Breaking news

Seventeen per cent of private accommodation in Scotland is let out, so when there's a problem the neighbours need to know whom to contact and how to proceed.

Judith Dunn of the Scottish Association of Landlords spoke to the New Town and Broughton Community Council on 3 May. The Association's sheet giving brief guidance and resources is now on our 'Extras' page (5.5.10).

These and other useful contacts are collated under 'Neighbours/Landlords/Tenants' in Spurte's online 'Directory'.

In March 2008 (Issue 156) we reported on removal of the Mansfield Place pole-tergeist which had been troubling Audrey Mussett on Mansfield Place.

Now, it appears to have remanifested – menacing and inexplicable as ever – on Broughton Point.

Spurtle has contacted Road Services asking for help.

City of Edinburgh Council has withdrawn the one, free special-uplift per household per year.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.

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.

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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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.