Livingston South - news

First for West Lothian primary school

A Livingston primary school is the first in Edinburgh and the Lothians to be awarded the top Health Promotion accolade.

Howden St Andrew's was presented with the award on Thursday, 9 October, for its endeavours to promote health and well-being across pupils, parents/carers, staff and the local community.

The school's Health Co-coordinator, Lisa Reid, led the initiative and worked in partnership with the school community to mainstream Health and Well-Being.

Temporary closure of road at Morrisons roundabout

Charlesfield Road will be closed to westbound traffic from the junction at Almondvale (Morrisons) roundabout from Monday 23 to Friday 28 October.

The closure is to allow for the installation of power cables. An alternative route will be signposted.

Pedestrians are unaffected.

Pupils sign up for credit union

Pupils at Howden St Andrews Primary School in Livingston have have taken part in a competition to design a recipe and a poster based on the food co-op and credit union which meet at the school each week.

The school is one of 14 throughout West Lothian to have a credit union collection every week, encouraging children to learn saving and budgeting skills at an early age.

Mark Gray of Livingston Credit Union, who devised the competition along with representatives of the school?s food co-op, said: "It is a pleasure to watch the children come in each week and see their money written up in their credit union passbook

The winners are shown displaying their posters and prizes.

No-one injured in petrol station blaze

No-one was injured when a fire broke out at the Morrisons petrol filling station at Livingston about 4pm on Thursday, 2 October.

Three fire appliances and three specialist vehicles with 25 crew quickly brought the blaze under control.

A fire that started at a vehicle subsequently caused extensive damage to three other vehicles and parts of the forecourt canopy.

West Lothian Environmental Awards

Dedridge Ecology and Environment project (DEEP) won the Community Project Award at the West Lothian Environmental Awards dinner.

The group's next Meeting is on Friday 31 October at 2pm.

Prizes will be presented to the winners of the bridge naming competition.

Double celebration as new extension is opened

Council Leader Peter Johnston joined pupils and staff at the official opening of a new extension at Williamston Primary School on Friday, 19 September.

The council leader got  a helping hand from Head Girl Rebecca Bain and Head Boy Owen Cullivan, both P7, to officially open the new extension, which sees a classroom, gym hall, separate changing rooms and additional toilets added to help satisfy the demands of an increasing school roll.

He said: "We have a growing population in West Lothian and we are committed to providing first rate facilities where pupils can enjoy their schooling.

"The extension also marks the school's 25th anniversary so we look upon this event as a double celebration."

Temporary road restriction

The U38 from the junction with the U29 at Balgreen to the junction with the U29 at Whistle Lodge will be closed from 13 October to 5 December.

Pedestrians are not affected by the closure.

Benchmark day for pupils

The first cut was the deepest for pupils from Dedridge Primary School, when they visited Beecraigs country park.

For not only did they help cut down a tree, but they were also presented with a bench made from the same tree.

The whole process took less than an hour and the pupils took the new bench back with them on their bus.

The visit was organised by the ranger service, in conjunction with the Woodland Trust.

Just not cricket at fun day

A fun day at Livingston Cricket Club attracted a good response from young and old alike.

Events and stalls included bouncy castle, books and home baking.

And these youngsters still found time to fill up with some food.

There was also a game between social members and players.

West Lothian school chosen as Scotland's Olympic representative

Following the closing ceremony of the Paralympics in Beijing, London is now the host city of the Olympic Games.

And a West Lothian school was chosen as Scotland's representatives to mark the official handover from China to London.

Pupils at Inveralmond Community High School held a flag relay and sporting event as part of the handover ceremony on Wednesday afternoon, 17 September.

Inveralmond's activities will be included on the 'Get Set' Olympic website.

Head teacher Bill Tevendale said: "Inveralmond Community High School has always recognised the importance of sport and of positive role models.

"The Paralympics has been a triumph and given we have several pupils who could potentially participate in the future Paralympics and in the Olympics in London, I hope today's event will open their minds and provide inspiration to all."

Play equipment first of its type

Equipment proposed for a 'youth hub' play area at Heatherbank, Ladywell, will be the first of its type in Scotland.

The proposals have already been well received at a public meeting in Forest Bank community centre.

Now local youngsters will be given an opportunity to test out the equipment before designs are finalised.

At the recent meeting of Livingston South local area committee, it was agreed that a series of meetings would be arranged where the views of young people could be heard and display photographs and video footage of the proposed equipment provided.

It is hoped that the new facility will be available for the 2009 summer holidays.