Five things you need to know today
20 mph in most of the city
Remembering Greyfriars Bobby
Roller Disco Baby?
Wiff Waff Wednesday
Dinner in the Dark
Do you think that the whole city is becoming a blanket 20mph zone after the council’s decision yesterday?
Then you are wrong.
And here are all the reasons why. The council has got fed up with being misquoted and have issued a statement to debunk the myths about the new speed limits to be introduced in the capital.
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Edinburgh will honour the life of its most famous dog with a special event just before 1pm today.
Greyfriars Bobby, the loyal terrier known for guarding his master’s grave for 14 years after his death, passed away 143 years ago and is buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard.
The City of Edinburgh Council will mark the date with a commemorative ceremony, organised by the Library and Information Service.
Amongst the participants will be Greyfriars Bobby look-alike Maggie the Cairn terrier, sporting a specially-designed coat and badge in honour of her doggie double.
Also attending are members of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, who will speak about the fire which gutted Old Greyfriars in the mid-19th century, shortly before Bobby’s arrival.
As the one o’clock gun sounds, the time at which Bobby is said to have left his master’s grave each day for a free meal at a nearby café, pupils from George Heriot School will lay flowers on the grave. This will be followed by ‘Tribute to Greyfriars Bobby’, played on bagpipes by Jennifer Hutcheon.
Deidre Brock, Depute Lord Provost, who will host the event, said: “Greyfriars Bobby, whose memorial reads ‘Let his loyalty and devotion be a lesson to us all’, still inspires enormous affection and respect in people across the globe.
“Even now visitors flock to see his grave, his statue, and the many mementos of his life displayed in our Museum of Edinburgh, marvelling anew at the timeless story of the little dog who would not leave his master’s grave.”
After the death of Bobby’s owner John Gray, the then Lord Provost, Sir William Chambers, ensured the dog’s freedom by purchasing a license and dog collar, allowing him to roam the graveyard.
Capturing the hearts of passers-by every day, Bobby’s statue was erected a year after his death in 1872 by the Ladies Committee of the RSPCA, and has since become a landmark for the capital.
Today’s event, which is supported by local charity The Grassmarket Community Project, will also involve members of the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, who will be running a special Greyfriars Bobby themed stand at the Central Library from 10am till 2pm on Wednesday.
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Anyone of a certain vintage will remember when Clouds at Tollcross became a roller disco for a while. It was all the rage in the 70s.
Now you can relive your youth or simply do something a bit different. Tonight at Studio 24 on Calton Road there is a roller disco organised by Hector’s House in Stockbridge.
Hector’s Roller Disco can be enjoyed by skaters and non-skaters alike, and the music will be decidedly Disco! More details here. Also on tomorrow night……in case you get the bug!
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At the Out of the Blue Drill Hall they are playing badminton tonight. The Wiff Waff Wednesday event runs from 6pm till 10.30pm and it is all for fun!
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A unique dining experience giving a taste of life as a blind or partially sighted person is being served by Guide Dogs fundraisers in Edinburgh.
The charity is hosting a Dinner in the Dark where guests are invited to eat blindfolded.
The Dinner in the Dark takes place in the Hilton DoubleTree Hotel, Bread Street, Edinburgh, on Friday 6 February.
A full Tapas menu is being served in the hotel’s Penthouse bar and restaurant where guests – when they’re not wearing blindfolds – can enjoy stunning views of Edinburgh Castle. Lights will be dimmed throughout the dinner sitting.
“We want the night to have a serious purpose in creating awareness of the challenges facing blind and partially sighted people as well as raising vital funds for our life changing services,” said Nikki Neesam, community fundraiser with Guide Dogs. “Equally we want this to be a fun and memorable occasion.”
“It promises to be a great night out with a difference,” said Nikki
The event begins at 7.00pm for a 7.30 sitting on Friday 6 February.
Dinner in the Dark tickets priced £25 can be bought from the Guide Dogs Edinburgh Mobility Team on 0845 372 7406 or by emailing Edinburgh@guidedogs.org.uk
For more see www.guidedogsscotland.org.uk
