Talk of the Town: World Cup trip could lay vital foundations

THERE may not be many Scots heading for this year's World Cup in South Africa, but an alternative is on offer courtesy of Edinburgh-based charity The Homeless World Cup.

The organisation, based in Albion Place, is offering the chance for 30 people to travel to this year's Homeless World Cup in Rio de Janeiro and act as volunteers.

The contest will be held on Copacabana Beach in September, with each volunteer raising 2,300 in sponsorship to enable one homeless player to take part, as well as covering the cost of their own trip.

The international tournament is credited with transforming the fortunes of around 70 per cent of players, helping them to leave behind lives blighted by drugs and alcohol, securing jobs, education, homes and even becoming players and coaches for pro or semi-pro football teams.

So, while it might not be quite the same as the real thing, it will certainly lift the spirits more than a trip to South Africa. If you fancy the trip, see www.homelessworldcup.org.

Tory Hague feels pain on trip down memory lane

WILLIAM Hague dropped in on a fruit shop, a charity bookshop and a toy shop during his walkabout in Morningside Road last week – but the shadow foreign secretary walked straight past another shop, Visionary Eyecare. He spoke about the Tories being on the verge of an important breakthrough in Scotland – but passed up the chance to pop into Ladbrokes to put a bet on Conservative gains.

Mr Hague obviously also had a sense of deja vu, turning to a Scottish party aide at one point to ask: "Did I once canvass this street with Malcolm?"

But it was probably not a happy memory. That was when former Edinburgh Pentlands MP Sir Malcolm Rifkind was trying unsuccessfully to win back his seat after the 1997 Scottish Tory wipe-out.

The white stuff

WE DON'T know about you, but we like nothing better after a long day at the office than to kick back and relax with a nice cold, er, milk.

That's why we're happy to hear that world-renowned potty mouth Gordon Ramsay and singer Pixie Lott have become the latest stars to promote said beverage.

The new campaign, pitching itself ambitiously under the slogan Make Mine Milk, will see a huge poster put up in support at Waverley Station, as well as adverts on city buses.

Gordon says: "Milk, especially low-fat milk, is fantastically good for you, me, and everyone, anytime."

Pillar of the community

OVERHEARD outside Holyrood, a group of tourists talking about the ongoing security improvements to the Parliament. "I think what they're doing is awful," said one, "those concrete pillars really ruin the look of the place."