Breaking news

An indefatigable sandwich shop proprietor at 3 Elm Row has reapplied to change the premises' use to a hot food takeaway, just 4 months after his last application was refused (Ref. 11/00372/FUL).

A bicycle chained to railings on Bellevue Terrace was romantically adorned with a bunch of plastic red roses yesterday afternoon.

Was this two-wheeled gesture better or worse than the four-wheeled optimism of buying petrol-station flowers?

Do you ever worry that the English language's 750,000 words are not quite enough?

Staff at the Edinburgh Evening News must fear exactly that, since not only have they inadvertently used the same words as Spurtle but also the same words in exactly the same order within two days of their first appearance.

A suspected conman phoned an Albany Street firm of solicitors at 10:00am on Wednesday 9 February. He claimed to represent 'Midlothian Police' and said he was collecting donations which would go to a local children's charity.

Vodafone and 02 seek planning permission for ‘6 pole-mounted antenna to accommodate rooftop cabinets’ above Centrum House at 108–14 Dundas Street (Ref. 11/00334/FUL). Not textbook English, perhaps, but clear enough.

The applicants say a City of Edinburgh Council Planning case officer has already intimated in a letter that ‘equipment on the roof is to be welcomed and could be acceptable’.

On 1 February (Breaking news), we congratulated – through gritted teeth – a local ornithologist on his extraordinary skill in attracting numerous bird species to a Cochran Terrace back green.

The same naturalist has enjoyed equally gratifying results in observing an otter on the Water of Leith, something this Spurtle correspondent has been trying to do for 23 years without success.

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Look left, look right, look left again, look you!

The first of the Welsh fans were snapped on Union Place this morning, practising the Red Cross Code as they searched for their lodgings ahead of Saturday's match at Murrayfield.

Judging by past form, this is the last time these supporters will be seen outside in enough warm clothes before getting back on the train on Monday.

Permission is sought to build a new dwelling house (Ref. 11/00287/LBC) behind 17 Great King Street (fronting Northumberland Street NE Lane; pictured right).

Interesting graffiti continues to enliven drab corners of Broughton.

The amusing and inexplicable ‘Made in China’ (right) has been created on paper, cut out, then stuck to a wall in Union Street. It may have been drawn by ‘Elph’: the prolific artist whose figures featured temporarily on the  bricked up Scotland Street Tunnel last year.

Feeling limp, like a piece of tired lettuce found at the back of the fridge? Get instantly crisper and greener with the help of Mr Motivator!

The former breakfast television legend and fitness instructor will visit Broughton this weekend in a bid to raise awareness of and commitment to making a difference.

At 2pm on Saturday 12 February, the beautifully toned and unfailingly positive, former spandex-enthusiast will lead adoring fans in an exercise class outside the St James Centre. This will be followed by a meet-and-greet inside at the Eco Zone (next to Barrhead Travel).