St Andrews in Focus Issue 18 Sep Oct 2006

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

September / October 2006 Issue 18 £1.50

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

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

From the Editor

Rabbi Abraham Kook (1865 -1935) believed that, “Only through a multiplicity of ideas and views can we eventually reach the one great truth which encompasses them all.”

Pace Rav Kook, in somewhat similar vein, this magazine publicises a multiplicity of aspects of St Andrews, past and present, which I hope, reveals something of the true town.

Producing the magazine has turned into an extremely rewarding exercise. I am always astonished at the range and depth of topics each issue attracts. Someone once asked me what I would do if the contributions dried up. Well, there’s no sign of it ever doing so, which is a true testimony to the vibrancy of the town. Keep the copy rolling!!

PS – remember the ducks featured in the last issue? Vera Guest wrote to me, “they must have thought your gourmet meals are better”, since the ducks usually visit her (I didn’t feed them, Vera!). Then Marigold Speir phoned to point out that they also visit her garden, and that she had hoped they would stay in mine and give her some peace, since they have even wandered into her living room! Now I’m beginning to wonder.....?

Flora Selwyn

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The views expressed elsewhere in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor.

SEPTEMBER/AUGUST 2006 EDITOR Flora Selwyn Tel/fax: 01334 472375 Email: editor@standrewsinfocus.com 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)

Contents TOWN/GOWN • The Chancellor • Professor Mitford remembered • Madras thoughts in verse • This House . . .

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FEATURES • St Andrews attitudes • The St Andrews Grand – an update • Leuchars, the Airshow • Summer in Alaska • St Andrews Sometimes • Strangers no more • CLAN gathering • Ask the Curator • Toonspot • Origin of St Andrews – An Alternative Theory • Whisky Classified – a review

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EVENTS • Scottish Chamber Orchestra • Play Club – a preview • List

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SHOPS & SERVICES • Clifford Hughes • Golden Abbeyfield • Painter, Decorator • Into the swing of golf • From our Motoring Correspondent • ‘Summer Challenge’ news • Probus • Intouract launched • The Artery Gallery • Roving Reporter

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OUT AND ABOUT • 25 years on • Spoilers • Old Dairsie – a walk • Mud!

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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 THE PAPER USED IS 75% RECYCLED POST-CONSUMER WASTE

COVER PICTURE: The RAF Falcons

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NEXT ISSUE – Nov/Dec 2006 COPY DEADLINE: STRICTLY 28 SEPTEMBER All contributions welcome. The Editor reserves the right to publish copy according to available space.

TOWN & GOWN

The Chancellor, the Rt. Hon. Sir Menzies Campbell CBE, QC, MP As Scotland’s oldest university town St Andrews has long been part of Scotland’s history. Since its foundation in 1413, when a Charter of Incorporation was bestowed upon the Augustinian Priory of St Andrews Cathedral, the University has been a forum, and sometimes battleground, for competing ideas and a nursery for nurturing future talents. It has rightly developed a reputation as an internationally renowned institution attracting a wealth of talented scholars and students from all around the world.

These are only some of the reasons why I was so delighted to be asked to become Chancellor of St Andrews, and why I was even happier to accept.

My own association with St Andrews goes back many years. But I shall resist the temptation to re-run old races and reminisce. It is important that the University looks forward. For if universities such as St Andrews wish to maintain their reputations and levels of achievement in these competitive times only excellence and dedication to that end will suffice. In pursuit of this goal, orthodoxy may have to be ready to yield to innovation, and tradition to modernisation. The University must maintain its competitive edge, in what is now a global education market, through the development and implementation of the latest tools and methods of teaching and research.

It is surely the information revolution which has had the greatest impact on institutions for whom information and learning (a distinction I deliberately draw) are their lifeblood. The instantaneous exchange of ideas affects institutions whose very existence depends on those ideas.

When access to information becomes universal then universities like St Andrews have to develop and demonstrate singular even unique characteristics in order to differentiate themselves.

Fortunately, uniqueness is one thing that there has always been an abundance of in St Andrews. The physical environment of St Andrews is peerless. The beauty and size of the picturesque medieval seaside town creates a university environment unlike any other. The University has that distinct feeling of a campus university, albeit a campus with centuries of history and tradition contained in every fissure of its ancient structures. The size and nature of the town play an important role in developing lifelong friendships among students and staff alike. It is said that one third of all students who attend the university meet their life partners here.

St Andrews boasts a wealth of century-old traditions. The Sunday processional that follows Chapel down to the end of the pier, the distinctive red gowns, Raisin Weekend, the Spring Procession and the May Ball organised by the Kate Kennedy Club, all contribute to the University’s distinctive character and flavour. But it is my belief that it is intellectual rigour that is the true test of any great university. It is, though, not enough for academic institutions to

University of St Andrews Open Association Continuing Education offers a wide range of day and evening courses in subjects as diverse as literature, history, music, signing for the deaf and artmaking as well as a popular Friday evening “town and gown” lecture programme.

Courses commence during week beginning 18 September 2006.

For full details contact: Linda Ednie Telephone: 01334 462206 Fax: 01334 462270 Email: le3@st-and.ac.uk

foster intellectual prowess, but it must do so with skill and conviction. This is a responsibility incumbent on everyone who has the interests of the University at heart, but more particularly on those whose responsibilities are to represent it. It is quite outstanding that the university has been consistently successful in doing this for close to six centuries. Recent additions to the institution such as the Gateway building and the establishment of the Centre for Conflict and Peace Studies, have only helped develop the Institution’s high standards of teaching and research.

It was particularly gratifying in my first formal act as Chancellor to have bestowed honorary degrees on Anna Ford, Brian Gill, and Jennifer Jenkins. For they in their respective fields, of journalism, law, and the environment, have achieved great distinction. By their acceptance they have been introduced into the St Andrews family and have become representatives of this great university. Their distinction contributes to our reputation and worth.

This brings me to the role of the Chancellor, whose duty it is to represent and promote the interests of the University.

I shall seek to be assiduous in my fulfilment of that obligation, deeply conscious as I am of the great honour bestowed upon me by my installation. I hope that I am able to fulfil my duties as Chancellor with the ability and commitment of my predecessor Kenneth Dover, who served the University so loyally for twenty-five years.

(Photograph courtesy of the University of St Andrews Publications Unit)

Evening Degree Programme Keen to get a degree?

Too busy to study full-time?

Try the flexible route to your MA General degree at the University of St Andrews via the Evening Degree Programme • • • • •

One or two evenings of classes per week Broad range of subjects Minimum age 21 Flexible entry requirements Fee Waiver scheme for people on low income or State benefits

Find out more from: Alison Andrews Evening Degree Co-ordinator Telephone: 01334 462203 Email: parttime@st-andrews.ac.uk

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TOWN & GOWN June Baxter fondly remembers

Professor Terence Bruce Mitford (1905-1978)

The annual Mitford Memorial Lecture will take place this year in Parliament Hall, South Street, St Andrews, on Thursday 19th October at 8 pm. The speaker will be Dr Roger Matthews from the University of London, and his subject will be “Archaeological Survey in a frontier zone – North Central Anatolia through the ages” Many people in St Andrews will remember Terence Mitford, that splendid figure, whose only concession to the cold was to wear a long green woollen scarf wound several times round his neck. He spent his whole academic career in the Department of Humanity, in St Andrews, beginning before the war, and returning after the war, in which he had distinguished himself both in the SAS and in the Special Boat Service in the Eastern Mediterranean. On his return to the Department, he built up and sustained an interest in Archaeology, a major bond between town and gown.

I joined the St Andrews Archaeological Society soon after I married, in the early sixties, and was privileged to hear a number of the extremely distinguished archaeologists whom Terence persuaded to come and speak to the Society. He, and his wife Margaret, used to give memorable dinner parties to entertain the speaker, to which my husband Alan and I were occasionally invited, and they were extremely kind to us.

This is not a proper profile of an amazing man, but just a personal memory, which I have been persuaded to share with readers of this magazine.

During the 1960s the Mitford family spent the summers in Southern Turkey searching for classical sites and particularly inscriptions, on behalf of the Austrian Academy’s Committee for the Archaeological Exploration of Asia Minor. Terence had never learnt to drive a car, so he used to fly out to Turkey, while Margaret drove out later with some, or all, of their five children. (“It’s quite easy” she said, “you get to know which hedge you can sleep under in Yugoslavia!”) They then took to the hills accompanied by two ex-soldiers, and I suppose a donkey to carry equipment, and camped in remote places often quite short of food. Margaret, who was a doctor, was constantly asked for medical advice, and I remember her saying that often all she could do was to give them Enterovioform, (at that time readily available in chemists and essential for travel!)

Alan and I planned to go to Turkey for the first time in May 1975.

Terence was deeply interested and full of advice, and suggested he should put us in touch with his “two brigands” to look after us.

I hastily said that it would not be much use as we could not speak Turkish, which he agreed was true. I did not like to admit that we were far too feeble to even contemplate a Mitford-type expedition, camping out and sleeping on the hard ground. As it was, we stayed in a comfortable hotel in Antalya, and hired a little car. We set out every morning, and armed with “Bean’s Southern Shore”, which appeared to be the only guide book, we explored the magical cities of Southern Turkey: Termessus, Aspendos, Side, and Phaselis, and one I remember where we climbed up a steep slope, only to discover that we had come the wrong way, and there was a perfectly good path the other side. The only person we found living in this deserted place had a flock of goats and insisted on showing us round, and accompanied us all the way back down the correct path. We were agonised about

Music Centre

University Strings

The University Strings, conducted by William Baxter, is open to town and gown to give everyone the opportunity to play and enjoy a wide range of music including modern and Scottish.

The first meeting of the new session will take place on Wednesday 27th September at 7pm in the Stewart Room of the Younger Hall.

There are no auditions. All violin, viola, cello and bass players are welcome. Just come along and enjoy making music. All ages and abilities are welcome. Members will require to register with the Music Centre as a Music User.

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whether we should tip him or not, and eventually Alan tried to offer him something, but he refused to accept it.

One day we decided to try and visit Selge which was high up in the hills, but we thought it would be possible in the day. The site had been abandoned in antiquity, probably because of lack of water, but was famous because two men from Selge came and found Alexander when he was camped outside Termessus, and because of what they told him he turned aside and went a different way. (What they told him is not recorded). The road to start with was virtually the dried up bed of a river, but our little car bounced along and then we crossed the single span Roman bridge and climbed up and up the narrow track until we reached the ruins of Selge. There were a few small houses among the ruins and the entire village it seemed, of about thirty people, turned out to greet us in amazement; obviously visitors were few and far between.

Luckily, one of them who volunteered himself as our guide spoke English.

We suggested that he should share our picnic, but he insisted that we should share it with the children, and we all sat on the marble seats of the ruined theatre, where there was a pony grazing on the grass growing between the slabs.

When we got home and I told Terence of all the places where we had been, he said “I never got to Selge. Did you have a Land Rover?” “ No, no” I said, but was conscious with a glow of pride that perhaps Alan and I had not been quite so feeble after all.

(Photograph courtesy of University of St Andrews Library)

Music Centre Tuition available to all ages from beginner to diploma on all orchestral instruments, piano, organ, harpsichord and guitar as well as voice A wide variety of orchestras and ensembles available to musicians, irrespective of whether they are members of the University Ensembles and choirs specifically for young people Practice and library facilities available to users as well as facilities for electronic composition and publishing using Sibelius Regular concerts including Wednesday lunchtime Full details available from Music Centre Younger Hall North Street, St Andrews Telephone 01334 462226 Email music@st-andrews.ac,uk http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/services/music

TOWN & GOWN Madras College pupils express their love of St Andrews

St Rule’s Tower

St Andrews

Once tall and proud stood the Tower of St Rule’s Nothing in St Andrews holds as many secrets.

It’s truly one of St Andrews jewels.

St Andrews carries a camera and a map; Wears a Hawaiian shirt and is portly.

That was back in the good old days When the Tower was respected for its knowledge.

Those memories are now just a daze.

St Andrews walks slowly by carries a cardigan tuts at school children.

Now the Tower sits alone Concealing all the secrets from the past Never to be known.

St Andrews swings a golf club Shouts ‘fore’ from the tee There goes that ball in the burn.

More things are important to St Andrews now Like the beaches, the Lammas Fair and golf.

The Tower sitting alone takes its vow:

St Andrews runs along the sand An ice cream in its hand Splash, jumps right into the sea.

“Never will I be forgotten With my secrets hiding in the cracks in my walls With all my friends dead and rotten.

St Andrews is different.

Not like you and me It’s like living in a dream.

Yes, I may stand alone But I have seen everything And I still stand proud on my foundations of stone.”

St Andrews

by Eilidh Johnston, S5

At night when the city’s students come out to play The Tower’s heart breaks seeing its once great town St Rule cannot look any more so he closes his eyes in dismay And reverts back to that one great day.

Town I’ve Grown to Love

by Calum Robertson, S6

In summer the sky shines blue over her golden sands.

In winter the crisp air is sprinkled with lights And autumn brings colour to the grey streets.

In the town I’ve grown to love.

With its students and tourists that wander On her graceful streets that don’t seem noticed And the school children’s lunch-time exodus.

Is what makes this town unparalleled.

It’s famous for its golf, But so much flourishes and it has so much more to offer.

And with this, her modesty goes hand in hand.

It’s a town that means so much to me.

It’s a mix of people so diverse, A mix of people so unique, And in this place there is something for everyone.

This is the town I’ve grown to love.

by Sarah Anderson, S5

by Alyssa Flegg, S5

The gentle brushing of water on sand, The cool, clean air as it is deeply inhaled, Lungs working like fire bellows, Desperately trying to soak in every last ounce of its perfection, The tranquility, The composure, The rhythmic motion of the waves, As they perpetually eat further up the beach, Until finally, Tired and broken, They seep back down the sand, Leaving its entrails, Open, Exposed.

We hear the town, Humming with discreet commotion Students lining the cobbled streets, And conferring their previous evening’s drunken antics, The morning sun caressing and warming the corner stone buildings, And a young child ponders for a moment why the ice cream in the window of Thornton’s is not melted, The moment passes, And she continues to skip behind her grandmother, Happy, Content, And from the whisper in the wind, And the fresh, vibrancy of its soul, I leave St Andrews with a smile, Touched.

(Photograph by Frazer Stockton S3)

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TOWN & GOWN

The University of St Andrews Union Debating Society This, (some might say the oldest and finest of its kind), as the Convenor informs the members of the House at weekly debates in Lower Parliament Hall, is a Society which endeavours to fuse tradition with playing a positive and progressive role in the local community.

All matriculated students of the University automatically become members of the Society and are able (and indeed, encouraged), to participate in all areas of its work, which encompasses a diverse range of activities; Public Speaking Training, Internal Competitions, Domestic and International Competitions, Schools’ Debating, and Lower Parliament Hall debates. Perhaps the most immediately visible face of the Society is the ‘showpiece’ nature of the debates in Lower Parliament Hall, usually each Wednesday evening. The current Convenor has pledged to feature one student speaker in every debate practicable, alongside the high profile political, academic, and professional speakers previously invited to participate in immensely successful and enjoyable debates. During debates in Lower Parliament Hall, the Society endorses the past and recognises the importance of upholding and valuing tradition where it is appropriate, such as in the moderately arcane Standing Orders governing conduct in the Chamber, the optional wearing of gowns, and the singing of the Gaudeamus. The inherent ceremony of the formal Wednesday evening debates, however, does not impede the contemporary and relevant nature of the motions put before the House. The Society aims to provide a forum for discussion that is readily accessible to all; as a subcommittee of the Students’ Association, the Society has a particular duty to cater

The Board of Ten

for all students who wish to attend debates the skills and confidence and to engineer an atmosphere that, rightly necessary to compete in remaining relatively formal, is unequivocally the competitions. However, not elitist or exclusive. Debates in Lower for students who may prefer to attend debates Parliament Hall are characterised by a wealth and heckle from a safe distance, but still of topics, ranging from the innately serious and wish to improve their communicative ability emotive, to more light-hearted material. Those and confidence, the public speaking training present are encouraged to participate and are programme is a beneficial service. explicitly ‘members of the House’ as opposed to Building upon the excellent work of the merely serving as a detached audience. In all previous Board of Ten (the governing body of debates, (when appropriate and within reason) the Society), the new Convenor, in conjunction heckling of the speakers is encouraged, as with the Schools’ Secretary and the rest of well as speeches from the floor, creating an the Board, has set an objective of enhanced atmosphere that is enjoyable and inclusive. engagement with the town. In addition to the In addition to our weekly ‘showpiece’ services we provide to our members, the presence in Lower Parliament Hall, the Union Union Debating Society also plays a valuable Debating Society provides role in terms of our a valuable service to involvement with schools. the new Convenor, in students in terms of Running competitions conjunction with the Inter-Varsity and Public for schools enables Speaking training. The Schools’ Secretary and the students to enhance Society, more specifically their own debating skills rest of the Board, has set the Inter-Varsity Secretary, through acting as judges, organises each year our whilst simultaneously an objective of enhanced very own Marquess of Bute allowing them to serve engagement with the town as ambassadors for competition. Coupled with other great successes, the University, making such as the annual Balaka Individual Speakers a positive contribution to the community.

Tournament, inviting other Universities to The high profile Courier competition is a compete in St Andrews, in addition to competing particularly notable example of the calibre of nationally and internationally as a University, the schools competitions offered by the Society. affirms the reputation of the University of St The Convenor and Schools’ Secretary are Andrews Union Debating Society as ‘the finest currently liaising with the University to continue of its kind’. Students of the University are also participating in the outreach programme to given the opportunity to showcase their skills local schools. A recent initiative has been in internal competitions such as the Maiden the compilation of a booklet about the work Speakers competition (for those who have of the Union Debating Society which will be never made a table speech in Lower Parliament incorporated into the main outreach literature Hall) and the John Blair Inter-Residence sent by the University to schools in the UK and Shield, both organised by the Championships the USA. Secretary. In addition to sending debaters and As a further mark of our commitment to judges to domestic Inter-Varsity competitions, community outreach, the Society will host a we also send representatives each year to the debate in Lower Parliament Hall during the European Debating Championships and the coming St Andrews week (Wednesday 29th World Debating Championships (taking place November), which will cater specifically for in Vancouver this Christmas). The Society school pupils and interested members of the also operates a well-attended comprehensive community. Additionally, the Town and Gown training programme (led by the Chief Whip and debate on the motion that ‘This House prefers a team of experienced and talented debaters), the Town to the Gown’, will take place in the which is open to all members and, in keeping week preceding (Wednesday 22nd November) with the Society as a whole, has several and everyone is warmly invited to attend. facets. Participation in the Inter-Varsity training programme is an excellent means of attaining (Photographs courtesy of the Debating Society)

The Evening Language Teaching programme will start during week beginning 2nd October 2006.

Courses will be held in Arabic, Chinese, French, Gaelic, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, and English for non-native speakers.

2006 Courses

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Enrolments will be taken at ELT from 18th - 29th September, 2 pm - 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

Application forms can be obtained from 11th September from ELT, University of St Andrews, Kinnessburn, Kennedy Gardens, St Andrews, KY16 9DJ. Tel: 01334 462255/65/06.

FEATURES

Donald Macgregor writes: “These are my own views and not to be construed as representing those of the Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council, which I have the privilege of chairing.”

St Andrews Attitudes As I write I’m on holiday in Dorset, near Lyme Regis at the entrance to the ‘Jurassic Coast’ World Heritage Site.

Within less than an hour’s drive lies Dorchester. They say it’s possible to find your way around using Hardy’s ‘Mayor of Casterbridge’ as a guidebook, though there are many others. Famous people associated with the place also include William Barnes (‘An’ there vor me the apple tree / Do lean down low in Linden Lea‘), born in 1801, 39 years before Thomas Hardy – and Vespasian, who came to Dorchester in AD 43 when he was still a mere general and 26 years away from the imperial purple. It’s a bustling town, with a well-frequented pedestrian precinct, a weekly market on Wednesdays (when a £1 per vehicle Park and Ride bus service operates), a reasonable supply of public toilets, and Roman buildings to visit. There’s no university, and no expanse of golf links – but in some respects Dorchester is closer to being world class than St Andrews is.

Self-praise is no praise: that is perhaps why Jack McConnell’s description of our Scotland as ‘the best small country in the world’ jars on the ear (mine at least) – it’s the opposite end of the spectrum from the ‘Scottish cringe’. We can be patriotic, we can love St Andrews – but without exaggerating.

In summer I work as a coach tour guide for German-speakers visiting Scotland. When our groups visit St Andrews, they think it’s a nice place and are fascinated by the Cathedral and Castle – but apart from the avid golfers, few of these interested and

educated Austrians, Germans, and Swiss have heard of the place before. Some locals will find that incredible – but it’s true. That’s why I find so petty those who think St Andrews is too wonderful ever to be twinned with other European towns. The people who describe it as ‘the loveliest medieval town in Europe’ must go round the continent wearing blinkers. It is surely possible to love your native place or place of residence and still not regard it as perfect.

St Andrews is an attractive and pleasant place to live and work, but we should not exaggerate its quiet charm. What the majority of the residents want is not a return to the medieval ‘interesting times’ with heretic- and witch-burning along with the political importance associated with ecclesiastical hegemony, but that present-day St Andrews, which gradually increased in prosperity from the coming of the railway in 1852 and has retained that prosperity, mainly through the university and golf, should be retained on a human scale and not be expanded to suit the wishes of developers and a coterie of officials and politicians who envy our good fortune in living here and seem to seek to spoil it. Moderation is to be commended, not grandiose selfadvertisement. St Andrews has lost its historical importance, eroded from the Reformation right up to the loss of our town council in 1974. The present local government administration appears incapable of delivering the bare necessities: a bus station, proper public toilet provision, a shopping area safe for pedestrians, a modern secondary school…World Class? Much as I love St Andrews, sometimes it’s more like Clochemerle-sur-Mer.

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Embroidery Professionals

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FEATURES David D. Wasserman has kindly contributed an update on his exciting plans for

The St Andrews Grand: Return to Glory at the Home of Golf Everyone who knows and loves St Andrews is familiar with the massive Arizona who had joined. Phil now lives in southern California, but has red sandstone building on The Links which looms above the Old Course. come more than ever to appreciate golf outside of the United States Numerous Open Championships have been decided in its shadow, and (he has his eyes focused on the Open Claret Jug). He also has a great the most storied names in golf, from Bobby Jones to Jack Nicklaus to appreciation for “the best”. In our club, he saw a masterpiece. Once Tiger Woods, have won their greatest championships here. restored, this extraordinary building, already one of the most recognizable For the first half of the 20th century, this building was the Grand Hotel, and photographed in the world, will be his “home” when The Open hosting kings and commoners alike. Since World War II, it has been Championship is played at the Old Course and at several other Open known as Hamilton Hall, a residence for the University of St Andrews, its venues. imposing presence an ever-present reminder of its glorious history.

More importantly, though, is his enthusiasm about bringing his family to Several years ago, the University considered selling Hamilton Hall; the St Andrews Grand and establishing a new “tradition” for them. For Phil but it was clear they wanted the right buyer for this considers his family life of paramount importance. jewel – someone who would be a good neighbor and Making St Andrews a part is his and his children’s restore the building in a way that’s consistent with its life is an adventure that he’s excited about. we envisioned our role celebrated heritage, its incomparable location and its Casual and unassuming and respectful of the place in the St Andrews community. not merely as the owners traditions and history of the town, the golf around My partners, including Michael DiCarlo, who and in it, and of course the building, Phil will be a of a building, but rather lives in St Andrews part of the year, and I knew this great addition to the community as a repeat visitor. building well. When we learned of the University’s And how great to have a multiple major champion as custodians of a interest in selling the property, we envisioned our with more victories to come!!! timeless treasure role not merely as the owners of a building, but Our key breakthrough was discovering the rather as custodians of a timeless treasure. We were St Andrews Grand’s original drawings – 105 eager to purchase the building and restore it to its of them – in the Glasgow City Archives. Unlike former magnificence. today’s lifeless computer-generated drawings, Although we rechristened it ‘The St Andrews Grand’ in tribute to its these were hand drawn, on linen, and they transported the architects legacy as a hotel, our vision was not to recreate another hotel. Instead, back more than 100 years, allowing them to appreciate the original we believed a private residential club with 115 members – only 23 of designer’s exquisite vision and delicate craftsmanship – every notch, whom would be in residence at any one time – would be more appropriate every corner, every timber molding drawn out to full scale. With these for the community. As such, it would have sufficient resources to maintain drawings in hand, we will restore the St Andrews Grand stone by stone, its presence as a public treasure, but slate by slate, column by column to its ultimately create fewer disruptions for former majesty. its immediate neighbours.

When renovations are complete in By the time this article goes to 2008, the Club will stand in harmony print, work on the restoration will have with its surrounding neighbours and already begun. We are working closely inspire a sense of pride among residents with the Hurd Rolland Partnership – not another hotel, but a stately home in Edinburgh, which specializes in with 23 classically designed residences restoring historic buildings in an in rich Victorian and Scottish style. As environmentally responsible fashion. befitting the world-wide appeal of golf Our goal is to recreate the original and St Andrews itself, we anticipate design of the St Andrews Grand in all that our Club’s membership will be its theatrical beauty, while updating international. and fortifying the structure, so it can be There are rare occasions when a enjoyed for generations to come. glorious past can be brought back to I feel so fortunate that we have life, and this is one of them. We are attracted a noted, interesting and privileged to participate in the restoration diverse international membership. One of the St Andrews Grand, and look of the newest members, who is so very forward to its once again becoming enthusiastic, is Phil Mickelson. part of the vibrant life of the St Andrews Phil was introduced to our club by community. a dear friend of his from Scottsdale, (Photos: Flora Selwyn)

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FEATURES Alison Mackenzie introduces this year’s

RAF Leuchars Airshow they have flown over the years including This year’s Royal Air Force Leuchars Airshow takes place on Saturday, 9 the Hurricane, Meteor, Vampire, and September. Keeping up the tradition launched back in 1945 with the first Hunter will be featured. The Gloster ‘Battle of Britain At Home Day’, RAF Leuchars Airshow has grown and Meteor was the Allies’ first operational evolved into one of the largest Airshows in the UK. jet fighter commencing ops mid 1944 The first thing that will strike you as you walk through the gates onto and with a top speed of 417 mph – compare this with the RAF’s newest this military airfield is the sheer size of the event. A fully operational jet fighter Typhoon, which has a top speed of 1480 mph, twice the speed airfield, home to three Squadrons, has been transformed in a matter of a of sound. In its role as a living flying memorial to the Few, The Battle of few days into an event site. Static aircraft stand to attention along the taxi Britain Memorial Flight with its full complement of Spitfire, Hurricane, way, aircraft hangars are transformed to house exhibitions and Scottish Lancaster, and Dakota will proudly parade through Fair Trade stands form a shopping village, simulators the skies watched by three hundred veterans. and a funfair offer entertainment for young and old A total of over one Grace and elegance are perhaps not words alike and then …. there are the flying displays. hundred aircraft will flock you would immediately associate with helicopters, A total of over one hundred aircraft will flock to after watching the Chinook and Merlin displays, RAF Leuchars with ten foreign nations arriving to to RAF Leuchars with ten but I think you may change your mind. Throwing showcase their aircraft, and no doubt experience foreign nations arriving to themselves through a series of amazing low level some good old Scottish hospitality. There is a moves, they almost appear to be dancing in the definite buzz about the place with an atmosphere of showcase their aircraft skies. The Chinook, having served in every major anticipation and excitement as you wander around, RAF operation in the last 25 years, can carry up jet engines starting up, aircrew manning their aircraft, to 44 fully equipped troops while the Merlin, the RAF’s newest and most children excitedly pointing to the skies, and cameras snapping furiously. advanced helicopter carries 28 troops and flies at speeds of up to 192 This year we are lucky to have three aerobatic display teams mph. demonstrating the art of formation flying, the most famous being the Royal There will be lots of action, intricate manoeuvres and special effects Air Force Aerobatic Display Team, The Red Arrows. The nine Hawks, with the Simulated Airfield Attack. A showcase of what the RAF does on their distinctive pillar-box red adding a splash of colour to the skies, will actual operations, several aircraft and squadrons will be involved in this perform a series of manoeuvres with ultimate skill and precision as only spectacular set piece sequence. Prepare yourself for bangs and flashes! they can. Back for the second year, the Irish Air Corps Team will display When you do take some time out from the flying displays, make the PC-9 and, for the very first time at RAF Leuchars Airshow, the Royal your way over to the ‘Crew Room’ in our Interactive Zone, where you Danish Air Force ‘Baby Blues’ in their Saab T-17s. can actually meet some of the crews, who will be happy to answer your One of the best known Soviet era fighters, the MiG-29 Fulcrum, questions and autograph your Airshow Programme. will be put through its paces by the Polish Air Force and, famous for its And so, another RAF Leuchars Airshow will draw to a close with a ‘Cobra’ manoeuvre at Airshows, I would suggest this is a highlight not to Sunset Ceremony, the Stn Cdr taking the salute and the RAF Leuchars be missed.

Pipes and Drums marching by. Marquees are taken down, hangars are On a historical note this year sees the 90th Anniversary of both returned to normal use, aircraft fly off into the distance and Station flying Leuchars-based 56 (R) and 43 (F) Squadrons and several of the aircraft resumes on Monday afternoon.

Don’t miss it!

Advance Saver tickets available on 08700 130 877 or www.airshow.co.uk Buy at selected Scottish Tourist Information Centres, the Dunfermline Building Society, SECC Box Office and SECxtra Ticket Centre, St Enoch Shopping Centre, Glasgow.

Tickets available on the day.

Gates & activities open from 8am to 6pm Flying Display takes off 10am to 5pm Supporting RAF Charities.

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FEATURES As the holiday season recedes, memories become precious. Ursula Carson recalls

A Summer In Alaska

Although I am Welsh by birth and upbringing, it was while living in Colorado, USA, first as a student and then doing research in psychology for the University of Colorado in Boulder, that I first became a serious mountaineer. Previously, I had lived for two years in San Francisco – a fascinating city during the1960s when ‘flower-power’ was at its height. There are mountains in California, but at some distance from the city. Boulder, elevation 4500 feet above sea level, is in the foothills of the Rocky Mountain Range, and it took just ten minutes driving to be in the foothill canyons which towered 2000 feet above your climbing boots.

During my first summer vacation as a student I accepted an invitation to travel and work briefly San Fransico 1964 at a “wilderness camp” in Alaska – how could I refuse – and I thought part of the adventure would be getting to the camp, which was situated west of Fairbanks in central Alaska. For the first stretch I had the offer of a ride in a camper van owned and driven by a University professor who was taking his son and nephew to Vancouver, Canada. It was an interesting journey in itself, camping for two nights in wilderness areas, hearing the coyotes and wolves howling at night.

In Vancouver I took a boat which travels on a regular route to Queen Charlotte Islands, where I spent a few days. Then, on to another boat to my first Alaskan island and the town of Ketchikan, where I met by chance an English girl who was working there as a nurse, and secretary of the local mountaineering club. She invited me to stay with her for a few days.

During our first day’s hiking, when crossing a steep icy area, my foot slipped, and in a fraction of a second I was falling. Fortunately I was carrying an ice axe, the necessary equipment in such terrain and, as I was falling I instinctively turned over on my front, humped my back, and the ice axe point drove into the ice, which slowed my rapid fall down the ice sheet. But not slow enough! My feet touched a pile of rocks with such force that the impact turned my body into a complete somersault, my back landing on the rocks. My friend came hurriedly down asking if I was all right. I was shaken, but eventually stood up and said, “yes“.

Then I saw blood on the snow. On inspection my Reflection of Mount McKinley in back was OK, but the flesh above my left elbow Wolder Lake 1966 had been sliced. The blood had dribbled down my arm and off my hand, dripping off my fingers.

Together we were able to fix butterfly plasters across the cut. Back in town a doctor cleaned and dressed the cut, which eventually healed, although repercussions of pain where the blow on my back was, have stayed with me all my life.

From Ketchikan, I joined a boat which weaved in and out of the many Alaskan islands on a routine schedule every three days. So I decided to stop off on Baronof Island, staying at a small hotel in the town of Sitka. This large island had once been owned by Russia, and eventually sold to the U.S. in the 19th century. I had been told it was an interesting place to visit – and so it was. There were beautiful Russian churches built in the Russian style with large double domes, plus delightful walks and friendly people. After three days I took the next boat, always travelling north, and sailed to Skagway on the mainland, famous in Alaskan history because gold was first found there, and a gold rush started in1849. There was, still in use, the old-style single gauge railway going inland, which I took on advice as far as Whitehorse in the Yukon. There I transferred to a long-distance bus travelling two days and all passengers stopping at a B&B motel overnight. Most of my fellow-travellers had interesting stories to tell.

Eventually arriving at Denali Wilderness Camp, I found it was a collection of some 15 small wooden houses, plus a large wooden building used for the communal dining hall and kitchen, with glorious distant views of snow-capped Mount McKinley. There was no electricity, and life was rustic, but well organised, and I happily worked for my food and lodging for four weeks. Famous mountaineers stayed at the camp after climbing Mount McKinley – the highest mountain in the U.S. at 6194 metres. One climber was Eric Shipton, who had led the last unsuccessful British attempt to climb Mount Everest in the 1930s. He was a gentle older man with many fascinating stories to tell, having climbed McKinley with three other men.

He invited me to join his group travelling south to Anchorage, my final destination. Then I flew back to Colorado.

(Photos by Ursula Carson) Arapahoe Ridge, Colorado 1964

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St Andrews Sometimes

by Julia Prescott Only sometimes when transformed by fog or when winter sunrise paints stained-glass in the spaces, or the full moon illumines a stage set for some tragic play – do the ruins speak.

There is not much passion left among this heap of stones: a tall tower, broken arches, a silent cloister and tourists snapping pictures to take home, but we never tread upon the crosses cobbled in the road.

We do not often choose to imagine John Knox’s anger shaking the pillars, the great roof in flames, falling and the town ringing with jeers and grief but sometimes, when barbequed meat smells waft up from the beach, When gulls clamour their demented shrieks, or a Leuchars bomber rips the sky, We sense the early martyrs burn again, murdered by fanatics in bonfires on the streets.

And we say, “such things could never happen here, again, today.

Our concerns are now upon a different stage and we are actors in another play.”

(Photos by Flora Selwyn)

FEATURES Kurt Borgmann writes that he, “pastors a church in North Manchester, Indiana, where he lives with his wife, Loyce, and three children, Rainer, Konrad and Leyna”. He asks to share his thoughts on meeting his cousin, a frequent contributor to this magazine.

Strangers No More In the worship book that my church uses, there is a song titled, “For We Are Strangers No More.” It is a new hymn for the church, but has quickly become a favourite for many people.

The refrain says this: For we are strangers no more, but members of one family; Strangers no more, but part of one humanity; Strangers no more, we’re neighbours to each other now; Strangers no more, we’re sisters and we’re brothers now.

That song comes to mind for me when I think about my most recent visit in St Andrews with my cousin, Catherine McDonald.

We have been strangers to each other across our lives. Our parents, siblings as children in Germany, went their separate ways in adulthood: her mother to England and my father to America. Our families have kept in touch, but Catherine and I are far enough apart in age, that even when my family lived in Germany during my childhood, and we came to

visit in England, Catherine was already grown and gone from home. So, even though she is my first cousin, she has been a stranger to me... until four years ago.

When I was offered the opportunity to take a sabbatical from my parish work in 2002, I decided to come to the United Kingdom. The centrepiece of the trip was a week at Iona, but I also decided to see if I could visit three of my cousins – one in St Andrews, one in Durham, and one in Rotherham. Catherine was the first one I contacted.

It was strange, I am sure, for her to hear from me out of the blue. “Could I come to visit?”

I asked. She must have wondered: What will he be like? What does he expect? I was nervous too. After all, she was a stranger to me.

But we corresponded by mail after that initial phone conversation, and when I received her first letter, I felt a clear sense of assurance from what might seem like a rather odd detail – Catherine’s handwriting looked exactly like my sister’s handwriting! In fact, when I first glanced at the envelope, I thought it was a letter

Stephen Jones helped organise this summer’s amazing

CLAN Gathering From the 15th July, close to 5000 Christians from all across Scotland descended upon the Strathtyrum estate, St. Andrews. Believers of all ages, backgrounds, and denominations united for the week-long Christian conference, CLAN Gathering (Christians Linked Across the Nation). In previous years the conference had been based at Madras College (Kilrymont). It began with meetings held in the assembly hall, before having to erect a giant tent behind the school to accommodate the growing numbers. The move to Strathtyrum estate was deemed necessary as the number of those attending continued to soar. The transition to the new site was made a lot easier, thanks to glorious weather in the run up to, and during the week itself. A giant blue tent was transported direct from the T-in-the-Park music festival, to provide the main venue for the week’s seminars and worship. The Strathtyrum estate was a magnificent surrounding for a week in which the focus was the Father heart of God. Almost every evening, conference delegates were treated to awesome sunsets over beautiful countryside. Despite the fabulous new venue, some of those attending missed having the event at Madras College – over the course of the week, I heard a number of people comment on how much they missed the banter with the school’s staff. I’m sure a number of others, given the opportunity, would also have appreciated the indoor toilet blocks available at the school.

Over the course of the week, delegates had the pleasure of some excellent bible teaching from a number of top quality speakers, combined

Kurt, cousin Catherine and friends from my sister. A coincidence or a real sign of connection?

But then, when I arrived in St Andrews, with my wife and two small children, there was Catherine and her husband Bill, coming out on to the sidewalk to greet us with open arms. She immediately remarked about how much I reminded her of her brother. Like my sister ...like her brother... members of one family?

Now, this year, I came back again to Scotland; to visit Iona once again, but also to see my family in St Andrews. This time I brought a group of my friends along – other pastors who were travelling with me – and Catherine and Bill welcomed us into their home with the warmest hospitality. What a gift, that we are strangers no more!

One of the events during the week was an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the “largest Scottish reel”. with amazing worship times (that brought glory to God without disturbing any neighbours – the best type). The conference exists to see Christians and churches alive with the joy of knowing and worshipping Jesus Christ, equipped to live out and proclaim His kingdom, secure in the love of God the Father and in the power of, and using the gifts of the Holy Spirit. And one of the most fabulous things about the conference is the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. Some of those that I personally got to know in previous years have become friends I hope to know all my life. This being especially true in the few instances where people have gone on to marry the person they met.

One of the events during the week was an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the “largest Scottish reel”. The record stood at 1,254 dancers, and unfortunately on the Thursday afternoon, the sites of St. Andrews must have been more appealing as only 716 dancers were in attendance. But as they say, ‘the band played on’ and the undeterred masses danced for the sheer joy of it. Despite not breaking the record, being part of something that big was a lot of fun. It’s not every day of the week that the church gathers with that many smiles on show – it would be great if it did! A big thank you to Jimmy Hill and Moira Stacey of the R.S.C.D.S who were our experts present on the day, and Ken Crichton (of the Community Council) and Flora Selwyn for being our two witnesses. These people were very kind to give of their time, despite the damp weather. Also a big ‘thank you’ to Leuchars for the photos kindly taken from one of their helicopters.

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FEATURES Lesley-Anne Lettice at the St Andrews Museum comes up with the answers, when you

Ask the Curator Q. Can you tell me when and why the tower at St Andrews Episcopal Church was removed and any other information about the building?

A. Episcopalianism was disestablished in Scotland in 1690 in favour of Presbyterianism. Restrictions on worship were relaxed in 1792 but there was no official place of worship for Episcopalians in St Andrews until 1825. Until this time, meetings were held in various places in the town, including Priorsgate in South Street, and even an outhouse in what is now Westburn Lane.

Designed by William Burn, who also designed Madras College, St Andrews Episcopal Church was built in North Street, to the east of St Salvators. Thanks to a growing congregation, it soon became too small and in 1869 it was replaced by a larger, grander church on the corner of Queen’s Terrace. The North Street church was sold and was moved, stone by stone, to Buckhaven.

The new church was designed by Edinburgh architect, R. Rowand Anderson. The tower was not part of the original structure – it was added in 1892. The tower was taken down in 1938 in the belief that its weight was making the main body of the Church structurally unsound.

Q. Can you tell me what happened to the old Buttercup Dairy mosaic, when John Smith’s bookshop closed recently?

A. The mosaic, below, was removed and is currently held by St Andrews Preservation Trust Museum at 12 North Street. The museum hopes to be able to have the pieces reassembled and placed on display in the museum garden sometime in the near future. Interested parties can view a number of items relating to old St Andrews’ shops and businesses at the Trust Museum, including shop fittings from popular grocer, Aikman & Terras; Keith’s the Chemist; Duncan’s the dentist; and the Maypole Dairy doorstep mosaic, which has already been laid in the Museum garden.

Q. On visiting the new St Andrews A-Z exhibition at St Andrews Museum in Kinburn Park, I noticed an interesting photo in the ‘Leisure’ section entitled ‘Cake Day’. Any further information?

A. My understanding is that Cake Day was part of the Hogmanay celebrations in many parts of Scotland. Children would go round the local shops collecting small tokens from the various shopkeepers – maybe a piece of fruit, a sweetie, or a biscuit.

Each town or village had its own variation on a rhyme the children would recite in exchange for their ‘cakes’.

The photograph in the exhibition shows three St Andrews children receiving their ‘cakes’ from grocer, William Burrell, at 89 South Street. The custom largely died out in St Andrews in the 1950s.

(Photos, coutesy the Preservation Trust Museum)

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FEATURES Richard A Batchelor considers the

Origin Of St Andrews – An Alternative Theory St Andrews is a small town on the east coast solstice sunrise was at 42°38’ E and moonrise of Scotland, known worldwide as the Home of at its most northerly transit was at 29°10’ E. Golf, and host to Scotland’s oldest University.

This latter orientation was close to the Dunino It was also the major ecclesiastical centre of orientation, but not exact. Does moonrise Scotland during the Middle Ages. Historians vary with time? Yes, due to the earth’s wobble have pondered for centuries over the origin of (known as the precession of the equinoxes), the town’s name, and legends have evolved to and it is possible to calculate maximum try to explain it. moonrise for any date in the past (or future).

There is archaeological evidence for By fixing the angle, I calculated when the moon organised human activity 8000 years ago in Fife would have risen at that orientation. The answer at Morton Lochs, Tentsmuir, and at Black Loch was 6170BC. This approximates to the time near Lindores. A henge at people were active in Balfarg, Glenrothes, has Fife 8000 years ago. we need not invoke a been dated at 2900BC Pondering further Saint Regulus to “bring” the on the geometry of this and a food vessel dated at 1800BC was found bones here, but a regula, a line led to the discovery near Beley Farm, Dunino. that a simple geometric ruler or straight line My interest focussed on form created by the Dunino, when I learned of intersection at their a story written in 1793 by the the parish session centres of two circles of equal diameter, creates clerk who mentioned rumours of the former an almond shape (or vesica piscis meaning existence of a Druidic temple in the Den. Also, ‘fish bladder’). Assuming a circle of radius 1, a a stone circle used to exist in the field opposite rectangle drawn around this shape has sides of Beley Farm, and adjacent to the Den itself. The length 1 and 2. The diagonal, using Pythagoras’ Den is a gorge formed by the Dunino Burn and theorem for right-angled triangles, has a length in a few places is bounded by steep sandstone of √5 (Fig.3). The angle between the vertical cliffs. On the top of one cliff there is a curious and the diagonal is 26°34’, practically the same pothole, about 4 feet in diameter and 2.5 angle as the Dunino ley line. In addition, if the feet deep, cut into the cliff top (Fig. 1). In wet NW line is extended, it aligns with the Cathedral weather it fills with water. Below this pothole, at St. Andrews and represents the orientation of maximum moonset at that time. Coincidence?

No, I don’t believe so because the vesica piscis shape was adopted by the later Christians as an important symbol in some of their depictions of Christ, in the shape of a Bishop’s mitre and in the 15th century Chapter Seal of St Andrews (Fig. 4).

Figure 2 sky. The town was named St Andrews after Christianity adopted the ancient geometric symbolism based on the moon’s journey through the heavens and imposed its own interpretation on it using the mythology of Saint Andrew.

Figure 3. Construction of the vesica piscis and decussate cross

How does all this relate to St Andrews?

Figure 1 there are steps carved out of the cliff, which lead down to the stream. Nearby there is a carving of a Celtic cross. The area is dominated

by Dunino Law (Fig 2).

About 1km west of Dunino Den there is a dwelling named Pittendriech, or Pit-andruidh, meaning ‘place of the magicians’.

More intriguing was the derivation of the name Dunino itself. One explanation is that it derived from Dun-nigheanach meaning ‘hill or fort of the daughters or young women’. This strengthened the connection with Druids because it is known that they encouraged a feminine priesthood.

With the evidence growing for preChristian activity, I studied local maps to look for meaningful alignments (ley lines) in the landscape. One did appear, which linked a standing stone near Boarhills, Dunino Law, the pothole, the site of the stone circle, and finally Kellie Law (an old fortification). This alignment seemed more than coincidence. Its orientation relative to True North was 26°20’ E. What might this orientation indicate? Was it solar or lunar? Alexander Thom, the famous archaeoastronomer, calculated that in 2000BC summer

Legend tells that a Saint Regulus brought some bones of the apostle Andrew to this part of Fife, then known as Kinrimont. However, no scholar has been able to prove that Regulus ever existed. Andrew was described in the New Testament, with Peter, as a Fisher of Men and he was reputedly martyred on a descussate cross (X). This information links Andrew to the 1, 2, √5 geometry of the vesica piscis. Further, we need not invoke a Saint Regulus to “bring” the bones here, but a regula, a ruler or straight line. In other words, the ley line (regula or (male) regulus) “brought” the Andrew symbolism to Kinrimont (Fig. 5 – map).

By a combination of geometry and astronomy I conclude that the siting of the town called Ceinnrighmonadh, or Kinrimont, which became known as St Andrews around 1108, was based on lunar alignments as measured from Dunino a long time ago by the local wise men who observed the moon’s movements across the

Figure.4. Chapter seal of St. Andrews (15th C) (Photo courtesy University of St Andrews Library) This article is an extract from my illustrated booklet “Origin of St. Andrews”. Copies are available from “Psyche’s Garden”, South Street, or directly from the author at 01334 828623.

Price: £4.50

Figure 5

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FEATURES

Whisky Classified

by David Wishart (London: Pavilion 2002, 2006). Review by Tim Scott MA, PhD Whisky Classified does exactly what it says on the cover. A systematic approach to Scottish malt whisky classification, it is a consumers’ guide, which will appeal to enthusiasts as an aid to informal or formal tasting. At £14.95 this hardcover, revised and richly illustrated edition represents good value for money.

The book is organised in two sections. Part one comprises concise and informative sections on the history, regions, production, types, and tasting of malt whiskies. Part two, the bulk of the book, comprises double-page profiles of over ninety whiskies, from the familiar to more recherché brands.

Wishart’s approach builds on a review of personal and professional tasting notes, combined with the established Pentland’s Flavour Wheel. The result is a user-friendly profiling system combining twelve flavour features: Body, Sweetness, Smoky, Medicinal, Tobacco, Honey, Spicy, Winey, Nutty, Malty, Fruity, and Floral. Each feature is weighted on a five-point scale. Whiskies are classified according to ten flavour clusters. In this, Wishart departs from the traditional regional classification on the grounds that sufficient intra-regional variations are exhibited to justify a scheme founded on flavour characteristics alone.

The profiles of familiar classics accord with one’s own undisciplined tasting. Thus, a superheavyweight like Ardbeg is classified as huge in Body, Smoky, and Medicinal flavours; whilst the profile of lightweight Glen Grant accurately

reflects its balanced, youthful spirit, with no particular intrusive features. Between the two extremes, middleweight Glenlivet is rightly shown to marry body and balance across the flavour range.

I was also curious about brands that I have not enjoyed. Glenfiddich’s profile lacks any score in the mid-range flavours, which perhaps helps to explain my disappointment, though Wishart’s notes are more positive. As for Glenmorangie, I find the image of men tossing cell phones into unspoiled Scottish Lochs rather irritating, but it has allegedly made Glenmorangie the best-selling brand. Coming in at light-middleweight (the boxing references are mine, not Wishart’s), I found the Glenmorangie profile of little use to explain why, in my estimation, this brand lacks appeal. Which difference in opinion underlines the rule that no objective system can replace one’s subjective response.

The book is a virtual tasting companion.

One can compare one’s own tasting with its Whisky Classified profile and cluster for any brand. This gives virtually infinite scope for flavorous dialectics between objective and subjective experiences of this iconic Scottish product. Among the minor topics, Burns himself would have approved of the increasing range of cask strength whiskies becoming available, as the book details.

The whisky aficionado can make more sophisticated comparisons. For instance, the profiles of Glenlivet and Knockando (a personal

favourite) show only one point difference in each of the Winey, Malty, and Floral features.

Yet the two whiskies are to my palate more different in flavour than their profiles would suggest – though they are in different flavour clusters. Perhaps consumers have varying sensitivities to flavour features; in which case the same profile may not taste the same to different drinkers.

In conclusion, Whisky Classified is more than a malt anorak’s guide. For the whisky enthusiast who wishes to take the subject more seriously and systematically, it is a useful sounding board for the palate.

I aim to use it quite often. Noting that all science tends to be justified in terms of actions it justifies, this book is my idea of science.

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14

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PULL-OUT SUPPLEMENT Harry Harvey goes down Memory Lane, fondly

Rambling Around St Andrews It is a nostalgic experience to wander east along South Street, to follow the wall of the cemetery past the old Fisher School and then down to the harbour and out to the Pier. Or perhaps to walk from Lamond Drive, over the Burn, and up through the town to the Station to catch the early train to Dundee. There are many more routes to choose from: through the Town, out to the Links, or along the Kinkell Braes, and all for little effort since they are all followed sitting in a chair!

It’s a long time since these experiences were real, but St Andrews is not a place you forget. I spent most of my first 25 years as a small part of the life of St Andrews. It is my family’s home. Its location, street plan, historic and romantic buildings are all very clear, although it is often people who come back most vividly.

But it didn’t quite start there.

Seafield

When I was very young we moved from Perth to Seafield Farm, two miles outside St Andrews where my Dad had rented one of the farm workers’ cottages. He was a blacksmith, and he cycled to work at Hamilton’s Smiddy (smithy) at the West Port. It was a happy place to spend my first six years, totally immersed in the big garden, farm life, and with other children from the farm to play and grow up with.

In the 1930s farming was very different from today. There were few tractors, but lots of horses. Much of the work was done by hand. At set points in the year the Irish labourers would turn up to thin neeps (turnips), collect spuds (potatoes), and goodness knows what else. I remember well their arrival in the bothy behind our house, the digging of the pit for the latrines, the erection of the canvas screen round it and the wooden bar they sat on: it looked very uncomfortable on a rainy night compared with the luxury of our lavvy (toilet).

A downside was the one mile hike from Seafield to the nearest school in Strathkinness. The rest of the farm kids seemed to get on with it, but my mother wasn’t happy about it so I was kept at home until we moved in to St Andrews. My Dad had got a wee house behind the Smiddy at the West Port. We were all glad to move into the Town. But before leaving Seafield ……

Grannie’s

My maternal Grandfather was the foreman on Kincaple farm next to Seafield. My Mother and I frequently tramped across a few fields to see Grannie, so I spent much time absorbed in farming family life then and even after we moved into St Andrews. As Grandad was the foreman, he had the first and biggest house Seafield, aged 4. Dad made the car in the row of farm cottages.

Luxurious, with two rooms separated by a smaller room that served as a kitchen, washroom, and larder/storeroom. I well recall the two big bins, one for coarse flour and one for plain. Food prepared there was cooked on the range in the living room. There were two double beds there and a big table where all the eating was done. For a long time the only lighting was by paraffin lamps, although at some point after the war electricity was installed.

The other room had a double and a single bed. This was where we slept when we stayed the night. My Dad hated it because the dust from the hay stuffing of the mattresses they used gave him breathing problems.

He frequently spent the night walking about outside.

Grannie and Grandad lived with the youngest daughter, Carrie. The next daughter, Meg, was married and lived next door in a tiny house.

At the end of the row there was a small ‘wash house’ equipped with a massive boiler heated by coal and a number of huge wringers. I remember, about once a week Grannie, Meg, and perhaps others, would have a communal washday, a major operation. The washing would then be hung on lines in the field behind the cottages – watching out for the cows.

Behind the cottages were a ‘midden’, the pigsties and the lavvies. The midden was a small area surrounded by a low wall and was where all the household rubbish was thrown. Now and again it would be cleared out and disposed of, probably ‘recycled’.

There were a number of sties, one of which was used by Grandad to raise a pig. Once a year the man arrived to slaughter the pig and take it away to be butchered, then brought back ready for packing in salt. I do remember the shrieks of the pig while it was bleeding to death with its throat cut, but fortunately never saw it. One of the normal experiences of country life at that time.

The lavvies were also memorable. There was one for each house in the row, simple buildings with a wooden seat with a hole in it and

Harry & Barbara in front of Rufflets c 1990

a bucket underneath. Again, at regular intervals Grandad would dig a hole in the field and empty the bucket into it. More recycling. It was a long walk to the lavvy on a cold night, so under each bed the alternative option was available.

Nearby there was a large piece of ground given over to the farm workers for use as gardens and all were well used. Grandad had a huge garden where he grew all of the vegetables needed through the year.

There were also gooseberries and strawberries, which were delicious! He must have spent all his time working on the farm or in the garden. Not much time for the telly in the evening, although they did have a wind-up gramophone and some Harry Lauder and Jimmy Shand records. And he could play the fiddle when he had time.

Then, farms were places shared by people and animals, with quiet, simple tools pulled by horses. No hint of the technically sophisticated monsters that have taken over from the men and the horses today. Then, farming communities were warm, friendly places. Their busiest, noisiest, and most exciting times were on threshing days. This was a happy and contented time for farming and farm workers. An abiding memory is of the stables where the men would meet and chat in the evening. Their quiet peace and warmth, with the gentle Clydesdales munching away in the shadows of a light from a paraffin lamp, left a permanent image of a time never to return.

School Days

Arriving in the Town when I was six meant I was a year late starting at the West Infants School. I was too tall for the first year desks, so I was moved up to the second year class and was given ‘homework’ – reading cards – to learn at home. I seemed to catch up quite soon. I am grateful to a kind, patient, and very competent teacher, Miss Brown, for giving me a good start. The West Infants was a happy experience. Sadly it is long gone.

Next stop was the Fisher School for a short period. Not much to recall except the cliffs behind the school where, after school, my pals and I would frighten ourselves to death scrambling up and down them. We spent a lot of time on the sands, climbing on the old pier or on the cliffs.

The Fisher School is gone too.

It was then on to the Burgh School, at ten, and to clearer memories.

The war broke out shortly after and St Andrews was flooded with Glasgow evacuees for a time. There was no way the schools could cope, so we went in the morning and they went in the afternoon. We were taken on ‘nature walks’ in the afternoon, which always ended with a gang of us ‘disappearing’ to play on the dunes out at the West Sands or scrumping apples in the gardens out at the Lade Braes. Happy times! But we were not sorry when they all went home. Perhaps we got bored with ‘nature walks’, preferring to be together in school. On reflection, the standard of old Scottish teaching at the Burgh was excellent. My understanding of mathematics and the use of the English language were founded there and compares well with the standards of today.

The War

After the outbreak of the war there was a period of chopping down railings to provide scrap metal, but the amount of real blacksmithing work at Hamilton’s Smiddy began to drop off. My Dad was just too old for call-up, lucky for us, so in 1940 he moved to Leven, where he spent the war years building wings for fighter aircraft; more romantic and vital.

It was a while before he was able to find a suitable house for the family, so for some time Mum and I had to remain in St Andrews. It did not lack interest. The air was frequently filled with the sound of engines from Leuchars airfield as planes set off on some bombing mission.

Leuchars was also a prime target for the Germans, of course, but their bombing could leave a bit to be desired. Twice they dumped bombs on St Andrews, one of which killed a few people in the one house hit. The second dropped in the burn 150 yards from our house in Lamond Drive.

It was dark and Mum and I were in the process of dashing next door after it went off – and it came on to rain – or so we thought. It was actually water blown out of the burn, which stank of the explosive from the bomb.

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RAMBLING AROUND ST ANDREWS Traces of the big hole it made will still be there. But that was as close as we got. The children in Guardbridge were less fortunate. A daylight raider missed the airfield, so machine-gunned the school when it was coming out, and a number of children were killed. Quite pointless except to create anger.

Mind you, our own planes could be a problem too. Some coming back from raids didn’t quite make it to the airfield and crashed. A few crashed in the Eden for whatever reason. One Blenheim bomber had some engine trouble and crashed in the road up to Grannie’s, less that two hundred yards from the house. The crew were killed. War is a casually cruel business.

Largo Eventually Dad found a house, a two-roomed cottage in Lower Largo backing on to the beach, again a happy place to continue growing up. The steps from the wee back garden led straight on to the sand.

My sister Pat was born there when I was twelve, so she had three grown-ups to play with and be spoiled by. Pat, my mother, and I spent a lot of time together since Dad worked very long days and nights trying to meet the demands for fighter aircraft. It really was a battle for Britain. I would be very interested to know what Pat can remember of those times.

Again, the war was never very far away. My friends and I spent a lot of time on the water on our rafts, or in canoes, or wandering along the beach looking for any debris from the war. We covered our canoes using the much-prized barrage balloon material scavenged from the beach, balloons lost in storms from the barrage over the Methil Docks. We regularly watched the mass of ships assembling in Largo Bay into another convoy; then overnight they were gone. Our aircraft were also around and another source of excitement. One got into trouble at altitude and dived vertically into the ground quite close by. When we had seen where it had gone we cycled like mad to get to the scene, the garden of a house.

It had buried itself in the ground so that only the tail showed; the engine was deep underground. Such violence. The pilot had baled out, luckily for him. The garden wasn’t too good, but the house was lucky.

Perhaps the daftest thing we did was to search the firing range used by the Polish paratroopers, for unexploded bombs. Fortunately for us the unexploded two-inch mortar bombs we found and threw out of our hole in the ground were real duds, much to our disappointment.

We were very familiar with the Polish paratroopers training in the camp near Largo. Marching back through Largo from church on Sunday singing the Polish National Anthem, still remembered. There were also their drunken arguments outside the Largo Hotel and Fortes fish and chip shop on Saturdays. I wonder just how many of them survived the landing at Arnhem. Many Poles in Fife and across the country chose to stay in Britain after the war and became a great asset to our society, as we learned from personal experience through the following years.

Our gang had a spell with the Army Cadets training with the Home Guard, lots of fun in night-time exercises and exciting days on the firing range. The Lee Enfield .303 could really hurt your shoulder and drive a fourteen year-old back a few inches when fired. The Home Guard ‘soldiers’ were less than expert too. I am amazed that there were no casualties during training. There were many close shaves practising with live ammunition. Watching dummy mortar bombs being fired that turned out to be live. A Mills hand grenade fired from a YP gun rather too vertically, so it came back down where we were – or would have been if we hadn’t run for it! You needed to be quick and fleet of foot to keep out of trouble in the Home Guard. Friendly fire! But it could be a bit frightening too, to be on an exercise and realise that there really could be German tanks coming up the very familiar road at you; that at any time German gliders could be landing on the beach behind our house.

Fortunately it’s the happy and funny times we tend to remember.

School Again While in Largo I started school in Leven and did my ‘lowers’ (Leaving Certificate). On then to Buckhaven High School for the ‘highers’ and a plan to go to college to study engineering. Again, I look back with gratitude to both schools for the high standard of education I received.

At that time it was Scotland that set the standards in education excellence.

But it was the war again that comes to mind. Buckhaven High was not far from the Methil docks and lots of shipping activity. That seemed to bring mines as well as barrage balloons. They were probably ours, but they had a habit of breaking loose and hitting the cliffs behind the school. The first time was a surprise when, with an almighty bang, all of the windows in the school were blown in. Exciting! And no one hurt that I know of, but from then on our windows were covered in a plastic material that was safe, but didn’t let much light in!

The war made it a time for bangs. My clever friend found out how to make silver acetaldehyde, very unstable. He filled the palm of his hand with glass shards when the wee bottle he had it in exploded when he didn’t expect it. My powerful gunpowder, copied from an old 1890s Boy’s Own was safer. Two bolts screwed into the same nut with a pinch of magic powder in between made a great hand grenade. The first one

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I made I threw on the playground outside a classroom at lunchtime.

It exploded with a super bang, stripped the thread on the bolts, one of which went through a window. Cost me half-a-crown, and six of the best from the Head, but it was worth it. The powder went on to be used in many more explosive devices – and I still have my hands and eyes thankfully.

This was the effect the war had on young minds. We were excited by the weapons, the explosions, the aircraft, and the ships. The human cost was beyond our ken, perhaps remotely stirred by pictures of Dunkirk and other disasters. Perhaps it is this characteristic of youthful fearlessness and adventure that made it possible to enthuse lads of eighteen to fly Lancasters to bomb Germany, when a mature man would be terrified.

Wars can only be fought by the young and the brave.

But it finally came to an end, and in ‘45 my Dad decided to return home to St Andrews Back to St Andrews He had an ambition, to start his own smiddy. You may still recall Ed Harvey and his ‘Greenside Works’. It was a very successful business and made a lasting mark on the town in many ways. More of that later.

Tough luck for me, we moved to St Andrews a few weeks before I was due to sit my ‘highers’. This condemned me to a long bus trip to school in Buckhaven every day sitting on the hard wooden slat seats of a ‘utility bus’. Very basic; glad I was young. Fortunately I did well, so the next stop was college in Dundee to study engineering.

College In those days St Andrews had a railway station and an early morning train to Dundee which always seemed on the point of leaving just when I got there. Our group was always in the back carriage and we were adept at leaving the door open to scoop up the latecomer for the day, much to the irritation of the Station Master.

We were all travelling together to one college or another and they were certainly very different from the schoolboys I was used to being with. After the war the Government wisely offered ex-servicemen grants to go into the higher education they were denied by being called up for service. As a result every one in that group bar me had been in the army, the air force, or the navy. Three of them were ex-Polish army, hello again!

Another was an ex-Mosquito pilot and another an emaciated ex-Japanese prisoner. All were tackling something they hadn’t done for a long time, sitting in a class being taught. The Poles also had some problems with the language, but all persevered for three years to get their degrees.

There were a few ex-schoolboys on my mechanical engineering course, but the majority were ex-forces. A few were very bright and battled with us for the top marks. It was easier for us, being used to ‘learning’. I admire the effort those chaps put in to get back to normal life.

Another facet of my own experience of the war.

The Smiddy For six years after returning to St Andrews much of life revolved around the Smiddy. At weekends and through all the holidays, my time was spent there working on a wide variety of jobs. It was very satisfying, since I shared my Dad’s love of ‘blacksmithing’. My Dad and his blacksmith did all the horseshoeing of course. Dad was a master farrier. They also did the wrought ironwork in which my Dad was an artist. But here comes the war again!

This was a period of rapid change for farming, the source of a great deal of work for blacksmiths. The pre-war Irish labourers had disappeared, but the clever and affordable Ferguson tractor appeared on the scene and rapidly replaced men and horses. Its three-point mounting for tractor-borne implements was a revolution.

But for a time the old horse-drawn equipment had to be kept alive after a long period of neglect through the war. That kept the smiddy busy and was a time when inventive minds had a lot of scope for innovation.

We made use of ex-wartime equipment of all sorts, mainly from aircraft.

This included converting old horse-carts, from tired wooden wheels to the main wheels of the Barracuda torpedo bomber. Many of these aircraft were stationed around the coast and were sold off for scrap at £7 10s each!

We bought the main wheels, some three feet in diameter, and made new axles to carry them. I remember turning sixteen axle-ends in one day; there was quite a demand! The horses must have been pleased, too, with the nice quiet, smooth carts.

With petrol becoming available cars were reappearing on the roads, all old pre-war models for a long time. Apart from engines needing attention, bodywork needed saving and even rusty chassis straightened up and reinforced. We spent a lot of time putting St Andrews back on its wheels in post-war years.

Some of the people who had had their fences and gates chopped down for scrap now decided they would like to have them back, which became another main strand of activity. It included one round the front of the R & A, which I helped put up. There were old central heating systems in bigger buildings to be restored and there was a lot of work from the University. It called for a versatile bunch of people in the smiddy.

RAMBLING AROUND ST ANDREWS And here again up pop the Poles. Quite early on two ex-army chaps came to work for Dad, one of whom, Martin, spent the rest of his life there. His English was not perfect, but he was an excellent blacksmith.

He had two sons born here, one of whom spent some time working in the smiddy, Martin himself working there well into his 70s. His family was in Poland, but he preferred life in Fife. A very nice man.

The other Pole I remember well was Andrew the tailor in Bell Street.

He made at least two suits and an overcoat for me, all very stylish and beautifully made. He and Martin were typical of the many Poles who settled here and were absorbed into our lives. There were also German prisoners of war who had been working on local farms, who chose to stay and whose families have now become part of St Andrews life.

While on the subject of ‘multiculturalism’; in the 1920s and ‘30s there was an influx of Italians who made a huge impact. From then on every ice cream shop and fish and chip shop was run by an Italian family. It never occurred to us that it could be any other way! They were entirely absorbed and even through the war I do not remember any of them being troubled. Even in Largo where the Polish Paratroopers ate at the very Italian Fortes fish and chip shop, there was never any problem. The British have a wonderful ability to welcome ‘foreigners’ into out society as long as they live by our values in our British culture.

Canoes Again Life was not all spent in the smiddy. I loved being on the water, so in 1946 I bought a Norwegian wooden canoe.

With a bit of t.l.c. it was restored to a beautiful thing, ideal for single paddling or with the girlfriend on board.

My friend Bob Mitchell was also a seaman, so we designed and built a frame/canvas canoe for him. We spent thousands of hours out in Harry and his canoes, in the harbour 1951 St Andrews bay, along the coast, out the West Sands and up the Eden. I remember vividly paddling alone on a beautiful dark summer’s night, with the sea mirror-calm, watching the explosions of phosphorescence every time the paddle went into the water. Magic!

There were also the days when the east wind howled, driving big waves across the bay and on to the East Sands. We would paddle well out and ride the waves towards the shore, only stopping when we were in danger of being swamped. The professional fishermen operating at the time thought we were quite mad. Probably true, but we were fit and knew our canoes and their limitations. Exciting and great fun. Although sometimes the waves won. On one, windy occasion I had headed off to the West Sands and went ashore on the beach. Trying to get back on the water again to paddle back to the harbour I couldn’t get past the breakers without being swamped. I had to give up, walk back to town to pick up Dad’s van and Bob Mitchell. The canoe was put on its wheels, a rope passed through the ring in the bow and held by Bob, who sat on the back sill of the van with the doors open and his legs dangling out. I drove, Bob hung on to the rope and we neatly towed the canoe home along North Street, past the police station, and not a driving licence between us. All quite safe. What a different world!

All through my time in St Andrews, I had a close association with the harbour. First at school, climbing the old pier or wading through the mud in the upper harbour looking for old pulley blocks dropped from big fishing boats long gone. Or we could go to the old gasworks to see my uncle Dave, who stoked the boilers there until it was closed down.

Another landmark gone.

Later it became our playground and home for six great canoeing years. We kept our canoes in a cellar in the harbour buildings under the old pub which was still open at the time. Again, all gone, with the sensible conversion of the block into flats. Another move to the future was the replacement of the original harbour bridge. I designed a ‘modern’ bridge which my Father built and which operated for over thirty years. It would have been familiar to very many St Andrews folk. But it, too, has now been replaced by a bridge which reflects much that has changed in our way of life and the nature of the people who use the harbour.

National Service Now back to the real world. In 1949 I left college – and after a medical on my 21st birthday walked straight into National Service for two years.

Two months of square bashing were followed by six months of training as an engine fitter in St. Athan, in Wales. They were eventful and weirdly enjoyable periods, totally new experiences. As an ex-college boy I was expected to become an officer in Air Traffic Control, or something like that. I was regarded as rather odd when I elected to train as a humble engine fitter, an experience I felt would be useful later. And it most certainly was.

My first posting was to the Belfast University Air Squadron at an airfield right next to the Harland and Wolfe boatyard. Many memories there. I looked after the engines in our De Haviland Tiger Moths and often flew with the instructors on morning test fights. We fitters were sometimes allowed to have a go at flying, but the exciting – and frightening – moments came doing aerobatics over Belfast Loch.

Other lasting impressions were of the Red Heart Guinness in Kelly’s Bar in Belfast, but the deepest was of the dogmatic hatred between the Catholics and the Protestants. It was everywhere. I learned both the Protestant ‘Sash’ and the Catholic ‘Dreaming’ songs, but you had to be sure of your surroundings if you wanted to whistle them; don’t choose the wrong street! I was billeted with a Protestant family where the father was a strong Orangeman, as bigoted as they come, but they were very decent people.

My sympathy was with the Protestants who had fought for the right to remain British in Ulster, but were steadily infiltrated, attacked and killed by those who wanted to force them to become Irish. It has given me some understanding of what has happened there since.

Back To St Andrews – Again!

At the end of the first of my two years of National Service I was posted to a new squadron – St Andrews University at Leuchars! Even more amazing, my kind CO allowed me to have a living-out pass, so I spent my second year of service back under my parents’ roof. How jammy is that! It got even sillier. The squadron clerk was demobbed before a replacement was available so, since I was the college boy and could spell, I was drafted into the job – in the office in North Street. For three months I got out of my own bed, and strolled up from Bruce Street to open the office. The day’s orders were typed with two fingers, the mail dealt with and the rest of the day was my own. My Mother made my bed, ironed my uniform, and did my buttons. I’m almost ashamed of my lifestyle then! The other lads lived in barracks on the base and had to fend for themselves. I even borrowed the old man’s car to drive to work.

At that time the aerodrome was under Fighter Command and operated a number of squadrons of Meteor jet fighters. Our University Air Squadron was under Home Command flying the new De Haviland Chipmunk trainers. Our purpose was to teach students at the university to fly and then join the RAF. This had one huge advantage; we were protected from the Station Warrant Officer. He was a ruthless stickler for dress and haircuts and was infuriated by our scruffy bunch in the UAS. But being under Home Command we were not under his control. He stopped me once to rant on about my haircut, or lack of same, and told me to report to my CO. When I did the CO picked up the phone and gave the SWO a rollicking for interfering with his men! He then told me to get a haircut, which I did. It was an interesting lesson in how to build team spirit We respected and worked cheerfully for our Irish CO. I suppose there were about ten mechanics working under our sergeant, covering engines, airframes, electrics, and radios. There were only three national service men. The others were regulars and all had just come through the war, many having fought in the North African campaign. The war had marked all of them. My corporal, Paddy, had a great deal of experience, and patience with my enthusiasm. He allowed me to enjoy myself taking engines to bits looking for the source of a problem, when he knew what it was all the time. I owed him a lot.

The most potent illustration of the effect of the war was their response to danger. On one occasion some idiot dropped a cigarette lighter beside the dripping hose when we were refuelling a plane from a petrol tanker, a ‘bowser’. It caught fire and the bowser could have exploded. While I was standing there wondering what to do, the regulars were disappearing towards the horizon! Sensible chaps.

On another occasion a group of us were standing beside a bowser on the airfield. A student appeared to be having difficulty getting the plane off the ground on take-off and it was heading straight for us. I watched in fascination as it careered towards us, its wheels finally clearing the bowser by a few feet as it took off. But where were the regulars? They were either running like mad or lying flat on the ground. They had seen aircraft crash and bowsers go up in flames before. They were conditioned to respond to danger by getting the hell out of it. The war was still around us in those men I worked with. But all good things come to an end and I left the RAF behind me at Christmas 1951.

Rolls Royce I had thought that I would go into the car industry, but that, fortunately, proved to be a problem, so I ended up joining the Rolls Royce Engineering Group in Derby developing jet engines. Nothing could have been more fortunate. I loved the job at every stage. It suited my passion for engineering, for working within a really great engineering company on new and exciting technologies.

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RAMBLING AROUND ST ANDREWS The demands of providing ever lighter, more powerful, more efficient engines for aircraft meant that the technology involved has always been at the boundaries of what could be achieved in aerodynamic, thermodynamic, and mechanical design, of manufacturing methods and materials. Through my forty years with R.R. the advances made in every aspect would have been unimaginable when I saw my first development engine on test in 1952. Exciting and new as the technology was then it was still very uncertain, and the instrumentation technology to tell you what was happening in the engine, extremely primitive. That suited me!

When the engine blew up, a regular experience, there was great scope for detective work in the remains requiring imagination and a sound understanding of engineering. It was extremely rewarding to find the cause, find a solution and see the engine running healthily again. Quite important for pilots who, in those early days, were a bit vulnerable to an early demise when an engine blew up in the air, not an uncommon experience.

As the years went by measurement technology became very clever.

It is interesting that much of it was able to be transferred to medical use.

It was our engineers who designed those wee tubes they can poke inside your stomach and your bowels, for instance. We wanted to see inside our engine. We also provided safe metals for use as artificial hip joints.

These were alloys developed for the blades in the turbine which run at unbelievably high temperatures and resisted corrosion in the body.

But the growing mass of information we could now gain from the engine and the parallel development of computer programs to analyse what was going on meant that more problems could be solved by computer analysis. The hands-on detective work slowly disappeared.

However, by then I was climbing the management tree.

In the 1950s many new aircraft were being designed around the jet engine to take advantage of the massive performance improvement they made possible. Not surprisingly they were for military use, mainly fighters. For a period the possibility of Vertical Take-Off and Landing were pursued requiring frighteningly powerful engines which I worked on for some years. In the early 1960s the first civil aircraft were launched, the Comet, and the Boeing 707 being well-known examples.

As time went by these civil aircraft became an enormous driving force in design. They became much larger, the Boeing 747 being the first ‘jumbo jet’. The demands for low fuel consumption and low noise were paramount in the massive engines now required. Enter the now famous RB211, the first of our large fan engines now dwarfed by the superb examples of engineering that followed. As a measure of this, the first engine I worked on in 1952 had 3,500 lbs thrust. The latest engine for civil airliners produces 100,000 lbs thrust and is vastly more efficient, and quieter.

Clearly, over the period from the 1950s to the 1990s very many new engines were launched to meet the needs of new military and civil aircraft. In Rolls Royce it was the practice to set up a separate project team to handle the development of each new engine, a team dedicated to the achievement of the programme objectives. This was enormously successful, particularly after 1971 when the company fell into serious trouble with overspends on the new technologies of the first RB 211. From then on we learned to get things done effectively within tight budgets by dint of clever and aggressive management. Each project fought with other projects for the resources it needed. There was never enough to satisfy everyone, so we did the job with what we could get and damn everybody! We worked, not for the management, but for our Project and for Rolls Royce, which we just knew represented the best in the business and we had to live up to that standard. In this way all projects were run in a most efficient manner without loss of technical excellence, while meeting the demands of our Project’s programme. We became a very effective Company which has evolved into an Aerospace Group unequalled in the world today.

Through this time I became involved in managing many of the new engine projects which emerged and, towards the end of my career, running the massive programmes developing the new technology required to keep moving forwards. Hugely rewarding. But where had St Andrews gone in this time?

Still St Andrews

Although from joining Rolls Royce in 1952 Derby became my new family home, every holiday meant a trip to my old home in St Andrews. First it was by train or aeroplane, but after getting my first car in 1954 – a 1935 Riley my Dad acquired of course – each trip was a marathon of 350 miles each way through sun or deep snow, day and night, taking between 12 and 16 hours each way. Sometimes there was a stop to fix some problem with the car. There are many stories. As the years went by the cars improved, so the chances of making it all the way and in a reasonable time got better too.

Almost from the beginning I was accompanied by my girlfriend Barbara, who bravely faced the rigours of the journey, sometimes wrapped up to the eyebrows in rugs in the coldest of winters. This was well before cars had heaters. She helped when the car went wonky and even helped me strip the thing down in St Andrews to fix problems.

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A handy girlfriend to have around!

Barbara and I were married in 1956, and in 1959 had our daughter Fiona. If the trips before Fiona were adventures they became even more so with her in the car. We preferred travelling at night when the traffic on the old roads was lighter and Fiona would sleep – except when the car stopped for the driver to have a wee snooze. It wasn’t Late ‘50s, now married easy for Barbara to keep a happy, lively, wide-awake youngster quiet while I tried to snuggle down in my seat! But we had great fun with picnics in nice spots in the border country beside the road.

From the beginning, not surprisingly, Barbara and I spent a lot of time on the beach or out in my canoe, which was brought out on these occasions. After Fiona appeared we spent even more time on the beach or at the harbour in the rowing boats. St Andrews was a great place for a family holiday, summer or winter. What could be better, the sands, the sea, the harbour, and lots of interesting places to visit in St Andrews and beyond. Not forgetting the donkeys and horses on the West Sands. In her early years Fiona became an honorary member of the horse-leading team which qualified her for free rides on her favourite pony, Silver. She loved that. It was a cheap way to have a holiday at a time when money was not in great supply. We were lucky to have such an opportunity. And it was nice to be back with the family again.

The relationship with the smiddy had changed, however, although in each holiday some time was spent there. It might be to do some work on the car to get us home, or to look at the latest project Dad was working on. It was an opportunity for me to make some wrought ironwork for our own home. Sometimes it was to give advice, which included a design for the then ‘new harbour bridge’. The range of jobs undertaken in the smiddy made an interesting contrast with the high tech. environment I worked in, and yet in some ways they had much in common.

Still Rambling

And now St Andrews is a place to sit and remember. A place to wander in and recall memories from childhood, like ringing the door bells on the posh houses on the way back from the Step Rock; swimming in the petrifying cold water; and the ‘shivery bites’ supplied by Mum to follow; trying to avoid the tough gangs that lived in Boase Avenue on the way home from school.

Then as a young man working in the smiddy, putting up new railings for the University in freezing cold weather; climbing fearlessly up long ladders to fix the steel windows in the University’s Younger Hall in North Street; in the canoe, playing with the inquisitive porpoises out in the bay, or paddling like hell to catch mackerel – only once, too smelly; learning to drive on so many old cars, some of which blew up. Lots of fun. Watching the motorbike and car races on the West Sands for a few years after the war. So many memories. And then some of my pals, Jimmy Ireland, Jackie Waters, Bob Mitchell, and others, many boys and girls whose names I can’t recall, but whose faces are still there.

There were also happy return visits to weddings, and the less happy ones to funerals, lastly to those of my Mother and my Father. But thankfully I still have Pat to keep me attached to the old umbilical cord, so St Andrews is ever in the mind.

Ah well, perhaps Barbara and I will make that journey again, that once was a great adventure and now is rather easier, taking half the time and in the comfort of a reliable car with air conditioning, heated seats for the old back, and a radio, a wee bit more luxurious than the cars available in the 1950s. And instead of battling with cars and lorries up the old congested A l to drift along on the new motorways and dual carriageways at twice the speed that still becomes boring.

The A 68 north, over the borders from Scotch Corner through Corbridge and Jedburgh to the Forth Road Bridge, will still be as beautiful as ever. That new bridge was a great improvement over earlier trips when we had to head west to the Kincardine Bridge or have the excitement of a ferry ride over the Forth from Edinburgh.

But in the meantime I must make do with the favourite chair. Where shall we go today? Up the burn that used to run in the fields behind Lamond Drive, to dam it, much to the fury of the chap who kept bees up there? Or perhaps to shove big sixpenny thunderflash fireworks into the bank to see how big a hole we could make? Lucky us; kids could still buy decent bangers in those primitive days before the war.

No, I think it will be the canoe again on a quiet evening as the sun is going down behind the Square Tower and shadows are lengthening across the still water in the bay. Beautiful and peaceful. That is the way I like to remember it.

EVENTS Carolyn Eagle, Marketing Assistant of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, invites us to

Feel the Music

There’s a wealth of music to enjoy in the performance of 18th and early 19th Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s St Andrews century music and was founder Concert Season of the acclaimed Orchestra of On 1st November, eminent Dutch conductor the 18th Century, other guest Frans Brüggen will take the baton to conduct artists include “genius of the the Opening Concert of the Scottish Chamber viola” Yuri Bashmet; two of the Orchestra’s 2006/07 Season at the Younger world’s most sought-after cellists Hall. The Orchestra has really been at the top of – Ralph Kirshbaum and Hanits game recently. As well as successful concert Na Chang; the dynamic young seasons in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen, Artistic Director of the Orchestra it has had a busy schedule over the summer Métropolitan in Montreal, Yannick performing eleven concerts at this year’s Nézet-Séguin, and an SCO Edinburgh International Festival; making a BBC favourite, Estonian conductor Proms appearance with Sir Roger Norrington Olari Elts, as well as pianist Jean(on stage and on television); visiting festivals Marc Luisada and the Orchestra’s near-to-home in the East Neuk and, further Conductor Emeritus Joseph afield, in Cheltenham, and at Herrenchiemsee Swensen. Quite a line-up! in Bavaria, as well as taking to the road to tour Following Brüggen’s Han-Na Chang in the Highlands and the South of Scotland. interpretation of Haydn’s final (Photograph by Sheila Rock, courtesy of EMI Classics) Over the past few years, the Orchestra symphony, he is joined in the has also released eight CDs through its unique Opening Concert by Viviane Hagner, one of There’s more Brahms on offer courtesy of partnership with Glasgow-based recording today’s rising stars of the violin. She makes her the Orchestra’s Conductor Emeritus Joseph company Linn. The most SCO debut performing one Swensen and cellist Ralph Kirshbaum in March, recent release – a recording of the finest works in the with the Double Concerto (with Swensen of three of Mozart’s Wind repertoire – Beethoven’s and Kirshbaum as soloists) and Sinfonia in Concertos featuring SCO Violin Concerto.

B, Swensen’s orchestration of a little-known Principals as soloists – has The charismatic Brahms piece, the original 1854 version of the received unanimous praise Russian violist Yuri Piano Trio Op 8. and five-star reviews. The Bashmet directs an The Season is brought to a close by one SCO has an enviable track intriguing programme of of today’s foremost young conductors. Yannick record for its CD backworks showcasing the Nézet-Séguin takes the baton for Ravel’s Le catalogue. With its illustrious viola in December. He Tombeau de Couperin, Ravel’s homage to Conductor Laureate, Sir takes the solo in works by 18th Century French music and a tribute to his Charles Mackerras, it has Benjamin Britten, Dmitri friends who fell in World War I; Tchaikovsky’s recorded seven Mozart Shostakovich and Franz Andante Cantabile and Mendelssohn’s operas, a GrammyAnton Hoffmeister – whose accolade to the Italians’ “supreme delight in nominated series of Brahms’ concerto was one of the life”, Symphony No 4 ‘Italian’. He’s joined by symphonies and four discs first works to feature the incredible cellist Han-Na Chang for Saintof Mozart Piano Concertos the viola as a virtuoso Saëns’ urbane concerto. with Sir Charles and Alfred instrument – and follows All in all, it’s quite a musical feast. Why not Brendel. And earlier this these with Schubert’s brighten the winter? Sit back and enjoy a live year, it was back in the Symphony No 3. orchestra performance with the SCO. studio with Sir Charles and Young Estonian Ralph Kirshbaum the great bass-baritone Bryn conductor Olari Elts, who (Photograph by J. Henry Fair) Terfel for a CD scheduled for has received unequivocal Tickets £7.50 – £18.50 (concessions release later this year. praise for his performances available) from the Byre Theatre Box The SCO has presented a Winter Season in with the SCO in recent years and scored a Office, Abbey Street, St Andrews the town for more than 20 years, bringing with it hit in last year’s St Andrews Season, is in 01334 475000 or, during term time only, some of the great names from the international charge in February for a glorious Romantic from St Andrews Music Centre, music world. That tradition continues in fine programme featuring Brahms’ Serenade No 1 Younger Hall, North Street, St Andrews. fettle this year – as well as Brüggen, who and Schumann’s Piano Concerto with soloist is recognised as a leading expert on the Jean-Marc Luisada.

(Photograph by Jeremy Hardie)

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EVENTS Donald Lightwood will direct the Play Club in

84 Charing Cross Road

Selected Events

A correspondence about antiquarian books hardly sounds like a good idea for a play. However, St Andrews Play Club hopes to demonstrate that the notion provides the raw material for a captivating piece of theatre. 84 Charing Cross Road, the play in question, is due to be presented at the Byre in November. It started life as a book by Helene Hanff, an American living in New York, and tells of her relationship with a firm of London booksellers, and in particular, the manager, Frank Doel. Their letters crossed the Atlantic for twenty years, but in spite of a touching intimacy, the correspondents never met. The adaptation for the stage has retained the charm of the original and generates an enchantment that is hard to resist.

The Play Club looks on this production as a refreshing challenge.

It is unconventional, since it will be telling the story of real people, told in their own words and who actually lived the events seen on stage.

This knowledge helps create an empathy for the characters between actors and audience alike. One London critic certainly fell under its spell. He wrote:

September-1 October – 10am-5pm daily, at St Andrews Museum: Going Underground. 16th century cannon fragments, food vessels, jet beads – just a few of the Fife finds on display as part of Scottish Archaeology Month. Come along and discover what could be in your back garden! Held in the Activity Room. Admission free.

“The play is literate, funny, poignant and altogether marvellous…”

The photograph shows the original bookseller’s shop in Charing Cross Road; until the advent of Helene Hanff in 1949, a most unlikely setting for a play.

Saturday, 2 September – 9.00am-1.00pm. Argyle Street Car Park Farmers’ Market. Contact: 01383-730811.

Sunday, 3 September – 2pm Botanic Gardens, Canongate, Guided Walk; Friends of the Botanic Gardens.

– 2.00-5.00pm and every week at the Boys’ Brigade Hall, Kinnessburn Road, St Andrews. Sunday Afternoon Social Dance. Live music, demonstrators. £3 at the door (includes tea/coffee, biscuits).

Saturday, 9 September – RAF Leuchars Air Show. Details: www.airshow.co.uk; Tel: 08700-130877.

– 11am-4pm at the Preservation Trust Museum, 12 North Street, St Andrews. Autumn Fair Stalls, tombola, tea/coffee.

Win a luxury food hamper! Contact: Curator Rachel Cheer 01334 477 629.

Sunday, 10 September – Open Doors Day, buildings not normally open to the public.

Details: www.doorsopenday.org.uk; Tel: 01383-609409.

– 10.00am East Sands Leisure Centre. Rock pools. East Fife Rangers: 01592 414 300.

(Photograph by Alec Bolton)

Saturday, 16 September to 12 November – 10am-5pm daily until 1 Oct. then 10.30am-4.30pm daily at St Andrews Museum. Past/Present, the first exhibition by Fife Contemporary Art & Craft (formerly the Crawford Arts Centre) featuring contemporary works by up-and-coming artists inspired by museum objects from across Fife. Admission free.

Sunday, 17 September – 2.00pm Tale of Three Beaches. A walk to explore the natural history, prehistory, and geology of St Andrews’ beaches; meet at East Sands Leisure Centre; £3, concessions £1.50.

– 10am-5pm Town Hall, Queen’s Gardens. Antique & Collectors Fair. £1, concessions 50p, kids free. Contact: 01334-880254 / 838217.

Saturday, 23 September – Noon-4.30pm Town Hall, Queen’s Gardens. Annual Flower Show (coffee 10am, show from noon). St Andrews Gardeners’ Club: 01334-477429.

Sunday, 24 September – 2.00pm. Meet Guardbridge layby.

Food for free. East Fife Rangers, 01592 414 300.

Sunday, 1 October – 2.00pm Botanic Gardens, Canongate. Guided Walk. Friends of the Botanic Gardens.

– 2.00pm. At Kinshaldy car park. Fungal Foray, with East Fife Rangers: 01592 414 300.

Saturday, 7 October – 9.00am-1.00pm. Farmers’ Market.

– 9.30am-3.30pm. Town Library, Church Square. Book Sale (Fife Council).

– 8.00pm St Leonards School Music Auditorium. Music Club Concert. The Alfami String Trio play Schubert, Bliss, Dohnanyi, Mozart. £10, £9 concessions, £5 students, £1 kids.

Saturday, 14 October – 10am-5pm Town Hall, Queen’s Gardens. Antique & Collectors Fair. £1, concessions 50p, kids free. Contact: 01334-880254 / 838217.

Thursday, 19 October – 8.00pm in Parliament Hall, South Street, St Andrews. Dr Roger Matthews from the University of London will give the annual Mitford Memorial Lecture entitled, Archaeological Survey in a frontier zone – North Central Anatolia through the ages.

Friday, 20 October – 7.30-11.00pm at the BB Hall, Kinnessburn Road, St Andrews. Social Dance, ceilidh/Old Time. Music, John White. Tickets at the door £5 (include refreshments) Raffle. Contact: 01334 472 375.

Sunday, 29 October – 2.00pm. Meet Ladybank Railway car park. Fungal Foray with East Fife Rangers, 01592 414 300.

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SHOPS & SERVICES The Reverend Clifford Hughes good-naturedly refers to himself as

A One-man Vocal Quartet in praise of St Andrews Over the past forty years, I have enjoyed many stimulating and memorable visits to St Andrews.

During my singing career, when the flourishing Music Faculty was up and running, I was frequently invited by the incomparable Cedric Thorpe Davie to sing tenor roles. I will never forget, at a performance of Britten’s St Nicholas at Holy Trinity Church, Cedric brought the climactic chorus, “God moves in a mysterious way”, to a close with an extravagant flourish and, unaccountably, lost his grip on his baton, which flew like a cross-bow bolt along the front row of the packed audience – fortunately impaling no-one! I’m so glad that music in the University is now being fostered by a number of locally-based professional musicians, such as life-long friends and former colleagues Béla Simandi and Ann Baird.

My involvement in the Independent Schools network also frequently brought me to St Andrews. As Headmaster of Beaconhurst at Bridge of Allan, I would ferry a minibus of excited twelve and thirteen year-old boys to cricket and rugby matches at New Park. The sun always seemed to shine on cricket then!

Residential schools, in those far-away, blessedly non-PC days, seemed to be staffed by whimsical and cranky eccentrics. I recall a maths teacher, a retired Captain of the Gordon Highlanders, whom I never saw out of his Gordon kilt; always, the Captain. Then there

was an expatriate South African, who taught geography. When ‘Bwana’ joined the residential staff for dinner smelling strongly of TCP, one knew he’d been at the Sherry bottle! Bwana spent school vacations in St Andrews in a sort of caravan set back from the road in North Street. I wonder if it’s still there?

When I took early retirement from teaching (eleven years as Headmaster was quite enough for everyone concerned!), I studied for the Ordained Ministry. I revisited New Park to preach (or more accurately, to “give a short talk”!) and one year was invited to be an unofficial “chaplain” at the Oxenford International Summer Music School held at St Leonards.

From Beaconhurst, we fed on to St Leonards a number of bright young girls, and I recall being given most generous hospitality there.

Visits to St Andrews as singer, teacher, preacher: three voice-centred careers. Then voice cancer was diagnosed. Professor Hugh MacDougall of the University of St Andrews Medical Faculty, supervised my early treatment at Edinburgh’s Oncology Centre.

He once passed me in the tearoom and said, “One of these days you must come and talk to my students.” That would, indeed, be a very fulfilling closing of the circle for me! A laryngectomy operation successfully removed the cancer in January 2001, but also, sadly, and inevitably, my larynx. Then followed the struggle

to learn to talk again – without a voice! Having been a Boy Soprano making my first broadcast from BBC London Clifford Hughes at the aged 12; an Alto recent wedding of his in the worlddaughter Clare renowned Choir of King’s College, Cambridge; a Tenor on the Scottish Music circuit – I am now a Chaliapinesque Bass! How many men have been so privileged to be a serial vocal quartet?

Now, as well as visits with my wife to the Younger Hall in St Andrews for lunchtime recitals, and to the Byre Theatre, I travel regularly from my home in Rumbling Bridge to Kirkcaldy to attend the Chinwags Laryngectomy Club based at the Vic (the Hospital, not the pub!). This support group (“larys”, voice therapists, families and friends) is the only one in Fife affiliated to, and supported by, the National Association of Laryngectomy Clubs, and it draws members from a wide area.

If you would like to know more about Chinwags, please contact the Secretary Lindsay Reid. She is based at Glenrothes Hospital and can be reached on 01592 740 254.

Invite you to visit a hidden treasure in the heart of St Andrews WOODLAND & WATERGARDENS HERBACEOUS & SCREE ALPINES & RHODODENDRONS GLORIOUS GLASSHOUSE COLLECTIONS OPEN DAILY ALL YEAR ROUND

WINTER LECTURE PROGRAMMME Starts October – First Tuesday at 7.30 pm Chemistry Department, North Haugh ENTRY FREE – ALL WELCOME

CONDUCTED GARDEN WALKS

September & October – First Sunday at 2.00 pm

PLANT SALES AREA

Open till end of September 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

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SHOPS & SERVICES Jude Asphar writes about

Abbeyfield’s Golden Jubilee Back in 1956, a prescient idea came to one varied and interesting walks Richard Carr Gomm, a retired Major in the of life: teaching; nursing; Coldstream Guards. It struck him that loneliness farming; business; finance; was a serious issue for the elderly. That got homemaking; academia; him thinking. What resulted was his inspiration civil service. All have great to acquire a house that would allow him to stories to tell about a broad take care of a small group of able, but solitary, span of fascinating lives, older people. He set out to find somewhere and often there are moving with enough room for five individuals to live first-hand reminiscences of separately, but together, under one roof. It WW2 to be told. wasn’t long before a property was bought in An Abbeyfield resident London, in Abbeyfield Road – hence the name. has a good-sized living Little did Major Carr Gomm, his friends, and room/bedroom, and first volunteers anticipate that fifty years on his usually bath or shower idea would have struck such a chord and that it en suite. These private would evolve into today’s nationwide, registered rooms can be decorated charity. In 2006, the Abbeyfield Society, whose to choice and furnished Patron is the Prince of Wales, has over 800 with favourite pieces, houses in the UK providing accommodation for pictures, photographs etc. over 8,000 residents. In Scotland there are now so everyone is able to feel 58 independent Abbeyfield Societies – from really at home surrounded Airdrie to Athol; Fochabers to Forres; Paisley to by their most precious Perth; and our own Abbeyfield right here in the belongings. Everyone heart of St Andrews. has their own personal phone number and Established in 1962, the St Andrews although there are televisions in the main Abbeyfield home is in “Linden Lea”, Kinburn lounge/living rooms most residents have Terrace, opposite the museum, tennis courts, their own TV/radio as well. Most have kettle, and bowling green. It’s convenient for buses toaster, and small refrigerator so they can and just a few blocks from the shops and centre have breakfast and refreshments in their own of town. A residential housekeeper takes care rooms. And of course their own telephone. of the day-to-day running of the Home together A nourishing three-course lunch and a with a wonderful group of local volunteers. substantial high tea are served every day in Over 10,000 such volunteers and paid the communal dining room. While privacy and residential staff across the country provide each autonomy are paramount, the companionship Abbeyfield with the care and support necessary and support of a community of peers is to create ‘a home perhaps the most from home’. It can valuable asset In 2006, the Abbeyfield Society, be the perfect of all. solution for older The cost whose Patron is the Prince of people who have of living at an Wales, has over 800 houses in their mobility, who Abbeyfield are capable of living the UK providing accommodation is generally independently, recognized as for over 8,000 residents but who prefer the being excellent companionship, value. Monthly security, and caring offered by sheltered rates include call alarm systems, heat, housing – to say nothing of having fresh, electricity, water, rates, meals, and service. wholesome home-cooked meals prepared for Although most Abbeyfields are not registered them every day! care homes, the resident housekeeper is on call An Abbeyfield House usually overnight if needed. accommodates between 6 and 10 people, both The various voluntary committees that women and men, each of whom have their support a house are core to keeping the own private accommodation. Residents are organization vital and functioning efficiently. The totally free to come and go as and when they network of the various St Andrews committees please. Friends and family can visit whenever are a wonderful cross-section of the town’s they like. While the average age of a resident inhabitants and they give generously with their is late seventies/early eighties, the range is time and energy. Apart from looking after the actually, from the late sixties, to several people onerous regulations and paperwork, they host each year around the country celebrating their different events and outings. Garden tea parties 100th birthday! Residents come from many and musical evenings are enjoyed by the entire different areas of the country and from many local Abbeyfield community.

2006 has been a year of much celebration for Abbeyfields everywhere. In June, the fiftyyear festivities were honoured by Dame Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer, who hosted the London Gala; an Abbeyfield Golden Anniversary Rose was launched at this summer’s Chelsea Flower Show, and the venerable Marguerite Patten, who herself is now over 80, created some special new recipes!

The Scottish Abbeyfield Societies decided to get together for the Anniversary to produce what has resulted in a magnificent quilt, exhibited at the Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh in July. Each of Scotland’s societies created a special patch to represent their area.

The striking St Andrews square incorporated Town and Gown, and ‘Gowf‘, of course! It included five windswept, red-gowned figures, with the Cathedral tower silhouetted against a backdrop of sea and landscape and a jaunty red golf-tee flag. By the time this article goes to press the quilt will have been exhibited at the Scottish Parliament building during the Edinburgh Festival.

In our ever-changing world, perhaps what stays the same are the challenges and realities of ageing. For anyone fortunate enough to be blessed with sufficient good health not to need nursing care, and who can remain largely independent, Abbeyfield is a practical and comforting option. It is a home where older people can relax in the knowledge they are not alone, and where they can enjoy the level of freedom and safety that has been offered by Abbeyfields for the past 50 years.

For more information, please contact Abbeyfield, St Andrews: 01334 474 627

INVALID SERVICES Ltd. 01334 472834 / 01382 770303 Committed to quality ‘Care at Home’ Throughout Fife & Tayside Licensed by the Care Commission

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SHOPS & SERVICES It’s such a pleasure to meet a happy man who loves his work, says Flora Selwyn

Painter & Decorator A neighbour was having her woodwork repainted most beautifully. The decorator said a cheery ‘hello’, so I got talking to him. Patrick Anderson was brought up in St Andrews, attending Greyfriars School and Madras. Living in Churchill Crescent was “where it all started really. I met all the guys who are in the trade (of painters and decorators). I followed my friends and joined Tommy Gibson as an apprentice in ‘78.” Patrick

then worked with Robertson’s in South Street, and “there were a tremendous lot of guys I met there and got to know around the town. The funny thing was that when I joined there, it was only temporary”, but that stretched into ten years! For the past thirteen years, however, Patrick has been working on his own, mostly around St Andrews, “from professors to shop keepers, I work for everybody,” and he is entirely contented doing so.

Work is plentiful in St Andrews; “the furthest I’ve been is Crail and Freuchie.

Usually, if I travel it’s because I’m working for someone’s father or relative. I much prefer to stay around town.” Once, a prospective client pleaded with Patrick to paint her house in Auchtermuchty, even volunteering to make his lunch for him. But no, Patrick turned it down because it was too far away. Another time, when working in a big house in Blebo Craigs that had been flood-damaged, Patrick met many tradesmen on the job, plasterers; joiners; ‘sparkies’. There were stuffed animal heads on the hall walls. One day, a workmen

took down a deer’s head and walked about with it behind the hedge in the garden. The boss got quite excited, thinking he was seeing a live ‘deer in the garden’.

Patrick’s wife, Sheila, works at New Hall; his elder daughter, Lisa, is a beauty therapist in town; and Nicole the younger one, is still at Madras. In the ’80s Patrick captained the Quick Print Sunday football team. Now, he told me, he couldn’t even run for the bus! So he has bought an electric guitar and has lessons at Kilrymont while his daughter attends a dance class, “I like rock and punk-rock. My younger daughter keeps asking why I’m doing it – going back to my youth!” Patrick also plays golf, belongs to the St Andrews Golf Club and has a handicap of 16, which “could be improved.” Patrick’s happy outlook on life is infectious; “I just enjoy painting,” he says, “it’s good fun. When you see the faces of older people when the job’s done, it’s so good.”

Start-rite Richter Ricosta Primigi Skechers Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Sunday, 8 October

The Three B’s Bedding Bits & Bobs

Plant Sale

47-49 Kinnessburn Road, St Andrews, KY16 8AD Phone 01334 470700

Hill of Tarvit Mansionhouse & Garden

Tel: 01334 653 127 email: hilloftarvit@nts.org.uk

A good selection of haberdashery, including wools and a range of craft materials for card-making.

Dance wear now in stock – shoes and outfits

Come in and see what we have!

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SHOPS & SERVICES

Back Into the Swing of Golf Hannah J. Markham is the principal osteopath at St Andrews Osteopaths and Natural Health Clinic. After graduating in 1997 from the British School of Osteopathy with an Honours degree in Osteopathy, she worked in different practices in Paisley, Glasgow, Stirling, and Edinburgh before moving to St Andrews in 2005. Hannah has instructing qualifications in many sports which complement her osteopathic training and interest in sports medicine. She is a recognised practitioner on the PGA health register and has participated in PGA health conferences on golf injury. She is a member of the Osteopathic Sports Care Association and also works with Madras FP Rugby Club in St Andrews.

Every year St Andrews sees thousands of golfers making use of its famous courses. Whether it’s golf weekends, championships, or a regular game, professionals and amateurs alike are eager to play where golf first began on the Old Course and make the most of St Andrews’ great golfing facilities.

There is however, a danger that all this golf can lead to problems, not just with road congestion in the summer, or the rise in property prices… but more importantly in injury to the golfer.

It’s easy to think that three rounds of golf in a weekend will not affect our bodies other than with maybe a touch of tiredness, but unfortunately this is an all-too-common mistake. The unprepared golfer will spend too long on the driving range hitting hundreds of balls without an appropriate warm up, or hours perfecting the illusive putt, and is then puzzled when twinges in the back are experienced afterwards.

The golf swing can be responsible for many golf injuries, with different injuries occurring at different stages of the swing. The most common area of injury for the amateur is the low back, followed by the elbow and wrist.

For the professional, the wrist, hand, and shoulder are most at risk.

Part of the reason the low back is often susceptible to injury is the wide range of rotation that is required from the spine, resulting in large load-bearing forces. If someone has a restriction in their spine, or it isn’t working as well as it could, or simply is using incorrect posture or technique, the natural build up of forces can no longer be dissipated by the normal spinal mechanics, leaving it vulnerable to overstrain injury. The muscles will then go into a protective spasm causing acute pain and a marked reduction in mobility, not to mention much misery and frustration.

Excessive or abnormal grip of the club and tension throughout the swing can cause what is commonly known as ‘golfer’s elbow’ – an overuse injury of the muscles and tendons of the forearm leading to pain and inflammation around the elbow joint. The most common cause of wrist injury arises from hitting an object other than the ball, or hitting the ball ‘fat’, meaning the club hits the ground before hitting the ball. All these injuries are more likely to occur when fatigue comes into play, or when a player tries to use strength for the shot rather than relying on good technique.

KEBABS, PIZZAS, BURGERS sit in, or take away Open daily, 12 noon till late Special offers available 12 noon to 3.00 pm Deliveries in the St Andrews area 52-54 Market Street, St Andrews, KY16 9NT Tel: 01334 471000 / 473165

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All of us can be at risk to unsuspecting injury, but the good news is that there are things that we can do to help prevent injury occurring or recurring, and ways to speed recovery when injury does occur. A qualified osteopath will provide treatment for all of these conditions.

Osteopathy is an established, recognised system of diagnosis and treatment that lays its main emphasis on the structural integrity of the body. It is distinctive in that it recognises much of the pain and disability we suffer stems from abnormalities in the function of the body structure.

The osteopath’s skill lies in building up, through examination and touch, a clear and precise picture of how the relevant parts of the body are functioning, and then promoting the natural recovery of the body by manipulation and massage of the affected bones/joints, muscles, and other related tissues. Osteopathy uses many of the diagnostic procedures used in conventional medical assessment and diagnosis. Its main strength, however, lies in the unique way the patient is assessed from a mechanical, functional, and postural standpoint and the manual methods of treatment applied to suit the needs of the individual patient.

For the golfer, an osteopath can be a good friend, not only for injury prevention, but also in optimising the speed of injury recovery, getting back to match fitness as soon as possible and reducing the risk of your injury returning. With the help of an osteopath you will be able to play in the knowledge that you are doing everything you can to improve your game, at the same time as safeguarding against the possibility of injury.

St Andrews Osteopaths and Natural Health Clinic offer excellent osteopathic treatment as well as a range of other therapies including massage and hypnotherapy – all beneficial to the serious golfer.

If you would like any further details about Osteopathy, or about St Andrews Osteopaths and Natural Health Clinic, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

St Andrews Osteopaths and Natural Health Clinic, 136 South Street, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9EQ. Tel: 01334 477000 E-mail: osteo@standrewsosteopaths.co.uk Website: www.standrewsosteopaths.co.uk

SHOPS & SERVICES

Daihatsu Terios Jim Mcgill

Mention the word – or is it words? – ‘off-roader’ in any conversation within earshot of someone who has even the slightest leaning towards environmentalism and you’re likely to have your own ears filled with the usual diatribe about pollution, noise, school runs, and size. Now, though Daihatsu has come up with the perfect counter argument to the green belief that ‘off-roader equals something akin to nothing smaller than a Range Rover’ in the shape of the latest Terios.

The baby 4x4 is almost small enough to fit into your hip pocket and yet enjoys the benefits of a Japanese four-wheel-drive system which is ideal for coping with everything which the worst Scottish winter could throw at it. And it’s relatively cheap: prices start at £12,995 for the entrylevel 1495cc, 103bhp four-cylinder petrol model.

The latest Terios is something of a Toyota clone, however. Take a step backwards and check out the car’s looks. Remind you of anything?

How about the very successful Toyota Rav-4. The resemblance is rather uncanny and certainly makes you wonder if the Rav was used specifically as the template for the little Daihatsu. Having said that, if it was then it’s no bad thing.

The Terios looks fresh and attractive with its snub nose, rather feline headlights and solid, chunky wheelarches which give the Daihatsu something of a Tonka toy-look. And while it’s on the small side, the latest generation Terios is actually significantly bigger than the model it replaces. In fact it’s 10cm longer and 20cm taller.

The result, you’ll not be surprised to hear, is a more spacious interior with more head and elbow room all round. In fact, such is the increase in girth that whereas the previous model would be a squeeze for four people, the newcomer can easily house five. And rather than having luggage space for little more than a wet paper bag, now there’s enough bootspace for a healthy amount of luggage.

The cabin, it has to be said, is a little on the plasticky side and is the only obvious area where you can see how the costs have been kept low.

That said, everything you need is there and exactly where you would expect to find it. If the cost of owning the Terios is a feeling of cheaper plastic on your fingertips every time you flick on the indicator, then I would suggest it’s a small price to pay.

Look around the cabin in fact and you’ll see a number of nice wee touches like the substantial chunky heater switches and a trio of silver hoods masking the important dials. Actually, the cabin’s not a bad place to be seated at all.

Out on the streets, things continue to look good. The firm damping almost immediately copes with humps and bumps over pitted road surfaces at low speeds and when the pace is increased the Terios’s wider track ensures the car stays flatter through the corners than its predecessor.

Sure there’s a bit of understeer if you carry a little bit of pace into a corner, but that’s almost to be expected. And while the Terios is fitted with hydraulically-assisted steering which delivers a reassuring weightiness, there is not a huge amount of feel fed back to the driver’s fingers.

But where the Terios really falls is in the performance of its engine.

The 1.5-litre engine is a bit thrashy and always feels as though it’s struggling to cope with whatever has been thrown at it. It’s certainly eager to rev, but the resulting whine is a bit tiresome.

It also takes 12 seconds to final hit the 62mph mark from standstill.

Now while many might immediately suggest such performance is not important for a car of this ilk, believe me if you’re driving it day after day after day you will, I guarantee, find yourself questioning just why it takes so long to gather anything approaching a healthy pace.

But heh, let’s not get too down on the Terios. Remember it’s fitted with a four-wheel-drive system which, allied to its locking differential, certainly aids progress when the car is turned off the Tarmac and on to the slippery stuff. And while it copes admirably with wet grass and mud, ultimately the Terios is restricted by its limited ground clearance.

That obviously means it will not cope with serious off-roading demands as something like a Land Rover would, but the upside to that situation is that Daihatsu’s suspension is very road-biased, resulting in a vehicle which handles more like a car than an off-roader. And let’s face it, just how many times are you actually going to take something like the Terios off-road.

Probably worth noting there’s a diesel version planned, but it won’t come to Scotland until 2008 which, I have to admit, is a fair wait. It will, though, probably be the better car and will certainly improve on the petrol version’s disappointing average fuel consumption of 29.1mpg.

The Terios is certainly no Range Rover or BMW X5, but for the price it delivers solid reliability, decent room for five adults and impressive value for money. Enough even to impress the environmentalists.

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SHOPS & SERVICES Summer Challenge 2006 is a brand new partnership between the Army and Jobcentre Plus Scotland to increase the number of troops in the TA in Scotland. This magazine carried a double page advertisement for it in May/June, and is pleased to learn of its success.

‘Summer Challenge’ news Luke learns what it takes to ‘Be the Best’ in Army Summer Challenge 2006.

Military and adventure training, canoeing and instruction are just some of the activities that Luke Johnson, 18, from St Andrews experienced as part of the Territorial Army’s (TA) Summer Challenge 2006.

Luke is one of 250 participants from across Scotland who took part in a summer-long series of challenges run by the TA to see if he has what it takes to ‘be the best’.

Summer Challenge 2006 is a brand new initiative open to men and women aged between 171⁄2 and 32 years and is designed to give participants a taste of what the Territorial Army is all about.

Participants learned new skills, including weapons handling and fieldcraft manoeuvres near Inverness and they experienced a wide range of adventure pursuits including rock climbing, windsurfing, and canoeing on the Rothiemurchus Estate, Aviemore.

The course included professional driving instruction in Glenrothes before the course ended on the 20th August. On top of the new skills they gained, individuals were also paid around £1500 for taking part.

Commenting on the course at the outset, Luke said: “I have been interested in a career with the TA since I was 10! I was always interested in joining for the travel opportunities and the adventure, but also to gain as many qualifications as I can. Summer Challenge is a great way to progress with TA training as quickly as possible. Once I have finished my training, I am keen to learn signals and plant operating skills. My dad was a vehicle mechanic with the TA so I hope to follow in his footsteps.”

The seven week continuous, residential training course aimed to take participants from a civilian to a trained TA soldier in the shortest time possible and offered an adventurous, exciting and challenging alternative to the usual summer jobs for young people.

Brigadier Davey Kirk, Commander of 51 (Scottish) Brigade said: “Summer Challenge is exactly that – an opportunity for young people to challenge their own potential and pick up some very useful skills along the way. They will gain confidence, get fitter, learn a variety of new skills, and become much more independent. All these new competencies are transferable and will be valuable applications in the workplace, or when students return to college. On completion of the course participants will have also learned abseiling, map reading, the basics of first aid, shooting, and concentrated driving instruction. All participants will have their subsistence and travel paid, and will receive £1469 for the seven weeks which will be paid in fortnightly instalments. At the end of the day they will have spent a great summer with like-minded and determined people.”

The initiative ran in partnership with Jobcentre Plus, which provides help and advice on jobs and training.

At the outset Grace Kennedy, Jobcentre Plus Deputy Director for Scotland said: “Jobcentre Plus is delighted to be working with the Territorial Army by promoting Summer Challenge 2006. It is a great opportunity for our customers to work with the Territorial Army and gain invaluable skills which will potentially lead to full-time employment.”

Marketing Manager for Jobcentre Plus, Valerie McGrory added: “Participants who are currently long-term unemployed would have benefited greatly from the new skills they learned during the Challenge. It is the ‘can-do’ attitude that we are looking forward to them achieving, and with our assistance we’ll get them back into the workplace.”

Applications for this year’s event were so high that the TA processed them on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Individuals also attended an informal interview at their nearest TA Unit to assess their eligibility for the Challenge and suitability for the TA before joining the course. They then attended a number of training weekends with their local unit before being kitted out with their uniforms and equipment for the start of the seven week challenge on 1st July 2006.

Hamish Archibald introduces the

St Andrews Probus Club On Friday 24th April 1976 a small notice appeared in the columns of the “St Andrews Citizen” inviting retired business and professional men to attend a meeting to be held at MacArthur’s Restaurant in South Street.

This had been inserted at the initiative of the Rotary Club of St Andrews whose members’ attention “had been drawn to the possibility of the need for some kind of club or association for retired business and professional men in the St Andrews area”. A preliminary meeting had already taken place at which representatives of the Leven Probus Club had described their activities to an invited group of potential members and a decision had been taken to form a Probus Club in St Andrews.

The concept of Probus seems to have occurred independently and almost coincidently to two Rotarians, Fred Carhill of Welwyn Garden City, and Harold Blanchard of Caterham, around the latter part of 1965.

The meetings which they began became very popular and the Rotary organisation encouraged its local clubs to initiate the formation of similar groups in their own areas.

There are now nearly 2000 Probus Clubs in the UK and many branches overseas – Australia alone boasts 1250! Fife has 25 clubs of which about one third have been formed by women.

There is no supra-club organisation – each club is totally independent but all subscribe to the common purposes – “to provide regular gatherings of persons who, in retirement, appreciate and value opportunities to meet others in similar circumstances and of a similar level of interest”. Thus Probus provides its

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members both with social interaction and events by talks on the organisation of the Open intellectual stimulation. Meetings are simple, Championship, on the economic implications with “business” cut to a minimum. Formats vary of the euro, on earthquakes and on global from place to place – some clubs, for example, warming. The St Andrews club is particularly meet monthly for lunch – but most involve fortunate in having on its doorstep an unrivalled authoritative speakers with good stories to tell. array of authorities on a wide range of subjects Perhaps they will describe exploration in foreign and Probus is grateful that it is able to benefit lands or offer new insights into historical events from such a galaxy of talent, knowledge and or topical issues. achievement.

At the St Andrews Membership There are now nearly 2000 club, members meet is available to any Probus Clubs in the UK and many fortnightly during retired business or the winter months professional man. A branches overseas . . . Fife has from October to recent analysis of local 25 clubs of which about one third March with a “Ladies members highlighted have been formed by women.

Lunch” being held in the broad spectrum April. Visits to places of backgrounds: of interest are arranged from time to time. engineering, architecture, education, the Normally, members arrive between 9.45am church, IT management, medicine, accounting, and 10am to meet their colleagues for a chat retail trade, civil service, local government and over coffee before the president opens the the law, as well technical specialisms of various formal meeting at 10.30am and introduces the kinds, business management, HM Forces and speaker for the day. Presentations, commonly journalism. assisted by visual aids, generally take about 45 Thirty years on from that first advertisement minutes with ample opportunity being offered in the “Citizen” new members can be assured for questions and comments. A glance at recent not only of a warm welcome, but also of programmes indicates the wide-ranging subject an ongoing environment of fellowship and matter. Times past have been brought into cordiality, stimulation arising from the diverse focus through talks on Mary Queen of Scots, background of interests, and opportunities for a the Dundee Jute Trade, St. Columba, and the new understanding of a wide range of subjects.

Klondyke Gold Rush; adventure has been made real by an intrepid local lady describing St Andrews Probus Club will commence its new her experiences on the “Silk Road”, and by a season of meetings at 10.00am on Tuesday, member of a Services expedition recounting 10th October in the St Andrews Bowling Club, his exploits in the Himalayas; new insights Kinnessburn Road. The secretary can be have been gained into topical issues and contacted on 01337 830262.

SHOPS & SERVICES Ian McKie sends a

Follow Up Article Some of you may recall an article in this magazine earlier in the year, in which I expressed my feelings on returning to St Andrews just a few years after graduating. I finished that article with a minor cliffhanger when I said I would explain in a later article what I was planning to do. So I now get to tell you, if you haven’t already heard, what it is I have been plotting.

As reported in the local press, I have launched my company, Intouract. For those of you who missed the reports, I have created an audio walking tour of St Andrews, similar in some ways to the audio guides you can get in museums and major tourist attractions, like Edinburgh Castle.

The audio is delivered on lightweight and easyto-use mp3 players, which can be hired from the Tourist Information Centre in Market St. You get a specially designed map with number points around the town, and at each point on the corresponding numbered piece of audio, local experts provide observations about historical places, events, or characters. You also hear the University choir singing, and pieces of audio from the recent film, ‘Bobby Jones; Stroke of Genius’.

What is particularly high-tech is that the tour can be purchased from our website, so that people can have the audio tour on their own mp3 player, (the most popular brand of mp3 player being the ipod) even before setting off to visit the town.

*What I would * like*to do, as* we are*striving*to ensure* local people have tried the tour and can endorse it to visitors, is offer a free, one-day hire of an mp3 player for the first 50 people who present this article to the staff at the Tourist Information Centre.

I guarantee that you’ll find it entertaining and something a little bit different.

*As a small* company * in our* infancy*we are*eager to* get as much feedback as possible to improve our

Pictured on the launch day are Maureen Milne, (left), Ian McKie, and Liz Brex of St Andrews TIC.

product, so when you return the player to the staff, please let them know what you think of the tour, good or bad.

We are looking to translate our tours into many languages, so if you feel that making a translation might be something you’d be interested in, please contact me. Similarly, there is tremendous scope for creating different smaller tours featuring specific themes or places. If you have an idea for a tour then I would like to hear from you.

I make no secret of the fact that I love St Andrews dearly, and I’m really thrilled at the prospect of adding to the enjoyment of visitors and local people alike. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of those people who have contributed to the audio and assisted and supported me. It is these people who are examples of why I love St Andrews so much.

Contact me at ianmckie@intouract.com Find out about the tour and listen to a free sample at Intouract.com Remember, with this article you can have a free one-day hire of an audio player with tour.

An occasional article by Jason Michaelson

From the Artery Gallery Ladies who lunch will often find themselves sitting outside a small bistro somewhere in the sun, with a glass of Rosé, or a Mojhito. Their little pleasures in life helping them escape the routine of work, home, and family, and a chance to catch up on gossip; complain about their men, and talk about clothes and their homes. Not often do you find these ladies of leisure in the surroundings of mythical castles, or molten lava, and mingling amongst Canadians, Brazilians, Germans, Dutch, Irish, and Dundonians all at once! Choose to spend some time in St Andrews though, and you will find just that.

At Artery Gallery in South Street, figurative sculptor Ronna Elliott is showing her beautifully crafted female figures with her own take on ladies of leisure. The titles say it all, with ‘Ladies in Waiting’, ‘Pandora’s Box’, ‘Contorted Besoms’ and of course, those ‘Ladies Who Do Lunch’. Each figure is embellished with its own marks and patterns, not only decorative, but also symbolic metaphorical fingerprints of people who have touched us in some way, often unknowingly.

These particular femmes fatales socialise quite happily with those other works of fine breed and class created by worldwide artists and found at Artery Gallery, perhaps watching the marine wildlife playing across the canvasses created by St Andrews’ own Dave Thompson, a marine biologist at the Sea Mammal Research Unit here in the town.

Jewellery from Brazilian, Israeli, Scottish, Californian, and English designers, sits beautifully alongside Australian, Canadian, Dutch, and Chinese paintings, Scottish and Devonshire clocks, and even a Cretan sculpture, creating a truly global gathering of high quality accessible, affordable, contemporary art.

Why buy mass-produced when you can buy your future antiques? Affordable, accessible art from Scotland and across the world Paintings: Sculpture: Furniture: Jewellery: Ceramics: Handmade Clocks: Handmade Mirrors: Useful Art 43 South Street, St. Andrews, Tel: 01334 478221 Mon – Sat 9.30 – 5.30 and 22 King Street, Crieff, Tel: 01764 755722 Tue – Sat 10.00 – 5.00 You can also shop securely online at www.arteryuk.com

Clothes of distinction — here for you . . .

205 South Street St Andrews Fife KY16 9EF Tel: 01334 474 999

Trained & experienced fitters Enjoy the confidence a properly fitted bra will give you Available sizes: 32 – 42 inch frames, cups B-JJ All at Elspeth’s of St Andrews THE Lingerie Specialist 9 Church Street Tel: 01334 472 494

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St Andrews in focus

SHOPS & SERVICES 1. St Andrews Health Foods, 123 Market Street

scheme

2. James Senior, 47 South Street 3. Macgregors Gift Shop, 71 Market Street 4. Elspeth’s of St Andrews, 9 Church Street 5. Psyche’s Garden, 61 South Street

the award winning magazine for St Andrews

www.standrewsinfocus.com

6. Jahangir Restaurant, 116a South Street 7. St Andrews Art & Music Shop, 138 South Street 8. The Scotland Shop, 147 South Street

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If you don’t wish to cut the coupon out, please take the magazine with you and show this page.

9. The Three B’s, 47-49 Kinnessburn Road 10. Ian Joy, 13 Bell Street 11. One O One Connection (Fish & Chips), 131 South Street

Go on! Find out what’s on offer!

12. Lucci, 68 Market Street

About town with

Roving Reporter 1.

Recently, Reporter caught up with Linda & Tom Struthers in their ‘shoe shop’ at the annual RSCDS Summer School in St Andrews where dancers from all corners of the globe could find an extensive range of James Senior dancing pumps to suit their needs.

Following the retiral from the manufacture of dancing shoes of local man James Senior in 2001, St Andrews Shoemakers Ltd., 93 Whitehill Road Whitehill Industrial Estate, Glenrothes, Fife KY6 2RP (Tel/fax 01592 779000, E-mail sales@jamessenior.co.uk) continues the production of traditional pumps and ghillies in the finest quality leathers from its factory in Glenrothes.

Linda brings to the company over 40 years of Scottish Country Dance experience, while Tom, more of a newcomer to dancing itself, has 25 years experience in the manufacture and supply of Ghillie Brogues to the worldwide Highland industry. Together they are keen to maintain the traditional styles and patterns of the dance shoes, but are constantly looking to introduce new colours to the range and new developments to benefit dancers.

Ladies love the soft patent leather pump for evening wear, and painful joints and muscles have never danced better than in shoes with the high tech ‘shock-absorber’ lining.

Every pair of dance shoes is now supplied with a free cotton storage bag and the company is happy to match foot tracings sent from all over the world to ensure the best fitting shoes.

Throughout the year the company’s agent in St Andrews is Mostyn McKenzie in Market Street. Local dancers are also welcome to visit the factory to try out and purchase shoes. Those from further away can visit the website www.jamessenior.co.uk for up-to-date advice, as well as details of agents in the US and Australasia.

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2. Reporter, and no doubt everyone in St Andrews, will be relieved by this Stop Press item: A New Chapter – Ottakar’s Bookshop in St Andrews is to close on September 30th, after two years of happy bookselling.

However, book lovers need not worry, as it will reopen shortly afterwards as a branch of Waterstone’s.

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“This is less drastic than it sounds,” said Manager Cameron Ford. “The name over the door and general point of sale material will change, but customers shouldn’t see too many other differences.

The same staff will be working here, offering the same professional, passionate and personal service.”

One development will be that the store will start using a new stock system, which will mean an increase in the amount of titles stocked.

“We’re still learning about the new system, but basically we should end up stocking more books – up to 10% new titles – which is a positive step,” said Cameron.

The store also means to carry on running reading groups, author signings, activity days, and everything else it does on top of its core business. “Waterstone’s are keen for us to keep on doing what we were doing before, so we will continue to do so.” Forthcoming events already scheduled include Isla Dewar and Sandy Lyle.

“Of course we’re sad to see the end of the Ottakar’s name and I would like to thank all of those who have supported us,” said Cameron. “However, we are still here, and still passionate about books, we look forward to welcoming all our old customers, and many new ones”

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3. Reporter, as you may have guessed, can’t resist flowers.

South Street is irresistible so, following his eyes and nose, Reporter went in search of Lynette in the Garden Centre.

This is what she told him: “Deep in the heart of St Andrews” lies one of the town’s “hidden gems”.

St Andrews Garden Centre is well known for the quality and variety of its trees, shrubs, and alpines, sourced from the top nurseries in the UK and Europe.

Brian Rogers is the owner of both the Garden Centre and St Andrews Landscape Services; he has a wealth of horticultural experience behind him. Prior to opening the Garden Centre in 1982, Brian was in charge of the Parks & Recreation Department in North East Fife, organising the development of school playing fields; housing schemes, etc. He was also responsible for the land reclamation needed to create Lochore Meadows Country Park.

The creation of both large and small gardens is Brian’s speciality.

His 30-strong team in the landscaping section work for building companies from Aberdeen to Edinburgh, including Stirling and Perthshire. Free estimates and advice are available on design; turfing; patios; decking; water features; for a completely new garden; or the redesigning of an existing one.

The Garden Centre itself contains an interesting shop – St Andrews Flower Shop – which can cater for all your floral requirements, from weddings to corporate arrangements of both

SHOPS & SERVICES flowers and house plants. Its team of gardeners pride themselves on creating tubs and hanging baskets to a customer’s specific requirements.

Last, but not least, the Centre’s “shop at the top” contains a well-stocked sundries section for all your gardening needs, as well as Pet Foods; accessories; and even an equine section.

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4. A warm welcome awaited Reporter by Gina Ivory, General Manager of the new Howies Restaurant & Bar, 117 North Street, St Andrews, the latest addition to the group of 6 other Howies outlets on the East Coast of Scotland.

Gina told him, “We introduce to St Andrews some of the finest produced food on our à la carte, all-day-dining menu, created and prepared by our kitchen team led by Head Chef Mark Campbell, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his background of travel within the Hotel Industry”. Reporter learned that Gina’s experience is Europe-wide, and that between 1999 and 2001 she was a manager at the Old Course Hotel, so St Andrews is not new to her. In addition to her managerial work, Gina is a dedicated fundraiser for charity, even skydiving for Enable Scotland. Howies offers “an ambience of fun, relaxation, comfort, and quality”, Gina offers, “perfectly-made cocktails, excellent wines to match our freshly produced foods, then we give you the taste of Italy with Illy coffees, and the best service team in town! Finally to your greatest surprise, when the bill comes along, you find it difficult to believe it all came at the most affordable prices you know of, which then allows you to experience this more often”. Celebrate in style here – Gina will, “listen to you attentively and deliver a celebration unique to you; we tailor menus, drink packages, and ambience to suit your specific event once we know what your thoughts are. Our restaurant & bar are your restaurant & bar – we

want to save you a journey to the city, when you have us on your doorstep; come in for coffee and a snack, or enjoy a leisurely lunch.

Then after the amazing experience of dinner you can stay on for table service on drinks or cocktails instead of trailing around town to find a bar”. August was the launch of a new takeaway service, “Take A Taste Of Howies Away With You”. Reporter was told to, “look out for tasters in the streets to tantalise your taste buds. Phone in your order and we will have it ready for you to collect”. Tel: 01334 478479, Fax: 01334 475155 or Email standrews@howies.uk.com (www.howies.uk.com).

Howies is open 7 days a week, Sunday – Wednesday 10am until midnight; Thursday – Saturday 10am until 1am

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5. Further along from Howies, Reporter has been watching with astonishment as the old Tudor Inn was totally gutted and rebuilt on the inside, leaving the outer walls intact, a rare bit of engineering skill! Now he has heard as follows from Dean Melville, the Managing Director: Greyfriars Hotel, 129 North Street, St Andrews is under new ownership. A huge investment has been made in extensive renovations and refurbishment. The results are simply stunning, with new levels of comfort, quality and service. 20 bedrooms, refurbished to a high standard, featuring modern quality fabric and furnishings, are perfect for business and leisure guests alike. The contemporary bar is the place to mix and mingle, with a choice of premium bottled and draught beers from around the world. The wine list offers wine from every country in the world.

When it comes to fine dining, Greyfriars matches the mood of the moment. The chefs, using only fresh produce from local suppliers, cater for every occasion, appetite and palate. Children are welcome and the chef provides a special children’s menu. Greyfriars Hotel is where people, “go to be served, by people who take a pride in their professionalism and who care about their customers”. With their attention to detail Greyfriars is an ideal venue for that special occasion, be it weddings, conference, or seminars For reservations and further information telephone: 01334 474906, Email: stay@greyfriars hotel.com or visit, www.greyfriarshotel.com

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OUT & ABOUT In the Annual Lecture of the Friends of the Botanic Garden on 13th June, Bob Mitchell, a Founder Member of the Friends, said that, “1981 was a year of great and exciting highs, but deep lows. In 1980 the University had given permission for the formation of the Friends of the Botanic Garden. David Spence, Professor of Botany and Keeper of the Botanic Garden, had wholly supported and given every encouragement to the idea.”

25 Years On Inspired by what other Friends achieved in Ness (near Liverpool) and Harlow Carr (Harrogate), Bob and like-minded horticulturalists, “formulated our ideas and held the inaugural meeting (of the Friends) on 25th June 1981 in School III, and with wine and cheese in Lower College Hall.”

120 supporters were registered. Harold Pirie was elected Chairman; Dick Chalmers was Treasurer; Bob Mitchell became Secretary; and committee members were, James Aitkin (who prepared the first constitution), Margaret Dewar, Ian Douglas, Douglas Lloyd, Prof. J. A. Macdonald, and Avril Sloan. After the elections, Bob Mitchell gave the first lecture, on his recent historical visit to China, as leader of “the first European joint field expedition with Chinese botanists.” The results of that collaboration are still evident today, with many familiar plants then new to cultivation, and the setting up of a joint Field Station in Lijiang. Bob has taken tours back many times since.

The Friends’ regular Newsletter was designed by Bob. Its familiar A5 black-and-white format has become collectable over the years, carrying botanical (and avian!) news about, and for, members in an informal style charmingly illustrated with drawings.

April 1982 saw the first plant sale, which, together with baking and books, raised £424.40.

Membership reached 250.

Gradually the organisation of the Friends grew to be what it is today. Volunteers figured largely, manning the entrance hut, selling plants, doing all the necessary, mostly unsung jobs that help the staff make the Garden so wonderful.

Visits to private gardens are arranged each summer. Bob takes tours to various gardens

around Britain, from Heligan and the Eden Project in the south, to Inverewe in the north. In 1997, Bob led the first air tour for Brightwater Holidays to Crete, pioneered by the Friends.

1987, and in September the University relinquished the management of the Garden to North East Fife District Council as it then was, on a 25-year lease. Bob took early retirement, and was appointed Honorary Curator/ Consultant, without executive powers. A St Andrews Botanic Garden Advisory Committee, with representatives from North East Fife District Council, the University, Friends of the Botanic Garden, together with the new Hon. Curator, was formed to “ensure the botanical status” of the Garden.

With another reorganisation of local authorities imminent, The St Andrews Botanic Garden Working Group was set up in 1994 to establish liaison between the Friends and the new Fife Council – and it still exists.

A website was deemed useful in attracting more visitors to the Garden, as well as in disseminating information, and is now up and running: www.st-andrews-botanic.org Junior Hortus, a Saturday Club, has lit many a child’s horticultural enthusiasms. Bob started it and ran it for 30 years.

Children, in fact, gave a new focus to the Garden about six years ago. Thanks to the Friends, the University of St Andrews, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Fife Council, the R&A, and St Andrews Rotary Club, an empty glasshouse was converted, and the Glass Class was born. Used mainly for teaching visiting school groups, exhibitions, and events, it has become a significant part of the Botanic Garden. A

(Photograph courtesy Richard Cormack) glasshouse is currently being developed to illustrate the plant associations and botanical similarities of the 6 Mediterranean Climate Zones around the world. Last year, the St Andrews Botanic Garden Education Trust Ltd, a Charitable Trust, was formed, with Fife Council, the University of St Andrews, and the Friends in partnership, to take over responsibility for Education.

The Friends today number an encouraging 1200 members. Innumerable projects have been financed over the last 25 years, involving (in the last few years alone) some £100,000 raised “towards improvements in the Garden.”

25 years on, and the Friends do indeed have much to celebrate!

Alistair Lawson Field Officer, ScotWays, on

Spoilers?

‘Nortrail’ North Sea coastal There is a well-known saying about golf being a regrettable way of spoiling trail) skirts the site, on what might otherwise have been a perfectly good walk. Conversely, there the other, there was a is a belief amongst some golfers that non-golfing walkers can spoil what pre-existing SSSI (Site of might otherwise have been a perfectly good round of golf!

Special Scientific Interest) This issue has come into sharp focus recently, with the coming into (photo: Flora Selwyn) agreement with Scottish force of the Land Reform Act, which gives the public quite wide-ranging Natural Heritage, besides rights to walk over much of the Scottish countryside, including golf courses. which the local public had certain favourite walking routes across what Even though there are clear injunctions about not walking on greens, not is now the development site. The Sheriff Court at Haddington will have interfering with the course of play and having regard to the state of play, considered the matter towards the end of August. there are tensions arising from the two sets of ‘recreators’ having a right to Leaving aside the specifics particular to Archerfield, there remains the use the same space at the same time, though for different purposes. broad issue of whether walking and golfing can St Andrews is, in one sense, ‘ahead of the be managed in such a way as to give adequate game’ (a) in having the Links Trust and (b) in Leaving aside the specifics safeguards to both parties. In the St Andrews there being a specific Private Act which governs particular to Archerfield, there context of recent years, this issue has come to the use of the Trust’s lands. Not everywhere is remains the broad issue of whether the fore each time that a new course has been as fortunate. proposed – how many times now? ScotWays ScotWays (the Scottish Rights of Way & walking and golfing can be remains unsatisfied at the way that two of Access Society) has found itself embroiled in managed in such a way as to give the rights of way at the Kingask development what may become a test case at Archerfield in East Lothian, where a new course and a adequate safeguards to both parties were accorded insufficient recognition, one of them having become a contrived and artificial new leisure facility are being constructed. The succession of zig-zags which in no way matches the natural line of what developers hope to offer a degree of exclusivity to their new members and it displaced. At the same time, the Kingask developers declare that the have sought to fence the perimeter of the site; on the other hand, East ‘buggy routes’ are available for walkers as well as golfers.

Lothian Council are, of course, bound to implement the terms of the new Without attempting to offer conclusions here, may I simply raise the Act. There are several issues involved here, quite apart from the question issue and invite readers to deluge the editor’s postbag with letters and of whether members will be able to play golf in isolation from members opinions? of the public: on the one hand, the John Muir Way coastal path (and the

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OUT & ABOUT Pat Ritchie, St. Andrews & N.E.Fife Ramblers Group, describes a favourite walk at

Old Dairsie & Osnaburgh This is a short walk, but includes some beautiful old buildings in a stunning rural setting.

(Map : Pathfinder 363 St Andrews Sheet 41/51 grid:17/42) By car or bicycle, leave St. Andrews by Strathkinness High Road and head west through Strathkinness till you descend a steep hill down into the Eden valley. Just before the junction with the road coming through Dura Den, there is a parking space on the right beside the river. The walk starts here. Take time to look over to the beautiful old bridge, built in 1530 by Archbishop James Beaton (uncle of the famous Cardinal David).

Follow the road right to cross this narrow bridge, looking out for traffic. As you head over the bridge, you will see high on your left the lovely old church of St. Mary of Dairsie, built in 1630 by the protestant Archbishop Spottiswoode, who also restored and extended Dairsie Castle. Take the road to the left to pass the church, now privately owned. You can visit the graveyard and the outside of the church.

After this continue, passing the entrance to Dairsie Castle on the left, restored and occupied since the 1970s. In mediaeval times, David II liked to stay here and the Scottish Parliament is said to have met there.

Continuing a little further, you pass through Dairsie Mains Farm. Pass through the farm and proceed until you come to a road on the right.

Take this road uphill towards the old manse of Dairsie. The road soon joins the main A91 where you turn right and walk into Dairsie. This is a busy road so use the footpath.

The alternative name of this village is Osnaburgh because in the early 19th century, the main industry was the weaving of Osnaburgh, a type of coarse linen mainly exported from the Tay to the Continent. The older cottages were weavers’ cottages – it was a cottage industry. Walk through Dairsie till Station Road is reached on the right. Turn down this road and follow it downhill and under the railway bridge, when you will soon see the old bridge over the Eden where you started from.

About 3.5 miles.

To extend this walk, you could turn right after crossing the bridge and follow the footpath to explore Dura Den, but there is so much to see there, it would require another article.

Alison Gilmour, Friends of St Andrews Harbour, sings in praise of

Mud, glorious mud!

The weekend of 1st July witnessed the Harbour being cleared of excess mud, aiming to make life easier for leisure and fishing craft alike. This exercise was 50% funded by the Harbour Trust with St.Andrews Powerboat Company and Friends of St Andrews Harbour contributing a further 25% each. Thanks are due to everyone who helped that weekend, not least the contractor, Jamie Raeside, who, with his team, remained undeterred by the thunder, lightning, and torrential rain which they endured on the Sunday!

Also:

Hard Graft at the Harbour!

A group of volunteer workers from ‘Friends of St Andrews Harbour’ gathered there on Sunday 23rd of July, arming themselves with shovels, rakes, and a crowbar! The project for the day was to landscape the area previously occupied by a fisherman’s shed – known in days gone by as ‘Davy Clark’s shed’. (Mr. David Clark, as many will remember, was a former Harbourmaster at St Andrews). ‘Friends’ funded the purchase of 7 tons of pea-gravel to cover the area and provided the quantities of elbow grease required to prepare the ground, bed in railway sleepers, dig in posts and spread the gravel! Whilst work was in progress – on one of the hottest days of the year! – a volunteer spotted a large piece of driftwood on the seashore, many feet below. On closer inspection this turned out to be a complete tree trunk, beautifully moulded and patterned by exposure to the sea. Too heavy to move without machinery, a chain saw was produced from the Harbourmaster’s store, the trunk sectioned into three large pieces, and, using ropes, brought up from the shore by a few hardy souls. This provided a great finishing touch to the area, and ‘Friends’ hope to add some appropriate plant life too.

Why not take a walk round by the harbour and have a look? You’ll see the results at the foot of the Kirkhill. Thanks are due to all who gave up their Sunday to help with the hard labour, to those people who kindly lent us tools and, not least, those who came along and dispensed chilled drinks and ice creams!

(Photos courtesy The Friends)

If you prefer, you can take the Cupar bus, stopping at Dairsie, from St Andrews bus station; up-to-date timetables are posted clearly at the stands. (Ed).

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