Breaking news

Patrick Neill was growing this exotic Baptisia nepalensis locally in 1825. The story of his extraordinary garden between Rodney Street and Scotland Street Yard features in the latest edition of the Broughton History Society Newsletter.

Also included is some detective work on the story of a shop, a Beaverbank family tragedy and a glimpse of Broughton in Literature. You can read the Newsletter on this website by going to the end of the 'Broughton's history' page and clicking on Back issues:

BROUGHTON'S HISTORY

The 24th Loony Dook will take place as usual in South Queensferry at noon on 1 January 2010 (details at theloonydook.co.uk).

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland are using the event to raise funds. They're inviting volunteers to seek sponsorship for taking the plunge, and so help the fight against heart and circulatory disease (Scotland's biggest killer).

Edinburgh's 2nd Festival of Sport organisers want local sports clubs to get involved in June 2010.

The event aims to highlight sporting activities and encourage more people across the city to lead an active life.

For bus times over the holiday period, click www.lothianbuses.com.

The amazing mural adorning the bricked-up mouth of Scotland St Tunnel is now complete. It was created by local youths under the expert eye of graffiti artist Elph.

But catch it while you can – the infill is due to be demolished early in the New Year when Phase I work begins inside.

Further Tunnel project details follow in Issue 178. See also Breaking News (24.10.09).

Work on the refurbishment and extension of Broughton St Mary's Parish Church is drawing to a close.

A grand opening is now planned for mid-January 2010. More info. nearer the time.

So far, over £1.5m has been pledged towards the cost of the project.

On the wall beside the Water of Leith and opposite Paulsfield where the river bends, some carefully and rather beautifully inscribed grafitti has appeared.

'SO FAR IT'S A GOOD SPOT TO FISH FROM.'

Some philosophical soul clearly had ample time to leave his impressions, proving that there's more to good angling than catching fish.

Spurtle readers looking forward to some alcohol-fuelled violence and disorder this Christmas had better think again.

'More Christmas Presence' began on 27 November. It's a multi-agency campaign to curb booze-related trouble over the festive season. The Edinburgh Community Safety Partnership, Lothian and Borders Police, the City of Edinburgh Council and British Transport Police are all involved.

The campaign is part of Operation Astrodome, which started in 2007 and comprises a wide variety of partnership safety initiatives during the Christmas/Hogmanay period.

The 'Community Guide' issued free to second-year students at Edinburgh University has now gone online.

Produced by EU's Student Association, it contains practical advice about everything from flat-hunting to tenants' rights, responsibilities and justifiable expectations. It's an informative read for landlords and neighbours too, particularly in tenements.

Visit  www.eusa.ed.ac.uk.

Drummond CHS's Community Christmas Event will take place on Thursday 11 December, writes Annie Scanlon.

It's organised by the S5/S6 pupils with a little help from staff. The audience are entertained by a variety of students and staff headed up by the Music Department and led in dance by Denise Williams. Refreshments are served by Hospitality students and FCT staff.

The school fundraising group delights in providing a little ‘Santa’ gift for each member of the audience, as well as for selected care homes in the community.