West Lothian Federation consists of 21 Institutes with a membership of approximately 700 women. Their interests are as diverse as the county itself. On the one hand West Lothian has sites of historic interest - viz. Linlithgow Palace, The Preceptory at Torphichen, Cairnpapple Burial Cairn in the Bathgate Hills and the Five Sisters at West Calder which commemorate the shale industry - and on the other hand there are the modern industries associated with the computer age.

At national level our members take part in many events, such as holidays, study tours , summer schools , conferences and competitions which gives us a wonderful opportunity to visit other parts of the country and to meet new people as well as old friends. Our organisation is affiliated to the Associated Country Women of the World, ACWW , giving us an insight into women's lives globally and an opportunity for exchange visits.

At Federation level our annual programme covers bowling, curling, a rally with demonstrators and speakers of high calibre, a show of work which is so beautiful it is breathtaking, a cookery demonstration which is hilarious as we listen to the antics of the demonstrator's experiences, public speaking competitions which are great fun, singing with professional coaching, and an international evening when the whole evening is dedicated to one specific country. The Indonesian and the Japanese evenings were particularly colourful with Indonesian students singing and dancing for us, and the Japanese ladies teaching us to put on a kimono. At these evenings we have a speaker or speakers followed by music and food all from the chosen country. Our year's programme includes classes on whatever is asked for, from bead-work to picture framing, and counted thread embroidery to upholstery. We hope to reintroduce golf, walking and amateur dramatics to our wealth of activities. We try to help those less fortunate than ourselves with community projects such as knitting for the premature baby unit in the local hospital and sewing heart-shaped cushions for its breast cancer patients.

At Institute level we have speakers and demonstrators, and outings to theatre, shops, gardens, stately homes etc. Most Institutes fund- raise for local causes with dinner-dances, fashion shows, whist drives and concerts along with some novel ideas.

So come and join us and add your ideas to ours.

WE'D LOVE TO SEE YOU!

West Lothian Institutes
Armadale, The Goth, 7.00pm, 2nd Monday
Birniehill, Regal Theatre, Bathgate, 7.00pm, 1st Monday
Blackness, Blackness Community Centre, 7.00pm 1st Wednesday
Blackridge, Craig Inn Centre, 7.00 pm, 2nd Monday
Boghall,Boghall Church Hall,7.30pm, 1st and 3rd Wednesday
Broxburn, Burnside Bowling Club, 7.00pm,2nd Monday
Craigshill, Craig's Farm Bowling Pavilion, 6.45pm, 2nd Wednesday
Ecclesmachan, Ecclesmachan Old School Hall, 7.15pm, 1st Thursday
Fauldhouse, small hall behind library, 7.15pm, 1st Monday
Kirkliston, Kirkliston Community Centre, 7.15pm, 2nd Tuesday
Kirknewton, Kirknewton Church Hall, 7.15pm, 2nd Thursday
Linlithgow Bridge, Chalmers Hall, 7.15pm, 4th Wednesday
Philpstoun, Philpstoun Community Centre, 7.00pm, 2nd Tuesday
Polbeth, Polbeth Harwood Church Hall, 7.00pm, 1st Wednesday
Seafield, Seafield Community Centre, 7.00pm, 2nd Monday
Torphichen, Torphichen Primary School, 7.15pm, 1st Thursday
Uphall, Uphall Community Centre, 7.00pm, 2nd Monday
Uphall Station, Uphall Station Village Hall, 7.00pm, 3rd Tuesday
Westfield, Bridgehouse Community Hall, 7.30pm, 1st Wednesday
Whitburn, Whitburn Masonic Hall, 7.00pm, 1st Thursday
Winchburgh, Winchburgh Community Centre, 7.00pm, 1st Monday

Back to 'Where are the Institutes ?'

Back to Map