Win Josie Long tickets
(p18) What’s On Local Groups and Clubs (p16-17)
Beauty Predictions from Clinetix (p12)
Jordanhill West End Hyndland Kelvinside Bearsden Milngavie ■
Winter/Spring 2015
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Show your kitchen some love Customers are hunting high and low for that perfect kitchen. Show your kitchen some love and we will show it our passion & creativity. Everything you could want in your kitchen we have. Top brands, craftsmanship, beauty, elegance & technology, we’ve got the lot and we promise it will certainly be worth your while especially when we get to the bottom line. So look no further, give us a visit. We can’t wait to meet you.
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www.affordableluxuries.co.uk CORIAN ©
8 New Year’s Resolutions and Financial Outlook
10 The Garden in February 12 Beauty Predictions 8 16 What’s On 18 Josie Long Competition 24 Mama – I Love You 26 Valentine’s All Year
10
Round
28 Are lettings set to grow?
29 Traveller’s Tales
12
24
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26 Contributors this issue: Simon Gemmell, Brian Milne, Charles Briggs
Winter/Spring Issue 26, 2015 Publisher: West End Life Deals Ltd Co editors:
Charles Briggs
Noreen Ferguson
Features Editor: Rob Reid rob@westendlife.biz Advertising Sales Manager: Nicky Murphy nicky@westendlife.biz Advertising Sales: Lisa Sanderson lisa@westendlife.biz
Contact Info: Editorial: 07788-923054 Advertising: 0141-413-4660 Email: editor@westendlife.biz Web: www.westendlife.biz Graphic Design: Phil Cunningham www.creative-magazine-designer.co.uk Advert Design: Simon Jones, Skep Design
Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors, or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. West End Life Deals Ltd does not officially endorse any advertising material included in this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher.
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New Year’s Resolutions and Financial Predictions By Brian Milne
January is the month where we all resolve to shake off the excesses of the festive period and vow that this year is the year in which we lose weight, improve our fitness and finances and all the rest of the fruitless resolutions we make. Of course, for most of us, these resolutions fail to last the month of January as the pressures of daily living force us back to our old habits, both in terms of our health and finances. Equally, it’s also the time that many expert financial commentators give their forecasts for the year ahead. Predicting the future is a notoriously tricky business, particularly in the financial world, where
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events can take an unexpected turn and prove a mockery of even the most experienced financial experts (one esteemed investment bank estimated in 2008 that the price of oil would spike to $200 a barrel, instead it collapsed to around $50). In terms of 2014 stock market performance, it would come as no surprise that Russia had the worst performing stock index in 2014, down 42%, however, hands up anyone that predicted in January 2014, that Egypt would be the best performing, up 31%? So, what lessons can we learn here and apply to our own finances? Not much, if we’re being honest. If we want to try and predict and then beat the market, we might be able to do so, however it’s far more likely to be down to luck, not skill. The most prudent course of action is to make small changes: save and invest prudently and not to try and guess which investment will be white hot in 2015. As Albert Einstein famously said: “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it; he who doesn’t ... pays it.” Brian Milne is a partner in the business recovery practice of French Duncan Chartered Accountants
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The Garden in February February was known as ‘Filldyke’ by our ancestors. It is however one of the least wet months of winter. What it does suffer from however are a succession of dry, chilling east winds blowing from the cold wastes of Scandinavia, bringing heavy frosts and snow. It also has a nasty habit towards its end, of lulling you into a false sense of security with bright, sunny, spring-like days that are almost warm, and then following them up with cripplingly deep frosts that can kill even some of the hardier plants, stone dead. Any work needing to be done in the garden at this time of year therefore, will have to be done with a careful eye on the weather. You won’t be able to cultivate if the soil is waterlogged or frozen. You need to avoid walking on lawns when they are frosted, and you will certainly have to be careful about the ventilation of greenhouses and cold frames Having said all that, there is still plenty that can be done between showers and frosts. Digging or trenching not completed last backend can be finished now. Break up the topsoil with a fork but leave the clods to nature. Incorporate as much organic material as you can find, as you get the opportunity, whatever type of soil you possess. If you use manure make sure it is well rotted, otherwise fertility will be slowed down. This is also the month to apply lime but don’t do so within a month of laying down organic manure. And don’t lime anywhere near where you intend to grow rhododendrons, azaleas and other lime-hating plants.
This is the month to really set your vegetable plot into action. You can make a sowing of broad beans in a sheltered spot in the open. You can make the first sowing of sprouts under glass. Globe varieties of beet should go into a hot bed, and cabbage will be ready for use this summer if it is started off in a box in a cold frame. Sow cauliflower on a hot bed for summer use, get your onions in for early supplies, and plant tomato seed in heat for an early crop. If the weather isn’t too bad you could advantageously plant a row or two of peas in a sheltered border, though if the weather is bad it might be better to wait until March. The same goes for spinach. Now is the time to put seed potatoes to sprout in boxes. It is perhaps a touch early to be doing much to the flower beds. However, you can look forward to a good showing of snowdrops and, as soon as the flowers have dropped, you can divide the clumps and replant elsewhere. Do replant immediately though, because these tiny bulbs are very prone to dehydration once they
10 | West End Life – Winter/Spring 2015
are exposed to the air. If you have planted new fruit bushes or trees, you must persuade yourself not to let them fruit in this first year. It’s hard to do but rewarding ultimately. Now therefore, is the time to take appropriate action by pruning. Cut gooseberries, black, red and white currant bushes especially hard, and cut back raspberries to around six inches from ground level. If the weather allows, you should aerate your lawn now. It’s worth investing in a turf-aerating tool for the purpose because it does a great deal toward ensuring you have a top grade lawn. There are several types on sale ranging from a small, fork-type tool with simple prongs, to a large motor-driven machine with a selection of spiking, slitting and hollow tubular tines for doing a variety of lawn aerating and draining operations. The benefits of such tools are always two-fold because as well as letting air into the turf, they also open the way in for any top dressings and fertilizers you apply. Happy Gardening !
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Save £500 on Invisalign treatment with Cherrybank Dental Spa.
Cherrybank Dental Spa Glasgow is proud to be a member of the exclusive Invisalign Network: Scotland, and is delighted to offer a fantastic £500 saving
on Invisalign treatment at our forthcoming Open Event on Thursday 12th March between 2.00 – 8.00pm. With Invisalign, achieving the smile you’ve always wanted doesn’t have to be a big deal. In fact, it barely has to impact your day-to-day life at all. Invisalign straightens teeth using a series of clear, removable aligners that are custom-made for your teeth. As you replace each aligner every two weeks, your teeth will move – little by little, week by week, gradually moving towards their final projected position. And because the aligners are nearly invisible, no-one will ever know you’re wearing them (unless you tell them!)
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When it came to straightening my teeth, the choice was clear: Invisalign. Save £500 on Invisalign treatment at our Open Day: Thursday 12th March 2015 2.00pm - 8.00pm Call 0141 530 1941 or visit: cherrybankdentalspa.com
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Beauty Predictions from Clinetix Experts
Winner of Best Clinic Scotland and Best Clinic UK 2014 in leading industry awards, Clinetix is considered to be Glasgow’s premier aesthetic destination, with clinics in Hyndland Road, in the vibrant West End and the stylish village of Bothwell. We catch up with the team to find out their predictions for the aesthetic and beauty world in 2015. Dr Emma Ravichandran “2015 is going to be a big year for PRP, aka the Vampire Facelift Treatment. Made popular in 2014 by Kim Kardashian, this is an effective way to freshen up and rejuvenate tired looking skin. A solution of platelets, which is made from a blood sample you provide at the time of treatment,
is injected into the skin of the face or neck using a tiny needle. The result is a cellular regeneration that addresses all the signs of ageing leaving skin fresh and glowing”. Dr Simon Ravichandran “My top hot treatment prediction has to be the Silhouette Soft Thread lift. It’s been available for a few years and has been increasingly popular recently, which I expect to continue into 2015. The threads are inserted under local anaesthetic and gently tightened to lift the skin to a more youthful position and is ideal for anyone looking for a very subtle skin lifting and tightening result. ” Senior Therapist, Kelly Dunning says, “I’m really excited
about the new combination superfacials we have been designing. We combine multiple treatments that work synergistically to create amazing results. The treatment gaining most popularity is the PlatinumFacial that uses a combination of microdermabrasion, fruit acid chemical peels and phototherapy.” PRP treatments start from £300 SilhouetteSoft treatments start from £600 ■ Facials start from £49 ■ ■
For more information on treatments and services at Clinetix visit www.clinetix.co.uk or call 0141 221 0229
Reader Offer – 20% off all Facials. Quote ‘West 15’ when booking. Offer ends March 31 2015 12 | West End Life – Winter/Spring 2015
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I had seen the Bikram Yoga sign above Dowanside Lane for many months before I decided to venture inside; the sign looked inviting, it whispered promises of quiet and tranquillity behind the bustle and traffic of Byres road. What convinced me to take the big step was the £30 for 30 days deal the West End studios boasted, it was cheap enough to entice me and long enough to get me hooked on this intense, extremely rewarding work out. I went into my first class with vague recollections of articles I had read– the heat! The sweat! The pain! I took it as a challenge, but when the studio fans duly began humming with a soft clunk I was surprised at how quickly
my pores opened up, releasing a steady stream of the water I had dutifully sipped before class. The teacher, sometimes standing on the podium, sometimes walking calmly though the mirrored room full of sweating individuals, talked us through the series. Interestingly, by repeating the same twenty-six posture series each class the movements become a kind of meditation; the series requires so much mental and physical concentration that a single wayward thought –
worrying about my day, what I will eat later– is enough to throw me off. I’ve found that the ninety minutes in the Bikram studio is among the only time I can disassociate from the rest of the world and focus on myself, and there is a strange and resonant satisfaction that comes with practicing Bikram that I have never experienced with any other sport. Sign up and enjoy the endorphin rush that comes from a great class! by a Westender
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14 | West End Life – Winter/Spring 2015
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AGA – home to great cooking Introducing the AGA Dual Control
The AGA Dual Control is designed for those who like flexibility but still want to take advantage of great tasting food and the indefinable AGA warmth in the kitchen. It offers everything you love about AGA, but with massively reduced running costs and servicing costs.
West End Life Magazine
The AGA Dual Control’s ovens are more as you would expect from a traditional AGA cooker and operate together. What’s more, the two hotplates can be turned on and off independently, meaning you can make a reduction in the overall heat input into the room
from the cooker when desired. The AGA Dual Control is available in electric, or with gas ovens and electric hotplates. Taste the AGA difference at AGA Glasgow The AGA treats food differently. Put simply, it doesn’t blast food with drying direct heat. Instead, radiant heat from the cast iron ovens gently cooks food, locking in flavour, moisture and goodness, meaning the food you serve tastes delicious. To find out more, or to book a demonstration, call or visit AGA Glasgow, 130-132 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G4 9AD. 0141 332 8486. agaliving.com
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What’s On What’s On Wh Classes | Meetings | Regular Events Talks | Exhibitions | Member Clubs
Starting with our first issue of 2015 West End Life will be publishing details in the magazine
of any classes or group meetings and any one off or regular events within the West End Life distribution area. This service is completely free. We will also publish details of all submissions on our website – www.westendlife.biz We will also publish information about local member clubs. To have your submission included in the magazine and on the website please send details to charles@westendlife.biz . Our deadline dates for the coming year are available on our website
Exhibitions, Talks and Lectures Alasdair Gray: From the Personal to the Universal Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is delighted to be staging this major ‘life’s work’ retrospective, curated by Sorcha Dallas, in celebration of Alasdair Gray’s 80th birthday, which was in December 2014. The exhibition features more than 100 works, including several loans from private and other collections, and covers Gray’s work from his student days at Glasgow School of Art right up to the present day. With so many pieces on loan from private collections, this is an exciting opportunity to examine rarely seen works altogether. Many of these works have never been on public display or haven’t been for many years. Alasdair Gray: From the Personal to the Universal is on in Kelvingrove’s temporary exhibition gallery on the lower ground floor until Sunday 22 February 2015. Tickets are £5 Adults/ £3 Concessions
North Kelvin CC Meet 3rd Tuesday every month Our next meeting will be at 6.30pm on Tuesday 17 February 2015 Venue: St Charles’ Church Hall, 1 Kelvinside Gardens, G20 6BG Historical Association Talk Thursday 12th March “The Big Push of 1915- The Battle of Loos” Hear Colonel Steele of the Argylls on the only battle involving every Highland regiment. Hillhead Library 5.30pm For further information, contact the Secretary gwsbhistoricalassociation@gmail. com
Community Councils
Jordanhill CC Meet 1st Monday of the month except July and August in Jordanhill Church Hall, Woodend Drive, at 7.15 p.m. www.jordanhillcc.org
Farmers Markets Partick, Mansfield Park Enjoy healthy and locally produced food. You’ll find a wide variety of seasonal vegetables, fresh fruit, quality meat, free range eggs, bread, cakes, cheese and fresh street food. 2nd & 4th Saturday 10am-2pm Milngavie, Douglas Street 1st Wednesday 10am - 2pm,
Broomhill CC 2nd Wednesday every month at 7.00pm in Broomhill Primary School www. communitycouncilsglasgow.org. uk/broomhill Hillhead CC Meet 2nd Thursday of each month at 7pm www.hillheadcc.org.uk
16 | West End Life – Winter/Spring 2015
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hat’s On What’s On What’s O Outdoor Activities and Exercise
alternate Wednesdays, there are short walks lasting a couple of hours and longer walks usually with a pub lunch which have come to be known as the Wednesday Wanderers. For more information visit www. bearsdenandmilngavieramblers. org.uk
Mugdock Country Park There are lots of things to see and do at Mugdock Country Park. You can see a full range of activities at www.mugdock-country-park. org.uk - there is something to suit everyone! Western Health and Racquets Club In the heart of Glasgow’s West End, the Western Health & Racquets Club is the ideal place for everyone to play sport, get fit and have a good time. If you would like to know more or would like an application form then get in touch via telephone or email, or even pop down to the clubhouse. For more information visit www.glasgowwestern.co.uk Hillhead Sports Club Hillhead Sports Club, a multisport, fitness and social club based at Hughenden in the West End of Glasgow - Cricket, Rugby, Tennis, Fitness, Shinty, Frisbee and more. Visit www.hillheadsportsclub.com for more information. Bearsden and Milngavie Ramblers Apart from the walks organised every weekend, there are other walking activities which feature in the Group’s programme. On West End Life Magazine
Milngavie and Bearsden Sports Club Milngavie and Bearsden Sports club is the sporting base for several clubs offering hockey, tennis, archery and shinty. The club has a rich history with hockey club starting in 1898 and the tennis section celebrating its centenary year this year. It is a family orientated club which offers a high level of coaching in all sports. Visit www. mandbsportsclub.com for more information. Park Run
Milngavie Mountaineering Club Most of our hill walking and climbing involves Scottish mountains in both summer and winter, although there are occasional forays into England, Wales and Ireland. As well as Munro and Corbett bagging, some members indulge in other mountain activities including scrambling, rock and winter climbs. Our programme consists of fortnightly day meets, usually on Sundays, as well as several weekends based in hostels or similar accommodation. Some MMC members practice on the Glasgow Climbing Wall on Monday afternoons & Tuesday nights New members are welcome. We meet at the Douglas Street car park, opposite the Post Office in Milngavie at the time listed in the programme. Please contact us by email so the walk co-ordinator and members can welcome you. For more information visit www. milngaviemountaineeringclub.org
Pollok Country Park, Springburn Park, Tollcross Park & Victoria Park Every Saturday at 9.30am Sign up for this free weekly 5K park run. Register at www. parkrun.org.uk Junior Park Run Victoria Park Every Sunday at 9.20am Weekly timed runs for children aged 4 - 14 years. For more information visit www.parkrun. org.uk
Member Clubs The Buchanan Bridge Club The Buchanan has been the home of bridge in Glasgow since 1932. The Buchanan Bridge Club is a fully licensed club with a bar and table service whilst you play. The Buchanan offers tuition at various levels. For more information visit www. buchananbc.co.uk www.westendlife.biz | 17
Show And Tell by arrangement with DAA Management present
JOSIE LONG
Three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee and cult optimist is back on the road early next year with her most personal show to date about love, family and being as outdoorsy as a bear. In her seventh nationwide tour and with a new niece in the picture, Josie reflects on her own childhood and the resilience of an older sister.
She had never really truly known heartbreak until now, and she is using this experience to change her ways; to be more patient, to work out what she really wants and to become a better person. This is truly her most heartfelt, honest and revealing material, but don’t fret Nigel Farage and Nick Clegg still get a mention…
In her last Fringe appearance in 2012, Josie received her third Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination, and at this year’s festival she collected more stars than a small solar system and was officially cited the best reviewed comedy show. Throwing aside the whimsical reputation that she had become known for, a new, more politically aware and socially conscious comedian had emerged and captivated the comedy industry in a totally different way. Josie is renowned for writing about what she cares about and, although there has more recently been a political underlying to her material, she always has the ability to make her shows friendly and silly. As many reviewers point out, you cannot help but come away from her shows hoping to become her best friend. www.josielong.com www.showandtelluk.com TWITTER: @JosieLong
Tues March 17th EDINBURGH The Stand 0131 558 7272 Weds March 18th GLASGOW The Stand 0844 335 8879
Win Tickets to see Josie Long at the Stand Comedy Club! West End Life has teamed up with The Stand, to offer two of our lucky readers, two tickets to the show on Wednesday March18th All you have to do is answer this simple question: In what year was Josie’s last Edinburgh Festival appearance? To enter, visit www.westendlife.biz, click on ‘competitions’ and follow the instructions from there. Closing date: Friday 13th March. 18 | West End Life – Winter/Spring 2015
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A Family Business Since 1994 Where it’s Chemistry, not Chemicals
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A feast of light and sound for everyone in glasgow’s iconic botanic gardens The West End Festival brings you The Electric Gardens, a new sound and light experience taking place in Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens. It’s open to the public until Sunday, 15 February. The Electric Gardens is a designed as a self-guided evening walk; full of specially placed lights, sound effects, music and live acts as well as a visit inside the Kibble Palace. The live performers are set to include fire eaters, a saxophonist and an interactive spider among other surprises! The unusual experience is suitable for everyone and accessible to all. The walks start every half hour from 5:30pm with the final walk setting out at 8:30pm. They take around 45 minutes. While the West End Festival runs in June every year, Festival organisers decided to expand operations into the winter months and this event is unlike anything it has produced before, an opportunity to see the iconic and well-loved Botanic Gardens in a different light! More than
40% of ticket sales are from outside Glasgow and The Electric Gardens is set to bring lots of visitors to Glasgow and the west end. Michael Dale, festival director, said; ”This new event is something a little different for the west end and it suits the natural landscape the west end’s leafy outdoors has to offer – or perhaps snowy given recent weather! “We are looking to ensure the sustainability of the festival all year-round. We want The Electric Gardens to be a success as it will enable us to develop plans for year- round activity. It would be fantastic to be able to run this event again but this will very much depend on ticket sales this time around. “The event falls across the schools’ mid-term break and Valentine’s Day, giving people something a little different to do in Glasgow.” Two competitions are running throughout The Electric Gardens. The first is an amateur photography competition. The second is a children’s drawing competition.
22 | West End Life – Winter/Spring 2015
Event organisers are encouraging attendees to make a night of the visit, taking full advantage of the lively dining and shopping experience that the west end offers. Visitors are also being encouraged to dress for the weather as the majority of the event is outdoors. Ticket prices for the event are £10 for adults, £8 for children or £30 for a family ticket (for 4). Since going on sale in December tickets have been selling fast particularly for weekends, early booking is advised. It should also be noted that ticket sales for the same day stop online at 3pm. After 3pm, you can buy sameday tickets from Oran Mor (top of Byres Road) in the bar. Tickets can be purchased online at westendfestival.co.uk or by calling 0333 666 3366.
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The Ardardan Estate has been in the hands of the Montgomery family since 1997 and in that time they’ve lovingly restored the farm and business to become a hub for the local area and a fantastic place for families to visit and enjoy. With hard work, ambition and imagination, May and Grant Montgomery with their family and brilliant team have created a magical little haven on the north shore of the Clyde between Cardross and Helensburgh.. Visitors will find a restored walled garden on the banks of the river featuring a farm shop, garden nursery and tearoom that serves delicious home-made food and excellent produce. The enchanting secret Woodland is a magical wonderland for children and a peaceful retreat for those who fancy a short wander or a longer walk going on to Ardmore Point.
A stroll is the perfect way to work up an appetite for a treat in the tearoom. Alternatively pick up some treats in the Farm Shop and create your own picnic. Why not bring the whole family and make it a wonderful treat for mum, this Mother’s Day? Younger visitors are thrilled by a chance to meet some of the four-legged and feathered inhabitants of Ardardan. Pigs Ki and Wi are the star attraction, but other animals include the Texel sheep and lambs in the spring,
Highland cows and hens. There are a host of events this Spring and Summer at Ardardan including a Tasting Day in March, Easter Extravaganza during the schools hols, a Vintage Tractor Rally in June and a Scarecrow Festival in September. Also look out for Cheese Tasting evenings in the Farm Shop and specials in the tearoom, check the website www.ardardan. co.uk and Facebook or email hello@ardardan.co.uk for more information.
Ardardan Estate Cardross
Eat
Shop
Walk
Enjoy!
Delve into a wide selection of homemade products and Scottish goodies in the Farm Shop, a treasure trove of top notch plants, shrubs and gifts and wander around the Woodland Walk. There’s always a wee cuppa and a treat and a light lunch waiting for you in the tearoom.
Keep an eye on our website and on facebook for our
Diary of Events for all the family. Ardardan Estate, Cardross, G82 5HD
West End Life Magazine
Tel: 01389 849188
www.ardardan.co.uk
www.westendlife.biz | 23
Mama – I love you…. Mothering Sunday, sometimes known as Mother’s Day, is held on the fourth Sunday of Lent. It is exactly three weeks before Easter Sunday and usually falls in the second half of March or the beginning of April. Traditionally, people visited the church where they were baptized. Mothering Sunday is now a celebration of motherhood. People visit and take gifts to their mothers and grandmothers.
Here are some inspiring quotes to remind you why your mum is so special: “A mother is not a person to lean upon, but a person to make leaning unnecessary.” Dorothy Canfield Fisher “Who ran to help me when I fell, And would some pretty story tell, Or kiss the place to make it well? My Mother.” Ann Taylor
“Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes, by dozens and hundreds. Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins, comrades and friends—but only one mother in the whole world.” Kate Douglas Wiggin “Nothing erodes [a mother’s love]. It is not sand on a beach. It is the nuclear heart of things— hard as the rock of this earth.” Beth Kephart
Here at Native Flowers, we love mums and we know exactly what yours would love to receive on Mothering Sunday. Our team of highly trained florists can create a stunning presentation of her favourite flowers in a variety of designs - from beautiful bouquets to creatively styled potted plants. A lovely range of cards and gifts also available. Call in or call to arrange the perfect gift Mother’s Day gift.
0141 341 0101
We look forward to hearing from you.
Email info@nativeflowers.co.uk Native Flowers, 27 Clarence Drive, Hyndland, Glasgow G12 9QN 24 | West End Life – Winter/Spring 2015
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Creative me-time Art weekend or art class – a perfect present for Valentine, Mother’s Day or just for YOU. We all know how hectic life can be. We rarely take time out to explore something new or re-energise. art4you Scotland located near Killearn offers just this. An art course or weekend where all materials are provided and all you need to do is to turn up, be creative and relax. Oil, acrylic, pastels, watercolour all there for you to explore and take your mind off the day-to-day routine. Our artists encourages each individual to discover and develop their personal technique and style of painting and drawing. Various weekend classes and regular art classes during the week available from £75. What you get: provisional guidance by practising artists, country side studio, meet new people, a fun experience you will remember and cherish.
Janet & John is a unique shop/gallery in the
heart of Glasgow’s West End, featuring the work of around 50 Scottish-based artists and crafters. New to the shop this year are hand painted silk scarves from Doodles of Love and handmade soy wax candles, scented with essential oils, from The Melt Pool. Their range also includes a wide variety of heart themed and other gifts that would be perfect for that special Valentine’s or Mother’s Day present, at prices starting at just a few pounds. A wide selection of cards is also available, many handmade.
“I enjoyed the freedom to draw and paint with a varied and generous supply of high quality materials and received just the right amount of encouragement and direction. A wonderful relaxing weekend” Linda Christie art4you Scotland welcomes everyone from experienced artist and to total art beginner, any age. www.art4youscotland.co.uk info@art4youscotland.co.uk www.facebook.com/art4youScotland Claudia & Ewen Duncan, 01360 449 101 or 07981 768 081 art4you Scotland Studio: Ballochruin Farm, Balfron Station, G63 0LE
Upper Floor De Courcy’s Arcade Cresswell Lane Hillhead Glasgow G12 8AA
Shop handmade this Spring
A unique range of Scottish arts & crafts Perfect gifts for Valentines and Mother’s Day Opening Times
You could WIN a 1-day Art Weekend value £75 incl. all materials & lunch
For information on how to enter go to: www.westendlife.biz. Click on ‘competitions’ and follow the instructions from there.
West End Life Magazine
Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 5.30pm Sunday 12 - 5pm Closed Mondays
www.janetandjohnscotland.com facebook.com/janetandjohn twitter.com/JandJScotland www.westendlife.biz | 25
Valentine’s All Year Round
Valentine’s Day is all about being ‘in love’ isn’t it? But what does ‘being in love’ really mean? Is it just about the flowers, chocolate or perfume? To me, being in love is all about appreciating and noticing my partner. In the first throws of a romance it’s easy: you appreciate the way it feels when he takes
your hand; the way she laughs or cries at daft films; the way he pokes his tongue out when he concentrates. You notice the little things and find them endearing. Over time sadly our focus shifts more to the things which irritate us, such as the way we have to ask him to take his muddy shoes off in the house at least three
26 | West End Life – Winter/Spring 2015
times before he does it, or the way she spends so much money on clothes and beauty products. When we focus on the negatives the positives get lost. Worse, we only appreciate our partner when they produce a big gift, or an extravagant display of affection, mainly because it’s something out of the ordinary so it shakes us out of our apathy. Florists, jewellers and gift-card suppliers capitalise on this. I am not advocating a Valentine’s Day without cards and flowers, (mainly because I like receiving them), but this year make a list of all the little things you love about your husband, wife or partner as well. Then every day tell them one or two small things you really appreciate about them. Yes it takes effort, but it will help them feel loved every day, not just on Valentine’s Day. The poet Victor Hugo said that ‘The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.’ That surely has to be the best Valentine gift you can give anyone this year. By Sarah Davey
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Your love is our passion‌ At House for an Art Lover, we are passionate about weddings. This Charles Rennie Mackintosh inspired house, set in the grounds of Bellahouston Park, is the perfect setting for your special day. Your special day deserves a memorable setting.
For further information on our weddings visit www.houseforanartlover.co.uk West Endcontact Life Magazine www.westendlife.biz | 27 or please our wedding coordinator on 0141 353 4773 or info@houseforanartlover.co.uk
Are Glasgow lettings set to grow in 2015? Glasgow Property News by James Callaghan of Domino Letting
In a city like Glasgow we have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to architecture. From modern, award-winning examples like Zaha Hadid’s Transport Museum to our grand imposing Victorian tenements, admiring property in Glasgow is easy to do. Would you be surprised to know, though, that Glasgow also provides one of the best returns on investment for rental property in the whole of the UK? In solid, prime locations, Glasgow gives regular net returns of 5% per year (7% gross). This compares very well to cash in the bank savings at an average of 2%. In addition, property in the West End grew by an average of
4% in 2014 so for an investment of £100,000 you would have received £5,000 in rent plus £4,000 added to the value of your property. That’s a combined 9% which is a phenomenal return! That takes us neatly to areas to invest in. We love to watch trends within Glasgow as various neighbourhoods change and grow. The trick is not to invest in the hot spot but the spot next to the hot spot. For that reason the areas of interest to investors should be Finnieston, Yorkhill, Kelvingrove and Partick. You may already have noticed a whole host of new bars and restaurants in these locations – always a big
28 | West End Life – Winter/Spring 2015
indicator of an area on the rise. On a more broad level there are some key fundamentals to adhere to. The best investors never fall in love with their property investments but always ensure the numbers stack up. The four main criteria to look at on any property purchase are: Transport – What are the local road and rail provisions? The best town in the world won’t be attractive if you can’t get to work and back. Employment – Following from transport, does your area of focus have plentiful employment within a reasonable radius? Amenities – What does this area provide the residents in terms of shops, entertainment, bars, restaurants, green spaces? Schools – Towards the edges of the West End we see schooling become more and more of a hot subject so know all the local educational establishments and catchments. Domino Letting offers servicefocused property sourcing and management, focusing on central and West End locations. The numbers above are examples of recent client investments. Domino Letting think Glasgow is perfectly poised for more of the same in 2015. If you would like an informal chat on any property interests, just drop me a line at james@ dominoletting.co.uk.
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A Traveller’s Tales West End Life Travel Blog by Simon Gemell: Western Canada and the Canadian Rockies.
This region should be on every traveller’s wish list with the towering Rockies, the ranch lands of the Cariboo Region and the stunning Pacific Coast. The Canadian Rockies feature some fascinating resorts: Calgary is the gateway airport for the Rockies and best known for the annual Calgary Stampede. Many summertime festivals are held here celebrating Blues, Folk or Film. Banff is less than two hours by road from Calgary, situated beside the Bow River, in a stunning position surrounded by mountains. Don’t forget to include a Gondola Ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain to enjoy the magnificent views. Jasper is a much less commercial town than Banff, with a sleepy “Alpine” resort feel to it. You can visit the Jasper Tramway (Cable Car) for yet more wonderful views or take a boat ride on the beautiful Maligne Lake. Both Banff and Jasper offer country pursuits such as climbing, canoeing, hiking and cycling in a big way.
The Famous Rocky Mountaineer Train Travelling aboard the privately owned Rocky Mountaineer is an unforgettable experience. The two to three-day train journey takes place during daylight hours to ensure you enjoy every minute of the breath-taking scenery, retracing train routes built more than 100 years ago through the Canadian Rockies and Western Canada. Ferocious rivers, majestic mountain ranges, glacier-fed lakes, can all be observed from the comfort of a roomy carriage or observation dome. Vancouver is an attractive city in particular the downtown area which includes the shopping areas around Robson Street, and Gastown, the original old town. Stanley Park at the waterfront, a huge area of natural beauty and excellent wildlife, is also well worth a visit. For a great day out,
Tailor-made
try walking across the Capilano Suspension Bridge or check out the Treetops Adventure and the Cliff Walk. Not far away is Grouse Mountain - take the gondola to the top and enjoy wonderful views and wildlife. Travelling by seaplane to Victoria on Vancouver Island is an amazing experience in its own right, There, you can reach the famous Butchart Gardens, try high speed whale watching - or enjoy afternoon tea at the famous Fairmont Empress Hotel. Making the most of your time in the Rockies Take the leisurely full day excursion from Banff to Jasper along the scenic Icefields Parkway, making several fantastic photo stops including Lake Louise. A new attraction is the Glacier Skywalk and the Athabasca Glacier where you can take a trip on the Ice Explorer – a bus with extra-large wheels that climbs to the top of the Icefield. The Icefields Excursion together with a stay in Calgary, Banff and Jasper can be successfully combined with many of the famous Rocky Mountaineer journeys to Vancouver.
L318X
Holidays & Cruises
www.designertravel.co.uk/simongemmell
Direct Line: 01475 540350 | Email: simon@designertravel.co.uk West End Life Magazine
www.westendlife.biz | 29
M E S A RT “IT IS OUR PHILOSOPHY TO CREATE BESPOKE HAIR STYLES AND A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE.” Located in Glasgow, we are a boutique hair salon with award winning stylists here to create your perfect look. We have a passion for hair, for style, for colour, for shape and for hair care. At Mesart you will discover a truly relaxing yet inspired atmosphere where the focus is all on you. Julia is our hair extension specialist who works with the hair dreams brand.
23 Old Dumbarton Road Glasgow G3 8QY T: 0141 339 4407 www.mesart.co.uk
You can book online using our app which can be
downloaded fromLife the app store by searching2015 Mesart. 30 | West End – Winter/Spring
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Broomhill Shopping Centre Where shopping and eating is just around the corner.
BROOMHILL LAUNDRETTE & DRY CLEANERS
Broomhill Shopping Centre Broomhill Drive, 2-26 Norby Road Broomhill, Glasgow G11 7BN www.broomhillshoppingcentre.com
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