Anti-smoking drive contract for PR firm

THE Edinburgh office of a leading public relations company is to promote a Scottish Government campaign urging people to quit smoking.

Weber Shandwick has secured the contract for the campaign, which urges smokers to contact Smokeline.

The York Place office has also won a contract to promote the Seafish Industry Authority's annual fish and chip shop of the year competition.

Get into comedian's bad book

Comedian Robin Ince will sign copies of his book, Robin Ince's Bad Book Club, at Blackwell bookshop on South Bridge on Sunday.

The signing is at 3.30pm. For details call Ann Landmann on 0131 622 8206 or [email protected].

A crafty way to be green

A CRAFT fair with a green twist is being held at Loretto Gallery, Musselburgh.

Run by Frugal Cool, the eco-conscious emporium features East Lothian designers exhibiting ethically produced wares. The four-day fair runs from Thursday to Sunday, from 10.30am to 5pm.

MP carries out surgery in gay bar

A CAPITAL MP is the first politician to hold an advice surgery in a popular bar for gays and lesbians.

Edinburgh East MP Sheila Gilmore discussed issues ranging from the economy to cuts in public services with about half a dozen constituents at Regent Bar in Montrose Terrace last week.

"This is the first in a series of ad hoc surgeries I'll be holding, which are designed to reach out to groups that are too easily excluded by traditional approaches to representation," said Mrs Gilmore.

Festival is set to showcase legends of The Fall

FORMER band members of The Fall are to play a one-off special performance as part of the Edinburgh Art Festival on Thursday, August 26.

Tommy Crooks and Steve Hanley, who played for many years in the Manchester post-punk band, will unveil new material, as well as performing old hits.

They will appear as part of Edinburgh Printmakers Prints of Darkness exhibition.

Tickets for the 7pm performance are available from The Electric Circus and are priced 5.

Market sets out its stalls

A NEW organic market in Portobello is appealing for stallholders and volunteers.

The event at Brighton Park, which starts on September 4 and will be on the first Saturday of every month thereafter, is selling stall space for 50.

Call 0131 258 4483 if you can help.