Talk of the Town: Staff hope we feel on Tapa the world

WITH the might of the world and European champions Spain standing in their way tonight, the Scottish football team will take comfort from the fact that their supporters ranks are being swelled – with Spaniards.

Spanish staff at Edinburgh’s Tapa Barra Restaurant admitted they are backing Scotland’s bid to qualify for a major tournament for the first time since 1998.

Barman Javier Manzanero, from Toledo, Spain, said he is torn between the two teams, but hopes Craig Levein’s men can join Spain at next year’s finals.

Javier, 24, said: “Spain have already easily qualified from the group and I would like nothing better than for Scotland to join us there. It’s probably the first time in my life I would like to see Spain lose.”

Shy SuBo shows nerves of steel to fulfil her dreams

HARD to believe now, but multi-million selling artist Susan Boyle has admitted that crippling shyness stopped her from pursuing a singing career when she was younger.

The West Lothian singer didn’t feel she could reach success until two years ago when she battled her nerves to perform in front of millions on Britain’s Got Talent.

Speaking ahead of the release of album number three next month, the 50-year-old said she had realised at a young age that her voice was powerful, but couldn’t muster up the courage to do anything about it. She added: “I don’t miss much about my old life. It has changed but it’s changed for the best.”

Clothes sale is just divine

HOLDING a charity event in a church seems like a good way to ensure your fundraising efforts will be blessed.

That was certainly the case for organisers of a clothes sale in the Parish Church of St Cuthbert in Lothian Road. Organisers found the event packed out and their designer items raised more than £10,000 for church funds.

The clothes were donated by the late Kathleen Gibb – a member of St Cuthbert’s and a lady known for her love of fashion – who died this year at the age of 89. Miss Gibb’s generosity could raise even more money, with 40 sacks of clothes yet to be sold.

Putt their minds at ease

SIGHS of relief at an Edinburgh golf club which we hear recently hired out its function suite for a 90th birthday party.

What the club apparently didn’t know was that it was a “surprise” birthday party.

The birthday girl didn’t flinch when family and friends slipped out from behind the furniture to offer unexpected felicitations.