Capital news in brief: Swimmers make a splash to raise £9000

CUSTOMERS at an Edinburgh Leisure-managed venue have topped the country's fundraising league of participating swimming pools in a UK-wide swimathon in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Swimathon Foundation.

The 9000 in sponsorship raised by the swimmers at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre pushed the venue to the top of the Scottish fundraising league table.

The total contribution from Edinburgh Leisure customers was almost 20,000.

Spotlight on artist at solo exhibition

ARTIST David Mach will be hosting an exhibition in sculpture and collage at The City Art Centre.

Precious Light will run from July 30 to October 16 and will feature a dramatic depiction of the crucifixion at Calvary made from coat hangers, sculptures made from matches and Mach's trademark collages.

It is Mach's largest solo exhibition and has taken more than three years to put together.

Praise for school pupils

MORE than 200 people watched students of Castlebrae Community High School receive trophies acknowledging their achievements of the past year.

The event, in Portobello Town Hall, began with music - a performance of the James Bond theme followed by a solo singer.

Shaking up film-goers

AN art installation which uses earthquakes to generate live sound and images is to go on display at the Filmhouse today.

Artist Stephen Hurrel's Beneath and Beyond is produced by ongoing tectonic shifts beneath the Earth's surface, monitoring 100 seismic stations around the world.

German work goes on show

AN exhibition is to be held at Edinburgh University's Talbot Rice Gallery showcasing the work of the accomplished German artist Anton Henning. Interieur No. 493 will feature in the White Gallery between August 5 and September 5.

Emergency services turn out for open day

AN emergency services open day is being held at Macdonald Road fire station today.

Fire, police, ambulance and coastguard teams will attend with their vehicles. There will be the chance for youngsters to sit in fire engines and try out the fire hose, while adults and children can try on fire clothes.

Home fire safety advice will be offered, along with child car safety. There will be demonstrations by youth group the Phoenix Crew. The event runs from 10am-4pm.