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Balgreen Library: 529 5585
City of Edinburgh Council: 200 2000
Murrayfield Medical Practice: 337 6151
Riversdale Crescent
Murrayfield Medical Centre: 337 2166
Saughton Crescent
Royal Infirmary: 536 1000
Western General: 537 1000
Sick Kids Hospital: 536 0000
NHS 24: 111
Police - Non Emergency: 101
Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111
Edinburgh Airport: 08444 888 333
National Rail Enquiries: 03457 48 49 50
Gas - Emergency: 0800 111 999
Scottish Water (24hr): 0800 0778 778
Happy New Year, welcome to the first edition of the Murrayfield Grapevine in 2026.
As much as you might prefer to ‘buy’local’ there will always be national retail outlets you will have to use. Supermarkets like Tesco, Asda etc will inevitably get your custom. Likewise clothing stores and furniture retailers offer low prices and lots of choice so big businesses remain part of everyday life.
However, particularly in service based sectors, independent businesses are not just valuable but essential. Trades such as roofers, electricians; personal services like podiatrists, beauticians; and professionals including solicitors, funeral directors are more local.
Whilst every care is taken in preparing this booklet to ensure accuracy, the publishers cannot be held responsible for loss, damage or omission caused by an error in an advert. Artwork is accepted from advertisers on the condition that it is legal and copyright free and that the advert is fair and accurate. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of claims made by advertisers or the views expressed by contributors, nor do the publishers necessarily share such views. We reserve the right to refuse articles and advertisements. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is strictly prohibited.
These businesses rely on trust, reputation, local knowledge and personal relationships. They need new customers to survive. Many promote themselves in this directory because it reaches exactly the people who buy from them. Finally, this is us too, a small independently owned company. When you use our advertisers you support us as well. Thank you.
Best wishes Jill
The Murrayfield Grapevine is printed by Cowan Print Tel : 01236 821177
Your spine is the backbone of your entire body – literally and figuratively. That means poor spinal health may negatively impact you from head to toe. How can you keep your spine in shape?
Some common exercises help promote spinal health in the form of proper posture while others promote poor posture and put the spine at risk. A strong core supports the spine, whereas a weak core can lead to pain and injury. To build the core, think bent-leg knee raises, stability ball exercises and other exercises that strengthen the core muscles (remembering to keep your spine protected at all times by avoiding rounding the back / neck). On the other hand, avoid exercises / movements that unduly stress the spine: slumping while sitting and bending forward immediately after sitting come to mind, as do exercises that make you prone to rounding your back (traditional sit-ups, toe-touches, etc.).
Please seek exercise advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Your sleep position and the overall quality of your sleep play a big role in spinal health. The ideal position for the spine during sleep places you on your back with a pillow underneath the knees. As you might imagine, lying on your stomach is the worst position. Your pillow and mattress also matter, so make sure you choose the right ones for you, or your spine will let you know with neck and/or back pain. (Talk to your healthcare professional for suggestions.)
Believe it or not, certain foods promote a healthy spine (and vice versa). For example, adequate water intake is necessary to nourish not only the body’s cells, but also the spinal intervertebral discs. As you might imagine, water helps keep the discs (and thus the spine) from getting stiff and becoming subject to injury. In addition, an antiinflammatory diet is key to preventing back pain and other spine problems due to inflammation. Think foods such as omega-3 fish and lean proteins, fresh produce, avocado and olive oil while reducing intake of pro-inflammatory foods (most fast foods and processed foods, sugar-laden sweets, etc.).
No conversation about spinal health would be complete without mentioning chiropractic, an entire health care profession founded on the principle that a healthy, properly aligned spine may have far-reaching effects on the entire body. Research asserts chiropractic’s effectiveness in treating back pain, neck pain and various other musculoskeletal conditions, and the goal of chiropractic care is to improve spinal health and help prevent pain from returning.
Ross McDonald & Rebecca Vickery Registered Chiropractors
How to play: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3 x 3 box contains the digits 1 through 9, with no repetition! You solve the puzzle with reasoning and logic - there is no maths involved and no adding up.
Time is making fools of us again.
Solutions on Page 52
Come along to join in with lots of friendly chat, meet new people and enjoy refreshments.
Held every Friday 10am - 12pm at Saughtonhall United Reformed Church 87 Saughtonhall Drive, EH12 5TR For further information contact: 07881 288909
Admission £3 per person
St Ninian’s Parish Church
and Thursdays - 11am - 1pm
and
A chance to blether and make friends or just enjoy a change of scene. All
Do you suffer from:
Back or neck pain
Joint, ligament or tendon sprains
Muscle tears or strains
Work-related arm pain (RSI)
Frozen shoulder
Tennis or Golfer’s elbow
Arthritis or generalised joint pains
Headaches
Stiffness following fracture or injury
Forth Physio clinics offer high quality physiotherapy & healthcare services in Edinburgh city. We have experienced Chartered Physiotherapists specialising in musculoskeletal problems, neurological disorders and Care of the Elderly as well as Women’s health and occupational health.
Our two clinics are convenient for residents in the west of Edinburgh. Our headquarters are in the historic South Queensferry and our satellite clinic is in South Gyle which also has parking, disabled parking and is close to buses, the tram and an easy walk from the Gyle shopping centre.
We are available for face-to-face and virtual appointments. COVID
We comply with all required regulations relating to Covid 19 infection control
Murrayfield Community Council (“MCC”) holds public meetings online and in person.
Please see our website for dates, agendas and minutes www.murrayfieldcc.org.uk
The Community Council would like to thank the organisers and all who took part, came along, or donated to the Xmas events on the Old Colt Bridge this year. Donations of £800 from individuals and local businesses have gone to Tummies Not Trash. For a full list of people we would like to thank, see our website.
The City Council gave the go ahead to start work on permit-parking in the Roseburn area. The area has one of the highest parking use levels in the city and is one of the closest areas to the centre that does not already have controlled parking.
Works were at last due to start in January to improve pedestrian safety on Ellersly and Kinellan Roads. There is to be some pavement widening, junction narrowing, dropped curves and tactile surfaces. The Community Council believes that a more controlled crossing at the
Helping local people have their say.
junction with Murrayfield Road is needed but is not in current plans. The works are part of a wider project to resurface the road. Work is also expected this year to improve the tunnel on Craigleith Drive for walkers and wheelers, and to improve access for cyclists between Ravelston Dykes and the path down to the Roseburn Path. See our website for more about the work of our Road Safety Group.
Subject to planning, the west part of St George’s School is to be turned into an extra care (assisted living) community. The developers hope to make 48 apartments as well as things like a health club, bistro, lounge bar and library. They plan to re-use some of the current buildings and build new blocks. Many comments have been received by the Planning Department about this. The Community Council objected because it is a dense over-development of the site, which is in a conservation area and includes listed buildings. Other comments have been made about the height of new buildings and lack of on-site parking.
Keep up with our news and meetings by subscribing to our newsletter: www.murrayfieldcc.org.uk/contact#newsletter
Or find details of our meetings and documents here: www.murrayfieldcc.org.uk/meetings
And keep up to date with our business here: www.murrayfieldcc.org.uk
See our privacy and data protection information here: www.murrayfieldcc.org.uk/contact#privacy
Enjoy a Happy New Year at Multi-Award-Winning
The last remaining balcony apartment is now available at Rowanbank Gardens, the multi-award residential development located at the heart of the vibrant Edinburgh suburb of Corstorphine.
The spacious two-bedroomed flat offers spectacular views across the large communal gardens and planting spaces, whilst providing the highest standard of living both inside and out. Airy, sun-drenched open plan living spaces make the most of natural daylight and the breathtaking views, which are maximised by full-length picture windows.
The stunning balcony apartment is one of just four luxury two-bedroom homes currently available and ready to move into at Rowanbank Gardens, with prices starting at £330,000.
All the new homes include oak hardwood floors and carpets throughout as standard, together with
contemporary bathrooms and fully fitted kitchens with state-of-the-art appliances and worktops supplied by Kitchens International.
Developed by boutique developer, Artisan Real Estate, Rowanbank Gardens has been recognised as setting new industry standards for sustainable, low-carbon living challenging many of the norms associated with the building of traditional apartment buildings in city centre areas.
It is one of the first large developments in Scotland to employ individual air source heat pumps in all apartments, providing both heating and domestic hot water, which combined with industry-leading insulation, provides supreme energy and cost efficiency. Externally, large landscaped green areas - including new trees, herb and vegetable growing beds, flowering sedum roofs and even a communal potting shedcombine to create a powerful and unique sense of community for all residents.
And for 2026, buying a new home at Rowanbank Gardens has just become easier thanks to a range of superb incentives making moving both easier and more cost-effective.
Artisan is currently offering a range of generous incentives for buyers looking to reserve the remaining apartments. These include a £10,000 deposit contribution, which can be taken as cash-back to help with moving expenses or a contribution to the Land & Building Transaction Tax. If you reserve before 31 January 2026, you will also receive a two years’ membership at the local gym and wellness centre, making it a great way to start the New Year!
Enjoy this delicious fruity version of a traditional Sunday roast.
Serves 6
Preparation time 10 minutes
Cooking time 1 hour 30 minutes
To cook medium:
25 minutes per 450g, plus 25 minutes
To cook well done:
30 minutes per 450g, plus 30 minutes
Ingredients
• 1 x 900g-1.3kg lean lamb leg joint
• 25-30g stem ginger, drained and finely chopped
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary leaves (stalk discarded), chopped
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 300ml port
• 15 Victoria plums or similar, halved and stoned
• 2 tbsp stem ginger syrup
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180-190°C, fan 160-170°C, gas mark4-5.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the chopped ginger, rosemary, garlic and oil.
3. Place the lamb on a chopping board, season and make several slits over the surface of the joint. Stuff with the rosemary and ginger rub.
4. Season and place on a metal rack in a large non-stick roasting tin and open roast for the preferred calculated cooking time, basting occasionally with any lamb juices.
5. Forty minutes before the end of cooking, add the plums and the port. Then, 20 minutes before the end of cooking, glaze the joint with the stem ginger syrup.
6. Remove the lamb from the oven with half the plums and keep warm. To make the sauce, spoon off any excess fat from the roasting tin and sieve the remaining plums, port and lamb juices into a pan. Season if required.
7. Spoon a little over the lamb and serve the remaining sauce in a sauceboat.
8. Serve the roast with the remaining plums, roasted parsnips and seasonal vegetables.
• Lead Work
• Slating & Tiling
• Flat Roofing
• Single ply
• uPVC Fascias & Gut
• Pointing & Cement Work
• Roughcasting & Harling
• Emergency Roofing
• Exterior Painting
• Joinery
by John Barrett - former local Member of Parliament and Councillor
In the heart of Murrayfield at the Parish Church Hall in Ormidale Terrace every Wednesday morning a quite inspiring lady, Harriet Devlin, takes a beginner’s Tai Chi class and following that a more advanced class. Harriet was born in Hong Kong and initially learned the skills from her mother Gerda Geddes, who was the first ever western woman to become a Tai Chi instructor, introducing it here on BBC television for the first time. Gerda lived a long and interesting life, from her younger days in Norway where she joined the resistance to the invading Nazis in World War Two. Then living in China, only to be caught up again in war as the revolution unfolded. She died age 89. If you would like to find out more about the classes at Murrayfield church, or at The Conan Doyle Centre, email Harriet on harrietdevlin1@ gmail.com for more information. The experience of Gerda Geddes in the Norwegian resistance and much more is detailed in the book about her life titled Dancer in the Light, by Frank Woods, which I can recommend most highly.
The second amazing woman is Muriel Spark, the author of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and many other works. Born in Edinburgh in 1918 as Muriel Camberg, she lived on Bruntsfield Place and attended the then James Gillespie’s High School for Girls, where one of her teachers, Christina Kay, was to provide the inspiration for her best-known novel. A memorial to her will be built in East Princes Street Gardens, and a competition to select a designer was recently launched. The entire cost of the project of £100,000, has been donated by local philanthropists.
The third amazing woman is Maggie Smith who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Miss Jean Brodie in the film of the same name, which was made in Edinburgh at various locations including Cramond, and includes many schoolgirl extras selected from local schools, such as St. George’s. I asked the Edinburgh Filmhouse to screen it at the start of this year in memory of the late Maggie Smith and Muriel Spark. It was so popular that four extra screenings had to be added to satisfy the demand for tickets. Some of those in the audiences were the same ‘girls’ who appeared in the film over 50 years ago.
John Barrett
Did you know one of Scotland’s oldest charities is based right here in Corstorphine? Dean and Cauvin has supported young people for nearly 300 years and are looking for new foster carers to join our community.
Our foster carers say what makes fostering with us special is our personal approach:
“They’ve been around for hundreds of years but have chosen to remain smaller and just be really good at what they do.”
At the heart of our support is the Wellbeing Hub on St John’s Road –a warm, welcoming space for carers, young people and the local community. The Hub offers counselling, peer support, food and baby resources and meeting spaces for community use.
It’s also where we run Fostering preparation training sessions, so pop in for a chat and see what’s happening.
We’re looking for carers for teenagers and mum and baby placements –a unique chance to support a young parent and their baby in those vital early days. You’ll receive full support from enquiry through training and beyond, with a dedicated social worker, 24/7 help, flexible training and a strong peer network. We also offer short breaks, family days, an annual residential trip and access to our holiday caravan.
You don’t need to be an experienced parent – just open-minded and ready to make a difference. As one carer says:
“If you have an inkling to foster, a willingness to learn and compassion for young people then you should pick up the phone.” For more information...
Some wildlife is particularly precious, and there are certain ‘umbrella species’ that show a good standard of habitat and biodiversity.
By Caroline Knight
Gardens in the UK extend to an estimated 520,000 hectares (around 2,007 square miles, or 5,198 square kilometres). This is a huge area for a small nation and even a courtyard or small garden can make a big difference to wildlife, biodiversity and ecology. Winter in the UK is a great time to work out how your own garden can contribute to the bigger picture. Every small step you take to improve your patch truly makes an impact.
Six-point plan
This simple plan will help improve biodiversity and have a positive effect on the landscape around you:
1. Plant as many different species of shrubs, trees, perennials and even fruit and vegetables, as you can. A wide range of plants is better for wildlife (provided you avoid invasive species).
2. Choose plants that provide flowers, fruit and seed at different times. This gives wildlife a chance to find food throughout different seasons.
3. Add some cover and habitats. Just a pile of sticks, a small pond, a hedge or a collection of leaves are valuable.
4. If you have a vegetable garden, use the same principles and plant as wide a range as you can fit in.
5. Make a compost heap and use it.
6. Stop using any form of pesticide and use natural fertilisers rather than artificial.
One of these is the dormouse. These small creatures are fully protected by law and termed a Biodiversity Action Plan species. They have suffered an intense decline of up to 70% over the last 25 years. You need to have a licence to disturb or handle these rodents, so keeping a good distance away is essential. In February, dormice should be hibernating.
Can you help them within your own garden? It depends on where you live and the appropriateness of your setting. Dormice should be located away from predators, such as the family cat! They need direct access to appropriate wildlife corridors, which enable them to forage for food throughout different seasons.
Help
Hedgehogs also need protection from household pets, in particular, dogs. The best things you can provide for these prickly characters are spaces under or through fences. These act as ‘hedgehog highways’, so they can travel between gardens. Shelter and water are important too. A log pile is valuable for food and protection, as these creatures eat invertebrates as well as worms and fruit.
While dormice often favour the base of hedges for hibernation, hedgehogs like log piles, compost heaps, dark places under sheds and dense bushes.
Gardening Garden Tidies, Domestic and Commercial Maintenace, Hedge Cutting, Weed & Invasive species treatments
Fencing
Fence replacements, Removals and repairs Landscaping
Decking Raised beds, Stone installation, garden levelling
Soft Landscaping
Turfing, Lawn care programmes, Plantscaping, Planting plans fully designed and installed Sheds
Supplied and Installed Trees
Tree Felling & Removal, Planting, Pruning, Crown lifts & Crown reductions
Garden waste collections
Murrayfield Medical Centre:
Tel: 0131 337 2166
Saughton Crescent
Mon - Friday 8am-6pm
Closed for staff training
every Tuesday & Thursday between 12.15-1.15 pm
April – closed Good Friday 3rd all day, & Easter Monday 6th all day
www.mmc.org.uk
Murrayfield Medical Practice:
Tel: 0131 337 6151
Riversdale Crescent
Mon - Friday 8am-6pm
Closed*: every day, Mon-Fri 12.30-1.30 for staff training
April – closed Good Friday 3rd all day, & Easter Monday 6th all day
www.murrayfieldmedicalpractice.scot.nhs.uk
* Dates correct at time of printing
Patients are advised if they need medical assistance during practice closures, they should call NHS 24 on 111 or visit www.nhsinform.scot where you can find lots of helpful information and details of the NHS 24 Online app.
Alternatively in a medical emergency do not hesitate to call 999.
Please remember to ensure that you have organised your repeat prescriptions to cover holiday periods.
Valentine’s Day Saturday14th
Mid Term HolidayDates
Local Schools
Monday 16th – Fri 20th (incl)
Return to school on Mon 23rd
Edinburgh Academy
MMonday 16th – Fri 20th (incl)
Return to school on Mon 23rd
Erskine Stewart’s Melville
Monday 16th – Fri 20th (incl)
Return to school on Mon 23rd
St George’s
Monday 16th – Fri 20th (incl)
Return to school on Mon 23rd
(School closes for Half Term on Friday 13th at 3.50pm)
Mothering Sunday March 15th
British Summer Time Begins Clocks forward 1hr Sunday 29th
School Holidays
Erskine Stewart’s Melville
Please see Easter holidays below
Edinburgh Science Festival 4th - 19th April
Good Friday Holiday April 3rd
Easter Monday Holiday April 6th
School Easter Holidays
Local Schools
Friday 3rd April– Mon 20th (incl)
Return to school Tuesday 21st
Edinburgh Academy
Monday 3rd April– Mon 20th (incl)
Return to school Wednesday 21st
Erskine Stewart’s Melville
Mon 30thMarch – Mon 13th April (incl)
Return to school Tuesday14th
St George’s
Thursday 2ndApril – Fri 17th(incl)
Return to school Monday 20th April
Cleland Roofing Solutions Ltd started up at an office right next to Turnhouse Golf Club, and have recently opened a larger site in Gorebridge. In the near future we will be opening a new office in the borders as the company expands. We have 8 vans with 8 squads, working and covering all of Scotland. All of our teams carry out all types of roofing works and roughcasting which include:
SLATING AND TILING
BUILT UP FELT SYTEMS
GUTTER REPAIR AND RENEWAL VELUX SUPPLIED AND FITTED ALL LEAD WORKS RENDER AND HARLING
MEWP WORKS
All the tradesmen are City and Guilds qualified. We have IPAF and PASMA certificates.
With National Nest Box Week taking place this month, here’s a guide to books and other media aimed at encouraging and creating a haven for wildlife in your garden.
BOOKS
Nestboxes: Your Complete Guide by David Cromack
The perfect guide to building, installing and monitoring nestboxes for a range of bird species, along with step-by-step illustrations, profiles of species, tips on repairing and preserving nestboxes, plus advice on protecting nesting birds from cats and other predators.
Garden Safari by Andrew Fusek Peters
At a time when many species are in decline, this book showcases stunning photography emphasising the importance of our gardens for wildlife. This collection of images of birds in flight, butterflies, airborne bees, badgers and more is accompanied by stories behind them and information on the species featured.
Planting for Garden Birds by Jane Moore
This is an illustrated, practical guide for the keen amateur gardener and those hoping to encourage more birdlife into their outdoor space. While some birds are residents, others are fleeting visitors, but they’re all potential guests if we garden sustainably and make the environment suitably welcoming.
RSPB Handbook of Garden Wildlife by Peter Holden and Geoffrey Abbott
From foxes to flowers and lizards to ladybirds, this is a comprehensive guide to the plants and animals that live alongside us and everything you need to cultivate a haven for nature. A helpful introductory section includes expert tips on green gardening, dealing with garden predators and getting children involved.
Wildlife Habitats for Your Garden by Josie Briggs
Discover how to successfully create and maintain habitats such as woodlands, wetlands, grasslands and rocklands in gardens of all sizes, along with a chapter on creating these habitats in containers. It also includes inspirational garden plans covering spaces of every size. From established gardens to a small roof garden or balcony, even the smallest patch can support wildlife.
AUDIO AND VIDEO
RSPB on YouTube
The RSPB has an excellent selection of videos on its online channel. There’s a range of bird-related topics, but a search will help you find garden-specific features, such as how to make a micro wildlife pond or the perfect bird bath.
Wild London on BBC
London is considered the greenest city in the world, with a surprising variety of animal dramas playing out. Whether it’s pigeons commuting by Tube or snakes slithering along Regent’s Canal, David Attenborough reveals the incredible wild encounters to be experienced across his home town.
The Wildlife Garden Podcast
Although this podcast stopped producing new episodes in 2023, there are still 33 in the series, each around an hour long and focused on encouraging more wildlife in your garden.
St Davids Carrick Knowe Parish Church Hall, Saughton Road North, EH12 7DR
Tuesday 14th - Saturday 18th April
10.30am - 4.30pm (except Friday) 1pm - 8pm
New members welcome on Tuesdays 10am - 12noon at the above location Contact number 07963 143588 Admission free Light refreshments on sale
If you’re thinking about moving, talk to a legal team that knows the areaand what matters most to you.
Bowling & Social Membership Available
We have a function hall which takes up to 100 people for Birthdays, Wedding Parties, Funeral Wakes plus Mother & Toddler Groups, even Yoga Groups. Also, Bingo Thursday and Sunday - eyes down 7.30pm.
You can hire the hall morning, afternoon and evening.
Contact us on either Facebook or email Carrickknowe.bc@outlook.com 81A Broomhall Ave, Corstorphine, Edinburgh EH12 7NW
We’re based nearby in Corstorphine, and we understand the local market, the community, and how to make the process run smoothly.
l Free Initial Property Valuations l Fixed Estate Agency Fees
l Friendly, Straightforward Advice
Whether you’re selling your home or buying your next one, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Call us for a free valuation: 0131 316 4666 dmdlaw.co.uk
Corstorphine residents David & Olivia tell us about their role as a volunteer Puppy Raiser for charity Guide Dogs.
We are David and Olivia, and we have lived in Corstorphine for the past 3 years.
After coming back from honeymoon, we saw a piece on BBC News advertising for new puppy raisers and how life changing Guide Dogs are for people with sight loss.
Having moved into the area with the intention of having a pet, being a puppy raiser is a win-win for both us and the charity!
We’ve been raising Candice, a yellow Lab-Retriever cross, who arrived with us at 8 weeks and is now 10 months old!
We’re loving the experience of raising her and she’s a real conversation starter. Candice has been helping us get outside and do exercise during these cold wintery evenings and happily greets us after a long day at work. Everyone we’ve met associated with the Guide Dogs have been amazing, it’s a fantastic community.
The day Candice leaves us for training will be sad but knowing she’ll go onto become a life changer is really special and rewarding for us. The charity offers a range of volunteer opportunities including shorter term fostering. Find out which opportunities are available where you live, or to start your application online: www.guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer
By Susannah Hickling
When it comes to your cardiac health, a little knowledge is a crucial thing.
There are many different heart conditions but the most common is coronary (also known as ischaemic) heart disease, which affects about 2.3 million people in the UK. Coronary heart disease occurs when a build-up of fatty substances known as atheroma or plaque causes the arteries to narrow. This process, atherosclerosis, can prevent enough blood from getting through to the heart. A blood clot can form, blocking the artery and triggering a heart attack.
But being aware of certain key facts about heart health can help reduce problems or nip them in the bud.
What’s your risk?
There are different risk factors for heart problems, some of which we can change and some we can’t:
• Family history
• Getting older
• Ethnicity - Black Africans, African Caribbeans and South Asians are at higher risk of high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes
• Your lifestyle – being physically inactive, smoking and drinking too much, and eating a diet high in saturated fats
• Being overweight
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Air pollution, both outside and inside the home
What signs should you look out for?
If you have coronary heart disease, the most likely signs are chest pain (angina) and feeling breathless, though some people have no symptoms. A heart attack, on the other hand, is a medical emergency, so it’s important to know the range of symptoms and understand, too, that they can vary from person to person:
• Chest pain or discomfort that doesn’t go away
• Pain that spreads to your left or right arm, neck, jaw, back or stomach. The pain might feel more like tightness, heaviness or heartburn
• Feeling or being sick
• Sweating
• Feeling lightheaded or faint
• Shortness of breath
• Sudden intense anxiety
• Coughing or wheezing
What can you do yourself?
If you think you’re having a heart attack, call 999 immediately. While waiting for an ambulance, chew on a 300mg aspirin tablet to thin the blood and improve blood flow.
It’s important to take up any health checks you’re offered. For example, if you’re 40 to 74 and live in England, you’ll be invited for a free NHS health check every five years, where your risk of heart and circulatory disease will be assessed. Meanwhile, Scotland has recently introduced a heart health check-up for people aged 35 to 60 with no known history of cardiovascular disease.
You can keep an eye on your own blood pressure too. Invest in a home monitor and see your GP if your readings are consistently above 135/85. It’s also wise to take your pulse to check whether you have a normal heart rate – usually between 60 and 100 beats per minute – and if your heart is beating regularly.
If you’re worried you have any heart-related symptoms, always consult your doctor.
Saughton Park, Edinburgh, EH11 3HR The show is open 12pm-5pm on Saturday 10am-4pm on Sunday
Beat the Winter Blues & Start your Week with an Energy Boost
Come along and try Zumba on Mondays
Time: 9.15 am
Venue: CCC 5 Kirk loan
Cost: £2 suggested donation
Zumba is a fun way to get you movin lift your mood and brighten your day:
Start your week the Zumba way
Register with Fiona: development@ccchub.online or call 07580 658 676
thomas@keylandscapes.org www.keylandscapes.co.uk
Key Landscapes provide all hard landscaping work; including fencing driveways patios walling and artificial grass. We also offer advice on products, landscape design and have an extensive portfolio of work. All work is guaranteed and we are fully insured.
If you have been diagnosed with any aspect of sight loss and are feeling a little isolated, why not come along and chat to others in a similar situation.
We are a small local group who meet on the 3rd Saturday of each month for coffee, cake and a chat. Each month we will either have some entertainment or a guest speaker to provide interesting talks for the group.
We are RNIB affiliated and can hopefully help direct your concerns to the right people. But it’s not just about that… it’s about friendship, a chat and hopefully a laugh or two!
Want to do something fun and sociable but waiting lists are too long?
Corstorphine Dementia Project has self-funded places available NOW!!!
more information contact Neil Atkinson at RNIB on 0131 3785630 or 07858 687528.
So why not join us 2pm to 3.30pm at The Astoria Centre, Kirk Loan, Edinburgh EH127HD, On the 3rd Saturday of every month - apart from June! That’s when we have our annual outing! We look forward to meeting you.
For more information please email: contact@cdp-edinburgh.org.uk or phone 0131 478 7784
You can book a day every week, or more, at Corstorphine Dementia Project, Carrick Knowe Church
Meet like-minded people and have fun doing a range of activities
Keep your mind and body active
Maintain your independence
Enjoy a tasty 2-course lunch
Be supported by skilled staff
Give your relatives/carers a break and peace of mind
Transport provided
By Kate Duggan
Forget age before beauty - here’s how to supercharge your self-care routine through perimenopause and beyond.
Bushier brows
Our eyebrows can get a bit sparse as we get older, especially if (like me) you overplucked them in the 1990s. Thankfully, eyebrow growth serums are surprisingly effective. I recommend avoiding ones containing prostaglandins, however, as those can cause side effects. I’ve been using the Augustinus Bader Eyebrow and Lash Enhancing Serum for a few months now and my eyebrows are visibly fuller. I got it on a deal and wouldn’t pay the full £120 for it, but there are plenty of more affordable alternatives out there with great reviews. UKLash Complex Peptide Eyebrow Growth Serum (£42) is a good choice, as is The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Lash and Brow Serum (an absolute bargain at £14.20).
Fuller lips
Our lips also tend to get thinner as we age. My secret weapon is Tarte Maneater Lip Plumper (£19). Not only does it plump lips and smooth lines, it also gives lips a natural-looking flush.
Hydrated skin
While retinols and other active ingredients will help tackle pigmentation and lines, it’s easy to forget about the importance of moisture. Hydrated skin looks plumper, minimising wrinkles. Look for a moisturiser or serum containing hyaluronic acid, which helps the skin retain moisture. Hyaluronic acid molecules come in different weights. Higher weights give more immediate results, while lower weights penetrate deeper for longer-lasting results. So, ideally, you need multi-molecular hyaluronic acid. Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Elasticity AntiAgeing Day Cream (£36) is a great choice as it’s SPF 30. So, for most of the year, you won’t need a separate facial sun cream.
Super serums
While we’d all love a single moisturiser that ticked every box, that holy grail has yet to be invented. Instead, most people will benefit from adding at least one serum to their skincare routine. I’m currently using Weleda Slow Ageing Astaxanthin Serum Drops (£12.95) as part of my nighttime skin routine, as they contain a strong antioxidant to help protect my skin from further damage. They’re concentrated, so I just add a couple of drops to my night cream. In the morning, I use The Ordinary Argireline Solution 10% (£9.20) and The Ordinary Matrixyl 10% + HA (£10.40), which use different peptides to boost cell regeneration and address visible signs of ageing. Make-up for mature skin
There are far too many make-up tricks and tips to fit in this entire magazine, let alone a single article. My recommendation is to watch tutorials for mature skin on YouTube. To get you started, search for @FrugieBlog’s video on products for over 40s and @ElenaRachitskaya’s tutorial on using make-up to ‘lift’ hooded eyes.
Counterfeit pet medicines sold online are now such a problem that the Government recently issued a warning. Knock-off meds can include tick and flea treatments, and supplements. There are reports that fake meds sometimes contain toxic insecticides, arsenic, mercury, rat poison and cement. Some animals have become dangerously ill as a result.
What to look for
If you buy products for your pet online, watch out for these red flags:
• Poor quality or damaged packaging
• Spelling or grammar errors
• Instructions not in English
• No expiry date
• Suspicious smell, colour or texture
• Badly made tablets, capsules, vials or pipettes
It’s also important to make sure you’re buying from a legitimate source. Be wary of:
• Goods that are much cheaper than elsewhere
• Any seller asking for sensitive information or requesting payment by bank transfer
• Fake websites and social media profiles, which might contain original brand names. Always check seller details and reviews
What you can do
It’s best to buy all treatments for your companion animal from your vet. But if you do turn to the internet, make sure you fulfil any prescriptions from companies listed on the Veterinary Medicines Directorate’s (VMD) register of online retailers.
If you see suspected fake pet products being offered for sale, contact your local Trading Standards (www.gov.uk/find-local-trading-standards-office) or Crimestoppers (www.crimestoppers-uk.org or call 0800 555 111). You can also report them to the VMD Enforcement team (www.gov.uk/guidance/ report-illegal-animal-medicines).
Should your furry friend fall ill after they’ve had a treatment bought online, contact your vet immediately.
Time is making fools of us again.
– J. K. Rowling
CROSSWORD PAGE 18
In a crisis, knowing who to call or text really matters. Here are the key contacts you might be glad you saved.
We all know to call 999 for the police, ambulance, fire or coastguard service, but did you know that 112 is a universal number for any emergency service, and this can be used anywhere in the UK and Europe? It will connect you to the emergency services in the country you’re in.
Hidden phrase: Time is making fools of us again.
– J. K. Rowling
This is another pan-European number, available in 32 countries. It’s the hotline for missing children and can be used by children or their families. In the UK, 116 000 connects to the Runaway Helpline, run by the Missing People charity. You can text or call the number.
If you’re in danger and unable to speak, you can dial 999 from a mobile and then press 55 when prompted. This silent 999 call will then be transferred to the police, who should be able to find your location. From a landline, just remain silent and follow any instructions.
Not only can you call the emergency services, you can also send an SMS using Relay UK’s EmergencySMS service. But you need to register first. Send a text to 999 with the word REGISTER and follow the instructions. However, only use it if you have no other option, as it might be slower than a 999 call.
101
This number is for non-emergencies only. Use it to report a minor crime, antisocial behaviour or for a general police enquiry.
111
Most people are aware that 111 is the NHS number for non-urgent medical help. But you can also use it for dental emergencies, for an emergency supply of prescription medicine and for 24/7 crisis mental health support.
This is a free, confidential text messaging service for anyone requiring urgent mental health support. Run by the charity Mental Health Innovations, Shout is available 24 hours a day.
116 123
If you are feeling suicidal, 116 123 is an important number to know about, being the free 24/7 Samaritans’ helpline. Calls are answered by the charity’s trained volunteers.
159
If you have been messaged or called and suspect it’s a scam designed to defraud you of money, hang up and dial 159. This secure helpline will present you with a menu of banks – many of the UK’s banks have signed up to the service – and you can select yours via your keypad. If possible, use a different phone.
0800 111 999
Call the free 24/7 National Emergency Gas Service number immediately if you suspect a gas or carbon monoxide leak. The operator will give you advice and despatch an engineer.
105
Report or find out about a power cut by dialling this free number. You will be put through to your local electricity network operator.
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