Local round-up: Protest gives bankers food for thought

PROTESTERS were due to attend Barclays Bank on George Street this morning to campaign against its role in "food speculation".

The World Development Movement is protesting against the practice of investors speculating on food markets, pushing up prices and causing hardship for some of the world's poorest people.

The protest, which was due to start at 11am, is part of a month of direct action being carried out by the protest group around the UK.

Culture event has Scot it all

Edinburgh is gearing up for a unique multi-cultural celebration to mark Scotland's diverse people and places.

The Ecofusion festival takes place tomorrow at Inverleith Park. The family-friendly, free event aims to encourage people to make the most of their natural environment.

Time to rhyme at workshop

AN information workshop about stories and poems is to be held at the Scottish Storytelling Centre.

Harp player and storyteller Heather Yule will develop traditional ballads and poems into telling narratives whilst retaining the rhythms and richness of the original language. It will be held on April 16.

There's a buzz about craft fun

A FREE craft activity is offering kids the chance to make and keep felt bees as part of a nature weekend.

From 11am to 3pm today and tomorrow, Craigie's Farm in South Queensferry will host the family fun. The event is run by Knittingforall, a city-based project.

Cheque out guidance on payment concerns

BUSINESS owners concerned about how the end of cheques as a form of payment will affect them are being offered guidance from the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.

Cheque use has been dwindling with the rise in popularity of debit cards and online payments.

The event is being held on Tuesday at the Radisson Blu Hotel at 8.30am.

Contact the Chamber of Commerce customer services team on 0844-736 2992 for more information.

Koons exhibit to offer tour for the blind

A SPECIAL tour of the Jeff Koons exhibition for the visually impaired is to be held next week.

The exhibition at the National Gallery of Modern Art, includes some of the artist's most controversial and best-known work.

A free descriptive tour and practical workshop led by artist Juliana Capes will focus on the exhibition.

It is being held at the gallery on Wednesday, April 13, and starts at 10am.