PLUS: puzzles, hEALTH, Garden Project, and many more LOCAL FEATURES inside! CHARITY:
SPOTLIGHT:
to the first issue of Konect, a new community magazine for Queensferry, Kirkliston and Winchburgh.
We’ve been producing this magazine in neighbouring communities for some years where it’s become a favourite in local households, with specially-written articles on local people and history, as well as regular columns by local writers on food, homes, health, businesses and more. The aim is to celebrate all things local and to provide a platform for charities and community groups to publicise themselves. We find the positive stories to share because positive doesn’t get enough airtime elsewhere.
We kick off the charity feature with Andy’s Man Club. It’s okay to talk – but how easy is it to actually find someone you’re comfortable talking to? This seems particularly challenging for men, which is why Andy’s Man Club is growing at such a rapid rate. A national charity but with groups locally, there is one starting in Kirkliston in September, and already several within easy reach of home or work. See the feature on pages 8-10.
The local business spotlight shines on Kirkliston-based vets Mackie & Brechin –they really are vets with a difference, see the feature on page 14. We’re also excited about a new distillery producing whisky and rum in the historic village of Blackness. Read about Blackness Bay Distillery on page 5. They offer quirky and original tours with the option to eat at the renowned Lobster Pot afterwards.
We’ve put together a page of what’s on and a list of clubs and classes in the area. I’m sure there’s more going on than we’ve listed, so if you have an event coming up in the autumn that you would like to promote, or you run a community club, please let me know and we’ll make sure it’s included next issue.
Konect will be delivered to you free of charge every month. I hope you enjoy the magazine as much as I enjoy putting it together! Thank you for supporting local businesses and organisations.
All enquiries, E: M: editor@konect.scot 07854 492638
COVER IMAGE: Going through a storm? Come along to Andy’s Man Club - See p8-10 for more.
to 7500 households in Queensferry, Kirkliston and Winchburgh.
are also left at libraries, community centres and other locations throughout the area.
Blackness Bay Distillery is a newly opened craft business in the oldest building in Blackness on Sea village. We are a family-run business committed to the culture, history and traditions of the area.
The distillery produces whisky and rum in traditional twin copper stills in the time-honoured way, using Scottish malted barley from Alloa to produce single malt, single cask batches of whisky each with its individual characteristics. Our rums are produced directly from raw sugar cane molasses. These are fermented and distilled adding spices and botanicals to produce a range of rums including Flower of Scotland Pink Rum containing rose petals,
heather buds, and thistle flowers; a Jacobite Dark Spiced “Outlandish “ Rum; a white Blackness Bay Navy Rum; and Oak Aged Rum.
After some hesitation by the authorities, the distillery has recently been granted the trademark “Mary Queen of Scotch “ for its single malt Scotch whisky, which is currently maturing in oak barrels in our cellars.
We specialise in unique quirky tours of our distillery culminating if required in a meal at our award-winning pub/restaurant, The Lobster Pot, already well-known for its seafood. Tours include the history of the locality, its Jacobite connections and association with Mary Queen of Scots. Visitors also learn about the history of craft distilling in Scotland and see how it is still conducted lagely unchanged.
Perfect for parties, locals and visitors alike. Book now at www.blacknessbaydistillery.co.uk
Blackness Bay Distillery, Shore Road, Blackness on Sea, Linlithgow, EH49 7NL
“Blackness
Bay Distillery”
SMALL AD
BIG Impact
To be included in Konect, please contact us. Our details are on page 3.
Monday evenings between 7pm and 9pm: the time when men are most vulnerable to losing their lives by suicide.
So discovered the founders of Andy’s Man Club, a club set up initially for male suicide prevention, and which has rapidly become much broader than that.
Andy’s Man Club meets at an ever-increasing number of towns and villages across Scotland, every Monday night from 7pm to 9pm.
It’s a place where men can come and talk about absolutely anything that is bothering them. Work, debt, relationships, health, loneliness, and all the feelings that culturally you’ve been conditioned to believe you should just deal with alone.
While it’s hard to say with any certainty why male suicide is much higher than female, it’s thought that men’s reluctance or inability to talk about their struggles is a major contributing factor.
Andy’s Man Club provides a space to talk in a safe, sympathetic and non-judgemental environment alongside other men who have taken exactly that same step through the venue door on a Monday night.
“ I hit rock bottom at Christmas last year, my world as I knew it fell apart. I started going to Andy’s Man Club in the new year. It was one of the hardest things that I have ever done! But I am glad to say that it has been one of the best. Listening to each different guy’s story has given me a new perspective and outlook. It has given me the context that I needed to gather my thoughts and prepare for my next chapter with positivity ”
“The more we can normalise talking about things, the better,” says Alex McClintock, Head of Groups in Scotland.
A, has been attending Andy’s Man Club since January 2024
“Despite a lot of progress in recent years, men are still expected to be the strong one, to “man up,” deal with their problems alone and not show their feelings. If you’re a certain age you may remember as a kid being threatened, ‘If you cry, I’ll give you something to cry about!’ and there are elements of this attitude that persist.”
The exponential growth of the charity in Scotland speaks for itself of how utterly essential it is proving to be. September marks seven years since Alex helped facilitate the first Andy’s Man Club in Perth. There are now 42 across Scotland; that’s a new one opening every couple of months.
The charity is named after Andy Roberts, a young man from Halifax (Yorkshire) who took his own life in 2016. His mum and brotherin-law opened up a room in Halifax later that year and invited men to come and talk. At the first meeting, nine men turned up; this year, all
across the UK 4,600 men attend their local Andy’s Man Club.
G has been attending AMC since March 2023.
“I had been off work for a while and had no motivation to do anything and felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. I wanted to shut the world out. I had seen a thing on social media promoting Andy’s Man Club, I contacted the Facebook page and went along in March of last year. I haven’t missed a Monday night since. AMC sets me up for the week, I like seeing the journey every man takes when they walk through the doors for the first time, and see them start to recover and get stronger week by week and hope I’m playing a part in helping them like others helped me. I would encourage anyone who is feeling down or just not themselves to come along to a meeting. It’s good to talk”
“ I could always speak, but over the last 18 months AMC has taught me how to talk and open up about how I am feeling instead of hiding away ”
K, has been attending Andy’s Man Club since February 2023
Alex became involved when he had hit rock bottom personally and had made an attempt on his own life. He went to his first Andy’s Man Club meeting in Halifax and spoke about things he had never shared with anyone. He went with his friend of 20 years. “We thought we knew everything about each others’ lives, until we went to Andy’s Man Club together. He was gobsmacked by what I had to say, he’d had no idea what I had been going through.” Having experienced the transformative power of talking, Alex became a passionate advocate for Andy’s Man Club and went on to formally become the charity’s development champion in Scotland.
You don’t need to have mental health challenges or to be desperate before attending Andy’s Man Club. It’s much better to go before you get that low.
“It sets you up for the week,” says Alex. “Instead of dreading Mondays, it’s now my best day as I get to go to my Club and I look forward to it.” For the majority of men who attend, it becomes a regular habit, a constant therapy - much like going to the gym regularly but for maintaining good mental health instead of physical. The benefits of just going and getting stuff of your chest regularly is immense. And it not only helps you; you’re helping other men by sharing your problems so that they too know they are not alone. There is no need to book, no need to give your name or contact details and no need even to speak if you don’t feel up for it. It’s not unusual for men to come for a few weeks and just listen before sharing their own situations. Simply turn up and get tea and biscuits. What is the worst that could happen?
The charity’s aim is for there to be 1500 clubs all across the UK, so that men have no excuse not to come!
• If you are feeling low for any reason, get along to an Andy’s Man Club near you next Monday! We have listed all the local ones*. >>>
• If you are interested in opening a branch of Andy’s Man Club locally please contact info@andysmanclub.co.uk
• If you are able offer a venue free of charge for a Club to run on a Monday evening, please contact info@ andysmanclub. co.uk. There is always a need for venues in order to keep up with surging demand for the Clubs to run.
ALWAYS FREE, ALWAYS 7 pm - 9 pm , EVERY MONDAY NIGHT (EXCEPT BANK HOLIDAYS)
ARMADALE: Armadale Partnership Centre, North Street, Armadale, EH48 3QB
For more information about Andy’s Man Club, please visit andysmanclub.co.uk
This article was written by Helen-Jane Gisbourne after speaking with Alex McClintock, Head of Groups Scotland for Andy’s Man Club, and with an attendee of a West Lothian Andy’s Man Club. Helen-Jane is the Editor of Konect magazines
Mackie&Brechin: progressive healthcare, personal touch
With 60% of veterinary practices in the UK now owned by large corporate entities, genuinely independent vets who are invested in their communities are increasingly rare.
Over the past few years, local vets one by one have been offered tempting deals to sell their practices, and ownership is quietly transferred to one of just six corporates in the UK. Part of the strategy has been to make sure they continue to appear local so that customers are not aware. Mackie & Brechin, with surgeries in Kirkliston and Linlithgow, have resolutely refused this business model. They are one of very few independent practices left, dedicated to maintaining the traditional values of a community vet whilst remaining at the forefront of best practice with investment in training, equipment and facilities.
What does this mean for you when choosing a vet for your beloved four-legged family member?
“For us, it’s about direct accountability. We are up-front; nothing is hidden behind a corporate
entity,” explains Niall Dickson, one of the three partner vets at Mackie and Brechin. “The owners live and work here, we are directly accountable to our customers, and we really care.”
It’s clear that the whole team here cares deeply about customers and their beloved pets. Having nailed their colours to the mast in terms of resisting corporate takeover, they are passionate about providing the very best care in all aspects of your pet’s health. With a combined experience of 130 years between them, the partner and assistant vets, plus dedicated nursing, management and reception teams, all work together so that from the moment you walk through the door you can be sure you are in the very best hands. Pamela Hinton is the practice manager, and explains, “We know how much people’s pets mean to them and understand how stressful it can be to choose a vet who you can trust with their care. That’s why we welcome questions and will always take time to speak to people about any concerns. Being approachable and accountable are part of our core values.”
Behind the scenes, the vets routinely discuss cases and share advice to ensure they are making the best decisions as a whole. With a very low turnover of vets, nurses and other staff, you will get to know the whole team over time, so if you particularly want to see the same vet for each visit, they will do their best to accommodate this. The practice has a strong focus on preventative healthcare, with their flagship Pet Healthcare Plan which includes regular comprehensive check-ups, vaccines, and a host of other benefits designed to keep your pet in the best possible health and identifying any problems early.
Continually investing in the latest equipment and training, the practice facilities include a state-of-the-art in-house laboratory, diagnostic imaging, anaesthetic monitoring and surgical facilities. “At the same time, if a problem or condition is outwith our expertise and requires a specialist consultant, we will discuss it with the owners and set realistic expectations,” explains Niall. “If seeing a specialist is outwith your budget, we’ll discuss options for what we can do in-house; the most important thing is that you are fully informed and given all the information needed to be able to make a decision.”
Mackie & Brechin was originally a mixed practice with mostly agricultural clients, set up by David Mackie’s grandfather after the First World War, and servicing a large area from Falkirk to the Borders. As the central belt developed the practice naturally moved to specialising in small animals. They still have clients from a wide area, thanks to word of mouth recommendations and their long-standing reputation, and people bring their pets from all areas of Edinburgh and the Lothians, Central Region and Fife to the Kirkliston
and Linlithgow practices. Niall became a partner alongside David in 2010 and was joined in 2017 by long term vets Geoff and Simon when David retired. Together they have built on the core practice values to continually improve, invest and to offer a premium quality service.
Choosing a vet can be difficult especially if you have recently moved into the area and don’t necessarily have a network to make recommendations for you, but with Mackie and Brechin you can be sure that their long history and reputation speaks for itself.
Please thoroughly explore in more detail on their website at www.mackieandbrechin.co.uk or contact them for a chat:
Tel.: 0131 333 3203
Email: reception@mackieandbrechin.co.uk
This article was written by Helen-Jane Gisbourne after visiting Mackie and Brechin in Kirkliston and speaking with Niall Dickson BVM&S GP CERT (Small Animal Medicine) MRCVS and Practice Manager Pamela Hinton. Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect magazines.
EVERGREEN HERBS ARE ALMOST TOO GOOD TO EAT!
This pot of herbs will still be looking great in the winter, the evergreen ones will still be pickable but the pot will give so much pleasure sitting on a sunny patio as well.
There is still time this month to create your own potful of herbs!
Choose evergreen herbs like Rosemary, Parsley, Lemon Variegated Thyme and Purple Sage. Our pot has also got an Alpine Strawberry, French Tarragon, Golden Marjoram and a clump of Chives. All herbs we like to use in cooking and flower arranging. If you already have your own herbs in pots they would enjoy a liquid feed a couple of times this month and if they have finished
flowering now clip them back to encourage new growth.
If you have a crop of new potatoes in the garden try our Crushed Potato Salad.
Boil unpeeled new potatoes until tender, drain and crush roughly with a fork and add 4 tbsp white wine and return to heat for 2 minutes. Stir in 2 tbsp olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper, a thinly sliced red onion and 3 tbsp mixed herbs – parsley, chervil, chives and mint (from a separate pot to control its spreading!). Serve warm.
The gardening project is contributed by Dougal Philip, New Hopetoun Gardens. Inspiring, informing and entertaining, for more than 40 years.
We have all become used to the zoom and teams meetings that are now a daily part of our lives and working remotely or from home has become the norm.
Outside of our working lives, this increase in the use of screen time has changed how many of us relate to other people and some important relationships that used to be face to face have become digitised. Online dating has become more prevalent and the old way of meeting future partners in pubs and clubs or just by chance is no longer the norm.
These new ways of working and socialising can very easily take over more and more of our lives if we are not careful but setting a tech curfew at a certain time every day could make a real difference to all our lives. For those who can’t bear the thought of missing a message or an email, the aim of this detox is not to cut off our relationship with technology but to set limits on the connection to our screens. Young people will be able to go home from school at the end of the day and leave the people they don’t want to be permanently connected to behind them and the rest of us can simply disconnect from the pressures of work and working relationships.
Best of all, disconnecting our devices doesn’t mean that we are going to miss anything important. Unless we have decided to go and live in a cave someone will definitely tell us if anything of life shattering importance has happened that we need to know about.
The Life Coaching column is contributed by Francine Orr, NLP coach, hypnotherapist & reiki practitioner. Francine is available for appointments at Forth Physio, Queensferry, and at Linlithgow Chiropractic. She is also available online. See www.orrganise.co.uk
Our local columnists are all experts in their fields and provide much-valued expertise and ideas every month.
We have scope in Konect Queensferry for columns on health and beauty, property, money advice and food. We are also open to suggestions for topics that would be of value to the community.
Sharing your expertise via a column is a great way of raising your profile as a business. If you are interested in taking out an advertising package with Konect, and would like to raise your profile via a column, please contact me for information on space available:
Helen-Jane, Konect editor, editor@konect.scot
We were photographing foxes a few weeks ago and looking back through the images, it resurfaced a memory from our childhood. We were obsessed with the Animals of Farthing wood, whether it was the book, TV series or magazine, it was a huge deal for us and was probably what really sparked our love for wildlife.
Thinking about the storyline of the book, it somewhat predicted the future and the challenges wildlife has faced because of humans. For those unfamiliar with the premise, it follows a group of animals forced to move from their home, Farthing Wood, because humans were clearing the land to make way for houses. The book tracks their journey as they seek out a new home at a nature reserve called White Deer Park.
Listening back to the theme tune whilst writing this has given me a wonderful sense of nostalgia for when we raced home from school, ready to watch the next episode or devour the next issue of the magazine.
This vixen has done incredibly well to raise a beautiful family of four very healthy cubs, despite having a visible limp. We’ve been back to see them since I took this shot and the
group has nearly doubled in size. We couldn’t believe it when there were eight or nine foxes charging around, which now included a dog fox aka Dad, we suspect.
Did you know that foxes can retract their claws like a cat? I didn’t. Every day’s a school day!
This column is contributed by Clare Harte and Kate Stevenson, who grew up in Edinburgh and now live in West Lothian. Together they run Scottish Sisters Photography and travel around the country to watch and photograph amazing wildlife and scenic landscapes.
Follow them on Facebook: @ScottishSistersPhotography
The Bo’ness Buoy
At the playpark
aPacked with features of historic and industrial interest, this pushchair and wheelchair-friendly walk starts and finishes at the historic Bo’ness harbour and makes for an easy walk along the paved John Muir way - or a scramble along the rocky foreshore if you time it for low tide. Just a short drive away, and with a playpark, scope for beach combing and a choice of eateries before you get back in the car, it ticks all the boxes.
For over 350 years, from the early sixteenth century, Bo’ness was a bustling centre for trade and industry and most of the features of historical interest around the harbour, town centre and waterfront date to its industrial heyday.
Park in the Union Street Car Park (free parking). The size of the customs house on Union Street opposite the car park is indicative of the scale of the trade formerly carried out here. Take a moment to stand back and look at it, with its Victorian crest over the central door.
From the car park, cross the railway line and head across the park. (The railway line is the Bo’ness to Kinneil line and you may be lucky enough to see a stream train passing through).
The first thing you see is the big yellow Bo’ness buoy. Renovated in 2017 and made into a time capsule, it was one of three original iron-plate moorings buoys used in Bo’ness dock, which opened in 1881.
Beside this, a tunnel sculpture commemorates the 5km long tunnel that ran under the Forth in the 1960s, linking the Valleyfield Colliery in Fife with the processing facilities of Kinneil Colliery.
You can walk out on the old harbour piers. The harbour is about half its original size, as much was filled in after it finished its working life in the 1960s, but the granite capstones that fringe the harbour and neighbouring dock along the bo’ness
point to the wealth once generated here. At the end of the East pier you’ll notice the very rusty remains of a lamp. Its lion and unicorn crest is an example of the fine quality ironwork produced in Bo’ness. The town has a long tradition of iron founding, and Bo’ness manhole covers can be seen all over the country. The scale of this municipal iron work production has tended to eclipse their top-end work - beautiful ornamental ironwork, from railings for Saudi palaces to boot scrapers.
From here, it’s an easy flat walk along the waymarked John Muir way. We’re on the Linlithgow to South Queensferry section of the John Muir way, so you can go in either direction as far as you like, but for our walk we headed east along the Bo’ness waterfront. The path is suitable for bikes, wheelchairs and prams. We didn’t stay on the path all the way, but hopped on and off, scrambling along the rocky foreshore for much of our walk.
At low tide there is plenty of scope for beach combing or scrambling on the rocks. For decades, the shore here was one long disposal site for artisanal, domestic and industrial waste, and while it has been cleaned up and is now a pleasant walk with great views across to Fife, there is loads of evidence of past industry, and treasures to be found. If you know what you’re looking for, colourful pottery sherds from Bo’ness’s pottery days are amongst the most attractive remnants to be found, mostly between the Upper Forth Boat Club Pier and the waste water treatment works at Carriden.
After about 20 minutes you get to Bridgeness, where one of the remains of industry is the pierhead. It was a north-south stone pier dating back to 1770s. By the mid 1800s it carried a narrow gauge railway track to transport coal direct from the pits to the harbour and onto ships for export.
Bridgeness harbour was filled in during the 1950s, various craft being buried in the process, among them a wooden Baltic Trader, the Nellie Duff, and according to local legend, a U-boat engine room that had been used as a power plant.
A little further past Bridgeness pierhead are the remains of a staith. Staithes were short piers that enabled coal to be tipped from railway
Bridgeness Tower is a B-listed stone building
wagons down chutes into ships’ holds. Coal was loaded in Bo’ness harbour but this was bunkers for steamers. The weight of coal and draft of colliers meant they had to be loaded out of the harbour on river berths. At both Bridgeness and Kinneil you can still see mines relics, pieces of hutch running gear, rolled steel joist, wire rope and scraps of conveyor belt.
The staith at Bridgeness was the end of our walk. We turned back, and opposite Bridgeness Pierhead we headed up Pier Road into Bridgeness for a quick look at the Tower.
Bridgeness Tower is a B-listed stone building just a few hundred yards up Harbour Road, directly up from the pier. It is now a private home. The earliest record of it goes back to 1749. It was originally built as a windmill to grind corn and pump water from the mines. The top floor and contrasting brick battlements were added in 1895. The narrower tower attached to it houses a spiral staircase supported by three lengths of ship’s mast joined together with a rope hand rail providing access.
Bridgeness is also notable for being the likely extreme edge of the Roman Empire, as the Antonine Wall is thought to have ended here. An elaborately engraved Roman sandstone slab commemorating the completion of the Wall was unearthed in Bridgeness in the 1860s. The original is in the care of the National Museum, and there is a replica just a little further up Harbour Road - a couple of minutes walk from the Tower, if you want to add this detour into your walk.
Head back to Bo’ness Harbour the way you came on the John Muir Way. Bo’ness offers a few options for refreshments –we went to McMoo’s Ice Cream Parlour, which I can highly recommend, and there are other cafes and restaurants to choose from in town.
SHIPBREAKING
In the post war years the upper Forth became a huge park for ships awaiting the cutting torch. At the end of a vessel’s last voyage, she was taken over to the far side of the Forth, then on a high tide was steamed across at maximum speed to drive her as far as possible up the beach. Anchors were lowered as soon as she came to rest to stop her sliding back into the river. The bows of the huge ships would come almost up to Bridgeness Road.
Much domestic furnishing for local households came off the ships which often arrived equipped right down to cutlery, table linen and bed clothes - manna from heaven in the austerity years after the war.
The early days of iron and steel shipbreaking was tough and dangerous. The ship’s plates had to be removed by chiselling off the rivets one at a time. A chisel with a loose fitting wire handle, known as a tomahawk, was held against a rivet head by one man and hit with a sledge hammer by another. Punches and wedges drove out the rivets and separated the plates. It was a very risky business for the men involved, with the threat of lead poisoning from the fumes of burning lead paint, danger of falls from high structures, crushing injuries, asbestos lagging and rats in old ships carrying disease.
At Bo’ness the main breaker was W&P McLelland behind Cuthell’s Undertakers in Bridgeness.
The site has been cleared but not redeveloped and sections of ships used as crane bases can be seen. Holdfasts for ship mooring are also evident.
This walk feature was written by Helen-Jane Gisbourne, with many thanks to Paul Shave, resident of Bo’ness, for permission to reproduce extracts of his detailed research on the industrial history of the Bo’ness waterfont. Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect magazines.
Dedicated to helping people shop locally, find local clubs and social activities, support local tradespeople and provide a platform for community groups and charities to publicise themselves.
If you run a business locally and want to be included, please contact Helen-Jane at editor@konect.scot to request an information pack or visit www.konect.scot/ advertise-with-us. With personal service to help you devise your magazine advertising campaign, and the flexibility to choose from a small advert all the way up to a full feature story about your business, we offer affordable, flexible advertising.
“The response from Konect has been incredible to the point that I am currently working through a backlog of appointments (about 8 weeks worth). I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Konect magazine to anyone starting up a new venture as it is worth every penny.”
Graham Cameron, Cameron’s Garden Services
If you are involved in a community group or charity locally we will list your organisation in the Clubs & Classes section FREE of charge. We may also be able to feature you as “Charity of the Month.”
“We were amazed by the response when our charity was featured in Konect. Several new volunteers came on board and new supporters contacted us as well. Highly recommended for local coverage that people actually read!”
Julia Grindley, Edinburgh School Uniform Bank
If you have an interesting story relating to the local area or a local personality, we may be able to feature you. If you have information to contribute to make this monthly handbook for Queenferry, Kirkliston and Winchburgh even better, please get in touch!
Contact Helen-Jane, Konect editor, for all enquiries at editor@konect.scot | www.konect.scot
Queensferry, Kirkliston and Winchburgh, every month.
AUGUST CROSSWORD
^^^ Solution in the September edition of Konect
ACROSS: 7. Not moving (6), 8. Conflict (6), 9. Horrible (4), 10. Wrapper for letter (8), 11. Thrift (7), 13. Loosen (5), 15. Type of snake (5), 17. Country dwelling (7), 20. Against the current (8), 21. Certain (4), 23. Cruel (6), 24. Necessary (6). DOWN: 1. Celestial body (4), 2. Part of a flower (6), 3. Shrieks (7), 4. Higher up (5), 5. Pinched (6), 6. Tossing (8), 12. Hacking (8), 14. Order (7), 16. Keep (6), 18. Examined (6), 19. Fixes (5), 22. Regrets (4).
AUGUST SUDOKU
58mm Vertical [LEFT]
Sometimes I find a bottle of wine that is so good and such amazing value, I must share it!
Not long after our wedding, my husband and I took a holiday to Lake Garda. It’s a beautiful place, with incredible scenery and food. If you look at my holiday photos, you’ll see the gorgeous lake and dramatic mountains. Unlike most holiday photos from the area, you’ll also see lots of photos of stainless-steel fermenting tanks and grape presses, I love visiting wineries!
When I found a bottle of wine from the vineyards around Lake Garda in Lidl, I had to buy it. Vigna Lago from the Lugana region in the Southern banks of Lake Garda is the perfect white wine for the summer. It is an unoaked, white wine, with plenty of pear, pineapple, floral and citrus notes on the nose. When you taste the wine, the flavours continue to the palate but the wine has a soft, richer than expected finish that makes this really easy to drink. It’s the perfect wine to pair with summer foods, perhaps grilled fish, shellfish or chicken salads. Not only is this wine delicious, it’s also fantastic value at only £8.99 a bottle.
Serve the wine chilled, but not too cold, and take a moment to swirl the glass and pop your nose in, can you smell the pear and pineapple notes? I enjoyed a glass with smoked salmon and cream cheese on sourdough bread, it was perfect!
The monthly wine tasting column is contributed by Joanne Frette. Joanne lives in Edinburgh with her husband and three children. For wine recommendations, reviews and details of future tasting events, please go to swirlsipsocialise.com
Scottish Tagine
Wow family and friends – and make entertaining easy – with this Moroccan-inspired tagine-style dish, served up in less than 30 minutes!
Ingredients:
• 4 x approx 125g Scottish salmon fillets
• 2 tbsp olive or vegetable oil
• 1 onion, peeled and sliced
• 1 tsp cumin seeds or ground cumin
• 2 tsp ground paprika
• 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes
• 1 x 298g tin mandarin segments, drained
• 1 tsp vegetable stock powder
• 50g sultanas
• 100g baby spinach
• 150g couscous
• Chopped fresh coriander, to garnish
Serves 4
Method:
1. Remove the skin from the salmon fillets, if preferred.
2. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the onion for 3-4 minutes. Add the cumin and paprika and fry gently for about 20-30 seconds.
3. Stir in the tomatoes, mandarin segments, vegetable stock powder and sultanas. Cook for 5 minutes, then add the spinach and stir it in as the leaves wilt.
4. Arrange the salmon fillets on top of the tomato mixture. Cover with a lid or a piece of greased foil and cook over a medium-low heat for 8-10 more minutes.
5. Meanwhile, cook the couscous according to pack instructions. Serve with the salmon tagine, garnished with chopped fresh coriander.
Wow your family and friends
Chinese film noirs are not the genre of films I would associate with the country, but in all honesty my preconceived bias on what China produces might be out of tune.
Taking place in rural China in the 90’s, Only the River Flows follows Ma Zhe, a detective who must solve the murder of a woman. It has a culprit that at face value seems obvious, but Ma Zhe wants to delve deeper into the case and uncover the truth. The film takes huge swings, takes risks and tests its audience.
While I do not think that every moment works, I loved how it never played anything safe. It plays with your idea of how a murder mystery should play out and takes you on a journey which from the opening moments is truly gripping, pulls you in and never lets you go till the credit roll.
The film is confidently directed by Wei Shujun, who showcases a directing style that is unique
A FILM BY WEI SHUJUN
Robert Ewing interviewed Only the River Flows Director Wei Shujun, at the London Film Festival:
RE: The film is based on a book; what processes enabled you to make the changes from the book to the movie, and what did you want to include?
WS: To adapt the novel into a film is not just interpreting or translating the novel into a film, it is to express the internal elements and feelings. What I did was read the novel and then wrote the script from scratch. It is not a simple adaptation or translation; it is written keeping the facts with all the main points but using the language of the novel to write a film script
RE: So how was it for you as both writer and director, telling a story that has an unreliable narrator, for it to be as effective as possible?
film is the choices made in the latter half. It left
Only the River Flows
and has a true voice to it. There are many shots that, even days after seeing the film, are ingrained in my head and have stuck with me psychologically in very distinctive and unexplainable ways. My biggest issue with the film is the choices made in the latter half. It left me wanting more, I just wanted to have the cherry on top. Only the River Flows is a solid thriller and worth the watch.
WS: What I wanted to do was to make the audience think or see like Ma Zhe, so we tried to present it as how the character is feeling. By midway, we already know who the murderer is, but Ma Zhe cannot believe that, just like we cannot believe it. Even although we know we can’t accept the fact, so we dig more into it and become obsessed. He is blurring everything and his irrational thoughts or his dreams are affected. What I want to do is make the audience feel what Ma Zhe is feeling.
RE: Was there any deliberate connection between how the baby puts the items into the bathtub and how the man puts the jackets into the river?
WS: There is, kind of, it seems that there is always something there, nagging him.
The Film Review is contributed by Robert Ewing. Robert is passionate about film as an art form, and shining a light on films that may not be on people’s radar. Robert is from West Lothian.
Exclusively in cinemas from 16 August
QUEENSFERRY CARE:
“YOU NEVER MAKE ME FEEL LIKE A BURDEN”
Look out for the Queensferry Care Trishaw at the Ferry Fair on 10th August! It is being relaunched for this year’s fair after a hiatus of a few years. Ably captained by one of the registered Managers, Gillian Smith, and with two passengers on the front, the Queensferry Care team will be in their yellow t-shirts at the Fair this year, and aiming to raise awareness of their services in the community. Please give them a wave to cheer them on!
The title of this article is a quote from a Queensferry Care service-user, and sums up beautifully the genuine, caring support that the charity’s staff provide. Queensgerry Care (full name Queensferry Churches Care in the Community) offer day care for people aged over 65 in Queensferry, Dalmeny, Kirkliston, Newbridge, Ratho and Ratho Station. Care includes centre-based activities, an outing within the community, or a home visit. Each
member receives an individual support plan consisting of social, stimulating and entertaining activities. Lunch and refreshments are included, transport is provided, and it is priced very accessibly. In addition, the charity runs a series of lunch clubs throughout the area, as well as a befriending service and other outreach activities for older people in our community or those living with dementia or a disability.
COULD YOU BE A BEFRIENDER?
Queensferry Care are always looking for volunteer befrienders to join the team. As a befriender, you would visit people in their home to provide companionship, a friendly ear and contact with the wider community. Full training is provided.
There are many other volunteering opportunities available, including helping with admin and reception at The Haven in Queensferry; driving; facilitating the supper and lunch clubs; garden tidy service helping older people keep their gardens in shape so they can continue to enjoy them at home… and many more ways to maintain quality of life that the older members of our community deserve.
Volunteering is good for the soul and gets you out and about too! If you are interested in volunteering for Queensferry Care in any capacity, please contact Lorna Russell at lorna.russell@qccc.org.uk
Wishing everyone a wonderful Ferry Fair on 10th August!
This article was written by Helen-Jane Gisbourne, Konect editor, after visiting The Haven in Queensferry. The Haven at 25B Burgess Road, South Queensferry, EH30 9JA is Queensferry Care’s day centre. QCCC is a charity registered in Scotland, charity number SC021833
SUN 4TH TO SAT 10TH AUGUST
Ferry Fair Festival - Wishing everyone a fantastic Ferry Fair! Programmes are available at local venues including Ferry Fair Bookshop, Scotmid, Town Cryer, Queensferry Library, Barnardo’s Charity shop. They can also be ordered from the Ferry Fair website at ferryfair.co.uk
FRIDAY 9TH AUGUST
Wings and Things - Bring your little explorers to discover the amazing world of winged creatures! Our fun-filled event includes citizen science activities, games and crafts, all designed to teach kids about the wonders of flight in nature. Perfect for all ages and abilities! 2.00pm – 3.30pm, Hopetoun House, South Queensferry, EH30 9SL. Tickets and information at hopetoun.co.uk. Tickets £8.50/£8.00/£6.50. Family (2+2) £27.00. Meet at the Ranger Centre (behind the Stables Café) 5 minutes before the start of the event.
SUNDAY 18TH AUGUST
Kirkliston Village Market - A village market serving locals with quality produce and products from independent businesses in and around Kirkliston. Third Sunday of every month, corner of Manse Road/Liston Place, 11.00am – 3.00pm. See kirklistonvillagemarket.com
SUNDAY 11TH AUGUST
Charity Classic/Vintage Car Show - At Conifox Adventure Park, Kirkliston, EH29 9ER. Supporting Kirkliston Village Hall Association Community Hall Charity Building Fund. Classic, vintage & American cars, vintage motorbikes & cycles, craft stalls & free parking. 10am-3pm, Adult £5 entry, accompanying children (under 16) free. Please note entry to Conifox Activity Centre and Adventure Park is not included, this can be purchased separately.
SUNDAY 18th AUGUST
Summer Concert for baritone & piano
Hosted by Linlithgow Arts Guild. Baritone Findlay Peters from Glasgow’s RCS. “He has a voice that can only be described as enchanting and mesmerizing – when Findlay sings you don’t want him to stop.” (BBC Radio 3, 2022). The accompanist is Sandy Ronnie. A selection of classical, Scottish and popular music. 2.00 pm at St. Michael’s Parish Church, Linithgow. Free entry, but we will invite donations at the door.
WEEKENDS THROUGH THE SUMMER
Canal Cruises - Aqueduct cruises run from the Linlithgow Union Canal centre on Saturdays and Sundays until 29th September (except 4th August) 2½ hour cruise from the canal basin in Linlithgow to the Avon Aqueduct, which carries the Union Canal over the River Avon. The Avon Aqueduct is the longest and tallest in Scotland and the second longest in Britain. £13 Adult, £11 Concession, £7 Child. Information and booking online via www.lucs.org.uk
SATURDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER
Groovy Geology Walk - Join us for a scenic ranger-led walk along the Hopetoun foreshore as part of the Scottish Geology Festival! Discover the geological wonders of West Lothian and perhaps catch a glimpse of local wildlife. Hopetoun House, South Queensferry, EH30 9SL. Tickets and information at hopetoun.co.uk. Tickets £8.50/£8.00/£6.50. Family (2+2) £27.00. Meet at the old Kiosk in the visitor car park. This walk will cover approx. 3 miles with rough underfoot conditions and requires a good level of fitness. Not suitable for children under 8.
SATURDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER
Linlithgow Antique Vintage and Collectors Fair - Queen Margaret Hall, Blackness Road, Linlithgow, EH49 6JA. Early entry 9.00am £2. Public entry 10am - 3pm £1. Ample free parking, disabled access, on site catering. Proceeds in support of Linlithgow Museum.
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SPORTS, HOBBIES, LEARNING, SUPPORT GROUPS & MORE...
SOUTH QUEENSFERRY BABY AND TODDLER GROUP -
Thursdays 9.30am – 11.30am at the Church Hall on The Loan, SQ. Mums, Dad’s, Grandparents, Carers all welcome. A small fee of £3.00 is payable to cover the rent of the hall, snack for little ones and tea/coffee for the adults. Just turn up, or for more information join the Facebook group, search “South Queensferry Baby and Toddler Group”
WINCHBURGH ART CLUB -
We meet on Thursday mornings between 9.30 – 11.30 in Winchburgh Community Hall. Any level, any medium are all welcome. If interested, please contact 07980 321989 or email maureenandjohn1@hotmail.co.uk
FRIENDSHIP CLUB - A friendly group that meets at the residents lounge at 40 Shore Road, Queensferry to enjoy various entertainments eg. quizzes, games, occasional guest presenters and tea/coffee/ delicious cake. First Wed of each month, 2.00-3.30pm. £2 per meeting. For more information contact Lorna Russell on 0131 331 5570 or email lorna.russell@ qccc.org.uk
WINCHBURGH SPEAKERS
CLUB - Would you like to develop your speaking skills, overcome nerves, gain confidence, build strong leadership skills, and improve your communication in a relaxed and friendly environment? Come along or send us a message to find out how Winchburgh Speakers Club can help. We meet fortnightly in Winchburgh Primary School (from mid-August to May). Contact: president@ winchburghspeakersclub.org.uk
FRIENDS OF FERRY GLEN
- A volunteer garden team that maintains local areas through weeding and planting, as well as special projects. The group also
enjoys tours, social outings and events together. Contact Neil –mckinlayassociates@hotmail. co.uk
KIRKY CRAFTERS - Meet new friends and explore your creative side. Meet Thomas Chalmers Centre, The Square, Kirkliston. Fortnightly on a Monday except July and August. For more information please contact Ann on 0131 333 1834 or email ann_ denholm@btinternet.com
SUPPER CLUB - Run by Queensferry Care, for people with a diagnosis of dementia, or other cognitive impairment, and their carer. This could be a family member, friend or neighbour. This is a unique service in that we support both the carer and the cared for person. It provides an opportunity to meet with others to enjoy an evening meal at The Haven (Queensferry) or a local restaurant. For information contact mail@qccc.org.uk
KIRKLISTON LUNCH CLUB
- Meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at the Kirkliston Community Centre, 16-18 Queensferry Rd, Kirkliston EH29 9AQ. It is for any older person who’d like to meet and eat with others. The cost is no more than £5. Run by Queensferry Care, for more information please contact mail@ qccc.org.uk
KIRKLISTON KNITTING
GROUP - From beginners to experienced knitters. Meet at Kirkliston Library on Mondays 1.30pm. 16 Station Road, Kirkliston, EH29 9BE
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NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS ARE FREE. THERE IS A SMALL CHARGE FOR BUSINESSES. SEE KONECT. SCOT FOR INFORMATION.
MONTHLY CROSSWORD SOLUTION
HOPEFULLY YOU FOUND THE RIGHT ANSWERS!
Check back here each month to find the answers for the previous month’s puzzle.
SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE 26
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