konect FEBRUARY 2014
bathgate
FEATURES Artisan Cheesecakes Bathgate's newest indulgence
Interview with Mickey Weir He's here, he's there, he's everywhere . . .
Local History Westwood House S& OFFER ERS H C U VO cal from lo ses s e busin
plus local businesses, community information and more!
The new community magazine for Bathgate
Selling or Leasing?
Welcome to the February konect, our first issue of 2014 (we don't produce a January issue). We're looking forward this year to continuing to celebrate all things local. If the delicious-looking cheesecake on the front cover is making your mouth water, you won't have far to go to get a slice for yourself – it's a Bathgate creation! Besides meeting Wendy, the local lady behind the new cheesecake shop, this month we have a couple more interviews for you – for football fans, we caught up with Mickey Weir, a Hibs hero in the 80s and 90s who is now involved in a new project in West Lothian.
Message from the Editor
And you may already be familiar with the work of local charity Bosom Buds of Scotland; it was a pleasure to learn more about their work, and they feature as our Charity of the Month this issue. We're looking for local people to join our magazine delivery team, so if you would like to be paid for a few hours' gentle exercise each month please contact distribution@konectdirectory.co.uk or call 07904 443005.
Helen-Jane, Editor hj@konectdirectory.co.uk 07854 492638
Advertising enquiries
Get Scotland’s No.1 Solicitor Estate Agent working for you
Charlene Gaffney 07772 941899 charlene@konectdirectory.co.uk Jenny Thomson 07824 469266 jenny@konectdirectory.co.uk
Advert booking deadline: 10th of the month prior to print Artwork/copy deadline: 13th of the month prior to print www.facebook.com/KonectDirectory www.konectdirectory.co.uk
69 South Bridge Street, Bathgate EH48 1TJ bgt@acandco.com
The Konect Directory is delivered to 10,000 homes throughout Bathgate and Torphichen. Copies are also left at the library, convenience stores, post offices and other locations around Bathgate.
Ochil House, Beveridge Square, Livingston EH54 6QF liv@acandco.com
01506 420800
acandco.com
Aberdeen | Bathgate | Edinburgh | Glasgow | Livingston | Perth Banchory
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Front cover photograph by Artisan Cheesecakes
Contents Features Local History 8 Artisan Cheesecakes 14 The Stone Ring 34 Mickey Weir 42 Regulars Property Matters 18 Charity of the Month 20 Music Review. 26 Technology 28 Recipe 38 Competitions and Puzzles Crossword 36 Sudoku 36 Community What's on... 40 Useful Information 40 Clubs & Classes 44 Index of Advertisers 46
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Thank you to our customers for nominating Future Roof for Which? local recommended trader.
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Breakfast @ Tiffanys Sandwich Bar on Glasgow Road, Bathgate
01506 635106 / 07974 717187 tiffanystakeaway@gmail.com
Check our website for full menu & pricing
www.tiffanystakeaway.co.uk Open: Mon - Sun 8am - 2pm DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILABLE
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Local History
Do you know where this local mansion is?
This is Westwood House, built between West Calder and Addiewell during the 19th century as the graceful country retreat of a wealthy Edinburgh lawyer named Smith. The estate changed hands a couple of times, and in the late 19th century belonged to Captain Steuart, who was a prominent supporter of the Linlithgow and Stirlingshire Hunt. Westwood was one of the meeting places for the hunt, and from here the pack would tear across the fields and woods of Harburn, Hermand, Bellsquarry and Breich. The lands of the estate, whilst not particularly rich agriculturally, contained deposits of shale and the Westwood Shale Oil Company began manufacturing crude oil on Captain Steuart’s estate in the 1860s. Under one company or another, shale was extracted from Westwood until the closing of the works in 1962. As the shale seams on the estate were opened up, Westwood House was in the way of the works. And its rooms, which once echoed to the sounds of family and socialising, began to echo to the sound of shale being dumped on the advancing bings....
Photograph from Hendrie, W.F. Old West Calder, Stenlake Publishing 2005 and the house was eventually engulfed by the piles of spent shale from the Westwood Works. This mansion now lies buried under the Five Sisters bing.
Furthermore . . .
Two farms are buried under the Addiewell Bing, one of which was called Clash-me-Doon (or Bridge End Farm). Whilst our bings may have smothered bits of history, they have themselves become sites of ecological and historical importance. They are home to locally rare species of plants and animals, and in some ways are the only monuments to the industry and the people who worked so hard to build the communities we have today. This article was first published in the Konect Directory Calders edition March 2010
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West Lothian’s Most Experienced Bathroom Specialists To arrange a free quotation call in to our newly extended showroom at
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OPENING HOURS: Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm | Saturday 10am – 3pm | Wednesday 10am - 1pm ( Or by appointment )
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Scottish Medical Supplies Ltd 133 Glasgow Road, Bathgate, EH48 2QW
SPECIALIST MOBILITY FINANCE AVAILABLE T&Cs APPLY
● Shoes & slippers for swollen feet ● Riser Recliners ● High Back Chairs ● Home Nursing Beds ● Pressure Care mattresses/cushions ● Kylie continence products ● Daily Living Aids ● New & used scooters ● Service & Repair ● Stockists of batteries, tyres & spares (Parking and disabled facilities on site)
Selection of lift and tilt chairs on display. VAT exemption scheme available, please ask for details.
Grant’s
of Bathgate Ltd City centre selection at out of town prices Personal friendly service Great deals on sofas, furniture, beds & floor coverings Large showroom Free delivery
GRANT’S OF BATHGATE
01506 638160 ● 01501 744999 info@scottishmedicalsupplies.co.uk SUPPLIERS TO NURSING HOMES AND SHELTERED ACCOMODATION
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74 North Bridge Street, Bathgate, EH48 4PP
Tel : 01506 633286 www.grantsofbathgate.co.uk
INTEREST FREE CREDIT AVAILABLE Terms & conditions apply
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Spotlight on
Artisan Cheesecakes Bathgate’s newest indulgence
If you’ve not yet tried the wares of Bathgate’s newest business on South Bridge Street you’re seriously missing out. Artisan Cheesecakes proprietor Wendy McQueen has turned her passion for baking into a business, and we’re so lucky that she chose Bathgate as home. Creative taste combinations, familiar favourite flavours, a total passion for cheesecake... these are some of the ingredients that have made this new local family business a hit with Bathgate residents since opening in November. The daily batch of cheesecake is sold on a first-come first-served basis and they have been known to sell-
Artisan Cheesecakes We are a dedicated, enthusiastic team and cheesecakes are our passion
out before close of business. They are about to start supplying the Fairway Hotel in Bathgate, and several locals have been recipients of speciallycommissioned birthday cheesecakes incorporating their favourite flavours. We taste-tested the millionaires cheesecake and were totally smitten.
Cheesecake and freshly ground coffee to take away New flavours every week Available by the slice or a mini cheesecake, or order a whole 9” cheescake for a special occasion
Wendy has always enjoyed baking and she loves the homeliness of good wholesome home-baking shared with family and friends. After many years of moving to different towns and cities in the UK (her husband was a professional footballer and they moved for his work), they settled in Bathgate to be near other family in the central belt.
87 South Bridge Street, Bathgate, EH48 1TJ www.artisancheesecakes.co.uk
01506 238030 Wendy decided to bite the bullet and follow her dream of setting up a business based on her passion for baking. And she can’t praise Bathgate highly enough for the support and welcome they have received. She says, “I’ve been overwhelmed by the support of the Bathgate community since opening the shop. The people from Bathgate BID* have been just fantastic, very supportive and helpful. And the community has been really welcoming, everyone is friendly and warm, we feel so at home here.” The very warm welcome might be to do with the delicious creations coming from the Artisan Cheesecakes kitchen! The quality of the ingredients that go in is of paramount importance. “I think if you always use the very best ingredients you can’t go wrong,” says Wendy. “All dairy products are from Graham’s Dairies (of Bridge of Allan). Fresh fruit is from Armadale Greengrocers”. A range of different biscuit bases is used, and Wendy likes to experiment with new flavours every week; when I visited coconut, marshmallows and black
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cherry was on the menu. Regular favourites include strawberry, fudge, lemon meringue and several chocolate options. None of the cheesecakes contain gelatin, and glutenfree and diabetic versions are available to order. Wendy’s son also works in the business, helping not only with the cheesecake but also bringing his coffee expertise. They have invested in a top-end barista machine and sell freshly-ground coffee to take away with your cheesecake, the full range of cappuccinos, espressos etc. So do pop in and try a slice. You purchase by the slice, a mini cheesecake, or a full 9” cheesecake. Wendy and family will be delighted to see you. As she says, “There is nowhere we’d rather be now.”
*Bathgate BID (Bathgate Business Improvement District) – the scheme run by Enterprising Bathgate to continually improvement Bathgate town centre, support local businesses and attract visitors to Bathgate. See www.bathgatebid.net
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Property Matters
Embracing Help to Buy By Craig Turpie
The economic downturn of recent years was widely blamed on irresponsible lending by the banks. Whilst this did not apparently result in a huge numbers of repossessions, it did highlight banks’ exposure to high-risk debt and The City clamped down in order to protect its best interests. This resulted in lenders deciding to limit future mortgage loans to around 80% of the purchase price. All of a sudden, buyers had to find a minimum 20% deposit, causing the market to stagnate. Indeed, some 40% of non-homeowners say they cannot afford the deposit required to buy (source FSCS). In order to stimulate a “recovery”, as well as the building of sorely needed new homes, the Government introduced a Help to Buy Equity Loan for first time buyers and a New Build scheme. But these were rather limiting and did little to provide the stimulus required to prompt significant activity in the housing market.
These clients switched to Turpie & Co*
A healthy housing market is so important to the wider economy that the Government has now extended Help to Buy to everyone. In essence the government will act as a guarantor to the lender for 15% of the value of a property purchase up to £400,000 in Scotland (as long as you do not own any other properties), meaning that most people will now be able to secure a loan with just 5% deposit, subject to other lending criteria such as earnings and credit-worthiness. There is no complicated application paperwork required – that’s all taken care of by the lender. During these times of continuing low interest rates and property values already starting to show signs of a recovery, this could turn out to be the last chance for those who thought they might never have been able to get a foot on the rung of the property ladder or indeed those who felt trapped by falling house prices and reducing equity.
On market
Previous agent
1 year
Turpie & Co
71 days 18
On market
Viewings
Previous agent
3 months
0
Turpie & Co
35 days 5
On market
Viewings
Previous agent
6 months
0
Turpie & Co
39 days 4
Viewings
1
So 2014 might just turn out to be one of those pivotal moments for the British property market after all!
*existing home report valid.
Telephone: 01506 668448 www.turpies.com
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Charity of the Month
Fundraising
Bosom Buds of Scotland The mother of a local cancer patient was distressed by the lack of support for daily living with cancer and its treatment.... so along with her daughter (a breast cancer patient) and some friends, they set out to fill the gaps for other cancer patients. Since 2009 their West Lothian charity, Bosom Buds of Scotland, has brought dignity and hope to hundreds of women and men struggling with the daily challenges of living with cancer. I met Mags, the lady behind Bosom Buds, and Trish, a patient who has become an important volunteer in the charity. “Cancer affects absolutely every aspect of your life. It's in the hundreds of details of daily life, things we take for granted but that a cancer patient struggles with, as well as emotional well-being and the rest of your family – that is what Bosom Buds addresses,” they explain. Mags' daughter Kate was an extremely fit 23 year old when breast cancer
Bosom Buds are here for us in West Lothian when we are touched by cancer, as everyone will be at some point either directly or indirectly. All money Bosom Buds spends or donates comes from fund-raising activities - the generosity and support of the local community and local businesses.
struck. Although there are organisations that help younger people, for those over the age of 24 there was little support available locally. Chemotherapy is exhausting, and one thing Kate found, having been very fit before, was that you're too tired to go to normal fitness classes. One of the main services Bosom Buds offer is free fitness classes specially designed for cancer patients, where you can also meet people going through the same thing. These classes are run by Michael Smith of Personal Best in Armadale and there are classes at various locations in West Lothian. Michael is fully qualified to help cancer patients with their rehabilitation, as well as carrying out massage therapy and arranging a walking group. It affects everyone in different ways, but many lose their hair through chemo, including Bosom Buds Tough Mudder team 2013
Abseil from the Forth Rail Bridge 2013 eyebrows and eyelashes. Bosom Buds have an arrangement with a hairdresser to procure real-hair wigs which are free of charge to patients, as well as arranging eyebrow tattoos (via a local salon) for those who want them until their own eyebrows grow back. Working closely with the oncology unit at St John's Hospital in Livingston (to which they donate regularly) Bosom Buds also run pamper days for patients referred by St John's. I spoke to a patient whose life had fallen to pieces after her cancer diagnosis – a successful career women who lost her job and house within a short space of time and wasn't coping well. Until she was referred to “mindfulness” classes via Bosom Buds. “Mindfulness changed my life,” she says. “The classes helped me to manage my situation a lot better.” The classes are run by Tina Gilbert, a yoga and mindfulness instructor from Livingston. They are free of charge to cancer patients as well as their relatives and friends and have proved invaluable to many patients in coping with their situation. The activities of the charity are too numerous to mention here. From providing individuals with mastectomy bras through to donating nearly £50,000 to Breakthrough (the breast cancer research organisation) last year, the real contribution that Bosom Buds makes is incalculable – there is no way of measuring the emotional well-being, self esteem, even the will to live that can be given back through providing practical support with every aspect of daily living. As Bosom Buds say, “Cancer can take away your dignity, Bosom Buds helps get it back!”
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Ladies nights, sponsorship events such as an abseil from the Forth Rail Bridge in June and October this year, and a “Bing Blazer” in May are examples of their activities. Teams under the Bosom Buds banner enter demanding events such as Tough Mudder and the Edinburgh Marathon. Anyone is welcome to get involved and every single contribution is valued. Contact Bosom Buds at info@ bosombudsofscotland.org to get involved.
Bosom Buds are especially grateful to Harburn House for the use of their beautiful premises for the pamper days, and to Rhoddy Stewart Photography who provides his services free of charge for the pamper days; Michael Smith of Personal Best in Armadale who goes over and above regularly by donating his time and skills at events; Policy Services of Grangemouth named Bosom Buds their charity of the year last year, and continue to fundraise and provide support; Atkin Framers of Livingston have been very supportive, providing prizes for events, fundraising and networking; Dobbies Livingston have nominated them as their charity of the year 2014 so there is a collection box at the tills (please drop your change in it next time you're there, every penny counts!) Dobbies also provide raffle prizes and host events for them. Many other local businesses an individuals donate raffle prizes, time and expertise.
Contact Bosom Buds on info@bosombudsofscotland.org www.bosombudsofscotland.org www.facebook/Bosom Buds of Scotland
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Music Review
The Regal Music Club meets fortnightly on Wednesdays at the Regal Theatre, Bathgate, 7.30pm to 9.30pm, and is for anyone who loves music. Come along to chat, discuss, meet new people, eat biscuits. You do not need to play or sing but if you do then there is always a chance to perform. Check out the facebook page or just drop in. £2 including refreshments. February meetings are 5th and 19th.
The Regal Music Club by James Kerr
David Bowie night at the music club last month. You can leave the debut 1967 album of Anthony Newley influenced novelty songs till last, along with the hideous Tin Machine band experiments of the late eighties. Start with the second album “Space Oddity” which foreshadows much of the strangeness that was to creep in to even his most pop orientated work.
From Hunky Dory (1971) onwards Bowie’s work cleverly blended with the mainstream whilst always ahead of the curve, from the life changing for many Ziggy Stardust (1973), through the glam years into the left turn of the plastic soul era of “Young Americans” (1975) and futuristic funk of “Station to Station” (1976), complete with new “Thin White Duke” persona, dodgy fascist overtones and all. The late seventies “Berlin trio” of Low, Heroes and Lodger, saw a retreat into synthesised, Brian Eno assisted, soundscapes which overall are possibly now a little easier to admire than enjoy. Returning to the pop arena, Scary Monsters (1980) scored four top thirty singles without a hint of compromise. The Nile Rodgers produced Let’s Dance (1983) promised a new era of commercial success but subsequent releases struggled with unsuitable production and weaker material, resulting in low key gems such as “The Buddha of Suburbia” (1993) making little impact. Of the most recent releases the jury is out on “The Next Day” (2013), but previous album “Reality” (2003) is definitely worth a listen.
Opera Highlights
Four singers and a pianist – coming to a venue near you
Fortunately, virtually the entire back catalogue remains widely available, check out HMV Livingston or have a look about online.
www.zenvapour.co.uk
Tuesday 25 February 7.30pm Howden Park Centre
Tickets from: Howden Park Centre, Howden, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 6AE Tel: 01506 777 666 www.howdenparkcentre.co.uk E-CIGARETTES UK E-LIQUIDS (vast range of flavours) COME AND TRY A HEALTHIER ALTERNATIVE TO SMOKING Check us out on Facebook
Supported by
The Friends of Scottish Opera
94 West Main Whitburn Opposite Xcite Leisure Centre
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Unit B 48 North Bridge Street Bathgate In the entrance lane to the Legion
Touring Scotland 25 February – 5 April 2014 For more information and to book online go to scottishopera.org.uk
Opera Highlights Ad 128x190.indd 1
Scottish Opera is core funded by
Registered in Scotland Number SCO37531 Scottish Charity Number SCO19787 Registered Office: 39 Elmbank Crescent, Glasgow G2 4PT
15/01/2014 15:23 27
Technology
Fit for purpose
The gadgets that give you a handle on your health A gadget a day keeps the doctor away: health and fitness gadgets are big business, whether it's trendy fitness trackers such as the Nike FuelBand (£129) and the Fitbit Force or more serious devices such as blood glucose meters and body composition analysers. As tech becomes smarter, smaller and cheaper, DIY health monitoring has never been easier or more affordable. Diabetics need to monitor their glucose levels regularly, and there are lots of gadgets designed to help, such as the Lifescan One Touch UltraMini (around £33) and the Bayer Contour NEXT USB (£29.99).
Using health monitors has become something of a craze, and it even has a name: Quantified Self, or QS for short. Devotees use gadgets to monitor pretty much everything, They'll wear devices such as the Jawbone Up (£99), a bracelet that's designed to be worn 24/7 and which records the steps you take, the activity you undertake and even your sleeping patterns. The accompanying software enables you to add additional information such as your food and drink intake, and translates all that data into graphs and charts so you can see how well you're doing and track your progress towards goals, such as losing LifeMax Talking Wrist Heart Monitor
Nike FuelBand Bayer Contour NEXT USB glucose monitor
LifeScan One Touch UltraMini glucose monitor Both devices enable you to analyse your blood glucose levels and can store the results - 50 in the case of the UltraMini and 2,000 with the Contour NEXT. The latter device can also plug into your computer to create easy-to-understand charts and tables to help you spot patterns. That's not all you can monitor. A trip to Maplin or Amazon uncovers all kinds of health monitoring gadgets, including blood pressure monitors that can upload data to your PC (around £39), finger pulse oximeters (£27) and fully digital heart rate monitors (around £29), and you can also buy bathroom scales that analyse your body composition: for around £30 you can pick up scales that can tell you not just how heavy or light you are, but what your BMI (Body Mass Index) is and what percentage of your body is made of fat. Scales such as the Omron BF508 also have a guest mode, so visitors won't see your vital statistics.
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weight, running faster or just being out and about more. Many such gadgets also enable you to share your progress on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. Devices such as the Jawbone Up, Nike FuelBand and Fitbit Force are designed to work with smartphones, using low-power radio signals to share data with compatible apps. 60beat offers the £29 BLUE heart rate monitor for iPhone and iPad users, AliveCore has a £170 heart monitor for iPhone 5 users and there are various connected blood glucose monitors, pulse monitors and fitness trackers for both iOS and Android. While the various devices differ, they all have the same idea in common: by recording the data, they enable you (or your doctor) to have a much better picture of your health.
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Local Life
Introducing the Waste Wise Volunteer Project in Boghall
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Would you like to become wise about food waste and help others to waste less too? Boghall resident Pauline White would!
I’m sure people will be interested in finding out how to save this money rather than binning it! Reducing food waste also helps the environment. If we could prevent food waste it would be like taking one in four cars off the road, so there’s something in it for everyone.” Waste Wise volunteers will attend local events and deliver food waste workshops and cookery demonstrations. If you would like to join them and get waste wise, learn new skills, meet like-minded people and make a difference in your community then please get in touch. Changeworks will provide full training and pay travel expenses.
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Pauline is the latest local recruit to the new Waste Wise Volunteer project which is running in the area. The project is led by Edinburgh based environmental charity Changeworks, and Pauline and the Waste Wise volunteers will be out and about in Boghall to help local residents reduce food waste, recycle more and hopefully save a bit of money at the same time. Pauline says, “I’m really excited about getting involved in this project to help people like me living in Boghall reduce food waste. Each year, the average household in Scotland throws out £470 worth of food that could have been used - that’s nearly £40 a month.
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GET 3 CARPETS THOROUGHLY DEEP CLEANED FOR THE PRICE OF 2 Pauline White, Boghall Waste Wise Volunteer And, if you are involved in a local group which would be interested in having the Waste Wise volunteers along to one of your meetings, please contact us. We can deliver talks and interactive workshops on topics such as ‘How to Love Food and Hate Waste’ and ‘Be Waste Wise’. All our talks are fun, free, informative and can be tailored to any group. For more information contact Kathleen or Rebecca in the Waste Wise Volunteers team by emailing wastewisevolunteers@changeworks.org.uk, or by phoning 0131 555 4010. We look forward to hearing from you - together we can make Boghall more waste wise and wealthy in 2014.
FREE no tion obliga s quote
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Tel: 08000 463 422 Mob: 07789 007 072 www.hydrokleenscotland.co.uk Email: info@hydrokleenscotland.co.uk 31
www.thekiltstudio.co.uk
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Airport Transfers UK Golf Trips Scottish Tours Whiskey Tours Stag and Hen Parties Wedding Bus Hire Corporate Hire
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Spotlight on
The Stone Ring •
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Reiki Tai Chi Reflexology Aromatherapy Crystal Healing Swedish Massage Cranial Sacral Massage Indian Head Massage
•
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Enter into a world full of spirit, healing and heightened reality whilst expanding your mind through the realms of what was, what is, what is yet to come and what you can’t even begin to imagine. We offer a range of classes and courses designed to develop and strengthen the body, the mind and the spirit. Choose whichever suits you. Or try them all.
Flint stone for February A sacred stone. Flint was not only used for tools and weapons, it was also used as a powerful stabilizer and cleanser of unwanted energies. It is also said to draw help from the Gods. For eons flint has accompanied the dead on their journey into the next world, as it can call in guides and powerful allies. It protects, turns back curses and ill wishes. Spiritually, Flint hones the spirit and cut away those things that no longer serve us, cutting away unwanted blockages and problems. Flint is an effective conductor for electromagnetic energies; it enhances energy flow and is a powerful earth healer. Flint has many more attributes and uses; these are just a few of the forgotten uses of flint.
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The shop itself hosts a world of gifts born of desire, where Dreamcatchers move gently as you walk through the door, Buddhas of all imaginations sit proud and angels wing themselves throughout the crowd. Delve into the fantastical where knights and wizards fight dragons for their crystals and the fairies, some naughty some nice, watch amused and the sirens reach out to entice. Browse through cabinets of beautiful jewellery, candles, incense and oils, sparkling crystals large and small, angel and tarot cards, spiritual healing and self help books and lots more to make you smile.
7 day membership
£747
5 day membership
£533
Intermediate from £257 (under 35) For further details contact the Club secretary on
0131 333 0068 or email secretary@rathogolfclub.co.uk www.rathoparkgolfclub.co.uk
Spot the Konect Directory advertiser...
15th February 10am - 4pm - David Wells from Most Haunted does past life regression. £65 per ticket 22nd March - David Tyrell - 1 day workshop 10.30am – 5pm. Connecting and working with your guides, £50 per ticket 7.30pm - 9.30 pm approx- Demonstration of Mediumship and Transhealing, £6.50 per ticket Available for private readings (£30) Sunday 23rd & Monday 24th March UPCOMING EVENTS Future life progression with Graeme Harvey Chris Conway - Ghost Hunt Wiccan Workshop Please contact The Stone Ring for times and more details.
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Adve
vat £21 + nth! r mo pe
To get your business noticed locally in 2014, please contact Charlene on 07772 941899 / charlene@konectdirectory.co.uk or Jenny on 07824 469266 / jenny@konectdirectory.co.uk 35
Puzzles Quick Crossword 1
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Across 1. European country (7) 5. Scour (5) 8. Inflamed (7) 9. Precise (5) 10. Strict (5) 11. Operating room (7) 12. Painter (6) 14. Lethal (6) 17. Non professional (7) 19. Likeness (5) 22. Edgy, anxious (5) 23. Revised (7) 24. Father (5) 25. Harnessed to ride (7) Down 1. Types of transport (5) 2. Not tight (5) 3. E.g. Crete, Rhodes (7) 4. Tiny (6) 5. Stage set (5) 6. Oven cooked (7) 7. Torch power cell (7) 12. Made suitable (7) 13. Coached (7) 15. Once lived (7) 16. Destroys (6) 18. Including all (5) 20. Fourth month (5) 21. Finished (5)
Sudoku
Sudoku solution on page 46
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If you roast a slightly larger piece of meat or chicken than usual you will have leftovers to make into the next meal. A large chicken will feed 4-6 people hot but will leave enough meat to make a pasta sauce and the bones can be used for stock for soup for a third meal. It is a little fiddly picking off the cold meat from the bird but worth it when you have enough to add to a pack of stir fry veg which, with rice or glass noodles, then makes a weekday supper.
Stock from chicken bones Take all the bones, bits of skin you don't fancy and any jelly or tasty bits left in the roasting tin. If you roasted garlic, lemon or onion in the bird’s cavity, so much the better; add them all to the pot and cover with water and bring slowly to the boil. Boil gently for 20 minutes and then sieve the liquid into a scrupulously clean bowl or container suitable for freezing. Stock will keep in the fridge for 2 or 3 days. If you want to keep it longer, freeze it and use from frozen for soup, stews or cooking rice.
Leftover Cottage Pie
Recipe and Food Notes
Leftovers
By Anne Pinkerton At first glance leftovers doesn't sound very appetising as a topic. However for busy people leftovers are a starting point for all kinds of good and economical things to eat. Much classic family British food relied on leftovers. In older household management cook books there was often a chapter on them but rather grandly named…. “Rechauffes.” Shepherd’s Pie, Beef Hash, Bubble and Squeak, croquettes, fish cakes and rissoles all needed leftovers as a main ingredient. Even small amounts of cooked vegetables and gravy
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can become warming soup with a depth of flavour not obtainable from stock cubes. In July 2013 the Office for National Statistics announced that food prices had risen by 12% in the previous 12 months. Since then some food prices have dropped back but fruit is still 10% more expensive than last year. Don't let this depress you; we can use the food we buy carefully, waste as little as practical and still enjoy a varied diet. Cooking at home, planning ahead and being alert to special offers and reductions all play a part.
If you are not like me - a collector of old fashioned kitchen tools! - and don't have a hand mincer, use a food processor or even a hand wand to mince the meat from leftover roast lamb or beef. About 300/350g will give you enough for Cottage Pie for four people. 2 onions chopped 2 sticks celery 2 medium carrots grated 2 parsnips peeled and grated 1 leek washed and finely sliced little oil (sunflower or corn oil) for frying. leftover plain boiled or mashed potatoes salt and pepper to taste flour
boiling water for a couple of minutes to start the cooking process. This saves time and ensures the spuds are cooked.Cook at 180oC for half an hour till bubbling and the top brown and crusty. Serve with peas or cabbage if you want more veg but you can treat it as a meal in one. Left over pastry is really useful. Cheese straws, jam tarts, fruit turnovers and Eccles cakes can all be made from scraps.
Cheese straws pastry, puff or short will do. finely grated strong cheese - old and looking dried out is perfect black pepper and, if liked, paprika Pile the scraps of pastry on top of each other; try not to mush them together. Roll them out thinly into as regular a shape as you can. Cover 2/3 of the surface in grated cheese and seasoning. Fold the plain 1/3 over the cheese and then fold in again. Roll out, not too thin, and do the same thing again with more cheese. Roll out and cut into strips about as thick as your little finger. Bake at 200C for 10 minutes till pale golden. (Do not burn, as they go bitter).
Fruit turnovers or Eccles cakes
Method Heat the oil, fry the onions and then add all the other prepared veg. Add the minced meat and get all the ingredients really hot. Mix in 2 or 3 flat tablespoons of plain flour to take up any juice, cook a few moments. Add ½ pint water and bring back to the boil. The mixture should be thick. Put the meat in an oven-proof dish and cover with sliced cold, cooked potatoes, leftover mash or newly sliced and blanched potatoes. Add a few dots of butter or a little oil to help top brown in cooking. Blanching is just putting into
Puff leftovers are nicest but either will do. Roll out the pastry into a circular shape. In the middle put stewed fruit, apple is most commonly used but whatever you have will be good. For an Eccles type cake - mix currants, a little butter and soft brown sugar together and place in the middle of the pastry. Bring the edges together and seal. Turn the cake over and roll lightly. Slash with a sharp knife paint with a little milk and sprinkle with a sugar. Bake at 200C for 10/15 minutes till golden.
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What’s On and Useful Information February Sunday 9th February My Fayre Lady craft fair Craft and business fair. Not-on-the-high-street treats and treasure provided by local businesses. At the Regal Theatre, Bathgate, 12pm3pm, admission £1.
Friday 14th February Kisses for CLAPA Masquerade Musical Mayhem
Dress code on the night: Black and white attire with, of course, the choice of colourful masquerade mask - the brighter the better! This event is for over 18s only. Tickets: £6 each/£10 per couple. Available from www.facebook. com/LynzieDray-MillArtBanktonHouseHotel
Saturday 15th February David Wells from Most Haunted does past life regression 10am - 4pm at the Stone Ring. £65 per ticket.
Sunday 23rd February At the Bankton House Hotel, Murieston, Livingston. 7.30 –12pm T’is the season of love...come and join some of West Lothian’s finest musicians and bands celebrate St. Valentines Day as they raise awareness for CLAPA - Cleft Lip And Palate Association. Entertainment from: The Changes, Little Songbird, Danny Livingston, Cousin Kenny and more...
Jack & Jill Market Quality nearly-new baby and children’s market. Forty stalls bursting with quality nearly new baby and kids bargains! West Lothian College, Almondvale Crescent, Livingston 10:30am – 1:00pm
The Regal hosts an exciting programme of film, music, theatre, comedy and children’s events. A unique venue for your performance, celebration, conference or event, and spaces for classes and workshops.
Bathgate Partnership Centre, South Bridge Street, EH48 1TS Tel 01506 282910 bathgate.lib@westlothian.gov.uk Opening hours: Mon – Fri 8.30am – 8.00pm Sat 9.00am – 5.00pm
Bookbugs Bookbug West Lothian delivers free story, song and rhyme sessions for babies, toddlers and pre-school children in local libraries, working in partnership with the Scottish Book Trust. Bookbug Bathgate is the first Friday of each month, 10.30am – 11.00am in the Simpson Library.
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Get paid to keep fit! If you are interested in helping us deliver Konect in this area, please call 07904 443005 or email distribution@konectdirectory.co.uk Good rates of pay, a few hours per month
See website at www.bathgateregal.org for complete up to date listing. To include your event here, please email editor@konectdirectory.co.uk or call 07854 492638
Bathgate Library Information Simpson Library
Buster the Dog
E-BOOKS ARE HERE! You can now register online and download up to 6 e-books from the library website www.westlothian. librarybooks.co.uk - full instructions on login. EMAGAZINES Free digital magazines available to all Library customers Popular publications available 24/7 Easily read on any internet-enabled device Go to – https:/www.rbdigital.com/westlothian/zinio EAUDIOBOOKS have arrived! – more information from your local library The library service is available 24/7, 365 days a year on www.westlothian.gov.uk
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He’s here, he’s there, he’s everywhere… Karen Murray chats with former Hibs winger Mickey Weir “He's here , he's there, he's everywhere...” A very familiar chant if you were a Hibs fan in the 1980's and 90's with the addition of "he’s Mickey Weir". Michael (known to the fans as Mickey) Weir now lives a rather more sedate life in Kirknewton but his involvement in football has never stopped, more of which we shall talk about later. First a little more of the legend that is Mickey Weir - the football obsessed youngster from Pilton was signed to Hibs as a teenager from Portobello Thistle, initially helping to maintain the Easter Road ground as well as play football. It wasn’t long however before football became all he did, playing as a winger for the Edinburgh side. Mickey is not the tallest and his size was considered by some to be a drawback but he never let it bother him, getting around the pitch at speed of lightning - hence the "he’s here, he’s there, he’s everywhere..” chant. The Hibs website describes Mickey as having "craft and guile underpinned by boundless energy, an insatiable appetite for success and a genuine love for Hiberian". He was (and is) considered inspirational. I asked Mickey if he had a best moment from his footballing career and straight away he smiled recalling Hampden on 27 October 1991 when Hibs won the League Cup beating Dunfermline 2-0 to lift the Skol Cup. Mickey took centre stage and was in dazzling form, setting up the second goal to help Hibs win the club’s first trophy since 1972. Mickey was man of the match for that game, but he also recalls that while it was the highlight of his career, simply getting to play at the top level for the team you always supported as a child is his biggest achievement. Included in Mickey’s career was a short spell at Luton but he came back to Hibs where he felt at home and where he wanted to really make a name for himself. This he did in the aforementioned League Cup game. He ventured down south again on loan to Millwall, finally ended his playing career at Motherwell where he also coached. It was while coaching that he
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discovered the likes of James McFadden, Stephen Pearson and Stevie Hammel, all top players and internationals. “I loved playing football and then coaching and would have continued but a back injury got the better of me,” he sighs. However, if you can’t play football what is the next best thing? Talking about it. Mickey was soon snapped up as pundit on various radio programmes, firstly on Talk 107 Radio and then with presenter Gordon Dallas and some other former players, he worked on a weekly podcast football show - Kickabout. That format was so successful that Gordon and Mickey have taken it a step further. Log on to www.westlothianondemand.com and you can watch the antics of the pair and their pals with special guests presenting Kickabout in all its visual glory, along with other programmes on this online tv on demand channel, such as entertainment, music and lots of community information and involvement. WLTV launched in October 2013. It is gaining new viewers daily with its coverage of local events highlighting ‘all the good that happens in our community’. The show pulls the big names in, particularly in sport through Mickey’s contacts but other stars have featured on the shows including Susan Boyle, James McAvoy and Irvine Welsh. Mickey laughs as he emphasises how much fun they have making the programmes. “On the sports programme, we enjoy some good natured banter and a laugh at some of the incidents that have happened in football and other sports through the week.” The programmes are filmed in a studio in Livingston but the team likes to get out and about in the community and it would seem from the programmes I have viewed that the presenters know how to have a good time, as well as how to promote a business. And that is the other side of WLTV - to promote other businesses, getting their message out to a much wider audience. “The community aspect is the most important part of what we are doing though,” says Mickey, adding
that the plan is for people with talents to make their own short videos and send them in. If you fancy yourself as a programme maker or a presenter, get involved, make your own little show and you might just get it aired. As I have discovered while writing the walking articles for Konect, West Lothian is a large and varied county and Mickey said much the same thing, amazed at the amount of talent coming from one county. “There are sports stars, musicians, singers and we want to showcase them all on West Lothian TV.” There are also plans to have an ex-pats show to bring West Lothian to those who are living away. The website is developing all the time and spreading to Edinburgh and Glasgow – you never know, if the success continues this channel could soon be nationwide. “That is the beauty of the internet,” acknowledges the erstwhile technophobe Mickey; “you can get your message across the globe at the click of a button!” Mickey is as enthusiastic talking about this new challenge and his presenting as he is when asked about his football career, but naturally combining both – i.e. talking all things football – is the perfect scenario. It would seem the football chant so familiar on the pitch still rings true – Mickey is still everywhere – this time on your computer screen! Mickey has two sons – so maybe one day, he will be watching them play football just as his proud dad, who very sadly passed away recently, used to watch him at Hibs, cheering him on to greatness. And if it is not his football skills he passes on, maybe it will be his presenting ones!
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Clubs & Classes
Strictly-Style in Bathgate and Livingston!
Move It Dance and Fitness
Sports, Hobbies, Learning, Support Groups & more... BATHGATE Fitsteps - Get fit 'Strictly style!' - NEW Ballroom and Latin dance fitness class- no partner required. Wednesday 6.15-7.00pm, Inveralmond Community High School - £4 Wednesday 7.30-8.15pm, St Mary’s Hall, Bathgate - £4 Thursday 7.30-8.15pm, Currie Community High School - £4.50 Classes start week beginning 6th Jan 2014. For more info contact Lianne on 07737 927463. Email: moveitdanceandfitness@gmail.com Like us on facebook www.facebook.com/ moveitdanceandfitness Simpson Art Club We meet every Tuesday 7pm-9pm in the community wing of the Simpson Primary School, Bathgate. All over 18, including beginners, are welcome. Regular demonstrations and teaching from professional artists, work in all mediums. We also have regular exhibitions in Polkemmet Cafe and the Regal Theatre in Bathgate. For further information email simpsonartclub@gmail.com. Contact 07762 933138. Keltra Crafts Quilting, patchwork, sewing and knitting classes for all ages (Mon - Sat 10-12 & 1-3) 54 North Bridge Street, Bathgate. Contact Kelly 07557 109299 or Tracy 07795 188747 for availability & more info. Yoga Class For people living with long term conditions. Bathgate Community Centre, 5–6.30pm on Wednesdays. The class is run by KICC Active Lothian, a partnership with MS Therapy Centre Lothian. £5.50 per class or £20 for four weeks. First class is free! Call Joanna on 07436 102726 to book. Zumba with Lindsay Simpsons Primary School Bathgate, Tuesday 7.15 to 8.15pm Strathbrock Parish Church Hall Uphall, Wednesday 7 to 8pm East Calder Church Hall, Monday 7 to 8pm Facebook Zumba with Lindsay 07834183084 Parent and Toddler's St Johns Church, Mid Street. Fridays during term time, 9.30-11.30 am. From Birth to Pre-schoolers.
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For further information, contact Irene on 01506 654579
Toddler Times and Eco Kidz. Please call Kidzeco for class times and availability on 01506 815534.
The Stone Ring 40 King Street, Bathgate Beginners Self awareness & Development. Mon 7-9.30 pm (approx) - £6.50 Self Awareness & Development. Tues 7-9.30pm (appox) £6.50 Moot - Every 2nd Wed of the Month. 7-9.30pm (approx) £5 West Lothian 50 Plus Network New members always welcome for educational, social, recreational and cultural activities. Monthly meet-ups, visits and day trips. Over 25 different activity groups, including arts, crafts, walking, theatre etc. See www.westlothian50plusnetwork.co.uk or call 01506 635510. Office hours Mon - Fri 10am - 2pm. 2nd Bathgate Girls' Brigade Meets on Wednesday evenings in St John's Church Halls, Mid Street Explorers P1-3 Girls: 6.15pm - 7.30pm Juniors P4-7 Girls: 7.00pm - 8.30pm Brigaders S1-S6 Girls: 7.00pm - 8.30pm Please contact Alison Weddell (Captain) on tel 07710 619264 or email alison.weddell@gmail.com for further details Action for Happiness Action for Happiness helps people learn practical ways to increase their own wellbeing and help others be happier. At our local action group we explore different topics every month that will help you to feel happier and more positive. It's fun, friendly and very practical. We meet at the Regal Community Theatre in Bathgate on the first Tuesday of every month and at the Howden Park Centre on the 3rd Wednesday of every month 7.00 pm. For more details contact Carol on 07800 772607 or Ally on 07801350435. Bathgate Playgroup Bathgate Partnership Centre Mon–Fri 9-11.30am and afternoon sessions Mon & Wed 12.30-3.30pm Baby and Toddler activities Kidzeco, 11 King St, Bathgate Classes include Kidz Play (soft play), Baby Times (songs and rhymes for 0-1 year olds), Kidz Tales (storytelling), Sunshine Kidz, (play, toys, crafts); various dance classes including cheerleading, street and hip hop, Baby Discovery (explore textures and sounds),
Newland Concert Brass Friendly band based in Bathgate. We welcome brass and percussion players of all ages and abilities. Training Band Mondays 6.30 – 7.30pm in Bathgate Partnership Centre Junior Band Mondays 6.30 – 7.50pm in Bathgate Partnership Centre Senior Band Mondays 8.00 – 9.30pm in the band hall on Belvedere Rd For more information see the website at www.newlandconcertbrass.org.uk MOMS (Mums Offering Mums Support) Kidzeco, 11 King St, Bathgate Mon 1pm–3pm. Group for new and expectant mums to meet other mums, share ideas and experiences and generally have a chat and a cuppa! £1 includes hot drink. Call Kidzeco for more info 01506 815534. 31st West Lothian Scouts Scout Hall, Majoriebank Street. Thursdays 7pm – 9pm Regal Music Club The Regal Theatre, Bathgate. For anyone who loves music. We meet fortnightly on Wednesdays. 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Come along to chat, discuss, meet new people, eat biscuits. You don’t need to play or sing but if you do there is always a chance to perform. Check out the facebook page or just drop in. £2 including refreshments.
OTHER AREAS West Lothian Breast Cancer Support Group Meets on the first Tuesday of each month, in the Ability Centre, Carmondean, Livingston, from 7pm-9pm. Further details and information, contact Nan McDonald tel 01506 655739
To include your club or class, email details to editor@konectdirectory.co.uk. Charity and not-for-profit groups are free, there is a small charge for other listings. See our website for details www.konectdirectory.co.uk.
Come along and try the newest dance fitness craze that's sweeping the nation! Fitsteps is an exciting new Ballroom and Latin based dance fitness class choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing stars Nathalie Lowe and Ian Waite. Fitsteps consists of fun, easy to follow Latin and Ballroom moves, with no partner required! We will be dancing the Cha Cha, Jive, Waltz, Paso Doble, Rumba, Quickstep and Tango to some awesome modern and traditional tunes. Our classes are fun, friendly, easy to follow and will get you dancing your way to fitness in no time at all!
Are you a Strictly Come Dancing fan? Do you imagine yourself doing all the dances you see on the programme? Well, now you can! Come along and give it a try, you will be hooked! Please wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing and decent footwear for chassying, sweeping and flicking your way around the floor (i.e. trainers or dance sneakers are fine). Classes cost £4pp and are as follows: Wednesdays 6-6.45pm Inveralmond Community High School, Livingston Wednesdays 7.30-8.15pm, Regal Theatre, Bathgate If you would like more info please contact Lianne on 07737 927463 email moveitdanceandfitness@gmail.com or visit our facebook page www.facebook.com/moveitdanceandfitness
See you on the dancefloor!
KICC Active Lothian KICC Active Lothian offers Pilates, Tai Chi and yoga classes which are specially tailored to the needs of people with long term health conditions. The classes are gentle and designed to be adapted to each individual’s needs and requirements. Regular participants in our classes notice increased strength, greater flexibility and improved sleeping patterns as well as better posture, balance and coordination. Over time people also notice increased energy levels and reduced fatigue. Classes have already started in Bathgate and start in Livingston in February. Classes are taught by fully qualified and experienced tutors who understand the different needs people with mobility issues might have. Classes are gentle and can be done from a seated position if preferred. People living with chronic fatigue, diabetes, MS, Parkinson’s, arthritis, stroke and many other conditions attend our classes as well as people who have had traumatic injuries and those who use
wheelchairs, walkers and other mobility aids. Classes are at the Bathgate Community Centre and Livingston Ability Centre. Please contact the co-ordinator Joanna on 07436102726 or joanna@kiccactive.org.uk for more info. We look forward to meeting you in class soon! www.kiccactive.org.uk
Gentle Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates classes to improve health Classes in Livingston and Bathgate.
Classes are gentle and tailored to the needs of people living with conditions such as MS, ME, Parkinson’s, arthritis, diabetes and many others.
Improve your health Meet new people Self-manage your condition Call 07436102726
www.kiccactive.org.uk 45
Index of Advertisers Accessories Stick & Cane Shop 32 Aerials Aerial Man 16 Bathrooms Bathbase 5 Bathgate Bathroom Studio 11 Beauty Rococo 29 Skin Elegance 6 The Beauty Spot 6 Building Services David Bathgate 17 Cafe Breakfast At Tiffany's 7 Lanna's Tea Room 4 Car and Van Hire Euro Hire Drive 5 Car Repairs Car Medic 37 Chips Away 31 Finishing Touch 37 Car Services Formula 1 MOT 37 Carpet Cleaning Hydro Kleen 31 Carpet Fitter Dean Gemmell Carpet Fitting 10 Charity Bosom Buds of Scotland 20 Cleaning Services Cleaning Doctor 10 Community Facilities Bathgate Partnership Centre 22 Complimentary Therapies Rococo 29 The Stone Ring 34 Dog Grooming Baileys Dog Salon 41 Electrical Advanced Electrical Solutions 4 A.F.A Electrical 24 Entertainment Scottish Opera 27 Estate Agent Aberdein Considine 2 Turpie & Co 19 Fitness Curves Bathgate 33 KICC Active Lothian 45 Move It 45 Florist Becky's Flowers 7 Framing Scotframes 16 Furniture Grant's of Bathgate 13 Gifts The Kilt Studio 33
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Golf Club Ratho Park Golf Club 35 Hairdressers Vanity 6 Heating Services Mech A Tech 17 Home Improvements Home Fires Stoves 4 S & S Home Improvements 9 Hotel The Fairway Hotel 32 Kilt Makers The Kilt Studio 33 Laundry Services TipTop Laundry 10 Minibus Hire W.S. Hamilton Minibus Hire 33 Mobility Med-Ecosse 27 Scottish Medical Supplies 12 Painter/Decorator DM Decorators 4 Nu Walls 10 Plasterer Nu Walls 10 Plumbing Services B J Fleming Plumbing Services 37 Plumbase 5 Recycling Changeworks Recycling 30 Restaurant The Cottage 7 The Fairway Hotel 32 Roofing BG Roofing & Guttering 4 Future Roof 7 Security Services A.F.A Fire and Security 25 Soft Furnishings Style Rite Blinds 10 Takeaway Artisan Cheesecakes 15 Breakfast At Tiffany's 7 Lanna's Tea Room 4 Taxi Bluebird Radio Cars 48 Tiler Livingston Tiles 16 Vapour Zen Vapour 26 Veterinary Riverside Veterinary Practice 41 Windows 1st choice Glazing 17 DC Double Glazing 4
Solution Dec 13 crossword
FOR ALL YOUR MOBILITY NEEDS Across: 1 Dock, 3 Diamonds, 9 Execute, 10 Agree, 11 Manufactured, 14 Nap, 16 Crude, 17 You, 18 Nevertheless, 21 Adapt, 22 Pattern, 23 Everyday, 24 Lyre Down: 1 Dreaming, 2 Clean, 4 Ice, 5 Measurements, 6 Nursery, 7 Spew, 8 Sufficiently, 12 Count, 13 Nuisance, 15 Prepare, 19 Every, 20 Fake, 22 Pea
Whether you need help to get around the house or out and about, our experienced team can help with all your mobility needs. Family owned and operated since 1994
Solution to Sudoku
0800 169 5182
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0131 440 4225 Showroom Opening Times Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 4pm Unit 13-16, 32 Dryden Road, Bilston Glen Industrial Estate, Loanhead, Edinburgh, EH20 9LZ www.med-ecosse.co.uk medeco67@aol.com
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