Konect Directory Balerno May 12 by Konect Magazines

konect the

directory

Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green and Baberton May 2012

WIN PC Health Check and IT goody bag from

Sort My PC

crossword competition

Feature article: Local Explorers PLUS local businesses, community information and more!

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

Message from the Editor

www.facebook.com/KonectDirectory

www.konectdirectory.co.uk

Hello neighbours If you think you know your local area really well, take a look at the article on pages 8 and 9 where our writer Yvonne MacMillan interviewed some people whose hobby involves exploring the area - specially the parts that the rest of us don’t or can’t get at, such as underground tunnels! The old Curriehill School building is among the places they have explored and photographed. Other articles this month take us just slightly further afield – our walk takes us out to Cammo Park near the Barnton roundabout. Congratulations to Sheila Reid of Balerno who won the competition prize in the last issue. This month, Sort My PC are offering a free PC health check worth

£55 and an IT goody bag. Every home and business computer user knows how frustrating it is when things go wrong with the PC, so definitely worth trying your luck with the crossword competition. Thanks for reading the Konect Directory and for supporting local businesses!

Helen-Jane, Editor hj@konectdirectory.co.uk The Konect Directory welcomes contributions such as old photographs, or short articles of local interest. The Editor reserves the right to edit any articles submitted for publication.

Contents Feature Article Local Explorers Local Walk Pets Recipe Competitions & puzzles Prize crossword

8 22 32 44 38

Sudoku Children & Family Community What’s on + Useful Info Clubs & Classes Index of Advertisers

38 48 48 50 54

The Konect Directory is delivered to homes in Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green and Baberton. Copies are also left at the library, community centres, convenience stores and various other locations within the area. Jenny Thomson, Sales 07824 469266 jenny@konectdirectory.co.uk

Helen-Jane Shearer, Editor 07854 492638 hj@konectdirectory.co.uk Design by Kumo Ink Ltd 01506 209 946 studio@kumoink.co.uk To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

Front cover photograph by Jenny Thomson: Balerno Main Street

SPLASH BATHROOMS 164 Lanark Rd West, Currie

Tel: 0131 449 9585

Affordable luxury in your home

Not all bathrooms are the same...

www.splash-bathrooms.net

 Free Mortgage & Life Cover Advice  Face to face or telephone appointments available at a time to suit you  First Time Buyers, Home Movers, Re-Mortgages, New Build & Buy To Let  Access to Whole of Market Providers  Protection and General Insurance Call Robin on 07895 650228 Alternatively email: robin@hgfs.co.uk Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

www.STORM-SHIELD.CO.UK Support Your No1 Local Roofer

All Exterior Painting and Building Work Undertaken Storm Shield Roofing is a family run business with a reputation for honest, professional and skilled workmanship.

Based in Edinburgh, we aim to ensure that our customers are completely satisfied with with the finished product.

EMERGENCY ROOF SERVICE INSURANCE WORK GUTTERS REPLACED AND REPAIRED UPVC or CAST IRON FLAT ROOFING POINTING LEADWORK

0131 515 2876 or FREEPHONE 0800 959 66 77

info@storm-shield.co.uk

26 Goodtrees Gardens, Liberton, Edinburgh To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

ew nt n e er em d n g U na a m

Open 7 days Mon to Fri 11am to 2pm Sun and Mon 4pm to Midnight

Scott y mana T’s is unde gemen r compl t and new etely h as bee ref a focu n s on g urbished, w ood qu and c i t h lean, brigh ality food t prem ises.

0131 442 2057 ● 0131 629 1775 HOME DELIVERY THROUGHOUT BABERTON, JUNIPER GREEN, CURRIE AND BALERNO, FROM £1.00

Fish & Chips, kebabs, pizzas, pastas, burgers and more... Unit 38, Westside Plaza, Wester Hailes, EH14 2SW 6

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

Local Explorers

Urban explorers, documenting the unseen By Yvonne MacMillan

nside the Caw Burn storm drain in Pumpherston, it’s pitch black and dangerous.

Two figures walk upright clutching high-powered torches as they make their way carefully along the concrete tunnel. Senses on full alert, they feel excited – more aware of things. The smooth, damp walls glisten in the torchlight and the foot-deep water roars and echoes in the confined space - yet they can still hear the traffic above their heads. On the pair trudge for about 2 hours, deep beneath Houston Industrial Estate, till eventually the space narrows, and they turn back. Finding out more about Caw Burn storm drain and the risky hobby of urban exploring, I’m in the Pumpherston home of Caroline Robertson and Tina Doyle, a mother and daughter team of urban explorers. Tina explains the Caw Burn drain was built to filter the waste from Houston Industrial Estate and points out the added risk of exploring drains – how heavy rainfall locally and in surrounding areas very quickly raises the water levels. The burn itself once flowed above ground, Caroline says, winding its way across the land where the offices, factories and warehouses now stand. “My dad told me he used to swim in the Caw Burn when he was wee.”

or film the uninhabited space. The unspoken rule among urban explorers is, “Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints.” Caroline, a Care Assistant in Broxburn, and daughter Tina, dog-lover and rock music fan who works at Linwater Breeding Kennels, remember how their urban exploring began. In 2004 when Tina was 18 years old, they went for a walk in the grounds of the unoccupied Bangour Village Hospital. Spotting a villa’s door hanging open, they popped their heads round it – but were “Too scared to do anything else!” on that occasion. Caroline had worked there and was curious to see what it looked like now. The air of general decay shocked her. Personal things like ornaments lay around in the dust and debris and thinking of all the human stories made her feel sad she says, but, “The history of it all was so interesting.”

“Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints.” Urban explorers find any kind of derelict, abandoned buildings and hidden structures fascinating. Above ground or below ground it doesn’t matter. Disused factories, old houses, asylums, hospitals, storm drains, culverts, tunnels and bunkers - places the rest of us wouldn’t give a second glance, maybe don’t even know exist, are right up their street. Inside these sites, they photograph

Back home and online, Tina discovered a world-wide community of urban explorers, and she and her mum were hooked. Since then they’ve explored more than 100 sites, mainly in the central belt, and many local sites too, like the ROC (Royal Observer Corps) Post in West Calder - a hidden bunker which was a nuclear monitoring post – and a shale mine in Mid Calder. Tina films each one

Images 1) underground in Pumpherston

2), 3) & 4) Curriehill School building

and loves the creative process of filming, editing and selecting atmospheric tracks before uploading them to YouTube. Why urban exploring? “It’s like going back in time,” says Caroline. Old houses, abandoned hospitals and anything underground are her favourite places. Her daughter says, “I like the architecture, even seeing things like old wallpaper - it must be like visiting the Titanic, that sense of the past.” She prefers exploring derelict mortuaries but likes underground places too – storm drains (especially Victorian-era drains made of lovely red brick), caves and tunnels – these fascinate her, “You don’t think what’s under your feet.” Caroline and Tina stress the safety precautions they take and accept that sometimes they’re in places they shouldn’t be. Rotten floorboards, broken glass, somebody sleeping rough are just some of the hazards. “You have to concentrate at all times,” says Caroline, “We know it’s a dangerous hobby, we do this at our own risk.” They don’t scrimp on their gear and have a list as long as your arm - torches, extra batteries, mobile phone, steel-toed boots, sturdy walking boots, gloves, masks in case of asbestos – to mention a few. And, they both say firmly, “If there’s no way in, we don’t touch it, we go away.” Another local place they’ve explored is the derelict Curriehill School building. The future of the site is still uncertain, but whatever happens to the buildings themselves, but the debris-strewn

rooms have been captured and recorded on film in a moment in time by Tina. Often, empty buildings get demolished, this was the fate of the disused McEwans Fountain Brewery - with its trademark Laughing Cavalier logo - in Edinburgh. But not before Caroline and Tina explored and filmed it, and by doing this, feel they’ve kept the building and its past alive. People are interested in seeing the films and photos on her website Tina says, because they may have worked or lived in these buildings - it brings back memories. And when West Lothian’s Local History Library made a public appeal for help in identifying the ward in an old photo of Bangour Village Hospital, Caroline and Tina came to the rescue, “ We realised it was ward 21 because of the two pillars and type of doors.” It was another piece in the puzzle for the library. Both plan more exploring - further afield now Tina’s passed her driving test - no need to pester her brother for a lift any more, “He charged us for the petrol!” says Tina, “he doesn’t like urban exploring.” To see photos and film footage visit http://www.youtube.com/user/TeEnZiE

2) 4)

Ian Merriman Ltd

BE FO RE

Hn Pne Kitn

G BEATSON ELECTRICAL Currie

Free Estimates Tel: 0131 466 0214 Mob: 07732 866 983 Email: gbeatsonelectrical@hotmail .co.uk

Rejuvinate your old kitchen units and furniture. Have them hand painted in a colour of your choice. Ian Merriman Ltd 0131 478 7339

ian@kitchenspainted.com

www.kitchenspainted.com

73 Riccarton Mains Road, Currie, EH14 5ND

Heritage Windows Scotland Unit 1 Camps Ind Estate, East Calder EH27 8DF

01506 884256

www.windowsbyheritage.co.uk

Windows and doors in u.P.V.C and timber Traditional sash and case Refurbishing and draughtproofing of sash & case Insurance backed 10 year guarantee free quotation

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

24 Bridge Road Colinton EH13 0LQ

It works, but is it safe? 10% oCfof sts Labonopruesrentation t en

vertisem

of this ad

Be Safe, Stay Safe, use D.Sykes Electrical for all your Electrical Maintenance and Repairs We are an Approved Certifier of Construction, certified to carry out work requiring a building warrant

24 Bridge Road Colinton EH13 0LQ

Tel: 0131 477 7447 or Freephone: 0800 953 0356 Fax: 0131 477 7448 Email: info@dsykeselectrical.co.uk Web: www.dsykeselectrical.co.uk

B EDWARDS TILING SPECIALIST LOCAL WALL AND FLOOR TILER

All aspects of tiling undertaken including Kitchens, Bathrooms & Conservatories Using ceramics, porcelain, natural stone & mosaics Professional & friendly service

For a free estimate call Barry Mobile: 07944 176663 Home: 01506 432159 To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

BRUSHSTROKES

K.MELVILLE PAINTER / DECORATOR INTERIOR, EXTERIOR, PRIVATE, COMMERCIAL, INSURANCE WORK

TEL: 0131 451 5372 MOB: 0797 192 3397 Email: brushstrokes@blueyonder.co.uk 66 Forthview Crescent, Currie, EH14 5QT 11

Olympic Torch

arole Fortune works within Tony Harper’s Hair Salon in Balerno, offering sports massage and beauty therapy services. She is one of the local people carrying the Olympic Torch next month. Carole offers a sports massage and beauty therapy service, and was nominated to carry the torch as a result of her amazing recovery from a serious accident in 2009. A high-performing triathelete, Carole was out training on her bike when she was hit by a car and broke her neck, besides multiple other injuries. After weeks in hospital and weeks of wearing a neck brace, she was determined to get back to sport as soon as possible. And within a year of the accident, and despite many people thinking she was mad to attempt it, she ran the Loch Ness marathon in order to raise funds for her son’s football club. Carole will be carrying the torch in Falkirk in June.

Calendar Girls

Local hairdressers strip to raise awareness for Breast cancer Care!

n the Sunday 11th March, Hazel Gebbie of Hair Tech, Currie and Jenny Harper of Tony Harpers Hair Studio, Balerno, opened the salon for a very different reason. Joined by 5 friends, Nicole, Claire, Louisa, Fiona, Catrina, a few glasses of wine and the heating on full, they recreated a typical day in the salon with a difference! With the help of some pink pinny’s, newspapers, and a few other pink props, they stripped to nothing but heels and a smile and let the photographer snap away! Jenny and Hazel both said “it felt strange to be at work the next day with clothes back on!” All this was to show support for a very special lady. Rosie Sutherland was diagnosed with breast cancer on 3rd February, and after lots of tests and scans it was confirmed she had grade 1 cancer. She would therefore need to undergo an 8 hour operation for a full mastectomy and reconstruction. Instead of letting this get her down she threw herself

into raising as much awareness as possible for her chosen charity, Breast Cancer Care. Rosie and a team of close friends and family have organised two calendars, a male one (Naked Aspiration) and female one (Naked Inspiration) “calendar girls” style. Each month there is a different group of ‘models’ posing in a different theme (so there might be a few more familiar faces!) We would like to take this opportunity to thank Dorothy McQueen from McQ photography for giving the calendars all her time, free of charge. The calendars officially go on sale on the 12th May, launched at ‘Mummy’s Ball’ a charity event at Edinburgh Corn Exchange hosted by Forth One’s Grant Stott. Tickets are available via the website www.nakedinspirations.co.uk, and calendars can also be pre-ordered here. They will be available for sale in both Hair Tech and Tony Harpers Hair Studio from the 12th May.

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

If you would like to smile with confidence, like our patients

here, come and have a chat.

9 East Main Street Broxburn EH52 5AB

We are happy to organise payment plans or finance if this is helpful.

If you would like an appointment please give us a call, we would love to see you

To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

E OPTI C VU R

N IA

Monday to Friday 9am to 5.00pm

CL E A

Opening Times

Home visits available Tel: 0131 449 6889 Tel/Fax: 0131 449 3011

Email: enquiries@clearvueopticians.co.uk

60 Bryce Road, Cur rie

, EH14 5LD

BABERTON GOLF CLUB Special 2012 Offers on Full, Midweek and Young Adult Memberships from May 2012

Midweek Membership. Play Mon—Fri, £270 with NO ENTRY FEE Young Adult (Age 18—30) Membership. From £126 with NO ENTRY FEE Full Membrships £360 plus entry fee which can be paid over 5 years Use our interest free direct debit scheme to spread the cost at no charge! Number of places are limited so to book your discounted trial round (£10) and for further details phone Club on 0131 453 4911 Mon—Fri Pro shop on 0131 453 3555 Sat—Sun email: manager@baberton.co.uk website: www.babertongolfclub.com Be part of the changing face of golf at Baberton!

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

Centre for Sport and Exercise Community membership Community membership at Heriot-Watt University’s Centre for Sport & Exercise is available to all. Membership includes access to all facilities including: Membership

Definition

Price

Community Gold

This membership will allow you unlimited access all of our facilities

£240 per year or £20 per month

This membership will allow you to access any of our facilities for £2.90 per visit between 07.30 and 12.15, 14.15 and 16.15 Mon – Fri and all day at the weekend

£29 per year £2.90 per visit £2.70 per 50+ class

Community Off-Peak

sports ACtive Sports Active provides a comprehensive range of

Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Chiropractor and Sports Science Services A team of professional and dedicated practitioners operate the services of Sports Active and are on hand to provide advice and treatment to get you going again, whether you’re a regular sports participant or just like to keep on the move. For more information please phone Sports Active reception on 0131 451 8440.

5o+

GoLF ACADemy

Class

Day and Time

Description

Cost

The Centre for Sport & Exercise’s Golf Academy is a state of the art indoor facility open to all members as well as pay as you play users.

50+

Tuesday 09.15 – 10.15

This class is designed to improve your strength, flexibility and stamina

£4.80/class if you don’t have a membership, please see below for further information on membership prices

Moving Wisely

Tuesday 10.30 – 11.30

This class aims to improve your balance and co-ordination

£25 for a 6 week block (13th September – 18th October or 25th October – 29th November)

It includes the following: • 5 driving bays • 2 putting greens • 2 chipping mats • Self contained adjustable bunker Ideal facility for all levels of golfer. Come rain or shine we are open and you’ll never need your waterproofs. A brief induction is required in order to access this area – this is bookable at reception. For more information please phone CSE reception on 0131 451 8400.

www.hw.ac.uk/sports

To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

Thought for the Month: by Claudia Goncalves

onnection with nature is one of the most powerful ways to bring ourselves back to balance.

Often to cope with the stress of modern life we take ourselves to pubs or dinners out with friends; other times we take ourselves to psychotherapists or counselors. Often we forget that the counsel of nature, and that simple and beautiful connection, can be the key to unfold a reservoir of great inner strength in ourselves. Coming on a bus from the city centre the other day, I was thinking how lucky we are living in Currie and Balerno area: we are surrounded by nature and everywhere we look is green! I then thought of the people who live in town!

A little secret of mine: I have a place I call a “Power Spot”, a place where I go to sit quietly and contemplate. It is a place I felt drawn to when I saw it for the first time. It is a place that only I know where it is. The fact that it is a secret makes it very special and gives me a real sense that nobody can find or disturb me there. Walking in nature is fantastic, but sitting in our “Power Spot” is beyond imagination! Try to find your “Power Spot”. May it enrich your life in ways beyond imagination too! Claudia Goncalves: Yoga teacher & Shamanic Practitioner in Balerno (www.planetary-healing.org & www.shamaniccentre.com). Tel: 0131 449 3266.

624A Lanark Road, Juniper Green, EH14 5EW

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

Chiropody by Claire Claire Monkman WMS Ch(hons), MPSPract

Mobile Chiropodist in Currie, Balerno and the surrounding area

Chiropody Treatments Manicures Spa Pedicures HPC Registered Gift Vouchers available For an appointment in your own home ring Claire on

0131 478 7037 or 07786 516513

To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

How to work a buyer’s market now could be an ideal time to sell! By McQueen Legal

IG surprise. Right now could be the ideal time to sell and buy if you’re upsizing! If your home has dropped in value, it’s likely that your next home’s value has dropped too; the key issue is the gap between the two. When house prices are rising, this gap increases. But in the current market, your next property could be more affordable. For example, if the market is down 5%, you need to borrow less to upsize than last year, when prices were rising. To see this in action: If you are selling at, say 10% below your original price of £100,000, and you purchase at 10% below the £200,000 which the seller of your new house wants, you save money! Loss on the sale: £10,000 Gain on the purchase: £20,000 Saving to you: £10,000

Remember: borrowing less means that you save twice over – think of all the interest that you won’t have to pay. So if you borrow £10,000 less, for example, you could save the same again in interest charges. Alternatively you could use the £10,000 to pay the expenses of the move – all paid for out of savings! 18

Golden rules for working a buyer’s market: 1. Be realistic about the value of your current property. 2. Negotiate to ensure that any drop in value is effectively passed onto whomever you buy from. 3. Work out your budget range for your next home. Base this on your current property value and your finances – ask an independent financial adviser to help you find the best mortgage for your circumstances. 4. Don’t get caught in the emotion of the price you want for your current house. Focus on the bigger picture - the buy and sell. 5. A buyer’s market means choice, with more properties than buyers. So make sure you take advantage of your negotiating position, especially once you become a cash-buyer when your sale is signed and sealed. Contact McQueen Legal on 0131 445 3208 to chat through your options.

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

Village People:

Chanter Banter with Gary Newton, Pipe Major, Pentland Caledonia Pipe Band. by Emma Merchant

alerno resident Gary Newton knows a thing or two about Great Highland Bagpipes. They have been his passion for the last 27 years, ever since he first started learning the instrument. “I played piano and guitar, but had always wanted to learn to play the bagpipes,” Gary says. “So when I was 25, I picked up a chanter and took it to work with me every day to practise.” Did Gary’s work colleagues enjoy this? “They really didn’t mind. There’s no excuse for not practising,” Gary laughs. “Electronic practice chanters are easy to get hold of. They can change key and harmonise - and they come with headphones.” (Parents of enthusiastic youngsters take note!) Clearly, Gary practised a lot, because six months later, he was invited to play in the 1986 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony, and was even presented with a shield by the Queen. How’s that for progress? Gary is now Pipe Major (band master) of Pentland Caledonia Pipe Band. They practise every Friday in the Balerno Community Centre from 7pm - 9.30pm. “We’re very much a family band. We’re enthusiastic, we get on well, and we have a laugh together. I teach our repertoire of tunes to the group for the first part of the evening, and then after coffee break, all the pipes and drums play together. Beginners of all ages are welcome. We provide chanters, and teach new members to play. You just need to be able to concentrate, have a good memory and some musical ability and you do need to practise. Controlling air flow with the left arm, playing the tune with your fingers, blowing simultaneously and walking without tripping is a little more difficult than we make it look!” “We enjoy taking part in gala days and other events in and around Scotland, such as weddings (I compose a piece just for the couple), and last year’s Currie and Balerno Round Table Fireworks Display. We play

abroad too. Last month we took part in the Tartan Week Parade in New York, and recently played in Basle, Switzerland.” See Gary and the band play locally at Balerno Gala Parade 26th May, and East Calder Gala Day 9th June. And if you’ve always longed to play the bagpipes, drop in on a Friday rehearsal (just follow the music), or contact Gary or band secretary Deeanne Newton via the band’s website: www.pentlandcaledonia.co.uk

Great Highland Bagpipes Musical instrument and iconic sym Scotland. An unusual-looking instrbol of it brings to mind a saggy soft toy ument, legs in peculiar places and a long with drooping neck. The ‘legs’ are of course pipes: three drones (providing dee p notes to support the tune), a chanter (played like a wooden flute, with the fing ers) and a blowstick (for filling the bag with air). Original bagpipes were shee with wooden drones, blowstick pskin, chanter. These days, modern plasand and chanters give a purer, more tic pipes melodic sound.

s in Ever wondered what a piper keep bag The h. lunc r thei their bag? It isn’t h to contains a small bottle and a clot th. brea r’s pipe the from e stur collect moi

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

Gerry Aitken Painter and Decorator Juniper Green

Tel: 07798 565321 Ames Taping Coving Artexing Interior Exterior 25 years Experience TELEPHONE ENGINEER New sockets fitted for phone, internet or sky •••• Removal of unsightly old wiring and sockets •••• Repair to internal phone and broadband faults •••• Old style phones converted to work on UK sockets I CAN SUPPLY AND INSTALL Easy to use big button amplified hearing aid compatible phone with hands free calling •••• Loud audio phone ringers with flash indicators

Free estimates – no call out charge

Contact John McGraw Tel : 0131 555 1314 Mob : 07771 927796

ALL AREAS – PROMPT - RELIABLE To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

KEITH DAVIDSON DESIGN custom metalwork & design

BLACKSMITH ENGINEERING

FABRICATION

RAILINGS

GATES

INSTALLATION

FURNITURE

RESTORATION & REPAIRS

T: 01506 880395 M: 07870598229 www.keithdavidsondesign.com

BILL REID & SON DOMESTIC HEATING & PLUMBING

0131 449 5538 07710 458739 2 Turner Avenue Balerno

Alistair McLellan of Balerno

Painter & Decorator Interior · Exterior No job too small · Free estimates

Tel: 0131 451 5394 Mobile: 07894 703020 21

Cammo Park Walk by Karen Murray

he weather has been extremely changeable over the last couple of months but if you live in Scotland you simply have to expect four seasons in one day and not let the weather put you off heading off into the great outdoors. I will walk in just about any weather but I have to confess to preferring sunshine over showers, so I have been grabbing the moments when the sun has shone to find some new walking pasture. A sunny Sunday morning presented itself recently so I headed coastward in search of Cammo Park near the Barnton roundabout. I used to drive past the old tower that lies in the grounds every day driving to a previous job but I never made it into the Park for a proper look. Driving from the Mayfield roundabout to the Barnton roundabout you will see a minor

road on the left. Take that and immediately take the even narrower road on the right - Cammo Walk - that essentially follows the main road. Drive down the road carefully, the tower coming into view on your left. You will eventually come to a small car park, which if you are lucky will have some space to park. There is a small gate that leads onto a path going around the edge of the park. Once through the gate, you could be miles from anywhere. With the sun actually feeling quite warm I was enjoying the great outdoors. The tower is to the left of the path as you walk along it. I didn’t venture off the path to explore but I am guessing that if the kids had been with me, that’s exactly what they would have done. The Cammo Estate is an 85 acre public park run by the City of Edinburgh Council so there is plenty of room to wander and various paths you can take. There is everything from meadows and dykes to mature, open woodland and riverside walks. As you walk you can perhaps imagine this area as the pleasure ground of aristocrats - as it once was. The path past the tower continues to the ruins of some of the estate buildings where you turn right. Continue past a small pond and onto the remains of Cammo House itself with the stables and walled gardens. You can turn right at the ruins here and go back across the park to the 

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

Cammo Park Walk (Continued)

Images: 1) Cammo Estate 2) Footbridge, Cammo Estate 3) Cammo Water Tower

right into the entrance of Cammo Park, where (as with the shorter route) you go over the small bridge and follow the path back to the car park.

 entrance where the Visitor Centre

is, then right again and over a small bridge to a path leading back to the car park. However if you want a more substantial walk, take the path behind the ruins that leads to a wooden gate, then go straight ahead across open ground. The path veers to the right descending slightly until you come out of Cammo Park and onto a country lane. Directly opposite there is a gap in the wooden fence where you can step through and into the woods. Walk down to Grotto Bridge - an old stone bridge spanning the River 1) Avon. If you cross the bridge and turn right, you will eventually come to the Cramond Brig if refreshments are required. I stayed on the Park side of the bridge, turning right and following the river downstream as it descends into a gully. At the top of the gully, turn right past the back of a row of houses to a residential road. This road leads to Cammo Road and then

* The Visitor Centre at the entran ce to the Park has a toilet and is ope n on Tuesdays and Sundays from 2-4pm and on Thursdays from 10am-4 pm. * CammoTower is the old water tower of the original Cammo Esta te. In the eighteenth century, the estate had large avenues of plantings and elaborate garden features includin g a rectangular water body known as ‘the canal‘. * Cammo is thought to have bee n the inspiration for the House of Sha ws in Robert Louis Stevenson’s nov el Kidnapped. * The grounds contain a particu larly large ash tree, .which is though t to be the oldest in Edinburgh.

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

All under one roof at

Va eitch R Jlm& G rden Centre l l onde

Almondell Garden Centre, East Calder, EH53 0ET

Wed 1/2 Price OAP Day

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

£20 off FU

LLY REPA* GU IRS AR AN TEE

Quality, mobile car paintwork repairs at a fraction of body shop costs ✓Kerbed alloys ✓Bumper scuffs

✓Paintwork scratches

✓Minor dents ChipsAway Available: Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday 10am - 4pm

Franchisee now to arrange for Call ChipsAway ChipsAway now toName arrange

your free estimate

0800 028 01234 4567878 789 or 0800 028 7878

S TE IR AN A P R RE UA G LY

or visit www.chipsaway.co.uk

* £20 discount only applicable to bookings over £100 and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Offer only available through ChipsAway Franchisee Name until 31st January 2011. Please produce advert at time of estimate.

ALEX HUNTER & SON PLUMBERS

Family Business 24 Hour Emergency

0131 441 2098 • 07831 519003

D.A. WARD MOTOR ENGINEERS Servicing Car Sales Tyres

Repairs M.O.T Testing Exhausts

Tel : 0131 458 3123 626/3 LANARK ROAD JUNIPER GREEN • EH14 5EW

Small ad,

BIG impact

konect the

directory

To be included, please call be07824 included, please or callemail JennyToon 469266 Jenny on 07824 469266 or email jenny@konectdirectory.co.uk jenny@konectdirectory.co.uk

To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

Alexander Aitken Plastering 51 Dolphin Rd, Currie Call Sandy

07966 695595

Plaster work, rough casting, ceramic tiling & general maintenance 27

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

Konnect (FEB2012).ai

21/02/2012

11:43

Spring is near ... ... and it's time to think about who's going to do the garden this year.

Who's going to trim the hedges, cut the grass, weed the beds and prune the shrubs and roses in the short amount of weekend time you have? We’ve been looking after these elements for our customers for over 13 years. We have a hard working, honest and knowledgeable team who are on hand to carry out the tasks you just don't have the time, or energy to do yourself. Our GardenCare plans are designed around you, your budget and requirements. We can arrange all your gardening needs. Just give us a call and we'll do the rest.

Call 0800 9700 415 or check us out online.

CMY

TAURUS gardening ltd

LAWNCARE • LANDSCAPING • MAINTENANCE

Making your garden our business www.taurusgardening.com

MAXWELL TREE CARE PROFESSIONAL TREE SURGERY FULLY INSURED

For all aspects of tree surgery Contact: PAUL MAXWELL Cert Arb. (RFS)

0131 478 0853 or 07890 017159 e. info@maxwelltreecare.net www.maxwelltreecare.net

To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

Vet’s Tip Pets and Poisons

eople use many poisonous materials around the home and garden every day such as pesticides, weed killers, fertilisers, paints, detergents, and various household cleaners. But medications intended for humans are just as likely to be the cause of poisoning. Just one ibuprofen can cause serious health problems to a small animal whose body mass is significantly less than that of a human. Often dogs will take stale or mouldy food from a bin if they are able to, or drink stagnant water.

Alistair Taylor

• • • •

BVMS MRCVS www.pentlandvetclinic.com 100% Small animal practice Modern surgical, medical, x-ray laboratory and dental facilities Boarding cattery available 24 hour Emergency Service

0131 451 5111

5 Riccarton Mains Rd, Currie, EH14 5PX Let us welcome your pet to

Rosebank Cattery Established over 20 years

Poisoning symptoms may include trembling and shaking uncontrollably and difficulty walking. He/she may be vomiting or have diarrhoea.

Tel: 0131 449 4401 Mob: 07775 708813

If you think your pet has been poisoned it is important that she is examined by your vet and treated appropriately. Make sure you keep the animal warm and quiet, and try to determine what the poison was, when it was ingested, and the amount swallowed.

Cats Dogs and Small Animals

Rosebank Farm, Kirkgate, Currie EH14 6AH Email: helenandjohn34@hotmail.co.uk

Chalets heated from Oct-Apr

Rossbank Labrador puppies sometimes for sale

Claylands Cottage Cattery ...for contented cats

Established in May 2006, we provide first-class holiday accommodation for up to 35 feline guests. Single and double cabins, as well as large cabins for families, each comprises an upper sleeping area (heated in winter) with an exercise run below. A collection and drop-off service is available Fully licensed and insured

Proprietors: Pam and Bill Clark Phone: 0131 333 1636 Email: mail@claylandscottagecattery.co.uk Off Claylands Road, Newbridge, EH28 8LZ Conveniently situated near the airport.

www.claylandscottagecattery.co.uk

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

alan young designs ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES

Are you considering a building project ? We provide a simple and cost-effective service to homeowners requiring drawings for Planning Permission and Building Warrant approvals. All types of domestic alterations, conversions and extensions considered.

0131 476 3754 07966733087 alanyoungdesigns@virginmedia.com

Your Local Balerno Locksmith     

UPVC Patio Door Repairs Lock Changes/Upgrades British Standard 5 Lever Insurance Approved Locks Fitted 24 Hr Emergency Lockout Service Window Locks Supplied & Fitted

0131 500 0153 Or Call Tom On

07542781131 For All Your Security Needs www.caledonianlocksmiths.co.uk To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

Pension problems at retirement by Personal Money Management

eople retiring now with a pension fund are facing a double whammy when they get their annuity quote. An annuity is simply a product where you give a provider a lump sum and they guarantee to pay you an annual income for the rest of your life irrespective of market conditions. Government Gilt Rates The first problem is that annuity rates are based on government gilt rates,, which are based on the Bank of England base rate, which is at an all-time low of 0.5%. Longevity Tables The second problem is that annuity rates are also based on longevity tables and unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your view, we are all living much longer and hence the annuity rates are at their lowest level in history. Typical example In 2008 a pensioner with a pension fund of around £100,000 would have received just over £8,000 per annum whereas now it would be just under £6,000 i.e. a 25% reduction.

Open Market Option (OMO) It is most important that anyone who is considering buying an annuity is aware that they do NOT need to buy the annuity from their product provider. They should utilise what is called their Open Market Option. This means you can shop around all the annuity providers and get the best deal. You can also get a much higher annuity if you have any health issues. It would be best to use a specialist pension adviser who would know the best providers for your particular circumstances. Alternatives It is not mandatory that you buy an annuity at retirement as there are many other alternatives with advantages but also disadvantages. These will be subject of a future article. Written by: Dr Peter Marshall PhD, DipPFS, AFPC Personal Money Management, tel: 0131 538 7390

Giving High Quality, Independent, Financial Advice to Individuals and Businesses for 40 years Investment

Pensions Estate Planning Protection Mortgages

188 Lanark Road West, Currie, Edinburgh, EH14 5NX Principal: Dr Peter M Marshall PhD DipPFS AFPC T: 0131 538 7390 E: info@personalmm.co.uk www.personalmm.co.uk 34

Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

Advanced Property Solutions Ltd

ALL ESTIMATES AND QUOTATIONS FREE OF CHARGE!!

Exceptional service at acceptable prices.

Extensions/Conversions, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Doors Internal & External, Facings & Skirting’s, Window’s, Fencing & Decking, Locks & Ironmongery, Staircases, Ceilings, Flooring, Loft Ladders, Shopfitting, Partitioning & Office fit-out, Plumbing/

Advanced Property Solutions Ltd 25 Baberton Mains Dell Edinburgh EH14 3DQ Office: -0131 442 1794 Mobile:-07759646241 email :enquires@apsjoinersandbuilders.com

Check out our new website at www.aps-joinersand builders.com

To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

Quintessential

RE-UPHOLSTERY SPECIALISTS

Since 1919

 Quotes are always FREE and we come to you  Choose from a huge selection of fabrics  Collection, restoration and delivery in 2-4 weeks  We have full repair services and French Polishing  Visit us online: www.james-erskine.co.uk

EDINBURGH FIREWOOD Barn stored, dry and seasoned wood fuel

FREE DELIVERY Firewood, kindling, straw logs and more! Check out www.edinburgh-firewood.co.uk Or ‘Edinburgh Firewood’ on

Tel: Chris on 0131 442 3445 / 07740 865 147 To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

0131 447 3135 6–16 Church Hill Place, Edinburgh. EH10 4BD 37

Prize Crossword

Win free PC health check (worth ÂŁ55) and IT goody bag from Sort My PC. See advert on page 39. Across 1. 5. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 15. 18. 19. 20. 21.

Sketch (7) Naval map (5) Expel (5) Womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s holdall (7) Promotional literature (13) Informal (6) Thick-set (6) Used to cool food (13) Conclusions (7) Perfect (5) Sea rising and falling (5) Medicinal syrup (7)

Down

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Musical drama (5) Robbers (7) Worldwide (13) Pertaining to cultural group (6) Deep thinking (13) Saunter (5)

14 15

7. Firmly (7) 11. Right (7) 13. Nearest (7)

14. Receptacle (6) 16. Dimmed (5) 17. Bottom of the feet (5)

Complete the crossword & send to: The Konect Directory, Overton Farmhouse, Kirknewton, EH27 8DD. Please include your name, address & phone number. Closing date for entries 15th May 2012.

Sudoku

Sudoku solution on page 52

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

When you feel like shouting, try calling instead. Your very own I T expert is just one phone call away. Making sure your PC is on it’s best behaviour is a lot easier when you have someone on hand who’ll come out to your home or office. We won’t bamboozle you with techy jargon, we will just get down to the job in hand at fixing your PC. We are a local and friendly business. In fact using us is a bit like having your very own IT expert, that’s just one phone call away. Get sorted now at sortmypc.

sortmypc Yo u r lo c a l E d i n b u rg h I T s u p p o r t s e r v i c e

Tel 0131 477 2644

0pening times Mon-Fri 9am till 6pm. Saturday till 1pm.

N call o char out ge.

Visit sortmypc.co.uk Email enquiries@sortmypc.co.uk

sortmypc, 302 Colinton Road, Edinburgh, EH13 0LE VAT No : 947 5279 77 Comp No : SC 356870 sortmypc 125mmx90mm CMYK.indd 1

A & A Electrical Solutions Ltd Balerno

29/09/2011 18:00

All electrical work Private or commercial No job too big or small All work guaranteed Free estimates Professional and reliable service

Alan: 07969 929327

or email alskie@hotmail.com

0131 477 1167

CD’s COMPUTER REPAIRS ALL REPAIRS DONE IN YOUR OWN HOME

Fully stocked & fully trained professional Locksmiths 24 hours a day www.1stcall-locksmiths.com

SYSTEM REPAIRS MAINTENANCE UPGRADING INTERNAL MAINTENANCE INTERNET SECURITY CHECKS FREE QUOTES ON REQUEST

Tel: 0131 629 5328

Email: cdcomputerrepairs@talktalk.net Mon-Fri 1pm-10pm Saturdays 1pm-6pm Sundays - Emergencies only

To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

DELL ROOFING Established 22 years

● 24 HOUR CALL OUT ● FREE ESTIMATES ● INSURANCE WORK UNDERTAKEN ● MAINTENANCE WORK WELCOME ● FELT ROOF WORK ● POINTING ● SLATING &TILING ● CHIMNEYS AND GUTTERS

0131 449 7193 or 07594 355109 40

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

Brown’s Plumbing Plumbing – Heating – Gasworks

From tap washers to re-plumbs We undertake all plumbing work

0131 478 5356 07720 890 226 Free estimates

To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

Now doing a CARPET CLEANING SERVICE

Professional Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

FREE no n tio obligoates qu

The mo thorougsht carpe cleanint ever.. or g its FREE

Mobile: 07789 007 072 Tel: 0131 300 0756

• Stain removal and stain protection • Pet stain and pet odour treatment • Domestic, contract & commercial service • Certified Leather cleaning specialist • Dust mite elimination All work is • Fully insured 100% guarante e for yo d satisfac ur tion

www.hydrokleenscotland.co.uk Email: info@hydrokleenscotland.co.uk

Tag Cleaning Services Local window and gutter cleaning service

Established over 30 years Free quotations on request Tel : 0131 449 2807 (Office) Neil : 07711 581 384 (Mob) www.TagCleaningServices.co.uk

IRONING AID

Free pick-up & delivery - next day service

0131 538 5223 07877 381940

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

May Recipe and Food Notes By Anne Pinkerton

everal food writers say May is the start of the food year. Many delicious and delicate new flavours come into the shops and food in the -it is to be hoped - warmer weather can be lighter. Spring chicken, British lamb, eggs, new potatoes especially “Jersey Royals”, English asparagus, and by the end of the month gooseberries and French Apricots arrive for us to enjoy. Salmon, trout, herrings and crayfish are the best of the fish catch now. Spring Vegetable Soup Serves 4 Little Gem lettuce 2 leeks 2 carrots 2 pints stock, good cubes are fine 2 beaten egg yolks 2 small white turnips Half head of sweet pointed cabbage Cup of frozen peas or petits pois 50-75gm butter some fresh chervil or flat leaf parsley seasoning

Method Scrub or wash the vegetables and cut them all finely. You can grate the leeks, carrots and turnips. This makes the cooking time correct for all the vegetables. In a large heavy-bottomed pan melt the butter and slowly cook the veg. Start with the carrots and turnips add the leeks and peas then the cabbage, lastly the lettuce and the herbs. When they are all soft but not browned add the stock and cook together gently for 15 minutes. Check the flavour and just as you are ready for it add some stock to the egg yolks and then add this to the rest of the soup. (If you do it this way the soup will be thickened and creamy - if you add the undiluted egg to the stock and it will cook to ribbons as it makes contact with the hot liquid. Both taste fine but the first way looks nicer.) Hot Cucumber Watercress and cucumber both make good spring soup. Cucumber is a very good as a HOT vegetable with fish. Try it! Serves 4 2 cucumbers peeled cut in half lengthways and the seeds scooped out. Then cut them in to inch lengths. 50gm butter a little dill weed chopped black pepper grated rind of a lemon Method Melt the butter in a saucepan add the cucumber and the lemon rind. Cover with a lid that fits tightly and steam the cucumber for about 5 minutes. Do not let it brown - give it a shake to make sure it is not sticking. Serve with a good twist of pepper and the chopped dill. This is delicious with grilled lamb chops or salmon. Salmon Steaks in cream 4 salmon steaks, about 1 inch thick Salt and pepper Butter for greasing the dish ¾ pint single cream 1 bay leaf



Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

Natural energy Superfoods and a natural diet Real ales, fine food ... will increase your energy levels & wellbeing, so you look and feel better... faster!

Campaign for Real Ale CAMRA have awarded the Grey Horse Pub of the Year Runner Up for Lothians area

Free delivery for online orders over £15

New menu available now Regular Live Entertainment

Shop online at www.realfoods.co.uk

The Grey Horse Inn 20 Main Street, Balerno | 0131 449 2888 www.greyhorsebalerno.com

37 Broughton St, Edinburgh EH1 3JU 8 Brougham St, Edinburgh EH3 9JH

N O W

O PE N

Natural healthy ethical shopping

The WEAVERS

2/7 Corslet Place, Currie, EH14 5LS

Fresh local organic produce delivered to your door

Vegetables * Fruit * Milk * Eggs & Wholefoods SPECIAL OFFER:

First standard vegetable box for £8.50 (normal price £11.50) FREE DELIVERY To order or for more information contact: bags@thewholeshebag.com or call: 01501 785436 or check out

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP Gavin and Elaine welcome you along to their new pub with friendly atmosphere, music, Sky Sports, pool table, darts. Regular entertainment look out for local posters for full details. Free Function Hall for hire contact theweaverspub@live.co.uk Find us on facebook

www.thewholeshebag.com

SOPA Membership S14 Organic Membership UK3 To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

opening times Mon-Thurs 3pm-11pm ,Fri 3pm-12.30am Sat 12 noon-1am Sun 12.30pm - 11pm

May Recipe and Food Notes: (Continued)  Method

Chose an oven proof dish which will just hold the fish snug when laid out flat. Butter the dish, lay in the wiped steaks, season with salt and pepper and pour over enough of the cream to cover the fish. Put the bay leaf in the cream. Cover the dish with a layer of foil. To make the seal even better, cover with cling wrap and foil. Bake at 160°C for 20 minutes. Do not overcook. Be careful when opening the foil especially if you have used cling wrap as well because there will be very hot steam released as you do so. Serve with wedges of lemon and plain boiled new potatoes and some of the hot cucumber! Lamb with Asparagus. Serves 6 1 kilo shoulder of lamb meat trimmed and cubed 1 kilo asparagus 1 heaped table-spoon plain flour 4 small onions Butter for cooking ¼ pint single cream Salt, pepper and juice of a lemon Method Tie the asparagus in 2 or 3 bundles (rubber bands are fine for this) and stand in a tall saucepan with water half way up the stalks. Cook gently till tender, about 15 minutes. Drain but keep the cooking liquid. Cut off the tips and keep for decoration. Puree the stalks. A blender wand is great for this job. The traditional way is to rub the vegetable through a sieve; this is a bit more work but the consistency is perfect. With the butter, brown the meat and chopped onions in a casserole dish. Add the flour and work in all the juices and tasty bits. On a gentle heat gradually blend in about ½ pint of the asparagus cooking liquid. This will make a smooth, creamy sauce. Cover the casserole and cook slowly either on the hob, or in a 160°C oven, till the meat is tender. About 50 minutes. When the meat is cooked stir in the puree

and re-heat with the cream. Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice. The sauce should be fairly thick. Add the asparagus tips to the dish. Again, boiled new potatoes are the best accompaniment to this spring stew. Gooseberry Batter Pudding In a book called “A Feast of Scotland” by Janet Warren I found this idea for a May pudding. It is similar to a French early summer dish but they use cherries. Is this more evidence of the auld alliance? This is in effect a sweet Yorkshire pudding. ¾ pint milk 3 large eggs 50gm plain flour 100gm sugar 300gm gooseberries Sifted icing sugar grated nutmeg Butter a 2 pint ovenproof dish. Put the top and tailed fruit into the dish. Either by hand or with a blender wand or electric hand whisk, make a batter from the other ingredients, except the icing sugar. Pour this over the fruit and bake at 200°C/ gas 6 for 40-50 minutes till puffy and well risen - just like a Yorkshire pudding. Sift the icing sugar over the surface and eat with cold pouring cream, crème fraiche or plain yoghurt. You can use frozen or well-drained tinned or bottled fruit for this dish.

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

Currie & Balerno District Round Table Beer Festival

he Currie and Balerno District Round Table are proud to announce our inaugural Currie Beer and Curry Festival taking place in June. This is our first ever Beer Festival and we expect this to be a great fund raising community event. We would love you to come along and support the event. We hope that this will become a regular in the community diary for many years to come! Friday 15th and Saturday 16th June - 6pm till 11pm at The Gibson Craig Hall, Currie. Each ticket includes your first 4 beer tokens (equivalent to 2 pints), a beer festival glass and the opportunity to buy a wide range of artisan beers from across Scotland and afar. It should be a great

To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

event! Wine and soft drinks will also be available. We are planning to have musical entertainment on hand plus curry from the Adam Tandoori will be available at a great prices! Please note that tickets are already selling fast and we are anticipating selling them all in the next few weeks. We will only deal with this on a firstcome-first served basis so please respond as soon as you possibly can. Drop us an email at beer@cbdrt.com or call 0131 449 9659. Also... We are offering some sponsorship packages that businesses might want to get involved in. If you would like to sponsor a beer then get in touch now! Please email beer@cbdrt.com

Useful Info + What’s On? May

Balerno Library information 1 Main Street, Balerno, EH14 7EQ 0131 529 5500 balerno.library@edinburgh.gov.uk Opening times Mon & Wed: 1.00pm - 8.00pm Tues, Thurs & Fri: 10.00am - 5.00pm Saturday: 9.00am - 1.00pm Bookgroup – Last Monday of the month, 6.307.30pm Bookbug (rhymes and songs for babies and toddlers) – Fortnightly on a Monday, 2-2.30pm Under fives storytime – Fortnightly on a Tuesday, 10-10.30am Currie Library information 210 Lanark Road West, Currie, EH14 5NX 0131 529 5609 currie.library@edinburgh.gov.uk Opening times Mon & Wed: 1.00pm - 8.00pm Tues, Thurs & Fri: 10.00am - 5.00pm Saturday: 9.00am - 1.00pm Bookbug (rhymes and songs for babies and toddlers) – Fortnightly on a Friday, 10-10.30am Bookgroup – 1st Wednesday of the month, 7-8pm Tiger Tales – stories and crafts for schoolaged children - Fridays 2-2.30pm The Pentlands Medical Centre 44 Pentland View, Currie, EH14 5QB 0131 449 2142 Tuesday 8 May Public Lecture: ‘You and me: the Neuroscience of Identity’ Given by: Heriot-Watt Chancellor Baroness Susan Greenfield CBE. (admission free) James Watt Centre, Heriot-Watt University 6.00pm (refreshments from 5pm). To attend, please register at pr@hw.ac.uk by Friday 4 May 2012. Saturday 12th May Balerno Farmers Market 9am – 1pm Main Street Balerno Sunday 13th May Funday Sunday Fundraising event by Edinburgh Ballet, a small ballet school run by local people, to support To include your event here, please email hj@konectdirectory.co.uk or call 07854 492638

their summer performance. 2-4pm at Juniper Green Church Hall. Come along and enjoy bouncy castle, free sports sessions by A star sports, various stalls including tombolas and homebaking. Tickets cost £1 per person (including a free drink!) and everyone is welcome. Saturday 19th May Balerno Swimming Gala 10.00am – 1pm, Balerno High School Friday 25th May Willie Shanks Showcase 7-9pm, Balerno High School Saturday 26th May Balerno Gala Crowning Day 8.30am to 4pm Balerno High School Saturday 26th May Juniper Green Farmers Market The Dental Surgery Car Park, 577 Lanark Road, opposite Juniper Avenue, Juniper Green. 9am – 1pm. Sunday 27th May Suntrap Garden Open Day 10.30am – 4.30pm. Admission £2, free parking. Plant sales, gardening advice. Teas, coffee, soup, filled rolls and home baking and lots more. Monday 28th May Youth Fun Run 6.30pm – 7.30pm Rigg Race (7.30pm – 9.30pm) Currie Rugby Club, Balerno Tuesday 29th May Dog Show 6.30pm – 8.30pm Bell’s Field, Balerno Wednesday 30th May Talent Show 7-9pm, Balerno High School Remote Control Cars 7-8.30pm, Balerno Parish Church Hall Thursday 31st May Children’s Cycle Races 6.30pm – 8.30pm, Bell’s Field, Balerno

Balerno Children’s Gala

Week-long programme of activ ities leading up to Gala Day on 2nd June. For full details see www.balernochildrensgala.org.uk

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

Nominate your local football hero

dinburgh Pentlands MSP Gordon Macdonald is encouraging people to nominate their local football hero for the Scottish FA Community Awards.

The Community Awards aim to recognise and reward those individuals across the country who make a difference to grassroots football in their local community, volunteering hours of their time to develop tomorrow’s young talent and spread best practice in clubs up and down the country. There will be a local, regional and national ceremony to celebrate each of the winners with categories for Best Volunteer in Youth Football; Best Volunteer in Schools; Best Volunteer in Adult Football; Best Volunteer in Disability and Best Volunteer in Women’s/ Girls’ Football.

Gordon Macdonald said, “Grassroots football is the lifeblood of the game. Scottish football would be lost without those dedicated volunteers who give up so much for their free time to let children play the game they love. My eldest son played youth football for a number of the Edinburgh teams therefore I know that we have a number of great youth teams and coaches who help train, organise and provide a safe environment for youngsters to play. Nominations are open until June and can be submitted on the Scottish FA website. I hope people will put forward their Edinburgh football hero and help them get the recognition they deserve.” Contact – constituency office 0131 466 5810

MSP Gordon Macdonald Member of the Scottish Parliament for Edinburgh Pentlands Constituency Wester Hailes Library

Pentlands MSP - ADVICE SURGERIES

1st Monday of the Month at 6.30pm

Carrickvale Community Centre

2nd Monday of the Month at 6.30pm

Currie Library

3rd Monday of the Month at 6.30pm

Pentland Community Centre

4th Monday of the Month at 6.30pm

Ratho Community Centre

5th Monday of the Month at 6.30pm

See details @ www.gordonmacdonaldmsp.info To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

Clubs and Classes

sports, hobbies, learning, support groups and more... Zumba Fitness with the ZumbamamaZ Mon and Fri 9.30 – 10.30am Juniper Green Church Hall Tues 20.30 to 21.30 Balerno High School Thurs 19.00 – 20.00 Scout Hall, Lanark Rd West, Currie For more info contact zumbamamaz@hotmail.co.uk or call Laura on 07976 694 077 After School Club at Honey Pot Ceramics Fridays 1-5pm term time. Arts and crafts, each week there is a specific project which could include clay, jewellery or cosmetics. £10, booking essential. Pre-School Messy Play At Honey Pot Ceramics. Every Monday. Thursday and Wednesday from 10-11am. Bring your little one along for some glittering, sticking, stamping and lots and lots of messy fun. Booking essential. See www.honeypotceramics.com or call 0131 333 6348 for more info on both clubs. Kirknewton Riding and Trekking Hacks, treks, pony rides, saddle club. Call Kirsty on 07702 118360 or see www.kirknewtonridingandtrekkingcentre.co.uk Potter Around Overton Farm, Kirknewton Warhammer Club Calling all Warhammer fans - come and learn how to paint miniature figures in the company of friends. Friday afternoons 2.30-5pm £4.50 if you are bringing models and brushes; £7.50 get a model and a brush to keep We also stock a wide range of Warhammer 40,000 models, paint, brushes and accessories. Once armies have been painted, gaming will begin. Call 01506 238961 or email chat@potteraround.co.uk for details. www.potteraround.co.uk Craft Club Fri 1.30 - 3.30 Different arts/crafts projects each week including glass, clay, painting, jewellery making. £10, all materials, drink and snack supplied. Scrapbooking Group If you have always wanted to have a go at this craft, bring along your precious photos and there will be people on hand to help. If you are already an expert why not join the ‘crop’ and have some fun swopping ideas. Alternate Thursdays from 9 Feb. 7.30-9.30pm. £7.50. Includes tea/coffee biscuits. Basic materials will be provided. Jewellery Workshops Alternate Tuesdays with the opportunity to put into practice what you have learned in the intervening weeks. 7-9pm, £15. Booking essential. Range of other clubs available at Potter Around, call 01506 238961 or see www.potteraround.co.uk Oil Painting Classes with Kirsty McDiarmid. Monday evenings 7-9pm NEW Thursday mornings 10.30-12.30 (first class Thurs 1 March) Classes run in 6 week blocks although you can join in at any time. All materials provided. For all class bookings and more information, call 01506 238961 or email chat@potteraround.co.uk. www.potteraround.co.uk

BABERTON 172nd Pentland Scouts (Baberton)

BALERNO Minis @St Mungo’s Group for babies and toddlers with their carers on term time Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10am to 11.30am in St Mungo’s church building, Ladycroft, Balerno. All welcome. For more information visit www.stmungos.org Balerno Parish Church Guild Balerno Parish Church New Hall First and third Wednesdays (commencing October) at 7.30pm.Varied syllabus with many interesting speakers. Tea/coffee is served at the end of the meeting. New members or visitors warmly welcomed. Balerno Folk Club Held on the last Tuesday of each month in Balerno Bowling Club. Doors open 8pm; Evening begins 8.20pm; Guest artist on stage at 8.30pm. Members and guests welcome. For further info contact Morag Dunbar on 0131 449 5014 or John Stirling on 0131 449 3456. Pentland Caledonia Pipes and Drums Balerno Community Centre every Friday 7pm-9.30pm. New members welcome. Tuition free on pipes or drums Phone 0131 4495133 Compass Playgroup Dean Park Primary Pre-School Centre. 2-5 years, wide variety of activities. Mon to Thurs (school term time only) 9:00am-11.45am. Lunch Club and Transfer Service to Dean Park Nursery. Call 0131 449 4530 (during opening hours) for more information or email info@ compassplaygroup.com Balerno Art Club Meet at Balerno High School Art Room every Thursday 7.30 – 9.30pm. Demonstrations, speakers, work evenings. All mediums. New members welcome, please contact Janet Dyer on 0131 449 3767 or Marion John on 01506 880428. Yoga with Claudia Goncalves Mon 10am -11.30am, Wed 7.30pm – 9pm, Thursday 10am. 4 week block £20, drop-in £7. Pirnie Ha’, Cockburn Hill Road, Balerno, EH14 7JB. Booking 07501 668364 Balerno SWRI Balerno Community Centre First Tuesday of every month (ex Jul & Aug) 7 30pm in. We usually have a speaker but we also have “in house” evenings. There is usually some business to be discussed and we enjoy a “cuppa” whilst chatting. New members or visitors welcome, just come along. Balerno Footsteps 4 Fitness Mondays 10am Balerno High School Riverside Café Alternate Thursdays 10am Balerno High School Riverside Café Alternate Fridays 10am Balerno Parish Church Hall Contact 0131 477 7733 www.bf4f.org.uk

Children’s swim scheme Balerno High School Tues, Wed and Fri pm, Sat and Sun am Contact Balerno Community Education Office 0131 477 7733 for more info Pentland Flower Club Drama Studio, Balerno High School First Friday of the month at 7.15pm (excluding January, February, July and August). Visitors and new members are always welcome. Contact Lis Daly on 0131 442 2146. 51st Pentland Scouts (Balerno) Beavers, Cubs, Scouts Various evenings, Balerno Scout Hall Contact Lawrence Mitchell on 0131 449 4680 Rookie Lifesaving Balerno Community High School For swimmers aged 10 - 14 years. Alternate Thursdays 6pm - 8pm. For further information contact the Community Education Office on 0131 477 7733 Balerno Baby and Toddler Group Balerno Parish Church Hall, 3 Johnsburn Road, Balerno, EH14 7DN. For children 0-5 years and their carers. Termtime Thurs 9.45am - 11.30am. Currie Rugby Football Club Malleny Park Minis (P1-7) Sundays 10.30am - 12pm Contact 0131 449 2432 www.currierugby.org Adult daytime swim club Balerno High School. Contact Balerno Community Education Office 0131 477 7733 for more info

CURRIE Coffee and Craft Currie Youth Club Monday 7pm -9pm. Bring your own craft and share your knowledge and experience with other crafters and perhaps learn something new. All welcome. £2.00 per night refreshments are included. The Octagon Club for Adults with Special Needs and Learning Difficulties. Meets in the Gibson Craig Hall, Lanark Road West, Currie, 7 - 9pm on Wednesday Evenings from mid September until June for table tennis, snooker, badminton, table games and “tuck shop” etc. Contact Alastair Hardie on 0131 453 3556. Currie Baby and Toddler Group Gibson Craig Hall Friday 9.30 am - 11.30 am (term time only). Adults £1.50, kids go free. Parents/Grandparents/Carers/Childminders are all very welcome. Snack provided for the kids and tea and coffee for the adults. Loads of space to play. Currie Youth Club Various activities and facilities available including Gym Teds for childern, Sound and Music room, Youth club facilities Sports hall Playgroup Lunch club and Football teams. See http://cyc.smartchange.org/ Air Cadets 2463 (Currie & Balerno) Squadron Forthview Crescent Mon and Thu 7-9.30pm. 0131 449 7449 for more info

Sarah Byers Kettle/Zumba Mon - Kettlebells - Currie High School - 7.15 - 8 pm Tues - Zumba - Currie Youth Club 9.30 - 10.30 am Thurs - Zumba - Currie High school 6.30 - 7.30 pm Fri - Zumba/Kettlebell Mix - Currie Youth club - 9.3010.30am Karate Currie High School Mondays 7.30 - 9pm. Adults and Children over 6 years. Please contact 0131 449 3510 or 0131 445 2945 for more info or email patricia.shearer@edinburgh.gov.uk 42nd Pentland Scouts (Currie) Balerno and District Ramblers Midweek Group meets on a Wednesday at Currie Library Carpark, Lanark Rd West, at 9.15am for 9.30am start. Contact K. Gordon 0131 449 2534 or A Blyth 0131 449 5020 Saturday and Sunday Group meets at Pentland View Carpark, Currie, at 8.45am for 9am start. Contact E Scroggie on 0131 441 1666. Baby Group Currie Library Thursdays 2.00 - 3.30pm. Come along for an informal tea.coffee and chat with other parents and babies. 50p/week. Topic for 19th August - Baby resuscitation Boys Brigade - 65th Edinburgh (Currie) Company Gibson Craig Hall, Lanark Road West Currie Anchors (Boys P2 & P3) – Thursday 6.00-7.00 pm Juniors (Boys P4, P5 & P6) – Thursday 7.00-8.30 pm Company/Seniors (Boys P7 – S6) – Friday 7.00 – 9.15 pm For further info contact Jim Webber on 451 5112. Bridge Club Meetings in Gibson Craig Hall on Mondays at 1:30pm, September to June. For more information contact the Secretary on 0131 449 3527. Currie & District Local History Society Meetings Mondays at 7.30 in the Gibson-Craig Hall in Currie. Visitors welcome. For further information contact Mr P.D. Cowlishaw on 0131 449 2520 or pdcowlishaw@hotmail.com Book Group Currie Library. First Wednesday of each month 7.00pm

JUNIPER GREEN Shooglefit Juniper Green Parish Church Hall Exercise for 50+ including aerobics, conditioning and flexibility. Mondays 12-1pm from 23rd April, £3.50 per class (or £20 for 6 week-block). Please bring a mat if you have one. Contact Health with Hawthorn 07718 315893, healthwithhawthorn@gmail.com 31st Pentland Scouts (Juniper Green) 45 Lanark Road West, Currie Beavers Wednesdays 6.30pm Cubs Mondays 7.00pm Scouts Fridays 7.00pm Contact: Mary Dick on 0131 449 7043

Monkey Music Juniper Green Church Saturdays 10am for 1-2 year olds, 10.40 for 2-3 year olds. Contact 0131 669 6004 www.monkeymusic.co.uk Juniper Green Nursery Playgroup Juniper Green Community Centre, 1 Juniper Park Road, EH14 5DX. Contact 07948 554889 or see website at www.junipergreenplaygroup.vpweb.co.uk

Solution April 12 crossword

Moving Wisely Juniper Green Parish Church Hall Gentle exercise for 50+, including balance, co-ordination, strength and flexibility on Mondays 2-3 pm at, ÂŁ4.50 per class (or ÂŁ25 for 6 week-block). Please bring a mat if you have one. Contact Health with Hawthorn 07718 315893, healthwithhawthorn@gmail.com

Solution to Sudoku

Juniper Green SWRI Juniper Green Community Centre (Village Hall) 1 Juniper Park Road, EH14 5DX Contact 0131 539 9886

Across: 1 Public, 4 Member, 9 Survive, 10 Atlas, 11 Extra, 12 Pattern, 13 Interrupted, 18 Retreat, 20 Alive, 22 About, 23 Lantern, 24 Taking, 25 Cycles. Down: 1 Posted, 2 Burnt, 3 Imitate, 5 Exact, 6 Believe, 7 Rising, 8 Desperately, 14 Network, 15 Plainly, 16 Breast, 17 Tennis, 19 Eaten, 21 Ideal.

konect the

directory

To include your club or class, email details to hj@konectdirectory.co.uk Charity and not-forprofit groups are free, there is a small charge for other listings. See our website for details www. konectdirectory.co.uk

Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advertisement. The Konect Directory does not endorse any advertising material that appears in this publication. Adverts are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate. All material is accepted for publication on the understanding that it is copyright free. The Konect Directory accepts no liability for any subsequent copyright issues. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior consent of the publisher. Publisher: Lothian Publications Ltd, Overton Farmhouse, Kirknewton, EH27 8DD. Editor :Helen-Jane Shearer 07854 492638 hj@konectdirectory.co.uk

Be your own boss

Honey Pot Ceramics Be amazed at what you can do...

● paint your own pottery ● make your own cosmetics ● design your own jewellery ● try out other craft activities ● birthday party packages ● pre-school messy play sessions

Our local eco-friendly business wants independent, hardworking individuals to share and promote natural and organic products.

Theme days and special activities every month, holiday activities and regular workshops See website for details and bookings, or like us on Facebook to keep up to date with offers and activities

www.honeypotceramics.com

or call 0131 333 6348. Based at EICA Ratho, EH28 8AA. Open 7 days 10am - 5pm, open late Thursdays Honey Pot Ceramics

10%

Create a second income whilst having a positive impact on the environment. - Be your own boss - Work from home - Choose your own hours - Rewards offered for hard work - Full training and support - You will love it

discount

with this advert (not to be used in conjunction with any other offer)

time of music Nur turing a life

To book your complimentary class, call 0131 669 6004 or email alison.rankin@ monkeymusic.co.uk

Music classes for babies and young children!

Wikaniko with Carla Contact Carla Independent distributor ID 1004414

07790 103770

wikanikowithcarla@gmail.com For more information visit

www.wikanikowithcarla.com To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

Action songs and rhymes Music and movement Fun with percussion Musical games Since 1993 thousands of children across the UK have grown up with Monkey Music. Our unique teaching curriculum was written by classically trained musicians, and introduces music to very young children in a way they can easily understand and enjoy.

Rock ‘n’ roll - from 3 months Heigh ho – from 12 months Jiggety jig – 2 & 3 year olds Ding dong – 3 & 4 year olds It’s fun, formative and a great way of making friends!

www.monkeymusic.co.uk

Index of Advertisers Accessories Stick and Cane Shop 23 Aerials Aerial Man 40 Architect/Architectural Services Alan Young Designs 33 Attraction Newliston 7 Bathrooms Splash Bathrooms 4 Beauty Juniper Beauty Room 16 Panache Nails 17 The Lilac Rooms 17 TLC 17 Blacksmith Keith Davidson Design 21 Builder Dean Jones Building Services 41 Car repairs Colin Nixon 28 Car Sales Colin Nixon 28 Hermiston Motors 56 Car Service/Repair Chips Away 27 D A Ward Motor Engineer 27 Hermiston Motors 56 Hope Scott Garage 26 Carpet Cleaning Cleaning Doctor Edinburgh SW 2 Hydro Kleen Scotland 42 Carpets Murrayfield Carpets 37 Cattery Claylands Cattery 32 Rosebank Cattery 32 Children’s Activities Honeypot Ceramics 53 Monkey Music 53 Chiropodist Claire Monkman Chiropody 17 Cleaning Service Tag Cleaning 42 Alba Oven Cleaning Fiona House Cleaning 42 Coal Merchant J & A Hasties & Son Coalmerchant 36 Computer Repairs CD’s Computer Repairs 39 Dentist No 9 Dental 13 Electrician A&A Electrical 39

Altech Electrical 33 Gavin Beatson Electrical 10 Finance advisors Howdengrange 4 Financial Services PMM 34 Fitness KM Fitness 23 Zumba with Laura Quinn (Zumbamamaz) 14 Florist Vicky’s flowers 17 Food Real Foods 45 The Whole Shebag 45 Funeral Directors Porteous Funeral Directors 35 Garden & Landscaping Gardening Services Edinburgh 30 Riccarton Garden Centre 30 Taurus Gardening 31 Woodford Timber Scotland 55 Golf Club Baberton Golf Club 15 Hairdresser Glitterati Carly Robertson 14 Tony Harper Hairdressers 12 David Burns Hairdressing 7 Handyman Bits ‘N’ Pieces 31 Home Improvements Advanced Property Solutions Ltd 35 Craft Worx Ltd 33 Heritage Windows 10 Homes CALA Homes 29 Ironing Services Ironing Aid 42 Joiner Andrew Roy 41 Gordon Fairbairn Joiner 11 GK Wilson Joiner 39 Kiltmaker Kilts by Lindsay 13 Locksmith 1st Call Locksmith 39 Caledonian Locksmith 33 Logs Edinburgh Firewood 37 Reservoir Logs 33

Optician Clear Vue Optical 14 Painter/Decorator Alistair McLellan 21 Brushstrokes - Kenny 11 Ian Merriman Ltd 10 Pet Services Happy Scampers 32 Physiotherapy SportsActive 15 Plastering Alexander Aitken Plastering 27 Plumbing Shandon Plumbing 4 Bill Reid & Son 21 Browns Plumbing 41 Weir Plumbing 41 Property Management K & H Property 10 Public House Bridge Inn 43 Tanners 47 The Grey Horse 45 Roofing Dell Roofing 40 Storm-Shield 5 Restaurant Bridge Inn 43 Tanners 47 The Grey Horse 45 Sewing Services & Supplies Mary’s Patch 25 Soft Furnishings James Erskine Interiors 37 Quintessential 37 Solicitor McQueen Legal 19 Shopfitters Advanced Property Solutions Ltd 35 Takeaway Scotty T’s 6 Tearoom Tearoom 25 Telephone Engineer John McGraw Telephone Engineer 21 Tiler Barry Edwards Tiling 11 Tree Surgeon Delisle Tree Surgeons 31 Maxwell Tree Care 31 Vet Pentland Veterinary Clinic 32

Please remember to mention The Konect Directory when contacting advertisers

konect the

directory

WWW.

To advertise call 07824 469266 or 07854 492638

Family business established over 40 years

Edinburgh’s best selection of

used vans All makes and models Opening Hours

Mon - Fri 8.30am - 6.00pm Sat 8.30 - 2.00pm

Part exchange welcome Licensed credit broker Full dealer facilities

All major credit cards accepted

VOSA - Approved MOT Centre

Class 4,5 & 7 for cars, vans, campervans and minibuses All servicing and repair work carried out Same day service All makes and models Fleets welcome Servicing • Tyres • Exhaust • Clutches • Batteries • Diagnostics Short walk from Heriot Watt University (Riccarton Campus) opposite park and ride on A71 Calder Road

0131 449 4098 07771 998546 or 07860 619850 sales@hermistonmotor.co.uk

www.hermistonmotor.co.uk 17 Hermiston Village, Edinburgh, EH14 4AW