St Andrews in Focus Issue 73 Nov Dec 2015

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

November/December 2015 Issue 73, £2.00

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

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

From the Editor

A confession: Facebook overwhelmed me. I’ve opted out I’m afraid. Call me a coward, call me an ignoramus, but it became a bit of a nightmare taking up too much of my time without anything positive to show for it. Has anyone else suffered the same disappointment, I wonder, or is it only me? I suppose it has something to do with age. My 20 yearold grandchildren tell me that ‘the younger generation’ (not them!) are ‘digital natives’, which no doubt goes some way to explain why they are so adept at social media. I admire them for being able to navigate without, apparently, losing direction – or do I imagine that? How I wish I could come back in the future to see how it all pans out, it’s so intriguing.

For the present, however, Christmas and Hogmanay beckon. I wish everyone a very happy, joyful Festive Season, followed by a Reet Guid New Year!

Flora Selwyn (Photo with thanks to Gerry Priest)

******** The views expressed elsewhere in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor. © St Andrews in Focus (2003) NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 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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Contents FEATURES • Community Council • The ‘Blood Supermoon’ • 75th Anniversary • Tessa Ransford remembered • The Curator has the answer • Angels – from the Web • Drought in Cameroon • Solly Seagull, a silly story • Reviews: – The Sons of the Fathers – Untold Stories

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SHOPS & SERVICES • STOP PRESS • The Business Club • The Walled Gardens • From the Osteopath • Eating at Peat Inn • Seaweed • Personal Development • Festive Spirit, anyone?

• Roving Reporter

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ORGANISATIONS • VAF • Kinburn Park collaboration • Bowling & Probus • Citizen Advocacy • Kingdom 2000

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TOWN & GOWN • • •

Special Collections ‘Photograph 51’ University Library Friends

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EVENTS • Fife Reelers, Report • St Andrews Chorus • TCCL – an update • Book Week • Events • Selected Events

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OUT & ABOUT • • • •

Nature Notes Rights of Way problems Harbour pontoons Hidden Gems

NEXT ISSUE – Jan/Feb 2016 COPY DEADLINE: STRICTLY 28 NOVEMBER

All contributions welcome. The Editor reserves the right to publish copy according to available space.

Cover: ‘Sunrise’ by Lisa Crichton.

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FEATURES From Howard Greenwell, Chair

The Community Council Once again St Andrews has found itself in opposition to the Planning Authorities. The key issue of contention for the town this time is the granting of planning permission for the extension to the Rusacks Hotel by the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA).

Despite numerous objections from the Community Council, the Preservation Trust, numerous other people around the town, and a 12-1 vote against the development by the elected North East Fife Local Councillors, the DPEA Reporter, Mr Richard Bent, has indicated that, in his opinion, the development is not too large, and does not impact the Conservation Area. Thus, the result will be a very large modern development that, in the opinion of most who commented, will not be an asset to the Conservation Area, will impact the views of the Old Course, and will cause significant additional parking issues around The Links, Pilmour Links, Golf Place, and probably Petheram Bridge Car Park. There will be more than 40 new guest bedrooms, but only 12 additional parking spaces. The new staff needed to manage and service these guest bedrooms will need more than the proposed number of spaces. One assumes the staff and guests will be expected to use up the dwindling supply of parking around the town. With the western extension yet to be started, parking will become more and more of an issue within the town.

The second unacceptable planning appeal relates to Murrayfield Road, where a new owner wishes to demolish the existing house, then erect a much larger building overlooking neighbouring properties.

The existing development, which has been proposed for, and should already be part of, the Hepburn Gardens Conservation Area, has had the planning application opposed by many residents, also refused by the local planning authorities. Again the refusal has been overturned by the DPEA Reporter, Mr David Liddell.

In both these cases, the Community Council believes the Reporter has ignored local planning policies and guidelines in favour of further development within the town. The character of St Andrews is slowly being eroded by more and more modern developments.

The Community Council has expressed on more than one occasion that the current Planning System is very biased towards developers and development. There is little or no recourse to the residents of the town, other than expensive legal processes that have little chance of success.

The movement, Planning Democracy, is being backed by the Community Council, as it argues for a change in the Planning System that will allow communities more say in planning decisions, as well as an independent right of appeal where the members of the local community believe the development is not in the best interests of the town. It will be interesting to see if Planning Democracy has any better success in changing the current planning system.

On a brighter note, the summer saw a presentation by the St Andrews Community Trust about its achievements in the first 4 years since it was set up. A joint venture of the Community Council, the Links Trust, and Fife Council, the Community Trust has been set up to distribute some of the proceeds of the commercial licensing and protection of the St Andrews Trademarks and Brands. Over 70 local groups have applied for, and been granted, funding for their projects, and more funds are still available to support good causes within the St Andrews area. Six local organizations made presentations thanking the Trust for their support. The Trust is always open for more applications from the local community.

Finally, as we approach the festive season, the Community Council wishes all of the residents of the town a very enjoyable St Andrews Day weekend, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

Eric Priest kindly recapitulates –

The “Blood Moon” of 27/28 September 2015 A lunar eclipse occurs as the Moon passes through the Earth’s shadow, with the Earth, Sun and Moon almost exactly in line and the Moon on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. There have been two lunar eclipses this year, but this was special because the Moon was a “supermoon”, while during the eclipse it became a “Blood Moon”.

The Moon is called a supermoon when it is near its minimum distance from Earth, so that the Moon appears 7-8% larger in the sky than normal. The nickname, “Blood Moon” refers to its red or rust-coloured appearance during a lunar eclipse.

As white light passes through the Earth’s atmosphere, the blue component of the light is scattered into different directions more than the red light. This explains why the sky is blue and why the Sun is red at sunset or sunrise, when the light from the Sun is passing through more of our atmosphere than normal. During a lunar eclipse, the Moon is lit by sunlight that has passed through the Earth’s atmosphere; it is mainly red, because the blue has been filtered out and scattered.

(Photo courtesy Peter Salvisberg-Smith, who lives in Switzerland)

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FEATURES Contributed by John Carder, who came to Fife in 1966 as Senior Education Officer RAF Leuchars

75th Anniversary

1940 was a bad year. Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Luxemburg, and France were invaded. On 22 June, France surrendered and the Battle of Britain began. The latter was largely fought over southern England, but amongst all the bad news was another event, largely ignored at the time, but with an immediate effect on Scotland: Italy had declared war on Britain on 10 June. All Italians living in Scotland became enemy aliens. In some areas, Glasgow and Leith, for example, there were outbreaks of violence and looting of property. The government acted quickly by introducing an Internment Act, as it was uncertain of the attitude and the conduct of the Scots/Italians. It was feared that if the Battle of Britain were lost, and invasion followed, their loyalty might be suspect. It was known that some were members of the Italian Fascist Organisation and hostile to Britain. Hence Churchill’s order, ‘collar the lot!’

What followed caused great distress, which in some cases has not been forgotten to this day. It was a hurried and blanket operation – a knock on the door, followed by arrest and detention. It was carried out without ‘charge and trial’, the due process of law enforcement, (although there was an appeal process from prison), which applied to men between the ages of 18 and 60, leaving families headless and unprotected against the antagonism of neighbours. The Italians had lived peacefully in Scotland for many years and contributed to the prosperity of the neighbourhood. The head of St Andrews’ Jannetta family was arrested, taken to Cupar in handcuffs, then imprisoned in Saughton Jail in Edinburgh, along with other familiar names; di John Carder (L) with Nicola Hazel (née Jannetta) Folco, di Marco, Crolla. Even Eduardo Paolozzi, the sculptor, was (Photo courtesy Jannetta’s Gelateria) detained. Families left behind were frequently restricted by curfew, which controlled the times they could leave the house. One family was News of the disaster was overshadowed nationally by the action forced to move away from the coast to live in a small village in Central of the Royal Navy sinking the French fleet at Mers-EI-Kebir on 3 July.

Scotland – presumably in case they signalled to the enemy!

Furthermore, the survivors reaching Gourock were forbidden to talk about The government then decided to send the detainees overseas it and, including Fortunato Jannetta, were almost immediately sent to to internment camps in the Isle of Man, Australia, and Canada. This Australia without being able to contact relatives. Details of the disaster caused further distress to the families as immediate contact was lost, were kept quiet for many years. It was not until 2010 that a memorial while the postal service from overseas was cloister garden was set up at Glasgow Cathedral unreliable. All letters were censored.

by Archbishop Conti and Alex Salmond. A small In the Janetta archives in the An ex-cruise liner, now troop carrier, the SS memorial tablet was also erected at Colonsay, Arandora Star, was selected for those going to National Library of Scotland, where 7 Italian bodies had been washed up.

Canada. It carried 734 detainees, as well as In the Janetta archives in the National Library there are letters telling of the of Scotland, 479 German ones, 88 German prisoners of war, there are letters telling of the family’s family’s experiences plus 200 military guards. Because of this mixture experiences. The young Bennedetto spent some conditions on board were crowded and restrictive time in Saughton writing a daily diary without for a total of 1500 passengers and crew. At 04.00 hours on 2 July, rancour and with humour. He details a concert given by the ‘Saughton some 75 miles off the coast of Ireland, the vessel was sunk by a single Entertainers’, also of a boxing tournament, which includes ‘Crolla vs torpedo from a German submarine. The explosion had caused damage Jannetta’. Fortunato Jannetta having survived the sinking of the Arandora to the generators and lifeboats; the evacuation was chaotic. Some Star, and having been sent to Australia, his letters to his family are 486 Italians were drowned, including 96 from Scotland, as well as 145 restrained, but not bitter. It says something for the Italian character that Germans and 20 POWs. they could react this way to a dreadful experience.

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FEATURES © Gordon Jarvie

Remembering Tessa Ransford 8 July 1938 – 2 September 2015 When Gavin circulated the news I shed a tear or two that early autumn day.

What else is there to say?

Like all my truest friends Tessa was good for me.

She made me raise my game, take my draft poetry more seriously, encouraged me not to chuck stuff away before examining it properly, critically.

Our hinterlands were not dissimilar.

Fife and Edinburgh were common ground.

Tessa had German, I had French.

She had India, I had Africa.

The Second War had marked us both.

We’d both been subjected to boarding schools.

Isolation had hardened us, made us private.

Latterly (even as we were fending off decline) we managed to publish each other’s work, but we both knew we were living history.

Samantha Bannerman, Curator of the Preservation Trust’s Museum

Ask The Curator Q. My family has been holidaying in St Andrews for many years now. We recently came across a photograph of me and my sister enjoying an ice cream outside “the Pavilion Tearoom” in around 1974. Do you have any information about the tearoom?

A. The Pavilion Tearoom once stood on the Bruce Embankment in St Andrews, overlooking the West Sands. The tearoom served coffee, tea, snacks, and ice cream (of course!) to people visiting the nearby beach and the Step Rock Pool (now St Andrews Aquarium).

Today, the Seafood Restaurant is situated where the tearoom once stood, close to the British Golf Museum.

Our photographic records show that the tearoom was still operating in 1999, having been enjoyed by locals and visitors alike from around the 1950s. Prior to the tearoom operating from this site, the pavilion was called the “Beach Pavilion”. It was used by the Pierrots, a travelling entertainment group, in the warm summer months. The Pierrots performed afternoon and evening variety shows. However, with no sheltered seating the popularity of their shows was very much weather dependent!

Once at St Monans in that empty churchyard by an ebbing sea we sat in the heat of a summer’s sun, Ted Ruddock, Tessa, and me, listening to larks and to the shingle’s song.

Tessa, you went ahead and shone the torch for all of us. Thank you for your example, for forgiving my many feeble lapses, and for all the little courtesies of friends.

Note about Tessa As the photograph’s background shows, Tessa lived her later years in Edinburgh, in a flat facing Holyrood Park and the spectacular backdrop of Arthur’s Seat. But she was born in India, where her father was a prominent colonial servant, Master of the Mint in Bombay. Tessa was ten when she first came to Scotland to board at St Leonard’s School, in St Andrews; naturally, her earliest memories of Scotland were of the cold.

At Edinburgh University she studied philosophy and German, and became active in poetry circles.

A doughty champion of Scottish poetry, Tessa will be remembered as the founding director of the Scottish Poetry Library (1984), as well as for her various outreach roles active in support of the School of Poets and the annual Callum Macdonald Memorial Awards (which she also founded).

Importantly, she also made time to function as an active, prolific poet and editor in her own right. From the start, she was a strong supporter and participant in the StAnza Festivals.

Tessa was a superlative achiever, embodying the notion that women were good at multi-tasking. This writer is one of many who owes her much.

Beach Pavillion, c.1930.

Tearoom, c.1999 (Photos courtesy The Preservation Trust)

(Photo courtesy Gordon Jarvie)

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FEATURES Thanks Keith Morris, from the Internet

Angels: Explained by Children

Angels don’t eat, but they drink milk from Holy Cows!!!

Jack, age 6

angels, I only know the names of two Hark and Harold.

Gregory, age 5

Everybody’s got it all wrong.

Angels don’t wear halos anymore. I forg et why, but scientists are working on it Olive, age 9

angel! First, It’s not easy to become an ven, and Hea to go you die. Then you ing to go then there’s still the flight train ee to agr to got you then And through. . hes clot wear those angel Matthew, age 9

Angels work for God and wat ch over kids when God has to go do som ething else.

Mitchell, age 7 with maths, My guardian angel helps me nce. scie for d goo h muc but he’s not Henry, age 8

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le they’re Angels talk all the way whi main The . ven flying you up to hea wrong t wen you re whe is t je\c sub before you got dead.

Daniel, age 9

When an angel gets mad, he takes a deep breath and counts to ten. And when he lets out his breath again, somewhere there’s a tornado.

Reagan, age 10

Angels live in cloud houses made by God and his Son, who’s a very good carpenter.

Jared, age 8

died My angel is my grandma who d start on last year. She got a big hea still down helping me while she was here on earth.

Ashley ~ age 9

they keep Angels have a lot to do and an angel h, toot a lose you If very busy. and leaves dow win r comes in through you n when it The w. pillo r you er und ey mon for the winter. gets cold, angels go south Sara, age 6

All angels are girls becaus e they gotta wear dresses and boys didn ’t go for it.

Antonio, age 9

Some of the angels are in charge of helping heal sick animals and pets. And if they don’t make the anim als get better, they help the child get ove r it.

Vicki, age 8

els is why, What I don’t get about ang they shoot when someone is in love, arrows at them.

Sarah, age 7

FEATURES From St Andrews Rotary Club

Drought in Cameroon – St Andrews brings relief The people of the Far North Region of Carnegie, Kirkcaldy Raith and Leven.

Cameroon have suffered at the hands of the The St Andrews Club contributed £6,000 terrorist group, Boko Haram, in recent times. (including £1,000 which had been donated However, there are longer standing issues by folk in St Andrews specifically for work in relating to extreme poverty and the lack of Cameroon) and a total of £10,000 was raised. basic requirements such as clean water.

This was matched by Rotary District 1010 Despite the recent problems in Lancashire, (Scotland North) and the balance came from we assume we just turn on the tap and out Rotary Foundation through a “Global Grant”. flows clean, fresh water. We don’t have to The whole process took some give it a second thought. Not so for the people considerable time, but it was hoped to get the of this sub-Saharan region. For example, the work carried out during March and April of remote village of Gamboura has a population 2015. This would be at the height of the dry of some 12,000, but during the dry season season when the water table would be at its (June to October) they have had only three lowest, so if drilling found water, the resulting functioning wells. This means the women boreholes should be productive throughout (no gender equality here!) have to spend the year. Although news of the success of the hours walking miles each day to get the water grant application was received in December their families need. Often they wind up using 2014, there were some administrative contaminated water, not good for their health, delays, resulting in considerable anxiety as especially for the children. School attendance the engineers would have to withdraw their suffers, and water-borne disease is a major equipment once the rainy season started – killer, especially for the usually by the end of under-fives. And there is June. The dirt roads in also a huge negative impact this area are a challenge . . . working with fellow on the general productivity at the best of times, but of the community. To impassable after Rotarians in the recipient become aggravate the problem, the the onset of the rains. country, you can be sure Eventually, the work population has recently been massively increased under way at the that your money is spent got by refugees fleeing the beginning of May, carried on the work and not on terrorists in Nigeria: the out by a Cameroonian border is only about 15 organisation called the lining pockets! kilometres away.

Fondation Bethléem.

In 2010 this situation Headed up by a was brought to the attention charismatic Italian priest, of the Rotary Club of St Andrews. Jean Père Danillo, the Fondation was initially Tchao, who was born in Gamboura, contacted funded by three Italian Catholic churches to friends in St Andrews pleading for help for provide care for orphans and handicapped his home village. Jean is a Baptist pastor people. It has a series of workshops training in the regional capital, Maroua, but like all the beneficiaries in skills to enable them to Cameroonians, remains intensely loyal to his earn a living, while water projects have been roots. But how on earth could St Andreans part of their repertoire for some time. In 2007 help? Well, that’s where the Rotary Club they were donated a drilling rig enabling came in. Rotary International, through its own them to undertake major work such as this. charity Rotary Foundation, makes available As added value, they would provide health grants for humanitarian projects; helping and hygiene training for the villagers, train this community would fit the bill. To set the local craftsmen in basic maintenance and ball rolling, the St Andrews Club covered repair work. They would also help establish the cost of an initial assessment, from which management committees for each well; they it emerged that the best solution would be would supervise the wells and raise money to sink a minimum of five boreholes. It was for maintenance. estimated that this would cost in the region of It was with considerable relief that the £50,000.

St Andrews Club heard in early June that Such a sum is clearly beyond the means the work had been successfully completed. of one club, but here’s where the strength Thanks to a combination of the efficiency of of Rotary comes into play. The St Andrews the Fondation Bethléem and changes in the Club needed to identify partners for the exchange rate, they had installed not five but project. Firstly, a Rotary Club in Cameroon six boreholes. was essential and fortunately there is one in So, if you feel you’re being pestered Maroua, whose members are intensely proud by members of the local Club looking for of what they have been able to achieve for cash donations, remember Rotary is an their community through working with clubs organisation which can achieve great things from other countries. They would undertake locally and internationally. Close to 100% of the supervision of the project locally, including the money donated is spent on the projects, being responsible for the safe administration not administration. In addition, by working of the funds. Secondly, clubs which would be with fellow Rotarians in the recipient country, prepared to make cash contributions were you can be sure that your money is spent on needed. An appeal to all clubs in the Scotland the work and not on lining pockets!

North District, which includes St Andrews, identified eight partners – Alloa, Anstruther, (Photos courtesy the Rotary Club) Callander, Crieff, Dundee, Dunfermline

Rig en route fo

r Gamboura

Water diviner at work

Successful drilling

l

A working wel

Buckets lined up at the well

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FEATURES Jilly Coutes – from her Christmas Cracker

The seagull who shouted, “More!”

“More!” shouted Solly Seagull on his perch high on the chimney tops, “More!”

“What’s he on about?” asked Aunty, “What’s he want more of?”

Grandma shook her head. “It’s not as if there aren’t any fish left,” she muttered. “Nor enough people throwing food about”, added Aunty with conviction.

Mother Seagull was worried. “He’s been shouting ‘more’ ever since last Wednesday”, she complained. “I’ve been asking him what’s the matter and he just shakes his head and shouts ‘more’ at me. I can’t think what’s got into his head.”

The three gulls flew up to the chimney to look at Solly. “More!” he shouted at them, raising his head up in the way gulls do, and opening his beak wide. “Dear, dear,” said his relatives all together. “Solly, what do you want more of?”

Solly only shouted, “More!” Then he flew off, flapping his wings at them.

By this time a few more concerned relatives and friends had gathered. They bobbed and muttered among themselves for a while. Then Grandfather spoke. “I think we should consult Doctor Blackback. He is wise.

Perhaps he can help”.

“Good thinking,” said Mother. “But how are we going to persuade Solly that he needs help?” “That’s right,” agreed Aunty, “ever since Father Seagull lost his argument with that large plastic bag out at sea, Solly thinks he knows what’s what better than any of us.”

“He’s a cheeky so-and-so,” added Grandma, her head bobbing up and down.

“I have a plan,” said Grandfather suddenly. “Let’s tell Solly we’re going for a picnic down the coast. We can invite Doctor Blackback, as he’s a friend of ours. Then we can ask him his opinion.”

“Good idea,” the women shouted in agreement.

And so it was arranged. Next time Solly was heard shouting, “More” from the chimney tops, Mother Seagull sidled up to him. “Solly,” she coaxed, “Solly, we’re planning a lovely picnic now the weather has turned out warm and sunny.” “More,” yelled Solly.

“Oh, do be quiet and listen,” said his mother, vexed. “We’re all going to fly down to Fife Ness with lots of lovely food we’ve scrounged everywhere around. We’ll have a lovely time.” Solly nodded, but all that came out of his beak was, “More”.

Mother Seagull shook her head sadly, then flew off to tell the others that she thought Solly had agreed to go with them.

A week later, on a fine, sunny day, people looking up in Fife saw a large flight of seagulls heading out to sea. “I wonder where they’re off to?” they asked with great curiosity. However, since they don’t speak seagull language they had to be content with wondering.

The gulls landed on the Ness, chattering among themselves, bowing and scraping politely to their elders. Some of them bathed in the many small pools dotted around the edges, blissfully throwing water over their backs and flapping their wings to make it look as if it was raining in small places.

Solly was silent for once. He seemed to be happy in the large company about him.

Then Doctor Blackback wandered over to him. “Greetings Solly,” he said. Solly bobbed up and down politely. Then he opened his beak, “More,” he croaked. “Hmm,” said the Doctor, thoughtfully, looking hard at Solly. “Open your beak wide,” he commanded.

Solly opened his beak and the Doctor looked inside. “Aha,” he

said, “I thought as much.” “What?” asked Mother Seagull, who had crept up behind him. “I think,” said the Doctor gravely, “I think our Solly has a fishbone stuck in his throat.”

“Oh dear,” gasped Mother Seagull.

“Did you hear that?” She had turned to the relatives now grouped beside her. “He thinks Solly has a fishbone stuck in his throat.”

“Can you do anything about it Doctor?” asked Grandfather. “Of course,” answered the Doctor, “but Solly will have to come to my surgery tomorrow.” “More!” shouted Solly, now thoroughly agitated. “Don’t worry,” reassured Doctor Blackback, “it won’t hurt.”

The rest of the day passed happily, everyone enjoying the company, the food, and the weather.

In the morning Solly’s mother fussed around him. “More!” he screamed at her.

Perhaps he was a little frightened by now. With a lot of wing flapping, she and all the relatives managed to point Solly in the direction of Doctor Blackback’s surgery. Eventually Solly found himself standing in front of the good Doctor.

“Open wide’” he commanded. Solly did as he was told, trembling slightly. Before he knew it, or how it happened, Doctor Blackback was holding a sizeable fishbone in his beak. He dropped it on his desk. “There you are,” he said triumphantly, “that should sort you!”

Solly looked from the fishbone to the Doctor. Then he looked at his mother and other relatives. “Hello!” he said clearly and normally. They all sighed with relief. Solly was himself again! Then together they flew up to the chimney tops to celebrate, raising their heads and laughing uproariously, as they usually do.

(Photos courtesy Jilly Coutes)

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: REVIEWS David Dickson reviews

Sons of the Fathers

By Ian C Simpson Published by J M D Media, price £14.99 (ebook price £8.39).

Jack Nicklaus is reported to have observed, “if a golfer is going to be remembered, he must win at St Andrews”.

He did. The Old Course at St Andrews provides the setting for Ian Simpson’s latest book, set during the 1927 Open Championship. Bobby Jones played the Old Course in 1921, famously tearing up his card and disqualifying himself. The local press are said to have reported, “Master Bobby is just a boy, and an ordinary boy at that.” No love lost. Six years later, all was forgiven. Jones won the Open; in a mark of his respect for town and course, he requested the trophy remain at the Royal and Ancient. Jones went on to establish the Augusta National Golf Club and co-founded The Masters. Not bad for a part time, amateur golfer, who played when he was not practising the Law. I suspect Ian Simpson and Bobby Jones have much in common – successful lawyers, a love of St Andrews, very decent amateur golfers, the author being brought up in the Royal Burgh and securing a handicap of 3.

Ian Simpson’s previous three books have focused, with a light touch, on modern policing. In this thoroughly enjoyable book, he has moved into new territory. It is a very welcome move.

This book is set in 1927 during the Open Championship. The author writes assuredly of the period, whether it be the Sheriff’s noble car, no doubt one of few, to the rather rudimentary, certainly narrow-minded approach to investigation and detection undertaken by the police.

A boy, the son of the Sheriff’s gardener, is murdered. Two homosexual academics are immediately arrested solely on the basis of then-prevailing attitudes. The Sheriff’s brief observations on their lifestyle lies within the context of the criminal law of the time. It is at odds with his character of utter fairness, which sees him set out to undermine the police theory about those responsible for the murders which take place.

The book opens with the Sheriff sentencing young Tommy Addison to a period of detention for housebreaking. However, his bar officer, a

court official who runs after the Sheriff, and helps in court, is a retired police officer who tells the Sheriff the boy’s tragic back story. The Sheriff calls the boy back and releases him.

The murder of young Jim Tindall is swiftly followed by another two: one of a golf club maker in Auchterlonie’s workshop, and an American, a former gangster, in town for the Open, with his wife, sons and daughter-in-law, en route from a business deal in Germany to the USA. Another man from the badlands of New York is also in St Andrews with his protégé, who is to play in the Open. The Sheriff enlists Tommy’s help. Together they unravel the truth behind the murders, culminating in a dramatic scene on the Old Course.

There is a large cast of characters, but in the author’s hands they are tightly corralled – the marginally dysfunctional Murnian family, the deceitful Sabbatini, the hard-working and family-conscious Tommy Addison together with the gentle, honourable Sheriff Hector Drummond and his wife Lavender. There’s even a brief appearance by the wonderfully-named Sheriff Principal Crichton “Fatty” Fairweather KC. The “star of the show” is the way in which Mr Simpson weaves the story and pace of the 1927 Open. Thoroughly researched, but deftly intertwined with the plot, we learn not only about the beauty and challenges of the Old Course, but equally, of the rivalry and competition amongst the players, as the field plays to make the cut into the final rounds. Bobby Jones is triumphant, but it was a close match. Subtly underpinning the plotting around murders and golf, is the theme of father-son relationships, the good, the bad, the indifferent, the then less common.

If you want more recent crime around St Andrews by Ian Simpson, pick up a copy of his highly enjoyable Murder on the Second Tee, in which bankers drop like 15-yard putts into the cup.

St Andrews sits proudly centre stage in both books, but in this latest offering, the Old Course, like the eagle Bobby Jones secured on the fourth there in 1930, soars.

Leonard Low previews his forthcoming book

St Andrews’ Untold Stories Published by Steve Savage, 2015, price £9.95.

The year 1644 was a rather rough year for my ancestors in St Andrews – they had to endure Bessie Mason being burnt as a confessed Witch. She was tried in one of 13 Witch trials that would happen here.

Famed for its golf and University, its bright lights and history, St Andrews is a tourist haven, something to be proud of, with a name renowned worldwide. But beneath St Andrews’ image lies a carpet of blood and woe, religious turbulence and murder!

My new book tells the story of St Andrews from its humble beginnings; a shipwreck on the rocks around AD 372, which brought the bones of St Andrew. Its emergence through the age-old Pagan religion to establish the Christian faith, but it also brought a dark side with it....Murdered Monks, Priests, Cardinals and Archbishops.

The plague would arrive, removing a third of the population. The Church Council Court closed for a year, as there were not enough living to bury the dead. The Parish courts would fight to regain order, clamping down on the excesses of fornication. I cover

the years 1559-1600 from the Kirk session register, as it battles to retain its dignity under a sea of “fornicators fornicating with each other”. Poor Mr Lumsden in 1559; his wife brought a case against him....“not adhering to his wife” was the charge! In a day of large families Mr Lumsden obviously wasn’t paying much attention to his Mrs!.... the court ordered him to “adhere to his wife within 48 hours and report back to the Parish Council”. They waited eagerly to hear how he got on!...did he or didn’t he?....see the chapter FORNICATORS FORNICATING FORNICATORS for the answer.

The fishing fleets’ tragic history is given in detail in the chapter. “THEY SLEEP WITH THE FISH”, as St Andrews’ many religious martyrs do in their own chapter. But the Martyrs are a well-worn story.

How many of you know about “The St Andrews SAUSAGE SLAUGHTER?” It was a 1943 tragedy that killed two and hospitalized 150. A butcher’s apprentice added his own herbs into the sausage mix....

Arsenic!

Al Capone, the Chicago gangster was in St Andrews. The Rabbit wars gave the Old Course a problem – one minute it had 18 holes, the next it had 895! It had to reach the Westminster Parliament before it ended.

There is much more to St Andrews, if ever a town had a dark history it’s all uncovered here. Ever had a problem with biting your nails? How about a Royal connection to that!

David Stewart, the heir to Scotland’s throne, son of Robert III was starved to death in a cell by his Uncle. His emaciated body shows he ate his own fingers in a bid to survive.

St Andrews’ Untold Stories is out now.

Do enjoy a darker side of the St Andrews you thought you knew.

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SHOPS & SERVICES

STOP PRESS, St Andrews has voted ‘yes’ to become a Business Improvement District (BID).

The website says it “is expected to be up and running by January” Alan Morrison promotes

The St Andrews Business Club (The history of the Club appeared in Issue 62 (Jan/Feb 2014) of this magazine.)

Since its launch in 1950, there have been many being £30 for the year (the seminars are free to modifications to the Club’s organisation. However, members, but there is a charge for each breakfast). the core reason for its existence is The breakfast meetings are still to bring businesses together themed this year on the subject of The breakfast meetings regularly in the town to network and ‘My Story’. The first of these was are themed this year on explore mutual interests. given by Sir Henry Aykroyd, CEO the subject of ‘My Story’ In its latest diversification, the of Guardbridge-based Intelligent Club has teamed up with Business Growth Solutions. He ranged Gateway, Fife, to run a series of free early-evening over his long, successful career in agri-business, seminars on various topics. On 24 September, now focused on pioneering ‘vertical agriculture’ Pauline Randall of Fife social media consultancy techniques.

Florizel Media, started the ball rolling by addressing President Alistair Lang invites everyone with the key factors to consider in using LinkedIn. Cyber business interests in our town to join the Club. It is crime was the following topic led by Wynn Jones definitely not a ‘men-only’ club, nor is it open only of Praetorian Security. November will be devoted to invited members. It welcomes all those with a to international trade, and in December Thorntons genuine desire to meet others, to learn, to socialise.

Investment Management will discuss financial ‘Our strength,” he stresses, “ has always been in the planning. Next year will see more monthly meetings diversity of our members…We’re open to all people on a range of topics. doing business in St Andrews as we want to benefit In addition to these seminars, the Club continues all our members more by welcoming new people with to meet monthly for talks over breakfast at the Scores a range of backgrounds and skills.”

Hotel. These have proved immensely popular, satisfying both the intellect and the stomach! An excellent way to start the working day!

For further information please see: Guests can be invited to the seminars. It is hoped http://businessclub.standrews.co.uk/ they will be inspired to join the Club, membership

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Alistair Lang, President (Photo courtesy the Club)

SHOPS & SERVICES

St Andrews means different things to different people St Andrews is most definitely a town which means different things to Through building this development in St Andrews, Bield’s aim is to different people. help older people experience an exciting and liberating phase of life whilst It has a vibrant, year-long calendar of events, as well as many historic enjoying the freedom of independent living. Bield’s thoughtful approach traditions. The cobbled streets and open spaces play host to markets, to design means that flexibility is built in, and changing needs can be parades, and fairs. There is a thriving community of small independent accommodated without fuss. Also, importantly, the development is aimed shops, boutiques, delicatessens, and cafés. The long, sandy beaches, at being indistinguishable from any other new-build property on the forest trails, harbour boat trips are all on its doorstep – all of which add market. colour and flavour, indeed the many attractions – to the Royal Burgh town.

The apartments have stylish open-plan kitchens in the living area, Because of this, and much more, St Andrews is a dream retirement creating great spaces for entertainment, as well as important features location. This was instrumental in Scottish housing and care provider, such as step-free entry points, low-profile showers, and car parking.

Bield, making a bold move to develop a unique housing development for Flats are accessible by lift, while internal spaces are all easy to get older people in St Andrews, in partnership with Robertson Homes. around – important for people with mobility issues. All properties also The Walled Gardens – within the St Leonard’s area – is a collection have access to Bield’s in-house emergency response service, BR24, of 78 one- and two- bedroom apartments designed to seamlessly blend which can, if required, offer alarm services, as well as having the capacity traditional architecture and construction with the best in modern, energyto support a range of peripheral equipment designed to allow people to efficient interiors to make day-to-day living easy, safe, comfortable. remain independent in their own homes for as long as possible.

The eligibility criteria of the development means While the first phase (16 properties) of the project that it is available only to people aged 60+ for use as was only launched in early July, 50% have been St Andrews is a dream secured their primary residence. The properties are available – highlighting the level of interest in the retirement location for 75% of the market value with a 25% stake held properties, particularly from the local area. Unlike

by Bield. The shared ownership model gives tenants many developers, Bield is also the factor for this the opportunity to buy the remaining 25% share after one year. It is an development providing ongoing management and maintenance services increasingly appealing purchase arrangement for people who may wish to at the Walled Gardens. release additional equity for their retirement from downsizing.

Susan added, “Thanks to our unrivalled knowledge of what really The development is being funded through sales income and private makes a home, we can ensure that The Walled Gardens has everything finance. It is the first time this approach has been used to develop needed to create your forever home in a dream location. We provide specialist housing for older buyers in Fife. But of equal importance, a comprehensive property management service delivered by our perhaps, is the fact that The Walled Gardens would free up housing experienced in-house team. So our support continues through the stock in St Andrews to other potential buyers – a major issue in the town, factoring arrangements even when you move into your new apartment.” especially for families – as older buyers have the option to downsize to All this work put in by Bield to provide the best service possible, is properties which better meet their needs. widely recognised. Through the company’s 40 years it has won many Susan Jackson, New Homes Sales and Marketing Manager at Bield, accolades and multiple awards for its developments. Most recently said, “From its beginnings, Bield has specialised in providing affordable St Andrew’s View in Bearsden, a similar development to The Walled homes for older people, particularly through innovative solutions. There is Gardens, was awarded Senior Living Development of the Year 2013 at an acknowledged lack of suitable housing stock for older people – those the Scottish Home Awards; Bield are confident that they have achieved often best placed to downsize to properties better meeting their needs. the same balance of both assisted and independent living at The Walled We wanted to create these houses specifically with the older person Gardens. in mind. With an ever-increasing ageing population, our services have Bield – a registered charity – has grown from humble beginnings, never been more necessary. This is when we came up with the concept starting out with one housing development in Bo’ness to become a major of The Walled Gardens. These offer ‘right-sizers’ – older buyers wanting provider of a wide range of housing and services for around 20,000 older to change their living arrangements – the chance to enjoy this phase of people across 23 local authority areas. life with the added security of having the option of help if needed. The generously proportioned apartments include all the lifestyle features you would expect from a high quality development; from great design to More information at: info@holyroodpr.co.uk or: 0131 561 2242. excellent energy-efficiency measures, still offering support if required. We have also been very focused on creating properties that blend into the historic character of St Andrews.”

(Photo courtesy Bield)

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SHOPS & SERVICES Heather Lang

“To sleep, perchance to dream” William Shakespeare Our bodies can all relate to that blanketed feeling when our eyes want to relax and lead our minds into the glorious, distant softness that is the Land of Nod. Feeling tired is our invitation to shut down for a few hours, although it is still uncertain why we need sleep. Neurobiologists speculate that it’s to process the day’s activities; physiologists guess that it’s to allow the body to stop and repair; anthropologists can argue that it’s to save energy, as there would have been little else for a sight-driven mammal to do in the dark, prior to artificial lighting. Most likely, it’s a combination of all of the above and a good deal more. We are very complicated machines, after all!

So what about the other feeling tired? Not the tingly, pleasant, welcoming kind of tired, but the heavy, uncomfortable, scratchy type of fatigue that makes getting through the day a struggle?

This type of fatigue is a warning that something in the body isn’t right. On a basic level, the human body is similar to a car. We have musculoskeletal bodywork, electrical neurology and a requirement for the right quality of fuel. When we are suffering from fatigue, it can be similar to the car that seems to be burning too much petrol. Something, somewhere, is using too much energy.

Fatigue can be a symptom of something demanding serious medical attention, so it should be given proper consultation, but more commonly, a few lifestyle changes can restore your va-va-voom.

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Diet This is possibly the most common reason for fatigue in modern Britain. Convenience food, high carbohydrate intake, additives, caffeine, alcohol, sugar, aspartame, irregular eating patterns, over-eating, eating late at night…

The modern lifestyle is killing our diet. It would take a book to cover even the basics of what is wrong with the modern diet; however, to ensure you are getting the right fuel, it really is simple – buy meat and vegetables that are unprocessed, fresh, local, organic, and seasonal.

Sleep It is generally quoted that 7-8 hours of sleep are needed each night for optimal health.

This varies from person to person; many famous names of our time have achieved great success on much less, although along with their genius, there are often questions regarding their mental health! There is an old saying that it is the hours before midnight that count, and that would seem to be the case. In Chinese medicine, sleeping between 10.00pm and 5.00am rests the body much more than sleeping from 2.00am to 9.00am.

As they say: “Early to bed, early to rise, Makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise”.

Exhaustion Periods of stress, overwork, overtraining, depression, or trauma can all play havoc with the balance of our physiology. The body needs a chance to rest, repair and recuperate. The kidneys produce adrenaline, which is part of our autonomic nervous system. This acts like our turbo boost, providing a spurt of energy, but it is only designed to be a protective mechanism to get us out of trouble or catch our dinner.

Our bodies can’t tell the difference between the high octane demands of being chased by a lion, or stress from fret and worry. It reacts to both in the same way. In a similar

consideration, insufficient breaks in sports training don’t allow the body to recover and repair. Many athletes training 6 or 7 days per week end up with chronic fatigue, because they never allow their bodies to recover.

It’s like driving along the motorway in first gear with the turbo engaged.

Musculoskeletal imbalance A car with a flat tyre, or misaligned tracking, will raise the fuel consumption. In a similar way, if the body is out of alignment, the core muscles will not be firing optimally and will use more energy. Your friendly, local osteopath can easily help with this one!

Medical considerations There are more complex medical reasons that you may be feeling fatigued, such as anaemia or an underactive thyroid. In some cases, fatigue may be the main symptom in an underlying condition that demands medical intervention. It is always worth getting these things checked out.

Don’t feel sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. Life is for living.

Heather Lang is a GOsC registered osteopath, ergonomic consultant, medical acupuncturist and multi-disciplinary manual therapist. She has worked extensively in osteopathic practice and development throughout the UK, Ireland and Canada.

Heather has been qualified to conduct bio-mechanical assessments for over 20 years and is dedicated to diagnosis and treatment of pain and pathology.

St Andrews Osteopaths – Providers of effective treatment since 1998.

136 South Street, St Andrews, KY16 9EQ. Tel: 01334 477 000 www.standrewsosteopaths.co.uk

SHOPS & SERVICES Hugo D’Bere, your not-so-grizzly Gourmet, dined in

The Peat Inn

by St Andrews

To say that I am not grizzly is an under-statement. I am in fact ecstatic about the food in this restaurant, which must be the finest in North East Fife, even much of the rest of Scotland.

The Peat Inn is owned by award-winning chef and food columnist Geoffrey Smeddle with his wife, Katherine. Geoffrey is at the heart of the kitchen and their reputation is well deserved.

The menu delivers outstanding local seasonal produce, handled in such a way as to produce terrific flavours and fantastic presentation.

There is, needless to say, one Michelin star, a grade of 7 out of 10, but I would award 10 out of 10. The Restaurant has a position of 32 in the top (Bears are very fond of Campari). The website talks of relaxed refinement 50 UK restaurants. and I would agree wholeheartedly with that assessment.

Muffy and I went with two other bears, who treated us to lunch. We If you want to stay, there are in fact 8 luxury suites available. In many shall call the other bears Kurt and Millie for the purposes of preserving ways this is very similar to the Three Chimneys in Skye; it would make an their anonymity. excellent weekend break.

The lunch is tremendous value at £19 a head for a fixed menu. There There is a tasting menu in the evening, each course paired with is an additional £6 for petits fours and coffee. We were first of all served wines, although the cost of that is £115 a head, so that would need to be with an Amuse Bouche, which was a very flavoursome small bowl with a really special occasion. mushroom consommé. This was a precursor of the superb food to follow.

Needless to say, the prices vary depending on which dish you have, The first course consisted of salmon gravalax with a crème fraiche and but all appear to be good value and from what other diners were saying, caviar cream with pickled cucumber. The flavour was rich and satisfying. all exquisitely prepared with an exceptional flavour.

The portion was just the right size to ensure enjoyment without spoiling The cellar list is extensive, covering from Alsace to USA with half the main course to come. bottles of sweet wines, sparkling wines included. Château Mouton The main course was an olive oil-poached cod, light and flaky, served Rothschild Premier Grand Cru Classé 1998 is at £700 a bottle! Needless with a medley of vegetables and herby mash. Again, the portion size was to say, we did not partake of that! That comes from perfect. the world of bankers’ lunches! The wine list is in fact The Pièce de Resistance was the dessert, a There is no doubt 10 out so extensive, I wonder where they have the space honeyed polenta with peach married with fondant to keep the stuff. and puff candy and a strawberry Champagne of 10 is the only award There is no doubt 10 out of 10 is the only award Sorbet. The presentation was exquisite, the flavour that can be given that can be given. Definitely, don’t take the cubs, even more so. The whole was washed down with a unless they are very sophisticated ones. I would South African Chenin Blanc from an extensive wine urge you to go for lunch since it is such fantastic value and it is sure to list. tempt you to go for dinner as well. I am sure we will be back. Lunch is Coffee followed. I had an Espresso while the others had Americano, 12.30pm until 1.30pm; dinner 6.30pm-9.00pm, but the office is open for all or tea. The petits fours which arrived looked at first unappetising. There enquiries and reservations Monday 9.00am-5.00pm; Tuesday-Saturday were choux buns with chocolate cream, which were light, crispy, unlike 9.00am-9.00pm. any other I have ever tasted. There were also small strawberry muffins, Gift vouchers are available; this would make a great present. (for want of a better description), which were again light and certainly did The rooms, if you look at the website, are absolutely lovely and there not live up to the look of being a heavy stodgy item, far from it. are special offers, eg. for a one-night stay bed & breakfast, dinner from Muffy and I had been at the Peat Inn many years ago; at that stage the 6-course tasting menu with half a bottle of champagne and a box of the décor was very dull with plain stone walls. The food was equally good. handmade chocolates from £385 per couple per night.

The décor has now been completely changed. It is very light and modern Parking doesn’t seem to be too difficult, although you would be well with cream wall boards and modern comfortable seating. advised to take a taxi if you are partaking of the wine list.

There are three elegant dining rooms, one of which has a view over the garden through a big glass wall. There is an original log fire place in (Photo courtesy the Bears) the reception lounge, where we had some Campari and soda to start.

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SHOPS & SERVICES Louisa Copping, Marketing Executive of

Mara Seaweed How it began Fiona Houston and Xa Milne met in their children’s playground in 2005 and discovered a shared passion for Scotland’s natural larder, which resulted in a book, Seaweed and Eat It (2008) chronicling their discovery of Scotland’s forgotten wild foods. They became self-taught experts on the enriching powers of Scotland’s native seaweeds, learning everything from how to identify, harvest, dry, process them, to their extraordinary flavours and how to cook with them. Mara ® was born in 2011.

Makes food taste better, and healthy too Our unique, easy-to-use, shake-on seaweed seasonings not only enhance the flavour of your food. Seaweed is the “super-food of the sea”. It is the most nutritious vegetable on earth. It is designed to be used as a seasoning and can be considered a healthy alternative to table salt as it is incredibly low in sodium. Seaweed is rich in natural iodine, in which 60% of Western women are deficient, as well as many other vitamins and minerals. Mara Seaweed also contains umami – the fifth taste – prized by chefs and creative cooks.

An Artisan Range for people who care about quality Mara ® meaning “the sea” in Gaelic, produces an artisan range of 100% pure seaweed flakes, carefully selected and hand harvested from the pure, cold waters of Scotland under Crown Estate Licence. We have made it our business to source only the best. Picked seasonally under a full or new moon, we harvest in such a way as to ensure their re-growth – a version of the technique of coppicing trees.

Seaweed is the new kale Some of our most talented UK chefs are using our seaweed, including Brett Graham, Michael Smith, Andrew Fairlie, Nathan Outlaw, Jamie Scott. Described by Paul Hollywood as “inexplicably delicious”, and by Nick Nairn as “so versatile”, Mara ® has won Great Taste Awards for four years running, used by Britain’s top chefs.

Mara ® is a sea-to-shelf producer, recognized for its innovation as well as sustainable business practices. Awards include: Scottish Edge 2014; Interface Excellence for Sustained Partnership; Interface Innovation Award 2013; Footprint Award (Runner Up) for Sustainable Use of Natural Resources.

A vital food source Seaweed spends its life absorbing minerals from sea water; the ratio of minerals, trace elements and vitamins to fresh bio-mass is the highest of any food. During the time of the Highland clearances, when native Scots were moved off the land, becoming economic migrants, their best food consisted of shellfish with a kind of broth made of seaweed, nettles, and other wild plants, into which was infused a small sprinkling of oatmeal.

The original snack During the 19th and early 20th century dulse was sold on the east coast in Angus, Fife, and Lothian. It was cooked in the embers of the fire then sprinkled with brine. Street vendors in Edinburgh sold two types of seaweed as a popular snack.

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St Andrews Farmers’ Market As we harvest our seaweed in Fife, the St Andrews Farmers’ Market is the perfect place to showcase our products. It is great to be able to be involved with the local community, keeping people interested in a product that is both locally sourced and steeped in local historical tradition. You can find us at the St Andrews Farmers’ Market on the first Saturday of every month. Local seaweed enthusiast Tansy will be on hand to give you some tips on how to use our seaweeds and to answer any other seaweed-related questions.

(Photo courtesy Mara ®)

SHOPS & SERVICES David Donnelly (23) from Dundalk, co Louth, Operations Manager, Premier Inn

My hospitality journey into Whitbread learning everything from reception and restaurant roles to stock taking From a very young age I have always enjoyed entertaining people; I also and financing – the ‘on the floor’ and one-to-one training was second to had an interest in food preparation and serving. When I began secondary none. school I really enjoyed Home Economics, which is where my passion I’ve met some great friends, too, along the way, some of whom are really developed. also graduates, going through the same experience as myself. We were I began to enter local and national cookery competitions before and continue to be a great support and source of encouragement for each eventually appearing on a national TV show in Ireland, called ‘Recipe other. for Success’, where I had to create a recipe that could be made into a In June this year I was given my first management position as supermarket dish and mass produced. I was 16 years old at the time and Assistant Operations Manager in the George Square Premier Inn in to my amazement ended up in the final, competing against people 20 Glasgow. It was an amazing opportunity to help lead over 80 team years older than me. The dish I created was a modern twist on traditional members on a daily basis, within a 239-bedroom hotel. During my fish pie. I came second in the competition, an amazing experience which time there, I went back to Ireland to graduate people still remember. with an Honours, Bachelor of Business Studies in My first part-time job, age 15, was washing dishes International Hotel Management from Shannon in a local restaurant. I eventually became Assistant College; I was also awarded the Patrick Lane Manager in the business, helping senior management Memorial Scholarship, a monetary prize for ‘Passion to open larger premises. and Commitment to Hospitality’ I’m very proud of.

During my later teens I worked in many different On my return to Scotland, deciding I wanted to areas of the hospitality sector enjoying them all. After take my career to the next level, I applied for the school it was no surprise to family and friends that I role of Operations Manager at the new £7m Premier decided to go on to study hospitality.

Inn St Andrews hotel. I was very excited about I was lucky enough to secure a place at the the prospect of running my own hotel. Much to my prestigious Shannon College of Hotel Management in surprise and delight, I was successful and got the County Clare in Ireland, one of Europe’s leading hotel job. schools, many graduates leaving to run large-scale It was an amazing feeling that at 22 years of age hospitality businesses around the world. During my I was going to be given the responsibility of opening time there, I gained practical experience in various a brand new hotel in such a fabulous, historic hotels in Ireland, a five-star hotel in Belgium and a full It was an amazing feeling that location, known worldwide for its hospitality. It’s summer working in an exclusive members-only club at 22 years of age I was going been such an exciting time, moving to St Andrews, on the Island of Nantucket in the States. recruiting my own team, planning the official launch, In March 2014 I represented Shannon College to be given the responsibility which we had last month (October). and Ireland at the Young Hoteliers Summit in of opening a brand new hotel It was important for us to connect with the local Switzerland, an incredible experience that gave me in such a fabulous, historic community, involving them as much as possible in the chance to meet some very inspiring people from location, known worldwide for the launch, which is why we ran two exciting and all corners of the world. innovative community projects. One was an art Towards the end of my studies last year, I started its hospitality competition with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year students at to think about the direction I wanted to take, where Madras College, where we received over 100 impressive entries. The I could see myself begin a long-term, challenging and rewarding career. other was a photography competition in partnership with the St Andrews Around this time, Patrick Dempsey OBE – former Managing Director of Photographic Society. Winners of both competitions were unveiled at our Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants and graduate of Shannon College official launch, with their masterpieces showcased in our reception for all – visited the College to give a presentation on hospitality careers at our customers to enjoy. We also involved students of the Madras College Whitbread. What inspired me was the way in which he explained how Pipe Band to entertain our guests on the day, which was a great addition the company puts its team members at the centre of everything they do, to the celebrations. which invariably transfers onto the overall guest experience.

Our fantastic team has worked tirelessly to get everything just right for Within days of the presentation I applied for a place on Premier Inn’s our customers. From the minute we opened our doors to our big official Graduate Programme. Premier Inn is the largest operator of hotel rooms launch day and beyond, I am so thankful to all my team who have helped in Glasgow. I was delighted to join the company in June 2014. My initial make it a huge success. training was across the City Centre Premier Inns. It was such an exciting To ensure we got the local cream of the crop I worked very closely time to join the team as they were in the midst of opening a new hotel at with agencies like Springboard, Working Links, and Prince’s Trust; I Pacific Quay, just in time for the Commonwealth Games! think it’s fair to say we have achieved that and so much more here at Since I began the programme, spending time in many Premier Inn St Andrews. We are all really looking forward to welcoming guests to our hotels, what’s become apparent to me is the huge emphasis on team Hotel in this stunning, historic, and prestigious town for years to come, engagement, on ensuring that career development is available for all making sure their visit is the first of many! team members. The support and mentoring I received was incredible.

As part of the programme, I also got the chance to travel around (Photo courtesy David Donnelly) Scotland, working in over 20 Premier Inn hotels, across all departments,

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SHOPS & SERVICES Jonnie Adamson

Is there any festive spirit left?

As the dark nights are upon us with the mind If you are looking to splash out on the staff Christmas party be aware turning to the upcoming festivities it is worth that there is a tax-free limit of £150 per employee. This is the case even taking a moment to check whether any gifts if you only have two or three employees. If the entertainment is only businesses make to staff and customers don’t for the partners or directors of the business then the VAT cannot be fall foul of the tax man. recovered. However, if they attend a party with regular Tax collection by the employees, then VAT is recoverable. it is worth taking a moment Roman Empire was the One key thing to remember if buying donation to check whether any gifts main reason behind the census over two thousand cards from charities, tick the gift aid box. As long as businesses make to staff years ago in Palestine. It is worth remembering that this you are a taxpayer the charity will receive extra funds. and customers don’t fall is still a time of year when a peering eye from the tax If you are a higher rate taxpayer then remember to man is evident. HMRC allows you to give a gift worth up keep a note of what you have gift aided as it can also foul of the tax man to £50 to a customer in each tax year. However, there help reduce your tax too. is small print in that it must be business related; it cannot be alcoholic, If you are not a Christmas person then perhaps you are one of the food, tobacco, or vouchers that can be exchanged for those things. The 1,733 people who submitted their tax return on 25 December last year. gift must also carry a clear advertisement for your business; otherwise it The busiest filing hour was midday to 1.00pm, when 148 documents were would be classed as entertainment expenses. The £50 even includes the submitted, presumably before the sherry was opened! gift-wrapping so go easy on how you wrap, because if you do go over the limit the whole gift will be disallowed and liable for tax!

Turkeys, a bottle of wine, or a box of chocolates are seen as a trivial For further information on this, or other matters, please consult: present for employees and as such do not attract a tax charge. Anything Henderson Black & Co, 149 Market St, St Andrews substantial such as a hamper or a case of wine will be taxed in the same Tel: 01334 472 255 way as a cash bonus. Tread carefully with vouchers, these are taxable as cash no matter the value.

Print & Design We welcome commercial enquiries

We have pleasure in offering: • a mobile hairdresser • • cutting/colouring services • • party/wedding hair styling • Taking bookings now for single/group party hair styling during the Festive Season hannahmilner893@hotmail.co.uk 07445 764 289

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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

SHOPS & SERVICES

Roving Reporter’s column 1.

There’s always something new in St Andrews, says Reporter. This time it’s Hot House Yoga. Based on “traditional yoga postures”, its Founder in St Andrews, Sarah McLaughlin, explains that her classes take place in a room heated to almost 40°C and that participants are expected to sweat profusely. Sarah told Reporter that, “The practice has received world-wide acclaim for facilitating weight loss, improving strength, and reducing stress.

Professional athletes use hot yoga to help prevent injuries through their chosen sport.” Three 1-hour classes per day are available Monday to Friday, plus one on Saturday. Currently there is a “fantastic introductory offer for all new starts of £20 for 7 consecutive days of unlimited classes.” Hot House Yoga is located at Slotline House, Largo Road. Sarah can be contacted by Mobile: 07762 281 159 or on: info@hothouseyogastandrews.com Please also see her website: www.hothouseyogastandrews.com Reporter finds it fascinating!

(Photo courtesy Sarah McLaughlin)

4. Looking for an excuse to sing the praises of our monthly Farmers’ Market, Reporter chose for starters the stall, Olives & Thingz, run for so many years by Tony Benacci and his family in Greenock, West of Scotland. Admiration for the hard work of stall owners got Reporter looking at Tony’s website, www.olivesandthingz.co.uk Here he learned that the business started in 2004, so we should celebrate just over 10 years of hard work! Not only does Tony operate in 17 Farmers’ Markets, but he also supplies many well-known restaurateurs, such as Tim Butler in St Andrews. The list of goodies for sale is mouth watering: many kinds of olives; Feta-stuffed peppers; sun-dried tomatoes; anchovy fillets; grilled mushrooms; red and green pesto; Spanish Chorizo, to name but a few, as well as Reporter’s favourite hummus! Reporter always looks forward to stocking up in the Market. Will it ever be moved to Market Street, where it surely belongs? Wouldn’t that be to acclaim what we owe to the stall holders’ dedication?

*****

2. “Hooray”, shouted Reporter, “we have a genuine new greengrocer in town!” Fraser Reid, whose first shop opened six years ago in Dundee, has taken the welcome plunge to refurbish 201 South Street, St Andrews, tel: 01334 470 460. Fraser told Reporter, that like the Editor of this magazine (!), he had no previous experience of running his business, he just ‘went for it’. He’s been intrigued already to note differences between his Dundee and St Andrews’ customers’ preferences, but he stresses that his business depends on listening to what’s asked for – he always welcomes suggestions. Just now he is concentrating on providing as much wholly locally-sourced vegetables and organic eggs as he can. In addition he is building up his Deli stock (through the doorway). He had great success in Dundee making unsold vegetables into hot soup on the premises, sold very cheaply, and he hopes to introduce that here too. “I love going to work every day,” Fraser enthused. Reporter says it shows! Please also see his website: www.frasersfruitandveg.co.uk

3.

Tony and his son Jordan (Photo by Flora Selwyn)

*****

5. Reporter is always fascinated by transformations, so it was hardly surprising that he dropped into what used to be the Ladyhead bookshop, on the corner of North Street/North Castle Street. It has now become The Yew Tree Trading Company owned by Mary Blackburn. Opened just before Christmas last year, it is, as Mary says, “a unique little gem of a shop.” It certainly merits the appellation, Aladdin’s Cave, “where you can purchase unusual pieces of furniture (Reporter bought a funky, red revolving easy chair shaped like a hand), soft furnishings, or just a tiny cactus plant.” Mary does all the buying, loves to bring unusual things to the town. She says she also has items for hire: Jonny’s ice cream vintage tricycle, a giant candy floss machine, a carousel, and much more. Reporter agrees with Mary that, “you will be surprised how much fun it can be to shop somewhere just that wee bit different.” Mary looks forward to welcoming you.

*****

Anyone, male or female, looking for relaxation, pampering, relief from the daily hubbub, should visit Samantha Foulkes up on the top floor of 136 South Street, St Andrews (01334 479 060). Here can be found, in luxurious, peaceful comfort, all the Therapies you might dream of; aromatherapy massage; back treatment; manicure; pedicure; threading; Reiki; Indian head massage; deluxe hot stone facial, and many more things for the body beautiful. There is also a gym for a personal workout. Sam told Reporter that she has been offering these services in this restful location for 20 years, throughout which time she has also been acquiring more and more qualifications, from City & Guilds Beauty Therapy in 1995, to Personal Trainer level 3 in 2014. All Sam’s energies go into making her clients feel individually cherished. “I am very passionate about my career and my Salon.” Her very reasonable fees reflect her client-orientated approach. She can arrange house visits. Even children are catered for. Please see her website: www.sbsalon.co.uk Reporter is impressed!

*****

*****

17

ORGANISATIONS Frank Quinault kindly introduces Esther: In 2011 the University of St Andrews Students’ Association used part of a fund for assisting students from Developing Nations to invite Esther Sedor Glavee, a student from Ghana, to spend 10 days in Scotland learning about student representation at St Andrews and other Scottish universities. Esther impressed everyone she met with her energy and enthusiasm, so it is no surprise that she has gone on from being a student leader to a career dedicated to helping others, through the creation of the Foundation she writes about in this article.

Esther Sedor Glavee, Director VAF Foundation asks for

Help for her Vocational Ambassadors Foundation (VAF) In times where a large chunk of the population in Currently, VAF has 20 active students Ghana lives on not more than $1 per day, there training in, for example, fashion design is a need to create opportunities for people, (dressmaking), hairdressing, bakery, bead especially the youth, to be empowered to take making, basket weaving, and pottery. We their destinies into their have recently graduated In times where a large chunk 2 individuals, who are own hands and impact their generation. Having gone currently set up and of the population in Ghana through life the rough way lives on not more than $1 per running their own SMEs. myself when growing up, it Our vision focuses on day, there is a need to create raising entrepreneurs by has nurtured in me a heart opportunities for people, to extend a helping hand to providing relevant skills in a thousands of youth who find programme that promotes especially the youth themselves in my shoes. positive values and training Amidst abuse, child labour, and being trafficked through local facilities. Also, we undertake from one place to another, I challenged myself to programmes to educate, mentor, and advocate make it through school. for the rights of the vulnerable.

It therefore aches my heart to see brilliant A priority need for our continuous growth, and talented young people drop out of school is the building of our Kpando Training Centre. due to those similar challenges I encountered In the past, we have relied on volunteers or growing up. Hence, the vision of setting up a minimally-compensated staff. A continued foundation to help these vulnerable people and difficulty is attracting qualified personnel, put smiles on their faces. logistics, resources, and limited continuity for In the two short years since its founding, the participants, whose success depends on the Vocational Ambassadors Foundation (VAF) quality infrastructure, positive role models and has played a major role in the transformation of the relationships they build with their instructors/ 20 adults through its premier workshop project resource personnel. in the Kpando District of the Volta Region in VAF is humbly requesting support for this Ghana. VAF plans to provide Kpando and other programme to make a meaningful difference in Regions of Ghana, with high unemployment the lives of our young people. Your support will rates and many talented yet unproductive youth, give us the jumpstart we need. with a valuable structured programme designed to increase communal interest and active participation in entrepreneurial projects. We also For further information please contact: have a structure we use as a school for about Call / whatsapp (233) 246 811184 / 100 pupils, mostly vulnerable and trafficked (233) 202 061 631. children on the Volta Lake. We clothe, house, Email: glasteldor@yahoo.com / and feed most of them. vaffoundation@gmail.com The VAF’s entrepreneurial programme focuses on building learning structures, Facebook: Vocational Ambassadors leveraging resources with the help of key Foundation @ facebook.com stakeholders, partners, and community Esther Glavee: P.O.BOX TN 1574, heads to create avenues where young and Teshie-Nungua Estates, Ghana. talented individuals from deprived homes and communities, especially school dropouts, are afforded the opportunity to acquire technical entrepreneurial skills.

(Photos courtesy Esther Glavee)

18

ORGANISATIONS From Bill Sutherland

‘All Together’ At Kinburn Park Has Worked Earlier this year, the three parts of Kinburn Park, at Double Dykes Road, got together to try and promote the Park to attract more customers. The three parts are: • Kinburn Tennis Club • Kinburn Bowling Club • Kinburn Museum and Café Has it worked? The answer is a resounding YES. At this time last year, the Bowling Club looked as if it was folding. Now its future is much brighter.

The signage around the Park and within the Park has worked. The flyer about the Park that was included in an earlier copy of this publication has worked. Our collaboration with Craigtoun Park had its first trial year and has helped. Although the weather during our season has not been good, our income from bowls and putting this year has been much better than the two earlier “good” years.

Our membership is still low, but we have attracted some new members, who have added much-needed energy and enthusiasm.

What about the future? There will be a review of how the three parts of the Park have worked together. Similarly, the Craigtoun Park/ Kinburn relationship will be reviewed.

As for the Bowling Club, we are trying a new way of working. Over the last few years we have been paying a professional firm to maintain and cut the green with their machinery; this has accounted for over 50% of our expenditure. We are hoping to purchase

a new mower capable of cutting the green and will either do the work ourselves or make an arrangement with Elmwood College, whereby they would produce the manpower and technical expertise as part of their training course for students. This would be another example of working together. If successful, it will transform our finances and allow the Club to grow.

So the future looks much brighter.

For further information, please email: fionaandbill@gmail.com or phone: 01334 473 541.

(Photo courtesy Peter Adamson)

From Robin Alexander

Bowling along . . . with Probus The month of June of this year saw the unveiling of the St Andrews Bowling Club’s brand new clubhouse, its smart gabled entrance now accessible from Pipeland Road. This prominent, purpose-built clubhouse is now arguably one of the best of any bowling club in this part of Scotland; not only does it meet the needs of future generations of bowlers, but its spacious function hall (complete with lift access) is ideal for weddings, business meetings, private functions.

Not surprising, therefore, that one of the first enquiries for the use of these new facilities came from the Probus Club of St Andrews who, for many years, have been regular users of the old clubhouse. Now the Probus Club members are able to hold their fortnightly meetings in a far

more congenial setting and with the use of the very latest ceiling-mounted audiovisual technology for their guest speakers.

Coincidentally, as if it had been scripted, the month of June also witnessed the Probus Club’s own bowling team triumphing at the annual Probus Outdoor Bowling Championships in Perth. Some fourteen clubs from Fife and Perth took part in the tournament (first played in 1983).

The four-man St Andrews team lifted the trophy for the first time in their Probus Club’s history; all four, of course, are also members of the St Andrews Bowling Club !

Note: 1. St Andrews Probus Club comprises retired/semi-retired professional/business people keen to meet and to further friendships with fellow members sharing similar interests.

Convivial meetings are on the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month, October-April. Tea/coffee at 9.45am is followed by an invited speaker’s talk. New members are very welcome.

Enquiries : Secy. 01334 470 456.

Victory for Probus’ bowling team! David Scouller, David Bell, Wray MacArthur, Dave Harvey. (Photos courtesy Peter Adamson)

2. St Andrews Bowling Club – Membership & facility enquiries: www.standrewsbc.com

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ORGANISATIONS Alex Davidson answers the question

What on earth is Citizen Advocacy?

Mention ‘Citizen Advocacy’ to most people in passing and the chances are that they will look slightly puzzled, with heads tilted to one side, and enquire what that means. The chances are also that many of those asking really have no interest in the answer!

It is a sad fact of modern times that any individual should actually be in need of someone in their life termed as a Citizen Advocate. We would hope, in our very civilised society, that all those living in St Andrews, the East Neuk, and the rest of North East Fife ought to be surrounded by enough family and friends to see them through life’s ups and downs.

Unfortunately this is actually very far from the truth. We have, in North East Fife, what is technically termed as a lot of ‘hidden need’.

That means that there are people living next door to us, or in the next street, or the same town or village, who are alone and vulnerable with no-one to turn to as a good friend and advisor when they need it. These people sometimes get referred to our organisation, then it is our job to match them with someone who will be willing to become that friend and advisor. We are a bit like a dating agency really!!

Every person referred to Include Me is an individual, with their own interests and character. So when we aim to match someone with a future Advocate, our main task is to try and match the interests and outlook so that people will have something in common to talk about when they are getting to know each other.

Recent posters from Include Me have been asking: • • • • • • • • •

Are you a Computer geek who also enjoys knitting??

Are you a lover of Heavy Metal?

Do you enjoy some gentle gardening and growing your own veg?

Is it a laugh to go dancing or watch a film?

Do you sometimes play guitar?

Are you interested in CB amateur radio?

Do you enjoy nothing better than a good cup of coffee and a chat?

Have you been known to go swimming or out for a coastal walk?

Do you like watching rugby and enjoy the live music scene?

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– and that is because Include Me needs Citizen Advocates of all ages and interests – men as well as women – lovers of heavy metal music and those who enjoy gardening; bright bouncy people who are full of life and energy, and others who like a quieter time, perhaps out for a quiet walk or sitting in a café with a good cup of tea. All those referred to us have their own individual interests; we always hope to match people who like the same things.

“Citizen Advocacy” means responsible people, who lead full lives in our communities, getting to know a vulnerable adult experiencing exclusion from their community or unfair treatment, who needs help to make decisions about their life – it is as simple as that.

The amount of time you will spend together with your advocacy partner, and how you spend it, will be your own individual choice, but we at Include Me will always keep up a supportive relationship with all our volunteer Citizen Advocates – starting with sound preparation and the chance to meet others already matched with a vulnerable partner.

If you are even slightly interested in my answer to “What is Citizen Advocacy”, please do get in touch. You may be thinking it is something you could find time for in your own life, or you may know of someone else who might be interested. We are always delighted to talk through things with anyone in our neverending quest to find matches for those referred to us. There is nothing better than to be able to watch someone blooming, someone who was once totally lacking in confidence and feeling that they had no-one in their life, there just for them.

Heather and Alison

Yiwang and Matthew

Mollie and Siobhan

To find out more please contact Alex Davidson or Helen Glass at Include Me: alex.davidson@includeme.org.uk / helen.glass@includeme.org.uk Tel: 01334 656 242 C/o Fife Voluntary Action, 69 Crossgate, Cupar, KY15 5AS www.includeme.org.uk (Photos courtesy Alex Davidson)

Robert and Colin

ORGANISATIONS From Dorothy M Johnson, Chairperson, the ‘K2’ Management Group

Kingdom 2000 – K2

An idea, born in the mind of a Church of Scotland parish minister in Religious Observance usually occurs in an Cupar, was shared with a small group of local folk in 1998. A charitable assembly-style format. Though the particular beliefs trust came into being; a management group was formed in the year of a speaker may be referenced, they are not done 2000 with a view to serving young people in schools, churches, and in a prescriptive manner, for RO must relate to communities in N.E. Fife. people of all beliefs, theistic or not. For instance, I The vision was to support youth workers as they explored ways of am currently working on an RO assembly about the power of words. In touching the lives of our children and young people just where they were a game show format, it will explore quotes about the topic. Quotes will in everyday life. The majority attend school; some share the life of our come from a variety of sources including the Bible, and hearers will be churches, while many others follow a wide variety encouraged to consider how their words might of interests within and even beyond the life of our affect others.

The vision was to support communities. There was a need for young men Our voluntary lunchtime groups, which youth workers as they and women able to share the life of our young are associated with Scripture Union, allow an people, supporting them as they approached the opportunity for interested pupils to explore the explored ways of touching many interests open to them. Since 2000 the Bible. All pupils are welcomed to these groups, the lives of our children and Trust and management group have appointed 4 which usually (but not always) run over lunchtime. workers. Our first worker was trained in law, our The groups have a casual atmosphere and a young people second as an engineer, the third a young graduate relational focus. Pupils sometimes bring their in arts, and our fourth, currently working alongside our third, a secondary lunches along. We chat, play games, and interact with the Bible, offering teacher from the U.S. All of them have made a much-valued contribution pupils time to ask questions and express their own opinions. to making that original idea a reality.

Holidays and weekends away are opportunities for children and All our workers have benefited from continuing training and regular young people to meet others from the wider area. A range of activities is meetings with their line manager, a member of the field staff of Scripture offered, including high ropes, crafts, archery, and mountain biking. These Union Scotland, a national youth organisation working with youth workers weekends and holidays are voluntary; they include an opportunity to like our own, across Scotland. consider aspects of faith.

So what kind of happenings make each day significant in the lives of Abby and I partner with churches on request. We especially our workers, the children, and the young people they serve? Those best appreciate inter-church activities like IMPACT St Andrews and Cupar, suited to respond to this question are our current workers, Abby Cant with and Tayport holiday clubs, as well as ongoing activities developing from her focus on primary schools, and April Rathel within secondary schools. these – such as new weekly youth groups now running in St Andrews and Cupar.

April writes: A normal working week is nearly impossible to describe because opportunities and needs change regularly. Our work in schools typically falls into four categories: Chaplaincy, Religious Observance (RO), Religious and Moral Education (RME), and informal voluntary lunchtime groups. We also partner with churches, participate in holidays and weekends away arranged in conjunction with Scripture Union Scotland.

As members of school chaplaincy teams, Abby and I have the privilege of making ourselves available to staff and pupils. During inservice days, with the help of volunteers, we enjoy thanking staff by serving teas, coffees, and desserts. At the most recent in-service day, one teacher asked, “Do we need to make donations?” How pleasing it was to answer, “No, this is just to say thank you. We appreciate all you do.”

We look for opportunities to serve pupils, too. I am currently investigating possibilities for helping pupils become better readers. By the time this article is published, I expect to have established a pattern of reading support.

The Education (Scotland) Act 1980 requires Scottish schools to implement religious observance and religious education. Abby and I make ourselves available to assist in these as needed. Religious and Moral Education occurs within the formal curriculum. It is provided by classroom April (L) and Abby (R) (Photo courtesy April Rathel) teachers. However, at a school’s request, guests like Abby and me can deliver lessons in keeping with the Curriculum for Excellence. Over the past session, Abby has arranged ‘Bubblegum and Fluff’ and ‘Easter K2 is privileged to serve here. If you have any comments, questions, Code’, two interactive events allowing upper primary children to explore or ideas to share, please email them to: inquiries.k2@gmail.com Christmas and Easter.

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TOWN & GOWN Gabriel Sewell, Head of Special Collections and Assistant Director of Library Services

Special Collections

The Special Collections of the University of St Andrews Library represent the history of over 600 years of the University. The collections come from the life of the Cathedral Priory, the separate colleges of St Leonard, St Salvator, and St Mary – which were founded before the University itself – and they are part of the Cathedral’s life today. Along with the holdings of MUSA, the collections are an integral part of the University’s history and tell the story of the life of the University, St Andrews, and the North-East Fife area through its documents, manuscripts, photographs, and books. The collections are part of the story of the University standing alongside the fabric of the University to show the continuity of a story of learning written in the last 600+ years.

The St Andrews Psalter, c.1425-75

Sketchbook of Views of St Andrews, c.1907-1909

Bull of Pope Benedict XIII, 1413

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Magnolia from Mark Catesby’s Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the Bahama Islands (London, 1743)

The collections do not simply tell a local story; they also throw light on the wider national heritage, as the history of the University has been so linked with the political and social history. Many of the items within the University’s collections are items of national and international significance in terms of their content.

The collections form an important coherent body of documentary heritage: in addition to the written and printed word, the collections include outstanding holdings of photography. Ever since its foundation in the 15th century, the University has been acquiring books to support teaching and research. These first collections of books were significantly enhanced in 1611-1612 when King James VI and I and members of his family presented over 200 volumes to the University to mark the foundation of the Common Library.

From 1710 to 1837 the Library was entitled to a copy of every book printed in Britain under the Copyright Deposit Act, which has resulted in a particularly strong collection of 18th century material.

The holdings of manuscripts are similarly rich, ranging from Greek papyri and medieval treatises, the papers of notable individuals connected with the University, and modern business records. There are collections relating to St Andrews and the North-East Fife area, including solicitors’ records, estate collections, architectural plans and, on deposit by the Keeper of the Records of Scotland, the records of the former burghs of North-East Fife, and the Kirk Session records of the congregations of the presbyteries of Cupar, and St Andrews.

The Muniments are the record of the daily life of the University. They contain the noncurrent records of the University, beginning with the charters dating from 1215, and include the Papal Bull of Foundation (1413), the archive of the University Library, formal papers of staff, the financial, administrative, and academic records of the last three centuries and beyond.

Galileo’s Difesa of 1607, with Galileo’s autograph

TOWN & GOWN Everyone is welcome to use Special Collections. The aim of Special Collections is to make the tremendous holdings as widely available as possible. Special Collections are made accessible to all researchers, both in the Napier Special Collections Reading Room in the redeveloped Martyrs Kirk on North Street, set amidst many of the University’s oldest and most important buildings, and increasingly through digital technology. For the wider benefit of the public, they are shared through displays, publications, events, and digital initiatives.

Do come along to our themed ‘show and tells’ in the New Park Seminar Room in Martyrs Kirk to have the opportunity to see some highlights of our collections. These are free, and open to all: 4th November, 2.00pm: Great Scientific Books 9th December, 2.00pm: Sources for Family History

The poem Almae Matres by Andrew Lang, transcribed and illustrated by Janet Benson, a student at St Andrews University The photographic collections have been developed since the birth of photography in the early 19th century. The Library also holds one of the largest, most important Everyone is collections of historic photography in Scotland, use Special reflecting the fact that St Andrews played a key role in the development of the photographic process. Pioneer photographer Sir David Brewster, who had

specialised in the study of optics and light, was Principal of the University from 1838 to 1859.

His circle in St Andrews was among the earliest to practice photography, welcome to and they were apparently successful in making Collections daguerrotypes. The collection contains many examples of the earliest works of John and Robert Adamson, David Octavius Hill, and Thomas Rodger.

Please do get in touch to make an appointment if you would like to use Special Collections. You can search our catalogues and databases online to aid your research; staff are always happy to help and answer questions. We are also very happy to host group and school visits.

Please contact to discuss your options.

For more information see the Special Collections website: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/library/ specialcollections/ (Photos courtesy Special collections)

John Cameron

“Photograph 51” of the Cambridge scientists James Watson and Working in St Andrews on my physics doctorate in x-ray crystallography Francis Crick. during the 1960s I was fortunate to meet most of the leading figures in Wilkins, after acquiring improved x-ray the DNA breakthrough. So I was interested to learn that Nicole Kidman equipment and a new micro-camera, suggested is playing Rosalind Franklin in Anna Ziegler’s play Photograph 51 – the that the rising star Rosalind Franklin be only one I did not meet because she had died in 1958. Ms Kidman reassigned from work on proteins to the DNA hopes to “put the spotlight on the inequality of Franklin not getting the project. It was a disastrous idea, the personality 1962 Nobel Prize”, with the implication that this was because she was clashes being so extreme that Wilkins was pulled out leaving Gosling, a Jewish. delightful and self-effacing scientist, to work alone with Franklin. Sadly Had this happened it would certainly have been outrageous, but in she seriously underrated Gosling and was too intellectually cautious fact she was not nominated because she was no longer alive – which to take the work further forward by herself. It was a relief when she is also unfair, but that is another matter. Queen Victoria insisted on transferred to Birkbeck in 1952. personally handing out the Victoria Cross so recipients had to be alive, The King’s DNA project was taken back and the Nobel committee’s similarly perverse

by Wilkins. Gosling’s Photograph 51 was rules often result in unjust awards.

Gosling’s Photograph 51 was shown to Watson in January 1953, after The research process is difficult for lay which the discovery of the double helix was people to follow; they may be surprised to learn shown to Watson in January inevitable. Watson had been using Francis that Photograph 51 (after which the play is 1953, after which the discovery Crick’s model. Crick’s hypothesis that the named) was not the work of Dr Franklin. It was structure consisted of two chains running indisputably the best X-ray photograph available of the double helix was in opposite directions had been a crucial at that time and simply screamed “double helix”. inevitable breakthrough. Such was the importance of It was taken by the King’s College researcher the work that had Franklin lived, the Nobel Raymond Gosling. prize in medicine would probably have gone to Watson and Crick, and The play correctly identifies the worst problem in the research team probably the Chemistry Prize to Wilkins and Franklin. as being Franklin’s relationship with the former St Andrews University To my mind the most serious omission from the prize list was lecturer Maurice Wilkins. In the immediate post-war period Wilkins had Raymond Gosling. The Nobel committee has a bad habit of overlooking gone south to Kings to set up a laboratory to apply the experimental the contribution of graduate students. methods of physics to problems of biology – a biophysics unit. It Franklin’s assistant at Birkbeck in the six years before her death, was there he managed to produce thin threads of concentrated DNA was the peerless Aaron Klug, the 1982 Nobel Prize winner, who never solution containing highly-ordered arrays suitable for the production of ceases to declare his debt to her. x-ray diffraction patterns. His research assistant, Raymond Gosling, took x-ray photographs of this DNA in 1950 which sparked the interest

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TOWN & GOWN Gabriel Sewell, Head of Special Collections and Assistant Director of Library Services

The Friends of St Andrews University Library The Friends of St Andrews University Library was founded in 2007 as a focus of support for the Library, and to help in adding to its collections for the benefit of present and future generations. The Friends bring together likeminded people with an interest in the Library’s history and collections. It is hoped that in due course, the Friends will be able to provide invaluable assistance in the acquisition of equipment, rare books, manuscripts, and in conservation. Friends receive invitations to events and visits, a regular newsletter, which includes information on the Library’s activities, as well as details of books, manuscripts and photographic material acquired during the year. Recent events for the Friends included a curator talk with private view of the Recording Britain exhibition at MUSA, a talk

by Master Calligrapher Donald Jackson on The Saint John’s Bible, the first completely handwritten and illuminated bible to have been commissioned by a Benedictine Abbey since the invention of the printing press, and a talk

by the writer and broadcaster Alistair Moffat, on Scottish Book Festivals.

Talks, displays, other events for the Friends are arranged throughout the year. Events planned over the autumn and winter are: Wednesday, 11 November – 5.15pm. Arts Lecture Theatre, The Scores. ‘What are the Digital Humanities and what are they doing in the Library?’ by Dr Alice Crawford, Digital Humanities Research Librarian Wednesday, 9 December – 5.15pm. Martyrs Kirk, North Street. Display of Oriental Manuscripts from Special Collections Wednesday, 10 February – 5.15pm. Martyrs Kirk, North Street. Display of Hay Fleming manuscripts from Special Collections Wednesday, 13 April – 5.15pm. School 2, the Quad, North Street. Writing a Novel: Process and Problems, a talk by the novelist Lesley Glaister.

Please consider joining the Friends so that, with your help, the Library may continue to develop and flourish.

The annual membership fee is £20.

Membership information is available from the Library’s website: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/library/friends/ Membership of the Friends would also make an imaginative and unusual present for anyone interested in the history of the University, St Andrews and the North-East Fife area, or in books and manuscripts. The perfect gift for those who love books, but have no space for any more, membership of the Friends introduces the recipient to the unique collections held by the University of St Andrews Library, as well as to the interesting programme of events organised through the Friends.

Love beautiful choral music? Carol singing?

You are warmly invited to attend the December Concert of

The Anstruther Philharmonic Society PREMIERING

Attention Landlords

the Kyrie and Gloria of

‘THE ANSTRUTHER MASS’

New Rental Properties Required

by Anstruther composer Jim Tribble Conducted by Robert Dick

Sunday, 13 December 2015 Crail Church 7:00 pm

Contact PremierLet 72 North Street, St Andrews, KY16 9AH.

Reception afterwards The festive programme will also include C Hubert H Parry’s “I Was Glad”, a Christmas carols sing-along and other seasonal music.

Tickets (£10 or £8 to Friends of The Phil) are available at the door or in advance from chorus members.

New members are most welcome to join ‘The Phil’

www.anstrutherphilharmonic.org.uk

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EVENTS Lindsay Murray reports that

The Fife Reelers Ball raised £2000 for Crossroads Three members of the Fife Reelers Ball Committee, (from left to right Kirstin Burnett, Barbara Grounds and Lindsay Murray), recently met with Fiona Smith of Crossroads, Fife Central, with the happy task of handing over a cheque for £2000, the proceeds of this year’s Ball and Prize Draw.

The Ball has become an annual event, taking place in the Younger Hall and Lower College Hall in St Andrews, and attracting around 150 enthusiastic Scottish Country dancers, who find that the exciting programme and the wonderful Younger Hall sprung floor put a spring in their step. Each year a different Fife charity is chosen: Fiona Smith welcomed the Ball donation, saying that it would make a

significant impact on the amount of practical help that Crossroads can give in Fife to relieve the pressure on those who care for people of any age with any disability, by allowing them to take a break.

Next year’s Ball, the ninth, will take place on Saturday 16th April 2016 and anyone who would like to join the practices, or find out more about the event, should contact Lindsay Murray on lindsaypmurray@btinternet.com (Photo courtesy Frank Ridell)

Meg Hyland, St Andrews Chorus Vice President

St Andrews Chorus Autumn has come to St Andrews, and with it has come a fresh semester cast of Albert Herring (a role he himself performed to great acclaim at for the St Andrews Chorus, Scotland’s largest choral society. After a very Glyndebourne, a performance captured on DVD). During his forthcoming successful 2014-2015 season, which included a powerful performance visit he has kindly agreed to make time to coach the cast of Byre Opera’s of Mozart’s Requiem in November, and a moving rendition of Elgar’s forthcoming production of Britten’s Turn of the Screw, which will open at The Apostles in the spring, the Chorus is looking to build on last year’s the Byre Theatre in June before touring to the MacRobert Centre, Stirling, success and explore new works with our 2015-2016 programme.

Haddo House in Aberdeenshire, and the Maltings Theatre in Berwick-onThis semester the Chorus will be performing Haydn’s The Creation.

Tweed.

The Chorus continues to draw a diverse mix of town and gown, uniting John has also recently made a splash in the literary scene, publishing faces old and new in what will surely be another first-rate performance. his first work of fiction in 2013. My Wife the Diva weaves a story of As always, we are looking forward to being joined by excellent soloists scandal behind the opera curtain, presenting an entertaining tale of for our concert in November. Jonathan May will romance and family life thrown into disarray against be singing Bass, and Wilma MacDougall will be the backdrop of Europe’s leading opera festivals.

The Chorus continues to draw a returning to sing Soprano – most recently, she The book has enthralled opera lovers with its diverse mix of town and gown, enriched our performance of The Apostles with her insider’s glimpse into the tangled lives of opera uniting faces old and new excellent portrayals of the Blessed Virgin and the singers. The Sunday Times described it as “a Angel. We are happy to have her back with us for florid Rabelaisian romp”, while Amazon.com calls The Creation. it “mischievously sincere” and “drawn with a rapier, ribald wit”. With his We’re especially excited to welcome John Graham-Hall to the stage career taking this exciting new turn, we are all the more honoured to sing of the Younger Hall as he joins us for the first time. John is a worldalongside one of Britain’s best tenors. renowned opera tenor who frequently performs in top productions both at Haydn’s The Creation makes for a dynamic programme; the whole home and abroad. For his recent role as Aschenbach in Death in Venice Chorus is eager to share this dramatic piece with St Andrews and the in La Scala, Milan, he won the 2012 Franco Abbiati prize for best male wider community. The concert is at 7.00pm on Saturday, 21 November, singer from the Italian National Association of Music Critics. Internationally in the Younger Hall. Dr Jane Pettegree, Director of Teaching in the he has performed throughout France, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, University’s Music Department and an Honorary Research Fellow in the Italy, Canada, and the USA. Domestically, he is a regular of all the major School of English, will be giving the pre-performance talk at 6.00pm. In British opera companies, including ENO, Covent Garden, Glyndebourne, addition to the three accomplished soloists, we will be accompanied by Welsh Opera, Opera North, and the Scottish Opera. His impressive the acclaimed Heisenberg Ensemble. Tickets are available from the Byre career in opera began with his studies at King’s College, Cambridge, and Theatre, at www.byretheatre.com, as well as from Chorus Members, at the Royal College of Music. £12 / £10 concession / £3 students. Please join us for what is sure to be John has a particular affinity for the music of Benjamin Britten: earlier a brilliant concert, and keep an eye out for our Brahms’ German Requiem this year he sang the title role in Peter Grimes in Nice. His association and Berlioz’s Tristia on 23 April. with St Andrews began two years ago when he came to coach the (Photo courtesy The Chorus)

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EVENTS Lindsey Alexander, TCCL Lodge Trustee

Update

A children’s cancer charity, which raised the house in Horseleys Park, and almost £500,000 to buy a property in St Andrews to completed renovations, we will need to keep turn it into a holiday home for families, thanked raising funds to pay for it to be maintained, so townspeople and the wider north east Fife that 50 families per year can enjoy a week’s community for their tremendous support, with a free accommodation. The house will be a special ‘open house’ weekend event. special place where families can enjoy special The fundraising drive was launched by time together, yet it’s close enough to Ninewells Tayside Children with Cancer and Leukaemia Hospital should they need any medical care.”

(TCCL) just three years ago. As a result, the Commenting on the open house weekend, charity had to form a separate sister charity, Dr Wilkie added, “We invited many of our major due to both legal obligations and the fact that donors, trusts and supporters to an openfunds for TCCL Lodge were for the property house day, while the following day (Sunday) purchase, not for the main was a day when the whole aims of TCCL, which are to community could come to see The house will be a provide practical, emotional, and the house for themselves. We special place where financial support to families from are delighted to have been the point of diagnosis. given support from the new families can enjoy Both committees have M&S Simply Food store in special time together continued to work together.

St Andrews, which provided On Saturday, 10 October, the buffet for guests on the and Sunday, 11 October, everyone who had Saturday. We are also very grateful to Tunnocks supported and donated to the campaign had for providing some traditional treats for our the chance to see where their money had gone. visitors to enjoy. Although some people were Thanking everyone who supported the sent invitations for Sunday, we hoped other campaign – particularly various St Andrews people across the community would come businesses, schools, golf clubs, individuals, along too. As well as ‘Tea and Tunnocks’ there and organisations, including the R&A and the was face painting for children in the marquee University’s Oktoberfest Committee – TCCL put up in our driveway.”

Lodge chairperson Dr Rosalie Wilkie said, “We Dr Wilkie, a retired paediatrician, went on are delighted to have had so much support. We to say the house would soon open, and that an hope that will continue. While we have bought official opening ceremony would take place next

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year. She added, “We can’t wait to invite our first families to the house and see them enjoy a holiday in St Andrews.

We are so grateful to everyone for coming on board, realising how much of a difference TCCL Lodge will make to families affected by childhood cancer.”

For more information, and to show your support visit: www.tccl-lodge.org.uk Or: www.tccl.org.uk

Dr Rosalie Wilkie with Bob Robertson at TCCL Lodge (Photo by Peter Adamson)

EVENTS From Jennifer Stewart, Service Development Officer, Libraries

Book Week Scotland 2015 23-29 November

Book Week Scotland is back. All over Scotland library staff are bringing events directly to adults and children in libraries, theatres, and schools. If you love reading, you’ll love Book Week Scotland.

In Fife there will be a Loud Poet, a Murder Mystery, and a 6-Foot Dog – what more could you want! Look out for the full programme, available in your local library, or log onto: www.onfife.com Colour Me Bookiful – for Adults Only!

St Andrews Public Library Wednesday 25 November, 2.00-4.00pm Think that Crayolas are just for the kids? Think again with our Book Week Scotland adult colouring events. Drop in between 2.00 and 4.00pm for a colouring session guaranteed to de-stress and add an extra bit of colour to your day. Adult colouringin (and no we haven’t turned 50 Shades into a colouring book!) is one of the biggest trends out there at the moment; it’s not hard to see why. Relax with your pens, a cup of coffee, a cake, and while away an hour or two with us. Colouring materials and refreshments will be provided.

Events Food & Drink Festival

Pop Up Art Exhibition

The whole of November will be dedicated to the St Andrews’ Food & Drink Festival. It launches at the Old Course Hotel on Sunday, 1st November with an indoor Street Market featuring invited chefs, each with their own ‘stall’. To book call: 01334 468181 The month will end with a gala dinner at the Fairmont, when six ‘core’ chefs will together create a magnificent six-course meal to remember, interspersed with talks about the food and drink. Note the date: Friday, 20 November.

Students from both Elmwood and Fife Colleges will be there to help, as Alan Matthew of Fairmont explains, “….all of us believe passionately that we need to nurture, train, and encourage the next generation of chefs.” To book call: 01334 837 000.

Titled, The Bee, the Glory, and the Blossom, this is to be a solo show by local artist and art teacher, Jaclyn Stuart.

At The Vineyard Centre, 62a Largo Road St Andrews, across from the new Marks and Spencer. Open to the public on the following dates and times:

For further information please contact Julia Bruce: 07786 398 897 or email: julia@destination66.co.uk

– November 19th, 26th 10.00am-8.30pm – November 20th, 21st, 27th, 28th 10.00am-5.00pm For further information please view www.artofeden.blogspot.com or call: 0789 071 6543.

Photographic Exhibition Emily Noakes and Caroline MacDonald will be holding a Photographic Exhibition in the Merchants’ Room of the Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther, over the months of November and December.

Do go along and browse, while enjoying their lovely home baking or lunch. Entry is free.

Selected Events Sunday,12 November – 2.00pm. Old Course Hotel. Festival ‘Street Food Market’. Tickets £25 adults; children 6-12 years £7.50; under 5s Free. Contact: 01334 468 181.

Saturday, 21 November – 7.30pm. Younger Hall, North Street.

Haydn’s Creation performed by the St Andrews Chorus. Tickets: £12, concessions £10, students £3. Contact: 01334 462 226.

Wednesday, 4 November – 5.00pm. Road Hole Bar Whisky Lounge, Old Course Hotel.

Tutored Whisky Tastings. Tickets: £25. To book contact: 01334 474 371.

– 5.15pm. Kennedy Hall, The Scores. Pattern and the Romantic Imagination, a talk by Dr Jane Moore (Cardiff). English Research Seminar. Free.

Wednesday, 25 November – 7.30pm. Town Hall, Queen’s Gardens.

Musical evening & buffet. Arthritis Association. Contact: janetblack1945@tiscali.co.uk

Friday, 6 November – 12.30. MUSA, The Scores. Carbon conversations. Sharing ideas about lifestyle changes to save money and help the environment. Free.

Saturday, 7 November – 9.00am-1.00pm. Argyle Street car park. Farmers’ Market.

– 10.45am. St Andrews Museum, Kinburn Park. Kid’s Festive Fun Worshops. Ages under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Free.

Wednesday, 11 November – 10.00am. All Saints Church, North Castle Street. First instalment of a 6-week course, Drawing the Human Portrait. Tutor Jaclyn Stuart. £90 See article above.

Thursday, 26 November – 8.00pm. The Gateway Theatre, North Haugh. The enduring puzzle of the origins of the IndoEuropeans: the impact of molecular genetics. The 2015 Mitford Memorial Lecture by Colin Renfrew (Baron Kaimsthorn), The Archaeological Society. Refreshments available from 7.00pm.

RSVP: Barbara Crawford, bec@strathmartine.demon.co.uk 01334 478 644 by Monday 23 November.

Friday, 27 to Monday, 30 November – St Andrews Day weekend revelries!

Sunday, 29 November – 11.00am-4.00pm. Old Course Hotel. Christmas Emporium.

– 7.30pm. Holy Trinity Church, South Street, St Andrews.

Handel’s Messiah. The Heisenberg Ensemble, Conductor Gillian Craig. Tickets £10 (students £5) bookable in advance at gc5@st-andrews.ac.uk and at the door.

Saturday, 14 November – 10.00am-4.00pm. Victory Memorial Hall, St Andrews. Craft Fair.

Fife Craft Association Sale.

– 2.30pm. Byre Theatre. The Life and Work of Matthew Forster Heddle (1828-1897) a talk by Hamish Johnston, followed by a book signing.

Saturday, 5 December – 9.00am-1.00pm. Argyle car park.

Farmers’ Market.

Wednesday, 18 November – 5.15pm. Kennedy Hall, The Scores.

Bless Ideology: the Whimsical Politics of Modernism a talk by Dr Will May. English Research Seminar. Free.

Wednesday, 16 December – 7.30pm.Town Hall, Queen’s Gardens.

Christmas meal, followed by carol singing. Arthritis Association.

Contact: janetblack1945@tiscali.co.uk

Monday, 14 December – 3.00pm-8.00pm. Byre Theatre. Artisan & Collectors’ Christmas Twilight Pop-up. Special Christmas evening market.

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OUT & ABOUT Tim Hardie’s

Nature Notes The combine finally got started here on the 10th following the combine, you realise that their September 2015. This was very much on the hunting skills are second to none. late side for the start of harvest. The lack of a Earlier in the summer my boys and I came settled spell of hot weather this summer put across an equally capable hunter, but someone paid to an early harvest, where the combine that will take an easier option if made available. can work into the night and the grain dryer is As my father worked in the Highlands during my redundant. childhood, he would often take me with him, so Watching the combine cutting early last I was familiar with the rare pine marten. To see night, I noticed it being followed by hundreds one in the village of Knapp, just seven miles of swallows that were taking advantage of the from Dundee, was a considerable surprise. As thousands of insects being propelled into the handsome a fellow as you like, he stared at air by the combine’s huge blades. This early us with his beautiful piercing eyes, then beat a autumn bonanza is just as well as there is a late hasty retreat. Although quite the most beautiful brood of swallow chicks in our shed, that having creature, I do not imagine the local red squirrel only just fledged are needing several good population is sleeping any sounder at night in feeds before they are likely their cosy dreys – hopefully to make Dundee, never martens prefer the greys.

The lack of a settled mind South Africa.

That well-known spell of hot weather this author, filmmaker and It has been a pretty disappointing summer and naturalist, Mike Tomkies, summer put paid to an much as I have anxiously wrote about martens when early harvest watched the weather he was living on a remote forecast for signs that a west coast peninsular. huge high pressure is coming our way from He had a close relationship with the local the Azores, like millions of other people, I have population, to the extent that he would leave been disappointed. Our swallows and house raspberry jam sandwiches out for them, and martins have made do with what’s on offer; to even had one feeding out of his hands. be quite honest, I think have done extremely Today, the 19th September, the last well. That little bit of heat every few days has brood of swallow chicks miraculously have been essential. Just watching them recently fully fledged and are independent hunters

Pink-footed goose in their own rite. Their parents have put in a monumental effort in producing several broods this summer and as usual, they knew exactly what they were doing. It won’t be long before thousands of pink-footed geese arrive in Tayside, having flown from Spitsbergen, where they have spent the summer and long days rearing their youngsters.

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

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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OUT & ABOUT Alistair Lawson of ScotWays

The Rights and Wrongs of Rights of Way In general terms, one might say that, for every another type of recreational user may continue, right, there is a corresponding wrong, and, for uninterrupted, on his / her way. Even-handed? every wrong, there is a corresponding right.

Fair? Reasonable? Well ...

Over the past 170 years, much of the Wherein lies the problem? The implication work of the Scottish Rights of Way Society is that horses may be alarmed by cyclists and (ScotWays) has been about refereeing may rear, shy, or bolt, possibly causing risk to situations in which one party claims a given themselves, their riders, passing pedestrians path is a right of way and another party denies and maybe even the cyclists. One aspect of the that the public has any such right. Nowadays, problem is that there is passing (overtaking) given that rights of way in Scotland have, since and there is passing – what the French call 1993, been systematically recorded for the first croiser – crossing paths with traffic coming in time, given that we now have the 2003 Land the opposite direction. In the latter case, horses Reform Act (Scotland) in operation and, given can see approaching cyclists and can form that local authorities have established networks some sort of “equine opinion” as to how cyclists of “Core Paths”, there is less dispute about behave before the actual moment of passing the basic matter of whether the public have a occurs. This shouldn’t cause a problem, though right to use a path or not. However, that good the notice in the illustration tells cyclists to news is somewhat offset by the fact that there stop. On the other hand, an overtaking cyclist can now be tension between different (equally may approach silently from behind and only legitimate) users of a path. come into the horse’s field of vision at the very Consider the accompanying illustration from moment of whizzing past. This may well cause Devilla Forest in West Fife, near Kincardine. surprise, alarm and panic, leading to shying and Clearly, the path in bolting. Even if cyclists question – a broad track, their bell, the horse recreational horses could use actually – is used by is unlikely to know what – and should – be trained that means, and there both cyclists and horseriders. Equally clearly, the is also a risk that the to a very much higher implication of the notice is riders – encased in their level than they are that they have not been hard hats – may not hear entirely happy about the puny little “Ping” that sharing space with each other. In the same way modern cycle bells make. The text-book advice that drivers sometimes see roadside notices is that overtakers should say something, such saying, “Pass with care”, this notice is saying as “Overtaking” or “Passing on your left”. Of that special behaviour is required when cyclists course, the horse won’t understand this either, and horse-riders pass one another. So far, so but there’s a chance that the rider may hear it. good, but is the notice even-handed? It would The implication thus far is that it is the seem that cyclists are being asked to interrupt cyclists who cause alarm and trigger a danger their chosen recreational activity so that situation and the consequent obligation to alter

their behaviour, but we ought to ask whether there is anything that the horse-riders might alter. I once sat in, as a silent observer, on an argument between a lady horse-rider and a police officer. In response to her complaints that non-riders don’t understand horses or make due allowance for them, the police officer countered by saying that horses can be trained to handle noise and unexpected behaviours, and he cited police horses at Ibrox or Celtic Park, or at strikers’ demonstrations, civil disturbances, CND marches, or at picket lines.

He contended that recreational horses could – and should – be trained to a very much higher level than they are, and that that would remove their panic reactions to unfamiliar situations.

As one who is neither into horse-riding nor civil disturbances, I found that entirely reasonable.

Do readers have first-hand experience of tensions between different path-users? Maybe all is sweetness and light around St Andrews?

(Photo courtesy Alistair Lawson)

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OUT & ABOUT

From Marion Mason, Trustee, St Andrews Harbour Trust

Berthing a breeze at St Andrews Harbour St Andrews Harbour Trust has recently facility we hope to see more use being made completed the installation of the 1st phase of the harbour in the future.” of a new pontoon berthing Some of this added use system. Located along the is expected to come from Boat owners and visitors west quay wall of the inner new commercial ventures, alike can now safely gain basin at St Andrews Harbour, such as sport fishing trips access to their boats via the pontoons will bring and boat charter, both much improved berthing the access ramp provided encouraged by the ease arrangements and access to of access for all abilities to vessels. boats. It is hoped these activities will help to Historically, the small- and medium-sized protect the future of the harbour and grow the craft berthed in this area of the harbour have number of jobs it supports. had to tie up sometimes three abreast, with the associated complexity of mooring lines complicating entry and exit from berths. Getting aboard in the first place was even more difficult, if not impossible for the less able, by vertical ladders. Boat owners and visitors alike can now safely gain access to their boats via the access ramp provided. They can slip with ease in and out of individual finger berths attached to a stable pontoon walkway.

This 1st phase of the pontoon system comprises a main 70m walkway running along the quay wall, an access ramp and 8 secondary finger pontoons providing berths for 16 boats.

Occupancy rates of berths in this area of the harbour has typically fluctuated between 60% and 80% in recent years, but the new pontoon arrangement is proving very popular with harbour users, with all finger berths occupied, and an already lengthy reservation list continuing to grow for the additional capacity that will become available through a 2nd phase in the future.

“The Trust is delighted with the progress made so far in improving berthing arrangements in the harbour,” says Harbour Trust chairman Dr Cameron Rae. “As we expected, the new pontoons are proving to be very popular. By developing this new

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The project has only been possible through the generous funding provided by European and Fife Fisheries Funds, St Andrews Common Good Fund, and the many local trusts and organisations that support the Harbour Trust.

For more information, please contact Cameron Rae: admin@standrewsharbourtrust.org

(Photos by Flora Selwyn)

OUT & ABOUT Arlen Pardoe

Hidden Gems in St Andrews (in plain view)

Focussing on features that are in plain sight, but often overlooked Door Bells There are two kinds of door bell – mechanical and electrical. The mechanical type is much earlier than the electric and needs regular maintenance to keep working properly. A system of wires, levers, and cranks, perhaps running in underfloor tubing, allows the movement of the bell knob to be transferred to the bell. This may be located in the hallway or as part of a whole series of bells in servants’ quarters in larger houses. As you would expect, this type of bell system is found in the older town houses. It is interesting to note the variety of pulls and back plates that were used.

(Photos courtesy Arlen Pardoe) City Road

Pilmour Place

The Scores

Lade Braes

Links Crescent

McIntosh Hall

The Links

Gibson Place

Murray Park

North Street

Queen’s Terrace

A more unusual double bell pull on the former premises of architects Gillespie & Scott in Queen’s Gardens

Golf Place

Queen Mary’s House

Murray Place

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