the
Murrays Directory
Issue 45 - August 2018
The FREE local business directory for residents of EH16 and EH17
Blessed Bride, I am so grateful for the Blessing you have bestowed upon this magazine The Murrays Directory. I am so grateful for the ongoing financial success of this magazine me, my advertisers Why ChooseforPorteous Funeral Directors? and readers. Our meticulous attention to detail, accompanied our exemplary service and With Love, and with much an understanding that only perfection will suffice, is what makes our company so gratitude always, unique when compared to other funeral directors. from one who is We specialise in creatinga individual, personal funeralsand that reflect your family’s wishes, Flame Keeper, beliefs and faith. Working closely with you, we can organise every aspect of your Servant of the Light, loved one’s funeral. So whether you want a celebration of life funeral, a traditionally Karolyne religious funeral, a totally non-religious funeral or something very simple, you can be sure in the knowledge that Porteous Funeral Directors will be there to guide and support you in creating exactly the funeral your loved one deserves.
Your Local Office: Liberton - Kirkbrae House, 43A Lasswade Road, EH16 6TD - 0131 664 6745 Juniper Green Head Office - 589 Lanark Road, EH14 5DA - 0131 453 4535 Colinton - 7 Bridge Road, EH13 0LH - 0131 441 6500 Blackhall - 14 Telford Road, EH4 2BA - 0131 332 3609 Also incorporating Bonnyrigg Funeral Directors - 60 High Street, EH19 2AB - 0131 654 1988 porteousfunerals.com
48509 Canalside Ad 135 x 165.indd 1 17/07/2018 11:42:37 karolyne@murraysdirectory.com | www.murraysdirectory.com | 07407382722
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To advertise call 07407382722 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
134 Braid Road • Edinburgh • EH10 6JD 0131 447 8888 events@braidhillshotel.co.uk braidhillshotel.co.uk
You are invited to attend
Braid Hills Hotel Wedding Open Evening Thursday 23rd August 4pm – 7pm 2018 Wedding Packages from £52pp
Book now for 2018, 2019 & 2020 Please mention the Murrays Directory when responding to adverts
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BRINGING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES TO YOUR DOOR www.murraysdirectory.com
CONTENTS Motoring - Automatic Cars ............................. 6 Gardening ...................................................... 8 Travel - Mauritius Natural World .................. 10 Better Health ................................................ 12 Life Begins - Meditation.................................14 Recipe - Crab Parcels .................................... 16 History - Surrealism ...................................... 20 Community News.................................... 22-23 Local Orienteering .........................................24 Inspire Your Wonderlust............................... 26 Quick Crossword (Sols p34).......................... 28 Technology.................................................... 30 Bake - Sweet Lemon and Almond Cookies.... 32 Index of Advertisers...................................... 34
USEFUL NUMBERS
BT Faults.......................................0800 800 151 BT Nuisance calls help..................0800 661 441 Domestic Abuse Help.................0800 027 1234 Gas Emergency ............................0800 111 999 Gilmerton Library.......................0131 529 5628 Lothian Bus Info........................ 0131 555 6363 NHS 24 Helpline...........................................111 Pharmacy Liberton Brae............0131 658 1274 Pharmacy Gracemount Drive.....0131 664 2249 Pharmacy Fernie Hill Rd.............0131 664 3295 Post Office Liberton Grd.............0845 722 3344 Post Office Gracemount.............0131 658 1031 Post Office Moredun Park..........0131 672 2207 Power - Electricity Loss..............0845 272 7999 Royal Hosp for Sick Children .....0131 536 1000 Royal Infirmary ..........................0131 536 1000 Samaritans.................................0845 790 9090 Scottish Animal Helpline ...........03000 999 999 Scottish Water Faults.................0800 092 9290
W
AUGUST 2018 Murrays Directory.
elcome to the the
issue of
Well, it’s Festival time, and some of us will be
going out participating and others of us will be
holidaying and retiring to our homes for the quiet. Personally, I am headed to New Zealand for a stint. It’s been 24 years since I was last
there so I look forward to experiencing the Land of the Long White Cloud anew.
Here is an issue with our loyal regulars. If you
have a business that you’d like to grow or you know someone who has such a business, do
get in touch. All the advertisements you see in the magazine are businesses thriving from your
local patronage. If you have a business, you too could be enjoying this mutual relationship.
Either way, enjoy the read! And have a wonderful
Festival time, and see you later in October.
Karolyne Kindly,
Advertising Order Deadline SEPTEMBER ISSUE deadline 16 Aug
JDS
Johnson Distribution Service
No. 1 in door to door distribution !
Disclaimer: All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in the publication. Adverts are accepted on the understanding that desciprtions of goods and services are fair and accurate. Murrays Directory does not officially endorse any advertising material included in this pulicaiton. Business complaints should be taken up with business owners. All rights reserved. Murrays Directory: www. murraysdirectory.com | 07407382722. 4
To advertise call 07407382722 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
Weekdays 9am till 5pm
High quality timber garden products
Sat & Sun 11am till 3pm
Play Houses
Garden Sheds Garages/Workshops
Summerhouses Dog Kennels & Garden Stores
Picnic Tables
BBQ Shelters
Garden Seats, Benches & Tables
Table & Chair Sets
Log Edging & Log Roll Fence Panels,Gates & Posts
Gazebos/Pavilions
Arches Planters
Arbours Grow Your Own
Woodchip & Mulch Decking & Sleepers
Specialists in High Quality Timber Products and Wood Fuels at Competitive Prices For comprehensive information on all of our products please visit our website
www.champfleurieestate.co.uk
Phone 01506 847999 - E-mail sales@champfleurie.co.uk - Champfleurie Estate, Linlithgow, EH49 6NB
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5
Motoring Should you buy an automatic car? Pros and cons explained British motorists traditionally favoured manual gearboxes, but automatics are increasingly popular. Tom Wiltshire explains everything you need to know. Though early automatic gearboxes tended to dent performance, fuel economy and driving pleasure, times have moved on, and the modern automatic can sometimes be a better choice than the manual gearbox. Some performance automatics can actually beat the manuals off the line, while the cashconscious may enjoy lower CO2 emissions and higher fuel economy. A good automatic transmission also makes for a relaxing drive, giving your left leg a rest and letting the car do the work. Always test drive a car, however, as there are still awful automatic gearboxes out there. Automatics tend to be more expensive to buy, and much more expensive to repair if they go wrong. Here’s our guide to the different types of automatic gearbox available today. Torque converter/traditional auto Though now much refined and improved, these automatics have been available since the 1940s, and use a fluid-filled coupling in place of a traditional clutch. Torque converter automatics tend to offer very smooth shifts, 6
making for a comfortable ride. They can be slow to pick up, though. However, modern units – such as the ZF ‘box fitted to dozens of high performance cars – offer no discernible penalty to performance or economy. Dual-clutch gearbox The dual-clutch gearbox uses a pair of robotised clutches working together to provide lightning-fast shifts, making them ideal for sports cars. There’s no real penalty in performance or economy, but at low speeds in stop-start traffic dual-clutch boxes can be jerky and unpleasant. Early units can be unreliable and costly to repair. Manufacturers have different names for them – the Volkswagen group use DSG, Porsche PDK, Renault EDC, Hyundai and Kia DCT – but fundamentally they all work the same way. CVT Standing for ‘continuously variable transmission’, CVTs do not have standard ‘gears’. Instead, an infinitely changeable single ratio theoretically ensures correct gearing for maximum power or economy, depending on conditions. Around since the 1950s, the CVT ‘box can be incredibly economical when driven carefully. However, they can provide a somewhat
disconnected feel to the car – and attempts at rapid acceleration are usually met by spiralling engine revs and lots of noise. Their smoothness and variable nature makes them ideal in a hybrid car. Automated manual transmission Cheap, easy to install and lightweight, these gearboxes leave existing clutch and gearbox operations in place, but simply robotise the action. Automated manuals are often despised, can be horrifically jerky, and dawdle under hard acceleration. In fact, automated manual transmissions have ruined a fair few cars, so are probably best avoided. Electric vehicle Electric cars don’t technically have a transmission, but are worth looking at if you’re considering an automatic car. They act almost identically in most conditions, with two pedals and no gears to shift, but also have a totally smooth and silent powertrain and zero tailpipe emissions. EV’s aren’t ideal for everyone – you’ll need somewhere to charge, and if you regularly do longer trips you’ll definitely need some form of combustion engine. However, if your circumstances suit, you could be a convert to the electric lifestyle. By James Baggott
To advertise call 07407382722 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
Servicing, MOT and Repairs EDINBURGH & LOTHIANS LEADING AUDI, VW, SEAT AND SKODA SPECIALISTS Keith and Alan at AVW are delighted to announce the addition of an MOT Testing station. We can offer the latest in diagnostic equipment backed up with years of technical experience all at a fraction of the cost compared to main dealers. In addition to MOTs and servicing we also offer a great deal on tyres and air conditioning servicing.
Call: 0131 658 1549 email: avwautocentre@googlemail.com
www.audiservicingedinburgh.com
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GARDENING scent levels to drop. So bear this in mind when choosing where to put your perfumed plants.
Essential Scent by Pippa Greenwood No matter how good your garden may look, without scent it is missing a vital ingredient – and you don’t have to sacrifice colour and texture when using perfumed plants, as many heavily-scented flowers are also really goodlooking. Perfume plays a role in plant evolution and is often used to attract attention to the flower and thus entice a suitable pollinator. The insect enjoys the flower’s nectar and pollinates it in the process, increasing the chances of it producing a new generation. Many plants produce an alluring perfume during the evening or night-time, and at this time of day moths can be useful pollinators, especially during the summer months. So although a plant like the sweetly-perfumed nightscented stock may not have flamboyant flowers, it will be successfully pollinated. Weather conditions can alter the level of perfume that reaches us, and in a wind-swept spot the perfume can literally be blown away. Unusually low temperatures can also cause 8
Smaller or more subtly-scented plants, such as some of the polyanthus or the miniature iris, should be planted in raised areas or in pots – otherwise their perfume can easily pass you by! A small pergola makes a great home for perfumed climbers, and what could be lovelier than to wander from one part of the garden to another via a tunnel of perfume? Perfumed roses such as the repeat flowering climbers ‘Ena Harkness’ (red) or ‘New Dawn’ (pale, dusky pink) or ‘Zephirine Drouhin’ (brightest pink) have flexible stems and are ideal. Place smaller perfumed plants such as ‘Nemesia Fragrant Cloud’ or lavenders into window boxes or wall baskets, and enjoy their wonderful perfume in your house as it wafts in through windows left ajar. For sitting out after sundown, plant flowers that are at their best in the evening. For a warm summer’s evening the small creamy-white flowers of nightscented stock take some beating, or try the night-perfumed nicotianas or tobacco plants such as Nicotiana sylvestris.
other containers. How about some hyacinths or the Heliotrope or cherry pie, with its flowers in white or shades of purple which will produce perfume throughout the summer? Disguise a less-than-attractive house or garage wall with wall shrubs; in a sunny spot the blueflowered Ceaonothus produces a distinctly honey-perfumed scent, or on well-drained soil the pineapple broom Cytissus batanderei looks and smells sensational, with its lovely silverycoloured foliage, bright yellow flowers and pineapple-scented blooms. Create an arbour from a kit or from scratch and clothe it in perfumed climbers such as sweetly-scented roses or, in a shadier spot, spicily-scented honeysuckle. Sitting in the shade of the plants with their flowers’ scents all around is pure heaven! Visit Pippa’s website www. pippagreenwood.com and you’ll find some great gardening items: Nemaslug, green controls for leatherjackets, chafer grubs, ants and greenfly, plus garden plant supports, raised bed kits, Easy-Tunnels, gardening tools, Grower Frames, signed books and more! Or why not book Pippa for a gardening talk?
Combine the vibrant colours of bedding plants with some scented stunners in patio pots and
To advertise call 07407382722 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
OPEN MORNING SATURDAY 6 OCTOBER 2018 9.30AM–12.30PM
CREATING CONFIDENCE INSPIRING INDIVIDUALS Join us at our Open Morning this year to hear more from our pupils and staff about life at Watson’s. Register now at www.gwc.org.uk/open An Edinburgh Merchant Company School, Registered Charity SC009747 Please mention the Murrays Directory when responding to adverts
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TRAVEL
Mauritius Natural World By Solange Hando In the southern reaches of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is blessed with idyllic beaches, but a few steps inland another kind of paradise waits to be discovered, stunning and lush, as the island endeavours to protect its wildlife and dwindling forest. Great swathes were lost to timber and plantations. The remainder covers about 18% of the land, only 2% of it native trees, but nestling in gorges or climbing to mountain tops it still harbours 670 species of plants. Meanwhile, imported casuarinas sway along the shore, banyans thrive and Chinese guava bushes spread unhindered. There are fanshaped traveller’s palms and unusual trees protected in botanical gardens, including the hyophorbe amaricaulis palm in Curepipe and the rare talipot in Pamplemousse, which takes up to 60 years to flower and then dies. As for the wildlife, boars and Javanese deer live alongside the long-tailed macaques, the ornate rainbow-coloured geckos and thousands of fruit bats, or ‘flying foxes’, the only native mammals, with wings up to a metre across. Although the dodo is extinct, other native birds may fare better, such as 10
the pink pigeons and Mauritius kestrels breeding once again in protected areas. Down in the south west, beyond the tea plantations of Darling Wood, the road climbs through scented pines towards the Grand Bassin sacred lake and Hindu shrine. Nearby, the Native Garden of Petrin displays the lovely red ‘earring’, or national flower, and an array of medicinal plants. But most enticing of all in the area is the Black River Gorges National Park, covering over 6,000 hectares of forest laced with scenic trails. Echo parakeets flash emerald green along the Macchabee ridge, white tropicbirds flit through the air with the grace of ballet dancers. On the very edge of the gorge the Black River viewpoint can be easily accessed, a breathtaking place where, below the jagged peaks, the thickly-wooded slopes tumble down to the sea More views can be enjoyed along the road down to the coast, most dramatic the precipitous peak on Le Morne peninsula where runaway slaves jumped to their death. Chamarel is a must-see, starting with the island’s highest waterfall leaping down 83 metres. But the top attraction
is the legendary waves of ‘Coloured Earth’ spread across a slope, red, purple, pink, silver and gold. Now protected by walkways, this unique phenomenon was caused by the uneven cooling of lava, and you can buy a sample in a bottle. Shake as you will, the colours will separate again within a day. On the central plateau, the Deer’s Hole caldera is equally impressive. Its slopes are cloaked with vegetation, its floor is choked with silt but as you stand on the rim between heaven and earth, you look across an island bristling with eerie peaks, the Rampart, the Guard, the unmistakable silhouette of the Thumb or Pieter Both, resembling a human figure, named after a drowned admiral. Legend has it that if this pinnacle falls, disaster will strike. So far, fortunately, Pieter Both has kept his head and as kestrels soar above the rustling slopes, you can enjoy the natural world of a truly stunning island.
To advertise call 07407382722 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
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Health
By Alison Runham www.alison.runham.co.uk
Better Health? There’s an App for That! HEALTH AND WELLBEING PAID
There’s an app for everything these days, so of course there are plenty for improving your fitness, health and wellbeing. Here are nine popular apps to help you discover a healthier, happier you. FITNESS APPS PAID
Daily Workouts This app’s 39 area-targeted 5-10-minute workouts include stretch, Pilates and kettlebell exercises, which can be combined to create longer, wholebody workouts. There’s a timer and on-screen instructions, but you’ll need the internet to watch video demonstrations. There’s also a popular free version with just 10 workouts. FREE
Couch to 5K Designed to get you off the couch and running 5 kilometres in 9 weeks, this NHS app builds you up gradually with a mix of running and walking. Celebrity trainers tell you when to run and when to walk, while a countdown timer shows how long you’ve got left on each run.
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FREE
Deep Sleep with Andrew Johnson This app provides relaxing guided meditations intended to clear your mind and help you get deep, restful sleep.
Headspace: Meditation and Mindfulness The Headspace app teaches you how to meditate and live mindfully, with exercises on everything from managing anxiety and stress to breathing, sleep, happiness, calm and focus. It teaches classic meditation techniques in just a few minutes a day, and can send custom push notifications with mindfulness reminders. You can also track your progress and share it with others. Chill Panda This family-friendly NHS app can measure your heart rate and helps you develop an awareness of the relationship between your emotions, activities and body state, helping you learn what makes you feel better. Cute Chill Panda suggests activities suitable for your emotional and physical state. DIET AND NUTRITION PAID
Carbs and Cals This app contains over 3,500 photos of UK food and drink items along with their nutritional values. It includes a meal cal-
culator, calendar, recipe builder, exercise tracker, custom meal input facility and a special diabetes section to record blood glucose levels and carbohydrate intake. FREE
Foodvisor The Foodvisor app claims to recognise your food from a photo of your plate, estimating serving sizes and providing a detailed nutrition report that’s added to your food diary. It can also track physical activities and calories burned, highlighting weak areas that need attention.
My Fitness Pal This hugely popular app is a calorie counter, diet tracker and exercise tracker all in one. It can scan the barcodes of over 4 million foods and give you detailed nutrition information about them. It also suggests exercises, links to other exercise apps, logs your exercise and tracks your steps. With goal-setting, a recipe importer, a restaurant meal logger and the ability to add photos and share progress, this app really has everything. Using an app to improve your health and fitness may seem counter-intuitive, with the media issuing dire warnings about the effects of too much screen time. But used correctly, technology can motivate and educate us to eat more healthily and exercise, encouraging us to socialise through sharing our efforts with others. So why not give one of these apps a try?
To advertise call 07407382722 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
Home style
24 Comiston Road Morningside Edinburgh EH10 5QE
BLINDS & SHUTTERS
CURTAINS
BLINDS
SHUTTERS
Stylish blinds for every home
Tel: 0131 446 0446
www.homestyleblindsedinburgh.co.uk 13
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Life Begins Meditation: marvellous medicine or new age fad?
“I always say I haven’t slept since 1993,” declared 67-year-old actor Sherrie Hewson on the reality TV programme, 100 Years Younger in 21 Days, which aired earlier this year. Sherrie was taking part in an experiment conducted for ITV television by Professor Ian Philp, an expert who advises the World Health Organisation on age-related health matters. When her sleep patterns were analysed, the data confirmed that she woke at regular intervals throughout the night. Although Sherrie’s participation in the TV show involved weeks of healthy eating and exercise, her sleep pattern changed very little during the course of the experiment. She was only able to enjoy her first good night’s sleep after her first successful attempt at meditation. Sherrie isn’t alone. Twenty two per cent of Britons experience interrupted sleep, often caused by anxiety or depression. In the short term this can negatively affect mood and memory and in the long term it can lead to more serious health problems.
Fight or flight So, can meditation help older people to beat stress? Meditation 14
encourages people to take charge of their own emotions, and over time this has been shown to result in permanent changes to neural pathways in the brain. When the University of Pittsburgh in America carried out research into the effects of meditation, MRI scans revealed that the amygdala – the brain’s ‘fight or flight’ centre, linked to fear and emotion – appeared to shrink over time, while the prefrontal cortex (associated with concentration, awareness and decision-making) became thicker. Improving concentration Meditation aids concentration by encouraging you to turn off unwanted or distracting thoughts. In an observation exercise for meditators and nonmeditators designed by Italian neuroscientist Giuseppe Pagnoni, the meditators significantly outperformed in the test results. You can learn to control your thoughts during meditation by taking action when your mind starts to wander. The technique involves simply acknowledging the distraction and turning back to your main focus as soon as possible. Taming your emotions In a recent study published in the journal Consciousness and Cognition, meditators and nonmeditators were asked to think about an experience that made them angry. While meditators
were almost unaffected when they focused on the experience, non-meditators’ found their breathing, heart rate and blood pressure increased. However, after just 20 minutes of meditation the non-meditators had a much calmer response to the same thoughts. Reducing stress, inducing sleep In the programme 100 Years Younger in 21 days, Professor Philp suggests that meditation can extend life expectancy by promoting better sleep. A 2015 study of forty nine middleaged and older adults who had difficulty sleeping revealed that mindfulness meditation – which encourages subjects to beat stress by focusing on moment-bymoment experiences, thoughts and emotions – was found to be particularly effective. Like many older adults, Sherrie Hewson believed that meditation wasn’t for her, but once she understood its effects, she experienced something of a revelation. The practice of meditation won’t suit everyone, but as medical science discovers more and more potential health benefits, anyone who experiences stress, sleeplessness or negative emotions on a regular basis would be well advised to give it a try. By Kate McLelland
To advertise call 07407382722 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
SELF EMPLOYED PLASTERER Single Surfaces / Complete Rooms Skim Coat / Repairs / Plasterboarding External Rendering Internal / External Painting Ceilings / Walls / Skirtings / Doors etc Masonry / Dormers / Gables / Eaves Down Pipes & Guttering (also cleaned) (Height restrictions apply)
Insurance work welcome. Also fully insured.
Call Nick for a FREE estimate:
07784 748 361
(messages will be replied to as soon as possible)
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Crab Parcels Makes 20
Ready in 40 minutes
These crisp filo pastry parcels with a crab and ginger filling make a tasty seafood starter for a special dinner or can be served as nibbles with refreshing drinks on a hot summer’s evening.
• 1 x 230g can crab meat, drained and flaked • 1 tsp grated fresh root ginger • 2 tbsp freshly chopped coriander • 2 spring onions, finely chopped
Mix the crab meat, ginger, coriander, chopped spring onions and lime juice in a bowl. Season lightly with freshly-ground black pepper. Cut the sheets of filo pastry into twenty 15cm squares. Take one square and brush lightly with water then top with a second pastry square. Place a spoonful of the crab mixture in the centre of the square. Brush the edges lightly with water and gather them together to enclose the filling and form a moneybag-shaped parcel.
• 8-10 sheets of filo pastry (see Tip)
Repeat with the rest of the pastry squares and filling to make 10 parcels in total. Half fill a large deep pan with vegetable oil and heat until a small piece of filo pastry dropped in the hot fat sizzles and browns in 20 seconds. Deep fry the parcels, in 2-3 batches, for 2-3 minutes until crisp and golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.
• Vegetable oil for deep frying
Serve warm with sweet chilli sauce for dipping and garnished with shredded spring onion.
• 1 tbsp lime juice • Freshly-ground black pepper
• 4 tbsp sweet chilli sauce • Shredded spring onion, to garnish
Filo pastry sheets can vary in size so you may
TIP need a few more if they are small. Keep the
squares covered with a clean damp cloth or kitchen paper when filling, to prevent the pastry drying and tearing.
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To advertise call 07407382722 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
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To advertise call 07407382722 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
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History
By Catherine Rose
What on Earth? The History of Surrealism which involved writing automatically from the subconscious, enabling the artist to tap into the furthest reaches of the imagination.
Surrealism was a radical philosophical movement that was born, seemingly out of nowhere, around a century ago. It had an enormous impact on our modern culture, encompassing not only art and literature but film, photography, music, political thought and even everyday objects. Surrealism evolved in the 1920s from Dadaism – a politically-based art movement that was a reaction to the First World War. It also reflected the development during this time of psychology with its concepts of psychoanalysis and the subconscious. Surrealist art and literature consequently used dream-like states and seemingly out-of-place but symbolic images to give new interpretation to the world. The word ‘surrealism’ was invented by the writer Guillaume Apollinaire in 1917. The term was subsequently taken up by the founder of the Surrealist movement, the French poet André Breton (1896-1966). Breton developed a method of artistic expression called ‘automatism’, 20
In his first Manifesto of Surrealism, published in 1924, Breton outlined the idea that Surrealism was a way for the arts to encourage political change as it forced people to ‘think outside the box’. His theories subsequently attracted many followers including Dali (1904-1989), the Spanish painter Joan Miro (18941983), German artist Max Ernst (1891-1976), filmmaker Luis Bunuel (1900-1983), American photographer Man Ray (18901976) and the Belgian artist Rene Magritte (1898-1967). Surrealist artworks are often disturbing and filled with strange and symbolic images, juxtaposing objects which would not be found together in real life – for example, Dali’s well-known painting The Persistence of Time, with its giant clocks melting in an imaginary landscape, or Meret Oppenheim’s Object painted in 1936, which depicts a cup, saucer and spoon made of fur. Surrealism spread into other creative areas. Surrealist photography was taken up with enthusiasm by photographers such as Man Ray and Surrealist films also made an appearance, the most famous and controversial at the time being the 1929 Un Chien Andalou (An Andalusian Dog) by
Luis Bunuel and Dali which features hands coming out of a wall and a woman having her eyeball cut open with a razorblade! Dali, along with other artists, also conceived Surrealist everyday objects as in the lobster telephone, a woman’s hat in the shape of a stiletto shoe, and a sofa that was built to resemble actress Mae West’s lips. Although Surrealism was declared a dead movement by the Second World War, Surrealist artists continued to produce artwork in its style, including Magritte’s famous The Son of Man painted in 1966 (the year of André Breton’s death), which shows a bowler-hatted man with an apple floating in front of his face. Since the deaths of the original artists, Surrealism’s legacy has lived on, heavily shaping the creative arts and thinking of today. Artists who did not consider themselves Surrealists but were clearly influenced by it include Frida Kahlo and Jackson Pollock.
To advertise call 07407382722 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
Currievale
Plumbing & Drainage Services Family Business over 15 years experience Reliable, experienced, local plumber.
No job too small. All work guaranteed 10% discount on first job, please quote when phoning with this advert
• Gutter cleaning • Blocked drains • Blocked toilets • Blocked sinks & baths • Outside tap fitted • Blocked Manholes • Burst pipes • Shower fitted & repaired • Storage tanks • New taps fitted & repaired • New installations • All Plumbing work carried out Tel: 0131 449 3071 Mob: 07849 393 364
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Community News for 20,000 descendants in just 5 years! Neutered cats live longer, healthier lives and it is the most humane way to stop unwanted pregnancies.www.cats.org for details of local participating vets.
FRIENDS OF SEVEN ACRE PARK If
Do you belong to a community group or run a community activity? Promote it for FREE by emailing karolyne@murraysdirectory.com or ph 07407382722
you are interested in caring for your local park, please come and join the Friends Group! We do events throughout the year to help improve the park (i.e. installing bird boxes, planting a wildflower meadow, litter picks etc), and we input into any changes the council want to implement. There is no charge to join us and all are welcome. For more info email Jeni (Chairperson) at friendsof7acrepark@yahoo.co.uk
AGEING WELL WALKING
GILMERTON PEOPLE FIRST GROUP
Get healthy! Make new friends! Come for a walk in Inch Park. Ageing Well is a project run by Edinburgh Leisure and funded by NHS Lothian. It’s a health initiaitive that recognises the beniefits of walking for wellbeing and social connection. Walking is one of the best ways to keep body and mind in good health. It’s easy to do, it doesn’t need special skills or equipment, it can be done anywhere and anytime. Plus, if you walk in a group you meet new people and have a chance for a good “blether”, followed by a cuppa and chat at a local cafe. Walks have moved to Portobello Promenade. Meeting Point: Portobello Swim Centre Day: Wednesday Time: 10:30am If you have questions phone the Ageing Well team 0131 458 2183 or e-mail: ageingwell@ EdinburghLeisure.co.uk
CATS PROTECTION NEUTERING CAMPAIGN Cats Protection are inviting
people with cats who live in the EH postcode area, and who receive certain state benefits or are on a low income to get in touch. One unneutered female cat can be responsible 22
We are a group of local people with learning disabilities. We meet once a month, on a Tuesday afternoon, at the Gilmerton Library at 13 Newtoft Street. We meet from 12 until 1.30pm to have a cup of tea, talk about what’s important to us and any issues that we face. We support each other to ‘Let Our Voice be heard’. If you have a learning disability and you want to speak out for yourself, come and give it a try. If you would like to come along, please contact Jo at People First (Scotland): 0131 478 7707.
GILMERTON INCH COMMUNITY COUNCIL The Gilmerton
Inch Community Council represents the areas of the Inch, Moredun, Fernieside, Ferniehill, Gracemount, Southhouse, Burdiehouse, The Murrays, Gilmerton and Candlemaker’s. The council meets 3rd Monday of the month 6pm-745pm. Send matters to raise and to find out more, email the Chair, Lesley Gibson-Ealesham at ljge87@gmail.com or learn about the work of the council on the website at: http://gilmertoninchcc.org.uk
To advertise call 07407382722 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
GILMERTON SINGERS is the name of a
community choir that meets every Friday morning at the Society Hall at Gilmerton Crossroads. It was started around 18 years ago by three ladies who loved singing, with encouragement from the Community Centre management. Our Musical Directory is Nick Hayes and the choir is made up at the moment of 20 women and 2 men. When the choir was started, one of the aims was to give something to the community and we do this by performing at Care Homes. Community Centres, and local fairs and the like. Singing has been proved to increase health, wellbeing and quality of life. Benefits may include improved breathing, easing depression and keeping memory active. Because we are a small group, rehearsals are relaxed and friendly. Most people, when asked if they would like to join a choir, say ‘I can’t sing’. I’ll bet they sing in the shower, while washing the dishes or just for fun. Well, you don’t have to be a Pavarotti or Maria Callas to be an important part of a singing team. We do not audition prospective members and reading music is not necessary as we learn tunes by ear. If you would like to find out more about us, phone Muriel on 0131 664 1220 or email muriel. connolly@sky.com or call in at the Society Hall any Friday morning from 10am-noon. Hope to see you soon!
LIBERTON AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL The Council
meets at 7 pm on the last Monday of each month except July and December. The date of the next meeting is shown on our home page and the agenda is posted there a week before the meeting, which are held in the Liberton Kirk Halls, Kirk Gate, opposite Liberton Kirk. Everyone is very welcome at all meetings and we have a slot for public questions and comments; in general we would appreciate prior notice of these to our Secretary. See the website at: http://libertondcc.wordpress.com
LIBERTON KIRK SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB Liberton Kirk Senior Citizens Club is
a lively social club for residents of south east Edinburgh over 65 years. The club meets from the first Thursday in September to the
last Thursday in May. We gather between 2-4pm though most of our members come earlier to meet and chat from 12.30 at Anderson Hall, opposite Liberton Kirk. £2 per person and transport can be booked if needed. A SEAG bus (South of Edinburgh Amentities Group) can pick you up and take you home from the club for an extra £1.50. Any questions or would like to book transport please call Bryan on 0798 500 1183.
LITTLE BUTTONS parent and carer tod-
dler group at Ferniehill Evangelical Church, 19 Ferniehill Rd - every Thursday morning during term from 930-11am. Toys, games, crafts, story, singing and snacks with tea & coffee for adult donation of 50p.
POST NATAL DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP This is a safe, support-
ive peer group for mums and dads to meet others struggling with anxiety and depression symptoms and to explore positive ways of managing. Children are welcome. Alternate Fridays 10am-1130am, started 10th October. Valley Park Community Cenre, 37 Southhouse Rd, EH17 8EU. For more information and dates email edinburghpndgroup@gmail.com or call 0131 226 8152.
PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP The newly diagnosed man with
prostate cancer must absorb a lot of information in a short period of time. There comes a point in this process of self-education when there is a need to talk to someone who has been through it all before. If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and would like to have support from others who have been through it, call 0131 207 3067 or email elpcsg@gmail.com or look at www.elprostatecancersupport.co.uk for information about group support activities.
PURLY QUEENS KNITTING GROUP
The Purly Queens are a group of ladies who meet twice a month, the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at Gilmerton Library, Newtoft Street, Gilmerton., from 2.30 - 4.15 p.m. We knit, and crochet for Charity. New members are always welcome, no need to be experienced, we all help each other. Come along, enjoy a natter and a cuppa, and knit for local charities. For information call 0131664 8053.
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LOCAL ORIENTEERING EVENTS Orienteering is an outdoor adventure activity that provides both physical and mental exercise. The aim is to navigate between control points marked on a special map and decide on the best route to get from point to point until you reach the finish. You can go on your own or with others. You can walk, jog or run, whatever suits you. People of all ages are welcome to take part. You don’t need any special equipment, just suitable footwear and clothing which should include leg cover i.e. tracksuit bottoms or similar, bearing in mind it might be a bit muddy! Local clubs, Interlopers(INT) and Edinburgh Southern Orienteering Club (ESOC) will be organising a series of events in Edinburgh on Saturdays throughout the year. These are especially aimed at beginners.
Dates and locations are as follows: 5th May Colinton Dell Interlopers 16th June Bonaly ESOC 7th July Kings Buildings Interlopers 21st July Blackford Hill ESOC 1st September Braidburn Valley Park Interlopers 8th September Lauriston Castle ESOC 6th October Mortonhall Interlopers 13th October Holyrood Park ESOC 17th November Royal HS & Davidsons Mains Park ESOC There will be a series of courses available from complete beginners to those with more experience. Help and assistance will be on hand to tell you what to do. Just turn up between 1.30pm and 2.30pm. (Costs are £3 per child or £6 for adults or family groups). Further details will be available nearer each date at www. interlopersedinburgh.org.uk or www.esoc.org.uk We hope to see you there!
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To advertise call 07407382722 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
DOMINIC FLETCHER ROOFING Established 1999. Friendly, reliable, family business.
ROOFING SERVICES
All worked carried out by experienced professionals
Slating Tiling Flat Roofs Chimney Repairs Stone Repairs Free Estimates
Lead Work Gutters, Rhones & Downpipes Pointing, Harling Roughcasting
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25
Inspire Your Wanderlust Thinking about booking a lastminute holiday? These books should help to inspire your wanderlust. (Or just transport you to distant climes while you’re lounging in your garden.)
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The Road to Little Dribbling – Bill Bryson In The Road to Little Dribbling, Bill Bryson sets out to explore Britain once again – 20 years after his bestselling Notes from a Small Island. Not only is it highly entertaining, but The Road to Little Dribbling is packed full of facts and wry observations. You’ll veer from rolling your eyes at Bryson’s ‘grumpy-old-man-ishness’ to vigorously nodding your head, to snorting with laughter, to booking a train ticket to explore a corner of this island you haven’t yet stumbled upon.
Adventures of a Young Naturalist – Sir David Attenborough In 1954, David Attenborough began his exploration of the world, seeking out rare animals for London Zoo and sharing his experiences with a captive TV audience back at home. Adventures of a Young Naturalist charts his adventures across Guyana, Indonesia and Paraguay, from coming face-to-face with Komodo dragons and giant armadillos to befriending a young male orangutan. Numerous photographs help to bring the tales to life.
The Bean Trees – Barbara Kingsolver Determined to avoid ending up like her Kentucky classmates – pregnant and married before she’s 18, Taylor buys a beaten up old car and a tank of petrol, and heads west. By the time her car breaks down in Arizona, she has a three-year-old Cherokee girl in tow. First published 30 years ago, The Bean Trees beautifully evokes the landscape and spirit of 1980s Southwestern America.
The Earth From The Air – Yann Arthus-Bertrand It’s been almost 20 years since Yann Arthus-Bertrand first set out to capture aerial photography of some of the most remote places on Earth. The result – The Earth From the Air – went on to sell more than 3 million copies. A new edition was released last year, which includes 100 stunning new photographs and commentary from the likes of Jane Goodall and Matthieu Ricard. Breathtaking.
The Art of Travel – Alain de Botton Alain de Botton explores the reasons why we travel and discusses how we can make the most of our experiences. He covers everything from holiday romances to hotel mini-bars. It’s a book about taking pleasure in our surroundings (however mundane) and taking the time to look, really look, at the world around us. Wanderlust: A Book Club Sampler from Simon & Schuster This travel-inspired sampler is only available as a free Kindle ebook. It includes excerpts from several novels, including An Atlas of Impossible Longing by Anuradha Roy, The Distant Hours by Kate Morton and The Hundred Foot Journey by Richard Morais. Also included are the authors’ favourite travel-related memories and notes and tips for book clubs. Perfect for dipping into on a summer’s evening, Wanderlust may help you to find your next book and your next holiday destination.
To advertise call 07407382722 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
P l u m b i n g
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H e a t i n g
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Swanston Technical Services ‘One Call for All’ Heating ~ High efficiency boilers, system design, installation, servicing and repairs.
Gas
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Plumbing ~ High efficiency unvented hot water systems, bathrooms, showers, general plumbing and repairs.
Electrical ~
Installations, repairs, testing, and certifications.
Call Steve on
0131 443 1581 or 07730 410 384 swantech@yahoo.co.uk
All small jobs and jobbing welcome
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572288
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General Knowledge Crossword Across 1. Reels, spools (7) 5. Having the same measure as another (5) 8. Portable bed used when camping (8,3) 9. Soft creamy sweet (5) 10. Fast train that makes a limited number of stops (7) 12. Row of unravelled stitches in a stocking (6) 14. Unborn vertebrate in the later stages of development (6) 17. Author of major works on the history of the Roman Empire (circa 56–120 AD) (7) 18. To hinder or preclude, in law (5) 20. Serving to instruct or
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enlighten (11) 22. Product derived from cane or beet (5) 23. Outstanding musician (7) Down 1. Self-consciously timid (7) 2. Food often named the ‘staff of life’ (5) 3. Piece of equipment or tool (9) 4. Poem of fourteen 10or 11-syllable lines (6) 5. Outward flow of the tide (3) 6. Soothing ointment (7) 7. Golf course by the sea (5) 11. Leisurely walk by the sea (9) 13. Tying up at a wharf (7) 15. Most important
- Solutions Page 34
person in an organisation (7) 16. Place of religious retreat for Hindus (6) 17. Small, savoury
Spanish snacks (5) 19. Oliver ___, Dickens character (5) 21. Cone-bearing evergreen (3)
To advertise call 07407382722 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
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29
THE ROAMING EMPIRE How to access the internet when you’re on holiday menu) but be careful if you have a monthly data transfer limit: using multiple devices can quickly take you beyond your monthly cap. If your phone doesn’t have this feature you can buy a “dongle” or a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot; the former plugs into your laptop’s USB port to give it mobile data access and the latter is a portable device that creates a Wi-Fi hotspot your other devices can use.
Internet access can be really useful when you’re travelling. Map apps can help you find your way around and others can help you get better deals on tourist attractions, discover the best places to eat and drink or avoid the worst tourist traps. But how do you actually get online without spending a fortune? The cheapest way to get online is via free Wi-Fi, which is available in all kinds of places – not just the familiar cafes and transport hubs but in malls, on public transport and anywhere else tourists are likely to go. Be wary, though, especially if you’re using your device for something private such as online banking. It’s very easy to set up a convincinglooking Wi-Fi hotspot and then intercept the data people send, such as their online banking IDs. If in doubt use a security program called a Virtual Private Network (VPN) –Tunnelbear is one example – which establishes a secure, eyes-only tunnel between you and the site you’re visiting. Another option is to use your mobile phone to create a Wi-Fi hotspot. This enables other devices to connect to your phone and use its data connection. It’s very easy to do (the relevant option will be in your phone’s settings 30
You should be particularly careful about using mobile data if you’re outside the UK and EU. Charges for mobile data abroad can be terrifying, so we’d strongly recommend buying a mobile data add-on that gives you a fixed amount of data for a fixed price. You can usually get more than enough mobile data for your daily needs for just a few pounds per day. Make sure your contract doesn’t already include roaming, though. For example, our Vodafone contract includes free roaming in 48 different countries. It doesn’t include North or South America, Africa or Asia but it covers Europe and several groups of islands. For the time being, you won’t be charged extra for using your mobile or tablet in the European Union as roaming charges within the EU were scrapped in 2017. However, when the UK leaves Europe under Brexit, operators will no longer be compelled to let their customers roam for free. It’s possible that they may decide to stick to the current arrangement, but we’re not very optimistic. Whatever you do, be careful what you’re doing. Streaming Netflix or iPlayer programmes is best kept to Wi-Fi, as the downloads can be huge, and beware apps that do things in the background when you’re not actually using your phone. We find it’s best to keep our phones off or in aeroplane mode when we’re not actually using them.
1.Tunnelbear Virtual Private Networking app 2. Personal Hotspot on an iPhone 3.Three.co.uk USB dongle for laptops 4. Vodafone portable Wi-Fi hotspot
To advertise call 07407382722 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
Extensions & Attic Conversions Kitchens & Bathrooms Doors & Windows Storage Solutions Flooring All Trade Service www.gstewartjoinery.co.uk E: info@gstewartjoinery.co.uk
M: 0774 909 6869
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31
Sweet Recipe Lemon & Almond Sandwich Cookies These delightful crisp and buttery lemon and almond cookies have a tangy layer of lemon curd in the middle.
Ingredients: • 115g unsalted butter, softened
• 115g caster sugar, plus extra for sprinkling • 1 tsp almond extract • 1 large egg yolk
• 200g plain flour, plus extra for dusting • Milk, for sealing and glazing
• 2-3 tbsp good quality lemon curd • 2 tbsp flaked almonds
Makes 10 Ready in 40 minutes, plus chilling and cooling
TIP
Replace the lemon curd with jam, marmalade or chocolate hazelnut spread for a change of flavour. Remember the filling will be very hot straight out of the oven, so be sure to leave to cool completely before tucking in! 32
1. Place the butter, sugar and almond extract in a mixing bowl and beat with a hand-held electric whisk until pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolk then gradually beat in the flour to form a crumbly dough.
2. Gather the dough with your hands and knead
lightly until smooth. Wrap in cling film and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes, or until firm.
3. Line a baking sheet with baking paper. Roll the
dough out on a lightly floured surface to 2mm thick. Using a 7cm round fluted cookie cutter, stamp out 20 rounds, re-rolling the dough as necessary. Place on the baking sheets and chill in the fridge for 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 190°C, fan 170°C, gas mark 5.
4. Lightly brush around the edge of half the cookie dough rounds with a little milk. Drop ½ tsp of lemon curd in the centre of these rounds. Carefully top with the rest of the cookie dough rounds, gently pressing to seal the edges.
5. Glaze the tops lightly with milk and sprinkle
with the extra caster sugar and flaked almonds. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until pale golden. Leave on the baking sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely.
To advertise call 07407382722 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
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33
INDEX
Business & Services
FRONT COVER Porteous Funerals All Trades DCM
Roofing Dominic Fletcher Roofing 25 Fairmile Roofing 27
Back Cover & 21
Auto Centre AVW Auto Centre
7
Blinds & Shutters Homestyle Blinds
13
Building & Construction DCM Construction Bk Cover JJ Construction 21
Schools George Watson’s College 9
18-19 3
Joiner G. Stewart Joinery J.J. Construction
31 21
Education George Watson’s College 9
MOT Services AVW Auto Centre
7
Electrician & Electrical Contractors Albion Electrical DSykes Electrical Swanston Technical Services
Painter & Decorator KBL Painting Decorating 17 MG Decor 29 Michal 15
Currency Converter Currency King
Estate Agents McDougall McQueen Garden Products Champfluerie Estate
15 11
2 13 27 35 5
Heating, Gas & Plumbing Swanston Technical Serv 27 Weir Gas Services 15
Plasterer & Decorator Cross Check Plastering DCM
15 21
Plastering & Roofing Martin Scott
11
Plumbing Able Girl Plumbing Currievale Plumbing Weir Plumbing
17 21 15
Restaurants Abbey Lodge Hotel Braidhill Hotel
28
Solicitors McDougall McQueen
35
Taxi - Private Hire Bluebird Taxi
Hotel Abbey Lodge Hotel Braidhill Hotel
Carpet Cleaning James Burnett Carpet Cleaning
Skip Hire Urban Waste
8
Waste Removal Urban Waste
28
Wedding Venue Braidhill Hotel
3
Windows Ventrolla
33
BACK COVER DCM Construction
18-19 3
SOLUTION
Across: 1 Bobbins, 5 Equal, 8 Sleeping bag, 9 Fudge, 10 Express, 12 Ladder, 14 Foetus, 17 Tacitus, 18 Estop, 20 Informative, 22 Sugar, 23 Maestro. Down: 1 Bashful, 2 Bread, 3 Implement, 4 Sonnet, 5 Ebb, 6 Unguent, 7 Links, 11 Promenade, 13 Docking, 15 Supremo, 16 Ashram, 17 Tapas, 19 Twist, 21 Fir. 34
To advertise call 07407382722 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
Looking to sell your property for the best possible price? Say hello to McDougall McQueen! Market your property with us today with no up front selling costs & we’ll throw in a FREE Home Report Call us on 0808 1234 789 or email us at property@mcdougallmcqueen.co.uk for more details
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35