St Andrews in Focus Issue 9 Mar Apr 2005

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

March / April 2005, Issue 9 £1.50

the magazine for St Andrews www.standrewsinfocus.com

West Sands, St Andrews: Source of Artistic Inspiration Finlay Miller introduces our cover artist Mark Holden In June 2002, Glasgow-born Mark Holden embarked on a lifechanging journey. Following a period of illness, he left his job as a marketing executive in Glasgow and came to Fife to recuperate. He often found himself, “walking on the West Sands pondering many things.” It was during this time that Mark rediscovered a childhood passion for painting, and the West Sands became a favourite place for him to work due to the stirring rhythms of the North Sea and the ever-changing conditions. The uninterrupted views to the west inspired him to paint one of his first paintings, ‘Morning Light’, which depicts the sun rising on a winter’s day. Even now he remembers the brilliant glow of the sun in the wet sand as the tide made its way out. ‘Morning Light’ was the defining first step for Mark, who is now two years into a new career as a successful full-time artist based in Fife. As he explains, “That first painting of St Andrews’ West Sands represented the beginning of my becoming an artist and hopefully bringing some pleasure into people’s lives through my paintings. The sincere beauty of the West Sands is breathtaking and will always go with me wherever I paint.”

Cover – “West Sands Splendour”, an original oil painting by Mark Holden

2

It would take an army of words to capture the seascape of St Andrews’ West Sands. It is vast, yet personal, its beauty both simple and involved, and you can almost touch the tranquillity even as the North Sea thunders on. For Mark, it is all this and something more. Thankfully however, he is not trying to capture it with words!

Mark works in oil and the main subjects of his paintings are St Andrews, Fife, and the West Coast of Scotland. He has a particular love of poppies. In May 2005 he will be the feature artist in the Jerdan Gallery in Crail, where his new collection of landscape paintings will be exhibited. Other galleries where Mark’s work can be seen are the EAS Studio in Broughty Ferry; the Heron Gallery in Pittenweem; Iona House Gallery in Woodstock; and Aberfeldy Gallery.

Please contact Mark for further information at: markholdenart@clara.co.uk

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

From the Editor I have to hand it to our young people, for proving that the spirit of willing service, with a smile, is alive and well! Pupils at Madras College have already contributed articles to this magazine – now they are offering to distribute copies in those parts not yet reached regularly. Nene Udofot, Tina Ciftci, Johnny Inch, and John Galloway, all in S6, have volunteered to organise the delivery door-to-door of some 300 copies per issue. This should give a much better coverage of the town, as was intended. The present distributer, who will continue to deliver 7000 copies, does his best, but local knowledge of tucked-away addresses is needed, as well as occupants of those flats with locked front doors that have no visible letter boxes! If you see these young people putting St Andrews in Focus through your door, please give them a cheer. I am deeply grateful to them, and thank them from the bottom of my heart.

This also highlights the whole purpose of this magazine – to be a forum for all that’s best in our community, a collaborative venture benefiting everyone and showing the world what a great place St Andrews is (as if they don’t know already!)

I would also like to thank Chris Manighetti, our student Advertising Manager graduating this summer, for his dedication to the magazine, and to wish him every success in the future. Michael Milbank, who is studying Medieval History and French, has very kindly stepped forward to take his place. I welcome him most warmly.

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

MARCH/APRIL 2005 EDITOR Flora Selwyn Tel/fax: 01334 472375 Email: editor@standrewsinfocus.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Michael Milbank Mobile: 07887 756 980 Email: mwam@st-andrews.ac.uk DESIGNER University of St Andrews Reprographics Unit PRINTER Tayport Printers Ltd. DISTRIBUTER B & S Distribution, Dundee PUBLISHER (address for correspondence) Local Publishing (Fife) Ltd., PO Box 29210, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9YZ. Tel/fax: 01334 472375 Email: enquiries@standrewsinfocus.com SUBSCRIPTIONS St. Andrews in Focus is published 6 times a year, starting in January. Subscriptions for the full year are: £10.00 in the UK (post & packing included) £18.00 overseas (post & packing included) Please send your name and address, together with remittance to: Local Publishing (Fife) Ltd., PO Box 29210, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9YZ. REGISTERED IN SCOTLAND: 255564 149 Market Street, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9PF. THE PAPER USED IS 75% RECYCLED POST-CONSUMER WASTE

Contents FEATURES • • • • • • • • • • • • •

World Heritage Status for St Andrews?

Viewpoints Scenarios – is this a useful option?

Melville Reid remembers The Community Council’s 200 Club A note for veterans of the Battle of Monte Cassino Catherine McDonald pays tribute Bob Hunter’s South West connection Alan Tricker’s advance notice for the Play Club St Andrews United Junior Football Club The Dundee Diesel Ask the Curator Toonspot

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

SHOPS & SERVICES • • • • • • •

The Meal Shop David Donaldson, Plasterer, Slater & Glazier UK Design celebrates The new Esperante Restaurant An Easter Competition Fairtrade comes to town Roving Reporter

12 12 13 15 16 17 18

TOWN / GOWN • • • • • •

An Architectural tour with Abigail Grater, Part 2 The Rennaissance Group’s half century The Beltaine Festival Lord of the Flies Third from the Left Theatre Company The Kate Kennedy Procession

19 20 20 20 21 21

EVENTS • • • •

StAnza Poetry Festival Easter at Holy Trinity Church A Taste of St Andrews Selected Events List

22 22 23 24

OUT AND ABOUT • • • • •

St Andrews Gardeners’ Club “Five ferry feuds...”

A spring Walk National Science Week at the Botanic Garden Dream

25 26 26 27 27

NEXT ISSUE – May/June 2005 COPY DEADLINE: STRICTLY 28 MARCH All contributions welcome. The Editor reserves the right to publish copy according to available space.

3

FEATURES Ted Brocklebank MSP sets out the case for

World Heritage Status On St. Andrews Day I launched a campaign to obtain World Heritage Site by a World Heritage Foundation already in place. In status for my native city of St. Andrews. the case of Edinburgh the presence of Edinburgh St. Andrews is recognised worldwide as unique. It is the historic World Heritage Trust was valuable in pursuing ecclesiastical capital of Scotland; it is home to Scotland’s oldest university; key themes that UNESCO is keen on developing. it has a beautiful mediaeval town centre; captivating and award-winning Eventually St Andrews would have to submit a Management Plan where natural features; and it is also the undisputed home of Golf. the case for its nomination would be made. In this document it would be Tourists from all over the world travel to visit St. Andrews, and students useful to have St Andrews’ case backed by quite a broad range of opinion. from across the world come to study here. The town is a major heritage For St Andrews, World Heritage Site Status would give its additional attraction for Scotland globally. World Heritage Status, in my view, would protection in the fight to protect the town from irresponsible and unsuitable be richly deserved. over-development.

But what does World Heritage Status consist of? What protections The place to start would be to try to gather together some kind of does it afford our beautiful town? And how do we achieve World Heritage prospective St Andrews World Heritage Foundation. In Edinburgh this Status for St.Andrews? Well, responsibility lies with UNESCO (United was done by amalgamating smaller foundations (Edinburgh New Town Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) to award Site Conservation Committee and the Edinburgh Old Town Renewal Trust) into status, under the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the the World Heritage Foundation. In St Andrews there exist The Links Trust World’s Cultural and Natural Heritage. and the St Andrews Preservation Trust and several others. If they could be Scotland already has 4 sites with “Heritage” status; Neolithic Orkney, persuaded at least to work together and agree on basic principles of public Edinburgh Old & New Town, St Kilda and New Lanark. In the last decade access and preservation it would be looked upon favourably by UNESCO. the process has changed because of a more rigorous selection process Eventually there will have to be wider consultation with Fife Council, and Devolution. Due to increasing applications for “Heritage” status, Scottish Enterprise Fife, Kingdom of Fife Tourist Board and Historic signatory nations have been recently restricted Scotland. The support of these groups would to one application per year. In Britain, because be essential, but it would be helpful to have the For St Andrews, World Heritage of the high number of sites waiting to apply for backing of the University of St Andrews, the Site Status would give its additional Heritage status, the Westminster Government R & A and the Fife Chambers of Commerce.

(Department of Culture Media and Sport) have The wider and more broadly-based opinion protection in the fight to protect developed a UK Tentative List of sites waiting the better. Their support will also be helpful in the town from irresponsible and for nomination – when it was unveiled in 1999 producing the final Management Plan. Here it had 25 sites. Being on the Tentative List is the input of leading academics and public unsuitable over-development. a compulsory prerequisite for any site that figures would also be vital. wishes to apply for Heritage Status. It is thought that a site would probably So, does St.Andrews meet the requirements of possible World be on the list for a period of about 5 – 10 years before being nominated.

Heritage Site Status? Almost certainly, in my view. Criterion (ii) states Another change that has recently taken place is due to devolution that a site must exhibit an important interchange of human values, over – the actual function of nominating a site for Heritage Status is a reserved a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in matter, the Scottish Executive is responsible for putting forward Scottish architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape sites on the UK Tentative List. In developing sites for inclusion on the design. St Andrews also represents wide-ranging use of landscape design Tentative List, the Executive delegates much of the ground work to Historic (evident in golf courses), and so it is also probably eligible under this Scotland. clause.

UNESCO only designates sites that have either Cultural or Natural Then there’s Criterion (iii) which states that a site must bear a unique heritage thought to be unique and worth preserving. There are some key or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization criteria, and the site must conform to at least one of them. In St Andrews’ which is living or which has disappeared. Once again St Andrews could be case, concentrating on either the University, the home of Golf or both, regarded as being an exceptional example of this. would give the best foundation for nomination. In previous cases when For all the reasons above, I believe that St. Andrews is more than Historic Scotland has been involved early on with nomination bids, they eligible to be a Scottish candidate on the UK Tentative List for the have tended to give their opinion on the merits of the case – the case can UNESCO award. I hope that everyone who shares the best interests of be altered and strengthened accordingly. A successful bid would be helped St. Andrews will support the campaign.

Viewpoints Irene Smith makes a

Plea for the future of our Home Town May I make a plea to all who are considering the changes to be made in St Andrews in the near future? It is necessary to accept economic and practical changes for progress, but can we retain the ethos and idiosyncratic historical detail of our home town as well?

On a recent walk an older life-time resident and I, a fledgling member of the community, were simply enjoying our surroundings. One of us talking about landmarks or areas we passed, the other listening and absorbing the many charismatic facets of the area. We encountered other people also enjoying a similar interlude, after experiencing the harsher elements of a St Andrews winter-time. The balance of pride and enjoyment seemed to be equally shared.

So, please may we all, through discourse and cooperation, keep the values of our home town intact and alive, for ourselves, for future generations of our children, and for visitors.

“May prudence, fortitude, and truth, Erect your brow undaunting!

In ploughman phrase, ‘God send you speed’, Still daily to grow wiser . . .”

Robert Burns, Epistle to a young friend, May 1786

4

A St Andrews resident of 50 years writes…

I want to respond to your last editorial, in which you invited views on the future of the town. I am very concerned that all criticism of the Plans seems so negative; as you say, we need ideas!

Well, first, I reckon that St Andrews attracts people partly because of the smaller shops (ye olde fashioned, nostalgic kind, and all that – but it sells..)

People will go on trying to use their cars (their pride and joy, but actually essential when living out-of-town), so the first thing really, is to build a multistorey, or underground, car park. Any other parking slots need to be for the disabled, for there aren’t enough (or maybe they’re misused). That’s where the money should go first! Too many chances have been missed already; if there isn’t any central parking we shall lose all our ‘smaller’, independent shops; and we shall all be ‘forced’ out of town to the superstores! That’s why I already go occasionally to Morrisons. I do try to shop in town: it is possible, just. Bread (easy!); meat; fish; vegetables and fruit (hooray for Birrell‘s!); alcolhol (plenty!); chemist; cheeses etc., hardware,....(um, soap-powders etc. um....Alldays! but the smaller ‘Lifestyle’ shops in the back streets carry most basics). And Rodger’s, the Meal Shop, is a real Aladdin’s cave with extra-good preserves…it’s been here so long, familyinherited and such good service and quality! I think Americans drool over our “cute li’le shops”, and we should value them more!

The trees and pavements I cannot comment on – the priority goes to a REAL car park, as central as possible. Bus transport; yes, I know it’s an important consideration, but busy people haven’t time to wait around for buses, and the planned-for tourists will insist on using cars, either their own, or hired for their holiday.

FEATURES

Scenarios

– is this a useful option?

A study called, “Scenarios for Scotland – two roads into 2015” was carried out by the University of St Andrews in conjunction with Strathclyde University. Project Director, Professor Peter McKiernan, of the School of Management at the Gateway, University of St Andrews, has kindly given this magazine permission to reproduce the introduction to the report. Would St Andrews benefit from a similar exercise devoted to it?

Scenarios for Scotland sets out to paint two of hopelessness, is growing. If this route is to each other, but also producing constructive radically different pictures of a future Scottish followed, Scotland’s report card would read: solutions to our problems. This harmony, it economy, culture and national mood.

“Could do much better”. says, must spill over the border and govern The High Road and the Low Road have The High Road seeks attitudes to England and emerged after extensive studies by the to present an inspirational, with international trading Dynamism in every walk Universities of St. Andrews and Strathclyde. but by no means Utopian, and investment partners. of life – politics, business, Their contrasting stories were shaped vision of where we Dynamism in every by scenario building, learning from the past, could be in 2015. In this walk of life – politics, culture, employment, exploring the present and anticipating the version, Scotland has culture, religion and training must business, future. The research was an intensive 18fully benefited from a employment, religion month process, including many thoughtful and knowledge economy. Its and training must be the be the watchword. stimulating meetings of groups drawn from aspiration, to become watchword. Feasible? participants from every walk of Scottish life. The Europe’s second wealthiest country, is close Yes. Achievable? Why not? That is the Low Road scenario is based to fulfilment: no longer a challenge thrown up by the High Road scenario. on current trends – the Devolution and future relations with The High Road seeks to matter of if, but when. This way we are going now. It attitude reflects a vibrant, Westminster and indeed Scotland’s biggest present an inspirational, confident nation secure paints a gloomy picture of a market, England, play a part in both scenarios.

Scotland stumbling forward in its place in the global The St. Andrews and Strathclyde team but by no means through mediocrity, beset economy. Employment is recognises the opportunities and problems that Utopian, vision of where high, the best-trained Scots could flow from a new Scottish Parliament and by lethargy, bedevilled with conflict both internally see no reason to leave the need for political awareness and sensitivity. we could be in 2015. and with Westminster, and and businesses outside But it has looked beyond at the wider suffering from shrinking Scotland queue up to come human dimension at the heart of the success investment and fewer job opportunities. here and take advantage of our cadre of highly of smaller countries such as Denmark, Finland The gap between the “haves”, those who trained staff and to enjoy a stimulating cultural and Ireland. Politics, it concludes, is unlikely to profited by increasingly accessible education environment. be the single decisive factor in either scenario. opportunities, and the “have-nots”, trapped All this is firmly rooted in reality, but it The spirit of the people, their rich culture and in sink estates where unemployment through depends on leading Scots from disparate parts complex psyche will be better route guides to several generations has generated a sense of our national life and culture not only talking the future and a second Scottish Enlightenment.

Chatting to Melville Reid over the phone revealed a vast store of memories of St Andrews stretching a long way back. Flora Selwyn promptly went to talk to him…

Of circuses and things In the 1920s Melville lived at 17 Bowling Green Terrace, off the Kinnessburn Road. Today’s Nelson Street was still a field then at the end of Park Street. And that was where the circus came. It would arrive at the railway marshalling yards, where today The Old Course Hotel straddles the traces, process through the town streets and fetch up in the field. The Town Council provided a stand pipe for water, and for the next 3 days or so the Big Top would bring untold pleasures to the populace. Once the circus had packed up and left, the ring of sawdust would remain, and that became the scene of wild cowboy & Indian games for the local children for days, until all the sawdust had either washed away or been trampled into the ground. No thoughts of health & safety “issues” in those days! In the 1950s the circus moved further along to Auld Burn Park.

Melville told me his living room window overlooked the bowling green.

But there was an old cottage nearby, which belonged to a Mrs Balsillie.

She “took in washing”, and when Melville looked at the drying green, it would generally be entirely covered in washing. The first person in the area to own a wireless set was Charlie Hardie. He had to ask Mrs Balsillie’s permission to erect a pole on the drying green so that he could fix an aerial for his set. Melville can still recall the excitement when he had his own one-valve wireless set.

After the war, Melville became a postman for 25 years, until he retired. Imagine, during the hard winter of 1947, the Post Office van would drop him off at Brownhills on the Anstruther Road out of St Andrews, and from there, he walked in deep snow, to Dunino and back, to deliver the mail.

For 74 years Melville has been singing in the choir at St Andrews Church in Queen’s Gardens. When he was a schoolboy in the Burgh School, someone came “needing singers at the English Kirk. 12 of

us went and all were accepted. I’ve been there ever since”, recounts Melville modestly.

Composer of some lovely music and the words to go with it, Melville is also an accomplished artist, painting in oils.

Having seen so many changes these many past years, I asked Melville how he would like to see St Andrews develop in the future. Not surprisingly, he wishes the traffic problems away. He hopes the town will not get much bigger. His mother used to tell him of a Dr. McTier in the 1920s, who predicted that one day Strathkinness and St Andrews would join up; I agreed that the good Doctor was prescient but, with luck, will turn out to have been wrong in his prediction! Melville, like so many of us, regrets the passing of the Town Council, which he said, “treated the town in a loving way, in a considerate way.” He trusts that the town will continue to prosper, “it has always been a World place. Royalty has always come here, and all sorts – like Bing Crosby. It could go over the top, though, and make people scunnered!”

Time, alas, passed all too quickly.

Like the 3000 music records Melville has accumulated over the years, his memories and his interests are legion, and I could have listened to him forever. Sadly, I learned that his wife of 60 years passed away last September. However, his children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren evidently all contribute positively to his amazing spirit. Long may it be so! And thank you, Melville, for your courtesy and hospitality.

For 74 years Melville has been singing in the choir at St Andrews Church in Queen’s Gardens.

5

FEATURES

The 200 Club

by Richard D. Douglas About a year ago, about the same time I took over the role of 200 Club Administrator, I heard a rather amusing, but slightly unsettling story: During the AGM of a local organisation that is backed by the 200 Club no-one present knew who, or what, this strange 200 Club on their accounts sheet was, even though the 200 Club was one of their biggest individual backers. To be honest, until I took over the running of the 200 Club, I had little idea what the Club did, other than take up a small section in the Town News section of the local paper.

All this begs a question: what is the 200 Club?

In June 1987 the Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council sent out a press release: “Over the years the Royal Burgh of St Andrews Community Council has been hampered in its efforts to promote activities in the town, through lack of funds. The aim of the 200 CLUB, therefore, is to provide funds which will allow the Community Council to support and sponsor events, environmental improvements, and help local groups and organisations.

The 200 CLUB will, with full membership, provide annually for this purpose £3400. The remainder will provide a very attractive prospect in prizes…”

The Club operates in a very simple way. Each month the sum of £2.00 is paid into the 200 Club account by Standing Order by each member of the Club. This income is split into two parts, a

grants fund and a prize pot. Each month a draw is made, and prizes of £50, £30, £25 and £15 are given. This is the St Andrews Lottery, and it too, is governed by the Lotteries and Amusements Act 1976.

Over the years the 200 Club has never managed to complete the full compliment of 200 members, but nonetheless it has kept its membership at 100-120. A consequence of this is that the grants it has given out have never made it to the envisaged £3,400. But it has given out grants totalling well over £25,000 to local organisations, clubs, events, charities, and helping local individuals represent and promote St Andrews around the world, whilst doing other good works. Just think what the 200 Club could do if it had a full compliment of 200 members…

For further information, to apply for a grant, or for membership, please contact: Richard D. Douglas, 200 Club Administrator, 24 Largo Road, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 8RW.

The Battle of Monte Cassino, May 1944 Eileen Lawson moved to St Andrews 18 months ago from Bedfordshire. She had been Tourism Officer for Bedford, enabling her to travel extensively throughout England. The Headley Lawrence Trophy for Tourism was awarded to Eileen for “Outstanding Service to Tourism” .

Eileen’s husband, Bombadier Reginald Lawson MM.RA saw action in the Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944. Also known as the Battle for Rome, the Allies, and particularly the Polish forces, suffered heavy losses.

Only when the historic monastery of Monte Cassino was flattened could the British and American divisions advance on Rome itself, which fell just two days before the Normandy invasion.

The Monastery of Monte Cassino was where Benedict established the western form of monasticism, and from antiquity it had been the scene of many battles. The monastery was completely rebuilt after the Second World War. In November 2004, Eileen received a letter informing her that Certificates of Honour can be obtained from the Anzio Beachhead Museum in Anzio (where the Anzio Landings took place), to commemorate all those who took part in the Battle 60 years ago. Eileen now has a Certificate in her late husband‘s name. She would like to make sure that other veterans are honoured in this way and would be glad to hear from anyone whose relatives were involved.

If you would like to contact Eileen, please get in touch with St Andrews in Focus, either by phone, in writing, or by email, and we will pass on the details.

6

FEATURES Catherine McDonald pays tribute to two special people.

Isobel, Rymonth and Heaven’s Very Special Child Thanks to the monumental efforts of a lady called Isobel Neilson, together with her husband Keith, our local charity Rymonth House provides an answer to the unspoken prayers of many parents who have children with Special Needs (more recently termed Additional Needs) – “What will happen to our son or daughter after we are gone?”

The story of Rymonth as well as ENABLE was given comprehensive coverage in previous issues of St Andrews in Focus, but somehow two names succeeded in avoiding the spotlight: those of Isobel and Keith, the driving force behind both of these organisations. Quiet, modest, and yet fun-loving and a good sport, the forward-thinking Isobel, devoted wife and mother of three, is a lady with a vision and strong personal faith to sustain it. The accompanying poem, chosen by her, movingly illustrates her mission in life.

The occasion of our first meeting was one breezy Sunday morning, at the start of that long vacancy at the Holy Trinity Church of which the pair are enthusiastic and loyal members. We viewed each other across the crowded runway of the Car Boot Fair at Crail, where she was sandwiched between the popular and engaging former policeman Alan Hutchinson (Recreation Officer at Rymonth) and Pat Ferguson (‘Friend of Rymonth’ and accomplished accordion player). On a one-off basis the happy trio were exploring pastures new for possible fund-raising activities. Their cause was clearly displayed on a banner bearing the name RYMONTH. Mine however (on a stall opposite) was strictly OUT FOR MYSELF. But any temporary embarrassment was Thanks to Isobel Neilson and soon put to rest by lsobel’s calm and matter-of-fact manner, her team, Rymonth House in its as she quietly enlisted my help for a forthcoming bric-abeautiful setting is a haven for brac stall, six months hence, at the annual Rymonth Coffee adults with Additional Needs – an Morning. Typical of her forward planning, it seemed that I too achievement for St Andrews had joined the happy band; and a happy band it is too. to be proud of and to be lsobel describes Rory MacLeod, the new young minister supported with enthusiasm. at the Holy Trinity Church as ‘a breath of fresh air’. I fear it is unlikely now that Sundays will find her seeking further (Rymonth House can be supplies of it on the wind-ridden airfield at Crail! contacted on 01334 477967)

Heaven’s Very Special Child A meeting was held quite far from Earth!

It’s time again for another birth.

Said the Angels to the Lord above, This Special Child will need much love.

His progress may be very slow, Accomplishments he may not show, And he’ll require extra care From the folks he meets down there.

He may not run or laugh or play; His thoughts may seem quite far away, In many ways he won’t adapt, And he’ll be known as handicapped.

So let’s be careful where he’s sent.

We want his life to be content.

Please Lord, find the parents who Will do a special job for you.

They will not realise right away The leading role they’re asked to play.

But with this child sent from above Comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they’ll know the privilege given In caring for their gift from Heaven.

Their precious charge so meek and mild Is Heaven’s Very Special Child.

Anon.

(Printed in SSMH Year Book 1981/82)

Bob Hunter has had a research interest in graveyards for over 40 years. He attended a conference in Edinburgh last year of the Federation of Friends of Cemeteries, a national organisation dedicated to maintaining and refurbishing cemeteries throughout the land and researching the histories contained in them. The following is a shortened version of an article Bob wrote for the Friends of Nunhead Cemetery News.

A South-West Connection As a “Friend of Nunhead Cemetery” of long-standing I am always interested in visiting old graveyards. On a recent holiday at Kippford (Dumfries & Galloway) I was reminded that this area was a hot-bed of covenanting activity during the 17th Anworth Churchyard century. I decided, therefore, to follow a theme in visiting graveyards where some of the martyrs are buried.

One of my visits took me to Anwoth, an important site commemorating not only the martyr John Bell of Whitesyde, but also Samuel Rutherford, sometime minister at Anwoth, later translated to St. Andrews; this latter remembered by a plaque on the wall of the ruined church and by a tall obelisk on the Boreland Hills above the village of Anwoth.

On my return home I made an early visit to Rutherford’s burial place in St. Andrews Cathedral Graveyard. Rutherford was a member of the radical Kirk Party, a devoted writer of pamphlets in favour of the Party; he supported the Act of Classes to the extent that when a Scottish army, which in his view had not sufficiently purged its ranks of elements unworthy in the sight of the Lord, was defeated by Cromwell at the Battle of Dunbar in 1650 he actually rejoiced.

In 1636 he suffered internal exile, being banished to Aberdeen. He was appointed Professor of Divinity at the University of St. Andrews in

1639, and was in the Scottish Delegation attending the Westminster Assembly in 1643. His book “Lex Rex” (The Law and the King) had the distinction of being burned by the common hangman in 1661. By dying he defied the Edinburgh Parliament’s attempt to try him for treason. In fact he was on his deathbed when the summons arrived and he graciously declined saying, “I have got summons already before a Superior Judge and Judiciary, and it behoves me to answer my first summons”.

His tombstone in the Cathedral Graveyard is inscribed: “Here lyes the Reverend Mr.Samuell Rutherfoord Professor of Divinity in the University of St.Andrews who Died March the 29 1661.

What tongu what Pen or Skill of Men Can Famous Rutherfoord Commend His Learning justly rasid his Fame True GODliness Adorned HIS Name He did converse with things Above Acquainted with Emmanuels Love Most Orthodox He was and Sound And Many Errors Did Confound For Zions King and Zions Cause And Scotlands Covenanted LAWS Most constantly he Did Contend Until His Time Was at An End Then He Wan TO the Full Fruition OF That which He Had Seen in Vision” Photos by Bob Hunter.

St Andrews Cathedral graveyard; Rutherford’s stone is on the left.

7

FEATURES Alan Tricker, a Director of the Byre Theatre, talks about a forthcoming production.

The ‘other’ Open in 2005 It is a tradition that each time the Open Golf antics of the players at the Road Hole. It is a Championship is in St Andrews, the St Andrews great comedy and also a touching love story.

Play Club (or the Byre Theatre) produces To my knowledge it has been played at the A.B. Paterson’s golf comedy, The Open. It is a Byre Theatre ten times since 1950 – the same play about the Championship in St Andrews in number of times that the Open has been in the 1940s, when the pace of life was slower, St Andrews. and before the current commercialisation of the My first association with the play was during event. As with the Open Golf Championship it the 1984 Open (winner Seve Ballesteros) when has a cast of local St Andrean, American, and it was directed by playwright and Byre Theatre English golfers and is set in a small family-run founder, A. B. Paterson. I played the English hotel adjacent to the eighteenth fairway – the amateur champion in the play. Not a golfer “Hole in One Hotel”. It shows St Andrews at myself, however, I had to have some basic a time when most visitors arrived by train, lessons from the golfers in the cast so that I when you had to be a bona-fide traveller to get looked as natural with a golf club in my hand an alcoholic drink on Sundays, and when an as I did with a glass of whisky when at the bar! amateur could still be in with a chance to win In 1990 (Open winner Nick Faldo) I played an The Open.

American golfer, as Many golf well as directing the The story focuses on the nailpersonalities of the play. As the Play biting finale of an Open with the day are mentioned Club couldn’t use in the play, such as the Byre Theatre residents of the hotel, staff and Sam Sneed (winner that summer, we golfers alike, viewing the antics of the 1946 Open in put it on at the St Andrews), Bobby Crawford Centre. of the players at the Road Hole.

Locke, Ben Hogan The last production It is a great comedy and also a and Dai Rees. There was at the 2000 is also a drink-loving Open (winner Tiger touching love story caddie, The Louse, Woods) when who is purported to Ken Alexander be based on some of the fishermen-caddies (Artistic Director of the Byre Theatre) mounted of the 1940s. The story focuses on the naila production with an amateur cast. Again, this biting finale of an Open with the residents of was put on at the Crawford Centre, as the new the hotel, staff and golfers alike, viewing the Byre Theatre was then under construction.

8

Some of the cast of the 1990 production, watching events on the eighteenth fairway.

Left to right: Sian Kennedy, Anne Mackein, Brenda Hunter, April Duffen, Guy Richardson, Alan Tricker.

Amongst the cast on that occasion was Donna Hazelton, recent winner of the TV show “Musicality”, as the American golfer’s wife.

The St Andrews Play Club will be presenting the play from 26th May to 4th June 2005 at the Byre Theatre, in order to keep this St Andrews tradition alive. The Club plan to make it a special event, as it is the first time that a play by the Byre’s founder A. B. Paterson will be performed in the auditorium that bears his name.

FEATURES Along one side of Langlands Road in St Andrews is a long, unremarkable wall. Flora Selwyn was invited to go and learn what lies behind it, and discovered the

St Andrews United Junior Football Club together with its Social & Recreational Club.

Having sons and grandsons who are keen football fans, I was eager to find out what is available for St Andreans of a like inclination, and I was not disappointed. David Cunningham, Chairman of the Club; Colin Downie, Team Manager; Reon Juskowiak, Club Captain; and David Waters, President of the Social Club, all came together to brief me.

The Football Club was established in 1920 on the same site it occupies today in Langlands Road. As a Junior Club, it is semiprofessional and the players are paid. If there is enough talent, a player as young as 15 or 16 can be invited to join the Club, but ages are usually 18 and upward. The Club has talent scouts out at school matches and other amateur games, so do your best lads, and you might find yourselves among the Chosen!

Training takes place twice a week in the evenings. Play is every Saturday.

Although in theory there is a break from the first week of June to August, that’s when pre-training sessions begin.

Football, these days, seems to be an all-the-year-round activity.

The Club is ambitious. So far it is unbeaten in the Fife Junior League.

The target now is to be promoted to the East of Scotland Super League.

Colin is determined – “that is where we should be, and with a bit of luck we’ll be in there this season!” For prestige, the Super League is “the crème de la crème” of junior football in this part of Scotland, and once in it the pressure is on to stay in it. Colin told me there are 20 League games still to play before May, and with so many cup matches coming in between, the race is on against time. June is the absolute cut-off date.

The Scottish Football Association provides referees for matches and linesmen for bigger games. It is also responsible for discipline.

St Andrews United’s 19 signed players are lucky to have their own physiotherapist, whose company, Peak Condition, has a treatment room within the grounds. Colin was appointed Team Manager in November 2003, coming from Glenrothes Junior Football Club. His vast managerial experience is drawn from his successful playing career, where his all-time high was playing for St Johnstone Football Club in Perth. Reon, the Club Captain was head-hunted from Crossgates Primrose, where he joined after 2 years as Professional with Cowdenbeath FC. His leadership skills as Captain stem from his current secondary High School PE teaching job. A Vice-Captain, Graham Nicoll, has been newly appointed this year.

David chairs a committee of 12 volunteers (including women) who meet fortnightly. Their job is predominantly fund-raising; ground maintenance alone needs some £40,000 a year.

The Social Club was set up in October 1982 to support the Football Club, and it has raised the money and built the impressive Club premises. Open 7 days a week, members can play bingo 3 times, carpet bowls every Wednesday – “one of the best sections” says President David Waters – dance every Saturday, play golf on the Links under its auspices, or generally socialise. On offer are darts, dominoes, pool, with matches played for all of them. There are 3 bars and a catering service, and you can book the venue for special occasions. With a current membership of 960, David told me there is room for more. To join, you pay a nonreturnable joining fee of £26 followed by an annual subscription of £18; for Senior Citizens this is £20 and £14 respectively.

As with any football club in the land, sponsorship is vital. The main sponsors here are: Bassaguard Garage (St Andrews), Makein & McNabb Electrical Contractors (Cupar), Exsell Paving (Kennoway). There is space available round the grounds for advertising boards – ball and match sponsors are required for forthcoming matches. A Super Six (numbers) Draw is held weekly, and through commission this provides “an ideal method for any organisation to raise funds and assist the Football Club”.

If you would like to help the Club in any way, please contact David Cunningham, 01334 476585, or call at the premises in Langlands Road.

The target now is to be promoted to the East of Scotland Super League

Photographs courtesy of the Football Club

9

FEATURES Nostalgia is always with us. Those trying to bring trains back to St Andrews will surely relish this article which appeared in The Courier on 24th September 1958. Very many thanks to Betty Willsher for digging it out of her archives, and also for getting the Courier’s kind permission to reprint it here.

To Leuchars in a Spaceous Parlour I was catching the EdinburghDundee train at the Haymarket – the one which now leaves Waverley at nine, an unusually symmetrical time for a train departure.

After the accustomed bustle and excitement of Waverley Station, I found the Haymarket strange. It was like an old person patiently enduring the years as they drain out.

This particular evening all was dim, orderly and muted. We stood on the platform, a straggle of shadowy individuals, each waiting in a still lethargy.

Prelude

I had noticed that three trains were due at nine-four. I imagined our dull heaviness suddenly shattered by these snorting monsters tearing in, boiler and boiler, in a desperate race.

But it wasn’t like that at all.

First was the prelude – a tall, gaunt figure came to us with loping strides and swinging lantern, and a wailing cry which rose and fell in a fine chant, “Dundee train . . .

Train for Inverkeithing, Burntisland. . .Kinghorn, Kirkcaldy. . . Thornton, Ladybank, Cupar, Leuchars Junction AND Dundee.” And then,

with a sudden spurt of spirit, “Diesel for Dundee, the one and only Dundee Diesel!”

We were electrified. We advanced, craned our necks, peered excitedly into the black void. And it was with us, gliding in, pulling up in all its trim freshness and efficiency.

Its great array of passengers sat in trim ranks, its engine driver in an aseptic cabin.

The Bulge

I entered the spacious parlour, where only three seats were available. I

seated myself on the outside edge of one of the three-seater seats, upholstered in dark green with a pattern in beige. My companions were also well upholstered, and they bulged well over the strip which signified a demarcation limit.

I planted my feet firmly on the clean red floor, hoping I could keep my grip on my strip of seat. I looked wonderingly at the apple green walls in Formica sort of stuff, and the icewhite arc of the ceiling with its bright, spaced lights, and the touches of bright red which “finished off” the scheme.

Familiar Noises

KERACHERS

Fish merchants, Salmon Smokers & Game Dealers 73 South Street, St Andrews Fife KY16 9QW tel 01334 472541 www.keracher.co.uk enquiries@keracher.co.uk

Serving St Andrews with quality seafood & game since 1925

10

We took off with a purring vibration which increased like the noise of a jet until my head seemed to swell. Then there was relief in a gear change noise, and again the mounting swell to a peak of relief. It seemed like being in a racing motor.

Then it turned into a tramcar, with that proud gliding and slight rolling, the sense of swinging along on huge metal skates. Then, to my delight, it was a train as well, for there came those loved and so familiar noises – diddle-de-dong, diddle-de-dong, changing, as we increased speed to the intriguing diddle-de-dong, serve-you-right, diddle-de-dong, serve-you-right.

At each stopping place we endured the changes and combinations of car, tram and train sensations. Twice I leapt in the air at a sudden loud bang.

Ingenious

But the incongruous thing, the thing which intrigued me most, was the cry of the Diesel, which it uttered as it approached a halt. It was a sound which took me back to “The Wind in the Willows” – a two-noted “poop-poop”, the noise of that horn which was on the earliest types of cars, a squeeze-the-rubber-bulb sort.

How on earth did anyone have the ingenuity to give such a humanising characteristic to this strange, impersonal modern beast?

I was tired, as I expect most of us were. Travelling from nine to eleven-fifteen at night one longs to drift into a pleasant doze, lulled by puff and rhythmic jolt of the train.

But in the first place the cosiness and privacy of the old compartment were gone. Reflected in the great window spaces on either side was the entire travelling kitchen and company.

Cold Fierceness

There were three times the number of people, three times the clean perfection, shining metal rack and red touches and all. Then the lights shone down at me with a cold fierceness.

But worse than either was the shape of the seat. If I put my head back it tipped into space, for the seats stop long before they should, unless one is four feet short and has a huge foot stool.

I tried slithering down, and my knees came hard against the seat in front, and in the small of my back was an aching hollowness.

The seats are all right if you sit bolt upright – but who, when travelling long and late, wants to do that?

The Friendly Train

I got off at Leuchars and found the dear familiar St Andrews train. And there, slumped nicely in the corner of a compartment, I enjoyed the chugging journey, and enjoyed, too, a description of life in Cape Town, which one passenger was giving to another. If you want conversation, well you can have it in a compartment, and if you don’t, there’s always the refuge of newspaper or sleep.

And oh, how important is a place to rest the head.

When we got off the train I passed the engine driver. He was standing, smiling in the firelight of that magic cave. Well, I thought, if it’s to be Dundee Diesels everywhere, how thankful I am to have known the fascinating, friendly, old steam train.

FEATURES

Ask the Curator Lesley-Anne Lettice at the Preservation Trust Museum, North Street, St Andrews (01334 477629) has – some of – the answers.

Q. I recently came across some old family photographs from the 1950s showing the open-air swimming pool where the sea-life centre now stands. I wonder if anyone can tell me something about the origins of the pool and the reason for its demise?

A. The cove where the Step Rock stands was used by men and boys for swimming from the 18th century.

From around 1873 a bathing shelter was erected each spring, but it was not until 1903 that a pool was built on the site. Measuring 300 feet long by 100 feet wide, it had a sloping floor, graduating from about 2 feet to 8 feet in depth. The ladies of the town had previously used the bathing pools at either side of the Castle, but by 1930 mixed bathing had been introduced at the Step Rock Pool. The Step Rock Amateur Swimming Club was formed in 1928 to promote the art of swimming, competitive swimming, life-saving and diving. Every summer the club held a swimming gala, which attracted thousands of spectators within the complex itself, while others lined the cliff tops. The Step Rock also provided a venue for events such as bathing belle competitions, diving exhibitions and water polo matches.

During the 1930s the swimming club produced three district champions, and a Scottish champion. The Step Rock Life Guard Corps was established, and purchased a boat to assist in its work. Many of the members were awarded Royal Humane Society Parchments for gallantry in saving lives. Generations of local children and summer visitors learned to swim at the Step Rock and many townspeople hold fond memories of long summer days spent with friends and family at the pool. During the early 1970s, public health concerns led to a marked decline in the popularity of the pool and it was eventually closed.

Q. I have been following the correspondence in ‘St Andrews In Focus’ relating to wartime bombings and wonder if anyone can provide some information regarding what happened to the links and the golf courses during the Second World War? A. With the war in full swing the golf courses were not particularly busy and many of those who golfed were British or American servicemen, some of whom played in uniform – a few of them starting at the second tee to get round without paying! Ladies made up a high proportion of the golfing population at that time. Members of the R & A helped to carry out the work of greenkeepers who were on active service.

Despite the upheaval of war, the re-designing of the Jubilee Course continued, but relationship between the links workers and the Army and Territorials, who exercised at the far end of the West Sands, was an uneasy one. There were a number of firing ranges out near the 9th hole of the Jubilee. The exercises being carried out on the beach and the golf courses included the throwing of hand grenades – the holes caused had to be filled regularly. The Bren gun carriers – open, tracked vehicles – were considered a particular nuisance. They were supposed to stay on the sands, but often charged up the dunes and across the bunkers. In November 1941 the Town Council lodged a claim for damages with the War Office.

A stretch of grass south of the railway line was designated an aeroplane landing ground and was occasionally used as an emergency landing strip for aircraft limping home to RAF Leuchars. Known locally as the ‘Balgove Strip’, it is now part of the Balgove and Strathtyrum courses. From March 1940 the Town Council – ordered by the Dept of Agriculture – was obliged to allow a flock of sheep the run of all four existing golf courses as a matter of wartime necessity. Sheep and golfers were required to exist side by side until May 1945 when a meeting of the Town Council agreed to ask the grazing tenant to remove the flock for a week while the Daily Mail Professional Tournament was in progress from 19th-21st September.

In December of that year the Council voted to end grazing on the links for good.

The Eden and Jubilee course had the use of two tractors for towing motors to cut the fairways, but one of these was commandeered for the best part of the war to tow a grass mower at a local airfield. The limit on petrol for upkeep of the two courses was 79 gallons per month – this small amount had to fuel all the mowers and tractors, so was carefully rationed. One way of doing this was to drastically reduce the trimming of fairway grass. The fuel allowance was just 40% of the pre-war levels. If it ran out the machines were stored until the new allocation became available.

Can you help solve a mystery?

Do you know anything about an unmarked gravestone to the rear of St Rule’s Tower? The stone is adjacent to that of a Mr George Wallace and the inscription reads ‘A tribute of respect from his fellow workers’. Every year at Christmas a wreath mysteriously appears at the gravestone.

Anyone with information can contact Alison Sullivan at the Cathedral on 472563 or LesleyAnne Lettice at the Preservation Trust Museum on 477629.

One last point about the war-time bombs in St Andrews – Mr. Jim Moore has a book, probably well out of print, called, ‘This Dangerous Menace – Dundee & the River Tay at War 19391945’ by Andrew Jeffrey. According to this source, 7 bodies were identified after the bombing. Of these, 5 were women. In addition, there were 4 heads whose bodies were never found!

11

SHOPS & SERVICES Kathleen Rodger tells the story of another of our wonderful family-owned retail shops.

The Meal Shop The Meal Shop, 131 South Street, St Andrews was bought by Tom Rodger in 1958. It was previously owned by Messrs. Haxton, grocers and tea blenders. Tom Rodger was the 7th generation of millers and grain merchants

whose base was Burnside Mills in Cupar.

Tom’s launch into retailing was the acquisition in 1954 of a shop in Cupar. These acquisitions were followed by a similar purchase in Commercial Street in Kirkcaldy. There is a

Tom in spring 2002, (for a television programme broadcast in Oct. 2002 after his sudden death)

sign board on the St Andrews shop saying, Established 1774 – that being the year in which Tom’s forbears started in business. When the Cupar shop was opened, the trade in pet foods, and indeed pets too, was in its infancy and the combination of pet foods and cereals combined very well and Tom gradually built a wholesale business in all animal feeds, farm and domestic. In the beginning, St Andrews Shop had a section in the front shop for colourful and cheerful budgerigars. In the back shop was a bath in which goldfish swam.

Indeed, on the opening day there was a free goldfish for all our customers. There were stalls in the back shop for dogs to await their appointed time for a trim. A trained person was employed to deal with this aspect of the business. The shop also ran a holiday service for rabbits and birds. Modern legislation meant that the pet side of the business was no longer possible, so now we sell animal foods and accessories, but no pets.

In 1983 Tom bought an old mill in Aberfeldy and restored it beautifully. It was an oatmeal mill, powered by water and it gave him a great deal of satisfaction until his sudden death in 2002. The shop in South Street continues to trade with the same staff under the direction of KathIeen Rodger – wife of the late Tom Rodger.

Next time you pass a local shop, stop, and reflect on the lives that shaped it.

A brief history of

David Donaldson, Plasterer, Slater & Glazier 45d South Street, St Andrews (01334) 473965 by Katrina Gatherum My father David was brought up just outside St Andrews on Strathtyrum Estate and attended the Burgh School until the age of 15. On leaving school he served his apprenticeship with P. W. Hutton, Plasterers, North Street, St Andrews. He worked for several years with different companies before deciding to set up in business for himself.

On 1st October 1972, with a small piece of ground for storage and an old Volkswagen van, he started in business as David Donaldson, Plasterer. Being a ‘local lad’ and with help from my grandparents, my mother Wilma and friends in the trade, he secured work from local residents, the Town Council and University. Although work was plentiful, prompt payment was not always forthcoming, and in his fifth week of business he realised that if payments were not received within the next few days he would have to finish trading at the end of the week.

Fortunately, by mid-week a few accounts had been paid, allowing him to continue working. After his first year in business he had enough work to justify employing a full-time plasterer and was delighted when an old work colleague under whom he had trained approached him and asked for the job. In 1976 a local company of slaters went into liquidation and my father was offered their small premises together with stock and a tradesman keen to work for him. As slating is compatible with plastering he agreed to their offer and hence became David Donaldson, Plasterer & Slater.

Due to the expansion of the business, storage space became a problem, particularly during winter months when materials had to be covered with tarpaulins, and he decided to move to larger, covered premises in South Castle Street. He continued to work from this base for several years, but as the business continued to expand and with articulated lorries now regularly delivering material, it once again became necessary to move. He found at the harbour in Balfour Place a large warehouse in need of upgrading, and after carrying out the necessary upgrading work, transferred the plant and material. Throughout these years all administration was undertaken at home by my mother, and the need for office space was obvious. In 1986 they bought a shop in South Street, used the back premises as an office and sold ceramic tiles in the front.

Several years later a local glazing firm closed and my father employed

12

one of their glaziers as a labourer, soon after that, another experienced glazier asked for a labouring job. Having 2 experienced glaziers, and with no glazing company in town, it seemed sensible to expand the business once more to become David Donaldson, Plasterer, Slater and Glazier. Responsibility for managing 4 businesses was time-consuming and allowed my father little time for outside interests, so he decided to delegate some work to my brother Brian, who was already working for the firm. For the next 10 years Brian continued to assist with the running of the business and in 2002 when my parents retired he took over sole responsibility. However, although officially retired, David and Wilma still take an active interest and assist when required.

SHOPS & SERVICES

UK Design celebrates its first birthday Can it be a year ago that Roving Reporter called in to see Eleanor and Elaine in their freshly painted shop at 22 Bell Street? How the months have flown!

The ladies opened with only two ladies’ brands, and are happy to say that this summer they will have six. These include; Miss Sixty, Chilli Pepper, Ben Sherman, Firetrap – and, of course, the mainstay of the fashion market; Bench and Hooch!

“It’s quite scary buying new fashion,” say the ‘girls’, “but we know our St Andrews market is looking to shop right here, and we are determined to give people what they want!”

Guys have not been left out. Three new brands have been ordered for summer; Urban Stone, Ben Sherman, and Jacques Britt (fabulous shirts!), plus the amazing Duck and Cover, Bench, Sonneti, Fred Perry – and, of course, the famous Lacoste, with the little silver alligator on their Jeans pocket.

So here’s hoping for a bumper 2005 spring / summer. The sisters have been to Spain on holiday, recharged their batteries, and are ready to look after their many loyal customers – and hopefully, lots of new ones too! Let’s face it, we can’t do without you!

We haven’t forgotten our tourists either. We have a lovely selection of gifts, including outstanding pewter tableware by the international designer Diana Carmichael, mohair rugs, Teddies in Tartan, and Rinconada hand-painted animals from Uruguay.

Remember, 10th March 2005 is the first anniversary of the new UK Design – and everything will have a 10% reduction!

13

SHOPS & SERVICES

14

SHOPS & SERVICES

Esperante

– the new restaurant experience at St Andrews Bay Golf Resort and Spa Flora Selwyn, Margaret and Douglas Dredge, and Michael Milbank, enjoyed an evening of gastronomic bliss.

It’s not every day in one’s life that an outing can be counted as unequivocally perfect. I can assure you, without blushing, that our visit to Esperante fitted that description.

We weren’t exactly sure what to expect, not having heard much about the restaurant beforehand. Indeed, we discovered that it had been in existence since last September, but kept very low key in order to develop the theme – Mediterranean in concept, but not concentrating on the cuisine of any one particular country in that region. That also explained the name of the restaurant, invented, to give a regional flavour.

We were met courteously at the entrance, along to the right inside the Hotel’s main lobby. The décor is welcoming, and warm, predominantly deep red with discrete lighting.

One wall before you as you come in is a well-lit panorama of sunny fields and vegetation setting the Mediterranean mood. We settled ourselves in vast, comfy seats in the lounge, Michael and I sipping orange juice in tall glasses, Margaret and Douglas each with Campari & Orange.

When we went into the restaurant we found the tables nicely spaced, allowing privacy, and beautifully set with white tablecloths, gleaming cutlery and elegant glasses. Already we were anticipating the pleasures to come!

Once seated, we were presented with two enticing menus; a choice of three or four courses, and the Menu Degustation, with or without wine. And, of course, the substantial wine list, which we happily left Douglas to

ponder. After a great deal of discussion, which would have done credit to us in any venue in France itself, we ordered. The staff had been incredibly patient with us, unobtrusively withdrawing each time we said we hadn’t decided yet.

We chose the four course menu. Margaret and Douglas started with Pressé of Foie Gras & Langoustine, Haricot Vert & Truffle Salad with Hazelnut Brioche. Michael and I had Red Mullet & Baby Leek Terrine with Petit Vegetable à la Grecque. The strange, but intentional, mixture of languages on the menu rather whets the appetite with a soupçon of amusement! But the presentation is superb.

Before we even began our first course, a procession of staff silently presented each of us simultaneously with a tiny dish and silver cover, ceremoniously lifted off to reveal a delicate cauliflower and truffle mousse.

Michael and Margaret then had Ravioli of Lobster, poached in Lobster Bisque, Braised Lettuce, Crushed Peas & Basil. Douglas chose Open Lasagne of Rabbit, Shitake Mushrooms & Spinach with Truffle Jus. I had Pumpkin, Parmesan & Rocket Risotto with Port Wine reduction Next for the Piatto Principale, Margaret and I both had the Seared Fillet of Brill with Braised

Fennel, Aubergine Caviar & Garlic Chips.

Michael went for the Tronchon of Turbot with Confit Potatoes, Roast Salsify. Douglas chose really rare Loin of Venison, with Pomme Anna, Creamed Savoy Cabbage & Parsnip Purée.

Douglas was driving, so eschewed alcohol, Michael stuck to orange juice (he needs a clear head to learn lines for a play he‘s shortly appearing in), Margaret accompanied her meal with a large glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, and I opted for a small glass of the same.

Another dainty little dish then appeared before we indulged in the Dolci. I spoiled myself with Warm Valrhona (the name intrigued me!) Chocolate Fondant with Cherry & Kirsch Compote, White Chocolate & Vanilla Ice Cream. Douglas had Texture of Caramel Desserts. Michael decided on Pear Parfait with Ginger Parkin Cake & Port Syrup. Margaret, who prefers savouries, plumped for the Baked Exquilor (a creamy cheese) with Basil Loaf & Tomato Chutney.

Then we all had coffee and Petits Fours.

Unanimously we all agreed that the meal and the service had been superb, faultless. It may sound over the top to be so enthusiastic, but I can assure you we are sincere. Head Chef Scott Dougall introduced himself over coffee. A Fifer, he trained at Glenrothes and has gained experience in many prestigious kitchens, including Gleneagles. He told us that he changes the menu every four weeks or so, giving people the opportunity to return and savour some of the alternatives they couldn’t really decide between on their first visit! I am wholly in sympathy with this novel idea.

Objectively, I have to mention price.

The 3 course menu is £39.50. The 4 course one we chose is £47.50. Douglas reports (he’s the expert!) that the wine list is good, comprehensive, from both northern and southern hemishperes. Wine is sold by the glass, Margaret having a fine New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc for under £5. Prices, by the bottle, ranged from a reasonable £18–£21 upwards to three-figure prices for rarer desirable vintages. Then there’s the Menu Degustation with wine at £90 per head, without wine at £65 per head.

It is difficult to describe tastes, since they are so subjective. As for prices, dreadful part of reality, they are really very reasonable when you consider the value you get. The ambience is relaxed, comfortably warm, yet airy. The waiting staff, with obvious pride in their work, serve efficiently, unobtrusively, describing each dish placed simultaneously before us – and they all knew who had ordered what. The whole meal is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. As for the ‘bonnes bouches’ with the pre-dinner drinks, those that appeared between courses, and the petits fours, you just have to imagine their delicacy, both of texture and taste – how they are made is a deep mystery to me!

We all agree; go and eat in Esperante, you won’t be disappointed!

We all agree; go and eat in Esperante, you won’t be disappointed!

15

SHOPS & SERVICES

Easter Egg Competition Burns Sweet Shop, 96 Market Street, St Andrews, has a beautiful Easter Egg on offer for the first correct answer drawn on 28th March.

These pictures were taken in the Old Town – where?

Please write the name of the street, and/or other location, of each picture, and send your entry to: St Andrews in Focus PO Box 29210 St Andrews Fife, KY16 9YZ Remember to include your name and address!

HYPNOTHERAPY can help with issues such as

Consultations in: The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa. The Natural Therapy Clinic, St Andrews.

STOP SMOKING USUALLY IN 1 SESSION

For further information, contact Connie on: 0777 618 3695 www.connieweir.com Connie Weir BA(hons) Psy. DHyp

INVALID SERVICES Ltd. 01334 472834 / 01382 770303

24 hours a day “Care at Home” service Throughout Fife & Tayside Licensed by the Care Commission

How would you like to be in my shoes?

BOOTMAKER & RETAILER 47 SOUTH STREET, ST.ANDREWS TEL: 01334 473355

You will always be welcome to inspect a marvellous selection of ladies and gents top quality Footwear

16

Milk & Dairy Products Delivered Throughout Fife Milk Tokens Welcome Delivery to Shops, Factories & Homes Tel: 01334 840880 Ladeddie Farmhouse, Pitscottie, Cupar

THE

COFFEEHOUSE A large selection of coffees & teas.

Most can be enjoyed on the premises together with light, home-made snacks.

Always on sale – an incredible range of collectable teapots and gifts.

Come in and see!

6a Greyfriars Gardens, St. Andrews Tel: 01334 477122

SHOPS & SERVICES Alice Curteis introduces

Fairtrade Fortnight St Andrews Fairtrade Town and Fairtrade University campaigners have put together the biggest programme yet for Fairtrade Fortnight.

This year it will be hard to miss the call to ‘Check Out Fairtrade’, whether you’re off shopping, in the library to study, visiting the castle, going to church, or looking for a good cup of coffee and a tasty chocolate treat to enjoy. You can even come to a Fairtrade breakfast at 8am on 10th March at Northpoint Café, North Street and meet the manager of an Ethiopian coffee cooperative who knows all about the difference that fair trade can make to producers and their families. Never before have there been so many opportunities to sample Fairtrade tea, coffee, chocolate, cakes, orange juice, muffins, and even wine, mostly free of charge! See below for dates and other details.

The theme ‘Check out Fairtrade’ is the boldest promotion ever by the Fairtrade Foundation (www.fairtrade.org.uk ). It focuses on the FAIRTRADE Mark, reproduced above, and seeks to deepen understanding among its supporters about the positive impact of fair trade on producers in developing countries and to tackle head-on the ambiguities created by other product claims in the market place.

Products that fulfil the necessary criteria carry the FAIRTRADE Mark, which guarantees: • • • • •

farmers’ organisations a fair and stable price for their products farmers and plantation workers extra income to improve their lives greater respect for the environment smaller farmers a stronger position in world markets a closer link between consumers and producers

In the aftermath of the tsunami disaster the sustainable alleviation of poverty in developing countries has rarely been higher on the agenda.

Regularly purchasing fairly traded products is something that everyone can do without waiting for the larger issues of trade justice, debt and aid to be sorted out by governments and international bodies.

When products carry the FAIRTRADE Mark you know that the farmers, or plantation, or factory workers who produced them are paid enough for their labour to provide the basics for themselves and their families, in other words to afford a roof over their heads, to buy food and clothing, and to send their children to school.

Without such safeguards those involved in producing our tea, coffee, chocolate, bananas, etc. on their own or other people’s land, or as employees in, for example, free-trade-zone sweatshops, can earn so little and in such insecure conditions that they live in abject poverty.

Since I last contributed to the pages of St Andrews in Focus in Issue 7 (Nov/Dec. 2004), the St Andrews Fairtrade Town Campaign has moved further towards achieving

Fairtrade status for the town, with parallel developments in the University being taken forward by the One World Society. The St Andrews Merchants Association recently endorsed the campaign. You can keep up to date with the campaign on our website http://sites.ecosse.net/mycelium/fairtrade A directory of over 20 shops, cafés, and other retail outlets, where fairly traded products can be bought in the town, will be available at all the Fairtrade Fortnight events, as well as online.

Copies can also be obtained by contacting me at, alice.curteis@tiscali.co.uk The number of Fairtrade workplaces is gradually increasing and we welcome information from anyone who has introduced Fairtrade tea and coffee as a regular feature of their workplace meetings and coffee breaks; that’s all it takes to be a Fairtrade workplace!

By the time Fairtrade Fortnight 2006 comes round St Andrews should be a Fairtrade Town, indicating that the community has committed and continues to commit itself to a system that ensures a better deal for producers in developing countries. Check Out Fairtrade this month and add your efforts to achieving this aim.

* Fairtrade Breakfast, and the chance to meet Tadesse Meskela, General Manager of the Oromia Coffee Farmers’ Co-operative Union, Ethiopia – Thursday 10th March, 8am to 9am, Northpoint Café, North St. Tea, coffee, orange juice, muffins, free of charge, but donations welcome Mr Meskela will also be speaking at a University venue at 11am on 10th March. * Tastings and samplings Mondays to Fridays, 1st 4th and 7th – 11th March, 11am to 1pm daily, outside Mansefield, St Mary’s Place, opposite the Students Union. * Check Out Fairtrade stall, free tea, coffee and biscuits Thursdays 3rd and 6th March and Saturdays 5th and 12th March, Alldays, South St. Free tastings of wine, chocolate, cakes and biscuits (varies from day to day). * Saturday, 6th March, 10am. – 4pm, Somerfield, Tom Stuart Lane, off Largo Road. Check Out Fairtrade stall – free samples of tea, coffee and chocolate.

Tadesse Meskela, General Manager of the Oromia Coffee Farmers’ Co-operative Union, Ethiopia. Please credit ‘Fairtrade Foundation’.

* Traidcraft stalls (regular events, not just during Fairtrade Fortnight) Sunday, 6th March, St Andrews Church, Queens Terrace, after morning service.

Sunday, 13th March, Hope Park Church. St Mary’s Place, after morning service.

Tony Fusaro and employee (this was taken during Fairtrade Tasting Day, 25th Sept 2004 in Luvians Ice Cream Parlour

* Fairtrade cafes (also regular events, not just during Fairtrade Fortnight) Saturday February 26th and Saturday March 12th from 9pm Mansefield, St Mary’s Place, opposite Students Union.

17

SHOPS & SERVICES

Roving Reporter keeps his eyes open for new shopping opportunities in the town – as readers of this magazine have come to expect.

Since the time she was a baby, Ann Scott came to St Andrews on holiday from Glasgow for 6 weeks in summer, and now the whole family lives here. Fourteen years ago, husband Alistair bought the optometrist practice where he was then Director – now A.C. Scott, 147 Market Street – and Ann worked there as his practice manager. (Incidentally, Ann would like to point out that children, too, can have free eye tests, and they should take advantage of such tests more than they do at present).

With a growing family of three, Ann then opened her own, very successful, children’s and baby wear shop, Linsey Anne, 207 South Street. Here you can find delightful garments ranging from premature-baby size to age 8. Well-known brands include Quiksilver, Miniman, Timberland, Steiff, among many others.

Customers used to ask Ann about shoes for their youngsters.

So now, after three and a half years, she has been able to open a brand-new complementary shop across the road, devoted entirely to children’s shoes. Take your young ones to Linsey’s Shoe Box, South Street for expert care and attention. Assistant Claire Cameron has been a trained shoe fitter for 5 years, but all the staff receive proper training, because Ann, being a mother herself, understands the vital importance of correct footwear. The range starts from pre-walkers, up to size 61⁄2, in widths C-H. Available alongside Start-rite, are Continental makes Naturino, Ricosta, Buckle My Shoe, Crocodilino, Richter, and more. Ann is happy to place orders for any other sizes requested.

People are welcome to browse in the shop without obligation – they are also invited to bring their children in to have their feet checked, remembering that Startrite has a different fitting gauge to other brands. Roving Reporter wished his children were still young enough to be offered the Photo Service – children fitted for the first time can have a certificate giving details of the shoes just bought, plus a photo to go with it!

Gift vouchers, especially for those “grandparents who would like to contribute”, are always available.

18

The Society of Shoe Fitters runs a 10 month correspondence course with 3 workshops in London, recognised also by chiropodists for referral for specialist fitting. Ann quoted the Society that, “Ours is the only profession to get down on our knees before customers”. Reporter is sure that Ann’s customers appreciate it!

* * *

When Iris appeared in Bell Street (where the Jewellery Workshop used to be) Reporter arranged to meet the owner, Isabel Willshaw.

It transpires that Isabel also owns Simply Scotland, in South Street, on the corner with Bell Street, a shop that stocks, “Lovely things for lovely people”. However, Isabel needed more room. She wanted to be able to display reasonably-priced fashion jewellery for parties and balls and ‘different silver jewellery’ in a space where people of all ages could browse comfortably, attracted by the goods on show in the window. Iris is designed to be “a fun place to come to”. Isabel told Reporter that there will be lots of “funky bags, shoes (arriving at the beginning of March), and as a stockist for the French company Sia, what my son calls ‘artefacts’, nice small-scale objects for the house “. There are Austrian candles (designed with the planets in mind) and many other treasures to discover.

Isabel explained that she “actively supports Scottish products, as long as they are interesting” and that in Simply Scotland, which is The Simply Scotland Trading Company, she will be selling “funky knitwear coming from Orkney” alongside her German and American clothing, and “very chic” French hats and scarves.

As if all this were not enough, Isabel also owns The Gingerbread Horse down the coast in Pittenweem. “When I’m not in St Andrews,” she said, laughing, “I’m doing the baking in Pittenweem!”

* * *

Hooray! At last, a man’s gift shop!

Reporter found St Andrews Gadgets, 151 South Street, tel: 01334 477111, down the wee wynd beside the cheese shop (where the Music Shop used to be). There he found Mark Cronin among his great collection of things men hanker after, such as Bluetooth headsets small enough to wear while jogging, air sport guns (you don’t need a licence) that “look worse than they really are”. There are chess sets, lightning reaction shock games, bubble machines (to make that party go), MP3 players, tiny surveillance cameras that can go aloft in radio controlled airplanes or helicopters, and Mark also has the radio controlled cars, helicopters and planes to put them in. And hey, you students – are you having a fancy dress party?

Go find false teeth, wigs, masks, and some unmentionables you’ll have to scavenge for yourselves!

Mark told Reporter that he “tries to find what people are interested in”.

He’s been selling things almost all his life and at last he’s taken his courage in his hands and bought a shop. He offers good value for phone chargers and covers.

And what’s more, you won’t have to go to Kirkcaldy any more if you want to unlock your mobile phones to any network, because Mark can do it for you. “It’s going to be hard keeping up with the pace of modern technology” said Mark, but Reporter is sure that his entrepreneurial spirit is more than capable of coping.

* * *

Reporter noticed newly opened Le Rendez-Vous, in Market Street, just by the fountain and next to St Andrews Fine Art gallery. Giuseppe, the youthful owner welcomed him in and showed him round the beautifully refurbished coffee/panini house.

“I am a joiner”, Giuseppe said, “and I did all this by myself.”

Reporter was impressed! Over a first-rate espresso (Café Ecosse), Giuseppe described his new venture. First and foremost, he is concentrating on high quality food, freshly made, especially his paninis, both vegetarian and nonvegetarian. As the name implies, he is providing a friendly meeting-

place, where people can relax, read a newspaper, or chat with friends over a coffee or light meal. It is a Fairtrade establishment, very topical just now that St Andrews is seeking Fairtrade Town status. Prices are very modest – for example, the top price for a substantial panini is £2.95. A cappuccino is £1.65, and Organic Earl Grey tea is £1.25. In fact, Giuseppe can provide a whole range of Organic teas, as well as a good range of coffees.There are all kinds of other choices, too, – baguettes, toasted sandwiches, ‘Light Bites’, ‘Wrappos’ – all with mouth-watering freshly-made fillings – and cakes and croissants.

Reporter thoroughly enjoyed his crispy, roasted vegetable panini and Pago strawberry cocktail juice.

Giuseppe’s enthusiasm is catching, says Reporter, and his ability to speak French, and Spanish, as well as good English, is enviable!

He provides a carry-out service and will also undertake outside catering.

Open from 8.00a.m. to 11.00p.m every day, including weekends, Giuseppe’s energetic drive will surely bring him deserved success.

Giuseppe (right) and Lucca

TOWN/GOWN

The University of St Andrews: Part 2, the United College Abigail Grater MA (St Andrews) continues her account of the history of the University buildings, this time focusing on the United College of St Salvator and St Leonard since its inception in 1747 Despite the selection of the old St Salvator’s College site as the home for the new United College, the inadequacy of the buildings was clear from the start. In April 1754 a committee decided that a new building was needed, extending along the entire north side of the College area. John Douglas – an Edinburghbased architect renowned for country-house work – was selected for its design, and mason William Neish and wrights Andrew Finlay and John Gardner were appointed.

Construction began on 8 July, with bricks brought in from Aberdeen and blue roofing slates from the West of England. The building was completed by early 1757, providing four ground-floor classrooms and ten student bedrooms on each of the two upper floors.

It was in a pared-down classical style that is typical of Douglas’s work, but which was described by a member of the University’s academic staff in 1826 as resembling ‘an old cotton mill’.

The building was a structural disaster: by 1769 the roof was leaking so much that it had to be entirely replaced with grey slates from Arbroath. However, by then the damp had seeped into the walls, causing ongoing deterioration.

Robert Reid, Architect and Surveyor to the King in Scotland, submitted a report on the condition of the College buildings on 4 July 1825. It paints a sorry picture, describing the south and east buildings of the original medieval court as ‘altogether ruinous with only a part of the old walls remaining’, and the west building as having walls ‘forced outwards by the pressure of the roof’. He stated that although Douglas’s building was in need of repair, its walls and timbers were ‘in a tolerable condition’; but he finally concluded that, in order to provide adequate facilities, nothing short of a total rebuilding of the College would be satisfactory.

This prompted the University’s Chancellor, Lord Melville, to apply to His Majesty’s Treasury for funding. When the Commissioners for Visiting the Universities in Scotland echoed

Reid’s opinions in 1827, he stepped up his appeals. He had to present a strong case for the precedence of the needs of St Andrews over those of the other universities, and explained that whilst Aberdeen appeared to need money for building work, the imminent merging of the colleges there might leave some of the existing accommodation surplus to requirements. He also mentioned that Glasgow possessed sufficient funds, and that Edinburgh had recently received several Government grants for the completion of its buildings. His argument convinced the Treasury, who granted the requested money on 24 November 1828.

Reid had meanwhile prepared plans, which were approved on 17 October. The reasons for his use of the Jacobean style – a break from both the Gothic of the Chapel and the strict classical style which was most popular at the time and which he invariably employed elsewhere – are unclear, but it is an effective compromise as it contains something of the spirit of both.

Reid’s scheme was to proceed in phases to allow for the continued use of the old buildings during construction of the new.

The east range, containing classrooms, was to be completed first. Next a new structure, containing more classrooms as well as meeting halls for students and professors, would replace Douglas’s building. Finally, the old building beside the entrance was to be fitted up among other things as porter’s lodgings, and boundary walls built. There was to be no replacement for the lost student bedrooms, as students dissatisfied with their spartan lodgings had increasingly been seeking more comfortable accommodation in town, much to the professors’ dismay.

In 1831, costs having soared to almost twice the estimate and the Treasury having transferred some of the funding to Aberdeen for the rebuilding of Marischal College, construction came to a halt, with only the east range completed. It was not until 1844 that work could continue, through another Government

The College quadrangle today, showing Reid’s east building on the right and Nixon’s north building on the left (photograph by Abigail Grater).

Detail from a calotype print made in 1846 by pioneer photographers D O Hill and R Adamson, showing John Douglas’s north building on the right and the medieval west building on the left (courtesy of the St Andrews University Library). grant obtained by the Provost, Major Hugh Lyon Playfair; but instead of simply using Reid’s designs, the new Government architect William Nixon was employed to modify and complete the scheme.

Nixon largely followed Reid’s plans, his main adjustments being a new unity in the levels of the first-floor windows and the omission of much of the ornamental stonework as a cost-cutting measure. His first revised plans included an observatory at the north-east corner, although this was dropped in his final designs of 1845, the realisation of which we see today. The north building’s elaborate classical portal, with its figure of St Andrew and a lion and unicorn symbolising England and Scotland, was a late decision by Nixon.

The Masters of the College then decided that a wall was needed along the west boundary with ‘a covered way along its inner side to shelter the Students in wet and stormy weather’, replacing the ground-floor arcade of Douglas’s now-demolished building. Nixon proposed an alternative involving a plain western wall and a new open cloister behind the Chapel, the remains of the medieval one having been demolished in 1839. The Masters approved and Playfair and David Brewster, the Principal, secured a further Treasury grant in March 1847. The basket arches in the wall openings, and the saddle-backed ‘roofs’ on the buttresses, complement the Jacobean of the new scheme and the Gothic of the Chapel, whilst the ogival surrounds of the Cloister arcade echo the Chapel’s North Street gateway.

On Nixon’s death on 24 March 1848, his successor Robert Matheson took charge. His only significant contribution, now reversed, was the glazing of the Cloister, which was used initially by the Debating Society and later as a gymnasium and reading room. No further significant work was carried out until 1904–6 when local architects Gillespie & Scott extended Reid’s east building to the south, in the style of Reid’s work but with a Nixonesque portal. This was the last major addition to the College buildings, finally bringing them to the appearance they retain to this day.

19

TOWN/GOWN Marking the half-century of any group is surely a time for celebration.

Hazel Gifford, (founder member with husband Douglas Gifford, who died in 1991), tells the inspiring story of …

The Renaissance Group, 1955 – 2005

The Ren’ Group in University Chapel 1988.

David & Christine Cascoigne with Hazel Gifford in the Choir: Douglas Gifford is conducting.

We can scarcely believe it, but for fifty years, about 25 or so students, staff and friends in the University have been making choral music of a strange and (at first) unfamiliar style, and it has gone from strength to strength! We became obsessed by the glorious sound of Renaissance church music, and wherever we could find some enthusiasts to listen to us, we sang!

Back in 1955, Douglas Gifford, a keen Spanish medievalist, discovered two small University groups of singers, the ‘Dark Ages Group’ in the Catholic Society, and a few in the Spanish Department. Some were trying out plainchant (rather frowned on by certain elements in the local churches!) and all became excited by recently published Spanish composers, such as Victoria, Morales, Guerrero, as well as the equally great English composers, Tallis, Byrd, Gibbons, and many more. We met regularly, at first in our home, (so that, having a young family, Hazel could join in); there was always soup, and home-made bread...Gradually, we were bold enough to give recitals. And whether in cathedrals, or small churches, or chapels, for weddings, special events or festivals, Douglas somehow brought the Group together. The services of daily Evensong and Sunday Communion were also great occasions, in Britain or abroad.

Perhaps the most memorable moments are from the late ‘80s, when we were part of the official Edinburgh Festival, under the auspices of the Saltire Society: both Douglas and David conducted performances of the great Masses by Robert Carver in St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, including the 10-part, a ‘first’ for 500 years!

After Douglas retired in 1989, David and Christine Gascoigne took the choir on, and it has continued in similar style ever since. One remarkable feature is its international composition. American and other students from Europe and further afield have responded enthusiastically to the music itself, and the “Ren’ Group” family now stretches across the world.

Douglas, alas, died in 1991. But 10 years ago, we had the great idea of celebrating 40 years, by inviting as many former members as we could find to come up for a weekend of musical nostalgia and the reunion of friends. Over 100 turned up! This year, on Sunday,1st. May, in Holy Trinity Church, there is to be another celebratory Concert, with as many singers as are able to be there. We hope to make it a happy event. Do come and share it with us.

Beltaine Festival Saturday 30th April 2005

Have you ever wanted to go back in time?

Ah, the Middle Ages…a time when ‘knights were bold, women wore tall pointy hats and peasants were revolting’ . . . or was it? In the Shire of Caer Caledon Mediaeval Society (St Andrews University) we aim to investigate and re-enact key aspects of mediaeval life, including garb-making, fighting, brewing, singing, and our favourite – eating! We organise and participate in a variety of events, including tournaments, castle trips, fayres and, of course, feasts. The period we are interested in spans roughly from AD600 – AD1600.

We would like to invite you to the highlight of our calendar, our annual Beltaine Fayre (also known as ‘May Day’), to celebrate the Celtic festival of rebirth. This will take place in the beautiful remains of St Andrews Castle on Saturday 30th April from 11-4.

During the day there will be exciting re-enactment combat, live music, dancing and a mediaeval market selling a variety of period goods and foods.

The price is only the usual entrance fee to the castle (Adult £5.00, Child £2.00, Reduced £3.75) and all proceeds from the event will go towards Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre, Kirkcaldy.

So if you ever fancied life as a Viking, discovering the truth about cloven fruit, or watching a nifty bit of swordplay, come to St Andrews Castle for a full day of Mediaeval fun!

For more information please take a look at our website: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/~caledon or email us at: caledon@st-andrews.ac.uk

The St Andrews Boys Brigade Hall is set to host an upcoming student theatre production of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies.

From Thursday 10th to Saturday 12th March there will be three evening performances of the show at 7.30pm, with an extra matinee on Saturday 12th at 2pm.

The play will be put on by Zuloo Productions, a student theatre company set up in 2001 to widen access to all aspects of theatre as well as to raise money for local charities.

Past productions have included Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Our Country’s Good. This production hopes to encourage other theatre companies to use the Boys Brigade Hall as a venue and thereby ensure its continued presence in the community, where it has existed since 1903. For this purpose 10% of the profits made by the organisation will be donated to the Boys Brigade Hall for renovation work. The production has been strongly supported by local businesses in the community, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank the Balaka, the Dil Se, the Gin House, Rock Sensations, UK Design and the St Andrews Pottery Shop for all their help and their continued encouragement and enthusiasm for the project.

Lord of the Flies was the first extensive piece of work published by Sir William Golding after a number of years as a teacher and scientist.

It tells the story of a group of schoolchildren battling for survival on a deserted island after a plane crash and of their steady descent into violence, anarchy and, ultimately, death. It is a chilling exploration of the darker side of human nature that illustrates the shocking ease with which man can descend into a way of life that is “nasty, brutish and short”. This makes for an incredibly powerful show incorporating elements of physical theatre and contemporary dance, which combine to produce an electrifying, visually stunning performance. Zuloo promises a thrilling, entertaining and truly memorable experience.

Tickets may be purchased from the Gin House, UK Design, Rock Sensations and the St Andrews Pottery Shop from 1st February onwards. Tickets are £6, £5 concessions. Group Bookings available for £3.75 per person – applicable for the purchase of 10 tickets or more. Block booking is also available.

BOX OFFICE NUMBER: 07941671713

20

TOWN/GOWN Christopher Lapinel is studying for an M.Phil in English at St Andrews University.

Here he introduces a town/gown partnership called . . .

Third from the Left Theatre Company When thinking about St Andrews, one usually thinks – golf, tourists, students; probably in that order. Student theatre, too, is alive at the University of St Andrews, thanks largely to the student-run Mermaids, which helps fund student theatrical ventures, and the citizens of St Andrews who have always lent a hand, being avid supporters of the arts. This artistic reciprocity has slowly brought into being a fruitful working relationship, as both sides are eager for artistic outlets, and that relationship is having its true flowering under the stage lights. One example is the Third from the Left Theatre Company. It is not simply composed of university students and alumni, but also of St Andrews residents.

Last year Christopher’s wife Catherine and Josh Edelman began Third from the Left with a bang. That impressive first season brought to St Andrews Everyman, an alternative rendition of the famous medieval morality play in which circus performers personified human virtues and sacraments; A Dybukk, Tony Kushner’s adaptation of a haunting Jewish folk tale; and finally The Passion, an edgy look at truth and faith written and directed by Catherine herself.

Catherine originally met, and became friends with Josh in St Andrews back in 2001.

The two had come to study at the Institute of Theology, Imagination and the Arts. The institute, part of St Mary’s College, is a place where scholars and artists have come together in an effort to bridge the divide between religious thought and the arts. The inevitable successes and frustrations experienced by Catherine and Josh while at the Institute, led

in part to the creation of Third From the Left Theatre Company. Yet, with both having such strong theatre backgrounds, perhaps their collaboration was inevitable.

This last autumn Josh Edelman departed St Andrews to pursue a PhD in Theatre at Trinity College, Dublin. Fortunately, Catherine Lapinel chose to remain and advance Third from the Left’s auspicious start. Catherine holds a BFA in Theatre from the University of Southern California and an MLit in Theology from the University of St Andrews. She and Josh remain in contact, advising each other on their independent, upcoming projects.

So, what does Third from the Left have in store for theatregoers this year? Catherine and her company are presenting a selection of Erik Ehn’s The Saint Plays, which will run from 9-12 March at the Crawford Arts Centre. They will also put on a comedy: Arthur Miller’s Creation of the World and Other Business, which will run from 13-16 April at the Byre Theatre.

Erik Ehn’s The Saint Plays are not well known, Catherine admits. She champions these short plays, however, because Ehn’s vision of the saints’ lives revitalizes legends that are slowly being forgotten and offers a crisp insight into the human condition. Each play is actually a series of vignettes, representing various saints as they might have lived today or, in some cases, how they have reached through time, literally, to affect our lives. Catherine has chosen five of Ehn’s saints: John the Baptist, Joan of Arc, the de-sainted Christopher, Mother Mary and George the Dragon Slayer. The Creation of the World and Other Business,

Photograph by Ian Werrett on the other hand, is almost as well known as its author, Arthur Miller. Catherine chose this play partly for its crowd-pleasing appeal and partly for the darker implications of its comedy.

Arthur Miller’s comedy, in its portrayal of good and evil, is witty and light-hearted; Lucifer (!), easily, its most hilarious character. The play becomes troubling when it broaches the nature of humanity’s relationship with God and the rest of creation; particularly in the portrayal of Eve. In Catherine’s selection of material, it is obvious that Third from the Left’s second season promises to be at least as evocative as last year’s. When asked to forecast her future, Catherine smiled and said, “I can’t really do that. The material excites me. I think it is challenging and enjoyable. Beyond that…we’ll see. What truly excites me is the ability to tap into a history present in this community. It’s evident in the presence of the Byre Theatre, the Crawford Arts Centre and the other venues in town that are willing to throw open their doors for theatre. I think that’s the most enjoyable aspect for me. By becoming a part of this history, I can be a part of its growth, its future.

One can’t rightfully ask for more.”

Catherine Lapinel is the Artistic Director of Third From the Left Theatre Company; Andrew Rawnsley is returning as their Musical Director and Composer of the company’s original scores; Michelle and Ian Werrett, who served the company as actors last season, have now taken on additional roles as Producers.

“It is a yearly reminder of the contributions made by the figures portrayed in the Procession. Not just in the history of the University and the Town, but also in the history of Scotland itself. It is a direct, colourful, informative – and fun – link with the past. Who knows, some of the students portraying historic figures in today’s Procession may find themselves being portrayed in the Processions of the future…”

– from the Foreword by Jamie Stone MSP, to last year’s College Echoes.

Kate Kennedy comes to town A University tradition dating back to 1926, but with echoes of an earlier form, the KK Procession is a colourful event attracting many spectators each year. St Andrew himself leads the procession through the town. Barefoot, and carrying his Saltire Cross, his is an arduous walk, especially if the weather is unkind.

Behind him, in costumes made many years ago and lovingly cared for, comes a long, long line of characters, from St Regulus to the present day. There are ecclesiastical figures, kings, queens, courtiers, scientists, politicians, scholars (of course), University administrators, students, poets, writers, actors, St Andrews

citizens. Archbishop James Sharp is realistically dragged from his carriage and ‘murdered’ as he leaves the Old Quad, in a re-enactment of what happened on Magus Muir in 1679. Bringing up the rear of the procession comes the daffodilornamented carriage bearing the eponymous Lady Kate herself. She was the niece of James Kennedy, Bishop of St Andrews and founder of St Salvator’s College in the 15th century. In the 1840s she was commemorated by students as an “end of session riot”.

Today, she is seen as the herald of spring, since her name has possible Gaelic linguistic connections with spring – hence the daffodils.

© University of St Andrews To add further mystery, Kate is a boy! He is chosen from among the first-year students by the KK Club, and his identity is kept a closely guarded secret till the day itself.

There have in recent years, been some rather strident, but sadly misguided, critics of the whole event. Nothing, however, can detract from the very obvious pleasure this annual extravaganza gives both to town and gown.

In addition, it raises an enormous amount of money for charity. Long may it continue!

21

EVENTS Lucy Paget-tomlinson went to the launch of

StAnza

– Scotland’s Poetry Festival On 21st January, StAnza, St Andrews’ celebrated poetry festival, was launched at The Rep. Theatre in Dundee. Every year people from all over the world come to enjoy Scotland’s only regular festival dedicated to poetry. From Thursday, 17th March to Sunday, 20th March, it promises to be bigger and better than ever before. The fifty-five events (twenty-four of which are free of charge) will take place at venues all around the centre of St Andrews. There is to be a wide selection of themes and events from poetry readings to book launches to workshops to master classes. ‘Stateside Poets’ and ‘Body and Soul’ are the central ideas around which the festival is created, but there is particular emphasis on foreign artists, with readers coming from nine different countries. American poets attending include, Eva Salzman; Tamar Yoseloff; Mark Doty; Thomas Lynch; Sharon Olds; and Jane Hirshfield.

Children will be playing a significant part this year too, with seven events over three days focusing on bringing poetry to life. There will be workshops, book-making, a fun poetry party, as well as the launch of Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo’s new anthology.

Other celebrated guests we can look forward to, are our own local poets, Douglas Dunn and John Burnside. Topping the bill is one of the most famous names in British poetry, Roger McGough. You can hear the man himself reading from his latest volume, ’Collected Poems’, at the Town hall, Queen’s Gardens, on Sunday, 20th March.

The launch in Dundee was a great success, with a very charismatic speech by Chairman Andrew Clegg to introduce the flavour of the festival, and readings by Douglas Dunn, Richard Holloway. It’s safe to say that the festival is set to be every bit as good as promised, and is surely not to be missed.

Information about all the events can be found at www.stanzapoetry.org To join the mailing and email lists write to: StAnza, 57 Lade Braes, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9DA or email: list@stanzapoetry.org Tickets can be bought at The Byre Theatre, Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 6pm.

You can also book by phone: 01334 475000 or by post (make cheques payable to The Byre Theatre) – The Byre Theatre, Abbey Street, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9LA. A 30% discount is available on purchases of eight or more separate tickets, and there are concessions for senior citizens, school pupils and students. Please be sure to book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

(Photographs by Brian Johnstone)

Easter in St Andrews An ecumenical perspective from Rory MacLeod, the new minister of Holy Trinity Church Easter is the highpoint of the Christian year.

It begins in the sober reflection of Lent, continues through the dramatic events of Holy Week and culminates in the triumphant celebration of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday. As an ancient pilgrim destination, St Andrews offers a fitting backdrop for all three stages. ‘Action of Churches Together in St Andrews’, which exists to promote unity and dialogue with the Christian community of the town, encourages participating churches to incorporate their natural asset into our plans.

Monday, 7th February saw an Opening Service in St Andrew’s Church, Queen’s Terrace, launching the Lent Study Groups for 2005. Details of these groups which meet in various locations over 5 weekly sessions under the theme ‘Voices from the South’ can be obtained from the Ladyhead Bookshop, North Street – where copies of the study booklet can be purchased for £3.95 An Ash Wednesday (9th February) Service was held at 12 noon in Holy Trinity, South Street. Details of this and all other

22

church services occurring among the various denominations around the town and university during Lent will be published in the St Andrews Citizen. Highlights to look out for include: Sunday, 20th March at 12.30pm Inter-church Lunch, Holy Trinity At 4.40pm Palm Sunday Celebration, Holy Trinity Holy Week will also see a plethora of services and special events – again, check the St Andrews Citizen. Worth bearing in mind are: Tuesday, 22th March Stations of the Cross, Holy Trinity Thursday, 24th March Maundy Thursday Communion, Holy Trinity Friday, 25th March United Good Friday Service, Holy Trinity Saturday, 26th March Eve of Easter Vigil, Holy Trinity

Easter day itself will be marked by individual congregations in their own way but the day begins in unison with a United Service at St Mary’s-on- the Rock at 7.00am. This is a most moving and atmospheric opportunity to begin a wonderful day in a special way – so don’t forget to put your clock forward!

EVENTS

A Taste of St Andrews Food is the theme in St Andrews Museum, as described by University of St Andrews postgraduate student Jessica Burdge, and Café in the Park managers Jim and Marlyn Braid Visitors to St Andrews Museum in Kinburn Park can have their taste buds stimulated this spring. Regular visitors will know about the tasty refreshments available in the Café in the Park on the ground floor of the museum. An additional attraction is a temporary exhibition about food and drink in the town.

Called “A Taste of St Andrews”, the display will run from 19 March to 8 May. The exhibition has been put together by a group of postgraduate students on the Museum and Gallery Studies course at the University of St Andrews. It will explore culinary change and continuity in St Andrews, from butchers, bakers and supermarkets to cafes, high teas, ice cream and fish and chips.

Food and drink related businesses have played a big part in the history of the town. Some shopping and socialising habits have changed a lot. Did you know, for example, that 100 years ago St Andrews had seven butchers and thirteen cafes and restaurants? Now there is just one butcher and thirtythree cafes and restaurants! Some things, however, haven’t changed very much at all. Ice cream and fish and chips have been part of the local food experience for nearly 100 years, and many longstanding family-run businesses remain.

On show in the display are a wide range of items from both the University and St Andrews Museum collections, as well as objects lent by individuals and local businesses. This includes a threewheeled ice cream bicycle from Jannetta’s and possibly the most unusual object – a Tunnock’s caramel wafer wrapper inscribed by the poet Ted Hughes for the University’s Tunnock’s Appreciation Society.

A range of events to appeal to all ages is planned. These include “Fantastic Food” workshops for children and talks on the psychology and science of food.

Anyone wanting more details on these events should contact the museum (01334 412690).

After looking at the exhibition, why not stop off at the Café in the Park? Marlyn and Jim Braid have been running the café for twelve years. The home baking, lunches, and friendly atmosphere have proved very popular with the many regular visitors, as well as with tourists to the town. The café helped attract over 43,000 visitors to the museum last year.

To help build up an appetite, there is a range of other attractions – tennis courts, bowling and putting – in the park area.

23

SELECTED EVENTS

Selected Events Tuesday, 1 March – Sunday, 13 March – Fairtrade Fortnight, various events around the town. St Andrews is aspiring to Fairtrade Town status.

Wednesday, 2 March – 7.00-9.00p.m. at the Town Hall, Queen’s Gardens, St Andrews, Patient Focus a public meeting on the health service.

Thursday, 3 March – 7.30pm in the Younger Hall, North Street, St Andrews. The Scottish Chamber Orchestra, playing works by Gluck, CPE Bach, Mozart, Haydn. Soloist – Christopher Coin, cello. Contact 01334 475000, or the Younger Hall.

Saturday, 5 March – 7.30p.m. in the Younger Hall, North St, St Andrews. Rotary Club of St Andrews Grand Charity Concert, with the University Chamber Orchestra Strings and the Celebration Chorus Contact: 01334 462226.

Wednesday, 9 March – 8.00pm in the Music Auditorium, St Leonard’s School, St Andrews. Marina Nadiradze (piano) playing works by Scarlatti, Mozart, Chopin, Debussy. £8 (£7), students £4, kids £1. The St Andrews Music Club, see www.saint-andrews.co.uk/smc Thursday, 10 March – Saturday, 12 March – 7.00pm (& 2.00p.m Sat.). The Lord of the Flies, a student production at the BB Hall, St Andrews. For further information phone: 07941 671 713 or 07887 756 980.

Thursday, 10 March – 7.30p.m. at Parliament Hall, South St. St Andrews. Penetrating the Sands of Time, a talk by Ian Mathieson, the National Museum of Scotland, for the University Archaeological Society. Everyone welcome.

Thursday,10 March – Sunday, 20 March, National Science Week, under the auspices of the British Association. Lecture Theatre School Three, Old Quad, North St. St Andrews The Geology of Middle Earth. Please contact: Dr Ruth Robinson 01334 476161, rajr@st-andrews.ac.uk for details of all events in connection with this Week.

Thursday, 17 March – Sunday, 20 March – StAnza, St Andrews’ unique Poetry Festival. 55 events (24 free) at venues all over town. Information on programmes and booking at: www.stanzapoetry.org or write to: StAnza, 57 Lade Braes, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9DA email: list@stanzapoetry.org

Friday, 18 March – Sunday, 8 May, at the Crawford Arts Centre, North Street, St Andrews, (which, to everyone’s relief, has been happily reprieved!). Seditious Delicious – A Taste of Art, an exhibition curated by the students of the Museums & Gallery Studies Course of the University of St Andrews. “The classic still life is re-interpreted, food is used to make the art itself, and certain works engage with the problematic aspects of human body image.”

– from the Crawford’s brochure. 9 selected artists are involved.

Also showing, domestic ware by Len Whately of Crieff Ceramics; Amy Cooper’s porcelain lamps; silverwork by Amanda Coleman (Lincolnshire) and Anne Lindsay (Glasgow). Mondays – Saturdays 10am to 5pm, Sundays 2-5pm Admission free.

Saturday, 19 March – Sunday, 8 May, at the St Andrews Museum, Kinburn Park. A Taste of Scotland, an exhibition mounted by students of the Museums & Galleries Studies Course of St Andrews University (see article on page 23).

Saturday, 19 March – 10-12 noon, Cosmos Centre, Abbey Walk, St Andrews. Fair Share Fair. For further information, please contact Chris Lesurf at: chrisl@argonet.co.uk Saturday, 19 March – 7.30p.m. in the Younger Hall, North St, St Andrews, Verdi’s Requiem. St Andrews Chorus & Heisenberg Ensemble, conducter Stephen Doughty. Tickets £10, £8, £3.

Thursday, 24 March – 9.00p.m. St Salvator’s Chapel, North St, St Andrews. Cappella Nova singing Renaissance motets from Portugal & Spain, Gregorian Chant for Holy Week.

Thursday, 14 April – 7.30pm in the Younger Hall, North Street, St Andrews. The Scottish Chamber Orchestra, playing works by Mozart, Richard Strauss. Soloist – Maurice Bourgue, oboe.

Contact 01334 475000, or the Younger Hall.

Saturday, 16 April – 2.00p.m. starting from the Old Quad, North St., St Andrews, the annual Kate Kennedy Procession – a historical town/gown pageant celebrating the arrival of spring.

Sunday, 17 April – 1-5 p.m. Cambo Estate, Kingsbarns, Fife.

Spring plant sale and Garden opening under the auspices of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme. Entrance £3.50. Charity, Diabetes UK. Contact: 01333 450054.

Advance Notice Sunday, 1 May – in the evening, at Holy Trinity Church, St Andrews.

A celebratory concert by the Ren’ Choir. It will include the great 40-part Tallis “Spem In Alium”. Other details to be finalised.

The Three B’s Bedding Bits & Bobs 47-49 Kinnessburn Road, St Andrews, KY16 8AD Phone 01334 470700 Photocopying 5p per sheet A selection of haberdashery & wool Bedding at good prices with 10% discount for students, hotels and B&Bs Dance wear now in stock – shoes and outfits Also in store: Large range of new jewellery & candles, cards, fancy goods, batteries, tools, crystal, etc.

24

OUT & ABOUT Dr D. King, Chairman, introduces

The St Andrews Gardeners’ Club Looking at TV schedules there is a large audience for gardening programmes of all types. Several presenters and their teams have become household names, because we are so familiar with their style. Beechgrove Garden with Jim McColl and Gardeners World with Monty Don are favourites. There is a large attendance too at the Gardening Scotland Exhibition in Edinburgh in May. Usually these viewers and show attendees are active gardeners. For many people a trip to the large Garden Centres is part of a family day out. Interest level, as these programmes and commercial ventures show, has never been as high.

People who practice a common activity often form a club, or association, so that members can get together to learn and discuss problems, be it photography, model railways, or surfing etc. So it is with Gardening.

In Victorian times up until the 1960s, before the universal availability from supermarkets, the only source of fresh vegetables and fruit in season was the local greengrocer, or one’s own garden or allotment. In the period up to 1960 allotments were flourishing, and great camaraderie among growers developed.

Amongst organic gardeners there is a renewed popularity for these plots, but very limited availability. Some readers certainly remember the allotments in what is now the Canongate/ Bogward area. I do not know of any now existing locally.

The manifest interest in gardening is now catered for, but our organisation for gardeners began in St Andrews as early as 1833. It is one of the earliest clubs still existing today, outwith the University, Golf, and the Church.

The Royal Horticultural Society of London began life in 1804. The St Andrews Horticultural Association was one of the earliest formed in Scotland after Edinburgh. Artisans, employees and professional gardeners retained by the big houses came together to organise themselves and the now familiar Flower and Vegetable Shows started.

In the 1860s membership was well over 100 and the shows were major events including ceilidhs, band shows and sports. (The blindfold barrow race must have been interesting?)

The Association had Patrons who provided financial stability and encouraged employees to participate. Looking through old show brochures names appear which today are easily recognised as major figures of their day, and their families are still around in St Andrews. Also listed were Patronesses, who presumably organised the ladies’ events of cookery, stitch work, flower arranging etc. Some members were very active. James Wilson, gardener to Sir Hugh Playfair at St Leonards planted the first Lime trees in South Street, and laid out the Botanic Garden for the University.

For low wage earners the entry fee of 6d was a high cost, with prize money of a few

Our organisation for gardeners began in St Andrews as early as 1833. It is one of the earliest clubs still existing today, outwith the University, Golf, and the Church.

shillings. In those days everyone who could had a garden in order to have vegetables.

The professional gardeners retained by the big houses reigned supreme, but they were unable to enter the classes for amateurs.

Hence the Open and Amateur sections began, duplicating almost all the classes. With teams of gardeners and large heated greenhouses, these men, after the butler, were the most important employees of large estate houses.

Their prowess was jealously guarded by the ‘master of the House’, but often they moved between houses to improve their lot. Exhibits grown in the estate garden had to be entered in the Open section, not in the name of the Head Gardener, but of the Master; it was not often that the gentry picked up a fork or spade!! In its heyday the Association held three shows per year, Spring, Summer and Autumn, which were all well attended by exhibitors and public.

Today there are few horticulturalists or professional gardeners. The name no longer naturally attracts spirited amateurs, so it has been changed from ‘The St Andrews and District Horticultural Association’ to ‘The St Andrews Gardeners’ Club’. Thus newly named, the club is again welcoming enthusiasts who want to learn about practical garden matters, seek information from the older generation members about what is successful in the area, and to join in social events. There are more obvious benefits, such as discounts at garden Centres, which are always welcome. Having a secure financial base, a larger membership receiving good value for subscriptions, being able to attract exhibitors from outwith St Andrews – these are all essential to the continuance of the Club.

Returning to the practice of former years, Patrons have been recruited who take a keen interest, while support from town merchants through advertising in the Summer Show brochure has provided a substantial increase in prize money; and a full monthly programme of informative lectures supplies the learning opportunity.

There are now two very colourful shows each year. The Spring Show (April 16th) in Hope Park Church Hall, and the big Annual Flower Show (Sept. 24th) in the Town Hall.

Major efforts will be made this year to garner a wider involvement with the Community.

Additional competitive classes for under 16s, for over 60s, photography, handwriting and calligraphy, handicrafts, a WRI competition, possibly cookery, will join the traditional Fruit, Flowers and Vegetables, Flower Arranging and Children’s Art. This will be a show of an old tradition attracting a new generation of enthusiasts. Do come along and join us for meetings in Hope Park Church Hall. You can contact us at: 01334 477429

25

OUT & ABOUT

On the 5th day of Christmas . . . “Five ferry feuds” The problems dealt with by ScotWays (the Scottish Rights of Way & Access Society) come in all shapes and forms. One particular pattern to emerge in recent times has been the question of whether old rights of access to ferry-points, piers, landing-slips and jetties survive when the ferry service is withdrawn. The ScotWays Field Officer, Alistair Lawson, shares the following notes from his desk.

Readers may know of the Court case fought by Fife Council just a few years ago regarding the old route from McDuff’s Cross near Newburgh down to the Carpow Ferry which crossed the mouth of the River Earn onto the Rhynd peninsula. Part of the Court’s considerations, despite the fact that the ferry has long since ceased to operate, included the fact that the route had been the standard approach to the ferry from the centre of Fife and was probably part of the “Coronation Road” from Falkland Palace to Scone Palace. Although the case was decided on the basis of public use within living memory, these background facts nonetheless formed part of the thinking.

Closer to St Andrews is the case of the pier at Tayport, which used to be the departure point for the ferry over the River Tay to Broughty Ferry. Although that ferry ceased to operate with the coming of the railways and the Newport ferry, the case hinges on whether or not the public have continued to “resort” to the pier for casual, recreational reasons, thus preserving their ancient right of access.

Looking just beyond the Fife boundary, the old Burnmouth ferry on the River Tay at Stanley

has been a contentious issue in recent years.

Both salmon fishers and canoeists and rafters like to use that stretch of the river, in that it offers good sport to both, though this overlap of interests has given rise to tensions. Part of the argument as to whether the canoeists and rafters had a right of access to the water hinged on whether or not the public had continued to “resort” to the disused ferry terminal. In this instance, it was decided that the public had not, and the matter is being resolved by other means.

On the far side of the country, at the very southern tip of the Kintyre peninsula, there is an old lifeboat house, which has now become a modern dwelling-house. There is also a disused lifeboat slipway, which has considerable attraction for sailors and divers, who crowd the householder, leaving boats, trailers, cars and kit of all sorts more or less on his doorstep, often preventing him getting his own vehicles in or out. Although peace has broken out meantime, that matter, had it been argued out in full, would have hinged upon, first of all, whether the lifeboat service truly represented public access, and, if so, whether the public had continued to exercise any right so acquired.

The Rock & Spindle (photograph by Donald Mackay) Finally, coming back to St Andrews, a Court case was fought in the 1870s regarding whether or not access to Kinkell Harbour (or, “creek”, more accurately), could be claimed by the public as a right. This case, which has come to be regarded as an important Case Law precedent in matters relating to access to the shore, turned on whether the fishermen of that time used that point on the coast in a way which set it apart from all adjacent stretches of the coast. The Court agreed that they did, and that right remains alive today.

These cases are representative of the vast body of work which ScotWays handles.

Membership and support are welcomed. Please contact the Society at 24 Annandale Street, Edinburgh EH7 4AN, phone 0131-558-1222 / e-mail info@scotways.com

Ecco la Primavera!

The Lade Braes is our starting point for a truly springtime walk. Start wherever you like along the Braes, but at the Law Mill cross the bridge to your left, passing the pond, and continue to another small bridge and a fork in the path. Turn right, where the signpost says, to Lumbo Den. Shortly you will pass, on your right, the ingeniously constructed Bogward Doocot. Built probably in the 16th century to provide eggs and winter meat, it no longer shelters the pigeons it was designed for.

Inside, (not open to the public) from top to bottom, is a honeycomb of nesting places served by a rotating ladder to reach the birds and the eggs that nourished people so long ago. Droppings by the Doocot’s inhabitants also provided fertiliser for local farmers. The St Andrews Preservation Trust looks after it, having carefully restored it a few years ago.

Continue walking till you reach Bogward Road. Cross, and you will see another sign to Lumbo Den. Follow this narrow path along the Burn. Recently there was a slight landslip a short way along, though the path was passable with care and may now have been repaired. When you reach the little gate, you have a choice; you can either bear right into the field (with the Burn on your left), or you can go to the left over the wooden bridge into the woods. If you choose this route you need to be careful because it can be very muddy and there is a short climb into the wood itself. In mid-April these woods are carpeted with primroses – a magnificent sight, if the weather has permitted their full glory. This path joins the other one at another wooden bridge. A gate, easily opened, but please close it behind you, leads to the road.

Here you have several choices: •

26

you can return the way you came, perhaps on the alternative path to the one you chose.

•

you can cross the road into the continuation of the path leading to Craigtoun Country Park.

•

you can turn left and continue, crossing the old railway bridge, to the A915, which leads back on the left again to St Andrews, or cross the A915 and continue up and over Scooniehill, eventually turning left down the road past the Grange.

•

you can turn right and follow the road to the T-junction at Balone, turning right again back to St Andrews.

OUT & ABOUT Jean Allardice, Vice-Chairman of the Friends of the Botanic Garden

Plant Sciences in the Garden

National Science Week, which takes place from 10 -19 March, is being launched in St Andrews this year. As part of this celebration the Botanic Garden is staging a series of events on Saturday, 12th March. Professor emeritus Robert Crawford will conduct two scientific walks around the Garden and Glasshouses. At this time of year plants are awakening after winter and are at their most vulnerable. Plants from different habitats and climates develop their own strategies for survival and the walk will be planned to provide opportunities for discussing these and the possible effects of climatic change on the over-wintering success of different species.

For the less hardy there will be an interactive web display in the Glassclass demonstrating a Virtual Walk around the Garden provided by Dr. Alyson Tobin.

Scientists from the university will be on hand to explain their work on a wide range of topics: how the plant cell produces energy, flower colour and pollination; the effect of LED lighting on plant growth and flowering; plant biogeography and processes underlying floral evolution.

This promises to be an exciting day combining a look at both the recent and far distant past with an insight into the exciting possibilities opening up for the future through ongoing research.

Other events in the Glassclass include photographic displays mounted by Bob Mitchelll, Hon. Curator of The Garden, covering the history of the Botanic Garden and the SBEC expedition to China in 1981 of which he was joint leader. As well as the discovery of plants new to science and cultivation, the success of this trip led to the twinning of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh with the Kunming Institute of Botany. This was the first joint Chinese and European field study expedition and on the strength of the collection, Cangshan was declared a National Nature Reserve in 1984.

There will be a static exhibition of photographs and resources reflecting environmental activities, and studies pursued by pupils taking part in the Garden’s education project. This, and a display of Fife Fossils, illustrating the local vegetation of 350 million years ago, will be mounted by Tom Gray of the Garden’s education team.

By Courtesy of Fife Council, entry to the Garden on 12th March will be free.

Glassclass will be open 11am –3pm. Walks, 11.30am & 2pm lasting approx. 1 hour.

Refreshments & a Plant Stall will be provided by the Friends.

d r e a m And still I dream Of flowers in the Dolomites Of snow-topped mountains far away – I dream that we are walking there Today.

I dream we’re dancing Light as air On wings of music everywhere – I dream of loving eyes brimful Of care.

I dream, and do not Want to wake To find you absent from my days – I dream, and dreaming, stay with you Always.

Semper In Absentia

27

Reprographics Unit For all your printing requirements and much much more All types of printing and design work undertaken, from simple b/w membership cards to full colour brochures Please contact us for a free estimate

Dissertations • Theses • Soft Binding Colour and B/W Printing and Copying Large Format Poster Printing Laminating • Encapsulating • Mounting

Purdie Building North Haugh St Andrews Fife KY16 9ST Telephone: (01334) 463020 Email: amm@st-andrews.ac.uk Website: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/reprographic/latestrepro.html