Local Round-up: Comic Relief gives stillborn charity a boost

A CHARITY which supports parents who have lost babies has received a major funding boost.

SANDS Lothians, the stillbirth and neonatal deaths organisation, has been given cash by Comic Relief to pay for two key staff.

That has allowed the workers to extend their hours, meaning the office in Craiglockhart is manned five days a week, and it provides extra financial stability.

It also allowed SANDS to revamp its membership scheme on a voluntary donation basis.

RSPB to host writer's talk

THe RSPB is hosting an illustrated talk by one of Britain's best-known nature writers, John Lister-Kaye, next week. The organisation says the talk has been incorrectly advertised for the 16 February, but will take place on 23 February at 7:30 pm at Edinburgh Napier University.

Have a go at ancient skills

There's a chance to try out ancient skills and handicrafts in Holyrood Park today and tomorrow.

Rangers will be letting people try wool carding, using a bow drill and quern stone at the education centre between 11am and 3pm.

For more information call 0131 652 8150.

Classic car set to tour Capital

A 40-YEAR-OLD classic sports car is to tour round Edinburgh later this year as part of a fundraising scheme.

Radio Forth's Cash for Kids initiative will see the Morgan drive round the streets of the Capital as the charity raises cash as part of a nationwide event.

Coastguard station to be a takeaway

A FORMER Coastguard station is set to be transformed into a servery and takeaway under plans submitted to council chiefs.

Harbour House Hotel Ltd put forward a planning application to turn the former station in Victoria Road in North Berwick into a new eaterie.

The property is currently being used to store building materials. The proposals will be considered by East Lothian Council at a future meeting.

Conference to debate future of higher education

THE impact of higher English tuition fees in Scotland, Scottish higher education in the age of austerity and defending academic freedom are some of the topics that will be debated at a conference on the future of higher education in Scotland.

The conference, which will take place on February 22 in the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the Royal Mile, will feature keynote speaker Professor Stefan Collini.

Other speakers include Professor Walter Humes and Professor Bridget Fowler.