West Lothian couple raise funds for six local care homes

Police are appealing for information following a serious road crash in Bathgate.The incident happened around 4.30pm on Monday (July 6) on the A7066 at the junction with the B792, involving three cars and two motorcycles.As a result of the collision, three people were taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with serious injuries.The other injured parties were treated at the scene by ambulance for minor injuries.The road was closed for around eight hours to allow a full scene investigation to take

A running enthusiast is aiming to rack up nearly 500 miles in a month for charity.Paul Brown, from Armadale, is taking part in an accumulator running challenge, which means he will run the number of miles that corresponds with the date, across the whole of July.That amounts to 496 miles in 31 days and he is hoping to raise funds for Held in Our Hearts and Neil’s Hugs Foundations.Speaking to the West Lothian Courier, Paul said: “I’ve done a few charity running challenges but this is a bit

The new academic year at Scotland’s Rural College will begin on September 28 with a combination of face-to-face and online teaching.The announcement comes as Scotland enters the first phase of its easing of lockdown restrictions.Applications are open for courses at its six campuses across Scotland including Oatridge at Ecclesmachan, while current students have been given details of when they can expect to return to their studies.To allow high-quality, socially distanced, on-campus delivery of

When Bathgate councillor Harry Cartmill visited his GP with a pain in his back he did not think much of it.At 53 years old he had never been ill in his life.He had been experiencing problems with his back over the last 10 years and thought it was no more than a slipped disc.But last September Harry was given the devastating news that he had blood cancer, which was attacking his joints and bones.Harry said he went swiftly from regularly cycling to Edinburgh to being admitted to St John’s Hospital

Weddings can take place in West Lothian again following the lifting of lockdown restrictions.Marriage and civil partnership ceremonies can now be undertaken and birth registrations started on June 29.Some restrictions will be in place, as determined by the Scottish Government guidelines.All ceremonies must take place outside and to ensure compliance with the guidelines, the wedding party is limited to eight people from a maximum of three households.Birth registrations will take place on a phased

The family of Polbeth couple Frank and Mary Mabbutt surprised them with a special celebration to mark their platinum wedding anniversary.They decorated their home on June 24 to help them celebrate 70 years of happy marriage.Mary and Frank (both 90), met while serving at RAF Benson and got married at St Mary the Virgin Church in Wallingford.Frank is originally from Islington in London but they moved back to Mary’s hometown of Polbeth in 1959.They had their only son Francis in 1961 and now have

West Lothian’s wealth of independent shops were delighted to be able to throw open their doors to customers again on Monday.Non-essential stores were forced to close at the beginning of lockdown on March 23 and were only allowed to re-open again this week.Retailers including clothing stores, arts and craft, gift and book stores said they were thrilled to see the return of regular customers.In Linlithgow, popular book shop Far from the Madding Crowd welcomed a steady stream of customers through

West Lothian street woke up in horror after a huge fire ripped through parked cars. Neighbours were left terrified as petrol poured down the street spreading the flames quickly from vehicle to vehicle.

A charity which has made more than 38,000 deliveries of critical shopping supplies to older people in West Lothian marked a milestone moment this week.Food Train has a dedicated group of volunteers who make the lives of people aged 65 and over in the region better by ensuring they can eat well and live well.The West Lothian branch, which enjoys great community support, was launched in 2010, with a team controlling local operations - taking customers’ grocery orders, doing their shopping and

A Broxburn woman is helping to keep people safe during the Covid-19 pandemic - and raising funds for St John’s Hospital at the same time.Fiona Forbes has spent her time in lockdown making over 300 face masks with profits going towards the Oncology Unit at the hospital.Fiona (pictured below) who suffered from suspected Covid-19 in March, makes figure-skating dresses and told the Courier that she was delighted to be able to do her bit to help keep people safe.She said: “I’m in the high risk

“We recognise the need to continue to make improvements at Riverside, and will use this report to help focus our efforts to further help our pupils to achieve their full potential.”Executive councillor for education David Dodds said: “We share the confidence of Education  Scotland inspectors that Riverside has the capacity to continue to improve.“I know the dedicated staff team at Riverside, supported by the Quality Improvement Team, will  build on the strengths of the school to ensure the

issued a plea for help when lockdown was enforced, asking people to donate money towards running costs as it had no income and owners feared they would not be in the position to open the doors again once restrictions are lifted.

West Lothian Council  has made “significant progress” in settling equal pay claims, it said this month.The statement came as Scotland’s local government watchdog has praised councils for their progress in settling equal pay claims, but says they expect councils to maintain their focus on unresolved cases.The 32 local authorities in Scotland have spent £1.3 billion settling cases of pay inequality between male and female staff.

“I want schools across Scotland to sign up to the Challenge when it launches in August so that we can keep sharing the joy of reading for generations to come.”Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, added: “It was fantastic to receive so many submissions to the First Minister’s Reading Challenge despite the restrictions of lockdown.“Pupils, parents, and teachers have come together to celebrate books and develop a reading culture within their schools and local communities.

Names have been chosen for three new West Lothian schools.The names of new denominational and non-denominational high schools for Winchburgh and new non-denominational primary school at Calderwood, East Calder, were determined at the meeting of West Lothian Council Education Executive on Tuesday (June 23).Following feedback from relevant stakeholders, the meeting decided upon the following names for the schools:The denominational high school is to be named as Sinclair Academy dedicated to the

Their daughter Anne Sherriff, said they were delighted to receive a card from the Queen and spoke to her Isobel online, as she stays in New Zealand.She continued: “They always work as a team which makes them doubly strong, enough to manage 70 years of ups and downs.”“They enjoyed a lockdown celebration from their little colourful garden in Dedridge.”

West Lothian pupils will spend two days in school each week and two-and-a half days being taught at home by parents.Council bosses have written to parents and carers advising them on the plans for most students returning on August 12.The council is planning for the start of the new term on August 11, in line with all other councils in Scotland.However this will be an in-service day when schools will be closed to pupils and a second in-service day planned for Monday, August 17, will not take

John Lydon has opened up about becoming a full-time carer for his wife Nora Forster, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s.The musician has been married to Forster since 1979 and was the stepfather of her daughter, The Slits’ Ari Up, who died in 2010.The former Sex Pistols frontman initially shared that Forster had been suffering from dementia in 2019.

Officers are appealing for information following a theft in Armadale.Between the hours of 8pm on Saturday (June 6) and 1.30pm on Sunday (June 7), a man entered a house in Marches Drive in Armadale and stole a purse from within.The suspect is white, aged between 30 and 40 years of age, around six feet tall, short brown hair, with a gaunt appearance and lesions on his forehead.He also had a tattoo on the left side of his neck, described as three rows of text.Constable Matthew Morran from Bathgate