JULY 2021
COMMUNITY:
SPOTLIGHT:
FEATURE:
The monthly community magazine for Bathgate, Torphichen, and Broxburn
W
hen a dog goes missing one of the toughest things, when you find them, is getting support on the ground to secure them when they’ve gone into survival mode. Almost 24 hours a day, local volunteer trackers are out finding and securing lost dogs – using vast skill, experience, knowledge, patience and sheer physical endurance. I spoke with Hazel from Livingston, for whom it has become a fulltime lifestyle. There is way more to it than I could fit in two pages of this magazine, but please look up the work they do and add a contribution if you can. Bathgate is looking beautiful again this summer, thanks to the Bathgate in Bloom project. A lot of work by volunteers, plus financial support from Enterprising Bathgate, makes it possible for us all to enjoy the floral displays With a spotlight article on the businesses in one of Bathgate’s prominent buildings on Edinburgh Road, and all our usual columns - including ways to stave off a recurring “I’m bored!” from the kids this summer in Laura’s parenting column – I hope you enjoy this issue of Konect and have a fantastic July!
THIS ISSUE
P14 Community: Bathgate blooming once more...............................................................8 Technology: Is my phone listening to me?.................................................................... 13 Spotlight: All under one roof........................... 14 Feature: Search, track, trap............................ 16 Garden Project: Relax and Enjoy.................. 23 Living Well: Staying safe after lockdown.............................................................. 27 Parenting: Hello Summer!............................... 28 Film Review: Raya and the Last Dragon.................................................................. 29 Local Environment: Cygnets........................... 30 Puzzles.................................................................. 31
COVER IMAGE: Bathgate in Bloom, see Choose Bathgate feature on P8-9.
All enquiries, E: editor@konect.scot M: 07854 492638 @KonectMagazines
Konect is delivered monthly to 10,000 homes in selected areas of Bathgate and Broxburn. It is also available online: konect.scot/subscribe BATHGATE | 3
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ROOT TO MARKET
Root To Market is a food and grocery delivery service set up by awardwinning Edinburgh restaurateurs Scott and Laura Smith that brings restaurant-quality produce from independent local suppliers direct to households across West Lothian. The focus is on buying local and sustainability, supporting the businesses that make and grow incredible produce on our doorsteps. Shop freshly-made sourdough loaves and baked goods from local bakeries, organic fruit and veg from Phantassie Organic, dairy from Yester Farm Dairies, meat, fish, pantry, foraged ingredients, sweets and snacks and oil and vinegar. Wine, including Fhior’s Wine Club selection, beer, soft drinks and hot drinks are also available as well as items for the home covering toiletries, flora, household items and selected art and pottery. Delivering to West Lothian every Tuesday, orders can be made up to seven days in advance and no later than two days before delivery day. The delivery fee is £3 or free for orders over £60. www.root-to-market.co.uk
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Our town centres may have been quiet over the last few months but work invariably goes on behind the scenes in preparation for welcoming back businesses, residents and visitors. This is certainly the case in Bathgate where the easing of restrictions in June coincided with the annual preparations for Bathgate in Bloom. The wonderful floral displays which brighten up the town in the summer months date back to 2005 when Bathgate first accepted the invitation to enter the Beautiful Scotland in Bloom competition. Subsequently Bathgate competed in the 2007 and 2012 competitions. Much was learned from entering, however it proved extremely expensive to get the town to the standards required by the competition’s rules. However, business owners in the town centre as well as residents and visitors had enjoyed the colourful environment which entering the competition brought to the town and the Bathgate in Bloom Project was born. It is fully supported by Enterprising Bathgate and its sponsors and continues to make Bathgate’s town centre as welcoming as possible. Bathgate in Bloom has evolved over the years and now includes the provision and maintenance of 114 hanging baskets and 12 half-moon baskets on the columns in the main shopping precinct, and planting, weeding and maintenance of flowers and shrubs in various soft landscape areas around the town centre. This year there has been 8 | BATHGATE
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Image Credit: Stuart Vance new investment in a number of tiered The annual investment in Bathgate in Bloom flower units as well as the installation of includes purchasing flowers, replacement of additional benches. shrubs, installation, removal and storage of the baskets and payment of the storage fee for a The project also includes the ‘Adopt a water bowser. It also includes planting the halfStation’ initiative introduced by ScotRail moon baskets in the pedestrian and is responsible for the precinct, planting troughs and planting and maintenance of containers at the rail station, the various railing troughs, planting flower beds at the top containers and flower barrels around the ticket office area. There is no doubt the of Hopetoun Street and the raised bed outside Jim Allan ScotRail has recently given Motorcycles, plus maintenance Bathgate in Bloom permission Bathgate in Bloom to site several flower troughs Project has made a of all throughout the season. on both platforms and these There is no doubt the Bathgate huge difference to displays will be worked on in in Bloom Project has made a the coming months. This helps the town centre’s huge difference to the town present Bathgate in a positive centre’s environment and much light, not only for station users environment of the project’s success is down but also for those passing to the dedication of volunteers through on the train. and the knowledge and guidance of a few former council employees. Due to these unprecedented times, this year, as last, Enterprising Bathgate will fund the Pat Kerr said, “We are extremely proud and full cost of the project, some £7,500, without privileged to have the support, knowledge and seeking part-funding through sponsorship. infectious enthusiasm of our small group of volunteers. A big thank you is due to them all.” Pat Kerr, one of the co-ordinators of Enterprising Bathgate, has been hands-on involved with Bathgate in Bloom since it This article was contributed by began. He said,“Enterprising Bathgate has stepped in to cover all the costs of Bathgate in Choose Bathgate. CHOOSE Bloom to help alleviate the financial pressure BATHGATE is an initiative on businesses during the current crisis. of Enterprising Bathgate, This has been made possible through the the managing company BID Resilience Fund set up by the Scottish for Bathgate’s Business Government.” Improvement District. @KonectMagazines
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Is My Phone Listening To Me? I’ve been asked this countless times and the answer? A very resounding no. However reality is far more worrying and complex than most people realise. Simply, the advertisers are in a hidden bidding war for your attention. You and your data are a valuable commodity and the more specifically you can be targeted then the more you’re worth to them. So the reason that ad about the thing you were only just talking about pops up on your news feed is all thanks to the little discussed topic of data harvesting and profile building – your attention has just been sold to the highest bidder.
The term ‘personal data’ is usually associated with information such as addresses and bank details but this is nothing compared to the actual data held on you. Just last year Facebook and Instagram were in hot water for using biometric data such as facial recognition to profile their users. That means that they can recognise your face in any picture or video anywhere, anytime. Couple that with the monitoring of browsing activity, social media posts, search-engine queries and even what you ask your Alexa or Google Assistant and companies can build a profile very specific to you and use this to entice advertisers to buy your advertising spots. Device location data (often running permanently in the background) enables companies to pinpoint other devices in your vicinity, how often you’re with that person and how regularly you communicate. They know where you’ve been and the people you have in common so can target you with what you’re most likely to engage with. If the friend you’ve just seen for coffee has been looking at holidays recently, chances are you’ll have discussed it. That makes @KonectMagazines
you prime target for ads about breaks away and before you know it you’ll be booking your next holiday too. We’re all guilty of clicking ‘agree’ to cookies and terms and conditions without reading them first, but it’s important to realise that in doing so you’re often giving permissions for invasive tracking. Many apps readily admit to using your location to target you with custom advertisements, but they don’t make it clear that your data may then be sold to a third-party who will analyse the places you’ve visited to make future ads even more targeted and relevant. Organisations and institutions have a responsibility to ensure that they’re using the correct methods for managing personal data in a way that’s compliant with regulations. However, as individuals we also need to be conscious of how much we’re giving away. Think before you consent and be aware of tracking in apps. Simple steps can put barriers in place preventing such invasive profiles being built and you might just realise your phone was never actually listening …. it didn’t ever have to.
This column is contributed by Eve Wardman, co-founder and director of Wardman UK Ltd, the Lothian’s premier IT and Microsoft Cloud Solutions provider.
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All Under One Roof
Decisions you make about your home, investments and pension have a profound impact on you, your children and lifestyle, now and into retirement. So turning aspirations and hopes into reality requires the very best professional advice, and the Turpie & Co building on Edinburgh Road, Bathgate, houses three businesses dedicated to exactly that. The estate agency Turpie & Co, the Mortgage Advice Bureau West Lothian, and financial advisers Swilcan Financial Partners are headed up by local business people who share the space and some key principles – personal service, confidentiality and an absolute dedication to helping you achieving your goals. Vanishingly rare personal service - A personal service where you build trust and rapport with your adviser leads to better outcomes, especially when decisions are complicated or have significant financial consequences. It takes that extra time, but is something all the businesses here prioritise. And particularly for mortgage advice, it’s increasingly rare as the high street bank branches disappear, one by one. At the Mortgage Advice Bureau, Mark’s goal is always to ensure you are positioned as strongly as possible to make an offer on the home you want. Originally from Bathgate, Mark lives in Armadale and worked in mortgages with HSBC before moving into the broker network. Access to a huge choice of lenders through the national network, combined with his local knowledge and experience, means that Mark can not only find a suitable mortgage but also give expert advice on how to best position an offer for success. Regardless of what your challenges may be, he’s dedicated to finding a product for your unique situation, or the unique home you’re looking to buy. The personal service extends to offering 14 | BATHGATE
flexible appointment times including evenings and, more than “just” the mortgage, Mark helps with arranging a survey, checking the home report, and advising on associated protection products (such as income protection). The Mortgage Advice Bureau is a continuation of Greenwell Financial Services, an established mortgage service in Bathgate run by Gillian Greenwell before merging with Turpie & Co, which she now co-directs with Craig Turpie. It’s not just what you know: the power of networks - “We’ve moved some truly spectacular properties that were never on the open market,” says Gillian, “but we can’t promote these sales or share these particular successes as they are confidential transactions.” Matching a home with a buyer, without marketing, is an off-market approach unique to Turpie & Co in West Lothian. It’s possible thanks to the reach of their network and the thorough understanding they have of their clients’ needs. With a portfolio of ready buyers and a good understanding of the types of homes they’re looking for, Craig and Gillian are often able to match a buyer with a property that becomes available with no marketing needed. It works to the advantage of both buyers and sellers and is of particular interest to sellers who want a confidential sale. Buyers on the list get access to hand-picked homes before they go on the open market. When Turpie & Co market a home, each campaign is bespoke. Every home and situation is different, and the best result is achieved when it’s treated as such. “There may be unique aspects of the property which require a creative approach, and in every case the key to success is to have a detailed understanding of the profile of a potential buyer, so your campaign can be @KonectMagazines
accurately targeted,” explains Craig. The highest-quality photos, videos and other material is produced, and clients are invited to review their campaign on the big screen over coffee in the office. Going above and beyond, Gillian and Craig are sometimes asked by home buyers to advise on home improvements. When the plan is to invest then resell in a number of years, buyers may want advice on what will return the best results on every pound spent. It speaks volumes of their experience and expertise in the local property market, and the long-term relationships they foster. Truly holistic planning - “When you interact with us, you’ll get value - either to find out that what you already have is adequate, to learn about pension planning and wealth management, or to get a plan to help improve yours,” says Callum Nisbet of Swilcan Financial Partners, an Appointed Representative of St. James’s Place Wealth Management*. Part of Callum’s unique approach is to offer truly holistic financial planning. He works with a network of trusted professionals – accountants and lawyers – and does the footwork to bring together a full, bespoke service. When seeking financial advice, it’s all too common to come across barriers such as, “I don’t know, you’d have to speak to an accountant,” and it was Callum’s experience of this that prompted him to build his own business on a holistic service. He begins with an in-depth look at a client’s goals and current situation, and with this knowledge he draws on relationships when
required to put a coherent plan in place. “I can’t give you the right advice until I fully understand what your goals are,” he says. “Then we build your financial plan around that.” Looking at goals is not just a tick-box exercise here; it’s the very foundation of the service, for both personal and business financial planning. “We don’t move pensions or investments just for the sake of it,” he explains. “Often, a product you already have may be adequate, but the overall plan is missing or flawed.” This holistic approach fits perfectly with the ethos of the other businesses in the Turpie & Co building here, which is why they confidently refer their clients for each other’s services. You can achieve anything with quality advice, a solid plan and holistic support. Each of the businesses here is dedicated to finding creative approaches, leading best practice in their respective fields, and most importantly, seeing their clients achieve their goals.
* Swilcan Financial Partners is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products
SEARCH, TRACK, TRAP – or, what NOT to do if your dog goes missing
Successful rescue of Wendy 16 | BATHGATE
“I live out in the wild 24/7. It’s now my life choice.” Hazel Muzzle Mutts, of Livingston, is a tracker and one of a team of dedicated volunteers who have made it their mission to find lost dogs and reunite them with their owners. Abseiling ravines, river searches, thermal scope work, working tracker dogs, setting up and monitoring cameras, maintaining scent and bait feed stations, trekking through mud and forests – these are just some of the things the work entails. Lost & Found Dogs West Lothian is a community run by Charlene and Hazel with a team of volunteers. They work closely with other organisations all over Scotland, and call on drone pilots, thermal scope workers and trained spotters as needed. It can take days or weeks of patiently tracking to recover a dog. “It’s commonly misunderstood that getting lots of people out to where a dog has been lost and shouting on it is best. But it can cause more harm than good,” explains Charlene. “A lost dog is in survival mode. They are not your pet at this point; they are an animal looking after themselves in the wild and you’re a predator - no matter how bonded you are with them.” Mowdie’s owner is seated on the ground, head bowed, no eye contact. Mowdie zig zags slowly, approaching her. His every movement and reaction is monitored by Hazel’s thermal scope. Mowdie had run off after a pheasant on a country road 18 hours previously and his owner feared he’d been hit by a 4x4. Hazel, with her dogs and a thermal scope, carefully tracked him through dense woodland, using scent, bait and wait tactics until they located him. “He was aware we were there, but it took a lot of patience before he was ready to come,” says Hazel. A lost dog needs time to settle and get used @KonectMagazines
to their surroundings before they can start to think rationally, whether it’s a familiar area or not. It becomes their new safe space as they figure things out, and they’ll be suspicious of anything new in that space. Shouting and torches will spook them. Mowdie, like others in this situation, needed time. After many hours, and with his owner’s scent in the area, Mowdie eventually became confident enough to come forward into an open space, keeping his distance, very unsure. “This is where the trust between owner and myself comes in,” explains Hazel. “Most of the things I ask them to do is against what their heart tells them.” With your lost dog finally so close, your adrenaline’s pumping but you have to remain calm and focused so as not to react prematurely. Even at this stage a wrong movement can send the dog running again motion sensitivity is a big thing when they have been loose. “I instruct the owner depending on the body language of their dog. Mowdie’s owner couldn’t see or hear her dog in the pitch black; she was cold, wet, exhausted, and thinking he may have been injured almost 18 hours earlier. So there is a lot of trust needed to have someone you don’t know tell you he’s to the right, to the left, 50 ft away, stay still, speak softly, don’t speak, crawl away, sit, stay...” “The little cry that escapes from the owner lets me know they have the dog in their grasp. The slip lead is promptly but gently put in place as the owners cradle their dog. Even the most gentle dog can bite at this time. They’re secured in a safe area as they are still a flight risk until they decompress fully.” There is no time limit in getting a loose dog to safety. Wendy is a Tunisian rescue dog who was at risk of being shot by marksmen. Hazel lived out for 8 weeks, tracking her with specialised equipment. She managed to get her eating from her hand but not trusting enough to secure her. Eventually, Wendy was safely darted (temporarily tranquillised) by Animal Capture UK & Canine Capture UK, and after weeks of rehab she is now happily in a new forever home. “It’s an emotional roller coaster, yes,” says Hazel. “However, our emotions cannot come before the dog’s thinking, as it can compromise their safety. It is not your pet until after it’s back in your arms, secure and safe.”
Then you’ll get that priceless look - the look of ‘what’s all the fuss been for?!’” Hazel and the other trackers will do whatever it takes, however long it takes, for you to get that look.
EQUIPMENT The rescue
work relies on kind public donations to purchase and maintain thermal scopes, drones, humane traps, bait feed, cameras and other equipment. Hazel’s GoFundMe page is at uk.gofundme.com/f/Equipmentand-supplies-to-assist-missinglost-dogs. “Thank you so much for your kindness and support. Each and every owner with a missing dog will be eternally grateful.”
CREATE A SCENT SAMPLE Hazel works with Search Dogs For Lost Dogs Scotland, the only National Association of Specialist Dog Users pet trailing dogs in Scotland. If ever you need them, providing a good scent sample will hugely increase the chances of a successful reunion with your dog. This takes 5 minutes and you’ll need disposable gloves, a make-up pad and a mason jar. 1. Put on the gloves so you don’t contaminate the swab with your own scent. 2. Take a cotton pad and rub it down your dog’s back, legs, head and mouth. 3. Place in the mason jar and close it (do not re-open). Label with date and your dog’s name. Repeat with a separate jar if you have more than one dog. (A sealed plastic bag or container will do, however mason jars are better as can hold a scent for years). This article was contributed by Helen-Jane after speaking with Hazel and Charlene of Lost & Found Dogs West Lothian. Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect. Contacts (Search Facebook): • Lost and Found Dogs West Lothian - 1st port of call if you lose your dog • HazelMuzzlemutts Lostdog Searchtracktrap
CREDIT: All images by Joe Matten Photography | joemattenphotography@gmail.com | Instagram: @mattenmedia
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Relax and Enjoy Now that the Spring rush to get our gardens in order has passed it must be time for us to relax and enjoy our gardens or even visit other gardens and relax and enjoy them? Lesley and I find it hard to resist the temptation to buy plants or ornaments for our garden when we visit other gardens… and we don’t have any spare space for them. But if we both love something we happily give into temptation and will always find a space somewhere. We love looking out from the house at a special plant or piece of art in the garden ad we are very lucky that we have garden around all four sides of our house so there are many opportunities for another view. Lesley says that if she can’t sleep during the night she doesn’t have to resort to counting sheep as she mentally walks around the
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garden counting our pieces of art installed all round the garden. If you need some inspiration for your own garden please visit New Hopetoun Gardens in July and August and explore our ‘art in the garden’ event. We install the outdoor work of artists working in Scotland in our 20 demonstration gardens. James Parker’s Garroch Twist in the shady garden at New Hopetoun Gardens
The gardening project is contributed by Dougal Philip, New Hopetoun Gardens. Inspiring, informing and entertaining, for more than 40 years.
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LIVING WELL
Staying safe after lockdown Older people have spent months at home, and may be feeling anxious about heading back out and making the most of restrictions easing. Home Instead Livingston, a local home care company, has provided some top-tips for how to stay safe whilst enjoying the return to pre-lockdown life. • Don’t rush to do things out of your comfort zone: Seeing family and friends is what many of us have craved in recent months, and simply going on a walk with nearest and dearest is a natural place to start. You can decide what you feel comfortable doing next.
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• Find a select group of people: It's normal to feel anxious about going back to a life of social contact having spent so long fearful that this could put you at risk. Begin by socialising with a select group of family and friends. By keeping the group small, you will minimise the risk considerably yet enjoy the company you deserve. • Combine fun and safety: We can go back to enjoying simple outings and stay safe by making the most of the safety measures available to us. Whether it’s a bookings system that prevents overcrowding, or a timeslot dedicated to the elderly, businesses have done a great job adapting to keep customers like you safe. • Don’t forget your face covering: The government has indicated that we won’t be getting rid of our masks any time soon. And that’s a good thing as wearing one will help to protect you and others as we start mixing again.
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PARENTING
Lunch break !
fun! Outdoor With the summer holidays upon us, it’s time for planning activities to keep the kids occupied. The last thing you want to hear is a recurring, “I’m bored!” all summer long.
No matter how old your kids are you should be able to find some sort of activities, outings and camps in West Lothian to keep them busy.
Normally I don’t book too many things and instead just go with the flow. When I’ve got time off work I wait to see what mood we are in and what the weather is like before deciding what to do. Filling their days with camps and activities quickly gets expensive and the kids are just as happy playing at home and in the garden a lot of the time. But after Summer 2020 saw us pretty much housebound – let’s just say the prospect of 7 weeks with nothing to do and nowhere to be isn’t so appealing. So I’m really keen to give the kids (and me) some things to look forward to this summer. I want to find things to keep them active and engaged instead of 28 | BATHGATE
bored and listless – there’s been too much of that going around over the last year.
The key to success is probably planning ahead – everyone is in the same boat wanting to find things to do now that we are allowed to get out and about. And with a lot of activities still ramping up after long breaks there’s not as much choice as normal so I suspect a lot of things will book up quickly. So I’m busy thinking back to all the things they’ve done over the last few years that they’ve enjoyed: from West Lothian Youth Foundation football camps to Artsparks at Jupiter Artland, from Run +Jump + Throw with Livingston Athletic Club to summer camps at Astro Gymnastics. I’m also paying attention at the school gates (with my mask on and sociallydistanced of course) to hear
what other things are out there we’ve not tried before. It sounds like Gooey Events have some great activities on offer especially if your kids like to get messy!
And of course I’m keeping an eye out for free activities… the Junior Parkrun which has moved while on hiatus to Bankton Mains Park, was hopeful of a return this summer and that would definitely get us all moving again. So spreadsheets at the ready parents…ready, steady, summer! 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 fulltime personal assistant to her two girlie girls. @KonectMagazines
in. The action is very well done but I wish there was more of it because of how good it is.
I love Asian cinema and culture, so I was really excited to see Raya and the Last Dragon. Part of me was very sceptical; I haven’t been in love with a lot of Disney’s recent releases.
So heading into Raya I wanted to know if this would be the film to break the Disney curse for me. In a nutshell, Raya and the Last Dragon is the definition of middle of the road to me. There are aspects I loved and others I really disliked. I loved the animation - it’s simply beautiful. I loved the voice acting, in particular Awkwafina as Sisu, who I truly believe steals the show and adds a lot of life to scenes she’s
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The main theme of the film is trust, and while it’s an excellent message to share it becomes less impactful when the characters continually go on and on about it. In my opinion it dilutes the message the film is trying to put over. While people may give it a free pass since it’s a “kid’s” film, people who aren’t kids watch these films, so at times it feels like an excuse to cover up lazy writing. Raya and the Last Dragon had the potential to be great but overall, I just found it average. 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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LOCAL ENVIRONMENT
We make no apologies for talking about swans again but we’re sure you’ll understand why we wanted to share another image so quickly. This pair of swans are new to the ponds in Wester Inch and within the last few weeks became the proud parents of 8 beautiful cygnets. Whilst they’re this young (this was within about a day of them hatching) they’re not quite waterproof yet so hitch a ride on Mum’s back, and why not! It looks a great way to travel if you ask us. At this time of year the male (cob) swan will fiercely defend his brood, and we’ve already seen some off-lead dogs at the receiving end of his protective side. No harm was caused to either animals thankfully, but it’s incredibly important to keep your dogs on a lead when around nesting birds. This could either be around our waterways or in fields, and moorland. You’d be very surprised at how many birds nest on the ground and are susceptible to disturbance by humans (and our furry companions)! 30 | BATHGATE
These cygnets will stay with their mother for the first 6 months of their lives before either moving on their own to find a new territory, or being chased off by the resident male in advance of the next breeding season. In the meantime, we can all enjoy watching the springtime babies (big and small) grow and learn how to cope with the demands of life, and appreciate the challenges they face. 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 @KonectMagazines
CROSSWORD
SUDOKU Sudoku solution on page 34
PUZZLES
ACROSS: 1. French castle (7), 5. Competed (5), 8. Very alike (9), 9.Poem(3),10.Consumed(5),12.Reflects(7),13.Friendships(13), 15. Immediate (7), 17. In front (5), 19. A pronoun (3), 20. Emergency vehicle (9), 22. Concede (5), 23. Captivate (7).
Crossword solution in the August edition of Konect
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DOWN: 1. Illegal act (5), 2. Beer (3), 3. Died out (7), 4. Embarrassed (13), 5. Person in power (5), 6. Large reptile (9), 7. Frocks (7), 11. Magnifies distant objects (9), 13. Form of travel (7), 14. Bright red (7), 16. Prize (5), 18. Reside (5), 21. And not (3).
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SOLUTIONS
SPORTS, HOBBIES, LEARNING, SUPPORT GROUPS & MORE... 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@carerswestlothian.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. 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. We also provide expert and easy-to-understand information on a range of cancer-related topics, which can be sent free of charge. For anyone affected by cancer – yourself, a relative, friend or carer of someone with cancer. At present we are available by phone, email or online 34 | BATHGATE
SOLUTION TO JUNE CROSSWORD
appointment. 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.
ACROSS: 1. Chairs, 4. Popped, 9. Shorten, 10. Darts, 11. Night, 12. Earlier, 13. Wonderfully, 18. Develop, 20. Haste, 22. Proud, 23. Expires, 24. Sister, 25. Symbol. DOWN: 1. Casino, 2. Among, 3. Rotated, 5. Older, 6. Partial, 7. Desert, 8. Interrupted, 14. Obvious, 15. Unhappy, 16. Adapts, 17. Vessel, 19. Ledge, 21. Scrub.
SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE 31
POKÉMON TRAIL IN BROXBURN - Local childminder Marsha Ross has created a Pokemon trail in Broxburn Community Woods – some fun for the summer holidays! Enter Broxburn Community Woods from opposite 26 Craigseaton, and follow the concrete road into the woods. You will see a sign on your right-hand side. There are 17 Pokémon in total hung high up in the trees. Gotta catch em all!
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