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An item of "Breaking News". Will appear on the Breaking News page and the front page.

CEC'S RUBBISH PLAN IS 'COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE'

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City of Edinburgh Council has withdrawn the one, free special-uplift per household per year. Since April, this service has cost at least £19.99.

While understanding the budgetary pressures faced by CEC, Blandfield resident Mark Sheffield thinks the latest saving will prove 'counter-productive', and is writing to councillors to voice his objections.

MACINTYRE EMERGES FROM THE SHADOWS

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With one day to go until the General Election, information is finally emerging about the background and beliefs of Cameron MacIntyre, the low-profile Independent candidate for Edinburgh North and Leith.

An email link [www.cameronmacintyre2010.org] sent anonymously to Spurtle yesterday confirms some of what we'd already unearthed, but without verifiable confirmation from Mr MacIntyre himself we are reluctant to vouch for its authenticity.

IN FOR THE LONG HAUL

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These devoted fans – photographed approaching the top of Leith Street – caught our fancy. Scorning warm clothes, they were on their way to Murrayfield Stadium, and Rugby League's climactic 'super-weekend'.

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SIC TRANSIT GLORIA

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This ramshackle structure at the end of Bellevue Rd is facing its final curtain.

Work began today on taking down the roof and upper storey of the B-listed Victorian building, which has sat empty, overgrown, and increasingly derelict in recent years.

HERIOTHILL DEVELOPER – REASSURANCE AND AN AXE

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In Issue 181 and Breaking news (26.3.10), we reported on pre-planning application proposals for land between Heriothill and Broughton Rd.

Following objections and reservations expressed by neighbours, developer Sir Frank Mears and Partners has written to the New Town and Broughton Community Council promising to look again at how it will shore up the site's steep slope during and after excavation.

It has also agreed to introduce screening in order to ensure privacy for locals in Claremont to the south and children at the Heriothill Nursery to the west.

ART TO GLADDEN THE HEART

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Spring has sprung, and so have all the local children into the flower-beds.

If your horticultural spirits are feeling a bit flat, there are two new exhibitions coming to Broughton this month which will have you beaming in no time.

See 'Extras' for more details.

 

SCOTLAND YARD – ONWARD AND UPWARD

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Curious locals have been asking what the building work at Scotland Yard Adventure Centre – visible from King George V Park – is all about.

The Yard's Chief Executive, Celine Sinclair, told us that the extension is in order to allow offices to move upstairs. In the space vacated downstairs, a new play-room will be created for children aged under 5.

The Yard was established in 1986 as a purpose-built indoor/outdoor facility and adventure playground for children and young people with additional support needs.

PINSKY STILL MISSING

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The hunt is still on for Pinsky, the young, black-and-white Bellevue Rd cat who went missing on 21 April (see 'Breaking news', 27.4.10).

Pinsky's owners have now searched from St Mark's Park to Easter Road, and from Northumberland Street to the foot of Bonnington Road. They have had calls and emails about possible sightings, but he's not the only black-and-white cat in Edinburgh. At this point he could be anywhere and they just hope he's OK.

CHEAP BEDS FOR YORK PLACE?

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Planning permission has been sought to change offices at 34–8 York Place into a hotel.

The Cameron Guest House Group (CGHG) initially proposed knocking together the three Category A-listed town houses into a 30-bedroom guest house in September 2009 (Ref. 09/03205/FUL).

At that stage, the business proposed serving mainly cold food, so just 1 toaster and 1 microwave were to be provided for the convenience of up to 60 guests hoping to enjoy a traditional Edinburgh welcome. Hmm.

CEC SEEKS IT VIRGINS

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A drop-in session for 'older' computer novices will run at the Central Library Learning Centre, from 10am–12.30pm on Saturday 22nd May. No previous experience is required.

Would-be silver-surfers are invited to sample the benefits of information technology with the aid of friendly tutors.

As well as discovering what local libraries and the Council website have to offer, game techno-incompetents can experiment with a mouse, access the internet, and marvel at the endless new possibilities for spending money, sinning, or becoming a victim of identity fraud.