Konect Calders March 2023

CHARITY:

CHARITY:

PROPERTY MATTERS:

Our charity feature this month is Sight Scotland Veterans, who have a fantastic purpose-built centre here dedicated to helping veterans with sight loss. You will no doubt pass the centre frequently in Wilkieston on the A71. They are holding two open days at the beginning of March, to which the community is warmly invited to learn more about the activities they offer. The charity is also currently recruiting for some roles at the centre; see pages 8-9.

Despite the challenges faced on all sides at the moment, spring feels like a time of optimism - the unfailing return of buds and flowers often brings an energy to get things done. You’ll find in the pages of Konect all the local businesses you need to help with whatever project you have on, whether you’re looking to tackle some spring cleaning or home improvement projects, or emerging from hibernation yourself and looking to get healthier.

I hope you enjoy the magazine this month, thank you for reading Konect and supporting local businesses.

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Sight Scotland Veterans supports veterans living with significant sight loss, equipping them to rediscover and maintain their independence and to improve their quality of life.

The Linburn Centre in West Lothian provides a safe and welcoming space to re-engage in the local community, rebuild confidence and regain or maintain their independence. It is an activity hub and a warm, welcoming place that brings veterans together.

With a variety of activities and outings and set in beautiful grounds, the Centre offers the means and support to adapt to life with sight loss and try new things. Many veterans who attend the Centre say the things they do there and the connections they’ve made have transformed their lives.

Every day the Centre is abuzz with people making new connections, sharing stories and bonding over activities. Our friendly team have a range of skills and experience and can each bring their own specialisms to the table. Nestled on a beautiful rural estate with fully accessible garden areas adapted for people with sight loss, the building itself is modern and fully accessible.

A HUGE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES AND OUTINGS - Jacqui Salter, Deputy Centre Manager at the Linburn Centre, comments: “Each day our expert teams coordinate activities

for veterans to explore interests, reconnect with their passions, develop new skills and meet new friends in a safe, welcoming environment. You’ll always find someone happy to chat with and meet others going through similar experiences with sight loss.

“Our team is at the heart of everything that goes on at the Centre, whether they are supporting veterans to take part in archery or acoustic shooting, using the gym, making a bird table or bench in woodwork, arts and crafts, the list is really endless. We currently have some exciting job opportunities across at Sight Scotland Veterans. The Linburn Centre is recruiting for a Senior Centre Officer, an Activity Worker and a Driver. All of our roles not only offer a great opportunity to make a big difference to veterans’ lives, but also a chance to work in a fun, friendly and welcoming environment.”

The activities offered at the Linburn Centre include:

• Woodwork

• Arts and crafts

• Skills kitchen

• IT skills

• Sports hall and gymnasium

• Archery/Acoustic shooting

• Outdoor bowling green

• Gardens and greenhouse

Sight Scotland Veterans: Supporting veterans with sight loss to explore new interests & reconnect with passions

Derek reconnects with his computer passion at Linburn

Derek, 58, has glaucoma and is supported by Sight Scotland Veterans. A keen gamer and computer whizz, Sight Scotland Veterans has introduced Derek to large button keyboards and technology to enable him to continue his hobby. A regular in the Linburn Centre’s IT suite, he’s even been exploring virtual reality worlds with the centre’s VR kit.

Derek, who served 15 years with the Royal Scots, said: “Before I started attending the centre I didn’t know about these assistive technologies and the range of equipment that was there to help people with sight loss access computers. “Computing had already been a hobby of mine, but my sight loss had very much been making it more difficult to do. It’s due to the centre that I have a large monitor now which really helps. The support of the centre’s IT instructor, Brian Wilson, has also been invaluable.

“I’m a big gamer, and with a large button keyboard I can keep on doing it. I was one of the first veterans to try the VR kit. It’s fantastic, it’s so realistic. It’s brilliant that we have the opportunity to try out activities like this at the centre and the staff are so good and supportive.”

The Linburn Centre is open to anyone who is a member of Sight Scotland Veterans. Joining Sight Scotland Veterans is free and membership is open to anyone living with sight loss who has served in the Armed Forces, including National Service. The Centre teams are dedicated to ensuring that veterans receive the support that they need. Along with the activities mentioned, they facilitate drop-in sessions from other Sight Scotland Veterans teams. For example, our rehabilitation team can provide support on how to adapt to life with sight loss, or our Financial Well-being Lead can provide information on what financial support may be available to veterans. The Centre team also work closely with our teams

Open Days at the Linburn Centre

Sight Scotland Veterans is inviting veterans impacted by sight loss and members of the public to come along and experience what the centre has to offer.

Wednesday 1st March 2.30pm-6.30pm and Saturday 4th March, 2.30pm-6.30pm. The Open Day will be packed full of information, activities, and workshops, aimed to show everyone what Sight Scotland Veterans has to offer.

• What the Linburn Centre has to offer

• Our activities – including archery, shooting, bowls, gym

• Workshops - arts and crafts, woodwork, virtual reality

• Learn more about Sight Scotland Veterans and what we do all over Scotland

• SSV services – including rehabilitation and mobility, independent living and our information line teams

• Recruitment – would you be interested in working for Sight Scotland Veterans? For more information on our Open Days please visit sightscotland.org.uk/ veterans or call 0800 035 6409.

working in veterans local communities who provide support in the home and in veterans local areas.

Many veterans who attend the Linburn Centre on a regular basis live in Edinburgh, Midlothian, West Lothian, and other surrounding commutable areas.

This article was contributed by Sight Scotland Veterans, charity number SC047192. The West Lothian Centre is The Linburn Centre, Louis Braille Avenue, Wilkieston EH27 8EJ.

Working in care is a truly important role, and one that more and more people are turning to. But what does it actually involve?

Carers, whether working in a residential facility or within people’s homes, provide companionship and company. This support is vital, with over half a million older people saying they go at least 5-6 days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone, and two fifths of all older people saying the television is their main source of company. Providing companionship can mean anything from sitting down for a chat with a cup of tea, completing a jigsaw or an activity, or even going for a day trip to somewhere new. Companionship is at the base of care, and building strong relationships with clients is the key to keeping them feeling happy and comfortable – whatever their needs.

Carers of course carry out other roles including personal care, helping clients dress and shower, as well as sometimes providing medical assistance. They may also help a client around their home, carrying out cleaning or shopping tasks, providing allround support to older and vulnerable people. Working in care presents real progression opportunities, offering various career pathways. Carers can progress to supervisor and management positions, while helping older and vulnerable people across their local community.

Whatever your personality, background or interests, you can bring it to a role as a Care Professional. All you need is the desire to make a difference.

Search: #YouCanCare to find out more.

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

WRITE IT DOWN

...release those feelings 2023 HAIR COLOURS FOR ME

2023 is set to be a year of nostalgia when it comes to hair colour.

Trends are taking influences from Margot Robbie’s Barbie-inspired blonde and a take on the classic redhead that ranges from spiced auburn to deep burgundy. We see the return of a solid ashen brunette as well as what’s being dubbed ‘candle lit balayage’, which is a rich warm brunette base with flares of warmth and lites throughout giving depth and dimension but keeping everything totally warmer. As always condition is key. Healthy hair will always be in fashion so if you want to take up that trend and brave the Barbie blonde or take your brunette to a copper, speak to a professional. Take advice, and work on the condition of your hair being impeccable. When you have that floss and shine any colour will look incredible on you.

There are so many effective ways of dealing with those bumps in the road we all come across in our day to day lives. From finding a quiet space to walk in nature to having a warm, scented bath, there are many tried and tested methods to help us take control of stress and bring us calm.

Some people like to meditate or practice daily yoga and we all know how beneficial a restful night’s sleep can be. While those techniques are all effective ways of relaxing, there is another simple method which doesn’t cost much and has been a favourite way of dealing with overwhelming emotions for many years – simply putting our thoughts down on paper.

Journaling our thoughts and feelings supports us to control symptoms and improve our mood. It helps us to prioritise problems, fears and concerns and helps us to recognise triggers and learn ways to better control our responses.

Some people adopt the habit of morning pages which involves keeping a notebook by the bed and writing down the thoughts that are whirring round our heads when we wake up, while others prefer to sit down at night and process the day. There is no right or wrong way to journal and each of us will identify what fits best into our lives.

However we decide to do it, the act of writing down those thoughts and feelings and that new habit of journaling has the potential to bring peace and calm to our everyday lives.

The Hair column is contributed by Sophie Laidlaw. Sophie is Director @wonderland Livingston. www.wonderlandlivingston.com

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

Every single blood donor can save or improve lives. At our Livingston Blood Donor Centre, we’re looking for new donors, and asking people to return and donate if they have not given for a while.

Your gift of a blood donation could be needed at a hospital anywhere in Scotland, to support major surgery, accident victims and childbirth emergencies. They are also needed when illnesses such as arthritis or cancer cause anaemia, for premature babies and to treat patients who are bleeding for other reasons. There are 8 blood types, and some are more common than others. O+, A+ and O- are the most common blood groups, making up nearly 80% of the population. That’s why these blood groups are always in high demand.

O- can be given to almost anyone and is known as the ‘universal’ blood group; making it extremely valuable in emergency situations.

More than two million people in Scotland have blood group O+, which makes it the most common blood group in the country. We aim to keep six days’ blood in stock to meet the needs of patients in Scotland. And with blood having a shelf life of just 35 days, we need hundreds of donors every day to come and give blood.

Two easy ways to book! Online at www.scotblood.co.uk Or, you can call us on 0345 90 90 999 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm). Our friendly team are here to help and can answer any questions you may have.

Find us at The Centre Livingston, situated next to Holland & Barrett, just along from Wilko. Open 7 days. A warm welcome awaits you.

0345 90 90 999 | scotblood.co.uk

Be who you’ve always been... one of the lads

At Care UK being one of the lads doesn’t stop when you make the journey into care. Bring your life with you to a place you can call home.

If you’re considering care call 0333 060 5547.

Trusted to care.

Cairdean House, Colinton

Lauder Lodge, Portobello

Murrayside, Corstorphine careuk.com/edinburgh

Recently my husband and I travelled to Iceland with friends. We were enticed by images of the famous Blue Lagoon, the chance to spot the Aurora Borealis and to explore a country neither of us had visited before.

What I hadn’t considered were the remarkable menu offerings and wine pairings. I expected menus with smoked fish and pickled herring; I wasn’t disappointed but surprised. The menu had whale, horse, puffin, reindeer and fermented shark!

The restaurants in Iceland are beautiful, the food is incredible and the wine lists were exciting (expensive!) and diverse. One memorable pairing was Icelandic scallop with and method traditional sparkling wine from Lake Garda, Italy. The pairing was perfect. The scallop, while very small, was rich and deep in flavour, quite different to the scallops from Scotland.

I did try the fermented shark - it was as terrible as it sounds! Traditionally washed down with a shot of Brennivin (to aid digestion and remove the foul taste) it was a memorable experience!

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

Flat pack furniture

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m 0780 678 7514

t 01506 203994

e mitch.i@hotmail.co.uk

job too small”

In 2021, the bank of Mum and Dad helped 49% of first time buyers to get on the property ladder. This help is often in the form of a ‘gifted deposit’. But what actually is a gifted deposit?

Many first time buyers can afford the monthly repayments on a mortgage but don’t have the lump sum for a cash deposit. That’s why many people are turning to their parents for help: enter the bank of Mum and Dad.

To give their kids a helping hand, parents or family members who can afford to do so, may choose to pay all or part of the deposit on behalf of their children. This can reduce the monthly repayments on the mortgage too, as it’ll give access to more mortgage deals and better interest rates.

WHAT IS A GIFTED DEPOSIT? - A gifted deposit is a sum of money that’s been strictly given to you from a family member to go towards or pay for the whole of your deposit.

As the money is gifted, you won’t have to pay it back unless specifically stated otherwise. Both the buyer and the family member will have to sign a ‘gifted deposit letter’ or a ‘deed of gift’ to confirm that the money does not need to be repaid and that they will hold no legal charge over the property.

The gift can be for any amount. The only drawback is a potential inheritance tax; if the person who gifted you the money passes away within seven years, you will have to pay inheritance tax on the amount given to you.

WILL A

GIFTED DEPOSIT AFFECT

MY

If you have to pay it back then most lenders will consider it like any other outstanding debt. This means you’ll have less spare money to meet your monthly payments, which can affect your mortgage affordability. However, this will all be taken into consideration at the time of applying for your mortgage.

Overall, gifted deposits can take a huge weight off your shoulders and give you the chance you need to finally buy a house!

If you’ve accepted a gifted deposit, or you’re the one considering gifting money, feel free to get in touch with our team and we can answer any questions you might have about this process.

Alternatives to gifting money

- If you want to help your loved one buy a house but you don’t have the spare cash, you could be a mortgage guarantor. As a mortgage guarantor, if your loved one can’t pay their mortgage for whatever reason, you’ll step in and pay it for them. You can do this by either offsetting your property, or a savings account, against their mortgage.

MORTGAGE?

- In most cases, no, but it may do if the money needs to be repaid, or if the person gifting the money is not a direct family member.

This Property Matters column has been contributed by Turpie & Co in conjunction with their partners at Mortgage Advice Bureau. Contact them on 01506 300601 (Mortgage Advice Bureau) or email info@turpies.com

HOW HAVE YOUR GARDEN PLANTS FARED THIS COLD WINTER?

We’ve suffered two long spells of very cold weather this winter, longer and colder than for many years. The frost went deep into the soil and has affected the roots of some normally hardy plants.

You may only see the damage appearing as the plants try to grow this month or even into April. Our advice would be to hold on and wait until the middle of April in case they will grow from the roots again.

Several years ago, after sustained low temperatures, the New Zealand Flaxes (Phormium) were killed all over East Scotland. Gardeners were split into two camps: those that were relieved to get some of their garden back as the Phormiums had grown to big; those that loved these architectural plants making

great statements in their gardens who sought immediate replacements! History will surely repeat itself this spring!

They are still a very fashionable family of evergreen perennials with various sizes and different colours from which to choose. They are even politically correct – the slightly smaller growing variety Phormium Maori Queen was renamed Phormium Rainbow Queen! Check the height and spread of your chosen variety and plant it in a sunny position from April onwards.

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

Phormium

Tax year-end 2022/23: lay the foundations for your financial future

With reductions in tax reliefs and allowances looming for 2023/24, now’s a good time to ensure you’re taking maximum advantage of them in this tax year.

It’s always a good idea to take advantage of your annual tax reliefs and allowances wherever you can. This year, though, it’s more important than ever. In his first Autumn Statement, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced reductions to a number of key allowances used by investors, as part of his attempts to shore up the nation’s finances.

Which key allowances are changing?

Capital Gains Tax

The Capital Gains Tax (CGT) allowance for the current tax year (2022/23) is £12,300. This means that when you sell investments, you can enjoy gains up to £12,300 before you pay CGT.

But following the Chancellor’s announcement in the Autumn Statement, from 6 April 2023, the CGT allowance will be more than halved to £6,000, before it halves again in 2024/25 to just £3,000 a year.

Dividend allowance

The Chancellor also set his sights on the dividend allowance. This is the amount you can earn from company shares, including dividends from money held in collective investments such as funds and investment trusts before Dividend Tax is charged. Currently, the dividend allowance is £2,000, but from 2023 it will be halved to £1,000 and then halved again to £500 in 2024/25.

Which allowances could I be utilising?

You can shelter your investments from Dividend Tax and CGT by holding them in tax-efficient wrappers, such as a pension or Stocks & Shares ISA.

Each year, you can pay up to £20,000 into an ISA or if you can tie the funds up until age 55 (57 from 2028), you can save into a pension.

If you’ve already fully funded your ISA or pension, you could consider a pension for a spouse, child or grandchild, or explore ISAs for your family. A Junior ISA can be a tax-effective way of saving a lump sum for the children in your life. Junior ISAs have a lower allowance of £9,000 a year (2022/23).

The value of advice

We can help you take advantage of the reliefs and allowances you’re entitled to.

In addition to making more of your wealth, this can also have a priceless impact on your financial wellbeing, sparing you the worry around paying too much tax or breaching rules and not paying enough.

Get in touch before 5th April

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.

An investment in Stocks and Shares ISA will not provide the same security of capital associated with a Cash ISA or a deposit with a bank or building society. The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time and are generally dependent on individual circumstances.

Associate

In December the rowan trees lining the streets of Balgreen were alive with redwing, fieldfare, and the wonderful waxwing. Throughout January, Sighthill has been the location of choice. These birds really do turn up in the most random and surprisingly urban places. Normally I’d prefer to be somewhere quiet to do a bit of bird watching but they have other ideas.

If you caught BBC Winterwatch last month you may have seen them featured as they raided the remaining berries on Calder Road. Who would’ve thought that the prime location for watching waxwings would’ve been the top deck of a bus.

It’s been great to see them calling Edinburgh home for so long this winter. Just look at that cool wee crest adorning their head and the brightly coloured waxy tips on their wings, which give them their name. What more can you ask for to brighten a dull day in January?

I hope you managed to see them, they tend to turn up in busy spots and it’s brilliant to see so many people engage with nature on their doorstep as they wonder why people are staring up in to the trees so intently.

To the waxwing: we wish you a safe journey back home for the summer and can’t wait to see you again soon. Thanks for bringing us so much joy!

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

West Edinburgh has been host to an invasion of avian Scandanavian visitors over the last couple of months.

MARCH CROSSWORD

^^^ Solution in the April edition of Konect

ACROSS: 1. Unkempt (6), 4. Bogs (6), 9. Get better (7), 10. Command (5),11. Not dirty (5), 12. Rational (7), 13. Honourable (11), 18. Consistent (7), 20. Hoard (5), 22. Blockade (5), 23. Impartial (7), 24. Tasks (6), 25. Remained (6).

DOWN: 1. Swap (6), 2. Type of fruit (5), 3. Adult (5-2), 5. Incorrect (5), 6. Relating to healing (7), 7. Saunter (6), 8. Substitute (11),14. Apparent (7), 15. Reckon (7), 16. Cared for (6), 17. Shouted (6), 19. Overweight (5), 21. Transport (5).

MARCH SUDOKU

^^^ Sudoku solution on page 38

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

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 CLUBWe 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 1.303.30pm (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 AROUNDPotter 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 premade 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. Iyengar Yoga: Mon 7.30-8.45pm; Vinyasa/Yin: Tues 6.00-7.00pm and 7.20-8.20pm; Seasonal Yoga (gentle): Wed 5.30-6.30pm; Yoga in Polish: Wed 9.30-10.30am, Tai-Chi: Thurs 9.30-10.45am; Iyengar Yoga: Thurs 7.30-8.45pm; Yoga in Polish: Fri 6.00-7.00pm. 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

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

Not-for-profit groups are FREE. There is a small charge for businesses. See konect.scot for information.

A spiritual sequel to a personal favourite film of mine, Searching. Missing follows June, a young woman who must find her mom, who went missing whilst on vaccination with her boyfriend.

In the genre of cinema called ‘screenlife’ - which simply means all the storytelling is told via computer, tablet, or smartphone screens – Missing, like Searching, nails this concept.

The film makers have a clear understanding of how computers and the internet works. The way they use Google, Instagram, even Siri feels authentic and accurate to how people use those systems. The presentation and editing are utterly flawless and allows the film to fly by.

Missing is at its core a thriller however, and while I feel one plot line feels pointless and unbelievable, the rest of the story is great. There are some fun and engaging twists, characters you love seeing and even the set up and payoffs are truly amazing.

I feel that Storm Reid as June is truly solid. While there were some moments when her acting felt a little cheesy, in my opinion this was more an issue with the direction than with Storm. Another huge positive is the soundtrack - the score adds tension and helps propel the film from scene to scene in great ways.

While I do think Searching is the better film, Missing is a great thriller that is worthy of your time. It won’t blow you away, but a good thriller is something I can’t get bored of.

In Cinemas from the 24th February.

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.

SOLUTIONS

SOLUTION TO FEBRUARY CROSSWORD

ACROSS: 7. Vacant, 8. Operas, 9. Taxi, 10. Contrary, 11. Lighter, 13. Groat, 15. Often, 17. Parsley, 20. Freezing, 21. Rest, 23. Battle, 24. Impede.

DOWN: 1. Mama, 2. Vanish, 3. Stacked, 4. Joins, 5. Nearer, 6. Carriage, 12. Informal, 14. Bargain, 16. Elects, 18. Scrape, 19. Fixes, 22. Soda.

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE 34

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