PLUS: HEALTH & BEAUTY, MONEY MATTERS, PUZZLES, and more LOCAL FEATURES inside!
We often start the year with a focus on health and fitness; all too often by February the will is fading! So our health feature in this issue looks at the wonderful facility that is parkrun - a free, organised, weekly walk or jog in one of West Lothian’s country parks. It’s on every Saturday, and is a lovely supportive community if you’re looking for a way to incorporate more movement in your life without pressure.
With all our usual columns included, it’s great to be back publishing after the festive break, and I hope you enjoy Konect this month. The Film Review is an extended version this month as Robert managed to get an interview with one of the actors.
William Weir’s walk feature in Livingston doubles as Local Environment notes, with his wonderful descriptions as ever of the nature to be enjoyed. Getting outdoors for an hour is an antidote to many things, and we have so many paths and trails right here in town to enjoy without needing to go far at all. Make a batch of the Brownie Bite Energy Balls from Nutrition Scotland on the recipe page and take them for a mid-walk treat!
We’re looking forward to another year of celebrating all things local with you!
Every Saturday morning a little before 9:30am, a small crowd gathers in each of West Lothian’s three beautiful country parks, and in a few other locations in the surrounding area.
Many dressed in what could be described as “garish casual” attire, and sometimes with a fun dress-up or two thrown in, they are meeting to walk or jog an organised scenic 5km trail through the park.
This is parkrun and parkwalk. It’s a global phenomenon that has been responsible for transforming the mental and physical health of countless people over the past 21 years. Parkrun and parkwalk are the same event: you choose to either walk or run the route.
It’s seemingly incredibly simple: the opportunity to walk or jog once a week and at informal yet organised event. It’s completely free to participate, the trail is fully marshalled,
there is the option of recording your time if you wish, going to a nearby cafe for breakfast afterwards, or going straight home.
What’s the attraction? Why has the simple act of meeting for a walk or jog with a bunch of people you don’t know (yet) become such a successful and well-loved institution? There are currently nearly 900 parkrun locations in the UK, with 80 in Scotland; more are being added regularly.
One of Livingston parkrun’s Run Directors, Alan, says, “I think that the most amazing thing with parkrun is the strong sense of belonging that can develop over time for runners, walkers and volunteers alike. We definitely feel like a big family, with relatives all over the country!”
Since its beginnings in England in 2004 parkrun has managed to maintain an informality combined with excellent organisation. Their strapline is “free, for everyone, forever.” For people who want to walk or run with others but are anxious about joining a group, parkrun and parkwalk perfectly strike the balance. You can turn up and be part of it without joining a group, or having to introduce yourself
in any way, or committing to attendance. You can participate alone, or with a friend; you’re encouraged to register, but can go anonymously; attend once, or go every week –nobody is counting except you. Take your dog and your kids; go to one closest home or visit one the other side of the country. It’s a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and completely judgement-free. People of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels participate. Walk, walk/jog, or run flat out, it’s entirely up to you. There is always a tail-walker so you are never alone at the back. (If you’re very fast you may be alone at the front, but there are marshals to guide you!).
And it can become addictive! Some people travel all over the country - and the worldchasing different parkrun challenges. Speaking with some of the organisers of local parkruns for this article, David from Polkemmet Country parkrun and Ian from Beecraigs told me that a number of them have completed the “Albateer” challenge – doing all Scottish parkruns (although with new ones popping up regularly, it’s not fully complete for long!) David has done a parkrun in all 26 countries in the world where there is one. Some people reach 100 parkruns (or more!) and complete it with balloons and celebration cakes to share; some quietly complete their 100th without telling anyone. You genuinely run your own run, or walk your own walk. The magic of parkrun is that the way you do it is the right way for you, and you will be fully supported by the community regardless.
An article on parkrun and parkwalk would not be complete without mentioning the volunteers who make it happen every week. As a free event, parkrun relies entirely on volunteers to check the course, marshals directing the way and applauding participants, time-keepers, tail-walkers and a host of other roles. People volunteer for many reasons; I have spoken to some who do it to give back as parkrun has helped them turn their own lives around in some way; some do it for the camaraderie and community; some want to be part of parkrun without actually running or walking. For David, who runs and volunteers regularly at Polkemmet, parkrun started as a social run on a Saturday, and he ran nearly 70 times before volunteering...but now the
volunteering is on an equal footing with the running. He says, “It’s a great community and a good chunk of the volunteers are now very good friends and it is this, as well as the obvious benefits of a run/jog or walk, that make a Saturday morning a parkrun morning.” Whatever the reasons, everyone who volunteers, either one-off or regularly, is making an enormous contribution to a community which is quietly changing lives for the better.
If you are looking for a way to improve your mental and physical health this year, try parkrun on Saturday. Register at parkrun.org. uk and rock up at one of the locations below. All commence at 9:30am every Saturday morning. There is a pre-event briefing so aim to arrive by around 9:15am if you have not been before. If the weather is bad, please check each parkrun Facebook page for updates in case of cancellation. It is unlikely to be cancelled for a bit of rain, but ice or snow may stop play.
• Polkemmet Country parkrun - All details at parkrun.org.uk/polkemmetcountry Updates at facebook.com/ Polkemmetparkrun
• Beecraigs Country Park parkrun - All details at parkrun.org.uk/beecraigscountrypark Updates at facebook.com/ beecraigscountryparkparkrun
• Livingston parkrun - All details at parkrun.org.uk/livingston. Updates at facebook.com/livingstonparkrun
• Auldcathie District parkrun - All details at parkrun.org.uk/auldcathiedistrict Updates at facebook.com/ auldcathiedistrictparkrun
• Bo’ness Foreshore parkrun - All details at parkrun.org.uk/bonessforeshore. Updates at facebook.com/ bonessforeshoreparkrun
A map of all events is at the main parkrun website: www.parkrun.org.uk
This article was written by Helen-Jane, editor of Konect magazines, who recently discovered the joy of parkrun!
SMALL AD
BIG Impact
To be included in Konect, please contact us. Our details are on page 3.
As we get older, hospital stays can become more frequent. While being discharged is often a relief, a safe return home depends on having a well-planned discharge process. Without the right support in place, people can quickly become unwell again and risk readmission.
NHS discharge teams play a key role in planning what happens next. A good discharge plan should look beyond the hospital doors and consider both immediate practical needs and longer-term care.
In the short term, this means making sure the person isn’t returning to an empty fridge and has essentials in place until family, friends or carers can help. Medication should be clearly explained, with easy-to-use packaging such as blister packs where possible, to avoid confusion at home.
Many people need ongoing support after discharge. The hospital may arrange a care
assessment to see whether NHS continuing healthcare or local authority support is appropriate. If state-funded care is delayed, it’s worth asking about direct payments or personal budgets, which can be used to arrange alternative community care and may speed up discharge.
Good communication is vital. Families should be given notice of discharge, especially if they need to provide care temporarily. Hospitals should also coordinate closely with care providers so that support is in place from day one.
Discharge planning should include onward referrals, such as rehabilitation services, and practical arrangements like transport home, suitable equipment, and access to new supplies such as continence products.
When discharge planning is done well, everyone benefits: hospitals free up much-needed beds, and people return home safely, with the right support to recover and stay well.
The Living Well column is contributed by Home Instead West Lothian. Contact them for advice and support on 01506 346046, email info.westlothian@homeinstead.co.uk or see www.homeinstead.co.uk/west-lothian
Bombastic and melodramatic. Those were the first two words that came to mind when the credits rolled on Edward Berger’s latest tale, Ballad of a Small Player. Reminiscent of Hong Kong and Chinese dramas in both tone and heightened emotion, the film follows Lord Doyle, played immaculately by Colin Farrell, a compulsive gambler who is one hand away from paying off all his debts, and he has a lot of them. From the hotel he’s staying in to the people he’s wronged in the past, everything is closing in. We follow Lord Doyle as he spirals into despair, clinging to the hope that he can find enough money to make that final, life-changing bet.
Visually striking, this may go down as one of the best-looking films on the entire Netflix platform. The score is overwhelming to the senses, its prominence in the mix is impossible to ignore, yet musically sublime. There isn’t a single technical misstep, and performance wise there isn’t a weak link either. Colin Farrell is a generational actor, and with the right material, he can work wonders.
It’s that material, however, that may prove divisive. The narrative, while not cliché, is predictable, and the ending won’t surprise many viewers. It’s a slight disappointment, especially given how central Lord Doyle’s navigation of Macau’s gambling underworld is to the story. Still, the journey is thrilling enough to make it worth watching, and the fact that it’s on Netflix makes it even more accessible.
INTERVIEW WITH
ALAN K CHEN
ROBERT: Can you give a brief introduction of yourself?
ALAN K: I’m Alan K Chen. I was born and raised in Hong Kong. I was really a shy kid; it wasn’t until I studied abroad in Melbourne that I started acting, and I started auditioning for other things. I started my own theatre company. I started auditioning for short films and commercials. I just made a lot of student films from there on, and then one thing led to the other, and then here I am landing on this amazing project.
ROBERT: So how much of the script were you given?
ALAN K: I was given the whole script. I went to Macau for a costume fitting, and there were table reads in the afternoon. I was so nervous, and that table read was epic; I couldn’t even count how many awards they had around that table. Colin Farrell was there, and I was with Anthony Wong, and we were sitting together, some of them were on Zoom, and Edward Berger; they’re all such talented people. I’ve never seen so many talented people around the same table.
ROBERT: What was it like working with Colin Farrell and Edward Berger?
ALAN K: It was intimidating at first, but they turned out to be some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. From the call backs to the table reads, on set, and even when I saw them at the Zurich Film Festival, they were consistently calm, kind, and generous. Personalities can get exaggerated on film sets, but theirs never did.
Available to stream on
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.
Let,s Give Up ON GIVING UP
Winter is a beautiful season with its cosy lights, warm fires, and crisp weather encouraging us to wrap up well and get outside. However, after the sparkle and shine of Christmas it can feel a little flat when all the twinkly lights come down and we are faced with a darker and colder time of the year.
It’s no surprise then that we are drawn in by the notion that, if only we can make huge, dramatic and often painful changes to our lives, we will expel the darkness and have a bright new future. We convince ourselves that, by declaring that this will be the year that we will give up alcohol, carbohydrates or sugar forever, we will transform our lives. However, choosing to focus only on withholding the things we enjoy is what ensures that many of these aspirations fall at the first hurdle.
It’s important to celebrate the fact that we are already doing many things well, whether that’s managing family commitments or our workload. Sitting down and identifying our achievements instead of putting all our energy into another list of things we think we should give up is a positive first step. When any life changes we want to make are focussed on thinking differently about ourselves and building on what we do well instead of feeling the need to make big sacrifices, everything suddenly feels easier and more sustainable. Deciding to do more of what we love and less of what we think we should do could transform our lives forever.
The Life Coaching column is contributed by Francine Orr, NLP coach, hypnotherapist & reiki practitioner. Francine is based within Linlithgow Chiropractic on Wednesday afternoons and is also available online. See www.orrganise.co.uk
At Care UK’s Edinburgh care homes, you can live each day your way. We have everything you need to enable you to continue enjoying a fulfilling lifestyle.
Do you remember the story of how snow got its colour? A long, long time ago everything on earth had its own colour apart from snow.
Snow asked everyone if they would share their colour but no one offered to help apart from the snowdrop who offered to share its colour white with snow, and so snow became coloured white from that time forth.
We mightn’t be hoping for snow this month but we know that the first snowdrops will appear later on and give us carpets of white across our gardens. This carpet is at House of the Binns, the National Trust of Scotland’s property just outside Linlithgow. Seeing these early flowers excites everyone with the thought that Spring is on its way and this enthusiasm
has resulted in the annual great Snowdrop Festival. For details of gardens open under the Snowdrop Festival visit discoverscottishgardens.org
We have had more success in establishing snowdrops in our own gardens by planting clumps of them ‘in the green’ rather than the little bulbs available in the autumn. Either buy pots of bulbs from the garden centre or dig up existing clumps of them when they are flowering, or have just finished flowering, and divide them into smaller clumps before replanting. They enjoy soil that doesn’t get waterlogged or too dry in the summer, in sun or partial shade.
The Gardening Project is contributed by Dougal Philip, New Hopetoun Gardens. Inspiring, informing and entertaining, for more than 40 years.
St. Mark’s Unitarian Church in Castle Terrace, the only Unitarian church in Edinburgh, is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. There have been Unitarian congregations in Edinburgh since 1776, but the meaning of the name has changed with time. Originally used to affirm the oneness of God as opposed to the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, it has evolved to represent a ‘unifying’ home for all who are on different spiritual journeys, from Christians to atheists. Whilst drawing on the inspiration of Christianity and other religions, philosophies and nature, it encourages members to be openminded and develop their own spiritual paths. The welcome and peaceful atmosphere of the church sanctuary are not unique to St. Mark’s, but aspects of the service are. Led by either the resident minister, The Rev. Janine Sim, a visiting minister or lay preacher, you won’t be asked to recite ancient creeds, there may, or may not,
be readings from the Bible, but there will be thoughtprovoking readings from secular works and references made to other religions. There will be moments for meditation or prayer, a sermon on the theme of the service, which can be found before the service by Googling www.edinburgh-unitarians.org.uk, musical interludes and probably three hymns.
After the service you can enjoy light refreshments in the adjacent church hall where you will meet and make friends with people from not only Edinburgh but also from many other places in Britain and the world. You may want to come again.
This article was contributed by Martyn Baguley. Martyn lives in Colinton and is a member of St Mark’s Unitarian Church.
MONEY MATTERS
AFTER LOSS: How to navigate your finances when your partner dies
Pension scams cost UK savers over £17.7 million in 2024, with average losses of £33,848 per victim1. Taking advantage of regulatory changes fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated tactics and vigilance is essential.
It’s very hard when a partner dies but understanding how to cope with your new financial situation can make things a little easier. Feeling confused or overwhelmed in this situation is normal and understandable.
KEY RED FLAGS INCLUDE:
find you’re entitled to a payout (which could be a lump sum or small annual amount).
• Unsolicited contact offering a “free pension review” or “guaranteed returns”
• Cold calls about pensions (illegal in the UK)
• Requests for personal details following an offer
• Pressure to act quickly, often with false deadlines
• Recommendations to transfer to a single investment fund with incentives
TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
• Verify advisers on the register.fca.org.uk
Factor in single allowances: Don’t exceed your ISA allowance. There’s no restriction on how much you have across all your ISAs, but you can now only put in one person’s allowance in a year. Similarly, each person is covered for £120,000 saved with the same financial institution under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Check you don’t have more than that saved (including in cash ISAs) in one place.
• Use strong passwords and enable two-step verification
Take your time: Both your income and spending will change significantly when you move from being a couple to a single person. It can take six to 12 months to get the true picture.
According to Action Fraud, 519 pension scam cases were reported in 2024, totalling £17.7 million in losses—equivalent to £48,129 stolen per day. The most common tactics include pressuring individuals into risky investments and impersonating pension holders to access accounts. Despite the scale of the problem, fewer than one in five victims report the crime2.
Make lists: As you wade through paperwork, try creating two lists. One is your regular income and expenses, and the other is all your savings, investments and assets, plus any debts. Using these two documents together is key to understanding your financial position.
• Monitor accounts regularly for suspicious activity
If you suspect a scam, contact your bank and pension provider immediately, and report it to actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040
Ask for help: Don’t be embarrassed to ask seek advice from financial organisations. Many have a dedicated bereavement team trained to support people who are bereaved and with expert knowledge of the specific financial upheavals they face.
1 ActionFraud, October 2024
2 The Pensions Regulator, March 2025
Get to grips with pensions: While many pensions stop paying out when the person dies, you may
The Pensions Regulator warns that scammers are exploiting confusion following recent changes to inheritance tax and pension rules. Savers considering early access to tax-free lump sums or transferring funds outside pension wrappers may be especially vulnerable.
For specific advice about financial and other help after the death of a partner, go to www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/bereavement. This is also helpful if you are under retirement age, when you may be eligible for a nonmeans-tested Bereavement Support Payment.
The Money Matters column is contributed by Lucy Logan. Lucy lives in Calderwood and is the Principal of Calderwood Financial, an Associate Partner Practice of St. James’s Place.
The sun has yet to breach the horizon and it’s bitterly cold, a thin layer of snow covering the ground, as I make my way across the park from Livingston FC Community Club towards the reservoir.
It’s not long before I reach the water’s edge, but instead of the waterlily patchwork of summer I am met with a three-acre expanse of ice, product of the past week’s freezing temperatures. In that moment, I realise that today my search for the usually abundant water birds may be in vain.
Created in the 1970s, Eliburn Reservoir acts as both a flood prevention measure and a water source for the town of Livingston. It’s also home to a variety of wildlife and is a popular course fishing site, stocked with trout, carp and other species. And it’s as I round a corner approaching one of the numerous fishing platforms that I encounter a wonderful sight that makes my morning.
The entire reservoir is not frozen over after all. At the edge of a triangular inlet, an area roughly twenty metres by ten is free of ice and within it are congregated the reservoir’s entire population of waterfowl. The contrast with the otherwise deserted icesheet is stark.
Today, this is The Centre of Livingston’s bird world. There are adult swans, impossibly white, accompanied by two immature birds - last year’s cygnets. There are ubiquitous mallards too, tufted ducks dapper in white and jet black, coots, moorhens, and the diminutive dabchicks (little grebes) who dive shyly below the surface when I first appear.
The swans are the chief icebreakers of this collective; they have the weight and strength to break through the newly frozen surface before the ice becomes too thick. Drawn by these openings and the need to feed, other species follow suit and it is only by their continual movement that the surface remains ice free. There’s certainly much motion this morning. Ducks dabble back and forth, periodically hauling themselves up on to the edge of the ice to shake and preen. A coot high-steps across the ice on large, lobed feet, like a snorkeler who has forgotten to remove his flippers. One of the young swans tests its wings enthusiastically with a great whooshing of air.
After a while I pull myself away from this engaging scene and continue onwards. Past the dam at the reservoir’s western end the terrain drops away, and the path descends into pinewoods. A woodpecker drums somewhere in the tops. I make my way down through the trees to pick up the Lochshot Burn path. It’s easy walking along this well-made path, accompanied by relaxing babbling of the burn. Within one curve of the waterway stand nine mysterious snow-dusted figures, waiting in the cold - the Livingston Stone Circle, a modern take on the neolithic.
Where the burn flows into the River Almond I bear left and continue along the river in pleasantly wooded surroundings,
stopping on my way to admire the delicate almond-rose hues of a female bullfinch in the overhanging branches. Soon I reach a bridge, which extends Livingston Village’s Main Street across the river. Glancing up to my left I see the historic Livingston Inn and saunter up for a closer look. The Inn dates from c1760 and Robert Burns is reputed to have stayed here. From here you can walk along Main Street and rejoin the river path, accessed just after Bloom Place. The trail then passes through the elongated expanse of Livingston Village Park where the trees on all sides are alive with the calls of a host of winter birds - goldfinch, blue tit, great tit, coal tit and robin. Towards the eastern end of the park, I track away from the water, picking up the Alderstone Path which skips north past the Geddes House business centre where I turn west, making for Cousland Road. Passing briefly through Cousland Woods and a residential street I follow a sign for the Folly Burn path, spiralling up and over a footbridge then on to Peel Park.
Peel Park takes its name from the original Peel of Livingston, a moated, fortified tower house
dating back to the 12th century. All that now remains is a grassy mound marking the site. Adjacent are the ruins of Livingston House which stood here from the 17th to 19th centuries. Today, snow lies upon the cracked and weathered walls, or what’s left of them. I wander through the ruin, pausing in front of the old hearth. In my mind’s eye I am transported back three hundred years to a dark, cold January day when the fire roaring within would have been a welcome sight for the returning residents. Perhaps even Burns himself may have come to call?
GET THE ROUTE ON OS MAPS!
I cross the Folly Burn, following a path northwest beneath Eliburn Road and through some residential streets to join Kirk Road Strip running west. This leads me into Old Livingston Wood. It’s mid-morning now and the sky has cleared to azure blue. The low sun shines through bare birches, casting long shadows across the path, alternating with white snow like one long bar code. Soon, I’m back at the reservoir’s eastern shore. Glancing across the ice, I notice a family now feeding the ducks and swans and, smiling, return to my starting point.
Allow 1.5 -2hrs (6 km), all paths are well surfaced.
This article was contributed by William Weir. William is a scientist and amateur writer/ photographer who lives locally. In his spare time he enjoys exploring the trails and wild spaces of West Lothian and the Pentland Hills.
Parsnip and apple combine deliciously in this seasonal soup. If you like a creamy texture just serve with some vegan yoghurt and toasted almonds! Apples are so versatile in cooking, they’re great in both savoury and sweet dishes. They add sweetness and can be grated into breads, scones, curry or tomato sauces.
Ingredients:
• 1 tbsp of olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic finely chopped or crushed
• 600g parsnips – diced
• 600g Bramley or Braeburn apples – peeled and diced
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp dried sage
• Salt and pepper
Method:
• 1.5-2L of vegan stock
1. Heat the oil in a large pan and add the prepared vegetables and apples. Cook for about 5 minutes
2. Add the vegan stock and sage. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the vegetables and apples are soft
3. Remove soup form the heat and blitz with a hand blender until smooth. Add cider vinegar and stir well
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste, serve and enjoy!
These energy balls are perfect for snacking and carrying on the go! Packed with slow release carbohydrates in the oats, they’ll give you the energy boost you need! Plus- chocolate flavour and no baking required, what more could you ask for?! Various ingredients can be added to the basic recipe, like nut butters or desiccated coconut. You can use Medjool dates instead of honey if you have a food processor or blender- just make sure to check the consistency so you’re able to roll into balls that will keep their shape!
Ingredients:
• 90g oats (gluten-free if needed)
• 3 tbsp cacao powder
• Water
• 1 tsp vanilla extract • 2 tbsp honey
Method:
1. In a bowl mix together the oats, cocoa powder, vanilla extract and honey
2. Add a tablespoon of water if needed, to help the mixture ball together
3. Take a tablespoon of the mixture and roll into a ball. Repeat until you have approximately 12 balls Keep in an air-tight container for up to 10 days
Both recipes supplied by Nutrition Scotland www.nutritionscotland.org
In collaboration with Dr Laura Wyness (RNutr), the Registered Nutritionists at Nutrition Scotland helped to create the Scottish Eatwell Guide, the first Scottish adaptation of the UK Eatwell Guide. By showcasing the wide range of delicious and nutritious foods available in Scotland, we hope to inspire individuals to adopt a healthy, balanced diet, while also celebrating Scotland’s natural larder. We aim to promote better health outcomes, promote environmental discussions and bolster the economy through the consumption of locally sourced produce.
One of the quickest and easiest ways you can improve your wine drink experience is to upgrade your wine glass!
When I started studying wine at ‘wine school’, we used an ISO standard wine glass. It meant that the glass would not influence the tasting and we could focus on grape variety, aromas, flavours and writing tasting notes.
I decided it was time to start experimenting with different glasses. Could a wine glass really influence the way a wine tastes? You might not believe it, but it can!
My (non-scientific!) experiment involved two bottles of white wine: an oaked chardonnay and an unoaked, crisp grapefruit bright Riesling. I purchased a chardonnay glass and a Riesling glass from Riedel and poured each wine into the wrong glass. The wines tasted the way it should. There was nothing wrong with the way the wines tasted. I then sampled the wine in the correct wine glass - wow! What a difference!
Both wines transformed! The chardonnay glass, a wide, goldfish like goblet glass, encourages you to smile while drinking. The wine to washes across the whole of the palate. The oaked chardonnay’s flavour and texture were enhanced. The acidy in balance. The Riesling glass, like a flute glass, had focused the wine onto the tip of the tongue - ideal when tasting Riesling, but not a creamy character chardonnay! Likewise, the Riesling benefited from the change in glass. The wine became laser focused and balanced.
Give it a try! Treat yourself to a new wine glass and try your favourite wine in it – can you taste a difference?
The monthly wine tasting column is contributed by Joanne Frette. Joanne lives in Juniper Green with her husband and three children. For wine recommendations, reviews and details of future tasting events, please go to swirlsipsocialise.com
SMALL AD
BIG Impact
To be included in Konect, please contact us. Our details are on page 3.
FEBRUARY CROSSWORD
^^^ Solution in the MARCH edition
ACROSS: 7. Red fruit (6), 8. An agreement (6), 9. Water activity (4), 10. Pieces (8), 11. Non-attendance (7), 13. Slightly inebriated (5), 15. Quarrel (5), 17. Brine (7), 20. Holding tightly (8), 21. Pain (4), 22. Customer (6), 23. Soak up (6).
DOWN: 1. Spider’s trap (6), 2. Tepid (4), 3. Neat (7), 4. Begin (5), 5. Determined (8), 6. Smells badly (6), 12. Supplied with (8), 14. Line drawing (7), 16. Infrequently (6), 18. Cling to (6), 19. Unclean (5), 21. Plus (4).
FEBRUARY SUDOKU
WE LOVE TO CELEBRATE ALL THINGS LOCAL !
If you or someone you know, has an interesting experience, an unusual job, does extraordinary charity work, has a crazy hobby..... get in touch via editor@konect.scot and we may be able to share it.
(You need to live and/or work in the Mid Calder, East Calder, Kirknewton, or Pumpherston areas to feature in this magazine)
FEBRUARY HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS AT POTTER AROUND, KIRKNEWTON
Monday to Friday (mornings) during the holidays. Activities include Potter’s Wheel, Ceramic Painting & Clay Handbuilding. Overton Farm, Kirknewton, EH27 8DD. Please see www.potteraround.co.uk for times, cost, details and booking.
THURSDAY 5TH FEBRUARY
West Lothian Prostate Cancer Support Group - Provides help and support for men recently diagnosed with Prostate Cancer. Next meeting, which includes guest speakers, is at 7.00pm on Thursday 5th February at Crofthead Community Centre, Livingston, EH54 6DG. ALL WELCOME.
SATURDAY 7TH FEBRUARY
Friends of Almondell Country Park
Volunteering session - The Friends of Almondell's monthly practical project meeting. Volunteer group helping to conserve and maintain the 220 acre Almondell & Calderwood Country Park including the Oakbank extension. Meet at the Visitor Centre on the first Saturday of the month 10.00am -12.00noon, new volunteers always welcome. To find out more contact the Ranger Service on 01506 882254, or email almondell&calderwood@ westlothian.gov.uk. Facebook: 'Friends of Almondell & Calderwood Country Park' Please book a space (FREE) via the West Lothian Council Ranger Service’s Eventbrite page, so that they can update you if there are any changes to the session arrangements.
FRIDAY 13TH FEBRUARY
An evening with Jane McCarry and Mark Cox Get ready for a night of laughter, stories, and surprises as two of Scotland’s favourite comic talents take to the stage. Includes live audience Q&A. Tickets £25 + booking fee. Reconnect Howden Theatre, tickets and information via: www.howdenparkcentre.co.uk
WEDNESDAY 18TH FEBRUARY
West Lothian History and Amenity Society - ‘James VI and I and the legacy of witchcraft panics’. The speaker is Dr Steven Veerapen of Strathclyde University whom you may have seen recently as one of the talking heads on a television documentary about Guy Fawkes. Two or three years ago he published ‘The Wisest Fool: the lavish life of James VI and I’, a biography that was acclaimed by reviewers, and by Philippa Gregory, no less: ‘It does not flinch from the flaws of character and the errors of rule… makes a fair analysis of James the man as he struggled to become James the king… a real page-turner.’
But Dr Veerapen’s talk will direct our attention to the witchcraft panics that seized Scotland and many parts of Europe in the late 16th and 17th centuries – from which, of course, West Lothian was not exempt, with some 100 accused. But the subject of the talk is not the witches or witchcraft cases themselves but the legacy of the panics in the shifting power balance between church and state, shifts in belief and in judicial thinking. Come along and hear an excellent speaker on a fascinating topic. 7.30pm, Ecclesmachan Village Hall. Nonmembers are welcome by donation. If you’d like to join the society (£20 for all seven talks), come to a meeting and speak to any committee member, or email us on wlhaas@hotmail.com
EVERY SATURDAY
Bathgate Market & Car Boot Sale - Bathgate Outdoor Market 9.00am to 2.00pm. Parking available in Gardners Lane Car Park and Acredale Car Park. Access via Whitburn Road on the road between H&M and Home Bargains.
WANT TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT HERE? COMMUNITY AND NOTFOR-PROFIT LISTINGS ARE FREE OF CHARGE.
EMAIL EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT BY 15TH OF THE MONTH FOR FOLLOWING MONTH’S ISSUE.
SPORTS, HOBBIES, LEARNING, SUPPORT GROUPS & MORE...
KIRKY KLUB - Kirky Klub is a FREE family-friendly social event with a Stay & Play, Cuppa & Cake, and Preloved items. Launch: Saturday 15 November, 10.30am to 12.00noon, Kirknewton Village Hall. After launch, Kirky Klub runs the 1st Saturday of every month. More info: bit.ly/4h3VFIh
WALKING FOOTBALL WEST LOTHIAN - For everyone over 50, no matter your level of fitness. Come along and get yourself a wee bit fitter. Hot drinks, biscuits, good company included! We meet at: Xcite Bathgate - Mon: 10.00am, £1; Broxburn Juniors Ground - Tue: 10.30, £3; Murieston Sports Park (Apr-Nov) Wed: 10.00am, £1; Xcite Craigswood (Dec-Mar) Wed: 10.00am, £3; East Calder FC - Thu: 11.00am, £1; Whitburn Community Centre - Thu: 10.30am, FREE. Just turn up 15 mins before KO, or contact: T: 07775 188218 E: jim.barrie@hotmail.co.uk
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTIVE LIVES - Cyrenians OPAL (Opportunities for Active Lives) works with people aged 60+ promoting active and fulfilling lives, creating and enriching communities which empower all to remain independent, living at home and socially connected. OPAL supports over 25 Community Groups throughout West Lothian for people to attend, engage with others and build new friendships. They also provide a time limited one-to-one befriending service built to improve confidence. To find out more please contact 01506 815 815 or opal@cyrenians.scot
FORGET-ME-NOT CAFE - Run by Alzheimer Scotland. A relaxed informal meeting place that gives people living with dementia, their carers, people who may have concerns about their memory or just want to a chance to meet others in a similar situation. East Calder Parish Church Hall, EH53 0HF, Last Thursday of the month, 10.00am – 11.30am.
E: westlothianservices@alzscot.org
T: 01506 533108
GIRLGUIDING - Girlguides have a range of groups from age 4-14. All girls are welcome to join in, learn life skills, do crafts, earn badges and go on adventures. Visit girlguiding. org.uk for times and days available across West Lothian.
MID CALDER COMMUNITY HUB
- Every Thursday 12 till 2.00pm. Institute Hall (Community Centre) Mid Calder. We have free teas and coffee along with cake and biscuits together with a warm welcome and friendly chat. Open to all. We look forward to seeing you soon. Any questions just pop in to see us.
MID CALDER WOMEN’S
GROUP - Mid Calder Women’s Group would like to welcome new members. We are a group aged 60+ who meet each Monday at the Institute Hall, Mid Calder, from 12.45pm until 3pm. Cost per week is £3/member. We organise various activities including, games, quizzes, bingo, well being exercises and regular talks from external speakers and entertainers. We also arrange coach trips to places of interest. Interested? Please contact Jackie on 01506 883205
SUKHA YOGA - 'Sukha' means happiness, pleasure, ease or bliss. If any or all appeal to you come along to yoga sessions. Every Wednesday in Dave King Partnership Centre, East Calder. Now two sessions availablechoose either 6.00pm -7.15 pm or 7.15pm - 8.30pm. Contact me for more info or to book.
T: 07767 777044
E: ruth@sukha.co.uk
MID CALDER BABY & TODDLER
GROUP - Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am - 11.30 am in The Institute Hall Mid Calder. We have a huge toy selection, offer arts and crafts and supply a small snack. Adults can have a hot drink and a chat whilst the children play happily. Session costs are £1 for under 1s and £2 for over 1s. Follow us on Facebook or email: midcalderbabygroup@gmail.com for further details
EAST CALDER PLAYGROUP - Mon-Fri 9.00-11.00am for 2-3 year olds @ The Dave King Partnership Centre. Lots of fun activities while learning through play. Stories, songs, craft, small world, sand, water, outdoor fun & lots more. For more information
call /text 07748053340 or pop in and see us.
SINGERGIE CHOIR - Singergie is a totally free, singing for fun choir with 2 locations in West Lothian. MONDAYS: 7.00-9.00pm, The Village, Oakbank Road, East Calder. FRIDAYS: 10.00am – 12noon, East Calder Bowling Club. No auditions, no fees, no stress. Good songs, easy harmonies, friendship and fun. And you get a cuppa thrown in too. Won’t cost you a penny. No need to book, just turn up and you’ll be made very welcome.
WEST
LOTHIAN LITTER
PICKERS - We’re a group of over 3000 West Lothian residents, so if you want to help clean up your community, like we do, come join the group on Facebook “West Lothian Litter Pickers(Act Local Think Global)”. We organise group litter picks or put you in touch with a buddy in your area to get you started. We can even provide you with equipment at no cost to you.
EAST CALDER NEEDLECRAFT CLUB - Get crafty with us! Join East Calder Needlecraft Club who meet every Thursday from 6.30pm-9.00pm at the Dave King Partnership Centre, Main Street, East Calder, EH53 0EP. All crafts welcome, Meet fellow crafters, learn new skills and share your passion. Beginners and Pros alike. Call 01506 882699 for more info or drop by, we can't wait to meet you.
EAST CALDER OVER 50s CLUB
- Held in The Dave King Community Centre, Main Street, East Calder every Wednesday from 1.303.30pm (September-May) Please contact Gillian on 07415309886 for further details.
POTTER AROUND AT POTTER AROUND - Potter Around is a local pottery and ceramic painting studio based in Kirknewton. We offer taster sessions on the potter’s wheel for ages 5+. We also do clay imprints – a great memento to keep forever and we have a huge range of pre-made ceramics which are great for handprints, but also for people of all ages to paint. Our shop sells gorgeous handmade gifts including pottery and jewellery. Check our website for details: www.potteraround.co.uk
EAST CALDER SCOUT GROUP
- Providing fun and exciting scouting programmes for children in the local area, from age 6 upwards. We meet on a Monday or Tuesday,
depending on the child’s age. Adults interested in becoming leaders will be made very welcome. We also hire the scout hall for one off occasions or for other groups to use, to benefit the local community. Find out more at our website: eastcalderscouts.uk
Advice (phone or face to face). For information:
T: 01506 448000
E: office@carers-westlothian.com
W: www.carers-westlothian.com
SOLUTION TO DECEMBER CROSSWORD
SLIMMING WORLD - East Calder Bowling Club, 255 Main Street, East Calder. Tuesdays 3.30, 5.30 & 7.30pm, Wednesdays 9.30 & 11.30am and at Geddes House, Livingston, EH54 6GU on Thursdays 9.30. New and returning members always welcome. Contact Sue: 07803 520781
GENERATION ARTS - We are a Creative Arts charity based in West Lothian. Our classes are as follows:
SOLUTION TO DECEMBER CROSSWORD
Generation Dance (Thursdays) - 10.30am at Livingston United Parish Church, Carmondean. Music&Singing Group (Thursdays) - 12.00pm at Bathgate Partnership Centre. Generation Dance Bathgate, Seated (Fridays) - 10.30am at Rosemount Gardens, Mid Street. All classes have a suggested donation of £4. Other arts projects available. Contact: E: generationarts.info@gmail.com T: 07521 358 239
CHORAL HIGHLIGHTS LADIES' CHOIR - Would you like to join in with some fun at our friendly community choir? We meet in Mid Calder at 7.30 pm on a Wednesday. Our music consists of a wide range of materials from musicals, traditional, pop favourites and lots more. We’d love to welcome singers from across West Lothian. To find out more or to join us please contact John Rankine at john.rankine@ lineone.net
SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE XX
CHOOSE YOU YOGA STUDIO & WELLNESS HUB - Dedicated yoga studio in Carmondean, Livingston. Build strength, flexibility and resilience, and support mental health, joint pain/illness/injury recovery. Iyengar yoga 6.00-7.15 & 7.30-8.45pm Monday. Antenatal yoga 5.45-6.45 and Vinyasa Flow 7.00-8.00pm Tuesday Seasonal yoga 5.30-6.30 and Yoga Basics 6.45-7.45pm Wednesday. Iyengar yoga 6.007.15 & 7.30-8.45pm Thursday. Iyengar yoga 9.45-11.00am Friday. Carmondean, Livingston. T: 07810 824 195 E: info@chooseyouyoga.co.uk W: chooseyouyoga.co.uk or on Facebook
INFORMATION & SUPPORT - A free, confidential service providing a ‘listening ear’, emotional and practical support, help to access benefits/financial advice and other local services. Expert information for anyone affected by cancer – yourself, a relative, friend or carer. Face to face appointments at Partnership Centres in Bathgate, Livingston North, Broxburn, Fauldhouse and Blackburn. Phone and email support also available. Please call 01506 283053 or email MacmillanWestLothian@ westlothian.gov.uk
Disclaimer: The publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage caused by error in the printing of an advertisement. We do not endorse any advertisers in this publication. All material is accepted for publication on the understanding it is copyright free. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher.
Magazine Design: Alan Stewart Design T: 07729 911858
CARERS OF WEST LOTHIAN - Support and social activities for Carers, Young Carers and Disabled Adults. All our carers groups are offered blended – both in person and face to face, as are our social groups: weekly Coffee Morning; monthly Mental Health Support Group, Evening Support Group & Bereaved Carer Support Group as well as groups for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers. Regular Social Groups for Adults with disabilities. Power of Attorney Clinic (face to face) & Benefits
NETWORK - Social activities for the over fifties. Run largely by volunteers we offer a wide range of interest groups to help you stay fit and healthy in both mind and body, whilst socialising with others. Something for everyone, but, more importantly, the chance to meet up and join in with old friends or make new friends along the way. Annual joining fee £36. Follow our Facebook page, visit westlothian50plusnetwork.co.uk or call 01506 635510
TO INCLUDE YOUR CLUB OR CLASS, PLEASE EMAIL DETAILS, UP TO 75 WORDS, TO EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT
NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS ARE FREE. THERE IS A SMALL CHARGE FOR BUSINESSES. SEE WWW.KONECT.SCOT FOR INFORMATION.
Disclaimer: The publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage caused by error in the printing of an advertisement. We do not endorse any advertisers in this publication. All material is accepted for publication on the understanding it is copyright free. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher.
