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Community Cake Event – Going Digital
We’re holding our next community cake event on Wednesday 28th October at 7.30pm via Zoom – save the date!
More information will follow next week but the session will be focused on giving you practical advice about taking meetings online and hearing how local groups have adapted.
Linlithgow & Linlithgow Bridge Community Council Update
The Linlithgow & Linlithgow Bridge Community Council held their latest meeting this week. One of the issues discussed was the need to have a list of organisations and associations in town. MyLinlithgow has already started work on a comprehensive list and LLBCC will be asking for a brief description from each group to better inform the public as to what is available and what purposes and aims they serve.
If you wish to participate in these Zoom meetings please get in
touch with [email protected] at least 2 days prior to the meeting.
The date for the next meeting will be the AGM on 27th October 2020. The agenda and papers will be on the website and Facebook page a few days beforehand.
Business Spotlight – Easy Go Bikes
As this month is Cycle September, we are focusing on some of the town’s cycling businesses in our Business Spotlight feature.
Easygo Electric Bikes was set up in Linlithgow in May 2013 to offer sales and support for a range of electric bikes, an industry and product that was very much in its infancy at that time.
The business is unique in that there are no sales online and everything is done on a one to one basis with the customer.
From the outset we help guide the customer to the bike that will suit there needs best in terms of budget and frame style, we then (in normal times !) offer test rides from our large demo stock to help the customer identify the exact model that suits their needs so that they can buy with absolute confidence.
We provide expert help in explaining all the different drives types and characteristics being an approved trained specialist for Bosch, Yamaha, Shimano, Fazua and Promovec.
We then offer a range of bikes from several suppliers with a major focus on Raleigh, Haibike, Lapierre, Gocycle and Batribike which provides and excellent range of choice from these well respected brands.
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Due to Covid-19 the test ride option is currently restricted but can still be provided following Government guidelines for social distancing, to ensure that customers can still buy with confidence having the option to try before they buy, to further ensure safety and welfare we are operating a very controlled “By appointment only system” which means the experience is still as comfortable and relaxed as possible with a maximum of only two people in the business unit at any time to minimise the risk to all.
Our service does not stop with the sale, quite the reverse! We pride ourselves on the level of service and support we provide after the bike has been purchased. We have a very well appointed workshop to ensure that we are always only a phone call or email away if you have a problem, require a service or simply want some advice or guidance on the operation of the bike.
Visit Easy Go Bikes website to find out more about our fantastic range of e-Bikes and register for our Newsletter to be kept up to date with all the exciting new bikes that will be arriving over the coming months!
Community Spotlight – Linlithgow Folk Festival Association
At the beginning of lockdown in March, preparations were already well underway for the 2020 Linlithgow Folk Festival and a major fundraising event had just taken place.
All activities then went online, including committee meetings. The twice-monthly music sessions at the Black Bitch pub were replaced with virtual events in venues such as “The Isolation Arms”, “The Stay Inn” and “The Lockdown Larder”. Musicians and singers sent videos to the Facebook page and these events have proved very popular.
It was important that the Festival weekend wasn’t forgotten and so an online Festival ran from the 9th to the 12th of September. This involved many of the people who are regular visitors to Linlithgow, including the contingent from our French twin town of Guyancourt.
This year’s headline act would have been local piping sensation Ross Miller and his band. Ross was gutted that the Festival didn’t take place but was able to record material for the online event.
Messages of support were also received from previous headline acts, among them the legendary Ralph McTell, whose good wishes also included a song.
The essence of the Folk Festival was beautifully captured in Martine Stead’s highly entertaining video, “Linlithgow Folk Festival in miniature”. In seven episodes, all the events which normally take place at the Festival were portrayed by an army of toys and ornaments, with the soundtrack taken from previous Festivals. Committee members even got in on the act by doing voiceovers. This highly original and unique piece of work can be seen on the Folk Festival Facebook page. “It was just like the real thing”, was how one regular Festival visitor described the video.
Further information about the Folk Festival can be found on the website at www.linlithgowfolk.com and from the Facebook page.
Scottish Government Latest Restrictions
The First Minister updated on Tuesday of new restrictions to combat the rise in coronavirus cases. These are summarised below.
Indoors
Scottish households are now no longer allowed to have visitors in their homes. These rules also apply to children. This is already in effect with enforcement being introduced on Friday.
There are some exceptions to this rule who do not have to observe the indoor restrictions:
- Those living alone who form extended households.
- Couples not living together
- Those who need childcare
- Tradespeople
This decision has been made based on evidence from the Test and Protect operation which has showed this was the main way the virus was spreading.
Outdoors
- A maximum of six people from two households can meet in outdoor spaces but people should limit as far as possible the total number of households met in a day.
- Under-12s do not count towards the maximum number of households or number of people who can meet outdoors. Under-12s do not have to physically distance
- A maximum of six 12 to 17 year olds can meet in outdoor spaces, with no household limit. Physical distancing is still required.
Indoor Public Spaces
- A maximum of six people from two households can meet in public indoor spaces such as cafes, pubs and restaurants, subject to physical distancing rules.
- Children under 12 from those two households do not count towards the limits.
Hospitality
- From 25 September, pubs, bars and restaurants must close at 10pm.
- Hospitality venues are exempt from the 2m distancing rule, but must warn customers they are entering a 1m zone, produce revised seating plans, and take steps such as improving ventilation.
- Customers have to provide their contact details in case contact tracers need to reach them.
- Customers must wear face coverings while moving around hospitality venues and when they are not eating or drinking.
- It is also mandatory for staff to wear face coverings.
Travel
- There are no restrictions on how far you can travel in Scotland.
- The Scottish Government is advising against all non-essential foreign travel.
- You should try not to share a car with those outside your household or extended household. If you have no other option, you should follow the safe travel guidance at the Transport Scotland website.
The measures will initially be in place for three weeks, then will be reviewed. However, Scottish Government advised it is likely they will be extended past the first three-week cycle.
You can help by downloading the Protect Scotland app. This is a free, mobile phone app designed to help us protect each other and reduce the spread of coronavirus. More information is available on the Protect Scotland website.
The current advice from the Scottish Government to stay safe, protect others, save lives is:
- wear a face covering
- avoid crowded places
- clean hands and surfaces regularly
- stay 2m away from other people
- self-isolate and book a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms
See what you can and cannot do to help suppress the virus.
Many thanks to everyone who has been so vigilant in following these procedures already. This will help to keep our community safe.