Talk of the Town: Give it some Welly and pray for rain

MOST outdoor events taking place in the Lothians would do anything to run in good weather, even if that hope is slim.

But one 5km challenge coming to the area next year will be timed for the exact opposite.

Organisers of the Wiseman Welly Walk, which takes place each year in Glasgow, say the fundraising walking challenge is coming to Edinburgh in 2013.

And given the nature of the event – which raises money for hospices – it will be timed to guarantee a high chance of rain. As one participant commented: “It’s not much fun walking 5km in the blazing sunshine in a pair of Wellington boots.”

I’d like some scran, please

HERE at Talk of the Town, we like no-nonsense staight-talkers. So we wholeheartedly approve of the direct approach to marketing by one city bar/restaurant.

“Boozemongers and purveyors of exceptional quality scran” promises the Negociants billboard on Bristo Square, whose customers will be in no doubt what to expect inside.

Alex’s shot at glory

THE Evening News is anxiously waiting to learn whether there might be reflected glory in one of our ex-employees winning a sporting world title later this year.

Alex Hamilton, the reigning Scottish Masters over-80 – yes, over-80 – squash champion is among the favourites to lift the world age-group crown in Birmingham next July having started working life as an advertising sales clerk in the Leith Walk branch of our paper.

Alex graduated to manager of the Evening News’ Stockbridge branch before a career move via National Service took him into the dairy products industry.

“I’d have been happy being a journalist” reflected Gorgie-born Alex, “as it seemed a more glamorous part of newspapers.”

Glamorous indeed, though perhaps not more glamorous than an over-80s squash tournament.

No date for your diary

THERE’S no such thing as a free lunch – particularly in these economically straitened times – as former employees of one of the country’s biggest banks have found out.

It has been reported that Edinburgh-based Royal Bank of Scotland, fresh from confirming its intention to pay out hundreds of millions in bonuses, has axed annual lunches for retired staff.

The news comes after retirees learned they would stop receiving complimentary diaries. Perhaps because there are no lunch dates to put in it now.