Whitburn, West Lothian

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Whitburn
Whitburn shown within Scotland
Population	10,391 (2001 Census)
OS grid reference	NS945645
Council area	West Lothian
Lieutenancy area	West Lothian
Constituent country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	BATHGATE
Postcode district	EH47
Dialling code	01501
Police	Lothian and Borders
Fire	Lothian and Borders
Ambulance	Scottish
European Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	Linlithgow and East Falkirk
Scottish Parliament	Linlithgow
List of places: UK • Scotland

Coordinates: 55°51′44″N 3°41′14″W / 55.8621, -3.68719

Whitburn is a town in West Lothian, Scotland.

The town was once dominated by Polkemmet Colliery – a large coal mine – but this was closed as a result of damage by underground flooding during the 1984-85 miners' strike and never re-opened. The colliery buildings have all gone and the coal bings that once were so prominent are now being removed. Work to dismantle Bing No 3, the infamous burning bing, started in August 2006. Information about the process can be found on the website. The last major outbreak of burning occurred during the early to mid 1990s.

The local secondary school is Whitburn Academy. It is a co-educational comprehensive school serving pupils aged 11 to 18. Its catchment area is the town of Whitburn and the surrounding villages of Fauldhouse, Longridge, Stoneyburn, and Greenrigg. There are approximately 1,000 pupils at the school.

In December 2007, the town gained national prominence as the hometown of X-Factor 4 winner Leon Jackson.

[edit] Sport and recreation

Whitburn has a King George's Field in memorial to King George V.

Whitburn has a new Leisure Centre, opened in the refurbished Swimming Pool buildings. It contains a Multi-Gym, a 25m swimming pool, sauna and steam rooms, etc.

Whitburn is home to Whitburn Junior F.C. who play at Central Park and are in the East Region Super League. In 2000 they won the OVD Scottish Juniors Cup.

[edit] Whitburn Band

Whitburn is also known for its world famous brass band. Whitburn Band, formed in 1870, is one of the best known brass bands in the world. The band has been successful on the contest stage for many years and competes regularly at the British Open, National Final and European Championships, and has been Scottish Champion on 15 occasions. As well as unrivalled success at national level, the band also likes to maintain strong links with the local community of Whitburn by offering concerts throughout the year and participation in civic activities. Whitburn Band retained its Scottish Open Championship title in November 2007 as well as again being crowned Scottish Band of the Year. The band is now the 2008 Scottish Champion and is currently ranked 7th in the World of Brass / British Bandsman / 4barsrest World Rankings.