New Arrivals on the Park WANDERER NOTICES 2013 Winter 2013 A Bumper Year for Willow Wood The Association welcomes our 31 December 2013 Momentous Year for Scottish Park Home Residents new neighbours... COMPUTER PROBLEMS? Gary Ferguson (No 4) FOR REPAIRS, ADVICE, INKS So much has happened tween residents and site the Housing () AND HARDWARE Tony & Christine Shelton (No 8) on the local and national owners. Willow Wood bill of 2013. Unscru- park home scene since Residents Association, pulous park owners Billy & Betty Doyle (No 13) GW Computers Inside WILLOW WOOD RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION the last edition of the who were the only resi- need to look out since Stoneyburn Chair: Wilma Gault (Tel:01501 760087) Duncan & Margaret Greenhow Complimentary Wanderer nearly a year dents Association repre- all licences must be re- (No 38) 01501 763363 Secretary: Susan Meiklejohn (Tel: 01501 760190) ago. sented on the Govern- applied over the next 2014 Brenda Hendy (No 45) ment’s consultative three years with site www.willowwoodwestlothian.co.uk In a local context we have Wanderer articles, edi- Mini Calendar committee, can take a owners and their local seen the most comprehen- torial comment, letters from our MSP great deal of credit for managers being re- ‘Creating a Community’ and photographs are sive programme of events these welcome changes quired to pass a Fit and published in good faith. promoted The Publishers take no Proper Person Test THE WILLOW WOOD WANDERER responsibility however, by the including formal 11 Cuthill Brae for any errors, inaccura- Residents police checks. A cies or omissions. The Associa- West Calder EH55 8QE views of contributors safeguard has been

tion. The EDITOR: JIM HALUCH are not necessarily those built into the Bill to of the Publishers. members TEL: 01501 762190 ensure that residents h a v e will not be affected r a i s e d by any suspension spectacu- FESTIVE GREETINGS or withdrawal of a lar sums licence. See our from for the Association allow- which was recognized later articles giving ing it to buy two high The Willow Wood Wanderer when the Housing Min- more detail on all these quality marquees for com- ister Margaret Burgess legislative matters. munity use. Donations MSP launched the regu- and find raising were so lations from the park.. Jocelyn Carpenter successful that these were Pride in these achieve- While the new regula- ments has been tem- sufficient to fund the pur- tions were widely wel- wishes her friends and chases without taxing the pered by the reality of neighbours at Willow- comed there was some life on the park. Every- normal Association funds. disappointment that the Wood the very best for the Cathy Halpin We showcase all the one was stunned to hear Festive Season and thanks commission on sale was of the untimely death of and Tom Menzies events later not abolished. However them all for their beautiful Jean Richardson while cards which are greatly send the compliments of the On the national scene, the much this was a disap- season to all their neighbours on holiday in Majorca lot of park home residents pointment no one fore- appreciated at Willow Wood. a few weeks ago. The was greatly improved by saw the far reaching Community lost one of Instead of sending cards they have changes which are now made a donation to the Willow the introduction of new its real characters and Wood Residents Association regulations by the Scot- been proposed to the we print an obituary to tish Parliament to the licensing and control of Jean in later pages. written agreement be- park home sites through STOP PRESS NEWS Ruby Jones FOR ALL YOUR PARK HOME MAINTENANCE thanks everyone for The Association Committee greatly regrets the necessity to cancel last Friday’s Carol con- NEEDS their good wishes and Seasons Greetings cert at the last minute. The weather was atro- sends them all her best cious and presented a possible danger due to regards for Christmas the marquee becoming unstable in the high and New Year SERVING THE RESIDENTS OF WILLOW WOODwinds PARK Alternative arrangements were made for collection of the raffle prizes. The Com- mittee thanks those who turned out at a mo- Tel 01506 530344

The Willow Willow The Wanderer Wood ment’s notice to dismantle the marquee and save it from damage. www.parkhomesscotland.com THE WANDERER EDITORIAL THE POLITICS PAGES

It is a year since we last probably the most momentous selling and gifting homes, recog- FROM Angela Constance brought you an edition of The year in the history of park nition of residents associations NEIL FINDLAY MSP is MSP for the Almond From Wanderer. homes in Scotland since the and other resident safeguards. Valley constituency which Angela Constance The publishers regret that it has Mobile homes Act of 1983. Unfortunately the only setback Lobbying Bill taken over includes Willow Wood was the failure to achieve aboli- by Scottish Government and Minister for Youth MSP been so long and that the quar- It was in 2008 that Mike Lark- tion of sales commission. Sig- Employment in the Scot- terly or thrice yearly record since man started his campaign for Over the last 18 months I tish Government nificantly, the Scottish regula- 2005 has been interrupted. Why change in the law on Park have been working on the in- tions are much stronger than in the interruption—a combination Homes motivated by the experi- troduction of a new bill to England due to the close study PARK HOMES LEGISLATION of indifferent health for a while, ences of residents at Willow regulate the lobbying of par- the stakeholder committee un- After many years of supporting Willow Wood residents with other commitments, lack of mo- Wood. Simultaneously, Jim liament. The Bill would set up tivation, getting older and just Haluch and the WWRA had dertook on what had been omit- their campaign to change the law to afford more protection ted in the English legislation a statutory register of those and rights for park home residents, I was delighted the new the plain onerous task producing embarked on the Community lobbying MSPs and Civil Ser- the newsletter and keeping the Right to Buy and quickly be- A further result of that study is regulations came into force on 1st September 2013. it was vants. A lot of hard work has Willow Wood website up to came involved in the campaign the inclusion of a Mobile (Park) good to join the Housing minister, Margaret Burgess MSP gone into preparing the Bill date. Some help would be ap- for change. Since 2010, Jim Homes section in the Housing on a visit to meet the residents but now the Scottish Govern- preciated but in the meantime if and Mike have sat on the Scot- (Scotland) Bill 2013. As we who had campaigned with such ment have stepped in to take you are online make sure you tish Government Stakeholder mention elsewhere, the bill ful- courage and vigour for a change have a look at your very own committee on park homes and fils our dreams from 2010 with over my proposal. in the law. Internet website at have lobbied strongly in print, its strong emphasis on discourag- Whilst I am disappointed it is www.willowwoodwestlothian.co online and with MPs and MSPs ing and indeed removing all du- not in this years legislative .uk for a change in the law. The bious and indeed criminal ele- programme I look forward to

campaign reached its first set of ments from running park homes the government sticking to One thing that can’t be blamed is goals last September with sites in Scotland. A momentous the aims and objectives of lack of news. Year 2013 was changes in the regulations for year indeed. the Bill as it has received

wide ranging support from health has meant a hospital stay and Ms Kaushalaya Chand NEWSDESK 1 as her daughter writes on our Let- across Scotland. The Scottish Parliament has a reputation M r s M a r y O v e n s ters page it seems unlikely that Kaushalaya (No8) recently moved for openness and accountabil- Friends and neighbours of Mrs Mary will be returning to Willow away from Willow Wood and has Mary Ovens, (No 5) were saddened Wood. Mary was a fixture on the asked The Wanderer to express her ity and getting this Bill to hear of the fairly sudden deterio- park and despite being in her eight- gratitude to all her neighbours and passed will protect that going ration in her health. Mary is proba- ies up till recently she was still driv- friends at Willow Wood for their forward. ST JOHN’S HOSPITAL bly the only real ‘local’ in Willow ing and keeping her garden im- friendship over years. Kaushalaya I know that my constituents in Wood having been born nearby in maculate. The Wanderer wishes gave sterling service to the Resi- I will be keeping a very close Almond Valley are very commit- Westwood Road. Mary’s poor Mary well. dents Association serving as Treas- eye on developments to en- ted to their local hospital and are urer. sure that the entire Bill is in- interested in the developments troduced that take place there. Earlier this Obituary—Jean Richardson (1944-2013) year, the Cabinet Secretary for Willow Wood lost a great friend and neighbour with the Health and Welfare Alex Neil most untimely death of Jean Richardson. Jean and her MSP and I, visited the hospital. I husband Jimmy came to Willow Wood (no 21) some years am pleased that both The Cabinet secretary and NHS Lothian ago from Aberdeen and quickly established themselves as remain committed to the long tern future of Accident and Emer-

the fine neighbours they became. Jean was always ready gency services at the hospital and that additional resources have with a smile and a laugh and could be relied on to under- delivered extra doctors to this department and others at St Johns take any service for her neighbours and for the Residents this year. Association. No Willow Wood event was complete without Jean (left) with Gillie Larkman Neil Findlay is a Labour Party List THE FESTIVE SEASON her cheery demeanour and her joyful participation in all our MSP in the Scottish Parliament, May I take this opportunity to send my good wishes to events as shown in the picture opposite. Jean passed away in her sleep while on holiday in Shadow Health Minister and a long- everyone at Willow Wood for a very happy Christmas and Majorca; her funeral took place at Livingston Crematorium attended by a large gathering of time supporter of Willow Wood a very good New Year in 2014 relations, friends and neighbours from Willow Wood. Sadly Missed.

Page 2 THE WILLOW WOOD WAND ERER WINTER 2013 Page 7 Westminster Report by Graeme Morrice MP Autumn 2013 The Wanderer Features

In November I hosted my second annual ‘Question Time with Graeme Morrice A big favourite at the Festive Put 300ml/half pint of water Wanderer Kitchen MP’ event at College as part of ‘Parliament Week 2013’. Parlia- Season and great for cold into a large pan with the sugar, ment Week is a national initiative which aims to engage young people in the de- winter days is mulled wine. by Joyce cloves, cinnamon, orange and mocratic process. This year’s event was attended by 5th and 6th year students from It has always been welcome lemon slices. Heat, stirring Bathgate Academy, Broxburn Academy, James Young High School, Linlithgow at Willow Wood’s winter occasionally, until the sugar celebrations, the Christmas has dissolved. Academy, St Kentigern’s Academy and St Margaret’s Academy. Lights switch-on and the An- Remove from the heat and nual Carol Service—as our leave to infuse for 10-15 min- I hosted two coffee mornings/advice surgeries in October and November. In October I held one with picture shows. I thought you utes.. Add the red wine and Livingston South Councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick at Bellsquarry Village Hall. This was also a part might like the recipe to warm through taking care not of the Macmillan’s ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ where £150 was raised for the charity. I held serve ten. It will only take 10 to let the mixture boil. Pour minutes to prepare plus a a further coffee morning in November with Livingston South Councillor Danny Logue at the into a jug or punch bowl with bit of time standing. Lanthorn Community Centre in Dedridge. You can find details of my upcoming monthly coffee the star anise, berries and ap- mornings at www.graememorricemp.co.uk You will need the following.... ple slices. Serve warm.

This year I am backing Shelter’s Christmas Campaign after the latest homelessness figures from the 115/4oz caster sugar charity showed that over 117 West Lothian families with children could wake up homeless on Christ- 4 Cloves MULLED WINE mas Day. No child should be homeless this Christmas and I will work with any organisation to help 1 Cinnamon stick slices are optional but I also cheat avoid this. 1 orange, sliced by using mulling sachets available locally from Tesco and Dobbies As winter draws in and the temperature drops, I would once again like to remind people of the free 2 lemons. Sliced for a couple of pounds or less. I service provided by the Home Heat Helpline. (www.graememorricemp.co.uk/?p=5447) 70cl bottle red wine (Burgundy have also been known to tip in a or claret is good) fair bit of brandy to pep up the Xmas lights switch-on 2013 with Many homes in the area are entitled to some form of support with their fuel bills. Anyone who is recipe! mulled wine Star anise, berries and apple concerned about staying warm should call the Home Heat Helpline and seek advice. I would also ask people to look out for neighbours, relatives or friends who may be in difficulty and make sure that they are aware of the Home Heat Helpline. LADIES NIGHT I am very keen to be of assistance to as many constituents as possible, so if you have a problem you One of the most successful aspects of community at Wil- need help with or just want to raise a concern or any other issue, please get in touch with me either by low Wood is the regular Thursday Night Ladies Night held calling 01506 410109 or emailing [email protected] You can also find full details throughout the year at various local homes. The ladies about my work atwww.graememorricemp.co.uk meet regularly to share interests, be it home crafts or just to have a chat. Local gossip about Willow Wood is banned from conversation - well mostly! The group is pictured Housing (Scotland Bill) park home site owners. Within applicant is refused a licence, here enjoying their 2013 Christmas Celebration. 2013 two years of the Bill becoming or an existing licence is re- law, all site owners in Scotland voked, authorities will have the A Housing Bill was introduced will require to reapply for their power to appoint an interim The Community Garden from Tom Meiklejohn into the Scottish parliament in licences and thereafter renew manager. In this regard, Wil- late November 2013 which will the licence every three years. low Wood representatives have My hopes for a better gardening year in 2013 didn’t materialise as I had hoped it would. Spring have a profound effect on the Local authorities will be able to asked the officials concerned in was rubbish and the plants such as daffodils and tulips that should have been blooming were way park homes sites are run in charge a fee for the licence— the Bill to look at linking such late, but made a good showing when they did bloom. the future. Hard on the heels of thought to be probably around powers to Community Owner- £600 per application. ship under Land Reform legis- A lot of work was done on the lawn again this year, Peter McGovern and Jimmy Richardson the strengthened legislation giv- helped me greatly with that, and it recovered somewhat. So we hope it will fair better this winter. ing greater protection to resi- lation currently being consid- Thanks also to Ray Lorimer for cutting the lawn when he had finished his own. A wee visitor dents and enabling them to buy When applying for a licence , ered by the Parliament. This and sell park homes without in- where the applicant is a com- Bill has teeth; site owners Summer wasn’t too bad we did get a spell of dry hot weather at one point which helped the plants and shrubs. terference from site owners the pany, the Main director will re- flouting the proposed laws will That brings it’s own problems as everything had to be watered, Peter again helped greatly with that so we had a Bill aims to introduce legislation quire to undergo a Fit and be liable to fines of up to good showing of colour, so dare I say here’s hoping for a good gardening year in 2014. to give local authorities in Scot- proper Person test as will his £50000 and losing their li- Lastly may I thank all the people who rallied round with help when we held our events. It is great when residents land much greater powers to managers and particularly the cences. The Bill is expected to pull together. Thank you all and we look forward to some new volunteers coming forward in 2014. regulate park home sites and local site manager. Where an come into effect in 2016 Your Gardening Team

Page 6 THE WILLOW WOOD WAND ERER AUTUMN 2012 WWRA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2013 Willow Wood 2013 The 2013 Annual General meeting was held at Breich Valley Church on Thursday 14 November 2013.

Almost half the residents turned out with apologies and proxies received from all the other members showing the strong interest in the Association How many people does it take...? Summer BBQ Vice Chair, Roger Eastland welcomed the audience and gave a resume of the past year’s work since the last AGM. The 2012/13 year began with the switching on of the Christmas lights, the Christmas dinner and the Carol Service. All well attended and enjoyed even if it was rather chilly. Over the rest of the year we have held three coffee mornings, a garden party, a jumble sale and the annual BBQ. The funds from these events plus our usual raffles and the dona- tions from residents allowed us to purchase two marquees, a tea urn and water container, a heavy duty strimmer for dealing with the weeds outside the boundary fence, a salt spreader and shovels for the grit bins in the Park and a new garden shed. A plaque was also purchased to commemorate the planting of the Diamond Jubilee tree in the garden. A free bag of salt was given to each member household for their driveways and more was available at a reduced price. We would like to thank everyone who has helped us to achieve all that. The year culminated in the visit to the Park of the Scottish Housing Minister Margaret Burgess to launch the New Park Home Legislation. The Treasurers statement showed a balance in the accounts of £1,689.46 and the committee recommended no in- crease in 2014 subscriptions. The meeting approved both the accounts and the 2014 subscription level. The meeting also unanimously agreed the continuation of the Community Company and approved the re-election of the existing directors. Photo– Scottish Government Willow Wood The meeting appointed the 2014 committee as Wilma Gault (Chair), Roger Eastland (Vice Chair), Susan Meiklejohn (Secretary/Treasurer) plus Members—Elaine Gilbertson, John O’Neil, Gerald Carson, Tom Meiklejohn, Mike Lark- Events .. man and Jim Haluch. The Wanderer The Marquees home and living amongst you singing this year has paid for LETTERS Ray’s Grill all, and I would like to thank two heaters for the marquees pictures say it all From Sandra Farnetti.... all her friends and neighbours and more. on the Park for their friend- WWRA thanks you all. (Mary Ovens’ Daughter) ship, support and help. Dear Editor May I wish you and all the Wilma Through The Wanderer may I residents at WillowWood a From Wilma Gault update your readers about my Happy Christmas. Dear Editor Mum? Mary has now been Regards moved from hospital to St Mi- May I thank everyone for their chael's in Linlithgow (where Sandra Farnetti kindness and support during she will be taken care of until Eric ____ Alan's illness; I am glad to say there is a place at Burn that he is recovering well. Picture—Kevin (No10) Grange (West Calder). It is From Wilma Gault W. Gault unlikely she will be coming Chair WWRA home again to Willow Wood ——— but at the present time I will Dear Residents From Joyce Raven keep her home going, just in I hope you all have a wonder- case things change and she ful Christmas and a Healthy Most of you know about the can return. Mum would be New Year. We had a great very serious illness which Geoff delighted to invite anyone to year this year thanks to all endured earlier this year. He is visit her at any time, they are who sponsored the garden now much recovered and we pretty lenient at St Michael's party and the BBQ. The fund take this opportunity to thank all with visiting hours. (Tel: raising allowed us to buy two our neighbours for their kind 01506842053) marquees and a shed to wishes and support at that time. This is a very sad time for all store them in. The raffle of us as my mum loved her money raised for the carol Joyce Jocelyn’s Birthday Politicians. Photo Scottish Government CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE EDITOR, THE WILLOW WOOD WANDERER, 11 CUTHILL BRAE EH55 8QE

Page 4 THE WILLOW WOOD WAND ERER WINTER 2013 Page 5