Architect gives sustainable building talk

A LEADING architect has given a talk on sustainable building design to students in the Capital at the launch of a new postgraduate programme.

John Easton, head of Archial Sustainable Futures, gave the talk last night at the launch of Heriot-Watt University's carbon masters postgraduate programme.

The programme is to help graduates understand how decisions made regarding building construction and operations affect carbon emissions.

Student charity holds awards

AN Edinburgh University students' charity held an awards ceremony to recognise the achievements of the young people it works with in the Capital.

Children's Holiday Venture (CHV), a charity run by student volunteers, works with disadvantaged children in and around the city.

Final AGM of newspaper

COMMUNITY newspaper the North Edinburgh News will hold its final AGM/EGM at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre at 2.30pm on March 30. It is an open meeting, with all welcome. The paper is closing after subsidy cuts from the city council, but directors hope to continue its work in some form.

Cosmetics store set to stage tar sands protest

HIGH street cosmetics store Lush is set to douse a member of staff in oil and drape them with the Canadian flag as part of an environmental protest.

The retailer is running a week-long campaign against oil production through tar sands extraction in Canada, which green campaigners say is destroying the environment.

Lush's campaigns manager, Sean Gifford, said: "Tar sands oil is killing people, animals and the planet. Let's keep dirty tar sands out of our country, we'll take clean, renewable energy instead."

BA passengers raise funds for Comic Relief

BRITISH Airways passengers at Edinburgh Airport helped to raise funds for the airline's Flying Start fundraising campaign for Comic Relief yesterday.

The "silent donation" event saw passengers committing to make a donation, with prizes including a four-ball golf day at Gleneagles up for grabs.

The passenger offering the largest donation in respect of a particular prize would win it.

Smith home inquiry begins

A PUBLIC inquiry into plans to turn the rundown former home of Adam Smith into a business and conference centre was due to get under way today.

The renowned economist spent his final days in Panmure House, a 17th century building off the Royal Mile.