St Andrews in Focus Issue 79 Nov Dec 2016 by Mike Collins

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

November/December 2016 Issue 79, £2.00

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

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

From the Editor

If you fly from, or to, Edinburgh Airport you will see racks called Media Walls displaying publications for you to pick up free, to enliven your journey. When I met the lady who runs this project she kindly let me place 100 copies of the July/Aug issue as a pilot to see what would happen. The copies were picked up immediately! This was so encouraging that the Byre Theatre agreed to sponsor 500 copies of the Sept/Oct issue. The first update I had told me that the copies were being snapped up. By 20 September I had my first request to take out a subscription, and also an enquiry from someone else about advertising rates. Hopefully, by the time you read this there will be other good outcomes. Media Walls are in almost every airport in the world, so the potential for a wider readership is huge. The cost is pretty reasonable too, so the more sponsorship the merrier! My grateful thanks to Stephen Sinclair at the Byre, and to Lyn Witcomb who manages the Media Wall project in Scotland (see page 15). Here’s wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas when it comes, and a great Hogmanay. Flora Selwyn

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The views expressed elsewhere in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor. © St Andrews in Focus (2003) NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2016 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. Subscriptions for 6 issues are: £14 in the UK (post & packing included). Please send cheques to: Local Publishing (Fife) Ltd., PO Box 29210, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9YZ. £25 overseas (post and packing included). Please send remittance by International MoneyGram. See website at: http://global.moneygram.com/in/en/money-transfers REGISTERED IN SCOTLAND: 255564 THE PAPER USED IS 100% RECYCLED POST-CONSUMER WASTE

Contents

FEATURES • Leuchars Station Report • Community Council • In conversation, Betty Hogg • A unique Memorial • John Cameron’s column • Ask the Curator • Poetry Corner: – Scotch from the Rocks – Ode to Trillary – Acts (a sonnet) • Reviews: – More Than One Hundred Jokes . . . – Reason and Wonder . . . – Stewart Heritage – St Leonards: First in the Field . . . • Leisure Reading: – A Wee Widget – An internet collection of insults, with class! – Multiverse Anyone? SHOPS & SERVICES • BID • Media Walls • Tax considerations • Employment rights • From the Osteopath • Hell Hole • Roving Reporter

3 4 5 6 6 7 8 8 8 9 9 10 11 12 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20-21

TOWN & GOWN • Sassy Coconut Co. • Bird communication • 6th year, Madras College • Ghosts & double whiskies!

22 23 24 24

EVENTS • St Andrews Chorus • Charities campaign • Handel’s Messiah • Selected Events

25 26 26 27

ORGANISATIONS • Craigtoun success

OUT & ABOUT • Nature Notes • Litter • Hidden Gems

29 30 31

NEXT ISSUE – Jan/Feb 2017 COPY DEADLINE: STRICTLY 28 NOVEMBER

All contributions welcome. The Editor reserves the right to publish copy according to available space. Cover: original photo, West Sands by Shreya Kakkar

FEATURES Susan Budd, Community Support Officer, Leuchars

Report

2016 has been an incredibly busy year for the Station and it seems set to continue that way for the foreseeable future. The Station population is nearly at full strength with the two major units, The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (SCOTS DG) and 2 Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (2 CS Bn REME) settling in well to the local and surrounding area. The Station Support Unit (SSU) continues to provide essential support to each of the eight units on the Station as well as extending support to external events and activities. Upcoming community events include the Bonfire Night on 3 November, Christmas Carol Concert at Holy Trinity Church St Andrews on 7th December and the Station’s inaugural Open Day in June 2017. SCOTS DG In February, the Unit embarked on Mounted Close Combat at Warcop Ranges. This exercise gave the Unit the opportunity to fire their full range of weapon systems from their Jackal and Panther fleet as well as on foot. In May, the Unit undertook Combined Arms Staff Trainer (CAST) and Combined Arms Tactical Trainer (CATT). This two-week exercise in Germany provided state of the art computer-simulated training for troops on the ground as well as a training opportunity for the command and control element of the SCOTS DG Battle group. In June, July, and 16 September, Exercise WESSEX STORM took place in Kirkcudbright and Salisbury Plain. This was the Unit’s tri-annual test exercise where all elements of the Battle group came together to execute a realistic exercise. The Unit also earned a silver medal in the Exercise CAMBRIAN PATROL – the toughest patrolling competition in the world, drawing in teams from as far afield as USA, Australia, NZ. The Pipes and Drums toured Australia and New Zealand as part of the Edinburgh Tattoo Tour (and also played at this summer’s tattoo). They embarked on their own tour of Australia and New Zealand in October/ November. Looking ahead to 2017, there is a likelihood that soldiers will be sent to Kuwait to work with the Kuwaiti Army, Kenya for 6 weeks, and a potential Regimental trip to Cyprus in summer 2017. 2 CS BN REME As the battalion plays a key part in Britain’s Adaptive Force, elements from the battalion have experienced deployments across the world. These have included training with some of our close international allies to build stronger links between nations. 7 Close Support Company had the privilege to deploy to Poland with a number of other European armies on a major NATO exercise. In particular, working with a Spanish Brigade to provide Equipment support to a mixed European Battle group, this was finished with the soldiers’ experiencing exercising in a new country, and learning about their fine cuisine!! The Recovery Platoon enjoyed a multinational exercise operating in conjunction with soldiers from the United States, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, in preparation for performing peace-keeping operations. The hard work displayed by the battalion’s deployments was mirrored with the soldiers’ attitude towards sport. The year began well when the battalion’s Nordic Skiing team won several medals in the Army Nordic championships in France, after some gruelling training in Norway. This early success was one of many to come throughout a very productive year. High-scoring

achievements were also seen in orienteering, with the team winning events in the Scottish championships. The Army shooting competition also provided further trophies, winning 102 Logistic Brigade’s shooting competition, and scoring highly at Army level, with one soldier finishing as one of the top 100 best shots in the Army. The battalion has also supported other events over the past year. These have included the Station Fijian fundraising day, Recovery Platoon assisting locals in extricating their vehicles from the flooding in Ballater, with another impressive recovery in Balmoral gaining the eye of the Colonel-in-Chief of the Corps himself, HRH Prince Phillip. Looking ahead to 2017, the Battalion will be supporting several large exercises in Cyprus, Latvia, and Kenya, along with developing further international Defence Engagement relationships. 71 ENGINEER REGT In February, the regiment sent fifteen soldiers to the Falkland Islands to conduct a variety of construction tasks, including building a new helicopter-landing area to help improve access around the Islands. In April, a further fifteen members of the Regiment deployed to Cyprus on OPERATION TOSCA, supporting the United Nations with 36 Engineer Regt. Spring and summer saw the Regt conduct various training activities around Scotland and Northern Ireland, including the construction of a mountain bike track for Army Cadets just outside Belfast, and roadway grading to Rothiemurchus Lodge in Aviemore. Sporting success came in the form of the Regt’s Football team retaining the title of Army Reserve Champions – a hat trick of victories since first winning the title in 2014. The Regimental Shooting Team also claimed victory in the Force Troops Command competition, taking the overall Royal Engineers team title. The Regt played its part in celebrating the 300th anniversary of the Corps of Engineers by organising a run/cycle from the Army Reserve Centre (ARC) in Bangor Northern Ireland to the Regt’s northerly outpost on Orkney. The Regiment welcomed the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Sir Stuart Peach, to Leuchars Station in August, when he was briefed on the activities of all the Units here in Fife. 71 Engr Regt is now preparing for its next challenge, as we get ready to send 30 soldiers to South Sudan as part of the United Nations Mission there. The soldiers will spend 6 months conducting construction tasks in support of the UN that will increase the UN’s ability to protect life, and help to secure the peace after many years of civil war. The Regiment is still recruiting; it has vacancies for Army Reserve Officers and Soldiers in locations across Scotland and Northern Ireland, #abetteryou

FEATURES Callum McLeod, Chairman of the Community Council

From the Provost’s Chair As I write these words, I reflect on the rolling seasons and the changes they bring for those of us fortunate enough to live in this wonderful old town. Summer is now a distant memory, the all toobrief Scottish autumn has come and gone – though with those brilliant, hot October days providing some of the year’s best weather – and chill wintry winds begin to bite as the dark nights creep in. Even the seagulls seem to have sought shelter in warmer climes. Confident Primary 7s have entered high school as again the most junior of juniors, all with anticipation, and perhaps some with a little apprehension. Our secondary school leavers have started jobs, or gap years, or have taken up college places here, there and everywhere. A new generation of undergraduates has arrived to make memories which will never fade. We settle into our winter activities – sports teams and dancing classes resume; clubs and societies begin their winter programmes; choirs, orchestras, and drama groups meet again to rehearse – the list goes on and on. At our Community Council meetings we can look back on a busy summer of

activities. We organised a series of concerts at the bandstand – the bands played on, whatever the weather, some of it fairly dreich, the occasional sheet of music whipped away by the wind. When the weather was good, large crowds would gather, stopping for a while to sit on the grass and listen. The town bloomed and was judged a success in a number of competitions, including our own for which we had a pleasant Awards Ceremony. We visited the commercial arm of the Links Trust. We were fascinated to see behind the scenes to hear just how much energy has to be put into protecting the good name and image of the town from those who would not hesitate to exploit it unscrupulously the world over. Busy times lie ahead – Remembrance Sunday, ever more poignant as we mark each year the centenaries of the battles of the Great War, this year the Somme; our St Andrews Tide Civic Reception; also the Treat for our senior citizens. I will be continuing my own personal mission of raising the profile of the Community Council by meeting representatives of organisations in the town as best I can. Planning matters continue to occupy much of our time: as well as

dealing with the “Weekly List” of planning applications, we will be involved in the review of the emotive subject of HMOs – Homes in Multiple Occupation. We are also taking a keen interest in – and have a dim view of – the proposals to increase charges for and impose restrictions on access to our Recycling Centre. May I end by issuing a kind of Community Challenge? Like many, I tend to come out the front door, get into the car and drive down the street. I rarely walk along the pavement outside my house. The other day, I did, however, and was horrified to discover how far branches, bushes and, worst of all, trailing thorns were encroaching on the pavement used by dog walkers, parents with buggies and others. My challenge this month is for us all to go out this weekend and check that we are not making life difficult or even dangerous for those walking past our property. It shouldn’t take long, but it might make a big difference. As always, I welcome hearing from you at callummac@aol.com or at 01334 478 584. Dum spiro spero

FEATURES Betty Hogg, with Flora Selwyn

In Conversation Sunday, 5 June this year was a dream come true, not only for the hospital, then got a grant to study social science in Edinburgh members of the St Andrews Coastal Rowing Club launching their University. However, “I absolutely hated it, was never so miserable in second skiff, but also for a triumphant Betty Hogg who sat in the skiff my life,” and was rescued by marriage. The next twelve years were on its inaugural trip round the inner harbour. Betty is 94 and was thus spent in London at a variety of jobs. honoured by the Club for her enthusiastic Back again in Scotland Betty eventually ongoing support. was offered a job in Dundee as Research Shortly after that auspicious event I Assistant to the College of Practitioners chatted with Betty in her home. Severely –“once a doctor’s daughter, always a disabled with kidney failure requiring dialysis doctor’s daughter,” she ruefully remarks. 3 days a week, Betty is philosophical; as she She lived in Balgove, outside St Andrews, says, “It’s a struggle to overcome, not your with her second husband, and some time illnesses, not your disabilities, but to overcome later, after he had passed away, Betty your attitude towards them.” Having to ask for moved to sheltered housing where she lives help for everything when you’ve been used to now. leading a busy life is something that’s “taken a Recently, relatives came over from while to learn.” Holland and Canada (where Betty’s elder Born in Culross ‘in between’ two brothers, brother is shortly to celebrate his 99th Betty “didn’t want to be a girl, I wanted to be birthday) to take her back to Dornoch, a boy, was horrified to find myself at a normal in Sutherland. Finally John Sutherland’s girls’ boarding school.” The Boys’ Own and fame in the North became clear. Betty’s Biggles were her preferred reading matter. grandfather had been a self-made man, Father was a GP in a mining district, moving friend of Andrew Carnegie, who sponsored to Cumberland, where eventually Betty’s his trips to America to build golf courses. father died leaving Betty’s mother running the John Sutherland was secretary of the Royal practice herself. It was in the Lake District that Dornoch Golf Club for 58 years from 1883, Betty enjoyed learning to row. as well as Town Clerk of Dornoch for 50 In 1940 Betty came to St Andrews years. Betty and her brothers never knew University to study for an ordinary degree. this, in spite of spending summer holidays She joined the Mermaids. One of her happiest with him in Sutherland. Last January The memories was playing Gwendoline in The Royal Dornoch Golf Club celebrated its Importance of Being Earnest in the summer 400th Anniversary and Betty was to have of 1942. By this time both brothers had been been the special guest at the dinner as called up and were learning to fly. Betty felt the only person left who had personal she had to contribute to the war effort, so recollections of her grandfather; sadly she joined the WAAF (Women’s Auxiliary Air was too unwell to attend. The family had Force), never graduating. She was taught to shoot. As she had shot discovered that their grandfather, apart from getting Old Tom Morris rabbits since the age of 10, “I was already halfway there.” But they to enlarge and improve Dornoch’s golf course, had written extensively practised “away, away at the far end of the Old Course.” She then on golf for a London newspaper, The Daily News. “Somebody found trained as a radar operator. all these things, gave them to my brother, who gave them to a friend Her first posting after her training was up in Sutherland. One day in Holland, and they have produced this book (The Golf Causerie, ed. while hitchhiking with two English friends, “obvious Sassenachs”, by Robin K Bargmann).” Almost as an aside, Betty mentioned that her they were asked how they enjoyed the Highlands. Betty, who had mother, a graduate in Modern Languages of Edinburgh University, had spent many summers there as a child with her family, been invited to catalogue Carnegie’s huge library in mentioned her grandfather John Sutherland. “A grand Skibo Castle, “he bought (books) by the yard, if you man,” enthused their lift, “A grand man!” But it was to see what I mean! Anyway the catalogue is there, with Such rich memories, her writing.” be some time before this tribute made sense to Betty. One day at the radar station at Loth in Sutherland there Such rich memories, easily recalled, comfort easily recalled, came a false alarm. Betty found herself lying for hours Betty today. Her regular trips to the Renal Unit at the comfort Betty today in the sand dunes with a rifle pointed seawards towards St Andrews Community Hospital have provided her possible invaders. It was then for the first time that she with a substitute family. “We all have concern for each wondered if she was really capable of shooting a human other,” she comments, referring to the other patients being. she meets there, “it’s a super Unit here, it really is.” Sent south, after 11 months in North Scotland where there had Birthdays are marked by individual cakes. At Hallowe’en “we all dress been icy storms Betty arrived in Prawle Point, Devon to find people up. I’ve got a lovely photo of myself dressed up as a witch! Even the riding bikes in shirt sleeves in November. Not long after that she was men dress up! It’s a family.” posted to Dover to help with intercepting doodlebugs and later V2 All honour to Betty Hogg for making the most of everything in spite rockets. of her reduced circumstances. Whiners and moaners please take note!! The war ended. Betty didn’t know what she wanted to do next. At her father’s behest she tried training as an almoner in a Glaswegian (Photo by Flora Selwyn)

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FEATURES John Carder has researched

A Unique St Andrews Memorial There were two air raids of the deceased as pall on St Andrews during the bearers’. war, each dropping four On visiting the grave bombs. No casualties site in the Western resulted from the first on Cemetery, I was surprised 25 October 1940, but on to see two memorial the night of 6 August 1942, stones. One was the twelve people were killed. standard shape of the Two houses at the junction War Graves Commission, of Nelson Street and Park while the other was a Street were demolished by typical family stone. The a direct hit. It was here that latter commemorated the fatalities occurred. It was 4 members of the difficult to draw up a list of Macdonald family, ‘killed missing persons because by enemy action on 6 the villas contained summer August 1942’. The other visitors from Dundee and reads, ‘955666 Gunner Glasgow. Furthermore, it A M Pirie, Royal Artillery, was impossible to identify 6 August 1942’. It is everyone as they were illustrated with the badge so near the centre of the of the Royal Artillery. explosion. The final air Clearly it meant that raid report on 8 August he had been killed with states, ‘unidentified bodies the Macdonalds, but estimated at 4, from the his name had not been On visiting the grave site in the number of heads recovered; mentioned in the public to be buried in a common lists of the dead. He was Western Cemetery, I was surprised to see grave’. The cemetery from Glasgow. It has two memorial stones records show the final total been suggested that he as 7. was on leave, possibly The St Andrews Citizen on 13 August 1942 notes, ‘the funeral of 7 visiting one of the Macdonald sisters, Maisie (22) or Dorothy (17). of the victims of the air raid took place last Saturday. The black caskets Whatever the reason, Gunner Pirie would not have expected to be killed were borne to the cemetery on ARP vehicles, covered with flowers, and by enemy action in St Andrews! were buried in one large grave. Officials of the local Defence Services, It is a story of bad luck all round! including members of the rescue squads who recovered the bodies, doctors, wardens, police, and Home Guard officials, aided the relatives (Photos courtesy John Carder)

John Cameron believes that

Tomorrow Can Be Better I think one of the greatest contributions of western civilisation is the belief in willed change: the idea that tomorrow can be better and we have the ability to make it so. Yet my generation was infected with the pessimism of the economist Thomas Malthus; it is his gloom which drives the new millennium’s fashionable catastrophism. Marked out early as a scientist I was steeped in the can-do spirit of Scotland’s technological education; I am congenitally unsympathetic to Malthus’ relentless melancholy. I came across him in The Worldly Philosophers, Robert Heilbroner’s classic history of economic thought – a keep-sake of my time in California’s “hidden ivy” Pomona College. The doleful Surrey parson wrote his original essay on population in reaction to the optimism of his father and his friend Rousseau regarding the future improvement of society. In his day only one billion poor and hungry humans existed, but Malthus predicted disaster because the rise in population would completely outstrip any increase in food supplies. His

after time new supplies have been found or disciple Paul Ehrlich, in his 1968 bestseller, techniques, such as fracking, developed so The Population Bomb, took misanthropic glee that today we have known reserves which will in assuring us that in the 1970s hundreds of power our world for centuries. It wouldn’t matter millions would die of famine. if peak-oil panics came without a cost, but in Happily his prediction “bombed”, as Norman fact their malign presence has driven imperialist Borlaug’s green revolution, with its hybridized forays, stoked hatred among nations, produced seeds, improved irrigation, and fertilisers, led to war and rebellion. a stupendous increase in world crops. Peak oil also helped establish a set of But it is fossil fuel which most disturbs wholly mistaken beliefs about natural systems, latter-day Malthusians, even though its impact which have impeded environmental progress. has improved every possible variable of human Above all, it created the kind of intellectual well-being from wealth to infant mortality. Our atmosphere that ability to use trapped fosters alarmism. It will solar energy in coal, oil, Marked out early as a damage the scientific and natural gas, helps scientist I was steeped in the process if we ignore us support a very much the great Richard healthier 7 billion, which can-do spirit of Scotland’s Feynman’s rule: “It will level off around 10 technological education doesn’t matter how billion before falling beautiful your theory back. This was taken as is, if its predictions don’t agree with observable a challenge by Malthusians, with the result that facts, it’s wrong.” the first and most enduring product of the age In an era when the politics of fear of fossil fuels was their pessimism that the age has become the default mode in so many was about to end. democracies we need to cherish human The idea of “peak oil” became embedded optimism, appreciating mankind’s quite in our culture. Time after time political leaders extraordinary ingenuity. predicted the world was on the verge of running out of oil and other natural resources. Yet time

FEATURES Welcome to Nicola Moss, The Preservation Trust Museum’s new Curator!

Ask the Curator Q. I’ve developed an interest in the First World War and have discovered that a Sergeant Ripley of St Andrews won a Victoria Cross. Can you shed any more light on this? A. Sergeant John Ripley VC was awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery at Rue de Bois in 1915. Although Ripley was actually born in Keith, he married in 1895, moving in with his wife’s family in St Andrews, where he spent most of his adult life. He already had 18 years of service behind him when the First World War broke out in 1914. Ripley immediately re-enlisted, to become the recruiting sergeant for St Andrews. Later that year, aged 48, he went back out on active service. He was soon transferred to the 1st Battalion Black Watch and off to France. The 1st Battalion was involved in a number of bloody battles during the early months of the war, including the battles of the Marne, Ypres, and Aubers Ridge. One of the main features during the latter battle was at Rue du Bois (Pas-de-Calais). It was for action here that Ripley was awarded his Victoria Cross. Leading his section during the battle, he became the first man to ascend the enemy’s parapet. From there, he directed those following him to the gaps

in the German wire. He then led his section through a break in the parapet to a second line of trenches which had been decided as the final objective. In that position, Ripley, along with 7 or 8 men, established themselves, blocking both flanks, arranging a fire position until all his men had fallen, while he himself was badly wounded in the head. Ripley was awarded the Victoria Cross at the age of 48, becoming one of the oldest recipients. He was also honoured by St Andrews Town Council at a ceremony held in the Council Chamber in October 1915. It was reported in The Citizen that “Every St Andrean is proud of the honour he has brought to the city... the function was indeed a memorable one. Not only was it of interest to St Andrews people, but also to people throughout the British Empire, for the story of his gallant deed on the battlefield has been carried to every land where the Union Jack flies.” Very tragically, Ripley was then fatally injured in 1933 after falling off a ladder. His funeral was attended by a large number of mourners, as well as by a military escort. (Photo courtesy the Preservation Trust Museum)

Sergeant Ripley, by Fairweather, 1927

FEATURES: POETRY CORNER Sandra Skeldon

Scotch from the Rocks During the process of slow Distillation, the first to benefit are… The Angels ... They get their share from Evaporation. The action of Extraction and Condensation, leaves an Accumulation of... Pure Spirit, ready for Collection and Maturation, Barley residue awaits Participation… Dispersion on crops and grass makes for... Happy farmers, Happy crops, Happy grass... Cows munch at the grass ... Happy cows. Filtered liquid not required, rejoins the sea... Happy fish. Results of all this Distillation? Happy Nation!

Roy Chapman’s

Ode to Trillary (With apologies to MacGonagall)

The US of A’s in a helluva mess The result of their election’s just too close to guess Obama rode in on a great cloud of hope But opinion polls dropped ‘cos they say he can’t cope The names on the ballot are the bad and the worse The country’s sure blighted by a terrible curse ‘Twixt Scilla and Charybdis the choice is quite stark No four square American seems up to the mark Mrs Clinton’s a candidate with a great deal of clout But her health and veracity provide much cause for doubt Pneumonia she’s had and it caused her to faint Dodgy emails she used and she’s certainly no saint Her hubbie was Pres’dent with a flexible fly Which perchance was unzipped when Lewinsky came by With return to the White House her consuming ambition She forgave him his lust in pursuit of her mission Donald Trump is a chancer who’s made pots of dough If he has his way, lots of foreigners will go A wall he’ll have built down ol’ Mexico way Keep out ‘Spanics and Muslims, drive al Quaeda away He married a model to help him get by ‘Cos he’s healthy and fit, his testosterone’s high But his policies are vague – if he’s any at all Make America great and just build that damned wall So the voters are left with no cause to rejoice While the whole world is awaiting their electoral choice Good luck, Uncle Sam and the glories of old We all hold our breath and let history unfold

(Illustrated by Jackie Skeldon)

Colin McAllister

Acts A Sonnet

(Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Supplication) Lord, I thank You for all Your creation And before You kneel in adoration. You govern all things by Your Divine Law, So I contemplate You with total awe. Next I turn to consider all my sins, And then in its shame my crimson head spins. So, kneeling, I make this petition: Grant me, Lord the grace of true contrition. Teach me, Lord, to be more forgiving, And never to cease in my thanksgiving. So may I be aware of Your Presence, And come to know that Love is Your Essence. This, O Lord, is my supplication – Accept my life to Your dedication.

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FEATURES: REVIEWS Peter Douglas reviews

More Than One Hundred Jokes That Made Me Laugh By Colin McAllister Published by Fastprint Publishing, Peterborough, 2016, price £10.

An excellent £10’s worth. Jokes have to tread a careful path. Too staid, and they are dull; too jocular, and someone is offended. This is the more true nowadays when political, religious, and racial

sensitivities are much to the fore. Colin has walked this tightrope with great skill. If any of the book’s contents cause offence the reader must find ordinary life almost impossible! Dividing the contents into eight categories works very well. Certainly this Presbyterian minister found the book’s varied content kept

the chuckles coming. I give my four children a book or two put together by someone local. This book is excellent and easily earns its place as a stocking filler. Rightly the news is full of doom and gloom and this book helps us as a mild antidote to some of the darkness around us.

Eric Priest talks about his new book

Reason and Wonder – Why Science and Faith Need Each Other Edited by Eric Priest Available from all good bookshops, also the publisher: http://spckpublishing.co.uk or from Amazon: www.amazon.co.uk Price £12.99. Many of us are tired by the outworn myths about science and faith being philosophical aspects with Eleonore Stump in conflict and about science and religion being monolithic concepts. arguing against the secularist scientific picture Instead, I see them as part of a integrated whole, in which the sciences of reality, in which all can be reduced to the and humanities represent a rich rainbow tapestry, merging into one laws of physics, and in favour of Thomas another and linked by a common search for understanding, using reason Aquinas’ view that natural law is human and imagination. participation in the eternal law from the mind of God. Since 2007, a set of James Gregory Public Lectures has been held in The next two chapters turn to astronomy. David Wilkinson (The Origin St Andrews, and I am delighted to say that funding for the next five years and End of the Universe – a Challenge for Christianity?) stresses that has just been granted with an extended remit to cover “Science, Faith God creates and sustains the laws of physics, at work as much in the and Human Flourishing”, the first two new lectures being on 7 November origin of the Universe as at any other time, including its death, where he and 27 February. The lecturers have been world-class experts from a expects a new creation. Jennifer Wiseman (Universe of Wonder, Universe range of disciplines, so I decided to ask many of them to join me in each of Life) complements this by describing the sense of wonder, beauty, and contributing a chapter for Reason purpose that is found in the and Wonder. Universe. The book is written for There follow three chapters general readers of all religious on Evolution and Biology. backgrounds, and introduces Kenneth Miller (Evolution, Faith some of the most fruitful and Science) advocates that discussions now taking place a capacity for life is built into between leading thinkers the fabric of the natural world, in science and theology. It that religion can enlighten presents accounts of key points a scientific vision of our of convergence in areas such existence. Michael Murray and as philosophy, astrophysics, Jeff Schloss (Evil in Evolution) evolution, biology, psychology, address the thorny problem of and theology. The book can be evil, whereas Pauline Rudd (Is used for personal reflection, there More to Life than Genes?) or group discussion, since it describes the nature and includes a stimulating set of function of genes. questions on each chapter. Psychology is the focus in An integrated view of the sciences and humanities that merge In the first introductory the next two chapters. David continuously into one another. They have common aspects (creativity, chapter (Towards the Integration Myers (Psychological Science beauty, wonder, reason and community) and are immersed in an of Science and Religion) I Meets Christian Faith) raises underlying reality with meaning and purpose. build the case for developing topics where psychological an integrated approach by commenting on the possible relationships and faith perspectives can be reconciled. John Wyatt (Being a Person? between science and religion, including the claim by New Atheism that – Towards an Integration of Neuroscientific and Christian Perspectives) they are at war. There follows a discussion of the rise and fall of atheism considers the nature of consciousness, what it means to be a person. He and an account of the way the words ‘science’ and ‘religion’ have evolved stresses that we are made in God’s image, created to reflect the divine in meaning over the centuries. Then a personal insight into what it is like character and being. to be a scientist in practice leads to the core argument for integrating the Next John Swinton (From Projection to Connection: Conversations sciences and humanities (including religion) and for why Science and between Science, Spirituality and Health) discusses the difference Faith need each other. between spirituality and religion, suggesting that humans are by nature In chapter 2 (God, Science and the New Atheism), Keith Ward relational, having a deep interconnectedness with others, with God and suggests that the universe is brought into being by God; it would not exist with the world. without God upholding it. Moreover, the statement ‘God created the world’ Finally, two aspects of theology are covered. The answer of Mark is an explanation in terms of value rather than physical data. For him, Harris to the question Do the Miracles of Jesus Contradict Science? is asserting the existence of God is a factual claim, but not a scientific one. sometimes ‘yes’ and sometimes ‘no’. For him miracles in the gospels Furthermore, belief in God can indeed be rational, based on evidence. have a deeper significance. Tom Wright (Can a Scientist Trust the New Indeed, the existence of a rational God naturally makes the Universe Testament?) concludes that we can indeed trust the New Testament to tell intelligible and ordered, so science is possible. In contrast, New Atheism us about a new creation and about a power that generates new modes of has been largely discounted in philosophy as a serious contender for knowing. truth. Chapter 3 (Natural Law, Reductionism and the Creator) continues (Image courtesy Eric Priest)

FEATURES: REVIEWS Alexander (Sandy) Stewart WS, 15th of Ardvorlich, ex-President of the Stewart Society

Stewart Heritage

By Charles Kinder Bradbury and Henry Steuart Fothringham Published by Braykc Publishing, Cupar (Fife), 2016. Available through York Publishing Services Ltd, York, price £25. Here is a snapshot of the lives of famous, infamous, interesting, or merely eccentric Stewarts, who have made their mark in such diverse fields as monarchy, industry,

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FEATURES: REVIEWS Dr Ida Webb reviews

St Leonards: First in the Field – the development of sport at St Leonards School 1877-1927 Published by Jane Claydon, 2012. Available at the Preservation Trust Museum, North Street, St Andrews, at the special price of £2. Jane’s decision to write this book was sparked by a Radio 4 programme, called Playing like Ladies, Episode 6 of a series titled Sport and the British, broadcast in February 2012. It was about the introduction of games in girls’ schools, but the programme merely mentioned St Leonards in passing and concentrated instead on English schools which had been influenced by St Leonards’ pioneering work. Jane was not sure if the history of games at St Leonards had been overlooked or, of more concern, was unknown amongst modern-day historians, who only concerned themselves with school in the south of England. She decided to rectify the situation by producing a book which outlined the considerable contribution St Leonards has made to the introduction of games in girls’ schools between 1877 and 1927.

Jane at the US Lacrosse Museum

In an address to the school in 1902 Miss Louisa Lumsden said, “certain it is that you were the first school to lead the way in a needful reform...” A very readable, thorough piece of historical research, detailed on p6-8 as embracing ‘Sport, History and Women’. Jane has paid meticulous attention to detail. The book is 86 pages long, has 70 black-and-white photographs, 9 coloured photographs, 5 black-and-white print copies and 8 copied, frame quotes. The text has 212 notes from 34 sources (see bibliography p85-86 and 3 appendices). The enthusiasm, at St Leonards, for physical training, physical education, sport and games oozes from the first page of the book, when the school was under the leadership of Miss Louisa Lumsden, to the final sentence of the conclusion: ‘The contribution St Leonards made to the development of games can only be described as extraordinary and unsurpassed’. Jane’s style of writing leads to factual information being interestingly, but clearly presented. A must purchase for anyone interested in historical research, education, visions of Headmistresses, forward thinking, factually supported photographs as well as sport and games. Jane was educated at Colchester County High School for Girls and Dartford College of Physical Education. She was appointed Head of Physical Education at St Leonards School by Martha Hamilton in 1975. Her final post at St Leonards was Deputy Head. She retired in 2007. She has recently been working, with the help of Angela Tawse, Librarian of Queen Mary Library, to provide copies of very early photographs of women’s lacrosse at St Leonards for the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame and Museum, Baltimore, which opened 11 September this year.

FEATURES: LEISURE READING Leslie Stevenson tells a story –

A Wee Widget “Why is it so cold?” muttered Sophia to herself. She turned up the central ask the suppliers if they have old stock anywhere, but it could take weeks heating, but nothing happened. No green light, no reassuring roar from to get a reply.” “Oh dear, I can’t freeze here for weeks. I’d have to take the boiler, no creaks from radiators warming up. Dr Sophia Belladopoulos my laptop to the coffee shop and work in there; but there’s only so much was in her third month as Lecturer in Byzantine Studies, installed on coffee I can drink in one day.” the lowest rung of the St Andrews property ladder, a rather scruffy little “Aye”, remarked Willie, with a shy smile, “Ah see them students sittin’ ground floor flat within flooding distance of the Kinnessburn. (Most new around in the cafés starin’ at ther laptops, and Ah ask meself: are they University staff can’t afford even that these days, but her parents had workin’, or are they playin’?” “I don’t know about them, but we lecturers helped her from their business in Greece.) have absolutely no time for playing, there’s always more essays and Sophia fiddled aimlessly with the controls, but exams to mark, assessment forms to submit, no result. The first frost of the winter had come, When Ah go doon the pub, research grants to apply for (and usually not get). I and she began to shiver. As a twenty-something didn’t realize what I was letting myself in for.” Ah ken Ah’m no workin’; (only just) her first port of call in any storm was the “Ah’m sorry to hear it, ma’am. When Ah go internet; she rapidly came up with William McTear, doon the pub, Ah ken Ah’m no workin’; and when and when Ah’m workin’, Heating Engineer: Fast and Friendly Local Service. Ah’m workin’, Ah ken Ah’m no in the pub.” “That Ah ken Ah’m no in the pub sounds very wise – but can you work on my central On the phone, he said he’d be round later that evening. Sophia wrapped herself in her duvet, and heating?” “Well, the only other thing Ah could do, tried to get on with reading student essays, but that soon sent her to sleep ma’am, is to prise out yer wee widget and take it home to ma workshop (she’d had a stressful day). When she woke up it was nearly midnight. and see if Ah can bend it back into shape under ma blowtorch.” “Oh She judged it too late to pursue Mr McTear. please, Willie, that sounds great.” “It’ll cost ye, ma’am, seeing tomorrow’s In the morning she phoned again, but only got his wife, who said he’d Sunday and double time. And can ye pay in cash?” “I suppose so, I’ve got come in the evening. But it was 9.00pm before there was a buzz at the to keep warm.” door. “Willie McTear – at your service, ma’am”. “I thought you were going On the Sunday evening, Willie returned with a smile on his face to come last night.” “Well ma’am, we’re awfu’ busy at this time of year. If and the resurrected widget in his hand. He quickly reinstalled it, and the ye get us on the second time of askin’, ye’re quite lucky.” heating fired up first time. “Oh, thanks a million. How much do I owe you?” “Well, can you fix my heating? I’m freezing in here.” He removed She counted out the requisite number of notes, hesitated, then added the front cover of the boiler, and peered inside. “Aye, this is one of the another one. “Thank ye very much, ma’am.” “And thank you very much, old types. Ah’ll have to take off yer flange sprocket. Is that all right?” “I Willie, for warming up the wee widget.” So saying, she planted a generous suppose so; I didn’t know I had one.” Greek kiss on his bristly cheek. Sophie wasn’t sure whether to leave him to it, or to hover around. She William McTear went rigid, then white, then fled into the St Andrean decided to hover, in case major decisions were required. After some more night. peering and banging, Willie said: “It could be yer widget. D’ye see that wee bit shiny thing there?” Sophia took a look, but wasn’t sure what she NB – Leslie Stevenson’s collection of short stories with a philosophical was looking for. “Trouble is, they don’t make that kind any more. Ah could edge, The Theology of Scarecrows is published by Amazon, 2014.

Thanks to Keith Morris –

An Internet collection of insults, with class! urchill, “If Lady Astor to Winston Ch put poison I’d d ban hus you were my .” fee cof r you in wife, I’d He replied, “If you were my drink it.” A member of Parliament to Disraeli, “Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable dis ease.” Disraeli, “That depends, Sir, whether I embrace your policies or your mistress.” ons of Walter Kerr, “He had delusi adequacy.” Oscar Wilde, “Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go...” uld have Mae West, “His mother sho the stork.” t kep and ay aw him wn thro Billy Wilder, “He has Van Gogh’s ear for music.”

Mark Twain, “I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice lett er saying I approved of it.” enemies, but Oscar Wilde, “He has no friends...” his by d is intensely dislike George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill, “I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend.... If you have one.” Winston Churchill, “Canno t possibly attend first night, will attend second.... If there is one.” miserable Stephen Bishop, “I feel so having like ost alm it’s ; without you e.” her you John Bright, “He is a self-m ade man and worships his creator.” rned about Irvin S Cobb, “I’ve just lea nothing it’s e hop ’s his illness. Let ” trivial.

est William Faulkner (about Ern been er nev has Hemingway), “He ht send mig t tha rd wo a use known to .” a reader to the dictionary Mark Twain, “Why do you sit there looking like an envelope with out any address on it?” only dull Samuel Johnson, “He is not lness dul of se cau the is he f; himsel in others.” Andrew Lang (1844-1912), “He uses statistics as a drunken ma n uses lamp-posts... for support rath er than illumination.” for sending Moses Hadas, “Thank you waste no I’ll k; boo r you me a copy of it.” g din rea time Groucho Marx, “I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn’t it.”

FEATURES: LEISURE READING Inter Alia

Multiverse Anyone? Lucifer scratched his crotch. “Yes?” prompted the Intergalactic Reporter sent to interview him. “It’s reached an interesting existential stage, maybe even crisis,” Lucifer mused. He stroked his horns, “You see,” he continued, “what I set up was completely experimental, no pre-conceived ideas about how it would pan out. You could call it a boy’s toy. Basically, I designed a world, then watched to see what would happen… It’s been very amusing.” The Reporter adjusted his seat to make it more comfortable; it was going to take a while, this interview. “So start at the beginning,” he coaxed. “Immortality can be pretty boring at times,” began Lucifer. “I was fiddling around with the controls one day when I noticed that something looking a bit like your own world started to appear; you know, a rocky planet warmed by a star. Aha, said I to myself, suppose I add a bit of life, see what happens.” “You did more than that,” interjected the Reporter, satisfying himself that his recording gear was working, “you made sure it was more than just slime moulds and Eukaryotes, didn’t you?” “Well yes,” said Lucifer stroking his horns again, “I got a mite carried away, so that in the end I got what became self-replicating entities, some of which developed intelligence. It was extremely fascinating!” The Reporter raised an eyebrow, “Fascinating?” Lucifer became thoughtful. “What fascinated me, and still does, is the way everything in that world interacts. You see, in order to exist, the entities require energy. That led to them devouring either each other, or the plant life that also evolved. It became quite brutal in fact. Then, by the law of averages, the ones that developed intelligence became the dominant life form, multiplying rather too successfully as a result.” “What do you mean by intelligence in that context?” asked the Reporter, leaning forward. “They learnt how to communicate with each other vocally. Then they discovered how to tame fire, make tools. Over time they transformed the world they inhabited to conform to their own convenience.” The Reporter helped himself to a sweet from a bowl at his side. “How have they reached what you said at the beginning is an existential stage?” “It’s like this,” explained Lucifer, pointing to part of the huge screen in front of him. “At first the intelligent entities observed that every effect had a cause; you get wet if first it rains, or you’ve fallen in the lake. From that they concluded that Something caused everything they experienced. How did the wind blow? What caused day and night etc? Slowly they concluded that some unseen unknowable Beings were behind it all. Gradually that grew into Religion, with set rituals and so on intended to appease whatever gods they thought were responsible for their experiences. As the entities spread around their world, different religions arose, often at odds with each other. Over a long time span I noticed that the violence inherent in

these opposing religions calmed down. I was There was silence as they each sure the world was evolving into a peaceful, contemplated such a scenario. “But it’s tolerant place. However, one of those interesting,” Lucifer remarked soberly, religions that had earlier been vanquished “it’s interesting that some of the advanced nursed its hurt feelings of entities have been dishonour surreptitiously until pondering their status in it was able to take advantage the universe and have of the relative peace to tentatively wondered if “Immortality can be become aggressive again. they could possibly be pretty boring at times,” The result, at its simplest, is participants in some two opposing belief systems computer simulation.” began Lucifer coming to blows.” The Reporter sat up “How do you see it straight. “If they are able playing out?” asked the to prove that truth would Reporter. Lucifer enlarged one area on the you terminate the experiment?” screen. “Look,” he said, indicating the central Lucifer sighed. “You know,” he said, “it’s land mass. “You can see what many entities quite addictive watching what goes on and have built – large cities within manicured waiting to see what happens next. It’s been landscapes. The inhabitants have invented on the go now for quite a long time – about very sophisticated means of waging war. 4 billion earth years in fact. All the same,” he They are struggling against a more primitive looked serious, “if the whole thing ever does entity, but one which is cunning and knows become too tedious and I do lose interest, I how to wear down its opponents. The would simply stop it. Then it would end with a developed lot, however, have at their disposal bang, not a whimper!” the means to obliterate all life on this world. If they get sufficiently provoked they might (Image from the Hubble Space Telescope: use it.” celebrating Hubble’s 26th anniversary with this “What!” said the Reporter, shocked, “and image of the Bubble Nebula, a gigantic bubble self destruct?” blown into space by a massive, super-hot star.) “I rather think,” Lucifer observed drily, “that they’d prefer non-existence to submitting to the opposition.”

SHOPS & SERVICES Rhonda McCrimmon, Project Manager

BID

being built which will address long-running With Christmas just around the corner, problems facing St Andrews’ town centre. BID St Andrews has been focussing on BID St Andrews with StAndEn would like the Festive Celebrations project aiming to to stress that the team will not carry out increase St Andrews’ appeal during the any of Fife Council’s statutory duties, but Festive season, ultimately driving footfall for aims to add to and enhance the base-line our local businesses, while increasing our services offered by the Council. If you would local economy. In year one, we will have like to contact the team leader with ideas the popular Land Train returning for a week or concerns, please email him directly at: running a short route around town as well cleanandgreendavid@btinternet.com as to the Byre, where families can hop off to As you may know, BID is working closely visit Santa’s Grotto. For more details of these with St Andrews in Bloom over the 5-year events and others please visit our website term to enhance the image of St Andrews (below). as a beautiful place to visit. BID St Andrews As one of our flagship projects, BID entered the Beautiful Scotland BID category St Andrews has teamed up with the this year. The great news is St Andrews Environmental that BID St Andrews won a Network (StAndEn) to coA small team is being built Gold medal in our category create an initiative addressing which will address longfor efforts in horticulture, levy-payer concerns around sustainability, and the image of the town. running problems facing community engagement. This project is moving St Andrews’ town centre We would like to thank forward well; StAndEn have everyone involved in interviewed and offered the this process. If you have ideas or thoughts position of Team Leader. The new Team regarding areas in the Town Centre you would Leader, David Angus, began his post on 3 like to see improved, please get in touch, October 2016. In the first month he worked contact details are on our website. closely with colleagues at StAndEn carrying And finally, BID is in discussion with out street audits to assist in the development Business Gateway Fife and the St Andrews of a programme of activities. A small team is

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BID St Andrews receiving their Gold Award from Beechgrove Garden presenter, George Anderson (Photo courtesy BID) Business Club to develop a range of free business-skills training events open to BID levy-payers. This range of events will be available free to businesses to attend and will take place over the Winter months when we hope many businesses, owners, managers, and staff will be able to take advantage of our wide range of training opportunities. For further details of our progress and for more information of our events, please visit our website: www.bidstandrews.co.uk

SHOPS & SERVICES Lyn Witcomb AICM, Regional Manager Scotland

The Scottish Media Walls Picture this: a very cold, windy night in chatting, laughing, taking photos – for our January, the rain a torrential downpour. colleagues back at base we must have looked Glasgow Airport is closed to passengers, but quite mad, but we needed to stay awake. After three colleagues and myself from Dawson all, another nine to go! Media Direct (DMD) are braving the weather, Now the first Wall is in place with a bit of high-viz jackets and safety boots at the ready, tweaking, is straight, looks good, now simply waiting to be security checked alongside a waiting to be dressed with its first wave of van full of ten Media Walls. magazines and newspapers. Time for number What is a Media Wall, I hear you asking? two! DMD has pioneered the Media Wall concept, We arrive back at the security area. While that focuses on marketing high volumes of I stay inside the corridor my two colleagues reading materials to the travelling public. It is brave the rain to grab the second Wall. a large grey display unit with five pods along Steeling ourselves for the long night ahead, the top for publishers of magazines to engage the last thing we expect is to be captured and with a valuable premium market, as well as locked away – thanks to a fire alarm! five pods for complimentary newspapers, to The shrill whine of the alarm pinged off be placed alongside the concourses in the the corridors pounding our delicate ears. To Departure and Arrival areas for passengers to make matters worse, the lockdown caused all pick up, take away, and enjoy. of the doors – our avenue to escape the noise This is the result of six months’ hard – to close, keeping us firmly in our place for work by our team. Health and Safety training the best part of an hour. courses, Risk assessments, Wall location When the noise abruptly ceased, no plotting, Airport meetings only scratch the fires found, the sudden peace was a shock surface of the preparation for the project – to the system, but our freedom was certainly even down to measuring the height of the lifts welcome. to make sure we can fit the Walls in, safely My colleagues were now allowed back removing them again without damaging either into the security area, resembling drowned the Walls themselves or their environment. rats with rain dripping from their coats, every We met with publishers, encouraging garment they wore, wet through. We had them to see this new to move quickly as avenue of distribution valuable time has as a good opportunity been lost and we for brand awareness, The Media Walls are a great had to be finished sampling, making by 5.00am before avenue for all publishers, sure their titles wound the first passengers up in the hands of arrived. and passengers, too passengers. One by one we We enter the place all the Media security section, first Walls in their new wall in, cocooned in swathes of bubble wrap homes. Airport staff arriving for their shifts and sticky tape. As large as life, these walls were intrigued by the new displays, asking are certainly not the easiest objects to move us what they were for, why they were there, around and shift about as the security guard nodding approval at the idea. performs their duty and waves a wand or two. It’s 3.00am. Our merchandisers arrive With a nod and wave, the wall is cleared with bundles of newspapers and magazines. and ready to go. Set gently on wheels, we Now time to place each title into the pods on take up the Wall, making our way through each of the Walls. By the time 5.00am swings the first section of locked doors, exerting around, we’re finished, exhausted, longing for our efforts to push the large metal structure, breakfast and our beds. especially reluctant to move over carpet, down Was it all worth it? Absolutely, yes. corridors equipped with heavy doors ready The Media Walls are a great avenue for and waiting to bounce back and clobber you if all publishers, and passengers, too. Small, you’re not quick enough. independent-niche magazine creators The warren once navigated, we move wishing to place only a few hundred copies the Wall into a lift destined to take us to the per issue are secured brand awareness, first location. Weary with a desire for sleep, passengers get to take away the material, and we carry on pushing along the concourse, if they enjoy it, take out a subscription, while

advertisers can use this new avenue to promote their wares. These magazines can be offered in conjunction with the more well-known publishers who offer a wide range of magazine titles, alongside a selection of newspapers replenished daily. We have now had the Walls in place in Glasgow Airport for the last seven months. We have received, and are continuing to receive, great feedback from passengers. They love the fact that they can pick up a magazine, or several, and take them onboard to pass the time, read and digest the editorials. Children absolutely loved the comics we promoted over the summer period, while I am sure the parents loved it, too, as the comics kept the children quiet on an otherwise very long flight! As a parent myself, a moment’s peace without hearing, “Are we there yet?” is a gift on long journeys. As passengers, you can now see and use our Media Walls not only in Glasgow Airport, but in Edinburgh Airport. There is also a Wall dedicated to newspapers in Aberdeen Airport, so don’t forget to check them out next time you visit. My vision for the future of Media Walls is to continue promoting Scottish publishers and their magazines – also expand the selection to include visitor guides and sample books. Whether you work for a large corporate publisher, or you are an independent with a niche title, I would like to see only Scottish titles on the Scottish Walls to bring brand awareness to your publications. Use our Walls for any new launches, sampling opportunities, at your discretion, and choose the volume you wish to place, as no volume is too small. I hope you have enjoyed reading my little anecdote and that you will look out for our Media Walls when you are next in the airports flying out to exotic destinations, city breaks, or on a business trip. For any information contact me: lyn.witcomb@dawsonmd.com (Photo courtesy Lyn Witcomb)

SHOPS & SERVICES Jonnie Adamson

Making Tax Digital or Difficult? “Freeing businesses from red tape and allowing them to flourish is a central part of our longterm economic plan for Britain.” This is one of the main mission statements from HMRC’s consultation to ‘Make Tax Digital by 2020’. In looking at the detail I have my doubts as to whether this is one of the primary functions of this project; however, there is some merit in what it is trying to achieve. HMRC are looking to make the UK tax system the most digitally advanced in the world. They plan to obtain information regularly from both taxpayers and third parties, such as banks and employers and allocate it to a taxpayer so that at any one time you can see a snapshot of your tax position. Sounds pretty impressive. Add to that the plans to provide tailored support to each individual through their tax account by sending links to relevant webinars and news items then it starts to sound a lot more like the customised advertising you get on Amazon and Google. Just think, all this before 2020, not far away at all! This information will not come easily though. The main pronouncement in the plans is to make all businesses to electronically send accounts quarterly to HMRC. Unlike

is really performing. It is often the case that workplace pensions, this is not planned to this is assessed annually by businesses on be implemented from big business down, but completion of their accounts and may be rather small business up. That said, those with overlooked, meaning sales or rental income under business decisions are not £10,000 will be exempt. At From personal fully considered. Penalties the moment businesses are for missed submissions required to report annually experience there is be on a points(although VAT is normally such a wide variety in would based system across all quarterly) so this would taxes. There are, however, require extra work to comply. the way businesses plans to suspend penalties In essence, 5 returns would keep their records in the first year, to allow be required, 4 interim reports, businesses time to move and a final ‘pull together’ of to the new systems. It is my hope, and there the annual information. Hardly freeing business is a groundswell of opinion on this, that from red tape! The hope is that fewer errors the proposals will be voluntary rather than would be made as accounts would be kept mandatory. The good news is that it is still more up to date using more powerful software. possible to make your voice heard. From personal experience there is such Full details of the proposals can be seen a wide variety in the way businesses keep and commented upon online by searching for their records. Admittedly, there are a good few ‘Making Tax Digital’. who use accounts software to accurately keep their records. The impact will be less for them. There are a number who keep their records on For further information on this, or other spreadsheets very well; however, HMRC have matters, please consult: indicated that spreadsheets will not be accepted under the proposals. There are also those who Henderson Black & Co have more traditional records, and moving to 149 Market St, St Andrews digital recordkeeping will be a very big step. Tel: 01334 472 255 One of my main concerns is the move to a more cash-based reporting. This takes away the usefulness of seeing how a business

SHOPS & SERVICES Karen Hutchence LLB (Hons) (Open)

Employment rights Having spoken to both students and friends with concerns about their employment rights, as well as experiencing uncertainty myself, I thought it may be helpful to write an up-to-date version on worker’s rights for those who have just started work, or for many in employment at the moment who are unsure where to access this information. I am not an expert on employment law so please do confirm these facts from the website: www.gov.uk which is where I have accessed most of this information. I’ve hopefully condensed it in brief to be helpful. Written or unwritten contract The first point is that it is acceptable for a contractual agreement between an employer and an employee to be either verbal or written. Some implied terms can be part of a contract without the need for writing. These include the legal requirement that an employee has the right to a safe working environment with their statutory rights, such as paid holidays in a leave year. Legal requirement for a written statement of particulars There is however, aside from the employment contract, a legal requirement for the employer to give their employee a ‘written statement of employment particulars’, if that person is employed for at least a month or longer. This information must be given to the employee by the employer within 2 months of employment. This simply gives the employee particulars regarding job title, pay rate, hours of work, holiday entitlement, notice period, and other details. View at: www.gov.uk/employmentcontracts-and-conditions/written-statement-of-employment-particulars Payslips Regardless of whether you have to pay tax or not your employer is required by law to provide you with payslips, either electronically (online) or in paper form. This should be on or before the employee’s pay is due. At the moment the standard personal allowance is £11,000, which you do not have to pay tax on. Employers are required to give their employees a P60 form at the end of each tax year, and a P45 when the employee stops working for them. This will show what you have earned and paid in tax (if any). It is important you keep these copies in a safe place. Holidays By law, nearly all workers are entitled to paid annual leave. A person starts to accrue leave entitlement as soon as starting work in a new job. The leave year could run from 1 January to 31 December, or from the employee’s start date. It will entirely depend on employers, which is why they are required to communicate this information to you in the ‘written statement of employment particulars’ mentioned previously. The employer should ensure the employee gets the opportunity to have paid annual leave. That means that an employer has a duty to inform an employee when they have paid leave accrued and to establish when it would be convenient to take it, not to just say ‘time’s up, sorry you missed out’. An employee who works 5 days a week is entitled to 28 days’ paid leave a year, which they may take over a 5.6 weeks’ period. Even if you only work part-time 3 days a week you will still be entitled to 16.8

days that may be taken over this 5.6 weeks’ period. To work out what days you are entitled to you simply multiply the days worked in the week by 5.6; that will give you how many days of annual paid leave you can take over those weeks. Anyone still on a Zero-hours contract is also entitled to at least the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage with annual paid leave. Those employees who work irregular hours or days can also use the following link to calculate any holiday entitlement: www.gov.uk/calculate-your-holiday-entitlement Pay You may be aware of people employed by the same employer, doing the same job, yet getting different rates of pay. Could it be a possible breach of equal employment legislation? A reasonable person may think so; however, there are actually different minimum wage rates for people of different age groups. The current minimum wage rates are as follows: £7.20 if you are 25 and over (known as the new national living wage). £6.70 if you are 21 – 24. £5.30 if you are 18 – 20. £3.87 if you are under 18. £3.30 if you are an apprentice. View at: www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates This major variation in minimum wage rates for different age groups could lead a person to suspect they are not being paid properly, or could be a victim of age discrimination; however these different rates of pay for different age groups are actually lawful, although many would perceive them as unfair. Breaks Legislation has provided for minimum breaks for workers for obvious reasons; to prevent a draconian style labour market. These minimum break times are not meant to say to employers, ‘this is all your employee deserves’. They are there as a safety net for workers to ensure they get watered and fed! At the moment the minimum is 20 minutes, if you work more than 6 hours a day, and it does not have to be paid. Many employers do let their staff have longer paid lunch breaks, even extra coffee or tea breaks. If you are under 18 yet above school-leaving age you are entitled to a minimum 30 minute rest break if you work more than 4.5 hours. View at: www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work/young-workers Resolving disputes If you believe you’re not receiving your statutory worker rights, firstly approach your manager/employer with a written statement of your concerns. You may also contact the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service for advice: www.acas.org.uk They act as a mediation service to try to resolve the issue before the Employment Tribunal becomes involved. (Photo courtesy Karen Hutchence)

SHOPS & SERVICES Heather Lang

‘ It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing’ technical analysis, creating more power in This summer saw his drive, but more force on his body. He hit the sad parting the ball in the way Bruce Lee would execute of one of the true a one inch punch, using strength to initiate legends of golf, and harness the movement. Arnold Palmer, Arnold Palmer. on the other hand, would have a quick look In a career that at his swing once a year, decide it suited spanned more than him fine, did the job and left it alone. Palmer six decades, he won 62 PGA Tour titles from retained a smooth softness to his game with 1955 to 1973, seven major titles in six years, conservative use of the forced punch shots won the PGA Tour Lifetime Achievement and knee snaps which defined how Woods Award and was one of the 13 original hit a ball. inductees into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Quite simply, the more force and stress Last year, at age 85, he walked gingerly put through a structure, the faster it will wear onto the Old Course to hit the ceremonial out. opening tee shot at the Masters despite being Most strain injuries are not caused by bothered by a painful hip and a shoulder an isolated incident. I hear all the time that injury, sustained earlier in the year from a fall. ‘it just went’ but the Old age does not come muscle tension patterns alone though Arnold Palmer show that it had been could still play a reasonable building for some round with a unique, Quite simply, the more time. We’re making relaxed swing that remained force and stress put ourselves unhealthy consistent for the length of his career. Unfortunately, through a structure, the by creating lifestyles that are physically the far younger trail blazer, faster it will wear out less demanding whilst Tiger Woods, does not look involving greater likely to enjoy the same repetition. We tend to golfing longevity. sit in the same place, in the same position, There is no question that Tiger Woods looking in the same direction at a television, has etched his mark in golfing history. In computer or book in a repetitive sustained his 20s and 30s, he seemed unstoppable posture. We tend to fall into routines and but unlike Arnold Palmer, Woods has patterns at work, at home and in our been plagued with injuries to his knee, recreational time. We do repetitive activities. his back and his neck. He has undergone A morning of housework – washing, loading multiple surgeries and adapted his swing to dishwashers, vacuuming, making the bed, compensate. dusting, cleaning the bathroom and kitchen – In the early Nineties, Woods had a add up to several hours of stooping, bending natural flow and looseness to his game which and twisting. hardened over the following decade through

Everywhere in our lives can be found a repetitive action or sustained posture which stresses our bodies. So what can be done about it? You are a unique individual so what is good for the goose, might not be great for the gander. There is no ‘one size fits all’ in human biomechanics but you can ask yourself a few simple questions. 1. How much time do I spend in this posture? 2. How often do I do this movement? 3. How much do I feel this? 4. Is this comfortable? 5. Is there anything I can change to improve the above answers? It is the little things that add up to create the muscle patterns and imbalances in the body that ultimately lead to injury in the way that repeated blows from one axe can fell a whole Wood. A friendly visit to the osteopath for help with identifying problem areas is always beneficial. Heather Lang is a registered osteopath and ergonomic consultant. For further information, she can be contacted at St Andrews Osteopaths, www.standrewsosteopaths.co.uk Tel: 01334 477 000 Mob: 07501 113 480 (Images courtesy Heather Lang)

SHOPS & SERVICES David Adie writes: “this article is not intended to be a substitute for specific legal advice. In any given situation, full and detailed legal advice should be taken from a Solicitor”

Hell Hole

I was once driving from Miami to Fort Lauderdale to join a cruise. Along the freeway there are a number of big boards advertising goods and services, including some rather dodgy-looking lawyers dealing with divorces and accident claims. One board however, no doubt paid for by a disgruntled litigant, simply said “South Florida is a Judicial Hell Hole”. This is a concept not really known in the UK. A hell hole is an area where the Judge or Judges simply have a policy to do something without letting anything pass beyond that policy. It makes appearing before them very uncomfortable, and is probably basically unfair. This has never happened in Scotland of course. What I am writing about in this Country, however, is the planning system; I think it is fair to label North East Fife as a ‘Planning Hell Hole’.

decision is likely to be based on his greater knowledge and understanding of that legislation, to which he applies a degree of objectivity. My advice is, look at the Planning Officers’ Guidance on the website, but beware of that because Fife Council have been known to have misleading and wrong advice on their website as it is sometimes out of date. The best advice is also to employ an Architect experienced in this area (not just in design) then he can liaise with a Solicitor on the legal points. There are often legal points which arise in relation to Planning For the uninitiated, here is a basic guide to Planning: Applications as well, and therefore it is important that the Solicitor is brought on board. These can include issues such as 1. If you carry out any “development” as defined in the “do you own the land”, or separately, “is there a title Legislation, eg. building an extension, then unless prohibition which prohibits that sort of development”, it is within certain categories of minor development in which event you might need to deal with that before Change should be you will need to get Planning Permission. It is you apply for Planning Permission. You can in fact managed, but it always best to check with the Planning Officers first, apply even if you don’t own the land. It is a quirk of the although Fife Council doesn’t answer the phone, so system (give your neighbour a big surprise – imagine should be sensibly you will probably need to do it in an email. how that will go!) managed The difficulty with North East Fife and St Andrews 2. If it is a Listed Building, you will need Listed Building in particular, is that there are endless objections Consent as well. to virtually any minor development, no matter how insignificant. St Andrews cannot be preserved like 3. There are certain types of development known as “Permitted a fly in amber and I think this attitude can lead to the hold up of some Development”, which are usually minor issues, but in a conservation worthy or neutral developments. It is not really appropriate to object area, you might find there is a thing called an “Article 4 Direction” for objection’s sake. More care should be taken before objections are that removes Permitted Development rights, therefore meaning made. These objections should be more constructive and informed. even minor developments may need Planning Permission and Change should be managed, but it should be sensibly managed, while Listed Building Consent. all parties should be striving to improve the environment, or perhaps at worst, have a neutral effect on the environment. Making objections to When you apply for Planning, sometimes the matter can be dealt with minor developments just leads to delay and endless frustration. There by delegated authority, i.e. the Planning Officers will make the decision; is also the danger of parties taking entrenched positions. It is legitimate if there is a refusal you can appeal to a local Review Board, which for a large number of people who wish to preserve the unique character consists of Councillors. and style of the Town, but this does not necessitate the immediate On other occasions, the matter goes before the Planning reaction of objection, objection, objection. My plea is for a more Committee. In that instance, if they refuse, you have an appeal to balanced approach. what used to be called The Scottish Office Reporters Unit, but is now It is no accident that the highest number of Planning Appeals called the DPEA. This will be an independent Reporter who is a quasiin Scotland, bar central Edinburgh, come from St Andrews; central Judicial Officer appointed by the Scottish Government. The Reporter Edinburgh has more simply because it is a bigger area that is much will have greater knowledge of the planning legislation. His independent more populous. That cannot be right.

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

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

SHOPS & SERVICES

Roving Reporter 1. Reporter is pleased to hear from another young entrepreneur. She is Ella Williams of The Sassy Coconut which is “St Andrews’ first plant-based dessert company. I am a third year student at St Andrews. I founded the company last year as it was difficult to find healthy, plantbased desserts and snacks in shops and cafés for myself. I make a range of vegan and paleo-friendly, gluten-free and refinedsugar-free desserts – the most popular being my raw cheesecakes. I only use plant-based, wholefood ingredients in my baking, so you won’t find any substitutes, such as vegan butter, in my cakes. My main goal is to create healthy desserts that also taste amazing – my favourite thing is watching a healthy-food sceptic being blown away by how good healthy food can taste! I make a weekly dessert, which can be ordered online by the slice to be picked up outside the Student Union every Tuesday. I also make cakes and cheesecakes to order for events and birthdays. I can be found at local events, including the Fife Food Fair. This year I’m hoping to start attending the Farmers’ Market, also I’d love to be stocked by some local cafés.” Contact Ella by Email: thesassycoconut@outlook.com Website: www.thesassycoconut.com Facebook: The Sassy Coconut. NB see page 22. (Photo courtesy Ella Williams)

junior tennis across Fife & Tayside in schools, clubs, and privately. He is developing active sports holidays too, having already taken “groups of budding tennis players to both Corfu and Tuscany to enjoy some coaching in the sunshine!” The shop is open Monday-Saturday from 10.00am to 5.30pm. Contact: william@richmondsport.co.uk www.richmondsport.co.uk Well worth a detour, enthuses Reporter!!

*****

3. Competition is supposed to be good for business, but Reporter likes to remind people that if you don’t use your local businesses you’ll lose them! In the July/Aug 2005 issue of this magazine, 11 years ago, Reporter welcomed then-new Le Rendez-Vous café at 82 Market Street (01334 461 020). Delightfully it is still with us! The hard work of owners Aldo and Ricky have made sure of that, but as they told Reporter, they can’t be complacent. Open 7 days a week from 11.45am to 9.00pm they are sticklers for quality and competitive pricing. As they say, “Come in, Relax, Revive, and Relish our distinguished menu.” Their healthy Mediterranean-style food is prepared fresh every day, so there is something for everyone, whether hot or cold; salads, pastas, pizzas, sandwiches – and now they’ve added sweet and savory crêpes – a wide choice, with an equally wide choice of hot and cold drinks to go with it, including Fair Trade coffees and teas. Small businesses once made this town; let’s make sure we still value those that remain, says Reporter with feeling!

* * *A*much-needed * new sports shop

has opened in the town. Richmond Sport can be found up the stairs at The Malt Barn, South Street, (01334 470 367) along by the West Port. Owners and brothers, William & Duncan Richmond told Reporter that they had started in Leuchars in 2014 as racket sport specialists. Their new premises have allowed them to expand their range to include equipment for Rackets, Rugby, Hockey, Swimming, Table Tennis, Fitness – to name but a few sports catered for. Whilst William is busy in the shop, Duncan coaches adult and

GARAGE St Andrews 01334 472882

Aldo and Ricky

*****

Chinese & Cantonese Restaurant Sit in or takeaway

MOT TESTING

Opening Times:

SERVICE & REPAIRS

Monday and Wednesday – Saturday 12.00pm – 2.30pm & 4.30pm – 11.00pm

ACCIDENT REPAIR VALETING CAR SALES

Sunday 4.30pm – late

24 HR RECOVERY

Tuesday – Closed

Used cars and 4x4’s sourced to your requirements. Finance available on request.

11-13 Crails Lane St Andrews, Fife Tel: 01334 467822

www.brownhillsgarage.co.uk

SHOPS & SERVICES

4. Ian Alexander has opened his Heart Space Whole Foods shop at 201 South Street, St Andrews. A second branch of Ian’s highlysuccessful business in Dundee, Reporter is overjoyed that he can now go down the road to buy seasonal organic fruit and vegetables, together with a huge range of other delectable products. Heart Space Whole Foods developed out of the thriving Heart Space Yoga Studio, now in its fourth year in Dundee. Ian told Reporter that he has three business strands: Yoga; Bodywork; Whole foods. He continued, “We will offer value to our customers by providing them with high quality products, extraordinary service and a competitive price. We will purchase food from a network of local and Scottish based suppliers, growers and producers who will deliver direct to the store.” The photo shows the large range on offer, from artisan breads, to gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan foods, chocolate, and lots more. But Reporter says you really have to go and look round. He is sure there is something for simply everyone and that St Andrews is truly lucky to have this very welcome addition to our town.

up those figures from his practice to donate £1000 to CHAS and £500 to Palpa. He told Reporter that local teachers in Nepal are already receiving advice on dental health from the commissioned Nepalese dentist, also that much-needed toothbrushes have been sent, along with toothpaste, hoping to stem the increasingly common tooth decay and abscesses. Reporter always admires those, like Chris, who give of their time and energy for others in need; our world would be so much poorer without them. Chris With Jackie Taylor of the Palpa Trust (Photo courtesy Chris Pritchard)

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(Photo courtesy Ian Alexander)

5. Elaine Guilfoyle contacted Reporter to tell him about the Fuchsia Tea Room with Simpatica in Kingsbarns, Fife. She enthuses about the “great coffee, hot chocolate, or lovely pot or tea, in a china cup… something tasty to eat…all whilst listening to music from a bygone era, and browsing through a delightful array of vintage homewares, painted furniture, and locally hand-crafted goods. Located right next to the Victorian post box, with easy and free parking in The Square. The hourly #95 bus stops here and many weary walkers on The Fife Coastal Path have enjoyed a wee rest, and refreshments here. We are only a 20-minute drive from St Andrews.” Reporter suggests, definitely an outing to note in your diary! www.simpatica.co.uk also on facebook: SimpaticaVintage Call: 07974 195 538 or 07747 115 526.

*****

7. Reporter is often perplexed by the constantly changing retail scene in our town. He has now learnt that James Gorham’s Reigning Cats & Dogs is moving. Pet owners, don’t cry! He’s moving down the road to 199 South Street, where the Potting Shed used to be, near the West Port. James told Reporter that he can’t wait to open up in January, because he will have lots more space for his goods. Also he is planning new developments. Reporter wishes James well, and suggests that, come January, pet owners make a beeline to the righthand side of the old garden centre.

*****

6. Issue 77, July/Aug 2016, had a piece about local Dentist Chris Pritchard getting on his bike for charity. Reporter is pleased to learn that the ride was completed very successfully. Chris covered the 100 miles in 6 hours 22 minutes, raising nearly £700 for CHAS, and almost £400 for the Palpa Trust. Generously, Chris rounded

(Photo courtesy Elaine Guilfoyle)

TOWN & GOWN Ella Williams is a

Student Entrepreneur The Sassy Coconut is St Andrews’ first plantboxes and cashew nuts, as well as the normal based dessert company. 100% vegan friendly, student things. I also had to be very strategic all my desserts are made using natural, plantwith stock purchasing, since I couldn’t afford based ingredients and unrefined sugar. Many to buy cheaper, wholesale stock in bulk. The recipes are also gluten free. legal side of running a business was also The Sassy Coconut was born in a bit of a minefield at the start: insurance, September 2015. After suffering various Environmental Health, tax registration …I was food intolerances in my last year of school, having nightmares about doing something leaving me feeling unwell and lethargic a lot wrong and getting into trouble! of the time, I made the decision to completely If I had to offer a few tips to any other change my diet. I cut out all processed foods, students wishing to start a business, or refined sugar, dairy, and meat, choosing to anyone wanting to start something part-time follow a wholefoods, plant-based diet. The alongside a full-time job, I’d say that the main challenge I faced living like this was number one thing is time management. I have the lack of food I could eat when out and to leave enough time for my studies, so I’ll about, especially desserts and sweet treats. often find myself waking up at crazy times This meant I often had to take food with to sort out orders, or spending my Saturday me wherever I went, leaving me feeling a nights doing accounts, but it’s something bit isolated. At the start of my second year I love doing so I don’t feel I’m making a of university, I decided to start up my own sacrifice. The other side of time management company, making healthy desserts that could involves knowing when to switch off! I be enjoyed by everyone, no matter if they frequently find myself daydreaming about new were vegan, celiac, lactose intolerant, paleo, recipes, or email enquiries will pop up when or just interested in adopting a healthier I’m studying, but as unappealing as Arabic lifestyle. grammar can sometimes be, I’ve had to learn Within a few days of dreaming up the to switch back to full-time student mode and Sassy Coconut, I had a name, logo, branding prioritize my studies. The key to mastering and was selling my first cheesecake. One time management is organization and lists: I year later, I’ve moved plan when it will be on from the chaotic Sassy Coconut time, Although running a business first week, still trying to when I will study, as a student is a challenge, work everything out, when I’ll relax, so that whizzing up cheesecake I manage to get a it’s been the most amazing in my tiny blender, while balance of all three. experience of my life; I’d the Sassy Coconut My second has grown beyond my piece of advice encourage anyone with a wildest dreams. I’ve would be managing business idea to give it a go expectations. I think attended my first food fair, have provided that sometimes food at various events, and made countless students see the Sassy Coconut page not birthday cakes! I’m hoping that my second always realising there’s a fellow student year in business will be just as exhilarating. behind it. I’ll often receive requests at very I’ve recently been awarded a Princes Trust short notice for birthday cakes, or demands Grant, allowing me to buy equipment to that are beyond what can be expected attend bigger festivals, also, I’m teaching my from a one-woman business. I had to learn first cooking class in a few weeks. that I can’t always please everyone, to let Starting a business wasn’t without its people know that as well as making cakes, challenges, a lot of them stemming from the I also have a life and a degree! Expectation fact that I am currently a student as well as management goes hand in hand with a businesswoman! Finding the necessary managing emotional attachment. In the same capital to successfully start was tricky; first, I way that I can’t always meet all requests, had to make my student loan stretch to cake not everyone is going to love what I do; I’ve

had to learn not to get upset about negative comments. The worst moment for me was being told that something was disgusting at an event by a woman trying a sample, who then asked me where the nearest bin was! (She then came back and ate a good number of my banana bread samples, so at least I converted her partly!) Although running a business as a student is a challenge, it’s been the most amazing experience of my life; I’d encourage anyone with a business idea to give it a go. University is the perfect place to try out an idea; you have free time, you’re not financially dependent on your business idea, plus students tend to be more forgiving so they’re great guinea pigs! The enthusiasm I’ve been met with about healthy desserts has been overwhelmingly amazing. The majority of my customers aren’t vegan, or intolerant to dairy or gluten – they’re just interested in making a healthy change in their diet and they’re often incredibly surprised about how amazing healthy cakes can taste! I hope to see the Sassy Coconut grow even more this year, and my goal is to find the Sassy Coconut stocked in a local health foods shop in the near future.

(Photos courtesy Ella Williams)

TOWN & GOWN Nora Carlson, PhD student, University of St Andrews

Sounding the alarm: how birds communicate about danger Our world is quite a noisy To study mobbing behaviour we need to entice place; most animals, from tits to mob a predator of known threat. While this birds to mammals, reptiles to may seem straight forward, it can actually prove insects, even fish, produce quite difficult. Many previous experiments studying a large amount of this noise. mobbing behaviour in birds, or other species, have Of these animal-produced used a variety of objects to induce mobbing, from sounds, the ones that plastic models to taxidermy mounts. As tits are humans most often notice very observant, when they see a plastic replica or are from birds. taxidermy mount of a predator that remains still, they When people think of often mob for a short time, then begin to respond bird vocalizations, they most inappropriately: feeding next to its head, or using often think of song, as this is one of the most familiar it as a perch to preen on. To make my simulated and well-studied types of vocalizations. The majority predator encounters more realistic, eliciting of the vocalizations many birds make, however, are more realistic mobbing responses, I built what I calls: vocal signals not intended to attract a mate affectionately refer to as robo-raptors: taxidermy or defend a territory. These calls serve a variety of mounts with internal robotics that allow their heads purposes including: (1) negotiating turn taking during to move. These work surprisingly well, so that a wide incubation, as zebra finch do, (2) alerting others variety of birds, even crows, will mob these roboto the discovery of food patches, as white-tailed raptors! ptarmigan do, (3) keeping in contact with dispersed After successfully inducing realistic mobbing flock members, as black-capped chickadees (a events, I was able to ask questions about how UK North American relative of the tit species found in tit species include information about predators in the UK) do, and (4) alerting others about predators their mobbing calls. Initially, I thought that, like their and the threat they pose, as many species do. This North American cousins, chickadees, titmice, and last call, known as an alarm call, is the focus of my Japanese great tits, the species here would use the research. I am a PhD student at the University of same ways of including information about predator St Andrews supervised by Drs. Sue Healy and Chris threat in their calls. However, this was not what I Templeton, currently studying how tit species in the found. The species in the UK are quite different UK include information about predators in their calls. in how they include information in their calls. One Including information about predators in species, willow tits, did not differentiate between low vocalizations is not something unique to tit species. and high threat predators as the other five species Many birds include detailed information about did. predators in their calls. This information often I am often asked why I study vocal communicates not only whether a predator is communication in birds, as aside from academic present, but also information about the predator interest there appears to be no benefit from this itself and the level of danger it research. Like many other poses. White-browed scrubwrens, animal behaviour experiments, for example, include information however, my research my research addresses addresses an important part of in their calls about how distant a predator is, while black-capped a larger, ecologically relevant an important part of chickadees include information problem. a larger, ecologically about predator size. Jungle fowl As they are a key include distance and size as well component of predator relevant problem as a predator’s approach speed avoidance, these vocalizations in their calls. Even more amazing, are thought to be important chaffinches differentiate between to survivorship. But although different types of predators (e.g. terrestrial vs. these vocalizations have been shown to increase aerial), while Siberian jays include information about survivorship in predator encounters, we still do a predator’s behaviour (e.g. flying or perching). not know the extent to which different species As you might imagine, there are a number of within mixed-species communities rely on situations in which these types of anti-predator these vocalizations in order to survive. Species vocalizations are used. My focus is on those communities are made up of multiple species, calls used during mobbing events. Mobbing is a many of which are thought to eavesdrop on the behaviour many people have witnessed; if you information included in the calls of just a few, often have ever seen crows harassing or attacking an called ‘community informants’. If this is true, then eagle, or oyster-catchers chasing and harassing the loss of either of these key species, or the calls crows during the breeding season, then you have (and information) they produce, could affect the witnessed mobbing. It occurs when a prey species survivorship of the community as a whole. We still do discovers a predator that is not actively hunting not know which species provide this information, and (often perched), then begin to harass and attack which rely on this information, mainly due to scant it, sometimes even going so far as to purposefully knowledge of how different species include and use collide with the predator in order to drive it off. predator threat information in their calls. However, During these attacks, prey species use mobbing recent studies have shown that anthropogenic vocalizations, often referred to as ‘scolding’ calls in (human generated) noise drowns out alarm calls of birding books. These calls not only serve to harass great tits with the information contained therein. As the predator while warning others, but also serve to great tits are possibly ‘community informants’, the recruit help, as larger mobbing groups prove more repercussions of their mobbing calls being masked effective at driving off predators. Interestingly, these could be severe, especially for those species more calls not only recruit individuals of the same species, vulnerable to predation that rely on this information. but those of other species as well, creating a mixedspecies mobbing flock. (Photos courtesy Nora Carlson)

TOWN & GOWN Sorsha Caldwell, Madras College

Sixth year in St Andrews It has been over a month since I returned to Madras College after a tranquil summer holiday without any school, homework, or deadlines – bliss. Sadly the long dreamy days didn’t last and before I knew it I found myself back in classrooms, launched into the routine of early starts, school uniform, assemblies, prefect duties, peer tutoring, and a whole lot more. I hadn’t even looked at a quadratic equation yet, but my brain was hurting with the responsibilities and tasks of Sixth Year weighing down on me. I began wondering if perhaps pursuing a career as a full time Netflix enthusiast would have been a better option. But regardless of how appealing it sounded, I established pretty quickly that it would not be a viable occupation (much to my teachers’ joy!). All jokes aside, Sixth Year was not going to be a laughing matter. Out of all the stages of education so far, it is the big one. I have to start thinking about university applications, personal statements, open days and, of course, my regular classes and exams.

The horror! It’s a lot to think about, get my doorstep. Being constantly surrounded by head round, and it’s strange to think that the the student buzz is making me excited and decisions I make in the next few months have inspired to go to university; I look forward to the potential to shape my future. hopefully being in their shoes this time next That being said, so far I have not year. Seeing student life second hand is crumbled under the pressure (touch wood). the perfect antidote to daydreaming in class I put this mostly down to the fact of where I about dropping it all to go on a gap year, or live. Being situated in a town like St Andrews pulling a Bear Grylls and trekking across the comes with multiple advantages when going wilderness. through the rite of passage that is Sixth I came to live in St Andrews only three Year. Whenever the stress of school gets a years ago, but it has already got under my bit too much, and the recurring nightmares skin. Living here and making the most of of my hopefully-soon-to-be all the town has to offer university life (surviving on a means that the usual Being situated in a town diet that mostly consists of hurdles that are part and like St Andrews comes with beans on toast and having parcel of being a Sixth to do my own laundry) keep Year pupil are a lot easier multiple advantages when me up at night, I find comfort to face. I know that as going through the rite of in the places around me. I well as being demanding, passage that is Sixth Year can go down to West Sands this year will also be fun to de-stress, relax, or visit and enjoyable. So thank the many shops (much to my bank account’s you, St Andrews, for making me a little less dismay) to indulge in some retail therapy, or stressed and a lot happier as I navigate this drop in to coffee shops and cafés to catch up important stage of my life. I don’t need to with friends in the midst of similarly busy lives. check which way the wind is blowing to tell I count myself extremely lucky that I that my final year at Madras College is going have all of this to dip into and enjoy on my to be a good one.

Charles Samuel Lawrie, graduated as a mature student in 2010. He recalls his attendance at the University’s 600th Anniversary Carol Service in London

Ghosts & Double Whiskies

Arriving at Kings Cross railway station at 1.40pm, fed and whiskied, feature in the Graduation ceremony ..... and, what about all this Regalia?” the first stage of my special journey to London’s St Paul’s was over. Desperate to put a damper on the evening his wishes were well and truly Edinburgh to London in just over 4 hours “not bad”, I thought, given it expunged when he measured the vast army of support and well-wishers took me some 40 years to get to St Andrews University! The train journey she had gathered. He sulked, thought better of any further intrusion, just flashed by. I spent the time between grazing and drinking (Ist Class drifted out of sight and sound back to the 16th century, where he and his travel ticket) engrossed in my sparkling brand-new copy of Norman H views belong. At this point I began to think, “now, just how many whiskies Reid’s Ever to Excel. The free copy of the Times held little interest as I have I had today?” but Fiona turned her head and gave me a little considered the only good copy/news for 20 Dec 2012 must surely be all quizzical smile – the World was a lovely place again. about the 600 Years Celebratory Carol Service in Sir Christopher Wren’s Meanwhile, the readings, prayers, preaching, and singing (our chapel masterpiece, and the party of all parties thereafter across the road in The choir were simply wonderful, as they have been all the year) raised Grange Hotel. our spirits. On this very special and historic occasion we all contributed Managing, eventually, to find my way out of the station after one much by just being there. I, for one, sang my little heart out! Surely, we or two false starts, I battled my way through the rain and crowds to the were all VIPs for the day! I would advise all who wish to attend our 700th Aldwych Theatre, where I took my matinée seat for the stage version celebrations to book early! of Fred Astaire and Ginger Roger’s great movie, Top Hat. I loved every Now to the reception and party: the lines of flaming torches lighting minute! Mind you, my wee tub of ice cream at £4 per tub, thank you very our way was absolute Theatre, so handy for all the cigar smokers! much, was a sobering experience! Come 5.00pm I was I initially hung round the fringes of the different soon part of the Capital’s rush hour making my way to groups. A common theme seemed to be the great I would advise all who the St Paul’s area, still humming some of Irving Berlin’s affection Alumni treasured for the time they spent at wish to attend our 700th numbers. Had time to don my Sunday Clothes, have St Andrews. It seemed to have given them more than celebrations to book early! a small libation in the bar, before stepping out into the the degrees they worked hard for, and the great sense cool, damp London air to take my place in the long of pride that a day like today showered on them. On snaking queue for the main event. Slowly making my way up the steps my rounds I met one of my old Art History class. He recalled a tutorial of the great edifice to the sounds of the bagpipes filled me with awe; this when I was giving a presentation. A true gentleman and a scholar, a great memory has been carved in my mind. team player who will prove to be a great asset to any organization, he The whole place seemed to be sparkling! Fate had me sitting beside told me he was looking for his date, and excused himself. Feasting on a charming young lady called Fiona from Edinburgh, now working in the wide variety of scrumptious eats, I engaged in some amusing banter one of the large international banks in London. She was a graduate with all sorts until about 10.30pm when The Other Guys were due on the in Economics 2008, lovely company, which lessened my small feeling stage. of isolation in the vast spread of strangers. Some very hushed chatter I met three wise dancers, Penelope, Elizabeth, and Mary, from followed before the first blast of the trumpets brought us all to order, and medical school. They were all good movers, while in between dances they the grand event was well and truly underway! freely advised me that singing and dancing are great for general health; Sitting nearer the back, participants seemed far in the distance. it’s good to have these things confirmed from time to time! However, large television screens provided close-up views of all that was Despite all good intentions for getting my head down, I was ushered happening. The fanfare that announced the arrival of Princess Alexandra into the bar by Rod, his parents and friends, to round off the evening was epic. with a few more wee drinks. Got to bed at 3.30am. With 5 hours of sleep It could not have been long after this that a chill passed over me and and a hearty breakfast I was soon on my way home with a new set of a ghostly figure entered my vision. His attention seemed to be focused St Andrews memories. As I dozed on the train I felt glad that, like James on our Principal. Glowering at her I could hear him say, “What’s this, a Melville, an early St Andrew’s historian, “I had my little book and took female Principal? What’s more I’ve heard that my red trews no longer away such things as I could understand.”

EVENTS Margaret Hyland, Vice-president

St Andrews Chorus as has been advertised in Music in St Andrews ). This is an earlier start After the success of the Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem and Berlioz’s than usual so be sure to note it down. Michael Downes will be giving the Tristia in April, the St Andrews Chorus is back again for another preconcert talk in the Younger Hall at 6.00pm. wonderful year of making music. This year’s concert programme is Next semester our programme continues with the Old Testament full of exciting pieces, that are rarely performed in Scotland. In the theme, pairing Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms with Walton’s first semester we are singing Jephtha, Handel’s last oratorio. While Belshazzar’s Feast. “Both are great twentieth-century choral pieces the music is very recognizably Handel’s, the piece has a completely whose composers were influenced by jazz, which is reflected obliquely different tone to the joyful Messiah. Jephtha’s tragic story comes from in the scores,” Michael Downes says of his choice to put the two pieces the Book of Judges in the Old Testament. Before leading the Israelites together. He also hopes that the rare opportunity for a choir of our type in battle against the Ammonites, Jephtha vows to God that if he wins, to sing these pieces will be a draw to new singers. he will sacrifice to God the first thing to greet him when he comes home. Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms is a notoriously Jephtha returns victorious, but the first person he demanding piece of music to sing. It is riddled meets is his beloved daughter. with deep symbolism in its musical arrangement, The fate of Jephtha’s daughter – whom Handel such as the recurrence of the interval of a seventh A stellar cast of names Iphis, as a nod to the similar story of the mystical importance of the number Agamemnon’s daughter Iphigenia – is ambiguous soloists will be joining representing seven in Judaism. Having sung in Latin, French, enough to have offered various interpretations German, and English, the Chorus will be tackling the Chorus for this throughout the history of Judaism and Christianity. Hebrew for this performance, which will be a new, but The biblical text seems to imply that Jephtha kills production rewarding challenge. his daughter after allowing her two months to “weep Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast, like Jephtha, tells a for her virginity”, but her final fate is not explicitly strong story with compelling central characters. The mentioned. While the Church Fathers wrangled piece pits the oppressed Jewish people against the boastful Belshazzar, with the significance of God fulfilling a vow that breaks Mosaic law’s ruler of Babylon. Belshazzar humiliates the Jews by celebrating the prohibitions against sacrifice, medieval Jewish scholars concluded that Babylonian gods with a feast using vessels from the Jewish Temple. Jephtha was able to fulfil his vow to God by sending his daughter into This is interrupted when the famous “writing on the wall” appears, a life of perpetual virginity. This latter interpretation is the one Handel predicting the downfall of Babylon, and Belshazzar himself. Walton incorporated into his oratorio, but not before exploring the depth of brings out the dramatic richness of the Biblical story, with the Chorus despair that Jephtha’s vow causes Iphis and the people who love her. largely representing the exiled Jews. The piece also demands a strong Michael Downes, conductor of the Chorus and Director of Music complement of brass – an area in which the Music Centre is particularly at the University, was inspired to direct a production of Jephtha after strong, as exemplified by Bede Williams’ group St Andrews Brass and seeing Katie Mitchell’s incredible staging for Welsh National Opera, the St Andrews Brass Festival. saying that it made him fully appreciate how “compelling and dramatic” Ben Clark, who won acclaim for his performance as Miles in Byre the piece could be. Citing Samson as a personal favourite among Opera’s Turn of the Screw last semester, will be the boy soprano who previous Chorus concerts, he also says that Handel is particularly well represents the young David in Chichester Psalms. Brian Bannatynesuited to this choir. Scott will be returning to the Chorus after nearly stealing the show as A stellar cast of soloists will be joining the Chorus for this production. Judas in Elgar’s Apostles to sing the part of the narrator in Belshazzar’s The role of Jephtha will be played by Jamie MacDougall, the voice Feast. An alumnus of the University, Brian is also an Honorary Professor of classical music in Scotland as presenter of BBC Radio Scotland’s of Singing at the Music Centre, and the Chorus is delighted to be “Classics Unwrapped”. Tania Holland-Williams, who directed Albert performing with him again. The spring concert will take place on Sunday, Herring and Turn of the Screw for Byre Opera, will be singing Storgè, 23 April, at 7:30pm in the Younger Hall. Dr Madhavi Nevader, Lecturer in Jephtha’s wife. Iphis and Zebul, her uncle, will be played by Jessica Old Testament in St Mary’s College, will be giving the pre-concert talk. Leary and Jonathan May, both teachers at the University Music Centre. Former Choral Scholar Caroline Taylor will be reuniting with the Chorus to sing the part of the Angel, and counter-tenor Chris Murphy will bring Tickets will be available in the weeks leading up to each to life the role of Hamor, Iphis’s fiancée. concert from Chorus members and from the Chorus website, This beautiful vocal array will be accompanied by an orchestra standrewschorus.weebly.com, at £12/£10 concessions/£3 students. of baroque specialists led by Lucy Russell, who has led baroque orchestras all over the world, and is also the daughter of long-time bass in the Chorus, Willie Russell, Professor Emeritus of Biology. Members of With rehearsals already well under way, we at the St Andrews Chorus the Scottish Chamber Orchestra will also be playing in the concert under can’t wait to share these powerful pieces of music with you. Until then, Lucy’s leadership. Please note that the Jephtha concert, which takes happy singing! place Saturday, 19 November, will be starting at 7.00pm (not 7:30pm

Elgar’s “Apostles” last April (Photo courtesy the Chorus)

EVENTS From Kata Vass, Head of Marketing and PR at this year’s Masquerade Ball for the University of St Andrews’ Charities Campaign

Student Charities

The University of St Andrews Charities business involvement in the final event, in an Campaign’s Masquerade Ball takes place on effort to truly reflect St Andrews’ spirit to all 4 November, at the Pond Site, North Haugh attendees. The Masquerade The Charities Ball, now in its Campaign, as a second year, has whole, has also The Charities Campaign, as a built on last year’s worked hard for overwhelmingly multiple years to whole, has also worked hard for positive reception by give back to the multiple years to give back to adding a Brazilian local St Andrews Carnival twist to its community, as well as the local St Andrews community theme for this year. to causes that affect With an infusion of the UK and beyond. feathers, glitter, Latin Last year, the music, the committee is excited to plan the Campaign raised an incredible £102,490.74. second instalment of the one-day sell-out This sum was divided between three charities success of 2015. (local, national, international). Charities are The committee has become the first organisation in 6 years to recognise the potential of the Pond Site as a ball venue. It offers a more secluded location for a large student event, whilst still remaining within the limits of St Andrews. The Conveners, both members of the Students’ Association’s Community Relations subcommittee, found this to be an incredibly important factor in their planning — they wanted to ensure that students would be able to have a fun time without being disruptive to the community. Throughout the process of preparing for the ball, Town and Gown relations have been further advanced by various student and local

nominated each year by the students. In this academic session, the Campaign will be fundraising for Frontline Fife, Antony Nolan, and Women for Women International. The Masquerade Ball’s proceeds are going towards the Campaign’s final sum to be donated to the three aforementioned charities. The Campaign’s efforts have garnered attention nationally; the National Student Fundraising Awards at the RAG Conference 2016 honoured the St Andrews Charities Campaign with the Local Impact & Community award. The Charities Campaign hopes to continue these excellent results throughout the forthcoming year. (Ball poster courtesy Kata Vass)

Gillian Craig

Handel’s ‘Messiah’ The much-loved annual St Andrews performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ will be held in Holy Trinity Church at 7.15pm on Saturday, 26 November. Two well-known St Andreans return among the soloists: Ben McAteer and Anna Poole. Originally from the town, soprano Anna is now based in Edinburgh, but she has sung in venues as diverse as the QE2, the Albert Hall, Notre Dame in Paris, and Ascension Island! Northern Irish baritone Ben McAteer is a graduate of St Andrews University; he created the role of James in the world première of The Devil Inside as an emerging artist with Scottish Opera, and toured as Guglielmo in Cosí fan tutte and Pish-Tush in The Mikado. Other notable roles include Papageno in The Magic Flute for Northern Ireland Opera. Members of The Heisenberg Ensemble, directed by Gillian Craig will be in support for this intimate performance, which aims to get near Handel’s original 1742 conception instead of the vast heavy chorus style that came to be the norm. Tickets £12/£10 concessions, £5 students, reservable in advance: gc5@st-andrews.ac.uk or at the door. Anna Poole

Ben McAteer

(Photos courtesy Gillian Craig)

EVENTS

Selected Events Tuesday, 1 November – 7.30pm. Lecture Theatre B, Chemistry Department, North Haugh. Why (the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society is Important for Scotland and Why I Became Involved). A talk by Pam Whittle, Past President of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society: for the Friends of the St Andrews Botanic Garden. Entry Free. Contact: friendsmembership@standrewsbotanic.org Wednesday, 2 November – 2.00pm to 3.30pm. Hope Park & Martyrs Church, St Mary’s Place. Memory Café. Family carers, & those with memory problems always welcome. Friday, 4 November and Saturday, 5 November – 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Byre Theatre, Abbey Street. The Pirates of Penzance, Gilbert & Sullivan Society. Tickets, £12, concessions £10, students £8. Contact: gssocmail@st-andrews.ac.uk Saturday, 5 November – 9.00am to 1.00pm. Argyle Street Car Park. Farmers’ Market. Monday, 7 November – 5.15pm. Main Physics Lecture Theatre, North Haugh. Theology, Spirituality and Hope: Reimagining Mental Health a talk by John Swinton (Professor of Divinity & Religious Studies, Aberdeen) for the James Gregory lecture series on Science, Religion & Human Flourishing. Contact: eric.r.priest@gmail.com Tuesday, 8 November – 5.15pm, in Swallowgate 11, School of Classics, Butts Wynd, St Andrews. Public lecture by Chris White, Abducting a General: Patrick Leigh Fermor and the Second World War. Jointly organised by the Scottish-Hellenic Society of St Andrews & the University Archaeology Society. Please arrive by 5.10pm. Contact: nm66@st-andrews.ac.uk Saturday, 12 November – 10.00am to 4.00pm. Burnside Hall, BALMULLOW. Christmas Craft Fair, in aid of St Athernase Church, Leuchars. Items from local artists, craftspeople, food producers. Entry: £2.50, adults; £1 for children. Includes tea/coffee/soft drinks/ home baking. Ample free parking. Contact: fran@sauberlich.name – 7.45pm. All Saints Church Hall, North Castle Street, St Andrews. Café Cabaret starring Flossie Malavialle, à la Piaf etc. The St Andrews-Loches Alliance. Tickets, £15 to include light supper (wine on sale). Contact: murdoch.mail@sky.com Friday, 18 November – 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Rufflets Country House Hotel, Strathkinness Low Road. Champagne & Sparkling Wine Tasting (+ Fork Buffet ). Master of Wine Rose Murray Brown hosts a sampling of 13 sparkling wines from around the world. Contact: gm@rufflets.co.uk Saturday, 19 November – 11.00am to 4.00pm. Cambo Estate, Fife. Winter Cambolicious. Ale, Food, Games, Music, Craft. Entry £1 – children Free. In aid of Cambo Heritage Trust. Contact: cambo@camboestate.com – 10.30am to 12.30pm. Holy Trinity Church, St Andrews. Christmas Fair. Home baking, jewellery, bric-a-brac, beauty gift stall, bottle stall, book stall. Everyone welcome – cake+tea/coffee available! Contact: bob.and.joan.archer@gmail.com – 7.00pm. Younger Hall, North Street, St Andrews. St Andrews Chorus under the baton of Michael Downes, perform Handel’s Jephtha. Please see page 25 for details. Contact: mah23@st-andrews.ac.uk

Tuesday, 22 November – 10.00am. St Andrews Library, Church Square. Bookbug. Story, song, rhyme sessions for babies, toddlers, & families. Free. Contact: StAndrews.Library@onfife.com Thursday, 24 November – 5.30pm to 6.15pm. Gateway Galleries, North Haugh. Meet the Expert: St Andrews’ Photography Collection. A talk by Rachel Nordstrom, Curator of Scotland Through the Lens, on the evolution of documentary photography, and its acquisition by the University’s Library collections. Free but booking required. Contact: museumlearning@st-andrews.ac.uk Friday, 25 & Saturday, 26 November – 10.00am-4.00pm. Town Hall, St Andrews. Annual Exhibition of photographs / Community Photo Competition. St Andrews Photographic Society. Haydays Arts & Leisure Club displays + food/drink dems by the Adamson Restaurant. See: www.standrewsphotographicsociety.com Saturday, 26 November – 10.30am to 4.30pm. Students’ Union, St Mary’s Place. Craft Fair, Fife Craft Association. – 7.15pm. Holy Trinity Church, St Andrews. Handel’s Messiah. Soloists, Ben McAteer (Baritone), Anna Poole (Soprano) with the Heisenberg Ensemble, Conductor Gillian Craig. Tickets £12, concessions £10, students £5 at the door, or in advance: gc5@st-andrews.ac.uk

*****

Saturday, 3 December – 9.00am to 1.00pm. Argyle Street Car Park. Farmers’ Market. – 10.00am to 5.00pm. Craigtoun Country Park. Santa’s visiting. Contact: kyffinroberts@hotmail.com Sunday, 4 December to Sunday, 29 January – 10.30am-4.30pm. The Merchants’ Room at the Scottish Fisheries Museum, ANSTRUTHER. The St Andrews Photographic Society is holding an exhibition, where you can enjoy “some lovely cakes” while admiring the pictures! Contact: emilyn007@btinternet.com Wednesday, 7 December – 2.00pm to 3.30pm. Hope Park & Martyrs Church, St Mary’s Place. Memory Café: Festive Music. Family carers, & those with memory problems always welcome. Tuesday, 6 December – 7.30pm. Lecture Theatre B, Chemistry Department, North Haugh. Benmore Botanic Garden; its plant collections, recent developments and future plans. A talk by Peter Baxter, Curator of Benmore Botanic Garden for the Friends of the St Andrews Botanic Garden. Entry Free. Contact: friendsmembership@standrewsbotanic.org Saturday, 10 December – 6.30pm St Athernase Church, LEUCHARS. An international lights & sounds of Christmas : a non-denominational concert of music & words from around the world. Entry £5 for adults; includes seasonal refreshments, mulled non-alcoholic wine, fruit juices, mince pies. Contact: fran@sauberlich.name Tuesday, 13 December – 10.00am St Andrews Library, Church Square. Bookbug. Story, song, rhyme sessions for babies, toddlers, & families. Free. Contact: StAndrews.Library@onfife.com Wednesday, 14 December – 5.00pm to 9.00pm. Balgove Steak Barn, Strathtyrum. Christmas – Night Market. Food, Drink, Music. Contact: info@balgove.com

ORGANISATIONS From Friends Of Craigtoun Limited

Progress All The Way At the end of another busy season we have been looking back and, We have recently made more importantly, looking forward. Despite a mixed bag of weather it has arrangements for donations to the been a good year in terms of attendance, which has been reflected in Park to be Gift Aided. We are inviting our finances. We have not sold as many season tickets, or family day our supporters to make a donation, tickets, instead our customers have been buying individual tickets for completing the necessary paperwork. our various facilities, presumably because they were unsure what the weather was going to do for the rest of their day. If the tickets were not So what about the future? all used that day, they would be valid when they returned another day. We keep getting asked about the Dutch Village. In conjunction with Fife We had taken over the running of the Café, appointed our Manager/ Council, we are now confident that work will start to stabilize the decline, Chef, and our own staff. This, too, has been a success, although there and refurbishment will start. We will then have a better idea of the is still a good bit to go to lift the standard further. Our main problem has potential cost of returning it to its former glory. We will launch an appeal been waiting times, and queuing as well as apply for Lottery when we have been really busy. Funding. We are aware of that, with plans to At our most recent Board make changes. Meeting, we discussed the More picnic tables have been arrangements for Christmas, put in place, parking has become when we plan to use the three more organized, and generally, Saturdays of 3rd, 10th and there have been a number of 17th December, with the main small changes for the better. We activities, including Santa, in the are volunteers delighted with the Café. Weather permitting, Puffin success over the last few years Billy and the Bouncy Castles will that is reflected in the feedback operate. Tickets go quickly; there we receive (Trip Advisor), and will be high demand. most of all from the happy faces At the same Board Meeting, as folk leave. We are having to we had a lengthy discussion come to terms with the fact that about developments in the Park we have become “a big business” for 2017. Our conclusion was employing a lot of people. We that the main toilets would be our are moving towards being more top priority. Other new projects professional in taking the weight would include better signage, off a number of shoulders of our shelters, and a roundabout key members, who have put in for the disabled. We want to hours and hours of service. introduce a new facility next The most recent big event year; those under consideration was the Charity Day, when we include a Pedal Go Cart Track, had over 8,000 customers. It is a Zorb Balls, Permanent Crazy sign of the times that on the Friday Golf Course, Radio Controlled prior to the event on the Sunday, Model Cars, and so on it goes. We are having to come to terms with the we posted on Facebook that there Watch out for this new facility in fact that we have become “a big business” was to be a giant dinosaur, also 2017!! two princesses (from Frozen) We have made a lot of employing a lot of people present; in no time at all we had progress so far and will continue 180,000 hits!! to make things better in the future.

(Photos courtesy Craigtoun Friends)

OUT & ABOUT Tim Hardieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Nature Notes I was fortunate to see our first skeins of pinkfeet geese arriving over the carse last week. They were flying high over the Sidlaws heading for the Tay Estuary and beyond to Loch Leven. They are noticeably different from our more domestically-minded greylags, who fly in much smaller parties and frankly are made to look idle by the jetsetting pinkfoot. I have always been interested by pinkfooted geese since as a boy I read a book called Manka the Sky Gypsy, by Denys Watkins Pitchford, or BB, his pen name. Manka was highly unusual in that he was an albino, therefore rather standing out in the crowd. B B describes wonderfully how Manka lives a life of many ups and downs, travelling from the Wash in Lincolnshire, to the Yorkshire Wolds, the Tay Estuary, then his annual journey to Spitsbergen to breed.

Willow warbler

Talking of pugnacious fellows, I came across such a chap the other day on going to feed the hens; completely drookit from the early morning rain, this serial killer was having an early breakfast, not at all pleased to be disturbed. It is the second time I have come across a little male sparrowhawk eating his prey at close quarters and he, too, was very reluctant to leave the crime scene. The cock blackbird that had provided the early morning sport had, I imagine, suffered a violent execution and what appeared to be a very Pink footed goose comprehensive post mortem! In late August it was pleasant to see our remote, while even then they are now too lovely willow warblers and chiffchaffs arrive for old to be terribly productive. The two pairs a short stay on their way to warmer climes for of oystercatchers that nested here failed the winter. Their visit is very welcome as they to produce a chick. I am afraid this is fairly are such delightful company, every fruit tree normal. I did see a juvenile oyster catcher is inspected in great detail for any slacking at Scone airport, where traditionally they do aphid. They seem to dance in the air as their well. I am afraid I put this down to buzzards excitement gets the better of them. Sadly not liking small planes their visits are short lived, and helicopters. The poor and I will not now see them buzzard may be not quite again until next August. The In late August it was the villain I think he is. whitethroat warbler seems The swallows and more of a summer resident. pleasant to see our house martins have I certainly saw one this year lovely willow warblers done well this year. They with a beakful of goodies have, I think, benefited ready to feed waiting chicks. and chiffchaffs arrive from the reasonably The cock bullfinch put warm July and August. in a brief appearance the Although butterflies seem other day; what a gorgeous in short supply there must have been plenty little fellow he is! He was a in a desperate of airborne insect life to feed the thousands of rush, did not stay for long, so much to do and chicks that are exported to South Africa every it will soon be dark! A flock of long-tailed tits, autumn. I watched a swift on 3 September too, came by one day. I always hear them career into a narrow fissure below a roan pipe before I see them. They, too, are in a constant on an old farm building at Rait to feed her rush, reminding me of miniature helicopters chicks. It seemed late, but then the mysterious with their long tails, as they check out the swift is so late in arriving here. I remember underside of leaves and branches for a living in the east end of Edinburgh and they protein snack. did well nesting somewhere under the roofs of As for our ground-nesting birds, it has tenement flats. been a disastrous year. Only since harvest finished recently have I found the one pair (Photos courtesy John Anderson of English partridge on the farm, and sadly (Crail Birder: www.pbase.com/crail_birder)) there are no chicks. This is a disaster as their chances of both surviving till next spring is

OUT & ABOUT Alistair Lawson, ScotWays

“What about the Litter?” Some months ago, I was delivering the ScotWays lecture to one of the Edinburgh Probus Clubs. After I had finished, the Chairman invited questions; a hand shot up and the above question was fired at me, clearly laden with accusation and challenge, not to mention a good pinch of selfrighteousness. Now ScotWays is no less concerned about litter than any other right-minded group of people, though it is not our specific responsibility, nor do we have a magic answer. After all, how does one alter the public mindset when it is wedded to the line of least resistance? In our kitchen, we have a dishtowel with the following wisdom printed on it: “Whose Job?: This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job which had to be done, and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody actually did it. Somebody got angry about it, because it was obviously Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could have done it, but Nobody realised that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody, because Nobody did what Anybody could have done.” Does that sound familiar? Of course, the problem is not new. I have in front of me a press cutting from The Scotsman of June, 1931, reporting on a meeting of the Association for the Preservation of Rural Scotland. In considering the various roles which the Association might take on, Lady Stirling of Glorat, who had opened the meeting, suggested that they could “become instructors to spread the doctrine of anti-litter.” In 1931, the problem was probably less acute than it is nowadays, in that plastic bottles, metal drinks cans, and polystyrene pizza takeaway trays had not been invented. There is a sense, therefore, that we are victims of our own cleverness and inventiveness. We are also victims of Health & Safety regulations and

run-away concern about food hygiene and the be away from that. However, what about a need for multiple, single-use wrappings and local, St Andrews-based scheme? Could local packagings. shops be persuaded So, where do we to be pioneers and start? Walkers are often civic heroes? There is After all, how does one to be seen these days a further challenge for carrying suspiciousshopkeepers, and that alter the public mind-set looking poly-bags full of is to lead the way in when it is wedded to the dog poo. For those who reducing superfluous are not slaves to their wrappings. Who is going line of least resistance? dog, why not carry a polyto lead? Let’s see a race bag and pick up clean to be first. items, such as plastic So, to return to the bottles – large volume, small weight, minimum dishtowel, this is a problem for Everybody, trouble, maximum gain. The question of Nobody should ignore it, Anybody could returnable bottles has often been aired in become involved, and you could be the the national press, but the trend seems to Somebody who leads the way.

“big problem / little people trying to address it” (Photo courtesy Brian Cairns)

OUT & ABOUT Arlen Pardoe

Hidden Gems in St Andrews Focussing on features that are in plain sight, though often overlooked St Andrews Crosses St Andrew the Apostle is the Patron Saint of Scotland. He is celebrated on the last day of November so it seems fitting to look around the Scottish town that bears his name in search of examples of the cross known as the ‘Saltire’ or ‘St Andrews Cross’. He was allegedly crucified on a diagonal cross, though this image did not appear commonly until the Middle Ages.

Several legends record relics of St Andrew being brought from Constantinople to our town by Regulus, or Rule, whose name is given to the tower in the Cathedral grounds. The origins of the Scottish Saltire belong to the Battle of Athelstaneford in 832 where the appearance of a whole diagonal cross on a blue background in the sky emboldened the force of Picts and Scots to claim victory over superior numbers of Angles.

(Photos courtesy Arlen Pardoe)

Simple Cross

Gibson Place

South Street

Playfair Memorial

The Roundel

Market Street

South Street

Town Hall

Golf Place

St Andrews Golf Club

North Street

South Street

Nun’s Walk

Town Hall

Crosses with figures

Psychology, St Mary’s

South Street

Town Hall Crosses on shields

Gibson Place Town Hall

St Leonards

The Links

Statues

Botanic Garden

Church Street

United College

Nacreous clouds forming a cross above Madras College, St Andrews Day 1999