Konect Linlithgow April 2016

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APRIL 2016

linlithgow

WIN!

A night at The Court Residence in Linlithgow!

FEATUREs

Local History

- when Torphichen was the centre of Scotland Trusted Trader Scheme Local walk A walk with features at Witch Craig s& Offer ers h c u o v cal from lo ses s e busin

plus local businesses, community information and more!

A new community magazine for the Linlithgow area

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WALK

M e ss ag e fro m t h e e d ito r

elcome to the second W issue of the Konect magazine for Welcome to the

second issue of the Konect magaziading area. Thank you to everyone who took the time to write in with lovely comments on the launch issue, and to the many readers who entered the Brodies Afternoon Tea competition.

This month we’ve teamed up with another local business who is generously offering a prize draw – if you’ve been wondering what’s going inside the old sheriff court building in the High Street, turn to pages 10-11. And you may win a night’s stay there!

A local history feature this month takes you up to Torphichen and back in time to when this was a very important centre! The local walk feature also takes you up into the hills – it was a fantastically sunny day when I went to take the photos, so I hope we get some good days to enjoy the hills on our doorstep this month.

Spring is in the air and you may be thinking about those home and garden improvement projects. Picking a reliable company can be tricky – of course checking through the pages of Konect is a great way to find local people! A couple of years ago West Lothian Council launched their own “Trusted Trader” scheme to help people find reputable local companies, you can read about the scheme on pages 12-14.

If you have an event coming up that you’d like to promote to the local community, or if you’re involved in a club or hobby group, please let me know and we’ll make sure it’s included next month in the community pages at the back of the magazine.

FEATUREs When Tor phichen was the centre of Scotland 06 The Cour t Residence 10 Spotlight on Tr usted Tr ader Scheme 12 REGULARS Parenting in West Lothian Local Walk Proper ty Matter s Recipe and Food Notes

08 22 25 26

COMPETITIONS & PUZZLES The Cour t Residence dr aw Crossword & Sudoku

11 28

COMMUNITY What’s on & Useful Infor mation Clubs & Classes

30 30

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

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Advertising Enquiries CHARLENE GAFFNEY 07772 941899 charlene@konectdirectory.co.uk JENNY THOMSON 07824 469266 jenny@konectdirectory.co.uk Advert booking deadline: 10th of the month prior to print.

Artwork/copy deadline: 13th of the month prior to print.

The Konect magazine is delivered to 7500 homes and businesses in Linlithgow, Linlithgow Bridge and the surrounding area. Copies are also left at the library, post offices and other locations.

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

The Court Residence, Linlithgow.

Photo by Konect.

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/KonectDirectory

@KonectDirectory

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Torphichen Preceptor y

Local History

When Torphichen was the centre of Scotland.

by Helen-Jane Shearer

It’s a long time since the wee village of Torphichen was a bustling busy centre, a destination for royalty, a stop-off point for longdistance travellers and the Scottish headquarters of what was effectively an independent sovereign state.

But for centuries it was all of these things. It’s an ancient settlement which has been occupied for millenia, but the arrival in the 12th century of The Order of St John, or the Hospitaller Knights of St John, really put Torphichen on the map and they have left their mark even today – local street names, organisation names, the symbol of the Maltese cross that appears in various logos. But who were they and what does it all mean?

It started off a long way away from Scotland, in Jerusalem. A group of individuals who ran a hospital in Jerusalem for Christian pilgrims to the holy land found themselves, at the end of the 11th century, dealing with the many casualties involved in the First Crusade. In recognition of their work, the pope created the Order of Hospitallers. Their hospital was built on the site of a monastery dedicated to St John the Baptist, hence their name. They used a white eight pointed cross as their symbol, symbolising the eight nations (“tongues”) they came from and the eight vows they took. As the Crusades dragged on, the Hospitallers took on the role of providing armed escort to protect pilgrims, and thus ended 6

up fighting too – they became a military order waging war on Islam as well as tending the poor and sick. Along with the Knights Templar, the Knights Hospitaller were one of the most famous and powerful religious military orders.

The Order was granted estates throughout Europe by the crusading nations to provide income for their work. They came to Britain to recruit and collect funds, arriving in Scotland during the reign of David I, who was a keen supporter of the Crusades and who gave them land at Torphichen.

This became the headquarters from whence their growing estates were administered. David’s successor granted, in 1153, “to God and the Hospital of Jerusalem a toft (land) in every burgh of our land.” So they had land all over Scotland and were well respected for their charitable works.

In Torphichen their Preceptory (headquarters) consisted of a small hospital, as this was the prime calling of the Order, along with the church and attached administrative and domestic buildings including dormitories, kitchen, dining area and Preceptor’s lodgings. Much of their day to day life was involved in administration of their Scottish estates as well as the necessary duties of growing food and herbs for medicines in the gardens around the Preceptory. Rents for all their Scottish properties were collected here, and there would have been considerable traffic relating to administration and financial affairs. It became a significant and very well-resourced community, in keeping with the knights’ status in Scotland, receiving many guests and travellers.

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Once such famous guest was William Wallace. As he prepared to face Edward I in 1298, we know he stayed at Torphichen - the only surviving document we have signed by him was written at Torphichen at this time (It was a letter sent in March 1298 to Alexander Scrymgeour, giving him land as reward for his loyalty).

The Torphichen Preceptory, though, came under the authority of the English Priory of the Order (a higher office) in London. In the early days many of the knights were English, and during the Wars of Independence in Scotland they supported the English side. After his victory over the Scots at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, King Edward I headed to Torphichen for rest and treatment of the chestwound he got at Polmont when a horse stood on him before the battle. These ties with England made the Order less popular in Scotland during this time.

But as time went on naturally more knights were native Scots, and they made several petitions to gain independence from their English Priory.

Much later, in the 16th century, King James IV - a regular visitor to Torphichen where he prayed in the church and played cards with the Preceptor – wrote to the Grand Master of the Order in Rhodes expressing his surprise that “members of this Order, even when Scottish by birth and residing in Scotland, had to live so that they looked on the Prior in England as their lord and protector.”

Eventually Torphichen did arrange to by-pass the

English office and report directly to the Grand Master, based latterly in Malta.

The Order of St John was suppressed during the Reformation and in Scotland all its lands were confiscated. Much monastic property was razed but Torphichen was spared, possibly as it had been used as a Reformation office or because the Preceptor, James Sandilands, became Protestant and befriended John Knox... however by the 1750s, the administration and domestic buildings associated with the Preceptory were demolished and the stones used elsewhere in the village. Only the tower, transcepts and nave were spared.

St John’s exists in Britain today as the Most Venerable Order of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem. It was re-established in the 19th century with the foundation of St John Ambulance Association, independent of the remnants of the original Roman Catholic Order of Malta, and in 1888 Queen Victoria made it a Royal Order of Chivalry. St John’s ambulances and first aid training are well known in England and many other countries. A Scottish Priory was reconstituted in 1947. It doesn’t run the ambulance service here, as St Andrews Ambulance Service was already established, but they do run hospitals, nursing homes, sheltered housing, hospices and rest homes in Scotland as well as mountain rescue services. They support the St John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem and have links with Malawi. Their motto is to “improve the safety, health and quality of life of people in need.” So the Order today is close to what the original monks set out to do 900 years ago before getting embroiled in war.

And St John’s are custodians of Torphichen Preceptory on behalf of Historic Scotland. The remains of the Preceptory are well worth a visit and consist of the tall central tower with the transepts on each side, and the foundations of the associated buildings. St John’s have installed an informative display so you can learn more about this fascinating site and its people.

The Preceptory is open at weekends and bank holidays from 1pm to 5pm, 25th March to 30th September. Adult £2.00, Child £0.80, Concession £1.50.

For more on the order of St John in Scotland, visit http://www.stjohnscotland.org.uk/

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Parents in West Lothian

HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWEN UGLY TUBERS DESPITE TH IDS ABSENCE OF PERIODIC AIR-RA When was the last time you bought an amusingly shaped carrot? A potato whose knobbles and lumps bordered on the risqué?

If you shop at supermarket, probably not recently – you’re unlikely to encounter a radish roughly shaped like ‘The Thinker’ in such a regulated environment.

That is, until now. I recently bought a ‘Wonky Veg’ box from Asda. They’ve been created in answer to uproar about recently publicised supermarket food waste, and they aim to sell less-than-perfect legumes in a box for a knock-down price. Verdict: a) they weren’t that ‘wonky’ and b) they tasted perfect. But wait - why buy someone else’s wonky veg when it is perfectly possible to grow your own aesthetically unappealing (yet delicious) food in your own garden?

In recent years we have tried our hand at growing various fruits and vegetables, with the emphasis on things that can be picked and eaten with little prep in between – strawberries, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers etc. I want it to be obvious to my kids that food doesn’t form magically inside hermetically sealed plastic packaging, but it grew little by little, using the sun and the soil, until it was ready to eat.

Last year, Quinton’s participation in the gardening tasks was limited to looking cute in wellies

The War time Garden at Almond Valley Heritage Centre

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Our column is West Lothia t: Nicola Jengaenga li ves in n with Quin months an d her hubby n 2, Penny 10 Channa, 33 .

Nicola & Ch anna both w ork, jugglin schedules w ith g their two tin the ever-evolving dem hectic y overlords, ands of in some tim and also sq ueezing e for each ot her!

In this new bl the adventu og for Konect she chro nicles res (and m isad Mummy an d Daddy wh ventures) of a the happy ti o aim to wri m ng all babies in w es they can from life w onderful W est Lothian ith their ! and wielding a watering can in a less than safe manner. These sacred duties will now be performed by his wee sister Penelope and this year, my horticultural hopes for Quinton are high. To get ideas and show him what might be possible – on a somewhat smaller scale – we took a trip to the Almond Valley Heritage Centre.

At Almond Valley Heritage Centre there is loads for wee ones to do – outdoor trampolines, a huge covered sandpit, farm animals, tractor rides, train rides, soft play and more. However there is also lots of interest for older kids and adults; our main purpose – which we strayed from only long enough for a go on the cow-shaped bouncy castle – was to visit the Wartime Garden.

The Wartime Garden is a step back in time to when veg came in all shapes and sizes, and when ordinary people were urged to remember that ‘Food is ammunition – don’t waste it!’. It was fun to explain to Quinn (and a snoozing Penny) that the way to get potatoes is to put an old potato in the ground then just wait. I could hear his little brain whirring with wonder at this ‘new-for-old’ potato phenomenon and forming plans to multiply other items – sweets, toys, playmates – by lugging them out the back door and covering them with mud.

So home we went and donned our wellies to weed and top up the raised beds and barrel planters in preparation for planting in the coming weeks – a muddy and sweaty job made slightly more bearable for seeing Quinn’s proud and satisfied face after having dug all of the soil out of a planter I’d just filled. Dig for victory k indeed.

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Spring into to Action in West Lothian West Lothian’s spring season is now in full swing and with the celebrations of Easter reaching an end; it’s time to start thinking about getting outdoors this month. With fun attractions and scenic landscapes, located at a number of fantastic sites across West Lothian, it’s time to spring into action this season.

while Beecraigs Country Park can provide fantastic cycling paths for the perfect outdoor adventure.

Whether you’re looking to improve your fitness or simply want to explore the outdoors, there is plenty to do when looking to explore the beautiful landscape. West Lothian is home to some fantastic scenic walking paths, parks and cycling routes for all ages to enjoy. Polkemmet Country Park and the beautiful loch at Linlithgow Palace are the perfect locations for a quiet stroll accompanied by spectacular views

We have now launched our brand new Visitor Guide for 2016. So pick up a copy in our leaflet stands located at a number of locations across West Lothian, or check out our website for our new online version!

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West Lothian has so much on offer for all those looking to have some fun adventures this spring. So explore the outdoors and enjoy these amazing attractions and let’s ‘Get Active’ this spring!

For the latest on all the great things to see and do in West Lothian please visit www.visitwestlothian.co.uk facebook. com/VisitWestLothian / Twitter.com: @ teamwestlothian.

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FEATURE

The Court Residence, Linlithgow The historic sheriff court building on Linlithgow High Street has been the subject of curiosity locally since it closed its doors seven years ago on the business of local justice that it was purpose-built for in 1863.

Earlier this year a new banner proclaiming the opening of “The Court Residence” appeared.

So I went along to meet Jim Hay, the man who purchased the building from the Scottish Court Service, and to see what he’s been doing with it.

Jim has lived in Linlithgow most of his life and like many others watched with interest to see what would happen to the old building. A local businessman since the age of 23 and always up for a challenge he was diagnosed with leukaemia at 40. Following extensive treatment and a bone marrow donation by a young German donor he made a full recovery. For a while he was just happy to still be alive but the need for a new challenge returned. The opportunity to breathe new life into an old building came along at the perfect time. (By coincidence the Sheriff Court’s tea bar was run by volunteers collecting for the Anthony Nolan Trust whose register was used to provide and coordinate his bone marrow donation!)

“When we purchased the building five years ago, we hadn’t decided exactly what we were going to do with it. We discussed many possibilities before deciding on an aparthotel,” he explains.

“All the facilities of a hotel are on offer including reception and daily housekeeping with the exception of a bar and restaurant as guests can reach out onto the High Street for a choice of those.” He took me on a tour of the apartments, 10

both the finished ones and the parts of the building that are still a work in progress. “We uncovered various original features such as arched doorways that had been filled in, and had to work with the existing room structure which means that there are some fairly quirky features!” Quirky features though are part of the charm of an old building conversion. It also means that each apartment is different; corridors converted for bathroom space; a sunken bath in one of the apartments; a room designed around pillars. Each apartment has a kitchen area with a complimentary breakfast hamper, a desk, easy chairs, smart TV and free Wifi.

Since opening the doors in January, there has been a steady stream of customers.

“There’s definitely a market for this kind of accommodation,” says Jim. “We’re getting interest from commercial customers who are sending clients to conferences in Livingston and want accommodation in a nice historic environment with the loch just across the road, and Linlithgow has a huge choice of places to eat all within walking distance.” It’s also proving a getaway for local people and quite a few customers from West Lothian and Edinburgh have discovered it already.

The large character-filled court room on the first floor is intact with the judges bench, witness box, jury seating all still there and Jim intends to keep it that way - although has not yet decided what the room will be used for. Behind the court room there is a further apartment which has been designed with the a view to possible business conference use and has a mezzanine area (“We’ve tried future-proof as much as possible for flexible use of the rooms”). The single-storey cell block which was added to the original building in 1875 will eventually be accommodation too – if you fancy a night in the cells!

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The building is on the site of a house that was the home of Archbishop John Hamilton (151271) who had a prominent place in Scottish politics in the turbulent years of Mar y’s reign, of whom he was an ardent supporter. From the balcony of his house here on the high street, in Januar y 1570, Hamilton’s nephew James shot and killed James Stewart, Mar y’s halfbrother the then Prince Regent who by this time was openly in opposition to his half-sister. It was the first recorded assassination by a firearm and a plaque on the wall of the Court Residence commemorates the event.

You can book a room at the Court Residence by visiting http://www.courtresidence.com/ or via booking.com. Jim and the staff team will be delighted to welcome you.

win!

A night’s stay for two people at The Court Residence!

To enter simply answer this question: “In what year was the Linlithgow Sherriff Court built?”

Text or email the answer, your name, phone number and email address to 07854 492638 or editor@konectdirectory.co.uk.

Closing date for entries 15th April 2016.

Winner will be chosen at random after the closing date.

(Night stay to be redeemed April to June 2016, available dates to be agreed directly with The Court Residence).

SPOTLIGHT ON...

West Lothian Trusted Trader Scheme It’s all about word of mouth We all know someone who has suffered a disaster of a home improvements project as a result of using unqualified tradespeople. Or heard a horror-story of a tradesperson who has done a shoddy job then disappeared without a trace.

The Trusted Trader Scheme was launched by West Lothian Council in 2013 to tackle these types of problems and to help consumers choose a trader with confidence. In reality it’s almost impossible to eliminate all risk of something going wrong but there are some basic criteria you can check before employing a business. Looking at established local companies is usually a good start. Membership of trade bodies is also a good thing to look out for as it generally means the company has been

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subject to some kind of training and standards certification. Then there is the all-important word of mouth recommendation which many people rely on. But you don’t necessarily know anyone who has used a trader they can recommend, and that’s where the West Lothian Trusted Trader scheme comes in.

The central element of the Trusted Trader scheme is customer testimonials. To become a Trusted Trader a business needs to collect at least five recommendations from customers who were happy with the work they did. These recommendations are proof that the trader is a genuine business who has done satisfactory work for other local people. And once they are a member of the scheme, customers can submit feedback about them to the Trusted Trader scheme at any point – and both the positive and the negative comments are published. The reviews are checked and uploaded to the Trusted Trader website by the West Lothian Council staff who administer the scheme. This reduces the risk of activity that some review systems suffer from - where competitors write bad reviews, or where businesses get their friends and family to all write glowing fake reviews.

Continued on page 14

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It’s in the interest of the trader to encourage their customers to submit feedback so they have up to date feedback for other customers.

For local businesses

Testimonial

If you are interested in becoming Trusted Trader and supporting the scheme, please contact the West Lothian Trusted Trader team on 01506 280000 or email tradingstandards@westlothian.gov.uk for more information and to request an application pack. Being a Trusted Trader helps give consumers confidence in you as a reputable business. There is an annual fee of £100 for non-vat registered companies and £200 for vatregistered companies. Your company details and reviews are maintained and published on the West Lothian Council Trusted Trader web pages. West Lothian Trading Standards will advise you on consumer protection legislation upon request, and publicise the scheme. M. McLaughlan of Armalock Locksmiths is a member. He says, “The customers I get have all been to the Trusted Trader Scheme web site and read my customers’ reviews which I have no input on so it is totally honest and all above board: what the individual reads is what my customers have written. I cannot fault this scheme and I certainly think more small businesses in West Lothian should embrace the opportunity to join the Trusted Trader Scheme.”

“1st Choice Living is extremely proud to have been the 1st company to have been accepted onto the West Lothian Trusted Traders scheme.

It is a great forum which allows prospective buyers to make an informed choice based on actual feedback from previous customers regarding their completed projects.”

Besides collecting customer testimonials, to join the scheme businesses submit an application form with various details about their business, such as qualifications, membership of trade associations, any relevant licences. All details are checked. It’s not essential to be a member of a trade association or to have any particular accreditations to be a Trusted Trader – but a business can’t fraudulently claim to have certifications they don’t have. They sign up to a code of practice agreeing to certain trading standards, including a commitment to honest and fair trading, providing customers with clear information regarding the contract and any warranties, honest advertising, and so on.

Although predominantly aimed at trades, businesses from other sectors can join the scheme, in particular the automotive industry, legal services, counselling, cleaning and childcare.

Sometimes, despite everyone’s best efforts things can go wrong. But by picking a reputable company you’re improving that chances that even if something does go wrong, they will do their best to rectify it in a professional manner.

Look out for the Trusted Trader logo which will start appearing on adverts in Konect as local businesses join the scheme. You can search for a Trusted Trader on the West Lothian council website at www.westlothian.gov.uk/ trustedtrader.

You can submit feedback on Trusted Traders either by a form they give you on completion of the work, or via an online form accessible from the same website.

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SPOTLIGHT ON...

Originally from Edinburgh, Jay Drummond of Saltire Lock and Security has been in West Lothian for thirteen years, where he lives with his wife and four children.

He set the business up just over a year ago and is very enthusiastic about his work: “Every day is a new challenge and something different. I love it.”

Whilst locksmithing refers to making keys, installing and fixing locks, the flip side is, of course, lock breaking. Jay describes the police checks he had to go through before he could set up in business. “It was a very thorough criminal records check, much more rigorous than the usual disclosure process.” Which is no surprise, in the city of Deacon Brodie...

So how did he get into locksmithing? “My fatherin-law showed me an article on it knowing that I was looking for something different to do. I had always been good at those metal puzzles where you have to separate the shapes and it turned out that locksmithing was perfect for me.” He learned the trade under the guidance of a very experienced locksmith locally, and by completing a Master Locksmithing course (he is a member of the Master Locksmith Association).

other keyless products, which are popular with his commercial clients. But for household use, “a key is simply more practical than some of the new technology options.” The keyed lock is, it seems, a piece of technology that has stood the test of a long time, and lock-breaking is not easy despite how it looks sometimes in movies “because working away at a lock for twenty minutes wouldn’t make very exciting viewing!” explains Jay. “I’ve seen Ray Donovan [Amercian TV series about a “fixer” for Holywood’s elite] break a yale lock in a couple of minutes. In reality it would take more like twenty.” To break into your home burglars will try any other method rather than breaking a lock, so a good lock is an effective barrier.

Speaking of burglars ... when on any job, as part of his service Jay offers to look at other locks on your home and do a security review. “Not many people realise that for your home insurance with any British insurer to be valid, you have to have British Standard or Kitemark lock on all external doors to comply with insurance regulations. So I always advise customers of this, and it’s up to them if they want us to upgrade their locks.”

Saltire Lock and Security do key-cutting on-site, and can install window locks and safes. Jay has experience of safe-breaking: “Without giving too much away...if you know where to drill in and what to do you can open them.”

There is no call-out charge. Jay is keen to provide a good value service and relishes the challenges this work throws at him. So for any key and lock related problems, call Saltire Lock and Security who will be delighted to help out.

Jay’s work involves primarily being called out in emergency situations when someone has been locked out of their house or office, and new lock installations for domestic and commercial customers. “I’m called out when someone is in trouble – occasionally at awkward hours of the night. Being locked out or losing your keys is never funny, and it’s very satisfying to be able to solve the customer’s problem and quickly get them safely into their home.”

Jay is undertaking a Paxton course this month to update his knowledge of magnetic locks and

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Vets TIPS If you have small people living in your house, you’ve probably had a visit from the Easter Bunny recently.

And with bunnies on our minds, it’s a good time to think about the rabbit that’s with you all year – and to make sure they don’t have a visit that’s altogether less pleasant.

The latest PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report shows that only 50% of owners have their rabbits vaccinated – and with 1.2 million pet bunnies in the Britain, that’s a lot of rabbits being left vulnerable to killer diseases.

Myxomatosis is a really nasty disease which can affect pet rabbits as well as their wild cousins.

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1 9 3 0

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Our practice is modern, well-equipped and progressive, with a strong emphasis on preventative healthcare and advice.

Linlithgow Branch Surgery, 256 High Street, Linlithgow, EH49 7ES Tel: 0131 333 3203 reception@mackieandbrechin.co.uk www.mackieandbrechin.co.uk

Rabbits can take a fortnight to die and it’s almost always fatal if they’re unvaccinated – but they’ve got a good chance of survival if they’ve had their jab. It’s spread by fleas, flies that bite and direct contact with infected animals and the symptoms include swelling of the head, eyelids and genitals.

Another dangerous but less well known disease is Rabbit Haeomorrhagic Disease Virus. Scientists say a new strain is seeing wild rabbit numbers plummet – and it can affect pets too. This one often has no symptoms and is also almost always fatal. It can be passed from rabbit to rabbit but also via objects such as clothing or shoes.

But the good news is both can be protected against with vaccinations. The vaccines for these diseases need to be given two weeks’ apart, then topped up with an annual booster. And the cost is far less than the price of losing a well-loved pet – ask your vet for advice.

Stuart McMorrow is head vet at the Westport Veterinary Clinic, 8 Preston Road, 01506 844165, www.westportvets.co.uk

1st month free before 30 April 2016

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8 Preston Rd, Linlithgow EH49 7AU KONECT

21

WALK

A walk with features Karen Murray finds a walk around the Scottish Korean War Memorial brings exercise with interest

Getting out the office or house and doing something that is not computer-based is something we should all consider, so when I’m out in the car I keep an eye out for somewhere different to walk.

One place that has always had me intrigued as I have driven by on many occasions is the Korean War Memorial in the Bathgate hills, so on a recent drive by I decided to take the time to stop and have a proper look.

morial Korean War Me The Scottish small comprises a The memorial by ed nd , surrou wooden pagoda for ne (o s ee ne tr 110 Korean pi ed in itons who di every ten Br trees h , 1090 birc the conflict) en) and ll fa of the (one for each way th pa a g alon picnic tables ue. This en Av s on ti Na named United 21 trees, rrounded by avenue is su ne nations -o ty en the tw representing in Korea. the UN force involved in goda nal Korean pa The traditio o died wh e s of thos contains list jority ma st va t, the in the conflic al young Nation of whom were ed on en op te si e Th Servicemen. e 50th th g 00, markin 27th June 20 the of t ar st of the anniversary st We by ed in inta war. It is ma cil. un Co n ia th Lo

Head out of Linlithgow on Preston Road from the west end of the High Street, following the sign to the Korean War memorial. It is three miles along this road, and there is a layby with space for several cars to park near the entrance.

Although a walk was what I had in mind, it’s really worth taking the time to wander around this unique memorial before heading off - or if the weather permits take the time for a picnic after your exercise at one of the picnic tables here.

The walk begins at the memorial and follows a path uphill – follow the surfaced path to the left behind the memorial. It turns into a fairly uneven rocky path as you head uphill. You go through a gate and follow the signpost to the Refuge Stone and Witchcraig Wall. The Witchcraig Wall is a sheep-fold shaped enclosure providing a viewpoint and sheltered resting spot. Built in 2003 through the co-operation of a number of organisations, it incorporates 43 rocks of differing geological interest collected from across the Central Scotland panorama that you can see from

The Scottish Korean War Memorial KONECT

The Refuge Stone: The large stone built into a wall near the Witchcraig Wall is thought to be one of four ‘refuge stones’ that formed a circle at a radius of one (Scots) mile around Torphichen Preceptor y. (The stone was moved here from its original location). They are thought to be prehistoric but reused in medieval times to mark out a sanctuar y - there is also a refuge stone in Torphichen Kirkyard, which marks the centre of the sanctuar y circle. All of the area within the circle formed by these stones was a legal sanctuar y, like the church itself, offering protection from the law to criminals who remained within it. You can find the locations of all the stones and more information from the Canmore website at https://canmore.org. uk/event/707566

here. A large stone built into the wall behind this enclosure is another object of interest (see above sidebox).

stop here. There are also loos so a good place for a break (and a large play park across the road from the BBQ site if you have little ones in tow).

From the information sign follow the path north, walking downhill and through woodland - Witchcraig Wood. At the bottom of the hill the path veers left and after approximately 175 yards you should see a stile on your right. Cross this stile and follow the path to a gate, taking the right track. As you pass a metal gate take an immediate right to pick up a smaller path (Guthries Path) which takes you uphill. At the top, after a dip, take the path to your left until you reach a wider path.

It is then first a left turn followed by a right turn onto a track signposted Balvormie.

To continue the walk, turn right on the road and head up a tree-lined avenue. At the top of the hill take the path to the right at the Beecraigs Country Park boundary sign, which will take you back onto Guthries Path. You can then retrace your route back to the War Memorial.

Follow the Balvormie sign and head through a meadow and along to the BBQ site at Beecraigs before reaching the road. You could make a picnic KONECT

This route is about 4km and will probably take you around 1.5 hours. If you’re short of time - maybe trying to fit in a bit of exercise in your lunch hour - you can walk up to the Witchcraig Wall, across to the Refuge Stone, enjoy the view and make your way back down again. It doesn’t matter how short the walk - you will still feel the benefit for heart and mind!

23

ProPerty Matters

“Avoid the Void”

By CrAig Turpie

One of the worries that many landlords understandably experience is the possibility that a month or more will pass between lets when their investment property remains unoccupied.

This can be a serious problem that can adversely affect the short-term cash-flow you so meticulously planned as a route to longer term investment success. Even worse, each month during which a property remains un-let represents an 8.3% reduction in revenue – which can be more than a whole year’s yield!

Voids can happen for a number of reasons – a tenant leaving early, prospective tenants letting a landlord down at the last moment, personal circumstances, a glut of similar properties becoming available locally, or a dearth of suitable tenants, which can be seasonal. Perhaps the property is somewhat unusual or is simply too expensive.

Some landlords seek to avoid these void periods by immediately reducing the rent in order to secure a tenant quickly. What a shame – as over a year that loss may be as great as a month’s void!

The best way of avoiding void periods is to employ a good letting/managing agent whose job it is to plan for such eventualities in advance. A void should never be an insurmountable surprise to them, especially when they know a tenancy is coming to an end. We often have panicking landlords wondering what to do, but fortunately we always have a ready supply of waiting tenants, we are meticulously aware of current rental values, and can advise on how to present your property so that it lets quickly.

Whilst the National average void period is about 20 days (source ARLA), this can be significantly reduced by careful planning and pre-marketing by your agent. Our tenant referencing and other processing procedures are pretty slick, although we say so ourselves, and our greatest delight comes from knowing that our Landlords can sleep easy at night, knowing that they have tenants in their property doing likewise!

Landlords… how long does your average tenancy last?

The industry average in Scotland is 15 months* Turpie & Co’s average is 26 months!**

26% of our tenancies last 3-5 years

18% of our tenancies last 6-12 months

56% of our tenancies last 1-3 years

Saving up to 6 re-let fee’s

Premier Letting by Turpie & Co 01506 668448 turpies.com

*ARLA PRS report – December 2015 **Turpie & Co figures as of January 2016

Saving up to 2 re-let fee’s

Saving up to 10 re-let fee’s

Recipe & Food Notes

bY Anne Pinkerton

“Cookery for Every Household”

Recently, walking about Edinburgh’s West End, I was given a leaflet about famous people who had lived there.

From a cook’s point of view the most interesting person of the area was Florence B Jack of Athol Crescent. She really was the Scottish Mrs Beaton and perhaps the Athol Crescent Cookery School’s greatest teacher. (The school became the core of Queen Margaret’s University). She was extremely practical in her ideas about food, cooking and the skills needed to run a household on a budget; things we very much need today. I was inspired to buy her book and to my delight found it on Amazon from a charity bookseller.

“Cookery for Every Household” was published in May 1914. In the preface she explains, “As an active teacher, I have found that even the best books frequently assume in readers a knowledge which they do not in fact possess...This book is not merely a recipe book...many trifling but necessary details are included.” She ends saying, “As attractively prepared food is so important to the health of everyone, and as it is easy to rest upon one’s achievements and fall into a groove, I strongly urge all who are charged with the cooking for a household to try new dishes, so as to introduce variety into the daily bill of fare.” The style of language is a little stilted but in all else she is 100% correct.

There are parts of the book we don’t need to know about today; (napkin folding, how to use a hanging meat safe...) but the food uses a wide range of fruit and vegetables and is practical to cook at home. There were some topics missing - no recipes for salmon but ten ways to serve cucumber hot! The cooked puddings are delicious.

Chestnut and custard pudding caught my eye. She explains how to stuff olives with pimento, sardine or lemon and how to make Rowan or Mountain Ash jelly. Thankfully all are to be found on

supermarket shelves today. She even tells how to make Chapel Window cake. It is Battenberg cake but with 3 colours of sponge cake sandwiched together with apricot jam and surrounded in marzipan. Hers cost 1d per slice, mine more like 45p!

Near the end is a chapter on herbs and spices.

“Success in cookery depends to a large extent upon the proper use of seasonings, flavourings and spices.” With such good teaching available, how did food at home gain to such a poor reputation? The answer, I think, is the marketing of food multinationals who want us to think we can’t produce good, interesting food for ourselves. We can. It can be a pleasure to share these skills and involve children so they too will be able to enjoy sharing and preparing food.

Chicken Cardinal 1 chicken jointed; or 8 pieces of thighs or drumsticks.

Some stock (from a cube today) 250g button mushrooms 1/2pt tomato sauce (from a jar today) 12 cherry tomatoes Salt black pepper Method Brown the chicken in an oven proof casserole dish. Add the sauce and stock to cover the meat.

Cover and cook gently till tender, approx.1 hour.

Fry the tomatoes but do not burst them. Sautee the mushrooms in a little butter. Take the chicken from the casserole and put in another dish with the tomatoes and mushrooms. Keep warm. Boil the chicken sauce till thick and glossy, then pour over the rest of the ingredients and serve with rice, boiled potatoes and a green salad.

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1 teaspoon chopped parsley 1 shallot chopped, fried in a little butter Salt, pepper, pinch dried mixed herbs 1 tbsp. of the gravy or sauce from the meat or a little white sauce Method

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Remove the stalk and hollow out the fruit careful not to puncture the skin. Keep the inners and sieve them and add to the stuffing.

Make the stuffing by mixing together the rest of the ingredients. Pile loosely into the tomatoes and bake for about 20 minutes in a moderate oven 160oC. till browned.

Note: the above stuffing can be varied according to taste and materials to hand. Add a few chopped mushrooms, grated cheese or use cooked rice or pasta, or again any nicely cooked vegetable such as peas, asparagus tips cauliflower etc. or use less stuffing and bake an egg in the tomato instead.

Let us turn your ideas into cake heaven your smallest detail is our greatest pleasure.

Celebration Cakes, Corporate Events, Wedding Cakes, Cupcakes and Treats

KONECT

27

PUZZLES

CROSSWORD

Solution in the May edition of konect

Across 7 Sight (6) 8 Female relative (6) 9 Largest continent (4) 10 Fit and healthy (8) 11 Beetles, ants etc (7) 13 Animal furs (5) 15 Invoices (5) 17 Considers (7) 20 Taking small bites (8) 21 Solely (4) 23 Distributed (6) 24 A capital city (6) Down 1 Fasteners (4) 2 Buccaneer (6) 3 Young children (7) 4 Sailing boat (5) 5 Involuntary action (6) 6 Menacing (8) 12 Loudest (8) 14 Harshly (7) 16 Hard work (6) 18 Drenches (6) 19 Feathered friends? (5) 22 Stolen goods (4)

SUDOKU

Sudoku solution on page 31

28

KONECT

Buster the Dog

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KONECT

29

WHAT’S ON

and Useful Information Daily to Sunday 17 April 2016 Elaine Allison: “Branch Lines” Exhibition At Linlithgow Burgh Halls. “Exploring themes of a search for identity through sculpture, screen printing and mixed media, Elaine Allison also incorporates found objects in intimate yet poignant arrangements.

Sewing and embroidery as well as traditional sculptural methods all combine in this unique exhibition that subtly explores the genetic, social and environmental forces that help to shape us all.” Free Entry. Building opening times Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat: 9am-5pm. Tues & Thur: 9am-9pm. Sun: 11am-5pm.

Sunday 2nd April Easter Fun Run in Beecraigs Country Park Annual run organised by West Lothian Run. 2k, 5k & 10k fun runs. Registration opens 9.30am, 2k run starts at 10.20am. Or register online at www.westlothianrun.org Saturday 9th April Before Beecraigs Ever wondered how Beecraigs Country Park came to be the park it is today? Delve into Beecraigs’ hidden past and find out about its earlier land uses, with the West Lothian Country Park Rangers. Suitable for all. Meet: Sutherland Building, opposite the Visitor Centre. Time: 2pm-4pm. Cost: free. Book with the Rangers on 01506 844516, email: mail@beecraigs.com Saturday 23rd April Linlithgow Farmers Market The Cross, High Street, Linlithgow.

Friday 22nd April Buglife “John Muir Pollinator Way” Project.

Workshop and walk run by Buglife https://www.buglife. org.uk/campaigns-and-our-work/habitat-projects/ john-muir-pollinator-way. Both events are suitable for

clubs & classes

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

2nd West Lothian Scouts The Scout Hall, 6 Dog Well Wynd, Linlithgow.

Beavers (age 6-8) meet Wednesdays; Cubs (age 8 - 10.5) meet Mondays; Two Scouts troops (age 10.5 -14) meet Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact Group Scout Leader Nick Moody at scouts2wl@hotmail.co.uk.

Substantial waiting lists for all sections - new adult volunteers always welcome.

The Caring Cafe Low Port Centre, 1 Blackness Road, Linlithgow, EH49 7HZ The Caring Cafe is a meeting place where people with dementia and their carers have a chance to meet others in a similar situation. Meets monthly on the

30

all and free of charge but must be booked directly with Buglife via email: suzanne.burgess@buglife.org.uk or phone: 01786 447504. For both events meet at Balvormie Pond, Beecraigs Country Park. Please wear sturdy footwear and bring waterproofs.

Grassland Habitat Creation and Management: Join Buglife in this two hour outdoor workshop to learn about creating and managing grassland meadows as well as other associated habitats at Beecraigs Country Park. Time: 10am-12 noon.

Pollinator Bug Walk: Join Buglife in a bug walk at Beecraigs Country Park to look at the pollinating insects that can be found in the grassland meadows. This walk will focus on our pollinating insects including bumblebees, hoverflies and butterflies but also other invertebrates that need these habitats to survive. Time: 1pm-3pm

To include your event here, please email editor@konectdirectory.co.uk or call 07854 492638.

library information Linlithgow Library The Vennel, High Street, Linlithgow, EH49 7EH Tel: 01506 775490 Email: linlithgow.lib@westlothian.gov.uk Opening hours: Mon & Fri: 9.00am - 5.00pm Tue & Thur: 9.00am - 7.00pm Wed: 9.00am - 3.00pm Sat: 9.00am - 1.00p Storytime: Stories and art activities for children 3-4 years during term time - every Monday and Friday 10.30am. Linlithgow Book Group meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 6pm to discuss their chosen novel. Bookbug sessions: Stories, songs & rhymes suitable for all under 3’s and their grown-ups.

3rd Wednesday of every month 10am - 12noon (Lunch available after the café in the Lowport Centre cafeteria).

For people who are able to attend safely on their own or who are accompanied by someone to support them.

Contact Margaret or May from Linlithgow Link on 01506 845137 or email Co-ordinator@linlithgowlink.org.uk Linlithgow Bridge Playgroup Chalmers Hall, Main Street, Linlithgow Bridge Tue-Thu: 9:15 am - 11:45 am during term time. No minimum number of sessions. £7 per session. For more information contact lbplaygroup@gmail.com

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 KONECT

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Bathrooms

Bathgate Bathroom Studio 15 Duffy McLean 19 S and S 13

Builder

DB General Builders

9

Cafe/Tearoom

Hopetoun Coffee Bar Brodies of Linlithgow

4 5

Cake Maker

Truly Scrumptious Designer Cakes 27

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Food Creations

27

E-Cigs

Ecig Studio

Electrician

Simply Electrical

Turpie 24

Furniture & Furnishings

Shapes 2

Garden & Landscaping Gardens Galore The Garden Studio Verdant Lawns

Garden Buildings

Garden Buildings Champfleurie Estate Ltd

Heating Services Duffy McLean

Hydro Kleen 29 C and W Cleaning Services 29

Catering

Estate Agent

4 20

Homes for Sale Miller Homes

Joiner

Geoff Vinter Joinery GR Construction

Kitchens

Duffy McLean S and S

20 5 5 29 17 20 32 19 20 19 13

Solution to March Crossword

Solution to Sudoku Page 28

Across: 1 Neat, 3 Ignorant, 9 Natural, 10 Navel, 11 Early, 12 Oceans, 14 Sewing, 16 Absent, 19 Potato, 21 Tiger, 24 Pulse, 25 Fearful, 26 Nineteen, 27 Used.

Down: 1 Nonsense, 2 Actor, 4 Gallop, 5 Ounce, 6 Advance, 7 Till, 8 Crayon, 13 Startled, 15 Woollen, 17 Betray, 18 Coffee, 20 Agent, 22 Gifts, 23 Open.

KONECT

Locksmith

Linlithgow Locksmith Saltire Lock & Security

Mobility

Med Ecosse

Motorhome (hire/sale) Motorhome Hire Scotland

Security Services

Saltire Lock & Security

15 19 16 4 19

Plumbing Services

Almondvale Plumbing & Heating 14 Forth Plumbing & Heating 9

Trusted Trader Scheme

West Lothian Trusted Trader 12

Vet

Mackie and Brechin 21 West Port Veterinary Clinic 21

Windows

1st Choice Living

15

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

31

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for the period 1st April 2016 to 31st March 2017. If you qualify for Help to Buy assistance and you raise a mortgage for at least 80% of the purchase price of your new home from a lender, the Scottish Government will provide funding for up to 15% of the purchase price which is secured by a standard security over your new home. A 5% deposit is required by the lender. More may be required depending upon circumstances and your lender’s criteria. Help to Buy (Scotland) is subject to eligibility and terms and conditions. Terms and conditions apply. For full details visit www.millerhomes.co.uk/helptobuy. †Part Exchange is subject to availability, status and eligibility. Your present home must meet certain basic qualifying criteria and be of a lesser value to be eligible for Part Exchange. 100% market value based upon valuations obtained by appointed scheme surveyors. Terms and conditions apply. **Fees will be paid up to 1.5% of the Assisted Move house value. Home Report and Estate Agent’s fees paid for following instruction made by or on behalf of Miller Homes. No reimbursement will be made for marketing fees or Home Report instructed prior to commencement of Assisted Move scheme. Home Reports only applicable in Scotland. Price and availability are correct at time of going to print. Photography represents a typical Miller Homes’ exterior and interior. Carpets and floor coverings are not included in our homes as standard.