Local news: Festival gets technical to exploit web

A NEW festival exploring culture and technology is to be held in Edinburgh from August 26 to 28.

Organisers of the Turing Festival say it is being held "to capitalise on the opportunities posed by the internet and look at what the future holds for the creative, digital and cultural sectors".

The not-for-profit festival aims to bring together technical, digital and artistic experts to learn from one another in a series of talks. Events will be held at Our Dynamic Earth and Surgeon's Hall.

Delegates set to gather for Guides talks

UP to 500 delegates are in the Capital to attend the annual conference of the worldwide Girl Guides movement.

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is holding its 34th world conference at the Edinburgh Conference Centre at Heriot Watt University throughout this week.

It is the first time that the event, held every three years, has been held in the UK since 1975.

Ace card for Young Scot

A NATIONAL youth information and citizenship charity has received the Golden Hercules award, recognising it as the best youth card organisation in Europe.

Edinburgh-based Young Scot picked up the award at the European Card Association annual conference in Amsterdam.

Moving cafe gets it sorted

The Forest Cafe in Bristo Place is holding a "Sort it Out" day ahead of its move at the end of August.

The arts venue is having to leave after the building was sold. People who have items stored there are asked to remove them, and volunteers are sought to help with the clear-out, at 10am on Monday.

New martial arts class kicks off

A NEW martial arts class is to open in the city centre.

The new club will teach the White Crane Kung Fu style for the first time in Scotland.

Instructor Kami Newton said: "White Crane is suited to all ages and abilities."

Wounded soldiers saddle up for epic bike ride

Soldiers injured in Afghanistan are to take part in a 500-mile charity bike ride.

The Ride of Britain will see members of the public and the armed forces cycle together from Edinburgh to London to raise money for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA). The ride will start at Edinburgh Castle on September 21 and finish at Horseguards Parade, London, on September 25. Model Nell McAndrew, an SSAFA ambassador, said the participants were "an inspiration".