Konect Linlithgow July 2019

JULY 2019

Linlithgow’s new

LOCAL ESCAPE ATTRACTION

PLUS: HEALTH & BEAUTY, Garden Project, and more LOCAL FEATURES inside!

The monthly community magazine for the Linlithgow area

THIS ISSUE

TO OUR JULY EDITION

W

ith the summer school holidays upon us, this month’s magazine has a theme of various things to do with the family and children over the holidays – not an exhaustive guide, but a few highlights of a wide range of things in the area to suit different ages and interests. I hope you get time to have a go at eeek!, Linlithgow’s local family-run attraction, see the article on page 9. Also take the time to visit New Hopetoun Garden’s art trail during July and August, and get lunch in their Orangery Tea Room; just a couple of examples of excellent attractions right on our doorstep. In Laura’s parenting column she gives some money-saving tips if you’re entertaining young children over the summer. And all our usual columns are here.

Whether you’re going away, or staying local over the holidays, I hope all our readers manage to get a break and a refresh over the next few weeks. Thanks for reading Konect and supporting local businesses and organisations.

P9 eeek! Can you escape?................................. 9 Property Matters............................................13 Local People: Elaine Woo McGregor.........15 Tots Spot........................................................20 Puzzles...........................................................21 Vet’s Tip..........................................................22 Gardening: Art in the garden.......................23 Parenting: Money-saving tips for Summer..........................................................26 Tennis Revolution..........................................27 Bridge Column..............................................28 Clubs & Classes............................................28

COVER IMAGE: See the parenting column on P26 for ideas and money-saving tips for the summer holidays.

Konect is delivered monthly to 7,500 homes and businesses in Linlithgow, Linlithgow Bridge and the surrounding area. Copies are also left at the library, post offices and other locations.

HELEN-JANE SHEARER

CHARLENE GAFFNEY

E: editor@konect.scot

M: 07772 941899 E: charlene@konect.scot

Editor

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Account Manager

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A team successfully escaped!

“We’re puzzle geeks,” explains Ellie, co-owner of Linlithgow’s new escape room, eeek! Along with her husband Euan (and with a willing father-in-law roped in for practical help!) they have created a unique escape room experience with a special Linlithgow twist.

For those not familiar with the concept of an escape room, they have popped up all over Britain in the past few years. It’s a fun family, team or group activity where you’re immersed in a room and as a team you have to complete a series of puzzles based on the theme of the escape room, in order to solve a problem and get out within a time limit.

eeek! is a bespoke set of puzzles lovingly created by Ellie and Euan themselves, so if you’re an escape enthusiast and like to try them all, this will be a different experience.

Being a Linlithgow family-run business, their scenario has a heritage Mary Queen of Scots theme. You’re transported to 1587, one hour before Mary’s execution, and you have to save her and change the course of history!

“You don’t need to know anything about Mary, or history, to enjoy the puzzles,” explains Ellie, “but if you happen to like history too, everything in the theme is historically accurate so it adds an extra element of enjoyment.”

It opened in January this year. I met Ellie at the premises, a listed building on Linlithgow’s High Street. You walk straight into a “dungeon” and it’s clear it’s been a labour of love. “I was looking for something different to do; I was an Executive PA in the Chief Constable’s office, and loved it but all my salary was going in childcare. I needed a different balance.” A family trip to Massachusetts last summer provided the tipping point; a cousin runs an escape room there, and encouraged Ellie to go for it.

Having always loved puzzles, and wanting @KonectMagazines

to do something more family-orientated, and with her youngest about to start nursery, everything lined up. On the plane on the way home, she made the decision; and six months, a lot of puzzling, planning and building later, Eeek! opened its doors.

There is currently one escape scenario, but Ellie and Euan plan to add another one soon. And they are not stopping there! eeek! also offers a brand new concept - “Escape Dinners” - with a range of local eateries and venues. “It’s a game played in a restaurant (or other venue) by teams who come together for food, drink and puzzles! Our game is called “The Last Bottle” and is set in the prohibition era. Your favourite boozy establishment is being closed down, and you’re competing for the last bottle of wine. Each table has the same clues and it’s a race to win the Last Bottle!” So far, their monthly game at Du Vin Bouchers has been a sell-out, and other dates and venues are being added at Mason Belles and the Star and Garter. They have taken the game to other venues and to private homes for parties. A meal out with a difference for a special occasion, group event or corporate team building!

You need to put this on your to-do list this summer! For more information, see www.eeekescaperooms.com.

This article was written by Helen-Jane Shearer after visiting eeek! and meeting Ellie. HelenJane is the editor of Konect and lives in West Lothian with her family.

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Great advice is the real home advantage If you are looking to sell your home, the chances are that you’ll invite 2 – 3 estate agents to appraise your property and get a range of values and fees.

It is important to dig deeper to see how the valuation figure was reached and the service that you will be getting as you look to sell your largest asset. the owners who invited three different estate You should be looking for evidence that estate agents have done more than baseline research, agents to value their home. Our firm was one, and, having recently sold similar houses in the to give you the best and most commercially area (achieving a price above the previous focused advice. There is no substitute for ceiling price), we were well-placed to advise experience and market knowledge, and a on current market activity, demand and professional estate agent will be able to value value. The other two estate agents were also your property to a figure that they are confident well known locally but very different in style of achieving or exceeding. and experience at the premium end of the Look for good practice - Some agents will call property market in West Lothian. Sales figures a surveyor for advice before visiting the property and market intelligence are not immediately then inform sellers that a surveyor will ‘support’ available to agents and surveyors and only that particular agent’s valuation. Look out for this the selling agent has this data for an exclusive bad practice: it goes against everything that a period. Without this knowledge (or experience), professional estate agent should be trying to the other two agents valued the property at achieve. The truth is that it is not a surveyor’s job £50,000 and £60,000 lower than the figure that to drive the price on your property: the surveyor should simply be able to justify the valuation on a we anticipated the market might support. We also had knowledge of buyers who had missed Home Report to a lender. out on other properties and knew they were still It is the role of the estate agent to drive the actively looking. market forward or break the ceiling price in a Get a better result - We achieved exactly the particular area. It is only the most proactive figure that we had estimated and a return to estate agents who will have the latest market the client of approximately £50,000 more than intelligence and an overview of how many they would likely have achieved by choosing active and credible buyers are currently in the one of the other agents. It really highlights the market looking for this type of property in this importance of selecting the right company to particular area. Based on this too, good estate handle the sale of your property. And making agents can often ‘create a market’ that may not even exist yet by packaging properties to target sure that you are in fact getting the best advice groups of highly specific potential buyers. You - otherwise it could prove very costly. should look for one who has experience and a proven track record in achieving results for The monthly Property Matters column is clients who have a similar property as yours, contributed by Craig Turpie. Craig is a either in value, location, type etc. Above all, you director at Turpie & Co Estate Agents and are looking for best advice, based on the latest Letting Agents with extensive knowledge of professional knowledge of the market. the West Lothian Property Market and over 20 years experience in bespoke sales and Look for market knowledge - A recent marketing. house sale could have been very costly for 12 | LINLITHGOW

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ELAINE woo M acgregor Elaine Woo MacGregor is a Linlithgow artist, and art tutor at Strathclyde University. She has exhibited her work in the Line Gallery as well as galleries abroad, and is about to start art workshops here in Linlithgow.

“I’ve always loved and been very passionate about art. I was exposed to it from a young age - in my family we had pieces of art and Chinese calligraphy at home. Drawing and painting was my way of relaxing and has always felt so natural. It just got stronger as I got older. Anything art-related at school I was really into. And going to Glasgow School of Art felt like a natural fit.

“I did evening classes and life drawing classes in my last year at school to help me build my portfolio. Going to art school as a 17 year old, there was a good dynamic - mixing with people of different ages and backgrounds. It was such a beautiful building to work in and it really lent itself to being a place where creativity was very much valued, nurtured and put on a pedestal.

“I first taught art when I worked at the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow. We linked art workshops with temporary exhibitions as a way to bridge the gap and make families feel less intimidated, and more welcome in an @KonectMagazines

exhibition of contemporary art. It pushed me to come up with new ideas and to think creatively - really thinking about the audience.

“We decided to move out of Glasgow and to Linlithgow to raise our family, and I relocated my studio to Edinburgh. It has a calming influence and you don’t need to travel far to meet friends. Linlithgow is beautiful. And it has so much character. My favourite thing has to be the loch, which I visit a lot with my girls and enjoy nice walks round it.”

Elaine is running a Summer Art School for children in the Longcroft Hall over the holidays, and after school through autumn and spring in the Bowling Club. If you’d like to find out more, drop her an email at elainewoomacgregor@gmail.com

This article was written by Louise Taylor, after speaking with Elaine Woo MacGregor.

Louise lives in Linlithgow and as well as writing, she likes running and researching family history.

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THE PLAY CAFÉ CONCEPT

A bright airy room, a series of mini play-zones and an open plan table arrangement where you can sit with your coffee or lunch and watch your preschoolers play – welcome to Tots Spot, a unique play cafe for West Lothian.

Tots Spot is the creation of Danielle and Simone, and was a concept they had wanted to put into action for a long time. When the former library building in East Calder became available it proved to be the ideal premises, and Tots Spot has been open a year this summer. “We’d visited play cafes in Edinburgh and really wanted one closer home.

Soft plays are too noisy and intense for Simone’s son, so we used to go to play cafes in Edinburgh, designed for up to six year olds, a more calm play environment and, best of all, we can sit and keep an eye on them without needing to crawl up slides and squeeze through tunnels!” They have achieved a lot in their first year, and have plenty of ideas to keep developing what they have already started here.

The idea was for it to feel like a big homely living room. Instead of soft play, it is more role-play with, for example, a play kitchen; a ship; a nurse’s station; lego table; a little house; dress ups, and more. These are arranged around the edges of the room, and the cafe tables are beside them. It is all very open and airy and there is also a cosy sofa corner, popular with mum and babies.

Danielle left her job in marketing when her daughter was young, and set up a business called “Baby Sensory” which she ran for a few years before selling it. With her husband Steve, they run West Lothian Football Academy, and her mum runs a private nursery, so early years activities and development are very much in the family. Along with her business partner Simone, who is a mortgage advisor, they run Tots Spot as a not-for-profit community resource. “We wanted to create somewhere that is safe and easy for young parents to come with their little ones, meet other people and find a community, support and activities.” So besides the cafe itself, a whole host of meet-ups, classes, groups and activities happen at Tots Spot. New mummy meet ups, breastfeeding support, baby massage, music, 20 | LINLITHGOW

and a range of pop-up shops, to name a few.

“We’re foodies, so the food in the café is very important to us,” explains Danielle. The kitchen is small, but the idea is that the cafe element generates enough income to cover the costs of keeping the centre running (they do takeaway coffees too).

Like a soft-play, there is an entry fee, although that also covers some of the support meet ups, and they give passes free of charge to groups and charities. Entry is for unlimited play time, and is free for under 6 months, £2.25 for 6 to 12 months, and £3.95 for 1 to 6 years.

There is a good sized garden area at the back which they are hoping to make available this summer with outdoor seating and play equipment.

Please see their facebook page @totsspotlivingston or call 01506 207770 for more information.

Tots Spot is a Community Interest Company registered in Scotland, number 620101.

This article was written by Helen-Jane Shearer after visiting Tots Spot, chatting with Danielle and sampling the coffee! Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect and lives in West Lothian with her family. @KonectMagazines

PUZZLES

A Better Relationship With Your Partner

CROSSWORD

Much of our disappointment in life is a result of expectation. We expect things to be happier, more fulfilling, more successful than they are – and we are left feeling dissatisfied. The same is true for relationships.

Sound familiar? To fix this cycle you need to change your perspective. Firstly, both parties need to understand that any friction isn’t personal, it has simply resulted from misunderstandings and unrealistic expectations. Both parties need to consider their expectations objectively. The husband’s viewpoint that his wife spends too much, is simply that: a viewpoint. The wife that thinks her husband doesn’t clean enough is expressing a viewpoint based on her own expectations. Neither partner is right or wrong here – there is simply a difference of opinion and expectation which needs to be discussed.

The solution to most relationship issues of this nature is to sit down and discuss expectations and agree on what is acceptable for both parties.

The life coaching column is contributed by Erica Douglas. Erica lives in West Lothian and is a Cognitive Coach & Therapist. See her “LifeHeal” facebook page at facebook.com/LifeHealCoaching @KonectMagazines

Solution in the August edition of Konect ACROSS: 1. Unable to hear (4), 3. Previously (8), 9. A lawn game (7), 10. Tease (5), 11. Produced (12), 14. Period of time (3), 16. Stop (5), 17. Feminine pronoun (3), 18. In spite of (12), 21. Shoreline (5), 22. Placing (7), 23. Daily (8), 24. Requests (4) DOWN: 1. Twelfth month (8), 2. Embellish (5), 4. Not in (3), 5. Dimensions (12), 6. Entrants in a race (7), 7. A toy (2-2), 8. Adequately (12), 12. Map or diagram (5), 13. Communications (8), 15 Mean (7), 19. Departs (5), 20. Land measurement (4), 22. Small vegetable (3)

SUDOKU

Solution on Page 30

Expectation is everything. In the beginning you have high hopes. The wedding day was meticulously planned and that was supposed to mark the beginning of a perfect journey of unity. Naturally, you run into the first issues, or you discover something you don’t like about your partner. Your high expectations aren’t met and suddenly you start to feel disappointed.

You try to change the person to meet your expectations - but your attempts are met with resistance and you start to feel resentful. You may start thinking that the person you once loved is making you unhappy.

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BUSTER THE DOG

VET’S TIP

Itchy Pets While it’s wonderful to see the sunshine (hopefully!) and the flowers in full bloom, this time of year, when the pollen count can be high, is when we humans are most likely to be suffering from hayfever and other allergic reactions. And it’s not just humans who are affected.

Allergic skin disease (or atopic dermatitis to give it its medical name) in dogs is very common. It is caused by an overreaction of the immune system to otherwise harmless substances in the environment, for example types of pollens or house dust mites. Some dogs also suffer from food allergies.

Any dog can be affected but certain breeds are predisposed including West Highland White Terriers and Labrador Retrievers.

Allergies can occur all year round but certain pets with seasonal allergies will suffer more at this time of year due to the increase in pollens in the environment.

Dogs with allergic skin disease can present their symptoms in many different ways; some have itchy inflamed areas of skin that they rub or scratch at, others will lick or chew at their paws while some suffer from recurrent ear infections. If your dog is suffering from any signs of itchy skin you should make an appointment with your vet to get checked over. There are lots of treatment options that can help manage your dog’s itch and improve their quality of life!

The monthly Vet’s Tip column is contributed by Stuart McMorrow. Stewart is head vet at Westport Veterinary Clinic, 8 Preston Road.

Please call 01506 844 165, or visit their website at www.westportvets.com 22 | LINLITHGOW

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Relax and Enjoy Now that the Spring rush to get our gardens in order has passed it must be time for us to relax and enjoy our gardens or even visit other gardens and relax and enjoy them?

Lesley and I find it hard to resist the temptation to buy plants or ornaments for our garden when we visit other gardens… and we don’t have any spare space for them. But if we both love something we happily give into temptation and will always find a space somewhere. We love looking out from the house at a special plant or piece of art in the garden ad we are very lucky that we have garden around all four sides of our house so there are many opportunities for another view.

Lesley says that if she can’t sleep during the night she doesn’t have to resort to counting sheep as she mentally walks around the

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garden counting our pieces of art installed all round the garden. If you need some inspiration for your own garden please visit New Hopetoun Gardens in July and August and explore our ‘art in the garden’ event. We install the outdoor work of artists working in Scotland in our 20 demonstration gardens.

James Parker’s Garroch Twist in the shady garden at New Hopetoun Gardens

The gardening project is contributed by Dougal Philip, New Hopetoun Gardens.

Inspiring, informing and entertaining, for more than 40 years.

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Would you like to advertise your business to over 50,000 homes throughout West Lothian, Falkirk, and Edinburgh (West)?

Our contact details are on page 3.

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PARENTING

Almond Valley Five sisters zoo

So it’s July already and summer holidays are upon us again. The kids are looking forward to seven weeks of uninterrupted freedom.

And I’m looking forward to some quality family time doing something more exciting than ferrying them from one activity to the next.

The holidays mean a break from the everyday routine of family life. But that doesn’t mean it’s really a break…for parents anyway.

Juggling childcare and finding fun things to do is more like hard work, and it can very quickly get expensive! With every fun day out the bar is raised for the next and sadly the seemingly endless summer doesn’t mean endless pots of money with which to enjoy it.

So if you want to keep your hands out of the kids’ piggy banks here are my tips: 1. Think about a season pass. You don’t need to use it year-round to get your money’s worth. Often you only have to go 3 or 4 times and it’s paid for itself. And you could just get a pass for the kids, that way it can be used by whoever takes them… parents, grandparents, friends. We’ve got great value from an Almond Valley membership during the summer.

2. Look out for summer events. You may still have to pay an entry fee at your favourite attractions but somehow you always come away feeling like the money’s been worth it.

And there are lots of free and one-off events too. Anyone else looking forward to the first ever Livingston Soapbox Race in August?

Spectators just make a donation.

3. Pack a picnic. I love nothing more than indulging in lunch out on a day trip but so 26 | LINLITHGOW

often this is the unanticipated spending that easily adds-up. So take a packed lunch and maybe just treat the kids to an ice cream. We headed to new shop The Sweet Life in West Calder for a treat after a trip to Five Sisters Zoo and would definitely recommend it!

4. Plan ahead. Often attractions will offer a discount if you buy tickets online in advance, or there might be a group discount you can take advantage of if you can get a group of friends to go together.

5. Keep an eye out for offers. It might discounts from the likes of itison, or Groupon but it is always worth doing a quick Google search before you head out in case there is an offer available.

6. Make the most of free places. There’s plenty of outdoor exploring to be done that doesn’t cost a penny. Follow the Stick Man Trail and find the fairy village at Polbeth and West Calder Community Garden, see if you can walk all the way around Linlithgow Loch, spot the wildlife at Beecraigs, go on a nature walk around one of the country parks, or simply try out a cycle path or play park you’ve never been to before.

The parenting column is contributed by Laura Archibald. Laura lives in West Lothian with her family and their campervan Hank. She is mummy, wife, blogger and full-time personal assistant to her two girlie girls.

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It all started when my son demonstrated a keen interest in tennis. He’s now almost 6 but he showed potential more than a year ago and we often used to play together at Bathgate Xcite or the outdoor courts at Kirkton Park.

I started to look around for a club or sessions he could join to play with his peers and ultimately struggled to find something close enough that offered mini tennis coaching.

Growing up in Eastbourne I played tennis for my county. It’s a tennis town, annually hosting the grass court build up to Wimbledon with both male and female events. I have always loved the sport and after years of playing, I pride myself on having good knowledge of the game and I can still hold my own on the court. However, I decided to invest in some ‘proper’ training so I could coach my son to LTA guidelines and continue to encourage Simon, Ruaridh & Alexis

his enthusiasm for the sport. As a result, I am now a British Tennis LTA Level 1 Coach.

On completion of my coaching qualification, I began to realise there was an opportunity to coach more children and provide access to mini tennis in the local area. With this, the idea for Tennis Revolution was born. We’re hoping to encourage more children to try tennis and arguably change the narrative around the sport. Tennis can be accessible to all and it is a lot of fun! Children can come along to Tennis Revolution and try a session free of charge. All equipment is provided and our sessions take place at Bathgate Xcite’s indoor courts, so rain will not stop play for us.

At Tennis Revolution we follow the LTA mini tennis programme. Mini tennis is the perfect introduction for young children and we currently run sessions three days a week for kids aged 4-9 years old. The smaller courts and equipment combined with lower bouncing balls provide the best platform for children to try tennis and progress with confidence towards full court tennis. We use games and activities that develop ball and racket skills, stroke technique and coordination. And we have a lot of fun along the way.

We have received a tremendous amount of support so far and the feedback from our mini club members and their parents is incredibly positive. I’ve always believed in the power of sport to help children develop new skills and new friends. Now as both a parent and coach I have the privilege of witnessing that first hand.

There are still places available at this year’s Tennis Summer Camp at Kirkton Park Tennis Courts. Taking place from Monday 22nd to Friday 26th July, 10.00am - 3.00pm. Email info@tennisrevolution.co.uk to enquire.

This article was contributed by Simon Yapp, founder of Tennis Revolution. Tennis Revolution is a mini tennis club for children aged 4-9 years old and is suitable for all abilities. For more information visit www.tennisrevolution.co.uk. Follow Tennis Revolution on Facebook @tennisrevolutionuk and Twitter @tennisrevuk

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BRIDGE COLUMN

When conventions go wrong… disaster!

A couple of months ago I read a short article about the Jacoby convention that had been circulated privately among some local players.

I read it with great interest but decided it was too tricky to incorporate into my severely limited repertoire and decided not to suggest it to any of my partners. I knew myself well enough to realise I’d probably get it wrong and then forgot about it. My misgivings were well founded as I painfully discovered a couple of weeks later.

My partner at one club opened 1 heart followed by pass from my RHO. I looked at my hand and decided game was a possibility and with eleven points and every suit covered, except hearts, I bid 2NT. I was somewhat disconcerted when my partner flashed the ‘Alert’ card and answered the resulting bidding query with: ‘Jacoby’. I should have intervened at this point and told the opposition they had been misinformed, but I was too stunned. I struggled to remember what Jacoby was all about but to no avail. It turns out my 2NT was interpreted as four card support for partner’s hearts. You can imagine his disappointment when he bid 4 hearts and received only two small ones when I laid down my hand. A trump contract when your opponents have more trumps than you is, of course, bad news. My partner, who’d been recently using Jacoby in other partnerships forgot that it didn’t apply in our arrangements. I suppose the moral of the story is: if you’re going to use a convention, remember to tell partner.

The bridge column is provided by John Samson who is a member of the Balerno and Pentland Bridge clubs. Feedback to jsamson23@ hotmail.com with heading ‘Konect -bridge’.

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CLUBS & CLASSES

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

LINLITHGOW LINLITHGOW BSL GROUP LISTING Are you a BSL user or have learned British Sign Language and don’t want to lose the skill? This group meets at the West Port Hotel for a BSL chat. Anyone welcome, Deaf and hearing of various levels from interpreters to beginners attend the group for a chat in this wonderful language. We meet every two weeks during term time and occasionally for holiday events. For dates please check out our facebook by searching “Linlithgow BSL group.” Alternatively you can contact Alice Lane on 078168 29946.

LINLITHGOW LONGCROFT TABLE TENNIS GROUP (LLTTG) The club will restart for the new 2018/19 season on Wednesday 5th September.

The LLTTG meets every Wednesday night from 8.15pm to 9.45pm in the Longcroft Hall, Philip Avenue and gives an opportunity to play Table Tennis in a friendly and not too competitive atmosphere.

Open to everyone and we have a mixed range of ages and ability. No special kit is required. Bats can be provided. Cost is £3.00 per night or £2.00 for under 18’s. For further information please contact Allan Scott on 01506 842602.

RAINBOW UNITS (Girls aged 5 - 7 years old) take place on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights.

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

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

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

SENIOR SECTION UNIT (Girls aged 14 - 25 years old) take place on Friday night. For more information please visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/ get-involved or alternatively you can email us on westlothiangirlguiding@gmail.com.

POSITIVE PATHWAYS – BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT Meets in the Canal Tearoom at 6.30 pm on Thursdays fortnightly. The group is led by a trained bereavement listener. £3 per meeting which goes towards the cost of hiring the tearoom. There is no magic formula which will take away the pain, but by listening and sharing with others, it is often possible to lessen the sense of isolation, chaos and despair felt after the death of a loved one. You will be warmly welcomed. For further information contact Sheila Rae by phoning or texting 07719 966273 or email sheila.ruth.rae@gmail.com. Bereavement Support Team St Michael’s Parish Church, Linlithgow.

2ND LINLITHGOW GIRLS BRIGADE Girls Brigade P1 – S6. Come and join in the fun 6.30 Wednesday evening in term time. St Michaels Kirk Hall, Cross House. Contact Captain Clare at 2ndlinlithgowgirlsbrigade@gmail.com

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2ND LINLITHGOW BOYS BRIGADE Meet at Cross House on a Thursday evening. Anchor Boys (P2-P3) 6.30pm-7.30pm; Junior Section (P4-P6) 7.00pm8.15pm; Company/Seniors (P7-S6) 7.45pm-9.45pm.

You can contact us on facebook at 2nd Linlithgow Boys Brigade or email us at linlithgowBB@outlook.com.

CLASSICAL PILATES CLASS – FIRST CLASS FREE! Linlithgow Bowling Club on Thursdays at 10am. Improve posture, flexibility, strength and stability with classical pilates. For booking and further information contact Maria on 07513 116490, e: mariahybszerpilates@gmail.com or check our website mariahybszerpilates.weebly.com NUTRICLUB Nutrition-focussed weight-loss classes in Linlithgow. To learn more about healthy eating and nutrition focused weight loss, get in touch with Louise.

Tel: 07837 794112 www.nutriclub.co.uk www.facebook. com/nutriclublinlithgow.

SANGSCHULE We are a friendly and informal group who meet together to sing and learn new songs from our tutors. Meeting most Wednesdays in term-time in Linlithgow Academy staff room, 7.30-9.30pm All welcome, no experience needed, no need to read music. Under-16s must be accompanied. More details from Susan on 01506 843592, and on our website www. angelfire.com/folk/sangschule/programme LINLITHGOW NIBBLE & NATTER Are you over 60?

Looking to get out and meet some new people? Come and join our weekly get together in Longcroft Hall, Linlithgow, where we enjoy coming together and meeting new people. Have a chat and a choice of biscuits and cakes with a cup of tea. A welcoming atmosphere awaits you! Cost is just £1 and all are welcome. If you’d like more info get in touch with Cyrenians OPAL (Older People, Active Lives) service on 01506 815815 or e: opal@cyrenians.scot LINLITHGOW WRITERS CIRCLE We meet every second Wednesday in the Linlithgow Tap in Linlithgow, from 7.30pm until 10pm. It’s for aspiring writers in and around Linlithgow to come together and write, share our work for critique and make some writing friends. It’s free to come along. For further details e:linlithgowwriters@ gmail.com or findr us on Facebook.

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. 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 tel: 01506 845137 or e: co-ordinator@linlithgowlink.org.uk 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 info: Sheila Fraser 01506 650953 or 07968 233324.

LINLITHGOW KEEP FIT CLUB We meet every Thursday from 19:00-21:00 at the gym at the rear of Linlithgow Academy. We have

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limited spaces for new male members. We resume on the 27th August. Call Brian on 07984 930235 or e: gallacherbrian@hotmail.com for further information.

LINLITHGOW STRING ORCHESTRA We meet weekly on Monday 7.30-9.30pm (term-time) at Linlithgow Masonic Lodge. We are a friendly group and welcome players aged 16+ with a minimum standard Grade 5 or equivalent.

New Players from Linlithgow and the surrounding areas are welcome. Please bring music stands. Contact us in advance on: linlithgowstringorchestra@gmail.com or search for us on Facebook BADMINTON CLUB Small, friendly club meets Wednesday evenings at Lowport Centre, 7-9pm. We are looking for new members who have played before.

Adults only.

LINLITHGOW & DISTRICT EMBROIDERS GUILD Linlithgow and District Branch of the Embroiderers Guild meet the last Wednesday of the month in Linlithgow Academy Library from 7pm till 9pm, September to May. Variety of Speakers and classes. Beginner or experienced, or not a stitcher all are welcome.

SUNSHINE SINGALONG Kirk Hall, St Michael’s Parish Church, second Thursday every month 121.30pm. Caring for those living with memory loss.

Light lunch then singing your favourite songs. A warm welcome awaits you, no church connection needed, just turn up on the day. Disabled parking in the Vennel Car Park adjacent to Kirk Hall.

SCOTTISH SENIORS COMPUTER CLUB Star and Garter (Above the lounge), Station Road. Thursday nights 7pm – 9pm. For the over 50s to find out what you can do with your computer, laptop, iPad/tablet or smartphone device. Enjoy the experience; learn and share! Contact: Tom Lambert, Linlithgow Computer Club. Call 07418 331656 or just call in.

FORTH VALLEY ORIENTEERS Come and try orienteering! Learn to navigate with map and compass with FVO club coaches. Junior classes (9-13 years old, with or without parent). Adult newcomer classes for all ages. £5 per session. Contact Jen Lenoard on 01506 843552 or e: membership@fvo.org.uk for more info.

MALE VOICE CHOIR We meet every Monday from 19:45 in the Rugby Club. If you would like to come and try us out please do. Or if you have any questions please phone Chris Thomas on 07823 884802.

STEP TOGETHER FAMILY SUPPORT Support for those affected by the addictive behaviour of a loved one. Being in a close relationship with someone struggling with addiction can be a painful, frustrating and lonely journey. Our group focuses on establishing healthier relationships with our loved one and others, restoring balance to our lives and developing more helpful coping strategies. We meet in the evening on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday each month. For more info call or text 07592 226917.

LINLITHGOW BRIDGE CLUB Meet every Tues and Thurs in the Burgh Halls at 6.45pm. Play starts at 7pm.

New members are always welcome. If you would like more information please contact the club president Alasdair McKechnie on 01506 842293 or email alasdairmckechnie@btinternet.com TO INCLUDE YOUR CLUB OR CLASS, PLEASE EMAIL DETAILS TO EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT CHARITY AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS ARE FREE. THERE IS A SMALL CHARGE FOR OTHER LISTINGS. SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION. WWW.KONECT.SCOT

LINLITHGOW | 29

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

SOLUTIONS

SOLUTION TO JUNE GLAZING REPAIRS APPLIANCE REPAIRS Home Appliance Repair 10 CR Smith 17 CROSSWORD BATHROOMS & KITCHENS GYM / HEALTH CLUB 1st Choice Living 5 Dalmahoy Hotel & Paragon Bathroom Solutions 2 Country Club 16 S & S Home Improvements 31 JOINERY BEAUTICIAN DJMS - Domestic Joinery Browhau5 Microblading 8 & Maintenance Services 18 Geoff Vinter Joinery 6 BOILER SERVICES The Gas Engineer 10 LANDLORD SERVICES CARPET & UPHOLSTERY Let Link 6 CLEANING LANDSCAPING SUPPLIES James Burnett Carpet Beatson’s Building Supplies 25 Cleaning 10 LAWNS ACROSS: 7. Govern, 8. Tailor, 9. Data, CLEANING: HOUSE / OFFICE Green Thumb Lawn 10. Launched, 11. Easiest, 13. Empty, Time for You West Lothian 11 Stunt, 16. Defence, 18. Emphasis, Service 24 15.

19. Else, 21. Stupid, 22. Nickel.

COMPUTER / PHONE DOWN: 1. Sofa, 2. Relationships, LOCKSMITH 3. Analyse, 4. Stout, 5. Circumference, REPAIRS CVC Locksmiths and 6. Domestic, 12. Attempts, 14. Teasing, Sprint Computer Repairs 8 Security 8 17. Aside, 20. Stem.

CURTAINS & BLINDS SOLUTION TO SUDOKU Harvey Bruce 18 PEST CONTROL Frontline Pest Control 24 ON PAGE 21 DRIVEWAYS AND PAVING McFarlane Brickwork 5 PLASTERING Nu Walls 10 ENTERTAINMENT & PLUMBING & HEATING ATTRACTIONS Aerial Adventures 7 SERVICES Mech A Tech Home Heating Eeek Escape Rooms 8 Services 4 ESTATE AGENT McLellan Plumbing 6 Drummond Miller 4 Turpie & Co. 12 ROOFING Taylor Roofs 19 FENCING, RAILINGS, GATES SPORT & LEISURE John Gillan Fencing and Elevation Cycles 5 Landscaping 24 Welding & Fabrication TRUSTED TRADER SCHEME Solutions 10 West Lothian Trusted Trader Disclaimer: The publisher cannot accept GARAGE DOORS Scheme 19 responsibility for loss or damage caused Garolla 14 VET & ANIMAL WELLBEING by error in the printing of an advertisement.

We do not endorse any advertisers in GARDEN CENTRE Mackie & Brechin 22 this publication. All material is accepted New Hopetoun Gardens 23 for publication on the understanding it is YOUTH EMPLOYMENT copyright free. No part of this publication GARDEN DESIGN / SCHEME may be reproduced without prior consent of MAINTENANCE the publisher.

Developing the Young Evergreen Balerno 25 Workforce 14 Publisher: Lothian Publications Ltd. John Gillan Fencing Geddes House, Kirkton North, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 6GU. and Landscaping 24 Magazine Design: Universal Appeal Ltd. GARDEN FURNITURE AND M: 07729 911858 BUILDINGS W: www.universal-appeal.com Champfleurie Estate 32 E: info@universal-appeal.com 30 | LINLITHGOW

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