Konect Linlithgow June 2021

JUNE 2021

LOCAL CHARITY: CHARITY:

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here’s plenty to appreciate and celebrate this summer, especially life’s little pleasures that were denied us for so long. So what better way to celebrate than to meet up at one of Linlithgow’s many cafes, bars and restaurants? We’re all keen to travel a bit, but it’s good to support the local high street too.

A couple of charities are featured this month. The Citizen’s Advice Bureau West Lothian is looking to raise awareness of the hidden problem of gambling addiction that affects our communities, and are offering free training sessions to groups who want to learn more about it. And the Food Train West Lothian have capacity for both new service users and volunteers, see page 22.

All our usual columns are here from our wonderful local contributors and experts.

I hope you enjoy them in this issue, as ever, please let me know what you think.

THIS ISSUE Charity: Gambling Awareness..........................8 Property Matters: The power of printed media.................................................................... 12 Puzzles.................................................................. 14 Charity: The Food Train.................................... 22 Vet’s Tip: Firework Training............................. 24 Local Environment: Dippers........................... 25 Parenting: Are you swim ready?.................... 26 Garden Project: Houseplant holiday............ 29 Life Coaching...................................................... 30 Film Review: Mortal Kombat........................... 30 Local Walk: Discovery Trails at Heriot-Watt........................................................... 31

COVER IMAGE: Sunday, 20th June 2021, Father’s Day

All enquiries, E: editor@konect.scot M: 07854 492638 @KonectMagazines

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UNCOVERING THE HIDDEN PROBLEM –

GAMBLING AWARENESS IN WEST LOTHIAN

It’s a hidden problem – one that you have to know the signs to look for, and one that sufferers are very secretive about.

Alastair Ramsay of the Citizen’s Advice Bureau West Lothian is on a mission to raise awareness of problematic gambling, teach people how to spot it in their friends and loved ones, and signpost to the help that is available for anyone struggling with a gambling problem.

“It presents most commonly as a debt problem initially,” explains Alastair. “People tend to come to the Citizen’s Advice Bureau or other organisations for help when their debts get out of control as a result of gambling. Our advisers generally have to draw the information out of them about the root cause so that we can signpost to the right help.”

It’s an issue that affects all ages and walks of life, from young people who get drawn in via certain mechanisms within video gaming, all the way through to older people and more traditional forms of gambling. The impact on our communities is huge, and it’s a growing problem.

Gambling is any activity where you to risk losing money or belongings based on chance. There are many types, with varying degrees of social normality and acceptance.

It includes arcades, betting, bingo, casino, lotteries and gaming machines. More recently, emerging technologies have blurred the line between gambling and other forms of digital entertainment such as gaming, via mechanisms such as skin betting, loot boxes and smartphone premium games.

It is normalised around sport, and a lot of gambling is common and socially acceptable (for example, buying a lottery ticket). In the UK approximately half the population gambles in one way or another. You can gamble 24/7 on just about any platform.

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However, some people are vulnerable to gambling harm. When it becomes an addiction, it leads to a host of personal and financial problems that are destructive in every sphere of life. Harms include anxiety and poor health, neglect of family, relationship breakdown, absenteeism or poor performance at work or study, financial hardship, debt and ultimately sometimes theft and crime.

Tragically, it sometimes leads to suicide.

The Gambling Commission estimates that of the 2 million adults in the UK who experience some gambling harm, 340,000 are problem gamblers. Problem gambling is when the level of harm becomes disruptive and damaging to you or your family. And for each problem gambler an estimated 5 – 8 other people within their circle are affected.

HOW TO TELL IF SOMEONE MAY BE STRUGGLING WITH GAMBLING Potential signs include: • declined credit • agitated and upset for no apparent reason • household valuables missing • multiple cash withdrawals • unexplained expenditure • arrears with bills • being secretive or defensive about money • missing work, school or college • being late, not answering calls The lockdowns since the beginning of the pandemic have led to a significant increase in online gambling. There are many easy and accessible ways of gambling online, it’s been used as entertainment and online socialising for many people stuck at home. For a percentage of people though, it has become problematic and as lockdowns lift, the problems persist.

There is a lot of help available! A strategy by the Gambling Commission to reduce gambling harms is bringing health bodies, charities, regulators and businesses together in partnership. The first step is for people to recognise the problem and seek help for themselves or loved ones. @KonectMagazines

WOULD YOU LIKE A GAMBLING AWARENESS PRESENTATION FOR YOUR GROUP? (virtual or in-person)

Alistair Ramsay is available to deliver gambling awareness training to any groups, charities or organisations in West Lothian who wish to raise awareness of the issues, help people spot problems and know where to find help. Anyone can know someone who potentially has a problem.

If you would like a presentation, either in person or via Zoom, please contact Alistair at Alastair.Ramsay@ CABWestLothian.casonline.org.uk or call him on 07842 303203 to arrange.

GAMBLING HELP RESOURCES

National Gambling Helpline provide 24/7 support on freephone 0808 8020 133 or visit the BeGambleAware.org website for more advice and to speak to an adviser on live chat.

• GamCare and partners is a moderated online forum, live chat, daily online group chat rooms and one to one treatment - online, face to face or telephone. gamcare.org.uk • Gordon Moody residential treatment, recovery housing and retreat counselling programmes. www.gordonmoody.org.uk • Gamblers Anonymous Scotland a fellowship of men and women sharing their experiences. www.gascotland.org • Gam Anon. This is a site specifically for partners of those with a gambling addiction. Helpline is 0370 050 8881. www.gamanonscotland.org This article was written by Helen-Jane after speaking with Alistair Ramsay of the Citizen’s Advice Bureau West Lothian. Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect and lives in West Lothian with her family.

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PROPERTY MATTERS

THE POWER OF

There are several reasons why these factors are so effective. Most buyers group viewings of a selection of properties together and often visit 4 or 5 on the same day. Buyers often tell us afterwards that they find it difficult to remember certain features or layouts of each of the properties visited and it is not always easy to compare them online.

Having the physical brochures not only helps buyers remember a shortlisted property, but enables them to repeatedly look over the content of the brochure - as we all do as consumers whether buying a property, a new car or items from our favourite retailers.

Following our recent article about multichannel marketing and the rise in popularity of video tours, this month explains why printed property schedules are so important and why you should insist on one when marketing your property for sale.

Every property agent will offer different marketing recommendations on how to achieve the best result for your sales campaign. There is a growing trend in the belief that printed property schedules are surplus to requirements in today’s world of digital advertising, and some agents may not offer a printed schedule as part of your campaign.

However, sellers should be cautious of taking this advice without first exploring the benefits and impact that a printed brochure may have on your sale.

For printed sales brochures to have any meaningful effect, it’s a prerequisite that they are produced to a high standard. This should include professional photographs, engaging and informative content and ideally be presented to potential purchasers at the conclusion of an agent accompanied viewing.

As an example, buyers relocating to this area viewed a property through our agency.

The sale was very protracted due to legal complications and their desire to own the property was tested due to their distant location.

When the sale eventually completed, the new owners told us that had it not been for the sales particulars being present on their kitchen worktop every day showing photographs of their dream property and beautiful setting they may have changed their mind and walked away from the purchase.

Another example was a property that had been on the market with another agent for over 12 months with little interest from prospective buyers. We conducted a campaign review and concluded that the marketing material did not highlight one the main selling points.

New photographs were taken and text professionally written with a full section of the brochure dedicated to the green credentials of the property - not often associated with a rural period home. This information was pivotal in the success of the sale, and the ease and clarity of how it was conveyed in the printed brochure was a key factor.

These are only two examples that demonstrate why agents and sellers should consider every marketing channel available and use the best combination of products for each particular property to reach and impact the desired target market for their respective sales campaign.

The monthly Property Matters column is contributed by Craig Turpie. Craig is a director at Turpie & Co Estate Agents and Letting Agents with extensive knowledge of the West Lothian Property Market and over 20 years experience in bespoke sales and marketing.

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PUZZLES

CROSSWORD

^^^ Solution in the July edition of Konect ACROSS: 1. Seats (6), 4. Burst (6), 9. Reduce in length (7), 10. Moves rapidly (5), 11. After sunset (5), 12. Before (7), 13. Marvellously (11), 18. Cultivate (7), 20. Hurry (5), 22. Arrogant (5), 23. Terminates (7), 24. Sibling (6), 25. A sign (6).

DOWN: 1. Place for gambling (6), 2. In the midst of (5), 3. Turned (7), 5. Senior (5), 6. Incomplete (7), 7. Large arid area (6), 8. Halted (11), 14. Apparent (7), 15. Sad (7), 16. Adjusts (6), 17. Container (6), 19. Narrow shelf (5), 21. Rub hard (5).

^^^ Solution in the July edition of Konect

SUDOKU

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WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE PART OF THE TEAM? During their visits, volunteers go the extra mile – putting shopping items away in freezers and cupboards, suggesting new tasty meals and snacks, changing beds and vacuuming, having a good old blether over a cuppa on a day out, suggesting good books and simply just being there to help.

West Lothian Food Train provide a lifeline to older people throughout the community, helping them to manage independently in their own home.

The charity’s mission is to help older people eat well, age well and live independently at home for as long as they wish. The West Lothian team have been delivering and expanding their services for over 10 years!

The services provided by the award-winning charity include; • Grocery delivery service with additional support available to help with ideas and suggestions for meal planning and snacks • Library service – collection and delivery of library books • Friends – offering 1-1 friends and organised group outings • At Home – carrying out light housework tasks.

• Meal Makers – a home cooked meal delivered by a local volunteer

The charity relies on the support and commitment of local volunteers. A wide variety of roles are available along with appropriate training.

“I love volunteering with the Food Train, it’s a chance for me to give something back to my community and make new wonderful friends including volunteers, customers and staff” Food Train volunteer.

Please contact the team on westlothian@thefoodtrain.co.uk or call 01506 413 013 for further information.

All Food Train members pay for their own shopping costs. Other service charges may apply.

“Exceptional, the volunteers go above and beyond to help, I wouldn’t change a thing about the service” Food Train member.

DO YOU OR KNOW ANYONE WHO MAY ENJOY OR BENEFIT FROM ANY OF THE SERVICES? Anyone aged 65 or over can refer themselves to Food Train. The charity will accept referrals from those aged 50-65 for the shopping service if from a professional referral.

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This article was contributed by The Food Train West Lothian, www.thefoodtrain.co.uk The Food Train is a registered charity number 24843. @KonectMagazines

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FIREWORK TRAINING June is here, the month with the longest days and hopefully lots of summer sunshine. So it’s the perfect time to start thinking about . . . fireworks night.

Yes, Bonfire Night might be months away but now is the time to start planning to help your pet cope.

Create a safe zone for your pet – a children’s pop-up tent or a fabric crate is ideal. Make it just for pets – no kids allowed – away from draughts and passing humans. Use treats and toys to make it a happy place, add some of your old clothing for a comforting smell and put on calming pet music (try YouTube or the Alexa app). Build up their chill times in the den to strengthen the positive association for when you need it - you don’t want their safe place used just during fireworks as your pet will then identify the den with stress.

You can also work on playing firework noises very, very quietly, while giving your pet a high value treat. Do this frequently till November. Don’t turn the volume up too soon – a gradual build-up gives the best results which is why it’s good to start now.

And if your dog already has a firework phobia do NOT do this - once fear reaches phobia level, you need to work on your dog’s coping methods. Playing firework noises in your house to a phobic dog could just make them fearful at home.

Please contact us if you would like your business included in our Pet Services pages.

Contact details are on page 3.

Contributed by Stuart McMorrow, head vet at Westport Veterinary Clinic 8 Preston Road.

01506 844 165 | www.westportvets.com 24 | LINLITHGOW

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LOCAL ENVIRONMENT

Photographed on the River Avon in West Lothian

Following the article about the West Lothian Dippers, I thought I’d introduce you to another type of dipper. This time it’s Britain’s only aquatic songbird!

Found across the whole country, these blackbird sized birds are the stars of fast flowing rivers. Dippers (the birds) have the ability to walk under water as they search for food, but can mostly be found on rocks performing the move which gave them their name, the dip. They bob up and down (for no apparent reason) before flying up the river looking for food.

They’re early breeders and as I write this, the pair I’ve been watching have already had their first brood and are working on their second. Even as they were providing for the original clutch, they were building the second nest just a few metres away. The chicks are fully independent 11-18 days after fledging, before moving on to find their own territories.

When you’re walking along a river, look out for their droppings on the rocks as this is @KonectMagazines

a sure sign dippers are in the area. They blend in well with the river banks as they have dark brown feathers and a white chest.

They’re quite vocal as they fly and have a beautiful song, which is what makes them so remarkable. Nests can be victims of predation or flooding but thankfully the pair I’ve found have nested high up on the rocks, well out of harm’s way! They’re definitely smart little birds.

This column is contributed by Clare Harte and Kate Stevenson, who grew up in Edinburgh and now live in West Lothian.

Together they run Scottish Sisters Photography and travel around the country to watch and photograph amazing wildlife and scenic landscapes. Follow them on Facebook @ScottishSistersPhotography LINLITHGOW | 25

PARENTING

Are you swim ready?

The one activity I’ve been really keen to get the kids back to post-lockdown is swimming lessons. Most of their clubs that have been on hiatus it doesn’t feel like too much of a big deal to miss. But swimming is one of those life skills you don’t want your kids to be without.

My youngest in particular is still a non-swimmer. She was just getting to that stage of actual swimming rather than just water confidence when her lessons were cut short.

At the time she was only 4 so I wasn’t worried. But now she is 6 and still can’t swim…and it seems a much bigger deal.

While for my eldest I’m not sure that the lessons she was in will be coming back at all.

It wouldn’t be the first activity where the teachers – after a year off – have come to the conclusion they don’t actually want to return, and more power to them!

Thankfully Stepping Stones Swimming Lessons have got them both back in the pool as soon as they were able and West Calder High School seems to be one of the first schools in West Lothian where lessons have been allowed to resume.

Despite my keenness a return to the pool is not without challenges under the on-going restrictions. The swimming teachers were very helpful and there was a definite feeling of being “in 26 | LINLITHGOW

this together” but it was a far cry from lessons of old.

What before was a half hour spent chatting poolside while casually keeping an eye on your kids, marvelling at their progress, and hoping yours isn’t the one who has to go for a pee mid-lesson…is now a veritable Olympic sport. A test in whether or not you can come “swim ready” enough to drop your child off without using a changing room. A Guinness world-record breaking challenge to get your child dried and dressed in the 5 minutes before the next batch of kids needs the changing room and you have to be out of the way.

A half-hour spent lingering suspiciously in the car park with other masked parents as if you are preparing for some sort of heist.

But when all is said and done - despite the general feeling of “how on Earth is this gonna work” – I am so grateful the lessons have restarted.

My eldest was just desperate to get swimming again but my littlest announced on the morning of her first lesson back “I’m probably going to die today”…her feelings of impending doom apparently down to the certainly that she would surely drown after over a year without being in a pool.

So when she came out I was full of over-the-top enthusiasm as I asked her if she’d had fun (all whilst trying to yank a onesie on to a still-very-wet body with little success) and she said to me, “yeah it actually was”…it’s the little wins people!

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. @KonectMagazines

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Houseplant

Holiday?

Now that summer is here the good news is that there are no restrictions on your houseplants having a holiday. Many of your darlings have been stuck inside all winter, hopefully you have been feeding them since April and maybe even repotting them?

Many of them will enjoy being in the garden and getting rain on their dusty leaves for the next three months. The ones we allow outside are fairly tough but need to be kept warm inside for the winter. In the picture you may be able to spot Jasmine, Geraniums, lots of succulents, herbs like Lemon Verbena,

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French Tarragon and tender Lavenders.

They need a sheltered spot, avoiding direct sun for much of the day and of course you Houseplant Holiday will have to water them more outside, so not hidden away where you may forget to check them regularly. Using them to dress an outdoor space, with a seat, will keep them uppermost in your mind and give you a lovely place to visit them.

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

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

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LIFE COACHING

REIKI

I love action films and know what I’m looking for, and in my opinion the key to making a great action film can be summed up in one word: clarity.

Understanding what is happening during an action scene is what allows me to be invested in the action. I say all this as Mortal Kombat is a film that should have worked. You have Joe Taslim star of “The Raid” as Sub Zero. You also have Hiroyuki Sanada star of “The Last Samurai” as Scorpion. On paper this sounds like a recipe for epic, blood-soaked violence.

However, since the fight scenes in Mortal Kombat lack clarity, the film simply fails.

What leads to this lack in clarity? It’s the cinematography and the editing. In general, the film is an editing nightmare.

Some scene-to-scene edits are jarring and confusing, and the way some of the fight scenes are edited it feels like I’m experiencing whiplash. It cuts from wide to close up with no real purpose. Then there are times the camera gets way too close, so it’s extremely hard to see what the actors are doing. Joe Taslim is incredible; in many ways he carries the entire film on his shoulders.

Mortal Kombat is the definition of a missed opportunity. It had one job, which was to be a fun action flick and, in my opinion, it failed miserably. I didn’t expect fine art, but I expected to be entertained and I simply was not.

The Film Review is contributed by Robert Ewing. Robert is passionate about film as an art form, and shining a light on films that may not be on people’s radar. Robert is from Kirknewton.

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What is and what could it do for me?

Reiki is a great tool for reducing stress and for promoting relaxation, as well as contributing towards personal wellness.

It is not a cure for disease or illness, but it may assist the body in creating an environment that facilitates healing on many levels.

Reiki can be used as a complement to traditional medicine and is practised in many hospitals and care settings.

All of us have experienced times when things just didn’t seem to function properly. Over the last year, in between the endless Zoom quizzes and meetings online many of us have discovered opportunities for yoga, meditation and other calming and supportive techniques to get us through the day. Reiki is an excellent addition to this toolkit.

This year more than any other we have all had to find ways to support ourselves as we have tried to of make sense of the strange events in our world. Now, as we attempt to move forward in the context of this new ‘normal’ it is more important than ever to find ways to support ourselves.

Coming out of lockdown is the ideal time to explore new therapies and if you decide to go for a Reiki session you will have the opportunity to talk to your therapist about what you hope to achieve and to ask any questions you may have, Why not try something new today?

The Life Coaching column is contributed by Francine Orr, NLP coach, hypnotherapist & reiki practitioner. Francine is based within Linlithgow Chiropractic on Wednesday afternoons and is also available online. See www.orrganise.co.uk

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It has been wonderful to see so many members of our local communities enjoy the beautiful Heriot-Watt campus, which spans 380 acres. The campus is a lovely place to go for a walk in amongst the trees, but have you ever wondered what goes on across the many research buildings? Or about the heritage of the University?

As part of the University’s Bicentennial celebrations, we are launching a new series of trails to share more about our research, heritage, trees and more! The initial trails will be launched on 12th June, with additional trails and associated activities coming later in the year.

The Discovery Trail will take you all over our campus, allowing you to explore the ongoing research across our faculty buildings. We have researchers that explore everything from marine life to urban cities, from micro to macro scale, local to global. Our research activities and collaborations are constantly expanding to support transformations across both society and economy.

As well as learning more about the research taking place, the Trail will also offer fun facts and activities for the whole family. You’ll be able to see inside some of our labs with help from video tours, hear more from

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our academics, as well as learning about some of the buildings’ namesakes and the research that has happened over HeriotWatt’s 200-year history!

The Discovery Trail consists of 20 stopping points, all of which contain a post linking to web content through QR code navigation. They’ll also be brass rubbings on each post for extra family fun! We hope you enjoy exploring and learning more about Heriot-Watt research! To find out more, check out www.hw.ac.uk/trails.

Coming later in 2021 will be our 3km and 5km routes set out in 500m intervals. But don’t let that delay stop you as our campus already welcomes runners and walkers who enjoy the splendour of our beautiful campus. Look out for Parkrun restarting soon as well as taking advantage of our outdoor exercise stations that are already installed in our campus trail.

This article was contributed by Heriot-Watt University. Public engagement with research at Heriot-Watt is supported by the HW Engage team, who support research staff and students to build links with their communities and public for mutual benefit.

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