Breaking news

Whether you over-indulged ever so slightly over the Christmas period and are now on the inevitable January detox or you are simply in need of something light and refreshing to tickle your tastebuds, these bite-sized wonders will go down a treat.

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) yesterday outlined the planning context and mixed-use potential for its cleared land on Eyre Place and vacant buildings at 7, 11–13 Eyre Terrace (see Breaking news 21.11.11).

At a pre-planning application notification exhibition in Stockbridge Library, RBS's agents Michael Laird Architects had staff on hand to explain information panels and answer questions.

We last encountered reader Rob Hussey in Breaking news on 7.12.11.

Then, he was getting hot under the collar about his local launderette's misspelling of their location as 'Cannon Mills'.

Now, Mr Hussey's frustration is focused on the forecourt of the nearby Esso Petrol Station.

A group of S3–S6 pupils from Drummond Community High School have recently visited the Traverse Theatre to watch an adaptation by Rob Evans of Barry Hines’s 1968 novel Kes (A Kestrel for a Knave), writes S6 student Mariana Duarte.

The Catherine Wheels Theatre Company’s production was directed by Gill Robertson and featured James Anthony Pearson as the main character Billy. Sean Murray played all the other parts – male and female.

These are not easy times for public libraries. Budgetary constraints and changing technological media are just two of the challenges facing all councils as they seek to connect people with the information and culture they require.

Edinburgh's 'Next Generation Library and Information Services Strategy 2012–2015' has been published recently, and readers have until 31 January to submit comments. (You can download it from the file below.)

Spurtle reader and Broughton resident Sam Crehan has a long-standing interest in the 'Lost World' writings of local author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

As the skill module for his Bronze-level Duke of Edinburgh Award, Crehan took a careful look at the history and 'wildlife' of the stories and brilliantly conveyed his enthusiasm for them.

We enjoyed his account so much that we decided to publish it here in the Spurtle. Download by clicking on the file below.

There was a kind of grim fascination in the faces of visitors at the Royal Botanic Garden (RGBE) this morning.

New Year storms have toppled at least 40 trees (including some of the oldest and biggest), the roots of which could not find sufficient purchase in ground that was already sodden after heavy winter rainfall.

A further 10 or so may have to come down, and another 20 or 30 will require attention to repair or limit serious damage to trunks and boughs.

We’re fast approaching that part of January where we’ve all finished our chocolate iPods and broken our toys, and are looking for something else to numb the pain of another year appearing out of nowhere to further wither our already faded beauty.

When the Cooperative Group applied for planning permission to open a shop at 8 McDonald Road (Breaking news, 22.2.11), they submitted very carefully reasoned arguments based on exhaustive research into the local retail ecology.

Many Broughton residents will have been woken this morning by the sound of roofing contractors dancing in the streets. Damaging high winds have returned to the capital.

A survey of the neighbourhood reveals any number of smashed flower pots, overturned bins, large areas of torn felt and dozens of slates littering the ground.