Konect Linlithgow October 2021

OCTOBER 2021

*Cover image for illustration only

PARENTING: SPOTLIGHT:

CHARITY:

Interested in counselling skills?

Courses and volunteering in West Lothian

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T

he local charity this month is S.M.I.L.E. Counselling, offering a free and muchneeded service for West Lothian’s young people aged 11-24 - a service more crucial than ever given the ongoing impact of Covid on young people. One of the ways they raise funds is by running accredited counselling courses for anyone looking to improve their interactions with young people, or to start a career in counselling. See pages 8-9 for details.

The regular West Lothian Trader’s Market that started last year is back in Livingston on 9th October, a chance to support small businesses from across West Lothian and start your Christmas shopping. Their poster is on p35 with all the details. The intention is to hold a market there in December too.

I hope you enjoy all our regular columns and features too this month. I’m grateful for the huge amount of knowledge, expertise and informed opinions that our wonderful local contributors share each month.

As ever, feel free to send me your feedback!

THIS ISSUE Charity: S.M.I.L.E Counselling........................... 8 Garden Project: Hedgehogs & Winter Pansies...................................................................10 Living Well: Top Tips to Eat Well & Age Well.................................................................12 Property Matters: Showcasing West Lothian....................................................................16 Life coaching: Coming Unstuck.....................26 Film Review:Europa............................................26 Parenting: A little puff of winter magic!.........28 Puzzles....................................................................30 Local Lab: Lothian Lugs....................................32 Local Environment: Let’s go fly a kite............33

COVER IMAGE: Heart of the home: how to upgrade yours.

See the business spotlight (P6)

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

Konect is delivered monthly to 7500 homes throughout Linlithgow and Linlithgow Bridge. It is also available online: konect.scot/subscribe LINLITHGOW | 3

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BEFORE

How to have a new kitchen for half the price and a lot less hassle The kitchen is the heart of the home. So much more than cooking and entertaining, it’s also where you gather for homework, home office, and possibly an arts and crafts centre. Being such a focal point of the home naturally you want to feel happy and proud of the ambience in your kitchen.

However, wear and tear along with changing fashions can take their toll on the kitchen. This is where Dream Kitchen Makeover come in.

We provide a makeover service that gives a real alternative to having to replace the whole kitchen, at a fraction of the cost, with less fuss and mess.

You save, time, money and hassle by giving your kitchen a makeover. You can pay up to 50% less than you would on a fully-fitted kitchen and have the work done in 2 or 3 days rather than being without a kitchen for a week or two.

So how does it work? - Your kitchen layout is most likely the best it can be in the available space. The Dream Kitchen Makeover team use the existing units, plumbing and electrics and then add stylish new doors and drawer fronts to give your old kitchen a new and modern facelift.

Cornices, pelmets and plinth can be changed to match the new doors so the old look is completely replaced.

Worktops BEFORE and even appliances can also be changed to

get that completely new kitchen look.

What are their designs like? - Every kitchen is different and designed to your individual tastes with innovative designs in Contemporary, Handleless, Classic and Traditional styles.

All their doors are made in UK, and most importantly installed by the same team of highly skilled craftsmen every time.

Why should I choose Dream Kitchen Makeover ? - Dream Kitchen Makeover was established in January 2017 and in this time has achieved an impressive Checkatrade score of 10/10, for reliability, timekeeping, tidiness, courtesy and workmanship.

Dream Kitchen Makeover is a local business, not a franchise. At Dream Kitchen Makeover we care about our work – and we care about you.

That’s why we provide the same tailored service whether you opt for replacement doors or a completely new kitchen starting from scratch.

Finally, the price we quote is the price you pay – always!

How do I find out more? - To get started, book a free design consultation in your own home.

The consultant will have full PPE: face mask, hand gel and sterilising wipes.

Dream Kitchen Makeover can be contacted 9am-7pm, 7 days a week on 01786 625627.

AFTER

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This article was written by Malcolm Smith of Dream Kitchen Makeover. Malcolm has run his highly regarded independent Kitchen Makeover business for over 4 years. See www.dreamkitchenmakeover.co.uk @KonectMagazines

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LINLITHGOW | 7

Interested in counselling skills?

Courses and volunteering at S.M.I.L.E West Lothian A local charity specialising in counselling for children and young people is looking to get more people trained, and raise funds for the service at the same time, by running professional counselling training courses open to everyone interested in gaining counselling skills.

“There are not many courses that specifically cover working with children and young people,” explains Tracy-Ann Clusker, Counselling Team Leader at S.M.I.L.E Counselling. “We work with young people ages 11 to 24, and are looking for counsellors for our own service, but our courses are available for anyone who interacts with young people and would like tools and confidence for how to listen and talk to them.”

Covering a comprehensive range of mental wellbeing and health issues, the course is about raising awareness of issues specifically as they affect children and young people, and how you can help. It’s invaluable if you’re considering a career in counselling, or are a parent, guidance worker, group leader or anyone who wants to improve the way you interact with young people.

“Young people will confide in someone they trust,” explains Tracy, “and it’s an excellent skill to know how to positively respond and help them.”

By signing up for a course with S.M.I.L.E, you’re not only developing your own skills in a way that will be invaluable to the young people you interact with, you’re also helping raise money for S.M.I.L.E to deliver their in-demand counselling services locally.

THE MWAH (Mental Wellbeing and Health) COURSE - This course is aimed at the whole community. Accredited by the SQA, it includes nine modules covering depression and mood, stress and anxiety, self-harm, suicide awareness, 8 | LINLITHGOW

online safety, relationships and bereavement. It runs for eight half-days, in the evenings.

15% discount for anyone working in the 3rd sector.

THE COSCA CERTIFICATE IN COUNSELLING SKILLS - This fun and fast-paced course suits all those who are interested in developing self awareness and counselling skills. It’s an experiential course with delivery including group activities, media, skills practice and written text. It is ideal if you are in, or considering, employment in a helping role and is the first step in becoming a counsellor. The course provides 120 hours of training towards a level 8 SCQF certificate validated by COSCA (40 SCQF credits). The next course will start in November (dates and times tbc).

Other courses available are ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), COSCA Certificate in Counselling Skills, SafeTalk and Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid. Please see smilecounselling.org.uk/training for more information on all courses, or email info@smilecounselling.org.uk

VOLUNTEERING - S.M.I.L.E is also looking for diploma-qualified volunteers who can work with young people under the age of 16. Whatever time input you can manage, from just a couple of hours a week, will make a big difference as the charity has a waiting list of young people who have been referred, or have self-referred, for counselling. @KonectMagazines

“I joined S.M.I.L.E as a volunteer in Jan 2019 and started working with my first clients remotely due to the lockdown. I felt very well supported and was allowed to start slowly with the number of clients I saw. I always felt and was made to feel, if needed, I could call upon members of staff for support after sessions. I was encouraged to work creatively with clients and in my style and I was given the reassurance I could work with young people although my experience up until then had been limited.”

Lizzie - S.M.I.L.E Counsellor “I joined the S.M.I.L.E family in 2018 as a Trainee Counsellor. I was offered excellent training and supervision which not only consolidated the theory from my Diploma course but allowed me to develop my personal style of counselling.

It is this authentic style which allowed me to work successfully with so many teenagers and young adults as I transitioned to fully qualified counsellor. Volunteering allows me to grow both professionally and personally, whilst balancing other life commitments, such as family life and building my own business.”

Louise - S.M.I.L.E Special Advisor ABOUT S.M.I.L.E’S SERVICES - S.M.I.L.E is a West Lothian charity offering counselling services to young people aged 11 to 24. For young people who are struggling with how they feel, being able to talk to someone who understands can make a huge difference to the direction their problems take.

Supporting Young People

It helps to talk

Anyone from 16-24 can self-refer if they feel they need help of any kind with their mental health, and of course other services can refer too. There are counselling rooms and a sensory room at their premises in Livingston. They also offer phone/video support, as well as a unique outreach service throughout West Lothian to reach under 16s where and when they need it.

SPONSOR A ROOM! - Businesses can help by sponsoring a room at S.M.I.L.E’s Livingston premises. You can sponsor one of the four counselling rooms, the sensory room, the board room or the training space. It’s £50 per week.

Please email info@smilecounselling.org.uk for information. @KonectMagazines

This article was written by Helen-Jane, Konect editor, after speaking with Tracy-Ann Clusker of S.M.I.L.E Counselling. S.M.I.L.E is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation providing a free counselling service to 11-24 year olds in West Lothian.

See www.smilesounselling.org.uk LINLITHGOW | 9

Autumn... the season for hedgehogs and winter pansies What can you do to encourage hedgehogs into your garden and your winter flowering pansies to flower all winter?

Less of a critical life or death project is planting Winter Flowering pansies. Get them planted in pots or borders by the middle of the month, add some controlled release fertiliser and sit back to watch them getting established for a winter-long life of flowering and delighting you!

Hedgehog

Hedgehogs are gardener’s friends as they eat slugs, caterpillars, earwigs and leatherjackets.

Also, they are really cute to see and like the pansy flowers in winter they cheer us up.

As they prepare to go into hibernation in late October it’s important to feed them up to take them through the winter, especially for the young ones to get them big enough to survive hibernation, they need a body weight of at least 1lb (550g). Pick up our ‘Purple Hoglet Project’ recipe card from the garden centre with lots of helpful hints about providing food, water and shelter for hedgehogs.

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

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

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LIVING WELL

Top Tips

to Eat Well & Age Well

Food and nutrition play an important role in staying well as we age. But many people lose their interest in food as they get older and, according to research by Home Instead, one in five over 75s struggle to cook their own food.

Here are some top tips for encouraging your loved ones to enjoy mealtimes:

• Keep mealtimes interesting. Aromas can help to stimulate the appetite. Encourage your loved one to get involved in the selection, preparation and serving of meals wherever possible. TOP TIP : Help your loved one to make a shopping list and decide on a healthy meal plan for the week.

• Make the dining area comfortable, remove distractions and create a nice atmosphere

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• Think about portion sizes: If appetite is a problem, it is better to introduce smaller portions more often instead of a large plate of food 3 times a day. Offering finger foods is also a good way to encourage people to eat if someone doesn’t want a traditional meal • Ensure healthy snack options are available and make sure food and drinks are easily accessible throughout the day • Avoid calorie-free or low-fat products unless your loved one has specifically been advised to eat them by their GP • Always prioritise mealtimes and try to create a mealtime routine. Avoid rushing and coercing someone to eat. Gentle persuasion is best • Confront the myth that weight loss is a normal process with ageing as our bodies become less active. Weight loss is not a normal part of the ageing process The Living Well column is contributed by Home Instead Livingston. Contact them for advice and support on 01506 539541 or see www.homeinstead.co.uk/livingston

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LINLITHGOW | 15

PROPERTY MATTERS

Showcasing West Lothian: Estate Agents pioneering new products, technology and initiatives to promote West Lothian towns

The pandemic changed a lot of things, and one of them was a shift in the pattern of behaviour of property buyers. Across the country, there was a significant increase in demand for homes with a garden, room for a home office, and proximity to green spaces.

West Lothian is perfectly placed to offer homes that meet these requirements - and more.

As a result we saw an increase in demand for properties here immediately after the first lockdown, and the trend is on-going; people are still looking to move out of the cities and into the green commuter belt here where they can get the best of both worlds. Whether working from home or city centre commuting, the countryside access, affordability and amenities here are hard to beat. Being centrally located with easy access via road and rail to Glasgow and Edinburgh it offers value for money compared to East and Midlothian, making it affordable for buyers to purchase a home that suits their changed lifestyle priorities.

However, West Lothian is still relatively undiscovered, so for people looking to sell their home here there is a huge market of potential buyers who are unaware of what it has to offer.

For many city dwellers, it’s a place they only ever 16 | LINLITHGOW

pass through on the train or M8, and they never see the real beauty and benefits of our green spaces, canals, country parks, rich heritage and thriving communities.

A number of local state schools now feature highly in school league tables, and the shopping centres in Livingston continue to attract new high-end brands despite it being a difficult time for retailers. Our characterful high streets offer a different shopping experience with independent shops and eateries.

So how do we let potential buyers from further afield know that we have properties for sale here that tick all of their boxes in terms of location, amenities and value for money?

As property agents with detailed knowledge of the area, it’s part of our service for our clients to promote the attractions of area as a whole to potential buyers. There is much more in terms of lifestyle and amenities here than can be conveyed in individual property brochures.

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An aerial view of the Old Academy, Bathgate

To that end, Turpie & Co are releasing a series of short location videos, filmed especially to showcase the landscapes, town centres, heritage and facilities across West Lothian and to capture something of the lifestyle that can be enjoyed here.

These videos will appear in every property campaign that our agency is handling in the area and are aimed at bringing our clients’ properties to the attention of specifically targeted buyers, as well as helping a broader audience become aware of the appeal of the area. They will be promoted in full and short clips on our website, social media channels, and property portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla. While they are a unique celebration of West Lothian in themselves, the ultimate aim is to broaden the reach and appeal of every property in West Lothian.

Each video focuses on one town or village, many of which anyone outside of West Lothian may have never heard of or ever had reason to visit. With drone footage and local commentary giving an overview of each location, we can showcase the area much more fully to people who may buy here having not considered it previously, simply as they were unaware.

The first of these videos showcasing Bathgate can be viewed via the QR code or on the Turpie & Co YouTube channel.

Scan HERE to watch video > >>

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. @KonectMagazines

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LINLITHGOW | 25

LIFE COACHING

I’ve never seen a thriller this tense in a long time. Europa follows Kamal, a young Iraqi man who is trying to illegally cross the border between Turkey and Bulgaria. While crossing he is chased by a group of Bulgarian vigilantes.

This film is intense from the opening minutes. The tone, danger, and the pace are all set, and it never lets go for the full 72-minute runtime. The cinematography is simply stunning, the camera never strays far from Kamal, it’s always about two metres away. This tight and narrow view simply disorientates you; you, like the character don’t know the surroundings well and danger could be just out of frame. The cinematography is simply incredible.

Adam Ali is fantastic in the leading role.

The role is so intimate and raw you truly believe and buy into all the hardships that Kamal is going through and it all due to Adam Ali’s performance.

I will say this is an extremely hard watch and I would say this is a film that I will only watch once. The film can be hopeful at one moment and despair-inducing the next. The scenes that play out can be really shocking and in a way horrifying, seeing all the hardships this character goes through for a better life.

I felt Europa is an important film and truly a must-see. You may only stomach watching it once but by the ending you’ll have experienced a piece of important art.

Sometimes people use this little phrase to describe things going wrong in their lives or some kind of catastrophic change in a long-held and precious pattern.

After the last eighteen months of uncertainty, I prefer to use the term to describe the essential process of moving forward from situations which have made us all feel stuck in some really unhelpful ways. Change is often unwelcome and feared but for many of us, embracing the new and the unfamiliar can open the door to exciting new opportunities.

The defining feature of any situation we find ourselves in is the way we think about it. It is clear that some people have actively enjoyed the last months of not having to travel to work or to attend social occasions.

Many feel that they are reluctantly being forced back to routines that don’t suit them anymore, or to return to a nine to five routine when they have really embraced their new normal and found that it is possible to work more effectively in new and productive ways.

Autumn is here and for me this is an ideal time to embrace those changes we all declare that we want to make in January when it’s dark and cold and we are all in a post-Christmas slump. There is no denying that the last eighteen months have been challenging for so many of us. There has been loss and uncertainty but there have also been new and exciting ways of living. Isn’t it time to embrace them?

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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LINLITHGOW | 27

PARENTING

Hocus Pocus Puff!

I remember taking my eldest for her first flu vaccine like it was yesterday. I wasn’t worried.

She was the kind of child who didn’t get phased by much. We’d talked about what was going to happen, she’d asked questions, and she wasn’t worried either.

But when we got in that room. All white walls and strange smells and a very friendly nurse smiling in that way that let you know she was up to something.

My daughter decided she wasn’t having any of it. She wasn’t screaming and crying but there was a silent determination that nothing was getting up her nose if she had anything to say about it. And my girl can be stubborn.

So, we went back out into the waiting room to have a chat while someone else went in before us. And I was sitting there in a “first time mum” panic wondering how on earth to tackle this. And so was born the little puff of magic.

I told my 2-year-old how the nice lady was going to give her a little puff of magic up her nose. And that magic would last all through the winter to protect her from getting sick.

I could see she was excited about this idea, and I knew I was on to something.

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Every year since then she’s had a little puff of magic up her nose, and when her sister came along she got let in on the secret too. They are getting old enough now to know it’s not the kind of magic they thought but they don’t want to let go of the idea entirely. Each year they’ve asked more questions and they’ve understood more about what it was.

But it will forever be known as the little puff of magic in our house. And it’s that time of year again when kids in schools across West Lothian will soon be offered the annual flu vaccine.

This year though, the questions have changed.

After listening to many of the adults in their lives talking in recent months about getting a vaccine and overhearing people at the school gates saying how rubbish they felt afterwards…this year they wanted to know if they had to have it, and if it would make them feel bad.

So, it was back to basics… only this time we were able to tell them exactly how the little puff of magic works. All these years later there was more science than magic in the conversation, but I could still see the excitement in their eyes as they understood.

I hate that they were worried about the flu vaccine this year in a way they haven’t been since that first time. It’s sad that the last year and a half has taken the shine off some of the magic of their childhood. But at the same time seeing them learn and understand for themselves is a different kind of magic.

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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LINLITHGOW | 29

CROSSWORD

SUDOKU ^^^ Sudoku solution on page 34

PUZZLES

ACROSS: 1. Employed (4), 3. Loyal (8), 9. Whirlwind (7), 10. Big (5), 11. Ceremonial leader (5), 12. Save (6), 14. Twist together (6), 16. Thick oil (6), 19. Steps (6), 21. Friends (5), 24. Not dead (5), 25. Beginning (7), 26. In company (8), 27. Small insect (4).

^^^ Solution in the November edition of Konect

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DOWN: 1. ,Utmost (8), 2. Not late (5), 4. On a ship (6), 5. Relates (5),6. List of ingredients (7), 7. Vegetable (4), 8. Round container (6), 13. Communications (8), 15. Zero (7), 17. Wealthier (6), 18. On land (6), 20. Distinguished (5), 22. Alliance (5), 23. Silly (4).

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PETS & GUISING October is on us already and with it (hopefully) the chance of a better Halloween than last year for the town’s young guisers.

But Halloween, with its sweets, screams, costumes and stream of visitors, can be a fright night of the wrong sort for our pets.

Prepare your pet by building up their familiarity with Halloween costumes – start by lying them on the floor and move up to wearing them, rewarding your pet as you do so. If they are spooked by costumes, walk them earlier on Halloween to avoid guisers and keep them on a lead in case they are startled.

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

Contact details are on page 3.

Think about how your pet reacts when people are at your front door – it might be better on the night to have them in a separate room or behind stair gates.

Remind your children not to leave chocolate or sweets within reach – chocolate is toxic to dogs, as are xylitol and other artificial additives found in sweets. And if the kids have painted their faces, make sure your pets don’t lick them and ingest the paint.

Don’t force those cute costumes on your pet if they are not keen – there are always photo editing apps to add them later. And if it’s a chaotic night, make sure they still have a chance to rest.

And finally, let them join in the fun – chop up some apples (so there’s no danger of them getting the cores) and get them dooking!

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

01506 844 165 | www.westportvets.com @KonectMagazines

LINLITHGOW | 31

LOCAL LAB

Borrow a Researcher,

Lothian Lugs

When you think of a library, what do you think of?

Is it a silent building full of books, presided over by a stern woman with her hair in a bun and a sensible cardigan?

Well, that’s not the vision of libraries in the 21st century, and West Lothian Council are working with researchers at Heriot-Watt University to bring exciting new activities into the libraries across the region. They have partnered up to bring cutting edge research to local communities, and work with communities to help shape future research.

The project is part of the “Lothian Lugs” Engaging Libraries Programme which began in 2020, and Heriot-Watt University have been working closely with local communities to listen and reflect on the needs of the public. Focus groups with West Lothian communities led to some inspiring conversations about research and universities – What is research? What do universities do? How can we find out more?

Given the year of Covid-19, many interesting themes and topics emerged and the discussions with these groups have allowed the team to shape an exciting programme of events across September into October, specifically tailored to public interests. These themes will explore subjects such as brain health, body representation, social interaction, robotics, artificial intelligence and many more!

Heriot-Watt University researchers will visit various library locations to share their work through 32 | LINLITHGOW

talks and interactive activities. There will also be lots of events online as part of Explorathon, a Scotland wide celebration of research, so you can tune it at home and find out about research taking place in universities across Scotland.

UPCOMING EVENTS: How to Stay Sharp • East Calder Library Mon 27th Sept, 1.30-2:30pm • Fauldhouse Library Wed 6th Oct, 2.30-3:30pm So you think you know your body?

• Whitburn Library Mon 27th Sept, 11am-12pm

How to Adapt Voice Assistants for People with Dementia and People Affected by Sight Loss • Broxburn Library Thu 30th Sept, 5.30-6.30pm The History and Story of Black Holes • Carmondean Library at Livingston North Partnership Centre Thu 7th Oct, 5.30-6.30pm Discovery Trail, self-guided walk • Heriot-Watt University campus, ongoing

Find out more: hw.ac.uk/documents/Borrowaresearcher.pdf This article was contributed

by Heriot-Watt Engage.

“Lothian Lugs” is a collaborative project between Heriot-Watt University and West Lothian Council, funded by Wellcome, the Carnegie Trust and the Wolfson Foundation. Explorathon is funded by the European Commission, under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Programme, Grant Agreement No. 101036101. @KonectMagazines

LOCAL ENVIRONMENT

Let’s go fly a kite I was going to write about red kites, and suggest a visit to Argaty to see them. However in the last few weeks I’ve been sent a picture of one over West Lothian, which is incredibly exciting! I’ve got so much to say about the birds you might see them feature a few times, which I’m sure nobody will mind.

I’ve been visiting Argaty since 2016, and now volunteer there as one of the rangers.

It’s one of my favourite places to go and is home to a huge variety of wildlife including red squirrels and ospreys. Mainly though, people visit to see the red kites. I might be biased but to me they’re the most beautiful UK bird of prey. The colours in their feathers vary so much throughout the year but as we come in to autumn, they’re at their best.

They’ve now shed their breeding plumage, and are sporting a dazzling array of reds, browns and oranges. On the right day, with autumn sun shining on them they’re an incredible sight to see.

They’re our 4th biggest birds of prey in terms of wing span, but as you can see by the picture, are actually quite slight @KonectMagazines

compared to other birds.

To see them for yourself, you can visit Argaty Red Kites in Doune. They feed the birds a small amount of food each day, and I’ll never tire of hearing people’s amazement as they perform the most wonderful aerial acrobatics.

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 | 33

SOLUTIONS

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

LINLITHGOW STRING ORCHESTRA - We are a friendly group who meet weekly on Monday’s 7.30-9.30pm (termtime) at Linlithgow Masonic Lodge. Players aged 13+ with a minimum standard Grade 5 or equivalent (no audition) from Linlithgow and the surrounding areas are welcome. Please bring music stands. Contact us via email: linlithgowstringorchestra@ gmail.com through our website: linlithgowstringorchestra.co.uk or search for us on Facebook.

LOCHSIDE PLAYGROUP Parent-run playgroup located in Linlithgow provides 2.5hrs registered childcare during West Lothian School term-time for children aged 2yrs 3mths to 5 years, 9.15-11.45am MondayThursday. A great setting for children to begin their journey into nursery/school, ensuring a stimulating and caring environment (with healthy snacks). Councilfunded places for 2-year-olds available to eligible families.

Contact us for more information/to add a child to the waiting list, email: lochsideplaygroup@yahoo.com, through our website www.lochsideplaygroup.org or on Facebook.

CARERS OF WEST LOTHIAN - Support and social activities for Carers, Young Carers and Disabled Adults. Services currently via Zoom/phone: weekly Coffee Morning; monthly Mental Health Support Group, Evening Support Group & Bereaved Carer Support Group as well as groups for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers.

Regular Social Groups for Adults with disabilities. Virtual Power of Attorney Clinic & Benefits Advice and Counselling.

For information: Tel.: 01506 448000 Email: office@carers-westlothian.com Website: www.carers-westlothian.com GENERATION ARTS - Creative activities for people aged 50 and over, either living at home or in care with complex needs.

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SOLUTION TO SEPTEMBER CROSSWORD

Online and offline activities in West Lothian such as a dance dvd, art demos, reminiscence, recipes, music and song playlists, dance and song classes. Creative activity and learning can unlock memories and skills that have been lost and creates a spark of joy for all. Contact generationarts. coordinator@gmail.com or phone 07521 358 239 for further information.

MACMILLAN CANCER INFORMATION & SUPPORT - A free, confidential service providing a ‘listening ear’, emotional and practical support, help to access benefits/financial advice and other local services. Expert information for anyone affected by cancer – yourself, a relative, friend or carer.

Face to face appointments at Partnership Centres in Bathgate, Livingston North, Broxburn, Fauldhouse and Blackburn.

Short health walks leaving Bathgate Partnership Centre call to book a place. Phone and email support also available.

Please call 01506 283053 or email MacmillanWestLothian@ westlothian.gov.uk WEST LOTHIAN 50 PLUS NETWORK - Social activities for the over fifties. Run largely by volunteers we offer a wide range of interest groups to help you stay fit and healthy in both mind and body, whilst socialising with others.

Something for everyone, but, more importantly, the chance to meet up and join in with old friends or make new friends along the way.

Annual joining fee £10. Follow our Facebook page, visit www.westlothian50plusnetwork. co.uk or call 01506 635510.

To include your Club or Class, please email details, up to 75 words, to editor@konect.scot Not-for-profit groups are FREE. There is a small charge for businesses. See www.konect.scot for information.

ACROSS: 1. Access, 4. Belong, 9. Contain, 10. Prior, 11. Sweep, 12. Talking, 13. Resolutions, 18. Deposit, 20. Naked, 22. Evade, 23. Outdoor, 24. Sentry, 25. Adults.

DOWN: 1. Accuse, 2. Canoe, 3. Shampoo, 5. Expel, 6. Opinion, 7. Garage, 8. Instruction, 14. Explain, 15. Ignited, 16. Adders, 17. Adores, 19. Swear, 21. Knoll.

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE 30

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Craigsfarm Traders Fair Saturday 9th October 10-2pm

Shop local and support local, small businesses at our regular traders market in Livingston. Join us to discover great quality products from all over the West Lothian area. From everyday essentials to luxury gifts, and even some tasty treats, there will be something for everyone! www.craigsfarm.org.uk info@craigsfarm.org.uk 01506 894639 Craigsfarm Community Hub Maree Walk, Livingston EH54 5BP