Konect Bathgate May 2024

MAY 2024

WHAT’S ON: LOCAL CHARITY: GARDEN PROJECT:

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est Lothian Bike Library are encouraging people to try e-bikes this summer, and they have a range of them available for hire at very reasonable rates. If you’re thinking about how an e-bike could make your commute better, or are just curious to try and see if you’d get on well with one, please see the article on pages 8-9 and get in touch with the Bike Library. They offer a host of other bike-related services and do fantastic work in the community too.

May 13th -19th is Dementia Action week.

The Living Well column from Home Instead this month describes how to spot signs of dementia and how it is different from usual signs of ageing.

As ever, you will find everything you need for home, garden, eating out and entertainment in the pages of this magazine. Thank you for supporting local businesses and organisations.

Charity: Fancy trying an e-bike?.....................8 Living Well: Signs of dementia.....................12 Property Matters: Showcasing West Lothian.......................................................................14 Film Review: A bittersweet life......................16 Life Coaching: The things you can control........................................................................16 Garden Project: A posy a week...................20 Local Environment: Stop the spread.........22 Puzzles......................................................................26 Recipe: Scottish Salmon Tagine.................27 What’s On......................................................30 Clubs & Classes.................................... 32-33

COVER IMAGE: Fancy trying an e-bike? - See pages 8-9 for more details.

All enquiries, E: editor@konect.scot M: 07854 492638

Konect is delivered monthly to 10,000 homes in selected areas of Bathgate and Broxburn. It is also available online: konect.scot/subscribe BATHGATE | 3

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Fancy trying an e-bike?

West Lothian Bike Library has a fleet of e-bikes available for hire. If you’re thinking about getting an e-bike this summer, or are curious to see if one would work for your commute, this is a perfect opportunity to try before you buy.

The bike library, set up in 2018, exists to make cycling accessible for all. They have every kind of bike available for hire, including specially adapted bikes to accommodate disabilities, a host of bike-related services and support, as well as free hire for people who are not able to afford their own bike (subject to referral).

The latest initiative is all about making e-bikes more accessible. E-bikes help you reach where you need to go more quickly and with less effort and more joy, reducing the physical strain and worries about “keeping up.”’ They make cycling an easier option for everyday trips such as the school run, daily commutes, or simply enjoying a fun day out.

According to the Scottish Household Survey, in 2022 more than half of the trips taken were less than 5 km, and 26% of journeys covering less than 1km were made by car. These sorts of trips can be done with an e-bike – an option that makes you feel good and save money while helping the local environment by reducing traffic congestion and air pollution.

The West Lothian Bike Library is a fantastic

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Angela Constance MSP tries a cargo bike, which is available for community groups to borrow

resource in Livingston and a friendly, supportive community where anyone can get hands-on support with e-bikes and adaptive cycles. In partnership with Go e-bike, an initiative delivered

by SEStran, the Library offers everything from training to maintenance, making it easy for anyone to try out these bikes and boost their confidence riding them.

More broadly, West Lothian Bike Library offers all types of bike hire on a half day/full day basis, cycling training, bike recycling (donated bikes repaired and given a new life), Dr Bike sessions and led rides as well as competitively-priced bike servicing and repairs. Their services are available to anyone! Here are some ways they can help you: • It’s been a long time since you were last on a bike, but you want to give it a go with a bit of friendly support.

• You’re struggling to fund your travel to work or training, and a temporary loan of a bike or e-bike could really help you out.

• Your balance is perhaps not what it used to be due to health issues, or you have a condition that limits your mobility, and you could do with a bike that gives you additional support.

• Your organisation wants to get more staff or students on bikes. West Lothian Bike Library supports all local ASN schools. For example, Ogilvie School Campus, which caters for pupils with severe and complex learning disabilities, many of whom would not have access to a bike or have the opportunities to learn cycling skills elsewhere. Mairi Ritchie, Acting Principal Teacher, said, “West Lothian Bike Library has supported us with gaining funds for new bikes and trikes for the pupils here, as well as training and supporting staff with the delivery of Bikeability courses, to help pupils increase their confidence with cycle skills. They have given us their time and skills, which have been indispensable to us and helped us fix and maintain our bikes that we use for classes. We have also had some bike donations, which have been really appreciated and are used well. Our school has a role of 109 pupils at present, and just now there are approximately 80 pupils using the bikes on a regular basis, all of which wouldn’t have been possible without West Lothian Bike Library. Without their expertise and support, our pupils wouldn’t have been given the cycling experiences that they get.”

For more information, please contact the West Lothian Bike Library on 07724 667321 www.wlbikelibrary.co.uk info@wlbikelibrary.co.uk Crofthead Farm, Templar Rise, Livingston EH54 6DG

Open Monday to Thursday between 9.00am and 1.00pm, and other times by appointment.

West Lothian 50+ Network going on a Led Ride using WL Bike Library eBikes

See also www.dotheridething.co.uk for more information on the South East Scotland e-bike accessibility initiative.

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LIVING WELL

As people get older, they are likely to become more forgetful and notice changes in their mental abilities. Though frustrating, these changes are a normal part of ageing. So how does this differ from dementia?

With dementia, this worsening in mental abilities is much more serious. For a healthcare professional to diagnose dementia, symptoms must be significantly affecting daily life, such as difficulty completing daily tasks about the house, in the community or at work.

Normal signs of ageing: • Forgetting people’s names • Struggling to remember day-to-day events or experiences • Misplacing items (e.g. keys or glasses) around the house • Finding it hard to follow conversations • Forgetting appointments or important dates • Getting lost While someone might worry that these are the early signs of dementia, for most this is not the case.

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Symptoms of dementia: • Memory loss • Confusion and needing help with daily tasks • Struggling with planning and decision making • Problems with language and understanding • Changes in behaviour The most common types of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, but there are also less common types such as Lewy body and frontotemporal dementia. While they may share some similar symptoms, this is not always the case.

It is therefore important not to try to diagnose dementia in yourself or someone else and instead seek the opinion of a qualified health professional.

For information and support prior to a diagnosis or memory assessment, contact the Memory Information Support Team (MIST) on 01506 448 000 The Living Well column is contributed by Home Instead West Lothian. Contact them for advice and support on 01506 346046, email info.westlothian@homeinstead.co.uk or see www.homeinstead.co.uk/west-lothian

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Showcasing

BATHGATE

and surrounding local area

Showcasing

LIVINGSTON and surrounding local area

Showcasing

LINLITHGOW

and surrounding local area

Showcasing

TORPHICHEN

and surrounding local area

All of our Location Videos can be viewed on our website www.turpies.com,YouTube Channel (Search: ‘Turpie & Co.’), or by scanning the QR codes above.

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Building plots, Candie – From £160,000 BATHGATE | 15

LIFE COACHING

The things you can CONTROL Kim Jee-woon is debatably one of my favourite filmmakers working today. So, it was a treat to watch a film of his that I had never seen before.

A Bittersweet Life is a crime thriller that follows our lead Kim Sun-woo, played by Lee Byung-hun, who is a high-ranking enforcer to crime boss Kang. He is given a simple task; while Kang is away Kim must keep an eye on Kang’s young girlfriend and if she is with another younger man, call Kang or deal with the matter himself.

From there things slowly start to spiral out of control and Kim has to deal with the consequences of his actions.

There is never a dull moment in this film.

From the opening brawl to when the credits rolled, I was gripped and immersed in the world. What allowed me to become so invested was the fantastic performances and strong writing/direction. Lee Byung-hun is utterly incredible and continues to prove why he is one of the best actors working today. The supporting cast is also fantastic and allows every character to have so many fascinating layers to them.

Kim Jee-woon did a fantastic job writing and directing this film. He subverted my expectations from what I was expecting and told a story and loneliness and emptiness that only he could do. A Bittersweet Life is just simply excellent. A defining film of the 2000s and a must-watch film no questions asked. The film is just sublime.

A Bittersweet Life is available now on digital platforms.

The Film Review is contributed by Robert Ewing. Robert is passionate about film as an art form, and shining a light on films that may not be on people’s radar.

Robert is from Kirknewton.

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At this time of year, a switch seems to go on in most people’s heads as they turn their attention to Spring and warmer weather.

Everywhere we look there are holiday adverts, colourful clothes and beautiful flowers which all build expectation and excitement about good times to come.

While all this is quite understandable after a long, wet winter, the weather and it’s unpredictable nature is outwith all our control and focusing only on sunshine and brighter days can lead to disappointment when the sun doesn’t shine.

The principle of focusing on what we can control applies to almost all aspects of our lives. We can’t really influence how our partner, friends, family or colleagues behave and most of us would agree that trying to do that would inevitably lead to frustration when faced with the inevitable disappointment.

If we can’t control the behaviour of the people we actually know, how likely is it that we can exert even a tiny amount of influence over the weather, the interest rate or whether that total stranger is going to be kind?

Deciding that the only things that we can all control is our own reactions and behaviour and letting go of the belief that we can change other people’s actions will make a real difference to all our lives.

Recognising that the only thing that any of us can have any impact on is ourselves and our own thoughts is an important first step towards developing a new and very healthy habit of acceptance.

The Life Coaching column is contributed by Francine Orr, NLP coach, hypnotherapist & reiki practitioner. Francine is based within Linlithgow Chiropractic on Wednesday afternoons and is also available online. See www.orrganise.co.uk

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‘Your garden should be able to supply you with at least a posy of flowers every week of the year’!

To help your garden fulfil this obligation this summer you should be sowing some annual flower seeds this month, the soil is warm enough now to sow the seeds directly into the soil. Sow them in straight lines so you can see which seedlings you planted and want to grow and any not in the line will be annual weeds that you can hoe out.

These flowers in little glass vases were picked in July and, from left to right, are Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea), Sunflower Vanilla Ice, Viper’s Bugloss (Echium Blue Bedder), and Nasturtium.

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But there are so many annual flowers that you might choose. Do you like a mix of colours in the vase, or do you have a favourite colour palette for your home? Perhaps a blue colour theme with a sparkle of white (Choose Nigella, Cerinthe and Gypsophila). You might plan a more vibrant, exciting theme with fiery colours like red, orange and yellow (choose a bright coloured Cosmos, a yellow Antirrhinum and a Marigold).

Sit back and enjoy the anticipation of vases filled with annual flowers this summer!

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

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

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Our native red squirrel is facing a serious threat. One of the main causes of the population decline (amongst many other reasons) was the introduction of the much larger, non-native grey squirrel.

Originally introduced in 1876 to populate the grounds of stately homes, it wasn’t made illegal to release them until 1930. By that point, the damage had already been done. They carry a disease called squirrel pox, which they’re immune to but easily spreads to red squirrels and when infected, they usually succumb to it within a couple of weeks. It’s an awful disease and I can’t imagine the suffering the little squirrel will go through.

Now, whilst there are no red squirrels in West Lothian or Edinburgh, you only need to take a short drive over the bridge to start seeing them. Unfortunately, over the last few weeks there’s been a confirmed case of squirrel pox in Dunfermline and a red squirrel sadly lost its life. There have also been grey squirrel sightings in current red squirrel strongholds, including Aberfoyle and Dunkeld.

If you visit the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrel 22 | BATHGATE

website, you’ll get tips on what we can do to help. The disease is spread through infected feeders, so these must be taken down and thoroughly cleaned with an anti viral solution such as Virkon S. Those who either live or know people who live where the territories cross over are key in stopping the spread of greys further North.

This column is contributed by Clare Harte and Kate Stevenson, who grew up in Edinburgh and now live in West Lothian. Together they run Scottish Sisters Photography and travel around the country to watch and photograph amazing wildlife and scenic landscapes.

Follow them on Facebook: @ScottishSistersPhotography

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58mm Vertical [LEFT]

MAY CROSSWORD

Got a story?

WE LOVE TO CELEBRATE ALL THINGS LOCAL! ^^^ Solution in the June edition of Konect

ACROSS: 7. A large sea (13), 8. Disclosed (8), 9. Opposed to (4), 10. Move forward (7), 12. Allude to (5), 14. Learn (5), 16. Not coolest (7), 19. Zn (4), 20. Fizzy drink (8), 22. Practical example (13).

DOWN: 1. Not there (4), 2. Picture house (6), 3. Think about (7), 4. Unrefined (5), 5. Breathe in (6), 6. Insensitive (8), 11. Thorough (8), 13. Mallets (7), 15. Physician (6), 17. Tiny (6), 18. Show embarrassment (5).

If you or someone you know, has an interesting experience, an unusual job, does extraordinary charity work, has a crazy hobby.....get in touch via

editor@konect.scot and we may be able to share it.

(You need to live and/or work in the Bathgate or Broxburn area to be featured in the Bathgate magazine)

XX ^^^ Sudoku solution on page 30

MAY SUDOKU

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ADD SOLUTION DETAILS

S

FOOD & DRINK

cottish

Ta

gi n e

Wow your family and friends

Wow family and friends – and make entertaining easy – with this Moroccan-inspired tagine-style dish, served up in less than 30 minutes!

Ingredients: • 4 x approx 125g Scottish salmon fillets • 2 tbsp olive or vegetable oil • 1 onion, peeled and sliced • 1 tsp cumin seeds or ground cumin • 2 tsp ground paprika • 1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes • 1 x 298g tin mandarin segments, drained • 1 tsp vegetable stock powder • 50g sultanas • 100g baby spinach • 150g couscous • Chopped fresh coriander, to garnish

Serves 4

Method: 1. Remove the skin from the salmon fillets, if preferred.

2. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the onion for 3-4 minutes. Add the cumin and paprika and fry gently for about 20-30 seconds.

3. Stir in the tomatoes, mandarin segments, vegetable stock powder and sultanas. Cook for 5 minutes, then add the spinach and stir it in as the leaves wilt.

4. Arrange the salmon fillets on top of the tomato mixture. Cover with a lid or a piece of greased foil and cook over a medium-low heat for 8-10 more minutes.

5. Meanwhile, cook the couscous according to pack instructions. Serve with the salmon tagine, garnished with chopped fresh coriander.

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SOLUTION TO APRIL CROSSWORD

ACROSS: 7. Vision, 8. Auntie, 9. Asia, 10. Athletic, 11. Insects, 13. Pelts, 15. Bills, 17. Ponders, 20. Nibbling, 21. Only, 23. Issued, 24. London.

DOWN: 1. Zips, 2. Pirate, 3. Infants, 4. Yacht, 5. Sneeze, 6. Sinister, 12. Noisiest, 14. Roughly, 16. Labour, 18. Drowns, 19. Birds, 22. Loot.

SOLUTIONTO TOSUDOKU SUDOKU SOLUTION XX ON PAGE 26

Disclaimer: The publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage caused by error in the printing of an advertisement.

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.

SOLUTION TO APRIL CROSSWORD

EVERY SATURDAY Bathgate Market & Car Boot Sale - Bathgate Outdoor Market 9am to 2pm. Parking available in Gardners Lane Car Park and Acredale Car Park. Access via Whitburn Road on the road between H&M and Home Bargains FRIDAY 10TH MAY Badger Watch at Muiravonside - To celebrate Falkirk Science Festival and Scottish Badger Week, join the Rangers to find out all about these fascinating creatures. If we’re very lucky we may get a glimpse of our resident badgers from the visitor centre as night falls!

This event is suitable for ages 8+.

All children must be ACROSS: 7. Vision, 8. Auntie, 9. Asia, 10. Athletic, 11.Country Insects, 13.Park, Pelts, 15.

Bills, accompanied by an adult. Muiravonside The 17. Ponders, 20. Nibbling, 21. Only, Load, Whitecross, EH49 6LW. 8:15pm, £4 per person, book 23. Issued, 24. London. at www.falkirkleisureandculture.org DOWN: 1. Zips, 2. Pirate, 3. Infants,

4. Yacht, 5. Sneeze, 6. Sinister, 12. Noisiest, 29TH APRIL TO 31ST MAY 14. Roughly, 16. Labour, 18. Drowns, Art Exhibition - Livingston Art 19. Birds, 22. Loot.

Association’s Annual Exhibition, displaying the SOLUTION SUDOKU pottery and artworks of the group.

HowdenTO Park Centre, ON PAGE XX Livingston. Please see www.livingston-art-assoc.org.uk for details. Please check Howden Park Centre’s Facebook page for opening hours. Entry is free, all welcome.

SUNDAY 12TH MAY Ramble & Chat, Foraging Walk - With Almond Valley Nature Action Group, a monthly social walk with like-minded folk to blether about nature, climate action, biodiversity or whatever comes to mind. This month we have a special event. A gentle walk in Almondell & Calderwood Country Park led by local forager Amy Rankine. We’ll learn about wild plants, connect with nature, and share tea made with foraged ingredients!

This is a free event but places are limited and booking via Eventbrite is required.

Disclaimer: The publisher cannot accept

responsibility for loss or damage caused THURSDAY 16TH MAY by error in the printing of an advertisement.

West Lothian Prostate Cancer We do not endorse any advertisers in Support Group - Helpthis forpublication. men recently diagnosed All material is accepted for publication on the understanding and speakers on Prostate Cancer Research and from it is copyright free. No part of this publication Macmillan team on “Improving may thebe Cancer Journey.”

Meet reproduced without prior consent of publisher.

7.00pm Crofthead Community the Centre, Livingston.

Publisher: Lothian Publications Ltd. Geddes House, Kirkton North, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 6GU.

WANT TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT HERE? Geddes House, Kirkton COMMUNITY North, Livingston, West Lothian 6GU.OF CHARGE. AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT LISTINGS AREEH54 FREE

Magazine Design: Alan Stewart Design T: 07729 911858

Magazine Design: TH EMAIL EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT BY 15 OF THE MONTH Alan Stewart Design FOR FOLLOWING MONTH’S T:ISSUE. 07729 911858

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Publisher: Lothian Publications Ltd.

BATHGATE | 31

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

ROUGHLY SPEAKING COMEDY - Hosted by Midnight Breakfast Club in Bathgate, Roughly Speaking Comedy is an open mic for comedians and aspiring comedians alike.

Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned pro, you can sign up either online or on the night. Free entry. See Facebook “Roughly Speaking Comedy” for confirmed dates or email roughlyspeakingopenmic@gmail.com LIVINGSTON & WEST LOTHIAN HOCKEY CLUB - Livingston & West Lothian Hockey Club are a friendly, sociable and competitive hockey club based at Deans Community High School in Livingston. The Club has one Men’s team, two Ladies teams and a large Juniors section. The Club is always on the look out for new members.

If you feel you’d like to try hockey then please feel free to contact us through our social media channels (website www.livingstonhockeyclub.uk, Facebook or email livingstonandwlhockey@gmail.com BIPOLAR SCOTLAND SUPPORT GROUP - Bipolar Scotland invites patients, family, friends, partners and carers of those with a Bipolar diagnosis within West Lothian to come along to our monthly group meeting. Held every second Thursday of the month at Bathgate Partnership Centre (21-55 South Bridge St, Bathgate EH48 1TL), Rooms 8 & 9 More information on Bipolar Scotland’s services available at www. bipolarscotland.org.uk or 0141 560 2050

BATHGATE BELLES SWI - We meet on the last Wednesday of each month from 7-9pm in The Royal British Legion, 50 North Bridge Street, Bathgate. Our aim is to empower women through friendship, reducing isolation and 32 | BATHGATE

fostering a sense of community.

We offer lifelong learning opportunities by having talks, trips out and demonstrations and promote well-being by having lots of fun. For more information email at bathgatebelles@outlook.com or just come along.

BROXBURN PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP - For children 2 to 5 years old. We provide a safe, caring, learning environment where children can realise their full potential in a fun manner while taking their first steps towards independence. Fully registered and insured Scottish Charity, with all necessary safeguarding credentials.

Children who have attended our playgroup in the past have been reported as having had a smooth transition to mainstream nursery and school. www. broxburnpreschoolplaygroup. co.uk/ BATHGATE HISTORY GROUP - Are you interested in the past?

Come and join your local history club and meet others with a similar interest. We meet on the first Wednesday of every month in St John’s church Hall at 2.00.

First meeting of the new session on Wednesday 6th September.

You will be made very welcome £3.00. tea/ coffee included. See you there!

17TH WEST LOTHIAN SCOUTS - Canon Hoban Hall, Broxburn.

(What3words bubble.baroness. shepherds) Join in the adventure and gain life skills. If you are an adult or a young person and want to gain life skills come and join us. Monday:- Beavers (6-8years) 6:15-7:15pm; Cubs (8-10years) 7:30-8:45pm. Friday:- Scouts (1014 years) 7:00-9:00pm; Explorers (14-18years) 7:30-9:30pm.

Everyone welcome. Contact: info@17thbroxburnscoutgroup. co.uk or 07785 525 466.

BROXBURN GENERAL YOGA CLASS - Sunday morning 9:30 -10:30 - not as bad as it sounds!

Class held in the lovely studio at Broxburn United Sports Club, Albyn Place. £5 per session, all welcome. E: iyogawithc@gmail. com T: 07749 524 249 WINCHBURGH ART CLASS - Winchburgh Community Hall, every Thursday 9.30am –11.30am. All levels welcome. We have tutors regularly. All mediums used. Contact Secretary 07980 321989.

LOTHIAN PHOENIX WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL CLUB - Meet on Thursday nights at Armadale Academy. All abilities are welcome, and no experience is necessary. We have spare sports chairs available to use. Adult’s session is 7.00 - 9.00pm in the large sports hall, juniors’ session is 7.00 - 9.00pm in the small hall.

Come along and try something new! Contact Karen Redmond walkerredmond@aol.com or call 07982195006 to find out more or come along to one of our sessions.

WEST LOTHIAN LITTER PICKERS - We’re a group of over 3000 West Lothian residents, so if you want to help clean up your community, like we do, come join the group on Facebook “West Lothian Litter Pickers(Act Local Think Global)”. We organise group litter picks or put you in touch with a buddy in your area to get you started. We can even provide you with equipment at no cost to you.

WEST LOTHIAN u3a - Retired or semi-retired and looking for a new way to spend your free time?

Why not try u3a? u3a is a UK wide movement for retired or semi retired people who wish to make new friends, continue learning in an informal setting, and keep active. Most groups meet at Uphall Community Centre. No formal qualifications are required and non given. For more

information see: W: u3asites.org.uk/ westlothian Facebook: ‘West Lothian u3a’ E: memsecwlu3a@gmail.com T: 01506 844274 COMMUNITY PLAYGROUPS BATHGATE - Available for Children from 2 years old at Bathgate Partnership Centre. We offer morning or full day sessions.

Mon-Fri 9.15am to 11.30am and Mon-Thurs 9.15am to 2.00pm.

Cost £9.00 per am session, £20.00 per all day session Eligible 2 funding accepted. E: bathgate@ communityplaygroups.org or T: 07985 645871.

BATHGATE AND DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB - Retired? Fed up with lockdown and covid restrictions? Come and enjoy weekly meetings with interesting speakers on a wide range of topics, together with exciting visits in the summer months. Join us for informal chats, with refreshments beforehand, every Tuesday from 10.00am to 12.00pm in St John’s Church hall, Mid Street, Bathgate.

For further information, contact Sandy McAlpin (Secretary) on (01506) 630152.

LITTLE MONSTERS UNDER 5 GROUP A new look Little Monsters at Boghall Drop-in Centre. Children 0 – 5 with their parent/carer, Tues, Wed & Thurs.

Coffee, tea & refreshments 9.009.30am, followed by FREE Drop-in Sessions. 9.30-10.30am or 11am-12noon. Afternoon (FREE) 12.30-13.15 Storytime/arts/music classes. Email: arlene@bdic.org. uk Or call the drop in centre on 01506 283201 to register SONGWRITING GROUP Looking for new members. We meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month in Room GP3, Strathbrock Community Centre, Broxburn, Entrance B, from 7.00pm 9.00pm. These are informal evenings aimed at encouraging musicians and songwriters (adults) of all levels and abilities who would like to share their idea, techniques and songs with others in an informal, friendly environment. For further information, please contact Annie on 07824 667889.

WHITBURN AND DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB - A local association for retired and semiretired men to meet for fellowship and friendship. Meetings are held at the Hilcroft Hotel each Wednesday morning at 9.30 and usually conclude around 12 noon. An extensive programme of speakers is planned throughout the year and periodic lunches, dinners and outings are planned.

Interested? Contact Rod Dow (Probus Secretary) on 01506 462772 or come along any Wednesday morning for a coffee and a warm welcome.

CHOOSE YOU YOGA STUDIO & WELLNESS HUB - Dedicated yoga studio in Carmondean, Livingston. Build strength, flexibility and resilience, and support mental health, joint pain/ illness/injury recovery. Iyengar yoga 6.00-7.15 & 7.30-8.45pm Monday. Ante-natal yoga 5.45-6.45 and Vinyasa Flow 7.00-8.00pm Tuesday. Seasonal yoga 5.30-6.30 and Yoga Basics 6.45-7.45pm Wednesday. Iyengar yoga 6.00-7.15 & 7.30-8.45pm Thursday. Iyengar yoga 9.4511.00am Friday. Carmondean, Livingston.

E: info@chooseyouyoga.co.uk | T: 07810 824 195 W: www.chooseyouyoga.co.uk or on Facebook CARERS OF WEST LOTHIAN - Support and social activities for Carers, Young Carers and Disabled Adults. All our carers groups are offered blended – both in person and face to face, as are our social groups: weekly Coffee Morning; monthly Mental Health Support Group, Evening Support Group & Bereaved Carer Support Group as well as groups for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers. Regular Social Groups for Adults with disabilities. Power of Attorney Clinic (face to face) & Benefits Advice (phone or face to face).

T: 01506 448000 E: office@carers-westlothian.com W: www.carers-westlothian.com GENERATION ARTS - Creative activities for people aged 50 and over, either living at home or in care with complex needs.

Online and offline activities in West Lothian such as a dance dvd, art demos, reminiscence, recipes, music and song playlists, dance and song classes. Creative activity and learning can unlock memories and skills that have been lost and creates a spark of joy for all. Contact generationarts. coordinator@gmail.com or phone 07521 358 239 for further information.

MACMILLAN CANCER INFORMATION & SUPPORT - A free, confidential service providing a ‘listening ear’, emotional and practical support, help to access benefits/financial advice and other local services. Expert information for anyone affected by cancer – yourself, a relative, friend or carer.

Face to face appointments at Partnership Centres in Bathgate, Livingston North, Broxburn, Fauldhouse and Blackburn.

Short health walks leaving Bathgate Partnership Centre call to book a place. Phone and email support also available.

Please call 01506 283053 or email: MacmillanWestLothian@ westlothian.gov.uk WEST LOTHIAN 50 PLUS NETWORK - Social activities for the over fifties. Run largely by volunteers we offer a wide range of interest groups to help you stay fit and healthy in both mind and body, whilst socialising with others. Something for everyone, but, more importantly, the chance to meet up and join in with old friends or make new friends along the way. Annual joining fee £24.

Follow our Facebook page, visit: westlothian50plusnetwork.co.uk or call 01506 635510.

TO INCLUDE YOUR CLUB OR CLASS, PLEASE EMAIL DETAILS, UP TO 75 WORDS, TO EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS ARE FREE. THERE IS A SMALL CHARGE FOR BUSINESSES. SEE WWW.KONECT.SCOT FOR INFORMATION.

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Bathgate Concert Orchestra

Summer Concert

Dedicated to our Friends of the orchestra

Friday 24th of May 2024, 7:30PM St Andrews Church, Deans, Livingston EH54 8BE Conductor- Steven Meikle Featuring ‘How to train your dragon’, ‘Congo Del Fuego’ and a world premier.

Admission by Donation Bathgate Concert Orchestra acknowledge support from:

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