John Gibson: She won't Budge from the Jazzfest

She's changed her hair. Now a pinkish hue. Just for me? Edith Budge put me right smartish: "For the Jazz Festival, darling.''

Dame Edith's done it even though she is having to make the most of a solitary gig this year. Two 20-minute sets on July 29 at half seven in the Spiegeltent. As well she doesn't have to sing for her supper.

"I'll do a mix of gospel and New Orleans and I hope it works in the Tent, different from the Hub last year and the previous two years at the Minto Hotel."

Not to worry, Edith, you'll have a competent band behind you, with the dependable Tom Finlay at its core on piano.

She is retired but keeps busy counselling Portobello High School pupils through bereavement and other voluntary work.

A Jazzfest regular virtually from its inception, Edith's claim to fame is that she was mentioned in this column - I can't remember when - in the same breath as Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. She laughed at the recollection. So did I.

Walk-on role

Do we have a budding Kate Moss or Elle Macpherson in our midst? Tabitha Mowat will tread the catwalk for the first time at the Mansfield Traquair Centre on Friday, one of the models in a charity fashion parade to raise funds for her school, the nearby St Mary's Primary in East London Street.

Doors open 3pm, the catwalk at 6.30. Essentially a family event and a micro scooter is one of the raffle prizes.

Call it a "kittenwalk". Tabitha, whose mum is councillor for the City Centre Ward, will be six on Monday. Well, your Kates and Elles all had to start at a tender age.