Culture

PRINCES STREET & WAVERLEY VALLEY STRATEGY PAUSED FOR THOUGHT 

The latest version of the Princes St & Waverley Valley Strategy has been put on hold after the Liberal Democrat gr

Chief Executive Jo Buckley (pictured) gave updates on the Dunard Centre’s progress at May’s New Town & Broughton Community Council meeting.

Here are two upcoming events with local connections which may interest Spurtle readers.

Readings from Donald Smith and Stewart Conn's 'Edinburgh: Our Storied Town', Central Library, 3 Oct, 6.30pm:  ticketsource.co.uk/edinburgh-central-library.

Guided tour of Commonwealth War Graves in Rosebank Cemetery, 9 October, 10am: https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/war-graves-tours/.

Since its beginning 30 years ago, Out of the Blue has left an indelible mark on Edinburgh’s cultural scene, writes Charlie Ellis.

Encouraging how Broughton Pharmacy community library has flourished since modest start in Sept 2019: see p.2 in Issue 289.

Now a well-used local resource with sometimes startling content, including Spurtles.

#Edinburgh

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Public libraries have been squeezed and under threat for many decades; a manifestation of a long-running assault on the public domain, writes Charlie Ellis. Thankfully, many in this city seem to be in good health. One of Edinburgh’s busiest public libraries, McDonald Road, is currently celebrating its 120th anniversary. They have been commemorating this with exhibitions and a series of talks.

The annual Doors Open Days offer public access to buildings which are not usually accessible. In several senses,  they reveal much about the city.

One of the things that appeals to visitors here is that so many museums and galleries are open to the public. In contrast, they are disheartened that so many seemingly ‘public’ places are strictly private: the gardens of the New Town being a classic example. Visitors (and some residents) peer longingly over fences and walls at the forbidden fruits within.

A formal 125-year lease agreement has begun between Edinburgh Council and the Royal High School Preservation Trust. Work will now begin on turning the historic structures and new additions into a home for St Mary’s Music School and a public performance venue.

RHSPT chair Willie Gray Muir said, ‘As we prepare to move ahead into the redevelopment phase, we look forward to collaborating closely with the local community as we keep them up-to-date on progress.’ Work is expected to finish in 2026.

CHARLIE ELLIS CONSIDERS EDINBURGH’S BATTIEST BUS ROUTE

As I sat in Hata (5 Rodney Street), sipping a satisfying cortado, I witnessed a stand-off. Who would come out on top?

At the junction, two single-decker buses came face to face. One was coming up the hill and the other down, both wanting to make the tight turn onto Broughton Road.