An item of "Breaking News". Will appear on the Breaking News page and the front page.
In this the bicentenary of her husband's birth, John Ross Maclean examines a local girl's remarkable but under-remarked biography.
Mrs Charles Dickens (1815–79) – wife of Britain's most famous 19th-century author and social commentator – was born Miss Catherine Hogarth at 8 Hart Street in Broughton.
In Issue 205, we dealt with concerns arising from the recent relaxation of planning regulations ('Common sense and/or the lack of it'). Many people fear that the new Householder Permitted Development Rights will lead to piecemeal and ugly 'customisation' of properties which will make it harder to appreciate and protect them in future.
It never rains but it poohs.
No sooner has Forth Ports's hugely controversial proposal for a biomass plant in Leith Docks been seen off than a new scheme enters the earliest stages of the Council's planning system – this time in Bellevue.
Edinburgh-based Tynecastle Sustainable Futures Ltd has entered ante-pre-application consultations with City Planning officials. They aim to instal a temporary 'micro-biomass' plant at the carpark adjacent to Broughton Primary School on Bellevue Road.
The journalistic Dundee cake which is Issue 205 has risen and browned nicely in the cooker of printing machinery, and will be served across Broughton from tomorrow.
It contains visions of loveliness, talented dancing, some good news – at last – for independent shops, and a local literary connection to a major bicentenary.
There is news on newels, Olympic athleticism, murals, Paolozzi, organic food and French-speaking babies, plus views on tree-felling and Spring tits. There are previews, notes for your diary and photographic evidence of simmering rivalry.
Broughton and 'Greater Spurtleshire' fall between three City of Edinburgh Council wards. Below are the candidates for the 3 May election, with photographs and links where available. If you are aware of better links, let us know and we'll update.
The Broughton Spurtle has no party-political (or Independent candidate) affiliation. These links are intended as background information. Their contents have not been verified by the Spurtle, and their appearance or not here reflects only the ease with which they could be found.
Broughton-based bassist Iain MacPhail and the band are in the Big Apple, the city that never sleeps or knowingly sells alcohol to under-21-year olds.
Concerns about the fairness of the Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) system have been raised by community council planning conveners attending a recent seminar run by their Edinburgh Association.
Spurtle understands that numerous problems concerning principle and procedure were raised with Nancy Jamieson, City of Edinburgh Council’s Principal Planner.
Two examples will serve. First, an objection from a community council is not given the weight it merits as the considered response of an organisation representing many locals. It counts only as one objection.
Interesting details have emerged as Turner Townsend seek prior approval for erection of a tramstop and associated street furniture at York Place (Ref 12/00915/PA). The work would also involve repositioning of two overhead line equipment (OLE) poles, revised kerb lines, repaving of footway, and relocation of bus shelters.
Local resident Hugh Lockhart is part of a group reviving the historic Edinburgh–St Andrews pilgrimage route this summer in an initiative which could, potentially, prove extremely beneficial to Broughton’s cafés, pubs, restaurants and hotels.
Spurtle will host two hustings this year in the run-up to the 3 May City of Edinburgh Council election.
The decision to increase the number of events comes in response to boundary changes which have seen Broughton more divided than before between Leith Walk and City Centre wards.
The events will take place at Broughton St Mary's Parish Church, Bellevue Crescent, from 7.00–9.15pm on: