The Stockbridge Spotlight Issue 123 June/July 2024

STOCKBRIDGE SPOTLIGHT

Welcome to this June/July Stockbridge Spotlight. As this issue drops through your door the schools holidays and summer break season will be just about starting. If you are heading off to find some summer sun and warmer weather please bring some home with you! Or perhaps we might be lucky and the Scottish weather will take a turn for the better for those of us staycationing or working over the summer. It would be lovely to get out in the garden and use the barbeque.

If you are around over the summer we have some holiday activities for families and the kids, including The Royal Botanic Garden running a Play With Plants event with lots of hands on fun, plus some with Lego. And a couple of Fringe shows if you out and about in August.

On the community front, its great to have some articles again with a local focus - I hope you find them interesting. If you are a community or charity organisaton and would like to let the local residents know about your events or are looking for new members please get in touch. I would love to hear from you and support your group.

As usual The Spotlight will be taking a break over the summer so the next issue will drop through your door late August. If you are a business and would like to feature in this issue give me a call or send me an email. With 5000 copies of the Stockbridge Spotlight going through letterboxes in 4 days it is a great way to let our readers know about your services.. Have a lovely summer.

Best Wishes Sue

Simply scan the QR codes to visit our websites for future publication dates and booking information.

Stockbridge Spotlight Trinity Spotlight

rights

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”

City Centre Car Park Space To Let

N W Cumberland Street Lane

EH3 6RF

Covered allocated car park space

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£186 per month for 5 day basis

£260 per month for 7 day basis

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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 44)

13A Great King Street, New Town

ART RETREATS September 2024

Jenny Matthews RSW - Fee Dickson ReidChiara de Cabarrus

Alnwick Castle & Auchencairn House

SUMMER SCHOOL 2024

June, July, August

Children 8-12

Teens 12 - 17

Adults 18+

Life drawing - Portrait - Landscape - Sculpture - Botanical - Art History - Pet Painting - Kids

Illustration - Kids Art History

www.edinburghdrawingschool.co.uk info@edinburghdrawingschool.co.uk 0131 556 0971

Introducing Stockbridge Music Hub

The Stockbridge Music Hub is something unique and hopefully a model for other communities to use. Initially set up to help the neighbourhood come together after the isolation of the Covid pandemic it has now become a highly valued resource.

As a professional cellist and community music practitioner being given this opportunity to serve my community and fellow musicians has been a dream. I have been able to combine my life as a professional cellist with my job as a community musician – creating the Music Hub and working in schools and care homes.

I feel passionately that the role of a musician should be to serve the community in many ways – not only as a performer. Music is unique in the way it affects the body and mind both physiologically and psychologically – sharing experiences of listening or playing together can really change the way we feel and relate to each other. Working in areas of conflict such the Balkans, Lebanon and more recently Ukraine I know first-hand the power music can have and it is a joy to create a place closer to home where I can share this.

The Music Hub, in collaboration with Stockbridge Church, is the base for all types of activities and events and I hope there is something for everyone! Performers including Jacqui Dankworth, Hannah Rarity, Steven Osborne and Sir Alexander McCall Smith have enjoyed the warm acoustic, excellent piano and intimate setting. It is not only the highest calibre musicians that play at the Hub – the weekly Cello Choir (pic below) is open to all ages and abilities and there are classes for children on the autistic spectrum in collaboration with the charity Hear My Music. Over the past three years I have taken the work of the Hub into Stockbridge Primary School, Braeburn House and collaborated with Edinburgh Academy and Broughton Community School. On the first Friday of each month professional musicians from all genres, - jazz, traditional and classical present lunchtime concerts that cost nothing to attend and where sandwiches will be available. Beginning in June there will be a new series, ‘Jazzin-Stockbridge’, that offers a platform for some of the talented musicians who have lost their home at the Jazz Bar due to its recent sudden closure.

Sadly, like so many local arts venues across the UK, the Stockbridge Music Hub currently finds itself in a precarious financial position. Well over 1000 people have enjoyed the inclusive environment of the Hub since it began and with numbers growing steadily it would be a huge loss if it went the way of the Jazz Bar, Summerhall, the Filmhouse and the Theatre Workshop. If you are in position to offer sponsorship, patronage or a donation to ensure the Hub can continue beyond February 2025 please do get in touch via the website below Looking to the future with positivity I would love to hear your thoughts and requests about musical activities and events that you would like to see. Ideas in the pipeline include:

‘Music Makers’ – a group for adults with additional needs and their care-workers.

‘Tutti’ - a drop-in for anyone with an instrument to play and create musictogether.

‘Sharing Music’ - for refugees to share their musical cultures ‘Stockbridge’s Got Talent’

“Executries and Estates - at such a difficult time we aim to make legal matters as straightforward as possible.”

We understand that the prospect of dealing with the estate, following the loss of a relative or friend, can be overwhelming. We are here to offer you our advice and guidance - whether you have been appointed as an executor or are a beneficiary of an estate, our specialist team are here to help guide you through this process.

We deal with the legalities efficiently and with open, regular communication all the way through. We understand that every estate is different, and that you may never have had to deal with this before. Our friendly and approachable team will take time to answer all your questions.

Whether the estate is straightforward or more complex, we aim to navigate the legalities and practicalities as smoothly as possible. We have a small, specialised team who will do their best to ensure that the estate is settled as sensitively and efficiently as possible.

Our full executry service includes:

• Advice on inheritance tax

• Obtaining confirmation from court

• Dealing with the release of funds held at banks/investments

• Arranging the house clearance

• Property sales appraisal for confirmation

• Property sale

Selling a property with us

We understand that when dealing with a property in an estate it is important to deal with matters in a way which is sensitive and straightforward, and achieves the best result. If you would like one of our expert valuers to visit the property we would be delighted to help. Taking into account your instructions we will help you achieve the maximum possible price.

We are an ESPC Chartered firm with a specialised estate agency and conveyancing team who will do their very best to ensure that your sale transaction is as smooth and efficient as possible.

We offer a full estate agency and conveyancing service which includes:

• Free, no obligation, honest valuation of your property based on our expert knowledge

• High quality, professional, good value for money and, above all, personal and friendly

• Managing all aspects of marketing the property

• Advertising on ESPC, Zoopla, Prime Location, OnTheMarket and social media platforms

• Viewing service

• Advice and guidance on offers received

• Conveyancing

“Service you deserve, from people you can trust”

Discover Your Inner Calm: Sunday Morning

Chakra Meditation in Stockbridge

Voyager, the plant-based health and wellness shop, based in Stockbridge, Edinburgh is thrilled to announce the launch of free Sunday Morning Chakra Meditation sessions aimed at promoting inner peace and harmony by unblocking the energy centres in our bodies. Hosted by Voyager’s Lorna McKey, who has trained under Sri Sri Ravi Shakar’s world-renowned Art of Living Meditation, these sessions will offer a serene start to your Sunday, right in the heart of Edinburgh.

Lorna McKey explains, “In today's fast-paced world, finding moments of tranquillity can be challenging and disruptive to the nervous system. Our Sunday Morning Chakra Meditation sessions will provide a dedicated space for participants to unwind, centre themselves, and reconnect with their inner calm. The Chakra Meditation offering is a complement to Voyager’s CBD range which reduces inflammation and increases Calm”

As a special bonus for participants, Voyager is offering an exclusive 20% discount on all products purchased on the date of meditation attendance.

Hebe Arat, Chief Operating Officer at Voyager says, "We're excited to offer these Sunday morning meditation sessions as a way for our community to prioritise self-care and find moments of peace amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life.”

Sessions run on the last Sunday of the month from 10.30 to 10.50am. Spaces are limited, so be sure to book your spot early.

For further information or to reserve your place, please contact Voyager on 0131 259 7577 or email edinburgh@voyagerlife.uk.

Inverleith

Ferranti Bowling Club

7 Arboretum Place

Edinburgh, EH3 5NY

Tuesdays 9.00am

Tel: Anne 07821 273666

Inverleith

Ferranti Bowling Club

7 Arboretum Place

Edinburgh, EH3 5NY

Tuesdays 5.30pm

Tel: Anne 07821 273666

Granton

Granton Parish Church

55 Boswall Parkway

Edinburgh, EH5 2DA

Thursdays 6.00pm

Tel: Anne 07821 273666

Granton

Granton Parish Church

55 Boswall Parkway

Edinburgh, EH5 2DA

Fridays 9.30am

Tel: Anne 07821 273666

An Update From Councillor Jule Bandel

Next stop: consultation on tram routes

Last February, I was one of the councillors to approve a consultation on a new tram extension to Granton. Both of the route options on the table – via the Roseburn path or Orchard Brae –run right through Inverleith ward and are of significant interest to many residents.

From talking to people and answering emails, I know there are lots of questions, so I hope to provide some clarity on why a tram extension was proposed, what has happened so far, what I have been doing as your councillor, and the next steps.

Why build another tram?

The tram is intended to cut climate emissions and improve connectivity for residents not well-served by existing bus services. Additionally, as more (much needed) housing is being built in places like Granton Waterfront, we need to make sure residents won’t have to rely on private cars to get around.

At this point, you may ask yourself, ‘Why do we need a tram? Why not a bus?’ In short, the reason is that trams are more suitable for ‘high demand’ routes. They can carry more people and are faster, more reliable, and overall have been shown to convince more people to ditch their car than buses.

The story so far…

Back in February, council officers presented recommendations for the routing of a new tram extension and asked Transport and Environment committee to approve a public consultation on them.

While people generally agreed on the Southern alignment, officers’ recommendation for the route to Granton was more controversial as it planned to use a section of the Roseburn path. This route had been reserved for a tram extension by the Tram Act 2006, however, many people including me are concerned about the impact this would have on nature and active travel.

What have I done to date?

As a member of the committee at the time, I successfully passed an amendment to seek public views and present pros and cons for both the Roseburn and Orchard Brae routes. Because many variables were still up in the air and officers strongly advised us the Roseburn routing performed better against key objectives, Greens didn’t believe it was prudent to completely discount either route at this stage. Additionally, I asked for further impact assessments on nature and active travel to seek clarity on these important issues. I have also been meeting with different groups and organisations to gather and discuss their views.

What’s next?

The public consultation should go live later this year and I’d encourage everyone to respond to it – local people’s views are going to be really important. Public responses and the impact assessments will inform the report that gets brought back to committee along with a draft Strategic Business Case. There will be many more Business Cases to follow – this tram extension is still in the early stages of development.

Questions, questions

Nature, active travel, carbon reduction, leisure, connectivity, deliverability –there are many outstanding questions that will need to be answered ahead of a decision, and I have already started compiling a list of them. I am also keen to hear what is important to you. If there is anything you’d particularly like me and other councillors to scrutinise or questions you want to see answered, please email me at cllr.jule.bandel@edinburgh.gov.uk.

Weight Loss Jabs v. Programming Your Subconscious Mind For Sustainable Weight Loss Success

By Gillian Dalgliesh

It’s not an either/or, you can use the jabs and use my techniques at the same time. There’s been a lot in the media lately about the positives & negatives of losing weight using the weight loss jabs. Many people feel that the jabs are something they’d be happy to try, however: - due to cost,

- personal choice,

- being unable to put up with the side effects,

- worry about long term health,

- or some other reason, a lot of people stop using it, and most people quickly regain much of the weight they’ve lost. Many people think that they’ll use the jabs until they’ve lost a significant amount of weight and that by then they’ll feel so much better about themselves, that they’ll be able to stop using the jabs and happily eat a normal healthy diet while continuing to diet and lose weight naturally. If only it were that simple!

To my way of thinking, weight loss jabs are a temporary sticking plaster! Because all the reasons causing people to eat unhealthily in the first place remain unaddressed. Many of our unbalanced eating patterns and poor dietary habits are deeply ingrained in our subconscious and are played out in our thoughts, beliefs and behaviours. Weight loss jabs do nothing to address that, hence the reason most people revert to old patterns when they stop taking it. However, here’s some great news!!!!

It doesn’t have to be an either or approach with weight loss jabs. By combining using the jabs while reading my book, ‘Weight Loss Without Willpower – Learn how to programme your subconscious mind for sustainable weight loss success’, and/or by working with me, you can be losing weight, while similtaneously learning how to re-wire your automatic beliefs, thoughts and behaviours, and resetting your mindset to enhance your healthy weight loss journey.

So by the time that you feel ready to stop using the jabs, you’ll have the confidence of knowing that on your journey, you’ve learned the insights, self-awareness, mind tools, tips & techniques to healthily & sustainably support you on your weight loss journey!

And it doesn’t just stop at weight loss! The powerful & positive methods that I teach can be applied to any area of your life!

Learn how to experience self-belief, selfcontrol, self-empowerment and self-confidence like never before!

If you’d like more information, do get in touch for a free exploratory chat.

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

The Formula For Learning A New Language? You + Confidence.

This summer, Speak in a Week is back! Language confidence in one week with Speak Out’s popular summer intensive course. Choose from Spanish, Italian, French or German and get yourself holiday-ready!

There are 3 language levels: Speak in a Week for beginners will teach you the practical language skills you need to communicate confidently abroad. Improvers is for those who already grasp the fundamentals and want to develop their conversation and vocabulary. Intermediate is for nonbeginners who wish to build confidence and fluency. Contact us at hello@speakoutwithconfidence.com or on 07825 597056 and we’ll help you find the right level

Speaking a foreign language with confidence is easier than you think. Whether you’re a beginner or have prior experience, our lessons have helped over a thousand students learn a new language in a way that is easy, friendly, and relaxed.

Speak in a Week is £180 per person. Places are limited to 8 per group. This enables quality instruction and a friendly environment, ensuring you get the maximum amount of speaking practice.

Speak in a Week sells out quickly, so get in touch today to register interest hello@speakoutwithconfidence

07825 597056

LifeCare Offers Free Relaxing Activities For Local

Unpaid Carers

Are you an unpaid carer? Do you support another adult – friend or relative – due to their age, illness or disability? Then this could be for you.

Local charity LifeCare Edinburgh understands how important it is for unpaid carers to get a well-deserved break. Based on Cheyne Street, the charity offers a range of respite services such as their registered day clubs, outreach care, help at home and meals on wheels services. The charity also offers a fantastic range of free drop-in activities designed for unpaid carers to relax, do something for them and meet others in a similar position.

Join us to try a new activity or get back to something you love. All sessions take place in the LifeCare Hub on Cheyne Street and run through the week at different days and times. Why not pop along to Zumba on a Monday 6pm, Watercolours on a Tuesday at 11am, Painting and Sculpture for Beginners on a Thursday at 11am or Yoga on Sunday at 5pm.

Everyone that joins a class receives a voucher for a free tea or coffee in the charity’s community café CafeLife based within the hub.

Thanks to these activities, carers report feeling supported, connected, valued, refreshed and overall they feel better equipped to continue in their caring role. One carer recently told us “I feel like myself again”

All activities are drop-in, no need to book, and are completely free thanks to funding from The Short Break Fund and LNER Community Fund. You’re welcome to bring along the person you care for.

To find out more drop in to the hub on Cheyne Street, call 0131 343 0940, email enquiries@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk or visit www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk.

We can’t wait to welcome you.

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Spotlight On Wine by Diana Thompson

June/July 2024 - Spotlight On Rose

When the sun comes out it’s hard to resist reaching for a chilled bottle of rosé and enjoying it in the sunshine. Here is a selection of still and sparkling everyday rosés and those for special occasions – make sure you have them chilled at the ready.

Villa Maria Private Bin Blush Sauvignon 2022, New Zealand – Morrisons, Asda, Tesco, Sainsburys - from £9

All the fabulous hallmarks of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with a delicious touch of red fruit from a small proportion of Merlot. Beautifully refreshing.

Minuty Prestige Rosé, Provence, France – Majestic from £20.99

A step up from Château Minuty’s “M de Minuty” and a stunning premium Provence rosé. Delicate blossom on the nose followed by delectable white peaches and a hint of wild strawberries. The epitome of elegance.

La Gioiosa Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato Brut, Italy – Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Tesco, Majestic from £8.99

Delicate floral nose, with redcurrants, raspberries and pomegranate fruit. Perfectly dry and great with sunshine.

Champagne Taittinger Prestige Rosé, France – WoodWinters, John Lewis, Goldenacre, Asda, Sainsbury’s from £48

An intense bouquet of rose petals make way for crushed raspberries, hints of red cherries and a splash of rhubarb. Followed by a length which will go on throughout summer. www.WineEventsScotland.com @WineEventsScot

Being Thankful

By Tracy Griffen

The modern world is a crazy chaotic place, enough to drive anxiety levels up and multiply feelings of despair. As a survival instinct we’re hard-wired for ‘negativity bias’, that is focusing on the negative to remember pain to avoid it in the future. Given this, it is also within our minds to alter how we view the world. The world will still be chaotic, but we can view it in a different way.

Being thankful for what we have: safe drinking water, clean air, a society not at war, family, friends, pets, plants, our homes and favourite things. We have a lot to be thankful for. And this simple practice of gratitude can greatly help boost both your mental and physical health.

According to the American Heart Association:

“Research has shown that that the practice of gratitude is associated with many positive effects in a person’s physical and mental health. Expressing gratitude can improve sleep, mood and immunity, and can decrease depression, anxiety, chronic pain and disease.”

We all go through hard times but learning to see small positives in life will help build your resilience, allowing you to bounce back from future setbacks. And there will always be unexpected events, drama and tragedy in our lives, that is the nature of being human. But there is also beauty, music, nature, play and good times.

Similar to giving, gratitude triggers the brain to release neurotransmitters and hormones associated with happiness, including dopamine and serotonin. Philosopher Epictetus said:

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”

I sometimes encounter new fitness clients who are angry at their bodies. Using this approach, viewing your body, no matter what shape or level of decrepitude it’s in, as an amazing fleshy vehicle that has taken you through life thus far, might change your perception. ¬Your body is incredible, and it will thank you when you show it gratitude (getting enough sleep, moving regularly and acknowledging pain and appetite). It sounds corny, but try it, it works.

Personal Trainer Tracy Griffen runs a fitness studio just off Leith Walk – after a decade of roadworks, she’s very grateful to have a tram stop 50 metres from the door. Just hop off at Balfour Street stop!

Or telephone/ text / WhatsApp her on 07743741088.

(Soln on pg 44)

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

Quick Crossword Across: 7 Banana, 8 Repeat, 9 Dawn, 10 Hundreds, 11 Distant, 13 Sloop, 15 After, 17 Clamped, 20 Properly, 21 Daft, 23 Demons, 24 Nearly. Down: 1 Data, 2 Gannet, 3 Washing, 4 Drunk, 5 Spiral, 6 Handsome, 12 Inferred, 14 Cloying, 16 Employ, 18 Midday, 19 Brisk, 22 Fall.