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Armadale Community Noticeboard Have you any information about local activities in Armadale? For regular interest group meetings, sports facilities, etc, see the Clubs page updated 3 July 2009 Please e-mail Rosie This page is only as reliable as the information it receives. On this page:
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Armadale and Blackridge Local Area Committee (with Link to Armadale news) Local Area Committee Members:
Councillor Isabel Hutton (Chair) |
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CELEBRATIONS and THANKS Have you got something to celebrate - why not announce it here? |
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WELL
DONE to
Global Action project's Tom Wallace and the SKY TV staff involved
in creating an eco-friendly area using local produce for the Colinshiel Court development in Armadale. The work took three
days to create a wonderful transformation. Posted 3 July 2009 _________________ |
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CONGRATULATIONS
to Becky Plunkett and the rest of the team on the recent successful
Howden Park Fun Day. The pole aerial photo on the left was taken
before the crowds arrived! KCOS at the Family Fun Day, Howden Park (Livingston) June 2009 |
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CONGRATULATIONS to everyone involved in 2009's successful Crowning Ceremony, Pageant and Parade! We shall remember the day of sunshine and showers for the smiling faces and good-natured banter that greeted us wherever we went. We wish Molly McDonald, Armadale's Queen of Hearts for 2009 - 2010, an enjoyable year.
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| CONGRATULATIONS to everyone involved in the Community Group for St Anthony's Primary School. In just a short period of time the Group has managed to raise £1,000 towards School funds. | |||||||
| CONGRATULATIONS to Armadale Academy's Award Winners, Jordan Valentine (Proxime Accessit) and Abbie Hutchison and John Swift (Joint Dux of the School) | |||||||
| WELL DONE to the members of St Anthony's Primary School badminton team who participated in the Bank of Scotland's Primary Sportshall Challenge on 10 June at the Bell Sports Centre in Perth. | |||||||
CONGRATULATIONS to
Armadale's Craft Club on raising £331-31p at their recent coffee
afternoon. Here are a few behind-the-scenes photos of the hall
before and after the event. Anyone want to buy a horse and cart?
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CONGRATULATIONS to
Armadale Thistle juniors who clinched the East Region
South Division League title on Saturday, 16 May
and were presented with the trophy at the match v Harthill on
Wednesday evening (20 May). posted 21 May 2009 _____________________________ |
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An impromptu display in Coia's window to celebrate the local team's success CONGRATULATIONS to Armadale Sports Club's under-15s' recent success (on May Day bank holiday weekend) in the Southport Super Cup where they won the Fair Play award for their good conduct after losing 2-0 to Bournville Boys Club in the final. |
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ANNOUNCEMENTS / HELP NEEDED See also CONTACT THE DALE |
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Many thanks to Jim McGregor for the following
information: _________________________________________ |
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"Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to swim we go!" New swimming lessons for children now available starting from week beginning 15th June 2009. Phone and book now to guarantee your child a space! Xcite Armadale 01501 678520 _________________________________________ |
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MAYFIELD HOUSE activities:
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CONTACT THE DALE If you lived in Armadale in the past and would like to share your memories of those days, or if you would like to contact old friends and neighbours, why not e-mail Rosie ? |
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Jean HARDIE née McGILLIVRAY
from Winnipeg wrote to say: "I continue to enjoy your website and I am particularly interested in the renewing of the station and rail line to Edinburgh. It appears as if the area will be well populated unlike the years I lived there when the last house on the road up was Dunlop's until reaching Tam Dow the scrap merchant. Lauder's post office and the Boyds in Cappers farm, as well as Boyd and Brown in the Polkemmet Cottages. Thanks for keeping this site so up to date." Posted 3 July 2009
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| You may remember that Tom ALLAN, formerly of High Academy Street, wrote to us as he wanted to make contact again with the friends he left behind when he left Armadale for Toronto in February 1957: Charles FLYNN, Robert FRIEL, Tommy SNEDDON, Tom GRAHAM, Mary STEWART. He sent us a 1950s photo (above) that had been treasured over the years, showing Charles Flynn on the left, Tom Allan, Tom Graham and Tom Sneddon. It's always good to hear of a happy ending when people post requests. We're delighted that Tom Allan and Tommy Sneddon were able to meet again after 50 years (2008). Tommy would like to thank the people that let him know about the posting on this website: "Thanks Mary and Allison." | |||||||
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EVENTS and MEETINGS CALENDAR For other regular interest group meetings, see the Clubs page. The Community Centre is now closed for refurbishment Kath Brown, the Centre Manager, is operating temporarily from St Anthony's Social Club, 59 South Street, Armadale, and she can be contacted 8am - 4pm on 07766441553.
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2009 |
Below are details of some
of the many activities, which will happen in Armadale and area
over the coming weeks.
Links have also been included to events of national or international interest. If you know of an event that would interest our readers, please e-mail Rosie |
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| Travel: Rail services from Bathgate to Edinburgh Waverley will be disrupted every Sunday until 9 August 2009 as foundations and stanchions are installed to carry overhead power wires. A replacement bus service will run between Bathgate and Edinburgh Haymarket with train connections to and from Waverley. | |||||||
| Saturday 27 June - 16 August 2009: Prehistoric Frolics at Almond Valley Heritage Centre | |||||||
| Monday 29 June 2009: The new summer programme runs from 29 June to 16 August 2009 at Armadale Swimming Pool | |||||||
| JULY | |||||||
| Sunday 5 July 2009: Torphichen Summer Nights Concert, Torphichen Kirk, 7pm; interval refreshments in the Preceptory | |||||||
| Tuesday 7 July 2009: Fun, Activities and Crafts at Armadale Library for 5 - 11 years, 2.15pm - 3.15pm | |||||||
| Monday 13 July 2009 - Friday 17 July 2009: Piping and Drumming Summer School, Craigsfarm Campus, Livingston, experienced and 11+, £20, 10am - 4pm; beginners aged 8 - 10, £10,10am - 1pm | |||||||
| Tuesday 14 July 2009: Fun, Activities and Crafts at Armadale Library for 5 - 11 years, 2.15pm - 3.15pm | |||||||
| 15 July - 12 August 2009: Scotch Hop at Linlithgow Palace. Check website for days and times | |||||||
| Thursday 16 July 2009: Fun, Activities and Crafts at Armadale Library for 5 - 11 years, 2.15pm - 3.15pm | |||||||
| Monday 20 July 2009 - Friday 24 July 2009: Digital Media Summer School, Craigsfarm Campus, Livingston, £20, 10am - 4pm | |||||||
| 21 July - 24 July: International Genealogy Festival and Conference, Strathclyde University | |||||||
| 25 July - 26 July 2009: The Gathering 2009, Holyrood Park, The Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle | |||||||
| Sunday 26 July 2009: Hopetoun House Summer Fair | |||||||
| Tuesday 28 July 2009: Fun, Activities and Crafts at Armadale Library for 5 - 11 years, 2.15pm - 3.15pm | |||||||
| Thursday 30 July 2009: Fun, Activities and Crafts at Armadale Library for 5 - 11 years, 2.15pm - 3.15pm | |||||||
| 30 July - 6 September 2009: Edinburgh Art Festival | |||||||
| AUGUST | |||||||
| Sunday 2 August 2009: Torphichen Summer Nights Concert, Torphichen Kirk, 7pm; interval refreshments in the Preceptory | |||||||
| Monday 3 August: Summer Bank Holiday in Scotland | |||||||
| 7 August - 29 August 2009: Edinburgh Military Tattoo | |||||||
| 7 August - 31 August 2009: Edinburgh Festival Fringe | |||||||
| 10 August - 13 November 2009: Banners and Benefits Museum Exhibition at Armadale Library | |||||||
| 10 August - 16 August: Piping Live! Music of the Clans, George Square, Glasgow | |||||||
| Tuesday 111 August 2009: Fun, Activities and Crafts at Armadale Library for 5 - 11 years, 2.15pm - 3.15pm | |||||||
| Thursday 13 August 2009: Fun, Activities and Crafts at Armadale Library for 5 - 11 years, 2.15pm - 3.15pm | |||||||
| 14 August - 6 September 2009: Edinburgh International Festival | |||||||
| 15 August - 31 August 2009: Edinburgh International Book Festival | |||||||
| Monday 17 August 2009: Armadale Academy staff only move into new premises | |||||||
| Tuesday 18 August 2009: Armadale Academy exceptional closure for puils because of moving to new premises. | |||||||
| Tuesday 18 August 2009: Armadale's Harmony Dance Club returns after the summer recess. Please note the change of venue: St Anthony's Social Club hall. | |||||||
| Wednesday 19 August 2009: S1, 5 and 6 pupils return to the new Armadale Academy | |||||||
| Thursday 20 August 2009: S2, S3 and S4 pupils return to the new Armadale Academy | |||||||
| Monday 31 August: Summer Bank Holiday in England | |||||||
| SEPTEMBER | |||||||
| Wednesday 2 September 2009: Armadale Children's Gala Day AGM at 7.30pm in Colinshiel, McNeil Crescent | |||||||
| Sunday 6 September 2009: Torphichen Summer Nights Concert, Torphichen Kirk, 7pm; interval refreshments in the Preceptory | |||||||
| Monday 7 September 2009: The Friendship Group returns from summer recess. | |||||||
| 10 - 13 September 2009: Linlithgow Folk Festival | |||||||
| 13 - 19 September 2009: Bathgate Music Festival | |||||||
| Wednesday 16 September 2009: West Lothian History and Amenity Society talk: 'Kite Aerial Photography: Community and Archaeology' | |||||||
| OCTOBER | |||||||
| 8th 9th & 10th October 2009: Broxburn Footlights Youth Drama Group presents Frankenstein The Panto . See www.bfydg.info for contact info. The group includes children from all over West Lothian, not just Broxburn, and currently 5 kids from Armadale. | |||||||
| Friday 23 October - 1 November: Scottish International Storytelling Festival | |||||||
| Friday 30 October - 1 November: Linlithgow Book Festival | |||||||
| Saturday 31 October: Hallowe'en | |||||||
| NOVEMBER | |||||||
| Thursday 5 November: Guy Fawkes' Day - Bonfire Night | |||||||
| Monday 30 November: St Andrew's Day | |||||||
| DECEMBER | |||||||
| Thursday 24 December: Christmas Eve | |||||||
| Friday 25 December: Christmas Day | |||||||
| Saturday 26 December: Boxing Day | |||||||
| Thursday 31 December: Hogmanay | |||||||
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2010 |
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Saturday 19 June 2010: Armadale Children's Gala Day Centenary
celebrations Many thanks to Jean Duncan and the members of the former Methodist Church Haven Club who have donated a substantial sum towards the costs of the 100th Gala in 2010. |
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| LOCAL AREA ISSUES | |||||||
| Local Statistics (a selection of those available for 2008/9) | |||||||
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| Youth and School News | |||||||
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The Youth Drop-in Café has
reopened in Blackridge at the top centre for young people. Aimed at
S2 to S6, the club is available every Wednesday night from 7.30pm to 9pm and offers free food, hot drinks, sports and internet access. Info: Claire.kane2@wled Posted February 2009 __________________________ |
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Following the work of a local partnership group led by WL Council's
Planning Team, a new group has been formed chaired by Scott Mackay, who is
also Chair of Armadale Community Education Association. The group's
aim is to address the town's youth issues and to develop local projects,
and they have met on three occasions since the group's creation.
Young Armadalians' discussions about their needs have been supported by
the group's links with local schools and Armadale Community Centre. Youth issues feature as a priority on Armadale and Blackridge Local Area Committee's programme of work and Councillor Jim Dixon is the link between the youth group and the LAC. Posted January 2009 __________________________ |
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| Transport and Communications | |||||||
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The Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link Current Developments of 2006 - 2010 Airdrie-Bathgate Railway Plans For a copy of the newsletter, please visit www.airdriebathgateraillink.co.uk or email: info@airdriebathgateraillink.co.uk National Helpline for enquiries (open 24 hours a day, every day of the year): 08457 114141 Up-to-date passenger information about possible disruption caused by work on the Rail Link: 08457 484950 Railscot Photos of the Bathgate area BASIC INFO:
Graeme Elliott of Network Rail reported to the
Armadale and Blackridge Local Area Committee on 29 January 2009
that by
October 2008 Network Rail had laid
9.5 miles of track, installed 17 sets of points, demolished and/or rebuilt
11 bridges, installed and commissioned 40 signals, built two new station
platforms at Livingston North and Uphall and installed 75 electrification
stanchion
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Buses: From 29 September 2008: Armadale now benefits from a round-town service
(A1) as one of three new bus
routes planned for West Lothian in an initiative to improve bus links. 25 minute round trip. Monday - Friday. Adult fare: £1; Child fare: 50p. Easy Access North Street 8.55am > Drove Road / Shaw Avenue 8.58 am > Armadale Library 9.02am > South Street 9.05am > Bathville Cross 9.08am > Morgan Way / McAffee Gardens 9.10am > Lower Bathville / Morgan Way 9.12 am > Gracie's Wynd 9.13am > Church Place 9.16am> East Main Street 9.17am> North Street 9.20am Then every 30 minutes until 14.55pm North Street, arriving back at North Street 15.20pm It will not run 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January (or any substitute holiday in December and January) __________________________ |
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Platform Blackridge: Victory for People Power The Rocky Road to Success!
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The old station, Armadale
GREETINGS FROM JEAN HARDIE née McGILLIVRAY !" I am Jean McGillivray and love to read over the
Armadale website but know very few people as we arrived at the
station in 1936 and left eight years later to go to Linlithgow. One name
I recognise is Charlie Colquhoun. We went to the first year at the Lindsay High
in 1939 and he used to pick up the papers at the station. School friends I
remember are Helen Munro, Chrissie Baird and Nancy McIntyre who is in Toronto. I
now live in Winnipeg, Canada and have been here since 1951. I would be happy to
hear from anyone who remembers me." If you would like to contact Jean,
email: arjay208 Charles Colquhoun remembered a big black spider when I told him that Jean had been in touch. I asked Jean and she told me, "Yes, I remember the big black spider in the hand of bananas being unloaded and the porter asking for a jar to put it in and I took it to school. Don't know if it was poisonous or not! I remember going to the Institute to the learners dancing led by "Wee Sanny Gorman" I love dancing but at 81 I am not out the same." Does anyone else remember the spider? What about Wee Sanny Gorman's dancing classes? Why not e-mail Rosie with your memories? Posted 12 February 2009 Interestingly, we have also heard from Alex Hogg who told us, "When I worked there the Station master had to move out of the house which was upstairs due to dry rot and we got involved in helping to bring the ceiling and the walls down (not ideal for office working). The Station master when I left was a Mr. Prosser, and as the station house was deemed to be uninhabitable we (the staff) helped move him to a house down at Bathville Cross that the Railway bought for his use. The goods yard behind the signal box was at that time used mainly for local coal merchants but included Banana vans for Marshall the fruiterer and I think it was Russell's. On occasions we were entertained by rather big banana spiders which had stowed away with the fruit. I remember the men catching two and put them together but there was a fight to the death. At that time the line was still in use with coal trains to/from Westcraigs and to Ravenscraig, why I didn't turn the camera on to them I simply don't know. There was also a signal cabin down the line to Bathgate I think it was called Bogside which came under the Armadale Station master." Posted 13 February 2009 |
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| Regeneration and Town Centre Management / Developments affecting Armadale and area | |||||||
| 2009 | |||||||
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TOWN CENTRE DESIGN GUIDE Public Exhibition, May 2009
As part of the study of Armadale Town Centre in preparation for its Town Centre Design Guide, a public exhibition was staged in South Street car park on Saturday 9 May 2009. At this early stage of the project, the organisers are hoping to record the views of residents and visitors about the key issues and priorities for the town centre. Look out for the questionnaires available around town in which you can give your opinion about Armadale. |
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IMPROVEMENT ALLOCATION West Lothian Council has announced that there will be £413,000 available for improvements to traditional town centres in Armadale, Bathgate, Broxburn/Uphall, Linlithgow and Whitburn. It is understood that each town centre will have a £50,000 allocation for developing local projects with the balance (£163,000) being allocated via a competitive bids method. The deadline for the development of funding bids by town centre groups is the
end of May. |
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COMMUNITY CENTRE News
The Community
Centre is now closed for refurbishment.
Kath Brown, the
Centre Manager, is operating temporarily from St Anthony's Social Club, 59
South Street, Armadale, and she can be contacted 8am - 4pm on 07766441553.
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BEST BAR NONE LICENSING SCHEME
Posted 3 February 2009 _________________________________ |
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Woodend Wind Farm Turbine Project: Environmental Report. Please note that some pages may take a little time to download. Updated 17 April 2009 |
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| 2008 | |||||||
| West Lothian Education and Cultural Services Bulletin 2009 | |||||||
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June 2008: NEW NURSERY CLASSROOM Armadale Primary School opened a new nursery classroom, which is designed to provide more much-needed places at the popular school. The classroom, which cost £250,000 to create in a former storage area, will provide a new learning environment. |
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June 2008: NEW LIBRARY At the Armadale Community Education Association AGM on the 28 May, it was announced that Armadale is to have a new library at Armadale Community Centre. Community consultations have now closed. Autumn 2008: COMMUNITY CENTRE News The Centre will be closed from early 2009 for refurbishment and to enable a new extension to be built at the front of the Centre to house Armadale's Library. We understand that the new library's floor space will be doubled and that there will still be some sort of museum / display area, which will be essential with the current rise in interest in Armadale and its history. It is planned that the library will have to share a learning centre with the Community Centre. |
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2008 update: Armadale, Bathgate, Broxburn/Uphall, Linlithgow and Whitburn will share a budget fund of £526,000 for 2008/9. This is the first stage of a ten-year funding programme where £5 million pounds will be invested in the improvement of traditional town centres in West Lothian. Initial improvements being funded in Armadale will include improvements to the appearance of West Main Street and improvements to South Street car park. November 2008: Bathville Cross is receiving much-needed Council scrutiny. Run-down buildings, a burnt-out shop on the former Co-op site, and an empty building plot, formerly the Bathville Inn site, are some of the elements that spoil the Bathville environment. Consultation is now in progress and the opinions and ideas of local people are welcomed by the Local Area Committee.
The site of Bathville Inn, demolished after a fire in 2006 Armadale and Blackridge Local Area Committee November 2008 update: New powers include: traffic calming measures; parking restrictions; street naming; town centre improvements; anti-social under-age drinking initiatives; Christmas decorations; local planning matters and Christmas treats. Locality planning lead officer, Ann Gee and locality planning officer, Willie Carruthers Local Area Committee Members:
Councillor Isabel Hutton (Chair) |
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Community planning, locality planning and multi-member wards Community Planning and Regeneration Annual Report 2007 - 2008 |
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| 2007 | |||||||
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April 2007: West Lothian was placed 7th out 408 local
authority areas in a national survey, conducted by Reader's Digest,
in which researchers tried to identify the best places in Britain to
bring up a family. West Lothian scored well for
hospitals and schools and was the best of the top ten areas for
affordable housing. September 2007: Armadale, Bathgate, Broxburn/Uphall, Linlithgow, Whitburn are to receive a share of £250,000 for improvement projects. Each town will receive £25,000 and the rest of the money will be allocated subject to the assessed priorities of the towns, communicated by their councils, based on the recommendations of Local Area Committees (of elected members) and local groups, who in turn will be expected to reflect local views. Action Plan for Traditional Town Centres - Armadale Planning Consultation was conducted until 31 October 2007. |
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2006 |
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| 2006 Armadale Town Centre Residents' Survey (first 200 responses) | |||||||
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Happiness - is a place called West Lothian.
West Lothian has been voted the happiest place to stay in |
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Employment Advisers are in the Armadale area now to offer FREE advice on getting back into work.
Call us free on: 0800 032 9768 Email us: access2employment@westlothian.gov.uk Tuesday afternoons
Mayfield
Community House Wednesdays 1pm - 4.30pm currently in St Anthony's Social Club
CIS Advice on childcare, CVs, interview, training |
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