Breaking news

The first of the 4 new Antony Gormley sculptures destined to stand actually in the Water of Leith was today exclusively photographed by Spurtle.

The metal human figure – part of 6 Times Horizon (Issue 183) – will stare contemplatively into the pool behind Bell's Mill Weir in Belford, just where a bridge and steps lead up to the Gallery of Modern Art.

First thing this morning, contractors made preparations and repositioned the sculpture under the watchful eye of a gently perspiring National Galleries official.

Alphabet Video – the popular Broughton Street film-rental shop – is to close after 4 years in the neighbourhood. Business has been disappointing, and now the firm's management have decided regretfully to sell the property's lease.

More on this in Issue 184.

Braving 360º summer mizzle on 7 June, a small but enthusiastic crowd witnessed the 1 o'clock unveiling of a plaque at 6 Brunton Place to the memory of Frederick James Ritchie, former Broughton resident and horological pioneer (see Issue 183).

District Gunner Edward McCarthy, who fired Edinburgh's 1 o'Clock Gun from 1968 to 1972, did the honours, noting that Ritchie had probably done more than any other Broughton citizen to frighten horses in the neighbourhood.

City officials have granted planning permission for roosting deterrents to the rear of properties on the corner of Broughton and Barony Streets (Ref. 10/00765/LBC; Issue 182).

We hope local residents will be happy with the results.

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Suzie is a tortoiseshell cat with a bright green collar who has been missing since Sunday 30 May.

Suzie is epileptic and may have become disorientated. It is thought that she may be lost in the allotments beside Warriston Road or St Mark's Park. Please check sheds and outbuildings.

If you have any information, contact A. White on Tel. 552 1975.

THE NTBCC meets at 7pm on Monday 7 June in Drummond Community High School. Minutes for the 3 May AGM and ordinary meeting are available in Extras.

Alan McIntosh – one of Spurtle's contributing-editors – wrote a guest blog for the Edinburgh Guardian's website on 2 June at www.guardian.co.uk/edinburgh.

He described the joys (or not) of delivering newspapers in the rain, the purpose and character of Spurtle, and tried to define Broughton.

Doggerfisher – the stylish contemporary-art gallery on Gayfield Square – is leaving Broughton and unfortunately will not return for the foreseeable future.

Spurtle understands that the property it rented – a former tyre replacement garage – is to be sold for possible demolition and redevelopment.

The gallery's management have not found alternative accommodation locally, and so are reassessing their business strategy now that all options are open.

Road safety is yet again causing concern outside Broughton Primary School. Two police officers observed traffic behaviour at the scene this afternoon, and will report in due course.

New  timed flashing lights, speed warnings and improved signage introduced locally have partially improved the situation over recent months. However, the ‘manned’ pedestrian crossing directly outside the school remains dangerous.

Trams in Edinburgh (TIE) have applied for planning permission to extend the 'display of [an] Edinburgh Tram Car to the public' on Princes Street (Ref. 07/01082/FUL).

They claim that this is a temporary measure, but Spurtle suspects there is a longer-term strategy in play.