Let’s Talk about

ARMENIA “A BIT OF NOSTALGIA!

BELGRAVE HALLS WINTER 2017

NEW TO CORSTORPHINE A magazine produced by St Ninian’s Church, Corstorphine LETS TALK ABOUT” CORSTORPHINE 1ISSUE 40 Welcome to Corstorphine Churches

Carrick Knowe Parish Church St Andrew’s Church St Ninian’s Church Church of Road North Church of Scotland Church of Scotland www.ckchurch.org.uk View St John’s Road Main Sunday Service: 11am www.edinburghstandrewsclermiston.org.uk www.corstorphinestninians.org.uk July-August: 10.30am Main Sunday Service: 10.30am Main Sunday Service: 10.30am Evening Services as intimated Minister: Rev. Alistair Keil Evening Services as intimated Minister: Rev. Fiona Mathieson Minister: Rev. James Aitken St Anne’s Church Corstorphine Old Parish Church Church of Scotland St Thomas’ Church Church of Scotland Kirk Loan Road Scottish Episcopal www.corstorphineoldparish.org.uk www.stannescorstorphine.org.uk Glasgow Road Main Sunday Service: 10.30am Main Sunday Service: 11am www.saintthomas.org.uk Minister: Rev. Moira McDonald July-August 10.30am Main Sunday Service: 10.30am Minister: Rev. James Griggs Rector: Rev. David McCarthy Corstorphine Craigsbank Parish Church Church of Scotland (One Church 2 centres) St John the Baptist St Kentigern’s Roman Catholic www.craigsbankchurch.org.uk Roman Catholic Avenue At Church Centre St Ninian’s Road www.stkentigernsedinburgh.co.uk ( Market) www.stjohnthebaptist.rcstanded.org.uk Sunday Morning Mass: 9.30am Main Sunday Service: 9.45am Saturday Mass: 6pm Holy Days of Obligation: Craigsbank Church Sunday Mass: 11.30am As announced (North of Glasgow Road) Holy Days of Obligation: Weekday Mass: Main Sunday Service: 11.30am As announced As announced Minister: Rev. Stewart McPherson Parish Priest: Fr. Jeremy Milne Parish Priest: Fr. Jeremy Milne

Corstorphine Community Church Glebe Road Sunday Service: 10.30am Pastor: Duncan Whitty

SPECIAL CHURCH SERVICES FOR ADVENT, CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR

Carrick Knowe Parish Church Corstorphine Old Parish Church St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church Sun 3 Dec 11am Gift Service Sun 10 Dec 9.40am ‘Wee Service’ in Church Hall To be announced Sun 10 Dec 11am Lessons and Carols for families with young children Sun 17 Dec 11am Worship 10.30am Morning Service and 6.30pm Communion by Candlelight Gift Service St. Kentigern’s Roman Catholic Church Sun 24 Dec 11am Worship Wed 13 Dec 7pm Torchlight Procession To be announced 6.30pm Christingle from St. Margaret’s Park 11.15pm Carol Singing 7.30pm Carols and Stories 11.30pm Watchnight Service Sun 17 Dec 9.40am ‘Wee Service’ in Church Hall St. Ninian’s Church Sun 31 Dec 11am Worship for families with young children Sun 10 Dec 10.30am Sunday School Sun 7 Jan 11am Worship in Hall 10.30am Festival of Nine Gift Service Lessons and Carols Sat 16 Dec 10.30am-3.30pm Quiet Day Corstorphine Community Church (followed by mince pies and coffee) - Church open for prayer and Sun 24 Dec 10.30am Christmas Service Sun 24 Dec 10.30am Children’s Nativity Service meditation 6pm Family Service Sun 17 Dec 10.30am Family Service Corstorphine Craigsbank Parish Church 11pm Carols in Church 6.30pm Lessons & Carols (One church, Two Centres) 11.30pm Watchnight Service Sun 24 Dec 10.30am Family Service Mon 25 Dec 10.30am Family Worship 8pm Christmas Eve East Craigs Church Centre Candlelight Service Sun 3 Dec 9.30am Advent Worship Mon 25 Dec 10.30am Christmas Day Service 7pm Advent Candlelit Communion St. Andrew’s Church Sun 10 Dec Joint event at Craigsbank Sun 17 Dec 6pm Brass Band Carol Service Sun 17 Dec 9.30am Nativity Sunday Tues 19 Dec 6.30pm Community Carol Service St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church Sun 24 Dec 9.30am Joint Service of Readings Sun 24 Dec 11.30pm Watchnight Service Sun 3 Dec 10.30am Advent Sun with and Carols Mon 25 Dec 10.30am Christmas Day Service Communion Sun 31 Dec 9.30am Morning Worship Sun 31 Dec 10.30am End of Year Service Sun 10 Dec 10.30am Morning Praise Sun 17 Dec 10.30am Café Church All Age Service Craigsbank Church followed by Children’s Party Sun 3 Dec 11am Advent Worship St. Anne’s Church 12 noon to 4pm Sun 10 Dec 10am Christian Aid Breakfast Sun 3 Dec 11am Advent Sunday 6.30pm Carols by Candelight 11am Gift Service Sun 10 Dec 11am Advent 2 Service Sun 17 Dec 11am Nativity Sun Sun 17 Dec 11am Advent 3 Sun 24 Dec 10.30am All Age Service with Sun 24 Dec 9.30am Joint Service in East Craigs Sunday Club Nativity Communion 6pm Family Christingle Service 7pm Lessons & Carols Service 11.15pm Christmas Eve Communion 11pm Mulled Wine Thurs 21 Dec 7.30pm Longest Night Service Service 11.30pm Watchnight Service Sun 24 Dec 11am Advent 4 Mon 25 Dec 10.30am All Age Christmas Day Sun 31 Dec 11am Morning Worship 4pm Christingle Service Service 11.30pm Watchnight Service Sun 31 Dec 10.30am All Age Communion Service Mon 25 Dec 11am All-Age Christmas Day Service with Holy Communion

2 WINTER Let’s talk about Corstorphine Welcome to the fortieth issue of ‘Let’s Talk’- the volunteers who produce and distribute the magazine produced by the Enterprise the magazine. Committee of St. Ninian’s Church. The magazine is distributed to over 7,000 homes Should you wish to enquire about advertising in the area. in ‘Let’s Talk’, please contact the number below. The magazine contains stories of local interest and articles on clubs and organisations. Best wishes. Please regard it as your local magazine. Contributions and suggestions for articles Ian Kirkpatrick, are welcome. The next issue of this magazine The Convener, will be distributed in June 2018 for which the Enterprise Committee, copy date is 15 April. St. Ninian’s Church, St. John’s Road, We are a small group of volunteers from St. , Ninian’s Church, and accept advertisements EH12 8AY and feature material in good faith. The Tel – 0131-316 4777 (Tuesday – Friday opinions expressed by contributors and mornings only) advertisers may not be those of the Enterprise Committee of St. Ninian’s Church. (Cover picture – Belgrave Halls)

Many thanks to our advertisers, to those who contribute articles and photographs and to

Halls and rooms available

Childrens birthday parties, etc at St. Ninian’s Church

Contact Gaynor Beames Tel: 0131 316 4777 Email: [email protected]

LETS TALK ABOUT CORSTORPHINE 3 A Bit of Nostalgia! Undoubtedly 4th September 2017 was a day to celebrate. There has been a crossing at Queensferry since the Another century, and another feat of engineering to 1000s. Queen Margaret established a ferry here to take bridge the Firth of Forth at Queensferry. The Queen would her and King Malcolm to the Royal Palace in Dunfermline officially open the Queensferry Crossing, exactly 53 years and to St Andrews. It was used by travellers, monarchs after she had opened the Forth Road Bridge. But as we and pilgrims for centuries. Indeed, the ferry was still crossed the Forth Road Bridge early that morning it was used for passengers and cars until 1964! Though a road with a sense of sadness and of loss. This would be the crossing had been mooted since the 1740s the first last time, our return would be over the ‘New Bridge’. Fifty- bridge crossing was the iconic Rail Bridge. It is indeed three years ago, I was 10!! Being born and brought up in sturdy, a magnificent feat of C19th engineering. But so Aberdeen, Edinburgh was far away – too far to visit, the too is the Road Bridge. Graceful and elegant, it brought journey too long. But the new bridge made that much the North of Scotland closer to the central belt; it has easier. My father was very excited about this wonderful been crucial to Scotland’s road network and economy; new construction, so in October 1964 we travelled down and it became vital to the daily commuters. We just have to see it. to remember the havoc caused in December 2015 when it was closed for 3 weeks due to a serious crack. I had I remember we parked at the south side and walked arranged a trip to Aberdeen and this added an hour to across and back. It was a wild, wet, dreich day. I have the journey each way. It was one of the most heavily used a vague memory that we then went on to visit the castle crossings in the UK. Indeed, it was so popular it exceeded but the highlight of the day was definitely crossing the its weight bearing capacity. Originally no more than 11 Road Bridge! It would be another sixteen years before I million vehicles were expected to use it annually; now crossed it again, to live in Edinburgh, and then it became it’s over 26 million. Not only that, the maximum lorry a lifeline back to Aberdeen to see family. It also made our weight was raised from 22 to 40 tonnes. So, it is really trips to the hills much easier. In those days, of course, we not surprising that it did not last its predicted working life. had to pay a toll – it was important to have the correct money ready to allow as slick a passage as possible! In February 1982, I had a job for a few weeks in Dunfermline. Of course, the bridge allowed this to happen – and I went against the flow of traffic so no long delays! However, one day it was windy with thick fog, a real pea- souper! There was a hold-up and I was stuck in the car on the bridge for 15 minutes. This was an interesting experience! The bridge shook in a quite disconcerting manner. This incident made me realise just how much the weather causes delays and disruptions to schedules and it came to mind again recently with the delays to the building of the new bridge. No wonder!

Traffic crossing below!

I had the privilege of climbing the south-east tower in October 2010. 10 of us arrived at the Operations Building and were given white boiler suits, fluorescent waistcoats Brother, Mum, Me on Forth Road Bridge 1964! and hard hats. And we had to wear harnesses in case

4 WINTER we had to be lowered down from the tower! A mini bus by the Operations Team. Driving over we tend to take the took us to the north side of the bridge along one of the Bridge for granted, we get annoyed at hold-ups, we find footways – closed to pedestrians! Underneath the bridge the dede, dede as we cross the expansion joints irritating we were taken into the anchorage chamber on the east but, standing up there on the gantry, one appreciated just side where the main cable enters the ground. The two how important this bridge was and understood the efforts main cables, which hold the bridge up, are each 60cm that went in to maintaining it and the flow of traffic. I in diameter and are made up of 11618 individual high vowed never to moan about it again!!! tensile steel wires tightly packed together. Inside the Everybody I have spoken to thinks the Queensferry chamber we could see, and touch, the individual wires. Crossing is beautiful. However, all I see are 3 very tall They entered the ground at an angle and were anchored concrete pillars – nothing majestic about them! Maybe deep in tunnels bored into the rock and filled with I’ll come to appreciate its beauty the more I use it but concrete. This was an impressive sight. I will miss that noise of the expansion joints - there was It was these wires which were found to be corroding in something quite comforting about them! 2005 meaning that the cables had lost 8-10% of their RMC strength. Thus, they were fitted with a dehumidification system whereby dry air was blown into the cable. Acoustic monitoring systems were also installed to listen for ‘pings’ if any new wires broke. Our guide told us that, though they could not fix the broken wires, the drying process had been successful and had prevented further corrosion. Back in the vehicle we returned across the bridge to the south-east tower. This we went up! Inside there is a lift with room for 3 people standing straight one behind the other. Cosy! A bridge worker took us up 2 at a time. Out of the lift but still inside we then had to manoeuvre round and over bits of the structure, then climb a vertical steel ladder and out a small opening on to the gantry. What a view! The cars below looked like Dinky toy motors. One couldn’t help but marvel and be awe-struck at the bridge’s beauty and of those who had built it and those who still maintained it. We looked across to the Rail Bridge but, being rather misty, we didn’t get views to the hills of Perthshire and the Trossachs.

On the gantry of SE Tower

Over 70 employees worked in maintenance, traffic operations and doing inspections. Day-to-day maintenance was generally done at night or early in the morning; road works were also necessary; wide vehicles meant the bridge had to close to other traffic so this was done at a time to cause least disruption to traffic; motorists broke down or ran out of petrol on a daily basis; sudden gusts of wind blew over high sided vehicles, motorbikes and caravans. All these had to be controlled

LETS TALK ABOUT CORSTORPHINE 5 into a gallery of art which meant something to the charity – so all the artwork is very special. From a collaboration It’s Good 2 Give with the charities Young Ambassadors and Edinburgh artist The 12th May 2017 marked a very important day for Wendy Helliwell to the beautiful bench designed by Scottish everyone at Scottish charity, “It’s Good 2 Give”. It was the Parliament furniture designer Ben Dawson, there is something official opening of the beautiful Ripple Retreat in Callander for everyone at the Retreat. Blacksmith Kev Paxton of ArtFe – a purpose-built, restful and safe place for families who have designed some beautiful sculptures for the outside space – he a child affected by cancer to enjoy a short break together. created “Bill the Bull”, a bird feeder station and a spectacular “It’s Good 2 Give” is a charity which came to life in April gate with lots of wonderful features on it. 2010, founded by Lynne and Ian McNicoll. On a daily basis, Further generosity has come from Callander’s nearby “It’s Good 2 Give” provides support for families whether attractions offering complementary vouchers for Ripple it’s providing parent packs while their child is in hospital or Retreat guests to use on their stay. Families can enjoy a day out bringing nutritional snacks to Ward 2 at the Royal Hospital to Blair Drummond Safari Park, lunch at Venachar Lochside for Sick Children. The Ripple Retreat was the ultimate goal Restaurant and a trip on the Sir Walter Scott Steamship – to and after planning consent was received back in May 2014, name a few! the charity had been working harder than ever to make their dream come to life. The Ripple Retreat is a result of years of fundraising and hard work from so many dedicated supporters of “It’s Good The Ripple Retreat is situated on the banks of Loch 2 Give” and it is incredible to see how it has come together Venachar near Callander which is a truly beautiful setting – it is more spectacular than anyone could imagine. From all and the piece of land was kindly donated by David and Jean of us at “It’s Good 2 Give”, we wish every family who stays at Ferguson. Architect Tony Kettle, who previously designed the Ripple Retreat a wonderful experience and we hope they the Falkirk wheel, wanted to design the retreat on a pro bono have the time to relax, reflect and make memories. basis. The design he came back with was absolutely breath- taking – He was inspired by the ripples on the loch and the www.itsgood2give.co.uk rolling hills behind and so it was called the Ripple Retreat. Facebook: itsgood2give Twitter: itsgood2give Inside the Retreat is equally as breath-taking – with its Instagram: itsgood2give practicality intertwined with a thoughtful and homely feel, it is a spectacular building. A lot of the furnishings, including It’s Good 2 Give will be one of the beneficiaries of the stunning modern kitchen, were kindly donated to the St. Ninian’s Church Christmas Fair on 11 November charity and many other supporters purchased furnishings from the charity’s John Lewis Gift List. The retreat has 3 bedrooms – one double, one single and one twin – with every feature thoughtfully suited to the room. The single bedroom contains an electric adjustable bed and a wet room which is suitable for wheelchair access. The living space and kitchen is a spacious open plan design, filled with lots of light and colour, and it opens onto a patio where children can play and families can dine. The kitchen is fully equipped with extra features such as an adjustable kitchen counter with a separate hob – this allows a child in a wheelchair to easily take part in cooking and baking so all the family can enjoy it together. The artwork at the retreat is another spectacular feature. Co- Founder of the charity, Lynne, wanted to make the hallway

Conservatories • Windows • Porches • Doors Garage Conversations • Garden Rooms • Bathrooms General Joinery • Kitchens • Extensions • Roofing Sealed Unit Replacements • Loft Conversions • Orangeries • Atriums

6 WINTER Red Letter Day for Corstorphine Ladies Scotland’s only Hospice for children with life-shortening illnesses The idea was that the garden celebrates a milestone anniversary this year. Children’s Hospice would have as its central aim Association Scotland (CHAS) marks 25 years of changing lives in the provision of sight, smell and 2017 – but few people know that Scottish Women’s Institutes sound perceptions in a fun and was right there at the very beginning. stimulating context, suitable to Ladies from Corstorphine Institute in the Federation the needs of disabled children. gave CHAS its first ever donation – a fact that was only discovered Surfaces were to have different after staff from the Charity found some paperwork during a recent textures, plants with various office reshuffle. perfumes which would feel different. Braille signs, the sounds of A crinkled envelope hidden at the back of a desk turned out to be water, rustling plants, wind chimes and outdoor games. a note from the ladies wishing CHAS well with its fund raising for There would also be wooden animals for the children to touch. Rachel House. The letter – which was penned in 1991 – has now There would be involvement from the Botanical Gardens, been framed for posterity. national garden chain Dobbies and the BBC television show, The Margaret Mackay was president of Corstorphine Institute at the Beechgrove Garden. time and the discovery was brought to her attention after CHAS The then chairman of SWI, Shirley Wallace, visited Rachel House posted a photograph of the note on social media. It came as to meet with officials of CHAS and discussed the proposal which a huge surprise to members that their £50 gift had been the was expected to cost £6,000. A symbol of the organisation’s charity’s first ever donation. involvement was to be placed in the garden, such as a wooden She explained: “In June 1991 members were made aware of a badge, and SWI would be involved in the opening of the garden. local youth, Marc Dickson, who had the life-limiting disease Hunter Margaret added: “By November 1998, it was reported that a Syndrome. It was agreed that a donation from the proceeds of the total of £6,245.46 was collected by SWI members and that the annual coffee morning be sent to Hunter Syndrome Association. Sensory Garden was progressing and in November 1999, it was “In conversation with Mark’s mother, she explained to me that reported that the Sensory Garden was flourishing. It has been a she was one of the group which was fundraising for a children’s great success and is being used by the children and their families. respite care centre in Scotland. Subsequently, a letter and a “Over the intervening years, SWI Institutes and individual cheque for £50 made out to the Hospice Appeal were sent to members throughout Scotland have supported CHAS through her. volunteering and fundraising.” “The item on Facebook was brought to my attention and I contacted CHAS headquarters in Edinburgh. Maria McGill, the chief executive, was delighted to hear from me and kindly invited myself and Corstorphine president, Carol Elliot, to the office to meet with her and have a photograph taken with the framed letter.” They were invited to a parliamentary reception to recognise the Lock-up garages to let in Corstorphine and now work of CHAS, which opened doors in 1996. SWI members have 40 new double garages in Saughton Road North been staunch supporters of CHAS over the years, and Federations were asked to raise funds for a special project in 1998. • 24 -Hour access According to SWI minutes, the proposal was to have a sensory • Security gates garden installed at the hospice as a memorial to the children and their teacher who had died in the Dunblane Primary School • Suitable for a variety of uses tragedy two years previously. • Power/lighting • Competitively priced from £100+VAT per month • Available monthly Looking after all your office needs Contact Norrie Whitmey on 07946 624 299 for more information.

[email protected]

T: 0131 654 5080 M: 07943 818688

LETS TALK ABOUT CORSTORPHINE 7 structure in the whole of the former Soviet Union. Perched, impressively on a promontory surrounded by vertical drop-offs into the gorge below. Hard to believe that this lone building Armenia has been here for 2,000 years and is so little-known outside Arriving yesterday after dark, all I did was take of Armenia. In the bottom of the gorge a river meandered a taxi to my hotel and go to sleep. Smoke. between the basalt cliffs. It was utterly spectacular. That was the first thought that entered my Beside it were the remains of an old Roman bath house and head when I woke. I could smell the stench lots of Christian gravestones. The nearby vendors hoping to of cigarette smoke even in a non-smoking sell you anything from jars of home-made pickles, strings of room. The sheets and duvet were heavy with dried apricots to grim looking animal pelts. Evgeny got me to it and I must have been too tired last night taste some traditional pomegranate wine and I was just about to notice or care. to buy it but was told it was of poor quality. That was then I opened the curtains and could see Mount Ararat, snow- end of that and I was ushered away. I felt a bit sorry for the covered, in the distance. Going down to breakfast the toothless old lady who probably longed to make a sale. landings in the former Soviet style hotel were still covered with We went on along a lumpy road to Geghard Monastery which plastic sheeting to save the near thread-bare carpets from would not have looked out of place as a backdrop in Game of the workers trudging dirty feet back and forth whilst busying Thrones or in a King Arthur film. At the end of a small valley themselves on lift repairs. surrounded by high cliffs on all sides there’s a large white Breakfast was a strange affair as I sat alone in the cavernous cross on one of the cliff faces which probably served as a restaurant being waited upon by bored and overly attentive marker for those travelling here in years gone by. Perhaps the waiters. Having lived in Russia meant I could read some of more cynical might suggest it is a more recent addition that the menu and be able to order food that I enjoyed rather than provides a good tale to tell to visiting tourists. taking a chance and being served what the waiters thought a We walked up a wide, steep path and before going through Westerner might want instead. the main arch we stopped to throw stones at some small Immediately I finished breakfast I collected my bag from my hollows in the rocks. It’s said that if one of your stones lands room and settled my bill at reception. I then sat in the foyer in one of the hollows your wishes will come true. I cast five writing postcards and waiting for my dear friend, Evgeny, to small stones and none of mine made it so I guess my wishes arrive. Armenia is not a country visited by many tourists from are doomed. outside the former Soviet Union yet over the coming days it was to show me many wondrous sights and tantalise my taste The main archway was topped with intricate Christian crosses buds with all manner of delicious foods. carved into the stonework. It surely would have been an amazing site for monks and pilgrims to see after a lengthy Evgeny arrived with his uncle and they drove me to his antique and arduous journey. As you enter the main courtyard you are shop for tea. Up an old staircase with broken steps that would immediately struck by the quality of masonry and carving that put off most inquisitive tourists who otherwise might venture surrounds you. But the best is yet to come. As you enter into in to see his carpets and other items for sale. I was shown the main building you will note that the majority of it is carved some rare carpets, old Soviet photos, bayonets, swords, into a solid rock face, much like Petra in southern Jordan and medals and so on. We drank tea on the balcony overlooking the great churches at Lalibela in Ethiopia. One side of the the street below. How many people could even place Yerevan monastery though seems to have been built in cut stones and on a map? A bustling capital city steeped in history and joined on. The place is staggeringly beautiful. brimming full of restaurants, cafes and museums just waiting to be ‘discovered’ by mass tourism. The thing that puts people We travelled on to Lake Sevan, the largest lake in the off is their inability to communicate coupled with widely held Caucasus. My hosts had hired a private dining room and the misconceptions about almost all of the former Soviet Union food, including locally caught trout was lavish to say the least. countries. To me this is precisely what makes it so special and Beetroot salad, delicious potato dishes, vegetables and fruits worth visiting. I had never before seen, various breads and Smetana – the staple accompaniment to most meals here. It is like sour During the following days, I was made welcome at the family cream. home and fed extensive meals of delicious food usually washed down with copious glasses of neat vodka. At one of It was a long drive back and more apricot brandy and beer the most memorable meals I was dished out four large pieces were provided in the car. I’d really had enough alcohol for of lamb complete with vertebrae and spinal cord, green leaves today so I pretended to sleep which would avoid causing and bread – all to be eaten by hand. Then glasses of neat offence. My bed was the sofa, uncomfortable and too short. vodka and brandy were laid out in front of me. The brandy was When the lights in the kitchen went out I put my bedding on 20 years old when bottled in 1978 and still bore the Soviet the floor and slept there. markings on the label. A really generous gesture. This was When we drove out today we skirted the Turkish border. We followed up by beer and more beer. It was still only midday! stopped and bought apples and delicious honey from some Immediately after lunch, half drunk and in need of sleep I vendors at the roadside. In total, we drove more than 75 was told that I should get myself ready and was shoe-horned miles to get to Noravank Monastery to see the stunning 13th into a cramped old taxi. With the sun shining brightly, and century Surb Astvatsatsin church. Nestled, as most places with windows fully open we left the town behind us and here seem to be, amongst towering red cliffs it was a sight of drove out to Garni Temple. The only standing Greco-Roman great beauty.

8 WINTER Lunch today was had at Vorskan in an unusual wooden stilt That evening we drove slowly on to Jermuk and stayed in a house over a river. It was rather odd having the river fl owing hotel that was a former asylum in Soviet days. In a beautiful under us as we ate and ducks freely roaming around. Some setting, surrounded by forests dusted in snow and with part of the food was similar to yesterday but we were also treated frozen rivers just beginning to thaw. The following day I started here to potatoes with blue mushrooms, fabulous goat stew in my own journey home as Evgeny returned to Moscow and I pastry parcels, meat and pork, and fruit compote. Needless left my new-found friends in Yerevan with the promise that I to say an abundance of beer, wine, vodka was on offer and I, would return to see them soon. as the guest, was expected (almost forced) to drink a great Mike Laird amount of each. Belgrave Halls, Belgrave Road, Corstorphine There were also the Crossfords who lived at the junction of Templeland Road and Corstorphine Bank Drive – No. 17. They were related to the Eyre-Todds whose son Forbes ran the former Duchess Café as a Newsagent. The Church Hall was used for all the usual church activities such as Sunday School and its stage for the annual Nativity Plays. I suppose you could say it was a right-of-passage that you were fi rst an angel then Following recent speculation as to what is going to be built a shepherd or king. on the site of Belgrave Halls, I thought I would share some memories before the Halls disappear. The stage was also used for musical concerts organised by Betty Balfour - I am seen here These Halls formed The Scottish Episcopal Church of St. with Betty. Valerie Mann was the star pupil. She went on Margaret. I remember worshipping in the church as a child to teach music and married Alan Walker of Forrester Road; with my family during the 50s and 60s. their son is the musician and conductor Garry Walker. The interior was simple. The altar and lectern were at the east Other activities included Sales of Work, Beetle and Whist wall. There was a font at the west end and all the windows Drives and on Friday nights Cubs and Scouts. Oh, the local were leaded panes of small rectangles of coloured glass gardens that were weeded in the name of “Bob a Job” week; with a few scattered diamond shapes. The walls were white probably today it would be seen as child slave labour. painted clap board. There was a colourful heraldic banner depicting St. Margaret. Two slender wooden Angels adorned There were Sunday School opposite walls. The Organ was simple affair consisting of an Picnics and they generally took air pumped organ at the west end of the church near the place at Lady Greg’s Estate down entrance porch and a cube sound box supported on the apse at Barnton Avenue West – the joists above the organ. At Christmas, a Nativity tableau was House reputedly built from the placed in the church. remains of the House of Shaws. The gardens were brilliant for According to Corstorphine Trust archives, the Church the games with sweeping lawns, was established in 1913 as an offshoot of the Scottish two ponds with a connecting Episcopalian Cathedral of St. Mary, fi rst temporarily in Mr. rill, a Wendy Tree House in a Sidney Salmon’s Photographic studio in Manse Road then wooded area and tennis courts in in Corstorphine Freemason Hall before its present location. a walled garden with herbaceous The stone Hall was built in 1930 in ground gifted up from borders of tall bearded irises. the wooden church. The services were taken by Rev. Canon (Much of this land has now been A.W. Stevenson who lived with his wife in a semi-detached developed for housing.) villa at 38 St. Ninian’s Road. When Canon Stevenson retired in 1968 the Church was sadly The congregation was quite small and most lived locally. closed down and the congregation was invited to worship To name a few – Mrs Shepherd and Miss Herdman lived at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Murrayfi eld. The in villas on Clermiston Road, Miss Betty Balfour (a music wooden angels can still be seen as they fl ew to pillars in St. teacher and church organist) lived opposite in Belgrave Road. Mary’s Cathedral and the dedicated font is nearby. The Others attending included Hugh Walpole and his sister Dr Church and Hall were bought by the nearby St. Anne’s Dorothea (two of the children of a Bishop of Edinburgh Parish Church of Scotland and hosted dance and fi tness at The Scottish Episcopalian Cathedral of St. Mary in classes till 2014 when they were sold off due to being surplus Palmerston Place). Dr Dorothea had a surgery at the foot of to requirements. Templeland Road. The church received a new font in 1959 David J. 2017 dedicated to the memory of Dorothea.

LETS TALK ABOUT CORSTORPHINE 9 New to Corstorphine It has changed the way I was married in St. Ninian’s itself, to a local Corstorphine see the city, my move to woman. As a child my family would often across the first Corstorphine. Before I came Forth Road Bridge for a visit to Edinburgh. In my young mind here I lived on the south side Edinburgh was the big city, full of excitement and possibility. of the city, but the south side Corstorphine was often the first part of the city that I would of what? There, I was the see on these trips, as we drove in along St. John’s Road. To minister at St. Michael’s on a boy not yet in his teens, Edinburgh was a city of bungalows, Road, a wedge of and bungalows were Edinburgh. Edinburgh caught between When I lived in I was within easy walk of the city better known and centre. Merchiston wasn’t really a place, more a part of leafy Merchiston, where I the city. But, here in Corstorphine, on the north side of the lived. In Merchiston I was Water of , surrounded by members of my congregation, conscious of hills and canals. The land on that part of with family history all around me, I feel I live in a place, an the south side slopes up from Gorgie Road, over Slateford identifiable location - there is even a road sign, Welcome to Road, across the Union Canal and up Craiglockart Hill with Corstorphine, and of course the Zoo, which my son loves, Morningside falling away on the other side. feels like it’s mine. Now, in Corstorphine, I live again on the side of a hill. It’s a Moving to Corstorphine feels new and different and familiar hike up from St. John’s Road, on which St. Ninian’s stands, and old all at the same time. I’m looking forward to finding to my new home. Corstorphine Hill continues to rise above out what that means, and of working and living here, in this me. I knew when I moved that it would take some time to place. settle into a new community especially when the work of a minister is so community focused, and so geographically Rev. James Aitken precise. The parish of St. Michael’s stretched away from the church towards the Hutchison development, a narrow strip of land, and I lived on the edge of it. Here, at St. Ninian’s where I am now the minister, the parish is a square block, and I live in the middle of it. But, it was the move itself ABOUT THE CORSTORPHINE PUBLIC HALL REBUILD that reoriented my understanding of Edinburgh’s geography. What’s happened so far? I spent days moving belongings by driving down and away As many local people around Corstorphine will have from Merchiston by way of , Gorgie and , noticed, the demolition of much of the old Corstorphine and then up to Corstorphine. Public Hall building has now taken place, the remaining walls having been stabilised with retention scaffolding. It is the Water of Leith and the flat plain through which the river meanders that divides the city here in the south side As depicted on the Public Hall website, and displayed at and the north side. Spread across that flatness there are public meetings, the plans for the rebuild show the building all sorts of developments that tell a story of the city: a rugby occupying much the same footprint as before and with stadium, a prison, and broad housing developments that reconstruction taking place in keeping with the style of the are overshadowed by their neighbours on the hillsides on old building. For example the front façade facing on to Kirk both sides. I live on the north side of the Water of Leith Loan would be retained in full. A small area of extension is now, on the slope of Corstorphine Hill, Drum Brae Bank it planned in order to provide better facilities at the new main was called when it was farmland. And I have moved not entrance, which would be moved to the side but which just geographically, but also forward in time from the 1880s would be accessible from Kirk Loan via a new path. tenement house I used to live in to the 1920s detached The Public Hall Company has obtained planning house I now do. permission and a Building Control warrant based on these I have moved ecclesiastically as well. There are more plans, so we are in a good position to move forward. churches in Corstorphine than anywhere else in the city, it seems. I’m the minister of St. Ninian’s, but there’s a church right next door, St. John’s. And, then there are Clermiston and Craigsbank and the Old Parish and St. Anne’s and Corstorphine Community Church and St. Thomas’. It is reminiscent of a time when churches populated the whole city in great number. I’ve moved back in time somewhat too. My father’s family came from Corstorphine. My father moved to Fife in 1969, but his brother was an elder at the Old Parish and lived on Corstorphine High Street all his life. Another of his brothers

10 WINTER VISIT TO St KILDA MONDAY 5th JUNE and puffins on the sheer rocks and the deep caves. At this point I was aware that Seamus was speaking to the skippers An early start was essential from Tarbert to get to Leverburgh of two other boats also from Leverburgh regarding an engine to embark on MV ORCA for an 8:15am departure for the 40 problem and a spare part. As a result there was a passing over a mile crossing to St Kilda. The boat, purpose built for a mere spare from these boats requiring considerable skill in getting close £500,000, twin engines with a capacity of 12 passengers and enough to pass over, by hand, a package to our crew man --this in cruising speed 21 knots! a 5 to 6 foot swell! Skipper Seamus welcomed us and gave a full briefing of the Skipper Seamus informed us that there was a problem with one programme for the trip as well as safety including use of life of the engines and that the spares he had received from the other jackets if outside the saloon. Out of the Sound of Harris we boats were not the correct size so he had to shut down this engine. were soon running in an 8 to 10 feet swell that resulted in quite The result at least a 5 hour return journey in an increasing wind. sustained ‘smashing’ of the bow - not very comfortable over the However, if we were willing we could be transferred to the two 2+ hours. other boats that were standing by. All agreed to transfer and, The steering was linked to a computer programme. The skipper again with great skill, the catamaran and HIRTA managed to spending his time on his mobile phone conducting his business! ‘raft up’ for the transfer. This was more than interesting if not Once in the bay at St K anchor went down and we were rather scary! transferred ashore in a small inflatable. We were greeted by a We finished up on HIRTA with speed a mere 18 knots for the National Trust Warden who gave an interesting description of return. The swell was still considerable now with a cross wind the island including the buildings, animal and bird life, walks, increasing-- not the most pleasant of conditions involving shop and option of a guided tour. We were given three and a considerable crashing and twisting. The three passengers who half hours on the island. In warm and balmy weather we were sat outside in the stern were drenched by spray! It was well after able to explore the village and climb to the Gap, wondering at the 7:00pm before we arrived back at Leverburgh – the crewman resilience and tenacity of the inhabitants until their evacuation offered the passengers a welcome dram just prior to berthing! in 1930. Overall a most interesting, enjoyable, amazing but tiring day as Back on board we were offered a cup of tea and gingerbread! considerable energy was required to counter the boat movements. Anchor up and a most interesting slow speed cruise round several David Mieras of the stacks and Boreray, viewing the amazing mass of gannets ABOUT THE CORSTORPHINE PUBLIC HALL REBUILD The remaining target to complete the rebuild is approximately £500k. How you can help – a few ideas Fiona Grieve decided to turn her birthday celebrations into a fundraising opportunity. She set up a ‘mydonate’ fundraising page associated with the Corstorphine Public Hall Rebuild. Fiona turned 40 in August and said “to celebrate… I’ve signed up with 11 lovely friends to run a 5k obstacle course based on gladiators and total wipe out! How are we going to pay for it? Should be fun!?! We are called the Rough Mothers”. As readers may be aware, there has always been a shortfall Why not attend an event in aid of the CPH Rebuild? between the amount received from the building insurance, Thanks to the Corstorphine Trust for organising a music which only allowed for the building to be reconstructed event on 14th October – look out for further events over exactly as it was over a hundred years ago when it was first the next few months. Or you could organise one yourself. built, and the amount it will cost to rebuild it using modern Eat a meal at the recently refurbished materials and with improved facilities which will be suitable Torfin, on St John’s Road – if you get for modern community needs. We have been pursuing hold of one of their cards and take it various avenues to obtain funding to close the gap, but so along, they will make a donation to far we have been unsuccessful at attracting major funders, the Rebuild fund. The cards may be although we are still pursuing this option. The CPH Rebuild obtained from the CYCC Hub at 191 Campaign committee has a written fundraising strategy to St John’s Road. back up funding applications. However we are extremely grateful for donations already received from local individual To keep up with news on the rebuild and to see the and corporate donors fundraising opportunities available, please have a look at the following online resources: Our most recent newsletter (14,000 copies distributed locally CPH website: http://www.corstorphinepublichall.org.uk/ – thanks to all the volunteers who helped with the delivery) Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ gave the Rebuild Campaign a bit of a boost from this point CorstorphinePublicHallRebuild of view. Twitter: @CPHRebuild

LETS TALK ABOUT CORSTORPHINE 11 , CHRISTMAS FAIR AT ST. NINIAN S CHURCH Why go to India to fi nd yourself? There will be a Christmas Fair at St. Ninian’s Church on Saturday 11 November from 11.30am to 2.30pm. Enter from St. John’s Road or St. Ninian’s Road. Christmas Hampers – draws will be made at intervals throughout the Fair. Draw tickets will cost £1. You might There will be Stalls for Home Bakery and Jams, Crafts, Jewellery, Toiletries, Flower Arrangements, Books and be in your Water or Wine. community! There will be a Minister’s Stall and a Children’s Lucky Dip. Music will be played in the Church. A donation may be made for a request. Lunches will be served till 2.30pm. Admission will be £1 for adults and 50p for children. Corstorphine Community Church Half the proceeds will go towards Church Funds and half will be divided equally between two local charities – It’s Meets Sundays 10.30, 7 Glebe Terrace Good 2 Give and the rebuild of Corstorphine Public Hall. www.corstorphinefaith.org.uk

INDIAN & THAI Premier stockists of CURRY RESTAURANT & TAKEAWAY Now taking Christmas bookings XMAS DAY SPECIAL Free uplift of your old bed. FESTIVE DINNER 3 Course Banquet £15.95. Open 1pm-8pm Free delivery. New Years Eve Within 40 mile radius of shop. NORMAL A LA CARTE MENU Open 7 days. Bring Your Own Bottle Corstorphine Bed Centre (Except 15th December to 1st January) (Next to Magnet) ALSO FULLY LICENSED Visit us at: 162 St John’s Road, Corstorphine, Edinburgh 0131 334 5802 Tel: 0131 334 9998, 295A St. John’s Road. www.corstorphinebedcentre.co.uk www.abida-restaurant.com

12 WINTER