St Andrews in focus • shopping • eating • events • town/gown • people and more
May / June 2011 Issue 46, £2.00
www.standrewsinfocus.com
the award winning magazine for St Andrews
St Andrews in focus • shopping • eating • events • town/gown • people and more
From the Editor “Something old, something new” – thoughts of weddings are in the air as never before, or almost as never before! Hardly surprising, I’m sure you’ll agree, as The Wedding of the Year has just been celebrated. The next issue of this magazine will cover the St Andrews Wedding Breakfast and any other event held in the town in honour of Prince William and Kate. So roll up, roll up, and send in your reports and photos to add to ours, and we’ll make it a bumper issue. Be merry, be well, and smile! Flora Selwyn
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The views expressed elsewhere in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor. MAY / JUNE 2011 EDITOR Flora Selwyn Tel: 01334 472375 Email: editor@standrewsinfocus.com DESIGNER University of St Andrews Print & Design (printanddesign@st-andrews.ac.uk) PRINTER Winter & Simpson (ken@trendellsimpson.co.uk) DISTRIBUTER Elspeth’s of Guardbridge PUBLISHER (address for correspondence) Local Publishing (Fife) Ltd., PO Box 29210, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9YZ. Tel: 01334 472375 Email: editor@standrewsinfocus.com SUBSCRIPTIONS St Andrews in Focus is published 6 times a year. Subscriptions for 6 issues are: £14 in the UK (post & packing included). Please send cheques to: Local Publishing (Fife) Ltd., PO Box 29210, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9YZ. £25 overseas (post and packing included). Please use PayPal account: editor@StAndrewsinFocus.com NOTE: please pay with a Personal Bank Account, as credit cards incur a 3.9% charge. REGISTERED IN SCOTLAND: 255564 THE PAPER USED IS 80% RECYCLED POST-CONSUMER WASTE
NEXT ISSUE – July/Aug 2011 COPY DEADLINE: STRICTLY 28 MAY
All contributions welcome. The Editor reserves the right to publish copy according to available space.
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Contents FEATURES • From The Community Council • Craigmount revisited • Celebration • What is love? • Reviews: – Cheshire the Cheese-loving Bear – Painted Memories – Velázquez’s Riddle – Crail History & Guide • Holy Trinity Organ Appeal • Joan Flegg’s Story • Jimmy Spankie • Gavin Brown • St Leonard’s windows • Ask the Curator is back
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TOWN & GOWN • Hugh Richardson • The Richardson Foundation • My time with the Celtic Society • Celebrating Chemistry • St Andrews Day • Tammas Broon • Student Leadership Scholars • The Sea Mammal Research Unit • The Charities Campaign
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SHOPS & SERVICES • From your Distributor’s diary • The Grange • Buying & selling a business • I came, I ate, I wrote • ‘Goodbye to All That!’ • Harmony of Cheese & Wine • Toonspot • Roving Reporter
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ORGANISATIONS • Erratum • ByreRythm • Photographic society • includeMe
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EVENTS • BBC Antiques Roadshow • Beach Volleyball • A Playfair Gown • IMPact • A Sponsored Walk • Selected Events
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OUT AND ABOUT • Elliott Forsyth’s Award • Nature Notes • Walker, Wardens, & Watchers • Summer in the Botanic Garden
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Cover: original photo, B. Selwyn
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FEATURES
From the Community Council Kyffin Roberts has been elected Chairman of St Andrews Community Council. Kyffin says he is, “delighted and a little surprised to find himself in this position”. The previous chairman, Dr Ian Goudie will remain on the Community Council, Kyffin commented that, “Dr Goudie has been a community councillor for more than 25 years, he has a vast knowledge of all matters relating to the Community Council. Clearly I will be looking to him for guidance and advice as I take on the responsibilities of being Chairman”. Kyffin was also Chairman of the organising committee for the St Andrews Royal Wedding Breakfast, which took place in St Salvator’s Quadrangle in the University on 29 April. Kyffin explained, “The Community Council was thinking about plans for the Royal wedding and the University came forward with the offer of the Quad. It was a big step into the unknown, as the Community Council had never taken on something on this scale before. It was quite daunting at the beginning, particularly when we discovered that the BBC and others wanted to broadcast parts of the celebration to an audience of a billion or more! It was obvious from the
beginning that an event of this size was beyond the capabilities of the Community Council alone, and we soon formed into a partnership with St Andrews University, The University Students Association, The St Andrews Partnership, and Fife Council. The organizing of the event was very much a joint effort by the community; despite starting with a blank sheet of paper, response from the town was absolutely fantastic. We were overwhelmed by offers of support and help. Everyone pitched in together, town, university, students, schools, and businesses all working together, including bunting made by local school children. This allowed the organizing committee to concentrate on putting on a good show and raising money for The Royal Wedding Charitable fund. The Byre Theatre also supported the event and their technical expertise was invaluable creating a show, which included pipe bands, brass bands, choirs, dancers, and much more. We were conscious that the world would be watching on April 29th and we hoped St Andrews would make Scotland proud that day. Thousands of applications for tickets were expected by the organizing committee and they hoped old and young alike would be there to celebrate on the day”.
Andrew M Kennedy kindly wrote this interesting follow-up to Sylvia Thomson’s article in issue 44 (page 7). History in the making!
Craigmount Revisited As an avid reader of St Andrews in Focus when it drops through the door of our vet practice in Argyle Street, I was interested to read the article by Sylvia Thomson on the history of Craigmount Nursing Home. The article mentions that Mrs White’s daughter was the last baby born at Craigmount in June 1949 and that was when Craigtoun Maternity hospital opened. I can recall being told by my mother that I was one of the first babies born at Craigtoun and that was on 24th April 1949, so it would appear there was a slight overlap when both buildings were open for deliveries. Sylvia may be interested to know this as I don’t imagine too many of your readers would be born in that short period between April and June 1949.
‘burgundy’
This article confirms that Craigtoun did in fact open that year, so I am not imagining a conversation from many years ago. Like many of the other babies of that time I too was delivered by our local GP – in my case Dr Stevenson from Cupar.
Congratulations on the production of such a delightful publication every 2 months. The balance of interesting articles, high quality photographs and colourful adverts makes it a joy to read. (naturally, that bit added to my day! Ed.)
Sylvia Thomson replied to the above: I’m pleased that you enjoyed it [the article] and glad that your memory didn’t fail you! I thought you would be interested to learn that if Mrs White’s baby hadn’t arrived on the day she did, she would have had to be born in Craigtoun Park too. You’re right about the overlap. Presumably they stopped taking new bookings, but kept beds for patients who had been booked in before Craigtoun Park was ready (within a certain time limit). I was delighted that you mentioned Dr Stevenson. His elder son Stewart Stevenson (the MSP) was in my class at school and we’re still in contact.
Celebration
Colin McAllister
As the soft summer breeze ripples
What is love? Is it just an emotion, Or is it only the heart’s commotion? Some say it is a sickness of the heart Or a wound inflicted by Cupid’s dart.
the edges of the ocean and gently caresses the trees, we listen with anticipation and wonder at the years just gone. Not sad and forlorn but happy times which have led to this wonderful Day. It is the beginning of a new journey along which we are all privileged to travel.
What Is Love? – a sonnet
Is love just a mere infatuation, Product of a passing situation, Or is love the giving of one’s heart And also the pain of being apart? Love is wanting the best for the other Love is the self-giving of a mother. Love is the bond between a husband and wife And their love is what gives the world new life. What is love? It is a constant forgiving. What is love? It’s our reason for living!
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FEATURES: REVIEWS Roger Bing reviews
Cheshire
– the Cheese-Loving Bear!
by John Henty, illustrated by Alex Noel Watson
Published by Pomegranate Press, May 2011, and available at J&G Innes, price £7.99 written by John Henty, a retired journalist and old colleague broadcaster who many years ago was for a of mine, I was time a colleague of Watson’s on the respected delighted to weekly newspaper in South London, the provide the Croydon Advertiser. The book has the added illustrations. attraction of an accompanying CD which has They too were been specially recorded by the actor Martin fun, and a Jarvis, a man famed for his recordings of challenge trying to bring to life, as it the Just William stories and the Jeeves and were, the ideas behind the rhymes. The fact Wooster tales by P G Wodehouse. that John has managed to get Martin Jarvis The idea behind this publication is to raise to record a CD to accompany the book is a money for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. tremendous boost, of course. Martin reads The Royal Marsden is a hospital on two sites, the story in his usual brilliant fashion, bringing one in Sutton, Surrey, the other out the humour in a subtle at Chelsea, and it is building a way, and we are hoping the The idea behind centre at Sutton specially for CD will help to boost our this publication is children and young people who sales. Another fillip is that the to raise money for have cancer. It has facilities that book has a foreword by Gyles will double the hospital’s capacity Brandreth, the former MP the Royal Marsden to treat children, and it is the best who appears on many radio Cancer Charity in Europe. and television shows, and As for the story, well, the happens to be the founder of bear is called Cheshire because his parents, for the award-winning Teddy Bear Museum. For a wheeze, named him after his favourite food. us this has been fun to produce, but we have Yes, of course as a bear he really should prefer never lost sight of the fact that the real reason honey, but he doesn’t. He finds that too sticky. we’re bringing this out is to help a very good Clearly a very patriotic soul, he loves all kinds of and important cause, to raise money for the British cheeses, in different shapes and sizes, hospital’s cancer charity.” from, as the story has it, Dundee to Devizes. There are plans to Alex in action at the Salon He is a jolly character, of course, who have several book entertains his friends with jokes and launches of this songs, and when he discovers the story, including particular delights of cheese on toast, one at a leading or Welsh Rarebit, he determines to go art gallery in to Wales, by a National bus. the West End And there he finds a 24-hour ‘caff’ of London, and run by Taff, a small man with a large another, most moustache. They become friends, and appropriately, Cheshire earns the meals during his at a specialist stay by performing his act. Well, as cheese shop in the story says, how often could the Lewes, Sussex, Alex receiving the Award for Friendship & Fidelity customers say they saw a bear singing where John Henty from Gérard Vandenbroucke, President of the My Way? lives. International Salon of Caricature, Press Cartoons, Alex Noel Watson said: “This & Humour, St Just-le-Martel, France is a fun story and, John being an (Illustation by Alex Noel Watson) A new book, which tells the story of a bear, who loves not honey but cheese, is about to be published, and although it is aimed principally at the younger reader, it boasts an impressive production line-up. Of particular interest to readers of St Andrews In Focus is the fact that the colourful illustrations of this chirpy bear are by the cartoonist and artist Alex Noel Watson, whose works decorate this magazine’s pages. The story of Cheshire, the bear who loves cheese, is told in jolly rhyming style. It was
David Weeks reviews
Painted Memories
– A 60s Childhood in St Andrews, Scotland, Remembered from Afar by Alison Horridge
Published by Blurb.com and available from Blurb through the author’s website on the internet at: www.scribblesadagio.blogspot.com where you can view all the 120 paintings and text. ISBN 978-0-9870871-0-2, in paperback, £19.49 and hardback, £26.39. Alison Horridge was born in St Andrews and lived with her family in the small village of Boarhills, E Fife, in the 1960s. This delightful book of memory paintings in a very distinctive childlike style covers memories of the first eleven years of her life from the viewpoint of a little girl looking at the adult world around her. The quirky childlike images speak from the heart about her everyday life in the village: school, the farm, the activities, first cycle rides, the ice cream van, the animals, relatives and friendly people, birthdays, winters and summers, flying a kite, piano lessons, … with a brief, often amusing commentary text below each
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painting. The paintings capture the wide range of a child’s experiences delightfully. Her paintings and the humorous text are thoroughly enjoyable by adults and also by children for whom they would make good reading aloud. Alison emigrated with her parents from Scotland to Canberra, Australia in 1969, where she continued schooling and then university, later marrying and raising a family, while creating remarkable quilts with powerful and distinctive designs, exhibiting these internationally. Alison’s paintings can also be seen on her websites.
FEATURES: REVIEWS Anna Crowe reviews
Velázquez’s Riddle by Lyn Moir
Published by Calderwood Press 2011, £5.50. Lyn Moir is the author of three other poetry collections: Me and Galileo; Breakers’ Yard (both Arrowhead Press); and Easterly, Force 10 (Calder Wood Press). In Velázquez’s Riddle, a poem sequence which embraces both Velázquez’s painting, Las Meninas, and the series of interpretations of it that Picasso painted, Lyn Moir has produced a real tour de force, with as many angles as the original painting; intelligent, witty and questioning, it gives a voice to each of the characters in turn, allowing them to speak as they never could have spoken where they stood – painter and princess, ladies-in-waiting (las meninas), courtiers, chamberlain, court dwarfs, king, and queen (glimpsed only in a mirror), even the dog. She is very good at giving unexpected slants and perceptions into character, as in ‘Woman in Waiting’, where she describes the Infanta Margarita, a fair-haired child dressed in silver and coral, and just five years-old, as ‘a baby/adult with a gaze of steel.’ We hear the child’s appalled voice later in ‘The Green Infanta’ when, in Picasso’s hands she finds My hair from gold to silver’s changed, my cheeks rotund, my profiles strange. One eye silver, one eye brass, stare each other in the face. The metallic quality of that ‘gaze of steel’ is very much present in the Picasso painting, as the poet observes. A fine painter herself, Lyn Moir is more than qualified to help the reader understand the bizarre twists that Picasso gives his paintings, and to show
how they may in fact shed more light on Velázquez’s great work. Las Meninas has fascinated and intrigued since it was painted in 1656. The Spanish painter’s complex and enigmatic composition raises questions about reality and illusion, and his use of light and shade, mirrors and geometry, to produce illusions of depth and spatial planes, has in turn inspired many other painters, from Juan del Mazo, the painter’s son-in-law, and the Italian painter, Luca Giordano (it was Giordano who famously described Las Meninas as “the theology of painting”), to Francisco Goya, John Singer Sargent and Sir John Lavery, court painter to George V, and Pablo Picasso. Between August and December 1957, Picasso painted a series of 58 interpretations of Las Meninas, and figures from it, which currently fill the Las Meninas room of the Picasso Museum in Barcelona. I was first introduced to Velázquez’s work as an undergraduate here in St Andrews, when the late, greatly-missed Professor of Spanish, ‘Ferdy’ Woodward, lectured to us his students on Velázquez and the status of the artist in seventeenth century Spain. He discussed Las Meninas, focusing, I remember, on the two large paintings that are dimly to be seen at the back of the room in Velázquez’s painting, copies by del Mazo of two paintings by Rubens that illustrated two of Ovid’s Metamorphoses – Apollo flaying Marsyas for challenging him on the flute, and Minerva punishing Arachne for challenging her spinning skills, by turning her into a spider. Here were mortals challenging the gods, human artists pushing their skills to the limit, much as Velázquez himself may be said to be doing in this extraordinary painting.
In Velázquez’s Riddle, imagined with great verve and couched in many different poetic forms, Lyn Moir brings the court of Philip IV vividly to life, with all its arrogance and innuendo, fear, jealousy, and hints of sexual scandal (the king had married his niece when his first wife died). Her own canvas is broad too, with hints of Lorca, visions of ET and Dr Who, of Lewis Carroll, James Barrie, and the Golden Age Spanish playwright, Calderón de la Barca, the sounds of jazz and boogie, to name but a few. Here are the last lines from the final poem in the sequence, ‘The March of Time’: The aim’s the same: to paint a place with characters defined by custom, face, surroundings, so that viewers know the intimate details, the scene behind the scene behind the scene, hidden tensions holding subjects together or apart. A map perhaps, a chart of politics, familial, international (here the same)? A game of chess or cards, with loss of life or banishment for those who break the rules? Siempre lo mismo. Nunca cambia nada.
Don Whitehorn reviews
Crail History and Guide, the Story of an Ancient Scottish Burgh by Trevor Smith
Published by Pilgrim City Books, St Andrews, ISBN 978 0 9567205 0 4. Available at Crail Bookshop, Crail Post Office, J & G Innes, Waterstones, and all good bookshops, also on the internet at: www.crailbookshop.com Amazon etc. Price £12.95. At last. A well written history of Crail. Trevor Smith combines meticulous research with a light-fingered touch, scholarship with wry humour. The author takes us on an exciting journey through the long and fascinating story of the Royal Burgh. He charts the ups and downs from great wealth to malaise, from thriving international harbour to a quiet holiday resort. The author’s enthusiasm for his subject and his deep concern for the future of the town shines through what could be (and often is in local histories) merely a collection of dry fact. We are taken along on a roller coaster ride through the centuries. Duels, treason,
dark deeds, and romance. Civil war and Reformation. We can feel the sadness of a town now silent during the long days of winter briefly emerging during the summer holidays. The book includes a beautifully illustrated architectural walking tour of the town, a chapter that could well be published as a stand-alone guide. The route is easy to follow and meticulously researched, charting the evolution of modern Crail. It is rarely that one can say of a guide that there is, as in Crail History and Guide, something for every reader. From the serious scholar to the light-hearted visitor, for young and old, the stories are there. I have no doubt that the book will become the benchmark for further research and study.
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FEATURES From Thomas G Duncan
Holy Trinity Organ Appeal reaches its prime goal Thomas Duncan, Organist and Choirmaster of Holy Trinity, recently delivered the report below to the Kirk Session of Holy Trinity on the successful culmination of the recent Organ Appeal. We are pleased with permission to reproduce it here. By the early years of this century it had become apparent that the organ in Holy Trinity was in need of serious and extensive renovation. The organ builders, Harrison and Harrison of Durham, were invited to submit an estimate for the work required. After negotiation, a revised estimate of £135,100 was accepted by the then Congregational Board. I proposed to the Board that a committee be set up to launch an appeal to raise money to pay for, or at least help to pay for, the considerable costs involved. This proposal was carried and a committee consisting of the Revd Roy Hill (Chairman), Mr John Rankin, and myself was established. A splendid appeal brochure supported by four of Britain’s leading organ recitalists was published and plans for fundraising rapidly set in motion. Roy Hill wrote indefatigably to numerous charitable trusts on our behalf, support was sought individually from the Friends of Holy Trinity, and numerous events were planned. An auction sale in the Church hall raised £4,500, a summer buffet supper over £2,000, and a range of concerts and organ recitals steadily increased appeal funds. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club donated generously as did other public bodies such as the Hamada Trust, the Pilgrim Trust, the St Catherine Trust, and Console (Photo by Flora Selwyn) the Royal Bank of Scotland. Notable support also came from the Guild and from the Friends of Holy Trinity. Donations great and small were made by other generous individuals. One great disappointment was the To round off this brief history I wish to record my personal gratitude scandalously shabby treatment we received at the hands of the Heritage to all who contributed to the success of the Organ Appeal, not least to Lottery Fund with regard to which our exhaustive efforts proved fruitless. our Minister, the Revd Rory MacLeod, but above all to the Revd Roy Nevertheless, by the end of 2010 the Organ Appeal Fund was on the Hill without whose immense and persistent efforts we would never have verge of £75,000. arrived at this happy outcome. Furthermore, I wish to seek Session’s At this point I was approached by Mr Michael approval for the placing of a second plaque on Buchanan. His mother, Mrs Hetty Buchanan, the organ casing, immediately under the Bobby To round off this brief history who died recently, was well known in St Andrews Jones plaque, to record the generosity of donors I wish to record my personal as a superb cellist. Soon after my appointment to the Restoration Appeal and, in particular, as Organist of Holy Trinity in 1963 I met Mrs gratitude to all who contributed to that of Mr Buchanan, made in memory of his Buchanan and we became good friends for years parents, his mother having for so many years so the success of the Organ Appeal to come often performing together in concerts and excellently served music in this Church. recitals in Holy Trinity and elsewhere. Notably, The original Organ Appeal sought a sum Hetty was the leading cellist in many annual ‘Messiah’ performances. of £200,000, the aim being to establish a fund to secure the future Michael Buchanan asked me where the Organ Appeal Fund stood as he of the organ. There is now such a fund, the ‘Organ Fund’ held by the was minded to make a contribution in memory of his parents. In the event Kirk Session of Holy Trinity, which it is hoped may build up reserves that contribution turned out to be no less than £60,000, the sum required towards such major maintenance work the organ may require in future to bring the appeal to £135,100. Owing to this superbly generous donation years. Contributions to this fund would be greatly welcomed from readers I am now delighted to report to Session that all the money expended willing to support the future of this major instrument, which plays so on the restoration of the organ has been recouped and returned to the significant a part in serving the music of church and town in St Andrews. church. Accordingly, the Organ Appeal Fund, having achieved its goal, has honourably reached its end. (Photo of organ from Tom Duncan’s 2009 leaflet)
Joan Flegg writes in response to John Freebairn’s story in the last issue
Ghosts? Of course there are ghosts! When I was working in Northumberland I lived for a while in a woodcutter’s cottage on one of the old estates. It was surrounded by an ancient wall, which had an old doorway through it – long since bricked up – quite near the modern driveway in. As I approached it one night in my car, there was a young chap with longish brown hair and wearing a frockcoat, walking purposefully across the grass towards the old door. Startled, I called out to him through the open car window. I wondered if he could be blind. “It’s bricked up!” I shouted. He ignored me. Then he lifted up his hand to the (nonexistent) latch, and walked straight through! So I was really not surprised, when I came to St Andrews and went for a late-night walk – I just came home, and painted what I saw!
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FEATURES David Orr, Marketing & Sales Manager,The Byre Theatre of St Andrews, talked to
Jimmy Spankie
The interview is not starting well. As I struggle – discipline. “As an amateur actor to get the recording equipment to behave, the you need discipline; broadcasting patient spotlight of the article entertains me requires discipline: the Army IS with a story of an aspiring reporter practising discipline!” his trade which was to become his career. “When I saw advertisements “In the pub on a Saturday night my party for posts with a new Independent piece was to use my empty beer glass as a Television Station in Aberdeen I John Gauld (L), 1957 Black Watch Drill Sergeant microphone and commentate on an imaginary was quick to apply. After interviews Colin Harrison (M) and Jimmy Spankie (R) football match!” and auditions I was offered a With the recording equipment problems post as a continuity announcer/ I enquired. After a moment or two Jimmy finally solved we begin the interview in the newsreader. On my first day I had to conduct went red in the face. “Oh yes,” he said, “I was Byre Theatre’s Neil Anderson Conference a live interview about a powerful bomb which hosting the Aberdeen studio Children in Need Room. As is soon apparent, an entirely had been exploded somewhere in England! appeal wearing my kilt. A Shetland lady had appropriate venue for my meeting with former Although there was in-house training there sent a pair of Shetland woollen underpants. Grampian Television newsreader, interviewer, was a slight tendency for on-air staff to sink or My producer persuaded me to put them on programme presenter, ex-Black Watch piper, swim. Incidentally, before Grampian was so and take off my kilt when we were next on and current President of the Friends of the named there was a rumour it was to be called air. On his accordion Jim McColl played the Byre – Jimmy Spankie. Scottish Highland Stripper, while I did what I had to do. Terry Neil Anderson, Independent Wogan handed over to me from London and a former Chairman Television — I will never forget the expression on his face! of the Byre Theatre, interesting acronym!” Jimmy reckons that his Now that I think of it, I never worked for the introduced Jimmy to I asked Jimmy interest in amateur drama, his what programmes BBC again!” the Friends via the Jimmy’s last full time post was with TVthen-President, Ketron he looked back career in broadcasting, and am based in Glasgow: mostly public relations Morrison. Ketron on with particular his National Service all had a fondness. Eventually work for the company. However he pointed asked Jimmy to join out that anyone in Glasgow interviewed from the Committee, and he decided on two. common thread – discipline London meant that a Scottish perspective was ultimately he became “Top Club was great aired nationally. President. “From an fun. It was a knockA few years later Jimmy and his wife early age I had an out quiz between Jay decided to move to the St Andrews area interest in theatre and drama and I believed organisations like Rotaries, Round Tables, because they liked it, and it brought them very much in the reasons for having a Friends and Rurals. A very nice, erudite lady called nearer to family in Dundee. Shortly thereafter organisation – to stimulate interest in, and Evelyn Hood set the questions and sat more Jimmy met Neil Anderson. provide support for, the Byre. Fortunately or less in my eye line. If I wasn’t sure about What’s next? I asked. “Apart from a few of my contacts from my career have a particular answer Evelyn would make supporting the Byre in the way we do, it would been supportive and we’ve enjoyed evenings appropriate gestures! be good if we could also offer some practical with people like Stephen Robertson; and My other choice is Sportscope — a Friday help. We’re working on it,” he replied, and George Donald from Scotland The What?; evening look ahead to the weekend. Because went on, “ We’ve changed our membership John Cairney; Lesley Mackie; and Jim McColl. I had played a number of sports locally it categories and introduced membership for Last July we shared a very special evening meant I could interview sports people with couples. A single person can pay as little as with SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and some empathy. However, embarrassment was £10. Depending on your category you could Families Association). In the Younger Hall just around the corner. Aberdeen FC raised have 10% off most Byre performances plus we produced a Military Concert featuring their turnstile prices from 5 to 6 shillings, and 10% off food in our Bistro. It’s a good time to the Highland Band of the Royal Regiment of my producer suggested I take a camera unit join, either online at www.byretheatre.com or Scotland together with the Pipes and Drums into Aberdeen to find out what people felt pick up a form at our Box Office” of The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion of the Royal about the increase. The last person I decided Finally – what about your future plans? Regiment of Scotland. It was a memorable to ask was a young man. ‘Would you pay “Church, theatre, Rotary, tennis, and hill evening — and very nostalgic.” 6 shillings to go to Pittodrie on a Saturday walking – then, in the afternoon . . . ” It was memorable and nostalgic for Jimmy afternoon?’ because for 18 months of his 2 years National ‘Yes — I think I would.’ (Photos courtesy Jimmy Spankie) Service he was a piper in the Black Watch! ‘Why?’ This included a 3-month tour of more than ‘Because I’m their centre forward!!’” 60 cities and towns in Canada and America. Were there any other embarrassing moments, It also meant a huge number of public performances, including an appearance in Sunday Night at The London Palladium – his first television appearance! — and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. “I well remember practising tunes in Redford Barracks, Edinburgh. I was opposite the Pipe Major, very nervous and inevitably played some wrong notes. Pipie stopped all the players, looked at me with pity and said, ‘The Tattoo producer asked me last week how many pipers I had for the Tattoo. I told him I had 27 pipers and a fellow called Spankie!’” Jimmy reckons that his interest in amateur drama, his career in broadcasting, and his National 1953 London Coronation with George Bell Service all had a common thread BBC radio interview
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FEATURES From Ted Brocklebank
Almae Matres Re-Visited – Professor Gavin Brown (1942-2010)
The passing of Professor Gavin Brown, retired Vice-Chancellor of both But equally important were the many activities outside the Adelaide and Sydney universities, had me wandering back down the classroom in which we were encouraged to take part. I was years to the days when the local brickie’s son and I, near neighbours in secretary of the debating society under Gavin’s presidency, before Churchill Crescent, used to sort out the problems of the then Scottish becoming president myself in 6th year. Here it was that we honed our football team, while en route to Madras College. presentational skills – he for his future role as a world class lecturer ‘Gabby’, as we knew him, had a near encyclopaedic knowledge and university principal – yours truly as a future TV presenter and of the Scottish game, although, all knees and elbows as he was in eventual parliamentarian. these days, I never saw him kick a ball in anger. But even as kids we But brilliant mathematician that he was, arguably Gavin’s career recognised that academically we were in the presence of a ‘special was even more illustrious as an administrator. There was no false one’ indeed. It must have been modesty about him, and in depressing for his classmates – I 1966, appointed Sydney’s Vice was in the year behind – as he Chancellor, he began what he routinely came first in every subject, described as ‘the complete with the exception of art. But it was restoration of Australia’s oldest as a mathematician that Gavin university’. In his 12 years at was in a league of his own, leaving Sydney the University’s income all his teachers, not excepting the almost trebled, international formidable head of department student numbers quadrupled, Dr ‘Jock’ MacDonald himself, in his and research income quintupled, wake by the time he was in third while the highest-ever number of year. Having said that, Gavin’s graduations was recorded. achievements were by no means It was his work at Sydney that unique in the Madras of the 1950s. made his name internationally His year produced no fewer than (outwith mathematical academia, two PhDs in Maths, and one each in that is, where he was already a Gavin Brown Gavin as a boy Physics and Chemistry. legend). He was awarded the Nobody was surprised when Order of Australia in 2006. In Gavin secured a Harkness scholarship to St Andrews University, where that year his standing among his peers was confirmed when he was he took an outstanding ‘first’ in Maths and Latin, winning the Duncan elected chairman of the Pacific Rim universities. medal in the process. He went on to win a Carnegie scholarship to I was intrigued to learn that this canny ‘lad of pairts’ from Fife Newcastle University where he gained his PhD. There followed a negotiated himself a financial package at Sydney that saw him pulling spell lecturing at the Universities of York and Liverpool before he was down a seven figure sum in annual salary and bonuses for his fundappointed Professor of Mathematics at the University of New South raising activities on behalf of the University. As his official obituary put it Wales in 1976. – ‘in the meritocratic society of Australia, his rewards were seen as the Listed as one of the ten foremost mathematicians in the world by natural consequence of a job very well done’. Hear, hear to that, and an American news magazine in the early 80s, Gavin had an academic would that the society of the land of his birth was equally meritocratic. output that was truly phenomenal. Over a 30 year I was also impressed to learn that far from period he had more than 100 research papers entrusting his hard-earned bawbees to the published. He won the Australian Mathematical dubious custodianship of the banks, the coldly medal in 1982, was a visiting professor at logical mathematician opted instead for a But even as kids we Washington, Paris, York, Genoa, and Cambridge more assured return – he bought racehorses! recognised that academically I have no doubt that his judgement was as universities and accepted countless invitations to lecture at universities, particularly throughout shrewd in his choice of nags as elsewhere. we were in the presence of a Australia and the Far East. Professor Gavin Brown was an academic ‘special one’ indeed As I read the obituary in the Scotsman shortly colossus. His many garlands in later life after his death on Christmas Day past, I marvelled included Fellowship of the Royal Society at the remarkable academic journey my old of Edinburgh, the Sir Edmund Whittaker school chum had travelled, and regretted that we Memorial Prize from Edinburgh Mathematical never met up as adults. As I read about his many honours as a revered Society, and honorary degrees from St Andrews, Dundee, and lecturer and administrator, memories flooded back of verbal jousts in Edinburgh in Scotland and others from universities world-wide. the Madras debating society, of smarty-pants insults we traded in the But he never forgot his roots or his early education in St Andrews school magazine. I was out of the country when he returned for an at the West Infant, East Infant, Burgh School, and Madras. Writing in honorary degree from his alma mater, St Andrews, in 1997. He was the 150th anniversary Madras school magazine he recalled the words out of the country when I visited Australia last year with a Scottish of a colleague who had also come through Scottish state education at Parliamentary delegation. that time and who claimed he’d had such a good free education that All of this set me thinking about the quality of education we enjoyed he’d become successful enough to buy half as good an education at Madras in these distant days more than half a century ago. Heads for his own son. In the same article Gavin wrote, ‘I know of only one of department, almost without exception, were ‘firsts’. But academic school in Sydney (population 3.5m) which is fit to be talked about in the excellence wasn’t enough. They and their staff colleagues were also same breath as the Madras I knew.’ prodigiously gifted teachers. I particularly recall Charlie Anderson How lucky we were – in the quality of our alma mater and the (Classics), Doc Gordon, (History), Sandy McLees and Margaret quality of its pupils. But even in that company ‘Gabby’ Brown was a Brown, (English), Alfie Law (Science), Anne Cantlay (Geography), and one-off. Those of us who knew him, and the many thousands around Margaret Grubb (English). It’s impossible to overestimate the debt we the world whose lives were enriched by him, are the poorer for his owed to these remarkable teachers. And of course our education was passing. free. (Photos courtesy Ted Brocklebank)
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FEATURES Church Elder Alistair Leiper was given permission by the Very Rev Dr Alan McDonald, Minister of St Leonard’s Church to celebrate
Henry Holiday’s Stained Glass Windows Behind the baptismal font in St Leonard’s Parish Church is located this The influence of Burne-Jones can be beautiful stained glass window by the Victorian pre-Raphaelite artist seen in Holiday’s work. Henry Holiday (1839 -1927). In 1861, Holiday accepted the Our minister was asked by Royal Mail if they could launch their post of stained glass window designer Christmas stamps in Scotland showing this window. Permission was for Powell’s Glass Works, after Burnegiven and the image was shown in many newspapers on 3 November Jones had left to work for Morris & 2009. Royal Mail was pleased to “showcase the shining brilliance” of their Co. During his time there he fulfilled “Christmas Nativity stamps”. Royal Mail‘s Head of External Relations, over 300 commissions, mostly for Julie Morrison said, “ These precious images of the nativity have a customers in the USA. He left in timeless appeal and are a wonderful way of telling the story of Christmas 1891 to set up his own glass works in on cards and letters here and around the world”. Minister of St Leonard’s Hampstead, producing stained glass, Church, The Very Rev Dr Alan D McDonald, former mosaics, enamels, Moderator of the Church of Scotland, whose Church hosts and sacerdotal Our minister was four of Henry Holiday’s stained glass windows, said that objects. asked by Royal Mail The Blessed Virgin with Holy Child window has always Holiday’s stained if they could launch been much admired and this stamp of the Mother and glass work can be Child was a real gift at Christmas. found all over Britain, their Christmas The window was presented to St Leonard’s Church but some of his best stamps in Scotland when it was built in1904 by Mr and Mrs Alexander is at Westminster showing this window Thoms, in memory of their infant child. Holiday was born Abbey (the Isambard in London. He showed an early aptitude for art and was Kingdom BruneI given lessons by William Cave Thomas. He attended Leigh’s art academy memorial window, 1868), St Luke’s (where a fellow student was Frederick Walker) and in 1855, at the tender Church in Kentish Town, and St Mary age of 15, he was admitted to the Royal Academy. Through his friendship Magdalene in Paddington (1869). He with Albert Moore and Simeon Solomon he was introduced to the also produced some sculpture in 1861 artists Rosetti, Burne-Jones, and William Morris of the “Pre-Raphaelite including a piece called “Sleep” which brotherhood”. This movement was to be pivotal in his future artistic and attracted favourable critical interest. political life. Holiday worked for architect In that same year, 1855, Holiday made a journey to the Lake District. William Burges for a period, providing This was to be the first of many trips to the area, where he would often wall and ceiling paintings for holiday for long periods of time. Whilst in the Lake District, he spent much Worcester College, Oxford (1863of his time sketching the views from various hills and mountains. He 64), and furniture painting including wrote, “For concentrated loveliness, I know nothing that can compare with “Sleeping Beauty” for the headboard the lakes and mountains of Westmorland, Cumberland, and Lancashire” in the bedroom of Burges’s home “Tower House”. Holiday worked in both oils and watercolours. In 1858, his first In October 1864 Holiday married Catherine Raven and moved to picture, a landscape painting, was exhibited at the Royal Academy and Bayswater, London. His wife was a talented embroiderer working for immediately sold – from that year his work was frequently shown at the Morris & Co. They had one daughter, Winifred. Academy and elsewhere. In 1867, Holiday visited Italy for the first time and was inspired Holiday spent a lot of time at the studios of Sir Edward Burne-Jones, by the originality of the Renaissance artists he saw there. In 1871 he where groups of artists would meet to discuss, exchange and pool ideas. went to Ceylon as part of the “Eclipse Expedition”. His astronomical drawings were subsequently published in the national press and attracted great interest. On his return to England in 1872, he commissioned architect Basil Champneys to design a new family home in Branch Hill, Hampstead, which was named “Oak Tree House”- in 1888, William Gladstone himself was a visitor. In January 1874, Holiday was commissioned by Lewis Carroll to illustrate” The Hunting of the Snark”. He remained friends with the author throughout his life. In 1907, Holiday went to Egypt, painting a series of water colours and illustrations on ancient Egyptian themes. These were exhibited at “Walker’s Gallery”, London, in March 1908. In 1907-08, he commissioned the building of a holiday home, “Betty Fold”, in his favourite part of the Lake District. Holiday was a socialist throughout his life. Together with his wife Kate and daughter Winifred he supported the Suffragette movement. The family were close acquaintances of Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughter, and organised local suffragette meetings in the Lake District. Henry Holiday died on 15 April 1927, 2 years after his wife, Kate. Postscript: Early in 2010, a small working group from the Church met to further promote the art of Henry Holiday. With the assistance of graphic designer and photographer Peter Adamson, three prominent windows by the artist were selected and printed as greetings cards and bookmarks. They include the by-now well-known “Blessed Virgin with Holy Child”; together with “Our Lord as Bread of Life”; and “Our Lord as True Vine”, located in the apse, and gifted by Clementina Thoms in 1904. On sale in time for the 2010 Christmas season, we know they have been sent all around the world by members of the congregation. To date, we do not know the connection of the Thoms family with their commissioned work by Henry Holiday, but their generosity to St Leonard’s Church is greatly appreciated by members and visitors in perpetuity. (Images courtesy St Leonard’s Church)
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FEATURES Jennifer Reid, Curator of the St Andrews Preservation Trust Museum
Has the answer! Q. Can you tell me more about the roofless building which goes over the road on the east end of South Street? A. This structure is known as “The Pends”. The “Pends Gate” dates from the 14th century and is probably part of the earlier wall (the Scots word “pend” signifies an arch, vault, or “covered way”) and measures around 77 feet by 16 feet. Its proportions are now slightly marred by the rise in ground level which has taken place throughout St Andrews over the years; the road would have originally been around 2½ feet lower, but it is still one of the most beautiful of its kind in Scotland. It is the remains of an elaborate vaulted gatehouse that formed the principal ceremonial entrance to the Priory Precinct. This great pre-Reformation structure was built over a busy road, its
purpose being to control and limit the road’s use to those who had business within the monastic premises. It leads down to the harbour, passing various entrances to St Leonards School, situated on land that once belonged to the Priory. Originally, it was vaulted in four compartments, and of the original structure only two pointed archways and the side walls remain. The groined roof has long since disappeared, but The Pends remains one of the most attractive architectural features of the ancient city. A lane, said to be haunted by a veiled nun, leads off The Pends to St Leonard’s Chapel. Passing through the arches you can see a shady land leading from the Pends Road, a remnant of the Guest Hall built in the 13th Century for the accommodation of “religious tramps”.
(Photos courtesy The Preservation Trust Museum)
Q. I have recently come across an old photo of a man called Hugh Thomson. I know nothing about him, can you fill me in? A. We have also recently had a photo of Mr Hugh Thompson donated to the museum. Hugh Thompson was born in 1848 in Wishaw and came to St Andrews in around 1876 as the principal assistant to Provost J Ritchie Welch, who was a solicitor. Thomson was married in 1890 to a Maggie Maxwell Laing. Upon Provost Welch’s death in 1903, Thomson succeeded to his business. Shortly before this, Thomson had been appointed Town Clerk of St Andrews. In 1904, he became acquainted with a Mr J Cargill Cantley, who was also a solicitor, and the business then carried on under the name of Thomson and Cantley. For many years, Thompson and Cantley were Joint Town Clerks of St Andrews. Thompson also held the post of Clerk to the Old School Board of St Andrews and District Treasurer of the St Andrews District of the County of Fife. He was also a keen bowler and a well-known personality at St Andrews Southfield Green. He was Honorary Secretary of St Andrews Bowling Club for many years, which flourished under his guidance. Thomson’s interest in golf was honoured when St Andrews Golf Club elected him captain for a term. He died after being unwell for some time on 13 August, 1926, aged 77, while on holiday in Pitlochry. At the time of his death, his address is listed as Westgate, Wardlaw Gardens, St Andrews. An obituary from the time states the following of his character, “It was Mr Thomson’s good fortune to make many warm friends, and to be practically without a single enemy. The reason was to be found in the unfailing good temper, cheerfulness, and manly kindliness which he displayed to all classes of people; and his broad mind and ripe knowledge of human nature also contributed to the charm of his personality.”
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TOWN & GOWN John Billington, personal friend of Hugh Richardson and a Trustee of the Foundation.
Hugh Richardson
Hugh E Richardson the Indian Political Department, a diplomatic was a distinguished corps responsible for relations with the Princely son of St Andrews – States within India and with neighbouring his home for nearly countries on India’s borders. Bell, Bailey, seventy years – but Gould, and Richardson were distinguished during his working life members of this elite group controlling relations he occupied posts on India’s northern borders. All spoke fluent in some of the most Tibetan; all wrote authoritatively on Tibet. But exotic and far-flung the last in what became known as “the apostolic outposts of what was succession” eclipsed them all in scholarship then the British Empire. – and that was Hugh Richardson. After India From Glenalmond he won a scholarship achieved independence he remained behind in to Keble College, Oxford, where he read Lhasa as Head of Mission for the government Greats (Classics) and after acceptance into the of India for a further three years, leaving only Indian Civil Service (ICS), spent another year shortly before the Chinese invasion in October there studying Indian history and Bengali. To 1950. Hugh also served near the North-West enter the ICS and serve the Empire was the Frontier during the war, and also as First dream of many an ambitious and academically Secretary in Chungking in China. able young man in the 1920s and Hugh’s He could have written an exciting account grandfather had served as a civil servant in of his remarkable life, but self-promotion was India at the time of the Mutiny in 1857. Aged not in his nature. Mild yet formidable, “lean and 27 (in 1932) Hugh found himself Sub-Divisional keen” as all frontier officers needed to be, his Officer at Tamluk (now in Bangladesh) with life was devoted to serving his country abroad jurisdiction over three million Bengali subjects. and to serving the people of Tibet, whom he Nearly seventy years later he delighted in had come to love and admire. This he did in surprising the waiters at the Balaka Restaurant his retirement at St Andrews, writing the first in St Andrews, by engaging them in fluent authoritative history of Tibet (Tibet and its Bengali! History, 1962) and following it with A Cultural Hugh Richardson had early been intrigued History of Tibet (1968, with David Snellgrove); by the figure of George Bogle, the young Corpus of Early Tibetan Inscriptions (1985); Scot who, as envoy for Warren Hastings, had Adventures of a Tibetan Fighting Monk (1986 established contact with the Panchen Lama on with T Skorupski); and Ceremonies of the a visit to Tashilhunpo in Tibet in 1775. Hugh’s Lhasa Year (1993). Earlier, in 1945, he had work and leisure brought him published (with Gould) a into contact with Sir Basil Gould He could have written comprehensive set of Tibetan and Lt-Col F M (‘Eric’) Bailey, Language Records and a an exciting account a legendary figure who had Tibetan Precis “for of his remarkable life, masterly taken part in the Younghusband official use only”. This latter – but self-promotion expedition to Tibet in 1903. Both a scholarly epic of research Gould and Bailey were Tibet into the political history of was not in his nature experts and followed the equally Tibet undertaken in Lhasa – distinguished Sir Charles Bell as Political remained unavailable to the general public until Officer for Sikkim, with responsibility for British 1998 when it was published in a collection of interests in Bhutan and Tibet. Hugh impressed Hugh’s scholarly writings under the title High Gould and was recruited to accompany him on Peaks, Pure Earth. (It was edited by Michael the mission he led to Lhasa in 1936. Aris, the husband of Aung San Suu Kyi, shortly The Indian Civil Service effectively ran before he died.) India and even today their successors – Hugh was above all a meticulous scholar. rebranded the Indian Administrative Service Tibetology is now a department in many (IAS) – are the glue that more than anything universities, but Hugh is regarded as the ‘father’ holds that great country together enabling it to of the subject by the generations of scholars function. Elite members might be selected for that have followed him. He had the unique
Members of the British Mission to Lhasa, Hugh first from the right, front row seated qualification of having served for a long period (nearly nine years) in Tibet and till the day he died his sharp mind would correct factual errors in the writings of others. But while a stickler for accuracy he was generous with help and advice. He was Hugh at the British also a founderMission in Lhasa, Tibet member of the (c.1940 when he was 35). Tibet Society of the U.K. – for many years the sole NGO in the world to support the Tibetan cause. It was Hugh Richardson who tracked down and exposed the so-called Tibetan monk Lobsang Rampa (actually an Irish plumber living in Devon) whose books on Tibet were popular reading in the 1950s and 1960s when few people even knew where Tibet was. Richardson’s support for Tibet and its independence infuriated the Chinese and embarrassed the British government, whose failure to support Tibet in the UN in 1959 Richardson never forgave. An honourable man, he was officially authorised before Britain withdrew from India in 1947 to assure the Tibetan government of Britain’s continued support internationally – something our government failed totally to give. An angry letter to The Times in the 1980s accused the government of “shameful tergiversation” with regard to Tibet – a cogent phrase that reflected his early degree in Classics. (Photo courtesy Tenzin Dolma)
John Billington continues...
The Richardson Foundation In his ninetieth year Hugh Richardson wanted to make some arrangement The first undergraduate came to St Andrews in 1996 and was lucky to continue to help Tibetans after his death and he asked me to enquire to be able to know his benefactor personally. Three more students have of the Dalai Lama what form this might take. By this time much had been since studied at St Andrews, the third of whom is presently reading for achieved: Tibet was now an issue internationally; the a Master’s Degree in International Law at Edinburgh. Dalai Lama had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; The current student is our first female and is studying the Dalai Lama knew news from Tibet was regularly breaching the Chinese International Relations with Social Anthropology. that on the international monopoly and questioning its propaganda; western All our students so far have come from the Tibetan scene a western degree refugee community in India and all – so far – have visitors could now travel to Tibet and see for themselves would carry more weight studied at St Andrews, though this is not a condition what was going on; the media now had reporters who knew something about the area and the issue. What of the scholarship. But the University of St Andrews is more could be done? The Dalai Lama – after some thought – suggested a distinguished seat of learning and has welcomed its Tibetan students. that enabling academically promising young Tibetans to acquire degrees It has also given significant help with their living expenses so this is a from western universities would benefit the Tibetan cause. Many young good relationship. There is no restriction on what course the student Tibetans from the refugee community in India had degrees from Indian should study, but it is expected that the student will use this exceptionally universities, but the Dalai Lama knew that on the international scene a valuable opportunity to in some way advance the Tibetan cause or to western degree would carry more weight. “Also a western degree will give help his or her fellow countrymen. That is what the Dalai Lama and Hugh our people more confidence,” he said, “confidence to argue and debate in Richardson would have wished. the international arena knowing that they are equal to the best.” And that is how the Richardson Foundation was born. (Hugh Richardson died in December 2000.)
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TOWN & GOWN Rebecca Foxon, final year Undergraduate student
My time with Celtic Society It gives me great pride to study at Scotland’s really considering we have been around since both at Newcastle, where we annually compete oldest university, and I am also proud to be a 1796! As I prepare to graduate, I now know in their Scottish Country Dance festival, and at member of St Andrews’ oldest student society. that I have a hobby which is global, and that Perth Arts Festival. After a couple of hours of Founded in 1796, the Celtic Society has a long wherever I go there will be a Scottish Country practice, you start moving like a team, without and illustrious history. Today, it Dance group that I can go to, and make having to think about it so achieves its aim of “preserving new friends of all ages. The Celtic Society is much. I have seen teams that Founded in 1796, the and promoting Scottish responsible for what will be some of the fondest have been dancing together Celtic Society has a long for years, and it often seems culture”, mostly through the memories of my time here at this ancient and and illustrious history medium of Scottish Country beautiful institution. that they would know where Dance. each other is even if they What initially drew me to the dance form For more information, or details of classes, were blindfolded! Celtic Society also does more was the fun I had at ceilidhs, and the desire please contact: celticsoc@st-andrews.ac.uk “fun” performances, having a reputation for to learn the correct “steps”, as I could see that being slightly quirky. In my there was more to it than the jaunty stylised time in St Andrews, the music walk adopted by most people. Having gone has included “Pirates of the through the repertoire of ceilidh dances at Caribbean” (my personal the Society’s beginners’ class, what kept me favourite), “Final Countdown”, hooked was the Scottish Country Dances with and “Sleigh Ride”, and in their patterns, and also the social nature of the years gone by “Crocodile dance form. Scottish Country, when done well, Rock” and “A Little Prayer”- all is very much a team effort, with you moving with Scottish Country Dance in sync with not just your partner, but also the steps and formations. other couples in the set. This “togetherness”, Scottish Country Dance also known as covering, is highly prized, and has taken me all around the aim is not just for your feet to be moving at Scotland to attend balls, the same time and travelling the same distance, where I have met our but also for your hands to match too, going up counterparts from other and down at the same time. The counterpart to universities, and many covering is phrasing, which is the art of arriving alumni. I often meet people at the right place at the same time. of all ages who have a I have been lucky enough to be invited to connection with St Andrews Celtic Society members at Perth Arts Festival, with the trophy won take part in competitions with the Celtic Society, Celtic Society – not surprising by the mixed team. (Photo courtesy Rebecca Foxon)
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TOWN & GOWN Vhari Finch, Museum and Galleries Studies postgraduate student
Elements of Genius:
A Celebration of 200 Years of Chemistry in St Andrews As the University of St Andrews begins preparations for its 600th anniversary, the Chemistry Department is celebrating its own milestone. In this, the International Year of Chemistry, St Andrews celebrates 200 years of the subject being taught at the University. The Chemistry Department owes its foundation to Cupar-born Dr John Gray (17241811), who left a sum of money in his will to establish a Chair of Chemistry in the University. On his death, it was decided that chemistry lessons could be taught by the Professor of Medicine, Robert Briggs (d.1841) until the money matured enough to appoint a dedicated Professor. This was finally achieved in 1840, when Arthur Connell (d.1862) was appointed as the first Professor of Chemistry within the University. Connell was succeeded by Matthew Forster Heddle, a keen mineralogist and engaging teacher, who became famous for his tales of his travels and for carrying out fantastic experiments. In the beginning, there were very few facilities for the teaching of chemistry, students often being asked to carry out experiments at home. Under Heddle’s successor, Thomas Purdie (1843-1916) there was vast improvement in the facilities. In 1900, Purdie funded the extension and equipping of laboratories in the Irvine building, home of the Chemistry Department until the move to the North Haugh in the 1960s, where the current chemistry building is named in Purdie’s honour. Professor Purdie pioneered the study of organic chemistry in St Andrews. He focused on bringing original experimentation to the fore, particularly in the field of carbohydrate chemistry. This work on determining the structure of sugars was continued by his former pupil and successor to the Chair, James Colquhoun Irvine (1877-1952). Irvine maintained a life-long connection to the University of St Andrews. After serving as
Professor of Chemistry, he was first made the boundaries to engage with molecular Dean of Sciences and then, in 1921, Principal biology, work in the Department is helping of the University. In this role, Irvine oversaw a develop treatment for many illnesses and great deal of modernisation to the University, advancing the treatment of wounds. Similarly, while still making time to supervise and assess in the field of environmental research, the every thesis submitted for Department is working a doctorate in chemistry. to help the UK meet its The groundbreaking low carbon emissions research undertaken by targets with pioneering In recent years, the Professors Purdie and work on new lightweight Department has continued battery technologies and Irvine ensured that the Department was well fuel cell development. to grow and flourish positioned to assist in the The modern across the many diverse First World War effort. Chemistry Department In perhaps the most has sustained progress fields of Chemistry significant collaboration with international of “town and gown”, the collaboration. In 2002, it Chemistry Department was began sharing facilities transformed into a laboratory tailored to the with South African firm “Sasol”, a world needs of Britain at war. With many students leader in the production of liquid fuels and and staff called up for active service, it was the chemicals. The expansion continued when St Andrews townspeople who assisted those in 2005 the University of St Andrews linked who remained. This largely female, volunteer with the University of Edinburgh’s Chemistry workforce laboured day and night to produce Department to form “EaSTCHEM”. This synthetic sugars for food manufacture, local combined research effort has allowed both anaesthetics and, controversially, mustard gas schools to excel and compete more effectively in response to the Germans’ use of chlorine within the UK, continuing the research gas. innovations which have been at the heart of In the 20th century, the Department the Chemistry Department since its inception. played host to many eminent scientists, The Chemistry Department’s illustrious including two Nobel prize winners: Sir Walter history is celebrated in Elements of Genius: Norman Haworth (1883-1950) and Sir Robert The Legacy of Chemistry in St Andrews, Robinson (1886-1975). Robinson produced a Museum and Gallery Studies studentlarge numbers of academic papers during produced exhibition at the Gateway Galleries. his short time at the University, including one Working in collaboration with the University’s showing the first illustrations of the structure Museum Collections and Special Collections of benzene. Co-authored by the local baker’s archive, and with guidance from members son, this achievement is still celebrated in of the Chemistry Department, this group of St Andrews today with Fisher and Donaldson’s postgraduate students has aimed to highlight benzene shaped biscuits. some of the key players and moments in the In recent years, the Department has Department’s history through a fascinating continued to grow and flourish across the many display of archival material and chemistrydiverse fields of Chemistry. Reaching across related objects. They are also hosting events to accompany the exhibition, including lunchtime gallery talks, lectures, and a fabulous family fun day of “Kitchen Chemistry”. The Chemistry Department is also marking the occasion with an Alumni Reunion on the 25th June. With plans for staff and student presentations, a formal dinner, and a special after-dinner speaker, the Alumnus day promises to be a wonderful opportunity for past staff and students to reconnect and tour the new facilities, which are helping to secure the Chemistry Department’s reputation as one of the best research centres in the country. Professor Irvine said that those studying chemistry should hold the “virtues of accuracy, honesty, endeavour, and adventure, coupled always with a just appreciation of what is owed to the past” (D. Lloyd, Chemistry in St Andrews, 2003). The University of St Andrews Chemistry Department continues to uphold these ideals as it looks to the future and the next 200 years.
Professor Thomas Purdie lecturing on fluorine during the early 20th Century (Photo courtesy of University of St Andrews Special Collections ms 38187)
Elements of Genius: The Legacy of Chemistry in St Andrews runs until Saturday 21st May, for further information please see website: www.standrews.ac.uk/~exhib3/index.html
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TOWN & GOWN Alison Brown kindly contributed the poem below written by her grandfather, Thomas Brown (1904-1955), who sadly died before Alison was born. A graduate of St Andrews University, he was known as Tammas Broon, a “well-known boxer and a real character in St Andrews during his time here.” He is buried in the Western Cemetery. Alison offered the poem, together with the copy of an article entitled “Tammas Broon”, Old Student Memories, written by Wilfred Taylor, another graduate and writer of “A Scotsman’s Log”. Thomas Brown
St Andrews Day, 1954 No matter the offered attraction, No matter the bribe or the prize, There’s nothing can alter the vision That draws my wandering eyes;
I would hear the impromptu echo Of shuffling, dancing feet; The gentle murmur of voices Move bunkwards through the street;
It is there with my wanderings over And my journey fast nearing its end, When I’m feeling just ever so lonely, It is then I’ll be needing a friend -
So again and again in my musings And in dreams I am borne away In th’enchantment of people and mem’ries To a spot overlooking the Bay.
The shouts of the touchline admirers Would stir the three-quarters through; Or the songs from the Bejant Smoker Would start the session anew.
Just a friend who will dig me a grave there To hold my remains when I’m dead… With the flowers for blanket above me And cold mother earth for my bed.
And if I were alone in the world, None loving, and none loving me, I would go, at the end of my journey, To that spot by the Northern Sea.
These mem’ries would often disturb me And tempt me to turn my eyes down To the towers and the spires of the city Where in youth I wore the red gown.
Perhaps in the warm days of summer When I’m lying there still and alone, A stray passer-by will pause near me And stoop to read on a stone –
With the blue vault of heaven above me, Companioned by robin or wren, I would taste all the sweetness reborn As I lived through my memories again.
And I’d see it with eyes that were misty As the echoes of songs stirred me through… Are these drops on the backs of my fingers?… Are they tears?...or is’t only the dew?
“He lies where he wished to be buried, In this place close by to the Quad, With the scenes of his youth gathered round him And his soul at repose with his God.”
Wilfred Taylor reminisced
‘Tammas Broon’
– Old Student’s Memories [1955] How well we remember Tammas Broon. He was a powerfully built, expressing a wish to be buried in the thick-set, senior man who walked the streets of St Andrews with a little University town he loved. And we jaunty swagger when we went up. A well-known boxer, he was afraid of have no doubt that the citizens of no-one, and he faced the world with a cheerful grin, and an instinct for St Andrews, who claimed him as their the comic which would have brought him fame on any stage. favourite student, will see that the In these days Tammas, we suppose, was a wild last, moving stanza character, but his wildness endeared him to everyone, is carved on his When Tammas was and not least to the townsfolk. Tammas was a humorist tombstone. around, St Andrews who made it his business to see that a University was a Perhaps Tammas became a kind of gay place. He would get up on a lorry in Market street and Broon didn’t become conduct an impromptu auction, disposing of, among other an outstanding figure Scottish Vienna things, ‘the chair of Humanity’, which had the townsfolk in the wide world and the children in fits of laughter. beyond the quadrangle, but he did more than many famous alumni have Despite his habit of riding to classes on a farm horse or a tricycle, and done – he has left the hearts of the people of a little University town a his tendency to punctuate lectures with ribald comments, Tammas was memory which they cherish, of the immortal Scottish undergraduate. as much respected by his Professors as by the student body. He was a Tammas Broon did more to promote the concord between town and gown tremendous upholder of academic tradition, and remained so to the end than a whole battery of ordinances or directives. of his life. But he couldn’t resist puncturing pomposity, and if he felt like singing in class he sang. (Photo of Thomas Brown (stroking the dog), courtesy of his When Tammas was around, St Andrews became a kind of Scottish granddaughter Alison) Vienna. No-one could resist his infectious good humour, and his incurable tendency to play pranks. First year men felt that St Andrews was the merriest place in the world when Tammas Broon breezed into a smoker, or organised some mirth-provoking ploy on a wintry day. One blowy day we remember a foundation stone was being laid with dignity and ceremony somewhere. Down one of the streets came a grave procession of notabilities preceded by the University maces. Simultaneously from a parallel street, there emerged another ragged procession of undergraduates and children led by Tammas Broon, his face was solemn as an owl, and two broomsticks raised proudly aloft in his hands. While the real ceremony was taking place, Tammas, surrounded by a crowd of convulsed townspeople, was conducting another one with a trowel, a small brick, and a wonderful flow of meaningless and impressive words. To support himself Tammas worked as a labourer’s assistant during the reconstruction work on the HolyTrinity Church. When we graduated and went down, the University became a less cheerful place, and we lost sight of, to us, a splendid and worthy figure in the long roll of St Andrews. Like so many St Andreans, Tammas had a turn for verse, and as he lay dying, this whilom laughing and dauntless student, wrote a poem,
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TOWN & GOWN Siena Parker, Students’ Association Director of Representation introduces
The International Student Leadership Scholarship St Andrews recently welcomed two students from Africa as part of the University of St Andrews Students’ Association inaugural International Student Leadership Scholarship. The scholarship is in its first year, and aims to promote cultural exchange and communication between student leaders across the world. There were over 50 applicants from a variety of developing nations, and two were selected to come to St Andrews for a two-week period. Francis Kaduya, a final year law student at the University of Malawi, and Esther Sedor, a final year Political Science student at the University of Ghana, are both elected student leaders in their own country. They spent their time in St Andrews primarily shadowing and interacting with the student leaders here – Association President, Owen Wilton, and Director of Representation, Siena Parker, who set up the scholarship. The daily programme included shadowing Siena & Owen in their jobs, including meetings with the Principal’s Office, attending the Student Representative Council, as well as trips to Edinburgh, Dundee, and Anstruther, and their very first ceilidh. Siena Parker, who originated the idea for the Scholarship, commented, “it has been fascinating to see the differences between how student representation works in Ghana & Malawi, and how it works in the UK. We have learnt a lot from one another, and have really enjoyed getting to know them.” Dr Frank Quinault, the Chairman of the Students’ Association Board, commented, “I am delighted that the Students’ Association has chosen to use some of the money in Francis’ mother its Developing Nations Scholarship fund to bring student leaders from two African countries to St Andrews. They are learning from us, about how student representation and related matters are conducted at Scottish Universities, and we are learning from them. It is a novel and exciting initiative, which we hope we may be able to Francis’ home, Malawi repeat.”
just but one of the many things that has made my stay here fantastic, I would love to come again to St Andrews – peaceful people, loving people, caring people you are. I would Esther and Francis with Siena Parker and like to thank you all Owen Wilton (Photo, Flora Selwyn) for supporting me and making it a success, I have learnt a lot from you both culturally, socially, morally, as well as academically. If someone can help me to come again for my masters I would be most grateful.”
Esther Glavee Sedor Esther is a final year Political Science student at the University of Ghana. This is her experience, “once upon a time, there lived a motherless girl in Ghana; she was a student of the University of Ghana, and the Vice President of the students’ union. She had a dream, which she is writing down now. A wonderful dream which she wishes to continue, but wakes up in the morning, looks through the window of her apartment, and it is all true – “wow! This is incredible” I exclaimed when I realised I, Esther Glavee Sedor, a village girl from Bole, was soaring high into the skies in a magnificent plane. St Andrews Typical village scene northern Ghana was just beyond my expectations. All my prejudices were shattered as I met completely different people than I expected. Everyone on the street smiled at me, children were not scared of me, people are always eager to start up a chat with you to find out where you are from. St Andrews can nurture anybody from every Esther Sedor part of the world. You just need a few days and you are part of the The scholarship is in its first year, and Francis Kaduya people. One experience I will never forget aims to promote cultural exchange Francis is a third year Bachelor of Laws at was the ceilidh dance! It was the first time I and communication between student the University of Malawi, Chancellor College. was sweating the whole time I was here, and leaders across the world He is the Speaker of the General Assembly it was great to dance with everybody – young in the Students’ Union (SUCC). He is positive and old. Regards to Frank Quinault, Graeme, that “My stay in St Andrews has been among the best, if not the best, Flora, and all the sabbatical officers – especially Siena who was my that I have experienced. Despite the cultural, social, economic as well everything – my mum, my sister, and our auntie! If you feel touched by as political differences that exist between Africa and Scotland, I did not this story, it is my dream to go for further study and I would be glad if you expect to be as welcomed as I have been. Everyone has been very good could support me in any way to pursue a Masters degree.” and friendly – St Andrews is more than a University for me because it and the town are so closely connected into one, amazing! The beautiful sea is (Photos courtesy of Francis Kaduya & Esther Glavee Sedor)
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TOWN & GOWN From Douglas Mundie, Managing Director,
The Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) at the University of St Andrews – – came to the town in 1995 from Cambridge, a turbine. If the impact was minimal there, it its custom-designed pink sandstone home on would generate significant confidence about the East Sands being created, complete with a placing such turbines elsewhere. Five years seal pool in which behavioural research on the on, the environmental monitoring programme diving characteristics of seals could be carried carried out by SMRU Ltd and its academic out. It proved a good move – today around 80 partners is hailed as an exemplar of how such researchers and students work work should be done; now there on improving our understanding is worldwide demand to harness our two businesses of sea mammals – not just seals, our expertise as the offshore have grown to but dolphins, porpoises, and renewables industry gathers have a turnover of whales as well. Led by Professor pace. Ian Boyd, it has a formal role in From that first contract, around £1.5 million advising the UK Government on SMRU Ltd has grown strongly, marine matters. Their expertise is also sought recruiting its own team of thirteen marine by other Governments around the world. mammal scientists working directly for the Two years ago, all the marine science at the Company on similar projects, supported by a University was brought under one umbrella; team of six providing financial, marketing, and the Scottish Oceans Institute was created, logistics expertise. Two of the scientists are embracing not just SMRU, but also the marine based in North America, one in Vancouver, one science in the Schools of Biology in Seattle, and recently a partand Geology. time scientist was recruited to In the mid-2000s, there is help explore the Asian Pacific an increasing demand not only markets. Work is ongoing to from industry, but also from the develop opportunities in South Regulators for help and advice America as well; before long in developing the use of the New Zealand and Australia ocean’s resources around Britain, will call. particularly from the offshore Recognising that renewable energy sector where other areas of the Scottish new technologies and devices Oceans Institute have are to be tried and tested. Marine similar relevance to industry, environmental law in the EU had we started a second been strengthened significantly, complementary business designating sea mammals as in 2009 called SOI Ltd to protected species. To cope offer project delivery on the with this demand, and to offer areas of marine science a professional and responsive outside that of purely sea organisation to which industry mammals. It now has two could turn, SMRU Ltd was scientists working for it, one PAMBuoy graphic established in 2006. A whollyan ornithologist, the other a owned subsidiary of the University, it is run specialist in benthic (seabed) science, and we by an independent board as a profit centre to are in the process of recruiting a third scientist. generate new, much-needed funding streams to Our expertise is in the understanding of invest in further research into sea mammals. underwater noise, and the impacts that manThe first project was in Northern Ireland made noise has on the creatures depending at Strangford Lough on the world’s first on their hearing to locate and hunt for their commercial installation of a tidal turbine, food. Six years ago, had I been asked if a designed and manufactured by Marine commercial business could be made from Current Turbines of Bristol. One of the most such specialist scientific knowledge, I would environmentally sensitive sites in the UK, it have expressed strong reservations! Today, I was chosen partly to test the effects on the know otherwise, as our two businesses have indigenous wildlife of installing and running grown to have a turnover of around £1.5
SeaGen at Strangford
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Broaching humpback million. Both businesses rely on data – our skills are in knowing how to collect relevant data consistently, how to analyse and interpret that data, then, most importantly, how to be able to visualise the data and explain to our clients what it means for their operations. In order to collect the data, we have to use acoustic recording devices to listen for the sounds of mammals’ echo-locating (whales moan, dolphins whistle, porpoises click!). Such devices tend to listen for one species at a time, are expensive and time-consuming to use, so we decided to design a new listening device to extend the range of what we could listen for: the very first one will be appearing in the waters of St Andrews Bay on test around May this year (look out for a large yellow buoy about 1.5km due north of the cliffs!). It is a major step forward in technology, using solar panels to power it, and the cutting edge of mobile telephony to create a low-power processor to relay to shore onto our website for further analysis the noises in which we are interested. Called PAMBuoy, it has the potential to generate demand from around the world and in doing so, will add significantly to our understanding of cetacean behaviours. Additionally, the academic unit has been designing and building tracking tags for seal movements for a number of years – seals are relatively silent underwater – their expertise has brought vital information about seal behaviour around turbines to add to the total picture. It is a hugely exciting business to be in; for it to be based in St Andrews is an incredible bonus as well! Our work is to ensure that as Man develops activities into the largest area on Earth – an area the least explored and understood – we do so understanding the impact we make on the natural world, and that active steps are taken to mitigate these impacts on the fauna there. Every time we get a new project, it offers new challenges, as these technologies for wind, wave, and tidal devices are all new, at prototype stage. They are being installed in sites offering immense engineering challenges as well, because they are trying to harness the full force of the seas, therefore exposed in ways that conventionally would not be chosen. Scotland is genuinely recognised as the world leader in testing and developing such devices; our coastlines are seen as ideal testing grounds for technologies from around the world. We are then fortunate to be able to take the lessons learnt and apply them in situations globally, leading to the continued growth of these new businesses in St Andrews. (Photos courtesy of SMRU & SOI)
TOWN & GOWN Michael Koudounas, Convenor,
University of St Andrews Charities Campaign The University of St Andrews Charities never been tried before, the most high profile Campaign is a charitable group, run entirely of these being the setting up of an Ice Rink by student volunteers, with the aim of raising in St Mary’s Quad over the past St Andrews as much money as possible for charity in Festival Weekend. Everyone involved in the an enjoyable and exciting manner. Every campaign was so proud of this achievement, year the Charities Campaign supports six as no organisation had succeeded in doing nominated charities, voted for every April it previously, so it was brilliant to see the by the students of St Andrews. This year Campaign’s efforts pay off and see the the campaign has supported Build Africa, enjoyment the event brought not only to our Médecins Sans Frontières, the Royal students, but to the local community. We National Lifeboat Institute, Children’s Hospice received such tremendous support from both Association Scotland (CHAS), Maggie’s our Students’ Association, the University, Cancer Caring Centres and Trekstock. This local businesses, and local groups during the year, the Campaign estimates it will have lead up to the ice rink and over the course of raised approximately the weekend itself, and £70,000 by the time the we are so grateful that This year, the Campaign money has been totalled estimates it will have raised with their help, along in May. with the help of dozens approximately £70,000 by The Charities and dozens of student the time the money has Campaign raises money volunteers, we were for these six nominated able to bring a new, been totalled in May charities through enjoyable, and inclusive numerous initiatives, with the two largest event to St Andrews. fundraisers being a huge sponsored hitchIn the coming year we hope to work much hike to a European city, and the second more closely with the local community and being an annual Raising and Giving Week run more events that involve the whole town. (or ‘RAG Week’ as it is now more commonly Our annual summer ‘fayre’ in April is a good known to students). This year, more than example to mention, as it incorporated a 140 students signed up to take part in the BBQ, children’s stalls, a variety of music and hitch-hike to Munich, each team of two or dance performances, competitions for baking three participants racing across Europe, and vegetable growing, and a bungee run for hoping to be the first to reach the safety the not-so-faint hearted: it was an enjoyable team at the Munich hostel and win the prize event for students and townspeople of all for the fastest team. This has raised more ages, entry was free; there was something for than £16,000 for our six nominated charities everyone to enjoy! already, with more sponsorship money still to We also hope to host a large town and be returned. gown ceilidh in our RAG Week in February Our second large fundraiser, RAG Week, 2012, and numerous other events. We are takes place in February in the second week keen for local businesses, groups, and of our second semester, and sees a whole individuals who wish to put on events for host of events occurring on every day of the charity to contact us – we are always happy week (on one night this year there were four to help and we have a huge volunteer events at the same time!) Student volunteers resource. We are not limited to raising money work tirelessly for the whole year to organise, for our six nominated charities – at the start set up, and run the events, and this year has of March we worked with Hepburn Nail Bar to also raised more than £16,000, with more organise a pop-up nail bar for students in our money expected to be added to that over the Students’ Association and Beanscene, as part coming weeks. of Oxfam’s International Women’s Week. We There are a whole host of other events raised almost £500 for charity in one day! and fundraising initiatives organised by the Charities Campaign over the course To get in touch with us for more information, of the academic year, from bake-sales to or with any enquiries, please contact cinema nights, to ball cloakrooms, and street charities@st-andrews.ac.uk – we’d love to collections. The Campaign has expanded hear from you. Oh, and don’t forget to keep greatly this year and the committee have a look out for our cuddly charitable mascot, made a big effort to attempt events that have Rory McLion… he’s not very easy to miss! (Photo courtesy the Charities Campaign)
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SHOPS & SERVICES Elspeth Paterson introduces a vital part of this magazine’s existence...
From the Distributor’s Diary For many issues now we have been responsible for the distribution of copies of St Andrews in Focus, so it is long overdue that we introduce ourselves. Elspeth’s of Guardbridge is the doorto-door delivery arm of Guardbridge Village Stores. GVS also includes Elspeth’s Newsagents, known to many of you already, and E & M Services, which is responsible for the dry cleaning, repair, bespoke greetings cards, and other similar services. Administered by Elspeth and Michael, Elspeth’s has a team of dedicated deliverers each of which has his or her own “patch”. They pride themselves on knowing the idiosyncrasies of their area, and believe me some areas are really idiosyncratic, but more of that another time. The Team is backed
up by a pool of occasional staff, which fills in the gaps caused by holidays, illness, or vacancies. We are always looking for reliable staff to add to both our area people and our backup pool. Contrary to urban myth we have not permanently lost deliverers: we have always managed to release them from street mazes, or from behind locked internal doors! Elspeth is always on the look-out for more material to deliver. By including leaflets, menus, flyers etc with the magazine we are able to keep the distribution costs down both for the magazine and the other advertisers. However, it should be noted that co-delivery does not imply any endorsement by one or the other: it is purely of financial benefit to both publications. It has even been known for
members of charities to join the pool to work off the cost of their own distribution! We try to be as accurate and quick as possible. However, the vagaries of our climate do cause us tremendous problems. Glossy paper has a bad habit of turning into a soggy mush even if the weather is only damp, and when it dries it turns into a solid brick! We should be covering every business and residence in St Andrews. If you are missing out let us know. New build and newly divided properties are particularly difficult to identify. Please call us on 01334 839 288; 07852 583 147 or email us at: elspeths.g.bridge@btinternet.com
Hugo D’Bere, your Grizzly Gourmet, reviews
The Grange
Grange Road, St Andrews The Grange has had various owners over the years and they have now re-invented themselves with a new “horny” logo (you will see what I mean), new menu, and new owners. The owners are now Sandy and Bee Mitchell, also owners of NahmJim, the Thai Restaurant in St Andrews. The Grange probably has the best view in town, or rather the best view of town, especially on a
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summer’s evening. We were very fortunate to get the best table for two in the entire restaurant, right in front of the big window overlooking the bay, and overlooking the spires of the town. The menu was also inspiring, and we both had the same thing, namely seared scallops with apple and pastis sauce. The scallops were nicely done, not too rubbery. Just perfect. The duck to follow had an oriental flavour. It was served on Chinese cabbage with a fennel-type emulsion, which Muffy wasn’t so keen on, but the duck itself was tender. On this occasion the dessert was probably the best. It was a chocolate fondant, which is essentially a chocolate sponge with a melted gooey chocolate centre, served with vanilla ice cream. There were also very alcoholic morello cherries with it, which complemented the sweetness of the chocolate and the ice cream nicely. The wine list was reasonable, with house wine from £17. We had a Cook Grenache from the South of France, at £25 sensibly priced. It had a very nice vanilla nose. Perhaps it was a little heavy to choose with the duck; a Pinot Noir would have been better. The alcohol was a hefty 14.5%, but all in all a very smooth wine. Opening hours appear to be Wednesday to Sunday 6.00pm, and for lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Overall score, 8/10.
SHOPS & SERVICES David Adie’s advice on
Buying And Selling A Business This article is intended only as basic advice, and should not be relied on without taking full and detailed advice. This article will look at buying and selling a business which is not a limited company. I hope to deal with limited companies in a separate article, because that is really a separate topic. I am talking here about buying a business such as a pub, a retail shop, a small garage, or perhaps a golf ball manufacturing factory. When I started in practice most businesses tended to be of this nature, although there has been a tendency in the last 20 or 30 years for there to be fewer and fewer manufacturing businesses, and indeed fewer of certain types of service industries, such as pubs. There has, however, been a corresponding growth in other businesses, such as IT businesses where the main asset is intellectual property or some form of service contracts. Very often these businesses have no premises and can be operated either from home or, in some instances, from the back of a van (white or otherwise!) When buying or selling a business it is essential to get a good team put in place comprising a lawyer and an accountant. The Lawyer needs to put together a contract and other documents and do due diligence, i.e. check various things out. Taxation implications are always important, but it should always be borne in mind that the tax tail should not wag the dog. There is no point in doing a deal for good taxation reasons if it results in an unsatisfactory conclusion or, for example, having the money tied up somewhere. Normally with small businesses there is either a short Minute of Agreement or a set of missives in the same way as you would buy and sell a house on a missive. A missive is an exchange of letters between the Solicitors. Space does not allow me to go into all of the details, but there are important issues which should be addressed by the Solicitor and the Accountant in connection with such a purchase and sale transaction. The appropriate legal clauses then need to go into the contract.
5. What are the liabilities of the business and are any of these likely to transmit to the purchaser? 6. What are the assets, eg. plant equipment and what condition are they in? Are they included? Are they subject to Hire Purchase or similar? 7. What are the sellers going to do once they have sold the business? Are they going to set up in competition across the road, and is some form of restrictive covenant necessary? 8. Are there client or customer or supplier lists or other pieces of information which are vital to running the business? 9. Does the business have a website? If so, who owns the domain name? How is the website maintained, and are there any copyright issues with regard to the content? 10. Are there elements of IT, such as a computer programme which is essential to run the business. 11. If there is stock, what condition is it in? Do the sellers own the stock or is it simply owned by a third party? 12. Are there any advance orders or bookings, relating to the period after the handover date, which the purchaser will require to fulfil? Have deposits been paid, which will require to be passed on to the purchaser?
These are only some of the issues, so it can be seen that there is a potential minefield. It is all very well having done a deal and then finding that there is a problem, but it is even harder to try and sue on a contract and get recompense These issues include:When buying or selling if there is some form of breach of contract or misrepresentation. That is why everything has 1. (a) Are there premises included? a business it is essential to be meticulously gone through, checked and (b) If so, are they to be bought or leased? to get a good team put in the contract made as watertight and concise as (c) If leased, is there a new Lease needing to be put in place, or is an existing lease place comprising a lawyer possible. It is not easy setting up and running a business. assigned? What will the Landlord require to and an accountant It is not easy being self-employed. It is even harder be satisfied that the new Tenant is suitable? if you start off by buying a business on the wrong 2. Are there any Licences or Permissions required foot and end up being landed with liabilities or for the Business? If so, do they require to be problems which you did not anticipate. transferred to the purchaser, or does the purchaser require to apply I will end, not with a horror story, but a funny story. There was one for a fresh grant? If existing permissions are to transfer, are they up client of mine who purchased a business which involved a house as part to date and does the business comply with all the conditions? of the business premises. Upon getting the keys and taking entry on a Friday morning he discovered that the owner’s wife was still in the bath. 3. Are there any employees who will automatically transfer under the Fortunately she quickly dried, got dressed and pulled the plug out in the Transfer of Employment Regulations? bath, but left my client to clean up after her. Not even the best-drafted 4. Is the business VAT registered? If so, is the purchaser already VAT legal contract could cope with that situation! registered, or will he/she need to become registered, in order to Take advice before you jump. carry on the business?
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SHOPS & SERVICES Bonny Petite said
I came, I ate, I wrote Usually, I choose where to eat. However on this occasion I responded to £3.25. Unfortunately, it tasted of pale green fruits and its clean fresh the Editor’s request to check out the Byre Bistro. Ominously, first glance finish was like mouthwash, removing all hint of the creamy Cullen Skink. at the menu convinced me that I would need to use a pseudonym. My I did wonder if I had been served a Sauvignon Blanc instead but, hey, husband thought that “Bonny Petite” should that’s cheap plonk for you! keep people guessing!! My husband ordered a tall glass of We arrived at 7.00pm midweek, just as a Japanese beer, Kirin Ichibin, followed by few theatre-goers were leaving their tables. My a small glass of Las Montanas Cabernet husband observed that we were in Scotland’s Sauvignon. Yes, it too only cost £3.25. only five star theatre, yet we now had the However, this did taste of “ripe blackcurrants restaurant to ourselves. That was hardly with a peppery finish”. I could only persuade surprising since we had been told to be seated him to part with a swig, so I could guess the promptly at 7.00pm, so as not to obstruct those wine notes and country of origin! arriving for the performance. Wine and conversation flowed, The approach to the Byre Theatre is interrupted only by the odd theatre whimsical, with fairy-lit trees and a garden full of announcement. The Byre Bistro lacked architectural plants. However, once inside the pizazz and mood-enhancing lighting. I spent restaurant there was no drama or whimsy, not the whole night squinting (un)romantically even a candle to create a sense of occasion. into my husband’s eyes as I was blinded by The evening menu was not exactly enticing. a spotlight. On a more positive note the staff The first three signature dishes featured pies, were charming and the delightfully attentive followed by macaroni. Had I walked all the way Aisling lived up to her name. from Crail I would have been glad to tuck into In the name of journalism, and not a pie, but I was looking forward to pre-theatre without trepidation, I opted for one of the food. Starters were coronary-inducing, notably signature pies, the chicken variety. My other the “fried, breaded balls of black pudding served half ordered the goat’s cheese salad with on a red onion and balsamic dressed salad”. I Stornoway black-pudding. I did wonder if they could feel my arteries flinching… had a “job lot” of Stornoway black-pudding I chose the Cullen Skink. My starter default – and Berlotti beans; both feature heavily button seems set at Cullen Skink: if it’s on on the menu. My chicken pie was a sight to the menu I’ll order it! My husband opted for a behold, reminiscent of a pantomime dame’s small wild mushroom risotto infused with garlic puffy skirt! There was a fair amount of hot and thyme. Mine was a creamy mixture of air under the pastry, but this was offset by a un-dyed smoked haddock, leeks, and potato. perfectly balanced creamy leak and spinach Curiously the potato chunks still had peel on. sauce with copious chunks of chicken. This The soup was moreish and I could have happily tart had integrity! Sadly the accompanying consumed two bowls in succession. It was vegetables: carrots, broccoli, and potatoes, flavoursome without being cloying. were cold and listless. Irritatingly the Bistro menu boasts that the My husband’s salad was bright and risottos are made “al dente”. This is tantamount brash. This dish stole the show. The sharp to saying that they are cooked properly. It was goat’s cheese was a perfect foil to the rich not cooked properly. In fact it had more crunch Stornoway black-pudding. The balsamic than al dente! Personally, I prefer a sloppier dressing was sweet yet subtle and enhanced risotto served “al onda”, which means “washed all the other flavours dancing on the plate. in by a wave”. Eating a risotto should be like For dessert we opted for the chef’s signature the warm embrace of a large Italian mama. This dish of panna cotta, which should resemble risotto was sitting bolt upright in the bowl. To be the wherewithal for an ample cleavage. fair, though she may have lost her Italian looks, Husband looked rather crestfallen when she was gutsy. The wild mushrooms, garlic and waiter announced that chef had been thyme all took centre stage and no one flavour unsuccessful in creating this titillating outshone any other. delicacy, having run out of gelatine: vital if Posh-nosh or tapas are more I ordered a small glass of ubiquitous you want the wobble! Chardonnay from one of the most confusing We retired feeling replete, but not entirely conducive to pre-theatre drinks menus I have ever read. I’d love you to satisfied. It was a shame that such a great dining than pub grub think that I ordered the Chardonnay for its “pale venue was offering a menu that simply did golden hue, ripe peach and pineapple flavours not perform. Posh-nosh or tapas are more with just a hint of creamy richness”. In reality I ordered it because it is conducive to pre-theatre dining than pub grub. I sense the curtain usually extremely quaffable and would go with my chosen dishes. A coming down on the Byre Bistro – sorry! glass of Las Montanas Chardonnay (allegedly from Luvians) only cost (Photos courtesy Bonny Petite)
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SHOPS & SERVICES Au revoir and Happy Retirement to Andrew Wright, with sincerely warm thanks for your invaluable contributions
“Goodbye to All That”
– The Reflections of an Aged Accountant This is my last tax article in “St Andrews In Focus” as I am shortly to retire altogether from my work as a Chartered Accountant having (almost) reached the grand old age of 70. My replacement, Jonnie Adamson, has been a partner in Henderson Black for the past five years and you may expect articles of substance and pleasing prose from his pen (actually, from his computer keys as he has not owned a pen for several years and his handwriting is appalling). I have spent the last thirty years as a professional accountant based in St Andrews and consider myself very fortunate to have worked and brought up my family in this part of the world. Looking back over that time, there have been many changes, not least in the world of “taxation,” where the laws have become ever more complicated. Every Chancellor seems to feel the need to be “radical” and to leave his mark on the system. So, changes have to be made even though the existing system seems to be working satisfactorily. The end result has been a massive increase in the statute book and a significant rise in the complexity of the tax system. From time to time, you hear judges or politicians proclaim that “ignorance of the law is no excuse”, with the implication that all the information is out there on the HMRC website and it is our duty to make sure we are familiar with it. Certainly, it has made life difficult for
the general tax practitioner who is supposed to have a sound grasp of all the taxes. The world of “audit” has also changed a lot with “independent examinations” taking over from “audits” in many cases (far less checking, and therefore expense, involved). In my days as a trainee accountant, I used to spend days on end “vouching” payments against the relevant invoice and making sure it had been analysed to the correct expense heading and authorised for payment by a suitably senior manager. Nowadays, the value of an audit is being questioned with the “clean” audit reports given to Banks which subsequently failed, giving a poor impression. On a related subject, it could be said that the continuing failure of our politicians to curb excessive bank bonuses points to an inherent weakness in the capitalist system. This weakness has still to be adequately addressed. From a personal point of view, if I had my time again, I would invest in coaching lessons to help me memorise names and faces (both of clients and social contacts). I gather there are some good courses run by “resting” actors! On another matter altogether, I do feel there is a lot of luck involved in succeeding in business. The margin between success and failure can be very small. The successful businessmen sometimes succeed “on the back” of a good workforce, most of whom may
have been inherited. Some businesses do not succeed because of external factors beyond their control. Yet we have a tendency to place successful businessmen on a pedestal as if they are somehow superior to the rest of us. To support this, I draw your attention to the number of businessmen who fail in their second business venture, having succeeded in their first. Finally, I would like to thank the Editor, Flora Selwyn, for putting up with my “deadline defying” submissions for so many years. She had a clear vision of what she wanted to achieve right from the start and I can remember her puzzlement at the lack of support she received from the business community in the early days. In my opinion, her magazine enriches us as St Andreans with the wide variety of topics covered and the invaluable support given to new business start-ups. Long may it continue! For further information on this, or other matters, please consult: Henderson Black & Co. 149 Market St., St Andrews. Tel: 01334 472 255
Evening Degree Programme Keen to get a degree? Too busy to study full-time? Try the flexible route to your MA or BSc General degree at the University of St Andrews via the Evening Degree Programme • One or two evenings of classes per week • Modules taken from a broad range of subjects • Credits for many existing qualifications • Financial help (Part-time Fee Grant, ILA200 or Fee Waiver) for low income students • Supportive study environment Find out more from: Nicky Haxell The Evening Degree Co-ordinator Telephone: 01334 462203 Email: evening@st-andrews.ac.uk www.st-andrews.ac.uk/eveningdegree/ The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC013532
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SHOPS & SERVICES Flora Selwyn luxuriated in the
‘Harmony of Cheese & Wine’ cheese were French, and Svetlana introduced A good business knows how to make its them by showing their provenance on a map customers feel truly welcome: none more of France. As with wine, cheeses are defined so than our most recently opened jewel of using an agreed vocabulary: this was printed on a retailer, The Guid Cheese Shop. Owner sheets we each had, which helped us decide Svetlana Redpath, ably supported by Freya how to categorise what we Reinsch of Luvians, held a were sampling. Thus we delightful wine and cheese A good business knows agreed that the Chaource party with a difference. how to make its customers from Burgundy was creamy, On arrival your feel truly welcome as well as flaky. There was editor was dazzled by a a distinct grading of this handsomely set table the creaminess from the slightly grainy edible rind length of the shop and a buzz of expectant in towards the centre. With it we sampled an voices. Every place had a plate of selected Italian Villa Calappiano Prosecco Extra Dry cheeses accompanied by assorted wines, chosen by Freya, who told us that, though it and there were baskets of bread, nuts, dried had some affinity with Champagne, it has to apricots, and thin toasts. be drunk relatively young as it “won’t last more The evening was intended to inform. With than a decade, whereas its French counterparts one exception from East Sussex, the portions of can last a century!” Svetlana suggested mixing wine and cheese in the mouth to bring out the best in both. In turn we also prodded, smelt, looked at the colour of Valençay, a goat’s milk cheese, Epoisses de Bourgogne, “a classic French stinky cow’s milk cheese”, Bleu des Causses, and the English raw sheep’s milk cheese, Lord of the Hundreds, said to have hints of “flowery meadows”. And we smelt, examined the colour, and swilled glasses of Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie Sélection des Hauts
Minick Minick of of St St Andrews Andrews (the (the Artisan Artisan Butcher) Butcher) Ltd Ltd 183 183 South South Street, Street, St St Andrews Andrews
Your Quality Traditional Butcher
– Local Beef, Lamb, Pork and Poultry – – The BBQ Specialists – – Wholesale and Catering Enquiries Welcome – – Bespoke cutting and packing service – available for local farmers email: minickofstandrews@hotmail.co.uk tel: 01334 472127
Minick of St Andrews Traditionally Modern
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Pemions 2009, Domaine Maume GevreyChambertin 2009, Triennes Viognier St Fleur 2009 (Freya’s favourite!), and Consolation Antic Rivesaltes Ambre 1996, hinting at Madeira – always mixing sips in the mouth with the recommended cheeses. It was a revelation, especially to an addicted cheese-lover, but non-wine buff, like me. Once tasted, nothing can compete with artisanal cheeses. And now I, too, can appreciate the difference a well-chosen wine can make. The typed notes we were each given on how the cheeses are made, their history, and that of the accompanying wines, all added to the delights of the evening. Svetlana and Freya are to be warmly complimented on the work they both put in to make such a relaxed, happy, and informative event. I believe more are planned, so visit the shop in Burghers Close, South Street to find out when, or consult the website: www.guidcheeseshop.co.uk (Photos by Flora Selwyn)
SHOPS & SERVICES
Taking care of your later years I know a remarkable 82 year old. She travels across the globe to visit her grandchildren, paints and visits the theatre as often as she can. And all this is done despite stiff and weakened joints that make walking up and down stairs almost impossible! She is part of a proud and resilient generation for whom things like sore knees will not get in the way of getting on with life. None of us likes the thought of getting old, but there is a relentless inevitability about it. Fifty might be the new 40, sixty the new 50, and for my friend 82 might be the new 75, yet sooner or later age catches up with us all. One benefit of a healthy, younger spirit, though, is that it allows us to think and plan ahead. What comes as a surprise to many of the retired and older people I see is just how much could be done to preserve their independence, and ensure they retain control of what happens to them as they grow older and more infirm. I’ve also seen that, for them, personal wellbeing comes with the peace of mind that their finances are in order, that their home or wealth is protected and that they have planned care provision that is right for them. Did you know, for instance that making some adjustments to your Will, if you are a couple, could help you protect a proportion of your assets against possible future care home fees? Or, that you don’t necessarily have to sell your home if you are considering moving into sheltered accommodation or a care home? Or that having a Power of Attorney in place, which gives legal authority to a friend or family member to look after your affairs when you can’t, could ensure a smoother transition into the care home of your choice? When we set up the Pagan Osborne lateryears service we did so because it fulfilled a very genuine need to make people aware of their choices. lateryears provides caring support for our older clients and their families in a comprehensive, take care of everything service. Depending on age and requirements, the emphasis can be on staying at home or moving into care. We would look at safeguarding present and future financial wellbeing, downsizing in terms of property, accessing benefits, making arrangements for additional care at home or helping you select a suitable care home and then taking care of all the necessary paperwork. We can also take care of everyday financial affairs such as making sure bills are paid on time, tax returns and managing bank accounts and savings and act as an advocate for those in care to ensure everyone continues to act in their best interests. It all begins with getting to know the individual and their family and understanding their unique situation and priorities. Because life is precious, just ask my 82 year old! Elizabeth Calderwood is a partner at Pagan Osborne who heads up the firm’s lateryears service and is a member of Solicitors for the Elderly
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SHOPS & SERVICES More encouraging discoveries by
Roving Reporter 1. Reporter is always much chuffed by good news! Hearty congratulations then to Fisher & Donaldson for being awarded The Royal Warrant for the Queen! Sandy Milne explained that it has been granted to his brother James Eric, as this is always a personal, named recognition of service. He went on to say that there is a strict protocol covering what can and cannot be made public about it, but he did divulge that Fisher & Donaldson has been supplying the Royal Household for some time. The history of the Warrant dates back to the 15th century. The Scottish crest is different from the English one, and is valid for five years. It has to be returned to the Lord Chamberlain if it is forfeited for any dire reason. Sandy also added that it is only for tradespeople, “the butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers of this world”. So look out for the crest in the St Andrews shop, says Reporter – and celebrate another feather in the town’s cap!
2.
* * * * Reporter * learned
way back last September that the Balgove Larder, was opening on the Strathtyrum Estate, entrance off the Guardbridge Road, Tel: 01334 898 145, just past the North Haugh. He got there finally through a lull in the traffic, and was rewarded with a warm welcome from Manager Will Docker. Set back from the road, with more than ample parking, the Balgove Larder is housed in a beautifully restored farm building. It is magnificently stocked with local and Scottish produce, and with the added attraction of an inviting café. Will, a Newcastle graduate in Biomedical Science, who decided his true vocation lay in food, is adamant that he is running a “food destination”, not “a café with a shop attached”. He “specialises in local produce and Scottish food in general, with quality being paramount” and all round good value for money. He hopes to “get all the farm shops working together”. Also understanding the wider benefits to the local community, Will emphasises education for the young, encouraging school visits to learn where food comes
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Goose, were used among great names in golf – Fred Daly, Bernard Gallacher, Sam Torrance – to play the game and lead them to success. Today, when you step through the doors of the St Andrews branch, you are transported back to these flourishing years of the Company with the ‘museum style’ foyer, and guided towards the future of the Company as you are presented with the new 2011 equipment, reputable for its outstanding quality and precision. John Letters’ managing Director and PGA Professional, John Andrew, told Reporter, “We are delighted that the John Letters brand is back in St Andrews, and we look forward to welcoming the residents of St Andrews to step back in time, and also get the latest clubs of the future assembled on the premises’.” Golfers, please note!
from. The Strathtyrum Estate, still owned by the Cheape family, is a mixed arable and livestock farm. Henry Cheape and Will met in Newcastle and both are equally keen that local people should enjoy the very best locally-produced food. You can sample it in the café, which uses no frozen foods, but cooks everything fresh in its own kitchen. Plans are afoot to provide breakfast, while at present you can indulge in morning and afternoon tea/ coffee, with scones and cakes, and/or a three-course lunch. Private parties can be arranged, “we‘re very open-minded about what we can do!” said Will. This summer, should see al fresco facilities, including a barbecue. Prices are very competitive. Reporter did his weekend shopping, and thoroughly recommends it. The only problem is the traffic on the Guardbridge Road, but Will assured Reporter that he is doing his utmost to render entrance and exit safe.
*****
3. Hearty congratulations are due, says Reporter, to Raphael Ceschi of The Little Italian Shop in Bell Street. The Independent newspaper has listed him among the 50 Best Delicatessens in Britain! Reporter quotes, “It may not stock much in the way of local Fife food, but this small and assured continental deli is a highly-respected part of the local food scene, with some top-notch imported cheeses, oils, wine, and coffee. A hit with well-heeled students and locals who know a good slice of prosciutto.” A couple of nice photos of the shop accompany the accolade. When Reporter spoke to him, Raphael could still hardly believe it, coming as it did out of the blue with a telephone call to let him know! Long may Raphael thrive – lucky St Andrews! Raphael’s brother James & Assistant Jamie (Photo courtesy Raphael)
*****
4. “John Letters”, Reporter discovered, “is making a return to its roots, with the opening of a golf show room and workshop in St Andrews in Albany Place, North Street www.johnletters.com “A showroom stocked with the latest 2011 equipment is accompanied by a workshop, where a fulltime Master Clubmaker will assemble and custom-build high-quality golf equipment. The St Andrews division of John Letters provides a unique experience for customers as clubs will be hand assembled on site. It also embraces the rich Company history and tradition. Since its launch in Scotland in 1918, John Letters has become the dominant brand in golf, with its equipment used by major winners, Ryder Cup teams, and global superstars. Legendary clubs, such as the Master Model and Golden
5.
*****
The Lifestyle Co, with Bob Mc Dowell at their launch (Photo courtesy TLC) Reporter learned of these wonderful entrepreneurs, including a true St Andrean. Take one graduate of St Leonards School, take her to Oxford Brookes University, where she meets two like-minded friends, and the result is The Lifestyle Company, Scotland. This is, to quote from their website, “…an Edinburgh based Lifestyle Management and Concierge Service which offers a dedicated personal and professional time-saving service throughout Scotland”.Triumvirate Lucie Hardie (the St Leonards lass), Holly Jones, and Celia Graham, spent time in London after University. Here they “all gained invaluable experience in the luxury sector.” Noting how successful lifestyle management companies are in the Capital, they decided they could offer a similar service to the people of Scotland. What does this service offer? The answer seems to be the sky’s the limit! Professionally, the Company will cover administration duties, data entry, sourcing staff, covering for holidays, interior design, and so on. Socially, the service will provide anything from booking holidays, to organising parties, to loading music onto Ipods – in fact, whatever a busy or stressed-out member of the public would find helpful. Fees are based on individual requirements,
SHOPS & SERVICES
and are fully discussed at the outset. Retainer work is available, and so are hourly rates. There is even a membership option in which a block of time can be purchased. The Company is fully insured and covered by Data Protection. Want to know more? They have a comprehensive website: www.tlcscotland.co.uk
not often that good news comes in double helpings and with that background under their belt, we all look forward to St Andrews’ newest retail experience – Bell Street’s Darling”. Amen, says Reporter, and may they flourish!
*****
6. Another success story to gladden Reporter’s heart: he learned that Tracy Kinnaird, owner of La Boutique in Bell Street, St Andrews, had acquired the shop next door, turning it into Darling of St Andrews. She told our charmed Reporter that this is “a story worthy of praise,” and he agreed wholeheartedly. Tracy continued, “Darling, the newest fashion house in the area, will be the latest in the chain of retail outlets” that she owns, having two other shops in Glasgow. “Darling is set to tempt even the most discerning St Andrews clientele with an haute couture range at remarkable prices – from the latest in mother-of-the-bride, to that perfect little cocktail dress. St Andrews hasn’t been immune to the challenging retail climate of late, but La Boutique has found the secret of success.... excellent customer service with manager Lucy Ryden at the helm, coupled with luxurious, unique fashions, all served up with a sprinkling of magic! It’s
(Photo courtesy Tracy Kinnaird)
*****
7. Reporter spoke to another happy man in St Andrews – Rick Mitchell, of Handyman, Rick’s Your Man! Tel: 01334 473 063 email: rick63@hotmail.co.uk now celebrating five successful years (thanks, he says to the unswerving support of his Fiancée Trish, and their family). He remembers how, as a new boy, he went from door to door to advertise his services, “on my little yellow scooter with my toolbox.” Today he can call on a “small team of subcontractors” to help out, and
for the last three years, working along with him, his “right hand man” Grant Forgan. This magazine introduced Rick to the town in issue 27 (March/April 2008). That, said Rick, resulted in over 100 calls in the first week. One customer still has the article cut out and pinned to her fridge door! Rick meticulously ensures “the job’s done correctly”, whether maintaining some 30 student flats, simply hanging a picture on a wall, or even fixing up a swallow’s nest – his motto being, “no job too big or too small!” He is highly recommended by everyone and word gets around. A true workaholic, he nevertheless finds time for his passion – fishing. Brother Sandy gratefully accepts fresh fish and lobsters for his Grange restaurant! Reporter thinks Rick presents a wonderful role model for today’s youngsters – to succeed, take pride in what you do, and put all your effort into it!
Print & Design
We welcome commercial enquiries The services we offer include: • Colour Digital Printing • Graphics & Pre-Press • External Display Banners St Katharine’s West, 16 The Scores St Andrews, Fife KY16 9AX T: (01334) 463020 E: printanddesign@st-andrews.ac.uk www.st-andrews.ac.uk/printanddesign The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC013532
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SHOPS & SERVICES
Invite you to visit a hidden treasure in the heart of St Andrews OPEN DAILY ALL YEAR ROUND
BEDDING PLANT SALE STARTS Saturday 14th May from 10am Plant sales area open now till end September
SUMMER LECTURE & RECEPTION Tuesday 14th June at 7.30pm
CONDUCTED WALKS First Sunday each month 2pm
TO JOIN THE FRIENDS AND SUPPORT THE GARDEN CONTACT MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY. Charity No. SC006432
St Andrews & District Community Safety Panel
For more information about your local panel please contact PC Paul Buttercase, Community Safety Officer Tel. 01334 418745 EMail paul.buttercase@fife.pnn.police.uk
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ORGANISATIONS
Apologies to St Andrews United Sports & Social Club for an error in the last issue – their telephone number should read: 01334 477 365
Fiona Ewen, Percussionist & Teacher of
ByreRhythm ByreRhythm are a group of 14 taiko drummers (13 women and 1 man!) based at the Byre Theatre. The group evolved out of the Theatre’s Haydays project which offers classes and workshops to the over 50s. Classes range from stained glass & jewellery making, photography, tai chi, computing, to singing, drumming, and much more. After completing a 6-week class learning the basics of samba and taiko drumming, the participants were keen to form their own group. Taiko drumming was the favourite and ByreRhythm became an autonomous group in 2003. Since then, with some financial support from the Scottish Arts Council, Fife Council, and the local Bruce Trust, and a great deal of fundraising themselves, ByreRhythm members have been able gradually to buy the specialised drums required for taiko drumming, taking possession of their final drum in 2009. Some of these drums were as this belief developed in both Shinto and Buddhist religions, only holy handmade in Scotland to Japanese specifications, others came directly men were allowed to beat the drum, and this only on special occasions. from Japan. Today, taiko drums can still be found in shrines and temples where To raise the necessary funds and achieve their objective of bringing they are played to summon the gods to grant, for example, a good taiko to a wider audience, the members offer workshops to the public harvest or good health for the family. and also perform whenever invited! To date Village festivals also celebrated events performances have included 3 Arts Council with drumming, a tradition which continues conferences, the opening of the new Perth to this day. Concert Hall, charity concerts in the Byre It was only in the 1950s that Taiko Theatre and for St Andrews Rotary, and began to be developed as an art form, and Scottish Widows Arty Party in Edinburgh. today there are not only several thousand Not all members of ByreRhythm are St groups throughout Japan, but taiko Andreans. Although now all living locally in drumming can be heard across the globe. various areas of both Fife and Tayside, their In simple terms, a taiko piece is origins range from Banff to London, from structured round one or more rhythm the west coast of Scotland to Wales. The melodies and a backing rhythm known members’ careers are extremely varied – as a jiuchi. This can then be developed the group includes teachers, scientists, an by interweaving melodies into an intricate army welfare officer, a nurse; others who sound pattern of great power and energy. have worked in advertising, in electronics, Taiko is an indigenous part of Japanese To learn a taiko piece, drummers must and with the BBC (including working on the memorize all the rhythms. They do this by original Dr Findlay’s Casebook), as well as culture, a very ancient tradition dating chanting the rhythms over and over until with people with learning difficulties. back more than 1400 years they have internalised the whole piece ByreRhythm is trained by Fiona, a – only then will they pick up their bachi professional percussionist, whose career (taiko drumsticks) and transfer what they have learned to the drums. By has included working with the Hallé Orchestra and the BBC Orchestra memorizing in this way, the drummers can focus all their energy into the in Manchester, and with an opera theatre orchestra in Passau, Bavaria. performance, and the result is an exhilarating experience for players and After ten years in Germany, she returned to her roots in Fife where she audience alike. continues to work as a freelance percussionist and part-time percussion (Images courtesy ByreRythm) instructor. Her interest in taiko drumming began about 10 years ago when she encountered Mugenkyo, the professional taiko drumming group, and was inspired to learn this new Taiko drums come in many art of drumming. She attends their different shapes and sizes. workshops whenever she can to learn Our five large drums are rope from them. tensioned okedaiko (usually Taiko is an indigenous part of known by the shorter name Japanese culture, a very ancient okedo). tradition dating back more than 1400 The smaller rope tensioned years. In the past the taiko drum was drums are shimedaiko (shime intimately associated with village for short) – these are much activities and beating the drum was higher in pitch and are often believed to protect the villagers. It used to play the jiuchi or backing was also used on the battlefield to rhythm in taiko pieces. communicate and issue commands, We also have two hiradaikos as well as to intimidate the enemy. or hirados – the name means flat Later, the taiko drum was adopted into drum as illustrated. The skins are cultural settings such as the imperial attached to the shell of the drum court. Taiko drumming has long been with a series of metal studs and associated with the gods and therefore although a much shallower drum, the religions of Japan – in earlier times the hirado has a deep sound. the Japanese people believed that the taiko were inhabited by a god and,
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ORGANISATIONS John Peacock reports a
St Andrews Photographic Society Success One hundred and seventy years after the pioneering work undertaken in St Andrews in the 1840s by Dr John Adamson (one of Scotland’s first amateur photographers) photography in the town remains a strength recognised both nationally and internationally. Entries by the St Andrews Photographic Society into recent national competitions have resulted in very creditable placing. In the recent Scottish Photographic Federation (SPF) Digital Knockout competition the Society was thirteenth out of an overall entry of twenty-seven Scottish Clubs in the overall competition. In the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB) GB Cup National Competition (Small clubs section) earlier this year, the Society finished fifth overall out of an entry of fifty-eight clubs. Members of St Andrews Photographic Society are also achieving success with their photographic submissions to International photographic salons in locations as far afield as Austria, Canada, Finland, Germany, Slovenia, Taiwan, and the United States, in addition to salons and competitions in the United Kingdom from Dingwall to Smethwick and Wales International Salons under the banner of FIAP (the Fédération Internationale de L’Art Photographique) provide the international venues for photographers from around the world to display the product of their photographic skills, with each Salon receiving thousands of prospective entries. It is therefore to the credit of local photographers that their submissions are being accepted for these salons, and even more to their credit that their work is receiving acclaim from international judges in the form of Highly Commended status (Margaret Coull at Smethwick Salon) in addition to being selected for judges’ medals (Stan Farrow at Hoylake, Welsh International, and Toronto International Salons). Readers of the reports in the “Town News” section of the “Citizen” will be aware of the success being achieved in the local Society internal competitions by local Society photographers such as Richard Cormack EFIAP; Margaret Coull AFIAP; Stan Farrow ARPS, DAPG, AFIAP; Gerry Priest; and Ian Sturrock DAPG. Whilst the photographic achievements obtained by these local photographers are apparent from the designations they are entitled to attach to their names, the ‘The Disapproving Wife’ (Stan Farrow)
‘Mist Rising’ (Ian Sturrock, DPAGB) success they are achieving in National and International Salons may not be as well recognised. These photographers cover a range of photographic specialisations from the Creative and Fine Art photography practised by Stan Farrow, through the Scottish landscape photography of Ian Sturrock and Gerry Priest, the nature photography of Margaret Coull (who has undertaken personal photographic assignments as far afield as Costa Rica, India, Japan, Mozambique, and Namibia), together with the nature and travel photography of Richard Cormack with his coverage of Morocco. These same photographers have, in recent years displayed their work, both locally and internationally, at personal exhibitions at the Byre Theatre and Dundee Botanic Gardens. The work of both these and other locally based photographers will once again be on display at the Byre Theatre during the month of May when the St Andrews Photographic Society will hold its Annual Exhibition, with recent photographic works on display within the ground floor bar and restaurant area, in addition to the display space on the top floor outside the Studio Theatre. Entrance to the exhibition is free of charge, whilst some of the works on display will be available for purchase through the Byre reception. Further information on the work of these photographers can be viewed online at the following websites: www.stanfarrow.com www.gerrypriest.com www.tigersandmore.tripod.com The St Andrews Photographic Society meets from September to March on a Wednesday evening at 7.30pm with a full season of speakers, in addition to holding photographic courses and local competitions for members. Details of all the Society’s activities are available on the website: www.standrewsphotographicsociety.com
‘Six Full Beaks’ (Richard Cormack)
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(Photos courtesy the Society)
ORGANISATIONS Alex Davidson of
includeMe! We at ‘includeME!’ would like to get to know as position. It is a building many of you as possible, in the hope that some of up of a real, close you will then feel inspired to widen your circle of relationship with your friends! Our work is called Citizen Advocacy and it partner – a friendship – is our job to find advocates, make partnerships and something that many of advertise the movement throughout our action area. the people referred to We work in NE Fife, our office is in Cupar, but our us will never have had work stretches to Newburgh, Taybridgehead, before. In this regard vulnerable people may not be St Andrews, East Neuk, and Howe of Fife. as fortunate as many of the rest of us, but it doesn’t ‘includeME!’ has been working since 2010 mean that they are not individuals – each with their to support vulnerable people – adults (16+) with own aspirations, interests, hopes, and fears – and it learning difficulties, many of whom may never have is that real individual person we need to get to know had the opportunity in their lives to develop the before we can find them a suitable Citizen Advocate. ‘normal’ friendships and social networks that most We must also never forget that everyone has rights of us take for granted. The full truth of the case, in – free access to advocacy is one of those rights. many vulnerable people’s everyday lives, is that The Citizen Advocacy movement relies on two they may never, ever meet anyone who is not paid people being matched with each other so that they to be there for them – and however kind those will have interests, or perhaps outlook, in common. people are, it is not the same as having a reliable The process we go through in order to make friend to call on when you feel the matches between two people can be need of some extra support, or you very long and drawn out as we need We are looking, just feel like having a bit of fun! to make quite sure that we have therefore, for some We are looking, therefore, for made as close and harmonious a special people to some special people to help us in match as possible, for the benefit of help us in our work our work. We don’t ask you to have both the people in the partnership. any professional qualifications or At includeME! it is our job to experience. We ask instead for those of you with oversee the matching process and to support the human understanding of the importance of having partnerships all the way. We hope for a sound longpersonal contacts, to consider whether you might lasting relationship between the two people and have some spare time to get to know a new friend – realise that there must be a long “getting to know perhaps a vulnerable person who is largely hidden you” period – only then are we really sure that we from their local community just because there is no might have got the absolutely right advocate for the network of support for them. We ask that you might vulnerable person. be prepared to help your new friend to become The reason I am writing in this magazine is that a real part of their community, perhaps by doing we have a definite need to find advocates in the something as simple as going out for a cup of St Andrews area, and we are really hoping that you coffee, going with them to watch a football match, or might be able to help us. We also have people in even accompanying them to church on a Sunday, or need of partnerships in the East Neuk – not too far letting them sit in your garden on a sunny afternoon. away. We understand that all of you reading this By the time you read this article, ‘includeME!’ will article will already have busy lives and many will have held its first preparation course in St Andrews feel that they have no more time to give. We ask for those interested in becoming advocates. These that someone considering offering themselves as an courses are held on one evening a week for 4 advocate should be able to commit to meeting with weeks, and are an ideal way of finding out if CA their partner at least once every three or four weeks, would be for you. many people might feel they can manage more. Please do get in contact with us – we would be delighted to speak to you, and really delighted to What is a Citizen Advocate? face the need to set up another preparation course! Advocates are so called because they are prepared to speak up, if or when needed, for the rights and points of view of their partner. This speaking up Our contact details are: may be needed at a care meeting, or on another Liane Cumming and Alex Davidson, occasion when the partner has not got the includeME!, confidence, or may not be able, to find the right Tom Rodger’s Mill, East Burnside, words to speak up for themselves. Cupar, Fife, KY15 4DQ. The ‘Citizen’ part of the advocacy gives a very Tel: 01334 656 242. strong message that this is not a simple volunteer
BEST WESTERN SCORES HOTEL ‘FOOD WITH A VIEW’
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Spiritual Light Within Victory Memorial Hall, St Mary’s Place, St Andrews. Spiritual meetings every Saturday. Doors open 6.15pm. Service starts 7.00pm. Second half starts 8.30pm. until 9.15. Entry £3. (Optional raffles £1). We have different visiting mediums every week. Private readings are available. Further information: 01334 476 448
I’m Hamish McHamish – now on Facebook!
(photo courtesy Alison Brown)
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EVENTS Olwen Gillespie, Public Liaison Officer/Researcher with the BBC, emailed this magazine with the following exciting information
BBC One’s Antiques Roadshow Visits St Andrews University
BBC One’s ever popular Sunday evening programme Antiques Roadshow will be filming for its 34th series at St Andrews University, in St Salvator’s Quad, North Street, on Thursday, 26 May, 2011. The doors open at 9.30 am and close at 4.30pm. Entry to the show is free. This will be presenter Fiona Bruce’s fourth year as an Egyptian stone head dug up in a garden, with the Roadshow and she says, “Presenting the worth £10,000, a medieval ring found on a farm Antiques Roadshow is, for me, one of those rare and valued at £20,000, and a Meissen cup and and very lucky coincidences in television when saucer bought at a car boot sale for £2.50 which you get to work on a show that you already love was worth £5,000. Among some of the stranger to watch. Exploring the human story behind every items brought along were uneaten pieces of Royal object is what makes Antiques wedding cake, and a life-sized Roadshow so fascinating. And The last series, watched model of a lion once used in a everyone loves the agony and TV series. by an average of six ecstasy of the ‘what’s it worth?’ People with large pieces million viewers, included of furniture or other big moment. The AR isn’t just about some great finds antiques – it’s history, beauty, and items can send details and drama all wrapped up in one.” photographs of their objects Some of Britain’s leading antiques and fine to: Antiques Roadshow, BBC, Whiteladies arts specialists will be on hand to offer free advice Road, Bristol BS8 2LR or e-mail them to: and valuations to visitors, who are invited to raid antiques.roadshow@bbc.co.uk. It may be their attics and bring along their family heirlooms, possible to arrange to look at the item in advance household treasures, and car boot bargains for and organise transportation to the venue. inspection by the experts. Series Editor Simon Shaw says: “The team Last year at Blair Castle, near Pitlochry, are all looking forward to visiting St Andrews. specialist Richard Price saw an 1801 “touch watch” It’s always exciting to see what will come to light by Breguet which he described as “the finest watch on the day. We regularly see between 1500 and I’ve ever seen on the Roadshow” so the team are 2000 visitors on the day. Despite the high turnout looking forward to their visit to Scotland in the hope everyone will get to see an expert.” of finding more wonderful treasures. The last series, watched by an average of six More information can be found at: million viewers, included some great finds, such www.bbc.co.uk/antiquesroadshow
Colin Paterson tells us that
The St Andrews Beach Volleyball Club is ready for the summer! The St Andrews Beach Volleyball Club was started in 2009 with an equipment grant from the Scottish Volleyball Association. Since then it has gone from strength to strength and now has members from as far afield as Perth, Dundee, and Ladybank, who all want to come and play on our beautiful beaches. It was set up to run the hugely successful King and Queen of the Beach tournament and to encourage more players, whatever the age or ability, to come and try the sport. We have a very relaxed atmosphere and run a number of social events during the summer. We train generally on a Sunday, but also whenever a session can be organised, which is all done through our Facebook page (search for St Andrews Beach Volleyball Club, or use this link: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=99632314026) We have coaching available and this summer sees our first ever Junior Beach Festival, which will run on Sunday, 5 June. There will also be adult courts up that day, so bring your whole family down! For further details of any Club activities, see our Facebook page. With Team GB recently being granted berths in the Olympics in London 2012, beach volleyball in the UK is set to explode in popularity, so come on and give it a go!
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(Photo courtesy Colin Paterson)
Presenter Fiona Bruce (courtesy the BBC)
Marjory Archibald, Fife Folk Museum Ceres, Trustee and Secretary
A Playfair Gown
The exhibitions at the Fife Folk Museum, newly presented for the 2011 season, include an item with a fascinating link to St Andrews, the University, and the talented Playfair family. In 1751 Dr James Playfair, subsequently Principal of the University from 1799 to 1819, married Margaret Lyon of Ogil. A gown worn by Margaret, possibly in the 1760s, will be the centrepiece of this year’s costume display. Donated to the museum in 1971 by Mrs Marjory Playfair– Hannay of Ceres, the gown has not previously been shown publicly because of its fragile condition. Now, thanks to generous support from Fife Decorative and Fine Arts Society and Museums Galleries Scotland, the dress has been conserved by the Scottish Conservation Studio at Hopetoun House. Representing a style of formal wear known as a sack back gown, or robe de la française, the dress is made from a woven brocade fabric, believed to be Spitalfields silk fabric, dated to c.1750. Fife Folk Museum is located in High Street Ceres and is open 10.30am-4.30pm daily until 31 October. (Photo courtesy Fife Folk Museum)
EVENTS Graham McLean on
Making an IMPACT!
– ‘Mission Rescue’ for St Andrews Children Local children are getting excited at the coming of this summer’s Impact Mission – a week of fun and adventure for under 12s here in St Andrews. Impact continues to be a highlight of the year for many children. Its popularity is down to providing what children love – great storytelling, the best sing-along music, funny games, crafts, dressing up, and of course adult leaders who are sometimes just a little bit silly! The week takes place at two venues. For the primary-age children the adventure begins at Holy Trinity Church Hall. For nursery-aged children, it is at Holy Trinity Church. Each year it’s a different theme. This year its ‘Mission Rescue’, a theme which encapsulates the sense of adventure and excitement that is typical of Impact. On the first
day, primary-aged youngsters will walk into a church hall – or is it a jungle camp? Then the theme music blasts out alerting children to return to their Headquarters to receive their mission orders. Will they accept the mission?... of course they will! The Impact Mission is organised and run by representatives of several local churches. Now in its eighth year, Impact attracts anywhere up to 100 children, many of whom have returned each summer. At the heart of Impact is the most famous story ever told and one that has shaped the very heart of our society and many of our values. Each day’s activities brings the stories of the Bible to life and explores the rescue mission of Jesus Christ – a mission of love and truth, hope and joy.
For those children who attend, the fun doesn’t have to stop after the summer week. The Impact After School Club keeps the fun alive on Tuesday’s after school throughout much of the year. The Impact Holiday Club is free of charge and takes place during the mornings of the week beginning Monday, 4 July. Booking in advance is advised! Further information about the Impact and/ or for a booking form contact Graham McLean on 01333 340 880 or email: grahammcleanranger@gmail.com
Louise Roger invites to you to
A Sponsored Walk Sturdy, plain, and box like – just a few of the adjectives which have been used to describe Boarhills Church, and yet this little church, designed by George Rae and built in 1866, is surely one of the most photographed kirks in the district. Surrounded by fields, and with the backdrop of St Andrews Bay and the Angus Hills beyond, it is the epitome of Presbyterian simplicity, and perfect in its setting. The Church was built at a cost of £500 largely due to the fundraising efforts of the ladies of St Andrews. In 1904, the ladies of St Andrews added to their earlier kindness by purchasing a new organ, the old one having been declared by one elder as, “nothing more than an elaborate mouse trap”. Dunino Church, in comparison, is much more hidden from view, in a woodland setting. It has been described as, “small, but sublime Gothic”. Designed by the architect James Gillespie Graham, and built in 1826-7, it was substantially renovated in 1928, when it acquired some fine stained glass windows, which enhance the natural stone and wood interior. (Graham was also responsible for some much grander projects such as St Andrews Cathedral in Glasgow, and the Drumsheugh area in Edinburgh New Town). However, the present building is thought to be on the site of a much earlier pre-Reformation church. The two churches have been joined for many years, and services now alternate between them on a monthly basis. On Sunday 12 June, we are holding a sponsored walk between the Churches, starting at Dunino (where there is ample parking) and finishing at Boarhills Village Hall, with a barbecue. The route, approximately 7 miles, will follow tracks and footpaths across some beautiful and otherwise hidden countryside. There will be refreshment stops en route, and participants will receive an annotated map with information on some of the interesting sites passed along the way,
Dunino Church (Photo courtesy April Simpson) from the archaeological to the architectural, the botanical to the geological! A lift will also be available back to Dunino to pick up cars. Anyone interested in taking part should contact Louise Roger on 01334 880 518, or email: louise.roger@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Sponsorship forms are also available, with all proceeds going to Boarhills and Dunino Church.
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EVENTS
Selected Events (March) to Saturday, 21 May – Gateway Galleries, North Haugh, St Andrews.To mark the International Year of Chemistry and in celebration of the 200th anniversary of Chemistry being taught at the University of St Andrews, Elements of Genius: The Legacy of Chemistry in St Andrews. Free entry. For further information, contact University of St Andrews Museums Collections: 01334 462 417, www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~exhib3/index.html See page 13. Sunday, 1 May – 7.30pm.Younger Hall, North Street. Concert by St Salvator’s Chapel Choir & St Andrews Chamber Orchestra. Music by Fauré, Shostakovich, Chabrier. Contact: 01334 462 22. – 7.00pm till dusk. The Castle, the Scores. Castle Ceilidh. Tickets at the entrance, £5 students, £7 non-students. Advanced booking recommended for this popular event. Contact: celticsoc@st-andrews.ac.uk Thursday, 5 May – 8.00pm. St Leonards School Auditorium, the Pends. Piano Recital by Junko Kobayashi. Music by Bach; Beethoven; Takemitsu; Chopin. St Andrews Music Club. Tickets at the door; £11, concessions £10, students £3, children £2. Contact: www.saint-andrews.co.uk/smc Friday, 6 to Sunday, 8 May – 4.00pm-9.00pm Friday; 10.00am-6.00pm Saturday; 11.00am-5.00pm Sunday. Open Studios North Fife, featuring wide varieties of artists, designers, makers, galleries. For more information see: www.openstudiosfife.co.uk – 4.05pm.School V, University Quad, North Street. Romans & their subjects. A talk by Dr Myles Lavan. A School of classics Research Seminar. Contact: jpk3@st-andrews.ac.uk
Saturday, 14 May – 10.00am-4.00pm. Victory Memorial Hall, St Mary’s Place. Book Sale. Free entry. Sunday, 15 May – 11.00am. (registration from 9.00am). West Sands, St Andrews. Charity 5km beach race and kids’ fun run. “If you’ve two legs and don’t mind using them, we want you”. Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the film ‘Chariots of Fire’ filmed on this beach. In aid of the charity, Sue Ryder Care. All welcome. Contact: Ben McLeod, ben.mcleod@me.com 07939 559 396. – 4.00-6.45pm. MUSA, The Scores. Kitchen Chemistry. Family fun experiments using ordinary components. Elements of Genius Exhibition. Contact: (University) 01334 476 161. Saturday, 21 May – 9.30am-12 noon. Town Hall, St Andrews. Plant Sale & Coffee Morning The St Andrews Gardeners’ Club. Contact: Contact: Secretary, Mrs. S. Scott, Beley Bridge Farmhouse, Dunino, St Andrews, Fife. KY16 8LX. Telephone: 01334 880 341. Thursday, 26 May – 9.30am to 4.30pm. St Salvator’s Quad, North Street. BBC Antiques Roadshow. Entry Free. See page 30. Further information: www.bbc.co.uk/antiquesroadshow Friday, 27 May to Sunday, 2 October – 2.00-5.00pm daily. The Preservation Trust Museum, North Street. Here Comes the Bride. St Andrews weddings down the years. Contact: 01334 475 502.
Saturday, 7 May – 9.00am-1.00pm. Argyle Street car park. Farmers’ Market. – 7.30pm. Younger Hall, North Street. The Dream of Gerontius. St Andrews Chorus & the Heisenberg Ensemble. Tickets from the Music Centre, Younger Hall, and at the door. Contact: 01334 462 226. Sunday, 8 May – 7.45pm. St Salvator’s Chapel, North Street, St Andrews. Bach and his forefathers. The Dunedin Consort directed by John Butt. Contact: www.dunedin-consort.org.uk
Tuesday, 10 May – 8.00pm. St Salvator’s Chapel, North Street. St Andrews Baroque Orchestra. Music by Bach. Contact: music@st-andrews.ac.uk
Saturday, 28 May – 2.30pm. DUNDEE, Glasite Hall, St Andrews Church Hall Complex, King Street. The Western Front Association.Tubby Clayton & Talbot House, Poperinge – John Cameron, Chairman WFA Scotland South Branch. Free, but donations welcomed. Contact: Bob Paterson, 01382 775 000, email: wfatayside@lochnagar.fr Sunday, 29 May – 2.00 to 5.00pm. Earshall Castle, Leuchars. Garden Open Day, under Scotland’s Garden Scheme. Homemade teas. contributing funds for St Athernase Church, Leuchars. Tickets £5 adults, children free. Contact: nickymcintyre11@btinternet.com
Saturday, 4 June – 9.00am-1.00pm. Argyle Street car park. Farmers’ Market. – 10.00am-12 noon.Town Hall Supper Room, St Andrews. Coffee morning, for the Scottish Wildlife Trust. – 10.00am-4.00pm. Victory Memorial Hall. Book Sale. Free entry. Sunday, 5 June – 10.00am-3.00pm. West Sands. Junior Beach Volleyball Festival. See page 30. Contact: mail@cvpaterson.co.uk Tuesday, 7 June – 12.45pm. The Prior’s House, St Andrews Cathedral. Harp Recital by Simon Chadwick on his replica Queen Mary harp. Admission is free, but booking is advisable from the Cathedral Visitor Centre: tel. 01334 472 563. Friday, 10 & Saturday,11 June – 7.30pm. Younger Hall, North Street. A Dinner Engagement, by Lennox Berkeley. The Judgement of Paris, by John Eccles. A double bill of operatic comedies from the St Andrews Opera. Contact: 01334 462 226. Sunday, 12 June – 1.30pm (3.30pm latest start time) Dunino Church, Fife. Sponsored Walk to Boarhills Church. In aid of Church funds. Contact: Louise Roger, 01334 880 518, email: louise.roger@scotland.gsi.gov.uk See page 31. Thursday, 16 June – 7.30pm. Boys’ Brigade Hall, Kinnessburn Road. Cactus, a talk by Mr Alan Weepers for the St Andrews Gardeners’ Club. Contact: Secretary, Mrs. S. Scott, Beley Bridge Farmhouse, Dunino, St Andrews, Fife. KY16 8LX. Telephone: 01334 880 341. Friday, 17 June to Sunday, 19 June – Crail, Fife. The first Crail Food Festival. Tastings, food market, cookery demos, family fun, including an ‘evening supper concert by King Creosote’. Further information, Tel: 01333 450 935, www.crailfoodfest.co.uk Saturday, 25 June – 2.15pm to 4.15pm. Holy Trinity Church Hall, Queen’s Terrace (East). Summer Fair. Holy Trinity Church Guild. Contact: Secretary, 01334 475 716. Saturday, 25 and Sunday, 26 June – West Sands. St Andrews Beach Volleyball Championships. 2-a-side Divisions 1 & 2; 4-a-side fun event and Junior events. Contact: mail@cvpaterson.co.uk
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OUT & ABOUT Fay Smith celebrates
A justly deserved award for Head Gardener at Cambo Gardens Elliott Forsyth, Head Gardener at Cambo ceremony, agreed that it was much deserved Gardens, Kingsbarns, for the past ten and indeed a testament to the huge amount years, frequently receives plaudits for his of work and artistry that Elliott has put into the inspirational planting schemes at Cambo gardens, putting them on to the horticultural Gardens, which are now a partnership map both nationally and internationally. garden with the Royal Horticultural Society The general layout of the gardens and feature in many of the leading gardening remained the same for as long as anyone journals and television connected with Cambo can programmes. remember. Elliott set out to his talents have However, his talents have put on his own stamp soon now been officially recognised now been officially after his arrival, transforming and he was delighted to be the well-known vast double recognised awarded an Award of Merit for borders leading up to the Services to Horticulture by the cartwheeling statues on the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society at their garden wall. Since then he has gradually recent AGM at the Royal Botanic Gardens moved round the Walled Garden planting Edinburgh. Sir Peter and Lady Erskine of each border to a different theme. Only the Cambo Estate, who were present at the annual borders and potager change annually,
The double borders (original planting)
Elliott is pictured with The Lady Provost, Elizabeth Grubb who presented the awards providing Elliott with a clean sheet to experiment with design, colour, and plants. The original potager was planted on formal lines, to a geometric pattern using mainly vegetables interspersed with some flowers. Inspired by the naturalistic plantings he has introduced to the permanent borders Elliott now redesigns the potager annually, using more fluid shapes that create more of a vegetable ‘meadow’, introducing more annuals and grasses. He now uses this area to experiment with new ideas, which then feed back into the more permanent plantings throughout the garden. The ‘flowering’ of the potager is eagerly anticipated by many of the regular visitors to Cambo Gardens and last year they were treated to a stunning Monet theme reflecting the Impressionist Exhibition at the National Gallery in Edinburgh. Having worked his way round the garden over his ten years at Cambo, Elliott’s taste has developed, learning from experience and mistakes made along the way. Originally influenced by some of the leading garden designers, Elliott has gradually developed his own style. He has just replanted the right hand border of the double border to reflect this style using echinaceas (his favourite flower) as the focus, and planned to be at its best from August to October. (Photos courtesy Cambo Estate)
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OUT & ABOUT Tony Hardie’s
Nature Notes – March 2011 Hurrah – the fulmars are back! This I noted in my diary in late February. I refer to those lovely wanderers of the ocean that nest on the cliffs by The Scores. They are not gulls, they are petrels and only come ashore to nest and breed. No bird that I know of glides as they glide – quite effortlessly and with straight wings set they simply alter their attitude to take advantage of any movement in the air and thus they glide for hours on end. In the nineteenth century they were confined to St Kilda. Penant, that great traveller of the eighteenth century, remarks of the fulmar in St Kilda, “No bird is of such use to the islanders as this: the fulmar supplies them with the oil for their lamps, down for their beds, a delicacy for their tables etc.” To harvest this crop the St Kildans became great climbers of the cliffs. As any St Andrean can see, standing on the footpath above the Step Rock, they take up their nesting sites as a pair and spend much of their time in February and March in courtship. Being ocean wanderers they are designed to get rid of the surplus salt that they ingest through their nostrils at the base of their bill; a smart arrangement when one considers the taste of raw salt. They are white with a grey-blue back and brownish on the Fulmar
underwing, this last point easily visible as they glide past. Much of their food comes from following the fishing fleet far at sea. They are seldom to be seen on the water and I suspect sleep on the Rook wing. The other colony nesting bird to be seen in St Andrews is, of course, the rook. Their rookery is at the Eden Golf Centre. They have been busy repairing or rebuilding their nests after the winter gales and can be seen, in the process, carrying quite large sticks. Within all rookeries there are rules that ensure their success; it’s rather like being a member of a club and St Andreans know all about that! As any golfer knows the rook is a great “delver” with that strong bill and thus so many of our replaced divots are overturned in their search for worms, beetles, and other insects. They seem to live well close to man. On the links there is a rook with one leg and he is a friend of the staff and the caddies – they call him Stompie. Though the individual call of the rook grates, the cry of the rookery is altogether different and might even be considered musical. In Scotland rooks are known colloquially as “crows”; crows being known as “hoodies” – this can lead to confusion! (Photos by kind permission of John Anderson (Crail Birder: www.pbase.com/crail_birder))
Alistair Lawson is calling for more
Walkers, Wardens, and Watchers The 2000 members of the Scottish Rights of The accompanying maps give Way & Access Society (ScotWays) form one some idea of the distribution of of its most valuable assets, as they are able to routes, though new Wardens will be contribute observations “in the field”, thereby supplied with detailed information making the work of the small, office-bound staff particular to their chosen area. in Edinburgh very much easier. Nowhere is this The greatest need at the moment more true than in Fife, which is more densely is to extend our support down the covered with Rights of Way than any other coast from St Andrews. We have a Council area in Scotland. Why this is so is hard large number of routes covered in to say, though there is probably a PhD in it for and close to St Andrews itself, but someone. Of the near-8000 routes recorded in are seeking to arrange coverage the National Catalogue around Boarhills, There are already over 80 of Rights of Way, some Kingsbarns, 1300 are in Fife – a Crail, Anstruther, Wardens in place, and the hugely disproportionate purpose of this article is to ask Pittenweem, figure. Social history, and St Monans, whether there is anyone else agricultural history and indeed everything out there who would like to mining history all no east of a line doubt have something to from St Andrews join this scheme? do with it. to St Monans. Over the past three years, ScotWays has While most of our Wardens are initiated a system of Path Wardens who, as my individuals, it may be that some title suggests, “adopt” some routes, walk them, of those reading this article will be watch out for untoward features and report members of hiking, cycling, or horse-riding these to the office. There are already over clubs and it may be that your club would 80 Wardens in place, and the purpose of this like to volunteer corporately. article is to ask whether there is anyone else If you think this is for you, please out there who would like to join this scheme? contact the director of the scheme, Wardens are asked to take on a small Chris Hobster, 01334 659 141, or email: number of paths, according to their regular chrisfromscotways@hotmail.co.uk marking walking, dog-walking, child-walking, running, your message “route warden scheme”, cycling, or horse-riding activities. In this way, indicating which area you would like to reports can be garnered without the task take on (it needn’t be your home area becoming a discipline or a chore. Some necessarily) and giving, ideally, both postal Wardens elect for penny numbers of routes, address and electronic address, plus your others for extensive swathes of the Fife phone number. Chris will then arrange to countryside! meet you and discuss how we can work together.
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(Maps from ScotWays National Catalogue of Rights of Way)
OUT & ABOUT Anne Lightwood in praise of
Summer in the Botanic Garden The Garden has come to life again after a long hard winter and is now in full bloom. As well as the astonishing growth of the giant Gunnera by the pond and the freshness of new leaf, buds, and blossom everywhere there is much to interest regular and new visitors alike. A recent comprehensive survey undertaken by the Friends has shown that while many people value the peace and tranquillity found in the Garden, others look for different events to add interest on each visit. The summer programme aims to satisfy both. Sales of outdoor plants are in full swing with even more being propagated in-house; the Glass Class is busy with school visits pursuing different projects set within the curriculum for excellence for schools; Junior Hortus flourishes with a sizeable turnout of children every month; there are regular guided walks on the first Sunday of the month, (and more for groups by arrangement). A sixweek botanical drawing class led by Claire Dalby took place during April, and also in May – the splendid results surprising even the participants! A variety of workshops, lectures, and garden visits is on-going all year and, supported by a Cultural Grant from Fife Waterfall – little pool Council, three drop-in pottery demonstrations will take place in July and August when everyone can see what is involved in some of the techniques used by until the end of September from 10.00am till 5.00pm every day. The members of the Scottish Potters Association in the exhibition at the opening exhibition was of botanical paintings by Claire Dalby, along with Gatehouse. These are free and no booking is required. Links are being finely-turned pieces using locally-sourced wood by Leslie Hunter; Fife explored to set up some practical Embroiderer’s Group features gardening courses, and the Home in May, including wall hangings More than ever in a time of financial cutbacks the Start group are working on a plan and framed pieces. Throughout ‘From seeds to table,’ intending to the summer ceramics from Garden needs the support of its 1400 Friends climax at a harvest festival where members of the Scottish Potter’s the produce is eaten. Association will feature in an ever-changing show called Ceramica The Gatehouse began its third season in April, continuing a policy botanica. All the work, using many techniques, has some connection of highlighting the work of Scottish, especially local, artists. It is open with natural form, however loosely interpreted. In June & July ‘I Love Daisies’ looks at flowers from a new angle in paintings by Kirsty Lorenz, while wood sculptures by Adrienne McStay will be outdoors in the Meadow. Not only are plants on sale, but gloves, tote bags, artists’ cards, our own publications, and interesting gardening books donated by Friends. More than ever in a time of financial cutbacks the Garden needs the support of its 1400 Friends by visiting, introducing new friends, coming to special events and enjoying everything that goes on each day. Last year there were 20,000 visitors, without counting school groups, but more are always welcome. The Garden is open to everyone, a valuable asset for St Andrews. It is worth more than one visit. Come, bring your friends and enjoy all that the Garden has to offer. The surface may seem calm but, like the swan, we are paddling busily under the surface! (Photos by Alex Bousie & Anne Lightwood)
Drawing in the Rock Garden
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Sandra Griffiths & staff
www.nphcinema.co.uk
117 North Street, St Andrews Tel: 013334 474902