Konect Linlithgow October 2020 by Konect Magazines

OCTOBER 2020

LOCAL ENVIRONMENT:

LOCAL WALK:

LOCAL HISTORY:

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he clocks go back this month to mark the end of the strangest BST we’ve lived through, and into an autumn with more unknowns than ever. However, it’s comforting that nature’s routines carry on regardless, and I love the Local Environment column this month - the sedge warblers doing their thing before they head south for the winter, and other birds to look out for locally as the season changes. A local walk with a view this month; House of the Binns will be familiar to most readers I’m sure, but it’s a nice close walk that includes the wonderful changing colours of an autumn woodland as well as open parkland and features of historic interest. It is the ancestral home of the late Tam Dalyell MP, who beat the record for longest serving Linlithowshire MP (allowing for changes to constituency boundaries) formerly held by Peter McLagan, an extraordinary character who is the subject of the local history feature this month. With a very practical contribution from Wardman UK on “making home working work”, and the wonderful range of columns from all our usual contributors, I hope you enjoy the magazine this month!

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THIS ISSUE Local History: Peter McLagan ............................... 8 Property Matters: Buy first or sell?........................12 Garden Project: Miniature Gardens....................15 Vet’s Tip..........................................................................18 Local Environment: Sedge Warblers..................19 Local Lab: Climate Change open debate........21 Parenting: Getting Glasses.....................................22 Feature: Making Home Working Work...............24 Local Walk: An autumn ramble with a view......26 Film Review...................................................................28 Puzzles............................................................................28 Life Coaching...............................................................30

Konect is delivered monthly to 10,000 homes throughout Bathgate and Torphichen. Copies are also left at the library, convenience stores, post offices and other locations around Bathgate.

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M: 07772 941899 E: charlene@konect.scot LINLITHGOW | 3

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LOCAL HISTORY

PETER MCLAGAN, MP FOR LINLITHGOWSHIRE, SCOTLAND’S FIRST NON-WHITE MP, AND “SUFFRAGETIST IN TROUSERS ” Peter McLagan MP, was an extraordinary local character, and the longest-serving MP, next to Tam Dalyell, that this area had in 300 years. Peter McLagan was born in 1823 in Demarara, the then-colony of British Guyana in South America. His father - also known as Peter - jointly owned a plantation there. Of his mother we know nothing, only that his father had a ‘relationship’ from which he and an elder brother, John, were born. As a result of a decision by the British Parliament to compensate slave owners after the emancipation of ‘their’ slaves, his father came to Scotland with his sons where he purchased the estates of Calderbank and Pumpherston.

types of manure to be used in growing turnips to the best measures to control disease in cattle. We don’t know when or how his political interests were aroused, but he was elected in 1865 as MP for the county of Linlithgowshire* – a position which he was to hold for the next twenty eight years, thereby making him the longest serving MP next to Tam Dalyell that this area has had in 300 years.

During his parliamentary career he was amongst the first to call for the establishment of a separate Minister for Agriculture. He had “His support for women’s a range of opinions John studied to on such topics as suffrage earned him become a doctor the education of at the University of children in rural areas the sobriquet of being a Edinburgh, and after (he regarded rural graduation returned ‘suffragetist in trousers’ – education as every bit to Demarara where important as that a rare honour indeed.” as unfortunately he to be found in towns, died in 1851. Peter and when primary also went to Edinburgh University, where he education became free in 1870 he wanted cultivated a great interest and knowledge all educational endowments to be made of farming, both practical and theoretical. over to the State for the sole purpose of the Indeed, so esteemed was he that he was establishment of secondary education for the invited along with several others to set up the ‘poorer classes’); he called for the creation of “Scottish Agricultural Association” – the first of the post of Secretary of State for Scotland and its kind in the world and an exemplar for the for that post to be a Cabinet one, as well as for English and all other succeeding bodies. the number of Scottish MPs to be increased to reflect the growth in the Scottish population When his father died in 1860, Peter became the Laird of Pumpherston. He invested in shale and the amount raised in tax in Scotland (he oil works although didn’t make any significant thought that there should be 70 MPs, which money from it, and he continued with his was near to the actual figure of 72 before agricultural interests - which ranged from the the creation of the Scottish Parliament); 8 | LINLITHGOW

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or whether MPs who were atheists should still be allowed to take their seats in Parliament simply by swearing an ‘Oath of Affirmation’ (he thought that that should suffice – indeed, he admits that if he had his way, he would do away with all such oaths). But even more controversial where his views on women’s suffrage. He believed earnestly that women should be given the right to vote and, more, that anyone who paid rates irrespective of how much they paid should be allowed to vote in local council elections. However it is his support for women’s suffrage which earned him the sobriquet of being a ‘suffragetist in trousers’ – a rare honour indeed. There is no record of how many times he visited his constituents here, but what we can gather from newspaper reports of meetings he held in Bathgate, Armadale, Linlithgow and Bo’ness, to name a few, he is described as being a ‘household name’ and a man for whom there was no real need for an introduction since he was so well known to all them all – remember this is at a time when there was little in the way of mass communication, except newspapers. That he was well thought of by his constituents is best exemplified by the outpouring of sympathy and compassion when he was declared bankrupt in June 1893. Although his income by his own calculations stood at some £4000 per annum, his annual expenditures were almost as much. In addition both he and his wife (Elizabeth Anne Taylor a widow whom he had married in 1876 but who died in 1882) were both known for their support of numerous charities and helped build various halls throughout the county. Mr McLagan fell in with bad company commercially speaking, and ended up over £110,000 in debt – an enormous sum in those days. Whilst the Pumpherston estate was not listed as an asset, all his shares and farm were taken away from him and sold off to help pay his creditors. He was left virtually penniless and as a result of his bankruptcy resigned as the county’s MP on the 2nd June; only three weeks later his political rival for the past eight years Captain James Hope was elected in his stead. @KonectMagazines

Peter McLagan MP

A few weeks after his resignation and his bankruptcy a testimonial was organised to provide him with some means of comfort for his old age (he was already 70). Within a few weeks the sum of over £1800 was raised in his honour. The last seven years of his life appear to have passed in virtual anonymity, as aside from an obituary notice when he died on the 31st August 1900 there are no other reports. He was buried in Mid Calder churchyard, and his funeral attended by various local ‘grandees’ was a dignified and solemn occasion; Lord Torphichen himself was one of the pall bearers. *Editor’s Note: Peter’s election as MP was directly related to his inheritance, which sprang from the compensation his father had received as a slave owner. He would not have been able to stand for election without the land holdings of a certain value. This local history article was contributed by David Main, Bathgate. LINLITHGOW | 9

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PROPERTY MATTERS

Chicken or Egg? Buy first or sell? For homeowners wishing to sell their property and buy another, it’s the classic dilemma – which do you do first, buy or sell?

There is probably no all-encompassing answer. Typically, people initially investigate the market to find out what they can buy for their money. Inevitably, during this research they fall in love with the “ideal” property. As they have yet to sell, they find themselves in a weak position as purchasers and are unlikely to have anything but an asking price (or even higher) offer accepted. After all, why should a vendor limit the sale of their property to the saleability of someone else’s?

Even if terms are agreed, then what? You may end up being forced to sell quickly, possibly at a lower figure than you need to, so that you don’t lose your new property. Annoyingly, once a property goes under offer, everyone seems to want it! The difference between an expensive purchase and cheap sale could cost as

much as 20% more than the cost of the move in more controlled circumstances.

So be cool. Sell from a position of strength, and buy using the power of cash. A proceedable purchaser is a joy to the ears of an estate agent and their client. As for that dream home – isn’t it rather a coincidence that the perfect property just happens to be on the market at the precise moment you are looking? There is always another one around the corner, and it may even be better! And if you don’t find a suitable property in time, you are unlikely to be homeless, given the volume of quality rental properties in the area, and nobody is going to force you to sell until you are ready – it is entirely your decision. We aim to reduce the pressure of moving for our clients in many ways and our answer to the chicken and egg scenario is emphatic …the chicken!

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. 12 | LINLITHGOW

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miniature gardenS Everyone can be fascinated by miniature landscapes and fairy houses – whatever age from grandparents to grandchildren.

Many of our regular grandparent customers look after their grandchildren’s miniature garden which they can enjoy every time they visit. Building your garden in a trough or large pot means you don’t have to bend down so far and you can also place it where you can see it from the house – on a patio or balcony for instance. To look after your miniature garden some regular clipping of your dwarf plants will keep your garden in order – all you then have to do is regular watering, a little liquid feeding and lots of enjoying!

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Fairy Garden Pick up our purple piglet project leaflet for full instructions and suggestions of the best plants to choose. October is a great month for creating a display that will delight you all winter. The gardening project is contributed by Dougal Philip, New Hopetoun Gardens. Inspiring, informing and entertaining, for more than 40 years.

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DOG WALKING It’s a familiar, everyday tale – you need to make sure the children get to school while not wanting to be late for work yourself, then you need to get some shopping in while you really should get to the gym as well.

Meanwhile, the dog needs a walk and the autumn days are getting chillier and wetter, meaning a quick semi-jog feels more appropriate than a stroll.

Please contact us if you would like your business included in our Pet Services pages. Contact details are on page 3.

It can be difficult when dog walks are often restricted to time limits - walks often worked around or fitted into life’s daily routines. But even though you may be tempted to use the phrase “come on” every other minute, it is actually vital to allow your dog time to simply stop and sniff, and it should be factored into their daily routine. The eyesight of a dog in daylight hours is not as good as a human’s so it could be said they see through their sense of smell. And by spending time sniffing around and discovering new things (even if they are a decomposing leaf or a dirty stone) they are given mental and physical stimulation. The practice also lowers their heart rate and stress levels. Even by just setting off for walks 10 minutes early you could have a bit of time to allow them to stop and sniff. You will also get yourself a little extra fresh air outdoor time a mindfulness win-win. The Vet’s Tip is contributed by Stuart McMorrow. Stuart is head vet at Westport Veterinary Clinic, 8 Preston Road. 01506 844 165 | www.westportvets.com 18 | LINLITHGOW

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LOCAL ENVIRONMENT

Sedge Warbler: Showing Off During an early walk around the Wester Inch ponds, Bathgate, a small bird with a loud call was making his presence known. He soon found the highest point in the bushes and started filling the sky with his song, showing off to the females and defending his territory. The sedge warbler makes quite the introduction! They’re common throughout Summer when they head to our shores for breeding season.

again. Our favourites include the flocks of fieldfare, redwing, and waxwings all who love to gorge on our berry covered trees and bushes. Waxwings are so popular there are Twitter accounts dedicated to reporting their appearances, normally to be found in a supermarket car park by a busy road!

In winter we’re treated to some exceptional bird life who come across from Scandinavia and Russia, which we’re excited to see

This column is contributed by Clare Harte and Kate Stevenson, who grew up in Edinburgh and now live in West Lothian. Together they run Scottish Sisters Photography and travel around the country to watch and photograph amazing wildlife and scenic landscapes. www.scottishsistersphotography.com

Now they’ll be heading south again and it leaves us at an interesting time in the birding calendar when our summer migrants have left and our winter visitors haven’t yet arrived, or are only starting to. As we’re now in meteorological Autumn, there’s a lot to look forward to such as huge skeins of geese flying overheard, the beautiful golden colours of autumn spreading across the trees, crunchy leaves, and horse chestnuts scattered across the ground.

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They return from October onwards so keep your eyes on the skies because they are beautiful birds who are a welcome and colourful addition to the darker days, which we can all enjoy.

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LOCAL LAB

How do we mitigate climate change? Adam Smith’s Panmure

House

Take part in an open debate and quiz scientists about how we can combat climate change. As the world grapples to avert economic and societal disaster in response to a global pandemic, we shouldn’t forget that there is an environmental disaster on the horizon. Climate change is an issue with fundamental implications for all of society.

Scientists from Heriot-Watt University are researching a wide range of solutions to climate change, from smart systems to renewables, energy efficient construction to rapid scale up of carbon capture, utilisation and storage technologies.

But climate change cannot be solved by scientists alone, and so in October, the university is launching a new series to enable all of society the chance to debate, discuss and influence how the world adapts to an unprecedented rate of environmental change. The Hutton Series on Climate Change is a series of events taking place across 2020-21 at Adam Smith’s Panmure House, bringing together a diverse cross-section of experts, business leaders, scientists, and concerned @KonectMagazines

citizens in the service of one simple aim - To identify ten key priorities, innovations and actions to mitigate the climate crisis.

Panmure House in Edinburgh is the final remaining home of globally renowned philosopher Adam Smith. During his twelve-year tenancy between 1778 and 1790, he regularly hosted key luminaries of the Scottish Enlightenment to debate the most pressing issues at the brink of the first industrial revolution. More than two hundred years later as the world grapples to avert environmental disaster by shifting to new energy sources while recovering from a global pandemic, the Hutton Series aims to recreate these groundbreaking discussions – both virtually and at the

same historic location in Edinburgh’s world heritage site.

The first event on 6 October will feature speeches by the environmental and polar scientist Professor Sir Ian Boyd, former chief scientist at DEFRA and member of SAGE, and the CEO of Natwest Group (formerly RBS), Alison Rose. Member of the public can submit real-time questions to the debate panel, and share their own thoughts and solutions. Further details are available online ( www.hw.ac.uk/hutton )

The Local Lab column is contributed by Heriot-Watt University to engage the public in a range of their research projects. LINLITHGOW | 21

PARENTING

Getting glasses! When my littlest came home from nursery after a preschool eye check with a letter saying we should take her to an optician…to say I was surprised would be an understatement. She could see just fine. She was getting on great at preschool. I would have known if she needed glasses… wouldn’t I?

But I also knew if she did need glasses this was going to be a big milestone for her. And our first step was taking her to the right place. Somewhere that would make the experience positive and where I felt I could trust what they were doing. So after a glowing recommendation we took her to Clearvue Opticians in Currie. We talked about everything that might happen before we went, and watched an episode of Topsy and Tim where Tim gets glasses. We arrived in plenty of time so that she could check the place out and she had good fun spotting Harry Potter-style glasses. But despite our best efforts when she sat down in an unfamiliar room full of crazy looking instruments she took one look at me and said “Mummy, I’m a bit scared”.

My heart was in a puddle on the floor. I wanted to scoop her up and do my mummy thing. The only thing that allowed me to stand on the sidelines was seeing that she was in 22 | LINLITHGOW

such good hands; the optometrist Jonathan was absolutely amazing with her. I’d been sold on the place after reading he had a special qualification in Paediatric Eye Care but nothing can tell you what a person will really be like. He was so calm and talked to her (and us) about everything he was doing…and answered all of our endless questions. By the time all was said and done she was so happy with herself. Now if it were me facing the prospect of getting glasses I’d be thinking of it as a fun opportunity in accessorizing. I wasn’t so sure that’s how she’d see it. I was worried about her being vulnerable to teasing, about them being uncomfortable or her not wanting to wear them. She’s only 4 but…fourmones are a real thing! In the end I think if it had turned out she didn’t need glasses she would have been disappointed.

We headed out to The Centre, Livingston to get her kitted out and she now has her very own glasses case and cleaning cloth. And it’s amazing how many “glasses buddies” she has found in the family and at preschool to make her feel like she is part of a special club. As it turns out the biggest problem has been perfecting the art of wearing glasses and an Alice band at the same time! I’ve never had glasses so this has been a learning curve - for both of us! I’m so glad we did a bit of research into local opticians and took her to just the right place to start her on this journey. 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. @KonectMagazines

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Making Home Working Work With almost half of the UK workforce now being home-based we’re facing challenges none of us could ever have anticipated. So, what can we do to help focus attention, minimise distraction and perhaps most importantly, not end up totally burnt out? Research shows that negative emotions narrow the ability to focus while positive emotions can broaden it; when people feel good, they are more creative, adaptable and efficient. Try to notice what information you’re consuming. Especially during the working day, really try to limit the negativity you expose yourself to and where possible take an hour to do something that makes you feel good. 1) Plan for your most productive moments

We all have two types of attention: Proactive - the two to the three hours a day that we are at our most productive; Active - the few hours afterward where we are still able to focus but are not as effective. For most of us, our proactive attention peaks during the morning, so this is the time we should use to generate new ideas or tackle the most important tasks of the day. Try to resist the temptation to simply get through emails as soon as the working day starts as you risk squandering your proactive, most productive time. Instead, use your active attention time to catch up on emails, do routine jobs and take calls. Making a ‘to-do’ list at the end of every day can help you delegate your time most efficiently between proactive, and active hours. 2) Break goals into small tasks

Starting a large work project while at home can feel really tough; by breaking it down into small chunks it will be much more manageable to get going and once you’re underway, easier to stay with it. We’re less likely to have our productivity derailed if we 24 | LINLITHGOW

allocate tasks into 15-minute slots and use these small increments to build towards the bigger goal. 3) Use a shared calendar

Using a shared company calendar is great. It’s far better for your colleagues to know when you’re taking a break for lunch or picking the kids up. Being open and upfront about commitments stops the frustrations of being out of contact by managing expectations. It’s ok to be balancing work and home life! At Wardman UK, we’re working together to overcome these challenges using our expertise and technology to promote positive attitudes and habits. Working securely, collaboratively, communicating with ease and managing large workloads is part of the DNA of our business. It’s our belief that if we can understand what you do, the culture you have and your concerns that we can boost your business with technology that makes your team happier and more productive. If we can help your business through these times and beyond, please get in touch! This column is contributed by Eve Wardman, co-founder and director of Wardman UK Ltd, the Lothian’s premier IT and Microsoft Cloud Solutions provider. Visit:

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House of Binns: An ancestral home with a rich history

Just up the road at House of the Binns, a short woodland walk, lovely panoramic views, and parkland with picnic spots is lovely any time of year. It makes a colourful autumnal walk as the leaves change colour. Owned by the National Trust for Scotland, House of the Binns is the ancestral home of the Dalyells; the site was chosen for its proximity to Linlithgow Palace. There is plenty of rich history to explore here in the family stories. The first Baronet (1615–1685) was General Tom Dalyell, “Bluidy Tam,” famous for brutally defeating the Covenanters on behalf of Charles II at the Battle of Rullion Green in the Pentlands. The most recent occupant was the late Tam Dalyell MP. The house is closed at present but the grounds are free for you to wander; the gates close at 5.30pm.

Strut like a Peacock on a colourful Autumn walk Looking North: Stunning views over the Firth of Forth and Blackness Castle

The approach drive (off the A7904 near Mannerston Holdings) meanders up through a field of sheep to a car park close to the house. If you’re lucky, you’ll be greeted by the resident peacocks. I counted eight peacocks plus two babies the day I was there; there may be more. The walk starts beside the house, and is an easy trail through the woodland. It’s not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs as there are steps and tree roots to navigate. You emerge from the woodland into a field, and head up towards a tower. The tower is a folly built in 1826 as a result of a wager; Sir James Dalyell and his friends had an after-dinner wager on who could come up with the best way of wasting £100. It sounds like the sort of thing wealthy young men would do, but Sir James was 52 years old at the time and didn’t really have anything to prove! The story is on the benches that surround the tower, I’ll leave it to you to read it when you go!

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Binns Tower, Dalyell’s Folly and The Wager are all names for the turret located at the top of a steep hill on the ‘House of the Binns’ Estate

Linger at the tower to take in the wonderful views all around. To the North, look out over Blackness Castle and the Forth to the Cleish Hills and the Ochils. To the south, over the bings to the Pentlands which make for a lovely skyline.

From the tower, you have two options: through the gate closest to the tower and back down into the woodland to complete the short woodland circuit, which comes back out near the house where you started. You pass the remains of General Tam’s smoke house on the way down.

Or, from the tower, strike off across the open field (it’s waymarked) for a longer parkland walk. The grass is quite long, and at the bottom of this field there is a gate which, when we went in September, was accessed by an unavoidable and very muddy patch. Sturdy boots suitable for a bit of mud are recommended if you take the parklands walk. Bear to your right to follow the trail past “Paddy’s Cottage.” There are various little trails and plenty of picnic spots to be found in this corner of the estate, so you can divert, and there is a wet woodland which is a wildlife haven. Following the waymarked path, you walk beside a burn at the edge of an arable @KonectMagazines

field until you arrive at a wooden bridge. This was the old southern approach from the road to House of the Binns. The wee old stone bridge that you see here carried carriages in the late 18th century over the burn and up the approach to the house. Bear right over the bridge; you are now on the route of the old southern approach. It takes you to the walled garden (closed for safety reasons) and past the old stables where The Royal Scots Greys – the regiment founded by General Tam Dalyell – stabled their horses (also fenced off for conservation work). The trail takes you back to the drive you came in on, and back to the car park. After your walk, treat yourself to refreshments a few minutes along the road at New Hopetoun Gardens. There is a wonderful orangerie tea room open from 10am to 4.30pm with indoors and outdoors seating. During October, they have a Tree Festival on with fairy gardens to explore in New Hopetoun Woods. See newhopetoungardens.co.uk See: nts.org.uk/visit/places/house-of-binns

This article was written by Helen-Jane Shearer. Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect and lives in West Lothian with her family. LINLITHGOW | 27

PUZZLES

CROSSWORD The word Tenet is a palindrome, which means it’s the same forwards and backwards. While I won’t spoil why I personally think the film is called Tenet, the film deals with the flow of time and how effecting the flow could end the world. Christopher Nolan has never shied away from telling stories around weird sci-fi concepts, with Inception being the most notable to date. Tenet is, in my opinion, Christopher Nolan’s most complex film. But just because it’s complex doesn’t mean it’s confusing.

All of the acting is great, the only weak performance in the entire film is Kenneth Branagh; I don’t think he does a good job and every scene he’s in just slightly suffers because of it. John David Washington and Robert Pattinson are the true stands out and do an amazing job. The soundtrack is also just spectacular and just adds to the film in every way. Tenet is an experience. It’s a film that must been seen not just the on biggest screen but the biggest IMAX screen you can see it on. It is really worth going to see in a cinema but please only go if you feel 100% safe.

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. 28 | LINLITHGOW

Solution in the November edition of Konect ACROSS: 1. Fog (4), 3. Travellers (8), 9. Table support (7), 10. Entrance (5), 11. Clarifications (12), 14. Epoch (3), 16. Sphere (5), 17. To drink (3), 18. Uses camera (12), 21. Large sea (5), 22. Lawn game (7), 23. Mixing (8), 24. Steak (4). DOWN: 1. Mumbled (8), 2. Snooze (5), 4. Poem (3), 5. Ice-box (12), 6. Proverbs (7), 7. Painful (4), 8. Untangled (12), 12. Amid (5), 13. Alcoholic appetiser (8), 15. Accomplish (7), 19. Dwelling (5), 20. Grave (4), 22. Tin (3).

We’re sorry that the grid for the September crossword was wrong, and hope you enjoy this month’s crossword as usual.

SUDOKU

Solution in the November edition of Konect

Tenet is a globe-trotting spy film that has mindblowing action set pieces, from a highway heist to a siege during an orchestra performance. The action is fast, exciting, well shot, well edited and is just leagues better than the action in other Christopher Nolan films.

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LIFE COACHING

We Are All Doing OUR BEST Can you bring to mind the last time that something you did had an exceptional result? What was special about that time and what did you do to achieve that result? When I ask people to do that little exercise, they often really struggle to find that positive thing to focus on but can give me ten examples of the time that something went wrong. And yet, it’s as simple as changing what we decide to see. Is it that one time we ‘kerbed’ our tyres or those hundreds of times when we drove smoothly and calmly and nothing at all out of the ordinary happened? This new habit would be one of the most supportive things we can ever do for ourselves. When we decide to focus on those good results and on what we do well, we don’t waste time and valuable effort on worrying about the times things didn’t work out. We learn whatever lessons there are to learn from the experience and we move on. Sometimes we play the “ah but’ game when someone gives us a compliment on something we have done, on a meal we have prepared the clothes we have chosen to wear. We find ourselves saying ‘ah but, this bit didn’t work, I put too much seasoning/too little seasoning in, I think this colour doesn’t really suit me”. Suddenly a feel-good moment is overshadowed and the unfortunate soul who ventured to offer us a compliment 30 | LINLITHGOW

scuttles away doubting both themselves and their judgement. One of the most important gifts we can give ourselves is the realisation that, with some things, good enough is good enough. This is really important for us and for any young people we are caring for. We can all feel that we are never good enough or achieving enough and a gentle reminder of the times we did something really well has a huge impact on the self -esteem and confidence we need to take us all forward. I believe that it takes three weeks to make or break a habit, wouldn’t it be great if we all decided today that we are just going to stop criticising and judging and see the amazing things we are all doing on a daily basis? Let’s start today and see where we are three weeks from now. The Life Coaching column is contributed by Francine Orr. Francine is an NLP coach, hypnotherapist, and rekik practitioner, based within Linlithgow Chiropractic on a Wednesday afternoon. She helps people to find real and practical solutions to the things that hold us back in life. See www.orrganise.co.uk @KonectMagazines

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