Konect Livingston July 2021 by Konect Magazines

JULY 2021

TECHNOLOGY: FEATURE:

CELEBRATE SUMMER:

THIS ISSUE

hen a dog goes missing one of the toughest things, when you find them, is getting support on the ground to secure them when they’ve gone into survival mode. Almost 24 hours a day, local volunteer trackers are out finding and securing lost dogs – using vast skill, experience, knowledge, patience and sheer physical endurance. I spoke with Hazel from Livingston, for whom it has become a fulltime lifestyle. There is way more to it than I could fit in two pages of this magazine, but please look up the work they do and add a contribution if you can. There’s plenty to appreciate and celebrate this summer, especially life’s little pleasures that were denied us for so long. So what better way to celebrate than to share stunning tropical Liv Rum cocktails for 4, delivered ready-to-drink to your door (or garden) by local distillers Matugga Distillers? See page 11 for their offer – you’re in luck if your postcode is EH54 or EH53. All our usual columns are here from our wonderful local contributors and experts. I hope you enjoy them in this issue, as ever, please let me know what you think.

P20 Feature: Search, track, trap....................................8 Puzzles.......................................................................14 Life Coaching...........................................................14 Thought for the Month...........................................16 Hair: The truth about heat styling......................17 Living Well: Staying safe after lockdown........19 Technology: Is my phone listening to me?....20 Spotlight: All under one roof................................26 Film Review: Raya and the Last Dragon........34 Garden Project: Relax and Enjoy......................37 Local Environment: Cygnets .................................. Parenting: Hello Summer!....................................42 Local Walk.................................................................44

COVER IMAGE: What not to do if your dog goes missing. See P8-9.

All enquiries, E: editor@konect.scot M: 07854 492638 @KonectMagazines

Konect is delivered to 20,000 homes in selected areas of Livingston and Uphall, alternating between two areas of 10,000 homes per month. It is also available online: konect.scot/subscribe LIVINGSTON | 3

ROOT TO MARKET

Root To Market is a food and grocery delivery service set up by awardwinning Edinburgh restaurateurs Scott and Laura Smith that brings restaurant-quality produce from independent local suppliers direct to households across West Lothian. The focus is on buying local and sustainability, supporting the businesses that make and grow incredible produce on our doorsteps. Shop freshly-made sourdough loaves and baked goods from local bakeries, organic fruit and veg from Phantassie Organic, dairy from Yester Farm Dairies, meat, fish, pantry, foraged ingredients, sweets and snacks and oil and vinegar. Wine, including Fhior’s Wine Club selection, beer, soft drinks and hot drinks are also available as well as items for the home covering toiletries, flora, household items and selected art and pottery. Delivering to West Lothian every Tuesday, orders can be made up to seven days in advance and no later than two days before delivery day. The delivery fee is £3 or free for orders over £60. www.root-to-market.co.uk

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SEARCH, TRACK, TRAP – or, what NOT to do if your dog goes missing

Successful rescue of Wendy 8 | LIVINGSTON

“I live out in the wild 24/7. It’s now my life choice.” Hazel Muzzle Mutts, of Livingston, is a tracker and one of a team of dedicated volunteers who have made it their mission to find lost dogs and reunite them with their owners. Abseiling ravines, river searches, thermal scope work, working tracker dogs, setting up and monitoring cameras, maintaining scent and bait feed stations, trekking through mud and forests – these are just some of the things the work entails. Lost & Found Dogs West Lothian is a community run by Charlene and Hazel with a team of volunteers. They work closely with other organisations all over Scotland, and call on drone pilots, thermal scope workers and trained spotters as needed. It can take days or weeks of patiently tracking to recover a dog. “It’s commonly misunderstood that getting lots of people out to where a dog has been lost and shouting on it is best. But it can cause more harm than good,” explains Charlene. “A lost dog is in survival mode. They are not your pet at this point; they are an animal looking after themselves in the wild and you’re a predator - no matter how bonded you are with them.” Mowdie’s owner is seated on the ground, head bowed, no eye contact. Mowdie zig zags slowly, approaching her. His every movement and reaction is monitored by Hazel’s thermal scope. Mowdie had run off after a pheasant on a country road 18 hours previously and his owner feared he’d been hit by a 4x4. Hazel, with her dogs and a thermal scope, carefully tracked him through dense woodland, using scent, bait and wait tactics until they located him. “He was aware we were there, but it took a lot of patience before he was ready to come,” says Hazel. A lost dog needs time to settle and get used @KonectMagazines

to their surroundings before they can start to think rationally, whether it’s a familiar area or not. It becomes their new safe space as they figure things out, and they’ll be suspicious of anything new in that space. Shouting and torches will spook them. Mowdie, like others in this situation, needed time. After many hours, and with his owner’s scent in the area, Mowdie eventually became confident enough to come forward into an open space, keeping his distance, very unsure. “This is where the trust between owner and myself comes in,” explains Hazel. “Most of the things I ask them to do is against what their heart tells them.” With your lost dog finally so close, your adrenaline’s pumping but you have to remain calm and focused so as not to react prematurely. Even at this stage a wrong movement can send the dog running again motion sensitivity is a big thing when they have been loose. “I instruct the owner depending on the body language of their dog. Mowdie’s owner couldn’t see or hear her dog in the pitch black; she was cold, wet, exhausted, and thinking he may have been injured almost 18 hours earlier. So there is a lot of trust needed to have someone you don’t know tell you he’s to the right, to the left, 50 ft away, stay still, speak softly, don’t speak, crawl away, sit, stay...” “The little cry that escapes from the owner lets me know they have the dog in their grasp. The slip lead is promptly but gently put in place as the owners cradle their dog. Even the most gentle dog can bite at this time. They’re secured in a safe area as they are still a flight risk until they decompress fully.” There is no time limit in getting a loose dog to safety. Wendy is a Tunisian rescue dog who was at risk of being shot by marksmen. Hazel lived out for 8 weeks, tracking her with specialised equipment. She managed to get her eating from her hand but not trusting enough to secure her. Eventually, Wendy was safely darted (temporarily tranquillised) by Animal Capture UK & Canine Capture UK, and after weeks of rehab she is now happily in a new forever home. “It’s an emotional roller coaster, yes,” says Hazel. “However, our emotions cannot come before the dog’s thinking, as it can compromise their safety. It is not your pet until after it’s back in your arms, secure and safe.”

Then you’ll get that priceless look - the look of ‘what’s all the fuss been for?!’” Hazel and the other trackers will do whatever it takes, however long it takes, for you to get that look.

EQUIPMENT The rescue

work relies on kind public donations to purchase and maintain thermal scopes, drones, humane traps, bait feed, cameras and other equipment. Hazel’s GoFundMe page is at uk.gofundme.com/f/Equipmentand-supplies-to-assist-missinglost-dogs. “Thank you so much for your kindness and support. Each and every owner with a missing dog will be eternally grateful.”

CREATE A SCENT SAMPLE Hazel works with Search Dogs For Lost Dogs Scotland, the only National Association of Specialist Dog Users pet trailing dogs in Scotland. If ever you need them, providing a good scent sample will hugely increase the chances of a successful reunion with your dog. This takes 5 minutes and you’ll need disposable gloves, a make-up pad and a mason jar. 1. Put on the gloves so you don’t contaminate the swab with your own scent. 2. Take a cotton pad and rub it down your dog’s back, legs, head and mouth. 3. Place in the mason jar and close it (do not re-open). Label with date and your dog’s name. Repeat with a separate jar if you have more than one dog. (A sealed plastic bag or container will do, however mason jars are better as can hold a scent for years). This article was contributed by Helen-Jane after speaking with Hazel and Charlene of Lost & Found Dogs West Lothian. Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect. Contacts (Search Facebook): • Lost and Found Dogs West Lothian - 1st port of call if you lose your dog • HazelMuzzlemutts Lostdog Searchtracktrap

CREDIT: All images by Joe Matten Photography | joemattenphotography@gmail.com | Instagram: @mattenmedia

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LIFE COACHING

Everything You Need - You ALREADY Have

PUZZLES

CROSSWORD

More than 100 years ago some determined women fought for the right to vote.

Many of them gave up more than any of us will hopefully ever be asked to sacrifice to achieve any goal and, thanks to them and their supporters, we now live in a fairer and more equal society where we all have a say in what goes on around us. Everyone was telling these women that they couldn’t achieve their goals. Imagine what would have happened if they had believed that. Sometimes we can be frozen into inactivity by self-doubt and anxiety and it can feel really hard to keep going towards a dream that seems to be always just out of our reach.

^^^ Solution in the August edition of Konect

We tell ourselves that we don’t have the advantages that others have or that somehow, whatever we do, we can’t quite achieve what we want to achieve.

ACROSS: 1. French castle (7), 5. Competed (5), 8. Very alike (9), 9. Poem (3), 10. Consumed (5), 12. Reflects (7), 13. Friendships (13), 15. Immediate (7), 17. In front (5), 19. A pronoun (3), 20. Emergency vehicle (9), 22. Concede (5), 23. Captivate (7).

Wouldn’t it be great to give yourself the same care and kindness that you routinely give to other people? Henry Ford said, ‘whether you think you can or you think you can’t…you’re right!” You have to believe in order to try and it is that belief in yourself that will propel you forward to your goals. The Life Coaching column is contributed by Francine Orr, NLP coach, hypnotherapist & reiki practitioner. Francine is based within Linlithgow Chiropractic on Wednesday afternoons and is also available online. See www.orrganise.co.uk 14 | LIVINGSTON

DOWN: 1. Illegal act (5), 2. Beer (3), 3. Died out (7), 4. Embarrassed (13), 5. Person in power (5), 6. Large reptile (9), 7. Frocks (7), 11. Magnifies distant objects (9), 13. Form of travel (7), 14. Bright red (7), 16. Prize (5), 18. Reside (5), 21. And not (3),

SUDOKU

^^^ Sudoku Solution on Page 46

If a person you cared for told you that they had an ambition would you say ‘oh don’t be silly you can’t do that’? I bet that you wouldn’t. Why then do you think that it’s ok to treat yourself like that?

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CULTIVATING POSITIVE EMOTIONS As we move out of lockdown, it's becoming clear to me in my meditation groups that there is a mix of emotions emerging: anxiety and excitement. After so long in lockdown new habits have been created and stepping back into the world generates waves of anxiety and this is so understandable! There are a number of things we can do to help ourselves. What is important for our well-being and cultivating positive emotions is social connection. We’ve been deprived of this for so long! The more we have the better we feel and now, more than ever, we need to intentionally engage with this.

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The next thing we can do is begin practicing gratitude as it's well known that happier people are more grateful. So it’s important to pay attention to the good stuff, reflect each day on three things you are grateful for and watch your sense of well-being grow. Next, spend some time each day doing something for someone else, a random act of kindness and notice how it feels to help another. Finally, reflect on something; it doesn’t need to be big, but something you can truly appreciate in your life each day and share that with someone if you can. Set an intention each day to do the above activities and you will cultivate positive emotions. As a great master once said: “be the emotion you want to see in the world”, not only will you benefit, so will others.” 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)

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Heat styling gets a bad rep when it comes to the condition of your hair. The truth is yes, it can cause damage, but generally this is down to over-use, misuse and using poor quality or very hot electrical equipment.

An efficient heat protection spray or lotion before you blow dry will actually work wonders, and ideally a spritz before you straighten or curl. This means when you run a heat styling product over your hair it will take the moisture from your protection rather than from your hair. A common misconception is that leaving your hair to dry naturally is much better than blow drying and it’s not necessarily the case. When you blow dry the main purpose is to detangle the hair and shut the cuticle. This is what keeps the hair strong and with the correct products and ultimately being gentle to the hair will actually be much better than simply leaving the hair to dry naturally. I recommend finding a product that does it all, ‘Oiall in one milk’ from Davines will protect from heat, add moisture, shine, hold, volume, Detangle and add a fragrance of Roucou oil. Perfect for blow drying most hair types and also ideal to help close the cuticle if you want to leave it natural.

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The Hair column is contributed by Sophie Laidlaw. Sophie is Director @wonderland Livingston.www.wonderlandlivingston.com @KonectMagazines

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LIVING WELL

Staying safe after lockdown Older people have spent months at home, and may be feeling anxious about heading back out and making the most of restrictions easing. Home Instead Livingston, a local home care company, has provided some top-tips for how to stay safe whilst enjoying the return to pre-lockdown life. • Don’t rush to do things out of your comfort zone: Seeing family and friends is what many of us have craved in recent months, and simply going on a walk with nearest and dearest is a natural place to start. You can decide what you feel comfortable doing next.

• Find a select group of people: It's normal to feel anxious about going back to a life of social contact having spent so long fearful that this could put you at risk. Begin by socialising with a select group of family and friends. By keeping the group small, you will minimise the risk considerably yet enjoy the company you deserve. • Combine fun and safety: We can go back to enjoying simple outings and stay safe by making the most of the safety measures available to us. Whether it’s a bookings system that prevents overcrowding, or a timeslot dedicated to the elderly, businesses have done a great job adapting to keep customers like you safe. • Don’t forget your face covering: The government has indicated that we won’t be getting rid of our masks any time soon. And that’s a good thing as wearing one will help to protect you and others as we start mixing again.

Is My Phone Listening To Me? I’ve been asked this countless times and the answer? A very resounding no. However reality is far more worrying and complex than most people realise. Simply, the advertisers are in a hidden bidding war for your attention. You and your data are a valuable commodity and the more specifically you can be targeted then the more you’re worth to them. So the reason that ad about the thing you were only just talking about pops up on your news feed is all thanks to the little discussed topic of data harvesting and profile building – your attention has just been sold to the highest bidder.

The term ‘personal data’ is usually associated with information such as addresses and bank details but this is nothing compared to the actual data held on you. Just last year Facebook and Instagram were in hot water for using biometric data such as facial recognition to profile their users. That means that they can recognise your face in any picture or video anywhere, anytime. Couple that with the monitoring of browsing activity, social media posts, search-engine queries and even what you ask your Alexa or Google Assistant and companies can build a profile very specific to you and use this to entice advertisers to buy your advertising spots. Device location data (often running permanently in the background) enables companies to pinpoint other devices in your vicinity, how often you’re with that person and how regularly you communicate. They know where you’ve been and the people you have in common so can target you with what you’re most likely to engage with. If the friend you’ve just seen for coffee has been looking at holidays recently, chances are you’ll have discussed it. That makes 20 | LIVINGSTON

you prime target for ads about breaks away and before you know it you’ll be booking your next holiday too. We’re all guilty of clicking ‘agree’ to cookies and terms and conditions without reading them first, but it’s important to realise that in doing so you’re often giving permissions for invasive tracking. Many apps readily admit to using your location to target you with custom advertisements, but they don’t make it clear that your data may then be sold to a third-party who will analyse the places you’ve visited to make future ads even more targeted and relevant. Organisations and institutions have a responsibility to ensure that they’re using the correct methods for managing personal data in a way that’s compliant with regulations. However, as individuals we also need to be conscious of how much we’re giving away. Think before you consent and be aware of tracking in apps. Simple steps can put barriers in place preventing such invasive profiles being built and you might just realise your phone was never actually listening …. it didn’t ever have to.

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.

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All Under One Roof

Decisions you make about your home, investments and pension have a profound impact on you, your children and lifestyle, now and into retirement. So turning aspirations and hopes into reality requires the very best professional advice, and the Turpie & Co building on Edinburgh Road, Bathgate, houses three businesses dedicated to exactly that. The estate agency Turpie & Co, the Mortgage Advice Bureau West Lothian, and financial advisers Swilcan Financial Partners are headed up by local business people who share the space and some key principles – personal service, confidentiality and an absolute dedication to helping you achieving your goals. Vanishingly rare personal service - A personal service where you build trust and rapport with your adviser leads to better outcomes, especially when decisions are complicated or have significant financial consequences. It takes that extra time, but is something all the businesses here prioritise. And particularly for mortgage advice, it’s increasingly rare as the high street bank branches disappear, one by one. At the Mortgage Advice Bureau, Mark’s goal is always to ensure you are positioned as strongly as possible to make an offer on the home you want. Originally from Bathgate, Mark lives in Armadale and worked in mortgages with HSBC before moving into the broker network. Access to a huge choice of lenders through the national network, combined with his local knowledge and experience, means that Mark can not only find a suitable mortgage but also give expert advice on how to best position an offer for success. Regardless of what your challenges may be, he’s dedicated to finding a product for your unique situation, or the unique home you’re looking to buy. The personal service extends to offering 26 | LIVINGSTON

flexible appointment times including evenings and, more than “just” the mortgage, Mark helps with arranging a survey, checking the home report, and advising on associated protection products (such as income protection). The Mortgage Advice Bureau is a continuation of Greenwell Financial Services, an established mortgage service in Bathgate run by Gillian Greenwell before merging with Turpie & Co, which she now co-directs with Craig Turpie. It’s not just what you know: the power of networks - “We’ve moved some truly spectacular properties that were never on the open market,” says Gillian, “but we can’t promote these sales or share these particular successes as they are confidential transactions.” Matching a home with a buyer, without marketing, is an off-market approach unique to Turpie & Co in West Lothian. It’s possible thanks to the reach of their network and the thorough understanding they have of their clients’ needs. With a portfolio of ready buyers and a good understanding of the types of homes they’re looking for, Craig and Gillian are often able to match a buyer with a property that becomes available with no marketing needed. It works to the advantage of both buyers and sellers and is of particular interest to sellers who want a confidential sale. Buyers on the list get access to hand-picked homes before they go on the open market. When Turpie & Co market a home, each campaign is bespoke. Every home and situation is different, and the best result is achieved when it’s treated as such. “There may be unique aspects of the property which require a creative approach, and in every case the key to success is to have a detailed understanding of the profile of a potential buyer, so your campaign can be @KonectMagazines

accurately targeted,” explains Craig. The highest-quality photos, videos and other material is produced, and clients are invited to review their campaign on the big screen over coffee in the office. Going above and beyond, Gillian and Craig are sometimes asked by home buyers to advise on home improvements. When the plan is to invest then resell in a number of years, buyers may want advice on what will return the best results on every pound spent. It speaks volumes of their experience and expertise in the local property market, and the long-term relationships they foster. Truly holistic planning - “When you interact with us, you’ll get value - either to find out that what you already have is adequate, to learn about pension planning and wealth management, or to get a plan to help improve yours,” says Callum Nisbet of Swilcan Financial Partners, an Appointed Representative of St. James’s Place Wealth Management*. Part of Callum’s unique approach is to offer truly holistic financial planning. He works with a network of trusted professionals – accountants and lawyers – and does the footwork to bring together a full, bespoke service. When seeking financial advice, it’s all too common to come across barriers such as, “I don’t know, you’d have to speak to an accountant,” and it was Callum’s experience of this that prompted him to build his own business on a holistic service. He begins with an in-depth look at a client’s goals and current situation, and with this knowledge he draws on relationships when

required to put a coherent plan in place. “I can’t give you the right advice until I fully understand what your goals are,” he says. “Then we build your financial plan around that.” Looking at goals is not just a tick-box exercise here; it’s the very foundation of the service, for both personal and business financial planning. “We don’t move pensions or investments just for the sake of it,” he explains. “Often, a product you already have may be adequate, but the overall plan is missing or flawed.” This holistic approach fits perfectly with the ethos of the other businesses in the Turpie & Co building here, which is why they confidently refer their clients for each other’s services. You can achieve anything with quality advice, a solid plan and holistic support. Each of the businesses here is dedicated to finding creative approaches, leading best practice in their respective fields, and most importantly, seeing their clients achieve their goals.

* Swilcan Financial Partners is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products

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AVAILABLE NOW ON

I love Asian cinema and culture, so I was really excited to see Raya and the Last Dragon. Part of me was very sceptical; I haven’t been in love with a lot of Disney’s recent releases.

So heading into Raya I wanted to know if this would be the film to break the Disney curse for me. In a nutshell, Raya and the Last Dragon is the definition of middle of the road to me. There are aspects I loved and others I really disliked. I loved the animation - it’s simply beautiful. I loved the voice acting, in particular Awkwafina as Sisu, who I truly believe steals the show and adds a lot of life to scenes she’s in. The action is very well done but I wish there was more of it because of how good it is. The main theme of the film is trust, and while it’s an excellent message to share it becomes less impactful when the characters continually go on and on about it. In my opinion it dilutes the message the film is trying to put over. While people may give it a free pass since it’s a “kid’s” film, people who aren’t kids watch these films, so at times it feels like an excuse to cover up lazy writing. Raya and the Last Dragon had the potential to be great but overall, I just found it average. 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

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Relax and Enjoy Now that the Spring rush to get our gardens in order has passed it must be time for us to relax and enjoy our gardens or even visit other gardens and relax and enjoy them? Lesley and I find it hard to resist the temptation to buy plants or ornaments for our garden when we visit other gardens… and we don’t have any spare space for them. But if we both love something we happily give into temptation and will always find a space somewhere. We love looking out from the house at a special plant or piece of art in the garden ad we are very lucky that we have garden around all four sides of our house so there are many opportunities for another view. Lesley says that if she can’t sleep during the night she doesn’t have to resort to counting sheep as she mentally walks around the

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garden counting our pieces of art installed all round the garden. If you need some inspiration for your own garden please visit New Hopetoun Gardens in July and August and explore our ‘art in the garden’ event. We install the outdoor work of artists working in Scotland in our 20 demonstration gardens. James Parker’s Garroch Twist in the shady garden at New Hopetoun Gardens

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

We make no apologies for talking about swans again but we’re sure you’ll understand why we wanted to share another image so quickly. This pair of swans are new to the ponds in Wester Inch and within the last few weeks became the proud parents of 8 beautiful cygnets. Whilst they’re this young (this was within about a day of them hatching) they’re not quite waterproof yet so hitch a ride on Mum’s back, and why not! It looks a great way to travel if you ask us. At this time of year the male (cob) swan will fiercely defend his brood, and we’ve already seen some off-lead dogs at the receiving end of his protective side. No harm was caused to either animals thankfully, but it’s incredibly important to keep your dogs on a lead when around nesting birds. This could either be around our waterways or in fields, and moorland. You’d be very surprised at how many birds nest on the ground and are susceptible to disturbance by humans (and our furry companions)! 40 | LIVINGSTON

These cygnets will stay with their mother for the first 6 months of their lives before either moving on their own to find a new territory, or being chased off by the resident male in advance of the next breeding season. In the meantime, we can all enjoy watching the springtime babies (big and small) grow and learn how to cope with the demands of life, and appreciate the challenges they face. 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. Follow them on Facebook @ScottishSistersPhotography @KonectMagazines

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PARENTING

Lunch break !

fun! Outdoor With the summer holidays upon us, it’s time for planning activities to keep the kids occupied. The last thing you want to hear is a recurring, “I’m bored!” all summer long.

No matter how old your kids are you should be able to find some sort of activities, outings and camps in West Lothian to keep them busy.

Normally I don’t book too many things and instead just go with the flow. When I’ve got time off work I wait to see what mood we are in and what the weather is like before deciding what to do. Filling their days with camps and activities quickly gets expensive and the kids are just as happy playing at home and in the garden a lot of the time. But after Summer 2020 saw us pretty much housebound – let’s just say the prospect of 7 weeks with nothing to do and nowhere to be isn’t so appealing. So I’m really keen to give the kids (and me) some things to look forward to this summer. I want to find things to keep them active and engaged instead of 42 | LIVINGSTON

bored and listless – there’s been too much of that going around over the last year.

The key to success is probably planning ahead – everyone is in the same boat wanting to find things to do now that we are allowed to get out and about. And with a lot of activities still ramping up after long breaks there’s not as much choice as normal so I suspect a lot of things will book up quickly. So I’m busy thinking back to all the things they’ve done over the last few years that they’ve enjoyed: from West Lothian Youth Foundation football camps to Artsparks at Jupiter Artland, from Run +Jump + Throw with Livingston Athletic Club to summer camps at Astro Gymnastics. I’m also paying attention at the school gates (with my mask on and sociallydistanced of course) to hear

what other things are out there we’ve not tried before. It sounds like Gooey Events have some great activities on offer especially if your kids like to get messy!

And of course I’m keeping an eye out for free activities… the Junior Parkrun which has moved while on hiatus to Bankton Mains Park, was hopeful of a return this summer and that would definitely get us all moving again. So spreadsheets at the ready parents…ready, steady, summer! 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 fulltime personal assistant to her two girlie girls. @KonectMagazines

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To enjoy this walk, you need to be equipped with a sense of adventure, a picnic and a sturdy pair of boots.

It starts off reasonably flat and gets more challenging as you go along, with different terrains underfoot and a cave said to have sheltered William Wallace after his defeat at the battle of Falkirk. It was curiosity about the cave that set me off on this walk, and I followed the waymarked River Avon Heritage Trail. This walk can be started either in Linlithgow Bridge for a shorter walk to the cave, or at the other end of the Trail, in Avonbridge. I drove to Avonbridge, and started the Trail on Bridgend Road. This is a residential crescent and at one corner you’ll see “River Avon Heritage Trail” signed. Follow the track, turning right at some cottages to skirt along a field, then down to the River Avon. It’s uneven underfoot with roots as you go through some trees in places, but for the first part of this walk you’re skirting farmland. It follows the river all the way, so you’re unlikely to get lost, although it is waymarked at regular intervals. You’re accompanied by the sound of the flowing water most of the way. Continuing beside fields, you’ll eventually come to a stone bridge crossing the river, beside the Old Strath Mill. Pass close by the builing to cross the bridge, turn right onto the tarmacked track, then a few 44 | LIVINGSTON

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metres along you’ll see the sign to head back onto the trail.

Parts of this walk have wooden boards laid down over the wettest parts. When I did it earlier in the year it was very muddy. As Spring and Summer progress is will be a less muddy experience.

Wallace’s Cave

Soon you’ll see the striking view of the Westfield Viaduct striding across the landscape ahead. The trail takes you scrambling up and under one of the arches of the viaduct, when the terrain changes to woodland for a while, on high land on the edge of the gorge with the river below, before descending again. This is a very attractive stretch of the trail.

The next feature is a metal bridge which you cross onto the other side of the river. Here you’ll see the rock arch known as Wallace’s Cave. It was created by meltwater being forced through the sandstone at the end of the last ice age, and is said to have been used as a hiding place by William Wallace in 1298. There’s no way of substantiating this, and it’s more an arch than a cave - it wouldn’t provide much shelter, but is a good picnic spot.

From here you can continue the Heritage Trail which eventually takes you to Linlithgow Bridge. However with my curiosity about the cave satisfied, I turned round here and headed back to the car at Avonbridge.

This walk was contributed by Helen-Jane Shearer. Helen-Jane is the editor of Konect and lives in West Lothian with her family.

Distance approx 3.5 miles from Avonbridge to Wallace’s Cave.

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SOLUTIONS

SPORTS, HOBBIES, LEARNING, SUPPORT GROUPS & MORE... CROCHET CLUB WORKSHOPS (MONTHLY) - 6.00 - 9.00pm

2nd Wednesday of the month Craigsfarm, Craigshill

3rd Monday of the month - Gooey Events Livingston Village If you'd like to learn a new craft, or build your crochet abilities - this is the club for you! Learn a new crochet project each month with expert tuition on hand. Beginners encouraged! No commitment, Just book your space each month by contacting Leigh at 07715 251123 / thecolourdasher@gmail.com (£25 - materials provided) DOWN TO EARTH YOGA AND MASSAGE - Yoga for everyone regardless of age, sex or your flexibility level. Private sessions available or spread the cost and practice with a friend/s. No experience necessary and beginners are welcomed. Massage in a warm welcoming safe environment. Choose from a clothed floor based Thai Yoga Massage or an oil massage on a table with hints of Swedish and Thai fusion. Contact Kirsty to book on 07936 925040. Quote ‘Konect’ for £10 off first treatment or session. CARERS OF WEST LOTHIAN - Support and social activities for Carers, Young Carers and Disabled Adults. Services currently via Zoom/phone: weekly Coffee Morning; monthly Mental Health Support Group, Evening Support Group & Bereaved Carer Support Group as well as groups for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers. Regular Social Groups for Adults with disabilities. Virtual Power of Attorney Clinic & Benefits Advice and Counselling. For information: Tel. 01506 448000 | Email office@ carers-westlothian.com | Website: www.carers-westlothian.com GENERATION ARTS - Creative activities for people aged 50 and over, either living at home

46 | LIVINGSTON

SOLUTION TO JUNE CROSSWORD

or in care with complex needs. Online and offline activities in West Lothian such as a dance dvd, art demos, reminiscence, recipes, music and song playlists, dance and song classes. Creative activity and learning can unlock memories and skills that have been lost and creates a spark of joy for all. Contact generationarts. coordinator@gmail.com or phone 07521 358 239 for further information. MACMILLAN CANCER INFORMATION & SUPPORT - A free, confidential service providing a ‘listening ear’, emotional and practical support, help to access benefits/financial advice and other local services. We also provide expert and easy-to-understand information on a range of cancerrelated topics, which can be sent free of charge. For anyone affected by cancer – yourself, a relative, friend or carer of someone with cancer.

ACROSS: 1. Chairs, 4. Popped, 9. Shorten, 10. Darts, 11. Night, 12. Earlier, 13. Wonderfully, 18. Develop, 20. Haste, 22. Proud, 23. Expires, 24. Sister, 25. Symbol. DOWN: 1. Casino, 2. Among, 3. Rotated, 5. Older, 6. Partial, 7. Desert, 8. Interrupted, 14. Obvious, 15. Unhappy, 16. Adapts, 17. Vessel, 19. Ledge, 21. Scrub.

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE 14

At present we are available by phone, email or online appointment. Please call 01506 283053 or email MacmillanWestLothian@ westlothian.gov.uk WEST LOTHIAN 50 PLUS NETWORK - Social activities for the over fifties. Run largely by volunteers we offer a wide range of interest groups to help you stay fit and healthy in both mind and body, whilst socialising with others. Something for everyone, but, more importantly, the chance to meet up and join in with old friends or make new friends along the way. Annual joining fee £10. Follow our Facebook page, visit www. westlothian50plusnetwork.co.uk or call 01506 635510. To include your Club or Class, please email details, up to 75 words, to editor@konect.scot

Not-for-profit groups are FREE. There is a small charge for businesses. See www.konect.scot for information.

Disclaimer: The publisher cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage caused by error in the printing of an advertisement. We do not endorse any advertisers in this publication. All material is accepted for publication on the understanding it is copyright free. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior consent of the publisher. Publisher: Lothian Publications Ltd. Geddes House, Kirkton North, Livingston, West Lothian EH54 6GU. Magazine Design: Universal Appeal Ltd. M: 07729 911858 W: www.universal-appeal.com E: info@universal-appeal.com

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