Animal rights group plans Capital march

AN animal rights group is set to march on Edinburgh.

Ethical Voice for Animals, based in Manor Place, has applied to take around 30 participants on a half-mile circuit around The Meadows on October 2.

Its issues include The Green Fork campaign, which promotes veganism as "the only viable diet for anyone who claims to care about animals", a bid to make Edinburgh a fur-free city by rejecting animal fur in sporrans and a protest against animal testing.

Plans for open day at Open University

THE Open University in Scotland is holding an open day at its Edinburgh office.

The event, on September 4, is designed to bring students and staff together and to enable prospective students to find out more information.

People are invited to drop in at 10 Drumsheugh Gardens any time between 10am and 4pm to find out more about studying with the Open University, and to find out about the courses available.

Figgate Park was celebrating its first green flag with a celebration event and flag-raising ceremony today. The Friends of Figgate Park, Portobello Amenity Society and pupils from local schools joined council staff to celebrate Green Flag success at Figgate Park and Portobello Community Garden. A range of activities, including pond dipping and bulb planting, were to be held, before the flag was raised.

The Green Flag scheme recognises and rewards the best parks in Britain.

Flag-raising party marks park's achievement

FREE taster sessions of Jazzercise, which combines dance, resistance training, yoga and kickboxing, are on offer.

The first is on Tuesday at Boroughmuir RFC from 7pm to 8pm, then next Thursday at Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre, Moredunvale, from 7pm to 8pm.

Edinburgh's Carlton Hotel has pledged to donate five per cent of its takings to charity, from charitable and fundraising events booked as part of its new Barcel Moments banqueting brand for celebrating special occasions.

The package includes room hire, a red carpet on arrival and auction prizes.

Courses hope to be a draw

BUDDING artists are being encouraged to sign up to the Leith School of Art from next month to discover their hidden talents.

The art school, based in North Junction Street, offers part-time classes most weekday evenings.

To find out more go to www.LeithSchoolofArt.co.uk.