Local News: Orchard move bears fruit for family centre

West Pilton Child and Family Centre has been awarded a Fruitful School Award for its children's orchard project.

The centre bought 11 apple trees back in the summer of 2009 after being gifted some money.

Lesley Manson, depute manager at Craigroyston Early Years Centre, said: "On a sunny Wednesday afternoon in June, we began planting our apple trees.

"Parents, carers, children and staff had a great time and we even had an apple press to show how to make apple juice."

Park history given airing

The geological history of Holyrood Park will be explained by rangers during a free guided walk on January 16.

The Historic Scotland Ranger Service will talk about the father of modern geology, James Hutton, and the area's fossilised lagoons and cooled lava during the walk, which runs from 9am to 12pm.

Group hosts litter pick-up

The Friends of the Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill will hold a clean-up event on February 6.

The group, set up to involve the community around the parkland in its care, plans to work in and around the burn removing rubbish. Meet at Hermitage House at 1.30pm and bring waterproof boots and/or gloves.

Professor leads mining talk

There will be a talk by Professor Anthony Seaton at the Scottish Mining Museum in Newtongrange on February 4.

Prof Seaton will talk about pneumoconiosis, a lung condition often found in miners, also known as "black lung". The event begins at 2pm.

Fine-dodging drivers face clampdown

A CLAMPING regime which will target fine-dodging motorists who repeatedly fail to pay parking tickets is set to come into force this month.

Repeat offenders risk seeing their cars immobilised or even scrapped.

It will be the first time in recent years in Scotland that motorists have been clamped for failure to pay tickets and comes after the Scottish Courts Service began clamping drivers for unpaid fines relating to road traffic offences.

Stately home opens doors for Burns banquet

HOPETOUN House will host a banquet for friends, colleagues and clients celebrating Burns Night this year.

The stately home will be opened to guests out of the official visitors season to allow tours of the state apartments, accompanied by canapes and aperitifs. The four-course banquet will take place in the Adam Ballroom.

The night will be topped off by pipers and drummers performing the Beating Retreat. Call 0131-331 2451 for details.