Whitburn and Blackburn - news

The owl centre at Polkemmet Country Park  

Meet an owl at country park

You can meet an owl and hear all about the new Scottish Owl Centre opening at Polkemmet Country Park this spring by meeting at the park reception at 12noon during the school holiday period from 13 to 21 February.

One of the centre's keepers will bring along an owl and talk about the new centre.

Street performers wanted for gala day

Blackburn Childrens gala day committee s looking for street performers and local groups to take part in this year's galaday, on Saturday 9 June.

The galaday committee meet fortnightly on a Monday night at 6pm in the community centre.

The next meeting is 20 February.

Free computer course

A free 12-week computer course starts from 7 - 9pm on Monday 20 February at Whitburn Community Centre.

The course is aimed at people who already know their way around a computer, but now want to learn about creating documents, inserting pictures, using different types of text, changing the size of the print and using colour.

The 'Introduction to IT software, Word Processing and Presenting Information' course may also help you get a job or promotion, as it is part of the 'employer friendly' PC passport qualification.

Phone 01501 678888 to book a place.

Going green

Much of what we use and throw away can be recycled - give things another life by recycling more items, more often. Visit the 'go green' event on Sunday 26 February, from 10am - 6pm at Lidl, Whitburn or visit www.greenerscotland.org (new window) for more information.

Learn to speak holiday Spanish

Whitburn Community Centre is holding a learn to speak ?holiday? Spanish class from 7 - 9pm every Thursday night from 15 March.

The course costs £19.99 for 10 weeks.

Phone 01501 678888 to book a place.

Road closed for installation of sewer

Dixon Terrace will be closed between the junction with Dixon Road and the junction with Burnhouse Industrial Estate until 5pm on Saturday 31 March.

This is to allow for the installation of a new sewer system. A signposted diversion will be available via Longridge Road, Manse Road, West Main Street and Polkemmet Road.

Pedestrians are not affected.

Fundraisers at Whitburn Academy

Pupils and staff at Whitburn Academy are staging a number of events in coming months to raise money for Christian Aid and Macmillan Cancer Support.

They are walking 40 miles around the two bridges (Forth Road Bridge and Kincardine Bridge) one day in May.

You can also donate online at www.justgiving.com/teams/40milechallenge (new window) or at www.whitburnmacmillan.co.uk (new window)

Put Your West Foot Forward

Join us on our free walks to meet new friends, discover new walks in your area and improve your fitness.

A myatery walk leaves from the site of Xcite Whitburn leisure centre at 10am on Tuesday 14 February.

Don't worry if you're not very active at the moment, or are recovering from injury or illness - you will be able to walk at your own pace and there are always options of shorter walks. Our walks are led by trained walk leaders and last between 30-60 minutes.

The groups are friendly and welcoming and will support new walkers to build up their pace and distance. For more information or for a programme, please contact Laura Dunkel, Health Walk Coordinator on 01506 771896 or laura.dunkel@westlothian.gov.uk

New website for Blackburn

A new Blackburn community website was launched recently.

The website was created by and is run by local volunteers with support from the Community Action Blackburn project.

The website address is: http://www.blackburnwestlothian.co.uk/ (new window)

Know your local police

The following are the police staff and contact numbers for the Whitburn and Blackburn ward:

  • Ward Inspector: Alistair Riddell  - Alistair.Riddell@lbp.pnn.police.uk
  • Community Sergeant: Steven Stewart  - Steven. Stewart@lbp.pnn.police.uk
  • Constable: Jason Beck - Whitburn and Greenrigg Community Officer; Constable: Paul Emery  - Blackburn and Seafield Community Officer
  • Safer Neighbourhood Team: Constables Andrew Angus, Stephen Brown and Jose Vega-Lozano.
  • Whitburn Police Station -  01501 740222
  • Blackburn Police Station  - 01506 652865
  • E-mail address: FdivCommunityWhitburn@lbp.pnn.police.uk

Last updated 10/02/12