Konect Calders April 2023

LOCAL WALK:

LOCAL CHARITY: PROPERTY MATTERS:

The local walk feature this month is a short drive away, is not too challenging and is a site with an interesting historic background - ideal if you’re looking for a little change of scenery to ease yourself out for some fresh air this spring!

All our usual columns are here, including the local charity which is CyreniansOlder People Acive Lives, who are looking for volunteer befrienders, so do drop them a line if you can help.

I’d like to wish all readers a fantastic Easter break! Thank you for reading Konect and supporting local businesses.

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Just across the county border into South Lanarkshire is a historic site that calls itself “the birthplace of the Scottish Industrial Revolution.” Besides some interesting history, the site of the Wilsontown Ironworks is a good venue for a peaceful walk and picnic if you’re looking for a change of scenery.

Take the A706 towards Lanark. Shortly after the Heathland Forest entrance, turn left onto the B7016. At the bend in the road go straight ahead – there is a Wilsontown sign – and you can park in the Glen car park on the righthand side.

Wilsontown Ironworks was established in 1779 by the three Wilson brothers of the Cleugh estate here, transforming an area of bleak moorland and a weaving community into a hive of noisy industrial activity which carried on through highs and lows for 63 years, closing in 1842. Some transformational discoveries were made at Wilsontown, including hot blast. After the ironworks closed, the site was then mined for coal for another 100 years or so until that too closed in the 1950s.

It is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. The Forestry Commission, who look after the site, has created a series of trails to explore along with information boards. Although there are very few remains of buildings, you can see where the crowded workers’ homes were, and discover hidden features from the days of the ironworks and coal mining, as well as plants and animals that inhabit the place today.

There are three way-marked trails and you can try one or all of them depending on how much time you have. Besides this you can head deeper within the Heathland Forest.

All trails begin from the Glen Car Park and are mostly gravelled surfaces although some of the gravel can be a bit loose and muddy in places.

THE GLEN TRAIL

This is an easy half mile circular walk on unsurfaced grass trails that take you past the Moosewater Burn and through broadleaf woodland. Part of the estate, it’s adjacent to the ironworks itself; you pass the site of the Wilson’s grand mansion, of which there are just a few stones left. Enjoy birdsong and the babbling of the burn.

THE PEAT POND PATH AND QUALITY ROW TRAIL

These two walks both start across the road from the car park, where a short link path takes you to the orange and blue waymarkers for the Peat Pond and Quality Row trails respectively, within the old ironworks land. The trails are both around a mile or so, and take you through the industrial landscape, through forest areas and past the site of the workers houses and the remains of Wilsontown Inn.

If you do all three trails and explore some of the unmarked trails too, you can easily spend a couple of hours walking. Bring a picnic; there is a picnic table at the car park and plenty of tree stumps to sit on as you go around the trails. Alternatively, The Inns Forth on 50 Main Street, Forth, is just a mile away and offers sit in and takeaway food.

The ironworks heritage

Established in 1779, Wilsontown was at the forefront of technological advances in metallurgy, some of which were discovered by accident.

The Cleugh estate here, owned by three brothers Robert, John and William Wilson, was a remarkable site for ironworks as, along with some neighbouring lands which the Wilsons purchased, it had all the necessary minerals (ironstone, coal and limestone) to produce good quality wrought iron.

The Wilson’s created a huge operation with the mines, iron foundry, workshops, offices and housing for the hundreds of workers needed. The housing was squeezed in adjacent to the industrial buildings, and a school was provided. There were 2000 people from all over the world living and working in Wilsontown in its heyday. Iron was transported on carts along the toll roads via West Calder to Edinburgh (Leith), via Bathgate and Ballencrieff Toll to Bo’ness, and via Shotts to Glasgow.

As you walk the paths today there are plenty of hints of what once went on. Forestry work uncovered 77 bell pits a number of years ago and the area has been cleared so that you get a better indication of how it once looked.

This article was written by Helen-Jane Gisbourne, Konect editor, after visiting Wilsontown Ironworks. For more detailed information on the history see www.forthdistrict. co.uk/villages-history/wilsontown.html and https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/wilsontown

LIVING WELL

Hearing loss is a common problem among the elderly, affecting around 40% of people over the age of 50 in the UK.

It can have a significant impact on their daily lives and lead to social isolation, depression and anxiety due to the lack of ability to hear and participate in social activities or perform everyday tasks.

Presbycusis is age-related hearing loss, which occurs due to changes in the inner ear that develop over time, with common signs including:

• Feeling that other people are mumbling or slurring their speech

• Finding it difficult to follow conversations, particularly when there is background noise

• Certain sounds seeming overly loud or irritating

• Having difficulty hearing higher-pitched sounds like a telephone ringing

• Finding men’s voices easier to understand than women or children’s voices

• Experiencing a ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in one or both ears (known as tinnitus)

Noise-induced hearing loss can occur as a result of exposure to loud noises over a long period of time, such as working in a noisy environment or attending concerts or other loud events. This can also be caused by a single event, such as an explosion or gunshot.

Other factors such as genetics, certain medications, and illnesses such as diabetes or high blood pressure can also cause hearing loss.

Although there are many causes of hearing loss in the elderly, there are also many treatments available, including hearing aids, cochlear implants, medication, and surgery.

If you or a loved one is experiencing hearing loss, it is important to seek medical attention and explore the available treatment options.

The Living Well column is contributed by Home Instead Livingston. Contact them for advice and support on 01506 346046 or see www.homeinstead.co.uk/livingston

Over the last few years, we have been bombarded on all sides by headlines which seem to be designed to wind us up to fever pitch.

Whether that’s ‘we are going to freeze’ or ‘beware of giving your hard-earned money to scammers!’ The scary things just seem to keep on coming and we could all be forgiven for thinking that the only way out is just to scream at the top of our lungs, with feeling!

Catastrophising and imagining the very worstcase scenario in every situation is exhausting and takes a real toll on our mental health.

Most of us overthink every day; what if the train is late or we lose our job, or get ill or something happens to someone we love?

How many times have you or someone you

love complained of stomach ache or some other pain and found yourself browsing the internet for a diagnosis, only to discover that those are the exact symptoms of something scary? Thankfully, in almost all cases, we find that there is nothing at all to worry about and we have spent our energy needlessly. How good would it feel if we could just switch off our busy brains and silence those chattering mind monkeys?

Switching off that worrying and overactive mind is one of the biggest favours we can ever do for ourselves. Just the act of bringing our minds back to the now, to the very minute we are living in, is a practice that can change our lives forever.

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

Thinking too much about absolutely EVERYTHING...

This month I meet Her Royal Highness

The Princess Royal at a charity event at Merchants’ Hall, Hanover Street.

Naturally my mind has started to wonder… if I had to choose a wine to present to a Princess, what would I select? Fizz seems a fitting choice. It would be tempting to select a bottle of Nyetimber Classic Cuvee, a nonvintage English sparkling wine produced in West Sussex, England. Used at Royal weddings and celebrations, Nyetimber is a safe, tried and tested option. The Classic Cuvee is a careful blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes, the same grapes used across the Channel in Champagne. Nyetimber is available in Waitrose at £38.99 a bottle.

While English sparkling wine is lovely, I would present something less familiar and a little more unusual. I would offer a chilled glass of House of Arras, Blanc de Blanc Tasmanian Sparkling Wine, available from Harvey Nichols. House of Arras is Australia’s most awarded sparkling wine producer. The Blanc de Blanc wording tells us this wine is made from white grapes – 91% Chardonnay and 9% a top-secret grape that the producers have not revealed. The wine is rich but delicate with floral, lemon and baked bread notes.

Unfortunately, my ponderings will not be required. Princess Anne does not drink alcohol while attending events. I may have to have a glass of Tasmanian sparkling wine on her behalf.

The monthly wine tasting column is contributed by Joanne Frette. Joanne lives in Juniper Green with her husband and three children. For wine recommendations, reviews and details of future tasting events, please go to swirlsipsocialise.com

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Upon settling into West Lothian since moving from Essex, Lynda expressed to her son that she wished to support the community as she had done so in her hometown, to which her son replied “why don’t you try volunteering for OPAL?”

Since then, Lynda has been volunteering with OPAL for four years and fulfils a variety of roles; a befriender on a one-to-one basis and over the phone, supporting attendees at a group and helping with administrative duties. Whilst undertaking multiple roles isn’t a necessity, OPAL encourages volunteers to embrace opportunities that wield their qualities and interests.

As a West Lothian-wide service for those aged 60 and above, OPAL aims to sustain or enhance older people’s wellbeing and independence. With older people often at risk to feelings of loneliness and isolation, it is dedicated volunteers such as Lynda that are vital in enabling OPAL to support people to reconnect socially and build self-confidence.

Throughout her previous careers and volunteering at the local hospital in Essex, people had been drawn to Lynda’s ability to make people feel heard. Later, after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia, Lynda had to re-build her mobility through determination and a positive outlook. It was these such attributes that Lynda brought with her to OPAL and can be seen in her interactions with service users, providing a listening ear and encouragement.

“It’s nice to be able to listen to somebody and to hear their stories; I enjoy the stories that they share with me.” Lynda adds, “Volunteering with OPAL is extremely rewarding because I feel like I’ve given something back.”

Another volunteer, Brian, echoes this sense of contributing your qualities to helping others, describing volunteering for OPAL as a “feeling of sharing your skills and time.” Brian adds, “We all have things we are good at, others may value your help and knowledge. Through volunteering, you can enrich both of your lives.” There are a variety of opportunities to explore at OPAL that you can lend your life experience and abilities to, all of which support older people in your community. As Lynda concludes, “You won’t look back!”

This article was contributed by Cyrenians OPAL, 27 George Street, Bathgate, EH48 1PG. Tel: 01506 815 815. Registered charity number SC011052.

“You won’t look back!”

Cyrenians OPAL (Older People, Active Lives) volunteer encourages others to begin volunteering today

We all, quite rightly, think of our home as an investment. However the context is quite different from a property bought purely for this purpose and which generates a passive (or active) income.

The demand for self-catering or serviced holiday accommodation continues to rise and with platforms such as Airbnb becoming more widely used and trusted by consumers, many property owners are utilising space in the family home to capitalise on this growing sector of the market. This could be as a result of children (or parents) moving out (or moving on) and spaces that have the potential to be used as guest accommodation become available. Or, in some cases, purpose built ancillary accommodation that has been added or forms part of the original property and is part of a bigger plan to perhaps operate a ‘lifestyle’ business.

Other examples of income generating properties are not always as obvious. Some people want or need their home to accommodate their business requirements too. This could be in the form of a yard or outbuildings for storing vehicles, a field for livestock or, more commonly, separate accommodation to use as business premises. We regularly work with clients who have dedicated space within their property or, more typically, a separate detached building that they use to operate a business from. Depending on size, this can be a simple home office above a garage or space to accommodate several members of staff.

These types of properties are not always naturally associated with generating an

income as they are primarily family homes, however changes in lifestyle, changes in working habits and the demands for a healthy work-life balance can often be catered for with certain types of property.

An even less obvious example of property generating an income comes in the form of multi-generational living. It’s widely accepted that people are living longer, and being able to provide private or self-contained accommodation within a property for an elderly parent has obvious social benefits as well as financial. Children often now choose to stay at home well into their 20’s,even 30’s, to help save for a deposit for their first property and being able to provide independent living space as a starter home not only affords an opportunity for first time buyers to save, but can also mean the ‘bank of mum and dad’ doesn’t have to fund a deposit or help with rental costs.

If you are thinking about a change in lifestyle or about generating an income (or saving) from your property, there are many properties that offer this flexibility and provide opportunities that may not always be obvious. We regularly work with buyers who are specifically looking for these types of properties and advise sellers how best to highlight and promote the unique financial benefits of their properties to this market sector.

This selection of properties on the market all generate, or have the potential to generate, some form of income or financial benefit to the owners.

If asked about properties that generate an income, most people would naturally think ‘buy-to-let’ as this is the most popular and well-known type of property investment in the UK.

Generating an income from your property . . . or have the in-laws move-in!

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.

Riverbank Court, East Whitburn – House with selfcontained guest annexe

The Byres, Torphichen – Steading property with private garden and separate 2 acre paddock

DOES EASTER WEEKEND MEAN IT’S SPRING?

Gardeners really know that spring has arrived as we pass Easter weekend and the clocks have sprung forwards at the end of March.

Spring it may be but we will still be getting late frosts during April, so young plants grown inside will need careful hardening off (getting used to being outside) before you plant them out in their permanent positions. Be prepared to cover plants with fleece if frost is forecast, or have the plants moveable into a shed overnight. But we all want to get planting, so what is safe to plant now? Hardy shrubs and perennials are fine to plant so long as they haven’t been forced into soft growth indoors. But sweet peas are the classic plants to get growing outside for a summer display. They are classed as hardy annuals, and with a week or so hardening off outside it is safe to plant them in their permanent position.

They make a stunning display trained up a wigwam of bamboo canes and you can even have this in a very large pot place where you can see it from inside. Use Multipurpose + John Innes compost. Arrange 6-8 2.1m (7ft) canes in a pot tying the tops together, and plant two sweet pea plants to each cane. Use the little circular metal plant rings to tie the plants to the cane. Garden centres will be selling sweet pea plants in packs this month, choose a mixed colour or single colour mix and plan for a summer of fragrant showy blooms. Keep picking them weekly to encourage more flowers!

The gardening project is contributed by Dougal Philip, New Hopetoun Gardens. Inspiring, informing and entertaining, for more than 40 years.

The days of working for one employer for your whole career are largely over. Instead, working-age people today can expect to have several different employers or perhaps a mix of employed and self-employed jobs during the course of their career.

In addition to pensions, younger generations are building their wealth via a variety of assets including property, Stocks & Shares ISAs and other investments.

The benefit of having a range of assets is that it provides future flexibility as they can be earmarked for different purposes and drawn upon at different times.

Pensions have valuable advantages that make them a great place to start building wealth for retirement. The biggest benefit for many people

is pension tax relief, which is a government topup to pension savings based on your Income Tax band. However, pensions can only be accessed from age 55, which will be rising to 57 from 2028 (some employer schemes may be different). So, depending on your personal situation and goals, it can be useful to save and invest in alternatives - such as ISAs. The right solution for you will depend on your personal circumstances, a financial adviser can guide you on the options available.

The value of an Investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested. The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time and are dependent on individual circumstances.

If any of my neighbours read this, the reason I’m staring out the window so much is I’m on the lookout for this bird. The striking male sparrowhawk. Weighing in at a notso-fearsome 220g, he may not be the biggest bird of prey but he makes up for that in stealth and power.

During this year’s big garden bird watch, he appeared on the back fence and I sighed with relief when he disappeared empty clawed. Rather unusually, he came back later that day for a second attempt at the little birds but was far more relentless in his approach. Trying every angle to get them as they hid in the honeysuckle/ clematis before sadly he caught one of the female sparrows.

The power they have in their talons is phenomenal, which I’m sure you can probably tell in this picture. They’re very long in comparison to other birds of prey and it’s to give them extra reach. They are incredibly efficient predators, flying low before rising up to take their prey by surprise. They have feathers which act like the flaps on a plane to help control their speed and steep. Their tails flex from side to side and fan out to help them steer their way through what can be thick

woodland.

When you feed birds in the garden, having a sparrowhawk turn up is a risk but they really are a breathtaking sight when you see them doggedly pursue their prey.

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

APRIL CROSSWORD

^^^ Solution in the May edition of Konect

ACROSS:

1. Frenzied (7), 5. Horizontal (5), 8. Regularity (9), 9. Prohibit (3), 10. Severe (5), 12. Set free (7), 13. Protest (13), 15. Digit (7), 17. Used to sweeten (5), 19. Frozen water (3), 20. Small flower (9), 22. Examinations (5), 23. Longed for (7).

DOWN:

1. After fourth (5), 2. Beer (3), 3. Strengthen (7), 4. Praised (13), 5. Faithful (5), 6. Shaking (9), 7. Portable light (7), 11. Recalls (9), 13. Repairs teeth (7), 14. Replies (7), 16. Formal garments (5), 18. Quick (5), 21. Automobile (3).

APRIL SUDOKU

As April heralds the start of the asparagus season, so bountiful in Scotland, let’s go green (pardon the pun), lessen our carbon footprint and put an Italian twist on this truly delicious native vegetable. The essential ingredients for a good risotto are: Parmesan cheese, butter and a quality stock. The essential equipment required is a heavy bottomed saucepan (some prefer a wok). The process is not complicated at all, just follow these easy steps to enjoy a truly wonderful and mouth-watering dish.

Ingredients:

• 350g risotto rice, (Arborio, Carnaroli, Vialone Nano)

• 250g asparagus spears

• 200g Parmesan cheese, grated (preferably Parmigiano Reggiano), reserve some for the table

• 90g butter

• 1/2 medium onion, peeled and very finely chopped

• 1000-1250ml vegetable stock, homemade or use a good quality stock pot

• Salt to taste

Serves 4

Method:

1. Wash and trim asparagus by gently snapping off the woody part at base of stem. Peel downwards from bottom of tip and cut stem into 1-1.5 cm pieces. Reserve the tips.

2. Put the stock into a saucepan, bring to boil and leave to simmer on a low heat.

3. Put 60g ONLY of butter into another heavy saucepan on a low to medium heat, add onion and cook until golden.

4. Add the asparagus (NOT the tips) and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Add risotto rice, allow to cook until lightly toasted for a 1-2 minutes.

6. Stir in one ladle of boiling stock and simmer gently until it has been absorbed, stirring constantly.

7. Continue to add remainder of stock a ladleful at a time, stirring constantly over a 15-18 minute period (risotto should be served al dente, with a slight bite).

8. After stirring for 15 minutes, add asparagus tips and cook for a further 3 minutes.

9. Once cooked, add Parmesan, remainder of butter, stir gently, TASTE, add some salt if required, serve immediately and enjoy!

The recipe was contributed by Gina Giubarelli of ‘Bellini Cookery School.’ Gina lives in West Lothian and is passionate about food! She offers classes in basic cooking and a healthy diet. Contact Gina on ginabellini@aol.com

Currie H rticultural Society

Currie Horticultural Society has a show each August when local people from Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green and Baberton Mains enter the competitions. From this August the area of eligibility has been extended to include Colinton, Ratho and Kirknewton. The committee have been working on the Schedule showing the classes for entries, and it is now available on our website where there are also photos from previous Shows. Fruit, vegetables, and plants aren’t the only things we have for competition - there is also floral art, baking, preserves and handicrafts.

There are also competitions for young people, and the holidays - be it Easter or Summer - are the perfect times to have a look to see what is listed to help keep families occupied.

We very much would like to encourage residents of the ‘new’ areas to take part as ours is a very old Show – this year will be our 143rd – so we hope to welcome you all.

MID CALDER BABY & TODDLER GROUPTuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am - 11.30 am in The Institute Hall Mid Calder. We have a huge toy selection, offer arts and crafts and supply a small snack. Adults can have a hot drink and a chat whilst the children play happily. Session costs are £1 for under 1s and £2 for over 1s. Follow us on Facebook or email midcalderbabygroup@gmail. com for further details

EAST CALDER PLAYGROUP - Mon-Fri 9-11am for 2-3 year olds @ The Dave King Partnership Centre. Lots of fun activities while learning through play. Stories, songs, craft, small world, sand, water, outdoor fun & lots more. For more information call / text 07748053340 or pop in and see us.

SINGERGIE CHOIR - Singergie is a totally free, singing for fun choir with 2 locations in West Lothian. MONDAYS: 7.00-9.00pm, The Village, Oakbank Road, East Calder. FRIDAYS: 10.00am – 12noon, East Calder Bowling Club. No auditions, no fees, no stress. Good songs, easy harmonies, friendship and fun. And you get a cuppa thrown in too. Won’t cost you a penny. No need to book, just turn up and you’ll be made very welcome.

SUKHA YOGA - Getting back on your mat with real yoga every Wednesday 7.00 –8.30pm, Dave King Partnership Centre, East Calder. Feel the benefit from strengthening practice and regular relaxation. £6 per session or book 5 sessions for £25. All Covid-safe measures are in place. Bring your own mat and any other yoga equipment you need. Please confirm booking by pre-paying for your class. any further information, please contact me on 07767 777044. Everyone welcome.

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.

EAST CALDER NEEDLECRAFT CLUB - We are back….We meet every Thursday evening from 6.30pm - 9pm at the Dave King Partnership Centre, East Calder. All crafts are catered for whether you are a beginner or experienced in your favourite craft, we want to welcome you to our group. Why not give us a try? Call 01506 882699 for more information.

EAST CALDER OVER 50s CLUB - Held in The Dave King Community Centre, Main Street, East Calder every Wednesday from

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

1.30-3.30pm (September-May) Please contact Gillian on 07415309886 for further details.

LADIES CIRCLE - Dave King Community Centre, Main Street, East Calder. Second

Thursday of every month at 1.30pm-3.30pm

POTTER AROUND AT POTTER AROUND - Potter

Around is a local pottery and ceramic painting studio based in Kirknewton. We offer taster sessions on the potter’s wheel for ages 5+. We also do clay imprints – a great memento to keep forever and we have a huge range of pre-made ceramics which are great for handprints, but also for people of all ages to paint. Our shop sells gorgeous handmade gifts including pottery and jewellery. Check our website for details. www.potteraround.co.uk

EAST CALDER SCOUT GROUP - Providing fun and exciting scouting programmes for children in the local area, from age 6 upwards. We meet on a Monday or Tuesday, depending on the child’s age. Adults interested in becoming leaders will be made very welcome. We also hire the scout hall for one off occasions or for other groups to use, to benefit the local community. Find out more at our website: www. eastcalderscouts.uk

SLIMMING WORLD - East Calder Bowling Club, 255 Main Street, East Calder. Tuesdays: 3.30, 5.30 & 7.30pm, Wednesdays: 9.30 & 11.30am. New and returning members always welcome. Contact Sue: 07803 520781

CHORAL HIGHLIGHTS LADIES' CHOIR - Would you like to join in with some fun at our friendly community choir? We meet in Mid Calder at 7.30 pm on a Wednesday. Our music consists of a wide range of materials from musicals, traditional, pop favourites and lots more. We’d love to welcome singers from across West Lothian. To find out more or to join us please contact John Rankine at john. rankine@lineone.net

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.

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. 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 £20. 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

Iyengar yoga 6.00-7.15 & 7.30-8.45pm

Monday. Antenatal yoga 5.45-6.45 and Vinyasa Flow 7.00-8.00pm

Tuesday. Seasonal yoga 5.30-6.30 and Yoga Basics

6.45-7.45pm Wednesday. Iyengar yoga 6.00-7.15 & 7.30-8.45pm Thursday. Iyengar yoga 9.45-11.00am

Friday. Carmondean, Livingston. Tel.: 07810 824 195

Email: info@chooseyouyoga.co.uk

Website: chooseyouyoga.co.uk 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

NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS ARE FREE. THERE IS A SMALL CHARGE FOR BUSINESSES. SEE KONECT.SCOT FOR INFORMATION.

The definition of surprise is “an unexpected or astonishing event, fact, etc.” so to say that The Wandering Earth II was a surprise might be an understatement.

The Wandering Earth II is a true sci-fi blockbuster film that is simply epic in scope and scale. The film takes place in the future where the sun is expanding and threatens to destroy earth. Due to this, humanity decides to work on the wandering earth project with the aim of saving humanity from extinction.

I feel I should address the film’s biggest issue: storywise, it kind of bites off more than it can chew. Not to say everything covered wasn’t enjoyable, but it covers so much it can feel a bit much at times. But in all honesty that is my only issue with this film. I truly loved everything else about The Wandering Earth II The acting is simply incredible. Wu Jing and Andy Lau are two of the very best actors working today and seeing them both on screen is a joy to watch. The action is nothing short of a spectacle. Blending chaos with clarity, every massive set piece feels grand and mesmerising.

The whole of The Wandering Earth II could be described as mesmerising, I’ve never seen a film like this before in my entire life. It’s a truly special film that is a must-watch for everyone.

Check out The Wandering Earth II on digital and physical platforms later this year.

SOLUTIONS

SOLUTION TO MARCH CROSSWORD

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.

ACROSS: 1. Shaggy, 4. Swamps, 9. Improve, 10. Order, 11. Clean, 12. Logical, 13. Respectable, 18. Uniform, 20. Cache, 22. Siege, 23. Neutral, 24. Duties, 25. Stayed.

DOWN: 1. Switch, 2. Apple, 3. Grown-up, 5. Wrong, 6. Medical, 7. Stroll, 8. Replacement, 14. Evident, 15. Account, 16. Nursed, 17. Yelled, 19. Obese, 21. Carry.

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE 33

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