Talk of the Town: Dazzling display of leaking water pipe

Published on Wednesday 2 December 2009 08:40

THEY were supposed to entrance visitors to Princes Street with a dazzling display of movement, light and music on the opening weekend of the Capital's Christmas festivities.

Accompanied by a string quartet , the Edinburgh Sparkles Fountains were to "provide a wonderful backdrop for a winter's evening waltz on Princes Street with the beautiful backdrop of the Castle", according to the blurb in the glossy Edinburgh's Christmas brochure. One shopper though, passing by at dusk, was distinctly underwhelmed by the spectacle, being heard to mutter: "It looks like something has sprung a leak." Perhaps she thought tram workers dashing to finish their work had accidentally hit a water pipe.

Tory candidate fails to make a name for himself

IT was meant to be a moment in the limelight for Edinburgh South Tory candidate Neil Hudson.

In front of an audience of city business people, he would say a few words just ahead of a talk from former chancellor and shadow business secretary Ken Clarke.

But the lady from the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, which was staging the meeting, took the gilt off the occasion when she stood up and said: "I'd like to introduce the Conservative candidate for Edinburgh South, Nicholas Cook."

There was polite applause before Mr Hudson quickly re-introduced himself with his correct name.

Scottish crew sets new record

THE crew of Edinburgh Inspiring Capital, the city's sponsored boat in the round-the-world Clipper Race, was in a celebratory mood on St Andrew's Day. Not because they had set a new speed record as they raced from Cape Town to Western Australia, but because of a unique achievement with a suitably Scottish theme. "We celebrated with a toast," explains skipper Matt Pike. "Benromach Ten Years Old to wash down the haggis and mash. Unfortunately the haggis was stowed with the fresh coffee but nobody can remember where! Still we would like to claim we have drunk the ten-year-old farther south than any body else!"

Housemates in hot soup

STUDENT Steven Moir is faced with that age-old problem for people in shared houses – how to stop his housemates pinching his food.

But instead of sticking notes on the fridge or putting a lock on his cupboard, the Edinburgh student has gone one better. Thanks to a promotion by Batchelors, he has got personalised Cup-a-Soups, with a very clear message to his friends. They read: "Oi! Colin, Andrew – stop stealing my lunch and buy your own-a-soup."

Steven, 20, said: "When I saw that Batchelors were asking for people to tell stories of their own Cup-a-Soup moment, I sent mine in. Now I've got the perfect way to remind Colin and Andrew to keep away from my soup."