Talk of the Town: Plain sailing on St Valentine’s Day

IF you failed to do your better half justice on Valentine’s Day, you’ll hang your head in shame when you hear how the male members of the crew on the Capital’s Clipper Round the World yacht acquitted themselves.

They might be in the middle of the South China Sea, but evidently stocked up on romantic supplies before their departure from Singapore. One of the lucky recipients, Lesley Roberts, says: “I’ve woken up to pink heart bunting on my bunk, a heart balloon at the end of the bed, a heart-shaped chocolate on the pillow and a bunch of flowers. I’ve even had a Valentine card with a poem especially for [her nickname] Doris in it.”

Before you get too jealous however, remember that the tough conditions of the race mean that crew members are all grateful just to get a shower.

Pencil in another award

HE’S set the world alight with his drawings – now pint-sized fundraiser Jack Henderson is hoping to scoop another award.

Seven-year-old Jack from Prestonpans is in the running for Young Fundraiser of the Year at this year’s annual JustGiving awards ceremony.

Jack started raising funds for the Edinburgh Sick Kids Friends Foundation when his younger brother Noah was admitted to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, and his drawings of anything requested of him in exchange for donations raised £32,000.

Nick gets a mauling online

IF you thought it was tough on the pitch for rugby players, it seems it’s even tougher in cyberspace.

Edinburgh’s Nick De luca has been forced to cancel his Twitter account after hate-filled posts following Scotland’s weekend defeat by Wales, it has been reported. The sin-binned player is being blamed after getting yellow carded, allowing Wales to take control.

But Nick can take comfort, a counter campaign has also been launched on Twitter from fans offering their support.

SuBo really gives a toss

SINCE shooting to fame on Britain’s Got Talent she’s not had to sing for her supper.

But now Susan Boyle will don her apron to promote the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund’s Wee Box, Big Change campaign.

She will join Cardinal Keith O’Brien at St Augustine’s High School on Tuesday to make a pancake feast for the youngsters ahead of the launch of the fund’s annual Lenten campaign, calling on people to give up a favourite treat and donate the savings to the fund.