Konect Broxburn September 2015

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Round of golf for four at Uphall Golf Club FEATUREs Doors Open Days in West Lothian Albyn Park - ”The best thing that’s happened to Broxburn”

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plus local businesses, community information and more!

The new community magazine for Uphall, Broxburn and Winchburgh

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local WALK

M essage from t h e editor

FEATUREs Door s Open Day

elcome to the September W issue of Konect, the fourth issue of your new

Spotlight on Williamson Design Flor ist Albyn Par k Edinbur gh Tr ial flightpath Spotlight on Spr int West Lothian Women in Business

community magazine for Broxburn, Uphall and Winchburgh.

We’re delighted to be able to highlight Albyn Park in Broxburn this month, a fantastic facility that exists thanks to the vision, aspirations and lots of hard work by a small group of locals.

At Konect we like to celebrate and promote all things local – making the most of all the fantastic facilities and attractions right on our doorstep, supporting local business people, getting to know your own area really well.

And Doors Open Day, an annual event in September, is all about that too – a chance to visit some buildings and learn something about your own area that you didn’t already know, maybe a building you’ve passed many times and never knew what it was for, or a snippet of local history. See pages 8-9 for a brief guide to some of the local buildings that you will be able to visit this month.

Visit West Lothian are running a prize draw for one lucky reader to win a round of golf for four at Uphall Golf Club! See page 27 for entry details.

If you or someone you know is involved in a community group, support group or other notfor-profit activity locally, we would love to list your group free of charge in Clubs and Classes section at the back of the magazine.

Helen-Jane, Editor hj@konectdirectory.co.uk Front cover: Action at Albyn Park.

Photo supplied by BUSC.

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08 10 12 16 22 39

REGULARS 24 34

Local Walk Recipe and Food Notes

COMPETITIONS & PUZZLES Uphall Golf competition Crossword Sudoku

27 30 30

COMMUNITY What’s on Useful Infor mation Clubs & Classes

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

36 36 37 38

Advertising Enquiries CHARLENE GAFFNEY 07772 941899 charlene@konectdirectory.co.uk JENNY THOMSON 07824 469266 jenny@konectdirectory.co.uk Advert booking deadline: 15th of the month prior to print.

Artwork/copy deadline: 18th of the month prior to print.

The Konect Directory is delivered to 7,400 homes throughout Uphall, Broxburn and Winchburgh. Copies /KonectDirectory are also left at the library, post offices, convenience stores and other locations.

@KonectDirectory

3

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Fancy actually using your garage for your car this Winter ?

Store @

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13-15 West Main Street, Broxburn, EH52 5RQ

01506 855156

PIZZAS ● FISH ‘N’ CHIPS ● BAKED POTATOES ● KEBABS ● CURRY ● BURGERS Open 7 Days Lunchtime Mon - Fri: 11:30am - 2:00pm Evenings Sun - Thurs: 4:00pm - 12:00am Late Fri -Sat: 4:00pm - 1:00am Home Delivery Service 4:30pm - 11:00pm

HOME MADE ICE CREAM WINES & BEERS house red & white wines as well as a large selection of canned and bottled beers are available in -store and for home delivery!

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1 hamburger or sausage 1 fish cake 4 chicken nuggets 2 haggis fritters 2 potato fritters 1 puddling black/white 1/2 chips or onion rings

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7

A chance to peak behind the scenes...

West Lothian Doors Open Days - 12th and 13th September 2015 The oldest church bell in West Lothian; links with the slave trade; a modern “live-work” family townhouse… these are some of the things you can discover when

buildings of historic or architectural interest open their doors to the public, free of charge, for West Lothian Doors Open Days.

West Lothian Doors Open Days is organised by Linlithgow Civic Trust as part of the nationwide Doors Open Days free access to hundreds of fascinating buildings across Scotland. Every weekend in September you can explore places that are normally closed to the public. Some open up once a year, some just once in a lifetime. Discover the architecture, places and spaces right on your doorstep or explore a new part of the country. www.doorsopendays.org.uk

Bl D uackbu n ta r v irenCa Ho s use tle Off B8020, Road, north of Winchburgh.

Redhouse Seafield, Bathgate, West Lothian, EH49 7AQ. Open: Sept, 11:00am – 3:00pm.

Open: Saturday Sunday 1312Sept 11:00am – 3:00pm.

Facilities: Parking.

Facilities: WC, parking, refreshments (donation requested).

Activities: Restoration in progress.

Small parties old (no kitchens. booking Activities: Doocot open;istours of building, including required) will be guided1772. round the site. Stout footwear is advised.

Period of Building: Hard hats may be made available.

Period of House Building: Blackburn was 12th builtto in16th 1772century.

by George Moncrieff, a Perthshire man of humble origins who had been to Antigua in the While the castle probably has early 12th century origins,thanks the West Indies and made his fortune on sugar plantations building in more-or-less its present formhe dates from thethe late 16th to slave labour.

On his return to Scotland purchased century. Ultimately owned by the EarlHouse of Hopetoun, it wasisabandoned c.1840 and thebuilding 20th century found itto Blackburn estate and had Blackburn built, which still standing today.

The is an attempt ruined and roofless.

Restoration hasfarmhouse been undertaken by the present Geoffrey Nicholsby, who combine country mansion and large and is constructed in owner, local sandstone.

In the words of will Sybil make Duntarvie function venue andBlackburn also the headquarters Geoffrey Tailorbecause Highland Crafts. Rectangular Cavanagh of the alocal history library, is the “villageofwhich ‘flitted’” Moncrieff then decided three-storey block; square towers with five storeys (the ‘east’ now partially collapsed) project at either that the village was too near to his new house, so he shunted the village three-quarters of a mile to theend; west! turretstwo with turnpikeyears stairs in the block angles.

Thebeen internal straight (ground-first Some hundred later histower-main house fell derelict, but it has restored andstair brought back intofloor) use. is an unusual feature for its period.

More Doors Open: Local History Librar y / Fo r m e r Britis h L inen Ban k 89-91 High Street, Linlithgow, EH49 7ED. Tel. 01506 282491. Open Saturday 12 Sept 10:00am – 1:00pm.

Facilities: Parking (behind County Buildings), disabled parking (one space in Court Square), wheelchair access (park behind County Buildings and phone), disabled WC. Activities: Short tour of building, old children’s table games and similar.

Mary’s Mean d ers - Li n l i th g ow To u r Saturday 12 Sept, 11.00am. Tour starts at the front entrance of the Star & Garter Hotel. Maximum – 20.

Advance booking (tours@marysmeanders.co.uk) essential.

St N inian’s Craigmai l e n Pa r i sh Ch urc h Falkirk Road, Linlithgow, EH49 7BQ. Open: Saturday 12 Sept, 1.00pm – 4:00pm. Facilities: WC, parking.

Activities: Church history available. Period of Building: 1874.

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S t C o lu mb a’ s Sc ot t i sh Ep i s c opa l Ch u r ch 79 Glasgow Road, Bathgate, EH48 2AJ. Open: Sat 12 Sept & Sunday, 13 Sept, 1:00pm – 5:00pm. Facilities: WC, off-street parking, wheelchair-friendly, teas.

Period of Building: 1915-16.

S t r athbr o ck S t Macha n ’ s Chu r c h Ecclesmachan, EH52 6NJ. On B8046, 2 miles north of Uphall. Open: Saturday, 12 Sept 10.30am-12 noon; 2.00pm-4.00pm & Sunday, 13 Sept 2:00pm – 4:00pm.

Facilities: Parking, WC, refreshments. Period of Building: First consecrated in the 13th century.

A n n e t H o u s e Mu s e u m & Ga rd e n 143 High Street, Linlithgow, EH49 7EJ. Open: Saturday 12 Sept & Sunday 13 Sept, 11:00am – 5:00pm.

Activities: Guided tours of house and rig garden.

Period of Building: 1787.

S t M i ch a e l’ s Pa r i sh Chu r c h Kirkgate, Linlithgow, EH49 7AL. Open: Saturday 12 Sept, morning, & Sunday 13 Sept, afternoon.

Facilities: WC. Activities: Conducted tours. Period of Building: 1425, 1532, later modifications.

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Star thb r o ck St N i c o l a s Ecclesmachan Road, Uphall, EH52 6JP. Open: Saturday 12 Sept 10.30am – 12 noon; 2.00pm – 4.00pm and Sunday 13 Sept 2:00pm – 4:00pm.

Facilities: Parking, WC, refreshments; guide book available.

Period of Building: Of 12th century origin.

The present structure, with its mixture of old and modern stained glass, incorporates the early tower-base and nave, where the Romanesque doorway can be dated to 1187.

One aisle was added in the 16th century, the other in the 19th century. The stairs are 17th century. Of great antiquity, the church bell may be the oldest in West Lothian.

B l ackb urn House Redhouse Road, Seafield, Bathgate, West Lothian, EH49 7AQ. Open: Sunday 13 Sept 11:00am – 3:00pm.

Facilities: WC, parking, refreshments (donation requested).

Activities: Doocot open; tours of building, including old kitchens.

Period of Building: 1772.

Built in 1772 by George Moncrieff, a merchant who made his fortune in the West Indies on sugar plantations thanks to slave labour. In the words of Sybil Cavanagh of the local history library, Blackburn is the “village which ‘flitted’” because Moncrieff built Blackburn House then decided the village was too near to his new house, so he shunted the village three-quarters of a mile to the west! Some two hundred years later his house fell derelict, but it has been restored and brought back into use.

S t Peter’s Scottish Epi s c opa l Ch urc h 153 High Street, Linlithgow, EH49 7EJ. Open: Saturday 12 Sept & Sunday 13 Sept 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Activities: Church history available. Period of Building: 1928.

Regal Community Th e at r e 24-34 North Bridge Street, Bathgate, EH48 4PS. Open: Saturday 12 Sept & Sunday 13 Sept, 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Period of Building: 1938. Associated Architect A D Haxton. The finest remaining example of Haxton’s filmtheatre designs, Bathgate’s ‘Regal Picture House and Cinema’ has been reborn several times. As first opened, it seated 1,100. Established on a community basis in 1995, thanks to activists and West Lothian Council, it continues to show films. The original terrazzo flooring in the foyer survives and the art-deco façade has been partially restored.

Bruce f iel d Church of Sc ot l a nd 60 East Main Street, Whitburn, EH47 0RD. Open: Saturday 12 September & Sunday 13 September, 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Facilities: Parking in church car park, WC, the building is fully accessible. Activities: Members of the congregation will try to answer any questions.

Period of Building: 1960s.

KONECT

B u r gh B e a u t if u l B a s e Clarendon House Grounds, 30 Manse Road, Linlithgow, EH49 6AR. Accessible for pedestrians only via driveway adjacent to Clarendon Lodge (32 Manse Road). Open: Sunday 13 Sept, 10.00am – 4.00pm. Facilities: Parking on Manse Road only. No vehicular access to dive of Clarendon House nor any turning facility within grounds.

Period of Building: Late 19th century and 2011-12.

B u r gh H a l l s Linlithgow Burgh Halls, The Cross, Linlithgow, EH49 7AH. Open: Sunday 13 Sept, 11:00am – 5:00pm.

Facilities: WC (including disabled), café. Period of Building: 17th century onwards.

C r o ss v i e w St u d i o s 3d Union Road, Linlithgow, EH49 7DY. Open: Sunday 13 September, 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Facilities: No toilet facilities or parking (Union Road parallels the railway: pedestrian access from High Street via Dog Well Wynd, Lion Well Wynd or New Well Wynd. Period of Building: 2005-06.

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WILLIAMSON DESIGN FLORIST ARE CELEBRATING 80 YEARS IN BUSINESS

To mark this special occasion we will be holding a week of festivities with gifts, promotions and prize draws across our branch of shops.

There will also be the opportunity to buy bouquets at 1935 prices.

Commencing on

THURSDAY 1ST OCTOBER and ending on the

WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER DELIVERING FLORAL EXCELLENCE SINCE 1935

Uphall - Corstorphine - Bathgate - Linlithgow Dunfermline - Kinross - Perth - Pitlochry - Broughty Ferry 10

Tel: 01506 811 433

KONECT

Local family business celebrating 80 years!

Williamson Design Florist’s yellow and black vans are a familiar sight in this area, and it’s no surprise; with a fleet of 10 vans it’s the largest network of familyowned flower shops in Scotland.

Established by a local family in 1935 and now under the ownership of the fifth generation, Williamson’s is celebrating 80 years in business this month and is inviting local communities to join the festivities.

William Williamson was a florist and grower from Bathgate who started the business in 1935 on the site of the present flower shop, garden centre and coffee shop at Beechwood Nurseries, Uphall. William specialised in rose bushes, spring, summer and autumn cut flowers as well as lettuce and tomatoes.

As the nursery grew a retail outlet became necessary, and the present Corstorphine St Johns Road flower shop was purchased for £900 in 1945.

Following the untimely death of William in 1963 the business was continued by his nephew Neil and his wife Myra, with help from William’s daughter Helen.

New glasshouses were built, a retail garden shop was started and the Corstorphine shop flourished.

And the family has a history of being leaders in the industry - Myra became a director of Interflora’s British unit.

Neil and Myra’s son Jim joined in the business in 1979, devoting time and energy training to be a professional florist and taking part in Scottish, British and International floristry competitions and exhibitions. After winning both Scottish and British Florist of the Year competitions, he went on to represent the UK in the Interflora World Cup firstly in Tokyo then four years later in Amsterdam, attaining 6th place on each occasion. Jim also exhibited at Garden Festivals and RHS shows, Hampton Court

and the prestigious Chelsea flower Show, winning a coveted Gold Medal. In 1992 Jim’s sister Carol joined the business and the Pitlochry flower shop was opened. Carol, Jim and their cousin Alan concentrated on growing the business and bridging the gap between Uphall and Pitlochry by opening shops in Perth, Kinross, Dunfermline, Linlithgow, The Gyle and St Marys Steet, Edinburgh, before opening in Broughty Ferry. Besides the flower shops, they also introduced internet sales and continued to be leaders in the industry in terms of floral design, customer service and best practice. Investing in training a team of talented florists, delivery drivers and retail assistants has been key to their success.

Since Carol’s son Andrew joined in 2005, there have been three generations of the family working together - combining their knowledge to keep the business fresh and relevant. Excellent customer service and beautiful wedding, funeral and gift flowers in addition to a traditional Garden Centre and cosy coffee shop has made sure the business has survived and flourished.

An invitation from the Williamson family...

“We are proud of what we’ve achieved, but we fully recognise that without loyal customers all our efforts would have been in vain. So it gives us pleasure to invite you to visit any of our shops in Uphall, Corstorphine, Bathgate, Linlithgow, Dunfermline, Kinross, Perth, Pitlochry and Broughty Ferry or visit our new web site www.myflorist.co.uk and take part in our prize draws or have a coffee on us as a thank you for supporting the Williamson Family.”

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FEATURE

Albyn Par

k:

“The best thin g happened to B that’s roxburn” 650 members, 120 volunteers and 3 full time staff…

Albyn Park on Greendykes Road is an extraordinary facility that has been transformative for many young people locally.

And at a time when many organisations struggle to keep enough volunteers, what is it about Albyn Park that attracts a huge volunteer base and keeps it running?

enthusiastic about the benefit of sport of all sorts and about education and opportunities for young people in the Broxburn area – so much so in fact that four years ago, with the new Albyn Park up and running, he was inspired to create a health programme for primary schools called “Funstart Fitness,” which is a five-week programme for P3s that has been rolled out in seven schools in the community. “I believe it’s vital for positive mental and physical health to teach good habits early on,” he says.

So how did Albyn Park come about? “The idea of the centre started as a Scottish Football Association initiative to bring together the various clubs in Broxburn so that they could take ownership of it and

I visited last month to speak with James Pegg, Commmunity Club Development, who has been involved with the Park since before the beginning.

It was busy with school holiday activity camps in full swing and children everywhere. With synthetic pitches (with floodlighting) and a modern clubhouse housing the social club, cafe, changing rooms and other facilities, it is a versatile centre that is used for much more than “just” football.

“We have an open door policy here,” explains James. “If the pitches are available and not hired out, you can turn up with your mates and play football at no charge, you don’t have to be a member.”

James’ vision for Albyn Park, which opened in June 2010, was that while it’s predominantly a football facility, it should be a hub for young people locally whether they are into football or not. He’s hugely 12

Albyn Park sports complex KONECT

run it,” explains James. Broxburn United Sports Club (BUSC) is an amalgamation of Broxburn Athletics Football Club, Broxburn Colts, Uphall Diamonds and Strathbrock Juveniles. The newly amalgamated club itself produced the development plan and the business plan for the new centre, and had to present their case to various funding bodies so that the vision could become a reality. They received £1.5m from West Lothian Council and another £1.1m from Sports Scotland, Cashback for Communities and other trusts. After seven long years of negotiation, the new Albyn Park was opened in June 2010.

Many young people who have come up through the ranks of the football club stay on as volunteers to help the younger ones. There are afterschool clubs, a thriving girls’ football section, holiday multi-activity camps (check with the centre for the October holiday programme).

There is a fantastic atmosphere of mutual support. You can get help with writing your CV, there are volunteering opportunities and you can complete elements of programmes such as Saltire Award and Duke of Edinburgh here.

Feedback from parents that “it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to Broxburn” doesn’t seem to be an exaggeration. In the first year after Albyn Park opened in June 2010, antisocial behaviour in Broxburn dropped by 35% - a lot of work was done by community policing but the Park was definitely an important factor.

Besides football, Broxburn Boxing Club is housed here, and a range of other groups led by the Broxburn United Sports Club is available including “Alive & Kickin” - various sports for older members of the community - Zumba for kids and a ladies-only outdoors fitness club.

There’s an onsite physiotherapist.

But the Club isn’t resting on its laurels; there’s a project in the pipeline to build an indoor space for dance and martial arts, as well as a social space and an area that could be hired out for business use. The project is stuck with lack of funding at the moment and sponsors are needed.

6-10 Glasgow Road, Bathgate, EH48 2AA sales@1stchoiceliving.co.uk www.1stchoiceliving.co.uk

Soft furnishings made to measure Specialising in Curtains, Blinds, Bedcovers, Headboards and Cushions

We have a choice of affordable fabrics and wallpaper to suit all tastes Call Sheena: 0131 3314390 ∙ 07840 960880 forthfabrics@hotmail.co.uk ∙ www.forthfabrics.com

C and W Cleaning Services www.cwcleaningservices.co.uk

0131 334 2080 Livingston 0800 695 1101

Edinburgh

If you’ve not yet been to Albyn Park, drop in and take a look to see what is on offer, you will be warmly welcomed.

Your local Blinds ■ Carpets ■ Rugs ■ Upholstery ■ specialists

Albyn Park, Greendykes Road, Broxburn, EH52 5BP www.busc.org.uk 01506 858057

Quick drying carpets and upholstery Same day blind cleaning available

KONECT

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Unit 9, Tartraven Place, Broxburn West Lothian, EH52 5LT Cars 4x4’s Vans Caravans 7.5 Tonnes HGV’s

from £3 from £5 from £6 from £10 from £15 from £20

All Mechanical Repairs § MOT’s § Diagnostic Recovery § New Tyres § Part Worn Tyres from £10 Puncture Repairs £10 § Tracking £20 § Welding Services from £79 § Hourly Labour Charge £25 Even if you got your own parts or tyres we don’t mind we still fit them!

Mini Valet FROM £10 Full Valet FROM £25 Upholstery Shampoo ONLY £10 Hand Polish (Cars & 4x4’s) ONLY £20 All from £1

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Community

Edinburgh Airport are ‘trialling’ a new 4th flight plan for departing flights, started at the end of June and run’s till 24th December.

These planes are flying directly over people’s houses and gardens at a very low altitude (1400ft) causing extreme noise, disturbance, stress and loss of sleep. This has created a dramatic reduction in quality of life. There may also be a financial loss due to a reduction in property prices of between 10% and 25%.

This is supposedly to allow them to increase the number of flights out of the airport to up to one a minute going forward.

If you are affected or would like to be involved in opposing the long term establishment of the trial flight path then please note the following contact details:

The flight path had been set up to fly between Dechmont and Uphall towards the Forth, east along the river then south along the east coast. But a large number of planes are now flying over Uphall, Broxburn and various other villages throughout the Lothians. This was never made clear to councils and politicians during the initial consultation and there was never any consultation with the public.

Support Group Information Facebook group (Additional contact details accessible within): Say No To Edinburgh Trial Flight Path Support group email: stopedinburghairspacetrial@hotmail.com Online Petition: https://www.change.org (search for uphall)

Complaints Contacts MSP Fiona Hyslop: 0131 348 5921 Fiona.Hyslop.msp@scottish.parliament.uk

Edinburgh Airport (Noise complaints): 0800 731 3397 edicommunications@edinburghairport.com Also contact your local community councillors.

Please help put a stop to this unfair treatment of the people of Broxburn, Uphall and beyond.

Value for money, quality dance products including shoes, patterns, swords, music, accessories, books & gifts All you need for Highland at the lowest prices We are based in East Calder so email to arrange collection and avoid postal costs!

Contact us at staff@highlanddanceshop.com Visit our online shop at www.highlanddanceshop.com

Professional, fully insured, freelance makeup artist.

Specialising in bridal and occasion makeup.

Based in Uphall, West Lothian.

Please contact Holly with any booking enquiries.

Tel: 07837497052 Email: hollymatthewsmua@gmail.com Web: www.hollymatthewsmakeup.co.uk KONECT

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CELLULITE TREATMENT Acoustic Wave Therapy has been found to be effective in reducing cellulite.

Pressure waves relax the connective tissue which release the dimples of fat producing a smoother surface.

Call us now for a FREE TRIAL AND CONSULTATION Dr Long’s Botox Clinic Mon 7 September, Mon 30 November

Call now to book 01506 855105 email: beauty@no20a.co.uk www.beautyatno20a.co.uk 20a Houstoun Mains Holdings Uphall EH52 6PA.

Beauty at No20a

We are on the A89 – past Dobbies, Williamsons Garden Centre & American Golf – just before the lights at the crossroads

Summer feet!

For an appointment call

01506 466 006 Livingston Chiropody & Podiatry 4 Bankton Square Murieston Livingston EH54 9EY

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KONECT

Treat yourself to a clean and shining new smile.

Good dental hygiene can effect your whole body and make you feel great.

Regular Hygiene £35 Air Gloss Polish £47 Smokers Turn back the Clock £65

9 East Main Street Broxburn EH52 5AB

If you would like an appointment please give us a call, we would love to see you

Telephone: 01506 857717

www.broxburndentist.com

‘West Lothian Chiropractic’ has moved to new premises 100 yards from previous clinic: 30 - 32 West Main Street, Uphall, West Lothian, EH52 5DW Tel No: 01506 856221 www.westlothian-chiropractic.co.uk

In addition to our chiropractic care, Janet Day Holistic Healing, Treatments include: NLP § Massage Reflexology § Hot Stone Massage KONECT

19

SPOTLIGHT ON...

S print C omputer Repair s L td Keeping IT working for 25 years!

Your laptop is running slowing or constantly needs to be re-booted to make Office or other programmes work properly.

You know that at some point it’s going to crash but you’re putting off the day you have to deal with it. Does this sound familiar?

“All too often”, says William Wotherspoon of Sprint Computer Repairs Ltd, “people wait until their computer has actually crashed before bringing it to us. But there are usually warning signs, and it’s always best to bring it in sooner rather than later!”

I am visiting Sprint at their walk-in repair centre in Dedridge to find out what goes on when you take your sick computer in. One wall of the workshop is lined with shelves full of laptops and PCs in various stages of repair. They receive a steady stream of them with a range of ailments.

“There is very little we can’t fix,” says William, speaking with the confidence that over 30 years in the PC repair business has given him. “And in any case, we have a ‘no fix-no charge’ policy, so you can bring your computer in without fear of having a bill for nothing.” That sounds like the sort of service you get from using a family-owned, trustworthy local business to look at your PC or laptop. (By contrast, many of the large national chains charge for just looking at your computer and may still not be able to fix it). “We are finding that people seem to think their laptop should be replaced when 22

William (L) and Richard (R). any problem arises, at a much higher cost than the repairs would cost. Their mind set is that technology is moving so quickly they need to replace every two to three years to keep up. This is simply not the case. For home users web browsing and email use, systems can last 10 years or more.”

“They celebrate 25 years in business this November. You don’t survive that long unless you are doing something right.”

William started his career working for a company in Livingston supplying huge mainframe computers. With the PC market in its early stages, he quickly saw the potential for upgrading individual components of a PC and thereby extending its life. So along with his colleague Richard Stanley, he set up Sprint with the aim of providing fast and affordable PC support for individuals and small businesses.

They were among the first in the UK to do this, and now 25 years later are still KONECT

going strong! They celebrate 25 years in business this November. You don’t survive that long unless you are doing something right; indeed much of their business is from word-of-mouth referrals and repeat business from very satisfied customers.

You can walk into the Sprint repair centre in Livingston 6 days a week and get a free estimate on your laptop or computer’s ailment. They may do minor repairs while you wait, or provide an estimate of time and cost for bigger problems. The most common problems are viruses or other software malfunctions, but they also do hardware repair/replacement (including screens, printers, batteries), software installations and upgrades, server support, data recovery, configuring your internet connection ... in fact pretty much anything.

They always take a complete back-up of your disk before commencing, so that if things go wrong they recover from where they started and you’re never worse off.

(The backups are quarantined for 14 days and then securely destroyed).

Sprint offer a range of maintenance packages for businesses and individuals.

Starting from 39p per day you can protect

KONECT

your system, purchase cover for parts and labour, and get peace of mind that if anything goes wrong, expert, friendly support is just a phone call away. Different levels of cover are available depending on your budget and level of support required.

For businesses, Sprint can take care of multi-user and networked environments, design and maintain your network, provide server support and back-up solutions.

It can be nerve-wracking to hand over your computer not knowing if you’re going to be taken for a ride – even the technically savvy can find it hard to estimate whether a problem is an expensive one or not.

But with Sprint you can have confidence that you’ll be dealt with honestly and transparently. As William says, “We have spent 25 years building trust in the local community, we’re absolutely not going to jeopardise that by doing anything other than the very best for our customers.”

Visit the Sprint website at www.sprintcomputers.co.uk or call them on 01506 464454.

23

WALK

Around the Loch we go

By Karen Murray

With a couple of hours off work and the children needing to get out of the house, where can we go for a walk that the kids will enjoy, is not too far away but far enough to be a trip?

Answer - Linlithgow Loch. I am all for combining activities and killing two birds with the one stone, so for this outing not only can we walk, we can utilise our Historic Scotland membership by taking in the Palace too.

So choose your route to Linlithgow – from Winchburgh you’ll head straight along the B9080, and from Broxburn or Uphall you’ll go from via Dechmont on the Burnhouse Road. Once in Linlithgow park in the car park by the Palace (the Vennel Pay and Display) or if you are visiting the Palace you can park right outside.

We decided on walk first, Palace visit second bribery works best with my urchins! So from the

Palace entrance, go around the left side of the building and walk down to the edge of the loch. You can also take the steps directly out of the Vennel carpark if you’re parked there. Turn left and follow the path around the loch in a clockwise direction.

The area surrounding the loch is known as Linlithgow Peel and comprises land which used to be the garden and grounds of the Palace of Linlithgow which has been added to over the years and is now maintained by Historic Scotland.

There is a bridge at the far end (west end) of the loch - head over the bridge and veer right. Once on the other side of the loch you will get some great views of the Palace.

Between April and August this section of path often has a number of nesting swans at the waterside so you are advised not to go too close or antagonise them as they can be aggressively protective of their young. The loch is home to a large number of water birds including the rare Great Crested Grebe.

Information boards along the way explain some interesting features of the loch, its geology, history and wildlife. There are remains in the loch of two small man-made islands dating back 2000 years, which had wooden homes built on them. They may have been constructed for defensive reasons or as a status symbol, but in either case building homes there would have been difficult and expensive. The loch itself was formed at the end of the ice age when a huge chunk of ice was left behind from the retreating glaciers that covered Scotland at that time.

Today, it is used for watersports including kayaking, canoeing and sailing with courses run by the Low Port Centre in Linlithgow, see http://www. lowportcentre.co.uk/ When you come to a road beyond the east end of the loch, turn right and go through a kissing gate. We love these and everyone is made to kiss everyone to great shouts of derision and ‘do we have to?’

You then cross some sheep grazing land to another road which you will go along for around 100m, before turning right down an alleyway by a house to

24

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come back to the Palace grounds and a children’s play area. You will also pass the jetty for the sailing dinghies that can often be seen out on the water along with wind surfers and swans.

The circuit is 2.3 miles, taking around an hour depending on stops for throwing stones in the loch, discussing swans and some dawdling - so not too long but long enough to deserve a visit to the Palace.

The palace is actually in view for most of the walk.

A large square sandstone shell, it was built by James I in 1424 following the ruin of the previous building by a fire. It became a popular palace for the Stewart family linking the route between Edinburgh and Stirling castles, and served as the nursery for Mary Queen of Scots. The palace fell into decline after 1603 when James VI moved the royal court to London, and in 1745 fire swept through the building leaving the ruin seen today.

However, the fact that the Palace is in ruins adds added interest for my children who love running up and down the towers and trying to find all the nooks and crannies.

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konect

The monthly magazine for WINCHBURGH | UPHALL | BROXBURN Konect encourages residents to shop locally and support local businesses including shops and tradespeople. It also provides a platform for community groups and charities to promote themselves in the area.

It is distributed free door to door every month to 7400 homes and businesses in Uphall, Broxburn and Winchburgh.

If you run a business locally and want to be included, please call :

Jenny on 07824 469266 jenny@konectdirectory.co.uk or Charlene on 07772 941899 charlene@konectdirectory.co.uk If you are involved in a commmunity group or charity locally we will list your organisation in the Clubs and Classes section FREE of charge. We may be able to feature you as a“Charity of the Month.” Please contact editor@konectdirectory.co.uk If you have an interesting story relating to the local area or a local personality, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact editor@konectdirectory.co.uk www.konectdirectory.co.uk | Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/KonectDirectory 26

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West Lothian offers a great range of fun, interesting & exciting things to do In West Lothian we’re steeped in history and surrounded by beautiful countryside, and have everything we need for a perfect day out with activities for all ages.

Relive Scotland’s heritage and visit a stately home, a medieval kirk or the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots. West Lothian’s Doors Open Days between 12-14 September welcomes you to explore Annet House Museum and Garden; the beautiful Linlithgow Burgh Halls and the West Lothian Council History Library. The Local History Library is the place to go if you’re interested in your local area. The library holds material on all aspects of West Lothian past and present, including places, people, buildings and events. The library is open to the public and is free to use.

Young explorers can discover nature at one of our three outdoor country parks, spend time with farm animals at Almond Valley Heritage Centre or visit over 170 different species of animal at the Five

Sisters Zoo. The Polkemmet Country Park offers another great day out, combining the Owl Centre’s spectacular flying displays with other park activities such as adventure playground, 9-hole golf course, golf driving range, bowling green, woodland walks and the new Courtyard Cafe. The Linlithgow Canal Centre is also worth a visit, operated entirely by friendly, unpaid volunteers the centre houses a museum and a café.

Are you a tourism related business or Food and Drink outlet interested in the benefits of membership of Visit West Lothian then contact Tel: 01506 283 090/ Email: visitwestlothian@westlothian.gov.uk.

For more information about all the great things to see and do in West Lothian please visit www.visitwestlothian.co.uk, facebook.com/VisitWestLothian or twitter. com/teamwestlothian

COMPETITION Win a round of golf for four at Uphall Golf Club (Monday to Friday)

• E xperience a complementary round of golf for four ( Monday to Friday) at Uphall Golf Club in West Lothian.

• T he Club is conveniently situated 7 miles to the west of Edinburgh Airport, on the outskirts of Uphall Village, 1 mile from junction 3 of the M8 motorway and is also located directly opposite the elegant Macdonald Houstoun House Hotel and is popular with hotel guests. he 18 hole parkland course itself is surrounded by mature trees, is relatively flat and compact and T offers a testing challenge to all levels of golfer.The course is 5588 yards, par 69, and is maintained to a high standard. The course is owned by the members but visitors are welcome and catered for well in a fine modern clubhouse. To arrange a tee time please call the club in advance.

To be in with a chance of winning this fabulous prize, please email: visitwestlothian@westlothian.gov.uk with the following information before 30th September 2015: Name / Address / Email address / Contact telephone number

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Do you have any old blankets, duvets, towels, pillows, sheets - anything that can be used for making beds for rescue dogs?

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28

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We are situated on the outskirts of Kirknewton, just off the A71 , close to Livingston, Balerno and the city bypass.

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29

PUZZLES

CROSSWORD Solution in the October edition of konect

Across 1 Look sulky (4) 3 Trader (8) 9 Saved (7) 10 Tacks (5) 11 Concerns numbers (12) 14 Not working (3) 16 One hundred centimetres (5) 17 Glimpse (3) 18 Recognition (12) 21 Solitary (5) 22 Alleviate (7) 23 Poured onto salad (8) 24 In addition (4) Down 1 Found in Egypt (8) 2 Distressed (5) 4 Finish (3) 5 Substantial (12) 6 E.g. dogs and cats (7) 7 Throw (4) 8 Self-service stores (12) 12 Loft (5) 13 Twists and turns (8) 15 Condemn (7) 19 Perfect (5) 20 Hairless (4) 22 Move quickly (3)

SUDOKU Sudoku solution on page 38

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Interiors feature

The Great British Cooking Revolution by ecko

According to Wikipedia 9.3 million people tuned in to watch the first episode of The Great British Bake Off 2015, an increase of 2 million viewers compared to last season.

Finally we have Italian chef, Gino D’ Acampo with his caramel eyes and cheeky smile, taking us round his native country showing us how to make simple dishes from the freshest ingredients.

Among the new contestants was a young musician called Stu. I say ‘was’ as he was eliminated in the first round due mainly to his ill-conceived Marley Madeira cake which had virtually nothing in common with the traditional version. In fact I was half expecting him to put ‘jam-in too’ (bear with us it gets better).

Although eliminated in the first round, Stu did a lot to reinforce ‘currant’ thinking that home baking is cool (Mel and Sue’s pun-laden, presenting style is clearly infectious). Yes baking is indeed cool and Mary Berry is the rock queen of the fan-assisted oven, gaining a new legion of fans who follow her every wise word as they drip from her tongue like icing onto a Battenberg. She’s done more to encourage younger people to try their hand at baking than Mrs Beeton ever did.

The first is that the best food is never bought processed and pre-packed from a supermarket.

Fresh, natural ingredients are always best - Ascorbic Acid, common in mass-produced bread, is just something any self-respecting home-baker worth their sea-salt would never dream of adding to their seeded loaf.

And it’s not just The Great British Bake Off which is attracting a younger participant. Celebrity Masterchef 2015 was won by ex- Pussycat Doll, Kimberly Wyatt.

Many young fans will never again be able to listen to the lyrics ‘Doncha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?’ without thinking of Miss Wyatt slaving over a five burner gas hob with a broken extractor fan.

The digital airwaves are awash with brilliant cooking programmes which have three main things in common:

The second point is that we need a well-planned cooking area. This needn’t be a huge investment but a decent gas or electric induction hob, an integrated fan-assisted oven with a timer (or a dual fuel cooker) will do the job perfectly well.

The final, and probably the most important thread running through each of the programmes is that cooking and baking are enjoying a resurgence like never before. A great deal of this is due to the mix of amateur and professional participants many of whom are young people who would seem more at home in a nightclub than a kitchen. They’re creating an army of wannabe foodies who are ready to grab a wooden spoon and beat the living daylights out of a six pack of eggs. And this can only bode well for the survival of the home-cooked family meal for the future.

KITCHENS | BATHROOMS | BIFOLD DOORS | SUNROOMS

Many ideas, one solution At EKCO we’ve been supplying and installing top quality Pronorm German-built kitchens and bathrooms since 1999. We’re also one of Scotland’s top suppliers of Origin bi-fold doors which are designed to open fully and allow more fresh air into your home.

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Recipe & Food Notes

by Anne Pinkerton

Cookery Myth Busters

Choux Pastry Ingredients: 106 g plain flour, sieved 3 times 20cl water, mean measure 85g butter - it must be butter, not any of the butter look-a-likes!

3 medium eggs In a saucepan, heat the butter in the water and bring to the boil. Take the pan off the heat and then add all the flour in one go. Using a wooden spoon mix all together quickly till the paste comes away from the sides of the pan in one lump. Do not overwork the mixture as the result will be cake-like.

Leave to cool to just above room temperature.

Heat the oven to 220oC (i.e. hot!)

Using a hand held electric mixer, (or by hand with the wooden spoon if you are feeling strong) beat in the first 2 eggs one by one. Crack the 3rd egg into a cup and mix with a fork. Add the last egg slowly. You want a glossy but stiff mixture. Too much egg and you will not be able to control the shape of things!

Now you have the basis of whatever you can imagine. With a piping bag you could make choux swans or letters for a special celebration concoction.

However there are not piping bags in every kitchen.

Use a spoon to make regular shaped globs of mixture and set them out, with room for expansion, on a baking sheet lined with non-stick paper.

Bake in a hot oven with the temperature rising.

Modern fan ovens are really good for choux pastry.

There are some things said to be difficult for the home cook, but this is a myth put about to boost the status of “real” cooks and chefs – and to help the sales of expensive ready versions of dishes that are really best made fresh and eaten as soon as possible after making.

Cook about 12 minutes, till golden coloured and hard to the touch. There are people who recommend pricking the nearly cooked buns with a sharp skewer or knife point and then cooking a bit more to ensure the end result is really crisp. They do this especially if they are going to use the buns for filling with savoury sauces for nibbles or a starter. With care you will have delicious crisp bundles to fill with whipped cream and cover with chocolate sauce.

Proffiterolls!

So get ready to make choux pastry! Then you can make eclairs, savory cases for starters and nibbles or the delicious Spanish crisp churros to be dunked in your coffee or hot chocolate. The Germans make a cream bun of it and call it “An air bundle” and in Sweden they fill circles of it with salmon in a light dill sauce. The French glue piles of them with caramel and call it Crockenbouche for wedding celebrations.

Ingredients: 100g good dark chocolate 3 pudding spoons cocoa 3 pudding spoons sugar 1 cup water

All you need is good measurement of ingredients and the oven at the correct temperature. Don’t rush, and enjoy learning or revising a skill

Put all in a heavy bottomed pan and melt slowly together over a low heat. Cook together for 10 minutes stirring to keep it smooth. Do not boil.

Quick Chocolate Sauce

Xmas 2015

Celebrate Christmas with Food Creations at Harburn Golf Club, Uphall Golf Club, Livingston FC or Kingsknowe Golf Club

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35

WHAT’S ON

and Useful Information 3rd - 6th September Bathgate Music Festival and Party in the Park Back for the eighth year, a predominantly free music festival celebrating a wide range of music at a variety of venues, bars and restautants in Bathgate. See the facebook page “Bathgate Music Festival” for latest updates. The festival culminates with Party in the Park on Saturday 6th September. 10.30am until 6pm, free entry, live bands on the main stage are: Major Tom, Rewired, Rolling drones, Uncle Red, Dixie Fried, Gary Burns Band.

There will also be the return of the acoustic stage and family fun day including donkey rides, zoo animals and stalls.

Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September West Lothian Doors Open Days See pages 8-9 for details of local venues open.

Tuesday 22nd September Award winning Toccata Ladies Choir are auditioning for new singers.

Auditions are held on 22nd September 6.45pm to 7.15pm at our rehearsal venue Carmondean church at Nether Dechmont Farm Community Centre, Fells Rigg, Livingston. Come along on the day or contact us via the website www.toccataladieschoir.co.uk

Memory Walk Scotland The Livingston Walk is on the 20th September, registration at 11.30am. The walk starts at 12 , starting and ending at St Margaret’s Academy. It is between 3 and 5km with a shorter route for frailer people or people with biggies/wheelchairs. The Linlithgow Walk is on the 27th September, registration at 1.30pm. The walk starts at 2,pm starting and ending at the Lowport Centre. The route is round the Loch, approx 3km. Registration fee: adults £10, teenagers £5, under 12’s free. Please register via www.memorywalksscotland.org To include your event here, please email editor@konectdirectory.co.uk or call 07854 492638.

Useful Information Broxburn Medical Practice Strathbrock Partnership Centre, 189a West Main Street, Broxburn. Tel: 01506 771871.

Winchburgh Medical Practice Niddry Road, Winchburgh, EH52 6RX. Tel: 01506 890210.

Broxburn Library West Main Street, Broxburn, EH52 2RH. Tel: 01506 775600. Email: broxburn.lib@westlothian.gov.uk Opening Times: The library opening times have recently changed. Please note new opening times are: Monday & Tuesday: 10am - 5pm, Wednesday & Friday: 10am - 3pm, Thursday: 10am - 7pm & Saturday: 9am - 1pm.

Bookbug Bounce and Tickle: Free song, story and rhyme sessions for babies, toddlers and pre-school children. Bring a grown-up to join in the fun! Tuesdays and Wednesdays fortnightly 10.30am.

clubs & classes

Sports, Hobbies, Learning, Support Groups & more...

BROXBURN Broxburn Woodcraft Club A members Club located within the community wing of the Strathbrock Centre, 189a West Main Street, Broxburn, EH52 5LH. We have a fully equipped workshop supporting all aspects of woodworking including woodturning, pyrography, scrollsawing, the making of toys, furniture, musical instruments, walking sticks and more. For further information use the Contact Us facility on the website: www.broxburnwoodcraftclub.org Our hours are Mon & Tues 9am-9pm, Wed & Fri 9am-12 noon and 6pm -9pm, Thurs 9am-3pm and 6:00pm-9pm.

Broxburn Children’s Chatterbooks – NEW book group!

Broxburn Library, West Main Street, Broxburn, EH52 5RH Love to read? Aged between 8-11? Want to join a bookclub? We choose books to read and also activities available. Meetings held every second Friday at 2pm, call the library on 01506 775600 for next date.

Livingston Highland Society Strathbrock Partnership Centre, 189 W Main St, Broxburn Monthly ceilidhs on a Saturday evening between October

36

and April. Each month we have a different band and guest artist. £5 each, new members welcome, contact John Sneddon on 01501 770911 for dates and more details

Ladies only outdoor fitness sessions Albyn Park, Greendykes Road Mondays 7-8pm, with Broxburn United Sports Club (BUSC) and Burn-It. Doesn’t matter your size or level of fitness. BUSC and Burn-It aim to create a fun fitness session based outside to enable ladies to meet their goals. For more info contact Leigh Lauder on 01506 858057 or email l.lauder@busc.org.uk

Alive & Kickin Albyn Park, Greendykes Road A programme for older members of the community to remain active. Run by Broxburn United Sports Club and includes: Walking Football Tues 10.30am to 12pm, £3 per session with tea/coffee after.

Walking Club on Thurs 10am. Community walk starting and ending at Albyn Park. Free, everyone welcome. Invigor8 Multi Sports Thurs 2-3.30pm £2 per session. Try new sports and learn new skills. Each session is 1 hour of the new sport plus an inspirational/ informative chat for 30mins. For more info contact Leigh Lauder at Albyn Park 01506 858057 or email ll.lauder@ busc.org.uk KONECT

Zumba for Kids Albyn Park, Greendykes Road With the Poco Loco crew – learn some rocking dance routines using different styles and rhythms. For girls and boys aged 4 – 12. Fridays 1.15-2.15 (P1-P3) 2.25-3.15 (P4-P7) cost £3 per week. To book please contact Greig Taylor on g.taylor@busc.org.uk or Nina Anderson on nina. anderson@live.co.uk or call 01506 858057

Broxburn Swimming Club We cater for swimmers from age 3 upwards and cover all levels of swimming from our Learn to Swim programme up to our top competitive squad.

Learn to Swim Thursday night (6:00 - 7:00) - Broxburn Swimming Pool; Friday night (6:30 - 7:00) - Broxburn Academy pool Squad Swimming Monday and Tuesday (7:30 - 9:00) and Thursday (7:00 - 9:00) - Broxburn Swimming Pool; Friday (6:00 - 8:00) - Armadale Academy pool For further information please contact: broxburn_asc@ hotmail.com Strathbrock Community Centre: 189a West Main Street, Broxburn, EH52 5LH. Huge range of groups and classes including: Mondays: Playgroup (am and pm sessions); Tapestry; U3A, Calligraphy group,Computer Drop-in; Keep fit/ Line Dance for over 50s; Zumba, Brownies; WRI; Drama group, Karate.

Tuesdays: Playgroup; Spanish classes; Card making; Line Dancing; Irish Dancing; Ring Craft.

Wednesdays: Playgroup, Tai Chi, Scrabble groupl Chatterbook Book Club; Bingo; Computer Beginners Course; Brownies/Rainbows; Dog Obedience.

Thursdays: Playgroup (am and pm sessions); Art Group; Genealogy; Healty Respect; Lip Reading; Access to Employment; Drama; Hoola Hoop Class; Chilren’s Club, Youth Group; Guitar lessons, Tai Chi. Fridays: Playgroup (am and pm sessions); Carpet Bowling; after school club; Computer drop in; Tai Kwon Do; Polish Community Group; New Christian Life; Model Car Club.

Saturdays: Guitar lessons; Dance classes; Tae Kwon Do; Computer classes; Weight Watchers.

Please call Strathbrock Community Centre on 01506 771733 or email linda.sayers@westlothian.gov.uk for details of times and more information on any of the groups.

UPHALL Uphall Playgroup Uphall Community Education Centre, Strathbrock Place, Uphall, EH52 6BN For children aged 24 months and over. Open Monday to Friday 9:15 - 11:30am during term time. Choose 1, 2, 3 or 4 sessions per week. Each session costs £5 and includes a healthy snack. See http://www.uphallplaygroup.co.uk/ or tel 01506 854451 for further information.

The People’s Café Meets the fourth Tuesday of every month 11am - 1.30pm at St Andrew’s Care Home, St Andrew’s Court, 20 Hawthorn Place, Uphall. For people who have any form of dementia, and their carers, to meet others in a similar situation for support and social contact, a cup of tea or coffee and home baking. Come for the whole session or just drop in.

KONECT

Uphall Community Education Centre: Strathbrock Place, Uphall, EH52 6BN. Huge range of groups and classes including: Mondays: Carpet Bowls; U3A Singing for Pleasure; Zumba; Craft Group; WRI; Scottish Country Dancing.

Tuesdays: Baby & Toddler; Uphall Outreach; 50+ Friendship Group; Walking Group; Indoor Curling; U3A Art Group; Taekwon-Do; Yellow Teapot Club; Youth Club.

Wednesdays: Indoor Curling; U3A Book Group; Cairbrock Association; Parkinson’s Uk; U3A History Group; Tea Dance; Zumba; Fusion Youth Group; Tribe West Belly Dance.

Thursdays: Indoor Curling Adults with Carers; West Lothian Financial Inclusion Network; Line Dancing; U3A Quiz Group, U3A Music Group; Karate; Yellow Teapot Club; West Lothian Y-Cats.

Fridays: U3A Poetry Group; U3A Discussion Group; Children’s Club P3-P6); Reiki; Girls Group (S1 upwards) Please call the Community Centre on 01506 854451 or email denise.doig@westlothian.gov.uk for details of times and more information on any of the groups.

WINCHBURGH Little Flyers After School Club Winchburgh Community Centre, Craigton Park, Winchburgh, EH52 6RW. Open during term time, from the end of the school day until 5.45 p.m. Collecting from Winchburgh and Holy Family Primary Schools. Please contact 07518 176781 for more information or see http:// www.littleflyersnursery.com/ Winchburgh Community Centre: Craigton Park, Winchburgh, EH52 6RW. Huge range of groups and classes including: Mondays: Junior Youth Club 7.00pm - 9.15pm.

Tuesdays: Slimming World 6.30pm - 9.30pm.

Wednesdays: Keep Fit 9.30am -10.30am; Computer Club 9.30am-12noon; Night Art 7.00pm-9.00pm; Dog Class 7.00pm-10.00pm.

Thursdays: Morning Art 9.30am-12noon; Senior Citizens 1.30pm-4.00pm; Little Flyers 3.00pm-6.00pm; Childrens Club 6.00pm -7.30pm; Guitar Club 7.45pm9.30pm; Table Tennis 7.45pm-9.30pm.

Fridays: Little Flyers 12 noon-6.00pm; Scouts 6.15pm - 9.15pm Saturdays: Children’s Activity Club 9.45am-12noon; Girls Allowed 7.00pm-9.00pm For more information on any of the groups please contact the Community Centre on 01506 890348 or email julie. witherwick@westlothian.gov.uk Winchburgh Community Council meetings are held second Monday of every month except January and July.

See www.winchburghcc.org.uk

other areas Alternative Company Entertainers (ACE) Meet every Thursday in Whitburn academy at 7:00 – 9pm.

Ages 5 to 105+. Contact acompanyentertainers@gmail. com or find us on facebook.

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

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

37

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Bathrooms Bathgate Bathroom Studio Ekco

31 33

BEAUTY Beauty @ No. 20A

18

Cafe/Tearoom T42 at No 52

17

Complementary Therapies Access 2 Balance

4

17

Dentist No 9 Dental

School George Watson’s College

19

Electrician Simply Electrical

28

Soft Furnishings Forth Fabrics Style Rite Blinds

14 15

Florist Williamsons

10

Car Valet/Wash D.K’s Autocare

15

Heating Services Forth Heating

26

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning C and W Cleaning Services Hydro Kleen Scotland

13 5

Children’s Nursery Wee Gems

Hire (Car/Van/Minibus) Pixo Van Rental

4

Ironing Services De-Creased Ironing Service

4

35

Kitchens Alba Kitchens Ekco

35 33

17

LEAFLET DISTRIBUTION The Leaflet Lady

20

Chiropractor Livingston Chiropody West Lothian Chiropractor

18 19

Locksmith 1st Call Locksmith West Lothian Locksmith

4 31

Cleaning Services Clean Bee Domestics Cleaning and Maintenance Strata Cleaning Time For You Edinburgh

17 28 7 5

Mobility Med Ecosse

21

Pet Services Fur and Feathers Pet Lodge Coxydene

29 29

Solution to August Crossword

Across: 1 Decide, 4 Fences, 9 Swollen, 10 Tiara, 11 Earth, 12 Oranges, 13 Countryside, 18 Exiting, 20 Reply, 22 Eaten, 23 Nearest, 24 Endure, 25 Stream.

38

26 31

Dance Supplies Highland Dance Shop

Car Service & Repair D & G Autocare D.K’s Autocare

40

Roofing Simply Roofing Thomson Roofing

23

15 14

Catering Food Creations

28

Computer Services Sprint Computers

Car Bodywork Bodyshop Edinburgh Chips Away

Carpets & Flooring Land of Carpets

Property Maintenance Cleaning and Maintenance

2 18 7

Storage Unit Storedge

6

Takeaway Bravo

6

Vet Mackie & Brechin

28

Windows 1st Choice Living

13

Solution to Sudoku Page 30

Down: 1 Dispel, 2 Choir, 3 Dolphin, 5 Extra, 6 Changed, 7 Sparse, 8 Encouraging, 14 Omitted, 15 Servant, 16 Delete, 17 System, 19 Inner, 21 Piece.

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

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

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

KONECT

FEATURE

West Lothian wOMEN IN BUSINESS Make It Happen Groups

West Lothian Women in Business recently held our ‘Make It Happen’ event as part of delivering on our mission to, “Inspire women to be the best they can be”, by providing accessible support and guidance in a welcoming environment.

Thirty women attended a working lunch at the Hillcroft Hotel, Whitburn. The event launched our ‘Make it Happen (MiH)’ groups, designed to encourage women working in West Lothian to meet regularly in order to share and discuss their business challenges using their experience and expertise to offer mutual support, help find solutions and make change happen.

Women are generally good at getting together for a natter and providing support to one another and we wanted to capitalise on this while enhancing the benefits for everyone taking part. Participants in the event were shown a more structured way of working together by Michelle Herron, professional Coach and Business Consultant.

Innovative techniques Michelle shared included ensuring that everyone gets their say using a two minute talk time approach and adopting a coaching philosophy whilst supporting one another. The coaching philosophy is one of consciously listening while our colleague explains their challenges and using effective questioning to learn more about

the details of the situation before encouraging our colleague to think more deeply about their challenge rather than making assumptions and superficial solutions. In practice this process is a great deal more difficult than it seems. It’s much easier to hear someone’s ‘problem’ and quickly move to a solution with phrases such as ‘What I would do is…..’, ‘When that happened to me I…….’, and Don’t’ do that do this….’ popping into our head, rather than taking the time to really hear what the other person is saying and allowing them to explore a full range of possible actions in a supportive way.

After some initial reminders from the Michelle to not rush the process, the groups got underway during the event and did a really great job. One or two ladies who had the opportunity to discuss their particular challenges at greater depth, encouraged by attentive questioning from their colleagues, were surprised at how quickly they found their next steps within them, not needing take advice from anyone!

Five MiH groups were established at the event and they have all agreed to meet again and try their new skills out for themselves.

The West Lothian Women in Business Steering Group will monitor how the groups are going and provide ongoing support to the ladies involved. We are looking forward to hearing from them over the coming 3-6 months and plan a follow up event with the groups later in 2015.

If you are a women in business, or are considering starting up your own business, you can find out more about West Lothian Women in Business at www.wlwib.co.uk.

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Tel: 01506 853723