St Andrews in Focus Issue 88 May Jun 2018

St Andrews in focus ISSN 2514-409X

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

May/June 2018 Issue 88, £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

Asked about articles in previous issues of the magazine I have to resort to my Easyfind indexing system. In fact, as soon as I’ve finished working on one issue I’m already on track with the next one. That I so easily forget what I’ve only just finished has bothered me for some time, invoking excuses, such as those Senior Moments, and all that. I therefore feel mightily encouraged by an article Kate Chisholm wrote recently in the Spectator on the same subject of forgetfulness.

She quoted Dostoevsky. In a letter to a friend he confessed that rereading his own novel Crime & Punishment, which was about remembering, he realized he had forgotten most of it! Kate Chisholm puts it down to, “Too much information to take in, too little time to process it. The result, too much forgetting.” That makes me feel heaps better! Thought I’d pass it on!

Flora Selwyn

******** The views expressed elsewhere in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor. © St Andrews in Focus (2003)

MAY / JUNE 2018 EDITOR Flora Selwyn Tel: 01334 472375 Email: editor@standrewsinfocus.com DESIGNER University of St Andrews Print & Design (printanddesign@st-andrews.ac.uk) PRINTER Winter & Simpson (stephen@wintersimpson.co.uk) DISTRIBUTER Drop 2 Door (billy@drop2door.co.uk)

Contents FEATURES

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Community Council

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Royal weddings

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The Cathedral, 700 years old

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The Poetry Garden

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Totem

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Interview with Catherine Gillard

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3 4-5

• Reviews:

– J & G Innes recommends

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– Academic Women

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– Juke Box Jeopardy

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TOWN & GOWN •

“A Maiden Fair to See…”

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Warm congratulations!

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Research in TB cure/prevention

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A Bronze Age stone

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MUSA – Philanthropy in action

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Airport Media Walls

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Canongate School’s Pop Art

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SHOPS & SERVICES •

Heart Space Whole Foods

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Harper Lee – a lack of trust?

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Roving Reporter

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ORGANISATIONS •

Tayside Opera

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St Andrews-Loches Alliance report

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Tool share

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OUT & ABOUT

NEXT ISSUE – Jul/Aug 2018 COPY DEADLINE: STRICTLY 28 MAY

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

Cover: Sunflower grown and photographed by Kazimiera Borzęcka

FEATURES Callum McLeod, from the Provost’s Chair

The Community Council Unsurprisingly, ‘roads’ is a topic which regularly features in our discussions at Community Council Meetings. Of concern to us all, whether as drivers, passengers, cyclists, even pedestrians, is the perennial problem of potholes, which, especially when full of water or rendered invisible by snow, have such a jarring impact on our nerves and our vehicles, often resulting in expensive, inconvenient visits to the garage. Traffic gridlock is another matter of great concern; not many residents would venture up town in their cars at certain times of the week.

We have recently been consulted on several traffic-related matters. We have been quick to give our views, based on local knowledge and experience. We supported a residents’ request that Queen’s Gardens be made one-way, though felt that it would be better to take traffic off South Street and down Queen’s Gardens rather than the other way round; we opposed the idea of dividing Argyle Street car park in two by installing bollards; and we saw no need for zebra crossings at either end of Church Street, with the likelihood of vehicles backing up round the fountain and along Market Street.

One side effect of increased vehicle congestion is that more and more people are rediscovering the delights and advantages of getting back on two wheels. Several groups have been formed to promote cycling in and around the town. One is “St Andrews Space for Cycling” and below are some thoughts on the subject from one of the – forgive the pun – driving forces behind that organisation, Tony Waterston: “Everyone knows that St Andrews is a walkable city, and what a joy it is to ramble on the West Sands, or take a trip out on the blowy Kinkell Braes. Hardly anywhere in the town is more than a mile away from where you start. And yet, how unpleasant walking or cycling can be in the town centre, which seems to become ever more congested with

traffic. The car is so convenient, of course, but less so when you can’t find anywhere to park and can spend 15 minutes circling looking for a spot.

This problem of course is common to many towns, and many are realising the need to tackle congestion, the damaging effects of which are beyond doubt: accidents, obesity, climate change, and air pollution, with its serious effects on the lungs, particularly of children. It is ironic that those who suffer most – children – are the ones who would generally prefer to walk, scoot, or cycle, yet heavy traffic means that parents are reluctant to allow them to do so.

Is there any route out of this conundrum? Indeed there is, and many cities around the world – particularly in Europe – are moving in the right direction by limiting car access to town centres, by investing in infrastructure for walking, cycling, and public transport. All these modes are sustainable, particularly walking and cycling, which use no carbon and encourage excellent regular exercise.

So, can we make St Andrews friendlier to those on foot and two wheels, even benefitting the local economy? Well, there is evidence that shops do better when people travel on foot or by bike, while visitors also love the feeling of walking on streets not congested with cars. They are likely to spend longer and visit oftener.

But it is not just the centre. It should be easy and safe for children to cycle to school – particularly the new Madras College – and for the older person to cycle in from their house to the shops. This requires protected cycle lanes, with roundabouts where bikes do not mix with cars. Pipedream?

No – this is happening all round the world – an exhibition concerning car-free cities will be coming to town soon.”

As always, I welcome hearing from you on any matter at callummac@aol.com or 01334 478 584.

Dum spiro spero.

Michael Buchanan muses on

Scotch Links to Right Royal Nuptials Royal Weddings (and indeed Royal the House of Windsor, including Princess pregnancies) are serious good news stories Eugenie, are all descended from James for the rest of 2018. Prince Harry and Meghan I, through his daughter Elizabeth and her Markle are to tie the knot on 19 May, Princess daughter Sophia.

Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank later in the My ancestors include an Earl of Orkney, autumn. St Andrews will be forever associated Robert Stewart (1533-1593), one of many with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and natural ‘uncles’ of James VI & I, sired their family. premaritally by James V. Robert was a On 28 November 2017, The Times grandson of James IV, Margaret Tudor and speculated on which Dukedom HM The Lord Elphinstone. This line includes my greatQueen might gift to grandmother and her Prince Harry. As the elder brother, Prof The 1st Duke of Albany would Dukedom of Albany was John Burnet, Chair of make a fitting addition to the cast mentioned, I penned a Greek at St Andrews of the Kate Kennedy Procession, response as a letter to (1892-1926), who the Editor. It appeared today names the Hall nearly 600 years after his demise on 2 December, a first of Residence. for me, and a fitting late 70th birthday present The 1st Duke of Albany was Robert too! In St Andrews there is an Albany Place, Stewart (1340-1420), younger brother of King and a younger Albany Park. The Dukedom Robert III of Scotland. His shield appears on of Albany has a very long, if sometimes the oldest (1415) Arts Faculty Mace of the colourful and chequered history, especially in University of St Andrews, gloriously exhibited Scotland, with echoes of 600 years of history. in MUSA. He was Governor of Scotland and A later piece in The Times (Robert Crampton, Regent for James I, King of Scots, prisoner 23/1/18) playfully, but acerbically, suggests in London, 1406-1424. This time includes that Jack might be a distant relative of James the first years of the University, 1410I (ie VI & I). This author failed to mention that 1414. Bishop James Kennedy, University

Chancellor, 1440-1465, was a nephew of James I. Robert’s son, Murdoch, was 2nd Duke of Albany, but all his honours were forfeit prior to his execution on Castle Hill, Stirling, in 1425, along with his sons. His daughter, Isabella, married Sir Walter, 12th Laird of Buchanan.

Subsequent Dukes of Albany include, among many, Bonnie Prince Charlie, (the ‘Young Pretender’) self-styled Count of Albany.

Since 1919, the Dukedom of Albany has been ‘suspended’ (in a dusty hanging file somewhere?). It would not be inappropriate for this title, after 99 years, to be gifted.

Should a different Dukedom be deemed more suitable for Prince Harry, perhaps Albany could be offered, with strict conditions attached, to Scotland’s Prodigal Son, President Donald J Trump, when he eventually comes back to the UK? There is already a place called Albany in New York State.

The 1st Duke of Albany would make a fitting addition to the cast of the Kate Kennedy Procession, nearly 600 years after his demise.

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FEATURES Prof. Ian Bradley, Emeritus Professor of Cultural and Spiritual History at the University of St Andrews. He is currently writing a historical and spiritual companion to the new Fife Pilgrim Way.

The Cathedral – Celebrating 700 Years Hard on the heels of last year’s commemoration of the fivehundredth anniversary of the start of the Protestant Reformation comes another important ecclesiastical anniversary with Prof Ian Bradle even greater significance for (Photo courtesy Peter Adamson) St Andrews. It was seven hundred years ago, on 5 July 1318, that the great Cathedral, which even in its ruined state still dominates the eastern end of our town, acting as a magnet for visitors and modern-day pilgrims, was consecrated.

The building of the Cathedral took over 150 years. Construction began in 1160 when it became clear that despite its enlargement just twenty years earlier, St Rule’s Church was too small to house the growing number of pilgrims coming to venerate the supposed relics of St Andrew. The long delays in completing the project were caused by both financial and structural problems, neither surprising given the scale of the building, which was among the largest in Europe, being twelve metres longer than the cathedral at Santiago di Compostella in northern Spain, and only ten metres shorter than those at York and Durham.

The consecration of the Cathedral in 1318 took place in the presence of King Robert the Bruce, who had four years earlier celebrated his victory over the English at Bannockburn. For Bruce, the Cathedral was a thank offering for this victory. He is said to have

(Photo courtesy Prof Ian Bradley)

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ridden on horseback down the nave and placed a parchment on the High Altar expressing the nation’s thanks to St Andrew. Although the relics paraded in front of the Scottish armies at Bannockburn had actually been those of two more local saints, Columba and Fillan, Bruce himself is said to have prayed on the eve of the battle to Andrew, as well as to ‘the Scottish saints’ – he also seems to have hedged his bets by praying to the English saint, Thomas of Canterbury. Many of the Scottish soldiers had worn the white cross of St Andrew on their tunics and invoked his protection before going into battle. Interestingly, Bruce’s great enemy in the Scottish Wars of Independence, the English King Edward I, known as the Hammer of the Scots, had himself come as a pilgrim to St Andrews during his attempt to conquer Scotland in 1304. He gave a gold jewel to adorn the casket containing the saint’s arm. A number of English pilgrims are recorded as coming to St Andrews on the eve of the Wars of Independence in the 1270s and 1280s, but perhaps not surprisingly, few seem to have ventured here after Bannockburn.

The completion of the Cathedral ushered in what were perhaps the boom years of pilgrimage to St Andrews. St Andrew’s relics were housed in a richly decorated coloured enamel reliquary, or morbrac, which had as many as twelve compartments, in a chapel at the east end of the Cathedral behind the high altar. The processional routes of North and South Street were laid out, possibly modelled on those in Rome and Santiago. The Cathedral was not without its problems. In 1378 a serious fire destroyed the roof. In 1389 the Prior was stabbed

(Photo courtesy Alice Brace)

FEATURES Cathedral. On other occasions, they would probably have entered by to death by a member of the Augustinian community on the night stair the north porch door in the nave and received communion at one of the leading up to the dormitory. In 1410 a severe storm brought a gable numerous side altars. They may also have taken holy water from the crashing down through the refectory and in 1421 a fight broke out deep well, which can still be seen towards the east end of the nave. among the clergy, a reminder that then, as now, all was not necessarily The north and south aisles enabled a continuous one-way traffic flow sweetness and light in the relationships between fellow Christians! beyond the crossing to the relic chapel. In addition to the opportunities However, these setbacks did not seriously affect St Andrews’ appeal for venerating the relics and participating in as a destination for pilgrims. By the middle of the services in the many places of worship around fifteenth century the city’s population had probably the town, there was also plenty of scope for reached around 3,000 including several hundred retail therapy, with stalls selling souvenirs, like monks and clergy, nearly all of whom were involved the Cathedral, even in its the pilgrim badges in the shape of Andrew’s in some way in supporting the booming business of present ruined state, still diagonal cross, which have been found across pilgrimage. has huge iconic power and Britain and beyond. Pilgrimage to St Andrews Many pilgrims journeyed for several weeks had already declined significantly before the or months, timing their arrival in St Andrews spiritual significance Scottish Reformation of 1560 brought it to the to coincide with one of the great festivals, or end that led to the abandonment and destruction feast days, when there were processions and of the Cathedral. For the last 350 years it has celebrations throughout the city. The main pilgrim been a ruin, evocative and open to the sky, sheltering within its walls season started with the celebration of the Coming of the Relics on the graves of many prominent St Andreans.

6 February (the feast day of St Merinus, who was credited in some The 700th Anniversary of the Cathedral’s consecration will be stories with accompanying Andrew’s relics to Scotland), then ended marked by an open-air Mass on the site of the old cloisters on the on St Andrew’s Day (30 November). Numerous other festivals and morning of Thursday, 5 July as part of the New Dawn gathering of holy days were celebrated in between with processions, bell ringing, charismatic Roman Catholics, who come every year to St Andrews and music, feasting, and entertainments. The huge cost of maintaining the parade a relic of St Andrew through the streets. There are plans to hold Cathedral led to indulgences being sold to pilgrims coming on special an Anglican Eucharist in the Cathedral ruins in the afternoon, while a days. As early as 1290 the Pope had granted a special indulgence for series of lectures in the University through June will focus on aspects those visiting on the Feast of the Assumption (15 August). The need of the Cathedral in its medieval heyday. It is also hoped to floodlight for funds became urgent following the fire and the collapse of the south the Cathedral ruins from this autumn, with St Andrew’s Day being a gable. Several Papal indulgences were granted to raise money for possible starting date. Seven hundred years after its consecration, the repairs during the fifteenth century, including two major ones granted Cathedral, even in its present ruined state, still has huge iconic power in 1472 and 1487 to those visiting the Cathedral on the Feast of St and spiritual significance, with the capacity to turn tourists into pilgrims, Michael (29 September). On these and other holy days, processions stimulating higher and deeper thoughts among those who enter its through the town were led by the Augustinian canons with the morbrac, hallowed precincts. which weighed around a third of a ton, being carried in procession on its bier, held high under a canopy by 24 carefully chosen strong men.

Pilgrims followed the relics in and out of the great west door of the

(Photo courtesy Prof Ian Bradley)

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FEATURES David Middleton presents the plan for the

Greyfriars’ Poetry Garden Many visitors, also some townsfolk, passing the neglected ground at A new phase in the history of this site has been initiated by a the corner of St Mary’s Street and Greyfriars Garden in the town centre group of local residents, who with enormous support from community will have noticed its neglected state. For over twenty years it has been organisations, have successfully achieved registration of the land an eyesore. From time to time local residents have tidied it up, but through the Community Right to Buy clearly, a more lasting solution has legislation. This means that it cannot been required. be sold to anyone other than the What the casual visitor to the community group. The next stage of town may not have known, is that the process will be a poll of residents this is a site of great historical in the area surrounding the garden, importance. The whole area in the which, if it results in majority support vicinity of Greyfriars Gardens once for the scheme, will see the site housed the medieval Franciscan transformed into a public garden Monastery of St Andrews. Situated featuring poetry by and about Mary at an ancient gateway to the town Queen of Scots. was the chapel of the religious order It is planned to make the garden known as the Greyfriars. It would fully accessible to people with have been the first point of contact for disabilities. A feature will be scented many pilgrims on their arrival after a roses, which were in cultivation long journey. in Mary’s time. Planning consent St Andrean, Margaret Lumsdaine, has already been obtained for the past president of the Marie Stuart garden, which has been designed Society, tells me that in 1560 Scotland by world-renowned architect reformed from the Roman Catholic Robert Steedman. A further plan is religion to that of Protestantism, and to erect a statue of Queen Mary in Plan of the garden that on 17th April 1567, a few this appropriate location. months before her abdication, Much work lies ahead to What the casual visitor to the town may not have known, Mary Queen of Scots ‘conceded turn this imaginative project into is that this is a site of great historical importance and disponed’ the lands which reality. But the responses and were the property of the Dominican offers of assistance from many and Franciscan Monasteries in St Andrews to the Provost, baillies, town organisations and individuals confirm it to be an exciting prospect councillors, and community of St Andrews. However, this transfer of with wide support. We may therefore look forward to this historic land property was not done without some humanity. The monasteries were – gifted to the town at a time of religious turmoil – being once more given a concession to remain until the last monk in each monastery returned to public ownership, providing a quiet place of retreat within the died, but of course they were not maintained after the Charters were busy town centre. signed off.

Ken Roberts

Totem What mysterious Presence is this That sends a bird to flight Clutching golden thread Circling then perching On the clock tower’s finial.

Waiting . . .

Then, whether time Is right or not, descends, Weaving sacred thread Through heart and soul To involuntary hands Where, at the end of pen or brush appears An image, unintended, Bearing all the hallmarks Of a product of the Presence.

A rare, unadulterated totem.

Hallelujah

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An original painting by Ken Roberts, ‘The Walk to Kinkell Braes’

FEATURES Kirsty Rough interviewed

Catherine Gillard Q. You play Mary in the upcoming production of The Monster and Mary Shelley. What can people expect when they come to see the play?

A. An entertaining production celebrating the fascinating life of Mary Shelley, asking questions about how and why she went about writing her most famous novel, Frankenstein. As a one-woman performance the story is told from Mary’s point of view, using different incidents from her life, but we look at these from a contemporary view – as if Mary were here today and looking back from now.

This isn’t a naturalistic drama – it’s an atmospheric and abstract interpretation of what she might be thinking today looking back.

Q. How did you prepare for the role, and what are the challenges of playing Mary Shelley?

A. I think this is the first time that I have played a real person, someone who actually lived and breathed – although daunting, no more so than interpreting a well-known fictional character that has been played by hundreds of performers before. In the case of a fictional character from a play by, for example, Shakespeare, Brecht or Chekov, you have a complete text to interpret. The story is there for you and you are free to play that character as you will. There are no rules. With a real person from 200 years ago you have their work, with accounts of their life and times written by different people. These are what we looked at and drew opinions from. There are no videos or interviews, no photos or films – you are free to interpret, but also remain respectful of what you feel they were trying to achieve.

Q. What are your views on the original Frankenstein novel?

A. That it is very different from the many different interpretations that have been made since. Frankenstein is not so much a horror story, more the first science fiction novel, a novel of ideas – taking a very real scientific premise and exploring it’s consequences on humanity. It’s a tough read, but the ideas within it remain completely relevant today.

Q. The play explores some of the events in Mary’s life that led to the creation of Frankenstein. How do you weave humour into this sometimes tragic story?

A. We have to remember that Mary Shelley was a teenager when she wrote Frankenstein. She didn’t lead up to writing this book with the idea that it would define her – she was just living and coping with everything that life threw at her. And it wasn’t all wonderful; her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft, died very shortly after Mary’s birth; her father remarried very soon afterwards and Mary didn’t get on particularly well with her new stepmother; she was well educated then bundled off to Scotland around the age of 14; then she met Percy Bysshe Shelley, who was already married. They fell in love and ran away to Europe. She was sixteen! She wanted her own life, she was a teenager.

She must have been pretty wild, and that on its own gives a humour, a spark of life – not just a tragedy. All this, plus the fact that she was hanging out with artistic, radical libertarians, all for challenging the norms. There had to be funny stuff going on!

Q. The play is set to a pulsing, contemporary cinematic music score. How important is the music accompanying the show?

A. Very – not just music, but sound in general. We have an exciting and original soundtrack composed by Richard Williams. From the beginning we felt this show should have a cinematic feel.

Perhaps influenced by the many famous films that have been based on the novel, it is classic gothic territory. Thunder, lightning, mad scientists, theramins…. We wanted to take these kinds of effects and explore the notion of fear with them – and then play with them as part of Mary’s real life and legacy. There’s music too of course – to help create atmosphere with

a sense of place. Mary was well travelled; born in 19th century London she spent a significant time in Scotland as a teenager, and travelled widely in Europe in her first 25 years. We touch on a lot of these places. Music helps to delineate between them.

Q. Having delved into the life Mary Shelley, what do you most admire about her?

A. I found it extraordinary that by the age of 25 Mary had lived through the loss of her mother, 4 children and her husband, not to mention the suicide of both her half-sister, Fanny and her husband’s first wife, Harriet. Her ability to cope with this level of tragedy, yet continue to live and work in a society where female writers were still not accepted was amazing. But most of all I admire her imagination and intelligence; to write a novel that continues to fascinate and spark ideas to this day is an astonishing achievement.

Photos courtesy Kirsty Rough (taken by Neil & Stewart)

Q. What interpretation does the play have of the book’s impact?

A. One of the most extraordinary things about the book is its enduring nature – 200 years later and it fascinates people as much as it ever did. The idea of playing with nature, creating new and ‘improved’ life with science, is something that is still ongoing. Through exploring Mary’s life we look at the effects that the book has had on the way we live today.

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FEATURES: REVIEWS

Children’s Activity Books Recommended by J & G Innes Watch out parents! The summer holidays are not far away. Here are some healthy and stimulating alternatives to the snares of technology. All of these books will harness the boundless energies of your child and, hopefully, preserve your own.

National Trust: Nature Origami

Bear Hunt Explorer’s Journal

Fingerprint Activities Garden

Card Games to Play

Illustrated by Clover Robin Published: 1/3/18.

Age: 7+.

By Selina Hastings Published: 3/2/05.

Age: 4+.

By Anonymous Published: 6/4/1.

Age: 6+.

By Usborne Publishing Ltd Published: 1/11/15.

Age: 6+.

Jungle Magic Painting Book

By Sam Taplin Hunt Published: 1/3/17.

Age: 3+.

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FEATURES: REVIEWS Ted Brocklebank reviews

Academic Women Here!

On being a female academic at the University of St Andrews Editors: Aileen Fyfe, Ineke De Moortel, and Sharon Ashbrook Published by the University of St Andrews, 2018.

These have been testing times for male chauvinists. In Hollywood and Holyrood alike the sex pests have had their comeuppance. Politically, on both sides of the border, our governments are led by women. The nation’s oldest university, after six centuries of male leadership, has now selected two women in a row to its highest office of principal. And whisper it, St Andrews Burns Club, the thirteenth oldest in the Burns Federation, and the town’s last bastion of male chauvinism, has voted to allow the fair sex to attend its annual bacchanalia, clearly aping the earlier decision of that snooty local golf club, which has finally accepted women members!

Despite these gains, the inexorable march of Knox’s ‘hellish legion’ presses on apace. Academic Women Here! is the rather oddly-titled booklet produced by St Andrews University, in which no fewer than forty-six women, including the Principal and a high-ranking female diplomat, explain how tough it is to be a female academic. Three other female academics are credited as editors. In this booklet men feature mainly in family snaps. This reviewer is as sympathetic (or not, if you believe his wife) as the next guy to the plight of women in the workplace.

It cannot be easy juggling the demands of career, children, an unfair job market, as well as the attentions of the Harvey Weinsteins of this world. But do female academics have it any worse than women in other sectors of society? Possibly not, but on the evidence of this booklet, and in St Andrews at least, they are no longer prepared to accept the ‘leaky pipeline’ metaphor which describes the declining proportion of women at increasingly senior levels in British Universities. According to Academic Women Here! the Grade 8 pay-scale (Senior Lecturer, Reader, or Principal Teaching Fellow) is the point at which the pipeline gets particularly ‘leaky’, and here approximately half of the University’s female staff on this pay grade explain how they navigated their way up

the pipeline and survived. What becomes apparent is that there is no automatic career progression from point A to point B, for female academics. As the editors note in their foreword, ‘they work, they struggle, they get creative, and they improvise’. A bit like career women in the outside world really!

While there are many plusses for women in forging an academic career in St Andrews, the editors note that the small size of the community can make it difficult for dual-career families to get everyone together in the same place. However, two things are clear from the individual testimonies. St Andrews is indeed fortunate in the quality of its female academic staff; virtually all have published books, or won prestigious academic awards, while town and gown are equally fortunate in their ethnic diversity – academic Brits, Americans, Germans, French, Turks, Irish, Portuguese, New Zealanders, Russians, Bulgarians, and Dutch, all provide glimpses of their differing routes up the leaky pipeline in what turns out to be a fascinating collection of personal narratives. Some contributors talk of a lack of self-confidence, and taking time out to have babies, preventing earlier academic publication. Others wondered whether they were ‘good enough’, but discovered that they were. Virtually all praise the support of academic colleagues and the University itself ‘for taking a chance on me’.

In her Afterword, Principal Sally Mapstone recalls that it was as recently as 1940 when St Andrews appointed its first female professor.

In 2018 there are forty-four. But that is still only 20% of the total.

Academic Women Here! seems to be saying we’ve arrived, but we still have a way to go. On this evidence in the years ahead the gowns of St Andrews’ professorial males may be hanging on increasingly shoogly pegs!

Reviews – New pamphlet looks at ‘60s Pop

Juke Box Jeopardy Published by Biggar-based Red Squirrel Press, its unique design is based on the look of a 1960s EP. The pamphlet was launched in Edinburgh at the Scottish Poetry Library in late March 2018, and at Topping’s & Co Booksellers in St Andrews in early April. Price £10, it is available from local booksellers or via the author’s website: http://brianjohnstonepoet.co.uk/publications/pamphlets/juke-box-jeopardy

Well-known St Andrews area poet Brian Johnstone has not been standing still in his writing. He has just published a new pamphlet of poems, stories, and rhymes. Juke Box Jeopardy is his eighth collection to date.

Coming hard on the heels of his acclaimed memoir Double Exposure, the poems in his

latest publication look back at the time he evoked so vividly in last year’s book.

Conceived as a compilation album of truth and fantasy, stories and imaginings, this music-themed pamphlet looks back at the teenage poet’s stumbling path through the pop, rock, and more of the ’50s, ’60s, and early

’70s. With pieces inspired by stars, from Elvis Presley to The Beatles, from Dusty Springfield to The Rolling Stones, this collection shows the poet’s lighter side, while also touching on his Edinburgh youth and his time as a student at St Andrews.

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TOWN & GOWN Flora Selwyn chatted with Alice Gold

‘A maiden fair to see.

The pearl of minstrelsy,’ (HMS Pinafore) I first heard Alice sing as Juno in Handel’s Semele (University of St Andrews Opera Society at the Byre Theatre, February 2017). I was struck by her Alice in her role as the obvious enjoyment Duchess of Plaza-Toro of her role, and in The Gondoliers her complete ease on stage. Since then I have seen her as the Forester’s Wife in Byre Opera’s production of The Cunning Little Vixen, and in all the University’s Gilbert & Sullivan productions. Now in her third year at the University, I invited her to have a chat over a cup of tea!

Born in Cottingham, Yorkshire, Alice tells everyone she’s from Hull, which is her nearest well-known town. Being an only child she claims, “was fabulous, you know.” The ‘music gene’ is integral to Alice’s inheritance; her grandmother was Angela Anderson, a prominent American concert pianist, while her mother is a direct descendant of Mozart’s librettist, Lorenzo da Ponte. Her mother had the opportunity of a singing career, but turned it down in favour of being “a high-flying person in the fashion world.” Alice’s paternal grandfather was “a music hall comedian,” and Julie Andrews sat on his knee! Theatre during World War II, Alice points out, was a “movement against austerity”, while regional theatre with elements of music hall “talks to the people.” She says, as an example, that when Hull put on Richard Bean’s The Hypocrite, local folk in the audience identified with the play’s characters, with one shouting out, ‘Yeah, you got that right!’ Theatre, Alice avers, “is amazing!”

Performing in public, therefore, comes naturally to Alice. Her first appearance, at age 7, was in a Hornsea Music Festival at the seaside Yorkshire town. She sang a song called The Scarecrow, but remembers only some of the words. She likes music festivals!

Called ‘competitive’, she claims that they are only “a competition with yourself”, giving you feedback as well as a score.

Alice is positive about the influence of her school, Hull Collegiate School. Its website today proclaims, “We provide a learning environment that challenges, enthuses and encourages initiative, so that children leave school with the skills and attributes needed for their future.” This ethos was epitomised by the Head of Drama, Andrea Asbury, for whose encouragement Alice is deeply grateful.

Arriving at St Andrews University in 2015 Alice opted to study English and Art History. Modules, and what to choose, proved somewhat confusing. However, “getting past the sub-honours level” has, she says, been really good for her. She is particularly enthusiastic about her theatre tutorials, taken by “such a great teacher, passionate, clever, but quite calm.” Her specialisms include Scottish art history; photography; playwriting;

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contemporary poetry –“my track becomes The director then ‘blocks’; that is, tells people deviant to the other people in my year!” where to move and how to behave on stage, Apart from that, there’s the University’s while the conductor interprets the music, its Gilbert & Sullivan Society. Alice’s family articulation, tempi, etc. and corrects mistakes. are fans of G & S, taking Alice to some All performances have their ‘hilarious performances, thus giving her familiarity moments’. Alice recalls an occasion when she with the operas. Alice “had sung some of the was appearing in Les Misérables. Wearing arias in concerts”, but had never been in a a crinoline, red-and-white stripy stockings, fully-staged G&S production until her first year high-heeled boots, she fell doing a dance, at University. Today she is President of the with her feet literally “above my head – the Society. audience loved it, but at the time I was so I asked Alice about special events in her embarrassed!” Things happen all the time, singing career so far. She spoke affectionately says Alice! of a former eccentric singing teacher, “who Inevitably, I asked what she was planning was absolutely adorable, but so frightening!” after she graduates. Alice firmly wants to She had told Alice that perform. She also if she didn’t get 90% in loves life drawing with Our conversation ranged the music exam, she charcoal, “I get an widely over the art of singing, unbearable urge to didn’t know her stuff.

Sadly, the teacher died create. Life drawing and stage performance three weeks before the is a good way to get exam, so she never learnt that Alice, aged that out of my system, because that’s making 14, had passed with 90%. Alice sang at her something.” She likes copying paintings to funeral, and misses her very much. understand them. She also writes poetry, Our conversation ranged widely over although she thinks that our culture seems the art of singing, and stage performance. to have a problem with women poets – we Singers, Alice believes, must think carefully are unable to accept the beauty of the poems about their music, and its interpretation. “It as separate from the woman’s life. Horse is painful to just have someone sing the riding is something she would like to return to. notes.” She suggests going to a church to Unusually, Alice is a competent car mechanic. hear people sing ‘just the notes’! In musical Driving a modern Beetle, she can’t understand theatre, so much has to come from the actors why anyone else wouldn’t understand involved, “you can’t put it on, it would be like precisely what might be wrong with their car, putting on someone else’s shoes, not to allow and ask to have it fixed. an actor to do their process, if I can put it So ended our chat, leaving me convinced like that.” Although Alice loves working with that Alice, in tune with her name, has a golden directors, she firmly believes in the sanctity future, becoming a household name before of the process, because “as soon as you very long. talk about the ‘how’ the magic is lost and it won’t work.” You can’t turn up at a rehearsal (Photos courtesy Alice Gold) without having first thought about your role.

Alice with the male cast and the orchestra

TOWN & GOWN

Married 70 years!

Frank and Eleanor Gunstone

(Photo courtesy Frank Riddell)

Joan & Frank Riddell attended the St Andrews Care Home on Saturday afternoon, 24 March, when Frank and Eleanor Gunstone celebrated their Platinum Wedding. Many friends and relatives gathered there to enjoy this very special occasion.

Eleanor and Frank came to North East Fife in 1954, when Frank was appointed lecturer in Chemistry at St Andrews University. He was promoted to Professor in 1971, and Professor emeritus on his “retirement” in 1989.

While holding his chair in St Andrews he became Dean of the Faculty of Science (1973-76) and Vice-Principal of the University (1977-81).

He is the author, or co-author, of over 300 publications covering many aspects of lipid science. Since “retirement” in 1989 he has published widely on his specialty, including the prestigious Lipid Handbook.

Eleanor has been a valued member of the North East Fife community representing Leuchars, Balmullo and Guardbridge as Liberal Democrat Councillor for many years. She also helped train young athletes in St Andrews, while over a period of 40 years she officiated at Athletic events, for which she received a special certificate from UKA in 2014. She has also been active in the University’s Agnes Savill Club.

Many sincere congratulations Frank and Eleanor on this, your 70th Wedding Anniversary!

Stephen Gethins MP

Recognising the work of TB researchers at the University of St Andrews Whilst much of my time in Westminster at 2017 Ministerial Conference hosted by the the moment is spent scrutinising the UK Russian Federation, which resulted in the Government’s Brexit policy and, in recent Moscow Declaration to End TB. weeks, supporting its response to the Given recent events in Salisbury, it is of indefensible attempted murder of Sergei great regret that the Russian Federation seems Skripal and his daughter Yulia, I always try to less inclined to use opportunities like these to devote some of my time to causes which are foster global cooperation and improve its image also important, but whose immediacy leaves abroad, but rather increasingly determined to them below the radar. undertake hostile acts which undermine the One such cause is the global effort to rules-based system of international order upon tackle TB, for which a substantial amount of which our security depends. scientific research is being undertaken here at Thankfully, it is expected that practical the University of St Andrews. I was pleased to steps will be taken to achieve the aims of receive backbench Conservative, Labour, Plaid the Moscow Declaration at this September’s Cymru, and DUP support for my Early Day high-level meeting on the topic, which is to Motion (1056) which marked World TB Day on be convened by the President of the UN 24 March and recognised the ongoing research General Assembly. A key part of better TB into TB being undertaken at the University of control depends upon the development of St Andrews School of Medicine. more effective interventions to detect, cure, Whilst many of us see TB as a disease of and prevent TB. This is encapsulated in the the past, poverty, public health infrastructure third pillar of the End-TB strategy: Intensified breakdown, and the global HIV pandemic, Research and Innovation. It is most inspiring caused a major upsurge that UK research in cases of TB during the institutions focusing on The disease remains 1990s and early 2000s. In TB are seeking to co2016 there were still 10.4 one of the most harmful ordinate a UK TB research million new cases of the network. I am especially across the world disease worldwide with 1.8 pleased by the leading million deaths. work of St Andrews’ The disease remains one of the most Division of Infection and Global Health as a key harmful across the world; to combat its impact, stakeholder in this network. the World Health Organisation launched a new As we marked World TB Day on 24 End-TB strategy in 2015 with the ambitious aim March 2018, I think we can all take pride in of eliminating TB as a public health problem by the world-leading and public-spirited research 2035. This goal was adopted by the November being undertaken currently at the University.

Stephen Gethins pictured with Dr Derek Sloan and Dr Wilbur Sabiiti from the St Andrews’ Division of Infection and Global Health.

It was particularly good to welcome to Westminster some of the academics involved in that work at the University of St Andrews.

It is with this positive spirit that we can also hope these scientists can continue to make the breakthroughs in research needed for international leaders to work together and deliver a world to future generations free of TB. (Photo courtesy Stephen Gethins)

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TOWN & GOWN Margaret Hyland researching the early landscape of St Andrews’ re-discovered

Bronze Age Stone

My undergraduate dissertation research on the early medieval church in St Andrews and the East Neuk involved extensive use of Canmore, a database which catalogues archaeological reports on the historic environment of Scotland.

When searching for references to prehistoric and Pictish stones, I noticed a few references to a fallen standing stone in Dean’s Court, a University postgraduate residence situated just across the road from the Cathedral. It was described in 1952 as a fallen orthostat with cup-marks. The presence of cup-marks indicates that the stone had been shaped for human use in the Bronze Age. No one had commented on this stone since 1964, and noone I knew who lived in Dean’s Court had ever mentioned it to me. Very curious, I enlisted the help of Dean’s Court resident, François Sarah Chatton, and a handful of my fellow Mediaeval History undergraduates to find the mysterious stone.

At first we found no sign of it anywhere in the grounds, but then François asked whether we meant the “old mounting block”. The stone to which he referred was lying beneath a tree in the front yard car park, banged up by encounters with various vehicles over the years. Two much smaller stones sat beside it, but once we had a proper look at the large stone, it became apparent it was no mere mounting block. The stone bears dozens of cup-marks, hollowed out circles that appear on Bronze Age stones and rocks elsewhere in Scotland and Europe.

The implications of this realisation immediately captivated me. Cup-marked stones, like other megalithic monuments, Margaret Hyland, with the stone in its original location were likely put to religious use in prehistoric One of the people I contacted about the Britain. The Dean’s Court stone was found Court did not come into University ownership stone’s existence was Barbara Crawford, across the street from St Andrews Cathedral until the 1930s; so the stone (labelled as a Honorary Reader in History here at in the grounds of what was originally the seat on a 19th century Ordnance Survey map, St Andrews, and Chair of The Strathkinness archdeacon’s residence. Burials, sculpture, as identified by Fife Council archaeologist Trust. Barbara took an immediate interest and historical records indicate that the earliest Douglas Speirs) disappeared under the radar in the stone. She began gathering stories of church on the Cathedral site was founded in for many years. Oral tradition among University local folklore associated with the site, one of the mid-8th century by the Pictish king Onuist Estates staff indicates that some knowledge which was about a ghostly black dog lolloping son of Uurguist, who sought to establish of it as a prehistoric stone survived before its around the stone, visible in the Pends leading ecclesiastical support after usurping the “rediscovery”, as it was reported to me that to the Cathedral precinct. It is said that the Pictish throne. We know that early medieval staff had been told by their predecessors that dog walks a few inches above the ground, Christians often built their first churches the stone was a standing stone associated because the ground level was different when on the sites of pagan ritual with Dean’s Court. A few local it died. Black Dog phantoms are a well-known spaces. For example, the early archaeologists were also aware folkloric phenomenon, sometimes presaging Christian cemetery at Hallow of the stone’s greater antiquity, death, but sometimes protecting travellers. This Hill is built near a large Bronze It was described but it remained unknown to the Black Dog has received moderate attention in Age cemetery, which now lies public. in 1952 as a collections of St Andrews’ ghost stories, but beneath the Balnacarron Care In light of this, I contacted we think it is a very interesting adjunct to the Home. This re-use of sacred fallen orthostat several people within the prehistoric cup-marked stone, and would like to sites in the early Christian period University to raise awareness with cup-marks gather more information about it. was common everywhere in of the precious archaeological We are therefore putting out an appeal Europe demonstrating continuity heritage present in Dean’s Court to local people around St Andrews to find with ancestral claims to ritual yard. Because Dean’s Court out whether any other stories are known space while simultaneously proclaiming is a student residence, most staff have never about the ghostly Black Dog, or the stone. allegiance to the new religion by “converting” been there, and the stone was unknown to the While we would be very interested to know the site. If the Dean’s Court stone was found staff of my own department, Mediaeval History. whether any local families also knew of the in or near its original location, it serves as Word of its existence reached the Principal’s stone’s prehistoric origins, we welcome evidence that there may have been a pagan Office. In August 2017, Professor Mapstone any folklore or associations you might have religious site in the Cathedral precinct, which oversaw the removal of the stone from the about the stone to build a fuller picture of was “baptised” as a Christian site in the early centre of the Dean’s Court car park, where its provenance and its role in St Andrews eighth century. it was vulnerable to further damage. Local life across many different periods.

My friend’s knowledge of the stone as a archaeologists Stephen Liscoe and Douglas Please do get in touch with Meg Hyland: “mounting block” reflects an assumption about Speirs supervised the relocation of the stone, margaretahyland@gmail.com or Barbara the stone common to most people who have examining and photographing it from all angles, Crawford: bec@strathmartine.demon.co.uk known about it. Curiously, it is not mentioned confirming that they believe the cup-marks to if you have any information you would like to by any of the antiquarians of 19th century be human-made. The stone now lies in a more share.

St Andrews. This may be because Dean’s sheltered location on the side of the car park.

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TOWN & GOWN Sue Hill, Development Officer, Publications, reports on

MUSA: philanthropy in action “People have been giving to the University of St Andrews for centuries, and we wouldn’t be where we are without their generosity.”

Such is the theme behind Enduring Gifts: 600 Years of Philanthropy in St Andrews – the latest exhibition at the Museum of the University of St Andrews (MUSA) – which opened on Friday, 16 March, and will run until the end of June 2018. Enduring Gifts has been created by a group of MLitt Museum and Gallery Studies students, as a reflection on the history, role and impact of philanthropy in the life and development of the University.

The exhibition is also very apposite, because it will be the last in the Museum for just over a year while a major redevelopment and extension take place – partly funded by philanthropy! In addition, MUSA is one of the final priority projects that will take our 600th Anniversary Campaign (now in its final phase) from the current total of just over £95 million to our £100 million target.

Housing the heritage of Scotland’s oldest University MUSA on The Scores in St Andrews, opened to the public in 2008. It displays highlights from the University’s extensive collections within four ‘permanent’ galleries. It has also successfully run a number of popular temporary exhibitions. The Museum, attracting around 35,000 visitors per annum, has consistently been awarded five stars under the Visit Scotland Quality Assurance Scheme – the only university museum in Scotland to achieve this.

In addition, the Learning Loft – an educational space on the top floor of MUSA – runs facilitated visits and workshops for nursery, primary, and secondary school children, also a programme of events and activities for members of the community.

Redevelopment and extension of MUSA It is the very success of these exhibitions, workshops and events (combined with the fact that the University can currently only display a fraction of its collections in the existing galleries) that has led to the decision to redevelop and extend MUSA. The £1.7 million building project will include the addition of two dedicated temporary exhibition galleries (one large and one small), a new learning studio, a new foyer, and increased environmental controls.

The large gallery will offer three high-quality exhibitions a year using material from the University’s Museum Collections, Special Collections, with loans from other organisations and institutions.

The small gallery – the Academic and Community Engagement Gallery – will enable us to collaborate with academic colleagues in the University to stage exhibitions that communicate their groundbreaking research in an engaging, informative, even entertaining way. This gallery will also enable us to collaborate on projects and displays with local community groups.

The new studio will create extra capacity for the increasing numbers of students who currently receive seminars within the Learning Loft, while it will also provide a much-needed exhibition preparation area. This in turn will free up the Learning Loft so we can expand and develop our community programmes.

MUSA will close from summer 2018 for around 14 months, while the major works are underway. However, the University has enabled access to the collections during this period by launching them in digital format: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/museum/collections Emma Jane Wells, Co-Director of the Museum Collections Unit, is very excited about the project: “This will be the largest change that MUSA has undergone since its opening 10 years ago. The two new exhibition spaces will allow us to extend and improve the exhibitions on offer, allowing us to display major travelling exhibitions from national and international institutions. It will also enable us to work more closely with community groups and schools as well as with the University’s own academics and students. While we are closed, two of the permanent galleries will also be completely re-modelled so that when we re-open in 2019, there will be even more for our visitors to see and enjoy.”

MUSA is an excellent example of philanthropy in action: it is the support of the University community that makes such wonderful projects possible. Take the opportunity to visit the Enduring Gifts exhibition while the Museum is still open, and look out for the formal re-opening in 2019, when you can see and enjoy all the additional features that we have to offer.

MUSA from The Scores

Ground floor layout

First floor layout

3D view If you would like further information about the exciting redevelopment and extension project at MUSA, please contact Caroline Wallard at: clw1@st-andrews.ac.uk or: +44 (0)1334 461916 (Images courtesy Jack Fisher Partnership)

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TOWN & GOWN From Flora Selwyn

Media Walls This magazine now features regularly on the Media Walls of Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Dundee Airports.

Sponsorship is always welcome. The 500 copies of the magazine cost £324.

As a reward, a free ¼ page advert is offered, together with the magazine’s thanks!

Not a bad way to increase the magazine’s readership, and also have free publicity, is it?

Shown here is an example of a Media Wall, courtesy Dawson Media, who run them.

Flora Selwyn visited Canongate Primary School on Tuesday, 27 February 2018, at the invitation of Linda-anne Beaulier and Debbie Maccallum

Pop Art at Canongate Primary School, St Andrews Background: Canongate Primary School is fortunate to have an art and design specialist, Sigrid Shone, who is also a practising artist. Sigrid is very keen to share her subject with the children of the school so that they too can experience and develop their own creativity and skills. Sigrid has been an internationally practising artist for many years. She has returned to Scotland to continue with her own work, but considers it a great privilege to be able to work with the children, who constantly amaze and inspire her by their imaginative ideas.

Seeking an aesthetic reference point, Sigrid decided to look at the work of American Pop Artist, Andy Warhol, who used popular imagery as a source of inspiration to create his work. We looked at his use of repeat pattern and brightly-coloured imagery, as referenced by mass production, comics, and popular culture. The children created their own individual interpretations of a particular image of their choice relating to St Andrews, based on the photographs provided, whether it was the beach, The Kelpies, or their favourite ice cream. The medium they used was water-based, bottled paint, selected for its strength of colour. As it was their own creative work, the children had free range of a full colour St Andrews and the Local Environment project: palette. Once the paintings were dry, the children added pattern, outline, The children of Canongate have been involved with this from Primary 1 and detail, using a black pen – as in the Pop Art comic strips. Finally, upwards since August of last year. They have been learning about and they cut out their work. Then it was attached to brightly coloured card. exploring their local environment. As the art and design specialist, Sigrid In all the project took 5 months to complete. Thereafter a team of decided to produce a large-scale work based on this theme in order to volunteers presented, assembled and hung the work. involve all the children in the classes.

Sigrid is very grateful for all the help and The project was child-centred, so Sigrid asked support she received. A big thank you, too, to all the The unanimous top choices the children to name the “most popular things about children of Canongate Primary School for their hard were Jannetta’s Ice Cream St Andrews that they could think of”. The unanimous work and enthusiasm. and Hamish McHamish the cat top choices were Jannetta’s Ice Cream and Hamish Needless to say, Mrs P Shafren, the McHamish the cat. In addition, the children were Headteacher, with all her staff, are rightly proud able to identify a few landmarks and buildings. Having identified an ideal of the accomplished work of the children, now hanging prominently in wall space within the school to showcase this project, Sigrid did some the school. Sigrid Shone is to be congratulated for her inspirational and research in and around St Andrews photographing various landmarks expert guidance. and points of interest. These visual references were the starting point for the children to produce their ideas.

(Photos by Flora Selwyn)

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Sigrid Shone

Canongate wall

SHOPS & SERVICES Evy Koutzas introduces

Heart Space Whole Foods: Your Local, Organic Green Grocer

Perhaps you’ve been out for a stroll along South Street in St Andrews and happened upon this green shop, with baskets of vibrant produce lining the storefront. You may have sought out the Dundee shop on Exchange Street for a fresh smoothie from the juice counter on a sunny day, or hot soup when the chilly winds blow. Whether you are a neighbour, friend, visitor, or student, regular customer, or curious newcomer- allow us to introduce ourselves. We are Heart Space Whole Foods – your local, organic green grocer!

The concept for Heart Space Whole Foods was originally dreamt up by co-owners Ian Alexander and Finlay Wilson. With their Dundee yoga studio focused on the connection of mind and body, it seemed natural to expand their endeavours to a shop centred in nourishing the body from the inside. Ian shares, “I was inspired to open Heart Space Whole Foods as our customers attending yoga classes began to inquire about food and diet to compliment their yoga practice and improve health. I had already identified that Dundee had no whole foods/organic shop, so decided there was an opportunity to develop the HS brand as a leader in providing food and services for a healthy lifestyle.” This vision came to fruition when in late 2014 Heart Space Whole Foods Dundee opened its doors to the Dundee community. “I wanted to create a shop experience that welcomed customers as soon as they walked through the door. Using a lot of textured materials and colours for a warm, interesting, and comforting atmosphere,” Ian further describes. That’s certainly the vibe, upon a visit to HSWF- as many have expressed the desire to pull up a chair and stay a bit longer in the cosy space, chatting about wellness with the shopkeepers, while sipping on a green smoothie.

Following the success of the Dundee shop, Ian and Finlay sought an opportunity to open a second store. They identified a need for a whole-foods/organic shop in St Andrews. With

a thriving student and visitor population, a local economy and growing the community. community expressing a desire for convenient It also means decreased transportation costs access to organic, whole foods, it became and emissions. In fact, it is common to have clear that St Andrews held great potential for fresh greens delivered to the shop the day they a second Heart Space Whole Foods home. were picked from the field, earlier that morning.

“We were fortunate enough to find 201 South The shop also provides a variety of certified Street, and opened in October 2016,” Ian Fair Trade products, ensuring ethical social, explains. economic, and environmental standards for The Heart Space approach to wellness farmers, workers, and companies. is quite simple: eat more whole, nutrientWhile both shops stock similar items, rich foods. With this philosophy in mind, Ian each shop mindfully caters to the needs and Finlay sought to and requests of source and sell local its community. products, including For instance, the The concept for Heart Space organic sourdoughorganic vegetables and fruit, handmade artisan based breads and Whole Foods was originally breads, cage-free pastries delivered dreamt up by co-owners Ian to St Andrews are eggs – to name a few.

“Apart from the monthly made by the Alexander and Finlay Wilson freshly farmers’ market, local bakers at Wild Hearth food producers were Bakery in Comrie. The unrepresented in the St Andrews shop also city centre. So our shop aimed to specialise enjoys daily fresh fruit and vegetable deliveries, in local produce, working primarily with local and 10% off discount for students! Heart Space suppliers,” says Ian. Heart Space Whole Whole Foods invites locals and visitors to stroll Foods is rooted in a commitment to support down to the shop Monday-Friday 9:00amlocal farmers and other small businesses, as 6:00pm, Saturdays 9:30am-5:30pm, and well as provide organic options. Working with Sundays 11:30am-4:00pm. local suppliers provides a unique opportunity Heart Space believes in nourishing the to develop a relationship with the people who body with whole foods, but also empowering grow and make the food sold in the shops. and educating the community on the benefits of How special it is to know your organic farmers choosing local and organic. With Heart Space up the road, your baker in the neighbouring Whole Foods, there exists a unique opportunity town, your chocolatiers just a short drive away, to be more intentional consumers, as well as and to have visited the organic chickens in their participate in the selection of foods available fields. In turn, customers at Heart Space Whole to you. Explore the Heart Space Whole Foods Foods then can truly know the origins of their shop, allow yourself to browse the shelves, and food, receive the freshest, most delicious foods strike up a conversation with the brilliant staff. available.

Learn about your food, ask questions, and The environmental impact and social suggest any products you would like to see on issues associated with shopping at traditional, the shelves. Heart Space Whole Foods is here large supermarkets also influences the ethos for you! of Heart Space Whole Foods, with the desire to provide this alternative experience. Shopping (Photos courtesy Heart Space Whole Foods) local, small business means supporting the

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SHOPS & SERVICES Chris Gardiner, a Private Client Solicitor based in St Andrews who specialises in all matters relating to Wills, Powers of Attorney, Trusts & Tax.

Harper Lee – A Lack of Trust?

It was reported recently that the Will of the author, the late Harper Lee, had been unsealed after a Court in the state of Alabama ruled that it must be made public. Her Will had previously been sealed, its contents hidden from the public eye, following her death in 2016. However, The New York Times has successfully convinced an Alabama Court that Harper Lee’s desire for privacy does not mean that she has any right to have her Will treated differently to others in Alabama, whose Wills are made public documents on death.

The public interest in Harper Lee’s work heightened in 2015 after she released only her second novel since her famous debut To Kill a Mockingbird was published in 1960. This raised questions in the press whether she had other unpublished works that may be released after her death.

However, this question may still loom for some time as Harper Lee’s Will leaves her entire estate to a Trust she created in 2011 and Trust Deeds are private documents in Alabama. The reasons for her estate going into Trust are reported again to be due to her desire for privacy.

There is an assumption that Trusts are only used by the wealthy, for tax planning, and to

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hide assets, but this is not the case. Trusts are useful for a number of reasons and used widely across Scotland: What are the most common uses for Trusts?

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Trusts can also be used for inheritance tax planning. Many couples are keen to reduce their estates for inheritance tax purposes, but outright gifting may not always be appropriate, depending on the circumstances. The setting up of a trust and gifting into that trust is a good way of addressing concerns regarding inheritance tax while retaining an element of control, without having to gift assets outright to another individual.

The most common use for Trusts in Scotland is in Wills to protect underage beneficiaries. Often, parents who have young children opt to state that if their children are, for example, under 21 at the time of their death, their share of their parents’ estate will be held in a Trust There are many useful ways to utilise Trusts, for them until their 21st birthday. This both in estate and tax planning. They are is because the age of legal inheritance certainly not just for the wealthy. They are in Scotland is 16, which is commonly increasingly being used by families to protect considered too young an age for an both beneficiaries and assets. If you wish individual to inherit a substantial amount of explore how you can make use of a Trust in money. your own estate, or tax planning, you should Many families choose contact a Solicitor who to place assets in Trust specialises in this area.

Trusts are useful for during their lifetime, or Time will tell whether a number of reasons from their Wills, to protect any other great literary works and used widely beneficiaries who may are held within Harper Lee’s across Scotland not be able to deal with Trust… should they ever be owning such assets due published at all. If her desire to incapacity, mental health issues, for privacy was as strong as we are led to or addiction. This means that the believe, they might stay a private matter beneficiary does not inherit the assets, or forever. money, outright, ensuring that a Trustee can look after and preserve the assets or money for them throughout their life.

SHOPS & SERVICES

Roving Reporter

will have more next time – the town is still lively!

1. Elaine Russell told Reporter that she runs a Spiritual-based business, Kinburn Holistic from her home at 5 Kinburn Place, St Andrews. She teaches Usui and Karuna Reiki up to MasterTeacher level and Zen Mindfulness Meditation. Recently Elaine has introduced a short 4-hour Reiki Course, enabling effective selftreatments. Without exception everyone can learn to do this, Reporter learned. Reiki reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and aids sleep naturally. The 8-week Zen Mindfulness Meditation Course introduces 4 meditations. These practices have been taught for hundreds of years for Health and Wellbeing in and out of the monastic setting. If practiced regularly, says Elaine, they can reduce stress and anxiety, help us deal with pain and teach us to be more present in our daily lives by training our minds to stay where we put them! For further information: www.kinburnholistic.co.uk

(Photo courtesy Elaine Russell)

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SHOPS & SERVICES

Chinese & Cantonese Restaurant Sit in or takeaway Opening Times: Monday and Wednesday – Saturday 12.00pm – 2.30pm & 4.30pm – 11.00pm Sunday 4.30pm – late Tuesday – Closed

11-13 Crails Lane St Andrews, Fife Tel: 01334 467822

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ORGANISATIONS Moira Docherty invites you to

Tayside Opera – Celebrating 50 years of Grand Opera with St Andrews In 1968 a group of local singers decided to Members/Audience, and sponsors, including put on an opera in the old Training College many local trusts, has enabled the group to Hall at Park Place, Dundee. The Dundee reach this significant milestone. A publication Courier carried a report; the conductor to accompany its celebration will recognise and director were both staff the achievements of many members, while the set wonderful singers, directors, designer was a locally-based and contributors, who Tayside Opera is design student at the art have made this possible. college. The singers were a about performance, Memories, names, and mixture of new recruits and photographs too. but importantly, experienced performers.

Tayside Opera has Mary Cairns had, in the fifties, performed in many popular having fun doing it sung at the Gaumont in roles venues, for example, in such as Aida and Marguerite, the Gardyne Theatre, and when the guest principal was the Whitehall Theatre, but imported from London. never at the Kings Theatre, Dundee, which The constitution distinguished Tayside is now back in the news. If it can be saved, Opera in that it performs grand opera in they may appear there in the future. It is their English. Bill Dewar was the man who saw hope to keep St Andrews on their circuit. the transition through to the Company we Having opened in 1968 with Don now know and love. He was also the first Giovanni in Dundee and Kirkcaldy, 50 years President and Principal Baritone until his later it now presents a performance of La untimely death in 1985.

Traviata in St Andrews, following up on the This year will see Tayside Opera 2017 success of Nabucco. Why La Traviata? complete 50 years, treading the boards to It is a heart-rending, emotional love story deliver its 64th Opera performance. It has between Alfredo and Violetta, and their not been without challenges, and even journey to find happiness. Also, it is a tale though it has been through some tough shrouded in sacrifice and misunderstanding. times, it has withstood the test. The loyalty It concludes with a moment of joy for them and commitment of its Performers, Patrons/ both, but “too late”. One of the best-loved and

most frequently performed, recorded, and filmed of all operas, it will be sung in English, retaining the services of Musical Director Richard Johnston. This year Alan Borthwick joins the company as Production Director.

Also they have an Orchestra for the first time in 6 years, a big step up for the Company, but they are ready for the challenge!

Tayside Opera is about performance, but importantly, having fun doing it. Whether you are a seasoned singer, a past member, or a beginner, there are no barriers to your joining them. The current President is keen to open up opera to a younger audience, and widen its appeal. There is no substitute for live theatre; it is important for art, culture, and in the age of the internet, important for social engagement and interaction. Perhaps you don’t sing, but could help backstage, or in some other way?

For more information, please visit the Website: www.taysideopera.com Facebook, or contact moiradocherty@hotmail.com Be part of the 50th season!

Nabucco in Holy Trinity Church, St Andrews, May 2017 (Photo courtesy Tayside Opera)

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ORGANISATIONS John Matthews reports on the

St Andrews-Loches Alliance Members of the Alliance held their traditional Winter Drinks Party, the first meeting of the New Year, at the St Rule Club on Friday, 19 January.

During the meeting presentations were made to two members who had decided to stand down from the committee after some two decades of service, though they will remain members of the Alliance: 1. Virginia Fowler, a member since the Alliance’s earliest days and past Chair, played a major role in the completion of the Cultural Partnership Agreement with Loches more than ten years ago and has supported closer relationships between the two towns throughout her long association with the Alliance.

2. Bill Sangster has been a stalwart of the Alliance since its foundation, almost always working quietly in the background. His years of experience in local government were extremely valuable in the work, which led up to the formal twinning of St Andrews and Loches.

Both were presented with signed copies of the most recent book written by Pascal Dubrisay, a founding member of the Nouvelle Alliance Loches-St Andrews, its inspirational leader for many years.

2018 looks like being a busy year. The exchanges between Madras College and Collège Georges Besse went ahead with some forty pupils from the Loches school visiting St Andrews mid-March, with the return visit to

Loches scheduled for mid-May. The Alliance provides modest financial support to Madras College pupils for their trip to France. On 23 March a cheese tasting led by Phoebe Weller, the “Roving Fromagière”, took place in the St Andrews Bowling Club, where there was a big turnout.

The AGM was held on 26 April in the St Rule Club.

A party of ten from St Andrews has been invited to attend the “Journées européennes” in Loches over the weekend of 11-15 July, the former Bastille Day weekend, now the Fête Nationale weekend, whilst the Lochois are presenting an exhibition in the Byre Theatre in August/September. During this time (early September) a party from Loches is expected to pay a short visit to St Andrews.

Although there may be other happenings, the final event planned for the year is a “Café Cabaret” along the lines of the very successful 2016 event.

The Alliance welcomes new members – see the website: www.standrewslochesalliance.org.uk (Photo courtesy the Alliance)

Presentations being made to Virginia Fowler and Bill Sangster by Alliance President John Matthews

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ORGANISATIONS From Winston Emmerson

Transition University of St Andrews launches Tool Share What exactly is Tool Share? Well, just as you The first tool library in Scotland, and would go to a library to take out a book, so you the UK, was inaugurated only 5 years ago can join Tool Share and borrow a tool. Why in Edinburgh in 2013. Its founder, Chris borrow when you can buy? This comes down Hellawell, was hosting a friend from Toronto, to caring and sharing; the average tool is only Canada, who mentioned that they had used for 13 minutes in its lifetime. Mostly is recently set up a tool library there. The sits in the shed gathering dust and cobwebs, idea of a tool library inspired Chris so much whereas it could be shared with the local that he then went on to establish one in community, many of whom are not wealthy. On Edinburgh. Both St Andrews and Stirling average, we each have around £600 worth of established Transition in 2009, mainly around unused items, while a normal UK household sustainable transport and food growing; a spends around £110 a year on tools (Office of Stirling tool library followed in 2016. The National Statistics, 2014).

St Andrews Tool Share Compare this to Tool Share’s was established last year St Andrews Tool Share annual subscription of £15 following the completion covers not only workshop (or what you can afford), of the Kernel Hub at the tools, but kitchen, outdoor, offering the member a Botanic Garden, and a and gardening appliances wide range of tools you grand official opening of would normally not have; this community facility in in addition you will not have to worry about late October, officiated by Steven Gethins MP storing or maintenance. Tools (as well as items for North East Fife (See Issue 86, 2018). like cars) have a huge amount of embedded St Andrews Tool Share covers not carbon, which means a considerable amount only workshop tools, but kitchen, outdoor, of carbon was used in its manufacture and and gardening appliances. Workshop marketing. Steel, for example is made from tools include hand tools like spanners, iron ore which has to be mined, transported, screwdrivers, hammers, and power items smelted, cast, shaped, machined, then resuch as corded and cordless drill/drivers, transported, before we even buy the item. planers, circular saws, mitre saws, sanders, Once we have the tool, it makes sense to get and multi-tools. We are still building our the most out of it, the best way being to lend it kitchen and garden appliance range, with and recycle it. Tool Share also helps to build a items like dehydrators to make dried fruit, more resilient, sustainable community through maslin (preserving) pans and kitchen the tool loan, smart tool usage, home and thermometers to make jam, and electric lawn property improvement. mowers.

If this idea of the caring and sharing of tools strikes a chord with you, and you would like to join, or contribute, then you can go to the Transition St Andrews website: www.transitionsta.org Under Zero Waste, click on Tool Share. There you will find a link to My Turn, which hosts Tool Share. You can then join online (£15, or what you can afford.

Or donate a usable tool) to view and reserve tools. Alternatively you can come to the Kernel in the St Andrews Botanic Garden (entrance through the Viaduct entrance, or lower gate from the Bassaguard Business Park) on a Tuesday (10.00am to 12.00 noon), Wednesday (12.00-2.00pm) or a Sunday (12.00-2.00pm), with photographic ID and proof of address to join in person.

Let’s build together a more resilient, low carbon, sustainable community of St Andrews through caring and sharing! Hopefully more Transition movements and Tool Shares will open Nationwide to make the country more sustainable.

For more information on St Andrews Tool Share please contact Winks Emmerson at: wde@st-andrews.ac.uk, or pop in to the Kernel at the Botanic Garden during the times given above to join, or view the tools available.

(Photos & logo courtesy Transition St Andrews)

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EVENTS Jude Innes is pleased to announce that

upstairs @ J & G Innes Ltd will host the following artists in May and June – Helen Forrest, Karen Hadjitofi, Fiona Jack, Liz Milne, Morag Stevenson and Val Thomson are painters living in the North East of Scotland. The group takes part in the annual North East Open Studios (NEOS) event, in addition to exhibiting individually throughout the year in various galleries and shows.

This exhibition at upstairs @ J & G Innes Ltd shows a selection of their recent work, highlighting the various styles and subject matter within the group, but demonstrating their common love of paint.

They will be shown alongside Emma Ball, Paul Bartlett, Alison Cage, Andrew Kenny, Gill Knight, David Nicol, John Picken, Janet Robertson, and Gina Wright.

(Paintings courtesy Jude Innes)

Arisaig’s Setting Sun by Morag Stevenson

A walk through Cambo Estate by Karen Hadjitofi

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

www.nphcinema.co.uk

117 North Street, St Andrews Tel: 013334 474902

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EVENTS From Peter Haselhurst, Hidden Gardens Coordinator

Hidden Gardens – Sunday, 24 June This year sees the twenty-first consecutive Hidden Gardens event, the first one having taken place in 1998. The number of gardens open will be similar to those of recent years, all being conveniently located, so it should be easy to visit them at leisure!

Hidden Gardens is the Preservation Trust’s major fundraising event. Its success depends on the many volunteers who help before, and on, the day. We are also dependent on

the support of those people who kindly open their gardens for us to visit. There are four new gardens open this year; these will be indicated as such on the programme. Above all, of course, we depend on a large number of visitors to support the event.

As in previous years, refreshments and entertainment will be available at certain places, indicated on the programme.

Programmes will be available the last

week in May from the venues listed on the accompanying advertisement on page 20. I hope many of you will be able to support the event. Let’s hope for good weather on the day!

Thorntons Law LLP are again sponsoring the event, and we thank them for their generosity in so doing. May the Hidden Gardens event be a success! Many thanks to everybody involved.

Selected Events From 17 March to Saturday, 2 June – 10.30am to 4.00pm (Mon to Sat) St Andrews Museum, Kinburn Park. Paper Trail – Shaping our past, present, & future. A comprehensive exhibition exploring the role of paper in our civilization. Curated by the students of the University’s Museums & Galleries Studies. Admission Free.

See: www.papertrail-standrews.com

Friday, 25 May – 7.30pm. St Andrews Town Hall, Queen’s Gardens.

La Traviata. The Tayside Opera celebrates its 50th Anniversary.

Tickets, £12; concessions £10; students & under-16s £5.

Box Office: 07505 837313. See Page 10.

From 17 March to Saturday, 30 June – Mon to Sat 10.00am5.00pm. Sun 12noon-4.00pm. MUSA, The Scores, St Andrews.

Enduring Gifts. An exhibition illustrating how philanthropic gifts given to the University of St Andrews contribute to the motto “Ever to Excel.” Curated by the students of the Museums & Galleries Studies. Contact: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/musa See Page 13.

Saturday, 2 June – 9.00am-1.00pm. Argyle Street car park.

Farmers’ Market.

From 15 March to Sunday, 24 June – 10.00am-5.30pm (Sunday, 11.00am-5.00pm) Fisheries Museum, ANSTRUTHER. Catch of the Day – fish, food, sustainability. An exhibition and events curated by the students of the St Andrews University Museum & Gallery Studies. Admission Free, but the events need to be booked. Contact: 01333 310 628.

*****

Saturday, 5 May – 9.00am to 1.00pm Argyle Street car park.

Farmers’ Market.

Wednesday, 9 May – 5.30pm. The Old Course Hotel, St Andrews.

St Andrews 10x30 Presentations Night. Random speakers are allowed 10 slides for a maximum of 30 seconds each!

The St Andrews Business Club. £10. Contact: https://standrewsbusinessclub.co.uk Thursday, 10 May – 7.00pm. New Picture House, St Andrews.

Macbeth. Live from the National Theatre. For further information & booking contact: nph.nphcinema.co.uk Tuesday, 15 May – 5.00-9.30pm. Balgove Larder, Strathtyrum.

The Night Market with live music, crafts, street food etc.

Wednesday, 16 May – 8.00pm. New Picture House, St Andrews.

An American in Paris. For further information & booking contact: nph.nphcinema.co.uk Wednesday, 23 May – 7.30AM. The Old Course Hotel, St Andrews.

Business Breakfast – Uncovering Mindfulness. £10.

The St Andrews Business Club. Contact: https://standrewsbusinessclub.co.uk

*****

Tuesday, 5 June – 7.30pm. Lecture theatre B, Chemistry Dept., North Haugh. The Forgotten Forests of Latin America.

Conservation issues in Latin American dry forests, a talk by Prof Toby Pennington (Exeter University) for a joint meeting of the Botanical Society of Scotland with the Friends of the St Andrews Botanic Garden. Contact: friendsmembership@standrewsbotanic.org Wednesday, 6 June – 5.30pm. The Old Course Hotel, St Andrews.

Cyber resilience. The St Andrews Business Club. Non-members, £10. Contact: https://standrewsbusinessclub.co.uk Tuesday, 12 June – 5.00-9.00pm. Balgove Larder, Strathtyrum.

The Night Market with live music, crafts, street food etc.

Sunday, 17 June – 2.00pm. New Picture House, St Andrews.

Swan Lake. Live from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

For further information & booking contact: nph.nphcinema.co.uk Saturday, 23 June – 8.00pm. Crail Community Hall, CRAIL. Simon and Garfunkel: Through The Years, performed by the Bookends. “Sheer nostalgia!” Tickets, £15 available from the Box Office in Crail’s Golf Hotel, online on: www.crailfestival.com Contact: ronaldsandford@hotmail.co.uk Sunday, 24 June – 11.00am to 5.00pm. Hidden Gardens, a fundraising tour of private gardens open for the St Andrews Preservation Trust. Programme & tickets from the Preservation Trust & elsewhere – see the advertisement page 20.

Wednesday, 27 June – 5.30pm. Visit to the Eden Campus, Main Street, Guardbridge. University of St Andrews Guided Tour for The St Andrews Business Club. Free to members & guests.

Contact: https://standrewsbusinessclub.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT Marion Mason anticipates

St Andrews Harbour Gala 2018 Our annual harbour gala will be held We are hoping to have a visit from the local emergency services to on Saturday, 21 July, from 11.00am to demonstrate fire appliances, discuss police procedures, and explain the 5.00pm at the harbour. As always, we work of the local coastguard. hope for glorious weather and a huge Once again, we are delighted to have a visit from the City of turnout!

St Andrews Pipe Band, who will march through the gala playing all There will be the usual inflatable the favourite tunes. With the view of the sea on one side, the square castles, slides, rides for children, face tower and skyline of the town on the other side, the beautiful weather painting, various stalls including raffle, conditions we hope to have, it will just be perfect for all! books, bric-a-brac, and a bottle stall.

Our licensed bar will be run again by Heidi Orr of The New Inn, while There will also be a variety of individual stalls selling handmade crafts, our usual catering of burgers, strawberry tarts, scones, home baking, tea, paintings, prints, books, cosmetics, and much more. coffee, ice cream, will be situated right next to the bar. We plan to open Throughout the day there will be dancing displays, a quiet corner the bar the evening before with live music, so if you are out for a stroll, for story time, and the last- minute entries into the art competition for pop in for a drink, enjoy the music, just relax looking out at the beautiful all primary school children. One of the most sea. We are extremely grateful to the local Our annual harbour gala will be popular games is to try to pitch a golf ball into businesses who donate many of the above the rowing boat in the harbour. There is no listed provisions. held on Saturday, 21 July, from need to be an expert golfer for this, it really is All monies raised will be invested in the 11.00am to 5.00pm at the harbour general maintenance and upkeep of the just a bit of fun. There are a few local golfers who can be quite competitive, which can be harbour and surrounding area. If you would very rewarding for the harbour income! The St Andrews Coastal Rowing like to rent a stall, help with building the marquees, man a stall or serve Club will hold their event on the same day, once again running a duck the burgers, tea/coffee, or make a donation, please contact Marion: race – quite a sight to see!

07580 137 116 or email: marionmasons@hotmail.com, or message our We are extremely grateful to the many local businesses, who donate Facebook page: St Andrews Harbour. prizes for the raffle, which will be drawn at the end of the day. Raffle We look forward to seeing everyone on the day, hoping you have as tickets will be available to purchase in some of the local businesses, much fun as we do! which will be listed, in due course, on our Facebook page St Andrews Harbour.

(Photos courtesy Marion Mason)

Last year’s gala

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OUT & ABOUT Craig Gilbert

Of Lochs and Trolls Kinghorn, a small village just west of Kirkcaldy, is known for its beach at Pettycur Bay and the coastal path.

However, I recently took a wonderful walk using a network of paths/rights of way at Craigencalt, an area just north of Kinghorn Loch, another Fife hidden gem!

Starting at the car park by the loch, taking time to soak in the view of the calm water (and its gaggle of ducks), set me off for a very peaceful spring walk. A path heads away from the loch, into woodland, past the intriguing Earthship Centre.

There are several trails in the woodland, one leading down to a bird hide, another offering a viewpoint of the loch itself (well worth a look); I took the main route, which leads through a variety of trees, before emerging at a grassy field with a picnic bench. It was noticeable to me the incline at this point, and I knew I was heading uphill, but I was surprised by the view I witnessed as I turned left, heading towards another path and the interesting ‘Troll’s Bridge’.

Before me lay the blueness of the Forth, and beyond, striking views Beautiful paths have created a high road for horses, and a low of Edinburgh/Arthur’s Seat, Cramond Island, even the Forth bridges road, which leads to a wooden bridge, complete with brightly-coloured (with the new Queensferry Crossing glinting in its new whiteness). toadstools, and the lurking troll underneath. I paid To my right, the curious-named hill, ‘The Binn’ by Burntisland was also clearly visible.

I paid homage to the troll, homage to the troll, and paid my dues: a pine cone I had collected, in order to get past. Well, I Wandering along this, the Rodanbraes path, as and paid my dues wouldn’t want a year of bad luck and curses, after it is known, was a delight. A red stone with markings all! Old fairy tales need to be treated with respect. stating ‘Troll’s Bridge’ starts the route, embedded Then I proceeded up to another viewpoint with a bench, which had into the stone wall there. Thoughts immediately drifted to fantasy books a plaque on it proclaiming for all to ‘enjoy the moment’. Perfect, and so and fairy tales. There is, is there not, a price to pay, to cross a troll I did, absorbed in the view. The path continued uphill, no less magical, bridge? with the Forth resplendent to my left, before reaching an old ruin (perhaps, originally, an old kirk – although this is conjecture on my part), where I paused to soak up the history, and the landscape.

It is due to the sterling work of the Craigencalt Rural Community Trust ( www.craigencalttrust.org.uk ) that this, and other paths, have been maintained with new features added. It strikes me, that, with everincreasing constraints on public finances, such enthusiastic groups as the Trust are coming to the fore with fundraising and promotion of their local area. I for one thank them for their amazing efforts, for what was a most enjoyable day in the sunshine, with many unexpected moments.

(Photos by Lesley Scott)

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OUT & ABOUT Tim Hardie’s

Nature Notes The winter walking season finished today; with the clocks going forward his mate are security minded, as the lighter evenings require the manual season to start. It has been a we have some carrion crows for wintry March and the Beast from the East certainly gave us a blast of company and although shy, they bitter temperatures and heavy snow, hard on humans and wildlife alike. are up earlier than us, therefore Thankfully the chill from Russia only lasted a few days – I think politically can have a nest of bird eggs in it might last considerably longer. complete peace and quiet while I was lucky enough to have a very special few minutes in the the human race sleeps. company of a red squirrel the other afternoon. Driving across the The pink-footed geese Sidlaws, I spotted this very handsome fellow searching the forest floor returned to the carse last week. for a nut. Stopping my car I watched from a few yards, as said nut was Quite canny these birds, nowhere found and my new friend ran up a nearby tree, found a comfortable seat, were they to be seen while we and tucked into his prize. As I pushed on I felt very fortunate to have were all engulfed in the white stuff seen this; it’s not impossible he had buried this nut himself a few months and freezing temperatures. That previously. said, they don’t do airports and Male Peregrine Tonight I saw a big mob of wood pigeons feeding in a grass field, ‘easyJet’, no queuing for the pinklike fieldfares and red wings they are likely visitors from Scandinavia. footed goose, just get airborne Talking of pigeons I noticed the other day between Rait and Inchture, off and go. They have been flying a lot longer than us. the A90, a flock of pigeons in disarray. No wonder, My little friends the hedge sparrows are trying for in amongst them was a tiercel (male hawk) with to sort out their love lives at the moment. There I was lucky enough to have his beautiful sickle-shaped wings, time to cross the a very special few minutes in seem quite a few of them in the hen shack at North Sea I think. the moment. They always quietly go about their the company of a red squirrel business, and could be considered a little dull, The lack of warmth in March has left the grass the other afternoon parks lacking in growth. Only tonight I found the certainly not as foreword as their cousins the remains of a brown hare that had been killed one house versions. That said they invariably produce way or another. In some ways I hope there is nothing untoward going on, a family, which you only know are around when you find a chick astride but I am afraid I have come across hare coursers here, and the hares are a broad bean plant waiting to be fed. extremely vulnerable just now.

There are lots of things to be seen, just look and the world is your Despite our cold spring, things are hotting up. I have been listening oyster! avidly to a song thrush piping his tunes. They are not called song (Photo by John Anderson thrushes without a reason, their singing is quite wonderful. I hope he and (Crail Birder: www.pbase.com/crail_birder ))

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OUT & ABOUT Arlen Pardoe

Hidden Gems in St Andrews Focussing on features that are in plain sight, though often overlooked Commemorative Benches There are many places where you can pause, rest, and enjoy the view or activities around you in St Andrews, with hundreds of benches around the town. Some of these are provided by the Town, or the Region, but many have been provided by local organisations or individuals. Some commemorate Cockshaugh Park

Presented by St Andrews Rotary 2016

St Salvator’s Quad

University of St Andrews, 600th Anniversary Bench

Melbourne Brae

Gifted by the Rotary Club of St Andrews to commemorate the coronation of H.M. Queen Elizabeth, 2 June 1953

(Photos courtesy Arlen Pardoe)

particular events, such as the Coronation and Jubilees, while others are Memorial Benches marking the lives of those with a connection to the town. They are to be found in various locations, from Kirkhill to Kinburn, from the West Sands to the Kinnessburn. This article focuses on commemorative benches. A future one will look at memorial benches.

Cathedral

This seat was purchased with funds donated by the People of St Andrews and Visitors to the Town on Kate Kennedy Day 1959 Double Dykes

Gifted by the Rotary Club of St Andrews.

To commemorate 75 years of service to the Town 1927-2002 Holy Trinity

In grateful recognition of 54 Years of Service by the Reverend Charles Armour 1949-1977, Minister of the Second Charge 1977-2003, Minister of the Parish. From the Congregation of the Holy Trinity, May 2005

Market Street

Victory Memorial Hall

Presented by St Andrews Kilrymont Rotary Club on the occasion of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee

Given by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews

Hospital

Abbey Street

Presented to Craigtoun Hospital to mark the 100th birthday of Alexander Easton Gilleszpie, 1 November 1988

This seat and tree were gifted by the Rotary Club of St Andrews to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of H.M. Queen Elizabeth, November 1977

Kinburn Park

Ladies Putting Club

Tree and bench donated by The Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council on the occasion of The Golden Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen 2002

Presented by St Andrews Links Trust on 8 June 2007 to The St Andrews Ladies Putting Club, to mark the occasion of their 150th anniversary and to celebrate the commemorative match played on this day between the Ladies Putting Club and the St Andrews Thistle Golf Club, to celebrate their respective anniversaries

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