Konect Linlithgow August 2016

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AUGUST 2016

linlithgow

FEATUREs

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There was a soldier, or West Lothian Far from Ypres Local walk - A Ramble among the Rocks at Petershill plus local businesses, community information and more!

A new community magazine for the Linlithgow area

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FEATURE

M e ss ag e fro m th e e d ito r

FEATUREs There was a soldier

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O

REGULARS Local Walk Homes Proper ty Matter s Visit West Lothian Parenting in West Lothian Recipe and Food Notes

10 12 18 21 23 26

COMPETITIONS & PUZZLES Kids puzzles Crossword Sudoku

22 24 24

COMMUNITY What’s on & Useful Infor mation Clubs & Classes

29 29

nce again I’ve been impressed this month while doing the editorial interviews by the huge amount of talent and energy locally; a unique show commemorating West Lothian’s experience of the First World War will be shown at the Edinburgh Fringe this month, written and performed by a local cast and featuring folk duos Cockleroy from Linlithgow and Iolaire from Bo’ness. See pages 6-7 and make sure you get tickets for the show which will take place at Stockbridge Church.

August is busy with events for Linlithgow, with Party at the Palace, Canal Fun Day and the classic car show. And if you just fancy a quiet walk on a nice day, try the local walk feature this month which is a ramble around a former quarry near Bathgate.

If you have an event on in the next couple of months that you’d like to promote to the local community, or if you’re involved in a club or hobby group, please let me know and we’ll make sure it’s included next month in the community pages at the back of the magazine.

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

Front cover: Beeraigs Loch.The loch was commenced during WW1 by German Prisoners of War. See article on page 6. Photo by Konect

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

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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.

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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Feature

“There was a Soldier...” or “West Lothian Far from Ypres” Did you know that work on Beecraigs Loch was started by German prisoners-of-war during the First World War, but due to their unwillingness to work the job was given to conscientious objectors instead?

This is just one of many snippets of information on West Lothian’s experience of war that two local people painstakingly researched in order to put together a show to commemorate West Lothian’s own war centenary from 2014 to 2018. Showing this summer for the third year running, and for the first time at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, “There was a Soldier...” is a unique show that pays tribute to the people of West Lothian in World War 1 and Bangour, the War Hospital. I met Liz Reid and Mary Boylan over coffee at their favourite cafe Williamson’s Garden Centre in Uphall - to learn about how the show came about.

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“We were clearing out my late aunt’s house a few years ago, and came across a bundle of letters addressed to her from a young soldier in WW1. Tied with a faded pink string, the letters and memorabilia from her sweetheart on the front line entranced us.” Mary and Liz became engrossed in the story of the young man, David Wallace Dinwoodie. At the bottom of the bundle came the almost-inevitable black-bordered envelope announcing his death in action.

teacher, set about researching West Lothian’s experience of war. The resulting musical show features David as the main character, and incorporates two songs written in an old jotter by George Coyle, in Flanders 100 years ago. “George came from Broxburn. Reading his good-humoured songs written on the front line, you can imagine he must have been an inspiring and positive man to be with in those terrible conditions,” Mary said.

“Tunes for them just came to me one day, Liz wrote them down, and Broxburn teenagers Lucas Rodger and Sam Malone sing them in the show.

“We researched and visited his grave in France, which led us to discovering much about the effects of the war here in West Lothian - about the young men who left with such enthusiasm and didn’t return,” explains Liz. “Then a few years ago we saw a show in Glasgow called Far from Ypres, written by Ian McCalman. Ian made the format of the show freely available to anyone wanting to produce a similar story about the war in their own area.” So Mary, a retired police officer and Liz, a retired music

The cast of twenty features young singers from Broxburn Academy and St. Margaret’s Academy, piper Callum Davidson and drummer Reed Cameron, who are all ages with the young men who left West Lothian for war. Callum and Reed are members of Peoples Ford Boghall and Bathgate Caledonian Pipe Band. They are joined by local groups “Tryst,” a female harmony trio, including Liz herself, folk duos Cockleroy from Linlithgow, and Iolaire from Bo’ness. Mary works frantically frontof-house to keep it all running smoothly.

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The show commemorates:

• The Linlithgowshire Cyclists Battalion who left on their bicycles from Bathgate to protect the East Coast.

• The women of West Calder who worked in the munitions factories with chemicals which turned their skin yellow, thus they were known as Canaries.

• Members of Broxburn Band who all volunteered together and the young father of six from Broxburn whose belongings were returned to his family including a jotter of humorous songs he had written.

• Men volunteered from all walks of life - Uphall shale oil worker Robert Beveridge, Broxburn police sergeant James Lyall, Col. Shairp of Houston House – all lost their lives.

• The Forth Rail Bridge area was blacked out to avoid being bombed, so there were many accidents on the surrounding roads as folk simply couldn’t see.

PictureS: Top: 2nd Lieut. David Wallace Dinwoodie. Bottom: Four very talented teenagers performing at the show in Bathgate Regal.

Some of the cast (including cardboard cut-outs) after the show in St Margaret’s Academy.

Bangour Village Hospital at Dechmont, originally built for mental health patients, was used as a War Hospital, with wounded men being brought from Southampton

by Red Cross train straight through Edinburgh Waverley and out to Bangour Station. (Broxburn man Peter Duffy wrote two songs specially for the show, one of them, ‘Heading to Bangour’, about the Red Cross train.) Tents were required to house the eventual 3,000 patients in the hospital originally designed for 800. Volunteers from the surrounding towns helped with after-care for the men, including putting on concerts, and world famous entertainer Sir Harry Lauder performed there a few times.

“My aunt eventually married at the age of 50,” muses Liz. “We never knew about the years of pain and loss she must have felt from losing her sweetheart in the war until we found these letters.”

‘There was a Soldier...’, previously at Bathgate Regal Theatre, will be performed at Stockbridge Church on 16th and 17th August, 3pm and 7pm.

Tickets are available from The Fringe Box Office and from Dechmont Shop EH52 6LG. All proceeds will be donated to two groups: a project to have the names of all local soldiers engraved onto a board beside the Broxburn War memorial; and the Broxburn Family History group who are researching all local people who went to war.

In order to put the show on for the other two centenary years 2017 and 2018, they urgently need sponsorship and support, financial and practical. If you can help in any way Liz will be delighted to hear from you, please contact her on 07907 550120.

Thanks to supporters Bathgate Film Society, West

Lothian History Library, West Lothian Archives, MacDonald Kiltmakers, Josh Brown (lighting) and Sandy Crawford (sound), and former sponsors Alan Steel Asset Management, Arnold Clark Automobiles, West Lothian Council, Boghall Butchers, Stein Butchers, The Oatridge Hotel, The Halfway House, The Green Tree, and Mark Wallace Cars.

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9

A ramble among the rocks

by Karen Murray

It never ceases to amaze me how much you find out about where you live when you go looking for somewhere different to take a walk. West Lothian is full of interesting discoveries - both historical and geological.

Chatting to a friend who works for the Geological Survey I heard about the Petershill Wildlife Reserve near Bathgate and decided to take a look. Lying off Drumcross Road around 1km east of Bathgate, the reserve was once a limestone quarry.

Quarrying began here around 1768 until two of the workings were converted into drinking water reservoirs in 1886 and 1905. However the reservoirs were redundant by 1981 and were drained in 1986.

The 5.4 hectare site was first notified as a part of a larger Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1976 and was gifted to the Scottish Wildlife Trust as a nature reserve in 1990. By 1999 it was also designated a Regionally Important Geological Site (RIGS).

Head towards Bathgate via Torphichen on the Torphichen Road, B792. In Bathgate, turn left on Drumcross Road to head uphill and back out of the built-up area. Petershill Reserve is on the 10

Petershill in Winter

left, just round an S-bend as you leave Bathgate.

There is a small car park on the side of the road where the reserve is marked with a wooden signpost, but it’s easy to miss as it can get a little overgrown. There is only room for a couple of cars - take care not to obstruct entrance to the field adjacent. Park up and head over the stile to follow the footpath around the perimeter of the reserve. It was a beautiful day when I visited, but I imagine that it can get pretty wet and slippery, especially if you walk on the rocks. However it is best for both safety and to protect the fragile environment to stay on the footpaths.

As you begin walking you can take in all the geological exposure which plunges down to the left, before heading into a more wooded area and then through a rather lovely meadow towards the northern end of the reserve. In the summer this meadow blooms with a variety of flower including orchids. The path then heads south over a wooden footbridge and veers down towards a lagoon which tends to be dry in summer but filled in winter months. The path then heads up a steep hill and along the opposite side of the reservoir with fabulous views toward the Bathgate Hills. It eventually comes out at an opening in the wall KONECT

Petershill in Summer

and onto Drumcross Road where you simply turn left and find your way back to the car park.

The geological importance of the site is down to the limestone reef which is full of fossils. The reef was formed over 330 million years ago in shallow sea or lagoon when volcanoes were active and the ash and lava flows built up to eventually form the Bathgate Hills.

The fossils that have been found at Petershill include corals and sponges, crinoids (sea lilies) and molluscs - species that all lived in shallow tropical waters during Carbonifereous times. If you have any interest in geology then it’s worth a visit to this interesting site. However, tempting though it is to take a fossil home, you are encouraged to leave any you find just where they are.

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As for living wildlife, the combination of high humidity and limestone is quite rare so you will find various unusual mosses. Keep an eye out on the higher ground for the gorgeous greater butterfly orchid and many other pretty flowers such as fairy flax and twayblade.

If you are more interested in the fauna you can find at Petershill, look out for squirrels, badgers, brown hares, rabbits and roe deer which are regular visitors to the nature reserve along with fifteen species of butterfly and moth and numerous species of birds.

Nature reserves are always a great place to take a walk away from it all as you can be close to built up areas but feel miles away. Petershill offers this but is also geologically fascinating.

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In the 80’s, ‘Money for Nothing’ referred to a number 1 hit by Dire Straits. The phrase has now become synonymous with the BBC1 programme which sees presenter Sarah Moore scouring the rubbish dumps of Britain to find three objects, destined for landfill, which she then transforms into items that furniture dealers go cock-a-hoop for.

Only in London’s trendy art circle will you find someone willing to pay hundreds of pounds for an iron manhole cover which has been lovingly re-created into a pink bedroom vanity table. Yes, up-cycling is the new buzz word but it means a bit more than finding a wood-worm riddled dining-chair and passing it off as an objet d’art. There’s a bit of elbow grease and know-how involved but with some pointers you can give some old furniture a new lease of life and save some cash into the bargain.

Sourcing your item We’re not

recommending hanging around your local dump like Sarah, or abseiling into the landfill skip to find that bit of treasure; there are definitely better ways to find that special little something.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 12

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Car boot sales are a good option if you’re prepared to haggle. Charity shops have sprung up everywhere and there are loads of antique shops where you can still pick up some bargains. Chairs with Queen Anne legs (although whether she actually had legs that shape is debatable), and retro style coffee tables, yearning to be loved, are there if you’re prepared to look. Another good place to shop is at reclamation yards where you can pick up real bargains. Also check out if your local area has a Facebook ‘For Sale, Free or Wanted’ page. Most people getting rid of items on these pages generally look for local currency wine or chocolate – in exchange for chests of drawers.

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Stripping your item You don’t have

to strip your furniture but if you do decide to, then use a good quality varnish remover such as Blackfriars which you can buy online or from your local hardware store. If you want to sand it instead you can hire an orbital sander from the Bathgate Hire Centre in Blackburn Road. If you Google ‘How to strip furniture,’ you’ll get loads of tips and there are You Tube videos showing you how it’s done. Make sure you type in the word ‘furniture’ when searching online though, or you’ll get different results entirely.

Finishing your item There are many ways to finish your work of art. Re-covering an old chair in fabric, or painting a table instead of re-varnishing can look stunning.

All big-name brands produce one-coat paint specifically for the job and B&Q have their own make called Rust-oleum which comes in a chalky finish for a distressed look. Stencilling is another way to create a unique item of furniture especially if it’s plain. A pine chest of drawers for example, can be turned into something really special with the right colour of paint, some stencilling and a quirky set of handles you can pick up from reclamation yards or even TK Maxx. Have fun!

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Professional Photography Benefits Sellers Most estate agents think that it’s ok to take their own photographs. After all digital photography has improved everyone’s photographic skills, especially as it is now so easy to immediately check whether a picture is good enough to use for property marketing.

Previous agent photograph

There are many issues with property photography that are overcome by using a professional with the right skills, experience, creativity and equipment. If you look at many estate agents images online, you’ll probably see poorly colourbalanced pictures where whites come out a cold blue or jaundiced yellow.

You’ll see hundreds of examples of converging parallels, where walls appear to fall outwards or inwards, or where entire buildings seem to be on the verge of falling over altogether. You’ll also see numerous underexposed shots which are light on detail due to the overpowering effect of a bright window in the shot, as well as untidy rooms because the agent has simply not bothered to think about the image being created. Disgraceful!

A professional photographer will, in almost every instance, also enhance images using sophisticated editing software. They can work magic by, for example, removing unsightly rubbish bins, scaffolding or vehicles and even insert a beautiful blue sky even though the photo might have been taken on an overcast day.

Turpie & Co photograph

The trouble is, “good enough” is simply not good enough! We believe that amateur photography is often a sign of amateur estate agency. Our role is to maximise our clients’ sale prospects by ensuring that a property looks its absolute best.

That’s why, when you instruct Turpie & Co to help you move, we use a professional photographer who specialises in property photography.

When marketing your home, you only get one chance to create a superb first impression – one that will not only attract the right buyer, but which can also have a positive effect on maximizing your eventual sale price. So when choosing the right estate agent to sell your home, do make sure that you choose one who is as passionate about great imagery as we are and that they always use a professional photographer. Needless to say we do!

Every house and garden looks at its best during the summer months If you are thinking about selling your property in the next few months, Turpie & Co are offering a free professional photo shoot of your home and garden.

This will allow optimum weather and light conditions for photographs in preparation for the full sales campaign when you’re ready to come to market.

Terms & Conditions: Property to be marketed before 31st December 2016. All material and Intellectual property is owned and controlled by T &Co. Offer valid until 31st August 2016.

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Vets TIPS Pet Obesity This is the time of year that we humans have been thinking about cutting back on the calories, thanks to thoughts of appearing on the beach in swimwear.

But it’s also a good time to take a reality check on our pets and whether they are carrying more weight than is good for them.

Obesity in pets can cause diabetes, heart disease, cancer and high blood pressure. It can also stop your pet exercising properly and that

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extra layer of blubber will mean they struggle to cool themselves down in the heat. Just like in humans it’s caused by eating too much and exercising too little so it’s very preventable but sadly each year we see more and more cases and not just in dogs – cats and even rabbits often tip the scales at dangerous levels.

If you can’t see and feel your pet’s ribs easily, see their waist clearly from above and their stomach isn’t tucked in looking from the side, they might well have a problem. Check you are feeding your pet the right amount and keep a careful eye on how many treats they get as extras. Wee scraps from the table might not seem like much but the extra calories easily build up. And bear in mind neutered and older dogs often need less food.

Exercise is also key – and don’t forget a few extra walks will help shift those extra human pounds too.

Stuart McMorrow is head vet at the Westport Veterinary Clinic, 8 Preston Road, 01506 844165, www.westportvets.co.uk

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August – End the summer in Style The end of summer is fast approaching and autumn will be here soon, bringing with it colder weather and darker nights, so make the most of the sun (if we are blessed with any) and spend it enjoying the beauties of West Lothian! Whether you are trying to find activities to entertain the kids during the holidays, or you are looking to let your hair down after a long week at work, West Lothian has it covered.

Why not take a picnic to Almondell & Calderwood Country Park, open all year round and free to visit. Almondell & Calderwood is tucked out of sight in the valley of the River Almond, so take some time and enjoy its historic views and scenic green spaces. Or if the sun isn’t shining, take a trip to Potter Around in Kirknewton and get those creative juices flowing, whether it’s painting, making jewellery, spinning the potter’s wheel or much more.

August is also the time to get those camping chairs out, dust off the wellies and get your groove on, as it’s time again for Party at the Palace! Situated on the far side of Linlithgow Loch overlooking the iconic Palace, Party at the Palace will take place on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th August. With last year’s festival being a massive hit, this year is set to top it all, with acts such as The Proclaimers, Billy Ocean, The Fratellis, Andy Bell from Erasure and many, many more. It’s going to be a good one, so make sure you get those tickets!!

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

Parents in West Lothian

from Hypothesis: Water evaporation rated saturated child can be accelebit using popular science exhi I have no problem admitting that science makes our lives easier and improves the world, but this all happens in ways I little understand.

The closest I’ve ever come to using science in a real-world situation was trying to measure how high up I was in a building by dropping an orange out the window and timing it’s descent.

No valid measurements were taken, I just wasted an orange and nearly injured a dog on the pavement below (recollection of Standard Grade Physics + fruit = error).

We usually go all together as a family on day trips but sometimes this isn’t possible. Last weekend was just such an occasion where I decided to venture out with both babies myself … (number of babies > number of adults = potentially foolhardy) This equation is particularly true now that Penelope has become a proper toddler and is walking about the place, albeit with the gait of a mildly intoxicated chimp.

The journey to Glasgow was pain-free enough (journey + satnav = destination at roughly expected time) and there was lots of parking very nearby which ended up only costing £3 for the whole day. The tickets were mid-priced as far as big attractions like this go, £11 for adults and kids under 3 go free. Our approach to the Glasgow Science Museum was heralded by the sight of a massive building with the look of a wedge of (admittedly grey) orange, discarded on the bank of the Clyde, but in a chic, modern kind of way.

Our column is West Lothia t: Nicola Jengaenga li ves in n with Quin months an d her hubby n 2, Penny 10 Channa, 33 .

Nicola & Ch anna both w ork, jugglin schedules w ith g their two tin the ever-evolving dem hectic y overlords, ands of in some tim and also sq ueezing e for each ot her!

stickle blocks representing molecules, and stood on rotating platforms rolling large balls about to simulate the effects of gravity. One of the most interesting observations I made was the number of adults who were engrossed in the various stations, quite oblivious to the fact that their kids were off looking at something else entirely.

With both babies out of the pram I fell prey to this tendency when trying to make a metal bowl of water ‘sing’ by rubbing the handles in a special way … out of the corner of my eye I spot Quinton climbing into a water-feature demonstrating the workings of the Archimedes Screw (small boy + forbidden activity – adult = scientific certainty of activity being carried out). After extracting my sodden progeny from the watery fun, a ‘Eureka!’ moment took me by surprise …

A few minutes later Quinn stepped back out of the wind tunnel exhibit looking pleased with himself and somewhat freshly laundered.

So yeah, science makes our lives easier?

Q.E.D.

k

Oh! The exhibits! We stood in a wind tunnel and were buffeted about hilariously, played with KONECT

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PUZZLES

CROSSWORD

Solution in the September edition of konect

Across 7 Not moving (6) 8 Conflict (6) 9 Horrible (4) 10 Wrapper for letter (8) 11 Thrift (7) 13 Loosen (5) 15 Type of snake (5) 17 Country dwelling (7) 20 Against the current (8) 21 Certain (4) 23 Cruel (6) 24 Necessary (6) Down 1 Celestial body (4) 2 Part of a flower (6) 3 Shrieks (7) 4 Higher up (5) 5 Pinched (6) 6 Tossing (8) 12 Hacking (8) 14 Order (7) 16 Keep (6) 18 Examined (6) 19 Fixes (5) 22 Regrets (4)

SUDOKU

Sudoku solution on page 30

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Coffee Shop

Outside Catering

Food Creations can provide a range of outdoor catering for your Xmas celebrations, from simple buffets all the way to multicourse meals for large numbers.

Drink, cake and cup reading £11.99

Tel 01506 412232 yvonne@foodcreations.co.uk facebook.com/simonatfoodcreations

Spiritual readings & holistic treaments by appointment

@Food_Creations

All welcome .....tea leaf readings optional!

Good news - Tables can now be booked

Macmillan @ Bathgate Partnership Centre opens A new Cancer Information and Support Service for people living with cancer and their families in West Lothian has opened in Simpson Library at Bathgate Partnership Centre.

The new service, a partnership between West Lothian Council and Macmillan Cancer Support, is available for anyone affected by cancer, including the person with a cancer diagnosis, family, friends and carers. It is open on Mondays 10am -1pm and Thursdays 6pm - 8pm.

The service can be accessed at any point in the cancer journey, no appointment is necessary visitors can drop in to use the service. For more information call: 01506 283053 or email: MacmillanWestLothian@westlothian.gov.uk.

Trained volunteers provide emotional and practical support, access to information materials on various types of cancer and its treatment, signposting to other support services such as benefits advice and counselling, or simply provide a listening ear. The volunteers are supported

by West Lothian Council staff.

Councillor Anne McMillan said: “It is planned that during the next 12 months a number of cancer information and support service desk will open across West Lothian. If you are affected by cancer there is someone you can turn to for help. Someone who can help you to find answers to your questions, whatever they may be – Macmillan @ Bathgate Partnership Centre service is available to help.”

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Food to go - for picnics, festivals or the office

by Anne Pinkerton

Receiving updates from different food blogs and marketing spam, one is reminded how wide the difference is in eating habits and idealised, fantasy food for a “life style” advertisers want to sell you.

The practical food written about in blogs such as “A girl called Jack” and the recipes from the BBC are in marked contrast to hampers for sale for Wimbledon and other big summer events; you don’t need caviar, top notch wine and wild strawberries to enjoy a picnic or a meal at your desk.

You want something that is easy to eat and transport and has flavour. There’s an increasingly good variety of “food to go” in office areas, where people buy their lunch or evening meal, because they are in a rush and think cooking takes too long. But if you want to know what you’re really eating and monitor the cost of your diet there’s a great deal you can make at home and enjoy at the office, on the beach or on a walk.

All the food below will keep if looked after reasonably for a day. If out in a car a cool box can even be kept cool from the car’ battery, but that is for serious campers! Common sense is required; don’t leave food in the full sun in a locked car! For a whole week end, tins of beans or Russian salad, salami in vacuumed pack or other food in vacuumed packs will be fine if you eat it all in one sitting.

Homemade food added to bought salad and a piece of fruit and a lump of cheese makes a balanced meal. Bake together – cooking together is good for everyone! Bon Appetite.

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An alternative to home made lemonade for a packed meal could be Rhubarb Drink:

- 3 sticks rhubarb, cut in very small pieces - 1 lemon sliced very finely - 2 00g sugar -8 pints boiling water Method

Boil the water in a large pan. Add the rhubarb and sugar and mix till the sugar is dissolved. Add the lemon. Allow to cool, take out in a thermos. (This is very refreshing but it does not keep more than a couple of days in the fridge).

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Greek Feta and Spinach Pie Filling

-5 00g bag frozen whole leaf spinach, defrosted and as much of the water as possible pressed out. (Chopped frozen spinach will go to a wet mush).

- Large onion finely chopped - Bunch spring onions chopped including all the green - 2-3 tbs olive oil - 225g feta cheese crumbled - Chopped parsley, salt pepper - 3 large eggs beaten.

Method

Fry the onions in the oil gently till transparent. Add the spinach and seasoning and mix well. Set aside to cool a little and drain of there is a lot of liquid. Add the cheese and egg Pastry

Either buy filo or puff pastry. Filo is authentic, fun but more work. Puff pastry will make a good pie in a more British style.

Line a large, shallow, metal rectangular dish or quiche tin with 6 or 8 layers of filo, each layer painted with melted butter or a mixture of oil and butter. Or line the tin with a thin layer of puff pastry. Pile in the filling and top with more layers of filo (each on painted with melted butter) or a layer of puff pastry. Crimp the edges so the filling does not escape in cooking. With a sharp knife cross hatch the top on the pie and brush with melted butter. Bake at 200C for 35 minutes.

Cut up into squares or wedges for cold food-to-go. Individual slices can be frozen and be eaten over several weeks for office or school packups. The Greeks use this method to make a ham and gruyere with sliced tomato pie, and a sweet cheese and honey pie.

The French have another take on savoury tarts. For this you can either use bread dough or puff pastry. When you use dough the tart becomes a pissaladiere, a forerunner of the pizza!

Anchovy and Onion Tart -4 large mild onions sliced very finely - 2 0 or so black olives stoned -S mall tin anchovies in olive oil - F reshly grated Parmesan -P inch of mixed herbs -B lack pepper -P uff pastry Method

Sweat the onions very slowly with a little of the oil from the fish. When they are totally collapsed and a nearly dry mush they are ready, approx 20 minutes.

Cut the pastry into 4. Roll each square 3mm thick and cut into 4 rough squares. This avoids waste.

The irregular shape does not matter. With a fork prick each square and leave to rest on a baking sheet for 10 minutes or so.

Divide the onion between the squares leaving a border of about 2mm round the edges.

Add a few olives and divide the anchovies between the squares.

Dust lightly with Parmesan and bake at 220oC 10 or 15 minutes till puffed up and golden.

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WHAT’S ON and Useful Information 3rd & 10th August Scotch Hop at Linlithgow Palace Experience the thrill of dancing in the open-air courtyard of the Palace. Live music from Scottish bands, Caller will talk you through the routines. If the weather is poor, adjourn to Low Port Centre instead. 7.30-10pm, tickets available at the door (cash only) include tea and shortbread. Full price £8.50, concessions £6.50, accompanied children under 12 free.

Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th August Party at the Palace Tickets via event website at http://www. partyatthepalace.co.uk/ Sunday 14th August Canal Fun Day Linlilthgow Canal Centre, Manse Road Basin. Annual fun day, from 1pm. Variety of stalls in Learmonth Gardens, Cardboard Boat Race, Punch & Judy show, face painting, musical entertainment, canal boat trips, free ferry taking visitors from one side of the basin to the other. Water Safety demonstration by

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 Co-ordinator@linlithgowlink.org.uk Linlithgow Bridge Playgroup Chalmers Hall, Main Street, Linlithgow Bridge Tue-Thu: 9:15 am - 11:45 am during term time. No KONECT

International Rescue Corps, light refreshments, barbecue, ice cream.

Saturday 27th August Linlithgow Farmers Market The Cross, High Street, Linlithgow.

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

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 grownups.

minimum number of sessions. £7 per session. For more information contact lbplaygroup@gmail.com 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.

Linlithgow String Orchestra A newly established group for adults (18+) with a minimum standard Grade 5. We are looking for new members from Linlithgow and the surrounding areas.

Our next “Come and Play” sessions will be held on Monday 4th July and Monday 8th August 7.30-9.30pm at St Peter’s Episcopal Church, High Street Linlithgow.

Please bring music stands. £3 per player. Please contact us in advance on: linlithgowstringorchestra@gmail.com or search for us on Facebook.

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

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INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Bathrooms

1st Choice Living 13 Bathgate Bathroom Studio 8

Beauty

ACT Beauty & Hair Academy 5

Builder

Kirkton Builders

Cafe/Tearoom Little Whispers

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

C and W Cleaning Services

Catering

Food Creations

Cleaning Services

Dusters Cleaning Services

4 25

8 25 8

Complementary Therapies Healthy Healing Little Whispers

Computer Services Sprint Computers

4 25 9

Conservatories

Andrew James Windows & Conservatories 15

Doors

UPVC Doors

Electrician

Simply Electrical

12

Estate Agent

Turpie 19

Fencing/Gates

Welding & Fabrication Solutions Ltd

9

Garden & Landscaping

Beatsons 31 Inside and Outside Property & Garden Care 12 Woodford Timber 31

Garden Buildings

Champfleurie Estate Ltd

Healthcare

ABC Hearing

Hire (Car/Van/Minibus) AK Stretch Limousines

Joiner

Geoff Vinter Joinery

Locksmith

Linlithgow Locksmith

Motorhome Hire Scotland Nu Walls Thomson Decorators Nu Walls

Capital Heating

Mobility

14

Property Maintenance

Inside and Outside Property & Garden Care 12

Security Services

5

4

Plumbing Services

16

12

4 4

Plastering

Removals

4

8

Painter/Decorator

32

Linlithgow Removals

5

Linlithgow Locksmith

5

Vet

Mackie and Brechin 21 West Port Veterinary Clinic 20

Windows

1st Choice Living 13 Andrew James Windows & Conservatories 15

Ableworld 16 Med Ecosse 2

15

Solution to July Crossword

Solution to Sudoku Page 24

Across: 7 Banana, 8 Repeat, 9 Dawn, 10 Hundreds, 11 Distant, 13 Sloop, 15 After, 17 Clamped, 20 Properly, 21 Daft, 23 Demons, 24 Nearly.

Down: 1 Data, 2 Gannet, 3 Washing, 4 Drunk, 5 Spiral, 6 Handsome, 12 Inferred, 14 Cloying, 16 Employ, 18 Midday, 19 Brisk, 22 Fall.

30

Motorhome (hire/sale)

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.

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

DUNFERMLINE 01383 741980 PENICUIK 01968 670061 Make Over your Garden with Beatsons this Summer!

Pitreavie Crescent, Pitreavie Ind. Est., Dunfermline, KY11 8UA Eastfield Drive, Eastfield Ind. Est., Penicuik, EH26 8BA

Artificial Grass

Buff Textured Slabs

£14.00 per m

²

m

600mm x 600m

£6.25 m

600mm x 300m

£3.95 m

300mm x 300m

£2.20

2.4m x 2.5m Decking Kit Railway Sleepers

m

x2400m

200x100

£14

.50

£89, N.9ails9

Joists Includes Screws Boards & g in k c e D

www.beatsons.co.uk

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