St Andrews in Focus Issue 63 Mar Apr 2014

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

March/April 2014 Issue 63, £2.00

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

St

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

From the Editor

I’ve got the Deadline Blues, yeah; you know, that date on the calendar when lots of people wait till the last possible minute to submit copy for publication. Naively I once thought that two months between issues of this magazine would give me a leisurely timescale for editing, proof reading, all that stuff needed to produce copy for the designer, before the printer comes into it.

I’m not complaining. Someone once asked me what I would do if I ran out of copy. That would never happen in St Andrews, I said! And of course I was happily quite right. It’s extremely rewarding. Nevertheless, as I keep repeating ad nauseam, the magazine should be a business for the town, employing people in the way all other magazines do. Maybe, if I go on repeating myself, the penny will eventually drop, setting this magazine on a proper path to prosperity, with St Andrews the rightful beneficiary! The Professional Publishers Association (PPA Scotland) states, “The publishing industry in Scotland is thriving, with more than 190 companies producing over 700 titles.” This magazine should be part of it properly. Anyone for business?

Flora Selwyn

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The views expressed elsewhere in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor. © St Andrews in Focus (2003) MARCH / APRIL 2014 EDITOR Flora Selwyn Tel: 01334 472375 Email: editor@standrewsinfocus.com DESIGNER University of St Andrews Print & Design (printanddesign@st-andrews.ac.uk) PRINTER Winter & Simpson (ken@wintersimpson.co.uk) DISTRIBUTER Distribution Unlimited (billy.shepherd@distributionunlimited.co.uk) PUBLISHER (address for correspondence) Local Publishing (Fife) Ltd., PO Box 29210, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9YZ. Tel: 01334 472375 Email: editor@standrewsinfocus.com SUBSCRIPTIONS St Andrews in Focus is published 6 times a year.

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Contents FEATURES • • • • • • • •

The Community Council Lost in Translation Farewell, Ladies Lake 52 South Street The Lion Park Ask the Curator St Andrews Cathedral Reviews – Storied Revelations

3 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

SHOPS & SERVICES • • • • •

Girl power…

Restaurant review Mortal relief!

Moses Roving Reporter

11 12 13 13 15

EVENTS • • • • • • • •

A cycling tour Open Studios The Barron Theatre The Swilkan Singers Making waves 25 years of music-making!

The St Andrews Chorus Selected Events

16 17 18 19 19 20 20 21

ORGANISATIONS • • • •

One cup of tea…

Baby Yoga St Andrews in Bloom The AJR

22 22 23 23

TOWN & GOWN • •

KK’s travelling chariot From Madras to the Himalayas

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OUT & ABOUT • • • • • • • • •

Nature Notes Ready to launch Early years of the Sailing Club Walks Boase Wood A good walk spoiled!

Drinks on the house!

Toonspot Hidden Gems

NEXT ISSUE – May/June 2014 COPY DEADLINE: STRICTLY 28 MARCH

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

Cover: Mahonia, original photo by Flora Selwyn

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FEATURES Kyffin Roberts, Chairman Community Council As I sit at my computer on this cold wet January day my thoughts drift to warm summer afternoons; smiling faces and the sounds of brass bands carried on the breeze along the Bruce Embankment and the Scores.

It is that time of year again, it’s time to send out the letters to local organisations asking them to once again support The Community Council Summer Bandstand Concerts. The Community Council will cover the cost of at least two concerts from funds raised by “ shaking the buckets” at last year’s concerts. (Note to self, apply for charitable collection licence), but more funds are needed if we are to cover the travelling expenses of the bands performing every Sunday afternoon throughout July and August.

There was a time when every mining community in Fife had its own brass band. While the mines have since closed, their affiliated bands folded, there are still bands eager to play at The Bandstand in St Andrews. Many bands regard it as their favourite venue, with its natural amphitheatre setting. We will be sending out invitations to bands as far afield as Arbroath and Dunfermline. While not yet confirmed, I fully expect to have old favourites like the Dysart Colliery Silver

Band together with the Buckhaven and Methil miners’ band back in St Andrews in 2014.

The seasoned campaigners in those bands will arrive with a good supply of clothes pegs to keep their sheet music in place, for they know that it’s not always a breeze that blows in from the North Sea at this location! Gale force winds accompanied by squally showers can be a challenge for any bandsman, no matter how experienced.

The Bandstand concerts take place between 2.00 and 4.00pm on Sunday afternoons in July and August; you will be reminded by notices in the press nearer the time. Locals and visitors alike enjoy the concerts. It is always interesting to see the tourists step down from their coach at the R&A, as they hear the sound of the Brass Band while strolling up towards Martyrs Monument. There is a flurry of excitement as I-phones and I-pads are aimed at the scene below.

Gone are the days of photographs and slides, video recordings now being used to record the memories of vacations.

I wonder how they describe what happened in St Andrews when they play the video back to their friends and neighbours back home in Tokyo, Seoul, or Beijing? They will probably make reference to what seems to be Scottish Tradition, where enthusiastic locals stand in front of them shaking a plastic container with coins in it. I can confirm that, judging by the puzzled response,

the shaking buckets, a

charitable collection is not part of the cultural heritage in their homelands!

Volunteers from the Community Council set up the Bandstand for each concert by transferring and returning the chairs needed to and from the Memorial Hall, They help with serving light refreshments to the bands when they take a break from performing, and of course they help with the collection.

If you would like to be involved as a volunteer or spectator, please mark the dates in your diary now.

I look forward to seeing you at The Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council Summer Bandstand Concerts 2014.

More information about the Community Council is available on our website a www.standrewscc.net/ (Photo courtesy Kyffin Roberts)

John Cameron

Lost in translation There are certain things the public says to members of the professions which clearly mean one thing to them, but quite another to the listener, and which tend to raise red flags.

When a client entered the office of a solicitor friend of mine, confiding in a conspiratorial way, “Now Mr Carlton, to let you understand…..” he assumed he was about to be lied to.

If a patient said heroically to my GP brother, “Tell me the worst, doctor, I can take it”, he knew the man was emotionally unstable and that his reply would have to be very guarded.

As a clergyman gathering funds for a good cause, if I was refused with the words, “It’s not the money, Dr Cameron, it’s the principle.” – I was pretty sure it was the money.

Or if a parishioner opened with, “It gives me no pleasure to tell you this….” I was well aware it gave her enormous pleasure, and that she had been waiting all day for me to call.

Again when I am assured that, “all the world’s scientists agree” on some topic, the actual message I receive as a physicist is that the person talking to me is “scientifically challenged”.

The fact is that in most fields we treat experts with respect, but in the unlikely event that they all agree on some controversial point, they are almost certainly wrong. For example, at the end of the dark years of the Sombre Seventies, Britain was in a state of fiscal and monetary collapse, well on the way to becoming a South American banana republic.

At their wits’ end, Margaret Thatcher and her Chancellor Geoffrey Howe decided to bin the 1970s strategy, whereby previous

governments had financed their deficits by printing money. Immediately the whole academic establishment – with such notable exceptions as Alan Walters, Patrick Minford, Tim Congdon, and Kit Blake of St Andrews – rose up against the pair. Some 364 economists wrote to the Times claiming there was “no economic basis” for her policy, that it threatened “social and political stability”, that the sky was falling.

Inevitably the moment the letter appeared, the economy started to recover and an emboldened lady drove through the labour market and union reforms which slashed our rates of unemployment.

The problem with coaxing support from scientists, medics, or economists for an unresolved issue, is that it is as tricky as herding cats; anyway, scepticism is the basis of all research. In the search for understanding, scientists make an educated guess, compute the consequences, then compare these with experimental data to see if the theory holds up.

If these predictions disagree with the actual observations, then the theory is wrong – that is how science works and it does not matter how many “experts” can be dragooned in support. The name can even be altered from, say, ‘global warming’ to ‘climate change’, but if the theoretical figures do not match the experimental ones the hypothesis is wrong, and that’s an end to it.

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FEATURES Gordon Senior chatted to Flora Selwyn about his

Farewell to Ladies Lake

28 years of memories have to be recorded, especially when the beautiful, well-known house off the Scores, Ladies Lake, is changing hands.

Gordon tells that, “in the years leading up to 1985, the lady who was destined to be my wife, owned a cottage at Pitscottie.” Based in Glasgow at that time, Gordon’s business gave him “enormous satisfaction, though there is no denying,” he adds, “that the fresh East Coast air was stimulating, as well as encouraging a healthy appetite!”

Both the Peat Inn and the Cellar (Anstruther) bore testimony to this observation! Gordon and his wife Moira enjoyed arguing about which restaurant “provided the better fare”. Generally it ended in a dead heat!

4,000 bedding plants from seed, to provide the most beautiful display On a Saturday morning the pair would walk on St Andrews’ West imaginable. On the day I first visited, there was not a cloud in the sky, Sands, starting from the car park at the north end, walking towards the the temperature was well up, there were sailing boats in the Bay, a band town. It was then that was playing, people a white house could be were enjoying al seen “perched on the fresco teas on the cliff top immediately terrace; it was as in front of the Castle.” if a door had been Strolling one Saturday opened on to the through the town’s Bell Mediterranean coast Street, idly looking in an in holiday mood, estate agent’s window, unforgettable! they discovered that the More recently, house was for sale. So it after an unexpected was that in 1985 Ladies deluge forced the Lake became Gordon closure of one Open and Moira’s home.

Day, Gordon decided Turning the clock to put an Honesty back to 1811, or Box in his drive thereabouts, ‘Ladies during July/August to Lake’ was the name allow visitors to view of a sea loch, one of the garden on a daily a number of these, basis. Suggesting a the best known being contribution of just £2 the ‘Witches Lake’. per head and maybe “Any connection with a further donation, witchcraft, of course, Gordon was pleased was something to be to note the success avoided at all costs!” of this arrangement.

The site of the The money collected house is spectacular, was given to right on the cliff with charities. uninterrupted views The garden leads across the whole of down to the shore via St Andrews Bay. However, Gordon found the design short path. Once upon a time St Leonards School Gardening became, not ahad of the house “hardly did it justice.” Therefore he set its swimming pool alongside. Gordon was just an interest, more about enlarging it, as well as building in the garden able to fish for lobsters, “a welcome addition to the an extraordinary terrace cantilevered out over the cliff lunch or dinner menu”; as I can testify, his lobster an obsession top, a feature photographed many times for the world’s thermidor is out of this world! glossy media!

On a more morbid note, Gordon recalls two “Gardening became, not just an interest, more an obsession, and I fatalities in the water. A local farmer called unexpectedly one day to got into the habit of opening to the public one day each year in August see Gordon. Not finding anyone at home, the farmer wandered round under the Scottish Gardens Scheme.” The labour involved has to be the garden and leaned over the railing on the terrace – in Glaswegian understood to be appreciated: Gordon planted afresh each spring over terms, he had a ‘hing’ to see below. At the foot of the cliff he thought he saw a bloated body. Prudently he drove to the North Street police station. Sure enough the body of a young man was recovered.

The second incident occurred on the Wednesday before the 1995 Open Championship. One of a party of overseas visitors overdid the refreshments, became disorientated, climbed over the railing, and died on the rocks below.

Now Ladies Lake is sold. “Friends ask me,” Gordon says rather sadly, “if I will miss the place. Well, of course I will, but for a variety of reasons the time had come for me to sell. The new owner is from Connecticut, and is the most modest, unassuming American I’ve ever met. His plan is to demolish the house, build a new one situated nearer the centre of the site, even closer to the sea, and with an uninterrupted view of the Castle.” Gordon had his bags packed by 28 February, moving not too far along the coast. He wishes the new husband and wife owners many, many years of happiness in Ladies Lake.

St Andrews will miss you Gordon! May you, too, find new happiness where you now dwell.

(Photos courtesy Gordon Senior)

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FEATURES Ken Dalton describes

A home lovingly restored My wife and I bought 52, South Street, St Andrews in the autumn of 2010, active involvement of Fife Council’s appointing Duncan Low as our architect. Listed Building Consent and Archaeology Section, who were given Planning Permission for the Grade B category building was obtained in extensive access for their investigations July 2011 for the extensive renovation and conversion of the property as floors were taken up, walls removed, into a family house. Building work, involving complete restoration of and the building fabric exposed. the exterior and re-planning of the interior, began in autumn 2011, and The history of the building is a completed at the beginning of 2013. fascinating one. At the centre of the The ground floor of the building had previously been used as a structure is the original two-storey Before renovation Doctor’s surgery with living accommodation on first and second floors. stone-walled house built at the front of The attic floor was only used as a storage area. The design approach, one of the two ‘lang rigs’ (the medieval agreed with the new owners, was to convert the ground floor back into land division in St Andrews) that forms the plot for the house. The original an active space incorporating all the living requirements of the house; a building frontage with its low stone-framed doorway and small window new kitchen and dining space with the south-facing rear facade opened has been restored as the south wall of the new dining room at the front up to daylight as far as possible, and with easy access to the extensive of the house. The heavy stone structure of the medieval building now garden. The design included the replacement of the 1950s extension forms the vaulted ceiling of the new kitchen and pantry. As part of the at the back of the house, where the consulting rooms had been, with a construction work, the floor in this part of the building was lowered to gain modern garden room of the same floor area. This now looks onto the 13th headroom. This design decision had two further benefits... it meant that century yew tree that is the chief feature of the mature garden, which was a detailed archaeological investigation of the solum could be carried out, landscaped as part of the project. revealing an old midden to the rear of the original The designs showed the upper floors restored structure, dated because of the pottery discovered The history of the building as a proper ‘piano nobile’, stripping out the old there. Also, all the building services, including is a fascinating one kitchen, making the best of the fine proportions of the underfloor heating pipes, could be concealed the Georgian rooms at this level. The second floor beneath the new floor. The replacement floors were was re-planned as comfortable bedrooms with new bathrooms for us and finished by piecing in the original flagstones in the pantry and by laying our family. The top floor was brought back into use as a study and guest new flooring in the hall in a local stone. The heavy structure of the 14th bedroom. century core now acts as a thermal store to keep the temperature of the The design of the interior spaces in the house was carefully house consistent through the year. The historic building lines, which were considered in relation to the structure of the building, which reflected not obvious in the 1950 ground floor conversion, are now clearly marked a complex history of construction and re-working over many centuries. by a new arch and a glazed screen.

Much of this was evident from a careful initial survey of the property, The area fronting the medieval building was originally part of the but more was revealed as the building work progressed with the occupier’s working space directly abutting the street but, in the 17th century and in common with all the neighbouring buildings, this ground was subsumed within a new frontage, creating a room depth behind a new stone facade. The stair and other rooms in the eastern half of the present house are also thought to have been added around the same time. The original floor level in this area has been restored, the front room converted into a dining space. The first floor structure was strengthened as part of the construction works. The stair, with its fine semi-circular stone newels, has been restored and opened up to the ground floor.

The upper floors were re-modelled in the Georgian period, inside and out, when the well-proportioned first-floor living rooms were created.

The drawing room on the south side of the house has a beautiful curved Venetian window and a fine Adam-style fireplace. The three first-floor After renovation Garden view rooms have now been converted into a flexible reception suite with the addition of sliding interconnecting doors between the two rooms on the street side. This intervention, which is also something typical of Georgian architecture, had the added advantage that a strong steel frame around the new doorway tied the street facade, which showed some signs of movement, firmly to the main building structure. The second-floor rooms have been retained virtually unaltered, though the floor structure has been strengthened and the bathrooms have been re-fitted.

On the top floor the initial survey suggested that there had been dormer windows at an earlier date and this was confirmed when the modern cement render on the street elevation was removed to reveal the stonework. The civic presence of No. 52 is dramatically improved by the restoration of the facade and reinstatement of the dormers. These not only resolve the proportions of the frontage, but now light the top floor again so that it has been possible to add a study and guest bedroom at this level below a raised roof structure. Externally, the roof profile is unaltered, but the chimneys, slating, and skews have all been overhauled.

Whilst the interior spaces reflect the historic period of each part of the house, the exterior reveals the building in its urban setting. The New kitchen stonework on the street frontage has been painstakingly restored, the original window surrounds and other ashlar details carefully repaired. On the garden elevation, the traditional harling has been retained, repaired, repainted, and the materials of the modern addition on this side of the building have been chosen with care. A new lead roof, harled walls and oak-framed structure reflect the traditional materials used elsewhere on the building. The craftsmanship involved in the project is evident, particularly on the restored street facade.

Our original brief has been successfully achieved... to create a comfortable family home within the context of a thoughtfully restored historic building. We are especially proud of the way the house now takes its proper place as part of the streetscape of St Andrews.

Mediaeval houses, South Street

(Photos courtesy Ken Dalton)

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FEATURES Linsey Mitchell, volunteered at

The Lion Park On the 28th of October 2013, I arrived at the Lion Park in Johannesburg.

The Lion Park is home to many animals, including cheetahs, giraffes, hyenas, African wild dogs, and of course, lions – including the rare white lion. I would spend four weeks there volunteering. This was my second time at the park (I volunteered there for two weeks in 2011) and I couldn’t have been happier to be back.

The work of volunteers is mainly to help raise young animals, such as lions, hyenas, giraffe, and ostrich, when they have been rejected by their mothers or orphaned. We would also help around the park by greeting members of the public and helping them interact safely with the various animals.

When we weren’t working, we were free to do our own thing.

Normally, we would spend our free time with the lion cubs. It wasn’t Linsey feeding Leyla Linsey and a 6 month-old lion cub unusual to sit down in one of the enclosures and suddenly be surrounded by four or five big cubs! They would climb all over us, chewing our shoes it wasn’t quite HIM that Mara had been so excited to see, but the empty (or our fingers!), rubbing their faces against ours, and falling asleep in our bottle he was carrying, which she associated with milk! laps.

I spent a fair bit of time in the nursery, where the very young lion cubs For me, one of the best bits of the whole experience as a volunteer are kept. This was home to Leyla, the naughtiest, but most adorable white at the Lion Park is the human friends I have made. I have met so many lion cub I’ve met. She was full of mischief. Many times I would watch her people from all over the world, people I would never have met if I hadn’t as she stalked and pounced on my feet, she would then be very reluctant volunteered. Erika, Fabio, Camila, Katia from Brazil; Marc from Germany; to let go and at one time I walked around the enclosure, dragging her Yvonne from New Jersey; Jemma, Gina, Sue, behind me, because she refused to stop chewing on Debbie, and Amy from England. The other volunteers my foot.

It’s my favourite place in and I spent almost all of our time together, and of My days off were spent taking trips out. I course we all shared a huge love of animals, so the world, so full of magic spent one day with Yvonne, Sue, and Marc, in it was only a matter of days before we became a Hartbeesport, where we rode a cable car to the and dreams-come-true closely-knit group of friends – a family. top of a mountain. The view was spectacular, it Not only did I become so close with the other literally took my breath away. On my next day off volunteers, but I became good friends with the staff members too – Alex, I spent the day with the three other volunteers I became closest with the head animal trainer, and his son and fellow animal trainer; Shandor, – Jemma, Camila, and Gina. We spent the morning on a tour of the and Izzy; Jason, Alicia, Sipho and Mbengeni, all guides at the park. My set of the popular ITV drama “Wild At Heart”, and the afternoon at a experience at the Park wouldn’t have been the same if it hadn’t been for monkey sanctuary where the monkeys were free to roam through a huge any of them. rainforest. Some of the friendlier monkeys would come down to meet us, One afternoon, I accompanied Shandor to check on Mara, an 18 one of them showing us how clever he was by opening Gina’s water bottle month-old giraffe. We walked across the game plains towards the area and drinking its contents! where Mara was lying. As soon as she saw Shandor coming, she got up Some of our days out were organised by the Lion Park, and included and started running towards us. My heart melted at the sight of how much a trip to Glen Afric game farm. There, we went for a two-hour walk Mara clearly loved Shandor. However, he didn’t share my enthusiasm with three elephants, a mother and her two babies. They were such and told me to move to the side while he tried to calm Mara down. It didn’t magnificent, graceful, intelligent, playful animals. Being able to walk work, and eventually he told me we’d have to run! So, we took off back alongside them and look right into their eyes is something I’ll never forget. towards the park, with Mara galloping closely behind us. We made it to The Park also arranged an afternoon for us to interact with their resident the fence and quickly got on the other side of it. Shandor then told me that cheetahs, who were so calm and friendly, they had such soft fur and even purred like domestic cats!

I’d like to say that there is one memory from the Park that stands out from the rest, but in all honesty, every moment was a highlight.

All the cuddles with the lion cubs, the kisses from Zoe the baby giraffe, the fun times with the other volunteers and staff members.

Even cleaning up the mess that the animals made overnight, clearing the weeds and handling huge pieces of raw, smelly meat turned out to be so much fun!

Parting from all these wonderful animals and people at the end of my four weeks was the Camila, Jemma, Linsey and Gina Linsey with Shandor and one of his cheetahs hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.

It’s the only negative thing about volunteering at the Park – having to leave again! However, I know that I will return one day, it would be impossible for me not to go back. It’s my favourite place in the world, so full of magic and dreamscome-true. My true home will always be The Lion Park; I can’t wait to get back and continue the adventure! www.lion-park.com https://www.facebook.com/lionpark Linsey getting kisses from baby Zoe

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Linsey with the mother elephant at Glen Afric

(Photos courtesy Linsey Mitchell)

FEATURES Samantha Bannerman, Curator of the Preservation Trust’s Museum provides

Answers to Your Questions Q. I am carrying out family research and was wondering if you had any information about Sarah Pettigrew, a nurse of the St Andrews Sick Nursing Association?

Her death certificate shows that she lived at 24 South Street, St Andrews, until her death in May 1920, and I believe that this house was restored by the Preservation Trust.

A. We do not have a biography of Nurse Pettigrew in our archives; however, we do have an obituary for her from The St Andrews Citizen dated 15 May 1920. From this we know that she was originally from Lanarkshire, born in 1837. It reads, “NURSE SARAH Nurse Pettigrew PETTIGREW, who in her years of activity was well known in the city, died at her house in South Street on Saturday last week at the advanced age of 85 years. She was the first Nurse of the local Sick Nursing Association, and as she knew practically every family in the city, she was a great help to the Association in the starting of its work. Her whole heart was in her work, and she earned the deep gratitude of many a family. When she retired after thirteen years’ service, owing to failing health, she was presented with a testimonial in recognition of her unselfish labours on behalf of the sick poor.

In her younger days she was the family nurse of the Stirlings of Deans Court. She was a woman of strong personality, an enthusiast in the cause of temperance, and had many fine qualities of heart. The funeral took place to the Eastern Cemetery on Wednesday, the Rev. J. Ferguson conducting the service.”

Her home at 24 South Street was indeed restored by the Preservation Trust, with the assistance of local architect W Murray Jack, between 1970 – 1972 to prevent the 17th century building being demolished. The house was sold after restoration and is once again a private residence.

(Photos courtesy The Preservation Trust)

24 South Street

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FEATURES John Sharp

Saint Andrews Cathedral at Midnight wind hammered film set for Dracula and his sort abandoned bomb site reclaimed by circling gulls of deep faith laid low by reformers burning with conviction cannibalised by hungry locals of homely appetite romantic ruins reinvented for tourists and Historic Scotland God created God blessed Stones of Saint Andrew I salute you still silently reverently you stand at attention in God’s space waiting listening for gentler sounds plainsong prayer devotion faith being lived and breathed all I hear is gulls and my own silence

(Illustration ©Jurek Pütter)

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FEATURES: REVIEWS STOP PRESS: The five lucky people to write in and receive a copy of Keep Calm and Get a Cat were: Lindsay Cordiner; Yvonne Magee; Liz Nicol; Peter Johnstone; Ian Wright. Well done, and thank you Black & White Publishing!

John Patrick Pazdziora reviews

Storied Revelations: Parables, Imagination, and George MacDonald’s Christian Fiction

by Gisela Kreglinger (Wipf & Stock, 2013).

Available from Waterstones, price £18 Kindle version from Amazon, price £6.48.

In her admirable monograph Storied Revelations, Gisela Kreglinger offers a curious and compelling introduction to a great Scottish Victorian. George MacDonald (1824-1905) -mystic, poet, fantasist, preacher, amateur actor, and man of letters – ranks among the most intriguing authors of the nineteenth century.

George MacDonald grew up in Huntly, and his writings contain deep affection for the Aberdeenshire countryside, its people, and their stories. He filled his novels with Scottish customs and Scots language, while his stories for children – notably At the Back of the North Wind and The Princess and the Goblin – draw richly from Scotland’s folktale and ballad tradition.

MacDonald possessed a remarkable ability to take ideas wherever he found them, in bits of old songs, fairy tales he heard as a child, Romantic poetry, even dull collections of sermons, transmuting them into entirely new stories, with startling power and beauty. Images seem to gush from his pen, haunting and beautiful, hilarious and strange.

He was also a devout Christian, raised in the Missionar Kirk, but later converting to Anglicanism. For a number of years, he served as a Congregationalist minister, till his straightlaced congregation sacked him for being, as they put it, ‘tainted with German theology’. Yet, even when he turned to a career as a writer, he always considered himself to have a pastoral vocation.

These three elements – German Romanticism, pastoral ministry, and Scottish fantasy – form the substance of Kreglinger’s book. She skilfully demonstrates how, in MacDonald’s thinking, these seemingly disparate elements formed a single literary project. Kreglinger argues that MacDonald emulated Coleridge and Novalis, and, most importantly, took the Parables of Jesus as his literary ideal. In his writings he sought to tell subtle, often startling stories that taught truth.

Specifically, Kreglinger discusses MacDonald’s last novel, Lilith (1895). A strange, deeply troubling story, with roots in

the Kabbalah and Dante’s Divine Comedy, Lilith raises questions about death and the afterlife, the ways we perceive reality, and whether any act, however well-intentioned, is wholly selfless.

Many writers would have treated such weighty topics with tedious, self-absorbed essays. MacDonald, instead, wrote a gripping Gothic fantasy, in the best Scottish tradition of ‘fine bogey tales’, with vampires and talking ravens and a haunted mansion and the terrifying fairy-queen, Lilith herself. Hardly where one would think to find the Parables of Jesus, but there they are, in a new, fantastic guise, more vital and overwhelming than ever.

Written in a fine, clear style, with detailed notes for the curious, Kreglinger’s discussion of this startling literary imagination makes for a fine, informative read. Highly recommended.

“Don’t think it will catch on, do you?”

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SHOPS & SERVICES

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SHOPS & SERVICES Ronnie Grant, Jnr

Girl Power . . . the new generation!

The new year brings exciting changes to R B Grant Ltd. My father has decided to retire after 40 years in the business. In that time there have been many changes in the industry and the business has developed into many new areas. From my father’s humble beginnings, we now employ a workforce of over 50 with two offices, in St Andrews and Kirkcaldy. Another change has been to our workforce, which includes 14 apprentice electricians. Unusually for our industry 3 of them are female apprentices. This year, one of these 3 will become our first fully-qualified female electrician. The construction industry has seen a sharp rise in the number of women employed. As a company we have been actively helping to promote women within the electrical industry. In their own words our female apprentices have kindly written about their experience of the industry, which may encourage others to consider this as a career.

L to R: Ronnie Grant , Gail Glancy, Kristen Campbell, Sarah Driscoll (Photo courtesy Ronnie Grant) Sarah Driscoll: 2nd Year apprentice I helped my dad out when I was younger running cables underneath the floors, as he couldn’t fit; this got me interested in becoming an electrician. Due to my nature, I like being hands on, seeing different places and meeting new people, therefore the job suited me. I really love my job; however, I have noticed that some people, workers, and customers, are surprised to see a female electrician and don’t know how to act around me. Although after a bit of time they get used to me and act normal. R B Grant have helped by initially giving me an equal opportunity to be an electrician, they are also very good at not treating you differently, but being considerate at the same time. If you want to become an electrician then you need to go for it, females working in the trades are becoming more popular.

Gail Glancy: Third year apprentice I decided I wanted to be an electrician in 3rd year at high school. I loved physics, it was my favourite subject, and when we covered the electrical section in class I decided that was what I wanted to do. Also, my granddad was an electrical engineer in the hospital, so that played a part in the decision too – follow in his footsteps, kind of thing. The apprenticeship is made up of two parts, on-site experience, practical and theory at the college. I’ve heard some other apprentices complain about the college work, but personally I loved it. My hard work paid off when I was awarded the “electrical student of the year” award Kristen Campbell: First Year Apprentice in my second year. Being a female in a male-orientated industry is From a young age I’ve always known that I wanted to be in a trade. To tough. When I first started, I was straight out of school, never had a be sure that I really wanted to be an electrician I went to college and job before, so it was a total shock to the system. I was the only female did an NC in Electrical Installation course to give me an idea of what it “on the tools” at the time as well, which made it, well, a bit scary. would be like. The hardest thing was probably getting people to take me However, the boys at work were quite welcoming and treated me seriously, but once people realise I mean it they fairly, as they would any other apprentice. As I’ve are very supportive. On site I have been mistaken gotten further on through my time, I’ve earned the As a company we have for a boy a few times, and people watch what respect of my colleagues. They know that I’m willing been actively helping to they say until they get to know me. These points to pull my weight, not scared to get stuck in about aside, the elderly and vulnerable take well to me a job. Working for this Company has given me the promote women within and are surprised when a girl turns up on their opportunity to gain vast experiences in all aspects the electrical industry doorstep. RB Grant initially took me on as work of the trade, domestic, commercial, industrial. This placement with my college course, which led to my has given me the confidence and skills I need to do a apprenticeship. I get experience in lots of different things and in different good job, and I look forward to enhancing my knowledge gained so far, environments. My bosses and colleagues have been supportive of me, continuing to do so for years to come. It’s surprising how much my selfwhich has given me the confidence I needed to achieve what I have. If confidence has improved as well; my family and friends have noticed you want to become an electrician, just do it, and don’t let anyone tell a big difference in me since leaving school. The best piece of advice I you otherwise. could give to a fellow female is, ‘do not be scared, just go for it.’ I mean this in lots of senses, to go for this career, for starters. I’ve been doing From our perspective the inclusion of female apprentices has changed this for almost four years, and I don’t regret my decision. I love the the dynamics of our company culture and undoubtedly brought benefits feeling I get when I’ve been carrying out an installation, power it up, it all to us. With fewer barriers for women in what has historically been a works and the client is happy with the work that’s been done. It makes male-dominated industry, it is clear that the future will see increasing me feel great, knowing I’ve done a good job. Don’t ever be scared to numbers. With more power to the girls, the construction industry can ask questions, that’s all part of the learning curve, and don’t ever be develop in the right direction for the new generation. scared to try something you haven’t done before. It’s the only way to learn. If you make a mistake, you learn not to do that in future.

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

We can consult locally

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

11

SHOPS & SERVICES: EATING OUT Hugo D’Bere, your Grizzly Gourmet, visited

The Scores Hotel, Champions Grill and Alexander’s Restaurant The Scores, St Andrews It is many years since Muffy and I went to The Scores Hotel. There is no reason why we ceased going, it just seemed to have happened. On this occasion we went with two friends, Uncle Curly and Millie. Champions Grill is the large glass-fronted area at the front of the hotel nearerest to the R&A building, while Alexander’s Restaurant is the room on the ground floor of a part of the Hotel which was once an old house. The menus are the same in both, and as I understand it, there is in addition a general pub-type menu available only in Champions Grill. We chose from the menu at £24.95 for two courses, £29.95 for 3 courses.

This offered 5 starters, 7 mains, 5 desserts, although there was a £5 supplement for either a sirloin steak or lamb.

The Hotel could make a lot more of its location. Very few buildings in St Andrews enjoy

such a wonderful view over the West Sands; au lait” sauce. There was no coffee flavour somehow The Scores doesn’t quite contrive to in the sauce, (it was not meant to be), but it take advantage. looked about that colour.

I started with a game terrine, which was I had a pork chop, which was grilled. The served on oatcakes. It was very moist, not at danger with pork is that it can be very dry, but all like the dry and flavourless this was clearly from a good “chappie”, or dog-food-type source. It was served on a Very few buildings in terrines you sometimes get on bed of crushed potatoes with St Andrews enjoy such menus. It was served with very black pudding and veg. It was a wonderful view over herby leaves and a raspberry really moist. The black pudding the West Sands coulis. Two of the others had and potatoes helped offset the melon. There were two types of slight dryness of the pork. melon on the plate served with red berries and Two of us shared a pear and apple mango sorbet. A very light and delicious starter. crumble. I had a chocolate fudge brownie The fourth member of our party skipped the sundae with vanilla and chocolate ice cream. starter and went straight for the main course.

This was a fairly basic dessert, delicious none Three of us had chicken with tarragon the less. Those who had the pear and apple mousse, served with ample potatoes and crumble reported it had plenty of fruit, which vegetables, and what they described as a “café is sometimes an element lacking in lesser crumbles.

One of the good aspects of the menu is that tea and coffee are included in the price.

A latte and three cups of tea were therefore consumed.

The décor is a bit bland, and has the usual (yawn!) golfing memorabilia which you find in St Andrews. (You will guess I am not a golfer).

There are also three rather nice ship models, which must have a history to them. The whole Hotel is neat and tidy.

The wine list is not extensive, but very reasonably priced. We shared a bottle of Pinot Grigio at £19.95. Tap water is provided and the water jug re-filled without any difficulty.

Clearly the view compensates for any deficiencies.

Service is friendly. I would recommend it for golfers, for tourists, for locals, even for taking cubs. I would therefore score it 7 out of 10.

(Photo courtesy the Scores Hotel)

12

SHOPS & SERVICES Jonnie Adamson

Mortal Reliefs Historically, inheritance tax (IHT) is not something everyone has to worry about, but with the limit at which it starts being collected, being frozen for the foreseeable future, it is undoubtedly becoming more of a concern. Most forecasters expect that house prices will rise at a moderate rate over the next few years. As these increase it will naturally mean that more people’s estates will fall into charge. Predictions are that amounts raised through IHT between this tax year and 2017-2018 will rise from £18.4bn to £21.4bn.

Broadly speaking, if you die leaving an estate of more than £325,000 it will be charged at a rate of 40% on the excess. Certain lifetime transfers are also taxable. However, gifts to individuals during lifetime are not taxed unless the donor dies within seven years.

There are reliefs and exemptions that can be taken advantage of including: Annual Exemption £3,000 can be given in total in any tax year.

This rises to £6,000 if nothing was given the previous year.

Small Gifts £250 can be given to any individual in a tax year.

Business And Agricultural Property Reliefs can be 50% or 100% depending on the circumstances. There are a number of conditions and HM Revenue and Customs are

taking steps to restrict the reliefs by tightening definitions. Assets not used for business purposes do not qualify; for example, flats and houses that are let out.

Spouse Exemption Gifts to a husband or wife are generally exempt.

If the spouse is not domiciled in the UK then there is a limit to the exemption of £325,000.

However, there is now an opportunity for a non-domicile spouse to elect to be treated as UK domicile for IHT purposes and get a full exemption.

Normal Expenditure Out Of Income This exemption is in addition to the annual amount of £3,000. The gift must be clearly out of income, so if the donor’s net worth decreases during the year then the amount of the decrease will not count. The gifts must be regular. This can be established by showing a pattern of expenditure or by showing a commitment to making future gifts. Examples would include a promise to pay school fees.

Gifts On Marriage These can be made in addition to the annual amount. The limit depends on the relationship to the person getting married: • • • •

parent remoter ancestor Party to marriage other person

£5,000 £2,500 £2,500 £1,000

Charities Any gift to charity is exempt. During lifetime, these can be structured in most cases to gain Income Tax higher rate relief as well. In addition to this, if 10% or more of a deceased’s estate is given to charity then the IHT rate on the remainder of the estate will be reduced to 36%.

Transferable Threshold Since October 2007, you can transfer any unused Inheritance Tax threshold from a late spouse or civil partner to the second spouse or civil partner when they die. This can increase the Inheritance Tax threshold of the second partner to as much as £650,000 depending on the circumstances.

For most families this has made the single biggest difference to keeping out of the charge to this tax. However, with over 50 properties in St Andrews currently on the market at over £325,000 it is clear that not everyone will escape.

For further information on this, or other matters, please consult: Henderson Black & Co. 149 Market St, St Andrews Tel: 01334 472 255

13

SHOPS & SERVICES

THE St Andrews pet shop!

Stocking the widest range of pet foods, accessories.

Anything not stocked we can order.

78 South Street, St Andrews, KY16 9JT Tel: 01334 470 873

14

SHOPS & SERVICES

Roving Reporter has more . . .

1. Reporter heard from a local girl who has achieved her ambition. Leah Woods, daughter of a prominent St Andrews family, writes: “When I left school I started college, where I studied beauty therapy, but after 2 years I decided to change my career path and study hairdressing to become a hairdresser. I gained an apprenticeship in a local St Andrews hairdresser’s where I qualified in 2008. My aim was always to own my own salon one day. I started renting a chair in 2011 in another salon in St Andrews; after 2½ years the opportunity arose for me to purchase premises in Cupar, which have now had a complete refit. I have called my salon on Bonnygate, Creative Hair. I offer all hairdressing services for ladies, gents, and children, also a senior citizens’ discount, bridal hair packages, and hair extensions. Creative Hair is open Tuesday to Saturday, with two late nights available for appointments to suit clients after their working day. I have lots of plans for Creative Hair; I am excited to see what the future holds for me and my salon”.

Creative Hair is at: 108 Bonnygate, Cupar.

Tel: 01334 657 823, Mob: 07960 233 443.

(Photo courtesy Leah Woods)

refurbishment in 2012. It offers a range of menus with a modern Scottish twist alongside an extensive wine list and whisky selection. The new Best Bar None plaque will be on display in 2014.”

As always, Reporter welcomes good news!

(Photo courtesy the Hotel)

*****

3. Reporter foolishly let his car battery go flat. He was speedily and expertly rescued

by Brownhills Garage, Brownhills, St Andrews, (01334 472 882) just above the Kinkell caravan site at the fork of the A917 and B9131. Until recently, Brownhills was known primarily as a body-building shop. Today, Reporter discovered, all motoring needs are met. From accident repair, to MOT preparation and servicing, tyre repair and replacement, general maintenance, valeting, even sales – all are available, as well as all insurance work.

Service is friendly, quickly carried out, very professional. If you need to get home while your car is repaired that is arranged with a smile, and you can be fetched back to collect your vehicle too. There is also a collection and delivery service available for your car. Open from Monday – Friday, 8.00am to 4.30pm, and for sales Saturday 8.00am-4.30pm. Please see the website: www.brownhillsgarage.co.uk

*****

2. This came to Reporter via email, “The Ardgowan Hotel, North Street, has been recognised by Best Bar None with a Bronze Hotel Bar Award. Best Bar None maintains a UK-wide awards scheme to promote good practice in alcohol-licensed premises.

Awards are based on core national criteria, which aim to raise standards by promoting policies to reduce crime and disorder. The aim is to enhance customer experience, create a more welcoming town centre environment by offering an incentive for the operators of licensed premises to implement best practice. The Best Bar None scheme was developed in Manchester to complement the police and local authorities in addressing alcoholrelated crime. Many local authorities, including Fife, have since elected to take part. The Ardgowan Hotel operates the popular Playfair’s Restaurant and Playfair’s Bar. The Restaurant underwent

Nichols, British Airways. “We are an Artisan Gourmet Chocolatier of rare quality, and produce an offering which is unique in the Western Hemisphere.” The long list of awards is impressive over the seven years the business has been running.

Exports also go to Japan where Iain was inspired to create a range of exquisite Velvet Truffles. Janice describes the red and gold packaging for the chocolates as like “a box of jewels!” See the website: www.highlandchocolatier.com (also on Facebook as, Iain Burnett Highland Chocolatier, and on Twitter as, The Highland Chocolatier)

(Photo courtesy Brownhills)

*****

4. St Andrews is in for a treat! Reporter, being an unreconstructed chocoholic, is delighted to welcome to St Andrews family-owned Iain Burnett Highland Chocolatier, 145 South Street. Managing Director Janice Kennedy told Reporter that there are four parts to the business: food service, retail, export, corporate.

Customers include, among others, Claridges, Gleneagles, Edinburgh’s Harvey

L to R: Julie Collier, Commercial Director; Iain Burnett, Production Director & Master Chocolatier; Janice Kennedy, MD (Photo courtesy Janice) 5.

* * * * * Helen Kermode

contacted Reporter with this question, “Would you love to connect with the Vital Spark that is you...? but you’re feeling out of sorts somehow?”

The mystery was soon solved. Helen is a Shiatsu Practitioner & women’s health specialist.

She helps women who may be experiencing stress from life events, health issues and emotional tension, who want to feel more vitality, ease, and connection.

Helen tells women they can feel “more like yourself again with Shiatsu! Have space to just be, for an hour or so, to experience deeply relaxing, therapeutic bodywork to boost health and wellbeing.” Helen offers support with menstrual health, times of transition, fertility, pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Newly at the St Andrews Osteopaths, 136 South Street, Helen is offering a special launch during March of half price Shiatsu sessions @ only £20 for new clients. Please contact Helen at the above address: 01334 477 000 also: 07914 725 460 and see: www.vitalsparkshiatsu.co.uk

(Photo courtesy Helen)

15

EVENTS Federico di Pace is planning a

European Cycling Tour III: to help the Vilelas access education programmed for Friday, 28 March My name is Federico Di Pace and I am a 2014, the day of my birthday, and Lecturer in Economics at the University of two days before my parents’ 40th St Andrews. I joined the School of Economics wedding anniversary. and Finance over a year ago, really enjoying The Vilela community is my role as a teacher and researcher. However, geographically marginalised and lives the reason for this article is personal rather in poverty in Santiago del Estero, the than academic. poorest province of Argentina. Juan I am a very passionate cyclist, especially Carlos dedicated his entire life to loving being outdoors. I love the idea of helping this community develop but, keeping both mentally and physically fit, staying in spite of his lifetime devotion, the free from burning fuel, saving money on transport and gyms. I also enjoy economic conditions of the Vilelas the benefits of the “cycle-to-work” scheme, for which I would also like are still very precarious. Juan Carlos this opportunity to thank the University for having the scheme in place. managed to build a primary school In addition, my bicycle has allowed me to travel to places I had never and, more recently, a secondary imagined. school there. However, many parents I started cycling in 2007 whilst a PhD student in London. I have not are unable to send their children been able to get off my bicycle ever since! I ride everywhere and under to school because they simply live any condition. The discovery of cycling really turned my life upside down. too far away and cannot afford to The benefits of cycling are many, the costs few! I was hooked the moment take them to school. Only through I realised how liberating cycling can be. You may find that you will actually sponsorships can children access love cycling as much as I do, if you simply give it a try! primary and secondary education.

Two years ago (in June 2012) I decided on a cycling holiday by Going to university is also very myself, travelling a distance of 1100km for 10 consecutive days down the difficult since the nearest university is around 550km away. southern coast of Spain. Whilst on tour, the support I received from family My target is to raise £1 per km travelled. The total will be £2400 and friends was extraordinary. I can say that it was the best holiday I’d since my father will be cycling the last 700 km by my side. Please help ever had. After my first cycling tour I was hooked for the second time and us raise funds for this community in need! Your generous contributions, decided immediately to plan a second as part of my holidays. However, as little as it may be, can help educate children the second time I decided to help an indigenous community in real need in my country of origin The benefits of cycling are and young adults in San José de las Petacas. Your contributions will go towards scholarships that will Argentina, whilst taking on the challenge to cycle many, the costs few! enable children living far away from the schools 1775km (Rome – Barcelona in 15 consecutive to access primary and secondary education, as days). With the support of friends, family, and well as improving their general wellbeing. I believe that “Nobody should colleagues, I managed to raise £1000 in less than 2 months. In spite of all be denied education. Education should be a choice, and should not be the additional obstacles I faced during the tour, my greatest discovery was exclusive only to some.” to receive the support of those I was helping, the Wichí people.

Thank you so much for your support!

In March 2014 I plan to embark on yet another, more challenging endeavour, to try to help an indigenous community that is close to my heart. This year’s tour consists of cycling the famous Way of St James, Please visit my website: an ancient European Pilgrimage route that goes from Vezelay (France) https://sites.google.com/site/federicodipace/ect/ect-iii to Santiago de Compostela (Spain). I am hoping to raise funds for the and my facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ Vilelas, a community that I am spiritually attached to because it belongs 175924655946843/211856852353623/?notif_t=like to a Jesuit Mission led by an extraordinary man, Juan Carlos Constable SJ. Juan Carlos married my parents. He was also the confessor of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who chose the name of Pope Francis to build a Catholic (Photos courtesy Federico di Pace) church for the poor. My tour is special also, because its completion is

Print & Design We welcome commercial enquiries The services we offer include: • Colour Digital Printing • Graphics & Pre-Press • External Display Banners • High Quality Fine Art Printing St Katharine’s West, 16 The Scores St Andrews, Fife KY16 9AX T: (01334) 463020 E: printanddesign@st-andrews.ac.uk www.st-andrews.ac.uk/printanddesign The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC013532

16

EVENTS Stacey Galfskiy, Advertising and Marketing Co-Ordinator for Open Studios North Fife

The award-winning Open Studios North Fife is now in its 9th year!

Walter Watson This prestigious event will be held during the first weekend of May 2014. have even had visitors from as far as Australia and It is your chance to visit almost 80 artists, makers, and designers in their Mexico! The event is still run by a small committee natural working spaces, a delightfully rare opportunity of volunteering artists who put to discuss methods and sources of inspiration with the The event has very high in a fantastic amount of work actual creators before purchasing a work. The event to make the event what it is. standards of entry is not just about the opportunity to buy unique work It continues to be one of the from local artists though; it is about opening up these best art highlights of the year; once secret spaces and experiencing first-hand the processes behind the with the positive feedback we receive every year beautiful artworks much admired in public galleries. Many artists are even we strive to make the event top on places to visit. holding workshops and taster experiences where they guide you through In November 2013, Open Studios North Fife the basic practices of their art form, giving visitors a real opportunity, not won the award for ‘Outstanding Contribution’ at just to view the artist at work, but be the artist. the Create in Fife Awards, a ceremony celebrating Create in Fife North Fife Open Studios also encourages visitors to explore the the achievements of creative businesses and Award villages & towns within its catchment area, promoting tourism around practitioners in Fife (http://createinfife.co.uk) our beautiful countryside of Fife. Adding to the unique nature of the The success of North Fife Open Studios is experience is the fact that you get to see into the quirky and interesting not only down to the unique nature of the experience and quality of work spaces in which the artists make their work: everything from bespoke on show, but also to the fabulous brochure designed by Richard Budd studios to converted garden sheds, even highly-equipped dining room Design. Several visitors have said that it’s a work of art in itself, many tables! In previous years the relaxed atmosphere of the event led keeping it for reference throughout the year. to impromptu garden picnics, music jam sessions, even high-profile Local people comment that it gives them pride in the area knowing collaborative artist/visitor artworks being created! What will you discover that all this creativity is thriving around them. People love that they on your journey through the creative world of North Fife? can engage with art in such a relaxed fashion. Reports are common of The event has very high standards of entry, making sure that no magical days out having had a go at fused glass, watched pots being matter which artist you visit, you will not be disappointed. We have many thrown on a wheel, or having quizzed painters about technique. Adults new participants this year – some completely new to exhibiting their work. and children alike are inspired.

We also have nationally – and in some cases internationally – renowned artists who have been exhibiting with North Fife Open Studios for almost a decade. If you are a regular visitor to the studios it will be a great From March onwards you can download the brochure from: opportunity not only to visit the newer artists of 2014, but actually return www.openstudiosfife.co.uk to view your favourite artists and be amazed by the evolution of their Free published copies will be available in local shops, galleries, work! You’ll see an extraordinary variety of styles of painting and prints, and libraries from mid-March. If you need a copy posted to you jewellery, ceramics, textiles, work in wood, metal, glass, stone, and mixed please email info@openstudiosfife.co.uk or call 01337 827 087. media… everything from beautifully small affordable gifts to statement If you’d like to distribute or stock copies please let us know. pieces to furnish your home. Most artists will accept commissions; this is the perfect opportunity to discuss your needs in a relaxed, one-to-one environment.

Open Studios North Fife came about as a result of Auchtermuchtybased artists Alison Strachan and Lucy Turner having a discussion at the school gates about the wealth of artistic talent in the area, and the fact that it was largely hidden from view. The first event in 2006 had just 14 participants, but was a resounding success with visitors commenting on the fantastic standard of work available. Cafés in the area ran out of food, such was the unexpected demand! Now, almost 10 years later, the event attracts some 25,000 visitors from all corners of the UK. Studios

Clockwise from top left: Stacey Galfskly; Jim Brown; Mirieille Sampson

17

EVENTS Mathilde Johnsen, Manager of

The Barron Theatre: St Andrews’ Hidden Theatre Tucked away behind an old stone highly successful On The wall on North Street, between Rocks (OTR) arts festival, the New Picture House and the which will run from the 5-13 University Library, lies the Barron April. OTR is larger and Theatre. Following the tragic much wider in scope than closure of The Byre a little over a SAND; apart from theatre it year ago, the student-run blackfeatures film, fashion, comedy, box studio theatre suddenly dance, photography. This became the only dedicated year, Scottish playwright Liz theatre space in St Andrews – Lockhead’s Mary Queen of quite a legacy to live up to, and Scots Got Her Head Chopped The Theatre’s premises on 93 North Street have a long history Off’ is among the offerings – one which prompted a renewed wish to connect with local theatre keep an eye out for the rest of of providing arts entertainment for the local community lovers outside the student body. A the festival programme. centralised box office was set up, a newsletter Outside the festivals, the Theatre hosts and workshops, as well as functioning as a started, and the performance programme is both plays and a few weekly events: Blind rehearsal venue, costume and props store, and now available online, as well as in printed form Mirth, ‘St Andrews’ first and only improv comedy set-building facility. in the Theatre; all to enable and encourage new troupe’, perform for free every Monday night at Being a black box theatre, the range of audiences to visit the Barron.

8.00pm. On Tuesday evenings the University events The Barron can host is extensive: in The Theatre’s premises on 93 North Arts Society hosts Life Drawing Sessions.

March, The Barron will proudly help launch Street have a long history of providing arts the SAND (St Andrews New Drama) Festival, entertainment for the local community. The which runs from 11-20 March, dedicated to Barron started life in 1977 as the Crawford Arts Tickets for all events at The Barron can new writing by St Andrews students. On the Centre, hosting arts exhibitions, as well as an be reserved by emailing the box office Barron stage will be The Giulietta, portraying artists’ studio on site. Although The Crawford at barronboxoffice@st-andrews.ac.uk the relationship between Beethoven and the Arts Centre shut its doors in 2006, the venue picked up, or bought from the Box Office woman for whom he wrote ‘The Moonlight re-opened as the Barron Theatre in 2008, on Mondays and Wednesdays, 4.00Sonata’; This Breathing World, a dystopianthanks to a legacy, gift of St Andrews alumnus 6.00pm; prices are usually around the £5 futuristic take on Shakespeare’s Richard III; William Barron. His legacy gave Mermaids, mark. To keep up to date, please visit our Common People, a comedy dealing with the the University’s student-performing arts fund website at www.barrontheatre.co.uk, like struggles of a student trying to mix in different and facilitating body, the security of a regular us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter. social circles; finally, extracts from the studentperformance venue. Nowadays, The Barron written opera The Phoenix, set during a Theatre is run entirely by students committed warehouse rave. to providing a high-quality theatre venue for (Photos courtesy The Barron) A few weeks later, The Barron will, as St Andrews, hosting various performances always, be an integral venue for St Andrews’

The New Picture House Invite you to visit a hidden treasure in the heart of St Andrews OPEN DAILY ALL YEAR ROUND

WINTER LECTURE PROGRAMME Tuesday 4th March at 7.30pm Tuesday 1st April at 7.30pm Chemistry Dept. North Haugh Entry Free – All Welcome SPRING SALE IN THE GLASSHOUSE Saturday 15th March 10.00am-12.00noon Gatehouse & Plant Sales open April

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

TO JOIN THE FRIENDS AND SUPPORT THE GARDEN CONTACT MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Tel: 01334 476452 Charity No. SC006432

www.nphcinema.co.uk

117 North Street, St Andrews Tel: 013334 474902

18

EVENTS Janice Stewart introduces

The Swilkan Singers The Swilkan Singers, a local ladies choral group, has decided to present a charity concert for the Motor Neurone Disease Scotland charity on the evening of Friday,16 May 2014 in the Town Hall, St Andrews.

The group has been singing together now for a few years. Their conductor, Janice Stewart, who has the condition, says, “Although we have great fun and many laughs at rehearsal, we work very hard, constantly challenging ourselves, to achieve a standard that will give pleasure to the many groups we now go out to entertain.

Through our love of singing we have helped many societies and a variety of charities. However, given personal circumstances at the moment, we feel the time is now right to present a charity concert in support of Motor Neurone Disease Scotland”.

The Choir’s repertoire is vast – from Abba to John Rutter – and many genres between, including spirituals, contemporary, traditional, musical theatre, swing. The arrangements used are in 2, 3, 4, and recently 5 parts!

We do hope the residents of St Andrews and the surrounding area will join us in this incredibly worthwhile venture to aid research into MND, to give help and support to sufferers and their carers, and generally increase public awareness of the condition.

Details of tickets etc will be available shortly.

(Photo courtesy the Swilkan Singers)

Kelly Shand

Making Waves: Innovations in the Science of Sound On 15 March, the new exhibition Making Making Waves team. Not only is a Recognized Waves: Innovations in the Science of Sound Collection important on a local, national, or will open at the Gateway Galleries, running until even international level, but the University 17 May 2014. This exhibition is the work of the of St Andrews is only one of 5 universities in students of the Museum and Gallery Studies Scotland to have a Recognized Collection programme of the University of St Andrews. status conferred by Museum and Galleries A significant portion of this exhibition will Scotland. As new museum professionals, being draw on the University’s Recognised Collection given the chance to handle and display these of Historical Scientific rare and unusual items is a Instruments, comprising once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Starting in March, there over 500 objects acquired in Some of the sound will be events along with the 18th and 19th centuries instruments featured were the exhibition itself and earlier, for the teaching acquired by Professor of natural philosophy, William Swan, who taught physics, and astronomy. The Collection at the University from 1859-1880. A selection provides important evidence of the history of the instruments used by Professor Swan’s and development of science and scientific classes will be part of the exhibition: a set of instrument making in Scotland. tuning forks, that was constructed by students To be able to use a Recognized Collection at the time; a set of Swiss cowbells, which in this exhibition was a great thrill for the demonstrate how size can affect tone; and a wind siren, which was a new invention at the time. Placed together, they show the University’s interest in gathering innovative instruments, and research in experimenting with the same principles themselves.

Items in the Collection were shown at some World Fairs that took place in the later years of the nineteenth century. These fairs became stages for scientists to show off their latest inventions, and for groundbreaking discoveries to be showcased to the world. Known for theatricality, science became a spectacle, it became exciting. It was at these fairs that the prominent figures featured in our exhibition, such as Herman von Helmholtz, and Rudolph Koenig, demonstrated their newest discoveries.

Attendance at fairs was not only a chance to show off to colleagues, but also a vital publicity tool, as the nineteenth century also saw a growing consumerism in relation to scientific instruments. The increase in laboratories in schools and universities was opening up new audiences. Scientists like Koenig were adapting their instruments so they would be more durable, practical, precise, and Wind siren functional. Universities such as St Andrews

Brass cowbells were acquiring these innovative instruments to use as teaching and research tools. In amongst the complicated contraptions and shiny brass of this Collection, are further hidden gems, such as the homemade tuning forks built by the students at the University, also organ pipes made out of wood and cardboard. All of these items were used in the classroom to demonstrate the abstract principles of physics for that generation of scientists.

Starting in March, there will be events along with the exhibition itself. Our hardworking education team came up with a diverse programme, starting on 20 March with a lecture on the physics of music by Dr Jonathan Kemp.

The 23 March is our National Science and Engineering Week event, Music Lab – a handson event for kids showing them how to make their own instruments out of ordinary household objects. An object-handling event is planned for 10 May. Items from the Scientific Instruments Collection will be available for the public to see, touch, and learn from. We hope to see as many people as possible to learn about the history of this fascinating Collection, also the current research being done in the University physics department and marine sciences unit.

For a full list of events please visit our website: http://makingwaves2014.wix.com/ makingwaves2014 (Photos courtesy Museum & Galleries Studies)

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EVENTS Gillian Craig

The Heisenberg Ensemble is celebrating its 25th anniversary in a performance of Verdi’s Requiem in the Younger Hall on Sunday, 2 March at 7.30pm The orchestra will be joined by conductor Gillian Craig, the Celebration Chorus, and what has been described as ‘the Scottish dream-team’ of soloists: Judith Howarth, soprano; Clare Shearer, mezzo-soprano; Gordon Wilson, tenor; and Brian Bannatyne Scott, bass.

This will be an exciting performance of spectacular work, and a marvellous way of celebrating the Orchestra’s 25 wonderful years of music-making in St Andrews.

Tickets £12, concessions £10, students £5 are available from the Music Centre office in the Younger Hall (01334 462 226) or at the door.

(Photos courtesy Gillian Craig)

Mary Popple, Publicity Officer, St Andrews Chorus

St Andrew Chorus – a Town-Gown Adventure in Choral Singing In April, St Andrews Chorus will join forces with the St Andrews Chamber Orchestra and some members of the St Salvator’s Chapel Choir to perform an exciting concert as the University and town come to the close of the 600th anniversary celebrations of the founding of the University.

The concert programme is very special. The first half will be a performance of a new choral work, Crucifixus, by Paul Mealor. After the interval the orchestra and singers will again join forces for Beethoven’s St Andrews Chorus in performance Ninth Symphony. The soloists will be Wilma McDougall (soprano), Tania Holland Williams (contralto), Jamie McDougall (tenor), and Ben McAteer (bass). with the addition of three complementary texts: How Beautiful are the There were many reasons why Michael Downes, Musical Director of Mountains, O Sweetest Jesus and Drop, Drop, Slow Tears. the Chorus, chose this programme. Michael, who is also Music Director On working again with the St Andrews Chorus, Paul remarks, “The at the University, says, “I thought it appropriate for us to sing the Ninth St Andrews Chorus did a magnificent Scottish premiere of my Stabat Symphony, one of the most adventurous and forward-looking pieces Mater a few years ago, and I’m delighted that they now perform its sister of music ever composed, alongside a new piece by piece, Crucifixus. They are one of my favourite groups one of the best young composers of choral music to perform with – dedicated, warm and professional.

Crucifixus is a meditation in in the world today. In their very different ways, both They sing with great accuracy and passion, bringing six parts on the prophecy Crucifixus and the Ninth Symphony use massed real emotion to their performances. I’m so looking and Passion of Christ choral voices to convey profound spiritual belief. I forward to working with them and Michael Downes, hope that presenting them alongside each other will be and seeing many old friends again.” illuminating for performers and audience alike.”

The St Andrews Chamber Orchestra brings together the best These are both powerful works. The Chapel Choir and the instrumentalists from the University to perform a wide range of the St Andrews Chorus already enjoy a strong relationship with Paul Mealor. orchestral repertoire, from the Baroque to the present day. Under its The Chorus had the privilege of performing director, Michael Downes, the orchestra has been growing hugely in his Stabat Mater in 2010. The Chapel Choir experience. The Ninth Symphony will be the culmination of a cycle of has sung several of Mealor’s works, including Beethoven’s last symphonies, (following well-received performances Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal, later heard in of the Seventh in 2011 and the Eighth in 2012. Last December, the a revised form as Ubi Caritas at Prince William St Andrews Chamber Orchestra performed in a packed Younger Hall and Kate Middleton’s wedding. His All Wisdom for the Finale Concert, culmination of the University’s 600th anniversary Cometh from the Lord was commissioned by celebrations, in a varied programme including Grieg’s Piano Concerto, the University for the Chapel Choir to sing in Maxwell Davies’s Orkney Wedding with Sunrise, complete with bagpipes, Holy Trinity Church, during the 600th celebratory and the specially-commissioned North Sea Edge by Sally Beamish). weekend last September. Crucifixus was commissioned by the Sound Festival, and premiered by the National Youth Choir and Youth The concert will take place in the Younger Hall, North Street, Orchestra of Scotland, conducted by Christopher St Andrews on Saturday, 26 April at 7.30pm. Paul Mealor will give Bell at St Machar Cathedral, Aberdeen, in the pre-concert talk, which is free to all ticket holders. Tickets will be November 2012. available at the University Music Centre, from members of the Chorus, Crucifixus is a meditation in six parts on and at the door, price £10, £8 (concessions) and £2 (students). the prophecy and Passion of Christ. The text is taken and adapted from Peter Davidson’s Paul Mealor powerful and beautiful poem of the same name, (Photos courtesy Mary Popple)

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EVENTS

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

– 2.30pm. Town Hall, St Andrews. Crazy for You. St Andrews Musical Society. Tickets, £12. Contact: samssecretary@hotmail.com Sunday, 2 March – 7.30pm Younger Hall, North Street. Verdi’s Requiem.

The Heisenberg Ensemble celebrates its 25th Anniversary.

Conductor, Gilian Craig. Soprano, Judith Howarth; Mezzo, Clare Shearer; Tenor, Gordon Wilson; Bass, Brian Bannatyne Scott.

Tickets £12, concessions £10, students £5 from the Music Centre, North Street, and at the door. Contact: 01334 462 226.

Wednesday, 5 March – 7.30pm. Younger Hall, North Street,

St Andrews. SCO’s 40th Anniversary Season. Richard Edgar, Conductor/piano: Music by Schubert, Haydn, Mozart. Pre-concert talk for ticket holders at 6.30pm. Richard Edgar in conversation with Michael Downes. Tickets from the Younger Hall Music Centre, & at the door 45 minutes before the concert.

Contact: www.sco.org.uk Tel: 0131 557 6802.

Wednesday, 5 to Sunday, 9 March – StAnza 2014. Events throughout St Andrews. Contact: info@stanzapoetry.org Thursday, 6 March – 7.00pm. The Arts Building, The Scores.

Robert Adam and the age of Romantic Classicism.

A talk by Dr Barbara Peacock, for the Art Fund, Fife Branch. £5.

Contact: j.baxter986@btinternet.com 01334 474 995.

Friday, 7 March – 10.00-11.00am. MUSA, The Scores, St Andrews.

Baby MUSA time: Colours. Pre-school children discover what’s in museums, through stories, songs, art, messy play.

Contact: museumenquiries@st-andrews.ac.uk 01334 461 660.

Sunday, 9 March – 3.00pm. KINROSS PARISH CHURCH. Recital, Allen Neave, guitar, and Angus Ramsay, violin.

Classical Musicians Scotland, for the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

Contact: Jack Matthews, matthews.oban@tiscali.co.uk Tuesday, 11 March – 10.00-11.00am. St Andrews Library, Church Square. Bookbug. Songs, stories, rhymes for babies & toddlers.

Contact: StAndrews.Library@fife.gov.uk 01334 659 378.

Wednesday, 12 March – 11.00am. Younger Hall, North Street. Big Ears, Little Ears. Popular classics aimed at kids. Tickets, Adults £6.50; kids £5; babies under 12 months Free. Contact: info@sco.org.uk 0131 557 6800.

– 5.30pm. Younger Hall, North Street. Early evening concert.

SCO string players, Music by Haydn, Mozart, & others. Tickets, £8,

seniors £6, students £3. Contact: info@sco.org.uk 0131 557 6800.

– 7.30pm. Town Hall, St Andrews. Outlands: Wild places of the Lothians, a talk by Neil Grubb for the Scottish Ornithologists Club.

Contact: alisonhcreamer@yahoo.co.uk 01334 828 925.

Thursday, 13 March – 7.30pm. St Salvator’s Chapel, North Street.

Concert: Leo Duarte (baroque oboe) & John Irving (harpsichord).

Music by Bach & Telemann. Tickets, £11, concessions £10, students £3. Contact: music@st-andrews.ac.uk 01334 462 226.

Friday, 14 March – 11.00am-3.00pm. In the streets of St Andrews. Science Busking.

Simple experiments to collect scientific results designed by MUSA. Contact: museumenquiries@st-andrews.ac.uk 01334 461 660.

– 6.00-9.00pm. MUSA, The Scores. Science in a snapshot; the chemistry & physics behind photography. Make your own pinhole camera, exploring the science behind it. For adults & young people – Free, but please book. Contact: museumenquiries@st-andrews.ac.uk 01334 461 660.

Thursday, 20 March – 1.00-1.45pm. Gateway Galleries, North Haugh.

Herman von Helmholtz and the Physics of Music, a talk

by Dr Jonathan Kemp. Free, but please book. Contact: museumenquiries@st-andrews.ac.uk 01334 461 660.

– 8.00pm. School I, Quad, North Street. Orkney at War: defending Scapa Flow in the Second World War, a talk by Geoffrey Stell for the Archaeology Society. Contact: classics@st-andrews.ac.uk 01334 462 600.

Saturday, 22 March – 12.00-5.00pm. Bell Pettigrew Museum, Bute Medical Buildings. Open Afternoon, specially for Science Week.

Free entry. Contact: museumenquiries@st-andrews.ac.uk 01334 461 660.

Saturday, 29 March – 2.00-3.30pm. MUSA, the Scores. MUSA young archaeologist. Age 7-12. Develop your archaeological skills & learn about the Picts. Free, but please book. Contact: museumenquiries@st-andrews.ac.uk 01334 461 660.

*****

Wednesday, 2 April – 10.00-11.00am. Bell Pettigrew Museum, Bute Medical Buildings. Birdspotting for Beginners. Identifying British birds & their eggs. “Claim a chocolate egg on completion of your ‘twitcher’ training!” Free, but please book. Contact: museumenquiries@st-andrews.ac.uk 01334 461 660.

Saturday, 5 April – 9.00am-1.00pm. Argyle Street car park. Farmers’ Market.

– 1.00-3.30pm. MUSA, The Scores. Make a felt collar.

Expert help from Twist Fibre Craft Studio using hand-dyed half-felted fabric & merino wool. Free, but please book.

Contact: museumenquiries@st-andrews.ac.uk 01334 461 660.

Tuesday, 8 April – time tba. Victory Memorial Hall. Easter Magic Show. St Andrews Magic circle.

Thursday, 10 April – 7.30pm. The Younger Hall, North Street.

Concert: The Fitzwilliam String Quartet. Music by Haydn & Beethoven. Tickets £11, Concessions £10, students £3, children £1. Contact: music@st-andrews.ac.uk 01334 462 226.

Saturday, 12 April – 2.00pm. From the Quad, North Street.

The annual KK Procession starts. It celebrates the town/gown’s history, as well as the coming of spring!

Wednesday, 16 April to Friday, 18 April – 7.00pm. Buchanan Buildings, Union Street. The Sorcerer, Gilbert & Sullivan,

by The University’s G & S Society. Contact: gssocmail@st-andrews.ac.uk Thursday, 17 April – 8.00pm. School I, Quad, North Street.

Viking Graves in Scotland & Beyond. A talk by Dr Colleen Batey for the Archaeology Society. Contact: classics@st-andrews.ac.uk 01334 462 600.

Friday, 19th April to Sunday, 4th May – 2.00pm-5.00pm.

Preservation Trust Museum, North Street.

Three Ages of the Byre Theatre. Exhibition. Free. Contact: curator@standrewspreservationtrust.org.uk Wednesday, 23 April – 7.30pm. Younger Hall, North Street,

St Andrews. SCO concert. Jérémie Rhorer, Conductor: Nicola Benedetti, Violin. Music by Beethoven, Mozart. Tickets from the Younger Hall Music Centre, & at the door 45 minutes before the concert. Contact: www.sco.org.uk Tel: 0131 557 6802.

Saturday, 15 March – 1.00-3.00pm. Gateway Galleries, North Haugh. Arty Saturdays. Craft activities linked to the current exhibition, ‘Making Waves, the Science of sound’. Contact: museumenquiries@st-andrews.ac.uk 01334 461 660.

Saturday, 26 April – 7.30pm. Botanic Garden, Canongate.

Music at the Garden: The Alleycats, the University’s famous A Capella Group. Tickets £12, students £7. Contact: ed.trust.sec@st-andrews-botanic.org 01334-476 452.

Wednesday, 19 March – 7.30pm. Younger Hall, North Street,

St Andrews. SCO concert. Robin Ticciati, Conductor: Tasmin Little, Violin. Music by Dvorák, Ligeti, Haydn. Tickets from the Younger Hall Music Centre, & at the door 45 minutes before the concert. Contact: www.sco.org.uk Tel: 0131 557 6802.

Wednesday, 30 April – 5.30-6.15pm. Gateway Galleries, North Haugh. Scientific instruments as teaching tools in Victorian Britain.

A talk by Dr Aileen Fyfe on the transformation of science teaching in universities. Contact: museumenquiries@st-andrews.ac.uk 01334 461 660.

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ORGANISATIONS Gillian Gamble’s

One Cup of Tea at a Time In 2006, I came from Dundee to St Andrews be to raise funds year after year for a charity. as a young student to study English literature.

It can be a full-time occupation. I turned to the Within 3 months of being here, the course of my University for advice and found the perfect life changed forever. During the first semester person to help, a business advisor named break, I travelled to India to make a short film Neeraj Agarwal who is from Darjeeling. Stephen in Tamil Nadu, to follow the progress of the and I became great friends with Neeraj and his recovery from the Indian Ocean Boxing Day wife, Vishaka. I learned everything possible tsunami in 2004 that had claimed the lives of about business from Neeraj. The four of us over 230,000 people. I was a teenager when would regularly talk late into the evening this event happened and the scale of the about our big ideas, regularly sharing pots of destruction and loss of life was deeply shocking Darjeeling tea. Eventually, the obvious hit us – to me. we should sell tea to raise funds!

While in India, I met a family running a We set about forming a team of students care home out of rented accommodation for and volunteers to start a social enterprise tea orphaned children. There were company together, which we 32 children, but no access called “Tea People”. At the Eventually, the obvious to proper toilets; conditions time, it was difficult to get hit us – we should sell were very cramped. I returned high-quality tea in the UK. tea to raise funds! to St Andrews with a desire We traveled to Darjeeling and to help improve their living made personal relationships conditions. St Andreans did not let me down. out there so that our company could offer fine Several local people and students came tea at a great price while also offering a fair forward to assist. Both Rotary clubs made a price to the tea grower. In addition to that, we sizeable contribution to the fundraising. People would also give our profits back to educational volunteered to help with administration (one development in tea-growing regions. So far, of whom, Dr Stephen Gamble, became my we have equipped one school with building husband). Within 8 weeks, £8,000 was raised. infrastructure, books, laptops, and clean toilets.

That same summer, we project-managed the We hope to help many more as Tea People building of a permanent home for 40 children. grows from strength to strength.

As it turned out, our charity ‘Joy to the World’ Learning to be an entrepreneur has given continued to grow, raising over £30,000 that me confidence as a young person in lots year for orphaned children. We won awards and of ways. I launched my own business as a featured in a BBC documentary. photographer and illustrator while continuing to This was a life-changing experience, but live in St Andrews, constantly inspired by the it also opened my eyes to how difficult it can beautiful surroundings. I also mentor young

enterprise projects within the University and with teenagers.

I have grown passionate about using business as a means of community development recently starting a community café project called ‘Our Story’ in the hope of getting more people in the local area interested in using their creativity to improve their communities.

(Of course, we serve only the best Tea People teas). We aim to create a home-like space where people can get together, access creative activities, explore new ideas. I hope, over the coming year, to get to know lots more people in the local community, one cup of tea at a time.

For more info, please see www.teapeople.co.uk and www.our-story.co.uk (Photo courtesy Gillian Gamble)

Sarah Brassey introduces

Baby Yoga There are so many benefits to be gained from doing yoga at any point in life. Yoga has been a very important part of my life.

It now also plays a valuable role in both my daughters’ lives. I have included both of them from birth in my yoga practices at home using baby yoga exercises with them. As my older daughter has developed, so too has her enjoyment and love of her yoga. A chatty toddler, she is always asking to do yoga, happily moving into various poses herself. Having experienced the benefits of yoga as a new mum and seen the enjoyment my daughters have gained from our practice, I am keen to share these benefits, very excited to be bringing classes to my local area.

The fun and hugely enjoyable baby yoga is based upon the same principles as yoga for adults, combining movement with breathing and relaxation to balance the body and mind. The exercises I do with babies are developed from classic Hatha yoga postures, incorporating movement, touch, talking, and singing, together with relaxation. Touch alone is vitally important for babies. Studies with various mammals have shown that it improves the function of all the bodily systems, contributes towards overall healthy development, helping to develop the brain and nervous system, which are not fully formed at birth.

Baby yoga involves lots of movement, in ways and directions that babies may not otherwise experience in their usual daily routines. In one session, a baby can have as much physical activity as if carried and held all day, enabling babies to sleep more deeply and settle their behaviour.

Through this movement, the vestibular system (responsible for our balance and movement) is stimulated, which can contribute to healthy development of the brain and nervous system.

Relaxation is as important a part of any yoga class as the physical movements. In teaching babies deep relaxation as a state separate from waking and sleeping, the classes help them learn how to respond to tension, including physical tension and discomfort. This can help babies

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suffering from digestive discomfort, caused by tension building up.

Relaxation between babies and their mothers (or fathers) also deliberately creates an opportunity for undisturbed, close physical contact, something that many parents in our culture have few opportunities for in everyday life.

The experiences in baby yoga are designed to invigorate all the senses together. Babies experience this stimulation with love whilst safe in their parent’s arms, thus enhancing their pleasure. Any form of warm, physical contact between parent and child can have a positive effect, and baby yoga uses the best possible ways of doing this; the human face, human voice, smell, touch, sight. By immersing ourselves in our baby’s sensory world through yoga, learning about their responses, we develop our communication, both non-verbal and verbal.

Baby yoga is unique in that it involves both parent and baby equally.

Physically, the gentle postures will help mums tone and stretch their own body, helping them to accept the changes that have come about through pregnancy and childbirth, regaining some confidence in their bodies. Yoga can also help balance the ongoing hormonal changes constantly present for new mums, as well as dispersing stress.

It’s also a great opportunity to meet other parents and families with babies in the area.

Sarah Brassey is the only BirthlightTM qualified baby yoga teacher in East Fife. Her Warm Hearts Yoga Babies sessions offer parents and babies up to the age of 18 months a unique opportunity to experience yoga in the local area. Classes for toddlers and pre-schoolers will also be starting in spring.

Please see www.warmheartsyogababies.co.uk or contact Sarah, sarah@warmheartsyogababies.co.uk 07841 104 830.

(Photo courtesy Sarah Brassey)

ORGANISATIONS Patrick Laughlin, Secretary, St Andrews in Bloom

St Andrews in Bloom steps up to represent Scotland in UK campaign judges who will visit in St Andrews in Bloom excelled in the national Beautiful Scotland late July/early August. competition in 2013, but is aiming even higher this year. The town will Ray Pead, now represent Scotland, battling it out with St Peter Port (Guernsey) and Students at work in the Chairman of St Andrews Sidmouth (Devon) in the 2014 Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Community Garden at Albany Park. in Bloom, said, “It is an Bloom competition – one of Europe’s premier horticultural campaigns. honour to be selected to represent Scotland in this UK-wide competition.

St Andrews was one of the four joint winners of the top award Entering Britain in Bloom is another big step upwards for us and whilst in Beautiful Scotland 2013. The expert judges who visited the town in some ways it is quite a daunting challenge to be competing against commented, “The St Andrews in Bloom committee put the icing on towns from much further south, it is one which what was already a very attractive cake with our team of volunteers will relish. The positive magnificent floral displays which complement the St Andrews was one of the four feedback from last year’s judges has boosted natural heritage. The group is working closely with a wide range of the community, and has joint winners of the top award in our confidence, as has the tremendous support we have received from many local people, established productive vegetable-growing areas Beautiful Scotland 2013 businesses and organisations. We will be and edible containers.” using the months ahead to further improve This year, St Andrews in Bloom will have the floral displays and public spaces right across the town. This year we will opportunity to showcase its achievements in environmental responsibility, be adopting a vibrant colour scheme featuring lime greens and golds – community participation and, of course, horticultural achievement, to recognising that this year marks the 50th Anniversary of Britain in Bloom.

However, most importantly of all, we hope that the whole community will get behind the campaign working together to make St Andrews an even more clean, green, and beautiful place. With everyone’s support, there is no reason why we can’t do ourselves proud!”

Carole Noble, Head of Environmental Services at Keep Scotland Beautiful said, “We are delighted that St Andrews in Bloom is one of six groups which will represent Scotland in the RHS Britain in Bloom finals in 2014. Groups like this raise horticultural standards, improve environmental quality, and reach out to members of their communities.

The six Scottish finalists deserve a huge ‘thank you’ from all of those in Scotland who reap the benefits. Keep Scotland Beautiful would like to wish them every success for 2014.”

Anyone wishing to volunteer time or services to the 2014 campaign, should contact the St Andrews in Bloom Secretary, via info@standrews.co.uk Financial donations are also welcome! The ‘Bloom’ website is at http://bloom.standrews.co.uk and there is also a very attractive St Andrews in Bloom Facebook page.

One of the new “obelisk” planters which have brightened up the town centre

(Photos courtesy Patrick Laughlin)

Agnes Isaacs introduces

The Association of Jewish Refugees If you or your family suffered as a result of Nazi persecution you may be interested in our newly-formed local AJR Group, which will meet quarterly in Dundee/St Andrews.

This Social Group is aimed at Holocaust survivors, their spouses, and their families.

The AJR has a Nation-wide network of Regional groups offering Members a unique opportunity to socialise and enjoy entertainment in their local area.

Members also receive support from volunteers, with advice and assistance on welfare rights, as well as Holocaust Reparation, together with support provided by AJR’s Social Work Department.

The Dundee/St Andrews Group has been formed in addition to the Glasgow and Edinburgh Groups, which already provide generous programmes in their areas; this includes outings, book clubs, afternoon events with interesting speakers, and Regional gatherings.

If you would like more information about AJR, please contact Agnes: agnes@ajr.org.uk

(Photos courtesy of AJR)

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TOWN & GOWN Francis Walters, President of the KK Club

The Kate Kennedy Club’s Travelling Chariot In the Kate Kennedy Procession there are two duly went about finding such a craftsman horse-drawn coaches; one a ‘travelling chariot’, almost two years ago. The man he found as one should properly call Sharp’s coach. Each was Ian Grant, Scotland’s last remaining year, crowds eager to see the return of Lady wheelwright. Ian has been making wheels and Katharine Kennedy, welcome onto North Street carriages for over a decade, and you’ll find him the open-topped Victoria, perhaps the more keeping the trade alive at North Callange Farm significant of the two travelling chariots, adorned in Pitscottie (www.fifewheelwrights.co.uk), on with daffodils and bearing the Lady Kate. the very route, incidentally, that Archbishop However, whilst the voices hush in Sharp would have taken before his death at expectation of Kate’s emergence from Magus Muir.

St Salvator’s Quad, a murderous clamour The work Ian undertook was extensive: he erupts from further up the street. The source centralised the entire coach frame, which used of uproar lies within (and eventually without) to lean back and to the right; he realigned the the second travelling chariot, belonging to bottom of the coach; he remade the inside and Archbishop James Sharp. outside panels of the main Central to the body; he centralised the The Kate Kennedy Trust has Procession’s character rear window, which was recently seen fit to restore line-up is this chariot. previously completely off one of the Procession’s It travels roughly in the centre; he rubbed down centrepieces to its former glory and repainted the chassis middle of the Procession and plays host to, or rather and serviced the leather bystander to, one of the more exciting moments straps; perhaps the most technical job was of the day – the repeated assassination remaking the wheel dishes – the angle of the of Archbishop Sharp by some thoroughly spokes was too acute for the wheels, so had to discontented Covenanters! be recalculated and reworked.

There is no denying that Sharp had it On top of the technical work, the Brougham coming; having sidled up to the newly-restored has also been repainted, to properly imitate Charles II, he betrayed the principles of the the very chariot in which Sharp would have Presbyterians to whom he was once loyal. travelled. The chariot will therefore appear on He survived an assassination attempt in 12th April for the 2014 Procession sporting its 1668, eleven years before he finally became new livery, as designed by Mark Dennis, who unstuck at Magus Muir, just four miles outside so professionally designed and painted the new St Andrews, his own see.

Unsurprisingly, the 17th century travelling chariot in which Sharp rode is not the one used in the Kate Kennedy Procession. However, the chariot that is used has quite a story of its own, and the Kate Kennedy Trust has recently seen fit to restore one of the Procession’s centrepieces to its former glory.

The chariot was built in the mid-19th century, for an estate owner near Ladybank.

Having been decommissioned, or taken off the road, it was used as a hen house until 1920, before significant repairs were undertaken to restore the chariot to a fully-working horsedrawn carriage, or Brougham (pronounced ‘broom/brohm’). Whilst the restoration may have made it just roadworthy, it was hardly perfect.

Although cosmetic repairs were made in later years, only now has the chariot been properly restored to its pre-1920s state.

Of course, only a proper craftsman could undertake such a restoration, and Frank Quinault, Treasurer of the Kate Kennedy Trust,

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shields that paraded in the streets last year. Generous donations by many people have also supported the work.

Just as the Kate Kennedy Trust sought a local master craftsman Ian Grant for the main work on (Photo courtesy of the chariot, it also Frank Quinault commissioned Jake Brown to complete the painting. In addition, the Preservation Trust awarded Jake a Pride of Place Award for his work on many of St Andrews’ cast-iron shop fronts. This year’s Archbishop will sit more haughtily than ever, therefore, though not so safe, within his newly-resplendent Brougham.

Aside from those previously mentioned, a number of people are due considerable thanks for their contributions to this project.

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club and the St Andrews Preservation Trust have been most generous with their support over recent years, helping the Kate Kennedy Trust get this project off the ground. Finally, the members of the Trust itself have put in a great deal of hard work, continuing to make the Kate Kennedy Procession flourish for St Andrews year on year.

“Sharp’s murder” (Photo by Flora Selwyn)

TOWN & GOWN

Cameron Mackay journeys

From Madras College to the Himalayas In early 2012 I signed up to go on an expedition to the Himalayas with the British Exploring Society. Little did I know that this would spark an interest that would lead me to Greenland this coming summer. Before I could go to the Himalayas however, I had the challenge of fundraising the £5,500. Initially, this seemed a very daunting prospect, but soon I saw how I could achieve it.

Madras College showed a huge amount of support for my expedition, and being a pupil there at the time, it was reassuring to have them behind me. The first fundraiser I organised was the ‘Great Madras College Bake-Off’, a baking competition for the pupils that we set up through the Home Economics department. I was really taken aback by how eager people were to help and get involved; we ended up having two events with fantastic turnouts. This instilled a lot of confidence in me starting me off on a long series of events that would get me to my target. Madras’ senior management team also showed ongoing support and encouragement throughout my year of fundraising, helping me along the way, especially through the Madras College Endowment Fund which gave me a substantial grant towards the expedition. I realized in my sixth year how supportive the staff are of pupils who want to follow their ambitions far beyond their studies. Any pupil at Madras can rest assured that the staff will work extremely hard to ensure that they succeed in their ambitions.

Because of this, there is a very motivated and enthusiastic population of pupils in the school. It seems as if every month I had some new project on the go, and I saw the ethos of Madras strongly exhibited by the pupils, quick to jump at any opportunity to show support. This was no truer than when I worked with a group of musicians in the senior school to release a Christmas single in 2012. Here their involvement really meant a lot; not only did it allow me to pass on the responsibility of singing to someone else, it also helped spread the word of what I was doing to a much wider audience.

As the year went on, I began to work with the St Andrews community. Last December, I decided that it would be a good idea to organize an outdoor concert involving musicians with their delicate instruments right in the middle of a Scottish winter! And, of course, my worst fears were realized for it turned out to be one of the wettest days of the year. Nevertheless, we saw so many people coming along to the event, donating and above all, being cheerful in the face of the dismal conditions. This actually turned out to be the most profitable event and I owe this success to Holy Trinity for letting us use their premises.

The fundraising continued. I received the support of the University-run St Andrews Radio (STAR) which boosted my publicity, as did AICR whom we worked with on the single, giving them half the profits. The Billy

Anderson Band played for a fundraising ceilidh last year when everyone had a fantastic night and which pushed me very close to my financial target. Online donations we coming in fast from several people from St Andrews and beyond; St Andrews Rotary also kindly donated funds to me. The target was in sight! After a brilliant Burns Night event at the Ceres Inn, ‘Haggis for the Himalayas’, and a quiz night kindly set up by the Rule, I reached my target.

The support I received from St Andrews allowed me to reach my target without too much struggle and, in turn, led to an extremely successful expedition, which saw our team summit several peaks nearing 6,000m and explore the vast valleys and ridges of the Ladakh Himalayas. It has now also led me to the position where I can organize my own expedition, which I am doing next summer in the Arctic!

That expedition is called ‘Greenland 360’. It aims to merge science, exploration, and art, in order to communicate the full picture of the changing landscape in Greenland. To do this the we will measure the 2014 summer melt of the Russell Glacier and Ice Cap in West Greenland, explore unseen areas of the ice with aerial camera drones, and work with the locals of Greenland to document the effects of the changing landscape on them.

On our return to the UK, we will use this information and footage to educate and encourage people to take action regarding the changing environment. We will also aim to inspire people to get out into the wilderness for themselves to discover its value. Firstly, the Greenland 360 team will release three films; one detailing our research and its findings as well as showing the value and importance of the Arctic wilderness, one following the expedition’s logistics and the people behind it to show that big goals are achievable and promote a ‘can do’ attitude in schools. We will also release one comprising short clips relating directly to UK and Greenland school curriculums. The team will travel around the country to carry out a series of school talks, workshops, and public presentations. The idea is that, as we will be close to the age of pupils, we can lead by example and easily connect with them.

Through the Greenland 360 website, www.greenland360.co.uk, the expedition can be followed every step of the way, even when out in the field. We will update the blog regularly as plans develop. As this expedition is independently organized, funding is a major challenge for the team.

It is also possible to donate to the Greenland 360 expedition on their website.

As this project and my future endeavors develop, I will always remember that it was the help and encouragement that I received from St Andrews that got me started.

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OUT & ABOUT Tony Hardie’s

Nature Notes – Winter 2013/14 It has been no less than a privilege to write these notes for our editor and the readers of St Andrews in Focus over the past four years. But with the greatest of regret I must put the top back on my pen and call it a day. This is not only because of my age, but because I have not been too fit for some time now. No one would be more delighted if our editor found someone else to take over, but I have described nearly fifty bird species, mostly found in and about the vicinity of St Andrews, with the odd digression to write about the birds of the Sutherland lochs and the flowers in the garden.

No-one has disagreed with me over the content of these notes – another privilege!

And so in saying farewell to my editor, who has to be congratulated for starting up and then sustaining this magazine, I must also say ‘thank you’. I am sure that this is an onerous task to which she has added flare and colour. My readers would not expect me to sign off without the most profound thanks to Mr John Anderson who has illustrated these notes so beautifully. He has probably forgotten more about our wild birds than I can remember! And I shall always remember his photograph of the diving gannet. If a successor to this column is to be found he could perhaps paint with a broader brush. Our maritime weather comes to mind. In November the sun at sunrise was clearly visible from Dauphinhill on twenty-nine out of thirty days. And when the rain came in December it dispersed through the sandy soil more quickly than the wheel of a flock of Dunlins out on the Eden estuary. That is quick! We have lovely hedgerows out on the Rigging of Fife that I have never explored. The wild raging state of the sea in St Andrews Bay after an easterly storm

would have been worthy of some notes. Indeed it was after a storm like this that I was fortunate to see a Wall Creeper searching the crooks and crannies of the harbour wall for insects and larvae though so far from home; namely, the inland cliffs and rock faces of Southern Europe.

This attractive bird may not, I think, have been seen before in Scotland.

A bird that has been omitted in these notes, is that big bully, the black carrion crow. I wish that there were fewer of them about! I am presently thinking of ways to be rid of the pair that are “building” in one of the tall oak trees at the end of my garden.

We could still have a severe winter. But I can recall winters that hit us in mid-November and now we are at the end of January. This is a blessing for us “oldies”. As Shelley observed, “When Winter comes can Spring be far behind?”

Lastly l owe a profound ‘thank-you’ to those who have sought enjoyment in reading these notes and to Mrs Dominiak who has translated my hand-writing to typescript every two months.

Good luck to you all.

(Photo by kind permission of John Anderson (www.pbase.com/crail_birder)) Editor’s note: I’m sure I speak for everyone in thanking you, Tony, for your most delightful, personal contributions to this magazine. On behalf of us all, I sincerely wish you Tony, recovered health, and many, many more years of pleasure in the outdoors. We’ll miss you!

Stephen Spackman

Ready To Launch The St Andrews Coastal Rowing Club has almost finished its first build, and is getting ready to launch the skiff. We have had generous financial support from private individuals, the Community Trust, the Midsummer Ball, and Fife Council; we have also had material help with the building frame and moulds from Pittenweem CRC. Over the winter, the upper-floor clubroom of the St Andrews Sailing Club, in the former lifeboat station on the East Sands, was

The boat turned

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transformed into a building loft. During the first stage, the boat is upside down on a frame while the hull planking is applied. Then comes “the turn” (ours was at the end of January), a significant moment in every build, when the shell is righted to complete the interior fittings (thwarts, seat, stretcher boards etc), before the gunwhale is added to finish the vessel.

All this time the Club has been growing alongside the skiff. In this we had the invaluable help of the St Ayles Rowing Club, Anstruther, where the Scottish Coastal Rowing project began in the Fisheries Museum in 2007. In the summer, St Ayles brought one of their skiffs up to St Andrews for the Harbour Gala, and for a publicity event in Church Square in October. At the inaugural meeting of the St Andrews Coastal Rowing Club in December, at the Cosmos Centre, we had a fascinating presentation on the background to the project from David Corner, Chairman of the Trustees of the Fisheries Museum, also from Audrey Horsburgh on the life-transforming experience of rowing and racing!

At this stage the Club had a contact list of about fifty names; at the first general meeting of the Club in January, the Steering Group handed over to the newly-elected committee of Nigel Ford, Julie Hardisty, Douglas Kinnear, Alice Belcher, Ken Russell, and Steve Spackman.

The immediate issues facing them include arranging for the choice of colours, the logo, and the name of the skiff.

With the boat in the water, the summer programme can roll forward. We intend to make our debut at the first regatta of the season – Anstruther, on 10 May (when St Ayles will be racing their third boat for the first time).

After that we hope to represent St Andrews

at Portobello or Dunbar in June, Eyemouth in July, North Berwick in August, and at the Queensferries in September.

In addition, there will be plenty of opportunity for social and leisure rowing.

Keel being attached Our ambition is to draw crews from as many of the established clubs and associations in the Burgh as we can.

Like bridge players, for instance, coastal rowers sit down in fours to do it – though it has to be said there is no room for a dummy in a skiff!!

So come and join us: represent your Club in St Andrews, and St Andrews elsewhere.

The actual lift out and launch will be happening around the time you read this. It will be a rather spectacular affair, involving the removal of the Sailing Club picture window, while using a fork-lift truck, or a cherry picker, to ease the skiff down to the ground, from thence into the water. There, we confidently anticipate a welcoming flotilla of skiffs from around Fife as St Andrews takes its place in the fastestgrowing, most dynamic leisure and communitybuilding movement in the country.

If you would like to join us please contact Steve Spackman: sgfs@st-and.ac.uk, or Julie Hardisty: juliehardisty@hotmail.com (Photos courtesy Stephen Spackman)

OUT & ABOUT Graham Paterson records

St Andrews Sailing Club: The Early Years Many organisations have begun with the inspiration of an individual with the ability of that individual to transfer enthusiasm to others.

So it was with the origins of our Club. The individual was Mr William (Willie) Watson, a local policeman in Dysart.

Dugald MacArthur, a founding member of the Club and Honorary Secretary wrote, “In the course of the years 1955 and 1956 Mr W F Watson brought to St Andrews from Dysart a number of 17ft. dipping-lug racing craft known locally as Yawls, because their former headquarters at Dysart Harbour had become inoperable. These had been bought by various local people introduced to sailing by Mr Watson realising these boats were worth having. There were then several boats of the same class with enthusiastic owners and this combination resulted in the St Andrews Boating Club being formed at a General meeting on 20th January 1957 with W F Watson elected as Commodore. Through the good offices of one of the two Committee members, who were also Town Councillors, the “Auld Hoose”, a former public house at the southern end of the semi-derelict harbour housing, was secured free for Club use. This was refurbished by Club members under the supervision of Mr “Wink” Menzies and became the headquarters for over five years. Within a year of the Club becoming established in the “Auld Hoose,” the “Green Shed” was bought on site at Leuchars, dismantled, transported and re-erected by members beyond the harbour bridge. This hut was used for storage and work on gear, occasionally for meetings. Racing during the first year was keen among lugsail boats, while some members began building their own from kits. The first AGM was held on 17th November 1957 in the Step Rock Club Rooms, when 35 members attended.”

The following years saw a gradual increase in membership with further additions to the fleet

Clubhouse East Sands

of member-owned boats, such as Albacore, Enterprise, and Mirror classes, used in team races against other Clubs.

In May 1962 the Town Council invited applications to lease the Lifeboat House at Woodburn Place for a term of years. The Committee was quick to spot the potential that this building had, not only in its substantial fabric, but also in the location. Their application was duly accepted, the Club taking occupation on 28th May. The Club changed its name from St Andrews Boating Club to St Andrews Sailing Club in 1966 to reflect the main interests of sailing, as opposed to the original interests of sailing, rowing, and motor boating, although rowing and motor boating never really took off. At this time there was an increase both in membership and the variety of boats being sailed. There were few of the original yawls on the water, more members cruising further afield in keel boats (boats with lids) to places like the Forth, west coast of Scotland, and Norway.

One unusual class of boat which saw service in local waters was the 23ft Airborne, designed originally by Uffa Fox, adapted by the RAF to drop to ditched airmen as air-sea rescue lifeboats, eventually modified by Club members for sailing and racing. One was further modified

by Percy MacAlinden by adding a cabin for overnight cruising, while another was used by Marion Whyte for social sailing and introducing new members to sailing at a more leisurely pace.

Items in the minute book in the late sixties noted that the area used to store dinghies was the grass area in front of the clubhouse near the putting green. Membership had risen to 138, with Scottish Class Championships for Mirror and Catamaran being raced at the Club; there was a definite buzz about the place.

At the forefront of this activity was a new Commodore, Ken Purdom. In the winter of 1970, he organised fundraising and grants for the construction of a new slipway to facilitate dinghy launching over the East Sands.

Following this came the major alteration of the former Lifeboat House to form a new Club House, with the addition of a new first floor, emergency exits, balcony, race box and changing rooms. Ken once again organised the project, much of the work being done by Club members headed by Percy MacAlinden and Jim Hunter, both of whom had special skills and knowledge. The bulk of the cost was met from Club funds, with some cost met from an interest-free loan from the Town Council, from whom the Club had purchased the building before embarking on this project.

The Club minutes reported the works were

Racing in St Andrews Bay “virtually completed” on 25th March 1973. Life membership was offered and accepted by Ken Purdom for his “untiring efforts in leading those works”. The minutes of the Annual General Meeting of 28th October 1973 recorded that Life Membership was offered and accepted

by P MacAlinden and J.Hunter on whose shoulders “ the burden of the practical work had fallen, in leading a small, but faithful, group of enthusiasts.” By this time the Town Council had other plans for our dinghy park, but leased the land beside the stables to the Club for boat storage, allowing a further slip to be constructed to the inner harbour. Better facilities and recognised expertise resulted in more requests to host Class Championships during the 1970s.

When I joined the Club in the late sixties sailing events had centred mainly around the racing scene in member-owned boats with a good helping of year-round social activities, many also fundraising events. There was no such thing as regulated sail training. I was a student of the unregulated variety “volunteered” as crew for a competent sailor at the start of a race, mesmerised by a flurry of spray and unrecognisable nautical vocabulary during the race, deposited back on land after the race, having fulfilled my use of providing the necessary mobile bodyweight to keep the boat upright sailing at optimum speed. Why would anyone want to introduce regulated sail training? Nevertheless, in 1977, with a little persuasion, sail training became an established part of the sailing programme. In 1978 the Club became a Royal Yachting Association Teaching Establishment, maintaining that position today. If a summary of those early years were required, it would surely show that our Club had greatly benefited from the enthusiastic work of Club members and a close association with the Town Council.

Today, glass fibre has replaced wood in boat construction, single-handed dinghies are more popular than before, while keel boats here are fewer. The Club continues to support a full programme of sailing events from April to September, continuing to maintain a close association with Fife Council. Full details of the Club’s activities are on our website: www.stasail.com (Photos courtesy Heather Ross)

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OUT & ABOUT Alistair Lawson, ScotWays

Walks

Readers who are in possession of boots and rucksacks (and who use them) will be itching to get out and about again to enjoy the Spring weather. What better than a traverse of the Lomonds of Fife, as illustrated in the accompanying photographs by Brian Cairns from Coatbridge? For those who like the comfort of doing a “guide book walk”, why not treat yourself to a copy of Scottish Hill Tracks, which contains not only the Lomonds walk, but no fewer than 343 other of Scotland’s best walks and is available to order on-line from ScotWays? (see: www.scotways.com ) (Photos by Brian Cairns)

Jana at Elspeth’s of St Andrews 9 Church Street, Tel: 01334 472494

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OUT & ABOUT Marysia Denyer

“If You Go Down To The Woods Today . . . ” Please take a leisurely walk along the Lade Braes and view Boase Wood this Spring. You WILL be sure of a big surprise. The sights and sounds you will find there are “food for the soul”. Snowdrops, aconites, and daffodils carpet the wood during this season of rebirth. The trees are waiting for birds to make their nests within their sheltered boughs and leaves. This wooded area of the Lade Braes was known previously as “Lawpark Woodland”. In 1963, it was given to The St Andrews Preservation Trust by a member, in memory of the late Philip Boase, who had tended it for thirty years. From then on it has been known locally, as Boase Wood.

done a sterling job over many years, tending to the wood’s maintenance.

I accompanied him to the wood on Wednesday, 22 January, and saw for myself Special Branch’s handiwork. Areas had been cleared of crowded saplings, boughs of two oak trees had been lopped, pathways repaired with new wooden batons where necessary, and slippery leaves cleared.

With Health and Safety regulations in mind, a large oak tree was also to be crowned in the following weeks.

As the Lade Braes is a favourite walk for many local residents, dog owners, and joggers, I hope this article might enthuse readers. I hope they will take time to pause and reflect, whilst viewing this very special, historic, and unique native woodland in St Andrews.

Saint Bernard said, “You will find something more in woods than in books.

Trees and stones will teach you that which you can never learn from masters.”

However, one such “master” was busy in Boase Wood during the last weeks of January. Managing Director, Mr Mark Edward and his team of professional arborists at “Special Branch” could certainly teach us a thing or two about tree pruning, crowning, and felling. With their expertise, they help to keep our local trees in a healthy condition to enhance our landscapes, preserve wildlife habitats and protect rare tree species.

Last year Boase Wood celebrated its Fiftieth Anniversary. It was with great delight that we received a most generous offer from Mark Edward, which we were pleased to accept. As a native St Andrean, Mark has many happy memories of Boase Wood. He offered pro bono, his Company’s services to the Trust. With our early winter storms he was kept busy with local requests, but made arrangements to start work in Boase Wood on 20 January 2014. Our “Keeper of the Woods”, Mr Ian Christie, had himself

The Special Branch team, along with Mr Ian Christie.

(Photos courtesy Marysia Denyer)

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OUT & ABOUT Andrew Blyth

A Good Walk Spoiled Is the game of golf Just a good walk spoiled?

“I believe it is,” some say But hit some satisfying shots And you’ll be glad you learned to play.

So welcome to the home of golf In old St Andrews (by the sea) Play this round of golf (with me) And see how pleased you’ll be.

Out on the course, I’ll take my time I’ll play carefully and slow I tee up a brand new golf ball Hit my drive and off we go.

I scored a birdie at the first And a birdie at the next Then bogey, bogey, bogey Left me feeling slightly vexed.

I underclubbed the next two holes And struggled for a par But then I scored an eagle!

Just a normal round (so far).

Now homeward bound I still tried hard To lower the total on my scoring card Two pars and a birdie (this was fun) Then two more bogeys stopped my run.

I limbered up for the final drive A long dog leg with a par of five On the green in two, I took my time My putt went in, it was just divine.

I counted my score up (in my head) Was I in the black or in the red?

I wasn’t sure (so) I completed My card with the final score!

Now, was my round under?

Or was it more?

You tell me!

I’ve been wrong before.

Sandra Skeldon

Drinks on the House I waged war on my garden slugs But nothing shifted these slimy bugs They were driving me round the bendThen, advice from a horticultural friend – 'Give them Beer' she advised, and soon I'd devised Rows of jars dug into the lawn . . .

With a Bar! oh yes, they'd soon be all gone, Jars full to the brim, I thought they'd fall in And get stoned, pie-eyed, and tight.

It didn't work out, the slugs had had nowt . . .

Yet the beer had been drunk in the night . . .

(This game was played over the ‘Petherum Course’ at St Andrews, which has a par of 72. Work out the finally score – mentally)

Another bogey saw me out And then I made the turn.

Bogey, par, bogey (not much luck) I’ve still got lots to learn.

By my mutt of a dog stiff as a log . . .

On the lawn, tipsy, sozzled, and squiffy.

Slugs are no fun, I'm back to square one, And without a plan B . . . more's the pity!

(Photo of Fairmont by Flora Selwyn) Answer: 73 (1 over par, on the made-up ‘Petherum Course’)

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(Illustrated by Jackie)

OUT & ABOUT Arlen Pardoe’s

Hidden Gems in St Andrews (in plain view) Focussing on features that are in plain sight, but often overlooked Holy Trinity Faces: The Town Kirk dates back to 1412 when the first building was completed. At the start of the 20th century plans were made to substantially modernise the Church. This started in 1907 and was completed in 1909 with almost all of the building being replaced, apart from the tower and part of the west wall.

On the north and south sides of the main roof of the new building are gargoyles to conduct water away (illustrated on each side of this article). There is one early gargoyle on the west of the tower, but the other is a modern copy. A number of faces are carved at the ends of window mouldings around the building.

On the east side of the Church the following carvings appear:

The toiler of the sea

The toiler of the land

Angel with lute

Angel with organ

Praise

Prayer

On the west side of the Church the following carvings appear:

New and old gargoyles

Faith

Hope

This set of four faces on the south side of the Church represent the four stations of life:

A Churchman

A Baron

A Burgess

A King

This set of four faces on the north side of the Church represent tradesmen who worked on the rebuilding between 1907 and 1909:

The Mason, J H White

The Joiner, Andrew Thom

The Plumber, John M Morris

The Slater, Thomas Black

(Photos courtesy Arlen Pardoe)

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