St Andrews in focus • shopping • eating • events • town/gown • people and more
July / August 2011 Issue 47, £2.00
www.standrewsinfocus.com
the award winning magazine for St Andrews
Vivien Lanning, winner of the mixed media competition, St Andrews Art Club, writes “I chose to paint this scene as not only is it local and familiar, but it also has a continental feel to it which I find appealing. I worked from photographs, but eliminated from the composition a lamp post, a ‘No Entry’ sign, and the stallholder’s car. The lady reading a leaflet appeared to have discovered something interesting, hence the title “Serendipity”. The painting is in pastels, which I have been concentrating on for the last two years. The perspectives were a challenge, but I am pleased with the outcome, and delighted to have won the competition.”
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St Andrews in focus • shopping • eating • events • town/gown • people and more
From the Editor I’ve tried and tried to avoid raising prices, but have to admit defeat. The Royal Mail increases have been the final straw. So, after seven and a half years, the magazine will cost slightly more and I hope very much all my loyal supporters will understand it is a choice between that, or the end of the adventure! I’m still searching for that elusive entrepreneur who understands the very real business potential of this magazine, and who will take it on for the benefit of the town. There are employment opportunites not to be sniffed at! The magazine’s CV is impressive; I’m not boasting. It is well known that recessions open windows to possibilities. Any offers? For the moment I’m tentatively thinking of a way to celebrate issue 50 next January/February, which shows how optimistic I am! With luck we might even have a good summer to enjoy before then; I hope so anyway. Flora Selwyn
******** The views expressed elsewhere in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor. JULY / AUGUST 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
Cover: original painting by Vivien Lanning
Contents FEATURES • So this is love • If Only... • Dunino church • A propos • Euan Loudon CBE • A Joburger comes to Fife • Bishop’s Hall • Ask the Curator • Can you help? • Reviews: – Adoring Venus – Chloe Matharu – Time & tide ORGANISATIONS • Arthritis Association • Haydays at the Byre • Mensana counselling • St Andrews Art Club • Unveil the mystery • St Andrews Partnership • Live music TOWN & GOWN • Walkabout in St Andrews • AristoCat • Wedding Breakfast – Community Council – Stories and Photo Gallery • ‘Scotsman’ on the Forth • PAMbouy
4 4 4 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 13 13 14 14 15-18 19 19
SHOPS & SERVICES • The World Cheese Awards • The curtain rises... • Tax update • Commercial leases • Roving Reporter
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EVENTS • Organic September • Here comes the bride • Festival of Golf • Selected Events • Toonspot • Theatre Someone
26 26 27 28 28 28
OUT AND ABOUT • Nature Notes • Craigtoun Park – the train returns • A toe in the water • St Andrews Bay • Botanic Garden News
29 29 30 30 31
NEXT ISSUE – Sept/Oct 2011 COPY DEADLINE: STRICTLY 28 JULY
All contributions welcome. The Editor reserves the right to publish copy according to available space.
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FEATURES
A Propos . . .
Sylvia H Thomson
So This Is Love
Ghosts – Mrs Vida Brown emailed from Corby in England:
Milk-fragrant breath, skin soft and new, halo of hair – and tiny fingers wrapped round mine. Unfocussed eyes began to close, and as she slept I felt her heavy in my arms. Her drowsy warmth unveiled a well of tenderness; the sweetest thing I ever knew. I gazed at her, and for a moment time stood still as joy filled my awakening heart. Thus love crept up to take me unawares that day, and nothing was the same again. Sophie Duncan
If Only . . . If only I could rewind time,
And change everything I regret. If only I couId freeze time,
And take in the world so I don’t forget. If only I could go to the future,
To see what’s happened to me.
If only I could go to ancient times, To see how living would be.
If only I could set the clocks, To whatever time I’d like.
If only I could make bedtime, Much later on at night.
If only I could pause things, And put them on hold.
If only I could rewind good times, Even when I’m old.
Sophie is in her First Year at Madras. Her poem won this year’s StAnza Competition
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Kenneth Fraser – about
Dunino Church May I offer some further information about Dunino Church? Hamilton Palace was once the largest house in Scotland. It had been built in stages from the seventeenth century onwards, but in 1922 it had to be demolished due to subsidence from the local coal mines (in some of which the Hamilton family had an interest). Years ago, Ronald Cant told me that at that point, many of the dressed stones from Hamilton had been set aside for re-use, and that some of them had been incorporated in the renovation of Dunino Church. If you examine the interior closely, you can see several examples, for instance, in a few of the window-ledges.
“Re – the response on page 6 (issue 46) by Joan Flegg to John Fairbairn’s story about ghosts. Joan’s painting brought back a ghostly memory for me too. Many years ago before I was married, my husband–to-be suggested a long way home from our weekly visit to the New Picture House; so we went along North Street and down by the Fisher School to follow the Cathedral wall round to the harbour. Not many lights along there, and as we walked along we were overtaken by a lady wearing what I took to be a long white trench coat – they were fashionable at the time. However, further along the path we discovered that our way was blocked by a fence because part of the path had fallen into the sea. We would have to retrace our steps. It then occurred to us, what happened to the lady in the white coat? She didn’t come back from the fence towards us, obviously had not fallen over or climbed the fence, where had she gone? This puzzled us until we saw an article in the Citizen about sightings of the “White Lady” who had been walled up in the Cathedral wall. What we saw was exactly like Joan Flegg’s painting”. Mrs Brown adds, “When we heard the history, only then did we realise what we had seen, and that it did solve the mystery as to how someone could overtake us, but then disappear”.
Wilfred Taylor’s reminiscences – Wilson Nicol emailed from London: “Reading Wilfred Taylor’s reminiscences of Tammas Broon stimulated my memories of undergraduate days in the early fifties. I don’t remember Tammas himself, but I do remember the student-run auctions, pie eating, and boat race (beer drinking) competitions during Charities Week. Wilfred’s column in the Scotsman was a must read, as were his several books on Scots (Scot Free, and Scot Easy). However, my own connection was in London with Wilfred’s sister, Elma, a beautiful Scottish dancer whom I partnered in her last public appearance in a dance display in the Royal Albert Hall. Also stimulating fond memories was the article in the same issue, ‘My time with the Celtic Society’ of which I was President in the 1950s. The writer is quite right, she will certainly meet many more friends around the world enjoying Scottish country dancing – just as I have, even as far afield as New Zealand!!”
FEATURES Flora Selwyn had the great privilege of meeting the new CEO of the Links Trust
Euan Loudon CBE
It would be no exaggeration to say that it is golf which chose Euan he’d ever be the Governor of Her Loudon. Born in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, golf played a small enough part of Majesty’s Castle at Edinburgh, his happy childhood in the “next door village of Bothwell” a typical village I would have said, ‘you must setting. “A one-eyed chap called Sandy Donaldson was the professional” be joking!’” With a smile Euan who introduced the game when Euan was about seven years old. “I described the ancient ceremony of suppose parents thought it was a really good idea to be rid of children for his installation involving one of the a couple of hours at a golf lesson,” says Euan with a twinkle in his eyes, Heralds of the Lord Lyon striking “and the first clubs I got my lessons from were Hickory Shafts.” His next the gates with “a Just Double”, step was to buy a set of steel shafted clubs with a £50 Premium Bond that is, a copy of the official win. By this time, golf and tennis took precedence over piano lessons, Warrant. which a little wryly, Euan admits was a shame (in her youth, his mother March 2007 saw Euan in had played the piano in the Usher Hall, Edinburgh). the post of Chief Executive and However, in 1974, having decided his game wasn’t consistent enough Producer of the Royal Edinburgh (Photo courtesy the Links Trust) to become a golf professional, Euan “went off to be a soldier instead”. It Military Tattoo, having succeeded was not long, though, before he became Captain of the Sandhurst golf in his very first competitive team, his first experience of golf outside Scotland. One of the places he interview. Over the following four years Euan not only visited 34 went to as a cadet was the Royal St George’s Golf Club where his team countries around the globe and presented five Tattoos, but also helped played against the Berkshire Golf Club. At one point he found himself to reorganise the Board, the internal structures of the two companies next to Ted Heath and his father. “So the business of golf mythology, and involved, and refined the governance. Among his many remarkable the sort of heritage of golf beyond your own very narrow experience, was encounters, Euan recalled a lady Minister of Culture in Brazil, who something that came quite quickly to this officer cadet!” “pointed to a little piece of tattoo on her hand of a red devil, and said to Admitting, during the interview for his me, ‘so what is your festival to do with body regiment, that he played golf, he was asked to art?’ And I said, um, well we may need to take a play rugby that same afternoon as they were couple of steps back, because my festival has I was told that I would need a one player short. Despite intending to catch a nothing to do with body art!” Euan discovered train back to Glasgow, Euan said, “of course I special pair of spectacles from there were two Brazilian Marine bands, “both 90 can play!” He played scrum half and his fate was strong – which by British standards is gigantic... time to time, to see life through and eventually I noticed there were 6 pipers in sealed, commissioned into the Royal Highland Fusiliers in March 1975 for the next 33 years. the military brass band.” Why? Because 200 a particular St Andrean lens! Golf took something of a back seat. years previously the navy was commanded by Rising swiftly to Commander, Euan saw a Scot who said no band should ever be without service in every corner of the world. Promoted pipers, and the tradition continues. That band to the rank of Major General he was awarded the OBE in 1991 for his will be performing in Edinburgh for the first time this summer. contribution to the Gulf War, the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable An advert appeared in the Sunday Times in May 2010 for the post Service, and the CBE for Service in Northern Ireland. Finally, Euan of CEO of the St Andrews Links Trust. Euan competed for the second was appointed to the Honorary position of Her Majesty’s Governor of time in his life, this time against 147 others, and succeeded in “this Edinburgh Castle. “If you’d asked this little boy from Lanarkshire, as he extraordinary appointment” in January this year. He says, with genuine used to go to and fro visiting his grandparents in Edinburgh, whether humility, “I do feel quite blessed... I’ve moved from one icon of Scottish life, on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, to another icon of Scottish life, these ancient Links in the most famous golfing territory in the world!” Wisely, Euan eased his way gently into his new post, meeting people, testing the waters, especially with regard to the Trust’s vital relationship with the town. “I was told that I would need a special pair of spectacles from time to time, to see life through a particular St Andrean lens!” Acknowledging the Trust’s custodianship of the golfing heritage of St Andrews over the years of it existence, Euan is anxious for it “to benefit the town in other ways... so that’s why I think the establishment of the Community Trust [with the Community Council] is a masterstroke. It’s my job to now add flesh to those verities.” There should be mutual action “for absolutely altruistic, I hope, reasons”, in consideration of the unique environment and economic drivers. Pointing to the upgrading of the Bruce embankment area and the refurbished road along West Sands as examples of how everyone can derive a boost from collaboration, Euan looks optimistically to a continuation of the trend. Happily there is a fresh spirit in evidence with the arrival of Euan Loudon. St Andrews can be confident that it, and the Links Trust, are in good hands. Euan Loudon at his installation at Edinburgh Castle. On Euan’s left is the Lord Lyon King of Arms, Robin Blair CVO WS ( the sole King of Arms in Scotland). Behind is Snawdoun Herald of Arms, Elizabeth A Rhodes MVO, who knocked on the gates with the Just Double.) (Photo courtesy Euan Loudon)
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FEATURES Marie Opperman, a South African freelance journalist and author lives between Johannesburg and Pittenweem.
A Joburger Comes to Fife It’s low tide; the sea is a shimmering strip of grey silk. It murmurs, it smoke from a barbecue swishes only a very little. It stays, obediently, beyond the ribs of rocks fire rises lazily into the air. that guard a hidden bounty of treasures: golf balls, bright green fishing Fife is sea gulls nets, bits of broken lobster creels. Far out on the horizon are the dark trailing behind fishing cliffs of the Isle of May. I’ve left Anstruther -- tourists and fried fish -boats, fog horns, and behind me. Ahead I can see a handful of Pittenweem houses, strewn lighthouses, old buildings along the harbour. and half-forgotten tales I’m walking on the Fife coastal path, wearing my new wellibobs; about witches. It’s eating contemplating my new surroundings. Everything here is new to me, ice cream cones on the harbour; drinking your Glenmorangie neat in a from the concept of owning waterproof wellibobs to nifty windows that fisherman’s bar. Pittenweem is pretty and peaceful, and I like it here. This can swing wide open sideways, or fall open just a little bit at the top, but is where my daughters and grandsons live, and my sons-in-law were usually stay firmly shut. I find many things around here baffling. Why born. I want to spend as much time here as possible. Passing the golf is Kilconquhar pronounced ki-nuk-ker? Has anybody ever snitched on course with its thick fringes of gorse, I check for squatters, then relax the dog owner who doesn’t bag it and bin it, as countless posters along when I remember that this weather is much too miserable even for that the path implore? Why do the locals hardy brand of citizen. wash their dishes in a plastic bowl I’ve learned a few things about that they put in the sink, and not in the Scottish weather. It’s almost the sink itself? never, but not necessarily so, as I come from Johannesburg, cold outside as it looks; it’s always alias Jozi and Egoli, the city of gold. colder and more windy right outside It is 6,000 miles away, almost on the Anster Co-op; if it looks like the other end of the globe. Jozi is rain it probably won’t, but it might; the home of Madiba and about four if you hang your washing outside million other people, of Soccer City it most probably will rain even if it in Soweto, the Kaizer Chiefs soccer doesn’t look like it, but then again team, and mine dumps. With more it mightn’t. I also know that, if there than ten million trees it’s the biggest isn’t a gale force wind, blinding man-made forest in the world, and snow and ice on the roads, friendly the world’s largest city not situated Scots with bare arms will invariably on a river or sea. greet me with, “Lovely day, isn’t it?” Being a Joburger in this neuk – though I’ll be wearing a fleece, a of the world isn’t easy. Take, for hoody, and a windproof jacket. I’ll instance, the silence of the nights nod. Lovely it is. Braw, even. We have so much in common: sea, rocks, boats, in Pittenweem. I can hardly sleep Leaving the path, I climb the wind, the air that we breathe …. We share the due to the absence of the familiar down to the beach. Thanks to my and somehow reassuring big city wellibobs, I can wade through essence of what makes us human sounds: burglar alarms, police puddles with not a care about sirens, barking dogs, police helicopters, and pistol shots. To a safetyfreezing feet. On countless holidays in KwaZulu-Natal, with its sub-tropical conscious, paranoid Joburger the local lack of concern over crime is climate and warm Indian Ocean, I’ve never once thought that I might one nerve-wracking. day resort to wearing waterproof footwear in rock pools. I study the pink There are other differences between back there and over here flowers on my wellibobs, submerged between waving grass and pebbles. too, of course. To me South Africa is like an oil painting with rich, warm Then I realise that the waving, rubbery grass, that these smooth stones, colours; it has the vibrancy and buzz of a young country, of the future. look much the same as those in the familiar rock pools of my beloved Fife is a watercolour in cool silver, grey, and blue tones; here you live in Zululand beaches. I smell the salt in the air, hear the screech of seagulls. the knowledge that you are part of history. On the path above me there are people walking dogs; a mother calls to South Africa is her toddler who is lagging behind. sunshine on bare arms, a Hey, I think, maybe things here aren’t so different after all; I should heady mixture of diverse concentrate more on the things that we share. We have so much in people, languages, and common: sea, rocks, boats, the wind, the air that we breathe …. We cultures. It’s exciting to share the essence of what makes us human. Here, on the shore of the know that somewhere, Firth of Forth, in these ancient cottages and narrow wynds, in fishing not far from where you boats that moor in picturesque harbours, are people that are just, well, are, elephant, rhino, people. Unlike me they are used to cold weather, they say ‘wee’ and buffalo, and lion, walk ‘aye’ and ‘nae bother‘, but at their core they are just like us in Jozi and wild in an African bush. Zululand. They too want to be happy, to love, to get on with life. Just like The lifestyle is relaxed me. -- sitting with friends in In Pittenweem a woman greets me, “Lovely day to be oot.” “I knoooo,” your garden around the I say. pool, sipping wine, while (Photos courtesy Marie Opperman)
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FEATURES Gavin White, on the story of
Bishop’s Hall
Amongst the buildings of St Leonards School but in 1852 he was elected bishop of the there is an impressive structure called Bishop’s sprawling diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld, Hall. Described in The Buildings of Scotland and Dunblane. That it was his own vote that as “Unmemorably gabled and gableted”, it was decided the election was long held against him, built by the University in 1867 as a residence but those who urged him to stand and gave him for students under the title of “College Hall”. It their votes were equally at fault. He was quite was felt that if students could live in residence unsuited to be a bishop. as at Oxford or Cambridge, instead of bunking Initially he continued as Warden at in town, St Andrews could attract instead Trinity College; the Episcopal Church was those Scottish students who went to England. just emerging from a period when bishops At first the experiment was conducted in a continued in the parishes they had been rented building, St Leonard’s Hall, but College elected from, largely as there were no funds Hall was a much grander place with room for to support them otherwise. He was asked to forty students. But this resign when it was experiment lasted only found that the college Being short of funds he seven years. College was head over heels sold Bishop’s Hall to Hall never paid its way, in debt. Wordsworth Church, a lifelong disappointment, he blamed, and, readers will be St Leonards School in 1887 argued that the bursar not on his own shortcomings, but on “trickery”. astonished to hear, there was responsible, Being short of funds he sold Bishop’s Hall to were problems of discipline! Scottish students that he had nothing to do with finance, and St Leonards School in 1887, and moved to continued to travel to Oxford or Cambridge; in that Gladstone had decided to ditch him in a house on the Scores, probably New Hall, 1874 the building was sold at a loss to Bishop revenge for Wordsworth’s criticism of his Irish now part of Craigmount Nursing Home. He Charles Wordsworth, who changed the name to policy. Wordsworth then moved to St Andrews died in 1892 after years of illness in which Bishop’s Hall. He lived there with his very large instead of the cathedral in Perth, because that other bishops cared for his diocese. As one family from 1874 until 1887, though it is hard to cathedral, having next to no congregation, was writer noted, “his imagine them filling the rooms of forty students. run by high church holding onto the The story of Charles Wordsworth is not enthusiasts from post when long a happy one, and his time in Bishop’s Hall England with past his work was not a happy one. He was the nephew whom Wordsworth seems to have of the poet William Wordsworth, and son of disagreed. been only too like the Master of Trinity at Oxford. Educated at Most of what his entering it.” Harrow and Christ Church, Oxford, he proved we know about life And Gladstone a brilliant classical scholar, famous cricketer, at Bishop’s Hall wrote, “He was a and athlete. He was a tutor at Oxford, one of his comes from the man of elevated students being the future prime minister W E diaries of G T F character, Gladstone. In 1835 he became second master Farquhar, dean of and many at Winchester, publishing in 1839 his Greek the clergy, a friend conspicuous Grammar, a standard work. Those were the of the Bishop gifts. But he was happy years of his life; as a teacher he was in even if he could wanting in manner his element. That he was ordained at that time not interest him and judgement, was normal for those teaching in public schools, in parish affairs. as also in the (Photo courtesy St Leonards School) but he never served in a parish. When he visited, flexibility to adjust In 1846 he became the first Warden of the Wordsworth himself to a change of country...” Others wrote new Trinity College, a hybrid public school on would charge around waving books and talking of “many trials and disappointments”, and “what the English model, with a theological course books, while his wife and many daughters had not been a very eventful life”. for clergy uneasily lumped on it, as a venture lounged on sofas. Wordsworth considered But now to St Leonards School... Bishop’s to supply the Scottish Episcopal Church with a that he was a “public man”, as they were then Hall has been a residence for girls for over religious gentry on the one hand, and a learned called, ready to give a lead on “wider issues”. a century, and for much of that time it was clergy on the other. In this post Wordsworth These were two, church union, and keeping divided into two houses, Bishopshall West, was as successful as circumstances permitted, the Oxford Movement high churchmen from and Bishopshall East. It was extended, with getting ahead. His wings on both sides. As for the interior, one memorial in the Western former inmate has written, “it has changed little Cemetery describes over the years and is pretty stark, with some his devotion to union elegance in places as befitted the ethos of the between Presbyterians School in the past. It does, however, have a and Episcopalians, but lovely view. My memories were of trying to keep his scheme had the sole warm for at least three-quarters of the year and virtue of being acceptable the long hours playing games, so there was to neither. His motive was little time for considering the view outside the an odd one – he thought window.” It now houses girls in the sixth form. it would be good for the They are probably warm with modern heating, Empire. and have less emphasis on games, but it is As the years went unlikely that they wonder who the bishop was by, Wordsworth became who gave their hall its name. increasingly isolated. His friends tried in vain NB – A spokesman for St Leonards School to find him a cathedral comments: “I’d like to reassure readers that appointment in England. the girls in Bishops Hall today are definitely He had a faint hope – warm with central heating! They still play never a real possibility – games, are happy boarders rather than that the Home Secretary “inmates” and enjoy staying in a welcoming might appoint him House which is fully modernised whilst retaining Principal of St Andrews its elegance!” University. Not being (Photos by Flora Selwyn) elected to lead the bishops of the Episcopal
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FEATURES Jennifer Reid, Curator of the Preservation Trust Museum
Has the Answer Q. I have noticed the new trees that have been planted in Market Street as part of the redevelopment. What can you tell me about the trees that used to be planted there? A. The original trees that stood in Market Street were lime trees. They were planted in the 1870s by Bailie John Milne who, at the time, was a town councillor. The fountain on Market Street stands as a memorial to him. John Milne was an architect from Fettercairn who settled in St Andrews and fell in love with the place. He set out to beautify the town, and upon his death the Citizen ranked him alongside Playfair as one of the greatest benefactors to the town in the 19th Century. He began planting lime trees along the north side of South Street shortly after he became a town councillor in 1870, followed by the south side and Market Street shortly after. In fact, Milne was responsible for many of the trees planted around St Andrews, such as those on The Scores and Abbotsford Place. He had them planted in the town wherever he could find the space. He personally maintained these trees until his death in 1904. Milne is probably best remembered for his work landscaping the Lade Braes, a project which he not only inspired but also helped to finance, and the castellated mansion of Kinburn.
Q. I saw in your latest exhibition a photo of students from St Leonards School dressed as penguins. Can you tell me what this was about? A. Certainly. In 1910 Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton visited the School as part of a speaking tour of the UK to raise funds for his next expedition. While at St Leonards he opened the School’s two new science laboratories. Back in 1910, it was a pioneering move to have a state-of-the-art science department at an all-girls’ school. Shackleton was met by a rapturous group of girls dressed in penguin costumes, something he reportedly did not find amusing! Shackleton was expected to make a speech to the School, but when he got
up on the rostrum he simply declared the rest of the day a holiday! One hundred years after this memorable visit, Shackleton’s granddaughter, the Honourable Alexandra Shackleton, visited St Leonards School to mark the occasion. She was also greeted by a group of pupils dressed as penguins: she, apparently, was much more impressed than her grandfather! Alexandra talked to the students about her grandfather, then toured the School. If you have a question for the Curator please phone Jennifer: 01334 477 629 or email her: curator@standrewspreservationtrust.org (Photo courtesy the Preservation Trust)
Flora Selwyn asks
Can You Help? Your editor received the following plea for help in tracing friends of a Polish Army Officer who sadly died in1978. His son has just found the photograph:
St Andrews & District Community Safety Panel
Members of the Rusack family with Lt Col Stanislaw Sedziak (circled) and Polish soldiers (dashed circles), St Andrews 1949. Lt Col Stanislaw Sedziak came to St Andrews in 1940 and may have lived with the Rusacks (I’ve sent this to the Hotel). Communist suppression prevented the Polish family from keeping in touch, and now the son, Slawomir, would like to know if anyone his father knew is still alive. Please get in touch with the magazine if you have any information and I will pass it on.
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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
FEATURES: REVIEWS
Advance Notice
Priormuir Press is about to publish Lorn Macintyre’s latest novel, Adoring Venus. Front cover photograph by Peter Adamson. Available at J & G Innes, and Waterstones: UK price, £9.99.
The story relates how Alan Mackilligin, a recently bereaved professor at the University of St Andrews and an authority on the portrayal of the nude female form in Greek sculpture, embarks on a passionate affair with an18 year-old student, with disastrous consequences. This is probably the first mainstream contemporary novel to be located almost entirely in St Andrews, exploring the physical and emotional gap between the generations, and the poignancy of the ageing process.
Alan Taylor, writer and critic, comments, “In Adoring Venus the two principal characters are beautifully and sympathetically drawn, as is the claustrophobic atmosphere of St Andrews, which is a character in its own right. It has, moreover, great narrative drive and raw emotional depth, which so many novels lack these days.” Lorn Macintyre, the well-known novelist, short story writer, and poet, lives in the St Andrews area and is the author, in collaboration with photographer Peter Adamson, of the successful St Andrews: Portrait of a City, and Portrait of the East Neuk. The author’s website is: lornmacintyre.co.uk
Sheena Wellington reviews
Next Market Day by Chloe Matharu
Chloe Matharu CD – ‘Next Market Day’. 150464. Chloe Matharu bookings and further information: Stoneyport Agency: 0131 443 4784 (jb: 24hr answering) jb@stoneyport.demon.co.uk Few things are more of a delight to me than hearing a fresh new voice full of beauty and promise and that is exactly what Chloe Matharu possesses! The timbre is clear, pure, warm and sweet, beautifully pitched, but with that extra something that hints of possibilities yet to come. Still an undergraduate in her teens, Chloe has produced a début album, Next Market Day which is creating quite a stir. She sings mostly traditional material, but there are three comparatively recent tracks, the stand-out of the latter being a lovely version of Shelagh McDonald’s “Liz’s Song” though I also like the refreshing take on “Come By The Hills”.
The opening, and title track, of the CD, “The Next Market Day” sets the standard, from the first verse, sung unaccompanied, assured and confident, with the eventual accompaniment sensitive, imaginative and allowing the singer and song to take centre stage. Between them they give this song of willing seduction its full measure of gentle playfulness, a quality which also shines through “Hares on the Mountain”. Chloe has been very well served by her musicians. Ace guitarist Ewan MacPherson’s 12-string guitar is at its most evocative in the poignant “Flowers of the Forest”, Ailig Hunter’s double bass underpins “The Bold
Gardiner” and “The Cuckoo” and adds magic, on sitar, to “The Trees They Do Grow High”: the always excellent Lauren McColl’s fiddle plays a masterly counterpoint in “By Yon Castle Wa” and “Partans in the Creel”. But even in a CD of this consistently high quality, and with musicians of this calibre, the track which raises the hair on the back of the neck and haunts the memory is Chloe’s a cappella version of the classic, “She Moves Through The Fair”. This is, quite simply, stunning! I look forward to hearing this singer again and I shall follow her career with great interest.
Sarah Cunningham reviews
Time & Tide: A brand new Hew Cullan Mystery
by Shirley McKay
Time & Tide, the third Hew Cullan Mystery is available now, published by Polygon price £12.99 trade paperback. The first and second Hew Cullan Mysteries, Hue & Cry, and Fate & Fortune, are also available, and all three titles are now available as eBooks. Edinburgh might have its Rebus, and Oxford its Inspector Morse, but St Andrews is rapidly becoming the crime home of one Hew Cullan. The main character in local author Shirley McKay’s Hew Cullan Mysteries, he is about to embark on his third case, Time & Tide, which begins with a boon for St Andrews, but soon turns to murder and deceit. The recent wild weather might have brought down a few trees and chimney pots, but in the 16th century things could be a lot worse, and a violent storm and shipwreck off St Andrews is the dramatic opening for Time & Tide. The sole survivor dies revealing only his name – ‘Jacob’. How he came to be alone, or where the ship was headed remain mysteries, but the townfolks’ focus has already shifted to the windmill lashed to the wreck’s deck. It’s a much-needed innovation for the town, which has faced drastic flour shortages in the past when the water-powered mills stopped working due to drought or freezing weather, but petty squabbling over
its ownership soon leads to murder and Hew Cullan is despatched on a journey to trace its origins and settle the matter once and for all. Never a great traveller, Hew ends up far into the war-torn Low Countries of Belgium and far from the security of family and friends. But is he about to find that the truth and tragedy about the windmill’s real owner is closer to home than he could have ever imagined? In creating three Hew Cullan Mysteries (Hue & Cry, Fate & Fortune and now, Time & Tide), Shirley was inspired by the 16th century diaries of James Melville and a reconstruction of a student’s room from the same period. Hew’s adventures occur against the backdrop of a Scotland when a teenage James VI & I ruled as a pawn king in thrall to his nobles, and his mother Mary, Queen of Scots was a political prisoner of Elizabeth I. They are meticulously-researched, but highly readable crime novels, full of rich detail thick with human frailties and the dramas of life in one of the most turbulent periods of European history and religion.
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ORGANISATIONS Jan Black, Chairman of
St Andrews Arthritis Association Our new group had its Inaugural Meeting on 26 May 2010. It evolved as a member-led move, from previously being a branch of Arthritis Care. Membership fees were rising every year, and we had to send 75% to London. This fuelled a mood of change. Our own aims and objectives are to bring those people together who suffer from disabilities such as Arthritis, to promote activities and arrange meetings on a regular basis. We hope to promote friendships for people who are limited due to Arthritis, give them company, encourage questions about Arthritis, make them less alone as they realise that Arthritis, in some form, afflicts most people. We meet on the last Wednesday of most months in the Town Hall Supper Room at 7.30pm; that is, when we are not going on outings, visits etc. We are a LOCAL Charity, and everyone is welcome to come along. We have in excess of 30 members. Mrs Jean McCreadie, one of our members for 18 years, writes, “From childhood onwards there are two things we all need – friends, and company. I must admit that these needs played a part in my decision to become a member of the St Andrews Arthritis Association, but I also wished to find out more about Arthritis itself, and what we as individuals
can do to help and alleviate it. I am happy to say that these meetings have satisfied both these desires. On the medical side we have had talks explaining arthritis and we’ve been given exercises to help ease symptoms. On the fun side, there are the most enjoyable Christmas dinners, musical evenings, Scottish Nights with songs and haggis, various helpful talks, demonstrations, and of course, the summer outing. I must say I think I made the right decision when I joined St Andrews Arthritis Association. I have made many friends and have found (Photo courtesy Jan Black) everyone very kind and helpful”. We do want to stress that the social aspect of our meetings enable people to meet and make new friends. Please contact Jan Black for further information, Tel: 01334 475 101.
Irene McNair, Co-ordinator
Haydays at The Byre – The Byre Theatre, St Andrews Let me tell you about the interesting, fun activities that happen on a Tuesday at Haydays at The Byre, as part of the Education Department of The Byre Theatre of St Andrews. Whilst presently enjoying the best of Scottish weather, cast your mind ahead to our autumn and winter, when reading this article. During the day on a Tuesday, Haydays at The Byre organises classes for everyone aged 50 and over. Core classes are singing for fun, painting & drawing, and jewellery making. We add to these topics a variety of subjects such as: Stained glass making – design and make your own piece. Bridge for beginners & improvers – bridge not only improves memory skills, but can also be a very sociable pastime. Assorted sewing classes Drumming for beginners – we have a successful drumming group and hope to start a new beginners class in the autumn. Pilates T’ai Chi Numerology Making computers useful & fun. Flower arranging Canasta
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There are two singing groups, both singing for fun. One group is fully subscribed, but there are places available in the other group. Painting & drawing is for everyone, as is our jewellery class, where you can design and make your own jewellery from a vast selection of beads etc. Some of our drummers form ByreRhythm, a Taiko Drumming group which performs at many events throughout Fife, Tayside, and Perthshire. They are an impressive sight and sound – if you have seen them perform, I hope you will agree. Both ByreRhythm and our singing group performed at the extremely successful Wedding Breakfast event held to celebrate the Royal Wedding. Our classes vary each block and we take holidays in line with Fife Council’s school calendar. Outwith the classes, there are lunchtime talks as well as an ongoing book group. Group theatre visits are run on a regular basis and the bistro, Kingarroch at the Byre is always available for socialising. Classes are held throughout the wonderful Byre Theatre building – an inspiring space to be creative. Come and join us, make new friends and have a fun day out on Tuesdays.
We commence on Tuesday, 16 August . Our first class is at 9.20am and our last class ends at 4.15pm. The cost for each class is £5 or £4 if you select two topics in one block. There is also an annual membership fee of £22. Lunchtime talks and the book club are free to members. It would be wonderful if I have inspired readers of St Andrews in Focus to come along to Haydays at The Byre and make Tuesday your “Hayday”. Chase away the winter blues with us! For more information please contact myself on Monday or Tuesday: 01334 468 729 or email: irene.mcnair@byretheatre.com (Photo courtesy Irene McNair)
ORGANISATIONS Kate Smith, Lynsey McMillan, and Alice Curteis introduce a new counselling service and a revolutionary course designed to tackle ‘comfort eating’.
Mensana Counselling and Understanding Your Eating
Recently opened in St Andrews, Mensana Counselling, is. The counsellor then www.mensana-fife.co.uk (07964 369 910), is run by Kate Smith, a offers various ways of qualified counsellor who also works at St Andrews University. Mensana working towards this counsellors see clients at the St Andrews Osteopaths and Natural Health outcome, and helps the Clinic for one-to-one counselling, but they also run courses aimed at client choose what seems Alice Curteis (L) & Lynsey McMillan (R) supporting the emotional and psychological wellbeing of the town’s best for them whether, for residents and student community. example, that involves ‘just’ talking or something more structured. ‘Because of the wonderful mix of different people in the town, from Kate, Lynsey, and Alice also run courses in Understanding Your students and academics to the larger resident population, St Andrews Eating, www.understandingyoureating.co.uk (07791 569 058.) Consisting seemed an ideal place to start Mensana, particularly now the University of 5 ninety-minute workshops, organised externally to Mensana under no longer provides counselling services for the students,’ says Kate. the auspices of Understanding Your Eating Ltd. – ‘this is a programme Kate and her associates Alice Curteis, and Lynsey McMillan, have a wide designed for people who feel that their eating is emotionally driven and range of experience with different counselling issues. who are overweight and want to make changes in The list of events and experiences which bring people UYE is about eating, their eating habits‘, explains Lynsey. ‘Perhaps you feel to counselling is endless, but includes depression and you often “eat for comfort” or over-eat when you’re not about diet and anxiety, addiction, life-style changes, bereavement, not really hungry. Many overweight people know very anger problems, phobias, panic attacks and work-life well what they “should” be eating and understand the exercise balance issues. benefits of exercise, yet still get stuck when it comes The Scottish government, which recently re-emphasised its belief in to making changes. This is very common, and UYE looks at some of the the positive benefits of the talking therapies, is committed to replacing underlying reasons. Feedback from participants on my courses has been traditional medical treatment for problems such as depression and anxiety positive’ with counselling approaches. But despite this, the gap between the need Finally, Lynsey emphasises that ‘UYE is about eating, not about diet for talking therapies and their availability is still huge. The place to start and exercise; but I see it as a “piece of the puzzle” that may go alongside with any counselling relationship is establishing what the client wants diet and exercise to help people make the changes that they want to and needs, with a focus on working out what their goal or ‘ideal outcome’ achieve.’
Gillian Swanson reports on the
St Andrews Art Club, 2011 The painting on the cover of this edition of St Andrews in Focus has been done by Viv Lanning. Well done Viv! Viv won the competition for paintings done in mixed media: the Editor of St Andrews in Focus, Flora Selwyn, was invited to choose the winner of this particular competition in recognition of her friendly interest in, and support of, the Art Club over the years. The Art Club has had another very successful year. They have a full membership, and they enjoy a packed syllabus. The Club rooms are in use every day of the week. This year members have enjoyed demonstration evenings given by well-known artists, some of whom have travelled from quite far afield, to show how they work and what they are trying to achieve. One very popular event is an evening meeting, when brave members of the Club put up their paintings for comment by a visiting artist. Although nerve-racking, these evenings are very helpful and stimulating.
Between October and April there have been a number of one- and two-day weekend workshops. Often the teacher tries to challenge those in the class, and gets them to push the boundaries of their work a little and experiment with new methods.These intensive courses have been greatly enjoyed, and the results are seen in the paintings on display at the Club exhibitions. Regular classes are held throughout the week in the winter months. Topics include watercolour painting, oil painting, pastel, figure drawing, and mixed media. There are also 2 sessions in the week where people can paint with no tutor, but know they are in company which will be helpful, friendly, and supportive, whether they are beginners or more experienced. And during the summer months outdoor sketching takes place – weather permitting. With all these activities going on
the membership is quite productive! Generous benefactors in the past have donated money to the Club to be used for prize giving. Throughout the year prizes are awarded in different categories: watercolour, oil, pastel, and mixed media. There are three exhibitions during the year. Unframed paintings are on show during the Autumn Festival and the Spring Festival, and at these shows visitors are invited to come and chat to the artists, who will be working while the exhibition is in progress. But it is the Annual Summer Exhibition, which runs from 16 to 31 July, which is the high spot of the Art Club year. Framed pictures are for sale, and visitors can vote for their favourite picture. A collection taken at the show will be given to the Friends of Rymonth. The exhibition is very well attended, by local people and holidaymakers. Come and see us there.
St Andrews Art Club
Annual Art Exhibition 2011 In the Art Club rooms at 14cArgyle Street. Saturday 16th July to Sunday 31st July. Admission Free. Framed pictures for sale. Weekdays 10am to 4.30pm. Sundays 12.30 to 4.30 pm.
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ORGANISATIONS Linsey Wilson and Gillian Nairn, Genealogy Assistants at St Andrews Genealogy Centre, help you to
Unveil The Mystery Of Your Scottish Family History –
With the aid of the Commonwealth War Fife Council’s St Andrews Genealogy Centre assist a hospital attendant being attacked Graves Commission we have been able to in St Mary’s Place first opened its doors to by a fellow inmate armed with a spade. We tell families where their fallen loved ones the public on the 5 July 2005 with the aim of contacted Dundee University Archivists who died and where they are commemorated. making Scottish Family were able to supply Even almost one hundred years after the History accessible a photograph of the We have made many First World War this can be a very moving to everyone. With murdered man on exciting discoveries, experience. Statutory Records of his admission to the Most families discover something Scottish Births, Deaths, spanning hundreds of years asylum, as well as the unexpected in a tree, no matter how & Marriages from the report on the condition insignificant it may seem to people outwith current day (something only available to that led to him being there. We were able the family. We can’t all be related to someone Registrars) back to 1855, and Old Parish to obtain a newspaper account of the trial well known or mysterious, but we have Records dating back to 1553, staff have the of the murderer. After further searching, we helped some families necessary resources for tracing your Scottish discovered that the murderer trace their famous ancestors. Eight decades of Scottish Census died of natural causes in ancestors, providing the returns from 1841-1911 give an insight into Perth Prison some years documentary evidence where our ancestors were living, with whom, later. We also found that the needed to substantiate and what kind of conditions they were living brother of the murderer was their claims. One such in. The success of the St Andrews Centre in Perth Prison at the same ancestor was Alexander led to a second Centre being opened in time, described in census Selkirk, thought to be the Dunfermline in 2008. Thanks to the wonderful returns as a widowed real Robinson Crusoe. resources at our fingertips, both Centres “lunatic”. On a more local level, continue to provide a great service to the Another recent discovery we have linked families people of Fife, and indeed the whole of was of a man leading a to the golfers, Hugh and Scotland, as well as worldwide. double life on the west coast Andrew Kirkaldy, as To celebrate the recent release of the of Scotland and in Canada. well as Auld Daw (David 1911 Scottish Census return by the Registrar This man had a wife and Anderson), feathery golf General we are re-launching Fife Council’s family on both sides of ball maker, senior caddie Genealogy Service. The Genealogy Centres the Atlantic. We followed and Keeper of the Green are staffed by enthusiastic and experienced him on shipping records Auld Daw at St Andrews from 1840Genealogy Assistants who can carry out and via the Canadian and 1856. assisted searches and commissioned family Scottish census returns As well as finding out about a family’s tree packages. In addition, one-hour training as he crossed the sea going between his past we can also help with the present and sessions are being offered, giving customers two families. Supporting both families must have helped customers trace long-lost, living help and advice on extracting and recording have been a financial drain as he appeared relatives. We are delighted to hear that on information relating to their as a stowaway on one several occasions this has led to family own families. of his return voyages to reunions. As a Genealogy Scotland – a rare find We have also been called upon to do Assistant, life is never indeed! our own bit of ‘heir hunting’, when we were dull. We have made many One woman falsely asked to trace living descendants of a long exciting discoveries, registered the death of dead landowner. As followers of the popular spanning hundreds of her father, the death entry television series “Heir Hunters” know, this is years. Speaking to any of later marked “fictitious”. exciting work. We do not specialise in this our Genealogy Assistants The man died some area, but have the skills and resources to you will find that each has ten years after, leaving carry out such searches. a story to tell. Besides the us with the mystery As Genealogy Assistants, we hear so illegitimacies, and extraof the circumstances many wonderful stories passed down through marital relations, we are surrounding the initial the generations of a family. Such stories often often faced with false registration. Although it incite curiosity about one’s own family and claims of relationships and may not be possible to its origins. By helping people explore their parentage on census returns uncover all the secrets ancestry, we are closing the gap between and statutory records. It is hidden within a family’s past and present generations, answering our job to separate fact from history, if the evidence is those unanswered questions, bringing the fiction – often the fact is the there, we hope to find it. Andrew Kirkcaldy stories to life, and this is what makes our jobs more interesting of the two. The Service Return so rewarding. Recently we were lists from the First (Images courtesy St Andrews asked to provide a family history report for and Second World Wars make very sad Preservation Trust) a special birthday. We discovered that one reading and on many occasions have given of the ancestors was murdered, trying to us something to pause and think about.
THISTLE DAE FOR ALL OCCASIONS A Gift for all occasions • Party Decorations • Themed Parties • • Gifts for Tourist/Golfer • Home Crafts • 207 SOUTH STREET, ST ANDREWS 01334 479408
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George Ferguson Shoe Repairs Luggage, Shoe Repairs and Accessories
Steven George Ferguson Traditional Cobbler 151 South Street St Andrews KY16 9UN steven@fergos.plus.com 01334 472134
ORGANISATIONS Eric Brown, Chairman, St Andrews Partnership
Early Plans Reach Fruition Just nine months after attaining charitable status, the St Andrews Partnership – which brings together civic groups, organisations, and local businesses – is beginning to implement a wide range of projects which will further enhance the town. Widespread consultation during 2010 revealed that local people felt strongly that ‘civic pride’ should be at the heart of the Partnership’s activities. Accordingly, three priority projects were identified for 2010/11: Martyrs’ Monument – as previously reported in St Andrews in Focus, plans to conserve and restore this prominent landmark are gathering momentum. A consortium of bodies, including St Andrews Community Council, St Andrews Preservation Trust, and Fife Council are co-ordinating the planning and fundraising efforts. A detailed survey by a specialist architect – paid for by around 50 generous local donors – was commissioned, and his recentlycompleted report reveals that to carry out the proposed extensive programme of stonework repairs and restoration is likely to cost as much as £180,000. This will be a sizeable fundraising challenge, but one which St Andrews should be able to achieve by working together! The Partnership is now busy making grant funding applications and seeking further
donations. For full up-to-date information, or to make a secure online donation, visit http://martyrsmonument.standrews.co.uk St Andrews in Bloom – this award-winning campaign is being supported again in 2011 by the Partnership. It has just been announced that the first contribution from the Partnership’s new ‘Brighter St Andrews’ fund (see below) will be £3,000, helping to pay for the costs of summer watering for scores of tubs, planters, and hanging baskets around the town. In addition, the Partnership will not be seeking repayment of a previous £2,100 loan to St Andrews in Bloom. Pedestrian Signposting – following an extensive consultation and planning process, the Partnership’s long-awaited network of pedestrian ‘fingerpost’ signs will be installed before the height of the main summer season. 25 hand-painted cast iron signposts will provide visitors with highquality and attractive signs, helping them navigate around the town. The installation programme also involves the removal of many unsightly and damaged old signs. Amongst the Partnership’s many other activities in recent months, two achievements in particular stand out:
‘Brighter St Andrews’ – this is the name given to the innovative new charitable giving scheme which allows visitors to contribute to town enhancements in a number of different ways. Around 40 businesses have already begun to collect donations from their customers and it is anticipated that some £20,000 will be raised this year alone. It is hoped that a future edition of St Andrews in Focus will feature this story in more detail, but, in the meantime, see http://brighter.standrews.co.uk for information. Visit St Andrews – staying on the topic of websites, the Partnership’s ‘portal’ website for the town at: www.standrews.co.uk has proved a huge success since its launch in 2010. As many as 27,500 visits to the site are being made each week, and its popular ‘Facebook’ and ‘Twitter’ channels have thousands of followers. Have a look for yourself! If you would like to find out more about the Partnership’s work and future plans, subscribe to its free monthly electronic newsletter by sending your details to info@standrews.co.uk
Jamie Dunleavey says
St Andrews Needs Live Music! When was the last time you listened to live music in St Andrews? In a student town like ours, you would expect to see young bands playing every week. Pubs used to be full to the brim with people of all ages listening to local bands play, but with the booming DJ and clubbing industries, the live music scene seems to be increasingly pushed to one side. That’s where we come in. I’m from a St Andrews-based band called The Bang, and we would like to help kick start the live music scene of St Andrews. Our band consists of singer Rory Speed (19), guitarist and songwriter Stewart Black (19), bassist Cam Black (17), and drummer Jamie Dunleavey (20). We started playing in the summer of last year, practicing
endlessly to make sure we were musically tight, while also writing original material. After being together for only a couple of months, we won the Dexters Bar Dundee Battle of the Bands in October, which gave us a major boost in confidence! Since then, we’ve continued to keep up the momentum, playing gigs, and extending our set with new material. We’ve had the privilege of supporting bands such as Sucioperro (fronted by JP Reid, who collaborated with Simon Neil from Biffy Clyro), Dead Sons (led by Reverend and the Makers’ guitarist Tom Rowley), T in the Park regulars The Draymin, and signed London band Japanese Voyeurs. Our songs received radio play by music promoter and broadcaster Jim Gellatly, and we’ve even had a mention in the music magazine ‘Kerrang’. We’ve played all over Scotland, from Dundee to Glasgow and Edinburgh. The one place we don’t play often is St Andrews! The atmosphere, energy, and fun that live music creates brings people together and gives people a sense of unity. It’s something that everyone can relate to, and it would be a shame to see it fizzle out in favour of electronically manipulated music that is so popular these days. If you, too, are fed up of hearing electronically-programmed music and would prefer to support live, raw, and original music played by musicians, come to a gig soon and help live music make the comeback it deserves! To find out more about The Bang and listen to our music, you can go to www.myspace.com/thebanguk You can also contact us by emailing thebang@hotmail.co.uk (Photo courtesy Jamie Dunleavey)
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TOWN & GOWN Karen Hutchence went walkabout in St Andrews to ask local people about
The Visit of Prince William and Kate Middleton
– here on Friday, 25th February, to launch the 600th Anniversary of the founding of the University of St Andrews. Agnes Armit, from the Cancer Research shop in South Street: “I never thought I would get the chance to see them both together. We waited two hours – but it was worth it. We heard him speaking inside St Salvator’s Quad, and when he said this was the best University, everyone cheered. When I met them I shook hands with him first and he said ‘hello’ to me. Then I reached my hand out to shake Kate’s and I said ‘congratulations’ to her and she thanked me. I think she is a very lovely woman. They will make a lovely couple. I wish them many, many years of happiness. He will make a brilliant King and she will be a lovely Queen. I think they will make good parents too.” Grace Hutchence, from a local primary school: “The school took us out to meet Prince William and Kate Middleton for a very special treat. We had to wait a while before they arrived, but it was worth it, and when they did arrive and Prince William got to me, he put his hand out to shake my hand, and he asked me how I was and if I was having a good time. He seemed like a nice man. Unfortunately we didn’t get to meet Kate Middleton, but we still got to see her. I think it was a great day.” Katie Watson works in Bonkers gift shop in Market Street: “It was very exciting. It was a nice sunny day at about 12.30 when I met Prince William and Kate. He shook my hand and said, ‘How do you do’. Kate said, ’it’s a pleasure to meet you’. They were very pleasant. Kate looked lovely and William was a little windswept!”
Linda M Birtwistle, Head of Canongate Primary School, St Andrews, shares her school’s experience: “I was asked by the Lord Lieutenant of Fife to bring 2 pupils down to present a posy of flowers to Miss Catherine Middleton. It was an exceptionally difficult task whom to choose, but eventually Sara Keracher (P6) and Tom Stringer (P6) were chosen. We were met by an usher at 9.00am and had to wait in the porters’ lodge until 11.45am. Whilst waiting we were given instructions where we would stand when we went out. We went out and met the Lord Lieutenant, Vice Principal, and the Provost. Prince William and Kate came out and the posy from ‘Jamie’s the Florist’ was presented. The Prince and Kate were really wonderful with the pupils. They asked them about the school, what sports they were interested in, and what their favourite topics were. I was then introduced, which was a real privilege. We had P4 – P7 in the crowd and the Prince recognised our sweatshirts and asked and answered lots of questions from the pupils. Staff also chatted to him. The pupils were delighted to meet the couple, who charmed them all. It was a fantastic experience.” Marjorie Fenton, Marine Place, St Andrews: “I had a chat with one of the policemen on duty. He came from Kirkcaldy, having got up at 4.00am to be on duty at 6.00am. He and his 199 colleagues enjoyed a breakfast of bacon rolls in the Younger Hall. I learned that the police checked all the standard lamps and drains in the town for bombs! And the workmen in North Street had the day off“.
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Our very own AristoCat, Hamish McHamish! Chris Harris wrote: “A warm summer’s day round St Andrews seemed too much for this cat as I turned around to see him on the sofa upstairs in the office at Farmore Interiors. Its owner should consider purchasing the sofa since the cat seems particularly fond of it and no amount of stern talking proved to be enough for it to part from its fine taste in fabric.”
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CHRIS TULLOCH
PAINTER & DECORATOR 01334 479756 07841435477 FREE ESTIMATES
St Andrews
oyal R
edding W Breakfast
Meg Platt for the
Community Council Reflecting back on the frenzy surrounding the wedding between St Andrews’ most widely-known couple, one event that stands out as a true highlight was the Community Council’s Royal Wedding Breakfast. The plan to hold a celebration for the town and raise money for charity was originally proposed by Community Councillor Ken Fraser, who believed that this would be appropriate given that William and Catherine specifically asked for donations in lieu of gifts. However, the scale of the event quickly spiralled into one of enormous proportion when the University suggested that the Community Council were welcome to organise the event in the grounds of St Salvator’s Quadrangle. Shortly afterwards the media caught wind of the plans and were eager, not only to record what will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the best celebrations of the day, but to make it as big as it could be, with donations to assist the renting of such large-scale items as a marquee and matting to cover the Quadrangle’s grounds. With less than ten weeks to execute an event of this proportion, the Community Council quickly realised that it would need to look for assistance in marking the historic occasion. After holding an open meeting in February in the Scores Hotel, a team of roughly twenty people formed a steering committee for the event. Representatives came from a range of bodies throughout the town, including St Andrews University, the Students Association, The St Andrews Partnership, the Byre Theatre, Hoteliers and Merchants Associations, Fife Council and Fife Constabulary. Under the leadership of Community Council chairman Kyffin Roberts, the
team divided into different subgroups pertinent to the day, including catering, events, press releases, and ticketing. In an effort to draw as many people as possible, the committee quickly deemed that the offer of a free breakfast would not only be appreciated by all, but entice guests to assemble early – a specific request of the media outlets who filmed the event.
This aided the efforts of Community Councillor Audrey MacNaw, who oversaw the selection of entertainment acts and made particular efforts to get as many school groups involved as possible. The efforts of the children were also in evidence in the bunting each school designed, strung throughout the Quadrangle under the organization of local parent Jan Constable.
The next few weeks consisted of what the Byre’s technical director Stephen Sinclair referred to as, “meetings, stress, physical endurance”, that involved, “lots of burning of midnight oil” as the steering group used their various talents and connections in the community to assemble a fantastic event truly representing all aspects of what is great in St Andrews!
The event involved a variety of local businesses in many capacities – including the website construction of Poacher Designs, the culinary savvy of Eric Brown with the Scores Hotel, and a handful of vendors who sold goods to patrons on the day, including Fisher & Donaldson, Jannetta’s Ice Cream, Puddledub Barbecue, and the Balaka Restaurant. There are too many individuals involved to give proper credit where it is due; these are only a handful of the many contributions made by local businesses and groups.
The spectacular success of the day – which in addition to the breakfast featured a variety of acts from performers of all ages, before the wedding was shown on a large screen – has been much publicized in the press. What hasn’t been as widely disseminated is the great effort put in by all those involved in making this the best event it could be. The Byre Theatre’s internal production company, Tigerfish Production Services, donated roughly £9,000 in kind of resources, responsible for assembling three external stages and fitting up all the lighting and sound for the venue. They also were chiefly in charge of arranging a production schedule which was stage-managed by Carlyn Kirkcaldy, a St Andrews dance and theatre instructor. The Students’ Association, particularly Phil Pass, the outgoing sabbatical officer in charge of Events and Services in the Students’ Association, used knowledge of both the University grounds and connection with various student groups to assemble a wide range of performing acts.
Ultimately though, the greatest thanks go to the town. Without the resources, talent, and enthusiasm that all brought to the day – organizers, performers, and attendees – the celebration would not have been possible. In the words of Community Councillor Marysia Denyer, “No individual organization can take credit for the successful day… this was a whole-team effort.” While the day was organized chiefly as a celebration in honour of St Andrews’ Royal couple, the enthusiasm generated during its planning will hopefully mark the start of many more successful events in future years! For more information, please visit www.st-andrewsweddingbreakfast.co.uk or email Community Council chair Kyffin Roberts: kyffinroberts@hotmail.com
WEDDING BREAKFAST Marion Finlay, a writer and editor based in Toronto and St Andrews, reports on how
It was a Royal “Romance in St Andrews” for two Canadian women The crowds milling around the University quad during the Royal Wedding Breakfast celebrations early on 29 April, may have seen the St Andrews branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) perform. What they may not have known is that they were watching the debut of a new Scottish Country dance called Romance in St Andrews, devised by Canadian Shelley McElney. Along with leading the demonstration team and designing both the dance and the women’s vibrant blue-and-red outfits, Shelley is Vice Chairman of the St Andrews Branch of the RSCDS, teaches a beginners’ class, and maintains the branch website. Dancing alongside her was fellow Canadian, Fiona Collinson, another member of the St Andrews Scottish Country Dance demonstration team. While the dance was written to mark the occasion of the Royal marriage, it also celebrates Shelley’s and Fiona’s own romantic association with the town. It was here that they met their future Scottish husbands, fell in love, got married, eventually settling in the town. At the Royal Wedding breakfast, the demonstration team performed two fast-paced traditional dances, the jig St Andrew’s Fair, and the reel Mairi’s Wedding. The tempo relaxed during Romance in St Andrews. “It’s a threecouple strathspey, representing the union of my husband Rab and me; Fiona and her husband Alex; and, of course, William and Kate,” Shelley said. “There’s a section representing the wedding ceremony. Another depicts one’s journey through life. And at the end, the dancers have to act as one, with intricate footwork and a precise relationship with the other couples. Like married life?” Shelley suggests. It was Scottish Country Dancing that first brought Shelley and Fiona to St Andrews over a decade ago. As experienced dancers in Toronto, they came to the town to attend the RSCDS Summer School. “In the evenings, some of the Canadian dancers would go to the old Homelea Hotel (now the Pilmour) on North Street, to enjoy the atmosphere and the fact that they had board games,” Fiona said. “That’s where we met Rab and Alex.” Much flirting and many games of ‘Trivial Pursuit’ later, the two couples started dating. Fiona and Alex would take long walks along the West
Sands, go rock pooling at the East Sands and tour the East Neuk villages, Fiona (L) and Shelley (R) while Shelley enjoyed walks with Rab along the East Sands and out the Kinkell Braes. Then the two women had to return to Toronto. After running up huge telephone bills and making numerous trips back and forth across the Atlantic (and even further afield - Fiona and Alex spent time in Australia, New Zealand, and British Columbia) both Shelley and Fiona decided to settle in the St Andrews area. “Fiona and I both grew up in Toronto,” Shelley said. “It’s a big, young city; not historic like St Andrews. Over the years, I’ve travelled to many places and St Andrews is certainly one of the loveliest.” Fiona and Alex were married in St Salvator’s Chapel in 2002, while Shelley and Rab were married two years later in the Town Hall, holding their reception at the Rugby Club overlooking the Old Course. Fiona said: “We settled back in this area as it is so beautiful and many of our friends are here. We live in an old cottage in Largoward and have two children, Olivia, 6 and Harry, 4 1/2. Plus a dog, three chickens, two bunnies and we’ve just been given two tiny ducklings. I’m beginning to feel like something out of ‘The Good Life’ but it is peaceful, glorious - when sunny - and a wonderful place to live.” Shelley now teaches a Scottish Country Dance class in the Town Hall, the same venue where she and Rab wed seven years ago. “I took up dancing because I was looking for a form of exercise that would be more interesting than jogging or going to the gym,” Shelley said. “I’ve met so many people and made so many friends through dancing. But little did I know what a huge impact it would have on my life.” For more information about Scottish Country Dance in St Andrews, visit the website www.rscdsstandrews.org (Photos, contributed)
Ladybirds – winner of the window dressing competition
WEDDING BREAKFAST From Grant Milne A friend asked – did I take part in the Royal jollifications in St Andrews on Friday? – I didn’t, but my boys surely did! I was in St Salvators Quadrangle of the St Andrews University looking at the big screen TV showing the newly weds on the balcony of Buckingham Palace when the Battle of Britain Flight flew over Buckingham Palace, quickly followed by a squadron of the new Typhoon fighters. As this squadron appeared on the huge TV screen, a real Typhoon from RAF Leuchars flew at low level directly over the Quad – one second, the Typhoon was on the TV screen and the very next – it seemed to fly out of the large TV picture as the “real” Leuchars Typhoon aircraft blasted over our heads – wonderful co-ordination on the part of the RAF! Magic moment!
From Michael Faed: My daughter, Nicola Fulton (nee Faed, an ex-Madras pupil, who also was married in Sally’s) came up with her family from Edinburgh for the day in St Andrews and took a number of photos from which she made up the attached collage. As the latest (excellent) issue of your magazine requests contributions I attach a copy of this collage, and the picture below.
Jelly Bean image in Burns Sweetie Shop window.
laddery te McG MC Ka admirer with
Alex Stain es (IR) a nd Cassie H all (Phys ics) marry at the same time in th e Chapel
eir Celebrating th rsary, ve ni an 49th wedding on is Lillie Norman and Al re with he en are se y MacIntyre Lorn and Mar
Celebrating their 5th weddi ng anniversary
WEDDING BREAKFAST
TOWN & GOWN Scott Hillsdon, Membership Secretary of the Cuneo Society reveals the answer to
Scotsman on the Forth – The University of St Andrews Connection? Scotsman on the Forth brings together the most famous steam locomotive and rail bridge in the country, if not the world. The picture is by Terence Cuneo, who is considered by many to be the finest railway artist of all time. The picture is a combination of superlatives. The sharp-eyed will notice the loco front buffer beam carries the crest of St Andrews University: why?
The picture depicts the first time the engine crossed the bridge on 15 May 1964. The occasion was an excursion by the Transport Society of Queens College, St Andrews University, from Edinburgh to Aberdeen. The previous year the loco had been purchased from British Railways by Yorkshire businessman Alan Pegler, who then ran various charter excursions, hauled by the famous engine. The picture was commissioned by Alan Pegler; naturally he went to Terence Cuneo, (1907-1996) who, having made his name as the official artist for the Queen’s coronation in 1953, had then gone on to paint numerous railway, state, occasions and military works. Terence Cuneo was well known for putting a small mouse in his pictures. “Spotting the Mouse” is a must for any Cuneo devotee! The image here is too small for it to be seen. Scotsman on the Forth passed to Sir William McAlpine, owner of the engine Flying Scotsman. He then sold the picture in 1996. These days originals by Terence Cuneo are much sought after, commanding many thousands of pounds. There is today a thriving Cuneo Society of which Sir William McAlpine and Alan Pegler are vice-presidents. The Flying Scotsman engine changed hands twice more and is currently undergoing a major overhaul at the National Railway Museum,York For details of the Cuneo Society go to www.cuneosociety.org You can also find out more about Terence Cuneo on the internet. (Painting courtesy the Cuneo Estate)
PAMbuoy update
Following on from the article in issue 46 about the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU), the listening device, PAMbouy was successful launched off the East Sands on 11 May. It can just be seen with the naked eye, and it is now transmitting sounds from beneath the waves.
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SHOPS & SERVICES Svetlana Redpath, Judge at
The World Cheese Awards – That sounds grand, doesn’t it! Every cheese We started our judging at 9.00am and lover in the world would love an opportunity finished at noon – and oh boy, were those to be a part of it. Well, last year I happened to hours intense! All the judges were divided be one of those lucky few actually elected to into teams of four. Each team had to taste judge the cheeses of the world. at least 50 different cheeses. I was lucky The event took place on the 24 to work with very knowledgeable and November 2010 in NEC, Birmingham, and cooperative judges. My team mates were was a truly amazing experience. Over 2,600 from a cheese affineur and exporter from cheeses entered the competition to be judged France, a food journalist from Wales, and during the morning session. But only 47 a cheese shop owner from Japan. Plus cheeses, awarded “Super Gold” myself – freelance cheese in the morning, came under the connoisseur at the time. To There were over scrutiny of the Supreme Judges get on the judging panel I in the afternoon, and only one of had to show that I had years two hundred them was crowned the winner. of international cheese retail, different judges The organizers of the maturation, cheese-making Awards – The Guild of Fine from every corner experience, as well as a Food – pride themselves on cheese book to my name. of the world having the most culturally My team mates and I had diverse panel of judges. There to thoroughly examine each were over two hundred different judges from cheese, assessing its appearance, aroma, every corner of the world – Britain, Australia, texture, and naturally its flavour. As a result Spain, America, Canada, France, Japan, to we had to give them all a mark from 0 to 25. name a few. I, of course, added quite a bit The cheeses we thought were outstanding more to the already diverse panel as I was we had to give a “Super Gold” sticker, then representing two countries at the same time “Gold” for excellent ones, “Silver” for cheeses – my native Russia, and Scotland, where I with one minor fault, and “Bronze” for presently live and own my cheese shop. cheeses with more than one fault. Naturally,
judging cheese is quite subjective. However, our team did agree that only farmhouse or artisan cheeses can ever get any kind of sticker. Commercial (read, ‘mass produced and tasteless‘) cheeses will never be as good for obvious reasons. We ended up awarding only a handful of cheeses various stickers and only one cheese from our table was awarded a “Super Gold”, going on to the Supreme Judging session. The morning judging session was triumphantly finished by the Judges’ Luncheon. This was our opportunity to mingle with all the other cheese folk – cheese makers, retailers, exporters/importers, food journalists, and so on. Later we all watched the Supreme Panel, consisting of 15 judges from 11 countries, choose the winner. It is extremely exciting to say that last year it finally was a British cheese – Cornish Blue. (Photos courtesy Svetlana Redpath)
Foot Clinic For Total Foot Care from an HPC Registered Podiatry Team Advice and Treatment in all areas of Podiatry/Chiropody and Biomechanics Foot Clinics: 43a Argyle Street St Andrews KY16 9BX
15 East Shore Anstruther KY10 3AB
52 Bonnygate Cupar KY15 4LD
Podiatry/Chiropody: 01334 479003 Biomechanics/Orthotics: 01334 470111 Website: www.FootClinicUK.com
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SHOPS & SERVICES Please put your hands together with Flora Selwyn as
The curtain rises on the Kingarroch at the Byre! The Kingarroch at the Byre, (formally the Byre Bistro) is a new show, under new direction and experienced leadership. Grant Hughes and brother Paul are now the joint proprietors. Together they turned around the Kingarroch Inn in Craigrothie (see this magazine, July/ Aug 2010); without a doubt this newest acquisition will become a success, too, for they have the enthusiasm, boundless energy, and – most importantly – an understanding of what their customers want. The new Kingarroch at the Byre is open daily, offering snacks, sandwiches, teas, coffees, wine etc, then lunch, afternoon tea, pre-theatre menu, and full dinner. All the food is sourced locally, cooked on the premises, served with a smile by properly trained staff. Leadership is back! There is also a pastry chef now, producing mouth-watering cakes, pastries, and desserts. Parties, (for adults or kiddies), and weddings can be catered for, as well as corporate, and outside catering. All this is overseen by the friendly general manager Greg Tennant, who was a supervisor at the Byre several years ago before gaining further experience in busy bars and restaurants in Glasgow.
A glance at the menus gives an idea of the new approach: Snack menu: for £4.95 there’s an “open granary bloomer sandwich served with green leaves & kettle chips, vine tomatoes, Mozzarella & basil”. There is a section called, Amazing grazing, which has, among other things, “tiger prawn pastry parcels with sweet chilli dip” for £4 Lunch menu: Two courses (starter & main) cost £8.95. One choice is “venison, root vegetable & juniper berry casserole, puff pastry, creamed potato”. Another is “smoked mackerel salad, potato, dill crème fraiche, horseradish Aioli”. Pre-theatre menu, served from 5.00 to 6.30pm: This has “soup with crispy Foccacia bread”. Also “Gin and Tonic cured salmon with soused cucumber, lime and gin syrup” as well as, “seared sea bass with chorizo, courgette, and a red pepper coulis’
Medallions of Scottish beef with creamed potatoes, asparagus and plum tomato
Dinner, from 6.30pm: Included are, “medallions of Scottish beef, creamed potato, grilled tomato, mushroom & thyme jus”, or vegetarian “lasagne of aubergine, leek & butternut squash, spicy tomato sauce, three cheese topping, garlic bread.” Mouthwatering desserts include “Coconut cheesecake with pineapple chutney”. Anyone with dietary requirements or allergies are invited to discuss their needs with restaurant staff. All that is now left to say is, go and see for yourself – this time you won’t be disappointed!
Paul (L) and Grant (R)
Gin and Tonic cured salmon with soused cucumber, lime and gin syrup
(Photos courtesy the Kingarroch at the Byre)
Chilled raspberry panna cotta with homemade Scottish shortbread and Chantilly cream
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SHOPS & SERVICES Welcome, Jonnie Adamson, who has taken over from retired Andrew Wright
Tax Update As the long summer evenings are enjoyed by holiday makers and locals alike it seems a long time since the budget was announced by George Osborne. The slim hopes of holiday-home landlords were finally dashed. The Chancellor confirmed that the previously announced restrictions on the preferential tax treatment of furnished holiday lets would come into force. As these types of properties are seen more as businesses than purely rental investments owners have benefited from being able to offset any losses they made against their other income. This general offset will be removed with any losses only being allowed to be offset against profits from other or future profits from holiday-let businesses. There are also benefits for capital gains tax and inheritance tax which, to a certain extent, will remain. However, the criteria for allowing properties to qualify as holiday lets will be tightened. From April this year the property must be available for letting for 210 days each year (an increase from 140) and must be actually let for 105 days (an increase from 70). Whilst this may be achievable in the longer warmer seasons in the south many Scottish properties may struggle to fulfil these criteria each year. Employers can reimburse employees for business miles travelled using their own cars up to a maximum rate per mile. Any payments
over the rates will be taxable on the employee. If payments are made which are below the maximum rate per mile, the difference can be claimed by the employee. The maximum amount was last changed nine years ago. In 2002 the price of a litre of diesel was around 75p and now hovers around £1.40. The rate per mile has increased from 40p to 45p for the first 10,000 miles. This is hardly a bold move by the chancellor, but helpful none the less. Interestingly, employers are also able to pay a tax-free passenger rate of 5p per mile for each fellow passenger carried by the employee making the same business trip, this has also been extended to the voluntary sector. Should you wish to jump on your bike to go to business meetings then you can be paid 20p per mile tax free by your employer, adding to the benefits of an economical and healthy mode of transport! Changes have been proposed to increase the amount of relief small or medium size businesses get for research and development expenditure from 1 April 2011. This will be increased from 175% to 200%. A further increase to 225% has been mooted for 2012 as well as a consultation on simplifying the rules surrounding the scheme. This scheme may extend to more than just your traditional hi-tech, high-ambition businesses. Recent developments suggest expenditure invested in improving business processes may qualify. Careful planning of when to buy equipment for your business is required after confirmation was given to the planned reduction of the
Annual Investment Allowance (which gives a deduction against tax at 100% on qualifying capital expenditure) from £100,000 to £25,000 with effect from April 2012. This may not affect all small businesses, but could make a substantial difference to a tax bill if a new tractor or key piece of laboratory equipment is bought in the wrong month. Such large purchases require careful planning and sometimes a lengthy order period so it may be best to get the ball rolling on any such investment decisions. There are many more measures introduced which cannot be detailed here. Whilst there is no doubt that significant measures have had to be taken to shore up the country’s finances it is disappointing that successive budgets are used by Chancellors to tinker with tax laws as a political tool to promote the issue of the day. I would rather see a more strategic view taken with more attention paid to the long term. Stability in taxation laws would be much more welcome in a time of economic uncertainty and allow proper planning for businesses and individuals. For further information on this, or other matters, please consult: Henderson Black & Co. 149 Market St., St Andrews. Tel: 01334 472 255
The New Picture House Winner of the RAAM Independent Cinema of the Year Award for Excellence Enjoy a pre-show drink in our lounge or book an exclusive function or children’s party with a private screening
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117 North Street, St Andrews Tel: 013334 474902
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SHOPS & SERVICES David Adie advises on
Commercial Leases
This Article is just intended to give very general advice and is no substitute for taking full and proper advice taking into account your own circumstances. This article is really aimed at business people and people who might if at any time during the period of the lease be thinking about going into business. Perhaps it is something many they want to assign it (whether as part of a people are bearing in mind if made redundant in the current public sale of their business, or to an incoming tenant sector cuts. carrying on a different business), landlord’s Most businesses need premises of some sort and most businesses consent will be required. Normally a landlord will therefore lease rather than buy, given the cost involved in buying, will require to see bank references and either and the current unwillingness of the Banks to lend in any meaningful trade and/or previous landlord’s references for way. a proposed new tenant, in order to be satisfied About 50 years ago most Leases of shop premises or workshops that they are suitable. When the lease is being drawn up, the Solicitor etc would be done on two A4 sheets of paper. With institutional for the original tenant should ensure that the consent clause is worded investment in property there came the document known as a “full so that the landlord cannot unreasonably withhold or delay the granting repairing and insuring lease”. This was originally imported from England of consent. and initially might be 20 or so pages. Now with computers and IT it is The Solicitor also has various due diligence tasks to carry out, such not unknown for a commercial lease of this nature to run to 100 pages, as checking that the landlord does actually own the premises. This although the average is probably nearer 50 or 60. may not be as silly as it appears, because there are occasions where A full repairing and insuring lease means the landlord owns the landlords have tried to lease property owned by one of their subsidiary property and leases it at a market rent to the tenant, the tenant then is or group companies (or the Directors as individuals). It is also essential responsible for all costs associated with that property, that if the Landlord has a loan, the lender agrees except usually the cost of reinstating damage caused to the lease, otherwise the tenant could be in a by an insured risk. Even then, the lease usually precarious position in relation to the lender, who provides if the insurance is vitiated due to the fault of could eject them. Advice of a Solicitor is the tenant, or for some reason is not fully paid out, The due diligence should root out any essential before entering potential the tenant being then responsible for the shortfall. initial liabilities and problems; for Normally, the landlord arranges the insurance, but example, a pre-existing repairs notice on the into one of these leases the tenant requires to pay the premiums. building, or the immediate need to carry out some Advice of a Solicitor is essential before entering work to make the premises wind and watertight. into one of these leases. I can almost guarantee Clients often ask me, for example, “why do I need that a Solicitor will save the client money in the long run and more than a survey, I am only leasing the premises”, but in actual fact carrying out justify the Solicitor’s fee. Landlords are adept at slipping clauses into a survey as part of due diligence in a lease transaction is probably even these leases which can result, for example, in expensive dilapidation more vital than in a purchase transaction. If you own a property you can claims at the end of the lease. In that situation the buck would firmly usually chose whether or not to do repairs, but if you are a tenant the rest with the tenant. Landlord can force you to do the repairs. It is also important to get proper legal advice on the rent review I will finish with two legal horror stories. In one case a client who did clause in such leases. Usually the lease provides for a review of rent not take advice before signing a lease was landed with a very toughly every 5 years and that would normally be in an upwards only direction. worded lease imposing considerable liabilities and large expenses for Many clauses, however, can introduce pitfalls from the tenant’s point of dilapidation at the end of the lease. view and result in an inflated rent being paid. In the second case, because the tenant did not take advice the There are many other clauses where a tenant can potentially come lease was not properly signed and completed, therefore there was no to grief as well. There is a clause called an irritancy clause, which proper legal binding commitment on the part of the landlord. The lease allows the landlord to bring a lease to an end in the event of a breach simply ran from year to year, the landlord being able to take advantage by the tenant, such as non-payment of rent, or non- maintenance of of this when it suited him to serve a Notice to Quit and eject the tenant the property. These clauses are strictly enforced and there has been after a short period. The tenant in the meantime had built up quite a litigation all the way to the House of Lords over them. It is essential to substantial and lucrative business, which had to be relocated at great make sure the lease is properly drafted to allow the tenant sufficient expense and loss. opportunity to avoid the irritancy and ending of the lease in the event of There used to be an advertisement for double glazing where the even minor breach or a late payment. catch phrase was “don’t sign until you have seen Living Design”. With The lease will almost certainly provide that it may not be assigned leases my advice would be “don’t sign until you have used some without the landlord’s consent. The tenant must therefore be aware that, Solicitor’s time”.
FOR OUT OF TOWN LEGAL ADVICE Wills / Inheritance Tax Planning / Executries / Powers of Attorney / Guardianship Conveyancing / Commercial Property / Business Law
We can consult locally
ADIE HUNTER Solicitors and Notaries 15 Newton Terrace Glasgow Telephone: 0141 248 3828 Fax: 0141 221 2384 email: enquiries@adiehunter.co.uk
23
SHOPS & SERVICES
Reporter, ever Roving for news! to have been his locker, were found. Now these items form part of a display area in the shop. The Links Trust’s new CEO, Euan Loudon, is happy that “Tom’s rich heritage has been preserved and that ownership has remained in St Andrews...a fitting celebration of his remarkable career and achievements.” What’s more, Reporter discovered that one of Tom’s direct descendants, Sheila Walker, still lives above the shop. Now that’s continuity!
1. Café 13 has morphed into Dervish, Bell Street (01334 470 736). Aydin Dag, the Manager, was full of optimism for the future, especially as there is now a sizeable Turkish community in St Andrews to help spread the Turkish appeal of the eatery. Owners Bahit Gùçlù from Turkey, and Gaye his St Andrews born-and-bred wife, make sure there is a real international menu reflecting the two cultures. Along with the soups, sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and burgers, there is Kizartma (pan fried aubergine, peppers, courgette with garlic & yoghurt), Doner Kebab, Shish Kebab (marinated fresh lamb Shish) and various Calzones. There is a comprehensive hot and cold drinks menu, along with cakes and desserts. Prices are competitive, a full English breakfast is £5.95; sandwiches range between £2.90 and £4.25; the most expensive item is the Dervish Special Kebab at £11.00, served, like all Kebabs, with salad, pitta bread, rice, and garlic & chilli sauce. There are vegetarian options too. If you long for Mediterranean ambience, says Reporter, come to Bell Street and indulge your fancy!
*****
Ayin Dag
2. Reporter knows that golfers everywhere will be delighted to learn that “the oldest golf shop in the world” has been back in business since April. The Tom Morris Golf Shop, 8 The Links, (01334 466 737) was originally opened in 1866. Legendary Tom Morris himself “was widely regarded as the father of the modern game.” St Andrews Links Trust, which today manages 7 public golf courses in the Home of Golf, acquired Tom Morris Ltd. last year. In the course of renovation, Tom’s own workbench, the fireplace in which he heated and shaped gutta percha balls, and what is believed
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(Photo by Michael Joy)
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3. The urge for a change of direction is something Reporter says he understands so well! Leaving her hairdressing salon, Karen Ogston has decided to offer styling in clients’ homes to fit in with their own lifestyles. It is, she told Reporter, a much more friendly and social way of working, especially with older clients. Karen, with more than 30 years’ experience as a hair stylist, charges affordable prices for the whole range of services, from shampoo and blow dry, to colouring, to cutting, to perms etc. “I enjoy being with people,” she says, “I don’t rush. It’s refreshing to be out.” Hours are flexible, and apart from Saturdays, Sundays, and statutory holidays, Karen arranges times to suit, including evenings, and within a fair radius of St Andrews. She can be contacted by telephone: 01334 475 599. It’s not only Karen who enjoys her different way of working, but also all her loyal customers!
*****
4.
A rapturous Mohi Mohiuddin called Reporter to tell him his Maisha Restaurant, College Street, St Andrews had been shortlisted for the Team of the Year Award by The Hungryhouse.co.uk Scottish Curry Awards 2011. A telephone call “out of the blue” made Mohi think he was dreaming, but tickets arrived for him and his wife to attend the award-giving event at the Thistle Hotel, Glasgow, on Monday 23 May. Along with 800 guests Mohi and Mahfuza enjoyed a four-course dinner accompanied by musical and dance entertainments. The event programme welcomed guests “to the spiciest evening of the year”. It explained that the Awards “...are completely devoted to Scotland’s love of curry: the folk that slave away in a cloud of heady spices to create and serve the scrummy dishes that disappear in mere moments of the fork or fingers diving in...” Team of the Year is one of eight categories that include The Curry Lover of the Year, and Chef of the Year etc. A curry lover himself, Reporter warmly congratulated Mohi, wishing him continued success and good fortune. 5.
*****
Registered Yoga teacher, Leigh Davis contacted Reporter to tell him of her classes. “I teach a very beginner Vinyasa Flow class. So all the movements are linked between the breaths. The movements co-ordinate sitting, on all fours, on the stomach, and back, as well as standing postures. I like to add Pilates core work
SHOPS & SERVICES in each class, too. Meditation follows at the end of every class. Every class has a different theme which is brought through in the breathing exercises, the music I play, the postures (asanas) and the savasana resting pose at the end.” Classes are held at All Saints Hall on Wednesday nights from 6.00-7.00pm. Mats and blankets are provided. Leigh told Reporter that she teaches in primary and nursery schools in Fife during the week. At weekends she can be found doing “children’s birthday yoga parties”. Please contact Leigh either Mob: 0756 568 1811 or through her website: www.matsyyoga.com
Alan offers “a new, casual fun shopping experience.” In attractively light premises you can find Pilgrim Jewellery, Dower & Hall Jewellery, costume jewellery, sterling silver, scarves, bags, everything to make you feel good about yourself, or as an answer to that gift problem! Reporter loves the friendly atmosphere and the personal service, exactly what will invite you to return.
BEST WESTERN SCORES HOTEL
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(Photo courtesy Leigh Davis)
*****
6. Another success story to add to Reporter’s growing list – Alan Cubbage has opened Jewel in Market Street (the fountain end) as an expansion of his very successful gift shop at the other end of the street. “In retail for 14 years”,
76 The Scores, St Andrews, KY16 9BB Tel: 01334 472451 Website: www.bw-scoreshotel.co.uk Email: events@scoreshotel.co.uk
Print & Design
Beachwear at Elspeth’s of St Andrews
We welcome commercial enquiries
9 Church St St Andrews
The services we offer include: • Colour Digital Printing • Graphics & Pre-Press • External Display Banners
Tel: 01334 472494
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
Leuchars Station £10 Fit the best
Everest
Home Improvements – more than just doors & windows – conservatories; flat roofs; driveways; etc.etc. Jim Wilson, Area Manager Tel/Fax: 01334 475 300 Mobile: 07767 264 618 Email: jim.wilson26@btinternet.com
Dundee City Centre £25 Edinburgh Airport £70
25
EVENTS Clio Turton, Press Office Manager, the Soil Association, invites you to
Discover your reasons to love organic this September After the success of last If we can tempt you year’s Organic Fortnight, South of the border, the UK’s biggest kicking off events will celebration of all things be the ever-popular organic will now be Organic Food Festival, taking place throughout taking place on 3 & 4 the whole month of September at Bristol September. Watch out Harbourside. Now in for events up and down its eleventh year the the country on organic Festival celebrates the farms, in schools, full spectrum of organic cafés, restaurants, fare with hundreds of and on a high street stalls selling delicious near you. Look out food and drink, organic Reasons to support sustainable also for special offers clothes, and beauty organic food and farming systems on organic products products. have never been more compelling in supermarkets and Helen Browning, independent food stores. director of the Soil Organic September is a great time to Association, said, “Organic September is a discover your reasons to love organic. There great opportunity for people to discover their are lots to choose from! Organic food is reasons to love organic and to enjoy special produced from natural farming systems which offers and events happening across the UK. are kind to animals, avoid the use of pesticides Reasons to support sustainable organic food and synthetic fertilisers, and GM ingredients are and farming systems have never been more banned. compelling in the face of climate change, the The Soil Association’s top five reasons to rising cost of oil, increased pressure on our love organic are – natural environment, declining wildlife, and the • Food you can trust threat of US-style mega-farms coming to the • Better for the environment UK. Food and farming have a vital role to play • High standards of animal welfare when it comes to our impact on the planet, • Helps protect wildlife given that farming is responsible for 30% of • Ensures a GM-free diet global greenhouse gas emissions and up to
30 per cent of our individual carbon footprint is based on our food choices. Choosing kind, healthy, wildlife-friendly organic food has got to be the easiest, most delicious and enjoyable way to make a real difference.” For more information visit – www.soilassociation.org/organicseptember.aspx
(Photos courtesy the Soil Association)
Derek A. Barrie, Press Officer, St Andrews Preservation Trust, previews
“Here Comes the Bride” This exhibition, currently open in the St Andrews Preservation Trust’s Museum at 12 North Street, is highly topical and appropriate. It being the year of the Royal wedding with its close association with St Andrews, Curator of the Museum Jennifer Reid has chosen to showcase courtships, weddings, and married life in St Andrews. Open daily from 2.00 – 5.00pm. until October. Admission is free. The exhibition deals mainly with marriage in St Andrews during the twentieth century, though some documents and photographs date back to the nineteenth. The exhibition draws upon the large collection of photographs held by the Trust. Those on display include the founder of the Byre Theatre, Alex Paterson, at the railway station ready to set out on his honeymoon. Another St Andrews celebrity, toy shop owner and local historian, Gordon Christie, is shown cutting his wedding cake with his wife in 1950. The exhibition is made up of artifacts from the museum’s collection with memorabilia from local residents who responded to an appeal for relevant exhibits. There are examples from different decades of all the paraphernalia surrounding weddings: wedding invitations; dresses; reception menus; commemorative napkins; proclamations of banns; marriage certificates; wedding favours; receipts for bills; and good luck telegrams with double entendre messages. On the same wavelength perhaps there is a copy of the best selling “Married Love – a new contribution to the solution of sex difficulties” by Marie Stopes. A small rolling pin is inscribed, “to the bride for the groom.” One dispelled myth is in relation to white weddings, with white representing purity. Up until the Victorian era blue was more common. If the dress was not blue the bride would have some blue accessory, hence today’s suggestion the bride must wear “something blue” as well as “something borrowed”. But blue was not the only colour chosen by brides.
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A poem tells us: Married in white, you will have chosen right, Married in grey, you will go far away, Married in black, you will wish yourself back, Married in red, you will wish yourself dead, Married in blue, you will always be true, Married in pearl, you will live in a whirl, Married in green, ashamed to be seen, Married in yellow, ashamed of the fellow, Married in brown, you will live out of town, Married in pink, your spirits will sink. Accompanying the exhibition is an illustrated booklet on sale at the museum price £2. Included, is a long list of Scottish proverbs about marriage such as, “Marry your son when you will, but marry your dochter when you can.” – or, “He that has a bonnie wife needs mair than twa een.” As usual there are children’s activities. There is, though, with this exhibition something extra that should appeal to “girls” of all ages. Visitors are invited to “design our wedding dress.” They are asked to come to the museum up until 31July to decorate a piece of fabric, or design a pattern, which will then be used to make a real wedding dress. They are asked to come back to the museum between 15 August and 2 October to see if they can spot their particular design on the finished dress. There is also another fiendish Trust quiz devised by Mrs Jean Lucas. The answers to the 25 questions all have something to do with weddings. Copies, £1, can be obtained from the Trust Office at 12 Queen’s Gardens, or in the museum during the exhibition. Closing date for entries is 2 October. The Curator has put in a great deal of time and effort in producing what should surely prove one of the Trust’s most popular exhibitions in recent years. It deserves many visitors. (Photo courtesy of the Trust)
EVENTS From Roger McStravick, Managing Director of the Festival. He has a golf PR and marketing background attained at VisitScotland and Fairmont St Andrews, and an MSc in Golf Course Architecture from Heriot Watt University.
St Andrews Hosts the Very First Festival of Golf – including a Seve exhibition
It was announced that St Andrews is to have its the St Andrews B&B Association and the very first festival of golf from 28 March – 1 April support of Fife Council, VisitScotland, Scottish 2012. The St Andrews Golf Festival Enterprise, and EventScotland, plus the very (www. standrewsgolffestival.com) many pro-active businesses and clubs in town, This very first Festival of Golf is a St Andrews is truly worthy of being called the celebration in St Andrews that aims to draw in Home of Golf. I also don’t think that it can be visitors from all around the world to experience overstated enough how important ladies’ golf the rich history, traditions, and modern has been to the history and spirit of St Andrews. innovations reflecting the I hope that we are also able 600 years that golf has been to highlight this essential This will be the very played in northeast Scotland. element of St Andrews at the first Festival of Golf Roger McStravick Festival. anywhere in the world explains, “This will be the very We want to create a fun first Festival of Golf anywhere golfing week that will draw in the world. To have it in St Andrews is truly in new visitors. There is so much to see and special. Having a rich golf history with a long do in town, from our well-known tourist spots, list of Open champions, we hope to shine a such as the British Golf Museum, to the lesserlight on that heritage during Festival week. known, such as the beautiful Lades Braes Walk. St Andrews is a magical place. Golfers who I sincerely would like the Festival to be just one come here receive a golf experience that element of fun activities for families and golfers. cannot be repeated anywhere else in the world. I think it is a real opportunity for the town to This is largely thanks to superb organisations come together and to get the tourist season and businesses in town. I would like to pay started even earlier than before, in early April. special thanks and offer my gratitude to the We are obviously at a very early stage, but R&A. We have to recognise their tireless we hope to have the town filled with events, work and also the sheer dedication of the exhibitions, talks, virtual golf, guided walks, R&A to secure golf’s place in the Olympics. films, book signings, legendary golfers, golf for This remarkable achievement is massively kids, and much more. It has to be entertaining, increasing demand for knowledge of the game’s but even more importantly, as we are in heritage around the world. Thanks to the R&A, St Andrews, it has to be world class. We are the St Andrews Partnership, the Links Trust, very ambitious and will be talking to the teams
behind or connected to the Open, ladies’ golf, Seve, Old Tom, The Ryder Cup, Gene Sarazen, and Bobby Jones to start with. Seve’s passing was a very sad moment for all golfers, but his legacy will live on forever in St Andrews. We are speaking to artists and experts and hope to create a very special exhibition for the man who dearly loved St Andrews. St Andrews is ever growing with new shops and restaurants opening all the time. It is great to see Hamilton Hall being returned to its former glory. I applaud what Mr Kohler has done for St Andrews. The town really is all things to all people. We can offer the majestic luxury of the Old Course Hotel, at the same time proffering an array of other top quality hotels and B&Bs. Our restaurants are world class and our bars have a fine history of their own. Thanks to Sheena and Jack, The Dunvegan has become a pilgrimage in its own right. Our hope is for the Festival to grow year after year, so that St Andrews becomes the best place to watch the Masters ....outside Augusta...and to do golf business. We also hope that the exhibitions that we create for the Festival can be used whenever there is a major golf championship, so golfers across the globe naturally gravitate here at that time. I look forward to working closely with all local businesses and hope to drive many new visitors their way in 2012.”
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EVENTS
Selected Events Till Sunday, 2 October – 2.00 to 5.00pm daily. St Andrews Preservation Trust Museum, North Street. Here Comes the Bride – an exhibition about courtship, weddings, and married life in St Andrews. Admission Free. Till Sunday, 4 September – St Andrews Museum, Kinburn Park. McTaggart’s Scottish Shorelines – Paintings from East and West: exploring McTaggart’s lifelong fascination with the sea. Entry Free. Contact: 01334 659 380. Tuesdays & Fridays till Friday, 16 September – 2.00-5.00pm. The Bell Pettigrew Museum of Natural History, Bute Buildings – entrance through St Mary’s Quad, South Street. Open Summer Season. Lots to see; drawing competition for the kids. Free entry. See web for details: http://biology.st-andrews.ac.uk/bellpet/index.aspx Saturday, 2 July – 9.00am-1.00pm. Argyle Street Car Park, St Andrews. Farmers’ Market. – 2.00pm. Cambo Estate, Kingsbarns. Why the rose? an illustrated talk by horticultural historian Jennifer Potter. Tickets: £18 (Friends of Cambo Gardens & RHS members – £15), includes coffee / shortbread & garden tour. Contact: 01333 450 054. Sunday, 3 July – 2.00-5.00pm. Earlshall Castle, Leuchars. Gardens Open (Scottish Gardens Scheme). Entry £5 adults, children free. Contributing to the RAF Benevolent Fund. Contact: nickymcintyre11@btinternet.com Tuesday, 5 July – 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. Sunday, 10 July – 12 noon-5.00pm Byre Theatre. Summer Wedding Fayre. A full range of wedding necessities for bride, groom, and families. A logical first for the Byre, which has long been licenced to host weddings. Entry Free. Contact: 01334 475 000 or: www.byretheatre.com Monday, 18 to Friday, 22 July – 10.00am -1.00pm. Cambo Estate, Kingsbarns. The amazing beasties art week. Children’s art classes. £15 per workshop – discount for all 5. Contact: 01333 450 054 or: cambo@camboestate.com Saturday, 23 July – West Sands. Volleyball, King & Queen of the Beach. Enter on your own and play with various partners – junior categories at this event as well. Contact: mail@cvpaterson.co.uk Monday, 25 and Tuesday, 26 July – Cambo House, Kingsbarns. Talking Heads by Alan Bennett. Performed in the drawing room by Red Wine Productions in conjunction with the Crail Festival. To book contact Crail Festival Box Office, and also: www.crailfestival.co.uk Friday, 29 July to Sunday, 31 July – Inside Out Street Theatre. Now in its fourth year, a festival of music, drama, dance, street theatre, and more to entertain everybody, including the children! Full programme and locations at: www.byretheatre.com Sunday, 31 July – 10.30am-5.00pm. Station Park, Old Guardbridge Road. St Andrews Highland Games. Tickets, £6 (£4 concessions). Contact: Ian Grieve: ig2@st-andrews.ac.uk Tuesday, 2 August – 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. Thursday, 4 to Tuesday, 9 August – Lammas Fair & Market. Saturday, 6 August – 9.00am-1.00pm. Argyle Street Car Park. Farmers’ Market. – 2.30pm. DUNDEE, Glasite Hall, St Andrews Church Hall Complex, King Street. The Western Front Association. Haig: the man behind the mask of command (part 2 of 2) – George A Webster, University of St Andrews. Free, but donations welcomed. Contact: Bob Paterson, 01382 775 000 email: wfatayside@lochnagar.fr Saturday, 6 August to Sunday, 14 August – 10.00am-5.00pm daily. The Old Coal Yard, 66 High Street, Pittenweem. St Andrews Photographers. Part of the Pittenweem Festival. Information from: http://sites.google.com/site/thestandrewsphotographers Thursday, 25 August – 7.30pm-9.00pm. Public Library, Church Square, St Andrews. Robin Harper, Book Event. Tickets, £3.50 (£3 concessions). Contact: Yvonne.Melville@fife.gov.uk Saturday, 27 August – 10.00am-5.00pm. St Andrews Town Hall. Antique & Collectors’ Fair. Entry £1 (50p concessions). Contact: 01334 838 217. Sunday, 28 August – 4.00pm. BLEBOCRAIGS Village Hall, the Lea Rig, KY15 5UG. Jane Austin Invites.... A light-hearted play for all the family, by the French company, Theatre Someone. Tickets £5 at the door. Contact: www.theatresomeone.com See article opposite. From August – at the Guid Cheese Shop, Burghers Close, South Street. Regular wine & cheese tastings. For details see website: info@guidcheeseshop.co.uk
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Theatre Someone Invited to perform Jane Austin Invites…. at the Fringe (25 and 26 August 2011), Theatre Someone will also bring the show to Blebocraigs Village Hall on 28 August at 4.00pm. (tickets £5 at the door). Sue Humphreys writes that the idea for the play was inspired, “ by an old copy of a cookbook written by Martha LLoyd who lived with the Austen family for many years before marrying one of Jane’s brothers. Sue Leather & Lesley Sherwood improvised & wrote the script” with Sue’s direction. Theatre Someone stages “shows which do not necessarily need any special effects from lighting or sound, but which can be performed in any intimate venue. We, too, wished to bring live, interesting, English language theatre to the many villages in the area around the major city of Geneva.” More information about the Company can be found on their website: www.theatresomeone.com (Photo courtesy Theatre Someone)
OUT & ABOUT Tony Hardie’s
Nature Notes – May 2011 I regret that these notes are always about a time of year that is two to three months before publication. And so I find myself at my desk in May for the July/August issue. I do hope my readers understand – over six issues of St Andrews In Focus we shall have covered a year. That being said! After the hard winter we have seen a most wonderful Spring for blossom. The gean, pear tree, and the magnolia in this garden looked like three lovely
Male pheasant
“chandeliers”, dazzling in the sun that climbs higher every day. The silver birches have burst from bud to leaf and the trees in Abbey Park: copper beech, sycamore, and oak are so fresh, and now the beech is just in leaf. I could go on because the shrubs are growing too, but I must not: my readers will know what spring brings to the garden and all this at a time when we don’t have to worry about aphids and mildew. If I had a vegetable garden I would be writing of early potatoes bursting through (Sharps Express used to be our favourite), and many more lovely things to come later in the year. The wisteria here has come into flower and the old gable wall at Dauphinhill, built of stone, some of it from the Abbey, is covered in blue lupin-like flowers in clusters that droop and wave in that cold breeze off the North Sea. The twisted branches make a favourite nesting place for the spotted Flycatcher. We do not have one here, but I remember one at our last home, which had no hesitation in pouncing upon the beautiful tortoiseshell butterfly that I had released one sunny day from behind the bedroom window – so sad. The birds that occupied the garden in winter are all nesting now. Indeed the hen chaffinch was stripping silver pieces off the bark of the birch and also had a white petal in her bill
Hedge sparrow to decorate her nest, as good as any pearl! The hedge sparrow collects hair shed by our son’s springer spaniel to line her nest, which last year was in the heart of the climbing rose. No longer does the cock pheasant visit our garden daily, but he is to be heard morning and evening nearby, not entirely to the approval of our neighbours! When he does come he chortles with delight. His plumage is dazzlingly in its variety of copper, blue, and green and such patterns too! Now every colourful point is highlighted; no wonder, he seems to have no fewer than four hens in his entourage. This is a good time of year to be at home! (Photos by kind permission of John Anderson (www.pbase.com/ crail_birder))
From Peter Bryant
Miniature Railway Steaming Back into Craigtoun Country Park Peter Bryant is an enterprising, 19-year-old university student from consulted by developers of new miniature railways both worldwide and Sheffield. He is set to refurbish and operate the 15 inch gauge miniature in the UK. railway in Craigtoun Country Park. Peter has visited Craigtoun quite a few times over the years on The railway, which runs round the boating lake of the popular Councilfamily holidays, and decided to visit again this April whilst on a trip to run country park has delighted passengers since 1975. It will run once Kerr’s Miniature Railway in Arbroath. He said, “I was surprised and again, with a new locomotive to pull trains, as quite saddened to see that the Craigtoun well as extensive repairs and renewals to bring I was surprised and quite saddened Park Railway had been closed, as it is in the ¼ mile line up to a high standard. MRW a fantastic setting. So I decided to contact to see that the Craigtoun Park Railways Ltd, the company operating the service, Fife Council to see how we could help. On Railway had been closed specialises in the operation and installation of summer break from Uni, I didn’t want just miniature railways. It is led by businessman Peter another part-time job over the summer. Bryant, who has had lifelong interest and experience in the sector. As So it seems an ideal opportunity to combine what I’ve learnt on my well as running the leading miniature railway website in the world, he is business degree with what I know best – miniature railways. I first also a founding advisor of a national railway heritage trust that has been visited a miniature railway when I was 2 years old and it’s stuck ever since.” MRW Railways Ltd will be running this summer a newly-restored and repainted 2-8-0 steam outline diesel hydraulic locomotive, identical to the current Craigtoun Park locomotive (see photo). As well as the new locomotive, which has had many hours being restored, Peter says, “we will be undertaking track repairs and adding new signage to make sure the railway is the best it’s ever been. Railway souvenirs will be on sale and we’ll be offering great value multi-ride tickets for those who want to return many times. I hope St Andrews people will support and play a part in this revival and come for a ride – at £1.50 for adults, £1 for children, in addition to our multi-ride tickets, we feel we’re offering real value for money. The park is an excellent attraction and we’re very happy to be involved in providing a local family day out, and can’t wait to start running trains again.” The railway will be operating every day, from 2 July to 28 August, 10.00am to 5.00pm. Train rides are, adults £1.50, children £1. Under 2s accompanied by an adult are free. Multi-ride tickets allowing 10 rides will be available for £8, along with railway souvenirs.
(Photo courtesy Peter Bryant)
For latest news and further details see the Craigtoun Park Railway website at www.craigtounparkrailway.co.uk For further information and photo opportunities, please contact Peter Bryant: 07910 211 785 or peter@mrwrailways.co.uk
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OUT & ABOUT Alistair Lawson, on
Dipping a Toe in the Water Hands up – how many St Andrews in Focus readers have traversed the Chain Walk at Elie? I have a mental vision of a somewhat small number of tentative hands being raised. Can this be true? So few? In mountaineering terms, the route is what is called a Via ferrata, in other words a route
equipped with metalwork of various sorts in order to render it feasible for those who might not otherwise have the necessary climbing skills or a head for heights. There seems to be some doubt, even amongst long-time Fife residents, as to why the route was set up, whether as a tourist attraction, or as a necessity for fishermen. I have been told both. Can any reader shed definitive light on this point? The accompanying pictures will show you what is involved. The main piece of advice is to tackle the route when the tide is falling, thus giving yourself as much time as possible.
Perhaps we shall see a few suggestions for the editor in the next issue, along with readers’ own pictures and accounts of the feats undertaken? (Photos by Brian Cairns, CairnsB@Northlan.gov.uk – ScotWays working contact in North Lanarkshire)
Robert Gordon Gall
A St Andrews Bay A million grains of sand like liquid gold Trickle from my hand
While children build sandcastles with moats all
Around and waves rush in with a roaring sound,
But whisper again as backward they run leaving Wet pebbles like jewels in the sun.
Hear the laughter of people as they swim and They play. Just close your eyes to be with me On that St Andrews Bay.
Invite you to visit a hidden treasure in the heart of St Andrews OPEN DAILY ALL YEAR ROUND
Sunday August 7th OPEN DAY – FREE ENTRY
Entertainment for all the Family Activities for Children – Craft Stalls – Ceilidh Band Ceramics & Paintings for Sale in Gatehouse
PLANT SALES AREA Open Till end of September
TO JOIN THE FRIENDS AND SUPPORT THE GARDEN CONTACT MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Tel: 01334 476452 Charity No. SC006432
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OUT & ABOUT
Botanic Garden News – Kate Elliott and Helen Gray report, ‘We Know What You Think!!!!’ Over 350 local residents and visitors to St Andrews Botanic Gardens have given their opinions on the Garden and what they hope to see there in the future. The Friends of the Botanic Garden polled visitors throughout the summer of 2010 and have just released an analysis of visitor responses and comments. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Garden is universally popular and valued – 99% of respondents want the Garden to remain open. Over 90% of respondents want additional facilities, saying they would visit the Garden more often if those were in place. Top of the wish list is a café, followed by cultural events in the Garden. People would like to buy more plants; come to more events & tours; and learn more about growing plants. The over-60s want to safeguard the tranquillity
of the Garden and the under-45s want a children’s discovery area, where it won’t disturb the others. A copy of the report is held at the Gatehouse, for anyone who would like see. Based on the results of the survey, the Friends’ Committee has made a number of recommendations for the short and medium term, and will be trialling some options over the summer of 2011. For those after a good cup of coffee or tea and light refreshments, a coffee kiosk will be trialled in the Garden for six weeks or so during the school summer holidays. The ‘Friendly Wood’ will be developed as a child-friendly exploration area. To make it easier for visitors to get to the Garden from the town centre a pedestrian entrance via the viaduct will be open during staffed hours. Plans are also afoot to put
on a series of interesting themed Garden tours on a variety of topics. Watch out for details of the opening hours for the kiosk on the front page of the website www.st-andrews-botanic.org, and on the notice board by the Gatehouse. Over the summer, please come as often as you can to support these new initiatives – our only chance of getting a proper café and other facilities is if we can demonstrate that they will be successful!
Helen Gray says, ‘Kate and William blossom in the Garden’
Nikki Macdonald is Saving apple trees
This April, children from Junior Hortus at the St Andrews Botanic Garden celebrated the Royal wedding in great horticultural style. On a glorious spring day, children and their parents met at the Gatehouse, and were piped by a Scotia Piper in full Highland dress in a procession through the Garden to the orchard. There, in a tribute to the future King and Queen, the children watered in and mulched two newly-planted trees with a special Royal connection: an apple tree, ‘Katy’ and a pear tree, ‘Williams’’. The simple ceremony took place on the grass surrounded by flowering fruit trees and accompanied by the sound of the pipes. Head gardener David Laing was there to help the children, with Eilidh in support. Chair of the Friends, Louise Roger, dedicated the two trees to the Royal couple, and voiced the hope that the newlyweds would visit their trees soon. Louise commented, “The Friends of St Andrews Botanic Garden were very keen to mark the marriage of William and Kate in a meaningful way, as the town is so close to their hearts. While the Williams pear is well known, many people have not heard of the Katy apple. ‘Katy’ is perhaps the perfect garden apple tree. It is known to be utterly reliable, regardless of the weather conditions, and is wellsuited to growing in cool temperate climates. The tree grows in a neat and tidy fashion and its spring blossom is particularly attractive and long lasting. ‘Katy’ is a very versatile apple and is popular with children.” Louise added, “We join with gardeners all over the British Isles to wish the young couple a long, happy, and fruitful marriage.” The two trees are planted side by side in the orchard (behind the herb garden), and marked with (Photo with kind permission of the Courier) commemorative plaques.
Staff from St Andrews Botanic Garden and Fife Coast and Countryside Trust Rangers have been busy grafting apple trees. Grafting involves taking a cutting from a parent tree and joining it on to a new, healthy rootstock to produce a tree that will fruit true to type. A graft from a Bramley Apple Tree will always produce Bramley apples, but a pip won’t, as the pip will be the result of whatever the Bramley tree cross-pollinated with at blossom time. We can use grafting as a means of preserving local fruit trees that may be threatened by old age, or development. Kate Morison, Countryside Ranger, collected the cuttings from trees such as the ‘Leuchars Apple’ this spring. The ‘Leuchars Apple’ is an old tree in the grounds of the pub at the Leuchars roundabout, said to be an “Early Julyan” apple. Other cuttings came from old trees, or trees on sites earmarked for development. St Andrews Botanic Garden will be looking after the trees for now. If the grafts are successful then the new trees will be planted out at community and school orchards across the area, putting back some of our fruit heritage, rather than buying in new stock from farther afield. Funding for the project came from the Forestry Commission Scotland and Fife Council. Should the project prove successful, we would hope to repeat it in March next year. If anyone out there has old trees of their own that they think should be preserved, or know of any threatened trees, please get in touch with Kate Morison at: kate.morison@fifecountryside.co.uk For information see the St Andrews Botanic Garden website at: www.st-andrews-botanic.org and Fife Coast and Countryside Trust: www.FifecoastandCountrysideTrust.co.uk
Jean Allardice describes Summer Events in the Garden On Sunday, 8 May, The Friends of The Botanic Garden met for lunch in the Garden. The scene was set in the Alpine House with pre-lunch drinks and nibbles followed by a delicious lunch prepared by Mhairi Finlayson and her team in the Glass Class. The morning was sunny and a heavy shower battering on the roof of the Glass Class did not dampen the spirits or drown out the conversation. There was a strong representation of the more mature members – one table included four octogenarians and five nonagenarians, one of whom will shortly celebrate her 100th birthday! Could there be a better advertisement for the benefits and joys of gardening? After lunch the sun came out again leaving the Garden looking fresh and welcoming. Several members took the opportunity to walk round and admire the spectacular display
of Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and Trilliums in the woodland area. It’s hard to believe how well they have all survived the severe winter. This lunch has now become an annual event to which we all look forward and we hope will continue. On Saturday,14 May, The Friends started their annual Summer Bedding Sale. This continues till all the bedding plants have gone. The Plant Sales Area, offering a selection of choice herbaceous plants, alpines, and shrubs will remain open till September. The Gatehouse offers a wide selection of highquality ceramics, paintings, embroidery, wood carvings, and other craft items which make unusual and very desirable gifts. Our Open Day this year has moved to the first Sunday in August to avoid clashing with the Highland Games. There will be the usual fun activities for all the family: a Ceilidh Band;
Lunch Craft Stalls, and, of course, Strawberries and Ice cream. Don’t wait for a special event to visit The Garden – it is open every day apart from Christmas Day. Even if the weather is not good you can take a round-the-world trip in the glasshouses: from the Mexican desert to the Swiss Alps and the tropical rainforest with no need for a passport!
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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
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