Konect Bathgate March 2016

MARCH 2016

bathgate

WIN!

£20 voucher plus an Easter egg from Tesco Bathgate FEATUREs

s& Offer ers h c u o v cal from lo ses s e busin

Bathgate Community First Responders - Local heroes New column! - Parenting in West Lothian Scott Kyle - “Let ideas evolve” plus local businesses, community information and more!

The community magazine for Bathgate and Torphichen

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LOC AL PEOPLE

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

O

ur main interview for this issue was with a group of local heroes - the Bathgate Community First Responders.

I was bowled over with amazement when I learnt about them and what they do in our community, see pages 8 to 10.

We’re launching a new column this month on parenting in West Lothian by a local mum, and looking forward to reading her adventures as she navigates life in West Lothian from the point of view of a young family – see page 16 for the first instalment.

For our Local People column we caught up with Scott Kyle, who does a great job managing the Bathgate Regal Theatre, and has a parallel life as an actor and producer, see pages 24 – 25.

All our usual columns are here. Thanks for reading Konect and supporting local businesses.

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

FEATUREs Bathgate Community Fir st Responder s 0 8 Spotlight on Saltire Lock & Security 14 REGULARS Parenting in West Lothian Music Review Local People: Scott Kyle Inter ior s Proper ty Matter s Recipe

16 18 24 26 29 30

COMPETITIONS & PUZZLES Crossword Tesco pr ize draw

32 31

COMMUNITY What’s on Useful Information Clubs & Classes

34 34 35

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

38

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 Directory is delivered to 10,000 homes throughout Bathgate and Torphichen. Copies are also left at the library, convenience stores, post offices and other locations around Bathgate.

Front cover: Bathgate Community First Responders.

Photography by DACP Images Colin Allan

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FEATURE

Bathgate Community First Responders

The real race for lives

When you dial 999 for an ambulance, did you know that as well as dispatching an ambulance, in some circumstances the service calls a volunteer in your community to attend the emergency if they are likely to get there before the paramedics?

These life-saving volunteers are called Community First Responders. Not every community is fortunate enough to have them, but the Bathgate group was set up six years ago by Bathgate residents Richard Proctor and Paul Grant. Paul Grant was the Scottish Ambulance Service Area Service Manager for West Lothian and identified that Bathgate could benefit from a Community First Responder group. So along with Richard he set about looking for volunteers - Richard worked in the Ambulance Control Centre (today an active paramedic) in South Queensferry and had been involved with Penicuik Community First Responders so was aware of how they provided vital support for the ambulance service. They put up posters appealing for volunteers. One of the people who responded was Stefan Hickman from Boghall, whom I met last month to find out more, along with volunteer Mags Black from Broxburn.

“It’s a very specific service, focused on emergencies related to cardiac arrests and suspected heart attack.. Situations where getting the right help to someone in those vital first few minutes can make all the difference to the outcome,” explains Stefan. “As Community First Responders living nearby we can often get to someone quicker and that time before the arrival of the ambulance can make all the difference and even save someone’s life.”

As it happens Stefan works for a local familyrun first aid training company in Bathgate. “My business and my volunteering work for Community First Responders are really both just an extension of my outlook – I will always go to the help of 8

a neighbour and always have done, so why not formalise that and join the team of on-call volunteers for the ambulance service? For me, having the ability to help is what keeps me doing this.”

The local team of volunteers take turns at being on call, having the dedicated phone and kit bag with them, and they scramble to the emergency - just like firemen and paramedics - when a call comes in at any time of the day or night. They put in as many or as few hours on call as they can spare depending on their own circumstances.

Community First Responders come from all walks of life; they have in common the desire to save lives, and the scheme means that just about anyone can do that. They receive intense initial training and monthly refresher courses in the specific situations they are called out for - emergencies where someone has become unresponsive, anything to do with chest and heart, injuries sustained when someone falls when they become unconscious, heart attacks, epilepsy. They are trained in CPR [cardiopulmonary resuscitation] and administering oxygen. “It has a huge impact on survival rates if someone can get there in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest. Once the Ambulance Control Centre has dispatched the ambulance they then dispatch the Community First Responder to get there ideally within that crucial first few minutes.” They are trained to deal with the whole emergency situation, which could include family members panicking, and keeping everyone calm until an ambulance arrives.

Besides being on call themselves, the group is committed to raising awareness of cardiac issues, providing training for the public to help people survive. “It’s about changing the culture.

We want to get to a stage where it’s normal for pretty much everyone in society to know what to do when someone loses consciousness or has a heart attack. Scottish Ambulance has a vision to have 500,000 more people trained in Scotland in CPR by 2020.” With this goal in mind the Bathgate Community First Responders run free training sessions, delivering the British KONECT

Community First Responders may get to the scene before the ambulance and provide vital care (patient posed by model)

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A major project for the Community First Responders and the ambulance ser vice is the mapping of publicly accessible defibrillators. Stefan says, “Many businesses and organisations have defibrillators on-site, and we’re working on getting a map of ever y defibrillator in the area and asking the organisations to make them available for public use.” When an emergency happens, the chances are that the patient is only minutes away from a life-saving defibrillator in an office or shop somewhere nearby. But if no-one on the scene knows it’s there, or are not able to access it, a life may be lost that could so easily have been saved.

Heart Foundation’s emergency life support programme called “Heartstart” - two hour course covering simple skills that can help save someone’s life. And there is no minimum age for learning this. Unlike a full first aid course which covers a lot of situations Heartstart is just a couple of hours of basic skills that anyone can learn. Mags Black of the Broxburn group says, “I do training sessions for children from P1 upwards; even if they are physically not able to turn an adult over into recovery position at that stage, it’s a matter of normalising it in our society so that children grow up with that knowledge – so that when someone is unwell it’s normal for just about anyone to know what to do.” They visit all sorts of groups including Brownies, Scouts, Boys Brigade and schools to talk about what Community First Responders do.

“A defining moment for me a couple of years ago was when an 11 year old child, who had had the training, was present when his dad had a heart attack,” Mags explains. “The boy knew who to call, what to do whilst waiting for the ambulance and took control of the situation.”

There is one in the Bathgate Regal Theatre – who else in this area has one?

A kit bag for one area of First Responders costs around £3000, besides running costs.

All fundraising for this is done by the group themselves. Since the Bathgate group set up, others have come forward in Armadale and Whitburn too. These are volunteers who set the groups up, got the training, raised the money and bought the equipment … then placed themselves on call in order to save the lives of their neighbours. If you’re looking for a worthy cause to support you’d be hard pressed to find a better one locally.

Please contact them: * if you’re interested in joining this team of local heroes. (You don’t have to have a first aid or medical background, as you are given all training required) * if you run a club of any sort and would like your group to receive the 2.5 hour life-saving “Heartstart” training session. Suitable for ages 5 – 105! * if your organisation has a defibrillator which can be added to the database of publicly-accessible defibrillators.

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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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Parents in West Lothian

HOW TO KEEP YOUR MONKEYS ACTIVE IN THE EVENING EVEN WHEN BUNTY IS BLOWING RAIN SIDEWAYS So the year of the Monkey has dawned in the Chinese Lunar Calendar – Xin Nian Kwei Le! I lived in China for years and the culture of evening exercise, outdoors activities, and the general convention of not being in your house in the evenings is common to everyone there – this counts for kids too from as young as you can imagine.

That might be alright if you live in China, however, a West Lothian February is not to be trifled with; especially with storm after innocently-named storm (“Storm Bunty just blew away my cat!”) making conditions outside unbearable for even the hardiest souls among us. So what do you do when you have a little naughty primate who needs to burn off energy but you also don’t want to have to pluck him out of a tree in the middle of a hurricane?

Recently soft-play venues have been a life-saver for us – when I finish work at 5:30pm and it falls

Our column is West Lothia t: Nicola Jengaenga li ves in n with Quin months an d her hubby n 2, Penny 10 Channa , 2 2 1/4.

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 ! to me to look after the babies I take them to our nearest one which is at Xcite, across from the Designer Outlet in Livingston – and Quinn gets to run wild for as long as he can. I am constantly amazed at his gross motor skills; climbing, jumping, ducking under things, balancing etc.

Yesterday, I decided to head to the Xcite venue in Bathgate – I’d heard their soft-play was a bit bigger and more challenging – just what we need!

When we arrived, a birthday party was just winding up so the soft-play was packed with assorted cake-stuffed offspring on sugar-highs – all the better for Quinn as he loves to get jostled about with the older kids and I’m sure he imagines in his head that he is about 7 years old. I sat at the side and fed Penny, waving and cheering dutifully as Quinn summited various stages of the apparatus, and ‘wheeeeee’-ing with delight as he came down the slides in ever more ill-advised positions (backwards on his knees is the current favourite).

Dinner at home was a peaceful affair – Tang Cu Li Ji (sweet and sour chicken) with white rice in honour of the occasion. Quinn is going through a phase where any rice-based dish will meet with approval – maybe he has heard the old Chinese wives-tale used to chastise picky kids – “Every grain of rice left in your bowl becomes a maggot to eat you when you’re dead!” (Chinese sayings can be a bit blunt when translated!)

By 7:30pm Quinn was puffed out and ready to sleep – mission accomplished!

Soft play at Xcite 16

So maybe it wasn’t tai-chi in the square, or ping pong on a roundabout island, but my little Monkey had found a way to have fun and be active on a winter’s night! Jia you xiao hai! (Go for it wee k man!)

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17

MUSIC REVIEW

The Unoriginal Soundtrack

by James Kerr, Regal Music Club

Watching The Martian recently I was enjoying Matt Damon’s easy going struggle with an oddly non­threatening Mars whilst waiting for someone to finally say, “Oh, I know, why don’t we just...”, wait, spoilers.

Suddenly though I had the red mist descending here on Earth as the stranded astronaut discovers a stash of music on a hard drive and it turns out to be disco classics, because…reasons.

Disco classics. On Mars. All so the studio can fully embrace creative bankruptcy and push a rehashed cash in soundtrack album. I wasn’t at that meeting but I’m fairly sure it went something like this: “Hey this Martian thing is sci-fi right? What worked for Guardians of the Galaxy? Ok, that’s settled, good

meeting, lunch?” Cue Hot Stuff by Donna Summer, and, horribly shoehorned out of time and genre, Waterloo by Abba. Full disclosure: I love both those records and would play them 10,000 times before, say, Pet Sounds or Astral Weeks, but the continual (over)use of a tiny well of seventies pop in place of a unique instrumental or vocal soundtrack is a worrying trend.

Every film theme cannot be a Jaws, Third Man, Star Wars, Godfather, but it could at least form part of the kind of the artistic process, hence Bond or, Lord have mercy, a Titanic heart going on.

There is, in addition to the CD of will-this-do disco, a release of the especially composed Martian soundtrack by Harry Gregson. You’ve seen the film, right? Whistle the theme. Don’t worry, unlike Matt Damon’s character, you are far from alone.

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23

LOCAL people

“Start with the best intentions and let ideas evolve”

The actor, producer and manager of the Bathgate Regal Theatre speaks to Konect about life on set and behind the stage.

Scott has a string of stage, film and TV credits to his name, and is currently filming in a major TV series that will be on our screens later this year. It sounds very glamorous: he’s picked up by a driver and taken to the film location, escorted into his trailer where he is served breakfast and anything he needs is brought to him. Costume and makeup staff come to prepare him and he’s escorted onto the set. “But it’s not glamorous,” he explains, “actually you’re just a cog in a wheel – you’re picked up and waited on hand and foot so that the producers know exactly where you are at all times and you’ll be ready when you’re needed on set.” And he is conscious that if he messes up there is a long queue of actors behind him who fit the bill and he could simply be replaced. Such is the precariousness of earning a living as an actor. Scott has full time work as Artistic Director and Manager of the Regal, using his annual leave to do film and other acting work. But he got here the hard way; he spent years touring with his own theatre company, is aware of the high unemployment rates of actors and is passionate about improving prospects for young actors and getting people into theatres.

“I realised in my second year Acting and Performance course at City of Glasgow College that most of the students graduating ahead of me had no work to go to. So I set up my own theatre company so that at least myself and my class would have work. We’d make it for ourselves.”

Scott called the company No Limit People (NLP) Theatre. He found the script for a show called “Singin’ I’m No a Billy, He’s a Tim” in the library, and the fledgling NLP picked this for their first 24

Scott Kyle, Actor, Producer and Manager of the Bathgate Regal Theatre. production, performing in local pubs and the college. Then Scott managed to talk his way into larger venues including the Citizen’s Theatre in Glasgow. He arranged a tour, and to cut a long story short they toured that show successfully for 5 years, at ever-larger venues. “It was a while before I realised other theatre companies had funding from bodies such as Creative Scotland, so they made money whether they sold tickets or not”. NLP however had no funding and had to rigorously market to get the audiences in. But it was very successful (“I made enough money to buy my mum a house, that was a good feeling”) and in the fifth year they booked the SECC in Glasgow – playing to 3000 people per night. They were much bigger-risk shows and it was a lot harder to make money. So why did they go for the bigger-risk venues? Scott looks bemused - “We never did any of it for the money. That was a nice side-effect. As actors we just wanted bigger and bigger audiences!” Eventually the show’s author removed Scott’s rights to it, and Scott moved on to various film roles and other theatre shows.

Three years ago he was asked if he could help turn around the fortunes of the Regal Theatre.

“I was willing to do whatever it took to make it work,” he says of his efforts here. Drawing on his experience as an actor, producer and marketeer, he has made it an act-friendly venue, and does everything in his power to get people KONECT

into the theatre to experience a live show. “We use the theatre as a venue for all sort of clubs, and I hope that by coming here and getting familiar with the venue, people will realise it’s a great place and with fantastic facilities, and be more inclined to come here for a show.”

Initiatives he has promoted include the Regal Academy of Performing Arts, the Regal Film Academy, Tech School, Regal Radio and monthly comedy nights. He has many ideas for the way forward and utilises his contacts from within the entertainment industry to bring some big names to Bathgate.

“We have a great team of volunteers here. There’s a willingness to pull together to make the theatre work,” he says. A local roofing company painted the theatre for free, many of the ushers are volunteers and the tech team, which started as a tech school that they paid to come to, now do all the tech work on a volunteer basis in return for the training they receive. “We start with the

best of intentions and let ideas evolve. Bathgate’s very friendly, folk will do each other a good turn,” observes Scott, and that’s a big part of the theatre’s success.

Scott has seen acting friends hit the “big time” and become famous, losing their anonymity. Is he ready for this to happens to him? “It’s not where I want to go. If you’ve got a lucrative role that will keep you comfortable for years it might be worth it. But to do a short series or a single film that is so big you lose your anonymity for months or even years after it’s over – that’s not such a nice thought.”

He was in the BAFTA-nominated film Kajaki in 2014 and has worked with some great directors and producers in recent times. But what he really wants is for you to go along to the Regal, support the little theatre companies and the students he is training there, and most importantly, enjoy k live theatre at a great local venue!

Scott on the set of Kajaki, a 2014 film set in the war in Afghanistan.

Interiors feature

Open Plan Living… and Shoes! by ecko

There are some basic human needs essential to our survival – oxygen, water, food, shelter, sleep…and shoes; preferably Jimmy Choo’s.

There’s another human need however, which is not mentioned on the list, and that’s the need for space – ask any girl with a collection of Jimmy Choo’s and she’ll tell you the same thing.

Wardrobe, or shoe storage space is one thing though – living space is another kettle of fish entirely and there’s definitely a move towards living a more uncluttered and minimal lifestyle.

Open-plan living is nothing new but in the last five years, according to numerous consumer reports, it’s on the rise. In fact some national newspapers have reported that UK homeowners are so desperate to knock down walls that one in five who tried to convert their homes have caused damage with an average cost of £8,000 per household – or to put this in real terms – around 20 pairs of Jimmy Choo’s! The moral of the story is therefore to leave it to the experts and go shoe shopping instead. If you do crave open-plan living and more space however; perhaps for a new, open-plan dining kitchen combined with a family room, a home office or even a fitness suite

there’s a new product on the market which will not only give you the space you need in record time – it will be less expensive than either moving home or having a traditional extension built.

The SpaceKube is a new innovation from local home improvement company Ekco and it’s proving to be the answer to space issues for homeowners across Scotland from Edinburgh to the Borders. As soon as the product was launched during the latter part of 2015 the company received a number of orders straight off-plan. So what is a SpaceKube and why is it proving to be such a hit?

The SpaceKube is a modern, modular, extension room designed and engineered in the company’s workshop and then put together like a huge jigsaw in a few short weeks on-site before being fixed to your home. Ekco has been designing and supplying kitchens, bathrooms and bi-fold doors since 1999 so it seemed like a natural step to create a room to house everything else in. So now the company has orders for SpaceKubes to create open-plan kitchens and dining rooms, additional bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and even one for a home office. So how about a SpaceKube walk-in wardrobe complete with ample shoe storage? According to Ekco anything’s possible.

KITCHENS | BATHROOMS | BIFOLD DOORS | SUNROOMS

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

And, if you need some extra space or simply a place to relax and unwind then we can create that lifestyle sunroom you have always dreamed of.

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ProPerty Matters

“Manage Your Investment”

BY CraIg TurpIe Some landlords, especially those who are new to the experience, understandably wish to use a letting agent simply as a route to market in order to find a tenant. However, whilst a return on investment is one thing, sleeping well at night is quite another! A managed service is not just about chasing late rent, resolving disputes and inventory control.

had a “problem landlord” in the past so they tend to stay longer.

When your property is professionally managed, it’s all about accountability.

This means regular inspections to check that your tenant is treating your investment with the respect it deserves.

During these inspections, well-trained staff are able to identify any areas that should be investigated in order to avoid or reduce costs later. An example would be a blocked gutter. Normally, you would only hear about this when the tenant calls you to tell you that water is coming in, plaster has come away from the wall and there is mould on the ceiling.

Call in the dehumidifier, plasterer, and painter – and you have a large bill and an unhappy tenant.

One of the most important considerations is that as property managers, we get to know our clients’ tenants, and have a good understanding of their plans, often pre-empting a premature departure, so we can prepare and let the property in time to avoid it being empty – even for a day!

Many tenants also prefer to rent a property that is managed through a letting agent, possibly because they have

Additionally, no matter how compliant a tenant may seem at the outset, the last thing a landlord needs is someone phoning him/her at all hours with the same minor issue over a draft, dripping tap, clanking pipes, noisy neighbours, etc.

All of these are part of a day’s work for a dedicated managing agent!

Most of our landlords derive great value from our managed service and we invite you to experience the difference yourself!

Recipe & Food Notes

by Joe Boothroyd

Gluten free Bakewell tarts

Those of you who have tried making your own G/F pastry will know how difficult it is, not in the least like making ordinary pastry as there is no “ stretch” in the G/F flour.

Place a teaspoon of raspberry jam in to each case (I don’t bake blind) ... Raspberry is much better and more intense flavour than strawberry jam. for the fillings: Mix together in your mixing bowl, 2 oz castor sugar, 2 oz g/f flour (rice flour or Doves plain flour) plus 2 oz soft butter, 1 oz ground almonds, 1 large egg, 1/2 teaspoon of g/f baking powder and some almond essence (the essence is essential to give the almondy taste) make sure the mix is not too stiff, if it is, just add a little milk.

I have started a small business called Nae Wheat, making and selling gluten free sweet and savoury home baking including favourites like cheese and onion quiche, macaroni pies, potato scones and caramel shortcake. I currently cook from home where I live in Bathgate and have recently started supplying Waterstones Cafe in the Livingston Centre as well as David Stein’s Butchers in Bathgate with a view to 1912 too. I only started the venture in November but have attended three Farmers’ Markets including Linlithgow where I will be returning in March. If interested visit the Facebook page or drop me an email!

F: https://www.facebook.com/naewheat/ E: joe.naewheat@gmail.com Gluten free Bakewell tarts: These are so easy to make and really tasty, that lovely homemade taste and gluten free!

Grease a bun tray (not cupcake tray) and roll out your G/F pastry and cut out the 12 cases with a scone cutter.

I use Mrs Crimbles shortcrust pastry which you can readily buy from a well known internet supplier, or sometimes available in the larger supermarkets. It rolls out really easily and saves time making your own with g/f flour.

Fill your cases, DON’T overfill or it will go all over the edge when in the oven - a spoonful should be sufficient.

Place in your pre heated oven at 190*, gas mark 5, but make sure your oven is pre heated!

I place a bowl of water in the base of the oven to add moisture to a fan oven. You don’t have to, but if you do, make sure the oven has reached the correct temperature before you put your baking tray in.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until a nice golden colour....... don’t over-bake till they are dark, as G/F flour is quite dry, and you want these tasty tarts to be moist.

Take out and leave for 5 mins to cool and then remove gently to a wire rack.... or eat one or two.

TOP TIPS: Don’t roll out your pastry too thinly or your jam will seep through it!

Don’t leave to cool completely in the bun tray, you may not get them out!

If you have no G/F flour replace with either polenta or ground almonds, and add a touch more raising agent.

ENJOY!

Tesco Bathgate Prize Draw March is another busy time for us in store.

Our Easter Egg Collection is still going on until the 16th March for River Kids. See the big Easter basket at our front door for your donations.

Our Charity Partners are also collecting in store this month look out for that.

My name is Tracey Harrison and I am the community champion for Tesco Bathgate.

The main aim of my job is to promote my store as a good neighbour that can bring genuine benefit to my local community. If your group or organisation feels I could help in any way please contact me on 07822 866634 or email me at blackburnroad@communityattesco.co,uk or you can come into the store to meet me in person.

Our farm to fork trails are still on going. This month we will be inviting Boghall Primary and St Paul’s Primary (East Calder) to attend a great morning of tasting, making and touching. Let’s hope they have a great visit.

WIN

£20 voucher and an Easter egg from Tesco Bathgate

Simply text or email your name, phone number and email address to: 07854 492638 or editor@konectdirectory.co.uk with subject “Tesco Bathgate”.

Closing date for entries 15th March, 2016. Winner will be chosen at random after the closing date.

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konect Please call:

Charlene on 07772 941899 e: charlene@konectdirectory.co.uk or Jenny on 07824 469266 e: jenny@konectdirectory.co.uk www.konectdirectory.co.uk KONECT

31

PUZZLES

CROSSWORD

Solution in the April edition of konect

32

Across 1 Tidy (4) 3 Uneducated (8) 9 Not man-made (7) 10 Tummy button (5) 11 Premature (5) 12 Pacific and Atlantic (6) 14 Stitching (6) 16 Not present (6) 19 Vegetable (6) 21 Big cat (5) 24 Heartbeat (5) 25 Frightened (7) 26 Less than twenty (8) 27 Second-hand (4) Down 1 Rubbish (8) 2 Performer (5) 4 Faster than canter (6) 5 28grams approx. (5) 6 Move forwards (7) 7 Cash register (4) 8 Used for drawing (6) 13 Surprised (8) 15 Made from fleece (7) 17 Double-cross (6) 18 Hot beverage (6) 20 Representative (5) 22 Presents (5) 23 Unlocked (4)

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WHAT’S ON

and Useful Information

run starts at 10.20am. Or register online at www. westlothianrun.org Bathgate Regal Community Theatre - The Regal hosts an exciting programme of film, music, theatre, comedy and children’s events. See www. bathgateregal.org for complete listing.

Saturday 19th March West Lothian Highland Society monthly ceilidh Monthly Ceilidh at Strathbrock Community Centre, Broxburn. 7.30 – 11.00pm. Music by 19th March 2016.7.30 – 11.00pm. Music by Ewan Galloway Trio. Guests – Boghall & Bathgate Junior Pipe Band with Alvis Kerr. Cost Members £5.00.

Non-Members £6.00 each. BYOD and snacks. New members welcome, contact John Sneddon 01501 770911.

Friday 25th March Wester Inch Community Association Coffee Morning Held in the community wing of Simpson Primary School, from 9am until 11am on the last Friday if every month Saturday 26th March Polkemmet’s Hidden Past Step back in time with this short walk and talk around Polkemmet with the West Lothian Countryside Rangers. Find out about what it was like to live on the estate, learn about past uses and how it came to be the popular Country Park it is today. Suitable for all. Meet: Outside the classroom, Polkemmet Country Park. Time: 2pm3pm Cost: free 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

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

BATHGATE library information Simpson Library Bathgate Partnership Centre, South Bridge Street, EH48 1TS. Tel 01506 282910.

Email: bathgate.lib@westlothian.gov.uk.

Opening hours: Mon – Fri 8.30am – 8.00pm Sat 9.00am – 5.00pm.

Bookbugs: Bookbug West Lothian delivers free story, song and rhyme sessions for babies, toddlers and pre-school children in local libraries, working in partnership with the Scottish Book Trust. Call the Simpson Library for dates of this month’s book bug sessions.

KONECT

clubs & classes

Sports, Hobbies, Learning, Support Groups & more... of indoor and outdoor play experiences until 6pm BATHGATE Mon-Fri. Sessions are paid for as they are booked Bathgate & District Flower Club

We are a friendly group who meet on the 3rd Monday of each month from September to June (no meeting in December) in the Regal theatre Bathgate at 7.15pm.

We have a Floral Art demonstrator at each meeting who does around 5 arrangements which are given as raffle prizes at each meeting. We also arrange outings each year. The club was established 48 years ago and we celebrate our 50th Anniversary in September 2015.

Contact Carole.Hawkins48@yahoo.com

Bathgate History Group We are a friendly group who meet on a Wednesday afternoon at 2pm in The Tryst behind St John’s Church, Mid Street, Bathgate. We have interesting speakers on various topics with tea and coffee. A warm welcome awaits old and new members, the first meeting for the 2014/2015 session is Wednesday 3rd September. For further information contact Dorothy on 01506 652505.

Simply Play

Provides flexible after school care and holiday programmes for children aged 5-14. Our clubs are based in Simpsons Primary School Community Wing and Bathgate Partnership Centre. We offer a range

with no fee for `holding` an unused space. For more information visit www.simplyplay.org or call 01506 856444.

Any Dog ‘ll Do Rescue Group

A friendly group of volunteers based in and around Bathgate. Looking for new members to help raise awareness and fundraise for the dog rescue charity. A good way to meet new, like-minded people and have fun at the same time. Contact Lyn Pattison on info@ anydogildorescue.org to find out when the group will next meet and how to get involved.

31st West Lothian Scouts

Scout Hall, Majoriebank Street. Thursdays 7pm – 9pm

Bathgate Concert Orchestra

We are a friendly, enthusiastic group of musicians and are always happy to welcome new players of whatever level. We rehearse on Friday evenings during school term time from 7:30pm-9:30pm at St John’s Church Bathgate. Anyone interested in coming along to join us should contact the Secretary Joan Proven at Joan_Proven@hotmail.com Tel: 0131 331 3187. See www. batchgateconcertorchestra.org.uk. You can also find us on facebook.

Have an Egg-cellent Easter in West Lothian The winter months are almost over, the temperatures are rising and with Easter fast approaching, on the 27th of March, it’s time to explore the outdoors again and take part in Easter fun. West Lothian’s top attractions are now opening their doors to the refreshing Spring season, with a number of new and exciting events for all ages to enjoy.

If the change in season is encouraging you to get active this Spring, then West Lothian is home to a number of fantastic walking and cycling routes across many areas including Linlithgow, Bathgate, Livingston and many more.

Family attractions such as Almond Valley Heritage Centre are re-opening their fantastic railway, alongside a number of family fun events which are taking place as part of their ‘Easter Eggcitement’ Spring campaign.

KONECT

Get down to Five Sisters Zoo to visit the spectacular lions in their new habitat, or take a stroll around the Linlithgow Peel and enjoy the beautiful views of the loch and palace.

With so much on offer at these fantastic attractions and scenic routes, it’s no secret that West Lothian is the place to go for some fun this Easter. So get involved, get outdoors and enjoy some Scottish Spring sunshine!

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

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West Lothian 50 Plus Network

New members always welcome for educational, social, recreational and cultural activities. Monthly meet-ups, visits and day trips. Over 25 different activity groups, including arts, crafts, walking, theatre etc. See www. westlothian50plusnetwork.co.uk or call 01506 635510.

Office hours Mon - Fri 10am - 2pm.

Yoga Class

For people living with long term conditions. Bathgate Community Centre, 5–6.30pm on Wednesdays. Class is run by KICC Active Lothian, a partnership with MS Therapy Centre Lothian. £5.50 per class or £20 for four weeks. First class is free! Call Joanna on 07436 102726 to book.

Baby and Toddler activities

Kidzeco, 20-24 George Street, Bathgate, EH48 1PW. Range of baby and children’s activities including Hartbeeps, Soft Play, Baby & Kidz Times. Please see our events page on facebook for class times and prices, or call Kidzeco Bathgate on 01506 815534.

2nd Bathgate Girls’ Brigade

Meets on Wednesday evenings in St John’s Church Halls, Mid Street. Explorers P1-3 Girls: 6.15pm - 7.30pm. Juniors P4-7 Girls: 7.00pm - 8.30pm. Brigaders S1-S6 Girls: 7.00pm - 8.30pm. Please contact Alison Weddell (Captain) on tel 07710 619264 or email alison.weddell@gmail.com for further details.

The Stone Ring

40 King Street, Bathgate. Beginners Self awareness & Development. Mon 7-9.30 pm (approx) £6.50. Moot Every 2nd Wed of the Month. 7-9.30pm (approx) £5. Thai Chi Fridays - 6.30-8.30pm (approx) £25 per month.

Bathgate Playgroup

Bathgate Partnership Centre. Mon–Fri 9-11.30am and afternoon sessions Mon & Wed 12.30-3.30pm

Newland Concert Brass

Friendly band based in Bathgate. We welcome brass and percussion players of all ages and abilities.

Training Band Mondays 6 – 7pm in Bathgate Partnership Centre. Junior Band Mondays 6.30 – 7.30pm in Bathgate Partnership Centre. Senior Band Mondays 7.45 – 9.30pm in the band hall on Belvedere Rd. For more information see the website at www.newlandconcertbrass.org.uk

MOMS (Mums Offering Mums Support)

Kidzeco, 20-24 George Street, Bathgate, EH48 1PW. Mon 1pm–3pm. Group for new and expectant mums to meet other mums, share ideas and experiences and generally have a chat and a cuppa! £1 includes hot drink. Call Kidzeco for more info 01506 815534.

Regal Music Club

The Regal Theatre, Bathgate. For anyone who loves music. We meet fortnightly on Wednesdays. 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Come along to chat, discuss, meet new people, eat biscuits. You don’t need to play or sing but if you do there is always a chance to perform. Check out the facebook page or just drop in. £2 including refreshments.

Bathgate Reading Group

Simpson Library, Bathgate. Meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 6.00pm, all adults are welcome.

Bathgate Memory Cafe

Kaim Park Hotel, Edinburgh Road, Bathgate. A meeting

36

place and caring supportive group for people with dementia and their carers. The Memory Cafe runs the 1st Monday of every month from 1.30pm to 3.00pm. For more information please contact Alzheimer Scotland on 01506 533114.

Friends of Polkemmet Country Park

Group meets on the second Sunday each month between 10am – 12pm to carry out practical conservation projects in Polkemmet Country Park. Dates for 2015 are: 12/04; 10/05; 14/06; 12/07; 09/08; 13/09; 11/10; 08/11. Please contact the Ranger Service on 01501 743905, Polkemmet@westlothian.gov.uk or visit the Friends of Polkemmet Facebook page if you would like to join us.

West Lothian Table Tennis Club

West Lothian Table Tennis are a friendly club who are always happy to welcome new people who have played in the past or would like to pick up the sport for the first time. Whether you are seven years old or 70...Everyone is welcome! Meet at Bathgate Academy. For further information contact: David Stephen, Club Secretary david.stephen2@sky.com or 07979 095772. See www. wlttc.co.uk.

Paranormal Investigation group based in Bathgate

We’re looking for people to join our small group. Will meet on the first Wednesday of the month 7.30pm venue tbc. Investigations to be carried out approximately every 6-8 weeks at various locations around West Lothian and beyond so own transport essential. Both believers and skeptics welcome. Must be over 18. Please contact Tracey at ghost.scotland@outlook.com for further information.

Fitsteps

Fun and effective dance fitness class inspired and created by Strictly Come Dancing stars Natalie Lowe and Ian Waite. Learn steps from Tango, Jive, Viennese Waltz, Samba and many more, without the need of a partner.

Wednesday 7.30-8.15pm, St Mary’s Hall, Bathgate £5 per person. For more info call Lianne on 07737 927463 www. facebook.com/moveitdanceandfitsteps

Bathgate Fairtrade Group

Bathgate Fairtrade is a small group and welcomes more members locally to support fairtrade. We meet up periodically and attend local events. If you are interested please contact the secretary Gillian Reid on 01506 653366 or email mrs_g@btinternet.com

West Lothian Run

Little Runners – free of charge: Wednesdays at Boghall Community Wing, 6-7pm; Thursdays at Boghall Community Wing 6-7pm (for kids with autism);Saturdays at Kirkton Park, Bathgate 10-11am. Adults - £2 per session. Saturdays from Kirkton Park, Bathgate from 10-11am, taking a different route to the kids. Book your place in any of the groups at westlothianrun.org.uk.

Generation Dance Bathgate

St Mary’s Hall, Livery St. Every Friday 10.30am– 11.30am.

Join the community dance club for anyone over 60 years. There’s no need to book, just turn up. Regardless of your mobility, independence and experience, come along, try us and tell your friends. Seated / adapted dance for people with mobility aids and other challenges is our speciality. Everyone can take part.

Suggested weekly donation £2. Can’t come but want to know more? Call: Joanne on 07521 358 239. www. generationarts.co.uk KONECT

Royal British Legion

Ex-service male/female organisation. The Club offers comradeship, social activities, e.g. golf, fishing and bowling events. Bingo, cabaret and dancing. Our function hall is available for hire by members, families and friends. Friday night bingo 8.00 pm; Karaoke Saturday night in the Lounge. Watch notice Board for special events.

Bathgate Bridge Club

Meets every Thursday from first Thursday in October until the last Thursday in May at EU Church Hall, Church Park, Marjoribanks Street, Bathgate. 6.45 for 7.00pm start. All Welcome. Contact Georgette Nicol 01506 203498 for more information.

The Regal Youth Company

Regal Community Theatre, Bathgate Music workshops for 13-25 year olds - Monday evenings 7pm to 9pm, £2. Drama workshops for 13-25 year olds - Wednesday evenings 7pm to 9pm £2. For information see www.rycbathgate.com or contact us via our facebook page

Learning English - NEW!

A group for preschool children and parents to learn English through fun: singing, play and stories.

Mondays 10 to 11am, Bathgate Early Years Centre. Tel 01506 777234. No fee.

WESTER INCH Wester Inch Parent & Toddler Group

Thursday mornings 9am - 11am. £1 per adult and 50p per child. For more information contact us via our facebook page Wester Inch Parent and Toddler Group or email on westerinchtoddlers@hotmail.com

Simpson Art Club

other areas New Town Roller Girls

Roller Derby team, meeting 9-10pm on Wednesdays at Craigswood Xcite. New members welcome, contact us via our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ NewTownRollerGirls or email newtownrollergirls@hotmail. co.uk. Please contact us before coming to your first session so that we can sort equipment for you.

West Lothian Clarion

Cycling club – our aim is to help cyclists plan and reach their own goals through training with, and seeking advice and support from fellow club members. Weekly club runs leave from Linlithgow Leisure Centre and East Calder Sports Centre. See www.westlothianclarion.co.uk or email secretary@westlothianclarion.co.uk

Lothian Running Club

Welcome runners of any standard. We believe that running clubs are not just for the elite (although we will let fast people join too). Suitable for all ages and we have a junior section too from age 6. Training sessions in/around Livingston, meet at Inveralmond High, Craigswood Sports Centre and Dechmont Law car park.

For more info see website www.lothianrunningclub. co.uk.

West Lothian Breast Cancer Support Group

Meets on the first Tuesday of each month, in the Ability Centre, Carmondean, Livingston, from 7pm-9pm. Further details & information, contact Nan McDonald 01506 655739.

The Tree Club

Office at 19c South Bridge Street, Bathgate. West Lothian’s only afterschool club for children and teenagers with additional support needs. Stimulating and creative activities with high staff to child ratio. See www.thetreeclub.org.uk

We meet every Tuesday 7 - 9pm in the community wing of the Simpson Primary School, Bathgate. All over 18, including beginners, are welcome; Regular demonstrations and teaching from professional artists, work in all mediums. For further information email simpsonartclub@gmail.com. Contact 07762 933138

Alternative Company Entertainers (ACE)

Zumba with Lindsay

We are a not for profit club for retired ladies, dancing to CDs - mostly sequence dancing. We meet every Tuesday afternoon in the Community Centre, South Street Armadale, from 1.30 to 3.30pm. We would welcome old and new members to our club. Don’t worry if you don’t know the dances, we can teach you.

Simpson Primary School. Zumba ® Tuesdays 7.15-8.15pm, followed by 30 mins toning (must have attended zumba to participate).

Centrepoint Church

Simpson Primary School. Sunday Worship Gathering, Weekly 10:30am. Contact: Tom Jackson m: 07540391081 e: tom.jackson@centrepointchurch.org

Messy Church

Held by St. John’s Parish Church in Community Wing, Simpson Primary School. Third Thursday of each month 6.45pm-8.15 pm. Join us for fun, games, craft activities, stories and singing. All ages welcome. No charge, donations welcome. For more information contact Parish Minister, Rev. Duncan Shaw on 01506 653146 or westlothian@churchofscotland.org.uk or Rev. Zoltan Safrany on 07411 444 743 email safiref@gmail.com KONECT

Meet every Thursday in Whitburn academy at 7:00 – 9pm. Ages 5 to 105+. Contact acompanyentertainers@ gmail.com or find us on facebook.

Harmony Dance Club Armadale

West Lothian Baking Club

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

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

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

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Auctions Hoppers Auctions

11

Bathrooms Bathgate Bathroom Studio Duffy McLean Ekco MK Property

33 4 27 4

Building Surveyor David Hastings Car Bodywork Chips Away Car Service & Repair Auto Fitness Formula 1 MOT M & S Auto Solutions Catering Food Creations Petula @ Perks

15 6 18 19 11

Clothes & Fashion Kidzeco Original Factory Shop

17 12

Estate Agent Turpie

28

Mobility Med-Ecosse

21

11

Optician QuickSpecs

13

Oven Cleaner The Clean Team

22

Florist Darling Buds Florist Williamsons

22 17

Fostering Edinburgh Council - Fostering

17

Painter/Decorator Nu Walls Windeco

Funeral Director Thomas Brown Funeral Director

19

Pet Services Morven’s Dog Grooming

Heating Services Duffy McLean Homes for Sale CALA Homes Joiner GR Construction Kilt Maker & Hire The Kilt Studio

Complementary Therapies Access 2 Balance 13 White Buffalo Spiritualist Sanctuary 13 Youyen Thai Massage 13 Computer Services Sprint Computers

15 7

Health & Safety Training Forde Training

32 23 22 22

Locksmith Saltire Lock & Security West Lothian Locksmith

Garden & Landscaping All Year Round Landscapes GF Garden Services Multi Level Contracts Ltd

4 6

Cleaning Services Clean Bee Domestic Cleaning Ltd Dusters Cleaning Services Time For You Edinburgh

11 6

First Aid Training Forde Training

Children’s Activities/Entertainment Kidzeco 17 Church Centre Point Church

Electrician D B Electrics Simply Electrical

19

15 5 7

6 6 23

Property Letting & Management Newman Properties

5

Restaurant Hilcroft Hotel

20

11

Security Services Saltire Lock & Security

15

7

Shopping Original Factory Shop

12

2

Taxi & Private Hire Bluebird Radio Cars

40

4

Trusted Trader Scheme West Lothian Trusted Trader

15

12

Vet Riverside Veterinary Practice

23

Windows 1st Choice Living

18

Kitchens Duffy McLean Ekco S & S

4 27 39

Leaflet Delivery The Leaflet Lady

33

Solution to February Crossword Across: 1 Perhaps, 5 Cycle, 8 Shampoo, 9 Exact, 10 Extra, 11 Kitchen, 12 Honest, 14 Glides, 17 Raisins, 19 Noble, 22 Olive, 23 Elegant, 24 Rural, 25 Pitcher.

Down: 1 Piste, 2 Roast, 3 Appears, 4 Shocks, 5 Chest, 6 Crashed, 7 Extends, 12 Harbour, 13 Noisier, 15 Lenient, 16 Asleep, 18 Ideal, 20 Brash, 21 Enter.

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

01506 650 397 07450 876 999

info@sashomeimprovements.co.uk

www.sandskitchenreface.co.uk

FIXED PRICE INCLUDING VAT AND FITTING

THE FIXED PRICE KITCHEN WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: • 10 units, any combination • Stainless Steel - Single Oven • Hood • Hob • Sink & Taps • 2 x 3m laminate worktops 38mm thick • Two lengths of cornice, plinth and pelmet • Vast range of doors with 6 yr guarantee • Professionally designed and installed • Can also provide tiling and flooring (not included in price) ALSO AVAILABLE

BEFORE

AFTER REFACE

Check Customer reviews on Trusted Trader

• Kitchen Refacing • Bathrooms - supplied and fitted • Save up to 40% on price of new kitchen

FOR LESS STRESS, CHOOSE S&S! KONECT

39