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Welcome to West Lothian's online news service -
Community News.
You can use Community News to tell people in your local community and throughout West Lothian what is happening in your area and publicise your events and initiatives. We have dedicated pages for your council ward so you will be able to find out what is happening locally. If you have any news, just email us or phone 01506 282001. We can also take pictures, although you must guarantee that you have permission from anyone who appears in the picture that it can be published online. The content of the Community News area is subject to copyright and should not be copied without permission.
Car rally promises to be a classic
The first Linlithgow Classic Cars Day takes place on Sunday, 5 September.
Up to 60 invited classic cars are expected on the day on the day from various car clubs.
Cars are expected to include Ferraris, Morgans, Porsches, Triumphs, Rovers, Austin Healeys, Aston Martin, SunbeamS, MGs, Westfields, Jaguars and Jeeps.
Most of the cars date back to the early 1950s but there are also some older ones including the World War II Jeeps, and some more modern supercars.
Cars assemble at the Park Bistro at 9.30am and the road run around West Lothian takes place from 10.30am to 12 noon.
Cars will then assemble at Linlithgow Palace car park at 12.30pm for a public display.
Canal trips to honour David's memory
The Bridge 19-40 Canal Society is to donate all the proceeds from its trips on Sunday, 5 September to Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of one of its founder members, David Wright.
David, also a past member of Broxburn Community Council, recently died from cancer.
He was one of the founder members of the Buchan Society, which became the Bridge 19-40 Canal Society.
David had a vision of the canal reopening, after being closed for about 40 years. And his dream came true in May 2000, when obstructions at the M8 and Greendykes Road were lifted and boats were again able to cruise through Broxburn.
The trips on 5 September will take place at Port Buchan, Broxburn.
Volunteers wanted for young people mentoring programme
Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian, in partnership with West Lothian Council?s 'More Choices, More Chances' team, is running a year long pilot mentoring project for 14 to 19 year olds.
The young people are recognised as under-achieving at school or, in the case of the 16 to 19 age group, having difficulty in finding employment.
The pilot will provide trained volunteer mentors to work with individuals for at least two hours a week.
Two schools taking part in the pilot are Bathgate Academy and Broxburn Academy.
Volunteer mentors will receive training and support throughout the pilot year. Training will take place at the Voluntary Sector Gateway in Bathgate from 6pm to 9pm on Tuesday 14, and Thursday 16 September.
Soon after training is completed, volunteer mentors will be matched to a young person who will have read their profile and asked to meet with them.
Anyone interested in becoming involved, should contact Maureen Mancini or James Penman on 01506-650111 or Email maureen.mancini@vsgwl.org
Complementary therapy day to raise funds for sensory garden
Eliburn Support Service is holding a fund-raising complementary therapy day from 10.30am, to 4pm on Saturday 2 October.
The aim of the event, at 8 Jackson Place, Eliburn, is to raise money for a sensory garden.
Activities on the day include: massage, on-site massage, angel card reading, tarot card reading, crystal healing, shiatsu, aromatherapy, Indian head massage, animal oracle reading, mini manicure, reflexology and reiki.
Admission is £1. Half hour therapy taster sessions are also available for £10.
Project looks to tell the tale of Bathgate truck and tractor plant
Organisers of a project to research, record, preserve and tell the story of the Bathgate truck and tractor plant workers are holding an open day at the town's Regal Community Theatre on Saturday 9 October.
At one time, the plant employed up to 7,000 workers.
2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the coming of the plant to Bathgate and the 25th anniversary of its closure.
"At this stage we are trying to let as many people and organisations know about the project and to encourage former workers and those interested in researching the history of the plant or who have other information to share to come to our open day, said Elizabeth Bryan, area tutor organiser with Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders Area Workers' Educational Association.
The open meeting takes place from 10am to 12.30pm.
Abi's off to pastures new
For youth worker Abi Webb has moved on to pastures new as a staff nurse.
"She will be missed by the young people and staff of BYL and the sports centre staff," said Alex Hughes, youth co-ordinator with West Lothian Youth Action Project (WLYAP).
Evelyn Hannah from WLYAP will take over from Abi. "Evelyn is an experienced youth worker with many years with WLYAP under her belt and is looking forward to joining the team at BYL," added Alex.
This week's speed camera locations
Mobile speed cameras will be operational at the following locations in West Lothian during the week beginning Monday, 6 September:
A706 Longridge; A71 Polbeth and A89 Armadale.
Road closed for resurfacing
The C26 will be closed for two separate three-week periods from its junction with the B792 (Cleuchbrae, West Calder) to 200 metres north of the junction with the B7015 between 8am on Friday 10 September and 4pm on Saturday 13 November.
This is to allow carriageway resurfacing work to be carried out.
Signposted diversions will be in place. Pedestrians are not affected.
West Lothian's never ending heritage trail.
For during the summer, they visited The Binns, Livingston Mill Farm, Annet House in Linlithgow, Blackness Castle, The Lennox Cairn, Torphicen Preceptory and the Bennie Museum in Bathgate, as well as Roslin Glen in Edinburgh.
Now the group, pictured at the graveyard in Torphicen Preceptory, plan to restart in mid-October and keep on going through the autumn and winter months. For details of joining the group, contact 01506 777701.
Lithca's Got Talent to get folk festival underway
The 12th Linlithgow Folk Festival will get underway on Wednesday, September 8, with a grand opening concert - Lithca's Got Talent - at 8pm in the town's Masonic Hall.
The opening night concert will launch the biggest-ever folk festival programme in Linlithgow.
Events taking place from 8 to 12 September will include concerts, an outdoor ceilidh at the Vennel, an open stage for budding performers, musical cruises and sessions at the Canal Centre, Bluegrass music performances at the Masonic hall and sessions in local pubs.
There will also be children's' events and free outdoor performances by a variety of musicians on the Nora Devine stage at the Cross and the Pedal for Scotland stage in the Peel. There are 20 free events included in the programme.
The headline concert on Saturday September 11, in the Linlithgow Academy Theatre, will feature Old Blind Dogs - one of Scotland's top traditional Folk bands.
Full details of the Linlithgow Folk Festival programme can be found on the 12-page festival programme, available at outlets throughout West Lothian, and at www.linlithgowfolk.com (new window)
Community fayre at Wester Inch
Wester Inch Community Fayre takes place at Simpson Primary School from 9am to 1pm on Saturday 4 September.
As well as offering a fun day out for the family, the event provides an opportunity for people to learn more about what's going on in the area.
Activities include a DJ and live music from local talent, the chance to take a health MOT, fun and games, an opportunity to win some prizes and craft and home baking stalls.
For younger visitors, there will also be story reading, bounce and tickle reading event for toddlers, face painting, the library bus and even a fire engine.
Information will also be available on some of the many new projects in the pipeline for the town, including the new train station.
Enterprising Bathgate will also be on hand to represent local businesses and show the major improvements planned for the town centre, while council staff from a variety of services will also be available to advise in areas such as recycling, the environment, advice shop, trading standards and much more.
A number of Bathgate societies, organisations, and clubs, Bathgate Regal Theatre and Bathgate Volunteer Centre are also attending to showcase their work.
Organisers are also looking for donations for the main raffle. Anyone looking to donate should contact 0787 928 3397 or 0790 954 7673.
Closure of River Avon heritage trail beneath Torphichen Bridge
Due to a section of boardwalk beneath the Torphichen road bridge being unsafe, the River Avon heritage trail has been closed at this point.
The boardwalk will be repaired or replaced , but it is not sure when the trail will be reopened.
An alternative route is not being suggested, as it would require the use of busy roads. The trail can be rejoined at Muiravonside Country Park or from the Union Canal towpath near the aqueduct.
For further information contact the Access Officer on 01506 775249.
Business association looking for some tasty questions
This year's 'Question Time Linlithgow' will take place at 8pm on Wednesday 29 September at Taste Delicatessen.
Amongst the panellists lined up is award-winning political journalist, publisher and former broadcaster Lesley Riddoch.
Other panellists are Steven Sweeney, Financial Director at Campbell's Prime Meat, and Councillor Peter Johnston - the Leader of West Lothian Council. The remaining place on the panel is reserved for a senior representative from the banking industry.
The panellists will face questions from members and guests of the Linlithgow Business Association (LBA), and, as in the broadcast version, they will have no prior knowledge of the questions.
LBA Chairman, David Tait, said: "This is another strong line up, and we have a quartet of excellent panellist. I'm absolutely sure we'll have another full house for Question Time."
Moderating the event will be Simon Walton, from the LBA. "It's always been a lively evening," said Simon, "this time promises to be even more so.
Think pink during Breast Cancer Awareness month
Breast Cancer Care is encouraging people in West Lothian to celebrate Fridays throughout October - Breast Cancer Awareness month - by taking part in the charity?s Pink Fridays fundraising campaign.
Money raised goes to support the 4,000 people who are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in Scotland.
You can register for a free Pink Fridays fundraising kit, full of party ideas and fundraising tips at www.pinkfridays.org.uk (new window) or call 0870 164 9422 fior fuller details.
Food co-op at Fauldhouse
Fauldhouse Community Development Trust hold a food co-op every Friday from 10am to 2pm, selling low cost fresh fruit and veg.
Much of the produce is grown locally.
Donations wanted for Shoe Box Appeal
Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian is supporting the Blythswood Care Shoe Box Appeal and will accept donations on their behalf.
Shoeboxes will be distributed to Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, India, Moldova, Pakistan, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine. Find out more by visiting www.shoeboxappeal.org (new window)
For Christmas delivery, shoeboxes should be at the Gateway by Friday 55 November or dropped off at the stall during the Charity Market on Saturday 30 October at the Regal Community Theatre, Bathgate.
Life's a picnic for park visitors thanks to team from Prince's Trust
Over a five-day period the team - Jade Carty, Tony Cassidy, Moira Crawford, Lee Jones, Ross MacFarlane, Michael Richardson, Nicole Roy and Stuart Williamson - removed numerous trees, bushes and overgrown shrubs from the area. They also dug out a large amount of soil to level the surface.
From funds they had raised, the team bought a membrane to cover the area to subdue weed growth.
And to complete the project, they then renovated two benches and also placed a number of picnic tables within the area to enable visitors to the park to enjoy their picnics.
To further enhance the area and encourage wildlife, the team built a number of bird boxes which have been positioned in nearby trees.
The Prince's Trust team would like to thank Alan McHarg for his help and support during the project. The team would also like to say a big thank you to Jade McNeill from Asda in Livingston for supplying cold drinks and a barbecue to keep moral up during the project.
They hope that visitors to the park will enjoy the new picnic area.
Proper movers and shakers
The belly dancing class at the Lanthorn community centre, Dedridge, have named themselves the Movers and Shakers.
The group now also have a constitution and hope to apply for a grant to learn other forms of dance.
St Kentigern's Academy invited to celebrate Mass with the Pope
Staff and pupils from St Kentigern's Academy, Blackburn, have been invited to join thousands of other young Catholics from across the country at a Celebration of Mass with Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to the UK.
The Mass will be celebrated on Thursday 16 September in Bellahouston Park, Glasgow, after the Pope has been received by the Queen at the Palace of Holyrood House.
140 pupils from across all year groups will be selected to attend the Mass, and will be accompanied by 15 staff from across the school. In addition, 15 S6 pupils have been invited to assist the congregation receive Holy Communion and two pupils will travel to St Mary's University College in Twickenham to listen to the address that the Pope will deliver to young people.
The pupils will see another familiar Blackburn face on the day. For singer Susan Boyle has been invited to sing at the Mass.
Keep on dancing at Zumba
One of West Lothian's most experienced dance teachers has started a number of Zumba classes across the district.
Joanne Healy holds classes at Craigsfarm community centre on a Monday from 8 - 9pm and on a Wednesday from 10 - 11am.
She also has classes in Riverside Primary School from 7 - 8pm and a new one starting from Wednesday, 25 August, in The Club, Broxburn, between 7 and 8pm.
"People don't realise that Zumba involves such a high percentage of dance," said Joanne, "it's a great way to have fun and keep fit and is very enjoyable too."
Anyone for a big cup of coffee?
Macmillan Cancer Support are holding a public coffee morning from 10am - 12 noon on Saturday 25 September at Howden Park Centre.
The event is part of McMillan's World's Biggest Coffee Morning.
Keep an eye out for voter forms
Voter Registration Forms are being issued to all households in the West Lothian Area.
Please return the form as soon as possible.
If you do not receive one or you require any assistance in completing the form or information about registering to vote or postal voting please contact the Electoral Registration Office on 0131 344 2500 or visit www.lothian-vjb.gov.uk (new window)
Fair weather farewell to gala season
And there was fair weather as the gala parade left Letham Primary School, bound for the main venue at Riverside Primary School.
Queen Alexandra Cassidy and king Jordan Hunter were crowned in the gala marquee by last year's king and queen.
Following the crowning ceremony, Mr Boom treated the crowd to his one man show.
Other entertainment included Dance Craze, Irish dancing, Dance Factory, Livingston Pipe Band, Dalkeith Pipe Band, displays of karate and tae kwon-do and a mixture of sports, including tug of war and children's races.
CLICK HERE (new window) to view 60 pictures from Craigshill Gala
Area garden winners announced
The winners of the best flower garden, best vegetable garden best Livingston garden, Oatridge College award and the much sought after West Lothian Gardener of the Year title will be announced at the prize giving ceremony on Friday 6 November at the Low Port Centre in Linlithgow.
Check the local community news pages for details of the area award winners.
This year's judges were Elspeth Ross from Oatridge College and Scott Hill-Anderson from West Lothian Council. Scott said: "Despite the worst winter in 30 years West Lothian Gardener's have pulled out all the stops to produce this years wonderful flower displays."
Alcohol licence suspended following under-age sales
An Uphall shop has had its alcohol licence suspended for three months.
Following three sales to underage children, police had requested that West Lothian Licensing Board review the licence of Shopsmart in Uphall.
A police spokesperson said: "This should serve as a warning to other retailers that police will take action if they do not apply stringent controls to the sale of alcohol.
The chair of the Licensing Board, Councillor John Cochrane, commented: "The law is there to protect our communities from the issues associated with underage drinking. It is wholly irresponsible for any business to put young people at risk and we take these incidents very seriously."
Entertainers celebrate 40th anniversary
The group's first pantomime was at the former Craigshill High School.
Rehearsals take place at Craigsfarm Campus. For details, contact Jan Dignon on 01506 431803 or Sharon Greig on 01506 200191. CLICK HERE to view a larger picture
Put your west foot forward all the way to winter
The latest put Your West Foot Forward walk programme is currently being rolled out across West Lothian.
Programmes, giving details of local walks, can be obtained from community centres, libraries and medical practices. They list all the walks from now until December. Walks last between 30 minutes and an hour.
For fuller details, contact laura.dunkel@westlothian.gov.uk or phone 01506 771896.
Click here (new window) for fuller information and to view a short video from a recent walk.
Footpaths closed to allow for demolition
Various footpaths in Deans South will be closed at times until Monday 25 October.
These include Staffa, Jura, Arran, Bute and Deans South.
Pedestrians will be diverted along signposted routes using adjacent footpaths.
The closures are to allow for demolition of residential housing and garage blocks.
Volunteers wanted for tidy-up
The Keep Wester Inch Village Tidy campaign is organising a half-day for volunteers to help clean and tidy the village from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday 11 September.
Volunteers will be supplied with gloves, aprons, bin bags etc.
The meeting point for the tidy-up is the community notice board opposite Simpson Primary School.
Refreshments will be available. Please email us if you wish to volunteer.
Anyone wanting to help should email westerinchassoc@googlemail.com
CLICK HERE to view a full programme of the day's activities.
Fundraiser for Pakistan
The world premiere of a new comedy and a fabulous fashion show will form the centrepiece of a charity gala evening at Howden Park Centre on Wednesday November 17, to raise money for victims of the Pakistan flood disaster.
Everyone taking part or helping out is donating their time free of charge.
Now the event organiser, Beryl Beattie, is looking for more models and actors interested in taking part in the show.
Beryl said: "You cannot sit and watch the devastation and human suffering from your cosy, comfortable home and not want to help in some way alleviate at least some of this."
The format of the evening will be along similar lines to last year's smash hit Gala evening, with the world premiere of new comedy play 'Vanity at the Vicarage', and the fashion show.
Anyone interested in taking part should telephone Beryl on 01506 432011 or email berylbeattie@aol.com
Tickets cost £7 and can be obtained now from the box office, 01506 777666.
Environmental health close takeaway
Environmental health officers from West Lothian Council have been forced into emergency action to close a Chinese takeaway.
The hygiene standards at Ying?s Chinese, 19A Main Street, Deans, Livingston were so bad that they provided a ?significant danger? to public health.
It is the second time in only six months that officers have closed the business.
A report is also being prepared for the Procurator Fiscal.
10k event in aid of Cancer Research
The Hopetoun House 10K event takes place on Sunday 17 October.
The event is in aid of Cancer Research UK.
Entry is £19.50, which includes a free run 10k T-shirt to wear on the day.
You can enter at www.run10k.org (new window)
Stephanie reaches out for help with fundraiser
For Stephanie Tennant's eight-month-old son Daniel (pictured) was born with a similar abnormality.
"I was not aware of Reach until he was born," said Stephanie, from Bathgate, "and, as you can imagine, this was a hard time for me.
"But the hospital put me in touch with Reach and the help I received was amazing."
Now Stephanie is busy organising the big fund-raising night, at the Cairn Hotel, Bathgate, on Saturday 4 September.
Family and friends have all rallied round to help Stephanie, and her two brothers will be getting waxed on the night in aid of the charity.
Tickets for the ball are selling quite well, but there are still plenty available. And Stephanie is hoping that local companies will donate items for raffle or auction.
"All companies who donate will recieve promotion on the night," added Stephanie.
- Anyone wishing to donate or looking for tickets, can contact Stephanie on stephanie_tennant@hotmail.com
Party in park to launch music festival
A party in the park on Sunday 12 September will launch the Bathgate Music Festival 2010.
The party, in Kirkton Park, includes Boghall Family Fun Day, from 10.30am to 12.30pm, and live bands between 12.30 and 5pm.
Bands lined up to play include: Fire and I, Flip Banshee, YAP Music, Columbia, Look Left Again and The Amorettes.
The music festival runs until 18 September
As well as a variety of musical acts at a host of venues throughout the town during the week, 'Live at the Steelyard' on Saturday 18 September, will provide a lively line up of free musical entertainment between 11.15am and 3pm.
All ages are catered for during the week, including babies and toddlers, with Judith Gray hosting a Mini Music Makers taster session in the Regal community theatre on Wednesday, 15 September.
Skerryvore are performing with West Lothian Schools Pipe Band at the Regal community theatre from 7pm on Sunday 12 September. Tickets cost £12 or £9 for concessions.
Pitching in for new sports facilities
by Council Leader Peter Johnston and sportscotland Chief Executive Stewart
Harris.
The ambitious project is the culmination of over a decade of hard work by local community volunteers, and will deliver excellent facilities to the club's 650 members and the wider community in the Broxburn area.
It has been funded through an innovative partnership approach, with West Lothian Council providing £1.6m in full, sportscotland contributing £500,000 and a £150,000 donation from the Scottish Government's Cashback For Communities scheme.
The club themselves also put £100,000 towards the total, with other contributions including the Robertson Trust (£60,000), Social Investment Scotland (£50,000) and Gannochy Trust (£10,000).
BUSC is a charitable, not-for-profit social enterprise company, which brings together local clubs with the aim of creating sporting pathways and opportunities for young people in the area. They will run the new resource on behalf of the council on a 50-year lease.
Going to great heights for charity appeal
It's looking for volunteers to take part in a charity abseil at the shopping centre in aid of, charity of the year, Bosom Buds of Scotland.
The 70ft abseil from the roof of The Centre will take place on Saturday 11 September, from 10am - 7pm to raise funds for the West Lothian-based cancer charity.
Volunteers from the charity and from the management team at The Centre and a team of nurses from St John's Oncology unit, as well as Miss West Lothian contestants, have already come forward to offer their support.
But there is room for as many as 750 people to take part during the course of the day.
Jennifer Bruce, Marketing Manager at The Centre, said: "Our charity abseil is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the shopping centre from a totally different perspective."
Bosom Buds of Scotland was registered in November and is run by Mags and Kate Fenwick, from Linlithgow, and a committee of friends based around West Lothian. Kate (24) was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 and regularly attended St John's Oncology Unit in Livingston for her treatment.
- For more information on the abseil event, log onto www.shopthecentre.co.uk (new window) or www.bosombudsofscotland.org (new window)
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