Old seadog finds his feet with canines

Captain Nick Bates, who lives in Edinburgh, produced the first edition of The Dog Watch in June and is considering making it regular.

It features training tips, dog-orientated jokes, a quiz and a list of dog-friendly establishments throughout the city.

Captain Bates previously commanded the Crown Majesty, the Seabourn Goddess II, Caronia and Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2.

A CAR boot sale is set to take place in West Lothian in aid of a village hall.

The sale will be held at Oatridge College sports hall on Sunday, from 10am to 2pm.

It has been organised by the Ecclesmachan and Threemiletown Village Hall Management Association to raise funds for the village hall.

A WEST Lothian band could be on the march after one of their singles was played on American radio.

The Dead Sea Souls received airtime on WAZU 90.7 FM based in Illinois for one of their ska-funk singles.

The group were picked up by Big Rock Candy Records late last year.

EMPLOYEES from Sky's Livingston offices were treated to a weekend of entertainment and live performances from some of the country's top acts at the annual Sky Fest recently.

Thousands of staff from the Livingston team joined colleagues from across Scotland at Dalmeny House for the event last weekend, which featured Texas, Eliza Doolittle, DJ Zane Lowe and Got to Dance 2011 winners, Chris and Wes.

WEST Lothian Rhythmic Gymnastics Club will hold an open day this month.

The Commonwealth Games squad will perform their routines on the day.

The event will take place at Craigwillow Sports Centre, Craigshill, on August 27, from 10am to noon.

EDINBURGH World Heritage is organising a free community workshop on energy efficiency and energy saving appliances, as part of its energy efficiency project.

The workshop is being run in partnership with the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre, and aims to provide straight forward advice to help the residents to save energy and money.

There will also be sessions to focus on the building's efficiency and on traditional sustainable skills later on in the year.