(Blackridge Noticeboard)

Armadale Thistle FC Statistics

Have you any information about local activities in Armadale?       

For regular interest group meetings, sports facilities, etc, see the Clubs page

updated 1 September 2010

Please e-mail Rosie

Armadale Cross

Armadale and Blackridge News AND Local Area Committee Link

Local Area Committee Members:

Councillor Isabel Hutton (Chair)
Councillor Stuart Borrowman
Councillor Jim Dixon

Have you got something to celebrate - why not announce it here?

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Posted 29 July 2010

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, please e-mail Rosie . Any e-mails about family members / local people up to December 2009 can now be found on the Family History page.  2010 e-mails will be posted below.

Recycling Calendar Information

Handy Phone Numbers

Armadale Supermarket / Retail Developments

GALA 2010

The Camera Club's album of Gala photographs is now on display in Rings & Things.  Order forms are available there, too.

Win Free Tickets To "Olivia"
Broxburn Footlights Youth Drama Group are giving you the chance to win a free family ticket to see "Olivia" at Howden Park Centre on 6th 7th or 8th
of October 2010. All you have to do is visit www.bfydg.info to answer a question in our free to enter competition. Good Luck!

posted 5 August 2010

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Mathieu  Miguet, who was last in Armadale over twenty years ago, would like to make contact with the Bennetts (Tom, Joyce and Amanda). 

Please e-mail Rosie

posted 1 August 2010, Updated 10 August 2010.

Thank you to those who have contacted us to tell us that, sadly, Tom Bennett, late of Armadale, died at home in Kirkcaldy on 27th July 2010.  Mathieu Miguet has been informed of the news, but he would like to contact the family so if anyone can put him in touch, please let me know.  See Death Notice published in the West Lothian Courier on Thursday 5th August.

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Help Needed!

Crystal Palace FC historian Alan King has recently contacted me about Armadale FC players Sam Tonner and George Milligan.

Here's what I know about them.  Perhaps you know more?  I would be delighted to hear from you! Please e-mail Rosie

Sam Tonner, born Dunfermline 10 August 1894: played for Dunfermline Athletic; Clapton Orient, later known as Leyton Orient (see his photo); Bristol City; Crystal Palace - joined August 1926. Made first three team appearances; Armadale FC. Died Fleetwood 1976
George Milligan, born 1890 Glasgow; 1911 - 1914 Burnley, two appearances; 1914 - 1920 Clyde; first two games of the 1920-21 season for Crystal Palace, one goal; 1921 Armadale FC.

Other early Armadale FC players can be found on Armadale Football History
 

Posted 27 July 2010

email: Jacqueline.Brown@westlothian.gov.uk  Mobile: 07825898334

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Issued by Armadale Station Community Development: 3rd February 2010

Armadale Station Gives Kick-Start to Sports Club Under-14s

Armadale Station Community Development has announced its sponsorship of the Armadale Sports Club Under-14s football team

Local Armadale and Blackridge councillor, Isabel Hutton, said: “It is great to see the team getting this vital sponsorship. The commitment and energy given by the parents and coaches, on a voluntary basis, is superb and the boys have done the town proud with their achievements.”

Sandra Carter, of SDA Ltd, developers behind the project, said:  “We see ourselves as integral to Armadale as the various sports clubs and Gala Day, and are very happy to be sponsoring the football team. It is great to see the boys in their new strips and wish them well for the rest of the season.”
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Why not recycle unwanted clothing, paired shoes and textiles (no pillows/duvets) in the recycle bin at the far end of Colinshiel Car Park to help raise funds for Colinshiel Tenants' Association?

Above: Armadale's new library under construction (early 2010), attached to the front of Armadale Community Education Centre

Above: Armadale Community Centre, April 2010, following refurbishment and extension, which will house the re-located Armadale Library.  The old library in West Main Street will be closed from 23 August for a week while it moves to its new location.  It is hoped that the new library will be ready for opening on the 30 August.  Once it is open, the new library's phone number will be: 01506 282282

 ( Information about clubs and facilities available at the Centre is now available on the Clubs page.  If you have any query, please contact Kathy Brown, Armadale Community Education Centre Co-ordinator, on 01506 282284)

• Museum exhibition - “Armadale: History of a Community” A display by the History of Armadale Association, with lots of fascinating facts about life, work and leisure in Armadale over the last 200 years and more. Opening shortly at the new library.
• Bookbug sessions: Bring your baby and pre-school child along to enjoy rhymes, songs and stories from 1.45pm – 2.15pm on selected dates.
• Bounce and Tickle: All babies and pre-school children, with an accompanying adult, are welcome to these sessions, which include rhymes, songs and stories, are held from 10.30am to 11am.   Ask Library staff for details
• Storytime: There are weekly storytime meetings in Armadale Library from 10.15am – 11am on Tuesday mornings  and between 2.15pm and 3pm on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.  Children must be at least three years old and parents should check with the library in advance to see if there is a place for their child.
• Armadale Chatterbooks Club: This free reading group for children meets from 4pm - 5pm on the last Tuesday of the month. Refreshments are provided. Parents should check with the library in advance to see if there is a place for their child.
• BBC Audiobooks Reading and Listening Challenge: Armadale Library is taking part in the BBC’s Audiobooks Reading and Listening Challenge which runs until mid-November. There are 10 places available for this event and children need to be 7-12 years of age. Please check with the library to see if there are places available.
• See HERE for other activities for parents, babies and young children.

The plaque in Armadale's current library marking its opening in 1963.

The premises are supported by Armadale Community Education Association and partners. Armadale Youth Committee hosted the official opening of the new Youth Space and more than 50 partners enjoyed their presentation regarding their decision making training. The young people have been involved with the project and will form a management team.

Posted May 2010

Background:

• Following the work of a local partnership group led by WL Council's Planning Team, a new group was formed chaired by Scott Mackay, who is also Chair of Armadale Community Education Association.  The group's aim was to address the town's youth issues and to develop local projects.  Young Armadalians' discussions about their needs were supported by the group's links with local schools and Armadale Community Centre.
• Youth issues featured as a priority on Armadale and Blackridge Local Area Committee's programme of work and Councillor Jim Dixon was established as the link between the youth group and the LAC. Posted January 2009
• The new unique youth space in the old co-op halls on the main street was being developed for young people from S1+.  The project was funded by alcohol diversionary funding and Leader funding and was supported by the youth issues group and Armadale Community Education Association.

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Cover photo of the successful DVD Gangsta's Paradise, which has a strong anti-drug message and has been requested for use in schools.

Congratulations to Stephen Mander and Jamie Cook who represented Armadale at the Kids for Kids UK Film Festival in the city of Durham. The lads had a great time and really enjoyed themselves. They attended screenings and workshops as well as the final night where all the films in competition were screened and the winners announced. Their film Gangsta's Paradise was one of 100 original entries in the 12-16 yr old group and from that large number it came second.
Much praise was given to the film and it came within a whisker of winning the whole competition. The acting was likened to that of 'A young James McAvoy' in raw talent and, overall, it can be described as a brilliant effort, particularly since this was the first film to come out of the group and it was only surpassed by the work of some other young people who had submitted their third film.
Armadale Community Education Association and the West Lothian Youth Action Project are very proud of their involvement in this project and we would like to add our congratulations to the young people who worked so hard on the film. A note of thanks must also go to Strange Boat Productions and Dave Barras who guided the group through the process. Dave is a professional media educator with many years of experience, but I know this one will mean a little bit more to him since he is also an Armadale lad.

Scott Mackay, posted 28 October 2009

Film Festival Programme

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note new number and area code 01506 282145

armadale.ac@wled.org.uk

New Armadale Academy while under construction (left) and and former Armadale Academy (right)

Armadale Academy was officially opened on Monday, 28 September, by the Cabinet Secretary for Education Fiona Hyslop. It is one of two new West Lothian secondary schools to be opened under a £60 million partnership arrangement.

The school's capacity has been increased to 1,210 pupils to support new housing developments in and around the town.

See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1armIU29VfI for a taster of the day.

West Lothian Council Press Release

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• Have you visited the new Armadale Primary  Parent Council webpage yet?
• Armadale Academy's School and Community Links Organisation, consisting of pupils, staff and parents, has declared its aim: to bridge the gap between school and the community.  More information: 01501 730601
• St Anthony's Primary School in Armadale are delighted to have formed a new Community Group with parents and staff to have frequent meetings to discuss operational procedures and fundraising to raise awareness within the Armadale Community. The group are also very keen to make use of existing skills and talents on offer from members of the parent body. This we hope will make the Community group a success.

West Main Street, Armadale, December 2009

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RAIL: 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

Railscot Homepage

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
foundations. At the time of the meeting, current activity included the electrification of the existing Haymarket to Bathgate track and devegetation and mining remediation work on the closed line section between Bathgate and Drumgelloch. He anticipated that, from February 2009, the main civil engineering work between Bathgate and Drumgelloch, including track bed, new station and cycle path works, would start. The construction of the new Bathgate and Armadale Stations and a Light Maintenance Depot would also begin at this time. Following those works, from January 2010, the closed line section would have track laid and would then be electrified. The Airdrie to Drumgelloch section would also be upgraded during this phase.

• Want to see work done on the Edinburgh - Bathgate line in summer 2008?  Here's a link to 2 ½ minutes of time-lapse photography.

• If you're a member of facebook, why not look at the photos of the The Airdrie Bathgate Rail Link group?

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Station Road Railway Bridge

Dear Resident,

As you know, Network Rail have abandoned their original plan to build a new rail bridge here a little to the west of the existing bridge.  It’s a pity that this only came to light during a meeting I had some months ago with Carillion about a completely different issue, and that residents weren’t informed properly.   I know that there is widespread concern about apparent waste of money and what may have been unnecessary disruption to the road.

However, we are where we are and my concerns are threefold:

• pedestrian safety on Station Road, especially in the vicinity of the station and the bridge;
• the safety of the bridge itself;
• the amenity of residents in the vicinity, especially those close to the bridge.

Network Rail have just submitted formal proposals to the Council as Highways Authority. I have had discussions with senior Council officials and a senior official from Network Rail and will be following up these with further meetings.

First, there need to be suitable arrangements for pedestrians because of the volumes of traffic in the area.  Network Rail are talking about the possibility of a Toucan crossing(s).   My discussions with Council officials suggest this could mean a phase of lights such that residents or visitors at 63+ Station Road would have a phase to enable them to cross the road or to emerge from their drive.  It would also enable a pedestrian phase in crossing the bridge.   Council officials haven’t excluded the possibility of single-file traffic on the bridge with a pedestrian-only zone.

Second, the need for a weight limit on the bridge is being discussed seriously.  That’s largely a technical matter but apparently there is evidence of corrosion.  I am keen that local businesses and bus routes are not compromised.  A weight limit will affect the volume and nature of traffic.

Third, I think Network Rail should consider the practical issues affecting residents close to the station, including in the area originally proposed to be a cul-de-sac.    

I will keep you informed as I hear more and will be pleased to hear from you with your concerns if you are a user of this road as a driver, passenger or pedestrian..

Yours sincerely,   

Stuart Borrowman

Councillor Stuart Borrowman

01506 281702

ARMADALE SURGERIES

Tuesdays CIS (Council office) 5.30 - 5.45pm

Thursdays Armadale Bowling Club 6pm

Posted 18 April 2010

A civic space on East Main Street outside the CIS centre will be created. This will involve upgrading the area using high quality natural stone kerbs and paving slabs. The existing public art will be upgraded and retained and the existing public toilet has been relocated to North Street, but is not yet open. Works should be completed by the end of August.

Posted 10 August 2010.

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Discussions with Wimpey

My discussions with Wimpey suggest – subject to Scottish Power disconnecting live power sources - agreement is close to enable:

• a solution to the flooding of Nelson Park and East End (Jet) garage, caused by Wimpey raising the level of the land .  I understand the technical aspects of this have been agreed with the Council
• the completion of the kick-pitch in the north-east corner of the Wimpey site both to provide a facility for local youngsters and tidy up an eyesore.  Due to ground conditions, the area will not be as elaborate as originally intended and Wimpey have given the money saved to the Council to upgrade other facilities
• a general tidy up, including the mess behind the Persimmon houses backing on to the Stadium
• construction of a proper footpath along the A89 from Mallace Avenue towards the East End garage.  There are ownership complications that are holding things up but I believe the Council - as highways authority - can assert a right to a 2m verge that would be sufficient for Wimpey to construct the path 
• treatment of the roadside swales and drains allowing for adoption of the highway by the Council after the one year maintenance period.  I'm guessing this might mean late 2011 or the first part of 2012 for the completion of the process.

You may also be interested to know that the planning applications for supermarkets - including the one at Armadale Stadium - will be determined on 26 May.

If you wish to contact me on these or any other issue, please feel free to do so.

Councillor Stuart Borrowman

Independent

Armadale and Blackridge Ward

01506 281702

Posted 18 May 2010

A proposal for the construction of two playing fields at Avondale Drive, Armadale, was approved by West Lothian Council's Development Control Committee.

The area of open space at Avondale Terrace will be upgraded and existing play equipment will be relocated.

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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.  The organisers hoped to record the views of residents and visitors about the key issues and priorities for the town centre.

BEST BAR NONE LICENSING SCHEME

• Armadale became the first town in West Lothian to have all its public houses sign up for the Best Bar None Licensing Scheme.
• "This will protect people when they come here to drink," said Armadale's Police Inspector Stephen Elliot.
   
• The ‘Best Bar None’ Accreditation and Awards Scheme has been running in Scotland for over two years.
• It concentrates on public safety and customer care. Each venue that joins the Scheme has an opportunity to demonstrate its concern for important issues such as: prevention of crime and disorder; public safety; prevention of public nuisance; protection of children from harm.  
• Participation in the Scheme will set minimum standards and encourage best practice whilst also reducing crime and the fear of crime in and around licensed premises.
• Trained staff from West Lothian Police and West Lothian Council will assess premises on their ability to promote the licensing objectives (described earlier) and their performance on a range of safety issues, such as effective staff training and whether there is a planned exit strategy in the event of an emergency.
• Those premises that achieve the basic Best Bar None Accreditation will receive a plaque to display outside their premises, and those that achieve a high standard of operation may become the Best Bar None Award Winner in their particular category.
• From a business point of view, the Scheme helps to promote the night-time economy in West Lothian with the aim of making it a safer place to live, work, visit and socialise.
• The Scheme is part of a wider strategy to reduce violent crime associated with alcohol abuse.

Posted 3 February 2009

The Wastewise Armadale Project Final Report February 2008

Armadale website's coverage 2007

Interview 2009

Happiness - is a place called West Lothian. West Lothian was voted the happiest place to stay in
Scotland and the third happiest in Britain. The research was carried out by teams from the Universities of
Sheffield and Manchester, using data from the British Household Panel Survey.

Details of survey and full list

The last surviving Armadale town councillor, Willie Ferrier died in December 2009.  He had an exceptional career as a trades unionist - he was a moulder in the Atlas foundry for 48 years; as a musician as lead cornet with the Armadale Burgh Band; and as a politician.  Mr Ferrier served two terms as the town's Provost.  This means he is the only Provost to have welcomed the reigning monarch to the town (Queen Elizabeth in 1955) and he also convened the last ever meeting of the town council in 1975.

However, Mr Ferrier's service to the community didn't end when he retired from local government after his second spell as civic head.  He joined the newly-created Armadale Community Council in 1975 and was still active as its vice-chair until a few months before his death at the age of 96.

Mr Ferrier's daughter, Muriel decided to offer a cup in honour of her father for citizenship and contribution to the life of the town and asked the community council to take charge of the award.

The first award is made to Scott Mackay who is a member of the community council himself but also chair of the community education association and has done much of the work to create the new youth space in West Main Street.

Community Council chair, Elizabeth Hands said "Mr Ferrier was an Armadale man in so many ways and contributed across a wide range of aspects of the life of the town.  We are pleased that Scott Mackay has agreed to accept this honour for his hard work not just this year but over a number."

Local councillor Stuart Borrowman was asked to present the cup to Scott (pictured here on the left receiving his award from Cllr Borrowman).

Councillor Borrowman said, "I knew Mr Ferrier for a long time and was honoured to be asked to take a cord at his funeral.  Scott is a very worthy winner of this award.  He has put in not just the time but also the ideas to so many organisations and initiatives that will benefit the town."

Mr Mackay modestly thanked all those who have worked with him on community projects but his own outstanding contribution has now been recognised.

June 2010