OCTOBER 2020
LOCAL ENVIRONMENT:
TECHNOLOGY:
P25
T
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 new traders market is taking place in Livingston on Sunday 18th October. It is hoped that this will become a regular market and opportunity for local producers and makers to showcase their products - and a chance for us all to support local businesses. 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! Thanks for reading. As ever, drop me a line and let me know what you think.
u can know yo Did you to receive each e subscribissue of Konect e here new Subscrib online? scribe b u scot/s konect.
THIS ISSUE Independent Traders’ Market................................9 Feature: Making Home Working Work............12 Property Matters: Buy first or sell?....................16 Garden Project: Miniature Gardens.................25 Local Environment: Sedge Warbler................ 27 Health: Hair...............................................................30 Thought for the Month...........................................30 Film Review...............................................................34 Puzzles.......................................................................34 Local Lab: Climate Change open debate.....35 Parenting: Getting Glasses.................................36
Konect is delivered to 20,000 homes throughout Livingston, alternating between two areas of 10,000 homes each. Copies are also left at libraries, community centres, convenience stores, post offices and other locations throughout Livingston.
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SATURDAY 10TH - 31ST OCT (10am - 5pm) SECRETS OF THE WITCHES WOODS - Almond Valley Heritage Centre Follow the winding footpaths and venture into the lost lands of the Calder Witches. In a place of old magic, you will encounter some strange sights, unexplained sounds and ghastly unforgettable smells. There’s much to make you scream and smile as part of your daytime visit to Almond Valley from the 10th - 31st October. Due to COVID-19 regulations all tickets must be booked in advance from www.almondvalley.co.uk * Normal admission charges apply. 9TH OCT - 15TH NOV (FROM 6pm - 9pm) FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY AUTUMN NIGHTS AT FIVE SISTERS ZOO Come along and join us for our spectacular Autumn Nights. Display lighting, enchanted walkways, illuminated water fountains and musical lighting shows. There will be thousands of beautiful lights gently illuminating our animal enclosures and gardens to create, what we believe to be a truly breath-taking experience. Take a stroll through our spectacular life sized animal themed lanterns. Enjoy toasted marshmallows around our fire pits, sip on a hot drink as you wander round our wonderland of spectacular lighting displays. Info and booking at www.fivesisterszoo.co.uk
At the Rotary Club of Livingston, we help to make a difference to the lives of people at home and overseas through projects, and have a lot of fun doing just that. We are a dynamic local Rotary Club and, during lockdown, we have been very busy supporting care and community organisations in the wider Livingston area. It feels good that, despite COVID-19, we are still in business. We are looking to expand our membership within the Livingston area and, if you would like to help your community and improve peoples’ lives, we would love to meet you. Please join us at our Zoom meetings on a Wednesday evening at 8 pm. For further details please contact: • Facebook: “Rotary Club of Livingston” • Rotary Club of Livingston webpage: livingston.rotary1020.org • Email Club Secretary: secretary@livingston.rotary1020.org
30TH OCT (3.15pm) & 31ST OCT (7.00pm) AFTER DARK IN THE WITCHES’ WOOD - Almond Valley Heritage Centre Once the sun has set, follow winding woodland paths into the mysterious lands of the Calder witches. You’ll encounter strange and magical sights that will make you scream and smile. It’s silly, scary, socially distanced Halloween fun for all of the family. See www.almondvalley.co.uk
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Please contact us if you would like your business included in our Home Improvement pages. Contact details are on page 3.
We repair Washing Machines, Tumble Dryers, Electric Ovens, Dishwashers and Washer Dryers
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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 12 | LIVINGSTON
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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AKT Bookkeeping Tax Returns • Accounts, Bookkeeping • Payroll, CIS • VAT Phone Kevin on 01506 201459 from 8.00am to 4.00pm or emailkevin@aktbookkeeping.co.uk
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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. 16 | LIVINGSTON
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Max's Garage Doors Ltd Garage Doors Electric Motors UPVC Side Doors
For all Installations repairs and services
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info@maxsgaragedoors.co.uk 10 Years Experience
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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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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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ONE WASH, TWO WASHES, NO WASHES? Often, we can find our hair becoming oily and greasy at the roots and this prompts us to wash our hair much more. In truth less is more when it comes to shampooing, the more your scalp is cleansed the more oil your scalp will produce. The reason for oil being there in the first place is to protect it after all. Aim to wash every two days and use dry shampoo on your off days.
Make sure to use water that’s not too hot for washing your hair. I love a super-hot shower in the morning but water that’s too hot can leave the hair looking dull and dehydrated. Apply minimal pressure when massaging the root of the hair, your hair is most fragile when it is wet so be gentle but thorough. I would always recommend two shampoos, one for purifying and deep cleansing. Then think of the second shampoo as a targeted shampoo, for example, if your hair is dehydrated then your second shampoo should be targeted at moisture. Conditioner should always be targeted, think of the condition when picking this product. It should be applied to the mid-length and ends and worked through for at least 3 minutes. Rinse it thoroughly and complete this step with a cooler rinse to help seal the cuticle shut making the hair much shinier.
The Hair column is contributed by Sophie Laidlaw. Sophie is Director @wonderland Livingston. www.wonderlandlivingston.co.uk 30 | LIVINGSTON
CONNECTING WITH YOUR
VALUES
Over the last six months life has been challenging and stressful at times with waves of anxiety and fear.
But along with that there has also been more space in my life and I’ve had the chance to connected to the things I love doing such as reading, finish-ing a book, walking in nature and connecting with friends and family more via Zoom or phone. It’s been a real mix, at times a rollercoaster, at times very nourishing. I discovered this quote recently which resonated deeply with me: “We all need space, unless we have it we cannot reach that sense of quiet in which whispers of better things come to us gently” Octavia Hill, 1885 Co-Founder of the National Trust
Taking the time for space, away from busyness has allowed me to connect to my values. Values determine our priorities. Asking yourself what do you value and are you living life according to your values helps you to align your thoughts and actions and how you live your life. Often noticing when you are triggered or when you feel undervalued enables you to realise what you value. You can then take steps to make sure going forward that your life is aligned with what is important to you. I know space to practice yoga and meditation is at the top of my values along with calmness, laughing, time outside and connection with others. See if you can spend a little time reflecting on your values. Tina Gilbert lives in Livingston and teaches** yoga and meditation. Visit her website at www.yogamed.co.uk (**All my classes are currently running online) @KonectMagazines
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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. 34 | LIVINGSTON
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.
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. LIVINGSTON | 35
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 36 | LIVINGSTON
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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