The Stockbridge Spotlight Issue 110 November 2022 Issue

STOCKBRIDGE SPOTLIGHT

The clocks have changed, the nights are drawing in, the leaves are mostly gone and the temperature is dropping. Welcome to winter .....again!! The changing seasons are inevitable - even though they seem to be becoming a bit less predictable as the years progress. And time is marching on, ever so quickly if feels, as we head towards year end and the festive season. Putting this issue together has made me realise that things in our world are heading back more to the way they used to be. This is the biggest Spotlight I have done in a good while - which is brilliant. What is even better is that there are several adverts for Christmas activities and events in this issue which we didn't have last year at this time. And there are 3 community pages with various groups wanting to let you know what they have planned in the run up to the festive season. So the 'new norm' and the 'old norm' are re-merging in many ways which can only be a step in the right direction in my view.

The Spotlight always has been a way for the businesses who advertise on our pages to reach the local community and make you aware of their services. Then hopefully you will pick up the phone when you need that particular service - be it help in the garden, a new boiler, a lick of paint in time for Christmas or mortgage advice to name but a few. Since many of the businesses are small companies you will often be able to speak to the person who either owns the business or may be involved in any work they do for you. Much better in my opinion that automated answer machines where you have to listen to numerous options and press various buttons before you get to talk to someone. Or even worse you get an answering machine. Businesses out there are struggling though given the increased costs which are hitting everyone from all sides. So if you see a service you need please give them a call ..... and also let then know you saw them in the Spotlight. We all need a bit of a helping hand these days.

Best Wishes Sue

The Stockbridge Spotlight

Editor : Sue Hutchison M : 07817 206 418 E: sue@stockbridgespotlight.co.uk Office : 98 Ferry Road, Edin, EH6 4PG 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 Johnson Distribution Services. www.jdsdoor2door.co.uk Printing Cowan Print : www.cowanprint.net

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Its fun. Its challenging Its addictive. (Soln on pg 45)

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An Update From Councillor Hal Osler

I was honoured and humbled to be re-elected in May of this year to represent the Inverleith Ward. As a brand new Councillor in 2017 it took time to make progress on some much needed and long-delayed improvements in the Ward.

Things have been delivered after much pushing. Projects like the pedestrian crossing on East Fettes Ave was finally installed after a 10 year wait. The repair and reinstatement of the Water of Leith Path by Dean Village - again a 10 year wait. My first motion to full Council after being elected in 2017 asked for drainage repairs to stop long term flooding in Inverleith Park. That took over 4 years to install.

I know only too well the time and a perseverance needed to get things done. Sadly that is going to get harder with the Council facing £70 million in budget cuts and we all face great challenges. I know the deepening cost of living crisis keeps many awake worrying, there are growing concerns about changes in our climate and the continuing impact of Covid. So, for me it’s imperative that the Council works with residents to spend shrinking resources as wisely as possible and ensure that together we protect the vulnerable. In making tough choices together, we also need to make sure that the City gets the investment it needs.

Amongst other things, this time I will bring more focus on adaptation, since our climate is already changing the city, and also on connectivity.

Over the last few years Edinburgh has suffered from some fairly horrendous flooding with more and more residents being impacted. We need to invest and adapt, for example to make our outdated Victorian sewage system fit for purpose in the 21st century and beyond. I have been pushing heavily for more focus on this but progress is slow and rather than deal with issues short term we need to consider and apply resources towards medium and long term solutions.

Another issue for many residents is adapting their properties to make them more efficient and more affordable to run. This is a particular challenge for those in conservation areas with strict rules on what solutions and materials to use. I am working with residents to see what can be done, to allow for changes to be made whilst not adversely impacting our important built heritage.

As for connectivity, residents need to be able to move around safely and we must get the basics right. Pavements, paths, cycleways and roads need to be fit for purpose, with dropped kerbs and improved lighting. We must deliver outstanding road safety measures like pedestrian crossings and create safer and healthier places to walk, wheel and cycle to school or work, to access local services or just enjoy what the city has to offer. One example of this is the upgrade to the Snakey connecting Genogle Road to Saxe Coburg Place. This very well used path needed resurfacing and lighting improvements which were delivered earlier this year.

So, if there is anything I can help you with or if you want to know more please do email me at hal.osler@edinburgh.co.uk and I would be delighted to assist.

GIVE THE GIFT OF FINGAL

Give the gift of excitement, time together in the luxury of floating hotel Fingal. Formerly a Northern Lighthouse Board tender, transporting supplies and lighthouse keepers to some of Scotland’s most remote locations, Fingal is now Edinburgh’s No. 1 hotel, Tripadvisor. Just two miles from the city centre at the historic Port of Leith, step aboard to discover the style and glamour of a superyacht with an old-world elegance that’s truly unique.

The gift they’ll remember for years to come, vouchers to treat your loved ones, friends and family, include an overnight stay in one of twenty-two cabins. An Art Deco inspired interior complete with nautical touches, choose from: a Classic Cabin, with beautiful curves and contours; a Duplex cabin, cosy living and sleeping spaces split over two floors and connected by a spiral staircase; or the ultimate in indulgence, the Skerryvore Suite with private dining area to entertain and its own private outdoor deck, perfect for toasting Champagne.

For the food lovers, an Afternoon Tea featuring five courses of sweet and savoury delicacies, mouth-watering sandwiches and freshly baked buttermilk scones, is served under the shimmering ceiling of The Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar. Experience unhurried life aboard with vouchers to dine on simply sensational dishes created in the Galley, bursting with flavour using only the best seasonal ingredients. Watch the vibrant Leith Docks transform from bold daylight into soft, dusky tones through the floor-to-ceiling windows with a spectacular cocktail in hand. Whether it is an overnight stay, Afternoon Tea, evening dinner or delicious cocktails, a gift voucher for Fingal is the ultimate present this Christmas. Time away from the everyday, a sanctuary by the sea.

Fingal, your ship awaits.

Natural Ways of Managing Anxiety

By Gillian Dalgliesh

We’re presently living in times of great unpredictability & fear. This is unsettling for our minds and it can be very difficult to navigate our lives without experiencing extreme anxiety & uncertainty. So I’d like to set out some simple techniques that you can use to establish better mental health and more emotional equilibrium.

The Benefits of routine & ritual to start the day … Daily routines and rituals bring a degree of predictability to an uncertain future. The daily habits & rituals can be as simple as things like awakening at the same time each day – whether week days and weekends, having a morning cuppa at the same time each day, walking the dog, exercising each morning, deep breathing each morning, as well as going to bed at the same time each evening. Having daily routines & rituals convinces our brains of constancy & predictability and helps to buffer us against uncertainty & anxiety.

It's about repetition - repetition imposes order on the chaos of everyday life. Our brains are programmed to constantly look for patterns and repetition. (Whether positive or negative). We learn by repetition – do you remember learning your times tables at school by rote? An identified & defined pattern at the start of each day convinces our mind of a sense of control and gives us a stable and positive approach to managing our day going forward.

It gives us a sense of calm, composure & wellbeing, and the repetitive nature of the routine/ rituals, gives us a confidence that all will be well – that we can manage all bumps in our roads going forward.

Keeping your blood sugar in check …

It can be very tempting to resort to comfort food when we’re feeling overwhelmed with worries & anxieties – things like chocolate, cakes, biscuits, crisps etc. However, this type of food can lead to blood sugar spikes & drops that make you irritable, jittery, uncomfortable & anxious. Try to plan in advance to create meals that are as nutritious as you can afford, and invest in some basic fruits, veggies and nuts or seeds that you can snack on if you need. This will keep your blood sugars consistent and lead to less swings in moods & emotions.

This article is abridged. If you would like to read the full article – which offers many additional simple & natural tools & techniques for helping to manage anxiety, then hop onto my website www.changewithgillian.com for a free download of the complete article.

You’re not alone! Many of us are experiencing different forms of anxiety and it’s important to know that help is out there. Hypnotherapy is a fast, safe & effective way to help manage our emotions and restore our equilibrium. If you would like to have a free confidential chat then give me a call – contact details in my ad. (87 x 5 star Google Reviews!).

An Article From Deidre Brock MP

From the steam engine to the bicycle, from the refrigerator to the telephone, from television to penicillin, Scots are renowned for pioneering some of the world’s most life-changing inventions and technological innovations of the last few centuries.

What’s perhaps less widely known is Scotland’s more recent influence – and that of Edinburgh specifically - on the development of artificial intelligence (AI). The origins of AI science in the UK can be traced to a small research group at Edinburgh University, established in 1963 by Donald Michie, then Reader in Surgical Science.

During the Second World War, as a member of the renowned group of codebreakers alongside Alan Turing at Bletchley Park, Michie was introduced to computers and imagined the possibility of building machines that could think and learn. By the mid1960s, with Michie as a driving force, AI was established at the university with the creation of the Department of Machine Intelligence and Perception.

Nearly 60 years later, the capital’s reputation for pioneering AI research is stronger than ever. The university’s School of Informatics is one of the largest in Europe, while the Bayes Centre on campus is partnering with the Scottish Government and others to bring 50,000 jobs to the city. Named after Enlightenment statistician and university alumni Thomas Bayes, the centre is home to an assortment of organisations, businesses, academics and supercomputers. It also hosts a ‘humanoid robot’ called Valkyrie, one of only three prototypes in the world, which NASA plans to send on a manned mission to Mars in the 2030s.

Of course, the relevance of AI is not limited to the stuff of sci-fi movies and space exploration. It already plays a key role in many aspects of our daily lives, whether it's

our social media feeds, financial services or security and surveillance, bringing with it a host of ethical challenges.

In Scotland today, AI is being used in many positive ways, improving accuracy and efficiency in breast screening, reversing biodiversity loss through satellite analysis, and identifying new life-saving drugs, to name just a few examples. At the same time, its deployment poses significant threats, including political disinformation campaigns, the spreading of “deepfake” images, and use in conflict zones through drone warfare. Moral and philosophical dilemmas have always gone hand in hand with AI and Edinburgh University runs an interdisciplinary ethics programme committed to addressing these.

At Westminster I recently raised concerns about the UK government’s plans to change copyright law for online images. This would allow AI developers and others free access to scan images by photographers that they currently have to license and pay for. Photographers have always embraced new technologies, including using AI tools where needed. But this proposal is an example of how, without proper protections, AI might offer a further boon to Big Tech at the expense of individual artists and creatives.

AI has huge potential in helping us meet the challenges of the 21st century, but how is it harnessed, and whose interests does it serve? That's the crux of the matter. Used responsibly, AI can help make our lives better and our societies fairer, and with our worldclass expertise and distinguished history in the field, Edinburgh is well placed to help shape this future. The Scottish government’s AI Strategy, subtitled “Trustworthy, Ethical and Inclusive”, is guided by what I think are appropriate principles; that AI should have transparency, data protection and human rights at its heart.

Selling your home in winter

Selling your home at this time of year has some benefits. There is less competition with fewer properties on the market and there are only usually serious buyers at this time of year.

We find that there can be an influx of enquiries just after new year, as this is a popular time to make plans for the year ahead. If you are considering selling in the winter months, here are some helpful tips on getting your home sale ready.

First impressions count

Stand back and look at your property from a buyer’s perspective. Do you need to have the guttering cleared? If it rains at viewings, you don’t want a leaking guttering putting people off. Does your front door need a fresh coat of paint? Maybe something eye catching to compensate for the lack of greenery/planting in the garden due to the time of year. That said some winter flowering plants or ever green shrubs strategically positioned at the door will transform your entrance, as well as having good outside lighting for evening appointments. Make sure other maintenance is up to date such as clearing leaves away, cleaning pathways which will neaten the area immediately. If it is icy outside remember to make sure pathways are safe for guests. x

On a cold and dull winter’s day, one of the most important things you can do to ensure you capture the attention of potential buyers is to have an inviting atmosphere in your

home. To step into a cosy, well-lit home is very welcoming and uplifting. Having all internal doors open with room lights on, allows viewers to see the flow of the property. Remember that viewers first impressions are made within a few seconds, so it is important to make them count. It is more difficult to have our windows open in winter, bringing in fresh air, so a few diffusers or candles around the property is ideal. If you have an open fire or wood burning stove, it is always a good idea to have this on for the viewing because it is so welcoming and we are usually drawn to a warm fire. x It’s the small touches that make the difference As with any time of year it is important to dress your home to show it at its best, so that buyers can visualise themselves living there. Keep your rooms clear from clutter, this will allow your viewers to concentrate on the space and how you have presented the room. To achieve this, try and find a balance between accessorising the room but not too personalised. .X

To summarise, the easiest way to test your home’s flow is to put yourself in the shoes of your buyers. Take yourself outside of the property and enter it as if for the first time. How does it feel? The attention to detail will make such an impression on your potential buyers, so be sure to do all you can to make your property memorable.

Christmas at the Botanics, the magical, botanical illuminated trail, to host Edinburgh

premiere of global artist

With autumn here and the winter season fast approaching, the countdown is well and truly on to the launch of this year’s Christmas at the Botanics which will open to the public on 17 November.

Set within the surroundings of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), the onemile trail includes new installations specially created by world-renowned artists, with the designers involved being unveiled. These new installations will feature alongside what have become festive favourites on the trail including a spectacular projection onto the front of Inverleith House and the captivating Christmas Cathedral, a tunnel of sparkling lights. New for the 2022 trail are 12 low LED illuminated flora called Lilies, each measuring one metre tall. The installation has been created by world-renowned artist Jig Cochrane, founder of Jigantics. This will be the first time that his designs have been on a large scale display in Edinburgh, after showing them at venues around the globe since 1989, before Jigantics was established in 2007.

The Fire Garden will make its triumphant return to the trail this year. Including 120 glowing cans of light creating a warm and cosy illusion and taking the edge off the crisp Edinburgh air, the installation will be accompanied by lanterns of various sizes as provided by Mandylights. This year’s enchanting trail runs on selected nights from 17 November until 30 December, with tickets available to buy now.

Kari Coghill, Director of Enterprise and Communication at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “Christmas at the Botanics has become a milestone moment in the public’s festive calendar. Set against the beauty of the Garden, the new light installations will bring something fresh and magical to the trail. Seeing the Garden as you wouldn’t normally is a whole new sensory experience. I am particularly looking forward to seeing the giant lilies, but as ever, there is something for everyone to enjoy during their visit after dark. This year’s trail will take visitors past but not into the location of our landmark restoration project, Edinburgh Biomes, now underway to avoid the loss of valuable plant species in our living collection. Visitors to the trail contribute to our wider work to address the challenges of biodiversity loss and the climate emergency. Profits from ticket sales support our plant research and conservation efforts in Scotland and around the world.”

Jonathan Marks, Director at Raymond Gubbay, the division of Sony Music which is promoting the event, said:“Bringing new installations to the trail is exciting – for both new customers and for our regulars. With many festive favourites also returning, visitors can be sure their evening will be an illuminating adventure and lots of fun.”

Tickets for this year’s show are on sale now. For further ticket information, pricing and timings, please visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas. Visitors are encouraged to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Christmas at the Botanics is one of 14 illuminated trails staged across the UK by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is presented in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.

For more details visit https://mychristmastrails.co.uk/ and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram.

Granton

Granton Parish Church

55 Boswall Parkway Edinburgh, EH5 2DA Thursdays 7pm Tel: Anne 07821 273666

Granton

Granton Parish Church

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

Merchiston

North Merchiston Club

48 Watson Crescent Edinburgh, EH11 1EP

Tuesday 5:30pm and 7.00pm Tel: Anne 07821 273666

Inverleith

Ferranti Bowling Club

7 Arboretum Place Edinburgh, EH3 5NY

Tuesdays 9.00am and 5.30pm

Tel: Andrew 07849 109641

Saughtonhall

Saughtonhall Church

85-87 Saughtonhall Drive Edinburgh EH12 5TR Wednesdays 5.30pm

Tel: Andrew 07849 109641

Trinity Occasional Pipers’ Society

The name says it all. Trinity Occasional Pipers’ Society, TOPS, are a small group of pipers of all abilities from North Edinburgh, who meet once a week on a Monday evening to enjoy playing the bagpipes in a relaxed environment. We have been playing together as a pipe band for around thirty years and we are looking to attract new members from around the local area. The emphasis is on enjoying playing the pipes as a friendly group, rather than having the commitment and stress of competing as a band in competitions. This allows members to attend practices as and when they can around their work or family commitments. Most of our members learned the pipes at school, the Forces, Scouts or Boys Brigade and then struggled to keep playing due to lack of practice space (they are noisy instruments) or due to the commitments of daily life. Our ethos is that sporadic or occasional attendance is fine and this suits many of our members. That said, most of us turn up each week and enjoy meeting the other members of TOPS, sometimes there is more talking than playing! We have a good repertoire of tunes which is based around all the well-known tunes that most pipers will have played at some time or another. TOPS has also taken part in the Leith Pageant, picnics at Queen Street Gardens and the occasional wedding or celebration, but attendance is voluntary So if you have a set of pipes that has languished in a corner or under a bed for many years and you fancy giving them a tune up, why not get in touch - you’d be most welcome. The band generally meets on a Monday evening at the Royal Forth Yacht Club, Granton Harbour EH5 1HF from 7pm till 9pm.

For more information, a friendly chat or to join in, please contact Peter Hall. E : petehhall@uwclub.net M : 07737 557791 W : www.facebook.com/TrinityPipers

Life is a Balancing Act

By Tracy Griffen

Both metaphorically and literally, we need balance to progress in life. In a physical sense, having good balance helps keep you upright and from falling over. As we age, we need to practise our balance. In 2017, I wrote this column about why balance training is important for us all as we get older, today I’d like to describe some simple equipment you can use at home to practise your balance. We’ll start with the easiest.

Single Leg Exercises: simply by practicing balancing on one leg, you use your deep core muscles, no equipment required. Balance with eyes open, holding onto a secure piece of furniture, or a wall – a kitchen counter is an ideal height to hold onto.

Stability Disc: moving up to an air filled disc, looking a little like a balloon cushion. You can either sit on it (good for alleviating back pain), or stand on it (replicating an uneven surface).

Wobble Board / Balance Board: The next level up is an adjustable board that you stand on. Place feet parallel on either far edge of the board (wide stance) to make it easier. Stick your arms out and pull in your tummy.

Swiss Ball: my favourite piece of kit. You can sit on it, stretch on it, and even do a weights workout on it. The downside is that they are rather large to have in the house. But if you work from a laptop at home, have a go sitting on the ball. You’ll burn more calories as you work, and your abs will get a workout keeping you upright on the ball.

Bosu: a cross between a ball and a wobble board, it’s half a ball with a flat side. Some

people love them, it’s down to personal taste.

Foam Roller: A long foam roller not only is excellent for a spine stretch (if you lie along the length of it) but balancing on the roller uses (and stretches) deep postural muscles.

Ensure there is a clear area around you before you start balancing. Move any hazards out of the way, it will make it easier to balance if there’s nothing you can crash into! Start with a minute and build up. All of the above equipment can be bought online or at Powerhouse Fitness, Antigua Street (top of Elm Row).

Personal Trainer Tracy Griffen runs a private fitness studio just off Leith Walk and can teach you balance exercises that you can do from home.

Phone Tracy for a chat about your personal exercise requirements, on 07743 741088 or see adjacent advert.

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Accountants

AH & Co Chartered Accountants19 TaxAssist Accountants 16

Acupuncture

Katherine Dandridge 43

Art Galleries

Powderhall Bronze Editions 36

Art Events

Beaverhall Open Studio 13 Coburg House Open Studios 7 Patriothall Artists Open Studio 22

Bed Suppliers

The Bed Shop 5

Blind & Curtain Suppliers Homestyle 10

Building Services

Ronald G Graham 37

Christmas Events/Gifting

Beaverhall Open Studio 13

Christmas At Nomads Tent 15 Christmas At The Botanics 3 Coburg House Open Studios 7 Edinburgh International Magic Festival 48 Fingal 17

Patriothall Artists Open Studio 22 St Columba's Hospice 18 St Serfs Players - Cinderella 11 The Festival Theatre 1

Christmas Trees Crimbo Trees 12

Cleaning Services

Creme De La Creme 34

Complementary Therapies

Gillian Dalgleish 20

Katherine Dandridge 43

Computing Services AV & PC Home Help 41

Counselling Services Counselling Conversations 38

Curtain & Blind Suppliers Homestyle 10

Decoratoring Services

AM Decorating 9 Barry McGuire 19 DCM Construction 41 Elite Decorating 13 Driveways

Alpine Paving & Driveways 7 Edinburgh Driveways & Landscaping 39

Electricians

Kelly Electrical 41 McElhone Electrical 15

Estate Agents

ELP Arbuthnott McClanachan 30/31 Gibson Kerr 8

Eye Wear

Gibson Syme 23-27

Gardening Services Twinflower 42 Gas & Central Heating TB Mackay Energy Services 35

Family Law Gibson Kerr 8

Handyman Services David A Burnett 34 Health & Fitness Griffen Fitness 39 Level Up Personal Training 9 Health & Wellness Slimming World 33 Hospice Care St Columba's Hospice 18

Hotels Fingal 17 Hypnotherapy Gillian Dalgleish 20

Interior Design Countryside Kitchens & Interiors 21

Jewellers

Sheila Fleet 40 Kitchens Countryside Kitchens & Interiors 21 Landscaping Edinburgh Driveways & Landscaping 39

Magic Shows

Edinburgh International Magic Festival 48

Mortgage Services

Malleny Mortgage Solutions 9 MP Surgeries Deidre Brock 7

Office/Garage Clearance Man/Men With A Van 37

Opticians

Gibson Syme 23-27 Pantomimes Snow White & The 7 Dwarfs 1 St Serfs Players - Cinderella 11

Paving Services

Alpine Paving & Driveways 7 Plastering DCM Construction 41 Private Chef Joanna Upward 13

Removals/House Clearances Man/Men With A Van 37

Roofing Services Ronald G Graham 37

Royal Botanic Gardens Christmas At The Botanics 3

Rubbish Removal Joe Junk 15

Rug/Kilim Repair &Cleaning Nomads Tent 15

Solicitors

ELP Arbuthnott McClanachan 30/31 Gibson Kerr 8

Theatres

The Festival Theatre 1

Tile Suppliers Edinburgh Tile Studio 29

Tree Surgeons Heartwood Tree Care 7

Weight Management Slimming World 33 Window Renovation Craftworx 19 Ventrolla 2