The man charged with improving the literacy standards of Edinburgh students may need some literacy help himself.
Ewan Aitken was left red-faced after signing a letter sent out to residents with two glaring spelling errors, the Scotsman reported.
In the opening paragraph, the letter referred to the Restalrig Community Christmas Lighting event as the "forth" instead of fourth.
But if the author was thinking about the river that separates Edinburgh from Fife, there was no such excuse for the mistake further down, the newspaper said.
The letter informed Restalrig residents thinking of attending the event that refreshments would be served "curtesy" of the playgroup in Craigentinny Community Center.
Aitken said he dictated the letter to a member of staff who forgot to spell check it. He then read and signed the letter, which was sent out to more than 300 homes.
He has apologized and asked for leniency, the Scotsman said,
"At least I am trying to improve other people's spelling, even if mine is not getting any better," he said.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
