Konect Bathgate October 2018

OCTOBER 2018

bathgate

PLUS: HEALTH & BEAUTY, Garden Project, and more LOCAL FEATURES inside!

The monthly community magazine for Bathgate and Torphichen

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THIS ISSUE

TO OUR OCTOBER EDITION

I

t was a gorgeous summer, but I must admit I love the onset of autumn too, and a walk through one of West Lothian’s Country Parks in October is a must, to enjoy the spectacular colours.

There were a couple of focuses for the articles this month. One is cycling – I was contacted by a Wester Inch resident whose job involves recruiting volunteers for the I Bike scheme, which if you have children in any of the Bathgate cluster primary schools, you will probably be hearing about soon. And to tie in with this, I visited the West Lothian Bike Library, a small voluntary organisation providing a fantastic service – see pages 28-29 for these features.

The other focus is Team Jak, who are our Charity of the Month and who are running a volunteer recruitment week in the first week of October. See pages 8-9 for an update on where they are up to three years since Jak set this in motion.

All our usual columns are here, I hope you enjoy the magazine this month, and as always, do get in touch if you have any local events to promote, topics you would like to see covered, or any other comments and feedback.

P29 Can you help ease the journey?................. 8 Gardening: Autumn Pots............................15 Property Matters..........................................18 Health & Beauty...........................................22 Sport: Lothian Disability Sport...................24 Local People: Getting kids on bikes........28 West Lothian Bike Library..........................29 Music Review...............................................30 What’s On......................................................31 Puzzles..........................................................32 Parenting: Hopped up on Halloween!.....34 Clubs & Classes..........................................35

Konect is delivered monthly to 10,000 homes throughout Bathgate and Torphichen.

Copies are also left at the library, convenience stores, post offices and other locations around Bathgate.

COVER IMAGE: See P31 for Halloween events in West Lothian

HELEN-JANE SHEARER

JENNY THOMSON

CHARLENE GAFFNEY

Email: editor@konect.scot

Email: jenny@konectdirectory.co.uk

07772 941899 charlene@konect.scot

Editor

@KonectMagazines

Account Manager

Account Manager

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Sold

out

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Windows & Doors Kitchens Bathrooms Garage Conversions Sun Lounges & Orangeries Conservatories Roofline

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CHARITY OF THE MONTH

Can you help with “easing the journey”?

If you’ve been living here more than a couple of years, you’ve probably heard of the local charity Team Jak Foundation or seen their collection tins in local shops and organisations.

Jak Trueman was the teenager from Mid Calder who touched everyone’s hearts with his sudden and short fight three years ago with the rare cancer T-Cell Lymphoma. In his short time he set up a charity as he wanted other young people touched by cancer – themselves and their siblings – as well as their families, to have emotional and practical support to ease the journey. Jak ploughed through a bucket list of activities before he left; and this energy and sense of grasping life for what it is, is what infuses the charity Team Jak today.

I met last month with one of their stalwart volunteers, Hazel McLinden, and the chairman of the board and Jak’s grandpa, Walter Barr, to see where they are up to. At their premises in Livingston, “Jak’s Den” offers counselling, activity days, magic shows, teen days, X-Box and PS4 challenges, arts and crafts, coffee mornings, music therapy, counselling, pamper days, alternative therapies and much, much more. They are currently supporting over 100 families with their activities in Livingston, and have also started offering outreach services at hospitals and “pop-up Dens” elsewhere in Scotland.

“Support for Team Jak has been phenomenal,” says Hazel, “but people move on, another cause comes along, which is understandable. We need to get the message out that we still rely very much on volunteers to deliver our services, and we need more volunteers to enable us to carry on delivering them and to develop the charity.”

Jak’s Den 8 | BATHGATE

People can help in just about any capacity with the activities of Team Jak. Whether you have some specialist skills, or just a few hours a month to contribute, your help will be very welcome. Please contact Team Jak if you can help, contact details on next page. @KonectMagazines

Team Jak needs volunteers to: • Drop off and pick up the collection tins in local shops • Help at events • Help with office and admin work • Raise funds, through events or grant applications • Help with marketing, social media, website and technical • Join the board to help direct the charity going forwards • Provide befriending services, for children and their parents • Cleaning at the Den and offices Team Jak Foundation was Jak’s personal vision. It provides practical, social and emotional support to children and young people with cancer, related illnesses, their families and those bereaved. “Creating smiles, easing the journey” Address: Geddes House, Kirkton North, Livingston, EH54 6GU T: 01506 412302 | W: www.teamjak.org.uk Facebook: Team Jak Foundation- Jak’s Den Charity Registration: Team Jak Foundation is a charity registered in Scotland, SC045586.

Every day 11 children are diagnosed with cancer. 3 won’t survive. Help us create smiles and ease the journey of these families. A donation of: • £5 could provide snacks for 2 kids • £10 could provide art and craft activities for a child in Jak’s Den • £20 could provide an hour of outreach support from a Support Worker for a week in hospital • £25 could pay for a counselling session for our warriors or siblings • £50 could provide 2 counselling sessions for our young people • £100 could pay for an activity session for our warrior and angel families in Jak’s Den This article was written by Helen-Jane Shearer after meeting with Hazel McLinden and Walter Barr of Team Jak Foundation.

Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect magazines. @KonectMagazines

TEAM JAK

VOLUNTEER WEEK 1ST TO 7TH OCTOBER 2018 Launch of volunteer week with Volunteer Information Drop-In on Sunday 30th September, Mercure Hotel, Livingston 12.00 - 2.00pm: Pop in for a coffee and chat and find out how you can be part of our volunteer team making a difference for the families we support.

Every day of volunteer week 1st-7th October - Facebook introductions to some of our fabulous volunteers.

Team Jak Volunteer Awards Ceremony on Saturday 27th October: Next year it could be you receiving an award. Awards presented for 10 hours volunteering onwards.

Here is what a few of our fabulous volunteers had to say about volunteering: “Volunteering for Team Jak is rewarding and gives me a sense of achievement knowing I am helping make children with cancer smile a little during treatment.”

“I love volunteering for Team Jak, I have also learned so many new skills as Team a Jak makes sure I have training opportunities to help me help others.”

“Team Jak is a fabulous charity to volunteer for, I really feel appreciated and I can see volunteers are an integral part of the team.”

“I was delighted to receive an award at last year’s volunteer award ceremony.

A lovely event that made me feel special and has actually made me aim for my next award all whilst helping families living with childhood cancer.”

To find out more about the recruitment activities happening during this week visit the website on www.teamjak.org.uk or find us on Facebook.

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BATHGATE | 11

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GARDENING PROJECT

On your patio or at your front door this is the season between Summer and Winter when some of your summer pots may still be looking too good to dump but other pots definitely need something fresh to cheer up your display.

On our patio we have still enjoying the tender pink Salvia’s flowers, but we will soon have to put tender plants like this into our cold greenhouse if we are to have any chance of them surviving the winter cold and wet. We’ve added pink bud flowering heathers, cyclamen, pansies and what you can’t see are the dwarf spring flowering bulbs like crocus, tulips and daffodils buried in the pots to give us a late winter sparkle.

There is a hardy mint on the mosaic table that will be replaced with an evergreen

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shrub in a pot once the mint has died down and we’ll start lighting the candle in the lantern as the evenings get dark earlier.

Don’t forget that you’ll need to regularly water your pots as most of the rain will miss them even in Winter!

The gardening project is contributed by Dougal Philip, New Hopetoun Gardens.

Inspiring, informing and entertaining, for more than 40years.

BATHGATE | 15

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BATHGATE | 17

PROPERTY MATTERS

When looking to rent a property, it is natural to want to see as many properties as possible before making the “right” choice and common sense dictates that you should view a handful of alternatives before deciding which to rent.

Our job as professional letting agents is to help tenants make decisions that are genuinely in their best interests, which, without our assistance, they might have had difficulty making. So here are some pointers for those who might be struggling to balance the merits of No.33 with its new kitchen against No.16, with the better garden.

First, there is a place for instinct and sometimes the heart should be allowed to influence, if not rule, the head. This is a home after all. Ask yourself the obvious question, “could I be happy here?”

However, sometimes you need your head to agree with your heart. Is your favoured property a significant improvement on where you already live, or are you just being bowled over by a smart exterior or fashionable lighting?

Weigh up the important aspects of life – commuting time, school run, parking, 18 | BATHGATE

entertaining space (although do you really entertain that much?) Satisfy these first before allowing the view or the extra storage space to sway you away from your reason for moving.

Finally, you can bet your bottom dollar that if you instinctively like a particular property, other tenants will as well. We usually find that a property that fills most people’s basic needs, as opposed to their wants, will let very quickly. The more you see, the more difficult it becomes to make a decision at all. So our advice is: decide your minimum criteria with your head and once these are satisfied in a property, let your heart take it from there. Happy hunting!

The monthly Property Matters column is contributed by Craig Turpie. Craig is a director at Turpie & Co Estate Agents and Letting Agents with extensive knowledge of the West Lothian Property Market and over 20 years experience in bespoke sales and marketing. @KonectMagazines

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

STRAIGHTENERS. WHAT’S THE DAMAGE? Ok so most of us use straightening irons in one form or another, but what’s the low down on heat?

First of all don’t be scared to use these tools!

They are designed to make life easier for us and with technology improving all the time, the effect of heat on hair is minimal if used correctly. If you want to minimise damage then firstly dry your hair using a heat protecting product - lots of blow dry balms have heat protection built in so it’s ideal to protect your hair from the hairdryer also.

Secondly make sure your hair is completely dry before using a heated tong or straightener. You can mist an extra layer of heat protection before working through your hair section by section. Your straightener should be between 185 and 195 degrees. Definitely no hotter, and any cooler will be pointless (Ghd’s are still the best on the market in my opinion).

This is the optimum temperature to straighten, curl or bend the hair and will leave it glossy and with minimal

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Would you like your business included in Konect? Reach 10,000 homes in the Bathgate area from as little as £28 + vat per month. Please see page 3 for our contact details.

The Hair column is contributed by Sophie Laidlaw.

Sophie is Director @wonderland Livingston. www.wonderlandlivingston.co.uk 22 | BATHGATE

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HEALTH

Tips to help you tighten your belt With food prices rising, we’re all feeling the pinch these days. The great news is that it’s easy to eat well without breaking the bank - so you can keep a weight loss journey firmly on track and make sure the whole family stays healthy, happy and well-fed.

Our handy tips will help you tighten your belt in more ways than one!

1. Plan to succeed and stick to the list - make a shopping list and resist any impulse buys at the shops, however tempting end of aisle displays might look. And avoid shopping when you’re hungry, or your rumbling tummy might start making decisions for you!

2. Cupboard love - keep your cupboards and freezer well stocked with staple ingredients.

If you normally shop at one of the upmarket

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stores, give the budget and mid-price supermarkets a go instead. Often there’s very little difference in the flavour, especially with staples like canned tomatoes, pasta and frozen vegetables.

3. Using up leftovers - if your family loved dinner, serving the leftovers the next day will allow everyone to enjoy the same delicious meal all over again. If you’re feeling creative, they could also be a starting point for something else: blitz roasted vegetables to make soup, mix last nights mash with a tin of tuna to make filling fish cakes, or use leftover chicken or beef in a spicy stir fry.

The healthy eating column is contributed

by Stuart Malcolm, a local award-winning Slimming World Consultant. Stuart lives in Bathgate with his partner and two dogs. In his spare time Stuart loves to travel and socialise with friends.

BATHGATE | 23

SPORTS

THE MOST UPLIFTING SPORTING DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAST 50 YEARS…. ….has to be the growth, the image, the popularity of Sport for the Disabled.

I went to school in Prescot (with the fifth Beatle, the tragic Stu Sutcliffe), in an era when conformity ruled but the edges, mercifully, had started to fray, nay disintegrate, by the time I joined the Cavern Club. When I was a teenager, the great debate was whether Sport and Politics should mix. Time has provided the answer.

The roles of Rock’n’Roll and Sport in the process of liberation and equality cannot be underestimated. I reckon that when RnR ran out of puff, it left Sport to ride point virtually alone.

There have been so many landmark moments: female athletes in Olympics 1900; Jesse Owens stuffs Hitler 1936; Ali refuses the draft 1967; Black Power 1968; Billie Jean beats Riggs 1973; South Africa win World Rugby Cup 1995.

In 1948 in the UK, Sir Ludwig Guttman incorporated sport in the rehabilitation of war vets with spinal damage. Come Rome 1960 (the first televised Olympics), BREAKTHROUGH! he took 400 of his wheelchair warriors to compete in the “Parallel Olympics”; cut to London, 2012, and 4302 Paralympians from 164 nations competed in 503 events. Wow! Sports today are the great influencer - fashion, entertainment, economics at all levels, politics, identity (group and personal) - to the extent that the UN has declared them a “Human Right”!

But Sport, at root, is about participation, hence the importance of bodies like Lothian Disability Sport, an offshoot of Scottish Disability Sport.

Disability Sport Officer, Jack Brodie, tells me the raison d’être is “to promote sport and physical activity for people with a physical, learning or sensory impairment,” to be achieved primarily through the delivery of a Lothian wide programme of competitive and participatory events in selected sports, for school-aged and senior athletes.

“Alongside this, we also support disability specific 24 | BATHGATE

clubs within the region and athletes all the way up the pathway to Paralympian standard. I have cerebral palsy myself and was involved in LDS opportunities as a child, becoming a national level swimmer. I play and coach a bit of basketball. I coordinate and deliver the school and senior calendar of events, club development and ensure that Lothian is represented at national events. Our work is closely linked to the four Lothian authorities, who all support our delivery of sporting opportunities.

Sport has given the majority of our athletes lifelong friendships, a sense of belonging, an improvement in their confidence levels plus the obvious health benefits. Many appreciate the difference sport has made in their lives and stay involved in things through volunteering or coaching, myself included.”

LDS run a comprehensive programme which allows approximately 1500 young people and adults with a disability the opportunity to take part in sport each year.

Archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boccia, bowls, curling, cycling, fencing, football, golf, judo, multisports, rugby, swimming, table tennis, tennis available via LDS. That’s some list! Long may their team continue to hit the bullseye!

For more information and full catalogue of sports, see www.lothiandisabilitysport.co.uk The sports column is contributed by David Levin. David is a Liverpudlian living in West Lothian, and describes himself as a writer, sportsman, patriarch and dreamer. @KonectMagazines

Ross Andrew

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BATHGATE | 25

Ayrton Veterinary Hospital is proud to serve the West Lothian Ayrton Veterinary Hospital is proud to the Lothian Ayrton Veterinary Hospital to serve serve theWest West Lothian Community with the highest quality veterinary care.

Community with the highest quality veterinary care.

Community with the highest quality veterinary care.

• We offer specialised veterinary services offerspecialised specialised veterinary services inWe Orthopaedic surgery, Endoscopy and • • We offer veterinary services inOrthopaedic Orthopaedic surgery,surgery).

Endoscopy and was Laparoscopy (key-hole Ayrton in surgery, Endoscopy and Laparoscopy (key-hole surgery).

Ayrton was the first practice in Scotland to offer clients Laparoscopy (key-hole surgery).

Ayrton was the first practice in Scotland to offer clients key-hole surgery.in Scotland to offer clients the first practice key-hole surgery. key-hole surgery.

• Our out of hours emergency service is provided • byOur out of vets hours emergency service is provided our nurses here at the Hospital • Our outown of hoursand emergency service is provided by our own vets and nurses here at the Hospital andour on-call staffand are on-site for hospitalised by own vets nurses here at the Hospital and on-call staff are on-site for hospitalised patients 24 hrs and on-call patients 24staff hrs are on-site for hospitalised patients 24 hrs • We have a Pet Health Club that allows you to budget monthly for your pets’ • We have a Pet Health Club that allows you to budget monthly for your pets’ preventative andthat has addedyou discounts off of veterinary treatments • We have a Pethealthcare Health Club to budget monthly for treatments your pets’ preventative healthcare and hasallows added discounts off of veterinary and procedures. preventative healthcare and has added discounts off of veterinary treatments and procedures. and procedures.

• • We and we we have havean anappointed appointedinsurance insurance Weoffer offerdirect directclaims claimsfor for insured insured clients clients and advisor here at the Hospital.

• We offer direct claims for insured clients and we have an appointed insurance advisor here at the Hospital. advisor here at the Hospital.

• • We practicewith: with:in-house in-houselaboratory, laboratory, Weare areaafull fullservice servicemedical medical and and surgical surgical practice radiography, ultrasound and endoscopy.

• We are a full service medical and surgical practice with: in-house laboratory, radiography, ultrasound and endoscopy. radiography, ultrasound and endoscopy.

• • When to stay stay in in the theHospital, Hospital,we wehave have Whenyou youand andyour yourpet petvisit visit us us or or have have to separate cat waiting areas and wards wards for theirHospital, comfort.we have separate dog and cat waiting areas comfort.

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Friendly Practice’ recognition of the the facilities our feline patients.

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by International (ICC) as a ‘Cat Friendly intorecognition ofand the Hospitals facilitieslike for our feline patients.

Welook lookPractice’ forwardto meetingyou you We forward meeting and your pet, ifif you’d you’d likefurther furtherinformation information about our staffand and services,you please our website: about our staff please website: www.ayrton.org.uk We look forward to services, meeting andvisit your pet, if you’dwww.ayrton.org.uk like further information about our staff and services, please visit our website: www.ayrton.org.uk

T: 01501 01501 744736 T: 744736 BurnhouseIndustrial Industrial Estate, Whitburn, West T: Estate, 01501 744736 Burnhouse Whitburn, West Lothian, Lothian,EH47 EH47OLQ OLQ

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BATHGATE | 27

LOCAL PEOPLE

Amanda McKay

COULD YOU HELP LOCAL KIDS GET ON THEIR BIKES? “Cycling doesn’t necessarily mean donning the lycra,” says cycling enthusiast and Wester Inch resident Amanda McKay. “I often cycle to Bathgate station in my jeans and hop onto the train to Edinburgh for work” I’m talking to Amanda about her role as a volunteer recruiter for a project called “I Bike.” It is not, as you might think from the “i” in the name, about virtual bikes; I Bike is very much about getting out on a real bike, and some real fresh air and exercise! You can incorporate cycling into your day or regular commute without it needing to feel like a serious work out.

“I became involved in cycling as an adult, and now use the cycle network around Bathgate and West Lothian for leisure too.” Amanda’s husband is a keen road cyclist, and their three children (7, 9 and 12) are all comfortable on two wheels too!

“Our favourite rides are just around Wester Inch, as the National Cycle Route 75 loops around the village. For a longer ride we go out to Blackridge, all on cycle paths.” Amanda also runs a cycling group in Wester Inch for women who want to get confidence on their bikes.

Amanda’s background is in health promotion and physical activity - in getting people who are not already active to be more active. Run by Sustrans, I Bike is aimed at schools and is part of the Scottish Government’s active travel initiative to encourage us to look at biking and walking for travel, rather than getting in the car by default.

Launched last year in the Armadale cluster (i.e. all the primary schools that feed into Armadale Academy), it is being rolled out in the Bathgate cluster now, and it teaches cycle skills and bike maintenance, do bike rides during the school day as well as after-school clubs based on active travel; and the enticing “Bike Breakfasts” - where you cycle, 28 | BATHGATE

walk or even scooter to school and get breakfast at school!

“Feedback we’ve had so far is that the kids love it.

They love the bike-rides, they get to get out of the classroom for a bit and do something different!” says Amanda. Bikes are available via the scheme or West Lothian Bike Library for kids who don’t have their own bike.

“We are looking for people to volunteer to work within the Armadale and Bathgate clusters to help deliver the project. You don’t need any particular cycling skills, as training is provided. And in any case it’s not solely about bikes as we do walking and scootering for the kids too!”

Volunteers will be supporting the local officer to deliver the programme, lead learn-to-ride sessions, take led-rides. Any time you have available, from a couple of hours a month to a more regular slot, would be appreciated. You don’t need to be a cyclist; just to enjoy working with children and getting them to benefit from incorporating active travel into their lives. You also work to an extent with parents and teachers to advise on bike routes and to help them plan family rides, and so on.

If you would like to help with the I Bike project in local schools, Amanda will be delighted to hear from you! Please contact her on : amanda.mckay@ sustrans.org.uk or call/text on 07748 700385.

This article was contributed by Helen-Jane Shearer, after meeting with Amanda McKay in Bathgate. Helen-Jane is the Editor of Konect magazines and lives in West Lothian with her family. @KonectMagazines

HEALTH

• Please donate your pre-loved bike to West Lothian Bike Library. It will be serviced and refurbished and either sold for fundraising or used as part of the lending library. All bikes of any size and shape are welcome!

• If you can spare a few hours and want to volunteer in any capacity, the Bike Library will be delighted to hear from you! Full training is provided • Consider purchasing a bike from the Bike Library to help boost their funds

Contact the West Lothian Bike Library on:

It is pretty much what it sounds like: a place where you can borrow a bike if you haven’t got one, or need a specially adapted bike. And it’s much more than that too.

“Anyone can hire a bike,” says David Liddell, the project’s co-ordinator. “The library exists to make cycling accessible to all. So that may be people who just want a friendly hand and loan of a bike to get them back on their wheels; people who need a specially adapted bike to accommodate a disability; or, subject to referral, free hire for people who are not able to afford their own bike.”

A bike lending facility used to be part of the council’s Health Improvement Team, but with council restructuring over the past couple of years the service was at risk of being discontinued.

In order to keep it going, David headed up the formation of a social enterprise, and last August the West Lothian Bike Library was born.

Operating from premises provided by the council at Craigsfarm, Livingston, everything is done by a band of some twenty dedicated volunteers who refurbish donated bikes, manage the hires, offer bike servicing, lead bike rides and a host of related services which are continually being added as the Bike Library develops.

“Our project is about inclusive cycling,” says David. “I want to normalise cycling for all and we have some wonderful adaptive bikes for people with additional support needs.”

“There is a vibrant community here at Craigsfarm.

We have a Monday evening bike group, we lead bike rides for several schools and groups who come here, as well as facilitating rides for people on the adaptive bikes.” As well as refurbishing bikes for the library use, they also sell bikes @KonectMagazines

T: 07724 667321 E: info@wlbikelibrary.co.uk W: www.wlbikelibrary.co.uk Facebook: /wlbikelibrary

West Lothian Bike Library is incorporated as a Community Interest Company registered in Scotland No. 573140 at very affordable prices to help generate funds to put back into the project; the adaptive bikes in particular are very expensive to purchase. They also have electric bikes available for hire.

“I’d like to see the bikes out everyday,” says David. “Either on private loan or on the bike rides we lead. We have a fantastic cycle network at our disposal. I’d like to get to a stage where we can keep the doors open 9 – 5.”

The West Lothian Bike Library is currently open from Wednesday to Friday 10am to 2pm. David is keen to extend these hours, especially to be able to open at weekends.

Pete, one of those who have benefited from the project This article was written by Helen-Jane Shearer after visiting the West Lothian Bike Library and speaking with David Liddell, Project Co-Ordinator.

Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect magazines and lives in West Lothian with her family.

BATHGATE | 29

MUSIC REVIEW

All Stations In-Between Paul McCartney is working hard. Recording his new album “Egypt Station” must have been a dawdle compared to the relentless round of ongoing promotional appearances. Come on Paul, dredge up one more anecdote about Hamburg 1961 and then we will play your single.

The titles of McCartney’s 21st Century albums betray his need to be seen as an ongoing modern writer – Chaos and Creation, Memory Almost Full, and, most blatantly, New. This album brings a welcome step back to the pleasantly jumbled feel of the first few solo albums, the most obvious nods being to bucolic classic Ram, not least via the sleeve which deliberately echoes the home made designs favoured in the early days.

Leaving aside grim single “Fuh You” - itself a continuation of the composer’s schoolboy delight in single entendre songwriting going right back to Why Don’t We Do It In The Road and Hi Hi Hi – these songs are mainly gentle, unambitious in

30 | BATHGATE

many ways, and it is this lack of determination to compete which rewards repeated listening. Fluff like “Brazil” has not been allowed on a McCartney release since the last days of Wings, and it is the return of these flashes of eccentricity that lift the album clear of the inevitable piano plodders calling for world peace.

You wonder what rankles though, what motivates.

I recall an interview with Elvis Costello discussing his brief nineties co-writing sessions in which he said, “It was Paul McCartney though...I couldn’t just say we’re going to write a song about a big (expletive) crow!”.

Well received second track here, I Don’t Know, is a dark tale of “crows at my window and dogs at my door”.

Hmmmm.

The monthly music review is contributed by James Kerr. James presents the Regal Music Club show on Regal Radio (www.regal-radio.net) and is a member of the local band ‘Snakeskin Shoe Review’.

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WHAT’S ON

FROM SATURDAY 6TH OCTOBER Spooky happenings at Almond Valley Farm As the nights get darker, mysterious creatures emerge from the dark corners of the old farm at Almond Valley.

Grab your trail sheet and look out for the clues on your spooky quest. Find your way through a world of magic and shadows with mysteries to solve, games to play, and some scary surprises around every corner. Get creative in the craft area where you can make spooky masks and manufacture monsters. All of this silly scary fun can be enjoyed any day from the 6th of October until Halloween during usual opening hours (10.0017.00) with no need to book in advance. Included in admission fee, Almond Valley Muesum, Farm and Discovery Centre, Mill Farm, Livingston, EH54 7AR. www.almondvalley.co.uk SATURDAY 13TH OCTOBER Guided Walk: Autumn Trees and Colours Organised by Forth Rivers Trust, a wonderful walk in the Woodland Trust’s Blaeberry woods, near Whitburn. Peter of Eadha enterprise, a social enterprise specialising in Aspen trees, will lead us on a gentle 2 hour walk around the site to find some of our native Scottish trees. We explore how these trees reproduce, their preferred habitat and other fun facts about how they become part of our folklaw. We’ll be joining some of the RiverLife: Almond & Avon projects volunteers after a day of studying Aspen, Scotland’s only native Poplar tree species. Spaces are limited so please make sure you’ve reserved a space. 1.15 – 3.15. Free, but register on Eventbrite www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/forthrivers-trust-17599047977 FRIDAY 26TH OCTOBER Friday Fright Night A little extra horror once the sun goes down, with a scary surprise around every corner, ghost trains to nowhere, and trailer rides circuiting the graveyard.

Come dressed to kill. Good family fun, but perhaps not suitable for very young children or adults of a nervous disposition - no advance booking required. 6pm - 9pm.

Almond Valley Heritage Trust, Millfield, Livingston. www.almondvalley.co.uk FRIDAY 26TH TO SUNDAY 28TH OCTOBER The Linlithgow ExFEARience As you tour the magnificent Linlithgow Palace you will soon discover all is not what it seems. Will you be brave enough to face what the archaeologists have uncovered? This event is not suitable for people of a nervous disposition, those who are pregnant, have a heart condition or epilepsy. Entry is for over 14s only and all under 18s must be accompanied by an adult throughout. Please note this is a new age restriction for 2018, as the event is spookier than ever before!

Please be aware that the experience takes place in the dark and that there will be strobe lighting and loud noises. Booking essential. Contact Historic Environment Scotland Rangers on 0131 652 8150, email rangers@ hes.scot 6.30pm, 8.00pm and 9.30pm. Tickets £12, or £10.80 for Historic Scotland Members. Book via website www.historicenvironment.scot

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FIREWORKS

SATURDAY 3RD NOVEMBER: Hopetoun House, www.hopetoun.co.uk MONDAY 4TH NOVEMBER: Deer Park, Livingston, www.deer-park.co.uk SATURDAY 3RD NOVEMBER: Linlithgow Rugby Football Club - www.facebook.com/LinlithgowRFC/ MONDAY 5TH NOVEMBER: Callendar Park, Falkirk - www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org

SATURDAY 27TH OCTOBER Spooky Saturday : the all-day halloween party at Almond Valley On the Saturday before Halloween there’s even more spooky fun going on throughout the day - dooking for apples and other traditional games, crafts and creations, and music for monster dancing ideal for families with younger children. Open as usual from 10am to 5pm - no advance booking required.

10am – 5pm. Almond Valley Heritage Trust, Millfield, Livingston. www.almondvalley.co.uk SUNDAY 28TH OCTOBER Fabulous Fungi at Hopetoun We hope to explore the fruiting fungi at Hopetoun. With internationally important fungi lawns, and woodlands bursting with mushrooms of all shapes and sizes, you will be guided on a gentle walk to explore the fascinating world of fungi. Please note- we will not be collecting for the pot on this walk. Meet: Main Visitor Car Park at Hopetoun House. Cost: Grounds entry fee £4.75 adult £2.95 child (not suitable for under 12’s) Booking essential, please contact the ranger service on ranger@hopetoun.co.uk or 0131 319 3956

BENNIE MUSEUM

9/11 Mansefield Street, Bathgate EH48 4HU The museum opened in 1989 as a museum of Bathgate’s history and life. It is run by volunteers and is under the management of a Charitable Trust. Entry to the museum is free, but we accept donations. There are permanent exhibitions as well as a changing programme of specialist exhibitions. Opening Hours: Main Museum has disabled access and is open six days a week. Winter hours 2nd October – 31st March 11am 3:30 pm.

Summer hours 1st April – 1st October 11am – 4pm.

In the courtyard there is a Museum of Childhood which is open Monday am, Wednesday pm and Saturday all day. The opening and closing times are the same as the main museum. This can be opened at other times by contacting the museum in advance. Contact 01506 634944 www.benniemuseum.org.uk and on facebook.

WANT TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT HERE? COMMUNITY AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT LISTINGS ARE FREE OF CHARGE.

EMAIL EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT BY 15TH OF THE MONTH FOR FOLLOWING MONTH’S ISSUE.

BATHGATE | 31

PUZZLES

SUDOKU

Solution on Page 38

CROSSWORD

Solution in the November edition of Konect

32 | BATHGATE

ACROSS: 7. Moscow’s country (6), 8. Clears throat (6), 9. Continent (4), 10. Extra (8), 11. Picture houses (7), 13. Head organ (5), 15. Wooden barrier (5), 17. Go backwards (7), 20. Fell (8), 21. Limit, boundary (4), 23. Event, incident (6), 24. Idea (6) DOWN: 1. Pet name for cat (4), 2. Property, manor (6), 3. Yellow fruits (7), 4. Corrosive liquids (5), 5. Six-string (6), 6. Explanations, hypotheses (8), 12. Recognize (8), 14. Title (7), 16. Fighting (6), 18. Occurrences (6), 19. Warn (5), 22. Enlarge, develop (4)

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FEATURE

Developing the Young Workforce , - a local parent s perspective Arlene Nicol is the Project Liaison Officer for the Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Regional Group as well as a parent of two children who attend secondary school within West Lothian. Arlene gave us her perspective on the importance of young people interacting with industry while still at school.

“When I was in school in the late 1980s, the nearest thing I experienced to Developing the Young Workforce was a quick meeting with the Deputy Head whilst in S5, who advised me that I didn’t need to worry about the world of work since I would be going to university. Whilst we have moved on from these days, I feel that it is vital that schools are given the resource and support to provide pupils with as much targeted exposure to industry - and the world of work - as possible. In my opinion, young people need to understand the skills and qualities employers are looking for in their future workforce, where skills gaps lie and the vast number of opportunities there are in all industry sectors.

have a tendency to think about those jobs that are well known in society- doctor, lawyer, nurse, teacher, plumber, policeman etc. Whilst these careers are vital and the right choice from some, the number of other industries - and opportunities therein - is mind-boggling.

I feel that the HE route is perfect for many young people; however, I also strongly believe that work-based learning is an equally valuable path. I have to admit that, until a couple of years ago, I had no clue about the variety of Modern Apprenticeships available to young people- from Cyber Security to Healthcare to Engineering. I used to think that Modern Apprenticeships were only relevant if kids wanted to be a plumber or electrician. Having gone to university myself, I wish there had been the opportunity to study as a Graduate Apprentice whilst working- no debts and earning at the same time!”

Having worked in a number of industries throughout my adult life and having met numerous young people starting out on their career journey, I can honestly say that the majority of young people who have had some form of exposure to the world of work whilst at school- whether it be a part time job, voluntary work, work placements or internships - are more confident, more aware of employer expectations and generally more ‘work savvy’.

Arlene Nicol: Lauren Brown: Anna Ramsay:

My kids (one in S2 and one in S4) are now starting to think about what they would like to do when they leave school. As a parent, it is important to me that they understand the vast number of options available to them. Kids can

This article was contributed by DYW West Lothian. DYW aims to connect employers with schools and colleges and prepare young people for the world of work.

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If you would like to find out more about DYW or get involved, please contact: arlene.nicol@dyw-wl.com lauren.brown@dyw-wl.com anna.ramsay@dyw-wl.com

BATHGATE | 33

PARENTING

Hopped up on Halloween

When I was a little girl, the seasons and celebrations that make up a year were the anchors by which I measured the passing of time. I’d happily hop from one to the next; giving absolutely no thought to the work my mum and dad were putting in to making said festivities so exciting.

For me it was a case of “Christmas is over, next stop Easter”. As an adult you grow out of that and the year is a blur of working and weekends.

Halloween of course was one of those pivotal occasions. I’m ashamed to say once I hit my “adult” years I was that person who always forgot to stock up on sweets. On Halloween night my husband and I would invariably lock the door, switch of the lights, and pretend not to be home…ducking below the window when moving about the house lest we be seen by a keen-eyed guiser.

But with kids in the house now, I see it all through fresh eyes. And happily throw myself into it with gusto. So while in days gone by October meant getting out my cosy cardigans, swapping my sandals for furry boots, and enjoying pub lunches by an open fire; now October means Halloween. Panicking about what the kids want to dress up as, hoping they don’t change their minds once I’ve got everything, rushing about getting last minute make-up and accessories, decorating the house, carving pumpkins, and coming up with suitably 34 | BATHGATE

funny jokes for Trick or Treating. And of course making sure we have enough sweets to sink a battleship (thanks to the mums who give out fruit, I say every year we should…but never do!).

Luckily in West Lothian with all manner of local shops and big discount stores on the doorstep picking up last minute decorations, accessories and sweets is a relatively easy feat. But I still keep an eye out for activities and events to entertain the kids and foster their interest in all things spooky (not that they need encouragement!).

Last year we enjoyed a spooktacular visit to Almond Valley. We’d been there late in the summer and my daughter peeked behind a curtain she undoubtedly wasn’t supposed to and saw the makings of a Halloween extravaganza. I told her we probably wouldn’t be back again so soon but who can resist those puppy dog eyes!

So come October back we went under duress. But I was absolutely in awe of the effort that went into transforming the place for Halloween. The

kids whizzed about with their trail sheets looking for clues.

And there was literally a spooky surprise around every corner. So I reckon whatever takes your fancy this year – a broomstick-making workshop, a pumpkin carving course or just whipping up some creepy cakes at home - it’ll be worth it to see the kids all hopped up (on something other than sweets). Big-up to all the mums and dads out there making Halloween all its hyped up to be!

The parenting column is contributed by Laura Archibald. Laura lives in West Lothian with her family and their campervan Hank. She is mummy, wife, blogger and full-time personal assistant to her two girlie girls. @KonectMagazines

VISIT WEST LOTHIAN

The nights are finally starting to draw in, and dare we say it but Christmas is now just 2 months away!

Before we get too carried away, there’s still plenty of other things to do across West Lothian.

In Linlithgow, the Town Twinning association will be hosting a very special concert in both English and French featuring Christine Bovill. This takes place on Saturday 13th at the Academy Theatre. The Arts Guild in Linlithgow are hosting Yu Kosuge on the 20th. Her programme for this performance is entitled “Fire” and it includes music by Tchaikovsky, De Falla, Liszt, Debussy, Scriabin and Stravinsky.

One of the biggest events of the year is of course Halloween! There will be many events taking place towards the end of the month to keep the young (and old!) ones occupied, starting in Livingston on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th for fright Nights at Almond Valley. A little extra horror once the sun goes down, with a scary surprise around every corner, ghost trains to nowhere, and trailer rides circuiting the graveyard. The event is not suitable for very young children.

On Sunday in Linlithgow, why not get into the more traditional spirit with some pumpkin carving? At the Burgh Halls from 13.00 you can have a go at carving some spooky designs and transform your pumpkin into the best Halloween Lantern in the town.

That’s just a few of the great events going on this month, for more and for full details of location and prices of these events, visit our website at www.visitwestlothian.co.uk.

Don’t forget, many of these venues are participating in the West Lothian Passport scheme. Why not take your passport along and get some stamps for visiting top attractions this month? The competition closes October 31st so don’t miss out!

Follow us on social media to stay up to date with the latest attraction information: www.facebook.com/VisitWestLothian www.twitter.com/SeeWestLothian www.instagram.com/VisitWestLothian @KonectMagazines

CLUBS & CLASSES

SPORTS, HOBBIES, LEARNING, SUPPORT GROUPS & MORE...

BATHGATE KIDS FRIDAY CLUB Calling all P1-P7 children!

Looking for some fun? Come & join us every Friday (during term time) from 2pm -3.30pm for a wide range of activities including face /nail painting, arts and crafts, games, baking, snooker and lots more. £1.50 donation per week. Bathgate High Church, Gideon Street, Bathgate. Email; info@bathgatehigh.com.

COMMUNITY PLAYGROUPS BATHGATE Bathgate Partnership Centre, 21 South Bridge Street, EH48 1TL. Manager Liz. Contact: 07591735823.

Open Monday to Friday 9:15am to 11:30am, Mon & Wed 12:30 to 2:15pm. £7.50 per session.

BATHGATE FAIRTRADE GROUP Bathgate Fairtrade is a small group and welcomes more members locally to promote fairtrade in Bathgate and West Lothian, providing information about fairtrade and opportunities to buy fairly traded food and other items with stalls in various locations. If you are interested or want to know more please contact the secretary Gillian Reid on 01506 653366 or Email: mrs_g@btinternet.com RAINBOWS, BROWNIES & GUIDES Rainbow units - (girls aged 5 - 7 years old) take place on Monday and Wednesday nights. For more information please visit www.girlguiding.org. uk/get-involved or alternatively you can email us on westlothiangirlguiding@gmail.com.

Brownie units - (girls aged 7 - 10 years old) take place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights. For more information please visit www.girlguiding.org. uk/get-involved or alternatively you can email us on westlothiangirlguiding@gmail.com.

Guide units - (girls aged 10 - 14 years old) take place on Thursday nights. For more information please visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved or alternatively you can email us on westlothiangirlguiding@gmail.com.

BATHGATE & DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB We are a friendly group who meet third Monday of each month, Sept to June (except Dec), 7.15pm in the United Reform Church Hall, Majoriebanks Street, Bathgate. We have a Floral Art demonstrator at each meeting who designs around 5 arrangements which are given as raffle prizes.

Contact Nan Tait, Chairman, tel: 01506 676965.

BATHGATE HISTORY GROUP A friendly group who meet on Wednesdays at 2.00pm in the Tryst behind St John’s Church, Mid Street, Bathgate.

We have interesting speakers on various topics with tea and coffee served. A warm welcome awaits old and new members. We meet from the first Wednesday in September through to the following April. For further information contact Christine on 01506 656499.

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BATHGATE ...cont.

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 of indoor and outdoor play experiences until 6pm Mon-Fri. Sessions are paid for as they are booked 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 7:00pm-9:00pm

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.

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

36 | BATHGATE

Hartbeeps, Yoga Babiez, Baby Sensory, Iyengar Yoga Warriors and Kids Iyengar Yoga Warriors. Please see our events page on facebook www.facebook.com/kidzeco 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.

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

REGAL MUSIC CLUB The Regal Theatre, Bathgate. For anyone who loves music. We meet fortnightly on Wednesdays. 7.30pm – 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. £2.00 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 A meeting place and caring supportive group for people with dementia and their carers. The Memory Cafe runs the first Monday of every month between 1.30pm and 3pm at Rosemount Gardens, Mid Street, Bathgate (Sheltered Housing Complex). Contact 01506 533114 or just turn up and be assured of a warm welcome 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 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.

WEST LOTHIAN RUN Little Runners – free kids running classes, Sundays at Boghall Community Wing 11am – 12pm.

See www.westlothianrun.org.uk for details and to register.

WEST LOTHIAN GENERATION ARTS Helps people stay healthy mentally and physically by offering classes of seated dance, singing and arts. Classes are held in St. Mary’s Hall, Livery Street, Bathgate, for over sixties, on Fridays at 10.30am and Howden Park Centre, Livingston, on Thursdays at 1130 a.m. Further info frome: generationarts.coordinator@gmail. com w: www.generationarts.co.uk

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 info see www.rycbathgate. com or contact us via facebook.

THE TREE CLUB Office at 19c South Bridge Street, Bathgate. West Lothian’s only afterschool club for

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children and teenagers with additional support needs. Stimulating and creative activities with high staff to child ratio. See www.thetreeclub.org.uk KIRKTON PARK TENNIS CLUB Interested in improving your tennis game? Check out our club info at KirktonParkTennisClub.co.uk We offer a free trial social session!

Hope to see you on the courts soon.

Learn, Play, Enjoy!

SCOTTISH SENIORS COMPUTER CLUB James Young Bar, Hopetoun Street, Bathgate. For the over 50s to find out what you can do with your computer, laptop, iPad/ tablet or smartphone device. Enjoy the experience; learn and share!

Thursday mornings 10am - 12 noon.

Contact : Chris Cosgrove. Bathgate Computer Club. Call 01506 656153 or just call in.

WEST LOTHIAN SUB AQUA CLUB Come along and join us on a Tuesday evening at Xcite Bathgate swimming pool. Not sure if scubadiving is for you? No problem, we can offer you a taster ‘Try Dive’ to let you experience the freedom of diving. Training is carried out at your pace and our instructors are fully qualified and experienced divers so you will be in safe hands. As a not-for-profit organisation you will be surprised how little our training costs.

To find out more, visit our website www.westlothianscuba.co.uk or come along to Xcite Bathgate at 8pm on a Tuesday for a chat by the pool.

NIBBLE N NATTER Fortnightly get together in Royal Scot Court, Bathgate, where we enjoy coming together and meeting new people.

Have a chat and a choice of biscuits and cakes with a cup of tea. A welcoming atmosphere awaits you!

Cost is just £1 and all are welcome.

Group run by Cyrenians OPAL (Older People, Active Lives), 01506 815815, email opal@cyrenians.scot or visit our website www.cyrenians.scot ACTIVITY GROUP Are you over 60? Looking to get out and meet new people? Come and join in our activity group in Rosemount Gardens, Bathgate - a mix of gentle physical activity, quizzes and games.

We also love a good chat over a cup of tea! All welcome, cost is just £1 per session. Get in touch if you’d like more information, with Cyrenians OPAL (Older People, Active Lives) on 01506 815815, email opal@ cyrenians.scot or visit our website www.cyrenians.scot PILATES St. Mary’s Hall, Livery Street, Bathgate. Monday evenings 6pm for intermediate/advanced levels and 7pm for beginner/ intermediate levels. Improve

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posture, flexibility, strength and stability with classical pilates. For booking and further information, contact Maria on 07513 116490 or mariahybszerpilates@gmail.com or check out website mariahybszerpilates.weebly.com

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 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.

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 WEST INCH NETBALL Meet on a Tuesday night at Simpson Primary School, Bathgate. Arrive anytime after 7 pm, games played between 7.30 and 8.30 pm. £3 per person, per week. All are welcome.

DOTEKI KARATE CLUB Meet on a Monday night at Simpson Primary School, Bathgate, 4 – 8 year olds 6.30 – 7.30 pm and 8 years to adults 7.30 – 8.30 pm. No previous experience necessary. Wear a t-shirt, jogging bottoms and bring a bottle of water. For more information visit their Facebook page: Doteki Karate Club; email dotekikarate@gmail.com or phone: 07917351794.

FOOTBALL STAR ACADEMY Meet on a Saturday and Sunday

morning at Simpson Primary School, Bathgate for boys and girls aged 5 and 8 years. Saturday’s Soccer School is between 11 am and 12 noon, Sunday’s Soccer School is 10.30 – 11.30 am. For more information visit their Facebook page: @footballstaracademy1; email footballstaracademy@outlook.com or phone: 07903877987.

TORPHICHEN BROWNIE UNIT (girls aged 7 - 10 years old) take place on Tuesday night. For more information please visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/getinvolved or alternatively you can email us on westlothiangirlguiding@ gmail.com.

OTHER AREAS NEW WEST LOTHIAN CHOIR Armadale Community Centre, Thursdays 6pm - 8pm in Armadale Community Centre. Free, and no audition and no requirement to read music. For information email westlothianchoir@outlook.com COMMUNITY PLAYGROUPS ARMADALE Armadale Community Centre, 7 North Street Armadale, EH48 3QB. Manager Arlene. Contact : 07592816761. Open Tuesday to Friday 9;15am to 11;30am £7.50 per session.

CHOOSE YOU YOGA Carmondean House, Carmondean Centre South, Livingston, EH54 8PT. Mon 9.45-11.00am Seasonal yoga; 6.00-7.15pm Iyengar yoga; 7.308.45pm Iyengar yoga.

Tues 6.00-7.30pm Ashtanga yoga; 7.45-8.45pm Vinyasa flow yoga.

Wed 5.30-6.30pm Seasonal yoga; 7.00-8.30pm Bihar yoga; 8.309.10pm Meditation.

Thurs 6.00-7.15pm Iyengar yoga; 7.30-8.45pm Iyengar yoga.

Fri 9.45-11.00am Iyengar yoga;4.005.00pm Children’s yoga age 8-12; 5.30-6.30pm Vinyasa Flow yoga. For information please call Eva on 07810 824195 TO INCLUDE YOUR CLUB OR CLASS, PLEASE EMAIL DETAILS TO EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT CHARITY AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS ARE FREE. THERE IS A SMALL CHARGE FOR OTHER LISTINGS. SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION. WWW.KONECT.SCOT

BATHGATE | 37

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

APPLIANCE REPAIRS Home Appliance Repair 22 BATHROOMS & KITCHENS 1st Choice Living 5 Bathgate Bathroom Studio 17 S and S Home Improvements 20 BOILER SERVICES The Gas Engineer 12 CAR SERVICING, MOT & REPAIR Ace Exhausts & Tyres 16 M & S Auto Solutions 10 CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING James Burnett 22 Lion Cleaning Services 12 CHURCHES Centre Point Church 7 COMMUNITY Lothian Buses 11 COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES Yoga With Amy 22 COMPUTER/PHONE REPAIRS Sprint Computer Repairs 16 CURTAINS & BLINDS Harvey Bruce 17 DOORS/WINDOWS UPVC Doors 5 ELECTRICIAN DB Electrics 10 SL Electrical 12 ESTATE AGENT Turpie & Co 19 FIREWORKS Firework Factory Whitburn 7 FINANCIAL ADVICE Link Housing Association 30 GARDEN CENTRE New Hopetoun Gardens 15 GARDEN DESIGN / MAINTENANCE All Year Round Landscapes 13 Evergreen Balerno 14 Naia Garden Services 13 GLAZING REPAIRS CR Smith 21 GOLF Bathgate Golf Club 4 HEALTH AND FITNESS Slimming World - Bathgate 23 38 | BATHGATE

HOTEL Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club 39 JOINERY Create Enhanced Spaces 10 LEAFLET DISTRIBUTION The Leaflet Lady 40 LOCKSMITH CVC Locksmiths and Security 12 MOBILITY SERVICES Ableworld 25 PAINTING & DECORATING Manic Street Painters 12 PET SITTING/BOARDING Alicat Purrfections 27 PLASTERING Nu Walls 12 PLUMBING AND HEATING McLellan Plumbing 10 PRESSURE WASHING Scotwash Solutions 12 RESTAURANT Liberta Restaurant / Takeaway 6 ROOFING G Hughes Roofing Services 14 SPORTS AND LEISURE Edinburgh International Climbing Arena 4 TAXI & PRIVATE HIRE County Cars 2 TREE CARE SERVICES Arbscape Tree Surgery 13 Evergreen Tree Surgery 14 TRUSTED TRADER SCHEME West Lothian Trusted Trader Scheme 13 VET & ANIMAL WELLBEING Ayrton Veterinary Hospital 26 Riverside Vets 27 WHAT’S ON The Foundry 4 YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SCHEME Developing the Young Workforce 32

SOLUTIONS

SOLUTION TO SEPTEMBER CROSSWORD

ACROSS: 7. Digest, 8. Eroded, 9. Clog, 10. Yachting, 11. Robbing, 13. Fiend, 15. Minus, 16. Request, 18. Eighteen, 19. Iced, 21. Famous, 22. Ornate.

DOWN: 1. Dill, 2. Neighbourhood, 3. Staying, 4. Mercy, 5. Contributions, 6. Remnants, 12. Original, 14. Reunion, 17. Cease, 20. Eats.

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE 32

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