improves the biological function of the skin using active ingredients such as Vitamin A. Shirley Nicol, clinical nurse specialist, said: by examination of you skin using ultrasound

Dermascan we can examine the customer’s skin to reveal the true condition, structure, density, youthfulness, and damage to the skin at its deepest layers. After Danish world class skin care - We repair your only fiveDanish days of using Beauté world class skinskin! care - We repair your skin!

Pacifique treatment creams, we

We invite you to have a complimentary personal skin scan on Thursday 29th October, from 1-8pm at Clinica Medica Glasgow. Trained consultants will be available to offer advice or to provide samples. Tester skin facials can be booked in advance by calling the clinic tel no 0141 356 6969 to book your space.

Join us for a glass of wine - and bring a friend to Clinica Medica, 49-52 Crow Road, Glasgow. Or to find out other clinic locations throughout the UK please visit www.beautepacifique.co.uk

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Evidence based skin care – essential for healthy skin

Tel: 0845 5196145 | www.beautepacifique.co.uk West End Life Magazine

www.westendlife.biz | 17

Step into Health this Winter By Janet Gibb

Footcare should be a priority in winter - the season for hiding them away in boots and sturdy weatherproof shoes. No sunny airing in sandals or barefoot on beaches and paddling in the sea to keep them healthy.

FOOTCARE Your shoes or boots must be fit for purpose. Choose quality over quantity. Leather is best, with flexible soles, good gripping surfaces, cushioned insoles, insulated for warmth and room to wriggle those toes.

Apparently the average adult walks the equivalent of more than 4 times round the world in a lifetime. What percentage of that is Christmas shopping I wonder?

After a hard day, soak your weary feet in warm water, with added sea salt or soothing oils.

Dry thoroughly with a soft towel, especially between the toes. A spot of tea tree oil helps to prevent fungal problems, like athlete’s foot.

File hard skin gently, preferably using a pumice stone in or after a bath. Finish off with a foot file after drying, and apply a foot cream if heels are particularly dry.

Visit a podiatrist for advice if

you have any problems. Many foot-problems are self-inflicted.

However attractive high heels may be, healthy feet are the real beauty. Pam Ayres’ poem, ‘I wish I’d looked after my teeth’, could apply to feet, for those who regret having bunions and corns.

REFLEXOLOGY Massaging feet keeps them supple and healthy. Reflexology offers this and potentially more.

Using specific thumb and finger movements, a reflexologist stimulates the pressure points on your feet or hands that they believe reflect various parts of the body, effecting a beneficial physical change. Reflex actually means reflect. It is thought to have originated five thousand years ago in China and was also used by the Ancient Egyptians. Reflexology was introduced in the west by an American doctor, William Fitzgerald - an ear, nose and throat

specialist. In 1917 he published his ideas about interconnecting zones within the body, visualised by 10 vertical strips which run the length of the body, with pressure points on the feet, hands, lips, nose and ears.

Studies have concluded that reflexology creates relaxation, reduces pain, improves blood flow, aids post-operative recovery, enhances medical care, benefits mental health by reducing depression, complements cancer care and eases pregnancy, delivery and post-partum effects, including post-partum depression.

Reflexologists say that it reduces stress by interrupting stress signals and restoring the body’s equilibrium.

So why not treat yourself or a loved one to a reflexology session to ease any stress and tension, and make sure your boots are made for walking and your shoes are made for dancing this party season.

FOOT NOTES What is the difference between a Chiropodist & a Podiatrist?

There is no difference. Podiatrist is the internationally accepted term, but both have the same qualifications and both need to be registered with the Health Professions Council.

What does a Chiropodist/Podiatrist do?

They treat and advise on all matters relating to feet.

Most people think of ingrown toenails, but they also treat Athlete’s foot, fungal nail infections, corns, verrucae and cracked heels.

What about foot pain?

Yes, a good Chiropodist will be able to advise, and Life provide a treatment plan for 2015 18diagnose | West End – October/November

biomechanical problems of the feet as well as bunions and toe deformities.

I suffer with smelly, sweaty feet. Could a Chiropodist help me?

Absolutely. In some people the sweat glands of the feet are over active, producing more sweat than they should. Some people also have greater than normal amounts of bacteria on their skin and it is the reaction of the bacteria with the sweat which causes the unpleasant odour. A chiropodist will be able to advise on footwear, foot hygiene and any sprays or creams which might help. @westendlife

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| 19

WEST END HANDY MAN

HATE DIY? CAN’T DIY? WON’T DIY?

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Specialists in Wood Floors before

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0141 942 1850 www.national.co.uk Offers valid until 31/12/15, subject to availability (while stocks last). Prices apply to private motorists only and include VAT. Offers correct at time of going to print and we reserve the right to withdraw offers without prior notification. Discounts only available in centre and apply to standard forecourt prices. Tyre offers apply to selected sizes and we recommend that valves are fitted to tubeless tyres and that the wheels are balanced; a charge will be made for this service. Offers valid in National Tyres and Autocare’s Bearsden branch only.

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100 pairs of free tickets

up for grabs!

The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show Edinburgh Whether you’re adding an extension, a brilliant new kitchen or building your own home from scratch, a visit to the Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show, sponsored by Anglian Home Improvements, is the ideal place to meet self-build and renovation experts.

We’ve teamed up with the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, Edinburgh to give away 100 pairs tickets. Just click this link for your chance to claim a free pair of tickets worth £12 each* homebuildingshow.co.uk/westendlife Following the success of the first Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show, Edinburgh in 2014, which attracted over 5,500 self-builders, home renovators and improvers, the show is returning to the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, on October 24 – 25, 2015.

The Show will be packed full of informative features, thousands of dream home ideas, hundreds of plots and renovation opportunities and the latest products and services from over 100 exhibitors. Experts will be on hand to provide free guidance and support to visitors for every project from first home alterations to a full scale self- build, at:

• Ask the Architects - no matter the stage or scale of a project, visitors can bring their plans and talk free, one-to-one, to an ASBA architect and save yourself £100s on consultancy fees.

• Dulux Interior Design Clinic, where Dulux’s interior design team will be on hand to offer free personal consultations on interior design and colour schemes, wall coverings and furnishings to add the wow-factor to your home.

• The Planning Clinic in association with Planning Aid for Scotland – speak to experts from Planning Aid for Scotland for advice on ensuring your planning application fits the bill, tips on how to avoid common mistakes and what to do if your application has been rejected.

The Edinburgh show will be at The Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh on 24 – 25 October.

Opening hours Saturday 10 – 5pm, Sunday 10 4.30pm. For more information call 0844 8586 754 or visit homebuildingshow.co.uk/edinburgh Need more tickets? Advance tickets, which can be booked until 3pm on Friday October 23, cost £8 and on the door tickets £12.

• 12 seminars each day, where experts will share their experiences and tips to help visitors progress their project and avoid expensive mistakes. Subjects include beginner’s guide to self-build and planning permission, budgeting and financing, inspirational kitchen design ideas and how an interior designer can help transform your home.

• Ask the Experts – visitors can bring their plans, outline drawings or ideas and speak to one of the experts from Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine, including TV presenter and leading property expert, Michael Holmes and Editor of Homebuilding & Renovating magazine, Jason Orme.

Terms & Conditions: Calls cost 6p per minute plus network extras. Promotion closes at 3pm on October 23, or when all 100 pairs of tickets are allocated. whichever is the sooner. One pair of tickets per household only. Children aged 16 or under go free. *Price of ticket is based on West End Life Magazine and there is no cash alternative. For additional tickets, please visit www.westendlife.biz £12 door rate.

The tickets are non-transferable homebuildingshow.co.uk. 21

|

22 | West End Life – October/November 2015

@westendlife

The STYLE Files Autumn’s Top Picks

By Marilyn Thomson

Victoriana

Lots of designers including Alexander McQueen, Valentino and Rodarte took inspiration from historical references to create their fabulously dramatic collections. Gothic and funereal are key here with the main influences being lots and lots of beautiful black lace, fur, brocades, silks and high ruffle necklines.

To complete the look add some dramatic jewellery - large chandelier style earrings and perhaps a large ‘poison’ ring which nowadays could be used to hold your emergency ‘rescue remedy’ instead of the traditional poison which historically would have been used to do away with your enemy!

Super 70’s

The colours which were popular in the 1970’s are what you should look for here, perfectly suited for Autumn there’s lots of browns, burnt oranges and murky greens, all earthy and natural shades.

A relaxed bohemian trend where keeping warm whilst looking stylish should not be a problem. There’s lots of fringing, patchwork, poncho’s, wraps and long knitted scarves. Vintage style prints also feature

West End Life Magazine

Fancy a new look for Autumn? If so, here’s a good selection of the best trends which you might like to try. All three (Victoriana, 70’s & Tailoring) are easily interchangeable and elements of each trend work really well together.

in this trend and range from the graphic print to the more romantic and delicate. Warning - there’s a high chance this trend could put you seriously in the mood to watch Saturday Night Fever once again!

Tailoring Structured or unstructured, wool or tweed, plain or patterned, the varied choice is indeed yours, however, taking inspiration from the 70’s trend you’ll find lots of flared trousers, waistcoats and fedora style hats alternatively, you could mix it up with the Victoriana trend by wearing your suit with a glamorous silk high necked pussy bow blouse and statement jewellery. Teamed up with a classically tailored winter coat (there’s plenty to choose from) along with a stylish scarf and bag and you’ll be good to go.

Autumn Beauty Department To add the perfect finishing touch to your new Autumnal purchases why not try one of the fab new nail varnishes which come under the term ‘Greige’ which as the name suggests is a brilliant mix of both grey and beige. If it’s a special treat you could try Burberry or Bobbi Brown (who has a whole make up range dedicated to Greige) otherwise, a trip into the cosmetic counters at Boots or Superdrug should do the trick and get your nails looking just as good and as on trend as you.

www.westendlife.biz | 23

Halloween’s no joke - or a I don’t have a problem with the spookiness, the ghouls or even the spirits of the undead prowling our streets, what gives me the willies at Hallowe’en are dreadful jokes.

By Ellen Arnison.

So it’s Hallowe’en, the time of year when souls stuck in purgatory come back to haunt the living, when winter begins and fear is struck into even the bravest heart.

It’s also the season for supermarkets to fill their shelves with plastic things that are black, orange or luminous (but not in a good way). Our children will carve pumpkins – and not believe that we used to slave for hours over a turnip with a blunt knife to much smellier effect. Come to think of

it, pumpkins are possibly what’s wrong with the youth of today.

There will be parties with toffee apples and ghost stories, costumes and far too many sweeties and enthusiastically applied face paints.

There may even be scared children to soothe to sleep after the “fun” all got a bit much. Or, even, that someone in charge of the Cubs and Beavers thought that the Michael Jackson Thriller video was suitable entertainment for six year olds. (Just saying)

accent. It’s all part of the stuff that spills out of our TVs, turning our children into people who understand ‘sidewalk’ and ‘diaper’ and are absolutely convinced that life is much better on that side of the Atlantic.

And, I don’t really see a problem with guising’s re-invention into trick or treating. It’s just an evening stroll that has the side effect of redistributing confectionary around the neighbourhood. You could even re-brand it as exercise at a push.

I’m totally happy that the children I

normally tell not to talk to strangers are ringing the bells of people they don’t know, in the dark.

Much as I’d rather see costumes carefully made from scraps at home using glue, effort and imagination, the generic ones from the shops will do, so long as you remember they’re a bit of a fire risk.

Perhaps the kids will eventually get fed up with swathing themselves in black nylon or shivering in skeleton suits. And I’ll admit the empty carrier bags make a handy place to carry the spoils of the evening.

Although I haven’t quite organised my thoughts about little girls in the kind of witch costumes that presume that the weird sisters were the other kind of ladies of the night.

I don’t even mind that what started off as a dark and sinister celebration, has turned into something that could have been – and sometimes has – created

by Disney. Moderately ghoulish mechanical things will say slightly But what I hate about October 31 are the2015 dreadful jokes, the onesinister phrases in –anOctober/November American 24 | West End Life

liners that are so old they’re all wrinkled or, worse, the slightly rude joke the teller doesn’t understand.

I’ve also heard racist, sexist and homophobic jokes coming from kids younger than my sons. I don’t mean to be a killjoy, but some of these so-called jokes are just stomach turning.

I’m not really sure how come we’ve got to this. In my day you were supposed to earn your loot, recite a poem, sing a song or even do a dance. You would have even practiced your turn in front of your

friends until you got it right. Now, though, it’s a quick joke from the cracker factory reject pile and stick your hand out for a bag of sweeties.

Actually, I know I said the dismal jokes were the only thing that annoyed me – sweetie bags do too. All of you who spend hours putting appropriately themed confectionary into little pokes ready for the appointed hour, must stop now. You’re just encouraging them.

What’s wrong with them sticking their hands into a dish and helping themselves? I’d like to know who decided we needed to prepare little parcels of tooth-rotting treasure for Hallowe’en visitors. Really? I consider that I’m making quite enough of an effort by putting some toffees into a bowl and, perhaps, some fun-sized chocolates. @westendlife

at least not a funny one Where was I? Oh, the jokes. So you’re all ready. You’ve put the pumpkin in the window as the universal sign of a house that doesn’t mind opening the door to children begging treats with menaces and bad jokes. You’ve got some new sweets ready, plus the leftovers – the chocolates with the yukky coconut centre that no one likes.

Then the doorbell goes, and some costumed children shuffle into the light of your hall.

“What are you going to do then?”

I ask.

“Erm,” they sniff a bit and look around.

“No turn, no sweets,” I’m tough that way.

“OK. A joke. What do you get if you cross ... ? Have you heard the one about? An Englishman, Irishman and a Scotsman...”

And my heart sinks. This year, please, I want to see something new. Or even something old as long as you’ve put some effort into it.

system whereby the really good ones get a badge or a sticker.

Something to aim for. Maybe in time we’ll see five lantern turns on our doorsteps instead of the current mouldy neeps. I’m determined to stop the frightful display of unfunny jokes, it’s enough to have corpses birling in their graves. Oh, hang on....

Perhaps you’ll join me in a campaign. Let’s call it Don’t Make This Hallowe’en A Horror.

I urge you to withhold your treats unless you see a trick that makes you smile. We could organise a pumpkin of quality

My Ten Groaners...

Why did the skeleton miss the party?

He had no body to go with.

On which side do chickens have the most feathers? The outside.

My friend drowned in a bowl of muesli. A strong currant pulled him in.

I went to a seafood disco last week... and pulled a muscle.

Our ice cream man was found lying

West End Life Magazine

on the floor of his van covered with hundreds and thousands. Police say that he topped himself.

Why would you invite a mushroom to a Halloween party? He’s a fun guy to be with.

What do you call a deer with no eyes?

No idea.

And a couple of belters.

What do you call a short sighted dinosaur? A do-you-think-he-saw-us!

What do you call a man with brown paper trousers? Russell What do you call a man with a pole through his leg? Rodney

By Nick Helm – “I needed a password eight characters long so I picked Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.”

By Tim Vine - “I’ve decided to sell my Hoover… well, it was just collecting dust.”

www.westendlife.biz | 25

CLASSES | CLUBS | MEETINGS | EVENTS | TALKS | EXHIBITIONS West End Life publishes details of classes, group meetings, local clubs and any one off or regular events within the West End Life distribution area.

To have your submission included in the magazine and on the website please send details to charles@westendlife.biz . Our deadline dates for the coming year are available on our website.

Scotstoun Community Council Monthly meetings on last Thursday of each month (except July & December) 7.30pm Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre, Balmoral St, Glasgow G14 0BL scotscoco@gmail.com

Community Councils Broomhill CC 2nd Wednesday of the month with the exception of January, July and August. The meetings are held in Broomhill Primary School Annexe, 67 Randolph Road, Glasgow G11 7EE from 7pm-9pm. www.broomhillcc.wordpress.com broomhillcommunitycouncil@gmail.com Hillhead CC Meet 2nd Thursday every month at 7pm. www.hillheadcc.org.uk North Kelvin CC Meet 3rd Tuesday every month Venue: St Charles’ Church Hall, 1 Kelvinside Gardens, G20 6BG Jordanhill CC Meet 1st Monday of the month except July and August in Jordanhill Church Hall, Woodend Drive, at 7.15 p.m. www.jordanhillcc.org

Dowanhill, Hyndland and Kelvinside Community Council Meet 2nd Monday of each month at Hillhead Sports Club (normally upstairs in the clubhouse) at 7:30pm 32 Hughenden Road Glasgow G12 9XP

Health and Wellbeing Boiler Room Fitness - Spinning Studio Dedicated Spinning/Indoor Cycling Studio located within Western Health & Racquets Club, Hyndland Road, Glasgow. We Spin Every Day To Get Fit So Should You! boilerroomfitness.co.uk 07825 681824 Yoga Classes Teacher: Fiona Dewar Partick Burgh Halls, Monday and Thursday evenings, Saturday mornings Friendly, non-competitive & strong!

Email: deepchandi108@gmail.com

26 | West End Life – October/November 2015

Farmers Markets Enjoy a delicious range of affordable, healthy and locally produced food. You’ll find a wide variety of seasonal vegetables, fresh fruit, quality meat, free range eggs, bread, cakes, cheese and fresh street food.

Partick, Mansfield Park 2nd & 4th Saturday 10am-2pm Milngavie, Douglas Street 1st Wednesday 10am - 2pm,

Outdoor Activities and Exercise Mugdock Country Park There are lots of things to see and do at Mugdock Country Park. You can see a full range of activities at www.mugdock-country-park. org.uk - there is something to suit everyone and some great summer holiday events for all the family.

Western Health & Racquets Club In the heart of Glasgow’s West End, the Western Health & Racquets Club is the ideal place for everyone to play sport, get fit and have a good time. If you would like to know more visit www.glasgowwestern.co.uk Hillhead Sports Club Hillhead Sports Club, a multisport, fitness and social club based at Hughenden in the West End of Glasgow - Cricket, Rugby, @westendlife

Historical Association Talks

Glasgow & West of Scotland Branch Programme 2015 All meetings take place at 5.30pm in Hillhead Library, Byres Road unless otherwise stated.

Programme of meetings 2015

Tennis, Fitness, Shinty, Frisbee and more. For more information, visit www.hillheadsportsclub.com Park Run Pollok Country Park, Springburn Park, Tollcross Park & Victoria Park Every Saturday at 9.30am Sign up for this free weekly 5K park run.

Register at www.parkrun.org.uk Junior Park Run Victoria Park Every Sunday at 9.20am Weekly timed runs for children aged 4 - 14 years. For more information visit www.parkrun.org.uk Milngavie & Bearsden Sports Club Milngavie and Bearsden Sports club is the sporting base for several clubs offering hockey, tennis, archery and shinty. The club has a rich history with hockey club starting in 1898 and the tennis section celebrating its centenary year this year. It is a family orientated club which offers a high level of coaching in all sports.

Visit www.mandbsportsclub.com for more information.

Local Clubs St Andrew Bridge Club 2 Woodside Crescent Charing Cross 0141 563 6693 billdurning50@gmail.com The recent move to refurbished premises enables the club to offer Club Membership and Beginners’ lessons. Please email or call for more information.

West End Life Magazine

Thursday 8 October All the work of God, Our Lady and St. George: chivalry and conduct at the Battle of Agincourt 1415 Professor Matthew Strickland, University of Glasgow.

One theme of the branch is to introduce people to how history is written. This talk is in contrast to that given

by Professor Anne Curry five years ago and focusses on the battle in an Age of Chivalry, differing from Olivier’s Henry V (Propaganda for WW11 during the build up to D-Day) and Branagh’s Henry V (The emphasis on violence as a prequel to WW1).

Wednesday 11 November The Battle of Waterloo Waterloo 200 Association Mrs C. Divall and Mr M.K.H. Crumplin.

This is a joint meeting with the Glasgow & Strathclyde Universities OTC which has a long standing connection with the Scottish regiments that fought at Waterloo. Mrs Divall will speak on the battle and Mr Crumplin will deal with the medical aspects and challenges. The Highland Brigade under Sir Denis Pack played a crucial role at Waterloo, although everyone remembers the charge of the Scots Greys, many of whom were from Glasgow. Thanks to the Scottish Universities most of the medical men at Waterloo were Scots.

Venue: Boyd Orr Building Room Lt2, University of Glasgow - 6.45pm.

Thursday 10 December Glasgow and the Empire Professor John Mackenzie, Glasgow graduate.

Glasgow was proud to call itself the second city of the Empire - its wealth deriving from industry and commerce in trade with the Empire. The Empire was the finest source of employment for Glaswegians: colonial officers, soldiers, engineers. (NB. Professor Mackenzie will speak on the British Empire, not the famous music hall ‘The Glasgow Empire’)

For further information, contact the Secretary: www.westendlife.biz | 27 gwsbhistoricalassociation@gmail.com

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Forthcoming Events

Breathworks Mindfulness for Stress Sat/Sun 17th/18th October Cost: £100/£75 concession including materials Buddhism and Meditation Levels 1, 2 and 3 of our six week courses begin Wednesday 11th November, 7.30 - 9.40pm.

Cost: £66 waged or £33 low/unwaged.

Meditation Introduction to Meditation six week course begins Tuesday 10th November, 7.30 - 9.30pm.

Cost: £66 waged or £33 low/unwaged.

All courses include a Day Retreat on Sunday 20th Dec. Regular weekly drop-in meditation classes for beginners & regulars on Wednesdays from 12.30 - 1pm and Thursdays from 10.30am - 12 noon.

For Yoga and Tai Chi courses, please see our website.

329 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3HW Tel: 0141 333 0524 Email: gbc@glasgowbuddhistcentre.com www.glasgowbuddhistcentre.com

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The Poppy’s Appeal

How the humble poppy came to symbolise remembrance and raise millions to help war veterans This year marks the 101st anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War. More than nine million soldiers were killed during the four-year conflict.

Much of the worst fighting took place in Flanders, the western part of Belgium. The whole area was completely devastated, with homes, farms, roads and trees all completely destroyed. The land became a bleak, muddy graveyard for the thousands of soldiers who fell there.

One plant, however, thrived in the disturbed soil and that, of course, was the poppy. Year after year, as the warm weather arrived, the poppies bloomed and turned the bare ground into a sea of red. Nowadays, we are all familiar with the poppy as a symbol of remembrance and a way to raise funds to support veterans. But how did the iconic flower make the journey from the fields to our lapels?

It all began with Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian physician

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who fought in Flanders. In May 1915, his friend, a fellow soldier, was killed in action. Looking at the poppies growing alongside his grave moved McCrae to write the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’, which was later published in Punch magazine.

The idea to use the poppy as a symbol of remembrance came from an American professor and YWCA worker, Moina Michael, in 1918. She wrote a poem in reply to McCrae’s called ‘We Shall Keep the Faith’ and started to sell silk poppies. The idea was adopted by the American Legion in 1920 and she became known as ‘The Poppy Lady’.

In 1921, Anna E Guerin started making artificial poppies in France and gained the support of Field Marshal Douglas Haig, founder of the Royal British Legion.

The first poppy appeal was held on Armistice Day 1921. It was hugely popular and, despite a

recommended selling price of threepence per poppy, single petals sold for £5. In all, the appeal raised £106,000 – that’s nearly £30 million in today’s terms!

Some people choose to wear a white poppy, either instead of or alongside a traditional red one. This symbolises pacifism and remembers the civilians killed in war, as well as the soldiers.

The idea was initially put forward in 1926 by the No More War Movement, and the first white poppies were sold by the Cooperative Women’s Guild in 1933. They are now distributed by the Peace Pledge Union, a British pacifist non-governmental organisation that works for a world without war.

And finally, did you know that there is also a purple poppy? It commemorates the animals that have been victims of war and raises money for Animal Aid.

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THE FESTIVAL

1–31 OCT 2015 www.glasgowmackintosh.com

Discover Scotland’s most influential creative figure exhibitions talks tours music kids’ activities workshops walks

30 | West End Life – October/November 2015

@westendlife

THE MACKINTOSH FESTIVAL returns for

4th Year

Now in its fourth year, The Mackintosh Festival takes place throughout October and celebrates the life of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. During the month, there will be over 30 exhibitions, talks, tours, workshops and kids’ activities, many of which are free.

There is a strong focus on social history in this year’s programme. The Willow Tea Rooms present: Tea, Talk & Tour on Kate Cranston, her relationship with Mackintosh, and her part in the temperance and suffragette movements; Glasgow Women’s Library will run their ‘Glasgow Girls of Garnethill’ heritage walk; Revisiting Hous’hill at Glasgow

Museums Resource Centre invites visitors to explore Hous’hill - the now derelict mansion which belonged to Kate Cranston; House for an Art Lover is hosting masterclasses in stenciling; decoupage and flower arranging inspired by Mackintosh’s designs.

Dr Robyne Calvert from The Glasgow School of Art will discuss Mackintosh’s collaborations with his wife, the accomplished artist and designer, Margaret Macdonald at The Glad Café.

The Nature of Art Nouveau will have its UK Premiere at The Lighthouse. This exhibition invites visitors to explore nature’s temple, a world incorporating symbols, scientific discoveries

and influences from faraway lands. Peter Trowles, the GSA’s Mackintosh Curator and Brian Park from Page/Park – the team of architects who are restoring The Mack – are doing a talk on the challenges and opportunities of restoring The Mackintosh Building.

Ian Elder, Chair of Glasgow Mackintosh, said: “Following on from the success of last year’s month-long festival, we present a varied programme of over 30 events for our fourth Mackintosh Festival. With over a million visitors enjoying Mackintosh last year and over 100,000 people visiting our venues during Mackintosh Month, we are looking forward to welcoming to celebrating his life and genius at our venues.”

THE FESTIVAL www.glasgowmackintosh.com/festival Twitter: @GLAMackintosh

Discover Sco influential cr

Facebook: Glasgow Mackintosh

West End Life Magazine

www.westendlife.biz | 31

Beaujolais Nouveau Day - Nov 19, 2015

Beaujolais Nouveau Day is marked in France on the third Thursday in November with fireworks, music and festivals. Under French law, the wine is released at 12:01am; just weeks after the wine’s grapes have been harvested.

“Le Beaujolais est arrivé!”

This rousing call signals the introduction of the year’s new wine, the famous Beaujolais Nouveau. Originally, pitchers of the wine were taken straight from the producers’ barrels to the towns amid much fanfare and celebration. Then someone saw a fabulous marketing opportunity: a race to distribute the first bottles of the new vintage.

As a marketing strategy this has been very successful.

November’s dreary, cold wet days are brightened by a wellestablished ritual: the annual Beaujolais Run. The Run is a 1,000 mile race to south-eastern France to collect the first bottles of the new wine. Since 1970, much fun has been had during this race.

to get from southern England (Goodwood in fact) to Mâcon by covering the shortest distance.

The Beaujolais Run is a kind of treasure hunt through the French countryside. A series of cryptic navigational clues take competitors through six checkpoints. At each checkpoint, teams must take a photograph of themselves at an obscure landmark to prove they were there. All methods of course plotting are acceptable, from maps to sat-navs and laptops. No longer do Aston Martins have the advantage over Minis. Map readers tend to succeed over technology as some country backroads don’t show up on the satellites.

The Beaujolais Run is a popular event in the amateur motor sport year. From standard road cars to super-cars, classic In its early years the event cars to motorcycles, anything that was purely about speed. Modes goes, goes. And the dress code of transport could be anything. is fancy dress... Each year the So when the run was won by organisers choose a theme. One an RAF team in a Harrier jet, year the theme was James Bond, the organisers had to rethink 32 | West End Life – October/November 2015 the rules. Now the mission is and in another year it was ‘jungle’.

Luckily the locals are used to les Anglais asking for directions, so don’t get too disturbed when they’re stopped by a six foot tall banana or gorilla!

If this has piqued your curiosity, take a look at www.beaujolaisrun. com for further information. You can register your interest to enter the ‘Run via Virgin Money Giving. On receipt of your charity donation you will receive details of the forthcoming event as soon as they become available. Once you have completed your simple entry form in full, your application will be considered. What you choose to write on your entry form will influence whether you make it into the limited places available!

No one knows the full format of the event until they attend the Team Briefing on the first night of the ‘Run. The information teams receive is merely a hint of forthcoming surprises which unfold ‘in true Beaujolais style’ throughout @westendlife their experience every November.

The Nation’s Favourite Christmas Tipples!

Homemade cocktails have topped a poll by Waitrose Cellar in a bid to find the UK’s favourite Christmas drink. The ‘Festive Favourites’ study of 1,000 UK respondents found that Buck’s Fizz is the most favoured alcoholic mixed drink, with nearly a third of the British public (32%) enjoying the champagne and orange juice mix.

The classic Irish coffee came in second, preferred by over a quarter of all people (26%), swiftly followed by mulled wine in third place with 25%. Other cocktails in the mix also include gin and tonic, eggnog, buttered rum, mojito and Kir Royal (15%). A broad range of other cocktail choices made up the final two per cent.

For those who prefer their drinks straight up, the survey also revealed that Baileys (20 per cent) and red wine (20%) are the UK’s joint favourite alcoholic Christmas drink while Champagne came in second place with 18 per cent of the vote. White wine is next favourite with 13%

of people opting for a sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio or other white wine while surprisingly, prosecco came in fourth place with 9 per cent.

Although prosecco and other sparkling wines have proved to be a rising trend as the bubbly of choice, people are still splashing out at Christmas with double the amount opting for the quality bottle of fizz.

Favourite Christmas drinks change with age The poll also found that tastes change with age.

Champagne is found to be favourite for under 25s (22%), while a whopping 65% of the over 25- 54 year olds said that they would be most likely to enjoy Irish cream liqueur. As for the 55+ age group, red wine came out top, with over a quarter of respondents (27%) favouring a festive glass of merlot, shiraz or other red.

So, what are you waiting for? Go stock up the drinks cabinet, Christmas is almost here!

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www.theclubrestaurant.co.uk www.westendlife.biz | 33

Exciting New Family Ev

Woodland Lig Bringing the woodland to life is the inspiration behind the beguiling Woodland Light Experience. The natural habitat is transformed into a magical theatre of light and shadow play, set against the backdrop of dark autumnal skies.

Suitable for the entire family, both adults and children will be in awe of the beautiful lighting effects, dazzling projections and the breathtaking finale

featuring light, music and water.

Children, with their keen senses and curious minds, might spot something altogether more magical in the woodland.

impressive portfolio of events to their name, to ensure the best creative and technical input available. Kenny is delighted with the results:

Owner and Director at Woodland Experiences, Kenny wanted people to see the woodland as never before, and to be engaged and enchanted by the trees at night. He worked alongside award-winning NL Productions, who boast an

“The woodland is a living and breathing space that is teeming with life. At night it’s also a place that fires the imagination. I wanted to capture that, and the lighting does give that sense of something alive and magical with the trees.”

Woodland Light Experience • Open 12th – 25th November

www.woodlandexperiences.co.uk 34 | West End Life – October/November 2015

@westendlife

Event in Central Scotland

ght Experience Folklore and fairytales are rich with stories that feature the mystery and enchantment of the forest. With clever lighting effects, this woodland experience fuels the imagination of both adults and children. If the moonlight is just right, it is sometimes possible to catch a glimpse of the elusive community of Woodlanders that live there.

Running from the 12th – 25th November, the theme for 2015 is

ALIVE. Seeing the woodland as a living space is the inspiration behind the theme this year, and the professional lighting sympathetically enhances and captures that organic feel.

Situated just twenty-five minutes north of Glasgow, at Balfron Station - with swift access from Stirling, Glasgow, Perth and Edinburgh - the venue is second to none for accessibility and has ample free parking on-site.

To keep chills at bay, there will a stand serving some rather famous gourmet meat pies. Acclaimed award-winning

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expect their top quality, meltin-the-mouth pies - made with locally sourced meat - to be a favourite with visitors.

Santa’s Woodland Experience and Woodland Lights

Experience “ALIVE” new for 2015 Light Show: Our spectacular light show “ALIVE” is a walking experience and is fully accessible to all

Santa Experience: Take a tour of the woodland onboard Santa’s very own tractor and trailer and then meet Santa himself!

Woodland Lights Experience “ALIVE” Opens 12th November 2015; Santa’s Woodland Experience Opens 27th November 2015

Book online West End Life Magazine

www.woodlandexperiences.co.uk North Ballochruin Farm, Balfron Station, G63 0LE

www.westendlife.biz | 35

WHAT IS

CRAFT? The question ‘What is craft?’ is a common one, and one which is hard to answer.

For many, it involves the hands of a maker.

A crafted object is one which has been made, not manufactured. It has often been made by the hand of the product’s designer, and shows their skill and creativity.

Makers can work for many years to reach a high level of skill.

It’s estimated that over 56% of Scottish craft makers have studied at University, and many work over 40 hours per week on their craft.

A survey carried out on behalf of Creative Scotland and other craft agencies in the UK revealed that Scottish craft contributes over £70million to the economy, from an estimated 3,350 Scottish craft makers. As of April 2015, Craft Scotland features profile pages for 1,534 Scottish-based craft makers; nearly 46% of this thriving sector. Craft Scotland works to promote a wide range of crafts, including ceramics, glass, textiles, millinery, furniture, jewellery, metalwork, wood, lettering, musical instruments, paper, basket making, willow weaving, mosaics, heritage craft, and printing on fabric/glass/ ceramics (limited productions). Visit www.craftscotland.org for a guide to craft in Scotland and its members.

36 | West End Life – October/November 2015

Buying a Scottish handcrafted product, as a gift, can really make someone’s Christmas. Janet and John at De Courcy’s Arcade, off the Byres Road in Glasgow is a haven of Scottish creativity, crammed full of work from Scottish crafters, makers and artists. To have a little piece of someone’s lifelong passion and craft, made by their @westendlife own fair hand, is truly a gift to cherish.

Upper Floor, De Courcy’s Arcade Cresswell Lane, Hillhead, Glasgow G12 8AA

Shop handmade this Autumn

A unique range of Scottish arts & crafts Opening Times

Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 5.30pm Sunday 12 - 5pm Closed Mondays

www.janetandjohnscotland.com janet@janetandjohnscotland.com West End Life Magazine

facebook.com/janetandjohn • twitter.com/JandJScotland www.westendlife.biz | 37

A little thank you for your custom!

WORKSHOPS

This Autumn join us to learn a new skill, create something beautiful and add a little colour to your home. Each session costs just £50 and includes instruction & all the materials required.

TO BOOK visit us or simply call 0141 341 0101 Native Flowers, 27 Clarence Drive, Hyndland, Glasgow G12 9QN All Christmas trees are delivered free of charge.

Please call to ask about delivery areas & times.

We’ll pick up your old Christmas tree in January.

Please call to arrange a collection time.

Nordmann Fir

Fraser Fir

Lodgepole Pine

5ft £35 • 6ft £40 7ft £45 • 8ft £50

5ft £35 • 6ft £40 7ft £45 • 8ft £50

5ft - 7ft £40 7ft - 9ft £45

To place your order, call us now on 07982184993 or email: info@realchristmastreesglasgow.co.uk 100 Crowhill Rd Bishopbriggs Glasgow G64 1RP www.realchristmastreesglasgow.co.uk 38 | West End Life – October/November 2015

Real Christmas Trees Glasgow Official @westendlife

A tree is for life … not just for Christmas It’s true, a tree is a gift in more ways than one, but is it for life? Well, if you choose the right variety it could be, and we’re not talking Christmas trees here.

Betula utilis ‘Jacquemontii’ A designer favourite, but short lived (50-60 years)

Amelanchier arborea ‘Robin Hill’ White blossom, fruits, great autumn colour

Malus trilobata Oak like leaves, stunning red in autumn

Trees make great gifts for people of all ages, and if planted at around this time of year, should establish very well. Traditionally the best planting time for trees and shrubs is November to March, as this is when the plants are dormant and won’t ‘notice’ that they have been moved (shhhhh!).

Planting a tree is a momentous occasion, and it will hopefully bring years of pleasure to you, your family and your neighbours … as

long as you plant the right type that is. Choosing the right variety is extremely important, so see below suggestions, which should do well in most garden situations:

in years to come. Fork over the bottom of the planting hole and lower the tree to the bottom.

Backfill, adding some bone meal and well-rotted compost. Ensure the tree is planted no deeper than it was in its pot, and firm it down.

Water, and attach to a wooden stake with a plastic tree tie.

Easy! So go on, give someone a tree this Christmas, and you never know, it could be a present which lasts for generations.

Plant for Success Plant only if the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Soak the roots in water for 30 minutes while you dig a large square hole twice the width of the pot: no cheating here, as you’ll get caught out

Kip Marina - THE place to be 9th - 11th October...

Food, Drink, Shopping & Luxury Yachts!

A little retail therapy…

Clyde Lifestyle At Scotland’s Boat Show Come along and enjoy an amazing shopping experience! Fantastic selection of artisan and speciality foods in our Food Pavilion and beautiful design led gifts, crafts, jewellery and fashion accessories in our Clyde Lifestyle Marquee. Perfect for some early Christmas shopping!

FREE ENTRY - A GREAT WEEKEND NOT TO BE MISSED! Clyde LifeStyle Marquee & separate ‘Food Hall at Scotland’s Boat Show, Kip Marina, Inverkip, Renfrewshire, PA16 0AS. www.scotlandsboatshow.co.uk

West End Life Magazine

www.westendlife.biz | 39

40 | West End Life – October/November 2015

@westendlife

Win tickets to Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair!

10 Pairs of Tickets to Be Won! The Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair is back at SECC, Glasgow from 19 – 22 November 2015. This annual celebration of all things festive, is viewed as the official start of Christmas by many loyal visitors, and a must for anyone who enjoys a great day’s shopping. We have 10 pairs of tickets for this fabulously festive show to be won. If you don’t win you can purchase tickets for £10, saving £1 by visiting www.countrylivingfair.com/ glasgow/book and enter the code CL15G2 Over 300 of the UK’s finest craftsmen and women will gather together under one roof to offer unique gifts, inspired ideas and decorations which will bring that magical Christmas sparkle to every home.

gourmet sausages and hams, local cheeses and pâté, Christmas cakes, puddings and chocolates.

This is the ideal place to find that elusive Christmas outfit with a stunning collection of evening and designer daywear available, as well as unique accessories including bags, purses and jewellery.

There will be gifts galore for the kids including handmade traditional wooden toys, beautifully-made soft toys, chunky knitwear, cosy pyjamas, pretty party dresses, bright wellies and hundreds of other items ready to be wrapped and placed under the tree this Christmas.

The Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair is more than an exclusive shopping experience. There are lots of things to do and try with free entry to three informative theatres where experts will offer invaluable advice and entertaining demonstrations in the Cookery Theatre, Christmas Theatre and the Craft and Create Room For further information or to book tickets call 0844 8480150 or visit www.countrylivingfair. com/glasgow/book For your chance to win a pair of tickets answer this simple question: How many free demonstration theatres are there at this year’s Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair? To enter, simply visit www.westendlife.biz click on ‘competitions’ and follow the instructions from there.

Closing date for entries is Thursday 12th November. The winner will be notified by email and/or by telephone. No cash alternative. Editor’s decision is final.

Good luck!

Our lucky winners can source beautiful decorations and original gifts from gorgeous garlands and beautiful baubles, to glassware, scented candles, stylish cards and everything required to get seriously creative this Christmas.

For the foodies the temptations and treats are endless from the exclusive collection of food exhibitors supplying authentic regional delicacies such as West End Life Magazine

www.westendlife.biz | 41

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42 | West End Life – October/November 2015

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Find us on

@westendlife

An Elephant for Glasgow An Elephant for Glasgow is a new public art work commissioned by House for an Art Lover. The 11 tonne, life size, Asian Elephant, was created by Scottish artist, Kenny Hunter and is now on display in Bellahouston Park. The sculpture stands on the site of the 1938 Empire Exhibition and looks towards Govan and the Clyde, an area of great economic significance during the British Empire. The original clay model of the Elephant was created by Hunter during a residency at the ARTPARK Centre for Arts & Heritage in Bellahouston Park, during the summer of 2014.

The iron Elephant was created in response to links with Commonwealth countries in Asia and Africa where many Glasgow trains were deployed during the Empire. The sculpture was cast using scraps of iron from the Govan built locomotives which Hunter sourced in India and South Africa.

In these countries, elephants were used as a form of transport and in some cases viewed as an animal of symbolic power. The Elephant also functions as a symbol for Glasgow’s role as a ‘workshop of the world,’ in particular to the often-overlooked human role and cost extolled in creating that output.

West End Life Magazine

The sculpture is on permanent display at the west side of the House for an Art Lover and is easily accessible to all visitors. Visitors are also invited to explore our wider collection of fantastic sculptures situated across the park. A small maquette of the elephant can also be viewed in our newly developed Heritage Centre where visitors to the park can learn about the 1938 Empire exhibition and its impact on Glasgow.

An Elephant for Glasgow has been generously supported by Weir Group, Glasgow City Council and the Malcolm Group.

www.houseforanartlover.co.uk

www.westendlife.biz | 43

Making care mean mo

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Rooftop Terrace SCOTTISH CARE AWARD WINNERS 2014 44 | West End Life – October/November 2015

@westendlife

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The final floor of luxury suites in Antonine House are now being opened.

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Fine cuisine served in nine dining rooms Easily accessible roof top terrace and landscaped garden Event and activities programme Reminiscence room Hairdressing and beauty salon Cinema room Private resident transport

Contact home manager Ms Bobby Dougan to arrange a visit on 0141 942 4644.

To find out more information: E-mail: info@meallmore.co.uk Web: www.meallmore.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/meallmore Antonine West House, 16 Magazine Roman Road, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 2SL End Life www.westendlife.biz | 45

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• FREE • Delivered door to door throughout Glasgow’s West End, Bearsden and Milngavie • Published 6 times per year • Delivered to 18,000 homes & dropped at 50 outlets • Spread payments over 12 months with Direct Debit • FREE professional graphic design service • Magazine also online at www.westendlife.biz plus strong social media platforms

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BROOMHILL SHOPPING CENTRE Where shopping and eating is just around the corner.

Broomhill Shopping Centre Broomhill Drive, 2-26 Norby Road Broomhill, Glasgow G11 7BN www.broomhillshoppingcentre.com

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Bur musi sting w trad cal g ith it d and ional tr ies, fami ly f eats un.

“serious commitment to making music fun” The Herald

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall – 1pm & 3pm Saturday 5th December 2015 Usher Hall, Edinburgh – 3pm Sunday 6th December 2015 www.childrensclassicconcerts.co.uk www.glasgowconcerthalls.com and www.usherhall.co.uk

Music Foundation in Scotland, Registered Scottish Charity SC022841 48Children’s | West End Life – October/November 2015

@westendlife