Can you help us spread the word about Community News?
We want to make sure as many local people as possible have access to our weekly Community News. We would appreciate you sharing with any local friends or family who can subscribe to receive it directly to their inbox at http://trust-linlithgow.org.uk/news/newsletter-subscription. Thank you!
The LCDT Story is Featured in the Latest Black Bitch Magazine!
Linlithgow Community Development Trust was established in 2012. But are you aware of all the work we have been doing over the last eight years in the local community?
If you aren’t, watch out for the forthcoming issue of The Black Bitch Magazine. In the new edition, we are celebrating our achievements to date and sharing future plans.
The article shares details of our role in co-ordinating the community response to Covid-19. It also recognises the progress and achievements, of which we are very proud, made in our three key projects:
- The West Lothian Cycle Circuit
- Linlith-Go-Solar
- The Community (featuring My Linlithgow)
We currently have ten Directors on the Board, all Linlithgow locals who are committed to improving the town. The key to our success is the leadership provided by the Board. We are committed to succession planning and anticipate that we will require additional skills in the next few years. So, if you are an experienced fundraiser, passionate about getting the most out of digital, or committed to the Green Recovery including renewable energy. For an informal chat about joining the Board please email [email protected].
LCDT Chair, Fraser Falconer, notes “LCDT has achieved a great deal of important work in the community over the years. To continue what we do we need your help! We want to engage local people to become more involved. In these very challenging times, many of us believe in the strength of the talent and resources within the town and surrounding areas. We would be delighted to see you at our AGM.”
We recently held a Board strategy session focussing on our future direction, community development priorities and exciting opportunities. We look forward to discussing this at our Annual General Meeting on the 12th November. Save the date!!
Support During Covid-19
We recognise that this is a challenging time and that some people will need extra support to access essentials such as food and medicine, this includes those who are self-isolating to stop the spread of Coronavirus.
If you need support, and can’t get this from friends or family, please contact [email protected].
Also the National Assistance Helpline is there to help and can be reached on 0800 111 4000. You can pass this number on to someone you are supporting or call on their behalf Monday-Friday, from 9am-5pm.
Please remember this helpline is dedicated to helping those who cannot leave their home and who cannot get help online.
If you’re looking for some additional support for you or someone you know, here’s a list of organisations who may be able to offer help and advice.
If you need to self-isolate, many of the major supermarkets have increased their delivery capacity so you should be able to reserve a slot to get shopping delivered to your door. Tesco, Sainsburys and Asda all deliver locally.
A reminder that www.MyLinlithgow.com has a calendar of online events, which are shared on their social media channels. These may provide some entertainment if spending more time at home.
If you’re looking for something to do over the October holidays, Friends of Low Port Primary School have created this brilliant puzzle trail around town. Good fun in the fresh air for all ages. You can download the trail here.
Please consider making a donation (suggestion £5 per family) if you enjoy the trail. Details of how to donate can be found in the download. The school are trying to raise funds to improve the outdoor learning environment.
Linlithgow & Linlithgow Bridge Community Council Update
Community Councils are voluntary organisations set up by statute from the Local Authority.
Local residents participating as members act on behalf of the area, and it is an important part of local democracy.
Sometimes coordinating with other community councils is necessary, in order to amplify local voices when representing shared views and concerns to the Local Authority.
LLBCC has been involved with the Joint Forum of Community Councils in West Lothian since the beginning, with representation on the executive committee. You can find out more information on their Blueprint for Future Community Councils here.
The next meeting of the Community Council will take place on Tuesday 27th October at 7.30pm via Zoom. To register to attend please email [email protected] and confirm you are a Linlithgow resident.
You can stay in touch with the Community Council on Facebook and their website.
Virtual London Marathon
There were a number of Linlithgow locals out on Sunday running the virtual London marathon. A challenge on any occasion but even more so when not running with a crowd behind you and support of other runners.
A big shout out and well done to everyone who ran and raised money for fantastic causes!
Business Spotlight – Boxx Hair
Over the past few months, Boxx Hair has been extremely conscious of making sure that all safety guidelines are carefully followed. Boxx hair remains by appointment only.
When you arrive for your appointment you will receive a warm welcome. Someone will be there to confirm your details, do a quick temperature check and hang your coat up in a designated sanitised coat cupboard.
You will be offered a disposable mask or you can choose to wear your own. We will then lead you to your chair, place a fresh gown around your shoulders and offer you brand new looks that you can easily manage yourself at home.
We also look forward to introducing you to our new apprentice, Abby who is keen to make sure you enjoy your experience and feel safe from the first second you walk in, to the last second you walk out.
As well as keeping up to date with the latest government guidelines, we are loving keeping up to date with the latest hair trends for 2020 – the ‘modern shag’, ‘the French girl fringe’ and ‘pixie crops’ are all on-trend right now.
Our clients love that they can easily book online, and have commented on how enjoyable the experience is to have some “me” time in a place they feel safe.
You can follow Boxx Hair on Facebook and find out more on their website.
Community Spotlight – Linlithgow Golf Club
Linlithgow Golf Club had to close our course and clubhouse at the beginning of the lockdown. Like all businesses in the town, we were thrown into unknown and difficult territory. However, with the full support of our dedicated members and a fantastic team of staff and following strict guidelines, we were able to reopen the course at the end of May.
This opening was greatly received by all our members and what was additionally encouraging was a significant rise in new members who have been able to participate in a safe outdoor sport, whilst following all the necessary social distance guidelines.
We have managed within a condensed calendar to host all our important and club championship competitions. We were also lucky to recently host over 70 visiting children who participated in an esteemed Stephen Gallagher Foundation junior event.
This was a major success for our club, which has ambitious plans to develop and support junior and ladies’ golf. We are actively engaged in plans with the Stephen Gallagher Foundation to coach our local catchment primary school children, with this programme due to commence in the Spring of 2021.
In addition, we have received grant money and private pledges to improve and upgrade our practice area, which includes a short games course and practice bunker. Our thriving ladies section recently welcomed new members during the recommencement of golf, and will continue to encourage and offer promotions to get ladies back playing or into golf.
Our clubhouse with a well-stocked bar and restaurant facilities is now open and following the appropriate guidelines. We have recently welcomed our new catering business The Wee White Dog Catering Company. This family-owned business headed by Stevie and his team has been going down a treat with members and visitors alike. The Club is now able to welcome non-members to enjoy its bar and catering services, but we strongly advise booking in advance for meals.
As our competitive playing season comes to end, we will enter a period of Autumnal and Winter Golf and our Greens Staff will be making preparations to allow golf to be played throughout the remainder of the year.
We always have attractive membership packages available. We would encourage any prospective member or occasional golfers to come and have a chat with our General Manager, John McClymont, or our PGA qualified Professional, Stuart Reekie. Stuart also offers a full range of golfing apparel and equipment within his well-stocked shop. In addition, Stuart has a “warm” indoor coaching facility with all the latest technology for lessons and golf fitting.
Liam Maguire, Acting Captain, said “We look forward to the golfing months ahead and welcoming any new faces to our relaxed, safe and family-friendly club.”
You can follow Linlithgow Golf Club on Facebook and find out more on their website.
Latest Covid-19 Guidance
Scotland is in Phase 3 of the route map for coming out of lockdown.
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 (new continuous cough, fever or loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste)
New rules mean that you must not make indoor social visits to other households.
Changes to restrictions for Linlithgow, within Scotland’s Central Belt:
- All licensed pubs and restaurants will have to close, both indoors and outdoors, from 18:00 on Friday 9th until 25th October, although they can still serve takeaways.
- Cafes which do not serve alcohol can stay open until 18:00.
- The existing rules state that a maximum of six people from two households can meet together in hospitality venues, either indoors or outdoors.
- Do not to travel outside Lothian health board area if you do not need to.
Full details are available at: https://www.gov.scot/news/new-moves-to-stop-covid-19-spread.
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.