Konect Bathgate July 2016

JULY 2016

bathgate

WIN!

ÂŁ10 plus disposable BBQ from Tesco Bathgate FEATUREs

James Young, David Livingston and Victoria Falls Local Walk - Ravencraig Wood s& Offer ers h c u o v cal from lo ses s e busin

plus local businesses, community information and more!

The community magazine for Bathgate and Torphichen

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WALK

M e ss ag e f ro m t h e e dito r

T

he summer holidays are just about upon us and it’s time to get out and explore West Lothian if you’re not going away this year. The local walk feature takes us up into the Bathgate Hills and our usual columns are here including homes and gardens. Visit West Lothian have some suggestions in their column on how to spend a day exploring locally, A local history feature this month is about James Young, a very familiar name to anyone bought up in Bathgate, but we’ve been looking at a slightly different side of his life, see pages 8-9.

Tesco Bathgate’s regular competition is for a £10 voucher to spend in store, plus a disposable BBQ so here’s hoping for BBQ weather! If you have an event on in the next couple of months that you’d like to promote to the local community, or if you’re involved in a club or hobby group, please let me know and we’ll make sure it’s included next month in the community pages at the back of the magazine.

Helen-Jane, Editor hj@konectdirectory.co.uk

FEATUREs James Young Walk – Ravencr aig

08 20

REGULARS Proper ty Matter s Inter ior s Gardens Recipe Parenting in West Lothian Visit West Lothian Music Review

16 26 30 34 38 39 41

COMPETITIONS & PUZZLES Crossword & Sudoku Tesco Pr ize Dr aw

36 37

COMMUNITY West Lothian Lipreading classes What’s on & Useful Information Clubs & Classes

22 42 43

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

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Advertising Enquiries CHARLENE GAFFNEY 07772 941899 charlene@konectdirectory.co.uk JENNY THOMSON 07824 469266 jenny@konectdirectory.co.uk Advert booking deadline: 10th of the month prior to print.

Artwork/copy deadline: 13th of the month prior to print.

The Konect Directory is delivered to 10,000 homes throughout Bathgate and Torphichen. Copies are also left at the library, convenience stores, post offices and other locations around Bathgate.

Front cover: Summer rain!

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FEATURE

Limefield Falls in late summer. Over autumn/winter with more water it looks more like the real Victoria Falls.

James Young , David Livingstone and Victoria Falls

by Helen-Jane Shearer

If you live in Bathgate you can’t avoid the name James Young: the founding father of the central belt shale mining industry has lent his name to pubs, streets, buildings and you’ll have done at least one school project on him.

So in this article we take a look at a different aspect of his life… did you know that there is a miniature of Victoria Falls in stream in West Lothian, created by James Young as a tribute to his close friend of David Livingstone?

The Limefield estate near West Calder is a bucolic nook just off the A71 in Polbeth and seems worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the main road. In the grounds the estate you travel back over a century to the time when this was James Young’s residence, one of Britain’s most wealthy entrepeneurs.

Now a private residence, Limefield House was built in 1805, and would be “just another mansion” had it not been acquired in 1855 by James Young. With his empire expanding, he was already very wealthy when he purchased Limefield, and he undertook a major refurbishment of the property. Some of the original Georgian features were replaced with 8

what seems to our modern tastes as ostentatious Victorian style. During his time there he also had gas lighting and electricity installed throughout.

The staircase with the ornate Victorian bannisters that James Young chose are still there. The grounds around the house bear all the marks of an extremely wealthy owner.

Young was a close friend of David Livingstone, the missionary and explorer, whom he met when they were both students at Anderson College (now Strathclyde Uni) in the early 1830s. Livingstone was the first Westerner to see the Mosi-oa-Tunya (The Smoke Which Thunders) waterfall on the Zambezi River in 1853, renaming it Victoria Falls.

Livingstone visited Limefield frequently on his trips home from Africa, as Young was a major financial sponsor. In 1864 he planted a sycamore tree in front of the house. It has been well looked after and is still there - grafts were taken from it in the 1970s and planted around Livingston, so when its life has eventually run its course, the seeds of Livingstone’s tree will live on. He also built some small African huts for the amusement of Young’s children, although nothing remains of them today. When Livingstone went missing in Africa in 1871 Young is believed to have helped fund the successful mission to find him. And in 1873 he contributed to another search expedition, which proved too late to find Livingstone alive.

Deeply affected by his friend’s death, Young arranged for Livingstone’s two African manservants, Susi and Chuma, to accompany the body home, and local historians believe that KONECT

they were brought to Limefield House so that Young could personally thank them.

As a tribute to Livingstone, Young had a miniature of Victoria Falls constructed on Harburn Water, the stream that runs through the estate. One can imagine Livingstone, on a visit to Limefield, trying to convey the magnificence of the Falls to his friend.

Without photos, maybe he sketched them. In any case, the Falls meant a great deal to him and he succeeded in impressing Young, who built Limefield Falls based on Livingstone’s descriptions. It seems likely that Susi and Chuma helped in the construction. They also built a hut made of straw and wood, said to be identical to the one in which Livingstone died. Limefield Falls are still quite impressive today, albeit lower than their original height as they were lowered by the council on health and safety grounds.

Limefield House remained in the Young family for three generations, but as the industry collapsed in the area it lost its value. In 1955, one hundred years after James Young purchased it, his great-niece Alice Tom donated it to the community.

It was used by the council as a care home for many years and West Calder High School was built in the deer park of the estate.

But when a replacement care home was built in Livingston, Limefield House fell into disrepair. Empty and derelict for a decade, it was sold into private ownership in a very poor state of repair. The proceeds were used for various facilities in Polbeth and West Calder and the house was restored to its former glory as a private residence.

A while ago I asked the current owner if there are any ghosts in the House. ‘‘Oh yes, we have lots of activity’’ he said. ‘‘Particularly on the stairs. There’s also a black labrador often seen in the corridors but which never materialises.’’ And on one occasion, a tiler working on the top floor of the house was approached by a man who asked, ‘‘Have you seen the little girl?’’ He wiped his hands and turned round but there was no-one there or anywhere in the house. Many years ago a little girl drowned in Harburn Water on the estate - was it one of her troubled relatives?

Whatever presences there are at Limefield, it’s a very peaceful area. The traces left here by its famous owner, of his private life and interests, contrast hugely with the traces we are more familar with of his industrial empire in the form of the pink shale bings.

James Young 1811 - 1883 He founded the world’s oil economy, became a billionaire and saved the whales!

James Young was the founding father of the West Lothian shale oil industr y, moving to Polbeth in 1855 as his fortune rapidly mounted. Young applied his skills as a chemist to oil seeping into coalmines and invented a process we now call ‘refining’ to produce paraffin wax, naphtha and various other oils. Natural oil seeps were rare, so Young located his works in Bathgate where there were ample supplies of shale. Eventually he made a fine, light product from shale, and named it paraffin oil. He revealed his process in a patent, which required other companies to pay him royalties. At the time the only oils available for use in houses and aboard ships were derived from whales, plants or animals – dim, smoky and smelly! In 1851 the Bathgate operation was the world’s first oil refiner y, and he subsequently expanded to bigger works in Addiewell, opened by hiss famous friend David Livingstone.

His paraffin is the same as modern heating oil and jet engine fuel, and cheap paraffin was the deathknell of the whaling industr y. He earned the nickname James “paraffin” Young, selling first paraffin, then branching out into many products including fertilisers.

Article first published in Konect Calders edition in 2010.

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25BRPL16KonectDirectoryFullpage JUNE 2016.qxp_Layout 1 14/06/2016 09:48 Page 1

West Lothian Update

A

the “fixed price” sales price has now largely s a property solicitor there’s a question I’m amazed disappeared in favour of “offers over” or “offers in I don’t get asked very often (if at all) and that is: excess of”. The truth is that every property is different How do I buy a house? People never seem to want and has it’s own story behind it. to sit down and talk through the process before launching themselves headlong A good conveyancing solicitor will be able into what will be one of the largest to utilise a variety of information to give financial transactions of their life and you advice on what to bid and will do the what is widely regarded as one of the negotiating for you. I’m still shocked when most stressful. The clients in the best some clients come to me and ask me to position in my opinion are the ones who submit an offer for them telling me “it’s all have spoken to me at the very beginning been agreed with the estate agent”. The of the process i.e. before going to view estate agent selling the house has a house or, if they are selling too, before experience in negotiating property deals Sean MacMillan putting their own property on the so why would you not want to level the Partner market. playing field by instructing your own Aberdein Considine

T 01506 420800 The marketplace and process of buying property expert to do the work on your have changed dramatically in the last behalf? And the good news: none of this decade and there are things even someone who has advice or negotiating or analysis comes at any extra bought and sold before should be made aware of. cost! So if you’re thinking of buying property in West Mortgage rules have changed, Home Reports can raise Lothian or beyond, get the edge on your competitors and speak to us today! more questions than answers and “closing dates” are becoming more common in West Lothian. A change n Sean MacMillan is a Partner of law firm Aberdein Considine some of you may have noticed whilst house hunting which provides estate agency, conveyancing, mortgage advice and more in their West Lothian offices. or just browsing property online in West Lothian is that

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The Rotary Club of Livingston presents

WANTED We are looking for enthusiastic people of all ages to take part in a Ballroom Dance Competition on Saturday, 12 November 2016 at Howden Park Centre, LIVINGSTON Money raised from the Competition is in aid of 4 charities …

RIVER KIDS FIRST STEPS CHAS FRIENDS OF CHERNOBYL’S CHILDREN WEST LOTHIAN

Ideally couples are required, but we can and try and match up individuals.

No previous dance experience necessary as dance tuition will be given.

Dancers will be expected to help raise funds for the 4 named charities.

The winners will receive prize-money of £300 plus a trophy.

This will be a fun event, so come along and join us and help to make a difference to the lives of others.

For further information visit our webpage or Facebook page or phone Paddy Bingham on 01506 492580.

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Featured Property

Glenmavis House Glenmavis House dates from the 1860s and was built for the manager of Glenmavis Distillery, which existed here from the early 1780s to 1910.

Alfred Barnard, the great Victorian brewery and distillery cataloguer, described the location as “built at the root of the little glen, from whence it derives its name, and is adjacent to the beautiful grounds of Balbardie. From any point, the views of the surrounding country are most charming and English-like in their undulations. Above the works the burn ripples through a little wooded valley..”

Things have changed since Barnard’s visit; but Glenmavis House still commands uninterrupted views across the hills and a real sense of history.

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By 1795, Glenmavis Distillery was run by David Simpson, whose son James Young Simpson is one of Bathgate’s most famous bairns (discoverer the anaesthetic qualities of chloroform). He was in business as a distiller at Glenmavis with his brother Thomas. Thomas moved on to the nearby Kirkliston distillery, and David eventually went on to open a bakery in Main Street Bathgate, which is where his famous son was born. Glenmavis Distillery then had a couple of different owners and from 1831 was under the management of one John MacNab, who lent his name to the brand associated with the company: “MacNab’s Celebrated Glenmavis Dew”. Under MacNab’s management the distillery expanded, with additional maltings constructed in Bathgate’s Cochrane Street, and on the death of the distillery

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owner in 1844, Macnab Brothers & Co took it over.

Glenmavis House itself was built in the 1860s.

The last bottle of Glenmavis malt was shipped in 1900. For the next forty years the buildings stood unused. The final years of the buildings saw them being used for munitions storage during the second world war, as the home to Glenmavis Amateur Boxing Club then as a car showroom and garage before being demolished to make way for a residential development.

Glenmavis House today still sits in its own spacious terraced gardens and is approached through the stone pillared entrance, with an established copse of mature trees dating back to the origins of the house; you feel like you have entered a private place of sanctuary. The KONECT

approach to the house really does make it feel like a secluded country retreat. The whole house was completely redecorated in October 2014 in an elegant ‘classical’ style and everything has been carefully restored and improved to meet the requirements of modern family living. · 4 bedrooms · Kitchen/diner · Formal lounge · Dining room · Detached garden office or sunroom · Extensive gardens Glenmavis House is on the market via Turpie & Co for offers over £439,000

Turpie & Co. 5-9 Edinburgh Road, Bathgate.

Tel 01506 668448. www.turpies.com 17

FEATURE

No matter where you live in Scotland, you’re not far from a golf course or two. It’s a sport that almost everyone who has grown up in Scotland will have had a taster of, and either love it or feel totally perplexed by it.

“Look, you’re hitting a stationary ball with a stick.

In essence it’s very simple game,” says Scott Dixon, PGA Professional and full time coach at the Dalmahoy Golf Club. Scott grew up playing golf on the courses of West Lothian. “It gets complicated

Stationary Ball and Stick when you get obsessed with the rudiments – posture, head, elbows, balance and so on. It can get overwhelming and ruin your enjoyment of the game.” So why are there endless instructions about the rudiments in golf? According to Scott, it’s because it’s pretty much impossible to tell from watching a golfer what adjustments they are making – even with the zoom on a TV camera, the difference between a successful swing and a failed one is so hard to spot. One degree of wrong direction can be 20 yards by the time the ball gets near the flag. “On a smaller scale, in a game like pool for example, you can see the adjustments the players make but in golf you can’t, so we tend

Children’s Summer 2016 Golf C amps at Dalmahoy Scott runs children’s summer golf camps at the Dalmahoy Golf Club. “We believe in kids and their ability to work golf out through play, experimenting and exploration. We provide the tools, the place and the support to let the magic of your child shine with discovery and talent.”

All coaching from PGA Professionals on a 1:10 ratio. Ages 8 – 13. 9am to 4.30pm for 5 days. £209. Dalmahoy Golf members £190. Children will require a snack for both AM and PM as well as lunch.

Monday 4th to Friday 8th July Monday 11th to Friday 15th July Monday 25th to Friday 29th July For more information and to book please call or email Scott on 07931 176 154 scott.dixon@marriotthotels.com

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to obsess over it. But I believe in focussing on playing and enjoying, learning from the feedback you get from the club and where the ball goes, not on what your elbows are doing - because if you’re improving then who cares about your elbows! If you practise keeping your head still you’ll get good at keeping your head still, not better at golf!”

The allure of a beautiful course on a summer’s day is easy to understand, but for those who like a faster-paced sport, the pull of golf can seem mysterious. “I play golf because it gets me to a place where it’s nice to be,” says Scott. “Like meditation, your mind has to be where your body is. Being in the present is so important. It’s true of any sport of course, but with football or tennis for example the ball is moving all the time and you have no choice but to be constantly in the present. With golf it’s harder as you can be waiting ten minutes and your mind can wander, so when it’s time to hit the ball you get one chance to get yourself back into the zone. So the essence of good golf is knowing how to be in the zone. It’s not so much the sport itself but where it takes you as you practise it.”

Did you kne ogowlf ?courses

• Scotland has mor ion than any lat per head of popu . try un other co

by King James II • Golf was banned football, as the th in 1457, along wi cting men from games were distra uldn’t have archer y. The ban co ough as it th e tiv been too effec 71 and 1491! was repeated in 14 n rules of golf • The oldest know 44 by an were wr itten in 17 – in the ub Cl lf Edinbur gh Go had to tee off or iginal rules you gth of the hole. within a club’s len

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To be included please call Charlene on 07772 941899 e: charlene@konectdirectory.co.uk or Jenny on 07824 469266 e: jenny@konectdirectory.co.uk

19

WALK

A ramble in Ravencraig Wood

Karen Murray enjoyed some quiet reflection while wondering around in the mysterious Bathgate Hills

It is probably par for the course that when my busy schedule finally allowed me a spare afternoon to head to the hills and find a new walking route, the lovely stretch of sunny weather we had been experiencing was over.

I was served up a dreich, misty Sunday afternoon, the consolation being that I had the entire walk to myself.

I was headed to the Bathgate Hills having heard of a wooded area planted by the Woodland Trust and looked after by West Lothian Council. Ravencraig Wood can be found just outside Bathgate. There

are two access points the area and I chose the Southern entry, where there is a fairly substantial car park. Take the B792 (Marjoribanks St) and turn right to keep on the B792 (Drumcross Road). Keep going after the intersection with Limefield Road and the car park will be on the left a short while after. (5 minutes) Ravencraig has 54.5 hectares of amenity woodland with a series of footpaths criss-crossing the largely hilly, natural environment leading up the ancient Raven Craig cairn and summit. More of that later…

A welcoming sign showed me I had come to the right place and the walk began along a surfaced footpath leading to a small pond full of bulrushes and pond life.

I had read that the site was once used as a deer park from 1750-1805 by land owner Lord Hopetoun and the walls and ditches (known as ha-ha’s) throughout Ravencraig are the remnants of this.

I did find a fair few old walls as I wandered. I had also heard there were once silver mines in the Bathgate Hills and it transpires that in 1875, the land was quarried by the then owner in a vain effort to unearth some of this silver. However, he mined only copper and limestone so I am still to find out if ever silver was mined in them thar hills!

If anyone knows, please do get in touch.

Back to the walk – after the pond, the path appears to split with way markers showing both a 1.25km route and a 2.4km route. It was little unclear which was which but I opted for what I thought was the

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shorter of the two (on the left) and soon came upon the ruins of a farm steading to the east. With the low lying mist and the overgrown vegetation, the ruined building took on a somewhat eerie atmosphere. Near to the old steading I noticed a narrow and undulating footpath leading up to a hilly grassland area and figured, despite the weather, I should get a good view. Indeed I did‌ the whole of Bathgate lay before me, with the Firth of Forth visible to the north east and the Pentland Hills looming up to the south. I retraced my steps back down and continued on the loop appearing once more at the pond. I am not sure if that was the 1.25km loop that is stated as taking 25 minutes as even with the added trip to the viewpoint I had only been walking for 20 minutes.

So I started again, this time aiming for the 2.4km walk. Listed as taking 60 minutes I started at a fairly brisk pace. The first bit of this path is grassy but wide and became increasingly wooded with trees hemming in both sides of the path. In the slightly damp and drizzly conditions there was something quite magical about it. The ends of the new bright green growth on the pine trees were dripping rain water and the almost luminescent fronds of ferns on the edge of the path seemed KONECT

to be reaching out. It was incredibly quiet and perhaps if I thought about it too hard, maybe a little scary. From the middle of the wooded area, I could not see anything to get my bearings nor hear any traffic although logically I knew I was very close to civilisation.

I had hoped to reach the Raven Craig Cairn – one of the highest points in West Lothian dating from the Bronze Age and discovered in the late 1990s.

However, it was getting late and I decided the 60 minutes was in this case an underestimate so I retraced my footsteps a little, then aimed for some cross country to take a different route back, finding some lovely paths but getting a little lost too. That is where a hilly terrain is helpful. I struck uphill once more to enjoy both the view and see if I could see the car park. Once spotted, I headed straight down, rather wet by this time, and came back to the pond.

All in all, a rather interesting little ramble. I think one could spend several hours trying out the various paths that meander across the hills and through the woods and on a clearer day the panoramic views from the hilltops would be splendid.

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Community

Lip-reading – what actually is it?

Are you hard of hearing?

Do people seem to mumble?

Would you like to be able to communicate better? Do you find yourself in a situation where you just nod your head or smile, hoping you are doing the right thing?

Do you have to ask people to repeat themselves? Lipreading classes for adults could help.

Various lip reading classes are available throughout West Lothian. The classes: •d evelop your ability to recognise different lip shapes to fill in the gaps of speech you don’t hear and also to use various clues, such as facial expression, context and anticipation

• t each you about other ways to make conversation easier in various situations •p rovide useful information about services, organisations and equipment for people with a hearing loss.

•a re a good way to meet other people with the same problems and challenges • t ips and hints from the tutor and other class members •h elp you in listening and thinking

•a re used to discuss topics of mutual interest

•h elp improve your confidence, be more positive, and be assertive •a re in a supportive environment •a re fun also!

Did you know that 1 in 6 of the population are deaf or hard of hearing and it is a higher percentage as people age? It is a very common difficulty, but many feel they cannot tell other people the best

way to communicate with them. Yet we don’t feel embarrassed in the same way about our glasses!

The classes involve practising lip-reading with exercises, short stories, fun quizzes, and discussing various topics. We learn speech movements, anticipation theory and memory tactics to improve confidence.

Here are some comments from people who have been to lip-reading classes:

“Lipreading classes gave me back my life and the confidence to carry on with life.”

“I am now not afraid to go out and meet with other people – and enjoy myself.”

“It’s fun – and I meet some lovely people and we have a laugh.”

“It opens up a whole new world …. go for it and start living again!”

Classes are free and are supported by the Adult Learning team of West Lothian Council. They are held in various venues throughout West Lothian, and are taught by fully qualified lip-reading tutors.

Participants start off in a six week taster class to learn the basics and then, if they want to continue, move on to classes held every week during term times. If you are interested, or know someone who might be interested, and live in the West Lothian Council area, contact Adult Learning on 0800 7311 831 or contact the Lip-reading Development Worker: bertha.walker@westlothian.gov.uk So go for it – and start communicating better again!

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23

HOMES & GARDENS

New or Established Homes?

- You decide Traditional and established homes versus new-build is an ongoing debate among homebuyers.

Like Cubism versus Pre-Raphaelite when it comes to art, it’s all down to personal taste… or is it? There are definitely contrasting factors to take into consideration depending on your personal circumstances so, if you’re trying to decide which one to go for in your quest for your dream home then here are some ideas to help you.

Location, location, location – a buzz phrase which has been endorsed by Alsop and Spencer is undoubtedly your first consideration. If you love the idea of a secluded cottage but need to commute to the city regularly then a cottage in Glencoe may not be the wisest move, unless you’re willing to exchange your Volkswagen Beetle for a four-wheel drive and four months’ supply of tinned sardines and baked beans in case you get snowed in.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 28 26

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HOMES & GARDENS

The beauty of choosing a home, whether a new build or established, in west Edinburgh or near the M8, is that you can enjoy country living to an extent, but are never far from either Edinburgh or Glasgow; and towns like Livingston or Bathgate have plenty of amenities to suit everyone. That’s the first box ticked then.

Traditional, Victorian or Edwardian stone-built villas present an opportunity to stamp your own character on your home – especially if it’s been modernised internally and you wish to strip it back and rebuilt it with authentic period features. Edwardian properties tend to be shorter in height than Victorian ones as there was very little need for servants’ quarters. Interior décor became lighter and finishes such as cornices became simpler.

With no servants to call on, it was important for the owner (or more often, tenant), to be able to keep the house clean more easily.

If you have the time and patience to do the renovation work yourself then great, go for it.

If not, and the interior is a style you don’t like, then you have two choices - hire a specialist renovation company such as Edinburgh builders, Mackenzie Hughes, to do this for you – or go for a new-build. Speaking of newbuild, they have an awful lot going for them.

They give the homeowner the opportunity to become part of, and create, a new community rather than moving into an established one in which they can often feel like an outsider to begin with. If work is demanding and you don’t have time to scrape walls or remove old layers of varnish, then you can just pick your décor and fittings and simply move in. The biggest plus however, has to be that you can have your housewarming party so much sooner!

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29

HOMES & GARDENS

Make the Most of Your Garden This Summer With Family and Friends Planning the perfect garden to enjoy the fleeting weeks of sunshine requires a bit of thought.

No matter how much you try to convince yourself, a green wheelie bin filled with iced water does not make a suitable plunge-pool so forget that idea and tune into our suggestions for making your garden a venue for some memorable times with friends and family.

Hide the trash – Speaking of wheelie bins, no matter what pretty colours the council has supplied them in, when you see your bins you’ll be thinking ‘now, is Monday recycling day or is it Wednesday?’ Out of sight, out of mind is the order of the day so invest in a storage box to hide them away until needed. Wooden storage boxes are more expensive but you can get plastic ones which look reasonably stylish or else just use a simple trellis with can be removed on Mondays…or Wednesdays - which day is it now? The same goes for toys and other clutter. Just leave one or two out for the kids to enjoy and pack the rest away. If you want to relax, your garden should be an oasis of calm, at least while entertaining, and not like sale time at Toys R Us. Break out the barbecue – Nothing says summer in Scotland better than cremated sausages which are anaemic inside. It’s almost as if we know

we have about two hours of sunlight left for the whole year so try to bend the laws of physics to our will in order to speed up the cooking process.

Barbecues however, can be wonderful if organised properly, so get the charcoal going an hour before the cooking time then raise your BBQ surface to the highest point to allow slow, even chargrilling, while turning continuously - the food not you – depending of course on how flamboyant a cook you are. If you’re planning to serve poultry, then why not start it off in the oven the conventional way, to cook the inside first before giving it the final crisping on the BBQ? Choose a theme – How about a theme to get your day sizzling? A tapas party for example, can be simple and stress free but can also bring a little bit of Spain to your home. Dishes such as homemade lamb meatballs in a savoury tomato sauce can be cooked in advance and just reheated on the hob. Good quality black pudding (blood sausage in Spain), thinly sliced and grilled with some caramelised onion relish on the side is quick and easy. Pan-fried scallops with a simple leek and cream sauce is just gorgeous. Manchego cheese with chilli jam, juicy olives, crusty bread for dipping in a combined olive oil and balsamic vinegar washed down with chilled cava or Spanish beers to the sound of the Gypsy Kings will give you a fiesta you’ll never forget.

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33

Recipe & Food Notes

bY Anne Pinkerton

Summer Beets

In cooking having some understanding of why you do something is important.

It enables you to personalise recipes or substitute ingredients and still end up with a good meal. I hope that in this column instructions are not too laboured and that explanations help you to vary things to suit your style, purse, time and skills.

Beetroot is a vegetable of high summer and elderflowers are in full bloom just now so here are some ideas to help you enjoy them. Beetroot can be used in soup, salads, with roast meats, in pickles, muffins and cakes. Elderflowers are delicious made into a cordial which can then flavour puddings, jelly, ice cream or be made into fritters. Later, in autumn, the berries are good in hot puddings, preserves and with game.

An interesting weekly science blog called Compound Interest www.compoundchem.com posts regularly on food and the chemistr y associated with eating, cooking and preser ving. Recently there have been articles on yeast in bread and beer, the beneficial qualities of red, anti­o xidant fruits and veg, how to use elder flowers & elderberries to avoid making yourself ill and why does asparagus make your pee smell. They always tr y to answer the question....Why?

Beetroot, Smoked Salmon and Orange salad Looks wonderfully colourful and is great as either a starter for 6 or a lunch for 3 or 4.

• 250g cooked beetroot. Either cook your own or buy plain vacuum packed small beets • 2 oranges, peeled and sliced, either segments or rounds retaining as much juice as possible • 150 g smoked salmon cut into inch strips; buy off cuts they are cheep and taste as good • Watercress, rocket pea sprouts, cut up little gem lettuce or any combination you enjoy • Olive oil, salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar Method Slice the beetroot and dress it with the oil and seasonings. Leave it to take up the flavours while you get the rest of the ingredients ready.

Put the chosen greens in the bottom of a salad dish and layer up the beetroot, orange and fish.

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Swedish Beetroot Burgers • 400 g minced raw meet, I prefer half and half pork and beef but you can use chicken or lamb • 1 onion chopped finely• 2 or 3 small cooked beetroot, grated • 2 slices stale dry bread soaked in milk • 1 egg • Parsley finely chopped or a little dill leaf chopped

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• Salt and pepper Method Squeeze the milk out of the bread and make it all into a mush. In a bowl mix together all the other ingredients. I do this with clean hands because you can feel if there are any unmixed lumps, but a fork or a potato masher will do.

Form the mixture into burgers and chill in the fridge for an hour or up to a day.

In a frying pan heat some cooking oil, sunflower or rapeseed or a mixture with a little butter.

Fry the burgers turning after 3 or 4 minutes.

Serve with new potatoes and green vegetables.

Ring the changes by flavouring with lemon and thyme or substitute red pepper for the beetroot and serve with a tomato sauce.

Elderflower Yogurt Ice • 500ml 5% fat Greek plain yogurt (fat free doesn’t have enough taste) • 400g gooseberries stewed with 100g sugar • 3 tbsp elderflower cordial

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• 150 ml milk Method With a wand beater whizz the gooseberries, cordial and milk together. Taste and see if it is sweet enough or has enough elderflower. The intensity will be tempered by the yogurt.

When all is as you wish mix in the yogurt.

Freeze for at least 12 hours. Serve with meringues and raspberries, poached nectarines or peaches or blackberries as the summer advances. Or in the autumn it goes well with stewed elderberries and apples.

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To be included please call Charlene on 07772 941899 e: charlene@konectdirectory.co.uk or Jenny on 07824 469266 e: jenny@konectdirectory.co.uk

35

PUZZLES

CROSSWORD

Solution in the August edition of konect

Across 7 Fruit (6) 8 Echo (6) 9 Sunrise (4) 10 Centuries (8) 11 Far away (7) 13 Type of boat (5) 15 Later (5) 17 Immobilized (7) 20 Correctly (8) 21 Silly (4) 23 Devils (6) 24 Almost (6) Down 1Information (4) 2 Type of seabird (6) 3 Cleaning (7) 4 Intoxicated (5) 5 Coil (6) 6 Attractive (8) 12 Deduced (8) 14 Sickly sweet (7) 16 Hire (6) 18 Noon (6) 19 Quick (5) 22 Trip (4)

SUDOKU

Sudoku solution on page 46

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FEATURE

Thoughts on meditation “We are human beings not human doings”

It’s impossible not to have noticed the growing revival of the ancient practice of meditation through media coverage and medical practice.

The NHS now prescribes mindfulness and meditation and has whole departments promoting it. So do I have to be depressed before I go to a meditation practice? Will I get more joy even if I’m already happy? Well, lots of successful public figures and celebrities are regular practitioners, so what’s it all about and how is it relevant to our everyday lives?

To find out, I spoke to Bernd Neckel, Principal of Conscientium, a meditation coaching and training consultancy based in West Lothian.

“Meditation helps us to recognise that the stress we often feel stems from the stream of thoughts that our mind bombards us with,” explains Bernd. “And it teaches us a way of being that is less attached to this endless stream of negative thinking and more accepting of ourselves.”

“Once a few things change, life will be a lot better” It’s common to feel we can only gain happiness and peace when ‘this or that’ happens or a certain milestone is met. Our mind conditions us to believe that we should be driving ourselves towards the next thing and we spend all our time looking to the future rather than living life as it truly is, in the present. Meditation helps increase our awareness of the present moment and offers

a more positive way of being, whatever issues and challenges we face.

“I’m too stressed to enjoy life” We all live with a certain level of stress or anxiety: money, health, family, work, our identity in society. Even when everything is going well our mind wants us to worry about something to take us away from our present experience and attach ourselves to some future outcome. Meditation helps us to see these mind movements for what they are: just thoughts. We can blindly follow them or we can let them go and stay with the joy of the present moment.

This is why as humans we are drawn to nature and animals for comfort - they offer a present moment experience that helps reduce the volume of our unconscious thinking. Extreme sports are another attraction for some, as present moment awareness is critical for safety and enjoyment. However these experiences are not always available to us. So building up our innate awareness of present moment stillness in ourselves through meditation allows us to change our life experience whatever our situation. It can help enrich our experiences and appreciate our lives more fully and joyously.

From mid July Conscientium are starting weekly walk-in meditation sessions in Livingston and Linlithgow. For more information visit www. conscientium.com or see the banner below.

s with Bernd Neckel Guided Meditation ses sion 7RA. Rd, Linlithgow, EH49 Linlithgow: Mackinnon Hall, 13 Mill to 8.30pm. £8 per session 5pm 1 7.

July, 24th ay Sund cing Commen Livingston, EH54 6AE. Livingston: Howden Park Centre, to 8.30pm. £8 per session 5pm 1 7.

Commencing Thursday 21st July.

Parents in West Lothian

tween How to tell the difference be and a militant anti-breastfeeder an actual angel Facebook can be a blessing or a curse … it’s a tool that can help you keep in touch with family and friends overseas, stay ahead of the news curve, or take part in special interest groups.

However, it can also be an endless stream of pictures of everyone else’s children, a journey of discovery along which you come to the realisation that some among your long-time friends are horrific xenophobes, and of course it can be a breeding ground for cowardly trolls who bully and persecute …

Over the past few months I’ve seen several shared articles about mothers being labelled as ‘disgusting’ breast-feeders and being shamed publicly for what should be seen as a natural activity.

Before I was a mum, breast-feeding seemed to me to be a no brainer; a cheap, and convenient way to feed a child – why would anyone not do it? I found out how naïve this position had been when my firstborn arrived and for the first two weeks felt like I was being stabbed in the breast at every feed. I don’t know how I persevered but I did.

Our column is West Lothia t: Nicola Jengaenga li ves in n with Quin months an d her hubby n 2, Penny 10 Channa, 33 .

Nicola & Ch anna both w ork, jugglin schedules w ith g their two tin the ever-evolving dem hectic y overlords, ands of in some tim and also sq ueezing e for each ot her!

sleeplessly into the next, wearing yesterday’s clothes and makeup, hair scraped back, and Quinn was starting to get hungry.

I sat down at the open-air Greggs just near the Post Office, and quickly tried to latch him on. He was finally feeding away nicely when I became aware out of the corner of my eye that an older woman was striding straight towards me. Several emotions erupted in me at once: fear; was this woman about to berate me for feeding in public? (bizarrely in my experience those most likely to disapprove of breastfeeding in public are the very people you’d expect support from ie fellow women, nay, fellow mothers) defiance; well if she does speak to me I’m going to give her a piece of my mind, let her know that I don’t really want to watch her masticating her cold sausage roll 3 tables away, yet I respect her right to do so in a public place helplessness; what if I couldn’t hold my own and call her out on her irrational opinions because I was too hormone-ridden and sleep-deprived to form a cogent argument?

Luckily, during those longest 2 weeks of my life, I didn’t see any of these horrid posts or articles – it’s perfectly possible I would have been so discouraged and shamed by them that I might have given up.

A matter of seconds later she was handing me a large bottle of water and an iced Empire Biscuit that she had just bought at the Greggs counter.

She said, “These are for you; you are doing the most important job in the world there and you need to keep your strength up.”

Then something beautiful happened on a random Tuesday when Quinn was only a few months old … I was in the Livingston Centre, feeling sleep-deprived as one day merged

I’m not too proud to say that I very quickly found there was something in my eye. Actually, both eyes. Thank goodness for day-old waterproof k mascara.

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Spend the summer in West Lothian How could you spend a perfect summer’s day in West Lothian? Whether it’s with family or friends – there is something for everyone to enjoy in West Lothian and we would like give you an idea of the type of marvellous things you could see and do in just one day.

Family

10:00 - Take a visit to Polkemmet Country Park for a leisurely stroll through the beautiful countryside.

11:30 - Pop in to visit the spectacular Scottish Owl Centre, conveniently situated within Polkemmet Country Park.

13.30 - Stop off for some lunch at the fabulous 1912, Bathgate for some tasty treats for all.

15:00 - Enjoy a short boat ride from the Linlithgow Canal Centre along the calming waters of the Union Canal.

16:00 - Finish off your day with a visit to the impressive Linlithgow Palace and see where Mary, Queen of Scots was born.

Friends

11:00 - Take a visit to the fabulous Livingston Designer Outlet and The Centre for some great discounts on top brands and all the latest and greatest products on offer within our brilliant department stores.

12.30 – Enjoy some lunch in any of the vibrant restaurants and cafes available in the 2 shopping centres; including Nando’s, Wagamama or Pizza Express.

15:00 – Visit beautiful Hopetoun House and take a walk through the Grounds to enjoy the scenic views of the spectacular stately home.

18:00 – Visit award winning Champany Inn, near Linlithgow for a lovely dinner to finish off the day.

For the latest on all the great things to see and do in West Lothian please visit: www.visitwestlothian.co.uk facebook.com/VisitWestLothian Twitter. com: @teamwestlothian

Parties, Workshops, Schools and Groups welcome To book, please call:

01506 411978

www.gettinggooey.com Party packages available

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FORTHCOMING EVENTS

JULY 2016

The Regal hosts an exciting programme of film, music, theatre, comedy & children’s events.

JULY FRI 1ST SAT 2ND FRI 8TH SAT 9TH FRI 15TH - SAT 16TH FRI 22ND SAT 23RD FRI 29TH FRI 29TH SAT 30TH

TWO PIANOS - AMERICAN ROCK AND ROLL CONCERT THE SMYTHS - TRIBUTE TO THE SMITHS SEX BOMB - TRIBUTE TO TOM JONES AND MICHAEL BUBLE GABERLUNZIE

7.30pm £16

AN EVENING OF ENTERTAINMENT

7.30pm £10 / £8

TYPICALLY TINA - TRIBUTE TO THE TINA TURNER PLAYING MAGGIE WESLO COMEDY NIGHT HOMELANDERS SSW WRESTLEWARS

7.30pm £15

7.30pm £20 7.30pm £15 7.30pm £15

7.30pm £15 7.30pm £10 7.30pm £15 7.00pm £10 / £5

BOX OFFICE OPEN: MON-SAT: 10am-10pm | SUN: 10am-6pm Ring and leave a message.

01506 630 085

FOR COMPLETE UP TO DATE LISTINGS AND BOOKING, SEE WEBSITE AT

WWW.BATHGATEREGAL.ORG

24-34 NORTH BRIDGE STREET, BATHGATE, EH48 4PS

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KONECT

MUSIC REVIEW

There's always something new

by James Kerr, Regal Music Club

The number one album in the UK this week is by a septuagenarian, so congratulations to Paul Simon, but I am more interested in the three other seventy years plus men crashing in at number 29.

With “Good Times”, The Monkees have made it to the UK album charts for the first time since November 1967. They didn’t even have to die first.

Not all of them anyway.

By way of revenge of sorts, a few of the tracks are built from sessions started in early 1968 - you wouldn’t buy them then eh? Well you’ll have them now and like it - including archive vocal contributions from Harry Nilsson and, most affectingly, the late Davy Jones. The majority of the most successful tracks though are supplied by

KONECT

contemporary songwriters, including Andy Partridge (XTC), Rivers Cumo (Weezer), and Benjamin Gibbard (Death cab for Cutie). Gibbrad’s contribution, “Me and Magdalena” proves the perfect vehicle for a joint vocal between Michael Nesmith and Micky Dolenz and is very likely to be the track which will become a new standard. There is no shame in the outside assistance – Monkees albums were always built from the individual group members’ submissions alongside the great pop writers of the day. Here Nesmith supplies a typically serene and thoughtful ballad, with Micky capturing all the brash freshness of his permed and psychedelic ponchowearing younger self on the wry and upbeat “I was there (and I’m told I had a good time).

Micky Dolenz once sent me an email. True story.

Buy this CD, good times await.

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WHAT’S ON

and Useful Information

Wednesday 15th July

Wonderful Wild Wednesday, Whitburn. Wild Wednesdays are back for 2016! Join the Ranger Service and other organisations for a day of nature inspired activities, crafts, games and more in parks around West Lothian. Suitable For: Families. Meet: Blaeberryhill Park, Whitburn. Time: Drop in between 11am-3pm. Cost: free.

vegetables that are grown to supply our tearoom, and join in with the fun of tending the crops. Every day throughout the school holidays, in the discovery tent beside the polytunnel, the informal drop-in workshops combine some simple gardening tasks with a range of food and farm-related crafts, trails and games suitable for children of all ages. Sessions take place between 1.30 and 2.30 each day, and there’s no need to book in advance.

Bathgate Regal Community Theatre - The Regal hosts an exciting programme of film, music, theatre, comedy and children’s events. See www. bathgateregal.org for complete listing.

Friday 29th July

Wester Inch Community Association Coffee Morning.

Held in the community wing of Simpson Primary School, from 9am until 11am on the last Friday if every month.

Friday 29th July

Family Friendly Badger Watch. Join the Ranger Service in Beecraigs Country Park to discover more about these intriguing animals. There will be a short presentation followed by an evening in our badger hide. Wear sturdy footwear and bring binoculars and a torch. Suitable for: Families. Meet: Sutherland Building, opposite the Visitor Centre. Time: 8pm9.30pm. Cost: £3.65 adult, £2.50 child. Book with the Rangers on 01506 844516 email: mail@beecraigs.com

Daily from Saturday 25th June until Monday 22nd August Nibblers & Dibblers at Almond Valley Farm Head for the vegetable patch this summer, and experience the joys of planting and seeding, watering and weeding down in the kitchen garden.

Discover the secrets of the super-fresh fruit and

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To include your event here, please email editor@konectdirectory.co.uk or call 07854 492638.

BATHGATE library information Simpson Library

Bathgate Partnership Centre, South Bridge Street, EH48 1TS. Tel 01506 282910. Email: bathgate.lib@ westlothian.gov.uk. Opening hours: Mon – Fri 8.30am – 8.00pm Sat 9.00am – 5.00pm. Bookbugs: Bookbug West Lothian delivers free story, song and rhyme sessions for babies, toddlers and pre-school children in local libraries, working in partnership with the Scottish Book Trust. Call the Simpson Library for dates of this month’s book bug sessions.

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Tesco Bathgate Prize Draw Phew! What a month’s it’s been.

With the school now on their summer break I also get a break from Farm to Fork. It’s been a great term with lots of happy children doing our trails in store.

This month will be a lot quieter but look out for Armadale and District Memorial group in on the 30th to collect for this worthy local cause.

The Scottish wildlife trust will also be in this month.

My name is Tracey Harrison and I am the community champion for Tesco Bathgate.

The main aim of my job is to promote my store as a good neighbour that can bring genuine benefit to my local community. If your group or organisation feels I could help in any way please contact me on 07822 866634 or email me at blackburnroad@communityattesco.co,uk or you can come into the store to meet me in person.

WIN

£10 voucher AND A disposable bbq for those hot summers days the weather man has promised!

Simply text or email your name, phone number and email address to: 07854 492638 or editor@konectdirectory.co.uk with subject “Tesco Bathgate”.

Closing date for entries 15th July, 2016. Winner will be chosen at random after the closing date.

clubs & classes

Sports, Hobbies, Learning, Support Groups & more... of indoor and outdoor play experiences until 6pm BATHGATE Mon-Fri. Sessions are paid for as they are booked Bathgate & District Flower Club

We are a friendly group who meet on the 3rd Monday of each month from September to June (no meeting in December) in the Regal theatre Bathgate at 7.15pm.

We have a Floral Art demonstrator at each meeting who does around 5 arrangements which are given as raffle prizes at each meeting. We also arrange outings each year. The club was established 48 years ago and we celebrate our 50th Anniversary in September 2015.

Contact Carole.Hawkins48@yahoo.com

Bathgate History Group We are a friendly group who meet on a Wednesday afternoon at 2pm in The Tryst behind St John’s Church, Mid Street, Bathgate. We have interesting speakers on various topics with tea and coffee. A warm welcome awaits old and new members, the first meeting for the 2014/2015 session is Wednesday 3rd September. For further information contact Dorothy on 01506 652505.

Simply Play

Provides flexible after school care and holiday programmes for children aged 5-14. Our clubs are based in Simpsons Primary School Community Wing and Bathgate Partnership Centre. We offer a range KONECT

with no fee for `holding` an unused space. For more information visit www.simplyplay.org or call 01506 856444.

Any Dog ‘ll Do Rescue Group

A friendly group of volunteers based in and around Bathgate. Looking for new members to help raise awareness and fundraise for the dog rescue charity. A good way to meet new, like-minded people and have fun at the same time. Contact Lyn Pattison on info@ anydogildorescue.org to find out when the group will next meet and how to get involved.

31st West Lothian Scouts

Scout Hall, Majoriebank Street. Thursdays 7pm – 9pm

Bathgate Concert Orchestra

We are a friendly, enthusiastic group of musicians and are always happy to welcome new players of whatever level. We rehearse on Friday evenings during school term time from 7:30pm-9:30pm at St John’s Church Bathgate. Anyone interested in coming along to join us should contact the Secretary Joan Proven at Joan_Proven@hotmail.com Tel: 0131 331 3187. See www. batchgateconcertorchestra.org.uk. You can also find us on facebook.

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West Lothian 50 Plus Network

New members always welcome for educational, social, recreational and cultural activities. Monthly meet-ups, visits and day trips. Over 25 different activity groups, including arts, crafts, walking, theatre etc. See www. westlothian50plusnetwork.co.uk or call 01506 635510.

Office hours Mon - Fri 10am - 2pm.

Yoga Class

For people living with long term conditions. Bathgate Community Centre, 5–6.30pm on Wednesdays. Class is run by KICC Active Lothian, a partnership with MS Therapy Centre Lothian. £5.50 per class or £20 for four weeks. First class is free! Call Joanna on 07436 102726 to book.

Friends of Polkemmet Country Park

Group meets on the second Sunday each month between 10am – 12pm to carry out practical conservation projects in Polkemmet Country Park. Dates for 2015 are: 12/04; 10/05; 14/06; 12/07; 09/08; 13/09; 11/10; 08/11. Please contact the Ranger Service on 01501 743905, Polkemmet@westlothian.gov.uk or visit the Friends of Polkemmet Facebook page if you would like to join us.

West Lothian Table Tennis Club

Kidzeco, 20-24 George Street, Bathgate, EH48 1PW. Range of baby and children’s activities including Hartbeeps, Soft Play, Baby & Kidz Times. Please see our events page on facebook for class times and prices, or call Kidzeco Bathgate on 01506 815534.

West Lothian Table Tennis are a friendly club who are always happy to welcome new people who have played in the past or would like to pick up the sport for the first time. Whether you are seven years old or 70...Everyone is welcome! Meet at Bathgate Academy. For further information contact: David Stephen, Club Secretary david.stephen2@sky.com or 07979 095772. See www. wlttc.co.uk.

2nd Bathgate Girls’ Brigade

Paranormal Investigation group based in Bathgate

Baby and Toddler activities

Meets on Wednesday evenings in St John’s Church Halls, Mid Street. Explorers P1-3 Girls: 6.15pm - 7.30pm. Juniors P4-7 Girls: 7.00pm - 8.30pm. Brigaders S1-S6 Girls: 7.00pm - 8.30pm. Please contact Alison Weddell (Captain) on tel 07710 619264 or email alison.weddell@gmail.com for further details.

The Stone Ring

40 King Street, Bathgate. Beginners Self awareness & Development. Mon 7-9.30 pm (approx) £6.50. Moot Every 2nd Wed of the Month. 7-9.30pm (approx) £5. Thai Chi Fridays - 6.30-8.30pm (approx) £25 per month.

Bathgate Playgroup

Bathgate Partnership Centre. Mon–Fri 9-11.30am and afternoon sessions Mon & Wed 12.30-3.30pm

Newland Concert Brass

Friendly band based in Bathgate. We welcome brass and percussion players of all ages and abilities.

Training Band Mondays 6 – 7pm in Bathgate Partnership Centre. Junior Band Mondays 6.30 – 7.30pm in Bathgate Partnership Centre. Senior Band Mondays 7.45 – 9.30pm in the band hall on Belvedere Rd. For more information see the website at www.newlandconcertbrass.org.uk

MOMS (Mums Offering Mums Support)

Kidzeco, 20-24 George Street, Bathgate, EH48 1PW. Mon 1pm–3pm. Group for new and expectant mums to meet other mums, share ideas and experiences and generally have a chat and a cuppa! £1 includes hot drink. Call Kidzeco for more info 01506 815534.

Regal Music Club

The Regal Theatre, Bathgate. For anyone who loves music. We meet fortnightly on Wednesdays. 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Come along to chat, discuss, meet new people, eat biscuits. You don’t need to play or sing but if you do there is always a chance to perform. Check out the facebook page or just drop in. £2 including refreshments.

Bathgate Reading Group

Simpson Library, Bathgate. Meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6.00pm, all adults are welcome.

Bathgate Memory Cafe

Kaim Park Hotel, Edinburgh Road, Bathgate. A meeting place and caring supportive group for people with dementia and their carers. The Memory Cafe runs the 1st Monday of every month from 1.30pm to 3.00pm. For

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more information please contact Alzheimer Scotland on 01506 533114.

We’re looking for people to join our small group.

Will meet on the first Wednesday of the month 7.30pm venue tbc. Investigations to be carried out approximately every 6-8 weeks at various locations around West Lothian and beyond so own transport essential. Both believers and skeptics welcome. Must be over 18. Please contact Tracey at ghost.scotland@ outlook.com for further information.

Bathgate Fairtrade Group

Bathgate Fairtrade is a small group and welcomes more members locally to support fairtrade. We meet up periodically and attend local events. If you are interested please contact the secretary Gillian Reid on 01506 653366 or email mrs_g@btinternet.com

West Lothian Run

Little Runners – free of charge: Wednesdays at Boghall Community Wing, 6-7pm; Thursdays at Boghall Community Wing 6-7pm (for kids with autism);Saturdays at Kirkton Park, Bathgate 10-11am. Adults - £2 per session. Saturdays from Kirkton Park, Bathgate from 10-11am, taking a different route to the kids. Book your place in any of the groups at westlothianrun.org.uk.

Generation Dance Bathgate

St Mary’s Hall, Livery St. Every Friday 10.30am– 11.30am.

Join the community dance club for anyone over 60 years. There’s no need to book, just turn up. Regardless of your mobility, independence and experience, come along, try us and tell your friends. Seated / adapted dance for people with mobility aids and other challenges is our speciality. Everyone can take part.

Suggested weekly donation £2. Can’t come but want to know more? Call: Joanne on 07521 358 239. www. generationarts.co.uk

Royal British Legion

Ex-service male/female organisation. The Club offers comradeship, social activities, e.g. golf, fishing and bowling events. Bingo, cabaret and dancing. Our function hall is available for hire by members, families and friends. Friday night bingo 8.00 pm; Karaoke Saturday night in the Lounge. Watch notice Board for special events.

Bathgate Bridge Club

Meets every Thursday from first Thursday in October until the last Thursday in May at EU Church Hall, Church Park, Marjoribanks Street, Bathgate. 6.45 for 7.00pm start. All Welcome. Contact Georgette Nicol 01506 203498 for more information.

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The Regal Youth Company

Regal Community Theatre, Bathgate Music workshops for 13-25 year olds - Monday evenings 7pm to 9pm, £2. Drama workshops for 13-25 year olds - Wednesday evenings 7pm to 9pm £2. For information see www.rycbathgate.com or contact us via our facebook page

Learning English

A group for preschool children and parents to learn English through fun: singing, play and stories.

Mondays 10 to 11am, Bathgate Early Years Centre. Tel 01506 776234. No fee.

Bathgate Theatre Company

Ever wanted to be onstage or help out behind the scenes? Bathgate Theatre Company are always looking for new members to take part in their annual show which takes place in November with rehearsals usually being every Thursday from 7pm – 9pm at the Regal Community Theatre, Bathgate.

Annual members fee £30 plus £10 insurance if going onstage. For more info contact the Secretary on bathgatetheatrecompany@gmail.com or visit our website www.bathgatetheatrecompany.moonfruit.co.uk

Kirkton Park Tennis Club

Welcoming new members to join our developing tennis club! The tennis courts at Kirkton Park in Bathgate have recently been resurfaced and are now open for use.

For further information on our club go to our website: KirktonParkTennisClub.co.uk. You can also find us on Facebook. Learn, Play, Enjoy!

WESTER INCH Wester Inch Parent & Toddler Group

Thursday mornings 9am - 11am. £1 per adult and 50p per child. For more information contact us via our facebook page Wester Inch Parent and Toddler Group or email on westerinchtoddlers@hotmail.com

Simpson Art Club

We meet every Tuesday 7 - 9pm in the community wing of the Simpson Primary School, Bathgate. All over 18, including beginners, are welcome; Regular demonstrations and teaching from professional artists, work in all mediums. For further information email simpsonartclub@gmail.com. Contact 07762 933138

Centrepoint Church

Simpson Primary School. Sunday Worship Gathering, Weekly 10:30am. Contact: Tom Jackson m: 07540391081 e: tom.jackson@centrepointchurch.org

Messy Church

Held by St. John’s Parish Church in Community Wing, Simpson Primary School. Third Thursday of each month 6.45pm-8.15 pm. Join us for fun, games, craft activities, stories and singing. All ages welcome. No charge, donations welcome. For more information contact Parish Minister, Rev. Duncan Shaw on 01506 653146 or westlothian@churchofscotland.org.uk or Rev. Zoltan Safrany on 07411 444 743 email safiref@gmail.com

other areas New Town Roller Girls

Roller Derby team, meeting 9-10pm on Wednesdays at Craigswood Xcite. New members welcome, contact us via our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ NewTownRollerGirls or email newtownrollergirls@hotmail.

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co.uk. Please contact us before coming to your first session so that we can sort equipment for you.

West Lothian Clarion

Cycling club – our aim is to help cyclists plan and reach their own goals through training with, and seeking advice and support from fellow club members. Weekly club runs leave from Linlithgow Leisure Centre and East Calder Sports Centre. See www.westlothianclarion.co.uk or email secretary@westlothianclarion.co.uk

Lothian Running Club

Welcome runners of any standard. We believe that running clubs are not just for the elite (although we will let fast people join too). Suitable for all ages and we have a junior section too from age 6. Training sessions in/around Livingston, meet at Inveralmond High, Craigswood Sports Centre and Dechmont Law car park.

For more info see website www.lothianrunningclub. co.uk.

West Lothian Breast Cancer Support Group

Meets on the first Tuesday of each month, in the Ability Centre, Carmondean, Livingston, from 7pm-9pm. Further details & information, contact Nan McDonald 01506 655739.

The Tree Club

Office at 19c South Bridge Street, Bathgate. West Lothian’s only afterschool club for children and teenagers with additional support needs. Stimulating and creative activities with high staff to child ratio. See www.thetreeclub.org.uk

Alternative Company Entertainers (ACE)

Meet every Thursday in Whitburn academy at 7:00 – 9pm. Ages 5 to 105+. Contact acompanyentertainers@ gmail.com or find us on facebook.

Harmony Dance Club Armadale

We are a not for profit club for retired ladies, dancing to CDs - mostly sequence dancing. We meet every Tuesday afternoon in the Community Centre, South Street Armadale, from 1.30 to 3.30pm. We would welcome old and new members to our club. Don’t worry if you don’t know the dances, we can teach you.

West Lothian Baking Club

We meet approximately every 6th Wednesday 7:30 – 9:30pm in Dechmont Hall to talk about all things baking related. No requirement to be the next Mary Berry! £2 per meeting.Email wlbakingclub@yahoo.co.uk or find us on facebook.

West Lothian Gymnastics - NEW!

Craigwillow Centre, Craigshill, Livingston Pre school classes for boys and girls, learn gymnastics in a fun and dedicated full time gymnastics facility.

Classes lead by fully qualified coaches and morning, afternoon and weekend classes available for children 18 months - 3 years and 3-5 years with direct progression to recreational pathway age 5 without waiting list.

To include your club or class, email details to editor@konectdirectory.co.uk.

Charity and not-for-profit groups are free, there is a small charge for other listings. See our website for details. www.konectdirectory.co.uk

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Auctions Hoppers Auctions Bathrooms Bathgate Bathroom Studio Duffy McLean

5 6 29

Beauty ACT Beauty & Hair Academy 15 Natrabrow 15 Builder Kirkton Builders Building Supplies MKM Building Supplies David Hastings

5 33 33

Electrician D B Electrics Simply Electrical

26 28

Estate Agent Aberdein Considine Castlebrae Sales & Lettings Ltd Turpie

13 2 16

Fishery Bangour Fishery Garden & Landscaping All Year Round Landscapes Beatson’s GF Garden Services Inside and Outside Property & Garden Care JGM Landscapes Naia Garden Services Woodford Timber

5 33 32 31

Car Service & Repair Ace Exhausts & Tyres Formula 1 MOT GTS Autocare M & S Auto Solutions Meadowpark Garage

12 19 4 6 19

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning C and W Cleaning Services

23

Golf Retail Golf Nation

35

Heating Services Duffy McLean 12 Livgas 10

Catering Food Creations

Children’s Activities/Entertainment Getting Gooey Chocolate & Craft Workshop 39 Church Centre Point Church

Garden Buildings Champfleurie Estate Ltd

Hire (Car/Van/Minibus) AK Stretch Limousines

31 33 31 31 7 18

5

41

Cleaning Services Clean Bee Domestic Cleaning Ltd Multi Level Contracts Ltd

Kitchens Duffy McLean

28

23 32

Leaflet Delivery The Leaflet Lady

48

Computer Services Sprint Computers

10

Locksmith Saltire Lock & Security West Lothian Locksmith

4 26

Conservatories Andrew James Windows & Conservatories 29

12

Oven Cleaner The Clean Team

35

Painter/Decorator Manic Street Painters Nu Walls Thomson Decorators

28 28 4

Plumbing Services Capital Heating

5

Property Letting & Management Newman Properties 15 Property Maintenance Inside and Outside Property & Garden Care

31

Restaurant Liberta Restaurant

25

Sports Equipment Golf Nation

18

Venue Dreadnought Rock

11

Vet Ayrton Veterinary Hospital Riverside Veterinary Practice

47 23

Windows 1st Choice Living 27 Andrew James Windows & Conservatories 29

Mobility Med-Ecosse 24

Solution to June Crossword

Solution to Sudoku Page 36

Across: 1 Famous, 4 Drapes, 9 Grandma, 10 Agree, 11 Taste, 12 Untying, 13 Outstanding, 18 Harvest, 20 Virgo, 22 Wager, 23 Reading, 24 Return, 25 Recess.

Down: 1 Fights, 2 Meals, 3 Undress, 5 React, 6 Portion, 7 Sledge, 8 Manufacture, 14 Upright, 15 Deviate, 16 Shower, 17 Boughs, 19 Error, 21 Raise.

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Motorhome (hire/sale) Motorhome Hire Scotland

Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advertisement.The Konect Directory does not endorse any advertising material that appears in this publication.

Adverts are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate. All material is accepted for publication on the understanding that it is copyright free.The Konect Directory accepts no liability for any subsequent copyright issues. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior consent of the publisher.

Publisher: Lothian Publications Ltd, Overton Farmhouse, Kirknewton, EH27 8DD. Editor: Helen-Jane Shearer 07854 492638 hj@konectdirectory.co.uk

KONECT

Ayrton Veterinary Hospital is proud to serve the West Lothian Community with the highest quality veterinary care.

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We offer specialised veterinary services in Orthopaedic surgery, Endoscopy and Laparoscopy (key-hole surgery). Ayrton was the first practice in Scotland to offer clients key-hole surgery.

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Our out of hours emergency service is provided by our own vets and nurses here at the Hospital and on-call staff are on-site for hospitalised patients 24 hrs

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We have a Pet Health Club that allows you to budget monthly for your pets’ preventative healthcare and has added discounts off of veterinary treatments and procedures.

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We offer direct claims for insured clients and we have an appointed insurance advisor here at the Hospital.

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We are a full service medical and surgical practice with: in-house laboratory, radiography, ultrasound and endoscopy.

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When you and your pet visit us or have to stay in the Hospital, we have separate dog and cat waiting areas and wards for their comfort.

Ayrton is an accredited ‘Veterinary Hospital’ and was awarded Hospital status by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2009 (one of only 8 in Scotland). We are delighted to have been awarded ‘Silver’ by International Cat Care (ICC) as a ‘Cat Friendly Practice’ in recognition of the Hospitals facilities for our feline patients.

We look forward to meeting you and your pet, if you’d like further information about our staff and services, please visit our website: www.ayrton.org.uk

T: 01501 744736

Burnhouse Industrial Estate, Whitburn, West Lothian, EH47 OLQ KONECT

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