Cannot run backintime-gnome on Centos 7

On running backintime-gnome on Centos 7, receive the following error.

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/share/backintime/gnome/app.py", line 30, in <module>
    import pynotify
ImportError: No module named pynotify

It used to work in Centos 6. I have noticed the following package which was available in 6, is no longer available in 7.

notify-python-0.1.1-10.el6.x86_64

This package contained the following files

rpm -ql notify-python-0.1.1-10.el6.x86_64
/usr/lib64/pkgconfig/notify-python.pc
/usr/lib64/python2.6/site-packages/gtk-2.0/pynotify
/usr/lib64/python2.6/site-packages/gtk-2.0/pynotify/__init__.py
/usr/lib64/python2.6/site-packages/gtk-2.0/pynotify/__init__.pyc
/usr/lib64/python2.6/site-packages/gtk-2.0/pynotify/__init__.pyo
/usr/lib64/python2.6/site-packages/gtk-2.0/pynotify/_pynotify.so
/usr/share/doc/notify-python-0.1.1
/usr/share/doc/notify-python-0.1.1/AUTHORS
/usr/share/doc/notify-python-0.1.1/COPYING
/usr/share/doc/notify-python-0.1.1/ChangeLog
/usr/share/doc/notify-python-0.1.1/NEWS
/usr/share/doc/notify-python-0.1.1/README
/usr/share/pygtk/2.0/defs/pynotify.defs

I haven't been able to find an equivalent (ie a package with new name that replaces it).

sudo yum whatprovides \*pynotify\*
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror, langpacks
Loading mirror speeds from cached hostfile
 * base: centos.mirror.uber.com.au
 * epel: fedora.mirror.serversaustralia.com.au
 * extras: centos.mirror.digitalpacific.com.au
 * updates: centos.mirror.digitalpacific.com.au
No matches found

Another change between Centos 6 and 7 is a move from 2.6 to 2.7 of Python.

Because this appears to be an omission by the distribution to include the required library, I appreciate this makes it difficult for you guys to resolve. I've attempted to compile the missing library manually, but I get an error:

pynotify.c: In function '_wrap_notify_notification_new':
pynotify.c:168:5: error: unknown type name 'GtkWidget'
     GtkWidget *attach = NULL;
     ^

I am wondering whether the gui version of backintime could have a configure option that omits the desktop notification system (I certainly don't need it), such that it still works on Centos7? Not sure how much effort this would require on your team's part.

Thanks for the great software guys.

Damien.