Breaking news

Edinburgh Council’s Transport & Environment Cmte on 8 December unanimously agreed to stiffen enforcement protocols as part of a first-draft Parking Action Plan appearing early in February 2023.

The new measures will:

RESEARCHER SEEKS EDINBURGH CONNECTIONS

It’s now 14 years since the death of one of Spurtleshire’s most esteemed residents, the political theorist and essayist Bernard Crick.

Best known for his biography of George Orwell and the classic In Defence of Politics, Crick moved to Edinburgh in 1984, living in a book-stuffed basement flat at 8a Bellevue Terrace.

It’s almost that time of year again.

Don’t know about you, but there’s nothing I love more than busying myself with plans for the big day.

Yes, I’m obviously talking about the start of Edinburgh’s Winter Fun™.  For me, this holiest of events captures the real meaning of the season.

It heralds six weeks of untrammelled joy for Auld Reekie. How privileged we are.

As you read this, advance copies of the November Spurtle have already ensconced themselves in local businesses and libraries like nesting hedgehogs returning home drunk from the pub. Minus the smell of cigars.

Issue 322 begins with the confusing world of pop-up planning, continues with news of bad news for Christmas, a peak through the keyhole of time, a flawed audit and a blatant attempt to part readers from their money.

Over 100 local residents and at least 50 of their canine companions attended this afternoon’s Halloween Parade in Gayfield Square.

Some humans and most dogs arrived in costume.

It was easy to tell which dogs had made an effort. It was not always easy to say whether the humans had arrived in disguise or were simply displaying a distinct subset of Broughton fashion.

WICKED WOOFS FOR ALL THE FAMILY

Over 20 Broughton/Leith Walk businesses are participating in the second annual Gayfield Square Halloween Dog Parade on Saturday 29 October between noon and 2 p.m. in the garden.

One of those behind the event, local resident Laura Graham, told the Spurtle, ‘It’s going to be exactly like a typical Halloween party for children, but with dog families – and their humans – all dressed up to show off, win prizes, and have a wonderfully spooky time.’

As you read this, advance copies of the October Spurtle are already settling on local shelves like autumn leaves in great crunching heaps of red, gold, and amber. Minus the slugs and doggie surprises.

This month we begin with flatfoots and a firm grip, what to do with a surplus, and the joys of social-media schadenfreude.

Edinburgh’s 20mph speed limit has reduced collisions by 40% and casualties by 39%, including a 23% reduction in fatalities and a 33% drop in serious injuries.

These are the startling findings by academics from Edinburgh, East Anglia, and Cambridge Universities writing in the journal Public Health Research.

It must be a grand piano.

This temporary barrier is now semi-permanent at the St James Quarter's Little King St entrance/exit. It's to stop pedestrians accidentally walking into traffic.

And yet there's not a sleeping policeman in view, and no obvious speed warnings for drivers.

It all seems a bit one-sided given that the overwhelming majority passing through this area do so on foot.