An item of "Breaking News". Will appear on the Breaking News page and the front page.
It would be wrong to say that City Centre voters are disenchanted with local politics. Those 52 people who turned up for a 2-hour hustings at the height of the Festival – their lively, clear and loudly expressed opinions – suggest continued engagement with the democratic process, and a confidence that active involvement should and can make a difference.
We first mentioned local author Marianne Wheelaghan and her debut novel The Blue Suitcase towards the end of last year (Breaking news 20.11.10).
The book has enjoyed considerable success since, and now Marianne will be talking about the inspiration for it as part of the Blackwell's Writers at the Fringe programme on 18 August (6–8pm). The venue is at Blackwell Bookshop, 53–9 South Bridge.
A series of stencilled graffiti in up to four colours has appeared on a section of wall and pavement in Cathedral Lane.
Mysteriously oriental, the designs depict interweaving geometric designs, artfully arranged Indian hands, and – perhaps – a Hindu deity with snakes in her hair.
These rather interesting artworks announce a new talent working locally, one with a distinctive aesthetic and a taste for decorative playfulness.
Last night's Spurtle hustings on Bellevue Crescent was one of the best and liveliest we remember.
Below is an impartial, abbreviated account of the main questions and answers. A number of exchanges between inaudible audience members (who couldn't wait for a microphone) and candidates have been omitted. Likewise, questioners' rambling preambles and the Chairman's occasional interventions have been left out.
Alternative summaries of events are available by searching for the #edcc hashtag on Twitter, or last night's live tweets by @STVEdinburgh.
Still. – a solo exhibition of work by Philip Braham first previewed here in June – is now showing at the Union Gallery, and attracting interest from local and national media alike.
The Liberal Democrat candidate in the forthcoming Ward 11 by-election is Alistair Hodgson, writes Lib-Dem Councillor Charles Dundas.
Alistair was raised in Edinburgh and educated at the Royal High School. He graduated in Law from the University of Glasgow (after a year in Copenhagen on a European exchange) – the main focus of his studies has been human rights, international law and immigration law. Alistair also holds a postgraduate degree in International Relations from the University of Bristol.
In Issue 197 we mentioned briefly the recent rediscovery of ground-breaking work by Scottish painter Claire Ritson ('Remarkable but unremarked: Ritson rediscovered'). Below, Glen Ross – who runs Colours Gallery on Dundas Street where her work will show later this month and next – gives a brief biography of this remarkable woman whose artistic achievement – perhaps because of her class or gender – has been largely overlooked until now.
The Scottish Green Party wants to see a living city centre at the heart of Edinburgh – a place where people can grow up, learn, build community and settle into. The City Centre is home to major businesses and the world’s greatest arts festival, but it is so much more than that.
As the SNP candidate in this by-election, I am proud to be standing for a party that has frozen Council Tax for the past four years, built the first Council houses in a generation and restored responsibility to the city’s finances.
I care passionately about this area and I hope to be able to make a valuable contribution to our community as your local councillor. As a local resident, I understand local problems, I use all the local services, and I know many residents through my work in the community. This area is a great place to live and work and I want to keep it that way.