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SUMMER ACTIVITY PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED

Submitted by Editor on Sun, 01/08/2010 - 15:27

Bellevue Chapel's programme of events (outlined in Issue 185) for 7–15 August – 'Around the Block' – has now been detailed.

NEW FRIENDSHIP AND SUPPORT FOR LGBT OVER-50s

Submitted by Editor on Sun, 01/08/2010 - 12:30

The Howe Street-based LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing has launched LGBT Age, a new service targeted at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Edinburgh and the Lothians aged over 50.

Comedian, TV presenter and local resident Craig Hill has joined Shirley-Ann Somerville MSP, and other Scottish LGBT celebrities Edwin Morgan and Horse MacDonald, in hailing the initiative.

NAE CHARGE FOR NASMYTH TEMPLE TOUR

Submitted by Editor on Sun, 01/08/2010 - 11:56

There are three chances to view the beautiful interior of St Bernard's Well, for free, this month.

Volunteers will staff the well-house (by the Water of Leith between Stockbridge and Dean Bridge) on 8, 15 and 22 August between noon and 3pm.

The structure was designed by the Broughton landscape painter, architect, scientist and engineer Alexander Nasmyth (1758–1840), whom we featured in Issue 181.

ISSUE 185 ARRIVING SHORTLY

Submitted by Editor on Sat, 31/07/2010 - 09:04

Spurtle's August issue (185) was completed yesterday and will be printed today

We're carrying: the latest news on New Town containerisation, and some New Town residents' response; planning stooshies; community events; pavement bicyclists (should they be banned, blasted or beatified?); youth activities; retail loss, replacement and repost; Festival highlights; bygone Broughton; missing dinosaurs; and an eel. Plus much more.

FROM RUSSIA WITH HANDCUFFS ...

Submitted by Editor on Thu, 29/07/2010 - 23:57

Funds worth £2.5 million are available to Scottish youth projects over the next 2 years thanks to a rumbled malefactor.

The sum represents the first tranche of some £6.5 million recovered from a Scottish-linked Russian money launderer. It is being disbursed by the Scottish Government's CashBack for Communities scheme, and will be focused on 'diversionary activities for young people'. Successful applications are unlikely to include projects involving the distraction of OAPs while a pal breaks in at the back.

BATTLE OF THE BINS: NEW TOWN PREPARES

Submitted by Editor on Thu, 29/07/2010 - 21:54

Influential New Town interests – including those representing Drummond Place, Northumberland Street and Great King Street – met in City Chambers on Tuesday 27 July to discuss their response to Council plans for improving waste collection in the Edinburgh World Heritage Site.

They first acknowledged problems this year with spilt refuse due to pests taking advantage of later collection times during industrial action by City of Edinburgh staff. (No blame was attached to feckless residents presenting waste at the wrong times.)

BLACK AND WHITE AT OUT OF THE BLUE

Submitted by Editor on Wed, 28/07/2010 - 07:44

'The Land and the Sea' is a free exhibition at Out of the Blue, featuring black-and-white photographs by Alastair Cook. His subject is the coast, particularly the north coast of Scotland and the stretch between Edinburgh and Holy Island.

Cook grew up in SW Scotland, but has lived since in Glasgow, where he trained as an architect at Glasgow School of Art, London and Amsterdam. He is now back in Scotland, pursuing interests in photography, architecture and art whilst studying for an MA in Architectural Conservation at Edinburgh College of Art.

NORTHUMBERLAND STREET AMNESIAC – CAN YOU HELP?

Submitted by Editor on Sat, 24/07/2010 - 00:05

Police seek help identifying a young Edinburgher of Asian or Middle East appearance discovered lying on Northumberland Street on 21 July around 11pm suffering from a head injury.

He may have been attacked. He certainly cannot remember who he is or how he came to be there.

For more details see www.lbp.police.uk.

COUNCIL ALLOTS GROWING SPACES

Submitted by Editor on Fri, 23/07/2010 - 16:20

Back in March we reported online how the Council's Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Commitee were consulting on the extension of allotments in the city.

Parts of King George V and Pilrig Parks were being considered for this purpose.

The consultation period is now over, and – presumably based on the findings – the new draft strategy Cultivating Communities (going before committee for approval on 27 July but already seen by Spurtle) does not recommend Pilrig Park for this purpose 'at this time' (2010–15).