ur W i s h i n ge r sa lal ov e r y read
and a
! r a e Y w e N y Happ LOCAL HISTORY: What Happened to THE
MINT?
FEATURE:
P26 TO OUR DECEMBER EDITION
I
t’s been our 10th year of producing Konect in West Lothian, and I can honestly say every month is a still new discovery, with constant change in the area and the endless energy and creativity of groups and individuals always pushing forward. Some of the topics we’ve covered this year include Riding for the Disabled; a Livingston coffee roastery; a progamme for providing emergency accommodation in family homes for homeless young people; new concept play cafe for tots; tackling loneliness amongst old people by running Sunday tea parties; suicide prevention and bereavement counselling; an organic farm supplying food banks with fresh produce; research into cancer diagnostics; bringing old and young together in the community; a cafe for dogs; flying model planes; the local environment…. and much, much more, all hugely diverse topics but the common thread is that it’s happening here! There is always far more to write about than I ever have time or space to do, but I hope you enjoy the features that do make it into the magazine. As ever, feedback is very welcome.
THIS ISSUE History: What Happened to the Mint?........ 8 WIN! Tickets to Snow White......................... 9 Spotlight on Julie Macdonald....................13 Property Matters..........................................14 Gardening: Succulent Houseplants.........17 Life Coaching...............................................22 Charity: Older People Active Lives..........23 Vet’s Tip.........................................................25 Feature: Rock Ramp at Howden Weir.....26 Local Lab: Ultrasound Breakthrough.......29 What’s On......................................................32 Parenting: the Xmas To Do list..................33 Film Review...................................................34 Bridge Column.............................................35 Puzzles..........................................................36 Clubs & Classes..........................................36
We don’t produce a January magazine, so we’ll be back with a February magazine.
Thank you for reading Konect this year, and we wish all readers, local business and organisations a very happy holiday season and a peaceful new year.
Konect is delivered monthly to 7,500 homes and businesses in Linlithgow, Linlithgow Bridge and the surrounding area. Copies are also left at the library, post offices and other locations.
HELEN-JANE SHEARER
CHARLENE GAFFNEY
E: editor@konect.scot
M: 07772 941899 E: charlene@konect.scot
Editor
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Account Manager
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This interesting old building called The Mint was the Linlithgow HQ of the Knights of St John. It was demolished in 1885 and in its place was constructed a tenement housing the St Michael’s Hotel - now converted into flats. This interesting old building called The Mint was the Linlithgow HQ of the Knights of St John. It was demolished in 1885 and in its place was constructed a tenement housing the St Michael’s Hotel - now converted into flats.
LINLITHGOW LIVES BY BRUCE JAMIESON
Only recently, it has been discovered that the 16th century oak beams which once graced the building’s grand hall were removed and used in a 19th century refurbishment of a prestigious 17th century tower house situated in Barnton on the outskirts of Edinburgh (bottom right). The oak from the Mint was used in the construction of a dining room and a staircase within the building called The Whitehouse. You can find out more information on this, and a lot more local history, in Bruce Jamieson’s new book, “Linlithgow Lives”. This article was contributed by Bruce Jamieson. Bruce lives in Linlithgow and is the author of several books on local history. 8 | LINLITHGOW
The Whitehouse in Ba
rnton
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WIN Tickets to
SNOW WHITE by
WIN! A pair of tickets to the opening night, ThuRSDAY 9th January 2020 To enter, simply answer the following question: WHO WILL PLAY THE SEVEN DWARFS IN THE LINLITHGOW PLAYER’S “SNOW WHITE?” Send your answer, along with your full name and post code, to win@konect.scot by 15th December 2019. Winner will be chosen at random after the closing date and notified via the email address used to enter.
Where else can you get a panto packed with local, really local, Linlithgow, references? Nowhere else of course, only the Linlithgow Players’ annual January panto! Go on the offensive against the January blues and book now for Snow White by the Linlithgow Players. Directed by Sue Vizard, this is Snow White like you’ve never seen it before. “The comedy pairing of our very own Lithgae rappers, Fred and Frankie, are played by experienced panto actor Les Fulton and Erika Oulton, who stole our hearts as Cinderella last year. They’ll be performing their own take on Strictly’s Chris and Karen’s ‘Let’s get ready to rumble’ street dance. Let’s just say Fred and Frankie taught them all they know – it’s not to be missed!” And who else to play the adorable seven dwarfs but Linlithgow schoolchildren? “We always involve local school children in the panto, and this year we’re delighted to see many new as well as familiar faces in our children’s chorus,” adds Sue. The Central @KonectMagazines
Scotland Ballet School join the cast to bring their unique touch of dancing magic too. The Players support as many local businesses as they can in their preparations, whether it’s printing posters, tickets and programmes, buying material for costumes or sourcing DIY tools and materials for props. So come along to boo the baddie, laugh and sing along to ease yourself into 2020! Tickets go on sale at the Advent Fayre at the Burgh Halls on Saturday 30th November – a perfect Christmas present for your kids or grandkids! Performances are 9th, 10th & 11th January 2020 at 7pm and 2.30 pm Saturday matinee at Linlithgow Academy. Following the Advent Fayre, tickets (£12 and £8 concession) will be available at Far from the Madding Crowd, our box office 07847 735077 or online at www.linlithgowplayers.org.uk LINLITHGOW | 9
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Frog lightweight quality kids’ bikes available in store. Get your order in to avoid disappointment this Christmas.
Elevation Cycles, 103 High Street, Linlithgow
01506 845390 www.elevationcycles.co.uk
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Personalised travel plans, back up service and insider knowledge – Linlithgow resident and travel aficionado Julie Macdonald has recently set up as an Independent Travel Agent, and these are her key values. “I like to find holidays that are off the beaten track, putting together something a bit different that you can’t buy off the shelf, and help you discover places not everyone knows about,” explains Julie. “Travel has always been my passion. I used to spend hours poring over travel brochures, in my teens. I was an expert and my parents let me organise the family holidays! Sometimes that was abroad, sometimes it was up to the beautiful north of Scotland, which I thought was boring then but now of course I love it!” A year as an au pair in Switzerland at age 17 means she speaks French, followed by a spell living in Portugal where she met (and subsequently married) a Portuguese man, so speaks it fluently too. The marriage didn’t last, but she and her son have an enduring love of Portugal and know it very well. “I was working in financial services until earlier this year, running a team of 100 people, when redundancy came along. It was a shock to the system, to suddenly not have all that stress!” Looking for a business to take on and having always loved travel, a franchise of Not Just Travel (backed by Hays Travel) was the perfect way to be in an industry she loved. “Travel had been my escape strategy for many years in my stressful job. I always had about five trips lined up at a time. I’ve been to a lot of places. I now get my buzz from booking other people’s holidays!” Why use an independent travel agent? “It’s the security of knowing you have someone to call on if anything goes wrong. You can book flights, accommodation and tours yourself but if something goes
wrong it can be very hard to get your holiday back on track or get refunded. By using me, you have my mobile number and can call me at any time during your holiday. And of course since we only use reputable suppliers the risk of something going wrong is reduced in the first place.” Holidays booked with Julie are ATOL protected. Time is also a factor – it takes a lot of time to research a holiday especially if you’re looking for something a bit special, whereas Julie does all that for you, armed with specialist knowledge and experience. “I work within your budget – there are things you can do to reduce the cost of your dream adventure, little changes we can make to get you the experience you want from your holiday.” “I’d love to get to the stage where clients entrust me with bucket list they would like to do, and I can let them know when there are offers or special opportunities to help them through their bucket list.” She’s got her favourite spots on every continent, told me about holidays in Zimbabwe, Portugal, Utah, Laos….by the end of our meeting I was almost ready to book! For your next holiday, contact Julie at: Phone: 01506 842928 Email: julie.macdonald@notjusttravel.com Facebook: facebook.com/juliemacdonaldnjt This article was written by Helen-Jane Shearer after interviewing Julie in Linlithgow. HelenJane is the editor of Konect and lives in West Lothian with her family.
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PROPERTY MATTERS
The power of
possibilities
In today’s busy world, we all consume and share information in diverse ways that are quite different from even 10 or 15 years ago. However, despite the outward appearance of everything being digital and instantaneous, our use of information is much more subtle and varied.
Understanding communications is vital - Nowhere is this clearer than in the world of estate agency and buying and selling houses. If you are selling a house, you need an estate agent that understands the power of communication and the ways of reaching and engaging people. Great websites and online listings are part and parcel of this, as well as social media channels generally, but the printed word and print images are still vitally important. People have widely varying habits in terms of reading and seeking out information, and they frequently switch between media in their quest for information and ideas.
Gaining further reach - Printed media serves a really vital purpose in terms of reach and impact. Having a property featured in a National (or local) property supplement can put your home in front of people who are perhaps not even thinking about moving at the time, or who are just beginning to think about a move, as well as those who are actively looking. The fact is, we all have an interest in property, and we all want to compare what we currently have with what else is on the market – even if it’s just a quick reality check about the value and desirability of our own home. Using a blend of media - The real value in printed features though lies in the fact that they present people with other possibilities. These are different from what a prospective buyer might find searching online, and they might very well be in an area that they may not previously have considered or even known about. Suddenly, a property starts to generate enquiries from much farther afield, from a 14 | LINLITHGOW
bigger potential market and from people who were previously not engaged in a search. It’s a bit like looking in a newspaper supplement having previously carried out an online search for a holiday – and realising that there are other destinations you had not even considered before. You may of course very well then go online to research things further, but the idea has been planted by the publication.
We have recently sold three very interesting properties using exactly this combination of media, all of which included editorial features in The Scotsman’s property pages. These features depend on the connections that an estate agency has with journalists and their ability to identify and present properties to them that will resonate with their readerships. In the case of all three of the featured homes, we had interest from across the country and even comments back from people with family connections to each property, remembering and asking about features in each of them. The enquiries themselves were from people who had simply seen something different and in an area that had not been on their radar. In the age of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, print media is still alive and well: it is a real driver behind on- and off-line consumer behaviour and it has the power to reach even more places and people. This is surely good news for sellers and buyers of property alike. The monthly Property Matters column is contributed by Craig Turpie. Craig is a director at Turpie & Co Estate Agents and Letting Agents with extensive knowledge of the West Lothian Property Market and over 20 years experience in bespoke sales and marketing. @KonectMagazines
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Succulent houseplants are hot! As we come into our homes from the garden at this time of year there is a great opportunity to ‘garden’ with houseplants.
Succulent plants, which include cacti, are adapted to desert conditions, very hot and very cold but always bright light. Their amazingly varied architectural shapes have made them the stars of the houseplant world at the moment, especially favoured by the Millennials who are now getting into gardening. Arranging a group of them in a large bowl is very creative and makes a dramatic display in our homes. It is important to restrict your choice of plants to succulents that enjoy the same conditions. A layer of gravel at the bottom of your waterproof
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bowl will allow excess water to be kept in reserve and not drown the roots. Use a special compost for cacti and succulents, remove the pots from your plants and plant into the compost. You can use a thin layer of gravel on the surface to make your display more attractive. We showed these bowls at Gardening Scotland in 2017 and they have lived on the windowsill in our conservatory since then. We keep the compost fairly dry and give a weak feed from March to August. The display remains dramatic and bold! The gardening project is contributed by Dougal Philip, New Hopetoun Gardens. Inspiring, informing and entertaining, for more than 40 years.
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LIFE COACHING
Sparkle and SHINE... All the glossy magazine covers at this time of year show images of people in sparkly clothes going to some imaginary Christmas party. I don’t know about you but I don’t have a life full of opportunities to dress up in party clothes.
This year I have decided that I am going to wear something sparkly every day in December to brighten up these dark winter days. I love glitz and sparkle, but when I started to hunt through cupboards and drawers to see what I had stashed away over the years, even I was surprised at how much glitter was in there. Lovely shiny things that it never occurred to me to wear and I shudder to think how much I have spent over the years buying outfits for a life that’s simply not mine. I’m sure I’m not alone in this habit of ‘saving things for good’ and this simple exercise has reminded me that the only day we are guaranteed is the one we are living today so why not make the best of every one of them? The act of choosing something sparkly to wear in the morning has given me a little moment of mindfulness every day, a moment to shift my focus onto the day ahead instead of my usual habit of dashing about in the morning, grabbing a cup of coffee and rushing out of the door. “The life coaching column is contributed by Francine Orr. Francine is an NLP coach, hypnotherapist and reiki practitioner, based within Linlithgow Chiropractic. She supports people to find real and practical solutions to the things that hold us back in life. See orrganise.co.uk ” 22 | LINLITHGOW
Would you like to advertise your business to over 50,000 homes throughout West Lothian, Falkirk, and Edinburgh (West)?
Our contact details are on page 3.
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The festive season is upon us once more and for most of us this is a happy time when we are out shopping for our nearest and dearest, stocking up on the food for the Christmas dinner and catching up with work colleagues, family and friends. Joyful Christmas music is playing, there are decorations and beautiful lights all around and the numerous adverts on the TV tell us “holidays are coming” and that this “it’s the most wonderful time of the year”.
Unfortunately for many this is not the case and this time of year can be the most difficult, reminding us of a time when we had family and friends who sat around the table eating together, laughing, joking, pulling Christmas crackers, telling silly jokes and wearing party hats. Last year Age Scotland reported 230,000 older people in the UK would spend at least one day over the Christmas period alone. More astonishing than this was that 530,000 over 65’s were not looking forward to the season sighting it as “just another day”. Many of these people have lost loved ones, for some their families have moved away and others are isolated purely due to poor health and mobility. @KonectMagazines
Trying to re-connect with people in your community can seem daunting in your 30’s or 40’s but at 70 or 80 years old in this digital age meeting new people and making friends can seem impossible. Self-confidence can be low and often we hear questions like: Who makes friends at our age? Where can I go to socialise or meet people? How would I get there? At Older People, Active Lives our volunteers work alongside people age 60+ in West Lothian to build up their confidence, enabling them to socialise, get out more, try new things, re-connect with their community and generally enjoy life. The service provides weekly/ fortnightly one to one support either face to face or via the telephone, dependent on the needs of the individual. Whether it is getting out for a walk, using public transport, joining the local library, getting along to a local group or simply just some light conversation we can help.
In addition to the one-toone support we also have 13 community groups and anyone over the age of 60 is welcome. Activities vary from entertainers, speakers, afternoon teas, games, quizzes and much more.
“You’re never too old to have some fun” If you would like to find out more about the OPAL Service and how it may be able to help you or someone you know or if you would like to enquire about volunteering then drop in to our office at 27 George Street, Bathgate, EH48 1PG, call 01506 815 815 or email us at opal@cyrenians.scot
This article was contributed by the Cyrenians OPAL service, 27 George Street, Bathgate, EH48 1PG. Cyrenians is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), registered charity SC011052. LINLITHGOW | 23
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VET’S TIP
pet yawns!
Did you know that dogs can catch yawns from humans?
Humans exhibit “contagious yawning”, where just seeing another individual makes you want to yawn yourself. Dogs are also susceptible to “catching” yawns from humans! Why we yawn at all isn’t entirely clear. Some say it helps keep us awake, others say it has a role in group communication - a way of telling others without language when you’re ready to sleep. Another more recent suggestion is that perhaps it’s related to empathising with individuals around you. Dogs find their owners’ yawns more contagious than those of strangers, say researchers in Japan. The scientists claim their work helps to unravel the mystery of the act, and trace it back to “rudimentary forms of empathy” in domesticated dogs.
Please contact us if you would like your business included in our Pet Services pages. Contacts details are on page 3.
The team at the University of Tokyo asked 25 dog owners to yawn at their pets and noted how often the dogs yawned back. They then repeated the experiment, replacing the owner with a stranger. Around half the dogs, including a pit bull, a Pekingese, and a greyhound appeared to be oblivious to the yawns, but others seemed to respond in kind with a Siberian husky, a German shepherd, and several poodles yawning most. Scientists claim that not only did dogs find yawns contagious, but they yawned most when yawned at by their owners. The dogs were fitted with heart monitors to rule out yawning as a stress response. Does your dog yawn back at you?! The monthly Vet’s Tip column is contributed by Stuart McMorrow. Stewart is head vet at Westport Veterinary Clinic, 8 Preston Road. Please call 01506 844 165, or visit their website at www.westportvets.com @KonectMagazines
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Howden Weir:
The UK's Largest Rock Ramp
It looks like a natural rock fall in the river, but is actually a sophisticated piece of engineering work. In the River Almond at Howden Bridge, existing islands across the face of the weir Livingston, the historic Howden Weir has to form a waterfall-like structure made up of pools, runs and easy leaps. Over been sensitively transformed into an 85 metre long rock ramp - the largest in the UK. 9000 tonnes of rock was used, much of it recycled from other developments in A rock ramp is a series of pools and riffles West Lothian. The rocks are embedded created by strategically arranging rocks in concrete to stop them being swept in the weir to allow fish to pass over and away in bad weather when the river’s flow migrate upstream. is rough, and two passages have been With the cooperation of several designed so that there is always water in organisations - including a local family of them, even during times of low rainfall. One otters who have a vested interest in the of the passages has a faster flow than the return of the fish and a healthy river - the other, so different fish species can choose work was completed over summer 2019. whether they like the fast or the slower It will allow the iconic Atlantic salmon and flow to climb the ramp. Pools at intervals sea trout from the North Sea to migrate up provide a space for fish to rest and hide the Almond to spawn after their sojourn in under the rocks from predators. A huge the ocean. Along with other species they amount of work went into preserving the will re-colonise and rejuvenate the river existing islands with the trees and shrubs eco-system, bringing other wildlife such as established on them, as well as keeping invertebrates, otters and kingfishers. track of the wildlife on the banks of the river Howden Weir was originally built to power a during the construction work; one family of otters in particular remained totally involved water wheel for a grain mill, and then later on site, playing in the rocks each evening the New Calder Paper Mill which produced brown wrapping paper here from the 1800s. after the workers finished. But for the past 200 years it has been a The River Almond used to have the dubious barrier to fish attempting to migrate. distinction of being the most polluted river in Scotland, thanks to the industrial The new rock ramp was built between 26 | LINLITHGOW
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past of the area through which it flows. A lot of cleaning up has been done over the years and wildlife is gradually returning. In migration season (May to October) you can observe fish jumping weirs but their success rate isn’t as high as it should be - they’ve been filmed at Mid Calder Weir continually hitting the rocks and getting exhausted. The cumulative impact of all the weirs on the River Almond means that very few fish are making it to the upstream sections and tributaries. Fish passes were constructed on some of the weirs a long time ago but are not working well. So the Howden Weir Rock Ramp is just one of a series of projects being undertaken by RiverLife: Almond & Avon, to continue to improve the health of the rivers. The first barrier fish encounter is the Faira-Far Weir at Cramond, where the Almond flows into the Forth. Work is also planned for the weirs at Mid Calder; Kirkton Weir at Almond Valley Heritage Centre, the Rugby Club Weir in Livingston; and Dowies Weir. For each of the different sites the best option for easing fish passage has been identified.
The Forth is an iconic landmark for Scotland; the Estuary and Firth, along with its tributaries, have driven industry over the centuries. The Forth catchment spans a vast area covering over 3000km² and is home to roughly 25% of Scotland’s population together with a wide range of wildlife. From Dunbar and Fife Ness in the East to Balquhidder in the West, to Kinross in the North and the Pentlands in the South, the Forth catchment is vast and includes all rivers which flow into the Firth of Forth and Forth Estuary.
RiverLife: Almond & Avon Project is an ambitious programme of works. It is a partnership project between the Forth Rivers Trust, West Lothian Council & City of Edinburgh Council, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, SEPA Water Environment Fund, The Scottish Government, West Lothian & City of Edinburgh Councils.
The projects not only benefit wildlife but also the communities connected to them. A large part of RiverLife’s remit is community engagement. Tree planting, river bank restoration and riverside furniture repair work has been delivered, as well as activities such as guided walks, invasive species identification and documentation, and the popular primary school education programme Fish in the Classroom. If you would like to get involved in river conservation and restoration, there is always something going on for volunteers and RiverLife would be delighted to hear from you. Please visit RiverLife:Almond & Avon at www.river-life.org.uk, follow on twitter at @myRiverLife and on facebook through the Forth Rivers Trust page. This article was written by Helen-Jane Shearer. Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect magazines and lives in West Lothian with her family. @KonectMagazines
An aerial view of the rock ramp LINLITHGOW | 27
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LOCAL LAB
Ultrasound breakthrough can pinpoint cancer with precision A team of scientists, led by Dr Vassilis Sboros, have unveiled a new cancer diagnostic technique using super-resolution ultrasound methods. The largest revolution in ultrasound technology in over 60 years is expected to lead to earlier cancer diagnoses and allow medical staff to target treatments more effectively. What is ultrasound and how is it used currently? An ultrasound scan, sometimes called a sonogram, is a procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of part of the inside of the body. It is used in cancer diagnosis mainly due to its costeffectiveness and unique real-time capability. However, due to many factors affecting current ultrasound scans, more expensive Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT) are often used for diagnosis and treatment. Which of these factors does your research addresses? One drawback of existing superresolution ultrasound imaging is that the person being scanned has to stay completely still for an unrealistic length of time during the procedure. Our new technique makes the imaging achievable in just a few minutes. Because it uses existing ultrasound machines, hospitals won’t need to invest in new equipment. What does your technique do differently? Our team demonstrated for the first time that prostate cancer can be detected by mapping the blood vessels that surround the cancerous tissue. This shows a different pattern to that of normal tissue. Biopsies are currently performed as a separate
procedure to MRI or CT imaging, which is more expensive for the hospital and can be both disruptive and distressing for the patient. On the other hand, ultrasound imaging can be done at the same time as biopsies, and is often used to guide biopsy needles, but with limited success. Our new technique will aid, in the first instance, the biopsy procedure and, if proven successful, could replace biopsy altogether. When and where will it start being used by clinicians? Prostate patients at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh will be the first to benefit. From December this year, we will work to establish the application of our method in a clinical trial. What are your future research plans? We hope that further research will help establish this method in diagnostic procedures. It should also be possible to help assess the effectiveness of cancer treatment more promptly. At present, this isn’t done until three months after the start of treatment, too late for some patients when the treatment is not working. We also aim to expand the remit of our method to early screening the population for a number of patients. Finally, the method may be applied to a number of other diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, liver disease, transplant rejection and others. You can find out more about this research on the Heriot-Watt University website www.hw.ac.uk/news The Local Lab column is contributed by Heriot-Watt University to engage the public in a range of their research projects.
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available for all adventure activities and softplay visit aerialadventures.co.uk for more information
*bespoke gift vouchers must be for a minimum of ÂŁ20
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FRIDAY 6TH DEC - SATURDAY 4TH JAN The Winter Realm of the Paraffin Pixies The new winter event at Almond Valley Heritage Centre, an after-dark world where families can explore a beautiful woodland trail after-dark. On the self-led trail, there are lots of areas to stop and explore and can get hands-on with a giant shadow theatre, take control of the lights in the world’s largest paraffin heater or warm up with delicious marshmallow toasting. The main hub of the pixies’ realm will take place in Almond Valley’s new multi-level covered play area where the event will feature a dreamscape of light and sound whilst sheltered in the unique play space. Visit www.almondvalley.co.uk/pixie.html to find out more and to book. Adults £12.00/ Child £8.00. Members discounts available for Friends of Almond Valley. SATURDAY 7TH DECEMBER Christmas Coffee Morning and Craft Fayre Fund raiser by the 4th West Lothian Scouts. Cross House, 10.00am - 12.30pm SUNDAY 8TH DECEMBER Abercorn Church Carol Service Queensferry Community Brass Band will be leading the Carol Service in Abercorn Church on Sunday, December 8 at 4pm. Everyone welcome to this lovely service. Mince pies and mulled wine from 3.30pm. SUNDAY 8TH DECEMBER Winter Warmer Walk With Historic Environment Scotland Rangers. Come along on a guided walk to learn more about Linlithgow Loch and Peel. Discover what calls the loch its home, how it was created and what makes Linlithgow Peel such a special place. 1pm – 3pm. Free, but booking essential, please contact the rangers on 0131 652 8150 or rangers@hes.scot 32 | LINLITHGOW
THURSDAY 9TH JANUARY Come-and-try Open House session, Taoist Tai Chi Society of Great Britain Linlithgow Burgh Halls, The Cross. 1.003.00pm. Find out how the Taoist Tai Chi™ arts can help restore health and wellbeing to everyday life. Suitable for all ages and abilities including those with health problems or limited mobility. Just turn up. Thereafter, a new four-month beginner course will start on 16th January. Contact 0131 661 7272 for further information. See www.taoisttaichi.org for general information. 9TH, 10TH & 11TH JANUARY Pantomine: Snow White By the Linlithgow Players. Performances are at 7 pm and 2.30 pm Saturday matinee at Linlithgow Academy. Following the Advent Fayre, tickets (£12 and £8 concession) will be available at Far from the Madding Crowd, our box office 07847 735077 or online at www.linlithgowplayers.org.uk. See page 9 for more details SATURDAY 18TH JANUARY Concert: Catriona Morison & Malcom Martineau Catriona, from Edinburgh, was the first British winner of the international BBC Cardiff ‘Singer of the World’ competition. She is partnered for this event by Malcolm Martineau, “one of the world’s finest accompanists” 7.30pm at St Micheal’s Parish Church, hosted by Linlithgow Arts Guild. Tickets £14/£6/children free, from Far from the Madding Crowd, or phone 07731 614179 or online at www.linlithgowartsguild.co.uk
LINLITHGOW FILM SOCIETY
Linlithgow Academy Theatre, Braehead Rd, 7:30pm Adults £6, Concessions £5, Under 16 £4. See www.linlithgowfilmsociety.org.uk • MON 9TH DEC: BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY • MON 27TH DEC: BLACKKKLANSMAN WANT TO INCLUDE YOUR EVENT HERE? COMMUNITY AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT LISTINGS ARE FREE OF CHARGE. EMAIL EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT BY 15TH OF THE MONTH FOR FOLLOWING MONTH’S ISSUE. @KonectMagazines
PARENTING
The Christmas
“To Do” List
I have a tendency to go overboard at Christmas. As if it isn’t enough keeping track of all the Nativity performances, Christmas parties and school trips, I can’t get enough of Christmas events. Festive light nights, trips to see Santa, maybe squeezing in a Christmas show. Christmas is a serious business. Then of course there’s all the jobs that go along with this time of year. Decorating the Christmas tree, buying presents, wrapping presents, sending Christmas cards; there’s certain things everyone does at Christmas. Those classic Christmassy jobs it wouldn’t be Christmas without…even if you gripe and moan about them every year.
And then…there’s the totally random tasks you find on your “to do” list at Christmas once you become a parent. Jobs you never even realised would become an essential part of life.
“To Do”
• Stock up on batteries – especially the weird ones – for those unexpected presents from random relatives for which batteries are not included • Hunt around for a class list so that your child can send Christmas cards without accidentally leaving anyone out • Creep around in the dead of night getting rid of unwanted Happy Meal toys and forgotten party @KonectMagazines
bag fillers to make way for all the new stuff they are undoubtedly gonna get at Christmas
• Leave notes to yourself around the house to make sure you don’t forget to send your child in with their costume for the Nativity • Try to find a present for the teacher that isn’t just another ‘favourite teacher’ mug • Run around at all hours of the night – or worse in the early morning - trying to come up with something clever for the Elf on the Shelf to do when you’ve run out of ideas or forgotten to move it Yup. Parenting is a hoot isn’t it? And no matter how organised you are – or think you are – there’s always something you’ve forgotten. I have to say at this time of year I am always especially glad to live where we do. Because no matter what I’ve forgotten I know I can get it somewhere nearby. I often wonder how parents cope when they live out in the sticks and can’t just nip to The Centre to pick up a last minute present or head
out to a retail park to hunt for batteries no-ones heard of.
When all’s said and done and all these jobs are seemingly under control there’s always some Christmassy fun to be had near home as well. From seeing Santa at his Magical Farmyard Cottage or on a boat trip on the Union Canal to the pantomime at Howden Park Centre. This year there’s even more fun to be had after-dark as well. We love the Five Sisters Zoo Illuminations but with the new Beecraigs Festive Forest event and the Winter Realm of the Paraffin Pixies to look forward to as well we are simply spoilt for choice. Merry Christmas everyone. Here’s hoping you can get all your jobs done in plenty of time to have a little fun as well! The parenting column is contributed by Laura Archibald. Laura lives in West Lothian with her family and their campervan Hank. She is mummy, wife, blogger and full-time personal assistant to her two girlie girls. LINLITHGOW | 33
FILM REVIEW
Doctor Sleep is a sequel that shouldn’t have worked but does.
It not only had to be a sequel to The Shining novel but also to the film; the fact this is even connected to Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining is a miracle, as Stephen King hates Kubrick’s film. I’m happy to say that Doctor Sleep is an incredible film that pays homage to Kubrick’s creation while standing on its own two feet, and is a shining example of how to make an effective horror film. The acting is outstanding by everyone with not a single weak performance. Ewan McGregor is great as Dan Torrance, but for me the standout performance was Rebecca Ferguson as Rose The Hat. She is truly fantastic portraying a creepy and menacing villain who is a true threat throughout the entire film. The film is well-paced, and considering the running time of 2 hours 31 minutes it is never boring. It does take its time to tell its story though. The cinematography is great, never stale visually and the way its shot deliberately makes you feel uneasy. Doctor Sleep is a scary horror film without using clichés like cheap jump scares and music cues to tell the audience when they should be scared. The only issue I have with this film is when it stops homaging The Shining and moves onto full blown recreation it feels forced and unnecessary and in my opinion holds the film back from being a true masterpiece. The Film Review is contributed by Robert Ewing. Robert is passionate about film as an art form, and shining a light on films that may not be on people’s radar. Robert is from Kirknewton. 34 | LINLITHGOW
With December now upon us, Christmas is one everyone’s minds. Whether you’re looking to take the kids to meet Santa, or just wanting to get away from it all, there’s something for everyone in West Lothian. At Almond Valley, check out the Winter Realm of the Paraffin Pixies at their lively night trail featuring light displays, projections and winter activities that will spark the imagination. The event takes place on evenings from Friday 6th December, and tickets must be booked in advance. During the day, also at Almond Valley, you’ll be able to meet Santa is his Magical Farmyard Cottage.
By now, Five Sisters Zoo illuminations are also now well underway. It’s an unforgettable opportunity to see the Zoo in a whole new light, as well as the opportunity to meet some special guests! Keeping with the Christmas theme, the first year of Beecraigs Festive Forest gets underway from the Thursday 5th December, with a stunning 1.5km illuminated trail, Santa’s Grotto and much more. For the more traditional, the third annual Christmas Craft Fair & Fun Day will be held at Inveralmond Community High School on Saturday 7th December, with over 40 local craft suppliers providing a range of gifts just in time for Christmas! If you’re looking to meet the big man himself, don’t forget to check out our website where you’ll be able to find our annual “Santa Map” – detailing where he’ll be across West Lothian before the big day, there’s sure to be somewhere near you! You can keep up to date with all that’s going on across West Lothian through our website, or follow us on Facebook/ Twitter/Instagram! www.facebook.com/VisitWestLothian www.twitter.com/SeeWestLothian www.instagram.com/VisitWestLothian @KonectMagazines
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LINLITHGOW | 35
The bridge column is devised by John Samson who lives in Currie, Midlothian. John is a member of the Pentland Bridge Club. It might make sense as a takeout double in the hope that a better contract can be found or that partner is quite strong with good clubs in which case he can pass and convert it to a penalty double. Penalty doubles (of a suit bid) at such a low level are almost unheard of. In fact, it could be quite sensible if opener had something like Spades: Hearts: Diamonds: Clubs:
A Q X X K
J
X X
X
X
X X
A
(4-4-3-2 shape and 14 points)
Thanks to Douglas Piper and Andrew Kambites for explaining this to me. ANSWER: Does South’s double make sense and if so what does it mean? South:
X!
South:
1NT
West:
2C
North:
Pass
East:
Pass
East: Vulnerable: Dealer:
Pass N/S East
Suppose you saw an auction that went like this:
Fools rush in – or crazy like a fox? BUSTER THE DOG
BRIDGE COLUMN
PUZZLES
CLUBS & CLASSES
SPORTS, HOBBIES, LEARNING, SUPPORT GROUPS & MORE...
CROSSWORD
LINLITHGOW NEW YOGA CLASSES IN LINLITHGOW New children and adults yoga classes beginning soon at Donaldson’s, Linlithgow. Children’s yoga 5-8 years and 9-11 years will take place on Friday afternoons. Parent and child yoga classes will take place on a Saturday 10:30-12:30. Absolute beginner Hatha yoga is on a wednesday 6-7pm. Yin yoga is on a Friday 6-7.15pm. Special yoga for children with additional support needs is available. Please call/txt Lydia on 07926 770920 or email lydia@connect-yoga.co.uk for all enquiries or to book a class.
BAD GIRLS OF THE BIBLE This group meets on the last Thursday of each month at 7.30 in room 1 of Cross House. Come along to explore bible passages and contemporary issues in a fun and challenging way. No church connection needed. More details from www.stmichaelsparish.org.uk
BADMINTON GROUP Mondays 10am-12 noon during term time at Springfield Community Wing. New players always welcome. Further information from Diana Marchant 01506 848625.
Solution in the February edition of Konect ACROSS: 1 South American animal (6), 4 Clans (6), 9. Whirlwind (7), 10. Male duck (5), 11. Casseroles (5), 12. Surprised (7), 13. Source of power (11), 18. Cars, buses etc. (7), 20. Dangerous (5), 22. Tacks (5), 23. Graceful (7), 24. Eighth month (6), 25. Flow (6) DOWN: 1. Painter (6), 2. American handbag (5), 3. Masterpiece (7), 5. Wireless (5), 6. Woollen cover (7), 7. Fast (6), 8 Assembled (11), 14. Departing (7), 15. Right (7), 16. Lines of a verse (6), 17. Method (6), 19. Clenched hands (5), 21. Frighten (5).
SUDOKU
FITSTEPS An energetic, upbeat dance fitness class that mixes the graceful steps of Ballroom and the up-tempo steps of Latin to create fun-filled classes where you don’t even realise you’re getting fit! No partner required. Wednesday 7.30-8.30pm, Linlithgow Rugby Football Club, 34 Mains Rd, Linlithgow EH49 6DB. £5 per class. moveitdanceandfitness@gmail.com Tel 07737 927463 LINLITHGOW FILM SOCIETY Love seeing films with friends? Then come and join us at Linlithgow Film Society every two weeks between September and March for an interesting and varied programme of films. All performances are shown at Linlithgow Academy Theatre, curtain up 7.30pm. Annual membership subscriptions are available and Guest Tickets are available for all performances at the door. If you would like more information please see our web site www. linlithgowfilmsociety.org.uk or contact Anton Shelton on 01506 670436 or email antonks2000@gmail.com.
PROBUS CLUB We meet in Linlithgow Rose Club from 10.00am-12.00pm every second Wednesday from September to May. The club is for retired or semi-retired men and women or others who may work shifts or have flexible work hours. We have a varied programme of talks and presentations as well as entertainment, team quizzes and visits to places of interest. To get in touch or to find out about planned events visit our web site at www.bolinprobus.org. Or, feel free to come along as a guest and see if you would like to join.
Solution on Page 38
LINLITHGOW BSL GROUP LISTING Are you a BSL user or have learned British Sign Language and don’t want to lose the skill? This group meets at the West Port Hotel for a BSL chat. Anyone welcome, Deaf and hearing of various levels from interpreters to beginners attend the group for a chat in this wonderful language. We meet every two weeks during term time and occasionally for holiday events. For dates please check out our facebook by searching “Linlithgow BSL group.” Alternatively you can contact Alice Lane on 078168 29946.
36 | LINLITHGOW
LINLITHGOW LONGCROFT TABLE TENNIS GROUP (LLTTG) The club will restart for the new 2019/20 season on Wednesday 4th September – playing through until the end of June. The LLTTG meets every Wednesday night from 7.30 pm in the Shields Room and from 8.15pm in the Main Hall of the Longcroft Halls, Philip Avenue giving an opportunity to play Table Tennis in a friendly and not too competitive atmosphere. Finishing time is 9.45pm in both halls. Open to everyone and we have a mixed range of ages and ability. No special kit is required. Bats can be provided. Annual Membership is £10.00 and charge per night is £3.00 or £2.00 for under 18’s. For further information please contact Allan Scott Tel. 01506 842602 or visit our website www.linlithgowlongcroftttgroup.co.uk
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GIRLGUIDING Rainbow Unit (Girls aged 5 - 7 years old) take place on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. Brownie Unit (Girls aged 7 - 10 years old) take place on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. Guide Unit (Girls aged 10 - 14 years old) take place on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights. Senior Section Unit (Girls aged 14 - 25 years old) take place on Friday night. For more information please visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved or alternatively you can email us on westlothiangirlguiding@gmail.com. POSITIVE PATHWAYS – BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT Meets in the Canal Tearoom at 6.30 pm on Thursdays fortnightly. The group is led by a trained bereavement listener. £3 per meeting which goes towards the cost of hiring the tearoom. There is no magic formula which will take away the pain, but by listening and sharing with others, it is often possible to lessen the sense of isolation, chaos and despair felt after the death of a loved one. You will be warmly welcomed. For further information contact Sheila Rae by phoning or texting 07719 966273 or email sheila.ruth.rae@gmail.com. Bereavement Support Team St Michael’s Parish Church, Linlithgow. 2ND LINLITHGOW BOYS BRIGADE Meet at Cross House on a Thursday evening. Anchor Boys (P2-P3) 6.30pm-7.30pm; Junior Section (P4-P6) 7.00pm-8.15pm; Company/Seniors (P7-S6) 7.45pm-9.45pm. You can contact us on facebook at 2nd Linlithgow Boys Brigade or email us at linlithgowBB@outlook.com. NUTRICLUB Nutrition-focussed weight-loss classes in Linlithgow. To learn more about healthy eating and nutrition focused weight loss, get in touch with Louise. Tel: 07837 794112 www.nutriclub.co.uk www.facebook.com/nutriclublinlithgow. SANGSCHULE We are a friendly and informal group who meet together to sing and learn new songs from our tutors. Meeting most Wednesdays in term-time in Linlithgow Academy staff room, 7.30-9.30pm All welcome, no experience needed, no need to read music. Under-16s must be accompanied. More details from Susan on 01506 843592, and on our website www.angelfire.com/ folk/sangschule/programme LINLITHGOW NIBBLE & NATTER Are you over 60? Looking to get out and meet some new people? Come and join our weekly get together in Longcroft Hall, Linlithgow, where we enjoy coming together and meeting new people. Have a chat and a choice of biscuits and cakes with a cup of tea. A welcoming atmosphere awaits you! Cost is just £1 and all are welcome. If you’d like more info get in touch with Cyrenians OPAL (Older People, Active Lives) service on 01506 815815 or e: opal@cyrenians.scot LINLITHGOW WRITERS CIRCLE We meet every second Wednesday in the Linlithgow Tap in Linlithgow, from 7.30pm until 10pm. It’s for aspiring writers in and around Linlithgow to come together and write, share our work for critique and make some writing friends. It’s free to come along. For further details e:linlithgowwriters@gmail.com or findr us on Facebook. 2ND WEST LOTHIAN SCOUTS The Scout Hall, 6 Dog Well Wynd, Linlithgow. Beavers (age 6-8) meet Wednesdays; Cubs (age 8-10.5) meet Mondays; Two Scouts troops (age 10.5 -14) meet Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact Group Scout Leader Nick Moody at scouts2wl@hotmail.co.uk. Substantial waiting lists for all sections - new adult volunteers always welcome. THE CARING CAFE Low Port Centre, 1 Blackness Road, Linlithgow, EH49 7HZ. The Caring Cafe is a meeting place where people with dementia and their carers have a chance to meet others in a similar situation. Meets monthly on the 3rd Wednesday of every month 10am-12noon. For people who are able to attend safely on their own or who are accompanied by someone to support them. Contact Margaret or May from Linlithgow Link on tel: 01506 845137 or e: co-ordinator@linlithgowlink.org.uk LINLITHGOW SPEAKERS Are you and your staff interested in improving speaking in public and leadership skills? Do you know about Toastmasters? Linlithgow Speakers is a local voluntary group that can help develop these skills. We are looking for new members in Linlithgow. Come and visit on Tuesday night (we meet every second Tuesday at 7.30 at the Low Port Centre in Linlithgow. Please contact me for more info: Sheila Fraser 01506 650953 or 07968 233324. LINLITHGOW KEEP FIT CLUB We meet every Thursday from 19:00-21:00 at the gym at the rear of Linlithgow Academy. We have limited spaces for new male members. We resume on the 27th August. Call Brian on 07984 930235 or e: gallacherbrian@hotmail.com or further information. LINLITHGOW STRING ORCHESTRA The Linlithgow String Orchestra for adults (13+) with a minimum standard Grade 5 meet weekly on Monday’s 7.30-9.30pm at Linlithgow
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Masonic Lodge (2 Market Lane, Linlithgow). New players from Linlithgow and the surrounding areas are welcome. Please bring music stands. Please contact us in advance on: linlithgowstringorchestra@gmail.com or search for us on Facebook. LINLITHGOW & DISTRICT EMBROIDERS GUILD Linlithgow and District Branch of the Embroiderers Guild meet the last Wednesday of the month in Linlithgow Academy Library from 7pm till 9pm, September to May. Variety of Speakers and classes. Beginner or experienced, or not a stitcher all are welcome. SUNSHINE SING-A-LONG Kirk Hall, St Michael’s Parish Church, second Thursday every month 12-1.30pm. Caring for those living with memory loss. Light lunch then singing your favourite songs. A warm welcome awaits you, no church connection needed, just turn up on the day. Disabled parking in the Vennel Car Park adjacent to Kirk Hall. SCOTTISH SENIORS COMPUTER CLUB Star and Garter (Above the lounge), Station Road. Thursday nights 7pm – 9pm. For the over 50s to find out what you can do with your computer, laptop, iPad/tablet or smartphone device. Enjoy the experience; learn and share! Contact: Tom Lambert, Linlithgow Computer Club. Call 07418 331656 or just call in. FORTH VALLEY ORIENTEERS Come and try orienteering! Learn to navigate with map and compass with FVO club coaches. Junior classes (9-13 years old, with or without parent). Adult newcomer classes for all ages. £5 per session. Contact Jen Lenoard on 01506 843552 or e: membership@fvo.org.uk for more info. MALE VOICE CHOIR We meet every Monday from 19:45 in the Rugby Club. If you would like to come and try us out please do. Or if you have any questions please phone Chris Thomas on 07823 884802. STEP TOGETHER FAMILY SUPPORT Support for those affected by the addictive behaviour of a loved one. Being in a close relationship with someone struggling with addiction can be a painful, frustrating and lonely journey. Our group focuses on establishing healthier relationships with our loved one and others, restoring balance to our lives and developing more helpful coping strategies. We meet in the evening on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday each month. For more info call or text 07592 226917. LINLITHGOW BRIDGE CLUB Meet every Tues and Thurs in the Burgh Halls at 6.45pm. Play starts at 7pm. New members are always welcome. If you would like more information please contact the club president Alasdair McKechnie on 01506 842293 or email alasdairmckechnie@btinternet.com
OTHER AREAS SCOTTISH WOMEN’S INSTITUTE (SWI) Scotland’s leading member-based organisation (since 1917) with a vision to welcome every woman in Scotland to join us. We aim to educate, share, campaign, learn, socialise, build a community, have fun - and eat cake! From life skills and arts and crafts to raising awareness of current affairs affecting women and helping inform government issues, the SWI is proud of its heritage and future vision. There are 12 institutes in West Lothian and we welcome women of all ages. Each institute has its own programme of speakers, craft workshops and monthly competitions, and we hold our annual Show of Work every Spring. For more information please contact wlfedsec@ hotmail.com, see the SWI website www.theswi.org.uk or phone 01506 670436. WEST LOTHIAN DRUG & ALCOHOL SERVICES FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPS For individuals who have a family member or friend who suffers from alcohol or substance misuse. We work together to develop coping strategies and understanding.. Relaxation therapies available the first meetings of month. WLDAS also offers 1-to-1 support if needed. Please contact Stephen Jack on 01506 430225 for more information or request someone to meet you outside before meeting. All welcome, no appointments needed. Groups in Livingston, St. John’s Hospital 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month 7 – 9:30pm; Broxburn Strathbrock Partnership Centre - 2nd & 4th Tuesday of the month - 5:30- 7:30pm; Blackburn Partnership Centre - 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month - 5:30 – 7:30pm. TO INCLUDE YOUR CLUB OR CLASS, PLEASE EMAIL DETAILS TO EDITOR@KONECT.SCOT CHARITY AND NOT-FOR-PROFIT GROUPS ARE FREE. THERE IS A SMALL CHARGE FOR OTHER LISTINGS. SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION. WWW.KONECT.SCOT
LINLITHGOW | 37
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
APPLIANCE REPAIRS Home Appliance Repair 5 BATHROOMS & KITCHENS 1st Choice Living 5 Paragon Bathroom Solutions 2 S and S Home Improvements 39 CHRISTMAS TREES Country Business 5 CLOTHING, FASHION & ACCESSORIES My Handbag Heaven 40 COMMUNITY FACILITIES Lothian Buses 20 COMPUTER/PHONE REPAIRS Sprint Computer Repairs 12 CURTAINS & BLINDS Harvey Bruce 10 DRAINAGE SERVICES Water Drainage Services 6 ENTERTAINMENT & ATTRACTIONS Aerial Adventures 31 ESTATE AGENT Drummond Miller 4 Halliday Homes 6 Turpie & Co 14 FENCING, RAILINGS, GATES Welding & Fabrication Solutions 19 FITNESS CLASSES Krav Maga Kinetics 5 FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS Shapes 11 FURTHER & HIGHER EDUCATION West Lothian College 30 GARAGE DOORS Garolla 16 GARDEN CENTRE New Hopetoun Gardens 17 GARDEN DESIGN/MAINTENANCE Evergreen Balerno 16 GARDEN FURNITURE AND BUILDINGS Champfleurie Estate 7
GLAZING REPAIRS CR Smith
SOLUTIONS
21
JOINERY Domestic Joinery & Maintenance Services 28 Geoff Vinter Joinery 10 Loft Boarding Scotland 24 LANDLORD SERVICES Weslo Property
SOLUTION TO NOVEMBER CROSSWORD
6
LOCKSMITH CVC Locksmiths and Security West Lothian Locksmith Company
22 28
PLASTERING Nu Walls
10
RECYCLING Recycle your Vinyl
22
PET SITTING/BOARDING PetStay 25
PLUMBING & HEATING SERVICES Dewar Plumbing 10 ACROSS: 1. Impact, 4. Tender, 9. Station, 10. Tells, Heating Care Scotland 18 11. Sleep, 12. Reaches, 13. Introducing, 18. Article, Mech A Tech Home Heating 20. Motor, 22. Above, 23. Treated, 24. Assist, 25. Stalls. Services 24 DOWN: 1. Insist, 2. Plane, 3. Crisper, 5. Extra, 6. Dolphin, McLellan Plumbing & 7. Resist, 8. Ingredients, 14. Nations, 15. Comment, Heating Services 28 16. Banana, 17. Grades, 19. Chess, 21. Total.
RESTAURANT Heritage Indian Cuisine
ROOFING Taylor Roofs
SPORT & LEISURE Elevation Cycles
TRAVEL AGENT Julie MacDonald - Not Just Travel
4
SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE 36
19 12 12
TRUSTED TRADER SCHEME West Lothian Trusted Trader Scheme 18 VET & ANIMAL WELLBEING Mackie & Brechin
YOUTH EMPLOYMENT SCHEME Developing the Young Workforce
25 31
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