Konect Broxburn November 2015

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NOVEMBER 2015

broxburn

See page 36 for

FIREWORKS EVENTS FEATUREs Do Something - Fund-raising, Fun and Challenging!

The White Lady of Caputhall Bog Local Walk - Uphall Community Woodland s& Offer ers h c u vo cal from lo ses s e busin

plus local businesses, community information and more!

The new community magazine for Uphall, Broxburn and Winchburgh

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local WALK

M ess ag e fro m t h e e dito r he theme in this month’s T magazine is “Do Something.” It’s the season for

autumn fayres and Christmas fayres, shopping nights and a host of other fund-raising events, and we’ve been looking into some of the activities locally that people get involved in for charity and for fun, particularly with the season of giving rapidly approaching…

As Halloween is approaching as this magazine goes to print, we’ve dug up an old local ghost story about a supposed White Lady who appeared in Bangour (long before it was a hospital village) and in the Dechmont area.

The local walk this month is a short one in Uphall Community Woodland. And in our “Village People” column we caught up with an Uphall resident.

FEATUREs Do Something The White Lady of Caputhall Bog

08 28

REGULARS Village People Local Walk Recipe and Food Notes

18 24 32

COMPETITIONS & PUZZLES Crossword Sudoku

34 34

COMMUNITY What’s on Useful Information Clubs & Classes

36 36 37

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

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Check the What’s On page for fireworks events in the area. Thanks for reading Konect and for supporting local businesses and people!.

Advertising Enquiries

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

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.

Front cover photo by Jenny Thomson: Autumn colour on Wyndford Avenue, Uphall.

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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.

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FEATURE

“Do Something” Fundraising, fun and challenging.

From running dressed as Santa to cycling from Land’s End to John o’ Groats: taking on a personal challenge whilst raising money for charity is a hugely popular way of achieving several goals.

New running groups launched this autumn mean that kids can train for free, with adult sessions costing only £2 per time - an inexpensive way for the whole family to get fit and have fun! Adult sessions are for runners of all abilities with veteran runner Des Clark tailoring sessions to suit. West Lothian Run has a family ethos and also provides dedicated sessions for children with autism. See the Clubs and Classes listings at the back of this magazine for details of the groups.

Raise money for worthy causes - local or otherwise close to your heart; give yourself a challenge – getting fit, getting out and meeting people, planning an event, bringing some healthy disruption into your everyday routine...whatever your motivations, there are many options. We checked in with some organisations locally for some ideas in the run-up to Christmas and some to work on for next year...

Dance – or go see a charity dance show!

Run for your life, or for someone else’s...

West Lothian Run is a Bathgate-based charity which organises several runs throughout the year - as well as regular running groups for adults and children. They provide affordable running events so that everyone can enjoy the sport in a cost-effective way. The next event is the 2k or 5k Santa Run on 6th December in Livingston. Lindsay Colman, Director of West Lothian Run, said: “Running can be an expensive sport, with entry fees to events being unaffordable for some. Our aim is to host organised events that are affordable as well as fun and familyfocused. We hope to see a record number kids and adults at the Santa Run this year!” Many people enter West Lothian Run events to raise sponsorship money for charity. The West Lothian Fabb Club raised over £1000 at last year’s Santa Run and have signed up again this year to do more fundraising!

Sign up at westlothianrun.org.uk.

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West Lothian resident Cathy Bird set up the nonprofit adult dance group Celtic Stepz this year to encourage adults back into dance and at the same time raise funds for good causes. They do choreographed Highland routines with a flavour of Irish. Their first show will be in Howden Park Theatre, Livingston, on 20th November. The “Spirit of the Celts” show tells the story of the Highland Clearances through music, song and dance. All profits are for Jak’s Den and Teenage Cancer Trust.

Tickets £12/£10, available from Howden Park Box Office on 01506 777 666 or boxoffice@westlothian. gov.uk. Cathy says, “Were taking the show to the Edinburgh Fr inge next year and will continue to raise money for different char ities. The ladies are aged between 15 and 40 something, and are giving up lots of their time to do this for a very worthwhile cause.

Anyone interested in joining the group can email me at cathybird.gb@gmail.com” They practice in Kirknewton Village Hall.

In it together ...

West Lothian company Fitwise, in Blackburn House, Seafield, actively encourages its employees to participate in fundraising. They explained their company fundraising policy and some of the events KONECT

their employees are involved in: “Fitwise is proud to be a part of West Lothian and will continue to give back to the community they call home. From the inspiring quote, ‘we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give’.” The company has worked closely with Alzheimer Scotland in recent years, and two sponsored Memory Walks and a Christmas raffle allowed them to raise over £750 for the purchase of essential materials.

Members of the Fitwise team visited the Livingston Dementia Café earlier this year to present the items and to see some of the work the cafés do. Fitwise Events Administrator, Maryann Robinson, says, “I have participated in the Race for Life and Alzheimer Scotland Walks these last two years. After losing my father to cancer in 2012 then my mum to dementia in 2014 I wanted to join and support other people who had experienced the same loss, to support and be supported. The spir it and

enthusiasm of hundreds of strangers all coming together in memory of their lost ones, and to help raise money to support those still suffer ing - patients, family and fr iends alike, is overwhelming at times. Very, very emotional. For anyone

else suffering a loss or wanting to support others, it’s a wonderful and rewarding opportunity and it only takes a few hours of your time. A few hours some others may not have. Come out and join us next year, would be great to have you join us.”

Pedal for Scotland (pedalforscotland.org) and Cancer Research UK Race for Life (www. cancerresearchuk.org) have been yearly activities for Fitwise and staff members have found these days emotional and inspiring, hearing and reading everyone’s own personal stories of how cancer has affected them is very powerful and underlines the importance of these types of events in fundraising to help find a cure for cancer. The company’s chairman John Matthews undertook his own fundraising effort a couple of years ago by taking things to the next level: he cycled from Land’s End to John o’ Groats (892.9 miles) a couple of years ago, successfully raising £13,700 to help fund treatment for his friend Nick who was sadly struck down with cerebral malaria whilst working as an ophthalmic surgeon in Malawi.

It all adds up...

It doesn’t all have to be impressive feats of physical achievement. You can “do something” by supporting events that charities have arranged locally whilst ticking a few things off your to-do list such as getting some Christmas shopping done. We checked in with one local charity which has been very busy with events this year. Team Jak is the charity raising money for support facilities for young cancer patients and their families -a vision outlined

by West Lothian teenager Jak Trueman who sadly passed away this year. Team Jak is an example of the power of many separate fundraising efforts to all add up to a big difference - in the eight

West Lothian Run Santa Fun Run 2014.

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months since Jak passed away, they have raised almost £124,000 thanks to events organised by the charity and the many fundraising efforts of local people taking on all manner of challenges. Jak’s mum and charity Chief Executive Allison Barr explains, “At the end of September we had our huge birthday event for Jak’s 16th which raised nearly £7000 between our activities at the Centre, Livingston and our bowling party at Deer Park. We had merchandise, tombola, gold raffle, friendship bracelets, facepainting, buckets, Stevie the Clown from the Sick Kids, and a yellow Lamborghini from Performance Portfolio that Jak drove.”

They have dates arranged in November in Livingston for tombola and merchandise; look out for them on 7th-8th November at The Centre; 21st-22nd November at Morrisons and 28th29th November at The Centre. They will be doing Christmas wrapping every Thursday and Friday in December. Looking ahead to next year, Jak’s Ball will be held in Edinburgh on 13th February and they are looking for people to buy tables, give auction prizes or sponsor a drink round.

Of course, it is November which means Movember, the time you can get sponsorship for actually not doing something – just letting your fabulous moustache grow…

Many of West Lothian’s visitor attractions are charities – have fun and help them out!

Enjoy a wonderful day of adventure and play at Almond Valley, West Lothian’s most popular paid admission attraction or visit Hopetoun House, Scotland’s finest stately home and a place of outstanding natural beauty which has been home to the Hope family since 1699. A recent addition to the area is the Larder West Lothian’s first bespoke cook school which offers a variety of cooking classes for children and adults including Italian, Greek and Mexican cook and dine nights - their professional chef will show participants how to cook the perfect three course meal.

Believe it or not, all of these are local registered charities that not only offer a great day out but would welcome your donations or volunteer support to help them deliver their charitable purposes, include preserving West Lothian’s heritage and promoting learning.

Other local tourism-related charities include Annet House, Linlithgow Union Canal Society, The Regal Community Theatre in Bathgate and The Five Sisters Zoo Rescue and Conservation, to name a few. It’s only through donations and the work of volunteers that many of these organisations are able to open their doors and offer reduced or no entrance fees and to host the huge variety of discounted and free events that take place in West Lothian throughout the year.

If you would like to offer help to any of these organisations, contact Visit West Lothian on 01506 283 090. email: visitwestlothian@westlothian.gov.uk. www.visitwestlothian.co.uk facebook.com/VisitWestLothian Twitter.com/teamwestlothian

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village people

by Laura Bilton

Thank You For the Music!

She found herself at a crossroads for the first time ever. Looking back on a musical career stretching twenty years, Uphall resident Michelle Hutcheson had a lot to be proud of.

From writing her first song at the tender age of 11, studying the tenor horn at school, joining a Scottish Electro-dance music band at 16 as a dancer (where she quickly putting herself forward as a singer/songwriter) to co-running five dance labels, Michelle had enjoyed a great deal of success in the music industry.

Michelle Hutcheson

However, after two decades of global gigging and touring with two bands, Michelle had changed. She remembered watching pop videos of Madonna as a child - taking her idol’s inspirational style onto the stage with her. Now the electronic dance music that she produced was at odds with her current tastes which was more along the lines of Eva Cassidy, Lucie Silvas and KT Tunstall. Live performances no longer gave her the same buzz. The costumes, which she used to love putting on to escape and become someone else, had lost their glamour. Her bands had changed in dynamic, and Michelle felt conflicted for the first time.

musical dreams they may have. So in the summer of 2014, Michelle got her piano tuned, put out a few tentative statuses on Facebook and before long she had her first student visiting her home. A year later she has more than twenty students per week.

Michelle has found her passion for music again through teaching. The part she loves the most is watching someone leaving with a smile, and seeing her students grow in confidence and ability. “I love the transition from ‘I can’t do this...I am doing it...I’ve done it!’ This is my way of giving back. I wish I did this years ago!”

An idea came to Michelle - to teach singing. She was heartily encouraged by her singing teacher Sally Scott Jupp. Michelle had a great deal of experience singing and recording, but when she started singing at 16 she didn’t consider herself a naturally strong singer. What she did have was a natural gift for music and a strong sense of musicality. While she was touring after she left school, Michelle had taught herself the piano and spent hours singing everyday while practising chords. She also developed techniques that enhanced her singing to improve her recording quality. Michelle realised that while her journey to become a better singer may have been a long one, now that she had mastered her voice she had a lot of wisdom to pass on. She was still unsure - Michelle had studied music to Higher level but had no other qualifications. “Just teach what you know” advised Sally.

And to any would-be singer/song writers out there, Michelle echoes the advice of her singing teacher “Use your own experiences. Dig from what’s in your heart and head and let it spill out. Write what you know.”

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For more information about Michelle and for lesson enquiries: SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/michellehutcheson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellehutchesonmusic https://www.facebook.com/michellehutchesonvocalcoach

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WALK

Wanders in a community woodland

by Karen Murray

I don’t know what the weather is doing as you read this month’s issue but as we basked in glorious autumn sunshine at the end of September, walks were more plentiful in our household than is the norm.

As I work most days, enjoying a stroll in the evening comes quite high up my list of good things to do, and managing to persuade the kids to come too is a bonus. They do sometimes wonder why I drag them off in the car in order to walk however, and they don’t necessarily agree with the idea of researching walks that others can do from their own doorstep.

One such gorgeous evening, kids in tow, we headed to Uphall to search out some walking routes. I had been informed that you can take a circular route of just ¾ of a mile around the Uphall Bing and I am sure you can. Unfortunately we couldn’t find an entrance to this walk - if you know where to park up and find this walk please let me know! In deference to the increasing boredom of the children as we drove in circles, we headed on into Uphall itself in search of the Uphall Community Woodland I had also heard mention of as it one of those overgrown woodlands that has been cleaned up in recent years, replanted and generally given a makeover.

Here we fared better. Managed by West Lothian Council the woodland has a number of entrances in the village off St Andrews Drive and the B8046. There is no real parking apart from on residential streets but as long as you 24

are considerate you will not cause a problem, or park on West Main Street and walk up through the housing estate to find an entrance.

We entered the woodland from behind the houses on St Andrew’s Drive, going through a gate and were immediately on a surfaced path.

The boys had a Frisbee with them which meant we didn’t get very far along the path at first but fun was being had. There are benches and sign posts and while most of the paths are surfaced, some remain grass tracks but with the good weather there were no muddy walkways to worry about.

The woodland is 13 hectares and contains some dense woodland, up to 60 years old, with areas of open grassland where the wild flowers grow in profusion - deliberately so. It had been very overgrown but thinning and removal of nonnative species in the improvement work has increased the natural light and improved the biodiversity.

The woodland is obviously a haven for dog walkers and we met plenty along the way and there are views of the Pentlands and of the local high point of Binny Craig too. Sitting as it does behind the houses, the woodland provides a green wedge between the housing and the agricultural land behind it. However, you can access the fields behind the woods via a number of stiles and needless to say this looked far KONECT

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more interesting to two young lads than the organised structure network of paths.

Over a stile we hopped and into the fields where the narrow paths are overgrown with meadow plants. One Frisbee had to be confiscated as we walked through waist high foliage. Like the woodlands you could wander quite a way here among the fields.

If you are after a longer walk you could take the gravel track that ultimately leads to Binny Craig; alternatively you can head back on the same gravel track to West Main Street. We decided to retrace our steps through the fields and then back into the woodland and through the housing estate to the car. Having told the boys were doing a quick walk of less than a mile, I think we may have wandered around for nearer three miles and it was way past bedtime when we returned home. The sun was still warming our backs however and there was no school next day so why worry.

This community woodland is a great place for a quick stint of exercise or a more leisurely stroll and if you live in Uphall it is the perfect place to pop out for a few moment’s peace and quiet. If you don’t live in Uphall, schedule a quick stop here anyway on your way through as it’s a tranquil little spot right on the edge of a busy little town which will I’m sure be as charming as the weather turns colder as it was for us.

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27

FEATURE

Local ghost legend: The White Lady of Caputhall Bog Caputhall today is the site of the busy Deans Industrial Estate – Caputhall Road loops around the estate and there are industrial units off to each side. But a woman was murdered here a couple of hundred years ago, and “Caputhall Bog,” as it was then, entered local legend - the area was said to be haunted by the ghost of the unfortunate lady.

According to the legend, Bonnie Prince Charlie and his army stopped at Boghall House (which was at

the site of Boghall Farm Steadings) as he marched across the country with his followers during the Jacobite rising (1745/46). During their brief stay here, a Highlander woman in his entourage was murdered at Caputhall by one of Prince Charlie’s soldiers. Her body was dumped about a mile north - under the bridge that takes the road to Drumcross over a little stream. It was found the next morning by a miner - Bob “Golitath” Singleton (he worked the silver mines in the Bathgate Hills which were operational at intervals between 1606 - 1898).

Suspicion initially fell on Singleton as he was an odd lonely character, but he passed the “Ordeal of Touch” - a superstition whereby if he were guilty the wound would have bled when he touched her.

A striking ring was still on the murdered woman’s finger – a large emerald cross with a diamond in centre.

Bridge on road to Drumcross.

Could this be the site of the bridge in the legend?

Singleton was always a lone poacher and after the incident he became even more aloof, spending a lot of time hunting to the south of Caputhall with his dog - ranging across the woods and fields of what is now Livingston. One night about a year after the murder he crossed the bridge again for the first time (he had been avoiding it, taking a longer way round to get home near the silver mine). On the bridge his way was blocked by ghostly figure in white filmy robes with the murder mark on her throat, and pointing her forefinger at him with the magnificent ring prominent, she said, “I know you for a fearless man, and entrust you with a message to my kinsfolk. My father has fallen at Culloden in the cause of our rightful king; as well as he who basely murdered me, and placed my body here. I wish to sleep amongst my own people. Give this ring to Ivan MacDonald .... see that my wishes are fulfilled.”

Some time later Singleton mysteriously found the ring in his coat pocket, and ghost’s words came back to him. But he didn’t attempt to take the ring to the MacDonalds; instead he sold it. A few years later he was in the area with some companions, who were joking about his story of the ghost and suggesting he had made the whole thing up. They went across the bridge to Drumcross ahead of him, but on hearing a scream they turned back and found Singleton and his dog dead on the bridge. His death was attributed to the ghost, and so began the legend of the White Lady of Caputhall Bog. The “white lady,” appeared several more times, each time described as wearing white robes, or having a white haze around her. She appeared to a shady character who traded in dead bodies, stealing them from the Kirkton Old Parish Churchyard in Bathgate for customers in Edinburgh – he had to pass through Caputhall, and she appeared to him warning him to “let the dead slumber.” She appeared to a young man of the Hamilton family of Bangour as he was on his way home from a party to the south of Livingston church – as he passed through the bog he saw a woman walking on the opposite side of road but when approached her and tried to put his arm around her there was nothing there; but he heard a gruesome laugh. And another member of the Hamilton family at Bangour, a young lad who knew nothing of the legend, told his mother she had seen a white lady while out collecting brambles. She appeared to Lady Hamilton and the housekeeper of Bangour mansion as they came up the road leading through the bogs to the main road one day – the housekeeper described the “face o’ a lady with a bloody mark on her throat wha stood richt in the road, wringin’ her haunds.” Next, a farmer heading home from Edinburgh markets experienced the white lady trying to climb into his

cart; she fell off as he crossed the bridge, the site of her usual haunt.

And she appeared to the person who had purchased her ring from Singleton in the first place – an Edmund Pitcairn, and alchemist who lived on the Nether Dechmont estate. His interest in alchemy meant that he spent plenty of time at the silver mines which is how he had come into contact with Singleton. Some time after Singleton’s death, Pitcairn was sauntering through his estate, wearing the ring which he was so pleased with, when the white lady appeared and charged him with returning it to her family - “do this, and ail will be well with thee and thine.” Deeply affected by the experience, especially when misfortune started to dog him, he eventually set out to find the MacDonalds of Glencoe, the lady’s family, and managed to return the ring to them.

“The white lady, appeared several more times, each time described as wearing white robes, or having a white haze around her.”

It’s impossible at this distance in time to establish how the legend arose. Bonnie Prince Charlie probably did stay here (there are various local “proofs”); a Highlander woman probably was murdered (his army was predominantly made up of Highlanders); but beyond that all was have to go on is a document written long after the event, which concludes, “Travellers through Caputhall Bogs must have noticed the dreary barren fields which stretch from the lands of Boghall east to the lands farmed by Mr Mitchell of Dechmont. Even in the full blush of summer how cheerless they look; a ban seems to have rested on the ground since the perpetration of the accursed deed, as only where it reaches the Drumcross estate, does it begin to bear crops. The bridge which encloses the sluggish stream that steals along stealthily by the roadside, has a dead bush here, a half-dead one there, and wide ugly gaps, partly filled with nettles, rotten branches and rank grass.”

As I re-traced the footsteps of the people mentioned in the story on a bright day earlier this year I was dodging through industrial estates, across busy roads, past businesses and houses – a far cry from dreary barrenness! The full document is on the website of the Bathgate Historic Conservation Society http://e-voice.org.uk/bathgate/ history-topics/caputhall-ghost/

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Recipe & Food Notes

by Anne Pinkerton

Cookery Myth Busters 3 Be jammy

Equipment Heavy bottomed pan. (If enamel it must not be chipped because the acid from fruit will react with it and taint the jam) Measuring jug A couple of small plates put in the fridge before you start.

Long handled wooden spoon Glass jars, warmed in the oven at 80C. You can re-use jars of any shape you like. My children think me really sad; I even have favourite old pots from long lost products such as Sunny Spread and the moulded jars from Rose’s lime marmalade!

Jam covers. I prefer cellophane (these come from Lakeland but also many other shops).

For jelly: A boiled clean cotton cloth.

Method Simple jam is made from fruit weight for weight with sugar e.g. 1lb fruit to 1lb sugar.

Some fruit is easier to set than others because they all have different amounts of pectin, the setting agent. This can be corrected by using lemon juice, so if you see a recipe specifying it don’t cut it out.

Jelly is made by cooking fruit gently till the juices run and then dripping it over-night through a cloth and collecting and measuring the liquid. Then you need 1 lb sugar to 1 pint of liquid.

I love making jam, it appeals to the squirrel in me!

There is nothing to be worried about when tackling making jam - you don’t need special equipment despite the marketing of shops. Nor does it have to be done in one go, leaving jars and jars to be stashed away to last till next year. All you need is a little time.

You must have all the equipment and the jars scrupulously clean. You must measure liquids and fruit properly … and you must enjoy the whole process!

rt. You can Late autumn is a good timee toof sta t you make wha som perhaps think of giving uch as. stm hri C as presents to friends at ght in theM p. sho bou ff more personal than stu

Sugar Any modern white sugar makes good jam. Brown sugar will change the taste and may create scum.

Caster sugar will drop to the bottom of the pan and perhaps burn if you don’t mix it enough. Preserving sugar is good but not always available and is expensive.

It’s best to warm your sugar in the oven with the jars. This keeps the fruit at right temperature and keeps the boiling time to a minimum, giving the best coloured jam.

Fruit Most fruits and some vegetables (marrow) will make jam but some are more worthwhile than others. Fruit should be just ripe and in good condition. Dried fruit such as apricot makes delicious conserve, and rhubarb and ginger is traditional. Frozen fruit, your own or brought in, is convenient if you fancy raspberry jam in January.

Or you can look out for it in the supermarket.

Strawberry is the favourite but is the most difficult to get a good set.

Apple makes the best jelly along with red current and is the basis of herb jellies such as mint jelly to eat with lamb.

Frozen Mixed Berry Jam 1 bag frozen mixed berries, and its weight in sugar.

Method:

Leave to go cold. Label, perhaps using coloured pens or paper labels.

You can also use metal lids but they need to have been scalded in boiling water.

Let the fruit defrost in the pan you intend to cook in, perhaps over night.

Put a couple of plates in the fridge.

Warm the sugar and the clean jars.

Bring the fruit gently to the boil. Add the warmed sugar and mix together till the sugar dissolves.

Re-boil and continue on a high heat for about 8-10 minutes. Keep mixing the sides to the middle.

Draw off the heat and test for setting by dribbling a little “jam” on a cold plate. If, after a minute , the edge of the sample puckers up and keeps its shape it is setting. This may need two or three tests.

The cold plate speeds the process.

When you have a set take off the heat.

Fill the warm jars with a jug, taking care to avoid spills; the jam is hot and could burn you.

Boiling jam

Cover with cellophane and secure with rubber band.

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PUZZLES

CROSSWORD Solution in the December edition of konect

Across 1 Brass instrument (7) 5 Two wheeled transport (5) 8 More fortunate (7) 9 Room under the eaves (5) 10 Not sour (5) 11 Adore, revere (7) 12 Come to an end (6) 14 Irritates, annoys (6) 17 Used for cigarettes (7) 19 Seashell (5) 22 Regulations (5) 23 Holiday home (7) 24 Found in the spine (5) 25 Ruin (7) Down 1 Informs (5) 2 Male relative (5) 3 Artist (7) 4 Flung (6) 5 Seat (5) 6 Fasteners (7) 7 Gets away (7) 12 Went into (7) 13 Small stones (7) 15 Accompanies (7) 16 Compelled (6) 18 Supports for broken bones (5) 20 Not ever (5) 21 Useful (5)

SUDOKU Sudoku solution on page 38

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35

WHAT’S ON

Saturday 14th November

and Useful Information

West Lothian Highland Society monthly ceilidh Monthly ceilidh in Strathbrock Community Centre, Broxburn. Doors open at 6.45pm for a start time of 7.30pm. Music by Ian Cruickshank Trio. Tickets £5.

Fireworks events November 2015 Deer Park Golf Course Road, Livingston, Golf Course Road, Livingston, EH54 8AB. Thursday 5th November 7.30pm. £5/£15 for family (admits 4) Callendar House Callendar Park, Falkirk, FK1 1YR. Thursday 5th November 6.30pm. Live music will be provided by Dionne Hickey and The Tonkerers. Free entry.

Hopetoun House Queensferry, EH30 9SL. Saturday 7th November Gates open from 4pm, preshow entertainment, fireworks display approx 6.30pm. Adults £13, Children £6.50 (aged 4 – 15).

Livingston Cricket Club Turpie & Co Sports Ground, Murieston Valley.

Saturday 7th November 7.30pm. Free entry, donation buckets.

Linlithgow Rugby Club Mains Park, Mains Road, Linlithgow. Saturday 7th November 7.30pm. Entry £5 or £15 for family (admits 5).

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: 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.

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

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

22 31

Beauty Allure Skin Clinic Final Touch Beauty Holly Matthews Make Up Artist

14 16 16

Blacksmith Big Red Blacksmiths

22

Builder DB General Builders

23

BUILDING SURVEYOR David Hastings

19

Car Bodywork Bodyshop Edinburgh Chips Away

26 26

Car Service & Repair LVS Garage Services

5

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning C and W Cleaning Services Hydro Kleen Scotland Carpets & Flooring Land of Carpets

6 30 40

Catering Food Creations

33

Children’s Nursery Wee Gems

15

Chiropractor Livingston Chiropody West Lothian Chiropractor

17 16

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

7 13 12 35

Complementary Therapies Access 2 Balance

15

Solution to October Crossword

Across: 1 Straws, 4 Heated, 9 Neutral, 10 Tired, 11 Teeth, 12 Unaware, 13 Competition, 18 Grandma, 20 Awful, 22 Organ, 23 Extract, 24 Easier, 25 Breezy.

38

Computer Services Be One IT Sprint Computers

6 30

Dance Supplies Highland Dance Shop

25

Dentist No 9 Dental

17

Electrician Simply Electrical

6

Florist Just to Say Williamson

4 7

Garden & Landscaping Gardens Galore SG Garden Services GYM/HEALTH CLUB EICA

12 13 7

Hairdresser Hair Design Mr Fella & Me. Bella Sassoon

16 7

Healthcare ABC Hearing

20

Heating Services Forth Heating

23

Hire (Car/Van/Minibus) Pixo Van Rental

13

Kilt Maker & Hire Caledonia Scotia Kiltmakers

4

Kitchens Alba Kitchens Ekco

19 31

Locksmith 1st Call Locksmith Mackenzies West Lothian Locksmith

19 4 35

Mobility Ableworld Med Ecosse

21 39

Oven Cleaner The Clean Team

7

Painter/Decorator Nu Walls

19

Paving W Tarmacadam

6

Pet Supplies Coxydene

27

Plastering Nu Walls

19

Property Maintenance Cleaning and Maintenance

13

Restaurant The Club

4

Roofing Thomson Roofing

35

Shoe Repair Mackenzies

4

Soft Furnishings Forth Fabrics Style Rite Blinds

25 11

Storage Unit Storedge

13

Takeaway Bravo

11

Tattoo Removal Tatta Ltd

15

Telecoms Services Lothian Telecom Services

6

Trusted Trader Scheme West Lothian Trusted Trader

23

VENUE The Club

4

Vet Capital Vets Mackie & Brechin

2 27

Windows 1st Choice Living

22

Solution to Sudoku Page 34

Down: 1 Sanity, 2 Route, 3 Worship, 5 Extra, 6 Tornado, 7 Dodged, 8 Illustrated, 14 Oranges, 15 Tractor, 16 Ignore, 17 Glitzy, 19 Dunce, 21 Flare.

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

LAND OF CARPETS OF BROXBURN MASSIVE LAMINATE FLOORING SHOWROOM Visit us this month for 10% off all orders Free beading & underlay with any laminate flooring CARPET-LAMINATE-VINYL

STAR BUY VANTAGE TWIST ONLY £4.99 sqyd / £5.96 sqm • 100% BLEACH CLEANABLE

Opening Times Mon: 9am-5pm Tues: 9am-5pm Wednesday: 9am-5pm Thursday: 9am-5pm

Friday: 9am-5pm Saturday: 9am-5pm Sunday: Closed

46-48 East Main Street, Broxburn

Tel: 01506 853723