Evening Times

Schools Set to Compete in Athletics Showdown

GLASGOW'S best up-andcoming athletes are set to run, jump and throw their way through the biggest event on the school sporting calendar. Almost 1000 pupils from 170 schools across Scotland will compete at the the Scottish Power Indoor Track and Field Championships, which will take place on Thursday February 7 at the Kelvin Hall.

Area Drives to Become New Fairtrade Zone

PLANS to transform Renfrewshire into a Fairtrade town have taken a step forward. The Renfrewshire Fairtrade Steering Group has already held its first meeting and is now organising a programme of events for Fairtrade Fortnight from February to March 9.

Scots Firms in Bid to Go Green

SCOTS firms are positively addressing environmental and climate change issues. A CBI Scotland poll of 125 companies on green issues comes ahead of the publication this week of the Scottish Government's Climate Change Bill.

Style Tuesday

WAISTCOATS RIHANNA wears hers with an umbrella, Kate Moss mixes and matches with hotpants, while Posh Spice is practically sewn into hers.

New Gbp10 M Fund to Inspire Youngsters

THE lives of young people will be improved to the tune of GBP10million as part of a new charity fund. Inspiring Scotland is a new way of delivering long-term funding to the Scottish voluntary sector.

I Want to Help Charities After Losing Brother Computer Expert in Website Offer to Good Causes

AGLASGOW computer specialist wants to use his expertise to help charity - in memory of his late brother. Alan Neary, who runs Kiswebs, has set up a project dedicated to brother Stephen and is urging charities or voluntary organisations to come forward.

Sixth Test for City Clipper

THE Glasgow clipper led a spectacular send off as the latest stage of the round the world yacht race left Singapore. After a nine-day stopover following their arrival from Fremantle, Australia, the crew embarked on race six of their gruelling 35,000- mile challenge.

New Clyde Ferry Link Planned

A PLANNED GBP30,000 seabed survey could result in a new ferry service from Greenock to two tourist hotspots in Argyll. Strathclyde Partnership for Transport is funding the study in the hope ferry services can be introduced to Lochgoilhead and Arrochar on the edge of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Iit's Just the Job for Wendy

A GLASGOW building firm has been praised for giving youngsters apprenticeships and equipping them for the workplace. City Building, which employs more than 2000 people, teaches trainees in skills such as joinery, plumbing, bricklaying and engineering.

Mobile Phone Dispute Driving Me Round Bend Laying Down the Law. . .

Q IWAS stopped and charged with being on my mobile phone while driving, which I wasn't. As I was being charged I offered my phone to the police so they could look at my call records as this would have proved no call was made or received.

Gbp150 K Sewer Upgrade Bid Set to Start

A GBP150,000 sewerage system upgrade about to begin should reduce flooding and improve the environment. Over the next four weeks Scottish Water Solutions will carry out work to improve the Black Cart Water which runs through Johnstone, Renfrewshire to the Clyde at Renfrew.

Chip's Cut Out to Stop Drivers Speeding!

FAMILIES waging war on speeding drivers have a new ally - and he is a real chip off the old block. Chip, a cut-out policeman, is helping to persuade motorists to curb their speed on a busy street.

Depths of Despair Plight of Teens Who Try to Commit Suicide

TWO Glasgow teenagers try to commit suicide every week. More than 200 city youngsters were rushed to A&E departments in 2006 and 2007 after trying to kill themselves. In the Greater Glasgow area, the numbers were even higher with 422, more than four a week, ending up in hospital over the same two- year period.

You Can't Fake the Real Thing

ANYTHING which stops drivers speeding through builtup areas is worth trying. And since Chip the cardboard cop is having that effect in Bishopbriggs, it's an idea which should be given further thought.

Young People Must Have the Right Support

THE number of teenagers trying to take their own life is shocking. Worryingly, many attempts go unrecorded which means the true figure is hidden and the real extent of the tragedy remains unknown.

Lego's 50th Anniversary Is Just Another Brick in the Wall

FOR such a simple device - a small, plastic interlocking brick with raised studs across its top - Lego has had a playful grip on the world's imagination. Since the first appearance, in 1958, of the Lego brick as we know it, the toy has consistently been one of the most successful.

Gbp113 M Plan Will Boost Barrhead

I USED to travel through Barrhead when I was younger, and worked there for a while. The town centre needs to be brought up to a standard that can be appreciated and enjoyed by all.

Transport Is Big Problem for Disabled Comment of the Day

WHY don't people with disabilities take up concession travel tickets? I think I know. In many cases travel is only possible, or much more convenient, by the use of taxis, or a car, and concession tickets are of no use to many individuals.

Mum-to-Be Is Jailed for Glass Attack

A PREGNANT woman has been jailed for two years for a nightclub glass attack that left a student scarred for life. Donna McLeish, 21, who is four months pregnant, burst into tears after being sentenced for the assault on Joanne Bradley at Vienna's nightclub in Paisley.

On This Day. . .

NEWS 1966: A bill was published proposing legal alcohol levels for drivers and random breath tests. 1976: A series of explosions rocked London's West End and damaged Selfridges department store. 2002: Thousands of homes were left without power after a series of gales rocked Britain. 2004: Greg Dyke stepped down as director- general of the BBC following the Hutton inquiry into the death of weapons expert Dr David Kelly. SPORT 1936: Babe Ruth was elected to the US baseball Hall of Fame. 1964: T...