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As you read this, advance copies of September’s Spurtle are already scattered about the barony like pelicans chasing a fish supper.

Page 1 begins with high hopes of K-pop (but not as high as before), two men in hats, and a councillor feeling the heat. Locals, as usual, are sceptical about everything.

If it’s vampires that quicken your blood, Page 2 is the place to be with sleeves rolled down and socks up over the knees. We have reports on crime, pugilism, good and bad pop-ups, and regrettable departures from the Broughton scene. Also, bins.

The pulley wheel shown in the photo here has emerged from recent tramwork excavations on Leith Walk.

Archaeologists will determine its significance, but to Spurtle observers it looks like evidence of the former cable-drawn Edinburgh tram system.

From 1899, it ran as far north as Pilrig Street, whereupon passengers would transfer to the more efficient electrically powered trams operated by Leith Town Council.

Despite dire predictions due to Covid, the Drummond Tennis Club continues to flourish. Thanks to generous rates, club membership remains as healthy as ever.

Police Scotland issued the following press release this morning. We reproduce it unedited and in full.

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Much heavy traffic, including buses, has been diverted along Leopold Pl during Leith Walk tramworks. The resulting damage to the carriageway is causing troublesome vibration for residents.

Living at the border of both community council areas and Council wards, these locals have had trouble gaining the attention of officials.

Their homes are in Leith Walk ward, but the road outside is in the City Centre. Neither the Tram Team nor the Council’s Diversion Team have been keen to tackle the problem.

A local resident has been left alarmed and exasperated by damage to his building which he suspects has been caused by tramwork-related vibration.

Alex Poole lives in a second-floor flat on Haddington Place. In March this year he noticed a new crack on a recently painted interior wall at the front of his home. He raised the issue with Trams to Newhaven (TtN), but as the crack didn’t get any worse he thought little of it.

‘The Art of Hospitality’

Police Scotland issued the following press release this morning. We reproduce it below unedited and in full.

Officers in Edinburgh have released an image of a man they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries following a serious assault which took place in the Forth Street area around 9.50pm on Monday 7 June 2021.  As a result of the incident a man required hospital treatment.

1910

FOR SALE, the property of a Gentleman, CHESTNUT GELDING, 6 years old, 15.3½, thoroughly reliable in double and single harness and at all road traffic and steam, thoroughly seasoned and just out of work. Apply C. C. Baird & Son, M.R.C.V.S., York Lane.[1]

Scotsman, 15 January 1910

[1] Image Wikimedia commons, accessed 12.8.21.

Police Scotland issued the following press release this morning. We reproduce it unedited and in full.