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David Carfrae of Canonmills says he is an admirer of Thomas Hardy's poem about the RMS Titanic.

He suggests the Iceberg was a bigot.

We're not sure about Mr Carfrae's political analysis, but would at least like to thank him for raising the tone.

      VIII

And as the smart ship grew
     In stature, grace, and hue
In shadowy silent distance grew the Iceberg too.

With the help of readers, Spurtle has now traced the low-profile Independent Edinburgh North and Leith candidate Cameron MacIntyre to an address in the heart of Broughton.

Today we wrote to both him and his agent requesting some (any!) biographical details, a summary of his proposed policies, and an indication of where and when he means to campaign between now and 6 May.

We'll keep you posted as soon as we hear anything.

Cameron MacIntyre is a male, Independent candidate for the Edinburgh North and Leith constituency in the Westminster General Election 2010. He did not attend the Spurtle hustings on 21 April.

Please check your sheds, garages and outbuildings, and leave doors open where possible to allow him to escape if he's locked in somewhere.

His electoral agent Colin Dempsey has not replied to our emails, or responded to requests for biographical details about Mr MacIntyre and his political policies. He, too, may be trapped in some garden shed.

Pinsky is a male black-and-white cat who went missing on 21 April from Bellevue Road. He has no collar but is microchipped.

Please check your sheds, garages and outbuildings, and leave doors open where possible to allow him to escape if he's locked in somewhere.

If you have any information, contact: Tel. 0770 433 0801, email lostpinsky@googlemail.com.

Are you constantly disturbed by the sound of bills landing on your doormat, politicians knocking on doors, young neighbours studying into the small hours of the morning at weekends? Help is at hand.

City of Edinburgh Council's Noise Team are this week highlighting the effect of excessive noise on individuals, and how each of us can avoid making a din of our own.

In Issue 181 (Briefly, p.3) we reported how CEC have begun 'finding and fixing' defective street lamps at night, when broken ones are easier to spot.

Judging by the lamps in Drummond Place, someone in the Roads Department has not fully grasped the principle.

Council Leader Jenny Dawe's April encyclical waxes lyrical about the imminent arrival of Edinburgh's first tram.

It is to be displayed at an unspecified date, in an unspecified location, so that the city's adoring masses can ooh at the 'quality of the vehicle' and aah at its size, experiencing 'for the first time how many passengers can be carried'. 

This, she assures us, 'will be a real milestone for the project'.

Hmm. The words 'cart', 'before' and 'horse' spring to mind.

The British Heart Foundation (Scotland) is looking for volunteers to help the charity with various tasks, ranging from placing collecting-cans in local shops or clubs to organising fundraising events which involve the community.

It needn't be a drag since personal hobbies or interests can easily be turned into fundraising events with the help of a local Fundraising Volunteer Manager.

For more information and contact details, go to 'Letters'.

Two good causes are looking for locals' support this weekend.

Broughton St Mary's Parish Church is holding its annual Spring fair in Bellevue Crescent on Saturday, 11am–2pm: gifts, jewellery, home baking, tea, coffee, gallons of soup.

Friends of King George V Park and Scotland Yard will run a short, snazzily equipped litter-picking session in the park on Sunday, from 3pm. Dress casual. Company fashionable.

Applications to vote by proxy in the 2010 General Election should reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5pm on Tuesday 27 April. If, after that date, you wish to vote by proxy owing to a medical emergency, the deadline is 5pm on Thursday 6 May.

In each case, applications should be made to the Electoral Registration Officer, 17a South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh EH12 9FL.