St Andrews in Focus Issue 40 May Jun 2010

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May May // June June 2010 2010 Issue Issue 40, 40, £1.50 £1.50

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

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

From the Editor To rephrase a well-known saying: a smile a day keeps depression away! When you think of it, it’s amazing what smiling does for wellbeing! I was chatting to a gentleman in St Andrews, who hails originally from Goa, in India. Just in passing he said that he’s addicted to the pleasure of getting people to smile. And how does he go about it? He is charitable, lending a helping hand to all and sundry, and without pretensions or selfconsciousness, just by being a naturally helpful soul, rewarded by the smile he gets. Luckily you don’t often see a really sour face on the streets of St Andrews. But there are people around who are unhappy for a variety of reasons. Let’s do what my friend does, do something to make them smile. Who knows, this might be one way to help our hard-pressed doctors as well: both doers and recipients will feel better. Worth a try, wouldn’t you agree? In the words of Alexander McCall Smith, “Until you hear the whole story, until you dig deeper, and listen... you know only a tiny part of the goodness of the human heart.”

Let’s hope the weatherman will lend a hand, too for a change, and give us a wonderful summer.

Flora Selwyn

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

MAY / JUNE 2010 EDITOR Flora Selwyn Tel: 01334 472375 Email: editor@standrewsinfocus.com DESIGNER University of St Andrews Print & Design PRINTER Trendell Simpson 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: editor@standrewsinfocus.com SUBSCRIPTIONS St Andrews in Focus is published 6 times a year.

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Contents FEATURES • Community Council • Hamish meets Badger • Toonspot • Full circle • Art extraordinary • Swallows • Reviews – Seton Gordon’s Cairngorms – The Hockey Stick Illusion

3 3 3 4 5 6 7 7

ORGANISATIONS • SONEF • Beach Volleyball Club

8 8

SHOPS & SERVICES • Culinary Master • It takes tenacity • ‘Little Scottie’ • Accountants • Inspired determination • Golfalot visits InsolePRO • Powers of attorney • Roving Reporter

9 10 11 13 13 14 15 16

TOWN/GOWN • Relexions of a Magistrand • Graffiti in books, manuscripts • On being a student • Reading aloud competition • The Tribe

18 19 20 20 21

EVENTS • Japan visiting • Land of the tiger & the Berbers • Hidden gardens • The other Open • The parrot & the polymath • Selected Events

22 23 25 26 26 27

OUT AND ABOUT • A Tentsmuir walk • Botanic Garden news • New signposts – map • Nature notes

28 29 30 31

NEXT ISSUE – Jul/Aug 2010 COPY DEADLINE: STRICTLY 28 MAY

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

Cover – Original photo by Margaret Coull

FEATURES Ian Goudie Chairman of the Community Council

Community Council – a personal view from the chair

Some of our family silver is green I put pen to paper at a point where there now seems to be a general admission that, whoever is in power after the General Election, we are going to face cuts that are more severe than those that were implemented during the time of Margaret Thatcher. In particular, cutbacks by councils look inevitable, and that is bound to affect St Andrews. Even before post-election cuts, Fife Council is not without its problems.

The January meeting of the Community Council was addressed by Peter Howden of Fife Council, who outlined various options for Craigtoun Park in the face of declining visitor numbers. As a Community Council we have to acknowledge that Craigtoun is strictly outwith our patch, but I am certainly amongst those who feel that Craigtoun is part of the family silver of the town and do not wish to contemplate solutions that involve selling it off, in whole or in part. I do, however, believe that it could be better advertised and organised. I have long felt that the Duke’s Course has been a Duke’s Curse as far as Craigtoun Park has been concerned. The Park has played second fiddle to the Course on the road signs, and moving the entrance to the far side of the Park from the town was clearly not in tune with Fife Council’s declared aim of promoting walking and cycling. Mr Howden pointed out that the “pay to enter” regime operated at Craigtoun makes it unique in Fife. A number of us believed that a better system might well be to allow free entry to the Park itself and then to charge for individual facilities.

Certainly this seems well worth a trial period of reasonable duration. If more people can

be encouraged to think of Craigtoun Park as somewhere they visit frequently, there would be no loss of income, and quite possibly the reverse. Free entry would also mean that the present entrance on the far side of the Park need not be the only access point.

Mr Howden also raised the broader question of the perceived shortage of publicly accessible green space in St Andrews. This is a problem of which the Community Council has been conscious for many years. We have been aware that, to reduce maintenance costs, Fife Council has some incentive to sell off chunks of public open space when adjoining householders wish to acquire them, be it for garden ground or for house extensions.

Although our Planning Committee looks at such applications on a case-by-case basis, we have often judged that the public interest is for such land to remain publicly accessible.

Another line that the Community Council has pursued over the last twenty years – albeit with very limited success – is that the total amount of public open space proposed in new developments is not the whole story: it must also be useful space and it must be in the right places. The temptation for developers is to put children’s play areas and open space into remote corners of sites on odd-shaped patches of ground that are too small to take another house. Child safety arguments suggest that the old village green principle was much better: put the open space in front of houses where it can be overlooked from a string of properties.

In the Canongate/Bogward area of town, there are a lot of grassed areas, but many of them are rather small and serve as a facility to few other than dog-walkers. For many years

we were aware that a kick-about area was lacking, with ball games being prohibited in many places. When the housing along Melville Road was planned, a sizeable area to the east of the road was set aside as open space, and this looked as though it would be a big step forward. In the end, such aspirations were thwarted by the nature of the attenuation area. We had hoped for something close to the Victorian vision of the public park rather than a big hole in the ground.

The Community Council has also tended to see infill development as a threat to the greenness of the town. Those of us who look at planning applications are more aware than most about the rate at which, hidden behind shops and other buildings, garden ground is being replaced in the town centre by road-to-road concrete. In the suburbs too, sub-division of gardens to create new housing plots becomes ever more fashionable. The town does, however, need to decide what constitutes the greater evil. The total amount of housing required is determined by the Development Plan, and we must acknowledge that at least some of that total is justified if our demographics are not to become such that talk of play areas is a complete irrelevance. Any of the required housing not accommodated within the existing town envelope will need to go on greenfield sites at the edge of town.

There is certainly an argument, faced with an unpleasant choice, that protection of the “green bowl” surrounding the town and of our still-to-be-defined Green Belt should be the greater priorities.

A local reader sent in this charming photo and caption: Badger the Standard Poodle, (a St Andrews resident) is introducing Ashley Kahrs, a visitor from Mountain View, California, to Hamish the town cat who was spotted in Queen’s Gardens!

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FEATURES Flora Selwyn discovered how Jan Read’s life has come

Full Circle

Although born in Australia, Jan Read was brought up in St Andrews, France. We settled down to where his father, Professor John Read FRS and a leading scientific a diet of canned grapefruit historian, taught chemistry for 40 years at the University. juice and salt pork….”

Educated at St Salvators School (now the Scores Hotel) Jan went Weeks later they limped into on to Glenalmond College, then Emmanuel, Cambridge, where he was a strike-ridden New York. so unhappy he ran away to work for the British documentary film-maker After the austerities of Paul Rotha. Parental insistence made him return to St Andrews to finish war-torn Britain, “New York his honours degree in chemistry. seemed scarcely credible.”

Jan, christened John after his father, but wishing to distinguish To his surprise, Jan found himself, was a good friend of D’Arcy Thompson, remembering how it comparatively easy to anything of interest the great man found on his way would form part enter the sacred portals of of his lecture to his students, be it a narwhal tusk or a honeycomb.

Hollywood. Armed with an D’Arcy’s house, Jan mentioned, was full of pictures, ”he even had them introductory letter to Rank’s on the backs of doors.” Jan was asked to do experiments in infrared American representative, Jan and Maite (Courtesy Jan Read) photography, in particular to try and bring out a suspected inscription on Jan was considered to be a wooden panel, “I found something in Latin, I think!” an “emissary of the Rank Organisation.” His career had begun.

Jan, however, hankered after a career in films. There were no When his Fellowship ended, Jan returned to Britain to a post as courses in media studies in those days. In his autobiography, Young scenario editor for Gainsborough Pictures, where the task was to Man in Movieland (2004) Jan writes, “When I maintain a supply of screenplays for some made up my mind in my late teens to work in dozen medium-budget pictures. In 1948 he To his surprise, Jan found it movies, it was on the strength of a passionate worked with Dylan Thomas on ‘The Beach interest in photography…” He realised that comparatively easy to enter the of Falesa’, which unfortunately was never his parents, who “regarded the antics of the made. “I spent long and pleasurable hours sacred portals of Hollywood commercial film industry with little less than adapting the Stevenson story with Dylan.” horror..” would only accept his decision if he That same year, Jan had the idea of making a chose documentary, rather than entertainment films. St Leonards semi-documentary film about the Metroplitan Police. He had permission School gave him his first break in 1937 when he was invited to make a to accompany policemen on the beat and on river patrols, and attend 16mm film to celebrate the School’s emergencies. ‘The Blue Lamp’, diamond jubilee, a copy of which is named after the iconic blue lamps now in the Scottish National Film then denoting police stations, Archive. Oscar Oeser, Head of the eventually won the BAFTA Award University’s psychology department, for Best British Film, and became “one of a small, free-thinking the template for TV series such coterie that included Edwin Muir” as ‘Dixon of Dock Green’. having helped Jan at St Leonards, Working together with a also joined him in organising a young surgeon who had been a University film society. Principal fellow undergraduate at Sir James Irvine, “knowing of my St Andrews, Jan next turned to preoccupation with photography” the world of medicine. Following then asked Jan to sort and catalogue the same procedure which led the University’s valuable collection to the ‘The Blue Lamp’, Jan of 19th century calotype and wetimmersed himself in hospital plate photographs made by Scottish life. ‘White Corridors’ eventually pioneers, including David Octavius brought Jan in contact with the Hill. This work resulted in the offer of BBC Television Centre and the a Commonwealth Fund Fellowship start of ‘Dr Finlay’s Casebook’. for study in America.

As well as having now acquired Jan in New York in 1988. Some of his many books on the table.

Thus is was that Jan was to medical knowledge, “I had been (Courtesy Jan Read) have sailed across the Atlantic on 1st brought up and gone to university September 1939 – the very day that in a small Scots town, where my war was declared, when Jan was after all obliged to remain in Britain!

GP and his patients mirrored Dr Cameron and his….and I drew on a During the war he worked, among other things, as a ‘boffin’ developing rich vein from the many highly individualistic St Andreans, town and camouflage and high explosives. At the end of the war a telegram gown, whom I had known in my school and university days.” Jan recalls arrived asking whether eccentricities in the Old Grey Toun; for example “the eminent Professor Jan still wished to take Stout, author of the famous Manual of Psychology who observed to up his Fellowship, “…

Jan’s father one morning, “A strange thing, Read, one of my legs seems interested as I was in longer than the other this morning”. He was, in fact, walking with one documentary, what really foot in the gutter! enamoured me was “I do not know why I was so enamoured of Spain, even before I had Hollywood itself.” actually been there.” It was surely meant, as they say. In 1951 Jan went In August 1946, Jan for the first time on holiday north of Barcelona. Five years later he was set sail for America. The to meet and marry Maite Manjôn, a theatre sister at a leading Madrid ship “was skippered hospital, who had been sent to England to learn English. Jan had by a half-cast Mexican become an expert wine buff, and the list of books he has written about and crewed mainly by wine is impressive. Maite added Spanish cuisine, and they produced, hot-blooded Puerto with Jan and Hugh Johnson, the very beautiful book, The Wine and Ricans given to knifing Food of Spain (1987). one another; as I and Now in his 92nd year, Jan lives quietly in St Andrews in the pleasant her other half-dozen family house he grew up in. Maite looks after him with loving devotion. passengers soon The circle is complete. discovered, the purser had sold most of the (Excerpts from Young Man in Movieland, bed linen and provisions

by Jan Read, Scarecrow Press 2004) Jan & Maite today (by Flora Selwyn) on the black market in

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FEATURES Joyce Laing OBE studied fine art at Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen; became first art therapist to psychiatric hospitals in Scotland; trained in therapy at the Ross Clinic, Aberdeen; has worked in psychiatric, general, children’s hospitals and prisons; began collecting art extraordinary in 1977; director of The Art Extraordinary Gallery; founder of the Pittenweem Arts Festival.

Art Extraordinary “They launch us on a voyage into the inner distance from which no-one can expect to return unscathed.” Jean Dubuffet

paintings by patients; although clinically interesting, none were of the quality of art brut. However, it was near the end of that visit that we discovered, through a chance remark, Angus McPhee, the crofter from the The Scottish Collection of Art Extraordinary is housed in the Art Hebrides who compulsively made garments out of grass, or sheep’s wool, Extraordinary Gallery in Pittenweem. We use the term art extraordinary or beech-leaves. We were ecstatic at this find, this was art brut without as an alternative to art brut, the term coined by the French Surrealist doubt; indeed it proved to be of world interest. Some of his art is now on artist, Jean Dubuffet, who had long believed there was a different art show in the famous Lausanne gallery. During the tour we found several from the accepted ‘cultural art’ of the western world. In the 1930s some other art brut artists. Then, like Dubuffet, we began to discover other such of his friends, doctors working in Swiss psychiatric hospitals, invited artists living quietly in the community. Sometimes they were reclusive him to see their patients’ paintings. preferring to make their art without any The Scottish Collection of Art Extraordinary is housed acclaim. In time we built up quite a Here, Dubuffet found this different art, strange, fascinating, and exciting. collection, and in 1998 we were invited in the Art Extraordinary Gallery in Pittenweem The patients seemed ordinary people, to display these works at the Talbot some with little education, most would Rice Gallery. Other galleries became never have seen art in a gallery, or interested and the named Scottish professed much interest in the arts, and Collection of Art Extraordinary toured few of the hundreds of patients chose major galleries throughout Scotland. to paint. Those who painted, created Following these exhibitions The Art compulsively. They were never at a Extraordinary Trust was established and loss for ideas for their next work and as it was decided to display the collection soon as one was finished they ignored at gallery space in Pittenweem. There it in favour of starting a new one. They were no permanent galleries of art never altered any part of their painting brut in the UK, although there have Detail of a monogram as so many professional artists do; they been a few exhibitions in London. Most from the tenth century showed little desire to exhibit their art or countries now have galleries of art brut; Book of Deer even talk about it. They used whatever in Russia, and particularly the Untited art materials they could find, newspaper, States, there are several. wrapping paper, and occasionally they The Art Extraordinary Gallery would be given paints and crayons by displays work from the Scottish Saint John surrounded by visitors or nurses.

Collection in changing exhibitions. angels, from the Book of Deer This was the art Dubuffet had We have shown a retrospective of searched for, uninfluenced by western Angus McPhee’s art. We have also art, an art that appeared to flow from the shown work from contemporary artists, unconscious. Soon Dubuffet realised it including ‘fashion’ by Joey Dee, who was not confined to hospital patients, but uses his sewing machine as an artist could be found anywhere. Nevertheless, uses a pencil, compulsively creating if discovered, it was by chance, for it was clothes of unique design. We have also rare, often hidden and never seen in art displayed the fantastical art of David galleries. Wandering in the Portobello Mackie Cook inspired by his living on Road in London one day, looking at the the edge of the sea and who is making tables of bric-a-brac, Dubuffet found an ‘outsider’ garden beside his cottage. some pen and crayon drawings by Last year we were privileged to show Scottie Wilson. Scottie was a Glasgow some paintings by the well-known ‘Eve being cast out’, tin, man who had spent his life dealing in contemporary artist Alan Davie. I had plastic, wood, paint, by old pens when, according to Scottie, been fortunate enough to observe Gordon Anderson suddenly he began to draw with a him drawing; with no preplanning his fountain pen amazing intricate scenes of inspiration seems to flow from the Peat creel by Angus McPhee, fish and birds and memories of Glasgow unconscious. He is an admirer of art grass decorated with parklands. Jean Dubuffet collected this brut and a collector of primitive art. sheep’s wool form of art whenever he discovered it, This year, we are focusing on some years later exhibiting his collection the illuminated art of a tenth century in major galleries in Paris and other monk, an artist scribe of the Book of cities. Because he had first discovered Deer. I first came across the Book of this art in Switzerland, he built a gallery Deer when an image in the window of in Lausanne, eventually gifting it and his a bookshop in Fionnaport caught my collection to the town. attention. I walked nearer the window Working as an art therapist in the and saw a page in a faded reddish 1970s, I had become aware of Jean colour depicting a seated figure with a Dubuffet’s writing on this ‘different reliquary on his knee. The page looked Embroidery with silks on Boots by Angus McPhee, art’ and I was already intrigued by the ancient. The central figure had robes cotton by Antonia Jabloner grass creations of one or two patients. Tom dropping to his feet – his feet ? my eyes McGrath, then director of the CCA gallery in Glasgow, had by chance could scarcely believe it, four lines appeared to illustrate his toes on a visited the Collection de l’Art Brut in Lausanne and was overwhelmed by semicircular sandal. Six little figures only a fraction of his size surrounded it. I encountered Tom on his return. He asked why I didn’t have an art brut him: were they angels standing upright, staring back at me with soulful collection from the hospital I worked in. I told him I only worked in one eyes, eyes similar to eyes I had seen in our collection? There was no clinic and I was aware I might be seeing some examples. So enthused attempt at the elaborate, intricate, skilful decoration of the Books of Kells was Tom that he offered me, and a fine art photographer, to tour the or Lindisfarne. Here the artist seems only interested in the message as Scottish hospitals and collect examples of this art. By the seventies most told by Christ’s disciples, “This is the word of God”. I believe this artist is a patients were on medication, which had not been the case in Dubuffet’s visionary, a tenth century art brut artist. day. Medication controlled excessive behaviour, and psychotic states The Art Extraordinary Gallery at 27 High Street, Pittenweem opens were less extreme. Although our grant was for only one week, we couldn’t 1 May – 30 October 2010 Sats. & Suns. Contact: Tel. 01333 311 425 resist it. email: artextraordinary@yahoo.co.uk www.artextraordinarytrust.co.uk We began our tour at the most northerly psychiatric hospital near Inverness. During the first day we must have looked at hundreds of (Images courtesy Joyce Laing)

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FEATURES Lyn Moir

Swallows Surprised by such proximity

I note the chestnut brow and throat, the black-blue wings, the threads of trailing tail, and wonder where

their nest is. Unused to parleying

with birds and they to me, eyeball to eyeball, a dialogue of sorts

ensues, a non-aggression pact

whereby I’m free to watch, admire

their grace, their charm, their colouring and they acquire from me the lease for building of a temporary base, sheltered, sea view, rent-free.

(From Easterly, Force 10 by Lyn Moir, Calder Wood Press 2009) (Photo by Flora Selwyn)

Evening Degree Programme Keen to get a degree?

Too busy to study full-time?

Try the flexible route to your MA General degree at the University of St Andrews via the Evening Degree Programme • One or two evenings of classes per week • Modules taken from a broad range of subjects • Credits for many existing qualifications • Financial help (ILA or Fee Waiver) for low income students • Supportive study environment Find out more from: Nicky Haxell The Evening Degree Co-ordinator Telephone: 01334 462203 Email: parttime@st-andrews.ac.uk www.st-andrews.ac.uk/eveningdegree/ The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC013532

Swimwear at Elspeth’s of St Andrews

9 Church Street, St Andrews Tel: 01334 472494

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FEATURES: REVIEWS

Seton Gordon’s Cairngorms – An Anthology, edited by Hamish Brown Published by Whittles Publishing, 2010. At all good bookshops, price £25.

“The Devil’s Point in the Cairngorms which Seton Gordon knew well.”

(Photo courtesy Hamish Brown)

Seton Gordon was Scotland’s first professional wildlife photographer and, growing up on Deeside, he early came to explore the Cairngorms in all its moods. He took some of the earliest photographs of golden eagles and wrote about his experiences with a revelation wonder and freshness. Because he lived into his ninetieth year, he is largely remembered as the elderly guru, but his first book appeared when he was only eighteen and a Cairngorms enthusiast.

Seton Gordon’s Cairngorms is culled from a lifetime of his writing about the special range, and is illustrated with archival photographs that complement the selected prose. He was interested in everything to do with the Cairngorms: birds; plants; trees; weather; geology; Gaelic culture; place names; history; folklore – an ecologist before the word was coined! Everyone with a love of the outdoors will find this book a joy. Hamish Brown has used his own considerable experience to create a memorable companion volume to Seton Gordon’s Scotland (also published by Whittles Publishing)

David Gifford reviews

The Hockey Stick Illusion: Climategate and the Corruption of Science

by A W Montford London: Stacey international, 2010 ISBN: 978 1 906768 35 5.

From: www.amazon.co.uk @ £7.35 (+ free Super Saver delivery in the UK).

I first met Andrew Montford just before Christmas last year, when St Andrews was, unusually, covered in several inches of snow.

The perfect weather in which to meet a global warming sceptic.

Andrew, like me, has close links to St Andrews, being an alumnus of the University and with family still living in the town. Having recently become interested in the global warming debate, I had discovered Andrew’s blog, Bishop Hill, one of the most respected sources of news about climate change in the UK, if not the world. We had arranged to meet to discuss our mutual interests and also because I wanted to sound him out on my ideas for drawing some cartoons for his blog.

In the event though, much of our discussion was about his soon-to-be published book, The Hockey Stick Illusion.

It is a very good book. Andrew has achieved something rare, a book about science, and specifically statistics, that is fresh, lively and informative, and has the pace of a detective novel.

The story centres on a very famous graph of historic temperatures, nicknamed the Hockey Stick, which was created by the American climatologist, Michael Mann in 1998. It was subsequently heavily used in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports to promote the idea of manmade global warming.

This graph surprisingly showed how the Medieval Warming period, when Greenland was green, was not so warm after all, and the Little Ice age, when the Thames regularly froze over, was not that cold either. The graph therefore goes along in a flat line and then has an uptick, like an ice-hockey stick, starting around 1900, indicating a rapid increase in temperatures. The effect of this reassessment of climatic history was to make modern temperatures appear unprecedented.

The Hockey Stick Illusion examines the amazing story of the data and statistical methods used to produce the graph and focuses particularly

on the work of one man, Steve McIntyre, a retired mining engineer who read the scientific paper

by Michael Mann, became interested in the analysis and decided to check it himself – something that should, in science, be relatively easy to do.

However, the battle to get to the bottom of the Hockey Stick graph turned out to be long and tortuous. McIntyre had to fight for many years against intense and organised opposition, from everyone from scientists to senators, all of whom wanted to suppress his explosive findings. The semi-religious adherence to the notion that today’s temperatures are unprecedented has become a very difficult idea to shift.

At the end of the book, and just in time for publication, came Climategate, the scandal in which leaked emails, leaked from the Climatic Research Unit apparently showed that the very scientists that McIntyre had been battling with for so long had been coordinating their efforts to block him and other sceptics at every possible turn, and had long been plotting to manipulate data and the peer review process. A vindication and an epitaph, or just another twist to the story? I am hoping the latter and that there will be a sequel.

Andrew’s book is not just a great story about dodgy science. It is also about the power of the internet and specifically how blogs, written by ordinary people, can make a real and lasting impact on society.

Cartoon, by Josh (www.cartoonsbyjosh.com)

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ORGANISATIONS Anne Outram introduces

Sounds of North-East Fife ‘I read it in the paper.’ It’s something we often into padded envelopes, an address label put say – and we don’t mean our national paper, into the slot and they’re sealed with easy-tobut the local paper that gives news of what’s open Velcro. The label has a diagonal edge so happening in our town – news of people that it’s simple to reverse when the listener has we know, shops opening or closing, council finished with the tape. Off they go that same decisions, roadworks, all the things that are evening, free through courtesy of the Post of concern to people in St Andrews and round Office, to addresses throughout North-East Fife. about.

When the listener has heard that fortnight’s But what if you are visually impaired? tape, he or she simply reverses the label, pops That’s where Talking Newspapers come in. In the tape in the envelope and back it goes to St Andrews, like many local groups all over the St David’s Centre. There we wipe the tapes and country, we have a regular news tape. the process starts all over again with the next It all began back in the early 90s, when budget of news. some Rotarians and Recently we Soroptomists started It all began back in the early thought it would be a the news tape known as good idea to include 90s, when some Rotarians Sounds of North-East magazine items. After Fife (SONEF). It works all, lots of people and Soroptomists started like this: every fortnight enjoy features about the news tape known as a team of four readers, local folk, nostalgia a sound engineer plus articles or news of Sounds of North-East Fife two volunteers who enterprises springing (SONEF) are responsible for up. So where better to production and dispatch, find the material than meet in the St David’s Centre. The readers in St Andrews in Focus – which is packed full have selected material from the Courier, the of fascinating articles! And now our listeners St Andrews Citizen, the Fife Herald, and East will be able to hear, every couple of months, Fife Mail, and they record their items on to the kind of features about St Andrews and the a master tape, which is then printed on to East Neuk that make people say, “Wasn’t that cassettes. (Soon we hope to be recording on interesting?” “Remember that shop, that local to CDs as well.) Finally, the tapes are packed character?”

Anne Outram & George McIntosh in action (Photos courtesy SONEF) A big thank you to the editor of St Andrews in Focus, for being so encouraging about this new venture and allowing us to use articles from the magazine.

So how do our listeners get hold of the tape? – well, some are contacts through Fife Society for the Blind, or the St Andrews Blind Club, or perhaps through a social worker. And of course it’s all completely free.

We hope that our listeners who already receive the newstape will enjoy the magazine edition – and of course, their comments and criticisms are always welcome. Always welcome too, are volunteers, especially if they’re knowledgeable on the technical side. If this sounds like you, please do get in touch with George McIntosh, tel: 01334 475 801.

Colin Paterson asks, is

St Andrews Beach Volleyball Club ready for the summer!

Beach Volleyball became an Olympic sport in 1996 and since then has exploded in popularity, becoming the second largest participation sport in the world. In Scotland we have a smaller level of participation, but it is quickly growing.

St Andrews Beach Volleyball Club was set up last year to run the hugely successful King and Queen of the Beach tournament and to encourage more players, whatever the age or ability, to come and try the sport. We have a very relaxed atmosphere and run a number of social events during the summer.

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We try to play on a Wednesday evening and Sunday daytime, but it’s weather dependent, so all sessions are organised through the Facebook page (search for St Andrews Beach Volleyball Club or use this link http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=99632314026 ). His mobile no. is 07752 978 904.

Come down and have a go! (First session free) See you on the Sand!

(Photo courtesy the Volleyball Club)

SHOPS & SERVICES Flora Selwyn enjoyed meeting Paul Hart, a St Andrews

Culinary Master complemented each other The Old Course Hotel today enjoys many accolades. Among its and the duck was tender “and treasures is Head Chef Paul Hart. not fatty”. My main course Born and brought up in Llangollen in Wales, Paul wasn’t sure where was Baked Golden Cross his future lay when he left school. Wanting “to get some cash together” Goats Cheese Charlotte, from the age of 14 he had washed dishes in a hotel kitchen. A vague Salad of Roasted Beetroots, idea that he “wanted to be a manager” eventually led Paul to Wrexham Walnuts, and Balsamic College for a two-year City & Guilds course. A National Diploma in Hotel (Vinegar, I guess, though Catering and Management followed. In the process, it dawned on him the word was left out on the that he really wanted to be a chef, not a hotel manager. menu). The pastry was short At his first post in the St David’s Park Hotel in Chester, Paul was and light and perfect with the mild cheese. There were other unnamed advised to unlearn everything he had been taught, because “this is vegetables. At first glance the dish seemed on the small side, but in fact where you will really learn how to cook!” In his own words, “it ignited a it was so well balanced that it satisfied me completely. I suppose we passion in me”. were abstemious, since we had To gain experience, “I’ve only a glass each of Sancerre, been all over the place,” including but it went well with the food. a year at the Sydney Opera By this late-ish hour the staff House in Australia. The kitchen were beginning to wilt, and we “takes a lot out of you, but I’m so had to ask for the dessert menu, lucky I can be so creative.” Paul no-one apparently noticing says he has a clear image in his we were waiting. I asked for mind of the dishes he wants to the Caramelised Lemon Tart, create. He claims that he can’t Passion Fruit Curd Meringue, draw, but he has the ability to Scallops with cauliflower risotto and Basil Sorbet; another Goat’s Cheese translate his thoughts directly unusual combination that onto the plate, especially when worked really well. My friend it comes to desserts. “I want ordered the Rhubarb Crumble everyone to come and eat my Soufflé, Vanilla Custard Parfait, food!” With 3 AA Rosettes and 5 which turned out to have been AA Red Stars to his name he has the most popular choice in every reason to be proud. the Restaurant, overwhelming Classically trained, Paul the kitchen, but I was assured prefers “modern, international it was worth waiting for! We food”, not ‘fusion food’; “I try to finished with a decaffeinated do a nice mixture of what people Hare loin and ragou with Halibut with fennel and espresso for me, and tea for her, know”. In the Hotel’s fourth floor chestnuts and quince citrus dressing accompanied, of course, by a Road Hole Restaurant anyone variety of cute little petits fours. hesitating over the menu and This three-course meal cost the wine list can opt for the £55 each (including VAT, but Tasting Menu. It comprises nine no service charge) and the tea/ miniaturised courses, each coffee and petits fours was an accompanied by appropriate additional £3.90. So, not cheap. wines recommended by the However, there were many expert sommelier. Otherwise young people and the restaurant the three-course menu, was full – it holds 80 covers. which includes tea/coffee and Oysters Duck A young man played the piano petits fours, is competitively most of the evening; personally, priced at £46. The wine list is I would have preferred a harp! comprehensive and wide-ranging To my mind, though, a good in price. restaurant has no need for A friend and I were treated music. People dining out want to dinner in the Road Hole to chat. Quite apart from that it Restaurant during the is almost impossible to satisfy St Valentine weekend, when a everyone’s musical taste, and special menu was on offer. A red Rhubarb soufflé Lemon tart intrusive music can spoil one’s rose greeted us on the table. enjoyment. But this was The meal began with a lightly St Valentine’s weekend, after all! spiced, melt-in-the-mouth apple, The menu was proof of cauliflower, and curry mousse Paul Hart’s virtuosity with food. amuse-gueule in a tiny glass Banana and foie gras? Organic dish. For starters, my companion oysters and pickled cucumber? chose Roasted Foie Gras with Basil sorbet with caramelised Spiced Muesli, Caramelised lemon tart? Paul’s creations Banana, and Coconut Foam. change according to the She was intrigued by the seasons. The Hotel uses mostly unusual combination, and Amuse-gueule Petits fours local produce, and all the meat felt that perhaps the banana and fish come from ethical and overpowered the foie gras. I had With 3 AA Rosettes and 5 AA Red Stars to his sustainable sources. Both Paul Poached Poole Harbour Organic name he has every reason to be proud and the Hotel sincerely invite the Oysters, Pickled Cucumber, residents and students of Champagne Sabayon Servruga St Andrews to join them and take delight in the world-renowned Caviar, prettily served on their shells, entirely delicious! Main course for ambience. A genuinely warm welcome awaits you – and you don’t even my friend was Breast of Corn Fed Goosenaugh Duck, Umbrian Lentils, have to buy a plane ticket first!

Parsnip, and Salsa Verde. “To die for” she enthused, as all the flavours

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SHOPS & SERVICES Flora Selwyn enjoyed chatting to Chris Tulleth

It Takes Tenacity Despite what we hear in the media, we are not yet out of recession. Tradesmen in St Andrews worry that the worst is yet to come. It will take a lot of courage, and real tenacity to come through it and still be afloat.

Chris Tulleth has that capacity not to give in. He knows he will have to take tough decisions, but he faces them with fortitude and resolution. J & W Tulloch, his family business of painters and decorators was started in St Andrews by Chris’ great-uncles James and William (J & W) in the 1930s. War service suspended the business.

Then, after the war, grandfather Alexander joined the brothers to start again.

“I’d always been under the impression that my name was wrong,” said Chris, “I’d heard umpteen stories about why it was Tulleth and not Tulloch.” One previous apocryphal story had been that Chris’ greatgrandfather had been drunk when he registered his grandfather’s birth!

Eventually, however, Chris discovered that, in fact, Tulleth is the real family name and that Tulloch was adopted for business purposes by James and William to keep it separate from “their own personal lives.”

It was relatively recently, at a family gathering, that Chris had final confirmation from one of his father’s cousins.

When Alexander passed away, grandmother Winnie became a partner in the business with Chris’ father Alistair and a cousin, Bill. On Bill’s retirement, Alistair remained in charge, to be joined by Chris in 1984 as an apprentice. “My father never believed in college. He preferred to train us the way he worked.” Three years of rigorous apprenticeship gave Chris the urge for change. He joined the army aged 18. Four years later, after a few adventures, Chris returned to the family business to finish his final year of apprenticeship. His father was anxious for the business to continue and Chris was the only son. In1995 Alistair passed away and Chris went into partnership with his sister Pamela, who finally returned to her previous career as a legal secretary in 2007.

Chris admits that he actively discourages his son, now studying for a degree in sport, from following in his footsteps, though he’s happy for him to help out in his holidays – “it’s a tough way to make a living, one of the hardest in the physical sense, a lot of hard graft to get your day’s work done.” It’s also the least well paid of the trades. “Don’t get me wrong, but with a painter 80% of his work is in the preparation, and that’s where the hard work is, where the graft comes in.” Yet many

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customers, quite happy to pay, say £30 an hour for plumbing, will baulk at £25 an hour for a painter. “So it’s a very, very tough business to make money in just now.” That said, Chris hasn’t raised his rates for three years, and currently employs 5 men and 2 apprentices. A long-time, time-served tradesman member of the Scottish Decorators Federation, Chris is also a tester for skills in the construction industry (CITB) at Carnegie College in Dunfermline, a two-day practical final skills test.

“The standard,” Chris assures me, “is very good just now. The training they get at college is better I think than it has been in the past, because the colleges have been listening to the employers.” Chris explained that employers no longer have the time to teach basics; it’s now left to the colleges. Everything is time/speed/money, “everything has to be fast!”

Nevertheless, Chris doesn’t think apprentices learn the trade quite as well as they used to when ‘they learnt on the job’. Yet once in his/her twenties, a young person often feels ready to go it alone.

On a happier note, Chris with his wife and family do manage to take the ocasional holiday, and he plays golf, “very poorly!”

St Andrews is blessed with talented, committed citizens like Chris – we should cherish them!

(Photos by Flora Selwyn)

SHOPS & SERVICES Flora Selwyn enjoyed meeting Claire Maindron,

“Little Scottie” Claire Maindron was born and educated in St Andrews, a true St Andrean. She went to Madras College, where she says she “was never quite brilliant, or never quite bad. I was the cheeky one as well!”

At 18 she left with Highers in Chemistry and Accountancy. It wasn’t until she had reached 5th form that it was realised that Claire suffered from number dyslexia, so her results were a real achievement.

“I was one of those that have common sense to get through life. I knew I was never going to get to university. I’ve been working since I was 15. I used to work at the Botanic Garden. I was a worker, not an academic person.” However, at present, Claire is in the middle of a oneyear distant learning course at Aberdeen College for a Standard Grade in child day care, which she hopes to take further. She plans to open a nursery in two to five years’ time catering also for disabled children.

She would like it to be more affordable than many nurseries today.

Having always baby-minded, and for one year been a nanny to two small children, Claire has already had plenty of practical experience.

Her affinity with children stands her in good stead in her present job at East Sands, and it is through them that she acquired her nicknames “One of the few really local get-togethers; it’s just great fun” is of “Little Scottie”, or “The Toastie Lady”. Claire’s is the smiling face at the restored annual Harbour Gala in the summer. Being friends with “The Kiosk”, as some call it, or “The Caddy Shack” as other people know Harbour Master David Martin and Alison his partner, it is not surprising Castles East Sands, below the Sailing Club premises, working 6 days that Claire is actively involved – “it’s the one time in the year that you a week to provide comfort food for the hungry. At 8.30am she makes meet everybody from the year before, and it’s nice to see our local spirit sandwiches, then soup, ready to start with breakfast for early birds at and that sort of team work. It’s just a shame there’s 9.00am. If the weather is good, especially in summer, she not more of it”. Friends of the Harbour welcome Claire will still be there, as bright as ever, after 5.00pm, when on their committee as “younger blood”, and “we’re she’ll cycle, or even walk, to Guardbridge, her home now because St Andrews itself has proved too expensive. She Life is never dull at definitely having the Gala” again this year.

For Children in Need, Claire once dressed up as got her job when George Gordon, its owner, happened to the East Sands Wonder Woman, “I was frozen, but I raised just under be in the Whey Pat Inn one day and mentioned that he £1000. I should carry a window frame around with was looking for staff. “My Gofer” as Claire calls him, even me,” laughs Claire, because everyone knows her as kept the job for her when she returned from a lengthy trip serving behind her window. Dog walkers sometimes to New Zealand in 2003, where she became a ‘wwof-fer’ tell her they would love a cup of tea, “but we didn’t bring anything with (willing worker on organic farm) weeding between cacti, following a stint us!” Yet many of Claire’s customers have been regulars for years. on a cruise boat. It was only when she came back that Claire discovered Sausage, bacon, or fried egg on a roll, even haggis on a roll (popular she could have been sponsored to stay out there longer than her work with students!); toasties of every kind; all sorts of hot or cold drinks; permit allowed. crisps; sweets; ice cream – Claire makes sure she has enough supplies Life is never dull at the East Sands. From Kirkcaldy to Broughty Ferry for every need. “I’ve kind of made this shop my own”, and “everything’s surfers text or phone her to ask what state the surf is in. Claire lets them done by hand,” even the washing up. George does the shopping, all know if the waves are ‘clean’, that is, unbroken. If the tide is very high more or less locally. she advises them to wait until the tide goes out so they won’t be dashed Young as she is, Claire nevertheless remembers St Andrews past; against the bay’s walls. Students just come down to see for themselves. the Co-op, and the Co-op tobacco shop where her Dundonian Mum Long boards, I learnt, need unbroken waves; short sport boards can and French Dad “would get their food and their cigarettes, and Mum weave in and out of breaking waves. and Dad would leave the pram with my little brother in it outside, and Toilets are a constant concern. The built ones by the play area are it wouldn’t get touched. You never locked your door, the next-door currently kept locked until 1st April. “I’ve heard that all the pipes have neighbour would always keep an eye on things if someone was to pop burst – we shall see.” Before then, Claire held the key for disabled users, in for something. I used to live in Boase Avenue, and the only car that but others who were desperate got directed to the Leisure Centre, where was in Boase Avenue was a blue, three-wheel Robin Reliant. Now it’s they were obliged to pay. “If I saw a family with a gentleman who looked chock-a-block with cars!” as if he would buy a pint,” Claire says she would direct them to the New Times may change, but long may Little Scottie grace the East Inn, some 200 yards down the road! As for the play area, Claire thinks Sands with her bright spirit and welcoming smile! it a great pity that the climbing frame with its slide was taken away “for safety reasons” as it was very popular with toddlers.

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SHOPS & SERVICES Andrew Wright on

Accountants’ Role in Financial Crisis The economic crisis caused by the huge sums invested by the UK Government into the financial sector in an effort to save the UK banking system is generally blamed on greedy bankers, sleeping regulators, and ineffective politicians. But there is no doubt that the accountancy profession is also partly to blame, and this article attempts to inform you a little of the debate that is going on within our profession and of the proposals for change.

It is well known that auditors have been generously remunerated over the years by the big banks for carrying out annual audits which conclude by stating that the accounts show a “true and fair” view (both of the profit figure and of the value of the assets). This was clearly an incorrect conclusion with some of the bank audits signed off immediately before the banking crisis. The nub of the debate is whether the auditors enquired sufficiently diligently into the value of the “toxic assets”. Related to this is whether their risk analysis procedures were robust (or merely “tick box” exercises). Clearly this was not a straightforward task when someone as eminent as Alan Greenspan, former Chairman of the US Federal Reserve, said in 2002, “ the use of a growing array of derivatives and the related application of more sophisticated methods for measuring risk are key factors underpinning the enhanced resilience of our largest financial institutions and as a result….the financial system as a whole has become more stable”. It is easy to forget the climate of complacency that existed in the financial world in the years leading up to the crisis.

Leading figures in the accountancy profession are questioning the role played by the international financial reporting system, which failed to highlight the problems that existed. There has been a great push over the past decade to develop international accounting standards to be followed by all companies throughout the world, thus making it easier to compare the performance of companies through their accounts. One of the key international standards relates to the valuation of balance sheet assets and states that “fair value” (which usually means “market value”) should be used. This can have the effect of “pushing” profits into an earlier period

than under the previous, more cautious rules. Sometimes this has the effect of reporting a profit that never actually occurs (because of a future downturn in the market).

As a result of the new standard, bank profits tended to be higher immediately before the financial crisis than they would have been under the old system (and bankers qualified for bonuses on profits that were far from secure). This fundamental weakness in the system, which still exists, is exacerbated by a monumental rule book setting out the international accounting standards, which results in company accounts being impenetrable to normal people, including most non-executive directors.

These issues are now being addressed, but you can imagine the slow rate of progress as an internationally agreed set of rules is amended.

Other areas causing concern are: – the dominant position of the “Big 4” audit firms both in the market place and in setting accounting principles.

– A conflict of interest within the “Big 4” firms whereby they gain substantial additional consultancy fees on the back of the audit assignment.

There is a feeling that the marketplace would benefit from greater competition among accountancy firms and that, like the big banks perhaps, the dominance of the “Big 4” should be challenged.

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

Tel: 01334 472 255

Nicola Melville, “the only female golf professional in St Andrews”, is a young lady going places.

Here she tells that it took

Inspired Determination

I was introduced to golf during school holidays in a PGA approved training establishment when I was 14 and found that I had a natural combining work experience with distance ability with a ball and club. Following some learning via assignments, residential weeks lessons at my local driving range I joined and yearly exams. I was accepted on the Bridge of Allan Golf Club and went on to course and found a position at Blairgowrie Golf became Ladies Champion when I was 17. The Club. next year I retained my Bridge of Allan title and So began the hard work! The course also won the Ladies title at Stirling Golf Club covers many subjects ranging from golf where I was also a member. coaching through all aspects of business I continued my amateur career by playing management, equipment technology and in the East Of Scotland Girls and the Stirling sports science. I received a box full of study & Clackmannan Ladies Golf Association guides and a list of required assignments as well as entering as many Junior Ladies and their due dates and had to work out a competitions as I could whilst continually programme of study that had to be fitted improving my game. around working in the pro shop whilst also Having decided that I keeping my game up to the would like to have a career level required by the PGA. While I work on my game I in golf I began to investigate In addition to assignments hope to earn a living doing how that would be possible and exams there was quite and decided to apply to a lot of practical work that some coaching and some the PGA for a place on needed to be covered, refereeing at some PGA their training programme. primarily with regard to Scottish Region events In recent years the PGA coaching people of all skill have been developing levels, but also as part of their training and have now established a equipment technology where we had to learn Foundation Degree in Professional Golf in to custom fit and repair golf clubs. conjunction with Birmingham University. It is After a period of time at Blairgowrie I now a 3-year course with the trainee based moved to the Old Course Hotel and Golf

Resort where I completed my training and remained there until recently. The requirements of a large hotel organisation are different from those of a golf club and enabled me to gain wider experience during my training. However I did find that the pressures of combining full-time work with studying and assignments meant that I had little time left for the actual game of golf!

Having successfully completed my training I continued to work at the Old Course Hotel while taking a few extra courses and deciding what I would like to achieve. My aim for the next year or two is to concentrate on improving my game. I have also developed an interest in the rules of golf and have studied further courses in rules and refereeing. While I work on my game I hope to earn a living doing some coaching and some refereeing at some PGA Scottish Region events. I have also set up my own website which can be found at: www.nicolamelvillegolf.co.uk

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SHOPS & SERVICES Martin Hopley from Golfalot.com visits Insole PRO in St Andrews

Get Your Golf On The Right Footing Like a house, your golf swing has to be built on sound foundations Golfalot went to see Insole PRO® who are experts in golf and that starts with your feet. According to Jack Nicklaus, “All timing, biomechanics, and are based in St Andrews. Podiatrist Sara Boardman distance and direction come out of the lower body with the feet leading has over 20 years’ experience and is the podiatrist to the 2005 and the way.” Key to how the feet operate in the golf swing is the selection this year’s Open Golf Championship. Biomechanics play a crucial part of golf shoes. Many golfers choose shoes based on price or looks in developing the golf swing. As Sara explains, “Where players have without considering performance, despite the importance of proper biomechanical imbalances, these can be mitigated by prescription insoles movement and grip to the swing, not to mention the 5-mile walk each which realign the feet, and therefore correct the player’s posture.” time you play.

Thankfully Sara has a solution in the form of customised orthotics However, our investigations have taken golf shoe fitting to the next or shoe inserts, “At Insole PRO our podiatrists are experienced in level. The bones in your feet become fixed in your late teenage years biomechanics and are involved in ongoing product development of and only 1% of people have a foot that settles with orthotic insoles for golfers. Orthotics can be used the arch in the correct position. If you have any of to improve general comfort by expert fitting of Insole PRO® has an the following conditions then this could be because bespoke insoles into golf shoes. They are known orthotics laboratory which to solve a number of biomechanical problems, not your feet are not operating as well as they could: for obvious foot conditions, but also for ankle, has a state-of-the-art CAD/ only • My shoes always wear out on one side faster knee, pelvis, hip, and back pain.” than the other CAM prescription orthosis Sara continues, “Some manufacturers, such • I frequently sprain my ankle as FootJoy, produce shoes with removable and fabrication system, the first interchangeable insoles to help achieve a proper • I have flattened arches or high arches • I walk on the outside or inside of my feet of its type in Scotland fit.” This type of shoe is ideal for those players with • I experience aches or pains in my feet, legs or prescription orthotics or bespoke comfort insoles. back when walking or standing Having faced numerous years of back pain and sore feet from golf I was Lateral motion and pivoting are intrinsic to the golf swing, and can be ready to try anything. Following a comprehensive analysis of my feet and impeded by certain foot-related conditions like those above and then your how they moved when I walked, Sara had a clear view of my (numerous) game will suffer. If this applies to you, then are you doomed to be stuck podiatric problems. We then discussed the types and styles of shoes that with the foot lottery that nature has dealt you, or can something be done would suit not only my golf, but also my day-to-day wear, and then it was about it? down to creating the insole.

Insole PRO® has an orthotics laboratory which has a state-of-theart CAD/CAM prescription orthosis fabrication system, the first of its type in Scotland. The technology is used by the podiatry team to design and manufacture custom comfort insoles and prescription orthoses for sportspeople, podiatrists, and other specialists throughout the UK. With this system, the feet are scanned on a digitiser, which provides a 3-dimensional topographic scan of the soles of the feet. This process involved standing on the foot scanner, and took no more than a couple of minutes for each foot. Once a podiatrist has undertaken a biomechanical assessment and gait analysis of the player, sophisticated software allows prescriptive adjustments to be made to the scan to counter any biomechanical imbalances, prior to milling. The results were then sent to the computer, which then milled the insoles within the hour.

Having tried several other types of insert I was pleased to see that these came with a neoprene cover that is thin, but extremely shock absorbent. The fit in the shoe was excellent, but the real proof came on the golf course. Not only are they extremely comfortable, but the fact my foot was moving correctly and was well supported meant that the normal back and leg aches I had after golf were almost gone. With my feet operating more normally, there was no stress on my toes or calves and therefore my back and hips were not stressed anywhere near as much as before. Not only did this lead to a much more pleasant round, I felt my game improved as I had a better foundation and I was not as tired towards the end of the round, which helped my concentration. Now I could not live without them, and they are one of the key parts of my life and my golf equipment. For me it has transformed my golf and my day-to-day life immeasurably. After all you would not build a house on faulty foundations would you?

For more information see: www.insolepro.co.uk and: www.golfalot.com (Photos courtesy Insole PRO)

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SHOPS & SERVICES “This article,” writes David Adie, of Adie Hunter, Solicitors & Notaries, “is intended to give general advice and information and should not be acted upon by any party without taking proper, specific legal advice tailored to that individual’s needs.”

Powers of Attorney & Guardianships Powers of Attorney sound exotic and is created where someone is authorised to act American, but I am afraid it is nothing as for another person, but the major difference exciting. A Power of Attorney is a legal is that if that other person loses capacity, for document whereby one person gives another example by contracting dementia or lapsing person authority to do things as their Attorney, into a coma following a road accident, the or in other words as their agent. Powers of Attorney is still effective and can still be Attorney can be given to individuals, or even operated. to companies or other legal entities. They Sometimes clients wish one form of can cover specific acts or virtually everything.

Attorney to be given in relation to their For example, it is sometimes the case that a financial affairs and a separate one in relation Solicitor will be granted a Power of Attorney to welfare, but more commonly, they are by his client simply to sign documentation in combined in the one document and the connection with one particular case. one person is appointed Attorney, usually Broadly speaking, there are two types with a substitute. Sometimes two or three of Power of Attorney. The first type is the people can be appointed as Attorneys with basic standard Power of Attorney which gives a proviso that either they can act alone or authority to someone that they must act by to act as an agent for a majority or perhaps another person. This even unanimously. does not mean that the This can of course be The moral of the story is, Attorney is personally cumbersome. if you have not already liable for the acts, but Being a Welfare simply acts as the agent signed a Power of Attorney Attorney can be an of the person granting onerous task and you should seriously the Attorney. Generally, can involve some this sort of Attorney will personal and intimate consider doing so now cease to be effective decisions being made when that person dies or by another person, loses their capacity. With such as making the the increasing age of the population and with decision that they require to go into a nursing increasing cases of Alzheimers, Dementia home and choosing it. Being a Continuing etc some of these Powers of Attorney, which or Financial Attorney means managing all were granted many years ago may no longer of another person’s financial affairs and can be valid and the Law was changed to allow a even involve requiring to sell their house if new type of Power of Attorney to be granted. they have to go into a nursing home.

The second and new type of Power of If a person loses capacity, for example Attorney is the Continuing & Welfare Power by contracting dementia or falling into a of Attorney. This can include Continuing or coma, and they have not granted a Power Welfare powers, or both, and both can be of Attorney, then the only real alterative is to granted in the one combined document. seek a Guardianship Order. There are lesser Continuing Powers generally relate to forms of guardianship known as Intervention financial and property affairs and Welfare Orders, which can be obtained from the Court Powers relate to matters of care and to do one or more specific acts, but generally accommodation. Broadly speaking, a situation speaking, guardianship is a court process

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whereby a person is appointed a guardian to another and acts in a similar way to an attorney, but subject to stricter controls.

I always advise clients to have Powers of Attorney signed wherever possible. A Power of Attorney can cost a few hundred pounds, but a Guardianship can cost many thousands of pounds because it involves such issues of petitioning the Court to appoint a Guardian, obtaining medical reports, obtaining a Bond of Caution (which I will explain later) and going through a whole complex process. The process is not only expensive, but it is time consuming and cumbersome and can be stressful for the parties involved. There are strict time limits.

One of the most expensive aspects of a guardianship is having to obtain an Insurance Bond (or Bond of Caution) to guarantee that the Guardian will act properly and to provide some form of insurance cover in case there is misappropriate use of funds. These are usually required even where the guardian is a son or daughter who might be the sole beneficiary in the incapacitated person’s Will.

These Bonds of Caution have to be renewed and paid for each year.

The moral of the story is, if you have not already signed a Power of Attorney you should seriously consider doing so now.

Review any existing ones. By doing so you could save considerable costs and avoid a lot of time and inconvenience. It can put your mind at rest.

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

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SHOPS & SERVICES

Roving Reporter, never at a loss!

1. Reporter had the pleasure of meeting another native St Andrean who is happy to be home again after a long, productive absence. Jim Wilson was educated at the Burgh School, then became part of the very first intake at Kilrymont. Son of at least three generations of fishermen, Jim had a natural hankering for the sea, “I had always had a passion for the sea.” However, his father insisted that Jim had a trade. So, at 15 years of age, he was apprenticed to Carstairs, the joiners.

Time-served after four years, young Jim “wanted to get experience” and joined Bett of Dundee. “I enjoyed it actually,” he now confesses. All the same, the call of the sea was strong. For the next eight years Jim fished out of Pittenweem Harbour.

He explained that St Andrews is a “half-tide harbour” meaning that larger boats find it difficult to operate at convenient times. When 27, Jim decided to return to his trade. Very few jobs were available wherever he looked. Then Everest appeared and offered him a job in sales, a new venture. “I loved it!” Quickly rising up the ladder, Jim was sent to Inverness where he “basically controlled Highlands & Islands” as manager. Promoted to senior manager in NW England, Jim found himself tied to a desk, and “that kind of takes the fun out of it.” By now he was married and had four daughters, but working long hours put a huge strain on his private life.

Needing a career change, too, Jim came back to his roots in St Andrews. He met up again with his childhood sweetheart from Burgh School days, and has found new joy. He has also gone back to work with Everest, but on his terms, to allow him time for golf and family. Jim’s greatest pleasure is meeting people, and that is what his job is all about. Back in touch with old friends, rediscovering old networks, he is a happy man! One day he might even get himself a small boat! Reporter is touched by Jim’s sincere “thanks for all the support I’ve had from folk around”. Jim says he’s here to provide any information, help, or whatever.

And he told Reporter that Everest now deals with an astonishing range of products, everything, in fact, to do with a house! Jim can be contacted by telephone: 01334 475 300 and email: jim.wilson26@btinternet.com

*****

2. First there was a butcher – then there wasn’t a butcher – now there is a butcher again! Reporter’s confusion was over when he talked face-to-face with new owner Stuart Minick at 183 South Street, Tel: 01334 472 127. Wonderful, Reporter says, how a shop can radiate confidence and prosperity! Stuart came from Kennoway where he was Butchery Manager with Puddledub, and he brings over 30 years of experience in the trade. To start with he worked in his family’s Tayport firm; then managed the Co-op Butchers in

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Cupar; established Angus Organics (an Aberdeen Angus Beef operation) “some of the best beef I’ve ever handled”; was for some years in London, Hampshire, and Bristol. During his time down south Stuart set up High End butchery outlets for, among others, ex-Formula 1 racing champion Jody Scheckter, and Peter Kindersly of Sheepdrove Organics, former owner of Dorling Kindersley the publishers. Two years ago he was in the States working for Wholefoods. Here, in St Andrews, beautifully presented (an art exhibition, Reporter avows) Stuart sells “a full range of quality beef, pork, game, and lamb, together with an expanding range of cooked meats, pies, etc.” And you will find other goodies, such as free-range eggs, soup mixes, quality ready-meals... all sorts of things for the discerning foodie!

Stuart supports local suppliers. He makes use of the local abattoir, so keeping his food miles to a minimum, but he is also very concerned with animal welfare, and insists on traceability, breed identification.

Customers can expect a warmly welcoming, professional approach from all the staff.

Students are among Stuart’s “good, good customers. I’m going to miss them in the summer!” He adds his many thanks for the wonderful support he’s had. Know what you’re buying, urges Reporter. And if you have any questions Stuart’s email is: stumin@hotmail.co.uk

Stuart (L) and assistant Paul Wilson

*****

3. Lale and Dogan Gunes only opened Café 13 in Bell Street, (01334 470 736) in February, but already it has that wellestablished comfortable look. What people haven’t yet realised, however, is that, unlike most coffee shops in St Andrews, Café 13 is open in the evenings till 10.00pm. Also novel is the buffet, which is “all you can eat”, available from 11.30am to 2.30pm, and in the evenings from 5.30pm to 9.30pm – a real bonus for the town. Lale and Dogan hail originally from Turkey, though Dogan was born in Germany, their daughter in England, and their son in St Andrews, a truly international family! Lale has a degree in psychology from the University of Hacettepe in Ankara. Reporter wondered about the name of the Café, which some people might think is not very propitious.

“It’s the address in Bell Street,” Lale said, matter of factly, “and in any case many people in the world think that 13 is a lucky number.” Reporter looked round at the wonderful range of food on offer, from the mouth-watering homemade cakes to the scones and muffins etc. Pizzas are freshly made on the premises. Paninis have the usual fillings, but also Café 13 specials,

such as for example, cranberry sauce, brie, and either ham or chicken. There are toasties, sandwiches (served with side salad & crisps on either white or brown bread), nachos, and ice cream, plus all the usual drinks. Prices are competitive: the lunch buffet of pizza, pasta, salad is £6.49 adults, £3.49 for children under 11; the evening buffet of pizza, pasta, salad, ice cream is £9.99 adults, £4.99 children under 11. Students are offered a 10% discount for the evening buffet. You can take your laptop, says Reporter, as there are sockets at the tables at the back. Lale is hoping for a late licence, so that later in the year she can open till after midnight.

*****

4. Just what St Andrews needs, enthused Reporter, as he indulged in a simply scrumptious cup cake from Bibi’s Bakery, 131 South Street, (01334 461 387). Newly opened in March by Fiona Pratt, owner of the equally thriving Harbour House (now renamed Bibi’s Café) in Ellis Place, this most welcome new addition to the retail scene enjoys deserved success. Manager Jeni Iannetta was happy to talk to Reporter.

Born in Scotland, of Italian descent, Jeni worked for 15 years in marketing (for the BBC, and Dundee Rep among others).

Looking for a change, she spotted an advert for Harbour House. Honestly admitting she had no qualifications, merely her instinctive love of cooking, Fiona offered Jeni 2 days a week full-time. “I absolutely loved it!” and a month later the idea for Bibi’s Bakery was born. Designed to be a welcoming space full of mouthwatering cakes and other (more durable!) goodies, the place reminds Reporter of the comparable Continental shops he has loved and wished were here too! There are 12 different varieties of cakes, with a “cup cake of the day” to entice you back, all made each day on the premises. Jeni is baking from 7.00am for the shop ready to open from 10.00am onwards. There are no artificial ingredients, only the best selfraising flour and free-range eggs, with fruit sourced locally down the road! Flavours are chosen seasonally, so this summer expect to find strawberry cheesecake, with the cakes gradually becoming more spicy in the autumn. Packaging is superb, each cake in a box with partitions so there’s no falling about. Individual cakes are £1.45; boxes of 4, £5; 6 @ £7; 12 @ £13. Orders for weddings and parties are already in hand and Jeni will arrange bespoke orders too. From April, Reporter was told,

SHOPS & SERVICES

Bibi’s Bakery will offer 1-day baking and cake decoration courses. You’ll be able to make Wow cakes at home after this! Bibi’s have linked up with Aga, so you’ll even be able to test an Aga out.

*****

5. Reporter really enjoys sharing news of success. Here is what he learned from the Fraser Gallery, South Street: It has been

two years since Fraser Gallery, St Andrews opened their exciting venue in South Street, showcasing some of the best of contemporary Scottish art. In this time the number of artists showing with the Gallery has doubled and the number of visitors is steadily increasing, with many coming back time and again. “These past two years have seen us attract a number of wellestablished artists who show extensively in London and overseas, and who have been keen to show here in St Andrews,” explained Gallery owner, Louise Fraser, “one such artist is Hugo Grenville.” Born in 1958, Grenville first exhibited in London at the Chelsea Arts Society at the age of 15, but it took him another 14 years to become a full-time painter. After leaving school he travelled the Hippy Trail to India, ran out of money, joined the Coldstream Guards, serving as an officer in Northern Ireland, West Africa, in Rhodesia during

the civil war, and finally with the British Army of the Rhine. During his military career he continued to paint whenever possible, going on to study part-time at Chelsea School of Art and Heatherley’s.

Louise says that “Hugo refers to himself as a Romantic. His paintings evoke a sense of something dreamed, or remembered, rather than directly observed. Layers of feeling peel back to disclose a spiritual intensity.” He has painted portraits of leading figures, including the late Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Runcie, and the counter-tenor Michael Chance in the role of Orpheus at the English National Opera. He was an Official War Artist in Bosnia, has written regularly for the Artist magazine, and lectures in London, also at his summer school on Colour and Twentieth Century Painting.

*****

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TOWN & GOWN Calum Benson, is flexing his wings in this, his 4th and final year of studying International Relations and History

Reflections of a Magistrand!

I can remember quite clearly one bright day in September 2006, when along with hundreds of others I trooped through Younger Hall and was finally presented with that symbol of studenthood, my ID card. Right at the bottom it said “Valid until May 2010”. 2010?! For an excited eighteen year-old 2010 seemed so far away as to be the end of time. Surely by then jetpacks would be commonplace, time travel pioneered, and maybe even the redevelopment of Hamilton Hall would just be beginning? Yet here I am four years later, faced with the prospect of a life exiled outside these incredibly comforting, incredibly claustrophobic city walls. And no jetpack to boot.

So like all normal fourth years, or so I hope, rather than striving for that elusive first, or that job in investment banking, I have been reflecting on this town we all call home. About how it has changed me. About my love – hate – love relationship with it. And about how on earth I am ever going to survive outside it.

Often recently I have considered how different I am now to the boy I was when I arrived, parents in tow. For me, university was my first experience of living away from home.

St Andrews was where I got to practice living, I guess you could say the town has been my ‘stabilisers’. Being here has meant I could only ever go so wrong, I could only ever get so lost.

Eventually though, as most seven year-olds will tell you, those stabilisers have got to come off. University can’t last forever, and it’s time for me to be grateful for what St Andrews has given me.

How to think, for one thing. Often, when an essay has had me chained to my laptop I feel the need to get out and about, to wander

arbitrarily around the town with no real and small, but it’s also as comfortable as a pair destination in mind and no pressing sense of of slippers. Divided or diverse? Pretentious urgency. Not just walking, looking and thinking or poised? Well, it’s all of the these. Some as well, taking everything in. On those rare days I see one, some days the other. It simply occasions when the sun is out and the sky would not be the same if any one element was is blue I challenge anyone to find a more missing. inspirational place to be.

That’s the frustrating thing. Like yin and If you’ve never tried it, then on the next yang, to love the town as passionately as I do, sunny day take a walk along the Scores and I guess I have to have the times when I’d rather along the side of the Cathedral. Stop by the have been anywhere else. What I do know is cannons and just look. Look back to the Castle, that when I look back, what I’ll remember is look out to sea, take pictures. You’ll probably why I loved it. Despite it all in the end I think find me there. I guarantee you everything that I’m just a softy for this town-equivalent of a has irritated you about St Andrews (the queues, warm blanket. Not for nothing is St Andrews the parking, let’s not even mention the tourists) known amongst students as ‘the bubble’. Out will be forgotten in an instant. If you had told me here on the extremity of Fife it’s easy to get in 2006 that four years later I’d be the sort who disconnected from the real world. But I think stands and gets philosophical looking out to ‘bubble-wrap’ is an equally revealing image. sea, I’d never have believed you. I might have Students often vent frustration at the stifling laughed. But that’s who St Andrews has made cabin-fever that can pervade our town, but I find me, and I’ll always be thankful. it hard to escape the feeling that I, and many I’ve learnt something else about myself. My others, have silently bought in to that separation religion, like that of the town itself, is tradition. from the real world, that protection against the I’ve stepped awkwardly round cut-and-thrust of modernity. the PH on North Street and We complain and moan, but Not for nothing is I’ve worn my red gown along we wouldn’t stay if there wasn’t St Andrews known something powerful keeping the Pier on Sunday mornings.

I’ve cheered on four Raisin us. amongst students Mondays and I’ve watched four Sadly though, all good as ‘the bubble’ KK processions. Where else things must come to an end. could I have indulged my faith According to my ID card my so completely? It’s hard to avoid the impression time in St Andrews is almost up, and I still that another six centuries after I’ve left, students can’t believe it. I am reminded of how I felt will still be climbing over the fence into the when I first arrived: nervous, but ready to Castle in the middle of the night. Not that I’ve move on. I feel it again now, and while the ‘real ever done that, obviously. world’ (everything outside the bubble) may be But there have been days when I would inhospitable and challenging, I feel ready as a have been less complimentary. When I would person to tackle it without my stabilisers. have given anything to swap places with So thank you St Andrews. Thank you, and my friends in Edinburgh. Why? St Andrews thank you to everyone who lives here. You is unavoidably paradoxical. It’s idyllic and may not know it, but you all, be you student, picturesque, but it’s also remote and isolated, resident, or employee, help to make this place as a recent agonising half-hour trip to hospital what it is. It wouldn’t be the same without you.

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TOWN & GOWN Christine Gascoigne retired recently from the University Library as Head of its Special Collections and Acting Librarian. She lets us into a secret!

What not to write in your library book

While modern day librarians quite properly Owning a book is, of course, not frown on readers who scribble in library synonymous with reading it, and books, those who look after older books annotations which show what and manuscripts can often glean fascinating was read and what was thought information from notes and pictures left to be important shed light on the by previous generations. Drawings and book owners’ preoccupations and annotations can tell us many things about interests. William Foular, dean those who wrote, read, or owned the books and of Haddington in the fifteenth Pointing finger / manicula and manuscript additional chronicle manuscripts now held in our libraries. century, wrote his name on his from Werner Rolevinck, Fasciculus Temporum, Much interesting evidence about what copy of Werner von Rolevinck’s (Cologne: Nicholas Gotz, 1478), Typ GD.A79GR everyday life was like in the Middle Ages can, history of the world (Cologne, for instance, be deduced from scribbles and 1478), and drew faces against some of the drawings in some of the nation’s most important capital letters. But he also marked those manuscripts. One of the best examples is the passages which he considered to be most Luttrell Psalter, commissioned by Sir Geoffrey interesting or important with long pointing Luttrell, lord of a manor in Lincolnshire in the fingers, often with improbable anatomy. A fourteenth century, which is now held in the later owner of the volume, probably Alexander British Library. Rather than the Biblical scenes Fraser of Aberdeen, wrote an account of events we normally expect to find in a psalter, the in Scotland, omitted by the original author, illuminations here give us instead a (perhaps beneath the printed history of what happened rather idealised) view of the rich variety of rural in England and Europe. This copy was thus life in medieval England. There are scenes customised for Scottish readers about a of farming, growing and harvesting crops, hundred years after it was printed. feeding livestock, and a wide selection of It is often possible to use inscriptions in Signature of William Foular from entertainments such as bear baiting, wrestling, books as evidence for how they moved around Werner Rolevinck, Fasciculus Temporum, dancing, playing games, not to mention a wife the country. In 1659, William Guild, principal (Cologne: Nicholas Gotz, 1478), Typ GD.A79GR beating her husband. The of King’s College Aberdeen, University Library owns a died and bequeathed It is often possible in the library books were common activities. facsimile of this manuscript, his collection of books Books also were used by readers to pass notes held in the Special Collections to use inscriptions in to St Andrews. Many of to each other. The Library’s 1727-1735 fiveDepartment, which can be these bear the names of books as evidence volume set of Jonathan Swift’s Miscellanies consulted even if you are not people living in North East is a good example. In one volume, a student a member of the University.

Scotland, particularly in for how they moved warns a certain Davy King to “be quiet or I will Also in the Special Collections the area around Elgin, and around the country cut your tongue out”, while in others there are department is the cartulary of you can reconstruct from inscriptions boasting of sexual prowess, or Pittenweem Abbey, in which the ownership inscriptions warning against frequenting bawdy houses, of a monk, perhaps bored with his copying work, in these books how they passed from owner which St Andrews clearly had a number. Some has drawn a beautiful picture of St Andrew on to owner. Some were in libraries of monastic studying, however, seems to have been done, his cross, within the letter ‘U’. establishments – Kinloss monastery and since students frequently comment on the Owners through the ages have taken the convents of the Dominicans and the book, often disparagingly, or reply to comments pleasure in writing their names in their books, Franciscans in Elgin for example – and were already scribbled by other students. and present-day historians studying particular dispersed at the Reformation, often to the Some individuals are subject to particularly figures of importance have gleaned much ministers of the reformed faith in the Elgin virulent attacks; one notable example is the information from recreating their libraries. area. Sometimes people wrote in their books Librarian, William Vilant, who held the position that the volume in question belonged to sobetween 1768 and 1788. Known as “Punctum” and-so “and his friends”, suggesting that books by the students, Vilant’s physical attributes, were a valuable commodity to be shared and his unwillingness to lend out books, and his treasured. grumpiness are described in great detail in the By the eighteenth century, student culture library books; indeed the most energetic period within the Library here in St Andrews had of defacement of books coincides remarkably taken a direction which the librarian cannot well, though not exclusively, with his term of have found agreeable, since Library books, far office. Of the students, it is Robert Fergusson from being treasures, were often not used for the poet, who matriculated at the University study purposes, but as rough paper. Practising in 1764, who comes in for the most invective; various forms of signatures, copying out parts there are particularly choice inscriptions about of the text, and doing handwriting exercises him in several of the volumes.

Books through the ages have been used for many purposes, not just for study. An owner of a 1585 edition of a commentary on Aristotle wrote his washing list on a blank sheet – “The 7 October Given to washe ... tuo shirts, tuo halfshirts, tuo hand napkins, tuo Gravats, on pair off sleives” – and Brother Hans, a German monk, described the 1497 outbreak of plague on his 1490 German Psalter. They were both, like many other readers, treating their books in a way which librarians of the time would probably have frowned on, but which now tell us much about their way of life.

(Images courtesy of Decorated capital from the Register of the Student scribbles on title page of Jonathan University of St Andrews Library) Priory of Pittenweem, 1532-54 ms37521 Swift, Miscellanies in Prose and Verse (London, 1727), sPR3724.M4D27(1)

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TOWN & GOWN Marika Sciumbata, studying International Relations is about to graduate. Here she reflects on

Being an (Italian) Student in St Andrews This time four years ago I was getting ready to sit my final International Baccalaureate exams at the end of high school…

Little did I know of the life that lay ahead of me when I moved to St Andrews. For an Italian student expecting to go to university in Italy, there would have been little change from being a school student to a university student. I would have gone to a local state university in my home town, Milan, attended lectures every day and gone home to a ready, home-cooked dinner courtesy of my mother, Antonia.

St Andrews was a surprise… in every sense of the word. My life changed, as we would say back home “da così a così” (from like this to like that). I was suddenly thrust into this new dimension, not least geographically, (but most importantly academic, psychological, and social) where I was independent, while trying for the first time to manage my time autonomously, dividing it between studying, social activities, sports, and learning languages, one of my passions. The first few months resembled a dream, or more accurately an episode taken from one of those American TV series where young students live and enjoy an exciting and eventful university life. St Andrews had so much to offer me that it was a struggle to keep my conversations with my parents to the limit

imposed by my father at 20 minutes. In spite of fed my interest in several aspects of the subject the fact that I was living away from my family and particularly on the Middle East area, the for the first time in almost 19 years, the Hall politics of which I have been studying for over a experience meant that I never felt alone, and year now as my area of specialty. that my new family were my close friends and However, having said all this, I realise academic family; those who, as one of my best that many students have said what I reported friends here has pointed out, “you will one day above about St Andrews… and sometimes invite to your wedding” (an occurrence which I it may appear slightly suspect that everyone can confirm becomes more and more popular comes up with a similar account of life in our as the year of study increases…). town. What needs to be added, then, is that Since the time when I first visited each individual will make his or her experience St Andrews with my mother in June 2006, we different from the mainstream through what he were struck by its Medieval atmosphere, by or she does in their time here. One of the many the changing shades of red and blue fading activities I have been involved in has been the away behind the Cathedral at sunset. As I St Andrews University Ambassadorial Service. became a student and I learned By showing prospective there is no doubt in and partook in the century-old students around the town and traditions of this university, providing them with the details my mind that becoming part of an academic St Andrews will forever of my experience here, I hope family, the walk on the Pier in to give something back to the occupy a special place University, small as it may be. my gown and the May Dip to in my heart mention just a few, I started Three and a half years later to realise what a difference the fascination with this “wee” attending University in the UK was making to Scottish town that has seen the best and worst my life experience. That was when I further years of my life, has remained unchanged – in realised that in all the time since the beginning fact, it has only been augmented by making of my University life, I had not yet felt the need new friendships, discovering new, hidden to meet Italian people in St Andrews, so strong corners of town, and enriching experiences were the friendships I was making with my during my semesters. While there are many English, Scottish, Czech, American, and so uncertainties regarding my time after University, many more nationality, friends. Growing up in there is no doubt in my mind that St Andrews a school whose motto was “For a world without will forever occupy a special place in my heart. frontiers”, I had found that world in St Andrews – not least academically, through my studies in (Photo courtesy Marika) International Relations – a course which has

The Miss Leveson Bowl for Reading Aloud In 1913, Miss Leveson presented a beautifully wrought Burmese silver bowl to St Leonards School “as a challenge cup for excellence in work.” It was apparently presented every term until the 1980s to the

house with the highest aggregate of marks in the end-of-term exams.

Last year a new, annual competition was set up, in which the bowl would be presented “for the best public reading”.

It was a signal honour for your Editor to be invited, along with Professor Robert Crawford, the distinguished author and poet, to judge this year’s competition final at St Leonards School on 25th March. There were three finalists, all girls, from forms Y9, Y10, and L6th. We two judges were delighted to award the bowl to Tabitha Gordon-Smith, Y9, on the grounds of audibility, tone, reading for meaning/with interest, pronunciation, and general impression. The competitors had prepared their own choices of reading material, then they had been given a few minutes to prepare an unseen text, which turned out to be the opening paragraphs of Alice in Wonderland. We admired the way each girl had overcome understandable nerves to read before the entire School in morning assembly. Professor Crawford commended the winner, and praised the efforts of the others, who each received a certificate.

Tabitha Gordon-Smith flanked by runners-up Mary McDougall & Catriona Stirling (Photo courtesy St Leonards)

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TOWN & GOWN Jessica Cook, studying English, is the Founder and Editor of

The Tribe

The Tribe, St Andrews independent student they need to secure a career magazine, was conceived in the seemingly in the media industry. apocalyptic calm of a St Andrews summer.

As a newborn publication, It works on the premise that the St Andrews The Tribe has to busk student population, with its obscure fashion for funding. Somehow, trends and unique university experience, is a having had problems with tribe in its own right. advertising as the primary The Tribe can most easily be found online source of income it holds if you mosey to www.thetribeonline.com. It is specialised events such as not an ordinary student magazine and, having War Paint, a Jungle music been inspired by Dazed and Confused, and night complete with face The London College of Fashion Magazine Pigeons and Peacocks paint and glow sticks, and (among others), it gorges itself on St Andrews creativity, regurgitating it Colourless, a newly-formed all in one place for our readers. The logistics of The Tribe are simple: it student-designed clothing is published fortnightly on the website and will be published bi-annually line. Hopefully, even with the in magazine format. Each section produces between two and five graduation of the editor and articles an issue. The Tribe feeds from the philosophy that even the creator this year The Tribe writing in magazines should be beautiful and perhaps a little obscure, will still scurry on, surviving and its content reflects this. and evolving with each new Fairytale by Kate Walsh The Creativity section features student artwork and photography, student that joins its ranks. which students can upload themselves, as well as submit. It has Overall, The Tribe’s success this year has been more than we ever cameos from student-made films that vary from The Love Potion, a could have hoped for. What began as a one-person blog now has a black and white silent movie, to Full Plastic Jacket, a stop animation loyal devoted editorial team of fifty or so students, who are dedicated film with green plastic solders and Lego. It also has an audio section to their sections and their writers. We have a big list of readers, our that bears tracks by student bands and local DJ remixes, and a creative hit counts in term time usually averaging at around 5000 page views writing section to boot. a week, the Facebook group has more than 1000 members and the The Fashion section is the most popular, giving writers list stands at around 700. It is a constantly exposure to the many St Andrews student fashion evolving organism, creating sections and giving the Overall, The Tribe’s shows, including recent articles on FS, Don’t Walk, students what they want to read and produce. A and Diya. The fashion section has two specialities: small homage to Jefferson Hack and Rankin, it will success this year has themed photoshoots, and The Street, a section which be difficult to leave behind. been more than we ever publishes photographs of well-dressed St Andreans.

For the duration of my time in St Andrews it The Culture section is divided into five smaller has been a relative student media wasteland. The could have hoped for sections: Art, Music, Film, Stage, and Books. These Saint, long standing, durable and steadfast has sections review almost everything that goes on in been unopposed, thriving in the glow of rising and St Andrews, as well as covering obscure phenomena, such as The falling student publications. It has watched The Vine, Life on the Links, St Andrews Lying Down Game. Travel is heavily visual and is composed The Robe, and The St Andrean, among others, struggle to survive. The of photography and personal experiences, as well as city profiles and quick painless demise that usually marks the graduation of their editors general tips for travelling. World covers politics and cultural happenings leaves only the irritating corpse of an abandoned Facebook group. As it across the globe. Features explores everything from the prominence gets to the time of year where I hand over The Tribe to someone else, of sex in advertising to the death of romance. Comment gives students I can’t help but feel relieved that the fate of St Andrews’ only student their say on current affairs, as well as more opinions on topics as wide magazine no longer rests in my creative, but somewhat disorganised ranging as racism and smoking. Science filters out the most relevant hands, and sad because I am proud of The Tribe, and the opportunities and interesting articles bringing you information on Zombie attacks and it has given to the student body. I have no doubt that it will go on to do the science behind sleep. Sport is divided between coverage of local bigger and better things when I leave. and national games and an exploration of the most extreme, adrenalinefuelled forms of exercise. The Columns section shows a wide array If you have any enquiries about sponsorship, advertising, or anything of different experiences and reflections on St Andrews, and publishes really, then email the editor on thetribeonline@gmail.com Our first print both words and pictures to complete The Tribe’s obsession with visual issue should be out and about before the end of this academic year. content. The Tribe has more sections to offer than just these, including Food and Drink, a section that provides reviews of local restaurants, The pier by Ben Goulter and Initiative, a project that aims to give St Andrews students the skills (Photos courtesy The Tribe)

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EVENTS From Dr Yee-Kuang Heng, Lecturer in International Relations, University of St Andrews

Japan’s kawaii pop culture comes to St Andrews Sushi and sashimi are perhaps for many of us the more familiar aspects of Japan’s traditional culture and cuisine steeped in centuries-long traditions. Yet, a more recent cultural export in the form of Japan’s exciting and dynamic contemporary culture also has much to offer the world. Kawaii is a Japanese term referring to cute or lovable aspects of its pop culture ranging from anime cartoon characters, manga comic books, video games, to occasionally outrageous clothing styles. Japan is often described as a country (and economy) driven by the kawaii factor where dressing up like one’s favourite cartoon character (costume play or as the Japanese prefer a shortened version, cosplay) is a booming industry. More surprisingly though, usually staid and dour Japanese politicians have also jumped onto the kawaii bandwagon. Political leaders such as former Prime Minister Taro Aso (a self-declared comic book fanatic who claimed to read at least two comics a week despite his hectic schedule) seek to utilise the growing global popularity of its pop culture to promote Japan abroad as a dynamic, creative, and above all, attractive country. And for one day only on Wednesday 2 June 2010 from 12-5pm, the St Andrews Town Hall will be showcasing how Japan has harnessed various aspects of this kawaii pop culture in its efforts to reach out to the

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world. This exhibition is open to the public and admission is free. The event is organised by the School of International Relations at the University of St Andrews, and supported by the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation.

The St Andrews Community Council has also gracefully provided much helpful assistance and advice. A senior diplomat from the Japanese Consulate-General in Edinburgh has kindly agreed to officially open the event on that day.

Light nibbles and drinks will be available from 12.15pm onwards.

Some highlights of the exhibition include displays on the importance of cartoon characters. Well-loved robotic cartoon cat Doreamon (who can travel through time) was appointed as the first-ever official anime ambassador to promote Japan overseas.

The then-Japanese Foreign Minister himself (pictured above on the left) presented Doraemon with his official credentials and certificate in a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In 2009, Japan officially unveiled its three kawaii ambassadors (pictured on the right) who specialise in Lolita and schoolgirl outfits. The trio have travelled to places such as the wildly popular Japan Expo in Paris, and Bangkok, dispensing advice to wannabe fashionistas on how to dress and look the part. So, forget

sharp-suited men dressed in Armani. Japan now officially has an ambassador in charge of the ‘Gothic and Lolita section’.

So, do come along to the Town Hall on Wed 2 June for a light-hearted day mixing with the new faces of Japanese public diplomacy in the 21st century. Experience the wacky and wonderful cultural phenomenon that is Japanese pop culture and the increasingly significant role it plays in International Relations today.

(Photos courtesy Dr Heng)

EVENTS Margaret Coull and Richard Cormack preview their joint photographic exhibition

Land of the Tiger and Land of the Berbers

St Andrews Photographic Society is flourishing, with over 60 members. Following the example last year of Club President, Stan Farrow, two Society members, Margaret Coull and Richard Cormack, are preparing a joint exhibition. Land of the Tiger and Land of the Berbers – photographs depicting the exotic and exuberant colours and textures of India and Morocco – to be held in the Gallery of Dundee Botanic Gardens from 12th to 21st May, between 10.00am and 4.30pm daily (see the Selected Events column).

Margaret’s photographic interests are primarily in wildlife. One place in India has drawn her back time and again. She describes the experience thus: As I sat in an Indian train I vowed I would never do this again: 18 hours from Delhi to Umeria, and as night fell the cockroaches came out.

There was no way my head was going on the pillow. [This was the only time with cockroaches]. After my first good sighting of a tiger the long journey was forgotten and I was to visit Bandhavgargh another 4 times, but have never enjoyed the long train journey – 48 hours travelling just catnapping.

The problems of photographing tigers are many. A mainly nocturnal animal, it’s a case of first locate your tiger. They are mostly active early morning, when the light is low. Mahouts go out very early and find the tiger by listening to warning calls from other mammals and looking for pug marks on the sandy tracks. The drivers and guides are expert in knowing the different tiger wanderings. You are up, ready. If the tiger is inaccessible to a jeep, it’s time to get an elephant to help. Climbing from the roll bar of a jeep onto a big elephant is not easy, but everyone helps and you are aboard. Big elephants are fairly stable. The small ones, though easier to get on, tend to fidget. Photography from the back of a fidgety elephant is difficult; camera image-stabilising equipment helps. I marvel at the understanding between elephant and mahout, “Can you move the elephant a little bit to the right?” – and it is done.

At other times you try your tracking skills from a jeep. Many hours spent unsuccessfully. A good sighting makes up for everything and there are always the birds and langur monkeys to look out for.

There is no other animal that evokes the emotions of watchers as a tiger does. Sometimes frantic shouting to get closer and then complete silence as the tiger deigns to cross the road slowly, and without looking at his admiring fans. After he passes there is a mad dash to second guess where he is going to appear next.

Village Fantasia

The tracks in Bandhavgarh are very uneven and if the driver and guide suspect there’s a tiger in the vicinity it’s hold on to your hat and try not to get bumped out of the jeep as you race to get to the spot. At other times you can sit for most of the afternoon just hoping. Then, as you wait in the evening light and when it’s almost dark, out he comes. The appearance of this most dignified and elegant and beautiful of animals makes all the waiting and discomfort worthwhile.

Richard, with his wife Edith, had the good fortune in 1997 to be invited to explore Morocco with Hamish Brown – poet and writer, walker and mountaineer, Fifer, and Honorary Graduate of St Andrews University.

Ten further trips with Hamish’s groups to all parts of the country, trekking (but not riding) with mules or camels, riding in Land Rovers (or briefly on top of onions in a lorry) have revealed more and more of the wonders of that splendid country. Though not primarily for photography, these visits have offered plenty of opportunities. He describes them thus: “Colours overwhelm – orange, red, purple, and ochre of dunes and rocks, mountains, and canyons; vivid greens of hidden mountain valleys irrigated by meltwater from high snowfields; golds, and browns of mud houses and walls; blue- and white-washes of Andalucian towns in the North; the rich variety of traditional country dress. Camping in temperatures of 45° or -5° C; sleeping on rich carpets and cushions in bare guestrooms of remote mud farmhouses, or in the faded grandeur of ‘colonial’ hotels. Being engulfed by vibrant humanity in Marrakesh, or horsemen in a country Fantasia. Sitting among the elders in quiet squares at dusk. Paddling down canyons after a flash flood, or in the surf on empty Atlantic beaches. Marvelling at the dignity of the Berbers.”

Summer home of Berber shepherds

(Photos courtesy of Margaret Coull & Richard Cormack)

Home from the souk

Figures on the dune

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EVENTS

The New Picture House Winner of the RAAM Independent Cinema of the Year Award for Excellence Enjoy a pre-show drink in our lounge or book an exclusive function or children’s party with a private screening

Invite you to visit a hidden treasure in the heart of St Andrews

WOODLAND & WATERGARDENS HERBACEOUS & SCREE, ALPINES & RHODODENDRONS GLORIOUS GLASSHOUSE COLLECTIONS OPEN DAILY ALL YEAR ROUND

BEDDING PLANT SALE STARTS Saturday 15th May from 10am

PLANT SALES AREA Open till end September

SUMMER LECTURE & RECEPTION Tuesday 15th June at 7.30pm Chemistry Dept., North Haugh Entry Free – All Welcome

CONDUCTED WALKS

First Sunday Each Month, 2pm

ACTIVITIES IN THE GATEHOUSE (See separate article)

www.nphcinema.co.uk

117 North Street, St Andrews Tel: 013334 474902

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

EVENTS The Preservation Trust’s Hidden Gardens Day event is

Thirteen, and still going strong Sunday 27th June will see the The success of the event, of course, largely depends on the thirteenth Hidden Gardens weather, and there have often been anxious moments in the run-up to Day run by the St Andrews Hidden Gardens Day. However the Trust has been fortunate. The one Preservation Trust. The first, year when the Day came near to being abandoned, was 2007, “when held in 1998, was organised smirring rain became heavier and heavier accompanied by wind”. In through Scotland’s Gardens that year only 460 bought tickets against the usual 800 /1000. But 2007 Scheme. Held to “promote was also when a superb DVD of Hidden Gardens Day was produced the work of the Trust in a

by Margaret Coull and Sam Taylor – a most remarkable record of the positive manner,” in the beauty of the gardens. Probably because additional events, attractions, words of the then Chairman, and entertainment were provided throughout, years 2008 and 2009 saw Dorothea Morrison, “people record takings. The current committee has a real challenge to match last were encouraged to visit year’s achievement. little-known wynds and closes.” The brainchild of June Baxter, Hidden Refreshments are sold primarily at St John’s where various stalls Gardens Day was described in the Trust’s Year Book of 2002 by the next are to be found including Boarhills Blooms. Another innovation, to be Chairman, Elizabeth Williams, “looks like a fixture repeated this year at St Andrews Church Hall in in the St Andrews calendar.” And her successor, Queen’s Terrace, will be the availability of tapas Hidden Gardens Day has Anne Morris, wrote in 2005, “This has now become at lunchtime, organised and produced by Jill firmly established in the St Andrews programme indeed become a fixture on Hardie. of summer events.” By 2008 it was “an institution, Hidden Gardens Day has indeed become the local calendar of events a fixture immensely popular with locals and tourists alike.” on the local calendar of events. It will The Trust eventually divorced Hidden Gardens run from 11.00 am to 6.00 pm. Tickets cost £5, from the Scotland’s Gardens Scheme and ran it as a totally separate available from the Preservation Trust Offices in Queen’s Gardens, the event. One experiment, to have a Spring Gardens Day in April 2006 was Preservation Trust Museum, and Visit Scotland. Children are admitted not repeated; not for financial reasons (£1600 being raised), but because free. there were insufficient gardens to open at that time of year. Securing (Photos courtesy the Preservation Trust) gardens for the main event has never been a problem.

A total of sixty different gardens have participated (plus 7 for that Spring event) and there will be three new gardens this year. Gardens have been opened in Hepburn Gardens, and Hallowhill in the past, whereas in recent years all gardens have been central and within walking distance.

The one garden which has been open every year, is the award-winning garden of the Trust’s Museum at 12 North Street. By courtesy of the University History Department, the St John’s Garden has been involved on all but one occasion, being a major venue for stalls and the main centre for refreshments, which can also be found at the Museum and elsewhere. June Baxter’s lang rigg at 46 South Street has featured on all but two occasions. June herself “retired” after five years as organiser. But guess who is currently joint co-ordinator for 2010? Why, none other than June Baxter! Six of the twelve participating gardens this year also participated in the first event in 1998. The organising committee is always on the lookout for new attractions, such as Jill Hardie’s terraced water garden at 18 Queen’s Terrace; a Japanese-style garden at 8 Kinnessburn Road; and last year, 12 Howard Place with its replica of the road hole bunker. New gardens this year will be at Madras College, Ginger Beer Lodge Lade Braes Lane, and Cllr Robin Waterston’s at 128 North Street.

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EVENTS Alan Tricker, a Director of the Byre Theatre talks about a forthcoming production –

The ‘other’ Open has a birthday in 2010

By the time July is traveller to get an alcoholic drink on Sundays and when an amateur over, millions of people could still be in with a chance to win The Open. worldwide will know Many golf personalities of the day are mentioned in the play, that the 2010 Open such as Sam Sneed (winner of the 1946 Open in St Andrews), Championship was Bobby Locke, Ben Hogan, and Dai Rees. There is also a drink-loving held in St Andrews, and caddie – The Louse – who is purported to be based on some of the many of those will have fishermen-caddies of the 1940s. The story focuses on the nail-biting noticed that it is the 150th Anniversary of finale of an Open with the residents of the hotel – staff and golfers the first British Open Golf Championship. alike – viewing the antics of the players at the Road Hole. It is a great However, 2010 will be an important comedy and also a touching love story. The play was first performed anniversary for another ‘Open’, as it will in the 1950 summer season at the Byre and directed by Elliott be the 60th birthday of a play entitled The Playfair. It has been played at the Byre Theatre eleven times since Open – a golf comedy that was written by 1950 – the same number of times that the Open has been in A B Paterson in 1950. It will be difficult to St Andrews. miss The Open Championship on the Old My first association with the play was during the 1984 Open Course, but make sure you don’t miss the (winner Seve Ballesteros) when it was directed by the playwright other ‘Open’ at the Byre and Byre Theatre founder – A B Paterson. At that Theatre in May! time I played the amateur champion in the play, It is a tradition that It is a tradition that and in 1990 (Open winner Nick Faldo) I moved on each time the Open each time the Open Golf to play an American golfer as well as directing the Championship is in play. The most recent production was during the Golf Championship is St Andrews, the 2005 Open (winner Tiger Woods). Brenda Hunter in St Andrews, the St Andrews Play Club has been involved in all productions since 1984, St Andrews Play Club produces The Open. playing a variety of roles. Sandra Skeldon, Sarah produces The Open It is a play about the Thomson and Kenny Lindsay reprise their roles from 1990 production in the second Championship in the 2005 production, and John Caton returns as Byre Theatre. You might be St Andrews in the 1940s when the pace the golf professional – a part he has played in all productions since able to spot an much youngerof life was slower and before the current 1990. There are several actors new to the cast, including Nathalia looking Alan Tricker in these! commercialisation of the event. As with Smith, Janet Richardson, Derek Brannan, Gary Thompson, and finally the Open Golf Championship it has a cast Forbes Terris in the coveted role of ‘Louse’ – the caddie. of local St Andreans, American, and English golfers, and is set in a small The St Andrews Play Club will be presenting the play from the family-run hotel adjacent to the eighteenth fairway. It shows St Andrews at 25th to 29th May at the Byre Theatre in order to keep this St Andrews a time when most visitors arrived by train, when you had to be a bona fide tradition alive, and to celebrate the birthday of the ‘other’ Open.

(Photos courtesy The Play Club)

2005 production in the current Byre – the first A B Paterson play to be staged there.

The Parrot and the Polymath 1 May St Andrews & 2 May Dundee As part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of the life of Sir D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson, famous Scottish scholar and naturalist, Museum and Gallery Studies students from the University of St Andrews and The Walking Theatre Company are putting on a production restoring D’Arcy to the streets of St Andrews and Dundee. During the first weekend of May residents and visitors will have a rare opportunity to participate in this free cultural event that will bring the famous polymath,

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his boisterous daughters, exasperated housekeeper, adoring students and bitter academic rival back to life. As an open air street theatre event that moves through the towns, the audience will be able to view St Andrews and Dundee in a whole new light. For some added fun, spectators may even be called on to play a small part in the performance. This event is in association with the University of St Andrews student-curated exhibition: The Parrot and the Polymath,

a Celebration of the Life of Sir D’Arcy Wentworth Thompson, on display in the Gateway Gallery, North Haugh, St Andrews until May 3rd. This event is made possible by funding from Show Scotland and Awards for All Scotland.

See the Parrot and the Polymath events web page for further details: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~exhib1/

EVENTS

Selected Events Saturday, 1 May – 9.00am-1.00pm. Argyle Street car park. Farmers’ Market.

– 10.00am-4.00pm. Victory Memorial Hall, St Andrews. Book Sale.

Admission Free.

– 7.30pm. St Andrews Episcopal Church, Queen’s Gardens, St Andrews. The Music and the Rhyme – a recital by Lyric Tenor, Wills Morgan, accompanied on the pianoforte by Richard Black.

Music by Purcell; Haydn; Roger Quilter; Francis George Scott; Erik Chisholm; and contemporary composer Ronald Stevenson.

– The Parrot and the Polymath street performance. See page 26.

Sunday, 2 May – 8.00pm. St Salvator’s chapel, North Street, St Andrews. The Rusalka Quartet, directed by Tom Wilkinson.

Music by Purcell, Beethoven. Tickets at the door: £10 / £8 / £4.

Contact the Music Centre: 01334 462 226.

Wednesday, 5, 12 May – 1.15pm. Younger Hall, North Street, St Andrews. Lunchtime concerts. Tickets £2 at the door. Light refreshments available. Contact: 01334 462 226.

Wednesday, 5 May – 5.00pm. Younger Hall, North Street, St Andrews. Youth Choir & Children’s Horn Ensembles, conducted by Gillian Craig & Margaret Douglass. Admission Free – retiring collection. Contact: 01334 462 226.

Friday, 7 May – 8.00pm. St Salvator’s Chapel, North Street, St Andrews. Recital, the Baroque Orchestra. Conductor, Claire Garabedian. Tickets at the door: £5 / £4 / £3.

Contact: 01334 462 226.

Wednesday, 12 to Friday, 21 May – 10.00am-4.30pm in the Visitor Centre of DUNDEE Botanic Gardens. Land of the Tiger and Land of the Berbers – a photographic exhibition depicting the exotic and exuberant colours and textures of India and Morocco,

by Margaret Coull and Richard Cormack of the flourishing St Andrews Photographic Society. Free admission to the Visitor Centre and exhibition. See page 23. Contact: 01334 476 970, email: rcormack@btinternet.com Thursday, 13 May – 8.00pm. School 1, The Quad, North Street, St Andrews. The Lewis Hoard of Gaming Pieces, talk by David Caldwell, National Museums of Scotland for the University Archaeology Society. Contact Jane Watkinson, email: janemwatkinson@hotmail.com Saturday, 15 May – 7.30pm. Hope Park Church, St Andrews.

A concert by the Alma College Choir from Michigan, USA. Tickets £5 available from Hope Park or at the door. All proceeds to Christian Aid Week. Contact: Bill Sutherland 01334 473 541.

Saturday, 22 May – 2.00-4.30pm. Cambo Estate, Kingsbarns.

Introduction to vegetable growing, with Assistant Head Gardener Ruth McHutchon. Tickets £18 (RHS members £14.50) including coffee and shortcake. Contact: 01333 450 054.

Tuesday, 1 June – 12.45pm. The Prior’s House, Cathedral precincts. The first of a series of medieval harp recitals given

by Simon Chadwick. It will feature liturgical chant preserved in the medieval music books of St Andrews Cathedral, Incholm Abbey, and other religious centres around Scotland.

Admission is Free, but please collect a ticket first from the Cathedral visitor centre. Contact: 01334 472 563.

Wednesday, 2 June – 12noon-5.00pm. The Town Hall, St Andrews. Japanese kawaii Pop Culture: a light-hearted day mixing with the new faces of Japanese public diplomacy in the 21st century. Light nibbles and drinks will be available from 12.15pm onwards. Admission Free. Contact: Dr Yee-Kuang Heng, email: ykh1@st-andrews.ac.uk Saturday, 5 June – 9.00am-1.00pm. Argyle Street car park. Farmers’ Market.

– 10.00am-12 noon. Supper Room, Town Hall, St Andrews.

Coffee Morning, Scottish Wildlife Trust. Admission £1.50.

Contact: Elizabeth Adams 01333 450 267.

– 10.00am-2.00pm. Church Square, St Andrews. Bric-a-brac sale. Contact: Bill Sutherland 01334 473 541.

Thursday, 10 June – 8.00pm. St Salvator’s Chapel, North Street, St Andrews. Organ recital, David Herman.

Thursday, 17 – Saturday, 19 June – 7.30pm. Byre Theatre, St Andrews. The Rape of Lucretia by Benjamin Britten.

Performed by St Andrews Opera. Conductor, Michael Downes. Director, Kally Lloyd-Jones (of Scottish Opera).

Tickets from the Byre Box Office: £14 / £12 / £9. Contact: 01334 475 000.

Wednesday, 23 June – 6.00pm. St Salvator’s Chapel, North Street, St Andrews. The Annual Graduation Recital.

Performances by the year’s most talented graduands.

Tickets at the door: £3. Contact: 01334 462 226.

Saturday, 26 June – 2.00-4.30pm. Cambo Estate, Kingsbarns.

Old-fashioned Roses. Illustrated talk by John West, Chairman of the Garden History Society. Tickets £12.50 (RHS members £10) include coffee and shortbread. Part of the Roses Festival continuing to Monday,12 July. Contact: 01333 450 054.

Sunday, 27 June – 11.00am to 6.00pm. Hidden Gardens of St Andrews. An opportunity to visit rarely-seen gardens of St Andrews. Also stalls, entertainment, refreshments.

Admission charge, £5, children Free. Contact: The St Andrews Preservation Trust, 01334 477 152. Email: trust@standrewspreservationtrust.org.uk

ADVANCE NOTICE Every Wednesday from 14 July to 4 August – 1.15pm St Salvator’s Chapel, North Street, St Andrews.

Lunchtime Organ recitals. Tickets at the door: £3.

Contact: 01334 462 226.

Every Thursday from 15 July to 5 August – 8.00pm St Salvator’s Chapel, North Street, St Andrews.

Summer concert Series. Tickets at the door: £6 / £5.

Contact: 01334 462 226.

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OUT & ABOUT Karen Hutchence suggests

A Tentsmuir Walk View white-tailed eagles, seals basking on sandbanks, red squirrels, and the most fantastic forest and coastal walks; visit Tentsmuir Natural Nature Reserve (NNR) and Tentsmuir Forest just 20 minutes from St Andrews. Keep fit and enjoy a virtually cost-free day out in these beautiful surroundings. Walk through the mature pine forest and beach, or head off on a trek inland to the Morton Lochs on the circular route linking to Tayport Heath and Tentsmuir Point.

There are four wildlife hides around Morton Lochs to view kingfishers, swans, tufted duck; the marsh harrier has even been sighted, and many more types of wildlife, including otters and hundreds of teal that gather to feed on the sheltered water rich with food. Take a flask of tea and relax in the tranquil surroundings in the comfort of the hides. (The Fullerton bird hide is elevated and requires a key for access.)

At Tentsmuir Point, within the foreshore are signposted with an estimate of how many and sandbars of the NNR, is the resting place miles they are, written on the signpost. Take for both grey and common seals. You can water and a bit of food for energy to get you frequently see them relaxing on the dunes with to and fro, and remember to wear or take their young. The adults will leave the young warm clothing or waterproofs in case the ones on the shore while weather changes. The they go out and hunt for car park is the main point The forest is vast, fish. You can’t get too close for most of the trails, one or touch the baby seals, as of which leads straight yet very flat for easy the mother may reject them towards an Ice House access to walk or cycle once used to keep if they have a human scent on them. They are fabulous locally-caught salmon creatures to watch, and very curious. The park fresh. This was built in the 1800s, and is an rangers are constantly monitoring them, so excellent building to view. they are extremely well looked after. (The sand At the Forestry car park, there is a banks are dangerous to go out on, as the rising massive picnic area, also a playground, toilets, tide can cut you off from the beach. Swimming and information boards. You can take your is also not recommended). barbecue along to the picnic area only, and The forest is vast, yet very flat for easy there is running water for you to cool it down access to walk or cycle. Some of the routes before you leave. Rubbish must be taken home as there are no bins. Alcohol is banned, but dogs are very welcome; however they MUST be kept on a lead in the NNR areas.

It’s a great place for a family gathering or a day out in natural surroundings. This is a must place to visit. Every time I go there I see something exciting and different, including a White-tailed eagle (a sea eagle) which was standing at the shore-line. This place is uplifting and energizing; it’s one of the best low-level flat walks to go on for people of all ages. Such fantastic scenery on your doorstep is well worth visiting.

Directions: From the Main Street of Leuchars village, just after the Church, turn left onto Pitlethie Road, where there are signposts all the way out to Tentsmuir. Have £1 ready for the parking access barrier, and when you enter read what time the car park closes, as the gates will get locked at different times throughout the year.

Grab a pamphlet from the information board within the picnic area, so you understand the layout of the place, and what the trail symbols represent.

Most importantly – have a great time, enjoy that fantastic scenery, and relax...

(Photo courtesy Karen Hutchence)

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OUT & ABOUT Anne Lightwood describes

Diversity in The Garden of willow as an art form – will be 2010 has been designated as the International Year of featured during June, with some Biodiversity, and one of the aims of St Andrews Botanic informal demonstrations during Garden – “Promoting a diversity of plants for education and the month, plus paintings by Irene conservation”, forms the theme for a variety of events to be Duncan. In July paintings by held in the Garden during the summer. Helen Firth and Anne Ruth Walker, and prize-winning Lightwood will tutor drawing days in the Garden in May – apprentice gardener Pamela Looking at Natural Form uses trees, large colourful blooms Marnie, along with ceramics and and the tiny details of alpines and small plants as models; other craftwork, will comprise themes followed in the Gatehouse exhibitions.

Diverse Design and Infinite Variety.

Diversity in the Garden celebrates Willow, 2010 has been Open Day on 25th July, an used for everything from making cricket designated as the annual event with a wide range bats to decontamination of polluted land, family attractions run by the through a series of botanical and art-related International Year of of Friends, celebrates people, plants, activities. In June, three Willow Workshops, Biodiversity and the Garden, with music, teas, led by environmental artists & willow workers and some new events. The year Stephanie Bunn and Jon Warnes, will reof Celebrating Fife 2010 will feature interactive introduce and teach forgotten skills, making items such as sculpture building from natural materials, in which tripods, bird houses, and ornamental birds, to be taken home anyone may join, led by Fifeand used in individual gardens. A reminder of the historical based artist, Kevin Blackwell. heritage of willow on the East coast of Scotland for fishing The piece constructed, later creels and lobster pots, in agriculture, fencing, and baskets allowed to decay back to nature, will link the growing collection of willow species with different will link to a temporary sculpture items made from it, while information illustrating the diversity display by several invited artists of plants and wildlife supported by willow in local habitats such sited outdoors in the Garden and as Tentsmuir and Loch Leven, plus a display showing the continuing during August and into importance of willow in medicine and treatment of disease, September. There will also be an eg as the origin of aspirin, will demonstrate its versatility. A Art Competition with categories tour of the Garden collection with advice and demonstration suiting all ages and experience. on propagation and growing your own willow is planned for Work will be produced on the day September. inspired by the Garden, and one Now in its second season the Gatehouse, as well as section can include materials found in the Garden. selling plants and having information on all aspects of There will be prizes in all categories with some activities in the Garden, will show work by local artists. April winning entries exhibited in the Gatehouse during was large scale – Seeing the August.

Wood AND the Trees featured paintings, furniture, and turned So it will be worth more wood. For May the scale than one visit to changes to Small is Beautiful St Andrews Botanic when miniatures by Wendy Garden, Canongate, Sabine, samplers by Jean le St Andrews Maitre, seaglass panels by KY16 8RT. David Hewitt, prints by Lisa Gribbon, and watercolours (Photos courtesy

by Morag Harrison will be on Hamish Brown) display. Wonderful Willow –

by Scottish basket makers using modern adaptations

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OUT & ABOUT

Fife’s Far Frontiers ScotWays’ Fife Heritage Paths – signs now in place:

Heritage Path

Old Road This is part of the old road that linked Old Kennoway with Cupar. It was a very important road and appears on many old maps. It would have seen a lot of traffic as traders and merchants visited the market at Cupar.

Heritage Path

Heritage Path

Heritage Path

Old Path

Monks’ Road

Bishop’s Road

This path is a very old route that went through Wormit eventually leading to Woodhaven, which was the foremost passenger ferry port until 1800. It was a small part of the main route between Edinburgh and Dundee.

The name Monks’ Road probably comes from it having been used by monks to access the ferry to Tayside. It was probably more often used as a coffin road and there are stones on the way that are thought to be resting stones where coffin bearers rested the coffin, and themselves.

This old road was one of the medieval routes into StAndrews and would have been used by many pilgrims before the reformation. It is called Bishop’s Road as Archbishop Sharp was murdered along it on Magus Muir when he was travelling to St Andrews in 1679.

NO 390 252 NO 386 247

y

ST ANDREWS

R

ail

wa

Perth Heritage Path

NO 288 116 and NO 287 113

Coffin Road This path was used for a long time by people carrying their dead to be buried in consecrated ground. As this area was in Collessie Parish they would probably have been carried to Collessie church, which has been the site of a church since at least 1243.

NO 363 122 NO 460 152

NO 399 114 and NO 381 096

Glenrothes

NT 302 997 and NT 319 957

NT 233 932

Heritage Path

Windylaw Path This path was used for many centuries as a coffin road where people carried their dead to Rosyth Church. The path was not always as short as it is now as people may have been carried from as far away as Dunfermline.

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NT 084 829 and NT 090 835

Heritage Path

Heritage Path

Heritage Path

Miners’ Path

Queen Mary’s Road

The Waterless Road

This road has been used for many centuries as the 16th century Carden Tower lies on its route. It was more recently used by miners accessing the mines on the way. The path was also connected to a number of tram roads that were used by the coal mines.

This old path is so named as it is thought that Mary Queen of Scots used it to get from Wemyss Castle to Falkland Palace. It uses a centuries old bridge called the Barrel Brig, which may not last much longer due to damage by inappropriate motorbike use.

This is a very old road that linked Ceres with Old Kennoway. Archbishop Sharp is said to have used this road before he was killed on his way to St Andrews in 1679 just south of Strathkinness on the 0 Road. Many pilgrims Bishop’s would have used this old road to get to St Andrews Cathedral.

OUT & ABOUT From Tony Hardie, more

Nature Notes – March 2010 A pair of song condition as they search for holes in the thrushes came into Abbey wall, or well-placed nest boxes. How our garden recently is it that they produce such big families, to look around; they have been honoured and where does the mortality take place? guests for years. Their presence indicated There will be a rich picking for them from by the shells of countless snails demolished our garden aphids in due course. Perhaps upon their ‘anvils’, (one or two favourite heavy rain and the Sparrow Hawk will take rocks). But the cock blackbird would have their toll. nothing of this. With something near to By the time these notes are read despair I watched as he chased them away. spring will really be here. The swallows and As it happens, his mate the hen blackbird is martins will have returned from their African boss. She will not even share with him what sojourn and those who walk in our birch she sees as her food. She builds their nest, woodland will hear the lovely cadence of collecting the plant debris, digging over the the willow warbler, rising and falling before soil and drinking copiously from the trough, it fades away. The trees will be coming up to sixteen gulps at one into leaf, there will be The great tit, the blue time to make the mud that warmth in the sun and binds her nest together. we might have forgotten tit, and the coal tit have The cock jenny wren the intense cold of one of come through the winter will be delighted at my those very harsh winters with little stress thanks to raking of the lawn. Without that occur every decade the countless St Andreans or so. When I wrote, fear he will gather the moss to build a nest in the ivy. our wild grey geese had who feed them He makes more than one returned, flying over the nest; the hen will then choose which one town on their way to roost on the Eden she likes best. I don’t have to wonder who estuary. By late April they will all have left, rules the roost. But I cannot close on these flying far to the north and the tundra to birds without mentioning the beautiful song breed. We bade them farewell, and shall of the cock blackbird, always delivered from wait till late September to hear their music a prominent point nearby, morning and again. evening. Though I know he is henpecked he never tires of his singing. On the other (Photos courtesy John Anderson (Crail Birder: hand the monotone of the greenfinch that http://www.pbase.com/crail_birder)) nests nearby is so boring. His song is like a dentist’s drill operated at a low speed! But it is good to know that the hen is nearby sitting on eggs.

The bird table and feeders have hosted many more of our garden birds. The lovely long-tailed tits of midwinter have moved on to mossy woodland. Their domed nest, when complete, will be a work of exquisite art; of moss and lined with the warmest of feathers. So sad when one finds that some predator has pulled the nest to pieces.

The great tit, the blue tit, and the coal tit have come through the winter with little stress thanks to the countless St Andreans Coal tit who feed them. They should be in good

Blackbird

Greenfin

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Wren

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