St Andrews in Focus Issue 86 Jan Feb 2018

St Andrews in focus ISSN 2514-409X

• shopping • eating • events • town/gown • people and more

January/February 2018 Issue 86, £2.00

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

St

Andrews in focus

• shopping • eating • events • town/gown • people and more

From the Editor

Amid today’s apparent moral disintegration (?) one abiding human attribute in our country remains: kindness. Letters’ pages in the press will often have at least one example of thanks for an act of kindness, such as help for a person who fell down, or for someone whose lost object was returned etc. What other country has such a huge army of volunteers, all working for others out of kindness and consideration? In our town there has been a man sitting on the pavement with two large well-behaved dogs he clearly loves. It transpired from an article in the Courier that the man was a victim of hard times through no fault of his own. Because he is totally loyal to his dogs he found himself in the trap of being denied Council accommodation. Because of that, he had no address, so that he could not sign on for work – a downward spiral if ever there was one. A kind person had the decency to set up a crowd-funding post online, with the aim of building up enough funds to rent somewhere to live, to give the man a chance to find work to rebuild his life. By the time you read this, I really hope that the man’s prospects have improved. May the power of kindness never wane! Honour to those who don’t just walk by!

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) JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2018 EDITOR Flora Selwyn Tel: 01334 472375 Email: editor@standrewsinfocus.com

Contents FEATURES • Community Council • Burns and Hafez • North to Alaska • Pilates, benefits • Max McCance • An insight • Mobile Phones • Recipe – ‘Peamutt’ Butter • From a golf fan • Elsie Inglis • Reviews: – Innes recommends – Maggie’s Mittens – The Hairy Bakers – The Royal Navy’s Air Service – Cauliflower – St Andrews Through Time & Tide – Oor Wullie’s Bucket Trail TOWN & GOWN • The Eden Campus • Remembering Jack Allen PULL-OUT FEATURE • Concert Diary

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9 9 10 11 11 12 12 12 13 13 14 15 17-20

SHOPS & SERVICES • Legal matters • Arthritis advice • Flourishing entrepreneurship • Restaurant review • Posture revisited • Over the threshold • Roving Reporter

21 22 22 23 23 24 25

DISTRIBUTER Drop 2 Door (billy@drop2door.co.uk)

EVENTS • StAnza 2018 • Selected Events

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PUBLISHER (address for correspondence) Local Publishing (Fife) Ltd., Suite 160, 15 Bell Street, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9UR. Tel: 01334 472375 Email: editor@standrewsinfocus.com

ORGANISATIONS • Launch of Men’s Sheds • Rotary report • The Byre Writers Group • The Modestine Society • The Step Rock Club’s 90 years

28 29 30 30 31

OUT & ABOUT • The Botanic Garden • Nature Notes • Signposting & Maintenance • The curse on Lady Anstruther explained • Hidden Gems

32 33 34 34 35

DESIGNER University of St Andrews Print & Design (printanddesign@st-andrews.ac.uk) PRINTER Winter & Simpson (stephen@wintersimpson.co.uk)

SUBSCRIPTIONS St Andrews in Focus is published 6 times a year.

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NEXT ISSUE – Mar/Apr 2018 COPY DEADLINE: STRICTLY 28 JANUARY

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

Cover: Pier Glow, an original photo by GW

FEATURES Callum McLeod, from the Provost’s Chair

The Community Council January – named after Janus, Ancient Roman god of beginnings, transitions, gates, and doorways, usually depicted as having two faces – one looking to the past and one to the future. A simple, but powerful, image from a different time but one, strangely, that could neatly symbolise the position of one of St Andrews’ great institutions – the Church of the Holy Trinity on South Street, where the present building has stood for over a hundred years, though the tower, unchanged and once doubling as the burgh prison, has stood in its location for many centuries longer. The origins of the church go back as far as 1144, then to be found close to the Cathedral.

It is not easy to appreciate the scale of the building from the outside as you hurry past, so integrated is it into the streetscape with which we are so familiar. But once inside one is immediately struck by its length and height and majestic beauty, no matter what faith or none you come from. It is one of the few churches I know where it is easy to see why a nave is so-called, resembling the upturned hull of a great ship. There are many interesting features to admire – the stained glass, the magnificent organ and the carillon of 27 bells high up in the tower, both instruments I have the privilege of playing regularly. To many St Andreans Holy T is simply the “toun kirk”, where they have attended family events such as weddings, christenings, and funerals. For others, it is the scene of great civic services.

Two such recent occasions spring to mind. On 31 October, an ecumenical service to mark the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation was held. The church was full, St Salvator’s Chapel Choir provided wonderful music, and the former Archbishop of

Canterbury, Rowan Williams, preached a message of reconciliation and hope. Two weeks later the Church was again full for Remembrance Sunday, an occasion for solemn reflection on, and commemoration of, other great conflicts and upheavals of the more recent past.

As you will perhaps have read elsewhere, Holy Trinity is now entering a period of transition itself. Changing demographics mean that there is no longer a great town-centre population to serve; time marches on for the congregation and changes in society generally are having an impact. The congregation and its Kirk Session are facing up to these challenges positively and proactively. The idea of transferring ownership of the building to a Trust, while maintaining the building as a place of worship, will be explored in the coming months. A business plan will be formulated to look at upgrading the building’s facilities and developing it for other appropriate uses, such as concerts and exhibitions, perhaps a pilgrimage centre, or even more secular but still respectful uses, all the while maintaining the dignity of this special place. The Community Council has already expressed its general support for these moves and hopes to be very much involved in developments.

It would perhaps be most appropriate, then, to conclude with these famous lines: “And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown’.”

At this time of new beginnings and transitions, may we each find our own guiding light and on behalf of the Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council, may I wish you a happy and healthy year ahead. As always, I welcome hearing from you on any matter at callummac@aol.com or 01334 478 584. Dum spiro spero.

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FEATURES Parmis Mozafari introduces

Burns and Hafez: a Celebration of Life, Love, and Friendship Our world would benefit hugely if, instead The performance, which took place on of focusing on differences, we emphasised 25 October 2017, included recitations of our similarities. This is the forming principle Hafez’ poetry, along with traditional Persian in Mark Meiklejohn’s script, which explores music played on the Santoor, the Persian the aesthetic qualities, also the themes of hammered dulcimer. Songs based on Hafez’ wine, love, friendship, and religion, in the poetry were also performed by Saeed, with poetry of the fourteenth-century Iranian poet, Parmis playing the Santoor and Dayereh, the Hafez (1315-90) and the eighteenth-century small frame drum. Both musical instruments Scottish poet, Robert Burns (1759-96). The are widely used in Iran. Burns’ poetry was script thus shows that despite the differences also recited by Michael and sung with guitar in language, culture, land, religion, historical and bass accompaniment. era, the two poets had many similar Hafez’ day in Iran is 12th October, but he characteristics. is often associated with a celebration of Yalda The original idea came to Meiklejohn Night on 20th December, the evening just when he heard a recitation of the Khayyam’s before the winter solstice. This longest night Persian poetry, along with Rab Wilson’s of the year was traditionally believed to be Scots translation. He then the evening on which realised that, just like the old sun died and Robert Burns who has a the new one was born.

Our world would benefit national day in Scotland, During the celebration, Hafez is a figure of great family and friends hugely if, instead of importance in the Persian gather together, have focusing on differences, speaking world with a special feasts and recite national day in Iran. A Hafez’ poetry. we emphasised our team gradually came Hafez is a very similarities together to shape the special poet. His performance as a Talking collection of poems, Sheep production, with Divan, which contains Lucy, Mark, Val, and Mark on Burn’s side, about 500 sonnet-like poems, Ghazal, and Saeed, Parmis, and Manijeh on Hafez’ side. a few other poems in other poetic forms, The show was first performed at the Nomads’ can be found in almost every household in Tent for the sixth Edinburgh Iranian Festival in Iran. The aesthetic qualities of his poetry February 2017, thanks to the support of Sara make it interpretable at different levels; Kheradmand, the organizer of the festival. thus his poetry has a prophetic quality that The performance in St Andrews, which touches the deep cords of one’s emotions was funded by the University’s School of and experience. This quality has given rise Modern Languages, was organized by Saeed to a long-standing tradition in which Hafez Talajooy, lecturer in Persian, and Parmis has come to be known as ‘the Voice of the Mozafari, an Associate Fellow of the Institute Unseen Truth’. People, seriously or lightof Iranian Studies. It also had the support of heartedly, open his Divan randomly and Fiona and Fatemeh, who coordinated the recite the poem they encounter to see what translation slides. the poet has to say about their futures. His

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poetry is also performed in traditional or contemporary songs or recitations in the Persian-speaking word. One of his longer poems has also been essential in shaping a musical form of Persian music known as Saqi-Nameh (The Wine-Dispenser Poem), in which the wine-dispenser is depicted as the ideal spiritual leader, the divine figure who may fill the cups of our lives with ecstasy and love. He is also renowned for his profound but blithe spirituality, his celebration of love, and life, and his criticism of dogmatic beliefs and religious pretention. No wonder he is the poet of wine and love, as he lived all his life in Shiraz, the city of love, wine, poetry, and flowers!

The internationally-acclaimed poet, Robert Burns, was categorically different from Hafez in his style and the type of poetry he produced. Hafez’ poetry is characterised by multiple layers of meaning and scholarly sophistication, Burns’ poetry is simple in style, but captivating in marking profound emotions and unusual subjects. Both, however, celebrate life, love, and wine, while condemning religious bigotry and pretention.

(Photo courtesy Parmis Mozafari)

FEATURES Tony Jackson travelled

North to Alaska In retrospect it seems a daft idea, but it worked brilliantly and we enjoyed the world’s best collections of fossilized dinosaur the trip immensely. I have been friends with George, now living in remains exhibited in the Royal Tyrrell museum.

Wyoming with his American wife, ever since we were neighbours in Peat From there we drove to the Alaska Highway, and Inn more than forty years ago. When I suggested that the free National eventually reached Whitehorse, which serves as Park passes offered during the 150th anniversary of the creation of the the Yukon’s capital city. Although Yukon is twice Federation of Canada, together with the 75th anniversary of the opening the size of the United Kingdom, only 36,000 of the Alaska Highway, would make a good excuse to explore the far people live there. Since 26,000 of these live in Whitehorse, and another north in 2017, he offered to borrow his wife’s car and embark with me on 2,000 in the second largest town, Dawson City, the rest of the Yukon is a trip of more than 7,000 miles in 17 days. virtually empty.

We were fortunate in having excellent weather for the whole of our Driving further north, we reached Dawson City. At the confluence September excursion, with only two brief showers and a few mornings of the Yukon and Klondike rivers, this settlement was created solely of mist to interrupt the autumn sunshine. Having driven extensively because of the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896-99, which saw the town through the eastern United States in the 1980s, I mushroom to 30,000 inhabitants, making it then appreciated the modern conveniences we enjoyed the largest community in western North America In retrospect it seems a on this trip, which made it far more relaxing than after San Francisco. We had already visited daft idea, but it worked my earlier experiences. Firstly, our car had a Skagway from Whitehorse, driving through the modern Sat-Nav system that could identify even White Pass, which each of the gold prospectors brilliantly and we enjoyed the smallest, remotest roads in the Yukon as well had to climb with their one ton of supplies the trip immensely as navigating us through towns. Secondly, George before the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on brought his iPad with him, posting pictures of our the Canadian border would allow them to sail adventures at each stage, so that our families could see how we were up the Yukon River to the Klondike. Skagway, also a product of the progressing if they logged into Facebook (even in the remotest parts Klondike Gold Rush, is nowadays a busy tourist attraction full of shops of our journey, our accommodation offered Wi-Fi connections). Thirdly, and restaurants catering for the cruise liner passengers who regularly most of the filling stations had fuel pumps that allowed us to pay with disembark there. Dawson City is less vibrant, but remains full of echoes credit cards, issuing printed receipts on request. Lastly, nowadays even of bygone gold rush days, especially when driving along the diggings, explorers of the remote north can make prior use of electronic booking where some mining still persists. systems, such as TripAdvisor, to review options for accommodation From Dawson City, we took the ferry across the Yukon river to drive before setting off, getting email confirmation of bookings that guaranteed the Top-of-the-World Highway into Alaska, eventually reaching Seward set prices to be paid only on arrival. Having access to online reviews of on the Kenai Peninsula south of Anchorage, which hosts the excellent the accommodation possibilities available provided welcome guidance on Alaska Sealife Centre. From there we drove to Haines Junction back in which should be considered and which avoided. the Yukon, then made a visit to the small community of Haines at the foot A more traditional, but equally valuable resource, was the 2017 of the Chilkoot Pass in Alaska, another point of entry for the Klondike edition of The Milepost, which every user of the Alaska Highway knows Gold Rush pioneers. Chilkoot River was full of spawning salmon, with is the bible for anyone driving the road itself, including every set of plenty of evidence that grizzly bears were taking the opportunity to approach roads to it. Updated yearly, this book – now running to 700 feast on them. We returned south along the Stewart-Cassiar Highway, pages – offers a mile-by-mile commentary on all these highways, with an which provides a beautiful alternative route to the Alaska Highway excellent set of maps to accompany the commentaries. through British Columbia, and finished our trip by driving along Highway Armed with all these resources, we set off from Wyoming to make 93, which goes through the iconic views of The Rockies, including the our first significant stop at Drumheller in Alberta, which can boast one of Columbia Icefield.

We were left with some vivid memories. One relates to the stunning boreal scenery, which, as the photographs demonstrate, became more colourful as we progressed north, switching from the grasslands of the Great Plains of Montana to the dense coniferous forests of northern British Columbia, before turning into the kenspeckled autumnal hues adorning the raw hills and mountains of the Yukon and Alaska. Another relates to the good standard of accommodation provided by moderatelypriced motels all along our route, some offering spectacular outlooks; such as at Haines Junction, where we could drink coffee watching the sun setting on vast banks of snow-capped mountains on all sides.

Finally, we can fondly recall the many people with whom we struck up friendly conversations; such as the self-employed Yukon plumber who regularly called up helicopters to help him install water-tanks on top of mountains, and who was delighted to converse with two people with strong connections to Scotland. Although he had never visited Scotland, he had Scottish antecedents, striking Scottish looks, and was named Iain McIntyre!

Great Plains in Montana (Photos courtesy Tony Jackson)

Coniferous forests in British Columbia

Kluane National Park in Alaska and The Yukon

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FEATURES Milena Hunt, Pilates teacher par excellence, on

Five ways in which Pilates can change your life You have probably heard of Pilates (pronounced “pee-LA-teez”), perhaps even wondered if there’s anything in it for you. You may have looked it up, or even attended a class or two at a local gym. Your experience could have ranged from a disappointing, slow-moving session that felt like a complete waste of your time, to a life-changing event, as it did for me. It very much depends on the teacher, your attitude, the class atmosphere, and your readiness to commit to this mind-and-body conditioning programme invented by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s. Having practised and taught Pilates for many years, I’ve come to realise that Pilates is not just a brilliant exercise regime, but a way of life that affects your whole being in so many wonderful ways. There are at least five amazing benefits that Pilates brings: 1. Pilates improves your body awareness Many people come to Pilates because of an injury, or at least in search of a sustainable way to move their bodies to ease any muscle tension, or stiffness, and prevent pain. They are always surprised by the misalignments and faulty movement patterns they’ve developed over the years, and by the immediate relief and steady progress they make once the root cause has been addressed. The newly-discovered awareness gradually permeates into everyday life, improving their posture, making any task (household chores, commuting, carrying etc) more efficient and enjoyable.

2. Pilates strengthens your whole body, making you more supple, improving your stamina The brilliance of Pilates comes from addressing the whole body as it’s challenged, yet not overtaxed, in any exercise. There’s a whole myriad of props (the Magic Circle, Thera Band, Pilates balls, Rota discs, to name a few), as well as smaller (Baby Arc) and bigger pieces of Pilates-specific equipment (Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Ladder Barrel) that support the body as necessary, building strength, giving feedback to the muscles that need to be worked.

It’s highly satisfying, yet not surprising to hear my students (ranging from teens to octogenarians!) tell me what a difference Pilates has made to how they feel in their bodies. No matter what your age or background, you can gain better flexibility, strength and endurance, if your individual needs are addressed by your Pilates programme.

3. Pilates improves your athletic edge There’s a reason why athletes like Andy Murray, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Haley Anderson and Victoria Pendleton turn to Pilates for better performance. Having been fortunate enough to work with a competitive swimmer, as well as many weekend warriors who run, cycle, ride, do martial arts, play football, rugby, golf, I have

seen first-hand how effective Pilates can be for supporting a sport of choice by counteracting muscular imbalances, increasing range of movement, restoring optimal alignment, improving core stability.

Outstanding results are only possible with consistent practice, commitment and a carefully-designed and implemented Pilates programme that targets sport-specific fitness.

4. Pilates re-energises the mind and the body Ask anyone who practises Pilates regularly, and they’ll tell you that they always feel energised afterwards. This effect is achieved through allowing the mind to focus on the task of moving well, which helps it relax, because there’s simply no brain space for mental chatter or stress!

You will never feel bored or distracted, having to concentrate on performing an exercise that has an infinite number of variations to choose from, so that your body and mind can be challenged in a unique way. Through deep diaphragmatic breathing, the unnecessary tension from the dominant muscles melts away, whilst the underworked muscles engage properly, promoting improved circulation, detoxification, and reactivation of the core. The result is a clearer mind and a revitalised, rejuvenated body.

5. Pilates enhances a sense of well-being It’s only natural that Pilates has become a vital component of selfcare for many: through getting to know how your body moves, what it is capable of, where it needs support and strengthening. Through reconnecting your mind and body, you cannot but appreciate yourself more as a human being. There’s always a sense of achievement when you start to move with more grace, ease, agility, and poise, which inevitably leads to a better quality of life, productivity and enjoyment.

I’m a strong believer that Pilates makes you a better person, as you learn to be more patient and kind towards yourself and others. It epitomises the Latin phrase, Mens sana in corpore sano (A healthy mind in a healthy body), for it nourishes you both physically and mentally, making you more mindful and capable of making a real difference to your own life as well as the life of others.

Pilates may not be for everybody, but it certainly is for any body.

There’s no competition, and it can be done just on the mat. I strongly encourage you to give it a try, either as a complement to your current exercise regime, or as the only “exercise” that you commit to. Your future self will thank you for it, because to tell the truth, the list of benefits from Pilates is simply endless!

(Photo courtesy Milena Hunt)

Print & Design

Print & Design?

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

E: printanddesign@st-andrews.ac.uk T: (01334) 463020

The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC013532

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FEATURES Joanne Smith writes: Hidden away in rural Northeast Fife is a special destination that should be better known to all those who love wood and fine craftsmanship.

Profile: Max McCance

For over thirty years, Max McCance has been producing in his Fife woods, and have become workshop unique, one-off pieces of handmade furniture in solid aware of how everything in hardwoods. His display gallery stands next door, surrounded by nature grows in a spiral. This is beautiful woodland and rolling fields. Visitors who often wander in after reflected in some of my work.”

Max McCance visiting the nearby Birnie Loch Nature Reserve, are rewarded for their Recently, pine cones, beech curiosity with a chance to meet and talk with one of Scotland’s leading mast, and ash keys – all the beautiful things the woodland produces – furniture designer/makers. have influenced some of Max’s newest works. The 725 Table, pictured Producing work that combines artistic here, shows this influence. It can be compared to vision with top-class technical ability has been a seed, or a pod, or a sheaf of grass. It is named the obsession of this meticulous, perfectionist after the 725 individual pieces of wood that had woodworker since he was a small boy. After serving For anyone looking for an to be shaped, sanded, sanded again, then fixed his apprenticeship in Glasgow, he travelled to Italy place. It was then “fumed” in ammonia to utterly unique gift, a trip to into to study and work, spending eight years perfecting give the wood its rich dark hue. It took over a his eye for classical design, learning how to month to make.

Max’s gallery is a must expand it with his own vision. When he returned to These exercises in repetition are part of Scotland in the late 1980s, he resolved to establish the woodworking life. Max has always made a a furniture workshop, where visitors could visit, virtue out of building work up, slowly, carefully, learn about the making process, and experience first-hand the life of out of individual components, often layered to build the shape he a maker. In that way, he felt, he could demystify the making process, seeks. The door on the Cosmos Cabinet pictured here was made by while helping people feel more comfortable buying a unique piece of building up layers in fumed oak. Max tells, “there is no light pollution furniture, or commissioning a piece to fulfil near my home, which results in incredible a need in their home. views of the night sky. This work grew Max loves to talk about his work. He from thinking about the vastness of the believes passionately that good design is heavens, and watching for the aurora life-enhancing, that people deserve to have borealis on a frosty winter night. Recently quality furniture in their homes, furniture I created a cabinet based on a printout that lasts more than a lifetime, that can of the pattern made by radio waves from be passed down the generations, rather a pulsar. This resulted in a surface that than disposable furniture that falls out of was filled with spikes and dips, like ocean fashion, or falls apart after a few years! He waves, or the pattern left behind on sand deliberately keeps his prices affordable, after it is washed by the sea.” so that people from many walks of life can For anyone looking for an utterly afford to own his work. unique gift, a trip to Max’s gallery is a For those who dream of learning more must. It is full of unique objects, ranging about the craft of woodwork, Max also from small items for under £10 to larger 725 table Cosmos cabinaet offers tuition. “People love to come and be pieces of furniture that are functional shown how to make something with their own hands,” he says. Many sculptures to be handed down the generations. Gift certificates for people opt to buy a gift certificate in order to give that special someone tuition are on offer, or just the chance to meet someone whose passion a unique learning experience; his courses can be tailored to the is worth noting and hearing. No visitor is left disappointed after seeing individual needs and interests of each student. this hidden wonder in Northeast Fife’s countryside, and meeting this He is deeply influenced by the natural world, his designs echoing extraordinary craftsman. the woodlands that surround his home in Scotland. Max’s workshop and gallery are located next to a beautiful mixed woodland. He (Images & photo courtesy Joanne Smith) explains, “I often go there to think. I derive great inspiration from the

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FEATURES Stephen Gethins MP offers

An insight into the mechanics of the EU Withdrawal Bill The last few weeks, as well as those ahead, may prove to be some of the most crucial in this Parliament, as the House of Commons considers the EU Withdrawal Bill, during which the details of this significant piece of legislation will be debated and considered.

If approved by Parliament, the legislation will transpose certain EU laws into the legal systems of the UK, and facilitate the UK’s exit.

As such, regardless of our individual opinions on the matter, the Withdrawal Bill will impact each one of us. As the Member of Parliament for North-East Fife, it is my job to speak up for the views and interests of my constituency.

This will be significant, from its impact on the University, the food and drink industry, tourism, and future opportunities for young people, to name just a few.

In a Parliament of minorities, it is not only incumbent on politicians to work with those from across the political divide, but the power given to the vote of each MP provides a context in which all of our views are given the respect our constituents would expect. A key part of this has been the establishment of the All Party Parliamentary Group on EU Relations, which has provided a cross-party forum, through which MPs concerned about the impact of a Hard Brexit can discuss the key issues, and plan how best to persuade the Government to accept changes to

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legislation we think is in the interest of our efforts, but this issue will almost certainly constituents. We do not always agree, while reappear at the next stage when the smaller parties, such as mine, do not have the Government reports to the House on the numbers to make changes on our own, but at Bill as amended by Committee Stage. I am least we are all talking – and with votes taking determined that each of my constituents will place late in the evening across 8 Committee not lose the ability to demand their rights Stage sittings, there is plenty of that! Despite against government as they currently can. being intimately involved in these cross-party I have similarly worked with colleagues talks as a member of the front bench, my from across the parties to protect the greatest priorities devolution As such, regardless of our individual always remain local, settlements ie the constituency across the UK. opinions on the matter, the Withdrawal for North-East Fife.

Our first priority Bill will impact each one of us. As the As well as farmers’ always will be to Member of Parliament for North-East markets, with protect the rights Fife, it is my job to speak up for the purveyors across the of our colleagues, country, St Andrews friends, and views and interests of my constituency and wider Northneighbours, who East Fife produce is exported extensively, moved from the EU to make their home which, thanks to its high quality can be here. Indeed, as the House of Commons found on the tables of the finest restaurants discusses the Bill from the UK’s side, the throughout the continent, and much further UK Government is negotiating its so-called afield. It is incredibly important that the divorce deal with the EU. As well as the exit interests of this sector are served.

Bill and the status of the Northern Irish border, An area on which I have a particularly Citizens Rights have been made the priority large number of meetings, is that of area about which agreement must be attained enshrining fundamental rights from EU with the EU before discussions on trade can law into the legal systems across the UK – begin. At each stage, I will do all I can to including those allowing individuals to hold protect the rights of those who have made governments to account. I was disappointed North-East Fife their home, and made our that not all colleagues could support these society all the richer as a result.

FEATURES McAnon (with apologies to Rabbie Burns)

Mobile Phones

‘Peamutt’ butter treats for dogs From the book, The Hairy Bakers (see Reviews page 12)

A man that has a mobile phone, That bends his lug, an a’ that, Addiction’s slave – we pass him by We daur lack ane for a’ that!

For a’ that, an’ a’ that, It disnae spoil for a’ that, The phone is but a childish ramp, A real man disnae need that.

For plain men their landline’s fine When in the hoose, an’ a’ that!

They’ll answer it for a’ that!

Gie youth a phone, aye on the line – They text and talk for a’ that, It’s outward show, an’ a’ that” The adult man’s without a phone, He has nae time for a’ that!

You see yon youngster that’s so smart, Wha looks like he’s just a’ that?

A hundred ‘friends’ dote at his word, He’s but a dolt for a’ that.

For a’ that, an’ a’ that,

Perfect for “good dog” treats, you can take them in a bag on a walk, or offer as a bedtime treat. I use 2cm (¾ inch)-size cutters for walk snacks, larger ones for bedtime.

Ingredients 280g (2 cups) plain / All purpose flour 120g (1/2 cup) peanut butter 2 eggs.

50 ml (scant ¼ cup) water Method 1 2 3 4 5 6

Turn oven to 180C (350F, or gas 4) Mix the ingredients together until combined Add water until it becomes wet enough to form a dough Roll out with a rolling pin and cut small discs Place on a baking / cooking sheet Bake for 20 minutes

The man that thinks things for himself, ...

He needs nae phone for a’ that.

To mak an educated man, It taks much mair than a’ that!

“While using the duster and watching the golf, I decided my Wind in the Willows characters should also participate”, wrote local resident Mrs Lorna Scott, adding that she is “aged 82, but young at heart!” As for the characters, they were made by a friend in Northern Ireland.

He’ll study hard the maist he can – Idle chat? He has nae time, for a’ that.

For a’ that, an’ a’ that, For he’ll stand pat, despite a’ that, Debate his point, an’ a’ that.

Then let us hope will come the day That ends chitchat, an’ a’ that, That man tae man speaks face tae face For etiquette, an’ a’ that.

For a’ that, an’ a’ that, Let every man then dump his phone And better be, for a’ that.

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FEATURES Tony Waterston

Elsie Inglis and the Scottish Women’s Hospitals – The St Andrews connection “My horse is called ‘Women’s Suffrage’.” set up the Scottish Women’s This was the response given by my uncle at the age of four, when his Hospitals, then wrote to all Great Aunt Elsie visited him in St Andrews in 1914. Clearly the message allied leaders to offer their had got through to the younger generation! Although by that time Dr Elsie services. The first to reply was Inglis had been a leader of the suffrage movement in Scotland since Serbia, the country where war Elsie Inglis the turn of the century, had combined her medical work with the poor broke out in 1914. Suffering mothers of Edinburgh with a campaigning role all over Scotland for severe casualties early in the women’s rights, she often visited her relatives in St Andrews. war, Elsie’s appeal fell on listening ears. The SWH set about fundraising, She is less well known for her part in the struggle than for what sending the first mission of doctors, nurses, administrators, and drivers came after, during the first world war. When she died on 26th November to Serbia in the autumn of 1914. Their work in Serbia, both in tending to 1917 – an anniversary celebrated with several ceremonies in Edinburgh the wounded soldiers, and tackling the massive epidemic of typhus that – she and the Scottish Women’s Hospitals movement had set up 17 broke out in 1915, is remembered across the country with great respect. field hospitals in Serbia, Romania, France, Macedonia, Corsica, Russia.

Indeed one soldier said of Elsie, “She was loved among us as a queen, 1500 women from all over Scotland, and and respected as a saint”. other countries, too, had offered humanitarian In September this year I was fortunate to Elsie’s vision of international solidarity assistance as doctors, nurses, orderlies, travel with 13 other family members to visit the across Europe, equality for women drivers, and administrators. towns in Serbia where the field hospitals were and care and advocacy for the poorest sited, in a remarkable tour organised by Alan Elsie’s story is remarkable for many reasons. She was one of Scotland’s first Cumming, the determined and resourceful in society, are just as important now women doctors. She went through a Scottish advocate for the SWH. Together as in 1917, and St Andrews should be considerable struggle to qualify as a doctor and with Serbian historians, he put together an proud of her links with the town surgeon at the end of the 19th century, gaining incredible visit to learn about the WW1 history training in London, Dublin, and the USA. Her of Serbia, meeting those connected with work as a doctor in Edinburgh put her in contact with women from the the Scottish story. From the British ambassador, who has named his poorest communities; she describes many stories of the privations residence after Elsie Inglis, to the grandchildren of soldiers tended by the and domestic violence they went through. Partly as a result of this Scots women, we met an extraordinary band of people for whom the 100 experience, she became a fighter for women’s rights, and the secretary year-old history is alive and commemorated. of the Scottish suffrage movement, speaking to communities all over Elsie herself died in Newcastle aged 53, when back from her last Scotland at a time when the protest movement was growing fast. tour with the Serbian front in Russia. Her funeral was held on the Then the war came. Elsie and her colleagues felt it was time for 29th November in St Giles Cathedral, her death commemorated by a women to show their strength and commitment in another way – by respectful graveside service in the Dean cemetery in Edinburgh. providing humanitarian assistance to the soldiers at the front. The rebuff Elsie’s vision of international solidarity across Europe, equality for she received from the RAMC in Edinburgh is famous: ‘Dear lady, go women and care and advocacy for the poorest in society, are just as home and sit still’. important now as in 1917, and St Andrews should be proud of her links However, this response made Elsie all the more determined. with the town.

Together with the other committee members of the suffrage society, she (Photos courtesy Tony Waterston)

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Mdlanovac ceremony

FEATURES: REVIEWS

Recommended children’s books J & G Innes Ltd provides a regularly updated list of highly recommended books for children. This list considers both the latest titles, and books that we feel have been undeservedly forgotten. A short review will accompany each recommendation; we hope that this will prove helpful to those who seek to explore the wealth of children’s literature available today.

You can’t go far wrong with an interactive book! Young children relish any opportunity to join in when listening to a story. For many, active involvement means a more enjoyable and lasting experience. So here are some of the finest around; we hope you will enjoy them together!

All Aboard The Discovery Express

By E Hawkins & T Adams Published: 7-9-17. Age 7+.

Little Hazelnut

By A F Lemasson Published: 5-10-17. Age 5+.

This beautifully conceived pop-up book charmingly portrays how seasonal changes bring new life to a wood.

Flora And The Flamingo

Travel through time and space to find the missing professor. Key moments in the history of transport will be revealed along the way.

Budding scientists and engineers will eagerly lift the flaps to solve the clues.

By Molly Idle Published: 5-2-8. Age 3+.

An innovative, wordless picture book, with interactive flaps in which Flora mimics her feathered friend with increasing success.

Toddlers and young children will want to join the dance.

Where’s The Ballerina?

By Anna Claybourne Published: 25-1-17. Age: 6+.

The Storm Whale Book & Jigsaw

A chance for your child to get to know ten of the world’s best-loved ballets, and a stimulating way to experience fairy tales through drama.

By Benji Davies Published: 5-0-17. Age 3+.

A moving tale about friendship and kindness, which will surely be a future classic. The 6-block puzzle will enable your child to recreate scenes from the book.

Joey Peterson reviews

Maggie’s Mittens

By Coo Clayton and Alison Soye Published by Black & White Publishing, 2017. Price, £6.99.

This charming little book should appeal to everyone, not only the kiddies it is aimed at.

It is bright, cheerful, with a moral that’s not pushed too much, namely, that Mum knows best!

Maggie’s Granny sits by an old-fashioned fire knitting mittens, as all the best grannies do, but Maggie doesn’t like wearing them. She has all sorts of ideas for getting rid of the ones she has, such as throwing them over Greyfriars Bobby in Edinburgh. Eventually, an obliging

puffin flies off with the mittens. The weather becomes cold. Maggie begins to understand why mittens are a Good Thing. Granny has just finished a new pair, “Maggie loved her new mittens. They were hot. They were fuzzy. And she usually wore two of them!”

Brought up in St Andrews, and currently a primary school teacher, this is Coo Clayton’s debut children’s book. It is also a gentle tourist guide, not only to St Andrews, but to the whole of Scotland, which Maggie and her mother visit.

The bright and attractive illustrations

by Northern Irish Alison Soye set the scenes recognizably in St Andrews itself, and such places as Loch Ness, Dundee etc. A red squirrel features in all the places, even on the cover, as a fun item to identify. There is an end page with mittens to colour in.

All in all, a delightful book to treasure.

Something for that special present!

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FEATURES: REVIEWS Labradoodle Yassi, living in Edinburgh, enthuses about

A “Pawfect” Treat

By Mungo & Tilly Trotter

Available online: The Hairy Bakers, and at all good bookshops, paperback price £10.

My “uncle-master” Christopher visited a couple of weeks ago. He brought a little plastic bag with some “biscuity things” in it. He called them “Samples”. I didn’t pay much attention, but I did sense that something was “in the air”.

After he left, Master and Mistress said something about “Esther Rantzen” – whatever that is. They placed three little piles on the floor.

On the right, my normal food. It’s called “Royal Canin”. I’m told it is the “Nick Nairn/ Fife Diet/total superior dog food”. It’s OK, but a bit boring…

On the left: “Bakers”. Yum. I get a few of these sometimes. The “MacDonalds” of Canine treats.

In the centre, these “biscuity things”.

I wandered over. I glanced to the right. I gave a quick sniff to the left. And demolished the “biscuity things” in 3.5 seconds flat. Any more??

Well yes. Last night I was in the garden. My usual late-night “Pee & Patrol”. I am a bit reluctant to come back in, though I know I have to at some point. I hear a faint rustle. It’s Mistress with that little plastic bag.

Master & Mistress tell me they have never seen me move so quickly.

Into the kitchen via the steps and the back porch in two leaps. Just in case you haven’t got the message. They are totally BRILL. My fee for this testimonial? Easy. Two thousand million trillion giga mega tons by first class delivery tomorrow please…

Mal Wright reviews

The Royal Navy’s Air Service in the Great War

By David Hobbs Published by Seaforth Publishing, 2017. All good bookshops, hardback price £35.

This book is a very impressive work by David Hobbs. Although I have read a lot about the RNAS over the years, with a good understanding of it, I found myself feeling like a novice when reading the wonderfullyresearched information in this book. The early days are fascinating; I confess I was quite unaware of the depth of early experimentation. Flimsy machines that look as if they should never fly surprised me, as I had not realised that the rather ‘stuffy’ Admiralty had allowed its young officers to mess about in such a way. True they made some get their own flying licenses, and were not helpful with some of the expenses, but

one can’t help feeling there was a light of visionary thinking about the future of aircraft aboard ships.

Of course the rather piratical RNAS armoured cars and linked troops that rushed into Belgium in 1914 are also covered, while the various types of armoured cars are illustrated. But for myself, the story of how the RNAS developed throughout WW1 really had me reading on and on across pages of great information. The ideas behind the development of aircraft-carrying warships, and later seaplane tenders, balloon tenders, aircraft carriers, is also discussed. In all it left me feeling that the author had left nothing

out. I had a greater sense of understanding of how the RNAS came about, and tragically was disbanded, than I have ever had. Bravo David Hobbs! A fine work of research and interesting reading.

I could not give it any less than 5 out of five stars, because there is no other written work I can think of that even comes close to it for comparison.

Beatrice Root reviews

Cauliflower

By Christopher Trotter (photography by Caroline Trotter) Published by Christopher Trotter, 2017. Available at all good bookshops, price £5.95.

Christopher Trotter has diligently continued his wonderful series of little paperbacks on cooking vegetables. The first was Beetroot, then followed up annually with Courgette, Kale, Carrot, now just published is Cauliflower.

It is a beautifully presented little book with full colour photos of all 30 recipes taken by Christopher’s wife Caroline, known to this magazine for her photographs of animals, as well as portraits and weddings. This shows that each recipe has been tried, tested, and photographed by the couple! There is a little about nutrition with the history, also a curious fact that the longer the cauliflower is cooked the more unpleasant is the smell!

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Which may account for the fact that the recipes ask for quick cooking!

Christopher has used more spices than he has used in his other books, as cauliflower does indeed go well with spices. For lovers of nutmeg, turmeric, ginger, cayenne, and mustard, this is a recipe book for you. There are soups, and salads, as well as ideas with fish, kidneys, even caviar, if you are looking for a true celebratory first course.

This little book should sit alongside the other four very close to your cooker! A great and inspiring little book.

FEATURES: REVIEWS Ted Brocklebank reviews

St Andrews through time and tide

By Peter Adamson and Lorn Macintyre Published by Alvie Publications, 2017. Available at all good book shops price £19.50.

What’s with St Andrews and photographers called Adamson? John and Robert Adamson were the 19th century photographic pioneers whose black and white calotypes of old St Andrews can be found in the collections of Getty, and New York’s Museum of Modern Art. But while the brothers Adamson are well known to art buffs, for most St Andreans it’s another Adamson – Peter of that ilk – who is the current doyen among local snappers.

No relation to the original Adamsons, Peter came to St Andrews nearly fifty years ago; the town has been fortunate indeed to have such a gifted recorder of its many charms.

St Andrews through time and tide is Peter’s latest volume of photographs featuring the city he has clearly come to love. As with seven earlier volumes, including St Andrews Portrait of a City, and A Portrait of Madras College, local author Lorn Macintyre provides eloquent commentary. Macintyre, like that great rugby commentator Bill MacLaren, rarely describes what you can see, but adds to the visual experience with his own learned take on the images portrayed. The quotes from former St Andrews graduates, Andrew Lang, and R F Murray, are particularly apposite here.

It was Chaucer who wrote that, ‘time and tide wait for no man’. Adamson proves

with his new volume that the freshness of his eye and the speed of his shutter can make both time and tide stop dead in their tracks.

We need look no further than the book’s cover image for proof. Here, a mounted horsewoman splashes through a flood tide on the West Sands with two accompanying horses, the trio framed against the Scores and the historic tower of St Salvator’s. It’s all there; time and tide with an all-actionforeground interest captured in suspended animation by a master of his craft. Given the book’s title, St Andrews’ geographical situation, and mediaeval renown, it’s fitting that many of the images feature the sea and the town’s historic past. But there’s much for the non-historian as well: science pupils learning about the refraction of light at Madras College; the University Physics department’s molecular-beam epitaxy machine (Macintyre explains!); students lathered in shaving foam on Raisin Monday; excited bairns on the waltzer at the Lammas market; and a particular favourite of mine, a thirsty toddler heading determinedly through the door of The Keys Bar on a hot summer’s day. There’s something for everyone in this eclectic portrayal of the best of Peter Adamson. Here, Bob Dylan rubs shoulders with Prince William, Hillary Clinton with Helen

Mirren, J K Rowling with the Queen, and our own Jurek Pütter with popular local musician Billy Anderson.

Peter Adamson’s genius lies in recognising a composition where most of us just see what’s before our eyes. And if the reality isn’t available, he’s not afraid to invent it. Check the red-gowned student lass floating above the cliffs against a darkening winter sky (or maybe you really did catch her in the act of jumping, Peter?) One or two of the images are familiar from St Andrews Portrait of a City, but are no less welcome in this encore. Most are bang up to date, including the mallard drake swimming serenely against a kaleidoscopically surreal background in the Kinness burn. This image alone must surely guarantee Peter’s place alongside these other Adamsons in New York’s Museum of Modern Art! I can’t commend St Andrews through time and tide too highly. It’s a must for all who are in thrall to this dear old place and the memories it continues to evoke. Long may Peter Adamson keep them fresh in our minds.

Barclay Low reviews

Oor Wullie’s Bucket Trail

By Susan McMullan

Photography by Chris Scott and Viktoria Begg Published by D C Thomson. Available at all good bookshops, price £15.99.

A wonderful and colourful new book has just been published to celebrate what started out as an exciting project to raise money for the Archie Foundation at Ninewells Hospital. The Oor Wullie Bucket Trail became a phenomenal success last year, ultimately raising nearly £900k for a very worthwhile charity.

Originally designed to raise money to help make a real difference to the lives of sick children, the Bucket Trail did so much more. This bright and cheery commemorative book allows you to relive the fun and excitement of the 10 weeks that the trail operated. Lots of people both locally and from further afield visited the trail, had photos taken beside their favourite sculptures, embraced the spirit of the charitable ambition by contributing to the fundraising efforts. Many of those who visited wondered what happened to the sculptures after the famous auction in the Dundee Rep. Others hoped that many of the sculptures would still be in the local area and that they might be able to see them again.

Now this new book, instigated and written by local author Susan McMullan, will allow us all to find out where many of the sculptures are located, whether they can still be viewed (many people still want to have a selfie with their favourite Oor Wullie) and how they are settling into their new homes.

Lots of research was necessary to track down the sculptures, most of which are still in the local area. It is wonderful to read of the joy and happiness many of them are still giving to all sorts of organisations.

Many local businesses purchased sculptures at the auction, now proudly displaying them in their offices and restaurants in and around Tayside.

‘Oor Bobby’ is at Dens Park, with ‘Tangerine Terror’ over the road at Tannadice. ‘Oor Ideas’ was bought by Gillies Furniture stores, and travels around the shops visiting Broughty Ferry, Montrose, Perth, even Aberdeen, spreading Wullie’s good will and raising the profile of the Archie Foundation. ‘Oor Wullie Noo’ was bought by the Balhousie Care Home group, and is on a tour of their 25 care homes helping to keep the old folk happy.

Buying this book does more than tell us where the sculptures have gone – it also tells the stories behind the designs and what inspired the various artists to create the marvellous colourful characters which so inspired the community during the trail’s existence.

There are some fascinating insights into the creative thoughts of many of the designers, which will interest many, especially youngsters considering some area of art as a career.

This is a fun book – colourful, well designed, easy to read or leaf through, and well researched. It will be a marvellous gift, especially to anyone who missed the Bucket Trail.

A percentage of the profits from the book will be donated to the Archie Foundation to allow them to continue raising money towards their ambition of creating a much-needed children’s surgical suite at Ninewells – something we can all support.

Go out and buy one – you will have fun with Oor Wullie!

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TOWN & GOWN From Geoff Morris, Director of Special Projects and Community Engagement – And Dr Ailsa McKenzie, Programme Manager

The Eden Campus

– a new green technology innovation centre at Guardbridge Eden Campus is an exciting new development in the village of Guardbridge, Fife. Located on the site of the old Curtis Paper Mill, the 36-acre derelict site is currently being developed by new owners, the University of St Andrews. With approximately 1million square feet of regeneration space, the University has big plans for the site.

The University acquired the site in 2010 with a clear vision – to create a sustainable, carbon-neutral campus, which would bring together industry and academia, while supporting both the local community and economy through job creation, training opportunities, and the creation of a social fund. The focus of the Campus will be sustainable innovation – the University and its partners currently have a pipeline of “green” companies expressing strong interest in locating at Eden Campus, all of which must first meet strict sustainability guidelines. 400 University staff will also be moving to the site in early 2019. Locating industry alongside academic expertise from across Scotland will enable the University to better utilise knowledge, skills, and research to exploit emerging commercial opportunities, helping to establish a thriving, innovative green business community in rural Fife.

A challenging site While the site has many opportunities, it also presents significant challenges. Eden Campus sits on the edge of the Eden Estuary, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and European-designated environmental protection status (a RAMSAR site). The estuary is nationally important for a wide range of bird species, including black and bar-tailed godwits, velvet and common scoter, ringed and grey plover, and internationally important to red breasted merganser and shelduck. It is also home to common seals, otters, and a wide variety of plants and insects, some of which are scarce in Fife, including blue fleabane, oak-leaved goosefoot and the grayling butterfly. This sensitive environmental location is in stark contrast to the site itself, which contains some 27 buildings (totalling 55,000m2) in various states of disrepair (some listed), contaminated land, land stability issues, as well as asbestos contamination. This re-development aims to demonstrate that

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a brownfield site next to such an important ecological location can be rejuvenated in a sensitive manner.

It is estimated that to re-energise the whole site will cost around £200m. The University has spent, or committed to spend, over £50m on the site so far, and is hopeful of support from the Tay Cities Deal Initiative, as well as a range of other government and private investors, to further develop the infrastructure and regeneration of buildings on-site.

Because of these challenges, the University has adopted a phased approach to the tasks in hand, starting with development of a biomass plant and district heating system that became operative in January 2017.

First project for Eden Campus: Biomass plant and district heating scheme The University and industry partners, Vital Energi, began construction of a 6.5MW biomass plant and district heating scheme in 2015. Two years later, in January 2017, the plant began producing heat. It now provides hot water to over 2,600 student rooms and more than 40 University buildings in St Andrews, over 4 miles away. This project alone has reduced the University’s overall carbon footprint by 20%. The scheme has generated widespread interest from government agencies; in 2016 it won a Scottish Green Energy Award. The project was funded by an £11 million loan from the Scottish Partnership for Regeneration in Urban Centres (SPRUCE) Fund, a joint Scottish Government and European Regional Development Fund initiative, and a £10 million grant from the Scottish Funding Council, with the remaining £4 million coming from the University.

First major tenant on site: Eden Mill distillery & brewery Eden Campus has been home to Eden Mill distillery and brewery since 2012. An increasingly well-known brand across the country, Eden Mill specialises in the production of craft beer, gin, and whisky. In 2018, Eden Mill will be relocating within the Campus to larger premises enabling a quadrupling of production, the creation of a Visitor Centre, with the creation of further jobs.

TOWN & GOWN Supporting the local community When Curtis Paper Mill closed in 2008, 350 jobs were lost, many from the local community. The Eden Campus development aims to go some way towards reversing these losses by creating up to 500 jobs onsite in a wide range of industries and specialisms. The University also aims to develop training courses at Eden Campus in collaboration with local colleges and universities, as well as creating work experience opportunities, and internships. A social fund is also being established which, among other things, will support local young people gain employment. In addition, the University plans to work closely with the region’s other universities and colleges to support innovation and research between the private sector and the academic institutions.

Eden Campus moving forward Eden Campus is an ambitious project: the creation of an innovative sustainable technology hub which forwards Scotland’s “green” ambitions while supporting both the local economy and community it will be no mean feat. However, with development plans approved by Fife Council, a number of companies expressing strong interest in locating to the site, additional funding close to being secured, and significant progress with remedial work on-site, there are lots of reasons to be cheerful at Eden Campus. The Guardbridge village Christmas tree, donated by the University, sited at the entrance to the campus, was lit from 2nd December throughout the festive season.

Do keep a look out for further updates from us as the Eden Campus development unfolds in this new year.

(Photos courtesy Eden Campus)

John Cameron’s column

Remembering Professor Jack Allen Exactly 80 years ago, physicists in Moscow’s Institute for Physical Problems, also at Cambridge University, simultaneously and independently, discovered superfluidity. This is a state of matter that occurs at very low temperatures – characterised by the total absence of viscosity or resistance to flow exhibited by liquid helium at -271C. It was a discovery of “great importance and lasting value” credited to Russia’s Peter Kapitsa and the Canadian’s Jack Allen with his graduate student Don Misener.

Among other extraordinary properties, this “superfluid” helium formed a thin film that flowed against gravity up the wall of its container and over the rim. Allen also found that when it is gently heated above -271C, the helium shoots into the air, as expansion pushes up the surface of the liquid, the famous “fountain effect”.

Born in Winnipeg in 1908, Jack Allen read Physics at Manitoba University, completed a PhD in superconductivity in 1933 at Toronto University, followed by two post-doctoral years at Cal Tech, before transferring to Cambridge University’s Mond Laboratory.

dearth of women on the list of science Nobel Allen remained at Cambridge throughout winners is a disgrace, there have also been the war years, until in 1947, he was appointed manifestly unfair decisions affecting their male to the Chair of Physics in St Andrews colleagues.

University, a post he held with great distinction The rules for the Nobel Prize in Physics until his retirement in 1978, thereafter as require that “the significance of achievements Professor Emeritus until his death in 2001. being recognized has been tested by time”.

The great Russian Theoretical Physicist In practice, it means that the lag between the Lev Landau won the 1962 Nobel Prize for his discovery and the award is typically in the mathematical theory of superfluidity. Then Cal order of 20 years, but in Tech’s Richard Feynman the case of superfluidity provided a quantumit was 40 years. In the mechanical explanation. end, the 1978 prize was Finally John Bardeen, I only once dared divided, one half to Peter Leon Cooper, and Robert approach the subject, Kapitsa and the other half Schrieffer won the 1972 to Allan Penzias Nobel for their microscopic but he just smiled and jointly and Robert Wilson for their theory. shrugged, “Cold War work in cosmic microwave Yet as the decades radiation. passed there was still no politics, dear boy!

Jack Allen’s omission official recognition of the How’s your golf?” was bitterly protested, work done by the practical particularly by Laureates physicists who originally Richard Feynman and discovered the phenomenon.

John Bardeen, to no avail.

I recall Feynman saying in The least concerned was Jack himself. He the mid-‘60s, “It’s about time these Swedish was about to retire and had been the doyen clowns got their act together and gave Jack of the international low-temperature-physics and Kapitsa their prize.” community for decades. I only once dared It was Murray Gell-Mann, Feynman’s approach the subject, but he just smiled and Cal Tech colleague and competitor, I first shrugged, “Cold War politics, dear boy! How’s heard saying, “There’s got to be trouble your golf?” here – this isn’t going to end well”. While the

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TOWN & GOWN

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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ST ANDREWS CONCERT DIARY JANUARY – JUNE 2018

www.st-andrews.ac.uk /music

PULL-OUT FEATURE The University of St Andrews Music Centre presents a new semester of great music-making across a broad variety of genres. Join us on Tuesday and Wednesdays throughout semester for our lunch concerts, on three June evenings for Byre Opera’s production of Handel’s Xerxes or come and experience some of the world’s finest soloists perform with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

SEMESTER

DATE

TIME CONCERT

VENUE

Every Sunday during Semester

11:00

University Service sung by St Salvator’s Chapel Choir

St Salvator’s Chapel

Every Sunday during Semester

16:00

Choral Evensong sung by St Salvator’s Chapel Choir

Every Wednesday during Semester

17:30

and other groups

St Salvator’s Chapel

Choral Evensong sung by St Salvator’s Chapel Choir

and other groups

St Salvator’s Chapel

Every Thursday during Semester

22:00

Compline sung by St Leonard’s Chapel Choir

St Leonard’s Chapel

WEEK 1

Tuesday 30 January

13:10

Organ concert by Tom Wilkinson (University Organist)

St Salvator’s Chapel

Wednesday 31 January

13:10

Aidan Moodie: Sir Walter Scott’s Minstrelsy in Story and Song

Byre Theatre

Wednesday 31 January

19:30

Scottish Chamber Orchestra: Beethoven’s ‘Emperor’ Concerto

Younger Hall

Friday 2 February

13:10

Music Society lunchtime concert: vocal students of Megan Read

Younger Hall

WEEK 2

Tuesday 6 February

13:10

Organ concert by Andrew Macintosh

Lunchtime concert by Margaret Bennett, Cameron Nixon and

(Deputy University Organist)

St Salvator’s Chapel

Wednesday 7 February

and Marilyn Boulton (piano)

Wednesday 7 February

Music Talks with Gillian Mitchell:

British Pop Stars and Pantomime from the 1950s to the 1970s

Thursday 8 February

17:30

Debussy in Bloomsbury: Debussy at Play

Byre Theatre

Thursday 8 February

20:00

Debussy in Bloomsbury: Pacifism and Pierrot

Byre Theatre

Friday 9 February

13:10

Music Society lunchtime concert: piano recital by George Bender Younger Hall

WEEK 3

Sunday 11 February

14:30

Music in Museums: the Hetty Buchanan Scholarship

13:10

14:30

Lunchtime concert by Jill Hughes (flute), Martin Hughes (violin) Byre Theatre

Byre Theatre Studio

String Quartet

MUSA

Sunday 11 February

18:00

SCO VIBE St Andrews

Students’ Union

Tuesday 13 February

13:10

Organ concert by Henry Fairs (Honorary Professor of Organ)

St Salvator’s Chapel

Wednesday 14 February

13:10

Lunchtime concert by Christopher Josey (tenor) and

Carolyn Turner (piano)

Byre Theatre

Thursday 15 February

MUSA

Thursday 15 February

with Alison Mitchell

Rehearsal Room

Thursday 15 February

19:30

St Andrews Concert Series presents the Cremona String Quartet

Byre Theatre

Friday 16 February

13:10

Music Society lunchtime concert:

Big Band of the University of St Andrews

WEEK 4

Sunday 18 February

17:00

St Katharine’s Choir sings Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater

St Salvator’s Chapel

Tuesday 20 February

13:10

Organ concert by Kevin Duggan (Dunblane Cathedral)

St Salvator’s Chapel

NEW MUSIC WEEK

Wednesday 21 February

13:10

Lunchtime concert by St Andrews New Music Ensemble

St Salvator’s Chapel

NEW MUSIC WEEK

Friday 23 February

13:10

Music Society lunchtime concert: New Music Concert

Younger Hall

NEW MUSIC WEEK

Saturday 24 February

11:00

Come and Play Percussion

10:30 and 11:45 Scottish Chamber Orchestra: Big Ears, Little Ears 14:00-16:00

Scottish Chamber Orchestra flute masterclass

Younger Hall

Younger Hall

St Leonard’s School

with Eddie Hackett

Saturday 24 February

19:00

WEEK 5

Sunday 25 February

15:00

NEW MUSIC WEEK NEW MUSIC WEEK

Tuesday 27 February

13:10

Auditorium

University G&S Society presents The Beauty Stone

Holy Trinity Church

New Music Week Artists in Residence: James Turnbull (oboe),

St Leonard’s School

Eddy Hackett (percussion)

Auditorium

Organ concert by Dorien Schouten (The Netherlands)

St Salvator’s Chapel Photo on previous page © Oli Walker

PULL-OUT FEATURE NEW MUSIC WEEK

Wednesday 28 February

13:10

Lunchtime concert by the Wallace Collection

Wednesday 28 February

14:30

Music Talks with Parmis Mozafari:

Female Singers in Contemporary Iran: 1920s to present

Byre Theatre Studio

Friday 2 March

13:10

Music Society lunchtime concert: St Andrews Strings play Bach

Younger Hall

Friday 2 March

19:30

University Madrigal Group

St Salvator’s Chapel

WEEK 6

Sunday 4 March

19:00

University Opera Society present Offenbach’s

Orpheus in the Underworld

THEOARTISTRY FESTIVAL

Sunday 4 March

19:30

THEOARTISTRY FESTIVAL

Monday 5 March

08:45-18:00

Monday 5 March

19:00

Tuesday 6 March

08:45 – 17:30

Tuesday 6 March

THEOARTISTRY FESTIVAL

Younger Hall

Celebrity organ concert by Matthew Owens (Wells Cathedral)

St Salvator’s Chapel

TheoArtistry festival symposium

Byre Theatre

University Opera Society presents Offenbach’s

Orpheus in the Underworld

THEOARTISTRY FESTIVAL

St Salvator’s Chapel

Byre Theatre

TheoArtistry festival symposium

Byre Theatre

13:10

Organ concert by Sean Heath (Keyboardist in Residence)

St Salvator’s Chapel

Tuesday 6 March

19:30

CD Launch, Annunciations

St Salvator’s Chapel

Wednesday 7 March

13:10

Lunchtime concert by pupils from St Mary’s Music School

Younger Hall

Thursday 8 March

19:30

St Andrews Concert Series presents Roy Howat (piano)

Younger Hall

Friday 9 March

13:10

Music Society lunchtime concert: vocal students of Jonathan May Younger Hall

WEEK 7

Sunday 11 March

19:30

St Andrews Chamber Orchestra

Younger Hall

Tuesday 13 March

13:10

Organ concert by Domenico Gioffré (Royal College of Music)

St Salvator’s Chapel

Wednesday 14 March

13:10

Lunchtime concert for J.S. Bach’s 333rd birthday by

Kirsty Main (violin) and Sean Heath (harpsichord)

Byre Theatre

Wednesday 14 March

19:30

Scottish Chamber Orchestra: Dvořák Violin Concerto

Younger Hall

Thursday 15 March

11:00

Saxophone masterclass with Andrew Middleton

Younger Hall

Friday 16 March

13:10

Music Society lunchtime concert: Brass Chamber Group

Younger Hall

WEEK 8

Tuesday 3 April

13:10

Organ concert by Sam Bristow (Birmingham Conservatoire)

St Salvator’s Chapel

Wednesday 4 April

13:10

Scottish Chamber Orchestra lunchtime concert by

Nikita Naumov (double bass) and Fali Pavri (piano)

Thursday 5 April

19:30

Byre Theatre

St Andrews Concert Series presents the

Fitzwilliam String Quartet

St Salvator’s Chapel

Friday 6 April

13:10

Music Society lunchtime concert: vocal students of Jessica Leary

Younger Hall

WEEK 9

Sunday 8 April

14:30

Music in Museums: Music Centre Scholarship Saxophone Quartet

MUSA

Sunday 8 April

19:30

St Salvator’s Chapel Choir: Bach cantata concert

St Salvator’s Chapel

Tuesday 10 April

13:10

Organ concert by William Peart (Birmingham Conservatoire)

St Salvator’s Chapel

Wednesday 11 April

13:10

Lunchtime concert by Mary-Jannet Leith (recorder) and

Thomas Allery (harpsichord)

Byre Theatre

Thursday 12 April

19:30

Music Society Concert Wind Band and Big BUStA

Younger Hall

Friday 13 April

13:10

Music Society lunchtime concert:

Mozart: ‘Kegelstatt’ Trio for piano, clarinet and viola

Younger Hall

Friday 13 April

19:00

University Madrigal Group On the Rocks

St Salvator’s Chapel

Saturday 14 April

19:30

St Andrews Strings and University of St Andrews Chamber Choir

St Salvator’s Chapel

WEEK 10

Tuesday 17 April

13:10

Organ concert by Chris Bragg (St Andrews)

St Salvator’s Chapel

Wednesday 18 April

13:10

Lunchtime concert by Music Centre scholarship holders

St Salvator’s Chapel

Wednesday 18 April

19:30

Scottish Chamber Orchestra: C.P.E. Bach Cello Concerto

Younger Hall

Thursday 19 April

19:30

Big BUStA and University of St Andrews Wind Band

Younger Hall

Friday 20 April

13:10

Music Society lunchtime concert:

music performed by the Mussoc Committee

Younger Hall

PULL-OUT FEATURE

Friday 20 April

19:30

University G&S Society presents Princess Ida

Byre Theatre

Saturday 21 April

14:30

University G&S Society presents Princess Ida

Byre Theatre

Saturday 21 April

19:30

University G&S Society presents Princess Ida

Byre Theatre

WEEK 11

Sunday 22 April

19:30

St Andrews Renaissance Singers: Gloria!

St Salvator’s Chapel

Tuesday 24 April

13:10

Organ concert by University organ scholars

St Salvator’s Chapel

Wednesday 25 April

13:10

Lunchtime concert by Music Centre scholarship holders

Byre Theatre

Wednesday 25 April

19:30

StAFCO with Alec-Frank Gemmill (horn)

Younger Hall

Thursday 26 April

19:30

St Andrews Symphony Orchestra

Younger Hall

Friday 27 April

13:10

Music Society lunchtime concert: piano recital by Elle Kosman

Younger Hall

Friday 27 April

19:30

On the Town: A Bernstein Centenary Celebration

Byre Theatre

POST-SEMESTER

Saturday 28 April

19:30

St Andrews Chorus presents Haydn’s The Seasons

Younger Hall

Sunday 29 April

19:30

The Music Society Singers and Ukelear Fusion present: Throwback

St Salvator’s Chapel

Thursday 3 May

19:30

St Andrews Baroque Ensemble

Byre Theatre

Saturday 5 May

14:30

SHINE: Sounding out Astronomy

MUSA

Sunday 27 May

19:30

University Madrigal Group Summer Concert

St Salvator’s Chapel

Saturday 2 June

10:00-15:00

Xerxes in the Garden

Botanical Gardens

Friday 22 June

19:30

Byre Opera presents Handel’s Xerxes

Byre Theatre

Saturday 23 June

19:30

Byre Opera presents Handel’s Xerxes

Byre Theatre

Sunday 24 June

19:30

Byre Opera presents Handel’s Xerxes

Byre Theatre

(© Harry Gunning)

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Folk Jazz The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland. No: SC013532

SHOPS & SERVICES David Adie is about to retire, so these two articles are his last for this magazine.

He reminds us that he advises, that these Articles are intended to give very general advice, no substitute for taking full and proper advice, taking into account your own circumstances.

Third Party Rights

generally speaking, these are only enforceable One of the advantages of having a Scottish between Smith and Jones. It is an exclusive Parliament is that among the political fluff situation for the parties and smoke some useful themselves.

Law Reform Legislation Most legal systems is passed. The horribly named, “The Contract The old Law, dating back have rules, which allow in a contract (Third Party Rights) to 1591 (believe it or not) parties to grant rights to third (Scotland) Bill” has now parties. been passed into Law had two difficulties There are many by unanimous vote. It reasons why third party relates to Contract Law rights may be created, and Third Party Rights. but, for example, booking a family holiday It is not something that is regularly talked may mean that it could be beneficial for family about on the streets of St Andrews, but it is members other than the person who booked important for both businessmen/women and the holiday, and who, technically contracted, for individuals. can enforce rights under the contract.

If Smith & Jones both agree on a contract In a similar way, a company within a that creates rights and duties between them, group of companies may take out an IT which can be enforced in the Courts, then

contract, but wants all the companies in a group to be covered and able to sue.

The old Law, dating back to 1591 (believe it or not) had two difficulties; namely, the third party rights had to be irrevocable.

In other words, they couldn’t be altered or flexible, and it wasn’t clear whether the third parties had a right to claim damages.

What the new Act does is end the Common Law rules. It sets up a full set of Statutory Rules designed to avoid the uncertainties of the old Common Law, and provides a clear framework for the future. If in doubt, seek legal advice.

New Private Residential Tenancy Agreements – Model Agreements The clumsily named “Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016” pages. This is also provided by the Scottish Government: re-vamped the private residential tenancies Law. There is now, from www.gov.scot/Resource/0052/00526249.pdf This explains in some 1 December 2017, a new tenancy regime. Most leases of houses painstaking detail the various statutory terms that the agreement granted on, or after, that date will be Private Residential Tenancies, will have to contain. Sending the tenant a Tenant Information Pack, known as PRTs in terms of the new Act. which was a requirement when entering into an old assured tenancy There is a new form of Model Private Residential Tenancy under the old rules, will no longer apply for PRTs. Agreement for PRTs, which the Scottish Government has provided: This is an increasing burden on private landlords. Undoubtedly, it www.gov.scot/Resource/0052/00526246.pdf Landlords take note! may have the effect of pushing up rents, but remember that under the You do not have to use this Model Agreement, but the new Act new Act, Private Landlords are already subject to potential rent control provides for certain terms that must be included in all PRTs. These terms in pressure zones, and cannot get their tenants out as easily. are shown in bold in the Model Agreement. There are quite a lot of them, It seems to form part of a general policy pursued by the covering rent, rent increases, deposits, insurance, the repairing standard Westminster and Scottish Governments to discourage private-rented and gas, electrical and fire safety, payment for sector tenancies. Where this leaves the repairs, ending the tenancy. housing market is a moot point. Arguably, There is also a range of optional clauses, it will reduce the very important rented which may be included; these are shown in the sector and the availability of properties, thus It seems to form part of a Model Agreement in ordinary font. There are pushing up rents. From a Landlord’s point of general policy pursued by many fewer of these, appearing mostly towards view steps have already been taken to make the end of the Model Agreement. They cover borrowing less tax advantageous, and to the Westminster and Scottish contents and their condition, council tax, utilities, penalise the second-home buyer, not only on Governments to discourage alterations, pets, smoking, with a provision at Land and Building Transaction Tax, but also the end to add additional tenancy items. private-rented sector tenancies the Additional Dwelling supplement which is The Government has been good enough to 3% of the price. issue easy-read notes for the Model Agreement, What happens is anyone’s guess, but it the website for which is: is probably on the whole not good for Private www.gov.scot/Resource/0052/00526243.pdf If the Model Landlords, not good for the long-term future of the private-rented Tenancy Agreement is used, Landlords must provide tenants sector. One has to ask the question, “where are people going to live if with a copy of these easy-read notes, so you had better buy a they are not building Council houses, if they are discouraging private photocopier, as it runs to 50 pages! tenancies, and it is too expensive to buy?”

If you are doing your own PRT Agreement you must include As always, if you are going to do a PRT or any form of tenancy, those items shown in bold in the Model Agreement, so I anticipate take legal advice, this article is simply general information. that most people will use the Model Agreement. If Landlords do In the meantime, enjoy reading the 50, and 20, pages of supporting chose to draft their own PRT, rather than use the Model Agreement, notes and other documents if you log on! they must give tenants a copy of the Private Residential Tenancy Statutory Terms Supporting Notes document, which itself runs to 20

21

SHOPS & SERVICES Allison Beard, advises

Keeping Active with Arthritis This Winter What activities do you have planned this winter?

Perhaps you enjoy a brisk walk along the west sands of St Andrews or a relaxing one through the forests of Tentsmuir with the fresh smell of pine needles.

Some of us look forward to the thrill of gliding on skis over silky, snowy pistes in Glenshee or the Alps.

Whatever your passion, don’t let the pain of arthritis slow you down in winter.

• • •

•

•

Our top tips for getting fit this winter: •

Start some low-impact and non-impact activities such as gentle walking, swimming, water exercise and cycling as soon as possible.

Remember to warm-up and include a gradual cool-down to help reduce the likelihood of aggravating joint pain.

Spread your activity throughout the day (e.g., three 10-minute sessions). Set time goals rather than distance goals.

Start slowly and gradually progress the intensity and duration of your workouts.

Take frequent breaks during activity if needed.

Consult with us on improving your walking gait, we provide practical advice on shoe selection and fit customised Formthotics for maximum shock absorption.

Manual therapy and pulsed Ultrasound have also demonstrated clinical effectiveness in reducing the pain and inflammation associated with Arthritis.

This 60-minute session includes a full functional assessment: cardiovascular screen: respiratory check up: spinal range of motion and functional movement screening examination.

During the assessment you can discuss your specific fitness goals with Mrs Beard who will provide you with a personalised training programme, along with exercise prescription and recommendations for follow up treatments; supplements and dietary recommendations.

Call St Andrews Osteopaths on 01334 477 000 for further information or you can make an enquiry on our website at www.standrewsosteopaths.co.uk

A Winter Wellness Consultation is now available at St Andrews Osteopaths.

(Photo courtesy Allison Beard)

Sophie Butler chatted to Flora Selwyn about her

Flourishing Entrepreneurship It’s always a joy to recount success. Sophie, through hard work, with work published in magazines. “She was perseverance, and always knowing exactly what she wants, is “now wonderful”, able to offer the whole range of living her dream.” beauty treatments, as well as working with Born in Cannes, Southern France, school was something Sophie existing staff. “It’s a really lovely combination was obliged to live through, without great enthusiasm. However, her we have,” enthuses Sophie, “the hair and the incredibly perceptive headmaster set her in the direction truly meant beauty,” so that weddings and parties can – hairdressing, which he suggested Sophie might find interesting. As have everything in one place. Aileen’s sister she described it, Sophie immediately found a Saturday job with a local is “my salon manager”, making the business hairdresser, “and that was it!” From an indifferent school career, Sophie seemingly run by a family. at once took flight, gaining A-grades in all her subsequent training Gents are also catered for. Often wives courses. In France, hairdressing is taken very seriously, “if you want coming in for an appointment, bring along your own salon you have to have a professional diploma” gained after their husbands too. Sophie says, “I love to long, meticulous training. watch men getting pampered, you know, After college, Sophie worked in prestigious 5-star salons where because they don’t really do much pampering!” Salon, the barber, sees customer satisfaction reigns supreme. Based in the centre of Cannes, to that, offering hot shaves, beard trimming, facial massage, all in a wealthy clients regularly included those real barber’s chair that appeals to men. attending the famous Film Festival. Then, aged Training is of the greatest importance in 22, she met Tim Butler, who was with his band the salon. Fashions change, necessitating of musicians, playing for the sheer joy of music. constant readjustments to keep up. Sophie Sophie, through hard work, It was love at first sight – but of course! applies her French approach to attaining the perseverance, and always Married, and arrived in St Andrews, highest standards, but has no ambitions to Sophie opened her first salon in 1999 in South become a school. Her rewards are manifest, knowing exactly what she Street with 4 stations, as she calls them. This having three generations of the wants, is “now living her dream.” frequently expanded to 12 stations when the salon moved same family as regular clients. Sophie to Greyfriars for 14 years. That place became regards them all as friends. too small, prompting Sophie to look for bigger Husband Tim co-owns the St Andrews premises – not easy to find in St Andrews!

Brewery, playing music “for fun” every Fortuitously, Schmooze moved out from South Street. Sophie Thursday night at the Criterion, also at the Balgove Night Market. found it a challenge. The premises are huge, “a big step forward. I was He used to coach the Madras rugby club too. Daughters India and quite nervous at first.” Initially intended to be simply a hairdressing Georgia are both at university, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. While Georgia salon, Sophie realized the potential for expansion into a beauty helps at the salon, her sister prefers to be with animals! Their mother salon as well. This was a long-held ambition, but as Sophie didn’t doesn’t subject them to any pressure to join her, though she would be want to offer services in which she was not an expert, she asked delighted if they chose to. her friend Aileen Wallace-Edgar to join her. Aileen was working as a Sophie’s success is encapsulated in her own words – “I look forward company educator for the prestigious IIAA, focusing on advanced skin to going to work! treatments, make-up and nutrition, a background in the fashion makeup industry participating in London Fashion Week, and the BBC, also (Photo courtesy Sophie Butler)

22

SHOPS & SERVICES Hugo D’Bere, your Grizzly Gourmet, reviews

Kazoku

6a Greyfriars Gardens, St Andrews This restaurant describes itself as a Japanese with avocado encased in rice with spicy Fusion Restaurant, serving things like sushi mayonnaise, 8 pieces of that for £6. Again, and haggis. with pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce.

Muffy was away and I was in St Andrews This was quite bulky and the flavour quite alone, so on a wet Wednesday night sweet. decided to try the town’s own “Japanese For the main course I had a chicken Fusion Restaurant.” Not being familiar with Katsu, a deep-fried chicken with panko Japanese food I thought I needed some breadcrumbs and a fruity sauce. This came guidance. The staff were certainly very in at £8.00. friendly, and most of them I think the meal was seemed American, so I got very healthy and I left the strange feeling I was in pleasantly full.

California.

For dessert I had I think the meal was The menu includes nigiri, three mochi balls. One very healthy and I sushi, hot dishes – I assume was coconut, one mango, everything one would expect and one yuzu, which is left pleasantly full in a Japanese restaurant. I Japanese citrus. The had seared salmon nigiri as Mango was bland, the one of the starters, which as coconut was very nice, the description said, was seared salmon on while the yuzu was excellent. Each was top of rice served with pickled ginger and coated in a sort of pastry, which, I was told, wasabi, soy sauce available. Two pieces was made with rice flour (that, however, were quite filling for £5.25. didn’t quite tickle this Bear’s taste buds).

I also had a Kazoku ginger roll, which In terms of drinks, I had a pint of Kirin was deep fried ginger tempura style Japanese Beer. They have a good quality,

but limited wine list, and an extensive selection of saki. They also have cocktails, mocktails, and the usual spirits.

The total bill came to £32.23, service included.

If you want to become more adventurous, there is Miso soup and Sashimi.

Suitable for the Cubs, good for groups.

What they might want to do is have a set menu, especially for people like me who are not 100% au fait with Japanese food and drink. It might encourage people to try a set menu then move on from there.

Kate Walder, an evidence-based Chiropractor in St Andrews

Easing the pain of perfect posture I’m interested in the science of the human body, and enjoy reading Forget being poker straight for hours on end, the variation in posture is research, busting the myths that so often surround physical therapy. key as this relieves stress on the body. Even postures such as sitting My aim is to provide straightforward cross-legged on your chair or feet up on explanations and simple pain relief to my the desk (boss dependent) are up for patients. grabs, just not for too long at one time.

Get creative, and most importantly How many of us sit at a desk for most of Getting up and standing is also the day? Out of those, how many of us would important, even just for short periods. If RELAX. You’re now implementing you work alone, you could indulge in just admit that our sitting posture is a bit more, best posture practice and your shall we say ‘relaxed’, than those ergonomics standing up whenever you fancy it, even pictures with the perky worker sitting in the adding in some shoulder wiggles if you’re body will thank your for it. ultimate position for desk domination? getting tense. If you work with others, I’m going to hazard a guess that it’s most how about a trip to the water cooler or the of us. Even if we can figure out all the angles, printer? It all counts. I stand up whenever set up our desk to the max and sit in the ‘perfect’ posture, after a few the phone rings and walk about as I talk. This way it’s a no-brainer, I’m minutes, it becomes uncomfortable and we begin to shift about. This is ensured regular movement breaks without even having to plan.

NORMAL and not a sign that you How frequently do you need to move? Your body will often tell you are hopelessly flawed and need it’s had enough of a particular posture. Like when we roll over in bed, to start balancing books on your it’ll feel good to change posture. In terms of standing up, once or more head. per hour if you can, even just for a few seconds.

For so long we have talked Give this all a try next time you’re about ‘good posture’, as if there is desk bound for the day. Get a holy grail of positioning that will creative, and most importantly keep us from harm while sitting RELAX. You’re now at a desk. Here’s the good news: implementing best there is no ultimate posture. No posture practice posture, held for long periods is and your body will good for you. thank your for it.

OK, so what do you need to do? Well, science recommends moving from posture to posture as you go though your day.

23

SHOPS & SERVICES Jonnie Adamson

Stepping Over the Threshold of your Main Home The Chancellor’s second budget of the year was interesting, not so much in its content, but in that there is now a noticeable split in how much of the budget is relevant to Scotland.

The headline-making stamp duty land tax changes do not have a direct effect in Scotland. It will be interesting to see how the Scottish government reacts to the raising of the threshold for first-time buyers as it will be applied in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Average house prices in Scotland will mean it will not affect as large a proportion of the population as it will in the south-east of England; so such a change may not carry as much political weight here.

Housing was the main issue of the budget, as the focus once again turned to encouraging ownership of your own home. There are a number of tax reliefs on the main home, some that are perhaps taken for granted, others that are not so well known.

Income tax Letting out a room in your house to a lodger qualifies for tax exemption on the first £7,500 of income (£3,750 per person if let jointly). This useful relief can be used against B&B income in certain situations, helping save tax and administration on lower incomes.

Capital gains tax Significant tax relief is also available on the growth in the value of your home. As long as your house has been your main residence for as long as you have owned it there will be no capital gains tax payable on any gain you make on its sale. Tax may be payable when there are periods when your house is not your main residence. Any gains may be partly covered by your capital gains tax annual exemption of £11,300. If you let out a property at any point that has been your main residence, you

24

may be further entitled to up to £40,000 exemption (potentially doubled when joint owners). Furthermore, the last 18 months of ownership will be treated as your main residence whether you have lived there or not.

Inheritance tax The phased introduction of the Nil Rate Residence band allows for increased exemption from inheritance tax on the main home of up to £175,000 per person by 2021. Specific conditions need to be met, including that the home should be left to direct descendants, but this can be a valuable additional relief from inheritance tax.

VAT Whilst the sale of a house is normally exempt from VAT, the sale of new houses is zero rated for VAT purposes, allowing building contractors to reclaim the VAT spent on development. If you build a house yourself you are not at a disadvantage to contractors as you can reclaim the VAT through the DIY builder’s scheme. VAT reclaims can be made direct to HMRC by non-VAT registered individuals when the house is finished.

As you can see, there are a number of reliefs available on your main home, much more so than any other investment. I would argue that this puts an upwards pressure on values when compared to less tax-efficient investments. I wonder whether this was in the Chancellor’s plans?

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

SHOPS & SERVICES

Roving Reporter still roving!

1. Chris Sproson contacted Reporter: “Joining the mix of Contemporary Art Galleries in the historic town of St Andrews is Sproson Gallery and Framer (01334 474 331), which opened on 1st December in a historic building at 138 South Street, the former home of Rummage. The Gallery, although revitalised, will retain the building’s traditional features and fittings. Since 1981, A & M Sproson Picture Framers, have operated a family-run bespoke custom picture-framing workshop in Gregory Place. The new Contemporary Art Gallery will pull together threads of the family’s successful framing business. Having worked with a wide, diverse clientele, from individuals and artists to Museums, Chris Sproson now aims to create a ‘conversation’ among artworks from different genres, with an emphasis on combining established and emerging talent with an exceptional trove of works by local and national artists. The Gallery also displays hand-painted ceramics, contemporary jewellery by young local artists, as well as a selection of limited-edition prints, also mixed media artworks. Importantly, it retains the traditional aims of the Sproson Brand in offering a variety of art-related services, including quality in-house custom framing and design, art consultation, restoration and installation, alongside an energetic, diverse selection of Contemporary Art exhibition programming throughout the year. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10.00am-6.00pm and Sunday 12noon-4.00pm.” Reporter wishes Chris every success.

2.

Reporter had the pleasure of hearing from another couple who have returned: “When Munch Sandwich Shop & Takeaway appeared on the market, Andrew and Verity Martin jumped at the chance to move from Edinburgh back to their hometown of St Andrews. With Andy having worked in hospitality for the last 9 years and Verity growing up in the industry, it was an easy enough transition, and one they have enjoyed since taking the reins in March 2017. Based at 209c South Street (01334 477 009), the Westport end, Munch is an established small business in the town, in which Andy and Verity have continued the winning formula created by the previous owners.

The menu includes fresh breakfast rolls, homemade soups, daily hot specials, all delivered at a speedy pace and reasonable price.

We are very keen to ensure that St Andrews stays true to local small businesses, especially with the influx of some big high-street names. We want to be able to serve locals, students, and visitors, to the best of our ability, at the best value. How about popping in for ‘Probably the Best Bacon Roll in the World’? You’ll see the sign!

Opening times: Mon-Sat 7.00am-4.00pm, Sunday 8.00am-3.00pm.”

Deserves another detour, says Reporter, hungrily.

(Photo courtesy Munch)

***** (Photo courtesy Chris Sproson)

*****

We have pleasure in offering: • a mobile hairdresser • cutting/colouring services • party/wedding hair styling 07445 764 289

hannahmilner893@hotmail.co.uk

25

EVENTS From Louise Robertson, Press & Media Manager

StAnza 2018 In just a few weeks’ time the stage will be set to celebrate the 21st anniversary of StAnza, Scotland’s International Poetry Festival, with a festival to remember. For five days St Andrews will be awash with poets from all over the world, as the annual event brings together some of the most exciting names in poetry together with new and emerging talent. The beautiful Fife town will once again become the lively hub and home to the much-loved festival, StAnza.

StAnza, which takes place from 7th to 11th March, traditionally opens with a show-stopping first-night performance. Audiences will certainly not be disappointed this year as StAnza 2018 opens with a free gala performance, showcasing some of the highlights of the Festival. Headline poets will read and perform, interspersed with film, music, art, as a fitting celebration for such an exciting milestone in StAnza’s history.

The opening-night gala will launch the five-day Festival with a line-up including internationally-acclaimed poets from Scotland, the UK, and overseas. Among the headline poets appearing this year is Sinéad Morrissey, who recently won the prestigious Forward Prize for Poetry, is a former Belfast Poet Laureate, and T S Eliot prize winner. She is joined by former Scots Makar, Liz Lochhead; with Scottish poet and jazz musician, Don Paterson, who will be in conversation with Marie-Elsa Bragg, daughter of Melvyn Bragg.

Also on the programme is Gillian Allnutt, who was awarded The Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry last year; Tara Bergin, winner of the Seamus Heaney First Collection Prize in 2014; up and coming Scottish poet William Letford.

Others include Rachael Boast, who won the Forward Prize for Best First Collection; Michael Symmons Roberts, a previous winner of the Forward Prize, the Costa Poetry Prize, and the Whitbread Poetry Award; the controversial prize-winning South Korean poet, Ko Un. StAnza traditionally focuses on two themes, interweaving with each other to give each annual festival its own unique flavour.

Liz Lochhead

Sinéad M

26

(© Floria

This year’s themes are, Borderlines, and, The Other highlights include a range of exciting Self. As the issue of borders becomes ever art exhibitions and installations, some of more topical and fraught, Borderlines, StAnza’s which will engage with other centenaries in first theme for 2018, opens a dialogue on how 2018, such as the Muriel Spark 100, and W S poetry can respond to, and engage with, a Graham’s. Artists taking part include Rachel world connected through culture, but divided on Hazell, Julie Johnstone, and Alan Vest, who maps. Festivals themselves are liminal spaces, provides the portraits for The Guardian’s My taking place at the borders of the everyday, Writing Day column. StAnza will also mark the acting as transformative experiences, publication of Douglas Dunn’s first collection meeting places for the in more than 16 years, unexpected. This theme with a very special With around 60 poets taking part will also explore the Round Table event with in over 80 events in St Andrews, borders blurred, when it’s impossible to mention them all, him.Finally, StAnza different artforms find but there is certainly something to common ground. plans to introduce suit everyone’s taste For the second some al fresco theme, issues around poetry to St Andrews, the presence or absence of The Self in poetry developing on an idea from the 2017 festival. will be considered, as well as looking at Last year, on the Saturday of StAnza, Harry persona and masks versus autobiography and Giles and Katherine McMahon spent time on memoir, ego or id. Questions will be asked the buses, and at the bus stations between about how poetry engages with the physical St Andrews, Dundee, and Leuchars, sharing and mental self, with the political and personal poetry with commuters and travellers. The self, how poetry approaches and reflects idea was to enable unexpected and unplanned historic as well as contemporary issues around encounters with poetry. identity.

This year, poets will be performing poetry In the last two years StAnza has introduced around St Andrews. However, as poetry a dedicated language focus to the festival busking can require a relatively thick skin, programme focusing on German, more recently StAnza will be altering the concept slightly.

French, under the title, La Nouvelle Alliance.

Poets and performers will be going around Continuing with the success of these, a the town in pairs, filming each other on highlight for 2018 will be a focus on languages smartphones with the idea that they’ll perform of the Netherlands, Going Dutch. This will see more to camera than to the public. The footage Dutch, Flemish, Frisian-speaking poets taking will be promoted via social media channels as part, along with other events with a Dutch part of the Festival’s continued development of connection. digital. The hope is to open up the possibility of StAnza is also delighted to be part of those chance encounters with passers-by.

Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018 (YoYP With around 60 poets taking part in over 80 2018) the latest of the Scottish Government’s events in St Andrews, it’s impossible to mention series of themed years, following the Year of them all, but there is certainly something to History, Heritage and Archaeology in 2017. suit everyone’s taste. So, come along and The YoYP 2018 will inspire Scotland through join the many poets, musicians, visual artists, its young people aged 8 to 26, celebrating their filmmakers, who’ll be bringing the historic Fife achievements, valuing their contributions to town alive with poetry, music, and art for five communities and creating new opportunities days from 7th to 11th March. for them to shine locally, nationally, globally.

As part of this we’re excited to be collaborating (Photos courtesy StAnza) with the Byre Youth Theatre for a special event titled, Catastrophe/Forms: WW1 in 9 Pictures.

The event features war poetry for the end of the WW1 commemorations, but in the voices of young people, from St Andrews, from other countries, looking ahead to the future.

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(© Alastair Co

William Letford

(© Billy Chris Scott)

EVENTS

Selected Events Tuesday, 2 January – 10.00am. Forgans, Market Street. Kids’ Cinema: Beauty & the Beast (Disney film). Tickets £6.50 adults, free for under-3s. Booking recommended. Contact: 01334 466 973, events@forgansstandrews.co.uk

Wednesday, 31 January – 7.30pm.

Younger Hall, North Street. Concert.

The Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Music

by Beethoven, Prokofiev, Shostakovich.

Wednesday, 10 January – 12.30pm.

The New Golf Club, 2-5 Gibson Place, St Andrews. Preparing for making Tax Digital. A learning lunch of the St Andrews Business Club. £8. Contact: secretary@standrewsbusinessclub.co.uk

Monday, 5 February – 7.30pm. Byre Theatre. Chaplain’s Conversations: Prof Steve Reicher talks to University Chaplain Donald MacEwan. Contact: chaplaincy@st-andrews.ac.uk

Sunday, 21 January – 2.00pm. New Picture House, St Andrews. Rigoletto

by Verdi. Live from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. For further information (and booking) contact: nph.nphcinema.co.uk Wednesday, 24 January – 5.30pm.

The New Golf Club, 2-5 Gibson Place, St Andrews. North-East Fife 2018.

The St Andrews Business Club.

Non-members, £5. Contact: secretary@standrewsbusinessclub.co.uk Friday, 26 January – 12 noon to 2.00pm.

Town Hall, St Andrews. Soup lunch.

The RNLI St Andrews Fundraising Branch. Contact: 01334 476 347.

*****

Tuesday, 6 February – 7.30pm.

Lecture Theatre B, Chemistry Dept.

North Haugh. Talk: Biodiversity Work in Tayside & Fife. A joint meeting, Friends of the Botanic Garden & Scottish Wildlife Trust. Contact: friendsmembership@standrewsbotanic.org

Monday, 12 February – 7.30pm.

Byre Theatre. Chaplain’s Conversations: Prof Ineke De Moortel talks to University Chaplain Donald MacEwan. Contact: chaplaincy@st-andrews.ac.uk Wednesday, 14 February – 5.30pm. The New Golf Club, 2-5 Gibson Place, St Andrews.

Marketing-getting your message across.

The St Andrews Business Club.

Non-members, £5 Contact: secretary@standrewsbusinessclub.co.uk – 7.00pm. New Picture House, St Andrews.

Twelfth Night. The Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon.

For further information (and booking) contact: nph.nphcinema.co.uk

Saturday, 10 February – 10.00am to 11.30am. Town Hall, St Andrews.

Friends of Rymonth Coffee Morning.

Contact: 01334 476 347.

Thursday, 15 February – 7.30pm. Byre Theatre.The Cremona String Quartet.

Music by Boccherini, Verdi, Respighi.

The St Andrews Music Club. Contact: paul.spicker@googlemail.com

Sunday, 11 February – 2.00pm. New Picture House, St Andrews. Tosca by Puccini. Live from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. For further information (and booking) contact: nph.nphcinema.co.uk

Wednesday, 28 February – 12.30pm.

The New Golf Club, 2-5 Gibson Place, St Andrews. Modern Apprenticeships.

A learning lunch of the St Andrews Business Club. £8. Contact: secretary@standrewsbusinessclub.co.uk

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ORGANISATIONS Jill Anderson reports on

St Andrews Men’s Shed – a brilliant opening day! (for The Net)

Bright sunshine set the scene for a brilliant Clean and Green Team, and Men’s Shed launch on Sunday, 29 October.

St Andrews in Bloom, all coming Maybe it also helped that we all had an extra together at a sustainable hub. hour in bed, thanks to the clocks going back Transition chose Green an hour that morning. Whatever the reason, Week for the opening of their it just seemed as if everyone was in a good share of the community space mood! From our Men’s Shed members (the Kernel), a week dedicated demonstrating how to make bird boxes and to celebrating all things green, planters, to the children making artwork out of sustainable, and eco-friendly, bicycle tyres; from the tangy freshly-pressed providing an opportunity to apple juice, to the delicious salsa verde made raise awareness of Climate from freshly-picked produce from one of Change & Environment through Transition University’s allotments; from our lots of activities across Town MP Stephen Gethins’ cheerful smile, to the and Gown. Since the Kernel is a space that amber glow of the trees – it was a delightful Men’s Shed members with the Clean and occasion from start to Green Team helped to finish. construct, we decided So given that this was a As avid readers of to join the party and significant moment in the The Net, you will know publically launch life of the St Andrews Men’s that Saint Andrew’s our newly-prepared Episcopal Church helped workshop too! The two Shed, we decided we needed to fund the St Andrews sheds – the Kernel and someone well known to Men’s Shed, which forms the Men’s Shed – joined perform the official opening! a part of the Community by a hand-made roof, Space at the Botanic which gives extra shelter Garden, with Transition University, St Andrews and space for activities (pictured) – was under Environmental Network, including the construction over the summer under the eagle

Men’s Shed members construct a planter eye and steady hand of Chief of Works, Henry Paul. Under his charge, Men’s Shed has just launched as an independent organisation after spending the first 18 months of its life under the auspices of Express Group (for which I am the local Group Coordinator).

So given that this was a significant moment in the life of the St Andrews Men’s Shed, we decided we needed someone well known to perform the official opening! Who better to ask than our MP, Stephen Gethins, who lives nearby and is very supportive of the community activity in North East Fife, (he also lends his support to the vision we have for a Community Café within a Hub which will complement the work currently being done at the Botanic Garden. We look forward to his continued support in the future, along with Willie Rennie, our MSP). When Stephen kindly agreed to come to launch St Andrews’ new community sustainability hub, we knew we could expect a well-attended event! And this proved to be an accurate prediction!

We welcomed students and townsfolk who came along to enjoy all the activities laid on – apple pressing, chutney tasting, bicycle art workshops, woodworking demonstrations, pizza oven construction, along with the launch of two further initiatives: Toolshare (Sharing Economy Project), and the ‘Leafies’ (Green Film Festival). As per usual for Men’s Shed, we were provided for by Pret a Manger – who donated their end-of-Saturday stock for visitors to enjoy free of charge, along with warm, seasonal soup. It was also lovely to be supported by Jack Lord and Alan Werrity from our congregation, with other friends, as well as members of our families.

Most importantly, we hope that this launch attracted new members to the St Andrews Men’s Shed, so that we can reach more guys wishing to make new friendships and learn new skills! In St Andrews members come from all walks of life and ages, just as they do throughout the worldwide movement. The bond that unites them is that they have time on their hands, skills they would like to learn, or share, and the desire to do something meaningful with their time. If you would like to know more about the St Andrews Men’s Shed then please contact: Jill Anderson 07875 085 410 or Henry Paul 07977 131 635.

(Photos courtesy Jill Anderson)

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ORGANISATIONS From Rotary

St Andrews Rotary Club honours one of its own The Paul Harris Fellowship is one the highest awards for service in Rotary International. It takes the name of the man who founded Rotary in Chicago in 1906. It is awarded under the auspices of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. The citation states that the Paul Harris Fellowship is given, “in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world”.

The Rotary Club of St Andrews now has fourteen Paul Harris Fellows after this month’s induction of Rotarian Walter Hill. During his thirty years in Rotary, Walter has chaired four Rotary committees, including both Foundation and International. In his current role as convener of the Ways and Means Committee he has worked with a team of committed people, which has raised £60,000 in the past five years.

President Gordon Wowk congratulated the new Fellow during a short induction ceremony. He expressed the Club’s appreciation for Walter’s work for the Club and the community it serves.

Each year the Rotary Club of St Andrews supports thirty individuals, organisations, and charities locally, nationally, and around the world.

(Photo courtesy Dennis Hopper)

Walter Hill reports

On Music The world-class Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO) comprises a unique collection of talented musicians who inspire and connect with people of all ages.

They aim to provide as many opportunities as possible, to people of all ages, to hear live orchestral music by touring the length and breadth of Scotland, and around the world as proud ambassadors for Scottish cultural excellence.

The Orchestra makes a significant contribution to Scottish cultural life on the concert platform and beyond, working in schools, hospitals, care homes, places of work, and community centres, through the SCO Connect creative-learning programme.

The SCO is Orchestra in Residence at the University of St Andrews.

As well as bringing six concerts each year to the Younger Hall, the University, with SCO Connect, collaborate on a number of innovative projects, including master classes, workshops, the St Andrews and Fife Community Orchestra (StAFCO), as well as a series of lunchtime recitals featuring SCO players in solo and chamber repertoire.

StAFCO stages two concerts in the Younger Hall each year, the most recent of which took place on St Andrew’s Eve 2017. The lineup reflected SCO Connect’s commitment to learning, to developing the talent of young people. The Music Centre’s Children’s Orchestra, Youth Orchestra and Youth Choir were prominently featured, along with members of local choirs. The concert also featured the Music Centre Scholarship Saxophone Quartet, and clarsach duo, Jenny Jackson and Fiona Croal.

Being on St Andrew’s Eve, a Scottish theme ran through the programme. The Welly Boot Song, performed by the Youth Choir, was

SCO cellist Su-a Lee with a pupil in her SCO Connect role.

an early highlight. StAFCO played a rousing suite of Scottish dances, and Hamish MacCunn’s Land of the Mountain and the Flood, thoroughly enjoyed by the audience.

Two unusual features were intriguing and very enjoyable: a set of traditional songs by the clarsach duo beautifully performed, while Gavin Whitlock’s Celtic Suite by the saxophone quartet was outstanding. The orchestral and choral items during the concert were conducted by JIll Craig, who also compered the show with her normal wit, charm, and mastery of the task.

The Rotary Club of St Andrews provided front-of-house services, offered coffee and juice, and held a raffle. Together with a retiring collection, these activities raised more than £1400 for Rotary charities.

A spokesman for the Club expressed thanks to the audience for their generosity, to donors of raffle prizes, juices, coffee, also to the businesses and organisations which advertised in the programme. He also said, “It really has been a privilege to work with the University of St Andrews Music Centre and the SCO. In particular, we are grateful for the cooperation of the Music Centre staff, Chris Bragg, and Rufus Sullivan, also for being offered the opportunity to be part of such a wonderful show”.

To find out where the money goes, or learn more about Rotary, visit standrewsrotary.net (Photos courtesy Rotary)

Group image, by Oli Walker, live from this concert.

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ORGANISATIONS From Jane Campbell, Secretary

The Byre Writers When The Byre Writers group had their AGM in the Byre Theatre, the following Office Bearers for 2018 were elected: Chairperson: David Gray Secretary: Jane Campbell Treasurer: Alice Cowieson Webmaster: David Morris Committee members: Lynda Martin, Sarah Schofield, Bob Donald The Byre Writers are a friendly group of writers who meet fortnightly on Saturday mornings in the Byre Theatre complex. We have regular readings, workshops, and group projects such as our rehearsed reading events.

Everyone is welcome. For more information please contact: byrewriters@outlook.com

From Michel Joullié, Founder of

The Modestine Society This new Society, of Franco-Scottish origin, He spent several periods living in France, was created in 2016 in Fortrose (north of with the Barbizon School of Painters, near Inverness), in homage to Robert Louis Fontainebleau, where he met his future Stevenson, his works and his humanism.

American wife, Fanny Osbourne. Then Stevenson is a he moved to the celebrated popular Cévennes, in novelist, born in 1850 the south, where in Edinburgh. Master The ‘MODESTINE SOCIETY’ he described of the adventure novel, his picturesque is an international Friendly he was the son of the pilgrimage with his great engineer Robert Society aiming to encourage donkey MODESTINE. Stevenson, architect Subsequently he cultural exchanges of more than 20 went into voluntary lighthouses erected in exile in California, remote and dangerous his adventures finally localities off the Scottish coasts and inventor taking him to the islands of Samoa, where he of the light signal ‘the bright flashing light’. defended the values and emancipation of the Robert Louis Stevenson‘s best known works local populations. include, Treasure Island, The Master of Aged only 44, he died in 1894 and was Ballantrae, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and buried at the top of Mount Vaea, the highest Mr Hyde, A Child’s Garden of Verses, and point of the island overlooking the sea, at the numerous other tales in which the imaginary end of the ‘road of gratitude’ in recognition takes precedence over the factual. of his humanism. RLS left his mark on his epoch, yet to this day is still a great Scottish shining light!

Luc Jacquet, Michel Joullié,

ey

Michel & donk

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Marc Jauffret

The ‘MODESTINE SOCIETY’ is an international Friendly Society aiming to encourage cultural exchanges through literature, painting, music, cinema, the traditions of sporting meetings, with events in golf, sailing, tennis, rugby, and of course gastronomy!

Our Committee: Michel Joullié (Founder) Douglas Simpson Derek Batchelor Roger Delorme Marc Jauffret We will have membership with an annual subscription, and various meetings to which you will be invited. Thanks to Maud du Jeu, Swedish artist, who produced the finished version of our logo: Inspired by a Barbizon School painting, it symbolises humility; sport; the sea; music; literature; gastronomy; tourism.

(Logo and photos courtesy Michel Joullié)

ORGANISATIONS Eric Gillespie, President, Step Rock ASC

Step Rock Amateurs Swimming Club Celebrating 90 years The Step Rock Amateurs Swimming Club is celebrating its 90th swimmer Jessica Buckett, with Karen Brennan putting the professional anniversary this year (founded in 1928), so it’s a great opportunity to touches to the design. This will be put on various items of merchandise, celebrate all the good work that has been done over the years by so gala programmes, and other materials relating to the 90th. many, and leave a legacy for future generations of Other events planned to celebrate the 90th swimmers in the town. anniversary include a gala for novice swimmers at The Club has been prominent in sport in St Andrews the East Sands Leisure Centre in September, and The Club has been over the last century, teaching many children from a day trip to the outdoor pool at Stonehaven. The St Andrews and the surrounding area how to swim, Trust has also agreed to host a display prominent in sport in Preservation providing them with the opportunity to progress, and of photos and memorabilia at some time during the St Andrews over the year. Finally, it is planned to have a photograph of all compete both locally and nationally. The Club has always been run entirely by enthusiastic and dedicated Club swimmers past and present down in the vicinity last century volunteers, who give up so much of their spare time. of the Step Rock.

That has been the ethos of the Club from day one. It is All of these things can’t happen without for that reason that the Club is flourishing today. financial support. The Club would like to thank Plans to celebrate the 90th have been underway for over a year The Community Trust, The New St Andrews-Japan Trust, Shepherd now, with a number of events arranged. The first exciting piece of news Chartered Surveyors, Thorntons, Henderson Black, Robertson is that a History of the Club is being written. A small team of dedicated Printers, Angus Wright, and The Masonic Lodge for their sponsorship. individuals has been busy researching old newspapers, Club files, and interviewing locals known to have been involved. Thanks to the assistance of Jim Whittet the book will be published by March/April 2018.

If you have any information, memorabilia, photos, or interesting This has been an extremely challenging, but exciting project, some of the stories to share about Step Rock, then please contact Eric facts and photos that we are uncovering are fascinating. I am certain that Gillespie: 07552 632 777 or email: enquiries@steprock.org.uk anyone connected with the Club, past or present or with links to the town, Website: www.steprock.org.uk or simply just interested in swimming, will enjoy reading the book.

The second significant task that is being undertaken is to host our own gala, scheduled to take place at Glenrothes on Saturday, 9 June (Photos courtesy Step Rock Club) 2018. Under the leadership of David McCallum, the Club is confident that the gala will be a great success, and that it will match any other in terms of generating team spirit, organisation, and enjoyment. It is hoped that clubs from all over Scotland will be represented; it’s possible that there might even be a club from abroad participating! There will also be a social evening at Madras FP Rugby Club following the gala, so it will be a chance for everyone to reflect on what will hopefully be a magnificent day.

The 3rd main event that will take place during the year, is a dinner dance at Rufflets Hotel on Saturday, 22 September 2018. This will be an opportunity for everyone associated with the Club, past and present, to celebrate this milestone, sharing their memories. To mark the occasion, a logo to commemorate the 90th anniversary has been designed by Club

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OUT & ABOUT James Hearsum, Director,

St Andrews Botanic Garden Over the cold dark days of winter, gardeners everywhere move into transfer project was completed in November 2017, this winter has the potting shed and carry on. Although St Andrews Botanic Garden seen the garden team training and updating data busily. Several is closed for the month of January, the horticulture team are as busy volunteer groups are being recruited to assist with record keeping, as ever. Three major projects are underway to improve our beautiful stock taking, and label production – if you are interested, please Garden this winter. email volunteer@standrewsbotanic.org to learn about current The first, a detailed assessment of every tree in the Garden, opportunities. By Easter, we expect that not only will elements of and undertaking required remedial work is, as I write, still subject to our plant records be accessible online, but that we will have been several funding applications. However, it able to replace hundreds of damaged is the most critical. St Andrews is blessed and faded labels throughout the with the grandeur of mature tree specimens, garden. We know that having labels set in established shelterbelts that enable and origins for plants in the garden is St Andrews Botanic Garden is us to grow a vast array of rare plants not greatly valued by our guests. We look proud that we have managed to otherwise seen outdoors in this climate. forward to further raising the quality of Unfortunately, almost all specimens were our guests’ experience. expand access significantly over planted in the 1960s and 70s, and so are Finally, look out for a new education, the past 3 years, with a near of uniform maturity. Significant sensitive events, and activities guide around the end surgery is essential to ensure the safety of February for 2018. With a wonderful, doubling of total visitor numbers of garden visitors as higher-risk trees are experienced, and passionate horticultural removed, crowded specimens are given the team, we are focusing on increasing space to mature, shelterbelts are restored our practical horticulture training for and replenished. As any gardener knows, judicious pruning is the recreational and professional interest. Whatever your skill level or secret to a mature and balanced garden; while essential, it also has garden interest, there will be something for you. great benefits for the whole garden. The original garden plan included St Andrews Botanic Garden is proud that we have managed to a far greater diversity of herbaceous plants and geophytes. As more expand access significantly over the past 3 years, with a near doubling light reaches the ground our horticultural team will start to enrich the of total visitor numbers. We would remind you that on the first Friday planting palette, adding complexity. of every month Garden access is totally free for everyone (Free First A second grand project has been made possible by the support Friday). If you are not one of our many regular visitors or members, of the Friends of St Andrews Botanic Garden, who have funded this is a great way to experience the garden for the first time. We look a new plant records database called IrisBG. Intuitive to use, forward to welcoming you in 2018. linked to garden maps, and with a rich dataset for many of our specimens, this new system is designed to enable public access (Photo courtesy James Hearsum to our plant records in a way never before possible. Although the (Permission to use the photo has been given by all guardians))

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OUT & ABOUT Tim Hardie’s

Nature Notes I, as an antique dealer, have always been interested in black and white etchings that were very much flavour of the day in the early twentieth century. I was fortunate the other day to purchase a lovely example of a punt-gunner, by the fabulous artist Winifred Austen. Punt-gunning in the 19th and 20th centuries was a common sight on the estuaries of the British Isles. The Wash in Lincolnshire and the Solway Firth were particularly favoured spots, where vast numbers of wildfowl could be found resting by day before heading inland at the gloaming to some distant ‘tattie’ field, or barley stubble.

The beauty or not, depending on your viewpoint, was that the gun when accurately fired could result in a bag of up to two hundred ducks, or geese. At this time, wildfowl could be sold commercially; therefore the potential bonanza on offer from a lucky shot was worth risking one’s life out on the tide.

That said, punt-gunning was, and is, notoriously dangerous. Should one manage to negotiate the tides, one never really knew where one was going to make landfall. It was not unusual for the guns to misfire and blow up in one’s face lying flat out in the boat with the gun in one’s face!

There were probably more than a few one-eyed fowlers plying their trade in these wonderful wild places!

Punt-gunner I had a visit the other day, coincidentally, from a couple of wildfowlers on their annual visit to the Tay Estuary. They had been rising early to get down to the reed beds before sunrise and had some greatly-deserved success with a bag of fifteen pink-footed and grey lag geese. I was pleased with their luck. Considering the recent count at Montrose Basin suggesting ninety-thousand pink-footed geese in the area, there is certainly no harm being done. I mentioned to my new acquaintances that I had seen a male peregrine heading over Invergowrie to the Tay Estuary, to harass the many waders that are spending the early winter on Tayside.

They, too, had seen a peregrine chasing a flock of teal, and also some bearded tits. The peregrine is quite the most noble of birds. Although difficult to locate, there is no doubt that the Eden and Tay Estuaries are winter strongholds of this most fabulous raptor. Although they might spend the winter daylight hours in the estuaries, their nights are just as likely to be spent roosting on some cliff face or castle turret many miles inland.

My lovely covey of grey partridge is still going strong. I was chuffed the other morning when going out to feed the chooks in the nettle field, when there was an almighty kerfuffle, and the whole covey exploded into the air to skim over the nearest gate into a ploughed field. I did in fact see another covey the other day near Scone, but Fife is still the saviour of Perdix perdix in Scotland, along with East Lothian.

(Etchings by Winifred Austen (in Tim Hardie’s possession))

Snipe

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OUT & ABOUT Craig Gilbert

Signposting and maintenance of Rights of Way At ScotWays we are always looking at the Rights of Way in our catalogue, with a view to improving their condition. Many of the Rights of Way in Fife are neither signposted, nor maintained by anyone, and we increasingly rely on volunteers to clear routes.

I spent some effort recently on tidying up several routes in Fife. It made me wonder if readers of St Andrews in Focus know of Rights of Way they use regularly, but that require maintenance? Do you know of anywhere you’d like cleared? Do you require signposts marking the route? Please contact us, initially, at info@scotways.com and mark it for my attention. Although there is no duty for maintaining Rights of Way, making paths safer and easier to use helps improve access for everyone.

Signposts often give the user a degree of safety. They can also provide historical information (especially if the route is a heritage path). Our familiar ‘white lettering on green background’ signs cover the whole of

Scotland; at last count we’ve got over 3000 called the Laich Road (Laich, Scots word, of them out there (this doesn’t even include means ‘low-lying land’), which joins up the our way marker discs). As you can imagine, village of Newton of Falkland with Falkland keeping them all in top-notch condition can without having to walk along the pavement be a challenge. beside the ‘B’ road (this route is also a Core Rights of Way are still important, despite Path, recognised by Fife Council’s plan). now having the Scottish Outdoor Access Once reaching Newton of Falkland there Code (under the Land is a minor country Reform (Scotland) Act Not all places have access lane that leads into 2003). Not all places woodland to the north rights; however, if a Right have access rights; of the village, and from however, if a Right of of Way exists, then you do there Freuchie can be Way exists, then you reached – all without have a right to be there do have a right to be much effort, or worry there. The landscape of being run over on a is constantly shifting, though the need for busy road! From these routes the backdrop nature connection and getting outdoors is of the Lomond Hills is clearly visible, superb just as important now as it ever was, with our in the Autumnal sun on the day I walked, the busy, frantic society. The beauty of Rights hills basking in their glory with the bright blue of Way is that one can walk, often away sky behind them. from car traffic and noise, into the deep So, the next time you consider driving countryside that makes Scotland so amazing. to the next village; why not see if there are Several routes may join up communities and paths connecting the two and have a walk towns without the need for a car. instead? Not only will you be increasing I had the pleasure of walking a delightful your health and mental wellbeing, you’ll be Right of Way from Falkland to Freuchie, safeguarding the route(s) for years to come.

(Photos courtesy Craig Gilbert)

From Walter Hamilton

The Curse on Lady Anstruther and her family Adding to Craig Gilbert’s article in Issue 85, relating the story of Lady Anstruther’s egotism, Walter Hamilton points out, “the curse on Lady Anstruther’s family by a local spaywifie was not for [forbidding people the area while she changed her clothes for sea bathing], but for having the inhabitants of a small hamlet driven from their homes and their village razed to the ground to enhance the view from her house.”

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OUT & ABOUT Arlen Pardoe

Hidden Gems in St Andrews Focussing on features that are in plain sight, though often overlooked Water As you walk the streets of St Andrews you probably pay scant attention to the pavements. You look out for people, obstacles, and other things to avoid, but the ironware on the pavements is of little interest. However, there are many examples of drains, manholes, access points, gas and water stopcocks, and other paraphernalia.

The commonest hardware is associated with water – for turning household and business supplies on and

off, and for metering the water. A wide variety of different items associated with the water supply can be seen. Some carry the letter W and others the whole word WATER. The foundry is also sometimes named, such as the Lion Foundry Kirkintilloch, or the Montrose Foundry. The description ‘Stop Tap’, ‘Stopcock’, or ‘Water Meter’ may also be indicated.

(Photos courtesy Arlen Pardoe)

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