Dell Directory June 2023

LOCAL CHARITY:

LOCAL WALK: WINE TASTING:

If you’ve ever considered getting fruit and veggie boxes delivered, now is the time! Not only can you get locally-grown, fresh organic produce delivered – the healthiest option - you will be supporting a fantastic charity at the same time. See the article on Cyrenians Farm on pages 8-9 and do consider trying their produce delivery, or getting involved in some of their workshops.

Our local walk takes us up in to the endlessly-enjoyable Pentands, to Black Hill this time, starting from Harlaw Visitor Centre, and I particularly love the local environment column this month about the black swan at Linlithgow!

If you know of events for charity or community groups over the summer who would like to publicise them locally, feel free to drop me a line as they are included free of charge on the What’s On page.

Thank you for reading The Dell Directory and supporting local businesses and organisations.

Tucked away only 10 miles from Edinburgh city centre and situated near Kirknewton in West Lothian, you will find Cyrenians Farm, a small rural haven not only growing food, but also growing skills and community.

Cyrenians Farm is a social enterprise run by homelessness charity Cyrenians. The farm is home to an orchard of 250 heritage apples trees, a young person’s residential community, a thriving educational and outdoor activity portfolio and is the base of their organic veg bag subscription service.

The young person’s residential community is one of several communities run by Cyrenians and is the heart of the organisation’s work: directly supporting individuals experiencing homelessness. Residents are supported to develop their confidence to live independently, whilst also building valuable life skills and experiences to help them eventually move on and flourish in their own homes. From shared meals, to applying for learning and employment opportunities, navigating the day to day demands of household management, each member is supported towards a more independent future.

However, the community aspect is not solely focused on the residents. The farm also welcomes volunteers from diverse backgrounds, who contribute to the farm. Whether they’re hobbyist gardeners looking to use their existing skills to make a difference, or participants eager to learn new skills and meet new people, the farm has created

a safe and supportive environment for people to thrive. Being a destination for growing skills and improving well-being is an important focus of the farm’s work, through educational courses and accredited training, the farm has helped develop rural skills and built confidence in younger people facing tough realities. Teaching green skills such as sustainable woodland management, marketgardening and woodwork has helped those who may have had difficulty engaging with main stream education to become active and engaged, developing new skills and confidence through experiential, learner-led courses.

To further support Cyrenians’ wider work, the farm host beginner friendly workshops open to the public, from creating wonderful bouquets using the farm’s own seasonal sustainable cut flowers to full day tuition in wood crafting and wilderness living skills, it has become a great space to try your hand at something new – why not book a course from their upcoming dates on the 10th June and 30th September?

Their orchard has been lovingly cared for over 18 years, producing more than 25 varieties of delicious apples that alongside other organic produce is available through the farm’s organic veg and fruit bag service, alongside limited runs of jams, squeezed juices and chutneys. On top of raising vital funds, growing produce to Soil Association organic standards has allowed them to tackle environmental issues too, such as pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, by restricting the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, and other methods. Whether you want to volunteer, buy organic produce, or support their social enterprise, you can be part of their mission to tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness. Visit cyrenians.scot/farm to find out more.

This article was contributed by Cyrenians Farm Enterprise. Cyrenians is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), registered charity SC011052.

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Have you considered an End of Life Doula?

Doulas are the bookends of life. Just as a Birth Doula is there at the beginning, an End of Life Doula is there for the end. Meaning that the last months or weeks or days are compassionate, calm, natural and as normal as can be.

An End of Life Doula is there to support a person, and those important to them, with a terminal diagnosis as well as for the elderly and those living with dementia too.

Our role is to preserve the quality of wellbeing, sense of identity and self-worth from the moment we are called upon.

We are there at any stage from the beginning when a person has received the news they have a life limiting illness through to the final months and weeks, and beyond to support the bereavement and for funeral planning.

We are sensitive to practical and emotional (plus spiritual if important) needs. We are a consistent and compassionate presence with knowledge, experience and understanding.

This supports those that we are alongside to exercise choice about where and how they are cared for. We facilitate an end of life that it is as peaceful, graceful, meaningful and dignified as it can be.

The person and those important to them are at the very centre of all we do.

Another important aspect to our role is to be available to people at any stage in their lives to share our knowledge and provide guidance on death and dying.

Providing information and guidance to demystify Living Wills, Advance Directives, funeral arrangements, bereavement and grief support, navigating through the labyrinth of health, social care and government agencies. Doulas can guide people through all the decisions and choices that need to be made at the end of life

• Be alongside so the person can live the life that's left

• Offer practical and emotional support to loved ones

• Be a point of contact for the other services and kinds of support

• Be an advocate when wishes need to be upheld

• Co-ordinate personal visits

• Organise help such as giving family carers a break

• Take time to sit with the dying person - as a companion, to listen, talk, provide comfort and reassurance or just 'be'

• Have conversations so death is approached without fear or loneliness

• Be practical: providing care, preparing meals, helping with paperwork

• Be available when the person has died to support those important to them practically and emotionally

Judith McLean from Colinton Homecare is currently completing her Certification and will be Registered as an End of Life Doula from 1st September 2023.

Please call 07891 743684 or email judithmclean18@hotmail.com to arrange a free no obligation consultation.

This article was conributed by Judith McLean from Colinton Homecare, with thanks to End of Life Doula UK for providing the information.

Runners know why they run. When asked, reasons given can be quite varied and can range from “I like the challenge of trying to go faster” to “It makes it easier to cope with work stress if I run regularly.” Some runners run “so I can eat what I want and never put on weight”, others run because it makes them “feel better.”

All are very valid reasons but did you know that running regularly not only keeps you healthy but it will help you live longer too?

Research published in August 2008 in the American medical journal “Archives of Internal Medicine” has shown that running regularly “can slow the ageing process.” In 1984 a group of researchers started a project to discover the health benefits of running. They followed 538 members of a national running club who were aged 50 years and older in 1984 and matched them with a control group of 423 healthy people from northern California who didn’t run. Every year these volunteers were asked to fill in a questionnaire with details of how often they ran, what their height and weight was to allow body mass index to be calculated and a special questionnaire about any disabilities and health problems they may have. Twenty-one years later a total of 284 runners and 156 controls were still participating in the study. Initially, the running group ran for, on average, four hours per week. After 21 years their weekly running time had reduced to around 76 minutes.

This research has shown the remarkable health benefits of running. Nineteen years into the study, 34% on the non-runners had died compared with only 15% of the runners. Both groups became more disabled with age, but for the runners the onset of disability started an average of 16 years later. This study has shown that the health gap between runners and non-runners continues to widen even as the subjects entered their ninth decade of life.

We have known for many years that runners suffer from fewer deaths from heart and artery related problems than non-runners but this study also found that running gives protection against other health problems. The likelihood

of premature death from cancer, neurological disease, infection and other causes were all reduced for people who ran.

This finding confirms a study from the University of British Columbia, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal in 2006. They reviewed the evidence for the health benefits of physical activity and concluded that:-

“There is irrefutable evidence of the effectiveness of regular physical activity in the prevention of several chronic diseases

(Cardiovascular disease, Diabetes, Cancer, high blood pressure, obesity, depression and osteoporosis) and premature death.” They also confirmed that there is a “linear relation between physical activity and health status,” which means that the more activity you do, the healthier you get!

The research is clear – exercise helps us live longer and healthier lives. Run if you enjoy running but if you don’t run, find an exercise that you do enjoy and do it. You will reap the rewards for the rest of your life!

The health column is contributed by McNaughton Physiogrange, Edinburgh www.physiogrange.co.uk

Recovery And Be yond

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How much of your day has to do with food? Thinking about it, buying it, preparing it, fretting about the fats or carbs in it, savouring it, dealing with leftovers, daydreaming about more food … I realised a long time ago that I was fairly consumed with what I consumed! Some people eat to survive. For others, like me, thoughts of breakfast get us out of bed in the morning!

Pass the pasta

What do you cook when you want something quick, easy and delicious? Pasta, of course! Along with the other benefits, it’s a pretty cheap meal to make – good news at a time when the cost of living is such a big concern.

A recent online Good Housekeeping article featured 75 favourite comfort foods. And no less than a third of them made use of some type of pasta! Think about macaroni cheese, classic lasagne, mushroom pappardelle: all present us with an edible hug!

Did you know that there are hundreds of types of pasta? I’ve seen various claims about exactly how many. The most conservative estimate is 350, although I saw one article stating there are nearly twice that many! What a shame we see so very few of these on our supermarket shelves. I would love to find some large conchiglie (shells), stuff them with ricotta, top them with sauce, and pop them in the oven. I wrote a poem, to help me remember just a few of the many different pasta types and shapes:

Bring a Large Pan of Water to the Boil

From capellini to bucatini

Pasta types are oh so many!

Alfredo features fettuccine, But I would rather eat linguine.

Filled half-moons are mezzelune.

Penne’s great when baked with tuna.

Farfalle? These are little bows

(Toddlers stick them up their nose).

Pastina stars are good in soups.

Anelli, well they’re little hoops.

Rotelle look like wagon wheelsAlways a hit in children’s meals!

I’ve heard orecchiette means little ears, (They taste like pasta, so forget your fears).

Shaped like thimbles are ditalini. Corkscrew pasta? That’s rotini. Orzo looks like mutant rice. Combined with feta it’s rather nice. In Naples wedding guests eat ziti. But can we find it in our city?

The strangest pasta type I’ve found Isn’t star-shaped, stuffed, or round. Radiatori, as you might guess, Look like heaters. Really? Yes!

I don’t have to think hard to name my favourite pasta dish. It’s called Italian Sunrise. I learned how to make it years ago from one of my college lecturers. I have a written-down recipe, but don’t use it anymore – I’ve made it so many times. Not long ago I was telling a friend from Italy how I made Italian Sunrise and what went into it. “It’s similar to Carbonara,” I explained, “except you don’t add any cream. Just butter and olive oil, bacon, a few eggs, parmesan cheese, spaghetti and some seasoning.” “That is Carbonara!’ he enthused. “Italians don’t put cream in it! You are the first person I have met in the UK who doesn’t add cream!”

I felt so proud.

IFOOD is contributed by Suzanne Green. Suzanne, is a freelance writer/editor. She is married to Andy and they have two adult daughters.

I treated my senses to a relaxing afternoon of flower arranging in a beautiful perfume store! It was a fantastic sensory experience sharing a lot in common with wine tasting.

We explored the different textures of flowers, grass and leaves. The beautiful vibrant colours, fresh bright scents, green leafy earth aromas reminded me of wine tasting notes. It was very relaxing, I slowed down and enjoyed creating my floral display.

The perfumes we sampled echoed the fragrances of the flowers. I am often asked, how do floral flavours get into wine? Are flowers and grasses ground up or marinated in grape juice? If a wine has notes of honeysuckle, has the wine got honeysuckle in it?

The answer is no. Wine is produced using vitis vinifera grapes. All the familiar names are on this family tree! Sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and malbec are all related and have similar properties but different aromatic makeup. A sauvignon blanc grape produces a different flavour in wine to a chardonnay grape. When a winemaker is making a wine, the flavour of the wine is determined by the grape, fermentation process and method of storage.

The simplest aromas, like melon or apple, come from the skin and flesh of the grape while the more complex aromatics come from the chemical changes in the wine over time. When we smell an aroma that reminds us of honeysuckle, we are smelling the same volatile chemical compound found in honeysuckle but the smell is from the grape.

This month I encourage everyone to slow down, enjoy a glass of wine, smell the roses and your rosé!

The monthly wine tasting column is contributed by Joanne Frette. Joanne lives in Juniper Green with her husband and three children. For wine recommendations, reviews and details of future tasting events, please go to swirlsipsocialise.com

One reason birds amuse me is because of the random places they turn up. This month it’s been the turn of the black swan, which has been the star attraction at Linlithgow Loch over the last few weeks.

They’re not a native species to Scotland or the U.K. but hail from Australia (where they’re a protected species) and by all accounts you’re tripping over them in Perth! Wikipedia states they have “erratic migration patterns” Now, whilst there’s every chance it could be a migration gone wrong, it’s more likely this is an escapee from a private collection somewhere. Another example of how random it is, this photo is actually from when I visited Orkney in 2020 and there was one hanging out near the Ring of Brodgar (a neolithic standing stone circle) of all places.

It seems to have been accepted amongst the mute swans which gather in the shadow of Linlithgow Palace. It is a shame though because unless it moves on to somewhere with another black swan, it won’t be able to find a mate to breed with, which is quite sad.

Other than having a very cool red eye and being smaller, there’s not any difference to our swans. I try not to photograph nonnative species but when a black swan turns up, you go to see it, fail to take good photos and revert to showing a picture of one from 2 years ago, many many miles away!

This column is contributed by Clare Harte and Kate Stevenson, who grew up in Edinburgh and now live in West Lothian. Together they run Scottish Sisters Photography and travel around the country to watch and photograph amazing wildlife and scenic landscapes. Follow them on Facebook: @ScottishSistersPhotography

The lovely ladies on the Declutter Hub Podcasts talk about daily “resets” in terms of making the beds and washing the breakfast dishes before we leave the house in the morning or that 15-minute clear up we do when the kids return from school or have gone to bed. I like this terminology as it sounds so much more positive and less boring than “cleaning and tidying” - I am almost enjoying “resetting” my lounge as I plump the sofa cushions and run the Velcro brush over them to remove the dog hair (so much hair!). My head definitely feels clearer when things around me look less chaotic. Last month I also saw an old friend I’ve not seen since high school. It was, sadly, a bittersweet meeting at the funeral of a mutual friend’s dad. As we sat chatting and realising it was almost 40 years since we had all been together, I found myself thinking about how we prioritise our time. Most of us manage to drop everything and re-schedule things in order to attend funerals as we rank it as high importance to support our friends and loved ones at these times (and rightly so). How great would it be, though, if we applied the same emphasis to spending time with others just for the joy of it? Or placed the same

value on allowing time to pursue our own endeavours to enjoy life?

Building in regular times to clear our diaries is good for the soul and acts as a reset not just for ourselves but those around us. Whether it be letting your partner or kids deal with the dishes and laundry or asking your work colleague to attend a meeting in your absence, everyone gets a chance to do something they may not normally do while you enjoy not doing it for a while!

We’re almost halfway through the year – a month of long, light (dare we also hope warm and sunny?) days lies ahead - so what better time to look at resetting our priorities now and then. A half day to meet friends for a lovely lunch or a sneaky wee drink in the locals or even just the occasional early finish on a Friday to treat ourselves to reading a book in the park can be fitted into even the busiest of schedules but the benefits will massively outweigh the minor disruption to our schedules.

Lynne lives in Colinton with her husband and two children. She dreams of being a freelance writer when she grows up but mostly just avoids growing up!

At the start of this year, I was on a mission to hit reset regularly and I’m pleased to say that my efforts in that area remain ongoing. So far, I have peppered the months with odd days off here and there and I am still slowly but surely on a mission to de-clutter my home.

Tech to de-stress trip planning

• Nearly two thirds of people (60%) have a regimented routine before they go away on a trip

• 74% are also taking actions to reduce their energy use while they are away

• Six in ten (62%) would adopt new technology if it helped make going away easier

• Four in ten (43%) with smart prepay energy meters check their energy balance and top up while away

Nearly two-thirds of us embrace a regimented trip planning routine that begins, on average, nearly four days before we leave on holiday.

With the majority of the nation preparing in advance, top of the pre-trip to-do list is making sure routine tasks such as doing the washing up, emptying the bins, and cleaning out the fridge are completed.

Nearly three quarters (74%) are also taking actions to reduce their energy use while

they are away, such as switching off the lights (77%), turning down the heating (77%) and turning off any unneeded appliances (74%).

With so much to do, it’s no wonder that nearly two-thirds (59%) are willing to embrace any tech that could help de-stress the pre-trip preparation – especially as six-in-ten of us feel stressed before leaving, and nearly a quarter admit they are still unable to relax while away due to worrying about home.

Yet, it’s clear that people aren’t embracing tech as much as they could be. Although a defrosted freezer and mouldy food in the fridge were voted as some of the worst things to return home to after a trip,15% of analogue prepay energy customers – who need to top up their meters manually to keep the power on while they are away –admit this is the chore they are most likely to forget to do.

Asking your energy supplier to upgrade your analogue prepay meter to a smart prepay meter, at no extra cost, will allow you to check your balance and top up your credit online from anywhere. This means you no longer have to run the risk of forgetting to top up your meter and

running out of credit while away.

Victoria Bacon of Smart Energy GB, said: “After a trip away from home, the last thing you want to come home to is a disaster like a defrosted freezer.

“A smart prepay meter can help eliminate this concern, as you can check your balance and top up online or from your phone remotely, something that four in ten smart prepay customers tell us they find helpful.

“In fact, 43% of smart prepay customers are already making the most of their ability to check their balance and top up while away, helping them to cross that chore off their to-do list forever.”

If you have a prepay meter and are interested in upgrading to smart prepay, please contact your energy supplier to request a smart meter installation, or visit smartenergygb.org.

Smart meters are the next generation of digital gas and electricity meters, providing automatic meter readings and nearreal time energy use information for households.

Smart meters and the information they provide will help Britain to achieve net zero by allowing for better management of energy demand and supply, providing people with the visibility needed to reduce their usage, and making the best and most efficient use of wind and solar power. Innovative technology and services enabled by smart metering is pivotal in allowing our country to decarbonise and have more electric vehicles.

Smart meters are available from energy suppliers at no extra cost, and the accompanying in-home display shows energy use in pounds and pence. Up to the end of September 2022, 31.3 million smart and advanced meters have already been installed in homes and small businesses across Britain.

This article was contributed by Smart Energy GB, the not-for-profit, government-backed campaign helping everyone in Britain to understand the importance of smart meters and their benefits to people and the environment. Research was carried out by OnePoll for Smart Energy GB and surveyed 2,000 adults in the UK from 3rd - 5th May. For more information visit smartenergyGB.org

JUNE CROSSWORD

^^^ Solution in the July edition of Konect

ACROSS: 1. Well ventilated (4), 3. Keeps you dry (8), 9. Hauled (7), 10. Brawl (5), 11. Mixtures (12), 13. Paper handkerchief (6), 15. Small stoat (6), 17. Books of words (12), 20. Not outer (5), 21. Bishopric (7), 22. Bulge (8), 23. Beers (4).

DOWN: 1. Fearlessness (8), 2. Kingdom (5), 4. 12:00pm (6), 5. Used for cold storage (12), 6. Folk tales (7), 7. Opposed to (4), 8. Agrarian (12), 12. Shines (8), 14. Chemistry, biology, physics for example (7), 16. Barrier (6), 18. Perfect (5), 19. Assists (4).

JUNE SUDOKU

If you or someone you know, has an interesting experience, an unusual job, does extraordinary charity work, has a crazy hobby.....get in touch via editor@konect.scot and we may be able to share it. (You need to live and/or work in the Colinton, Craiglockhart, or Kingsknowe area to be featured in The Dell Directory)

WE LOVE TO CELEBRATE ALL THINGS LOCAL !

SOLUTION TO MAY CROSSWORD

ACROSS: 1. Burrow, 4. Erased, 9. Elastic, 10. Girls, 11. Disco, 12. Outside, 13. Interpreted, 18. Curtain, 20. Pinch, 22. Odour, 23. Emotion, 24. Sister, 25. Severe. DOWN: 1. Blends, 2. Roads, 3. Outcome, 5. Right, 6. Survive, 7. Dishes, 8. Accompanied, 14. Narrows, 15. Explode, 16. Echoes, 17. Change, 19. Agree, 21. Naive.

FRIDAY 2ND JUNE

Colinton Primary Parent Council

Summer Fair

12.30 and 2.30pm

SUNDAY 4TH JUNE

The Big Lunch at Campbell Park

ACROSS: 1. Burrow, 4. Erased, 9. Elastic, 10. Girls, 11. Disco, 12. Outside, 13. Interpreted, 18. Curtain, 20. Pinch, 22. Odour, 23. Emotion, 24. Sister, 25. Severe. DOWN: 1. Blends, 2. Roads, 3. Outcome, 5. Right, 6. Survive, 7. Dishes, 8. Accompanied, 14. Narrows, 15. Explode, 16. Echoes, 17. Change, 19. Agree, 21. Naive.

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE XX

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE 38

1.00pm - 4.00pm. If the weather is poor, event will be Sunday 11th June. Bring a picnic and some food for sharing. Live music, Big Bake Off, football fun, yoga tent, BBQ. Organised by Friends of Campbell Park

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE XX

WED 7TH & THURS 8TH

Here Comes the Sun Concert by the Pentland Singers. Balerno High School, 7.30pm. The programme includes a wide repertoire of music, from Beethoven to the Beatles

SATURDAY 10TH JUNE

Farmers Market

Main Street, Balerno, 9.00am to 1.00pm

SUNDAY 11TH JUNE

Disclaimer: The publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage caused by error in the printing of an advertisement. We do not endorse any advertisers in this publication. All material is accepted for publication on the understanding it is copyright free. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher.

Publisher: Lothian Publications Ltd.

Geddes House, Kirkton North, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 6GU.

Magazine Design:

Alan Stewart Design

M: 07729 911858

E: hello@alanstewartdesign.com

W: www.alanstewartdesign.com

Concert for a Summer Evening

Colinton Parish Church, Dell Road, Edinburgh. 5pm,. Glasgow Chamber Choir. Ticket £10 adults, £5 students, online or at the door. glasgowchamberchoir.org.uk

Disclaimer: The publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage caused by error in the printing of an advertisement. We do not endorse any advertisers in this publication. All material is accepted for publication on the understanding it is copyright free. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher.

Publisher: Lothian Publications Ltd.

Geddes House, Kirkton North, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 6GU.

Magazine Design:

Alan Stewart Design

M: 07729 911858

E: hello@alanstewartdesign.com

W: www.alanstewartdesign.com

WANT TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT HERE? COMMUNITY AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT LISTINGS ARE FREE OF CHARGE.

EMAIL EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT BY 15TH OF THE MONTH FOR FOLLOWING MONTH’S ISSUE.

The Pentlands offer such a variety of trails that you can take a different route every time you head out. And even if you take the same route, the weather and the seasons change so the experience of your walk changes.

This one starts at Harlaw Visitor Centre near Balerno, and takes in Black Springs with the option of extending the walk along Black Hill and onto Green Cleugh.

Take Harlaw Road out of Balerno and follow the signs to Harlaw Reservoir, where you can park in the car park. A short walk takes you to the Harlaw Visitor Centre. Take the path that goes straight ahead towards the hills, and you will walk through a narrow strip of woodland with Harlaw Reservoir on your right hand side. At the end of the reservoir, instead of continuing around the reservoir for what is a circular woodland walk, climb instead over the steps that are built into the stone wall here. Black Springs is signed on the signpost here. Once over the steps, go straight on (instead of left towards Flotterstone).

The ground along this route is a little less even but well-marked nonetheless. You head straight over the hill and through a small wooded area until you reach another stretch of water – the Black Springs. This is a designated wildlife refuge covering

5.59 hectares of open water, marshy grassland and reed bed. This latter is the second largest reed bed in the Lothians (the largest being Duddingston Loch).

As you face Black Springs, you then turn to the right and walk along the water’s edge. You soon come to a causeway separating Black Springs and Threipmuir Reservoir beyond. Here, you can go straight on along the side of Threipmuir Reservoir. Follow the water’s edge until it once more joins the Harlaw Woodland Walk around Harlaw Reservoir. Here, you can take either side of the reservoir to return to the visitor centre.

For a longer and more challenging walk, cross the causeway at the end of Black Springs. The small stone building you see here is a cistern built to collect the water from the nearby springs. Now on the southern shore of Threipmuir reservoir, follow the path to the right of the cistern, climbing uphill next to the drystone wall. The path takes you onto Black Hill, so named because of the dark heather that covers it. The path skirts along the north side of the hill, rather than going over it, and you have enough height to enjoy some lovely views. The path is somewhat rocky and uneven in places.

When you reach a fork in the path, bear right in order to descend into the valley of Green Cleugh. You can see the valley

ahead of you for some distance as you walk along Black Hill. Pass through the gate on your right, and follow the path through the valley. It leads to a tree-lined lane that takes you down to Threipmuir Car park. Continue straight ahead and skirt Threipmuir Reservoir to arrive back at Harlaw Visitor Centre.

The longer walk takes around 2.5 hours and offers a variety of terrains.

This article was written by Helen-Jane, Konect editor.

SPORTS, HOBBIES, LEARNING, SUPPORT GROUPS & MORE...

THIS MUM RUNS - We are a small group of local women (not just Mums!) who support and empower each other to be healthier and happier. We meet Wednesday’s at 7:30pm at the bottom of Thorburn Road, or Sunday’s at 8am in Spylaw Park for a quick warm up, 30-minute run at the pace of chat/your pace, and then a gentle cool down. We’d love to see you there! All free, run by friendly local volunteers www. thismumruns.co.uk/join-a-local-run

WAVERLEY SPEAKERS CLUB

- Meets in Colinton Bowling Club every fortnight on Tuesdays at 7.15pm, until 18th April 2023 and resumes in September. Our aim is to improve members’ public speaking skills in a supportive atmosphere. Each evening has three prepared speeches of eight minutes, evaluated constructively by another member. Eight impromptu short speeches follow, also evaluated. New members will be made most welcome. Contact i.wright237@btinternet.com

LOCAL FLORAL ART CLUB - Sit back and enjoy relaxing evenings watching a floral demonstration with lively & interesting chat. You might even win one of the arrangements. Meet: Boroughmuir Rugby Club, Meggatland, off Colinton Road EH14 1AS. 7.30pm - 9.30pm on the 1st Monday of the month from October. Wine/tea/ coffee available.

Contact: Joyce Rutherford 0131 443 2536 or joyce.rutherford@ btinternet.com

COLINTON SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE CLUB - We meet fortnightly from September

to end of March/beginning of April in St. Cuthbert’s Episcopal Church Hall, Westgarth Avenue from 7.45 - 9.15. We have an excellent teacher and live music so come and join us, with or without a partner, you’ll be made very welcome. Tel: 07751186359 or 07483814988

PUPPY & ADOLESCENT DOGS GROUP CLASSES - A great way to socialise and learn all the basic obedience tricks for your pup. Group classes take place in a puppy-proof garden at 2 Woodfield Park. It’s a block of 5 classes spread over 5 weeks. Classes take place on either Saturday or Sunday morning and last for 45 min. For more information visit headstartdogtraining.com or call 07366 464040

THE SWING CAFÉ - Tues to Sat 10.00am-2.00pm. Please come for breakfast (10.00am-12.00noon), lunch (12noon -2.00pm) or some delicious home baking (available all day). We welcome groups and if you would like to book a table, please contact 07514 689258. There are gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free options. Under 12s are invited to enjoy a children's menu. Sit in or take away. We look forward to welcoming you.

DESTINATION JUDO @ CRAIGLOCKHART - Craiglockhart sports Centre. Wednesdays 3.45pm (5-8 year olds) and 4.30pm (9+ year olds). Judo is a dynamic sport based on a combination of balance, co-ordinationation and reaction. Most importantly judo helps children become more self aware, disciplined, and polite. Of

course we teach all this in a fun way. For information please email callum@destinationjudo.com or call 0131 467 9043

COLINTON LOCAL HISTORY

SOCIETY - Want to know about local history?

W: www.colintonhistory.org

E: enquiries@colintonhistory.org

COLINTON LITERARY SOCIETY

- Keep up to date with latest news about the Lit on the Church website www.colinton-parish.com

COLINTON GARDEN CLUBClub members share their love of gardening, gardens and nature, and work together to preserve and add value to our quality of life here in south-west Edinburgh. Monthly members’ meetings on a Monday, plus outings and events.

For more information see:

W: www.colintongardens.org.uk

E: membership@ colintongardens.org

LUNCHCLUB - Every Wednesday 1pm – 3pm, 3 courses £4. Spaces are limited, first come first served. Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre, 71 Firhill Drive, EH13 9EU. Please visit:

oxgangsneighbourhoodcentre. org.uk

PARENT AND TODDLER

GROUP - Tuesdays, am session and pm session for two age groups (all under 5s). Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre, 71 Firhill Drive, EH13 9EU.

Contact: Tel.: 0131 466 0678 or Email: oxgangsneighbourhoodcentre@gmail.com

To include your Club or Class, please email details, up to 75 words, to editor@konect.scot Not-for-profit groups are FREE. There is a small charge for businesses. See www.konect.scot for information.

OXGANGS NEIGHBOUR CENTRE CAFE

10.00am to 1.00pm. Bacon rolls, baked potatoes, toasties, specials, teas, coffees and cake. Sit in or takeaway.