Breaking news

Hundreds gathered on Calton Hill this morning to witness Broughton's astronomical event of the decade.

With only minutes to spare at 9.26am, clouds which had been distant and well dispersed over the capital up to that point, joined together to partially obscure the partial solar eclipse.

Legions of excited young Italian EFL students oohed and aahed repeatedly in advance of the once-in-a-blue-moon phenomenon, ensuring that there were no birds present to fall silent and create an eerie hush.

On display at The Sutton Gallery until tomorrow are works by new gallery artists Jenny Mason, Leo du Feu, Thomas Cameron and Aileen Grant. This mixed show is a chance to showcase each artist’s unique style and approach towards landscape painting. 

Here I’ve selected a favourite piece by each artist.  

City of Edinburgh Council has now confirmed that the seven bins used in Bellevue's recycling trial have mistakenly and repeatedly been mixed with general rubbish for landfill.

The general recycling principle is great. The actual operation of the trial here appears to have been rubbish.

In a remarkably short and unapologetic response to Spurtle's enquiry, CEC said: 'A small number of side loading bins have been incorrectly collected as the new tenement recycling pilot beds in. This has now been rectified and the service will continue as normal'.

Scout leaders Evelyn Torrance and Ian Stewart were pleasantly surprised yesterday evening. 

They thought the chairs and screen in Broughton Primary School’s gym hall had been set up for a presentation telling parents about a forthcoming camp. 

Instead, they were themselves the focus of the occasion as Depute District Commissioner Roseanne Allison presented them with certificates marking over a hundred years’ worth of leadership between them.

HENRY KONDRACKI'S THREE CITIES

Reviewed by Rhys Fullerton

‘In this exhibition I have tried to convey something of the essence of these cities and have focussed on the moments of calm and celebration instead of the stress and angst of city living.’

            Henry Kondracki, January 2015

I had thought that this week's article would just be noting these recycling efforts, in the hope of spurring us all on to ever greater things, writes Fred Street of the New Town Clean Streets Campaign (NTCSC). 

For background, follow the Breaking news links here (9.3.15) and here (21.2.15).

Do you remember this footpath in about the year 2000?

It used to be known as 'Dog-Poo Lane' and was the cause of frequent frustration and disgust for pedestrians trying to get between the Rumbling Bridge and Broughton Road.

In 2015, however, a combination of Environmental Wardens, spot fines and changed dog-owner behaviour has largely eradicated the underfoot nuisance.

Nowadays it’s much worse.

Take another look at the photo top-right. Notice anything amiss?

Friends of Montgomery Street Park have won major funding to revamp facilities for local people.

The £40,000 Biffa Award will be be spent on refurbishing the hard-surface sports area. The cracked and uneven surface will be levelled and relaid with rubber this month, and marked with lines for football and basketball.

New seating, goal posts and hoops are also on the way.

The project should be finished by the start of May.

Walking along McDonald Road the other day, I was passed by two sightseeing buses. I thought this was odd; we were a long way from any meaningful tourist sights and – no offence to the good people of McDonald Road – what was there to see here? 

I decided to investigate.

I went along to the Edinburgh Bus Tours headquarters, basically that bus lane opposite Princes Mall. I asked around but no one could tell me why McDonald Road was a top tourist destination. I was told I could find out more on the Majestic Tour for the handsome price of £14.

Local resident John Edward contacted the Spurtle this morning with news of commemorative events surrounding the centenary of the Quintinshill Rail Disaster.

The great-grandson of Private James McSherry (7th Batallion Royal Scots, Territorials) who died in the tragedy, Edward is asking for other descendants and relations of victims to get in touch in advance of ceremonies from 21–23 May.