Konect Broxburn March 2016 by Konect Magazines

MARCH 2016

broxburn

FEATUREs

New column! - Parenting in West Lothian Nicola Welsh - â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are no rules for grievingâ&#x20AC;? Local history - Huly Hill and the Newbridge Chariot Walk - Check out the view from Cockleroy Hill s& Offer ers h c u vo cal from lo ses s e busin

plus local businesses, community information and more!

The community magazine for Uphall, Broxburn and Winchburgh

LOC AL WALK

M ess ag e fro m t he e di tor t’s mother’s day this month, Iinterviewed but on a sober note we a local mum

from Threemiletown who has suffered loss of her baby and is now keen to get conversation going in society about still-births and neo-natal bereavement. She runs support services in Livingston, see pages 8 – 9. We’re launching a new column this month on parenting in West Lothian by a local mum, and looking forward to reading her adventures as she navigates life in West Lothian from the point of view of a young family – see page 16 for the first instalment. And I’ve been learning all about how the area of land near the River Almond crossing at Newbridge was a really important focal point around here for millennia – and how one of our most unique and important discoveries about the Celts was discovered here and will be the centrepiece of an exhibition opening at the National Museum of Scotland this month. See pages 18-19. Thanks for reading Konect and for supporting local businesses.

Helen-Jane, Editor hj@konectdirectory.co.uk

FEATUREs Inter view with Nicola Welsh Huly Hill & the Newbridge Chariot Spotlight on Red Hot Windows Spotlight on Saltire Lock & Security

08 18 22 24

REGULARS Parenting in West Lothian Inter ior s by Ekco of Uphall Local Walk Recipe and Food Notes

16 20 30 32

COMPETITIONS & PUZZLES Kids Puzzles Crossword

28 34

COMMUNITY What’s on Useful Information Clubs & Classes

36 36 36

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

Advertising Enquiries CHARLENE GAFFNEY 07772 941899 charlene@konectdirectory.co.uk JENNY THOMSON 07824 469266 jenny@konectdirectory.co.uk Advert booking deadline: 15th of the month prior to print. Artwork/copy deadline: 18th of the month prior to print. The Konect Directory is delivered to 7,500 homes throughout Uphall, Broxburn and Winchburgh. Copies are also left at the library, post offices, convenience stores and other locations.

Look out for Easter family activities locally.

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LOCAL people

“There are no rules for grieving”

“I want to break the taboo around discussing stillbirth and neonatal death, and make it normal to talk about it,” says Nicola Welsh. I’m chatting to Nicola in her kitchen at home in Threemiletown, surrounded by all the usual family trappings - photos of her boys, birthday balloons, toys and the family dog. But Nicola carries the invisible scars of neonatal bereavement, and she is dedicated to helping other families who have suffered in the same way. Setting out initially to create a support group for her local Linlithgow community, it snowballed and she now finds herself Chief Executive of SANDS Lothians (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society), a charity providing support and services for bereaved families across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Nicola and her husband Gary discovered during her second pregnancy that their baby had a serious condition called exomphalos. Theo was born and battled through three weeks and four operations. For three weeks they believed he would pull through. But when he passed away, they were left not only obviously bereft but with no support to help them deal with it. “The hospital [Sick Kids in Edinburgh] was phenomenal in what they did to help Theo,” recalls Nicola, “but once you’ve lost your baby, there is no counselling

Album, candle and memories gift bag provided by SANDS Lothians

or obvious supports available via the NHS*. We were left totally alone.” While her peers were going to new mums and babies groups, Nicola was alone with her toddler and what she describes as feelings of “intense, scary and overwhelming grief” and was desperate for professional help. The community midwife had visited for post natal care, and she was lucky to have some good friends, but Nicola was desperate to meet someone who had had the same experience. “Meeting other bereaved parents helps to validate your feelings,” she says. “It’s particularly difficult for parents of stillborn babies as there are no photographs or memories to draw on.” It was nine months until Nicola met someone else who had lost a baby, and she finally started to find some validation of her feelings. “You never heal completely,” she says. “That particular train has gone, and it leaves you standing on the platform waiting for the next train which is one of deep sadness. But you can shape where you want it to go by talking about it.” After the birth of her third boy, Oscar, Nicola set about in earnest to create a support group for the Linlithgow area. She found out about SANDS Lothians (separate from the UK-wide SANDS charity) which was in existence, but no-one had told Nicola about it and there was no local group. It’s been hard work, but today SANDS Lothians is a stand-alone charity employing five people, including two counsellors, and a team of volunteers. Nicola is the Chief Executive. It has a premises at Craigsfarm community centre in Craigshill**, where they have a counselling room and a befriending room, and a family support group meets every month. They provide photo albums for parents to record their brief time with their baby. They can help talk through funeral arrangements with parents. And they work constantly to raise the profile of the charity so that midwives and doctors know to refer people to them. What advice does Nicola offer for society? “If you know someone who has had a stillborn baby or lost a newborn, don’t be afraid to talk about their

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baby. Always acknowledge the baby, name them and remember them. When you talk to a bereaved parent they may get upset ...but that’s because you were brave enough to let them know that you remember. I’ve been fortunate in having good friends who still drop me a wee card or a text on Theo’s birthday every year.” She recognises that in our society people find it difficult to talk about babies who have passed away, but believes this needs to change. “I found a fantastic quote the other day: ‘When you say my child’s name you are not reminding me that they died. I know they died. What you are reminding me is that they lived, and that is the greatest gift.’” SANDS Lothians also runs a pregnancy support group for women who become pregnant again after losing a baby. “Another pregnancy is never the same – you never recapture the joyful, hopeful experience. Many women suffer anxiety and need a lot of support such as extra scans and appointments and speaking to other women who have the same anxiety.” And what about the dads? “It’s harder to get them to talk,” says Nicola. “The whole bereavement process impacts them enormously of course, and

relationships can suffer too. Couples do come to the counselling together, but the on-going groups are predominantly mums. We’re looking at starting a group just for dads.” A bereavement committee now operates at St John’s Hospital in Livingston which Nicola was instrumental in setting up. It has a dedicated family support room on site with bedding, TV, toiletries and everything a family needs as they are going through the most traumatic time. When I visited Nicola at the end of January the family had just had Theo’s 7th birthday. I was affected by the very deep impact that his brief life still has on the family. Nicola is always happy to talk about him and passionate about helping others on this journey. It was a pleasure to learn their story and if this article reaches just one family who need help it will have been well worth it. *There is an NHS counselling service but there is a very long waiting list. ** May be moving premises later this year, please check with them before attending.

For more information on the support groups or to get in touch, please contact: info@sands-lothians.org.uk or call 0131 622 6263 website http://sands-lothians.org.uk For more of Theo’s story see http://babywelshupdate.blogspot.co.uk/

SANDS Lothians has to fundraise constantly to ensure that the professional counsellors are available, that they keep the premises and keep the groups running. They rely on individuals, local businesses and organisations. Their ver y first donor was the Linlithgow Round Table who donated generously to get them started. If you can help, they will be delighted to hear from you!

Nicola Welsh

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Parents in West Lothian

HOW TO KEEP YOUR MONKEYS ACTIVE IN THE EVENING EVEN WHEN BUNTY IS BLOWING RAIN SIDEWAYS So the year of the Monkey has dawned in the Chinese Lunar Calendar – Xin Nian Kwei Le! I lived in China for years and the culture of evening exercise, outdoors activities, and the general convention of not being in your house in the evenings is common to everyone there – this counts for kids too from as young as you can imagine. That might be alright if you live in China, however, a West Lothian February is not to be trifled with; especially with storm after innocently-named storm (“Storm Bunty just blew away my cat!”) making conditions outside unbearable for even the hardiest souls among us. So what do you do when you have a little naughty primate who needs to burn off energy but you also don’t want to have to pluck him out of a tree in the middle of a hurricane? Recently soft-play venues have been a life-saver for us – when I finish work at 5:30pm and it falls

Our column is West Lothia t: Nicola Jengaenga li ves in n with Quin months an d her hubby n 2, Penny 10 Channa , 2 2 1/4. Nicola & Ch anna both w ork, jugglin schedules w ith g their two tin the ever-evolving dem hectic y overlords, ands of in some tim and also sq ueezing e for each ot her! In this new bl the adventu og for Konect she chro nicles res (and m isad Mummy an d Daddy wh ventures) of a the happy ti o aim to wri m ng all babies in w es they can from life w onderful W est Lothian ith their ! to me to look after the babies I take them to our nearest one which is at Xcite, across from the Designer Outlet in Livingston – and Quinn gets to run wild for as long as he can. I am constantly amazed at his gross motor skills; climbing, jumping, ducking under things, balancing etc. Yesterday, I decided to head to the Xcite venue in Bathgate – I’d heard their soft-play was a bit bigger and more challenging – just what we need! When we arrived, a birthday party was just winding up so the soft-play was packed with assorted cake-stuffed offspring on sugar-highs – all the better for Quinn as he loves to get jostled about with the older kids and I’m sure he imagines in his head that he is about 7 years old. I sat at the side and fed Penny, waving and cheering dutifully as Quinn summited various stages of the apparatus, and ‘wheeeeee’-ing with delight as he came down the slides in ever more ill-advised positions (backwards on his knees is the current favourite). Dinner at home was a peaceful affair – Tang Cu Li Ji (sweet and sour chicken) with white rice in honour of the occasion. Quinn is going through a phase where any rice-based dish will meet with approval – maybe he has heard the old Chinese wives-tale used to chastise picky kids – “Every grain of rice left in your bowl becomes a maggot to eat you when you’re dead!” (Chinese sayings can be a bit blunt when translated!) By 7:30pm Quinn was puffed out and ready to sleep – mission accomplished!

Soft play at Xcite 16

So maybe it wasn’t tai-chi in the square, or ping pong on a roundabout island, but my little Monkey had found a way to have fun and be active on a winter’s night! Jia you xiao hai! (Go for it wee man!)

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Local History

Huly Hill & the Newbridge Chariot by Helen-Jane Shearer

Have you ever sat in the traffic by the BP garage at the bottom of Cliftonhall Road in Newbridge waiting to get onto the roundabout, and wondered what that strange little hill is, surrounded by the low stone wall? It’s one of several tantalising clues that this area was a very important focal point for thousands of years. The wee hill ahead of you as you wait at the T junction is a bronze age burial mound (tumulus) dating from around 2500BC. Three standing stones surround it within the fenced area, and there is a fourth stone the other side of the motorway. The area beside Edinburgh Airport runway, the end of which is just half a mile from our tumulus, was a burial ground where cists dating from the around the fifth century AD

have been found, along with another standing stone, the Cat Stane, which has been there for thousands of years. We don’t know which of these various monuments are related to each other, if any. The stones around our tumulus may have been part of complete stone circles; it has never been subject to detailed modern archaeological study, although was opened in 1830 when a spearhead or dagger, animal charcoal and small fragments of bones were found. When I visited on a rare sunny day last month, I found that within the grassy circle the din of the roads is muted; the hustle and bustle of the interchange, the industrial estate with its heavy commercial traffic, the garage ... all seem to fade. Viewed from the footbridge over the motorway, it sits broodingly mysterious in the incongruous modern landscape, its three stones standing eloquently silent sentry as they have for countless years.

A replica of the Newbridge Chariot will be the centrepiece of a new exhibition, “Celts,” which opens at the National Museum of Scotland next month. The iron tyres for the replica, which was made in 2001, were forged by local blacksmith Pete Hill of Ratho Byers Forge. Pete recalls, “We did some of the work in exactly the same manner as the original craftsman would have, with the forge anvil and hammer. The shaping into the ring was done using a modern roller and the tyres were joined using modern techniques to ensure accuracy of size. The most interesting aspect for me was the privilege of touching and inspecting ironwork of such an age, made by someone much like me, working in more or less the same manner centuries later. While some of the equipment has changed, the processes of thinning, stretching, punching and joining iron - or nowadays steel - have remained unchanged since the dawn of the iron age. If you could transport a smith through time either back or forward, they would recognise the work and tools and would no doubt share an immediate connection with the craftsman of the time.”

Visit the exhibition and see the Newbridge Chariot at the National Museum of Scotland from 10th March to 25th September. See www.nms.ac.uk for further information.

Huly Hill from Clinftonhall Road

The fact that Huly Hill survived for millennia suggests it was very important. Which may be why this spot was chosen some two thousand years later for a very important burial – a Celtic chariot. When the Edinburgh Exchange estate was being built at Newbridge in 2001, remains of a chariot were found under what is now the commercial unit just before the turning for … Chariot Drive. It had been buried intact, most likely as part of a human burial (although no trace of a body remained), in the fifth or early fourth century BC. To find out more I contacted Dr Fraser Hunter, Principal Curator of Iron Age and Roman Collections at the National Museum of Scotland. “Owning a chariot at all at that time was like owning a Ferrari - especially this one, which was built for speed” he says. The two-wheeled chariot was designed to be pulled by two horses (although as he points out, Iron Age horses would look like ponies to our eyes). So this was the burial of someone undoubtedly wealthy and possibly of special social status. Detailed study of the remains revealed a utility vehicle that had worked hard, showing wear and tear and replacement parts. The wheels are not a matching set, being of slightly different diameter, rim form and fastenings, so one of them may have been a replacement. The iron tyres were well worn; some of the fixings where the harness attached to the yoke look like replacement parts. But particularly intriguing is that the Newbridge chariot burial has more in common with continental burial rites than British ones. Chariot burials have been found in Yorkshire where the chariots were dismantled before being buried. The Scottish one however was intact, in common KONECT

with chariot burials on continental Europe. It was buried up to its axle with slots cut in the ground for the wheels, before being covered with earth. Dr Hunter says, “This chariot is unique in Scotland and extremely rare in Britain. The best parallels are in France and Belgium, showing the wideranging contacts at the time.” So Scotland was not cut-off on the fringes of Europe, but had links with the continent even then – as a few other features of this chariot show. The horses’ bridle bits (undecorated two-link snaffle bits) are unusual for Iron Age Britain but common in France and Belgium. The chariot itself however was of British manufacture, so this wasn’t a visitor from the continent. As Dr Hunter explains, “Vehicles need suspension if they are to move at any speed. On the continent, this was achieved by various metal fittings which suspended the body of the chariot and allowed it to “float” and absorb the shock. In Britain, no such metal fittings are found. Instead, organic components were used – either a rawhide floor which absorbs the bounce, or by hanging the chariot body off leather straps.” Similarly, there were no nails to hold the tyres to the wheels, which indicate British make as continental chariots of the period used nails. So our Newbridge burial could have been someone who spent time on the continent. We don’t know why people buried chariots - it’s easy to speculate but difficult to establish facts. But we do know that Newbridge was a special site for a significant person. It’s also an ancient crossing point of the River Almond (which we whizz over on the A89 next to the luxury car village, barely noticing it’s there).

Photo: Replica of the Newbridge Chariot ©NATIONAL MUSEUMS SCOTLAND

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Interiors feature

Open Plan Living… and Shoes! by ecko

There are some basic human needs essential to our survival – oxygen, water, food, shelter, sleep…and shoes; preferably Jimmy Choo’s. There’s another human need however, which is not mentioned on the list, and that’s the need for space – ask any girl with a collection of Jimmy Choo’s and she’ll tell you the same thing. Wardrobe, or shoe storage space is one thing though – living space is another kettle of fish entirely and there’s definitely a move towards living a more uncluttered and minimal lifestyle. Open-plan living is nothing new but in the last five years, according to numerous consumer reports, it’s on the rise. In fact some national newspapers have reported that UK homeowners are so desperate to knock down walls that one in five who tried to convert their homes have caused damage with an average cost of £8,000 per household – or to put this in real terms – around 20 pairs of Jimmy Choo’s! The moral of the story is therefore to leave it to the experts and go shoe shopping instead. If you do crave open-plan living and more space however; perhaps for a new, open-plan dining kitchen combined with a family room, a home office or even a fitness suite

there’s a new product on the market which will not only give you the space you need in record time – it will be less expensive than either moving home or having a traditional extension built. The SpaceKube is a new innovation from local home improvement company Ekco and it’s proving to be the answer to space issues for homeowners across Scotland from Edinburgh to the Borders. As soon as the product was launched during the latter part of 2015 the company received a number of orders straight off-plan. So what is a SpaceKube and why is it proving to be such a hit? The SpaceKube is a modern, modular, extension room designed and engineered in the company’s workshop and then put together like a huge jigsaw in a few short weeks on-site before being fixed to your home. Ekco has been designing and supplying kitchens, bathrooms and bi-fold doors since 1999 so it seemed like a natural step to create a room to house everything else in. So now the company has orders for SpaceKubes to create open-plan kitchens and dining rooms, additional bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and even one for a home office. So how about a SpaceKube walk-in wardrobe complete with ample shoe storage? According to Ekco anything’s possible.

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SPOTLIGHT ON...

RED HOT WINDOWS

Karen Murray chats to the family behind Red Hot Windows

Blackburn-based family run business Red Hot Windows is aptly named it would appear as business seems to be red hot at the moment. Normally finding their busy period to be summer (as one would expect) and in the lead up to Christmas (rather more unexpected), over 2015 and continuing into this year, business has been brisk and steady all year round. Red Hot Windows was established 20 years ago by Allan and Lilian who had left previous jobs

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and decided to make a go of it on their own manufacturing and selling UPVC windows and doors. They took the sensible option of growing their business slowly and steadily and of keeping it pretty much within the family. Lilian’s daughter Laura works in the office with her and Allan’s son, also Allan, does the fitting. Gary works with the two Allans on fitting – he’s not connected to the family but been working with them for a good few years now and is definitely part of the team. Laura’s uncle works in the factory and there is also Stuart, taken on from the training centre and proved his worth, so is now part of the team too. Says Laura: “We have gone from strength to strength as a business and we believe that is because we have not grown too big too quickly. We take on what we can cope with and ensure our work is done to the highest level.” The company manufactures its windows at the factory in Blackburn which means they can be assured of the quality. They sell to trade but also to the public for whom they supply and fit, which comes with a 10 year guarantee on the work carried out. “People can come to the factory to see windows being made,” explains Laura. “I think people like to see what is being built and they appreciate our friendly manner. If they want to see the finished product, we post pictures on our facebook page of the work we have completed.” Friendly customer service and no hard sell are a plus for Red Hot Windows. You can phone up to arrange for someone to come out and measure up. You will then get a quote send out in the post and it is up to you whether you go ahead or not. This is the kind of service appreciated by many in today’s hard sell environment. Regarding the windows and doors themselves, there are choices of colour: white, woodgrain brown, rosewood brown and Sherwood. Because the windows are manufactured by the company you can spread the cost by just ordering one window at a time over months or years and be assured you will get a match. You can also choose a UPVC finish or a timber finish. The fact that everything is included in the price quoted, including taking the rubbish away, all adds to the service and with a small company, Laura and Lilian in the office tend to know most of their customers and understand their requirements. KONECT

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SPOTLIGHT ON...

Originally from Edinburgh, Jay Drummond of Saltire Lock and Security has been in West Lothian for thirteen years, where he lives with his wife and four children. He set the business up just over a year ago and is very enthusiastic about his work: “Every day is a new challenge and something different. I love it.” Whilst locksmithing refers to making keys, installing and fixing locks, the flip side is, of course, lock breaking. Jay describes the police checks he had to go through before he could set up in business. “It was a very thorough criminal records check, much more rigorous than the usual disclosure process.” Which is no surprise, in the city of Deacon Brodie... So how did he get into locksmithing? “My fatherin-law showed me an article on it knowing that I was looking for something different to do. I had always been good at those metal puzzles where you have to separate the shapes and it turned out that locksmithing was perfect for me.” He learned the trade under the guidance of a very experienced locksmith locally, and by completing a Master Locksmithing course (he is a member of the Master Locksmith Association).

other keyless products, which are popular with his commercial clients. But for household use, “a key is simply more practical than some of the new technology options.” The keyed lock is, it seems, a piece of technology that has stood the test of a long time, and lock-breaking is not easy despite how it looks sometimes in movies “because working away at a lock for twenty minutes wouldn’t make very exciting viewing!” explains Jay. “I’ve seen Ray Donovan [Amercian TV series about a “fixer” for Holywood’s elite] break a yale lock in a couple of minutes. In reality it would take more like twenty.” To break into your home burglars will try any other method rather than breaking a lock, so a good lock is an effective barrier. Speaking of burglars ... when on any job, as part of his service Jay offers to look at other locks on your home and do a security review. “Not many people realise that for your home insurance with any British insurer to be valid, you have to have British Standard or Kitemark lock on all external doors to comply with insurance regulations. So I always advise customers of this, and it’s up to them if they want us to upgrade their locks.” Saltire Lock and Security do key-cutting on-site, and can install window locks and safes. Jay has experience of safe-breaking: “Without giving too much away...if you know where to drill in and what to do you can open them.” There is no call-out charge. Jay is keen to provide a good value service and relishes the challenges this work throws at him. So for any key and lock related problems, call Saltire Lock and Security who will be delighted to help out.

Jay’s work involves primarily being called out in emergency situations when someone has been locked out of their house or office, and new lock installations for domestic and commercial customers. “I’m called out when someone is in trouble – occasionally at awkward hours of the night. Being locked out or losing your keys is never funny, and it’s very satisfying to be able to solve the customer’s problem and quickly get them safely into their home.” Jay is undertaking a Paxton course this month to update his knowledge of magnetic locks and

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community

Easter holiday camps at Broxburn United Sports Club • Do you enjoy taking part in sport? • Do you like meeting new people? • Are you aged between 5-12 years old?

28th March - 1st April: Multi Sport Camp (for ages 5-12) | Full Camp 10am – 4pm £65; Half Day Camp 10-am – 12.30pm £35

Why not come along to one of our exciting Holiday Camps? Multi-Sport Camps give children with a range of abilities the opportunity to learn new skills and techniques in a variety of sports in a safe and fun environment.

4th April - 8th April: Football Camp (for ages 5-12) | Full Camp 10am-4pm £65; Half Day Camp Half Day Camp 10-am – 12.30pm £35 For more information please contact a.forbes@ busc.org.uk or phone 01506 858057 and quote KonectMarch.

Football Camps provide opportunities to those who want specific football provision. These camps will vary in themes daily and provide a host of challenges and fun games for all abilities.

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WALK

Check out the view from Cockleroy Hill by Karen Murray

There are many wonderful walks you can take that are not all that far from home. So where better than Beecraigs Country Park, where there are plenty of paths to explore plus a great children’s play park and a fishery? The park is criss-crossed with paths and tracks so you can find a new route every time you go and just to keep you on the straight and narrow, there are way-marked trails too. Public transport to Beecraigs is not easy, so you’ll probably need to take the car. Go via Dechmont (it’s signed off the main street) or via Ecclesmachan on the B8046. If you’re starting from Winchburgh take the B9080 towards

Linlithgow, turn left onto Ecclesmachan Road then right towards Ochiltree on the unamed road. At the park visitor centre you can pick up leaflets with walks, or you can simply choose a colour and head off on a way-marked path. Perhaps the most interesting route for a general look at what the park has to offer is the walk up Cockleroy Hill. The peak is only 278 metres but you get great views - on a good day of course! From the visitor centre, take the walkway through the deer farm to Beecraigs Loch. It‘s rather peaceful for a lone walker or couple and if you have kids, you can try some pond dipping. Next take a left via the trout farm - another great attraction for the children. Mine always insist on a bag of fish food so they can entice the trout out and watch them jumping up.

The walk continues along the far side of the loch until you see a burn pass beneath the road where you will turn left on to a path through woodlands to the main road.

and equally spectacular views north and south too. The cairn at the summit has a compass indicating the peaks and landmarks visible. You get a great view of progress on the new bridge.

There are then lots of different options, but if you haven’t a lot of time, the easiest route is to walk up the road back to the visitor centre and then take the path through the woods signed for Balvormie. This is suitable for buggies or bikes or for simply strolling and you can entice the little ones with the reward of a play park and sometimes there is even an ice-cream van!

But as well as admiring the view, look down at what’s below your feet too. This is the site of an iron age fort. The path you took to the summit passes through the original entrance of the fort, so you’re literally walking in the footsteps of the people who lived here up to 2500 years ago. It’s easy to imagine why they picked this site for a defensive settlement. Incredibly, besides the earth works, bits of the stone ramparts are still there.

Once enough fun has been had on the swings, cross over the road and head through the woods again following the path until it comes to a crossroads. Turn right following the ‘light blue trail’. It will take you over another road and onto a dirt track. At the end, climb over a stile on the right and then climb up onto Cockleroy Hill where you will find a triangulation pillar, viewfinder and a superb view. It is fairly short and not too steep so it is good for families with young kids. The view takes in everything from Goat Fell on Arran - some 66 miles distant in the west - to the Bass Rock at North Berwick,

From the visitor centre to the top of Cockleroy Hill will probably take a couple of hours with kids, but if you fancy just a brief walk you can park at the Balvormie car park (where the road from Torphichen will take you) and just walk up Cockleroy Hill. Visitor Centre opening hours Winter: daily 10am – 4pm. Summer hours from 28th March 2016: daily 9am - 8pm

Linlithgow from Cockleroy Hill. Photo by Jenny Thomson.

Recipe & Food Notes by Anne Pinkerton

Easter cakes White chocolate brownie

Easter marks the beginning of spring; longer days, new crops, and dull winter food relived with some treats. This was the origin of many ancient special seasonal foodstuffs. Eggs, in particular, are part of the rituals; painted red and baked in a bread plat in Greece, painted and rolled down hills in Britain, made into a special eggnog drink in Norway and Shetland and used to enrich sauces in France and Spain. Nowadays the chocolate industry has a bonanza offering chocolate eggs of every colour, size and extravagance. Make your own Easter cake and indulge in the pleasure of chocolate. Here are two ideas - one from Sicily, the other from a friend who is an enthusiastic baker with an eye for decoration.

Sicilian Cassata

A traditional cake for Easter with origins in North African sweetmeats; the Sicilians decorate it with elaborate style. You need a round 8” or 9” cake tin Ingredients • Plain sponge cake- Either bought madeira or fatless sponge made with the weight of 3 eggs, plain flour and sugar. • 150g marzipan • 500g ricotta cream cheese, sieved • Juice and zest 1 orange • Wine glass of sweet wine e.g. Marsala or sherry • 250g mixed candied fruit (cherries, mango, citron, cranberries, raisins, angelica)

• 5 0g chocolate drops or your favourite chocolate chopped roughly • 25g natural pistachio nuts or walnut pieces • 50g sugar • 100g good dark chocolate Method Warm the orange juice and wine in a pan. Add fruit mixture and let it steep till cold. Cut a circle of silicon paper and place it at the bottom of the cake tin. Roll out the marzipan into a circle and put on top of the paper. Carefully melt the chocolate and paint it on the marzipan. Line the top and sides of the tin with thin slices of sponge cake, leaving enough to make a base for the cake. When the fruit is cold mix it with the ricotta, nuts, chocolate pieces and sugar. Pile all the filling into the tin and cover with the rest of the cake. Press it down till firm and there are no air bubbles. Refrigerate in the tin overnight. Un-mould the cake and decorate with sieved icing sugar, spring flowers, more cherries, angelica, grated chocolate or anything you fancy.

White Chocolate “Brownie”

Less complicated, it can be eaten as a cake or with fruit salad for dessert. Ingredients • 125g white chocolate • 100g unsalted butter • 3 large eggs • 150 sugar • 100g chopped walnuts • 100g white chocolate roughly chopped • 125 plain flour sifted twice • 9” square or rectangle shallow baking tin lined with baking paper Method Heat oven to 180 C. Gently melt the butter and 100g chocolate in a bowl over hot (not boiling) water. In a large bowl with a hand whisk beat the eggs and sugar till pale and bulked up. Continue whipping the mixture over hot water till it is the consistency of thick cream. With care not to lose the air in the eggs, fold in the butter and chocolate then the nuts and chopped chocolate and finally fold in the flour. Pour into the lined tin and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, till just firm to the touch. Leave to cool in the tin and then turn out and dust with a little icing sugar. Decorate with flowers, mini eggs or finely chopped nuts.

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Have an Egg-cellent Easter in West Lothian The winter months are almost over, the temperatures are rising and with Easter fast approaching, on the 27th of March, it’s time to explore the outdoors again and take part in Easter fun. West Lothian’s top attractions are now opening their doors to the refreshing Spring season, with a number of new and exciting events for all ages to enjoy. If the change in season is encouraging you to get active this Spring, then West Lothian is home to a number of fantastic walking and cycling routes across many areas including Linlithgow, Bathgate, Livingston and many more. Family attractions such as Almond Valley Heritage Centre are re-opening their fantastic railway, alongside a number of family fun events which are taking place as part of their ‘Easter Eggcitement’ Spring campaign. KONECT

Get down to Five Sisters Zoo to visit the spectacular lions in their new habitat, or take a stroll around the Linlithgow Peel and enjoy the beautiful views of the loch and palace. With so much on offer at these fantastic attractions and scenic routes, it’s no secret that West Lothian is the place to go for some fun this Easter. So get involved, get outdoors and enjoy some Scottish Spring sunshine!

For the latest on all the great things to see and do in West Lothian please visit www.visitwestlothian.co.uk, Facebook. com: VisitWestLothian and Twitter.com: @teamwestlothian

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WHAT’S ON

and Useful Information Saturday 19th March West Lothian Highland Society monthly ceilidh Monthly Ceilidh at Strathbrock Community Centre, Broxburn. 7.30 – 11.00pm. Music by 19th March 2016.7.30 – 11.00pm. Music by Ewan Galloway Trio. Guests – Boghall & Bathgate Junior Pipe Band with Alvis Kerr. Cost Members £5.00. Non-Members £6.00 each. BYOD and snacks. New members welcome, contact John Sneddon 01501 770911.

Sunday 2nd April Easter Fun Run in Beecraigs Country Park Annual run organised by West Lothian Run. 2k, 5k & 10k fun runs. Registration opens 9.30am, 2k run starts at 10.20am. Or register online at www.westlothianrun.org To include your event here, please email editor@konectdirectory.co.uk or call 07854 492638.

Useful Information Broxburn Medical Practice Strathbrock Partnership Centre, 189a West Main Street, Broxburn. Tel: 01506 771871.

Winchburgh Medical Practice Niddry Road, Winchburgh, EH52 6RX. Tel: 01506 890210.

Broxburn Library West Main Street, Broxburn, EH52 2RH. Tel: 01506 775600. Email: broxburn.lib@westlothian.gov.uk Opening Times: Please note new opening times are: Monday & Tuesday: 10am - 5pm, Wednesday & Friday: 10am - 3pm, Thursday: 10am - 7pm & Saturday: 9am 1pm. Bookbug Bounce and Tickle: Free song, story and rhyme sessions for babies, toddlers and pre-school children. Bring a grown-up to join in the fun! Tuesdays and Wednesdays fortnightly 10.30am. Computer access is available to find out about Information Services, or simply research a hobby, stay in touch with friends or look for work. This service is available for free – simply drop into your local Library or phone to book a free slot.

clubs & classes

Sports, Hobbies, Learning, Support Groups & more... BROXBURN Broxburn Woodcraft Club

A members Club located within the community wing of the Strathbrock Centre, 189a West Main Street, Broxburn, EH52 5LH. We have a fully equipped workshop supporting all aspects of woodworking including woodturning, pyrography, scrollsawing, the making of toys, furniture, musical instruments, walking sticks and more. For further information use the Contact Us facility on the website: www. broxburnwoodcraftclub.org. Our hours are Mon & Tues 9am-9pm, Wed & Fri 9am-12 noon and 6pm -9pm, Thurs 9am-3pm and 6:00pm-9pm.

Broxburn Children’s Chatterbooks – NEW book group! Broxburn Library, West Main Street, Broxburn, EH52 5RH. Love to read? Aged between 8-11? Want to join a bookclub? We choose books to read and also activities available. Meetings held every second Friday at 2pm, call the library on 01506 775600 for next date.

Livingston Highland Society

Strathbrock Partnership Centre, 189 W Main St, Broxburn. Monthly ceilidhs on a Saturday evening between October and April. Each month we have a different band and guest artist. £5 each, new members welcome, contact John Sneddon on 01501 770911 for dates and more details

Ladies only outdoor fitness sessions

Albyn Park, Greendykes Road. Mondays 7-8pm, with Broxburn United Sports Club (BUSC) and Burn-It. Doesn’t matter your size or level of fitness. BUSC and Burn-It aim to create a fun fitness session based outside to enable ladies to meet their goals. For more info contact Leigh Lauder on 01506 858057 or email l.lauder@busc.org.uk

Alive & Kickin

Albyn Park, Greendykes Road

A programme for older members of the community to remain active. Run by Broxburn United Sports Club and includes: Walking Football Tues 10.30am to 12pm, £3 per session with tea/coffee after. Walking Club on Thurs 10am. Community walk starting and ending at Albyn Park. Free, everyone welcome. Invigor8 Multi Sports Thurs 2-3.30pm £2 per session. Try new sports and learn new skills. Each session is 1 hour of the new sport plus an inspirational/informative chat for 30mins. For more info contact Leigh Lauder at Albyn Park 01506 858057 or email ll.lauder@busc.org.uk

Zumba for Kids

Albyn Park, Greendykes Road. With the Poco Loco crew – learn some rocking dance routines using different styles and rhythms. For girls and boys aged 4 – 12. Fridays 1.15-2.15 (P1-P3) 2.25-3.15 (P4-P7) cost £3 per week. To book please contact Greig Taylor on g.taylor@busc.org.uk or Nina Anderson on nina.anderson@live.co.uk or call 01506 858057.

Broxburn Swimming Club

We cater for swimmers from age 3 upwards and cover all levels of swimming from our Learn to Swim programme up to our top competitive squad. Learn to Swim: Thursday night (6:00 - 7:00) - Broxburn Swimming Pool; Friday night (6:30 - 7:00) - Broxburn Academy pool. Squad Swimming: Monday and Tuesday (7:30 - 9:00) and Thursday (7:00 - 9:00) - Broxburn Swimming Pool; Friday (6:00 - 8:00) Armadale Academy pool. For further information please contact: broxburn_asc@hotmail.com

Church Street Baby & Toddler Group - NEW!

2 Church Street, Broxburn EH52 5EL Every Thursday from 09.15-11.00 and is based in the Church Hall behind Broxburn Parish Church. Suitable for children from birth to 3 years. Each session costs £2 per and includes a healthy snack for the children and a cuppa & biscuit for the grown-ups. Visit our Facebook page for more information www.facebook.com/ BroxburnChurchStreetBabyandToddler KONECT

Craft Cuppa - NEW!

We are a small group of crafters who meet on Saturday afternoons 1-3 pm at Strathbrock Partnership Centre, Community Wing, entrance B. We meet to share expertise, have a natter and a cuppa. We would welcome anyone who wants to come along. For more info please email craftycuppaclub@mail.com or just come along! Strathbrock Community Centre: 189a West Main Street, Broxburn, EH52 5LH. Huge range of groups and classes including: Mondays: Playgroup (am and pm sessions); Tapestry; U3A, Calligraphy group,Computer Drop-in; Keep fit/Line Dance for over 50s; Zumba, Brownies; WRI; Drama group, Karate. Tuesdays: Playgroup; Spanish classes; Card making; Line Dancing; Irish Dancing; Ring Craft. Wednesdays: Playgroup, Tai Chi, Scrabble groupl Chatterbook Book Club; Bingo; Computer Beginners Course; Brownies/Rainbows; Dog Obedience. Thursdays: Playgroup (am and pm sessions); Art Group; Genealogy; Healty Respect; Lip Reading; Access to Employment; Drama; Hoola Hoop Class; Chilren’s Club, Youth Group; Guitar lessons, Tai Chi. Fridays: Playgroup (am and pm sessions); Carpet Bowling; after school club; Computer drop in; Tai Kwon Do; Polish Community Group; New Christian Life; Model Car Club. Saturdays: Guitar lessons; Dance classes; Tae Kwon Do; Computer classes; Weight Watchers. Please call Strathbrock Community Centre on 01506 771733 or email linda.sayers@westlothian.gov.uk for details of times and more information on any of the groups.

UPHALL Uphall Community Education Centre: Strathbrock Place, Uphall, EH52 6BN. Huge range of groups and classes including: Mondays: Carpet Bowls; U3A Singing for Pleasure; Zumba; Craft Group; WRI; Scottish Country Dancing. Tuesdays: Baby & Toddler; Uphall Outreach; 50+ Friendship Group; Walking Group; Indoor Curling; U3A Art Group; Taekwon-Do; Yellow Teapot Club; Youth Club. Wednesdays: Indoor Curling; U3A Book Group; Cairbrock Association; Parkinson’s Uk; U3A History Group; Tea Dance; Zumba; Fusion Youth Group; Tribe West Belly Dance. Thursdays: Indoor Curling Adults with Carers; West Lothian Financial Inclusion Network; Line Dancing; U3A Quiz Group, U3A Music Group; Karate; Yellow Teapot Club; West Lothian Y-Cats. Fridays: U3A Poetry Group; U3A Discussion Group; Children’s Club P3-P6); Reiki; Girls Group (S1 upwards) Please call the Community Centre on 01506 854451 or email denise.doig@westlothian.gov.uk for details of times and more information on any of the groups.

Uphall Playgroup

Uphall Community Education Centre, Strathbrock Place, Uphall, EH52 6BN For children aged 24 months and over. Open Monday to Friday 9:15 - 11:30am during term time. Choose 1, 2, 3 or 4 sessions per week. Each session costs £5 and includes a healthy snack. See http://www.uphallplaygroup.co.uk/ or tel 01506 854451 for further information.

KONECT

The People’s Café

Meets the fourth Tuesday of every month 11am - 1.30pm at St Andrew’s Care Home, St Andrew’s Court, 20 Hawthorn Place, Uphall. For people who have any form of dementia, and their carers, to meet others in a similar situation for support and social contact, a cup of tea or coffee and home baking. Come for the whole session or just drop in.

Broxburn Art - NEW!

A group of enthusiastic amateur artists who meet regularly to paint, draw and chat in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Tuesday evenings between 7pm and 9pm in Uphall Community Education Centre. If you’d like to know more, please email us at info@broxburnart.co.uk

WINCHBURGH Little Flyers After School Club

Winchburgh Community Centre, Craigton Park, Winchburgh, EH52 6RW. Open during term time, from the end of the school day until 5.45 p.m. Collecting from Winchburgh and Holy Family Primary Schools. Please contact 07518 176781 for more information or see http://www.littleflyersnursery. com/ Winchburgh Community Centre: Craigton Park, Winchburgh, EH52 6RW. Huge range of groups and classes including: Mondays: Junior Youth Club 7.00pm - 9.15pm. Tuesdays: Slimming World 6.30pm - 9.30pm. Wednesdays: Keep Fit 9.30am -10.30am; Computer Club 9.30am-12noon; Night Art 7.00pm-9.00pm; Dog Class 7.00pm10.00pm. Thursdays: Morning Art 9.30am-12noon; Senior Citizens 1.30pm-4.00pm; Little Flyers 3.00pm-6.00pm; Childrens Club 6.00pm-7.30pm; Guitar Club 7.45pm-9.30pm; Table Tennis 7.45pm-9.30pm. Fridays: Little Flyers 12 noon-6.00pm; Scouts 6.15pm9.15pm Saturdays: Children’s Activity Club 9.45am-12noon; Girls Allowed 7.00pm-9.00pm For more information on any of the groups please contact the Community Centre on 01506 890348 or email julie. witherwick@westlothian.gov.uk Winchburgh Community Council meetings are held second Monday of every month except January and July. See www. winchburghcc.org.uk

other areas Alternative Company Entertainers (ACE)

Meet every Thursday in Whitburn academy at 7:00 – 9pm. Ages 5 to 105+. Contact acompanyentertainers@gmail.com or find us on facebook.

West Lothian Baking Club

We meet approximately every 6th Wednesday 7:30 – 9:30pm in Dechmont Hall to talk about all things baking related. No requirement to be the next Mary Berry! £2 per meeting. Email wlbakingclub@yahoo.co.uk or find us on facebook. 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

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS Bathrooms Bathgate Bathroom Studio 23 Duffy McLean 7 Ekco 21 MH Developments 10 Beauty Allure Skin Clinic 14 Beauty @ No. 20A 6 The Tan Stand 14 Builder DB General Builders 23 Building Surveyor David Hastings 25 Butcher John Lawson Butchers 33 Cafe/Tearoom Ice Creations 4 Car Bodywork Bodyshop Edinburgh 26 Car Service & Repair Car Craft 27 D.K’s Autocare 26 LVS Garage Services 5 Car Valet/Wash D.K’s Autocare 26 Caravan Service & Repair Auto Fitness 10 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning C and W Cleaning Services 12 Hydro Kleen Scotland 35 Catering Food Creations 7 Children’s Activities/Entertainment Boogie Beat Music & Movement 17 Cleaning Services Clean Bee Domestics 12 Cleaning and Maintenance 25 Complementary Therapies Access 2 Balance 15

Computer Services Sprint Computers Dance Supplies Highland Dance Shop DentisT No 9 Dental Electrician Simply Electrical Estate Agent Knight Bain Estate Agents Fencing/Gates The Smithy Florist Williamsons Food & Groceries Hopetoun Farm Shop Fostering Edinburgh Council Funeral Director Thomas Brown Funeral Director Furniture & Furnishings Broxburn Bargain Centre Garden & Landscaping Greenhart Landscaping JGM Landscapes New Hopetoun Gardens SG Garden Services Gym/Health Club Broxburn United Sports Club Gym/Health Club Slimming World Hairdresser Mr Fella & Me. Bella Sassoon HEALTHCARE ABC Hearing Heating Services Duffy McLean Forth Heating

12 17 15 35 25 10 17 40 17 12 13 11 13 4 10 31 4 15 2 11 23

Joiner GR Construction Kitchens Duffy McLean Ekco Locksmith Saltire Lock & Security West Lothian Locksmith Mobility Med Ecosse Painter/Decorator Nu Walls Plastering Nu Walls Property Maintenance Cleaning and Maintenance Paving Edinburgh Paving Company Roofing MH Developments Security Services Saltire Lock & Security SIGNWRITING SignCentive Takeaway Ice Creations Trusted Trader Scheme West Lothian Trusted Trader Vet Mackie & Brechin Window Cleaning CS Window & Gutter Cleaning Windows 1st Choice Living DC Window Studio Red Hot Windows Youth Group Broxburn Air Cadets

11 7 21 25 13 39 35 35 25 6 10 25 7 4 34 27 4 35 11 22 31

Solution to February Crossword Across: 1 Perhaps, 5 Cycle, 8 Shampoo, 9 Exact, 10 Extra, 11 Kitchen, 12 Honest, 14 Glides, 17 Raisins, 19 Noble, 22 Olive, 23 Elegant, 24 Rural, 25 Pitcher. Down: 1 Piste, 2 Roast, 3 Appears, 4 Shocks, 5 Chest, 6 Crashed, 7 Extends, 12 Harbour, 13 Noisier, 15 Lenient, 16 Asleep, 18 Ideal, 20 Brash, 21 Enter.

Whilst every care is taken to ensure accuracy, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss, damage or omission caused by error in the printing of an advertisement.The Konect Directory does not endorse any advertising material that appears in this publication. Adverts are accepted on the understanding that descriptions of goods and services are fair and accurate. All material is accepted for publication on the understanding that it is copyright free.The Konect Directory accepts no liability for any subsequent copyright issues. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior consent of the publisher. Publisher: Lothian Publications Ltd, Overton Farmhouse, Kirknewton, EH27 8DD. Editor: Helen-Jane Shearer 07854 492638 hj@konectdirectory.co.uk

KONECT

SPRINGTIME FUN 6TH March: MOTHERING SUNDAY With new lambs, chicks and calves on the farm we’re always celebrating motherhood at Hopetoun! Why not make your mum feel special with a foodie hamper, gift card or even just a yummy cake from our farm shop

12TH & 13TH March: PIE TASTINGS It’s British Pie Week from Monday 7th March and the 2nd birthday of our award winning steak pies. To celebrate please join us for some free pie tastings 12pm - 4pm including our delicious new lamb curry pie

14th - 20th March: NATIONAL BUTCHERS’ WEEK This week we are recognising the skill involved in butchery and our brilliant team of butchers at Hopetoun. Watch our ‘How To’ butchery tips on our Facebook page and look out for special offers in the butchery all week

25th - 28th March: EASTER FUN Pop in to Hopetoun Farm Shop over Easter weekend and meet some special guests from our farm including some cute Hopetoun lambs and baby chicks. We’ll also have egg decorating competitions, special offers and a wonderful range of eggs for sale – both real and chocolate!

Open daily 10am - 5pm

Hopetoun Farm Shop is located next door to New Hopetoun Gardens on the A904 near Newton. Tel: 01506 830 716 www.hopetounfarmshop.co.uk