Konect Bathgate November 2022

NOVEMBER 2022

LOCAL CHARITY:

LOCAL HISTORY:

LIVING WELL:

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r e b m e v o N

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t’s the season for autumn fayres, Christmas fayres and shopping nights and it’s good to see a number of events back for the first time in two years. More than ever, shopping locally will make a big difference to charitable organisations who fundraise via the annual fayres, and to small local businesses who hold stalls.

The local history article this month looks at coal mining in the Bathgate Hills. The beautiful environment we now enjoy was the site of life-shortening hard labour including for children, less than 200 years ago. The article was kindly contributed by the Almond Valley Heritage Trust.

The air is getting crisper and the nights drawing in, but the colder weather means many children locally are attending school without an adequate warm coat. School Bank West Lothian are running an appeal to help ensure all children in West Lothian have a warm coat this winter – see page 36 for details.

All our usual very practical and informative columns from our local contributors are included, I hope you enjoy them this month.

Local History: Mary & the Ballencrieff Pits ............................................. 8 Living Well: Be a Santa to a senior...........14 Hair: Hair enhancement.............................16 Life Coaching: Reach for Colour..............16 Property Matters: Self-build plots ............18 Charity: Nightstop, volunteers needed....22 Garden Project: Lifting the canopy..........24 Puzzles..................................................28 / 30 What’s On......................................................30 Parenting: West Lothian Producers’ Market.......................................32 Charity: Winter Warmer Appeal................36 Film Review...................................................37

COVER IMAGE: November The air is getting crisper

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

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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Failte Windows & Doors is a new home improvements showroom which has recently opened in Houston Mains Holdings, Uphall. With 40 years experience and knowledge in the industry between them, the owners are passionate about helping people get exactly the right solution for their project.

"The difference here at Failte is that we offer the most comprehensive range of windows and doors available all in one place,” explains owner Tom Bates. “So whether you're looking for PVCu or premium AluClad, you'll be able to see a huge range. We can advise so that you get the very best solution for your project in terms of quality and the all-important energy performance."

From a small tilt and turn window for an awkward spot, to large bifold doors and glazed walls, sash and case replacements and everything in between, visit Failte Windows & Doors for the best range and advice.

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Tel 01506 437096

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LOCAL HISTORY

MARY AND THE

BALLENCRIEFF PITS Entrance to the lime kiln

Mary Baxter was ten years old when interviewed by the gentleman from the Royal Commission. She had already worked underground for two years, hauling coal at the Ballencrieff colliery.

Mary descended the pit at four o’clock in the morning with her mother, cousin and brother.

Her mother would heugh coal until about midday, when she returned to the surface to attend to a husband who had been unable to work for the last 12 years. He was described as having “failed in his breath”; lung disease was common in mining communities at that time. The children were left underground for the remainder of the day, hauling the coal to the pit bottom.

Glamping pods in the shade of the Stair Pit

Track from coal pits to lime kiln, which is marked by the clump of trees on the right 8 | BATHGATE

Mary confided to the reporter “I cannot sew any as I am left-handed”, but added proudly “sister Helen can sew her pit clothes and make letter on the paper.”

Mary’s mother Margaret was also interviewed.

She was then 50 years old and had been forced to take over the duties of a collier when her husband became too weak to work. Mary was the youngest of her nine children and she had “been obliged to work when in family way till last hour.” She felt that mining was not fit work for women.

The Royal Commission Report of Children in the Mines was published in 1842, and contained heart-wrenching accounts of the miserable lives of women and children throughout the mining districts of Britain. It was especially powerful as it captured the actual words spoken by children like Mary. The report pricked the conscience of Victorian society and led to the 1842 Coal Mines Act, @KonectMagazines

which made work underground a male preserve. The act may have assuaged Victorian concerns for decency and Christian morals, but did less to address the poverty and inequality that lay at the root of the problem.

During the late 18th and early 19th century, a great line of limestone quarries were excavated across the Bathgate hills. Kilns were built closeby where chunks of limestone were burned with coal to produce a powdered lime, This lime was of great value in improving and fertilising land, but this was a seasonal demand, and kilns only operated during certain times of the year.

Forrest’s map of Linlithgowshire, dating from 1818, shows a lime kiln sited a little north of Ballencrieff Toll on the road between Bathgate and Torphichen. A trackway links the kiln eastward up the burn to the great limestone quarries, and westwards past Ballencrieff Mains to two coal pits; most likely the Ballencrieff colliery where Mary and her family once laboured.

One pit is marked “coal engine” suggesting that a steam engine once hauled coal to the surface there, while the other is referred to elsewhere as a stair pit - a shaft fitted with ladders, requiring a laborious climb to the surface.

The reporter to the Royal Commission also interviewed Alex Turner, the overseer at Ballencrieff colliery who explained something of the workings of the pit. Most of the coal produced was consumed in the limekilns (it was probably too sulphurous to be used as a house coal), and therefore coal mining was also a seasonal business. Few miners were employed all year round. The proprietors seemed to have

had little opinion over who worked in the pit, stating “our colliers employ whom they please, males or females; and as our mine is entered by a bout gate, the people work as they please”.

The term “bout gate” might simply describe a round-about route, suggesting that many colliers might come and go out of official view through the stair pit. The long climb would be an additional ordeal at the end of the working day.

The works were abandoned prior to 1855 when the first OS maps showed only a few derelict remains marked as “old pit” or “old limekiln”, Rather wonderfully, some of these traces still survive nearly 170 years later. The stone arches of the limekiln still stand firm beneath a jungle of undergrowth, and cattle are still herded along the tracks that once linked it to quarries and coal pits. The site of the engine pit remains as an island of rough ground within a grazed field, and a mound among trees in the corner of a field marks the site of the stair pit.

These traces form part of a beautiful green landscape on the slopes of the Bathgate hills. The spectacular views over the country to west are now enjoyed by holidaymakers in glamping pods, sheltered by the trees that mark the site of the stair pit. It’s a terrible contrast to the dark underground world that Mary Baxter would have known.

We don’t know what happened to Mary, or whether she lived long enough to raise her own family. Perhaps she lived a happy life; perhaps she is your ancestor?

This article and all images were contributed by the Almond Valley Heritage Trust, Millfield, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 7AR. @KonectMagazines

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Unit 12 Turnbull Way, Livingston, EH54 8RB Tel: 01506 432444 Web: www.gasglowlimited.co.uk Email: info@gasglowlimited.co.uk *Offer valid until 31st December 2022

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LIVING WELL

Be a Santa to a Senior this Christmas

Local home care company, Home Instead is excited to once again be launching their Christmas gift-giving campaign, ‘Be a Santa’.

The campaign asks the local community to donate gifts to distribute to older people across West Lothian this Christmas.

Home Instead, which opened in October 2020, provides care to elderly and vulnerable people in the comfort of their own homes.

Owner, Graham Stevenson, was keen to relaunch the campaign- giving back to his local community during the festive period.

The company has again teamed up with various groups in the local area to donate gifts to older people who may not otherwise receive a present over the festive season.

They have established various collection points throughout West Lothian where people

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can donate their gifts and are also running an Amazon Wish-List, where people can choose and order gifts to send directly to the Home Instead office.

Graham Stevenson, Owner of Home Instead, commented: “Although we provide companionship and care to our clients, keeping them safe and well as well as preventing instances of isolation and loneliness, we know not all older people are so lucky.

“Winter this year will be challenging for many older people, and we want to remind them that their local community is thinking of them by gifting small presents- bringing some festive cheer!”

To find out more about Home Instead or their ‘Be a Santa’ Christmas campaign, call 01506 346046 or visit www.homeinstead.co.uk/ livingston/news-events The Living Well column is contributed by Home Instead Livingston. Contact them for advice and support on 01506 346046 or see www.homeinstead.co.uk/livingston

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LIFE COACHING

Hair extensions can be used for a variety of different reasons. Some people may have hair loss and would like to add thickness to their hair, whereas others may be adding length or different tones through the hair to create a more dimensional look without having the commitment of colour.

One of the most common is for adding length to existing hair to create a transformational look. Have you ever thought about having a transformational look by enhancing what you already have?

In this image is a client of mine who loves the length of her hair but is forever wishing her hair was a lot more thicker, fuller and denser looking. After the initial consultation where we had a discussion about her hair condition, lifestyle and her end goal, I advised this client with mini locks to create a fuller looking appearance.

In the last few months, the media has been full of doom and gloom, and I have been recommending everyone I come across from family and friends to clients to treat themselves to a ‘digital detox’ Most people look at me askance as everyone I speak to seems to be ‘plugged in’ to so called ‘news’ headlines and the omnipresent social media.

Between the very real anxiety about escalating energy costs and the rising rate of inflation it is small wonder that there is an all-pervading air of doom and gloom everywhere we look.

If a digital detox feels too difficult there is another simple, small change that we can all make that will make a difference straight away. Every Autumn the world around us changes colour and we are surrounded by gold, russet and bronze everywhere we look.

Despite this abundance of hue how many of us stand in front of our wardrobes in the morning and reach for bright and uplifting colour?

If you are anything like me, Autumn and Winter is characterised by various shades of black with the occasional grey or brown.

Elegant as those tones may be, they rarely do anything at all to lift our spirits.

Colour therapy is nothing new and has been shown to be effective in lifting our spirits.

Wouldn’t this be a brilliant time to try it for yourself? I firmly believe that you will be amazed by the impact that choosing a bright splash of red, orange, purple will make in your life.

This column was contributed by Megan Sutherland, Extension Specialist @wonderland Livingston. www.wonderlandlivingston.com 16 | BATHGATE

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 @KonectMagazines

Be who you’ve always been... a social butterfly At Care UK being a social butterfly doesn’t stop when you make the journey into care. Bring your life with you to a place you can call home.

If you’re considering care call 0333 060 5547.

Trusted to care.

Cairdean House, Colinton Lauder Lodge, Portobello Murrayside, Corstorphine careuk.com/edinburgh

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BATHGATE | 17

PROPERTY MATTERS

Planning to build your own home?

Serviced plots for sale in Bathgate

A new development site in Bathgate offers self-builders an exciting opportunity to purchase a serviced plot in a semi-rural setting. The site at Race Road on the north west edge of Bathgate has planning permission for 15 fully serviced building plots aimed at self-builders who plan to design and build their own home.

Over the past 15 years or so, a significant part of our agency’s work has involved selling building plots and new-build housing developments. In addition to this, we also offer a consultancy service providing advice to House Builders, Land Owners and Self-builders. This includes advice on house designs, market trends and identifies areas where certain house types and house values are in short supply as well as optimising the ‘size versus price’ of new build properties to suit the profile of buyers that each new build development is aimed at.

Our consultancy is also regularly asked to provide advice and guidance to landowners and developers on the sale of individual single house building plots and, more commonly, a development of ‘self-

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build’ plots such as the ones now available on Race Road (shown above).

The plots range in size from 412m2 to 1298m2 and have been granted outline planning permission based on a design brief agreed with West Lothian Council.

Adopting a design brief ensures that every property has a degree of consistency in the design and aesthetic appearance across the development but still allowing full autonomy and flexibility on the house type, size and design. Buyers of each plot will submit a detailed planning application for their proposed house design which can be 2 storey, 1.5 storey or a bungalow (plot specific).

Each plot will have electricity, gas and water connections capped at

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Architectural impression of ‘self-build’ plots at Race Road

the plot boundary in preparation for connection to each property which will be the responsibility of the purchaser.

Waste water is connected to the main sewer via a Sustainable Drainage System (SUDS) on site. All roads, pavements and street lighting on the site will be adopted by West Lothian Council.

For anyone looking for some inspiration for their dream home, we have a selection of house designs and floor plans that would work well on the plots at Race Road. We have produced estimated end values of each of these houses, so if you’re looking for advice and guidance on what to build and how much it might be worth, we can provide you with some suggestions and ideas that best suit your needs and budget.

Funding a self-build project is quite different from applying for a conventional mortgage and there are a number of things to consider. Some buyers may purchase the plot with funds from savings or the proceeds from a house sale and mortgage the build costs only. Others may wish to fund the whole plot + build project in which case a different product would be required to release payment of funds at agreed stages of the build programme. Anyone looking for specialist advice on self-build mortgage products should speak with our partners at Mortgage Advice Bureau (01506-300601) or email info@turpies.com

The building plots for sale at Race Road, Bathgate start from £95,000. If you are interested in receiving more information about this, please contact our office on 01506-668448 or info@turpies.com The monthly Property Matters column is contributed by Craig Turpie. Craig is a director at Turpie & Co Estate Agents and Letting Agents with extensive knowledge of the West Lothian Property Market and over 20 years experience in bespoke sales and marketing. @KonectMagazines

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Yo u t h H o m e l e s s C h a r i t y U r g e n t ly needs Volunteers Nightstop West Lothian is an emergency accommodation service provided by Rock Trust, Scotland’s youth homelessness charity. The service is for young people aged 16 to 25 years who are homeless or at risk of being homeless.

West Lothian volunteers of all ages, backgrounds and experience offer a young person a safe place to stay in their homes at a time of crisis in their lives.

Our Volunteer Nightstop Hosts offer their spare room, meals and an empathetic ear to a young person for a period of a few nights or weeks. We provide with full training, 24 -hour support and £15.00 per night expenses.

Konect Magazines interviewed Danny, a Volunteer Host from Livingston: HELEN-JANE: What does your role involve and what do you enjoy most about it?

DANNY: My role is really just to offer a safe, friendly home environment to a vulnerable young person for a few nights. Most importantly for me it is to offer a listening ear, you don’t know what’s happened to them in the past or what trauma they may have been through, so just listening is key.

To see a young person so anxious and scared when they first arrive, to then seeing them relax and even smile after just a couple of nights, means the world to me and I know I have made a difference.

HELEN-JANE: What would you say to someone who is thinking about Volunteering as a Nightstop Host?

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DANNY: I would say absolutely 100% it is the most rewarding thing you will ever do.

It does come with some challenges, you are dealing with young people who may have had difficult home lives, so you need to be empathic, understanding and nonjudgemental. If that sounds like you and you have a spare room, then just do it! You will receive lots of support and training. I have hosted 5 young people so far and it makes my day to know that I have spared every one of them from experiencing the despair of homelessness.

We urgently need Nightstop Hosts in all areas of West Lothian. If you have a spare room and would like to spare a young person from homelessness, please contact the Nightstop Coordinator today to find out more.

Contact: Moreen Watson T: 07523 512455 E: moreen.watson@rocktrust.org

This article was contributed by the Rock Trust, who run the Nightstop programme.

Rock Trust is registered charity, No.SC018708. @KonectMagazines

e l itt l a e r a p s u o y d l u o C love this winter?

We need your help to protect young people from homelessness. Your spare room for short periods of time, and a listening ear over a hot cup of tea, could change a life. Find out more about being a Nightstop volunteer.

Contact us today:

rocktrust.org/nightstop | 0345 222 1425

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Despite the dry weather we have found that many of our established shrubs seem to have grown a lot bigger this summer.

We love them all but find that they are taking up too much space where we would like to grow other plants. Instead of cutting them down, and removing them to give us space back, we have been ‘lifting’ their canopies.

This Cherry tree, Prunus Kojo No Mai (‘Flight of the Butterflies’), has had all its lower branches neatly cut off leaving it with handsome looking branches capped with an umbrella shaped top – the ‘lifted canopy’. This has left us with a partially shaded area beneath the tree which we have been able to plant with shade tolerant plants to give us a tapestry of foliage and flowers throughout the year.

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We have a great free leaflet full of suggestions for plants growing in partial or deep shade and a section of our plant sales area is devoted to these plants. We don’t have space to list them all, pick up the leaflet next time you are in, but meantime consider: fragrant Winter Box (Sarcococca), Oriental Hellebores, Lungwort (Pulmonaria) and Periwinkle (Vinca minor) for starters.

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

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

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PUZZLE

We repair Washing Machines, Tumble Dryers, Electric Ovens, Dishwashers and Washer Dryers

0772 965 1692

info@home-appliancerepair.co.uk www.home-appliancerepair.co.uk Like us on Facebook

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Solution in the December edition of Konect

NOVEMBER CROSSWORD

ACROSS: 7. Attentiveness (13), 8. Speaking (8), 9. Simple (4), 10. Breaks (7), 12. Prophecies (5), 14. Sound of a bell (5), 16. Happier (7), 19. Exhibit (4), 20. Approximate calculation (8), 22. Enquiry (13).

DOWN: 1. Young male horse (4), 2. Way in (6), 3. Lures (7),4. Boasts (5), 5. A narrow river (6), 6. Absurd talk (8), 11. Eating (8), 13. Held for ransom (7), 15. Solicitor (6), 17. Boundaries (6), 18. Large and heavy (5), 21. Implement (4).

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Tel: 07585 509 811 Email: manicstpainters@hotmail.com 71 Marjoribanks St, Bathgate, EH48 1AL

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BATHGATE | 29

PUZZLE

NOVEMBER SUDOKU

SATURDAY19TH NOVEMBER Carers of West Lothian Christmas Fayre - Sycamore House, Quarrywood Court, Livingston EH54 6AX. 11am – 2pm.

Christmas market with amazing and unique gifts including handmade jewellery, patchwork, pebble art, wooden gifts, crochet, felt, tombola, coffee and cakes will be available! Come along and join the fun and help us raise funds for carers (including young carers) and disabled adults in West Lothian! Please bring cash and remember your carrier bags!

SATURDAY 19TH NOVEMBER Counterfeit Sixties - Deer Park Golf & Country Club. A fantastic evening of sixties and seventies music 100% live including buffet. For more information call Deer Park Golf & Country Club on 01506 446699.

The crossword puzzle can be found on page 28. See page 36 for solutions.

SUNDAY 20TH NOVEMBER West Lothian Producers’ Market Livingston Cricket Club, 11am-3pm. Teas and coffees served inside the club.

SUNDAY 27TH NOVEMBER Winter Warmer Walk in Linlithgow - With Historic Environment Scotland. Come along on a guided walk to learn more about Linlithgow Loch and Peel. Discover what calls the loch its home, how it was created and what makes Linlithgow Peel a special place. The route is wheelchair accessible although does involve rough tracks and slopes. Please contact us if you have any access requirements and we will do our best to adapt the walk accordingly. Free, booking in advance required. To book please contact the Ranger Service on 0131 652 8150 or rangers@hes.scot SUNDAY 4TH DECEMBER Inveralmond Christmas Craft Fair & Fun Day - Inveralmond High, 11am – 2pm.

Shopping, Santa’s Grotto, Christmas gifts, face painting, tombola, raffle and much more. SEE PAGE 47 30 | BATHGATE

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BATHGATE | 31

PARENTING

Keep your peeled at West Lothian Producers’ Market I’ve got two fussy eaters at home and despite my best efforts to involve them in shopping trips and let them choose their food so that they are more likely to eat it…it has rarely worked for us.

So I didn’t hold out much hope that a trip to any kind of farmers’ market would be a hit with them. However, a few weeks ago we went to explore the new West Lothian Producers Market.

First things first the organisers had cleverly devised an activity that allowed me surprising freedom from nagging to browse all the stalls at my leisure. When we arrived the kids each got an activity sheet and had to spot the rubber ducks hiding at each stall to find their number. So simple and yet so effective. Usually they would see a stall from a distance that they deemed to be “boring” and want to give it a wide berth. But this neat trick had them keen to explore every stall and gave me time to browse, and of course buy. And bonus… they absolutely loved it!

Captivated by the need to find all these rubber ducks the kids happily checked out each and every stall and struck up conversations with the stallholders when they couldn’t find a duck. And I too was captivated by the variety of stalls at what was very much a makers market rather than just a farmers market. We picked up “bronuts” from a cake lady, checked out jewellery and whisky barrel crafts for Christmas pressies, talked about conker trees and forest wildlife with the Woodland Trust, warmed up with some donut holes from the donut man and were even lucky 32 | BATHGATE

enough to collect a free sample from The Potato Guys. I might even have picked up a cheeky cocktail on my way around as well!

At the end the kids handed in their list of rubber ducks and got a wee prize and they were even arguing about who got to carry our goodies on the way home they were so excited by our haul.

The West Lothian Producers Market was a great place to discover local businesses I didn’t know about and spend time as a family. It certainly sparked some lovely discussions around the dinner table about why it’s good to shop local and support small businesses, this year more than ever as we all face rising costs and a long hard winter. It was well worth every penny and every minute we spent there.

The market is apparently taking place monthly at Livingston Cricket Club and you can follow their Facebook page to see updates about stalls and activities.

Who knows what excitement will be in store for November.

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. @KonectMagazines

SMALL AD

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To be included in Konect, please contact us. Our details are on page 3.

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SOLUTIONS

SOLUTION TO OCTOBER CROSSWORD

Help ensure NO CHILD goes without a warm jacket this winter Many children across West Lothian are currently attending school with inadequate jackets which won’t keep them warm or dry and, in some cases, means they don’t even attend school.

Local charity School Bank West Lothian anticipates the need for over 400 jackets for children aged between five and 17 across the next three months and have launched an appeal highlighting ways the public can help: 1) Become a Sponsor and buy a brand-new jacket. Once registered you will be contacted when a referral for a child is received. It’s then up to you to buy a jacket and hand it over before School Bank West Lothian pass it on to the child.

2) You can also donate brand-new socks, tights, hoodie, gloves and hats to go into a pack with each jacket or you can buy a warm jacket which will be kept in stock and then given to a child when a suitable referral is received.

ACROSS: 1. Traffic, 5. Ketch, 8. Improve, 9. Ideal, 10. Stern, 11. Theatre, 12. Steady, 14. Spades, 17. Ancient, 19. Tiger, 22. Paths, 23. Athlete, 24. Daddy, 25. Sisters.

DOWN: 1. Toils, 2. Apple, 3. Frowned, 4. Chests, 5. Knife, 6. Treated, 7. Helpers, 12. Swapped, 13. Excited, 15. Pitches, 16. Straws, 18. Essay, 20. Geese, 21. Reels.

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE 30

3) Alternatively, you can make a donation. The organisation estimates the cost of a winter warmer jacket for a primary school child to be £25 and £30 for a high school pupil, although any and all donations are gratefully received.

4) Or if your child has a jacket that they no longer use, it can be re-used by the charity.

Checkout the pinned post at the top of their Facebook page 'TheSchoolBankWestLothian' for more details and links to register or donate.

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.

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

This article was contributed by School Bank West Lothian, registered charity number SC046483.

Visit: www.schoolbank-westlothian.org 36 | BATHGATE

Magazine Design: Alan Stewart Design M: 07729 911858 E: hello@alanstewartdesign.com W: www.alanstewartdesign.com

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Emotional reactions to me are truly special to art, and with that in mind A Life on the Farm is a film that made me feel like I was on a rollercoaster of emotions.

I went from laughing, to shocked, to sad, to joyful and to thrilled all in the span of 70 minutes. The documentary is about Charles Carson and Coombe End Farm, and a mysterious VHS tape that Charles made.

I feel saying more is a massive spoiler, but what I can say is the story being told in this documentary is utter enthralling and spellbinding.

The biggest compliment I can give this film is that the editing is utter perfection. The film is an amazing length - it doesn’t feel too long, and ends where it should end. Because of that, the narrative being told is tight and concise.

There are amazing transitions from the real-life location in the present to the location in the VHS type that are simple, visually interesting and creative.

Since this is a talking head documentary it’s important that everyone being interviewed adds to the overall film and in my opinion all the interviews feel relevant and are super interesting to watch.

A Life on the Farm is a great documentary that is never predictable and never boring. The story of Charles Carson is one worth being told and I’m glad that it was told in this documentary.

INTERVIEW - The interview was attended by the director Oscar Harding.

Q: How did you manage to find the correct tone of the film, as you don’t come out of the documentary laughing and saying he was a crazy man, or make fun of him, that was a true strength.

OSCAR: You would need to be a completely unpleasant kind of person to make a meanspirited film. Yes you do laugh at it the first time you see the film as you are lacking context. You go to a bizarre corner of the world, and you don’t know this man. I dug into his story first, which increased the film from a short documentary to a film. It was a fascinating story telling the story of Charles. Hannah Christianson was the editor, and a lot is down to her, she brought one of the sequences together at the end. I wanted to go more brutal with the scene, as Charles going through a very difficult dark part of his life, Hannah insisted that a bit of peace and spirituality to the sequence.

Q: How long did it take to get to the perfect cut?

OSCAR: The film was edited down from 4 hours to the 90 minutes in a 5-month editing process. We knew it still felt too long and so it was edited down to 70 minutes.

Q: What’s your go-to movie on a rainy day?

OSCAR: Xanadu, it is very very camp and absolutely ridiculous, Gene Kelly and Olivia Newton John film. And Anna and the Apocalypse.

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. @KonectMagazines

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

BATHGATE SPEAKERS - Learn public speaking and leadership skills in a safe, supportive environment. Confidence building, social situations, father of the bride, impromptu speaking. Tuesdays 11am-12noon (except school holidays) Royal British Leagion, Bathgate.

Meetings are free. Optionally, join Toastmasters International educational programme, £20 one-off payments for course materials. Please contact Helen Kelly helen.toastmaster@gmail.com or Tel. 07733 100595.

MORNING & EVENING YOGA CLASSES WITH CLAIRE CHANT Therapy for the mind, body and soul.

All levels welcome.WHEN: Mondays 9.45-11.15am (£10).

Hatha vinyasa flow : developing stamina and flexibility for a healthy body and mind.

Wednesdays 6.45- 8.00 pm (£8) Hatha and Yin: subtle movement to release stress, build flexibility, un-wind and relax.

PRE-BOOKING/PAYMENT REQUIRED AS NUMBERS RESTRICTED. WHERE: Broxburn United Sports Club, Greendykes Road, Broxburn, EH52 5BP For details email: clairenicolachant@ icloud.com or text mobile: 07766 602629 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.

WINCHBURGH ART CLUB - We meet on Thursday mornings between 9.30 – 11.30 in Winchburgh Community Hall.

Any level, any medium are all welcome. If interested, please contact 07980 321989 or email maureenandjohn1@hotmail.co.uk WEST LOTHIAN u3a - Retired or semiretired 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: u3asites.org.uk/westlothian/home Facebook: www.facebook.com/WestLothian-u3a-106310894889317 Email: memsecwlu3a@gmail.com Phone: 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

38 | BATHGATE

£9.00 per am session, £20.00 per all day session Eligible 2 funding accepted. Email: bathgate@communityplaygroups.org or call 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 9.00-9.30am, followed

by FREE Drop-in Sessions. 9.30-10.30am or 11am-12noon. Afternoon (FREE) 12.3013.15 Storytime/arts/music classes. Email: arlene@bdic.org.uk Or call the drop in centre on 01506 283201 to register SONGWRITING GROUP - 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 semi-retired 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.

BATHGATE HISTORY GROUP - 1st Wednesday of the month, October to April, St John’s Church Hall at 2.00pm. We look forward to welcoming existing and new members.

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 - Mon 7.30-8.45pm; Vinyasa/Yin - Tues 6.00-7.00pm and 7.208.20pm; Seasonal Yoga (gentle) - Wed 5.30 – 6.30pm; Yoga in Polish Wed 9.3010.30am, Tai-Chi - Thurs 9.30-10.45am; Iyengar Yoga - Thurs 7.30-8.45pm; Yoga

in Polish Fri 6.00-7.00pm. Carmondean, Livingston.

Email: info@chooseyouyoga.co.uk Tel.: 07810 824 195 www.chooseyouyoga.co.uk or on Facebook CARERS OF WEST LOTHIAN - Support and social activities for Carers, Young Carers and Disabled Adults. Services currently via Zoom/phone: 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. Virtual Power of Attorney Clinic & Benefits Advice and Counselling.

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 £20. Follow our Facebook page, visit: www.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 konect.scot for information.

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