Around town: Santa plans to keep little ones posted

SANTA Claus is coming to town - and this year he's sending personalised letters to children to confirm that he will be stopping off in Edinburgh to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.The NSPCC's "Letter from Santa" fundraising initiative gives family and friends the chance to send someone special a magical letter from Santa for a suggested donation of £5. Letters can be ordered online up until December 20.

'Exciting' city culture wins high praise

THE quality of events held in the Capital has been praised by city council chiefs.

A council report on the highlights of 2009/10 praised the "exciting" programme of art, culture and sport.

The report says that highlights have included the installation of the Big Screen in Festival Square, while The Gathering was branded a "major highlight".

Jim Inch, the council's director of corporate services, also praised "an exciting programme of art and culture" at Christmas.

Capital team hopes to address charity's needs

A TEAM from Edinburgh is hoping to help the homeless when it makes an appearance on STV's Postcode Challenge, hoping to scoop the 25,000 jackpot.

Team members Jennifer Turner, Barbara Fletcher, Rhona Dalgarno and Will Riddell last year joined forces to organise a series of fundraising events in aid of youth charity The Princes Trust.

On Friday, the team will go head to head with a team from Glasgow to battle it out for the big cash prize.

Trust to turn back the clock

THE National Trust for Scotland's Georgian House in Charlotte Square will transport visitors back to 1811 this weekend. Guided tours will give guests an insight into the lives of the household.

Tours take place today and Sunday, every 20 minutes from 11am to 3pm.

Legacy is up for discussion

A TALK about Patrick Geddes will take place at St Columba's-by-the-Castle in Johnston Terrace on November 23 starting at 7.30pm.

Renewing Old Edinburgh: the enduring legacy of Patrick Geddes is by Jim Johnson and Lou Rosenburg, with a preface by Professor Richard Rodger.

Technology is child's play

STAFF at the Capital's IBM Scotland combined work and family with a "Take Your Child to Work" day.

The activities kept the children occupied, such as watching a toy car being controlled by eyebrow movements.

Gary Kildare, IBM's senior executive in Scotland, greeted 100 youngsters.