The Dell Directory May 2023

COMMUNITY: HEALTH:

LOCAL ENVIRONMENT:

The local charity feature is all about the new Edinburgh Tool Library service coming to Colinton! A tool library is a fantastic community resource, and Edinburgh’s has been up and running for a few years although only in north east Edinburgh. It’s shortly coming to the Shed in Spylaw Park! See pages 8-9 for details.

There is plenty going on this month and into the early summer, in partocular don;’t miss the Eurovision in the Park event on 13th May, and the Big Lunch in Campbell Park on 4th June. 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.

This month’s local business spotlight is on Marc Van Cartier-Kerr Artisan, who can look after all your soft furnishing needs and brings a unique and broad approach to interior design.

I hope you enjoy the magazine this month. Thank you for reading The Dell Directory and supporting local businesses and organisations.

All enquiries, E: M: editor@konect.scot 07854 492638

Come IN and talk to us

at Morningside Library every Friday and Oxgangs Library every Tuesday from 11.30am to 1.30pm

Our volunteers will be there to talk and listen to you and offer free, confidential support and information - whether you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, or you’re a family member or carer. We can also direct you to other support services.

www.edinburgh.gov.uk/macmillanlibraries Macmillan.Libraries@edinburgh.gov.uk 0131 242 8125

For further support and information call Macmillan free on 0808 808 00 00 Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm or visit macmillan.org.uk

A new tool library hub for South West Edinburgh

When you think of all the tools needed for jobs around the house and garden, the costs and space taken up for tools you don’t use really add up. Edinburgh Tool Library (ETL) started in 2015 as the UK’s first tool library, allowing members to access as many tools as they want for an annual flat fee (ranging from £10 to £40) - thousands of tools ranging from hammers to drills to routers to lawn mowers. The popularity of ETL’s services means a large proportion of those tools are used regularly and that the cost to buy and maintain the tool can be done ‘at scale’: there’s also no hassle of maintenance / spares as all this is managed by ETL’s volunteers. Since 2015, ETL has saved their members a total of over £875k which would have otherwise have been spent on idle tools.

Access to tools is great but knowing which tool to choose, which attachment to fit and how to use it safely can be challenging. That’s why a really important part of what ETL does involves helping borrowers, community-building, running workshops, delivering community projects and mentorship: all run by helpful and knowledgeable volunteers from the community. This allows people who may not have previously had the confidence to use tools to learn and develop these

whilst improving their community connections and local environment.

Until now, ETL has only had locations in North East Edinburgh – meaning a long trip across town for people from the South and West. To overcome this, we are very pleased to announce a partnership between ETL, South West Edinburgh 20 Minute Neighbourhoods (SW20) and Colinton Village Enterprise (CVE) SCIO to open a new SW ETL Hub in ‘The Shed’ in Spylaw Park, Colinton

The hub will launch with the most commonly used tools but also have access to the tools from other ETL locations too. Volunteers will transfer tools from other ETL locations via the SW Edinburgh community community cargo bike. New members will be able to join ETL and access the tools at the Hub. We are also hoping to run workshops to allow members to increase their knowledge, skills and confidence, as well as meeting other members of the community and participate in community projects. We are currently finalising plans, hopefully to launch in Q2, but keen to hear from people who may be interested in joining as members or volunteers. To sign up to find out more about the Hub, visit bit.ly/etl-signup For more information about ETL, see bit.ly/etl_sw20

Tools aren’t the sort of thing you buy every day but when you consider that an average drill is used 13 minutes in its lifetime, it makes no sense for everyone to own one: it will spend almost all of its life gathering dust.

This article was contributed by

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COMMUNITY CHEST GRANTS

High Schools and Primary Schools, Boys’ Brigade and Scouts, the Mill Café and Community for Food, the Pentland Ukrainian Support Group, the Pentland Singers and the Schools Pipe Band.

What do they all have in common?

They are all organisations that received grants in the past year from the Community Chest; and the Community Chest is now open again to provide grants of up to £500 towards projects seen to be of benefit to the local community. The closing date for applications is 31st May.

The Chest is funded and administered by Currie Balerno Rotary and the

Closing date for applications

31st May2023

Balerno Village Trust and information about the Community Chest and how to apply can be found on their websites at www.cbrotary.org and www.balernovt.org.uk

DON’T DELAY. GET YOUR APPLICATION IN NOW!

This article is contributed by the Rotary Club of Currie Balerno, see www.cbrotary.org

CHANGE IS ON THE WAY

Currie Balerno Rotary set up the Community Chest in 2016 and were joined in the venture by Balerno Village Trust in 2017. It is now well established but not as visible publicly as it should be and consequently BVT and C B Rotary have agreed that it should stand in its own right as Pentland Community Chest. Work is proceeding to establish an improved public image for the future with its own website, Facebook presence and e-mail addresses.

WATCH THIS SPACE!

‘The Shed’, Spylaw Park, Colinton

Building our to stressResilience

Our first instinctive response in the face of stress is often to flee in the other direction, to seek distraction, or to or typically place issues in a ‘box’ to one side, to avoid dealing with the situation.

Whilst this seemingly reduces our discomfort in the moment, ultimately these unresolved issues will resurface, which eventually undermines our ability to face into stressful situations and compounds our beliefs that we lack the tools to address what bothers us. When we exercise, we need to place muscles under stress for them to grow stronger. Similarly, from an emotional perspective we gain resilience and strength by working through stressful and challenging situations, rather than avoiding them.

How can I help?

Of course, it can be a daunting prospect to acknowledge the many ‘boxes’ we’ve amassed over the years, and to contemplate opening these up, so that we can finally relieve ourselves of the weight of unresolved feelings and emotions. Professional help can be incredibly beneficial in these instances in helping to guide you through this process, giving you the confidence to know that you’re not facing these alone.

With the right help and support it’s possible to increase your resilience and confidence, to learn the skills to proactively and confidently deal with challenges, and to change your perception of difficult situations. Seeing them instead as opportunities to grow and become stronger, by working through issues as they arise.

This article was contributed by Sophie Louise, The Therapy Room, Woodhall Road, Colinton. See www.sophielouisehealth.com

Waiting

As a child, waiting for Christmas is exciting. Opening an advent calendar daily and anticipating what Santa might bring are all great fun. However, being an adult on an NHS waiting list is the complete opposite of this.

So much worry and so many questions such as “how do I best cope with my joint pain?” and “what can I do to help myself while waiting?”

So, how big is the waiting list problem in Lothian for Orthopaedic problems?

Statistics are published regularly by Public Health Scotland and the latest available for NHS Lothian Orthopaedics in-patient surgery are for the period 1st October to 31st December 2022. These show that 1152 people were treated with a median wait of 36 weeks. This means that about half waited less than 9 months for surgery but half will have waited longer. Research produced by the University of Aberdeen in December 2022 showed that the average wait for surgery across all health boards in Scotland could climb to more than 2 years and 3 months, missing the Scottish Government target which says that by 2024 all routine surgery should be done within a year.

Current admission level for routine Orthopaedic surgery is still at only 52.2% of pre-Pandemic levels due to the combination of financial issues, lack of staff within the NHS and extra pressures from the number of urgent cases needing to take priority. This has resulted in a substantial backlog of patients waiting for Orthopaedic surgery. Delays in treatment are associated with negative short and long-term consequences for both the health and wellbeing of people waiting.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint disease, affecting at least eight million people in the UK. It can affect any joint, but it most

commonly affects the knees, hips, neck, back, toes and fingers. There is no doubt that many people benefit from joint replacement surgery. If you are on a waiting list for joint replacement it is important to remember that activity and exercise are helpful, both for joint pain and overall wellbeing.

Osteoarthritis is a metabolic condition that naturally has periods where it flares up and can be more painful but it can then settle down too. The phrase “wear and tear” is outdated as we now understand that exercise helps OA joints. Please do not fear activity - you will not make a joint worse, or “wear it out”, with exercise. In fact, the more movement you can maintain in your affected joint and the better your overall fitness level, the better your result will be after surgery.

Exercises and walking can improve joint function and pain as can simple methods such as applying a hot pack. Finding activities that you can continue while you wait will help. Consider swimming, aqua-aerobics classes or hydrotherapy (exercises in a warm water pool) as ways of improving joint pain and function. Cycling or using a static bike can really help an arthritic knee. Ideas of the best exercises to help can be found at www.versusarthritis.org or consult your local Physiotherapist. Waiting is a pain - keeping active will help.

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

Recovery And Be yond

New Services at Colinton Village Pharmacist

Having Judith, our second pharmacist on the team, is going to let us offer you a few more services in the village. One of particular interest at this time of year may be the opening of our Travel Vaccine Clinic, which will run by appointment in advance, on Thursdays, in our basement consultation space. Judith and some of the team will also be working with Crystal Health Group (www.crystal-health.co.uk) to provide DNA Testing and Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing services, more information will be available in the pharmacy.

Summer season warnings – hayfever, ticks and sunburn: Spring and early summer are lovely seasons but for some the impact of pollen and other natural elements on their system is distressing. We can help with a number of different hayfever remedies. We also have all you need to combat ticks and the potential danger they pose in carrying Lyme disease lymediseaseuk.com. We have restocked our sun protection shelves, even if it is not hot your skin may suffer, so don’t forget to take some protection and a water bottle out and about with you and the kids!

On all of these issues, you can consult our fully trained team, via the NHS Pharmacy First Plus Service, and other health issues, such as impetigo, skin infections, shingles and urinary infections. And remember our Tympa Earhealth service, including wax removal!

NOTE: We also have an opportunity for another health professional to join us in the lower floor consultation space in the pharmacy building, please come and see us if interested.

The Ask Your Pharmacist column is contributed by Juliette Paton, Superintendent Pharmacist, Colinton Village Pharmacy. www.colintonpharmacy.co.uk

COLOUR & COMFORT: ARTISAN

Marc Van Cartier Kerr is a local artisan who, with a string of interior design credentials behind him, now focuses on beautiful made to measure curtains, blinds and upholstery work.

“I tend to work on restoration of family pieces that have sentimental value, such as an old family armchair,” he explains. His passion for his work is clear, creating something beautiful from high quality materials, either a restored piece of furniture or new soft furnishings. He loves to take on small commissions and bring a treasured piece back to life, as well as larger projects such as re-covering a sofa. He is able then if required to supply matching curtains, blinds, cushions, lampshades - any soft furnishings in fact, to create a complete look for the room.

The word “artisan” in Marc’s business name was deliberately chosen to express his way of working: the very opposite of mass produced

items designed for the short term. Marc’s work starts with a home visit, to see the room that will be decorated, to measure for the window coverings or to see the furniture in its context. He works with natural materials wherever possible, preferring horsehair, brushed cotton or linen for stuffing, and always selects the material that will give the best result for the project in hand.

Marc loves colour and comfort. He’s not a fan of white minimalism, so he’ll embolden you to go for the colours you know you really want. “Don’t paint a small room white. It won’t make it bigger, it will just make it look cold!” he says. At the same time though, his overriding priority is to help you express yourself and be comfortable at home, so if you really want white walls, he’ll work with it and the finished room will have the wow factor.

Marc’s background means he brings an invaluable broad perspective. Starting out in the fashion and textiles industry, he moved into interior design and has consulted on new-build show homes and worked with architects at the design stage.

“It’s vital to understand how a space is used every day and make the most of it, rather than simply imposing a theme,” he explains. Seemingly simple things make a huge difference, such as where light switches are placed, which way doors open, or

“As an interior designer, my job is to help you express your personality in your home, not to tell you what you should or shouldn’t do with it.”

looking at how people will flow through a social area. Taking care of these details means that when the finished room is dressed beautifully, it’s not just a surface-level beauty.

Marc offers a massive selection of high quality fabrics from his favourite supplier ILIV. He can handle shapes such as arched windows, and can make matching pelmets, cushion covers, lampshades, trims, as well as advise on and supply curtain poles and tracks.

“There is no such thing as an interior design sin. At the end of the day, we all want a place where we can relax and feel at home. So do what pleases you, not what pleases someone else.”

So whether you have a one-off special project to revive a treasured chair, or need a room by room transformation of your home, Marc is more than able to help you bring your ideas to vibrant life.

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!

Restaurant roulette

How do I define “foodie”?

I’d say it means loving food that’s done right. Assigning great importance to the preparation, presentation and enjoyment of what you and others eat. Being a foodie is a kind of hobby. It’s closer to an obsession than an interest. You watch cooking programmes on telly even if you have no plans to try the recipe or technique at home. You are keen to try new taste sensations, especially when ingredients are combined that you have never considered putting together. And you won’t mind travelling a bit out of your way if you are intrigued by what a restaurant has to offer. Foodies tend to take a long time trying to decide what to order when we are out for a meal. I really don’t want to get my choice wrong – it’s too important. What if I order ravioli and the portion size is puny (this happened to me once), what if I order a steak and I am served one that’s very fatty, what if I ask for carrot cake … and it’s dry (a common occurrence!)?

I do everything I can to avoid disappointment when eating out. 1) I sneakily have a look at what other diners are having as we are being led to our table; 2) I read the entire menu; 3) I quiz the server on portion sizes, how spicy or sweet something is, whether I could have

it with ice cream instead of custard, what he/ she would recommend; 3) I ask everyone in my party to order before me, giving myself as long as possible to make a decision; and 4) very occasionally I follow the server to the kitchen to announce that I have changed my mind.

If, after all that, I make the wrong decision, I am gutted. But I usually hide it well. I took a chance; I got what I ordered. It’s just that my interpretation of the description on the menu did not match up with that of the restaurateur. It’s no good asking my husband to share or swap meals with me. He’s like Joey on Friends, fiercely guarding his food and telling his date, “If you wanted this, you should have ordered it”.

Please don’t let these revelations put you off inviting me over for a meal. I’m actually really grateful to anyone who makes a meal for me, even if it’s not quite what I thought it would be!

But if you offer me a brownie, please can it be the chewy kind, not the cake-like variety?

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

Around 80% of what we perceive of as taste actually comes from our sense of smell. Our sense of smell is very important and has a huge role in the art of wine tasting.

The key to detecting and describing smells isn’t in the number of expensive wines tasted over the years, it’s my day-to-day life of grocery shopping! You can’t describe a smell if you haven’t smelt it before!

If you would like to expand your aroma memory, I recommend you visit the local greengrocers. Purchase some of the fresh produce; dirty carrots, seasonal fruit, ripe tomatoes on the vine, different coloured grapefruit and citrus. Take your items home and spend time thinking about how each item smells. What does the damp soil smell like? What does the stalk of a tomato smell like? Can you remember smelling that green peppery smell before when you’ve visited a greenhouse? A ruby grapefruit smells and tastes very different to a yellow grapefruit. Peel back the skin and pith, think about the different smells and log them in your memory bank.

While I may never describe a wine as smelling of dirty carrots, I may use the term ‘earthy’ and recall the damp smell of earth on the carrots. Sometimes a white wine will have a strong vegetal note reminiscent of the green peppery notes of ripe vine grown tomatoes. These descriptors round out the tasting note and help others relate to the wine.

By paying attention to the smells around us and logging them in your memory bank, we improve our ability to recall aroma and describe a smell. Wine tasting is about the senses and smell is a huge part of that experience!

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

Whilst I’d love to have a picture of a kingfisher perched on a lichen-covered stick, or on top of a reed with a nice clean background, the reality of wildlife photography is that the species in question doesn’t always hang out in the pretty places.

Sometimes their favourite perch hangs down over a very muddy bank, which they use as a toilet and there are distractions everywhere (like the leaves of a dandelion) but we enjoy it anyway because seeing a kingfisher never fails to brighten your day.

Did you know, the flash of blue down the back of a kingfisher is actually brown? The bright colour we perceive is due to “structural colouration” and makes them more colourful than they appear at certain angles. It results in iridescent colours and another good example is the feathers of a peacock. Nature is truly wonderful!

This is a male bird and going by the dirt on his beak, he’s been doing some nest digging. The female has an orange lower beak. It’d be great if they raised some young, though as they nest in riverbanks if we have

any heavy rain it can put the location in danger. It’s important to note that Kingfishers are Schedule 1 protected birds and it’s an offence to intentionally disturb them throughout the nesting season.

I have to thank my friend John, who keeps a careful eye on them throughout the year and lets me know how they’re getting on.

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

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This time last year I wrote about the impending Highers my son was about to sit. I know this for sure as I checked back after having a nagging doubt that my novel idea for this month’s column wasn’t as original as I had hoped.

My initial fear of repeating myself was soon replaced with a feeling that writing a piece about exams looming wouldn’t be such a bad idea as it was at least relevant and hopefully relatable for many. Plus, I don’t think it counts as plagiarism if you steal ideas from your own work. Unoriginal and unimaginative maybe, but not plagiarism.

It was chatting to a fellow mum chum and local mumpreneur that got me thinking about the whole business again and how it’s yet another uncharted territory for parents or carers to navigate. Of course, the burden of the workload and the stress of trying to achieve great results lies at the feet of our children but it’s hard to know how best to support them at this time.

I now fully understand why my dad used to look slightly wounded when I shunned his offers to help me revise. He would suggest testing me, typing up my scribbles or even reading my notes into a tape recorder so that I could listen to them later – the very height of 80’s technology! Mum would, as in all times of crisis, offer endless tea and sympathy. I always politely declined offers of help as I had my own way

of doing things but I can see now both how thoughtful these offers were and how helpless my parents must have felt.

My own kids never seem to want much practical help either so I will take a leaf out of my mum’s book. I’m no baker but I’ll aim to churn out my fail-safe, 3 ingredient Nutella brownies for snacks with the odd bit of fruit thrown in for good measure. And I’ll wait in the wings with bated breath along with so many others.

I’ve chosen to embrace the positives at this time. With study leave there is less congestion in the house first thing in the morning so a more peaceful start to the day is possible. Working from home with kids on exam leave offers extra opportunities to glimpse the faces I often only see reflected in the blue glow of phone screens and even to perhaps exchange a few more meaningful sentences than the usual tried and tested but rather tired “What’s for dinner?”

Having good exam grades will definitely stand you in good stead for the future and widen your options but there are many other opportunities in life so don’t beat yourself up too much about it. Just arm yourself with a brownie or a treat of your choice and do your best. Very best of luck to everyone who is on this journey right now.

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!

MAY CROSSWORD

^^^ Solution in the June edition of Konect

ACROSS: 1Small tunnel (6), 4. Rubbed out (6), 9. Stretchy (7), 10. Young females (5), 11. Type of music (5), 12. External (7), 13. Translated (11), 18. Window covering (7), 20. Nip (5), 22. Smell (5), 23. Passion (7), 24. Female relation (6), 25. Harsh (6).

MAY SUDOKU

solution on page 45

DOWN: 1. Combines (6), 2. Highways (5), 3. Result (7), 5. Correct (5), 6. Outlive (7) 7. Bowls (6), 8. Escorted (11), 14. Becomes thinner (7), 15. Blow up (7), 16. Reverberates (6), 17. Alter (6), 19. Consent (5), 21. Innocent (5). ^^^

SUNDAY 7TH MAY

Plant Sale - 1000’s of plants, trees, and shrubs. In the yard at the Water of Leith Visitor Centre, 24 Lanark Road. 11am to 1pm. Pick up a bargain & help the Water of Leith. Free entry, but bring cash to buy plants.

SATURDAY 13TH MAY

Eurovision in the Park! - Spylaw Park, Colinton. 2pm to 5pm. A fun, internationalist afternoon celebrating all-things Eurovision with our Ukrainian neighbours through music, a film projection, costumes, quiz, and dance. Our Pit Stop Café will be open, offering teas, coffees plus Ukrainian home-baking from the Pentlands Ukrainian Support Group, who will also have a selection of art/crafts for sale. Face painting, sweepstakes, Pimms in the Park. Organised by Colinton Village Enterprise

SATURDAY 3RD JUNE

Ramblers-Balerno Group Introductory Walk - Pentlands - Start 9:20am from Pentland View Car Park, Lanark Road West, Currie Easy walking - 4.5 miles/7.2 km. After receiving a warm welcome and meeting other walkers, your walk leader will give you an overview of your walk with the opportunity to ask any questions before enjoying the fabulous views of our beautiful countryside and across the city. Crossing to the Water of Leith and up towards Blinkbonny, you will then walk up Poet’s Glen. This interesting path is an incline and you will stop as necessary to ensure everyone is comfortable. Turning left through Easter Kinleith Farm, you will have fabulous views over Edinburgh and the new Queensferry Crossing. Next towards Tiphereth and Torphin, the group will stop for a snack looking towards the Riding stables before returning back to the start. Terrain will be rocky in small sections, grass areas often muddy and short sections of tarmac. Ascent/ descent approx 100 metres. Wear comfortable clothes appropriate for the weather forecast. Bring a drink and a snack. To register your booking, contact Sandra Renton by text on 07504306062

SUNDAY 4TH JUNE

The Big Lunch at Campbell Park - 1pm4pm. If the weather is poor, event will be Sunday 11th June. Bring a picnic and some food for sharing. Klive music, Big Bake Off, football fun, yoga tent, BBQ. Organised by Friend of Campbell Parl

SUNDAY 11TH JUNE

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

PENTLAND PROBUS CLUB EVENTS

New members welcome. Further details from our Club Sec. Leslie Hannaford 0131 453 3012 or lesliehannaford@ blueyonder.co.uk

WEDNESDAY 3RD MAY - “Scotland’s Best Kept Secret - Belhaven Brewery” An illustrated talk by Steven Sturgeon. Juniper Green Parish Church Hall, Lanark Road, 10.00am - 12 noon. New members welcome. Further details from our Club Sec. Leslie Hannaford 0131 453 3012 or lesliehannaford@ blueyonder.co.uk

WEDNESDAY 17TH MAY - Pentland Probus Club Member’s AGM in Juniper Green Parish Church Hall, Lanark Road, at 10am followed by lunch in The Kinleith Mill. This is our last meeting until we resume in September.

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.

Performing their unique take on world music, Paul (accordion) and Michael (saxophone, violin, whistle and clarinet) take you on a thrilling, virtuosic musical journey around Europe and South America.

Balkan rhythms, Gypsy melodies, Jazz and Classical

Saturday 13th May - 7.00pm

Ratho Church Hall

Tickets £10 (U18’s Free)

Available on the door, via Eventbrite or phone 07799 896050

www.chamberlain-haywood.com

Chamberlain & Haywood

IN THE PARK!

SATURDAY MAY 13TH 2PM TO 5PM

SPYLAW PARK, COLINTON

Thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, we will bring you a fun, internationalist afternoon celebrating all-things Eurovision with our Ukrainian neighbours through music, a film projection, costumes, quiz, and dance.

We will promote the heritage of The Eurovision Song Contest in spreading a global message of unity, cultural diversity and promoting peace and cooperation between nations.

Our Pit Stop Café will be open, offering teas, coffees plus Ukrainian home-baking from the Pentlands Ukrainian Support Group, who will also have a selection of art/ crafts for sale, the perfect souvenir of a fun day out.

You can enter a Eurovision Sweepstakes 2023, and you may find out you’re a lucky prize-winner when the winner is crowned on Saturday night.

Children can enjoy themed face-painting and temporary tattoos, and everyone can take part in the best costume competition –come dressed in your finest bling, countryspecific or euro-specific if you can.

This event will also feature Bucks Fizz, so you can sit back, enjoy Eurovision favourites (anyone for Abba?) in your costume finery, maybe have a wee dance and a flutter on our sweepstake. Then perhaps a cup of tea and cake before heading home to watch the final (unless you’re going to another Eurovision party!)

Please join us at CVE’s Shed in Spylaw Park, Colinton for a fun, multi-cultural celebration of all-things Eurovision!

Follow us on Facebook for all updates –www.facebook.com/ColintonVillageEnterprise

This article was contributed by Colinton Village Enterprise

Pit Stop Cafe

SOLUTIONS

SOLUTION TO APRIL CROSSWORD

Rosemary-infused lamb chops

Let’s marry two of May’s finest ingredients, fresh rosemary and lamb, to make a simple and delicious dish.

Rosemary is easily recognisable this month with pretty flowers ranging from white to blue or violet and will infuse lamb with this easy peasy marinade to another flavour dimension - in the kitchen or on the barbecue. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 12 Scottish lamb chops

• 50-60ml or a good glug olive oil

• 1 lemon, juice only

• 2-3 rosemary sprigs, gently torn

• 3-4 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

• salt and pepper to taste

Serves 4

Method:

1. Put the lamb chops into a dish.

2. Mix all the other ingredients together and pour over the lamb chops.

3. Allow to marinade at room temperature for a minimum of 1 hour, turning occasionally to fully infuse the flavours.

4. Grill or barbecue on either side, cooking to your preference.

5. Serve with roasted Mediterranean vegetables and roast or saute or mashed potatoes. The recipe was contributed by Gina Giubarelli of ‘Bellini Cookery School.’ Gina lives in West Lothian and is passionate about food! She offers classes in basic cooking and a healthy diet.

ACROSS: 1. Frantic, 5. Level, 8. Frequency, 9. Ban, 10. Harsh, 12. Release, 13. Demonstration, 15. Numeral, 17. Sugar, 19. Ice, 20. Buttercup, 22. Tests, 23. Desired.

DOWN: 1. Fifth, 2. Ale, 3. Toughen, 4. Congratulated, 5. Loyal, 6. Vibrating, 7. Lantern, 11. Remembers, 13. Dentist, 14. Answers, 16. Robes, 18. Rapid, 21 Car.

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE 41

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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 - Colinton Parish Church, Dell Road, Colinton EH13 0JD. Tuesday to Saturday 10am – 4pm. Please come for breakfast (10am-12noon), lunch (12noon-2pm) or some delicious home baking (available all day). We also offer afternoon teas (2pm4pm), by pre-ordering on 07564 081472. There will be gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free options available. 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

10.00am

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

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