The Stockbridge Spotlight Issue 120 February/March 2024 Issue by Sue Hutchison

ISSUE 120 February/March 2024

STOCKBRIDGE SPOTLIGHT

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Happy New Year And Best Wishes To Everyone For A Prosperous 2024 Welcome to the first issue of the Stockbridge Spotlight for 2024. And just like that we are into the second month of the year. On the positive side though, you can see a difference already with the mornings gradually getting lighter. All we need now is the weather to warm up a bit. I never have been one for New Year resolutions but over the festive period I have reflected a lot on last year and where I am in life. 2023 was a particularly difficult year. I had to take the decision to move my elderly mother to a care home as her Alzheimer's progressed and she became unable to live on her own. Settling her in was extremely stressful, but we got there and it is reasuring to know that she is safe and well looked after. A massive worry off my mind. But you never know what is round the corner. A routine mammogram came with the news no one wants to hear and I found myself undergoing surgery. I was fortunate that I had a positive outcome and I am now back on my feet with medication as my only addition treatment. So, my reflections have led me to the conclusion that 2024 is the year to slow down more, reduce my work hours a bit and plan for the future - including making the most of my bus pass. 'Work Smart, Not Hard' is the new phrase. Over the years 'Working Smart for many businesses has meant advertising in the Spotlights, reaching local residents and turning them into new customers. If you have a business why not try doing the same in 2024. We would love to hear from you.

Best Wishes Sue

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Contents

The Stockbridge Spotlight

4 Time To Work For Yourself? 8 Hard Sudoku 10 Lifecare Launches Chatty Cafe 13 Pet Regret 14 Understanding ADHD 16 An Update From Councillor Max Mitchell 20 Weight Loss Without Willpower 22 Spotlight On Wine 26 An Article From Deidre Brock MP 28 The Best Destinations In Europe For Off-Season Travel 30 The Power Of Sleep (And How To Get More) 32 Cryptic Crossword 33 Community Spotlight 34 Puzzle Solutions 39 Recipe - Everything Chop Suey

Editor : Sue Hutchison M : 07817 206 418 E: sue@stockbridgespotlight.co.uk

www.stockbridgespotlight.co.uk “All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. All artwork is accepted on strict condition that is it legal/ copyright free and permission has been given for use in this publication. The views and opinions by contributors to this magazine may not represent the views of the publisher. The Stockbridge Spotlight magazine takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers in this publication”

Distribution Central Belt Leaflet Distribution. www.cb-leafletdistribution.co.uk Printing Cowan Print : www.cowanprint.net

March/April 2024 Issue Artwork Deadline - 8th March 2

Distribution Date - 20th/21st/22nd/25th March

Inverleith

Granton

Inverleith

Granton

Ferranti Bowling Club 7 Arboretum Place Edinburgh, EH3 5NY Tuesdays 9.00am Tel: Anne 07821 273666

Ferranti Bowling Club 7 Arboretum Place Edinburgh, EH3 5NY Tuesdays 5.30pm Tel: Anne 07821 273666

Granton Parish Church 55 Boswall Parkway Edinburgh, EH5 2DA Thursdays 6.00pm Tel: Anne 07821 273666

Granton Parish Church 55 Boswall Parkway Edinburgh, EH5 2DA Fridays 9.30am Tel: Anne 07821 273666

LASplanning LLP is a professional town planning consultancy providing domestic and non-domestic advice and planning application support. We offer an affordable service to individuals, businesses and communities. 07796630941 lasplanning01@gmail.com www.lasplanning.co.uk

LOCAL JOINER City & Guilds 40 Years Experience All Small Joinery Jobs T : 07840138908 E : ross19mclean65@gmail.com

HARD SUDOKU HOW TO PLAY Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through to 9 with no repetition! Thats all there is to it. You solve the puzzle with reason and logic - there’s no maths involved and no adding up. Its fun. Its challenging Its addictive. (Soln on pg 34)

LifeCare launches Chatty Café Tables To Help Get People Talking Again LifeCare Edinburgh has been offering vital support to help ensure no local person is lonely or isolated for over 80 years. Services include registered day clubs, outreach care, help at home, meals on wheels, a free Saturday social club and a wide range of groups and activities, including dedicated support for unpaid carers, all delivered from the charity’s vibrant community hub and café on Cheyne Street. LifeCare is now extending its activities through the addition of friendly ‘Chatty Café’ tables within its community café, CaféLife, based on Cheyne Street in Stockbridge. The “chat and natter” tables offer a designated space in CaféLife where customers of all ages can come together to meet new people and have a chat. LifeCare Chief Executive, Sarah Van Putten, said: “Our community hub and café is a unique space, embedded in the local community, that brings together generations for activities, classes, and groups. Signing up to be part of the Chatty Café Scheme with the addition of our “Chat and Natter” table will further enhance our already significant social value. 100,000 older people in Scotland feel lonely all or most of the time1, with Edinburgh named recently as one of the loneliest cities in the UK2. Loneliness is an epidemic that can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race or background. Something as simple as a regular conversation could change a person’s life. We hope it will make the start of 2024 a little bit brighter for those in our local community who need it.” LifeCare’s professional and high-quality support is delivered to some of the most vulnerable members of the community – including those living with dementia and unpaid (often older themselves) carers - within the home and out and about. Demand for the charity’s services have risen at an unprecedented rate through the cost-of-living crisis, and they recently launched an urgent appeal to raise funds so they can continue to provide vital support during the difficult winter months. The charity’s thriving community Cafe, CaféLife, has become a vital lifeline for many loyal customers. 71 year old David, who has lived in Stockbridge all his life, has been coming to the Café for almost 10 years, “I stay in sheltered housing in the local area and they don’t offer meals there, we can come to [CaféLife], eat and get a blether, we’re made so welcome and it’s a fabulous place with fabulous staff. It gets you out and about.” The Café also holds a special place in the heart of Sofiya and her friends, “We’ve been coming to the café every Wednesday for over 10 years. In the beginning there were four of us, one person sadly died, the other person has now got dementia and is about to go into a home so there’s now only 2 of us left. We think the staff are exceptional. We’ve got to know them all very well over the years and we have a good laugh every week.” 10

The “chat and natter” tables will be a permanent addition to CaféLife, with two-hour sessions, supported by volunteers, taking place on a weekly basis. All proceeds from CaféLife fund the charity’s vital services. Jenny Bimpson, Volunteer Manager at Chatty Café, said: The Chatty Café Scheme, launched in 2017, helps reduce loneliness via the use of Chatter & Natter tables. Designating a few tables in a café, pub or community centre creates a space for people to connect, have conversations and meet new people. The sessions are supported by Chatty Café volunteers, welcoming people to the table and helping to create a friendly atmosphere”. The Chatty Café scheme is a brainchild of Alexandra Hoskyn, who founded it after a miserable day at a supermarket café with her infant son, where she noticed that no one was talking to each other. She found that by simply putting ‘Chatter and Natter’ signs on tables in cafes it created a space for people to talk. Anyone can join the table; if you're on your own, in a couple, with a friend, if you're a carer why not sit there with who you care for, mums and babies, dads and babies, grandparents and babies, young people, older people and anyone in between! It’s a great way to meet new people in your community

RECORDS WANTED

ALL ASPECTS OF BUILDING WORK re-wires ~ showers ~ boilers bathrooms ~ kitchens landlord certificates

Mob: 07543698172 kmsedinburgh@gmail.com

Friendly record shop seeking used Records, Tapes, CDs, Badges, Tickets and Memorabilia Get in touch for a no-obligation quote VoxBox Music 21 St Stephen Street Edinburgh EH3 5AN 0131 629 6775 / 07790 019881 email : voxbox@live.co.uk 11

March/April 2024 Issue : Artwork Deadline : 8th March Distribution Date : 20th/21st/22nd/25th March To book your advertising space and reach 5300 local residents contact Sue Hutchison. T : 07817 206418 E : sue@stockbridgespotlight.co.uk www.stockbridgespotlight.co.uk 15

An Update From Councillor Max Mitchell I hope everyone is doing well. Christmas and Hogmanay now, sadly, feeling like a distant memory now! Deanhaugh Street & Leslie Place Junction Good news on the horizon! Some may recall a previous update I wrote about the junction of Leslie Place and Deanhaugh Street with Haugh Street. The improvements planned included dropped kerbs and pavement extensions at Leslie Place, crossing/signal improvements, plus a raised crossing installed at Haugh Street. I worked with officials to include a footway extension into the design, so the narrow section of footway on Haugh Street will be extended by about half a metre to support pedestrian movements including those using a mobility aid. Residents from Veitch’s Square raised concerns about a safe pedestrian route onto the main road and parents of Stockbridge Primary have frequently expressed concerns for the junction’s safety and useability. This scheme is now scheduled for this year, which is excellent news. As I’ve said before, seemingly small changes, like a dropped kerb or a footway extension, can make a big difference for residents with a mobility aid, a visual impairment, or a buggy. Miller Row, Water of Leith Repairs I was incredibly pleased that repair work started in November on the walls and viewpoint at Miller Row, Dean Village. I first raised the issue over three years ago, but continued to speak with officials and push for the repairs necessary to remove the safety fencing to reopen the area. Work includes removing tree roots, resetting stonework, rebuilding dangerous walls, and installing new foundations. I hope everyone is pleased with the results and will enjoy using the area again from this spring. Future Libraries Questionnaire The Council has launched the first stage of consultation about the future libraries’ strategy. Step one (live now) is about understanding what works well, what is popular, and what could be improved. The feedback will help to shape the draft strategy, which will be published later this summer with a consultation as part of it. I understand that many do feel as though the Council is frequently launching a new consultation and sometimes even a repeat consultation. Please do consider filling in the questionnaire, especially if you visit a local library like Stockbridge. Your views and experiences will help to form the future strategy. Search ‘Edinburgh Council consultation hub’ online or visit your local library. Please don’t hesitate to contact Inverleith Ward councillor Max Mitchell by email, max.mitchell@edinburgh.gov.uk, or by phone, 0131 529 4409, with any local issues or questions. Follow Max on Facebook at max4inverleith and Twitter with @maxmitchell91

Weight Loss Without Willpower By Gillian Dalgliesh

This is the first Spotlight edition of the year, so may I wish you a Happy 2024 and send you glad tidings for the rest of the year and beyond! We’re already into February now! Hasn’t time flown! How did your new year resolutions work out for you? Are they still enduring or have they fallen by the wayside? Many people start the new year with a ‘new year, new me’ mindset, but without the right tools in place, they often fall back into familiar habits and patterns. Simply relying on willpower is generally not a mindset that’s sustainable. Willpower is a finite thing and throughout our days and weeks, we can be faced with daily challenges that erode our resolve and result in decision fatigue. If you started 2024 with the aim of reducing your weight and shape and have found that you haven’t been able to maintain your resolve, then you may be interested in my new weight management methods: I am delighted to introduce my new online course, Weight Loss Without Willpower. It’s available now on the learning platform, Udemy. This course goes beyond the conventional weight loss and motivation courses. It represents a transformative approach that sheds light on your unconscious patterns that have been contributing to past weight loss failures. As a Clinical Hypnotherapist specialising in Weight Management, I bring years of experience working with the subconscious mind - a crucial factor in either supporting or hindering your weight loss journey. Throughout this course, I guide you in recognising how you've unintentionally programmed your subconscious negatively, and I provide you with the insights, understanding, language & resources to change all that.

Are you struggling to deal with issues in your life? Weight Loss? Anxiety? Stress? Smoking? Phobias? Alcohol? Confidence? If so, then hypnotherapy may be the solution. Find out more about my holistic approach to resolving client’s issues on my website www.gilliandalgliesh.com or call me on 07593 082 349 for a free consultation 20

Our thoughts are a catalyst for selfperpetuating cycles: They’re a trigger for repeated negative or positive patterns! This course explains how the impact of past thoughts and behaviours have confined you to a cycle of unmet expectations and it delivers you an awareness of your ability to effect powerful change. As I mentioned earlier, simply relying on willpower can lead to decision fatigue and lack of resolve so the course is offering you ways of reframing your mindset in order to restore emotional power to your food choices. We delve into the realm of the subconscious mind, I show you how to reprogramme it, and together, we elevate your awareness and unlock the potential of your mind to create a lasting and sustainable transformation in your weight and shape. Also, this doesn’t stop at weight loss, you can use the same dynamic techniques to

positively change other areas in your life as well! The course is not a diet – but you can use the techniques it teaches you with any diet in the world, or no diet at all if you prefer to simply eat the healthy foods you enjoy and still lose weight but at a slower pace. You may also be interested in joining my Facebook group, ‘Weight Loss Without Willpower’ - I give weekly Lives and you can post any questions you may have. If you’d like to know more about the course, just tap ‘Udemy Weight Loss Without Willpower’ into your search bar. There’s lots of free videos explaining the course, how it works and what it offers. As an introductory offer, during the month of February, the course is priced at just £39.99. (List price is £59.99) One last thing that I’m excited to share with you – in the Spring of this year I’m publishing the course as a book. There’ll be a Paperback, a Kindle version and an Audiobook. So if online learning isn’t something for you, you’ll soon be able to get a reading or listening version.

March/April 2024 Issue : Artwork Deadline : 8th March

Distribution Date : 20th/21st/22nd/25th March

To book your advertising space or include your community group/events and reach 5300 local residents contact Sue Hutchison. T : 07817 206418

E : sue@stockbridgespotlight.co.uk

www.stockbridgespotlight.co.uk 21

Spotlight On Wine by Diana Thompson February/March 2024 With Spring around the corner here are some super refreshing wines with plenty of character and at great prices.

Turckheim NV Crémant d’Alsace, France – Waitrose, Aitken Wines from £13.99

Alive with zesty lime and crisp apples, elegant creamy bubbles and bone dry. Enjoy anytime.

Rosé Prosecco DOC Extra Dry, Italy – Lidl £5.99

Lots of deliciously refreshing elegant red fruits here. Extra Dry means a touch more sweetness than the classic Brut so a perfect food-friendly fizz.

Kleine Zalze Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa – Tesco £9.50

Three popular white grapes bringing a cocktail of fresh, ripe citrus and tropical fruit. Enjoy with shellfish.

Calvet Prestige Côtes du Rhône Villages – Amazon, Tesco from £8

Perfumed black fruit and juicy red cherries with spicy, robust tannins. One for a hearty casserole.

www.WineEventsScotland.com

@WineEventsScot

An Article From Deidre Brock MP During a recent debate on the Rwanda Bill, a Tory MP interrupted my SNP colleague Alison Thewliss to ask about the number of “illegal asylum seekers” in Scotland and England. Alison, showing commendable patience, pointed out that there is, of course, no such thing as an illegal asylum seeker. Under international law, anyone has the right to apply for asylum in any country that has signed the 1951 Refugee Convention and to remain there until the authorities have assessed their claim. It’s telling and disappointing the MP apparently didn't know this. Such ignorant comments spread false perceptions about asylum seekers being criminal or dangerous, rather than desperate and vulnerable people fleeing war, violence and persecution. Sadly, this sums up his government’s inhumane and incompetent approach to migration. The UK government claims the Rwanda Bill will “stop the boats”, but a recent report by the Refugee Council shows it’s likely to have the opposite effect. Based on research with 40 organisations supporting people in the asylum system, the report predicts that crossings across the English Channel will not reduce, they’ll just become even riskier. With the new laws making asylum claims inadmissible, people trying to reach safety in the UK will have little incentive to remain in contact with authorities and instead try more dangerous journeys to more remote beaches to avoid detection by coastguard and rescue agencies. Most of those crossing the Channel are likely to be granted refugee status anyway. The Home Office’s own modelling indicates only around 1% of those coming in a small boat would be sent to Rwanda. Three-quarters of asylum claims are granted protection at the initial decision stage, with 51% of refusals overturned on appeal. Among the top ten nationalities applying for asylum, half have a grant rate above 80 percent. What will happen to the rest of those left in immigration limbo? Then there’s the core contradiction at the heart of the policy; Rwanda is not a safe country for asylum seekers. If it was, why would the Home Office grant refugee status to six Rwandans in the past two years? The Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in November found there’s a real risk asylum seekers in Rwanda could be sent back to the countries they'd fled. The government’s revised Bill does not address this concern. You can’t make a country safe simply by legislating that it is so, and the Home Secretary can’t guarantee the Bill won’t leave the government open to further costly legal challenges. On top of this, the UK government has already paid £140m to the Rwandan government before a single asylum seeker has been sent to Rwanda. Their own figures estimate that removing each individual would cost £63,000 more than keeping them in the UK – a potential bill running into billions of pounds, all while poverty rates rise and folk struggle with soaring bills. Instead of forcing through this immoral and expensive legislation, why aren’t we building a system that treats those seeking refuge with compassion and dignity, and combats trafficking by creating safe and legal routes? 26

The Power of Sleep (and how to get more)

By Tracy Griffen

We all know how important sleep is. It’s when we recharge, thought processes consolidate and our bodies recover from exercise. It also makes us feel a whole lot better when we’re well-rested. So why are so many people struggling to get enough? When new clients start at Griffen Fitness, we always ask about sleeping habits. And what we’ve noticed is that more and more of us are turning into night owls. Especially since the pandemic. The primary reason? Our screens! As someone who’s struggled with sleep, here are some of my personal tips to getting better zzzz’s: - Doing some low intensity cardio exercise during the day is one of the easiest ways to make sure your body, as well as your brain, is tired in the evening. - Even though it seems like alcohol can help you get to sleep, it’s been proven to interrupt sleep cycles and can lead to sluggishness in the morning. Have a week off booze and see if it makes a difference to you. - Likewise check your caffeine intake, it might have crept up over the winter months. Can you reduce it to the essential cuppas? Nighttime teas (with chamomile or valerian) are a good after-dinner sup. - Most smartphones have a ‘sleep’ mode that you can set to a timer. My android phone is set to go to ‘boring’ mode at 10pm, that is no screen colour and no alerts, it reminds me to go to bed at a good time. - Make your bedroom your sanctuary. Blackout blinds are especially useful when the mornings start getting brighter earlier. Try to avoid all screens, and charge your phone in another room. If you use your phone as an alarm, get a bedside alarm clock instead. You can even get daylight alarm clocks that light up gradually in the morning, brilliant in winter. - Earplugs have evolved! You can now buy earplugs online that reduce annoying noises, but don’t block out all of the sound (I use Flare Audio Calmer earplugs). Be proactive in creating the cave-like sleep environment you need. - Sometimes an afternoon nap is a great way to keep your energy levels up during the day, but don’t have it too late as it might impact your evening sleep. Hopefully you will find these ideas helpful. If you start a new year exercise programme, remember you will need more sleep/recovery time so get to bed earlier to feel the benefit! If you’re looking for a comprehensive exercise programme that includes nutrition and lifestyle, feel free to contact Griffen Fitness for a free 30 minute phone consultation. See adjacent advert.

Cryptic Crossword

(soln on pg 34) 32

Community Spotlight EDINBURGH FLORAL ART CLUB MEETINGS The club meets at Blackhall St. Columba’s Church hall, Queensferry Road, the second Friday of each month from 2pm to 4pm

Future Meetings March 8th Grace Black from Laurencekirk Title ‘Flowery Fun’ April 12th Julie Pearson from Bolton on Tour Title ‘It’s a Little Crafty’ Membership for the year is £47 and new members and visitors are always welcome.

Your Community Page Are you a local club, community group, charity, church, school, library, volunteer group ....... Do you want to publicise your event or group to the local residents in our distribution area? Our community pages are free of charge so please get in touch with us to reserve your space. We would be delighted to hear from you. (Max advert size - 1/2 page)

Contact details are on Page 2. Or scan the QR code to go to the website to see our distribution area and publication dates. 33

Art Galleries/Exhibitions Powderhall Bronze Editions

Australian Wines Australian Wine Festival

Building Services KM Services Business Advertising Stockbridge Spotlight Carpets and Flooring James Erskine Complementary Therapies Gillian Dalgleish Computing Services AV & PC Home Help Counselling Services Counselling Conversations Curtains & Blinds James Erskine Decoratoring Services AM Decorating Barry McGuire

11 1/15 8 20 22 7 13

Estate Agents Cullerton's 18/19 ELP Arbuthnott McClanachan 24/25 Gibson Kerr 31 Gas & Central Heating Harbour Multi Trades

Going Out Australian Wine Festival 36 Powderhall Bronze Foundry Tours 3

Music Memorabilia VoxBox Music

Paving Services Alpine Paving & Driveways

Personal Law Gibson Kerr

Handyman Services David A Burnett

Planning Application Support LASplanning 7

Health & Fitness Griffen Fitness

Plumbing Harbour Multi Trade

Health & Wellness Slimming World

Property Letting Retties

Hearing Services Fairfield Hearing

Property Management Cullerton's

Hypnotherapy Gillian Dalgleish

Record Shops VoxBox Music

18/19 11

Interior Design Countryside Kitchens & Interiors 27

Solicitors ELP Arbuthnott McClanachan 24/25 Gibson Kerr 31

Jewellers Sheila Fleet

Upholstery James Erskine

5 6

Edinburgh Resident Rewards Forever Edinburgh 5

Joiners Harbour Multi Trades 12 KM Services 11 Local Joiner Ross McLean 7

Weight Management Slimming World Window Renovation Craftworx

Electricians KM Services

Kitchen Design Countryside Kitchens & Interiors 27

Wine Festival Australian Wine Festival

22 8

Driveways Alpine Paving & Driveways 7 Edinburgh Driveways & Landscaping 21

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS Cryptic Crossword

Across : 1 Stand out, 5 Stupid, 9 Coarse, 10 Parakeet, 13 Surname, 14 Gasket, 16 Admit, 17 Perimeter, 20 dispensed, 24 Cress, 26 Muriel, 28 Chariot, 31 Idealist, 33 Divine, 34 Lesson, 35 Presence. Down : 1 Socks, 2 Anagram, 3 Dismantle, 4 Top, 6 Teams, 7 Prevent, 8 Date 11 Anger, 12 Deep 15 Arms, 16 Aida, 18 Eve 19 Mechanics, 21 Saucers, 22 Sales, 23 Deck, 25 Edition, 27 Igloo, 29 Theme, 30 Bill, 32 Tip.

Landscaping Edinburgh Driveways & Landscaping