St Andrews in Focus Issue 64 May Jun 2014

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

May/June 2014 Issue 64, £2.00

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

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

From the Editor

My late husband often claimed that having a project to achieve made living worthwhile. I rather think he was right, most especially when such a project has a happy outcome. Whether or not you think that a bronze statue of a cat is a worthwhile achievement, there’s no denying that the Hamish statue project brought the St Andrews Sculptor David Annand (L), community together, culminating stonemason Colin Sweeney (R) (Photo by Alan Richardson) with a very festive occasion. The weatherman’s bad mood improved too, and someone even found Hamish himself, though he didn’t stay long to hear his praises! Dreams are nice when they come true. My present dream is that Bronze Hamish will bring as much pleasure as Real Hamish, and for many lifetimes to come. May that dream also come true.

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) MAY / JUNE 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 • Bronze Hamish Unveiled • Holy Trinity Church Organist • A day in the life of . . .

• A Certain Age • Castlecliffe Auxiliary Hospital • Return to Cameroon • Ask the Curator • Abbey Park • Scottish sensibilities • No Carbon Footprint • St Andrews Castle • From the Net • Moses • Reviews – Keppleton Rise • NB

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

SHOPS & SERVICES • Zizzi celebrates • Solar installation • English at St Andrews • Costa • The Harbour Café • Hotel du Vin revitalised • Secret Agent • Osteopathy – a history • Harry Maclean advises • Roving Reporter

13 14 15 15 16 16 17 18 19 20

EVENTS • Botanic Garden Open Day • Simon Chadwick relocates • The Crail Festival • Revamped Hidden Gardens • Motown • Albert Herring • Selected Events

22 23 23 23 24 24 25

ORGANISATIONS • Marie Curie Fife Service • The FP “Girl” • Reclaiming lives

26 27 27

TOWN & GOWN • Volunteering in South Africa • Showcasing Science • More memories of student life • Archimedes et al • California • The 60 Hour Film Blitz

28 29 29 30 30 31

OUT & ABOUT • Maspie House • Scotland’s Gardens • Hidden Gems

32 33 34

NEXT ISSUE – July/August 2014 COPY DEADLINE: STRICTLY 28 MAY All contributions welcome. The Editor reserves the right to publish copy according to available space.

Cover: Bronze Hamish, original photo by Peter Adamson

FEATURES

The statue veiled

Hamish brought

Hamish unveiled

Bronze Hamish Unveiled The unveiling of Bronze Hamish McHamish was a unique community fun occasion.

To the crowd’s delight, Hamish himself was brought along to bless his alter ego. The sun poked its nose out of the prevailing clouds, just long enough to give a glow at the right moment, the previously persistent rain and haar miraculously holding off. A large crowd watched Provost Leishman lift the tartan cover from the statue. Then students Hannah Holmes and Rosie Hanlon beautifully sang the famous Cat Duet, (usually attributed to Rossini), followed by the deservedly-popular student a cappella Alleycats.

Meanwhile, at the Town Hall a large collection of posters by St Andrews school children was on display, there was face painting, story telling. Susan McMullan signed her books, and a brisk trade in Hamish merchandise was underway too. A large reception for guests was treated to a superb cake lovingly made by Fisher & Donaldson featuring an edible photo of Hamish himself (too good to cut up really, but incredibly delicious when it was!)

Meticulous planning by a team of enthusiastic ladies made the whole event memorable.

I can’t adequately describe how grateful I am to everyone; to David Annand for agreeing to make the statue, to Colin Sweeney for the plinth with its wonderfully carved name plaque, to the event planners, to all those who gave money unstintingly for the project, to Griselda Hill for her pottery Hamishes that led to a very generous donation, to the Community Council, the Community Trust, and the R&A for their own generous donations. My thanks as well to David Roche for his most delightful merchandise designs.

Also, of course, to those many behind the scenes, for their invaluable help. To see a whole community come together in such a happy way is pure heaven! I hope and pray that the effect will last, that Bronze Hamish will give as much pleasure in the future as his real counterpart continues to give us today.

Marrianne Ba ird, Flora Selw yn and Provost Leishm an

t

Singing the Rossini Cat Due

Jim McArthur of Hardies

Children’s artwork

The cake

Alleycats

(The five photos above are by Selwyn brothers, the three photos of Hamish with his statue are by Yoriko and Brian Kirk, all others are by Alan Richardson)

cake with ird cutting the Marrianne Ba ur rth d Jim McA the Provost an

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FEATURES Flora Selwyn met Chukwudebelu Okudo (Chuck), newly appointed

Holy Trinity Church Organist Not the first one to ask, I wondered what Chuck’s name would be in With several offers of places at university in England and Scotland, English. It means, I’m told, “God keeps”, a mother and father’s thanks Chuck chose to go to the University of Aberdeen in 2009 to study for saving their baby when they were in danger of losing him during Economics. Why Aberdeen? Because it was close, but not too close, pregnancy. to his sister in Glasgow! In Aberdeen, he applied for positions playing Chuck was born in Lagos almost 25 years ago. His elder sister the organ in church. Dyce Parish Church appointed him. It was a happy studied medicine in Glasgow, while his younger sister is a graduate collaboration for the next four years. He joined the Sound of Many of economics in Nigeria. Music plays a large part in the family’s life; Waters, an interdenominational gospel choir, where he is the head Chuck’s mother, a doctor, sings professionally, both musician. With this group, he accompanied a his younger and elder sisters sing, the elder one few popular gospel artists like Don Moen, Ron also plays the guitar and piano (she is shortly to Kenoly, and Bob Fitts in concert. Chuck also release an album). Although not a musician himself, gave private music lessons, so his father’s Chuck’s father always encourages his family, ambitions came true, for he was able to pay his making sure to find the best teachers for them. At way through music. Then, with 1st Class Honours the age of five, Chuck learned to play the piano. He in Economics to his credit, Chuck relocated recalls that his father always had the idea he should to St Andrews last September to study for his learn to play the organ too. “You will be able to play Masters. Tom Duncan was retiring from his post your way through university,” Chuck remembers him at Holy Trinity Church, where Chuck succeeded saying, his thinking being that it was a skill fewer him. people had, therefore always in demand. Having While in Aberdeen Chuck broadened his been a pharmacy student in America, paying his musical abilities, taking up music production, jazz, way as a waiter, and so on, Chuck’s father wanted playing double bass, bass guitar, and a little bit of his son to have a better experience when the time cornet, joining friends in groups playing folk, pop, came, that it is very straightforward. “I know what he all kinds of music. He also composes, “I think I’m means now!” says Chuck with a smile. very rounded.” Chuck has that engaging attitude The family worshipped in the popular Anglican that everything new is a challenge, which has to Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, be tackled head on until it becomes a normal way across the road from their home. At one point, a very young Chuck quite of life. He now lives in St Andrews University’s David Russell Apartments truculently said he wanted to stop his piano lessons. His mother, “gave with a digital piano and other studio equipment in his room. “I have me the beating of my life. That’s how it was. But I’m really grateful she goals each year for every instrument I play, so for the organ my goal at did that, because I meet people who wish later that they hadn’t stopped some point in the year is to play (Bach’s) Passacaglia and Fugue in C playing.” Chuck realises what he would have missed if his parents had minor, and for the piano my goal at the beginning of this year was to play allowed him to have his way at that time. The organist at the Cathedral, Ravel’s Jeux d’Eau, and for the bass guitar my goal is to reach a certain Leye Ogunlabi, became Chuck’s second piano level for jazz improvisation.” He teaches every teacher, introducing him to the organ, at Chuck’s instrument he plays. father’s request. He became the Youth Organist In the Music Centre in North Street, Chuck at the Cathedral, which is a position similar to plays with St Andrews Fusion which is a fiveI have goals each year for the Organ Scholar in British churches. Still at piece band that plays fusion, jazz, funk, Latin, every instrument I play secondary school Chuck felt restricted in his and various other styles under Jonathan Kemp. musical ability. He could read music, but not play by Chuck enjoys playing gigs in which every ear or improvise. The Cathedral gave him a lot of performer plays more than one instrument so that opportunity to practice. With a congregation of over players can swap around during performance.

3,000 there were services all day, as well as very frequent weddings, “What…”, I asked Chuck, “what of the future?” “Ideally investment sometimes one after another. In addition, there was a Youth Church for banking, corporate banking, that kind of stuff. I want to make money, around 1,000 souls. “I was able to learn how to play by ear, because in good money. I want to retire early, I want to travel without worrying about the Youth Church they played very modern music, guitar, drums, piano, the expenditure.” And he would like to do everything before having the keyboards.” Chuck had a few hair-raising moments while he was learning responsibilities of a family. Meantime I’m sure, the congregation at Holy the organ; on one occasion the hymn book he was reading from fell off Trinity Church will greatly appreciate the youthful enthusiasm of a very the stand leaving him paralysed with fright. He said the congregation experienced, and multi-talented organist. went on singing!

(Photo courtesy Chuck)

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FEATURES Guy Walker

A day in the life . . . of an offshore worker and a little scared at the huge lumps of moving Hi, my name is Guy Walker and I have been metal that seemed so impersonal and alien! It asked to write an article on “a day in the life of took a little while to get used to working and an offshore worker”. living in such environments, but it is amazing First of all, I thought I would give a bit of how quickly you can get used to something factual information about North Sea oil before once you get over the initial shock. It also took we move on: the UK’s offshore industry began a while to get used to a “schizophrenic” lifestyle; in the late 1960s. It is a mixture of crude oil living and working away for weeks, then coming and gas production, mainly produced on an home for a set while and trying to build a normal offshore basis. Oil and gas is extracted using life. Most ordinary people are working whilst offshore platforms, sub-sea platforms, sub-sea you’re off; you have to be comfortable with your jack-ups, ships, barges, sub-sea pipelines, and own company. tankers. There is also the Norwegian sector, I worked for about 4 years in Norway, then some installations off the coast of Yarmouth, a the UK and left the industry late on in 1999. small Danish sector, and some land facilities in I have subsequently returned after a 14-year Dorset. The industry supports around 450,000 career in youth work and outdoor education. jobs in the UK providing roughly 20% of the I returned to the industry after realizing the Corperate tax revenues. It is a truly global benefits and opportunities industry, with people from all found there that I was not nations working for a host of the UK’s offshore appreciative of in my younger companies from all over the days. Working as an outdoor world using global technologies. industry began in instructor, carrying out youth Health and safety is paramount the late 1960s work was very rewarding, but I offshore, everyone having did always have a soft spot for responsibility and taking part to being offshore. Now that I am back I appreciate make sure any job is carried out safely. the time off, finances, and ability to basically do I began in the industry as a result of what I like on the days free. connections through my father, starting my What is unique about the offshore industry career in Norway, where my father lives and is that no two days are the same. It is quite works. I am involved in what is called ‘well an undertaking to describe ‘a day in the life intervention services’ with an emphasis on of’! We usually travel to offshore installations wireline. Wireline involves running mechanical by helicopter, trips generally lasting about 2-3 tools into the well itself, using pressureweeks. Most workers work to a rotation; 2 controlled equipment, a winch, depth gauges, weeks on, 2 weeks off. However, I and others and weight indicators. An example of wireline work on an ad hoc, on-call basis. There is is that you can set a plug in the well, so that 24-hour cover on the installations for obvious maintenance can take place on the well reasons, with shifts split into day & night, each head without risk of a hydrocarbon release. I lasting 12 hours. I must admit that I prefer remember my first trips offshore, being awed

working the day shift as it usually takes me about a week to change back to days once I am home from a 2-week trip of nights.

The work can be arduous and stressful, but there is always time for a coffee and a bit of cake, if there’s any left. Talking about food; the food offshore is usually pretty good and plenty of it. I must confess that I have developed a bit of a muffin-top over the belt since I have returned to the industry! The camaraderie and banter is really good offshore and I suppose has to be in order for people to get on with each other and endure the trip away from home and loved ones. Some of the resources offshore are excellent, the food being the most important, but there are also good gym facilities, saunas sometimes, and a good range and supply of films.

I enjoy my job, like the variety, excitement, salary, conditions, and of course, the time off. It is a great job. As long as you can handle the away-from-home nature of the life I feel it’s a great career, working with some interesting people and working at the cutting edge of technology. I am allocated to the UK sector just now, but it truly is an international business and I do hope to travel a bit as I build up my experience again. I also hope to get on a rotation soon, as being on call can be quite unsettling, for you never can really plan anything with life having to take on a “spur of the moment” capacity to it. I am single at the moment and it remains to be seen what kind of impact my career will have on a family life?

(Photo courtesy Guy Walker)

Hamish Brown

A Certain Age You have to be a certain age to know about war, to have seen designer death from aimed weapons, to have heard shrill screams of bombs, and children, to have trembled and cried as parents lied and safe worlds were crucified.

This came home to me at school filling a class register, recording birth dates, looking to brosy faces lit by a warm sun, life achieved since the silencing of sirens. They weren’t born till after the storm and can skip, singing, to such an assured day.

(Photo by Flora Selwyn)

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FEATURES Gavin White recalls the

Castlecliffe Auxiliary Hospital The photographs were in an album belonging to a cousin, dating from the early years of the twentieth century. They showed various members of my mother’s family, starting with my great-grandfather, Dr William F MacTier, in the garden of his house, Kinnessburn, on Kennedy Gardens. The names of most of those depicted were vaguely familiar to those of us growing up in Montreal, but they were only names. Except for Aunt Min, my greataunt, who seemed to be special, and who appeared in a new set of snapshots beginning in the autumn of 1915. She had become the Commandant of Castlecliffe Auxiliary Hospital.

Castlecliffe is the large house, with a glass extension, on the seaward side of the Scores next to the Castle. It now houses University departments. During the First World War it was one of many hospitals run by the British

Red Cross for wounded soldiers convalescing Black; Eaton; Delaney. How many of these after treatment in military hospitals. It had beds names would re-appear on gravestones in for thirty-five soldiers, mostly wounded, but France after they returned to their units? some from local army units, and it received Curiously, they are in military uniform, only a government grant, but one, a Pte Jear, being in needed local gifts to meet “hospital blues”. expenses. The staff were a The Hospital closed The Hospital closed in in November 1918, and mixture of Red Cross nurses and soldiers doing the heavy Provost Sloan invited November 1918 work. There were photos the volunteer nurses to of groups of both: morning a supper, of which the staff, in nurses’ uniforms with menu is gummed into the large red crosses; Henderson; McGillivray; album. A letter to the press by Patrick Playfair, Pearson – afternoon staff; Jackson; Thomson; minister of the Town Kirk, said, “Thanks are McCreruk (?); Everard; Burnett; Fairfull; due to the workers, the donors, and not least Maitland-Anderson; Sanderman. More pictures to the generous proprietors of Castlecliffe, who of the same with Pilkington, and Newman. And placed their home at the disposal of the Red photos of soldiers: Small; Robinson; Milligan; Cross Society. Since 9 October 1916 no fewer Robb; McLaren; L/Cpl Lindt, O’Slaherty; Gay; than 1,196 patients have passed through the Hospital ... ” (The same letter notes that the Hospital had been open for three years, so it is not clear why numbers are given from 1916.)

“The liberal gifts of the public are all needed to supplement the barely-sufficient allowance for upkeep made by Government ... .” A later notice gave total numbers of patients as 1,325, and identified Miss MacTier as Commandant, Miss Ross as Matron, and Dr W B MacTier as Medical Attendant, he being brother to Aunt Min. There are the usual letters of thanks from soldiers who passed through Castlecliffe, and the album soon reverts to family pictures.

Aunt Min was rewarded for her time as Commandant with a year-long visit to her brother in Montreal, from where she wrote long letters home on Canada as it appeared to a visiting Scot. And Castlecliffe passed into other hands.

PS – “Aunt Min later became leader of the Girls’ Guildry at the Town Kirk and was remembered by older people in the town when we first moved here.”

(Picture from the album, courtesy Gavin White)

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FEATURES Anne Tait on her

Return To Cameroon In 2007 my husband and I went to the Extreme North Region of unannounced day trips there. Although disappointed, we heeded that Cameroon for the first time. We went for two years as volunteers. advice, having no wish to make former colleagues feel responsible for Hamish worked as a doctor in a bush hospital in Zidim; I worked as our safety. an education advisor. Those years were often frustrating, exhausting, During our previous two years in Cameroon Hamish and I had stressful, and uncomfortable, but they were also two of our most been well supported by friends, family, churches, and the people of rewarding years. We loved Cameroon and felt welcome. We returned in St Andrews. On this visit I returned with a large sum of money from 2011 and felt equally comfortable. the Rotary Club of St Andrews Last year we made plans to revisit.

Kilrymont to spend on five schools.

We had commitments there, looked During the following week we forward to fulfilling these and meeting bought and delivered the things old friends. In February 2013 we were requested by the schools. We kept disturbed to hear of the kidnapping of our plans quiet and simply turned a French family from an area we had up. From Mandoula School there often visited. Boko Haram, an extreme was the shocking sight a few miles Islamist group, claimed responsibility. away of a UNICEF refugee camp: As we wouldn’t be in that area, 1,700 people living in tents there however, we carried on with our plans. after fleeing Nigeria. (Mandoula A few weeks before our departure School benefited from a well, we got more disturbing news: all thanks to the Churches of Scotland volunteers had been removed from in St Andrews, and Rotary. With the Extreme North, which had been clean water the health of pupils and declared a zone rouge – an area villagers is much improved.) on red alert. The UK Foreign and Hamish had projects at Zidim’s Commonwealth Office were not hospital and for the Rotary Club of recommending travel north of Maroua, St Andrews. He was keen to visit Anne meeting 5 Head teachers to discuss their needs our proposed base. We contacted the site of the Club’s proposed Cameroonian and European friends water project in Gamboura there and got the usual warnings: don’t village. Maps are not accurate venture close to Nigeria; don’t travel at in Cameroon, but going on local night. Maroua remained safe. Armed knowledge, we established that with this information, we arrived in the Gamboura is ten miles from the Extreme North and based ourselves Nigerian border – a bit close for in a Mission Guesthouse. It has a high comfort – and again without a wall and gates, manned by a guard 24 reliable phone signal. Should we hours a day. The guard is unarmed, go or not? This was the hardest sometimes on duty for 36 hours and decision we faced during our trip. has to be reminded that he should Again we sought advice. It was check who wants in before opening reckoned that if we did a day trip the gates. We informed the British without sharing our movements High Commission of our arrival. To this with any outsiders, it could be day we have heard nothing from them. done. We decided to go, turning It’s good to know they care! down the offer of an armed guard, In Maroua, people were still talking feeling that that would simply draw about the kidnapping and about how it attention to our movements. We left had killed the tourist industry. That was Maroua with trusted friends before Hamish greeting the Chief of Taifara village where obvious when we visited our favourite dawn. Hamish and I wore traditional St Andrews Rotary Club repaired a well. hotels and found them virtually empty. clothing and for the first time, I took The only customers were the filles a scarf to hide my hair. Gamboura de joie: the prostitutes. We joked about varying our movements, not is 80 difficult miles from Maroua. After three hours we arrived, having an obvious routine and never using the same bar two days unannounced to all but a few members of the village development running. There was laughter amongst ex-pats, who agreed that British committee. Within a short time, however, a full-scale meeting with people would not be targeted, as it was well known that our government villagers was underway, with more people arriving from their fields as would not pay a ransom. We imagined our daughters discussing selling word got round. I confess to one moment of anxiety as some motor our home, their inheritance, to raise bikes roared over a hill towards ransom money, but decided they us, but it was just more villagers probably wouldn’t bother! There was, arriving to satisfy their curiosity. A On this visit I returned with a large sum of however, no denying that there was couple of hours later we were on tension in the air. our way back to Maroua, conscious money from the Rotary Club of St Andrews A week after our arrival, we got that every mile took us further away Kilrymont to spend on five schools news that a French priest had been from Nigeria. It was a tired and kidnapped near Maroua. The red zone relieved group which eventually got had become bright red. A ransom had back to base. been demanded plus the release of The journey to Gamboura Boko Haram prisoners. Our FO changed its advice to foreign nationals: brought our self-imposed duties to an end and it was time to head ‘Leave the Extreme North immediately.’ Hamish and I are normally home. Hamish and I would love to return to Cameroon once more to cautious people but, after much thought, we decided to complete our see further project results, but we would not be prepared to go under tasks and then go south as soon as possible. Friends advised us that the same red alert conditions. In fact, I won’t be going if it is even a a week’s stay in Zidim was now impossible. Zidim is closer to Nigeria delicate shade of pink! and has no reliable phone signal. It was still considered safe to make (Photos courtesy Anne Tait)

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

Answers to Your Questions Q. I have recently found out that an old electric generating station used to be at South Bridge Street quite close to my home. Can you tell me more about the station?

A. The electric light station you are referring to was the first electric generating station in St Andrews.

Built in 1905, it was situated at the corner of South Bridge Street and James Street. Before this station was erected the whole town depended on the gas works at the harbour, which had been established by The St Andrews Gas and Light Company in 1835.

Interior of the electric generating station, c.1910.

The electric generating station had tall towers, overshadowing other buildings in the area. coupled to three Crompton direct Despite having this station, coal-gas current dynamos. These engines were production continued in St Andrews until fed throughout on a forced lubricating 1962. In areas such as the Pends and system, and could therefore be run Balfour Place, gas streetlights were in for any length of time unattended. The use up until the 1950s. output of the dynamos was 250 amperes Although we don’t have a photograph (amps) at 450 volts. Upon its institution, of the exterior of the station, we do it was one of the most modern and wellhave an image from c.1910 showing equipped works of its kind in Scotland. the interior. The photograph shows the I can’t find reference to an exact date engines which produced the electric for its closing, however the towers are current for St Andrews. They consisted of still seen in the background of this three high-speed reciprocating engines photograph from 1934.

Michael Cox has a question

Abbey Park – a link with Robert Burns?

Abbey Park has been in the local news for several years. The Town Plan, dated 1820, shows Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Glass as the owner of Abbey Park, a large area, the wall of which extends unbroken from the entrance gate near the top of Abbey Walk to the Kinness Burn where it flows beneath the bridge into the harbour – no Abbey Villa, no West Infants, no Cosmos Centre, no hospital.

After a distinguished career from 1778 to 1807 in the Indian Army, Lt-Col Glass retired to St Andews. He died on 29 September 1832, and is buried in the Cathedral graveyard. He had five sons, one named Henry Harrington, who was born in Bombay.

In Bengal on 19 September 1820, twelve days after his twenty-first birthday, Henry Harrington Glass married Elisa Emma Robinson, who was reputed to be the illegitimate daughter of Robert Burns. She bore two children; Andrew, born on 1 March 1822 (less than six months after the wedding), and Elisa, born on 19 July 1824.

Elisa Emma died in Bombay on 21 July 1824, her memorial recording her age as twenty-two years. This date makes her birth as 1801 or 1802. This is odd, as her reputed father, Robert Burns, died in 1796.

Can any Burns historian resolve this mystery? Who was Elisa Emma Robinson’s mother; when and where was she born; was Elisa really Robert Burn’s daughter; how did she arrive in India??

The son, Andrew, served in India; the daughter married a Mr Lowe. Henry Harrington Glass re-married in St Andrews one Harriet, daughter of Alexander Binney of Prior’s Gate, whose memorial is on the North wall of the Cathedral, surrounded by McTier descendants.

If anyone can shed light on this story, please contact the Editor, and it will be passed on to Michael Cox. Abbey Park house is currently being demolished after being shamefully neglected for many years.

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Cows belonging to Mr Ireland of Claybraes Farm being herded up Largo Road (possibly towards the abattoir?).

Note the chimneys of the electricity station on James Street. (1934) (Photos courtesy the Trust Museum)

Michael Buchanan ponders

Scottish Sensibilities Recently acquired, my Handbook of Dates, Royal Hist. Soc. 1945, 1981. Sadly, it is not a guide to living on St Valentine’s Day, or any other day: it is a guide for students of English history.

Inter alia, it lists all the Popes from Gregory I (AD 596).

However, Benedict XIII (he of the six St Andrews University Bulls of 1413) and the other schismatic (anti-)Popes are placed in parentheses without comment. Benedict XIII was formally deposed, not once but twice, in Pisa 1409, and in Constance in 1417. Apart from being exiled from Avignon, France, to Peñíscola, in his home district of Aragon, Spain, he bounced back, but with decreasing influence as countries returned to ‘Rome’. He died in 1423, having been elected in 1394. The ‘real’ Roman Pope, Benedict XIII, is also listed as being in office 1724-30. [Anti-Pope Benedict XIII is “Not to be confused with Pope Benedict XIII” according to Wikipedia – Ed].

This indifferent, parenthetical treatment of a crucial ‘Scottish historical experience’, of primal importance to the full and formal foundation of the University of St Andrews, by a London publication, remained unmodified through many editions – for 66+ years rubbing a little salt in the wounds of Scottish sensibilities. This handling of Scotland as a minor footnote to English history is enough to prompt one to think of voting ‘yes’ in September 2014, at least for a few nano-seconds!

Books such as The Scottish Enlightenment – the Scots’ Invention of the Modern World by A Herman, 2003 Fourth Estate, London, articulate and underpin a more upbeat, positive self image for Scots to reflect on and celebrate.

Living in London since 1971, but of Scottish ancestry easily traced back to Robert the Bruce and the Battle of Bannockburn (1314), I don’t have a vote, but may be offered Scottish citizenship if ‘yes’ prevails in September. Is this fair? Is this reasonable? Is this acceptable? Is this good enough?

FEATURES Gordon Jarvie

No carbon footprint: or, Home grown Strawberry plants: a gift to my son from someone at work, then gifted from him to me. “Maybe strawberries for tea in a year or three,” he quipped. For a while they lay there dunked in a bucket of water.

Then I stuck them among gravel beside the back door, unceremoniously.

Josef Anton

St Andrews Castle Saunter along the harbour wall to contemplate the castle sun drenched a prisoner within its knurled reflection ramparts now defenceless to strangers’ trespass history exhaled into breaths of spray spiralling seawards gun ports once pregnant with battles’ fecund expectation now impotent, hollow, canting to catch the cadenza of cries piling high like wave spittle between the rocks beneath its walls strength depleted by time and brine.

Their first year saw them stretch tentacle runners into the sun. I fought these runners, cut them off.

This year it seems I’ve won. They flowered like fury, berries formed, swelled, reddened in hot sun. Daily, I nipped slugs and bugs, chased off blackbirds. Finally, I picked ripe fruit – more and more of it taking the place of earlier trusses. It was magical.

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice had nothing on our strawberries.

They were magnificent, best in Fife, best in my life.

(Photo by Flora Selwyn)

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FEATURES

Where else, but from the Internet!

An American Elementary School Teacher had twenty-six students in her class. She presented each child in her classroom the first half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. Their insight may surprise you. Keep in mind that these are 6-year-olds.

running.

...

1. Don’t change horses 2. Strike while the . . . fore . . .

3. It’s always darkest be the power of . . .

4. Never underestimate to water but . . .

5. You can lead a horse t . . .

6. Don’t bite the hand tha 7. No news is . . . a . . .

8. A miss is as good as dog new . . .

9. You can’t teach an old gs, you’ll . . .

10. If you lie down with do 11. Love all, trust . . . than the . . .

12. The pen is mightier 13. An idle mind is . . . there’s . . .

14. Where there’s smoke . . .

15. Happy the bride who .

16. A penny saved is . . ’s . . . ee thr 17. Two’s company, ow what . . .

18. Don’t put off till tomorr and . . . world laughs with you, cry 19. Laugh and the whole d as . . .

20. There are none so blin n and not . . .

21. Children should be see ceed . . .

22. If at first you don’t suc ing only what you . . .

23. You get out of someth the blind . . .

24. When the blind lead .

25. A bird in the hand . . . .

26. Better late than .

until they stop bug is close.

Daylight Saving Time. termites. how? looks dirty. impossible.

Mr. math. stink in the morning. me. pigs. the best way to relax. pollution. gets all the presents. not much. the Musketeers. you put on to go to bed. e. you have to blow your nos

Stevie Wonder. spanked or grounded. get new batteries. box. see in the picture on the get out of the way. is going to poop on you. pregnant.

“This boss is not for turning!”

10

FEATURES: REVIEWS Mrs Sheila Green reviews

Keppleton Rise

by Mark Thomson Published by Olympia Publishers, 2014 ISBN: 978-1-84897-304-6 Paperback price £9.99.

Available from the publisher: www.olympia.com Amazon, or ordered at any bookshop ‘Never judge a book by its cover’ might be a well-worn adage, but it is the one most apt to describe Keppleton Rise, the second novel from Fife author, Mark Thomson. Because behind the dramatic image of menacing clouds over a landscape of rain-swept hills – more reminiscent, perhaps, of a George Gently murder case – is a wonderfully witty and vibrant tale of corruption, greed, and ambition set against the backdrop of a sleepy market town in the course of being forcibly dragged into the twenty-first century.

No sooner has the story started than we learn that the central character, George D Thornton, had turned his back on the Clydeside shipyards some 35 years previously to seek his fortune on the other side of the Atlantic.

His subsequent rise through the ranks in Corporate America had quite clearly been exponential; so much so that by the time he was 40 he was CEO of what would become the world’s second largest sportswear company

– an undoubted ‘Big Cheese’ who was on first-name terms with some pretty influential people. But all that changed the moment he made his one calamitous decision, which brought the business to its knees, and saw him unceremoniously fired.

While still in shock at his recent misfortune, George accompanies his wife to the North Yorkshire town of Keppleton – where she’s been called to a family crisis – after a while taking on a job stacking shelves at the local supermarket, run by an ambitious airhead who is, herself, willing to stand on anyone to get to the top. It is through this unlikely alliance that things in sleepy Keppleton take on a new perspective, with George D Thornton (using his dead brother-in-law’s identity for cover) finding himself the ‘brains’ behind a whole host of initiatives that, within a year, will surely revolutionise the retail shopping habits of a nation. Once more, it seems as if his career is on the rise.

Though beware… because anyone who has read this author’s debut novel , ’40 Things…’, will know that all might not be as it seems, and there are likely to be a few twists along the way before the story reaches its extraordinary conclusion.

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced, razor-sharp satirical tale, which is packed full of colourful characters, memorable incidents, and enough ‘revolutionary ideas’ to make the strategy boffins at Tesco sit up and take notice. So, whether it be as a piece of light bed-time reading, or as something to help you relax this summer on the beaches of the Med, I thoroughly recommend Keppleton Rise – not least because I share a particular affinity with leading characters who – despite their grey hair – like to think they still have a bit of life left in them yet!

NB – Regular contributor of Toonspot, Alex Noel Watson, has been in hospital. Happily he is getting better and hopes to send another cartoon for the next issue. St Andrews in Focus wishes him a speedy, full recovery – can’t do without him! We are really grateful for his loyal support and quirky humour. Editor

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

11

SHOPS & SERVICES

12

SHOPS & SERVICES Flora Selwyn and friends were delighted guests of a

A renewed Zizzi Generosity doesn’t get any better than this: in February, Zizzi refurbished its South Street premises. To celebrate, 120 people were invited to a sumptuous 3-course dinner (drinks could be bought). The previous afternoon B&B owners and other businesses had been entertained too.

In a remarkably short time the whole interior of the Restaurant had been revamped, its floors sanded, murals painted by a talented student, making everything appear sparklingly new. Manager William Wallace, resplendent in kilt, warmly welcomed his guests with a flute of champagne at 7.00pm. The open kitchen at the rear was a hive of activity!

The Restaurant (Photo by Flora Selwyn) We started with sharing platters filled with prosciutto, calamari, pizza slices, buffalo mozzarella, olives, smoked salmon, and other goodies. Then there was a large choice of main dishes. I had a most delicious ravioli di capra – pasta filled with goats’ cheese and spinach in a tomato sauce with pesto and pine nuts. The amount was just right for me, so I was pleasantly replete without having to leave anything (which is sadly often the case with pasta dishes!). The desserts were absolutely scrumptious tiramisu, a delicious torta limone, a ‘sweet but tart lemon tart’, and the most wonderful tartufo al cioccolato, a ‘rich dark chocolate mousse with crushed hazelnuts, and a dash of frangelico hazelnut liqueur’. These three desserts were served on sharing platters as well, so we could each sample all of them – my idea of heaven! Altogether a meal to die for! My friends, who had had various other main dishes, such as Zizzi fish stew, linguine ai gamberi, chicken dishes, and beef of various kinds, were equally ecstatic. They kindly bought red and white wines for all on our table, completing the meal delightfully.

Rounding off the evening, everyone was given doggy bags containing olives, a sample of mela croccante, an apple crumble, a voucher The VIP Dinner (Photos courtesy Zizzi) Manager William Wallace (R), for a future discounted meal, a whole packet of Deputy Manager Marcin Kedziora (L) Treccia pasta with a recipe to make casareccia pollo picccante with it, a Zizzi keyring, takeaway The takeaway menu is fairly large too, dishes chosen to travel well! and eating-in menus.

“We cook all our pizzas, pastas, and salads from fresh.” says the menu Prices are generally very reasonable. To give one or two random (I hope they don’t cook their salads, but I know what they mean) “We examples: starters are from £3.95 to £5.95. The most expensive start cooking when you call us, so when you arrive to sharing platter being cicchetti at £14.95, but it is huge!

Generosity doesn’t get collect your food, it’s hot and fresh.”

Skinny pizzas are £9.75, and £9.35; salads range from Chatting the next day to William Wallace, I learned £10.25 to £11.95; pastas are £9.85 to £11.75. And so any better than this that Zizzi employs 7 chefs, and 8 waiters. They were on; it’s a large menu. Drinks are wide-ranging too, the certainly run off their feet the night before, yet every one of them visibly wines mostly Italian, which is to be expected, but including others like kept their good nature. Our waiter, Scott Kilbee, went out of his way for California Zinfandel, and Veuve Clicquot Champagne. us, even feeling sorry for the tulips I’d been given and putting them in water for me! The Restaurant does not have a microwave oven, music to my ears! Also, and this is so welcome, elderly diners can order half adult portions – just ask your waiter.

“At Zizzi we like to do things a little differently.” I think my friends would agree with me that this is indeed true. What’s more, I’m sure we all agree, too, that Zizzi lives up to its claim, “we don’t do overcomplicated recipes or scrimpy portion sizes. We’re all about wellchosen ingredients, simply put together to make exceptional Italian food.”

Warm and sincere thanks, Zizzi for a great evening! I’m pretty certain we’ll all be back before too long.

Restaurant murals (Photos by Flora Selwyn)

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SHOPS & SERVICES Mike Marwick, of R B Grant Electrical Contractors, talks about

Solar Panel installation In recent years solar PV renewable electricityproducing systems have risen in popularity to become the UK’s number one desired home improvement. Despite this, lingering doubts still persist in many people’s minds as to whether they are worth the outlay.

Since the Government introduced the Feed-in Tariff (FIT), which pays out a twentyyear, tax-free, quarterly cash payment to households and businesses using solar PV to produce their own green electricity, interest in solar has taken off in a big way.

Yet I still encounter the same concerns from householders, who are understandably anxious that the numbers can seem just too good to be true.

It doesn’t help that the rise in solar PV’s popularity has resulted in some unscrupulous firms ignoring the clear rules set out by PV’s governing body, the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), mis-selling solar systems, often at over-inflated prices, creating uncertainty about whether or not the benefits of solar PV are real.

The bottom line is that the return on investment potential of a well-sited and fairlypriced solar PV system is nothing short of fantastic; however, ignore the guidelines and your investment can quickly turn into a white elephant. If you are interested in solar for your property, here’s what to look for to ensure you avoid the potential pitfalls: Location, location, location Where a solar PV system is positioned has a big influence on its performance. A typical household 4kW system facing South in the St Andrews area would be expected to produce something in the region of 3,750 units of electricity in a given year, which in turn would qualify for £650 of tax-free FIT payments, over and above the savings made by using the free, green electricity. Face the same system in a Northerly direction and that production would drop to a mere 1,800 units, or around £300 in FIT payments.

Any roof facing in the Southern half of the compass will give good production.

Surprisingly, East / West facing properties

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have a slight advantage, as both the East and West facing roof spaces will perform equally well, potentially doubling the space available to locate panels.

Of course you can’t change the direction your roof faces, but if you lack Southerly facing roof space, other options can be to mount on flat roof space if available, wall-mount, or ground-mount on purpose-build frames. Don’t just take a solar salesman’s word for where the panels should go, dig out your compass and check for yourself. There may be a range of options available, so make sure you discuss them fully.

Why does it always rain on me?

The clue is in the name – solar panels work best in sunlight, so it’s often assumed that they won’t perform well in our dreich Scottish climate. It’s a fair assumption, given that even some solar installers South of the border still believe Scotland to be permanently under a cloud and a no-go area for solar.

The truth however, is that the East coast of Scotland enjoys some of the highest levels of sunlight in the UK making this is one of the better locations in the country to site a solar PV system. Sceptics can go to the MET Office website for proof: don’t worry, I didn’t believe that fact either until I checked!

Fifty Shades of Grey Never mind climate, a solar panel’s real enemy is shading. Chimney stacks, satellite dishes, neighbouring buildings, trees, can all have a huge impact on the amount of electricity a solar system can produce.

If you invite solar installers to quote for a system, make sure they provide you with a standard estimate for production, which factors in any specific shading issues at your property (a requirement under MCS). Beware any installer who does not provide this.

There are steps an installer can take to counter the effect of shading, but where shading is severe, the best course of action may be to look at another renewable technology altogether. An honest solar installer will tell you this. However, for free,

impartial advice you can always speak to the Government-funded Energy Saving Trust.

Use it or lose it Solar electricity is obviously produced during daylight hours, so if you have a working household you may find that there is no-one home during the hours of peak production. The electricity doesn’t get stored and will instead feed into the Grid, but this needn’t concern you unduly as the FIT payments are given on every unit produced, regardless of whether you use it or not.

To maximise the benefit of your PV system by using as much of the free solar electricity as possible, however, you can take steps, such as setting high load devices like your washing machine on timer to come on during the day.

If you have an immersion heater you can also install a device which diverts any excess solar electricity, that would be exported, to heat your water instead.

The Sun always shines on PV The solar industry has weathered some turbulent times in recent years, with many predicting it would not withstand the severe Feed-in Tariff cuts of 2011/12. Restructuring of the wholesale prices, however, has seen solar PV come roaring back in popularity, with annual return on investment figures difficult to ignore.

A well-located array, free from shading, will have a long-term payback many times the initial cost of investment, and with domestic fuel price increases seeing no sign of abating, generating your own electricity maintains its appeal. For solar PV, the future is still bright.

A Fife-based Company, we have installed over a thousand solar PV systems throughout Scotland and the UK. We belong to the Fife Trusted Trader Scheme, and are an Energy Saving Trust approved solar PV installer.

SHOPS & SERVICES Lauren McQuade, EASA’s Managing Director, introduces

‘English at St Andrews’

– Learn English, Experience Scotland ‘English at St Andrews’ (EASA) is an English language training company, operating in St Andrews for the past 3 years. EASA offers groups and individuals from overseas the unique opportunity to combine learning English with activities that provide an enjoyable and memorable experience of Scotland.

At our core, we are a family business with deep expertise in each of our respective areas. However, we are supported by a team of other professionals and partner agencies.

We work with a wide range of clients, including company executives looking to combine Business English training with an experience of Scotland, or tourists who are looking for more of an educational experience here in Scotland. Naturally, St Andrews is a must-visit location with great appeal thanks to its rich history and world reputation as the home of golf. In line with this, the four key elements that we offer are English

training, golf, culture, and single malt whisky appreciation. According to preferences, we will design a personalised experience, including either some or all of these elements. Other activities are also available upon request.

EASA will take care of you from the moment you land in Scotland until the moment you depart. You will have a full programme, including English training, which tends to take place in the mornings, then golfing and cultural activities in the afternoons. There is an EASA representative with you during your afternoon activities so that you have the opportunity to practise your English in more relaxed settings. We also have evening social programmes, including drinks in town, talks, and single malt whisky tasting sessions. If you are interested in whisky, we also organise trips to the famous Edradour distillery near the beautiful town of Pitlochry.

We warmly welcome groups. We have found that our experience is very well suited to group parties. We can design an experience particular to a group’s needs and interests.

There is a great deal of flexibility surrounding the length of an EASA Experience. We can work around your preferred length of stay. We have had groups with us from 4 days to 2 weeks.

Contact: lauren@easaenglishtraining.com Website: www.easaenglishtraining.com Tel: +44(0)131 608 0025.

We look forward to hearing from you!

(Photo courtesy Lauren McQuade)

Flora Selwyn chatted to Michael Forbes, Assistant Manager at

Costa

continuing to grow the company so Little did I think when I went to a book launch at Costa in Market Street that there are now well over 2000 that I would find vestiges of the original Royal Bank of Scotland still in outlets in Britain, with stores across situ in the basement. I mentioned that I once banked where Costa is the globe in India, China, Egypt, and now and Michael Forbes kindly took me below down a spiral staircase elsewhere. No longer making pizzas, to show me the massive doors of the two safes where the money was Costa concentrates on ‘coffee, coffee, The bank keys once kept. It is heartening to see such artifacts maintained as historic and more coffee, having a Barista icons. make your coffee, a hand-crafted coffee’, with eats to go. Mocha Italia is Costa has been in its St Andrews’ incarnation for 14 years. unique to Costa. Beans are available for purchase, as well as Tassimo Adam Phillips has been its Manager now for over 8 of those years, coffee machines. Michael also pointed out that Costa involves itself an impressive record. It is perhaps not so surprising, since Michael closely with its home communities. For example, assured me that Costa looks after its staff. Motivation in St Andrews The Association for International is enhanced by intra-company conferences and It is heartening to see Research (AICR) has benefited from competitions. One of these is the international such artifacts maintained Cancer fundraising and a recent music night, Barista of the Year Award, won by Victoria Stewart In 2007 the Costa Foundation was set up with of the Market Street store. She is now crowned the as historic icons the aim of eradicating poverty in the communities world’s best coffee maker! Congratulations Victoria! growing coffee. Quoting its website, “Costa recognised that without In 1971 the Italian Costa brothers started the company in London. the farmers and co-operatives that grow coffee, they would have no I remember being impressed with the wonderful coffee they served business. They are an integral part of Costa’s success; giving long-term at the time. Expansion followed rapidly. Whitbread bought it in 1996, support where possible seemed like a natural thing to do.” New schools have been built and furnished, water supplies have been invested in, as well as electricity, and sanitation. Apart from developing the land for the crops, teachers have been supplied with accommodation, and computers have been provided. “The Costa Foundation has supported 42 school projects in eight countries around the world. Children are currently benefiting from Costa Foundation funded facilities in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Uganda, and Vietnam.” Each project is decided between the Foundation, the government and the local education authority of a country. The Costa Foundation provides the capital to build infrastructure, while the government funds the training and provision of teachers for the lifetime of each school. To date, this has given 26,000 children in 42 coffee-growing communities access to education in 234 classrooms in 8 countries.

So when you thirst for a coffee, or feel peckish for something more substantial, you can head for Costa with a clear conscience, knowing that your money isn’t just enriching an already-rich entrepreneur, but is helping to make a real difference to hundreds of children the world over.

Did you know that? I didn’t. Thank you Michael for enlightening me.

The bank safe lock

One of the bank doors

(Photos courtesy Costa)

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SHOPS & SERVICES Patricia Lesley Dodds chatted with Flora Selwyn at her

Harbour Café

Born in Thornhill outside Stirling, Pat came with her family to Fife, first to Kingsbarns, then to her mother’s birthplace, St Andrews. Having passed her 11+ Pat went to school in Madras. In her first year, the French teacher who had taught her mother, taught Pat. “My mother was good at languages, but I wasn’t really interested in languages!”

After Madras, Pat started a teacher training course in Dundee, but left early to get married to a dairyman. Promotion entailed moving first to Strathkinness, then eventually Edzell. “We liked it up there.” Pat qualified as a swimming instructor while living in Edzell. She told me that although she no longer has time to teach, she still enjoys her swim in St Andrews harbour during summer.

With their three sons the family visited Pat’s mother regularly in St Andrews. “I’ve always loved the harbour and the East Sands”, so when her mother told her that the Harbour Café was for sale, Pat, by this time divorced, bought it. Before long she met and married fisherman Bill Eldest son George and Pat in the Café Dodds.

This April Pat celebrated 30 years of running the Café. At first, it Pat’s daughter-in-law bakes delicious cakes. Prices are competitive: for was open only for weekends in March and April. So for 20 years, Pat example, £6.00 for a full fish and chips (small portions are also available); also commuted to Forfar, where she had a catering franchise at Tayside £4 for the breakfast; £2 for a burger and onions; £1.90 for a bacon roll.

Motor Auction until it ended. Gradually the Harbour Café opened full As Pat said she didn’t learn any languages I wondered how she time in June, July, and August, then weekends in September. Originally coped with all the foreign visitors. She did have a Chinese girl working dependent to a large extent on the Glasgow holiday fortnight, the Café for her “a couple of years ago, and that was really useful. That’s when I today is closed only in December and January. As holiday patterns wished I could speak different languages.” But Pat gets by with signs, and have changed, Pat has adapted, “We try to open as early as we can in the photos of her dishes on the menu, while many groups have their own February, but it all depends on the weather.” interpreters.

“I’ve met an awful lot of people.” Wildlife too. When the resident There is general talk of upgrading the harbour area and I wondered harbour swans chased 10 ducklings “relentlessly, to try and kill them”, what the future held for Pat. She is optimistic that a solution will be found Pat and her staff rescued them. On another occasion Bill to keep the Café in its present, ideal location. More contacted Pat from his boat. She couldn’t understand consultation will have to take place. “Everybody likes the This April Pat what he was saying; it turned out, he was trying to place to be where it is. This is definitely the best spot.” photograph a basking shark, talk to Pat, and steer the Pat is amazed that 30 years have passed already. celebrated 30 years boat all at the same time! Pat observes the passing “I was just so pleased to have the Café; it’s just magic of running the Café wildlife with great interest sympathy, and understanding to be able to see the sea, even on terrible days.” Pat is The Café serves traditional food. Delicious fish and ever resourceful – on one occasion the fan belt in her chips (I’ve had some; crisp dry chips, luscious battered fish!). Pat told car broke, ”I had a pair of tights and that got me home.” That kind of spirit me she has even served fish and chips at 9.30 in the morning! There are deserves to be recognized and rewarded. I’m sure her sons and their burgers of all kinds with salad, including veggie burgers. Baked potatoes, wives, her grandchildren, and her three great-grandchildren will all agree. various toasties, and a full breakfast, are all available. There are teas, coffees, and soft drinks, as well as sweeties, chocolates, and ice creams.

(Photo by Flora Selwyn)

Flora Selwyn visited the

Hotel du Vin, alias the St Andrews Golf Hotel on the Scores Another successful make-over has been achieved in our town. What used to be a slightly ‘olde’ hotel has been transformed into a sparklingly renewed up-to-date establishment in the heart of St Andrews.

Since opening its first boutique hotel in an 18th century building in Winchester in 1994, Hotel du Vin has acquired another 14 in carefully chosen locations such as Cambridge, York, Poole, etc. St Andrews is the latest addition.

(Photo by Flora Selwyn)

16

As the name implies, wine is “the very showers” with Miller Harris toiletries. A lifeblood of the bistro, bar, and Hotel”. Each boardroom for up to 20 people is available for Hotel has a very wide range on offer together private functions. Happily, the Ballroom has with trained sommeliers been retained; it can seat to give advice. The whole 120 for dinner, or 160 The whole enterprise is enterprise is conceived for a drinks reception. conceived around the around the basic formula The Hotel has an Events of “a restaurant with Organizer on hand to help. basic formula of rooms”. Menus are “fresh, In summer, the “a restaurant with rooms” conservatory and seasonal, and whenever possible, organic”. The courtyard will be available theme is French home-style slow cooking for al fresco dining. Ma Bells has also been with British overtones. Prices are moderate, refurbished. It will have an events calendar competitive: for instance the Plats du Jour featuring evenings with live music and bands. lists 2 courses for £14.95, or 3 for £16.95. A This summary should whet the appetite for tasty-looking Sunday Brunch boasts a helpvisits! St Andrews is fortunate to welcome yet yourself French Market Table along with an another prestigious venue for visitors and locals additional choice of main courses and desserts. alike to relish.

The 4 courses are priced at £22.95. Cocktails are available, but extra. Various choices of Afternoon Tea are also a feature.

PS – your editor has now had a tour of There are 22 rooms in the Hotel du Vin the refurbished Hotel and can vouch for St Andrews, furnished in “dark leathers and its attractions. As for its restaurant….. subtle patterns”. Egyptian cotton is used for “worth a detour”! the bedding and there are ample accessories.

The bathrooms are fitted with “large, monsoon

SHOPS & SERVICES Sshhhh! David Adie is a

Secret Agent It is probably not known to many people, but I am in fact a secret agent. that is a matter which is subject to contract.

I am sure “Miss Money Penny” might appreciate James Bond 007, but There are complicated legal provisions in as a Lawyer a secret agent is not quite as glamorous or interesting. I say relation to termination of an Agency contract; it ‘secret’ because the public do not appreciate that the relationship is one has to be borne in mind that an Agent is usually of agency, not an employee, so employment law does not The old-fashioned name for a Solicitor is in fact, “Law Agent”, which apply. The rules are different. indicates the nature of the relationship between a Solicitor and his client.

There are also rules which apply in A Solicitor is not an employee. A Solicitor is an independent party, in many relationships with third parties. Sometimes respects an Officer of the Court, acting principally as an agent for the arguments can arise as to whether someone client in carrying out legal work. dealt with a third party as an Agent, or as a Agency as a concept in the Law has been known for years, and large Principal. In that way there might be an argument about whether or not books have been written on the topic. It is amazing how widespread the the Agent incurred personal liability, for example, to buy goods. concept of agency is. You are possibly tripping over Agents on a daily There are nightmare stories of Solicitors putting in offers on behalf basis. Agency can be established by a contract, which is either in writing, of clients, not naming the clients, so they become either an Agent for an such as a Solicitor’s Terms and Conditions of Business, or in many cases undisclosed Principal, or in some cases may actually end up having to verbally. It varies with the precise relationship of the parties. buy the property themselves if they do not disclose they are acting on The important thing to remember is that even though it is not behalf of someone. in writing, you may have a contract of agency and there are certain My legal advice in these situations is, make sure if you have an relationships which apply between principal and agent. The agent, for Agency Contract of any sort that it is written down in plain English (or example, is subject to fiduciary duties similar to those as plain as Lawyers will allow) and it makes perfectly incumbent on a Trustee. For example, the obligations to what the obligations of both parties are. It should The old-fashioned clear act honestly, not take personal benefit, and to take care. also make clear that the party is an Agent and does not name for a The agent is obliged to follow the instructions provided have any other relationship. This may result in a contract by the Principal, but in the case of a lawyer, that may not which is of quite substantial length.

Solicitor is in fact, always involve complete obedience. For example, if the Manufacturer’s Agents often have large contracts “Law Agent” Principal required a Lawyer to do something which was dealing with all potential situations, but whether you are illegal, or which was unethical, or against professional Principal or Agent, you have to make sure that you don’t rules, then the Agent would be entitled to refuse. fall into any of the pitfalls. For example, you want to make sure as an Agents have to act with reasonable care and skill, and they have an Agent that you are not going to have potential liability to third parties and obligation to account to the Principal for their intromissions and payments as a Principal, you want to make sure your Agent doesn’t exceed certain etc. They are not allowed to make a secret commission, i.e. a bit on the parameters of authority. side.

As always there is some statutory intervention. Regulations which An Agent may not be entitled to delegate the work. There is a concept were introduced in 1993 define a class of commercial Agents who are known as delectus personae. That is, a person to whom a matter has subject to special rules, and for the most part these special rules affect been specifically entrusted and delegated cannot himself delegate it. the internal relationship of Agent and Principal.

An Agent is entitled to be reimbursed by the Principal of liabilities Since, as I mentioned, there have been large text books written on the which he or she may incur in performance of the contract. Thus, for subject, please remember, always take legal advice before proceeding, or example if he or she runs up Accounts and instructs contractual work, proceed at you peril. the Agent is entitled to be relieved of that cost by the Principal. The Perhaps on reflection, it is easier to be a secret agent and just shoot remuneration of an Agent depends entirely on circumstances; obviously at your problems. Driving the Aston Martin would also be quite enjoyable.

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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

Leuchars Station £10 Dundee City Centre £25

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Edinburgh Airport £70 We welcome commercial enquiries St Katharine’s West, 16 The Scores St Andrews, Fife KY16 9AX

T: (01334) 463020 E: printanddesign@st-andrews.ac.uk The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC013532

17

SHOPS & SERVICES Heather Lang often gets asked

“What is Osteopathy?”

To understand the medicine, understand the men behind it – an American visionary, and a Scottish academic.

Dr Andrew Taylor Still, the recognised founder of osteopathy, was born in Virginia, U.S.A on 6 August 1828. He became an apprentice to his father, a physician and a Methodist preacher, prior to undertaking formal study at medical school in Kansas. Andrew Still learned the techniques of the time, such as bleeding, purging, splinting, becoming familiar with the use of compounds made from mercury, arsenic, other heavy metals.

More traditional, natural remedies made from herbs, tree bark, and other plants were also used. Still went into medical practice, like his father, but when the Civil war broke out, he enlisted and spent the next 4 years attending to horrific and brutal injuries as a Union army surgeon.

Sadly, Andrew Still’s greatest trauma was yet to come. On returning home, his three sons died from spinal meningitis, his daughter from pneumonia, his wife during childbirth. Distraught that, despite all his medical knowledge and experience, he had been unable to save his family, further disillusioned by his experiences in the war, Still rejected much of his medical training. He began searching for a more effective healthcare.

Still’s approach was established on ideas dating back to Hippocrates – the vis naturae medicatrix – that the body has the ability to heal itself.

Through his experience he determined that the key to health lay in the correction of any anatomical deviation in the body that interfered with the blood flow. He studied bone-setting, hydrotherapy, and other alternative theories in circulation at the time, incorporating them into his medical practice.

In 1885, Still officially named his medical system ‘Osteopathy’. In 1892, the American School of Osteopathy (now renamed the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine) opened in Missouri. The school soon expanded to the point where the railroad to Kirksville had to be increased to accommodate the 400+ patients seen in any one day.

One of these patients was a rather frail, sickly Glaswegian academic who, on being given 6 months to live, had left his native land to seek out a more hospitable climate than the cold and damp so unfavourable to his condition. A scholar of theology, the arts, Hebrew, Oriental languages, anatomy, and physiology, John Martin Littlejohn, having heard of Still’s reputation, came to seek treatment. His recovery was so remarkable that Littlejohn moved to Kirksville and undertook a study of osteopathy. In the few years he served there, he entered into teaching, quickly becoming dean of faculty, then as professor of physiology, initiating the osteopathic research movement. Working in partnership with Still, Littlejohn began conducting experiments on animals to better understand their physiology and neurology.

Still would state to his students “the first lesson is anatomy, the last lesson is anatomy, and all lessons are anatomy”. In contrast, Littlejohn would argue that, “physiology is the gateway by which this immense field of osteopathy is to be entered”.

Littlejohn’s conviction of the physiological approach to osteopathy led him to establish his own school and hospital in Chicago, where his treatments included addressing systemic conditions of malignancy, toxicity, and infection in addition to anatomical complaints. Ever the academic, Littlejohn undertook further study at Dunham and Herring medical colleges in Chicago, earning an M.D. degree before returning to Britain in 1913 to found the British College of Osteopathy in London.

The foundations of osteopathy were born in the research of anatomy from Andrew Taylor Still, physiology from John Martin Littlejohn, with an understanding of psychology that both men gained from their education in divinity and life experience. Today we call it the ‘osteopathic triad’, still considering all three aspects of equal importance to creating an individual treatment for each patient. As in Still’s day, osteopathy can be adapted to incorporate, with correct training, techniques from other medical systems, such as orthopaedic and Chinese acupuncture. Hippocrates stated that good health depends on a balance of the right food in the right quantities, the right exercise, and sufficient sleep. These words have lost no validity over the years; osteopathy still holds them as core values.

Osteopathy incorporates an enormous range of techniques from the gentlest cranio-sacral, massage and muscle release to manipulations familiar in chiropractic. Research into manual therapy and neurophysiology from respected institutes, such as Ulm University in Germany, are continuing to provide deeper explanations of how the osteopathy works on a molecular level. Still and Littlejohn would be proud.

“Treat the patient, not the condition.”

Heather Lang is a GOsC registered osteopath, ergonomic consultant, medical acupuncturist and multi-disciplinary manual therapist. She has worked extensively in osteopathic practice and development throughout the UK, Ireland, and Canada.

Heather has been qualified to conduct bio-mechanical assessments for over 20 years and is dedicated to diagnosis and treatment of pain and pathology.

St Andrews Osteopaths – Providers of effective treatment since 1998 136 South Street, St Andrews, KY16 9EQ. Tel: 01334 477 000 www.standrewsosteopaths.co.uk

Renton Oriental Rugs Tel: 01334 476 334

72 South Street, St Andrews Fife, KY16 9JT

18

SHOPS & SERVICES Harry Maclean advises

What to do at the end of your tenancy In an environment such as St Andrews there are always people coming and going, moving from one house or flat to another at the end of their contract. As an experienced independent professional in the property industry, I’ve set out below some check-list guidelines which might be useful at the end of your tenancy. Each Letting Agent or Private Landlord operates differently, but you may find them useful.

Gas and Electricity – it is often the case that deposits cannot be returned until evidence is provided that all accounts have been settled.

The agents should read the meters on your departure; it is wise for you to do the same and settle your accounts as quickly as possible directly with the utilities company.

Telephone – if you have a landline telephone in your name then you should arrange a final account to be sent to you. If the phone is in your landlord’s name then the Lettings Agent may arrange for this to be settled from your deposit. In today’s world of mobile phones this will rarely occur.

Mail – Arrange with the Post Office for your mail to be re-directed.

Laundry – You should launder items such as mattress and pillow protectors, blankets, duvets and covers. If pillows are stained or marked then they should be replaced.

Carpets – Should be thoroughly vacuumed. If they are stained and marked during your tenancy then they should be professionally cleaned to a good standard.

Cleaning – often a contentious area, but agents and landlords should have accurate records of what condition properties are in prior to occupation. At departure after inspection it will be determined by the agent whether or not cleaning of any sort is required. If you leave it dirty then it is likely you will be charged by the agent, who will have to employ professional cleaners.

Gardens – should be left in good order, or if not, then again the agent will employ a gardener at your expense.

Keys – return them to the Letting Office or Landlord, ideally in person. They should be identifiable to which property they belong.

Inventory – return furniture to its original positions. If items have been lost or damaged then you should replace with the same item, or as near as possible. Again these items will be chargeable if not reported or replaced.

Personal Property – you should remove your items from the property, or they are at risk of the agent or next tenant removing them.

Refund of Deposit – once the agent or landlord is satisfied that all is in order then deposits should be returned to you in full, after confirmation that utilities had been paid etc. In many cases your deposit is now held by a third party, such as Safe Deposits Scotland. They will directly reimburse your deposit to you, and it is incumbent on the agent to make them aware of any charges that they wish to levy against your deposit.

Future Accommodation – remember that finding flats and houses can be a difficult time, and if you get a bad reference from a previous agent or landlord this makes it worse for you. So try to leave on good terms.

Beechfield Consultants can be contacted by phone: 07779 910 224, Email: harry@beechfieldconsultants.co.uk or alternatively check out the website, LinkedIn, or Twitter pages.

Windows – Should be cleaned inside and outside, including the frames.

19

SHOPS & SERVICES

Roving Reporter . . .

1. Brad Eggleston of Barking Mad wrote in with a wonderful encomium on dogs. Having just watched a video made by Oxford Scientific Films on the wonders of dogs, Reporter was intrigued.

Brad explains that, “Walking releases endorphins, which reduces stress, wards off feelings of anxiety and depression, increases self-esteem and energy levels and helps you sleep at night.” Dogs, of course, need walking, ergo, if you want to be healthy get a dog! The downside may be the long-term commitment required and the costs involved, and this is where Barking Mad comes in. Brad’s business has become so successful that he is looking for additional dog-host families “in order to keep up with the continued demand” for his services. Hosts are carefully matched with the right dogs. The Hosts take care of the dogs in their own homes with everything provided until the time comes for Brad to collect them and take them home. A bit like grandparents, thought Reporter, all the fun and none of the main responsibility, a win-win situation! Interested? Then contact Brad: 01334 880 337, email: brad.eggleston@barkingmad.uk.com Also: www.barkingmad.uk.com (Image courtesy Brad Eggleston)

*****

2.

the work themselves. Nothing seemed to faze them – for Ken and Suzanne it is all part of their love in bringing a taste of Hong Kong to St Andrews. The biggest transformation is to the VIP room upstairs (a must-see) named The Peony, popular with Chinese karaoke and large parties, open at weekends and for private functions throughout the week.

*****

3. An appropriate story came to Reporter from Geoff Baxter of Watch The Birdie.

He said he is getting ready for his busiest year to date filming weddings. Watch The Birdie opened in 2006 and within 3 years was awarded the Videographer of the Year by The VOWS organisation. “That was just amazing, but I do appreciate how privileged I am to do this fantastic job.” Geoff explained, “I record couples’ best and hopefully happiest day of their lives, which is really special”. All this nearly never happened, as Watch The Birdie was initially only a golf-experience film company. The weddings have taken over, though golf events are still squeezed into the calendar. “I do appreciate how lucky I am to be living and working in the East Neuk, an area rich in both fantastic wedding venues and golf courses.” Geoff told Reporter that he has a few dates available for this year, but is now concentrating on his 2015/16 diary. See the website: www.watchthebirdie.co.uk better still, drop an email: watchthebirdie@btinternet.com Or phone: 01334 850 051 to arrange a visit to Geoff’s studio.

(Photo courtesy Geoff Baxter) 4.

Reporter thinks there are many people in our town who deserve a medal! Two who spring immediately to mind are Ken and Suzanne Ng, proprietors of The Dining Room Restaurant in Crail’s Lane (01334 467 822). Reporter had behindthe-scenes glimpses of the recent transformations at the restaurant, and upon completion was invited to savour some delicious Chinese cuisine in the new and elegant surroundings. Between the two of them, Ken and Suzanne have lovingly restored and sympathetically redecorated the restaurant, adding to the building’s historical charm. With exquisite decorative wallpaper and standout murals shipped all the way from China, dining there is truly unique and atmospheric. Refurbishment is just in time to celebrate the 6th anniversary of The Dining Room. Reporter was impressed with the energy and commitment of this dedicated couple; with two young sons, a home, and a bustling restaurant, they re-designed the décor and oversaw all

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*****

Alex and Caroline Nite have taken over the Guid Cheese Shop, Burghers’ Close, 141 South Street. They intend to continue the tradition of this artisan cheese shop, now a staple in the community of St Andrews, providing the best customer service and knowledge for its existing and future customers. “We took over from Svetlana, its founder, in March 2014. We spent lots of time in the shop, learning from Svetlana about the daily running of the business. We are very fortunate to have forged such a friendship, and to have received this priceless training from the shop’s founder. Alex and I are both very passionate about food and healthy living; we have vast experience in retail,

hospitality, and running our own business.”

Reporter learned that Caroline is currently studying for a nutritionist certificate, while Alex is studying for his MSc in Psychology.

They plan to keep the same assortment of cheeses, plus more food from local producers. They will also exhibit art, offer take-away sandwiches, salads, and coffees.

Caroline invites you “to be a part of our journey; we hope to see you at the Guid Cheese Shop, open Tuesday to Saturday, 10.00am to 5.00pm.” Amen to that,” says Reporter.

(Photo courtesy Caroline Nite)

*****

5. Reporter dropped by to see Jenny Morrison, owner at Top Drawer, 77 South Street, (01334 479 758) and Alex and Thomas Chan, owners of Embrace Life, 5 Church Street (01334 478 952) to hear some very exciting news. For the second year running Top Drawer has been selected as a Finalist in the Independent Gift Retailer of the Year – Scotland Category, while Embrace Life has been selected as a Finalist in the Best Newcomer North and Scotland Category, selected by Progressive Gifts and Home. Jenny said she is thrilled and honoured that Top Drawer is a finalist again at these prestigious, national annual awards. Alex is also delighted that Embrace Life has been chosen as a finalist for the second year in a row and is also honoured to be a part of the Awards. Both said it’s wonderful that two independent shops in St Andrews are in the finals again – great for St Andrews, really putting us on the map as a desirable shopping destination. They both very much look forward to the awards lunch at the Savoy Hotel in London on 8 May. Reporter congratulates both shops. He says you can keep up-to-date with all the Top Drawer news at: www.topdrawergifts.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/topdrawergifts Twitter: www.twitter.com/topdrawergifts Embrace Life news at: www.facebook.com/ EmbraceLife.DreamersDrive

(Photos courtesy Top Drawer & Embrace Life)

*****

SHOPS & SERVICES

. . . is delighted to point to more success stories 6.

This reached Reporter via email from Crispin Willis, of The Smoke Fired Whole Foods Shop, 11 High Street North, Crail: “We are a Whole Foods and Ceramics shop in Crail.

As well as Ceramics by Vanessa Bullick ( www.vanessabullick.co.uk ), we specialise in a wide variety of whole foods, including a varied range of flour and baking products, which are variously organic, fair trade, gluten free, and responsibly sourced. We have freshlybaked goods every Friday, also a wide range of confectionary. All our products are as much as possible free from artificial preservatives and additives. Our aim is to provide a wide enough range of hard-toget products to provide our customers with a wide choice of ingredients, as well as a good selection of tasty and varied snack options. We have a wide selection of drinks too, including fine teas and coffees.

We cater strongly, too, for vegetarians with a wide range of soya products. There is as well, a wide range of Eco-friendly household cleaning products, as well as toiletries. We open 9.30am to 6.00pm Monday to Saturday, and 12 noon to 5.00pm on a Sunday.”

a graduation ring service for University of St Andrews graduates this year. We continue to make wedding jewellery and rings. We sell all of our products directly on-line and our jewellery range – including the very popular Tianguis Jackson silver pieces – can be found in Embrace Life, 5 Church Street, St Andrews.”

Please visit: www.openviewgallery.com or www.standrewsjewellery.com Tel: 01334 477 840.

(Photo courtesy Openview Gallery) 8.

(Photo courtesy Crispin Willis)

*****

7. Openview Gallery moved from its St Andrews premises at the beginning of the year, but Director Vanessa Dury told Reporter how busy they have been with their on-line and wholesale venture: “Over the years we have been developing our jewellery business designing and handmaking jewellery in St Andrews, stamped with our exclusive St Andrews Makers mark. We now make jewellery for the Links Trust, the University of St Andrews, and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, as well as a number of other golf clubs, schools, and other clients, recently developing a range for Edinburgh University. We are launching

9.

*****

Reporter was saddened to learn that the Harbour Trust’s gala equipment was lost through fire. He has since heard that many replacement items needed for the annual gala have been donated, as well as financial help. So the gala will definitely go ahead as planned in June. Reporter is happy to report that St Andreans have once again come together “to save the day”, as they did when the Harbour gates were wrecked. General Manager of the Keys Bar, Claire Nicol, is to be congratulated and warmly thanked for her prompt, generous donation to start the ball rolling. As Trustee Marion Mason says, ”It’s wonderful how everyone has rallied round.” Reporter is optimistic, “Let’s look forward to another successful gala, and may the sun shine for all of us!”

(Photo courtesy the Trust)

* * * *Fred’s * Emporium

has metamorphosed into Aspire Studios, 164 South Street, St Andrews (01334 474 298). Reporter learned that Winifred Jamieson has rebranded her business into “St Andrews’ dedicated Pilates studio”. She has given a facelift to the outside of her premises with

new signage. The shop itself has more Pilates-related stock. Upstairs, Pilates classes continue as before, with “other health and wellbeing-related ventures.”

Reporter wishes Winifred much success in her new guise.

(Photo courtesy Winifred Jamieson)

*****

10. Hilda Louise Bootsmann contacted Reporter to tell him she has a new business in St Andrews. She is a mobile massage and complementary therapist.

Also as “a member of the Saints Exchange Committee, people can pay in Saints for certain therapy sessions.”

Hilda offers Tellington TTouch for You Massage & Bodywork; Psychological Care & Counselling (Logotherapy by Viktor Frank); Homeopathy & Anthroposophic Medicine. A Member of CThA 2011-2012, and of the PVG Scheme Scotland, Hilda visits private homes, care homes, or can be seen in her own practice.

She can be contacted by email: hsbootsmann@yahoo.co.uk or through her website: www.bodyandspirit.webs.com 11.

*****

Cook Central, a sparkling new shop, has opened at 15 Church Street (01334 473 602). Owner Lyanna Field told Reporter that she is a true St Andrean who went to Leeds to graduate in Business Studies, and has returned after 14 years.

“I realised that there was a need in the Town and surrounding area for a Cookware Shop selling high class products, down to everyday essentials.”

Everything for the experienced cook, the beginner, and the professional, is now available, including, “…2 brands from Europe which are new to the UK offering quirky products for the home.” Open Monday to Saturday from 9.00am to 5.30pm Lyanna can also be contacted by email: cookcentral15@gmail.com “Looking for gifts, or to restock your own kitchen?” asks Reporter, “then go no further!”

(Photo courtesy Lyanna Field)

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EVENTS Isabelle Low, Friends of the Botanic Garden

St Andrews Botanic Garden Open Day, 22 June 2014 Come and enjoy St Andrews Botanic Garden for free this midsummer!

St Andrews Botanic Garden is celebrating this year, when it once again holds its annual open day on Sunday, 22 June, from 11.00am to 4.00pm.

Celebrating its 125th anniversary, from its start as a small garden strictly for the education of botany students in the centre of St Andrews, to what it has become today: an oasis of pleasure and of course, knowledge, for

everyone to enjoy, whether locals or visitors.

The centrepiece of the Open Day will be an exhibition showcasing the growth of the garden, through pictures and stories. And thankfully, also celebrating the future of the Garden.

Later this year, the Garden will pass from Fife Council management to a new charitable trust, focussed on opening it up to new opportunities, while retaining all that is best about it. Another exhibition will explain what is planned.

Celebrating the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will be a Commonwealth plant trail, taking you around plants gathered from every corner of the globe. There will also be lots of activities around the Garden for all the family to enjoy together; activities especially for children; toetapping music; also loads of refreshments to keep you going!

In addition there will be all sorts of stalls demonstrating, often selling, Garden- and food-related produce. A wide range of guided

walks will tell you more about this very special Garden.

Located on the Canongate, the Garden has ample parking, either in our car park or nearby.

It can easily be reached on foot via the Viaduct Walk from the main car parks in St Andrews.

Please come and join us whether you already visit us regularly, or whether you have never been before. We promise you a warm welcome and a great day out. We look forward to welcoming you to this special day.

Do check out our website: www.st-andrews-botanic.org (Photos courtesy the Friends of the Botanic Garden)

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

www.nphcinema.co.uk

117 North Street, St Andrews Tel: 013334 474902

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EVENTS STOP PRESS – Simon Chadwick plans to continue his successful annual recitals on his replica Medieval Harp. Unfortunately his usual venue in the Prior’s House at the Cathedral will not be available. Currently he is searching for an alternative venue and asks his loyal followers to keep their eyes open for posters in the town throughout June and July. He is hoping that his recitals will be free, as always.

Ronald Sandford draws attention to

Music! Music! Music!

Crail Festival 2014: 30th Anniversary The increasingly popular Crail Festival, in this its 30th Anniversary year, will once again be held during the busy Glasgow Fair fortnight from 23 July to 2 August, in a variety of venues in the picturesque village of Crail, in the heart of the East Neuk of Fife.

High quality music, to suit all tastes, has been the cornerstone of this local Festival for many years; this year’s attractions, embracing Folk, Jazz, Opera, Salsa, Classical, Rock, Scottish, a musical for children, and a nostalgic walk down memory lane to recall the songs of WW2, will surely enhance this Festival’s deserved reputation for nurturing talent and truly providing Music! Music! Music!

The outstanding artists include: Charlotte Rowan (classical violin); Crail Festival Orchestra; Opera Bohemia’s Madame Butterfly; Major Groove (Jazz); Son al Son (Cuban Salsa); Richard Digance (Folk); North Atlantic Trio (Folk); Trybe (Scottish); Cutting Edge (Ceilidh Band); Songs of Jake Thackray (John Watterson as ‘Fake’ Thackray); Them Beatles (Rock); Singing Kettle (Children’s Musical); Keep Smiling Through (songs and narrative from WW2 in this 75th anniversary year).

Donnie Munro of RunRig fame will close the Festival in his inimitable Scottish/Gaelic style on 2 August.

Son al Son This wonderful feast of Music! Music! Music! at very reasonable prices is not to be missed.

Follow the progress of the exciting Festival programme on www.crailfestival.co.uk on facebook.com/Crail Festival and twitter.com/Crail Festival (Photos courtesy Crail Festival)

From Derek Barrie

Sixteen but Re-vamped Sunday, 29 June will see the sixteenth consecutive Hidden Gardens that separates the garden from the one next door known as “the Green” Day run by the St Andrews Preservation Trust. The brainchild of June will be planted with a selection of ancient Scottish roses as an added Baxter, it has become a major event in the St Andrews calendar. The visitor attraction. Also being considered is provision of a sensory garden 2008 Year Book described it as “an institution, for the benefit of the blind and the visually immensely popular with locals and tourists alike”. impaired. Visitors will get an indication of what Visitors will see major Over eighty gardens have been opened to the public the finished product will be. changes to the Trust’s own at least once. Although a few have been opened With seven of the featured gardens opening in Hepburn Gardens and Hallowhill in the past, in on Hidden Gardens Day for the first time, this award-winning garden recent years all gardens have been central and should make the event particularly interesting. within walking distance.

But some old favourites are not forgotten and This is changing. Of the twelve gardens selected for this year June Baxter’s lang rigg at 56 South Street will undoubtedly be as exactly half are west of the West Port, four in Hepburn Gardens, one popular and well patronised as ever. each in Kennedy Gardens and Double Dykes Road. To make these easily accessible a courtesy minibus will run regularly from the town centre out to the junction of Hepburn Gardens and Buchanan Gardens and back.

In addition to normal gardens of residential properties, another new feature will be the inclusion of the St Andrews Organic Allotment. With this will be a visit from Jenny Mollison, who writes a fortnightly column on allotments in The Scotsman. She will be able to give advice, possibly featuring the allotment in one of her columns.

Visitors will see major changes to the Trust’s own award-winning garden. On 29 June it will very much be a “work in progress”. The Trust, using a generous legacy, has purchased land with derelict outbuildings previously belonging to the Castle Tavern. From these, a new research room is to be created for the museum. Grants from the St Andrews Community Trust, the St Andrews Pilgrim Foundation, the Kinburn Trust, and the R&A will help to bring about these major changes. Another new feature will be an outdoor garden store with a living roof (made of sedum). This part of the development has been made possible by a generous donation.

A major overhaul of the borders and rockery has been undertaken, and a redesigned herb garden replanted, the latter as part of the D’Arcy Thompson Garden. The first border to the right of the main garden has already been planted with roses sponsored by a number of volunteers and trustees. Once the building work has been completed the border (Photo courtesy of the Trust)

23

EVENTS Rymen Samra

The Magic Of Motown Saturday, 10 May – 7.30pm Alhambra Theatre 33 Canmore Street, Dunfermline, KY12 7NX ~ Tickets: £23.50 & £21.50.

Box office: 01383 740 384, www.alhambradunfermline.com or easytheatres.com Celebrating 50 years of UK number one hit singles, the Magic of Motown is coming to town with its all-new Reach Out 2014 Tour and we have 2 pairs of tickets to see the show, to give away.

Simply answer the question at the foot of this article and send in to win!

In 1964 songs like Dancing in the Street, My Girl, Where Did Our Love Go, My Guy and Baby Love rocketed Motown to the top of the singles charts. Incredibly, 100 more Motown No1s followed worldwide. The Magic of Motown 2014 Reach Out Tour brings to the stage 36 of these chart toppers back-to-back in one criticallyacclaimed production. Direct from the USA, The Magic of Motown delivers five-star performances that authentically revive the style and sophistication of everyone’s favourite legends from the famous, Detroit-based record label. This year more number one songs than ever before feature. Classic hits from the Temptations, Four Tops, Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Lionel Richie and The Supremes are packed into the two-hour spectacular.

The first 2 entry/entries drawn in our exclusive competition will each win a pair of tickets to the show.

To enter please answer this simple question: In which American city was the Motown label based?

Send your answer by email to michelle@entertainers.co.uk with your email address, your name, address, and daytime phone number too. Closing date: Thursday, 8 May. The tickets will go to the first entries drawn on 8 May. There is no cash alternative. Usual rules apply. Motown’s decision is final.

Winners are asked to pick up their tickets at the Box Office, 30 minutes before the show.

To buy tickets contact: the venue; Box office; phone no. and website.

Michael Downes, Director of Music at the University of St Andrews

Albert Herring St Andrews Opera announces three performances of Benjamin Britten’s sparkling comedy ‘Albert Herring’ at 7.30pm on Sunday 15, Monday, 16 and Tuesday, 17 June. Thanks to the generous co-operation of Fife Council’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department, these performances will now take place in the Byre Theatre in St Andrews rather than in the Younger Hall as initially advertised.

We have an exceptionally talented group of young singers at the University at the moment, so this promises to be an important musical

24

event not just for the Music Centre, but for the town more generally. Personally, I am very excited to have the opportunity to bring live opera back to the Byre, a theatre which offers a wonderfully intimate space for young singers to perform in.

St Andrews Opera’s fully-staged performances will be directed by Tania Holland Williams and accompanied by a professional orchestra led by Feargus Hetherington.

Tickets from the Music Centre, Younger Hall, North Street, £14, £11 concessions, £5 (students & under-26s).

Michael Downes is available to answer queries on 07912 358067.

EVENTS

Selected Events Thursday, 1 May – 7.30pm. Younger Hall, North Street. Duo Concertante. Nancy Dahn (violin), Timothy Steeves (piano). Music by Schumann; Murray Schafer; Debussy; Beethoven. Tickets, £11, £10, concessions, £3 students, £1 children. Contact: 01334 462 226, email: music@st-andrews.ac.uk – 8.00pm. School 1, the Quad, North Street. The fate of towns & cities in Early and Middle Byzantine Greece a talk by Dr Archie Dunn, University of Birmingham for the Archaeology Society/ St Andrews Scottish Hellenic Society. Contact: 01334 462 600.

Email: classics@st-andrews.ac.uk Saturday, 3 May – 9.00am-1.00pm. Argyle Street car park. Farmers’ Market.

– 1.00pm-3.00pm. Gateway Galleries, North Haugh. Arty Saturdays linked to the exhibition ‘Making Waves’ on the science of sound. Contact: 01334 461 660. Email: museumenquiries@st-andrews.ac.uk Tuesday, 8 May – 8.00pm. St Andrews Brewing Co, 177 South Street. Meet the Brewer: Alchemy. A talk with Q & A by the folk who make the beer + samples & nibbles. Tickets, £10. Contact: 01334 471 111. Email: standrewsbrewingco@gmail.com Wednesday, 7 May – 1.00pm. MUSA Collections Centre, 87 North Street. If the objects could talk. Curator Matt Sheard will relate the tales behind the objects in the University’s collections.

Free, but please book. Contact: 01334 461 660. Email: museumenquiries@st-andrews.ac.uk Saturday, 10 May – 11.00am-1.00pm. Cosmos Centre, Abbey Walk. Saint Exchange coffee morning. Find out how to trade in Saint Exchange, an alternative to money, and meet other enthusiasts. Contact: 01334 464 000. Email: standexchange@gmail.com – 12 noon-1.00pm. St Andrews Museum, Kinburn Park, Doubledykes Road. Lunchtime lecture, by Prof James Naismith on the far-reaching influence of crystallography. Contact: 01334 659 380. Email: crystallography@st-andrews.ac.uk – 7.30pm. The Barron Theatre, 91 North Street. The Boyds: Classic Songs Unplugged. Songs by the Beatles; Eagles; Fleetwood Mac; Simon & Garfunkel etc. etc. Tickets at the door, £8. Contact: barron@st-andrews.ac.uk Friday, 16 May – 2.00-4.00pm. MUSA, the Scores. The Madrigal Society. The programme includes Romantic English part-songs, Scottish folk songs, & the Gaudeamus. Free. Contact: 01334 461 660.

Email: museumenquiries@st-andrews.ac.uk – 7.30pm. Town Hall, St Andrews. The Swilcan Singers.

Charity concert for Motor Neurone Disease. Special guest, Billy Anderson. Tickets, £8 from Elspeth’s, Church Street, & Cherries, South Street. Contact: Carol Rodger, carolrodger21@btinternet.com

Saturday, 17 May – 10.00am-4.00pm. Preservation Trust Museum, 12 North Street and All Saints Church, North Castle Street. Who lived here? Learn about the lives of the fisher folk who inhabited the Ladyhead in St Andrews. Part of the Festival of Museums. Contact: 01334 477 629. Email: curator@standrewspreservationtrust.org Tuesday, 20 May – 6.00pm. St Leonards Music School. EastEnders AGM. Robin Evetts will give a talk with slides on Early Domestic Architecture in St Andrews. Contact: EastEnders Residents Association, louise@frasergallery.co.uk Saturday, 31 May – 10.00am-12 noon. Supper room at the Town Hall, St Andrews. Coffee morning of the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Stall for books, bric-a-brac, baking, plants, gifts, tombola. Contact: Deborah Cottam, 01333 422 116.

*****

Sunday, 1 June – 11.00am. West Sands. Chariots of Fire Beach Race. Starting with the under 11s, then the main 5km race. In aid of AICR. Prize giving 12.15pm. Tickets, £12, kids fun run £2.

Contact: Ben McLeod, ben.mcleod@me.com Friday, 6 June – 2.15pm. Preservation Trust Museum, 12 North Street. Great War Gallery Talk. Part of the Trust’s summer exhibition on St Andrews and the Great War. Contact: curator@standrewspreservationtrust.org Saturday, 7 June – 9.00am-1.00pm. Car Park, Argyle Street. Farmers’ Market.

– 11.00am-5.00pm. Harbour Gala. Contact, Marion Mason: 01334 470 604. Email: marionmasons@hotmail.com Saturday, 14 June – 11.00am-1.00pm. Cosmos Centre, Abbey Walk. Saint Exchange Coffee Morning. A social morning for meeting and trading. Contact: 01334 464 000 Email: standexchange@gmail.com – 2.00pm. Holy Trinity Church Hall, Queen’s Terrace. Holy Trinity Church Guild Summer Fair. Traditional afternoon teas, stalls with baking, jewellery etc. Contact: Secretary Joan Archer, 01334 475 716.

Sunday, 15 to Tuesday, 17 June – 7.30pm. The Byre Theatre, St Andrews Opera. Albert Herring, by Benjamin Britten. Director Tania Holland Williams. Conductor, Michael Downes. Tickets, £14, concessions £11, students & under-26s £5, from the Music Centre, Younger Hall, North Street (01334 462 226). Contact: Michael Downes: 07912 358 067.

Saturday, 28 June – 11.00am-4.00pm. Victory Memorial Hall. Carnaby Market Fair. Vintage goods, fashion, accessories, jewellery.

Refreshments. Entry: £1 at the door. Contact: 07904 102 216.

Email: thischarmingvintage@talktalk.net Sunday, 29 June – 11.00am-5.00pm. Throughout St Andrews.

Hidden Gardens Day, for the Preservation Trust. Entry: £6, children free. Contact: 01334 477 152. Email: trust@standrewspreservationtrust.org

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

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ORGANISATIONS Gemma Smith, Senior Media and PR Officer

Marie Curie Fife Service A new, free service will provide tailored care With family in St Andrews, Pippa now and support at home and in care homes, for lives in Cupar. A registered nurse for over 20 terminally ill Fife residents and their families. years, she trained in her home town at York Marie Curie Senior Nurse Pippa McCartney, District Hospital, inspired to become a nurse by one of two Senior Nurses for the new service, her mother who used to manage Marie Curie explains: nurses in Yorkshire. “I saw how much Mum “The Marie Curie Fife Service, in enjoyed what she did; it was inspirational. I partnership with NHS Fife provides high-quality realised that you could have a wide-ranging and nursing care, personal care, emotional support, full career as a nurse.” and practical information. This helps to prevent During a varied career working with crisis hospital admissions and enables patients children and adults, Pippa has worked at Great who are in hospital to be discharged quickly Ormond Street and at Alder Hey Children’s so they can return home, the place they often Hospital in Liverpool. She has always had most want to be. Community nursing is critical an interest in palliative care. In her personal in providing care at home; we life, Pippa has cared for work closely with the district at the end of life, Marie Curie currently someone nurses, community, hospital and has experienced what cares for 140 care teams, and social care is known as a ‘good death’, to deliver a locally-based which is what she wants terminally ill people service. We’ve been able to achieve for the families in Fife each year to create this thanks to the she supports. “I’ve seen for support of our colleagues myself what a difference it across Fife. Our team is made up of registered makes when a person dies the way they want nurses, healthcare assistants, health, and to,” Pippa explains, “This is usually surrounded personal care assistants, as well as trained by family in their own home in a peaceful volunteers. It’s not a one size fits all approach, and pain-free way. Sadly if a family member it’s about listening to each patient and family has had a bad death it stays with you. I want members to make sure we understand their to be able to help families have a positive needs before chatting about what the service experience. At New Year I went in to see a can offer them. I want to make sure that they family for the first time and I could see that get the right level of care and support, at the the gentleman’s son was having a hard time right place and the right time. Typically I’ll be accepting our support. His sister had contacted going into someone’s home to provide care in us, and I think the son felt he was letting his short visits. This can happen during the day or father down in some way. It was difficult for evening, or overnight. That care is hands-on, him to understand why strangers were coming helping people manage difficulties, such as to the house taking over the care. We worked pain or nausea, and making sure they are as hard to break down this barrier by getting to comfortable as possible. It’s also about giving know him, so that we weren’t just strangers, the carers a break, enabling them to catch up but people he trusted and had a rapport on sleep or simply to have a relaxing bath.” with. I’ll never forget the first time he went

off to have a much-needed sleep. It’s those memories, and there have been many, that make it all worthwhile.”

As well as the hands-on nursing support, the service also includes help for people to manage at home through Health and Personal Care Assistants. This gives the extra support needed immediately after discharge from hospital, usually a time of high anxiety, and for the families. Pippa explains, “Practical support such as washing and dressing, or preparing a simple meal means that a patient can avoid admission, or readmission, to hospital.

We’re also asking Fife residents to help deliver part of the service themselves by signing up to become a Marie Curie Helper Volunteer. This is the first time the service has been available in Scotland. Specially trained Helper Volunteers visit terminally ill people at home for a few hours each week to offer oneto-one support. Volunteers are fully trained and supported to enable them to provide practical help as well as emotional support at home.

A Helper Volunteer can provide a friendly ear; help with small tasks such as making a cup of tea; give carers a short break; offer information on further support and services. In most cases, a Helper Volunteer supports one family at a time, spending up to three hours each week visiting them in their home, or chatting to them over the phone. Helpers aim to fill the gap in meeting the emotional support needs of people with a terminal illness, and those of their carers. It also enables carers to cope better to continue with their caring role.

By offering the three elements of the service through Volunteers, Health and Personal Care Assistants, and nurses, we’re able to deliver a customised service.

Marie Curie currently cares for 140 terminally ill people in Fife each year. The new Marie Curie Fife Service will offer more support in the area, potentially doubling the number of people the service cares for each year.”

Contact: Tel: 0845 073 8691.

Email: fifeservice@mariecurie.org.uk Website: www.mariecurie.org.uk/fifeservice

From the left, Pippa McCartney, Michelle Carroll, Michael Matheson MSP, and Tracey McIntosh, at the launch (Photo courtesy Marie Curie Fife Service).

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A Fundraising Group is being formed in St Andrews to help support this service. Our Fundraising Groups help raise awareness of the Marie Curie services, using that awareness to raise money through a small number of events and collections. The Groups also represent the charity, encouraging other groups in the town to support Marie Curie. If you would like to find out how you can help please contact David Grout: 07713 087 987.

Email: david.grout@mariecurie.org.uk

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ORGANISATIONS Marysia Denyer

The FP “Girl” Dwelling on my schooldays These memories came to mind I thought that I'd record them In verse, as ties to bind

No mobile phones, no iPads No laptops could you view No Facebook and no Twitter Just a billet-doux to “you”

The FP Club names us as GIRLS I wish that this were true The years have passed for all of us We now wear woman's hue

Notes passed to one another A message to be shared Written words, not texting OUR means to show we cared

But as a girl I can recall A memory, sharp and clear I hope it's one that we all share A memory, I hold dear

If only walls could speak to us I wonder what they'd say About the new technology We see with youth today

Recall the quad at break time The “ritual” that took place We spent the time just walking round Our footsteps set the pace

It's really very simple The memories that I pick Are safe inside my heart and mind NOT file or memory stick

Boys were striding one way Girls, on the other side Glancing at each other Blushes hard to hide

An FP “GIRL” I'll always be When I recall Madras My teachers, friends and loves I had When I was just a lass

The new Rector, Mr David McClure (L). Along with our speaker, Jimmy MacGregor (R), invited to our Annual Lunch, 4 November 2013, in Rufflets Hotel (Photo courtesy the FP Club).

If you attended our prestigious school, please consider becoming a member of Madras FP Girls' Club. We are keen to extend our membership, so all former pupils will be warmly welcomed. If you are interested, please contact our secretary Miss Irene Bennett: Tel: 01334 472823. Email: irenebennett603@btinternet.com

William Redpath reaches out to

Reclaim Lives

Before

After

The company you keep is important. When I was in school I always looked up to the older lads, wanting to belong, fit in. That led me to smoke and drink with them. One thing led to another, I ended up partying, smoking cannabis. By the time I was 16 I was taking all the recreational drugs. At first I resisted heroin, but a cousin I wanted to copy came to stay with us. I said I didn’t want that and that I’d never go down that path. At 17, however, I found it numbed the pain of my childhood that was inside me. On 14 November 2007, my cousin died of a drug overdose. This affected me so much I did become badly addicted, till at 19 I almost died myself.

One night my sister said I should make something of my life and get a grip on myself. She persuaded me to visit her church with her and meet Ken, the Pastor. For the next six months I went along every week. Another lad, who had been my cousin’s friend, introduced me to Teen Challenge. I went to Dublin on a Scotnet recovery programme.

This is a drug-free neuro-electric treatment (invented by Dr Meg Patterson, a Scottish neurosurgeon). Then I went on the Teen Challenge programme march, which is the hardest thing I ever did. I learned of God’s grace and that through Jesus Christ I could be forgiven, that I could have a new life, a life that by His Spirit could set me free from all the things that had held me back before. Teen Challenge is where I learned how to stand firm, and where I developed my relationship with Jesus.

I have now just finished the Teen Challenge School of Ministry. I go out on the streets to speak of God’s love, telling others their lives could change too. Teen Challenge is a Christian organisation in 94 countries in the world. It was started in 1958 in New York by a young pastor called David Wilkerson. There are 4 men’s rehabilitation programmes in the UK, and 2 programmes for women.

For further information, I can be contacted on: 07881 298 013.

(Photos courtesy William Redpath)

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TOWN & GOWN Charlotte Lorimer’s forthcoming

Community Project Definition: to flower (verb) – be in, or reach, The Centre itself has grown enormously an optimum stage of development; develop fully since it began in 2006. Having raised enough and richly. money to build a tin Wendy-house, Nomawethu Tunce In the township of and Lindiwe Mfeketho, both mothers themselves, were It is so exciting to be Khayelitsha, near Cape Town, able to provide care to 32 children each day. Juliet Curtis involved in a growing there’s a group of exceptional became involved in 2007, having visited the Centre project reaching out to women, passionate about on holiday, then deciding not to leave! Following the more and more children involvement of the TV programme, The Amazing Race, educating and caring for the children of the community; passionate about helping them grow. they were able to replace the tin Wendy-house with in the community As part of my gap year, between finishing at three converted shipping containers. When I arrive at St Leonards School and starting at Durham University, I have the the beginning of June, the new building, which will allow care for over 100 extraordinary opportunity of volunteering in Khayelitsha at Intyatyambo children, will have just opened. It is so exciting to be involved in a growing Community Project (ICP) for five weeks. project reaching out to more and more children in the community.

‘Intyatyambo’ means “the flowers” in isiXhosa, the local language.

I will be volunteering at the school every weekday, helping the It is the aim of the teachers and care givers at ICP to help the children teachers both in their new classrooms and outside in the playground grow and develop; to flower. The Centre reaches out to orphaned and and vegetable garden. I will have the opportunity to contribute my own vulnerable children aged three months to six years old. Access to free lesson plans, help plan events promoting fundraising, and celebrating the preschool education is rare in South Africa, yet learning at this time is opening of the new building. critical for brain development. Research has shown that 85% of brain I feel so lucky to have found such an amazing cause to get involved development takes place under the age of six. in, to be able to donate both my time and funds to the project. In order to raise money for ICP I have done a sponsored sky dive and fundraising events within St Leonards School. My Just Giving page will remain available until the end of June, when I will be giving the final amount raised to the project.

All donations would be hugely appreciated. Information on how to donate is below. While I am there, I will type up all my favourite moments of each day and post photos in my daily blog ( http://mapmemories.wordpress.com ) How to donate: www.justgiving.com Collection boxes at: – Sophie Butler Hairdressing, 191 South Street, St Andrews, KY16 9EE. – Ardross Farm Shop, Elie, KY9 1EU. (Photos courtesy Charlotte Lorimer) Old School

New School

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Intyatyambo

TOWN & GOWN Lili Bagyanszki

Showcasing Science: A Celebration of Crystallography “... why blood is red and grass is green, why diamond is hard and wax is soft, why glaciers flow and iron gets hard when you hammer it, how muscles contract, how sunlight makes plants grow … the answers to all these problems have come from structural analysis.” Max Perutz.

The quote above decorates the walls in the exciting exhibition Nobel Structures: Celebrating Crystallography at St Andrews Museum in Kinburn Park. With these words, Nobel laureate Max Perutz eloquently sums up the essence of crystallography: it has transformed our understanding of the world by providing the means to predict the physical, chemical, and biological properties of materials with great precision.

Twenty-nine Nobel Prizes to date mark the ground-breaking discoveries that laid the foundations for today’s technologies and research through crystallography. Yet crystallography’s achievements often go unnoticed. In recognition of its significance the United Nations have declared 2014 the International Year of Crystallography.

A group of postgraduate students at the University of St Andrews in collaboration with Fife Cultural Trust brought this global event to St Andrews Museum. Running until 18 May, Nobel Structures unravels the science and the

the exhibition will offer something for everyone stories behind the major discoveries relating to crystallography. It investigates how the discipline affected science, design, and the everyday.

Already in the eighteenth century scientists were intrigued by the variety of ways crystals can form. The discovery of x-rays brought about radical changes. A new discipline was born in 1912 after pioneering research by scientists Max von Laue, William Henry Bragg, and William Lawrence Bragg, father and son. Laue deduced that x-ray beams are scattered by

atoms and the two Braggs realised that a plane of atoms can reflect x-rays similarly to a mirror reflecting light. Thus, a powerful tool was created that revolutionised natural sciences.

Over the past hundred years it has come a long way. It is still extensively used by scientists today, from aiding the development of HIV inhibitors to demonstrating that Martian soil is not much different from that in Hawaii.

The exhibition makes full use of the rich resources and research carried out in Scotland, showcasing exciting mineral specimens and chemical models from the National Museums of Scotland as well as items from the scientific collections at the Universities of St Andrews and Dundee. Visitors also have the chance to see reproductions of pattern designs created for the Festival of Britain in 1951 in a unique collaborative effort between designers, manufacturers, and scientists, revealing the hidden aesthetics of crystallography.

Whether you are halfway through your Chemistry degree, a science advocate, or have a budding interest in how research changes lives, the exhibition will offer something for everyone.

(Photo courtesy Lili Bagyanszki)

John Rankin

More memories of the St Andrews gasworks The article in issue 61 by Jurek Pütter – R.I.P. St Andrews Gasworks 1835-1964 brings back nostalgic memories of my student days . . .

In April 1958, a particularly heavy storm resulted in a 30-foot breach in the pier and consequently the cessation of the traditional Pier Walk, for the time being. There appeared in the St Andrews Citizen of that time a poem after the school of McGonagall commemorating the disaster, one verse of which read:

depths. No gourmet feast could ever equal the taste of those rolls!

Finally, as dawn was breaking we would disperse to snatch an hour or two’s sleep – Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive But to be young was very heaven.

From time immemorial after church The students of the University along it would lurch And savour the breezes which so sweetly blew From the great North Sea, or the Gasworks flue For many students, their memory of the Gasworks extended beyond savouring their aroma. It was the custom of some of us, after a formal Ball, when we had been ushered outside at l.00am precisely by our chaperone (yes, Balls were still chaperoned in the ‘50s!), to adjourn to the Gasworks to continue our entertainment. In place of “mighty warriors in faded, blackened dungarees (feeding) your fire with shovel and coal” (coke, actually), dinner-jacketed young students would assist in the ceremony. Indeed, some enterprising young ladies would lend a hand, neglectful of their pretty Ball dresses and high heels! An incongruous, but charming never-to-be-forgotten picture.

Having shared a cigarette and a chat with the professional stokers, it was time to adjourn to McArthur’s bakery where, long before dawn, the first batch of morning rolls was already in preparation. We would regale ourselves with some of these, butter melting in their warm

Clockwise from back left: M. Watson, A. Rodger, T.J. Simpson, R.I. Tickle, I. Kerr, D.W. Nisbet, J.B.A. Dow, J.F. Rankin, M.E. Barker, I.A. Dow. (Photo courtesy John Rankin, Captain of the University Golf Club 1957)

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TOWN & GOWN George Phillips on

Archimedes, Tom Robertson, and Muhammad Ali In 1981 my paper Archimedes, the Numerical time. We were all wearing name badges. At the in her father’s footsteps, is now a Professor of Analyst was published in the American first coffee break in the Californian sunshine Mathematics at the University of Seattle.

Mathematical Monthly. In 1997, with my Tom found me and said he had sought me A few days after attending the conference permission and to my delight, it was included in out because I was from St Andrews. He at Stanford I was at Los Angeles airport seeing Pi: A Source Book, a collection of papers about told me that he was born in St Andrews and off a colleague who was returning to Scotland. the famous constant π, the ratio attended school there. I learned I remember the date, 8 September 1981, of a circle’s circumference to its afterwards that Tom had gained because, to the very day, it was precisely diameter. This book begins with a First Class Honours degree in twenty years after the death of my father. As two papers on the estimation Mathematics at the University I talked with my colleague I could see, only of π in ancient Egypt. The of St Andrews. He later moved some twenty yards behind him, a very famous third paper is a translation of to the United States and taught man, the boxer Muhammad Ali. Just after I Archimedes’ writings about for many years at Occidental spotted him he started walking towards us π, and the fourth is my paper.

College. (President Obama and was going to pass almost within touching Following this there are more studied there from 1979 to distance. Like a fan of a pop star, I immediately than 60 other papers about 1981.) On our free afternoon decided to greet him. I walked only one or two π, one having the fascinating during the conference Tom feet right into his path and held out my hand, title Modular Equations, and took some of us on a visit to saying “Muhammad Ali, it’s good to meet you.”

Approximations to Pi or How to San Francisco. Although it was Very reasonably he scowled at me. No doubt Tom Robertson Compute One Billion Digits of Pi. summer time, it was cold and this sort of thing often happened to him, and Two of the three editors of rainy. I must have heard then I feared that he might hit me. Not at all. He Pi: A Source Book, are the Borwein brothers, of a famous quote attributed to Mark Twain graciously shook my hand. My colleague said, Jonathan and Peter, who were born in (1835–1910), “The coldest winter I ever spent “I think it was him.” He was right, but I wished St Andrews. Their father David, who will be 90 was a summer in San Francisco.” he had spoken with more conviction. this year, was a lecturer in mathematics at the At that time Tom and his wife Jinny lived I learned recently from Tom’s cousin Lynn, University of St Andrews and was subsequently in Pasadena, in the north of Los Angeles, very who lives in Strathkinness, that she sends the president of the Canadian Mathematical close to the Rose Bowl and copies of St Andrews in Society. But I never met David or his sons until the Norton Simon Museum, Focus to Tom and Jinny in Tom found me and said he I visited Canada. I later wrote a paper called not very far from Occidental California. So I hope they had sought me out because Archimedes and the Complex Plane. Soon, College. Jinny was librarian will read this article. I should I was from St Andrews inspired by Captain W E Johns and his Biggles at Abraham Lincoln High add that Tom was a great books, which I read in my youth, I was thinking School, nearer the central friend of Gene Golub, a up further titles, such as Archimedes Flies part of Los Angeles. She told me that their very distinguished mathematician at Stanford, North or (one for the true Biggles connoisseur) students were all Chinese or Mexican, and only who organized the 1981 conference at Stanford Archimedes Defies the Swastika, but in fact I the Chinese used the library. In subsequent mentioned above. Gene was highly respected wrote no more papers with Archimedes in the years I visited Tom and Jinny a few times. In

by Ron Mitchell and his colleagues at Dundee. title, a blessing for mankind! those days, Jinny spent a month every summer Gene was awarded an honorary degree by the However, in 1981 I gave my second in Maine, looking after her father. Tom would University of Dundee in 1987, and by ten other Archimedes paper at an otherwise very come back to Scotland every other summer to institutions. See the History of Mathematics site interesting conference at Stanford University in play golf, sometimes staying at our house in authored by my colleagues John O’Connor and California. There I met Peter Henrici, a Swiss St Andrews. Later my wife Rona and I visited Edmund Robertson for a biography of Gene mathematician whom I greatly admired because them in Pasadena. After their retirement, Tom Golub (1932–2007). of a fine book he wrote on numerical analysis. and Jinny moved further north, near to Carmel But the best thing about this conference was and Monterey, where we have visited them.

(Photo courtesy George Phillips) meeting my friend Tom Robertson for the first Tom and Jinny’s daughter Leanne, following

John Cameron is in

California Of course those most likely to be discriminated When you read this article I will be on the Pacific Coast attending the 50th against today are over-achieving Asian students anniversary of my graduation from Pomona College, one of America’s who find it increasingly difficult to gain entrance to celebrated “hidden-Ivies”. the Ivy League. In 1996 it became illegal for public It is generally agreed that those who were at university in California universities in California to consider race in their in the years before Vietnam were probably as close to heaven on earth admissions criteria, with the result that Asians at Berkeley went up from as human beings have ever come.

25% to 45%. To their eternal credit, private institutions like Pomona and The long post-war boom was in full swing and Cold War finance Cal Tech also run strictly race-neutral admissions policies, and they, poured in to the state’s aerospace corporations, the research labs too, have seen their Asian percentages soar. of Cal Tech, and Berkeley. The population soared as native workers I abhor any kind of discrimination, whether positive or negative, migrated from the cold north-east, Asians swept across the Pacific, because it inevitably leads to dumbing down, as we plainly see in and Hispanic farm workers trekked north with their families. The state’s Scotland’s clumsy class manipulation. Anyway the idea that the economic advantages created the social and political movements of proletarian science dux of a Scottish grammar school the 1960s, which would increasingly and permanently needed academic protection from public schoolboys influence the culture of the entire nation.

Then as now Pomona would have been thought hilarious in the 1950s.

I met some extraordinary people, including César was highly selective When its scholarship programme was damaged by Chávez of the Chicano farm workers, who led an epic the inflation of the Carter era, Pomona mounted such a struggle for redress against racism and economic ferocious drive for alumni funding that it is now “needs blind”. This put it exploitation. Another was the great theoretical physicist Richard alongside other Californian stars, like Stanford and Cal Tech, as well as Feynman at Cal Tech, where we were allowed to take science courses, the Ivy League, as a realistic destination for the European über-bright while the Techies would come over to our arts classes. of moderate means. In Forbes Magazine’s latest rankings of the top US Then as now Pomona was highly selective; far from there being colleges for ‘added value’, Pomona placed second behind Stanford, but a racial or social bar, an entrant could have three heads and webbed ahead of Princeton, Yale, Harvard, and MIT. feet as long as he/she was really clever. It is a measure of the Fees for board and tuition are $60,000 a year, academic standards success of this policy that the first black student to gain entrance to are stratospheric, but you can ski in the morning and surf after lunch; it Harvard Law School was a graduate of this relentlessly elitist College is utterly unique. in the 1890s.

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TOWN & GOWN John Trafton, Research Co-ordinator, reports on this year’s

60 Hour Film Blitz This year, St Andrews was the site of a Spaghetti Western (3:10 to After the films were submitted, Leuchars), a documentary about busking (Day to Day), a satire on the by midnight on Saturday, 8 St Andrews charity fashion show (The Committee), and a romantic March, they were screened for a comedy/chase film (Run). And these were just a few of the twenty-two panel of judges, esteemed film films seen at the 2014 St Andrews Film Blitz screening. For the past academics, including the University four years, the students of St Andrews have participated in the 60 Hour of St Andrew’s own Richard Dyer, Film Blitz competition, in which they are given from noon Thursday, to to be judged in six categories: best midnight on the following Saturday to shoot and edit a three-minute short cinematography, best editing, best film. Based on this year’s participation and the resulting films, it is clear actor, best actress, best film, and that this annual competition is still going strong, expanding the creative the innovation award. This proved potential of the St Andrews student community. to be a difficult task for the judges, There were several changes this year to the format of the event and as each film was entertaining and Scott Patrick, Ben Lealan, the expectations placed upon the participants. For one, the beginner, moving in its own right, playing Charlotte Flatley, John Trafton intermediate, and advanced film-making categories were removed, as to the strength of the authors. In (host), Phil Mann (Film Blitz were the restrictions on what stories could be told and stipulations on the time between the film judging organiser), and Huong Le. what each film had to include. The question that remained was a simple and the festival/awards ceremony one: what story can you tell in 60 hours? Whether a seasoned short-film that took place the on Thursday, maker, or picking up a camera for the first time, the 60 Hour Film Blitz 13 March, the eve of the spring break, I could feel the anticipation and provided an opportunity to realize the creative spark in the big screen; the nervous energy around the campus; who would be the big winners at the awards given out at the end of the festival were very telling. The top prize Oscar-style gala that was to come? of Best Film was shared by three-time participant Scott Patrick (whose The awards ceremony exceeded all of my expectations. Buchanan film Mind Games was very well received) and first-time film-maker Huong Theatre was packed with over 160 filmmakers, friends, and family, all Le, director of the romantic drama Hereafter. dressed to the nines. For the first hour, students and staff who, up to In the run-up to the Film Blitz, the organizers, Phil Mann (a Film this point, had only seen these films on small screens, experienced the Studies PhD student), Keleigh Sapp (a Film Studies MLitt student), and images larger than life, each film greeted with thunderous applause and myself (research co-ordinator for the Film Studies uproarious laughter in expected (and unexpected) Department) ran several film-making workshops to places. During the intermission that followed, The question that remained prepare students for the task ahead and to help rewas a simple one: what story the audience was presented with an interesting orient their thinking about visual storytelling. These opportunity: they could vote for the audience award can you tell in 60 hours? workshops drew upon our long-time experiences in in the lobby by paper ballot, or on Twitter. After the Film Studies and many of my own experiences in awards were given, the winners were invited on stage the film industry. These workshops covered screenwriting and narrative to join the Film Blitz for an Oscar-style selfie (pictured), followed by a wine structure, cinematography, picture and sound editing. The creative energy and canapé reception at Rocca Bar and Grill, where cash prizes were of the students who attended the workshops was palpable, reflected in awarded to the winners in the top categories. many of the films they made.

My congratulations to the Film Blitz winners (below), a big thanks In addition to renting out cameras, this year’s Film Blitz team decided to my Film Blitz team, and my warmest wishes to all of those who to spice things up with some more unusual props and equipment for participated. participants to rent. Colour gels, platform dollies for tracking shots, and even a smoke machine were made available to encourage the students Best Cinematography: Hereafter (Huong Le) to take their creativity to the next level. The Blitz kicked off in front of the Best Editing: 3:10 to Leuchars (Ben Lealan) University library at noon on 6 March. Over the next 60 hours the twentyBest Actor: Kristopher Gravning in Gout De Souffle two teams embarked on a test of both artistic skill and endurance. Their Best Actress: Charlotte Flatley in Run production stories will no doubt be major highlights of their university Innovation Award: Mind Games (Scott Patrick) memories for years to come; smoke machines set off fire alarms, editors Best Film: Mind Games (Scott Patrick) Hereafter (Huong Le) pulled all-nighters, location shooting was done on the fly between Audience Award: Mind Games (Scott Patrick) lectures, and the famous beach run scene from Chariots of Fire was reenacted to hilarious effect.

(Photo courtesy John Trafton)

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OUT & ABOUT From Kathy Crawford

Maspie House Gallery – Falkland The former Post Office in Falkland Village has been transformed into Maspie House Gallery.

Situated very close to Falkland Palace, the house was built in 1819 by Francis Deas, Provost of Falkland. The name comes from the burn flowing between the garden and the Palace orchards.

The flamboyantly castellated stone façade ensures the House is a focal point in the High Street.

Peta Hay and John McLaren are the new owners of Maspie House. In March they opened it as a gallery showcasing specially commissioned Scottish art, including ceramics, photography, bespoke glassware, and jewellery. Many well-

known artists exhibit there; for example, Susan McGill, Mat Hay, Marie Louise Wrightson and Peter McLaren featured in the opening exhibition.

The Gallery is open from March to October, Tuesday to Saturday, 10.30am to 4.00pm and Sunday from 12 noon to 5.00pm.

Please see the website: www.maspiehousegallery.com Contact: 01337 857 735 email: info@maspiehousegallery.com

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

BEDDING PLANT SALE STARTS Saturday 17th May from 10am Plant Sales Area and Gatehouse Open now till end September SUMMER LECTURE & RECEPTION Tuesday 10th June at 7.30pm OPEN DAY Sunday 22nd June TO JOIN THE FRIENDS AND SUPPORT THE GARDEN CONTACT MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Tel: 01334 476452 Charity No. SC006432

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OUT & ABOUT Lindsay Murray, whetting gardeners’ appetites!

Scotland’s Gardens Bonanza to Boost St Andrews Cancer Charity The St Andrews-based Association for International Cancer Research (AICR) will be the main charity to benefit from the second Fife Garden Festival, which will take place on Saturday, 7 & Sunday, 8 June 2014, under the umbrella of Scotland’s Gardens, Fife.

Norman Barrett, Chief Executive of AICR, said, ”I would like to thank the Fife Branch of Scotland’s Gardens for their generous support over the last few years. In that time it has been my pleasure to experience the sights, sounds, and scents of some of the area’s most beautiful gardens. I wish the 2014 Garden Festival every success.”

geranium under-planting (funded by the St Andrews Community Trust), vegetables, flowering plants, poly-tunnels, and greenhouses have won it five Certificates for Outstanding Achievement in successive years, also a Certificate of Distinction in 2013, from the Royal Horticultural Society. Local schoolchildren have built a bottle greenhouse and are growing vegetables in their school plot: there are eleven allotments. This garden is as wonderful as it sounds, and will be an inspiration to anyone who visits it.

Kinaldy, south of St Andrews, is a grand and special garden of sweeping vistas, water features, far horizons, generous planting of all kinds. It is opening for Scotland’s Gardens for the first time. Three gardens in Boarhills are also opening their gates for a Scotland’s Gardens debut: Kenly Green Farm, home of the Roger farming family for 100 years since 1913, its delightful structural stonework, curving borders, and colourful herbaceous plants a well-kept secret till now; the Cottage, neat and delicate, with plants located with an artist’s eye for detail and colour; and Seaview, where grassy paths through wonderful trees, shrubs, and underplanting lead you to a marvellous vantage point round the headland on a clear Southern Hemisphere Botanics day.

The Festival Organisers have once more Two more village gardens, in Craigrothie, moved mountains to present 10 fascinating near neighbours, emphasise just how different new gardens to garden lovers for 2014. The “cottage gardens” can be. Cedar Cottage, on majority of these have never before opened Old Mill Road, is an alpine and rock garden for Scotland’s Gardens, so this is a not-to-beplant-lover’s paradise packed full of different missed opportunity; each garden is distinctive, unusual species of trees and shrubs, with delightfully diverse, with the Festival format under-planting to lust for; Fairbairn, round the enabling visitors to sample tiny gems as well corner, is an explosion of traditional cottage as sweeping acres, plantgarden plants with every lovers’ paradises, and A crescent of contrasting border brimming over, and examples of garden design a mass of colour. gardens runs from genius.

Near Auchtermuchty, Enthusiastic gardeners Rofsie Arts Garden, Strathkinness round the and garden lovers will find an artist’s garden as south of St Andrews to everything to inspire them the name implies, is here: there will also be full of ideas, thoughtful Boarhills village plant sales, teas, coffees, symbolism and historic splendid cakes. Suggestions of where to stop, plants, on a grand scale; a remarkable new rest, sup, and shop for the best-of-Fife produce addition to the Fife garden tradition, it must are also on offer for a truly special weekend in not be missed! Nor must the astonishing, Fife. contemporary, botanical Southern Hemisphere A crescent of contrasting gardens runs from Garden, well worth the short Forth Coastal Strathkinness round the south of St Andrews Path walk; or the complementary classic and to Boarhills village. The Community Trust colourful recently-restored walled garden of Old Garden in Strathkinness, started in 2010, is a Inzievar House. remarkable example, not only of what can be The parking area at Kenly Green Farm will achieved in an unbelievably short time by a host the Scotland’s Gardens Plant Stall, just dedicated and close-knit group of individuals, one of three Festival plant buying opportunities. but also of the cohesive effect that such a A number of gardens will be selling teas, project can have on a Community. Its blend coffees, cakes: April’s cakes in Boarhills must of wild fruit trees, native apple orchard with not be missed!

Rofsie

Kinaldy Tickets for the Fife Garden Festival 2014 are limited in number, available only in advance from www.fifegardenfestival.org.uk by credit card, or by cheque, payable to Scotland’s Gardens, from Sally Lorimore: Willowhill, Forgan, Newport on Tay, Fife, DD6 8RA. They might make an interesting gift to a friend or relation for a happy weekend of garden visiting together.

Scotland’s Gardens is a charity: founded in 1931, its aim was to improve the lot of District Nurses, prior to the NHS (their pensions doubled after its first year of garden openings).

Nowadays Scotland’s Gardens supports its own chosen charities, currently The Maggie’s Centres, Perennial (a benevolent fund for gardeners in need), The National Trust for Scotland Garden Fund and The Queen’s Nursing Institute of Scotland.

40% of the funds raised by each garden opening go to a charity of the garden owner’s choice – such as AICR for the Fife Garden Festival 2014.

The Association for International Cancer Research (AICR), established in 1979, is based in Madras House in South Street, St Andrews.

It is the leading charity dedicated to fighting any type of cancer through funding innovative research worldwide.

To date AICR has funded over 1600 projects in 32 different countries at a cost of over £173million.

(Photos courtesy Lindsay Murray)

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OUT & ABOUT Arlen Pardoe’s

Hidden Gems in St Andrews (in plain view) Focussing on features that are in plain sight, but often overlooked This article is in the form of a quiz to see how well you know St Andrews. It is easy to take for granted the doorways and entrances to buildings together with the elaborate arches that enclose them. They are in themselves aesthetically pleasing, taking many forms. Out of context, away from the buildings they are a part of – can you recognise where they are?

A warning – not all are on the principal streets of the town, some are down pends and lanes not covered by Google Maps. Equally, do not go by the colour of paint – that may now be different to the time when the picture was taken.

The collection here is of arched entrances and passageways.

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(Photos courtesy Arlen Pardoe)

Holy Trinity St Mary’s St Andrews Church St John’s Garden The Pends Butts Wynd Doctors Brae Queen’s Terrace Deans Court Mason’s Close (South St.) West Port

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1. Hope Park Church 2. Double Dykes Road 3. All Saints Rectory 4. The Roundel 5. Old West Infant School 6. St Salvators 7. East Scores, 8. Baker Lane 9. Cathedral 10. Gregory Lane 11. West Port

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