Cllr Adam McVey, Leader of Edinburgh Council, yesterday announced new social distancing and visiting restrictions at Council-run care homes.

In schools, assemblies and other large assemblies will be stopped unless absolutely essential.

£2m emergency funding has already been assigned to reinforcing necessary proactive and preventative measures against Coronavirus.

‘Our focus is on minimising the impact of the virus on our communities and Council services,’ says McVey, ‘with a particular emphasis on health and social care.

Edinburgh Council’s programme to upgrade street lighting across the capital will begin in the City Centre Ward 11 (see map below) on 6 April and continue into June.

Over 3,000 bulbs, starting in Coates and moving eastwards, will be replaced with LED ones. The benefits claimed for these include:

Meet Daryl. 

He is, we think, the first of this year’s Broughton cats to take advantage of the lengthening days and go wandering. 

Described as a cream Siamese, Daryl has blue eyes and is chipped but not collared.

He’s been missing from the gardens of Bellevue Street since Monday 3 March.

If seen, please tell Chris at 07912 601412.

Locals concerned at what they see as the overuse and misuse of Edinburgh’s green spaces are urging fellow residents to make a stand. 
 
They’re asking them to send emails to Edinburgh Council’s Parks Department  by Friday 6 March, calling for the controversial Summer Sessions to be hosted in a more appropriate venue than West Princes Street Gardens. 
 

As you read this, advanced copies of the March Spurtle are already popping up across the barony like snowdrops awaiting the first dog of spring. 

We begin on Page 1 with 186 miles of scaffolding, a foot, a hole, a potentially colourful crossing, and an abrupt absence.

On Page 2 we continue with news of roughly circular arguments, straightforward disruption, carbon-neutrality to your doorstep, and a potential Trojan Horse. There are also Planning stories aplenty, supplemented by news of knitting, local businesses, and buses.

 EXCLUSIVE 

Something has changed about Antony Gormley’s Six Times along the Water of Leith. But so far, hardly anyone has noticed. 

Originally installed in 2010, four of the pieces were removed in 2012 following repeated topplings by more-powerful-than-expected floods. 

The Post Office plans to privatise its service at 40 Frederick Street on 15 April with the immediate loss of nine jobs. 

This morning, the Spurtle received the following photo of a document, whose source could not vouchsafe its authenticity. 

 Obituary: Reverend Peter Macdonald