the
Murrays Directory
Issue 25 - November 2016
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 now that this magazine continues to be financially successful for me, my advertisers and readers. With Love, and much gratitude always from one who is a Flame Keeper, and Servant of the Light, Karolyne
A Christ treat fmas all theor family
Sat 10 to Sat 31 December 0131 529 6000 edtheatres.com karolyne@murraysdirectory.com | www.murraysdirectory.com | 0131 283 2071
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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To advertise call 0131 283 2071 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
The only way is up... Are you looking to grow your business with competitively priced advertising in the local area? The Murrays Directory is professionally distributed to 5000 homes across Liberton, Alnwickhill, Mortonhall, Ellen’s Glen, Kingate, Howdenhall, Craigend Park, The Spinny, Ravenscroft, Candlemaker, The Murrays and Murrays Brae.
Call us today to chat about the best options for your business:
0131 553 0131 2835311 2071 or 0740 738 2722 or email 07407382722 karolyne@murraysdirectory.com Or email:
info@murraysdirectory.co.uk
Join many of our advertisers who are taking advantage of our 4 and 6 issue package deals, saving 15 and 20% on single order prices. This is not only a great way to save, but it only takes one or two customers for your ad to pay for itself, and your business to profit. Please mention the Murrays Directory when responding to adverts
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Your local directory of business services and community information.
Tel: 0131 283 2071 Email: karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
CONTENTS Motoring......................................................... 6 Gardening....................................................... 8 Recipe - Chilli Bean Nachos........................... 10 Travel - Symi Island........................................ 12 Movie Review - Paterson............................. 14 Community News.................................... 18-19 Beauty........................................................... 20 Balanced Lifestyle: Pilates........................ 22-23 Quick Crossword (Solutions p34).................. 24 Bake: Steamed Date Pudding & Caramel...... 26 Technology - 10 Christmas Gadgets.............. 28 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..................................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.................0845 272 7999
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November Murrays Directory.
elcome to the the
issue of
This month I had a couple of telephone calls enquiring about when your issue is due. Just to remind you that the magazine is distributed to two areas in EH16 & 17. That means you receive the directory every second month. Your next issue after this one will be the January edition. I’m very pleased to say that in response to your requests, we now have Stacey advertising. She is a mobile hairdresser who will come out to your home to attend to your hairdressing needs. Please do give me a call or send an email to let me know what you thought of her services when you call on her. I always like to hear from you. So too Josh has added hydro cleaning to his gardening services, and you can read more about that on the page opposite the gardening article. You’ll notice that we have new services in the magazine this month. It’s exciting to see it growing and this will only continue the more you engage with local services. On this note, I’d like to thank you for all your support over the summer, and wish you a lovely auntumn as we come into winter.
Karolyne
JDS
Johnson Distribution Service
No. 1 in door to door distribution !
Advertising Order Deadline for DEC & JANUARY Issues by Fri 18 NOV ALL ORDERS FOR JANUARY MUST BE PLACED BY THIS DEADLINE
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. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrival system or transmitted in any form - electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise without the prior consent of the publisher. Murrays Directory: www. murraysdirectory.com | 07407382722. 4
To advertise call 0131 283 2071 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
High quality timber garden products, log stores and wood fuels
Garden Sheds Garages/Workshops
Summerhouses
Children’s Play Houses
Dog Kennels Garden Stores
Zest Garden Furniture
Woodchip Log Stores Full Range Garden Furniture Firewood Logs and Wood Fuel Softwoods, Hardwoods, Kiln Dried Log Chests
Log & Tool Stores
Sold in small bags or giant bags
Garden Mulch Our New Polytunnel Drying Facility
Delivered to your door using small delivery trucks for easy access Kindling, Firelighters & Range of Briquettes
Open weekdays 9am till 5pm and Sat & Sun 11am till 3pm 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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Motoring We Try Nissan’s Bonkers BladeGlider
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s we hit the back straight of the twisting kart track in the middle of a shanty town in Brazil, the wail of the concept car’s electric motors reaches a crescendo. It’s banshee-like in pitch and would rival a hover bike from Star Wars in tone – this is noise like no electric car that’s gone before it, and it’s pointing to the future of electric vehicles (EVs) for Nissan. We’ve come to Rio de Janeiro to experience this mad Batmobile-like sports car concept, dubbed the BladeGlider. With a narrow front track and aerodynamically designed body that widens like an arrow to the rear, the concept car takes design cues from the Delta Wing Le Mans racer of 2012. Although that car’s track time was short lived, the lessons Nissan learned are brought back to life in this mad sports car concept that’s part Robin Reliant, part McLaren F1, part Caterham.
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With two 174bhp electric motors, independently powering each rear wheel, the BladeGlider is good for nearly 120mph and 60mph in under five seconds. It’s been built in conjunction with F1 experts Williams Advanced Engineering and features an unusual three-seater layout where both passengers sit behind and either side of the driver. Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed a drive of the multimillion pound concept car; however, we did get to experience it from the passenger seat. Even from here it’s clear the BladeGlider offers a completely unique driving experience. Those two front wheels and the wide-track rear make for a planted and agile ride. On the tiny test track it whipped between corners with a whiff of tyresmoking oversteer when our exuberant test driver got playful. For us mere mortals the BladeGlider offers a drift mode, similar to that found on the Focus RS, for sideways fun – yet more technology debuting here that is likely to filter down to other Nissans. The BladeGlider did feel
By James Baggott
softly sprung, though, more hot hatch than sports car over the kerbs. But most importantly it was great fun – and, with the instant torque available from those electric motors, it felt swift too. It’s not supercar fast, but will push you back into the sports seats and throw you around enough to induce a whiff of travel sickness. There’s currently no word on range, though – which we’d guess means it’s currently pretty poor. Unfortunately, the chances of being able to order a BladeGlider from your local dealer any time soon is highly unlikely. This is just one of two produced and they’re likely to be the last. Well, in this form at least. So you might be wondering what the point is? Well, Nissan says that’s simple, really: they want to make people realise electrification doesn’t mean dull, and a sports car concept as bonkers as this proves otherwise. Nissan is long overdue a sister car to the Leaf, the world’s best-selling EV, and many will be hoping the lessons Nissan has learned here will lead to a thrilling follow-up. Fortunately, after a very short passenger ride, all the signs are pointing in the right direction for a smash hit.
To advertise call 0131 283 2071 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
No upfront costs when you market your property with Hunters Residential
The ESPC-ranked top 5 selling agent in Edinburgh South for the last 5 years Thinking of selling your home or buying a new property? You can rely on our team to provide the best possible advice. For a free valuation or guidance on the local market our experts can help. Please quote Hunters 7680 for a 10% discount on your fees. Tel: 0131 447 4747 E: property@huntersresidential.co.uk 76-80 Morningside Road, Edinburgh EH10 4BY www.huntersresidential.co.uk www.gillespiemacandrew.co.uk Please mention the Murrays Directory when responding to adverts14/06/2016
advert FINAL.indd 1
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GARDEN FIREWORKS by Pippa Greenwood
You may be planning a traditional display of fireworks on November 5th, but why not also think ahead and plant yourself a few garden fireworks?
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t this time of year, there are still several stunning flowers that remind me of fireworks, such as the flamboyant red hot pokers or kniphofias, also known as torch lilies. Kniphofia ‘Brimstone’ has a rich yellowy-orange colour while the smaller ‘Little Maid’ has ivory-yellow flower spikes and reaches a height of about 2 ft (60cm). ‘Fiery Fred’ has blazing orangey-red flowers, while those of ‘Alcazar’ are bright red. Available in garden centres now, they do well if planted out in early autumn or spring in a sunny spot with a well drained soil. Once established you will have a regular display that really will go off like a rocket! Crocosmias help provide colour at this time of year, so take a look at ‘Lucifer’, with its flame-red, almost trumpetshaped flowers clustered along an elegantly arching spike, or for golden yellow flowers consider ‘Canary Bird’. The many varieties of crocosmia thrive in sun or part shade in a well drained yet also moist soil. Pot-grown plants should be available for planting now or in the spring, or you can buy the corms to plant towards the end of winter; these plants 8
will look like the ultimate elegant arching firework. If fireworks like star clusters are more your scene, think about sedums or ice plants, many of which have starshaped flowers. Some of the sedums, such as ‘Autumn Joy’, are still just about in flower, but plant pot-grown specimens now and from late summer you will have a tremendous show of blooms for several weeks, certain to attract bees and butterflies. The angels’ fishing rods, diorama, have arching stems in great numbers surrounded by broad, almost grass-like leaves, each measuring up to 5 ft (1.5m) in length. The rich pink funnel-shaped flowers dangle and sway in the wind and keep on bobbing straight back up again, even on a windy site. Consider growing some lupins for summer, either a yellow variety or ‘My Castle’, which has rich red flowers - just like a rocket racing skywards, but far less noisy. If you want a tree but space is limited, the Kilmarnock willow, Salix caprea ‘Kilmarnock’, is a good option, reaching a height of about 6 ft (1.8 m) after 10 or 15 years.
It has long weeping branches and bright yellow fuzzy catkins in spring, far better than any real Roman candle I know! Look around nearby gardens to see what a fantastic display autumn foliage can put on, then plant anything with good autumn colour to guarantee a glowing bonfire every autumn. Your garden centre should have a plentiful supply of shrubs and trees at this time of year. Finally, if you are having a bonfire, make it at the last minute to minimise the risk of hedgehogs or other wildlife hiding beneath the heap coming to an untimely end. The hedgehog is one of the gardener’s best friends, as it eats huge numbers of slugs and many other garden pests. Visit Pippa’s website www. pippagreenwood.com to book Pippa for a gardening talk, or peruse the really useful selection of Pippa’s favourite gardening items, including Nemaslug to control slugs, pop-up crop covers, SpeedHoes, SpeedWeeders, raised bed kits, pull-out EasyTunnels, ‘Grow Your Own with Pippa Greenwood’ Gift Voucher cards, signed books and lots more besides.
To advertise call 0131 283 2071 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
ALL ASPECTS OF LANDSCAPE GARDENING CARRIED OUT
Great gardens at great prices. Call now for a free quote
07596 779 600 jdsgardenservices
www.jdsgardening.co.uk
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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Chilli Bean Nachos Serves 4
Ready in 30 minutes
This is perfect filling finger food for a bonfire night snack or tv dinner. For a
meatier version add some
diced chorizo
sausage when frying the onions.
Ingredients: • 1 tbsp vegetable oil • 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed • 1tbsp mild chilli powder • 1/2 tsp each ground cumin and ground coriander • 400g can chopped tomatoes • 1/2 tsp sugar • 400g can kidney beans, drained and rinsed • 200g packet nachos or tortilla chips • 2 tbsp sliced jalapeno peppers (from a jar) • 175g Cheddar cheese, grated • Guacamole, to serve (see Tip)
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Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry the onion for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and fry for a further 2-3 minutes. Stir in the chilli powder, cumin and coriander and fry for 1 minute then add the chopped tomatoes. Simmer for 8-10 minutes until thickened. Stir in the sugar and kidney beans and simmer for a further 2-3 minutes until the beans are piping hot. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Arrange the nachos on four heatproof plates and spoon over the bean mixture. Scatter over the jalapeno peppers and top with the grated cheese. Place under a medium hot grill for 1-2 minutes until the cheese begins to melt. Serve immediately with guacamole.
TIP
To make your own guacamole, mash the flesh of 1 large ripe avocado with the juice of half a lime, 2 chopped tomatoes and a handful of freshly chopped coriander. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
To advertise call 0131 283 2071 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
GO WIRE Local Electricians with over 20 years experience. From changing a light bulb to a rewire, we can take care of it.
Call: Jonny Orr on 07939 036 366 or Fraser Graham on 0131 467 9332 or email: jonny@go-construct.co.uk
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L E V A R
T
Symi Island By Solange Hando
Just 35 minutes from Rhodes by catamaran, Symi is one of the prettiest Dodecanese islands, ‘a neo-classical beauty’, they say, ‘ blanketed by the blue sky’, rising like a sentinel on the edge of the Greek archipelago.
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t’s only 8x13 km but the traditional ambience and scenery simply steal your heart away. From afar, the island is a rock, barren and dry, but sail into the harbour and on the deep blue inlet of the Aegean sea, Symi greets you like a dream with all the colours of the rainbow nestling in the cusp of the hills. Shimmering reflections, pastel-hued houses at the waterside, Chorio, the old village climbing up the slopes, toy-like windmills along the crest, it’s a delightful scene which budding artists aim to capture from myriad vantage points. Chorio and Yialos, the harbour, make up the capital named after the island. Stepping ashore in Yialos is awesome. In such a lovely place, where do visitors start? Some make their way along the scenic promenade around the horse-shoe harbour, others while away the time in shaded tavernas where
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salads and seafood come with glorious views. Bells chime all around, tiny chapels beckon up interminable flights of steps and the beautiful mansions of the Italian era glow in the midday sun. At the end of the peninsula, the iconic clock tower leads to a smaller bay where pleasure and fishing boats bob at anchor and a sprinkling of parasols betrays the presence of a beach. Meanwhile downtown, a few stalls sell sponges and olive oil but beyond the harbour, it’s all tangled lanes and steps, hundreds of them, climbing up to Chorio through tightlypacked houses. It’s easy to lose all sense of direction in this never-ending maze but there are decorated gables and balconies, potted plants, secret gardens planted with vines, jasmine and citrus trees and courtyards covered in patterned pebbles, here an anchor, there a ship or a dolphin. At the top, the view opens out on the fjord-like bay of Pedi where below the rose-tinted hill tops, holly oak and conifers tumble down almost to the water’s edge. There, life moves at a leisurely pace, fishermen mend their nets on the quay and a narrow coastal path leads to the quiet
cove of St Nicholas, reached only on foot or by water taxi. St Nicholas is no exception for all along this deeply indented coastline, near-deserted coves nestle below the cliffs, lapped by clear turquoise water, with not a road in sight. There are cruises around the island, past uninhabited islets and dramatic outcrops, but the most enchanting stop along the way is the Orthodox Monastery of Panormitis down south, rebuilt Venetianstyle in the 18th century and claiming the world’s highest Baroque tower. It’s dedicated to Archangel Michael, the island’s patron saint, and when day visitors have left, it’s a wonderful haven of peace framed by pine-covered hills on the edge of the sea. Approaching Panormitis by sea is magical but one can return on a mountain road reaching over 600 metres at Oros Vigla, the ‘look-out’. It’s a scenic rollercoaster through forests and open land, peppered with ruined castles, forlorn chapels, goat tracks, footpaths vanishing into the distance and unforgettable views, from the rugged meandering coast to the nearby islands and, far below, the colourful harbour of Symi bathed in translucent light.
To advertise call 0131 283 2071 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
P l u m b i n g
-
H e a t i n g
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E l e c t r i c a l
Swanston Technical Services ‘One Call for All’ Heating ~ High efficiency boilers, system design, installation, servicing and repairs.
Gas
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~ All aspects of domestic gas work and landlord certificates.
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 Please mention the Murrays Directory when responding to adverts
572288
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Paterson
J
im Jarmusch is one of those filmmakers that seem to have gotten better with age. The two most recent entries in his filmography – Bill Murray hunting down and questioning ex-girlfriends looking for the mother of his long lost son in Broken Flowers (2005) and Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton as aged vampire musicians just surviving together in modern-day Detroit – are probably the best of his thirtyplus year career. He’s added another classic with Paterson (2017), the simple story of a man living his life in small town America.
These poems appear on screen as cursive handwriting as Paterson writes them and Driver recites them, at first seeming rhythmless and haphazard as he from them in his mind before being repeated later in the scene or sequence, more perfectly formed. At first it feels like this plays to the audience as if his poetry isn’t very good and his dedication is to be sneered at but, in fact, the film makes no judgement here and having spent even a little time with Paterson neither do we. They are just part of his normal day.
First and foremost this is a career defining performance from Adam Driver, and considering he’s been the best thing about Lena Dunham’s critical darling Girls for the last four years and recently starred in the new Star Wars film and Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln that’s saying something. He plays Paterson, a bus driver from Paterson, New Jersey, and lives in a small home with his partner Laura, played with immeasurable charm by Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani.
It’s easy to say this isn’t an exciting film. It takes place over the course of one week in which: Laura bakes delicious cupcakes and becomes relatively proficient at playing one country and western song on the guitar after viewing a one-day tutorial DVD and Paterson writes poetry and drives a bus and visits the bar and that’s about it. The two major moments of drama are presented almost without comment and certainly without fanfare. But as with previous Jarmusch films of this decade, it celebrates the ordinary in such a magical way that you can’t help but be drawn in and charmed by it.
That he shares his name with the town he lives in seems to give him a sense of pride and identity and a little notoriety on his evening visits to the bar with his dog he doesn’t like, the English bulldog Marvin. In his spare time, whenever he gets the chance during his day, he writes poetry, which he keeps hidden from prying eyes in his red notebook.
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By David Tibbs
This is perhaps Jarmusch’s most accessible film; it doesn’t try and do anything pretentious or pander to a specific conceit and the sunny aesthetic is the complete antithesis of his earlier work. It is, in my mind, just an absolute joy.
To advertise call 0131 283 2071 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
FOR ALL YOUR MOBILITY NEEDS Whether you need help to get around the house or out and about, our experienced team can help with all your mobility needs. Family owned and operated since 1994
0800 169 5182
0131 440 4225 Showroom Opening Times Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 4pm Unit 13-16, 32 Dryden Road, Bilston Glen Industrial Estate, Loanhead, Edinburgh, EH20 9LZ www.med-ecosse.co.uk enquiries@med-ecosse.co.uk Accredited Motability Dealer
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To advertise call 0131 283 2071 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
A Family Run Business you can trust “Going the Extra Mile” Slating & Tiling Flat Roofing Single Ply Roofing
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To advertise call 0131 283 2071 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
Community News a £5 Neutering Campaign on 1st February for cats within the EH postcode area whose owners receive certain state benefits or are on a low income. One unneutered female cat can be responsible 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.
Do you belong to a community group or run a community activity? Promote it for FREE by emailing murraysdirectory@ gmail.com or phoning 337 3309. AGEING WELL WALKING
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. Ideally we should all walk for about 30 minutes most days, but many of us can’t quite manage this much - yet we would like to be more active. Wednesday morning starting from 6th April. Just come along to Cameron Toll ( meet in the Main Concourse outside Sainsburys) for a 10.30am start. It’s free, it’s open to everyone over 50, and there will be qualified walk leaders to guide your every step. 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 launching 18
FRIENDS OF SEVEN ACRE PARK If
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
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. For next meeting, contact below. You can find out more by emailing Scott Neil at scott.neil@edinburgh.gov.uk and learn about the work of the council on the website at: www.gilmertoninchcc.org.uk
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
To advertise call 0131 283 2071 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
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 don’t know what range your voice is you just join the group where you feel comfortable - we have a couple of ladies who sing with the tenors. 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 10amnoon. Hope to see you soon!
see you!
LIBERTON AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY COUNCIL The Council
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.
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. Hope to
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, sup-
portive peer support 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, Edinburgh 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
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.
SOUTH EDINBURGH MEN’S SHED
Please note that due to insufficient numbers the South Edinburgh Men’s Shed is no longer available.
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Beauty I Need A Hero
by Kate Duggan www.kateduggan.co.uk
Skin saviours to see you through the winter months Skin feeling dry, tight and dehydrated? Try Dr. Weil for Origins™ Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief, £27.50-£40. It’s very light, almost like a toner, but incredibly hydrating and leaves skin feeling plumped and soft. Apply with a soft cloth or cotton wool pads. Key ingredients include mushroom extracts and a blend of essential oils. It’s currently on sale in a rather lovely limited edition bottle printed in a seabuckthorn pattern. Available from www. origins.co.uk and some branches of Boots and House of Fraser. Another brand to recognise the potential of mushrooms is Janjira. They’ve included mushroom extract in their Pomegranate & Acai Facial Mask, £20. Thankfully, you wouldn’t know that by the smell, as it has a gorgeous, almost tropical scent. Lovely and light, this mask helps to hydrate, plump and brighten skin in just 10 minutes. (Which is about all the time I get to relax in the bath before one of the kids barges in.) Janjira is a Thai brand and focuses on natural ingredients that have been proven to work. The mask costs £20 and can be ordered from www.janjira.co.uk. You may find that your skin craves a richer moisturiser in the colder months. I’ve been using Ishga’s Anti-oxidant Marine Face Cream, £70, for a few weeks now, and highly recommend it. Ingredients 20
include seaweed extract, shea butter, apricot kernel oil, macadamia nut oil and aloe vera. It’s very hydrating and soothing, and rich without being too heavy or greasy. Ishga is a Scottish luxury skincare brand and is available through some spas and online at www.ishga.co.uk. Rosehip oil has long been revered for its skin healing properties. Amongst other benefits it can help with fine lines, scarring, blemishes and dry patches. If you want to try it for yourself, Pai’s Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil, £22, is a good choice. A powerful blend of concentrated rosehip fruit and seed oils, it’s 100% natural and packed with antioxidants and Omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9. 87% of users reported a significant improvement in the appearance of fine lines after using it. Visit www.paiskincare.com to order online or to find your nearest stockist. Weleda’s Skin Food is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. Beloved by people the world over, Skin Food works miracles on dry, rough patches. Use it as an intensive hand-cream, or to spot-treat patches of dry skin. Alternatively, hand it to a partner and demand a foot massage. It’s packed with rich natural ingredients, including sweet almond oil and beeswax, and fragranced with essential oils. Skin Food is usually £9.95, but www.biggreensmile.com was offering 20% off at the time of writing. I’m not the best for remembering to exfoliate, particularly when I can hide away under jeans and winter woollies. However, Odylique’s Coconut Candy Scrub, £25, makes it a treat. Formulated with Fairtrade sugar, coconut oil, cocoa butter, poppy seeds and other skin enriching ingredients, it feels lovely to massage in and moisturises while it exfoliates. (Plus it smells rather nice.) Skin feels softer and smoother. Heaven.
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WAXING NOW AVAILABLE
NON GOLF MEMBERS WELCOME
A health retreat: restoring health, energy and wellbeing
PILATES Balanced Lifestyle offers a tranquil, light and airy space a short distance away from the bustle of Edinburgh’s city centre. What better way to recharge those batteries and get a little ‘me’ time than to focus on the mind and body through Pilates to help you feel revitalised and energised.
10% off
first treatment With finely tailored exercises and precise feedback, when any you age or level of student, men�on from beginner tothe advanced, can expect a challenging Murrays and enjoyable session with our Directory at the Balanced Lifestyle qualified instructors Studio.
The sessions will help realign the body, strengthen the core, and improve flexibility and posture. You will start to see results after doing mat classes just once a week for 8 weeks. Developed in the 1920s by Joseph Pilates, Pilates is great for creating a long, lean silhouette and can give amazing strength as well as a lean physique.
you’ll see the difference, and in 30 you’ll be on your way to having a whole new body.” Joseph Pilates (1883-1967) The great thing about Pilates is that it requires very little equipment (all you need is a mat to protect your spine) and you can practise at home between classes. • Induction given to complete beginners. • £30 a month membership reserves your place in your preferred class. • If for some reason you can't attend your normal class, you have the choice of attending one of our other classes, providing there is space. • Monthly membership fee allows for 4 free classes a year to compensate Gi�for Christmas and Annual holidays. Vouchers • All classes are booked in advance and work available out at £7.50 per class over the year. • Never more than 10 in a class. CLASS TIMETABLE - please contact the office
on 0131 672 2286•or WAXING email office@balancedMASSAGE • REFLEXOLOGY • REIKI lifestyle.com to book your place. CHIROPODY • FACIAL TREATMENTS Day Time PILATES • HEALTH PROGRAMMES So if you want a stronger core, flatter stomach, Monday 10:00 – 11:00 better posture and a healthier, more flexible body, then Pilates is for you.
Wednesday 09:30 – 10:30 Wednesday 18:30 – 19:30 Please get in touch to find out how we canThursday support your par�cular 18.30 – health 19:30 needs The Pilates method uses a very important and often neglected part of our anatomy, the deep musculature of the pelvis & torso, pelvic “My GP recommended I take up Pilates to improve Email: the office@balancedlifestyle.com floor and the transversus abdominus (deep my flexibility (old age doesn’t come itself as they 1st floor, Kingstonwhich Grange, Liberton Golf Club 297 Gilmerton Road EDINBURGH EH16 5UJ say). Thank goodness I found Balanced Lifestyle, abdominal muscles) work in harmony instructors are so patient and helpful. The small with each other to support the FREE PARKING spine and theavailable classes mean almost individual attention and you are internal organs. never made to feel silly for asking any question or
Tel: 0131 672 2286 Text: 07921 823930
www.balancedlifestyle.com Pilates works to strengthen the ‘powerhouse’ seeking any clarification on any position. It's not just which includes these muscles, plus the about improving flexibility and posture it’s also about your mental well being as I do feel more confident musculature of the hips, buttocks, abdominals with each passing lesson.” JM, Edinburgh and lower back. “In 10 sessions you’ll feel the difference, in 20 22
To advertise call 0131 283 2071 or email karolyne@murraysdirectory.com
NON GOLF MEMBERS WELCOME
A health retreat: restoring health, energy and wellbeing
Pilates studio at Balanced Lifestyle
Benefits of Mat Pilates
Improve posture, muscle tone, balance and joint mobility Relieve stress and tension Improve strength and flexibility Reduce the risk of injury
£30 Monthly Membership PLUS FREE PARKING
£30 monthly membership includes 1 class per week Reserves your chosen �me 4 free classes per year Flexibility to move class Morning and evening classes available 10 per class Parking is free
To book your space, please contact us on:
Tel: 0131 672 2286
Email: office@balancedlifestyle.com 1st floor, Kingston Grange, Liberton Golf Club 297 Gilmerton Road EDINBURGH EH16 5UJ
www.balancedlifestyle.com
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Quick Crossword
- Solutions Page 31
Across 7. Factual books (13) 8. Announced (8) 9. Concerts (4) 10. Large church (7) 12. Main artery in the body (5) 14. Small dog (5) 16. Removal of data (7) 19. Unsuccessful (4) 20. Clapping (8) 22. Protest march (13) Down 1. Leg joint (4) 2. Rides a bike (6) 3. Frightened (7) 4. Used for digging (5) 6. Female child (8) 11. Remote (8) 13. Get ready (7)
15. Eight pints (6) 17. Begins (6)
18. Artificial (5) 21. Work hard (4)
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Handyman Service In the home or office: • Flat-pack furniture collected, assembled & fitted • Small Electrical jobs • Door locks & handles • Draught excluders • Joinery • Tiling • Showers, baths & basins resealed • Kitchen units Outdoors: • Fences, Gates & Sheds repaired/repainted • Metalwork • Painting
Phone:
07894 881 319 • 0131 660 9443 Email: db@davebreeze.plus.com
www.davebreeze.co.uk
24
IT’S A
CRAFT HIGHLY EXPERIENCED
MOBILE HAIRDRESSER CALL STACEY ON
07801241563
Currievale Plumbing
and much more! Small jobs no problem Mobile:
IS NOT A JOB
Plumbing & Drainage Services Professional & reliable service Family business, over 15 yrs experience All plumbing work carried out
10% OFF on first job Tel: 0131 449 3071 / Mob: 07849 393 364 07849 393364 14 Currievale Drive, Currie
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L&S HEATING Ferroli & Ariston Specialists Edinburgh & Lothians
Plastering & Decorating • Interior bonding & Skim coat • Exterior plastering & Cement rendering • Cornis repairs • Internal painting • External masonry • Window refurbishment All Forms of plastering work offered for both domestic and commercial projects
Please call Dylan Mason M: 07809 232365 T: 0131 623 3311
Boiler Repair Boiler Service Boiler Replacement Full Central Heating Installation Gas Safety Certificates PAT - Portable Appliance Testing Boiler Service Contracts General Plumbing Services Please contact us or visit our website for further details and pricing Follow us on
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Cake and Bake Steamed Date Puddings with Caramel Sauce
These moist and sticky mini steamed puds will go down a treat after a Sunday roast! Serve with pouring cream or a dollop of vanilla ice cream to make them extra
Ingredients:
1. Preheat the oven to 190°C/170°C Fan/Gas Mark 5.
Lightly grease 4 x 175-200ml oven- proof ramekin dishes (or metal pudding basins) with the extra butter. Line the base of each with a circle of baking paper.
• 115g butter, softened, plus extra for greasing • 115g caster sugar • 2 medium eggs beaten
2. Place the butter and sugar in a bowl and beat together
until pale and creamy. Gradually beat in the eggs, adding a spoonful of the flour if the mixture begins to curdle. Sift over the rest of the flour and mixed spice and fold in until thoroughly combined. Fold in the dates, vanilla bean paste and milk.
• 115g self-raising flour • 1tsp ground mixed spice • 55g ready-to-eat dates, chopped
3. Divide the mixture between the prepared dishes and
cover each with a square of pleated baking paper then pleated foil and secure with fine kitchen string. Place the dishes in a deep roasting tin and pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the dishes. Bake for about 50 minutes until risen and firm to the touch.
• 1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste (see Tip) • 1tbsp milk FOR THE CARAMEL SAUCE
4. To make the caramel sauce, gently heat the butter
and sugar in a small pan, stirring until the sugar has completely dissolved. Simmer for 1-2 minutes until syrupy then remove from the heat and stir in the cream to make a smooth sauce. Turn the puddings out onto warmed plates and spoon over the sauce.
• 50g unsalted butter • 75g brown sugar • 75ml double cream
Makes 4 Ready in 1 hour 20 minutes
26
TIP
Vanilla bean paste has a very intense flavour so use sparingly. If unavailable use 1tsp vanilla extract or for a change of flavour try 1-2 tsp coffee extract instead.
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Ladies & Gents hairdressing Cut & blow dry Colour Highlights Bridal hair Prom hair Party hair Beauty Shellac nails Waxing Threading Semi Permanent lashes Find us on Facebook Small friendly salon. Ruth, Sophie and Claire our new stylist, are happy to help and advise.
10% discount with this advert
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Best Tech for Christmas The Ten Best Tech Gifts for Christmas
Christmas is coming, and that means it’s shopping time - but what do you buy a gadget-crazy friend or relative? These are the best tech gifts for Christmas. 1. A TV streamer - Whether it’s Amazon’s £35 Fire TV stick or Google’s £30 Chromecast, a TV streamer can turn a flat screen TV into a smart TV. Amazon’s version gives you Amazon Prime Instant Video while Chromecast offers Netflix (if you subscribe). Both devices have a range of free services too. 2. FishHunter - Buying for a fisherman or woman? The £149 FishHunter is a sonar fish-finder that connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and can find fish at depths of up to 120 feet - or you could buy the £100 WaterWolf HD fishing camera, which can record up to four hours of fishy footage at depths of up to 100m. 3. Windows 10 - If you didn’t like Windows 8 very much you’re not alone - but Windows 10 is much, much better and comes on a dizzying range of good quality, affordable laptops - for example, the superb HP Stream is £180. 4. TomTom Spark - Fitness trackers are everywhere, but the £189 TomTom Spark stands out from the crowd by offering music storage for 500 songs as well as sleep and activity 28
tracking. Too pricey? The excellent Fitbit Flex is £55. 5. Parrot drone - You can spend hundreds or even thousands of pounds on a drone quadricopter, but for £69 the Parrot Rolling Spider delivers an awful lot of fun for a relatively low price. It’s a flying drone, of course, but it can also roll along on removable wheels to perform acrobatics. 6. iPad Mini - The iPad Mini is the cheapest way to get the iPad experience, and its Retina display is a pleasure to look at. Prices start at £319. If that’s a bit steep, Tesco’s £99 Androidpowered Hudl 2 and Amazon’s £79 Kindle Fire HD are great value for money. 7. ZX Spectrum - The iconic eighties home computer is back for 2015 in two forms: the £100 Vega, which is designed purely for games and only has a few buttons, and the £89 Remastered, which is a bluetooth keyboard that can play old Spectrum programs. The Vega comes preloaded with hundreds of games, while the Remastered can potentially access 10,000 Spectrum titles. 8. Skylanders, Disney Infinity or Minecraft anything - The big games for children this year are Skylanders Superchargers and Disney Infinity 3.0, both of which are available for all
major consoles and which use interchangeable toys to unlock in-game characters. And then there’s Minecraft, the global phenomenon: the children probably have the game already but there’s a huge range of officially licensed merchandise to choose from including action figures, books and soft toys. 9. Smartwatch - It isn’t cheap prices start at £299 - but Apple’s watch is the prettiest and most desirable smartwatch around, although it’s useless without an iPhone. If your recipient has an Android phone the Moto 360 2 (£229) is the best-looking Android Wear, while the £95 Pebble Steel works with Apple and Android and has garnered rave reviews. 10. Gift cards - Not strictly tech, we know, but if you’re buying for someone who already has everything they want then iTunes, Google Play or Amazon gift cards are a good bet. iTunes cards are often sold with big discounts of up to 20%, so it’s worth hanging on for the deals before you buy.
Images left to right: Parrot Rolling Spider drone; ZX Spectrum Vega console; officially licensed Minecraft mug; TomTom Spark fitness watch
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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
handyman Getting the job done whatever and wherever, however big or small. For Free Estimates contact;
07766 068 550 drubruton@icloud.com
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29
INDEX
Business & Services
FRONT COVER EDINBURGH THEATRES
Roofing Fairmile Roofing
All Trades DCM Construction
16
Auto Centre AVW Auto Centre
2
Blinds & Shutters Homestyle Blinds
29
Building & Construction DCM Construction
16
Electrician & Electrical Contractors DSykes Electrical 21 Go Wire 11 KM Electrical 25 Swanston Technical Services 13 Food Real Foods Garden Products Champfleurie Estate
32 5
Gardening Hydrowash 9 JDS Gardening 9 Taurus Gardening 11 Handyman David Breeze Handyman 24 Dru Bruton Property Maintenance 29
30
Hairdressing Ruth Ross Hair Stacey Mobile Hair
27 24
Health & Beauty Balanced Lifestyle Ruth Ross Hair Stacey Mobile Hair
22-23 27 24
Therapies Balanced Lifestyle
17 22-23
Windows and Timber Renovations Ventrolla 31
Heating, Gas & Plumbing L&S Heating 25 Swanston Technical Serv 13 Weir Gas Services 11 Home & Garden Hydrowash 9 Joiner G. Stewart Joinery J.J. Joinery
9 13
Mobile Hairdresser Stacey Mobile Hair
24
Mobility Services Med-Ecosse
15
MOT Services AVW Auto Centre
2
Painter & Decorator KBL Painting Decorating 21 Michal Decorating 27 Plasterer & Decorator DCM 25 Plumbing Able Girl Plumbing Currievale Plumbing Weir Plumbing
27 24 11
Property Services Hunters Residential
7
Solution from Crossword, Pg24
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Call today
0800 243 126 www.ventrolla.co.uk
Book your free, no obligation survey & quote
Double & Secondary Glazing | Bespoke New Windows
Sash & Casement Window Repair LOVE YOUR
Windows
*Applies to UK mainland orders only and does not include wholesale bulk items
Fresh • local • seasonal • value
37 Broughton Street, Edinburgh EH1 3JU 8 Brougham Street, Tollcross Edinburgh EH3 9JH
FREE UK delivery for online orders £29 or over*
Shop online at www.realfoods.uk
Serving our customers worldwide for over 40 years
Whether you’re a Bake-off beginner or a Mrs Beeton master, we’ve got what you need to rise to the occasion.
need here at Real Foods to make your prize winning cake.
• Organic – ingredients from a range of over 5,000 products. • Baking – from scratch is as popular as ever and you’ll find all you
baking ingredients from us for over 40 years and now their sons and daughters do too.
• Traditional – Some of our customers have been buying their
With two Edinburgh shops and a webshop carrying a range of over 12,000 products, more than half of them organic, we’re a real Aladdin’s Cave for organic bakers across the world. For all generations and from all walks of life.
When we first started shipping our organic dried fruit, nuts and other baking ingredients around the world, people were still putting silver sixpences in their puddings. Silver sixpences are history now but the tradition of visiting Real Foods for your Christmas baking ingredients is still going on as strong as the pound.
Too early to start thinking about Christmas? Maybe, but it’s not too early to stock up on the high quality organic Christmas baking ingredients we’ve been providing for over 40 years now.
Supplying Organic Bakers for Generations