Talk of the Town: Councillors take a break.. separately

IT is always nice to know that Edinburgh’s councillors – even from opposing parties – are close.

But for a brief moment during a meeting of the city council’s policy and strategy committee, it seemed that Lib Dem Gordon Mackenzie and Labour’s Andrew Burns were a bit too close.

During a discussion about the old council depot at Inverleith Park, Cllr Mackenzie told how “myself and Cllr Burns were both on holiday in the Borders this year”.

Before the rumours were able to start, Cllr Burns interjected: “Not together though”.

Kind owner sought to save pigs from the chop

IT’s an odd disclaimer for an animal rescue agency – but the SSPCA has insisted anyone taking their latest clutch of rescue animals must refrain from eating them.

The charity is desperately seeking a home for four pigs which came to its Edinburgh centre almost a year ago, but has placed the strict condition that the new owners will not use them for bacon.

They will also not allow the animals to become sausages.

A spokeswoman said: “We are looking for an experienced pig keeper or smallholder to look after them – certainly not someone who will turn them in to food. They are pets, not for eating.”

Anyone interested in offering the pigs a home that doesn’t involve a roll, some ketchup and a cup of tea can call the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.

Result is hard to swallow

AS a nation we are famed for our penchant for battered Mars Bars.

Even so, Talk of the Town can hear collective jaws dropping at the news the cosmopolitan Capital has been trumped (in order) by Birmingham, Ludow and Melton Mowbray (of pork pie fame) in the “foodiest town” stakes.

Judges said: “Outsiders may persist in refusing to spend weekends there, but Britain’s second city is underestimated.”

Local gastronomes can at least take some pleasure in the scorn poured on our West Coast cousins, who were mocked in the survey for their love of “deep-frying pizzas and pies”.

Manic month of Mondays

a glance at the calendar reveals the gloomy news that there are five Mondays this month.

Before getting too down-hearted, however, it’s worth remembering that this means five complete Saturday/Sunday weekends.

And we should make the most of it because, according to former Boroughmuir rugby player Craig Seager, now resident of Australia, the phenomenon only happens in October once every 823 years.