Konect Broxburn October 2018

OCTOBER 2018

broxburn

PLUS: HEALTH & BEAUTY, PROPERTY MATTERS, and more LOCAL FEATURES inside!

The monthly community magazine for Uphall, Broxburn & Winchburgh

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.

Team Jak is our Charity of the Month and they are running a volunteer recruitment week in the first week of October. It was a pleasure to meet them for an update on where they are up to three years since Jak set this in motion; see page 8 -9.

I also visited the West Lothian Bike Library, a small voluntary organisation based in Livingston providing a fantastic service.

Look out for the update on p35 on the fledgling Broxburn and Uphall Community Development Trust – this is an excellent time to get involved in the future development of our community and environment here.

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.

COVER IMAGE: See page 34 for local events this October

GET PAID TO KEEP FIT OR FUNDRAISE FOR LOCAL GROUPS! If you are interested in helping us deliver Konect to your neighbours in Broxburn, Uphall and Winchburgh, please email distro@konect.scot. Good rates of pay, a few hours per month and we’d love it if the money was going to local community groups.

Can You Help Ease the Journey.....................8 Gardening: Autumn Pots..............................12 West Lothian Bike Library............................15 Health & Beauty............................................16 Home Improvements....................................18 Thought for the Month..................................22 Sport: The Most Uplifting Sporting Development..................................................... 24 Property Matters............................................26 Puzzles...........................................................28 Music Review................................................30 Parenting: Hopped up on Halloween!........33 What’s On......................................................34 Clubs & Classes..........................................36

Konect is delivered monthly to 7,500 homes and businesses in Uphall, Broxburn and Winchburgh.

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

HELEN-JANE SHEARER

CHARLENE GAFFNEY

JENNY THOMSON

Email: editor@konect.scot

07772 941899 charlene@konect.scot

Email: jenny@konectdirectory.co.uk

Editor

@KonectMagazines

Account Manager

Account Manager

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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 | BROXBURN

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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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.

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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.

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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 damage.

How to let go of Anxiety

Last month I offered three ways to help curb worrying and put problems into perspective.

This month I have three more ways you can reduce your anxiety.

1. Don’t Worry About What People Think Of You…. ...they are too busy thinking about themselves. The theory that everyone else is too busy thinking about themselves is completely true! Commit to only dealing with issues as they come up – if someone confronts you with an issue, then address it. If they don’t confront you, presume there isn’t an issue - you can’t spend your life worrying about what people think of you.

If you begin to notice a pattern in people’s behaviour and it feels like it’s the same people causing the drama, you may choose to spend less time with these people until you feel better within yourself and are in a position to deal with it.

2. Deal With Your Past Much of anxiety stems from trauma that you have experienced throughout your life. If anxiety is getting on top of you, it might be time to have a mental clear out. Working with a coach or therapist can help you close chapters on your past and help you get ready for the next one.

3. Cry It Out Crying is just a way of relieving yourself of built up emotion, it doesn’t mean you have to feel sad or angry or anything really.

Crying can bring closure and peace to issues so never bottle it up - a good cry occasionally is healthy!

The Hair column is contributed by Sophie Laidlaw.

Sophie is Director @wonderland Livingston. www.wonderlandlivingston.co.uk 16 | BROXBURN

The life coaching column is contributed by Erica Douglas. Erica lives in West Lothian and is a Cognitive Coach & Therapist. She co-hosts weekly Mind & Soul Clinics at The Retreat Livingston and The Retreat Linlithgow where the focus is on holistic healing and wellbeing.

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HOME IMPROVEMENT

The EKCO Guide to Your Next Cooking Appliance The beauty of ‘Bake Off’, MasterChef and other cookery programmes is they give us the confidence to have a go.

Skill, however, is one thing; having the right tools is another. You can’t install a luxury kitchen with just a hacksaw and a screwdriver. Likewise, if you want perfect results from your cooking you need the perfect oven and hob with features to suit modern living. Here is EKCO’s guide to the key features to look out for when choosing your next cooking appliance.

Flex induction: Induction cooking works with a magnetic field rather than an open flame or electric element. Because there’s no direct heat the surface of the hob remains cool after you remove your pot.

However, in early models, pots could only be placed on specific areas of the hob that meant there was always wasted space – not any more. Siemens flexInduction Plus hobs can accommodate different sized which means you can place a large roaster and a small pot side by side at the same time.

Plus, the ultra-modern touch-control panel can be programmed to cook everything from scrambled eggs to an autumn casserole – automatically.

Slide&Hide® doors: Neff Slide&Hide® doors disappear under the main oven housing so you can get closer to your food. This is not only a space saver in a smaller kitchen but a great safety feature too.

Neff oven with Slide&Hide® door 18 | BROXBURN

Warming drawer: Did you know that a warming drawer, in addition to keeping food warm and heating plates, can also slow cook your food? A relatively new addition to the kitchen, the warming drawer has become a firm favourite with home chefs who want to enjoy a Sunday dinner with the family, but don’t want to slave over a hot stove all day.

Steam Ovens: Cooking with steam has long been regarded as a healthy option as it retains flavour, colour and nutrients. Now you can steam your fish, meat and veg in combination ovens from Siemens, Neff and Bosch. Fans of ‘Bake Off’ can also try their hand at home baking using the steam setting.

Steam ovens can also be used for the sous-vide cooking method used in top restaurants. Sous-vide involves placing the food in a vacuum-sealed bag and gently steaming it at very low temperatures, for flaky fish, juicy meats and crunchy veg.

Self-cleaning ovens: The worst part of preparing a home-cooked meal is the cleaning up afterwards and unless you have your own kitchen porter you can spend ages getting rid of baked-on gravy or fat from your roast. To make life easier, ovens from top manufacturers have a pyrolytic cleaning system. This means heating the oven to 500 degrees, which turns all baked-on food to ash. It can then be wiped away with nothing more than a damp cloth ready for that next culinary masterpiece.

This article was contributed by Stewart Bruce, Managing Director of Ekco Kitchens and Bathrooms | www.ekco.co.uk | 54 West Main Street, Uphall, West Lothian, EH52 5DW

Siemens warming drawer can also slow cook your evening meal

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COMMUNITY

Then love the recently rescued Regal Community Theatre in Bathgate. Pete Sneddon has leased the theatre complex, renamed it “Reconnect Regal Theatre” and is pouring his considerable energies into making it once again the Hub of local artistic activities.

Rooms and even the main Theatre itself are available for hire and upcoming are concerts and plays (facebook.com/ bathgateregaltheatre).

In the fold snuggles the Bathgate Regal Film Society, formed in 1999. Gail Whyte, the secretary, has been integral from day one. A former teacher and bookkeeper, Gail boasts a passion for film that started when she was toddling, with “Casablanca” her all-time favourite. She tells me that the society owns all its own modern equipment; membership costs £25 for the season or £5 per night.

As can be gleaned from the programme below, the seven-strong Committee favours Classics including foreign, Independents and Contemporary films. To cover costs, a minimum £200 take is vital. So the average attendance of 40 just about covers it while a rare maximum 80 provides a welcome surplus. Refreshments are available from the centre’s bar facility.

This season opens with a deliberately selected light but topical film “Battle of the Sexes” about the tennis challenge between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. (Guess who won!)

There’s a truism - we only get the politicians we deserve but we also only get the community facilities we support.

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Roger that! Play it again Sam. PROGRAMME: Oct 3rd - The Death of Stalin Oct 31st - The Exorcist (Hallowe’en special) Nov 7th - Journey’s End Nov 21st - The Shape of Water Jan 9th - A Fantastic Woman Feb 6th - Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool Mar 6th - A Matter of Life and Death Apr 3rd - I, Tonya All showings are at 7.30, all Wednesdays

Membership £25 including entry to all 8 films in the season.

Guest tickets and Hallowe’en special £5.

Enquiries and details from Gail Whyte (email: gail_whyte@hotmail.com)

A few miles across our breathtaking local countryside stands its architectural cousin, the Hippodrome cinema in Bo’ness. It shows a varied programme, from the current Blockbuster through live Opera and RSC Productions to Black and White classics.

The feature is contributed by David Levin.

David is a Liverpudlian living in West Lothian, and describes himself as a writer, sportsman, patriarch and dreamer. @KonectMagazines

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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 | BROXBURN

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

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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, 26 | BROXBURN

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

PUZZLES

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BROXBURN | 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

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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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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 and parent of two children at secondary school in West Lothian. Arlene gave us her perspective on the importance of young people interacting with industry whilst 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 work since I would be going to university. Whilst we have moved on from these days, I feel that it’s vital to provide pupils with exposure to industry and the world of work, so that they understand the skills and qualities employers are looking for and the vast number of opportunities there are.

Having met numerous young people starting out

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on their career, I can honestly say the majority of those who’ve had some exposure to the world of work whilst at school - a part time job, volunteering, work placements or internships - are more confident, aware of employer expectations and more ‘work savvy’.

My kids (S2 and S4) are 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 all the options available to them.

The number of industries - and opportunities therein - is mind-boggling. While the HE route is perfect for many young people, work-based learning is an equally valuable path.”

If you would like to find out more about DYW or get involved, please contact: Arlene Nicol: Lauren Brown: Anna Ramsay:

arlene.nicol@dyw-wl.com lauren.brown@dyw-wl.com anna.ramsay@dyw-wl.com

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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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

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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

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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 @KonectMagazines

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.

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WHAT’S ON

SATURDAY 6TH OCTOBER Annual Craft Fair - Strathbrock Parish Church’s Annual Craft Fair. 10.30am to 3.30pm in Strathbrock Church Hall, Uphall (EH52 6BY). The Fair has been very popular with both local crafts people and those from further afield, with around 40 tables having been booked. There is a wide variety of crafts and stallholders; selling unique handcrafted gifts and products. Some stallholders are returning, but there are new stallholders coming to the area for the first time with some new and unusual crafts. A coffee bar will be open all day offering filled rolls, home baking and refreshments. Entry to the Fair is free, so why not start your Christmas shopping early or enjoy an afternoon out with friends!

SATURDAY 6TH OCTOBER Reckless Intent Wrestling - Featuring Grado. Doors open 6.30pm. Scout Hall, Murieston, Bankton Walk, Livingston, EH54 9LE. More info and ticket booking at www.reckless-intent.com.

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 (10.00-17.00) 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: Murieston water with our dogs Organised by the Forth Rivers Trust, a guided walk along the tranquil Murieston Water. The walk will start at Campbridge Park following the Murieston trail to Murieston house taking in the wildlife which the river has to offer.

This walk is welcoming to dog walkers and you are encouraged to bring along your dogs. The route is circular and Jonathan will share the knowledge he has about the waterway and the many habitats along the way. Braken, Joanthan’s spanial will share some of the best places to run, hide and jump in the water with other dogs present.

Everyone is welcome, we ask that all dogs are brought with a lead and children are comfortable with dogs of all shapes and sizes. Free, register on Eventbrite www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/forth-rivers-trust-17599047977 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 &

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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/forth-rivers-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

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

SUNDAY 11TH NOVEMBER Winter Warmer Walk at Blackness - Come along on a guided walk to learn more about Blackness Bay on the shore of the Firth of Forth. Learn what makes this area such a special place. Discover all about the wildlife inhabiting this internationally important stretch of shoreline.

1pm – 2.30pm - Free but booking essential. Contact Historic Environment Scotland Rangers on 0131 652 8150, email rangers@hes.scot

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.

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COMMUNITY

Broxburn Community Development Trust In the August edition of Konect, we introduced our group which is looking to set up a Community Development Trust for the Broxburn & Uphall area.

Things are moving apace with us taking delivery of the final report on the community engagement exercise carried out on our behalf by external consultants. The executive summary of the report is available here: www.broxburnanduphall.com or email us at the address below for a copy of the full report.

The research identified four broad themes which people felt were needed: • A heart and hub for the community which brings people together and reduces isolation • Services from the cradle to the grave • Creation of a vibrant town centre • Building a community which is in control We are now moving on to the next stage of the group and at our August meeting, we discussed how to take forward these recommendations. We are actively looking for people to get involved with how best to answer these needs. To help with this,

it was agreed that we would develop a new constitution to better reflect the current aims and objectives of the group and then hold an AGM to elect new office bearers to take us forward into this exciting, new phase of our journey.

We will discuss a draft of the revised constitution at our next meeting at the end of September and then confirm the date for the AGM. We hope to have the AGM on Thursday, 25th October in the Strathbrock Partnership Centre. PLEASE NOTE that this is not confirmed at the date of writing so please check our Facebook page before setting off as the date may need to change. The AGM will be open to all and you are warmly encouraged to attend.

Meantime, if you have any questions or would like more information please contact us at strathbrock2018@gmail.com or on our Facebook page at @BUCDT

LOCAL FIREWORK DISPLAYS SATURDAY 3RD NOVEMBER: Hopetoun House www.hopetoun.co.uk MONDAY 4TH NOVEMBER: Deer Park, Livingston www.deer-park.co.uk

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SATURDAY 3RD NOVEMBER: Linlithgow Rugby Football Club - www.facebook.com/LinlithgowRFC/ MONDAY 5TH NOVEMBER: Callendar Park, Falkirk www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org

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CLUBS & CLASSES

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

BROXBURN NEW MEMORIA CAFÉ For people with Early to Moderate Dementia.

Strathbrock community centre, Broxburn, EH52 5LH. 2pm to 4pm every 2nd Wednesday of the Month.

For more information please contact Maurice - on 07864 502899.

DE-STRESS, GET FIT AND LEARN HOW TO RELAX WITH YOGA Mondays Adult Yoga Classes all levels welcome: Broxburn United Football Club Greendykes Road, EH52 5BP. Claire Chant 1.00-2.30pm Drop in £6.

Tel: 07766602629.

Maxine Burke 7.00-8.00pm Drop in £5.

Tel: 01506 843091.

SCOUTING Come and join in the scouting adventure at our local Beaver, Cub or Scout groups. Meeting once a week at Broxburn Scout hut on Station Road to play games, plan camping trips and earn badges.

• Beavers (Age 6-8) Tuesday night 6pm • Cubs (Age 8-10.5) Tuesday night 7.15pm • Scouts (Age 10.5-14) Friday night 7.30pm Groups are open to all, come along for a free trial!! Email enquiries to jo.cook1403@gmail.com RAINBOW UNIT (Girls aged 5-7 years old) take place on Thursday night. 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 and Wednesday nights. For more information please visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved or alternatively you can email us on westlothiangirlguiding@gmail.com.

BROXBURN LUNCH-TIME YOGA Monday 13.00-14.30. Adult drop in classes, located in beautiful studio at Broxburn United Sports Club, Greendykes Rd, Broxburn, EH52 5BP. £6 per session (all levels welcome) no booking required. For more details contact Claire on 07766 602629 or clairenicolachant@icloud.com LEARN GUITAR Strathbrock Community Centre. Kids classes: Saturdays during term time; Adult Group Class: Thursday evenings. A fun and friendly way to get started or hone your skills further and become the guitarist you’ve always wanted to be.

For more info call Dan 07794 824544 email danbarr.guitar@gmail.com BROXBURN WOODCRAFT CLUB A members Club located within the community wing of the Strathbrock

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Centre, 189a West Main Street, Broxburn, EH52 5LH. We have a fully equipped workshop supporting all aspects of woodworking including woodturning, pyrography, scrollsawing, the making of toys, furniture, musical instruments, walking sticks and more.

For further information use the Contact Us facility on the website: www.broxburnwoodcraftclub.org. Our hours are Mon & Tues 9am-9pm, Wed & Fri 9am-12 noon and 6pm -9pm, Thurs 9am-3pm and 6:00pm-9pm.

LIVINGSTON HIGHLAND SOCIETY Strathbrock Partnership Centre, 189 W Main St, Broxburn. Monthly ceilidhs on a Saturday evening between October and April. Each month we have a different band and guest artist.

New members welcome, contact John Sneddon on 01501 770911 for dates and more details LADIES ONLY OUTDOOR FITNESS SESSIONS Albyn Park, Greendykes Road. Mondays 7-8pm, with Broxburn United Sports Club (BUSC) and BurnIt. Doesn’t matter your size or level of fitness. BUSC and Burn-It aim to create a fun fitness session based outside to enable ladies to meet their goals.

For more info contact Leigh Lauder on 01506 858057 or email l.lauder@ busc.org.uk ZUMBA FOR KIDS Albyn Park, Greendykes Road. With the Poco Loco crew – learn some rocking dance routines using different styles and rhythms. For girls and boys aged 4 – 12. Fridays 1.15-2.15 (P1-P3) 2.25-3.15 (P4-P7) cost £3 per week.

To book please contact Aidan Forbes on a.forbes@busc.org.uk or Nina Anderson on nina.anderson@live. co.uk or call 01506 858057.

ALIVE & KICKIN Albyn Park, Greendykes Road. A programme for older members of the community to remain active. Run by Broxburn United Sports Club and includes: WALKING FOOTBALL Tues 10.30am to 12pm, £3 per session with tea/ coffee after.

WALKING CLUB on Thurs 10am.

Community walk starting and ending at Albyn Park. Free, everyone welcome. Invigor8 MULTI SPORTS Thurs 2-3.30pm £2 per session. Try new sports and learn new skills. Each session is 1 hour of the new sport plus an inspirational/ informative chat for 30mins. For more info contact Leigh Lauder at Albyn Park 01506 858057 or email l.lauder@busc.org.uk BROXBURN SWIMMING CLUB We cater for swimmers from age 3 upwards and cover all levels of swimming from our Learn to Swim programme up to our top competitive squad.

LEARN TO SWIM: Thursday night (6:00-7:00) - Broxburn Swimming Pool.

SQUAD SWIMMING: Monday and Tuesday (7:30-9:00) and Thursday (7:00-9:00) - Broxburn Swimming Pool; Friday (6:00-8:00) - Armadale Academy pool. For further information please contact: broxburn_asc@hotmail.com CHURCH STREET BABY & TODDLER GROUP 2 Church Street, Broxburn EH52 5EL. Every Thursday from 09.15-11.00 and is based in the Church Hall behind Broxburn Parish Church. Suitable for children from birth to 3 years. Each session costs £2 per and includes a healthy snack for the children and a cuppa & biscuit for the grown-ups. Visit our Facebook page for more information www.facebook.com/ BroxburnChurchStreetBabyandToddler CRAFT CUPPA We are a small group of crafters who meet on Saturday afternoons 1-3 pm at Strathbrock Partnership Centre, Community Wing, entrance B. We meet to share expertise, have a natter and a cuppa.

We would welcome anyone who wants to come along. For more info please email craftycuppaclub@mail.com or just come along!

WEST LOTHIAN IWAMA RYU AIKIDO CLUB Broxburn Black Belt Academy, EH52 5BB, Broxburn.

Dedicated to the traditional study and practice of Aikido through ken, jo and taijutsu. The club meets at Broxburn BlackBelt Academy Thursdays 8pm to 9:30pm. Come along and give it a try. For information please call 07784 006851 wliwamaryu@gmail.com BROXBURN GYMNASTICS CLUB Broxburn Academy’s Dance Studio, Broxburn. Fun filled gymnastics class for children in P1-P7. Hourly classes on Saturday mornings 10am (Beginner), 11am (Intermediate), Advanced 12pm.

First week is a free no obligation trial. For more information please contact Gemma on 07775 900624 or broxburngymnasticsclub@yahoo.co.uk w: www.broxburngymnastics.com BROXBURN SCOTTISH WOMEN’S INSTITUTE (formerly SWRI) We meet in Broxburn Community Centre at 7pm on the 2nd Monday of each month from September to May. Contact: Fay Young , tel 01506 854141 or email fayyoungis@hotmail.com

UPHALL NEW REGAL YOUTH DRAMA Uphall Community Centre, Tuesdays 7pm – 9pm. Starting 23rd Oct 2018. For more information contact admin@regalyouthcompany.com.

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SLIMMING WORLD South Parish Church, East Main St, Uphall, EH52 5HY. Tuesdays 3.30pm, 5.30pm & 7.30pm and Canon Hoben Hall, Broxburn, Wednesdays 3.30, 5.30 & 7.30. Please call Lisa on 07736 316400.

WEST LOTHIAN BAKING CLUB We meet every 6th Monday 7.30 – 9.30pm at Uphall Community Centre to talk about all things baking related. No requirement to be the next Mary Berry! £3 per meeting. Email wlbakingclub@ yahoo.co.uk or find us on facebook.

RAINBOW UNIT (Girls aged 5-7 years old) take place on Monday night. For more information please visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved or alternatively you can email us on westlothiangirlguiding@gmail.com.

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

GUIDE UNIT (Girls aged 10-14 years old) take place on Monday night. For more information please visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved or alternatively you can email us on westlothiangirlguiding@gmail.com.

ST ANDREW’S COURT ACTIVITY GROUP Are you over 60? Looking to get out and meet new people?

Come and join in our activity group in St Andrew’s Court, Uphall, weekly Wednesdays (10am-12midday). 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 or email opal@cyrenians.scot www.cyrenians.scot.

UPHALL PLAYGROUP Uphall Community Education Centre, Strathbrock Place, Uphall, EH52 6BN. For children aged 24 months and over.

Open Monday to Friday 9:15 - 11:30am during term time. Choose 1, 2, 3 or 4 sessions per week. Each session costs £5 and includes a healthy snack. See www.uphallplaygroup.co.uk or tel 01506 854451 for further information.

THE PEOPLE’S CAFÉ Meets the fourth Tuesday of every month 11am 1.30pm at St Andrew’s Care Home, St Andrew’s Court, 20 Hawthorn Place, Uphall. For people who have any form of dementia, and their carers, to meet others in a similar situation for support and social contact, a cup of tea or coffee and home baking. Come for the whole session or just drop in.

WEST LOTHIAN U3A (University of the 3rd Age) A group of retired people who like to keep their minds active by learning in an informal environment. We meet in Uphall Community Education Centre, Strathbrock Place, Uphall on the third Wednesday of the month at 2 p.m., when we have speakers on a

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variety of topics. U3A also has a number of interest Groups who also meet once a month, including Art Appreciation, Singing for Pleasure, History, Walking and Cinema. New members are always welcome – please contact the Membership Secretary Helen on 01506 655976. You will find a list of speakers and a full list of Groups on our website u3asites.org.uk/westlothian

WINCHBURGH NEW WINCHBURGH MORNING ART GROUP We meet in the Winchburgh Community Centre every Thursday (9.30 - 11.30) and we have regular tutors. If interested, please contact the Secretary on 07980 321989 or 01506 859422.

SLIMMING WORLD South Parish Church, East Main St, Uphall, EH52 5HY. Tuesdays 3.30pm, 5.30pm & 7.30pm and Canon Hoben Hall, Broxburn, Wednesdays 3.30, 5.30 & 7.30. Please call Lisa on 07736 316400.

BOUNCE BACK TO NETBALL (WINCHBURGH WARRIORS) Bounce Back to Netball is a Netball Scotland initiative to get women 18+ back into sport. Netball is great fun, fantastic exercise and a fab way to meet new people! Suitable for all levels of fitness/ ability, even complete beginners! Join our friendly group of ladies at either of our weekly sessions which are held at Winchburgh Primary School. Mondays 7.30-9pm (£4) and Fridays 7-8pm (£3) Sessions are drop in with no commitment to attend every week and your first night is free.

Find us on Facebook or email us at winchburghwarriors@gmail.com for further info.

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

GUIDE UNIT (girls aged 10-14 years old) take place on Tuesday night.

For more information please visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved or alternatively you can email us on westlothiangirlguiding@gmail.com.

DECHMONT DECHMONT 50+ ARTS GROUP This group of enthusiastic amateur painters meet every Wednesday from 13.30 - 16.00 in Dechmont Memorial Hall to practice their art and socialise.

There are a few membership places available and new members would be more than welcome irrespective of their painting skills. For more details email dechmontartgroup@gmail.com or visit their website at dechmontartgroup.wix. com/home.

GENTLE YOGA Dechmont Memorial Hall, Monday night 6.30-7.30pm at Dechmont Memorial Hall. Contact Rhona on 01506 811700.

OTHER AREAS YOGA WITH AMY Thurs 6.15pm – 7.15pm Vinyasa Flow Tues 6.15pm – 7.30pm Vinyasa Flow Kirkliston Edinburgh Leisure Centre, Kirklands Park St, Kirkliston EH29 9EY W: www.yogawithamy.yoga E: amy@yogawithamy.yoga T: 07717 377234.

CHOOSE YOU YOGA Carmondean House, Carmondean Centre South, Livingston, EH54 8PT. Mon 9.45-11.00am Seasonal yoga; 6.00-7.15pm Iyengar yoga; 7.30-8.45pm Iyengar yoga. Tues 6.007.30pm Ashtanga yoga; 7.45-8.45pm Vinyasa flow yoga. Wed 5.30-6.30pm Seasonal yoga; 7.00-8.30pm Bihar yoga; 8.30-9.10pm Meditation. Thurs 6.00-7.15pm Iyengar yoga; 7.308.45pm Iyengar yoga. Fri 9.45-11.00am Iyengar yoga;4.00-5.00pm 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

BROXBURN COMMUNITY COUNCIL bridges the gap between West Lothian Council and our local community.

Our primary purpose is to find out your opinions & needs and then to make the council and other public bodies aware of these.

Our meetings are open to every resident in Broxburn and we extend a warm welcome to those who attend. We meet on the last Monday of every month (except July & December) in the Old Town Centre in Broxburn at 7pm. Email us at chair@broxburncc.org.uk

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

APPLIANCE REPAIRS Home Appliance Repair 28 BATHROOMS & KITCHENS 1st Choice Living 5 Dream Doors 14 Taylor Property 11 BOILER SERVICES Gilmour Gas Services 14 The Gas Engineer 10 BUILDING SERVICES S & R Builders 4 CARPET & FLOORING SALES Forever Flooring 11 CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING James Burnett 28 COMMUNITY Lothian Buses 2 COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES Yoga With Amy 23 COMPUTER/PHONE REPAIRS Sprint Computer Repairs 6 CURTAINS & BLINDS Harvey Bruce 7 DANCE SUPPLIES Highland Dance Shop 23 DENTIST No 9 Practice 23 DOORS/WINDOWS UPVC Doors 5 ELECTRICIAN SL Electrical 10 ESTATE AGENT Alba Property 20 Turpie & Co 27 FINANCIAL ADVICE Link Housing Association 6 GARDEN CENTRE New Hopetoun Gardens 12 GARDEN DESIGN / MAINTENANCE Evergreen Balerno 13 GLAZING REPAIRS CR Smith 21 HEARING AIDS & SERVICES ABC Hearing 39 HOTEL Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club 17 38 | BROXBURN

SOLUTIONS

JOINERY SOLUTION TO SEPTEMBER Create Enhanced Spaces 19 CROSSWORD KILTMAKER The Kilt Studio 7 LAWNS Greenspace Lawncare 13 LEAFLET DISTRIBUTION The Leaflet Lady 40 LOCKSMITH CVC Locksmiths and Security 10 West Lothian Locksmith 19 MOBILITY SERVICES Ableworld 25 PAINTING & DECORATING ACROSS: 7. Digest, 8. Eroded, 9. Clog, Braekirk Decorators 14 10. Yachting, 11. Robbing, 13. Fiend, 15. Minus, 16. Request, 18. Eighteen, Manic Street Painters 19 19. Iced, 21. Famous, 22. Ornate.

DOWN: 1. Dill, 2. Neighbourhood, PLASTERING 3. Staying, 4. Mercy, 5. Contributions, Nu Walls 10 6. Remnants, 12. Original, 14. Reunion, 17. Cease, 20. Eats.

PLUMBING & HEATING SERVICES SOLUTION TO SUDOKU Hometech Heating & ON PAGE 34 Plumbing 4 Mclellan Plumbing & Heating 19 SPORTS AND LEISURE Edinburgh International Climbing Arena 4 TREE CARE SERVICES Evergreen Tree Surgery 13 TRUSTED TRADER SCHEME West Lothian Trusted Trader Scheme 10 TUITION Kumon Livingston 30 VET & ANIMAL WELLBEING Mackie & Brechin 29 Riverside Vets 29 Disclaimer: The publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage caused WINDOW CLEANER by error in the printing of an advertisement.

CS Window and Gutter We do not endorse any advertisers in Cleaning 11 this publication. All material is accepted for publication on the understanding it is YOUTH EMPLOYMENT copyright free. No part of this publication SCHEME may be reproduced without prior consent of Developing the Young the publisher.

Workforce 31 Publisher: Lothian Publications Ltd. Geddes House, Kirkton North, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 6GU.

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