The Trinity Spotlight March/April 2023 Issue

TRINITY SPOTLIGHT

Welcome to the March/April issue of the Stockbridge Spotlight. As this issue drops through your door the clocks have just changed so it is officially Spring. Time to look forward to the daylight hours getting longer, the weather improving and temperatures rising. Though who knows what the next few months might bring given the recent unpredictable weather trends. What never seems to change at this time of year though is our instinct to 'Spring Clean'. Whether it be the house, the garden or the garage the process of decluttering, decorating and freshening things up will be on the go. Easter seems to be a trigger for many of us on this front for some reason. There have been many a joke made about queues at DIY stores on Easter weekend!

Not all of us are great on the DIY front though. That might be due to our inability to actually do what needs to be done or being able to have the time, or energy, to get through the 'to do' list. For those of you that need help there are many businesses out there that can do the job for you, saving you DIY disasters and freeing up time for other activities. Yes, you will have to pay them which, given the current economic climate, might be challenging. But that might be preferrable to numerous unfinished jobs or even worse spending time and money on what end up being botched projects that don't achieve what you set out to do. If you do need some help have a read through the Spotlight and hopefully you will find the experise that you need. As you read through this Spotlight though, what you will not find is much information on Community or Charity activities. Pre Covid I would have had 2 or 3 pages in the Community Spotlight section but sadly, I have not been able to build this section back up as things have restarted. So if you are a community group, church, an event organiser or a charity and want to let residents in our distribution area know about your activities please do get in touch. I would be deighted to hear from you again.

Best Wishes Sue

The Trinity Spotlight

Editor : Sue Hutchison

M : 07817 206 418

E: sue@trinityspotlight.co.uk

www.trinityspotlight.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 Trinity 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

HUMANIST CELEBRATIONS

FOR HATCHES, MATCHES OR DESPATCHES

To Celebrate The Naming Of A Child

To Celebrate A Marriage Ceremony

To Celebrate Renewal Of Marriage Vows

To Celebrate The Life Of A Loved One

To find out more please contact Lenny Love

Humanist Celebrant

T : 07584 566486

E : lenny@humankind.scot

Authorised by The Registrar General for Scotland to conduct legal marriage

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 42)

Granton

Granton Parish Church

55 Boswall Parkway

Edinburgh, EH5 2DA

Thursdays 7.00pm

Tel: Anne 07821 273666

Granton

Granton Parish Church

55 Boswall Parkway

Edinburgh, EH5 2DA

Fridays 9.30am

Tel: Anne 07821 273666

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: Nicola 07743 471946

Leith

United Reformed Church

108A Duke Street

Edinburgh, EH6 8HL

Saturdays 8.30am & 10.00am

Tel Sarah 07470 131148

Leith

United Reformed Church

108A Duke Street

Edinburgh, EH6 8HL

Thursdays 4.00pm & 5.30pm

Tel: Lee 07525 093604

An Update From Councillor Cammy Day

City Fibre

A major headache for Trinity residents over the last few months has been the work of City Fibre which is installing new fast broadband in the area. It's part of a UK Government scheme to keep us at the forefront of the digital age. However, City Fibre's work has been unsatisfactory - endless delays, poor planning of work schedules and illegal parking notices. After numerous broken promises by the company, as Council Leader I instructed officials to suspend the work until the company produced a firm, credible plan for completion. This has now been done and work should now proceed smoothly and efficiently. I hope residents will contact me if it does not!

Regeneration of Granton Waterfront

On 11 March it was great to see so many people, including Trinity Community Council, at the opening of the restored and revived Granton station square. Not only has the station been returned to its former glory but it is a part of a huge public/private initiative led by Edinburgh Council to invest around £1.3 billion to create a new community on the Granton Waterfront. Not only will there be almost 5,000 much needed new houses including many for lower income residents, but all will be zero carbon as an important contribution to the Council's climate change commitments. We are also creating office space and units for new start up creative businesses. Working closely with the National Museums of Scotland which already has a major base in Granton, we'll build on local initiatives to create a lively arts and cultural location which tourists will want to visit. It is important that the benefits of tourism are spread across Edinburgh and not just seen in the city centre.

The New Trinity Academy

In the 15 years I have been Councillor for the Trinity area I have worked with successive Head Teachers at Trinity Academy on plans to redevelop the Victorian school into one fit for the modern world. Our first phase of new sports facilities and classrooms at Bangholm has been completed and we have been working hard on plans for the main building. These will involve demolition of some parts, rebuilding them on site to create more space for classrooms. In addition, there will be major refurbishment of the main building. It is important that our plans are discussed and debated by Trinity residents. We have arranged an information session for parents prior to the Easter holidays, followed by two public consultation events after Easter, including engaging with the local community councils.

All Trinity residents are welcome to attend and we are particularly keen to hear from local groups who might be interested in using school facilities outside normal school hours so that such needs can be considered as plans move forward. I am very keen that the new school is not just for school age pupils but also a focus for community life in the area.

If you are not able to attend the meetings, please view the plans on the Council website where you will also be able to give your comments. Or get in touch with me by emailing cammy.day@edinburgh.gov.uk .

A POWERFUL FUTURE PRESENT MEDITATION/VISUALISATION

For many of us, life can be tough at times, so I’m writing this article today because I recently experienced a negative situation: I thought about it a lot – reflecting on the negativity of it and the fear of the possible consequences. Then I realised that I was living in the problem more than I was living in the solution!

As I speak with clients, I realise more and more that most of us are the same – many of us spend our lives living in our problem mentality rather than in our solution mentality. So I’ve created a meditation to lift us out of that state-of-mind and elevate us to a different perspective. This powerful Meditation is in 2 parts. I’ve included the first part in this article, but I don’t have enough space here to include Part 2. If you’d like the additional information on how to action & turbo boost the positive changes in your life, then sign up to my website for Mindset Tips.

Part One

I’d like you to imagine that it’s a year from now and everything in your life has changed for the better!!! What would that mean? What would have to change for you?

So let’s start with thinking about your work –your job, career, perhaps you run a business, your professional aspirations … How would it all look? What would you be doing? Where would you be? What would have changed? How would you have changed it?

What about your health. What would your optimum level of health and wellbeing feel like? How would you feel? What would you now be able to do? What would you have changed? What new habits would you have?

Now think about your relationships – family, friends, professional - how would they have improved? How do you now interact with people differently? What would you have changed? How are they now reacting and acting towards you?

What are your finances like? How much money do you have in your bank account? What is this enabling you to do? New home, holidays, adventures? What has therefore changed? How do you feel?

By Gillian Dalgliesh Clinical Hypnotherapist & Mindset Coach

How is your Love Life? Who is in your life? What makes this the ideal person? What sorts of things are you sharing together? What happy experiences are your sharing? What is the future you are looking forward to sharing together?

What does your home look like? Where is it? Do you own it or rent it? How many rooms does it have? Does it have a garden? How is it decorated? Who’s mutually happily sharing your home with you? What’s your connection? What’s your ideal weight & shape? Where are you on your successful, ideal, weight management journey? Have you achieved your ideal weight & shape? If not, how close are you to achieving it? How does that feel?

So, if you’re following my lead, you’ve just projected yourself into a very optimistic & successful vision of your future. Get in touch for more information on how to deepen & embody the experience. See my ad for contact details.

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

re-wires ~ showers ~ boilers

bathrooms ~ kitchens

landlord certificates

Mob: 07543698172

kmsedinburgh@gmail.com

Introducing Raison-Home

Edinburgh local, Sarah Maguire, started Raison Home Edinburgh after leaving corporate life to follow her love of interior design. Specialising in kitchen, bedroom and bathroom transformations, Sarah is collaborating with people across Edinburgh and beyond to design and install their dream interiors from the convenience of their own home.

Sarah has always lived in, and around, Edinburgh, so she knows the area and the unique properties that Edinburgh has to offer. Whatever the style, from traditional Old Town properties to contemporary new builds (and everything in between), Raison Home Edinburgh can offer a customised solution for your home and lifestyle

What makes Raison Home Edinburgh unique, is the concept of designing your kitchen with you in your own home. Bringing the showroom directly to you removes any stress, hassle or complexity involved in choosing your new kitchen. Sarah jointly designs with you to ensure that space is maximised, and it works with all the technical aspects of your interior. Meeting with you at home ensures your new interior works for your home and your needs, not just the showroom.

To help you visualise the look and feel of your new home interior, Sarah designs using 3D software and presents your project in virtual reality. This 360° vision allows you to completely immerse yourself in your design. Not sure whether a kitchen island will work? Can’t decide on the colour of your new cabinets or tiles? No problem, you can visualise it in virtual reality to help inform your decision. Virtual Reality goggles are a crucial design tool to give you confidence in your choices, and always guarantee a few giggles along the way!

The strength of Raison Home Edinburgh’s service stretches far beyond just designing. Sarah will coordinate your project from start to finish and be your single point of contact throughout the entire process. She will support you from the design stage, supply everything required to create your interior, and oversee the installation of your project.

Raison Home Edinburgh hand pick manufacturers for the quality of their products and appliances and have access to more than sixty brands. Sarah also collaborates with trusted craftsmen, carpenters, electricians & plumbers across Edinburgh, to ensure that your project is delivered to an exceptional standard.

As your personal Home Designer, Sarah is personally invested in the success of your project. She said, “building relationships and ensuring that you have an excellent customer experience is very important to me, and the in-home design concept is the perfect way for me to embrace this. To be chatting to clients about their vision for their home, and then helping them to make it a reality, is a dream come true.

“I know how stressful many people find home renovation projects, and it's my job to show a more convenient, stress-free, alternative. I cherish the variety that each day brings, and there's no better feeling than a project come together as planned, and a happy client along the way.”

For tips and inspiration for your home renovation projects visit our social media @raisonhomeedinburgh or contact Sarah to arrange a design consultation at: sarah.maguire@raisonhome.com.

Are you considering selling your home?

Would you like one of our expert valuers to give you a free, no obligation valuation of your property and discuss a bespoke marketing package to suit your requirements?

As a firm of solicitor estate agents, we are members of the ESPC and advertise all our properties on espc.com. This attracts over 2.2 million visits per month, including 100,000 overseas visits, thereby providing excellent exposure for your property to both local and international buyers. We also advertise on Zoopla and OnTheMarket, both of which have huge traffic from across the UK and beyond.

Why Choose us?

We offer a free, no obligation, honest valuation of your property based on our expert knowledge.

Our service is professional, high quality, good value for money and, above all, personal and friendly.

We have a small, specialised team who will do their very best to ensure that your sale transaction is as smooth and efficient as possible.

How do we rate against other ESPC agents?

Our 2022 statistics across EH4 and EH5

17 days - our median time to sell a property

107.4% - our average percentage over home report value - ESPC average is 106.4%

(Statistics from 1 January - 31 December 2022)

We are selling in your area!

2021 and 2022 were extremely successful years for the property market and although the market slowed down at the end of last year due to the economic climate, we have been very encouraged with the activity this year so far. Going forward in 2023 we are expecting to see a steady but calmer market with property sales stabilising and early signs are showing there is positive movement across all types of property.

If you would like to discuss the property market in more detail please get in touch. We have an experienced, dedicated and friendly estate agency and legal team, here to guide you through the full process, all under one roof.

Service you deserve, with people you can trust.

www.elpamsolicitors.co.uk

Too Good To Go

Do you like surprises? If you do, you’ll probably like the ‘Too Good To Go’ app. It’s a web and smartphone app that offers heavily discounted fresh food from local cafes, restaurants and shops at the end of their day. The idea is that you pay about a third of the price and get leftover food that might otherwise go to waste.

According to the Too Good To Go website, the app has 12 million users internationally, with over 25,000 outlets listed. The overall aim is to reduce food waste, whilst users can bag a bargain...

Over February I made it a personal mission to find the best local deals. The end of winter is an uninspiring time known as the ‘hungry gap’ when there’s not much seasonal produce available. A perfect time to try To Good To Go.

By Tracy Griffen

Once you’ve downloaded the free app, you get a choice of local eateries who have ‘magic bags’ of leftover goodies for collection at specific times. You reserve a bag (usually £2.50 to £5), go to the cafe / store in your allocated timeslot, show them the app, and hey presto, a carrier bag of unknown food will be presented to you. Even though it’s terrible for my waistline, I really like this app.

Over a month I tried nine different venues – much of it bread, cake or pastry-based. At one bakery, I received 7 big doughnuts, 2 pizzas and a loaf of bread, all freshly baked that day, for £2.49. Supermarkets are also in on the action, offering Magic bags of reduced

Scottish Prestige Awards - Mortgage Broker Of The Year 2022.

Finalists in the 2019, 2020 Scottish Mortgage Awards for both Best Mortgage Broker Edinburgh & Scotland categories.

Shortlisted 2022 for Best Regional Broker for both Edinburgh and Central region.

- Equity Release /Lifetime

- Standard Residential Mortgage (Interest Only or Capital repayment up to age 85 years)

A member of the Equity Release Council. Regulated and Authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority.

priced stock – perfect if you haven’t sorted dinner.

And therein lies the downside of this app – you can’t specify what you will receive. There are a limited number of vegetarian bags, but it’s not suitable for anyone with food allergies, or fussy eaters. If you’re trying to reduce the amount of wheat you’re eating, forget about this! It really brings home just how much baked goods ends up as food waste.

On the plus side, I have discovered a few new independent cafes locally that I will revisit in the future. I’ve saved some food waste and also bagged a bargain. It’s definitely worth a try. Have you tried it?

Tracy Griffen runs a private fitness studio just off Leith Walk, specialising in coaching individuals and couples. She coaches realistic nutrition as part of an effective exercise programme and offers a free 30 minute phone consultation. See adjacent advert.

An Article From Deidre Brock MP

When I was back in Perth, Australia, recently seeing family, I was really struck by the huge investment in infrastructure since my last visit. The development of the Quay, improved rail links for the metro system, and refurbished, greener, public spaces were just a few obvious examples among many new projects.

Much of the capital driving these ventures comes from funding packages Western Australia negotiates with the federal government on the back of its natural resources. The state’s finances have long been reliant on iron ore mining and oil and gas from the North Western Shelf. While the economic benefits from these are shared with the rest of the country, Western Australia receives approximatively two-thirds of the royalties.

You can draw a clear contrast with the way the UK has mismanaged Scotland’s natural resources, past and present. As North Sea exploration ramped up in the 1980s, the oil bounty was squandered. Revenues were poured into the Treasury’s coffers to fund the government’s breakneck deindustrialisation of Britain’s economy. In contrast, Norway set up a sovereign wealth fund which future generations are now benefiting from.

Early opportunities to harness renewable energy were also lost. While countries such as Denmark pioneered the development of commercial wind power, Margaret Thatcher’s press secretary, Bernard Ingham, rubbished wind turbines as “lavatory brushes in the sky”. More recently, David Cameron government’s decision to ditch policies he allegedly denounced as “green crap” are now playing a large part in rising bills. Analysis by climatedata experts Carbon Brief found these cuts to renewables will cost every household as much as £150 a year by the autumn.

A recent Survation poll on the effects of the cost-of-living crisis exposed the shocking level of fuel poverty across the UK and especially in Scotland. In this constituency, 41% of people say they have not been able to afford to turn the heating on, with average bills across Scotland expected to soar to over £1,000-a-year higher than the UK Government's price guarantee. All the while energy companies are making huge profits.

The tragic paradox is that Scotland is an energy-rich nation. Our abundant wind and tidal potential make us well placed for the transition to a fossil fuel-free future. But our energy system badly needs reform both to drive down bills and help us meet our climate targets. On the Scottish Affairs Committee we've called for an urgent review of the electricity grid and for issues around transmission charges to be addressed. Electricity generators in Scotland pay the highest rates in Europe and significantly more than elsewhere in Britain to connect to the grid . We have virtually 100% capacity to generate our renewable electricity, but we’re locked into a UK market that prices our electricity based on the wholesale gas price

The new Eastern Link project will draw from Scotland’s renewable energy surplus to transfer to 4 GW from Scotland to England via undersea cables, enough to power 2.8 million homes. This is welcome and should be supported, but there are concerns over how much the local communities in East Lothian and Aberdeenshire will benefit in terms of jobs and businesses, and whether it will help address our high levels of fuel poverty.

Unfortunately, the Scottish Government is reliant on block grant funding and cannot negotiate extra money from its own assets in the way Western Australia has. This somewhat undermines the frequent claims about Holyrood being the ‘most powerful devolved parliament in the world’. Clean, green energy can help drive Scotland’s economy while tackling the climate crisis and the cost crisis, but this won’t be achieved without a fairer energy market and the power to better manage our natural resources.

Mini Cryptic Crossword

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

April 14th

Lindsay Florey from Dumfries Title ‘Musical Flowers’

May 12th

Regina O’Regan from Kinross Title ‘It was only a Whisper’

Membership for the year is £20 and new members and visitors are always welcome.

Community Spotlight

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

May/June 2023 Issue

Artwork Deadline : 28th April Distribution Date : 10th/11th/12th May

To book your advertising space and reach 5000 local residents contact Sue Hutchison. Community Groups and charities can feature on this page at no cost

T : 07817 206418 E : sue@trinityspotlight.co.uk www.trinityspotlight.co.uk