October 2018 saw the official opening of ‘Sanctuary’ at Boghall Parish Church. We were keen that the opening would be an opportunity for everyone who participated to bring along friends and family and use the the event to showcase all of our hard work. Many groups that had been involved throughout the project such as Boghall Primary 7’s, Broxburn Woodcraft Group, Newlands Junior and Senior Brass Band, The Orchard Project at Kirkton Park and of course the Boghall community came together and launched what was again a fantastic testament to our hard work.

In 2019 we hope to take ‘Sanctuary’ to the next stage by running workshops in outdoor woodturning with Broxburn Woodcraft Group; cooking, recipe and herbal workshops with local culinary experts; gardening and planting workshops with The Brock Garden Centre; outdoor learning events with Boghall Primary and garden performances by Menzies Choir and Newlands Brass Band. We are already running regular exercise and Tai Chi workshops at ‘Sanctuary’.

The next year will give us an opportunity to bring ‘Sanctuary’ to a new audience, build on our skills and knowledge and make it a welcoming space for all members of the local community.

Boghall Minister Chris Galbraith is passionate about his local community in Boghall.

We were keen to create all the wooden structure using only hand tools.

Boghall Primary 7’s got a shot also at the woodwork

Leylines participant Mattie Russell has been a mainstay creating ‘Sanctuary’ It was important for him to speak about what it has meant to him to be involved in the project.

Chris Macefield has a project at Kirkton Park for The Orchard project.

He was invited to speak about his expertise in using herbs grown in the garden.

Chris Macefield also ran some herbal tea workshops.

Local musician Tess Anderson and her Mum played some classic favourites.

Leylines participant played some acoustic songs to give a flavour of performimg in Sanctuary.

Karen Heenan, conductor with Newlands Junior Brass band is a teacher at Boghall Primary and is keen to do more performances with us in 2019.

The Brass band had everyone singing and joining in.

Young and old came along.

Some grandparents, participants.

Everyone got involved in the entertainment.

Local brought some baked produce.

And of course apple dunking given the time of year.

Sanctuary inspirations Billy Stevens, Margaret Samuel and Harry Cartmill give some background to the space.

Chris Galbraiths uncle was visiting from Canada at the time and was only to happy to play some Scottish renditions on his French pipes

The Steering groups Don, Billy and Chris worked with Broxburn woodcraft group to recommision he Labour gate from the now demolished Menzies foundry in Bathgate.

The finished piece in place.