B’quarry&Murieston

Yvonne Green 01506 440881/ 07504551881 yvonnegreen55@gmail.com Bellsquarry Village Hall Association AGM 2017 will be held in the hall on 13 November from 19:00–21:00. Come along and find out what’s been going on with the hall and what our plans are for the year ahead. We’d also like to hear from you about what you’d like to see in the hall and any improvements you think we could make. Perhaps you’d like to join our committee? Cheese and wine will be served afterwards. All welcome. Murieston Community Council meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7pm in Williamston Primary School. All interested parties welcome. Check out www.muriestoncommunity.com for further information. All of the minutes of the meetings can be found at The Minutes of Meeting page. Catch up on all the hot topics discussed at the meetings. Election of Murieston Community Councillors has now taken place and the inaugural meeting of the new Council will be held at Williamston Primary School tonight, Thursday 9th November at 7pm. All welcome and if you would like to represent your community as a co-opted member on the Community Council, then please come along to find out how this is done. The Community Council currently has two main projects it would like to facilitate - a Community Garden and a Development Trust: There is an opportunity to provide a Community Garden on land adjacent to Murieston Water. The Community Council will facilitate planning but require a management team to setup a constitution and manage the project. If this is something you would like to be involved in, whether on the management team or just a plot holder please let us know, contact details below. With continued austerity drive and pressure on local community finances, it is becoming more difficult for Local Authorities to fund projects for communities. The Community Council feels that a way of funding local projects is to have a Community Development Trust in our area. Advantages are: Grant Aid for community projects are easier to access if there is a properly structured Development Trust which is of a charitable status. Projects are owned and managed by the community and should promote sustainable regeneration of the community or address a range of economic, social, environmental issues within the community. Examples, perhaps tennis facilities, community garden, community café, broadband for areas that appear to be avoided by commercial providers, enhancement to existing footpaths in the Murieston area etc. In general, any type of project that enhances the community will normally fall within the constitution and remit of the Trust. For more information on Development Trusts, go to the website Development Trust Association Scotland. Once the level of community interest is established, the Community Council’s intention is to hold a Public meeting, 1st Quarter 2018 to allow a formal Development Trust to be set up. This will be advertised nearer the actual date. If any of the above projects appeal to you and you would like to become involved, please contact the Community Council, either on our website http:// murieston.communitycouncil.org. uk/, complete “Contact Us” and just head it with the project you would like to be involved in, leaving your contact details. Alternatively, phone 07393908954. For those members of the Community who have already registered interest we will be in touch. Games Night will be held in Bellsquarry Village Hall on 10th November at 19:00–22:00. Come along and

join your neighbours for a game or two of cards, dominoes, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit - whatever you like really. Tea and coffee provided but feel free to bring a bottle and some nibbles if you wish. All welcome. Williamston Primary School Christmas Fayre Sunday 26th November - 2pm - 4.30pm Volunteers Needed! All we’re asking is for 30 minutes of your time leaving you two whole hours to go round the Fayre with your family! If you can help on the day, please make contact via the schools Facebook page.

Sing in the City choir will be coming to Livingston starting on Jan 17th 2018 from 19.00 till 21.00 on Wednesdays in Murieston Scout Hall. For further information see www. choiredinburgh.co.uk. To book a free trial night contact - hello.singinthecity@choiredinburgh.co.uk

Livingston Cricket Club is again holding a Fireworks display at the ground, on Murieston Valley, Livingston during the evening of Saturday 4th November at 7.30pm. This is one of the highlights in our social calendar and one that is very popular with the wider community. The event is open to all, everyone, even if you are not a member of the Cricket Club. Please note that under the terms of our licence, only members and their (signed-in) guests will be able to purchase alcohol in the clubhouse. Please also note that NO ALCOHOL should be brought into the grounds of the club. There is no entry fee for the event, but buckets will be around for you to provide a donation should you feel inclined. As a club who are keen to ensure that we work with the local community and if the event goes ahead, we would strongly encourage you to NOT DRIVE to the event. Parking restrictions will be in place along Murieston Valley and there is no parking at the club on this evening. Parking on the streets causes problems for our neighbours, so please be considerate. If you do have to drive, then please park at Livingston South Train Station (where there

is ample parking) or along Murieston Road and walk to the ground. Livingston South Community

Church Christmas Craft Fair will be held on Saturday November 4th from 9am to 1pm in Murieston Village Hall. There will be unique handicraft items by local artists; 18 stalls of wonderful homemade items including papercrafts, handbags, pinboards, cushion covers, wooden walking sticks, oilcloth aprons and bags, photography, wooden bowls and clocks, jams and preserves, frames and artwork, patchwork and quilted gifts, cards and jewellery. Refreshments available, Fairtrade stall and free entry. Come along to see some amazing handcrafted items and get that perfect Christmas gift.

Seniors Christmas Meal hosted by Bellsquarry Village Hall will be held on 20 December at 19:00–21:30. Come and join us for a lovely Christmas meal with some entertainment from local school children. Open to all Bellsquarry residents aged 60+. Please email bellsquarryvillagehall@yahoo.com or call Lynne on 07792 039 382 to book a place. Livingston Cricket Club Social, hold a wide variety of events throughout the year. For more information on this and future events please check out the clubs Facebook page. Community Coffee Morning is held in Bellsquarry Hall on the last Thursday of every month from 10.30am ‘til 12 noon. Come and join your neighbours for coffee, cake and a blether. Everyone welcome - please help us spread the word, we’d love to see you there! Bellsquarry Community Council Meetings are held in Bellsquarry Village hall on the first Monday of every second month starting at 7.30pm. (Feb, April, June, Aug, Oct, Dec) Further details including minutes from the latest meeting can be viewed at www.bellsquarry.communitycouncil.org.uk or on the groups Facebook page. Murieston Parent and Toddler

Group meet in Murieston Village Hall every Thursday from 9.30am to 11.30am. Come along, join in the fun and make new friends.

Simply Play at Murieston provides award winning afterschool childcare in Murieston. They are based in Murieston Village Hall and collect children from Bellsquarry Primary School. For vacancies and further information please call the club manager Rosie on 07901 543387.

Livingston Care Home in Bankton Gardens, hosts a High Tea Morning every Friday from 11am – 12.15pm, everyone welcome.