Konect Calders October 2022

Welcome to the October issue of Konect.

Our Charity of the Month is ReusingIT. They have been working hard over the past 20 years to divert and reuse computers that would otherwise be destined for waste, and are doing incredible work both here in West Lothian and overseas. See the feature on pages 8-9.

I’d also like to mention the local Nightstop service, who are looking for volunteer hosts who have a spare room and could help out with what is effectively short-term B&B while the organisation sorts longer-term accommodation for young people locally who are at risk of homelessness. See their advert on page 13.

Deer Park Golf and Country Club are offering 10% off their new bar menu when you take in their advert on page 11, a great excuse to treat yourself to a meal out.

All our usual very practical and informative columns from our local contributors are included, I hope you enjoy them this month. As ever, I’d love to hear what you think!

Thanks for reading Konect and supporting local businesses and organisations.

All enquiries, E: M: editor@konect.scot 07854 492638

THIS ISSUE

Local Charity: Reusing IT 8

Living Well: 5 stages of ageing 12

Life Coaching: What’s Next? 14

Hair: Am I losing it? 14

Wine Tasting: "Nosing" Wine 18

Garden Project: Autumn planted pots 22 Puzzles 25

Property Matters: The best advice 26

Local Walk: Rigg Road to the Reservoir 32

Money Matters: Protect your spending power 34

Film Review: Shadow 36

What’s On 38

COVER IMAGE: Autumn apples

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

This is just one of the questions that Ross Cockburn, founder of local charity Reusing IT, considers in the course of his work. Reusing IT sources computers from businesses and organisations which are discarding them, and repurposes them for the benefit of a host of charities at home and abroad, or directly to people in need.

I caught up with Ross at the charity’s warehouse in East Calder, just as he got back from a humanitarian trip to Ukraine last month. It was his first to Ukraine, but one of many such in a mission stretching back over 20 years and covering several countries as well as the local area.

Reusing IT traces its roots to when Ross was an IT manager for a large company. The director wanted a batch of old computers out of the way. Not wanting to see perfectly good computers go to landfill, Ross phoned around to find a good cause which could use them. He found a small school in the Highlands involved in a project to donate computers to a charity in South Africa. That became his first African trip and would possibly have been the last; until a friend in London heard about it, and called him to say his company had 500 computers which were perfectly good but out of warranty and destined for landfill - could he use them?

This was the beginning of a path that has ended up as Ross’ full time occupation, and a charity making a significant difference to educational opportunities and digital exclusion

right here at home, in several African countries, and most recently in Ukraine.

“We’ve been working with a charity in Ukraine which has been helping administer the huge exodus of people from the country. Of the 250 laptops we recently delivered, some have gone directly to families in Eastern Ukraine, and some are going to social services who are trying to keep people’s benefits and pensions going throughout the war,” explains Ross. He has a duty to the donors of the computers to ensure they are not falling into the wrong hands, as there is always a risk of corruption.

“Wherever people are trying to do good, there are always some trying to sabotage and redirect aid for the wrong reasons,” says Ross. Every computer they send out is individually identified, logged and its destination carefully checked. As to the specifics of why someone may need a computer though – that question doesn’t really need to be asked.

“Digital exclusion is rife everywhere, more than we realise,” says Ross, “and even more than I realised right here locally until recently. The pandemic and lockdown, bringing the requirement to work and study from home, opened up a huge rift in accessibility to learning and education. Too many families were trying to manage either with one shared computer, or even no computer at all.

Reusing IT was initially approached by West Lothian Council around 10 years ago to donate computers to vulnerable families at

“Should anyone, anywhere, in 2022 have to justify why they need a computer?”

Ross (right) in Ukraine discussingWindows conversion process to TESUkraine NGO distributing laptops

the time Glow, the council’s online learning portal, was first implemented. School pupils access Glow to get their homework assignments and submit work. A swath of children who didn’t have access to a computer at home were immediately disadvantaged, and it remains an issue. With lockdown, the problem was exacerbated. Families with one computer had to prioritise who used it - maybe a parent needed it for work, or an oldest sibling for exam prep; in each case there was a member of the family excluded from accessing their education due to lack of a computer. “We worked frantically to try and make ensure every one had access to their own tablet or laptop, but it’s very much an ongoing challenge,” says Ross.

WHAT KEEPS HIM GOING?

“A watershed moment for me was in 1999 when I met a small family in Kenya. I was there arranging a donation of computers to Sister Mary Colleen, a nun who was setting up schools so that local kids had a chance at an education.” A single mother and her two children, who were suffering growth deformities in their legs, were under the care of Sister Mary Colleen. The mother spoke a local dialect, neither Swahili nor English, and as a result had not been able to understand the doctor’s instructions for caring for her children’s injuries where they were treated following an arson attack at their home. “They had life-changing injuries as a result of their mother’s lack of access to education, or the opportunity to learn one of the main languages of the country. It had a profound effect on me. I will do whatever I can to help people anywhere access educational opportunities, in whatever form that takes.” The charity’s remit covers education, health and agriculture.

Ross grew up in Currie and now lives with his family in Mid Calder. The main storage facility for Reusing IT is in East Calder, where sorting, data-wiping, cleaning, recording, tracking and refurbishing all the computers that come is a massive operation run by volunteers. Besides the large warehouse, they also have several containers full of equipment, and an overflow storage warehouse in Paisley.

And still demand for their computers outstrips supply.

Can you help?

1. Reusing IT always needs volunteers to clean and sort the computers and components that come in. Tasks such as removing stickers that identify the donors, cleaning the computers and so on, are vital and no technical expertise is needed at all. If you can spare a little time to help out they will be delighted to hear from you.

2.They also need volunteers to collect donations. The equipment comes primarily from medium to large businesses and organisations which discard their computers once they are out of warranty. Volunteers are needed to take the van and collect them and take them to the East Calder depot.

3. Storage space! Reusing IT are bursting at the seams in terms of storage, and always need more. If you are involved in a company or organisation that could help out with storage, Ross would love to hear from you.

Volunteers who show a certain level of commitment to the charity are offered the opportunity to accompany Ross on overseas humanitarian trips if this is of interest to them.

For more information please see www.reusingit.org

Contact Ross at: E: ross.cockburn@reusingit.org M: 07786 560744 T: 01506 884061

Reusing IT, Units 9 and 10, Camps Industrial Estate, near East Calder, West Lothian, EH27 8BF. Charity registered in Scotland number SC037716.

This article was written by Helen-Jane Gisbourne after visiting Reusing IT. Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect magazines and lives in West Lothian with her family.

During our lifetime we experience agerelated changes and 70% of people will need some form of long-term care throughout the stages of ageing.

Many older adults find physical activity increasingly difficult, some experience emotional changes and start to withdraw and some will experience cognitive problems.

The ageing process is different for everyone, and no strict list of events are guaranteed to happen. However many of us may find we require assistance from family, friends, or Care Professionals.

1. Independence – Older adults stay home and can still look after all their needs, transportation, finance, and healthcare

2. Interdependence – Everyday tasks are starting to get difficult; the person is resisting help and may not feel comfortable asking for support

3. Dependency – Difficulties are becoming more noticeable; physically and possibly mentally too. Support may be needed with medication, monitoring physical conditions as well as with preparing meals or maintaining personal hygiene

4. Crisis Management – An event such as a fall, deterioration in the person’s condition, or hospitalisation result in immediate intervention and a need for drastically increased support

5. 24 Hour Support – The person requires round the clock support or monitoring Home Instead recommend having the Care Conversation as early as possible in this journey to get the right assistance in place before it reaches Crisis Management stage. If you are interested in learning what type of support might be suited to you or a loved one, call for some friendly advice today.

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

Could you spare a little love this winter?

On average, you shed around 50-150 strands of hair a day. ..but did you know the average person has 100,000 – 150,000 strands of hair?

A single hair has a lifespan of around 5 years, during that time it will go through three phases: Anagen, which is an active growth phase; Catagen, a transition phase where the hair is no longer attached to blood supply; and Telegen where the hair rests and eventually sheds.

Hair is the second fastest growing tissue in the body after bone marrow.

A new hair begins to grow as soon as it is plucked from its follicle, this is why we shouldn’t be worried when we wash our hair and notice shedding. Shedding is completely normal and when our hair goes through that telegen phase. It can be alarming but rest assured it is completely normal in order to replenish our locks.

The key to good hair growth is to keep the scalp healthy. I highly recommend a nioxin detox for 6 weeks between using your normal target shampoo regime to really focus on removing any impurities from the scalp and any blocked follicles. Exfoliation and massage are good for stimulating hair growth and improving circulation to the scalp and of course, drinking plenty of water.

Somehow, autumn always feels like a time to take a huge exhalation of breath as we relax into the new season. The hustle and bustle of summer is over as we begin to appreciate this less frantic and more settled time of year. Home and familiar routines seem to wrap around us and life settles back down.

For me, this time of year has always had a tinge of excitement with the promise of new adventures just around the corner. Whether that’s our children and young people going back to school or starting on a new path in the world of work or heading off to college or university or parents and carers getting used to that ‘empty nest’ and embracing new opportunities.

We can never predict how this new chapter will look and feel and it’s even harder to plan for. The world of further education or that first job.’ freshers ‘week, a wage packet and meeting new people has the potential to bring excitement and adventure. Frazzled parents and carers who have spent the last few years worrying about what the future holds for their young people now must adjust to this ‘new normal.’

As the old saying goes, “you’ll never be a butterfly if you can’t stop being a caterpillar.”

Change will always mean that we are giving up that old way of life and letting go of some of those routines that have been there for what can seem like forever, but wouldn’t now be the ideal time to decide to live differently?

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

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 060 to House, Colinton

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

Wine tasting uses all your senses and I especially love spending time ‘nosing’ a glass of wine. Swirling the glass and gently coaxing the wine to release aromas and aromatics.

I search through the layers of primary fruit to find the secondary aromatic that often lies hidden behind the obvious forward fruit – a bit like finding a chestnut under autumn leaves. Once found, I spend time finding the right words to describe what I smell. Then of course there is the anticipation of the taste on the palate.

When slowed right down, wine tasting can be quite mediative! An opportunity to focus your attention on each of your senses.

So how do distinguish between primary fruits and secondary character? Primary fruits are those that are usually easier to find on the nose and tend to be associated with fruits you could buy in a supermarket. Raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries.

Secondary characteristics are more complicated. These are the aromas you recognise and have grown up with, smells you can describe but you wouldn’t be able to find in a shop. Pencil shavings, burnt rubber, wet stone, woodsmoke. My favourite red wines tend to have a balance of both. Bright, fresh aromatics of red fruit that gently give way to notes of woodsmoke, old leather and library books!

This autumn I will meditate over Chianti! Chianti is a wine I always associate with this time of year. I love the dark fruits on the nose accompanied by woodsmoke and tobacco on the finish.

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

If you managed to keep your summer pots watered during the three months of drought this summer they will still be looking pretty good at the end of September.

But autumn began in September and you need to bite the bullet and replant your displays to take them through to Christmas, unless you have a second set of pots that you can plant now!

If you plan to use the same compost you gave your summer displays you will need to tease it up to get air into it and add a slow release plant food to nourish your new performers. Little cyclamen plants will flower their heads off until well into December. Mix them up with some cheeky violas, winter flowering pansies and some evergreen leafy plants like ferns,

ivies, evergreen grasses, heucheras and euonymus. Don’t forget the ‘buried treasures’ by adding some little bulbs.

Your pansies will take over from the cyclamen at the turn of the year and with the little evergreen plants they’ll keep your pots looking delightful through the winter. Remember, you will need to check if they need watering every couple of weeks!

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

ACROSS: 1. and etc. (7), of sailing boat (5), 8. (7), 9. Perfect (5), Severe (5), 11. Playhouse (7), 12. Reliable (6), (6), 17. (7), (5), 22. (5), (7), (5), (7). 1. (5), of (5), (7), 4. (6), 5. (5), (7), 7. (7), (7), 13. (7), (7), (6), (5), (5), (5)

The best price starts with the best advice!

Over the past 12 months, we have continued to see some impressive rates of growth in property values across West Lothian. In this sellers’ market, it has appeared virtually a foregone conclusion that whichever agent you chose to sell your property, a buyer would be found within a few days.

Subsequently, vendors can often become less discerning over their choice of agent and may, understandably, be tempted to appoint the agent who charges the lowest commission percentage.

However, in this sellers market, this approach usually turns out to be a considerable false economy as the difference between a good agent and a mediocre one can be highly significant.

The difference between the cheapest and the most expensive agent is typically about 0.5% of the asking price, which represents a difference of £2,000 in fees on a £400,000 property sale. However, the ability of a good agent to set a new ceiling price, create a new market and negotiate the best terms is worth far more than this amount and this starts long before any offers are received.

Look for good practice - If unsure of the value, even some experienced agents will ask a surveyor for advice before visiting the property and inform sellers that a surveyor

will ‘support’ that particular agent’s valuation. Look out for this bad practice: it goes against everything that a professional estate agent should be trying to achieve. The truth is that it is not a surveyor’s job to drive the price on your property: the surveyor should simply be able to justify the valuation on a Home Report to a lender.

It is the role of the estate agent to drive the market forward or break the ceiling price in a particular area. It is only the most proactive estate agents who will have the latest market intelligence and an overview of how many active and credible buyers are currently in the market looking for this type of property in this particular area. Based on this too, good estate agents can often ‘create a market’ that may not even exist yet by packaging properties to target groups of highly specific potential buyers. You should look for one who has experience and a proven track record in achieving results for clients who have a similar property as yours, either in value, location, type etc. Above all, you are looking

The Real Selling Price of a property is the Offer Price Agreed minus the Professional Fees.

This real figure can often be overlooked when considering so many other things when choosing the right selling agent.

Real Selling PriceOffer Agreed Fees

e.g: For a property with a Home Report of £450,000, the following scenarios show the difference in the net figures received for the sale after agents’ fees have been deducted, and also the difference a well-negotiated sale can yield in terms of offer/ selling price in relation to Home Report value.

SELLING PRICE £450,000 (HR VALUE) £500,000 £540,000

AGENT’S FEE 0.5% 1.0% 1.0%

NET PROCEEDS OF SALE £447,750 £495,000 £534,600

BENEFIT TO SELLER (£) £47,250 +£86,850

* This table is a guide only and any combination of fees/selling price can apply in each case.

for best advice, based on the latest professional knowledge of the market.

Look for market knowledge - It’s worth examining how a different approach by two Estate Agents resulted in a different result based on the decision by the seller to choose the agent with the lower fees. Our firm was recently invited to conduct a market appraisal at two very similar properties in the same street. We expected a Home Report valuation to be in the region of £440k-£450k and, given the type of properties, coupled with recent sales we had achieved in the area, we anticipated a selling price significantly higher than this figure. We were appointed by one vendor to handle the sale of their property however the other vendor chose another agent based on their lower fee. The other agent was also local, very experienced in the area however inexperienced in handling sales at this value. Both properties were marketed and sold within a few weeks of each other. However the process, method of sale and outcome

was significantly different resulting in the difference in selling price of almost £90,000!

Get a better result - Low cost agents tend to rely on turnover of stock, rather than the actual amount of fee charged and with stock levels still in short supply, they may be more focussed on arranging the sale at any price, rather than negotiating the best terms for their client.

High quality agents have a reputation to protect, and they are passionate in their quest to secure the best price wherever possible. So in our above example, the additional £3000 in fees could actually have protected a potential net loss of almost £90,000! That’s £90,000 of real money and really highlights the importance of selecting the right company to handle the sale of your property. It’s your equity. So when choosing the right agent to sell your home, what is more important to you – low fees, or the most money in your pocket, and the security of a well-managed sale?

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.

At the western end of Rigg Road, by a stile, a Scottish Rights of Way Society sign indicates ‘Carlops by the Borestane 5½M’. A narrow path leads into a wondrous micro-habitat of brush and shrub, with gorse, hawthorn and wildflowers. This narrow strip of wildness is awash with colour. There are the lilac scatterings of devilsbit scabious, beloved by peacock butterflies, and pink swathes of rosebay willowherb, now almost fully gone to seed with just a final few flowers clinging to

the tops. Heavy clusters of orangey-red rowan berries glow in the early morning sunlight and brambles are red and black gems amid the low tangle. Long wet grasses swipe at my legs and my trousers are soon soaked, but I barely notice as I take in the profusion of life.

After passing through a metal gate, the track borders a plantation of diminutive pine saplings, fringed by birch. To my right are a long line of spindly, contorted, half-bare beech trees, punished by decades of harsh winds and rain, leaves on the turn. Meadow pipits, goldfinches and linnets come to rest on the power lines overhead, coming and going, none staying too long, as if the wires were hot to the touch.

Emerging into a sheep field, I track diagonally in the direction of Listonshields Farm until meeting a wider path running up from Buteland which will lead me south into the hills. At the intersection, sheep eye me warily through the bars of a gate, where shed wool lies on the ground like an early portent of winter snows.

Beyond the gate it’s easy walking on a wide gravel track and I begin the long steady ascent into the open uplands of the Bavelaw Estate. The heather is glorious in full bloom. I inhale deeply, savouring the sweet scent. I start as half a dozen red grouse break cover to my right with a whirr of wings. They fly about a hundred yards before stopping to chastise me from a distance with their “Go back! Go back!” calls. On this fine morning there’s a hint of comedy in their voicing, like slightly adenoidal parrots. Nevertheless, I can well imagine back in times when outlaws roamed these hills, on a misty night this sound might well have sent a

It’s a pristine early Autumn morning as I park the car in a small layby at the end of Cockburnhill Road where it meets the Rigg Road. As I set off on my way, the low sun illuminates the Pentland skyline to my left in purples, browns and golds.

shiver down the spine. More grouse come into view near the path, craning necks above long grass to eye me disapprovingly from beneath flame-red brows, before flapping off in a hail of protesting clucks. Another emerges onto the path ahead and waddles into a take-off. They are everywhere now, their calls reverberating around me like an echo that never diminishes.

I breakfast by the Bore Stane, a sandstone outcrop at a col between hills lying at the meeting of three council boundaries, enjoying grand views both north and south. To the north, the Firth is shrouded in a blanket of low cloud like a glacier slipping out to sea, the tops of the Ochil and Fife hills protruding beyond. To the southeast, a valley, from which the River North Esk emerges, slaloms down towards Carlops, framing the Cloich Hills in the distance.

I descend into the valley, it’s sheltered and still. The path narrows and the landscape closes in, cradling wildlife and walker alike. Wispy white clouds hang high in the blue above, each with an upward inflection like the wind ruffling an elderly gentleman’s hair. A merlin circles over to the west. Small groups of meadow pipits bob through the air as if suspended on marionette strings. Glancing downward, I have to divert my foot at the last minute to avoid a toadlet squatting on the path. Crouching to take a look, I notice a multitude of little criss-cross spiders’ webs spun in the grass around me like dropped lace hankerchiefs.

The Henshaw Burn descends into the valley from the west. Shortly before reaching the reservoir, the burn passes through a small area of marshland. I pick my way along through the reeds to the meditative sound of slow-flowing water over stones. Crickets sing. Dragonflies zip and whorl past me, Common Darters and Hawkers. One alights on a stem in front of me, its long thin dark body giving the appearance of a flying exclamation mark.

Finally, the reservoir comes into view, its surface glistening gold. I make my way down to the small wildlife hide overlooking the

water. Recently renovated by the Friends of the Pentlands, it offers the perfect vantage point for taking in this tranquil scene. A pair of ravens croak in the sky above as I gaze across to the little islands on the lookout for water birds. The sun is high in the sky now and it’s getting quite warm, there’s not much moving. Yet, I’m more than satisfied with the peaceful vista and just soak it up for a while. Just as I’m about to close up, a blue flash appears – a sapphire dart - skirting the shore of the promontory opposite. A kingfisher! This is a jewel that tops a wonderful morning’s walk and sets a spring in my step as I head for home. My apologies in advance to the grouse…I’ll definitely be back!

Allow 2-3 hours each way for this walk and ensure you are well prepared, with good boots, waterproofs and refreshments. It’s also possible to push on to Carlops for a full day trip.

This article was contributed by William Weir. William is a scientist and amateur writer/photographer who lives locally. In his spare time he enjoys exploring the trails and wild spaces of West Lothian and the Pentland Hills.

Stop price rises damaging your retirement spending power

2. Maximise your annual allowance if you can.

3. Carry forward unused pension allowances if you have the earnings to support it.

4. Paying into a pension can help reduce your taxable income, allowing you to save even more into your pot.

5. Review your investment goals, including inflation assumptions, to see if they’re still appropriate and will support your expected lifestyle in retirement.

You may think that short-term stock-market volatility is the biggest risk to your pension savings, but not if you have a long time until you retire (and you stay invested). In fact, the biggest threat to your retirement income is inflation, which may erode the value of your pension savings over the years. So, understanding the difference can have an impact on how much you save each year and on your spending power.

Five ways to stop inflation damaging your retirement spending power

1. Start saving into a pension as early as possible, even with relatively small amounts.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be linked directly 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. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances.

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.

With inflation soaring, you may need to review your pension plans urgently to stop price rises damaging your future standard of living in retirement.

After graduating university with a Computing Science degree and doing my honours project on AI (Artificial Intelligence), I can safely tell you how truly scary the tech is. While the tech is still far off from replacing humans, Shadow explores this from the viewpoint of people who have disabilities.

Every member of the production, cast and crew have different disabilities. Shadow follows three activists who hold a town meeting to discuss AI, but as the meeting goes on we discover their greatest threat could be with each other.

At just under an hour long, Shadow flies by at a quick pace. This is where I think the biggest issue of the film lies; it covers a lot of serious and important issues, but it crams so much in such a short time, I never felt the film really lets its ideas sit with us before moving quickly onto the next issue. What it does discuss is very fascinating and simply scary when you think about it.

I feel the true standout is the cast, who are simply fantastic and without their solid performances the film wouldn’t feel the same at all. The three leads are a delight to watch and do a great job at presenting the film’s message. By the end of Shadow, you’ll be sitting there thinking about what’s discussed and the horrors that await us if AI tech continues to evolve as it is doing.

INTERVIEW - The interview was attended by both Sarah and Simon, who are two of the writers of the film, as well as two of the main stars.

Q: AI is a big part of the film, Scott actively interacts with Tina on his mobile, and you reference 2001 A Space odyssey and Hal’s Legacy. How important was it to highlight the impact that AI will eventually have in everyone’s lives?

SIMON: I believe that when we are gone everything will go through AI.

SARAH: I believe once we are in the future –way in the future, I think the AI will take over.

Q: The film talks about separating the art from the artist. At times doing my research, art made by disabled people is seen as cute. Do you think the film can overcome people’s preconceptions?

SARAH: I am looking for strength, likeness, empowerment and because I am talking about serious things but in a light-hearted way, I guess I am looking not to be too serious and not wanting to put anybody down in particular.

SIMON: I want people to understand what AI will do as we go on and how we are treated differently.

Q: On a rainy day and you’re stuck inside what do you like to do?

SIMON: I watch my favourite movie of all time Crossroads.

SARAH: I like to stay inside and watch my favourite film which is also Crossroads.

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.

8TH TO 23RD AND 29TH TO 30TH OCTOBER

Pumpkins, Tumshies and Tattiebogles - At Almond Valley Heritage Centre. Throughout the October break we’ll be gathering the harvest and feeling just a little bit spooky. There’ll be seasonal crafts, games and a scarecrow quiz trail. Trot down to the pumpkin patch and pick your prize pumpkin. 10am - 5pm, standard admission applies - no need to book - and pumpkins are sold according to their size. www.almondvalley. co.uk/events/special-events/ Millfield, Livingston, EH54 7AR. Tel: 01506 414957

SUNDAY 9TH OCTOBER

Bathgate Hills Venture Story Telling Day - A day to celebrate our amazing local hills, with events at Linlithgow Burgh Halls in morning, and Reconnect Regal in afternoon and evening. The results of the children”s storytelling competition will be exhibited at Linlithgow Burgh Halls in the morning, a foraging walk in the hills with a local herbalist at lunchtime, a story telling workshop at the Reconnect Regal in the afternoon, and an evening of stories, skits, Bathgate Youth Band and drama at the Regal in the evening. All brought to you with support from Year of Stories 2022. For more information see bathgatehills.co.uk/2022/06/09/ bhv-storytelling-day-oct-2022/

SATURDAY 15TH OCTOBER

North Barn Quilters Exhibition - North Barn Quilters invite you to come and see their exhibition of quilts and watch demonstrationsU+002e Between 10am and 4.00pm at Carmondean Community Centre, Nether Dechmont Farm, Fells Rigg, Livingston, EH54 8AX. Cost: £3.00 (includes tea & cake). Sales Table. E:l northbarnq21@gmail.com

28TH AND 29TH OCTOBER

After Dark with the Tattiebogles - At Almond Valley Heritage Centre. In the dark evenings prior to All Hallows Eve, wind your way along illuminated woodland trails and encounter some astounding and magical sights.

Booking essential for this out-of-hours special event, see www.almondvalley.co.uk/events/special-events/ Millfield, Livingston, EH54 7AR. Tel: 01506 414957

SATURDAY 29TH OCTOBER

Bookbug - St Mary’s Dalmahoy Church, Douglas Hall. 10am –10.30am. Stories, songs and rhymes for babies, toddlers and pre-school children.

*Sorry! A technical error meant that the September crossword was printed with the wrong puzzle board.

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE 25

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E: hello@alanstewartdesign.com W: www.alanstewartdesign.com EVENT COMMUNITY OF CHARGE. OF THE

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.