Local Round-up: School team in semi-finals of spelling bee

PUPILS from The Mary Erskine School and Stewart's Melville College have made it through to the semi-finals of a national spelling bee contest.

More than 1000 schools from across the UK entered a team for the 2011 Times Spelling Bee.

The Mary Erskine School and Stewart Melville College team consisted of three players and a reserve.

The pupils will go forward to the semi-finals in May.

Strongest man tickets on sale

TICKETS have gone on sale at Meadowbank Stadium for the Scotland's strongest man contest.

The competition, on June 11, will run from noon to 5pm and tickets costing 9 and 6 are available from the stadium. The event is returning to Edinburgh for the first time in ten years.

Muslim league holds hustings

The Pakistan Muslim League is hosting a hustings for communities in Portobello ahead of the May 5 elections.

The husting will begin at 8.30pm and be followed by a dinner at Portobello Town Hall.

Topics will include all issues and highlight community cohesion.

Libraries conference a success

A NATIONAL libraries conference held in the Capital has returned "a small profit" for the city council.

The authority hosted this year's Library Edge conference at the Caledonian Hilton Hotel on Princes Street. Council officials said the event was a success.

Wedding beneficiaries to host city fundraiser

ONE of the charities chosen to benefit from the donations received at today's royal wedding is having a fundraiser in the Capital.

The Royal Scots Club is hosting the event on Friday, May 20, in aid of Combat Stress, a leading UK military charity which specialises in the care of veterans' mental health.

Clive Fairweather, a former SAS deputy commander, who will be hosting one of the tables on the night, said: "Combat Stress is dealing with more than 1000 referrals for ex-members of the forces."

Mercat Bar set for 30k refurbishment

THE Mercat Bar in the city's West End is set for a 30,000 revamp this summer.

The pub, named the Evening News' Best Bar for 2010, is also celebrating running an extra 90,000 through the till than the previous year.

Owner Graham Blaikie said: "Since taking over The Mercat five years ago we've worked really hard to give our customers what they're looking for.

"Our refurbishment is due to be completed by June and we're launching a new menu and wine list in May."