Konect Directory Livingston April 2013 by Konect Magazines

konect the

rs & Offe ers h c u vo cal from lo ses s e busin

April 2013

directory

Bedroom Tax Livingston reacts No April Fools Odd Gadgets Keep on Running Running for Charity

WIN

4 ball at Pumpherston Golf Club

WIN

Tickets for 2 to Salsa Celtica at Howden Park Centre plus local businesses, community information and more!

The community magazine for Livingston

S& S Home

Improvements / Maintenance

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Editor’s Message Welcome to the April issue of the Konect Directory. It’s definitely Spring when we can put chicks at Almond Valley Heritage Centre on the front cover! Local writer and blogger Chrisselle Mowatt has been looking into the much-discussed Bedroom Tax that takes effect this month, finding out how local people are affected. Chrisselle is also the founder of Don’t Lose Your Grip, and mental health online support forum which features as our Charity of the Month in this issue. And as it’s the season for marathon training, our usual walk feature is replaced by a look at running instead of walking... Congratulations to M. Taylor of Craigshill who won the crossword competition in the last issue, and to Richard Millham of Deans who won the crossword competition in the February issue. This month the prize is 4 ball at Pumpherston Golf Club, so try your luck with the crossword on page 42. Thanks for reading the Konect Directory, and have a great Easter break!

Helen-Jane, Editor hj@konectdirectory.co.uk 07854 492638

Contents Feature Article Bedroom Tax 8 Walk Feature 30 Pets 29 Food & Drink 52 Children & Family 56

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Competitions & puzzles Prize crossword Sudoku Community What’s on Useful information Clubs & Classes Index of Advertisers

42 42 50 50 58 62

The Konect Directory is delivered to 20,000 homes throughout Livingston, alternating between two areas of 10,000 homes each. Copies are also left at libraries, community centres, convenience stores, post offices and other locations throughout Livingston.

Advertising enquiries: Jenny Thomson 07824 469266 jenny@konectdirectory.co.uk Charlene Gaffney 07772 941899 charlene@konectdirectory.co.uk Advert booking deadline: 10th of the month prior to print Artwork/copy deadline: 13th of the month prior to print

To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

Front cover photograph: Almond Valley Heritage Centre

Kitchens and Bathrooms Guaranteed to beat a comparable quote by

l0%

skb risk services ltd Business insurance in Balerno Public Houses Tradesmen Landlords Restaurants

Retail OďŹ&#x192;ces Architects Surveyors Motor Trade

0131 449 5500 0756 141 3343 www.skbrisk.co.uk

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PRIVATE NURSERY Spaces available at our new premises

∏ ∏ ∏ ∏ ∏ ∏ ∏

Airport Transfers UK Golf Trips Scottish Tours Whiskey Tours Stag and Hen Parties Wedding Bus Hire Corporate Hire

∏ ∏ ∏ ∏ ∏ ∏ ∏

Contract Work Self Drive Hire Functions Birthday Parties Anniversary Parties Sports Days Day Trips

CCTV ■ three separate age-appropriate enclosed gardens ■ after school facilities. All inclusive packages - nappies, wipes, breakfast, two course lunch & afternoon snack

CALL TODAY ON 01506 413500 1 Beveridge Square, Almondvale Livingston EH54 6QF www.abcprivatenurseries.co.uk

Visit Our Exclusive New Showroom

Kitchens Bathrooms Conservatories Blinds & Shutters Windows & Doors Sun Lounges & Orangeries

FREEPHONE 0800 247 1187 6-10 Glasgow Road Bathgate EH48 2AA

www.1stchoiceliving.co.uk sales@1stchoiceglazing.com

To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

Children’s Nursery

“Where your child comes first”

01506 466668

www.stepbystep-childcare.co.uk We offer flexible childcare and creche facilities. For more information contact Lynne Robertson Step by Step Nursery, Centrex House, 1 Simpson Parkway, Kirkton Campus Livingston, EH54 7BH (Opp. Lloyds Bank)

The Coffee Cup Cafe 118 Carmondean Centre Deans, Livingston EH54 8TD

Mexican Night Thursday 18th April

3 course dinner

B £10 pp 5pm-9pm BYO

Call to book

Tel 01506 238001 6

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Under new management Computerised Injection (virtually pain free) Intraoral camera /caries detector Laser dental treatment Laser tooth whitening in just 45 minutes. Up to 40% OFF private dental treatment

We are now registering new NHS, Denplan and Private patients

To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

Feature

Bedroom Tax

The UK Government is introducing major changes to welfare benefits, just one of which is the ‘bedroom tax’. These changes are expected to impact significantly on tenants and on local communities, with the people of West Lothian alone to lose around £17-£20 million per year in benefits. Not only will this directly impact those who will lose some or all their benefits, it will also have an adverse effect on the surrounding economy. The bedroom tax is also described as under-occupancy of your home. But how will it affect you or those in your community? After widespread protest, on 12th March Iain Duncan Smith, the London-based Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, released details of amendments to the housing benefit cuts. The amendments include: • If you are a foster carer, you will be allowed an additional room, whether or not a child is between placements or placed with you. You will have to have fostered a child, or become an approved foster carer in the past 12 months. • If you have adult children who are in the armed forces but still live at home, they will be seen as a permanent tenant of your home even when they are deployed. Although the legislation hasn’t been introduced yet, there has already been a lot of objections to it by the Scottish government and a vast majority of the public. Councillor Peter Johnston feels very strongly about the matter: “I believe the imposition of this ‘bedroom tax’, against the wishes of 8

Livingston Reacts By Chrisselle Mowatt

the overwhelming majority of the elected representatives of the Scottish Community, is an outrageous abuse of power by the Westminster Parliament which is wholly unacceptable to the wider community of Scotland.” Governments on both sides of the border are making this about the Independence Referendum instead of concentrating on what is happening to the public who are being affected by these cuts. What about the people who are going to have to choose between food, utility bills or rent? What about the vulnerable members of the community?

“I work part-tim e and by the tim eI pay my rent and council tax with m housing benefit as it is, I barely ha y enough money ve to live for the re st of the month. M y bi how I’m going to ggest worry is afford this increa or how long I w se, ould wait to be exchanged to a smaller house.” – D, Craigshill

“You’re already paying both rent and council tax based on the people in your home, so how is it fair for the government to expect people to pay more for having less people in their home?” – L, Ladywell

is a huge step “I think that this society. I can see r backwards for ou e days where a th to ck ba us going to would be made family of eight me ho n he tc ki , one share a one room would not be they simply because alternative.” an rd fo able to af – J, Carmondean

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THE FACTS • It is estimated that close to 600,000 people will be effected by the introduction of the cuts to housing benefit, 31% of the existing working age population who are claiming housing benefit. • If you are of working age and claiming housing benefit, your benefit could be cut by anything from 14% for one bedroom claimed to be unoccupied by the London-based government, and 25% for two bedrooms that are unoccupied. The definition of ‘underoccupancy’ is highly controversial. • You are now only able to claim housing benefit for each occupied room in your home. The occupants of these rooms must be one of: a couple, an adult, two children of the same gender, two children who are under the age of 10, or a non-resident carer who is providing overnight care. • There are a few ways of which the government suggests you get help

with paying the rest of your rent. You can take in a lodger, ask for a higher contribution to your rent from family members or you could apply for the small number of discretionary housing payments available as a temporary mean of support to help you stay in your home. • Another way for you to avoid ‘bedroom tax’ is by moving to a smaller property which only has the rooms that you need. THE CONTROVERSY • There are few smaller homes available, and little chance of there being one nearby for a convenient swap. • Families will need to either move far away, or lose hundreds of pounds per year. • There are very few exceptions. Even disabled children are not automatically exempt, which will cause misery in many families.

To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

BABERTON GOLF CLUB SPECIAL 2013 LIMITED OFFERS ON MEMBERSHIPS See the fantastic new clubhouse and course improvements!

Full Memberships—CONTACT US FOR SPECIAL LIMITED OFFER WITH ENTRY FEE REDUCED BY 50% FOR FIRST 50 APPLICANTS 6 Day Membership. Play Sun—Fri, NO ENTRY FEE Midweek Membership. Play Mon—Fri, NO ENTRY FEE Young Adult (Age 18—30) Membership. NO ENTRY FEE Use our interest free direct debit scheme to spread the cost at no charge! Number of places are limited so to book your discounted trial round (£10) and for further details phone Club on 0131 453 4911 Mon—Fri Pro shop on 0131 453 3555 Sat—Sun email: manager@baberton.co.uk website: www.babertongolfclub.com

Valet Master

Ltd

Valeting, Detailing, Body Repair DRIVE THRU CAR WASH NOW OPEN AT HOUSTON IND ESTATE Car Wash from £4

Mini Valet from £12

alet Free V ody b y n a with job or ir a p e r ash efurb Car W eels alloy r vert , wh x ad a is W & res with th d & ty cleane £5 oiled CALL FOR LATEST DEALS advert with this

tel 07733 885 986

enquiries@valetmasterscotland.com

Grange Rd, Houston Ind Estate Livingston EH54 5DE www.valetmasterscotland.com

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To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

r Chiropracto am te joining our soon...

WELL BEING CENTRE Carmondean Road South, Livingston, EH54 8PT

ay Thai is a qualified Mu Dougie Cleland ish Muay Thai ott Sc the th wi instructor Council. Thur: Classes Mon & New Muay Thai 7.15pm - 8.30pm. s ult Ad m 7p Kids 6-12 6pm.30 y class 11.30 - 12 Existing Saturda te is a qualified David Bathga who and counsellor t pis era oth S, hypn tions, anxiety, IB dic ad in s ise special panic attacks, nt, me ge na ma stress and on, depression smoking cessati ing concession fer Of nt. me ge anger mana rsonal situation depending on pe rapist with 10 is a beauty the Cheryl Findlay extensive an ers off e. She years experienc ic nails, ryl ac as ents such d range of treatm mper parties an pa , ns sio ten eyelash ex able prices. ord aff at all many more, m! ray tanning roo New Sienna sp

1 to 1 personal training ● weight-loss management ● core stability ● kettlebells ● medicine ball ● muay thai ● management of lower back pain

07766 310926 I www.dcl-fitness.co.uk

Embrace Change

Counselling and hypnotherapy david@embracechange.co I 07587 908182 wwww.embracechange.co

THE BEAUTY ROOM 07500 557428

www.beauty-room-livingston.co.uk waxing massage aromatherapy reflexology facials tinting fake bake calgel shellac minx manicure pedicure make-up

Treat your feet Give your feet some TLC with a treatment at Livingston Chiropody & Podiatry – your local foot care specialist. Call now for an appointment

01506 466 006 Livingston Chiropody & Podiatry 4 Bankton Square Murieston Livingston EH54 9EY

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To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

Thought for the Month

The Breath By Tina Gilbert

The breath is always with us and it is the thread that connects all moments in our lives. We can live for days without food or water but deprive us of breath and we die in minutes. In view of this is it quite incredible how little attention or importance we give the breath and breathing correctly. Proper breathing brings vital oxygen to the blood and all parts of the body nourishing and providing vital energy. The breath can be a barometer at any moment. Each breath has a flow and rhythm and as we bring awareness to breathing we start to notice how the breath changes our mood. Our state of mind can be reflected in our breath - when we are stressed, anxious, fearful, our breath can feel rapid, shallow, tight and restricted; when we feel calm our breath can feel slow, deep and full. Equally you can control your breath to bring about changes in

your mood when you practice breathing exercises. The breath can be an anchor to ground us in the present moment as you become aware of the sensations of breathing, the quality of the breath. Did you know that you breathe approx. 21 6000 breaths per day and so properly attended to, the breath is an opportunity to relax and let go of tension. Breath in and silently say “Calm” Breath out and silently say “Smiling” Breath in and silently say “Present” Breath out and say “Now” Proper breathing is one of the most effective mechanisms we have to release tension in the body, energise us and calm and settle the mind. Appreciate your breath. Tina lives in Livingston and teaches yoga and meditation. Visit her website at http://yogamed.co.uk

A straighter smile for adults ...

...means no longer being an Ugly Betty! After

Before

Beautifully straight teeth in six months at No9

Free ning white ch a e with tted fi e brac

If you would like an appointment please give us a call, we would love to see you

Telephone: 01506 857717 14

9 East Main Street Broxburn EH52 5AB

Shortlisted for

www.broxburndentist.com

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Clinical Hypnotherapy Make the changes you would like Confidential and Qualified Stop smoking ● Lose weight ● Reduce stress & anxiety ● Banish fears & phobias ● Simply relax ● Coping with loss – Colouring/Colour Correction – Gents – Kids – Perms – Hair-Ups

6 Northfield Court, West Calder, EH55 8DS

Tel: 01506 873838

– Shellac, Calgel, Acrylics & Minx – Spray Tans – Eyelashes & Tinting – Waxing – And much more...

Thehairandbeautystudio

Opening Hours: Tue-Wed: 9am-5.30pm Thur: 9am-8pm | Fri: 9am-6pm | Sat: 9am-4pm

Special offer available until April 30th: Pre-pay for 6 week weight loss course. If you decide after that you would like to consider the gastric band, it’s provided free! Gift vouchers available.

Tel: 01506 870314

beeyourself-hypnotherapy.co.uk

To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

Flowers by Irene

10 Faraday Place Addiewell, EH55 8NG

01506 854522 www.flowersbyirene.co.uk flowersbyirene@btconnect.com Many more flowers at www.flowersbyirene.co.uk

R&I MACDONALD K I LT M A K E R S Kiltmakers for over 60 years Highland dress specialists plus Full Highland dress hire. We make only full hand sewn kilts of the highest standard.

Tailoring ~ Alterations ~ Dry Cleaning 21 Almondvale Centre, Livngston, EH54 6NB

ial ÂŁ10 wedding dress alterations Specer OFF with this advert f of

01506 438 000

stitchexpress@gmail.com www.stitchexpress.co.uk 16

45 Main Street, West Calder EH55 8DP Tel/Fax 01506 872678 Email todd@macdonaldkiltmakers.co.uk www.macdonaldkiltmakers.co.uk

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Restylane & Deep Wrinkle Treatment Photorejuvenation Eye treatments Manicures & Pedicures Body Treatments Spray Tan Massage Nail Extensions SPECIAL OFFER 6 IPL laser hair removal sessions for £90 or 6 x 2 areas for £140 (normally £300) Now available within

Salon 21, Main Street, Deans Tel 01506 467898 30 Main Street, West Calder Tel 01506 870330

BEAUTY THERAPY

Open : Mon-10am-5pm + Tues to Thurs 10am-8pm + Fri 10am-5pm + Sat 10am-4pm

(Formerly Woodfield Beauty)

Fake Bake, Xen Tan, Bio Scultpture Gel Nails. Shellac, Ciate Nail Pots, Bare Minerals, LVL Lash Lift, Micro Dermabrasion, Specialist Waxing, HD Brows (coming soon), Natural Elements Organic Skin Care, Facials, Masssage.

SPECIAL OFFERS

■ Express facial & back

massage £27 (normally £39)

■ Full body massage £25

(normally £32)

■ LVL lash lift £22

t: 01506 872300 14 Union Square West Calder EH55 8EY e: info@retreathealthandbeauty.com www.retreathealthandbeauty.com To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

Whole body, mind and spirit balance Receive the healing energies of the Archangels for alleviating physical ailments, emotional and mental issues and providing superior relaxation. Connect to your Angels for healing guidance.

For appointments please contact Carol Riddell on:

01506 413 511 or carolriddell@sky.com 24, Maplewood Park, Livingston, West Lothian. EH54 8BB Certified Member of the Spiritual Workers Association 18

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To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

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coval

The installation specialists

Boiler & Heating installation, repairs & servicing

LANE DECOR Painting & Decorating - Graining & Marbling - Wallpaper specialist - Faux Effects - Spray Application - Interior & Exterior - Trompe Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Oeil & Murals

www.grainingmarbling.com lanedecor.blogspot.com PROFESSIONAL & AFFORDABLE OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

01506 884 949

Gaswork for all appliances including LPG Solar water heating Free expert advice & quotations

www.coval.biz t: 01506 884437 m. 07092 363678 e: office@coval.biz

To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

Spotlight on:

Morag Buchanan

Buchanan Skips

Dealing with your junk

service is paramount. We cannot be beaten on service, and we offer a price match.” Pricing is a very competitive fixed rate with no hidden costs.

Spring garden clean up? Renovating the house or office? For domestic and commercial waste disposal, select a company which is not only a local, family-owned business, but run by thorough professionals who have been in the business for 25 years! Buchanan Skips, based in Deans Industrial Estate, is not just another skip company. Locally owned, they’ve been in the industry a long time and understand that when you start your project, you don’t want to be delayed waiting for your skip; you want your junk off your premises as fast as possible, and you want a speedy and hassle-free drop-off and collection service. This is what Buchanan aims to achieve. They guarantee next-day delivery – often managing same-day if you call early enough in the day - and they have a full range of sizes from mini through to mega skips. Their manager Daniel explains, “We’re a local family-run business, not a large faceless company, and for us customer

But that’s not all. An impressive 90% of all waste collected in Buchanan’s distinctive bright orange skips is recycled. Their Waste Transfer Station in Deans is fully licensed. Once the full skip is collected from your premises, it is brought to the Transfer Station and sorted, by machine and manually, into categories for soil, wood, brick, paper, steel, etc. The sorted waste is then sent off to be recycled into other products. This means that instead of going into landfill sites it is dealt with in an environmentally responsible way - another good reason to use Buchanan’s. Buchanan Skip’s office is open 7am-5pm weekdays and 7am -12pm on Saturdays on 01506 411141 or email at buchananskips@btconnect.com

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D.GREAVES LANDSCAPE GARDENERS

Kirknewton

No obligation FREE QUOTES Local Business

Fencing • Decking • Removals Levelling • Garden Design Clearance and more.... Call Dan now on: 07970 700192 dgreaves@hotmail.com To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

Spotlight on: Finishing Touch

If the potential cost and inconvenience of getting body repairs done to your car is putting you off getting the work done, you need to call Finishing Touch. Established in 2005 by Derek Ogilvie, over the past eight years they have steadily built the business based on quality of work and customer service. After serving his apprenticeship with Audi and subsequently working for another body repair business, Derek became frustrated as he could see a much better way of doing things. So set up his own business with his brother and one vehicle. Now with a total of six people and plans for further expansion, the business is going from strength to strength. So what is the secret of their success? “I wanted to be the best at what I did,” Derek says simply. “All our staff have served full apprenticeships of 4.5 years, and all are approved by specific manufacturers. Each one of us has worked in an approved dealership, either BMW, Aston Martin or Mercedes.” So confidence in their workmanship is the key point. But they also focus on convenience to the customer combined with competitive pricing. Finishing Touch is a mobile service. Being without your car can be a barrier to getting bodywork done. But when you call Finishing Touch for a quotation, they come out to you, assess the car and give you a written quotation. If you decide to go ahead, they arrange the time and place most convenient to you – on your front drive at home, or in your car park at work for example. The technician will explain to you what will be done, then they install a canopy over your car and get to work. They finish with a courtesy wash to your vehicle and a follow-up call a few days later to make sure you were happy with the whole experience. How can I be sure that the work Finishing Touch does to my car on my front drive is as good as taking it into a bodyshop? Firstly, confidence in their skill and passion for what they do. Derek feels that his

apprenticeship at Audi taught him a lot about quality and high customer expectations. But they bring the same level of service and care to any car, not just the top-end ones. And their pricing is on average more competitive than most body shops, making them accessible to everyone. Secondly, their approach and equipment. “There is no vehicle on the road we can’t colour match. We can match all paints including metallics and pearlescents,” says Derek. The colour match is done by computer just as it would be in a bodyshop – all their vans are equipped with laptops and paint mixing equipment. And to prove their confidence in their work, it is all backed up by a three year guarantee (except rust). Where necessary, they can strip and fit panels, bumpers and wing mirrors if they need to be replaced rather than repaired. Alloy wheel repairs is a pick-up and dropoff service, as the diamond cutting and powder coating has to be done back at their premises, but they always give you spare wheels to keep you on the road in the meantime. They offer an alloy wheel dent and crack repair service. Finally, Finishing Touch also carry out caravan repairs and machine polish. Many bodyshops shy away from caravan repairs as aluminium can be tricky to deal with and the profiles stamped into the metal can make dent repair difficult. But Finishing Touch has invested in all the necessary equipment and training and their caravan repair side of the business is also going from strength to strength. My overwhelming impression is that Derek and his team understand customer service – you want the job done well and you don’t want any hassle. The word-of mouth recommendations that are building his business say it all.

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JC CARS SALES JC Cars is a new business that cares for the individual’s pocket. We have a wide range of vehicles for sale, with prices starting from £500 up to £3,000. All our cars come with MOT and 30 day labour warranty for peace of mind. Come along and have a look for yourself.

Open 7 days a week 10am - 6 pm Situated on A71 West Calder to Polbeth Road, Daks Industrial Estate, Polbeth, EH55 8TJ

Phone: 07850 014 900 www.jccarssales.com

To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

£20 off

LLY REPA* GU IRS AR AN TEE

Quality, mobile car paintwork repairs at a fraction of body shop costs ✓Kerbed alloys ✓Bumper scuffs

✓Paintwork scratches

✓Minor dents ChipsAway Available: Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday 10am - 4pm

Franchisee Name now to arrange for Call ChipsAway F & N Georgeson now to arrange

ED S TE R I N or PA RA RE UA or visit www.chipsaway.co.uk G LY L Please remember to mention The Konect Directory whenFUcontacting advertisers

your free estimate

01506 871 01234 456 891 789 0800 028 7878 26

* £20 discount only applicable to bookings over £100 and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Offer only available through ChipsAway Franchisee Name until 31st January 2011. Please produce advert at time of estimate.

COLIN NIXON MOT SALES & SERVICE CENTRE NOW OPEN - BODY REPAIRS

AND SPRAY PAINTING FACILITIES

Our choice of vehicles, selected by Colin Nixon, come complete with a Pre-Sales Service and 12 Month Warranty on some of our vehicles.

ESTABLISHED OVER 25 YEARS Telephone: 01506 882 185 Email: info@colinnixonautosafe.co.uk Web: colinnixonautosafe.co.uk To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

Edinburgh Road East Calder EH53 0ET 27

Charity of the Month

Don’t Lose Your Grip is an online support group based in Livingston and run by local community members to help people who suffer from mental health issues, or people who are supporting family or friends who have mental health difficulties. We all need someone to turn to in a crisis, and it’s usually a lot easier to talk about it with a stranger instead of having the fear of hurting those we love. At Don’t Lose Your Grip you can take part in discussions regarding all kinds of mental health by connecting with us on Twitter where we hold #TopicstoDiscuss about all aspects of mental health and we also hold a special #InspirationalSongofTheDay competition to find out and discuss those songs that have gotten us through our hard times.

Don’t Lose Your Grip Over the summer of 2013 and the months leading up to it, we are aiming to hold fundraisers in order to raise awareness of just how many people there are who suffer from mental health difficulties and also to raise money for the Scottish Association of Mental Health (SAMH). The more that we open up about our mental health worries and the things that come along with them, then the easier it will be for people who are suffering to speak out and get help. We aim to fight for the end of the stigma surrounding mental health and to encourage people to talk about their own experiences in order to help others.

Why not come and help us end the stigma? You can find us on Twitter at @dontloseurgrip and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dontloseyourgrip. Here you will not only be able to take part in our discussions, but you will also be able to find out about all of our upcoming fundraisers and you can find out how to get involved in breaking the stigma.

AniMalagic

MUCKY

MUTTS PROFESSIONAL PET GROOMING SERVICE

Dog grooming Livingston

07830 262123 est. 2006

Licenced home boarding & dog walking www.k9friends.co.uk

www.animalmagic.eu

To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

Keep on Running

Running for Charity

the Edinburgh Half Marathon on 26 May. “I’m running with friends in Kirknewton or with my husband and that makes it more fun, but the hills are still tough,” she says. However Sally says the best thing about running is that she has discovered lots of new paths that she didn’t know existed and this has made her appreciate living here all the more. A perfect 10K loop for Sally and pals is from her house in Kirknewton, through the village, up Leyden Hill, along the Lang Wang, then down past the airfield and home.

As you may or may not have noticed, it is that time of year again when the roads seemed filled with lycra and fluorescent jackets. Yes, it is training time. Moonwalk, Marathon, Race for Life - there are numerous annual events that involve walking or running long distances in aid of charity or sometimes just for fun. Of course, while raising money and awareness is an admirable reason for running, getting fit is probably a prime motivator for most. The Rookies As regular readers probably know, walking is really my thing but I have been tempted to the ‘dark side’ and have taken up running! Getting fit is a motivator but I am also training to run the Race for Life 10K in Edinburgh on 16 June to raise money and awareness for Cancer Research. My friends Fiona and Lynne convinced me I could run even when I was adamant I couldn’t. And guess what, they were right. I can do it. We downloaded a running app on to our phones, donned the lycra and off we went. Before you knew it the nine week programme was complete and we were running 5K. Next step 5K-10K. Quite a bit step and a lot of sweat for me but I am sure I can do it. Only drawback is that the route involves running up Arthur’s Seat and me and hills do not quite go together yet! The Pros When it comes to hills, meet Sally. She is much harder core. Running now for around 18 months, Sally has a number of events under her belt already - her first being the Edinburgh BUPA 10K. Training has begun in earnest this year for the Rock and Roll Half Marathon in Edinburgh on 14 April and

By Karen Murray

The Kids The running bug seems to have been caught by the kids too - Andrew and Fergus, perhaps not previously known for their sporting prowess, have signed up for a fun run with Fergus’ brother Sandy, in order to give them the motivation to start running and getting fit. To complete the Livingston Round Table 5K Fun Run on 8th June is their mission and training has begun although with no lycra in sight! “We just wanted a reason to try something different and do some exercise,” say the boys. “We hope to make a good time but we will need to do quite a lot of training.”

Running apps to download Couch to 5K and 5K to 10K from Run Double Map my Run Technical equipment for the more professional nce Garmin watch - will log your dista and time accurately. Has a heart r. monitor. Downloads to compute

Feeling inspired? Get some running shoes and off you go…there’s no stopping you.

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HARBURN GOLF CLUB

Join before the last putt in US Masters and no up front fee required £49 a month on Direct Debit

**Don’t miss out on this offer. If you join after 15th April a £150 deposit is required to join.**

Offer ends 15th April Enjoy Harburn’s friendly clubhouse, quality catering, plus our much-envied and challenging heathland golf course with extensive opportunity for competition An inspection round for £10 can be booked and if you join you get your £10 back Great deals for junior memberships from £20 annually Family membership rates Please call 01506 871 131 Office hours 9am – 1pm Mon – Sat. info@harburngolfclub.co.uk ■ www.harburngolfclub.co.uko. uk

To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

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Bathroom Studio Bathgate Quality, Choice and Service at an Affordable Price

COMPRISING: Quality Bathroom Suite

A Complete Bathroom Refurbishment

£3,950 Including VAT

Mira 9.5Kw Electric Shower 16 Sq. Metres Ceramic Wall Tiles 3 Sq. Metres Ceramic Floor Tiles Overbath Screen

All supplied and fitted by our expert installation team

West Lothian’s Most Experienced Bathroom Specialists To arrange a free quotation call in to our newly extended showroom at

10 Hopetoun Street, BATHGATE, EH48 4EU or T:

01506 632913

E: quotes@bathgatebathrooms.com

www.bathgatebathrooms.com

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm | Saturday 10am – 3pm | Wednesday 10am - 1pm ( Or by appointment ) To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

Charity Offer

Get your carpets cleaned for charity in April

HydroKleen (Scotland)

Hydro Kleen (Scotland) will be dedicating the 11th & 12th of April to cleaning carpets to raise money for Cancer Research UK. All the money made on these two days will go directly to Cancer Research UK. Lindsay Russell of Hydro Kleen says, “After my own brush with cancer four years ago, I’ve considered this for a while and now I have set the dates in stone so that I can give something back and support the charity that will prevent people like me and you and our families from suffering in the future.

If you would like your carpets or upholstery cleaned on either of these two days, knowing that the money will go directly to Cancer Research UK, please get in touch, we’d be delighted to hear from you.”

We aim to raise £1,000 over the two days. The work will be carried out in West Lothian, Currie, Balerno and West Edinburgh. We will not be taking a single penny ourselves over the two days.

GET 3 CARPETS THOROUGHLY DEEP CLEANED FOR THE PRICE OF 2 FREE no tion obliga s quote

• Carpet & Rug Cleaning • Upholstery Cleaning • Leather Cleaning • Stain Protection • 24/7 SERVICE

All work is 100% guarante e for yo d satisfac ur tion

Tel: 08000 463 422 Mob: 07789 007 072 www.hydrokleenscotland.co.uk Email: info@hydrokleenscotland.co.uk 34

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’T N N O NO W E E T ! W EA ICE B R BE P

Complete Gas Suites from

£495

Gas, Electric & Solid Fuel Fires • Gas Safe Registered Fitting Service

Leather dining chairs from £65

Solid oak nest of tables £79

93 Uphall Station Road Livingston, EH53 0NU 01506 434884 www.getmefires.co.uk

CUBA LIVING

Cherbourg r u s ti c oa k influenced by country living, cr af ted from selected oak

professional, friendly and “Aindependent Estate Agency

“

What we offer ■ Personalised service ■ Free valuations ■ Free accompanied viewings ■ Competitive fees ■ Unlimited online marketing until your home is sold ■ Extensive knowledge of the Livingston and surrounding area property market ■ Marketing on Rightmove – the UK’s number 1 property website ■ Introductions to Independent Financial Advisors, Solicitors and Surveyors

info@adamlaurieproperties.co.uk

Unit 5, Turnbull Way Knightsridge, Livingston West Lothian, EH54 8RB

01506 441 884 fax: 01506 444 025 mob: 07970 586 085 tel:

www.adamlaurieproperties.co.uk

To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

Grant’s of Bathgate Ltd

City centre selection at out of town prices Personal friendly service Great deals on sofas, furniture, beds & floor coverings Large showroom Free delivery

GRANT’S OF BATHGATE

74 North Bridge Street, Bathgate, EH48 4PP

Tel : 01506 633286 www.grantsofbathgate.co.uk 36

INTEREST FREE CREDIT AVAILABLE Terms & conditions apply

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Turning your house into a home... We supply and fit the following ranges: • vertical • roller • wooded • pleated • apex • roman • panel • venetian • Vision • Shutters • conservatory • Perfect Fit • Intu Blinds • printed blinds • PVC Plus a wide range of made-to-measure curtains, tiebacks and poles

£30 OFF

any curtain order over £300 with this advert

£30 OFF

any blind order over £150 with this advert

www.stylerite-blinds.co.uk Unit 10, Abbotsford Rise Dedridge, EH54 6QD

Tel: 01506 461721 (lines open 9am –10pm)

Showroom open 9am–5pm Mon–Fri, 11am–4pm Sat

AL0% L O RU F GF S

Kelly’s Carpets K We will not be beaten on price!

Lifestyle 7mm laminate flooring 6 colours to choose from only £6.99sqm incl free underlay/ half price beading

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New laminate flooring showroom now open

floorints & g w ith this advert

3 showrooms in store

51 West End, West Calder, EH55 8EJ Tel: 01506 872750 Open 6 days: Mon - Sat 9am - 5pm, closed Sunday

www.kellyscarpets.co.uk

To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

Feature

Pumpherston Golf Course

Normally the retort is “I can remember when all of this was green fields” as you look at some urbanindustrial landscape or concrete jungle, “if only we could turn the clock back”. While West Lothian has certainly had its fair share of development, since 2002 a visitor to Pumpherston can turn back the clock, to the year 1883 when a lease was signed with the local landowner to establish the Pumpherston Oil Company. Back then the views around Pumpherston Farm stretched over the Almond valley to the Pentlands beyond. The area had once been the site of the ancient Pumpherston Castle, located to take advantage of a defensive position as the ground falls down to the Almond river. This is a story of grass to industrial grime, and then from grime to golf. It’s not only a local story but also an international one with businessmen from all corners of the world fighting over ‘Big Oil’ as the world’s increasing and insatiable demand for energy created some of the world’s largest companies. Today all is green and the impressive 18 holes of the Pumpherston Golf Club provide golfers with vast water features and plenty of testing bunkers that add to the beauty of the course. Here both experienced golfers can be tested, especially when the wind whips up, but the club also provides a welcome to young and inexperienced golfers. It was recently awarded the Scottish Golf Union’s junior charter – an accolade only given to the most “junior friendly” golf clubs.

From grime to golf By James Thomson

golfers in America as BP has also reclaimed back the site of another refinery in Casper, Wyoming. The Three Crowns golf course opened 3 years after Pumpherston’s enlarged course in 2005 and sits where another old established (1913) oil refinery had grown to become the largest plant in the world for US gasoline production. Pumpherston’s golf course has other unique stories to tell. It has moved around the area since the first 9 hole course was set up by the shale oil workers in 1895 at Harrymuir farm (which is now Houston Industrial Estate). By 1908 the course had been moved closer to the shale oil refinery only to move again in the 1930s to the west side of Pumpherston. It finally returned to the 1908 site in 1945 – but still as a modest 9 hole course. The 1998 Lottery award of £785,000 extended the site from 25 to 150 acres and in 2002, now in its 5th incarnation, the 18 hole course opened. Everyone that visits for the first time is impressed by the quality of the golf, the well maintained greens, the modern clubhouse, and the friendly welcome they receive.

Pumpherston Oil Works

The present scene is partly down to the largest lottery grant ever given to a golf club which, along with other funders and the oil giant BP, has transformed an area that, for more than a hundred years, Course Aerial view of Pumpherston Golf had been despoiled and tarnished by shale oil refining, bings of spent shale ore, mining works, tar residues and other petrochemical nasties. BP was keen to improve its green credentials, as long gone are the days when indiscriminate dumping of waste is acceptable. Interestingly Pumpherston has a sister-scenario for

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From Sir William to Prince William Sir William Fraser, Baron Strathalmond of Pumpherston William's father, also William, had been the manager of the Uphall Oil Company and in 1883 signed the lease for mining shale near Pumpherston. William senior had both the practicaoil experience and foresight to keep Scotland's early eastablishedl oil business going, as more efficient oil well extraction from The Emir of Kuwait with Sir William overseas brought in competition. He brought various local shale oil works together and created at Pumpherston a centre for local oil processing and innovations to keep costs down. He invented and patented the 'Pumpherston retort' in 1894 which was widely used across the Pumpherston works invested heavily and led with this shale oil shale oil industry, but the extraction technology. William junior was fortunate to witness and then play a leading amalgamation of oil starting at Pumpherston and ending with role in the global the creation of BP. This began in 1908 with the first commercially significant find in the Middle East where another Scottish company took the lead. Although the find was made by the Anglo-P ersian Oil Company (the pre-cursor to BP), in 1909 this company became a subsidia Company to exploit the Persian (Iran) opportunity. He became ry of Glasgow 's Burmah Oil Petroleum Advisor to the War Office and Pumpherston was a significant contributor to maintai ng oil reserves as half of Britain's crude oil tankers, bringing in much needed foreign oil, were sunk by U-boats. He was knighted in 1939 and became Chairman of Anglo-Persian in 1941 shortly before it was renamed British Petroleum. It was said that he had â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pumph erston oil in his veinsâ&#x20AC;? and the Pumpherston name lives on as he was then raised to the peerage as Lord Strathalmond of Pumpherston. The blood today is a little more blue the 3rd Lord Strathalmond's daughter, Virginia Fraser, is one of the loyal William & as set in London. Now who would have thought that Uphall and Pumpherston shale bingsKate would bring you closer to royalty?

To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

Technology

Odd gadgets that really exist

road warriors who’d rather not pay inflated prices for motorway service station coffees. At around £130 it isn’t cheap, but if you use it regularly it’ll soon pay for itself.

No April Fools

Every year, technology firms join in the April Fools fun - for example in recent years Google announced self-driving racing cars, Toshiba pretended to make a 3D monocle and video site Animoto offered bark recognition for dogs. Not all odd-sounding technology items are fakes, though: there are some truly strange items and accessories out there. Some of the oddest items are related to smartphones and tablets, such as the iStuck mobile phone stand (£3) that looks like chewed bubblegum, the Knuckles iPhone case - designed to look like a knuckle duster - and the just-announced iPotty (£39), a child’s potty with a built-in iPad stand. The idea, apparently, is that letting children use iPads while on the potty will make toilet training a fun game. Other gadgets are more sensible, but rather odd looking - such as the iPhone SLR mount, which enables you to attach enormous SLR camera lenses to your phone. It might look like a novelty item, but the price says otherwise: at the current US exchange rate, it’s £156 plus shipping and tax, and of course that doesn’t include the lenses. The mount is available for both Nikon and Canon lenses and promises to bring SLR effects such as variable depth of field to “the camera you carry with you every day”. Another oddlooking but fairly sensible gadget is the Handspresso Auto ESE, a portable espresso coffee maker designed for in-car use. It uses the Easy Serving Espresso pods you might have seen for ordinary domestic coffee makers, and it’s particularly handy for

You can buy odd things for your house too, and if you’re a musician or a fan of rock music you’ll appreciate the Marshall Fridge. From the outside it looks like the iconic Marshall amplifier stack, and it even uses authentic Marshall parts including the famous logo, fret cloth and brass-finished faceplate with knobs that go up to eleven, but inside it’s - yes! - a fridge. The manufacturer says it’s “the ultimate combination of rock and refrigeration”. Yours for £405. Have you ever wished your fork could nag you about your eating? Good news if you have: the Hapifork (around £70) may look like an ordinary fork, but it’s stuffed with sensors that monitor how quickly you’re eating. It measures the number of times you put the fork in your mouth, the time between each serving and the total time you’ve spent eating, and vibrates and flashes if you’re eating too quickly. The data is then sent to your smartphone. For now the line-up doesn’t extend to other cutlery, but manufacturer HAPIlabs says a spoon is in development. The HAPIfork was one of several odd gadgets shown at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, but it wasn’t the oddest: we saw GPS-enabled gadgets such as the TrakDot luggage locator (around £30 plus a £10 annual subscription), Nano Nails, which turn long fingernails into styluses for touchscreens (price tbc); the iMusic BodyRhythm, a music-powered massager that makes you look like you’re wearing a toilet seat around your neck (currently accepting pre-orders for $69, around £44), and the thoroughly odd Minime, which can create a phone case or a cuddly toy that includes a 3D rendering of your child’s face (or anybody else’s face). Expect to see Minime kiosks in shopping malls later this year.

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20% OFF full p ric

e item with expir this adve s y 30/4 rt /2013

To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

Competition

Win 4 ball at Pumpherston Golf Club See advert on page 39

Across

1. Jewels (4) 3. Allowed in (8) 9. Worried (7) 10. Annoy (5) 11. Fading away (12) 13. Deny (6) 15. Interfere (6) 17. Directions (12) 20. Ships load (5) 21. Vital part of healthy diet (7) 22. Enjoyed (8) 23. Repair (4)

Down

1. 2. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Protecting (8) Blends (5) Dismiss (6) Crossroad (12) Taught (7) Deceased (4) Contests (12)

12. Flavoured (8) 14. Army rank (7) 16. Flexible (6)

18. Overweight (5) 19. Mark left by wound (4)

Complete the crossword & send to: The Konect Directory, Overton Farmhouse, Kirknewton, EH27 8DD. Please include your name, address & phone number. Closing date for entries 15th April 2013.

Sudoku

Sudoku solution on page 60

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D.B. General Builders ■ Fencing ■ Driveways ■ Decking ■ Landscaping ■ Monoblocking ■ Groundworks Sn ■ Home renovations Cle ow ari ■ Property maintenance ng

Call David on

07747 062426

Local ■ Established ■ Reliable www.dbgeneralbuilders.co.uk david_bathgate@sky.com

I provide expert advice on all building projects with a free consultation to determine viability.

Guy A I Paterson Plumbing & Heating

Plumbing Bathrooms Gas Services Tiling

166/3 Main Street East Calder West Lothian EH53 0HE

Home: 01506 882 634 Mob: 07549 634 791 Email: guyaipaterson@btinternet.com

Red Hot

WINDOWS Unit 1, Mosshall Ind Estate Blackburn, EH47 7LY

01506 630036

Loca family l -ru busine n ss

redhotwindows@btconnect.com

EPH

SCOTLAND LTD 10% OAP discount

ALL PLUMBING, GAS & ELECTRICAL WORK UNDERTAKEN

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WHEN BOOKING A BOILER SERVICE OR LANDLORD’S GAS CERTIFICATE

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Window repairs ■ Supply and fit windows and doors ■ Trade welcome Major credit cards accepted See website and facebook page for photos of our work www.facebook.com/redhotwindows www.redhotwindows.co.uk

01506 882 643

contact@ephltd.co.uk www.ephscotlandltd.co.uk 23 Bank Street Mid Calder EH53 0AS

To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

123871

LB250

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To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

Ian Merriman Ltd BE FO RE

Hn Pne Kitn

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

G BEATSON ELECTRICAL Currie

Free Estimates Tel: 0131 466 0214 Mob: 07732 866 983 Email: gbeatsonelectrical@hotmail .co.uk

Rejuvinate your old kitchen units and furniture. Have them hand painted in a colour of your choice. Ian Merriman Ltd 0131 478 7339

ian@kitchenspainted.com

www.kitchenspainted.com

73 Riccarton Mains Road, Currie, EH14 5ND

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AKT Bookkeeping Joinery | Painting | Tiling | Sash Window Repairs etc

‘No job too small’...we will even change a light bulb. Kris Keegan Proprietor

Kris Keegan

Proprietor 9 Rosehill Place t. 07988 682 609

t. 07988 682 609e. info@westlothianhandyman.co.uk Eliburn, Livingston

e. info@westlothianhandyman.co.uk EH54 7DW w. www.westlothianhandyman.co.uk w.www.westlothianhandyman.co.uk

Tax Returns • Accounts, Bookkeeping • Payroll, CIS • VAT Phone Kevin on 01506 201459 from 8.00am to 4.00pm or email- akt.blue@blueyonder.co.uk

STEEL CONTAINERS FOR RENT Suitable for storing your stuff or run your business from here. Based on a farm near East Calder. £15 per week For more information call 07814 915552 Choral Highlights Ladies’ Choir Kirk of Calder Mid Calder Rehearse Sundays 11.45am-12.45pm and Wednesdays 7.30-8.45pm. Repertoire includes songs from the musicals, Scottish songs, gospel and pop music. We perform two concerts a year, a summer concert and a Christmas concert. All concert venues considered. New members very welcome, come and join us!! Contact: John Rankine 01506 880029.

Colin Williamson

Formal/After Dinner Speaker Specialising in Scottish history, ethnology & folklore.... Colin uses his professional storytelling skills to entertain & Diploma in Scottish Studies inform MA (Hons) Scottish Ethnology Accredited Storyteller with the Scottish Storytelling Centre

t. 07927 962 120 e. colin@scotstory.co.uk To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

Mackenzie Contracts Complete bathroom fitting

Wet rooms a speciality

Special care bathrooms No call-out charge Supply & fit or fit only

Contact Alistair on 01506 872647 or 07967 584412

YourÊLocalÊWestÊLothianÊLocksmithÊ Ê  UPVC Patio Door Repairs  Lock Changes/Upgrades  British Standard 5 Lever Insurance Approved Locks Fitted  24 Hr Emergency Lockout Service  Window Locks Supplied & Fitted

01506 238048 Or Call Tom On

07542781131 For All Your Security Needs www.caledonianlocksmiths.co.ukÊ

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Local family-ru n busines s

From inside to outside, roofs to ceilings, floors to walls... For all your home improvement needs, all trades supplied Kitchen and bathroom specialist

Please call Michael on

07711 240999

mj-anderson@hotmail.co.uk

To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

What’s On & Useful Info Friday 29th March – Monday 15th April Easter Eggcitement at Almond Valley Heritage Centre Meet lambs, chicks and other new arrivals on the farm, hunt for hidden eggs, and crack the clues in the springtime trail. Make Easter bonnets, and rabbit masks, and join in with other seasonal silliness. With additional attractions over the four days of Easter (29th, 30th, 31st March and 1st April), including our famous plastic duck race along the mill lade. Sunday 7th April Easter Eggstravaganza at Howden Park Centre Great Day out for everyone with lots to see and do - go on our Easter Egg Hunt, take part in some creative art activities, demonstrations and lots more! 12 pm, £3 per child, call 01506 777666 Sunday 28th April Jack & Jill Market Quality nearly-new baby and children’s market. Forty stalls bursting with quality nearly new baby and kids bargains! West Lothian College 10:30am – 1:30pm

Howden Park Centre Howden Park Centre has a busy programme of events including live music, dance, theatre, workshops at and exhibitions. See their website for .uk e.co entr arkc enp owd w.h ww complete up to date listing. The library service is available 24/7, 365 days a year on www.westlothian.gov.uk

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

April Almondbank Library

Shiel House, Shiel Walk, Craigshill, EH54 5EH. Tel: 01506 283133 email: almondbank.lib@westlothian.gov.uk Opening times Mon, Wed & Fri 09.00 – 18.00 Tues & Thu 09.00 – 20.00 Sat 09.00 – 13.00 Almondbank Centre for all your council needs – if you have any council enquiries then come along to Almondbank centre, where a Customer Services Officer can answer these enquiries - no appointments necessary.

Carmondean Library

(Carmondean Connected), Carmondean Centre, EH54 8PT. Tel: 01506 777602 email: carmondean.lib@westlothian.gov.uk Opening times Mon, Wed & Fri 09.00 – 18.00 Tues & Thu 09.00 – 20.00 Sat 09.00 – 13.00

Lanthorn Library

Kenilworth Rise, Dedridge, EH54 6NY Tel: 01506 777700 email: lanthorn.lib@westlothian.gov.uk Opening times Mon, Wed & Fri 09.00 – 18.00 Tues & Thu 09.00 – 20.00 09.00 – 13.00 Sat Follow us on Facebook or Twitter. What’s on at Lanthorn Bookbug – Tuesday 9th April 11am Babies and toddler’s bring your grown up for some fun rhymes and stories Author storytelling – Saturday 20th April 11.30am Catherine Muir will be here to enthral you with her amazing new story Blether and a Book – Tuesday 23rd April 11am Treat yourself to some time out and come along to the library for an informal chat about what we think of our favourite reads. New issue system now available in the library. Come along and serve yourself. Staff, as always, will be happy to help. Library will open at 11am on Thursday 11th April There is a display in the library for the month of April celebrating the bicentenary of the birth of David Livingston. 19th March 2013 marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of this explorer, writer, missionary, medic and anti-slavery campaigner who rose from humble beginnings in a Lanarkshire tenement to become celebrated as “Africa’s first p61 freedom fighter.”

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To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

Recipe & Food Notes

Spices

By Anne Pinkerton

I had a little nut tree nothing would itâ&#x20AC;Ś

Wars have been fought over them, fortunes paid for them, unappetising food enlivened by them, nursery rhymes sung about them and they have been used in medicine, but with the exception of chili and saffron, none are grown in Britain. The topic this month is spices. It is quite difficult to define â&#x20AC;&#x153;a spiceâ&#x20AC;? precisely. A rough attempt would be to say spices are the dried, non-leafy parts of plants: flower buds - cloves bark - cinnamon seeds - cardamom, vanilla or five spice berries - all-spice, pepper or juniper nuts - nutmeg and its outer covering mace roots - fenugreek or ginger Ginger shows the problem of definition because it can be used as the dried, ground -up root or fresh or crystallized and preserved. Most spices are harvested from trees or plants which grow in the Far East, India or China. Many are rare and have therefore been expensive. However they are not bulky for their value and it is worthwhile to trade them over great distances. The Silk Road from China to Europe was the route used from the time of Alexander the Great (born in 356 BC). In Britain at this time, cloth, dyes and tin were exchanged for spices. During the medieval period the City State of Venice Raw spices gained huge wealth from its ability to control the Mediterranean sea trade routes including controlling the supply of spices to northern Europe. It was not until the Portuguese established new sea routes via The Cape of Good Hope in the 17th century that supplies became more plentiful, the price

of spices in northern Europe began to fall and their use becomes attainable to more people. Nowadays the main trading centre for spice is Singapore, but there are still large British trading interests working there. Cyclones, earthquakes and monsoons can all affect the price of this valuable trade. Our colonial history served to reinforce the British delight in spiced food. Other cuisines from Mexico and the Caribbean have educated our palettes and widened the range of flavours we enjoy eating. Now we take a good curry, Thai carryout or a chilli super as a normal part of our daily diet. The international spice trade is to be thanked for this.

ground Spice seller in Essaouira, Morrocco. The beautiful pyramids of air. If spices are just for show as spices lose their flavour in the open container sealed a you buy some spice from him he serves you from

The most valuable spices are saffron, vanilla and cardamom, in that order. Saffron comes from the dried stamens of Crocus Sativus, there are only five threads on each flower, and they have to be picked and dried by hand. Vanilla is the seed pod of a tropical vine and one of the few spices indigenous to the Americas. The flowers

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last only one day and their only pollinators are humming birds or one type of bee. The French took plants to their tropical colonies in the 1820s. It was not until a former plantation slave in Reunion discovered a practical way of artificially pollinating the flowers that the vine seedheads could be harvested in commercial quantities. Extracting the flavour from the seedpod and preserving it is complicated. 80% of the world’s vanilla comes from Madagascar, The Comoro Islands and Reunion. All the spices we use in the kitchen have similar interesting histories. However there is little point in knowing about their origins unless we look after them and get the best from them. It’s best to buy small quantities of whole spices. These keep their subtle flavour longest. Keep all spices in a cool dark place; not on a display shelf above the cooker, however nice this looks. Through the ages special containers, often made of precious materials, have been made to keep spices under lock and key. Grinding and mixing your own spices for hot cross buns or curry fills the kitchen with good smells and builds anticipation and helps enjoyment of the food. However when time is short fresh spices from the shop in small re-seal jars are fine. Don’t keep them for years and then expect your cooking to taste subtle and delicious. Here are some examples of the way you can use these wonderful flavours. Ginger is a favourite for beer, cakes, icecream, biscuits, curries and casseroles. Apple Grasmere This is a crust, more interesting than plain crumble, to cook on top of apple or in the summer raspberries. Put peeled, cored and sliced apples in a pan and cook until the apples have “fallen”, add a little sugar to taste. Turn into a deepish oven proof pie dish. Topping : Rub 150g softened butter into

220g sieved plain flour to which a pinch of bi-carbonate of soda has been added, until it looks like bread crumbs. Add 75g each of soft brown sugar, (not Demerara), white sugar and a rounded teaspoon of ground ginger. Mix lightly with a knife and spread over the apples. Bake 160ºC till topping is pale biscuit colour. Serve cold with cream. If you make this with raspberries they do not need pre-cooking and you can use frozen fruit. Gado-Gado A cooked vegetable salad from Indonesia 1 per person just hard-boiled egg cut in quarters Bean sprouts, fine cut carrots, bite sizes green beans and very finely sliced white cabbage all blanched separately for one minute in boiling water. Waxy potatoes cooked and sliced and cucumber sliced. Layer all the vegetables, startling with the potatoes and ending with the eggs, on a serving dish. Make the Gado-Gado sauce: 3 cloves garlic crushed 1 teaspoon anchovy sauce or shrimp paste (from Chinese food store) Up to 7 chillies (seeds removed) 250g crunchy peanut butter Sliced stem lemongrass 1 inch root ginger 1 teaspoon soft brown sugar or more if liked 3/4 pint thick coconut milk Little oil and the juice of 1/2 lemon or a little wine vinegar With a hand blender in a beaker smash the garlic, ginger, lemongrass, anchovy paste and chillies. Fry them in a little oil. Do not burn. Add the peanut butter and sugar mix and heat together in a saucepan. Then add the coconut milk, bring to a gentle boil and cook till the sauce thickens, it should be easy to pour. Away from the heat add the lemon juice or vinegar. Pour the sauce over the vegetables and decorate with chopped celery and flat leaf parsley leaves.

To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

Lots of changes and new attractions for 2013

including Buster the lynx and a huge Leaf Cutting Ant colony, part of our new rainforest indoor exhibit Why not be a Zoo Keeper for a half day? A fantastic, fun and hands on experience that children will love! (pre-booked)

Get up close to over 130 different species of animals, birds and reptiles from around the world!

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Competition

Win tickets to Salsa Celtica at Howden Park Centre

Quiz Question For your chance to win tickets for 2 to see Salsa Celtica at Howden Park on 12th May, pick the correct answer to the question below and email your response to editor@konectdirectory.co.uk. Include Howden Park Competition in the message subject. Closing date for entries 15th April 2013.

The Konect Directory has teamed up with Howden Park Centre to offer readers the chance to win tickets to music and theatre events. This month, you could win tickets for 2 to Salsa Celtica. Salsa Celtica’s synthesis of Afro Latin and Celtic traditional music has taken them on a journey from the village halls of Scotland to some of the most important music festivals around the globe. With a line-up combining some of Scotland and Ireland’s most respected traditional musicians, together with a stellar group of international world, jazz and salsa musicians, they are a stunning combination of virtuosity and energy. A potent combination making them one of the most exciting world music groups touring today.

Which traditional instrument are Salsa Celtica never without? a) Triangle b) Turntable c) Bagpipes

“Music to be quietly appreciated or furiously danced to” The Scotsman Sunday 12 May, 7.30pm. Tickets: £15 or £13 concession. Howden Park Centre, Livingston. Box Office: 01506 777666 www.howdenparkcentre.co.uk

Professional guitar tuition For all ages and levels

Contact Mark on 01506 495812

www.gtrstuition.co.uk e: gtrs@sky.com

To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

l o r ! en ow n

Principal: Ms K. Sara J. Wood BA (HONS), RAD RTS, Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Dance

Lessons for age 2 years and above

New Adult Ballet Class! Studio Locations: Edinburgh College - Sighthill Campus Ratho Community Centre

07723 589 280 www.edinburgh-ballet.co.uk info@edinburgh-ballet.co.uk

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Like to Dance? Then why not Step into Dance with Vicky or are you interested in joining EC Allsteps? West Lothianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier Cheer & Dance Squad. MONDAYS East Calder Church Hall 3.45pm - 4.45pm: Tiny/Mini Cheer & Pom Dance 4.45pm - 5.45pm: Tiny/Mini Hiphop West Lothian College 5.00pm - 6.00pm: Youth Cheer Dance 6.00pm - 7.00pm: Youth Hiphop/Junior Cheer Dance 7.00pm - 8.00pm: Junior Hiphop/Senior Cheer Dance 8.00pm - 9.00pm: Senior Hiphop

t: 07719 646942 e: vicky_eca@hotmail.co.uk

TUESDAYS East Calder Community Centre 5.00pm - 6.15pm: Youth/Junior Pom Dance 6.15pm - 7.00pm: Pom Technique 7.00pm - 8.00pm: Senior Pom 8.00pm - 8.45pm: Senior Freestyle Disco 8.45pm - 9.30pm: Senior Tap/Stage FRIDAYS East Calder Church Hall 1.00pm - 1.45pm: Recreational Cheer Dance 1.45pm - 2.30pm: Freestyle Disco/Tap Pre-School 1.45pm - 2.30pm: Freestyle Disco P1 - 7 2.30pm - 3.15pm: Tap/Stage P1-7 3.15pm - 4.00pm: Highland 4 years upwards Unit 2b2 Brewster Square Livingston NEW Cheer/Stunt class 5.30 - 7.30pm Cheer/Tumbling

www.ecallstepscheerleaders.co.uk

To advertise call Jenny on 07824 469266 or Charlene on 07772 941899

Clubs & Classes

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

The Livingston Players Amateur theatre company always pleased to welcome new members with or without experience. For more information please contact Alex on 01506 495531 or see www.livingstonplayers.co.uk

Lothians MS Support Group Open to anyone living with Multiple Sclerosis, family & friends, or anyone interested in learning about the condition. Meetings are informal, provide support and information and activities which promote wellbeing. Meetings and membership is free. If you would like to join us, come along to the Ability Centre, Livingston, EH54 8PT fortnightly on a Tuesday from 7pm-8:30pm and see what we are all about! For more information and for dates of this month’s fortnightly meetings, please contact Val on valsteward1msgroup@yahoo.co.uk or call 01506 201107.

Livingston FC Almondvale Stadium League players and juniors, social and corporate events. Tel 01506 417000 or see www.livingstonfc.co.uk Livingston Speakers Toastmasters Club – New! A fun & friendly way to improve your Communication & Leadership skills. Our meetings are always entertaining and educational. We meet in the Training Rooms at the Asda Superstore, Livingston. Alternate Thursdays 7:15pm-9:30pm. Everyone is welcome to come along and find out more. For more info see www.livingstonspeakers.org.uk http://www.facebook.com/LivingstonSpeakers

CRAIGSHILL Parents Together West Lothian Support group for families with child on the Autism Spectrum. Meet up once a month for a chat and a coffee, regular guest speakers. Meet at Beatlie School Campus, Craigshill, first Thursday of each month (during school term). For more information contact parentstogetherwestlothian@live.com Craigshill Good Neighbour Network Craigs Farm Campus Practical help, social and volunteering opportunities to socially isolated people of all ages in Craigshill and South Howden. Lunch club, Tuesday social club, optional transport to and from clubs, outings and befriending. Tel 01506 435851 Craigshill Thistle u15’s Training Tues 7.30 pm - 9.00 pm at Craigsfarm in Craigshill 3g pitch. Friday at Craigswood sports centre playing fields 6.30pm - 8.00 pm weather permitting. (if weather is bad Friday’s training is held at Craigsfarm 7.30 - 8.30 pm). For further details contact Mark on 07951 528398.

DEANS Deans Art Club New Deans Community Building Tuesdays 7 – 9pm. Beginners welcome. We are a friendly class, £2 per adult per week, paints provided. For more information please call Jim Tripney on 01506 418838. Livingston Station playgroup Livingston station Community Centre Spaces available for 2 – 5 yr olds, Mon-Thurs 9.30-11.50am, Fri 9.15-11.30am £4 per day plus £1 per wk for healthy snack. Contact us on 07954 044260 to place your child’s name on our waiting list or see us on facebook for more info.

Kiddies Corner Carmondean Community Centre, For Preschool Children. Tues 9.00am – 12 noon For more info tel 01506 439568. Child minders available Mon & Wed 9.00am – 12 noon

DEDRIDGE Physio Led Pilates Classes – New! Crofthead Farm Community Education Centre Modified Pilates taught by experienced Physiotherapists in small classes. Fridays 10-11am. All equipment provided including mats. Only £30 for 6 weeks for 1st block if you quote “Konect” when booking. To book, email lucy@physioledpilates.com or call 07415426228 Visit www.physioledpilates.com for more details and future classes. Crofthead Hickory House Playgroup Crofthead Community Education Centre Templar Rise, Dedridge EH54 6DG For children 2 -3years. Mon, Tues, Wed & Thurs 9.15am – 11.15am (during school term time) £4.25 per day including healthy snack. Pre-school nursery also available for children 3-5years funded by WLC. For more info call 01506 467650, email croftheadhickoryhouse@googlemail.com www.croftheadhickoryhouse.co.uk 1st Livingston Girls Brigade Company The Lanthorn Community Complex, Kenilworth Rise, Dedridge. Meet on Wednesday evenings Explorers (P1-3) 6.15pm till 7.15pm Juniors (P4-7) 7.15pm till 8.30pm Brigaders (S1+) 7.15pm till 8.45pm For further information email 1stlivingstongb@gmail.com or phone Holly Morrison on 01506 420225 Livingston Camera Club Crofthead Farm Community Education Centre, Crofthead Centre, Templar Rise, Dedridge, EH54 6DG. Every Mon 7.15pm - 9.30pm from early Sept to late May, with the club reverting to an active summer syllabus between these dates. Monday evenings form the formal part of the club activities. Evening activities range from speakers, presentations, competitions, critique, photo editing, studio and lighting classes. www.twitter.com/LiviCamClub www.livingstoncameraclub.org.uk www.facebook.com/livingstoncameraclub contact@livingstoncameraclub.org.uk

5th Livingston Boys’ Brigade Thursdays in the Lanthorn Community Complex, Kenilworth Rise, Dedridge Anchor Section P1-P3 Meet from 6:30 to 7:45pm Junior Section P4-P6 from 6:30 to 8:00pm Company Section P7 – to 18 years from 7:30 to 9:45pm For further information contact Stuart Dalgleish 01506 440303 or email admin@5livingston.co.uk Parent and Toddler Group Dedridge Baptist Church, Quentin Rise Tues: 12.30 – 2.30pm & Wed: 9.15 – 11.15am. £1.00 0 – 5 years old. Tel 01506 203683 Craft, snack (lunch on Tuesdays), sports, outings & visitors Livingston Highland Society Monthly ceilidhs are run on a Saturday between October and April each year in the Lanthorn Complex, Dedridge. Each month we have a different band and guest artist. The Society now has vacancies for new members. You don’t have to be highland to join our Society. For further details please contact the Secretary on 01506 491545 or 07900 475511. Brighter Days Support group for families living with ADHD and assosciated disorders. The group meets once a fortnight on a Thursday at Crofthead Centre, Templar Rise, Dedridge 7 – 9pm. For more info see www.brighter-days.com or email brighter_days@rocketmail.com. Kids club coming soon - every Saturday weekly for children. Activities available will include arts, crafts and music. Penumbra Unit 20 Grampian Court, Beverige Square, Dedridge Every fortnight from 14 March 2012 For anyone experiencing mental health problems : the group can help people who need information on illnesses, understanding from others in similar situations or even just a chat to get out of the house. For more information contact: cinderbelle@hotmail.co.uk or 07854 316139 Lanthorn Readers Lanthorn Library, Dedridge If you enjoy reading why not join our reading group? The group is informal and very relaxed with some members attending every meeting and others dropping in when they particularly like the sound of a book! Free. The group meets monthly and is an ideal way to have some fun and lively discussion over tea/ coffee and biscuits. New members always welcome. For more information contact 01506 777700 or lanthorn.lib@westlothian.gov.uk

ELIBURN Sunshine Break, SPPA (Scottish Pre-School Play Association) Group Eliburn Community Centre, Peel Primary School Toddlers - Tuesdays & Thursdays: 9.00 – 11.00am After school club for Primary 1-7, Mon – Thur 3.15 – 6.00pm, Fri 12.30 – 6.00pm, during school holidays 8.30am – 5.30pm. Tel 01506 415492 14th West Lothian Scout Troop Peel Primary School Girls and boys. Beavers (6-8yrs) Mon 6.15-7.15pm, Scouts (10-14yrs) Mon 7.30-9pm, Cubs (8-10yrs) Thurs 6.30-8pm £20/£25 per session, 3 sessions per year. Contact Mary Tel 01506 416620

HOWDEN Braid House Day Centre Labrador Avenue, Howden Social activities for older members of the community, including indoor bowling group Mondays 1.30pm – 3.30pm, Art Group Tuesdays 11am - 12noon. Monthly social afternoon with music by Gary Coupland. Also a Drop In service for people who can make their own way to Braid House and can have the opportunity to have lunch and join a range of activities, cost £5.00. For more information on Braid House services please call 01506 430615 or see www.braidhouse.co.uk. 29th West Lothian Scout Group Community Wing, Toronto Primary School Cubs Mon 6.30-8.00pm, Beavers Wed 6.30-7.30pm, Scouts Wed 7.30-9.00pm Tel 01506 441852 14th Livingston Rainbows Community Wing of Toronto Primary School. Tuesdays 6.30 - 7.45 pm. Girls 5 years old and attending school. Telephone: Rainbow Guide Leader on 07532 182197. Livingston Art Association Howden Park Centre Day and evening classes in painting and pottery for all levels. For more details call 01506 440449 email liviartassoc@msn.com or see www.livingston-art-assoc.org.uk. 14th Livingston Guides Community Wing, Toronto Primary School Tues 7.30 – 9.00pm, All girls aged 10 years upwards, £17 per term Tel 01506 418285

KNIGHTSRIDGE Baby/Toddler Stories and Singing Sessions Knightsridge Early Years Centre, Cameron Way Mon, Tues, Thur: 09.15 – 11.15am or 12.45 – 2.45pm – “In Betweenies” Wed:1.00 – 2.00pm – “Baby Peet” - stories and singing, baby/toddler drop in 1.00 – 3.30pm For more info tel 01506 444970

LADYWELL Ladywell Neighbourhood Network 28 Heatherbank, Ladywell Community services in Ladywell, a range of social groups including craft, lunch club, fitness. Befriending service and much more. For more information call 01506 437746 or see www.ladywellnn.org.uk Ladywell Star Community Football Club Inveralmond Community High School A range of teams and fixtures. See www.ladywellstarcfc.co.uk SPPA (Scottish Pre-School Play Association) Group Newyearfield Farm. Toddlers Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri: 09.30 – 11.30am. tel 01506 462458 Kids Club Forrestbank Community Centre A varied programme of educational games, art & drawing, children 5-9yrs. Mon 6.00 - 7.45pm £1 per week – term time only. Tel 01506 430035

Livingston Village Playgroup Livingston Village Primary School, Kirkton Road North, Livingston Village. For children 2yrs 3 months to 5 years. 9.30 - 11.30am Mon - Fri, ÂŁ4/session including snack. child can attend between 2 & 5 sessions a week. For more information please contact the placement secretary 01506 417343

MURIESTON Livingston Cricket Club Cricket fixtures as well as a busy social calendar. See http://livingstoncricketclub.co.uk or tel 07799 025795 Adambrae, Bellsquarry & Murieston (ABM) Walking Group Looking for Fun, Fitness and Friendship - then join our Ladies Walking Group. We meet on Mondays at 10.00. Contact Penny Clark penmex2@hotmail.co.uk for details.

Solution February 13 crossword

Livingston Village Parent and Toddler Group Livingston Village Primary School, Community Room 2. Mondays & Wednesdays 9-11am. For babies and children aged 0-5 years accompanied by an adult. ÂŁ1 per family. Term-time only. For more information email livitoddlers@yahoo.co.uk or visit www.facebook.com/livitoddlers

Solution to Sudoku

LIVINGSTON VILLAGE

Solution March 13 crossword

konect the