St Andrews in Focus Issue 70 May Jun 2015

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

May/June 2015 Issue 70, £2.00

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

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

From the Editor

It was only a matter of time – the magazine is on Facebook! I’ll need your help to make it work for you, readers and advertisers alike, as I still need to learn how to make the most of it. I trust it will add positively to the magazine’s future. This is issue 70, would you believe! We’re on the way to number 100 by the look of it. Should I maybe start planning another party, like the one for the 50th issue? In spite of many ongoing worries, you know, we still have a lot to celebrate in St Andrews, as reported in the pages of this issue. With spring in the air I suggest we try to look on the bright side. Here’s to wellness, “an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life . . . a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”, according to the World Health Organisation. Flora Selwyn

******** The views expressed elsewhere in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor. © St Andrews in Focus (2003) MAY / JUNE 2015 EDITOR Flora Selwyn Tel: 01334 472375 Email: editor@standrewsinfocus.com DESIGNER University of St Andrews Print & Design (printanddesign@st-andrews.ac.uk) PRINTER Winter & Simpson (stephen@wintersimpson.co.uk) DISTRIBUTER Drop 2 Door (billy@drop2door.co.uk) PUBLISHER (address for correspondence) Local Publishing (Fife) Ltd., PO Box 29210, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9YZ. Tel: 01334 472375 Email: editor@standrewsinfocus.com SUBSCRIPTIONS St Andrews in Focus is published 6 times a year. Subscriptions for 6 issues are: £14 in the UK (post & packing included). Please send cheques to: Local Publishing (Fife) Ltd., PO Box 29210, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9YZ. £25 overseas (post and packing included). Please use PayPal account: editor@StAndrewsinFocus.com NOTE: please pay with a Personal Bank Account, as credit cards incur a 3.9% charge. REGISTERED IN SCOTLAND: 255564 THE PAPER USED IS 100% RECYCLED POST-CONSUMER WASTE

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Contents FEATURES • Scotland’s last Wheelwright • Community Council • Remembering Tom • Ask the Curator • Science & Religion • The Eclipse • Shopping Fever • Competition • Lade Braes • Review – A Man Passing Through

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SHOPS & SERVICES • Artisan coffee • Afternoon Tea • Roving Reporter

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ORGANISATIONS • RNLI award • Moses • Families First • In praise of Pilgrimage • Club for the blind & partially sighted • Kinburn Park

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EVENTS • Archaeology exhibition • Pacific Connections • Iphigenie in Tauris • Crail Festival 2015 • St Andrews photographers • Selected Events

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TOWN & GOWN • George Phillips reminisces • KK Club costumes • Cycling the Silk Road • A ‘thank you’ • Bike pool

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OUT & ABOUT • Inverkeithing • Coastal Rowing • Nature Notes • Advice for gardeners • Knockers

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NEXT ISSUE – Jul/Aug 2015 COPY DEADLINE: STRICTLY 28 MAY

All contributions welcome. The Editor reserves the right to publish copy according to available space. Cover: Down Cove Wynd, Pittenweem. Original photo by Emily Noakes

FEATURES Flora Selwyn chatted with Ian Grant,

Scotland’s Last Wheelwright When, where, who invented the wheel is still an open question. What is Kennedy Club’s spring procession. Having at one time in its existence certain is that modern civilization today depends on wheels. Until relabeen used as a hen house, the coach required a complete overhaul. To tively recently all wheels were made of wood by wheelwrights, who also quote from the March/April 2014 issue of this magazine, Ian “centralised repaired, and maintained them. the entire coach frame, which used to lean back and to the right; he Horse-drawn carriages still exist today in surprising numbers; realigned the bottom of the coach; he remade the inside and outside you can even buy them on eBay. A click on the web shows a list of panels of the main body; he centralised the rear window, which was wheelwrights in England, but only one in Scotland, Ian Grant. previously completely off centre; he rubbed down and repainted the Born in Craigtoun on 11 March 1951, Ian lived in Cupar Muir with chassis and serviced the leather straps; perhaps the most technical job his parents until his was remaking the wheel marriage to Barbara in dishes – the angle of 1973. Employed in a the spokes was too construction company acute for the wheels, so (based in Diss, in had to be recalculated Norfolk), Ian travelled and reworked.” Jake all over Europe and the Brown then repainted UK erecting agricultural the coach and its arms. silos. In 1979 Ian was In the KK procession, even sent behind the this coach, of course, Iron Curtain into Russia. features in an exciting “As you were working in re-enactment of these places, it was quite Archbishop Sharp’s a good learning curve for murder on Magus Muir. me,” for Ian found time to Ian is ‘the wood sample the life styles of man’. In the old days all the many countries he putting the iron tyres on visited. the wheels “was always Then in 1981 Ian the blacksmith’s job. achieved his ambition to There’s no blacksmith” ‘find out what all the noise so Ian has to do that was about,’ by going to too. Leather work is Australia. Having arrived, given to the harness “I stopped shaving from maker Jennifer Roy day 2, and was in the in Springfield, Cupar. Outback, working.” Ian’s “Everything that can’t be Australian employer, done in the workshop Peter Reid, told him here, you have your that he had been a contacts. You farm out junior surveyor on the various bits. In order Tay Bridge in 1965/6. to get the job done Such a small world! you have to adapt.” So Ian worked in an oil Repair work has to separation plant fixing be progressed bit by pipelines, and making bit; a carriage can’t be ‘stacks of money’. totally disassembled In 1983 Ian was back all at once, for it would in Scotland. “I packed be impossible to in the tools and ‘chased reassemble correctly. the white line’ for almost Therefore one door at 10 years long distance.” a time, one window at a This involved driving 40 time, has to be carefully ton articulated vehicles for a Kirkcaldy company. When he reached the restored. “You establish a line on your carriage. Everything is lined up on age of 40, Ian decided to come back to his tools, ”with renewed vigour.” that just like in a boat.” Wheels can come off together though, because A short spell with Fife Council was followed by working for Bert Mason, “you know where they’re going, and if one’s right they’re all right, if one’s of Cupar. wrong they’re all wrong.” Not entirely settled, Ian found his first job ‘with the wheels’ when The workshop is full of new and old machines and tools. Most of asked to repair a set in Culross. In passing, Ian mentioned that in those Ian’s work is hand work, by eye in the traditional way. “Once the tyre days a typical older country wheelwright would make “wheels, coffins, goes on the wheel that’s it, I would say, for 80 or 90 years.” Woodworm and wheelbarrows”. Ian’s second job was is the real enemy, fire and rot also. But Ian refurbishing the 4-wheeled American Phaeton is confident he can repair most things. For belonging to Sir Brian Souter (of Stagecoach). the KK Club, “I fair enjoyed making that To Ian’s regret, however, the Phaeton forms A click on the web shows a list of wee hand cart; all I had to go on was 2 part of Sir Brian’s collection, but is not driven. photographs.” wheelwrights in England, but only From then on Ian has worked on wheels No time for hobbies for Ian, apart from from as far away as Sicily, Switzerland, and riding his beloved motorbike. He used to one in Scotland, Ian Grant other parts of the UK, even Devon for a gypsy make stairs, doors, sash-and-case windows. caravan. In Scotland, “most of the work comes “It’s what you can do to keep yourself afloat.” from the Central Belt.” In Europe and the UK Having left school “with no qualifications at the outer parts of the wheels are made of elm, the spokes from straightall”, Ian has certainly proved the old saw about believing in yourself. As grained oak, while ash makes the ‘felloes’, the outer rim of the wheel to a boy, his talent showed when he made model airplanes, inspired by his which the spokes are then fitted. Ian made the point that even those elms RAF father. struck down by Dutch Elm Disease have had wood that could have been With one daughter an artist in oils and another studying at Edinburgh used, and should never have been burned as they were, “what a terrible University intending to be a teacher, Ian can be said to be living a full life. waste.” And long may it be so. I first met Ian in the Abbottsford Coach House in St Andrews, where (Photos by Flora Selwyn) he was tasked with repairing Archbishop Sharp’s Coach for the Kate

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FEATURES Howard Greenwell, Chairman

The Community Council At the end of 2012, while I was still the Convener of the Planning Committee of the Community Council, I was pleased to report in the magazine that the recently-adopted St Andrews and East Fife Local Plan (the guidelines against which all planning applications are measured) finally defined a Green Belt for St Andrews. Previous members of the Community Council, the Green Belt Forum, and the Preservation Trust (to name but a few) had campaigned for nearly 20 years to establish an area of land, just beyond the town boundaries, that would protect the landscape setting of the Royal Burgh. The Local Plan contains many policies that define a range of restrictions on what can and cannot be developed in the Green Belt. Over the last two-and-a-half years, the Community Council has campaigned against many proposed developments in the Green Belt, as they do not meet the policies and guidelines for development in the countryside. In this campaigning we have had some success, but there have been a number of occasions where the delegated powers held by Fife Council officials have been used to ignore the objections of the Community Council, and continue to approve inappropriate development. As the

Green Belt is “just beyond” the boundaries of the Burgh, the Community Council is powerless to force these issues to be decided by our elected Fife Councillors. The Community Council only has the right to force issues to be reviewed and voted on for applications within the Royal Burgh itself. One of the objectives of the Community Council over many years has been to preserve both the historic character of the town, and to protect the landscape setting of its iconic landmarks. Anyone who has ventured out to the headland at the West Sands cannot fail to be moved by the view back toward “The Old Grey Toon” to see the castle, the cathedral, St Rule Tower, St Salvators Tower, and the spire of Hope Park Church, to name just a few. In the summer months, many, many tourists stop in the turning circle to take photographs of the town. However, given the way Planning Policy has been written by the Scottish Government, it appears that the only way that the Community Council can call on the elected Councillors to vote on these Green Belt planning applications, is to campaign for Fife Council to change the way they apply the rules, or to extend the boundaries of the Royal Burgh to include the whole of the St Andrews Green Belt. As Fife Council appear to favour keeping their powers to

promote as much development as possible, it promises to be an interesting campaign. On another subject, you may have noticed the press articles recently relating to the St Andrews Civic Pride Campaign. Over the last few weeks and months, the Community Council, in conjunction with the St Andrews Partnership, St Andrews University, and the Preservation Trust has been working towards a campaign to get the people of St Andrews to do more to make the Burgh one of the most enjoyable places to visit in Scotland. Several initiatives are being discussed to improve refuse collection and bin storage, provide more floral displays and seating, as well as encouragement to ensure that properties look the best they can for visitors and residents alike. There will be calls for volunteers to help with the initiative in the near future. We can always use an hour or two of your time, if you can spare it, to help the community. Finally, as mentioned in my previous articles, I am pleased to say that we have recruited three new members to the Community Council over recent months, but there is still a need for more volunteers to join. If you are interested in helping the Community Council, then please email our Secretary, Patrick Marks. Full details of how to contact us can be found on our website: www.standrewscc.net

Gordon Jarvie

Remembering Tom (Tom Lloyd-Evans, 1940–2014) A decade ago, coming back from a snowy climb above Glen Esk we’d struck up a tentative conversation on a homeward drive from the hills.

“He couldn’t have been Sydney Brewer, I don’t suppose?” My idle surmise – surprise, surprise – had struck a chord. “Why yes!” said Tom, “Did you know him too?”

In old age Tom was a gentle man. Slow, deliberate, quiet-spoken, I’d strain my ear to catch his stammer, his hair-splitting words of wisdom.

He was an astronomer, of all things, and my opening gambit had set him off when I asked him how he’d careered into such an unusual trade.

Sydney had been a maths teacher as well as my assistant housemaster. He’d assembled his famous telescope on the lawn in front of my house.

Later, he’d told me he liked my poems, bless him, his favourite being “the one about the dog”. A slow hiker with a little stick, quite recently I saw him walking his.

“Ah,” said Tom, “That was simple. A teacher at school kept a telescope. On clear nights he’d set it up and we’d all study the sky. Magic!”

Thus did Tom and I discover we’d been at school together and knew each other slightly all of half a long century ago.

Benji survived Tom by a mere lonely month, only to rejoin his master far beyond the stars where ultimately all the good guys go with all their joyful loving dogs.

Note about Tom

Born in 1940, Tom Lloyd-Evans lived at Lathockar. He graduated BSc with firstclass honours at St Andrews in 1963, and was latterly an occasional lecturer in the University’s School of Physics and Astronomy. He spent most of his working life in South Africa, working at both the Radcliffe Observatory (Pretoria) and the South African Astronomical Observatory (near Cape Town). Tom was an honorary member of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa, and in 1991–2 he served as President of that august body. He died in May 2014. The writer knew him more recently as a keen fellow climber with the Fife Mountaineering Club. Tom at the top of the Bealach na Ba pass on the Applecross peninsula, shortly before his death. (Photo courtesy Tom’s wife Marlene)

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

Answers Your Questions Q. While having a search through my family photograph albums, I came across a photograph taken by John Adamson. Do you have any photographs by Adamson and can you tell me a bit about him? A. John Adamson’s obituary in the Edinburgh Medical Journal, on the 17 August 1870, talks about one of St Andrews’ most valued citizens with a genuine love for science. He was born in Boarshills in 1809, just outside of St Andrews, growing up in a large family of 10. He was educated in St Andrews, then went on to study medicine in Edinburgh. It was an interesting time to be a medical student there at this time, as the Burke and Hare scandal was taking place. He graduated from Edinburgh, went to live in Paris for several years, and worked as a ship’s surgeon. He then returned to St Andrews, but competition for medical practices was fierce. He ended up teaching Chemistry and Natural Science to senior pupils at Madras College for a few years. At this time he also joined the University’s Literary & Philosophical Society, eventually becoming Curator of their museum (now the Bell-Pettigrew) – a post he held until his death in 1870. Sir David Brewster was the president of the Society and a friend of Adamson. He gave a lecture in which he explained calotype photography, which led to Adamson’s increased interest in the

process. In around 1842 Adamson, an experienced chemist, successfully produced the first calotype portrait in Scotland with the help of his brother Robert. Robert went on to become one half of the famous Edinburgh photographic team – Hill and Adamson. In time, other doctors in the town died or moved away leaving room for Adamson’s medical practice to flourish. He was among the first to realise the connection between cholera and fever with the poor drainage systems within the town. He spent a lot of time making improvements to local public life, taking up position as Town Councillor. However, his interest in photography never dwindled. He managed to build up a considerable clientele and continued to practice portraiture until his death. His portraits were considered to be remarkable, with a broad depth to them, an air of intimacy and relaxation, which probably came from the close relationship Adamson had with many of his models. It has been noted that if it hadn’t been for his busy medical life he would undoubtedly have gained fame for his photography, which many people believe was his due. He was a famed St Andrean, inspiring and helping many. His home in the town was 127 South Street, eventually becoming the local post office for a number of years, now The

Adamson restaurant – named as tribute to its original occupier. We have around 25 photographs taken by John Adamson in the Museum collection, most of which are family portraits like this photograph of Tetty Adamson, John Adamson’s daughter.

Tetty Adamson c.1851 (Photo courtesy the Preservation Trust Museum)

John Cameron muses on

Science and Religion believed in “an almighty, all-knowing, beneficent – but not necessarily I am told that scientists cannot possibly personal – God”. In Religion and Naturwissenschaft, he said that God believe in God, but if it is true that they is everywhere present, holding that “the holiness of the unintelligible believe in something as unlikely as global Godhead is conveyed by the holiness of symbols.” Einstein dismissed warming, they can certainly believe in atheism out of hand, saying that what motivated his interest in science equivocal things. was his belief in “Spinoza’s God, who reveals himself in the harmony of In fact many scientists of the very what exists.” first rank have been Christians, including My favourite Physics teacher was Cal Tech’s Richard Feynman, one Copernicus, Bacon, Kepler, Descartes, Pascal, Newton, Boyle, Faraday, of the great physicists of the 20th century, who never quite disentangled Mendel, and Maxwell. In the 20th century there were the likes of Kelvin, himself from his father’s Jewish faith. He claimed the main difficulty Stokes, and Planck, to say nothing of Einstein, Heisenberg, Smalley, faced by a religious scientist is that “for progress in science, it is Schawlow, Hess, Walton, Mott, Weizsäcker, and von Braun. absolutely necessary to have scepticism as a fundamental part of our The French mathematician and scientist Descartes, was the father inner nature…To make progress we must accept that nothing is certain, of modern philosophy; he was also a Roman Catholic with a deep or proved beyond all doubt, and as we develop more information, it religious faith he retained to his dying day. His system began by asking is not that we are discovering “the truth”, but what could be known if all else were doubted finding out that this or that is more or less likely.” – “I think therefore I am”. His next step was to He thought the question for a scientist was not, establish the near certainty of the existence of those scientists who believe “Is there a God”, but “How sure am I that there God. is a God?” because that better suited scientists Both Pascal and Newton studied theology in God do not think of God who already live with uncertainty. as well as science; Pascal’s most influential in the same way as other It may sound like a subtle change, but it theological work, Pensées, was a robust defense means that those scientists who believe in God of Christianity. In Principia Newton stated, “The religious people do do not think of God in the same way as other most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and religious people do. If they are to be consistent comets, can only proceed from the counsel and they can say, “I am almost certain there is a dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being.” God”, but that is not the same as saying, “I know that my Redeemer James Maxwell was a man of deep Christian commitment. He is liveth.” Yet sitting alone with him in his Altadena garden in the balmy still regarded by most modern physicists as the Victorian scientist who Californian night it was clear that the fervent faith of his much-loved had the greatest influence on the 20th century. Planck, whose quantum father would be with him till the day he died. theory revolutionized our understanding of the sub-atomic world,

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FEATURES

The Eclipse On 20th March this year in perfect conditions, we watched in St Andrews, fascinated, as the sun was almost totally eclipsed. Gerry Priest took the sequenced photos, also the close-up at the peak, in which the red colour is actually natural since there was a thin cloud in front of the Sun that cut out much of the blue light leaving the red. Eric Priest’s shadow darkened at the peak as the birds in his garden stopped singing, only to return to normal soon after.

Shadow

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Whole eclipse

Crescent

Shadow at peak

FEATURES Colin McAllister tells of

Naomi Mottram

I must down to the shops again, the latest mobile phone to buy, And I must have the smartest one, or I shall surely die. And I’ll be chic, and full of song, and boys’ hearts be breaking, And with a big smile on my face, and the new style be making.

I walk, the pushchair rolls and bumps. The baby sleeps.

Lade Braes

Shopping Fever

I must to the shops again, for the call of my teenage pride Is a wild call, and a call that may not be denied. And all I ask’s a trendy shop with sunglasses to sell, And fine hair spray, and sweet perfume, and then I’ll be a belle! I must down to the shops again, retail therapy is my life! For I’m a gull, and spend away, and so my credit card runs rife, And all I ask is a glass of wine, and a beau to ask for my hand, And dinner, and love’s young dream, and then a wedding band.

The snowdrops bob their white bonnets Two daffodils venture their creased faces Into the breeze. The baby sleeps. A spirited collie gallops, his apologetic owner behind. The trees sweep their branches like Ballerina hands. The baby sleeps. The waterfall gushes perpetually. The man with a stick and trousers that swing Carefully navigates around A small puddle. The water ripples. The baby sleeps. Green lawns in the gardens across the way Glow in the wintry sunlight. There, a red-hatted someone gazes Into a glittering pool. A gentleman in day-glo gloves Cycles easily past. A red and black runner has Energy enough to smile. The wind catches dry leaves. The baby sleeps.

(Photo by Flora Selwyn)

Competition Photo The best caption will receive a box of 20 Highland Chocolatier chocolates (worth £27.95) very generously donated by Iain Burnett The Highland Chocolatier, South Street, St Andrews; Julie Collier, Commercial Director, will pick the winner.

Two trees lean dangerously across the path. The moss on a tree stump Catches the light and turns it green. A lady in pale yellow walks with Purpose and joy Like the bringer of spring herself. A bullfinch darts across the path – Across the burn. It’s time to leave. The baby sleeps.

(Photo courtesy Naomi Mottram)

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FEATURES

Please visit www.byretheatre.com for more show information The Byre Theatre in association with Quixotic Productions present

Shirley Valentine by Willie Russell Every woman deserves her day in the sun

(Thursday 23 July – Saturday 8 August 2015) Willy Russell is well known as the writer of plays and films such as Educating Rita, Our Day Out, and the musical Blood Brothers. His work has attracted huge and appreciative audiences all over the world and his plays and musicals have won countless awards.

Moana (10th, 11th and 12th June) Moana – The Rising of the Seas is an intense and colourful declaration of love to the nature and cultures of the Pacific, performed by Pacific Islanders. Restaurant, Carvery, Tapas, Teas and Coffees

Relax in style in our comfortable surroundings with Sunday Carvery from midday to live music in the evenings – the place to be this summer in St Andrews. Around the foyer and the restaurant are 8 screens featuring golf, films, current affairs, etc.

Children’s Saturday Film Club

Interactive fun from 9am (£5), film at 10am (£5) – book both in advance and get them for only £9.00.

Iphigenie In Tauris – Christoph Willibald Gluck

(Mon 15th, Wed 17th, Thurs 18th June) The Music Centre’s opera company presents a new English translation of Gluck’s reforming masterpiece.

Play, Pie, Pint – Oran Mor – Classic Cuts

Experience one of Scotland’s best loved concepts direct from Oran Mor in Glasgow. 4 weeks of stunning classic cuts. Buy three get one free (that’s as little as £7.50 each for some stunning theatre). Child friendly and soft options available.

Christmas Pantomime – Cinderella

It’s back, great Christmas fun. Priority booking starts in April, see website for details of some great offers.

Byre Film, jazz nights, and much much more

GENERAL ENQUIRIES

BAR & RESTAURANT

Phone: 01334 475000 (for Box Office and main switchboard)

Phone: 01334 468807

Email: byreboxoffice@st-andrews.ac.uk

A visit: come along to our Box Office and visit us in person. Our Box Office is open Monday-Saturday, 10am-4.30pm.

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 8.30am-10pm (food served from 8.30am-9pm) Friday and Saturday 8.30am-11pm (food served from 8.30am-9.30pm) Sunday 10am-4.30pm (food served from 10.30am-4.30pm)

www.byretheatre.com

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

Twitter: @byretheatre Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/ The-Byre-Theatre/142744952426437

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Email: restaurantbookings@st-andrews.ac.uk

FEATURES: REVIEWS Vicky MacKenzie reviews

A Man Passing Through: Memoir with Poems Selected and New By Gordon Jarvie Published by Greenwich Exchange, 2014. Available at all good bookshops price £16.99. No stranger to St Andrews in Focus, Gordon Jarvie’s poetry has been published in countless magazines, over a dozen books, and pamphlets. A resident of Crail for the last twelve years, his work holds special interest for those familiar with this easterly corner of Fife, with nods to many local landmarks from Kellie Castle to Kilrenny. This book is an unusual, but pleasing combination of prose memoir and poetry. Divided into twenty-five chapters arranged around recurring themes in Gordon’s work, and also roughly chronological, they trace the poet’s life from childhood memories of Troon, student days in Ireland, family and working life in Edinburgh, to retirement in Crail. Each chapter contains five poems, a short prose extract which touches on biographical details, poetic inspiration, and thoughts on the process of writing poetry: ‘Poetry is like the tide for me: it comes and goes, but with less regularity.’ Gordon is what may be described as a ‘poet of place’ – his poems are often set in specific locations. He has a keen eye for detail, especially when it comes to the natural world. The Cambo herons ‘stand like sentries’, while two old bulls at Kinkell are ‘a pair of chinless elder statesmen’. An enthusiastic hillwalker (a ‘Munroist’, having bagged all of Scotland’s highest peaks at least once), he writes poems

of praise for the Scottish landscape, whether sublime and daunting in a howling gale, or closer to paradise when the clouds lift: My heart lifts too, for I see it all again – the tops, the corrie, the damp bracken, the glinting riverbed. Family life looms large, with poignant poems about his (now grown-up) children discovering the world for themselves, whether describing his daughter gardening aged two (‘you didn’t so much plant it / as shove it in its tiny flowerpot’) or offering a few words of fatherly advice to his son heading to Australia to work: Know that the journey may be long, and everyone makes his own itinerary. Don’t stray too far from yours, nor let others presume to impose. There’s much gentle wit to be found in this collection, as in the final poem, ‘On the Wisdom of Acquiring a Dog at 70’, or in the tales of high jinks from his younger days as a milkman: Once in a while we’d forge a note from one of our rival’s sleeping customers asking for ‘ten pints today please’ […] As well as poems about family life, Scotland and the natural world, Gordon gives us insights

into his career as a publisher, which took him as far afield as Nigeria in the 1970s. This is no rose-tinted reminiscence: his poem for the murder of a Yoruba colleague, a victim of the shifting political situation, functions as an elegy for millions of other political victims too: He had backed the losing side in an irascible, vicious election, forgetting man’s fathomless savagery. Gordon’s poetry is determinedly accessible – he claims in his introduction that ‘we are all poets’, and his artistic project has been to record life as he sees it. The poem which perhaps best captures his perspective is one of my favourites from this engaging selection, the poignant ‘Sometimes’, which ends: Sometimes we walk the hills in broad sunshine, a loved one by our side telling his story. Garner these golden moments while you can: that is the genius of a gentle man.

Call the park on: 01334 472013

www.friendsofcraigtounpark.org.uk

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SHOPS & SERVICES

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

BEDDING PLANT SALE STARTS Saturday 16th May from 10am PLANT SALES AREA AND GATEHOUSE Open now till end September SUMMER LECTURE & RECEPTION Tuesday 2nd June at 7.30pm TO JOIN THE FRIENDS AND SUPPORT THE GARDEN CONTACT MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Tel: 01334 476452 Charity No. SC006432

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SHOPS & SERVICES Lisa Cathro of Zest extols

Artisan Coffee The world of coffee is fast changing; it is a challenge to keep up with what is happening, but it is an exciting community to be immersed in, with great people who are passionate about what they do. At Zest Café we knew that we didn’t have enough knowledge so began our coffee journey in Holland with Joost Leopold, who has over 10 years’ experience and judges barista competitions at an international level. As consumers become more interested in product, origins, and traceability, so too has the speciality coffee trade developed with Artisan roasters. We use Glen Lyon artisan roasters, a small roaster in Aberfeldy, for our delicious Red Stag espresso. The guys at Glen Lyon Coffee know who their farmers are. They have spent a lot of time in Bolivia, learning about sustainability and the associated issues. So much effort is put in by farmers, research cooperatives and roasters to produce a great product that is ethical and traceable that we strongly feel that it is the responsibility of us as baristas/café owners to respect that chain by producing drinks to the very best of our ability. In Holland we learned about the science behind the bean, studying all the different growing regions, processing, and extraction methods. We tasted and developed brew recipes for beans from Costa Rica to Brazil in South America, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, Kenyan, and Rwandan coffees from Africa, also from Indonesia to Papua New Guinea in Asia. We are currently serving a delicious single origin Papua New Guinean bean for our filter coffee and loving it! The role of the barista is an important one; unfortunately in this country there is a lack of appreciation for the depth of skill required. To be a professional barista takes years of experience, a thirst for knowledge and passion for our trade. “Good baristas must be good tasters of coffee. The barista must be able to recognise how variables in brewing affect the flavour in the one place it counts – in the cup.” (The Espresso Quest by Instaurator). It is little known that 90% of what you taste is reliant on your barista. The most delicious beans can taste awful in the hands of an inexperienced barista; alternatively, an experienced barista can draw a myriad of flavours from one bean – however, this takes a lot of practice, Bean varieties

experience, and knowledge. A common Lighter roasts boast a higher acidity – think complaint is of bitter-tasting coffee, which can Granny Smith apples as opposed to Golden be attributed to a huge variety of mistakes. The Delicious. Acidity can be a good thing, most common of these is equipment that is not allowing the fruity flavours to be tasted. Darker cleaned often enough; not using fresh/quality roasts commonly associated with traditional beans; lack of knowledge Italian-style coffee have about grind setting, and how lower acidity due to to prepare the ground coffee the caramelising of the for a perfect extraction. sugars during roasting It is little known that A great barista will be resulting in more caramel 90% of what you taste is and chocolate flavours. aware of all the variables, such as changes in room Both can be delicious, but reliant on your barista temperature, be able to we love the fruity tastes produce multiple drink of the light roast. By the orders quickly and efficiently time this magazine goes whilst keeping an eye on the rest of their team, to print we will have a choice of two different while having a bit of banter with the customers! roasts. It’s your choice to find out which you It all comes down to personal taste though. prefer. Our choice is likely to be… are you We are changing our cup sizing down to a a Red Stag or Grumpy Mule? Single-origin continental style away from the huge sizes of coffees are also becoming more popular. They the chains, focusing on quality and flavours, can be from one country/area/farm depending instead of on quantity. When we asked Flora on how far you want to go. By choosing a (your editor) to try the lighter roast of Red single origin you can really taste the flavours Stag espresso she was taken aback by the particular to the bean and the environment it difference in flavour from the mainstream, was grown in. Their tastes can vary immensely, she exclaimed, “I can’t believe that is coffee!” but it’s great fun trying them and figuring out your favourites. A great place to try singleorigin espresso is Taste on North Street. At Zest we are really proud of the development in our team with the resulting quality cup of coffee we can offer our customers. We still have a lot to learn, but are excited about continuing our coffee journey. In June we are returning to Leopold Koffie School in Utrecht. When we come back we will have three qualified Joost Master Baristas. Our goal is to move into teaching, helping other businesses have an opportunity to learn more by running SCAE (Speciality Coffee Association Europe) qualifications, which are the industry standard across the world. We would love to be part of seeing the standards in Scotland raised, therefore raising expectations…watch this space! (Photos courtesy Lisa Cathro)

Johnny

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SHOPS & SERVICES

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SHOPS & SERVICES Hugo D’Bere, your Grizzly Gourmet visits the

Fairmont for afternoon tea What better way to cheer oneself up on a cold winter’s day, when top up without any St Andrews is dead, the students are away, the shops are closed for difficulty. Everything refurbishment, and everyone is keeping out the cold, than to go for a is served in very nice highly civilised afternoon tea in the Fairmont Hotel up on the cliffs. delicate china. The I decided to take Muffy, and an old and venerable bear friend. cups are not so silly The Fairmont is actually quite a drive out of St Andrews, although and small that you it is pretty visible from the Town itself, but the great advantage is that have to fill them after there are no problems about parking; since my old bear friend is not every gulp. Each great at walking, it was good to be able to use the parking spaces near comes with its own individual strainer because real tea is used. the entrance. The food comes in a modern version of one of those plates that Afternoon tea is served in Kittocks Den, which like Lumbo Den, your Aunty used to have with three layers in a frame. On the bottom sounds like the sort of place you would find bears. Kittocks Den layer were sandwiches. There were two small rolls with egg and cress, appears to be a pub-type area with tables and two small rolls with smoked salmon and goat’s chairs set high overlooking the Atrium. I always cheese, also there were sandwiches with cream think the Atrium in the Fairmont makes it look a cheese and cucumber, and with ham, cheese The “pièce de resistance” bit like an airport, a bit of a soulless area. Having and relish. The layer above contained fruit and said that, Kittocks Den is a nice enclave of that plain scones. These were very delicious and was the patisseries area, muted in orange and brown and earth colours light, served with a variety of jams – raspberry, making it quite relaxing. strawberry, mixed berry – and with clotted cream. The music playing during afternoon tea could The “pièce de resistance” was the patisseries. perhaps have been better chosen. It was fairly modern; I would have There was a mouth-watering selection of cakes, all of which were thought a tinkling piano a better type of music for that sort of occasion. quite small and delicate, not the sort of cakes that would leave you Afternoon tea is quite pricey at £24 per person, but it is a meal in floundering. There were passion fruit mousses, chocolate mousses, itself. banana éclairs, and pear tarts with tiny little pears. There were also There was a choice of teas, either fruit, herb, or black tea. We all deliciously light macaroons. went for Earl Grey. There are dinky little teapots and you can get a The service was very relaxing, but efficient. The amazing thing was that having had so much to eat, it turned out we had only ordered two afternoon teas and not three, but all three of us managed to scoff the lot, leaving a little bit spare, and still feel pretty full up. You could, if you wished, have a glass of champagne, or some other drink, with the afternoon tea; perhaps a nice glass of rosé champagne would be appropriate in the summer months if you’re not driving. My major criticism of that particular part of the Hotel, is that it has no view. If you go round the corner into the corridor towards the toilets, there is a wonderful view over the town and the bay. I wonder why the architect didn’t incorporate more views from the public rooms. I do recommend a visit. In terms of afternoon tea, I would award it 9 out of 10. The only better ones I have had have been on cruise ships! As a final postscript, even the doormen in the Hotel are nice and helpful and friendly. (Photos courtesy Fairmont)

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SHOPS & SERVICES

Roving Reporter 1. Modern technology never fails to astonish Reporter. He was fascinated by what’s on offer at Scotland for Golf, Unit 4, Bassaguard, St Andrews (01334 611466). Founder and owner of the Company, PGA Professional, George Finlayson patiently explained how to use the Trackman, the Golf Simulator, and the Huxley Putting Green with its ‘real-feel’ grass. How to begin describing the Simulator? Suffice it to say you can choose a golf course in Scotland (including the Old Course), choose your weather (!), then start playing. All your shots are scientifically analysed in extraordinary detail on the True-life screen, allowing the aspiring golfer to improve his swing, his stance, his game. You can even play with other people. George told Reporter that groups can book a time, enjoy coffee, social chit-chat, improve their golf, all without having to walk over 4 miles in the rain. 30 minutes on the Simulator costs £12.50. You can book a 20/20/20 programme consisting of a lesson, practice on Trackman, and putting. There are 3 Professionals in Scotland for Golf and they are licensed to teach at St Andrews Links. Individual lessons cost £35 for 30 minutes, or £55 for 60 minutes. Scotland for Golf also organizes golf tours throughout Scotland, packages planned in the minutest detail to give golfers an experience never to be forgotten.

It is a success story instigated by former Councillor, Bill Sangster, and achieved through collaboration between the private Barnetts Properties Ltd and Fife Council. Already 8 of 9 units are occupied, creating 25 jobs, with the promise of more to come. Until about a year ago, Bassaguard was a derelict eyesore. Now it boasts state-of-theart premises on a well-ordered site, offering new rentable business units for the first time for 20 years in St Andrews. At the launch, Bill Sangster ‘drove’ a golf ball, while Paul Barnett, Chairman of Barnetts Properties Ltd. opened a bottle of champagne to share with the Park’s new tenants.

(Photo by Flora Selwyn)

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(Photo courtesy Alan S Morrison – ASM Media & PR)

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2. Reporter was delighted to discover that the £1.5m St Andrews Business Park at Bassaguard is indeed officially open.

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hours in our town, you can sample 54 different flavours, everything from cakes to gelato pops and patisseries. While waiting for your orders in the newly-joined café, you can study the family history covering the entire wall as tree graphics. Reporter raises his glass to Jannettas’ next 107 years, with many more family generations.

3. Double congratulations to St Andrews’ one and only Jannettas, South Street. 4th generation Owner (the Gelateria opened in 1908) Owen Hazel and his wife Nicola are celebrating 21 years in business themselves on the same site. And now they are also celebrating the completion of their fantastic makeover, on time and within budget, thanks to architects Nicoll Russell Studios. Today, customers can enjoy “a new Gelato retailing in the UK”. Having won the 2014 Golden Cone award last summer, followed soon after by the Courier Retail Business of the Year, Owen and Nicola can honestly call themselves “Scotland’s favourite ice cream shop.” Open daily from 9.00am to 10.00pm, the longest opening

4. St Andrews is full of good news, enthuses Reporter! The Adamson Restaurant, South Street, celebrated the opening of their new Adamson Bar in March. As they claim, it is a dedicated cocktail bar like no other. Situated in what was once the Post Office sorting office next to what was the Post Office itself, it has undergone a stunning makeover. Its rationale is simply that the original bar in the Restaurant became too crowded, forming a difficult bottleneck at the entrance. Now there is a spacious, welcoming area connected both to the Restaurant and the street. Managing Director, Julie Lewis is proud that, “Our restaurant has been included in the last three consecutive Michelin Guides. We hold two AA rosettes and last year won ‘Restaurant of the Year’ by Food Awards Scotland. But we know our customers love cocktails – so we wanted to expand to accommodate them more comfortably as well as to provide an offering that is unique in St Andrews”. Reporter suggests you go along and try some of the unique offerings,

SHOPS & SERVICES

such as, The Physician, accompanied by nibbles of every kind, or ‘bar plates’ such as east coast crab with crème fraiche. Too many goodies to list here, you just have to go and find out for yourselves, says Reporter.

fashion items were courtesy of retailers Joules, Phase Eight, Sam Brown, Tom Morris, DiGilpin, & Funky Rascals. Hair and make-up were volunteered by Spoiled Hairdressing. Reporter learned that, together with ticket sales, a luxury raffle, and fundraising on the night, £5,500 were raised – a welcome sum by any standards. Well done, says Reporter. (Photo from the Press Release)

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Julie Lewis with a glass of The Physician

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5. Reporter is pleased to hear of another new business opening. Hannah Milner wrote: I have recently decided to start up my own mobile hairdressing business, The Wee Hair Boutique. After working at Sophie Butler Hairdressing for 9 years I felt it was time for a change and to start a new chapter. It’s a really exciting time to be starting a new venture, meeting lots of new people along the way. I am providing all aspects of hairdressing (including colours and wedding/event styling) to the St Andrews/ Dundee area. A lot of people have asked me how mobile hairdressing works... there really is no difference in service or quality, just that it’s in the comfort of your own home. And at a snip of the price! Any enquires welcome: 07445 764 289, email: hannahmilner893@hotmail.co.uk Reporter forwards his best wishes.

7. A new initiative came to Reporter’s notice, with the heading, “The Future Is Handmade”. Intrigued, Reporter read on: “Artery Gallery, 43 South Street, (01334 478 221) has been supporting the creative community for the past ten years, proudly exhibiting on behalf of artists and designers, while making art more accessible and affordable for everyone. Known for their friendly approach and customer service, Artery has become one of the UK’s favourite galleries. It is expanding on that success by opening more premises in the town, which will compliment Artery Gallery, but introduce a new range of purely handmade gifts, jewellery, homewares, and accessories. Jason Michaelson, Director, said, ‘We want to move people away from the mass-produced market and really focus on the talented individuals we have here in the UK.’ Artery St Andrews will be opening its doors soon at 183 South Street, with lots of new makers and exciting products!” Please see their website: www.arteryuk.com Email: info@arteryuk.com

Happy Hacker and the friendly staff from Cancer Research. We also have to thank the community around us that has helped us over the year since opening. It is always a pleasure to have our regular cheeselovers come into the store and to welcome new members to our cheese family. We have had excellent feedback from our customers about our cheese and wine tasting evenings, as well as our café in the garden. The café is now open for the new season, serving cheese and wine platters, coffees, teas, and highland cheesecake. We are also selling fresh homemade bread, a perfect accompaniment to the wonderful array of cheeses we supply! We hope to have many more years to come.” Amen to that, adds Reporter.

(Photo courtesy Caroline & Alex)

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9. Stop press, says Reporter breathlessly, having just heard that: “Four years after their rebrand in 2011, the Isle of Skye Candle Company launched four new scents and on top of that, on the fourth of the fourth, opened their fourth shop in another Scottish tourist destination town, St Andrews,” at 123 Market Street. This welcome family-run business from the Highlands makes “hand-poured soya wax candles and natural reed diffusers”. Many other goodies are in the shop too. Reporter suggests you go and look.

(Photo courtesy Hannah Milner) 6.

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Jason Michaelson (Photo courtesy Artery Gallery)

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A press release from Julia Bruce informed Reporter of a highly successful fundraising Charity Fashion Show organized by St Leonards School Parents’ Association last March. Pupils and members of the PA strutted their stuff in aid of Tayside Children with Cancer and Leukaemia (TCCL). The Adamson and Peat Inn Restaurants provided refreshments, spring and summer

8. Another cause to celebrate. Reporter learned that The Old Cheese Shop, Burghers Close, South Street, has been trading already for one year. Owners, Caroline and Alex Nite say, “We would like to thank our families, friends, and customers for their support over the last year. We are very fortunate to have such wonderful neighbours sharing the courtyard with us, the very helpful owners of The

(Photo by FloraSelwyn)

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ORGANISATIONS Barbro Scott chatted with Flora Selwyn about her

Service to the RNLI Fully qualified as a nurse in Sweden, Barbro, aged 26, came to St Andrews with her new husband, Michael, in 1957. It was at a party that Barbro was asked to help the local Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). “So there I came, with very little English, totally new to the town, and they just thought it would be right. So I helped them along until 1968, when I became President.” Hepburn Gardens, Buchanan Gardens, and the centre of St Andrews was where about 40 people once made house-to-house collections for the RNLI, something that no-one likes to do today. Instead, volunteers stand in the street with a collection box, but, “you’re not allowed to shake the box, and you’re not allowed to ask people. You can, though, say ‘thank With minimum administration, the RNLI improves boats, improves you’ and smile.” Flag days were started in 1965. Barbro collected in the clothes, improves the conditions of volunteer service. Barbro recollects streets of St Andrews in August when visitors were abundant. “St Andrews that in the summer of the 1960s in St Andrews there were two tables people themselves are very willing and generous all the year round for outside the then information centre, “where we contributions.” sold books, we sold endless amounts of rhubarb.” Asked why the government doesn’t support “I will get my grandson to Coffee mornings were then introduced at the same the Lifeboats, Barbro said the RNLI prefers time as the house-to-house collections. Barbro its independence, without imposed rules and take me, because I felt, I remembers 1971 when for the first time £2,400 regulations. The first ‘unimmergible’ boat for was his age when I started.” was raised, in those days a very considerable rescuing sailors at sea was launched in 1785, (see sum, “I remember to this day how pleased we the online history timeline of the RNLI). Sir William were.” Another time in 1975, on the 5 November the branch organised a Hilary, who witnessed many tragedies from his home on the Isle of Man, formal fireworks display on the West Sands, with soup (7 old pennies) and in 1824 founded the National Institution for the Preservation of Life from hot dogs (30 old pennies for the big ones, 6 for the small), “I had a very Shipwreck, which evolved into today’s RNLI. In 1891 the first street good committee.” AGM meetings, attended by some 40 people used to collection was made. 2004 saw the Queen open the Lifeboat College in invite speakers. Poole, Dorset. Barbro rues some of the changes she sees today, adamant that the community must always be involved. Christmas card sales, the putting competition (which started on the East Bents), the fireworks, the donkey derbies, and other fundraising events are no more. Nevertheless, at one AGM, the treasurer announced that from 1968 to 1993 £105,000 had been raised. “I can tell you I’ve had nothing but enjoyment, and people have been so kind, and everybody’s been so co-operative, it’s just been a pleasure.” Barbro has great confidence in the people who are going to take over from her. She is sure that the local RNLI will continue to thrive. On Thursday, 21 May, at the Barbican Centre in London the RNLI will make Barbro an Honorary Life Governor, in recognition of her 58 years of devoted service. “I will get my grandson to take me, because I felt, I was his age when I started.” All Barbro’s family will be there to cheer her. This will be the first time that a St Andrean has received the highest award given by the Institution. Warmest, heartfelt congratulations Barbro, an achievement all St Andrews can be proud of. (Photo by Flora Selwyn)

“Only 10 rules? Not like golf then.”

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For emergencies, dial 101, or 999.

ORGANISATIONS Morag Coleman, Manager, chatted to Flora Selwyn about

Families First Started in 2001 by the Baptist Church, Families First became an independent charity in 2009, since when it has been gradually evolving, developing its services to families living in North East Fife. Today there are three main services: one-to-one befriending; family support; children’s group work. The first of these supports children between the ages of 5 and 16. The second is mainly for adults, while the third, as it states, is for the children as well. The premises in Rose Lane, St Andrews, are kindly donated by the Baptist Church next door. Upstairs is a homely room where trained befrienders meet the children to share activities. Downstairs is a fully-equipped kitchen used by children to cook for each other. Next to it is the office where service staff work. Its walls are decorated from top to bottom with the children’s art work. The children are collected and brought to the premises after school and during holidays to meet with befrienders, or take part in group activities. Four full-time and two part-time paid staff oversee some 90 volunteers, mostly students. Children with additional support needs are referred to Families First by statutory agencies, or other voluntary-sector services. Children, as well as adults who have additional support needs all benefit from the available services. Lonely or isolated children are helped to gain the confidence they need to rejoin their community, “and get a social network around

students gain valuable experience, the older them.” Morag explained that, “We work towards volunteers enjoy their interaction with them, achieving goals,” which lead to success. The while the children and adults acquire new groups enable children to develop social skills, skills with new opportunities. All this, however, such as working as a team. During the school depends on funding. “We’re always fundraising! holidays groups come together in their local It’s a huge part of our work.” Fife Council communities for activities such as arts and contributes around crafts, or go out on trips, £39,000 a year, but such as a visit to the Children, as well as adults Morag says £170,000 beach. A council minibus who have additional is needed, “we’d like is available to borrow it to be more, but we for outings further afield, support needs all benefit can get away with organized by the Families that.” Having no rent to First driver. Fun-orientated from the available services. pay is a huge bonus. cooking sessions take The students contribute greatly to fundraising place, in which the older children devise a activities, a true town/gown collaboration! “The menu, buy the ingredients, then cook a meal for University students do a lot for us.” Families the group. Other events, for example, Easter First is grateful for its autonomy. Along with egg hunts, involve whole families together. the Council, donors such as the St Andrews Families First runs transition groups for Community Trust and local businesses such children with additional support needs to make as The White Stuff in Church Street, are highly the move from primary to secondary school. valued. “We have a programme of about eight sessions, “It’s been a journey, and I’ve been part of then arrange lunchtime ‘drop-ins’ from August to it for three and a half years. It’s been great.” October. If children still have problems they can Covering all North-East Fife Morag and her come and see us.” team cover a very large area. The advantage of Adults are helped with their own personal being based in St Andrews is having so many problems, or supported with their child’s needs. University student volunteers, and being close “They do the figuring out, we just support them to local amenities. to get there.” Sometimes guest speakers are invited to the Thursday lunchtime meetings. (Photos courtesy Families First) Regular training programmes for volunteers are run throughout the year. “We always get positive feedback.” Everyone benefits; the

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ORGANISATIONS Muriel Armstrong writes

In Praise Of Pilgrimage Pilgrimage – a journey to a holy place – is catching on fast, not in some Saint’s relics would be a high point for sun-drenched, exotic location, but right here in Scotland. No need for which people queued for hours. Often sandals to tread the dusty roads. Bicycles, buses, cars, and comfy fairs and feasting followed the fasting shoes (maybe a cagoule!) are the order of the day for a range of pilgrim and devotion. This was the famous journeys following in the footsteps of Scotland’s rich Celtic heritage medieval rhythm of Carnival and Lent, of saints, abbeys and places of worship of all shapes and sizes. The repeated throughout the year. It is interesting that historically the journeys groundwork has been done. Scotland’s Churches Trust is a new body were demanding and sometimes arduous. So wayside shrines and created out of the former Churches to visit in inns flourished and a range of devotions and Scotland and the Scottish Churches Architectural entertainments developed to keep folk going. Hence The renaissance of pilgrimage Heritage Trust. As well as the ongoing work of of course the Canterbury Tales! Today, all of these in the west is rooted in this providing grants to repair and restore Scotland’s reasons may still apply in different ways and in combination of ancient roots rich treasury of worship settings, the Trust has also different regions of the world. But in the developed with contemporary openness launched Scotland’s Pilgrim Journeys – a network of west, pilgrimage may be a more reflective and pilgrimage routes covering the whole country. internalised pastime. The journey seems as Each Journey is divided into meaningful stages, which enables important as the destination, and people often undertake a pilgrim route different parts to be enjoyed in different ways, as your time and choices as a form of ‘time out’ or refreshing, without a specifically religious allow. Each stage also has its own interpretative themes which can be objective. In a sense, like so many aspects of contemporary culture, followed in either direction, by simply reversing the route information. See pilgrimage is what you choose to make of it. People travel individually, as more at: http://www.scotlandspilgrimjourneys.com couples, families or groups, and shape their own experience within the Traditionally, people often went on pilgrimage for very specific archetypal patterns of journey and place. The renaissance of pilgrimage in reasons. They had a burden of guilt that could be lifted by visiting a the west is rooted in this combination of ancient roots with contemporary shrine and receiving remission for their sins. Or people were afflicted openness. There are still specific shrines and devotions, but here also is with some form of illness and pain that might be relieved by the prayers a way to explore spiritual values in the context of landscape, heritage, art, of the Saint connected with a holy shrine. Or again they wished to and devotion. The departure point is unconstrained, the way of arriving intercede for someone else, living or dead, whom a particular Saint undetermined, and the nature of the destination both highly personal and might aid, physically or spiritually. Many people also sometimes travelled deeply resonant. Pilgrimage is recreation and re-creation for all tastes, long distances, to enjoy a more general sense of occasion at a special ages, cultures, and backgrounds. feast day or festival. On such days the churches would be beautifully (Photo courtesy Muriel Armstrong) decorated, music and worship were awe-inspiring, while touching the

Annette Birkett, Committee Chairperson

St Andrews Club for our Partially-Sighted and Blind citizens Through the courtesy of your columns we the corner of City Road and Lockhart Place/ should like to appeal to any of your readers who Market Street; also once a month at Kinnesburn have friends or relatives with poor eyesight – Bowling Green for indoor bowling. of any age, sex, nationality etc, ranging from We have a programme of social activities slightly impaired vision to totally blind – who with guest speakers on a wide range of would enjoy participating interesting topics; in the activities of our recently a lady who We have a programme of social Club. There’s no charge! worked in de-coding activities with guest speakers on a for Bletchley Park in It’s a great opportunity wide range of interesting topics to get out of the house WW2; another who is once a week, joining a jute expert; a man others to enjoy their company and our various whose grandfather sailed the last of the British activities, with refreshments of course. windjammers all over the world; musicians and Through the winter, the Club meets on singers (Madras College, Canongate Primary Mondays from 2.00pm – 4.00pm in the groundSchool Glee Club – who kindly requested we floor hall of Hope Park & Martyrs Church on donate to Guide Dogs for the Blind instead

of to them); keep-fit exercising; quizzes, dominoes, and other games; end-of-year party with the one-and-only Billy Anderson; and the occasional outing to a restaurant, or even a suitable theatre performance. In summer we meet at Kinburn Park for outdoor bowling, refreshments, and chat. A Minibus or RVS transport door-to-door is usually available if necessary. We are affiliated to the Fife Society for the Blind in Kirkcaldy. Further details available from myself on: 01334 479 979.

THE St Andrews pet shop! Stocking the widest range of pet foods, accessories. Anything not stocked we can order. 78 South Street, St Andrews, KY16 9JT Tel: 01334 470 873

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ORGANISATIONS Bill Sutherland, on behalf of the occupants of Kinburn Park

All together at Kinburn Park, Double Dykes Road Kinburn Park has much to offer, but how well is it known, where is it, and what’s in it? The three occupants of the Park are coming together to try and change things. They are: the Museum and Café, the Tennis Club, and the Bowling Club. Each has talked to the other, all are keen to increase the usage of the facilities on offer. Two main things are on the go to help. First are the signs in the town. These will be changed and added to, so that the customer/visitor will be pointed in the right direction. Second, they are producing a flyer to advertise the Park. Each house in the town will receive a copy; they will also be widely distributed for general publicity. So what does the Park have to offer? •

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There is an extra twist to the togetherness story. The Bowling Club is liaising with The Museum is a most attractive building Craigtoun Park. If you visit Craigtoun Park, hosting different exhibitions. It has a range you could be entitled to a free game of of objects relating to Andrew, bowls, or a round of putting Patron Saint of Scotland. It The Bowling Club at Kinburn. Likewise, a has an Activity Room suitable customer at Kinburn Park for both children and adults. is liaising with may earn the right to get a In addition, it has a Café ticket for any of the seven Craigtoun Park serving home baking and facilities at Craigtoun Park. light meals. This is a good example of The Tennis Club has a good level of local community groups getting together to membership, 7 championship floodlit courts, help each other. 3 mini courts. Marjory Finlay is an excellent, Some of the “jewels in the crown” in enthusiastic Coach offering individual or St Andrews have undergone major change group coaching. You can have annual recently: Craigtoun Park, the Botanic Garden, membership, or hire a court by the hour. and the Byre. All three have had a new lease Rackets and balls can be supplied. All ages of life. The hope is that Kinburn Park can do and abilities are welcomed. the same, and add to that success. The Bowling Club has both lawn bowls and a putting green. Its membership has been declining in recent years, though there is For further information, please contact evidence of a new lease of life. The Club Bill Sutherland: 01334 473 541 is keen to see that membership increases Email: fionaandbill@gmail.com again. New members will be made very welcome. Like the Tennis Club, the Bowling Club is not Private, but open to the general (Photos by Peter Adamson) public. Bowls and shoes can be hired for a game of one or two hours.

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EVENTS From Alix Marion

The bright treasures of Fife In addition to displaying the objects, we organised a wide range of “Treasures of the Kingdom” exhibition showcases the wonders of Fife’s events for adults and children. Our education team, composed of Kirsty archaeology at St Andrews Museum until Sunday, 17 May. It has been and Raven, say, “The big challenge for curated by six postgraduate students of us was to develop events that would the University of St Andrews as part of bring the objects behind the glass in their Museum and Gallery Studies course: the museum to life for our visitors. Kirsty, Raven, Holly, Erin, Mathilde, and By using a range of approaches from Alix. practical archaeological skills to cutting In September, we were presented edge technologies we have been able with the theme of archaeology in the to present a variety of events to match Kingdom of Fife, using the collections the interests of a wide range of Fifers”. of Fife Cultural Trust. After focusing on Note that the next event will be a decoration and adornment, we decided to talk by Stuart Campbell on Saturday, subtitle our exhibition, “Fife’s Decorative 9 May about Archaeological Finds in Heritage Unearthed”. The gallery is Fife, that the weekend of the 16-17 divided into themes, such as style by May will be dedicated to Festival of design, especially jewellery, everyday Museum events, focusing on traditional ornamentation, mysterious treasures. crafts. Saturday will be dedicated to Visitors will also see political and trading archaeology-inspired accessories objects, religious emblems and afterlife making for children, Sunday will objects. A whole part of the exhibition is feature a stained glass workshop and a 3D printing one for adults also dedicated to the Dig Dunfermline project carried out in 2013, which (booking is essential and can be made by calling 01334 659 380). aimed at revealing the medieval heritage of this city with the help of 83 “It was challenging to figure volunteers. out a way to capture people’s Some objects have been interest in such small objects. discovered very recently, such as This was achieved partly by the the Ballingry coin Hoard found by It was challenging to figure out a way to narrative, which communicates a metal detectorist in 2013. These capture people’s interest in such small objects the stories behind the objects have never been on show before. It through the common thematic is a very exciting opportunity to (re-) thread of form and function. discover Fife’s history through star And how could we forget objects such as the Kilrenny Stone, magnifying glasses! We also wanted to facilitate visitors’ engagement an object that has been in the collections of the Museum since its with archaeology itself – providing a glimpse into the workings of a real discovery in the 1990s, but has not been on show for the last decade. archaeological dig,” conclude Erin and Mathilde. As a symbol for our group, we chose a late medieval skeleton ring. “It’s wonderful to see such a delicate item in as fine a condition as this. (Photo courtesy Fife Cultural Trust The engraving is remarkably sharp, and the remaining glass enamel (St Andrews Museum) on behalf of Fife Council) is still vividly coloured”, says Holly, who has a background in jewellery making.

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EVENTS Rowan Gard, Co-ordinator,

Pacific Connections This summer internationally-renowned University of the South Pacific’s Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture, and Pacific Studies (OCACPS) brings a truly special offering for all-age audiences with their production of the beautifully thoughtful and moving Moana – The Rising of the Sea at the Byre Theatre on 10-12 June, with matinée and evening performances. Moana juxtaposes images of sea levels rising in Oceania with poetry, music, dance, and drama. This extraordinary stage production is a meditation on cultural loss, displacement, and our collective responsibility to each other. Both elaborate and ambitious, this Oceanian musicdance-drama is born out of a desire to use the performing arts of the Pacific to bring attention to many island nations’ most pressing issue— climate change. Moana is collaboratively sponsored by the University of St Andrews Centre for Pacific Studies, the Byre Theatre, and the Museum of the University of St Andrews (MUSA). Moana also serves as the culminating event in the Pacific Connections Lecture and Performing Arts series, which aims to illuminate the connections the UK shares with the Pacific, increase appreciation and knowledge of the diverse historic and contemporary cultures of the Pacific.

The creative team behind this beautifully crafted production includes internationallyacclaimed theatre, dance, and musical artists. The Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture, and Pacific Studies, founded in 1997 and based in Fiji, is acknowledged as one of the Pacific’s leading theatre companies specialising in creating and delivering high-quality theatre experiences. All productions make a positive contribution to social and cultural cohesion, and are accessible to individuals from different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds. Moana —The Rising of the Sea is suitable for all-age audiences. Tickets for this production

cost £8-£10. They are available from the Byre Theatre box office at 01334 475 000 or online at byretheatre.com For further information, please contact the Byre Theatre, or Rowan Gard, Centre for Pacific Studies: 07904 404 870 email: arg21@st-andrews.ac.uk (Photos courtesy Rowan Gard)

Helen Gregory, Music Centre Manager

Iphigenie in Tauris This June, the Byre Opera presents Gluck’s Iphigenie in Tauris, the work that inspired Mozart’s Idomeneo, and Hector Berlioz’s Trojans. The story is based on an ancient Greek play by Euripides, but handles timeless themes still relevant in the world today: the heartache caused by broken families; the limits of friendship; a community living in fear of foreigners. Byre audiences will benefit from a new English language translation, prepared by Dr Julia Prest and students studying libretto translation in the University’s School of Modern Languages. In the pit will be a period-instrument orchestra comprising the Fitzwilliam String Quartet and London-based ensemble Ars Eloquentia, led by Lucy Russell, conducted by Michael Downes. St Andrews audiences will also be able to hear Ars Eloquentia earlier in the week performing Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto no.5 and other baroque repertoire in St Andrew’s Episcopal church. Director Jane Pettegree explains that she was attracted to Gluck’s opera because of the clear-eyed manner in which it tackled the issue of post-war trauma. The Greeks may have won the Trojan War, but not without a cost to territories throughout the region. Iphigenia and a community of displaced Greek women are priestesses in the land of Tauris (modern day Crimea), trapped in a society that sacrifices all foreigners to the goddess Diana. In a dramatic opening storm sequence, two young men are shipwrecked on the shore. One is Iphigenia’s longlost brother, Orestes: in the years since they were parted, he has committed terrible acts of violence. Will Orestes be saved? And if so, will this save, or cost, more lives? Iphigenie in Tauris is playing in the Byre Theatre on Monday, 15, Wednesday, 17 and Thursday, 18 June, starting at 7.00pm. Tickets are available from the Byre Box Office, 01334 475 000. Opera ticket holders will receive a 50% discount on the Ars Eloquentia concert on Saturday, 13 June (please present your opera ticket at that previous event). (Photo by Oli Walker, courtesy the Music Centre)

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EVENTS Ronald Sandford announces

The Crail Festival 2015 This year’s Crail Festival – now in its 4th decade – will take place 22 July -1 August in a number of locations in this picturesque village in the beautiful, scenic East Neuk of Fife. Wonderful Music will underpin an extensive, varied, ‘family friendly’ programme, which truly has something for everyone. Exciting events include: Family Ceilidh with ‘Cutting Edge’; Jazz Picnic (Grace Black and her Trio); Charlotte Rowan (superb, young Scottish classical violinist); Robyn Stapleton Trio (Robyn was the BBC Scottish Young Traditional Musician of the year in 2014); Christine Bovill (hugely talented Scottish singer, songwriter); Fife Opera (an evening of ‘well kent’ arias); Swede Dreamz (Abba music at its very best); – and this year’s star quality headline act on 1 August, “BARBARA DICKSON and RAB NOAKES”. Children’s activities are ‘Fandabbydozy’- FunBox ( the ‘new’ Singing Kettle); Fossil Hunt; Animal alphabet; Golf Skills; Rock Pool Guddle; Crabbing; Dance, Art and Ceramic Workshops. Illyria make a welcome return with their dramatic, enthralling performance of ‘Taming of the Shrew’. In response to popular demand the Festival Quiz has been reinstated. A Literary Lunch is a new addition to the cultural scene. Festival favourites – Art Exhibition, Craft Fair, Street Market, Putting, will again feature. Can we possibly match, or even beat, last year’s amazing total of 2,700 putting rounds?

Charlotte Rowan (Photo courtesy Ronald Sandford)

Follow progress on www.crailfestival.com on Facebook at facebook.com/CrailFestival and on Twitter at twitter.com/CrailFestival

Print & Design

We welcome commercial enquiries St Katharine’s West, 16 The Scores, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9AX. T: (01334) 463020, E: printanddesign@st-andrews.ac.uk www.st-andrews.ac.uk/printanddesign The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland, No: SC013532

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EVENTS From Emily Noakes

St Andrews Photographers We shall be holding a photographic exhibition in Holy Trinity Church from June until September. There will be Mounted Prints and Cards for sale.

We’re a small group of highly-creative local photographers. Our styles are varied and our fine art prints range from still life, through landscape and nature, to portraiture,

and beyond. From cards to prints, we have something for everyone. Come and visit us – we’d love to see you.

Selected Events Saturday, 2 May – 9.00am-1.00pm. Argyle Street car park. Farmers’ Market. Sunday, 3 May – 11.00am-4.00pm. Byre Theatre, Abbey Street. Artisan & collectors’ Pop Up event. Carnaby Market. Contact: 07904 102 216. Tuesday, 5 May – 7.15pm. New Picture House, North Street. Royal Ballet Live. La Fille Mal Gardée. Contact: 01334 474 902. Thursday, 7 May – 7.00am-10.00pm, GENERAL ELECTION. – 8.00pm. School 1, the Quad, North Street. The archaeology of Kilmartin Glen. A talk by Dr Sharon Webb for the Archaeology Society. Contact: classics@st-andrews.ac.uk – 9.00pm. Forgan’s, Market Street. Wire & Wool. Acoustic session: best local talent. Contact: events@forgansstandrews.co.uk 01334 466 973. Friday, 8 May – 8.00pm. Community Hall, CRAIL. Them Beatles. A nostalgic evening of the ‘Fab Fours’ classic songs. Contact: ronaldsandford@hotmail.co.uk Thursday, 14 May – 7.00pm. New Picture House, North Street. Live from the National Theatre. Man and Superman. Contact: 01334 474 902.

Wednesday, 27 May – 6.30pm. Town Hall, Queen’s Gardens. Arthritis Association AGM. Followed by coffee and stalls. Contact: janetblack1945@tiscali.co.uk

*****

Thursday, 4 June – 12.45pm. All Saints Church Hall, North Castle Street, St Andrews. Simon Chadwick, medieval harp recital, Supernatural pibroch music. Admission free. Contact: simon@simonchadwick.net Friday, 5 June – 7.30pm. The Scores Hotel, The Scores. Down the Danube Wine Masterclass, hosted by Rose Murray Brown. Contact: 01334 870 731. Saturday, 6 June – 9.00am-1.00pm. Argyle Street car park. Farmers’ Market. Tuesday, 9 June – 7.00pm. New Picture House, North Street. Live from the National Theatre, London Road. Contact: 01334 474 902. Wednesday, 10 June – 7.15pm. New Picture House, North Street. Royal Opera Live. La Bohème. Contact: 01334 474 902. Thursday, 18 June – Arthritis Association Outing. Contact: janetblack1945@tiscali.co.uk

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TOWN & GOWN George Phillips reminisces –

A mathematician’s visits to China I first went East in 1977, but only visited Hong Kong, which was still under parents’ Golden Wedding anniversary. Alas, my parents had both died in British control. I had applied for the Chair of Mathematics at the University the year following their Silver Wedding. But seeing that bride in Tianjin of Hong Kong and had been interviewed at the British Council offices in brought back a very happy memory of Jenny Fleming’s wedding in the London by two British professors of Mathematics. A month or two later I St Andrews University Chapel. Jenny, the daughter of John and Pearl, was invited for interview in Hong Kong itself. Before I set off I read lots was born in China and she had chosen a red wedding dress. about Hong Kong; one book that I liked very much was Half-crown Colony Tianjin now has a population of over thirteen million. The train journey by James Pope-Hennessy. I was put up at the Hilton Hotel, where I on a “bullet” train from Beijing to Tianjin, a distance of 120 kilometres, stayed for five days. I gave a talk takes less than forty minutes. in the Mathematics Department, In 1985 I was met by my hosts learning that day that the famous at Beijing Airport and driven English mathematician J E to Tianjin on a two-way road Littlewood had just died. Next day that had lots of slow-moving I had my interview. vehicles. The journey time was I was fascinated by Hong around four hours. Since Tianjin Kong, and I had plenty of time to was not frequented by tourists I look around. On a Star Ferry trip attracted some interest, an oddity that took only a few minutes, I I suppose, as I walked or cycled was amused by a sign stating that around. I used the University car ‘spitting, drinking, and gambling’ only once when I went off one were all banned on the boat. day to buy a little carpet, which Several days after I returned we still have. Since the carpet to St Andrews I learned that my was circular I mentioned the Hong Kong application had been name of the fifth-century Chinese unsuccessful. The interviewing mathematician Zu Chongzhi, who committee had proposed that I had obtained the approximation should be appointed, but their 355/113 for π (pi), the constant decision was vetoed by the that gives the ratio between the University’s Senate, which wanted circumference and the diameter a Chinese appointee. I was very of a circle. To my delight, the disappointed, because I thought people in Tianjin who sold me the my mathematics would have carpet knew about Zu Chongzhi. prospered better in Hong Kong. (The decimal representations However, I later thought that I was of 355/113 and π agree to six George (L) in China with Prof Feng Shun-xi and Hou Guo Rong (1988). fortunate in not going there, since digits after the decimal point, St Andrews was so much better for our family. And now it is clear that if showing that 355/113 is a very much better approximation to π than the we had gone to Hong Kong, our three grandchildren would not now exist. well-known ratio 22/7 that many of us learned at school. It took about In 1985 I was invited to China to give some lectures in Tianjin. This a thousand years for European mathematicians to obtain as good an greatly pleased our dear friends and neighbours in St Andrews, John and approximation to π as that obtained by Zu Chongzhi. See the website Pearl Fleming, who first went to China soon after they were married in History of Mathematics written by my colleagues John O’Connor and 1938. (John taught theology in Shenyang, formerly known as Mukden.) Edmund Robertson.) My host in Tianjin was Professor Feng Shun-xi who had been using In 1985 most Chinese people were wearing Mao suits, and the a “pirated” Chinese translation of the textbook on numerical analysis, roads were full of bicycles. One was also very aware of the Chinese first published in 1973, that I had written with government’s policy of one-child families, Peter Taylor. I spent three weeks in Tianjin, In 1985 I was invited to China to seeing how parents lavished all their and I cycled everywhere. My hosts took me affection on their one and only little prince give some lectures in Tianjin to the Great Wall, also to Tiananmen Square or princess. Before I left, I was given a pair in Beijing, where I went to see Mao Zedong, of matching cloisonné vases by my hosts, lying in state in a special building, which I call the ‘Mao-soleum’. One of which have been on our mantlepiece for nearly thirty years. This gift led the highlights of this visit happened on the last evening, when my hosts to a continuing interest in cloisonné. Since 1985 I have built up a little gave a dinner in my honour. As I left at the end of the meal, I saw a young collection, most pieces purchased in Singapore and in Penang, Malaysia. bride wearing the Chinese traditional red wedding dress. How appropriate that was. For I was so aware that day, 26 October 1985, that it was my (Photo courtesy George Phillips)

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TOWN & GOWN

Consummate Remodelling Fascinated by heraldry from a very young age, Mark Dennis today is Ormond Pursuivant of Arms, the 25th in the Court of the Lord Lyon since 1477. “It was,” Mark said, “a great honour to be appointed.” “The Lord Lyon is the sole King of Arms in Scotland. He is Head of the Heraldic Executive and the Judge of the Court of the Lord Lyon which has jurisdiction over all heraldic business in Scotland.” (from the official website of the Court). Thus Mark Dennis is in the unique position in St Andrews of having been able to refurbish correctly all the heraldic shields used by the Kate Kennedy Club in their annual procession through the town. Spectators of this year’s procession will have been struck by the magnificent costumes worn by the founding clerical characters, their complete overhaul also due to Mark! Your Editor was privileged to see the costumes in Mark’s home where they were assembled before the April procession. The photos, I trust, will give an idea of how resplendent they are. Materials for them came from India, Russia, Poland, China, etc. some even via eBay. The work involved was a true Town/Gown venture. Mark initially painted a scroll as a guide, having thoroughly researched the history of the characters, with the clerical garb and vestments of their periods. He painted all the saints on the orphreys and hood of Bishop Lamberton’s cope, and designed all the croziers and crosses, as well as constructing the astonishing Papal Tiara. Special thanks go to Les Hunter, Wendy Quinault, Margaret Dredge, Len Cerajewski Austen Schurig, and members of the KK Club, who all gave unstinted hours to achieve the superb results. David Martin, Kate Kennedy Club’s Keeper of the Costumes is tasked with looking after this treasure!

Initial thoughts painted by Mark

Bishop Lamberton

Back of Bishop Lamberton

Papal Tiara made by Mark (Photos by Flora Selwyn)

Crosses made by Mark

Henry Ogilvy – pilgrim tokens from places visited

Prior Hepburn

Papal Deacon

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TOWN & GOWN Elizabeth Stone with the Cycle the Silk team, all of them students at St Andrews University, will be

Following in the footsteps of Marco Polo: Cycling the Silk Road Connecting the East with the West through a network of ancient 330 miles around Scotland in five days. It seems a daunting prospect, trading routes, the Silk Road truly brings history to life. Made famous especially considering that for some members of the team this will be by European explorer Marco Polo, the road winds through China, their first extended cycling expedition. The desire to explore, though, far Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, even Pakistan, Iran and India, outweighs these doubts. The biggest challenge, as we’ve discovered from depending on which route you take. It is the ultimate our preparations so far, is the mental one. With the travel route. Harsh at times, as it stretches across correct mindset it is possible to achieve anything. With the correct the Gobi desert ascending the remote mountains of This is not the first time that members of STAAG mindset it is possible Kyrgyzstan; amongst the nomadic communities and the have gone on such an adventure. The challenge is remoteness, there is a strange beauty. annual, the aim being to raise money for charity whilst to achieve anything This landscape will form the backdrop for the undertaking a substantial journey. Previous challenges St Andrews Adventure Group’s (STAAG) Challenge 2015: cycling the Silk have involved cycling across sub-Saharan Africa, driving a rickshaw the Road. On 2 July we will set off on a two-month journey, relying on two length of India, and driving support vehicles from St Andrews to Mongolia. wheels and our two legs to power us over 3,000 miles from Xi’an, China This year, we are aiming to make a local impact in the regions we are through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, finishing in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. We travelling through. Central Asia and ‘the Stans’, especially, receive little are planning each step of the trip ourselves and will carry all equipment support or coverage from the international community, but the scars of on our bikes, with no reliance on support vehicles. An ambitious journey, the collapse of the Soviet Union still run deep, with a lack of reforms and yes, but one that our team of nine is fully prepared for, having undertaken governmental support. We are supporting the Centre for the Protection of a Wilderness First Aid course, as well as a training expedition cycling Children in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, through the Elnura Foundation, which offers assistance to working children by providing education, housing, food, and healthcare. The team has established a personal link with the Elnura Foundation over recent months. We will be visiting the centre in Bishkek to see how the money raised will be used. The funds directed to the second charity, Fauna & Flora International, will go specifically towards the project to conserve the endangered snow leopard, which is fundamental to the region’s ecosystem. The fundraising goal stands at £10,000. We are already a quarter of the way there, having already held a 24-hour cycle outside the University’s Students’ Association, also numerous other events. Follow us on our journey through our blog and social media. Our website: www.cyclethesilk.org.uk If you wish to show your support through a donation, you can do so via our JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/teams/CycletheSilk2015

(Photo courtesy the Team)

The team is also looking for local sponsors, if you are interested please contact cyclethesilk@st-andrews.ac.uk

Praise for Good Neighbours ‘A student neighbour of mine, Jerome, on seeing me, an elderly lady, struggling with my garden, asked if I needed help. On the day we arranged for this, he turned up with eight other students, two of whom helped with outside painting, and one of whom was a skilled pruner. On the whole, my experience of students as neighbours has been good, but this experience of kindness and generosity was outstanding, filling me with much gratitude, and confirming to me again that town and gown is indeed alive and well in St Andrews.’

(Photos courtesy of the writer, who wishes to remain anonymous)

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TOWN & GOWN Alistair Macleod says,

Lets all get on our bikes A new St Andrews bike initiative started in April with the aim of getting us all on a bike, peddling fit. Hosted by Transition UStA, the St Andrews Bike Pool has been quietly helping people to maintain their bikes for a number of years through regular self-help classes led by an experienced instructor. Now, following support from Fife Council and the University, the Transition UStA-based group has won funding for a one-year project from the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund that will enable them to run weekly bike maintenance courses across the town, as well as promote bike safety and look to establish a St Andrews Bike User Group (BUG) that will consider things like cycle routes, signage, storage. This work has been recently boosted with another award from Fife Council’s “Smarter Places” scheme that will support a number of bike infrastructure improvements alongside those being undertaken at the University. The Bike Pool project developed after a recent survey of residents found that the main barriers to cycling included poor bike condition, lack of storage, and lack of confidence on the road. Katherine Ellsworth Krebs from Bike Pool explained, “Riding a well-maintained bike is a fast, fun, and smart way to travel. However, many of our bikes are in poor condition. We throw away between 150 and 300 bikes a year in St Andrews – many under 3 years old. Our

A busy St Andrews Bike Pool session at the Cosmos Centre in March classes are aimed at helping people to help themselves, become familiar with the basic maintenance that all bikes require to keep them in top condition.” The group is now looking for venues to host the workshops. These could be within a school, community centre, church, or even business; in fact, wherever there is a group of people with bikes – which is just about everywhere!

If you would like to join the St Andrews Bike User Group, or book a Bike Pool maintenance session please get in touch through transition@st-andrews.ac.uk (01334 464 000) or www.transitionsta.org (Photo courtesy Transition UStA)

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

www.nphcinema.co.uk

117 North Street, St Andrews Tel: 013334 474902

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OUT & ABOUT Alistair Lawson, ScotWays

Hikes and History in Inverkeithing Readers may have noticed a recurring theme in my recent scribblings, namely references to local communities around Fife where local walking opportunities are available in tandem with the promotion of local history. On the far side of Fife the wonderful Coastal Path meanders through the ancient town of Inverkeithing; a wander up from the waterside will reveal, at five locations, new interpretation boards giving a flavour of Inverkeithing’s history. Installed courtesy of the community and Fife Council, the boards tell about local connections with Kings David 1st, Robert 3rd, and James 1st, the Russian Navy, Empress Catherine the Great, the Tolbooth, a Franciscan Friary, the Lammas Fair, quarrying, ship-breaking, and Estonia! Why, one might wonder, is there mention of Estonia? Well, go and find out, and learn much more about this fine little town. The inquisitive walker will enjoy one of Fife’s most ancient small towns, saved, ironically perhaps, by the very things which caused it to flourish then decline in the nineteenth and the twentieth centuries. The

Total

opening of the mighty Forth Bridge in 1890 Clackmannanshire bridges, is progressing with and the Road Bridge in 1964 both provided amazing smoothness and speed, currently massive employment projects, but of course on target as well as under budget. The three resulted in diverting traffic away from the town. elegant towers are now at half of their final The M90, which now whips height of 210m. Later this lorries past Inverkeithing year that exciting stage In addition to things instead of forcing them to will be reached where we trundle along the High Street, hold our collective breath past, new history is removed the threat of radical as the engineers embark in the making here road-widening for heavy on the critical linking of the transport. Local businesses gaps between the separate may at the time have felt the loss of passing structures. If you want to learn all the detail, trade, but the wonderful built heritage, as seen there is a Forth Replacement Crossing Project in the Grey Friars Hospitium and the Fordell Exhibition set up in the Contact & Information Lodgings, was saved; as a result, we can enjoy Centre at the south end of the bridge, which a more tranquil place, where the community will be open every Saturday from 7 March until can be seen and heard going about its daily 31 October. business up and down the High Street. However, to return to firmer ground and In addition to things past, new history is in the Coastal Path – how many readers have the making here. Energetic hikers could make traversed the whole length of the Path from the 6.2-mile walk over the bridge and back landfall at North Queensferry right round the (perhaps undertaken after a fortifying bacon coast to St Andrews? Hands up? butty in one of the fine local cafés), viewing the epic construction of the new Queensferry (Photo courtesy Alistair Lawson) Crossing. This third, actually the fifth, Forth crossing, not forgetting the Kincardine and

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OUT & ABOUT Stephen Spackman reports,

Coastal Rowing Resumes: Sandbay Century back in the Water This time last year, the interclub composite St Andrews Coastal crew race (where the crew Rowing Club was for each skiff is drawn preparing its first skiff for the water. Named by lot from the different Sandbay Century by the pupils of Lawhead clubs taking part); later, at P7 (winners of a competition between all the Portobello, she achieved primary schools of St Andrews), the skiff was gold in the Men’s Novice launched to fanfares from the children of the Race. The final highlight of Fife Horn Union, on an auspiciously lovely day the season was participation in the middle of April, thus joining St Andrews in the Forth Bridges 50th to the Scottish Coastal Rowing Project, the Anniversary Flotilla, most dynamic and fastest-growing healthy one of 150 vessels in a leisure activity in the country. Watched by downstream procession around two hundred friends, supporters, and under power, sail, and oar. A funders (Fife Council LCPB, The Community wonderful sight and another Trust, The Midsummer Ball, and the Pilgrim great day! Foundation), welcomed into the sea by skiffs By this time the Club had reached an active from Crail, Newburgh, Pittenweem, Anstruther, membership of around forty competitive and Sandbay Century social rowers, went on to a very learning some the Club has just bought kit no. 200 successful first valuable lessons: which we plan to build in the autumn the first was season of rowing and recruiting. that Sandbay At the first regatta of the season, in Century, ably built to the highest standards Anstruther, Sandbay Century won bronze in by Nigel Ford, Les Hunter, and their team,

did seem to be weightier than most of her competitors, who also had the benefit of longer racing experience in the design of fittings. During the winter lay-off, therefore, Sandbay Century has been out of the water at Comielaw Farm (by courtesy of the Balcarres Estate), undergoing a refit at the hands of an enthusiastic team led by Clayton Hardisty. Now she is ready for a new season’s racing, leaner and fitter than before – like her crews, of course! The second lesson of the first season: with one skiff (crewed by four rowers and a cox), a Club membership of forty means one outing per member for every eight times the skiff goes in the water. That is to say nothing of the community rowing that the Club has always intended to encourage. Clearly, the Club needs a second skiff (as indeed, virtually every other club has found out). Already we are on our way. Sandbay Century was built from kit no.100 (hence her name): now the Club has just bought kit no. 200 which we plan to build in the autumn. So, come and join us for enthusiastic exercise, the exhilaration of the sea, along with happy company in a fast-growing Club that has social and competitive contacts all over the country! For membership enquiries please contact Julie Hardisty: juliehardisty@hotmail.com (Photos courtesy the Club)

St Andrews Art Club

Summer Exhibition 2015

Saturday 25 July until

Sunday 9 August Weekdays 10.00am – 5.00pm Sundays 12.30 – 5.00pm Admission free

29

OUT & ABOUT Tim Hardie has very kindly offered to continue contributing to this column in memory of his much-missed late father, Tony. Welcome Tim, and sincere thanks.

Nature Notes

Living as I do, on a farm on the edge of the Around April the first swallows arrive here Sidlaws in rural Perthshire – countryside which in Scotland, after their long journey from South James Mackintosh Patrick knew so well – I Africa. It is fun to look out for the first one or two take delight in the wildlife that comes and goes, arriving – by the end of the month, there will especially at this time of be thousands back in their year. This interest in wildlife breeding grounds. I take delight in the and nature was sown by Having arrived safely wildlife that comes my father P A Hardie, who here, there is no great taught me to appreciate rush to get started. It takes and goes, especially the countryside and its time to recover from their at this time of year inhabitants, from a very early majestic journey and food age. can be in short supply in Spring is not always a joyous time, as I April here in Scotland. They also have to find a recall 2013 with freezing temperatures and mate, arrange nesting quarters and wait for an drifting snow – it was a disaster for wildlife. It improvement in the climate. was known that our barn owls failed to rear A later arrival than the swallow, are the a chick following these extreme conditions. house martins. These fabulous little birds Thankfully, last year, it was a different story remind me of miniature killer whales, cruising and I know of one pair of local barn owls that through the air with their black and white fledged five chicks – a full house! barring. In some ways, they have a more demanding job on their hands than the swallow, as their nests from the previous year are unlikely to have survived; having been built on the side of buildings they tend to disintegrate over a period of time. Like the swallow, there appears to be no rush to build a new home, but once a mate is taken, their new home is constructed with wet mud very quickly. Unlike the swallows, the martins build a complete beehive-like structure, with a tiny aperture to allow the prospective parents to access their nest. The tiny entrance is crucial, as the lazy house sparrow might take over their newly-built house, if there is sufficient room to access it. Come the middle of May, the first brood of young are on the verge of hatching and this signifies the start of a hectic couple of months Swallows, ‘feeding time’

House Martin for the adult birds. Providing the weather is fair, the first brood will have fledged within a couple of weeks of hatching, followed immediately by another brood. You only need to see the youngsters all lined up on the telegraph pole wires in late summer, to see how busy the adults have been. Talking about migrating birds, as the swallows arrive – the pinkfoot geese depart the Carse of Gowrie for Spitsbergen and Greenland. There were vast numbers of these birds roosting on the Tay in midwinter. They seemed to disappear at the beginning of February and have only recently returned to the Carse. They would likely have flown down to the Wash in Lincolnshire, which they love so much. The lure of the Tay is always present for the geese and sure enough they will always come back prior to their journey north. The grass parks are suddenly getting greener and geese like nothing better than nibbling the tops of fresh grass. (Photos courtesy John Anderson (Crail Birder: http://www.pbase.com/crail_birder))

Caroline Langdale advises

Forking Out Broad-Leaved Docks The minute broad-leaved docks appear on the ‘radar’ of a wholesale had penetrated the ground. Had we not exercised such particular care, nursery, everything comes to a standstill. The potting machine stops, it would have been a grim sight the following year after the plants had the propagation work ceases, and even the been grubbed up, the soil turned over for manager’s conversation with a customer gets planting a different crop. Strange as it may It stands to reason that gardeners interrupted. It’s as if someone had shouted seem, pieces of root, chopped by cultivation should act as quickly as the ‘fire!’ Everyone grabs a garden fork and implements, can give rise to new plants. makes his way to the scene. It stands to reason that gardeners professionals do In our case it was a little band of docks should act as quickly as the professionals which had emerged one March in the middle of a four-acre field of do whenever they chance upon this weed, but I don’t always see this strawberry plants. We were over an hour forking out every bit of root that happening. Perhaps part of the explanation is because the common dock leaf gets such a ‘good press’ early on in our lives – known to us all when we were children as being handy for taking the heat out of nettle stings. Admittedly, docks growing in a private garden are not going to threaten a gardener’s livelihood, but to ignore them is unwise for several reasons. It’s weary work forking them out year after year. Also, the tough tap root presents a perennial headache in the chemical control of them. Keen growers of vegetables should be aware, too, that this weed is one of the early spring hosts of blackfly, which passes from them to broad beans. Commercial growers fear the dock like they fear a house catching fire and so should gardeners too. Acquire more timely advice on garden matters by joining the Royal Horticultural Society Level 2 course (certificate in the Principles of Horticulture) to be launched at St Andrews Botanic Garden on 1 September, 2015. Course bookings: 01334 476 452 or email ed.trust.sec@st-andrews-botanic.org (Photo courtesy Caroline Langdale)

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OUT & ABOUT Arlen Pardoe

Hidden Gems in St Andrews (in plain view) Focussing on features that are in plain sight, but often overlooked Door Furniture – Door Knockers Knock knock, who’s there? Callers need to be able to let us know they are at the door. An old town like St Andrews has not only old doors but also old door furniture. Whilst it is possible to get modern reproductions, or to purchase reclaimed items from other places, it would be nice to think that many of the door knockers illustrated here are original. They are likely to be older than conventional door bells as they do not rely on electricity,

though there needs to be someone within earshot, perhaps a house servant – once common in some of the large houses in town. The range is most impressive, including simple rings, ornate rings, urns, shields, hands and human figures, animals including lions and birds; more unusual ones include a casting of the West Port. (Photos courtesy Arlen Pardoe)

Door Knockers

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