Local news: City students make national cookery final

A TEAM of hospitality and catering students from Jewel and Esk College has made the finals of a national cookery competition.

The students will be competing in the Bisto Future Restaurant competition which forms part of the bi-annual ScotHot hospitality trade show in Glasgow.

They will be required to serve food to some of the best known figures in the industry.

Head of the faculty of service industries, Gordon Hodgson, said: "They have chosen a tricky menu but one I am sure they will execute well."

Events in aid of Marie Curie

TWO events will take place in the city to raise money for Marie Curie.

There will be a tombola stall in the Sainsbury's store at Cameron Toll shopping centre on Tuesday between 10am and 4pm.

There will also be a book sale next Saturday, also at Cameron Toll shopping centre, between 10am and 4pm.

Chance to win place at Napier

BUSINESS leaders are being given the chance to win a place on an Edinburgh Napier University course.

The Edinburgh Institute at the university has launched the competition for a place on the MSC in Advanced Leadership Practice programme, which will be starting in April.

Hear Scots and Ukrainian poetry

The national poets of Scotland and Ukraine are being celebrated at an event tonight at the Edinburgh Ukrainian club.

A selection of works by Robbie Burns and Taras Shevchenko will be showcased at the unique celebration, which also includes a special dinner.

Council staff numbers drop by 500 in last year

THE total number of staff employed by the city council has reduced by nearly 500 in the last year.

There were 19,745 people employed in November 2010, which was 446 lower than the same time the year before, according to a new report. However the number of staff has increased since September by 17.

Recent appointments in schools were partially offset by reductions in other services.

The city council last week confirmed 32m of savings that could result from headcount being reduced.

Frequency of number 16 bus set to increase

LOCAL campaigners have welcomed news that Lothian Buses is to increase the frequency of its number 16 service.

The service, which runs between Silverknowes and Colinton, was badly affected by snow during December, according to passengers in the south of the city.

Now the council-owned bus firm has confirmed plans to increase frequency on Redford Road to every ten minutes from April 3.