St Andrews in Focus Issue 10 May Jun 2005 by Mike Collins

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

May / June 2005, Issue 10 £1.50

the magazine for St Andrews www.standrewsinfocus.com

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

From the Editor Our young Prince is spreading his wings, and will shortly be taking his leave. God speed, Your Highness – and may the world go well with you. Moving on – what mixed emotions that prospect arouses, especially at this time of year. Primary school children are on the brink of going to secondary schools, secondary school leavers contemplate their futures, and University students take on new adult responsibilities. Rites of passage mark each stage; a leavers’ ball here, graduation there, joy with just a hint of sadness and apprehension. May the world, indeed, go well with all of you! And I, in my photo beside the sea with the wind in my hair, turn my thoughts to summer, and the holidays to come. Flora Selwyn The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor.

MAY/JUNE 2005 EDITOR Flora Selwyn Tel/fax: 01334 472375 Email: editor@standrewsinfocus.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Michael Milbank Mobile: 07887 756 980 Email: mwam@st-andrews.ac.uk DESIGNER University of St Andrews Reprographics Unit PRINTER Tayport Printers Ltd. DISTRIBUTER Elspeth’s of Guardbridge PUBLISHER (address for correspondence) Local Publishing (Fife) Ltd., PO Box 29210, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9YZ. Tel/fax: 01334 472375 Email: enquiries@standrewsinfocus.com SUBSCRIPTIONS St. Andrews in Focus is published 6 times a year, starting in January. Subscriptions for the full year are: £10.00 in the UK (post & packing included) £18.00 overseas (post & packing included) Please send your name and address, together with remittance to: Local Publishing (Fife) Ltd., PO Box 29210, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9YZ. REGISTERED IN SCOTLAND: 255564 149 Market Street, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9PF. THE PAPER USED IS 75% RECYCLED POST-CONSUMER WASTE

NEXT ISSUE – July/August 2005 COPY DEADLINE: STRICTLY 28 MAY All contributions welcome. The Editor reserves the right to publish copy according to available space.

Contents EDUCATION •

St Leonard’s School and the IB

TOWN/GOWN •

The Town/Gown Liaison Committee

•

Toonspot

•

John Howie reflects

•

Gaudeamus...

•

The Bell Pettigrew Museum

•

Men and magic

•

Healing foods

SHOPS & SERVICES •

Let the bus take you shopping

•

J. & W. Tulloch – a family business

•

Dundee City Airport

•

Rufflets Country House Hotel

•

Roving Reporter

•

Tip for mobile phone users

•

Cakes Glorious Cakes

•

Your Local Pubs

FEATURES •

16th century house – For Sale!

•

Another reminder of our past

•

Douglas Hamilton – ‘Service above self’ incarnate

•

One man’s Lammas Market

•

Competition winner

•

A birthday wish for Ellen Emily Johnson

•

Jane Fox in St Andrews

•

A woman’s work ...

•

‘Crane suspended’, a poem

•

Ask the curator

EVENTS •

Red Cross

•

Coeliac & DH Awareness

•

Ceres folk Museum

•

The Byre Theatre and The Open

•

List

OUT AND ABOUT •

Home on the road

•

Climate change in the Botanic Garden

Cover – “Young Swan” by Alan Kinnersley Photograph courtesy Fife Ranger Service (Fife)

TOWN/GOWN St Leonard’s School plans to offer the International Baccalaureate degree programme beginning September 2006. Robert Tims, Headmaster, and Mark Hunter, Head of St Leonards Sixth Form College, reflect on the decision to apply for IB authorisation and why...

The time is right… for the IB St Leonards in St Andrews has language and a second language applied to the International throughout the two years of the Baccalaureate to offer the course. These studies of specific Diploma programme from subjects are drawn together by September 2006. The time a two year course on Theory of is right to adopt a broad and Knowledge. rigorous qualification that has an Then there is the extended international perspective. The essay. Every student will write International Baccalaureate offers a 4000 word essay on a subject just that. which they have chosen. It may Education and assessment be related to an academic subject are at a cross-roads. The which they are studying, but Tomlinson report has been doesn’t have to be. This gives a rejected by the Government in wonderful opportunity to pursue London and, with an election their own interest and be credited approaching, Michael Howard for it. (Universities are considering has announced another review using this to discriminate among of 14 – 19 education in England the increasing number of students should the Conservatives win the with top A-levels.) election. The future of the English Finally, all students are Sixth Form qualifications, that expected to take part in a schools like St Leonards have programme of creative, actionfollowed, is uncertain. and- service activities which will Scotland is outward looking. take up 150 hours of the twoThe First Minister is promoting year course, although for many links on a world we hope it will stage. It is important be more. This Mission statements that our young means that the are all very well. More sort of thing that people are also educated in such a important is how they our students are way that they work already involved are acted upon. with confidence in with – drama, preparation for a community multi-national and multi-cultural service, raising money for the world. Tsunami appeal, for example – will In the words of the IB mission be properly recognised. statement, There are other benefits from an IB programme. First, students “The International will be taken off the module Baccalaureate Organization “treadmill” which AS and A-levels aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

involve. Examinations take place it is that more schools will be at the end of the course so there investigating the International will be some academic freedom Baccalaureate programmes. to explore what might turn out Mr George Walker, Directorate to be, in the end, a blind alley General of the International – but without Baccalaureate the spectre of Organization At the end of the a module, or in Geneva, course students will of a resit, over focused on the the shoulder. have a highly respected recent decisions This “freedom” by Secretary academic qualification of Education will extend opportunities that is welcomed by all Kelly to retain to effect an A-Levels in the Universities in the UK exchange with face of increasing another student pressure for and worldwide. And in an IB school for reform and the they will be part of an a term or so. The rising popularity IB programme, of the IB Diploma international family of wherever it program. scholars, with members is offered, is Mr Walker the same. said, “In regard all over the world. At the end of to A-Levels I the course students will have believe there comes a time when a highly respected academic it is too difficult to continue to qualification that is welcomed defend them and time to put it by all Universities in the UK and right. The degree of specialization worldwide. And they will be part of of A-Levels is inappropriately an international family of scholars, premature.The IB represents with members all over the world. the gold standard because the In a fast changing world, challenge of the IB is considerable education needs to be broad, and stimulating. The success rigorous, coherent, and with an achieved is on a high standard, international outlook and we need on a wide range of disciplines. education, in its widest sense, to The diploma programme develop well-motivated pupils, embraces a compassionate heart decent, adaptable human beings as is evidenced by our mission – prepared for tomorrow’s world. statement. It is value driven and If one thing is certain in this promotes positive engagement in changing educational world, community service”.

To this end the IBO works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.” This encapsulates all that education should be. Mission statements are all very well. More important is how they are acted upon. All IB students study six subjects which are grouped so that they study within both of the great traditions of learning and understanding, the humanities and the sciences. They also study both their own

TOWN/GOWN

The Town/Gown Liaison Group In 2001, in the wake of a squabble about licensing hours at the Students’ Association, a number of St Andrews people proposed the formation of a Town/Gown liaison group. The intention was to create a place where similarly contentious issues could be explored before they came to a head. The group has evolved considerably since its formation and does not now focus only on differences of opinion. Alastair Work, Secretary to the University Court, is a member and gives a personal perspective on its value to the town. St Andrews is a small town, a popular town, and a densely populated town. It is a beautiful town; people like living here. It is a pilgrim town; people dream of coming here and visit with purpose and expectation. It is a vibrant town; people make it what it is. Small, attractive, vibrant, densely populated towns have challenges to face. Not least the art of reconciling the differing aspirations of visitors, householders, merchants, schoolchildren, hoteliers, estate agents, licensed retailers, students, university staff, the police, the Council, and local politicians. That is what the Town/Gown liaison group seeks to do, by meeting periodically to exchange ideas and information, and by encouraging the people of St Andrews to bring their views to it for consideration. As University Secretary, I am only a part of the group and it would be wrong for me to speak for the whole. Other members should speak for themselves; I can only describe what it means to the University to be a part of a body like the Town Gown Liaison Group. Here are four short case studies, representing the kinds of things that land on my desk periodically with a note saying “please handle”: The rumour mill A local figure mentions at a public meeting that, according to reports, the University intends to grow its student numbers to 10,000. A concerned resident, whose student neighbours have been keeping her awake, is alarmed at this. The local business person she happens to be speaking to a week later is interested in what that might mean for trade. A community councillor who has been in discussion with them in the street has previously been told by me that the number will not rise above 7000. I get an email asking me politely whether I have been economical with the truth. The rumour is unfounded but has been retold so often, that everyone now believes it to be true. What do I do? A plea for assistance The University has found some money to create in-house facilities for transferring written learning materials into audio and digital formats that can be used by students and other library users with impaired vision. The manager of the facility reports that it can only meet the demands upon it by relying on large numbers of trained volunteers. “There must be a lot of people in this town who would like to be able to help,” he says, “but how do I get in touch with them?” Duplication of effort A local school has set up a study club to help pupils to prepare for exams in science subjects and has persuaded some appropriately knowledgeable local people to support it. Meanwhile, the University science departments are collaborating with student volunteers and the Fife Education department

to promote student tutors in local schools to further the understanding of science. One group hears news of the other but isn’t sure whom to approach. Nobody can tell us what is going on Landlords of rented accommodation are coming under pressure to take responsibility for the behaviour of their tenants. The Police are implementing new legislation allowing for the use of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders. The University is revising its disciplinary procedures. None of them knows precisely what the others are planning to do. Furthermore, the students who live in rented accommodation are unsure what the impact will be on them. The Town/Gown liaison group does not solve these issues, but it does provide a place where they can be raised in an atmosphere of goodwill and mutual understanding. We spend an hour or so, three or four times a year being the “horse’s mouth”, scotching myths, making contacts, considering suggestions, making recommendations and getting to know each other better. It matters in a small town that we

are able to do this. It helps to be told directly if we appear to others to have been clumsy or careless or close with information that could easily have been shared. It helps to be able to explain to others what we are trying to achieve and what the practical constraints on us are. The Group held a public meeting earlier this year at which the Principal was invited to make a presentation on the University’s contribution to the life of St Andrews and then answer questions on some of the ways in which the University impacts upon the lives of people in St Andrews. As the questions unfolded, what was interesting for us was the number of issues raised that required responses from Fife Council, the Police, as well as the University’s staff and students. It showed that sustaining the quality of life in St Andrews is a collective matter, requiring co-operation and mutual understanding, rather than the simple attribution of blame. I have often found myself saying lately that the University is committed to good relations with the Town; it is a relatively easy thing to say, much more difficult to do. I am certain of one thing, though, it would be much harder without the Town/Gown Liaison Group.

TOWN/GOWN Professor John Howie reflects on

An Academic Career To have entered university at the age of 18, and never to have left, Grade exams). I is rightly regarded as somewhat unadventurous, but I have no doubt could go on. I greatly at all that it was right for me. An academic career was not, however, enjoyed bringing my a childhood dream: I had a huge admiration for George Logan, my academic perspective wonderful mathematics teacher at Robert Gordon’s College, and went to educational issues in to Aberdeen University with the intention of following in his footsteps by primary and secondary becoming a school teacher. Indeed I continued in that intention to the education, and I hope point where I put in an application for teacher training. Then, after a clutch that over the years of university prizes and a great deal of encouragement from Professor I made a positive Edward Wright (who died quite recently at the age of 98) I decided on a contribution to them. university career. I hope, too, that I gained a better understanding of the educational The next stage was a doctorate from Oxford, and my career proper background of our entrant students. Most of these meetings were in New began in Glasgow University in 1961. In those days the Mathematics St Andrew’s House, and committee members had to give their names to department was strongly oriented towards teaching rather than research, the security officer, who checked the names against the list of meetings and it was certainly a good place to acquire some of the professional for the day. One morning he said to me “I don’t know why I keep askin’ skills – lecturing, tutoring, and the setting and marking of exam questions. your name, sir, I ken ye fine.” They were to know me better still in the (In those distant days there was no formal training at all for university early ‘90s, though by then I was able to flash a pass card, as chairman of lecturers.) the (in)famous Howie Committee. The University of Stirling opened its doors to students in 1967, I was never a maths freak, the kind of person – and they exist – for and I arrived there just two weeks before the very first batch of whom maths is an obsession that excludes interest in anything else. The undergraduate students. Professor Douglas Munn and I were the other teacher at Gordon’s to whom I owe a tremendous debt is the late Mathematics department, and we started with a blank piece of paper. It James McAdam, who taught me to play the organ. I have hugely enjoyed was a busy time, with heavy teaching duties being organist at Hope Park Church since and a great deal of planning. I served on And here I am, now retired, but 1978, and despite the pressure of the duties, both the Academic Council (the equivalent of find the job a true ‘re-creation’. As for singing, it the Senate in the older universities) and the with no regrets at all about my has been part of my life since childhood, but it University Court, learning a great deal about was not until my mid-life crisis at the age of 45 choice of career, and feeling how a university works. Certainly I expected that I had my first singing lesson, from Heather to be in Stirling for a significant period, but Chisholm. Heather gave me the confidence to immensely fortunate to have in 1969 Professor Edward Copson retired sing solo, and helped me to enjoy singing even from the Regius Chair of Mathematics and more. Thanks, Heather! spent the greater part of it in (persuaded by a friend from outside academia) Universities changed a great deal during this lovely university town I had the impudence to put in an application for my career. In the sixties they were largely run the vacant post. To my astonishment, I got the by professors, who were ex officio heads of job, and arrived in St Andrews in October, 1970. I was 34. department and important policy makers. In the seventies there was And here I am, now retired, but with no regrets at all about my choice pressure from the non-professorial staff, who wanted a share in policyof career, and feeling immensely fortunate to have spent the greater part making, and rotating heads of department supposedly made the structure of it in this lovely university town. I did not, however, hide away here. more democratic. What actually happened was that the removal of the My deep involvement in Scottish affairs happened by accident. In power of professors created a vacuum, leaving the Principal and his 1967 my Glasgow friend and ex-colleague Professor John Hunter had staff as the sole source of permanent authority, and the situation today reached the end of his term on the Mathematics Panel of the Scottish makes me glad to be retired. When I came to St Andrews the inhabitants Certificate of Education Examination Board, wondered if I might be of College Gate were colleagues; now they are masters. The idea of a interested, and recommended me as a suitable successor. Three years self-governing community of scholars may be excessively naïve in the later I was chairman of the Panel. By 1975 I was chairman of the Scottish modern world, but in the end it is the scholars and teachers who matter, Central Committee of Mathematics, and that same year I was invited and I cannot believe that pyramidal management is the right way to run a to join the Dunning Committee (the one that dreamed up the Standard university.

“Gaudeamus igitur . . . ” M. Anders Old Sol Netted St Andrews in sunbeams And threw down a golden road for me, For me Upon the sands beside the sea – He set the silvery waves to sing Of how we met here long ago, Of how you smiled, and did not know You’d sown a seed within my breast That snuggled down in couthy warmth, That secretly took root and grew – And softly sang that silver sea Of sunlit meadows far away Of how, upon a hill one day in June, In June, Your touch, your glance Unlocked my heart – and found Our love in bloom.

TOWN/GOWN Dr Martin Milner, the Museum’s new Curator, introduces . . .

The Bell Pettigrew – St. Andrews’ forgotten museum? In 1838, 37 members of the town and University community formed the St Andrews Literary and Philosophical Society with the general aim of promoting literary and philosophical research and in particular the founding of a Museum, to be shared by the Society members and the University. The Museum was initially housed in a classroom in the United College and subsequently in Upper College Hall. The museum soon became very popular, with 237 visitors recorded in a single summer day in the 1850s, and the collections continued to grow until Upper College Hall was ‘bulging and the overspill extended down the stairs’. However, in the later 19th century the Society declined and the collections were taken over by the University Court in 1904. In 1912 the collections moved to the present building, which was a gift to the University by Mrs Bell Pettigrew in memory of her late husband, Professor James Bell Pettigrew, Chandos Professor of Medicine and Anatomy (1875-1905) and an authority on the mechanics of flight, who died in 1908. Professor McIntosh, the founder of the Gatty Marine Laboratory, and Professor D’Arcy Thompson continued to develop the museum. In 1958 major alterations to the building necessitated refocusing the museum as a teaching collection and around 60% of the exhibits were distributed to other museums. The new display was prepared between his retirement in 1964 and 1970, by Dr David R.R. Burt, a former assistant of D’Arcy Thompson’s. A further reorganisation of the museum highlighting phylogenetic relationships was undertaken by Professor Pat Willmer in the early 1990s. Today the museum is used by undergraduate students, visiting school parties, as a venue for School of Biology receptions, and is on occasion open to the general public. The museum displays, including D’Arcy Thompson’s microscope, Dura Den fossil fish, extensive collections of British birds and several extinct species, such as the Tasmanian Wolf and the St Kilda House Mouse, continue to excite and enthuse both students and visitors. The Bell Pettigrew Museum was a highlight of a visit to St. Andrews in Victorian times. However, daily public access ended in the early 1970s, and since then the museum has been open to the public on only one or two occasions per year. A recent visitor wrote, “in St. Andrews 25 years and quite unaware of this gem of a museum!” This summer we aim to re-acquaint St. Andreans, and our visitors, with the Bell Pettigrew Museum, which will be open to all on two afternoons per week (Tuesday and Friday, 2-5) during the University vacation – Friday, 3rd June to Friday, 16th September. A member of the Museum team will be on hand to help. Entry is free, but please do sign our visitors’ book!

Above – a sample of the contents of the Museum

The Museum Team – from left: Mr Sandy Edwards, Dr Martin Milner (curator), Ms Julie Scarborough, Dr Iain Matthews.

TOWN/GOWN Dr. P. G. Maxwell-Stuart is a lecturer in the Department of Modern History in the University of St. Andrews. His books include Satan’s Compiracy: Magic and Witchcraft in Sixteenth-Century Scotland, and An Abundance of Witches: The Great Scottish Witch Hunt, 1658-1662. Here he talks about . . .

Men and Magic in Early Modern Scotland

Witches in Scotland, mainly women as was the case elsewhere, have Finally, an astrologer in Newbattle performed the same kind of service received their fair share of study, but their menfolk have been somewhat as Howie. His name was Silvanus Sheall – possibly a professional neglected. Yet kirk records are full of male charmers, diviners, and pseudonym: ‘Sheall’ could be the surname ‘Shiel’, or a transcription of the warlocks, so there are plenty to investigate. John Blaikie in Carrington, for Gaelic verb ‘Look!’ – and in September 1660, the presbytery of Kelso sent example, tried to cure John Niven of some ministers to investigate him. They looked at kind of discharge by putting his foot three the books he used to construct his horoscopes Yet kirk records are full of male times on Niven’ s back ‘in the name of God’, and found ‘there was nothing in them but charmers, diviners, and warlocks, groundless vanities’. Nevertheless, they obliged his mother having told him that children born feet first had the power to cure with their to promise he would give people no more so there are plenty to investigate him feet. Donald Gilbertson in Canisbay gave predictions, a promise he signally failed to keep Isobel Skaill a band of red thread which immediately, because he was still operating in he tied round her sore foot while speaking some kind of charm. In both December 1661. Still, eight years later he pleaded inability, because of Dunfermline and Newbattle in 1666, ministers heard about certain men his promise to the presbytery, to assist James Hogg who wanted help in who had been consulted over stolen goods, presumably to identify the tracing stolen goods, but was quite happy to recommend a man in the thieves and locate the items; and twelve years before in Dunfermline, Canongate, David Ewart, who would do the divining for him. William Crichton was executed as a warlock, after confessing that he St. Andrews itself does not seem to have had a resident curer or had been the Devil’s servant for the past twenty-four years, and John unwitcher, but the presbytery did deal with one such from Pittenweem Murdoch, only eight months later in April 1649, was imprisoned on a in May and June, 1597. David Yeoman, ‘the warlock’, as he is called in similar charge. Being accused of witchcraft, however, did not necessarily the records, had been consulted by various people keen to get a cure result in a death sentence, either for men or for women. William Cowan or find out who had bewitched them. He was arrested, but the baillies from Innerwick applied to his kirk session to be of Pittenweem allowed him out on caution, so to readmitted to communion after he had been speak, to travel around and operate as before – a St. Andrews itself does not delated to the presbytery ‘some time ago’ as a testimony either to his ability to bribe them, or to seem to have had a resident their approval of what he was doing. warlock. Further inquiries were made. No fresh accusations were laid against him. So we may Men, therefore, played an active and not curer or unwitcher presume he was readmitted in due time. inconsiderable role in the various occult operations But picking out large numbers of individuals to which people turned for immediate and practical may be somewhat confusing, so I shall concentrate on three men, one answers to certain problems, and their activities are worth much more famous, two more or less unknown: Richie Graham, David Howie, and attention than they have been given hitherto. Silvanus Sheall. Richie Graham was a major figure in the alleged magical assassination attempts against James VI in 1589-90. He came from the west of Scotland, and acquired several remarkably influential friends, raising the Devil in the Laird of Auchinleck’s house and in that of Sir Lewis Bellenden, who was so terrified by the experience, we are told, ‘that he took sickness and thereof died’. But Graham also knew the Earls of Maitland and Bothwell. The latter recorded, ‘I met him once again at the For all your printing requirements Chancellor’s house where, in the presence of me and the Chancellor, and much much more as we were riding, he showed us a stick with nicks in it, all wrapped about with long hair, either of a man or a woman, and said that it was an All types of printing and design work undertaken, enchanted stick’ – the wand traditionally associated with a ritual magician, from simple b/w membership cards to full colour in fact. Bothwell and Graham were undoubtedly mixed up in some kind of plot to kill the King – Graham was said to have conferred with several brochures witches about the manufacture of a poison which would be placed in the palace so as to drip on James’s head and thus kill him – and when Please contact us for a free estimate Graham was later imprisoned in the Edinburgh tolbooth, the Earl sent him money on more than one occasion, asking him to keep quiet about the • Dissertations real reason for their association. Later Graham wrote directly to the King, using the King’s Master of Works as his messenger, (another example of • Theses his high connections), intimating that he was imprisoned in the tolbooth • Soft Binding contrary to an agreement he had made with someone unnamed, and that • Colour and B/W he should have been lodged comfortably in Stirling Castle. He had kept his side of the bargain, he wrote, and clearly looked to others to keep Printing and Copying theirs. His plea, however, did him no good. Bothwell escaped execution: • Large Format Poster Printing Graham did not. • Laminating Less gruesome is the case of David Howie, who lived in Edinburgh • Encapsulating and, like a number of other diviners and witches, had a familiar spirit who revealed people’s secrets to him. In August 1665, Elspeth Henderson • Mounting from Kirkliston told her minister that she had gone to consult Howie about a theft. Her house had been broken into and certain things stolen from it. Howie told her the culprit was a man who lived not far from her. He Purdie Building earned his living by buying and selling, had a dark complexion and long North Haugh black hair, his footprint measured eleven inches, and he had been married St Andrews twice. Even as he and Elspeth were speaking, said Howie, the man was Fife KY16 9ST appearing before the kirk session of Uphill for quarrelling with his present wife. Moreover, (a telling detail), he had been expelled from his last parish Telephone: (01334) 463020 for stealing. On the strength of this information, Elspeth accused one William Crawford, and had people search his house, since she was also Email: amm@st-andrews.ac.uk told that Crawford had not been at home the night her house was broken www.st-andrews.ac.uk/reprographic/latestrepro.html into. At this point, the record breaks off, with Crawford due to appear before a civil magistrate to answer the accusation.

Reprographics Unit

TOWN/GOWN

Healing Foods:

A Taste of Back to the Future at St. Andrews Dr Margaret Ritchie

Background Awareness of the role of nutrition in the prevention and treatment of disease is not a new concept. As early as 400BC, Hippocrates (460-370BC) was noted as stating ‘let food be your medicine and medicine be your food’.

Food contains a variety of chemicals, ranging from proteins, carbohydrates, including complex carbohydrates such as fructoligosaccharides, fats and fatty acids, macronutrients, micronutrients, vitamins, minerals and bioactive components including phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are nonnutritive components in the plant-based diet (‘phyto’ is from the Greek word meaning ‘plant’) that possess substantial anticarcinogenic (cancer preventing) and antimutagenic (antiDNA damaging) properties. Through the use of laboratory studies, the National Cancer Institute of America has identified over 1,000 different phytochemicals, all of which have demonstrated cancer-preventive properties. A single serving of vegetables has been estimated to contain more than 100 different phytochemicals, and 400 plant compounds are currently under investigation in Phase I, Phase II and Phase III trials, in order to investigate their potential role in cancer prevention or treatment. Plants also contain at least 12,000 natural chemicals in addition to phytochemcals. The use of plant biochemicals and vitamins as a therapy relies on the medicinal properties and actions of a number of these compounds. Nutrition and disease prevention has been well documented. It has been reported that the consumption of fruits and vegetables reduces the risk of some cancers. Up to 80% of cancers of the breast, bowel and prostate may be preventable by diet. Evidence from clinical and laboratory studies link nutritional factors and cancer risk. The use of nutrition, nutritional therapy, and functional foods in disease management and prevention is based on a general philosophy

that dietary manipulation or supplementation to include specific nutrients, will enable healing or prevent disease. Several renowned Scotsmen have already demonstrated a link between medicine, plant chemicals, and science; in 1874 Dr. Thomas McLaggan, a physician in Dundee, discovered the anti-rheumatic action of salicin from willow bark; in 1861, two Scottish botanists, William McIver and Robert MacKenzie, increased world-wide accessibility to quinine by enabling cinchona trees to grow outwith Peru; and perhaps, most notably, in 1920, Professor Robert Robinson and John Gulland from the department of Chemistry at St. Andrews University established the chemical structure of morphine. Professor Robinson also proposed a chemical method for its synthesis. Which herbs are commonly used in St. Andrews to-day? These may include the following :a) Peppermint (mentha x piperita) b) Ginger (zingiber officinalis) c) Lavender (lavendula angustifolia) d) Eucalyptus (eucalyptus globula) e) Thyme (thymus vulgaris) f) Lemon (Citrus Limon) g) German Chamomile (Matricaria Recutita) h) Onion(allium sepa) i) Garlic (allium sativum) j) Echinacea (echinacea purpurea/ angustifolia) k) Celery (Apium graveolens) l) Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) m) Juniper (juniperus communis) n) Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) o) Marjoram (Origanum marjorana) p) Clove bud (syzygium aromaticum)

and vasodilation or vasorelaxation agents. Raspberries also contain B group vitamins, Fibre, Iron and Vitamin C. Another group of chemicals found in plants are Phyto-oestrogens (plant based compounds that may have an oestrogenic action in the body). Approximately 800 phyto-oestrogens have been identified. They are found in a variety of foods including soy, bread, beer, alfalfa, coffee, tea, wine, liquorice, fruits, nuts, peas, cabbage and cereals. Even the humble strawberry is a source of phyto-oestrogens.

Prof Michael Steele and Dr Margaret Ritchie These compounds are of medical and scientific interest because populations with a high consumption of phyto-oestrogens, such as the Japanese and Chinese, tend to have lower rates of hormone-dependent cancers (such as those of the breast and prostate) compared to populations with low intakes, such as people living in America and Britain. CURRENT RESEARCH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS Dr. Ritchie at the University of St. Andrews was the first in the world to produce a validated database of the phyto-oestrogen contact of foods commonly eaten in Britain. The database is available on the web site of the university at http://medicine.st-andrews.ac.uk/ research/docs/ritchie User name: gentian Password: violet

Question: What is the LARGEST HERB? Answer: the banana • It provides: Fibre; Pectin; Vitamins, and minerals such as Folate; Magnesium; Potassium; Vitamin C; Vitamin B2 (riboflavin); Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine); Source of potassium; Vitamin B6 • Is vital for protein metabolism • Known to improve mood • Important for immune function • Involved in the conversion of the amino acid tryptophan to neurotransmitter serotonin • Low levels of B6 can lead to an increase in homocysteine (linked to heart disease) • Deficiency of B6 may cause insomnia. Irritability and fatigue Other St. Andrews foods and their effects on health include raspberries, which are currently undergoing anti-cancer studies. They have a potential action as anti-inflammatory

In addition, Dr. Ritchie was the first to identify biomarkers of phyto-oestrogen intake. A biomarker is a measurement of the blood or urine concentration of a chemical of interest, which enables an individual’s exposure to that particular chemical to be assessed. At St. Andrews University the phyto-oestrogen database and biomarkers of phyto-oestrogen exposure are being used currently in several studies including the largest prostate cancer study in Scotland (in collaboration with Edinburgh University) and breast cancer studies (in collaboration with Hairmyres Hospital, Lanarkshire and the Department of Integrative Medicine, University of Duisberg-Essen, Germany). Further development of the biomarker is being undertaken by Dr. Ritchie at St. Andrews University and the results will be presented in Geneva at the Phytohealth Conference in April 2005.

SHOPS & SERVICES

Let the bus take you shopping Stagecoach shows you that you can leave the car at home, and come into town to shop. Give it a go – it makes sense, doesn’t it? Nothing beats the services offered by Stagecoach in Fife when it comes to touring the Kingdom. From our fast, frequent limited stop services to the local routes connecting you with surrounding towns and villages, you can be sure of a hassle free day out to enjoy. For travel into St Andrews, we can help eliminate the parking and congestion problems and only ask that you hop on and enjoy the view! St Andrews is served well by our Express services, whilst local services run frequently to and from the surrounding countryside so you can easily plan your day out. You can choose from a range of tickets for travelling in St Andrews, with several money-saving and unlimited travel options. The Megarider ticket costs £6.50 and allows seven days of unlimited travel within St Andrews and as far out as Strathtyrum, Dewars Mill, Craigtoun Park, Cairnsmill caravan park, The Grange Farm and Kinkell Braes caravan park. Future refurbishment plans, which are due for completion next summer, for all of Fife’s bus stations will further promote the ease of travel in and around the area. St Andrews bus station building will be demolished and rebuilt with a glazed front and canopy that will cover four new stands. The building will encompass toilets, a travel shop and waiting area. In addition, passengers will benefit from improved CCTV and new electronic information. For more information about any of our routes, fares or tickets, drop into one of our travel shops or visit our website at www.stagecoachbus.com

SHOPS & SERVICES Pamela Smith tells the story of another St Andrews family business. Trained as a nurse, she then changed tack to became a legal secretary in Glasgow. On the death of her father, Pamela became a partner in the business with her brother Christopher.

J. & W. Tulloch – Painters and Decorators St Andrews‘, and arguably North East Fife’s, survived the conflict, Alexander then bought longest established painting and decorating himself into the business. business was founded by James and William The three set up shop at 13 South Tulloch in 1933. The brothers had both served Street, where they remained until 1953. This their apprenticeships was the year that with Robertsons & Grandmother, We have built up a reputation my Sons, formerly of South WinnieTulleth, joined Street, before starting for quality workmanship, value the firm at their up on their own. premises in 68 for money, and high standards new They were South Street. Winnie joined shortly after continues to live in the the Second World War by my grandfather, town and was delighted to be able to provide Alexander Tulleth, who had served overseas in the history of the firm for this piece. the armed forces, and had seen action in the Alexander Tulleth passed on in 1975, and Desert Campaign. Fortunate enough to have the running of the firm then passed to cousins Bill and Alistair Tulleth (my father), together with Winnie, who retired in 1985. It was then that my Auntie Ann Guild took over the running of the office for the firm. 1985 also saw J. & W. Tulloch move to their current location at 14 Woodburn Terrace, St Andrews. When Bill retired in 1990, Alistair continued to run the business until his untimely death in 1995. At this point my brother Chris and I took over. Christopher had joined the firm in 1984 as an apprentice, then after a 3-year stint in the British

Army – “to see the world” – had returned to the firm in 1991. We have built up a reputation for quality workmanship, value for money, and high standards. The firm is a happy one, with a current squad of 8 time-served tradesmen and two apprentices, all from the St Andrews and district area. Our longest serving tradesman has been with us for over 30 years. Our firm is very much a family business, and we are heavily involved in our local community. For instance, at Christmas we joined with the other shop owners in Woodburn Terrace to organise a Christmas lights swichon by Santa with lights, balloons, home bakes, mulled wine, goody bags for the children and a sleigh brought along by Cupar Round Table (my husband is a member). The reason why all these Tulleths are involved is a firm called Tulloch! Strangely enough this has passed into the annuls of history, and no-one can really remember the transition of the names, or how it came about.

On the Monday before Christmas, Flora Selwyn’s two elder grandchildren flew unaccompanied from City Airport in London to Dundee Airport, (and back two days later – their Christmas present!). They were so well looked after, by such pleasant staff, that a visit to the Airport to find out more was immediately put in the diary!

Dundee – The Airport That Cares lands.” The runway is sufficient for On a sunny day in March, David Johnston, Dundee’s Airport Manager four-engined turbo jets carrying since 1989, welcomed me into his office. I asked how long there up to 115 passengers. However, had been an airport here on this lovely location beside the River Tay. the Dornier 328 turbo props, which Originally there was a grass airstrip at Riverside, which was zoned for operate on the London service, Mr. development in 1958. In 1965 a more suitable site further west was Johnston said, are faster than some regional jets, taking about 1hr 10m authorised. By the 1970s Dundee had caught up in size with Aberdeen, from London as opposed to 1hr 20m. and as the third/fourth largest city in Scotland was still without an air link. And what of the future? Like all businesses the Airport would like to Dundee had been served by a service to London from Leuchars – what increase and improve its provision. Since 1999 the City Airport connection later became the sergeants’ mess was then the passenger terminal! To has served 270,000 very satisfied customers. However, the site, a improve the economy of the area, Tayside Regional Council eventually relatively narrow strip of reclaimed land, cannot accommodate larger won the approval of the Secretary of State and in July 1980 Roy Jenkins, aircraft such as 737s, and certainly not Jumbos. then President of the European Commission, Mr Johnson then took me along to find opened the Terminal Buildings as part of the Since 1999 the City Airport out more about the passenger-friendly side of second phase of development. European money, connection has served 270,000 the Airport from three of his 55 staff, Evelyn together with steady investment through the Clarke, Stacy Bott, and Arlene Scott. Evelyn 1980s established the airport we see today. very satisfied customers said, “We feel we’re like a family, so we like to There were various scheduled services at extend that to looking after others, even to helping people whose cars first, including Manchester, which ran for over 15 years, and one to Esjberg break down outside! We just want the friendly touch.” I nodded, knowing in Denmark. A service to Palma in Majorca, ran in 1997, but issues outside from my own experience with my grandchildren that these were not empty Dundee conspired against it continuing. Then in 1999 Brian Soutar and words. Evelyn continued, “We’re the only Council-run airport in the whole his sister Ann Gloag invested in a service flying from London’s City Airport of Scotland. We’re all employed by the Council (Dundee City Council). to Dundee and Edinburgh. Today, ScotAirways, owned by Mr. & Mrs. We have a lot of different hats – we do everything that many staff do Suckling, operate regular and frequent flights to City Airport, and a service in big airports, including all the office work. We multi-task. It’s good for between Southampton and Amsterdam. From May to October Ramsay us because it’s never boring, you get job-satifaction.” Stacy, who was World Travel operates a popular weekly summer flight to Jersey in the educated at St Leonard’s School in St Andrews, added, “In a big airport Channel Islands. people pass the buck, whereas here we know everyone and can deal with Mr. Johnston told me that problems that arise.” Arlene agreed. So, if you arrive too early for your since Leuchars is so busy these flight and sit waiting nervously in the comfortable coloured seats, you’re days some of their Air Force likely to be offered a nice cup of cheering tea or coffee. Or if you’re late, trainers come here. Continental the staff will look out for your car arriving outside in the free car park. light aircraft also use the Airport, Time passed all too quickly. I left with a warm glow of appreciation. In which has customs, immigration spite of their busy schedules, Mr Johnston and his staff had given freely of and security controls in place. their time for a most relaxed, friendly, and informative interview with me, a I was surprised to learn that a private and humble magazine publisher! I thank them all, most sincerely. private aircraft can arrive at any time, “we may not know about For further information, call Dundee City Airport : 01382 662 200 it until a few minutes before it

SHOPS & SERVICES

A Classic Country House with a Contemporary Twist In the long-gone days of gracious living, partner in 1976 when her parents retired, and Dundee architect Donald Mills designed a sole proprietor in 1986. Ann oversaw further house in the country for Mrs Anne Brydon development of the hotel, expanding to 24Gilroy, widow of a ‘weel kent’ Dundee jute bedrooms with improved facilities and new baron. ABG 1924 can still be seen on the technology, as well as investment in staff keystone above the door leading into the training and development. A first for a Fife hotel, beautiful 10-acre garden. Records from 1642 Rufflets gained Investors in People recognition relate that the land was part of the Priory Acres in 1996. The Thistle Awards for Customer belonging to the Priory of St Andrews. Old Care and Large Company Training followed in Scots called this land “Ruch (pronounced “ruff”) 1999. Three Red Stars came from the AA in flets”; that is, “rough, flat ground”. 2000, the same year that the Scottish Tourist The Courier and Advertiser of 1951 Board awarded Five Stars for “World Class reported the sale of the house – “The new Standards”. With rigorous annual inspections owners are understood to be local people, who these accolades have been maintained year on are considering the possibility of converting year. the house into a private hotel. There are six In this 21st century, the annual fortnight’s bedrooms plus five servants’ bedrooms, as well holiday has been superseded by short breaks as two modern cottages.” These new owners of perhaps three nights. Many summer visitors were George and Margaret Cook and Jimmy come to play golf. As many as fifty members and Anna Meldrum. Joined by Margaret and of staff look after summer guests. But only Anna’s parents, they moved into the cottages one man, Andy, with a student to lend a hand during the conversion of the house, opening in in summer, looks after the garden, including May 1952 as a seven-bedroom hotel. At this the huge vegetable plot which supplies the time rationing was still in operation and the first kitchens, and he has been in post continuously guests were obliged to hand in their coupons for 27 years – “the longest serving member of if they wanted fresh eggs for breakfast! staff; a man with a mission,” enthuses Ann. Families on their annual fortnight’s holiday Ann Murray-Smith has decided to retire enjoyed entertainments of all kinds including after 35 years at the helm, handing over the tournaments for tennis, putting, croquet, and operational reins to Ken Mathewson. Ann’s there were even treasure hunts; a sort of sons, Mark and Christopher, will remain active private country house party for paying guests. as partners, keeping the family traditions alive. “Granny” Mackay’s Ken Mathewson afternoon teas, took over as General Ann Murray-Smith has decided to Manager in October especially Sunday afternoon teas, retire after 35 years at the helm, 2004, having been became the talk of introduced to the handing over the operational Fife and beyond, and partners by a mutual reins to Ken Mathewson all for the princely sum acquaintance! Ken of 2/6d! The business is a local man, thrived because every member of the family come home to roost. Born and educated in participated, even cleaning the guests’ shoes Dundee, he trained in Hospitality Management before going to bed. Tragically, Anna and Jimmy at Robert Gordon’s College, Aberdeen. His first died in 1956, leaving George and Margaret to job in the industry was a student placement take on the running of the business as well as at Holiday Inn, Aberdeen, where his boss was bringing up the Meldrum’s three children, along Stephen Carter, (currently General Manager at with their own daughter, Ann. St Andrews Bay). The hospitality business is a Ann Murray-Smith, (formerly Russell), small world! daughter of George and Margaret Cook, Ken comes with a vast amount of hotel joined the business in 1970, becoming a experience, gained both in the UK and

mainland Europe. He spent 22 years working for the Holiday Inn Corporation/Inter-Continental Hotels Group, before returning home to Scotland to set up his own consultancy, whilst looking for a suitable property to “put his own stamp on.”

Since re-opening in January, the Garden Restaurant has been refurbished to give it a more contemporary feel, which complements the style of cooking offered in the dailychanging dinner menus. Staff in all departments also have new uniforms to complete the contemporary image. A new lunch menu has been introduced in the Music Room Bar, offering a wide selection of ‘lite bites’, as well as delicious meals to cater for all appetites and tastes. This menu is planned to change with the seasons. Following on the success of two recent Gourmet Nights, two more are planned for 17th June, and 14th October. Jazz, too, is coming – on the first Sunday in the month from May to September, you can enjoy a Jazz Carvery Lunch. On all other Sundays traditional lunches will be served. The Hotel is also licensed as a civil marriage venue, and wedding parties large and small can book either exclusive use of the entire Hotel, or the use of one of the beautifully furnished reception rooms. A marquee can also be put up in the Hotel grounds to accommodate larger numbers. Ken waxes lyrical over his many plans for the future, plans destined to make Rufflets the place to be! Watch this space…

SHOPS & SERVICES

Roving Reporter had a chat with

Mike Craig, Unknown Pleasures at 78 South Street, St Andrews, stocking vinyl records and CDs of every sort. Mike is a Scot, but was brought up in Leicester. As a child he came to St Andrews on holiday, and his first retail outlet is unique in the town. “I grew up with punk and I collected records”, Mike explained, “and I was in a band as a teenager”. For eight years he has been trading successfully on the internet at www.vinylnet.co.uk which has grown from humble beginnings in Mike’s back bedroom to having 35,000 items of vinyl listed. St Andrews born graduate Caryn Hutchison now helps Mike run one of the largest record mail order businesses in Britain from the shop. Their main markets are Japan and America, but there are very few countries in the world Mike hasn’t shipped music to at some time over the last few years. Unusually, Mike doesn’t specialise in any one category, but stocks items across the board, and prices range from £1 upwards for singles to several hundred pounds for rare collector’s items. His associate shop in Manchester, Kingbee Records, was reported recently in the Guardian to be one of the best 5 in Britain. The website has also been recommended by the Telegraph, Hi-Fi World, and Record Collector magazines. Mike says he has probably the best selection of reggae, soul, and jazz in Scotland as well as stocks of punk, indie, metal and progressive rock. In addition, Mike holds a specialist

list for Beatles, Stones, and Queen collectors. You can also find memorabilia such as autographs, T-Shirts and posters. The shop seems to have been very well received by locals. “So many people have said it was just what the town needed” says Mike, “The omens must be good”. Mike told Reporter that “we were very, very surprised to get the premises” in such a prestigious location. If music is your thing, pay him a visit!

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Roving Reporter couldn’t believe his eyes – a shop that disappeared 12 months ago has returned to the opposite side of the street! So, welcome back, Moshulu, at 120 Market Street, St Andrews, (01334 470 784); owners, Trevor and June Swan. In answer to Reporter’s question, Trevor said, “Why did we come back? It’s a lovely town and we like doing business here. We’ve been looking for premises since we left really.” He went on to say that the Moshulu brand has gone from strength to strength (he never stopped trading, as he opened a shop in Alnwick, in the Borders, about the same time that he last left St Andrews). Nationally there are some 40 franchises, but the only other one in Scotland is in Peebles. Reporter asked about the origin of the name. Trevor explained that about 12 years ago the Company bought 80 pairs of deck shoes, establishing a connection with sailing; Moshulu was the four-masted barque which won the Last Grain Race

out of Australia in 1939, having completed a round voyage of more than 30,000 miles. You can read all about it in Eric Newby’s book A Merry Dance Around the World (Harper Collins1995). The shoes, manufactured in Europe for the Company, and designed in-house, are all made of leather. Prices range, for instance, from £49.99 for gents’ shoes, £59.99 for waterproof suede walking boots. There are also walking sandals for both men and women, and a comprehensive range of leather deck shoes. Shortly there will be a range of children’s shoes as well. Slippers, too, always sell very well. Colour is the distinguishing element of Moshulu footwear. “We have very few dull black or brown shoes,” Trevor said, “Moshulu colour is the way we like to portray shoes, to make you happy to put them on!” – like the colourful wellies for everyone that currently make a fashion statement. In the words of the song, “these shoes are made for walking…”

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Passing Playfair Terrace, North Street, our Reporter was impressed by the amount of rebuilding going on at the Ardgowan Hotel, so, of course, he had to go and find out more. Dr Roy McLachlan, the Hotel’s owner since August 2003, made time from his hectic day to speak about his plans. He said that Historic Scotland “were somewhat delighted that we were going to restore the original front façade” of this lovely Georgian building

dating from 1834, and thought to have been designed by the St Andrews architect George Rae. The main entrance, with its original fanlight, has returned to the centre of the building. All the windows, though necessarily double glazed, conform to conservation standards and with their 12 panes appear as they did originally. Expense hasn’t been spared in the conversion of this 12-bedroom hotel to 19 bedrooms, all en-suite. The designer, Mikhail Pietranek, who has worked at Ballater for the Royal Family, has produced a theme that is “very much Scottish”, since it is Roy McLachlan’s wish to promote Scotland in every way possible. In keeping with that aim, Reporter learned that all the food for the Hotel’s restaurant comes from Scottish and local sources – “everything we serve is from the best local suppliers. The ingredients are the best in the world.” Privileged to be shown some of the newly refurbished rooms, Reporter can testify to their comfort, and attractive, welcoming air. The views from them are quite breathtaking, and very surprising in such an urban setting. Roy said that when the top floor is complete the rooms will look out on the Old Course – enough to make any golfer supremely happy! Roy and his wife came originally from Glasgow, but stayed a long time in London. They always wanted to live in St Andrews and are delighted to be here, where “the people are friendly and interesting.” Reporter wishes them well.

Hot Tip for Mobile Phone Owners from Keith Morris (just in case you don’t know)

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If you press *#06# on your mobile you will find a unique personal 15 digit serial number.

•

Keep this safe somewhere in case you lose your phone, or it’s stolen – Give your service provider this number and your phone will be locked, making it completely useless to anyone else.

SHOPS & SERVICES

Cakes Glorious Cakes HAVE YOU HEARD THE NEWS? A new experience awaits you at the newly-refurbished Alexander’s Restaurant – and to celebrate, our chef has prepared a sparkling new menu 2 courses £19.95 3 courses £22.95 Reopening Friday 6 May 2005 To make a reservation please telephone Scores Hotel 01334 472451

Claire Gammie’s passion for cakes all started with a simple Christmas cake she copied out of a magazine. After her first attempts she soon started receiving orders for birthday cakes, anniversary cakes and even wedding cakes from her family, friends and acquaintances. Fifteen years and two small children later, with much encouragement from her family, Claire decided to turn her hobby into her job, which she combines with looking after her boys. Based in Strathkinness, Claire creates speciality cakes for Weddings, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Christening, Hen and Stag Nights, Leaving Parties, Corporate Events and all other sorts of special occasions. All cakes are individually designed with much input from the customer so that the finished cake is original and unique. Claire is a firm believer that what is underneath must be as good as the decoration itself and has developed her own delicious recipes. Claire is making lots of wedding cakes and says that many couples are now opting for fun cakes with character figures, castles and bright colours rather than traditional flowers. Fruit cake is also much less popular these days being taken over by chocolate and carrot cake. Celebration cakes can be as plain and classic or as colourful and crazy as our imagination allows. From delicate and intricate floral arrangements for wedding anniversaries through to pink ballerinas or swashbuckling pirates for the children, almost all requests can be catered for. A cake can add a special touch to all sorts of celebrations, so why not give Claire a call or you can check out some of Claire’s creations on her website at www.cakesgloriouscakes.net

SHOPS & SERVICES

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SHOPS & SERVICES

FOR SALE 11 College Street, St. Andrews Rare opportunity to acquire a unique stone-built 16thC townhouse on 3 floors. Beautifully presented “A” listed building with fabulous vaulted diningroom, drawingroom, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, cloakroom and fully-fitted kitchen/breakfast room. Small courtyard with pend, pool, fountain and gargoyle. Centrally located on quiet, cobbled pedestrian street.

Historical Notes by Dr David Wishart This unique medieval terraced stone-built townhouse in the heart of St. Andrews will be of great appeal to anyone looking for a family home steeped in historical character and atmosphere. The date of first building has not been accurately determined, but it is thought to be 16th century post-Reformation, possibly earlier. It was restored by the St. Andrews Preservation Trust in 1968-70, as commemorated by a plaque on the outer wall. A medieval grinding stone was found in the courtyard during excavations by the Trust. It is thought that access since the 19th century was via the gated pend, because an original street door was uncovered in July 1968 having been in-filled with stone and harled over. This was reinstated and heightened in 1968, as recorded in photographs taken by the Trust’s architect during restoration. The vaulted cellar wing, currently used as a dining room, is listed category “A” and is noted on the historical map of St. Andrews. Stones framing the large fireplace show signs of carving and the courtyard features a gargoyle, suggesting that these may have been

removed from St. Andrews Cathedral after its destruction following the Reformation in the 16th century. This would date the building to late 16th or early 17th century. The Preservation Trust’s architect conjectured that it is a house shown on the John Geddy map of c.1580, mid-way down College Street with a courtyard and back wing, details which are consistent with the present layout. The site is definitely shown occupied in the Ordnance Survey map of 1855. In medieval times, St. Andrews had 3 principal streets, North Street, South Street and Market Street, radiating from the Cathedral as the focal point for Catholic worship. After the University was established in 1411, St. Salvator’s College and Chapel were founded on North Street in 1450 by Bishop James Kennedy. College Street was constructed some time after this date to provide additional housing, services and direct access to the College from Market Street and South Street. The very name “College Street” implies a link with St. Salvator’s College. It is cobbled, and now restricted to pedestrian use only.

Colin McAllister asks . . .

How well do you know St Andrews? On the garden wall of Gibson House, facing City Road, is a badly eroded carved stone – see photo below. This stone bears the coat of arms of one of the most famous graduates of St Andrews University, Gavin Douglas, the late medieval poet, who had a house near the spot. With assistance from the Court of the Lord Lyon in Edinburgh it has been possible to establish what the coat of arms looked like, and this is depicted below, together with a brief account of Gavin Douglas’ life. It is hoped that permission may be obtained from the relevant bodies to erect a copy of the coat of arms and a descriptive plaque, so that this important part of our history can be recognised. Gavin Douglas was born in 1474 in Tantallon Castle, East Lothian, the third son of Archibald, fifth Earl of Angus, (known as “Bell the Cat” for his leadership of the Scottish nobles’ opposition to James III’s favourites). A poet, Douglas was noted for his “Palice of Honour”, and for his “Eneados”, a translation of Virgil’s “Aeneid” into Scots, to which he added his own verse Prologues to the various books. He was Bishop of Dunkeld from 1516-22 and died of the plague in London in 1522.

FEATURES

They say that if you want something done, then

Ask a busy man . . . That’s surely Douglas Hamilton

A true son of St Andrews, Douglas Hamilton has packed an astonishing amount into his life. He showed promise early when he became Dux of Madras Preparatory School in 1938, going on to an Honours Degree in Chemistry at St Andrews University, followed by a spell with Lever Brothers, then a Diploma in Education in 1952. After six years teaching in Buckhaven High School and Bell Baxter in Cupar, Douglas became Training and Education Officer with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. Then, in 1960 Douglas entered Further Education, which was to become the main area of his work. He was very much involved with the development of Dundee’s Kingsway Technical College and became Head of its Department of Mathematics and Sciences (including Horticulture).

the Council, Douglas was involved with so many projects it would fill a large volume. Suffice it to say that St Andrews University, the Byre Theatre, the Botanic Garden, Madras College, and many others, have good reason to be grateful to Douglas for his support. Interest in the Rotary movement prompted Douglas to help set up the Rotary Club of North Fife in 1969, and under his subsequent Presidency the first ‘meals on wheels’ van became operative. Both St Andrews Probus Club and the St Andrews Society of St Andrews had Douglas as their Chairman. Appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1978, Douglas sat on the Bench The sheer range of Douglas’ achievements take the breath away: of the District Court for many years. In 1988 the Secretary of State for – he is an accomplished gardener, winning Best Kept Garden in Scotland appointed him to serve on the Justices Advisory Committee for Tayport, before going on to become Vice-President of Tayport North East Fife. In 1996 he was elected a lay member of the University Horticultural Society for over 20 years, and then on the committee of Court, and after four years, in 2000, the oldest University Alumnus the St. Andrews Rose Society (sadly now disbanded). Association, The After Many Days Club, elected Douglas President – an organist, he has played in many churches in North East Fife, and after he had acted as treasurer for 14 years. In the same year Douglas for approximately fifty years as a locum in Hope Park Church in was also elected to serve on the University General Council’s Business St Andrews. Committee for the third time. For the past ten years Douglas has been Chairman of the Madras – a keen golfer, he served on the Links Trust and was responsible College Endowment Fund. Every year this provides substantial financial for helping to develop the Golf Driving Range and Practice Centre, backing to the College library, games, music, which opened in 1993. During the Open in 1990, and again in 1995, Douglas acted “Service above Self”, the Rotary etc. as well as awarding between six and eight University bursaries. When funds allow, as Convener of the Tented Village and Movement’s motto, has always travel grants are given to students taking a Exhibition/Hospitality Centre, helping in year out. its organisation and successful smooth been Douglas’ guiding principle “Service above Self”, the Rotary running. Captain of the North East Fife throughout his outstanding life of Movement’s motto, has always been Douglas’ District Council Golf Team, Douglas played guiding principle throughout his outstanding many annual matches against Edinburgh, dedication to his community. life of dedication to his community. There’s a winning in 1988, 1989, 1990, and 1993. sparkle in his eyes when he recalls, with a wry sense of humour, some – Elder of Tayport Parish Church from 1973, Douglas was then appointed of the things that have happened to him. On one occasion he was able Elder at Hope Park Church in 1987, and Strathkinness in 2004. to “rescue” a friend who was about to be stranded in the snow after – Douglas wasn’t just ‘someone on a committee’, he got things done midnight, by transfering petrol from his own car with the aid of a catheter through committees. Thus he co-ordinated Tayport’s contributions to and a milk carton. And he gave the Duke of Edinburgh a hearty laugh a Whole Body Scanner, he helped revive Tayport’s band, becoming during a whistle-stop tour of Fife in the late ‘70s; Douglas was wearing the Hon. President of Tayport Instrumental Band. He was also an Hon. tartan and the Duke wanted to know which one it was. Douglas replied President of Tayport Tennis Club, as well as Scotscraig Bowling Club, that it was “ the Hamilton tartan, but not the Willy Hamilton (anti-royalist) Vice-President of Tayport Old Folks Welfare Committee and Sick one.” Comforts Fund. Douglas is a family man. Married to Pamela in 1956, they have a In1967 Douglas became a Tayport Town Councillor until the 1974 son, Graeme, who is an Air Traffic controller, and four grandchildren. On reorganisation, when he stood as an Independent and went on to become top of that, gardening, golf, helping out at Probus, playing the organ when the longest serving councillor on the District Council. During his time on asked, and all his other interests, still keep Douglas fully occupied.

The Three B’s Bedding Bits & Bobs 47-49 Kinnessburn Road, St Andrews, KY16 8AD Phone 01334 470700 Photocopying 5p per sheet A selection of haberdashery & wool Bedding at good prices with 10% discount for students, hotels and B&Bs Dance wear now in stock – shoes and outfits Also in store: Large range of new jewellery & candles, cards, fancy goods, batteries, tools, crystal, etc.

FEATURES

The Lammas Market

WINNER

Through the eyes of Fairground Enthusiast Alan Sturrock, (AJS Video Services, St Andrews). Won’t be long now before the Market is back!

– the Easter Egg Competition

Having been born and brought up in no longer come to Market Street include St Andrews, I have many memories of the Whites Big Wheel and Cyclone Twist (now Market from the ‘70s to the present day. replaced by the Waltzer) There was also Some of my earliest memories are as a The Ark, called the Jungle Ride, (which young child, when all the rides seemed was replaced by the Dodgems, the same very big and impressive; well they were ones that still come years later). A stall in those days, but looking back now at which is still as popular as ever is Johnny photographs they seem quite old and Pullar’s Bingo. Do you remember a side≠dated. I wonder what rides and side-stalls stall with 3 magnetic tanks that went down will be like in years to come? How can a board, you had to get them through an they really make them any bigger or better, arch to score points? Or did you ever win but I’m sure they will. a goldfish by getting the table-tennis ball in Do you remember when the lorries the goldfish bowl? and caravans came into town and parked South Street is closed to the public on in Lamond Drive and Langlands Road, the Sunday afternoon and the rides pull with their little steps on and build up in outside to help their the early evening, The showmen’s wives owners into their ready for working take great pleasure and vans? Even in those on the Monday and care over their homes days the caravans Tuesday. Market all looked very smart Tuesday is always and tidy, often painted in the same colours the second Tuesday in August. The big as their trucks. The showmen’s wives take rides (the ‘big hitters’, as we call them) great pleasure and care over their homes are usually situated in South Street. – well, they are their homes for most of the The Chair-o’-Planes was a big hit in my year when they are on the road going from teenage days; I thought it was just swings, market to market. Nowadays the caravans but when it started and moved round are parked down on the West Sands and and round it threw you out and over the the vans have access to more modern crowds. That kind of ride is still going facilities. Some of the showmen who still round the fairgrounds today, but with more come to the market today will remember modern technology. They have also taken very well these changes. the idea and made it much more powerful Market Street is closed to the public and into bigger rides. Some of the other from lunch-time on the Thursday, to enable old favourites are still going strong and it to be cleared, ready to let the vans in nice to see if well maintained, like the from either end in the early evening to Carousel with the horses, which has only enable them to build up. If you go up to recently returned to South Street. Most of Market Street, there are usually some the big rides nowadays are on trailers, so really keen people hanging about to watch they only take 3 – 4 hours to fold out and this. The vans all know the order they have build up, unlike in days gone by when it to enter in; Waltzers first, then smaller all had to be carried from a lorry and built side-stalls, so that they all get into the from scratch; Health and Safety would correct place for building up. The Waltzers’ have something to say about that now! paybox is the centre of their ride so it’s got The Market wouldn’t be the Market to be put in the correct place first, then the without the traditional food vendors; oh workmen start measuring out and building yes, hot dogs, burgers, chips, put them all up the rest of the ride. At the same time, together and add a touch of music, which the Dodgems’ framework for the base is is always pumping out of the rides, and the being put in position and then the plates magic of the lights, flashing on and off, the for the cars to run on and the steps for the paintwork on all the rides and stalls – no spectators to stand on. Within hours the wonder I became a fairground enthusiast! tops of the rides get put on, but sometimes they leave that to the next day. Market Street is open to the public from lunch-time on Friday. Some of the rides and stalls that

Courtesy Burns Sweet Shop, 96 Market Street The man who got it all correct is Colin McAllister of St Andrews 1. The marriage stone is on a south-facing wall in South Court, off South St. 2. The, apparently, kneeling man is tucked into a corner between two walls opposite the Byre Theatre’s upper (garden) entrance. He is an enigma. 3. The harp is over a door in Murray Park 4. Lorimer’s sculpture is over a doorway on the Buchanan Building in Union St. 5. This beautifully restored marriage stone is on a lintel in Abbey Street on the left when you face south, at the junction with South St. 6. You will find this vase of lilies on the north-facing square tower of the Cathedral wall on the East Scores. Congratulations, Colin, enjoy your well-earned Easter Egg!

FEATURES Ellen Emily Johnson will celebrate her 92nd birthday on 22nd June – we send her warm congratulations and hope she enjoys a very happy day. Margaret Wilson kindly introduced her to Flora Selwyn and we spent a fascinating afternoon chatting to her about her memories.

With Best Wishes! The first thing brought to our attention was a pottery figurine (see photo) of a suffragette with her placard, “Votes for Women!” It is a portrait of Ellen’s mother, Harriet Jessie Gray, born in 1884. She was a friend of Christabel Pankhurst, who, with her mother Emmeline Pankhurst, leaders of the Suffragette Movement at the beginning of the 20th century, obtained votes for women and thus changed British politics for ever. Ellen says that as children she and her two sisters grew very tired of hearing about their mother’s exploits – how she had tied herself to railings and been in trouble with the Law – but today, of course, she is tremendously proud of her and the achievements of the Suffragettes. Harriet was working class, a cook in the Arts Club in London. Ellen’s father, Walter Bertram Mynn, (son of Gretton Harcourt Mynn) with Welsh antecedents, was sufficiently upper class that he didn’t need to work. It was his intervention that kept Ellen’s mother out of prison; “they made a nuisance of themselves to Parliament” says Ellen with a twinkle. We asked her if she knew why her mother took to politics. Ellen made a fist, “She was like that! They (the Suffragettes) did a good job. They made themselves heard and things are

better now. I’m pleased now and proud that my mother was a Suffragette, though I was bored by it at the time. What’s next for women?” A good question! We asked her if she approved of feminism. “Yes,” came the unequivocal reply, “Mother said, one good woman is worth two good men.” When she was 11 years old, Ellen won a scholarship to the Dame Alice Owen Foundation School in London. In those days there was a stigma attached to anyone who was left-handed. Children would be forced to change by having their left hands tied behind their backs. Ellen couldn’t face this treatment so, with great determination, she forced herself to write with her right hand and hide her preference. Her father died when she was 15, but with her mother’s endeavour she was able to stay on at school until she was 18.

If you believed in something, you did it

After that she spent two years at Greystoke College training to be a teacher. Offered five jobs on qualifying, Ellen threw herself into her new profession, teaching geography to classes of 50 pupils. “I liked teaching,“ Ellen proclaims, “I was offered headships, but I didn’t take them because I loved teaching. If you believed in something, you did it,” surely a lesson in itself! Ellen’s elder sister became a Civil Servant. Her younger sister wanted very much to become a hairdresser, but mother was adamant that she was to “better herself“, and so she became an office worker. All through the War, Ellen taught in London. She remembers “bombs dropping, bang, bang, bang! People smoked and joked while sheltering under stairs.” Ellen’s husband and brothers-in-law were all in the RAF. Ellen became interested in English Country Dancing and often went to Cecil Sharp House in London to take part. She taught her pupils to dance and put them through competitions, “they never made mistakes, they had to be perfect!” In 1973, on reaching the age of 60, Ellen was obliged to retire from teaching, “I could have gone on,” she complains, “but they wouldn’t let me.” Her husband passed away in 1980. Daughter Christine, having come to live in St Monans with her Scottish partner, sadly died of MS. To be with her daughter, Ellen also came to live in St Monans. Here she bred Golden Retrievers, and showed them at Crufts. Selling 6-8 week old puppies for £60 each, Ellen says she made a lot of money. She remembered one Belgian lady who came to buy a puppy called Buster; her English being a little deficient, the lady thought the puppy was a bastard! Today Ellen is frail, but her mind is sharp. She regularly does the Telegraph cryptic crossword (she started doing crosswords when she was 9 years old) and finds Countdown on TV “easy”. Beautiful embroidery is another of Ellen’s talents. Living in Balnacarron Retirement Home for the past three years, she is well cared for, while her many visitors keep her cheerful and mentally active. Her younger sister, now 85 and living in England, comes to visit as often as possible. A rich and eventful life – long may it continue.

FEATURES Jane Fox, St Andrews, and...

A Varied Life I first came to St Andrews in 1971, to act at didn’t mind standing up in front of a hundred There were dinner what was then referred to as the ‘new’ Byre. strangers ‘apparently being someone else’, parties where women were Leuchars Station at 8 o’clock on a grey April as she described anyone who was acting, but expected to leave the room morning seemed to be in the middle of nowhere who had no idea how to pronounce Kirkcaldy. after the meal while the and unwelcoming. There was practically no-one I began to learn about life in Fife, way back gentlemen had port! Cars in sight, the bus for town had left five minutes and in the present. They treated me like one and houses were left unlocked at that time, and before the train came in, I had two large of their own, and when later I was in other once or twice I would find someone wandering suitcases filled with six towns and other round the garden, or even the cottage, if the They treated me like one of their theatres I would months’ worth of clothes meter man thought he wouldn’t bother me by and belongings, and knocking. It was very strange to me. own, and when later I was in other daydream about wore a long coat which St Andrews. In my No one wanted me to be lonely, but they towns and other theatres I would mind I would walk did want me to be like themselves, so I had to made it impossible to leave the station without round the town, adapt. daydream about St Andrews stopping on each step go along the There is a saying about walking a mile in order to lift first my coat from under my feet, West Sands at the time of year when the sky in someone else’s shoes before one knows and then whichever suitcase had had to be left never gets completely dark at night, or down anything about that other person. It was hard on the step behind for lack of a third hand. Abbey Street and out towards The Grange. I not being offered the sort of work I could have Dragging the suitcases along the path would remember fish suppers and pokes of expected as a matter of course in London, but I beside the field up to the shelter on the main chips from the shop at the end of South Street, learnt a lot from the different shoes I was forced road, I began to feel I would miss the bus that and the bakery across the road where, on my to walk in. would ‘be along there some time’ and shuttle second day in town and still used to city ways, I served in a wholefood shop, did secretarial forever between the two stops, missing first one I had stood impatiently in the queue thinking, work, became a care assistant, bus and then the other. ‘I wish the woman behind the counter would re-trained in information technology and taught At the guest house I was to stay at until stop chatting and get on and serve us all’, and people how to use computers. I looked after I found somewhere to live, I arrived too late where, from a few days the website at the for breakfast, and, after a brief ‘reading’ at after that and forever St Andrews Museum, It was different living in the theatre, spent the rest of the day alone after, I would have been worked in a gift shop, St Andrews rather than being discovering that every flat in town was taken. hurt and disappointed if I and waited on tables. I knocked on doors in North Street, asking had been served without I’ve cleaned toilets, an outsider who visited bemused occupants if they might have a ‘a wee blether’ before washed floors and spare room, and cried over the following day’s ‘cheerio the now’ was said. polished brass, and now I work in Lebibe when breakfast. Between jobs, I came back to St Andrews the owner goes away, and get to sell lovely That day, when the final solicitors’ office on holiday, visiting friends I had made while jewellery and leather bags. told me they had no accommodation to let, in I was at the Byre. In 1979, I married one and It’s nice to be in a place where faces are desperation I asked the receptionist if she knew came back for good. familiar and friendly and people smile at each of anyone who would rent me a room. She did. It was different living in St Andrews rather other, where time is taken and one can stand The kind owner of the guest house, who had than being an outsider who visited. In a small and chat. In America, there is a saying about thought I might change my mind about town one doesn’t decide who to know and who out-of-state Texans – ‘You can take the Texan St Andrews being such a horrible place, drove to be indifferent to. A week or so after I arrived, out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of me round to the house of the receptionist’s a man let a shop door swing shut in my face the Texan’. St Andrews will be like that for me. granny! and I turned to be equally rude verbally. He was I’ll be leaving again and pursuing other plans, Granny Rodger and her family took me in someone I knew from Scottish Rock Garden but wherever I go, I’ll take with me some of the hand, this odd person from down south who Club – and I said nothing. attitudes and outlook of St Andrews.

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FEATURES Roberta Littleford leads a hectic life, like so many modern women. She told Flora Selwyn about her

Fine balancing act The first thing Roberta told me was that she’s just turned 40. That, of course, prompted me to say it was just the start of a new life. But for Roberta starting a new life is nothing out of the ordinary. In 1998 Roberta graduated in Nursing, BSc with Distinction, at Dundee Institute of Technology (now Abertay University). She says she was lucky to have no money problems since she was paid for nursing during the summer, while doing the academic work in term time. Upon graduating she was invited to co-author a book called ‘Lifespan Health Psychology’, for which she researched the disease processes of age groups, and Douglas Paton (ex- University of St.Andrews Lecturer) wrote on age-related psychology of illness. While working at Ninewells Hospital in the Professorial Surgical Unit Roberta met her future husband Syd and his children; Euan then 14 and a subsequent Business Management graduate from St.Andrews and Jenny, then 11, and now an Architect in Inverness. Family life proved incompatible with fulltime nursing, so a career change beckoned. Roberta became a contractual Research Fellow in nursing at Ninewells Hospital allowing her regular hours and a home life. However, she was then invited to do a PhD, which she began in 1991. So Roberta found herself in 1993, married, with two stepchildren, doing research in nursing, and a part-time PhD in micro-circulation of Erythromelalgia and juvenile diabetes. In 1997 she graduated from Dundee University. Meantime, Syd was travelling a lot in the oil/gas industry for his company PES in Aberdeen. Roberta was expecting their child when they received an invitation to relocate to Australia. Angus was born in London, eight weeks premature on the night Roberta was supposed to give a lecture on industrial injuries. She and Syd decided on St Andrews Day 1995

that they would accept the invitation to go to Australia. As she pointed out to me, Roberta was still in the middle of her PhD. However, using the Internet and “coming back from time to time” resolved any problem with distance. While Down Under, Roberta became Clinical Trials Manager in the University of Western Australia. Together with Professor Phil Thompson she set up the Asthma and Allergy Research Institute. “It was fantastic,” she said, “I just loved it, a wonderful, dynamic job.” Syd’s company was bought out in 2000. So what did this extraordinary couple do next? They bought a vineyard! Accountants had owned it without understanding the care and hard work needed to make it work. “We were complete novices,“ Roberta smiles, recalling their romantic visions of harvesting grapes under the sun. They soon realised the quality they had so innocently acquired. They also realised that a sophisticated niche market existed in St Andrews. Now this is what I found intriguing – Roberta took a year off to be a full-time mum; “I seemed busier than ever, but it was not as structured in time, and for me it was hard.” She says she felt like a single mum because Syd was away a lot. When he was here he plunged himself into local life, playing golf etc. Roberta involved herself with medical charity work. Deciding “it would be better to have a full-time presence in St Andrews” and enjoying catering for hordes of people, “so why not get paid for it?” in late 2003 Roberta and Syd bought Five

Pilmour Place, a delightful 6-bedroom B&B. Her guests are “a real mixed bag”, international golfers, Glaswegians on holiday, the parents of students, “ a lovely cross-section”. It is open all the year, except at Christmas and New Year when the family go back to Australia. Travel has been good for Angus, Roberta says. It has opened his horizons, given him confidence and valuable language skills., “he has a real travelling bug, just like his big brother.” And what of the future, I asked? Roberta has applied to do a distance learning MPhil degree in medical ethics (Manchester University) which she says will draw together her nursing, management, and research skills. She will begin this next February over two years, “to quench my intellectual need!” In the meantime, Roberta told me, she “loves reading and I would like to get to the gym more often! People are my principal hobby.”

Peter Govan, BSc(Hons), MBCO

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FEATURES

Crane Suspended Betty Willsher The moment a whisper on the wind breathed that the Breakdown Garage was teetering, the Developer leapt in, snapped up the site, put in plans for yet another, yet another block of superb luxurious flats rising over the Lade Braes, resplendent, over Cockshaugh Park, adjacent to Town Centre. The plans, of course, whizzed through. Work began, once again a super crane took up its stance. The garage was ripped down, its remains removed, and busy diggers bit the naked earth, scooped, shovelled, levelled and formed a firm foundation. But satisfaction was set back, fears crept in when it was found that shining water lay on the chosen land. Discussion led to a plan. Trenches were dug round the square perimeter. The crane peered down and darkness fell. Dawn revealed a square canal. There were new facilities at the Braes, Football and Swing Park left, Boating right. The builder, indomitable, to quench the water had tons of cement poured into the square canal. On-Iookers, wise men, shook their heads, they knew the localities of all the springs. Steadily water oozed. Maybe a giant ark would work? The crane, high in the sky, immobilised, saluting, dominating the landscape mutely waited.

Ask the Curator Lesley-Anne Lettice has been appointed Assistant Curator of the St Andrews Museum, Kinburn Park, and we wish her every success in her new post. We are absolutely delighted that Lesley has “taken this column with her”. So please go on asking her questions and she’ll do her best to find an answer! Q. I recently saw a photograph showing a shipwreck on the West Sands. I believe the photograph was taken somewhere around the early part of the 20th century. Any further information please? A. The photograph in question is of the Prinses Wilhelmina of Halmstaad, Sweden – one of many ships that came to grief in St Andrews Bay. On 29th September 1912 a fierce storm broke out in the bay. The storm raged for several days, increasing in severity. On 1st October, word went round the town that a ship was in trouble. The alarm was sounded and the lifeboat crew raced to the East Bents to launch the boat. The ship was driven onto the rocks at the Castle where nine of the crew were rescued by the lifeboat, the Wilhelmina breaking up on the West Sands. John and Sarah Hatfield. Photo courtesy the Preservation Trust Museum Deprived of her main mast, the ship disengaged herself, finally coming to rest on the West Sands. The remaining crew were then rescued with the aid of a breeches buoy. The St Andrews Citizen reported the event as ‘almost a repetition of the Merlin disaster’. The Merlin was lost with all hands on 1st March 1881. A monument to the ill-fated crew of the Merlin of Sunderland can be found in the south-east corner of the Cathedral grounds. When the Prinses Wilhelmina was boarded, the ship’s cat was found ‘little the worse for it’s rough experience’. The cargo, mainly timber bound for Langlands & McAinsh of Dundee, was largely salvaged and stacked up on the West Sands, most of it later acquired by Mr Fairfoul, a local merchant. Some of the souvenirs collected at the time are now housed in the Preservation Trust Museum. The wreck continued to be a source of public interest for some time and according to the reminiscences of the late James Fenton, a film company later came to St Andrews to record a reconstruction of events. Mr Fenton’s father played one of the crewmen and was paid £5 for his trouble. Q. I recently visited friends in St Andrews and was intrigued by the edifice in the centre of Market Street near the junction with Church Street. On closer inspection, I discovered it to be a memorial to a local gentleman, James Whyte-Melville. I understand that this was once the site of the Market Cross. Can you tell me anything more? A. This was indeed the site of the mediaeval Market or ‘Mercat’ Cross. The site has a rich and often bloody history. Proclamations, both royal and municipal, were made from the Cross and it was here that traders and craftsmen gathered to sell their wares. One of the St Andrews martyrs, Paul Craw, a physician from Bohemia, was burned at the stake at the Market Cross in 1433, having been tried and convicted of heresy. It is said that a ball of brass was forced into his mouth to prevent any attempt on his part to address the crowd. In 1646, in the aftermath of Montrose’s defeat at the Battle of Philiphaugh, Royalist supporters Nathaniel Gordon, Sir Robert Spottiswoode, Andrew Guthrie and William Murray were beheaded at the Market Cross on the orders of the Scottish Parliament. The Parliament convened in St Andrews because every other major Scottish city was plague-ridden. In 1660 Samuel Rutherford’s book on Scottish constitutional law, Lex Rex, was burned by the hangman at the Market Cross. The cross itself was removed in 1768. The fountain was erected in 1880 as a memorial to James Whyte-Melville, only son of John Whyte-Melville who owned the estate of Mount Melville to the west of St Andrews. A keen golfer and author of several books, he was tragically killed in a hunting accident. A plaque with his portrait, history, and the heraldic shields of the family can be found on the lower basin. Disparagingly described as ‘a glorified plant-pot’ and ‘a Victorian desecration’, suggestions have been put forward from time to time that it be reinstated as a fountain. Early photographs seem to show that at some point the top-most basin was removed.

EVENTS

Celebrating Red Cross Week and the Red Cross’ work in St Andrews Claire Sigsworth The first week in May brings with it Red Cross Week. This is the annual week of fundraising and celebration of the work of the Red Cross and Red Crescent movements around the globe. Its timing coincides with the birthday of the movements’ founder, Henry Dunant. During this week each year, fundraisers appear on high streets all around the country, and St Andrews will be no exception. In a town that is rich in charity shops that remind us of their volunteers’ work in supporting various admirable causes, many people remain unaware of the work of the Red Cross in their community. You may wonder where local fundraisers have suddenly appeared from, what they want your money for, and what they do during the rest of the year. Rest assured that they do not stand idle for the other 52 weeks of the year, and any donations will be well spent. Thirty-two active Red Cross volunteers are currently based, or operating, in St Andrews.

They represent both town and gown, as well as all age groups. They provide a variety of services, including first aid support for public events, first aid training, and medical equipment loan. While volunteer numbers have swelled recently, a core group have been dedicated volunteers for five years or more. For example, Colin and Gill Campbell, the group’s most experienced first aid trainers, can each boast of more than 10 years’ service across a range of Red Cross activities. Most local volunteers are also members of the Red Cross emergency response team, ready to provide back-up support to the emergency services should a major incident occur nearby. This is the one call on their time that most volunteers hope will never come, but if it does they have a valuable role to play. This might involve treating minor injuries, providing tea and sympathy or helping to keep people calm and safe. And it does happen.

Red Cross services available in St Andrews 1 First aid: first aid team members, who come from all parts of the community, attend and care for casualties at public events that range in size from primary school rugby tournaments through to the T in the Park music festival. The biggest local event of the year for them is the Leuchars airshow, which has been served by the Red Cross for many years. 2 First aid Training: Four of the local first aid volunteers are also trainers and courses on basic first aid can be provided. 3 Medical loan: Equipment such as wheelchairs and commodes are available for short-term loan from the St Andrews Town Hall on Mondays and Fridays from 1000 – 1130. 4 Therapeutic care: This service is available on referral at the St Andrews Memorial Hospital to anyone who needs it during particularly stressful times. Users are provided with 30minute sessions designed to promote relaxation through hand care and hand massage, and neck and shoulder massage through clothes. 5 Skin Camouflage: The skin camouflage service aims to help people cope with disfigurement by showing them how to use creams designed to cover or lessen the impact of marks or skin conditions. This service is available only by referral from a GP or consultant and uses creams that are available on prescription. Consultations are available at the St Andrews Memorial Hospital once a month (times vary). 6 Transport and Escort. This service aims to help people for whom it is difficult or impossible to use private or public transport unaided. Our team of Volunteer drivers are available by arrangement, to transport local people to hospital for important appointments.

When there was an explosion at the Stockline plastics factory in Glasgow in May 2004, local Red Cross staff were there within one hour and remained on the scene providing support for 5 days. The recurring theme underlying all services the Red Cross offers both in the UK and abroad is that of supporting people in a time of crisis. The work of the International Red Cross in response to the recent Indian Ocean Tsunami illustrated its capacity to respond quickly and effectively to a crisis of almost unparalleled scale. It is easy to forget that the same organisation is working to ease the effects of individual crises on a far smaller local scale. In offering their support, local volunteers do so in the spirit of the same seven fundamental principles that underpin the whole International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. These are Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary service, Unity and Universality. While fundamental principles provide the ethos for the Red Cross’s work, much more mundane financial realities also shape and govern it. Fundraising is essential to ensure that the Red Cross is able to continue its work. In the aftermath of the Boxing Day Tsunami, a weekend collection outside St Andrews’ Tesco garnered £965 for the aid efforts, a significant contribution towards a total of £6,505 across the whole of Fife. This generosity helped to made a real difference to people’s lives far away from ours. The next major international fund-raising efforts will seek to support projects in Sudan. Your support will also be welcomed if you want to help us make a difference to people closer to home. For more information on any of the Red Cross services in the St Andrews area, or to find out more about becoming a volunteer, contact Richard Hyslop, Services Manager-East Fife on 01592 260252, rhyslop@redcross.org.uk

Coeliac & DH Awareness Week – 16th to 22nd May 2005 Heather Walshaw Coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) are caused by an intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and oats (although some people are able to tolerate oats). Management of the disease is a strict gluten-free diet for life. Dermatitis Herpetiformis is a related skin condition also caused by gluten intolerance. Recent research suggests that the coeliac condition may affect as many as 1 in 100 of the UK population. One of the problems for people on a gluten-free diet is the hidden gluten which is present in many common products, for example stock cubes, mustard, soups and sauces etc. thickened with wheat flour. This can make eating out difficult, although more catering establishments are now prepared to provide gluten-free meals, but usually require some notice. Over recent years the variety, quality and availability of gluten-free foods has improved considerably. Many products can be bought at the local Health Food shop and some supermarkets, but they are considerably more expensive than corresponding foods containing gluten. The N.E. Fife Coeliac UK Group was formed in March 2003 to support coeliacs and DH sufferers, particularly newly diagnosed people. There are over 100 members in the group, covering a wide range including pre-

school children, and in several cases there is more than one sufferer in the family. We hold meetings in both St Andrews and Cupar, and have had talks by medical professionals, cookery demonstrations and a few small fund raising events, to cover the Group’s expenses. The meetings take the form of a talk, followed by questions and answers, and glutenfree refreshments. We have had products from many of the gluten-free manufacturers for people to sample. As part of the Awareness Week the N.E. Fife group is holding an “Open Afternoon” on Wednesday 18th May in the Town Hall, St. Andrews from 3 to 5 p.m. followed by a cookery demonstration at 7.30 p.m. by Nutricia Foods, one of the main gluten-free manufacturers. There will be a display of a range of gluten-free foods including breakfast cereals, soups, pasta, cakes, beer and other products. We hope this will be of general interest, particularly to catering establishments. Information leaflets from Coeliac UK. will also be available. Members of the group will be present during this time to answer questions.

EVENTS Dr Paula Martin invites you to visit the

Fife Folk Museum in Ceres The year ahead The Fife Folk Museum in Ceres is going from strength to strength. Last year was generally a poor year for tourism in Scotland, but the Fife Folk Museum had its highest visitor numbers for many years, and its best ever income from admissions and the shop. We can only assume this was because of the publicity generated by our restoration programme, and more generally by our very efficient publicity co-ordinator. As I write this our Easter opening has got off to a very good start. Last August, after one of the Trustees noted the times when the car park in the village was busiest, we experimented with opening at 11.30 a.m. instead of 2.00 p.m. The experiment was such a success that we felt we had to adopt the extended hours permanently. So we are now open daily 11.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. This year’s exhibition, From Field to Fork, was chosen as part of the wider theme of ‘Food and Drink’ adopted by ten museums in Fife this summer. The others include Crail, Kirkcaldy, the Laing Museum in Newburgh, the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther, St Andrews Museum, and St Andrews Preservation Trust Museum. The last day of the season will be Sunday 2nd October. However, last year, in another experiment, we held a special exhibition over two autumn weekends, taking advantage of being officially closed, to spread the display out, blocking cases if necessary, in a way which cannot be done when the Museum is open. The curator, Helen Armitage, displayed our fine collection of patchwork quilts, and advertised to interested groups both locally and further afield. It was a great success, in terms of numbers, income and widening our public profile. The quilts were subsequently displayed in St Andrews Museum earlier this year. So for 2005, on the weekends of 22-23 and 29-30 October, the Museum will again be opened for a special exhibition, this time of Paisley shawls and samplers. We hope that many readers will come. So much of our collection is in storage most of the time, this is a rare opportunity to view some of the gems of our collection. The work of the Museum continues to be ably supported by the Friends of Fife Folk Museum. They hold fund raising events, including the annual Street Market outside the Museum (in the Memorial Hall if wet), on Sunday 19th June, 1.30 – 4.30 p.m. They also host talks on topics related to the Museum, it collections and its exhibitions. This year Alan Romanes will be talking on Wednesady 11th May about ‘The Fife Potato’, chef Christopher Trotter will be speaking on Wednesday 8th June, and Nicola Fletcher on Wednesday 15th June about ‘Modest Feasting’. All the talks are at 7.30 p.m. in The Inn, Ceres. The Fife Folk Museum employs a part-time curator, but otherwise relies on a loyal band of volunteers, and more help would always be appreciated. Some sit in the Museum during opening hours, taking admission money or looking after the shop. Others use their skills behind the scenes, cleaning, cataloguing, labelling and helping to design new displays. The Fife Folk Museum We recently received a grant for a Open 7 May to 2 October, new computer, scanner and digital 11.30 to 4.30 daily camera, so we are becoming more 2005 Exhibition involved in e-learning and preparing From Field to Fork information to be made available High Street, Ceres, Cupar, Fife KY15 5NF over the web. Tel: 01334 828180 Email: fifefolkmuseum@btopenworld.com Visit our Website: http://www.fifefolkmuseum.co.uk

If anyone is interested in finding out more about the Museum, its collections, or volunteering, please contact the Curator, Mrs Helen Armitage, on 01334 828180.

EVENTS

Selected Events

The Byre Goes Golf Mad for Open Like the rest of St. Andrews, the Byre Theatre has been hit by ‘Golf Fever’ and will be staging two innovative events to co-incide with this summer’s Open Championship, which it hopes will fit the bill for the celebrations and provide some ‘après Golf’ entertainment. The European premiere of Golf the Musical, with lyrics and music by Michael Roberts, will be staged from 23rd June to 16th July; sub-titled A Round in Eighteen Songs, it is a humourous yet sympathetic satire about the game and its players and their foibles “an amiable, madcap revue” (The New Yorker). Golf, the Musical opened on Broadway in 2003 and has been a huge popular success, appealing to lovers of the sport as well as to non-golfers. With its cast of four, the affectionate script, combined with catchy music, makes for a highly accessible production, licensed for productions in 2005 as far afield as Switzerland, Japan, and now Scotland. Reviews for the US show have reflected it’s wide appeal; “Even if you don’t golf, don’t like golf, or don’t know anything about golf, you still can find something to like about Golf the Musical. It is the easiest way to hit the links and enjoy the sport without leaving the comfort of your theatre seat” (Backstage.com) “Really, this is enormous fun and worth the effort….Golf the Musical is quite honestly a must see” (David Richardson on Wor Radio). As a befitting visual companion piece to the show, the Byre is privileged to have obtained an exhibition of work by one of the world’s top Golf artists, Linda Hartough , sometimes called ‘Golf’s Painter Laureate’.– This will be Linda’s first full exhibition in Scotland, and will consist of giclee editions and limited edition lithographs plus one original oil. From her first commissioned work in 1984, Linda Hartough has risen to an unrivalled status among golf artists. In a field that was once considered to be far less than “high art”, she has brought her unique perspective and fine art background, allowing her works to surpass the clarity of photographs. As summed up beautifully by avid collector Robert Trent Jones, Sr., “Linda Hartough has the unique ability to capture the very essence of the course itself.” Linda’s pre-emminence in this specialised field has been confirmed by her position as the official Ryder Cup artist. The exhibition will run from 23rd June to 16th July. Press contact: Debbie Butler, Marketing and Development Manager E-mail: debbie.butler@byretheatre.com Tel. 01334 468726 Mobile: 07967 716674

Sunday, 1 May – 8.00p.m. 50th Anniversary Concert of the Renaissance Group, Holy Trinity Church, St Andrews. Thomas Tallis’ 40-part motet Spem in Alium. Sunday, 1 May & Saturday, 28 May – 10a.m. to 5p.m. Antique & Collectors’ Fair Town Hall, St Andrews. 90p (50p) accompanied children free. Mike Frodsham 01334 880 254 or Rob Walker 01334 838 217 Tuesday, 3 May – 7.30 The Keith to Dufftown Railway talk by Ron Smith. The Byre Theatre, St Andrews Wednesday, 4 May – 5.15p.m. Inaugural lecture, Professor A. P. Mackenzie. Lecture Theatre A, Physics & Astronomy, North Haugh, St Andrews Saturday, 14 May – 10.00a.m. to 1.00p.m. School III – St. Salvator‚s Quad, North Street, St Andrews. The Archaeological Society will hold a half-day conference. Please see local press for final details. Wednesday, 18 May – 8.00p.m. Bat walk with Fife Rangers. Meet at Dura Den. Adults £3 – children under 16 & concessions £1.50 The walk lasts around 2 hours. Contact: 01592 424 300 or 01592 414300 Thursday, 19 May – 7.30p.m. Growing Roses, talk by Don Shaw for the Gardeners’ Club. Hope Park Church, St Andrews. Contact 01334 477 429 Saturday, 21 May – Coffee Morning & plant sale, The Gardeners’ Club. Hope Park Church, St Andrews. Contact 01334 477 429 Sunday, 22 May – 10.45a.m. Isle of May boat trip, Anstruther, with Fife Rangers. Trip lasts around 5/6 hours. Please book through the May Princess on 01333 312228. Adults £20 – concessions £15.50 – under 16s £9.50 Wednesday, 25 May – 8.00p.m. Myths & legends – Fife Rangers. Meet at Dunino. Adults £3 – children under 16 & concessions £1.50 The walk lasts around 2 hours. Contact: 01592 424 300 or 01592 414300 Sunday, 29 May – 1.00p.m. Harebells & hermits – Fife Rangers. Meet Ruby Bay. Adults £3 – children under 16 & concessions £1.50 The walk lasts around 2 hours. Contact: 01592 424 300 or 01592 414300 Sunday, 5 June – 10.45a.m. Isle of May boat trip, Anstruther, with Fife Rangers. Trip lasts around 5/6 hours. Please book through the May Princess on 01333 312228 Adults £20 – concessions £15.50 – under 16s £9.50 Tuesday, 14 June – 7.30p.m Summer Lecture & Reception, Friends of the Botanic Garden. Chemistry Dept. North Haugh, St Andrews. All welcome. Contact: 01334 476 452 www.st-andrews-botanic.org Thursday, 16 June – 7.30p.m. Dahlias and Sweetpeas, a talk by Peter Guthrie for the Gardeners’ Club. Hope Park Church, St Andrews. Contact 01334 477 429 Friday, 17 June – Gourmet Night at Rufflets Country House Hotel, Strathkinness Low Road, St Andrews. Accommodation packages available. For further information call: 01334 472 594. email: events@rufflets.co.uk website: www.rufflets.co.uk Sunday, 19 June – 2.00p.m. Silverburn with Fife Rangers. Meet Silverburn. Adults £3 – children under 16 & concessions £1.50 The walk lasts around 2 hours. Contact: 01592 424 300 or 01592 414300

OUT & ABOUT

Home on the Road Catherine McDonald shares her enthusiasm

Since coming to St Andrews four years ago there are two questions I have been asked more than any others. One is, “Where exactly do you live?” The other, “Is your wee camper van for sale?” The two are not related, yet it is surprising how many people know where the camper van lives. In fact as soon as the first whiff of Spring is in the air, the doorbell rings, or small ‘Wanted For ££ Cash ££’ cards are pushed through the letterbox and we ask ourselves, “Do we give it up now, or do we keep it for another year?” The answer is always, “We keep it for another year.” Whether it is a bottom of the range sixteen-year-old Bambi, or a super Mercedes Sprinter, the appeal of the camper van is just the same: the feeling of freedom and sense of adventure, being close to nature and sampling more fully the joys of each place as you pass through it; above all, the choice of staying longer or moving on. With people retiring earlier and earlier there are an increasing number of camper vans on the road, all year round now and not just in the maelstrom of the summer months. It is an ideal retirement ploy. But older people are tempted by the comfort of more sophisticated vans and the luxury of on-board toilets and showers. Due to vandalism many of our public toilets close early in the evening and some are closed altogether in winter, as are many of the touring sites. Camping wild is exciting and certainly more economical, but there is always an element of risk involved. Recent visitors to St Andrews – dear friends – handsome couple Phil and Florence Rae, now in their 80s, have always been passionate about camper vans. In fact the highlight of their trip was calling at the St Andrews Motorhomes business on the back road to Cupar. Here they entered into animated discussion on the pros and cons of each of the vans on display, as well as their relative prices. For Phil and Florence it all began in the years when they ran their own business, a tobacconist shop, and longed to get away for just a night. So they bought one of those classic Volkswagen dormobiles and drove a mile up the road from their own home to spend the night on Sheriffmuir, the hills above Bridge of Allan. During the summer they had happy times camping wild on Mull. For many years they had a Peugeot Rambler before graduating finally to their present ownership of a luxurious Mercedes Sprinter. Benefiting now from the new Rosyth ferry service, this van takes them to France for up to six weeks at a time to stock up on a variety of French wines.

The pleasure they have at home drinking the wine brought back from France comes from the memories of where it was bought – not from supermarkets, but from the many ‘domaines’, small vineyards, throughout southern France. They have become friends with many of the winegrowers and are now welcomed into their homes, as a note once left on the door for them indicated, “Phil and Florence, the door is open. You are at home.” The pair rarely use official sites, preferring always to ‘camp wild’, and there is a wild gleam in Phil’s lovely blue eyes at the very thought of it. His recommendation of an alternative to the three days free parking offered by the vineyards is worth considering, “Find a cemetery. You will be assured of peace and quiet, fresh water and sometimes even a toilet.” At their age one might think: a luxurious all-inclusive package holiday or a Mediterranean cruise? But no, they much prefer the thrill of taking to the road in their van in May – when Phil will be 85 – with the added incentive of the 5% discount offered by the Rosyth ferry company for booking before the end of January; by which time I already had two enquiries about my Bambi, with accompanying cards should I change my mind... I never thought I would change my mind, but I did, the very next day. For no special reason I paid a visit to St Andrews Motorhomes, on the back road to Cupar, and fell in love with a Suzuki Supercarry Drivelodge Bijou!

With people retiring earlier and earlier there are an increasing number of camper vans on the road, all year round now

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SUMMER BEDDING PLANT SALE SATURDAY 14TH MAY FROM 10AM

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SUMMER LECTURE & RECEPTION TUESDAY 14TH JUNE 7.30 CHEMISTRY DEPT. NORTH HAUGH ALL WELCOME

TO JOIN THE FRIENDS AND SUPPORT THE GARDEN CONTACT MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY. Canongate, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8RT Tel: 01334 476452 www.st-andrews-botanic.org

OUT & ABOUT

Exploring Climate-change in St Andrews Botanic Garden Professor R.M.M. Crawford (Chairman – Friends of St Andrews Botanic Garden) several ways of compensating for the fall in tight on the ground from where they can absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. more warmth and also the carbon dioxide that The Temperate House (Photo 1.) contains is given off by the soil in spring. not just a fine collection of Magnolias and The new Mediterranean glasshouse, Camellias but provides a glimpse of the many just opened this spring, demonstrates the types of plants that enormous success inhabited the great of flowering plants broadleaved forests in adapting to both that circled the climate change and northern hemisphere the impact of human before the onset of the settlement on natural ice ages. In this warm, vegetation. The stable environment South African Cape large entire leaves flora in particular is were a feature of the remarkable for its The temperate glasshouse. Not just a show successful plants plant diversity and place for Camellias and Magnolias but also as they secured the ability to survive a recreation of the great broad-leaved forest maximum amount frequent fires. One that encircled the Northern hemisphere of light. Comparing particular region, the before the onset of the ice-ages. the leaves of these Fynbos, has more The potential effects of climatic change excite warmth-demanding species for its area much speculation, and changes in the timing plants with those that than any other place The Alpine House. An alpine and Arctic of the beginning and end of the gardening year now survive in our on Earth, including specialist. the Pink Rock Jasmine are already apparent. Plants are very sensitive cooler climate reveals the Amazonian (Androsace carnea) to climate and this can be seen not just in some remarkable tropical rain forest. their preferences for specific temperature and differences. As the Despite all the moisture regimes, but also in their responses temperatures dropped in the temperate zones changes that have taken place on Earth trees to the passing of the seasons. Although it is leaves became smaller, and more irregular in have remained the dominant plant form for impossible to foretell the future with any degree their shape often with toothed edges allowing over 400 million years. The capacity of trees to of certainty, you can, if you visit the St Andrews the plants to sense better the changes in adapt to wide variations in climate can even be Botanic Garden, explore for yourself just how humidity in the surrounding atmosphere. seen in just one group, the pines. Species of plants have adapted to the many changes in Desiccation has always been a hazard for pine can be found from the tropics to the Arctic climate that have taken plants in changeable in both the New and Old World. At the top of place in the past. The weather. Efficiency the rockery (photo 4) there is a fine specimen flowering plants first in controlling water of Pinus pumila, which is the dominant tree in came to prominence loss is therefore of the World’s most northerly forest at 72˚N where approximately 100 paramount importance the Khatanga River joins the Arctic Ocean. million years ago at a for survival. A visit to the Botanic Garden should time when the Earth Consequently, our provide ample food for thought as to how our enjoyed a relatively modern vegetation present natural vegetation and garden plants warm and uniform is very diverse in the will respond to climatic warming and increased climate with a mean many ways it adapts carbon dioxide availability. Left to themselves annual temperature to water shortages. the plant world has adapted to many extreme gradient from the No place is this seen changes in the past. Probably our greatest poles to the equator more readily that in anxiety will be how well they can manage in of approximately only the collection of cacti a world where their environment is densely 20 C˚ compared with and succulent species occupied and highly manipulated by human The cactus house . Many species with a range of about 40˚C that are in the cactus beings. different ancestry have converged in their which now exists. Also glasshouse (photo evolution to produce cactus-like plants even in the warmer past, 2). When plants when they are not cacti. higher concentrations open the pores on of atmospheric carbon the underside of dioxide existed than we have today. About their leaves (stomtata) during the day in order 60 million years ago the Earth began to cool to take up carbon dioxide they lose water. A as carbon dioxide was extracted from the typical loss would be 600 molecules of water atmosphere by the fresh rock that came to the for every single molecule of carbon dioxide surface with the rising of new mountain chains taken up. Therefore when the relative humidity of the Andes, the Rockies, the Himalayas, in the atmosphere falls a ‘prudent’ plant will and the Tibetan Plateau. Surprisingly, this has close its stomata to conserve water. Irregularly not proved disadvantageous for the diversity shaped small leaves can sense changes of plant species. The greater temperature in relative humidity better than large entire differences that developed across the leaves as the boundary layer of atmosphere continents, and the enforcement of dormant around the leaves is reduced. seasons have increased the range of habitats A visit to the Alpine House (Photo 3) The Dwarf Siberia Pine Pinus pumila. The that exist across the face of the earth and the demonstrates the ultimate in adaptation to the most northerly pine in the World at 72˚ N at flowering plants have adapted by evolving low temperatures and short growing seasons. the mouth of the Yana River many new species to exploit these more Plants with minute leaves often clumped into varied surroundings. They have even evolved cushion form so as to conserve heat. They sit

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Solving Sash Window Problems in St Andrews Sliding sash windows are found in many of the older properties in St Andrews and they are an important part of the local heritage. However, people who live in these beautiful properties are only too aware of the problems with sliding sash windows. They are difficult to open and close, the sashes rattle in the wind, and they let in cold draughts as well as dust and noise. No wonder home owners are sometimes tempted to change their sash windows! But this is not a good idea. Removing the original windows will ruin the character of traditional property and planning restrictions protect certain areas of St Andrews from such unsuitable alterations. Sash windows can be an asset and research shows that well preserved original features enhance the value of your property. Fortunately, there is a reliable solution to sash window problems. Ventrolla is the UK market leader in sash window renovation services. Since 1986 when they won a Design Council Award for their patented method of upgrading old sash windows to modern performance standards, they have renovated many thousands of windows throughout Britain. Ventrolla installation vans are now becoming a familiar sight in and around St Andrews. The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews called upon Ventrolla’s expertise to renovate the sash windows in their clubhouse which stands in a prominent and very exposed location. Ventrolla were also involved in a major project at St Leonard’s Field for Robertson Residential. The luxury flats needed high performance windows but traditional appearance had to be maintained. However, it is not only commercial clients who call on Ventrolla to solve their window problems. Many private clients who simply wanted to improve their sash windows whilst retaining the unique character of their homes have used the Ventrolla service (including the editor of this magazine – thank you once again for your custom Flora!). Ventrolla carry out a free, no-obligation survey and provide a report on the condition of the sash windows. The customer receives a written quotation detailing the work needed to repair and up-grade the windows. The cost depends on the size and condition of the windows but customers are often pleasantly surprised to find that renovation is significantly cheaper than replacement. To find out more about this unique service contact Ventrolla and let them solve your sash window problems.

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