The Broxburn & Uphall Community Website Trust is delighted to accept a donation from Lodge Buchan St John No 636. On Thursday 17 December, RWM Bro Alan Dillett presented a cheque for £100, on behalf of Lodge Buchan St John No 636, to support future endeavours of the Trust.
Since we went into lockdown in March 2020, Lodge Buchan St. John No 636 has been extremely active in supporting members of their Lodge, the local community in Broxburn & Uphall and the wider community in need, across the country. Charity is an important part of Freemasonry and in these unprecedented times we have lived in throughout 2020, this has given Lodge Buchan St John No 636 a unique opportunity to help and support those most in need.
Over the past 9 months, members of the Lodge have made several significant charitable donations; to the local Foodbank in Broxburn, to the main Foodbank Hub in Livingston, to a local care home, to the Family Unit, to the Five Sisters Zoo in West Calder, to several local charities and to good causes in Glasgow and Inverness.
All this now culminating in Lodge Buchan St. John No 636 making its largest and most life changing Donation to date. As a result of an extremely generous benefactor (knowing about the good work the Lodge has been doing) donating approx £100,000 worth of dried–long life foodstuffs to the Lodge.
The Lodge have chosen to share these goods with not only the Provincial Grand Lodge of Linlithgowshire, who in turn are creating a Provincial initiative with the other 18 Daughter Lodges in the Province: but also the Province of East Lothian, the Province of Glasgow and the Province of Ross and Cromarty. Thus, ensuring that the people most in need across the whole country will get some assistance at this time of year to help when it will be needed most.
From 11 December, West Lothian will be in level 3 and the measures to be followed are highlighted below.
On Tuesday 1st December, the festive lighting was switched on in Uphall and Broxburn. A bit different this year as normal events couldn’t take place due to COVID restrictions.
Video and switch on was organised by Gordon Allan of BUTA (www.buta.org.uk).
We have been notified that the funeral cortege will leave Thomas Brown's, Broxburn, at 2pm on Wednesday 25th November. It is hoped the cortege will make its way to King George VI Park, Uphall, then onto Livingston Crematorium, via Uphall Station and Pumpherston.
As current restrictions dictate that the service in Livingston Crematorium is private, it's hoped that the local community will line the route to say their final farewells to Alex.
We were saddened to hear of the death of Alex Davidson on Monday. Alex was a dedicated local Councillor for over 20 years and served the community well during that time.
Alex enjoying the job of entertaining the crowds at an Uphall Children's Gala Day Parade
Alex had our community at heart and was equally interested in all age groups within the community. He could always be seen helping at the local Gala Days - sometimes driving the car carrying the Gala Day Queen, carrying boxes or using the megaphone to entertain the crowds. He loved to watch the children perform at school events and he also enjoyed entertaining the seniors with a song or two at the various Christmas events he attended.
Our sincere condolences to his wife Anne and the family.
BROXBURN AND UPHALL REMEMBRANCE SERVICE 2020
Due to the current situation with Covid 19, the Broxburn and Uphall War Memorial Group, acting on guidelines from The Royal British Legion, have sadly decided not to hold a Remembrance Service at The War Memorial, on Remembrance Sunday. This is for the safety of our community, especially the elderly, who usually attend.
Recent restrictions state we are NOT PERMITTED to hold a parade, have a band playing, singing or have an organised group of people gather in one area.
HOWEVER, The Royal British Legion and the War Memorial Group, are keen to ensure that as many people as possible are able to remember and pay their respects in their own way.
The Broxburn and Uphall War Memorial is open and available, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for people to lay a wreath or have a moment of quiet contemplation. On Remembrance Sunday, there may be more people than normal attend. If you choose to attend on this date, can you please maintain social distancing to keep everyone safe.
The Royal British Legion are encouraging the wider public to take a moment at home on their doorstep on Remembrance Sunday and on the 11th of November at 11am for the two minutes silence.
However, and where ever, you choose to remember, can you please take a photograph or short video. These can be posted on the new Broxburn and Uphall War Memorial group on Facebook, so that others can see that we have taken the time to remember. These may also be used by The Royal British Legion or W.L. Council.
Pictures can be posted at: www.facebook.com/groups/643585119648072/
or email to:
We are also acutely aware of the potential catastrophic impact the restrictions could have on this year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal so we urge you all to support the Appeal utilising the various new digital methods that Poppyscotland have introduced. You can make a donation via their website, where you can also Donate, Download and Display a poppy at home - www.poppyscotland.org.uk.
Although we are devastated we cannot gather in our normal way, we can join as a nation in heart and spirit to pay our respects.
Jim Readman
Broxburn and Uphall War Memorial Group
People living across West Lothian who are eligible for the free flu vaccine are being urged to take up the offer to protect themselves and others this winter.
Now, even more people than before qualify for a free flu jab. As well as over 65s, pregnant people and those at risk due to existing health conditions, this year unpaid carers and those who lived with people who shielded during lockdown are also urged to get vaccinated.
Adults over 65 and those with an eligible health condition will have received a letter with details of how to make an appointment. If you have not received a letter but believe you should have, visit the NHS Inform website to get in touch. Pregnant women, unpaid carers and household members of those shielding should also visit NHS Inform for details of how to get vaccinated.
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