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Whitburn and Blackburn - news
Special offers at Polkemmet
You can take advantage of the special offers at Polkemmet golf course, driving range and bowling green.
There's a happy hour on Fridays from 6pm - 7pm, when you can get 100 balls for £3.11, normally the price for 50.
At the golf course, you can play 18 holes for the normal 9-hole price of £7.09. You must play the 18 holes on the same day and tee off before 12noon.
A family ticket for the bowling green costs £10. This allows two adults and two juniors (under 16) four sets of hire bowls for an hour. Booking is recommended but not essential.
For fuller details of offers, contact 01501 743905.
Best of brass at Whitburn
The second annual Whitburn Brass Festival proved a resounding success, with 29 of West Lothian's finest young brass and percussion players, aged from eight-years-old to 16, taking part.
Entrants from James Young High School and Bellsquarry and Williamston Primary Schools supplemented the home-grown talent from Whitburn Brass.
Accompanied on keyboards by Alan Hastie and adjudicated by Charlie Farren, the junior solos began the show with 13 players in the section and was won by Arran McMahon on cornet. The intermediate solos followed, with 11 players, where Cameron McMahon won on Euphonium. The brass section was completed by the senior solos, where Aimee Watson took the award. Percussion for players of any age completed the competition and was won by Ryan Bradley.
The day also saw the second ever performance by the Whitburn Wee Band, giving an insight to the positive future for Whitburn Brass as they rise through the ranks.
Following a Masterclass delivered by Anne Crookston of Whitburn Brass, the event rounded off with a performance by Whitburn Youth Band reprising tunes from their recent success at the National Championships of Great Britain. Whitburn Brass look forward to the event continuing to grow.
Anniversary concert at church
The South Kirk Singers 21st annual concert will be held in Whitburn South Parish Church at 7.30pm on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 May.
Admission is £5 and doors open at 7.05pm. All proceeds will go to Christian Aid and the Five Sisters Zoo.
Bright future for budding young footballer
A budding young Blackburn footballer looks set for a bright future in the game, after being accepted into a football performance scholarship at Graeme High School, Falkirk.
The Scottish Football Association (SFA) Performance Schools programme gives the country's most talented youngsters the potential to develop their abilities and the opportunity to practice football everyday within a school environment.
Daryl Meikle, a P7 pupil at Blackburn Primary School, already plays for Stenhousemuir youth side and was also selected for the Scotland under 13s regional squad.
Daryl is an all-round sportsman, having also won the Bathgate cluster cross country event last year.
The attacking midfielder has been playing football for as long as he can remember and is very excited about the prospect of joining the soccer school. "I am really looking forward to it," he said, "and can't wait to get started."
Daryl's not the only talented member of his family, however. For his young brother, Luis, also plays for Stenhousemuir.
The world is Fionne's stage
For the 16-year-old, who hopes to become a full-time professional classical singer, has recently returned from Russia, where she appeared on national TV.
Fionne, who is in demand to sing at Burns Suppers all over Scotland, visited the country with the Burns Federation. Fundraising for the trip was carried out by Fauldhouse and Crofthead Burns Club.
Her skills as a singer, dancer and actress have led to her also making appearances on top British TV shows such as Waterloo Road and Gary Tank Commander.
But it was at a Burns event that Fionne first made her mark, when she represented her former school, Croftmalloch Primary at an annual competition.
Fionne, who is a member of a theatre school in Glasgow and belongs to an acting agency, hopes to return to Russia next year. She is also heavily booked up for 2014 Burns Suppers.
Her plans are to move to either London or Verona, in Northern Italy, and become a classical singer.
The fifth-year pupil praised the help she has received from Whitburn Academy, which has allowed her to attend events over the course of the year. "They have been really helpful," said Fionne, "as this is a big year for me with exams. I was in Russia during the Prelims, but was able to sit them as soon as I got back." .
Tea danceAgeing Well Tea Dance will be held in Whitburn Bowling Club on Monday 20 May from 1.30pm - 4pm and at Blackburn Community Centre at the same time on Wednesday 29 May.
There will be live music. The admission price of £2.50 includes tea and biscuits. Everyone is welcome.
These afternoons allow participants to socialise, meet with friends old and new whilst keeping active. Come along and join in the atmosphere and have a great afternoon.
For more information, contact Avril Clerkson on 07768 090 008.
Gala retinue Blackburn has already announced the queen and retinue for the gala on Saturday 8 June.
They are:
Queen - Morgan Scott; Ladies in waiting - Ailsa Watterson and Megan Martin; Queen's Champion - Athen Davis; Swenior Herald - Lewis Williams; Junior Herald - Aiden Mcculloch and Skye Forrest; Flower girls - Rebekah Colman, Amy Miller, Nicole Gidwood, Charlie Robertson, Taylor-Jade Allister, Jessica Armstrong, Dionne Mckay, Chelsea Davis, Louise Scoular and Chloe Mason. Fairy Queen - Neve Mcmilllan; Fairies - Allana Addison, Mia Macleod, Faith Tod, Courtney Hannah, Ellie-May Smith, Leah Graham, Murron Krendler, Skye Allan, Hannah Spence, Amyleigh Mcaulay and Cerys Scoular. Queen of Hearts - Natassja Mcculloch; Knave of Hearts - Reece Thomson, Sean Spence, Aaron Waterson, Danny Garfoot, Ross Thomson and Josh Paterson. Bower girls - Rachel Thomson, Lori Miller, Rachel Colman, Holly Mcaulay-Robertson, Kassie Robertson and Tiegan Thomson.
Fuller details are available from the gala day website on the right hand side of this page.
Free for all at hip-hop aerobics
A free aerobic and body conditioning class takes place from 7.15 - 8pm at Blackburn Community centre every Thursday evening.
The class has a fresh and funky hip-hop style.
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 walk to Blaeberry leaves from Whitburn Library at 10am on Tuesday 14 May.
Walks last about an hour. A shorter or slower paced route is also available on most walks, just ask the walk leaders. All walks are led by a trained walk leader and there?s no need to book - just come along. All groups are very friendly and usually enjoy a cuppa and some social time after walks which everyone is welcome to join.
For more information on walks in 2013, or for a programme, please contact 01506 775626.
Spaces available at drama group
A.C.E music and drama meets at Whitburn Academy hall from 7 - 9pm every Thursday evening.
The group is open to anyone aged five and over, who likes to sing, dance and perform.
The group is also keen to hear from anyone who would be prepared to help out backstage with lighting, props and make up etc.
Anyone interested should email acompanyentertainers@gmail.com
Dementia cafe
The Dementia Cafe at Answer House, Reveston Lane meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 2pm to 3.15pm.A lunch club is available.
Website for Blackburn
A 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)
Community police
For information about contacting community police officers in Whitburn and Blackburn, CLICK HERE (new window)
Last updated 13/05/2013
