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If 1917 was a year in which the war touched the lives of villagers more than ever, in other ways it saw an attempt to return to some kind of normality.
The annual 'games' had been suspended in 1915 and 1916.
In 1917 the village tradition of sporting competition was re-established.
'Arrangements are being made for an athletic gathering on Burngrange Park, West Calder, on Saturday 28th July. The programme of events include a 5 a-side football tournament, 100 yards sprint, 300 yards half mile handicaps, dancing competitions, etc. Excellent prizes are offered and should attract a good entry.'
By the end of April the village also had its very on Troop of Boy Scouts.
If any section of the community was kept more than busy throughout the year it was the local police force.
Throughout May and June there had been a series of burglaries in the district. The description of a soldier had been circulated in connection with them.
'When Constable Hutchinson was cycling between Rosebank and Gavieside Farm, he spotted a man in a long coat sitting on a wall . His suspicions were aroused and he stopped to speak. He asked the man to undo his coat and discovered that he was wearing a uniform underneath. The man had a pair of cut of trouser legs attached to the coat to hide his legs and thus look like an ordinary civilian. Constable Hutchinson arrested the man and took him to West Calder police station.'
Crimes when they occurred appeared to be speedily resolved.
In September fruit and tobacco were stolen from the shop at Gavieside. Within one and a half hours of the crime being reported, three young men were apprehended. They were later fined ten shillings each. In the same month two miners were quickly arrested when a quantity of beer went missing. They were both fined £1 and 5 shillings. In November a bottle of whisky was stolen from a local pub. Again, the bottle and the thief were quickly discovered and the latter was sentenced to fourteen days imprisonment.
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