Talk of the Town: Will Tories ride to suburb’s rescue?

THEY were billed as the vicious predators who laid waste to wildlife across the city.But plans for a major cull of American mink have been axed by the council after it emerged it could cost a staggering £1.5 million.

Tory councillor Mark McInnes had demanded action be taken after complaints from Morningside residents but the idea was shot down in a report to the environment committee.

Nationalist councillor Tom Buchanan was quick to propose an alternative: “We’re going to let the Tories loose to hunt down the mink instead,” he quipped, “on horseback, of course”.

Scottie’s feline poor Pixie’s store ban pain

Supporters of Pixie the Asda cat were outraged this week at news the feline was to be banned from crossing the threshold of the store.

The ginger moggy’s latest fan knows exactly what it’s like to be at the centre of controversy.

An account purportedly belonging to bunnet-wearing shock jock Scottie McClue has been added to Pixie’s Facebook fan page, Asda Cat. Whether he’s been up to the Jewel to say dinky doo is anyone’s guess.

The oxygen of publicity

Last week, the Evening News revealed that South Queensferry band Bwani Junction had tried a novel approach towards getting noticed – by painting the Forth Bridge blue in their first video.

It seems the stunt has done the trick, with the band now securing a slot to play at London’s O2 Arena.

The four-piece band, seen as one of Scotland’s most promising emerging acts, have been signed up to play as part of the “December Sessions” programme.

Flirting with disaster

Attention Christmas flirters. The owner of Edinburgh’s Beswitchedon, which offers ladies practical help and advice for finding their ideal partner, has provided her top tips for successful flirting.

Among the hints from Karen Barr are “valuing yourself” and “feeling worthy of attention”.

She said: “Walk confidently with your head up and shoulders back. As you begin to feel more comfortable, you’ll find yourself wanting to flirt, so start to make eye contact and smile.

“The important thing to remember about flirting is that we are all natural flirts and we flirt all the time!”

Of course, if we are all natural flirts flirting all the time, it begs the question, just what good is a flirting course?