Konect Linlithgow December 2016

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DECEMBER 2016

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CHRISTMAS GIFT SPECIAL Torphichen’s Unsung Hero Plus local West Lothian Drug & businesses, community Alcohol Service information Local Winter Walk & more!

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A new community magazine for the Linlithgow area

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FEATURE

M ES S AG E F ROM T HE ED I TOR

O

ur local history article this month is about a Torphichen-born engineer who hardly anyone has heard of but who had a huge impact on the development of sea travel see the feature on pages 8-9.

The rest of the magazine this month has a Christmassy-feel, with a Christmas shopping guide in the West Lothian section. The Charity of the Month feature is the West Lothian Drug and Alcohol Service - knowing about this may help with the festive reflections we all have and anyone thinking about making next year the time for change.

All our regular columns from our local contributors are here, I hope you enjoy them. We don’t produce a January edition of Konect, so I’d like to wish all our readers and customers a happy and healthy Christmas season and new year. Thanks for reading Konect this year.

CONTENTS Tor phichen’s Unsung Hero Vet’s Tip Puzzles What’s on Useful Infor mation Clubs & Classes December Foodpicks WEST LOTHIAN REGULAR Visit West Lothian Parenting in West Lothian Proper ty Matter s Chr istmas shopping guide Food & Dr ink Music Review Charity – WLDAS Walk Technology INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

06 42 43 44 44 45 46 WL3 WL4 WL6 WL10 WL18 WL21 WL22 WL30 WL32 47

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES CHARLENE GAFFNEY 07772 941899 charlene@konectdirectory.co.uk JENNY THOMSON 07824 469266 jenny@konectdirectory.co.uk ADVERT BOOKING DEADLINE: 10th of the month prior to print.

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

Front cover photo by Truly Scrumptious Designer Cakes, High Street, Linlithgow.

Now taking orders for Christmas www.trulydesignercakes.co.uk.

ARTWORK/COPY DEADLINE: 13th of the month prior to print.

The Konect magazine is delivered to 7500 homes and businesses in Linlithgow, Linlithgow Bridge and the surrounding area. Copies are also left at the library, post offices and other locations.

/KonectDirectory

@KonectDirectory

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Dusters is a Domestic and Commercial Cleaning Company.

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Contact: GEOFF VINTER 07817 073 577 JOINERY 01506 414 573 All types of joinery work including: Doors, Floors, Skirtings & Facings Kitchens, Custom Built Fitted Wardrobes, Decking & Fencing

The Further From Festival 10-12 February 2017

Already confirmed Kate Leiper Crime Panel Jim Crumley Stuart Cosgrove Andrew Greig & Rachel Newton Poetry slam with Ash Dickinson

More to be Announced!

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LOCAL HISTORY

HENRY BELL

TORPHICHEN’S UNSUNG HERO

H

ardly anybody has heard of him, but Torphichen-born Henry Bell was the first man to successfully apply steam power to shipping so that sea travel, for the first time, was no longer dependent on the whims of the wind. A huge achievement, so why is his name so obscure?

He was born at Torphichen Mill in 1767 into a family of engineers and builders. As a child he skipped school as often as he could, especially in the summer when he preferred to be out playing or working in the fields. As a result his reading and writing was perhaps not up to scratch but he had a great practical understanding of how things worked. On leaving school at 15, he tried

his hand at various “Bell had been trades in the businesses in the habit of of his extended family, supplementing including as a stone crew pay with mason, millwright and generous carpenter. But he didn’t amounts of really settle at anything whisky.” long term - it seems he was distracted by his interest in steam engines, and his conviction that he could make steam work in ships. Steam engines were a relatively new technology, James Watt having patented his engine in 1781. Steam was driving the industrial revolution in factories and trains everywhere. But so far nobody had managed to make it work for ships.

Illustration of the Comet by Robert Thurston, 1878

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Henry spent a few years in London working for a Scottish engineer, but moved back to Glasgow to get work in the building trade. He had been working on a building project for a customer in Helensburgh, but when the customer failed to move in and take over, Henry and his wife Margaret decided to move to Helensburgh and acquire the building. It was a large building which Margaret ran as an inn and spa (“The Baths Inn”) while Henry busied himself with his steamship project. Profits from the Inn were ploughed into it, and Henry also petitioned investors to help him realise his dream. Most were dismissive and he received little support. James Watt himself didn’t believe it was possible, writing to Bell “How many noblemen, gentlemen and engineers have puzzled their brains, and spent their thousands of pounds, and none of all these, nor yourself, have been able to bring the power of steam in navigation to a successful issue.”

But through determination, finally Henry was able to commission his first paddle steamer to be built at Port Glasgow. He named it the PS Comet and its first voyage in 1812 was from her home berth in Broomielaw to Greenock. The first trip had a few problems, including the fact that the crew had to get out into the Clyde and push it off some rocks. But nevertheless the concept of the paddle steamer was proven, and Bell ran a commercial passenger service, the first ever in Europe, between Helensburgh, Greenock and Glasgow for some years. Competition soon sprang up of course. Henry had not patented his design, so others were free to copy and benefit from the years of research and effort he had put in. Bell had to upgrade his ship to compete, and put on new routes including a four day trip from Glasgow to Fort William.

The Cyde in Glasgow near the home berth of the Comet

In December 1820 the Comet was wrecked in bad seas near Oban. Undaunted, Bell commissioned a new ship, the Comet II. This came to a tragic end however when it was hit by a larger steamer in 1825 and sank in just three minutes, with the loss of 62 lives on board. With this blow Henry Bell retired from the steam navigation. The accident investigation revealed several irregularities including that the Comet II had made an unscheduled stop to take more passengers on so there wasn’t a complete passenger list; and that Bell had been in the habit of supplementing crew pay with generous amounts of whisky.

“How many noblemen, gentlemen and engineers have puzzled their brains, and spent their thousands of pounds, and none of all these, nor yourself, have been able to bring the power of steam in navigation to a successful issue.”

JAMES WATT Henry lived the last few years of his life in Helensburgh with very little money and died aged 62, leaving his widow Margaret who lived another 26 years. Henry only gained the recognition he wanted and deserved after his death. The engine of the first Comet is in the Science Museum in London, and the engine of Comet II is at the Riverside Museum in Glasgow. There were significant centenary celebrations in 1912. Today, though, his name is little known, even right here in West Lothian where he was born.

But Henry Bell was the man who proved, against the belief of the greatest scientific brains of his day, that “you can sail a ship without a sail.”

Local History article by Helen-Jane Shearer, Konect editor. First published in Konect Bathgate in 2013

T HI S I S L I VI NG T HI S I S C A L A

A typical CALA street scene

A selection of luxury family homes in developments throughout the East of Scotland C A L A H O M E S T H R O U G H O U T E A S T S C OT L A N D 01324 600 000

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CALA .CO.UK

KD DEC Photography has been enhanced in post production.

Konect West Lothian VIEW

W

ishing all our readers and customers a happy and peaceful festive season!

We love producing the December issue of Konect, and celebrating all things West Lothian! This year we have pulled together some suggestions for Christmas shopping - whether for you shopping is an experience shared with friends (with frequent mince pie stops), or whether it’s a chore to be done as quickly as possible… we have everything you need here in West Lothian. Of course there’s nothing you can’t get online, but do try and support local businesses this year – many of them also have online shopping and delivery services so if you really want to avoid the high streets you can still support local businesses.

End of year parties of all sorts; catching up with friends over mulled wine; and of course families coming together for Christmas and Hogmanay – there’s plenty of family entertainment too with santa’s grottos in the Centre and at Almond Valley Farm, pantomimes on at both the Bathgate Regal and Howden Park Centre in Livingston and a new zoo illuminations show at Five Sisters Zoo. We don’t produce a January edition, so will be back with the February magazine and look forward to another year of all things local, interesting articles, competitions and great offers! We’re always happy to hear your feedback. Email editor@ konectdirectory.co.uk or message us via our facebook page at www. facebook.com/KonectMagazines.

If you have ates all things West Lothian.

This section of Konect celebr households 500 40, uld like to share with information or services you wo can help We us. h wit ch , please get in tou in West Lothian every month erprise, a business, charity, social ent e 3 for spread your message if you are pag See irational story to share. running an event or have an insp our contact details.

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WINTER

CLOTHES

APPEAL 6 1 0 2

Help us to help YOUR community by donating your pre-loved kids clothes!

Your warm, quality, donated clothes will go to children of struggling families locally, across the Lothians, in beautifully packed giftbags.

We need (for 0-10yrs):

warm winter woolies coats, hats/gloves/scarves, fleeces

clothes

jumpers, hoodies, jeans, joggers, dresses, tops, bottoms, pjs, dressing gowns, non-badged uniform

shoes

wellies, trainers, shoes, snowboots

for up-to-date drop-off points... find us on facebook! kidsloveclothes KONECT WEST LOTHIAN 2

we’re run by volunteers!

Get in touch if you’d like to help too! info@kidsloveclothes.co.uk Registered as a charity in Scotland: SC044287

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS… IN WEST LOTHIAN!

I

t’s the most wonderful time of the year, and boy do we have a great festive period for you in West Lothian!

With fantastically funny pantomimes, joyful Christmas markets and merry family fun it is certain to top Last Christmas.

So why don’t you Step into Christmas in West Lothian, for it Tis’ the Season to be Jolly and have a Wonderful Christmastime!

It’s behind you! Oh yes it is, because it’s pantomime season again! Howden Park Centre is presenting its new family production, Red Riding Hood

and the Wolves of Winter - full of songs, jokes and frosty winter fun! Sing along with Grandmother Babushka Blossom, boo the wicked Ice Queen and share Rosie’s journey with her best friend Peter and his clever dog Patch. The Bathgate Regal Community Theatre also has a treat for you, with its festive performance this year – Cinderella. Will Cinderella make it to the ball and meet her Prince Charming? Why don’t you take the whole family to this fantastic pantomime and find out!

Performance dates and times, and directions to tickets for both shows can be found on the Visit West Lothian website.

Now a little Christmas wish from all the Visit West Lothian team – whether you’re Driving Home for Christmas, doing some Christmas Wrapping, Walking in a Winter Wonderland or enjoying some Mistletoe and Wine, we just want to say have a safe and very Merry Christmas Everybody!

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

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PARENTS IN WEST LOTHIAN

HOW TO TALK LIKE A SPY TO PREVENT POTASSIUM POISONING AND PRESERVE SANITY

O

f all the personality traits that I could have passed down to my children, the one they’ve ended up with – impatience – is the worst they could have got.

I freely admit that if I’m to go somewhere, or receive something, you’re best to tell me about it a few seconds before it happens because I will instantly become obsessed by the moment’s arrival.

So imagine the frustration of my longsuffering husband upon realising that both Penny and Quinn have the same instant-gratificationist tendencies. This is why we now have to partially spell a lot of words out to each other lest there be an immediate panic for whatever it is we’ve been discussing …

“Is I-G-P-I-G still drying on the clothes horse?” (Quinn’s stuffed toy Iggle-Piggle)

“Do we need to buy Y-O-G at the supermarket?” (yoghurts) “Is I-G-P-I-G still drying on the clothes horse?”

(Quinn’s stuffed toy Iggle-Piggle) “Don’t give Quinn any more B-A-N today, he’s already had 3; any more and he’ll get potassiumpoisoning.” (banana) So it might make sense to you when I tell you that late on Saturday afternoon, a trip to S-O-F-T was suggested in hushed tones … (soft play!)

We decided to try out one we had never been to before – Yoyo in Bathgate - but had a bit of bother finding the place since we don’t know Bathgate well. After a lot of driving around in circles we eventually parked at M-C-Ds (McDonalds) and called them – the lovely lady at reception told us very politely with a chuckle in her voice that we must be looking right at the place – and was dead right! We drove across the road and parked up, and paid our entry fee (£8 in total for our two) and let them loose. Quinn immediately ran for the T-RA-M-P (trampoline) and Penny got on a little red plastic S-E-E (see-saw) and guarded it jealously for the next 45 minutes …

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After a while managed to prise the kids off the apparatus for long enough to eat some F-O-O-D we’d ordered about 15 mins earlier – pesto and mozzarella panini, baked potato with beans and C-H-E-E-S-E, and burger and chips. The food was very reasonably priced, and tasty, with quite generous portions. The kids certainly didn’t leave anything on their plates, which in Quinn’s cased concerned me somewhat as he left the table and got straight back on the trampolines.

As H-O-M-E time drew closer, we bundled the babies back into the car, thoroughly jiggled and jounced, and worrying full of luncheon. I needn’t have worried, both babies were so tired out that they fell asleep on the way home and went from car-seats to B-E-D without a peep.

A resounding success then and, while the babies slumbered, worthy of reward with some takeaway and a spot of W-I-N-E. Picture: In the ball pit at Yoyo, Bathgate.

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!

KING’S CHURCH WEST LOTHIAN

We’re a new church plant made up of people living in the West Lothian area. We want to see a lively church formed with great connections to the local community.

Please see our website or contact us for when and where we’re meeting.

We’d love to welcome you. www.kingschurchwl.org connect@kingschurchwl.org Text: 07860027575

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PROPERTY MATTERS

“YOU DON’T NEED TO WAIT TILL SPRING!”

A

s we find ourselves in the middle of the dark winter months, there is usually the feeling that it would probably be best to wait until the spring before putting your property on the market. After all, spring is traditionally associated with a time of change and this has always had a bearing on the property market.

However, we would urge some caution on this.

Firstly, serious buyers do not give up over the Winter, and can even become frustrated by lack of choice as many properties are withdrawn from the market over Christmas in the mistaken belief that nobody will be looking at this time of year. You can take advantage of this temporary imbalance of supply and demand by being one of the properties that is actually new on the markaet! Whilst viewing activity may be slightly less frenetic, you can be assured that every KONECT WEST LOTHIAN 6

viewing will count, as you will only be dealing with serious buyers.

Many sellers will inevitably “Buyer activity wait until the spring before doesn’t stop over putting their property on the festive period” the market – which could flood the market and potentially thwart prices.

However, the current backlog of frustrated buyers are already looking today and buyer activity certainly doesn’t stop over the festive period as the Rightmove graph of web traffic from last December and January shows.

So if you are contemplating a sale next year, I suggest you take advantage of the situation, be strategic, and position your property for an early sale at a time when demand is currently outstripping supply.

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.

Selling or Letting your property in 2017?

Book a free, no obligation market appraisal and home audit in December or January and receive a voucher for ÂŁ250 to redeem against Turpie & Co services in 2017.

www.turpies.com telephone: 01506 668448 *ÂŁ100 only can be redeemed against Letting services. **Terms and conditions apply

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At least one of your friends will have finished their Christmas shopping in November. But for most of us there is still a lot to do and still time to get thoughtful and interesting gifts; don’t get caught out having to get whatever chocolates the nearest service station has left on Christmas eve!

“Dog rules” tea towel £6.45, cotton apron £16.45, “Scotland the Best” by Peter Irvine £5.95 and cats handy umbrella £18.95.

All from New Hopetoun Gardens. www.newhopetoun gardens.co.uk Stag Cufflinks £15 from The Kilt Studio

CABINS -­ FENCING -­ GATES -­ FURNITURE -­ DECKING -­ JUNGLE GYM Introducing at Woodford Timber Products: The easiest climbing frames to assemble which can be assembled in less than 40 mins. All pre made ladder, floor, roof sections & handrails and features a periscope, a boat style steering wheel, handgrips and a slide. All timber is fully pressure treated.

Christmas specials on all New Woodford climbing frames until the 16th December.

Hurry while stocks last.

Prices start from £400 inc vat Contact us for more info: Williamson’s Garden Centre, Houston Mains, Uphall, EH52 6PA tel: 01506 811885 email: woodfordtimberproducts@gmail.com

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The Family Treepot £65 Hand-painted with your family tree and a choice of designs, a truly unique gift. £65 from Potter Around www. potteraround.co.uk. Order by 12th December for Christmas.

Hipster Santa jumper £35, River Island in Livingston Centre. A retro classic with a modern twist.

Best friend pair of unicorn pins £4.50, Claire’s. We can’t resist the pair of rainbow unicorn pins (the matching pin is for their BFF).

Tree House. Fairy gardening is really popular this year. New Hopetoun Gardens stock many accessories. www.newhopetoungardens.co.uk

Find the perfect gifts for all your family and friends!

Our award winning giftshop is packed full of the most unusual and wonderful gifts. Also we have a great selection of houseplants to bring style and health to any home.

The Orangery tearoom is a lovely place to meet up with friends this season.

New Hopetoun Gardens by Winchburgh, West Lothian, EH52 6QZ t 01506 834433 www.newhopetoungardens.co.uk

KONECT WEST LOTHIAN 11

Leisure trolley with seat.

Big enough for a good size shop or everything you need for a day out. Fold down seat holds up to 100 kg/ approx 16 stone. Ideal for holidays, picnics, camping and festivals. £35.99 from Ableworld Broxburn

Uccello tipping kettle. Gift of independence to people with restricted mobility and strength. £39.99 from Ableworld Broxburn

Pedal exerciser £15.99 from Ableworld Broxburn

Nite safe sensor.

A light sensor night light and handy torch all rolled into one. £16.19 from Ableworld Broxburn

West Lothian stores and businesses are participating in a nationwide “shop local” campaign, which will take place on SATURDAY 3RD DECEMBER. With such a wide, unique selection of retailers, West Lothian’s traditional town centres such as Linlithgow, Bathgate, Armadale, Broxburn, Uphall, Whitburn, as well as many local villages, offer a more personal shopping experience than larger shopping destinations. So when you’re writing up those Christmas lists, think about Shopping Local this Christmas!

Luxury Hamper from Hopetoun Farm Shop, or make up your own smaller food gift baskets, select specially for the recipient from the extensive range of beautifully packaged speciality and seasonal foods.

Clan crest whisky glasses, set of 4, £35 from the Kilt Studio www.thekiltstudio.co.uk

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Large unicorn £42, small unicorn £22. From The Stone Ring, Bathgate. www.thestonering.co.uk

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Lightbox £25, River Island. One of the hottest home trends around, the lightbox comes with a range of letters, numbers and symbols so you can personalise it to suit any occasion all year round.

Di poloma black cherry and almond eau de parfum £25; luxury bathing set £17.95; luxury soap £6; Fired earth fragrance diffuser £22; candle tins £11.45. All from New Hopetoun Gardens. www. newhopetoungardens.co.uk

PAW Patrol Skye £21, Build A Bear.

Check out the huge range of cuddly bears available from Build A Bear including PAW Patrol, My Little Pony, Pete’s Dragon and Peppa Pig. Plus Build A Bear have a fantastic range of outfits for your child’s bear.

The gift of an experience, a gift that is ongoing throughout the year, or a gift of choice: vouchers and subscriptions are a fantastic idea and there is a lot available locally. Our favourite for animal lovers is a Five Sisters Zoo voucher for half or full day zoo keeper experiences, an unforgettable experience. You can also get season passes for the zoo so they can feed the lemurs as often as they want! Think about a golf membership, gym or leisure club membership; most beauty salons offer gift vouchers for beauty, massage or spa experiences. Local garden centres, besides a range of gifts this time of year for gardeners and non gardeners, sell gift vouchers.

Pugs and kisses cushion £7.99, New Look. Cuddly pugs are a hot trend this Christmas!

Despicable Me Monopoly £12.50, Wilkinson. The Minions are still as loveable as ever, so you can’t go wrong with a Despicable Me Monopoly game, sure to be a favourite long after the festive season.

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The Livingston Centre Gift Card is available from the Information Desk, use the new kiosk in the mall outside H&M or buy them online using their secure gift card portal. Redeemable at over 70 retailers in The Centre. The Centre also has a fantastic range of seasonal events including Santa’s Grotto until 24th December and festive food markets from 27th November – 27th December.

Open daily from 9am – 6pm, except Thursday (9am – 8pm) and Sunday (10am – 6pm). Christmas trading hours will be listed at www. thecentrelivingston.com.

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CHRISTMAS PRESENTS FOR COOKS

t’s not difficult to buy presents for people who enjoy food, cooking and anything to do with the pleasure of eating. Very fine chocolate, bottles of wine or special jars of charcuterie; a subscription to one of the many special food clubs which send a packet of cheese, hand-baked cakes or biscuits, cuts of meat, tea, gourmet coffee beans or other delicious seasonal foods every month for as long as your subscription lasts.

I have, over the years, been lucky enough to have received all these. I most enjoyed the cheese because I was introduced to new flavours I would otherwise been too hesitant to try and the random choices educated me through the year.

Books are a good way of making people take a rest and relax. There are many options for foodies before you resort to a cook book.

“Consider the Fork” by Bee Wilson is a history of how we cook and eat. It reads as easily as a novel but is full of stories of how man has tamed fire, used different measuring devices and had fashions in spoons. It explains the link between the style of food eaten and the equipment that has developed to eat and prepare it. Pitfalls of the manners surrounding the use of chopsticks wrongly in Japan and the reasons for labour intensive foods being offered by the rich and powerful inhibiting the development of labour saving gadgets are all explained in a light but thoroughly researched way.

The fact that clay pots were invented a thousand years before anybody thought of cooking in them and the KONECT WEST LOTHIAN 18

1

difference between a nutmeg and a ginger grater and why are all discussed. At the end of each topic there is a page telling of a special tool. So for “Measure” it’s an egg timer and for “Fire” it’s The Toaster.

(At least two of my cook friends will receive this book this year!)

“The Belly of Paris” by Emile Zola is full of the most evocative descriptions of food. You can almost taste the summer fruit on the market stall and taste the cheeses in the cellar of the shop keeper. It’s set in the area around the Marche des Innocents as Les Halles, the enormous, busy central market of 19th century Paris is being built. Social disruption and change caused by establishment of the Second Empire and the great modernizing and building projects during the Haussmann era underlie the story of RougonMacquart family. Published in 1873 the petty squabbles and worries of small tradespeople are still relevant to the reader today. Zola pictures a world in which food and the injustices of society are inextricably interlinked.

2

LEMON SYLLABUB This is a very old but simple pudding. It could have been made by people in any of the books or films mentioned and it a bit special so good at Christmas time. In the past it was made using sweet wines or sweet sherry, but for today’s taste this would probably be too sweet. Serves 4 I NGREDI EN TS ࡄ ࡄ ࡄ ࡄ

½ pint whipping cream 50g caster sugar 50ml white wine, not too dry Zest and juice of 1 lemon

ME THOD Whip the cream and sugar together till soft peaks are formed. With a table spoon gently fold in the wine, zest and lemon juice. Spoon into four pretty glasses. Serve with thin, crisp biscuits. You can put mixed berries or poached fruit under the syllabub for a bigger pudding and serve 6.

Penguin Books have produced a set of 20 special extracts from their food publications. The Great Food Collection includes:- The Art of Syllabub, Love in a Dish, A Middle Eastern Feast, The Art of Carving, The Pleasures of the Table, From Absinthe to Zest and The Elegant Economist. You could indulge in all of them for yourself or give them away one by one to people who might enjoy a short read.

However, if you still want to give a friend a cook book the most beautify produced ones I can remember are by Tessa Kiros. 1. “Limoncello and Linen Water” and 2.

“Venezia Dreams.” Hard backs with gold edged pages, a velvet ribbon bookmarkers and many sumptuous photos of food intermingled with settings of old Italian china and black and white family photos. The recipes are good too.

Spread from limoncello and linen water

Anne Pinkerton is a local cook who believes that everybody can enjoy seasonal food and can have pleasure preparing meals for their family and friends.

KONECT WEST LOTHIAN 19

contact alex on:

01506 203200 | 07798 530 247 e: info@aklimos.com www.aklimos.com available for Weddings and all special occasions

follow us at AK Limos we are licensed by West Lothian Council

Christmas Eve: 9am - 4pm Closed: Christmas Day, 26th, 27th Dec

Welcome 2017 in style with Food Creations at the Almondvale Suite

Re-Opens: 28th, 29th. 30th Dec: 10am - 5pm Hogmanay: 9am - 4pm

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Join us in the Almondvale Suite for an evening of mouthwatering food, high class entertainment and immaculate service from our friendly staff

Roadrunner Disco

Party Games

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STEAK PIE ORDERS We are taking New Year pre-orders for our award-winning Steak Pies.

Large pies (serve 6-10) must be ordered by 4pm on Friday 16th December. Smaller sizes wil be available in-store 28th - 31st December.

Email -­ events@foodcreations.co.uk

or call 01506 412232 or go online www.foodcreations.co.uk facebook.com/simonatfoodcreations @Food_Creations

KONECT WEST LOTHIAN 20

Tel: 01506 830 716 www.hopetounfarmshop.co.uk Hopetoun Farm Shop is located next door to New Hopetoun Gardens on the A904 near Newton

MUSIC REVIEW

DARKER THAN YOU THINK 2

016 is the year that launched a million FB “can’t believe they are gone” posts.

If you enjoyed those then you’re going to love the next ten years. Get ready to say goodbye to the entirety of the generations that created and defined popular music and film as we understand it today.

Lyrically there is no doubting what is being put forward. “I’m leaving the table/I’m out of the game” he growls, so close that he is speaking directly into your ear, “Put out the flame”. The title track uses much of the same imagery, stark and sombre in the face of death, “I’m ready my Lord”.

Leonard Cohen saw it coming, even if you did not. “You Want It Darker” was composed in the lengthening shadow of his own mortality, being released only a few weeks before his death. Sonically there is little to call between this collection and the preceding two albums of his final period, “Popular Problems” and “Old Ideas”. The voice, never the most graceful of instruments, has fallen into a register that is below bass, rumbling up from the depths to be set in wonderfully sympathetic arrangements rather more sophisticated than Cohen’s own love for cheap casio backings on display during his late eighties resurgence.

“Leonard Cohen saw it coming, even if you did not.”

You can forgive Cohen for leaving aside some of the sardonic asides that generally alienate the gloom, but this final missive should be considered along with the body (and Cohen sang often the body) of sensual, sincere and humorous work which illuminated sometimes crass decades which did little to deserve him.

The monthly music review is contributed by James Kerr. James presents the Regal Music Club show on Regal Radio and is a member of the local band Snakeskin Shoe Review.

Burns Night Saturday 21st January 2017 7pm – 1am | £23.95pp Enjoy a 3 course Scottish meal and entertainment from Andrew Warren Ceilidh band.

01506 446699 | www.deer-­park.co.uk | Deer Park Golf and Country Club, Golf Course Road Livingston, EH54 8AB

TRIBUTE NIGHT Saturday 11th February 2017 7pm – 1am | £23.95pp Enjoy a 3 course meal with live entertainment from Paul Francis Thorpe as Elvis and disco until 1am.

KONECT WEST LOTHIAN 21

CHARITY OF THE MONTH

WEST LOTHIAN DRUG AND ALCOHOL SERVICE

“

We want people to know that we’re here, and that they can contact us any time if they’re worried they have a problem with alcohol, drugs or tobacco,” says Brian Pringle, general manager of the West Lothian Drug and Alcohol Service (WLDAS).

Operating out of community centres, health centres and other venues across West Lothian, a team of qualified and experienced counsellors dispense hope and help regularly to hundreds of people in West Lothian who are struggling with problems and dependencies. “We have a good rate of success at helping people move on,” says Brian, “and some of our service users come back to help others.”

Alcohol is still the biggest problem here in West Lothian, but the service also covers tobacco and all drugs thanks to the multi-skilled team of counsellors. The charity’s origin, around 30 years ago, was a group of Livingston residents who wanted to offer help to solvent mis-users.

It grew from there, and 70% of the staff and board are still local people providing a caring and confidential service for members of their community struggling with addictions or who are at risk of addiction.

“We’re not the usual drug and alcohol group such as you see in movies and soap operas,” Brian explains. “We work mostly on an individual basis, where you will see a counsellor for a series of sessions on a one to one basis.” With a background as a psychiatric nurse, Brian has extensive experience in helping people with all manner of mental health conditions and counselling work, which he loves doing - although nowadays as manager of the WLDAS his time is spent ensuring ongoing funding for the service and developing the services they offer. Misuse of drugs or alcohol is often traceable to a root cause or trauma in people’s lives, so Brian was keen to offer psychological services to help KONECT WEST LOTHIAN 22

people address some of these root causes, where applicable, and prevent relapses. So WLDAS now employs a psychologist. There is also a specialist counselling service for young people who have experienced a sudden bereavement- again, an initiative to address root causes and to prevent dependency problems from developing in the first place.

The first step to getting “We’re not the help can be the hardest, so WLDAS are happy to usual drug and take a call from a family alcohol group member or friend in the such as you see first instance, so long as in movies and they have the consent soap operas” of the person involved.

The fastest way into the service is via the daily drop-in centres, where you can call in with no appointment and find out what you might expect from the service if you do want to make an appointment and start the journey. Drop-in sessions are held at different venues in West Lothian every day, so if you call the service they can tell you where the drop-ins are for the week.

The counselling services though are provided via appointments rather than drop-in, and are held at various locations in West Lothian; all of the appointment venues are places where you could be going for any purpose, such as community centres and health centres.

A member of WLDAS staff attends local police stations every morning to see who has been in overnight with an offence for which alcohol or drugs may have been a factor, and to offer help.

Likewise, they have someone based at A&E at St Johns Hospital to offer help where drugs or alcohol was a factor in the attendance.

This remarkable organisation provides a host of other services. Brian explains, “One problem with services in the health sector can be people being passed from pillar to post. We offer many

relevant services within the “family” so to speak, and on the occasions where we do need to pass on to another organisation, your regular counsellor will be involved in the hand over, take you to the first appointment or whatever is appropriate to ensure continuity of service.” Services run

by WLDAS itself include support groups for depression and anxiety; cooking classes in the cafe kitchen at Almondbank Centre; a walking group; a computer group to help navigate the benefits system; taking people to the gym, helping them re-engage with things they used to do, or to try new activities; help with steps back to employment or college; cognitive behavioural therapy, and many other services.

If you or someone you know could benefit from seeing a counsellor at WLDAS, please call 01506 430225 or email enquiries@wldas.org.

Website www.wldas.com. Office hours: 8am-6pm Mon – Fri and 9am to 12.30pm Saturday for queries or advice on drugs, alcohol, tobacco and related issues, or to make an appointment to see a counsellor.

The WLDAS counselling services is registered with COSCA, Scotland’s professional body for counselling and psychotherapy.

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+ȩȘ˙ƇƚȘɾǞŏȀ ɯʕɔɔȩɟɾ ŏȘƇ żȩʕȘɯƚȀȀǞȘǃ ɾȩ ǞȘƇǞʲǞƇʕŏȀɯ ŏǀǀƚżɾƚƇ ųʿ ȒǞɯʕɯƚ ȩǀ Ƈɟʕǃɯ ŏȘƇࡕȩɟ ŏȀżȩǕȩȀ 4ƚƇǞżŏɾƚƇ żȩʕȘɯƚȀȀǞȘǃ ɯƚɟʲǞżƚ ǀȩɟ ʿȩʕȘǃ ɔƚȩɔȀƚ $ƚɟƚŏʲƚȒƚȘɾ żȩʕȘɯƚȀȀǞȘǃ ࡵ bɟǞƚǀ ŏɾɾƚɟɯ ࡷ ǀȩɟ ʿȩʕȘǃ ɔƚȩɔȀƚ ࡫ɔŏɟɾǞŏȀȀʿ ǀʕȘƇƚƇ ųʿ +ǕǞȀƇɟƚȘ ǞȘ ƚƚƇ࡬ 4ƚƇǞżŏɾƚƇ ɯƚɟʲǞżƚ ǀȩɟ ʿȩʕȘǃ ɔƚȩɔȀƚ ʶǕȩ ʶŏȘɾ ɾȩ ŏƇƇɟƚɯɯ ɾǕƚǞɟ ɯȒȩǺǞȘǃ 4ƚƇǞżŏɾƚƇ ɯƚɟʲǞżƚ ǀȩɟ ȩǀǀƚȘƇƚɟɯ ŏȘƇ ʲʕȀȘƚɟŏųȀƚ ŏƇʕȀɾɯ +ǕȩǞżƚ ȩǀ ʲƚȘʕƚɯ ǞȘ Ħƚɯɾ ȩɾǕǞŏȘ ȩǀǀƚɟǞȘǃ ƚŏɯǞƚɟ ŏżżƚɯɯ ǀȩɟ żȀǞƚȘɾɯ ëʕɔɔȩɟɾ ŏȘƇ żȩʕȘɯƚȀȀǞȘǃ ɾȩ ɔŏɟɾȘƚɟɯࡈ ǀŏȒǞȀʿ ȒƚȒųƚɟɯ ŏȘƇ żŏɟƚɟɯ ëʕɔɔȩɟɾ ŏȘƇ ŏƇʲȩżŏżʿ +ȩȘ˙ƇƚȘżƚ ųʕǞȀƇǞȘǃ vȒɔɟȩʲǞȘǃ ǕƚŏȀɾǕ ŏȘƇ ʶƚȀȀࡷųƚǞȘǃ żżƚɯɯ ɾȩ ǀʕɟɾǕƚɟ ƚƇʕżŏɾǞȩȘ ŏȘƇ ʲȩȀʕȘɾŏɟʿ ʶȩɟǺ ëǞǃȘࡷɔȩɯɾǞȘǃ ɾȩ ȩɾǕƚɟ ɯƚɟʲǞżƚɯ CƇʕżŏɾǞȩȘ ŏȘƇ ÚɟƚʲƚȘɾǞȩȘ ÚɟȩǀƚɯɯǞȩȘŏȀ ÷ɟŏǞȘǞȘǃ ŏȘƇ ÚȩȀǞżʿ 4ƚʲƚȀȩɔȒƚȘɾ KONECT WEST LOTHIAN 23

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WALK

THE TOUGH 10K NEEDN’T BE SO TOUGH… Karen and the boxercise team at the Tough 10K

A

s I write this the Pentlands are covered in a light dusting of snow - pretty to look at from a distance, but I’m very glad they weren’t like that when I took part in the Cancer Research Tough 10k at the beginning of November.

This challenge, which I was gently persuaded to join by my boxercising pals, took me out of my comfort zone but at the same time, got me out in the hills on a Sunday morning. By heading out early we got the best of the day, saw some really beautiful sunrises and even a broken spectre (a phenomenon of light and mist that you see in the hills very rarely). The views made the hard work of running worth the effort, the money raised for Cancer Research was all the reward required; the sense of achievement a wonderful added bonus.

However, the best thing about it was the fact that I have now discovered a new walking route - a circular route in the Pentland Hills that fits in with the time I have and where I won’t wander off course.

KONECT WEST LOTHIAN 30

The Tough 10k was “By heading out the perfect route. The early we got ascent is very steep and tough but the descent the best of the is also fairly steep and day, saw some precarious in muddy really beautiful weather. In fact on the sunrises and even day of the event, the a broken spectre route had been changed (a phenomenon of slightly at the end to light and mist rarely make the descent a seen in the hills” little less steep and is the one I will now be making my new walking route. 10k is a great distance and I reckon will take around 2 to 2.5 hours at a brisk pace. The terrain is rough, a mixture of gravel track, grass and rather slim sheep tracks. It can be muddy, and it’s uneven underfoot, but take it easy and it is no problem.

The route begins at the car park at Bonaly. Find the Outdoor Centre and a little way past that you will see the car park area on the right hand side with a gate and stile for the beginning of the path.

It is a bit of a difficult start as you begin by going steeply uphill for a good kilometre before you go through another gate and the path starts to level out a little. Still heading upward along a gravel path, you will see a reservoir on the right and then youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll come to another gate. Through this and it is a turn to the right where the path then resembles more of a sheep trail. It can be muddy and undulating with a few puddles to negotiate but the views start to open up ahead of you with Glencorse reservoir coming into view, the hills beyond and the Scots pines. The path twists this way and that and there are drainage bridges peppered along the way but it is fairly obvious where to go. A bridge over a burn takes you a little uphill but generally the route is fairly level at this point. It then heads downhill toward the reservoir. The narrow path comes out on to a wider path, turn left and then down through the gate ahead. Take a left here with the reservoir on your right and you are on that tarmac road for a few hundred meters.

Be prepared though, as you are about to head uphill again. You will see a sign for Castle Law hillfort on the left. Go through the gate and head up the fairly narrow and very steep track. It is tough going but quite short. At the top, it is through another gate and turn left.

You are then heading along the side of the hills on a grassy path with the reservoir down to your left. The path eventually splits and you take the left hand fork which will take you around the side of the hill.

The path meanders up and down and can be quite challenging before eventually going upwards again.

You will be rewarded though â&#x20AC;&#x201C; once you reach the top, you will see a tarmac road again. Turn left and over the cattle grid; follow the road along until you see a crossroads. You will see a sign for Bonaly down to the left so follow that and over the stile at the bottom of short hill. There are two paths ahead.

Take the lower path to the right and walk around the side of the hill. You will now get views of the Bridges and over the Forth to Fife on your right hand side as you move along the side of the hill.

Looking across firth of forth from pentlands

View over glencorse reservoir

Again you will come to a fork and you can take either one as they both end up at the same point.

However, the best option for a more even path underfoot is to take the left hand fork and go around the other side of the hill. The path is quite grassy but takes you slowly around and down the hill. It then heads off to the left and eventually brings you back to the top of the steep track you first walked up. When you see the gate, go right and through it and then retrace your steps back down the hill to the car park.

A perfect circular route with plenty of different terrain to challenge and wonderful views along the way makes this walk ideal for a weekend afternoon.

Decent footwear is required and if you are going to tackle it in winter remember warm outdoor clothing. The path is fairly easy to follow but if fog descends it could be easy to get lost so check the weather forecast before you go and be prepared!

I do intend to run the route again from time to time but I am certainly going to walk it on a more regular basis and make sure I enjoy those Sunday mornings up in the hills.

The walk feature is contributed by Karen Murray.

Karen lives in West Lothian and is passionate about walking in the great outdoors having been bought up to love walking by her father (still hillwalking in his 80s)

TECHNOLOGY

TECH TRENDS FOR 2017

2

016 saw all kinds of bright ideas: dual-lens cameras in smartphones, virtual reality headsets, new versions of Windows and the end of the headphone socket in iPhones. Here are the key trends driving the technology you’ll buy, use or crave in 2017.

ONLINE TV: Getting TV over the internet isn’t new but it’s changing. Netflix is now offering half the amount of titles it offered in 2012 because it - and its rival Amazon - is more interested in making its own programmes than in buying other people’s.

From Amazon’s Jeremy Clarkson vehicle The Grand Tour to Netflix’s The Crown, some of the most exciting TV isn’t being broadcast anywhere but online. That trend’s going to accelerate in 2017.

The days when online TV services resembled a particularly bad video shop’s bargain bin are disappearing fast.

4K HDR TV: Television manufacturers persuaded us to upgrade from standard definition TVs to high definition TVs. They tried again with 3D, without much success. The next big home entertainment hype is over 4K and HDR televisions. 4K, also known as Ultra HD or UHD, has four times the number of pixels than full HD, so delivers really sharp images - provided you have a 4K source. There aren’t many of those around yet: Netflix has a little 4K content, but most broadcasters are still on HD rather than 4K. The most recent PlayStation and Xbox One offer 4K gaming, although once again that depends on having games optimised for the resolution. It might be worth waiting to see whether 4K succeeds or if it’s another 3DTV. While 4K offers more detailed images, HDR offers more drama. It’s short for High Dynamic Range, and you might have encountered it in your smartphone’s camera: HDR delivers deeper shadows and brighter highlights than normal photography, and it’s the same with HDR TV.

KONECT WEST LOTHIAN 32

VIRTUAL REALITY: 2017 will decide whether virtual reality is the next big thing. VR headsets from Facebook-owned Oculus, Google and Sony hit the virtual shelves in late 2016, but what happens this year will seal the format’s fate: without compelling games to play or experiences to experience, those headsets could turn out to be very expensive paperweights. The technology is really impressive, but so was 3D TV. SUPER SMARTPHONES: After a minor revamp in 2016, the 2017 iPhone is rumoured to be a dramatic upgrade with new screen technology and the same great cameras currently limited to the big and expensive iPhone 7 Plus. We might even see wireless charging too, something Apple’s rivals have offered for some time. Samsung’s Galaxy S8 should be impressive too, and hopefully less prone to battery explosions than this year’s Galaxy Note 7.

HOME AUTOMATION: Whether it’s Microsoft’s Cortana, Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Alexa, this may be the year when we spend more time talking to our tech than tapping on its screens. Virtual digital assistants in our phones and in home hubs have the potential to automate everything - assuming they can finally understand non-US accents, that is.

Pictures: 1. Sony HDR TV 2. Amazon Echo Dot home hub 3. iPhone 7 Plus 4. Netflix online video

The technology column is contributed by an independent writer

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BEFORE

AFTER

Check Customer reviews on Trusted Trader www.westlothian.gov.uk/trustedtrader/joiner

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KONECT LINLITHGOW 41

VET’S TIP

W

e’ve all seen those funny videos as cat and Christmas tree sail floorward after puss’s climb up the new indoor toy goes wrong or the hilarious snaps of a sheepish-looking dog with a scene of festive carnage behind it.

But behind the funny images, there is a serious message for our pets concerning dangers at Christmas. Our cats and dogs can find Christmas a bewildering time – new additions to the home, such as trees and decorations, unfamiliar visitors and different, interesting substances out on display.

Most Christmas decorations aren’t toxic in themselves but

Buster the Dog

in dogs. Remember wrapping paper might hide chocolates from humans under the tree but dogs can still sniff them out and look out for guests leaving treats within reach.

pine needles can get stuck in paws, baubles can shatter, leaving sharp shards, and tinsel can be intriguing – and can get tangled in intestines.

Onions, nuts, blue cheese, grapes and their dried varieties such as raisins, can be toxic to dogs, and be careful of turkey bones which can cause choking.

Batteries are also potentially toxic and ingestion of them is more common at this time of year. So keep your eyes out for hazards to your pets and have a safe as well as merry Christmas.

Many festive foods are dangerous to pets – chocolate is the most obvious. It contains a chemical called theobromine which can cause tremors, convulsions and heart problems

The Vet’s Tip is contributed by Stuart McMorrow, head vet at Westport Veterinary Clinic, 8 Preston Road, 01506 844 165, www.westportvets.com

Keep your Friends o pet in tip heWaltehscatrepoprlatfn top shape from just £7 per month To find out more call us on

01506 844 165

or pop into the surgery

8 Preston Rd, Linlithgow EH49 7AU KONECT LINLITHGOW 42

CATS PROTECTION WEST LOTHIAN – FEATURED CAT Oreo is a beautiful, gentle 2 year old girl looking for her forever home. A friendly playful soul who needs continual access to the outdoors (she spends most of her time indoors but needs to know she can get out). When kept in, she can develop stress-induced cystitis so needs an understanding family who would be willing to let her into the garden on a harness & lead at first. Oreo should be the only cat in her new home, but would be happy with older children or anyone who will take time to play with her! Please get in touch if you can offer her the second chance she so desperately deserves. Call 01506 298107 or use the “Contact us” form at www.cats.org.uk/west-lothian

Mackie

Veterinary Surgeons Ltd

Established

1 9 3 0

Brechin

“All creatures great and small, we care for them all” Our caring, experienced and dedicated veterinary team is committed to providing the best possible care for your pet, horse or farm animal in the Linlithgow, Edinburgh, Lothian and Central regions.

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

Linlithgow Branch Surgery, 256 High Street, Linlithgow, EH49 7ES Tel: 0131 333 3203 reception@mackieandbrechin.co.uk www.mackieandbrechin.co.uk

24 HOUR ON-­SITE EMERGENCY SERVICE At our Kirkliston Surgery, 29 Main St, Kirkliston, EH29 9AE Tel: 0131 333 3203

CROSSWORD

Solution in the February edition of konect

Across 1 Snake-like fish (4) 3 Board game (8) 9 Get in touch (7) 10 Better (5) 11 Accomplishments (12) 14 Jewel (3) 16 Tracks (5) 17 Change colour (3) 18 Clarifications (12) 21 Punctuation mark (5) 22 Displaying (7) 23 Home-help (8) 24 Finishes (4) Down 1 Swap (8) 2 Midday meal (5) 4 Slap (3) 5 Dialogue (12) 6 Enthusiastic (7) 7 Certain (4) 8 Animals with many legs (12) 12 Consumed (5) 13 Texts (8) 15 Largest amount (7) 19 Vegetable (5) 20 Cooled (4) 22 Winter sport (3) KONECT LINLITHGOW 43

WHAT’S ON & USEFUL INFORMATION Friday 2nd December

LOCAL CHRISTMAS CRAFTING SESSIONS: Christmas Crafts with West Lothian Ranger Service: CHRISTMAS WREATH MAKING: Sunday 4th December. Materials will be provided. Meet: Sutherland Building, opposite the Visitor Centre, Beecraigs Country Park. To book call 01506 844516 or email: mail@beecraigs.com HOMEMADE CRAFT ITEMS FOR CHRISTMAS: Saturday 10th December. Our cosy craft room awaits your crafty skills! Materials provided.

Suitable for: Families. Meet: Outside the Classroom, Polkemmet Country Park. To book call 01501 743905 or email: polkemmet@ westlothian.gov.uk GATHERING AND MAKING CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS FROM NATURE: Sunday 11th December. Meet: Almondell Visitor Centre. To book call 01506 882254 or email: almondell&calderwood@ westlothian.gov.uk Each Country Park crafting session is 2pm-3.30pm.

Cost: £3.65 per item.

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A Celebration of Christmas with Toccata Ladies Choir. 7.30pm at Strathbrock Parish Church, Broxburn. Tickets on the door, £5.

Saturday 3rd December Celebrate Christmas Concert Glasgow Phoenix Choir, fundraiser at St Michael’s Parish Church Linlithgow, organised by Rotary Club of Linlithgow and Bo’ness.

Saturday 10th December West Lothian Highland Society Monthly Ceilidh – Celebrating 45 years of the Society Strathbrock Community Centre, Broxburn, 7.00pm.

Band will be Ewen Galloway Trio. Piper - Alvis Kerr.

Singers - Close Harmony. Members - £6.00, NonMembers - £7.00.

Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th December Christmas Deer Walks at Beecraigs Accompany the Ranger as we feed the deer their magic food and make sure everything is OK for the work ahead. Wear warm clothes and sturdy footwear. Suitable for families Meet: Sutherland Building, opposite the Visitor Centre Time: 11am & 2pm Cost: £3.65 adult, £2.50 child. To book call 01506 844516 or email: mail@beecraigs.com TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT HERE, PLEASE EMAIL EDITOR@KONECTDIRECTORY.CO.UK OR C ALL 07854 492638.

CLUBS & CLASSES

Sports, Hobbies, Learning, Support Groups & more...

2nd West Lothian Scouts The Scout Hall, 6 Dog Well Wynd, Linlithgow. Beavers (age 6-8) meet Wednesdays; Cubs (age 8 - 10.5) meet Mondays; Two Scouts troops (age 10.5 -14) meet Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact Group Scout Leader Nick Moody at scouts2wl@hotmail.co.uk.

Substantial waiting lists for all sections - new adult volunteers always welcome.

The Caring Cafe Low Port Centre, 1 Blackness Road, Linlithgow, EH49 7HZ. The Caring Cafe is a meeting place where people with dementia and their carers have a chance to meet others in a similar situation. Meets monthly on the 3rd Wednesday of every month 10am - 12noon (Lunch available after the café in the Lowport Centre cafeteria). For people who are able to attend safely on their own or who are accompanied by someone to support them. Contact Margaret or May from Linlithgow Link on 01506 845137 or email Coordinator@linlithgowlink.org.uk Linlithgow Bridge Playgroup Chalmers Hall, Main Street, Linlithgow Bridge.

Tue-Thu: 9:15 am - 11:45 am during term time. No minimum number of sessions. £7 per session. For more information contact lbplaygroup@gmail.com

Linlithgow String Orchestra The Linlithgow String Orchestra for adults (18+) with a minimum standard Grade 5 meet weekly on Monday’s 7.30-9.30pm at St Peter’s Episcopal Church, High Street Linlithgow (£3 per week). New players from Linlithgow and the surrounding areas are welcome.

Please bring music stands. Please contact us in advance on: linlithgowstringorchestra@gmail.com or search for us on Facebook.

Badminton Club Small, friendly club meets Wednesday evenings at Lowport Centre, 7-9pm. We are looking for new members who have played before. Adults only please.

Linlithgow and District Embroiders Guild Linlithgow and District Branch of the Embroiderers Guild meet the last Wednesday of the month in Linlithgow Academy Library from 7pm till 9pm, September to May. Variety of Speakers and classes.

Beginner or experienced, or not a stitcher all are welcome.

Sunshine Singalong Kirk Hall, St Michael’s Parish Church, second Thursday every month 12 – 1.30pm. Caring for those living with memory loss. Light lunch then singing your favourite songs. A warm welcome awaits you, no church connection needed, just turn up on the day. Disabled parking in the Vennel Car Park adjacent to Kirk Hall.

Linlithgow Speakers Are you and your staff interested in improving speaking in public and leadership skills? Do you know about Toastmasters? Linlithgow Speakers is a local voluntary group that can help develop these skills.

We are looking for new members in Linlithgow. Come and visit on Tuesday night (we meet every second Tuesday at 7.30 at the Low Port Centre in Linlithgow.

Please contact me for more information: Sheila Fraser 01506 650953 or 07968 233324.

Seedlings – Tots and Toddlers church - NEW! St Michael’s Church Hall, Thursday’s 10-11am. Bring your 0-5 year old children or grandchildren for craft activities and singing. Coffee, cake, new friends. Just come along on the morning.

Linlithgow Keep Fit Club We meet every Thursday from 19:00 - 21:00 at the gym at the rear of Linlithgow Academy. We have limited spaces for new male members. We resume on the 27th August. Call Brian on 07984 930235 or email gallacherbrian@hotmail.com for further information.

TO INCLUDE YOUR CLUB OR CLASS, EMAIL DETAILS TO EDITOR@KONECTDIRECTORY. CO.UK. CHARITY AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS ARE FREE, THERE IS A SMALL CHARGE FOR OTHER LISTINGS. SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS. WWW.KONECTDIRECTORY.CO.UK

LIBRARY INFORMATION Linlithgow Library The Vennel, High Street, Linlithgow, EH49 7EH Tel: 01506 775490 Email: linlithgow.lib@westlothian.gov.uk Opening hours: Mon & Fri: 9.00am - 5.00pm. Tue & Thur: 9.00am - 7.00pm. Wed: 9.00am - 3.00pm. Sat: 9.00am - 1.00pm.

STORYTIME: Stories and art activities for children 3-4 years during term time - every Monday and Friday 10.30am.

LINLITHGOW BOOK GROUP: Meets on the first Tuesday of the month at 6pm to discuss their chosen novel.

BOOKBUG SESSIONS: Stories, songs & rhymes suitable for all under 3’s and their grown-ups.

Council Information Service (located within the library) is open 9-2.30 Monday to Friday

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DECEMBER FOODPICKS WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK NEXT IN AND AROUND EDINBURGH AND WEST LOTHIAN

3. NEW OPENING Drake & Morgan bring us The Refinery this month. Opened on 21st November this bar and restaurant spread over two levels and located on St Andrew Square promises to be THE place to go this Christmas.

4. WHAT TO BUY FOR CHRISTMAS? Afternoon Tea at Greywalls - at £19.50 it’s great value. Take a walk around the beautiful grounds, and then settle yourself down for what is the biggest afternoon tea we have experienced to date!

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5. PRE-THEATRE RECOMMENDATION If you’re taking a family trip to the panto this year, we recommend you make an evening of it and treat yourself to dinner at Frontier authentic American food that won’t break the bank. We recommend the nachos and the meat platter.

Have a fabulous foodie Christmas, we’ll see you in the New Year!

1 1. WHERE TO EAT THIS CHRISTMAS? Twenty Princes Street have a great menu and direct views of Edinburgh Castle. Steak and seafood are the focus, but it’s the flaming baked Alaska that will steal the show!

2. WHERE TO DRINK THIS CHRISTMAS? Juniper, located right next door to Twenty Princes Street impressed us this month with a cocktail menu worthy of a Christmas night out.

We recommend ‘Strawberries and Steam’ which combines fresh fruity flavours with some dry ice theatrics perfect for getting the party started.

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The monthly Foodpicks column is contributed by local blogger Erica Douglas of www.foodinburgh.com.

Erica provides us with inspiration on where to eat and drink next in and around Edinburgh and West Lothian.

Join the Foodinburgh Supper Club for a monthly digest and offers for some of their favourite monthly choices.

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS FOOD & GROCERIES Hopetoun Farm Shop

WL20

WL24

GARDEN & LANDSCAPING New Hopetoun Gardens Woodford Timber

PAINTER/DECORATOR David J Lane Nu Walls

WL11 WL10

PHONE REPAIRS / ACCESSORIES Fone Republic

WL20

GARDEN BUILDINGS Champfleurie Estate Ltd

2

CARPET & UPHOLSTERY CLEANING C and W Cleaning Services WL24

GIFTS New Hopetoun Gardens

WL11

CATERING Food Creations

GOLF CLUB Deer Park

WL21

CHILDRENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ACTIVITIES/ENTERTAINMENT Five Sisters Zoo WL5 Jump Station WL5 Young Engineers WL3

HEATING SERVICES D Mac Services Scotland Dewar Plumbing Red Hot Condensing Boilers

WL27 WL24 WL25

CHURCH Kings Church

HIRE (CAR/VAN/MINIBUS) AK Stretch Limousines HOME DECOR Ligneum Designs Ltd

BATHROOMS Bathgate Bathroom Studio S and S

WL29 41

BUILDING SURVEYOR David Hastings BUTCHER Hopetoun Farm Shop

WL20

WL5

CLEANING SERVICES Dusters Cleaning Services COMPUTER SERVICES Sprint Computers CONSERVATORIES Andrew James Windows & Conservatories Greenburn Glass

4 WL8 WL27 WL29

CYCLE SHOP & REPAIRS Elevation Cycles DECORATING Graham & Brown ELECTRICIAN Simply Electrical ESTATE AGENT Aberdein Considine Remax Turpie

5

HOMES FOR SALE CALA JOINER Create Enhanced Spaces Ltd Geoff Vinter Joinery KITCHENS Create Enhanced Spaces Ltd S and S

WL25 WL26

PLUMBING SERVICES Capital Heating D Mac Services Scotland

WL24 WL27

REMOVALS Linlithgow Removals Man With Van Ltd

5 WL25

RESTAURANT Deer Park

WL21

WL20

ROOFING MH Developments

WL26

WL16

SECURITY SERVICES West Lothian Locksmith CompanyWL28

8

TUITION Sax Lessons

WL24 41

VET Mackie and Brechin West Port Veterinary Clinic

WL25

LOCKSMITH West Lothian Locksmith CompanyWL28

FESTIVAL Far From The Madding Crowd

5

Solution to November Crossword

WL9

MOBILITY Ableworld Med Ecosse

WL13 WL15

MOTORHOME (HIRE/SALE) Motorhome Hire Scotland

WL8

OFFICE ADMIN SERVICES Admin @ Work

TRUSTED TRADER SCHEME West Lothian Trusted Trader

WL24 4

LAWYER Aberdein Considine

FENCING/GATES Welding & Fabrication Solutions Ltd 4

5

PLASTERING Nu Walls Top 2 Bottom Plastering

WL26

WL9 48 WL7

WL25

WL28 WL5 43 42

WALLPAPER Graham & Brown

WL26

WINDOWS Andrew James Windows & Conservatories Greenburn Glass

WL27 WL29

ZOO Five Sisters Zoo

WL5

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Solution to Sudoku Page 54 Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advertisement.The Konect Directory does not endorse any advertising material that appears in this publication.

Adverts are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate. All material is accepted for publication on the understanding that it is copyright free.

The Konect Directory accepts no liability for any subsequent copyright issues. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior consent of the publisher.

Across: 7 Encyclopedias, 8 Declared, 9 Gigs, 10 Minster, 12 Aorta, 14 Corgi, 16 Erasure, 19 Fail, 20 Applause, 22 Demonstration.

Down: 1 Knee, 2 Cycles, 3 Alarmed, 4 Spade, 5 Adagio, 6 Daughter, 11 Isolated, 13 Prepare, 15 Gallon, 17 Starts, 18 False, 21 Slog.

Publisher: Lothian Publications Ltd, Overton Farmhouse, Kirknewton, EH27 8DD. Editor: Helen-Jane Shearer 07854 492638 hj@konectdirectory.co.uk

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