FEBRUARY 2021
LOCAL CHARITY: FEATURE: LOCAL ENVIRONMENT:
P8
I
t’s been a challenging start to the year, and not what we were all hoping for. However, as ever, the local area is a rich source of inspiration and information. I became aware of a group called the West Lothian Dippers through a request for help with a fundraiser. Their photos of swimming in icy waters are attention-grabbing, and the hope is that it will raise awareness of the fundraiser, and some funds for a rare cancer charity. See pages 8-10 and chip in if you can. Local charity Reuse and Thrive, in East Calder, are keen to raise awareness of what they’re doing in the local community. Although Covid restrictions have put a temporary stop on opening the Main Street shop, they are ready to open and there are online activities to get involved in this month, see page 14. There are a couple of other features focusing on outdoors activities – not what we’d usually be publishing in February, but this is not a normal February, and the outdoors is the only other option to being in the house! It’s time to wrap up, take your flask and go. Local education business, Love Outdoor Learning, have contributed a column to help families homeschooling with some ideas. All our usual columns are here, our team of local contributors have all pulled together their inspirational, interesting and informative takes on their areas of expertise to start the year off for us. Thanks for reading Konect and supporting local businesses and organisations.
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THIS ISSUE Feature: West Lothian Dippers................................8 Hair: The Daily Style...................................................13 Ask your pharmacist: Here for you in 2021......13 Charity: Reuse and Thrive.......................................14 Garden Project: Spending time in the garden.............................................................................19 Local Environment: Loved ones are near when robins appear .................................................21 Property Matters: Be Advised…not “Sold”!!....22 Wine Tasting.............................................................27 Parenting: Home Schooling 2.0..........................28 Film Review: Versus................................................31 Puzzles.......................................................................31
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WestL thianDippers In the sea, lochs and reservoirs; in freezing or (occasionally) balmy weather, West Lothian’s wild swimmers are in the water for an invigorating dip all year round. Before we dive into this article, one thing needs to be clear; swimming in cold water, and especially in a body of water outdoors that you are not familiar with, is a dangerous activity for any age. If you’re inspired to give it a go, visit the West Lothian Dippers Facebook group (more information below) for advice and guidance. “We love the compliment of being called ‘crazy’, of course. But we do it because it feels so good. There’s a childlike pleasure in wild swimming, and in the winter especially, the burning, pins and needles-feeling of freezing water on your skin is extremely invigorating.” I’m speaking with Lesley and Victoria, the West Lothian residents who set up the Facebook group “West Lothian Dippers” in 2019, because they wanted to find others locally to try wild swimming with.
On a typical winter’s day swim, the water will be no more than 3 to 4 ºC. “If you’re properly acclimatised, in a swimsuit you can stay in for 3 to 4 minutes in the winter. In a wetsuit, it’s feasible to stay in for up to 20 minutes.”
The benefits to mental and physical health are huge ”
The group has seen a surge in popularity in the past year since lockdown and now has nearly 1,000 hardy wild-swimming members. One member, John Keogh, has committed to a Dip a Day Challenge in February, where, rain or shine (and definitely cold!) he will swim every day outdoors in shorts only, to raise money for Sarcoma UK. It’s John’s fundraiser that has prompted this article in Konect. “Our favourite spots are Avon Lagoon near Linlithgow, Harperrig Reservoir on the edge 8 | CALDERS
of the Pentlands in Kirknewton, and in the sea near Hopetoun,” explains Lesley. They go further afield when covid travel restrictions are not in place, but these have been the best spots within West Lothian during the restrictions.
The sea is a little warmer than the lochs and reservoirs, and brings more than the odd encounter with a trout or seaweed (“I leap like a salmon if my foot accidentally touches seaweed, I hate it”).
In the sea at Blackness, the Dippers are often accompanied by an inquisitive seal they have affectionately named Cedrick. “I met Cedrick when we were swimming there one day,” says Lesley. “We were in the sea, swimming away from Blackness Castle, and he followed us at a distance of about 100 metres, disappearing and re-appearing every so often.” The seals are curious and like to keep an eye on the swimmers, although they are very protective of their young so it’s best to avoid the area when there are pups. @KonectMagazines
The benefits to mental and physical health to being in the water are huge, and that is what keeps the West Lothian Dippers going back in. It’s invigorating, and a short dip makes you feel very alive in a way that an indoors heated pool can’t match. For new wild swimmers, you don’t just jump straight in. It’s important to acclimatise your body. “I took cold showers and cold baths to prepare for the winter water,” explains Victoria. It’s dangerous to go straight into cold water if you’re not used to it. Blood pressure shoots up and you can be at risk of a heart attack, regardless of your age. Your body temperature will continue to drop even after you get out of the water, so you need to be able to get somewhere warm quickly.
West Lothian Dippers Lesley and Eddie at Threipmuir Reservoir
It’s important to know the water before you go in, and you need a plan for getting out and getting warm, especially in winter. Each body of water has different potential hazards, whether it’s an active reservoir, an inactive one, a loch or the sea. Active reservoirs, for example, have sluice gates that are opened remotely and regardless of how strong a swimmer you are, you’d never survive the pull of the water being let out if you’re near the dam when they open. So joining a group such as West Lothian Dippers is highly recommended for keeping safe, so that people can share advice and information on local water spots, and, subject to social distancing, swim with others. No-one can make the decision for you if it’s safe for you to go in. You make that decision yourself. But the group is there to share information and support. There is a strong a social element to the group which welcomes members of all ages to enjoy wild swimming. People of all ages and fitness levels, from families with children, people who are doing IronMan challenges, through to older people. Some like to bring their paddle boards or kayaks.
Sea swimming near Blackness Castle Find out more about John’s ‘Dip A Day FebHooray’ Challenge on p10
“We did a night swim recently, and those who didn’t want to go in the water sat by the fire and watched. We did BBQs last summer and will do again when social distancing allows.” For more information, search “West Lothian Dippers” group on Facebook. @KonectMagazines
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JOHN’S ‘DIP A DAY FEBHOORAY’ CHALLENGE FOR SARCOMA UK The West Lothian Dippers are supporting one of their members who throughout February will be taking a wild dip a day, in shorts only, to raise money for Sarcoma UK in memory of his son-in-law. “In warm memory of our late son-in-law, Shaun McKinley(34), I’m supporting Sarcoma UK, a national charity that funds vital research, offers support for anyone affected by Sarcoma Cancer, and campaigns for better treatments. “Shaun died eight short months after being diagnosed. He had complained of a sore back for a few months and was eventually given a blood test by his GP. Three days later he was diagnosed with Stage 4 Sarcoma Cancer (terminal, no cure). “Shock, heartbreak and despair barely describes how we felt as a family. My daughter would soon be a widow and two wee boys left without their daddy, the youngest who’d just turned 2 years old. Planning their future like any young couple, took on a whole new meaning. Rather than planning a holiday, they wondered if Shaun could return home for a few weeks. Rather than planning a possible house move they were organising a Hospice. Rather than planning Christmas Dinner they were planning Shaun’s funeral. “And so, to my challenge: I will take a dip in the sea, every day in February 2021,wearing
only my bathing trunks. Whilst it won’t bring Shaun back or eradicate the pain and the hurt, it will hopefully help prevent other families from going through a similar tragedy. “Sarcoma is a type of cancer that develops in the bone and soft tissue. It is difficult to diagnose and one of the hardest to treat. Your donation will help researchers find answers, keep the Support Line open, and raise awareness to improve treatment and standards of care. Together we can help change this. Thank you for your support; it is very much appreciated.” Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ dip-a-day-in-febhooray to donate to John’s challenge. Sarcoma UK receives no Government funding and is fully funded from voluntary donations. Please visit www.sarcoma.org.uk for more information. West Lothian Dippers are supporting John in February by doing a Bobble Hat challenge - swimming daily during February in hats crocheted in the Sacroma UK colours to help raise awareness.
This article was written by Helen-Jane Shearer after speaking with Lesley of the West Lothian Dippers. We hope to raise support for John’s fundraiser on behalf of Sarcoma UK. Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect and lives in West Lothian with her family.
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WINE TASTING
THE HILLS ARE
Alive
I’m often asked what my favourite wine is. My answer changes depending on the season. In the depths of winter, a French Cotes du Rhone is a favourite go to; a blend of Shiraz, Mourvedre and Grenache pairs beautifully with a comfortable chair and a fireside. As the seasons change my preference turns to ‘mountain style white wine’.
Mountain wine conjures up scenes from Heidi or The Sound of Music – a beautiful mountain, clean air, alpine and edelweiss. Life on the mountain slope is hard. The steep vineyards, high altitude and thin soils pose a physical challenge to growers. Vines cling to the rocky ground, pushing roots deep into the available soil to establish themselves, finding pockets of moisture and nutrients. The tough growing conditions produce racy, lean wines well deserving of the wine awards and medals they win. Favourite examples of this style come from the Alto Adige region of northeastern Italy. The best Pinot Grigio from this area is pristine, fresh and unoaked with clean aromatics of green apple and pear, delicate floral blossom and a distinctive taut minerality. The aromatic continues to the palate where bright acidity awakens the mouth. Torrontes from Argentina is another white grape variety that grows especially well in the high-altitude vineyards, this time the slopes of The Andes. Torrontes is aromatic and often a richer on the palate with a tropical expression. One to look out for this spring and a great wine to pair with Thai dishes. The monthly wine tasting column is contributed by Joanne Frette. Joanne lives in Juniper Green with her 3 children. She is a Sommelier Wine & Spirit Specialist who runs Swirl Sip Socialise, an online wine tasting business which connects friends and family across the UK. @KonectMagazines
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ASK YOUR PHARMACIST
THE DAILY STYLE
A lot of people ask me on social media what I use to style my own hair. My hair is naturally frizzy, curly, and bleached. It’s all going on. I thought I’d share my absolute must-haves for getting ready, even if it is just to sit in the living room!
First up my favourite cleanse & conditioner at the moment is the Davines nou nou range. Ideal for colour treated and especially bleached hair for nourishment, strength and moisture. Good preparation is essential for achieving a great blow dry. After washing I (almost) always apply Wella wonderbalm - a rich blend of vitamins, minerals and peptides, repairing and reconstructing but also makes the hair feel really soft and supple and has a super smoothing effect. I’m quite picky about the type of brush I use as my hair is prone to knotting and breakage so the paddle brush by Ghd is pretty much the only brush I use for general blow drying. I prefer a flat base and wider bristled, it’s really great for detangling longer hair. Lastly my favourite hairdryer the Ghd Helios. I can blast my hair off and get a pretty smooth finish with minimal effort, and if I actually put effort into it I get an amazing blow dry! It’s light and quick and really smooths the cuticle down whilst making voluminous styles easy peasy to master and last for ages. Follow us on Instagram to watch a video of these products and more in action @wonderland_ livingston
Remember your Pharmacist is here for you in 2021 Are you looking for advice about common winter ailments during these uncertain times? The safe and welcoming environment of your local Lindsay & Gilmour pharmacy team is here for you when you need it.
We offer the NHS Scotland Pharmacy First service at all of our pharmacies, allowing patients to access advice and appropriate treatment for minor illnesses and common health complaints without the need for a GP appointment. lindsayandgilmour.co.uk/ services/pharmacy-first If it’s Repeat Prescriptions you need, did you know that Lindsay & Gilmour offer a handy, free, collection & delivery service? Find out more online at lindsayandgilmour. co.uk/services/prescriptions/ Please note: Our pharmacy opening hours are NOT affected by the current government restrictions. You will find details of our opening hours here: www.lindsayandgilmour.co.uk/location/ Your nearest branch and Pharmacist: 173 Main Street, East Calder 01506 881935
West Calder Health Centre 01506 871232 / 01506 870471
The Hair column is contributed by Sophie Laidlaw. Sophie is Director @wonderland Livingston. www.wonderlandlivingston.co.uk @KonectMagazines
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A new community space for the East Calder community, Reuse & Thrive, is poised to open on the Main Street as soon as restrictions allow. The organisation was set up in early 2020 to support the local community to use its resources effectively and reduce our collective impact on the planet. The premises on the Main Street is ready to open as soon as possible. It includes a shop, which is stocked with quality pre-used goods, and will initially be open two to three mornings a week run by volunteers. It also includes space for classes and activities to take place when restrictions are lifted. In the meantime, a programme of workshops is being delivered online. The first one, Christmas crafting, was enjoyed in December by a broad range of ages in the community.
Workshops - While COVID has slowed
down the organisation’s plans to engage with the community more widely there are things happening that you can take part in over the coming weeks. A workshop on crafting for Valentines, making hearts from wastepaper for loved ones that we cannot be with during these unusual times (including our family members) will be run on Zoom on Monday 1st February at 16.00. Making pots and containers for seeds and plants, in preparation for warmer weather will be run on Zoom on Monday 22nd Feb at 16.00.
Reuse & Thrive now has a Board of four trustees and eight volunteers, and aims to support the community in: • The prevention and relief of poverty – through the provision of local shop selling good quality second-hand goods at affordable prices, also through linking with other charities to support our more vulnerable community members access quality clothing with dignity and compassion • The advancement of citizenship or community development – through the provision of volunteer opportunities and through wider community engagement on matters of managing our resources and accessing what we need to thrive and grow • The advancement of education – by providing classes on upcycling, recycling, crafting and general wellbeing as well as providing work experience opportunities for disadvantaged young people and those struggling to access the workplace If you would like to be involved as a volunteer in the community space, or would like any more information on the services Reuse & Thrive offer, please contact them at: Website: reuseandthrive.org.uk Facebook: @reuseandthrive Email: info@reuseandthrive.org.uk
Both these workshops are accessible to to all ages and stages, under 8’s may need an adult to help and require no special skills or equipment. Please message the face book page at Reuse & Thrive or e-mail info@reuseandthrive.org.uk for the Zoom link to take part in either or both of these. Also look out on their Facebook page for further information about the shop opening and giveaways to try and reduce the challenges of lock down. Jigsaws in the next few weeks! 14 | CALDERS
This article was contributed by Reuse & Thrive, a new Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) based in East Calder. @KonectMagazines
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Looking forward to spending time in the garden Despite the lovely promise of vaccinations, it seems inevitable that we will all be spending more time in our gardens this spring and summer. What are your plans for your outdoor plot this year?
Even if you just have a balcony or small garden outside your patio doors you can create something quite special as your outdoor refuge. This small basement garden is furnished with evergreen plants that look great all year round, bird feeders to encourage visiting birds to entertain you, a patio table and chairs and even a self-contained water feature. The bold tropical leaves of Fatsia japonica (the castor oil plant) contrast with the climbing honeysuckle and small dark leaves of
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Inside outside Viburnum tinus in the back left hand corner. Seasonal planted pots add an ever-changing decoration to your patio. At this time you can add spring bulbs already growing in pots, primulas and winter flowering heathers. If the patio is safely in your garden, you might even consider adding a firepit. On cool days and evenings sitting around a wee fire outside is very relaxing and uplifting. We hope you will enjoy your garden this spring! The gardening project is contributed by Dougal Philip, New Hopetoun Gardens. Inspiring, informing and entertaining, for more than 40 years.
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LOCAL ENVIRONMENT
The
Robin Whilst we weren’t lucky enough to have a white Christmas, we were certainly treated to a few days of the white stuff, which created a rather beautiful winter wonderland. I had promised an article about waxwings, but they haven’t turned up, (unless you live in Elgin), and we can’t travel to see them, so I’ve turned my attention to Britain’s most popular bird, the robin.
saying is “loved ones are near when robins appear”, and as we again face uncertain times, we like to think they represent the hope we all continue to hold.
They’re the ones currently singing their hearts out in the morning whilst it’s still dark, and is one of the reasons they’re so special. The robin is one of the only birds who sing throughout winter, and we definitely love hearing them filling the streets with their melodic tune.
This column is contributed by Clare Harte and Kate Stevenson, who grew up in Edinburgh and now live in West Lothian. Together they run Scottish Sisters Photography and travel around the country to watch and photograph amazing wildlife and scenic landscapes. Follow them on Facebook @ScottishSistersPhotography
Robins are symbolic birds, and a common @KonectMagazines
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PROPERTY MATTERS
Be Advised…not “Sold”!! In 2020, 72% of the properties sold by Turpie & Co achieved a selling price at or above the Home Report Value.
This alone is an impressive statistic but how and why it was achieved is the real message to take away.
It’s probably not something that people give much thought to but the best Estate Agents set, influence and often create the property market in any particular area. It happens over time by building trust with buyers and sellers, gaining respect from industry professionals and building a reputation for success by achieving outstanding and consistent results. Not all Estate Agents are able to provide the same services therefore not all Estate Agents are able to achieve the same results! - This naturally influences the advice that some Estate Agents will recommend. Like any profession, it’s not uncommon for property agents to change jobs and this has become much more common in recent times in the buoyant West Lothian property market. This presents a scenario, however where the same individual could offer different and, more importantly, conflicting advice based on which company they are representing at that time rather than what advice is best for your property sale. Homeowners should be mindful of this and identify an agent who is well established in the area who you are confident will give you honest, consistent and relevant advice specific to your needs.
Ultimately an Estate Agent should be measured by the results achieved but it shouldn’t be taken for granted that every company or individual has the same knowledge or experience to achieve the best outcome. A good (or bad) example of this last year was a property in Livingston which sold for £90,000 less than an identical property in the same street less than 6 months apart simply due to differing advice. This is £90,000 of real money and represented a 20% loss in comparison to the gain made by the other sellers. As a homeowner, it’s easy to assume that everyone knows the process of buying and selling houses but the reality is that most people go through this experience only a few times in their life time. Markets change, lifestyles change, laws change and it is also the role of an Estate Agent to guide buyers and sellers through this process. Ultimately though, the main aim of an agent should be to make buyers and sellers happy with the service received and satisfied that the advice they have been given has added value to the process and ultimately the bottom line. It’s your asset and your money so when selling your home, make sure you’re getting specific, honest and impartial advice that is unique to your property and not being sold on whatever services a particular company can offer.
The monthly Property Matters column is contributed by Craig Turpie. Craig is a director at Turpie & Co Estate Agents and Letting Agents with extensive knowledge of the West Lothian Property Market and over 20 years experience in bespoke sales and marketing. 22 | CALDERS
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PARENTING
Home Schooling 2.0
Once again, we find ourselves emotionally and mentally muddling through a lockdown and home schooling. Only this time the dark nights and cold weather mean the feeling of being cooped up within your own four walls seems even worse.
1st February is the magic date we are aiming for but with this under constant review there seems to be a general feeling we should see this as a marathon and not a sprint. I hope by the time you’re reading this the kids are happily back in their classrooms. But I imagine it’s entirely possible I’ll still be sitting here at my picnic table home office desk trying to help my eldest remember her Teams password while shouting phonics at my youngest and trying to squeeze in more than 20 minutes of my own work in a day. Having been down this road before, and after the many ups and downs of the last year, the best rule of thumb seems to be to hope for the best but plan for the worst. Be as organised as possible all while knowing that most days will not go at all like you planned!
We are all in this together – that’s what I keep hearing but of course your ‘this’ could
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be very different to someone else’s. Same storm different life rafts and all that.
This is terrifying for one person and a chance for calm and to slow down for another. This is working from home for one and the closing of a family business for another. It is utter loneliness for one and craving personal space for another. This is a chance to teach for some but drowning in home schooling responsibility for others. You can only do what you can do…at least that’s what I keep telling myself. I’m determined this time not to let it stress me out. When I’m stressed the kids get anxious and that more than anything is what I want to avoid. So, we are taking one day at a time and finding little things to look forward to. Like a walk around Five Sisters Zoo one weekend. They have currently opened their grounds for local West Lothian residents to get exercise. They are also
offering new short online classes and activity sheets aimed at primary kids each Tuesday and Thursday at 11am.
It’s not a complete remedy for weeks with the weight of your children’s education on your shoulders or a miracle cure for parental guilt but these days I’ll reach out and grab hold with two hands to anything that brings the kids a bit of joy or makes life a little easier. If we’re going to get through doing this side hustle in teaching for which we are completely unqualified, things like this might just be enough to keep us going. The parenting column is contributed by Laura Archibald. Laura lives in West Lothian with her family and their campervan Hank. She is mummy, wife, blogger and full-time personal assistant to her two girlie girls.
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CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Lockdown Learning -
Outdoors Lockdown learning can be hard! Maths and literacy are one thing but then you are asked to head outdoors and build a den or other outdoor tasks. Never mind that you are trying to juggle running a home, supporting all the learning, and fitting in your job somewhere.
Why do teachers throw in these outdoor learning tasks? Being a teacher, I used outdoor learning as it had so many benefits. It helps consolidate learning and create memories. It also develops team working skills, enhances communication, aids the development of imagination and so much more. But more than that, heading outdoors 3 times a week for as little as 20 minutes each time improves mental health for young and old alike. I hear you though, getting to the woods and building a den takes so much more than just 20 minutes.
Here are some 20-minute walk ideas. It might be a walk in the woods, around your town or village or even just to the shops and back. We have kept them simple, requiring no resources or tools. The last thing you want to think about is grabbing extra bits!
Numbers and Letters
A number or letter hunt can be a lot of fun and is great for all ages. With younger children, it is all about recognition and knowing what they look like. Can they sound out the letter or tell you what number comes before or after the number they find. With older children, can they add or multiply the numbers together, great for mental maths! Or can they turn car license plates into words, MLK could become milk! I loved doing this with my mum and still play that game now! 30 | CALDERS
Flora and fauna
Did you know the average 3 year old can identify over 100 brands but can struggle to name a single tree or plant? So, on your walk, take your time to help your child identify them. Start where you are confident, it might be with types of birds, dogs or trees, and build up from there. When I was learning the trees I would pick a different one each week and see how many times I could spot it throughout that week. It is a simple but effective way to learn them. If you do not know them yourself, it is a fun way to learn them together. This is a good way to develop identification skills, observation, and even develop your child’s vocabulary. Even if you cannot get outdoors to complete the big tasks schools set this month, why not just try and incorporate some of these activities into your walks and trust that these will help your child learn and make progress! This article was contributed by Carol Murdoch. Carol is a teacher, tutor and Director of Love Outdoor Learning, an educational organisation based in West Lothian that helps children connect with the natural environment. @KonectMagazines
PUZZLES
FILM REVIEW
CROSSWORD
^ ^ ^ Solution in the March edition of Konect ACROSS: 1. Hint (4), 3. Contrary (8), 9. Error (7), 10. Frolic (5), 11. Eager (12), 13. Informal (6), 15. Titbit (6), 17. Alphabetical reference books (12), 20. Propose (5), 21. Produces lava (7), 22. Vacations (8), 23. Wagers (4). DOWN: 1 Business (8), 2 Distressed (5), 4 Lyrical (6), 5 From time to time (12), 6 Suggests (7), 7 Acquire (4), 8 Produced (12), 12 Flowers (8), 14 Talented (7), 16 Carry (6), 18 Picture (5), 19 Weapon (4).
^ ^ ^ Solution in the March edition of Konect
SUDOKU
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Versus can easily be described in one word. Insane. I honestly had a blast watching Versus, it’s just flat out fun. The action is simply bananas and I couldn’t stop smiling. Seeing Yakuza members kill zombies in fun and gory ways is just thrilling. Watching the Yakuza just unloading a bunch of bullets into the first zombie they encounter; I knew I was in for a good time. While some of the action is over-edited and the camera is a bit close at some points (which is probably due to its budget) but even with those issues the action is just so entertaining. But since this is a zombie film, we’ve got to talk about the zombies and mainly the practical effects. Some of the practical effects are jaw-dropping and, in my opinion, really add to the overall experience of this film despite the limited budget. However not everything works well and in my opinion the story and acting really hold the film back. It clearly feels like the “plot” was constructed in a way so that all of the insanity could occur. While I’m not against this approach, I still want the plot to make logical sense. The acting, while not as bad as the plot, still isn’t remarkable; everyone just serves their respective roles fine. Versus isn’t trying to be the next Citizen Kane. It is however fun and engaging. I honestly highly recommend Versus for anyone who likes weird Japanese films. The Film Review is contributed by Robert Ewing. Robert is passionate about film as an art form, and shining a light on films that may not be on people’s radar. Robert is from Kirknewton. CALDERS | 31