Talk of the Town: Never say never again for band

THEY were a respected act on the Edinburgh folk scene in the late 1960s and early 70s, before splitting to go their separate ways.

But on Saturday, Rankin File reunited for their 40th anniversary to perform at a concert for Macmillan Cancer Support at the Pleasance Theatre.

Songwriter Iain Rankin and bandmates were left astonished after they were given a rapturous standing ovation at the end of their set – and are now rethinking their original plans to make the gig a one-off.

That’s Edinburgh folk for you.

Another bag news day for beleaguered Tesco

WE have much in common with our Celtic cousins from Wales – not least that we’re both fiercely patriotic when it comes to national identity.

Tesco is currently in the firing line over claims horse meat has been traced in its own-brand beef burgers – and now it seems even its plastic bags are ending up in the wrong place. The credibility of the superstore’s “shop locally” campaign has taken a hit after bags adorned with Saltires ended up at checkouts in Talbot Green.

A spokesperson apologised for the “mix-up” before (possibly) bolting off like Red Rum to pour water over proper flames.

There’s an app for that

EDUCATION Secretary Mike Russell – who had to apologise last year, along with First Minister Alex Salmond, for giving inaccurate figures on college numbers – has come in for some teasing after becoming the first MSP with his own iPhone app.

During education questions in the Scottish Parliament yesterday, Lothians Labour MSP Neil Findlay asked whether the app included a calculator function so Mr Russell could work out the latest college waiting lists and give better figures to his boss.

Roofers are prize guys

TEAM GB might have laid the foundation, but it’s the roofers who have really scaled the medal-winning heights.

A team of three from Edinburgh College have scooped the prestigious President’s Prize at this year’s 24th World Championship for Young Roofers.

Led by lecturer Bob Coutts, the workers impressed during the three-day competition in Lucerne, Switzerland, beating off stiff competition from 11 other countries including Switzerland, Germany and Austria.

Their winning efforts came during a freestyle task – and surely it’s only fair freedom of the city now awaits the roofing heroes.