West End Life #58 June/July 2020

visit West end BATTLING FOR BUSINESSES

fasHion

CONSCIOUS AND CONSCIENCE

COULD YOU FOSTER? find oUt HoW WWW.WESTENdLIFE.bIz

jUn jUl 2020

#58 1

CARDWELL GARDEN CENTRE IS CLOSED C Due to the COVID 19 Virus Cardwell Garden Centre is closed and will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

The safety of our employees, our customers and their respective families is paramount and closing Cardwell is the only responsible course of action.

Cardwell Garden Centre will re-open when it is safe to do so.WE’RE Updates willBACK be posted IN on our website and social BUSINESS media channels.

Our online store has 450 bedding plants, vegetable plants, trees & shrubs, compost, fertilisers and much more.

Please follow the advice given added by thedaily. authorities and NEW products

ensure the safety of yourself, your loved ones and our Cardwell Garden Centre is open 10am-4pm, 7 days a week. Opening community. hours may vary, please check our website before visiting. WithOnline love, store still open for large selection of products for home

delivery. Please note deliveries are currently only to Inverclyde and North Ayrshire.

Stef, Drew, Kieran and everyone at Cardwell.

New Click & Collect service coming soon!

Lunderston Bay, Gourock, Inverclyde, PA19 1BB 01475 521 536 www.cardwellgardencentre.co.uk

CoNT LISA SANdERSON Advertising Sales lisa@westendlife.biz

JOANNE SIMMS Feature Writer jsimms@wyvexmedia.co.uk Published by Wyvex Media CONTACT INFO Advertising: 07792 066706

lisa@westendlife.biz /WestEndLifeMagazine @westendlife Website Design: plbwebdesign.co.uk Graphic Design: Grant Dickie Scottish Field gdickie@scottishfield.co.uk WWW.WESTENdLIFE.bIz

10 GLASGOW WOMEN’S AId 12 ECO FASHION 17 FOSTER PARENTS

eNts.

ON THE FRONT Could fostering be for you? See page 17 for more information

04 VISIT WEST ENd

20 GARdENS AS MEdICINE 26 VALUE OF VOLUNTEERS

a

s we go to print the easing of Coronavirus restrictions has begun.

This has to be a slow and studied process for if we get it wrong we go back to the beginning: think snakes and ladders.

The secret to success is distancing and staying local.

That means shopping locally; West End businesses need our support.

Many of them were here for us during this tough time with acts of kindness from restaurants donating food stock to home delivery services.

Now as they work to recover and stay afloat traders need our spending power. Without them and the smaller neighbourhood branches of supermarkets our local economy will suffer, the entire look and feel of the West End will change if many shops, cafes and restaurants never re open.

We all long for a haircut and gentlemen celebrate the end of your lockdown beards by going to the barber for a professional shave.

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors, or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. Wyvex Media does not officially endorse any advertising material included in this publication. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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vote of confidence Visit West End team re-elected and helping businesses re-open one step at a time

T

he team behind the Byres Road and Lanes Business Improvement District, which most of us know by its brand nameVisit West End, has been re-elected for another five years.

Right now Deborah Murray, project manager, John Turner, chairman and the team are hard at work focussing on a task no one ever could have imagined – navigating the effects of the pandemic and its aftermath.

They are helping to keep the area’s businesses resilient and ready to bounce back as the risk of Covid-19 recedes and shops, services and the community slowly open up for everyday life once again.

‘The businesses that have been allowed to open have been busy changing how they do things and offering a mix of familiar and new products to the community.

As more shops and restaurants open their doors we will be reminding people of the wealth of great services and quality items that they can get on their doorstep, shopping and eating locally, and staying safe while they do so,’ said Deborah.

The whole concept of improvement districts is a perfectly-fitted response to the pandemic, namely to keep areas vibrant and prosperous places to live and work with viable ranges of shops and services.

The public face of Visit West End is events like the Byres Road Fashion Show, Outdoor Cinema in the Botanics, Byres Road Book Festival and Christmas on Byres Road.

Behind the scenes lot of work goes on lobbying, liaising, researching and networking to get the best deals for businesses of all shapes and sizes and helping them to thrive.

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Above: The Parlour, Vinicombe Street, showing its support for the NHS.

At present this involves advising businesses on grants available and how best to apply for them, and generating a massive social media presence.

The social media campaign is keeping West End residents informed of what is on their doorsteps; from food retailers to restaurants and cafes offering takeaways. It is also geared up to promote and retain the area’s reputation as a destination once people can move about more freely.

Visit West End is also in discussion with Glasgow City Council and its Space for People plans to create more waking and cycling space within the city.

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mcclure

alWaYS here for You McClure Solicitors ready to help at the end of a phone line or online

r

ight now there are so many uncertainties in life but of one thing you can rest assured: McClure Solicitors continue supporting their clients during this pandemic.

Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) there are now severe restrictions on the movement and interaction of people as a means to curb the spread of the disease.

McClure Solicitors have been following Government guidelines carefully and will continue to do so. The safety and wellbeing of their clients and of their staff remains their primary concern.

With this in mind they implemented changes right back on Friday March 20 this year in the way they conduct their client appointments – both to take client instructions and also how they organise the signing of client legal documents.

They have switched all face-to-face appointments to telephone or video appointments, regardless of whether these were to be conducted in one of their offices, at a client’s home or at one of their Charity Partner Will Clinics.

If clients wish to have their appointment as a video appointment they will be able to conduct these via a choice of either Skype, WhatsApp or Zoom.

McClure Solicitors appreciates that some clients’ first inclination may be to postpone or re-arrange their estate planning appointment. They would urge them not to do so. Making sure that estate planning is in order remains an important issue for clients, perhaps more so than ever.

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They are committed and prepared to support you as always in achieving this.

And by the end of May the law firm had made nearly 1,000 appointments. Andrew Robertson, McClure’s managing director told us: ‘Clients are still very keen to get their affairs in order during the Coronavirus pandemic.

‘It’s not often that solicitors can combine charitable work with good business practice. By offering a Free Will for Charity service and also making a donation from our fee when clients take a Power of Attorney, we achieve three good results.

‘Our clients get their Wills made when many would otherwise die without one, causing considerable problems at a time when their families are under the great stress of bereavement.

‘We raise much-needed funds for charity which all our staff enjoy doing and are proud of the amount the firm has made.’

And Andrew added: ‘We generate business for McClure’s, also, as about half of clients decide to take another legal service. Making a will is simple and easily done and everyone wins: peace of mind for you and your family, incredible help for good causes and we keep our offices and staff active until the economy restarts and we all get back to business.’

To arrange an estate planning appointment with McClure Solicitors call their Freephone 0800 852 1999, or email their appointments team at contactus@ mcclure-Solicitors.co.uk today.

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Service and Support information re covid-19: It takes more than a pandemic to stop Glasgow Women’s Aid – the service remains open for business

‘O

ur services are still OPEN to support women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse. While we will always continue to provide support to the best of our ability, it is essential to work in the interests of the safety of our women, CYP’s and workers – as well as the general public and reduce our services during this time.

Following government advice, we are continuing phone and email support between the reduced hours of 10AM – 4PM, Monday through to Friday.

However, we have had to temporarily stop all face to face crisis support in our office in Bell Street. If you or someone you know does need our services, please

know that we hear you and we are still here to listen and provide support.

We acknowledge that these circumstances can bring specific challenges to women and young people experiencing domestic abuse, so we want to encourage those requiring support to phone our helpline number and/or to email us (these are listed at the side). Our biggest concern is for the safety of our women and workers so we will be consistently reassessing and updating you all, as always, on the situation via our social media pages. We will continue to do everything we can to support women, children and young people experiencing domestic abuse to the best of our ability given the current circumstances.

Glasgow Women’s Aid Helpline Number: 0141 553 2022 Email Support: officecover@glasgowwomensaid.org.uk Facebook: Glasgow Women’s Aid Twitter: GWA1973 Instagram: glasgowwomensaid

UsefUl ContaCt nUmbers The hours may differ from usual due to the circumstances surrounding Covid-19, please check each organisation’s website for more details.

National Domestic Abuse Helpline (24hrs): 0808 2000 247 Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline (24hrs): 0800 027 1234 Shakti Women’s Aid: 0131 475 2399 Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis Helpline: 08088 000 014 Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline: 08088 010 302 Amina Muslim Women’s Resource Centre: 0808 801 0301 10

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Wild in the WeSt end More wildlife but less socialising programme for 202021 around the end of August 2020.

The Glasgow group from the trust usually holds its meetings at Hyndland Secondary School. Keep an eye on their page on the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s website for news of them re-starting.

Alan McBride, a ranger at Mugdock Country Park says birdlife has flourished. With a lack of curious dogs and visitors exploring Peitches Moor, ground nesting here is good news and bad thanks to Covid-19 Skylark and Meadow Pipit have been seen along with when it comes to wildlife in the West End. Wheatear, which migrate to the UK from Central There is more to see, but less chance to meet Africa to breed. up with fellow naturalists and ornithologists.

Mugdock Loch and Craigend Pond record a greater One thing we all will remember from this time is number of birds with Little Grebe, Greylag Geese, hearing the birdsong usually drowned out by the bustle Mute Swan, Heron, and Tufted Duck taking advantage of everyday life and traffic. of the quiet waters.

For organisations like Glasgow Natural History Jay and Green Woodpecker have been heard more Society and the Glasgow branch of the Scottish Wildlife frequently, and occasionally sighted, in woods near Trust it has meant that their meetings have had to be the Visitor Centre during lockdown. These shy and cancelled. secretive birds are usually found in quieter areas of The natural history society hopes to publish its Mugdock Wood.

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11

the

Style fileS

by Marilyn Thompson

Fast Fashion demands that the highly integrated global supply chain never stops.

I

t must constantly hurtle onwards at top speed, until the unthinkable happens.... It has taken a pandemic to truly make us realise that our insatiable desire for new clothes and with that, the negative affect fast fashion brings to our planet, is now something we can no longer avoid confronting.

The worldwide lockdown has forced us all to focus on the things that really matter.

Clothes and the fashion industry are hugely, massively important and completely necessary.

The global fashion workforce consists of more than 300 million people but the industry has known for a long time that change had to happen, and now that Coronavirus has put the wheels of change in motion, it must now act quickly and effectively to alter its destructive practises.

Fashion is a polluting, dirty industry and behind the glamorous end-products, the models, magazines, fashion shows, frivolity and the fleeting thrill of purchase, lies a trail of environmental destruction.

The Aral Sea was the fourth largest lake in the world, until unsustainable cotton farming resulted in it drying up.

The cotton plant is incredibly thirsty, and to give you an example of just how thirsty it really is consider this: to produce just one cotton tee-shirt, 2,700 litres of water is required. That equates to three year’s drinking water for one person. To produce one pair of jeans requires the equivalent

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of five-and-a-half years worth of water!

A sobering thought I’m sure you will agree.

Also take into account the estimated 8,000 different chemicals used in fabric production and the polluting dyes that colour them, all of which are then pumped from the factories straight into waterways and fashion really starts to show its true colours.

Sadly, the textile industry emits more greenhouse gasses than both the shipping and aviation industries combined!

Another problematic fabric worth quickly noting is polyester, as it is one of the world’s most common fabrics and will feature highly in almost everyone’s wardrobe.

Each time polyester clothes are washed, thousands of micro plastic fibres are released into our water sources, destroying crucial eco-systems and ultimately ending up in our food chain.

We are only just scraping the surface of such an important, complex and incredibly farreaching topic and unfortunately space does not permit more in depth information.

Hopefully, it may encourage you to learn more, allowing you to make informed, ethical choices.

Even little, mindful, changes such as buying less impulsively, only buying certiffed organic cotton, (not great, but better than nonorganic) reducing your polyester usage and seeking out alternative, more sustainable fabrics (check the labels) will all make a difference.

the

Teen

Style fileS

by Holly Thompson

fasHion forWard Have a clearer conscience by only shopping with brands who at the very least, have Eco-Friendly collections -like this casual combo from Dorothy Perkins. Keep yourself informed on who’s doing what.

beaUtY notes

Stop using one use cotton wool pads to remove your make up.

Change to environmentally friendly reusable cotton pads instead. You know you want to. National Trust - £10

Hair notes

This fab shampoo bar is made with all natural vegan ingredients and no nasties, no plastic bottles and it’s cruelty free! It also gently and effectively does its job.

Foamie - £7

books

Tips and advice on how to live happily and sustainably by blogger and You Tuber Madeleine Olivia Amazon - £9.83

reCYCle

Make sure to recycle your old clothes by dropping them off at Zara or H&M, when reopened. These clothes are made into recycled fabrics and don’t go to landfill.

Get in touch: To learn more about The Fashion Class for teens and children, its courses, camps and parties as they are reintroduced, or to chat to Holly and ask questions, contact: holly@thefashionclass.co.uk or thefashionclass.co.uk WWW.WESTENdLIFE.bIz

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Making care mean Making care mean Making care mean mo Making care mean more aking care mean more in Antonine House, Offeringhigh highquality, quality,personalise personalis Offering

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e m s This i

Ian & Meg, Fostering for 4 years took Ben on his first family bike ride

Help a young person like Ben reach their potential BECOME A FOSTER CARER Email pcgoodfellow@nfa.co.uk or call our local team on 07748 302 919

cOULD yOU Be a fOSTer ParenT? ‘It could be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made’

W

e may be in lockdown, but life isn’t. That is why the National Fostering Agency is actively looking to recruit more foster

parents.

‘There is always a need for foster parents,’ said Pam Goodfellow from the agency, ‘and we are always looking to talk to people about what fostering can offer them and they can offer a foster child.’

Fostering provides a full-time, safe and nurturing family environment for children and young people in need. Foster parents must be over 21 and have the necessary bedroom space to accommodate the children.

You might care for a child for two or three days through to months or years. Each fostering arrangement is tailored to the child’s unique circumstances and your own.

And just as there is no stereotypical foster child there is not one type of foster parent.

A broad range of carers provides more choice for

‘If fostering is for you, you will find it the most magical and rewarding career you can ever have.

‘Helping a child grow up within a safe and nurturing environment is one of the most enriching and rewarding decisions you will ever make.

‘And we are here each step of the way for you and the children.’

the equally diverse range of children and young people.

The agency welcomes applications from people of all ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds, physical abilities and the LGBTQ+ community. You can be single, married, a homeowner or a tenant - what matters is your ability to care and nurture.

The agency is there all the way with a reassuring selection process and excellent training.

Once you foster you will have a dedicated social worker and a ‘foster buddy’ a more experienced foster parent you are paired with for friendly support.

‘We are one of the UK’s most experienced agencies and we’ll support you every step of the way – starting with your application to become a carer,’ said Pam. Your fostering allowance is the amount paid for the care of a child and covers food, clothing, travel, activities, savings and anything else your foster children may need. It includes enough to help with your own living expenses.

National Fostering Group pays a far greater allowance than the minimum amount set by the UK government.

‘We don’t want you to struggle financially and you should always be able to give your foster child what they need,’ said Pam who is ready and waiting to discuss fostering with you.

Foster parents who can look after sibling groups are especially needed right now.

If you could help keep brothers and sisters together you would be playing a vital role in fostering today.

- Pam Goodfellow, National Fostering Agency

WWW.WESTENdLIFE.bIz

17

keep Active the Right way with parkinson’s Disease.

L

iving with Parkinson’s Disease is tough at the best of times. And, lets face it, with COVID-19, now is definitely NOT the best of times or the easiest to Keep Active.

To try and help you live a more Active and Independent life with Parkinson’s I wanted to share the basics of How to Keep Active The Right Way with PD. The principles for these exercises are – Power, Effort and Amplitude.

For many people PD is a bit like driving your car with the handbrake stuck on. So, to overcome the ‘handbrake’ any movement you are going to do needs to be :Full of Power – to help increase the strength of the movement you produce High in Effort – to make sure you are getting the most effective movement possible Large Amplitude – Make it way bigger than you think you need to.

An example of this would be walking – many people with PD try to speed up your walking by

www.simpsonphysio.co.uk Home visit serviCe

trying to take ‘quicker’ or ‘faster’ steps. What typically happens, is that you get many more of your normal small steps, but very little increase in speed.

So, instead of thinking ‘I need to speed up’, I want you to concentrate on taking LARGE/BIG, Effortful and Powerful steps.

Done properly you will see a really good improvement in the size of your stride and in the speed you can walk at. This is just one example of how being able to exercises the right way can help you live a more independent and active life with PD One of my clients, who has been diagnosed with PD, has very kindly done a video to speak a bit about how we are helping him live better with PD. To see the video please go to www.simpsonphysio.co.uk and go to the Parkinson’s Disease Physio page.

To find out more about how we can help you, please go to www.simpsonphysio.co.uk or email us at enquiries@simpsonphysio.co.uk I look forward to hearing from you. fraser simPson Specialist Neurological Physiotherapist Call noW to book:

07988 015190

e-mail enquiries@simpsonphysio.co.uk for a Free Tips Report for Parkinson’s disease 18

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a Garden iS Great medicine Whilst the lockdown and shielding remain in place, your garden is one of the safest and most relaxing places to be says Kieran Gallagher of Cardwell Garden Centre

T

he world has become a very different place in a very short space of time. I have always tried to keep in mind the fragility of everyday life and how it can radically change overnight, but the way that this awful virus has swept through the world has been staggering.

I offer my sincere sympathies to anyone who has suffered through this terrible time and my continued support for our amazing NHS and all the emergency and front line workers. I say continued support as we must never forget the sacrifices and efforts made on our behalf, especially once this pandemic is over.

Much has been written elsewhere by people far more qualified on the topic than I am, so from here on we are all about gardening and lifestyle.

Like many things in life that we see frequently, I take my garden for granted. I’ve always had one. Even when I stayed in a flat we had a shared garden.

It was mostly grass and it bordered a busy main road, but it was ours.

It was our own little green space where, if we wanted, we could sit and unwind. That concept has never been more important.

The lockdown period we’ve all endured has been difficult for everyone, but for those in the category who have had to shield, it has been a particularly onerous and often lonely time. The absence of visits from

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children, grandchildren and friends has not made it any easier.

Their gardens, if they are lucky enough to have access to one, may have been the only time they’ve been outside at all.

The trading restrictions on garden centres eased in May when we were encouraged by the Scottish government to offer contact free home delivery to our customers. The government recognised that by allowing businesses like Cardwell to sell to our customers it enabled them to actually spend more time at home and in the garden.

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The other beneficial factor to being able to garden is to do with your mental health.

Simply being outdoors and breathing fresh air is therapeutic and to have the serenity of your own private space can be a very relaxing experience.

That is especially true with the superb run of weather we have had.

Whilst Cardwell endorses the government message to stay at home, we have been allowed to open the garden centre to anyone who wishes to visit. Regular visitors will see some changes from the normal way of things.

Only 85 customers are allowed in Cardwell at any time. Compare this with a normal busy day where we could have 10 times that number, Cardwell is a relatively quiet place to be.

A one-way system is in operation, hand sanitisers are placed throughout the store and screens are in place at all checkouts.

Not everyone will be able to visit Cardwell, or want to right now, but if you do we can promise we have made it as safe and relaxing as we possibly can.

For those who do not want to visit or are still shielding, we are operating an online store with home delivery and click and collect.

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Stock of most things is quite good and supply chains are slowly coming back to life.

Summer bedding plants are hard to come by, due to the growers halting their operations in March, but we have been able to keep a reasonable level available. We always have something colourful available to buy and that won’t change.

I would like to offer my special thanks to everyone who has been a customer of ours recently.

Due to your unbelievable support we now have some security for our business and, as of June 1, we have been able to return 12 of our team to the payroll and off the furlough scheme.

On behalf of everyone at Cardwell, thank you.

Keep an eye on our website and social media where we will post any updates and changes as the situation develops.

Whilst the lockdown and shielding remains in place, your garden is one of the safest and most relaxing places to be and that means that this year above any other it is a place to savour and enjoy.

If you are unable to get any gardening supplies or plants, then spend your time with what you already have. There is always a little tinkering to be done, some weeding or tidying up, cutting the grass and watering during the hot periods.

Hopefully by the time you read this column, or by the time the next issue of this magazine is published, we will have more of the restrictions eased and life can be a little more enjoyable. Until that time please follow the Scottish Government’s advice and stay safe.

Take care, everyone.

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The resilienT home With Covid 19 and all the lockdown, furloughs, redundancies, isolating, schooling and working at home this entails resilience is out secret weapon.

When we celebrated Hogmanay not one of us had any idea of what 2020 had in store.

And now, after experiencing lockdown, and slowly opening up daily life again, we all know far much more about ourselves and how we can cope in a stressful situation.

housekeeping

H

ousekeeping sounds such an old-fashioned notion but how you ‘keep your house’ is the key to success. Do it well and you instantly remove a huge area of stress when you have to face a challenge.

Resilient housekeeping:

• Declutters and frees up more storage for supplies be they food, stationery and books for children’s lessons and workspace for adults. Kitchen cupboards, fridge and freezer need the same treatment.

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• Knows WHAT is in the house and WHERE it is.

This prevents mistaken multiple purchases; will your great-great-grandchildren inherit your lockdown stash of ketchup?

• Develops the mindset of a caterer or hotelier and knows how much food, cleaning materials and toiletries it consumes on average over a given period, buys quantities accordingly, - with a margin for backup - and remembers to ‘rotate’ new stock to reduce waste.

• Prepares as best it can for the unexpected by having torches, candles, batteries, power banks for tech, a good supply of over the counter medicines, (child-proofed) a WWW.WESTENdLIFE.bIz

camping stove if all electric - and remembers to inspect these items regularly once stored.

• Fills the petrol tank when it is half-empty and checks the tyre pressure at the same time.

• Hides away treats to delight, reassure and break routine: think everything from a bag of sweeties to a bottle of gin or an on-line gift card (thank you couriers).

• Has a supply of greetings cards, postcards and stamps because nothing cheers a kid or an older relative up more than having the real thing, not virtual, land on the doormat (thank you posties).

• Knows that the difference between good housekeeping and people thinking you have joined some weird, doomsday ‘prepper’ cult is called commonsense. And when you use this you don’t end up brawling in Tesco over the last packet of penne or loo-paper.

home sweet home

resilient (adjeCtive) • able to feel better quickly after something unpleasant such as shock, injury, etc • (of a substance) returning to its original shape after being bent, stretched, or pressed - The Oxford English Dictionary

• Acknowledges that amongst all this open kitchen and living space there also needs to be a quiet spot for work, conference calls and studying.

• Redesigns the garden to get best use, or adds a play area.

• Clears out the garage and adds shelves, a second fridge or freezer, or creates an indoor play space or home gym.

• Builds an extension, if funds allow; a loft or basement conversion or adds a garden room or shed.

Now that you have been locked down inside your fourwalls for more days than ever want to repeat you have had plenty of time to think about how the actual fabric of the property works for you.

Heaven forbid that we are called on to do this ever again so now is the time to rethink and make the actual physical space work to its best advantage.

• Installs a new - or refurbishes - the fitted kitchen because it has taken a hammering during lockdown.

A resilient home:

• Knows, in all honesty, what it can and cannot DIY. There are going to be some excellent offers to be had as businesses restart but that magnificent luxury wallpaper is not a bargain if it hasn’t been hung properly. It will be a sad mess. Bring in the experts.

• Freshens up the paintwork and cleans the carpets after kids, cats and dogs have been penned up for so long.

• Rethinks flooring in high-traffic areas like the hall, landing, stairs and kitchen.

• Realises that an extra bathroom or lavatory will make all the difference and balances this against the need for extra room, or storage space by fitting an en-suite.

• Creates a multi-function room through smart furniture choices that can switch from family living space to school room or office. Think extendable tables, seating with storage, good-looking storage boxes to hide papers and equipment at the end of the day.

• Thinks about adding French windows or bi-fold doors to open up living space into the garden. www.westendLife.biz

• Never puts off repairs, no matter how minor, because there is now a risk that you cannot call in a tradesperson even when minor turns major. Or the purchase of a new appliance.

• Adds greenery to flats and homes without gardens with an array of potted plants, some of which are herbs or vegetables.

A great amount of what we can plan for our homes will depend on our finances and many of us are now facing uncertainties we never thought we would encounter. For some it will mean downsizing. For others it will mean combing generations in a larger home.

There is so much uncertainty and our finances need to be in the hands of experts who have a better overview of the money market than the average saver can ever have.

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• INGREDIENTS • 400g macaroni 70g butter 50g plain flour 900ml milk 100g of Mull of Kintyre Cheddar – grated 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese – grated 1 tablespoon of Isle of Arran mustard, or English Mustard Salt and pepper to taste An oven proof dish

CALMAC & CHEESE CLASSIC COMFORT COURTESY OF CALMAC

• METHOD • • Preheat your oven to 180°C • Cook the macaroni as per the packaging instructions.

• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan, then stir in the flour and cook for two to three minutes on a medium heat, stirring continuously.

• Gradually add in the milk and keep stirring to ensure a smooth consistency.

• Next, stir in the Mull of Kintyre Cheddar and Parmesan and allow to melt.

Keep a little back for the topping.

• Add the Isle of Arran mustard and then remove from the heat.

• Drain the macaroni once cooked, then add it to the sauce.

• Place in an ovenproof dish and add some of the left-over grated cheese as a topping.

• Cook for around 20-25 minutes.

• Serve with a side salad of your choice.

For additional variety, you could add 150g of Stornoway Black Pudding – cooked and crumbled, which can be added to the sauce, prior to placing in the oven. This will create a delicious Mac’n’Black.

Last year the Highlands and Islands ferry operator served up an incredible 50,408 portions of their CalMac and Cheese dish aboard our their vessels and now they have shared the recipe - their take on a classic dish which is an all-time onboard favourite.

Like the rest of us CalMac crew and staff have found that staying at home seems to increase our appetites and simultaneously reduce the contents of the fridge.

A CalMac spokesperson said: ‘We are proud to have used and introduced our previous passengers to some of the best produce of the west – and during these unprecedented times we will be publishing updates from our island producer and maker colleagues via our newsletter, website and social media channels.

‘This recipe is one of our most popular menu items. Last year we served up an incredible 50,408 portions of this aboard our vessels.

‘Here’s how you can recreate it at home, using one of chief cook’s easy-to-follow recipes.’

• INGREDIENTS •

EMPIRE BISCUITS A HOME RECIPE FROM CHRISTINE MACKENNA

450g butter 200g caster sugar 500g plain flour Jam Cherries (or jellies)

• METHOD • Preheat over to 180° Cream together butter and sugar Gradually stir in flour until blended smoothly On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough to around 5mm thickness Cut out circles using pastry/cookie cutter Bake for around 10 minutes on a wire rack Allow to cool then sandwich jam between two biscuits Mix icing sugar with a little milk (which makes it more spreadable) and spread on top of biscuit sandwich Top with half a cherry (or jellies).

the value of volunteerS Generosity of spirit is what makes Glasgow so special says the Lord Provost

G

lasgow’s Lord Provost spoke for everyone in Glasgow when he paid tribute to – and recognised – the vital work done by volunteers.

Lord Provost Philip Braat said at the start of National Volunteers week in June how delighted he was to have the opportunity to personally thank everybody who volunteers.

‘I know everyone across the city will agree, this unprecedented pandemic has shone an important spotlight on the value and importance of those who choose to volunteer,’ he said.

Volunteer Glasgow, the city-based charity, is helping support local organisations with volunteering and working with people who signed up offering their assistance in response to the Covid-19 ‘Scotland Cares’ national recruitment drive.

The First Minister launched this in March and since then more than 4,450 Glaswegians offered to help.

Volunteer Glasgow manages the city’s online platform which connects people with the charities, community groups, clubs and appropriate public sector programmes that need their support.

The Volunteer Glasgow team provides guidance and matches people’s individual skills, interests and experiences to available and suitable volunteering opportunities.

David Maxwell, Volunteer Glasgow’s chief executive said: ‘We’re encouraging people to join us and demonstrate their personal thanks for those who have volunteered over the last 12 months - before and after lockdown.

Volunteer now or in the future by signing up via Volunteer Glasgow’s digital platform.

Groups big and small needing more volunteers can also sign up to access the diverse skills and experience of people offering their assistance.

Visit www.volunteerglasgow.org

Or call Glasgow Helps phone line on 0141 345 0543 (option 2 for individuals; 3 for groups and organisations).

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‘It’s been inspiring to see so many helping neighbours and working with organisations to provide support across the city during this pandemic.’

You can get involved and show your appreciation for people who volunteer by downloading Volunteer Glasgow’s template thank you cards and window posters.

Or alternatively create your own.

The Lord Provost added: ‘Glaswegians are famous for their kindness and compassion. It is that sense of solidarity that motivates people to give their time to help others. At times of national crisis like this it gives us all hope for the future.’

‘These are challenging times and we can all become overwhelmed by the competing demands we face. So it is really important to celebrate volunteers across this city and beyond.

‘Generosity of spirit is what makes Glasgow so special. We all know that ‘People Make Glasgow’ a great place to live, work, study and visit.

‘I take great pride in our city and everyone who volunteers. It has been humbling to meet everyone working selflessly across our communities.’ www.westendLife.biz

PracTiSe Safe ShOPPing The phrase ‘shop ‘til you drop’ has taken on a whole new, sinister meaning . . .

T

he spontaneous decision to ‘pop to the shops’ is a long way off yet, as is notion of spending a day just browsing and window shopping Right now we all have a balancing act – get the economy back up and running while at the same time preventing the infection rate from flaring up again.

We have to get this right, and right first time, or we go back to full lockdown to save loss of life and the whole cycle has to repeat again.

The four-phase approach which the Scottish government has planned has flexibility built in to gradually ease our way out of this dilemma.

In each phase more shops and services will open up but the advice remains to shop locally wherever possible and keep your journeys short so what better time has there been to support all our local businesses.

Shopping is going to take longer. Social distancing will mean limiting the number of people who can go into shops and queues are going to form.

As we went to press, the news of when services like hairdressing, beauty salons and barbers will reopen was still to be announced, along with the type of measures they must take.

Pandemic fashionistas

When we all step outside we need to be equipped with paper tissues, hand sanitiser, disposable gloves if necessary, and a face mask if the advice is to wear one.

If we don’t know how long we are going to be in a queue it might make sense to have a bottle of water and we need to carry all this.

How will fashion rise to the occasion?

Will we see large pockets, bigger handbags, or a small bag for these supplies carried alongside?

Never has a sporran been more useful!

WWW.WESTENdLIFE.bIz

an oUtbreak of good manners The phrase ‘cough etiquette’ appears throughout the Scottish government advice.

‘Coughs and sneezes spread diseases’ as the saying goes along with the NHS slogan, ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ of using a paper handkerchief, dispose of it properly and then wash your hands.

Etiquette is a set of formal manners and rules that are followed in society.

Good manners are essential at a time like this; there are going to be queues and frustrations so make sure you leave plenty of time to shop and your bad temper at home.

All the clapping for carers, painting rainbows, and gushing social media comments in the world count for nothing if you then go out and bite the head off a shop assistant.

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#jogscotlandActive

Things getting too much sometimes?

GETTING ACTIVE OUTDOORS Keeping active in a way that works for you is important to keep you feeling well in these uncertain times. And research shows that physical activity can also boost self-esteem, energy, mood and sleep quality.

If you can take advantage of your opportunity to get outside and exercise, then this is a great time to get in a decent local walk or cycle that you can do from your doorstep. This could be a chance to really connect with nature and notice what’s around you, as the world is that little bit quieter outdoors.

If you’re not sure where to start and how to keep active whilst keeping a distance, take a look at this guide from Paths

Www.clearyourhead.scot has got some tips to help you look after yourself and get through these uncertain times. With ideas about how you can keep moving, create a routine, find things you enjoy and keep connected with friends and family – finding time for any of these will help to clear your head. for All. And, if you need a bit more motivation to get out and about, you could also try listening to their mood-boosting Mind to Walk podcast presented by DJ Edith Bowman.

If it’s been a while since you tried walking for exercise, Jog Scotland’s Walk for Fitness programme might help you build up your fitness.

You could even build up to running. Take a look at Jog Scotland’s Learn to Run guide, or you could try downloading the ‘Couch to 5K’ app from iTunes or from Google Play.

To make getting outside a little more fun with little ones, you could try playing ‘I spy’ on your local walk, or getting your kids to hop, skip and jump over the lines and cracks in the pavement.

For more ideas on keeping the whole family active, visit Parent Club or take a look at The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Learning Zone, which has a range of free and fun activities to help children of all ages to stay connected with nature during the lockdown.

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There’s no need to put up with wonky wardrobes which don’t suit your needs any longer, Alvic can fully design and install perfectly fitted wardrobes and furniture that is truly bespoke to your requirements. Whether it’s hinged, angled or sliding doors, you’re after, a built in quest bed or a fully fitted walk-in wardrobe or library, the team are always on hand to offer their advice and expertise.

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BRoomhiLL sQuARe OPEN FOR YOUR SHOPPING AND EATING ESSENTIALS See our ad for details of the shops and eating places open to serve your everyday needs.

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ry The Square Bar & Restaurant, open Tuesday - Sunday from 11.00am Serving the best coffee and cake in the Westend at very wallet-friendly prices.

We serve hot filled morning rolls and sausage rolls from 11.00 am until 1.00pm.

Why not build your own sandwich or toasted sandwich all day.

Full menu available for call and collect. Thursday - Sunday. Includes restaurant classics, burgers, pastas, steaks, beers and wines.

20% OFF all food for collection.

We operate a Car Park collection service for those worried about social distancing while collecting food / drinks.

A FREE HOT DRINK FOR NHS STAFF. Just show your ID Badge.

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