Konect Broxburn April 2018

APRIL 2018

broxburn

PLUS: Patterns For Living, Gardening Project, Puzzles and much more inside!

The community magazine for Uphall, Broxburn & Winchburgh

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WIN! Tickets to Gardening Scotland : See P14 M ES S AG E F ROM T HE E D I T O R

L

ooking through this issue of Konect Broxburn I think it sums up a lot of what I love about producing this magazine: there is always something new to learn about the wonderful range of things people do locally. This month I interviewed: a footgolfer (I’d never heard of it, either); and ladies who started out arranging one fundraising party and ended up running a charity. You have a chance to win a couple of tickets to their party this year….see page 30.

Tis the season when the garden springs into life. For ideas and inspiration for all gardens, large and tiny, or if you need a hand with yours, there are plenty of local companies who can help out. And we’re lucky to have Gardening Scotland, the national gardening and outdoor living show, just up the road at Ingliston. They are running a competition for Konect readers to win tickets to the show this year, see page 14.

Once again, thanks for reading Konect and supporting local businesses.

Helen-Jane, Editor hj@konectdirectory.co.uk Cover Image: Footgolf: Find out more about the sport on P8-9

@KonectMagazines

FEATURES

Footgolf Garden Project Home Improvement Health & Beauty Property Matters Recipe & Food Notes Parents in West Lothian The Butterflies Charity

8 11 12 20 22 30 28 30

COMPETITIONS & PUZZLES

Gardening Scotland Competition The Butterflies Ball INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

14 30 31

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES CHARLENE GAFFNEY 07772 941899 charlene@konectdirectory.co.uk JENNY THOMSON 07824 469266 jenny@konectdirectory.co.uk ADVERT BOOKING DEADLINE: 15th of the month prior to print.

ARTWORK/COPY DEADLINE: 18th of the month prior to print.

The Konect Directory is delivered to 7,500 homes throughout Uphall, Broxburn and Winchburgh. Copies are also left at the library, post offices, convenience stores and other locations.

BROXBURN | 3

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FOes,Oit isTwhatGit sounds like...F n “I’d never heard of ni footgolf until you called Decla me about this article,” I say to Declan Reid when we meet in the Black Bull Inn in Mid Calder to discuss his upcoming UK footgolf tour.

“Neither had I until 18 months ago!” he responds.

And here he is now, representing Scotland in footgolf tournaments and raising sponsorship to get himself to the next level.

Spell checker is underlining the word footgolf in red in my word processor as I write this article, so it’s not made its way into the Word dictionary yet. What is it?

Footgolf is exactly what it sounds like – kicking a football into a course of holes. A fairly new sport, it’s seen an explosion in popularity in the past two years and is being considered by the Olympic Committee for inclusion as an Olympic sport. Where does West Lothian sit on that map?

“There is one footgolf club in West Lothian, at Bridgend Golf Club, near Linlithgow,” says Declan. “Bridgend is a brilliantly maintained course. We’re in a league with footgolf clubs in Cumbernauld, Roodlea in Ayr and Caprington in Kilmarnock. So long as you can kick a ball, you can have a go at footgolf.” It doesn’t require the athleticism of football; you go at your own pace in small teams around the course, making it a very accessible sport.

The Bridgend Footgolf Club has members of all ages, both men and women.

8 | BROXBURN

@KonectDirectory

Footgolf is played with a standard size 5 football on an existing golf course, kind of superimposed over the golf course but with the 21” footgolf holes just off to the side of the golf greens.

Golfers and footgolfers co-habitate quite happily; the usual rules of courtesy on the course apply.

Most footgolfers have a background in playing football, and there is a smattering of national and international ex-professional footballers in the sport. With its focus on precision, I ask Declan if training in footgolf would be a good idea for all footballers? “It’s quite a different skill really,” he explains. “Yes, precision is important in football, but when you’re passing the ball it has to arrive at your team member with momentum.

In footgolf, you’re aiming at a fixed spot and you want the ball to stop at that point.”

Declan first came across footgolf at Conifox Garden Centre in Kirkliston where they have a wee course for kids. His football mad kids loved it. Declan looked it up, found the club at Bridgend, booked the course and is now hooked on it. With a dedicated footgolf course at Gatwick, courses such as Celtic Manor hosting footgolf events, and former England and Liverpool striker Stan Collymore giving footgolf attention on his show in February, the sport’s profile is definitely on the rise. I pass a message of solidarity to Declan’s wife, “Hang in there, I’m sure the prize money will increase proportionately...”

Helen-Jane Shearer interviewed Declan Reid for this article. Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect magazines and lives in West Lothian with her family.

OFFER!

Try Footgolf! Bridgend Golf Club are offering a free bacon roll when you book a round of footgolf any weekend in April.

Mention Konect when you book, and bring this voucher to claim your bacon roll on the day.

The Bridgend course is an 18-hole footgolf course alongside the 9 hole golf course. £13 for a round, plus £2 ball hire, but you can bring your own size 5 ball. No football studs. Open every day til 8pm, public bar serving food. Bridgend is West Lothian’s only footgolf course and is affiliated with UK Footgolf. www.bridgendgolfclub.com

ADDRESS: Willowdean, Linlithgow, Bridgend, West Lothian, EH49 6NW TEL: 01506 834140 or 07977 142021

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY Declan is seeking sponsorship to help him cover his costs.

“This year I will be playing in the Scottish Tartan Tour, UK National tour singles and pairs events. I would also like to continuing representing Scotland in the Tri-Nations event, having a 100% win record from my international debut against England.” He has a range of business sponsorship options including organising company footgolf days out.

If you are interested in helping, please contact Declan via the Bridgend Footgolf Facebook page (West Lothian Footgolf) or call Bridgend Golf Club on 01506 834140 and leave a message for him.

fo r

all

!

For more information about the sport, see “West Lothian Footgolf” on Facebook and www.ukfootgolf.com.

s Footgolf: A @KonectMagazines

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BROXBURN | 9

CREDIT: Background photograph provided by UK Footgolf

First things first, what do you wear for footgolf? I see a smattering of Argyle pattern socks and tops in many of the photos I’ve looked at. “Wear pretty much what you’d wear for football, but no studs on your boots. The studs are too harsh on the golf greens.”

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GARDENING PROJECT them to the canes with sweet pea rings as they grow. Start feeding with a liquid feed like Tomorite after six weeks and once they start flowering you must pick each week to stop them setting seed. A bunch of sweet peas makes a lovely gift if you find you are getting more than your vase can cope with!

Create a wigwam of gloriously scented sweet peas in a pot or in the ground to give you a Summer Spectacle!

Our Purple Piglet Project leaflet explains everything you’ll need and how to go about the job. Its best to use 8ft (2.4m) bamboo canes pushed into the soil and tied at the top. If you are using a very large pot fill it with John Innes No.3 compost, if planting in the ground work in some general Growmore fertiliser.

The young sweet pea plants are pretty tough so you can safely plant them this month, two plants at the bottom of each cane, water well and start fixing

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Beautiful Sweet Peas The gardening project is contributed by New Hopetoun Gardens. Pick up more of their weekend garden projects from the garden centre.

BROXBURN | 11

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Engineered wood (sometimes called multilayer or laminated) is made from layers of solid timber or a veneer of solid timber on top of MDF, plywood, chipboard or softwood, with a balancing veneer beneath. A top layer of at least 5mm allows for limited sanding if necessary.

Laminates generally comprise a resin-impregnated decorative paper surface layer (with photographs of real wood) bonded to a thin MDF or chipboard core. Cheap versions are not awfully durable, but more expensive versions are tough and have long guarantees.

They are beautiful, natural, healthy, and get better with age – wooden floors are ideal almost everywhere.

Sand back old boards – often the simplest and cheapest option, although not every floor is worth sanding. If there are too many nails, or the floor has woodworm, is uneven, or is of poor quality, replacing it may be better. Before sanding, mend or replace any damaged boards, preferably with matching second hand boards (new boards should be stained later to match), and hammer down protruding nail heads.

Using reclaimed boards - the aged patina of reclaimed boards is beautiful, but they are not much cheaper than new boards. Common problems include woodworm, ingrained dirt and stains, damage, variations in thickness or colour, and the presence of old nails. Ask where the wood came from and how it has been stored – timber that has stood outside may be useless or would need to dry out considerably before reuse. Pine is cheaper than oak, and narrower boards are cheaper than wider ones.

A new timber floor - can be fitted anywhere in the house, on solid or suspended floors, though they’re not advised for bathrooms or other wet areas (as wood expands and contracts with humidity). You can fit a timber floor with underfloor heating, though timber does not give quite as high a heat output as concrete. When retro-fitting, it may be possible to lay new boards over old ones – but only if they are even, and usually covered with 18-20mm of ply as a base. Remember that your floor level will be raised and ensure you avoid any pipes and wires that run beneath the existing floor when fitting.

Types of Timber

Solid wood is entirely natural and can be sanded again and again. It’s available as boards, strips, blocks and parquet.

12 | BROXBURN

Timber floors are given ‘grades’ describing their appearance. They vary but are often called ‘select’, ‘natural’ and ‘rustic’ or ‘country’. ‘Rustic’ grades are the cheapest and ‘select’ the most expensive.

Lulworth Blue floor paint, £67 per 2.5l, Farrow & Ball

Finishes for floorboards

PAINT: a great cover-up, available in a range of colours.

STAINS: may be oil or water-based. May still need a finish for protection.

WAX: gives a lovely sheen and smell, but requires regular re-waxing.

OIL: gives a natural finish and protect the woods, but again needs re-applying regularly.

UV-CURED OIL & WAX: almost like lacquer, but with the look of oil or wax.

LACQUER & VARNISH: available in hardwearing matt, satin and gloss finishes, but don’t give such a natural finish. @KonectDirectory

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BROXBURN | 13

GARDENING

For advice on how to spruce up your garden, as well as gorgeous plants, garden tools and accessories, Show Garden inspiration, handmade crafts, gourmet foods and a great day out for all the family, then visit Gardening Scotland 2018.

This year’s show takes place from Friday, 1 June until Sunday, 3 June at the Royal Highland Centre Edinburgh and it is the biggest plant sale in the country. Early bird tickets are available online at www.gardeningscotland.com, so book early to save money.

If you fancy winning a pair of tickets to the show, then take part in our competition!

We’ve got 10 pairs of tickets to be won.

Just unscramble the letters below to reveal the names of three favourite flowers:

LAADHI TONICARAN SORE

Email your answers, along with your name & phone number, to win@konectdirectory.co.uk CLOSING DATE: Sunday 15th April 2018.

Winner will be chosen at random after the closing date and informed via the email address used to enter.

Houstoun Mains, Dechmont, EH52 6JU Tel: 01506 811237 | Email: dechmontsmithy5@aol.com

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BROXBURN | 15

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There’s life in your unwanted furniture and electricals

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BROXBURN | 19

HEALTH & BEAUTY

HOW MANY BRUSHES? A lot of clients ask me about managing their hair at home. Are lots of expensive products neccesary? How many brushes?

My answer is keep it simple, find one good product that does it all. Something ideally with hold, volume, shine and heat protection.

I recommend asking your hairdresser the best brush to suit you. I like to use a paddle brush on longer hair and finish with a ceramic round brush. This will add velvety shine, smooth the ends and close down the cuticle of your hair. One of the most important factors of a good blowdry is using a nozzle on your hair dryer. This genuis addition will make your life easier as it directs the airflow. So many people don’t use it, and although it’s great for a quick blast off without a nozzle, it can make hair very difficult to actually style.

The direction of airflow is so important so when it’s concentrated at the root pointing upwards it will add volume and lift, pointing downwards it will add shine and again close the cuticle. A good hairdryer is also essential and worth spending money on. The ghd air is a firm favourite for fine to normal hair.

Alternatively if you have a head of thick, unruly hair the babyliss pro Italia brava has a turbo mode that will actually change your life.

The Hair column is contributed by Sophie Laidlaw. Sophie is Director @wonderland Livingston. www.wonderlandlivingston.co.uk 20 | BROXBURN

Many people think of trauma as being related to extreme incidents, such as experiences of war or awful accidents. But ‘sub-threshold’ trauma is common and can be devastating in our search for a happy life.

Neuroscientific research shows us why events which are experienced in situations of high distress are processed as trauma - and what’s more exciting - why ‘Rewind’ works to set us free from the ongoing impact of past painful situations.

Because the brain is a pattern-matching organ, traumatic memories are triggered whenever anything in our environment, or a thought or feeling, has a similarity to that event. And hard as we might try, it’s impossible to change by ourselves the impact these memories have on us.

It’s not about being strong or clever or forgiving, or anything like that. They feel the way they do because they’re stuck in the emotional brain and so, whenever the memory is rekindled, we get the feeling that we had at that time.

Helping people to lay unpleasant memories in the past, where they belong, is my favourite ‘tool’.

‘Rewind’ is completed using guided imagery, and people usually feel relaxed and relieved afterwards. It’s swift and effective, and I don’t even need to know the story of the event being worked on - I just facilitate the healing of the memory, which frees people to live more fully in the present.

This column is contributed by Rosanna Veitch.

“I have worked as a counsellor for 30 years, I see clients of all ages and with all forms of emotional distress in my peaceful therapy room at my home. Please feel free to call for a chat.

Everyone is welcome, and I'm happy to adjust my fee if money is tight.”

T: 0131 449 2580 W: www.effectivecounsellingedinburgh.com

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BROXBURN | 21

PROPERTY MATTERS

There is a strong argument for creating maximum exposure for a property during its time on the market, and much of the effort and resources of a good estate agent are spent achieving the right exposure in the right places.

However, one of the most powerful ways of securing a fast sale at a high price can actually result from minimal exposure – or rather exposure only to a select few!

It works by taking advantage of the fact that people enjoy being offered something on an exclusive basis, especially when it is a property that is “just about to come onto the market”. So, offering new instructions “offmarket” to pre-registered “hottest” buyers first, can often result in sales that were never even advertised! Additionally, agents who are able to credibly promote to potential buyers that they also have properties that don’t appear on their website or any portals creates a curiosity and a feeling that the buyer could be missing out on something good. This encourages buyers to register their search criteria directly with the Property Manager so they can then gain access to a potentially popular property with little or no competition.

The prices achieved using this method tend to be good as well, as buyers of such a property know that (a) it is unlikely that the seller would consider anything other than 22 | BROXBURN

the asking price during these early days of marketing and (b) don’t want to lose out.

Many sellers like the idea of an initial period of quiet marketing too, especially in instances of a marriage break up, a death in the family, a prominent house in a small town, financial difficulties or any other reason where people don’t yet want it to be publicly known that they are selling. The concept also reduces the risk of overexposure or of the property “going stale” on the market.

Of course, it does rely on a strong register of qualified buyers, extensive knowledge of the local area and some ‘good old fashioned estate agency work’ which, in the days of a heavy reliance on internet advertising, is often overlooked.

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. @KonectDirectory

Be the first to know!

Turpie Confidential is a discrete property service that offers clients the opportunity to buy and sell property without going to the open market. This unique service offers benefits to both parties and has previously only been a service available for those searching for property at the very top end of the market.

Call our office or email info@turpies.com to receive our regular newsletter bulletins including details of properties and land for sale that often never appear on the open market plus other property news and articles.

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24 | BROXBURN

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BUSTER THE DOG

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Our caring, experienced and dedicated veterinary team is committed to providing the best possible care for your pet, horse or farm animal in the Edinburgh, Lothian and Central regions.

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

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BROXBURN | 25

Braekirk Decorator’s First Class Decoration Willie Jamieson T: 07779 186 298 E: maryjamieson64@googlemail.com 64 Braekirk Avenue, Kirknewton EH27 8BL External | Internal | Wallpaper hanging

Time to grow your business?

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BROXBURN | 27

PARENTS IN WEST LOTHIAN

...avoid cabin fever and get physical at the zoo instead It won’t have escaped your notice that winter kind of messed up this year. In much the same way as one might dramatically slam a door to signal the end of an argument, but then have to sneak huffily back in again to collect a forgotten handbag - winter left, made a rather unexpected return, then left again.

The snow brought chaos and suffering to the central belt – with West Lothian bearing a fair brunt of it. Cars were briefly concealed beneath sparkling drifts, pints of milk assumed the status of legal tender, and children everywhere finally had a real life reason to sing that blasted song from Frozen … “Do you want to build a snowmaaaaaan?”

As for the Jengaengas, we spent 4 full days under virtual house arrest – while other’s progeny were keen to get out and mess about in the white stuff, mine declared it ‘too cold, too snowy’ and instead insisted ‘I want Moana and a blanky!’.

This was fine for about the first 24 hours. But rainy-holiday caravanners, long-haul bus journeyers, and airport-delay endurers, if they have kids, can all identify with the crunch point which comes when you finally run out of activities to keep them happy.

Too much pent up energy and boredom eventually translates into heated squabbles over hitherto un-noticed toys, hysteria over a total refusal by Quinn to stop repeating a random word (“Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing …”) or Penny falsely accusing Quinn of various petty assaults.

We had to get out.

When we were finally able to move the car out of our street, the children were coiled as tight as springs, and desperate for excitement. We decided to look further afield for adventure, and through a chanced-upon post on Facebook, became aware of Fife Zoo. Fife Zoo is still developing as an attraction, but some areas of it are already in action – 28 | BROXBURN

luckily for us, the soft-play and café were two such areas!

After a longer than usual drive to get to a soft-play, my little ones scrambled out of the car like a pair of highly strung whippets. We entered, and no time was wasted. Quinn was in his element – striding about purposefully, whooping with glee as he ventured into this unchartered landscape of vinyl-covered foam and colourful plastic balls.

Such was his vigour and gusto, he very quickly managed to have a massive nosebleed, and only reluctantly tore himself away from the soft-play frame to have it looked at – “Oh no Mummy, red bogies!”.

Penny’s excitement was relatively short lived since she played for around 15 minutes before becoming exhausted and cuddling up to me for a snooze.

After much playing, and after stuffing our faces with delicious goodies from the café (including a particularly good salted caramel cookie), I bundled the babies back into the car, and within minutes of pulling out of the car park, both were fast asleep.

My two certainly won’t forget being tired out by Fife Zzzzzzzzoo!

The monthly Parenting column is contributed by Nicola Jengaenga. Nicola lives in West Lothian with her two pre-schoolers and hubby Channa.

They juggle hectic work schedules with the everevolving demands of their two tiny overlords and also squeezing in time for each other! @KonectDirectory

Across the globe, the Kumon Maths and English Programmes advance students beyond their school level.

Contact your local Instructor for a free assessment.

Livingston Study Centre Ella Ritchie 07753 213626 Fees vary. Please refer to your local study centre.

South Parish Church East Main Street, Uphall: Tuesday 3.30, 5.30 & 7.30pm Canon Hoben Hall, Broxburn: Wed 3.30, 5.50 & 7.30pm

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BROXBURN | 29

konect is do nating a pair of tickets to The Butterflie s Ball! For yo ur to win the tic kets for a grea chance t night out, simply answer the following question:

Where is Th e Butterflies Ball held?

BUTTERFLIES BALL, 21ST APRIL 2018 HILCROFT HOTEL, WHITBURN “Mum and dad loved to dance. They used to just glide across the floor as if they were floating.”

Margaret McQueen is explaining to me why the annual Butterflies Ball is the main fundraising event for The Butterflies Charity that she helped set up and run. I met her, and board member Amanda McQueen, in Livingston last month.

Along with her sisters Elizabeth and Charlotte, Margaret started fundraising about five years ago. Their family had experienced a series of traumatic health incidents, and after their parents passed away they wanted to give something back in return for the fantastic support they had received, in particular from cancer charities.

It was an easy decision to stage a party.

“Mum and dad loved to party,” says Margaret.

So the first Butterflies Ball was announced, to be held at the Hilcroft Hotel in Whitburn.

Deciding to do it was easy; pulling it off was harder! A couple of days beforehand, the live band they had booked cancelled, but at the last minute the Funky Bumpers from Bo’ness were available. They turned out to be brilliant, and have played at the Ball every year since.

“It is always a great party,” says Amanda.

“The Funky Bumpers are brilliant, a range of music, something for everyone. You can be on the dance floor all evening!” There is a three course meal and raffle.

The Butterflies Charity raises money to donate to different causes. This year CHAS is their beneficiary – Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, who care for children with life30 | BROXBURN

A PAIR OF TICKETS!

Email your an sw to win@kone er, along with your name & phone num ctdirectory.c ber, o.uk

CHARITY OF THE MONTH

shortening conditions.

I ask why they set up their own charity, rather than fundraising directly on behalf of others.

“It just grew,” explains Margaret. “The first ball we organised was just that – it was our way of doing something for three causes, we picked one each. Then we started doing other fundraisers during the year. We needed to be a registered charity to deal with it properly.”

“We want the event to be accessible to all,” says Amanda. “Charity parties can be very expensive, by the time you buy the ticket, travel, outfit, and then perhaps feel obliged to bid on auction items. The Butterflies Ball tickets are just £35, which is great value for a three course meal and live band. There is no auction or other things for sale that you need to feel obliged to participate in. Just a good fun night out in the local area!”

For more information, to buy this year’s Ball tickets or raffle tickets, see the Butterflies website at www.thebutterfliescharity.co.uk or The Butterflies Charity on Facebook. You can buy raffle tickets to support the charity even if you are not attending the Ball.

Helen-Jane Shearer interviewed Margaret McQueen and Amanda McQueen, board members of The Butterflies Charity, for this article.

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

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

APPLIANCE REPAIR Home Appliance Repair ATTRACTIONS/DAYS OUT Gardening Scotland BATHROOMS Bathgate Bathroom Studio BLINDS & SHUTTERS Harvey Bruce CABINET MAKER LMB Kitchens CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING James Burnett Carpet Cleaning CHARITY British Heart Foundation CLEANING SERVICES Clean Bee Domestics COMPUTER SERVICES Sprint Computers CONSERVATORIES CR Smith COUNSELLING Rosanna Veitch DANCE SUPPLIES Highland Dance Shop DENTIST No.9 Dental DOORS UPVC Doors E-LIQUID SUPPLIES Vaporized ELECTRICIAN SL Electrical

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BROXBURN | 31

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