Breaking news

All candidates invited to our hustings next week have also been invited to provide a short written introduction to themselves. 

EXAMINEES TO RETURN ON WEDNESDAY 

Drummond pupils in years S4–S6 will return to school on Wednesday. 

Contingency arrangements for those in years S1–S3 have not been finalised. 

That was the news from City of Edinburgh Council this evening. It said a programme of structural surveys in schools would continue across the capital this week. 

Drummond, it seems, is able to partially reopen because it was only partially refurbished as part of the PPP1 project. This will come as partial comfort to pupils and parents. 

Police are seeking witnesses after an elderly local woman had her purse stolen over the weekend. 

Around 4.30pm on Sunday, the 84-year-old victim was walking along Brunswick Street towards Montgomery Street when she was approached by a woman who offered to carry her bags. 

The ‘good Samaritan’ stole the distracted victim’s purse shortly afterwards. 

Description of suspect

The suspect is described as white, aged around 30 to 40, with shoulder-length, straight, black hair. She spoke with a local accent.

All candidates invited to our hustings next week have also been invited to provide a short written introduction to themselves. 

Third to respond is Ben Macpherson (SNP), whose words we reprint in full below. 

LOCAL MAN'S LAST HOURS RECALLED 

A long wander about Rosebank Cemetery yesterday, and an unexpected glimpse of tempest and terror on the far side of the world. 

Able Seaman John Paterson was one of 27 crew who sailed from Lamlash on Arran on 3 May 1894. Under the command of Captain William Leggat, the three-masted steel barque Cambus Wallace was on her maiden voyage, bound for Brisbane with a cargo of whisky, beer, pig iron, salt, fancy goods and explosives. 

All candidates invited to our hustings next week have also been invited to provide a short written introduction to themselves. 

Second to respond is Alan Melville (UKIP), whose words we reprint in full below. 

Drummond Community High School will not reopen when the Summer Term starts on Monday. 

It is one of 17 capital state schools that will remain closed while safety checks are made on their buildings. 

The decision to stay shut was taken yesterday after checks at Oxgangs Primary School, damaged by Storm Gertrude in January, revealed ‘new issues’. 

All candidates invited to our hustings next week have also been invited to provide a short written introduction to themselves. 

First to respond is Lesley Hinds (Labour), whose words we reprint in full below. 

*****

In the Scottish Parliament elections Labour want to:

1.  Look to the future, not the past  

2. Fully use Parliament’s new powers 

3. Provide an alternative to Tory austerity and SNP cuts.

… AND YOU'RE INVITED 

Spurtle will host hustings for the Scottish Parliamentary election from 7.30pm–9.00pm on 14 April in Broughton St Mary’s Parish Church (Bellevue Crescent). 

Representatives have been invited from all 10 parties/independents standing in the Edinburgh Northern & Leith constituency. 

Tidying up is hard to do. 

Who hasn’t suffered a pang at binning some photo of a former love, at binning that once reliable but now no longer elasticated item of underwear, discarding the long-faded P3 certificate for trying one’s best? 

Clearing out such treasured connections with the past is often a difficult but necessary stage in moving on. De-cluttering is progress. 

Which is why we commend the unknown resident of Forth Street who yesterday put out their Christmas tree for kerbside collection.

Ninety-one days late.