EDINBU
T!
ES
R
A PA TICK IR OF ETS TO G H’S CF MAGI
TO OUR DECEMBER EDITION
THIS ISSUE
A
nother year nearly done; another year here at The Dell Directory of endless discovery about the local area! It really is a fresh discovery every month putting together the editorial. I hope you find the same reading it. I love all the Christmassy adverts in the December issue. One thing that kept coming up as I was putting this issue together though is how much need there is, how many people are finding the festive season difficult - and, crucially, how many people locally are working hard to make it better for everyone. Our charity of the month, Dignity Boxes, is a new one set up by an Edinburgh Napier lecturer who realised there is a need for people to be able to access help “without having to ask and without having to thank anyone,” hence the word “dignity”. She is focussing on toiletries, see the article on pages 34-35. There is an update on the Colinton Tunnel Mural project, Magic Festival tickets to win; and all the other usual columns and one-off discoveries. We don’t produce a magazine for January, so the next one will be the February issue. Wishing all our readers a fantastic holiday season.
P8-9 Ghostly Tracks?...................................................8 Health: Frozen!.................................................. 16 Lynne Arnott’s Column.................................... 23 The Seasonal Touch........................................ 27 What’s On........................................................... 32 Charity: Dignity Boxes................................34 WIN: MagicFest Tickets..............................36 Clubs & Classes............................................... 37
The Dell Directory is distributed to 5,500 homes in the Colinton, Craiglockhart and Kingsknowe areas. There are 11 copies a year with a joint issue in Dec/Jan.
HELEN-JANE SHEARER
CHARLENE GAFFNEY
JENNY THOMSON
Email: editor@konect.scot
07772 941899 charlene@konect.scot
Email: jenny@konectdirectory.co.uk
Editor
@KonectMagazines
Account Manager
Account Manager
THE DELL | 3
4 | THE DELL
@KonectMagazines
6 | THE DELL
@KonectMagazines
@KonectMagazines
THE DELL | 7
Have you walked along the Water of Leith Walkway when the ground has dried out but rain has fallen recently? If so, you might have seen the “ghost” image left by the former railway line and the sleepers that supported it.
The rain soaks into the softer ground, but not into the ground that was compressed by nearly 100 years of trains. You may also have walked, run, cycled or ridden through Colinton Tunnel. If so, you will have noticed that it is becoming dark and forbidding with increasing amounts of antisocial graffiti. That is set to change, as the Colinton Tunnel project plans to create a major mural inside the tunnel, providing a visual record of the railway that once ran there and celebrating the heritage of the local communities. LOOKING BACK:
If you grew up near the Caledonian Railway Company’s Balerno Branch Line you might remember the Balerno Pug railway engine and stations at Hailes Halt, Colinton,
8 | THE DELL
Juniper Green, Currie and Balerno. Local pubs still display photographs of the line, which opened in 1874 to serve the 70-plus mills powered by the Water of Leith. The local villages were tiny, with populations of 200 or less. Mill owners, many living locally, faced long horseback rides to reach their offices in Edinburgh but the railway, with a 15-minute journey from Princes Street Station (aka the Caley Station) – now the Caledonian Hotel – meant that they could pop home for lunch. Our communities were well outside Edinburgh, but city-dwellers soon discovered that a short train journey provided a lovely day out. The line was called “the picnic line” because of the number of church communities that used it to take parishioners away from the smoke and grime of central Edinburgh to the fresh air and greenery of the countryside. That link between urban and rural arguably catalysed the development of today’s thriving residential communities. The advent of buses on paved roads meant that passenger services ceased in 1943. Freight services and occasional passenger “specials” continued until 4th December 1967, when engines and rolling stock were scrapped; lines, sleepers and other fixtures were removed, and the tunnel was closed. The creation of the Water of Leith Walkway in the late 1970s saw the tunnel re-opened, paved and lit. The smoke-blackened walls and ceiling were painted as part of Edinburgh District Council’s Special Measures Programme, giving school leavers skills to help them get jobs. Ian Temple and Charlotte Cottingham, the Landscape Architects who managed much of the programme, created a simple mural @KonectMagazines
along the 158-metre tunnel in 1980 featuring the Balerno Pug near the western end. Their mural transformed the tunnel and recorded its heritage. Now, sadly, time and casual graffiti mean that it has almost vanished. LOOKING FORWARD: A group of residents has spent two years developing plans to transform the tunnel, restoring the 1980 image of the Balerno Pug and drawing on Colinton’s rich history to create a lasting record of the railway’s influence on our community. Almost 160 metres of space on each wall gives plenty of room to tell the story of the railway and its links with Colinton’s wider history. Our website, www.colintontunnel.org. uk, describes the strands of history on which we hope to draw and how we plan to proceed. A brighter and safer environment will enhance public safety. There is also strong evidence that casual graffitists will respect the outcome and not be tempted to leave their own marks. Our friends at City of Edinburgh Council have already agreed to upgrade the tunnel lighting to LEDs, which will produce a brighter, more even light. A dark, slightly scarey tunnel can become attractive, interesting and welcoming. The completed mural will also attract visitors, who will need to use our shops, pubs, cafes and other local facilities. @KonectMagazines
Now a charity, the project will create Scotland’s largest historic and underground mural, celebrating the area’s industrial, social, literary, artistic and military history. We plan to involve as many of our community as possible, particularly young people, in developing the design and painting the mural. Consultation and engagement events start soon and run until Spring. You will be welcome to consider what elements of history might be included and how they might be portrayed. We then plan to have an exhibition of the first-stage design ideas so that everyone can see what is planned. A professional artist will develop the overall image but there will be space within it for “mini-murals”, developing an interpretation of particular events or individuals from the rich fabric of our history. Two of those mini-murals will be by the children whose entries won our “Paint the Pug” competition. We expect to be putting paint on the walls from late Spring next year. Before that, a great deal of work is needed to ensure that we produce a truly relevant piece of work that is both historically accurate and genuinely high quality. Meeting those criteria means that the tunnel art should become a destination in its own right – as well as a record-breaker. Fundraising is beginning. Creating a high quality, relevant, long-lasting artwork requires a professional heritage interpreter and top muralists; materials that will safeguard the tunnel’s brickwork, and plans to protect and maintain the finished mural. That costs money, and we are applying to a wide range of funding agencies, charitable trusts, corporate sponsors and the local community. Do you want a lasting memory of a friend or relative? Sponsoring a section of the mural could be the way to have their picture incorporated into the mural. Visit our website, “Like” us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to see the really big picture! This article was contributed by Mike Scott of the Colinton Tunnel Mural Project. www.colintontunnel.org.uk.The Colinton Tunnel is a Scottish Charity, SC048476. THE DELL | 9
10 | THE DELL
@KonectMagazines
@KonectMagazines
THE DELL | 11
For a FREE no obligation quote please contact:
0131 478 7339
www.kitchenspainted.com
33 East Main Street, Broxburn, EH52BEFORE 5AB
12 | THE DELL
AFTER
@KonectMagazines
R E PA I R S , S A L E S , S PA R E S & S E R V I C I N G Full supply, delivery and installations of new integrated and free standing appliances Washing Machines • Cookers • Tumble Dryers Dishwashers • Vaccum Cleaners We repair & service all of the major brands: • Bosch • Hoover • Hotpoint • Beko • Neff • Siemens • Lamona • And many more Email: appliancesofedinburgh@hotmail.com Web: www.appliancesofedinburgh.co.uk
@KonectMagazines
400 Lanark Road West, Currie
THE DELL | 13
BILL REID & SON
DOMESTIC HEATING & PLUMBING 0131 449 5538 07710 458739 2 Turner Avenue Balerno
WEIR GAS SERVICES Former Scottish Gas engineer
Tel:
07981 366 988
Central heating - service, repairs Gas fires, cookers, hobs installation, service & repairs General Plumbing services Garden taps, washing machines, dishwashers Landlord safety inspections email : lesweir@blueyonder.co.uk
14 | THE DELL
Currievale Drainage Services
24 hour call outs Family business, over 20 yrs experience Reliable and no job too small All blockages cleared: Drains, toilets, sinks, baths & showers Call Alexander:
07849 393364 • 0131 449 3071 Currievale Drive, Currie
@KonectMagazines
@KonectMagazines
THE DELL | 15
HEALTH
This condition is estimated to affect 1 in 20 people in the UK at some point in their life, usually when aged between 40 and 60. It will affect more women than men. It is more common in people who have Diabetes or who have problems with their Thyroid. It has “Frozen” in its title but has nothing to do with winter. It’s a “Frozen Shoulder” and it can also be called an “Adhesive Capsulitis.” Our shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint which is surrounded by sleeve called the capsule. This tissue has to be very flexible to allow us to reach forwards, backwards or out sideways. For some reason, and it is not known exactly why, the capsule becomes inflamed and then thickened. This causes the classic three stages of a Frozen Shoulder. 1. “FREEZING” - For no particular reason the shoulder and upper arm will start to become sore. It can be particularly painful to lie on at night. You will notice pain on movements, especially on rotating your shoulder, which we have to do to put a jacket on. This inflammatory stage can last from 2 – 9 months. 16 | THE DELL
2. “FROZEN” - This can last from 4 – 12 months and is where the shoulder becomes less painful but movements become more restricted as the capsule thickens. 3. “THAWING” - The pain fades and movement begins to return which can take 4 months to several years. These stages are not always easy to distinguish as they can merge into each other. The good news is that a frozen shoulder will almost always get better on its own, but it may take 2 years or more to do so. There are treatments that can help, however, as yet there is no overall consensus on which treatment option is the best way to manage this condition but research is continuing. The aim of treatment in stage 1 is to relieve pain. This is where your GP or local Pharmacist can help with medication. It is sensible in the early stages to try to avoid the movements which cause most pain but do keep the shoulder moving. If tablets are not controlling pain, and particularly if you are having a lot of shoulder pain at night, your GP may offer an injection of Corticosteroids into the shoulder to help reduce pain and inflammation. During stage 2 and stage 3, physiotherapy can be most useful. Treatment can include mobilisation techniques, active exercises and stretches to help movement return plus exercises to help regain muscle strength. In fact, recent evidence suggests that strengthening exercises are the most beneficial. A Frozen shoulder is not an easy condition to live with as a tight painful shoulder can be very debilitating. Remember that it will get better and that there are positive things that you can do at home to help. If you have any questions about what to do for the best, just ask. The health column is contributed by McNaughton Physiogrange, Edinburgh www.physiogrange.co.uk @KonectMagazines
HEALTH
Don’t be scared of Scabies!
Scabies is very common and there has been a dramatic rise of cases in Edinburgh over the last few months. Anyone can get it as it’s very infectious and easily spread. It has nothing to do with poor hygiene. One of the first symptoms is intense itching followed by a rash of tiny red spots. However in the elderly there can be an atypical presentation without any itching, just a mild rash which can be in a hard to see area like the back or even the scalp. This can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. It can be easily treated with two full body applications of a special insecticide cream carried out one week apart. If you have any concerns that you may have Scabies please contact me for a confidential consultation. As a Registered Nurse specialising in the care of older adults I can carry out the required treatment in the privacy of your own home’ Contributed by Judith Mclean of Colinton Homecare @KonectMagazines
THE DELL | 17
18 | THE DELL
@KonectMagazines
@KonectMagazines
THE DELL | 19
4 Main Street, Balerno, Edinburgh, EH14 7EH
E: info@artisdental.co.uk T: 0131 466 8206
www.artisdental.co.uk
Facial Aesthetic Treatments 2
AL FES TIV CI
R JA N U A
Y
S PE
EO
EN D
FF ER
0
OFF%
IL UNT
Artis Dental & Implant Studio is now offering a wide range of Facial Aesthetics treatments in our new Beauty room, including; anti-wrinkle injections, lip fillers, jaw, chin and cheek contouring, botox to treat teeth grinding, facials such as Dermaplaning and much more!
BEFORE
AFTER
To redeem this offer, please bring along this advert or quote code: K111296 when booking.
Free consultations and late Tuesday night appointments available General & Cosmetic Dentistry - Facial Aesthetics - Implants - Orthodontics - Dental Hygiene
Ground floor access & ample parking available Open 8am - 8pm Mon to Fri
Beauty Therapy By Rhona Sparkle this Xmas and get party-ready with these treatment offers: H LVL - Lengthen, volumise and lift your lashes to achieve a fabulous look! We promise, your friends will notice the difference! £40.00 just £35.00 H HD Brows - Add extra definition to your eye area! £20.00 just £15.00
Patch test required at least 48 hours beforehand for the above treatments
H CND Shellac Manicure £20.00 just £15.00 H CND Shellac Pedicure £22.00 just £17.00 H Vinylux Luxury Manicure £25.00 just £20.00 H Vinylux Luxury Pedicure £27.00 just £22.00 Mix and match the nail treatments for just £30.00! Gift Vouchers also available! Why not get your friends together this Christmas with one of Beauty by Rhona's
pamper parties.
The host receives a complimentary treatment with a party of 5 friends.
Call to book an appointment 07801 946785 e: rhonabell-scott@hotmail.co.uk 14 Currievale Drive, Currie, EH14 5RN
22 | THE DELL
@KonectMagazines
LYNNE’S COLUMN
“So here it is, Merry Christmas!” Well, OK, it’s only just turned December but it’s close enough! I absolutely love Christmas. I’ve never lost the childlike excitement of putting up the tree, seeing festive lights and decorations appear in homes and workplaces and the glorious feeling of cosying up with a hot drink under the soft twinkle of fairy lights. My earliest memories of Christmas involve waking up early and feeling for my stocking at the foot of my bed then excitedly excavating its contents – maybe some chocolate, comics, bubble bath and, of course, an apple and an orange. We didn’t have special, made-forChristmas stockings but used my Dad’s “seaboot stockings” - chunky knit oversized socks for wearing under waders or wellies when fishing – the biggest socks we had in the house! I’m old enough to remember waking up to hear Slade’s “Merry Xmas, Everybody!” on the radio the first time around (Christmas no. 1 in 1973, pop trivia fans!) and that song has captured the fun and excitement for me ever since, reminding me of countless Christmas Days and parties. As a child I would help hang up the Christmas cards using the special striped string with mini red and green pegs that my Mum kept in an old tobacco tin. We’d tack @KonectMagazines
tissue paper “deccies” on the ceiling then have competitions to see how many times you could get a balloon to bounce through the hanging loops. On Christmas morning I’d help to make trifle, something that I still enjoy doing now. The smell of sponge cake and fruit soaking up sherry mingled with molten strawberry jelly captures the essence of every Christmas I can recall! Undoubtedly, Christmas is super exciting when we’re very young or have young children around to share it with. I remember feeling a glow of absolute delight on my son’s first Christmas knowing that, even at only a few weeks old, he had injected a fresh dose of magic to this time of year that would last for many, many years to come. The true magic of Christmas is being able to spend time with family and friends and embrace our own traditions, some timeless and some brand new, but each one imprinting happy memories on our minds. We’re so lucky to live in Colinton as we can enjoy “Christmas on the Corner” as part of our family tradition - where else can you pat alpacas whilst
chatting to Santa and enjoying a mulled wine with friends and neighbours in your local community? As the year closes out, I’d like to take this chance to wish all our readers a wonderful festive season. It has been my absolute pleasure to write this column throughout 2018 and I look forward to sharing more memories and musings with you all in 2019. For now, though, “It’s Christmas!”* Have an amazing one! * To be shouted in the style of Slade’s Noddy Holder! Lynne lives in Colinton with her husband and two children. She dreams of making a living from writing when she grows up, but mostly just tries to avoid growing up! THE DELL | 23
CLEANING & MAINTENANCE • Rhone Cleaning & Repairs (cast iron or plastic) • Roof Repairs (tiles or slates) • Moss Removal • Pressure Washing
Call Kerr Middleton on: 0131 334 2080 | 07768 632 867 FREE Estimates & advice given Over 35 years experience
IAN HODGSON & CO PAINTERS & DECORATORS Established 1980
We offer a complete decorating service. All our tradesmen have City & Guilds and are fully insured.
For a quotation without obligation from your local decorator Phone 0131 441 6524 Where Quality Counts!
8 Fernielaw Avenue Edinburgh EH13 0EE Tel: 0131 441 6524 Mobile: 07876377738 Email: hodgson.ian@btinternet.com Website: www.ianhodgsonpaintersanddecorators.co.uk
24 | THE DELL
@KonectMagazines
@KonectMagazines
THE DELL | 25
SMC JOINERY 07884 203 957 OXGANGS FARM LOAN, EDINBURGH, EH13 9QD
• Supply and Fit Kitchens • Maintenance / Letting Work • All joinery work undertaken • Kitchens • Windows • Doors • Skirting • Facings • Ceilings • Roofs • Decking • Fencing • Double Glazing • FREE ESTIMATE • ALL TRADES SUPPLIED • FULLY INSURED
Get in touch: 0131 466 3494 E: smcjoinery@hotmail.co.uk
26 | THE DELL
@KonectMagazines
THE SEASONAL TOUCH
Thinking of buying some new Christmas decorations? All those cheerful colours and twinkling lights! They create such a cosy space, don’t they? Over the coming weeks, we become so used to seeing them throughout our home that come the first week in January, when they all have to come down again, we mourn their passing with cries of ‘Everything looks so bare!’ Instead of buying more Christmas accessories and decorations which are limited to being displayed for only a few weeks, why not consider finding ‘winter’ themed decorations to add to your collection? A cushion emblazoned with an image of Santa Claus has a definite expiration date of 12th night, whereas a cute and cosy winter birds cushion can stay out on the sofa until the first snowdrops of spring appear. It’s all about celebrating the season. Go ahead and enjoy your tree and a sprinkling of specific Christmas accents, but ‘winter’ accessories you can enjoy throughout the rest of the season? Now that’s much better value for money! What works all winter? Here are just a couple of ideas. 1. Lots of faux fur or chunky knit cushions and throws work well. They create a feeling of abundance - a great antidote to the apparent stark scarcity of January and February. 2. Twinkle lights - not just for Christmas! Don’t pack them all away, instead add a string of @KonectMagazines
lights on their own or with some pine cones in a vase. They’re sure to brighten up any gloomy winter corner.
3. Synonymous with breathtaking winter landscapes, stags and reindeer are still a very popular design element at this time of year. As long as yours aren’t the flying sort with a big, red nose, they can stay! 4. Winter wall art - Do you have a line from a favourite song, a winter quote or some wintery photographs you could make into some wall art? With multiple options for printing from the likes of photobox.com or notonthehighstreet.com it’s easy to create and personalise your own art. 5. I’d argue that snowmen can stay too as long as they’re not too ‘Christmassy’ looking. I mean snow in Jan/Feb? That’s pretty seasonal! When shopping for new accessories to add to your collection, just ask yourself ‘Could I still display this in January? February?’ When it’s time to take down the decorations you’ll be glad you did! Lynn McMurray - Enthusiast of all things ‘home’ and owner at The Seasonal Touch. www.theseasonaltouch.co.uk THE DELL | 27
Keith Wales WINDOW CLEANING
Reliable 4 weekly service
0131 449 4379 • 07895 916800
www.kwaleswindowcleaning.co.uk
28 | THE DELL
@KonectMagazines
@KonectMagazines
THE DELL | 29
Currievale
Plumbing & Drainage Services Family Business over 15 years experience Reliable, experienced, local plumber.
No job too small. All work guaranteed • Gutter cleaning • Blocked drains • Blocked toilets • Blocked sinks & baths • Outside tap fitted • Blocked Manholes • Burst pipes • Shower fitted & repaired • Storage tanks • New taps fitted & repaired • New installations • All Plumbing work carried out Tel: 0131 449 3071 Mob: 07849 393 364
30 | THE DELL
@KonectMagazines
g w. ww
David J Lane Painting & Decoration Services
i ra
01506 336446 07787 597382
g. in bl ar m ng ni
m co
GERRY AITKEN
Painter & Decorator Juniper Green
Get in touch for a FREE Estimate: T: 07798 565 321 • E: junigig@aol.com
morningside
electrical Domestic, Commercial and Industrial
We provide free fixed price quotations Please contact us for more information
0131 669 5906 info@smartheatingedinburgh.co.uk www.smartheatingedinburgh.co.uk
Rewires and Repairs Emergency Call Out Lighting Installation Emergency Lighting Security Alarms Fault Finding Electric Showers & Heating Inspections and Testing Fuse Board Upgrades Garden Lighting
email: contact@morningsideelectrical.com www.morningsideelectrical.com Telephone:
@KonectMagazines
0752 546 7200 THE DELL | 31
THE BRIDGE INN AT RATHO
TUESDAY 4TH DECEMBER Coo Clayton at Colinton Library - Colinton Library is delighted to be hosting fantastic local children’s author Coo Clayton for a free children’s event! Coo will be joining us in the library for a fun-filled storytelling session at 10.30am. For more details please contact the library on 529 5603.
SATURDAY 8 DECEMBER Redhall Walled Garden Winter Open Day - Join us for a wonderful afternoon in a beautiful winter wonderland garden. Spot the Snowman quiz, cream teas, children’s crafts, holly wreaths for sale. Entry by donation, in aid of Scottish Association for Mental Health. 97 Lanark Road, Edinburgh, EH14 2LZ TH
SANTA BREAKFASTS: Meet Santa and his elves for fun and games, craft activities and photos. Full Scottish breakfast, or mouth-watering home-made pancakes with maple syrup will keep tummies full as Santa and the elves spread their festive cheer. 8TH, 9TH, 15TH, 16TH, 21TH, 22TH, 23TH & 24TH Dec, two sittings, 9.30am & 11am. Tickets £15 per person. Opening weekend, December 8TH & 9TH, tickets £12 per person. To book call 0131 333 1320 or email info@bridgeinn.com. For more information visit www.bridgeinn.com
SUNDAY 9TH DECEMBER Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre: Christmas Fayre Santa’s Grotto £1.50, disco, crafts, cakes, magician and more! £1 entry. 1pm-4pm. 71 Firhill Drive, EH13 9EU. WEDNESDAY 12TH DECEMBER Christmas on the Corner - Featuring the Alpaca Atrium. Santa’s Grotto & post box, mulled wine, cider & mince pies, tombola and raffle. Dell Room, Colinton Parish Church, 6 – 8pm.
WEDNESDAY 12TH & THURSDAY 13TH DECEMBER The Pentland Singers “Sing Noel!” - Celebrate Christmas with the Pentland Singers. Tickets £10 available from Currie Post Office, choir members or website. Get in the mood for Christmas with a mixture of old favourites and well-known contemporary festive songs. Conducted by Michael Ferguson and featuring Jessica Leary with the Pentland Junior Singers. Raffle and Refreshments. Balerno High School, 7.30pm.
SUNDAY 16TH DECEMBER Carols in Currie - Gibson Craig Hall, Currie at 7.00pm led by Currie Community High School S5/6 Choir and Currie Community Choir. Free admission but come early due to likely demand for seats.
SUNDAY 16TH DECEMBER The Colinton & Merchiston Choir presents a Christmas Concert - A performance of J. H. Maunder’s “Bethlehem”will be complemented by Adolphe Adam’s “O Holy Night” and John Rutter’s “Angels’ Carol”. The venue is the magnificent Memorial Hall at Merchiston Castle School, 294 Colinton Road. 7.20pm. Admission is free, with tea and coffee provided after the concert. Please join us for an evening of Christmas music - all welcome! www.colintonchoir.org
MONDAY, 17TH DECEMBER The Wise Men - Family musical, with puppets, in the Gibson Craig Hall, 156 Lanark Road West, Currie at 6.30pm. Free tickets available from Currie Kirk Office, Gibson Craig Hall or Molly’s Deli, Juniper Green.
32 | THE DELL
WANT TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT HERE? COMMUNITY AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT LISTINGS ARE FREE OF CHARGE.
EMAIL EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT BY 15TH OF THE MONTH FOR FOLLOWING MONTH’S ISSUE.
@KonectMagazines
• Carpet cleaning • Rug cleaning • Upholstery cleaning • Blind cleaning
Call us 0131 334 2080 Quick drying carpets and upholstery Same day blind cleaning available
www.cwcleaningservices.co.uk
@KonectMagazines
THE DELL | 33
CHARITY OF THE MONTH
“ The aim of the Dignity Box is to promote self-worth and dignity by allowing those in need to take what they cannot afford, without having to ask or thank anyone.”
“I’d like people to be able to have essential toiletries and personal hygiene products without having to ask, and without needing to thank anyone” says Isabel Dosser, a Livingston resident who is rather surprised to find herself at the helm of a new charity which is set to grow massively in 2019. Isabel is a lecturer in nursing at Edinburgh Napier University, where she has worked for 15 years after a 30 year career in nursing, specialising in palliative care. She is very wellversed in issues of care, dignity and choice. “During a nursing conference in April this year, I attended a workshop on poverty. Someone in the group mentioned a box they have at their organisation where women can help themselves to free sanitary products. And the thought just lingered with me.” Isabel is retiring next year and wanted a small project to set up to give something back to the community. “The idea of the box of free products kept coming back to me. I knew that sanitary products are now freely available in many places, so I decided on boxes of other basic hygiene products, to be made available on a self-serve basis in areas of the Lothians where people are experiencing hardship and deprivation.” Speaking with the Foodbank, the clothing bank and other organisations, it was clear that no-one else was focussing on toiletries, and people were generally receptive to the idea. So Isabel drew up a proposal for the project and presented to it to her employer, Edinburgh Napier University, who were very supportive.
Isobel
34 | THE DELL
Isabel managed to get local supermarkets to donate the boxes themselves; Edinburgh Napier University promoted Dignity Boxes internally, agreed to collections points at each of their three campuses, and arranged an official launch and publicity. With donations of products in from the university collection points, Isabel was soon ready to put the first box out in the community. Social Bite in Edinburgh were keen to take it; and on @KonectMagazines
launch day in mid September Isabel found herself and her project in the local press and on Forth Radio. Since then, the uptake and requests have been almost overwhelming. “There is clearly a need for this that wasn’t being filled. It would be easy to get distracted onto lots of other products, but we are keeping the focus on just these six toiletry items.” Each box contains around 20 products, including shampoo/conditioner, shower gel, soap, shaving foam, deodorant, toothpaste/ toothbrushes. The boxes are placed with organisations where people can discreetly help themselves, and are refilled monthly. With an instinct for business that is going to stand this charity in good stead, Isabel has assembled a board of directors for Dignity Boxes, and is in the process of applying for registered charity status which will allow them to take monetary donations too. Monetary donations will enable them to establish a website, reimburse fuel expenses for volunteers who refill the boxes and collect donations and so on. And at some point she will need to look at premises, as her home is quickly becoming overrun with donated products! Isabel’s family have thrown themselves into it too, with her husband in charge of the stock control spreadsheet at home, and each of their three adult children contributing ideas, suggestions and support. Isabel has a waiting list of organisations who have requested a box. She wants to ensure she can sustain the ones she has out first of all, with regular refills. If you can help at all, please see the information in the sidebar (right) and get in touch with Isabel, so that she can ensure the organisations on the waiting list receive their box quickly! This article was contributed by Helen-Jane Shearer after meeting with Isabel Dosser. Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect magazines and lives in West Lothian with her family. @KonectMagazines
Donate! Donations of shampoo/conditioner, shower gel, soap, shaving foam, deodorant, toothpaste and toothbrushes are needed. You don’t need to spend more than a pound or two; just pop an extra shower gel or toothpaste in your regular grocery shopping and it will make all the difference. DROP-OFF POINTS: • Edinburgh Napier Merchiston Campus • Edinburgh Napier Craiglockhart Campus • Edinburgh Napier Sighthill Campus • The Beauty Box (Bathgate) • Personal Design Studio (Mid Calder) • Dedridge Dental Practice (Livingston) Or, please contact Isabel and she will collect your donation. If your organisation can be a drop off point for donations, please get in touch as more donation points are needed – anywhere in the Lothians.
Volunteer! Volunteers are needed to collect products from donation points and to develop relationships with organisations who have boxes, and to top up the boxes monthly. Also if you can contribute skills such as website design, social media, fundraising, please contact Isabel. Facebook: @DignityBoxes Email: i.dosser@napier.ac.uk Dignity Boxes is awaiting its SCIO registration number.
A Sample Box THE DELL | 35
WIN! A pair of tickets to Edinburgh MagicFest’s futuristic magic show ‘The Miracle of Christmas Future”
This Christmas, Edinburgh MagicFest present The Miracle of Christmas Future, a collaboration between Scottish magicianscientist hybrid Kevin Quantum, and hightech Swedish wizard Charlie Caper. Age-old sleight of hand is fused with state-of-the-art technology, and phenomenal illusions with incredible science, to create a glimpse of a world not too far away from our own. There will be levitations, predictions, misdirection, innovation, science-fiction and science-fact, blended together with expert showmanship from two performers at the top of their game. This show is for magic fans, Christmas fans, future fans, sci-fi fans… for humans who want a special festive experience that will blow their minds and leave them smiling as they float out of the door. 27th - 30th December 2018 @ The Traverse, Edinburgh. Shows at 2.00pm & 7.00pm Tickets: £22, £20 (conc), £15 (u5’s) Book at www.magicfest.co.uk To win a pair of tickets to the show on 27th December 2018 at 7pm, simply answer the following question: What country is Charlie Caper from? Email your answer, along with your name and postcode, to win@konect.scot Closing date for entries 15th December. Winner will be chosen at random after the closing date and informed via the email address used to enter. See www.magicfest.co.uk for more information on the festival, and their free exhibition of photographic illusions “Now You See It, Now You Don’t” at the Scottish Storytelling Centre/ Museum of Childhood, 13 December 2018 - 26 January 2019 (check website for exact opening hours during holiday season)
36 | THE DELL
@KonectMagazines
CLUBS & CLASSES
SPORTS, HOBBIES, LEARNING, SUPPORT GROUPS & MORE... LITTLE STEPS Baby and Toddler Group, Weds 10am – 11.30am (term times). Play, Bible stories, crafts, singing, snacks for kids, coffee and homebaking. St John’s Colinton Mains Church, 223 Oxgangs Road North. See facebook: St John’s Colinton Mains EDINBURGH LINUS GROUP We are a small group who meet every second Tuesday afternoon in the Pentland Community centre and make quilts and incubator covers for the Sick Kid’s Hospital. New members are always welcome. More information from alisonjdunlop@yahoo.co.uk
COLINTON & MERCHISTON CHOIR Amateur choral society, performing two concerts per year. We meet in the Music Department at Merchiston Castle School, Mondays 7.30pm to 9pm. All ages welcome, no audition required. Annual membership subscription of £35.00, which includes the hire of music. For more information, please visit www.colintonchoir.org
HATHA YOGA Colinton Parish Church - Redford Room, Dell Road on Wednesdays 7pm 8.30pm. For more details please email june4yoga@btinternet.com or call 07730 130435 FRIENDLY BRIDGE Colinton Cottage Homes - 15 Thorburn Road, Colinton. Every Tues 2-4pm. Contact Ken McLeod, tel 0131 466 0888.
COLINTON BADMINTON CLUB St. Cuthberts Church Hall, Westgarth Ave - Monday 8pm-10pm from Sept to March. Contact: Archie Clark on 0131 449 4703 STABLE ROOM PLAYGROUPS Colinton Parish Church, Dell Road - Happy and stimulating playgroups from 2-5 years old. Mon, Weds & Fri 9.15am to 12.00pm. (term time). Claire Pope on 07966 627756. STABLE ROOM & TODDLER GROUPS Colinton Parish Church, Dell Road - Thurs 9.30am - 11.30am (term time). Contact: Sarah Yule on 07850 195334. Please phone before coming as we operate a waiting list.
PROGRESS FITNESS Fitness classes in Colinton and Juniper Green. Zumba, Zumba Step, Zumba Gold, Floor Barre, Yoga, Fitness Yoga and Total Body Conditioning. £5 per class or 10 classes for £45. For full details go to www.progressfitness.co.uk
@KonectMagazines
COMPLIMENTARY FITNESS CLASSES All level classes Tues: Fitness Pilates 7.30pm in Craiglockhart Church Hall & Classes in Dreghorn Loan Church Hall, Colinton, on Weds: Fitness Toning 9.30am Thurs: Fitness Yoga 6.35pm & Fitness Pilates 7.30pm. Fri: Fitness Yoga 9.30am info & details www.complementaryfitness.co.uk COLINTON GARDEN CLUB Dreghorn Loan Hall - Meets 4th Monday of every month at 8.00pm. September to April. Email: membership@colintongardens.org. uk Email: www.colintongardens. org.uk
BIDE & BLETHER LUNCH CLUB Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre, 71 Firrhill Drive, Edinburgh EH13 9EU - Every Wednesday from 1.30pm to 3pm, starting from 7th June. Call us today to book your place on 0131 466 0678.
CRAIGLOCKHART CHURCH GUILD Craiglockhart Church, Craiglockhart Drive North, EH14 1HS. We meet in Centenary Hall at 7.30 pm on 1st & 3rd Tuesdays from October to March to encourage men and women in their faith while hearing interesting talks, having fun and finishing with a chat over tea and coffee. Everyone most welcome. COLINTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY Dreghorn Loan Hall Want to know about local history! We meet every other Monday evening in the Hall with Speakers starting at 8pm prompt. Visit www.colintonhistory.org.uk or contact Bob Bell at 0131 441 4915. EDINBURGH GUILD OF WEAVERS, SPINNERS AND DYERS Craiglockhart Church, Craiglockhart Drive North - Meet at monthly usually the third Saturday of the month. Our aims are to further the crafts of weaving, spinning and dyeing, to learn from each other as well as from experienced craft tutors, and to create opportunities to display and pass on our skills. See www.ewsd.org.uk WEDNESDAY WALKING GROUP Meet every Wednesday for walks in the Lothians, Fife, the Borders and further afield. Transport from Currie Library car park, walks of various grades and distances (usually 6 to 8 miles). Just turn up and go. Contact: M. Timmins T: 0131 449 4525 or A
Blythe T:0131 629 3644 (Balerno and District Ramblers) for details and a programme. SISTERS WITH SPIRIT Swing Café at Colinton Parish Church A new women’s group that meet on the first Thursday every month at 7.30pm. For more details on the themes for our meetings, and to book tickets, please visit facebook. com/sisterswithspirit or call 0131 441 2232.
GO GET FITNESS Insanity Live classes - Max Interval Training for all fitness levels. Mon 8pm Spylaw Park, Colinton. Tues 8.15pm Pentland Community Centre. Thurs 1pm, Fri 9.40am North Merchiston Club (parents welcome to bring children to watch!) £5 per class or block of 10 classes for £40 For bookings and further details: emma@go-get.co.uk Visit: www.go-get.co.uk or facebook.com/gogetinsanitylive
7th EDINBURGH BOYS BRIGADE Co. We welcome boys of all school ages, from Primary 1 to S6 - For a real variety of fun, games, activities, outings & competitions. Most Friday evenings during school term at Dreghorn Loan Hall, Dreghorn Loan. Alastair Merrill (Company Captain); ajsmerrill@ gmail.com; 0131 477 3982; 07766 246880. Martin Shand (P1 – P6); martinshand74@gmail.com; 0131 441 9149; 07860 368285.
COLINTON LITERARY SOCIETY Dreghorn Loan Hall - Meets every Wednesday at 8pm from 11 October. Keep up to date with latest news about the Lit, on Church website www.colinton-parish.com
CRAIGLOCKHART LADIES GROUP Craiglockhart Parish Church - We meet at 8pm on the second and fourth Mondays, September to March, to hear a variety of speakers on diverse subjects and to meet up for tea/ coffee and a chat. £25 membership. All welcome. TO INCLUDE YOUR CLUB OR CLASS, PLEASE EMAIL DETAILS TO EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT CHARITY AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS ARE FREE. THERE IS A SMALL CHARGE FOR OTHER LISTINGS. SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION. WWW.KONECT.SCOT
THE DELL | 37
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
AERIALS & SATELLITE Douglas Mackay Aerial and Satellite 26 APPLIANCE REPAIRS Appliances of Edinburgh 13 BATHROOMS & KITCHENS Ian Merriman 12 Splash Bathrooms 11 Paragon Bathroom Solutions 2 Taylor Property 10 BEAUTICIAN Beauty Therapy by Rhona 22 BOILER SERVICES Smart Heating Edinburgh 31 The Gas Engineer 24 BUILDER Almond Building Company 14 Dean Jones Building Services 30 CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING CW Services 33 CHILDREN’S NURSERY Colinton Private Nursery 33 CLEANING: HOUSE / OFFICE Urban Cocoon 26 COMPUTER/PHONE REPAIRS Colinton PC Solutions 36 Worx24 21 CURTAINS & BLINDS Blind Design 26 DENTIST Artis Dental and Implant Studio 22 Seven Hills Dental Practice 5 DRAINAGE SERVICES Currievale Drainage 14 DRIVEWAYS AND PAVING Alpine Paving 30 ELECTRICIAN Bry-Ter Electrical 6 Morningside Electrical 31 MT Electrical 29 Spark Electrical Solutions 25 ESTATE AGENT Blair Cadell Solicitors 15 EXTERIOR CLEANING Cleaning & Maintenance 24 FIREPLACES/WOODBURNERS Fireplaces, Stoves and Flues 24 GARDEN CENTRE Riccarton Garden Centre 7 GARDEN DESIGN / MAINTENANCE Evergreen Balerno 28 Greenspace Landscapes 28 GARDEN FURNITURE AND BUILDINGS Champfleurie Estate 20 GLAZING REPAIRS DGR Double Glazing Repairs 11
38 | THE DELL
HAIR SALON TAXI & PRIVATE HIRE Colinton Hair Design 22 Capital Cars 11 HANDYMAN TREE CARE SERVICES Mr Handyman Edinburgh 7 Evergreen Tree Surgery 29 We Can Do It 36 HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP/ WINDOW CLEANER ACTIVITY Keith Wales Window Cleaner 28 Cheyne Gang 18 HOME CARE Colinton Homecare 17 THE DELL DIRECTORY JOINERY Liberton Joinery 15 SMC Joinery 26 SOLUTIONS LOCKSMITH CVC Locksmiths and Security 29 MARKETING / LEAFLETING The Leaflet Lady 40 SOLUTION TO NOVEMBER MEMBER OF SCOTTISH CROSSWORD PARLIAMENT Gordon Macdonald MSP 33 MOBILITY SERVICES Ableworld 19 MUSIC LESSONS Poco Musicians 33 PAINTING & DECORATING Gerry Aitken 31 Heritage Decorators 25 Ian Hodgson Decorators 24 Lane Decor 31 Lewis Arthur Decorating Services 12 PHYSIOTHERAPY Physio Grange 17 PLASTERING Self Employed Plasterer 10 ACROSS: 7. Organisations, 8. Membrane, 9. Harp, 10. Schools, PLUMBING & HEATING SERVICES 12. Ashes, 14. Crabs, 16. Streets, 19. Bill Reid & Son 14 Zinc, 20. Politely, 22. Communication Currievale Plumbing & DOWN: 1. Free, 2. Bamboo, 3. Finally, Drainage 30 4. Caged, 5. Wishes, 6. Angriest, Geoff Lennie Plumbing & 11. Corridor, 13. Italics, 15. Become, 17. Estate, 18. Opens, 21. Lion Heating 4 McLellan Plumbing 31 Owen Gibb Plumbing & Heating 28 Disclaimer: The publisher cannot accept Scott Findlay Plumbing & responsibility for loss or damage caused Heating Engineers 13 by error in the printing of an advertisement. Shandon Plumbing 30 We do not endorse any advertisers in Weir Plumbing Heating and this publication. All material is accepted Gas Services 14 for publication on the understanding it is copyright free. No part of this publication RESTAURANT Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher. West 6 Publisher: Lothian Publications Ltd. ROOFING Dell Roofing 15 Geddes House, Kirkton North, Livingston, Edinburgh Roofing Services 39 West Lothian EH54 6GU. Fairmile Roofing 14 Magazine Design: Universal Appeal Ltd. Pentland Roofing 4 M: 07729 911858 Thomson Roofing Services 29 W: www.universal-appeal.com E: info@universal-appeal.com Worlds End Roofing and Building 6
@KonectMagazines
