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Dear Spurtle, 

In times when we are increasingly expect to know where our sausages come from and who writes the books we read, I’m surprised that this trend has not caught up with the High Street, in particular with shops and eateries. 

Take Broughton Street. Yes, we know Crombie’s is a family butchers and L’Escargot Bleu proudly proclaims Fred Berkmilller on its website. But who owns the Cask and Barrel,  the newly refurbished Broughton and the dear old Barony to name but three?

So come on. Proprietors, tell us who you are or linger under suspicion that you are a front for money laundering or owned by a gangland boss.

Hugh Lockhart

(London Street)

Editor: Honi soit qui mal y pense.

LCCC addresses sorry saga

Dear Spurtle,

In your February issue (Briefly, p. 2), your in-house 'awkward squad' rightly points out that this site is not in Leith, but then – wrongly – claims that it is within 'Leith CC's sphere'. 

I am anxious that this is not misconstrued or misunderstood: while Leith Central CC (who is Leith CC?) is well aware of which side of the defunct railway line is in our sphere, the overall scale of the proposed series of developments at the former Powderhall waste transfer station and bowling greens – three phases have been mentioned – will impact on both current and future NTBCC and LCCC residents. 

Yes, we may favour more social housing on the site than NTBCC; but we do so conscious of the fact that the 25% affordable housing requirement associated with the 'Luxury Apartments for Rent' at the old Broughton High School opposite (13/02458/FUL) has not materialised in the vicinity, as intended by the relevant legislation and detailed in the planning permission (see here for some of the sorry saga).

The Powderhall site could provide an opportunity to make up for that lost affordable housing – though not for the seven lost years.

Harald Tobermann,
Vice Chair,
Leith Central Community Council

PARTNERSHIP OFFERS HELP FOR JOB SEEKERS

Submitted by Editor on

The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region today launched a new job-matching service. 

Job seekers, employees, and employers can register here to receive support and advice on live vacancies. 

To sign up for the COVID-19 Jobs Support service, follow this link.

Work was already happening on the service, but has been accelerated to mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. New ‘essential and sudden-growth sectors’ include supermarkets, home deliveries, and the NHS.

NEWS FROM THE MEWS 5

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1844–46 

ROBBERY AND RECOVERY OF PROPERTY.—Late on Friday night, a blacksmith, named Clark, from Elgin, allowed himself to be enticed into a disreputable house in Nottingham Terrace, by a woman named Beaton; but he had not been there many minutes, when he discovered himself minus a pocket book containing L.16.[1]

ANCIENT FELINE FAR FROM HOME

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When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE, Pompeii was not the only casualty. 

Herculaneum – nine miles to the north – was likewise engulfed, a pyroclastic surge burying the town and smothering many of its inhabitants in a thick shroud of volcanic ash.

Emanuel Maurice, Prince d’Elbeuf, began excavating here in 1719, and it was from his posthumous estate that the Edinburgh diarist and lawyer James Boswell acquired ‘not cheap’ the plaster cast of a young female cat (shown foot of page) during his Grand Tour of Italy, Corsica, and France in 1764/66.

ISSUE 294 – OUT TOMORROW!

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As you read this, only a very few Spurtles are dispersing across the barony, maintaining a 6ft distance between each other at all times and accessible to readers from behind a plexi-glass safety screen. 

Should you be lucky enough to encounter a copy, you will find on Page 1 news of flood, foam, and festive fatigue, and an unwelcome visitor to Broughton and all parts beyond.

GUIDANCE ON RECEIVING DELIVERIES

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Yesterday we came across guidance for over-70s and vulnerable others on receiving deliveries. 
 
It comes from Dr Richard Simpson, an Honorary Professor of Health Sciences & Sport at Stirling University; Visiting Hon. Professor at St Andrews University; retired MSP; former GP; psychiatrist; Community Union member.
 
We trust his advice, and repeat it unedited below.

NEWS FROM THE MEWS 4

Submitted by Editor on

1839–43 

SOUP-KITCHEN.—We understand that a soup-kitchen was opened on Saturday at Greenside Row, which will be a great boon to the poor of that densely populated parish, among whom for some time back there has been much sickness, and many very distressing cases of fever. We learn that it is under the management of the excellent minister of the parish and his session.

Scotsman, 16 January 1839

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