It’s okay to talk – but how easy is it to actually find someone you’re comfortable talking to? This seems particularly challenging for men, which is why the charity Andy’s Man Club is growing at such a rapid rate. A national charity but with groups all over the country, there are groups Bathgate, Broxburn and Armadale. See the feature on pages 8 – 10.
We’re excited about a new distillery producing whisky and rum, in the historic village of Blackness. Read about Blackness Bay Distillery on page 7, they offer quirky and original tours with the option to eat at the renowned Lobster Pot afterwards.
With spotlight features on a diverse range of local businesses, lots of activities for all the family, and all our usual columns - I hope you enjoy the magazine this month as much as I have enjoyed putting it together!
Thank you for supporting local businesses and organisations.
All enquiries, E: M: editor@konect.scot 07854 492638
COVER IMAGE: Going through a storm? Come along to Andy’s Man Club - See p8-10 for more.
Monday evenings between 7pm and 9pm: the time when men are most vulnerable to losing their lives by suicide.
So discovered the founders of Andy’s Man Club, a club set up initially for male suicide prevention, and which has rapidly become much broader than that.
Andy’s Man Club meets at an ever-increasing number of towns and villages across Scotland, every Monday night from 7pm to 9pm.
It’s a place where men can come and talk about absolutely anything that is bothering them. Work, debt, relationships, health, loneliness, and all the feelings that culturally you’ve been conditioned to believe you should just deal with alone.
While it’s hard to say with any certainty why male suicide is much higher than female, it’s thought that men’s reluctance or inability to talk about their struggles is a major contributing factor.
Andy’s Man Club provides a space to talk in a safe, sympathetic and non-judgemental environment alongside other men who have taken exactly that same step through the venue door on a Monday night.
“ I hit rock bottom at Christmas last year, my world as I knew it fell apart. I started going to Andy’s Man Club in the new year. It was one of the hardest things that I have ever done! But I am glad to say that it has been one of the best. Listening to each different guy’s story has given me a new perspective and outlook. It has given me the context that I needed to gather my thoughts and prepare for my next chapter with positivity ”
“The more we can normalise talking about things, the better,” says Alex McClintock, Head of Groups in Scotland.
A, has been attending Andy’s Man Club in West Lothian since January 2024
“Despite a lot of progress in recent years, men are still expected to be the strong one, to “man up,” deal with their problems alone and not show their feelings. If you’re a certain age you may remember as a kid being threatened, ‘If you cry, I’ll give you something to cry about!’ and there are elements of this attitude that persist.”
The exponential growth of the charity in Scotland speaks for itself of how utterly essential it is proving to be. September marks seven years since Alex helped facilitate the first Andy’s Man Club in Perth. There are now 42 across Scotland; that’s a new one opening every couple of months.
The charity is named after Andy Roberts, a young man from Halifax (Yorkshire) who took his own life in 2016. His mum and brotherin-law opened up a room in Halifax later that year and invited men to come and talk. At the first meeting, nine men turned up; this year, all
across the UK 4,600 men attend their local Andy’s Man Club.
G has been attending AMC in West Lothian since March 2023. “I had been off work for a while and had no motivation to do anything and felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. I wanted to shut the world out. I had seen a thing on social media promoting Andy’s Man Club, I contacted the Facebook page and went along in March of last year. I haven’t missed a Monday night since. AMC sets me up for the week, I like seeing the journey every man takes when they walk through the doors for the first time, and see them start to recover and get stronger week by week and hope I’m playing a part in helping them like others helped me. I would encourage anyone who is feeling down or just not themselves to come along to a meeting. It’s good to talk”
“ I could always speak, but over the last 18 months AMC has taught me how to talk and open up about how I am feeling instead of hiding away ”
K, has been attending Andy’s Man Club in West Lothian since February 2023
Alex became involved when he had hit rock bottom personally and had made an attempt on his own life. He went to his first Andy’s Man Club meeting in Halifax and spoke about things he had never shared with anyone. He went with his friend of 20 years. “We thought we knew everything about each others’ lives, until we went to Andy’s Man Club together. He was gobsmacked by what I had to say, he’d had no idea what I had been going through.” Having experienced the transformative power of talking, Alex became a passionate advocate for Andy’s Man Club and went on to formally become the charity’s development champion in Scotland.
You don’t need to have mental health challenges or to be desperate before attending Andy’s Man Club. It’s much better to go before you get that low.
“It sets you up for the week,” says Alex. “Instead of dreading Mondays, it’s now my best day as I get to go to my Club and I look forward to it.” For the majority of men who attend, it becomes a regular habit, a constant therapy - much like going to the gym regularly but for maintaining good mental health instead of physical. The benefits of just going and getting stuff of your chest regularly is immense. And it not only helps you; you’re helping other men by sharing your problems so that they too know they are not alone. There is no need to book, no need to give your name or contact details and no need even to speak if you don’t feel up for it. It’s not unusual for men to come for a few weeks and just listen before sharing their own situations. Simply turn up and get tea and biscuits. What is the worst that could happen?
The charity’s aim is for there to be 1500 clubs all across the UK, so that men have no excuse not to come!
• If you are feeling low for any reason, get along to an Andy’s Man Club near you next Monday! We have listed all the local ones*. >>>
• If you are interested in opening a branch of Andy’s Man Club locally please contact info@andysmanclub.co.uk
• If you are able offer a venue free of charge for a Club to run on a Monday evening, please contact info@ andysmanclub. co.uk. There is always a need for venues in order to keep up with surging demand for the Clubs to run.
ALWAYS FREE, ALWAYS 7 pm - 9 pm , EVERY MONDAY NIGHT (EXCEPT BANK HOLIDAYS)
ARMADALE: Armadale Partnership Centre, North Street, Armadale, EH48 3QB
For more information about Andy’s Man Club, please visit andysmanclub.co.uk
This article was written by Helen-Jane Gisbourne after speaking with Alex McClintock, Head of Groups Scotland for Andy’s Man Club, and with an attendee of a West Lothian Andy’s Man Club. Helen-Jane is the Editor of Konect magazines
Home Instead recently conducted research to better understand the hopes, fears and aspirations of our ageing population.
The findings, captured in our report ‘The New Ageing Index’, show that many older people feel excluded and marginalised, leading to an increased sense of isolation and loneliness.
The survey of 1,000 adults covered a wide range of topics from health and wellbeing to technology, politics and social care. Whilst the sense of exclusion is not to be celebrated, the survey did show that retirees are living more active, healthy and dynamic lifestyles and are eager to embrace everything from technology to sport and dating in later life.
Some of the key findings included:
• Over a third of respondents believe being old is like being cancelled
• Their dynamic lifestyles start with fitness –with an incredible 89% of the UK’s oldest people now endorsing an active lifestyle
• 7 in 10 people aged over 75 are worried about not being able to look after themselves, with 80% saying they would prefer to be treated at home if they became ill
• Independence is a priority – people are more concerned about the prospect of ending up a care home (44%) than they would be about the death of a partner (36%)
The broader findings indicate that traditional stereotypes about retirement and old age have become outdated, with today’s older generation wanting to continue to remain active, have fun – and to be involved.
For more information or to read a full copy of the report, visit www.homeinstead.co.uk/newageing-index/
The Living Well column is contributed by Home Instead West Lothian. Contact them for advice and support on 01506 346046, email info.westlothian@homeinstead.co.uk or see www.homeinstead.co.uk/west-lothian
Blackness Bay Distillery is a newly opened craft business in the oldest building in Blackness on Sea village. We are a family-run business committed to the culture, history and traditions of the area.
The distillery produces whisky and rum in traditional twin copper stills in the time-honoured way, using Scottish malted barley from Alloa to produce single malt, single cask batches of whisky each with its individual characteristics. Our rums are produced directly from raw sugar cane molasses. These are fermented and distilled adding spices and botanicals to produce a range of rums including Flower of Scotland Pink Rum containing rose petals,
heather buds, and thistle flowers; a Jacobite Dark Spiced “Outlandish “ Rum; a white Blackness Bay Navy Rum; and Oak Aged Rum. After some hesitation by the authorities, the distillery has recently been granted the trademark “Mary Queen of Scotch “ for its single malt Scotch whisky, which is currently maturing in oak barrels in our cellars.
We specialise in unique quirky tours of our distillery culminating if required in a meal at our award-winning pub/restaurant, The Lobster Pot, already well-known for its seafood. Tours include the history of the locality, its Jacobite connections and association with Mary Queen of Scots. Visitors also learn about the history of craft distilling in Scotland and see how it is still conducted lagely unchanged.
Perfect for parties, locals and visitors alike. Book now at www.blacknessbaydistillery.co.uk
Blackness Bay Distillery, Shore Road, Blackness on Sea, Linlithgow, EH49 7NL
“Blackness Bay Distillery”
AUGUST CROSSWORD
^^^ Solution in the September edition of Konect
ACROSS: 7. Not moving (6), 8. Conflict (6), 9. Horrible (4), 10. Wrapper for letter (8), 11. Thrift (7), 13. Loosen (5), 15. Type of snake (5), 17. Country dwelling (7), 20. Against the current (8), 21. Certain (4), 23. Cruel (6), 24. Necessary (6). DOWN: 1. Celestial body (4), 2. Part of a flower (6), 3. Shrieks (7), 4. Higher up (5), 5. Pinched (6), 6. Tossing (8), 12. Hacking (8), 14. Order (7), 16. Keep (6), 18. Examined (6), 19. Fixes (5), 22. Regrets (4).
AUGUST SUDOKU
Boiler service only £70 with this advert*
Sorry! A technical error meant that last month’s crossword was printed with the wrong puzzle board.
*Offer valid until 30th August 2024
EVERGREEN HERBS ARE ALMOST TOO GOOD TO EAT!
This pot of herbs will still be looking great in the winter, the evergreen ones will still be pickable but the pot will give so much pleasure sitting on a sunny patio as well.
There is still time this month to create your own potful of herbs!
Choose evergreen herbs like Rosemary, Parsley, Lemon Variegated Thyme and Purple Sage. Our pot has also got an Alpine Strawberry, French Tarragon, Golden Marjoram and a clump of Chives. All herbs we like to use in cooking and flower arranging. If you already have your own herbs in pots they would enjoy a liquid feed a couple of times this month and if they have finished
flowering now clip them back to encourage new growth.
If you have a crop of new potatoes in the garden try our Crushed Potato Salad.
Boil unpeeled new potatoes until tender, drain and crush roughly with a fork and add 4 tbsp white wine and return to heat for 2 minutes. Stir in 2 tbsp olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper, a thinly sliced red onion and 3 tbsp mixed herbs – parsley, chervil, chives and mint (from a separate pot to control its spreading!). Serve warm.
The gardening project is contributed by Dougal Philip, New Hopetoun Gardens. Inspiring, informing and entertaining, for more than 40 years.
At Turpie & Co, we love ‘open house days’ and we know buyers and sellers alike love them too. An open house day is simply a day when a house is open for anyone who wants to view it during a given period of time - usually, but not always, over a weekend.
Making it easier for people
Open days are popular with most buyers and they offer a different viewing experience to a pre-booked, agent-accompanied viewing. Feedback from previous events has shown that buyers who are at the early stages of house hunting, and not quite ready to register with an agent, are more likely to attend an open day than arrange a private viewing.
At one of our previous events, the open day attracted a near neighbour to a property we were marketing. The buyer lived in the same street and didn’t feel comfortable or ready to arrange a formal viewing – but they went on to submit an offer on the property the following week and bought it. This story illustrates just how an open day used appropriately can really serve to broaden the exposure of your property and draw in more people who might not otherwise have been reached via other marketing channels.
Everyone is different – so options need to be too
There’s no such thing as a ‘typical buyer’ as the buying process starts long before
any viewings take place. Someone just contemplating a move has a different motivation and criteria to those who have sold their property and need to move quickly. A collective open house event provides the opportunity for any buyer to view several similarly priced or located properties one after the other, regardless of their position or what stage they’re at in the process.
Getting it right
A good estate agent should have wellorganised open days as part of their sales toolkit, and should be well-versed in running them. Typically, the estate agent hosts the viewings but sellers can also show the property themselves if the open day is part of a larger coordinated event. If it’s the latter, the agent should coach owners on how best to present the property on the day and also how to potentially handle several viewers in the house at the same time.
However, these events are not simply something that should be deployed always: any promotional activity should be matched to the requirements of individual sellers, the expectations of buyers and the current market conditions. Above all, everything should be part of an agreed marketing plan that can attract the right buyers and create the right conditions for the best sale.
Why not visit our website to see which properties are taking part in our Open Viewing Day on Saturday 3rd August.
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.
SMALL AD
BIG Impact
To be included in Konect, please contact us. Our details are on page 3.
We were photographing foxes a few weeks ago and looking back through the images, it resurfaced a memory from our childhood. We were obsessed with the Animals of Farthing wood, whether it was the book, TV series or magazine, it was a huge deal for us and was probably what really sparked our love for wildlife.
Thinking about the storyline of the book, it somewhat predicted the future and the challenges wildlife has faced because of humans. For those unfamiliar with the premise, it follows a group of animals forced to move from their home, Farthing Wood, because humans were clearing the land to make way for houses. The book tracks their journey as they seek out a new home at a nature reserve called White Deer Park.
Listening back to the theme tune whilst writing this has given me a wonderful sense of nostalgia for when we raced home from school, ready to watch the next episode or devour the next issue of the magazine.
This vixen has done incredibly well to raise a beautiful family of four very healthy cubs, despite having a visible limp. We’ve been back to see them since I took this shot and the
group has nearly doubled in size. We couldn’t believe it when there were eight or nine foxes charging around, which now included a dog fox aka Dad, we suspect.
Did you know that foxes can retract their claws like a cat? I didn’t. Every day’s a school day!
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
Time for a DIGITAL DETOX
We have all become used to the zoom and teams meetings that are now a daily part of our lives and working remotely or from home has become the norm.
*SORRY!
A technical error meant that last month’s crossword was printed with the wrong puzzle board.
*SORRY!
A technical error meant that last month’s crossword was printed with the wrong puzzle board.
Outside of our working lives, this increase in the use of screen time has changed how many of us relate to other people and some important relationships that used to be face to face have become digitised. Online dating has become more prevalent and the old way of meeting future partners in pubs and clubs or just by chance is no longer the norm.
SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE XX
SOLUTION TO SUDOKU 16
Disclaimer: The publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage caused by error in the printing of an advertisement. We do not endorse any advertisers in this publication. All material is accepted for publication on the understanding it is copyright free. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher.
Magazine Design: Alan Stewart Design T: 07729 911858
SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE XX
These new ways of working and socialising can very easily take over more and more of our lives if we are not careful but setting a tech curfew at a certain time every day could make a real difference to all our lives. For those who can’t bear the thought of missing a message or an email, the aim of this detox is not to cut off our relationship with technology but to set limits on the connection to our screens. Young people will be able to go home from school at the end of the day and leave the people they don’t want to be permanently connected to behind them and the rest of us can simply disconnect from the pressures of work and working relationships.
Best of all, disconnecting our devices doesn’t mean that we are going to miss anything important. Unless we have decided to go and live in a cave someone will definitely tell us if anything of life shattering importance has happened that we need to know about.
Disclaimer: The publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage caused by error in the printing of an advertisement. We do not endorse any advertisers in this publication. All material is accepted for publication on the understanding it is copyright free. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher.
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.
Magazine Design: Alan Stewart Design T: 07729 911858
EVERY SATURDAY
Bathgate Market & Car Boot Sale
Bathgate Outdoor Market 9.00am to 2.00pm. Parking available in Gardners Lane Car Park and Acredale Car Park. Access via Whitburn Road on the road between H&M and Home Bargains
SATURDAY 3RD & SUNDAY 4TH AUGUST
Open Days at Almondell Model
Engineering Centre
A fantastic family day out, with train rides on their new extended track through the woodland. Tea, coffee and snacks. Free parking, picnic area. 10.30 – 4pm. Drumshoreland Muir, Drumshoreland Road, Broxburn, EH52 5PF
feeding, meet the Clydesdales, animal handling, train and tractor rides and den building - how are you going to fit it all in one visit! Almond Valley Heritage Centre, Millfield, Livingston, EH54 7AR
WEEKENDS THROUGH THE SUMMER Canal Cruises
Aqueduct cruises run from the Linlithgow Union Canal centre on Saturdays and Sundays until 29th September (except 4th August) 2½ hour cruise from the canal basin in Linlithgow to the Avon Aqueduct, which carries the Union Canal over the River Avon. The Avon Aqueduct is the longest and tallest in Scotland and the second longest in Britain. £13 Adult, £11 Concession, £7 Child. Information and booking online via www.lucs.org.uk
SATURDAY 3RD AUGUST
Almond Valley Nature Action Ramble and Chat
Guided walk and pollinator identifier workshop. The event will take place on a section of Cycle Route 75 at Easter Inch Moss and Seafield Law. Free but booking essential on Eventbrite: almondvalleynatureaction.blog/2024/07/06/ august-ramble-and-chat/
DAILY UNTIL THURSDAY 15TH AUGUST
Summer Adventures at Almond Valley Schools Out, it's time to kick back and enjoy the fun of the summer. Daily alpaca
SATURDAY 31ST AUGUST
Everything Changes – Take That Tribute show
90's hits, current tunes and lots of dancing! Come and join the fun. Reconnect Regal Theatre, Bathgate, 7.30pm (doors open 6.30pm) Tickets £23.50 via reconnectregal. com/show/
SATURDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER
Linlithgow Antique Vintage and Collectors Fair
Queen Margaret Hall, Blackness Road, Linlithgow EH49 6JA. Early entry 9am £2. Public entry 10am - 3pm £1. Ample free parking, disabled access,on site catering. Procceds in support of Linlithgow Museum
WANT TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT HERE? COMMUNITY AND NOT-FORPROFIT LISTINGS ARE FREE OF CHARGE.
EMAIL EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT BY 15TH OF THE MONTH FOR FOLLOWING MONTH’S ISSUE.
SPORTS, HOBBIES, LEARNING, SUPPORT GROUPS & MORE...
1271 (BATHGATE) RAF AIR
CADETS - The RAF Air Cadets is a uniformed youth organisation for young people aged between 12 (In S2) - 20. We offer lots of opportunities including flying, gliding, shooting, adventure training, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Leadership and much much more. We are based in Bathgate and parade on a Tuesday and Thursday evening... Interested? Get in touch! Email: oc.1271@rafac.mod.gov. uk - Tel.: 01506 630784
POETS O WEST LOTHIANNae need fir academic skill / Jist let yer thochts byle up an spill / In inky screivins frae yer QUILL / And sip from that Parnassian rill!...poetry in Scots, English, Mesolithic, Martian...Ice Age or Space Age...we are a cheery wee non-judgemental group meeting in Bathgate Partnership/Jim Walker Centre, first Monday of the month, except holidays. Share yer stuff, hae a blether and a laugh. Text Davie at 07591 681791
ROUGHLY SPEAKING
COMEDY - Hosted by Midnight Breakfast Club in Bathgate, Roughly Speaking Comedy is an open mic for comedians and aspiring comedians alike. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned pro, you can sign up either online or on the night. Free entry. See Facebook “Roughly Speaking Comedy” for confirmed dates or email roughlyspeakingopenmic@gmail.com
LIVINGSTON & WEST
LOTHIAN HOCKEY CLUB - Livingston & West Lothian Hockey Club are a friendly, sociable and competitive hockey club based at Deans Community High School in Livingston. The Club has one Men’s team, two Ladies teams and a large Juniors section. The Club is always on the look out for new members.
If you feel you’d like to try hockey then please feel free to contact
us through our social media channels (website www.livingstonhockeyclub.uk, Facebook or email livingstonandwlhockey@gmail.com
BIPOLAR SCOTLAND
SUPPORT GROUP - Bipolar Scotland invites patients, family, friends, partners and carers of those with a Bipolar diagnosis within West Lothian to come along to our monthly group meeting. Held every second Thursday of the month at Bathgate Partnership Centre (21-55 South Bridge St, Bathgate EH48 1TL), Rooms 8 & 9 More information on Bipolar Scotland’s services available at www.bipolarscotland.org.uk or 0141 560 2050
BATHGATE BELLES SWI - We meet on the last Wednesday of each month from 7-9pm in The Royal British Legion, 50 North Bridge Street, Bathgate. Our aim is to empower women through friendship, reducing isolation and fostering a sense of community. We offer lifelong learning opportunities by having talks, trips out and demonstrations and promote well-being by having lots of fun. For more information email at bathgatebelles@outlook.com or just come along.
BROXBURN PRE-SCHOOL
PLAYGROUP - For children 2 to 5 years old. We provide a safe, caring, learning environment where children can realise their full potential in a fun manner while taking their first steps towards independence. Fully registered and insured Scottish Charity, with all necessary safeguarding credentials. Children who have attended our playgroup in the past have been reported as having had a smooth transition to mainstream nursery and school. broxburnpreschoolplaygroup.co.uk
shepherds) Join in the adventure and gain life skills. If you are an adult or a young person and want to gain life skills come and join us. Monday:- Beavers (6-8years) 6:15-7:15pm; Cubs (8-10years) 7:30-8:45pm. Friday:- Scouts (1014 years) 7:00-9:00pm; Explorers (14-18years) 7:30-9:30pm. Everyone welcome. Contact: info@17thbroxburnscoutgroup. co.uk or 07785 525 466.
BROXBURN GENERAL YOGA CLASS - Sunday morning 9:30 -10:30 - not as bad as it sounds! Class held in the lovely studio at Broxburn United Sports Club, Albyn Place. £5 per session, all welcome. E: iyogawithc@gmail. com T: 07749 524 249
WINCHBURGH ART CLASS - Winchburgh Community Hall, every Thursday 9.30am –11.30am. All levels welcome. We have tutors regularly. All mediums used. Contact Secretary 07980 321989
LOTHIAN PHOENIX WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL CLUB - Meet on Thursday nights at Armadale Academy. All abilities are welcome, and no experience is necessary. We have spare sports chairs available to use. Adult’s session is 7.00 - 9.00pm in the large sports hall, juniors’ session is 7.00 - 9.00pm in the small hall. Come along and try something new! Contact Karen Redmondwalkerredmond@aol.com or call 07982195006 to find out more or come along to one of our sessions.
WEST LOTHIAN LITTER PICKERS - We’re a group of over 3000 West Lothian residents, so if you want to help clean up your community, like we do, come join the group on Facebook “West Lothian Litter Pickers(Act Local Think Global)”. We organise group litter picks or put you in touch with a buddy in your area to get you started. We can even provide you with equipment at no cost to you.
WEST LOTHIAN u3a -
Retired or semi-retired and looking for a new way to spend your free time? Why not try u3a? u3a is a UK wide movement for retired or semi retired people who wish to make new friends, continue learning in an informal setting, and keep active. Most groups meet at Uphall Community Centre. No formal qualifications are required and non given. For more information s§ee: W: u3asites.org.uk/westlothian Facebook: ‘West Lothian u3a’ E: memsecwlu3a@gmail.com T: 01506 844274
COMMUNITY PLAYGROUPS
BATHGATE - Available for Children from 2 years old at Bathgate Partnership Centre. We offer morning or full day sessions. Mon-Fri 9.15am to 11.30am and Mon-Thurs 9.15am to 2.00pm. Cost £9.00 per am session, £20.00 per all day session Eligible 2 funding accepted. E: bathgate@ communityplaygroups.org or T: 07985 645871
BATHGATE AND DISTRICT
PROBUS CLUB - Retired? Fed up with lockdown and covid restrictions? Come and enjoy weekly meetings with interesting speakers on a wide range of topics, together with exciting visits in the summer months. Join us for informal chats, with refreshments beforehand, every Tuesday from 10.00am to 12.00pm in St John’s Church hall, Mid Street, Bathgate. For further information, contact Sandy McAlpin (Secretary) on (01506) 630152
LITTLE MONSTERS UNDER 5 GROUP A new look Little Monsters at Boghall Drop-in Centre. Children 0 – 5 with their parent/carer, Tues, Wed & Thurs. Coffee, tea & refreshments 9.009.30am, followed by FREE Drop-in Sessions. 9.30-10.30am or 11am-12noon. Afternoon (FREE) 12.30-13.15 Storytime/arts/music classes. Email: arlene@bdic.org. uk Or call the drop in centre on 01506 283201 to register
SONGWRITING GROUPLooking for new members. We meet on the 3rd Thursday of the month in Room GP3, Strathbrock Community Centre, Broxburn, Entrance B, from 7.00pm -
9.00pm. These are informal evenings aimed at encouraging musicians and songwriters (adults) of all levels and abilities who would like to share their idea, techniques and songs with others in an informal, friendly environment. For further information, please contact Annie on 07824 667889.
WHITBURN AND DISTRICT
PROBUS CLUB - A local association for retired and semiretired men to meet for fellowship and friendship. Meetings are held at the Hilcroft Hotel each Wednesday morning at 9.30 and usually conclude around 12 noon. An extensive programme of speakers is planned throughout the year and periodic lunches, dinners and outings are planned. Interested? Contact Rod Dow (Probus Secretary) on 01506 462772 or come along any Wednesday morning for a coffee and a warm welcome.
CHOOSE YOU YOGA
STUDIO
& WELLNESS HUB - Dedicated yoga studio in Carmondean, Livingston. Build strength, flexibility and resilience, and support mental health, joint pain/ illness/injury recovery. Iyengar yoga 6.00-7.15 & 7.30-8.45pm Monday. Ante-natal yoga
- Support and social activities for Carers, Young Carers and Disabled Adults. All our carers groups are offered blended – both in person and face to face, as are our social groups: 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. Power of Attorney Clinic (face to face) & Benefits Advice (phone or face to face).
T: 01506 448000
E: office@carers-westlothian.com
W: www.carers-westlothian.com
GENERATION ARTS - Creative activities for people aged 50 and over, either living at home or in care with complex needs. 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 Centrecall 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 £24. Follow our Facebook page, visit: 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.
Chinese film noirs are not the genre of films I would associate with the country, but in all honesty my preconceived bias on what China produces might be out of tune.
Taking place in rural China in the 90’s, Only the River Flows follows Ma Zhe, a detective who must solve the murder of a woman. It has a culprit that at face value seems obvious, but Ma Zhe wants to delve deeper into the case and uncover the truth. The film takes huge swings, takes risks and tests its audience.
While I do not think that every moment works, I loved how it never played anything safe. It plays with your idea of how a murder mystery should play out and takes you on a journey which from the opening moments is truly gripping, pulls you in and never lets you go till the credit roll.
The film is confidently directed by Wei Shujun, who showcases a directing style that is unique
A FILM BY WEI SHUJUN
Robert Ewing interviewed Only the River Flows Director Wei Shujun, at the London Film Festival:
RE: The film is based on a book; what processes enabled you to make the changes from the book to the movie, and what did you want to include?
WS: To adapt the novel into a film is not just interpreting or translating the novel into a film, it is to express the internal elements and feelings. What I did was read the novel and then wrote the script from scratch. It is not a simple adaptation or translation; it is written keeping the facts with all the main points but using the language of the novel to write a film script
RE: So how was it for you as both writer and director, telling a story that has an unreliable narrator, for it to be as effective as possible?
film is the choices made in the latter half. It left
Only the River Flows
and has a true voice to it. There are many shots that, even days after seeing the film, are ingrained in my head and have stuck with me psychologically in very distinctive and unexplainable ways. My biggest issue with the film is the choices made in the latter half. It left me wanting more, I just wanted to have the cherry on top. Only the River Flows is a solid thriller and worth the watch.
WS: What I wanted to do was to make the audience think or see like Ma Zhe, so we tried to present it as how the character is feeling. By midway, we already know who the murderer is, but Ma Zhe cannot believe that, just like we cannot believe it. Even although we know we can’t accept the fact, so we dig more into it and become obsessed. He is blurring everything and his irrational thoughts or his dreams are affected. What I want to do is make the audience feel what Ma Zhe is feeling.
RE: Was there any deliberate connection between how the baby puts the items into the bathtub and how the man puts the jackets into the river?
WS: There is, kind of, it seems that there is always something there, nagging him.
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.
