Konect Bathgate June 2019

JUNE 2019

CHARITY:

COMMUNITY:

FEATURE:

PLUS: HEALTH & BEAUTY, Garden Project, and more LOCAL FEATURES inside!

The monthly community magazine for Bathgate and Torphichen

BENNIE MUSEUM TO OUR JUNE EDITION

T

he first week of June every year is Volunteers’ Week, a time to thank volunteers for their contributions that keep our communities running in so many ways, as well as celebrating volunteering and finding ways of getting involved. Volunteering is open to everyone as is a great way of not only contributing to a cause you care about, but is rewarding personally - learn new skills, gain confidence, be part of a community, gain experience and of course have fun!

And one organisation with volunteering opportunities right here on the doorstep is the Boghall Drop-In Centre. They are keen to get more volunteers on board, and from what I saw at my visit I’m sure they would be a great organisation to be involved with to keep all the fabulous services going that they offer – see the feature on pages 8 – 9. You can also contact the West Lothian Volunteer Network any time to enquire about a wide range of opportunities; they are based in the Bathgate Business Centre. A volunteer at an event I was at recently said, “I can’t imagine not volunteering now. It becomes part of your life.”

Like me, you may have seen HandiCabs Lothian their white and green liveried taxi and bus buzzing around locally and not realised exactly who and what they are for. They provide a fantastic service, and you may know someone who could benefit from using them but perhaps doesn’t realise – take a look at the feature on pages 28-29. They are also looking for volunteers.

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy the magazine this month.

6TH JUNE 2019: 75th anniversary of D Day. Come and see our display and discover some local heroes. The museum is open 6 days a week 11am - 4pm. Admission free. We have new interactive computer displays - explore the development of Bathgate Procession; the history of Bennie Museum & local railways. We are also looking for volunteers at the museum. To find out more, please contact the museum by phone during opening times.

9/11 Mansefield Street, Bathgate EH48 4HU T: 01506 634944 E: thornton@benniemuseum.freeserve.co.uk

Boghall Drop-In Centre.......................................8 Local People: 16 Green Fingers..................... 16 Gardening: Transformers!............................... 19 Property Matters................................................ 12 Health & Beauty................................................ 24 Interiors: Sustainable Roller Blinds................. 26 Charity: HandiCabs Lothian............................ 28 Parenting: Find their spark!.............................. 31 Paw Stop............................................................ 34 Clubs & Classes................................................ 35

COVER IMAGE: Volunteers! See P8 for more information about Boghall Drop-in Centre.

Konect is delivered monthly to 10,000 homes throughout Bathgate and Torphichen.

Copies are also left at the library, convenience stores, post offices and other locations around Bathgate.

HELEN-JANE SHEARER

CHARLENE GAFFNEY

E: editor@konect.scot

M: 07772 941899 E: charlene@konect.scot

Editor

@KonectMagazines

Account Manager

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Litter Pickers!

Holiday club Chocolate Volunteers!

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“We need to let as many people as possible know about what we have here, because it is really special,” says Victoria, one of the Board members of the Boghall Drop In Centre. And, after visiting last month at their request for an article, I have to agree; I was blown away by what’s going on at the Boghall Drop In Centre.

In a large modern building built in 2014

by West Lothian Council (after community consultation), Boghall Drop-In is actually a grassroots community organisation started in 2004 by local residents involved in a couple of community groups, who felt there were not enough meet-up opportunities in Boghall.

They got together, refurbished an old shop on Margaret Avenue and started providing group meet ups and activities for children and families in Boghall. “It rapidly grew arms and legs, with the activities being hugely popular and local people volunteering their time to run groups and keep the Drop-In centre open,” explains Kelly, who grew up here and is now the Charity Co-ordinator. So it was developed by the community, for the community from the very beginning, and today the organisation keeps that firmly in sight at all times.

The central, welcoming cafe area is true to this initial sentiment. At the heart of the project is the desire to welcome and include everyone, from all walks of life and all backgrounds. Anyone can drop in, get a coffee, sit and use the wifi, chat, check out what groups are on, and so on. Everyone, from teens at a loose end, young parents through to older people, find a warm welcome here and almost always find other activities they can get involved in. Besides timetabled groups (see sidebox for examples of some of the groups), community facilities include a cafe (Mon to Fri) with free wifi @KonectMagazines

and computers. There is also a computer room for general use, whether you need to sort your CV, do some online shopping, get some things printed out. “We have some older people who come in and prefer to use the computers here and get lunch in the cafe rather than sitting alone at home,” explains Victoria.

Within Boghall, it’s a well known and loved institution; outside of Boghall, hardly anyone knows about it, but the committee is keen to encourage people from elsewhere in Bathgate and further afield to come and join in.

CLUBS ON OFFER INCLUDE:

Little Monsters (for babies and preschoolers, including messy play, arts and crafts, reading, music, and incorporating helping parents make healthy food).

Homework clubs and Youth Clubs Cookery Classes for young people Knit & Natter for the over 50s (on one occasion the kids holiday club ended up learning knitting from the Knit & Natter club who were in at the same time during a school holiday! A great time was had by all!)

Glitter Cannons - social club for young LGBT+ people Sunshine Club - the school holiday club, which runs over the whole of the summer holidays at an incredible cost of £5 per week per child!

Yoga classes ...and much more! Please call in and ask us!

Lovely thoughtful touches are everywhere; a clothing rail where people can help themselves to some clothing; a ‘Pennies Pantry’ where you can register for food and other household items such as nappies or toilet roll; all items available will be a £1 or less. When you can become a member for as little as £1 per person per month, or families £1.75 per month, this entitles you to a bag of food per week. This money is then paid back into the BDIC for services or groups. Items have been donated by local shops or organisations.

Whilst the Council covers the cost of the building, and there is a small number of paid staff thanks to Big Lottery funding, much of @KonectMagazines

the rest of the operation is run by volunteers.

As I was visiting during the Easter break, I met Caroline, the dinner lady cooking lunch for the 50 kids attending the holiday club (the free lunches were provided by West Lothian Council). And there was the university student running a dance and movement session for kids, accompanied by other young people in the community helping out, all volunteers. All of them are driven by the fun and fulfilment they get from it, as well as the desire to help out and make sure these wonderful opportunities are available to the community.

“We need volunteers not only to run the groups and activities, but, crucially, as members of the community, they can contribute ideas on what is needed here at the Drop In Centre,” explains Victoria. “If for example you are from a culture that is under-represented, volunteering here will make you feel welcome, and your contributions will add to the rich variety of things we can offer, which we value hugely.”

“Volunteering is one of the biggest things you can do,” says Kelly. “You don’t need any special qualifications, just a desire to help and to be involved in the community. You make good friends here, we’re all part of the volunteering family! And are fully supported by all the staff.”

There is much more – they work with other agencies such as Access 2 Employment, and third party groups use the building; it’s quite an incredible hive of activity but at the same time a great can-do atmosphere pervades, a feeling that no problem is too big or too small to tackle.

What do you need in order to volunteer here?

“To be non-judgemental, and kind” says Victoria.

“That is all that matters.”

If you are interested in volunteering at Boghall Drop In Centre, please contact Alison on alison@bdic.org

For more information see facebook page www.facebook.com/Boghalldropin and website www.bdic.org.uk This article was written by Helen-Jane Shearer after visiting Boghall Drop In Centre and talking to staff and volunteers.

Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect and lives in West Lothian with her family.

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The Power of Pre-Marketing There is a strong argument for creating maximum exposure for a property during its time on the market, and much of an Estate Agent’s effort and resources are spent achieving the right exposure in the right places.

However, one of the most powerful ways of securing a fast sale at a high price can actually result from minimal exposure – or rather exposure only to a select few!

Many sellers like the idea of an initial period of quiet marketing, especially in instances of a marriage break up, a death in the family, a prominent house in a small town, financial difficulties or any other reason where people It works by taking advantage of the fact that don’t yet want it to be publicly known that people enjoy being offered something on they are selling. The concept also reduces an exclusive basis, especially when it is a the risk of overexposure or of the property property that is “just about to come onto the “going stale” on the market and provides the market”. Good Estate Agents often offer their opportunity to gauge buyer feedback and new instructions “off-market” to their pregather market intelligence to help position registered “hottest” buyers first, resulting an open-market campaign should it be in sales that were never even advertised! required.

Additionally, promoting to potential buyers Of course, it does rely on a strong register that they also have properties that don’t of qualified buyers, extensive knowledge appear on their website or any portals of the local area and some ‘good old creates a curiosity and a feeling that the fashioned estate agency work’ which, in buyer could be missing out on something the days of a heavy reliance on internet good. This encourages people to register advertising, is often overlooked. with the agent in order to gain access to a potentially popular property with little or no competition.

The monthly Property Matters column is The prices achieved using this method tend contributed by Craig Turpie. Craig is a to be good as well, as buyers of such a director at Turpie & Co Estate Agents and property know that (a) it is unlikely that the Letting Agents with extensive knowledge of seller would consider anything other than the West Lothian Property Market and over the asking price during these early days of 20 years experience in bespoke sales and marketing and (b) don’t want to lose out. marketing.

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Dougal and Lesley

GREEN FINGERS,

OR HOW TO GROW A BUSINESS

Ideal mentors would be Lesley Watson and Dougal Philip, who set up New Hopetoun Gardens 41 years ago and today oversee a thriving concern that employs almost forty staff. Lesley is well known to TV gardening fans as a stalwart of the evergreen “Beechgrove Garden” programme for 16 years, till the demands of travelling became excessive.

Over four decades, their working and personal relationships have matured effectively, like the red wines that Dougal adores, till today they mesh like Rolls Royce gears.

Dougal quietly impresses. A son of Watford, his four-year stint at St Andrews Uni, (where he achieved an M.A. in Geographical Studies), led him to a new home and a consuming career. Through the calm exterior, the passions shine: passion for their two families (between them four children, four grandchildren, though none aspire to enter the business), his business, his gardening, his wine, his charity work, his clientele and his mission to foster the love of gardening. The business acumen is in the DNA, as Dougal was born into the George Philip dynasty, a map and book publishing company established in 1834 and sold 20 years ago.

The Garden Centre emanated from a chance remark in a chance encounter at a dinner party: Dougal (already a self-employed, self-taught landscaper), suggested the struggling Hopetoun House could generate fresh revenue by setting up a garden centre, whereupon the factor of the trust promptly 16 | BATHGATE

offered Dougal the opportunity he couldn’t refuse; but, by golly, it was hard going, as Dougal also had to continue his landscaping business to make ends meet.

A major breakthrough came in 1988 when Hopetoun Gardens took gold in the Glasgow Garden Festival; turnover doubled in a year!

There was consequential glory - judging Show Gardens every year at the prestigious RHS shows in Cardiff, Malvern, Hampton Court and Chelsea; vice- presidency of the RHS; chair of Perennial, the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Society, which fills a yawning void in the provision of pastoral and material care for gardeners in hard times. Once, Dougal explains, the focus was almost entirely on problems in retirement for, like ministers, gardeners usually had homes that went with their jobs. Today, sad to say, the vast preponderance of need lies in the fields of debt and mental health.

I asked Dougal for “a secret.” I hope you relish the reply!

“I was working at Hopetoun House when they had Royal visitors. I knock on the door of Princess Margaret’s room as I need to @KonectMagazines

tend the plants and flowers. No answer, so I gingerly open the door and peek in.

Just a dishevelled, unmade bed so in I go and I’m watering away when a nervous voice squeaks ‘Who’s there?’ I freeze but manage to stutter ‘Just me, ma’am, watering your plants. So sorry!’ and I flee. I later had to endure a grilling from her security and from Hopetoun hierarchy but escaped unpunished. She was so tiny, she was lost amid the covers on the large bed.”

I guess one reason for the success of the Philips is that they still have the common touch, which includes stints on the info desks, (“we’re not smart enough for the tills!”), and frequent interaction with customers - advising, commiserating, inspiring.

And the future? More time walking (wherever they be), reading - crime for Dougal, classics for Lesley, fundraising for Perennial and, for sure, continuing to spread far afield their infectious enthusiasm for gardening, gardens and gardeners.

Tearoom Terrace

You can visit New Hopetoun Gardens from 10.00am - 5.00pm daily. The garden itself is a joy to wander through, with different themed areas for inspiration and a well-stocked garden centre. There is a gift shop, and a tea room which is open daily from 10.00am - 4.30pm, (lunches served 11.30am - 3.00pm)

This article was written by David Levin after interviewing Dougal and Lesley at New Hopetoun Gardens. David is a Liverpudlian living in West Lothian, and describes himself as a writer, sportsman, patriarch and dreamer.

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If you only grow one edible thing... …Let it be one of the ‘transformers’. ‘Small in volume, large in flavour, transformers add zip and zest to your meals’ says Mark Diacono, the well-known gardener/cook.

We recommend a dozen great transformers to grow in your garden. They are a mix of herbs, salad crops and veggies that can turn a good dish into an exquisite dish.

Our top recommendations this summer would be to try a mint, perhaps spearmint, to add zest to new potatoes, garden peas or perhaps a courgette frittata. Chives with its edible, crunchy purple flowers and leaves to chop over a potato salad or to add an oniony zip to a green salad.

A third character that, like these other two, is so easy and reliable to grow would be one of

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the rosemary bushes. The different ones are all great transformers and our favourite thing is to chop the leaves finely and sprinkle them over parboiled potatoes before you roast them in the oven with some rapeseed oil.

Pick up our full list of transformers in our purple piglet project leaflet.

Rosemaried Roast Potatoes

Salad Trough

The gardening project is contributed by Dougal Philip, New Hopetoun Gardens.

Inspiring, informing and entertaining, for more than 40 years.

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SIMPLE STEPS TO GROWING BETTER HAIR, FASTER Treat your hair like an expensive fabric you wear every day! You wouldn’t wash a gucci silk scarf in Fairy….would you?!

Treat it regularly, use olaplaex for strengthening or ask your stylist to treat it for you, use good moisture treatments. We love the Sebastian Hydre moisture mask and the Davines OI range for a daily moisture boost.

You are what you eat! To promote great hair it’s about what you put in your body, make sure your getting good amounts of protein, zinc and vitamins A, C and E as well as omega 3 fatty acids.

Use protection! When styling with heat are sure your not working with anything hotter than 200 degrees and always use a protector, it seems simple but can make a huge difference to damaged brittle hair.

Be gentle! Think about the type of brush you use on wet hair, hair is particularly susceptible to breakage when it’s wet so use a specifically designed tangle teezer or our new favourite - the manta brush. Technique is equally important, start at the bottom and work your way up.

Get a trim! It won’t make it grow faster but it will keep the ends strong, retain its volume, smoothness and stop the hair becoming weak and breaking. Healthy hair is always in fashion!

Stop Buying, Start Living

There’s one big thing that keeps people from the life they dream of. It’s not confidence or motivation or a great business idea. It’s consumption.

Maintaining the lifestyle to which you’ve become accustomed becomes all consuming.

It keeps a person (or more likely persons) working at least 40 hours or more per week to ensure they earn enough money to maintain their lifestyle. This would be absolutely fine if they were happy, but they’re not.

The answer to this unhappiness? To buy more of course. The adverts have promised that when we own a particular model of car or a diamond encrusted watch we will have ‘arrived’ and will finally be happy.

The truth? Big companies and the advertising machines behind them will never allow you to be happy. Happiness equals satisfaction and satisfaction means no more purchases.

If you truly want to be happy then take some time out from being a consumer to assess what you really want from your life. You might be surprised to find that you have goals and ambitions and hopes and dreams that have nothing to do with accumulating money and buying stuff. You may discover that to be truly happy you require much less money than you thought and you now have the freedom of choice. You can choose to work forty hours a week or you can choose to go part-time. You may even choose to volunteer or start a microbusiness that allows you to pursue a passion.

When you stop believing that buying leads to happiness and you realise that happiness is a mindset – you can begin to create the life that you desire.

The Hair column is contributed by Sophie Laidlaw. Sophie is Director @wonderland Livingston. www.wonderlandlivingston.co.uk 24 | BATHGATE

The life coaching column is contributed by Erica Douglas. Erica lives in West Lothian and is a Cognitive Coach & Therapist. See her “LifeHeal” facebook page at facebook.com/LifeHealCoaching @KonectMagazines

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INTERIORS

Plastic debris + Beach = Devastation We can’t get away from the plastics problem; the debate about how to deal with our environmentally devastating plastic habit permeates every part of our lives and most of us are keen to do whatever we can to help address the problem.

So our interiors column this month is contributed by local company Harvey Bruce, who are now supplying a sustainable roller blind with fabric made from recycled plastic ocean waste.

This unique eco-thread blind fabric, called Greenscreen Sea-Tex, is helping tackle the waste pollution problem in our oceans. The fabric uses an innovative high performance eco-thread called FLX yarn. Created by the engineering company Bionic, it’s formed by heating and spinning dozens of strands of recycled plastic together, recovered from beaches, shorelines, and coastal communities.

FLX yarn is strong and versatile, and comes with a 2-3% openness factor which means the fabric weave is tight; great for privacy, light control and retaining heat and energy in your home. There are five standard Sea-Tex colours including graphite, haze, sand, pearl and white, as well as custom options available.

There is a conservative estimate that there are currently 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic floating in the world’s oceans with even more continually washing up on shorelines. This incredible amount of plastic waste is having a serious 26 | BATHGATE

detrimental effect on the environment and marine ecosystems around the world. Types of plastic waste found include cups, bottles, milk cartons and abandoned fishing nets that can all poison or trap marine life including fish, dolphins, seals, turtles and whales. Plastic does not biodegrade quickly, often taking hundreds of years, so any plastic waste remains in the ocean for a very long time. This build-up of plastic waste has also accumulated into five ocean gyres - large circulating systems of wind-driven surface currents located across the world including the North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific and Indian Ocean. Floating plastic trapped within these gyres is estimated to take at least ten years to cycle back out again.

Volunteers around the world are tackling this growing issue through organised cleanups of shorelines and coastal communities. Plastic and other debris is removed and recycled to prevent it from re-entering the ocean. There is still a long way to go, but finding commercial uses for recycling plastic is one way of keeping it out of the oceans, and as a bonus it makes a very suitable blind fabric.

This article and illustrations were contributed by Derek Lamb of Harvey Bruce Interiors, Houston Mains, Williamson Garden Centre, Uphall, EH52 6PA. www.harveybruce.co.uk | Tel: 0800 756 5286 @KonectMagazines

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You’ve probably seen the HandiCabs minibus dropping people off at the Centre, Morrisons, Dobbies or Tesco and not given it a second thought; that’s certainly the case for me. But last month I was contacted by the organisation looking for help with letting people know what they do, because it is so much more than specialist transport for wheelchair users.

“You might need help with transport for a wide range of reasons. Handicabs is about making sure people are not stuck, for whatever reason, and that includes people who are isolated due to a lack of public transport where they live and have no other means of getting about,” explains Gary Toner, Assistant Operations Manager. “And of course we help people who have mobility challenges and cannot use public transport, which covers a broad range of issues.” It may be that you are recovering from surgery, undergoing chemo, or have a longer term challenge – whatever the case, HandiCabs is there to help. There are a lot of people in the community who could benefit but don’t know about it.

Handicabs Lothian covers Edinburgh, West Lothian, Midlothian and East Lothian, and offers two services which are a lifeline to many people in the community. Dial-A-Bus is a scheduled regular bus service Mondays to Fridays, to and from popular shopping destinations, where you book on and are collected from and dropped off at your home as opposed to a bus stop.

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Dial-A-Ride is more like a taxi service, where you book your date, time and destination. Doctor’s appointments, family celebrations, airport drop-off or collection, social night out; Edinburgh Tattoo; even a Christmas Day dinner trip has been booked in the past.

Both services are “door through door” i.e. the driver is willing and able to assist with, for example, carrying your shopping bags into your kitchen; taking you right into the airport terminal building; giving you that extra helping hand with getting your coat on, whatever is required. “Many of our drivers have been with us a long time. They have built a personal rapport with customers, know them well and what their particular preferences are. And the banter on the bus between the regular customer is part of what makes it a really enjoyable service,” explains Laura Kearney.

Laura joined HandiCabs last year and is tasked with finding new sources of grant income for the charity, as, whilst the four councils in the areas covered provide operational funding, new sources are needed in order to be able to replace vehicles, as funding for this is dropping off.

A certain amount of the cost is also offset by the fares customers pay, although theses are kept very low – Dial-A-Bus is £3.80 return anywhere in West Lothian; Dial-ARide is £4.75 for the first mile and 40p per mile thereafter, fixed rate. (Your first journye on Dial-A- Bus is free, and you get £5 off your first Dial-A-Ride, to try the services).

HandiCabs allow their customers, crucially, some independence that they wouldn’t otherwise have. It takes the pressure off family members, and gives you more independence to get your weekly shopping and jobs done, freeing up those “lifts for mum” for other events. It’s also a social safety net for many; Laura recounts an incident where one regular customer hadn’t booked on the bus, and the driver commented that she was missing, asking her friend if she was ok. Her friend said “She is coming, she’s waiting.” She had just forgotten to call and book, so they swung round and collected her. The camaradie of the group of regular customers made this possible. @KonectMagazines

Gary has been with HandiCabs for 26 years, starting out as a driver, then moving onto dispatch and now management. There are several others who are long serving, and the drivers tend to stay for a good number of years. It speaks volumes for the ethos of the charity, the work they do, the relationships with each other and with customers. “It’s like a big family. We even have a few families where several members of the family all work or volunteer here” says Laura.

COULD YOU VOLUNTEER? Volunteers are very welcome to help out with driving, dispatch or other work in the offices to keep things going behind the scenes. There are offices in Bathgate and Bilston Glen (Midlothian).

Dial-A-Ride enabled me to become more independent and gave me a new lease of life.

I was able to go to Livingston to meet friends; travel on a day out to Edinburgh Festival and to hospitals. If this service was not available I would be confined to my home town which has limited shop entrances for wheelchairs.

Dial-A-Ride gives an excellent service. I cannot travel on ordinary bus service or taxis.

I no longer exist, but live.

HandiCabs Customer If you, or someone you know, needs a hand with getting out of the house, as a one off or regular, please call HandiCabs to see if they can assist. The cheery team will be happy to answer any questions. A registration form needs to be completed in order to start using one of the services.

Contact HandiCabs Lothian on: • Dial-a-Ride: 01506 633953 • Dial-a-Bus: 01506 633336

You can also find them online at www.hcltransport.org.uk and on facebook @handicabs.org.uk This article was written by Helen-Jane Shearer after meeting with Laura Kearney and Gary Toner of HandiCabs Lothian. Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect magazines and lives in West Lothian with her family.

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PARENTING

Having fun.. .

Find their spark at Jupiter Artland! ...at Artsparks

” “Jencks Walk the

My girls are just bursting with energy at this time of year. The weather perks up and so do they. And it seems they are always desperate to get outside.

And so I am always on the lookout for new things to try…especially as the summer holidays draw nearer and seven weeks of empty days looms ahead of us. But right now I’m giving myself a big parenting pat on the back for finding a great new activity that they both loved and are dying to go back and do again.

At Easter they went along to Artsparks at Jupiter Artland for the first time; two-hour sessions during the school holidays that promised to be filled with fun art and craft activities and lots of outdoor play. And boy did they deliver!

I wasn’t sure how they’d take to it; my littlest in particular can go one way or the other when you try to drop her off at activities where adults don’t get to come along for the ride. And I knew they’d be in different groups because of their ages (it’s always more of a gamble when they don’t have a pal with them). But when we first arrived at the woodland classroom to drop them off @KonectMagazines

it was a hive of activity with outdoor crafts and activities going on everywhere we looked. They were hesitant only because they didn’t seem to know where to begin. And honestly I kind of wanted to join in too! So my husband and I made a swift exit as they got stuck in and before we’d even made it out of the gate one of them was bubble painting and the other was spray painting a canvas strung between a couple of trees.

It was a gorgeous sunny day so we decided to just make the most of the beautiful surroundings of Jupiter Artland. We wandered along the sculpture trail and then sat down on “the Jencks” where we stumbled across the older kids doing some pond dipping. I could see my eldest jumping up and down with excitement from a mile off.

By the time the sessions finished they were both paint-splattered and sun-kissed but absolutely beaming from ear to ear.

They didn’t stop talking

about it for days and of all the things they did over Easter (which was a lot!) it was the one thing that really seemed to capture their imaginations. They have been asking ever since if they can go again.

So if you are on the lookout for something different to do during the school holidays I would definitely recommend checking out www.jupiterartland.org for more information. Jupiter Artland are offering twohour Summer Sessions on Fridays in July and August for 3-5 and 5-10 year olds.

We will definitely be booking for my girls to go back for more…they have lovingly preserved their paintsplattered clothing especially for the occasion!

The parenting column is contributed by Laura Archibald. Laura lives in West Lothian with her family and their campervan Hank. She is mummy, wife, blogger and full-time personal assistant to her two girlie girls.

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BUSTER THE DOG

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Ayrton was the first practice in Scotland to offer clients Laparoscopy (key-hole surgery).

Ayrton was the first practice in Scotland to offer clients key-hole surgery.in Scotland to offer clients the first practice key-hole surgery. key-hole surgery.

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by International (ICC) as a ‘Cat Friendly intorecognition ofand the Hospitals facilitieslike for our feline patients.

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T: 01501 01501 744736 T: 744736 BurnhouseIndustrial Industrial Estate, Whitburn, West T: Estate, 01501 744736 Burnhouse Whitburn, West Lothian, Lothian,EH47 EH47OLQ OLQ

Burnhouse Industrial Estate, Whitburn, West Lothian, EH47 OLQ @KonectMagazines BATHGATE | 33

Coffee and canines

How about lunch at a place where your dog is not only welcome, but where the whole place is designed specifically around them, so you and your best friend can lunch together on an equal footing?

This is what the “Paw Stop” in Bathgate aims to do. Set up by local sister-team Nicole and Natalie Senior, it’s a place you can pop in for coffee and cake, lunch or even hire for special events, all where it is not simply “dogs welcome” but the dogs are the main show.

“The idea for the Paw Stop came about as I was unhappy about having to leave Nala home when I was out at work,” says Nicole.

“She experienced separation anxiety. I studied Business at Napier University and had gone into the recruitment industry, but really wanted to set up my own business, so doing something around my dog was the dream idea.” With her sister Natalie a willing accomplice to look after the food side of the business, they set about creating what is a unique venue. There are cafes populated with dogs or cats popping up in various locations where you can eat amongst the animals, but at the Paw Stop the difference is that it’s a space where you can bring your own dog, giving them a chance to socialise with other dogs too.

Besides the usual cafe menu that covers all the basics you would expect, there is a doggy menu including dog biscuits and dog muffin snacks that Natalie and Nicole make themselves. Their dogs Nala and Tara are usually in attendance. It was a busy Thursday lunchtime when I visited,

Nicole and Natalie with Jodi 34 | BATHGATE

accompanied by a friend and her dog, and over a veggie wrap and salad we learned a bit more about how the place works. It’s a little like a parents and toddlers meet up, except instead of watching your kids interact and swapping notes about them, it’s all about the dogs. A couple came in for lunch with no pooch, so if you love dogs and just want to enjoy the atmosphere without a pooch in tow that’s fine too. I enjoyed my lunch, although as a coffee-lover I wasn’t able to order cappuccino (they offer filter coffee only) but with window seats complete with cushions and dog baskets, a box of toys and a few other nice touches, they’ve put careful thought into making it a venue where you can truly feel welcome whether you have two legs or four. Your dogs can be off their leads if you’re comfortable with that.

“We’re offering a series of events and workshops here in the evenings,” explains Nicole, “starting with a training workshop with a dog training expert.” You can also book the place for a doggy birthday party, which includes a special canine birthday cake, and “pawsecco.”

With plans for a chill-out zone for dogs who need a quiet space rather than the hustle and bustle when the cafe is busy, and other ideas in the pipeline, Natalie and Nicole are looking forward to developing the Paw Stop into something really special.

For more information, visit their Facebook page “Paw Stop,” call 07523 176222 or drop in at 1 Jarvey Street, Bathgate, during opening hours: Weekdays 9.30am - 4.00pm (ex. Wed), Sat 9.00am - 4.30pm, Sun 10.00am - 4.30pm.

This article was written by Helen-Jane Shearer, after visiting the PawStop. Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect magazines and lives in West Lothian with her family. @KonectMagazines

CLUBS & CLASSES

June

Jupiter Artland, West Lothians newest five star attraction, has recently reopened for the season. Check out the sculptures set amongst the beautiful backdrop of West Lothian countryside. New for 2019 is the partnership with Edinburgh based restaurant “Fhior” – providing tasty, seasonal food after a day’s exploring!

At Blackness Castle, join Anna Canning from Floramedica to find out about some of the ancient natural remedies that can be found around Blackness Castle. A perfect way to explore the “ship that never sailed” as well as learning something new.

Sunday 9th June from 1pm to 3.30pm One of the big highlights of the month is always the Spectacular Jousting at Linlithgow Palace. This year’s jousting takes place on the weekend of Saturday 29th June until Sunday 30th June – and tickets are now available, although it is free for Historic Environment Scotland members.

And last but not least, for the Abba fans – Europe’s leading tribute band, Abbamania, comes to Howden Park Centre on the 30th June. A sensational two hour show featuring record breaking and timeless hits from Waterloo to Dancing Queen which will have you dancing in the aisles.

There’s plenty more going on across West Lothian, so why not check out our website for full listings of events, as well as inspiration for places you can go this month? Don’t forget some events this month will need pre-booking, so don’t miss out - head to www.visitwestlothian.co.uk to find out more.

Follow us on social media to stay up to date with the latest attraction information: www.facebook.com/VisitWestLothian www.twitter.com/SeeWestLothian www.instagram.com/VisitWestLothian @KonectMagazines

SPORTS, HOBBIES, LEARNING, SUPPORT GROUPS & MORE...

BATHGATE WEST LOTHIAN FENCING CLUB runs on Friday nights in Bathgate Academy at 7pm, Tuesday nights in St Kentigern’s, Blackburn at 7pm. Both classes suit beginners, people who have fenced before, adults and juniors (aged 8+). First two classes free, all kit is provided. Email coach@ fencing-club.co.uk for more details. Beginners and families very welcome. Come and have a fun night learning a new sport which is suitable for all.

KIDS FRIDAY CLUB Calling all P1-P7 children!

Looking for some fun? Come & join us every Friday (during term time) from 2pm -3.30pm for a wide range of activities including face /nail painting, arts and crafts, games, baking, snooker and lots more. £1.50 donation per week. Bathgate High Church, Gideon Street, Bathgate. Email; info@bathgatehigh.com.

COMMUNITY PLAYGROUPS BATHGATE Bathgate Partnership Centre, 21 South Bridge Street, EH48 1TL. Manager Liz. Contact: 07591735823.

Open Monday to Friday 9:15am to 11:30am, Mon & Wed 12:30 to 2:15pm. £7.50 per session.

BATHGATE FAIRTRADE GROUP Bathgate Fairtrade is a small group and welcomes more members locally to promote fairtrade in Bathgate and West Lothian, providing information about fairtrade and opportunities to buy fairly traded food and other items with stalls in various locations. If you are interested or want to know more please contact the secretary Gillian Reid on 01506 653366 or Email: mrs_g@btinternet.com RAINBOWS, BROWNIES & GUIDES Rainbow units - (girls aged 5 - 7 years old) take place on Monday and Wednesday nights. For more information please visit www.girlguiding.org. uk/get-involved or alternatively you can email us on westlothiangirlguiding@gmail.com.

Brownie units - (girls aged 7 - 10 years old) take place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights. For more information please visit www.girlguiding.org. uk/get-involved or alternatively you can email us on westlothiangirlguiding@gmail.com.

Guide units - (girls aged 10 - 14 years old) take place on Thursday nights. For more information please visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved or alternatively you can email us on westlothiangirlguiding@gmail.com.

BATHGATE & DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB We are a friendly group who meet third Monday of each month, Sept to June (except Dec), 7.15pm in the United Reform Church Hall, Majoriebanks Street, Bathgate. We have a Floral Art demonstrator at each meeting who designs around 5 arrangements which are given as raffle prizes. Contact Nan Tait, Chairman, tel: 01506 676965.

BATHGATE | 35

BATHGATE ...cont.

GENERATION ARTS – CHOIR or DANCE Generation Choir Silver Tones meet Mon 1.15pm - 2.15pm in the Royal British Legion, Bathgate. All age 50+ welcome - no experience required and no auditions. Generation Dance meet Fri 10.30am - 11.30am at St Mary’s Hall, Livery Street, Bathgate. All age 60+ welcome regardless of mobility, independence and experience.

BATHGATE HISTORY GROUP A friendly group who meet on Wednesdays at 2.00pm in the Tryst behind St John’s Church, Mid Street, Bathgate. We have interesting speakers on various topics with tea and coffee served. A warm welcome awaits old and new members. We meet from the first Wednesday in September through to the following April. For further information contact Christine on 01506 656499.

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, Balbardie Primary School, and Bathgate Partnership Centre. We offer a range of indoor and outdoor play experiences until 6pm Mon-Fri. Sessions are paid for as they are booked with no fee for `holding` an unused space. For more information visit www.simplyplay. org or call 01506 856444.

31ST WEST LOTHIAN SCOUTS Scout Hall, Majoriebank Street. Thursdays 7:00pm-9:00pm

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 Unit 6, Interchange Business Park, Houston Road, Livingston, EH54 5DW. 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.

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 Tue - Thu 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.

BABY AND TODDLER ACTIVITIES Kidzeco, 20-24 George Street, Bathgate, EH48 1PW. Range of baby and children’s activities including Hartbeeps,

36 | BATHGATE

Yoga Babiez, Baby Sensory, Iyengar Yoga Warriors and Kids Iyengar Yoga Warriors. Please see our events page on facebook www.facebook.com/ kidzeco for class times and prices, or call Kidzeco Bathgate on 01506 815534

2ND BATHGATE GIRLS’ BRIGADE 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.

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

REGAL MUSIC CLUB The Regal Theatre, Bathgate. For anyone who loves music. We meet fortnightly on Wednesdays. 7.30pm – 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. £2.00 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 A meeting place and caring supportive group for people with dementia and their carers. The Memory Cafe runs the first Monday of every month between 1.30pm and 3pm at Rosemount Gardens, Mid Street, Bathgate (Sheltered Housing Complex). For further information contact Alzheimer Scotland on 01506 533 108 or just turn up and be assured of a warm welcome.

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 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.

PARANORMAL INVESTIGATION GROUP 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.

WEST LOTHIAN RUN Little Runners – free kids running classes, Sundays at Boghall Community Wing 11am – 12pm.

See www.westlothianrun.org.uk for details and to register.

WEST LOTHIAN GENERATION ARTS Helps people stay healthy mentally and physically by offering classes of seated dance, singing and arts. Classes are held in St. Mary’s Hall, Livery Street, Bathgate, for over sixties, on Fridays at 10.30am and Howden Park Centre, Livingston, on Thursdays at 1130 a.m.

Further info frome: generationarts. coordinator@gmail.com w: 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 Rosemount Court, Mid Street Bathgate EH48 1QW. 6.45 for 7.00pm start. All Welcome. Contact Georgette Nicol 01506 203498 for more information.

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 info see www.rycbathgate.com or contact us via facebook.

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 KIRKTON PARK TENNIS CLUB Interested in improving your tennis game? Check out our club info at KirktonParkTennisClub.co.uk We offer a free trial social session! Hope to see you on the courts soon. Learn, Play, Enjoy!

SCOTTISH SENIORS COMPUTER CLUB The Ballencrief, Hopetoun Street, Bathgate. For the over 50s to find out what you can do with your computer, laptop, iPad/tablet or smartphone device.

Enjoy the experience; learn and share!

Thursday mornings 10am - 12 noon.

Contact : Chris Cosgrove. Bathgate Computer Club. Call 01506 656153 or just call in.

@KonectMagazines

WEST LOTHIAN SUB AQUA CLUB Come along and join us on a Tuesday evening at Xcite Bathgate swimming pool. Not sure if scuba-diving is for you?

No problem, we can offer you a taster ‘Try Dive’ to let you experience the freedom of diving. Training is carried out at your pace and our instructors are fully qualified and experienced divers so you will be in safe hands. As a not-for-profit organisation you will be surprised how little our training costs. To find out more, visit our website www.westlothianscuba. co.uk or come along to Xcite Bathgate at 8pm on a Tuesday for a chat by the pool.

NIBBLE N NATTER Fortnightly get together in Royal Scot Court, Bathgate, where we enjoy coming together and meeting new people. Have a chat and a choice of biscuits and cakes with a cup of tea. A welcoming atmosphere awaits you! Cost is just £1 and all are welcome.

Group run by Cyrenians OPAL (Older People, Active Lives), 01506 815815, email opal@cyrenians.scot or visit our website www.cyrenians.scot ACTIVITY GROUP Are you over 60?

Looking to get out and meet new people?

Come and join in our activity group in Rosemount Gardens, Bathgate - a mix of gentle physical activity, quizzes and games. We also love a good chat over a cup of tea! All welcome, cost is just £1 per session. Get in touch if you’d like more information, with Cyrenians OPAL (Older People, Active Lives) on 01506 815815, email opal@cyrenians.scot or visit our website www.cyrenians.scot

PILATES St. Mary’s Hall, Livery Street, Bathgate. Monday evenings 6pm for intermediate/advanced levels and 7pm for beginner/intermediate levels. Improve posture, flexibility, strength and stability with classical pilates. For booking and further information, contact Maria on 07513 116490 or mariahybszerpilates@ gmail.com or check out website mariahybszerpilates.weebly.com

WESTER INCH WESTER INCH KARATE CLUB A community based club with classes every Wed at Simpson Primary School. 18.00 – 19.00 Dragon Ninjas Class: suitable for 5 – 7 year olds; 19.00 – 20.30 The class is suitable for adults and children from 8 years. The first class is free, thereafter there is a special rate of £35 which includes two months of classes and a karate suit. Membership includes free entry to Livingston Karate Club. Register your interest via our website www.westerinchkarateclub.co.uk 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

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SIMPSON ART CLUB Meet every Tues 7pm-9pm in the Community Wing of Simpson Primary School, Leyland Road, Westerinch, Bathgate, EH48 2SG. All over 18yrs, including beginners, are welcome. We have professional artists giving demonstrations mid month, and a tutor teaching at end of month, both teaching new techniques, and giving us time to try. We work in all mediums, first month free, and fees are £80 twice yearly. For further information email simpsonartclub@gmail.com or 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. 2nd & 4th Thurs 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 WEST INCH NETBALL Meet on a Tuesday night at Simpson Primary School, Bathgate. Arrive anytime after 7 pm, games played between 7.30 and 8.30 pm. £3 per person, per week. All are welcome.

DOTEKI KARATE CLUB Meet Mon night at Simpson Primary School, Bathgate, 4 – 8 year olds 6.30 – 7.30pm and 8 years to adults 7.30 – 8.30pm and also at Southdale Primart School, Armadale on a Wed evening, same times. No previous experience necessary. Wear a t-shirt, jogging bottoms and bring a bottle of water. For more information visit their Facebook page: Doteki Karate Club; email dotekikarate@gmail.com or phone: 07917 351794 .

FOOTBALL STAR ACADEMY Meet on a Saturday and Sunday morning at Simpson Primary School, Bathgate for boys and girls aged 5 and 8 years.

Saturday’s Soccer School is between 11 am and 12 noon, Sunday’s Soccer School is 10.30 – 11.30 am. For more information visit their Facebook page: @footballstaracademy1; email footballstaracademy@outlook.com or phone: 07903877987.

TORPHICHEN BROWNIE UNIT (girls aged 7 - 10 years old) take place on Tuesday night. For more information please visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved or alternatively you can email us on westlothiangirlguiding@gmail.com.

OTHER AREAS UPCYCLING/RECYCLING CLUB Come and join us for our weekly craft recycling classes & learn new skills.

Cushion covers, decopatch, rug making and many more projects. Every Tuesday 10.30 - 12, 12.30 - 2 & 2 – 3.30 Colliery Hub, Polkemmet Business Centre, Dixon Terrace, Whitburn, EH47 0LH. Contact Sam: 07986 405900.

All materials are provided and classes are free.

LOTHIAN PHOENIX WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL CLUB Meet on Thur nights at Armadale Academy. Come along and try something new! No experience necessary, we have spare sports wheelchairs available to use.

Adults 7-9pm, Kids 7-8pm (they are welcome to stay until 9pm if you wish.)

All abilities are welcome. Contact Conor Smart - 07585 925810 to find out more or come along to one of our sessions.

WOOLY QUILTERS This self help group is the ideal place for help and craft chat with a cuppa while you sew or knit. We do a variety of crafts from patchwork & quilting to knitting & spinning, or to get you started try making our beginners quilt! Meet on a Wed 7pm- 9pm at Seafield Bowling Club, Old Rows, Seafield Rows, EH47 7AP. For more information: email: woolyquilters@gmail.com or find us on facebook.

SING WEST LOTHIAN Armadale Community Centre, Thurs 6pm 8pm. Free, and no audition and no requirement to read music. For information email westlothianchoir@ outlook.com or find us on Facebook COMMUNITY PLAYGROUPS ARMADALE Armadale Community Centre, 7 North Street Armadale, EH48 3QB. Manager Arlene. Contact : 07592816761. Open Tuesday to Friday 9;15am to 11;30am £7.50 per session.

CHOOSE YOU – YOGA STUDIO AND WELLNESS HUB Wide range of classes at our permanent wellness studio in Carmondean. Yoga classes include Iyengar, Ashtanga, Seasonal, Bihar, Hatha/Vinyasa and Core Strength as well as yoga for kids, teens and men. We also offer Tai-Chi. For a full list and timetable, please see our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ chooseyouyoga, call Eva on 07810 824 195 or email info@chooseyouyoga. co.uk for more information.

TO INCLUDE YOUR CLUB OR CLASS, PLEASE EMAIL DETAILS TO EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT CHARITY AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS ARE FREE. THERE IS A SMALL CHARGE FOR OTHER LISTINGS. SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION. WWW.KONECT.SCOT

BATHGATE | 37

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

APPLIANCE REPAIRS Home Appliance Repair 23 BATHROOMS & KITCHENS 1st Choice Living 5 Bathgate Bathroom Studio 22 Paragon Bathroom Solutions 2 S and S Home Improvements 39 BEAUTICIAN Browhau5 Microblading 4 BOILER SERVICES The Gas Engineer 14 CAR SERVICING, MOT & REPAIR Ace Exhausts & Tyres 14 M & S Auto Solutions 10 CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING Dirtbusters Carpet Cleaning 7 CHURCHES Centrepoint Church 30 CLEANING: HOUSE / OFFICE Clean Bee Domestic Cleaning 32 COMMUNITY FACILITIES Lothian Buses 20 COMPUTER/PHONE REPAIRS Sprint Computer Repairs 10 CURTAINS & BLINDS Harvey Bruce 27 ELECTRICIAN DB Electrics 14 ESTATE AGENT Drummond Miller 25 Property Connections 11 Turpie & Co. 13 YOPA 7 GARAGE DOORS Garolla 6 38 | BATHGATE

ROOFING GARDEN CENTRE New Hopetoun Gardens 19 G Hughes Roofing Services 10 GARDEN DESIGN / Taylor Roofs 5 MAINTENANCE All Year Round SOLICITORS & LEGAL Landscapes 17 Purdie MacLean Naia Garden Services 4 Solicitors 25 R Grieve Landscapers 22 TAXI & PRIVATE HIRE GLAZING REPAIRS County Cars 40 CR Smith 21 TREE CARE SERVICES GYM/HEALTH CLUB Arbscape Tree Surgery 17 Dalmahoy Hotel & TRUSTED TRADER Country Club 15 SCHEME JOINERY West Lothian Trusted Trader DJMS 27 Scheme 4 LANDLORD SERVICES VET & ANIMAL Let Link 7 WELLBEING Turpie & Co 13 Ayrton Veterinary Hospital 33 LANDSCAPING SUPPLIES Riverside Veterinary Beatson’s Building Practice 32 Supplies 18 YOUTH EMPLOYMENT LAWNS Green Thumb Lawn SCHEME Developing the Young Service 18 Workforce 30 LOCKSMITH

CVC Locksmiths and Security 23 OVEN CLEANING Shiny Bright Ovens 4 PAINTING & DECORATING Manic Street Painters 23 PEST CONTROL Frontline Pest Control 32 PLASTERING Nu Walls 23 PLUMBING & HEATING SERVICES Dewar Plumbing 23 Mech A Tech Home Heating Services 6 McLellan Plumbing 23 PRESSURE WASHING Scotwash Solutions 17

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We do not endorse any advertisers in this publication. All material is accepted for publication on the understanding it is copyright free. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher.

Publisher: Lothian Publications Ltd. Geddes House, Kirkton North, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 6GU. Magazine Design: Universal Appeal Ltd. M: 07729 911858 W: www.universal-appeal.com E: info@universal-appeal.com

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