Talk of the Town: Feedback blast blows Barbour's cool cover

FORMER male model and NHS Lothian chief executive James Barbour cuts a cool figure at the bi-monthly health board meetings.

Sitting at the head of the table, he usually adopts a relaxed posture, legs crossed, nodding slowly with his eyes closed to points he agrees with, but his nonchalant exterior was rudely disturbed at a gathering in Midlothian this week.

Instead of the feeble microphone system installed at the usual board meeting venue by the Western General, the Dalkeith organisers had rigged up a PA system more suitable for a concert venue than a health board meeting.

While it made senior health officials audible for a change, it wreaked havoc with Prof Barbour's chilled out demeanour – an unexpected blast of deafening feedback shook the room, propelled his pen from his relaxed grip into the air, and resulted in him sitting bolt upright.

It took until the end of item 7.2 on the agenda for him to regain composure.

How councillors rallied as meeting clashed with tennis

COUNCILLORS had the misfortune of having to attend Thursday's full council meeting at the same as Andy Murray's Australian Open semi final with Marin Cilic.

Members were frantically checking their mobile phones for updates during the meeting, and reporting back to colleagues.

Deputy council leader Steve Cardownie got in on the act. A debate on homelessness raged back and forward between Labour councillor Ewan Aitken and housing leader Paul Edie. After Cllr Edie's fourth response to Cllr Aitken's questions, Cllr Cardownie called out: "Love-40".

Coisty's a game-changer

ALLY McCOIST is a familiar face at Murrayfield on big rugby occasions but the legendary Rangers and Scotland footballer has revealed that his affinity with the oval ball game embraces one of the Capital's most famous clubs as well.

"When I was a boy, I also used to go and watch Heriot's at Goldenacre because my aunt and uncle stayed in Edinburgh, so I must admit I enjoy my rugby," Coisty told the Glasgow Warriors official website.

Same again, Eric?

AS an enthusiastic fan of both Caledonian 80/- and Robert Burns, an invitation to the Caledonian Brewery for a Burns' dinner was a dream night for Labour councillor Eric Milligan.

Just when he thought his night couldn't get any better, the former Lord Provost was invited to be the brewery's "guinea pig" by trying Old Acquaintance, a special brew to mark the bard's birthday.

It went down well with Cllr Milligan. He said: "It is not a beer for a long session. It is for the discerning drinker."