St Andrews in Focus Issue 71 Jul Aug 2015

St Andrews in focus • shopping • eating • events • town/gown • people and more

July/August 2015 Issue 71, £2.00

the award winning magazine for St Andrews www.standrewsinfocus.com

Elizabeth Williams’

Red Gowns in College Street (Acrylic) College Street presents something of a challenge for the painter or photographer. Because it is narrow and runs north-south, it is rarely lit by direct sunlight along its full length except during the summer months (my painting was done in October). But of all the wynds in the old town, it is certainly one of the most characterful, and its restoration some years ago when the cobbles were laid and the street pedestrianised has emphasised the Scottish vernacular of its buildings, which are eminently paintable. It’s just a pity that, in pursuit of the worthy aim of recycling, the Market Street end is at times cluttered with aggressively large dustbins. But that is at least a sign that the street is alive and in the 21st century, and is certainly preferable to it being over-gentrified.

My aim was to show it as a busy thoroughfare for students and townspeople. When you are painting you can pick and choose, so I made the buildings on the dark east side lighter than they really were, removed a few unsightly bins (should I have kept

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them in the interests of realism?) and enlisted a couple of gowned students to march up and down the street for me. Then I emphasised the sunlight at each end of the street and on the chapel tower. The sign with the French flag belonged to ‘Le Rustique’, a shortlived French restaurant.

When I retired I revived my early enthusiasm for painting and drawing, though they had always been in the background at one remove in my teaching and research in the history of French art. For some years now I have attended Liz Yule’s classes in Forgan and Tayport, and I attribute any progress I have made in large part to her inspiring teaching. Sketching and painting are the most absorbing pursuits, even if the results don’t always behave as you would like.

Watercolour is wonderful but fiendishly difficult, so that for an amateur pastel or acrylic give a far more relaxing experience. I’ve recently started to work with water-mixable oils (a contradiction in terms, you might think), which have all the advantages of oils

(suppleness and depth of colour) with none of the smell. With this hobby, you need never be bored: you can always pull out a sketchbook and a pencil and see what happens. It’s a real rival to gardening – a compliment indeed in my book!

St

Andrews in focus • shopping • eating • events • town/gown • people and more

From the Editor

We live in interesting times, not so much a curse, as the Chinese might once have had it, but a challenge. St Andrews could perhaps be said to be undergoing a mini renaissance. The Byre Theatre, Craigtoun Park, the Botanic Garden have all been rescued from oblivion through the integrity, vision, and hard work of our citizens. Several new independent retailers have also opened, making it delightful once again to shop here. Golf Mania is upon us; reason enough to tidy the town for the world to see. After that we can enjoy all the fun of the Lammas Fair. Be well, be happy, be proud!

Flora Selwyn

******** The views expressed elsewhere in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor. © St Andrews in Focus (2003)

JULY / AUGUST 2015 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 (stephen@wintersimpson.co.uk) DISTRIBUTER Drop 2 Door (billy@drop2door.co.uk) 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.

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Cover: Red Gowns in College Street, an original acrylic painting by Elizabeth Williams winner of the Art Club’s annual competition.

Contents FEATURES • Community Council • Born to Cook • Twinning • Ask the Curator • Political Giants • Beyond Kilrenny • St Andrews Castle • Seen in St Andrews • Competition Winner • Reviews: – Beetroot, & Courgette – Relish Scotland

4 5 6 7 7 8 8 8 8 9 9

TOWN & GOWN • There’s so much I can tell you • Ultra-Low Vibration Laboratory • We do this together

11 12 13

EVENTS • Shirley Valentine • St Andrews Photographers • Cheese & Wine Tasting • Vintage Car Rally • Flower Paintings • Selected Events

14 14 14 14 14 15

SPECIAL FEATURE • St Andrews and The Open

16-17

SHOPS & SERVICES • Animal Osteopathy • Birchwood Cottage • Auto-Enrolment • St Andrews E-Car Club • Digital Broadband • Christopher Trotter • Roving Reporter

18 19 19 20 21 22 23

ORGANISATIONS • Homeshare • Guess what?

• All Saints Church Rectory • The Old Course Hotel

24 25 25 25

OUT & ABOUT • Botanic Garden Trust • Nature Notes • Hostelling • Hidden Gems

27 28 29 30

NEXT ISSUE – Sept/Oct 2015 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 From Howard Greenwell, Chairman of the

Community Council July, and The Open Championship is finally upon us. The town is well into the last-minute preparations, almost all of the stands and the tented villages around the Links are complete. In addition, I do hope that the town is looking at its best for the hundreds of thousands of visitors that we expect over the next few weeks.

Over the past few months the Community Council has become aware of an increase in the number of bins being left out on the street, an increase in the number of A-Boards that are being used by businesses, as well as an increase in the number of outside tables being used as the weather improves. Not all of these obstacles are appreciated, either by our residents or by our visitors. Bins, A-Boards, Tables, blocking the pavements make it harder for pedestrians to walk around town.

Local regulations call for at least 2 metres of clear pavement to allow for the smooth passage of pedestrians, particularly relevant for those with disabilities. With the increased visitors this month, it could be very difficult to move around freely, due to all the obstacles.

Recently, the Community Council, in conjunction with the St Andrews

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Partnership, St Andrews University, around The Open Championship, most and the St Andrews Preservation Trust, Sundays in July and August will see has been working on the details of a one of our regular brass bands come to “Civic Pride” campaign that we can all our Victorian Bandstand on the Scores support, which will contribute to many to provide us with a couple of hours of improvements in the town. Details entertainment. Why not come along at of specific projects and volunteers 2.00pm most Sundays, sit on the grass needed to implement them will appear to have a picnic, and be entertained by in the press over the next few weeks. one of the bands. Details of the summer Your support of the initiative would be concerts can be found on the Community appreciated.

Council website at www.standrewscc.net So, as we prepare for The Open Members of the bands and of the Championship, the Community Council is Community Council will be very pleased to making a plea to everyone to take pride see you. in the Burgh, to ask all the residents and Finally, as it is summer, let’s not businesses of the Central Conservation forget that other great resource we have Area to make a special at Craigtoun Park. I effort to tidy their own hope you will make time I would also like to area, put those bins away, this summer to enjoy a mention that July brings keep A-Boards and other ride on Puffin Billy, or the summer Bandstand obstructions to a minimum, the Rio Grande Train, Concerts once again also where possible keep experience all the new the pavement and front attractions that the of their property clean and tidy for our Friends of Craigtoun have been working visitors. We all want our visitors to have a on. If the numbers who visited the park good time in the Royal Burgh; we all want at Easter are repeated over the summer, them to leave with happy memories and then I expect the Park will break all last a smile on their faces. Please can you do year’s records easily. It provides a great your bit to help us all. day out for all the family. I do hope you I would also like to mention that July are all able to enjoy what promises to be brings the summer Bandstand Concerts a busy summer. once again. Apart from the Sundays

FEATURES Jamie Scott talked to Flora Selwyn

Born to Cook!

His Mother is a head chef, his Father a Club Steward, his Grandmother Jamie used to play golf, “between the ages of 12 to18. It was a a fine baker. So from a very early age, Jamie Scott was fortunate to very good time; I was playing for Scotland’s Under 16s and Renfrew be able to hone his skills in the family kitchen. He says that from a County. But when I moved to Arbroath, golf and cooking kind of became professional point of view you have to start young. Aged 9, Jamie helped too many things and cooking took over!” Jamie decided that a career make brandy snaps, brandy baskets, millionaires’ shortbread, rum truffles in golf was more risky than a career in cooking, “the more I cooked – all needing nimble fingers. the more I enjoyed it, and I’m thankful Jamie’s upbringing also hugely influenced I chose that path.” Until recently Jamie his later career. His Father, a fitness trainer still managed to play with his Father on in the army, retired after 15 years to partner various courses; just like his Father’s best his wife running golf clubs. The first of these friend, Glaswegian Ernie Payne, the man was in Hamilton in Lanarkshire, where Mother who made history by playing every single was in the kitchen and Father on the bar course in Scotland. Currently, Jamie’s management side. After 7 years the family Mother is Head Chef at St Andrews’ Castle moved to the Royal St George’s Golf Club in Course, so naturally, Jamie plays there Kent, followed shortly by the House of Bruar when he has time. I asked Jamie if he is in Blair Atholl, where Mother became Head able to find more relaxation now. One result Chef at its peak. of his win is that Rocca has attracted new Several more moves around the country staff eager to be in his company. Kelly and culminated in the purchase of the Colliston Jamie enjoy going to the cinema, “I’m a Inn by Arbroath. Jamie earned his HNC massive cinema fan. It’s nice to go and sit through day release courses in Arbroath. somewhere for 2 hours and get lost!”

At the same time he not only helped his We chatted about where the parents, but worked stages from Thurso restaurant’s produce comes from. to London. In September 2014 he married Although “a proud meat eater” Kelly, who had earlier been a waitress in the Jamie is very much concerned about family pub. She’s “a superb, brilliant cook – animal welfare, and sources his meat recreationally!” enthuses Jamie. accordingly. ‘Local’ for him means the 23 years of age, Jamie decided it was best from anywhere in Britain, with time to set out on his own. He was Sous regard also to price. So, “all seafood Chef at the Byzantium Restaurant in Dundee. is from Scottish shores, all our beef is However, “I felt it was time for new challenges from Orkney, and our lamb just now is and didn’t see myself progressing further.” from Cumbria, because Cumbrian lambs Jamie came to St Andrews to have lunch are ready before Scottish ones. We use For the first two weeks of with a friend at the Adamson Restaurant.

Norfolk quails, because there are no the seven-week contest he While there he had a phone call telling him free-range quail companies near us just about a vacancy for a Senior Chef at Rocca now. Ducks and chickens we use from commuted to London after in Rusacks Hotel. Interviewed by the owner, the Borders. Vegetables depend on the working a full day at Rocca Adrian Pieraccini, on the Wednesday, Jamie weather. If it’s a cold winter, Scotland is was in the kitchen on the Friday. That was 4 10 months behind England. Everything years ago. With the wholehearted support of depends on that.” It’s just good business Rocca, Jamie then went on to win the BBC’s sense, in addition to strict principles.

Masterchef: the Professionals 2014.

Will Jamie stay in St Andrews? He has a definite future planned.

Reminiscing about that, Jamie said, “the support from Scotland was In another ten years he hopes to have his own restaurant, preferably absolutely incredible.” For the first two weeks of the seven-week contest in London. That may require a progression first via Edinburgh (where he commuted to London after working a full day at Rocca. Why didn’t there are some of the best chefs in Britain) to Glasgow. “I want people he take time off? His commitment to Rocca is paramount, “I wanted the to enjoy the story of my food. I want to make them smile, to come in and restaurant to go, and I didn’t want to jeopardise that by being selfish.” understand what it is.”

How he managed with so little sleep, as well as all the travelling, is Born to cook, Jamie’s prospects ahead are just wonderful. a miracle! His winning the title was agreed unanimously by the three judges in the show. Jamie’s 3-course meal was inspired by his family, (Photo by Flora Selwyn) particularly his Mother and Grandmother.

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FEATURES John Matthews has exciting news,

St Andrews to twin with Loches Loches is a small historical town, some Although there was at 40 km South of Tours, rich in mediaeval the time little appetite for and renaissance architectural gems. It is twinning, the close links one of the few towns in France still to have between the two towns were almost complete ramparts which enclose the recognised by the signing in shell of a massive eleventh-century keep, a 2006 of a Cultural Partnership spectacular royal hunting lodge where Joan of Agreement.

Arc is reputed to have met King Charles VII, In mid-2014 it was and also the remarkable Church of St Ours. decided that the time might Beyond the ramparts are fine examples of be right to seek approval of sixteenth-century architecture. The Lochois twinning from the Royal Burgh take great pride in their town, in preserving and of St Andrews Community developing its heritage. For further information Council. In October of that see: www.ville-loches.fr year a French delegation led Almost twenty years ago the first jointly by the current Mayor of Loches players in action at the 2000 St Andrews Rugby Festival contacts were made between St Andrews Loches, Marc Angenault, and and Loches. Sister organisations were set the President of the Nouvelle Alliance, Anneup; the St Andrews-Loches Alliance in this Sylvie Vassenaix-Paxton visited St Andrews. town, the Nouvelle Alliance They, along with John Loches-St Andrews in Matthews and Bill Sangster Over the intervening Loches. A number of key of the Alliance and Howard people were involved on Greenwell, Chair of the years there have either side: in St Andrews, Community Council, visited been many and varied Fife Council, where they founding members included the late Mary Freeborn; Bill were warmly welcomed exchanges between Sangster; Frank Riddell; by the Provost of Fife, Jim the two towns Lindsay Murray; in Loches Leishman. He made clear the then Mayor, JeanFife Council’s support in Jacques Descamps; Anne-Sylvie Vassenaixprinciple for twinning, but made it equally clear Paxton; Pascal Dubrisay, amongst the that any decision was strictly a matter for the Signature of the Cultural Partnership leaders. local community.

Agreement, St Andrews Burgh Chambers, 2006 Over the intervening years there At the Community Council’s invitation, Back row – Donald MacGregor, Mary Freeborn, have been many and varied exchanges John Matthews and Dominique Robertson Jean-Jacques Descamps between the two towns. Sporting exchanges (of Fife Council) made a presentation to its Front row – Catherine Prot, John Simpson involved rugby and soccer teams; cultural meeting on 5 January 2015, following which (Provost of Fife), Virginia Fowler exchanges included a memorable exhibition a consultation exercise was launched by the of the works of Edward Landsyer in the old Community Council in the pages of Crawford Centre here; photographs and this magazine. paintings moving in both directions; choirs On 27 April, having heard from St Andrews visiting France. Indeed, the outcome of the consultation one of the first visits to Loches was by the exercise and discussed the matter Renaissance Group in 1998. A year later the further, twinning was put to the vote.

St Andrews Boys Brigade pipe band visited Approval was granted.

Loches. More recent visits were made by the Work on the formal twinning St Salvator’s Chapel Choir (in 2007), and the documentation has already started; it University Symphony Orchestra (in 2010). is expected that there will be signing From the earliest days there have been ceremonies in St Andrews later this exchanges between St Leonards School year, and in Loches the following and Madras College with their opposite Spring. numbers in Loches, and there have also University of St Andrews student and piper been work-experience placements. The list is (Photos courtesy John Matthews) Hamish Young at Château Montpoupon near Loches with remarkable: see the Alliance’s website:

splendidly attired group of hunting horn players, 2011 www.standrewslochesalliance.co.uk

THE St Andrews pet shop!

Stocking the widest range of pet foods, accessories.

Anything not stocked we can order.

78 South Street, St Andrews, KY16 9JT Tel: 01334 470 873

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FEATURES Francesca Purvis, Preservation Trust Museum Trainee answered this

Question to the Curator Q. During a recent visit to the St Andrews Aquarium I overheard someone say that it was once a public swimming pool. Is this true?

A. Yes! Up until 1978 the area where the Aquarium now stands was a marvellous outdoor swimming pool, known as The Step Rock Pool. It was built in 1903, 300ft long by 100ft wide. The depth graduated from 2ft 4ins to 8ft.

Originally a ‘men only’ pool, with women using another smaller pool behind the Castle, by the 1930s it graduated to mixed bathing, with proper shelters and huts being built to form the Step Rock Complex. The pool had a diving board, even a spring board and chute. The pool was cleaned by high tides. At certain times of the year the accumulation of seaweed was removed, to be used as fertilizer on local fields.

As well as the main swimming pool and its changing facilities, Step Rock provided a paddling pool for young children with a kiosk that sold ice cream, cups of tea, also buckets and spades.

Next to the pool was the sandy beach, where demand for deck chairs from tired parents was high, the deckchair attendant always kept busy hiring them out. Although the pool temperature was generally quite cold, on sunny days

young people could warm up with a spot of sunbathing beside the pool.

From the early 1900s annual swimming galas were held. These events attracted hundreds of spectators. Included were Bathing-Belle competitions, diving exhibitions, games

of water polo, and children’s events.

Another major success of Step Rock was the formation of the Step Rock Amateurs Swimming Club in 1928, which is still running today (although in a slightly warmer pool!).

(Photo courtesy the Preservation Trust Museum)

John Cameron recalls

Political Giants of Yesteryear became premier of Britain’s colony of Singapore. He transformed the At a recent lunch the dire quality of our tiny outpost into one of Asia’s richest, least corrupt nations by means politicians was bemoaned. Someone of centralized power, clean government and economic liberalism – the said they had always been awful; when “Singapore model”.

I demurred I was asked to name some To understand his achievement one must realize that the basic who were not. I was about to say, ingredients of a nation did not exist: that is, a homogeneous population, Herbert Hoover and Neville Chamberlain, a common language, culture, or an agreed destiny. Once in office, but while true, it would have sounded Lee introduced a five-year plan for urban renewal, construction of perverse, so I went with Kemal Atatürk of new public housing, greater rights for women, educational reform, and Turkey and Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew. industrialization. The plan included the merger of Singapore with newlyBorn in Thessaloniki, Atatürk was a professional soldier who independent Malaysia, but the vast difference in work ethic and wealth became a national hero when he repelled Winston Churchill’s grandiose between Chinese and Malays led to racial strife. and disastrous invasion of the Dardanelles in 1915. After the war the Singapore left with full independence; while it Allies imposed a brutal settlement, but Atatürk’s was seen at the time as a great failure there are devastating victories over the Greek forces in Smyrna suspicions that it was a Manichean two-step to slip led to the Treaty of Lausanne and the independence the bonds of British colonial rule. Lee Kuan Yew of Turkey. He established a provisional government in At a recent lunch needed a strong economy. He encouraged foreign Ankara, abolishing the Ottoman Sultanate. By dint of the dire quality of investment, transforming Singapore into a major economic and cultural reforms he transformed Turkey exporter of finished goods, thus ensuring a rising into a modern secular state, when much of the nation our politicians was standard of living for all. His legacy was a hugely since the 17th century had been devoid of anything bemoaned efficient city state, SE Asia’s chief financial centre, resembling a modern industrial society with a relevant with its highest per capita income which, at the cost educational system. of mildly authoritarian government, was a bargain.

He gave women full civil rights, banned polygamy, As regards the other two politicians mentioned and the veil, secularized the legal code. He replaced earlier, Hoover was probably the most talented US president, with Arabic with a westernized script, which led to a spectacular rise in Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal largely based on his ideas, as was the literacy. By making schools coeducational, free from religious dogma, Marshall Plan. Chamberlain not only sorted out the mess Churchill left he created the professional middle class needed to support property at the treasury, but as Minister of Health laid the foundations of the NHS rights and the rule of law in modern Turkey.

– for neither of which has he been given any credit.

Forty years later and five thousand miles to the East, Lee Kuan Yew, Cambridge law graduate and scion of a wealthy Chinese family,

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FEATURES Gordon Jarvie

Beyond Kilrenny For Frances, who missed the walk It was such a picture yesterday – a white shelly beach beyond Kilrenny under a crunch and scrunch of feet along a crinkly shoreline.

We sat there on that crunchy bit of shore to take it all in – a far-off sound of seabirds a sibilance of wind and sea a grassy bog by the coastal path – the total picture.

Sarah Leith

St Andrews Castle Battered by the cruel North Sea, It juts out into a horizon, A grey relic of the past, In pieces.

And yet red gowns watch The whirling waves dance beneath its battlements.

Above, seagulls soar and float and dive, Whilst ghosts glide through walls, Intangible memories of a Golden Age. Grass grows green between the hard, unmoving stones, And voices echo across the Sands, As White Horses crash against resilient rock Centuries old.

Here the past remains and the future unfolds.

The dog loved all of it and jumped about digging at the hard whiteness of a million million shells shining under a blinding sun we couldn’t even see for the pitiless glare of it.

The shells wouldn’t play ball with the digging dog – they wouldn’t even lie properly but just piled themselves in unsatisfactory dips and hummocks.

So we came home with a bagful of finest flotsam for a winter fire.

(Photo by Flora Selwyn)

Seen in St Andrews:

Competition Winner Lindsay Cordiner of St Andrews is the lucky winner of the Highland Chocolatier’s generous prize of 20 mouth-watering chocolates (worth £27.95) for her caption . . .

‘Hand-bag’ New life for old golf shoes

Nicola & Owen Hazel on Wig Wednesday

– Congratulations!

Tea’s up, lads!

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FEATURES: REVIEWS Beatrice Root reviews

BEETROOT / COURGETTE

By Christopher Trotter Published by Momentum 2013 and 2014. Available at Waterstones, Bonkers, and The Old Cheese Shop, also signed copies https://christophertrotter.cartloom.com/shop Paperback 5.95 and 5.50.

In spite of being a published writer with over 5 books to his name including The Whole Hog and The Whole Cow (Pavilion), Christopher Trotter found it difficult to find a publisher for his latest idea; simple books on how to cook vegetables. “Whenever I did a demo or gave a talk on food and cooking people always asked what to do with a glut of vegetables in their gardens,” Christopher told me, “so I thought a simple inexpensive “stocking filler” type book might work”, but after being rejected by a couple of Scottish publishers he approached Waterstone’s in St Andrews who were very enthusiastic. So, combined with the superb colour photographs of all the recipes by his

photographer wife Caroline, and a huge amount of help from the Print and Design department at the University In St Andrews, BEETROOT was self published 2 years ago.

It has sold well ever since; COURGETTE followed last summer.

These simple, but delicious recipes and ideas provide something for every taste, from salads to soufflés, spiced beetroot and coconut milk to a recipe for game, stuffed courgette flowers, even chocolate courgette cake! The photographs present the dishes attractively, making you want to eat them off the page. The recipes themselves are straightforward with numbered instructions to make them easy to follow.

I gather KALE is to follow in the autumn; it is the new “superfood”. I shall be first in the queue for Christmas presents, and start to collect what will become a very attractive set.

Vivien Devlin reviews

Relish Scotland (Third Helping) Relish Publications – www,relishpublications.co.uk Available from all good bookshops, £20.

Six years ago, Duncan and Teresa Peters, as publishers with a passion for good food, had the innovative idea for a series of UK Regional Restaurant guides. Relish Scotland was first published in 2010, followed by Relish Scotland (Second Helping).

This year 2015, is Visit Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink – perfect timing for the third helping of Relish Scotland – an appetising Foodie’s road trip around their handpicked selection of restaurants, from Aryshire to Argyll, St Andrews to the Isle of Skye.

Beautifully illustrated, featuring scenic landscapes, interior designs, the Chefs and their signature dishes, this is also a Cookery Book of recipes with selected paired wines.

Here’s a tasty amuse bouche to highlight just a selection of the best places to eat and drink across the country: •

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•

• • •

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Martin Hollis, Executive Chef at the Old Course Hotel (with five dining venues), is a leading patron of Food From Fife, following a seasonal calendar to serve local asparagus, rhubarb, East Neuk crab. His selected main course, Monkfish dressed with oysters, langoustines and caviar looks divine.

With awards, rosettes and rave reviews, The Adamson is seen by Town and Gown as the place for cool cocktails with contemporary cuisine. A signature starter is Quail, Sweetcorn and Mushroom Broth, a most artistic presentation, topped with a soft quail’s egg.

When Jamie Scott won BBC’s Master Chef, 2014, Greg Wallace commented, “the man is just in love with cooking.” Scott is Head Chef at Rocca, preparing such dishes as Ardnamurchan scallops with blood orange, Perthshire Hare with cabbage, Chocolate Pavé.

Further afield across Fife visit Craig Millar @ 16 West End, an old fisherman’s cottage in St Monans, overlooking the beach, the perfect spot to taste local seafood, lamb and game.

At the Cellar Restaurant, Anstruther, Billy Boyter creates locallyinspired dishes – North Sea Cod, Duck Egg, cauliflower purée garnished with seaweed.

The Peat Inn is a charming rural Restaurant with Rooms, where Geoffrey Smeddle prepares a Michelin-starred feast of Fife produce: Rare breed Pork, St Andrews Lobster, Rhubarb Pannacotta. Why not stay over for dinner, bed and breakfast?!

At the stunning 5-star Fonab Castle near Pitlochry, Head Chef Paul Burns is in charge of the Brasserie and Sandeman’s Fine Dining Restaurant. With loch and mountain views, sample Scottish Blue Lobster with potato and truffle salad, or Beef fillet with morel mushrooms.

•

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• •

Over the sea to Skye and the wildly romantic Kinloch Lodge, where Marcello Tully creates Michelin-starred gourmet menus of hand-dived scallops, Highland venison, Mallaig hake, local cheese, with wine or whisky flights to complement each course.

The neighbourhood of Stockbridge, Edinburgh, is home to three Relish Scotland restaurants. Bistro Moderne by Mark Greenaway – an entrepreneurial chef with a touch of Blumenthal effervescence in quirky, classic-contemporary dishes: Soft Shell Crab; Hot Smoked Salmon; Apple, Watermelon deconstructed Treacle Tart.

Around the corner at Purslane, Paul Gunning presents inventive, modern-Scottish cuisine in casual Bistro style. Decoratively arty with comfy sofas, Hamilton’s Bar presents Gastropub food, wine, and cocktails with laid-back vibe.

Edinburgh is also Michelin-star city, thanks to Chefs Tom Kitchin, Jeff Bland, Martin Wishart, Dominic Jack, and Paul Kitching.

And finally, to the west of Glasgow – Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort, overlooking River Clyde. Jonny MacCallum is Executive Chef of the Cristal Restaurant where you can dine on West Coast seafood, Roast Lamb, and Cranachan Soufflé with Heather-honey ice cream.

Quintessential Scottish cuisine in a nutshell!

Not only will Relish Scotland inspire you to plan a gastronomic journey, but it may also tempt you to create a few of these gourmet dishes as a budding Masterchef at home.

Chefs united at the Old Course launch: Centre is Craig Millar – to his left: Martin Hollis, Craig McAllister, Geoffrey Smeddle, Julie Lewis, and Jamie Scott. To Craig’s right: Billy Boyter, Spud Henderson, Abbie Cluney.

(Photo courtesy Relish Scotland)

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TOWN & GOWN François-Xavier Ada is an MLitt student in International Security Studies

There’s so much I could tell you Headlined, ‘Rescue boats? I’d use gunships to stop migrants’ is Katie Hopkins’ 17 April column for The Sun – perhaps the one thing that has so far received as much attention as the 7 May General Elections. The saddest thing, however, is not the publication of Mrs Hopkins’ ‘charabia’, but rather the alarming realization that quite a number of people agree with her suggestions. To those who have a few minutes to spare, and perhaps a little more to reflect, please do read on, for there’s so much I could tell you.

Before we go on you should know that I am void of a political agenda, although I care deeply about the political health of the UK and Europe. The growing influx of migrants into Europe, whether they be legal or illegal, has been on the forefront of European and international politics for some time now. According to figures announced by the Spanish government, last year a staggering 12,549 people attempted to enter the Southern European country illegally.

The International Organization for Migration similarly estimates that more than 21,000 migrants had reached the Italian coast since the beginning of the year. Even more frightening is that at least 1,800 people have lost their lives trying to reach the European ‘eldorado’.

I cannot resent European nationals for having a discussion on what they perceive to be an immediate threat to their national and societal security, but I’d beg for a trace of honesty and common sense in the debate. death rather than live in their own countries.

It is worth stating that Europe’s history has Do we ever wonder why someone would pay been shaped by migration both in-flowing at least £500 (mind you that’s still a fortune and out-flowing; as much as migrants are a in a lot of countries) and up to £2,000 to be seeming burden to the old continent today, persecuted and blamed for everything all the there was a time when, in its youth, Europe time? No. itself engaged in emigration, to the colonies And so beyond being the consequence of first, later to the Americas. acute crises across the Maghreb and some At the policy level it is evident that parts of the Middle East, the growing pressure given the staggering numbers of death and on European southern borders is first of all survivors, migration policies the fruit of our failure to need to be reformed. As Sir internalize and question the Paul Collier puts it, ‘illegality is dynamics of these crises. If Before we go on a menace’, for, those who do we are looking for someone manage to enter EU territory to blame for the seeming you should know illegally run the risk of not only decay of the UK and Europe, that I am void of a being in danger themselves, we might as well start with but also becoming a danger. ourselves. political agenda What is more, a ‘Fortress’ We – and by that, I mentality does little to deter mean most of us reading this smugglers. If anything, it article (including myself) – only hardens the desperation of a people benefit from a constructed level of inequality, in search of better lives. Further, a violent which has produced the environmental border control and immigration strategy, such catalysts to this situation, and it takes cruelty as higher quotas, runs the risk of alienating on a breath-taking scale to force people to European countries and their counterparts return to unliveable conditions to which, we in the developing world. For these reasons, indirectly are the cause. an overhaul is needed at the policy level Just who will mete out justice in Libya, to regularize the numbers of migrants and after we stood by while foreign governments asylum seekers. (including the UK) helped remove its However, illegal immigration today cannot president, setting the ground for the current be merely viewed as a failure of border civil war? Who, in war-ridden Syria where the control and restrictive policies, nor can it UK trains opposition forces, will promulgate be handled more or less by ships only. The justice and fairness? We either forget or oversimplified images the Media feed us are refuse to acknowledge that, as individuals, we short of reality. I fear that in the absence of are imbued with a political voice, and as such a reasoned debate, we run the risk of further are as accountable as MPs and other political polarizing our societies. We have to ask what leaders representing us for the actions of our prompts people, human beings, to tempt countries, in this case the United Kingdom. I

(Photo courtesy François-Xavier Ada) would like to break it to you that you have not done enough.

Am I suggesting that it is Europe’s, your responsibility, to manage the plight of refugees and migrants from across the Mediterranean? No, I cannot endorse that, nor can I endorse that it is one country’s responsibility to cater to another’s citizens.

But reflect that the human tragedy the world experiences today is part of a complex legacy in which we all play a part. Recognizing that is our first step towards a constructive argumentation.

I have found the lack of empathy quite chilling. Even more so given that while technological advances and the drive towards globalization have their perks, they also bear consequences worth engaging with. If we have created a global village, then we must know that we all have to live in it, not just a set of people at the expense of another. In such a world we have to know that one action begets yet another reaction. In Shakespeare’s own words (Macbeth, Act 1),

We still have judgement here, that we but teach Bloody instructions which, being taught, return To plague th’inventor. This evenhanded justice Commends th’ingredience of our poisoned chalice To our own lips

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TOWN & GOWN From Sarah Webster, Programme Grant Administrator (TOPNES)

World-leading physics laboratories opened by Education Secretary support high-quality public services. Universities Education Secretary, Angela Constance, and facilities such as this play a key role in said, “Scotland’s universities are amongst the both, providing research that could contribute world’s best, enjoying a great international hugely to our economy, while also ensuring reputation, with four universities in the Top that high-quality learning 200 in the world, including opportunities are on offer.”

St Andrews. St Andrews Dr Peter Wahl, Reader was highly regarded in last The ULV laboratory will in Experimental Condensed year’s Research Excellence Physics, in the Framework and is now be the most advanced Matter School of Physics and best in Scotland in the in the UK, one of just a Astronomy, who will run the latest Leiden rankings, facility, said, “This facility for which they should be handful worldwide will provide an ultra-low congratulated. The opening vibration environment of this unique new Ultra-Low for the custom-built Vibration Laboratory (ULV) microscopes developed in my group. It will Facility reflects the very best of academic allow us to see individual atoms and study their research in Scotland; the University can be very magnetism.” pleased with what it has created here. A strong, The new clean room will provide a clean vibrant and diverse economy is essential to environment for the development of new our national prosperity in creating the wealth to electronic and photonic materials and devices.

Photonics is the science of light. It is important across everyday life for communications, displays, lighting, solar cells, and sensors.

By making tiny, wavelength-scale structures, the generation and propagation of light can be controlled, with new materials and devices created.

Professor Ifor Samuel, Director of Research in the School of Physics and Astronomy, added, “2015 is the International Year of Light. We are very excited to have these new facilities to advance our research on lasers and optoelectronic materials, enabling us to explore their applications in solar power, displays, communications, and healthcare.”

These new facilities will strengthen the research capabilities of SUPA and the position of St Andrews as one of the top physics departments in the UK. They complement recent funding for “Capital for Great Technologies” from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

They are also an important step in building an International Max-Planck Partnership linking Scottish universities to world-leading research institutes.

Education Secretary Angela Constance performs the official opening, joined by (Photo courtesy the Professor Andrew Cameron, Head of the School of Physics and Astronomy (left) and School of Physics & Astronomy) Professor Alan Miller, Chief Executive Officer of the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance.

On Thursday, 21 May, Education Secretary Angela Constance officially opened a £3.7m physics facility that will put the University of St Andrews at the forefront of research into superconductors and light-emitting materials.

The facility consists of an ultra-low vibration (ULV) laboratory, with a new clean room and nanofabrication facility. They have been jointly funded by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and the University as part of the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA).

The ULV laboratory will be the most advanced in the UK, one of just a handful worldwide. It will allow imaging and study of individual atoms in advanced materials, with the vision to tailor them for future applications.

The materials studied in this new facility include superconductors which conduct electricity without losses, and quantum materials for next generation technologies.

Print & Design We welcome commercial enquiries The services we offer include: • Colour Digital Printing • Graphics & Pre-Press • External Display Banners • High Quality Fine Art Printing St Katharine’s West, 16 The Scores St Andrews, Fife KY16 9AX T: (01334) 463020 E: printanddesign@st-andrews.ac.uk www.st-andrews.ac.uk/printanddesign The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC013532

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TOWN & GOWN Alistair McLeod, Transition University of St Andrews, says

We do this together

Green Fayre

First Harvest

(Images courtesy Transition University)

What happened when two St Andrews green An important feature of these projects is that groups set out to make our town transition to a they are developed by and for the community, more sustainable place? focused on practical, local action on climate In 2012 St Andrews Environmental change. As it is a collection of local residents, Network (StAndEN) and Transition University University Staff and students it does not have of St Andrews joined a membership as forces in an effort to such, as people dip in help our community and out of whatever reduce its carbon “transition” activity they This positive work is emissions. They aimed wish to be involved continuing this year, to run a variety of with. projects funded by the This positive supported by further funding Scottish Government’s work is continuing from the Scottish government this year, supported Climate Challenge Fund that covered home by further funding and the University energy, food production, from the Scottish local trading currency, government and the carbon footprinting, and University. There are encouraging personal action on climate change plenty of ways that you can get involved to through training and group work. The unique make a difference to yourself, your family, and character of the town, its location and housing community. You can help make the Transition stock made for many challenges to carbon to a Low Carbon Community happen here by reduction but, by working together, the groups getting involved in these exciting projects: have helped save an estimated 1300t CO2e (Carbon Dioxide equivalent) and supported • Carbon Conversations – An inspiring set of many other positive community actions, which 6 meetings on personal climate action included: • St Andrews Bike User Group – bringing together town, gown, and council to • Holding 409 separate events, attended coordinate a cycle-friendly community. by 7,410 people • Bike Pool – workshops, training, bike loans, • Logging 3,265 volunteer hours self-help courses. Sign your group up for a • Holding a National Transition session, make your wheels turn faster, and Conference more safely • Harvesting 1,832kg of fruit and veg • Edible St Andrews – getting more people • Developing 13 new community growing growing in 13 community gardens across spaces the town.

• Re-using over 3 tonnes of furniture and • StAnd Re-Use – taking unwanted, unloved household goods household goods and re-using them • Taking 206 participants through the • Remote Housing Powerdown – taking brilliant Carbon Conversations course advice, support and information out to • Running training courses for 30 Carbon homes and communities that are facing Conversations facilitators energy issues • Establishing a local trading system (Saint Exchange) that is used by over For more information go to 100 people www.transitionsta.org • Offering energy saving advice to 1,527 or www.standrewsenvironmental.org households and 752 University Students • Carrying out 631 in-depth reports on Or phone: 01334 464 000 to speak to properties someone from Transition, or 01334 659 315 • Assisting 117 customers to install a solar to speak to someone from StAndEN. technology

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EVENTS From Andrew Valentine

Valentine Comes To The Byre Lovers of live theatre will be licking their lips this summer when Willy Russell’s ‘Shirley Valentine’ comes to St Andrews. Russell’s play stars Scottish actress, Angela Darcy, as the middle-aged, working class, Liverpool housewife – and runs from 23 July to 8 August at The Byre Theatre.

The play is the result of a joint venture between The Byre Theatre and Quixotic Productions. Former Associate Director of The Byre Theatre, Rita Henderson, is directing. She is “thrilled” to be back in St Andrews, saying, “Shirley Valentine is an outstanding play. It stirs memories of my childhood in Liverpool, but resonates with audiences worldwide as a classic.” Rita adds, “It is also wonderful to be working with Quixotic Producers. They are synonymous with quality musical theatre, using Scottish performers, promoting Scottish talent.”

Graham Dalton of Quixotic says, “Willy Russell was delighted when we contacted him. His connection with The Byre goes back to 1968 and he was happy to hear that it would be staging professional productions again. For those who don’t know Shirley Valentine: she feels that her stagnant life is in a rut, stuck in an unfulfilling marriage with the drudgery of domestic life. Her best friend surprises her with a trip for two to Greece.

Shirley packs her bags, leaves her husband a note on the kitchen cupboard door, and heads off for a fortnight of rest and relaxation. The rest is to be discovered on the night!”

Emily Noakes – for your diaries

The St Andrews Photographers – exhibiting at the following venues: 1. Pittenweem Arts Festival from Saturday, 1 August to Sunday, 9 August (preview evening Friday, 31 July).

2. Harbour Café, Tayport, for the month of September.

3. Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther, for the month of October 4. Holy Trinity Church, St Andrews, the whole of October.

Angela Darcy, playing Shirley, has an array of theatre, film and TV credits. She has performed in many radio plays for BBC Scotland and BBC Radio 4. Last year, she won a Mercury Musical Theatre Award for ‘Outstanding Performance’ in the role of Janis in ‘Janis Joplin: FULL TILT’, a performance she will reprise at this summer’s Edinburgh Festival.

She is also lead singer/songwriter in the Glasgow-based band, ‘The Glass Root’.

Set and costume design are by Gregor Donnelly, with lighting design from Stephen Sinclair. Tickets, £16; £14 concessions.

To book, please call 01334 475 000 or visit: www.byretheatre.com (Photo of Angela Darcy courtesy Simon Baldwin)

Caroline Nite – also for your diaries

Bob Archer says, please

At the Old Cheese Shop, Burghers Close (off South Street). In July and August at 7.00pm, tickets £25.

Sunday, 5 July – 11.00am4.00pm. Madras School Grounds, South Street, St Andrews Vintage Car Rally.

All vintage/classic cars welcome, entrance Free.

Cheese & Wine Tasting

For exact dates please contact: http://oldcheeseshop.co.uk/tickets-vouchers and see the press.

Notice

For further details please contact Bob Archer: 01334 475 716 or: bobandjoanarcher@gmail.com

Angela Montford is organising a study day on

Painting Flowers – at the Botanic Garden No, not botanical illustration classes this time, but an in-depth look at the changing ways that flowers have been represented artistically through time.

In a new venture, a study day has been arranged for the Glass Class at the Garden in September, when a variety of knowledgeable speakers on botany, art history, history, and art itself will speak on different aspects and eras in the history of flower painting. This will range from the production of mediaeval herbals and the changes brought about by the

“Roses in a Bowl” Henri Fantin-Latour

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onset of printing, through women’s careers as botanical artists and the flamboyant arrangements of 17th century Dutch flower painting, to the delicate portrayal of flowers on 18th century ceramics and the life and work of the celebrated 19th century French artist Henri Fantin-Latour.

On the day there will be a small exhibition of painted works from the Botanic Garden herbarium, recently re-collated by Dr Heleen Plaisier, showing illustrations of algae; also some of the numerous herbarium specimens of seaweeds collected by Margaret Gatty (1809-1873). The bulk of her collection was donated to the Gatty Marine Laboratory in St Andrews in April 1907, currently housed at the Botanic Garden.

There will also be some orchid paintings identified as being by Lady Hannah im Thurn (née Lorimer 1855-1947) wife of Sir Everard im Thurn, an amateur botanist and mountaineer who was Governor of Fiji from 1904-1910.

Lunch and refreshments are included in the cost of the day, with a special rate for students. Bookings are now open for what promises to be a fascinating and friendly day. All being well, lunch will be served in the Orchid House café. We hope to see you there, as it’s a good way to support the Garden and learn something new.

Botanic Garden Glass Class, Saturday 12 September, 2015, 9.30am for 10.00am-4.00pm, Painting Flowers: A Brief History.

Fee: £50.00; RHS £40.00; students: £20.00. Includes light lunch.

Contact ad.ed.sec@st-andrews-botanic.org or telephone 01334 476 452

EVENTS

Selected Events Thursday, 2 July – 12.45pm. All Saints Church Hall, North Castle Street, St Andrews. Carolan’s concerto: Baroque Irish harp music. Simon Chadwick performs on the big 18th century Irish harp. Free, but donations welcomed. Contact: simon@simonchadwick.net Saturday, 4 July – 9.00am-1.00pm. Argyle Street car park.

Farmers’ Market.

Sunday, 5 July – 2.45pm. New Picture House, North Street. Royal Opera Live. Guillaume Tell. Contact: 01334 474 902.

Tuesday, 7 July – 7.30pm Byre Theatre. A concert with Alec FrankGemmill, horn, and Eleanor Johnston, harp. Music includes Poulenc, Saint-Saens. Tickets from the Byre Box Office, and at the door, £10, concessions £8, Music Centre Members £6.

Contact: 01334 462 226, email: hjg10@st-andrews.ac.uk Wednesday, 8 July – 5.00pm -9.00pm. Balgove Larder, Strathtyrum.

Night Market. Food, drink, music. Contact: 01334 898 145, email: info@balgove.com Friday, 10 July – 1.00pm St Andrews Church, Queens Terrace, St Andrews, KY16 9QF. Lunchtime concert. Angela Stevenson, cello; Gillian Craig, clarinet; William Stevenson, piano.

Admission free. Retiring collection in aid of The Heisenberg Ensemble. A sandwich lunch is available in the church hall from 12.15pm onwards. Contact: gc5@st-andrews.ac.uk Tuesday, 14 July – 7.30pm. Byre Theatre. Guitars in conversation – Live. Matthew McAllister and Ian Watt discuss and perform music on modern & historic guitars. Presented by the University’s Chris Bragg. Tickets from the Byre Box Office, and at the door, £10, concessions £8, Music Centre Members £6.

Contact: 01334 462 226, email: hjg10@st-andrews.ac.uk

Thursday, 16 July – 7.00pm. New Picture House, North Street. Live from the National Theatre, Everyman. Contact: 01334 474 902.

Saturday, 18 July – 7.00pm. New Picture House, North Street.

Cinemalive. Summer concert, André Rieu. Contact: 01334 474 902.

Tuesday, 21 July – 7.30pm. St Salvator’s Chapel, North Street.

Singet dem Herrn – Butt conducts Bach. A hand-picked consort of some of Scotland’s best young singers in a programme of Bach motets, and also music by Buxtehude and Schutz. Tickets from the Byre Box Office, and at the door, £12, concessions £10, Music Centre Members £8. Contact: 01334 462 226, email: hjg10@st-andrews.ac.uk Wednesday, 22 July – 7.00pm. New Picture House, North Street.

Live from the RSC. The Merchant of Venice. Contact: 01334 474 902 Saturday, 26 July – 11.00am-4.00pm. Byre Theatre, Abbey Street.

Artisan & Collectors Pop Up Event; Carnaby Market. Contact: 07904 102 216, email: thischarmingvintage@talktalk.net Saturday, 1 August – 9.00am-1.00pm. Argyle Street car park.

Farmers Market.

Wednesday, 5 August – 12.45pm. All Saints Church Hall, North Castle Street, St Andrews. Music for the Lords of the Isles. Simon Chadwick performs on his replica Queen Mary medieval harp. Free, but donations welcomed. Contact: simon@simonchadwick.net – 5.00pm-9.00pm. Balgove Larder, Strathtyrum. Night Market.

Contact: 01334 898 145, email: info@balgove.com Wednesday, 26 August – 7.00pm. New Picture House, North Street. Live from the RSC. Othello. Contact: 01334 474 902.

Thursday, 27 August – 5.00pm-6.00pm. All Saints Church Hall, North Castle Street. Youth Art School, start of classes for 11 to 16-year olds. £7 per class – please pay at first class. Contact: 0789 071 6543 email: jaclynstuart@hotmail.com

15

SPECIAL FEATURE J Michael Buchanan offers a personal view of

St Andrews and The Open The Open Championship returns to St Andrews this year from 16-19 July.

The last visit in 2010 was the 28th to St Andrews, 150 years after the inaugural competition in Prestwick in 1860. The Millennium Open set a record attendance of 238,787.

Having first lived in St Andrews, age 3, from December 1950, golf has been for me a continuing, formative influence, paced by the arrival in town of the Open on a regular basis. Since that time, the St Andrews winners and their aggregate scores were: 1955 281 Peter Thomson (Aus) 1957 279 A Locke (RSA) 1960 278 K Nagle (Aus) 1964 279 T Lema (USA) 1970 283 J Nicklaus (USA) 1978 281 J Nicklaus (USA)

1984 276 S Ballesteros (Spain) 1990 270 N Faldo (England) 1995 282 J Daly (USA) 2000 269 T Woods (USA) 2005 274 T Woods (USA) 2010 272 L Oosthuizen (RSA)

In this time, there were only two Scottish winners elsewhere: 1985 Sandy Lyle (282, Royal St George’s) and 1999 Paul Lawrie (290, Carnoustie). In 1963 I was part of the Prize winners’ line-up outside the R&A Clubhouse for the Open (Scottish Boys!), being the youngest competitor. A past Open Champion (1951, Royal Portrush), Max Faulkner of England was the Celebrity prize giver. In the first round over the Eden Course, I had been paired with the eventual winner.

The R&A’s annual Golfers’ Handbook is an invaluable, if voluminous, reference source, a bible of all things golf. It runs to over 900 pages and is priced at £60. In West London, I bought the 2013 edition for £3.

Facts, figures, and anecdotes can be readily found. This is not designed to be read cover to cover, except perhaps in preparation for Pointless, University Challenge, or Mastermind. Excepting editors and proof readers, others tempted so to do should seek help for a nascent pathology, or get out more!

From 1860, the first 11 Opens, with an average field of 12, were played at Prestwick for The Belt, a gift of the Prestwick Golf Club, playing over 2 rounds. The Claret Jug was competed for from 1872. Overall, Old Tom Morris (senior, 1821-1908), won the Open 4 times and was runner up in the inaugural event in 1860. He outlived his wife, daughter and all four sons. St Andrews-born, Young Tom Morris (junior, 1851-1875) won his first Open, age 17, in 1868, winning 3 times in a row, 4 times overall.

His name is the first on the Claret Jug. After the tragic death of his wife and baby in childbirth, he became very depressed and was found dead on Christmas Day 1875, only 24 years old. His memorial in the St Andrews Cathedral cemetery is a place of pilgrimage today.

There was no Open in 1871 (no trophy to play for) nor in wartime, 1915-19 also 1940-45. The 1914 Open was on 18 and 19 June, 10 days before the Sarajevo assassinations (28 June 1914). Between 1914-1919, of the 927 University of St Andrews alumni who served, 130 fell. Their names are recalled in the Roll of Service and the Roll of Honour. The War Memorial in St Salvator’s Chapel is a permanent tribute to the fallen.

16

The students elected Field Marshall Douglas Haig as Lord Rector in 1916, but installation was delayed (diary pressure) until 1919. Haig served a double term until 1922 when he became Chancellor until his death in 1928, age 66. Haig was also Captain of the R&A, 1920-1921, playing himself in to yet more cannon fire at the Autumn meeting.

J M Barrie (‘Peter Pan’) succeeded Haig as Lord Rector in 1922. His installation address, ‘Courage’, became widely read in a printed version.

The next Lord Rector (1925-28) was Dr Fridtjof Nansen (Nobel Peace Prize 1922). After him was Sir Wilfred Grenfell (The Labrador Doctor).

The 1970 Rector, John Cleese, for whom I voted as a student, spoke on ‘Cowardice’, predictably ruffling a few feathers here and there.

In earlier times of conflict, golf had been officially discouraged or banned by Royal diktat, as it was thought to distract from the militarily more valuable art of archery.

The University’s first female graduate, Agnes Forbes Blackadder (1875-1964) served in the Scottish Women’s Hospital in Royaumont, France in the Great War, along with many other Scottish lady doctors and nurses. The University’s chemical laboratories were redeployed to the manufacture of chemical warfare agents on a significant scale.

The 10th London Alumni Christmas Service in December 2014, was themed on the University’s roles in the Great War. The previous two services, in St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey had focused on the 600th anniversary of the University’s Foundation as Scotland’s first, and the English-speaking world’s third, University after Oxford and Cambridge. In 2014, the elaborate 56-page Order of Service was in the form of a booklet, modeled on the style of the published version of J M Barrie’s ‘Courage’ address. The service itself, in Westminster Central Hall, proved something of a marathon, running on and on for nearly two hours – a service to end all services.

The first St Andrews Open was in 1873. Live television arrived in 1955. The first grandstands were in play for 1960. In 1966, play extended to 4 days. The 4th day was a Sunday for the first time in 1980, without any ‘Eric Liddell type’ complications. From 1985, any play-off was truncated to 4 holes from a full round.

From 2012-15, further changes have been made to the Old Course.

However the essential layout is little different from the 1924 Survey and Depiction by A Mackenzie, golf course architect, except for the closure of the adjacent branch railway in 1967 and the building of a hotel on the Goods Station site. Built as a British Transport Hotel, the Old Course Hotel was soon known locally, but discreetly, as the ‘inter-course hotel’.

After all it was almost squeezed between the Old and the Start of the Eden at that time i.e. west of the Old and east of Eden. Or, had the swinging ‘60s reached St Andrews at last, or even started there? Swing a golf club then swing some more!

Many features (as of 1924) had names echoing associations beyond the world of golf. There were bunkers called: Road; Scholars; Principal’s nose; Students’; Ginger Beer; Grave; Hell; Pulpit; Kitchen; Beardies, to name but some. The Valley of Sin was not marked in 1924. Any of these

SPECIAL FEATURE

could be the setting for high drama in this year’s Championship. Know owned No.6 for many years until recently. However, these golfing celebrity your bunkers, watch and see! links pale compared to the arrival of the Student Prince at No.13 (upper) In 1964, while being taught to fly at Perth, at taxpayers’ expense, I in his second year, 2002-2003. One of the many books on the Royal flew solo, cross-country over the East Neuk of Fife with memorable views romance had a chapter called, ‘A street named Hope’. Another relocated at 120 knots from 3,000 feet off the sacred and hallowed Links Lands of him to the ground floor flat – Oh! Mrs Ishbel Whyte RIP! St Andrews. My request to overfly RAF Leuchars was sternly rebuffed ‘Uber-Sloaney Hope Street’ featured in a Sunday paper, but much

by Air Traffic Control, but it did not result in the scrambling of the Rapid later. With energetic, new, improving owners from 2011, No.1 was given a Reaction Force. I returned to Perth another way. root and branch makeover, fitting it for the 21st century. It then featured as During one Open in the noughties, I watched the final round as a ‘Property of the Week’ in the Scotsman (March 2013) with 9 photos. The guest in Tom Morris House. Golfing thoughts were suddenly suspended text, headlined: ‘Townhouse with a right Royal refit’, has it all. by the appearance of a shapely streaker prancing round the 18th green I was privileged to meet both HRH Prince William, and Kate in as if in slow motion, just yards below our viewing position. Normal service University House when they returned to St Andrews in February 2011 was quickly resumed, to the disappointment of to launch the University’s 600th celebrations many! Were there long faces in the Long Room Having first lived in St Andrews, and fundraising campaign, 2 months before of the Clubhouse? their Westminster Abbey wedding. That age 3, from December 1950, The R&A Golf Club of St Andrews evolved February day in St Andrews started with drizzle from the Society of St Andrews Golfers formed at dawn, morphing to blue skies and bright golf has been for me a in 1754. The Clubhouse was built in 1854, since winter sunshine just in time for the main event, continuing, formative influence expanded mostly upwards. In 1897, the R&A outdoors in the St Salvator’s Quadrangle. After became the accepted authority for golf and its the formalities, a peal of the 6 St Salvator’s rules, taking responsibility for the Open itself from 1920. bells heralded a fly past at high noon and a Royal ‘walkabout’ in North In 2004, its 250th anniversary was celebrated with pre-austerity-age Street. The 6 bells (Katharine, Elizabeth, George, Agnes, Annie, and largesse over several weeks, with a fine mix of golfing and social events, Margaret) were in place from October 2010, one of the 600th projects. serviced by specially-trained St Andrews students and delivered with These 600th celebrations now form 3 years of recent, enjoyable history. generosity, style, pride, and enthusiasm – a class act indeed.

Fundraising continues apace, now past the half-way mark to the original HRH Prince Andrew was Captain that year. The Red Arrows zapped target of £100m. the Club House playfully at very low level. 20 years earlier, on the eve of 2015 is a time of change for the Open in St Andrews with re-branding the 1984 Open, I witnessed the Clubhouse framed by an intense double and fresh graphics. Peter Dawson retires as chief executive of R&A Ltd rainbow – but I was out of film. Days before, Concorde had landed safely after many years of service. The lead BBC contract (live TV broadcasting) at RAF Leuchars with the American players, escorted over St Andrews expires in 2016. Sky sports take over for the 2017 Open. The R&A’ s Bay on final approach by two fighter jets. historical vote for women on 18 September 2014 presages the arrival of In 1954, the R&A celebrated its first 200 years with a bicentenary women members. The first names, including the Princess Royal, were dinner in the Town Hall on 14 May. This was on a modest, post-war announced in February 2015. austerity scale compared to the 2004 festival. Only 174 members and After years of growth and expansion of the facilities in the St Andrews their guests sat down to dinner in 1954. A well-illustrated history was area and elsewhere, participation in the game has stalled, or fallen. The produced (The story of the R&A by J B Salmond, Macmillan 1956). future health of the game of golf, even in Scotland, demands that the Sentiments expressed in 1954 are still relevant today: ‘It is in gratitude for mismatches of capacity to interest and demand be creatively and urgently the Royal and Ancient’s service to the game that we express our profound addressed. Could the first Minister of Scotland see fit to address these thanks’. Greetings telegrams were also exchanged with Her Majesty The concerns? She hails from Irvine in Ayrshire and must surely know of Queen.

Prestwick, where the Open’s illustrious journey to the pinnacle of the sport In 2004, up to 1,200 guests were wined and dined in the anniversary began in 1860. marquee above the Bruce Embankment putting green, every second night Finally, futuristic questions for the 19th hole after several rounds: will for a fortnight. The Rules of Golf were a fertile source of self-deprecating climate-change-induced storm surges damage low-lying Links courses in and well-received humorous anecdotes to lighten the touch of the the future? Could archery on the Bow Butts yet again become the game inevitable speeches. of Open Champions, male and female alike? “Thinking outside the box” With my family home at 1 Hope Street for 60 years to 2010, the may well be a precondition for success and survival. Change is, indeed, Clubhouse was a close neighbour, literally round the comer. John Daly in the wind. rented No.4 when he won in 1995. Peter Thomson, 5 times Open winner, (Photo courtesy the R&A)

17

SHOPS & SERVICES Heather Lang

“When the Man waked up he said, ‘What is Wild Dog doing here?’ And the Woman said, ‘His name is not Wild Dog any more, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always.” – Rudyard Kipling Dogs have been a constant companion to mankind for thousands of years. Today it is estimated that there are around 9 million working and domestic dogs in the UK, with an estimated 24% of households enjoying the many benefits of dog ownership. One of the reasons they have secured their place in human affections is that in many ways, they are just like us.

Recent studies from Universities in Hungary and New Zealand have found striking similarities between the way human and dog brains process vocal information, even showing that dogs have an emotional response to a human infant crying. This may not come as a surprise to dog owners who will usually testify that Fido and Rover understand what’s being said about them really rather well (just mention a w-a-l-k!)

The similarities certainly don’t end there.

The skeletal structure and basic physiology of a dog is the same as man; the joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles all respond to the same stresses.

I treat many dog owners for dog-related injuries. Elbows and wrists can be sprained throwing balls, muscles of the shoulders and back can get strained if the dog is pulling on the lead or suddenly bolting. Knee and back injuries can happen when tripping over the dog or lifting the dog in and out of cars.

Dogs, just like us, can also suffer from muscle and joint problems, which can give rise to pain, impede their performance, affect their quality of life in general. Pet dogs can easily get injured from simple activities such as jumping

in and out of the car, chasing a ball, pulling on the lead, or rough play. The physical demands with working dogs, such as sheep dogs, racing greyhounds, gun dogs, or assistance dogs, place particular stresses on the animal’s structure. Think of the agility dogs, racing against the clock, turning and twisting at high speeds, over, under and around obstacles, or how indoors, a dog can slide out on a polished wooden floor when fetching a toy.

Just like with us, issues can arise for various reasons such as falls, trips and injuries, or could be stiffness from doing something new or an increased work load. It could be that they are suffering from arthritic changes in their joints, or need help after a surgical procedure.

Whatever the cause, they can greatly benefit from osteopathic treatment and manipulation.

Be it for human or hound, osteopathy is a system of treatment that uses gentle physical manipulation to remove tension and restrictions from the joints and muscles of the body in order to let the body heal itself. By working on the blood flow, lymphatic and neurological supply, osteopathy works alongside, and in consultation with your vet, to reinstate the natural order of the body, thereby improving general balance and function.

Fortunately osteopathy isn’t just about fixing the back and can help with any part of the body from head to toe or nose to tail.

For more information on animal osteopathy, see: www.hlosteo.com Heather is a fully qualified human osteopath who has undertaken specialist post-graduate training in animal osteopathy. She is registered with the General Osteopathic Council and the Society for Osteopaths in Animal Practice.

St Andrews Osteopaths – Providers of effective treatment since 1998 136 South Street, St Andrews, KY16 9EQ. Tel: 01334 477 000 www.standrewsosteopaths.co.uk (Photos courtesy Heather Lang)

For general enquiries:

Phone 101

FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY:

Phone 999

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SHOPS & SERVICES Margaret and Walter Watson have built

Birchwood Cottage Gallery and Tearoom at two homes. As a result, a sum of over £11,000 was shared between the In 2006, after many years working in medical physics departments two charities in 2014! in Glasgow hospitals, Margaret and Walter moved to Baker Lane in A visit to the cottage is not complete without sampling Margaret’s St Andrews. Here, in their beautifully renovated little house, Walter home baking accompanied by a choice of teas or freshly-ground coffee – painted, sticking his prints on the front door. Passers-by would post and marvelling at the wonderful view from the tearoom across the Bay to money for them through the letterbox. This was the start of fundraising the Angus hills beyond. Meanwhile, Walter can usually for the charity, Mary’s Meals. Margaret meanwhile gave be found painting in a corner of the gallery surrounded talks about Mary’s Meals in schools and local societies, a sum of over by original works of art mostly by local professional telling them how the charity helps to provide food for £11,000 was shared artists. As well as the many artworks on sale, there is a almost a million school children in many parts of the wonderful display of glassware, jewellery, and cards, as world. between the two well as fair-trade items from around the world. Money Feeling the need for larger premises, in 2010 charities in 2014! spent in that cornucopia benefits so many people!

Margaret and Walter moved to Birchwood Cottage, Birchwood Cottage is surely unique!

Balmungo (by Kinkell Braes). Surrounded by trees, Margaret and Walter would like to thank all their customers and artists but with a stunning view over St Andrews Bay, the single storey cottage for making their life such good fun and also for making it possible to help was transformed by the courageous Watsons into a two-storey tearoom both children’s charities. and art gallery with landscaped gardens and ample parking for visitors. It opened in 2013.

Initially, profits from the tearoom and gallery went to Mary’s Meals Birchwood Cottage is open from Easter to Christmas, alone. However, last year Margaret and Walter decided to help local Friday to Sunday 10.00am – 4.00pm. Just go! children as well, so they shared money they raised with the Children’s Hospice Association in Scotland that provides care for seriously ill children

Cottage exterior

Tearoom

Gallery

Jonnie Adamson

Auto Enrolment – time for employers to act Last time I wrote I considered whether the new workplace pensions would be worth it for employees. The fact is though, that they are here to stay and both employers and employees will have to look out for them. We have some clients who have already started, have their schemes up and running; this does include employers with only one employee, this is not just a problem for large employers any more. If you are an employer then you should be asking yourself a few questions now to make sure you have this under control, as there are some pretty significant fines for noncompliance (£400 moving on to at least £50 per day if ignored). Hopefully you will find the following checklist from the regulator useful:

Assess and enrol your staff – Enrol your staff into the pension scheme(s) you’re providing for them.

Write to your staff – You must write to your staff to let them know how automatic enrolment applies to them within six weeks of your staging date.

Your ongoing automatic enrolment duties – Pay regular contributions, keep records of your automatic enrolment activities and monitor the ages and earnings of your staff (including new starters) and enrol them if they become eligible.

Complete your declaration of compliance – Let us know how you’ve met your automatic enrolment duties by completing your declaration of compliance. Even if you haven’t had to automatically enrol anyone, you must still complete your declaration.

Know your staging date – Find out the date your automatic enrolment duties come into effect for you. This is known as your staging date.

Provide a point of contact – Tell us who we can contact with information about your automatic enrolment this is not just a duties.

Check who you need to enrol – Check if you’ll need to There are some limited exemptions for companies problem for large automatically enrol any of your staff. This will help there are one or two directors and no other employers any more where you plan what you need to do next. employees, but generally every employer needs to act.

Create your action plan – Create a plan to help you If you are stuck and think you need some help then make sure you meet your automatic enrolment duties in time. we are always available to give a hand. Alternatively, you can call the Work out your costs – Work out how much your regular pension regulator on 0845 600 1011. payments and setup costs are likely to be.

Check your records and payroll process – Check your records and For further information on this, or other matters, choose the best way to keep track of these once your duties take please consult: effect. Ensure that your payroll process will work with automatic enrolment.

Henderson Black & Co Choose a pension scheme (or check your existing one) – If you already 149 Market St, St Andrews offer your staff a pension scheme, make sure it can be used for Tel: 01334 472 255 automatic enrolment. If it can’t, now is the time to find a different one.

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SHOPS & SERVICES From Paul White, Co-ordinator for St Andrews Electric (E-Car) Club.

The Launch of the NEW E-Car Club – 10 electric vehicles now available for hire in St Andrews After many years of planning, with lots of sustained effort from several members of the University and Transition St Andrews, the official launch of Scotland’s first ALLelectric-vehicle Car Club occurred in April in St Andrews. The E-Car Club is the first of its kind north of the border. With a fleet of 10 electric vehicles available across the town, it has transformed the accessibility to low cost, low-carbon transport within St Andrews.

Car clubs in general are becoming more prominent across the UK as people are realising the financial benefits of car sharing, rather than car ownership. Car clubs cut congestion, reduce carbon, save people money, while still giving the freedom and flexibility to use a car when you want to. They also help to reduce pressure on town centre parking (always an issue in St Andrews) as people switch from car ownership to car sharing.

Joining a car club makes sense if you drive less than 8,000 miles a year- as the cost of owning a car, servicing, tax, insurance and fuel can all add up to quite a hefty sum! And the flexibility of using a car (and paying for it) only when you need it is very appealing for those who are trying to cut down their household bills. Car clubs also provide accessibility for those who can’t afford a car, but would still like to make trips and excursions around Fife and beyond.

The fleet of electric vehicles in St Andrews consists of 8 Renault Zoe Hatchbacks, and 2 Renault Kangoo Vans (the latter suitable for business use). On first appearance, the vehicles look just like normal everyday cars, but when you switch them on, there is a slightly unnerving sound the first time you use them…

SILENCE! All that lets you know that the “engine” (actually an electric motor) is running is the “READY” sign on the dashboard. Apart from this the cars are just as easy to drive and accelerate really well, having the same equivalent torque as a 1.5L Diesel car. All the controls and dials are the same, and there are real-time updates on your power consumption / driving range on the dashboard.

Even though there are no exhaust fumes, the running of an electric vehicle isn’t completely carbon neutral, as the electricity used to charge (from the national grid) still has

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a carbon footprint. Howeve, there is a reduction of approximately 65% in CO2 emissions compared to a typical petrol or diesel car. This number should hopefully increase in the future as National Grid power generation moves more towards renewables and further away from coal power.

The range of the electric cars is between 70-90 miles on a single charge. This can be a sticking point for some, however there is an extensive network of EV charging points across the UK with rapid charge points (charging up to 80% in less than 30mins) available at every major service station. Therefore the range of the cars should not be seen as a limitation, but as an opportunity to think differently about how we travel. Knowing that an Electric vehicle can significantly reduce our CO2 emissions and cost of running (as a full charge costs £3.20 in electricity compared to £10.17 for the equivalent in petrol), it is definitely worth the change in mind-set and being a little more flexible with our car journeys. Please note: the cost of charging at charge points around the UK is included in the price of membership with the E-Car Club.

These figures are used solely for illustrating the cost-saving benefits to private EV owners. Also, as more and more people invest in Electric Vehicle technology, hopefully the demand will drive down the cost of production for the lithium batteries so that future vehicles will have greater capacity and driving ranges.

Joining the E-Car Club in St Andrews is very simple. Either log on to: http://e-carclub.org/ or call 020 3603 2259. Until 31 July there is a special half-price membership offer for joining of just £25, which also includes 2 FREE hours

of driving to get you started. Please make sure to quote the promotion code: ESTA215. As long as you are 19 years of age, have been driving for 1 year, have a UK / EU / internationallyrecognised driver’s license with no more than 6 points, you will be able to become a member.

Once you receive your membership card and pin number, you can phone up or book online; within seconds you will be able to access the car and drive away. Hourly rates start from £4.50 an hour for the cars (£35/day) or £5.50 an hour for vans (£50/day)…No hidden costs…All insurance, maintenance, tax are included. Plus, since the cars are electric, there are no costly trips to the petrol station either!

We hope that many members of the community will make use of the electric vehicles available through the E-Car Club as it is a great resource now available in the town. Hopefully for many residents it will provide cost-saving opportunities. For younger residents, it will give them the opportunity to get driving for the first time without the worry of high insurance costs. In addition, the E-Car scheme is a social enterprise always looking to support charities and volunteer groups with free or reduced-cost access to the vehicles. Therefore supporting the E-Car Club can provide a direct benefit to the community as well. And finally, since transport results in approximately 30% of our annual CO2 emissions, the success of this new scheme will encourage further availability of similar schemes across Scotland with continued movement towards reducing our CO2 emissions in Scotland.

(Photos courtesy the E-Car Club)

SHOPS & SERVICES From Brenda Conway, Community Project Officer for Fife (working with Fife Council)

Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband Getting connected to fibre Thanks to the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband programme, fibre is simple. For Jim, it was easy, broadband is now available in St Andrews – with 23,000 homes and and the price to join wasn’t too businesses in the town and across Fife now connected. expensive. He said, “On the The Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband aims to provide homes Monday morning I phoned my and businesses with the opportunity to help build a better future. Some provider. The new hub, which you areas like Strathkinness and Crail even have it available to them for the obviously have to wait for, arrived first time. on the Wednesday morning.

These local premises are among more than 275,000 homes and From there, it was just a couple businesses across Scotland which can now access fibre broadband of connections to make, sign in services at speeds of up to 80Mbps as part of the £410 million Digital and off we went.”

Scotland Superfast Broadband rollout. The Programme is just one part Prices for upgrading to of the Scottish Government’s plans to make Scotland a world class fibre broadband are lower than digital nation by 2020. you might think. The cost of Sara Budge, Programme Director said, “The scale and breadth of upgrading can be less than a this challenging, yet exciting, programme will have a huge impact on standard broadband connection. homes and businesses across Scotland. With faster internet speeds it Some internet service providers means that a number of users in a home or business can access the also offer package deals, internet, download and share large files at the same time more quickly merging your phone, TV and than ever before – opening a variety of different opportunities.” internet bill into one monthly High-speed broadband enables download speeds of up to 80 payment.

Mbps and upload speeds of up to 20 Mbps through a chosen service To access fibre broadband provider. you don’t need any fancy Sara continued, “Photos and videos can be uploaded, sent and computer, you just need to received to Facebook and Youtube in a flash. While at the same time contact your service provider. If you can watch or download your favourite television programme you’re stuck at finding the right instantly; while others can be gaming online at the same time – perfect internet provider that suits you, you can visit the price comparison website for a busy and active family. To take advantage of the higher speeds provided by Ofcom: http:/consumers.ofcom.org.uk/price-comparison now available, all you have to do is contact your service provider.”

Brendan Dick, BT Scotland Director, said, “As the high-speed fibre There’s a vast number of opportunities that can be accessed from network continues to roll out across Scotland, we’re seeing a shift your home thanks to fibre broadband; for example, being able to work in interest from ‘When can I get it?’ to ‘What can I do with it?’ This is from home – creating flexible working hours. You could be connecting important because it is the activity that takes place, not the infrastructure to cloud computing services and conference calls on Skype, while other itself, that will determine the benefit to the local economy. Benefits for family members are streaming movies or accessing study materials for businesses include faster file and data transfers, a university course in another room. better access to cloud computing services, more Local people are already benefitting. Cupar The Programme is just one part sophisticated web-based contact with customers resident Jim Gale is the chairman of the Scottish of the Scottish Government’s and support for flexible working. Ultimately it is Disability Golf Partnership; since contacting his for each individual to decide what they want to service provider to sign up to fibre broadband he plans to make Scotland a world do with their high-speed connection. With a little has been amazed at the results. He said, “I use class digital nation by 2020 imagination, the opportunities are endless. Right the internet quite extensively. Since having fibre here in St Andrews, Bonkers gift shop has reported broadband installed in our village I use it for most a number of benefits, including increased efficiency and productivity. Its of my charitable work. I run two websites, one for disabled golf and the owners say it’s faster and easier to transfer data between sites, they can other for disabled curling. Being able to connect to the internet with keep track of stock more effectively, take payments more quickly, and fibre broadband is a massive bonus. I have a lot of charity meetings improve customer satisfaction.” with a number of clients, which means instead of travelling all round the country we can do it now via Facetime and Skype.”

Sara Budge added, “As well as helping with business, webcams Users can check the interactive map on the Digital Scotland can also keep you up to date with what your children are doing – website: ( www.digitalscotland.org/whereandwhen ) whether they’re away studying at university or back packing.”

Further information is also available on Twitter: @ScotSuperfast or Before Jim was able to connect to fibre broadband, he explained Facebook: www.facebook.com/scotlandsuperfast that things were a lot more frustrating. Jim said, “Before I had fibre broadband it was pretty dire. For example, if I had a large newsletter going out to a couple of thousand people it would take most of the day.

(Photo courtesy Brenda Conway) Now with the fibre it’ll take minutes – if that.”

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SHOPS & SERVICES Flora Selwyn is pleased to present

Christopher Trotter From the age of eleven brought up in St Andrews, where Christopher Trotter’s father taught theology at the University, there is something of the evangelist in Christopher. He has been Fife’s Food Ambassador since 2011, an honorary title bestowed on him because of his work and passion about local seasonal food.

Christopher’s training began at the Savoy in London, where he spent three years in the kitchens; he often uses his experiences there for his event speaking. After the Savoy and a stint in Switzerland, France, and England, including two Michelin-starred restaurants (one where he was head chef) he returned to his native Scotland with a new wife, to run a hotel on the West Coast in Argyll. It was here that he suddenly became aware of the amazing quality of the produce from Scotland, shellfish, game, meat etc. yet no-one was using it. The young couple rapidly built up a reputation for good food and friendly service.

With awards from the Good Food and Michelin guides following, they won the Highland and Islands Most Welcoming Hotel award out of 650 entrants. Children followed and a move back to Christopher’s native Fife.

Scotland’s Larder was Christopher’s next project, perhaps a little ahead of its time. The idea was to showcase Scottish food and produce though a restaurant where the food was a cross section of great Scottish ingredients; seasonal soups, good meat, fruit and vegetables in season, smoked produce and cheese, all from Scotland. The shop was based around Scottish food, focused on seasonal foods, which were also what led the demonstrations and the celebrations. He invited farmers and producers, people like Sandy Pattullo over from Glamis, to host an asparagus dinner. Sandy was then the only commercial grower of asparagus in Scotland. There followed Soft Fruit events hosted by Cameron Laird from Carnie Fruit farm, with a demonstration by Lady Clare Macdonald from the isle of Skye. And the late great Johnny Noble of Loch Fyne Oysters came over to talk about oysters in October.

The exhibition area focused on the Scottish seasons and history of agriculture, as well as on game and fishing. In this year of Scotland Food and Drink we have at long last begun to appreciate what we have on the door step, but Christopher has been evangelising since before the 1990s!

A chance conversation brought a series of workshops for the National Trust for Scotland to the Larder. Christopher began to develop his skills courses and team-building courses, which resulted in the Trust getting 5 of their tea room /cafés in the food guides.

They then asked him if he would write a cookery book for them. The Scottish Kitchen was published in 2004, winning a Gourmand World Cook Book award.

Since closing Scotland’s Larder in 2002, Christopher has worked in a number of areas. Writing more cookery books, he became a member of the Guild of Food Writers. Through that he has met various writers, collaborating with one, Carol Wilson, to write Scottish Heritage Food and Cooking, published in 2005. There followed The Whole Hog in 2010, also with Carol Wilson, and The Whole Cow in 2013. Both books are based on making use of the whole animal. They are still in print and were translated into French, which has given Christopher great pleasure!

More recently, Christopher was standing in a queue at Watertsones book shop in Market Street at Christmas time, when he noticed all the piles of books around the till designed as “stocking fillers”. He thought, “I am going to produce a book that people really want!” So after two rejections from publishers, and after discussion with Waterstones, Christopher decided to self publish, keeping it all local by using the St Andrews University Print and Design department to help put the idea together. With the superb colour photographs of Caroline his wife (it always helps to sleep with a photographer, he says with a grin) Beetroot was born; a neat little book about the vegetable, its season and some nutritional advice, as well as 28 recipes. It sold well and has been reprinted. Courgette followed in the summer of 2014, and Kale will be published this October. A series has begun!

In other areas, Christopher has developed cooking classes and workshops for small groups of friends or families in their own homes, which works very well. He has helped create the food elements at the Big Tent, worked on the Bruce and Solas festivals, as well as a regular demonstration at the Fife farmers’ markets encouraging visitors to make the best use of the produce they can buy at the markets. He is also in demand as a speaker, both at events on food with his huge experience of Scottish food, also as an event speaker with his stories of the Savoy (ask him the one about the cook, the mouse, and the deep-fat fryer!) and as a team builder with his unique workshop using food and cooking as a conduit to get teams working better together.

This year Christopher has a very busy schedule with events at the Highland Show, Fife farmers’ markets, and also running the demo theatre at the Scone game fair; “That’s a real privilege,“ he says, “the food producers there are far better than those at the Royal Highland Show, much more integrity and properly based in the country.”

Does he have any regrets? “Well, maybe it would have been good to be on the telly! But it’s probably too late now, or at least to have been asked by the Scottish government to try to improve the nation’s health.

Obesity is one of the biggest problems facing us, and the reason for it is simply that we eat the wrong things, and don’t exercise enough. We need a return to cooking in the home – after all we do have the best produce in the world.”

(Photo courtesy Christopher Trotter)

FOR OUT OF TOWN LEGAL ADVICE Wills / Inheritance Tax Planning / Executries / Powers of Attorney / Guardianship Conveyancing / Commercial Property / Business Law

We can consult locally 22

ADIE HUNTER Solicitors and Notaries 15 Newton Terrace Glasgow Telephone: 0141 248 3828 Fax: 0141 221 2384 email: enquiries@adiehunter.co.uk

SHOPS & SERVICES

Roving Reporter 1. Reporter met Imam Hasan, the new whollyindependent owner of Tulsi Restaurant, 60-62 Market Street (Tel: 01334 470 000) email: info@tulsistandrews.co.uk A brand new Indian/Thai restaurant, Imam wishes to stress that it is quite different from others in our town. He, and his partners are particularly proud of the quality of food and service on offer. Fish and vegetables are sourced locally; authentic spices come from Bangladesh, India, and Thailand. There is a comprehensive wine list to choose from too. Prices are competitive; lunch is from £5.95; dinner from £9.95. Student takeaway, if collected, is from £6.50. Crisp white linen tablecloths and napkins welcome customers. Posters of world cinema line the walls in colourful splendour. Opening hours are: lunch, (except Sundays) 12 noon – 2.30pm; early evening, (except Saturdays) 5.00-7.00pm; dinner, 5.00pm-midnight.

Reporter is impressed! He also learned that Tulsi is the name of the Holy Basil plant, known throughout India for its culinary and medicinal properties (Ocimum tenuiflorum).

in La Rochelle, France, where he earned his culinary and tourism spurs at the Lycée Hôtelier du Parc de la Francophonie, Julien came to the UK 13 years ago to perfect his English. As he says, “if you want to progress anywhere you have to learn English.” In 2009 he opened his successful award-winning delicatessen “La Petite Epicerie” in Anstruther. Now, on our behalf, Reporter warmly welcomes him here as well. Julien stocks a wide range of French, Italian, Spanish goodies, and Belgium chocolates, as well as homemade products.

He asserts that he is “continually sourcing new suppliers, preferably small, who like us, have a passion for quality, flavour, and variety.” His accolades include the “Great Taste 2013” Gold Star award for the quality of his Beef Steak Pies. Vive l’alliance France/Ecosse!

the town is riding high on a wave of food and drink successes that demonstrate our collective support for Scotland’s ‘Year of Food & Drink’. I am delighted for the entire team that we have won this accolade. I very much look forward to welcoming guests old and new, ensuring we continue to wow and exceed their expectations.” Managing Director, Julie Lewis, is understandably “absolutely thrilled”. Well done, says Reporter!

*****

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2. St Andrews’ cosmopolitan mix is enhanced even further by Julien Poix who has opened The Continental Pantry at 9 Church Street (01334 477 358). Born

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3. The Adamson Restaurant, South Street, Reporter learned, has achieved the title of Restaurant of the Year in this year’s CIS Excellence Awards. Newly-appointed Director Head Chef, Paul Hart, (from the Scotsman in Edinburgh) comments that, “The focus on St Andrews has never been greater – the Open returns this July and

ecommerce

Total Ecommerce, 7 Borthwick Place, Balmullo, Fife Call: 01334 871101 Email: Info@total-ecommerce.co.uk

4. A huge congratulation to Dorothy and her team at Johnstons of Elgin, Pilmour Links, St Andrews on their recent accreditation from Visit Scotland as a fivestar tourist shop. Johnstons of Elgin is the only shop in St Andrews holding this prestigious status. Visit Scotland’s highly regarded 5-star Quality Assurance grading system assesses businesses according to a set of national quality standards, ensuring that they meet the essential requirements for cleanliness, safety, security, comfort, sustainability and customer care. A 5-star status signifies a shop of an exceptional standard.

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ORGANISATIONS Liz Reid, and Anna Sandland of Homeshare, introduce

An exciting new Homeshare service launched in Fife!

Homeshare Scotland, a trading name Homeshare benefits older people, in some of Forth Valley Enterprise CIC, a social cases enabling them to remain in their own enterprise based in Central Scotland, has home for longer. However, it also benefits secured funding from a younger people. number of organisations Accommodation in and (incl. Big Lottery and Fife around St Andrews Homeshare is a way of Council) to run a 12-month can be prohibitively Homeshare pilot in North expensive, while helping people to help East Fife, with a view for transport links are not each other by exchanging always compatible the service to become a permanent feature in Fife with working hours. their resources and the rest of Scotland.

Additionally, as Homeshare is a way Homeshare is an of helping people to help inexpensive way to each other by exchanging their resources. A secure accommodation, it can allow people to Householder is someone who has a home save up for that elusive deposit to get on the that they are willing to share, while they housing ladder. would like some help around the house or The pilot will take place in North East companionship. A Homesharer is someone Fife. Any home owner over the age of who needs accommodation and is happy 55 is encouraged to apply to become a to give some help in return. A Householder Householder. In the first instance we will send offers affordable accommodation to a out an information pack and offer a telephone Homesharer, who in turn offers their support call to discuss the scheme in more detail. and companionship. There are many For interested people, this will be followed schemes like this in operation in England, but up with an initial visit to discuss their specific it is a first for Scotland. requirements and fill in an application form.

Homeshare is about empowering older After that the assessment stage begins. By people, who are not passive recipients of the end of it, we will write up a complete support, but equal partners in an exchange. profile

To become a Homesharer, you need to be at least 18 years old. The application process is very similar to that of a Householder, with the addition of a Disclosure Scotland check.

Both parties are thoroughly vetted. The match only goes ahead if both sides are happy. Homeshare Scotland is on hand for the duration of the match, to offer support and monitoring. There is a monthly service fee, which covers the assessments, setting up of the match, support and monitoring throughout, and assistance with bringing the match to an end.

If you would like more information about the service, please get in touch by phone: 01592 860 296, email: info@homeshare-scotland.org Or by post to: Homeshare Scotland, BRAG Building, Main St, Lochgelly, KY5 B8J

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

www.nphcinema.co.uk

117 North Street, St Andrews Tel: 013334 474902

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ORGANISATIONS From Jill Cameron

From Viv Collie

Guess What?

St Andrews will have a novel addition for visitors during the 2015 Open Championship in July. The BID St Andrews Steering Group is organising a (Photo courtesy LocalMotion Land Train) LocalMotion Land Train to help people see the sights.

The train, which can carry up to 60 passengers, will operate from 11 to 19 July. It offers promotional opportunities for businesses on a number of advertising panels.

BID chairman Ken Dalton said that the steering group has been looking at ways of helping to boost the town centre, for example with the StAndrews4You social media pilot project, “The Land Train will provide a safe, friendly, and fun way of transporting people around town, and it is sure to prove popular with families”.

There is already a successful route across the Tay in Broughty Ferry. The Land Train has proved popular for weddings, birthdays, special occasions, sporting events, business and corporate promotions, and music festivals.

For further information contact info@bidstandrews.co.uk

All Saints’ Church Rectory Restoration Fund A very enjoyable and successful Afternoon Cream Tea was held on Saturday, 23 May as the opening event of a planned programme of fundraising events by the congregation of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in St Andrews, for the restoration and refurbishment of their Rectory.

It was a gloriously sunny day, allowing folk to sit outside when not patronising the many, varied stalls, or enjoying the singing of Anne Baird accompanied by her husband Bela Simandi. The event raised £1,200 towards the venture.

The newly-appointed Rector, Alistair Coles and his family, are due at the end of August, so further public events are planned to prepare our lovely A-listed Rectory for their arrival.

From David Scott, Director of Operations at

The Old Course Hotel – The 5-red-star official Hotel for the Open Q. This will be the 144th Open. How does this summer’s Championship differ from those staged before?

A. The Open’s return to St Andrews is always a very special occasion, perhaps even more so this year as we say a very fond farewell to some of golf’s greatest ambassadors who have led the game for the last 20-30 years. Tom Watson, Nick Faldo, Bernard Langer, will all say goodbye this July; they will be joined by Ivor Robson who has been the first tee announcer at every Open since 1974. It has also been rumoured that this could be the last Open for the BBC’s ‘voice of golf’, Peter Alliss. I very much hope not!

Q. How does The Open change the day-today management at the Resort?

A. The Hotel is contracted to the R&A, so it is run for the Championship’s exclusive use. We welcome many of golf’s greatest names, as hospitality hosts throughout the event. It is a tremendous honour to be so involved, building on the accolade achieved by the Resort at last year’s World Golf Awards, where we were named ‘Scotland’s Best Golf Hotel’.

Q. Does that mean you are closed to the public during the Championship?

A. The Hotel is for the R&A’s sole use.

Our Hams Hame Pub & Grill, beneath Hamilton Grand, remains open to the public. It is the closest watering hole to the 18th green. We are gearing up for it to be the pub’s busiest week ever. As the site of golf’s very first club – The Union Parlour – Hams Hame is very much a part of the game’s history; customers love that connection. Our chefs are preparing menus using local, seasonal produce to help sustain those looking to spend a day on the links – and our bar staff will be at the ready! Giant screens will also show every hole throughout the Championship

so, if the sun forgets to shine, customers can take shelter without missing a shot!

Our very own Championship Duke’s Golf Club at Craigtoun will also be open to the public throughout The Open. It hosted last year’s prestigious International European Amateur Championship and, as Scotland’s longest golf course, provides a great challenge from our back tees. Our team of professionals will be on hand to help those wishing to hone their game.

Our award-winning Clubhouse provides a great place to enjoy time out with family, friends, and colleagues.

Q. You must have quite an army behind you – how many people does it take to deliver all that is required across the resort during The Open?

A. We are very fortunate to have a tremendous team, recognised by our Investors In People Gold Award. Also we pride ourselves on recruiting, training and developing the skillset across every department. Just over 400 associates will be on hand to ensure all guests receive an unrivalled five-red-star welcome.

Q. Do you get to play much golf?

A. I grew up playing golf in St Andrews and love the game. I was very privileged to become a golf professional, with my moment of fame quite some years ago now! I decided to make a move into management, having been very fortunate to work in and around a game I love. Pulling together a fine golf team in 2000 for the opening of Kingsbarns Golf Links, then running The Duke’s some 9 years later, working at highly regarded establishments is wonderful. In July of last year I took over as the Resort’s Director of Operations, I’m in a dream job, BUT, sadly, I do not get to play as much golf as many may suppose!

Q. Beyond The Open, what lies in store for the Hotel?

A. This is proving to be an incredible year for the Resort. It is Scotland’s Year of Food & Drink. Executive Chef, Martin Hollis, continues to showcase the Resort at a series of foodie events throughout the year. His regular slots at the Fife Farmers’ Market in St Andrews (the first Saturday of each month) continue to attract a great following. Martin is also leading a collaboration of St Andrews chefs on an exciting project that culminates in a Food & Drink Festival in November. The elite group includes Martin, Ian MacDonald from St Andrews Links, Alan Matthew of The Fairmont, Paul Hart from The Adamson, Jamie Scott at Rocca and Geoff Smeddle from the Michelin-starred Peat Inn. We are also building on our recently won title as ‘Scotland’s Best Wedding Venue’, running a unique promotion for one lucky couple to win an entire wedding next April – on William & Kate’s 5th wedding anniversary.

Weddings are a key part of our business, increasingly helping to drive year-round occupancy. We hosted no fewer than five weddings between Christmas and Hogmanay last year. We are also working closely with sports teams. Football and rugby teams love to come to St Andrews as we provide an exceptional base for training camps away from the public glare so often attracted by hotels in larger and busier cities. The summer ahead will see a number visiting us.

Q. What is the best way for people to keep up to date on all the Resort does?

A. Apart from reading St Andrews In Focus?!

Everyone can track what we are doing, before, during and beyond The Open by following us on a variety of social media networks. We are using the hashtag: #WeAreOpen to share news and updates, so keep an eye open!

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OUT & ABOUT

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OUT & ABOUT James Hearsum, Director,

St Andrews Botanic Garden Trust garden to help with the concerns of everyday St Andrews Botanic Garden has enjoyed a life. We all have a need for good health, family wonderful spring and early summer as it began time, connection to nature, inspiration, joy, for the new season under the sole direction of the the satisfaction of our curiosity about the world Botanic Garden Trust. After several years of around us. Our focus will increasingly be on energetic work by many volunteers, supporters, how our Garden and activities can contribute to and the wider local community, the Garden being a part of these in your daily life. has a secure future. Having accomplished this, Over the summer, the Garden is hosting our attention returns to expanding the delivery events and activities suitable for all. The of our central mission: to delight, inspire, and highlight of the summer will undoubtedly be develop our communities’ understanding of the the Gruffalo trail, a children’s literature trail for world of plants through our beautiful garden. the whole family, with all Garden entry is now your favourite characters always free for children and We believe that beautiful from the Gruffalo. In for all others on the First gardens and environments are addition, the half-acre Friday of every month. We important for our mental, as of warm glasshouses have begun the year with well as physical, well-being make the Garden a great a huge increase in visitor rainy-day activity; a new numbers. exotic plant trail will be available soon. The As we all live ever busier lives, St Andrews Garden is delighted to offer free daily drop-in Botanic Garden will seek to be a place to which activities every day over the summer holidays, everyone can come to recharge, reconnect with four weeks of full-day children’s programmes. the natural world, and leave rejuvenated. We It remains a great place for events, including will seek to expand the range and depth of what our wonderful botanical birthday parties. A can be accomplished in this area. Already our full programme of botanical and horticultural education team has worked with both social lectures, workshops, social gatherings, is services and the NHS to provide therapeutic planned throughout the year. access to the Garden’s programmes. We will Excitingly, the financial and practical seek to develop the Garden to offer access to support of the St Andrews community, through the most excluded and marginalised in society the excellent work of The Friends of St Andrews as a place of refuge, restoration. At the same Botanic Garden gives us new opportunities. time, our volunteering programme provides Therefore, over the winter months we expect access for all to peer support, mentoring, and to be able to begin the process of developing social opportunities through shared garden a new permanent coffee shop and café, with activities. upgraded associated facilities and access, also Coming together to create, care for, and with the facilities to enable rental of areas of the enjoy gardens improves our lives. This is true garden for private events. in our own gardens, but even more so when we There are many ways that you can join us do it together. St Andrews Botanic Garden will in revitalising the Garden, returning it to the be reaching out over the coming year to offer heart of community life in St Andrews. First, you opportunities to be an integral part of our come and visit us! We know that people who story as we do this. We want all of our activities visit us once return over and over again; many to be centred on the needs of our community, speak of childhood traditions that have passed considering how we can use this extraordinary

from generation to generation. Many of our visitors become Friends of the Garden, receiving free entry, with access to many activities at reduced or no additional cost. Ask Charmaine at the gatehouse how to become a Friend.

We are also developing new opportunities for volunteering. These are wonderful ways to build a strong social network, to contribute to the community, to use your existing professional skills or develop new ones. Whilst practical help is always needed, there are many other opportunities to use skills from all walks of life. To get involved contact Isabelle: volunteering@st-andrews-botanic.org Finally, we are actively seeking the continuing financial support of our community.

All of the achievements in securing the future have been possible due only to the tireless work, on-going financial support of Friends, supporters locally, and indeed in some instances, from across the world. For this we are extremely thankful. As we move into a new phase of development this opportunity to make a difference remains, taking on an exciting new dimension. Having secured a future we are now looking to develop partnerships with organisations and individuals to deliver capital projects as well as educational programmes with lasting impact here in St Andrews and beyond. Please contact me directly to discuss ways you might like to accomplish this alongside us.

However you wish to get involved, we look forward to welcoming you into the Garden, working alongside you to grow in the heart of St Andrews.

(Photo courtesy James Hearsum)

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OUT & ABOUT Tim Hardie’s

Nature Notes Well, the swallows and house martins certainly kept us waiting this year! Although I heard of them being about earlier, I never saw either until 30 April – this being a good two weeks later than last year. Anyway, they are here now and don’t we know it, buzzing around chattering endlessly, exploring any nook and cranny for a suitable nesting site. It is wonderful to have them home, but our motorcars are suffering the consequences!

While our visitors from South Africa could be accused of being a bit tardy, the same cannot be said of our pair of oystercatchers.

Having left here at the end of July last year, with one fledgling, they arrived back in early March

Oystercatcher (Photo courtesy John Anderson (Crail Birder: www.pbase.com/crail_birder ))

to establish their breeding ground. They are seem to regard never in a great hurry to nest, but this year they me as some needed a bit of assistance from their host, i.e. sort of board myself. For the last two or three years they’ve and lodgings, nested on an ancient bale of straw in the old for when I silage pit. This pit having been tidied up last go out in the Oystercatcher eggs autumn, no longer provided a nesting site. morning to feed (Photo courtesy Tim Hardie) However, I managed to persuade the farmer my hens, there to put out two new bales of straw on 1st May. are at least twenty house sparrows lined up Imagine my glee when the first egg was laid two waiting for their hot breakfast. They even have days later; now they are sitting on three eggs. the audacity to feed their chicks my hot mash Having watched the oystercatcher for many – I will let them off on the basis that they have years, I have learnt their alarm system quite obviously become rather dependent on me and well. Should a potential predator show up, or I like hearing them chatter incessantly in the just some harmless human hedge at the back door in the activity, the female receives a evening.

Well, the swallows and call from her mate to vacate I have spent many hours house martins certainly the nest. This being done in my vegetable garden this kept us waiting this year! immediately does not draw spring, planting essential attention to the nest and eggs. vegetables, but have not had It is a truly busy time of year, here in rural the company of a robin. The gardener’s best east Perthshire. The first blackbird chicks have friend is not around; in fact, I have not seen fledged and can be found by listening out for one at all since early spring. Hopefully they are them calling to their mum and dad to bring them enjoying life elsewhere. more worms. That said, the cock blackbirds Our lovely blackbirds take full advantage of seem to have vanished when all this hard work me when digging the vegetable garden in the is required. The blackbird chicks had better evening, as they are not early to bed. I have make the best of it, as it will not be long before seen them waiting on me to vacate their patch mother is busily building a nest and planning a as darkness falls. The freshly dug soil offers an second brood. easy late supper, just like my house sparrows – The house sparrows continue to make a a free meal is a free meal! living off the back of my keeping chickens. They

Invite you to visit a living treasure in the heart of St Andrews OPEN DAILY ALL YEAR ROUND

Herbaceous, Alpine, Woodland, Water & Scree Glorious Glasshouse Collection FREE FIRST FRIDAYS OPEN TILL 9PM

GARDEN EDUCATION TRUST Lectures, Classes & Walks 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 Alistair Lawson, ScotWays

Of Hostelling and Hostellers Readers of a certain generation (interpret that the norm, the hostels situated such as to be as you will) may recall “hostelling holidays” “staging posts” on the routes out of the cities in the days when hostels were new (from the suffered declining use and eventual closure as 1930s onwards) and when hostelling involved folk drove straight past them on to more distant walking long distances in ill-fitting boots, destinations. Hostels become mere motels, in carrying over-loaded, which visitors tended not ex-Army rucksacks, and to speak to one another, now weary walkers will be able being wet and cold for their respective driving to dream, literally, of the day’s long periods. I refer to journeys being of no journey just completed, and the interest. the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s, onward journey of the morrow before hostels – and Now, in what might be hostellers – became soft. called the third hostelling In the early days, hostels were located within era, this trend is being reversed, and some walking or cycling distance of the major towns “back-packers” (as they are now called) are and cities, the unspoken assumption being that using the new, long-distance paths in the one travelled by either of those modes. The lowlands, rather than rushing headlong to regular evening chat between hostellers was, the highlands. This in turn has created a new “Where have you come from?”, “How long did it market demand for new overnight stoppingtake you?”, “What’s the best way over the hill?”, places. Our very own Fife Coastal Path is a “What sort of bike have you got?”, “Where are case in point, and, just this year, a new hostel you going tomorrow?”. has appeared in the lovely old (1908), red In the second hostelling era, when car sandstone Murray Library building in Anstruther ownership and disposable income became (see photo). Under Fife Council’s Townscape

Anstruther Studio

Murray Library Heritage Initiative, extensive renovation has been undertaken over recent years, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Historic Scotland, Fife Council, and the European Regional Development Fund. Amongst other radical improvements, the weathervane was taken off, refurbished and is now back in place.

So, where once folk used to read in books of dream journeys they might like to make, now weary walkers will be able to dream, literally, of the day’s journey just completed, and the onward journey of the morrow.

While there is, of course, much that is old and attractive in Anstruther, the hostel is not all that’s new; just behind the Library, what were formerly snooker halls are now smart new Art Studios (see photo), and you can see inside them later in the year, when they open as part of Fife’s Doors Open Days event on Sunday, 6 September – make a diary note now!

If residents of St Andrews feel moved – as they surely will – to go and see these wonders for themselves, don’t go and get out the car!

Get out your boots, walk the Coastal Path (and maybe come back in the bus). Alternatively, go back to the future, go hostelling, pack your toothbrush, stay overnight in Anstruther and do the next leg of the C.P. the next day. Can you possibly have any reason for not doing this?

(Photos courtesy Alistair Lawson)

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OUT & ABOUT Arlen Pardoe

Hidden Gems in St Andrews

(in plain view)

Focussing on features that are in plain sight, but often overlooked The theme for this issue is golf, in celebration of the 144th Open Golf Championship taking place in St Andrews in July. Between 1873 and 1990 The Open came to St Andrews at irregular intervals, but since that date it has been played here every five years. That recent pattern may be broken again if St Andrews is chosen to host the Championship in

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2021. Golf-related signs are a feature of the town; most have been upgraded or replaced over the years. Some shown here are current, others are long gone. The name of St Andrews is synonymous with golf, and rightly so.

(Photos courtesy Arlen Pardoe)

OUT & ABOUT

(Original painting by Linda Paton)

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