the 60p ISSUE 38 NOV 2015 BLACK bitch · Save our ‘protected’ Preston Fields p5 Linlithgow Allotments p9 ‘Walk for Jock’ fundraiser p17 100% AL Linlithgow Advent Fayre is

Save our ‘protected’ Preston Fields p5

Linlithgow Allotments p9

‘Walk for Jock’ fundraiser p17

100% LOCAL

Linlithgow Advent Fayre is ready for unwrapping p13

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Linlithgow’s news by Linlithgow people

60p ISSUE 38 NOV 2015

Walk for Jock, Linlithgow Players, Linlithgow Academy, ‘Beechgrove Gardens’, Burgh Beautiful, St Michael’s Hospital, Linlithgow Advent Fayre... and so much more!Plus

2 Black Bitch Issue 38 Nov 2015

Soups, panini, toasties, posh sandwiches,

baked potatoes, gluten and dairy free cakes, homemade cakes and desserts, ice creams,

smoothies & juices and speciality teas & coffees. Remember to use your Loyalty card.

So friendly.Open 7 Days. Outside seating

Dogs eat and drink free (outside!)

SUPPORTING & SOURCING PRODUCTS LOCALLY

t: 01506 8433333 THE CROSS, LINLITHGOW

what’s new...

happiness is homemade!

WE’VE REFURBISHED!

Kelpies Bar, 271 High Street, Linlithgow, EH49 7EP tel. 07849 083910

www.facebook.com/kelpiesbarTwitter: @kelpiesbar www.kelpiesbar.co.uk

COMING SOON... Linlithgow’s newest bar, offering live

entertainment, top quality sports coverage and a great atmosphere.

JOIN US FOR OUR GRAND OPENING on Friday 20th November

from 7.00pm right through to 1.00am. Enjoy live entertainment and a superb selection

of drinks in newly refurbished surroundings.We look forward to welcoming

friends old and new.

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ContentsContact the Black BitchFor editorial and to advertise: [email protected]: David Tait, 07767 713024

Want to comment? Get in touch at: [email protected]

The Linlithgow Community Magazine (aka The Black Bitch) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO): SCO42542Find us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter The paper we are using is FSC approved. Images: A big thank you to all our photographers who support the magazine throught the year.

4 Folk Fae Lithgae – Craig Kennedy

5 Save our ‘Preston Fields’

6 Linlithgow Reed Band launch CD

7 Support for Syria! – Linlithgow reflects

8 EH49 Food Co-op – fresh & organic food!

9 Linlithgow Allotments - green with envy

10 New Hopetoun Gardens – Festive advice

11 BBC’s ‘Beechgrove’ comes to town

12 Linlithgow Ladies Choir Xmas Concert 2015

13 Linlithgow Advent Fayre – fun for all the family

14 Community support for St Michael’s Hospital

15 Book Review – Lisa Nettleton

16 Christmas Trade Fayre– Linlithgow Academy

17 ‘It’s what we do’ – Walk for Jock

18 Golf Poser – Christmas shopping made easy

19 Linlithgow Players – Oh Yes, it’s Panto time

22 Competitions and winners

23 Your guide to local events

On a serious note,WEST LOTHIAN COUNCIL LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN AS IT AFFECTS

LINLITHGOW...With the recent reversal of the policy of development restraint in Linlithgow the floodgates have opened and the town is under siege from developers with potential projects in and around Linlithgow.West Lothian Council is taking a traditional approach of allocating individual fields for housing development, each to be considered by the planners in isolation without thinking about how a more comprehensive development plan could help solve ongoing infrastructure issues affecting Linlithgow such as traffic in the High Street, air pollution, education, social-rented housing, public transport, parking and the condition of Linlithgow Loch.Linlithgow Planning Forum is asking YOU to support its alternative approach which could be paraphrased as “infrastructure and ‘Areas of Great Landscape Value’ first, development second”.We hope you were able to visit the public exhibition of our proposal on

17th November and submitted your comments then. If not, there is still time before the formal ‘consultation’ period ends on Sunday 22nd November to read our report “LINLITHGOW – A Plan for the Future 2015-2030” on our website at http://bit.ly/1QoAZJJYou can then submit your comments direct to West Lothian Council at https://www.esurveycreator.co.uk/s/WLC_PROPOSEDPLAN before the deadline of 22nd November.This is a key moment for Linlithgow, an opportunity to address issues that have been avoided (being too difficult!) for too long; an opportunity to adopt a logical medium term plan that will create a sustainable community to be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.

MAKE YOUR VIEWS KNOWN NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.We urge you not to miss this opportunity to play your part in determining the future of your community. Linlithgow Planning ForumNote: Please read the article on page 5 by a resident deeply concerned at the potential and wholly unnecessary loss of an area of great amenity value.

Readers out and about in Linlithgow over the past few weeks can hardly fail to have noticed unusual but apt signs, saying ‘Bye Bye’ and ‘Lucky Me’, in the floral planters and flowerbeds that West Lothian Council intends to remove as part of its spending cuts.This campaign by Burgh Beautiful Linlithgow has already had very promising results, with the local community responding positively

through offers of voluntary help, annual sponsorships of hanging baskets and tubs, and donations. Burgh Beautiful is extremely grateful to all who have given or promised their assistance, but still needs more help if we are to work together to keep as many of the town’s floral displays as possible. There are still some hanging baskets and tubs to sponsor, and more volunteers are still very much needed to help with planting and maintenance. Please also support Burgh Beautiful’s fund-raising stall at the Advent Fayre.For further details, please visit Burgh Beautiful’s web pages at www.lct.org.uk/burgh_beautiful/. You can join, sponsor or donate online (or by post) or telephone 01506 670758 if you require a sponsorship form.Ron Smith, Sponsorship and Planting Coordinator, Burgh Beautiful Linlithgow

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The Linlithgow retained fire station crew manager, Craig Kennedy, is unique at the Philip Avenue facility. Unlike his colleagues, who combine

their duties with other jobs, the Fire Service is both his primary and secondary occupation, as he explained:

“I have been in the Fire Service for more than twenty five years. I am a wholetime (that is, full time) crew manager at Bathgate station, but when I am not actually working on my shift, I am running out of Linlithgow retained, using a radio pager, which all the crew have to alert them to emergency calls. There’s an advantage there, the fact that I’ve got the experience and training from my full- time job, which I can bring to Linlithgow.” With being involved in the retained system for eight years, Craig knows how that works too:

“There are a lot of pressures on family and personal life, because you are at the beck and call of a pager and you don’t know when it will go off”, he says.

Retained firefighters were traditionally called ‘part-time firefighters’. However this term is now widely acknowledged as inaccurate, as most retained staff are not allowed to provide any less than 70 hours a week ‘on call’.

“We’ve got to try and cover twenty four hours a day, three hundred and sixty five days a year”, Craig told me, “So keeping the machine staffed and going out the door at every call is hard work. The local crew is very good and very rarely are we not ready to respond. They are a dedicated lot and the town is lucky they’ve got folk who are willing to put in so much time and effort into providing a fire and rescue service.”

Away from his Fire Service commitments, Craig is well

known as one of the coaches of the girls’ squad at the Linlithgow Rose Community Football Club. The squad was established in 2010 to offer girls in the area an opportunity to play football, and Craig became involved through his daughter, Rheanna. He told me: “It was exciting to get a girls’ team up and running. It was new and it kind of exploded in the town. It’s gone from strength to strength and is exceptionally well run by Doug Johnston. There are now six of us coaching, which means we can share the load. It’s a great club to be a part of and we have had loads of great experiences. It’s a really nice place to be. The girls thoroughly enjoy it and they are all dead keen.”

Craig is very impressed by the girls who take part: “The football’s good, as is the attitude. I find that the girls’/ women’s game seems to be the way the game should be played. There is very little bad language or cheating.”

Craig was fortunate enough to go with the Rose girls to the Gothia Cup in Sweden this year, an exceptional experience for everyone. Seventeen hundred boys’ and girls’ teams of all ages, from all over the world, took part and the girls were one of only three teams from Scotland. A similar experience awaits next August, as they have now been nominated to represent Scotland at an event in Norway.

The Fire Service and the Rose girls’ team benefit every year from Craig’s boat-building skills at the annual canal cardboard boat race. Craig is something of a legend at the event and usually comes up with fantastic designs. This year the girls carried off first prize for the fastest entry, with Craig’s own team finishing third.

Murdoch Kennedy

Folk Fae LithgaeCRAIG KENNEDY

Black Bitch Issue 38 Nov 2015

Y ou hated the land and the coarse speak of the folk and learning was brave

and fine one day; and the next you’d waken with the peewits crying across the hills, deep and deep, crying in the heart of you and the smell of the earth in your face, almost you’d cry for that, the beauty of it and the sweetness of the Scottish land and skies.” Sunset Song, Lewis Grassic Gibbon.

Once it’s gone, it’s gone. An Area of Great Landscape Value, buried under tonnes of concrete and pebble dash and cars and lawn.

In 1947, the people who knew the land’s time was up drafted AGLV status in the Town and Country Planning Act. There was building all over after the war’s destruction, and it was time to scatter into the peace of the suburbs, away from the fallen buildings, and damp tenements.

But some forward thinkers could see the land grab was on. So they gave special areas special protection. Such as a field next to an 1840s Grade A mansion in South Linlithgow, which had once been magnificent parkland setting for the seat of the Seatons, Preston House.

Historic Scotland says the setting of Grade A listed properties must be preserved:

“Setting can be important to the way in which historic structures or places are understood, appreciated and experienced. Planning authorities must take into account the setting of historic assets or places when drawing up development plans and guidance, when considering various types of environmental and design assessments/ statements, and in determining planning applications.”

Preston Fields was later turned over to agriculture, from parkland. But we needed to eat. (Do we not still need to eat?) It became farmland, but it stayed beautiful, and special, and protected.

It nestles before Preston House, and it introduces us to Cockleroy. It is the lungs of a town that becomes more and more besieged by the internal combustion engine.

The field is ignorant of all this. It trundles on, timeless, still hosting the well-head that used to provide springwater for the Kings and Queens of Scotland when they still ruled from Scotland, still sloping down to the canalside, still being beautiful. Still turning over with the seasons.

And so the suburbs spread west of town, and so the wildlife dwindled. Until species like bats and badgers had to be protected, just like Preston Fields was, and so they retreated to the boundaries of the field, but everyone could still enjoy seeing them all the time.

So when the local residents saw surveyors one day last summer, they did a bit of digging, and found that the field... the town’s field... could be included in the Draft Local Development Plan.

The Council received nearly 40 objections to this site being included, more than any other site in West Lothian, but still it was included, despite the layers of protection it has, and despite West Lothian Council’s learned landscape report saying it should stay protected.

A bit more digging by residents, and we find the field... our field... is not only shown as housing in the development plan, but detailed designs for 68 large properties have already been drawn-up by Cala Homes, which the Council has in its possession, but somehow fails to make public.

But the residents remember the

surveyors, and dig even deeper, push harder, and an email appears showing what the Council received from Cala.

And the proposed boundary changes for Linlithgow, which cut into our protected field, follows exactly the line of the developers proposals. Kind of like a fait accompli. Kind of like We The People and our many objections would never be listened to anyway. Kind of like the 140 extra cars going past the school every morning wouldn’t be a problem in the problematic car park that is Preston Road every single school day. Kind of like hundreds of years of our land heritage can be bought and built on when our backs are turned.

This sort of development to the congested West of town is not what the Linlithgow Planning Forum wants or has outlined. Of course there is a need for more housing, and of course people want to live in this wonderful town, but this is addressed in the LPF plans.

It seems the town must develop, but its character must also be protected. Its Areas of Great Landscape Value must not be lost to urban creep. Its stately views must not be obscured. Protected wildlife must not be driven away. Let tourists in boats idle past Katie Shaw’s brig and spot kingfishers, not Jaguars.

Because Grassic Gibbon was right. We are tied to the land, and it needs us to protect it for future generations.

Please join Preston Fields on Facebook, and you can object to these draft development plans up and until 22 November.

*Emma Gordon is a freelance journalist who works across newspapers and radio stations in Scotland, and lives in Linlithgow.

Emma Gordon

SAVE OUR FIELD THE BATTLE OF PRESTON FIELDS...

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ONCE IT’S GONE, IT’S GONE...

REED BAND LAUNCHES CD FOR DIAMOND YEAR

Members of the Royal Burgh of Linlithgow Reed Band are toasting

another very successful year.The band has undergone something of a renaissance in recent times and the trend has continued this year, with record turnouts at concert and marching engagements and increasing numbers coming along to weekly rehearsals in all three sections. Now the members are looking forward to 2016 and the band’s diamond jubilee celebrations.

In preparation for what will be a momentous occasion, with commemorative events and another trip to Germany being planned, the local musicians have spent the past few months recording a CD. The finished product, entitled ‘Marching On’ will be officially launched at the annual Christmas concert in St Michael’s Parish Church on Sunday 13th December at 7.00pm.

Band President, Jonathan Molloy, explained that the CD had been a long time in the planning. He told me:

“Two years ago, we started thinking forward about our diamond jubilee in 2016. We set up a sub-committee and putting together a recording was one of the projects we quickly identified. To be able to use the CD throughout 2016, we needed

to get it recorded this year, so we took the chance to do that and had four recording sessions in the Linlithgow Academy hall, under the direction of sound engineer, Andy Box, whose wife Lesley is one of our saxophonists.”

Together with conductor, Lex McDowell, Jonathan and his committee spent quite a while deciding which pieces should be featured. They wanted the recording to feature music the public would instantly associate with the Reed Band and would expect to hear on a recording.

Many of the pieces are particularly linked with the Marches Day, as Jonathan explained: “The running order almost mirrors the way we play the pieces on Marches Day. So, early on, we feature ‘The Moray Firth’, which is always the opening march along the High Street at 7.00am, as well as ‘Crimond’, played in tribute to departed band members at 6.55am at the West Port. Then we work our way through the day with a variety of marches and static pieces and the CD ends with ‘The Roke’ and then ‘Auld Lang Syne’, the traditional finale we play at the Cross at 6.00pm.”

Other popular numbers include ‘Rose of Kelvingrove’, which highlights the talents of the Town Piper, Ross Miller, and ‘Alte Kameraden’ (Old Comrades), which is a tribute to the band’s close twinning links

with Germany, first established in 1981.This will be the first recording for over twenty-five years and the band’s development is reflected by the fact that more than 70 musicians were involved in the four recording sessions. They are all individually credited on the CD cover.

Jonathan Molloy paid tribute to the tremendous expertise of Andy Box and believes that recording the CD was a positive experience for everyone:

“It really highlighted what you need to do to put on a good performance.”

The Christmas concert on 13th December was identified as the ideal launch date and after then, copies will be available from band members and at Wilson’s Newsagents at the Cross.

Brisk sales are expected in the weeks leading up to Christmas, when the players will be undertaking their usual busy Festive programme, including playing carols in the local supermarkets on 19th and 24th December.

“The ‘Marching On’ CD is an ideal stocking filler and I have no doubt that many will be making their way to Linlithgow exiles all over the world”, said Jonathan.

Murdoch Kennedy



On 12 September an event was held in Linlithgow to show solidarity with the thousands

of Syrian refugees who are, as you read this, trying to find safety in Europe, away from the troubles in their own country. ‘Linlithgow Sees Syria’ was one of a global network of similar events held on that day to show the governments of the world that people are horrified at the hardships being endured by these refugees. People gathered and lit candles to show their empathy. The event was also supported by MSP Fiona Hyslop and MP Martyn Day.

Afterwards I spoke to event co-ordinator, Elaine Gardner, about why she had wanted to organise the day.

Q. What made you hold the event?

After seeing the pictures in the news, in particular the one of wee Aylan Kurdi, I felt I needed to do something to show I was thinking of the refugees. I had already donated to a couple of funds but, as a parent, those pictures really touched my heart. I saw an event called ‘Edinburgh Sees Syria’ on Facebook so had planned to go to that. But knowing I could only go for an hour or so, as I have three kids myself, I asked a few friends what they thought of setting up a ‘Linlithgow sees Syria’.

Q. How easy was it to get it set up?

After getting a good verbal response I set up a Facebook page. I also contacted the Edinburgh event for advice. I was helped by friends such as

Kirsten Lamb and Susan Seaton who, along with our children, made and distributed posters. Marcia Coutts helped with the setting up on the day along with her husband Gary and my husband Bruce.

Q. How did you decide on the format?

I took advice from other smaller events that were being held throughout Europe and knew it had to be that date and time to link up with them. It was included on the ‘Europe Sees Syria’ webpage. It was important to show the world that we were seeing what was happening to the refugees and also to show a united solidarity across the globe.

Q. How did you feel on the morning of the event?

I was really nervous on the day. I knew friends and family would be there, but I was worried that nobody else would be. Over the course of the afternoon there were 50-60 people lighting candles. I was totally overwhelmed at the support. People from all walks of life and all ages turned up; the plight of the refugees had obviously affected them too. A few commented on how they were pleased to see a local event as getting to the bigger ones would have been difficult for them

Q. How did you feel it went?

I was so pleased with how it went; couldn’t have asked for better. So many different people all turned up with the same goal in mind; to show our

solidarity with the refugees and to show our governments that we see what’s happening and that we aren’t happy with it. We were also a drop-off point for CalAid Bo’ness and the West Lothian Calais Shoe Box Appeal and the donations were amazing.

Q. Do you think it’s something that should be repeated?

I’m not sure. We need to keep it in the forefront of the governments’ minds. It would be a shame for it to be a flash in the pan and then people forget. Refugees are still dying trying to get to a better life. No parent would risk their child’s life like that if it wasn’t absolutely necessary.

Alison Train

LINLITHGOW SHOWING SOLIDARITY WITH SYRIA


If you care about great-tasting and healthy food, about supporting local producers and about cutting

your food miles, then EH49 Food is for you.Run by a small group of passionate volunteers, EH49 Food is bringing fresh and delicious food every week to Linlithgow – food which is also locally-sourced, sustainable and sold at fair, affordable prices.

How it works is simple. You order your selection of delicious local produce on the EH49 Food website (www.eh49foodcoop.co.uk) before 9.00am on a Tuesday, and then either pick it up on a Friday afternoon from the Linlithgow Masonic Hall, or have it delivered straight to your door for a small charge.

The advantage of picking it up means not just that you get to chat to your neighbours and the EH49 Food volunteers, but that you can also check out our ‘pot luck’ and ‘meet the supplier’ stalls.

Our produce changes with the seasons, and includes organic fruit, vegetables and herbs, homemade jams, rye and sourdough breads, free range eggs, salad dressings and organic dairy produce (cheeses, butter, milk and yogurt).

We work with a fantastic cast of suppliers, who put their hearts and souls into making great produce. They include: Cyrenians Farm, a charity supporting vulnerable people; Tiphereth, a social enterprise working with people with disabilities; and award-winning artisan baker Andante. We also offer space for allotment or garden surplus.EH49 Food began as the shared vision of some local residents of having somewhere we could connect as a community and have access to fresh, local food. The heart of EH49 Food is the people involved – customers, volunteers and suppliers – and the ethical standards we follow, aiming to be fair, affordable and kind to our environment.

We are committed to:

* Delivering fresh, local and sustainable food.

* Sharing healthy and seasonal recipe ideas.

* Making it easy to order and pick up.

* Supporting farmers, the community and the environment.

After plenty of hard work from local volunteers and amazing support from the community, our vision of a sustainable food system is finally coming to fruition. Our aim is for our community-owned enterprise, run by local residents, to supply some of the great local produce Scotland has to offer. Since we launched in July this year, we have had a huge amount of positive feedback from our customers, and are proud to be making a difference in our local community. We have new customers every week, and happy customers returning, and we are delighted to be slowly expanding what we do.Many of us are increasingly aware of the shortcomings of our current food system and are looking for an alternative to plastic-wrapped pesticide-drenched produce flown halfway across the world. At EH49 Food we are making an effort to connect with our local growers and have discovered many amazing projects offering delicious local products. It’s all about residents of the town working together to create a different and more interesting way to connect with great local food.

Alan Brown

EH49 Food Fresh, Organic Produce on Your Doorstep

Volunteer with us?We are always looking for more people to help out with the project. The EH49 Food team meets every Wednesday at 7.30pm in the Star & Garter Hotel – do please drop in for a chat if you are interested in getting involved.

More information? Our online shop, blog, recipes, newsletter subscription – and lots more – can be found at: www.eh49foodcoop.co.ukFollow us on social media:Facebook: facebook.com/eh49foodTwitter: @eh49foodEmail us at: [email protected]

9Want to comment? Get in touch at: [email protected] 9

My favourite book when I was a child was ‘The Secret Garden’. The anticipation of the beautiful garden that lay behind the locked door was

always captivating. It is therefore predictable that I could not resist taking on an allotment that is tucked away in a ‘secret garden-style’ location at Oakwell, just past the Park Bistro.

You have to know where you are going from the main road otherwise you would drive past, unaware of the spectacle of flowers, vegetables and fruits that lie within the gates. As you enter you have the sense of being transported to another world. A place with a serene atmosphere, surrounded by beautiful aromas of herbs and flowers, and stunning views across the canal and beyond to the Forth bridges, Cockelroy and the Fife coast.

The allotments were established since 2011, with a Climate Challenge Fund grant and funding from the Scotland Rural Development Programme, which enabled 72 plots to be created. A committee of 10 oversees the running of the plots, including paying rent to the landlord, seeking new tenants, general upkeep of the plots and communication with the plot holders.

My original perception of allotmenteers was quite stereotypical. I imagined older gentlemen pottering about in sheds. This image could not be further from the reality.

There are a wide variety of allotmenteers, including the odd gentleman who likes to potter in his shed! However, there is no typical demographic, there are the very young, including children who help their parents, some young professionals, people who work locally and garden during their lunch hour, and couples who share a passion for gardening.

It is very daunting being a newbie amongst some of the magnificent plots, which have rows of neatly planted vegetables, not one weed in sight and are bordered with decorative flowers such as vibrant red poppies, or fragrant purple lavender. But everyone is very friendly and always happy to answer any questions. When the good weather arrived this year I didn’t increase my visits to my plot enough and was repaid by Mother Nature with a plot full of weeds. Rather than judge me, my neighbours were very encouraging, offering help and hints and tips to keep on top of weeds. Many of them explained that their first year was the most difficult.

The community aspect of the allotments is one of the best things about it, and the committee harness this community spirit by organising events such as the recent autumn harvest. This year we had a beautiful sunny day and many of the allotmenteers came along and joined in with a barbeque, and light hearted competitions such as ‘best scarecrow’ and ‘best jam’.

It is not an expensive hobby, a smaller plot such as mine costs £60 per year. The communal shed contains wheelbarrows and tools to share. It also houses a table where allotmenteers leave spare vegetables and fruit beside an honesty box for money that goes towards the allotment fund, which helps keep costs as low as possible. The committee manages the fund which is used for general upkeep, as well as for larger items such as a much-needed rabbit-proof fence. It also regularly organises deliveries of compost and bark, and co-ordinates deliveries of seeds and plants in the Spring.

There is a small waiting list for plots – but usually the wait is not very long – and if you are interested in joining, or just finding out more about the plots, then please contact [email protected]. Of course, you are always very welcome to come and visit our secret gardens.

Gillian Arthur

Linlithgow Allotments

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We all have a tendency to batten down the hatches as winter starts to bite, ignore our gardens, draw the curtains

in the evenings, light the candles and keep cosy. But there are lots of little ways that we can include our gardens in the festive celebrations, which will give us pleasure and delight our visitors!During the week it’s often dark when we leave in the mornings and dark when we come back home, so welcoming lights could be the best addition you could make. Fairy lights in plants in your front garden are so easy to arrange but look so stylish. But it’s also very welcoming to have some planted pots at the front door to greet you and your friends. Give them a festive touch with battery-powered lights, some Christmas-coloured ting-ting stems or some coloured stems of red or yellow Dogwood.

We have found some really effective solar-powered garden lights that will work in the winter in Scotland. They have a winter setting to extend the battery life to at least six hours operation in winter evenings, and are really bright in comparison to the cheaper versions that have disappointed us for years. There are also battery-powdered fairy lights that can be set for six hours every evening and will last for up to 60 days – so you don’t even need to worry about installing outside electric sockets.

Once you are safe and warm indoors why not keep some curtains open so you can enjoy the view from inside? So long as you have good double glazing the extra heat loss from having the curtains open shouldn’t be excessive, but of course you will have to light up this view of your garden. The simplest way is to have a security light fixed up above the window or patio door so you can’t see the light from inside but it illuminates your view.

You can enhance the view with some festive decorations on the patio. We make a wreath using evergreen leaves from the garden stuck into a wet floral foam wreath. Use little clippings of conifers, ivy, evergreen shrubs and add fir cones and plastic weatherproof baubles. We sit our wreath flat on the patio table and add a pot planted with Christmas roses or winter flowering


DO YOU LET YOUR GARDEN JOIN IN THE FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS? New Hopetoun Gardens

heather. Add a lantern with a longlasting church candle to make a very welcoming sight and in fact we keep our ‘winter’ wreath out until March although we only light the candle occasionally when we can be bothered!

Don’t forget the birds who visit your garden either. Get them to join in with the celebrations by hanging fat seed shapes for them and think about ‘yarn-bombing’ their feeding table and adding some fairy lights! Once started you will need to keep their food supplies going all winter as well as making sure they have fresh water available. When you have human visitors arriving, light a candle in a lantern at the front door to give them a special welcome.

Dougal Philip and Lesley Watson

www.newhopetoungardens.co.uk

A TREE FOR CH

RISTMAS

Order and pay for your tree in

November and we will

deliver it free in December

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BURGH BEAUTIFUL... LINLITHGOW’S GARDEN OF DELIGHT

When we found out back in March that we’d been selected by The

Beechgrove Garden to be this year’s garden for a new build house, we were excited and had in mind a quasi ‘Ground Force’ type transformation experience. That was rapidly consigned to fantasy after the first filming day, when we were left with seven tons of dressed and rough stone to assemble into drystone walls in wire gabion baskets – in the space of ten days.

This set the tone for what turned into an extremely rewarding, time-consuming and exhausting four-month project. Filming days were a funny mixture of hard graft (often with the entire crew mucking in) and hanging around awaiting instruction while the detailed filming segments took place. Both the presenter, Chris Beardshaw, and the crew were all an absolute pleasure to work with – approachable and very happy to chat (while working, of course).

If you ever get a similar opportunity, do grasp it, as we found it an excellent way to learn about many aspects of garden construction, design and the plants themselves. And while we were left with broad objectives, and to our own devices to achieve them in between the four filming days, it forced us to be resourceful – to learn new terminology and construction techniques that we probably wouldn’t have considered if we’d done the garden ourselves from scratch.

Knowing that we’d be filmed certainly helped to focus the mind and our actions. Even if we’d been handed the design and a massive shopping list, without the deadlines I’m sure we’d still be finishing things off next summer. So it’s a real treat to have an amazing garden complete, with loads of actual plants, done and dusted in time to enjoy it before autumn sets in with a vengeance. And to know that we’ve done the majority of the hard work ourselves is incredibly rewarding.

To give a sense of the sheer volume of graft involved, during the course of the project we shifted (sometimes several times) nine bulk bags of hardcore, one of sand, eight of stone, three of gravel, 21 tonnes of soil, loads of logs, 70+ railway sleepers & assorted other timber, and 300 plants. And we filled four skips, manually lifting and tipping wheelbarrows, plus numerous other jobs.

What we’ve ended up with is a million miles away from the empty rubble and tree stump-filled rectangle of rubbish soil with a stupid slope that required a safety rope to plant bulbs on. Instead we have a lovely lawn, gorgeous stone-filled gabions and grey sleeper walls to support an only slightly sloping planting area filled with a big variety of plants. Add in two terraces to catch the sun at different times of day, a pergola

to break up a blank garage wall, fantastic wooden steps and useful utility areas and we are delighted to have a completely unique and practical space to call our own.

It’s now easy to access and actually use the whole of the space of the garden. While the really physical work is now complete, we are now looking forward to the new adventure of learning about and looking after all our lovely plants, to see the garden mature and develop. The time for nurturing and creativity is upon us. We are confident that we are up to the challenge, and are hopeful that the Beechgrove crew will return next year to allow us to show off the culmination of their ideas and the development of our work and input.

Jenni and Euan MacLean


Kirsty Ball (left) & Suzanne Parry

Linlithgow Ladies Choir has taken a bold new step for an amateur choir by commissioning local composer Suzanne Parry to create a new Christmas

work. The premiere of the piece, an arrangement of the traditional Advent hymn ‘O Come O Come Emmanuel’, will be the centrepiece of the Ladies Choir Christmas concert in St Michaels RC Church on Friday 4 December. Kirsty Ball, the choir’s Musical Director, commissioned the work after hearing a performance of Suzanne’s composition ‘Haul Away for Heaven’, in Dunblane Cathedral in 2013. “It quickly became clear that Suzanne and I were on the same wavelength. She understood what I had in mind and was sympathetic to the challenges of writing for ladies’ voices, and for a community choir,” says Kirsty. “Singing contemporary music can feel very different and challenging, but the ladies have been energetic and keen to learn. Suzanne’s music is moving and beautiful. I am very proud that we will be premiering this piece to a Linlithgow audience.”

Originally from Cornwall, Suzanne studied composition at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and then completed a PhD at Edinburgh University. The first work she completed after coming to Scotland was chosen to open the 2007 International Conference on Music Since 1900. Since then her work has been performed widely across the UK, as well as in Finland and Germany. Suzanne has recently won international prizes awarded by Women in Music (Ohio) and Veridian Symphony Orchestra (California), and her work is gaining recognition in the USA. Her next commission is an exploration of the miracles of St Blane, and will be premiered at Dunblane Cathedral in September 2016 to mark the 40th anniversary of the Cathedral’s Arts Guild.

Speaking about ‘O Come O Come Emmanuel’, Suzanne says: “It’s a rare thing to first encounter a Christmas carol as an adult. This is what happened to me three years ago when I heard Jim Moray’s very intimate rendition of ‘O Come O Come Emmanuel’. I felt transported by the power of the haunting medieval tune, and from the original plainchant I have taken my own very personal voyage of exploration.”

As this new venture shows, no one can accuse the members of Linlithgow Ladies Choir of resting on their laurels. The choir started with 15 singers, and now numbers sixty. It regularly puts on its own concerts, but also participates in charity events run by other local organisations, such as the Linlithgow Grange Rotary Club’s Festival of Voices and the Big Sing event for the Alzheimer’s Society. The choir also had the opportunity to sing in the Royal Albert Hall and the Usher Hall to help raise funds for Cancer Research.

In 2014, the choir celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a well-received concert – standing room only – where it showcased favourite songs from over the years. Since then, under Kirsty’s expert guidance, the ladies have been extending their repertoire with songs from a variety of genres ranging from pop and folk to classical. By commissioning a new work, the choir has challenged itself once again.

For Suzanne, the commission from the Ladies Choir is her first Christmas piece, her first experience of working with an amateur group and, notably, the first time her work will be performed in our local community.

For the Ladies Choir it is no less exciting. They are now practising hard every Monday night. While ‘O Come O Come Emmanuel’ is the highlight, the concert programme will feature familiar carols, some with a twist, and some more unusual Christmas carols that are rarely heard.

The Ladies Choir is hoping that their concert will be a joyful occasion for all in the lead-up to Christmas.

CONCERT DETAILS

Venue: St Michael’s RC Church, Blackness Road, Linlithgow. Date: Friday 4 December Time: 7.30pm. Entry by donation (proceeds will go to a local charity)

Patricia Russell

LINLITHGOW LADIES CHOIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Fri 4

DEC

The 19th annual Linlithgow Advent Fayre takes place on Saturday 28th November.

A fantastic fun day for all the family beginning with activities and stalls around the Cross and in the Burgh Halls, and finishing with the torchlight procession along with the switching on of the Christmas lights.

The Linlithgow Advent Fayre opens formally at the Cross at 10am, and runs until 3pm, with a street fair at the Cross and the farmers market at the Vennel. A well-stocked craft fair is situated in the Burgh Halls for all those unusual Christmas gifts. For the children there are fun rides at the Vennel and Mrs Claus in the Burgh Halls. Santa will be roaming the streets with a bag full of sweets. To add to the seasonal atmosphere all the shops and businesses with a window on the High Street are invited to decorate their windows and to take part in the window display competition. The artistry, innovation and humour in window design has just got better and better over the years.

At 4.30pm torches are distributed at Low Port Primary School for the grand torchlight procession. At 5.00pm it moves off from the Low Port, processing through the High Street behind the bands and the Queen’s carriage. The procession turns at St John’s Avenue to return to the Cross for community carols. After the carols the Gala Queen, Isla Calvert, will switch on the Christmas tree lights.

Last year was the biggest Advent Fayre ever, with more than 1,000 in the torchlight procession and at least 1,500 people gathered at the Cross. This year we are hoping the weather will again be kind, for another great procession.For the past 18 years the main costs of the Advent Fayre have been paid for generously by West Lothian Council. This year, funding essential Council services must come first. And, as we have seen with the ending of Council maintenance of the flowerbeds, so too has come the end to the primary Council funding of the Advent Fayre. However, the local businesses, through the Linlithgow BID (Business Improvement District), Forum Events

(the people behind the monthly farmers market) and the Community Council, have stepped in with the necessary funding to keep the Advent Fayre running. Taking part in the procession is still free but if you take a torch you will be asked to make a donation towards the £1.50 cost of each torch. Glow-sticks will still be free to children.

In previous years the Community Council has been able to make generous donations to local charities. This year it is anticipated that there will be no surplus to distribute. Therefore this year there will be a bucket collection during the day for local children’s and young peoples’ charities, maintaining the Community Council’s support for this important voluntary work.The Advent Fayre is organised by Linlithgow and Linlithgow Bridge Community Council in collaboration with Linlithgow BID, Linlithgow and Linlithgow Bridge Gala Day Committee, the Deacon’s Court and the Rotary Club of Linlithgow Grange.

John Kelly


Linlithgow Advent Fayre Saturday 28 November

Sat 28

NOV


St Michael’s Hospital JOIN THE LEAGUE OF FRIENDS OR VOLUNTEER WITH THE HOSPITAL!

St Michael’s Hospital, part of West Lothian Healthcare Trust. Previously, St Michael’s was one

of several hospitals providing long term care for the elderly of West Lothian, but it is now a community hospital providing interim care facilities for the elderly. St Michael’s Hospital also provides excellent end-of-life care for patients and gives support to the families during this difficult period. The League of Friends and hospital volunteersThe League of Friends helps to support the patients in St Michael’s Hospital, and their families, by providing funding for equipment.

Our first ambitious project was the conservatory, from which lovely scenery and views of the town can be enjoyed. Blinds, furniture and a special ceiling were put in so that the conservatory could be comfortable in all weathers. The conservatory has been well used over the years, providing a calm and relaxing environment for patients and their visitors.

We have also provided special chairs, furniture for the relatives’ and staff rooms, televisions, cabinets, pictures, board games, radios and CD players. We also help to fund decorations and food for special celebrations such as Easter and Christmas.

But it is not just about equipment, it’s also about fantastic support from community volunteers, which

help make the lives of the hospital residents more pleasant.

Recently, two volunteers who enjoy gardening have taken over the flowerbeds and tubs, and the League of Friends pays for any plants or items needed. We also fund the flowers provided by regular volunteers from Linlithgow Floral Art Club, whose expertise helps make the inside of the hospital welcoming.

Patients also enjoy visits from Breagh, the beautiful golden Labrador, who visits each fortnight. Many patients have enjoyed their own pets through the years and it has been medically proven that petting a dog can help to reduce stress.

Music is especially popular and concerts or sing-a-longs provide much enjoyment. The NHS provides six concerts a year from the organisation ‘Music in Hospitals’ and the League of Friends pays for additional sessions, as well as the costs involved in any other musical events. Music gets a positive response from patients and even those who have communication difficulties can often join in with the singing.

Recently patients have benefited from a weekly visit by a volunteer who organises activities and games.

Join us in helping St Michael’sThe patients, staff and League

of Friends are extremely grateful to all those who currently give their time and energy to support St Michael’s Hospital, but being a patient in a hospital, however good the care is, can be a lonely experience and time can pass slowly.

We would ask anyone in the community who has a spare hour or so to consider becoming a volunteer. You don’t need any special skills – the patients may enjoy a chat, playing a board game, or even just some quiet company. There are many different ways that an hour of your time can be of benefit. If you would like to consider being a volunteer please phone 01506 842053.

The League of Friends are a friendly bunch and meet about six times a year. If you would like to consider becoming a committee member or to have more information about the League please contact Barbara Bruce on 01506 844805.

Barbara Bruce

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Mystery in White’ is a classic crime novel, which begins in the midst of a thick, swirling winter snowstorm sometime in the late 1930s. We are introduced to the

main characters as they attempt to travel by third class rail on Christmas Eve from Euston train station in London. Unsurprisingly, the passengers are an eclectic mix of ages and personalities thrown together by the hand of fate. Farjeon depicts them all quickly and with an easy, affectionate humour that is evident throughout the remainder of the novel. Readers who are familiar with travel on any form of public transport will identify with the assumptions and general descriptions Farjeon initially assigns to the characters. We can easily imagine ourselves as another occupant within the carriage, stealing furtive glances at our fellow passengers. We quickly become familiar with ‘the elderly bore’, ‘the platinum blonde chorus girl’ and ‘the tall, pale, spotty young clerk’. We are delighted to realise that the handsome young man and his attractive companion are, in fact, brother and sister and can, from their conversation, work out that they are called David and Lydia; covert observational heaven! There is a sense of urgency behind the passenger’s motivations for travel and we feel their frustrations as they come to realise that their progress has been, somewhat, derailed by the adverse weather conditions.In this enjoyable mystery novel filled with plot twists and drama, here Farjeon introduces the first challenge to our assumptions: that this is to be a murder adventure akin to those more commonly found aboard the Orient Express. Instead, the passengers quickly find a reason to disembark from the train, launch themselves heroically into the thick, swirling snowstorm and seek shelter in a deserted country house, which appears like a mirage to rescue them from further sub-zero misadventures.Once the passengers have gathered together in the comfort of the old, abandoned country house, the true platform for this whodunit is revealed. Although the house is devoid of human presence the house is fully furnished: indeed, the table has been

laid for supper and fires are alight in the hearth. Events rapidly begin to tangle in an increasingly more sinister manner, especially after the unexpected arrival of a rough Cockney named Smith who has a strange, confused tale of how he has happened upon the house. The mystery unfolding inside the house is mirrored beautifully by the snow outside the house, which conceals and distorts reality.Fans of Agatha Christie’s style of crime writing will find much to like about this novel. Indeed, many would be forgiven for assuming that Farjeon was simply mimicking the winning formula of country mansion versus relative strangers as the perfect setting for a whodunit to unfold in the manner of Christie’s ‘Three Blind Mice’ murder mystery (which would later become the long running, highly successful stage production ‘The Mousetrap’). However, Farjeon wrote this novel almost a decade before Christie’s short story was published. Farejon is an acclaimed, if largely overlooked, writer from the pre-Second World War golden age of crime writing. His literary career spanned over thirty years and another of his novels provided the basis for an Alfred Hitchcock film thriller.The easy to read, genial style of writing favoured by Farjeon throughout ‘Mystery in White’ makes this an enjoyable Christmas read. The patterns of speech and behaviour amongst the main characters as they become more familiar with one another and struggle with the mystery unfolding around them gives a nostalgic insight into a bygone era of our British society. There are just the right amount of plot twists and subterfuge amongst the characters to keep readers guessing about the conclusion until the final pages. Lisa NettletonLisa Nettleton is a teacher who lives in Linlithgow and enjoys reading on her daily rail commute into Edinburgh.

BOOK REVIEW MYSTERY IN WHITE: A CHRISTMAS CRIME STORY BY J. JEFFERSON FARJEON

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Second year (S2) business enterprise students at Linlithgow Academy

organise a Christmas Trade Fayre every year as part of the Young Enterprise ‘Stairways to Success’ programme.

They have to come up with a plan and set up their own business venture to give them a taste of a real business experience. They have to organise their own groups and allocate roles to everyone whether it be the managing director or finance director. This develops their team working skills

and helps them work with different individuals and personalities within their group.

They have to carry out market research, to establish if there is a demand for their goods and services. This information will also enable them to improve or adapt their product and set appropriate prices. A £10 loan can be given by the business education department to allow the team to buy resources for their venture. A business plan and loan application is prepared and submitted by the teams.

On the day of the fayre each team has a stall to sell their goods and make it look appealing to attract customers. The whole school (staff and pupils) are invited into the hall at lunch time to buy the teams’ products. At the end there are three prizes: best poster; best stall; and best product.

After the trade fayre teams come together and sort out their costs, profits and pay back their loan. The team can choose how the profits are divided;

sometimes they are given to charities, enabling the teams to be socially responsible. This gives them an experience of developing their numeracy skills and handling money.

To round off, pupils have to write an individual report about their experience and what they learnt from it. They then have to gather their thoughts from their experience and present in a team what they have learned – which can be used to help groups in future years.

This is an incredible hands-on learning experience that S2 pupils are given – which enhances their knowledge and skills in setting up their own business. It gives them a real, first-hand experience into the world of business.

This year’s S2 Christmas Trade Fayre is on Tuesday 15 December.

Emma Brown, S5

LINLITHGOW ACADEMY CHRISTMAS TRADE FAYRE

Book nowfor Christmas... Festive menu available from 1st December from £15.95pp& Christmas Day spaces still available £49.95pp

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CHARITY FUNDRAISERS SAY, “IT’S WHAT WE DO”

Linlithgow-based fundraising group, ‘The Walk for Jock’, takes a team of volunteers

on the West Highland Way every September, and this year fourteen local and national good causes have benefitted from the group’s efforts.The driving force behind the initiative is the kenspeckle figure, Davie ‘Deep Sea’ Paterson, who has organised charity events in the town for many years. Davie walked the West Highland Way for various causes from 2008 onwards, but the loss of his elder brother Jock to cancer led to the setting-up of an organisation to honour his memory. As Davie explained: “My pal David Pudney’s Mum died of cancer in 2007 and he and another friend, Les Pattison, walked the Way in her memory. I joined them the following year and it became an annual fundraising event. April 2011 saw the biggest-ever group taking part, including my brother, Jock, who loved

the experience and couldn’t wait to do it again. Sadly, a few months later, he was diagnosed with cancer and died on the day before the Marches in June 2012”.The death of Jock at the age of only 47 was a devastating blow for Davie and he hadn’t the heart to tackle the West Highland Way that year. His friends, however, thought otherwise: “Les Pattison is my best pal and he said, ‘Do the walk for Jock, in his memory’ and that’s how we got the name, which is a fitting tribute to the big man. My cousin Audrey said, ‘It’s what you do’ and we adapted that statement as our motto”.The ‘Walk for Jock’ is open to anyone who wishes to join the group in tackling the 98 mile path from Milngavie to Fort William that is the West Highland Way. This year, fifteen signed up, including seven members of the local Ladies Hockey Club. The only rule is that all participants nominate their favourite charity. All the money raised under the ‘Walk for Jock’ banner goes into a central pot and is distributed equally. Individuals are encouraged to open a ‘Just Giving’ page of their own, so their chosen cause can benefit even more. ‘Platform Three’ is the group’s main sponsor and events are held regularly in the pub. Members of staff have even taken part in the walk.Although Davie Paterson is very much the group’s front man, he is quick to pay

tribute to a hard-working committee drawn from family and friends: “I’m just the shop window”, he declared, “They are the guts of the operation and organise things all year round.”Davie is extremely grateful to the many people who give their support, such as the Harris brothers of ACL Hire, who supply a free minibus every year. “We are well connected”, he told me, “and we were delighted that TV presenters Paul Young and Martin Geissler came to hand over cheques on 18th October and 1st November respectively.” “I am very humbled to see the support we receive from the community and to see all these different charities benefitting in memory of my late brother”.Riding for the Disabled West Lothian, Aberlour Child Care Trust, RNLI and Guide Dogs for the Blind were just some of the good causes which each received £375 from this year’s fundraising.Plans are already underway for next year’s trek along the West Highland Way, which will take place from 9th – 14th September. Davie Paterson and his team would be delighted to welcome new recruits because, as their T-shirts proudly proclaim “It’s what we do”.

Murdoch Kennedy

The team at Golfposer are setting out to make life easier for the town’s fashionable golfers once again this Christmas, with

exciting new initiatives in partnership with Kingfield Golf Centre just launched today.

Having moved premises to Linlithgow’s Mill Road industrial estate just over a year ago – Golfposer introduced a new format of in-store shopping which has had a huge appeal to their tech-savvy customers. Browsing the website from the comfort of your home and highlighting specific products to try on in the showroom gives power to you as the customer, with so many more choices and options available to view at a glance. The Golfposer team are always on-hand to guide you through the process of gearing up for winter golf or making that all important gift purchase – whilst the availability of several parking spaces at the front door was perhaps the most welcomed perk for customers after the move.

After the relocation of their main headquarters, the golf fashion specialists are enjoying continued growth with the online side of their business but now appear even more determined not to forget about their loyal customer base here in West Lothian. New initiatives with Kingsfield Golf Centre are in place to provide you with more flexibility and convenience, plus getting you a few added extras along the way this winter.

Click & Collect at Kingsfield 50 Range Balls | 10% Off As of today, any local customer shopping online at Golfposer has the option to click & collect your order from Kingsfield Golf Centre, whilst you will also receive a complimentary token for 50 range balls when picking up your package! Simply place your order prior to 3.00pm using Kingsfield Golf Centre, Linlithgow, EH49 7LS as the delivery address and your items will be available for collection during the driving range’s opening hours on the next working day. Furthermore, to launch this exciting new delivery option, Golfposer are also providing you with a unique 10% discount code (see below) to redeem across all products online including the new Hugo Boss range, Galvin Green waterproofs and many more leading brands. This unique code is active from now until Christmas Eve so you can grab a bargain on the build up to the festive period. Log onto www.golfposer.com to discover everything they have to offer and also read their latest eMAG articles for Christmas gift ideas, style guides and more.

GOLFPOSER IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KINGSFIELD CHRISTMAS SHOPPING MADE EASY


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It’s that time of year again when our thoughts are turning to post-Christmas entertainment, and what entertainment the Linlithgow Players have

for you. Plus it’s right on your doorstep and doesn’t cost a fortune.

The Linlithgow Players will be bringing the ever-popular and famous story of ‘Puss in Boots’ by John Morley to Linlithgow Academy Theatre on 14, 15 and 16 January. It will have an abundance of talent and very reasonably priced tickets. This year, the Players have got new, young, dynamic Director – Erin Murtagh – who has lots of innovative ideas. It is a very good pantomime which was originally performed at the London Palladium.

The cast has already started rehearsing, and is already having a lot of fun with the script. As usual, this will feature a lot of local jokes and not a few digs at people and places in and around Linlithgow.

There will be fun for all the family in this traditional story, with tickets costing £10 (£5 concessions), and a very easy website where you can book your tickets now. More information at: www.linlithgowplayers.org.uk.

Judy Barker, Linlithgow Players

PANTO TIME? OH YES IT IS!

January 14th, 15th & 16th 2016 Linlithgow Academy

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THE IDEAL CHRISTMAS PRESENT

Next copy deadline 12 Jan 2016.

Apologies from the Editor & Team... Issue 37, article page 8 author should have been Chris Gunstone, not Chris Long, apologies to all concerned.

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WIN A COPY OF MYSTERY IN WHITE PLUS A BOTTLE OF JURA...

“Best Pic” from Party at the Palace!

Winner – Mairi Godley with a montage of family images

Q. What is the closing date for responding to the WLC Local Development Plan?

1. 22th November 2015 2. 25th December 20153. 1st January 2016 One lucky winner will receive a bottle of Jura Whisky and a copy of the book Mystery in White (reviewed by Lisa Nettleton on page 15).

Email the editor, David Tait: [email protected]

Written and illustrated by Marjory Boyle Crooks © www.bonnietheblackbitch.co.uk e: [email protected]

BONNIE CARDS & PRINTS for sale at Wilsons Newsagent at The Cross.

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Pride & Passion Linlithgow. Financially protected by Alan Steel Asset Management

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Events List For more details and more events visit the what’s on page at www.linlithgow.com

Want to comment? Get in touch at: [email protected]

Nov

Thur 19 Climate Reality Presentation 7:30pm, Star and Garter

Sat 21 Coffee Morning, 10.00am-1.00pm, Longcroft Memorial Hall, Phillip Avenue Linlithgow

Mon 23 American Sniper, Linlithgow Film Society, 7.45pm Linlithgow Academy Theatre

Tue 24 Community Council meeting 7.30pm, Burgh Halls

Linlithgow Speakers Club Meeting 7.45pm-9.45pm, Low Port Centre, Blackness Rd

Wed 25 SWI Linlithgow Bridge Institute , 7.15pm, Chalmers Hall, Linlithgow

Fri 27 Talk on Polish canals, 7.30pm Canal Basin Manse Road Linlithgow

Fri 27 Sportsman’s Dinner 7.00pm, Rugby Club, Mains Park

Sat 28 Support the Civic Trust at Advent Fair, 10.00-3.00pm Burgh Halls, Linlithgow

Advent Fair - support the Burgh Beautiful stall, 10.00-3.00pm In a stall at the Cross, Linlithgow

Linlithgow v Dalkeith, 2.00pm KO Rugby Club, Mains Park

Dec

Tue 1-5 The Barony Players will be performing The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). 7.30pm, The Barony Theatre, Borrostoun Road, Bo’ness Tickets: 0800 4118 881

Wed 2 SWI Blackness Institute 7.15pm, Blackness Community Hall

Thur 3 Folk Session, 8.00pm Football & Cricketers’ Arms

Fri 4 Monthly Quiz with Gavin Brown 8.00pm, Rugby Club, Mains Park

Ladies Choir concert, 7.30pm, St Michael’s RC Church, Blackness Road, Linlithgow Entry by donation (proceeds will go to a local charity)

Sat 5 Casino Night, 7.30pm Rugby Club, Mains Park

Mon 7 Mr Turner - Linlithgow Film Society, 7.45, Linlithgow Academy Theatre

Tue 8 Linlithgow Speakers Club Meeting 7.45pm-9.45pm, Low Port Centre, Blackness Rd

Fri 11 Christmas Carol Concert 7.30pm, St. Ninians Craigmailen Church

Sat 12 Santa Grotto and Cruise, 2.00pm, Canal Basin, Manse Road, Linlithgow

Linlithgow v Dunbar, 2.00pm KO Rugby Club, Mains Park

Concert by Athenaeum Winds 7.30pm, Linlithgow Academy

Tue 15 Community Council meeting 7.30pm, Burgh Halls

Sun 20 Folk Session, 2.00pm Black Bitch Tavern

Tue 22 Linlithgow Speakers Club Meeting 7.45pm-9.45pm, Low Port Centre, Blackness Rd

LINLITHGOW RAMBLERS WALKING CALENDAR With so many exciting walks pencilled in across the monthly calendar why not check out www.linlithgow.com for details on the type of walk,duration and your meeting point.

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For all booking and enquiries, please call us on 01506 670429.

Creating a look that complements you and your lifestyle

T E L : 015 0 6 6 70 4 2 9

Products for you and your lifestyle

NOW AVAILABLE

Products that complement you and your lifestyle. Including Aveda Haircare & Gift sets, Image Skincare, Voluspa Candles and Stella & Dot Jewellery. Purchase direct from our high street store in Linlithgow.

the 60p ISSUE 38 NOV 2015 BLACK bitch · Save our ‘protected’ Preston Fields p5 Linlithgow Allotments p9 ‘Walk for Jock’ fundraiser p17 100% AL Linlithgow Advent Fayre is

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