CHARITY:
WHAT'S ON:
local charity Tiphereth provides a unique and nurturing environment for people with complex needs. They rely on the support of the local community in several ways, and you can help by attending their summer fair next month, and by ordering their compost and firewood now. They are also looking for a new volunteer trustee - a very rewarding role - so if you can help please see page 9 for details.
Colinton Village Enterprises work tirelessly to improve social and cultural life in Colinton. Throughout May, you can drop in at The Shed in Spylaw park on Friday afternoons and find out about current projects and plans for the future. See the What’s On section for details on this and of course other events in the immediate area.
As ever, you will find everything you need for home, garden, eating out and entertainment in the pages of this magazine. Thank you for supporting local businesses and organisations.
Tiphereth is a unique community, founded at the heart of Colinton 30 years ago. At Tiphereth, people with learning difficulties, staff and volunteers work and grow together. The members of our community have learning disabilities, autism and other complex needs. We are a registered charity (Number SC017483) and a Camphill community. Camphill is a worldwide movement founded in Scotland in 1940, building communities where everyone can find purpose and belonging.
The charity was started in one house on Torphin Road and has expanded to have an additional house on the Torphin site and two in Colinton itself. You can watch a video about our work here: www.tiphereth.org.uk/about
Tiphereth consists of residential homes and workshop groups. Our three residential homes are unique. Residents live with qualified care staff, and their families, so our houses become a real home.
Tiphereth recently redeveloped the Torphin Hill Golf Club into supported living flats. They are a place where people can live an independent life, with staff on hand for support when they need it. Our workshop groups have 75 members who come here Monday to Friday. Most join Tiphereth after leaving school. They work together on projects in gardening, landscaping, woodwork, art and cookery. This meaningful work increases their self-confidence, develops their talents and gives them lifelong skills.
We help the local environment by collecting green waste from local households and turning
TRUSTEE NEEDED
We are looking for a Trustee with experience and qualifications in financial management and monitoring to join the Board. There is also the opportunity for the new Trustee to engage with the Board and operational management in the wider aspects of strategic development and other Board business.
The requirement would be to attend six Board meetings per annum plus, as convenor of a financial sub-committee, three additional meetings of around two hours each. The Trustee Board usually commences at 10.00am and finishes at 3.00pm.
Trustees are recommended, and would be welcome, to spend time visiting the various activities provided by the community, at their leisure.
If you are interested, please contact lan Herok (Vice Chair) on 07801 137803 for an initial chat.
it into compost. We also produce firewood from local, sustainable sources.
To purchase our compost or firewood please visit our website: www.tiphereth.org.uk/order
As a local charity, we can’t do any of this without the support of the local community - which is why we are so grateful for all our local support. You can support us by visiting our Summer Fair on Saturday 15th June (11.00am to 3.00pm - further information will be on our Facebook page). This is an opportunity to see around Tiphereth and purchase goods made in our workshops.
This article was contributed by Tiphereth, Scottish Charity Number SC017483. 55 Torphin Road, Edinburgh, EH13 0PQ | Tel: 0131 441 2055 | www.tiphereth.org.uk
Green
World class, personalised Eye and Hearing Care available at your doorstep!
World class, personalised Eye and Hearing Care available at your doorstep!
Jack Brown Eyecare, a well-established independent optician in Edinburgh with practices in Elder Street and Westside Plaza, have a new practice here in Juniper Green.
Jack Brown Eyecare, a well-established independent optician in Edinburgh with practices in Elder Street and Westside Plaza, have a new practice here in Juniper Green.
Supported by the latest technology, we have been serving communities in and around Edinburgh for nearly 50 years, providing comprehensive eye and ear care with personalised service and attention to detail for the whole family. Plus, you’ll find a huge range of eyewear available at all three of our practices.
Supported by the latest technology, we have been serving communities in and around Edinburgh for nearly 50 years, providing comprehensive eye and ear care with personalised service and attention to detail for the whole family. Plus, you’ll find a huge range of eyewear available at all three of our practices.
Book your appointment at one of our Jack Brown Eyecare locations below:
Book your appointment at one of our Jack Brown Eyecare locations below:
30 Elder Street, EH1 3DX
30 Elder Street, EH1 3DX
• T: 0131 557 3531
• T: 0131 557 3531
Westside Plaza, EH14 2SW
Westside Plaza, EH14 2SW
• T: 0131 442 2333
• T: 0131 442 2333
587A Lanark Road, EH14 5DA
587A Lanark Road, EH14 5DA
• T: 0131 458 5888
• T: 0131 458 5888
www.jbeyecare.com
www.jbeyecare.com
We look forward to seeing you soon!
We look forward to seeing you soon!
This is a question Physiotherapists often get asked and the answer depends on the response to two further questions:
1) Clinically, what are we looking for?
2) Will the result change the proposed management of the problem?
These questions are very important. Before any type of investigation, such as x-ray, MRI scan or CT scan, there must be a clear clinical question to be answered to ensure that the best investigation is being used. Patients often believe that a single x-ray or MRI scan will show everything in enough detail to give a definitive diagnosis but this is not the case – they have to be targeted. The correct test must be done to get the answer needed. So, how might this work for the following conditions?
I have low back pain – do I need an x-ray?
If a patient has constant low back pain, a history of Osteoporosis, and the clinical question is could this be an insufficiency fracture, where bone density is poor and a fracture has developed, then an x-ray would be indicated. Knowing a fracture is there would change the advice on management and follow-up.
If the situation was different, in that the patient had low back pain on and off for several weeks after lifting plant pots in the garden and mechanical back pain was suspected, an x-ray would simply show the bones of the back with a level of wear and tear at the joints as expected for their age. This would not change the management advice of keep moving and the pain will settle in 4 – 6 weeks. An x-ray is not needed.
I have sprained my ankle – does it need an x-ray?
• Bony tenderness on palpation along the posterior aspect of the lower 6cm of the lateral malleolus (fibula) or the medial malleolus (Tibia).
• Inability to walk four weight bearing steps at time of injury or in the A & E department.
An ankle fracture is treated by immobilising the ankle for long enough to allow the bone to heal. An ankle ligament sprain is best treated with gentle exercise so it is important to know the difference. Many of us know the expression “rules are made to be broken”. Sometimes a clinician may advise an x-ray even although the Ottawa ankle rules suggest it is not needed. This can be due to unusually high levels of pain or swelling. If you have any doubts about your own ankle after a bad sprain, seek medical advice. You may need an x-ray, or you may not, but in whichever case you should always be reassured by the clinical reasoning, understanding why the decision to x-ray or not to x-ray was made.
The health column is contributed by McNaughton Physiogrange, Edinburgh www.physiogrange.co.uk
For Recovery And Be yond
Knowledgeable Experienced Friendly Physiotherapy
Relief from Back and Neck pain, Muscle Aches and Sports Related Injuries
Make an appointment with us
0131 337 5135
Online booking now available
www.physiogrange.co.uk
No GP referral required
Free Parking
Gillis Centre
100 Strathearn Road
Edinburgh EH9 1BB
My mother told me she played with mice when she was a little girl. She loved dressing them up and giving them names - they were her wee dolls. But one day a boy she knew threw one of her ‘babies’ to his German Shepherd. And that was the end of that little mouse.
I suppose my attitude towards mice was guided by the stereotype of how a female was expected to respond to them. So years ago, when I saw a mouse in our house (he’d come up from the floorboards), the only thing I could think to do was race to the footstool in the room and stand on top of it! Mind you, I was laughing, not screaming. A friend, who was visiting at the time, calmly walked to the next room to summon my husband. “We’ve got a situation in here,” she told him.
And then there was the time when I thought we had a mouse. My brother and sisterin-law were visiting and we watched the film Mousehunt before sitting down for our evening meal. If you’re not familiar with it, it’s a crazy comedy about a little mouse who manages to completely wreck a large house.
Much later that night I asked if anyone would like a piece of leftover birthday cake - one of our daughters had recently celebrated her special day. My brother-in-law said he’d have a piece.
So I went to the kitchen, and what I saw there sent me flying back to the lounge! A very tiny creature was perched on my kitchen counter, holding a chunk of birthday cake in his paws and chomping away on it. Was I seeing things? Was it because of the film? Or too much wine with dinner?
I was literally flapping when I reported my finding, “There’s a mouse in our house! Except … except he is not a mouse, he’s a hamster!” (Did I mention that we’ve never had a pet hamster?)
My husband managed to corral the little guy into a plastic food storage box and said he would poke some air holes in it. But at that point our girls, who had abandoned their beds and come downstairs when they heard the commotion, arrived in the kitchen. “Isn’t he cute? He will gnaw his way out of a plastic box, Daddy! … I’m googling to see what hamsters eat, Dad!”
It was midnight but my husband set to work building a little cage out of wood and chicken wire, and transferred our new friend into it. My brother-in-law decided he’d pass on the cake, and we all went to bed.
The next day we returned Louis to our next-door neighbours. He had escaped five weeks previously when someone had left his cage door open, and had presumably been living under the floorboards of the semidetached house since then.
The boys were delighted to have him back and wrote us a thank-you card: His name was Louis, but we are changing it to Lucky now.
real LIFE is contributed by Suzanne Green. Suzanne, a freelance writer/editor. She is married to Andy and they have two adult daughters.
ACROSS: 7. A large sea (13), 8. Disclosed (8), 9. Opposed to (4), 10. Move forward (7), 12. Allude to (5), 14. Learn (5), 16. Not coolest (7), 19. Zn (4), 20. Fizzy drink (8), 22. Practical example (13).
DOWN: 1. Not there (4), 2. Picture house (6), 3. Think about (7), 4. Unrefined (5), 5. Breathe in (6), 6. Insensitive (8), 11. Thorough (8), 13. Mallets (7), 15. Physician (6), 17. Tiny (6), 18. Show embarrassment (5).
With some of the highest regulatory ratings than any provider, families can enjoy peace of mind that their loved ones are expertly cared for.
I recently brought a bottle of Gary Barlow Sauvignon Blush. I was in the mood for a glass of rose. The simple label, the organic wine promise and the <£7 price tag appealed.
I am normally sceptical of celebrity wines and tend to avoid them. The price of a bottle can be inflated because of demand caused by the celebrity endorsement. In 2012 when Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt released Miraval Rose, 6,000 bottles sold online in 5 hours! Simple economics means the greater the demand, the higher the price. Today, there are several celebrity wine products available, including Wines by Kylie Minogue, Gordon Ramsay Wines and Graham Norton Wines. While it’s nice to think of Gary Barlow picking grapes and Kylie pruning vines, the reality is that all these products are all owned by the same company, Benchmark Drinks. Benchmark Drinks have very cleverly teamed with experienced wine makers and an even smarter marketing team! They have given their wine products a personality which in a sea of labels in a wine shop, is genius. Benchmark Drinks’ formula of matching celebrities with wine products is working. There are rose, red, white and sparkling wines available and Graham Norton has a gin! I really enjoyed Gary Barlow’s Sauvignon Blush. It was exactly what I was looking for: a dry rose with just the suggestion of ripe summer fruit on the palate. It was refreshing without a bitter aftertaste and the acidity was clean and fresh without being tart or austere. It would be delicious with lunch, perhaps paired with a Caesar salad.
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
Our native red squirrel is facing a serious threat. One of the main causes of the population decline (amongst many other reasons) was the introduction of the much larger, non-native grey squirrel.
Originally introduced in 1876 to populate the grounds of stately homes, it wasn’t made illegal to release them until 1930. By that point, the damage had already been done. They carry a disease called squirrel pox, which they’re immune to but easily spreads to red squirrels and when infected, they usually succumb to it within a couple of weeks. It’s an awful disease and I can’t imagine the suffering the little squirrel will go through.
Now, whilst there are no red squirrels in West Lothian or Edinburgh, you only need to take a short drive over the bridge to start seeing them. Unfortunately, over the last few weeks there’s been a confirmed case of squirrel pox in Dunfermline and a red squirrel sadly lost its life. There have also been grey squirrel sightings in current red squirrel strongholds, including Aberfoyle and Dunkeld.
If you visit the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrel
website, you’ll get tips on what we can do to help. The disease is spread through infected feeders, so these must be taken down and thoroughly cleaned with an anti viral solution such as Virkon S. Those who either live or know people who live where the territories cross over are key in stopping the spread of greys further North.
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
SPORTS, HOBBIES, LEARNING, SUPPORT GROUPS & MORE...
REDHALL WALKING GROUP - A gentle walking group exploring areas such as the Union Canal, Colinton Dell and the Water of Leith. Improve your health and wellbeing and meet new people. Meet at Redhall Walled Garden entrance on main road at 97 Lanark Road. Mondays 10am – 11.30m Fun, friendly and free. Contact: emily@elgt.org.uk or 07943 530806. Facebook @GreenspaceTrust
ST CUTHBERT'S PLAYGROUP - 10.00am - 11.30am - Every Monday during school term time. £2 per family. Toys, snacks and a fun songs! St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Westgarth Avenue, Colinton. Contact Rev Nicki McNelly for more information: stcuthbertsrector@gmail.com
FORGET ME NOTES - The Forget Me Notes Project is a charity that uses music to build community and combat isolation in a variety of settings On the first and third Monday of each month - 2.00pm - 4.00pm in St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Westgarth Avenue, Colinton. Join us when you can, for an hour of music and memories, followed by refreshments. All welcome. Please contact Rev Nicki for more information: stcuthbertsrector@ gmail.com (www.forgetmenotes.org.uk)
COLINTON FRIENDLY BRIDGE CLUB - Held in St Cuthberts Church Hall every second Tuesday afternoon between 2.00pm - 4.00pm. Please contact Ken McLeod on 0131 466 0888 for more information.
TEA AND TOTS - Stay and play for ages 0-5 with their parent/carer - all are welcome! Toys, crafts, refreshments, song-time and more. Every Thursday during school term time, 10am-11.30am at Redeemer Church, 64 Bridge Road, Colinton, EH13 OLQ. FREE
E: admin@redeemeredinburgh.org
T: 0131 441 7327
ST CUTHBERT’S BADMINTON CLUB was created about 1946. It meets in the Church Hall in Westgarth Avenue, Colinton. It is non-competitive and meets on Monday evenings at 8.00pm between September and Easter. For details, call Archie Clark on 0131 449 4703.
PENTLAND BRIDGE CLUB - Come and play duplicate bridge in a friendly atmosphere. We meet in St Margaret's Court, Juniper Green on Thursdays at 7pm. Table money £3. Less experienced players made very welcome. For further information
see www.bridgewebs.com/pentland or email mthjkb@gmail.com
COLINTON LITERARY SOCIETY - Meetings start with coffee, tea and wine at 7.30pm and are held at Dreghorn Hall, 22 Dreghorn Loan, EH13 0DE. Full programme details are at www.colinton-parish. com/colinton-literary-society.html
COFFEE, CAKE AND COMPANY - Drop in for a free coffee between 10.30am and 12pm on Mondays from 4th September at Redeemer Church Edinburgh, 64 Bridge Road EH13 0LT. We are mostly retired people, but all ages are welcome! More details at redeemeredinburgh.org/ccc
THIS WOMAN RUNS - We are a small group of local women 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 Morningside Parish Church (from 19th September), fortnightly on Tuesdays at 7.15pm. 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 September. Wine/tea/coffee available. Contact: Joyce Rutherford on 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
THE SWING CAFÉ - Tues to Sat 10.00am2.00pm. Please come for breakfast (10.00am12.00noon), 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 dairyfree options. Under 12s are invited to enjoy a children's menu. Sit in or take away. We look forward to welcoming you.
COLINTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETYWant to know about local history? W: www.colintonhistory.org E: enquiries@colintonhistory.org
COLINTON GARDEN CLUB - Club 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, in the upper Hall, Dreghorn Loan and start at 8.00pm. We are a friendly and thriving club and new members are very welcome, plus outings and events. The annual subscription is £8.00.per household. For more information see: W: www.colintongardens.org.uk E: membership@colintongardens.org.uk
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.
T: 0131 466 0678
E: oxgangsneighbourhoodcentre@gmail.com
OXGANGS NEIGHBOUR CENTRE
CAFÉ - 10.00am to 1.00pm. Bacon rolls, baked potatoes, toasties,specials, teas, coffees and cake. Sit in or takeaway.
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 KONECT.SCOT FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
ACROSS: 7. Vision, 8. Auntie, 9. Asia, 10. Athletic, 11. Insects, 13. Pelts, 15. Bills, 17. Ponders, 20. Nibbling, 21. Only, 23. Issued, 24. London.
DOWN: 1. Zips, 2. Pirate, 3. Infants, 4. Yacht, 5. Sneeze, 6. Sinister, 12. Noisiest, 14. Roughly, 16. Labour, 18. Drowns, 19. Birds, 22. Loot.
FRIDAYS 3RD, 10TH, 17TH, 24TH MAY
Find Out Fridays - Pit Stop Cafe in the Park, with Colinton Village Enterprise. A brew, a bake and a blether! Learn about your community heritage hub. Drop in 1.00pm - 4.00pm, The Shed, Spylaw Park.
SATURDAY 11TH MAY
Plant Sale - At Water of Leith Visitor Centre. Our famous plant sale is back for another year! The courtyard of the Visitor Centre will be transformed in to a sea of greenery with hundreds (if not thousands) of plants for sale. We’ll have bedding plants, trees, shrubs, perennials, wildflowers, edible plants and houseplants, all at some of the best prices you’ll find in Edinburgh! 11.00am - 1.00pm or until we sell out! Free entry, bring cash for plants. Don’t forget to bring bags or boxes to carry your items home! Water of Leith Visitor Centre, 24 Lanark Rd, EH14 1TQ
SUNDAY 26TH MAY
The Art of Colinton – Guided Walk For Adults - Join Michael on a wonder around the lovely Colinton village exploring its many hidden art treasures including murals, sculptures, railings and poetry, finishing at the magnificent Colinton Tunnel home to Scotland’s largest mural. There will be steps and areas of steep path. Meet at Spylaw Car Park, off Bridge Road Water of Leith Visitor Centre, 24 Lanark Rd, EH14 1TQ. 2.00 - 4.00pm, £7 or free for members, book at www.waterofleith.org.uk
PENTLAND PROBUS CLUB EVENTS
All meets are in Juniper Green Parish Church Hall, Lanark Road 10.00am - 12noon. New members welcome. Further details from our Club Secretary Leslie Hannaford 0131 453 3012 or lesliehannaford@blueyonder.co.uk
• WED 1ST MAY - “The History of Glenkinchie Distillery” an illustrated talk by a distillery representative.
• WED 15TH MAY - MEMBERS ONLY: 10.30am - 12noon, Members AGM, followed by lunch at the Kinleith bar/ restaurant Lanark Road.
Save the dates for visiting historic Spylaw Park in all seasons:
• SAT 15TH JUNE - Repair Café (celebrating Great Big Green Week)
• SAT 31ST AUGUST (or Sat 7th September) - Art in the Park
• DECEMBER (Date TBC) - Christmas in the Park
You can look out for what’s on offer on Facebook and at cventerprise.org or contact us at colintonvillage@gmail.com
