Local Round-up: Child's play at shopping centre events

A SERIES of events for children are to take place at the St James Centre throughout this week.

The events were set to get under way today with the cast of the CBBC kids TV show Waybuloo on hand to paint faces.

Artist Carol McEwan will appear tomorrow, where she will be helping children to create their own art.

"Knit for All" on Friday will give children the chance to help knit a giant scarf and attend a workshop by Marvel Comics illustrator HuwJ on Saturday.

It's easy PC to boost charity

THE charity Computers4Africa is requesting donations of unused computers and IT equipment at the former B&Q warehouse in Inglis Green Road between 9am and 5pm on July 27.

Computers will be securely data wiped and shipped to Africa. For more details, see www.computers4africa.org.uk.

Energy expert in Capital visit

THE head of the Jikiden Reiki Institute in Japan is visiting the Capital.

Tadao Yamaguchi, regarded by many as the leading authority on Reiki energy healing today, will give a public talk at the Edinburgh Theosophical Society, in Great King Street, on July 27.

Oxfam draws out comic fans

THE will be an event for comic fans, in aid of Oxfam, at McDonald Road Library on July 23. Doors open at 11.30am, tickets 4 on the door or from Oxfam bookshop in Morningside. Guests include former 2000AD editor David Bishop and comics guru John McShane.

Big plans as more lodge blueprints

The number of new planning applications lodged in Edinburgh has increased by a fifth.

Figures from the city council bulletin show that 1279 applications were lodged in the three-month period to the end of May, which was up 20.5 per cent on the same period of last year.

The number of applications was also at its highest point since 2009.

The number of building warrants issued decreased by 6.1 per cent, to 1098.

Aspiring young actors handed Fringe chance

BUDDING actors are being sought as cast members for an upcoming Fringe play.

Two parts are available in Stella Duffy's adaptation of the Greek play Medea - running in the Assembly Rooms - for boys aged between 6 and 8 years old.

The successful pair must be free on August 1 and 2, and about half the show dates between August 5 and 28

Director Sarah Chew said: "We are really keen to make sure that involvement is open to every generation, and so we're really excited."