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Community News
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 774056. We will also take pictures, although you must guarantee that you have permission from anyone who appears in the picture that it can be published online. Use the ward box on this page to find out more about what's happening in your area.
West Lothian moss gather's growing attention
An area of bog in West Lothian is attracting European-wide attention.
For Blawhorn Moss, at Blackridge, is the largest and least disturbed area of raised bog in Central Scotland.
It also enjoys protection as a site of UK and European significance for nature conservation.
Now Scottish Natural Heritage has announced nine management objectives for Blawhorn Moss. These will take place between 2009 and 2015.
Vivien Gray, from Scottish Natural Heritage, spoke about the proposals at the latest meeting of West Lothian Council's Armadale and Blackridge local area committee (LAC). The proposals include promoting the moss as a demonstration site for bog rehabilitation.
The chair of the LAC, Councillor Isabel Hutton, said: "This is to be welcomed."
Massive drop in youth calls
The number of calls made to police in Armadale about youth problems has almost halved in the last 12 months.
And Blackridge has seen a 61 per cent drop during the same period.
The information was presented to West Lothian Council's Armadale and Blackridge local area committee on Friday afternoon, 14 November.
First ever solo exhibition for leading artist
Deborah Dow's 'Organic Form: Exploration of Spirituality' will be on display in the upper foyer of The Regal Community Theatre, Bathgate, from Monday, 17 November, to 31 December.
Admission will be during opening hours. Deborah (right) is pictured during a recent charity exhibition at The Centre, Livingston.
This week's speed camera locations
Mobile speed cameras will be operational at the following locations in West Lothian during the week beginning Monday 17 December:
A705 East Whitburn; A706 Longridge; A89 Armadale; A899 Deer Park; A71 Breich; A71 Polbeth .
Big drop in reported crime
Reported crime in Livingston North has dropped by seven per cent in the last 12 months.
The news was welcomed by the latest meeting of West Lothian Council's Livingston North local area committee.
Launch of walking book
A new updated and extended edition of the book 'Walks around Linlithgow' is being launched by Linlithgow Civic Trust at 11am on Saturday 22 November.
Author and local walker John Davidson will sign copies of the book, which can be bought for £6, at the launch in Linlithgow library.
Road ahead clear at roundabout
Directional markings are to be changed at two roundabouts in Livingston town centre in a bid to avoid driver confusion.
The existing sign at the College roundabout does not reflect the current road markings and drivers are having to change lanes sharply when they hit the hatches.
The new, simplified markings will be as follows: nearside lane, car park and M8; centre lane, A71; offside lane, College.
The nearside lane markings on the Bubbles roundabout will be altered to show left turn arrow, restaurant and bus station.
Extension of road closures at railway station
The north car park at Livingston North railway station will be closed until 27 March 2009.
The railway path north between Deans North Road and Carmondean House and the railway path south from Haymarket Crescent to Deans North Road and the northwest section of the southern car park will also be closed until that date.
The closure is to allow construction of new platforms, staircases and ramps.
Say it with flowers
Students from Oatridge College took advantage of the winter sunshine to plant daffodil and crocus bulbs at Letham Park, Craigshill, on Wednesday, 12 November.
They were assisted by West Lothian Council's NETs team. Tree planting will take place later in the month.
At a recent meeting of Friends of Letham Park, suggested future activities included teddy bear's picnic and music festival.
Remembering - 90 years on
Organised in partnership with the BBC, the event focussed on all aspects of the First World War.
Experts were on hand to help people identify medals, photographs and regiments and learn more about their own ancestor's war service.
"More than 300 people came along," said organiser Sybil Cavanagh, "and the place was buzzing."
Tom Gordon of Armadale, who has served in Iraq, was one of the experts and his children laid a wreath before a lifesize poster of the fallen, while Derek Cooper played the last post. It was a very moving moment."
Police get on their bikes
Made up of 26 Community Beat Officers and Safer Neighbourhood Team Officers, the cycyle patrols will focus on tackling anti social behaviour in local communities.
Cycle patrols have been used effectively throughout the country during the last few years.
Executive councillor for services for the community, Frank Anderson, said: "This project involves both council and police officers who are making a real difference across West Lothian.
"Anti social behaviour is something we all want stamped out and this initiative, one of a number we have recently introduced, will hopefully enable officers to access areas that are normally harder to reach."
Linlithgow 2009 Calendar now on sale
The 2009 Linlithgow Calendar is now on Sale at the following local outlets:
Blast Off Books, Kingsfield Golf Centre, Linlithgow Book Shop, Wilson's Paper Shop, News Shop, Linlithgow Bridge Post Office.
It will also be available at the Advent Fayre on 29 November.
Great views of the town make the calendar an ideal Christmas gift or to send to family and friends abroad.
Record award for gardening couple
The couple were also winners in 2001, 2003 and 2005.
The best flower garden award went to last year?s gardener of the year, William Anderson of Hartwood Road, West Calder, while the best Livingston garden was won by Kim Vance from Lyon Drive, Murieston.
John and Isabel were presented with their prizes by Councillor Robert De Bold, Executive Councillor for the Environment.
Winner takes all Lottery application could be child's play
The Parent Staff Association at Pinewood School are halfway to raising funds for a new playground for pupils.
But a 'winner takes all' type TV show could see them reach their target of £100,000 in just a few weeks.
For the school's Parent Staff Association has been shortlisted to appear on ITV People's Millions - The Big Lottery Fund.
"We have a fifty fifty opportunity to receive £50,000 towards our new playground," said treasurer Lynsey Findlay."
ITV are filming at the school on Thursday, 13 November, and will broadcast the film on Tuesday 25 November.
The Pinewood project will be up against another, from Edinburgh, for the public phone-in vote.
"Whichever project receives the highest amount of votes after the lines close will be awarded £50,000," explained Lynsey, who is busy organising a campaign to try and secure as many votes for Pinewood as possible.
The phone number will only be available from 9am to midnight on 25 November. Calls cost 10p from a BT landline and you can vote up to 10 times. For details, check the website: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/peoplesmillions (new window)
Collection of hampers for Christmas
Pupils and staff at St Margaret's Academy are organising a collection of hampers for old folk in the area.
Every classroom has a donation point, and pupils of all ages will bring in food and Christmas items to ensure the local community is not forgotten.
Each year, nearly forty hampers are distributed to local folk through the auspices of the St Vincent De Paul Society in each of the parishes in the school's catchment area.
International award for Linlithgow
Linlithgow scooped the sought-after Bronze award at the finals of the International Awards for Liveable Communities, or LivCom Awards, in China recently.
The West Lothian town was the only Scottish finalist at the ceremony, which recognises communities who go that extra mile to make their area a better place to live.
Council Leader Peter Johnston said: "I am delighted that the excellent work being done in Linlithgow to promote environmental improvements and sustainable living has been recognised at this prestigious world wide awards ceremony."
Approval for crossing improvements
Road crossings are set to be improved at seven key locations throughout West Lothian.
West Lothian Council's executive committee approved plans to improve the crossing at: Mains Street, Fauldhouse; Ladywell West Road in Livingston; East Main Street in Whitburn; High Street, Linlithgow; Niddry Road, Winchburgh; Alderston Road, Livingston; and B7066 at Greenrigg
The improvements are part of a £290,000 investment in crossings over the next three years.
Slip road closed for resurfacing work
Slip roads at the A899 at the Cousland Interchange will be closed to traffic from 7am on Monday 10 November to 6pm on 14 November, to allow road resurfacing work to be carried out.
The roads affected are the southbound slip road from the A899 to Cousland Road eastbound and the slip road from Cousland Road eastbound to the A899 southbound.
Meeting to discuss new youth facilities
A meeting to discuss youth facilities for Heatherbank, in Ladywell, will take place at 7pm on Thursday 20 November in Inveralmond Community High School.
A number of new play areas are nearing completion, including Peel Park, Raeburn Rigg, Burnsknowe and Hunter Grove.
Other play areas set to be constructed include Seafield and Springfield.
Also proposed is a new £200,000 play area at Polkemmet Country Park.
Click Here (new window) for more information on the Heatherbank facilities.
Christmas art workshop for youngsters
Livingston Art Association is holding a children's workshop at St. Columbas Church, Sydney Street, Craigshill, from 10am to 12noon on Saturday 29 November.
The workshop is aimed at youngsters aged from seven to 11 and will have a Christmas theme. The cost is £5 and all materials will be provided.
Places are limited so please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. For further details, contact Jean Stewart on 01506 442800.
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