Local news: McAllion's homage to bard Burns

The event takes place on Friday, January 21 at the BMC Club in Westfield Street, Gorgie, and also features comedian Vladimir Mactavish, paying his own "humorous homage" to Robert Burns.

Tickets, priced 10 each, (7 unwaged) are available from www.edinburgh peoplesfestival. org.

Look up some young writers

BOOKS from a variety of local bookshops and the PublishED society will go on sale in the city next week.

The Great Booksale will take place in the Debating Hall of Teviot Row House on Thursday, from 11am to 4pm.

PublishED showcases the best of Edinburgh University's young writers.

Facelift for Trinity Lodge

A CITY nursing home is in line for a revamp, including a new extension.

Trinity Lodge, on Craighall Road, will see its existing single-storey extension taken down, and part of a building demolished.

New access and a car park off Craighall Terrace will also be created.

Soup lunch to satisfy souls

A BREAD and soup lunch will be served after the service at Mayfield Salisbury Church in West Mayfield tomorrow as part of Souper Sunday, to raise funds and awareness in support of the global reach of the Church of Scotland's HIV support project.

Kettle gets youngsters steamed up

THE Singing Kettle - Fun Factory will be delighting youngsters when they take to the stage at the Festival Theatre later this month.

The show, which runs from January 21 to 23, will feature sing-along favourites such as Jelly Belly, 10 Green Bottles and The Nonsense Song, as well as a selection of new songs.

Tickets cost 13.00 and are available by calling the box office on 0131 529 6000.

Top butchers have their eyes on the pies

ONE of the Capital's best butchers is celebrating again after winning two awards at this year's World Scotch Pie Championship.

Crombie's won bronze with its Scotch pie, and gold (first runners-up) with its pork leek and pancetta pie.

The Broughton Street butchers are already famed for their award-winning sausages, but will be pleased to pick up recognition for their pies as well.

John Lawson of Uphall, and Boghall Butchers also won awards.