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An item of "Breaking News". Will appear on the Breaking News page and the front page.

SPURTLE TO THE RESCUE

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As Broughton swelters in ferocious heat and blinding brightness, Spurtle has responded by manufacturing thousands of emergency sunshades for local people. 

Produced on A3 sheets of solar-reflective, ultra-thin, compressed wood pulp, these collapsible innovations will fit most pockets with ease, but can swiftly be unfolded with a little practice to afford protection from the sun’s harmful rays. 

TRIPLE TRIUMPH AT DRUMMOND TENNIS CLUB

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Drummond Tennis Club held its annual tournament over six weeks between the start of August and the middle of September. Mark Fergie talks us through some remarkable results.

Alistair Stiven (right) took on the current club champion Calum Friar in the singles and after losing the first set he fought back and took the title for the first time on a championship tiebreak. 

Later on he won the doubles with Calum, defeating Foxwell and Johnston. 

STAR-STUDDED CAST ELUDES SPURTLE

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A new adaptation of Joseph Conrad's 1907 novel The Secret Agent was being filmed on Broughton Place and outside the Barony Bar on Broughton Street today.

The three-part drama by World Productions for BBC One is scheduled for release in 2016. The story is set in the London of 1886. Soho shopkeeper Verloc is employed by the Russian government to bomb the Greenwich Observatory.

The cast includes Vicky McClure, Toby Jones, Paul Ellard and Charlie Hamblett, none of whom of we'd ever heard of before or was anywhere to be seen.

 

FOUR CITIES UNDER THE SURFACE

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An outdoor exhibition of words and photographs is being staged in the Rodney Street Tunnel for the next month. 

Hold me Dear features over 40 images of ‘extra(ordinary)’ favourite places in four cities – Copenhagen, Istanbul, Hamburg and Edinburgh – captured by the extraordinary people who live there. 

They range from harbour scenes to urban playgrounds, treasured allotments to café tables, docks, stations, a former jail and even the interior of an abandoned hospital. 

CAMERA OBSCURA

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Spurtle has been out and about today, noseying into other people's business as usual.

Here – in no particular order – are nine photos of what we saw. Can you name the locations?

Answers at the foot of this page tomorrow.

1. Curvy (right).

2. Looking up at Downie.

OPPONENTS RALLY TO 'SAVE CITY'S SOUL'

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Over 120 opponents of plans to develop the old Royal High School as a luxury hotel met last night in central Edinburgh to discuss progress and ensure timely and relevant objections. 

Convened by the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland, the 'urgent action meeting' comprised speeches from representatives of Edinburgh World Heritage, the Cockburn Association, the AHSS itself, and the Royal High School Preservation Trust.

'Battle for the soul of the city'

BIN THERE, NOT UNDERSTOOD THAT

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New bin collection arrangements scheduled to start tomorrow in Rosslyn Crescent and Terrace have left locals scratching their heads. 

The new system entails five different kinds of receptacle being presented on pavements in four different combinations. 

Fortunately, City of Edinburgh Council explained it all in the helpful timetable reproduced below. 

FUNDING BOOST FOR OBSERVATORY PLANS

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A Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant of £1.3 million has significantly boosted plans to open the City Observatory on Calton Hill to the public for the first time. 

As first reported here in April, the Collective Gallery aspires to conserve the William Henry Playfair designed building (currently on the Buildings at Risk Register), and create new gallery, administrative and restaurant spaces within the walled Observatory compound. 

Collective's vision is for: