Murrayfield News

by John Barrett - former local Member of Parliament and Councillor

When I was first elected to the Edinburgh City Council, many years ago, two issues kept being mentioned in conversations with members of the public, pot-holes and dog mess. Over 25 years later both issues continue to remain a problem for Murrayfield residents. While large sums of money are spent on making dedicated cycleways in the city, both motorists and cyclists are still being badly affected by the poor state of our road surfaces, which often causes, discomfort, damage to vehicles and even accidents. Many of the potholes are as a result of poorly repaired roads after utility companies have made good after their work. It is time they did proper, long-lasting repairs. There is a strong demand from everyone for better maintained roads throughout the city and this improvement would cost the Council nothing. The other issue, dog mess, will rely on all dog owners, who don’t, clearing it up, and not putting it in plastic bags and then throwing them into trees or bushes. Following on from my article in the last Murrayfield Grapevine about the closure of Haymarket Terrace to eastbound traffic, local traders are now feeling the full effect of the restrictions and if you can support them in any way, they will appreciate it and hopefully the Council will give them the support promised during the recent by-election. I was recently invited to give a talk to the Rotary Club, in Murrayfield, where I will be mentioning that I have now produced cards with a design of Sunflowers and the Ukrainian flag from a painting by a young artist I contacted, who was trapped in the city of Bakhmut, which is currently under siege. The cards are selling like hot-cakes and the entire proceeds are going to support Sunflower Scotland, who are sending help from Edinburgh to those suffering in the Ukraine. If you would like a pack, or would like to help them in any way, go to www.sunflowerscotland.co.uk

John Barrett

From history to sport and from cookery to crime, we round up the pick of the books perfect for Father’s Day (18 June)

Cricket’s Greatest Rivalry: A History of The Ashes in 12 Matches by Simon Hughes

With the 2023 Ashes Test Series set to start at Edgbaston on 16 June, all eyes will be on England to see if they can get back to winning ways on home soil – they haven’t won the famous Urn since 2015. For cricket-crazy fans, this book is a fast-paced distinctive history of the iconic, 137-year-old cricketing rivalry between England and Australia by commentator, analyst and award-winning cricket historian Simon Hughes, along with complete statistics and records of all the Ashes fixtures and results and much more!

The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman

A decade-old cold case leads Osman’s beloved aging investigators, the Thursday Murder Club, to a local news legend on the hunt for a sensational headline and a murder with no body and no answers. Then a new foe pays Elizabeth a visit. Her mission? Kill... or be killed. Can the gang solve the mystery and save Elizabeth before the murderer strikes again? Full of Osman’s trademark charm, insight and intelligence, this is the third novel in his record-breaking, million-copy bestselling Thursday Murder Club series.

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Regularly voted one of the best English-language novels of the past 100 years, this witty, wise and bittersweet 1951 novel is a tale of postwar alienation told by angst-ridden 17-year-old Holden Caulfield as he grapples with growing up, loss, sex, depression, his identity, and understanding the events that shaped him. Controversial at the time of publication for its frank language, this ultimate American coming-of-age novel was an instant best-seller.

The Gold by Neil Forsyth & Thomas Turner

The astonishing true story of the robbery of the century, Brink’s-Mat, Britain’s biggest heist. On 26 November 1983, an armed gang stole gold bullion worth almost £26 million from the Brink’s-Mat security depot near London’s Heathrow Airport. For 40 years, myths and legends have grown around the Brink’s-Mat heist and the events that followed. This is the conclusion of extensive research and includes exclusive testimony from one of the original robbers, who gives his version of events for the first time.

A Cook’s Tour by Anthony Bourdain

Part travel memoir, part gastronomic journal, lifelong cook and bestselling author of Kitchen Confidential, Bourdain’s passion for food and adventure shines through in this culinary classic as he travels around the world in search of the perfect meal. And as he makes his way from California all the way to Cambodia, he experiences some of the world’s greatest – and most delicious – culinary adventures. But being Anthony Bourdain, this was never going to be a conventional culinary tour…

Wordle Challenge

The chance to play the online sensation Wordle offline, with a collection of 500 brainteasing word-based puzzles to do anytime, anywhere. Based on the same format that has proved a runaway success, these stimulating Wordle puzzles are graded from Easy to Expert level. Puzzlers must guess what the correct word is, deducing from previous words in the grid what letters go where. A clue means there is only one correct solution to each puzzle, and answers can be found at the back of the book.

Fun activities for all the family.

BBQ, home baking, bouncy castle, pony rides and much more...

We would welcome donations of home baking and tombola items. No bric-a-brac. Thanks.

Donations can be delivered to the Rec Hall between 2-4pm on Sat 17th June Or email helenbrockie@gmail com to arrange collection l 4 Tiger Turf all-weather artificial grass courts l Floodlit evening tennis l Men’s and ladies teams l Regular social play l Adult coaching l Free junior coaching for members l Chance of Wimbledon tickets

Corstorphine Floral Art Club

Enjoy Floral Demonstrations by Qualified Demonstrators

Meets on the 2nd Monday of each month from Sept –May

In St Thomas’s Church Hall Glasgow Road

Meeting starts 7 for 7.30pm

For further information please contact Irene Young 01968 674064

Appointments available from Tuesday 9th May