Konect Calders November 2022

CHARITY:

HISTORY:

LIVING WELL:

November

It's the season for autumn fayres, Christmas fayres and shopping nights and it’s good to see a number of events back for the first time in two years. More than ever, shopping locally will make a big difference to charitable organisations who fundraise via the annual fayres, and to small local businesses who hold stalls.

The local history article this month looks at coal mining in the Bathgate Hills. The beautiful environment we now enjoy was the site of life-shortening hard labour including for children, less than 200 years ago. The article was kindly contibuted by the Almond Valley Heritage Trust.

The air is getting crisper and the nights drawing in, but the colder weather means many children locally are attending school without an adequate warm coat. School Bank West Lothian are running an appeal to help ensure all children in West Lothian have a warm coat this winter – see page 37 for details.

All our usual very practical and informative columns from our local contributors are included, I hope you enjoy them this month. Thanks for reading Konect and supporting local businesses and organisations.

History: Mary & the Ballencrieff Pits

8 Puzzles 10 / 18

Living Well: Be a Santa to a senior 11 Hair: Hair enhancement 12 Life Coaching: Reach for Colour 12

Charity: Nightstop, volunteers needed ... 14 Property Matters: Self-build plots

22 Garden Project: Lifting the canopy

26

Money Matters: Block out the noise 30

Wine Tasting: Mulled Wine 32

What’s On 33

Parenting: WL Producers’ Market 34 Film Review

Charity: Winter Warmer Appeal

36

37

COVER IMAGE: November -

The air is getting crisper

Konect is delivered monthly to 5,500 homes throughout Kirknewton, East Calder, Mid Calder and Pumpherston. It is also available online: konect.scot/subscribe

Failte Windows & Doors is a new home improvements showroom which has recently opened in Houston Mains Holdings, Uphall. With 40 years experience and knowledge in the industry between them, the owners are passionate about helping people get exactly the right solution for their project.

"The difference here at Failte is that we offer the most comprehensive range of windows and doors available all in one place,” explains owner Tom Bates. “So whether you're looking for PVCu or premium AluClad, you'll be able to see a huge range. We can advise so that you get the very best solution for your project in terms of quality and the all-important energy performance."

From a small tilt and turn window for an awkward spot, to large bifold doors and glazed walls, sash and case replacements and everything in between, visit Failte Windows & Doors for the best range and advice.

LOCAL HISTORY

MARY AND THE BALLENCRIEFF PITS

Mary Baxter was ten years old when interviewed by the gentleman from the Royal Commission. She had already worked underground for two years, hauling coal at the Ballencrieff colliery in the Bathgate Hills. Mary descended the pit at four o’clock in the morning with her mother, cousin and brother. Her mother would heugh coal until about midday, when she returned to the surface to attend to a husband who had been unable to work for the last 12 years. He was described as having “failed in his breath”; lung disease was common in mining communities at that time. The children were left underground for the remainder of the day, hauling the coal to the pit bottom. Mary confided to the reporter “I cannot sew any as I am left-handed”, but added proudly “sister Helen can sew her pit clothes and make letter on the paper.”

Mary’s mother Margaret was also interviewed. She was then 50 years old and had been forced to take over the duties of a collier when her husband became too weak to work. Mary was the youngest of her nine children and she had “been obliged to work when in family way till last hour.” She felt that mining was not fit work for women.

The Royal Commission Report of Children in the Mines was published in 1842, and contained heart-wrenching accounts of the miserable lives of women and children throughout the mining districts of Britain. It was especially powerful as it captured the actual words spoken by children like Mary. The report pricked the conscience of Victorian society and led to the 1842 Coal Mines Act,

Track from coal pits to lime kiln, which is marked by the clump of trees on the right

Glamping pods in the shade of the Stair Pit

Entrance to the lime kiln

which made work underground a male preserve. The act may have assuaged Victorian concerns for decency and Christian morals, but did less to address the poverty and inequality that lay at the root of the problem.

During the late 18th and early 19th century, a great line of limestone quarries were excavated across the Bathgate hills. Kilns were built closeby where chunks of limestone were burned with coal to produce a powdered lime, This lime was of great value in improving and fertilising land, but this was a seasonal demand, and kilns only operated during certain times of the year.

Forrest’s map of Linlithgowshire, dating from 1818, shows a lime kiln sited a little north of Ballencrieff Toll on the road between Bathgate and Torphichen. A trackway links the kiln eastward up the burn to the great limestone quarries, and westwards past Ballencrieff Mains to two coal pits; most likely the Ballencrieff colliery where Mary and her family once laboured.

One pit is marked “coal engine” suggesting that a steam engine once hauled coal to the surface there, while the other is referred to elsewhere as a stair pit - a shaft fitted with ladders, requiring a laborious climb to the surface.

The reporter to the Royal Commission also interviewed Alex Turner, the overseer at Ballencrieff colliery who explained something of the workings of the pit. Most of the coal produced was consumed in the limekilns (it was probably too sulphurous to be used as a house coal), and therefore coal mining was also a seasonal business. Few miners were employed all year round. The proprietors seemed to have

had little opinion over who worked in the pit, stating “our colliers employ whom they please, males or females; and as our mine is entered by a bout gate, the people work as they please”. The term “bout gate” might simply describe a round-about route, suggesting that many colliers might come and go out of official view through the stair pit. The long climb would be an additional ordeal at the end of the working day.

The works were abandoned prior to 1855 when the first OS maps showed only a few derelict remains marked as “old pit” or “old limekiln”, Rather wonderfully, some of these traces still survive nearly 170 years later. The stone arches of the limekiln still stand firm beneath a jungle of undergrowth, and cattle are still herded along the tracks that once linked it to quarries and coal pits. The site of the engine pit remains as an island of rough ground within a grazed field, and a mound among trees in the corner of a field marks the site of the stair pit.

These traces form part of a beautiful green landscape on the slopes of the Bathgate hills. The spectacular views over the country to west are now enjoyed by holidaymakers in glamping pods, sheltered by the trees that mark the site of the stair pit. It’s a terrible contrast to the dark underground world that Mary Baxter would have known.

We don’t know what happened to Mary, or whether she lived long enough to raise her own family. Perhaps she lived a happy life; perhaps she is your ancestor?

This article and all images were contributed by the Almond Valley Heritage Trust, Millfield, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 7AR.

NOVEMBER CROSSWORD

LIVING WELL

Be a Santa to a Senior this Christmas

Local home care company, Home Instead is excited to once again be launching their Christmas gift-giving campaign, ‘Be a Santa’. The campaign asks the local community to donate gifts to distribute to older people across West Lothian this Christmas.

Home Instead, which opened in October 2020, provides care to elderly and vulnerable people in the comfort of their own homes. Owner, Graham Stevenson, was keen to relaunch the campaign- giving back to his local community during the festive period.

The company has again teamed up with various groups in the local area to donate gifts to older people who may not otherwise receive a present over the festive season. They have established various collection points throughout West Lothian where people

can donate their gifts and are also running an Amazon Wish-List, where people can choose and order gifts to send directly to the Home Instead office.

Graham Stevenson, Owner of Home Instead, commented: “Although we provide companionship and care to our clients, keeping them safe and well as well as preventing instances of isolation and loneliness, we know not all older people are so lucky.

“Winter this year will be challenging for many older people, and we want to remind them that their local community is thinking of them by gifting small presents- bringing some festive cheer!”

To find out more about Home Instead or their ‘Be a Santa’ Christmas campaign, call 01506 346046 or visit www.homeinstead.co.uk/ livingston/news-events

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

Hair extensions can be used for a variety of different reasons. Some people may have hair loss and would like to add thickness to their hair, whereas others may be adding length or different tones through the hair to create a more dimensional look without having the commitment of colour. One of the most common is for adding length to existing hair to create a transformational look. Have you ever thought about having a transformational look by enhancing what you already have?

In this image is a client of mine who loves the length of her hair but is forever wishing her hair was a lot more thicker, fuller and denser looking. After the initial consultation where we had a discussion about her hair condition, lifestyle and her end goal, I advised this client with mini locks to create a fuller looking appearance.

COACHING

This column was contributed by Megan Sutherland, Extension Specialist @wonderland Livingston. www.wonderlandlivingston.com

In the last few months, the media has been full of doom and gloom, and I have been recommending everyone I come across from family and friends to clients to treat themselves to a ‘digital detox’ Most people look at me askance as everyone I speak to seems to be ‘plugged in’ to so called ‘news’ headlines and the omnipresent social media.

Between the very real anxiety about escalating energy costs and the rising rate of inflation it is small wonder that there is an all-pervading air of doom and gloom everywhere we look.

If a digital detox feels too difficult there is another simple, small change that we can all make that will make a difference straight away. Every Autumn the world around us changes colour and we are surrounded by gold, russet and bronze everywhere we look. Despite this abundance of hue how many of us stand in front of our wardrobes in the morning and reach for bright and uplifting colour?

If you are anything like me, Autumn and Winter is characterised by various shades of black with the occasional grey or brown. Elegant as those tones may be, they rarely do anything at all to lift our spirits.

Colour therapy is nothing new and has been shown to be effective in lifting our spirits. Wouldn’t this be a brilliant time to try it for yourself? I firmly believe that you will be amazed by the impact that choosing a bright splash of red, orange, purple will make in your life.

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

Be who you’ve always been... a social butterfly

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

you’re considering care call

Trusted to care. Cairdean House, Colinton Lauder Lodge, Portobello Murrayside, Corstorphine

Youth Homeless Charity Urgently needs Volunteers

Nightstop West Lothian is an emergency accommodation service provided by Rock Trust, Scotland’s youth homelessness charity. The service is for young people aged 16 to 25 years who are homeless or at risk of being homeless.

West Lothian volunteers of all ages, backgrounds and experience offer a young person a safe place to stay in their homes at a time of crisis in their lives.

Our Volunteer Nightstop Hosts offer their spare room, meals and an empathetic ear to a young person for a period of a few nights or weeks. We provide with full training, 24 -hour support and £15.00 per night expenses.

Konect Magazines interviewed Danny, a Volunteer Host from Livingston:

HELEN-JANE: What does your role involve and what do you enjoy most about it?

DANNY: My role is really just to offer a safe, friendly home environment to a vulnerable young person for a few nights. Most importantly for me it is to offer a listening ear, you don’t know what’s happened to them in the past or what trauma they may have been through, so just listening is key.

To see a young person so anxious and scared when they first arrive, to then seeing them relax and even smile after just a couple of nights, means the world to me and I know I have made a difference.

HELEN-JANE: What would you say to someone who is thinking about Volunteering as a Nightstop Host?

DANNY: I would say absolutely 100% it is the most rewarding thing you will ever do.

It does come with some challenges, you are dealing with young people who may have had difficult home lives, so you need to be empathic, understanding and nonjudgemental. If that sounds like you and you have a spare room, then just do it! You will receive lots of support and training. I have hosted 5 young people so far and it makes my day to know that I have spared every one of them from experiencing the despair of homelessness.

We urgently need Nightstop Hosts in all areas of West Lothian. If you have a spare room and would like to spare a young person from homelessness, please contact the Nightstop Coordinator today to find out more.

Contact: Moreen Watson

T: 07523 512455

E: moreen.watson@rocktrust.org

This article was contributed by the Rock Trust, who run the Nightstop programme. Rock Trust is registered charity, No.SC018708.

Could you spare a little love this winter?

Planning to build your own home?

Serviced plots for sale in Bathgate

A new development site in Bathgate offers self-builders an exciting opportunity to purchase a serviced plot in a semi-rural setting. The site at Race Road on the north west edge of Bathgate has planning permission for 15 fully serviced building plots aimed at self-builders who plan to design and build their own home.

Over the past 15 years or so, a significant part of our agency’s work has involved selling building plots and new-build housing developments. In addition to this, we also offer a consultancy service providing advice to House Builders, Land Owners and Self-builders. This includes advice on house designs, market trends and identifies areas where certain house types and house values are in short supply as well as optimising the ‘size versus price’ of new build properties to suit the profile of buyers that each new build development is aimed at.

Our consultancy is also regularly asked to provide advice and guidance to landowners and developers on the sale of individual single house building plots and, more commonly, a development of ‘self-

build’ plots such as the ones now available on Race Road (shown above).

The plots range in size from 412m2 to 1298m2 and have been granted outline planning permission based on a design brief agreed with West Lothian Council. Adopting a design brief ensures that every property has a degree of consistency in the design and aesthetic appearance across the development but still allowing full autonomy and flexibility on the house type, size and design. Buyers of each plot will submit a detailed planning application for their proposed house design which can be 2 storey, 1.5 storey or a bungalow (plot specific).

Each plot will have electricity, gas and water connections capped at

Architectural impression of ‘self-build’ plots at Race Road

Despite the dry weather we have found that many of our established shrubs seem to have grown a lot bigger this summer. We love them all but find that they are taking up too much space where we would like to grow other plants. Instead of cutting them down, and removing them to give us space back, we have been ‘lifting’ their canopies. This Cherry tree, Prunus Kojo No Mai (‘Flight of the Butterflies’), has had all its lower branches neatly cut off leaving it with handsome looking branches capped with an umbrella shaped top – the ‘lifted canopy’. This has left us with a partially shaded area beneath the tree which we have been able to plant with shade tolerant plants to give us a tapestry of foliage and flowers throughout the year.

We have a great free leaflet full of suggestions for plants growing in partial or deep shade and a section of our plant sales area is devoted to these plants. We don’t have space to list them all, pick up the leaflet next time you are in, but meantime consider: fragrant Winter Box (Sarcococca), Oriental Hellebores, Lungwort (Pulmonaria) and Periwinkle (Vinca minor) for starters.

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

Block out the noise

When you’re in the middle of an economic downturn like now, it can be hard to see how or when things are going to turn around. But you only have to look back a couple of years, to the depths of COVID-19 in early 2020, to see an example of how, once a recovery starts, its pace can catch the market by surprise.

Therefore, it is important to block out as much of the background noise as you can. Instead, take a step back, keep calm and think about the objectives you are trying to achieve.

Of course, in a world of 24/7 news coverage, with internet access everywhere, staying clam is easier said than done.

You may see dramatic headlines in newspapers, on tv, and on the internet on a constant basis. Often, if you actually look at the data though, the reality is much more mundane.

Ultimately the most important thing is to not panic, ensure you’ve got the right strategy in place and keep to your plan.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select, and the value can therefore go down as well as up. You may get back less than you invested.

The Money Matters column is contributed by Lucy Logan. Lucy lives in Calderwood and is the Principal of Calderwood Financial, an Associate Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management.

WINE TASTING

I am looking forward to the return of the famous German market. I love the atmosphere of the markets and of course, a warming mug of Glühwein! Glühwein is essentially Mulled Wine; a warming drink made with red wine, winter spices and citrus.

So, do you need to use a particular red wine or syrup to make your winter mulled wine? The answer is no. You can use any red wine to make mulled wine, however I would recommend you follow a few basic guidelines.

Firstly, don’t spend a lot of money on your red wine! Choose a wine that is lower in alcohol, around 12% would be best. Wine with low tannin is also preferable, you want your mulled wine to be smooth without the drying, coarse textures of tannic wine.

Below is my basic recipe. Feel free to use any combination of spices and alcohol!

Most importantly, don’t use ground spice as this will give your mulled wine a gritty, unpleasant texture.

Combine two bottles of your chosen red wine, with 2 sliced oranges, 6 cardamon pods (bruised with the side of a knife), a teaspoon of whole cloves, 4 star anise, 3 sticks of cinnamon in a saucepan or slow cooker and slowly warm over a low heat. Before it starts to boil, remove from the heat and stir in 4 tablespoons of Demerara sugar or another sweetener of your choice. Let the blend of wine and spices sit for up to 30 minutes filling your kitchen with delicious aromas. After 30 minutes, strain and serve. Garnish with a slice of orange and a stick of cinnamon.

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

SUNDAY 6TH NOVEMBER

Pink Thistle Christmas Craft Market - Howden Park Centre, 11.00am - 3.00pm. Come along and get your Christmas shopping started at our biggest ever Craft Market! With 60 small businesses attending there is sure to be something for everyone. FREE admission.

SUN 6TH NOV, FRI 11TH – SUN 13TH NOV, AND FRI 18TH NOV – SAT 24TH DEC

Santa’s Grotto at The Centre, LivingstonSanta’s Grotto is nestled at the heart of the giant Christmas Tree near New Look, offering little ones the chance to meet the man himself and share their Christmas wish-lists, ahead of the big day. Bookings are required to visit Santa and we advise people to secure their spot early to avoid disappointment. Tickets can be pre-booked by visiting www.bookfatherchristmas.co.uk Livingston- prices start from £5 per child, with a £1.50 booking fee when booking online. Bookings can also be made in person on the day of your visit, subject to remaining availability.

SUNDAY 6TH NOVEMBER

Elf Toddle Walk at The Centre - We’re inviting our youngest shoppers to take part in a one-mile walk around the mall and raise funds for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, CHAS, Little ones and their adults are being encouraged to dress up in their favourite festive attire and join a team of Santa’s elves on a onemile lap of the shopping centre. Along the way children will encounter some special Christmas surprises and treats and on completion will be awarded with a commemorative medal for taking part at the ‘Selfie Elfie’ zone. Entry is £5 per child, plus admission fees, and tickets can be purchased from bit.ly/TheCentreEventbriteLink

SATURDAY19TH NOVEMBER

Carers of West Lothian Christmas FayreSycamore House, Quarrywood Court, Livingston EH54 6AX. 11.00am - 2.00pm. Christmas market with amazing and unique gifts including handmade jewellery, patchwork, pebble art, wooden gifts, crochet, felt, tombola, coffee and cakes will be available! Come along and join the

fun and help us raise funds for carers (including young carers) and disabled adults in West Lothian! Please bring cash and remember your carrier bags!

SATURDAY 19TH NOVEMBER

Counterfeit Sixties - Deer Park Golf & Country Club. A fantastic evening of sixties and seventies music 100% live including buffet. For more information call Deer Park Golf & Country Club on 01506 446699

SUNDAY 20TH NOVEMBER

West Lothian Producers’ Market - Livingston Cricket Club, 11.00am - 3.00pm. Teas and coffees served inside the club

SUNDAY 27TH NOVEMBER

Winter Warmer Walk in Linlithgow - With Historic Environment Scotland. Come along on a guided walk to learn more about Linlithgow Loch and Peel. Discover what calls the loch its home, how it was created and what makes Linlithgow Peel a special place. The route is wheelchair accessible although does involve rough tracks and slopes. Please contact us if you have any access requirements and we will do our best to adapt the walk accordingly. Free, booking in advance required. To book please contact the Ranger Service on 0131 652 8150 or rangers@hes.scot

SATURDAY 3RD DECEMBER

Kids Christmas Craft session - Livingston Cricket Club, 12.00 - 2.00pm. Please contact the club for details

SUNDAY 4TH DECEMBER

Inveralmond Christmas Craft Fair & Fun Day - Inveralmond High, 11am – 2pm. Shopping, Santa’s Grotto, Christmas gifts, face painting, tombola, raffle and much more.

WANT TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT HERE? COMMUNITY AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT LISTINGS ARE FREE OF CHARGE.

EMAIL EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT BY 15TH OF THE MONTH FOR FOLLOWING MONTH’S ISSUE.

Keep your peeled at West Lothian Producers’ Market

I’ve got two fussy eaters at home and despite my best efforts to involve them in shopping trips and let them choose their food so that they are more likely to eat it…it has rarely worked for us.

So I didn’t hold out much hope that a trip to any kind of farmers’ market would be a hit with them. However, a few weeks ago we went to explore the new West Lothian Producers Market.

First things first the organisers had cleverly devised an activity that allowed me surprising freedom from nagging to browse all the stalls at my leisure. When we arrived the kids each got an activity sheet and had to spot the rubber ducks hiding at each stall to find their number. So simple and yet so effective. Usually they would see a stall from a distance that they deemed to be “boring” and want to give it a wide berth. But this neat trick had them keen to explore every stall and gave me time to browse, and of course buy. And bonus… they absolutely loved it!

Captivated by the need to find all these rubber ducks the kids happily checked out each and every stall and struck up conversations with the stallholders when they couldn’t find a duck. And I too was captivated by the variety of stalls at what was very much a makers market rather than just a farmers market. We picked up “bronuts” from a cake lady, checked out jewellery and whisky barrel crafts for Christmas pressies, talked about conker trees and forest wildlife with the Woodland Trust, warmed up with some donut holes from the donut man and were even lucky

enough to collect a free sample from The Potato Guys. I might even have picked up a cheeky cocktail on my way around as well!

At the end the kids handed in their list of rubber ducks and got a wee prize and they were even arguing about who got to carry our goodies on the way home they were so excited by our haul.

The West Lothian Producers Market was a great place to discover local businesses I didn’t know about and spend time as a family. It certainly sparked some lovely discussions around the dinner table about why it’s good to shop local and support small businesses, this year more than ever as we all face rising costs and a long hard winter. It was well worth every penny and every minute we spent there.

The market is apparently taking place monthly at Livingston Cricket Club and you can follow their Facebook page to see updates about stalls and activities. Who knows what excitement will be in store for November.

The parenting column is contributed by Laura Archibald. Laura lives in West Lothian with her family and their campervan Hank. She is mummy, wife, blogger and full-time personal assistant to her two girlie girls.

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To be included in Konect, please contact us. Our details are on page 3.

Emotional reactions to me are truly special to art, and with that in mind A Life on the Farm is a film that made me feel like I was on a rollercoaster of emotions.

I went from laughing, to shocked, to sad, to joyful and to thrilled all in the span of 70 minutes. The documentary is about Charles Carson and Coombe End Farm, and a mysterious VHS tape that Charles made. I feel saying more is a massive spoiler, but what I can say is the story being told in this documentary is utter enthralling and spellbinding.

The biggest compliment I can give this film is that the editing is utter perfection. The film is an amazing length - it doesn’t feel too long, and ends where it should end. Because of that, the narrative being told is tight and concise. There are amazing transitions from the real-life location in the present to the location in the VHS type that are simple, visually interesting and creative.

Since this is a talking head documentary it’s important that everyone being interviewed adds to the overall film and in my opinion all the interviews feel relevant and are super interesting to watch.

A Life on the Farm is a great documentary that is never predictable and never boring. The story of Charles Carson is one worth being told and I’m glad that it was told in this documentary.

INTERVIEW - The interview was attended by the director Oscar Harding.

Q: How did you manage to find the correct tone of the film, as you don’t come out of the documentary laughing and saying he was a crazy man, or make fun of him, that was a true strength.

OSCAR: You would need to be a completely unpleasant kind of person to make a meanspirited film. Yes you do laugh at it the first time you see the film as you are lacking context. You go to a bizarre corner of the world, and you don’t know this man. I dug into his story first, which increased the film from a short documentary to a film. It was a fascinating story telling the story of Charles. Hannah Christianson was the editor, and a lot is down to her, she brought one of the sequences together at the end. I wanted to go more brutal with the scene, as Charles going through a very difficult dark part of his life, Hannah insisted that a bit of peace and spirituality to the sequence.

Q: How long did it take to get to the perfect cut?

OSCAR: The film was edited down from 4 hours to the 90 minutes in a 5-month editing process. We knew it still felt too long and so it was edited down to 70 minutes.

Q: What’s your go-to movie on a rainy day?

OSCAR: Xanadu, it is very very camp and absolutely ridiculous, Gene Kelly and Olivia Newton John film. And Anna and the Apocalypse.

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 OCTOBER CROSSWORD

Help ensure NO CHILD goes without a warm jacket this winter

Many children across West Lothian are currently attending school with inadequate jackets which won’t keep them warm or dry and, in some cases, means they don’t even attend school.

Local charity School Bank West Lothian anticipates the need for over 400 jackets for children aged between five and 17 across the next three months and have launched an appeal highlighting ways the public can help:

1) Become a Sponsor and buy a brand-new jacket. Once registered you will be contacted when a referral for a child is received. It’s then up to you to buy a jacket and hand it over before School Bank West Lothian pass it on to the child.

2) You can also donate brand-new socks, tights, hoodie, gloves and hats to go into a pack with each jacket or you can buy a warm jacket which will be kept in stock and then given to a child when a suitable referral is received.

3) Alternatively, you can make a donation. The organisation estimates the cost of a winter warmer jacket for a primary school child to be £25 and £30 for a high school pupil, although any and all donations are gratefully received.

4) Or if your child has a jacket that they no longer use, it can be re-used by the charity.

Checkout the pinned post at the top of their Facebook page 'TheSchoolBankWestLothian' for more details and links to register or donate.

ACROSS: 1. Traffic, 5. Ketch, 8. Improve, 9. Ideal, 10. Stern, 11. Theatre, 12. Steady, 14. Spades, 17. Ancient, 19. Tiger, 22. Paths, 23. Athlete, 24. Daddy, 25. Sisters.

DOWN: 1. Toils, 2. Apple, 3. Frowned, 4. Chests, 5. Knife, 6. Treated, 7. Helpers, 12. Swapped, 13. Excited, 15. Pitches, 16. Straws, 18. Essay, 20. Geese, 21. Reels.

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE 18

This article was contributed by School Bank West Lothian, registered charity number SC046483. Visit: www.schoolbank-westlothian.org

Disclaimer: The publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage caused by error in the printing of an advertisement. We do not endorse any advertisers in this publication. All material is accepted for publication on the understanding it is copyright free. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher.

Publisher: Lothian Publications Ltd. Geddes House, Kirkton North, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 6GU.

Magazine Design: Alan Stewart Design M: 07729 911858 E: hello@alanstewartdesign.com W: www.alanstewartdesign.com

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

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 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. Iyengar Yoga - Mon 7.30-8.45pm; Vinyasa/Yin - Tues 6.007.00pm 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. Email: info@chooseyouyoga.co.uk Tel.: 07810 824 195 www.chooseyouyoga.co.uk or on Facebook

CARERS OF WEST LOTHIANSupport 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:

T.: 01506 448000

E: office@carers-westlothian.com

W: www.carers-westlothian.com

GENERATION ARTS - Creative activities for people aged 50 and over, either living at home or in care with complex needs. Online and offline activities in West Lothian such as a dance dvd, art demos, reminiscence, recipes, music and song playlists, dance and song classes. Creative activity and learning can unlock memories and skills that have been lost and creates a spark of joy for all. Contact generationarts. coordinator@gmail.com or phone 07521 358 239 for further information.

MACMILLAN CANCER

INFORMATION & SUPPORT - A free, confidential service providing a ‘listening ear’, emotional and practical support, help to access benefits/ financial advice and other local services. Expert information for anyone affected by cancer – yourself, a relative, friend or carer. Face to face appointments at Partnership Centres in Bathgate, Livingston North, Broxburn, Fauldhouse and Blackburn. Short health walks leaving Bathgate Partnership Centrecall to book a place. Phone and email support also available. Please call 01506 283053 or email MacmillanWestLothian@ westlothian.gov.uk

WEST LOTHIAN 50 PLUS NETWORK - Social activities for the over fifties. Run largely by volunteers we offer a wide range of interest groups to help you stay fit and healthy in both mind and body, whilst socialising with others. Something for everyone, but, more importantly, the chance to meet up and join in with old friends or make new friends along the way. Annual joining fee £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.