An item of "Breaking News". Will appear on the Breaking News page and the front page.
On 1 February (Breaking news), we congratulated – through gritted teeth – a local ornithologist on his extraordinary skill in attracting numerous bird species to a Cochran Terrace back green.
The same naturalist has enjoyed equally gratifying results in observing an otter on the Water of Leith, something this Spurtle correspondent has been trying to do for 23 years without success.
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Look left, look right, look left again, look you!
The first of the Welsh fans were snapped on Union Place this morning, practising the Red Cross Code as they searched for their lodgings ahead of Saturday's match at Murrayfield.
Judging by past form, this is the last time these supporters will be seen outside in enough warm clothes before getting back on the train on Monday.
Permission is sought to build a new dwelling house (Ref. 11/00287/LBC) behind 17 Great King Street (fronting Northumberland Street NE Lane; pictured right).
Interesting graffiti continues to enliven drab corners of Broughton.
The amusing and inexplicable ‘Made in China’ (right) has been created on paper, cut out, then stuck to a wall in Union Street. It may have been drawn by ‘Elph’: the prolific artist whose figures featured temporarily on the bricked up Scotland Street Tunnel last year.
Feeling limp, like a piece of tired lettuce found at the back of the fridge? Get instantly crisper and greener with the help of Mr Motivator!
The former breakfast television legend and fitness instructor will visit Broughton this weekend in a bid to raise awareness of and commitment to making a difference.
At 2pm on Saturday 12 February, the beautifully toned and unfailingly positive, former spandex-enthusiast will lead adoring fans in an exercise class outside the St James Centre. This will be followed by a meet-and-greet inside at the Eco Zone (next to Barrhead Travel).
February already – oh, how time flies! No doubt there will be many private celebrations of Groundhog Day around Spurtleshire on the 2nd, but what lies in store for the more general of the public this month?
One Spurtle team member sat in the smirr on Saturday afternoon as part of the RSPB's Big Garden Bird Watch – an annual hour-long mass observation designed to give an accurate picture of various bird species' numbers and distribution across the country.
As reported – ironically enough – on Twitter, in his East Claremont Street backgreen there were no birds whatsoever. A solitary blackbird briefly took the mick from nextdoor's drying post, but otherwise nothing. Not even the usually raucous and omnipresent magpies put in an appearance.
Organisers at Bellevue Chapel are keen to publicise their youth club – 'Covies' – aimed at locals in S1 and above.
The regular Rodney Street sessions run on Wednesday evenings (7:30–9:00pm) during term time and are open to all. You don't have to be a member of the congregation, a churchgoer or a Christian to enjoy the sports, football, activities, trips, music and 'plenty of chat and discussion' on offer. Events coming up soon include a 'pub quiz', After Dark chill-out nights and a trip to Teen Ranch, Scotland.
In Issues 186–7 we reported City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) considerations on expanding provision for Gaelic Medium Education (GME) in the capital. The subject has local ramifications since, nearby, the former Bonnington Primary School may be where primary GME is delivered.
Of course, any move to expand GME in Edinburgh is also of interest because it carries a cost, particularly at a time when schools across the city are counting every penny.
Expect rain as Issue 191 nears completion and legions of fleet-footed delivery technicians prepare to deliver copies to Broughton's pubs, clubs, pubs, shops, galleries, nooks, grannies, eateries, meeteries and sundry liminal odd-spots.