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

the award winning magazine for St Andrews

September / October 2007 Issue 24 £1.50 www.standrewsinfocus.com

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

From the Editor John Lindsey, in his book (reviewed on page 11) has a marvellous quote from P.G. Wodehouse, “It is never difficult to distinguish between a Scotsman with a grievance and a ray of sunshine.”

It set me pondering the nature of gratitude. As with rays of sunshine this spring/summer, gratitude seems to be a little scarce, at least in its general pronouncement.

Grievance, on the other hand, is all too prevalent. Maybe we should do what the French did some years back about ‘smiling and being friendly, (especially to foreign visitors)’: that is, start a national campaign to show gratitude. The Chief Rabbi, Jonathan Sacks, says that “the eyes of faith” are all “about the sense of gratitude that anything exists at all, and that we are here to see it.” He was referring to religious faith, but surely we all need that sense of gratitude whether we profess religion or not. So let me be first in line to say ‘thank you’ and express gratitude, first of all, to all of you who continue to support this little publishing venture; thank you, all those who indulge me in so many ways; and thank you, whoever you are, who was responsible for my wholly unexpected, but warmly welcomed, invitation to Her Majesty’s Garden Party at Holyrood!

Flora Selwyn

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

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2007 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: 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: £12.50 in the UK (post & packing included) £21.00 overseas (post & packing included) PayPal available, account: editor@StAndrewsinFocus.com Please make cheques out to Local Publishing (Fife) Ltd and send them to: Local Publishing (Fife) Ltd., PO Box 29210, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9YZ. Registered in Scotland: 255564 The paper used is 80% RECYCLED post-consumer waste

Cover – photograph by Michael Joy

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Contents Features • Air Commodore Scotland • World Class and the Gateway • Toonspot • 70 years young • Community Council • Loches • The dream comes alive • Go Home and Sit Still!

• Luvians’ Tony Fusaro • Bravo!

• Home • Book Review • Only half a mystery now • Get well wishes for our Curator

3 4 4 5 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 11 11 11

TOWN/gown • The University in 2007 • Frank Quinault • MUSA – University Museum • Friends of the University Library • The annual German competition • TAP – College to University • WHAN – Health Access Network

12 13 14 15 15 16 17

ORGANISATIONS • International Cancer Research • The Cosmos Minibus Appeal • Photographic Society • The Sea Cadets

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Events • Selected Events

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Shops & Services • All that glitters...

• ActionCoach • Perceptions of Landscape • Sunshine & ambrosia • Equality issues • Low Income Pensioners • The new Vauxhall Corsa • The Money tree • Roving Reporter

21 22 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Out and About • This summer in the Botanic Garden • Enchanter returns • One more Letter from the Antipodes

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NEXT ISSUE – Nov/Dec 2007 Copy deadline: strictly 28 SEPTEMBER All contributions welcome. The Editor reserves the right to publish copy according to available space.

FEATURES My name is

Air Commodore Clive Bairsto – and I have been based at Royal Air Force Leuchars just 3 miles outside months ago. With students to be trained, the operation ‘off’ the short St Andrews now for 5 months. My appointment here is in 2 roles: first, as runway here during the early stages of the runway programme was Station Commander responsible for all aspects of the base’s operational deemed too high risk by me for those in their early stages of mastering output and maintenance; secondly, as the RAF’s Air Officer for Scotland. the aircraft. The Akrotiri air base in Cyprus, on the other hand, is tailorIn the first of these, I am responsible for the successful delivery of the made for student flying – with assured good weather, quiet airspace, and Tornado F3 Force based at Leuchars. I have 3 well-found facilities – the only issue for some Squadrons – with slightly different roles, and I will careful handling is groundcrew heat fatigue, This is, for me, my third tour and in the cockpit, the crews’ exposure to the expand on those later. In the second role I am Chief of the Air Staff’s Senior Airman in Scotland. high temperatures on the ground when preat Leuchars – I served here Originally, some years ago, this role was assigned flighting, starting, and taxi-ing the aircraft. And in the mid-‘80s for 3 years, also to cover Northern Ireland, but that changed for the unwise, too much imbibement from the some 8 years ago. Now I just do Scotland on the local Cypriot Keo Brewery! I also visited the and in the early ‘90s for a ground – thank goodness – although my Tornado Squadrons deployed to Kinloss and Leeming in couple of years the Highlands and North Yorkshire respectively flying takes me all over the UK/Europe, in the Air!!

I am married to Clare, and we have 3 children – both Stations are already close to full capacity, (girls) who are twins of 13 and our youngest is 11. Clare and I were but they were able to offer some reasonable facilities for the crews and married in St Andrews about 15 years ago – so, for us, this return to Fife groundcrew deployed. A by-product of these deployments is the exposure is a special time in my RAF career for that reason alone. This is, for me, it gives our people of other units and other RAF people – and how they my third tour at Leuchars – I served here in the mid-‘80s for 3 years, and do their business, and this also builds links and cooperation that is never in the early ‘90s for a couple wasted. of years. To be truthful, not a In between times, the great deal has changed since essential life support and those times for the military air engineering activity for our role at Leuchars. The Tornado people and families has F3 aircraft, which we fly here, continued – though many have has been developed further, been deployed in support and now deploys a very, very of the detached activities impressive capability – and mentioned above. we provide a round-the-clock Turning to my second role very short notice (measured as Air Officer Scotland, this is in minutes) capability to have a seasonal role that has an an armed aircraft airborne underlying general activity, for Government tasking. interspersed with periods of Since I was last here, the frenetic involvement. May 2007 Operational Conversion Unit saw a considerable amount (OCU), where we train our of my time spent in Edinburgh pilots and navigators to fly attending a range of functions the F3, has moved up to Fife in my RAF representational from Lincolnshire. Next year, role at the General Assembly as the F3 Force starts to “slim and Holyrood Palace. down” towards the end of its August was very busy Service life, we amalgamate with hosting, support, and our last-existing F3 Squadron attendance provided to the currently based at Leeming Edinburgh Tattoo on the in Yorkshire into the F3 orbat (order of battle) here at Leuchars. The Castle Esplanade. The remainder of time is allocated to hosting major Squadrons will get slightly larger, but the OCU will become steadily and minor events to improve our links with public and private bodies in smaller as our training focus moves in readiness to transfer our aircrew Scotland, visiting and supporting our ‘air-minded’ youth organisations in to the Eurofighter Typhoon, rather than for the F3 Force. The Tornado Scotland, and supporting and advising the great number of veteran, care, F3 will go out of RAF Service in the early part of the next decade – at and charity bodies, and other ceremonies that require senior military air which time the Typhoon will take over the role at Leuchars. This will also representation. I have to “sing for my supper” at various lunches and be a very impressive aircraft, with a fantastic weapon system and many dinners – this can actually be great fun because Clare and I meet such automatic features. In this way, it is able to a great spread of people across the Scottish have only one crew member, rather than the community.

My runway is going through 2 crew of the Tornado F3. It also has a fighter Looking to the future, Clare and I will ground attack capability – and can, therefore, continue here at Leuchars for another 2 years its 15-yearly resurfacing and deploy as a fighter in defence of our assets, or or so, though eventually we will aim to live in refurbishment programme carry out reconnaissance/attack targets as if in / around Fife – so that I can at last find time the bomber role. This type of flexibility is at the to play a little golf, which has been somewhat core of our RAF’s focus for the future delivery of military air capability. neglected in my first 5 months here. For now, let me wish all ‘In Focus’ Alongside this equipment flexibility, we are also putting down the roots to readers a safe run-up to Xmas and a mild Autumn as the nights draw strive to develop our people’s flexibility – we call this development of our in – I very much look forward to Leuchars, and the RAF, playing its people the “Agile air force”(Aaf); it is part of our desire to see our people strong part in the local and wider community. The Leuchars Air Show, in educated and trained to realise their maximum performance and potential, particular, with a brand new runway, will be back next year, but for this both within the Service, and whatever they may aspire to beyond the year, I commend to you all the Battle of Britain Ball at Leuchars on 8 Service.

September 2007 – this will be a splendid 1000-seated occasion hosted Unusually right now, all the Tornados at Leuchars are fully deployed

by Lorraine Kelly – tickets are selling like the proverbial hotcakes: take a around the world and across the country. My runway is going through its table and bring your friends and enjoy our celebration of the Battle in fine 15-yearly resurfacing and refurbishment programme; the aircraft have style, amongst the fighter pilots and ground teams we have today. detached to operate from Yorkshire, Scotland, and Cyprus for 2 months.

We look forward to welcoming them back when the work is successfully Tickets are available through the Leuchars Battle of Britain Office on completed in the first week of October – but for many of us living locally, 01334 839000, further details can be found at www.airshow.co.uk. See we have seen a more quiet Summer for some years than expected!! My you there!!! job has therefore been in an unusual rhythm over this period: I visited 56 (Reserve) Squadron while they were deployed to Cyprus a few (Photo courtesy Clive & Clare Bairsto)

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FEATURES From World Class Manager Patrick Laughlin

St Andrews Gateway Opens for Visitors It has been long awaited – but plans for a new “The amount of historical detail, visitor welcome and orientation centre for say, that could be provided about a St Andrews have finally come to fruition. town like St Andrews is almost infinite.

The “St Andrews Gateway”, as the centre is We also have the capacity to add to be known, is located in the town’s landmark audio and video clips in future, as Gateway Building at the North Haugh. The well as information about individual imposing building, originally conceived as an businesses; so for example, a visitor upscale golf club, was constructed in 1999, exploring the “eating out” section but never fulfilled its intended function. After could in future use the touch screens lying vacant for several years, the property was to look at sample menus from a purchased by the University of St Andrews and variety of local restaurants.” it provides educational space, academic offices, The hi-tech feel of the centre is and serves as home to the internationallycontinued by three PCs with free-torenowned School of Management. use broadband internet connections, The ground floor of the Gateway has been which provide links to a variety of local open to the public for some time. A gallery websites, such as those run by the houses temporary exhibitions and displays St Andrews Merchants Association, from the University’s collections, and there is a and Hotels and Guest Houses popular bistro open throughout the year.

Association. These computer But the St Andrews World Class Initiative terminals will allow visitors to access has long aspired to add a visitor centre to even more information about local the already-attractive amenities on offer. The attractions, events, golf, and places Gateway’s location at the main entrance point to stay. to the town, adjoining the A91 and close to both Completing the attractions of the plentiful car parking and the bus station, makes Gateway is a large 60-inch plasma it the ideal site to offer a welcome to visitors and screen, which shows a speciallyintroduce them to St Andrews. And now, funding commissioned short video about from Scottish Enterprise Fife, Fife Council, and St Andrews, again using the same five the recently-disbanded Kingdom of Fife Tourist “themes”. The video was produced by Board has helped make this aspiration a reality. local company St Andrews Media, and provides On entering the striking building, visitors an appropriate backdrop for those enjoying a are greeted firstly with welcome panels in coffee or light meal from the adjoining bistro seven languages. The panels The Gateway does not explain the five “themes” of provide a staffed information . . . the ideal site to the Gateway – St Andrews service, although the friendly offer a welcome to as a Place of Learning, a reception staff, most of Place of History, a Place whom are local residents, visitors and introduce of Attractions, a Place for will happily provide them to St Andrews Activities, and a Place for assistance and street maps Golf. to visitors on request. As Each of these themes is illustrated by Patrick Laughlin is keen to stress, the Gateway several attractive panels which use striking will not duplicate or compete with the existing photographs and words to paint an introductory Tourist Information Centre in Market Street. picture of the town. Adjoining these panels “The TIC offers a whole range of services such are six interactive touch screens which allow as face-to-face advice, visitors to investigate the theme of their choice accommodation in much more detail. There are already over booking, retail, 150 separate information screens available via and information the touch screens, but, as Patrick Laughlin, the about other parts of World Class Initiative’s Manager explains, the Scotland, none of software has been designed in such a way that which are available it can easily be augmented and expanded in at the Gateway” he future. says. “The role of this

Visitors with touchscreens

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Gateway panel design

The Gateway video new centre is simply to provide a first taste of St Andrews to visitors who have just arrived, to show them that there is far more to the town than they may have imagined, and to help them get a feel for what’s on offer.”

New external signs for the building are being planned, as are road signs from the A91, whilst internally, improved lighting for the displays will be installed shortly. These further improvements will help make the St Andrews Gateway a “must see” for all visitors to the town – as well as locals! – in the years to come.

(Photos courtesy World Class)

FEATURES Ross Colwell, RSCDS teacher, reviews

70 Years and More of Scottish Country Dancing In 1929 Scottish Country Dance classes were held in the Town Hall in 1937. St Andrews now started in St Andrews. This was obviously an had a demonstration team, which won first inspired choice, because today the classes are place in their group at the Fife Festival. Most still flourishing. The St Andrews Branch of the importantly at this time the Fife Branch was RSCDS (the Royal Scottish Country Dance disbanded and the St Andrews Branch was Society) holds classes on Tuesday, Wednesday, formed. and Thursday nights. The emphasis today is Because of the war, classes ceased in to keep fit, and what better way to do weight1941 and did not begin again until 1946. It bearing exercises (painlessly) than dancing was reported in the 1948/49 Minutes that a Christmas Dance, held in MacArthur’s Café, traditional Scottish dances to traditional Scottish music and having fun at the same time. Not attracted 98 dancers, and an end-of-season dance in The Drill Hall had 234 dancers. At this only is the body exercised, but the mind also.

The most important thing is enjoyment and function there was a demonstration of The socialising. We are lucky in Fife to have many St Andrews Reel, a new dance devised by Mr J Y MacArthur, a St Andrean. In the 1950s Mrs excellent musicians and they are a joy to dance to.

George Caithness had the honour to be chosen This year the St Andrews Branch of the to dance in the Society’s International Team.

RSCDS celebrates its Platinum Anniversary.

The St Andrews Branch demonstration The first event of the year was a Day of Dance team danced for many years in various venues; on 25th January in the Younger Hall. Primary village halls; Craigtoun Park; Pitlochry Highland School children from St Andrews danced in the Nights; The Glasgow Garden Festival; The morning with great gusto and pupils from Govan Festival; The Old Course Hotel; St Leonards danced equally enthusiastically St Andrews Golf Hotel; and Gleneagles Hotel. in the afternoon. The second event was a In 1971 the team took part in an International workshop and dance on 31st March attended Folk Festival in Holland and danced in several by members from surrounding Branches. towns there. Unfortunately the team has since Records show that in 1929 the St Andrews been disbanded, but if enough enthusiastic and East Fife Scottish Country Dance Centre young people come along it could start all over (under the aegis again. of the Fife Branch) In 1950 the The emphasis today is to keep fit, held their first Branch had to meeting. The close membership and what better way to do weightPresident was Lady after 107 bearing exercises (painlessly) than Irvine, University people enrolled.

House, St Andrews, dancing traditional Scottish dances Obviously this and Mrs Anstruther was overcome to traditional Scottish music and Gray was the as in 1953 the President of the Fife membership having fun at the same time Branch. A member reached 275. In from both the WRl and the Girls Guildry was corecent years membership has been around opted on to the committee. An Elementary and 100. When classes began a pianist provided an Advanced class took place in the Imperial the music. Nowadays the accordion is more Hotel, taught by Mrs Shanks and the pianist popular. Billy Anderson began playing for the was Miss Nelly Grieve of Mount Melville. In class in 1964, succeeding Bobby Crowe, who 1932 a Constitution was drawn up and classes had to relinquish the class because of his were held in the Imperial Hotel: Advanced from public performances. Later Billy followed suit and David Gibb of Strathkinness took over.

7.30 – 8.30; Elementary from 8.30 to 9.30, After David retired, a young student, Stuart costing 6p per class. A Coronation Dance was

Dancers in the Younger Hall (Photo courtesy RSCDS St Andrews Branch)

Warrender took his place assisted, from time to time, by Tam, and fiddler Sheena Sturrock.

For various reasons the Children’s classes ceased. They were very successful and at one time had classes for children under eight as well as the general children’s class. There was always an end-of-season party with parents and some members present. The enthusiasm and energy was wonderful, if not a little exhausting for the adults.

For the second year running there is to be a taster “Evening of Dancing” this year on 25th September in the Victory Memorial Hall. It is open to everyone who wants to experience dancing and find out if this is for them. It is free, and there is no obligation to join a class, but we hope some will enjoy it so much they will come back.

The Branch has produced a CD entitled Platinum. All the dances have been devised by members of the Branch and all have a St Andrews connection. Two celebrate Prince WiIliam’s days here as a student – the Bejant Royal, and St Andrews Welcomes Prince William. The excellent music has been recorded

by David Cunningham and his band Several members of the Branch are qualified teachers of Scottish Country Dancing and two are examiners. Two members have reached the highest office in The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, that of Chairman. Alan Mair is a past Chairman and Irene Bennett is the current Chairman.

As our special year draws to a close we will have a celebratory dinner on 13th October in The Links Club House, and a Ball on 23rd November in the Younger Hall. The year will end with a Christmas Party for class members and friends.

The Branch holds four Tuesday evening dances during the RSCDS Summer School.

The first two were held in the Town Hall and the other two in the Boys’ Brigade Hall, with a different band each evening. We all feel that we belong to one great big family, and the non-Scots love our dancing just as much as we do. The co-founder of the Society, Miss Milligan wrote a book entitled, “Won’t you join the dance?” Why don’t you? You will be very welcome and you will have fun.

If you wish to find out more, please contact the Branch Secretary, Jonathan Wilson: 01334 475 274

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FEATURES Kenneth Fraser, Chairman of the Community Council

New housing in St Andrews The Prime Minister has recently raised the target for new housing to 3 million by 2020. If we suppose (which we need not do) that the new administrations at Holyrood and in Glenrothes agreed with him, and that these houses were evenly spread throughout the country in proportion to the present population, that would make about 750 in St Andrews. But the Fife Structure Plan, proposed by Fife Council last year, and now in the hands of the Executive, goes much further. It calls for at least 1200 extra houses in St Andrews by 2026.

The Community Council objected to that proposal, on the grounds that it seemed to see North-East Fife as a dormitory for people travelling to work in the Edinburgh and Dundee areas, and thereby greatly increasing carbon emissions, at a time when Dundee itself is predicting a loss of 20,000 people over that period, and actually wants more housing. What would be the effect on our town of all the extra traffic congestion and pressure on parking space that these 1200 houses would generate?

Would it improve the position of St Andrews as a holiday resort, as Fife Council wishes to do?

The Community Council has taken its stand on the recommendations of the Strategic Study of 1998, which declared that,“St Andrews is at its landscape capacity, and no major expansion should take place”, and that, “the quality of the town environment is under threat from traffic congestion”. These arguments are even more persuasive in 2007. However, the Study went on to say that, “limited development to meet local need may be acceptable provided it is restricted to the selected pockets on the south-west of the town” and the Council also agrees with that.

What kind of housing does St Andrews need? The Structure Plan admits that affordable housing is particularly scarce in the town, but suggests that only 30% of the proposed new housing should be affordable, and that it should be built by negotiating agreements with developers. They have not been very keen to build affordable housing in the past! The Community Council has suggested that at least 50% of new housing should be affordable, and built preferably by housing associations or co-operatives, in order that the houses remain affordable and are not sold into the general market after the first owner. We believe housing in St Andrews should address the needs of local people, rather than just benefit property developers.

Robert Hunter’s summer –

– and so to Loches!

When Margot May and I accepted the invitation to a celebratory weekend at Loches we decided to take a more leisurely way down – rather than a dash for a few days – and to visit interesting sights en route; so off to Rosyth for the ferry to Zeebrugge. Our first stop in Belgium was Ypres (aka ‘Wipers’) to see the refurbished “In Flanders Fields” Museum, in which I have a personal interest, as one of my grand-daughters recorded some of the messages used in the audio-visual presentation there.

Continuing the interest in the history of the First World War our route took us to monuments, the Menin Gate; Vimy Ridge, reminder of the sacrifices of the Canadians; Lutyen’s Thiepval, the largest British War Memorial in the world, all reminding us of the futility of war. Still, there was time for some idle speculation at the impressive Rotunda Memorial at Ploegsteert (aka “Plugstreet”) where Bruce Bairnsfather was stationed and created “Old Bill”, whose escapades brought a smile to the soldiers at the front; I wondered also if two main protagonists of the Second World War were aware of each others’ presence in the area at that time, i.e. Winston Churchill and a certain Corporal A.Hitler ? Fighting our way through major road works and defying the French love of “Deviation” we left the Great War and found the Loire Valley with its wealth of châteaux, after visiting the cathedrals of Amiens, such an impressive size, and Chartres, with its breathtaking display of stained glass. Not enough time to inspect all the châteaux, but we did get to the largest at Chambord, and to Amboise; in more detail Chenonceau before heading south “and”, as Pepys might have remarked, “so to Loches” – well nearly, as our first objective was

Vimy Ridge

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Ploegstreert

Toulifaut, where we enjoyed the hospitality of Jacqueline and Campbell MacNiven over the weekend.

Our Alliance partners at Loches had arranged a very full programme Margot and Chopin’s piano ranging from an official reception at the Mairie to lavish meals at homes in the area; also had the pleasure of meeting some of the visitors from a twinned town in Germany. We did not spend all the time eating as visits to some of the historic monuments had been arranged, the tours guided by the owners of the properties at Montrésor, the Chartreuse du Liget, and La Corroirie.

At Montrésor there is a Polish connection, the furniture including a piano played by Chopin; Margot obliged with a few bars on the piano to the appreciation of the company, which included a visitor, who told us she was related to Chopin and had at last realised her ambition to see this piano.

Now to head for home, still with a week before catching the ferry; North to Bayeux to see the Tapestry housed in more fitting surroundings than when I first saw it over forty years ago, the one disadvantage being that I had to pay for admission this time. Moving on to the Second World War we reached Arromanches with the remains of the Mulberry Harbour and a new Museum telling the story of the D-Day Invasions of 1944 leading to the end of the War, very much in our contemporary memory. Following the Invasion beaches now, over the Pegasus Bridge, to St.Valery-en-Caux with its memorial to the 51st Highland Division and the French 2nd Cavalry. We had more cheerful thoughts by Fécamp where Benedictine liqueur was developed by Dom Bernardo Vincelli in the 16th century. Thence via Calais to Belgium; after a brief glance at Ghent we decided to relax for the last couple of days of our holiday at Brugge (Bruges); finding accommodation near the centre we parked the car and just walked around the sights like ordinary tourists, visiting the Beguinage, Market Square, St.Saviour’s Cathedral etc., not forgetting the Sunday Flea Market.

Monday 29th May duly arrived and we proceeded to Zeebrugge for the return ferry to Rosyth; happy to get ashore, on to the motorway, and so to St Andrews!

(Photos courtesy R Hunter)

FEATURES David Wasserman, Principal of Wasserman Real Estate Capital LLC, is happy to proclaim that

The dream is coming alive After buying Hamilton Hall from the University in 2006 (see issues 14 and 18 of this magazine), David Wasserman travelled the world finding out what the real aspirations of his potential home-owners are. It has seemed to St Andreans meanwhile that perhaps nothing was happening, that the building was not going to be renovated after all. Nothing could be further from the truth.

At a reception to mark the start of work on the site, David Wasserman explained that he wished to be absolutely certain that he was providing exactly what is wanted, both from his clients’ and the town’s perspectives.

To that end he delayed the start of the project, and he is now confident that he has everything properly in place.

Within the totally restored building, now renamed The St Andrews Grand, there are to be twenty-three 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom flats. Staff will include a Residence Manager, Concierge, and Golf Concierge. A partially-elected Club Steering Committee is to oversee the financial aspects.

Apart from 24-hour ‘gourmet and casual dining’ there are to be ‘at any hour of the day or night, residence and golf valet services, security and transportation services, housekeeping and maid services.’ The St Andrews Grand has access for members to the special privileges of an ‘Exclusive Global Network of Luxury Service Providers.’

To make sure that members of this special home-fromhome enjoy true ownership, each will have the services and amenities tailored to his or her own requirements; ‘anxiety-free living without maintenance and security concerns’, as the brochure says.

St Andrews will benefit from the complete restoration of an iconic building, currently suffering far too long from neglect in such a prominent position. It will be peopled

by those who value the town, because of its history, its setting, its University, its friendly inhabitants, not least its golf. David Wasserman’s enthusiasm, drive, and care will ensure that his dream not only comes alive, but will be productive.

(Photo courtesy David Wasserman)

NPH Cinema 117 North Street St Andrews

– Children’s Parties – Latest Digital Projector installed in Screen 1

UK Independent Cinema of the Year – RAAM Award of Excellence 2007 –

Luxury Electric vip Seats Leather Armchairs VIP ticket price now includes a glass of wine or beer.

www.nphcinema.co.uk Tel: 013334 474902

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FEATURES Christine Short has travelled the world as a qualified nurse/midwife. On her retirement she earned a degree in history, and she is now in the process of forging a second career as a writer, which she claims “in some ways is harder than nursing”! Her home is in Aberdour, where she lives “with two spoilt-rotten cats”.

This article is a shortened version of a talk given to the University Ladies Club earlier in the year

“Go home and sit still!”

The Scottish women’s Hospitals of the First World War At the outbreak of war in August 1914, Dr. Elsie Inglis approached the War Office with the offer of a hundred-bed hospital unit, staffed entirely by women, to be deployed anywhere at home or abroad. The reply is now famous:

exposed to aerial bombardment, they were also responsible for the maintenance of their vehicles. It was certainly not a job for long skirts and corsets.

“My good lady, go home and sit still.”

One chauffeur wrote home: Not discouraged by this rebuff Elsie made the same offer to the French “We all wear our skirts up and Serbian authorities both of whom accepted with alacrity. to our knees here.” Others Although always involved in the suffrage movement, Elsie Inglis went a stage further and wore disliked the militancy of the Women’s Social and Political Union breeches and cropped their hair.

(W.S.P.U.). Instead, she chose to become Honorary Secretary of the The second SWH unit Scottish Federation of Women’s Suffrage Societies (S.F.W.S.S.) It was arrived in Serbia in December this Federation which provided the Scottish Women’s Hospitals for 1914 and others quickly Foreign Service – later shortened to Scottish Women’s Hospitals (S.W.H.) followed. Living conditions had In spite of its name, the staff of the SWH were recruited from all over changed little since medieval Britain as well as Australia, Canada, and Romania. Not all of them were times and in some places were “ worse than the worst slum dwellings in members or supporters of the suffrage movement.

Britain.” These conditions were made worse by the fact that the Balkan Elsie saw the war as an opportunity for women to prove their countries had been at war for several years already. Nurses trained in the capabilities outside the traditional role of homemaker: “I cannot think of care and management of diseases such as typhoid, typhus, and cholera anything more calculated to bring home to men the fact that women can were essential. Soap and water was as important as surgical skills. In help intelligently in any kind of work.” Thanks spite of a rigorous attention to cleanliness, to some very successful fundraising by the these diseases claimed several victims from Elsie saw the war as an S.F.W.S.S. by November 1914, £2,800 had the SWH. In April, 1915, Dr. Eleanor Soltau, opportunity for women to prove the Chief Medical Officer, died of diphtheria been raised – sufficient to equip two S.W.H. units. and was replaced by Dr. Elsie Inglis. Elsie had their capabilities outside the The first unit left for France on 2nd long wished to lead a unit and she came to love traditional role of homemaker December,1914 with Miss Frances Ivens as Serbia and the Serbs.

Chief Medical Officer (C.M.O.) This unit was

By November 1915, Serbia was surrounded to be based in the 13th century Abbey of Royaumont, twenty-five miles by the Germans and Bulgarians. In order to evade capture, the Serbian from Paris and very near the front line. The Abbey had retained many of Army, along with a large number of civilians, retreated over the mountains its medieval characteristics without acquiring the modern conveniences into Albania. In the harsh winter conditions, 100,000 soldiers and 50,000 of heating, lighting, or sanitation. Some of the women, who had never civilians died. The surviving refugees, along with an SWH unit were finally done any type of housework, now had to carry buckets of coal or transferred to Corsica. Here, overcrowding, poor nourishment, and a water up several flights of steps, scrub decades of dirt from stone floor, lack of sanitation exacerbated the public health crisis first experienced and unblock drains. The cooks had to prepare meals using only two in Serbia. Elsie and her unit remained in Serbia, caring for both allied saucepans, a kettle and a stub of candle for and enemy casualties. The unit was finally lighting. Nevertheless, the women worked so repatriated to Britain in February 1916, where By the end of the war, the SWH hard that by January 1915 the unit was ready most of the women volunteered to go abroad had fourteen units and more to receive its first patients. Being so close to again. the Front, Royaumont received large numbers In August 1916, although now very ill with than one thousand staff working of the seriously wounded directly from the cancer, Elsie agreed to supply medical care in six different countries battlefields and in the worst possible condition. for the Serb soldiers attached to the Russian Although modern technology had drastically Army, fighting on the Romanian Front against altered the nature of war wounds, the treatment was just the same as the Bulgarians. As the Dardanelles were closed to Allied traffic, the it had been at Waterloo a hundred years previously. Once infection SWH unit had to sail to Archangel in the north of Russia and then travel was established in an injured limb, amputation was often the only hope south to Odessa near the Black Sea. In the nine days in which they of saving the patient’s life. At Royaumont, the SWH quickly gained a travelled through Russia, they caught a glimpse of a country and a culture reputation for saving limbs, which might have been amputated in other unknown to them. Their curiosity was reciprocated. They were asked if hospitals. Once foreign bodies had been removed, the wounds were they were Boy Scouts; their independence a source of comment as was cleaned and dressed with sphagnum moss sent from Scotland. their friendliness which ran counter to rumours of British coldness.

The chauffeurs worked just as hard as the hospital staff. Women When they finally arrived at the Romanian border, they were given a drivers were a new concept, not least for the women themselves. Not only barracks for a hospital and the women slept in tents with wooden floors. did they drive the ambulances, often over poor roads with no lights and However, in the face of a joint German – Bulgarian advance, the unit had to retreat back into Russia. Coupled with the constant bombardment, the winter months of 1917 were so cold that the Danube froze for the first time in seventy years and the severely wounded patients were brought to the unit packed in straw.

March 1917 brought the first stirrings of the Russian Revolution to add to the confusion of retreat. By October, Elsie felt that it was imperative for the SWH to return to Serbia. This entailed travelling back through an increasingly turbulent Russia to Archangel; from there to Britain and then to the Mediterranean. A course of action which almost certainly saved the lives of the Serbian soldiers, who would have been massacred if they had stayed in Russia.

When they finally sailed for Britain on 15th November, Elsie sent a telegram to the Committee: “On our way home, everything satisfactory and all well except me…” In fact, Elsie was very ill indeed. But when their ship docked at Newcastle on 25th November, Elsie insisted on dressing in full uniform to say goodbye to the Serbian soldiers, who would continue their journey to Macedonia. She died during the following night.

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FEATURES Her body lay in state in the High Kirk of St Giles, Edinburgh.

Members of both British and Serbian royalty attended her funeral. In London, a memorial service was held in St Margaret’s, Westminster.

The unit which Elsie had led through so many vicissitudes was renamed the Elsie Inglis Unit and sent back to Macedonia.

1918 was as decisive in the East as in the West. As the Germans retreated from France, the Bulgarians retreated from Serbia. An Armistice was signed on 30th September. By the end of the war, the SWH had fourteen units and more than one thousand staff working in six different countries.

In spite of the physical dangers and the psychologically stressful work, most of the women finished the war with a growing confidence in their own abilities, which made it hard for them to return to the traditional roles of pre-war years. Some declared that their time spent with the SWH was the happiest of their lives. Others became severely depressed or suffered recurring nightmares even in old age. As Mary Milne, a cook with Elsie’s unit in Romania wrote in her diary: “It’s a wonderful life, but a very dangerous one.”

Photos: courtesy Mrs M. Branscombe, from the album of Miss H. R. Wilson, Arbroath, (digitised by Bute Photo Unit, University of St Andrews).

Mrs Branscombe’s great-aunt, Miss Wilson, was a nurse in the 62nd General Hospital, Malta, Salonica, and Italy in the Great War, and these photos were taken with her own camera.

Lorn Macintyre introduces

Tony Fusaro When I was commissioned to research The Fusaros ran this ice cream-cum-fish and write a television documentary on the and chip shop, which is still in the family. monastery of Monte Cassino in Italy, I was in “Although we were required to work in the café, Luvian’s Ice Cream Parlour in Market Street, we were also required to study. My younger St Andrews, bemoaning to Tony Fusaro the siblings – twins – were sent across to Italy, but my mother missed them so much that frustrating fact that though I had sent a series after ten months she brought them back. My of emails to the monastery, I had received older brother Vincent and myself were sent to no reply, and that the documentary probably boarding school on the west coast of Scotland couldn’t be made. Tony stunned me by saying, for three years because my parents wanted to “I think I can help. I was educated at Monte work all the hours that God sent and couldn’t Cassino.” and fish and chip shop in Cupar, 8.30am till cope with four children and running a business.”

The Fusaro brothers are a Fife-based 11.30pm. “Any money we made we didn’t have The monastery of Monte Cassino was dynasty owning cafés and bottle shops, but time to spend.” rebuilt after the war, with fragments of the their roots are very firmly in Italy. Both of Tony’s With their hard-earned capital the Fusaros exquisite mosaics parents were born bought another ice cream shop in Cupar in retrieved from the in Cervaro, half-way Crossgate. Over the past twenty-five years my parents wanted to work rubble and painstakingly between Naples and these shrewd brothers – all of them graduates Rome, two kilometres of Edinburgh University, as is their sister all the hours that God sent put together again. In from Monte Cassino. “My October 1962, at the Angela – expanded their business, which father’s family were outage of ten, Tony entered now comprises Luvians Bottle Shop in Cupar, and-out shepherds, a very tenuous living at the its seminary to study for the priesthood. Boys the Ice Cream Parlour in Market Street, St time because everyone fought each other for rose at 5.30am in summer, 6.0am in winter, Andrews, which Tony manages, and the Bottle where they could pasture. My mother’s family with half-an-hour extra in bed on Sundays.

Shop, also in St Andrews. They make their own were both farmers and shepherds. Money was Winters were bitterly cold, but he was fortunate ice cream, to a recipe handed down from their used to buy basic necessities, and what was that, unlike his peers, his hands didn’t swell late father, and the long queue in the summer left over was salted away to buy another piece through chilblains. However, linger beyond out into Market Street attests to its thirstof ground.” seven minutes in the once-weekly tepid shower, quenching deliciousness. The name Luvians The families were evacuated before the war and you were hit by a deluge of freezing water. is an amalgam of the names of the brothers Discipline was strict. “You were beaten because front reached the town of Cassino, then allowed – Luigi, Vincent, and Anthony. Tony points out to return to their houses. In February 1944 the that was the way it was. But you couldn’t that it was also the ancient language of Troy. mountain-top monastery of Monte Cassino was purchase the education for your weight in gold.

The Fusaro links to Italy are still strong, and Our Latin and Greek teacher was so good, targeted by American bombers because it was Tony makes regular visits to relatives and to he was also in control believed that German troops were occupying inspect family properties of Aramaic, and could it and that it stood in the way, physically and out there. Their mother is They make their own ice translate directly classical psychologically, of the Allied advance on Rome. still alive, and her three Latin or Greek into Tony’s father witnessed the pulverisation of the sons and daughter have cream, to a recipe handed Aramaic without going colossal old monastery, mother-house of the the love and respect down from their late father through Italian. Our art Benedictine Order. “He used to say that the for her that is a moving teacher was one of the sound of over one hundred American bombers feature of Italian families, best contemporary artists in Italy. Our maths was like the biggest swarm of bees he had ever where the parents have worked so selflessly to teacher was one of the first Italian jet pilots. Our heard.” give their children the opportunities that they geography teacher was from an Italian noble In January 1952 Tony’s father came to never had. family and had travelled all over the world in his Ayrshire, under a system of semi-indenture.

Not only did Tony communicate on my youth.”

He didn’t want to go underground into the coal behalf with the Abbot of Monte Cassino, he However, Tony didn’t become a monk mines, or to work in the steel works, and he obtained permission for us to film almost because he couldn’t accept the celibacy rule. had had enough of farming, so he started in a anywhere in the restored Abbey, and went Instead, after two years at Bell Baxter School, brick works, as a brick baker. In 1956 he leased out to Italy with the camera crew, dispensing Cupar, he proceeded to Edinburgh University to a condemned property from Newmilns Burgh. hospitality as well as invaluable local study Italian. After graduating, he went to work “At one point we were sleeping in a bedroom knowledge. Without this modest man, who sits in Brussels as a conference interpreter for a that had no floorboards,” Tony recalls. In 1961, in the office-cum-store of the St Andrews Ice year. He returned to Scotland and entered the with the property due for demolition, the Fusaro Cream Parlour, but equally could be occupying family business. Vincent, the oldest of the three family moved across to Cupar. “We bought half an academic seat, a highly successful television brothers, who was lecturing at the University a shop from a Mr Stisi, another Italian, in the documentary could not have been made. of Sicily, also returned. Together with Luigi, middle of Crossgate, and subsequently bought the third brother, they operated the ice cream the other half.”

(Photo by Flora Selwyn)

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FEATURES

Bravo!

St Mary’s Place was finished on time and to budget!

– More please!

And Abbey Street – an earlier conversion to cherish.

(Photos by Flora Selwyn)

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FEATURES / BOOK REVIEW Lynda Samuel writes of

Hazel Gifford reviews

Home

Scotland’s Heroes,

Home started in dundee where I grew up, And played and learned and ventured out to school.

I think of family, high jinks and fun, And making music round the piano stool.

Friends called at home and asked me out to play.

I’d have them round for cake on my birthday.

We’d huddle round the fire and change our clothes And toast our bread on forks and warm our toes.

I’d skip and jump and bounce a rubber ball, While playing ‘one a leary’ ‘gainst the wall.

My teenage years were scary – bigger house And mortgage, stress and monumental rows.

I moved from ‘fam’ly home’ and friends and kirk, And graduated to the world of work.

And then went overseas where I felt sad ‘Cos ‘home’ felt far away with Mum and dad Until I married; then we moved around And home was where my husband was. We found Where’er we were, we’d make new friends and then Have open house, serve Indian food to them.

Eventually we bought a spacious flat Full circle to dundee. Now fancy that!

With central heating, laptop and TV – A corner of a jute mill in Lochee!

At home I can ‘chill out’, feel safe, share love.

A happy home’s a blessing from above.

But, sad to say, for some, home’s a disgrace A shack, or hut, or cell – a lonely place.

I pause… and think…. When Jesus came to earth, He had no fixed address or home. His birth Was in a smelly stable. yet ‘tis He Who says to weary trav’lers, ‘Come to Me.’ ‘I’m going home,’ was what my Grandma said, As peacefully she joined the faithful dead.

I realize, and breathe a grateful sigh, True ‘Home’ is where I’m going when I die.

(Winner of the Lochee Library Poetry Competition, 07/06/06)

Remembered and Forgotten

by John lindsey (published by Librario @ £9.99) This is an astonishing book; so unexpected, well-informed and yet full of quirky humour. One chapter is headed: you don’t Have To Be dead But It Helps, and another: Flawed And Forgotten Heroes...

It is all about Statues! not a subject to inspire or thrill at first, perhaps; but you have only to glance over any page to be immediately drawn in to some humorous anecdote, or be reminded of some unusual slice of history, and you will be hooked!

John Lindsey first takes us on a geographical tour of Scotland’s many cities and countrysides, with two or three photos on each page, and a central colour section, to illustrate his theme: we are being encouraged to look more carefully at these fine works of art. The Victorians eagerly subscribed to commemorate their heroes – Burns has statues to him all over the world, as well as in Scotland – but full-size statues nowadays attract less attention. They are also quite an undertaking, requiring about £40,000 to be raised, somehow; and this usually without much help from local Councils, though they finally take responsibility for location and maintenance. But we have desperate dan in dundee! (did you know his amazingly large tum required the wee dog on a lead to stop him tumbling over?) and cities like Montrose are most enterprising, producing interesting sculptures such as the Seafarer, and the Blacksmith, also Bamse the Norwegian dog, who famously ‘crewed’ with the Norwegian navy in and out of Montrose, during WWII. The author has opened up a topic rarely written about, in such an amusing and informative way, and has researched Scotland’s many fascinating characters so thoroughly, that the Past takes on new life. Short biographies of many characters appear, and include the background to many of the works described – these may be of wildlife, (eg.David Annand’s fine Osprey); of the Ibrox disaster in Glasgow; of Greyfriars Bobby; of our St Andrew here (but why in the Botanic Garden?); of military groups such as the Black Watch; and of many other figures famous across Scotland. One chapter tells us more about sculptors themselves, past and present, and yet another about how the foundries work and where they are flourishing.

John Lindsey has clear views as to who might now be included, and vividly recounts the many problems that arise when difficult decisions have to be taken locally. Across the world, statues have been argued and quarreled over, even blown up, as were the huge Buddhas in Afghanistan. His range of interests is prodigious.The Index is invaluable, as are the list of Organisations and the Bibliography.

Nothing like this book has appeared before. It will make an excellent gift for anyone, anywhere, any time! and you will find yourself dipping into it beforehand, I feel sure.

Only half a mystery now The Golf Widow’s Lament, the poem that plopped onto my door mat and appeared in the last issue of this magazine (p13), was kindly donated by Bill Robertson! Thank you, Bill. Now, does anyone know who wrote it and when? All Bill could tell me was that he’d had it quite a while.

Lesley-Anne Lettice – get well wishes!

Lynda and Raj at home (Photo courtesy Lynda Samuel)

Our hard-working Curator had the misfortune, on the very first day of her holiday, to suffer a motorcycle accident. Happily she is recovering, and hopes to be back at her desk by the time this magazine appears in September. Everybody wishes you well, Lesley, and we all look forward to your next Ask the Curator column.

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TOWN & GOWN From Principal and Vice Chancellor Dr Brian Lang

An update on the University in 2007 The University of St Andrews is still flourishing. out with great sensitivity. We have been taking We have continued to perform well in both time to look carefully at the University’s estate teaching and research and are now firmly strategy, and we expect to make a series of placed, as far as University league tables are exciting announcements in the near future; the concerned, in the United Kingdom’s Top 10. townspeople of St Andrews can be assured that Last year The Sunday Times named we will consult fully on any new plans. Providing St Andrews the Scottish University of the Year good buildings and good working spaces is and this year’s Good Universities Guide has vital to our chances of engaging and retaining placed us 5th in the UK, with the most satisfied high-calibre staff, attracting good students, and student body of any UK university. This year ensuring all of those can produce their best we were also awarded the top rating for our work. But we also need flexibility in order to teaching performance by the independent body encourage multi-disciplinary activity because so that counts in these matters. much academic research overlaps subjects.

We are still the most research-intensive Our School of Medicine was voted the university in Scotland and seventh in the most popular medical school in Britain as United Kingdom. We are now getting ready for part of the National Student Survey. Medical the next Research Assessment Exercise, the education in Scotland has been reviewed and critical measure of our excellence in research one consequence is that medical students which will have very important financial and who graduate from St Andrews will no longer reputational implications for the University for proceed just to the University of Manchester, some years to come. but will be retained within the other Scottish The University is increasingly popular. We medical schools. now have more than ten applications for every None of our achievements can be taken student place. Our reputation is high worldwide. for granted. We must not rest on our laurels.

This year’s entrants came from more than one University funding is still a difficult issue. hundred countries, with one third of the entry St Andrews gets about 32% of its annual needs from outside the United Kingdom. directly from government and that means that As far as research programmes are we are the least dependent of any Scottish concerned, we are doing very exciting work in university on direct government funding. The areas which include fuel smallest portion of our cells, photonics, proteomics, funding comes from central However, a great and you may have seen government, but sometimes publicity about the lightuniversity is not here to it feels as though the emitting strips which can be Funding Council expects train, but to educate applied to the skin to help to control 100% of our in the treatment of cancer. activities. The regulatory Added to this, our astro-physicists recently framework that we are required to work within discovered a new planet. A breakthrough in can sometimes be stultifying. We are also the war against Alzheimer’s has just been strictly controlled as to whether, or how, we credited to St Andrews scientists. Research charge for the education we provide. We need also flourishes in the Arts and Humanities, to ensure that every deserving person can get including a project to digitise the entire Scottish to university no matter his or her background. parliamentary record, which will be completed But there is more to university funding than this year. student funding and we have been urging We are increasingly involved in ‘pooling’ government, so far unsuccessfully, to set up arrangements whereby we join forces with other a review which takes account of the need to Scottish universities to build capacity of skills secure the Scottish research base as well as and experience and therefore improve quality our employability base. As I hope many of in research. The first subjects involved were you will have read in the press, I have been Physics and Chemistry. suggesting that the issue needs to be taken, for We are proud of our new Arts building. review purposes, out of the hands of politicians As you will all appreciate, constructing and given to an independent body. contemporary buildings in the centre of I know that all St Andreans want their St Andrews is fraught and has to be carried university to be the best it can be. We all should

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, geology and artmaking as well as a popular Friday evening “town and gown” lecture programme.

Courses commence during week beginning 17 September 2007.

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

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be proud of the University’s achievements, and of our involvement with it, whether that is directly as students or staff or indirectly as local people who support and nurture it in their community. We in the University have made and will continue to make wide-reaching efforts to ensure that we play our part as a responsible local employer; our recent introduction of stricter parking regulations on students and our work on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) are examples of these initiatives. We also rely on our friends and neighbours in St Andrews and around Fife to support our endeavours and to value the benefits and advantages our six hundred-year-old presence brings to this area of rural eastern Scotland.

Lastly, we should consider what sort of university we want to be. Can we continue to be a university that provides a broad liberal education in the Scottish tradition? I think we can. I am reassured by the fact that the Scottish flexible four-year degree has never been seriously threatened by our politicians or those who speak about education. We need our universities to provide a trained graduate workforce. However, a great university is not here to train, but to educate. Yes, we provide for the economic development of Scotland; yes, we are contributing to the local and national economy; but we are also producing wellrounded, educated people. I do not believe that these two strands are in any way mutually exclusive.

University of St Andrews Music Centre

Opportunities for Musicians

The Music Centre is open to town and gown to give everyone the opportunity to play and enjoy a wide range of music. Here is just a selection of the groups that we offer.

• University Strings: meets on Wednesdays at 7pm. Open to violin, viola, cello and double bass players of all abilities.

• Scots Fiddle Group: meets on Saturdays at 9.30am. All violinists/fiddle players welcome.

• Chamber Orchestra: meets on Mondays at 7.30pm.

Auditions on 1 & 2 Oct. All groups directed by William Baxter.

Full details available from: Music Centre, Younger Hall, North Street, St Andrews, KY16 9AJ Tel: 01334 462226, Email: music@st-andrews.ac.uk www.st-andrews.ac.uk/music

TOWN & GOWN “For many years,” says Flora Selwyn, I have known, yet not known, Frank Quinault, so it was a privilege to learn about him and his many activities.”

One man, many roles!

“I’ve never planned my career, it’s been a case elicited many amusing variants and Frank of one thing leading to another,” avers Dr Frank particularly savours the memory of an errant student who addressed an appeal to him as the Quinault, with never a twinkle in his eye. For ‘Head Domino’! someone of his distinction it comes as quite a Frank’s main concern now, in his last surprise. role before retirement, is with the quality of I would happily go along with the notion learning and teaching. He told me that he has that Francis Charles Quinault is a St Andrews organised and participated in nearly 50 reviews Treasure. He effortlessly combines service to of teaching across all disciplines at St Andrews, town and gown, proving a wonderful example as well as being called upon by the national to those who would regard the divide as Quality Assurance Agency to review teaching insuperable. quality in other institutions, in Scotland, After winning a London County Council scholarship to the prestigious Dulwich College England, and abroad. “For an academic dilettante like me, interested in a wide range in South London, Frank was destined to go to Paul Scofield, Hon graduate of disciplines, this has been another wonderful Cambridge to read English Literature. However, (photo by Peter Adamson) he left St Catharine’s College after only one opportunity”. year thinking that perhaps medicine was more Meanwhile, University and family demands what he wanted. There followed two years as a notwithstanding, Frank is a very ‘weel kent’ Did he have any regrets about leaving technician at the Royal Army Medical College, figure, known in the town for quite other London, I asked? A resounding ‘no’ was the then a year as a supply pursuits! A keen actor answer! “When I lived in London I spent 12 teacher in Inner London hours a week commuting. That’s where I He effortlessly combines and singer, he became schools. In 1966, Frank a member early on of found the time to take on these different roles.” service to town and gown the St Andrews Operatic returned to academe at How does he feel about retirement? “It’s the the University of Bristol, Society, and its President right time to give up the day job. Wendy and where he graduated BSc Hons in Psychology, from 1986-89. He also joined the St Andrews I won’t be quitting St Andrews, which is far with Philosophy and Physics, in 1969. He won Play Club in 1985, and is now the Chairman too nice to leave, but juggling a few less balls a Ford Foundation Scholarship to Norway that of the Board of the Byre Theatre, at a time of should enable me to see more of our eight same year. By this time he was married to major reorganisation. Favourite roles on stage grandchildren, in Winchester, Brittany, Berlin, Wendy, whom he had met at Dulwich Hospital, have included several drawn from academia and Salamanca, and to work on my German where she was studying nursing and he worked – Professor Higgins in My Fair Lady; C.S. and Spanish.” as a porter before going up to Cambridge. “Our Lewis in Shadowlands; and Frank in Educating first date was to see Romeo and Juliet at the Rita. He has also managed to be Principal of (Photos courtesy Frank Quinault) Old Vic, and we’ve been together ever since!” the University – twice, but only on stage in an Both of them enjoyed their Norwegian year, A.B. Paterson play and learning the language and travelling widely. The as a character in the Kate countryside just north of Oslo is a paradise for Kennedy Procession. cross-country skiing and some of their fondest Frank is Treasurer memories are of learning to ski there. of the Kate Kennedy Frank’s academic career was now set, and Trust and Chairman of in 1972, after two years as a research student Hope Park Residents’ in Bristol, he came to St Andrews as Lecturer Association, and was in Psychology. Gaining his PhD from Bristol recently elected as in 1976, Frank moved from Senior Lecturer in President of the St Andrews Psychology to become Assistant Principal for Business Club, a vibrant External Affairs, then Hebdomadar, and in 2001, group that holds regular founding director of SALTIRE, the University’s breakfast meetings, and a central unit for the support of learning and glittering annual dinner. He teaching. “Given how attached I am to St is also the immediate Past Andrews, it has been a great bonus to have President of the After Many Days Club, the University’s had such varied roles within the one institution”, with responsibilities as diverse as fundraising, oldest and largest alumni overseas recruitment, and student welfare and organisation with some Mr Frank (with KT Tunstall), in The Diary of Anne Frank discipline. The unusual title of ‘Hebdomadar’ 2,000 members worldwide.

Music Centre The Evening Language Teaching programme will start during week beginning 1st October 2007.

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

2007 Courses

Enrolments will be taken at ELT from 17th – 28th September, 2 pm – 4.45 pm, Monday to Friday.

Application forms can be obtained from 10th September from ELT, University of St Andrews, Kinnessburn, Kennedy Gardens, St Andrews, KY16 9DJ. Tel: 01334 462255/65/06.

• Tuition available to all ages from beginner to diploma on most instruments and voice.

• A wide variety of orchestras, ensembles and choirs open to everyone, including groups specifically for young people.

• Practice and library facilities, electronic composition workshop with Sibelius, instruments for loan.

• Regular concerts including Wednesday lunchtimes.

Full details available from: Music Centre, Younger Hall, North Street, St Andrews, KY16 9AJ. Tel: 01334 462226, Email: music@st-andrews.ac.uk

www.st-andrews.ac.uk/music

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TOWN & GOWN Emma Jane McAdam, Project Curator, details plans for

MUSA – Museum of the University of St Andrews Background to the Project The extensive and significant museum collections of the University of St Andrews illustrate the history, personalities and teaching and research practices of Scotland’s first University. These collections have to date lacked a permanent and dedicated museum space (with the exception of the zoology collections, displayed in the Bell Pettigrew Museum).

A former coach house in the grounds of the University’s School of Art History has been identified as the ideal site for a new University Museum, which meets modern conservation and access requirements for both the collections and the new target audiences.

The new museum – MUSA (Museum of the University of St Andrews) – aims to provide public access in creative and interactive ways to artefacts of local, national, and international significance .

The aims for MUSA include restoring and adapting an historic building to house and interpret the collections, creating exciting, innovative gallery space for displays, creating a learning centre which will accommodate group visits to MUSA, allowing the delivery of an ambitious learning and access programme and maximizing the opportunities for audience involvement throughout MUSA. The target audiences for the museum include the local community, school groups, lifelong learners, the students and staff at the University of St Andrews (including those students studying for a qualification in Museum and Gallery Studies through the School of Art History), and tourists to the area.

The Galleries Four galleries on the ground floor of MUSA will display highlights from the University’s Collections. Gallery 1 will showcase some of the ancient treasures, including the medieval maces, and tell the story of the early origins of the University. Gallery 2 will focus on the lives of students at St Andrews and will feature a unique collection of silver archery medals and student memorabilia through the ages, to provide an insight into the experience of studying at St Andrews.

Gallery 3 will be dominated by the Chalmers Window, a stained glass window from the Chapel of St Salvator’s College, and will include artefacts associated with research and innovation in the arts, science, and divinity in St Andrews. Gallery 4, The MUSA Gallery, will ask the question ‘What is a Museum?’ and will invite visitors to explore the very nature of museums and understanding through object inter-actives, hands-on exhibits, and changing displays. Gallery 4 will also be used for museum talks and corporate events.

The Learning Loft and Viewing Terrace The Learning Loft, situated on the first floor of MUSA, will be a multi-purpose area with practical workspace intended for use by primary

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and secondary school parties, community and adult education groups, as well as university students. It will be designed to meet the needs of different groups by hosting a wide range of activities and will provide an informal, innovative, and inspiring space for learning.

The Learning Loft will open onto a Viewing Terrace, which will command outstanding views over St Andrews Bay. Due to its location, the Viewing Terrace offers an opportunity for visitors and school groups to learn about the immediate external environment, and an education programme has been planned to operate in conjunction with the activities taking place in the Learning Loft. The Roof Terrace will contain outdoor seating, interpretive panels, and a ‘talking telescope’ providing contextual information about the surrounding area.

Consultation Process A focus group of local schoolteachers was set up in November 2005 to involve the teaching community in the content of the exhibitions, the design and running of the Learning Loft and Viewing Terrace, the redevelopment of the Museum Collections website, and also with a view to setting up a focus group of local school pupils. Market research was carried out in St Andrews in advance of the start of the project, to gauge opinions of local people and visitors on what they wished to see and experience in a new University museum.

To enable the best public access to visitors of all types, MUSA will operate in conjunction with the University’s other current venues – the Gateway Galleries, which contain a small permanent display area and a temporary exhibition gallery, and the Bell Pettigrew Museum, which contains the extensive zoology collection. The Museum Collections Unit will continue to care for the collections in storage and those displayed in other areas of the University.

Funding Update and Sponsorship Options The Museum Collections Unit has secured £449,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and further funding has been obtained from the New Park Educational Trust, the Foyle

Foundation, After Many Days Club, Alan Evans Memorial Trust, the Digital Challenge Fund and the Scottish Museums Council, in addition to a number of generous private donations.

Significant funding commitments are also in place from the University itself, but further external fundraising is required to close the funding gap that exists. A range of sponsorship options have been formulated with packages ranging upwards for gifts received from £100 to corporate sponsorship options of over £300,000. Special packages can be tailored to individual requirements and a range of benefits is available, including membership of a Friends of MUSA group. The University is committed to offering free access to MUSA. Project Timescale Jack Fisher Partnership, a St Andrews-based design practice, has been selected to restore and modify the semi-derelict former coachhouse building into an exciting new public space.

MkW, an Edinburgh-based exhibition design company has been appointed to work with the University’s Museum Collections Unit on the museum fit-out. The construction company Torith is carrying out the building and renovation work, which began at the end of May 2007. This work is expected to be completed in one year’s time, including a fit-out phase. The museum is scheduled to open to the public in the summer of 2008.

The MUSA Website As part of the HLF grant package, funding has been secured to develop the MUSA website, which is separate from the Museum Collections own webpages. While this website is currently live, work will begin soon to make the collections’ management database (where all information on catalogued collections is stored) fully searchable and available via the MUSA website, thereby increasing remote public access to collections information.

For information on the MUSA project, please contact Emma Jane McAdam, Project Curator, Tel: 01334 463946, email: ejm92@st-andrews.ac.uk.

To make a donation or support MUSA, please contact the Development Office at the University of St Andrews, Tel: 01334 462113, email: develop@st-andrews.ac.uk

TOWN & GOWN Alice Crawford introduces the new

Friends of St Andrews University Library Do you use the University Library? Have you ever wanted to know more about the amazing collections of books and manuscripts hidden away in the building behind the former Crawford Arts Centre in North Street? Now is your chance!

A “Friends of St Andrews University Library” group has recently been formed with the aim of promoting the Library’s reputation and encouraging interest in its collections. The group is open to anyone who is interested in the Library and would like to be involved in its work, especially in the activities of the Special Collections Department. No formal connection with the University is required.

It is hoped that the Friends will support the Library in its acquisition of rare books, manuscripts, and other valuable items it might not normally be able to afford, and act as a channel for gifts of items which will enhance the Library’s collections.

Membership of the Friends will offer the opportunity to participate in an annual programme of events such as lectures, visits, “treasure tours” of the Special Collections Department, and an annual reception. There will also be a newsletter containing details of purchases made possible by the Friends, information about the group’s activities, and news about the Library generally.

Annual membership is currently £30.00 and life membership £150.00 The Friends of St Andrews University Library will be launched on Thursday, 8th November with an inaugural lecture by Ronald Milne, Director of Scholarship & Collections at the British Library and formerly Acting Director of University Library Services at Oxford University. The lecture will be followed by a wine reception in the University’s Lower College Hall The group is excited to have as its chairperson Professor Kay Redfield Jamsion from Johns Hopkins University, an expert in Psychiatry, but whose interests span the arts as well as the sciences. She has strong connections with St Andrews, having been for some years an Honorary Professor in the University’s School of English. She is looking forward to visiting St Andrews annually to chair the meetings of the Friends’ Committee. Mrs Christine Gascoigne will act as Vice-Chairperson and look after the business of the Committee on occasions when Kay cannot be present. Mrs Frances Mullan has been appointed as Honorary Secretary, and Mr Jon Purcell, Director of Library Services, will be the Group’s Treasurer.

Members of the Committee met recently to work out a programme of events for the coming year, and details of these will be available shortly.

The group hopes to have an autumn and a spring meeting each Session, and to welcome as many people as possible to each event.

St Andrews University Library has its origins in the fifteenth century in the separate libraries of the colleges of St Leonard, St Salvator and St Mary, which were founded before the University itself. King James VI and I, with members of his family, enhanced the collections significantly in 1611-12 with the presentation of over 200 volumes to mark the founding of the Common Library. From 1710-1837, the Library was entitled to a copy of every book printed in Britain under the Copyright Deposit Act, which has resulted in a particularly strong collection of eighteenth-century material.

The Library also holds one of the largest and most important collections of historic photography in Scotland, reflecting the fact that St Andrews played a key role in the development of the photographic process. Pioneer photographer Sir David Brewster was Principal of the University from 1838-1859, and the collection contains many examples of the early work of John and Robert Adamson, David Octavius Hill, and Thomas Rodger.

An impressive manuscript collection is also held, ranging from Greek papyri and medieval philosophical treatises to modern business records.

More information about the Friends is available on their webpage, http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/library/library/friends/, from which a Membership Application Form can be downloaded if you would like to join. Applications from members of both the local and the academic communities are welcome, and the Library looks forward to the dynamic contribution this “town and gown” group will make to its collections. If you have any further enquiries, or if you would like to attend the inaugural lecture and dinner, please email the Friends of the Library at friends.library@st-andrews.ac.uk (Photograph courtesy the University Library)

Annette Zimmermann of the Department of German in the University on the

Annual German Competition – for Poetry, Prose, and Role-Play After the inaugural launch of the German Competition for Poetry, Prose, and Role-Play, for school children from all over Scotland by then-Scotland coach Berti Vogts in 2003, the Department of German at the University of St Andrews hosted its fifth contest of this kind on 12 June 2007 with well over one hundred pupils taking part.

This competition is part of a drive by the Department of German to counter the decline in the study of foreign languages at secondary school level, following their removal from the post-14 compulsory core curriculum. It is aimed at pupils studying German at different levels and involves reading poetry and prose passages and role-playing. Contestants were judged on pronunciation, fluency, expressiveness, acting skills, and originality.

There were cash prizes totalling £540, as well as books. Contestants also had the chance to enter a prize draw and win autographs signed by the former Formula One racing driver, Michael Schumacher; the golfer and former Ryder Cup Captain, Bernhard Langer; footballers Michael Ballack (now with Chelsea) and Jens Lehmann (currently with Arsenal); tennis legend, Boris Becker; and Wimbledon Champion, Roger Federer, as well as a photograph of German supermodel Claudia Schiffer, which she signed especially for the

German Competition. Each contestant was also presented with a certificate. The event was sponsored by Duden, Goethe-Institute Glasgow, Houghton Mifflin Publishers, and the Swiss Embassy. The Swiss Consul General from Edinburgh, Bruno Widrig, Dr Heike Uhlig from the Goethe Institute Glasgow, and Emeritus Professor Raymond Furness awarded the prizes. We were also honoured that Donald MacGregor had made time in his busy schedule to talk to the pupils about the importance of learning languages and how it had benefitted him throughout his career as a teacher at Madras College, and as a sportsman. The Awards Ceremony was followed by a Reception in the University’s new Arts Building, which was greatly enjoyed by everyone.

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TOWN & GOWN Iain Luke, Project Officer for Fife & Tayside Swap East

From College to University – a Life changing journey

TAP, the Transitions Access Project, is a piece of work funded by the and studying at university. However, it was only in conducting follow-up Fife and Tayside Wider Access Forum that aims to give college Access focus groups that we came to realise the impact TAP had made on those students the chance to taste what it’s like to study at one of Fife and involved. The very positive message coming across from all these groups Tayside’s universities. Over three events late last year,134 of these was that we were opening up prospects some students had only dreamed students, all adult returners, took that opportunity. of. Stuart Minick, previously a butcher studying at Elmwood College, had These “transition” events were open to all the Access students this to say, studying at the 6 FE colleges in the area. The project, as initially planned, “I have this pipe dream of me going to St Andrews University, but the comprised 4 half-day sessions held on 2 days over two consecutive more I talk to people about it the less of a pipe dream it seems.” weeks. The students setting off on their learning journey on day one at Building on last year’s success, we are well advanced in planning St Andrews University, continued their programme the following week on the next round of TAP events which will, this year, run as two “2-day day two in Dundee, with the morning session at the University of Abertay, programmes”. The first of these will cater for Access students who hope and the afternoon one at Dundee University. to go on to degree courses in the Arts and Humanities, and the second In the first session, held in the Gateway Centre, for those considering study in the areas of Health St Andrews, the participants were able to plug into and Science. We are hopeful that 200 + students The very positive message generic information sessions covering topics such will take up these further opportunities to taste life coming across from all these as finance; time management and planning; how to on the 3 university campuses in the area. Further, write personal statements; and the range of student following last year’s shadowing pilot, it has been groups was that we were services on hand, to help them cope with the first agreed that all students participating in this year’s opening up prospects some hectic, scary weeks at university. Staff from each of TAP events will be offered the chance for a day, to students had only dreamed of shadow an undergraduate at university. the three local universities delivered these sessions jointly.

A full evaluation of the first two years of our Following these, the students were involved in a series of interactive work will be undertaken in the spring of next year. However, as Sue workshops designed to give them a taste of what it is like to study at Clark in her article in the Times Scottish Education Supplement of 17th university. These included note-taking and how to get the best out of a November 2006 made clear, the Transitions Access Project is already lecture; research skills and essay writing; working in tutorial groups; and “showing that the ivory towers of academia are accessible to everyone”. making a presentation. To complement and re-enforce these activities Stuart Minick is well on his way to achieve his dream, and has been each student was given a booklet, the TAP Top Ten Tips, a well-laid out, given a conditional acceptance to study this year at St Andrews. I am sure easy-to-follow, study skills guide. This programme was designed to make many other TAP students will be moving on to university in September. the journey from college to university more accessible, smoother, and less Enrolment for year two of Tap begins soon in a college near you. forbidding.

An initial limit of 100 participants was set by the Project’s steering For further information please contact Iain Luke, Tel: 07903 017 809 group, made up of representatives from the 3 universities, Elmwood, email: iain_swapeast@yahoo.co.uk Dundee and Angus Colleges, and SWAP East, – from the early response to our marketing it was clear that this number would be easily exceeded. As a consequence, it was agreed that we should open TAP to anyone interested and organise a further one-day event at Dundee University to cater for the excess demand.

This extended run of Tap events went smoothly with a good turnout of students. To ensure that travelling and parking were not a hindrance, the Project took the responsibility of arranging transport to pick up from and return students to their respective colleges.

As an extension, a second phase of the project was staged in January of this year with a number of participants from phase one given the opportunity to shadow an undergraduate at one of the local universities. 13 students were involved in this pilot shadowing element Keen to get a degree? of the Project. Subsequently they testified to this worthwhile and enjoyable experience.

Too busy to study full-time?

The overall aim of the whole Project was to raise the aspirations and confidence of individuals who had, in many cases, not seriously Try the flexible route to your considered moving to university. In the evaluation undertaken as part of the Project it was very evident that we had succeeded, with 78% of MA General degree at the those involved registering an increase in confidence about applying to University of St Andrews

Evening Degree Programme

via the Evening Degree Programme

• One or two evenings of classes per week • Broad range of subjects • Credits for existing qualifications • Fee Waiver scheme for people on low income or state benefits Find out more from: The Evening Degree Co-ordinator Ruth Dixon, Educational Liaison Officer, University of St Andrews in foreground and Viv Urquhart, FE Articulation Manager, Dundee University, registering TAP students for their session at the University of Abertay, Dundee.

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Telephone: 01334 462203 Email: parttime@st-andrews.ac.uk www.st-andrews.ac.uk/admissions/Eveningdegreestudents/

TOWN & GOWN Lisa Prudom explains that –

WHAN (Working in Health Access Network) is a National project funded by the Scottish Funding Council and the projects within the NHS. Lisa was actively involved NHS in Scotland aiming to do two things: to raise awareness of study with organisational development for the NHS as a and a career in the health professions and, secondly, to do so in Scottish facilitator and Action Learning Set Facilitator on their Schools which have a lower than average transfer of pupils to higher “Leading and Learning Programme” a collaboration between the NHS and education, or are in rural/island locations where recruitment to the health the Council to develop leaders and managers of the future. services is a priority.

“The NHS has given me fantastic opportunities Lisa Prudom joined WHAN Fife in January 2007 as workwise and educationally. I’m passionate about it as an Her role involves Network Liaison Officer. Based in Admissions within the organisation and can hopefully spread this message and providing information enable others to share in this experience. I am very much University of St Andrews Lisa works with pupils from S3 to S6 in secondary schools in Fife, as well as with adult looking forward to working in an educational setting and about the range of learners, and those hoping to enter health employment, or influencing others to reach their potential whatever their career opportunities further study. Her role involves providing information about background or stage in life” the NHS can offer the range of career opportunities the NHS can offer, and Promoting careers in medicine, dentistry, and putting on taster events with health professionals from all veterinary sciences was the aim of the original WHAP disciplines. WHAN Fife will also offer some practical help with university (Working in Health Access Programme) project, which ran from 2003 applications and personal statements, interview skills training, question to 2005 and from which WHAN was born. This initial project was very and answer sessions with current students, and arrange visits to hospital successful and it lead to the recognition that there was a great deal of and health departments and college campuses. Currently we are also interest in all areas of health, working on pulling together information on specific careers and study “One thing that I am very keen to promote because I feel it offers such routes, promotional materials and developing our web site. a great opportunity, is the HNC Applied Sciences “Pathway to Medicine” WHAN Fife is a collaboration between Higher and Further Education course at Perth College in conjunction with the School of Medicine here establishments (University of St Andrews, Perth College, Lauder at the University of St Andrews. This is a fantastic opportunity for mature College, Elmwood College, and Adam Smith College), NHS Fife, Careers students (over 21 years of age) to fulfil a life’s dream of becoming a Scotland, and Fife and Tayside Wider Access Forum. With initial funding doctor”. guaranteed until mid 2009, the long-term aim of the project will be to “The NHS offers fantastic opportunities for a varied career that gives establish and build lasting links and networks between the NHS locally great job satisfaction. It also offers great flexibility for part-time and and education. flexible working; opportunities for travel; and a great pension scheme.

Each geographical area has flexibility to deliver the project based This is a message we are keen to spread to our young people and to upon local need. In Fife (as a smaller geographical area) we plan to individuals wanting a second chance to train and do something different offer events to all secondary schools, and because of the number of FE and worthwhile”.

Colleges in the region, also concentrate a bit more on adults. WHAN is interested in promoting a full range of careers in health, but we also plan Anyone wanting further information can contact Lisa Prudom at to look at specific needs across our locality, working with NHS workforce WHAN (FIFE), St Katharine’s West, 16 The Scores, St Andrews, planning.

KY16 9AX. Tel: 01334 463328.

We have many exciting events coming up over the next few months, including visits to the ambulance service; a mental health careers fair; information on careers in healthy living and nutrition; adult and mental health nursing workshops in schools; medical illustration events; a health-promotion poster competition; and workshops which help pupils applying to university, and specifically for pupils aiming to study medicine.

Lisa herself has twelve years’ health service experience. On graduating in 1995 with a 2:1 in Public Sector Management, she moved to Dundee to begin a new career as a Business Manager for the Professions Allied to Medicine (as the Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, and Dieticians were known at the time) and Business Planning Manager based at Ninewells Hospital.

In 1998 Lisa came to Fife to work in General Practice, a role in which she was extremely happy for eight years. A good advert for life-long learning, Lisa became a member of the Institute of Personnel and Development during her Ninewells days. Then, whilst working in General Practice, she gained a Post Graduate Certificate in Professional Education, and has almost completed an MSc in Primary Care. Both courses have led to additional opportunities in exciting

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ORGANISATIONS John Matthews, Chairman of AICR, on ‘The St Andrews-based charity that funds millions of pounds on cancer research across the globe’. (see St Andrews in Focus issue 11, p18)

Association for International Cancer Research A modest name plate on the old Rector’s House in South Street, is the earliest grant-holders; it is very only clue to the remarkable work that goes on behind its doors. satisfying to know that AICR was One of Scotland’s success stories, and the only UK national able to spot such quality so early in cancer charity with its headquarters in Scotland, AICR (Association for his career!

International Cancer Research) is one of the most significant funders of AICR is proud to support some basic cancer research in Britain. of the world’s greatest cancer AICR was founded in 1979 by Colin Thomson, a research chemist experts, but is also committed at the University of St Andrews. Colin, his wife Maureen and their family to helping young scientists of outstanding ability very early in initially ran the charity from their front room, stuffing envelopes and their careers. We have awarded our sending out letters asking for support. Such was their success that a latest fellowship to an outstanding small team of staff was hired and bigger premises found. Today, AICR’s young scientist who is investigating funding of cancer research has grown from £50,000 in 1984 to £9.2million a genetically-transmitted cancer that in 2006. Probably better known in the town for his wide-ranging musical Left to right; John Matthews, affects children. talents, Colin’s own work involved the design of antiSir David Lane and The sole criterion cancer drugs. Tragically in 1997, Colin succumbed to Mrs Maureen Thomson One of Scotland’s funding is the the very illness he had fought so hard to conquer, a (Photo courtesy AICR) success stories, and for excellence of the loss that is still keenly felt today within AICR and the the only UK national research, and AICR currently supports pioneering work in 23 scientific world. countries – from the US to Australia, from Sweden to Italy, Earlier this year, cancer charity with from Israel to India. The average grant awarded to each of AICR decided to honour its headquarters in these projects is approximately £150,000. However, due to this remarkable man’s Scotland the limited availability of funds we have to turn down many memory by instituting the excellent research proposals, any one of which could yield annual award of a gold an important breakthrough in the battle against cancer. medal to the person judged to have made With no Government funding, we depend solely on the goodwill of an outstanding contribution to the world our supporters, and the generosity of those who leave us legacies in of cancer research. On 19th June at the their wills, all of whom recognize that the AICR’s unique approach has renowned Beatson Conference in Glasgow, contributed significantly to man’s understanding of cancer. the very first Colin Thomson Memorial Medal was presented by Colin’s widow, The Colin Thomson Maureen, to Professor Sir David Lane.

For further information please phone: 01334 477 910 Memorial Medal The young David Lane was one of AICR’s or email: jfm@aicr.org.uk (Photo courtesy AICR)

Gill Joy, Chair of the Cosmos Management Committee, tells us of the

Cosmos Minibus Appeal Speeding Ahead Stop a few people in the streets of St Andrews and ask them about the Cosmos Community Centre. You’ll get a variety of answers. Some people will never have heard of it. Others may recall seeing it tucked in beside the former Greyfriars School site on Abbey Walk, but will have no idea what goes on inside.

However, for the nearly one thousand weekly users of the Cosmos Centre, they’ll tell you it’s the hub of community activities in the town, hosting family support groups, an After School Club for all primary schools, a busy College@Cosmos Learning Centre run by Adam Smith College, the weekly Stroke, Chest & Heart Club, youth clubs, sports and leisure groups, and much more. it’s the hub of Opened in 1971, the “Cosmos” is managed by activities in a volunteer management committee and run by a small, but dedicated staff. It has survived for three decades, adapting to the many changes in the town, and flourishing, despite the perceived loss of community spirit in the town. Interestingly, many of the teenagers, who used to test the patience of adults supervising the 1970s discos, are now the parents of local children using the Centre for sports, youth clubs, and after-school activities.

The Cosmos minibus, originally bought with Lottery funding in 1997, is an essential facility supporting many of the Centre’s activities. The Stroke Club, in particular, has wheelchair-bound members who could not attend their sociable weekly gathering without the minibus pick-up.

For some, it’s the only regular outing away from

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home. The bus is also used regularly by at least twenty other community groups in the local area, including the Scouts, Guides, ATC, Rotary, Home Start, youth groups, churches, and schools.

On a rather dismal Saturday in June, Cosmos staff, management committee volunteers and Centre users congregated in Church Square to formally mark the launch of an appeal to buy a new minibus and to let people know what goes on in the Centre. There is an ambitious target to reach before a new bus can be purchased – nearly £40,000 – but the appeal team has been amazed by the early response from local supporters just through word of mouth. community Already, by the eve of the launch event, over £5,500 the town had been donated by the St Andrews Kilrymont Rotary, the 19th Hole Golf Club, the Royal and Ancient Club Committee, Keepers of the Green charity for powered mobility, local businesses, and Centre users.

A street collection during the launch raised another £600 and a rather soggy sponsored walk in Lade Braes by the College@Cosmos students looks like raising nearly £1,000. Other promises are in the pipeline.

Carol Urquhart, Vice Chair of the Cosmos Management Committee, is delighted with this local response: “We started our campaign with applications to the Lottery and a few prominent charitable trusts, but with no success so far.

Funding a replacement minibus is often not treated as a priority compared to other types of

(Photo courstesy the Cosmos Centre) project, so we were starting to have concerns about getting to our target. This early local response has given us a real boost, so we’re ready now to raise awareness of this great cause more actively in the St Andrews area.

We’re pretty confident that we’ll get the support of local people.”

Cosmos Secretary Audrey Dishington is also working on the appeal team and welcomes any ideas for fundraising, or offers of help: “We’re looking for individuals or groups who could raise funds for us by organising their own activity – and we are happy to provide the use of the Centre to do this. We’ll also be targeting businesses and groups who might give a direct donation, so there are lots of letters to write and calls to make. Once people realise the Cosmos is a charity, and not a council-owned centre, they are more interested in helping the appeal.”

Anyone interested in helping with the appeal (or hiring the current minibus for use by their own community group) should contact the Cosmos Community Centre in Abbey Walk, St Andrews. Tel: 01334 474140 or Email: cosmos.centre@ic24.net

ORGANISATIONS John Peacock presents

St Andrews Photographic Society September sees the start of the St Andrews Photographic Society’s new season of speakers, practical photographic mornings, and competitions. Weekly meetings are held each Wednesday at 7.30pm (commencing 26th September) in the Art Club clubrooms (located in Argyle Street – just beyond West Port Printers) After the 2006/7 season (when local members were successful in local, national, and international competitions) the Society looks forward to another successful season, with an interesting programme of speakers, presentations of national, and international photographic work, and practical photographic instruction (for beginners and more experienced photographers alike). The Society is fortunate in having a number of experienced members, able and willing to pass on their knowledge to newcomers to photography.

The range of Society members’ expertise covers most topics of normal photography with the digital group also meeting every two weeks on a Monday evening to assist those interested in this medium with the intricacies of digital image manipulation using available computer software. Society President Ian Sturrock is keen to encourage those who have recently bought, or been gifted, a digital camera to come along and learn not only the basics in the use of their cameras, but also to enhance their skills using both digital and conventional cameras.

The forthcoming programme has been prepared to assist both new and established photographers. An early season presentation by member Stan Farrow FRPS, on landscape photography, will be followed a few weeks later by a meeting at which members can present, discuss, and comment on each others’ recent work in this field. It is the Society’s intention to pair newcomers with more experienced practitioners in the practical photographic sessions, to enable a transfer of knowledge.

The four internal competitions throughout the season provide an opportunity for members to present their work, covering a wide range of subject matter. This enables participants to receive constructive comment by experienced judges and members alike, assisting in enhancing members’ ability to use their cameras to better effect.

If you are interested in taking photographs, why not come along and see what others are doing in this field, and see if you too can improve your photographic skills.

Members’ Photographic Work can be viewed (and /or purchased) from displays in Littlejohn’s Restaurant – Market Street, and Con Panna Coffee Shop – South Street.

Donna Rae – Judge Annual Exhibition Margaret Coull – 1st Prize Annual Exhibition Ian Sturrock – Society President Further information is available from Society President Ian Sturrock: Tel:01334 476 975 Email: sturrockian@hotmail.com Secretary David Ogden: Tel: 01334 870 231 Email: photodogden@onetel.com

Above: The Tide Brings Food (Joan Riddell) Left: Young Pond Heron (Margaret Coull) Right: Daredevil (Ian Sturrock)

St Andrews Garden Centre

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Top quality trees, shrubs, sourced from nurseries locally and European.

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ORGANISATIONS Lieutenant Commander Kit James –

The Sea Cadets

Patron, Her Majesty the Queen TS Andrew: President, Mrs Margaret Dean, The Lord Lieutenant of Fife The Past The Sea Cadet Corps was founded in 1854, as The Naval Lads Brigade, in the port of Whitstable – mainly to assist fatherless boys of the Crimean War. We have been growing ever since! At present there are 76 Units in the United Kingdom, which include girls as well as boys, and we are 15,000 strong.

The Present The Sea Cadets, which nowadays are linked to the Marine Society (a very old nautical charity) offer exciting opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds to learn nautical skills, teamwork and good citizenship – while having fun! The success of their work is a fine example and an attraction to children aged 10 -18 (Junior Entry 10 -12 and Cadet Entry from 12 upwards), as well as to adults prepared to teach and organise their activities.

TS (Training Ship) Andrew is the name given to the new St Andrews Unit. We are based at St Andrews Sailing Club. We have already recruited a Management Committee and several potential Instructors and Helpers. Progress has been swift since our beginning in April and we hope to receive our first intake of cadets in late Autumn (after initial training of staff and other formalities).

We still have vacancies for adults and cadets – aiming at a starting strength of 6 Instructors and 12 Cadets by 1 November, when we hope training will begin. We expect further growth as time passes.

After initial training here in St Andrews the scope for further adventure will widen with the prospect of courses at Naval establishments as well as seagoing training aboard the Corps’ larger craft : the brig Royalist, and two power-driven craft, John Jerwood and her sister ship, not yet launched.

Learning to Navigate – aboard TS John Jerwood

The Band Marches off from Madras College after our “Launch”

The Aim is to take young people, in their spare time, off the streets and away from the influence of the more unsavoury aspects of modern life, to pitch them in with their peers, to challenge them through new adventures, to teach them much about their own, and others’ strengths and weaknesses, to instil a sense of pride and discipline and to spare a thought for the less fortunate.

Or, as the official regulations state “to help young people towards responsible adulthood by encouraging valuable personal attributes and high standards of conduct, using a nautical theme based on the customs of the Royal Navy”.

Our Weakness and our Strength. Unlike the other two Services’ Cadet arms we are not fully funded by our parent Service, and each Unit is an independent charity required to raise half its own running costs. This lays a burden on us, in that we must always be seeking financial support from the community. However, it also leaves us freer from outside control than would be the case and we cannot be labelled a latter day Press Gang, nor unreformed militarists!

Our Hope We hope to serve St Andrews and its rising generations by reconciling them through service and good citizenship.

“Away Aloft!” aboard TS Royalist (Photos courtesy Lieutenant Commander Kit James) Enquiries and Offers of Support should be directed to The Chairman, TS Andrew, 44 Learmonth Place, St Andrews, KY16 8XF. Tel: 01334 475348.

Email: kitjames@ntlworld.com

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EVENTS / SHOPS & SERVICES Nick Tully chatted to Flora Selwyn about himself and his work.

“All that glitters…”

“I kinda fell into it!” is how Nick Tully explains his work. It was an unexpected start to the conversation.

Born in Balmullo and now living in Cupar, Nick originally hoped to go to Abertay University to do a Health and Sports Science course.

Unfortunately, (or fortunately, whichever way one looks at it) not enough people enrolled and the course was deferred for a year. In the meantime, Nick needed to earn some money, so he started a jewellery apprenticeship with David Martin in Bell Street, and “just kept going!” He had found his vocation.

When David Martin closed his shop in 2005, Nick relocated to the David Brown Gallery in Albany Place, St Andrews. Here, in his little office at the rear of the premises, Nick works wonders repairing jewellery, even the most delicate. However, design work is also a speciality. I asked him how he goes about fashioning a new piece. “What I prefer,” he says, “is people to give me a picture or drawing, or sit down and design with me if they’re not too sure.” He wants to “know exactly what they’re after” not dictate to them what they want.

I asked him to tell me about some of the more unusual commissions he’s had. A Japanese customer wanted cuff links in the shape of puffer fish. Someone else asked for

hedgehog cuff links. A British couple working for NASA asked for a set of cuff links, kilt pin, and earrings in the shape of the space shuttle.

“They turned out really nice. They were very different!” Nick says with evident satisfaction.

One of the strangest requests was from a young Asian girl, who might have been a student. Her English was not terribly fluent, which proved quite an obstacle. It appeared she wanted a large brooch, some 3 inches across in gold! She specified that it was to have a 3D effect of a cloud with numbers on it, which Nick assumed had some special significance. “I don’t think she realised just how expensive it would be,” Nick told me. Somehow he persuaded her to accept the work in silver, with gold numbers.

“It took quite a lot of work, something I’d never done before, the sort of thing you’d never expect.” Nick also makes the Links Medal which is awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd winners of the Scottish Amateur Open Golf Championship (and also to the best aggregate score holder over the first few days). Work in progress now is for the Bishop of Aberdeenshire.

I wondered how long it takes Nick to make commissions and when customers should first go and see him. It takes about a month he said. If someone wants an engagement ring, for example, then Nick will first order a number

of stones to choose from according to his customer’s budget. David Martin registered the unique St Andrews Hallmark which Nick has permission to use – in fact David and he are the only jewellers with the right to use it. Eventually Nick hopes to register his own maker’s mark with the Edinburgh Assay Office.

So what of the future? Nick says that he is of an age when many of his friends are getting engaged and married, giving him plenty of work designing rings! He, too, is planning to marry Jemma at the end of the year, so that includes his own rings! Congratulations, Nick, may you have long years of happiness, and plenty of satisfying work!

Selected Events Saturday, 1 September – 9.00am-1.00pm. Argyle Street car park.

Farmers’ Market.

Sunday, 2 September – and every Sunday thereafter – 2.30-5.30pm. St Margaret’s Episcopal Church Hall, Queen Street, Tayport. Traditional Ceilidh dancing with live music. £2.50 at the door. Refreshments on sale for Church funds. Everyone welcome.

Help for beginners. Contact: 01382 552 272.

Sunday 9 September – 2.00-5.00pm. Ceres Village Gardens.

Admission £3.50, Children free. 40% donation to Fife Folk Museum, 60% SGS Charities. Contact: www.gardensofscotland.org Tuesday, 11 September – 12.45pm. Prior’s House, Cathedral. Simon Chadwick plays Scottish, Irish, Welsh medieval/Renaissance harp music. Free tickets from the Cathedral Visitor Centre. Contact: 01334 472 563.

Saturday, 15 September – 2.00pm. Cambo Gardens, Kingsbarns, Fife. Ornamental Grasses, a Lecture by Head Gardener, Elliott Forsyth. In conjunction with the Royal Horticultural Society: Non-members £9.95, members £7.95 Booking Line: 08456 121253.

Sunday 16 September – 12 noon-4.00pm at Cambo Gardens Kingsbarns, Fife. Apple Day (In conjunction with Scotland’s Gardens Scheme). Bring apples – make your own juice; apple recipes to try and buy; toffee apples; apple ‘dooking’; Apple Doctor. All proceeds to Scotland’s Gardens Scheme charities. Further information: 01333 450 054.

Saturday, 22 September – Town Hall. Annual Flower Show.

St Andrews Gardeners’ Club. Contact: 01334 477 429.

Sunday, 23 September – 2.00-5.00pm Boys’ Brigade Hall, Kinnessburn Road, St Andrews. Welcome Ceilidh Dance. A Town/ Gown welcome to our new student Freshers. Gary Sutherland, accordion. Traditional ceilidh dances (e.g. Gay Gordons, Eva Three Step, St Bernard’s Waltz, Virginia Reel, etc.) Help for beginners.

Everyone welcome – do come! Tickets, £2 at the door. Contact: 01334 472 375.

Friday, 28 September – 7.30 pm. St Rule Club, 11 the Links. La Bible en français au Moyen Age. A talk by Dr Clive Sneddon, in French, for the Franco-Scottish Society. Tea & coffee are served afterwards.

Contact: 01334 850 669.

Saturday, 6 October – 9.00am-1.00pm. Argyle Street car park, St Andrews. Farmers’ Market.

– 10.30-11.30am. Kellie Castle. Apple Day. Also 12noon-4.00pm. a talk by Willie Duncan. Exhibition, guided tours of the orchard, children’s games & competitions. Also apple treats in the tearoom etc. etc. – something for everyone. £3 adults/ £2 children + additional £5 for the talk followed by tea and cakes. Contact Kellie Castle: 01333 720 271.

Sunday 7 October – 10.30-4.30pm. Hill of Tarvit, Ceres. Annual Plant Sale and Craft Fair with Gardeners’ Question Time. 40% to Homestart & East Neuk National Trust Gardens, 60% to SGS Charities. www.gardensofscotland.org Tuesday, 9 October – 10.00am at St Andrews Bowling Club, Kinnessburn Road. Probus.

First meeting of 2007/8 season of the club for retired business and professional men. New members welcome. Contact S. Aitken: 01334 650 465.

– 8.00pm. St Leonards School Music Auditorium. The St Petersburg String Quartet. Music by Stravinsky, Dvorak. The Music Club. Tickets £10, £9 (concessions), £5 (students), £1 (children).

Wednesday, 17 October – 7.30pm. Younger Hall, St Andrews. Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Frans Brüggen conducts an all-Mendelssohn concert, with Viviane Hagner, violin. Tickets from the Byre and Younger Hall.

Thursday, 18 October – 8.00pm Parliament Hall, South St. St Andrews. The Mitford Memorial Lecture: Prof. J. N. Postgate, University of Cambridge – The decline and fall of the Hittite Empire?

A worm’s eye view from Rough Cilicia.

Friday, 26 October – 7.30 pm. St Rule Club, 11 The Links. Histoire et Culture des Antilles. A talk by Professor Lorna Milne, in French, for the Franco-Scottish Society. Tea & coffee are served afterwards.

Contact: 01334 850 669.

Wednesday, 31 October – 6.30-8.30pm. Kellie Castle. Haunting Halloween. For children (with accompanying adults). Tales and tours of the Castle. Prize for best Halloween costume. £6 children/£8 accompanying adult. Contact Kellie Castle: 01333 720 271.

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SHOPS & SERVICES

What is a Business Coach, and why on earth would I need one?

As a business coach this is a question I am often asked. It is a fairly new concept, but essentially, I do for business people exactly the same thing as a sports coach does for sports people – help them and their businesses reach maximum potential.

The second question I often get asked is, “but what could you teach me about my business? I’ve been in business for years and I’ve done well”.

My reply – “Absolutely nothing. If you have built your business successfully then you are unquestionably the expert in your field.

There is nothing I can teach you – about your business.” What I can do, though, is give you a completely objective view of your business; work with you to enable you to tap into the knowledge and experience gained from working with thousands of businesses; the knowledge of what has really worked in those businesses; and introduce you to a way of thinking about your business that will change the way you approach things.

Let’s look at the sports analogy again.

There is no denying that David Beckham is immensely talented as a footballer. Would his raw talent alone have made him successful?

Almost certainly. But it was Alex Ferguson, his coach, who was able to recognise the full extent of that potential, had the knowledge of how to tap into it, and had the skills to enable Beckham to realise his potential to the full.

It’s exactly the same in business. Many business owners have made it on their own

talent and are running profitable businesses as a result. But the question is, what is their and their business’s real potential? That’s why business coaching is so important. It’s the key that can unlock the potential in both business and owner.

As a coach I don’t consult. I don’t do the work for you. I will teach you how to realise that potential, by giving you the knowledge, the tools, the vision, motivation, and challenge to take both you and your business to the next level, and ultimately to enjoy the financial and lifestyle benefits that come with it.

How exactly? At Action we have found that most challenges in business come down to just three areas – TIME, TEAM, and MONEY. Let’s look at TIME first. Do you work harder than any one else in your business?

At Action we have a very specific definition of what a business is, “A commercial profitable enterprise that works without you”. The key is the last phrase… that works without YOU. If you are your business’s greatest asset, the glue that holds everything together, you don’t have a business – you have a JOB. As a coach I can help you work on the things to get you out of your job and give you your business.

You might, of course, like to start with having more time to spend with your family, on your hobbies, or to take a holiday……

Which leads me on to team. In order for you to have the time, you need to have the TEAM. Great teams don’t just happen. We can work on how to recruit, build, and motivate your team. On how to ensure they give the best customer service – as good as you could give – every time, all the time. Then the business can work without you.

What about MONEY? Immensely important, of course, and often the main reason for clients wanting to work with me. As such, working on building the business profits is often the first thing that I focus on when working with a new client. At Action we have developed strategies that have been proven to be effective, and we’ll use these to unlock the potential within YOUR business. We’ll focus on Sales, Marketing, and Advertising. I have the tools, knowledge, and systems, and you, as the expert in your business, will implement them and get your business flying. Did you know, for example, that by working on five key areas in your business and improving them by just 10%, you will improve your profits by more than a 60%? What would a 60% increase in PROFITS mean to you?

So I’ve told you what I do as a coach. The next question is – what could we do together?

Norman Brown is an Action Business COACH. Norman is part of ActionCOACH, the world’s number ONE business coaching team, with more than a thousand coaches worldwide on all five continents.

To find out more about what coaching could do for you and your business e-mail Norman at normanbrown@actioncoach.com If you contact him before 30th September 2007, you will receive a one-hour complimentary coaching session.

Artery Gallery –

The Perceptions of Landscape Inspired by the looming shapes and ever-changing shadows across the hills and horizons of the Highlands, Scottish artist Angela Lawrence has put together her latest collection for Artery Gallery, resulting in a substantial series of semi-abstract and highly expressive oil paintings.

Often the paintings have a quality of a glimpse recalled, an impression which carries an emotional response to the landscape.

Angela Lawrence, a member of the Scottish Society of Artists and Visual Arts Scotland, says, “All of my work is concerned with the perception of our physical landscape and is of an abstract nature that reflects my response to how the Scottish landscape is composed by its lochs and hills”.

Continuing to exhibit at Artery Gallery with his new work is Colin Carruthers. Originally from Northern Ireland, now living and working in the West Midlands, Colin makes regular trips to Scotland to capture its scenery and dramatise the textured poetry of the landscape in his art. His paintings document nature stripped bare of obvious signs and markers, confronting universal realms of experience.

The strengths of his canvases lie in their versatile response to nature as he grapples with the relationship between memory, place, and emotion. His work challenges our assumptions of landscape and returns us Corran (Colin Carruthers)

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to a new sense of engagement, both spiritual and practical, with our surroundings. His triptychs in particular, often mounted into a single frame, add that extra panoramic dimension to the image.

Often known as Cal, Caroline Slane works out of her studio in Holywood, County Down. She has enjoyed much success in the Irish art community that has now extended to Scotland, following a number of successful Into The Highlands exhibitions with Artery Gallery.

(Angela Lawrence) Her paintings, using the rarelyused medium of Gouache, famously depict the small harbours and coastal cottages of her native Ireland. She has found the landscapes of Ireland and the Western Isles a continuous source of inspiration, which is reflected in her vibrant and contemporary work.

To view the current works, as well as other Scottish, UK and International artists currently exhibiting, log on to www.arteryuk.com or visit Artery Gallery on 43 South Street, St Andrews (01334 478221) or 22 King Street, Crieff (01764 655722)

SHOPS & SERVICES On one of the rare good days of this last July, Flora Selwyn truly enjoyed

Sunshine and ambrosia in a North Street garden Some experiences are indeed out of this world.

Great company in a beautiful garden, superb food and chilled wine, and the leisure to savour it – what more could anyone wish for?

I was chatting to Celia Ferraro, who together with her husband Antonio, owns the Albany Hotel, 56-58 North Street, St Andrews.

Always interested in how people come to be where they are, I asked Celia to tell me about herself. Originally living in London, Antonio was away in Europe a lot, as a tour operator. Celia felt lonely, and besides, house prices being prohibitive, the family was unable to find a large enough house to buy, a small bedsit costing even then in the region of £125,000.

Celia wanted to come back to her roots in Scotland. “We saw a beautiful house with 4 bedrooms, a huge garden, and a shop for £37,000, so we decided I would move up anyway. I was going to do this little shop with Rosie (my daughter) beside me in her pushchair.” For the next two years, the general corner shop became Celia’s life. But it proved too hard. Celia’s sister had aspirations as a shopkeeper, so they swapped houses. Now it was to be bed and breakfast for Elmwood students. The move turned out to be from one extreme to another, for whereas Celia had previously been overworked, she now found she was spending only one hour a day on the job, and even feeling guilty about it.

In 1994 the Albany Hotel came on the market, with 12 bedrooms. Celia thought it would require only 4 hours work a day. So the house next door was added to make it 22 rooms, and before long Celia was again working round the clock. On one occasion an elderly Canadian booked into the Hotel. It transpired that he was the umpteenth-great-grandson of the estate factor who had originally built the

two properties in 1795.

Between then and today there had been many changes of use, as well as split and dual ownership.

Celia nursed an ambition; “what we would like to do is produce really lovely, lovely food, and sit on really comfortable chairs, and relax, and know that it comes out perfect every time – freshly-made, fresh food.” She added as an afterthought, “the only freezer we have is to make our own ice cream” – including such fascinating kinds as brown bread ice cream!

Well, it has come to pass. Master Chef of Great Britain (MCGB) Mark Pollock is in charge of the kitchen. Always nurturing the wish that one day he would create a niche restaurant in St Andrews, he discovered the Albany Hotel, where he can “cook to order, quickly, and with a simple approach.” His aim is always to preserve the flavour of supremely fresh food, using what he calls “a sympathetic approach”. Menus are composed around seasonal foods sourced locally from reliable, quality suppliers. Born in Montrose, but gaining his early experience in England, Mark has been living in St Andrews for the last ten years, the latest working as Head Chef in two of the town’s most prestigious hotels, so he has had time to get to know his main suppliers.

Herbs, rhubarb, flowers, and also nettles, come from the Hotel’s garden. The Ferraro farm in Puglia, Italy, supplies the olive oil, as well as walnuts and almonds. Celia’s mother-in-law over there contributes ideas and encouragement! Raspberry, strawberry jam, and marmalade for breakfast are made at the Hotel, and honey comes courtesy of bees feeding on our own Links, produced as a hobby by a friend. Mark’s ambition is to dispel the commonly-held view that one can eat really well only in a 5-star restaurant. “You should,” he says, “be able to eat just as well in an unpretentious setting.” And Celia would add, at affordable prices.

My inner me resoundingly says ‘amen’ to everything I’ve written above. Mark is a food artist in every sense. It seemed such a pity to spoil the delicate arrangement of ‘poached lemon sole stuffed with spinach and smoked salmon with sautéed samphire and fish cream reduction’.

Alongside that I was also given a taster of the grilled mackerel that Celia had chosen, which melted in the mouth without any trace of oiliness. The accompanying wine, chilled at just the right temperature was a light Pinot Grigio Blush. Pudding was another delicious confection, a crispy basket filled with raspberries beside a moist, warm chocolate fondant, and clotted cream. A real espresso to finish and I was culinarily transported for the rest of the day!

Lunch is served from 12 noon to 3.00pm, with prices ranging from £3.50 for a starter, maximum £12 for a main course, and £4.25 for a dessert.

Dinner is from 6.30 – 9.30pm, costing £24.50 for two, and £28.00 for three courses.

For further information, please contact the Hotel: T. +44 (0) 1334 477 737 F. +44 (0) 1334 477 742 E. info@thealbanystandrews.co.uk (Photos by Flora Selwyn)

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SHOPS & SERVICES Jeni McCabe on

Diversity & Equality Having a diverse workforce can give you a competitive advantage, as it offers a wider set of skills, attitudes, and behaviours for the company to draw upon. Customers and suppliers will see that your company is representative of the local community and culture. This will improve your reputation both as an employer and as a business.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is the governing body of human resource and development professionals. One of their key objectives is to establish, monitor, and promote standards and ethics for the profession. These standards are then used for educational programmes and professional assessments.

CIPD defines diversity as valuing everyone as an individual – valuing people as employees, customers, and clients.

Diversity and Equality can be described as recognising the differences in people while, at the same time, treating them fairly in a way that is tailored to their own individual needs, and not discriminating against a particular person or group of people. It is also the talent of harnessing these differences to produce a productive workforce.

The term Diversity & Equality covers a range of subjects including: 1 Age Discrimination 2 Bullying & Harassment 3 Disability Discrimination 4 Equal Pay 5 Ex-Offenders 6 Race Discrimination 7 Religious Discrimination 8 Sex Discrimination 9 Sexual Orientation Simple Corporate Resource Solutions (SCRS) would like to highlight a few of the common issues which regularly cause problems under the equality heading: Age Discrimination Age discrimination legislation came into effect on 1st October 2006 as a result of

changes in the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006. It can affect employees of all ages. It can be explained as occurring when someone treats a person less favourably because of that person’s age, and uses this as a basis for prejudice against and unfair treatment of that person. This includes areas such as recruitment, promotion, retirement and redundancy. As with other forms of discrimination, there is no upper limit to how much an employment tribunal can award to a person who has won an Age discrimination claim against an employer.

Bullying and Harassment Harassment is any unwanted behaviour that violates dignity or creates an intimidating, humiliating, or offensive environment.

Harassment can take many forms and occurs for a variety of reasons. It may be related to age, sex, race, disability, religion, sexuality, or any personal characteristic of an individual. It may be directed at one person or many people.

Often, but not always, it takes place when there are no witnesses. It can be persistent behaviour over a period of time, but a one-off act may also amount to harassment. Having good grievance and disciplinary procedures are essential in dealing with any formal complaints of bullying and harassment.

Disability Discrimination CIPD – The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) is the main piece of legislation which makes it unlawful to discriminate against disabled persons in their terms of employment, promotion opportunities, by dismissing them or by subjecting them to any other detriment.

All employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to their premises for a disabled employee or applicant. The small business exemption was recomposed in October 2004. The DDA 2005 covers disability outwith employment and covers areas such as Extension of the definition of disability to cover persons with progressive conditions such as HIV, multiple sclerosis, and cancer.

People with mental illness such as stress, are protected in the same way as everyone else by removing the requirement that their illness be clinically recognised. Publishers are now

liable for publishing discriminatory recruitment advertisements such as “must be fit and energetic”.

Ex-offenders Ex-offenders are often referred to as the untapped resource of the UK. Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, a criminal offence is regarded as ‘spent’ if the conviction did not carry a sentence of over two and a half years, or if the rehabilitation period has been completed without any further convictions. Once an offence is ‘spent’, an applicant can answer ‘No’ to the question, ‘do you have a criminal record?’ There are certain exemptions to some occupations.

Part 5 of the Police Act 1997 gives Scotland, England and Wales access to criminal record checks through the Scottish Criminal Records Office and the Criminal Record Bureau. Employers have to register with these organisations in order to gain access to criminal checks.

Race Discrimination The Race Relations Act 1976 (RRA) has been amended several times and most recently in 2003. Direct discrimination is when an employer is liable on racial grounds if a person is treated less favourably than someone else because of their colour, race, nationality, or ethnic or national origins.

Indirect discrimination, occurs where a condition, requirement or provision is applied that appears to be neutral. However, in reality it means a smaller proportion of people of a particular racial group are disadvantaged when compared to members of other racial groups, and this treatment cannot be justified.

If you would like more information regarding equality, please do not hesitate to get in touch. All our advisors are CIPD qualified with practical experience in a wide range of human resource and employment law issues. We will provide a simple solution to suit your individual requirements.

Contact Jeni McCabe Tel: 07899 933 089 Email: admin@scrsolutions.co.uk www.scrsolutions.co.uk

Safety Panel

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SHOPS & SERVICES Andrew Wright has thoughts on

Low Income Pensioners The problems pensioners have in their dealings with the tax authorities is the subject of a recent report by the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG).

Currently one in six of the UK population is aged 65 or over and in the next 30 years that is expected to increase to one in four. Yet because HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are moving increasingly to delivering information to us by Internet, rather than hard copy, many of the most vulnerable members of society are unable to access information designed to help them.

This is made worse by the well-documented problems of contacting HMRC by telephone.

And face-to-face meetings are things of the past.

Particular problems identified are, “falling into self-assessment”, where pensioners have to complete a tax return for the first time

due to a change in their circumstances: the difficulties of applying for pension credits and of checking that the correct calculations have been used: the rules regarding non-taxpayers being allowed to receive bank interest without deduction of tax, and what happens when they become (small) taxpayers: gift aid donations, where insufficient tax has been paid to justify the tax recovered by the Charity: and the bureaucratic and unhelpful complaints procedure.

They recommend that hard copy leaflets are produced (jointly with DWP where appropriate) to cover these problem areas and also subjects such as “Becoming a Pensioner” (tax codes etc), “Bereavement”, “Going into Care”, “Releasing Capital” (home reversion plans etc).The main free advice available comes from “Tax Help for Older People”

(a Charity), “Taxaid” (a Charity), and “Citizens Advice Bureaux”.

The LITRG report can be downloaded from their website or a hard copy obtained from Hazel Mazelin-Forbes 12, Upper Belgrave Street, London, SW1X 8BB at a cost of £5.

For further information on this, or other matters, please consult: Henderson Black & Co. 149 Market St. St Andrews.

Tel: 01334 472 255

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SHOPS & SERVICES Jim McGill has a look at the new

Vauxhall Corsa One of the most notable problems with advancing years – at least, so I’m informed – is increased weight and the loss of the flexibility and svelteness enjoyed in younger years. Now, while that apparently is the rule for us humans, it appears it’s also the case when it comes to the latest generation of cars. And the new Vauxhall Corsa is a prime case in point. I remember the wee original Corsa from 1993. It was tiny: the type of car you could almost imagine picking up and slipping in your back pocket if you couldn’t find a parking space. Yet there was space for four adults and a few bags in the boot. It did the job, and basically there were never any complaints; well at least as long as you didn’t examine the fascia and fittings too much.

The years roll by. I’m still under 11 stone and comfortably fitting into jeans with the same 30in waist measurement I had when the Corsa was launched, but boy, has the latest generation of the supposed ‘wee’ Vauxhall Ballooned! If ever there was the need for a so-called supermini embarking on a crash diet, then this is it.

The new Corsa masquerades as a supermini, but really it’s a proper medium-size car in everything except boot space, which is actually smaller than that of the best supermini of 20 years ago, the Peugeot 205, and really not all that much bigger than the original Corsa. Walking round this fivedoor model it’s a seriously hefty piece of kit which has become something of a victim of the legislative requirements to lessen the harm done to any inside or outside occupants should the car be involved in some sort of frontal collision.

There’s a fairly significant snout, a high bonnet and ludicrous front overhang. That said, thanks to various visual tricks – including the base of the windscreen being pulled forward by about six inches and the headlights being wrapped far up into the front wings – the Corsa manages to disguise its bulk pretty well allowing it to cling on to its supermini credentials.

In complete contrast, the recent Fiat Panda, which shares many of the Corsa’s underpinnings, is perfectly content to look like a car from the size class above. Look at the Corsa, though, from the side and you can’t fail to recognise its size. Its cover therefore is well and truly blown.

Corsa is available in either three- or five-door forms and both look completely different with the larger model looking more akin to the ‘little Astra’ which, to all intents and purposes, it is. The three-door meanwhile looks more like a sporty coupé with its curved window line and cleaner flanks. There’s no denying the three-door is the better looking car. At the back, the three-door’s side-window line continues into the tail lights, pulling the whole shape together, though both body styles

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have a tail-up stance suggestive of an imminent pounce and, therefore, agility. Step inside the Corsa and the quality-feel trend set by Renault’s Clio and Peugeot’s 207 continues with a soft-touch dashboard top, as cars used to have. And in something of a questionable move, Vauxhall allow you to have the soft part in quite an insistent red, a gentle black, or various other hues. As if that colour choice wasn’t enough, the centre console and the surrounds for the four round air vents can be had in silver or shiny ‘piano’ black, depending on model.

When it comes to internal storage, the Corsa offers a couple of clever little ditties. In those fitted with electric front windows – which is the majority – there’s a secondary pocket below the door-pull in which a mobile phone might sit, as well as the other usual storage. And though the boot space isn’t exactly cavernous, it is quite versatile. It even has a false floor designed to create a flat load platform when the rear seats are folded. If you require more cargo height, then you can lower the false floor to sit on top of the real one. Plus – and why don’t more manufacturers build this idea into their cars – you can also stow the rear shelf behind the back seats.

So far then so good, but what’s it like on the road? One of the primary requirements of any good supermini is to be fleet of foot and nimble when it comes to driving in the city centre.

Does the Corsa pass? Hmmm, well .... yes and no. When it boils down to it, it’s a weight thing really. Pile on the pounds and you tend to need more power to move. It’s not exactly rocket science. The lightest Corsa weighs-in at 1100kg and is powered by a three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine and, to be honest, its 60bhp are simply not enough. Even the next powerplant up, the 1.2-litre, struggles with anything steeper than a not-too-challenging slope. Graduate to the 90bhp, 1.4-litre fitted into the sporty SXi version, and which enjoys the sprightliness of shorter-legged gear ratios, and you begin to see what could be achieved, though even this engine becomes excessively noisy as it risks being overwhelmed by the Corsa’s weight.

It’s not until you switch to the diesel engines that you fully begin to appreciate how good the Corsa is. While the 61.4mpg, 1.3-litre 90bhp turbodiesel is a little stonker, it’s the bigger and newer version of the Isuzu-built, 1.7-litre turbodiesel which really delivers. With its hefty 206lb/ft of torque and 125bhp – it still delivers 58.8mpg – tucked under the bonnet the Corsa feels light, solid and dynamic riding over all but the most extreme of bumps and accelerating out of corners with a fairly exciting zip.

Prices range from £7495 for the three-door Corsa 1.0i Expression up to £13,595 for the five-door 1.7 CDTI 125PS SXi a/c, meaning there’s something really to meet the demands of most buyers. Just remember though, if you don’t want to spend your time puffing and panting, go for one of the diesels.

SHOPS & SERVICES This piece was written by Olwen Jones, personal finance journalist and founder of St. Andrews-based business The Money Tree. She helps people save money on their everyday outgoings – credit cards, gas and electricity, mobile phones, internet access, household expenses, bank and savings accounts, and Christmas.

Top Tips for a Debt-Free Christmas and January * To find local and unusual stores in St Andrews, have a look at the St Andrews online directory: www.standrewsdirectory.com Christmas seems to start earlier every year – after Halloween, Christmas decorations inevitably start appearing.

This tends to evoke groans of resignation as we start thinking about the expenditure and stress involved in celebrating Christmas. It’s not just the presents, but enough food to feed your family for the year, visitors, alcohol, parties, travelling to visit relatives – all coupled with personal debt and rising interest rates.

Surveys have shown that it takes the average UK consumer three months to pay off the Christmas bills.

If the prospect of working until Easter to pay for Christmas doesn’t appeal, then I’ve got some money-saving tips for you. The costs can be minimised, and not just by “forgetting” to buy presents for some of your relatives. Many UK consumers are avoiding the High Street crowds by stocking up for Christmas online. Not only can this reduce your stress levels, but you can also find original and innovative gifts, often at a fraction of the price of traditional outlets.

Food This can be a huge expense; our kitchens end up groaning with nibbles, Quality Street, and leftovers. We always buy too much and are forced to eat turkey curry in March. Timing can also be an issue – choosing just the right time to do “the big shop” is virtually impossible. Too early and you pay a premium, too late and there’s nothing left, but tinned kidney beans and a jar of maple syrup. Unfortunately, in between these two times, four thousand other people are also trying to do their shopping.

All the major supermarkets offer online shopping and it can be a lifesaver. You still have access to all the bargains and special offers that are available in-store, and often discount

vouchers are available, which will give you £10 or £20 off when you spend a certain amount.

Most of the supermarkets will also offer free delivery on a big shop. For example, ASDA will give free delivery to ASDA cardholders on orders over £50.

Although you can see all the special offers at one supermarket, using a shopping comparison site such as www.mysupermarket.com will allow you to see which outlet is best value for your personal trolley.

We generally eat a lot of meat during the festive season, and many more people are choosing to go organic. Online, you can find a plethora of farm shops and traditional butchers, who will carve and deliver your meat order to your door. You could team up with some neighbours or friends to do a big order and get an extra discount. They often work out at a similar price to the supermarket and can be of considerably higher quality. If you like your meat, this is a good option for you.

You could also try a vegetable box delivery around Christmas. The produce will be seasonal, fresh, British, and delicious. It’s worth splitting a box between a few friends and you should be aware that you may get a few unidentified vegetables in there that you have no idea what to do with, which can be interesting!

Alcohol We always over-indulge a little when it comes to having a tipple or seven at Christmas parties.

Wine clubs and online off-licences can offer substantial savings if you buy in bulk. Christmas provides a good excuse for this, or you could club together with friends or work colleagues to make it worthwhile. You can also include alcohol in your online food shopping.

Presents Buying presents can be a nightmare at the best of times, but using online shops can both provide you with inspiration and save you money at the same time. The internet is overflowing with tiny outlets selling things that only a very few people in the world could possibly want. Water-powered calculator, anyone?

Niche products aside, using online pricecomparison sites can help you quickly find the cheapest retailer for any particular product. As an example, prices for the latest Harry Potter book ranged from £20.98 to £4.50, saving over £15 on one present. Try www.kelkoo.co.uk and www.pricerunner.co.uk. Some retailers will even gift-wrap and deliver the gift for you. Otherwise, make sure that you order fairly early, to ensure time for delivery. To avoid the queues in the post office, you can now print your own postage labels from the Post Office website for the same price as you would pay over the counter.

Shopping online can also make you money.

Cash-back sites such as www.quidco.com will pay you a percentage of your total spend with a variety of retailers. Currently Quidco are offering £5 for you to sign up for online shopping with Tesco. If you haven’t tried it before, this will cover your Christmas delivery charge!

The Money Tree offers coaching on a one-toone basis, and if you don’t save money, the session is absolutely free!

If you would like some help reducing your outgoings over Christmas, or would like to find out more about money coaching, then please feel free to contact The Money Tree Email: olwen@mymoneytree.co.uk Tel: 01334 828184.

Reprographics Unit NEW SERVICE

For your special events we can now digitally print short run customised folders at exceptional prices (see our website for more information).

We welcome commercial enquiries.

All types of printing and design work undertaken, from simple b/w membership cards to full colour brochures.

The services we offer also include: • High Quality Digital Printing • (Black & White and Colour) • Pull-up Exhibition Display Stands • • Graphics & Pre-Press • • Illustration • • Report/Dissertation Printing & Binding • • Wide Format Poster Printing & Laminating • Reprographics Unit St Katharine’s West, 16 The Scores St Andrews, Fife KY16 9AX Telephone: (01334) 463020 Email: amm@st-andrews.ac.uk www.st-andrews.ac.uk/reprographic/

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SHOPS & SERVICES

Roving Reporter 1. Roving Reporter dropped into gordon christie’s toy Shop, 195 South Street, for a progress check. Since bob took over in May, he has transformed the interior to make it twice as spacious as before. As one customer was heard to say it’s, “excellent, excellent, I’ve got to say!” dealing with the all-too-well-known St Andrews rates and rents problems has not proved easy however, and Bob truly needs our combined support, as indeed do all businesses in our town. St Andrews without a toy shop would be unthinkable. Reporter was curious to know whether children’s aspirations had changed over the years. Bob replied that it’s their attitudes that are different, “they need to get back to using their own imaginations rather than other people’s.”

He cited a saying that ‘play is a child’s work and toys are his tools’, which rather appealed to Reporter. Adults’ perceptions that supermarket toys are cheaper also need adjusting. While some supermarkets push loss leaders to attract attention, their toys are basically no cheaper than Gordon Christie’s. do go, says Reporter, and see for yourselves the wonderful range on display, and remember your own childhood dreams!

Bob’s son Andrew at your service

*****

2.

Reporter is pleased to let aileen Wilson tell you about the goodies she has on offer at number 4 church Square: “One year on, St andrews pottery and gallery has gone from strength to strength, having extended the art space and incorporated an eclectic mix of ceramics and original fine art.

George young continues to supply his well-known range of St Andrews pottery – watch out for a few different styles and pieces appearing! The Gallery is delighted to have porcelain and paper-clay pieces from local Ceramicist Anne Lightwood.

Local Artists are certainly favoured, with Jennifer Morton’s enamel jewellery, and Walter Watson showing some beautiful local watercolours. Local Wood-turner, Ken Greenaway’s works include beautiful mushrooms and bowls turned by hand.

Gateside couple, working under the name ‘Make’ Gavin Burnett (porcelain slipware), and Nicola Cairns (Blown glass and jewellery), are proving very popular with locals and tourists. A real find is Dunbar potter Philip Revell. Philip produces very rustic soda-ash and woodfired functional pottery. Apart from making pots, Philip is involved with various environmental projects, including the development of a centre for environmental

Summer at Elspeth’s of St Andrews

Clothes of distinction — here for you . . .

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

9 Church Street, St Andrews Tel: 01334 472494

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education, research, and therapy at Pishwanton Wood, where he builds his wood-fired, climbing kilns, and where he runs a variety of courses and activities, some of which use clay as a route into environmental education and awareness.

Edinburgh artist Kate Masters makes wonderful ceramics by hand that are freeform pieces inlaid with recycled glass using imprints from nature to give an organic feel.

Glassware and glass jewellery from Prism and Silvermoon make ideal presents.

Other artists St Andrews Pottery & Gallery is delighted to be exhibiting at present, are damian Callan – portraits and figurative landscapes featuring his delightful children; Frank Watson, an artist well known in Fife; Ruth Adinall, again from Edinburgh – having been invited to exhibit at the Florence Biennial, Ruth is currently working on pieces. Tourists are always thrilled to see the hand-painted tiles from Elspeth Gardner. Rosalin Pottery supply St Andrews with beautiful vibrant colours in their Turkish Pottery.

The gallery is ever-changing and is well worth taking time to have a browse next time you are passing.” “Indeed,” says Reporter encouragingly.

*****

OUT & ABOUT Jean Allardice reports on

This summer in the Botanic Garden From 15th July to 12th August, we celebrated On 29th July we held our second Open Day. Apart from the tercentenary of the birth of Carl Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist, who devised the a few short, sharp showers binomial system of naming plants, which is still we enjoyed another beautiful in use today. sunny day. The gates opened Our opening event was blessed by at 10am and a steady stream glorious sunny weather and as it was also of visitors poured in. We were St Swithin’s Day, without a trace of rain, particularly pleased to see so we hoped the fine weather would continue. many family groups of several The day started with a most interesting and generations, who had obviously decided to informative walk conducted by Dr Edith make the Garden the focus of a day out. Over Cormack, who explained the principles behind the whole day more than 1500 people came the classification and naming of plants in to enjoy the Garden and the various activities layman’s terms, and was much appreciated by the Friends had organised. There were games those who attended. and puzzles for the This was followed children including: Over the whole day more than by two promenade hooking ducks in 1500 people came to enjoy the performances the pond; putting based on the life and chucking balls Garden and the various activities of Linnaeus by at Homer Simpson! the Friends had organised Derek Abbott, enthusiastic members of the Byre Youth wildlife ranger, led Theatre. We were led around the Garden and a red squirrel hunt and demonstrated, by using treated to an entertaining, funny, and mildly mirrors, how a squirrel sees the world; they saucy account of his life. There was also an also had their thumbs taped, trying to unwrap ongoing exhibition on his life and work in the cling-film from a grape as a squirrel would.

Glass Class and conducted walks around They found traces of cones eaten by squirrels, the Garden concentrating on plants he had and a drey, but unfortunately did not spot a named. squirrel. Perhaps it will encourage them to come back another time to try again.

The Linnaeus trail quiz sheet, compiled by Sheena Lamb, was very popular and introduced many people to parts of the Garden they might not otherwise have explored. In the Alpine House Jane Pettegree conducted a Poetry Reading entitled “Poetry in The Garden” featuring poems, from the time of Linnaeus and today, demonstrating attempts to use language to impose order on the natural world.

The Linnaeus Trail

Picnic and Jazz The Glass Class was taken over by members of “Made in Fife”, a self-supporting organisation for arts and crafts businesses in the Kingdom. There were practical demonstrations and the opportunity to participate at some of the stalls. These ranged from pottery at “Earthen Images”; mixed media, and pastel arts by “Dida”; humorous cards and prints by “Tartan Teuchters”; handcrafted wooden-barrelled pens from “Pens of Distinction”; originals and prints of land/ seacapes at “Pethany Arts”; and beautiful hand-stitched kilts from “Capercaillie Kilts”. On the lawn outside, the St Andrews Preservation Trust were handing out information on their work to preserve the status of St Andrews as an Outstanding Conservation Area and protect the local environment. The Fife Beekeepers Association was a magnet for both children and adults with their glass-fronted honeycomb full of bees rushing about their business. You could certainly see where the phrase “busy bee” came from.

The star attraction of the afternoon was the entertainment provided by Rodger Hanley’s Jazz Hounds on the bottom lawn. Despite a few showers, there was an appreciative audience for all of the three hours they performed.

Many took the opportunity to enjoy picnics at the same time. For those who had not come provisioned, the Friends of The Garden were on hand to provide refreshments, including local strawberries and cream complemented by “GG Farm Fresh Ice Cream” from Leven.

We hope this free taster of what the Garden has to offer will encourage people to come back again, and after the success of the last two years we certainly hope to make this an annual event.

(Photos courtesy of the Garden)

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OUT & ABOUT A photo reportage by David Martin and Alison Gilmour, welcoming

The Return of the Enchanter . . .

The Return of the Enchanter . . . no, not another Harry Potter book, rather the homecoming of our wooden trawler, ‘The Enchanter’, from her ten days on the slip at Mackays boatyard in Arbroath. From February 2006, when david Martin brought her into the harbour from Granton, where she had been lying in a very sorry state, david and willing friends have worked hard: cutting off the steel trawling gear, emptying her of tons of ballast, and removing all the old refrigeration plant.

The time had come to lift the Enchanter out of the water, see what an inspection of her hull would reveal, burn off all the layers of old paint and replace with a new coat....or two. david, with friends Mike Robinson and Mike Little, set off for Arbroath on Friday July 13th, not the most auspicious of days for the journey! – but they reached their destination in good time and without difficulty.

Over the ten-day period that Enchanter was on the slip in Arbroath, many friends worked on her – the layers of paint were burned off, bilges cleaned, decks sealed, anti-fouling paint applied and coats of fresh red paint too. As red had been her original colour we had decided she should be a scarlet lady again, much cheerier than the recent black! despite the unseasonally wet weather, work progressed apace, the hull was, thankfully, pronounced sound by the boatyard experts and Enchanter was ready to go back in the water on July 23rd. Gary Hood and Mike Little crewed for david on the way home – a good trip in fair weather. Many friends and well-wishers gathered on the quayside to see Enchanter return and there was a real party atmosphere!

Phase One of renovation work was complete and she was safe in St Andrews again.

The next tasks will involve the removal of old tanks from the interior and completely replacing the top rails, working up to a return to the boatyard next summer......whilst the piggy bank is replenished!

Special thanks are due to Brian, Frank, Gary, Ken, Les, Mark, Mike R., Mike L., Rhona and Shane for giving up their free time to help us.

Also to the harbourmaster at Arbroath and to Mackays Boatyard management and staff.

(Before and now photos courtesy David Martin & Alison Gilmour)

At the pier, into the lower harbour, through the bridge and to her berth. She’s looking good!

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OUT & ABOUT

Further Letter from the Antipodes – by Alistair Lawson (with apologies again to the memory of the late Alistair Cooke) Judging by the offerings on the shelves of selling the last of them in 1899. In common both New Zealand and Scottish bookshops, with other ships, the ‘Mataura’ was named both national mind-sets are much occupied after a river, in this case a river towards the with the colonial past, the ‘settler era’ and south end of South Island, entering the sea with personal ‘roots’. Such books are a rich near Invercargill. There is also a village of mine of information about links with ‘the Old Mataura, which I went out of my way to visit Country’, including the following Fife-related recently. The welcome sign at the entrance anecdotes, which I have lifted from original to the village declares it to be ‘The Troutresearches by Jim Hewitson in “Far Off in Fishing Capital of New Zealand’. The Maori Sunlit Places” [ pub. Canongate, 1998 ]. name signifies ‘reddish water’ due to oxide Hewitson describes Cupar man, of iron from a nearby swamp.

Alexander Berry, as “one of the most Captain Brown transported emigrants colourful and successful products of Cupar outward from Europe and grain, timber, and Grammar School”. He trained in medicine meat homeward from New Zealand. The and became a ship’s surgeon on a China emigrants rightly expected to have a pretty Alistair Lawson’s print of an original oil painting of the clipper, explored the Pacific and, in 1809, hard time at sea and were so delighted Mataura. The shipping company’s 19th century archive took part in the rescue of the survivors of a and surprised on one trip when conditions contained oil paintings of all its sailing ships. party attacked by Maoris while their ship, the were relatively benign that they presented ‘Boyd’, was taking on water at Whangaroa. an illuminated scroll to Captain Brown on He became part-owner of the ‘City of Edinburgh’, which eventually sank arrival, detailing his care for them and their gratitude for his attentions. off the Azores. In his early days, he was greatly moved witnessing the The ‘Mataura’ had two claims to fame, one for a record passage from floggings sailors had to endure if they stepped out Britain to NZ of 76 days; the other, for having been of line; as ship’s surgeon, he was the one who the first of the company’s ships to be fitted with Those who arrived safely patched them up – if possible. His own health was refrigeration equipment and, in 1882, to transport robust, and he died at the age of 92, having become a cargo of frozen lamb to Britain. The poor old found a mixture of the an ‘eminent merchant’ in Sydney.

‘Mataura’ was ultimately sold by the company, once familiar and the unfamiliar In 1841, David and Jean Drummond from sail had given way to steam. She finished her days Fife sailed to New Zealand in, appropriately, the under a Norwegian owner and was ultimately lost ‘Fifeshire’, bound for Nelson, but, like many another family before and in the Pacific in 1900. Later company ships did, however, use the name after them, lost a child on the journey. However, the human cycle goes on, again, the final one entering service in 1968. and before the ‘Fifeshire’ had docked in Wellington, Jean had given birth to another son, the first of an eventual five. That baby, later carried ashore The above stories are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of links between through the surf at Nelson, was the first baby in the new settlement, and Scotland and New Zealand. Perhaps readers of “St Andrews in Focus” the mother the first white woman seen in the area. Settlers had to be would like to share some of their own family stories? nothing, if not innovative; father David, faced later with having to repair the mechanism of his mill, found he was short of one critical component, so dismantled an enormous grandfather clock, surgically excised a key piece and transplanted it into the mechanism of the mill, which then worked perfectly!

Once that mill was established, Maori people brought their grain to be milled, arriving in huge canoes, 60 or 70 feet long and driven by 17 paddles on either side. In the late 1860s, the family moved to Marahau, now the point from which tourists start on the Abel Tasman Trail, or take to the water in sea kayaks.

Another 1841 arrival was Thomas Scott, “a big, strong Fifer” from Largo, who settled in Rangitikei and worked as long-distance mail-carrier between Wellington and New Plymouth, a distance of 216 miles; as there Invite you to visit a hidden treasure were no roads worthy of the name, his route lay along the coast. This in the heart of St Andrews he duly accomplished twice most months, at a rate of 23 miles a day, for the bulk of his working life, toting a 100 lb pack, totting up 7000 miles per WOODLAND & WATERGARDENS year. The wage? – £1 a week! Not surprisingly, he is described as having HERBACEOUS & SCREE become “a legend in his own lifetime”.

ALPINES & RHODODENDRONS In 1857, the ‘Palmyra’ lost 7 children in the course of the voyage GLORIOUS GLASSHOUSE COLLECTIONS to Otago, though it was also lucky to have weathered a near-wrecking off the Canaries, due to the combined efforts of a sleepy lookout and a OPEN DAILY ALL YEAR ROUND bibulous chief mate. There was no cell on board in which to lock up the latter, so he was incarcerated in one of the passenger lavatories!

PLANT SALES AREA Those who arrived safely found a mixture of the familiar and the unfamiliar. Fife schoolboy, Andrew Miller, writing home from Dunedin in Open till end of September 1862, says how odd it was to see carts being hauled by bullocks, rather than horses. He also notes that the frontier town was augmented by “a CONDUCTED WALKS hundred tents, set on the side of a hill”.

1st Sunday September & October – 2pm Also in 1862, Alexander Brydie, from Anstruther, arrived in New Zealand, via the New South Wales goldfields, in time to join Central Otago gold rush. He must have been successful, because he arranged WINTER LECTURE SEASON for his bride-to-be to come out from Fife. They were married on a bullock Starts 1st Tuesday in October – 7.30pm cart in Dunedin by – guess whom? – the Rev Dr Thomas Burns, nephew Chemistry Dept., North Haugh of Robert of that ilk!

As to my personal links with New Zealand, my great-grandfather, TO JOIN THE FRIENDS AND SUPPORT THE GARDEN Alexander Brown, was a ship’s captain serving with the New Zealand Shipping Company in the early years after its foundation (1873).

CONTACT MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY. Shipping at that time was on the cusp between sail and steam, wooden Canongate, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8RT. construction and iron, and – particularly in the cases of Australia, New Tel: 01334 476452.

Zealand, and Uruguay – the transporting of salted or frozen meat. www.st-andrews-botanic.org Captain Brown’s ship was the ‘Mataura’, one of the 18 sailing ships which the company operated in the last quarter of the 19th century, before

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