Breaking news

As you read this, copies of the February Spurtle are already being distributed across Broughton and beyond. From the snow-capped peaks of George IV Bridge to the lush valley of Canonmills, from Pilrig’s sunny meadows to the mist-girt slopes of Howe Street and Henderson Row, local news, views, gossip, and reviews are on the move. 

Page 1 of Issue 281 begins with booze and the forthcoming lack of it, proceeds with rising unease to the goings-on in parks, gets cross, then reaches a hopeful conclusion. 

Edinburgh Council’s Development Management Subcommittee meets this afternoon (from 1pm) in a special hearing to consider revised plans for the Foot of Leith Walk. 

Drum Property Group proposes to demolish light-industrial buildings and a row of art-deco shops at 106–65 Leith Walk, collectively referred to locally as Stead’s Place. 

Edinburgh’s earliest zoo – the Royal Edinburgh Zoological Gardens – was established in 1840 in Broughton Park, on ground now bounded by West Annandale Street, Bellevue Street, Melgund Terrace, and East Claremont Street.

It was never a financial success and closed in 1857, amid widespread and long-standing concerns about the welfare of its specimen species. Financial concerns predominated.

I've recently had the opportunity to check how up-to-date is Spurtle's last article on stair lighting.

It’s been six-and-a-half years since we last profiled Kathy’s Knits. 

Back in July 2012, locals Cathy and Leslie Robb were preparing to open the doors at 64A Broughton Street for the first time. It was a new venture after Leslie’s recent retirement from asset managers Baillie Gifford, and rather a leap of faith as nowhere else in Edinburgh was specialising in top-end British yarn at the time. 

Topping & Company Booksellers seeks permission to convert the former Royal Bank of Scotland at 2–3A Bleinheim Place into a bookshop (Ref. 18/10412/LBC). 

The proposal is for: retail space on the ground and first floors; storage and staff facilities in the basement; and installation of a new lift.

Hopes and concerns were expressed at last night’s New Town & Broughton Community Council about draft proposals for improving George Street and the First New Town (Issue 280). 

 CURIOUSER & CURIOUSER 

Meet Laura Clifford and Ian Staples, the partners behind Curiouser & Curiouser at 93 Broughton Street. 

The two began trading here in October 2010, with Laura curating the shop’s unique selection of books, cards, ‘quirky homeware’, artworks, frames, stationery, and other uncategorisable curiosities. 

Pickles is an all-white neutered male with green eyes. He’s three-and-a-half years old. 

He isn’t wearing a collar, but has been micro-chipped. 

He ought to be at home in Bellevue Road, but isn’t. Instead, he’s been missing since 8 January.

Pickles is in a bit of a pickle. 

Please keep an eye out for him, and check your sheds. If you’ve seen him recently or know where he is now, kindly call his humans on 07794 00305. Alternatively, call the Identibase helpline on 0370 2408245, quoting reference number 011D36.

Good news! 

Readers will remember our report in late November about the 18.5m telecommunications mast newly installed on Broughton Road. 

The siting had caused upset among many locals who felt its positioning next to the Gretna Rail Disaster memorial in Rosebank Cemetery was unsightly and disrespectful.